UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Department of Posts and Ministry of Rural Development Sign Landmark MoU to Strengthen Rural Financial Inclusion, Livelihood Promotion and Logistics Enablement

Q1. The Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) is implemented as the flagship poverty-alleviation programme of which one of the following?

  • A. Ministry of Rural Development
  • B. Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
  • C. Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare
  • D. Ministry of Panchayati Raj

Q2. With reference to the DAY-NRLM, consider the following statements: 1. It was launched in 2011 by restructuring the Swarnajayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY). 2. It is implemented by the Ministry of Rural Development. 3. It primarily mobilises rural poor households, mainly women, into Self-Help Groups. 4. It replaced the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme. Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. It was launched in 2011 by restructuring the Swarnajayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY).
  2. It is implemented by the Ministry of Rural Development.
  3. It primarily mobilises rural poor households, mainly women, into Self-Help Groups.
  4. It replaced the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • B. 2, 3 and 4 only
  • C. 1 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q3. Consider the following statements comparing the India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) with a Small Finance Bank (SFB): 1. Unlike an SFB, the IPPB cannot undertake lending activities on its own. 2. The IPPB is regulated by the RBI, whereas an SFB is regulated by SEBI. 3. The IPPB is a 100% Government of India owned entity, unlike a typical SFB. Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. Unlike an SFB, the IPPB cannot undertake lending activities on its own.
  2. The IPPB is regulated by the RBI, whereas an SFB is regulated by SEBI.
  3. The IPPB is a 100% Government of India owned entity, unlike a typical SFB.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q4. The India Post Payments Bank is a 100% (wholly) Government of India owned entity held through which one of the following?

  • A. Department of Posts
  • B. Reserve Bank of India
  • C. Department of Financial Services
  • D. State Bank of India

Q5. The landmark MoU of January 2026 to strengthen rural financial inclusion, livelihood promotion and logistics enablement was signed between which two of the following?

  • A. Department of Posts and Ministry of Rural Development
  • B. Department of Posts and Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
  • C. India Post Payments Bank and Ministry of Finance
  • D. Ministry of Communications and Ministry of Panchayati Raj

Q6. In the context of the DoP–MoRD MoU, the term 'BC Sakhi' is best described as which one of the following?

  • A. SHG women trained, certified and deployed as banking Business Correspondents to provide doorstep financial services
  • B. SHG women employed only as insurance-selling agents for postal life insurance
  • C. SHG women appointed as parcel-delivery agents in the India Post logistics network
  • D. SHG women designated as work-site supervisors (mates) under MGNREGA

Q7. Which one of the following is correctly described as operating the world's largest postal network?

  • A. India Post
  • B. United States Postal Service
  • C. China Post
  • D. Royal Mail

Q8. Approximately how many rural post offices form the grassroots network leveraged under the DoP–MoRD MoU?

  • A. About 1.5 lakh
  • B. About 90,000
  • C. About 2.4 lakh
  • D. About 3.5 lakh

Q9. Consider the following as partners with which the Ministry of Rural Development / DAY-NRLM has signed convergence MoUs for SHG empowerment: 1. TRIFED, for tribal and SHG livelihood development. 2. Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, for SHG skilling. 3. Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL), for green mobility for SHG women. 4. Securities and Exchange Board of India, for SHG participation in the stock market. Which of the above are correctly identified?

  1. TRIFED, for tribal and SHG livelihood development.
  2. Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, for SHG skilling.
  3. Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL), for green mobility for SHG women.
  4. Securities and Exchange Board of India, for SHG participation in the stock market.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4 only
  • D. 1 and 4 only

Q10. MGNREGA wages, increasingly routed as Direct Benefit Transfer through Post Office Savings Bank and IPPB accounts, are disbursed under a scheme administered by which one of the following?

  • A. Ministry of Rural Development
  • B. Ministry of Labour and Employment
  • C. Ministry of Finance
  • D. Ministry of Panchayati Raj