Governance MCQs for UPSC Prelims — May 2026

Question 1

Consider the following statements comparing PM SVANidhi with the Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana (PMMY):
1. Unlike PM SVANidhi, which is a Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs scheme, PMMY is administered under the Ministry of Finance.
2. Both PM SVANidhi and PMMY extend collateral-free loans.
3. PM SVANidhi offers a larger maximum loan amount than PMMY.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

1 and 2 only

Answer

1 only

Answer

2 and 3 only

Answer

1, 2 and 3

Question 2

Under the restructured PM SVANidhi, which department shares implementation responsibility with MoHUA and is specifically tasked with facilitating access to loans and credit cards through banks and financial institutions?

Accepted Answer

Department of Financial Services

Answer

Department of Economic Affairs

Answer

Department of Expenditure

Answer

Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade

Question 3

PM SVANidhi, whose six-year progress was reviewed in 2026, is the flagship street-vendor scheme of which single Union Ministry?

Accepted Answer

Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs

Answer

Ministry of Finance

Answer

Ministry of Rural Development

Answer

Ministry of Labour & Employment

Question 4

In the six-year review of PM SVANidhi, the figure of 'nearly 95%' cited refers to the share of beneficiaries who:

Accepted Answer

Accessed formal institutional credit for the first time

Answer

Are women vendors

Answer

Belong to marginalised communities

Answer

Have completed repayment of all three tranches

Question 5

In the context of PM SVANidhi loans, the term 'collateral-free' precisely means that the loans are:

Accepted Answer

Advanced without requiring any security, guarantor or asset as collateral

Answer

Advanced entirely free of interest to the vendor

Answer

Fully waived off after a fixed vending period

Answer

Sanctioned only against pledge of the vendor's business premises

Question 6

With reference to the December 2024 restructuring of PM SVANidhi approved by the Union Cabinet, consider the following:
1. A total outlay of ₹7,332 crore.
2. Extension of the lending period up to 31 March 2030.
3. A target of 1.15 crore beneficiaries including 50 lakh new beneficiaries.
4. Transfer of sole nodal responsibility for the scheme to NITI Aayog.
Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

Accepted Answer

1, 2 and 3

Answer

1 and 3 only

Answer

2 and 4 only

Answer

1, 2, 3 and 4

Question 7

Which one of the following is the credit instrument newly introduced under the restructured PM SVANidhi, provided exclusively to beneficiaries who have timely repaid their second loan?

Accepted Answer

UPI-linked RuPay Credit Card

Answer

Kisan Credit Card

Answer

BHIM-Aadhaar debit card

Answer

PMJDY RuPay debit card

Question 8

Under PM SVANidhi, the digital cashback incentive of up to ₹1,200 per year is provided to a beneficiary for which one of the following?

Accepted Answer

Undertaking eligible digital/UPI transactions

Answer

Timely repayment of the loan instalments

Answer

Enrolling family members in social-security schemes

Answer

Registering the vending unit on an e-commerce portal

Question 9

Under the original PM SVANidhi design, what is the maximum amount of the largest (third) working-capital loan tranche?

Accepted Answer

₹50,000

Answer

₹20,000

Answer

₹75,000

Answer

₹1,00,000

Question 10

With reference to the original loan tranche structure of PM SVANidhi, consider the following:
1. A first tranche of up to ₹10,000.
2. A second tranche of up to ₹20,000.
3. A third tranche of up to ₹50,000.
4. A fourth tranche of up to ₹75,000.
Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

Accepted Answer

4 only

Answer

1 and 2 only

Answer

3 only

Answer

2 and 4 only

Question 11

As highlighted in official communications in 2026, PM SVANidhi completed how many years since its launch?

Accepted Answer

Six years

Answer

Five years

Answer

Seven years

Answer

Ten years

Question 12

With reference to the PM SVANidhi scheme, consider the following statements about its original design and mandate:
1. It was launched by the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs.
2. It provides collateral-free micro-credit to urban street vendors.
3. It was launched in June 2020 in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.
4. Its primary target group is rural landless agricultural labourers.
Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

Accepted Answer

1, 2 and 3

Answer

1 and 2 only

Answer

3 and 4 only

Answer

1, 2, 3 and 4

Question 13

SIR Phase-II (ordered on 27 October 2025), spread across 9 States and 3 UTs, covered approximately how many Assembly Constituencies?

Accepted Answer

1,843

Answer

321

Answer

543

Answer

4,123

Question 14

Under the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023, the Selection Committee that recommends appointments to the President consists of which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The Prime Minister, a Union Cabinet Minister, and the Leader of the Opposition (or leader of the largest opposition party) in the Lok Sabha

Answer

The Prime Minister, the Chief Justice of India, and the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha

Answer

The President, the Prime Minister, and the Chief Justice of India

Answer

The Prime Minister, the Union Law Minister, and the Chief Justice of India

Question 15

Before the 2025 exercise, the last Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Bihar had been carried out in which year?

Accepted Answer

2003

Answer

2004

Answer

1993

Answer

2008

Question 16

In the Bihar Special Intensive Revision, 2025, the 'qualifying date' (fixed as 1 July 2025) refers to which one of the following?

Accepted Answer

The reference date with respect to which a person's age and eligibility to be enrolled as an elector are determined

Answer

The date on which the draft electoral roll is published

Answer

The last date for filing claims and objections against the roll

Answer

The date on which the previous intensive revision was completed

Question 17

With regard to the different revisions of electoral rolls in India, which one of the following statements is correct?

Accepted Answer

Both the Special Summary Revision and the Special Intensive Revision are carried out by the Election Commission of India under powers traceable to Article 324

Answer

Only the Special Intensive Revision, and never the Special Summary Revision, is conducted under any statutory authority

Answer

The Special Summary Revision alone is conducted by the ECI, while the SIR is conducted by the State Election Commissions

Answer

The Special Intensive Revision is conducted exclusively by the District Magistrate without any ECI involvement

Question 18

Among the modes of revising electoral rolls used by the ECI, which one involves the most exhaustive, ground-up house-to-house re-verification of every elector?

Accepted Answer

Special Intensive Revision

Answer

Special Summary Revision

Answer

Special Revision

Answer

Continuous updation of the roll

Question 19

In SIR Phase-III, the cut-off of 28 June 2026 denotes the date by which which of the following must take place?

Accepted Answer

Enumeration Forms must be received by the ERO for inclusion in the Draft Electoral Rolls

Answer

The final electoral roll must be published

Answer

Claims and objections against the draft roll must be filed

Answer

Booth Level Officers must complete all house-to-house visits

Question 20

Under the ECI order of 14 May 2026, the Enumeration Phase of SIR Phase-III commenced on 30 May 2026 in which of the following groups of States?

Accepted Answer

Odisha, Mizoram, Sikkim and Manipur

Answer

Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat and Kerala

Answer

Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Rajasthan

Answer

Assam, Nagaland, Tripura and Meghalaya

Question 21

In its 2026 judgment on the SIR, the Supreme Court clarified that the Election Commission's power of inquiry into an elector can be exercised only for which limited purpose?

Accepted Answer

To decide whether a person's name should be included in or excluded from the electoral roll

Answer

To conclusively determine a person's citizenship status for all legal purposes

Answer

To assess a person's eligibility for government welfare schemes

Answer

To determine a person's liability under the Citizenship Act, 1955

Question 22

The 2026 Supreme Court judgment upholding the Election Commission's power to conduct the Special Intensive Revision was delivered by a Bench led by which Chief Justice of India?

Accepted Answer

Surya Kant

Answer

Sanjiv Khanna

Answer

B. R. Gavai

Answer

D. Y. Chandrachud

Question 23

Under Section 24 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, how many successive levels of appeal are available against an order of the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) during revision of electoral rolls?

Accepted Answer

Two

Answer

One

Answer

Three

Answer

Four

Question 24

The Election Commission of India orders a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in exercise of its powers under which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Article 324 of the Constitution and Section 21 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950

Answer

Article 324 of the Constitution and Section 21 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951

Answer

Article 326 of the Constitution and Section 21 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950

Answer

Article 243K of the Constitution and Section 21 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950

Question 25

The 2026 roadshow held in New Delhi to attract investors and technology providers for Surface Coal/Lignite Gasification Projects under the Rs 37,500 crore scheme was organised by which Ministry?

Accepted Answer

Ministry of Coal

Answer

Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas

Answer

Ministry of Power

Answer

Ministry of Heavy Industries

Question 26

The September 2025 workshop that evaluated coal gasification technologies specifically suited to India's high-ash coal — as distinct from technologies designed for low-ash imported coal — was organised by which one of the following bodies?

Accepted Answer

NITI Aayog

Answer

Ministry of Coal

Answer

Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research (CIMFR)

Answer

Bureau of Energy Efficiency

Question 27

The projection that domestic coal gasification could substitute imports worth up to about Rs 3 lakh crore is attributed to the Union Minister holding which portfolio?

Accepted Answer

Coal and Mines

Answer

Petroleum and Natural Gas

Answer

Chemicals and Fertilizers

Answer

Heavy Industries

Question 28

The stipulation that coal-based thermal power plants located beyond 500 km from the pit-head must be supplied coal with ash content not exceeding 34% (on a quarterly average) is a requirement laid down by which one of the following?

Accepted Answer

Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change

Answer

Ministry of Coal

Answer

Ministry of Power

Answer

Central Pollution Control Board only

Question 29

The India Meteorological Department, the nodal agency for heatwave monitoring, forecasting and warnings, functions under which one of the following Ministries?

Accepted Answer

Ministry of Earth Sciences

Answer

Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change

Answer

Ministry of Science and Technology

Answer

Ministry of Home Affairs

Question 30

The restructuring and extension of PM SVANidhi's lending period was approved by which authority, and with what total outlay?

Accepted Answer

The Union Cabinet, with a total outlay of ₹7,332 crore

Answer

The Union Cabinet, with a total outlay of ₹600 crore

Answer

MoHUA, through an executive order, with a total outlay of ₹7,332 crore

Answer

NITI Aayog, with a total outlay of ₹5,000 crore

Governance MCQs for UPSC Prelims — May 2026

Q2. Under the restructured PM SVANidhi, which department shares implementation responsibility with MoHUA and is specifically tasked with facilitating access to loans and credit cards through banks and financial institutions?

Q3. PM SVANidhi, whose six-year progress was reviewed in 2026, is the flagship street-vendor scheme of which single Union Ministry?

Q4. In the six-year review of PM SVANidhi, the figure of 'nearly 95%' cited refers to the share of beneficiaries who:

Q5. In the context of PM SVANidhi loans, the term 'collateral-free' precisely means that the loans are:

Q7. Which one of the following is the credit instrument newly introduced under the restructured PM SVANidhi, provided exclusively to beneficiaries who have timely repaid their second loan?

Q8. Under PM SVANidhi, the digital cashback incentive of up to ₹1,200 per year is provided to a beneficiary for which one of the following?

Q9. Under the original PM SVANidhi design, what is the maximum amount of the largest (third) working-capital loan tranche?

Q10. With reference to the original loan tranche structure of PM SVANidhi, consider the following: 1. A first tranche of up to ₹10,000. 2. A second tranche of up to ₹20,000. 3. A third tranche of up to ₹50,000. 4. A fourth tranche of up to ₹75,000. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

Q11. As highlighted in official communications in 2026, PM SVANidhi completed how many years since its launch?

Q13. SIR Phase-II (ordered on 27 October 2025), spread across 9 States and 3 UTs, covered approximately how many Assembly Constituencies?

Q14. Under the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023, the Selection Committee that recommends appointments to the President consists of which of the following?

Q15. Before the 2025 exercise, the last Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Bihar had been carried out in which year?

Q16. In the Bihar Special Intensive Revision, 2025, the 'qualifying date' (fixed as 1 July 2025) refers to which one of the following?

Q17. With regard to the different revisions of electoral rolls in India, which one of the following statements is correct?

Q18. Among the modes of revising electoral rolls used by the ECI, which one involves the most exhaustive, ground-up house-to-house re-verification of every elector?

Q19. In SIR Phase-III, the cut-off of 28 June 2026 denotes the date by which which of the following must take place?

Q20. Under the ECI order of 14 May 2026, the Enumeration Phase of SIR Phase-III commenced on 30 May 2026 in which of the following groups of States?

Q21. In its 2026 judgment on the SIR, the Supreme Court clarified that the Election Commission's power of inquiry into an elector can be exercised only for which limited purpose?

Q22. The 2026 Supreme Court judgment upholding the Election Commission's power to conduct the Special Intensive Revision was delivered by a Bench led by which Chief Justice of India?

Q23. Under Section 24 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, how many successive levels of appeal are available against an order of the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) during revision of electoral rolls?

Q24. The Election Commission of India orders a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in exercise of its powers under which of the following?

Q25. The 2026 roadshow held in New Delhi to attract investors and technology providers for Surface Coal/Lignite Gasification Projects under the Rs 37,500 crore scheme was organised by which Ministry?

Q26. The September 2025 workshop that evaluated coal gasification technologies specifically suited to India's high-ash coal — as distinct from technologies designed for low-ash imported coal — was organised by which one of the following bodies?

Q27. The projection that domestic coal gasification could substitute imports worth up to about Rs 3 lakh crore is attributed to the Union Minister holding which portfolio?

Q28. The stipulation that coal-based thermal power plants located beyond 500 km from the pit-head must be supplied coal with ash content not exceeding 34% (on a quarterly average) is a requirement laid down by which one of the following?

Q29. The India Meteorological Department, the nodal agency for heatwave monitoring, forecasting and warnings, functions under which one of the following Ministries?

Q30. The restructuring and extension of PM SVANidhi's lending period was approved by which authority, and with what total outlay?