Search Previous Year Questions

The correct answer is Training and development of sports professionals.

Key Points

• The Scheme of Human Resources Development in Sports focuses on training and developing skilled sports professionals, including athletes, coaches, and support staff.
• The scheme aims to enhance the overall sports ecosystem by providing specialized training, resources, and infrastructure to nurture talent.
• It emphasizes creating opportunities for young athletes to receive professional guidance and participate in national and international competitions.
• Collaboration with national and international organizations is promoted to ensure the adoption of global best practices in sports training.
• Scholarships, financial aid, and other incentives are provided to encourage participation and excellence in sports.

Additional Information

• Sports Authority of India (SAI): The primary body responsible for sports development in India. It oversees training programs and provides infrastructure for athletes.
• Khelo India Programme: Launched by the Government of India to promote sports at the grassroots level and identify young talent for advanced training.
• National Sports Development Fund (NSDF): A fund established to mobilize resources for sports development and assist talented athletes with financial support.
• Role of Coaches: The scheme recognizes the importance of well-trained coaches in developing athletes and conducts regular workshops and certification programs.
• International Partnerships: The scheme encourages partnerships with foreign sports organizations to facilitate knowledge exchange and advanced training methods.

The Correct answer is Upgrading skills of rural youth to tackle unemployment.

Key Points

• TRYSEM stands for Training for Rural Youth for Self Employment.
• The program was launched by the Government of India in 1979 as a part of the Integrated Rural Development Program (IRDP).
• The primary aim of TRYSEM was to provide technical and entrepreneurial skills to rural youth between the ages of 18 to 35 years, enabling them to find self-employment opportunities.
• It focused on providing training in various vocational skills, such as carpentry, tailoring, mechanics, masonry, and other trades, which were demand-driven and suited for rural areas.
• The program targeted economically and socially weaker sections, including Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), women, and other underprivileged groups.
• TRYSEM aimed to reduce rural unemployment and enhance the productivity of youth by aligning their skills with local employment opportunities.
• It was implemented through collaboration between government agencies, non-government organizations (NGOs), and private institutions.
• Post-training, the participants were often provided assistance to start their own enterprises or were linked with credit schemes like IRDP to help them establish their businesses.

Additional Information

• Offering free education in rural areas
• This option refers to initiatives aimed at providing free education to rural communities, but it is unrelated to TRYSEM, which is focused on skill development for self-employment.
• Programs like Samagra Shiksha or Mid-Day Meal Scheme are examples of government efforts to improve education access in rural India.
• Providing loans to farmers
• This option focuses on financial assistance to farmers, typically offered through schemes like Kisan Credit Card (KCC) or PM Kisan Yojana.
• While TRYSEM indirectly helped beneficiaries by linking them with credit schemes, its main objective was skill development, not direct loan provision.
• Building infrastructure in villages
• Building rural infrastructure is often the focus of programs like PMGSY (Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana) or MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act).
• TRYSEM did not focus on physical infrastructure development but rather on human resource development.

The Correct answer is 2014.

Key Points

• The Make in India initiative was launched on 25^th September 2014 by the Government of India.
• This program was introduced by the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, to transform India into a global manufacturing hub.
• The initiative aims to encourage companies to manufacture their products in India and incentivize dedicated investments into the manufacturing sector.
• The campaign focuses on job creation, skill development, and boosting domestic manufacturing.
• It targets various sectors, including automobiles, textiles, chemicals, IT, aviation, pharmaceuticals, and electronics, among others.
• Under this initiative, the government has simplified regulations and policies to attract both domestic and foreign investments.
• The campaign introduced initiatives like liberalization of FDI policy, ease of doing business, and improving infrastructure.
• The Make in India logo features a lion made of cogs, representing manufacturing strength and national pride.

Additional Information

• 2012
• This option is incorrect as the Make in India initiative was launched two years later, in 2014.
• 2016
• This year is incorrect as it marks two years after the official launch of the Make in India campaign.
• 2018
• Although this year witnessed further developments under the Make in India initiative, the campaign was originally launched in 2014.

The correct answer is Article 243C.

Key Points

• Article 243C deals with the composition of Panchayats in India as per the 73^rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992.
• The composition of Panchayats includes directly elected members at the village, intermediate, and district levels.
• It mandates that the Chairperson of a Panchayat at the village level is elected as per the procedure established by state legislation.
• It provides flexibility to states to determine the representation of members, reservation for Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and women, and other relevant details.
• Reservation of seats in every Panchayat is done according to Articles 243D and 243T, ensuring inclusivity.

Additional Information

• 73^rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992:
• Introduced Panchayati Raj institutions (PRIs) in India to promote decentralized governance.
• Added Part IX to the Constitution and Articles 243 to 243O.
• Mandates a three-tier system: Village, Intermediate, and District levels.
• Article 243A:
• Empowers Gram Sabha as the foundation of the Panchayati Raj system.
• The Gram Sabha comprises all registered voters within a village Panchayat's jurisdiction.
• Article 243B:
• Provides for the establishment of Panchayats at various levels in every state.
• States have the discretion to decide whether to establish Panchayats at the intermediate level based on population.
• Article 243D:
• Mandates reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and women in Panchayats.
• Reservation for women is not less than one-third of the total seats.
• Panchayati Raj:
• It is a system of governance at the rural level to ensure grassroots democracy.
• First introduced in Nagaur, Rajasthan, on 2^nd October 1959.

The Correct Answer is 6 months

Key Points

• Under Article 243E(3)(b) of the Constitution, if a Panchayat is dissolved, elections must be conducted within six months from the date of its dissolution.
• The newly elected Panchayat continues for the remainder of the original five-year term.

Additional Information

• The 73^rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992, gave constitutional status to Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs).
• It mandates regular elections to ensure accountability and continuity in local governance.
• The State Election Commission (SEC) is responsible for conducting these elections under Article 243K.

The correct answer is 12.

Key Points

• Public Sector Banks (PSBs) are banks where the majority stake, usually more than 50%, is held by the Government of India.
• As of 1 May 2025, there are 12 Public Sector Banks operating in India. This number is a result of several mergers and consolidations undertaken by the government in the past few years.
• The banking consolidation process was initiated to strengthen the financial system, improve operational efficiency, and reduce the number of smaller banks for better resource management.
• Major mergers: In 2020, the Government of India undertook significant mergers of PSBs. For example, Oriental Bank of Commerce and United Bank of India were merged with Punjab National Bank. Similarly, Allahabad Bank merged with Indian Bank.
• These mergers reduced the number of PSBs from 27 to 12, with the aim to enhance customer experience, financial inclusion, and banking services across India.
• Examples of PSBs: Some of the largest Public Sector Banks include State Bank of India (SBI), Punjab National Bank (PNB), Bank of Baroda (BoB), Canara Bank, and Indian Bank.
• These banks are regulated by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and play a crucial role in the Indian economy by providing credit to various sectors like agriculture, industry, trade, and services.
• Hence, the correct answer is 12.

Additional Information

• Reasons for Bank Mergers:
• The Government of India initiated the consolidation of banks to create fewer but larger entities. This helps improve their global competitiveness and ensures a more robust financial system.
• Mergers allow banks to pool resources, reduce operational costs, and enhance customer services by leveraging technology and infrastructure.
• Example: The merger of Bank of Baroda with Vijaya Bank and Dena Bank created one of the largest PSBs in India.
• Role of Public Sector Banks:
• PSBs provide financial services to individuals, businesses, and industries. They play a key role in promoting financial inclusion by offering services in rural and semi-urban areas.
• Government schemes: PSBs implement various government initiatives like Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, PM Mudra Yojana, and Atal Pension Yojana to encourage savings and provide credit facilities.
• PSBs contribute to economic development by providing credit to priority sectors like agriculture, micro and small enterprises, and education.

Important Points

• Facts about PSBs:
• The State Bank of India (SBI) is the largest public sector bank in India, with a significant presence across the country and abroad.
• Banking reforms: The Indian government has consistently worked to improve the operational efficiency of PSBs through reforms like recapitalization and the introduction of technology-driven services.
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) supervises the functioning of all banks in India, including PSBs, to ensure financial stability.
• Global Comparisons:
• India’s banking system, especially PSBs, is one of the largest in the world, providing services to millions of customers.
• Countries like the United States and United Kingdom also have a mix of public and private banks, but the dominance of government-owned banks is more pronounced in India.

The Correct Answer is State Election Commission

Key Points

• The State Election Commission supervises and conducts elections to Panchayats and Municipalities in Haryana.
• It operates under the provisions of the Indian Constitution.
• The Election Commission of India handles parliamentary and state legislative assembly elections.

Additional Information

• The State Election Commission ensures free and fair local body elections in the state.
• HPSC (Haryana Public Service Commission) deals with civil services recruitment, not elections.
• Legal disputes related to elections can be adjudicated by the High Court of Haryana.

The correct answer is 0.33.

Key Points

• Women play a significant role in rural livelihoods and household management, contributing substantially to the economic and social fabric of rural areas.
• In India, Article 243D of the Constitution mandates that at least one-third (33%) of seats in Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) be reserved for women.
• This reservation is aimed at empowering women and increasing their participation in local governance and decision-making processes.
• The reservation applies to seats at all levels of PRIs, including Gram Panchayat, Block Panchayat, and District Panchayat, ensuring representation across the governance hierarchy.
• Several states, such as Bihar and Rajasthan, have gone beyond the constitutional mandate, reserving 50% of seats for women in Panchayati Raj Institutions.

Additional Information

• Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs):
• PRIs are a system of rural local governance in India, established under the 73^rd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992.
• They consist of three tiers: Gram Panchayat at the village level, Panchayat Samiti at the block level, and Zila Parishad at the district level.
• PRIs aim to decentralize power and bring governance closer to the people, promoting participatory democracy.
• Empowerment of Women:
• The reservation of seats for women in PRIs is a crucial step towards achieving gender equality in governance.
• It helps women gain experience in leadership roles, enhancing their confidence and decision-making abilities.
• Studies have shown that women leaders in PRIs often prioritize issues like education, healthcare, and sanitation, leading to improved outcomes in these areas.
• State Initiatives:
• States like Kerala and Karnataka have implemented innovative programs to train women elected representatives in PRIs.
• These initiatives aim to enhance the capacity of women leaders, enabling them to effectively perform their duties and address community needs.
• Challenges in Implementation:
• Despite the reservation, women in PRIs often face challenges such as patriarchal attitudes, lack of training, and limited access to resources.
• Efforts are needed to address these barriers and ensure that women can fully participate and lead in local governance.

Important Points

• 73^rd Constitutional Amendment Act:
• Introduced in 1992, this act laid the foundation for the Panchayati Raj system in India.
• It added Part IX to the Constitution and provided for the establishment of Gram Sabha and PRIs.
• It also introduced the concept of reservation for Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and women in PRIs.
• Significance of Women's Reservation:
• Women's representation in PRIs plays a critical role in addressing gender disparities and ensuring inclusive governance.
• It also serves as a platform for women to voice their concerns and contribute to community development.
• Global Perspective:
• India's efforts to ensure women's representation in local governance align with global goals like the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 5 on achieving gender equality.
• Countries like Rwanda have also implemented gender quotas in governance, with women holding over 60% of parliamentary seats.

The correct answer is Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Key Points

• The Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, was enacted by the Government of India to combat money laundering activities.
• It came into force on 1^st July 2005 and aims to prevent and control money laundering while confiscating and seizing property involved in such activities.
• The Act empowers authorities such as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to investigate and prosecute cases related to money laundering.
• PMLA mandates that reporting entities such as banks, financial institutions, and intermediaries maintain records of transactions and verify the identity of clients.
• The Act also ensures compliance with international standards set by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), a global watchdog for combating money laundering and terrorist financing.

Additional Information

• Money Laundering:
• Money laundering refers to the process of disguising illicit funds to make them appear legitimate.
• It typically involves three stages: placement, layering, and integration.
• Placement refers to introducing illegal money into the financial system, layering involves obscuring the origin of funds, and integration completes the laundering process by embedding the funds into the legitimate economy.
• Enforcement Directorate (ED):
• The ED is the key agency under PMLA responsible for investigating and prosecuting money laundering cases.
• It has the authority to attach, confiscate properties, and take legal action against offenders.
• FATF:
• The Financial Action Task Force is an intergovernmental organization established in 1989 to combat money laundering, terrorism financing, and other related threats.
• India is a member of FATF and complies with its recommendations to enhance global efforts against financial crimes.
• Associated Legislations:
• FEMA: Foreign Exchange Management Act regulates foreign exchange transactions but does not address money laundering.
• SEBI: Securities and Exchange Board of India oversees capital markets but is not directly related to money laundering prevention.
• FCRA: Foreign Contribution Regulation Act regulates foreign contributions but does not cover money laundering.

The correct answer is NABARD.

Key Points

• National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) is the key facilitator and mentor of the Self Help Group - Bank Linkage Program (SHG-BLP).
• SHG-BLP was introduced in 1992 by NABARD, in collaboration with various banks, to provide microfinance support to the rural poor and promote financial inclusion.
• The program aims to empower rural households, especially women, by giving them access to formal banking systems and enabling them to take loans for income-generating activities.
• Under this program, Self Help Groups (SHGs), which are informal associations of 10-20 individuals, are formed. These groups save money collectively and also access bank loans for their financial needs.
• NABARD plays a crucial role in the capacity-building of SHGs, training their members, and ensuring a smooth linkage between SHGs and banks.

Additional Information

• NABARD (National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development):
• Established on 12 July 1982, NABARD is an apex regulatory body for the overall regulation and licensing of regional rural banks and cooperative banks in India.
• It was formed to implement the recommendations of the Shivraman Committee, replacing the Agricultural Credit Department and Rural Planning and Credit Cell of RBI.
• The primary role of NABARD is to provide refinance support for building rural infrastructure, promoting sustainable agriculture, and generating rural employment through various initiatives like SHG-BLP.
• Self Help Group - Bank Linkage Program (SHG-BLP):
• Launched in 1992, this program is considered the largest microfinance program in the world.
• It aims to create a self-sustainable model where poor rural communities can save collectively and access loans for their needs and small-scale businesses.
• The program has been highly successful in empowering women, as most SHGs are women-led, promoting gender equity and self-reliance.
• By March 2023, the program had connected over 13 million SHGs and nearly 120 million households to formal financial institutions.
• SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India):
• SEBI was established in 1988 and given statutory powers on 30 January 1992.
• Its primary role is to regulate the securities market and protect the interests of investors by implementing rules and guidelines.
• SEBI is not involved in microfinance or rural development programs like SHG-BLP.
• SIDBI (Small Industries Development Bank of India):
• SIDBI, established in 1990, focuses on the promotion, financing, and development of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
• While it supports small-scale industries, it does not directly operate the SHG-BLP.
• NHB (National Housing Bank):
• NHB was established in 1988 under the National Housing Bank Act, 1987, as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
• Its primary objective is to promote housing finance institutions and provide financial assistance for housing infrastructure.
• It is not associated with microfinance or the SHG-BLP.

Important Points

• The SHG-BLP has been a cornerstone program for financial inclusion in India, especially for rural women.
• NABARD provides financial and training support to NGOs, banks, and SHGs involved in this initiative.
• In recent years, SHG-BLP has expanded to include digital initiatives for easier credit access and monitoring.
• The success of SHG-BLP has inspired similar programs in other countries aiming to promote grassroots economic development.