RAS question
Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) is conducted by:
Correct answer: (D) NSO.
The Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) is conducted by the National Statistical Office (NSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).
Explanation
The Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) is conducted by the National Statistical Office (NSO) of the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI). It is the primary source of data on the population's participation in the labour force and on employment and unemployment conditions. PLFS began in 2017-18 and replaced the National Sample Survey Office's (NSSO) earlier quinquennial Employment-Unemployment Survey (EUS). It publishes quarterly bulletins for urban areas and annual reports covering both rural and urban areas. Therefore, NSO is the conducting body; NITI Aayog, RBI, and the Labour Bureau do not conduct PLFS.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) The Labour Bureau does not conduct PLFS. The survey is conducted by NSO, MoSPI and replaced NSSO's earlier quinquennial Employment-Unemployment Survey.
- (B) NITI Aayog does not conduct PLFS; the conducting body is NSO, MoSPI.
- (C) RBI does not conduct PLFS; it is an official labour-force survey conducted by NSO, MoSPI.
Concept
In the Indian Economy syllabus, PLFS is studied under labour-market indicators and official statistical agencies. RAS exams commonly link PLFS with employment, unemployment, labour force participation rate (LFPR), worker population ratio (WPR), and unemployment rate (UR).