The correct answer is: A. 2000
Maharishi Balmiki Chhatravriti Yojana (MBCY) is a scholarship scheme for students belonging to the Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) communities. It was started in the year 2000 by the Government of India to provide financial assistance to SC/ST students for pursuing higher education.
The scheme is implemented by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MSJE). The objective of the scheme is to promote education among SC/ST students and to reduce the gap between them and the general category students.
The scheme is open to all SC/ST students who are pursuing higher education in any recognized university or college in India. The students must have passed the qualifying examination with at least 50% marks.
The amount of scholarship is Rs. 2,000 per month for undergraduate students and Rs. 3,000 per month for postgraduate students. The scholarship is payable for a maximum period of 10 years.
The students are required to submit a progress report to the MSJE every year. The scholarship is discontinued if the student fails to maintain a CGPA of 6.0 or fails to appear for the examination.
The MBCY is a very important scheme for SC/ST students. It has helped a large number of students to pursue higher education and to improve their socio-economic status.
Option A: 2000 is the correct answer. The scheme was started in the year 2000.
Option B: 2002 is incorrect. The scheme was not started in the year 2002.
Option C: 2004 is incorrect. The scheme was not started in the year 2004.
Option D: 2008 is incorrect. The scheme was not started in the year 2008.