UPSC CARE Mains Practice 25th March 2026
Mains Practice Questions for the Day
- Q. The renewed global interest in the Moon is fundamentally different from the Apollo era. Discuss with reference to NASA’s Artemis programme and India’s lunar ambitions.
- Q. The Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) 2025 indicates broad stability in India’s labour market, but also reveals deep structural challenges. Examine the significance of the findings of PLFS 2025 and discuss the major concerns that still need policy attention.
Q. The renewed global interest in the Moon is fundamentally different from the Apollo era. Discuss with reference to NASA’s Artemis programme and India’s lunar ambitions.
(GS Paper III – Science and Technology, Space Technology)
Introduction:
The new phase of lunar exploration marks a major shift from the symbolic achievements of the Apollo era to a long-term strategy of sustained human presence and deep-space preparation. NASA’s Artemis programme reflects this transition, while India has also entered the lunar race with long-term human exploration goals.
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How the Current Phase Differs from Apollo
The Apollo missions were historic but largely standalone successes. Between 1969 and 1972, humans landed on the Moon six times, yet the effort did not evolve into continuous habitation. The present phase is different because the objective is not merely exploration, but staying on the Moon.
NASA’s Artemis programme aims to establish a permanent lunar base capable of supporting repeated missions and long-term astronaut stays. Artemis I in 2022 was uncrewed, while Artemis II will send four astronauts around the Moon. Subsequent missions are intended to build towards a crewed landing and a sustained lunar presence.
Strategic Importance of the Moon
The Moon is now viewed as:
- a testbed for long-duration human survival in space,
- a platform for scientific research,
- and a launchpad for deeper missions, including Mars.
NASA’s plan resembles the ISS model, with repeated human and logistics missions, but on a far larger scale.
Global and Indian Context
Unlike the Cold War era, today’s lunar race is multipolar. China plans a human lunar landing by 2030, while India aims for a Moon landing by 2040 under Space Vision 2047. India’s signing of the Artemis Accords and cooperation through missions like NISAR indicate growing strategic engagement with NASA.
Conclusion:
Thus, the renewed lunar push is not about prestige alone. It is about technological preparedness, strategic competition, and building the foundations for deeper space exploration. For India, this phase presents both opportunities for collaboration and lessons for its own future lunar ambitions.
Q. The Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) 2025 indicates broad stability in India’s labour market, but also reveals deep structural challenges. Examine the significance of the findings of PLFS 2025 and discuss the major concerns that still need policy attention.
(GS Paper III – Indian Economy)
Introduction:
The Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), conducted by the National Statistical Office (NSO) since 2017, is India’s principal source of employment and unemployment data. The 2025 report presents a generally stable labour market, with improvement in unemployment indicators and a gradual shift towards regular salaried employment.
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Significance of PLFS 2025 Findings
1. Stability in labour market participation
The Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) for persons aged 15 years and above remained stable at 59.3%, while the Worker Population Ratio (WPR) stood at 57.4%, indicating continuity in labour market engagement.
2. Improvement in unemployment indicators
The Unemployment Rate (UR) for persons aged 15 years and above was 3.1%, while youth unemployment declined to 9.9% from 10.3% in the previous year. This suggests better labour absorption.
3. Better quality of employment
The share of regular wage/salaried employment rose to 23.6%, while self-employment declined to 56.2%. This points to gradual formalisation and greater income security.
4. Sectoral transition
Employment share in agriculture fell from 44.8% to 43.0%, while manufacturing and other services improved. This reflects slow but important structural transformation of the economy.
Major Challenges
1. Persistent gender barriers
Women continue to remain outside the labour force mainly due to child care and home-making responsibilities, unlike men, who largely cite education.
2. Low skill base
Only 4.2% of persons aged 15–59 reported formal vocational or technical training, showing weak skill formation.
3. High NEET population
About 25% of persons aged 15–29 were not in employment, education or training (NEET), which is a serious concern for India’s demographic dividend.
4. Comparability issue
From 2025, PLFS adopted a revamped sampling design and shifted to a calendar-year cycle, making strict comparison with previous annual reports difficult.
Way Forward
India must expand childcare support, promote women’s employment, strengthen vocational training, deepen job formalisation, and create targeted urban youth employment strategies. At the same time, PLFS-based policymaking should account for the revised methodology and use the data carefully.
Conclusion:
PLFS 2025 shows that India’s labour market is becoming more resilient and gradually more formal. However, gender inequality, low skilling, and youth exclusion remain major structural obstacles. Converting demographic potential into productive employment will require sustained and inclusive labour market reforms.
