Economic and Social Development

Consider the following statements:

1. The Self-Help Group (SHG) programme was originally initiated by the State Bank of India by providing microcredit to the financially deprived.

2. In an SHG, all members of a group take responsibility for a loan that an individual member takes.

3. The Regional Rural Banks and Scheduled Commercial Banks support SHGs.

How many of the above statements are correct?

[amp_mcq option1=”Only one” option2=”Only two” option3=”All three” option4=”None” correct=”option2″]

Statements 2 and 3 are correct, while statement 1 is incorrect. The SHG programme evolved from various initiatives, not solely initiated by the State Bank of India.

– Statement 1 is incorrect. While SBI and other banks have been actively involved, the SHG movement in India was fostered by various actors, including NGOs, NABARD (which spearheaded the SHG-Bank Linkage Programme), and various government poverty alleviation schemes. It was not originally initiated *solely* by SBI.
– Statement 2 is correct. A core principle of SHGs is collective responsibility or joint liability. Members guarantee each other’s loans, which encourages timely repayment and peer pressure.
– Statement 3 is correct. The SHG-Bank Linkage Programme is implemented by commercial banks (including Scheduled Commercial Banks), Regional Rural Banks (RRBs), and Cooperative Banks, linking SHGs to formal financial institutions.

The SHG-Bank Linkage Programme, widely recognized as a successful model for financial inclusion, has been instrumental in providing microcredit and other financial services to poor households, particularly women, in rural and semi-urban areas of India. NABARD has been a facilitating agency in this programme since the early 1990s.

Consider the following statements in the context interventions being undertaken under Anaemin Mukt Bharat Strategy:

• 1. It provides prophylactic calcium supplementation for pre-school children, adolescents and pregnant women.
• 2. It runs a campaign for delayed cord clamping at the time of child-birth.
• 3. It provides for periodic deworming to children and adolescents.
• 4. It addresses non-nutritional causes of anaemia in endemic pockets with special focus on malaria, hemoglobinopathies and fluorosis.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

[amp_mcq option1=”Only one” option2=”Only two” option3=”Only three” option4=”All four” correct=”option3″]

The correct option is C, indicating that only three of the given statements are correct.

Statement 1 is incorrect. The Anemia Mukt Bharat (AMB) strategy primarily focuses on prophylactic Iron and Folic Acid (IFA) supplementation across various age groups, including pre-school children, adolescents, and pregnant women. It does not typically involve prophylactic calcium supplementation for these groups under the core anaemia prevention strategy, although calcium is important for health.
Statement 2 is correct. Promoting delayed cord clamping at childbirth is an intervention under AMB to increase iron stores in the newborn, thereby helping to prevent iron deficiency anaemia later.
Statement 3 is correct. Periodic deworming for children and adolescents is a key component of AMB, as intestinal worms can cause blood loss and contribute to anaemia.
Statement 4 is correct. AMB adopts a multi-pronged approach that includes addressing non-nutritional causes of anaemia in endemic areas, such as malaria, hemoglobinopathies (like thalassemia and sickle cell anaemia), and other conditions like fluorosis or hookworm infestation, which exacerbate anaemia.

The Anemia Mukt Bharat strategy aims to reduce the prevalence of anaemia by 3 percentage points per year between 2018 and 2022 across six target groups: children (6-59 months), children (5-9 years), adolescents (10-19 years) – boys and girls, women of reproductive age (15-49 years), and pregnant women and lactating mothers. It has six intervention pillars.

Consider the following statements in relation to Janani Suraksha Yojana:

• 1. It is a safe motherhood intervention of the State Health Departments.
• 2. Its objective is to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality among poor pregnant women.
• 3. It aims to promote institutional delivery among poor pregnant women.
• 4. Its objective includes providing public health facilities to sick infants up to one year of age.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

[amp_mcq option1=”Only one” option2=”Only two” option3=”Only three” option4=”All four” correct=”option2″]

The correct option is B, meaning only two of the given statements are correct.

Statement 1 is incorrect. Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) is a 100% centrally sponsored scheme under the National Health Mission (NHM), implemented by State Health Departments, but not originating from them.
Statement 2 is correct. A primary objective of JSY is to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality among poor pregnant women.
Statement 3 is correct. JSY aims to promote institutional delivery among poor pregnant women by providing cash incentives. This is a key strategy to achieve the objective mentioned in statement 2.
Statement 4 is incorrect. JSY primarily focuses on pregnant women and newborns around the time of childbirth and immediate postpartum period (up to 42 days). Providing comprehensive public health facilities to sick infants up to one year of age is part of broader child health initiatives under NHM (like RBSK) and is not a specific objective of JSY.

JSY is a modified version of the National Maternity Benefit Scheme (NMBS). It integrates cash assistance with delivery and post-delivery care. The success of JSY is measured significantly by the increase in institutional deliveries, especially in states with low institutional delivery rates.

With reference to Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, consider the following statements:

• 1. Private and public hospitals must adopt it.
• 2. As it aims to achieve universal health coverage, every citizen of India should be part of it ultimately.
• 3. It has seamless portability across the country.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

[amp_mcq option1=”1 and 2 only” option2=”3 only” option3=”1 and 3 only” option4=”1, 2 and 3″ correct=”option2″]

Statement 1 is incorrect. Participation in the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) is voluntary for both citizens and healthcare providers (including private and public hospitals). While the government encourages adoption, it is not mandatory.
Statement 2 is incorrect. ABDM aims to create a digital health ecosystem that supports Universal Health Coverage by making healthcare accessible and efficient. However, stating that “every citizen of India should be part of it ultimately” implies mandatory inclusion, which is not the design. Participation is voluntary; citizens can choose to create an ABHA (Ayushman Bharat Health Account) ID to be part of the system.
Statement 3 is correct. A core feature of ABDM is to facilitate seamless portability of health records. Once digital health records are created and linked using the unique ABHA ID, they can be accessed by the individual and shared with different healthcare providers across the country who are also part of the ABDM network, ensuring continuity of care.

ABDM is a digital initiative to build a national digital health infrastructure. Key components include ABHA ID, Healthcare Professionals Registry, Healthcare Facilities Registry, and Electronic Health Records. Participation is voluntary.

The mission aims to bridge the gap between healthcare providers and patients through digital means, enabling online appointment booking, teleconsultations, and secure storage and sharing of health records. It operates under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Consider the following statements:
1. The India Sanitation Coalition is a platform to promote sustainable sanitation and is funded by the Government of India and the World Health Organization.
2. The National Institute of Urban Affairs is an apex body of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs in Government of India and provides innovative solutions to address the challenges of Urban India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

[amp_mcq option1=”1 only” option2=”2 only” option3=”Both 1 and 2″ option4=”Neither 1 nor 2″ correct=”option2″]

Only statement 2 is correct.

– Statement 2 is correct. The National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) is indeed an autonomous institute under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India. It serves as a think tank and research institution providing expertise and innovative solutions for urban development challenges in India.

– Statement 1 is incorrect regarding the funding structure. The India Sanitation Coalition (ISC) is a multi-stakeholder platform hosted by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). While it collaborates with the Government of India (e.g., Swachh Bharat Mission) and involves various partners including corporates, NGOs, financial institutions, and civil society, it is not primarily funded by the Government of India and the World Health Organization in the manner implied. WHO may be involved as a technical partner or advisor, but not as a core funder of the coalition itself.

In India, which one of the following compiles information on industrial disputes, closures, retrenchments and lay-offs in factories employing workers?

[amp_mcq option1=”Central Statistics Office” option2=”Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade” option3=”Labour Bureau” option4=”National Technical Manpower Information System” correct=”option3″]

The Labour Bureau in India is responsible for compiling information on industrial disputes, closures, retrenchments, and lay-offs.

The Labour Bureau, an attached office of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India, is tasked with the collection, compilation, analysis, and dissemination of labour statistics, including those related to industrial relations such as disputes, strikes, lockouts, closures, retrenchments, and lay-offs.

– Central Statistics Office (now part of the National Statistical Office – NSO) primarily deals with macro-economic statistics like GDP, inflation, and industrial production surveys but not specifically detailed industrial dispute data.
– Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) is under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and focuses on industrial policy, investment promotion, etc.
– National Technical Manpower Information System (NTMIS) is related to manpower planning and education, not industrial disputes.

With reference to casual workers in India, consider the following statements :

• 1. All casual workers are entitled for Employees Provident Fund coverage.
• 2. All casual workers are entitled for regular working hours and overtime payment.
• 3. The government can by a notification specify that an establishment or industry shall pay wages only through its bank account.

Which of the above statements are correct?

[amp_mcq option1=”1 and 2 only” option2=”2 and 3 only” option3=”1 and 3 only” option4=”1, 2 and 3″ correct=”option2″]

The correct option is B. Statements 2 and 3 are correct, while statement 1 is incorrect as it uses the term ‘All’.

– While laws like the Employees’ Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 apply to establishments above a certain size (currently 20 employees), coverage is mandatory for employees within such establishments who meet certain criteria, including casual workers. However, not *all* casual workers in India are covered, particularly those in the informal sector or in very small establishments where the Act doesn’t apply or is not enforced. Statement 1 is incorrect due to the word ‘All’.
– Labour laws such as the Factories Act, 1948 and State-specific Shops and Establishments Acts regulate working hours and mandate overtime payment for work beyond prescribed hours for covered establishments and workers. Casual workers in such covered establishments are entitled to these provisions. While enforcement might be an issue, the entitlement exists for many casual workers under relevant laws. Statement 2 is generally correct in principle, although the term ‘All’ might again be too strong depending on the specific context of “casual workers”. However, compared to statement 1, it’s more broadly applicable legally.
– The Payment of Wages Act, 1936 was amended in 2017 to allow the appropriate government (Central or State) to mandate payment of wages through bank accounts or cheques for specified industries or establishments. Statement 3 is correct.

Given the options, and the definitive correctness of statement 3 and the typical application of working hours/overtime laws to many casual workers in formal/semi-formal settings (statement 2), while EPF coverage (statement 1) has more specific applicability thresholds, (2 and 3) is the most plausible correct answer set.

With reference to ‘WaterCredit’, consider the following statements:

• It puts microfinance tools to work in the water and sanitation sector.
• It is a global initiative launched under the aegis of the World Health Organization and the World Bank.
• It aims to enable the poor people to meet their water needs without depending on subsidies.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

[amp_mcq option1=”1 and 2 only” option2=”2 and 3 only” option3=”1 and 3 only” option4=”1, 2 and 3″ correct=”option3″]

Statements 1 and 3 are correct.

Statement 1 is correct: WaterCredit is an initiative of Water.org that applies microfinance principles to address the water and sanitation crisis. It partners with financial institutions to offer small, affordable loans to people in need of access to safe water and sanitation.
Statement 2 is incorrect: WaterCredit is an initiative of the non-profit organization Water.org. While Water.org works with many partners and global organizations, it was not launched specifically under the aegis of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Bank.
Statement 3 is correct: A primary goal of WaterCredit is to provide access to finance that enables poor individuals and families to invest in water and sanitation solutions (like building a toilet or connecting to a water supply) without relying solely on potentially scarce or unavailable government subsidies or charity.

Water.org estimates that millions of people have gained access to safe water or sanitation through WaterCredit. The model aims to be sustainable by using loan repayments to fund further projects.

With reference to the Indian economy after the 1991 economic liberalization, consider the following statements:

• 1. Worker productivity (₹ per worker at 2004 – 05 prices) increased in urban areas while it decreased in rural areas.
• 2. The percentage share of rural areas in the workforce steadily increased.
• 3. In rural areas, the growth in non-farm economy increased.
• 4. The growth rate in rural employment decreased.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

[amp_mcq option1=”1 and 2 only” option2=”3 and 4 only” option3=”3 only” option4=”1, 2 and 4 only” correct=”option2″]

Statements 3 and 4 are correct regarding the Indian economy after the 1991 economic liberalization.

Statement 1: While worker productivity generally increased post-1991 in India, particularly in urban-based industries and services, stating that it *decreased* in rural areas is not a universally accepted or clearly demonstrable trend across the entire rural economy. Agricultural productivity growth was uneven, but non-farm rural productivity likely increased. This statement is questionable.
Statement 2: Post-liberalization India has experienced increasing urbanization and migration from rural to urban areas in search of better employment opportunities. This trend typically leads to a decrease, or at least not a steady increase, in the percentage share of rural areas in the workforce. This statement is incorrect.
Statement 3: Economic liberalization fostered growth in non-agricultural sectors. In rural areas, this led to significant growth in the non-farm economy (manufacturing, construction, trade, services), providing alternative sources of income and employment outside traditional agriculture. This statement is correct.
Statement 4: The growth rate in rural employment, particularly in agriculture, slowed down significantly after 1991 compared to the pre-reform period. While the non-farm sector absorbed some labor, overall rural employment growth often lagged behind the growth in the labor force, leading to concerns about jobless growth. This statement is correct.

The post-1991 period saw structural shifts in the Indian economy, with a decline in the share of agriculture in GDP and a rise in the share of services and industry. While overall economic growth accelerated, its impact on employment generation and rural livelihoods has been a subject of debate and analysis. The growth of the rural non-farm sector and the slowdown in agricultural employment are key features of this period.

In the context of any country, which one of the following would be considered as part of its social capital?

[amp_mcq option1=”The proportion of literates in the population” option2=”The stock of its buildings, other infrastructure and machines” option3=”The size of population in the working age group” option4=”The level of mutual trust and harmony in the society” correct=”option4″]

The correct answer is D. The level of mutual trust and harmony in the society would be considered as part of its social capital.

Social capital refers to the collective value of all social networks (who people know) and the inclinations that arise from these networks to do things for each other (norms of reciprocity). It involves the quality of social interactions, networks, and shared norms, values, and trust that facilitate cooperation and collective action for mutual benefit.
Option A (proportion of literates) relates to human capital (education and skills).
Option B (stock of buildings, infrastructure, machines) relates to physical capital.
Option C (size of working age population) is a demographic factor related to the potential labor force, which contributes to human capital.
Option D (level of mutual trust and harmony in the society) directly captures the essence of social relationships, norms, and trust that constitute social capital. High levels of trust and harmony can reduce transaction costs, facilitate cooperation, and improve overall societal well-being and economic performance.

Social capital is often seen as a key factor in economic development and effective governance. It is built through various social interactions, institutions, and cultural factors within a community or society.