Current Context: On 15 October 2026, the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) released the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) Monthly Bulletin for September 2026. Urban female Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) increased to 25.9%, from 25.4% in August, reaching its highest level since October 2025.
- Conducting organisation: National Statistical Office (NSO) under MoSPI.
- Population covered: The headline indicators refer to persons aged 15 years and above.
- Overall LFPR: Stood at 55.5%, compared with 55.6% in August.
- Urban employment: The Worker Population Ratio (WPR) increased to 47.2%, from 47% in the previous month.
- Unemployment: The all-India unemployment rate remained at 5%, while urban female unemployment increased to 9.2%, from 8.9%.
- Survey approach: Monthly estimates use Current Weekly Status (CWS), based on activity during the preceding seven days.
- Conceptual distinction: LFPR includes employed persons and unemployed persons seeking or available for work. WPR includes only employed persons. Higher participation does not necessarily mean that everyone entering the labour force has secured employment.
Question:
Q1. According to the PLFS Monthly Bulletin for September 2026, the urban female Labour Force Participation Rate increased to which of the following levels?
a) 23.5%
b) 25.4%
c) 25.9%
d) 34.6%
e) 38.9%
Answer: c) Urban female LFPR reached 25.9% in September 2026, registering a 0.5 percentage-point increase over August. This indicator measures women’s participation in the labour market, including both those employed and those unemployed but seeking or available for work.
