UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Cabinet approves Integration and Continuation of two schemes viz. (i) “Assistance to State Agencies for intra-State movement of foodgrains and FPS dealers’ margin under NFSA” and (ii) “Scheme for Modernization and Reform...

Q1. The umbrella scheme SARTHAK-PDS, approved for the 16th Finance Commission cycle, is operationalised by which one of the following?

  • A. Department of Food and Public Distribution, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
  • B. Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
  • C. Department of Rural Development, Ministry of Rural Development
  • D. Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance

Q2. With reference to SARTHAK-PDS as compared with the arrangement that preceded it, consider the following statements: 1. Unlike the two component schemes which earlier functioned independently, SARTHAK-PDS merges them into a single umbrella framework. 2. SARTHAK-PDS has been approved for the 16th Finance Commission cycle and is to operate up to 31 March 2031. 3. SARTHAK-PDS was cleared by the Cabinet Committee on Security, unlike its predecessor schemes which were cleared by the CCEA. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Unlike the two component schemes which earlier functioned independently, SARTHAK-PDS merges them into a single umbrella framework.
  2. SARTHAK-PDS has been approved for the 16th Finance Commission cycle and is to operate up to 31 March 2031.
  3. SARTHAK-PDS was cleared by the Cabinet Committee on Security, unlike its predecessor schemes which were cleared by the CCEA.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q3. With reference to the financial outlay and Centre-State cost-sharing under SARTHAK-PDS, consider the following statements: 1. The total outlay of the scheme is Rs. 25,530 crore, provided entirely as the Central share. 2. For general category States, the cost of the FPS dealers' margin and the ePoS additional margin is shared between the Centre and the State in the ratio 75:25. 3. For special category States/UTs, the Centre-State cost-sharing ratio is 75:25. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The total outlay of the scheme is Rs. 25,530 crore, provided entirely as the Central share.
  2. For general category States, the cost of the FPS dealers' margin and the ePoS additional margin is shared between the Centre and the State in the ratio 75:25.
  3. For special category States/UTs, the Centre-State cost-sharing ratio is 75:25.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q4. The Central outlay of Rs. 25,530 crore approved for SARTHAK-PDS is provided for a period of how many years?

  • A. 3 years
  • B. 5 years
  • C. 6 years
  • D. 10 years

Q5. With reference to the norms for Fair Price Shop (FPS) dealers' margin under the NFSA, consider the following pairings: 1. FPS dealers' base margin, general category States — Rs. 90 per quintal 2. FPS dealers' base margin, special category States — Rs. 180 per quintal 3. Additional margin for ePoS-based distribution, general category States — Rs. 26 per quintal 4. Additional margin for ePoS-based distribution, special category States — Rs. 26 per quintal Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. FPS dealers' base margin, general category States — Rs. 90 per quintal
  2. FPS dealers' base margin, special category States — Rs. 180 per quintal
  3. Additional margin for ePoS-based distribution, general category States — Rs. 26 per quintal
  4. Additional margin for ePoS-based distribution, special category States — Rs. 26 per quintal
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 4
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 3 and 4

Q6. Within the FPS dealers' margin norms under the NFSA, the 'additional margin' of Rs. 21/Rs. 26 per quintal paid to dealers refers to which one of the following?

  • A. An extra margin for distributing foodgrains through electronic Point of Sale (ePoS) devices
  • B. A margin for undertaking intra-State transportation and handling of foodgrains
  • C. An incentive for achieving 100% Aadhaar seeding of ration cards at the shop
  • D. Compensation paid to dealers for storage and transit losses of foodgrains

Q7. Under the technology-driven reforms of the PDS (SMART-PDS/ONORC), which one of the following is described as the main enabler of nationwide portability of ration card holders?

  • A. Electronic Point of Sale (ePoS) devices with biometric/Aadhaar authentication at Fair Price Shops
  • B. Blockchain-based distributed ledgers for foodgrain tracking
  • C. State Command and Control Centres for data-driven oversight
  • D. Natural Language Processing (NLP)-based grievance redressal systems

Q8. SARTHAK-PDS seeks to modernize and optimize PDS operations through a set of named advanced technologies, namely Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Natural Language Processing and Blockchain. How many such advanced technologies are named?

  • A. Two
  • B. Three
  • C. Four
  • D. Five

Q9. With reference to the coverage and entitlements under the National Food Security Act, 2013, consider the following statements: 1. Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) households are entitled to 35 kg of foodgrains per family per month. 2. Priority households are entitled to 5 kg of foodgrains per person per month. 3. The Act covers exactly 50% of the rural and 75% of the urban population. 4. The Act extends coverage to up to 75% of the rural and up to 50% of the urban population. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) households are entitled to 35 kg of foodgrains per family per month.
  2. Priority households are entitled to 5 kg of foodgrains per person per month.
  3. The Act covers exactly 50% of the rural and 75% of the urban population.
  4. The Act extends coverage to up to 75% of the rural and up to 50% of the urban population.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 4
  • C. 3 and 4 only
  • D. 2 and 3 only

Q10. Under the National Food Security Act, 2013, which one of the following correctly describes the foodgrain entitlement of a 'priority household'?

  • A. 5 kg of foodgrains per person per month
  • B. 35 kg of foodgrains per household per month
  • C. 5 kg of foodgrains per household per month
  • D. 35 kg of foodgrains per person per month

Q11. With reference to the 16th Finance Commission, whose award cycle SARTHAK-PDS is aligned with, consider the following statements: 1. Its award period covers the years 2026-27 to 2030-31. 2. The Finance Commission is constituted under Article 280 of the Constitution. 3. It is chaired by N.K. Singh, who had also chaired the 15th Finance Commission. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Its award period covers the years 2026-27 to 2030-31.
  2. The Finance Commission is constituted under Article 280 of the Constitution.
  3. It is chaired by N.K. Singh, who had also chaired the 15th Finance Commission.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q12. SARTHAK-PDS was approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA). With reference to the CCEA, consider the following statements: 1. It is chaired by the Prime Minister. 2. It derives its authority from the Government of India (Transaction of Business) Rules, 1961. 3. It is a constitutional body established directly under Article 280 of the Constitution. 4. It approved the SARTHAK-PDS umbrella scheme. Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

  1. It is chaired by the Prime Minister.
  2. It derives its authority from the Government of India (Transaction of Business) Rules, 1961.
  3. It is a constitutional body established directly under Article 280 of the Constitution.
  4. It approved the SARTHAK-PDS umbrella scheme.
  • A. 1 and 3
  • B. 2 and 4
  • C. 3 only
  • D. 3 and 4