UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission

Q1. With reference to the legal framework governing Minor Forest Produce (MFP) in India, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 vests ownership of MFP in individual tribal households of Scheduled Areas rather than in community institutions.
  2. The Forest Rights Act, 2006 recognises rights over MFP only for members of Scheduled Tribes and not for other traditional forest dwellers.
  3. Under the Forest Rights Act, 2006, bamboo and tendu leaves count as minor forest produce, while timber is excluded from it.
  • A. 2 and 3 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q2. Consider the following statements: Which of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. The Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 requires State laws to ensure that Panchayats at the appropriate level and the Gram Sabha are endowed with ownership of minor forest produce in Scheduled Areas.
  2. The Forest Rights Act, 2006 recognises the right of forest dwellers to collect, use and dispose of minor forest produce traditionally collected within or outside village boundaries.
  • A. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
  • B. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
  • C. Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
  • D. Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

Q3. Suppose the prevailing market price of an MFP item notified under the Minimum Support Price for Minor Forest Produce scheme falls below its notified MSP in a State. With reference to the design of the scheme, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Agencies designated by the State Government are expected to buy the item directly from gatherers at the notified MSP at procurement centres.
  2. Gatherers sell to private traders at the market price and are then compensated by a transfer equal to the gap between the MSP and the price received.
  3. Because gatherers have a State buyer at the MSP, the MSP tends to act as the floor that private traders must match to secure the produce.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 only
  • D. 1 and 3 only

Q4. With reference to the Van Dhan Vikas Kendra (VDVK) model under the Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. A VDVK aggregates tribal Self Help Groups so that gatherers can undertake primary processing and marketing collectively.
  2. Members of a VDVK are engaged as wage employees of TRIFED, which owns the processing units.
  3. The model aims mainly to raise the share of the final consumer price retained by gatherers, rather than the volume of raw produce collected.
  4. VDVKs are linked to Haat Bazaars and to TRIFED's marketing channels for selling processed products.
  • A. 1 and 3 only
  • B. 1, 3 and 4 only
  • C. 1, 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 2 and 4 only

Q5. Policy documents argue that value addition at Van Dhan Vikas Kendras can raise tribal incomes more than MSP procurement of raw minor forest produce can on its own. Which one of the following best explains this?

  • A. MSP only puts a floor under the price of raw produce, while processing and branding let gatherers capture margins otherwise earned downstream
  • B. Value addition pushes up the notified MSP itself, since MSP rates for minor forest produce are fixed with reference to processed goods prices
  • C. VDVK members draw a fixed monthly salary from TRIFED, which is set higher than what gatherers earn by selling raw produce at the MSP
  • D. Value addition obliges State agencies to buy the entire processed output at a pre-announced price, removing all market risk for gatherers

Q6. With reference to the institutional arrangement for procurement and marketing of minor forest produce, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Since MSP procurement is carried out through agencies nominated by State Governments, coverage in a district can depend on whether the State seeks procurement support for it.
  2. Apart from its role in MSP procurement, TRIFED markets tribal products through Tribes India retail outlets and e-commerce platforms.
  3. TRIFED is a statutory authority created under the Forest Rights Act, 2006 to recognise individual and community rights over MFP.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 3
  • D. 2 only

Q7. With reference to the Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission (PMJVM) and the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN), consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. PM-JANMAN seeks saturation of basic services and government schemes in habitations of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups.
  2. PM-JANMAN is a convergence mission that draws on interventions implemented by several line Ministries.
  3. Benefits of Van Dhan Vikas Kendras under PMJVM are restricted to members of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups.
  4. Since PVTGs are a sub-category of Scheduled Tribes, a PVTG gatherer of minor forest produce can also be a beneficiary under PMJVM.
  • A. 3 and 4 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q8. With reference to the Ulgulan led by Birsa Munda, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

  1. It sought the restoration of khuntkatti, the community-based land rights of the Mundas.
  2. It was directed against British land laws and the exploitation of tribals by outsiders.
  3. It was the Santhal rising in the Rajmahal hills that was led by the brothers Sidhu and Kanhu.
  • A. 1 and 3 only
  • B. 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1 only