UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Empowering the Poor: A Decade of Inclusive Transformation

Q1. With reference to the methodology of India's National Multidimensional Poverty Index (National MPI) as compared to the Global MPI, consider the following statements:

1. Both the Global MPI and India's National MPI use the same three equally-weighted dimensions, namely Health, Education and Standard of Living.
2. India's National MPI retains the indicators of the Global MPI but additionally includes 'maternal health' and 'bank account' as two India-specific indicators.
3. Under the National MPI, a person is identified as 'MPI poor' only if she is deprived in at least one-half of the weighted indicators.

• A. 1 only
• B. 1 and 2 only
• C. 2 and 3 only
• D. 1, 2 and 3

Q2. According to NITI Aayog's 'National Multidimensional Poverty Index: A Progress Review 2023', which one of the following States recorded the largest absolute decline in the number of multidimensionally poor persons between 2013-14 and 2022-23?

• A. Bihar
• B. Madhya Pradesh
• C. Rajasthan
• D. Uttar Pradesh

Q3. Which one of the following is the nodal Union Ministry for the implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission?

• A. Ministry of Rural Development
• B. Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
• C. Ministry of Jal Shakti
• D. Ministry of Panchayati Raj

Q4. With reference to the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), which of the following statements is/are NOT correct?

1. The Mission was launched on 15 August 2019 with the Ministry of Jal Shakti as the nodal Ministry.
2. The Union Budget 2025-26 extended the Mission up to the year 2028.
3. The Centre-State fund sharing pattern for States other than the North-Eastern and Himalayan States is 60:40.
4. Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 was approved by the Union Cabinet in March 2026.

• A. 1 and 2 only
• B. 2 and 4 only
• C. 3 only
• D. 3 and 4 only

Q5. With reference to the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY), consider the following groups. Which of the above is/are NOT recognised as an eligible beneficiary category under the scheme for release of a deposit-free LPG connection?

1. Households of Scheduled Castes identified outside the SECC list
2. Beneficiaries enrolled under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme
3. Forest dwellers residing in notified forest areas
4. Beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN)

• A. 1 and 3
• B. 2 and 4
• C. 1, 2 and 4
• D. 3 only

Q6. Which one of the following is the nodal Union Ministry for the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY)?

• A. Ministry of Rural Development
• B. Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas
• C. Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
• D. Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution

Q7. With reference to the Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), consider the following statements:

1. The scheme provides a health cover of Rs. 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation.
2. The original list of eligible beneficiary families was drawn from the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) 2011.
3. The scheme is implemented by the National Health Authority under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
4. Ayushman Bharat – Health and Wellness Centres (AB-HWCs) are administered as a sub-component of PM-JAY by the National Health Authority.

• A. 1, 2 and 3 only
• B. 1 and 3 only
• C. 2, 3 and 4 only
• D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q8. At its inception, the number of poor and vulnerable families originally identified as eligible beneficiaries under the Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), based on the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) 2011, was closest to:

• A. 8.03 crore families
• B. 10.74 crore families
• C. 12.00 crore families
• D. 13.44 crore families

Q9. With reference to the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) as it currently operates, consider the following statements:

1. It was launched in April 2020 to provide additional free foodgrains over and above the regular entitlement under the National Food Security Act, 2013 during the COVID-19 pandemic.
2. From 1 January 2023, it was integrated with the National Food Security Act so that every Antyodaya Anna Yojana and Priority Household beneficiary receives the entitled foodgrains free of cost.
3. Under the scheme, an Antyodaya Anna Yojana household is entitled to only 5 kg of foodgrains per person per month.
4. The free distribution of foodgrains under the scheme has been extended for a period of five years with effect from 1 January 2024.

• A. 1 and 2 only
• B. 2 and 3 only
• C. 1, 2 and 4
• D. 1, 3 and 4

Q10. Approximately how many beneficiaries of the National Food Security Act, 2013 are presently entitled to receive foodgrains free of cost under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY)?

• A. 67 crore
• B. 75 crore
• C. 81 crore
• D. 90 crore

Q11. Which one of the following schemes, launched in August 2014, serves as the foundational financial-inclusion platform underpinning the JAM trinity and the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) architecture in India?

• A. Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana
• B. Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana
• C. Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana
• D. Atal Pension Yojana

Q12. With reference to the changes introduced under the revamped Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) with effect from 28 August 2018, as compared with the original scheme of 2014, consider the following statements: 1. The overdraft limit available to eligible account holders was enhanced from ₹5,000 to ₹10,000. 2. The accidental insurance cover on the RuPay debit card issued to PMJDY account holders was enhanced from ₹1 lakh to ₹2 lakh for accounts opened after the revamp. 3. The upper age-limit for availing the overdraft facility was reduced from 65 years to 60 years under the revamped scheme. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. The overdraft limit available to eligible account holders was enhanced from ₹5,000 to ₹10,000.
2. The accidental insurance cover on the RuPay debit card issued to PMJDY account holders was enhanced from ₹1 lakh to ₹2 lakh for accounts opened after the revamp.
3. The upper age-limit for availing the overdraft facility was reduced from 65 years to 60 years under the revamped scheme.

• A. 1 and 2 only
• B. 1 only
• C. 2 and 3 only
• D. 1, 2 and 3

Q13. With reference to the Swachh Bharat Mission – Grameen (SBM-G), consider the following statements comparing its Phase I and Phase II: 1. Whereas Phase I was primarily focused on construction of Individual Household Latrines to achieve Open Defecation Free (ODF) status, Phase II focuses on ODF sustainability along with Solid and Liquid Waste Management. 2. Both Phase I and Phase II of SBM-G are administered by the Ministry of Rural Development. 3. Phase II of SBM-G was launched with effect from 1 April 2020 with a total outlay exceeding Rs 1.4 lakh crore. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. Whereas Phase I was primarily focused on construction of Individual Household Latrines to achieve Open Defecation Free (ODF) status, Phase II focuses on ODF sustainability along with Solid and Liquid Waste Management.
2. Both Phase I and Phase II of SBM-G are administered by the Ministry of Rural Development.
3. Phase II of SBM-G was launched with effect from 1 April 2020 with a total outlay exceeding Rs 1.4 lakh crore.

• A. 1 only
• B. 1 and 3 only
• C. 2 and 3 only
• D. 1, 2 and 3

Q14. Under the Swachh Bharat Mission – Grameen Phase II, a village is classified as an 'ODF Plus Model' village if it satisfies certain criteria. Which of the following are correctly identified as criteria for an ODF Plus Model village? 1. It sustains its Open Defecation Free (ODF) status. 2. It has arrangements for either Solid Waste Management or Liquid Waste Management, but not necessarily both. 3. It observes visual cleanliness, including minimal litter, minimal stagnant wastewater, and no plastic waste dump in public places. 4. It displays Information, Education and Communication (IEC) messages on ODF Plus.

1. It sustains its Open Defecation Free (ODF) status.
2. It has arrangements for either Solid Waste Management or Liquid Waste Management, but not necessarily both.
3. It observes visual cleanliness, including minimal litter, minimal stagnant wastewater, and no plastic waste dump in public places.
4. It displays Information, Education and Communication (IEC) messages on ODF Plus.

• A. 1, 3 and 4 only
• B. 2, 3 and 4 only
• C. 1 and 2 only
• D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q15. With reference to the implementation of Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), which one of the following best describes the 'National Health Authority (NHA)'?

• A. It is the apex body for implementing AB-PMJAY, functioning under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
• B. It is a statutory authority constituted under an Act of Parliament to regulate health insurance products in India.
• C. It is a constitutional body that advises the States on standards of public health and nutrition.
• D. It is an attached office of NITI Aayog that compiles the National Multidimensional Poverty Index health indicators.

Q16. The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY), which provides deposit-free LPG connections to women from poor households, is implemented by which one of the following Union Ministries?

• A. Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas
• B. Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution
• C. Ministry of Women and Child Development
• D. Ministry of Rural Development