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GS3 · Employment

PLFS May: unemployment 5.6%

1 min readEmployment & Inclusive Growth
Battle IAS current affairs title card: PLFS May: unemployment 5.6% (GS3 · Employment, 16 June 2025)
Asked by UPSCMains 2023 (GS3)1 PYQ

UPSC has already asked about this. Read the story with these questions in mind.

What happened

  • Unemployment rate (CWS, 15+) rose to 5.6% in May 2025 from 5.1% in April [PIB].
  • LFPR was 54.8%; rural female LFPR was 36.9% [PIB].

Background

  • Female UR was 5.8% [PIB].

Why it matters

  • Monthly data catches seasonal swings.

How to use this in Mains

GS-III Inclusive growth and employment

  1. As per PIB (2025-06-16): unemployment rate (CWS, 15+) rose to 5.6% in May 2025 from 5.1% in April.
  2. Monthly data catches seasonal swings.
Quotable data point

LFPR was 54.8%; rural female LFPR was 36.9%.

PIB: PLFS May 2025, 16 Jun 2025

Exam angle

UPSC

Prelims: CWS.

Practice MCQs

Original practice questions (not PYQs).

Practice · UPSC

UR in May 2025 (CWS)

Answer (b) & explanation

PIB.

Go deeper

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Official source: PIB: PLFS May 2025, 16 Jun 2025

facts from cited sources only; faculty review pending