---
title: "Periodic Labour Force Survey — Definition & Meaning"
description: "The Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) is India's key employment survey, launched in 2017 to provide crucial labour-market estimates."
url: "https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/periodic-labour-force-survey"
---

[New](https://modeldiplomat.com/)

#

Model Diplomat Research Team · Last reviewed June 22, 2026

TL;DR

- The Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) is India's official employment-unemployment survey, launched by the National Statistical Office in 2017 to provide annual and quarterly labour-market estimates.
- Which agency conducts the PLFS and under which ministry?
- What is the difference between Usual Status and Current Weekly Status in the PLFS?
- What are the three key indicators measured by the PLFS?
- Why was the 2017-18 PLFS report controversial?

[Civil Service & Diplomatic Exams](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/civil-services/glossary)Updated June 22, 2026

The Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) is India's official employment-unemployment survey, launched by the National Statistical Office in 2017 to provide annual and quarterly labour-market estimates.

Go beyond the definition

## Research Periodic Labour Force Survey like a delegate

Model Diplomat's AI drafts position papers, speeches, and country research with real sources — built for MUN and politics students.

## Research it like a delegate

Research on modeldiplomat.com

## Ask a follow-up about Periodic Labour Force Survey

Open a cited briefing in Model Diplomat search — timelines, positions, and sources you can use in committee or exam answers.

[Start research on Periodic Labour Force Survey](https://modeldiplomat.com/search?q=Explain%20Periodic%20Labour%20Force%20Survey%20%E2%80%94%20key%20dates%2C%20actors%2C%20positions%2C%20and%20sources)

Example

In 2019, the NSO's first PLFS report (2017-18) recorded India's unemployment rate at 6.1 per cent — the highest in 45 years — triggering controversy ahead of the general elections.

Keep learning

## Go deeper than the definition

Lessons

[Reading Government Reports Surveys Budgets For The Exam](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/lessons/exam-current-affairs-reading-government-reports-surveys-budgets-for-the-exam)[Inflation Employment Poverty](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/lessons/upsc-indian-economy-inflation-employment-poverty)

Courses

[Exam Current Affairs](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/courses/exam-current-affairs)[Upsc Indian Economy](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/courses/upsc-indian-economy)

[Explore all Civil Service & Diplomatic Exams lessons](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/civil-services)[Test yourself with a quiz](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/quiz/civil-services)

## Take Periodic Labour Force Survey beyond the glossary

Ask the AI research engine built for diplomacy — get briefings, position papers, and speeches with sources you can cite in committee.