2016 GS Paper I, all questions
UPSC Prelims 2016 · GS Paper I
Question 7: Economy and Social Development
Which one of the following is a purpose of ‘UDAY’, a scheme of the Government?
aProviding technical and financial assistance to start-up entrepreneurs in the field of renewable sources of energy
bProviding electricity to every household in the country by 2018
cReplacing the coal-based power plants with natural gas, nuclear, solar, wind and tidal power plants over a period of time
dProviding for financial turnaround and revival of power distribution companies
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (d).
UDAY (Ujwal DISCOM Assurance Yojana), launched in 2015, is a financial turnaround scheme for state-owned power distribution companies (discoms). States take over a large part of the discoms' debt and issue bonds, while discoms commit to cutting losses and improving efficiency. Household electrification, replacing coal plants and start-up support are aims of other schemes and policies.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Support to renewable-energy start-ups is not what UDAY does.
- (b) Electrifying every household is the aim of other rural electrification schemes.
- (c) UDAY does not replace coal plants with other sources.
- (d) Right: UDAY is for the financial turnaround and revival of discoms.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2016, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.