UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India Secures First-Ever Strategic Investment Plan Approval under PM-SETU; Andhra Pradesh Emerges as Pioneer of Industry-Led ITI Transformation

Q1. With reference to the PM-SETU scheme, consider the following statements. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme with a total outlay of ₹60,000 crore.
  2. It targets the upgradation of 1,000 Government ITIs through a hub-and-spoke model of 200 hub and 800 spoke ITIs.
  3. Its nodal ministry is the Ministry of Education.
  4. Its Component II provides for capacity augmentation of five National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs).
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 4
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q2. With reference to the funding structure of PM-SETU's ₹60,000 crore outlay, consider the following statements. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The Central share alone is larger than the combined State and Industry share.
  2. The State share is greater than the Industry share.
  3. Half of the Central share is co-financed equally by the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q3. PM-SETU received Union Cabinet approval in which month and year?

  • A. May 2025
  • B. October 2025
  • C. February 2025
  • D. July 2025

Q4. In the context of PM-SETU's launch on 4 October 2025, the 'Kaushal Deekshant Samaroh' refers to:

  • A. the ceremony at which the Prime Minister launched youth-focused initiatives worth over ₹62,000 crore
  • B. the annual convocation of the five National Skill Training Institutes
  • C. the National Steering Committee sitting that clears Strategic Investment Plans
  • D. the trade-certification ceremony for graduating ITI craftsmen under NCVET

Q5. With reference to the first-ever Strategic Investment Plan (SIP) approved under PM-SETU, consider the following statements. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. The SIP was approved for the Visakhapatnam ITI Cluster in Andhra Pradesh.
  2. The anchor industry partner is ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India.
  3. The academic partner is the New Age Makers Institute of Technology (NAMTECH).
  4. The plan was cleared solely by the Andhra Pradesh State Steering Committee.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 3 and 4 only
  • D. 4 only

Q6. Under PM-SETU, a 'Strategic Investment Plan (SIP)' most precisely refers to:

  • A. an industry-led investment and upgradation blueprint for an ITI cluster, approved by the National Steering Committee
  • B. the annual capital budget of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
  • C. the co-financing agreement between the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank for the Central share
  • D. a state government's roadmap for establishing National Centres of Excellence

Q7. In the context of PM-SETU's nationwide rollout of ITI clusters, the term 'Anchor Industry Partner' refers to:

  • A. the lead industrial entity that invests in and drives the upgradation of an ITI cluster
  • B. the multilateral bank that co-finances the Central share of the scheme
  • C. the public-sector undertaking nominated to run the spoke ITIs of a cluster
  • D. the state department that certifies trainees passing out of upgraded ITIs

Q8. In the ₹1,237.58 crore ITI transformation announced as PM-SETU went nationwide across Odisha, Gujarat and Telangana, which entity was selected as the Anchor Industry Partner for the ITI cluster in Odisha?

  • A. Jindal Naveen Avsar Limited
  • B. ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India
  • C. Apollo Medskills
  • D. New Age Makers Institute of Technology (NAMTECH)

Q9. With reference to ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India (AM/NS India), consider the following statements. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. It is a joint venture between ArcelorMittal and Nippon Steel Corporation.
  2. Its flagship integrated steel plant is located at Hazira in Gujarat.
  3. It was formed through the acquisition of the erstwhile Essar Steel under India's insolvency process.
  4. Nippon Steel Corporation holds the entire majority stake of 60% in the joint venture.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 3
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q10. The erstwhile Essar Steel was acquired (December 2019) to form AM/NS India under which legal framework?

  • A. Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016
  • B. SARFAESI Act, 2002
  • C. Companies Act, 2013
  • D. Competition Act, 2002

Q11. The Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS), delivered through Industrial Training Institutes, was introduced by the Government of India in which year?

  • A. 1950
  • B. 1947
  • C. 1956
  • D. 1961

Q12. Which State became the first to operationalize an industry partnership under PM-SETU by securing approval of the scheme's first Strategic Investment Plan?

  • A. Andhra Pradesh
  • B. Gujarat
  • C. Odisha
  • D. Telangana