2012 GS Paper I, all questions

UPSC Prelims 2012 · GS Paper I

Question 31: Economy and Social Development

How does the National Rural Livelihood Mission seek to improve livelihood options of rural poor?

  1. 1.By setting up a large number of new manufacturing industries and agribusiness centres in rural areas
  2. 2.By strengthening 'self-help groups' and providing skill development
  3. 3.By supplying seeds, fertilizers, diesel pump-sets and micro-irrigation equipment free of cost to farmers

Select the correct answer using the codes given below :

a1 and 2 only
b2 only
c1 and 3 only
d1, 2 and 3

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (b).

The National Rural Livelihood Mission (Aajeevika, 2011) aims to lift the rural poor out of poverty by organising them into self-help groups, giving them access to credit and developing their skills for self-employment and wage jobs. It does not set up large manufacturing industries or agribusiness centres, nor does it supply free seeds, fertilisers, pump-sets or irrigation equipment to farmers.

  • 1. The Mission does not set up manufacturing industries and agribusiness centres.
  • 2. It builds self-help groups and provides skill development.
  • 3. It does not distribute seeds, fertilisers or pump-sets free of cost.

How you could have got this

  1. If you were sure statement 1 is not correct, (a), (c) and (d) go: each of them includes 1.

    What you needed to know: The Mission does not set up manufacturing industries and agribusiness centres.

Only (b) is left. You didn’t need statements 2 or 3.

Which options go is worked out from UPSC’s key and the options, not by a model.

Why each option is right or wrong
  • (a) Wrong: setting up many new manufacturing industries is not the Mission's method.
  • (b) Correct: self-help groups and skill development are its core.
  • (c) Wrong: neither new industries nor free farm inputs are part of the Mission.
  • (d) Wrong: statements 1 and 3 describe things the Mission does not do.

Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2012, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.