UPSC CSE Prelims
Central Schemes Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

Detailed Explanation:

Statement I — Correct. The scheme targets installing rooftop solar panels in 1 crore households in the residential sector, giving them free electricity.

Statement II — Correct. MNRE (Ministry of New and Renewable Energy) trains people at the grassroot level in installation, operation, maintenance, and repair of solar rooftop systems.

Statement III — Correct. The scheme's capacity-building component aims to create 3+ lakh skilled workers through fresh skilling and up-skilling — meeting the demand for solar technicians.

All three statements describe different parts of the same scheme — no contradictions.

PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana (for Revision)

Detailed Explanation:

Correct Answer: ✅ Option 4 (1, 2 and 3)

The Digital India Land Records Modernisation Programme (DILRMP) aims to create a modern, transparent, and integrated system of land records management across India.

✅ Statement 1 is Correct: Since 1 April 2016, DILRMP has been implemented as a Central Sector Scheme, under which the Central Government provides 100% funding to States and Union Territories.

✅ Statement 2 is Correct: The scheme includes the digitization of cadastral maps, which show land parcel boundaries, ownership details, and survey information.

✅ Statement 3 is Correct: An initiative has been undertaken to transliterate Records of Rights (RoR) from local languages into any of the 22 languages recognized in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution, improving accessibility and interoperability.

Short Notes: Digital India Land Records Modernisation Programme (DILRMP)

• Launched to modernize and digitize India's land records system.

• Became a Central Sector Scheme in 2016 with 100% Central funding.

• Integrates textual records and cadastral maps.

• Promotes online mutation and land record services.

• Aims to reduce land disputes and improve transparency.

• Includes digitization of Records of Rights (RoR).

• Supports Unique Land Parcel Identification Number (ULPIN) initiatives.

• Facilitates easier access to land records for citizens and institutions.

Detailed Explanation:

Statement 1: Incorrect. The Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA) provides a minimum package of antenatal care (ANC) services only during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. It does not cover post-delivery health care services for six months. The focus is on ensuring safe pregnancies through early detection and management of high-risk cases.

Statement 2:  Correct. Under PMSMA, private sector health care providers (such as gynecologists, radiologists, and physicians) can volunteer to provide free services at nearby government health facilities on the 9th of every month. This public-private partnership enhances access to specialized care for pregnant women.

Detailed Explanation:

Operation Sadbhavana is a unique initiative undertaken by the Indian Army in Jammu & Kashmir and the North East regions. It focuses on winning the hearts and minds of the local population through various developmental activities and assistance. This includes providing education, healthcare, infrastructure development, and promoting skill development initiatives.

Let's look at the other options:

• Operation Sankalp was launched by the Indian Navy to ensure maritime security in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.

•  Operation Maitri refers to the Indian Armed Forces' humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations to assist friendly countries. A notable example was the aid provided to Nepal during the 2015 earthquake.

•  Operation Madad is the Indian Navy's effort to provide humanitarian assistance and disaster relief during natural calamities, both within India and to neighboring countries.

Detailed Explanation:

Answer: Option 2 — Only two

Among the four statements about Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY), only statements 2 and 3 are correct. JSY is a centrally sponsored scheme under NHM aimed at reducing maternal and neonatal mortality by promoting institutional deliveries among poor pregnant women through cash incentives.

❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: JSY is a 100% Centrally Sponsored Scheme under the National Health Mission (NHM), not a state health department intervention.

✅ Statement 2 – Correct: The primary objective of JSY is to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality by promoting safe institutional deliveries among poor pregnant women.

✅ Statement 3 – Correct: JSY provides cash incentives to promote institutional delivery, particularly targeting BPL, SC, and ST households.

❌ Statement 4 – Incorrect: Providing free public health facilities to sick infants up to one year is a feature of Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK), not JSY.

📝 Short Notes: Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY)

• Launch Year: 2005 under National Rural Health Mission (now NHM)
• Nature: 100% Centrally Sponsored Scheme with conditional cash transfer
• Primary Objective: Reduce maternal and neonatal mortality by promoting institutional deliveries
• Target Beneficiaries: Pregnant women from BPL families, SC/ST communities, especially in Low Performing States (LPS)
• Cash Assistance: Varies by state category (LPS vs HPS) and rural/urban areas; includes assistance for ASHA workers
• Distinction from JSSK: JSSK (2011) provides free delivery services, transport, and care for sick newborns up to 1 year; JSY focuses on cash incentives for institutional delivery

Detailed Explanation:

Answer: Option 3 — Only three

The Anaemia Mukt Bharat Strategy is a comprehensive initiative addressing both nutritional and non-nutritional causes of anaemia in India. Out of the four statements, three are correct while Statement 1 is incorrect as it mentions calcium supplementation instead of Iron Folic Acid supplementation.

❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: The strategy provides prophylactic Iron Folic Acid supplementation (not calcium) to pre-school children, adolescents, pregnant women, and women of reproductive age.

✅ Statement 2 – Correct: The strategy promotes delayed cord clamping for at least 3 minutes (or until cord pulsations cease) at birth to improve infant iron reserves up to 6 months.

✅ Statement 3 – Correct: Periodic deworming is provided to children (1-19 years) bi-annually on National Deworming Day (10th February and 10th August) and to women of reproductive age and pregnant women.

✅ Statement 4 – Correct: The strategy addresses non-nutritional causes of anaemia in endemic pockets with special focus on malaria, haemoglobinopathies, and fluorosis through integrated screening and treatment.

Detailed Explanation:

Answer: Option 4 — Neither 1 nor 2

Both statements contain inaccuracies regarding the institutional nature and funding of the India Sanitation Coalition and the National Institute of Urban Affairs.

❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: The India Sanitation Coalition (ISC) is a multi-stakeholder platform launched in 2015 that brings together private sector, government, civil society, and experts to work on sanitation issues. It is not funded by the World Health Organization (WHO). ISC operates through a partnership model involving various stakeholders but WHO is not listed as a funding agency.

❌ Statement 2 – Incorrect: The National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) is an autonomous body registered under the Societies Registration Act since 1976, functioning as India's premier urban think tank. It is not an apex body of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, but rather an autonomous institution that works closely with the ministry and other stakeholders to provide research and innovative solutions for urban challenges.

Detailed Explanation:

Answer: Option 2 — 3 only

The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) aims to create a digital health ecosystem by providing unique Health IDs to citizens, enabling seamless access to health records across the country. However, participation in ABDM is voluntary for both citizens and healthcare facilities (public or private), and it does not mandate universal coverage.

❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: Adoption of ABDM by private and public hospitals is voluntary, not mandatory. Healthcare facilities can choose to participate based on their management decisions.

❌ Statement 2 – Incorrect: While ABDM aims to facilitate digital health infrastructure, it does not mandate every citizen to be part of it. Participation is consent-based and voluntary for all citizens.

✅ Statement 3 – Correct: ABDM provides seamless portability across India through a unique Health ID (Personal Health Identifier), allowing citizens to access their health records from anywhere in the country.

📝 Short Notes: Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM)

• Launch: Launched on 27 September 2021 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi
• Objective: To create a national digital health ecosystem that supports universal health coverage in an efficient, accessible, and affordable manner
• Key Components: Health ID (unique 14-digit identification number), DigiDoctor (registry of doctors and healthcare professionals), Health Facility Registry, and Personal Health Records (PHR)
• Voluntary Participation: Participation is voluntary for citizens, doctors, and healthcare facilities (both public and private)
• Data Privacy: Follows strict consent-based framework where citizens have full control over their health data
• Portability: Enables seamless access to health records across different states and healthcare providers through unique Health ID
• Integration: Integrates with existing health schemes like Ayushman Bharat-PMJAY and other government health programs

Detailed Explanation:

Answer: Option 3 — 1 and 3 Only

WaterCredit is an initiative of Water.org that uses microfinance tools to empower individuals to access water and sanitation solutions through small loans, enabling them to meet their needs without depending on subsidies. It is not a WHO or World Bank initiative.

✅ Statement 1 – Correct: WaterCredit applies microfinance principles to the water and sanitation sector, providing small loans to individuals and households for water and sanitation infrastructure.
❌ Statement 2 – Incorrect: WaterCredit is an initiative of Water.org, an international non-profit organization, not a global initiative launched under the aegis of WHO and World Bank.
✅ Statement 3 – Correct: The program aims to empower poor people to access water and sanitation through affordable financing, reducing their dependence on subsidies and enabling sustainable solutions.

Detailed Explanation:

Answer: Option 3 — NITI Aayog

Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) was launched in 2016 under NITI Aayog, India's premier policy think tank, to promote a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship across the country. AIM establishes Atal Tinkering Laboratories in schools and Atal Incubation Centres to nurture innovation from grassroots to startups.

📝 Short Notes: Atal Innovation Mission (AIM)

• Parent Body: NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India)
• Launched: 2016 by the Government of India
• Objective: To create and promote an ecosystem of innovation and entrepreneurship across India
• Atal Tinkering Laboratories (ATLs): Established in schools to foster innovation and scientific temperament among students through hands-on learning
• Atal Incubation Centres (AICs): Set up to provide world-class infrastructure and support to startups and entrepreneurs
• Target: Students, innovators, entrepreneurs, and startups across various sectors
• Support Provided: Mentorship, funding, infrastructure, and networking opportunities for innovative ventures

Detailed Explanation:

Answer: Option 3 — 3 only

The Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017 increased paid maternity leave to 26 weeks for the first two children, but reduced it to 12 weeks for women with two or more surviving children. Statement 3 correctly identifies this reduced entitlement provision.

❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: Women are entitled to 26 weeks of paid leave (not 6 months split equally), with a maximum of 8 weeks pre-delivery leave, not 3 months (12 weeks).

❌ Statement 2 – Incorrect: The Act mandates 4 crèche visits daily (including rest intervals), not 6 visits, for establishments with 50 or more employees.

✅ Statement 3 – Correct: Women with two or more surviving children receive reduced paid maternity leave of 12 weeks instead of 26 weeks.

📝 Short Notes: Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017

Detailed Explanation:

Answer: Option 2 — 3 only

Digital India, launched in 2015, aims to transform India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy. Its focus is on providing digital infrastructure, digital governance, and digital literacy—not creating Indian internet companies or attracting multinational data centres.

❌ Statement I – Incorrect: Creating India's own internet companies like China is not an objective of the Digital India Programme.

❌ Statement II – Incorrect: The original Digital India Plan does not include a policy to encourage multinational companies to establish Big Data centres in India. This relates to later data localization and data centre policies, not Digital India.

✅ Statement III – Correct: A major objective of Digital India is to connect villages through broadband and provide Wi-Fi in schools, public places, and tourist centres under initiatives like Broadband Highways and the Public Internet Access Programme.

📝 Short Notes: Digital India Programme

Key Fact:
Digital India is built around three core goals—digital infrastructure, digital services, and digital empowerment, rather than promoting specific private internet companies.

Detailed Explanation:

Answer: Option 2 — 2 only

❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: Smart India Hackathon (SIH) is not a scheme for developing Smart Cities. It is a nationwide initiative to harness creative digital technology solutions from students and innovators to solve pressing problems faced by ministries, departments, and industries.

✅ Statement 2 – Correct: SIH 2017 was launched as a unique open platform to identify new digital technology innovations for addressing challenges across various sectors including agriculture, healthcare, education, clean energy, water resources, and waste management. It brings together students, startups, and tech enthusiasts to develop practical solutions.

❌ Statement 3 – Incorrect: SIH is not focused solely on making financial transactions digital. While digital payments may be one potential solution area, the hackathon covers a broad spectrum of national challenges requiring innovative technological interventions, not just financial digitization.

Detailed Explanation:

Answer: Option 3 — All State Government employees joining the services after the date of notification by the respective State Governments

✅ Option 3 – Correct: The National Pension System (NPS) was introduced by the Central Government on January 1, 2004. Subsequently, various State Governments adopted the NPS architecture for their employees. State Government employees joining after the date of notification by their respective State Governments are mandatorily covered under NPS.

❌ Option 1 – Incorrect: NPS is available to all Indian citizens including both Resident Indians and Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), not just resident Indian citizens.

❌ Option 2 – Incorrect: The eligibility age for joining NPS is 18 to 70 years, not 21 to 55 years. The age range was expanded over time to include a broader segment of citizens.

❌ Option 4 – Incorrect: NPS specifically excludes Armed Forces personnel. Additionally, the correct implementation date for Central Government employees was January 1, 2004, not April 1, 2004.

Detailed Explanation:

Answer: Option 1 — 2 only

❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: Vidyanjali Yojana does not deal with foreign educational institutions opening campuses in India. It is focused on improving existing government schools.

✅ Statement 2 – Correct: Vidyanjali Yojana is a school volunteer initiative launched by the Ministry of Education to improve the quality of education in government schools. It facilitates community and private sector participation by connecting volunteers (professionals, retired teachers, subject experts, NGOs) with government schools to contribute their time, knowledge, and skills.

❌ Statement 3 – Incorrect: The primary purpose of Vidyanjali is to enable volunteer participation through time and expertise, not monetary contributions. While volunteers may support various activities, the scheme's core focus is on non-monetary contributions like teaching support, mentoring, skill development, and enrichment activities.