UPSC EPFO Answer Key 30 November 2025 | UPSC EPFO 2025 EO/AO Question Paper and Answer Key

93. The identification of Micro, Small and Medium enterprises is based on which of the following factors?

1. Annual turnover
2. Number of workers
3. Investment in plant and machinery or equipment

Select the answer using the codes given below: (a) 1, 2 and 3 (b) 1 and 2 only (c) 2 only (d) 1 and 3 only

Answer: (d) 1 and 3 only Explanation: Identification follows the same criteria as classification (investment and turnover).

94. The contribution of the services sector in Gross Value Added at current prices in the Indian economy in 2024-25 is estimated to be:

(a) 25% (b) 35% (c) 45% (d) 55%

Answer: (d) 55% Explanation: As per the Economic Survey 2024-25 and MOSPI data, the services sector contributed approximately 55% (54.93-55.3%) to India’s GVA in FY25, up from 50.6% in FY14.

95. Consider the following statements about Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana:

1. Since its launch in 2016, Maharashtra has more than doubled LPG connections from FY 2016.
2. Since its launch in 2015, Maharashtra has recorded the highest disbursal States.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (a) 1 only Explanation: Statement 1 is correct—India’s overall LPG connections more than doubled (14.52 crore in 2014 to 32.83 crore in 2024), with Maharashtra following this trend via Ujjwala additions since 2016. Statement 2 is incorrect—the scheme launched in 2016 (not 2015), and Uttar Pradesh has the highest connections, not Maharashtra.

96. Consider the following statements regarding Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana:

1. The average ticket size of loans disbursed has more than doubled between FY 2016 and FY 2023.
2. Since its launch in 2015, Maharashtra has recorded the highest disbursal States.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (d) Neither 1 nor 2 Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect—the average ticket size rose from ₹38,000 in FY16 to ₹72,000 in FY23 (nearly doubled, but not “more than” doubled). Statement 2 is incorrect—Tamil Nadu has the highest disbursal (₹3.23 lakh crore), followed by Uttar Pradesh; Maharashtra ranks lower.

97. Consider the following statements:

1. India’s Bioeconomy contributes about 4.25% to the GDP.
2. BioE3 promotes regenerative bio-manufacturing and supports a circular economy, aligned with India’s net-zero target.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2 Explanation: Statement 1 is correct—India’s bioeconomy reached $165.7 billion in 2024, contributing ~4.25% to GDP. Statement 2 is correct—the BioE3 Policy (2024) focuses on high-performance biomanufacturing for economic growth, environmental sustainability (circular economy), and employment, aligning with net-zero goals.

98. Which of the following Development Financial Institutions were set up in India between 1990s?

1. Industrial Finance Corporation of India (IFCI)
2. Industrial Credit and Investment Corporation of India (ICICI)
3. Industrial Development Bank of India (IDBI)
4. National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development (NaBFID)

Select the answer using the codes given below: (a) 1 and 3 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1, 2, 3 and 4 (d) 1, 2 and 4

Answer: (a) 1 and 3 only Explanation: The question phrasing appears to have an OCR error (likely “before the 1990s” instead of “between 1990s,” as none were set up in the 1990s). IFCI (1948) and IDBI (1964) were established by special Parliamentary Acts before 1991 liberalization. ICICI (1955) was under the Companies Act (not a special Act), and NaBFID (2021) was after.

99. Core inflation excludes which of the following?

1. Food prices
2. Energy prices

Select the answer using the codes given below: (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2 Explanation: Core inflation measures the underlying inflation trend by excluding volatile items like food and energy prices, which are influenced by temporary factors (e.g., weather or oil shocks). This is standard in RBI and global economic analysis.