UPSC Prelims 2015 · GS Paper I

Question 1: Economy and Social Development

'Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana' has been launched for

aproviding housing loan to poor people at cheaper interest rates

bpromoting women's Self-Help Groups in backward areas

cpromoting financial inclusion in the country

dproviding financial help to the marginalized communities

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (c).

Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana, launched in August 2014, is the national mission for financial inclusion. Its aim is a bank account for every household, with a RuPay debit card and accident insurance attached, so that savings, credit, remittances and insurance reach people outside the banking system. Remember it as an access-to-banking scheme, not a housing, self-help group or general aid scheme.

Why each option is right or wrong

(a) Cheaper housing loans are the business of housing finance schemes and housing banks, not Jan-Dhan.
(b) Women's self-help groups are promoted under the National Rural Livelihoods Mission, not Jan-Dhan.
(c) Correct: Jan-Dhan opens basic bank accounts for all households, which is financial inclusion.
(d) It gives bank accounts, not direct financial help to marginalised groups; this reading is too narrow and vague.

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

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2015, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.