RAS question
According to the Economic Survey 2025-26, what is the female labour force participation rate (FLFPR) in 2023-24?
Correct answer: (C) 42%.
India's female labour force participation rate rose to 42 per cent in 2023-24, according to the Economic Survey 2025-26.
Explanation
The Employment and Skill Development chapter of the Economic Survey 2025-26 discusses female labour force participation separately. The Survey reports that India's female labour force participation rate (FLFPR) rose from 23.3 per cent in 2017-18 to 41.7 per cent in 2023-24. The multiple-choice question rounds 41.7 per cent to the nearest whole percentage, 42 per cent, so option C is correct. This is almost twice the earlier rate. The Survey presents this increase as a sign of improvement in women's economic participation and inclusion. The 23 per cent in option A refers to the older 2017-18 rate, not the 2023-24 rate.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) The 23 per cent in option A is the Survey's 23.3 per cent rate for 2017-18 rounded to the nearest whole percentage; it is not the rate for 2023-24.
- (B) The 32 per cent in option B is below the Survey's 41.7 per cent rate for 2023-24, which the question rounds to 42 per cent.
- (D) The 56 per cent in option D is above the Survey's 41.7 per cent rate for 2023-24 and is not the rate reported for that year.
Concept
This question tests your understanding of the Indian Economy through labour-market indicators reported in the Economic Survey, especially the female labour force participation rate. Such figures recur in RAS, so candidates must distinguish the latest reported rate from the earlier rate within the same trend.