UPSC CSE Prelims
Government Schemes & Social Sector Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Showing solved Previous Year Questions for Chapter: Government Schemes & Social Sector
Topic Breakdown: Scroll →
Which of the following statements with regard to the persons with disabilities in India is/are correct ?
- The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, an Act passed by the Parliament of India in 2018, mandates reservation in education and employment, places a legal duty on Governments to ensure accessibility and non-discrimination.
- The Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan focuses on achieving universal accessibility for Persons with Disabilities across three key domains — built infrastructure, transport systems and information and communication technology.
- The National Divyangjan Finance and Development Corporation (NDFDC) is a public sector organisation set up by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs as a not-for-profit company to promote entrepreneurship among Persons with Disabilities (PwDs).
Select the answer using the code given below :
Detailed Explanation:
Statement 1 — Incorrect. The Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act was passed in 2016, not 2018. It aligns with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and mandates:
- 4% reservation in government employment
- 5% reservation in higher education
- Legal duty on governments for non-discrimination and accessibility
Statement 2 — Correct. The Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan (Accessible India Campaign) was launched in 2015 by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD). It focuses on universal accessibility across three key domains:
- Built Infrastructure — barrier-free public buildings
- Transport Systems — accessible railways, airports, and roads
- Information & Communication Technology — accessible government websites and digital ecosystems
Statement 3 — Incorrect. NDFDC is indeed a Central Public Sector Undertaking registered as a not-for-profit company, but it was set up under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment — NOT the Ministry of Corporate Affairs.
Key Trick: This question tests precise factual details — year of enactment (2016 vs 2018) and ministry attribution (Social Justice vs Corporate Affairs).
Consider the following statements about the Rashtriya Gokul Mission:
I. It is important for the upliftment of rural poor as majority of low producing indigenous animals are with small and marginal farmers and landless labourers.
II. It was initiated to promote indigenous cattle and buffalo rearing and conservation in a scientific and holistic manner.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Detailed Explanation:
Statement I — Correct. Most low-producing indigenous cattle/buffalo are owned by small farmers, marginal farmers, and landless labourers. By improving the productivity of these animals, RGM directly helps uplift the rural poor.
Statement II — Correct. Launched in December 2014, RGM's purpose is to conserve and improve indigenous breeds of cattle and buffalo through scientific breeding and genetic upgradation — done in a holistic manner (covering breeding, health, nutrition).
Both statements describe two connected aspects of the same scheme — purpose (II) and impact (I).
Rashtriya Gokul Mission
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Launched | December 2014 |
| Ministry | Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying |
| Objective | Conservation and development of indigenous cattle & buffalo breeds |
| Method | Scientific breeding, genetic upgradation, artificial insemination |
| Key Components | Establishment of Gokul Grams (integrated cattle development centers) |
| Beneficiaries | Small farmers, marginal farmers, landless labourers |
| Related Scheme | Part of the broader National Programme for Bovine Breeding and Dairy Development (NPBBDD) |
With reference to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) rules in India, consider the following statements:
- CSR rules specify that expenditures that benefit the company directly or its employees will not be considered as CSR activities.
- CSR rules do not specify minimum spending on CSR activities.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Detailed explanation coming soon.
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With reference to the Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-dhan (PM-SYM) Yojana, consider the following statements:
- The entry age group for enrolment in the scheme is 21 to 40 years.
- Age specific contribution shall be made by the beneficiary.
- Each subscriber under the scheme shall receive a minimum pension of ₹ 3,000 per month after attaining the age of 60 years.
- Family pension is applicable to the spouse and unmarried daughters.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Detailed Explanation:
Correct Answer: ✅ Option 2 (Statements 2 and 3 only)
The Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan Yojana (PM-SYM) is a voluntary and contributory pension scheme launched for workers in the unorganized sector to provide old-age income security.
❌ Statement 1 is Incorrect: The eligible entry age is 18 to 40 years, not 21 to 40 years.
✅ Statement 2 is Correct: The subscriber makes age-specific monthly contributions. The contribution amount increases with the age at entry.
✅ Statement 3 is Correct: Every subscriber receives a minimum assured pension of ₹3,000 per month after attaining 60 years of age.
❌ Statement 4 is Incorrect: Family pension is available only to the spouse, who receives 50% of the pension after the subscriber's death. Unmarried daughters are not covered.
Short Notes: Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan (PM-SYM)
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Launched in 2019 for workers in the unorganized sector.
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Entry age: 18–40 years.
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Provides a minimum assured pension of ₹3,000 per month after 60 years.
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It is a voluntary and contributory pension scheme.
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The Central Government makes an equal matching contribution to the subscriber's contribution.
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Implemented through Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC).
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On the subscriber's death, the spouse receives 50% of the pension as family pension.
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Target beneficiaries include street vendors, domestic workers, agricultural labourers, construction workers, etc.
Consider the following statements :
Statement-I : India accounts for 3.2% of global export of goods.
Statement-II :Many local companies and some foreign companies operating in India have taken advantage of India's 'Production-linked Incentive' scheme.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 4 — Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct
Statement-I claims India accounts for 3.2% of global export of goods, which is incorrect as India's share in global merchandise exports is approximately 1.8%. Statement-II correctly states that both local and foreign companies have benefited from India's Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, which has attracted investments from domestic firms like Dixon Technologies, Lava International, and foreign companies like Samsung.
❌ Statement-I – Incorrect: India's share in global merchandise exports is around 1.8%, not 3.2%. India aims to increase this to 3% by 2027 and 10% by 2047.
✅ Statement-II – Correct: The PLI scheme has indeed been utilized by both domestic companies (Dixon Technologies, UTL, Neolyncs, Lava International, Optiemus Electronics, Micromax) and foreign companies (Samsung) operating in India to expand manufacturing capacity.
📝 Short Notes: Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme
- Launch: Introduced in 2020 to boost domestic manufacturing and reduce import dependence
- Coverage: Spans 14 sectors including electronics, pharmaceuticals, automobiles, textiles, food products, solar modules, and advanced chemistry cell batteries
- Incentive Structure: Provides financial incentives ranging from 4% to 6% on incremental sales of products manufactured in India
- Eligibility: Open to both domestic and international companies investing in India
- Objective: Make Indian manufacturers globally competitive, attract large investments, enhance exports, and create employment
- Total Outlay: Approximately ₹1.97 lakh crore across all sectors over five years
With reference to the ‘Prohibition of Benami Property Transactions Act, 1988 (PBPT Act) consider the following statements:
- A property transaction is not treated as a benami transaction if the owner of the property is not aware of the transaction.
- Properties held benami are liable for confiscation by the Government.
- The Act provides for three authorities for investigations but does not provide for any appellate mechanism.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 2 — 2 only
The Prohibition of Benami Property Transactions Act, 1988 (PBPT Act) deals with transactions where property is held by one person (benamidar) but is actually owned or financed by another person (beneficial owner). Only Statement 2 is correct, as the Act explicitly provides for confiscation of benami properties by the Central Government.
❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: A transaction is specifically treated as benami if the owner of the property (benamidar) is not aware of the transaction or denies knowledge of it; lack of awareness does not exempt it but rather characterizes it as benami.
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: Section 5 of the PBPT Act clearly states that properties held benami are liable for confiscation by the Central Government.
❌ Statement 3 – Incorrect: The Act provides for four authorities (Initiating Officer, Approving Authority, Administrator, and Adjudicating Authority) and does provide an appellate mechanism through the Appellate Tribunal and subsequently the High Court.
With reference to pre-packaged items in India, it is mandatory for the manufacturer to put which of the following information on the main label, as per the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labeling) Regulations, 2011?
- List of ingredients including additives
- Nutrition information
- Recommendations, if any made by the medical profession about the possibility of any allergic reactions
- Vegetarian/non-vegetarian
Select the correct answer using the code given below
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 3 — 1, 2 and 4
The Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labelling) Regulations, 2011 mandate specific information on pre-packaged food items to ensure consumer safety and informed choice.
✅ Statement 1 – Correct: List of ingredients including additives must be declared on the label, except for single-ingredient foods. This helps consumers identify what they are consuming.
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: Nutritional information (per 100 gm/100 ml or per serving) is mandatory. This includes details about energy, protein, carbohydrates, fat, and other nutrients.
❌ Statement 3 – Incorrect: There is no provision in the regulations requiring recommendations by the medical profession about allergic reactions. While allergen information may be included voluntarily, medical recommendations are not mandatory.
✅ Statement 4 – Correct: A clear vegetarian/non-vegetarian symbol must be displayed on the package, typically as a green or brown dot inside a square, to help consumers make dietary choices.
Recently, India’s first ‘National Investment and Manufacturing Zone’ was proposed to be set up in -
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 1 — Andhra Pradesh
India's first National Investment and Manufacturing Zone (NIMZ) was proposed to be set up in Prakasam district of Andhra Pradesh. The state government assured the Centre of the availability of 2,500 acres of contiguous land for this project. The NIMZ concept was introduced under the National Manufacturing Policy to create world-class infrastructure and boost the 'Make in India' initiative by establishing integrated industrial townships with state-of-the-art facilities.
To obtain full benefits of demographic dividend, what should India do?
Detailed Explanation:
Demographic dividend refers to economic growth potential when the working-age population (15-64 years) exceeds the non-working-age population.
Promoting skill development is essential to transform this large workforce into productive and employable human capital. Without adequate technical and vocational skills, a large working-age population leads to unemployment and social instability rather than economic growth. Social security schemes provide safety nets but don't directly enhance productivity. Reducing infant mortality affects future demographics, not current workforce quality. Privatization of higher education alone doesn't ensure skill-based employability across all economic sectors.
Which of the following can be said to be essentially the parts of Inclusive Governance?
- Permitting the Non-Banking Financial Companies to do banking
- Establishing effective District Planning Committees in all the districts
- Increasing government spending on public health
- Strengthening the Mid-day Meal Scheme
Choose the correct answer:
Detailed Explanation:
❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: Permitting NBFCs to do banking is a financial sector reform aimed at credit expansion, not an essential part of inclusive governance.
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: Establishing effective District Planning Committees (DPCs) under Article 243ZD promotes decentralized participatory planning, a core pillar of inclusive governance.
✅ Statement 3 – Correct: Increasing government spending on public health ensures universal access to healthcare, reduces inequalities, and promotes social inclusion.
✅ Statement 4 – Correct: Strengthening the Mid-day Meal Scheme addresses nutritional and educational needs of marginalized children, directly contributing to inclusive development.
With reference to consumers’ rights/ privileges under the provisions of law in India, which of the following statements is/are correct?
- Consumers are empowered to take samples for food testing.
- When a consumer files a complaint in any consumer forum, no fee is required to be paid.
- In case of death of a consumer, his/her legal heir can file a complaint in the consumer forum on his / her behalf.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
Detailed Explanation:
✅ Statement 1 – Correct: Under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, consumers are empowered to take samples for food testing to ensure quality, purity, and safety standards.
❌ Statement 2 – Incorrect: Filing fee is required in consumer forums – ₹200 for claims up to ₹5 lakh, ₹400 for ₹5-10 lakh, and ₹5,000 for claims above ₹10 lakh (as per Consumer Protection Act, 2019). Only claims up to ₹5 lakh are exempted from court fees, not filing fees.
✅ Statement 3 – Correct: Under Section 2(7) of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, legal heirs/representatives can file complaints on behalf of a deceased consumer to protect their rights.