UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — NAMASTE Scheme Reflects The Government's Unwavering Commitment To Ensuring That Every Sanitation Worker Is Able To Work With Dignity, Safety And Social Security; Scheme Aligns With The Vision Of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas...
Q1. With reference to the administrative structure of the NAMASTE scheme, consider the following statements:
1. It is classified as a Central Sector Scheme.
2. It is a joint initiative of the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
3. Its implementing agency is the Ministry of Rural Development.
4. Its acronym expands to National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- It is classified as a Central Sector Scheme.
- It is a joint initiative of the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
- Its implementing agency is the Ministry of Rural Development.
- Its acronym expands to National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem.
- A. 1, 2 and 4
- B. 1, 2 and 3
- C. 2, 3 and 4
- D. 1, 3 and 4
Q2. NAMASTE was designed to leverage the existing allocations and architecture of several ongoing programmes. Consider the following as programmes whose existing allocations NAMASTE draws upon:
1. Self Employment Scheme for Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers (SRMS)
2. Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM)
3. Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM)
4. Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA)
Which of the above is/are NOT correctly identified?
- Self Employment Scheme for Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers (SRMS)
- Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM)
- Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM)
- Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA)
- A. 4 only
- B. 2 and 3
- C. 1 and 4
- D. 3 only
Q3. In which year was the Self Employment Scheme for Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers (SRMS) revised, following the enactment of the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act?
- A. 2007
- B. 2013
- C. 2019
- D. 2023
Q4. In the context of the scheme that preceded and was absorbed into NAMASTE, the abbreviation 'SRMS' stands for which one of the following?
- A. Self Employment Scheme for Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers
- B. Special Rehabilitation Mission for Sanitation-workers
- C. Scheme for Rehabilitation of Marginalised Safai-karamcharis
- D. Sewer Repair and Mechanised Sanitation Scheme
Q5. NAMASTE is classified as a 'Central Sector Scheme'. In this context, which one of the following best describes a Central Sector Scheme?
- A. A scheme fully funded and implemented by the Union Government through central agencies
- B. A scheme funded on a 50:50 cost-sharing basis between the Centre and the States
- C. A scheme funded by the Centre but implemented solely by State governments
- D. A scheme funded entirely by the States with only technical guidance from the Centre
Q6. Consider the following statements comparing the timeline and outlay of NAMASTE:
1. The total budget allocation for the scheme over its period FY 2023-24 to FY 2025-26 is Rs 349.73 crore.
2. Waste pickers were added as a target group from FY 2024-25, after the scheme's initial launch.
3. The allocated budget for the first year, FY 2023-24, was Rs 97.41 crore.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- The total budget allocation for the scheme over its period FY 2023-24 to FY 2025-26 is Rs 349.73 crore.
- Waste pickers were added as a target group from FY 2024-25, after the scheme's initial launch.
- The allocated budget for the first year, FY 2023-24, was Rs 97.41 crore.
- A. 1 and 2 only
- B. 2 and 3 only
- C. 1 and 3 only
- D. 1, 2 and 3
Q7. Which one of the following is stated as the foremost outcome target of the NAMASTE scheme in sanitation work?
- A. Achieving zero fatalities in sanitation operations
- B. Achieving universal open-defecation-free status in urban areas
- C. Achieving 100% door-to-door segregated waste collection
- D. Achieving full piped water supply to all sanitation workers' households
Q8. With reference to the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013, consider the following as provisions of the Act:
1. Prohibition of construction of insanitary latrines.
2. Prohibition of hazardous cleaning of sewers and septic tanks without protective equipment.
3. Provision for rehabilitation of persons identified as manual scavengers.
4. Mandatory grant of capital subsidy for sanitation vehicles to every profiled worker.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- Prohibition of construction of insanitary latrines.
- Prohibition of hazardous cleaning of sewers and septic tanks without protective equipment.
- Provision for rehabilitation of persons identified as manual scavengers.
- Mandatory grant of capital subsidy for sanitation vehicles to every profiled worker.
- A. 1, 2 and 3
- B. 1, 2 and 4
- C. 2, 3 and 4
- D. 1, 3 and 4
Q9. With reference to the 2026 NAMASTE progress data comparing sewer/septic tank workers (SSWs) and waste pickers, consider the following statements:
1. More waste pickers have been profiled than sewer and septic tank workers.
2. The number of PPE kits distributed to waste pickers exceeds those distributed to sewer and septic tank workers.
3. The number of sewer and septic tank workers validated exceeds the number of waste pickers validated through eKYC.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- More waste pickers have been profiled than sewer and septic tank workers.
- The number of PPE kits distributed to waste pickers exceeds those distributed to sewer and septic tank workers.
- The number of sewer and septic tank workers validated exceeds the number of waste pickers validated through eKYC.
- A. 1 and 2 only
- B. 1 and 3 only
- C. 2 and 3 only
- D. 1, 2 and 3
Q10. With reference to the 2026 NAMASTE achievement figures, consider the following statements:
1. Around 90,942 sewer and septic tank workers have been profiled.
2. About 87,037 sewer and septic tank workers have been provided PPE kits.
3. Over 2.5 lakh waste pickers have been validated through eKYC.
4. Over 3 lakh sewer and septic tank workers have been processed for Ayushman cards.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- Around 90,942 sewer and septic tank workers have been profiled.
- About 87,037 sewer and septic tank workers have been provided PPE kits.
- Over 2.5 lakh waste pickers have been validated through eKYC.
- Over 3 lakh sewer and septic tank workers have been processed for Ayushman cards.
- A. 1, 2 and 3
- B. 1, 2 and 4
- C. 2, 3 and 4
- D. 1, 3 and 4
Q11. Consider the following categories identified as target groups of the NAMASTE scheme:
1. Sewer and septic tank workers
2. Manual scavengers
3. Waste pickers
4. Construction migrant labourers
Which of the above is/are NOT correctly identified as a target group under NAMASTE?
- Sewer and septic tank workers
- Manual scavengers
- Waste pickers
- Construction migrant labourers
- A. 4 only
- B. 1 and 2
- C. 3 only
- D. 2 and 4
Q12. The National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation (NSKFDC), the implementing agency of NAMASTE, functions under which one of the following ministries?
- A. Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
- B. Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
- C. Ministry of Rural Development
- D. Ministry of Labour and Employment