CAPF AC 2020 Q47: Indian Economy – Human Development, Poverty & Employment Schemes
Which of the following statements about employment situation in India according to Periodic Labour Force Survey 2017-18 is/are correct?
1. Construction sector gave employment to nearly one-tenth of urban male workforce in India
2. Nearly one-fourth of urban female workers in India were working in manufacturing sector
3. One-fourth of rural female workers in India were engaged in the agriculture sector
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- (a) 2 only
- (b) 1 and 2 only
- (c) 1 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (b) 1 and 2 only
Explanation
Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) 2017-18
How to think: test the statement that looks too small.
Most rural women who work are in farming, so one-fourth cannot be right.
| Statement | Verdict | PLFS 2017-18 figure |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Construction sector gave employment to nearly one-tenth of urban male workforce | Correct | About 11.7% |
| 2. Nearly one-fourth of urban female workers were working in manufacturing sector | Correct | About 25.2% |
| 3. One-fourth of rural female workers were engaged in the agriculture sector | Incorrect | About 73.2%, nearly three-fourths |
About the survey:
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Done by | National Statistical Office (earlier NSSO) |
| Started | 2017-18; first report in 2019 |
| Replaced | The five-yearly Employment-Unemployment Surveys |
| Unemployment rate in 2017-18 | 6.1% |
Answer: (b) 1 and 2 only.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Statement 2 is right, but statement 1 on construction is right too.
- (b) CORRECT. Statements 1 and 2 match the survey; statement 3 is wrong.
- (c) Incorrect. Statement 3 is wrong: about 73% of rural female workers were in agriculture.
- (d) Incorrect. Statement 3 understates the share of rural women in agriculture.
Key point
PLFS 2017-18: construction about 11.7% of urban male workers; manufacturing about 25.2% of urban female workers; agriculture about 73.2% of rural female workers.
Remember
About three-fourths of rural women workers are in agriculture.
Common mistakes
- Accepting one-fourth for rural women in agriculture; the real share is about three-fourths.
- Thinking PLFS is done by the Labour Bureau; it is done by the National Statistical Office.
- Mixing up the PLFS with the old five-yearly NSSO employment rounds.
Exam tip
Rural India works on farms. Any statement giving a small farm share for rural workers is suspect.
Sources
- Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation — Periodic Labour Force Survey, Annual Report 2017-18
- Economic Survey 2019-20 — chapter on employment