Q. Which of the following statements is true regarding the trend of unemployment rate in India between July-September, 2019 and July-September, 2022 ?
1. It remained the same.
2. It declined.
Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
a) 1 is true and 2 is false.
b) Both 1 and 2 are false.
c) 1 is true and 2 is true.
d) Both 1 and 2 are true.
Question from UPPSC Prelims 2024
Correct Answer: b) Both 1 and 2 are false.
Explanation:
The unemployment rate in India experienced significant fluctuations between July-September 2019 and July-September 2022, primarily influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic.
1. July-September 2019: Before the pandemic, India’s unemployment rate was relatively stable, hovering around 6-7%.
2. July-September 2020: The onset of the pandemic led to a sharp increase, with the unemployment rate soaring to approximately 23% at its peak in April 2020.
3. July-September 2022: By this period, the unemployment rate had decreased from its pandemic peak but remained higher than the pre-pandemic levels, stabilizing around 7-8%.
Given this trend:
1. “It remained the same.” — False. The unemployment rate did not remain the same; it fluctuated significantly due to the pandemic.
2. “It declined.” — False in the context of the entire period from 2019 to 2022. While there was a decline from the pandemic peak, overall, the trend does not support a continuous or sustained decline compared to pre-pandemic levels.
Therefore, the correct answer is: b) Both 1 and 2 are false.
