UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — UNION EDUCATION MINISTER LAUDS HISTORIC BUDGET 2026-27, CALLING IT A YUVA SHAKTI DRIVEN BUDGET-A BUDGET FOR HUMAN CAPITAL FOR VIKSIT BHARAT
Q1. In the Union Budget 2026-27, which one of the following units of the Ministry of Education received the single largest budgetary allocation?
- A. Department of School Education & Literacy
- B. Department of Higher Education
- C. University Grants Commission
- D. All India Council for Technical Education
Q2. With reference to the Ministry of Education's allocation in Budget 2026-27 as compared with BE 2025-26, consider the following statements:
1. The total Ministry of Education outlay rose by 8.27% over BE 2025-26.
2. The Department of School Education & Literacy recorded a larger percentage increase than the Department of Higher Education.
3. The Department of Higher Education's allocation rose by 11.28% over the previous year.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- The total Ministry of Education outlay rose by 8.27% over BE 2025-26.
- The Department of School Education & Literacy recorded a larger percentage increase than the Department of Higher Education.
- The Department of Higher Education's allocation rose by 11.28% over the previous year.
- A. 1 and 2 only
- B. 1 and 3 only
- C. 2 and 3 only
- D. 1, 2 and 3
Q3. By which one of the following was the subject of 'Education' transferred from the State List to the Concurrent List of the Seventh Schedule?
- A. The Constitution (42nd Amendment) Act, 1976
- B. The Constitution (44th Amendment) Act, 1978
- C. The Constitution (73rd Amendment) Act, 1992
- D. The Constitution (86th Amendment) Act, 2002
Q4. In the context of the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution, which one of the following best describes the 'Concurrent List'?
- A. Subjects on which both Parliament and State Legislatures are competent to make laws
- B. Subjects on which only Parliament may make laws
- C. Subjects on which only State Legislatures may make laws
- D. Subjects not enumerated in any list, on which Parliament has residuary power
Q5. Consider the following statements about NEP 2020 operational schemes:
1. ULLAS targets all non-literates aged 15 years and above.
2. PM SHRI aims to develop model schools showcasing NEP 2020.
3. PM POSHAN provides nutritional support to children from Bal Vatika up to Class VIII.
4. PM-USHA is implemented by the Department of School Education & Literacy.
Which of the statements given above are correctly identified?
- ULLAS targets all non-literates aged 15 years and above.
- PM SHRI aims to develop model schools showcasing NEP 2020.
- PM POSHAN provides nutritional support to children from Bal Vatika up to Class VIII.
- PM-USHA is implemented by the Department of School Education & Literacy.
- A. 1 and 2 only
- B. 3 and 4 only
- C. 1, 2 and 3 only
- D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Q6. Consider the following statements about structural announcements in the Union Budget 2026-27 for education:
1. Five University Townships are to be set up near major industrial and logistics corridors.
2. A girls' hostel is to be set up in every district, funded through Viability Gap Funding.
3. The 'Education to Employment and Enterprise' Standing Committee is focused primarily on the manufacturing sector.
4. The University Townships will host universities, colleges, research institutions and skill centres.
Which of the statements given above are correctly identified?
- Five University Townships are to be set up near major industrial and logistics corridors.
- A girls' hostel is to be set up in every district, funded through Viability Gap Funding.
- The 'Education to Employment and Enterprise' Standing Committee is focused primarily on the manufacturing sector.
- The University Townships will host universities, colleges, research institutions and skill centres.
- A. 1 and 3 only
- B. 2 and 4 only
- C. 1, 2 and 4 only
- D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Q7. The high-powered 'Education to Employment and Enterprise' Standing Committee announced in Budget 2026-27 is mandated to drive which one of the following as the key engine of Viksit Bharat?
- A. The services sector
- B. The manufacturing sector
- C. The agriculture and allied sector
- D. The micro, small and medium enterprises sector
Q8. Which one of the following correctly describes the remit of the Department of Higher Education within the Ministry of Education?
- A. It oversees central universities, the UGC, AICTE, the IITs and IIMs
- B. It oversees CBSE, NCERT, Kendriya Vidyalayas and Navodaya Vidyalayas
- C. It administers PM POSHAN and adult-literacy programmes such as ULLAS
- D. It is the nodal department for Samagra Shiksha and school infrastructure
Q9. The PM POSHAN (erstwhile Mid-Day Meal) Scheme is implemented by which one of the following?
- A. Department of School Education & Literacy, Ministry of Education
- B. Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education
- C. Ministry of Women and Child Development
- D. Department of Food and Public Distribution
Q10. The Budget 2026-27 is described as 'Yuva Shakti driven'. Within the four-pillar Viksit Bharat 2047 framework, 'Yuva' is foregrounded as the primary human-capital driver alongside which other three pillars?
- A. Garib, Mahilayen and Annadata
- B. Garib, Shramik and Vyapari
- C. Mahilayen, Kisan and Sainik
- D. Annadata, Shramik and Naujawan
Q11. With reference to the Union Budget 2026-27 and its constitutional basis, consider the following statements:
1. It was presented on 1 February 2026 by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
2. Under Article 112, the Union Budget is constitutionally termed the 'Annual Financial Statement'.
3. Article 112 requires the Prime Minister to lay the Annual Financial Statement before Parliament.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- It was presented on 1 February 2026 by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
- Under Article 112, the Union Budget is constitutionally termed the 'Annual Financial Statement'.
- Article 112 requires the Prime Minister to lay the Annual Financial Statement before Parliament.
- A. 1 and 2 only
- B. 2 and 3 only
- C. 1 and 3 only
- D. 1, 2 and 3