2019 GS Paper I, all questions
UPSC Prelims 2019 · GS Paper I
Question 61: Economy and Social Development
The Service Area Approach was implemented under the purview of
aIntegrated Rural Development Programme
bLead Bank Scheme
cMahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme
dNational Skill Development Mission
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (b).
The Service Area Approach was introduced in 1989 under the Lead Bank Scheme. Each rural and semi-urban bank branch was assigned specific villages as its service area, so that it would meet the credit needs of those villages and credit planning could be done area-wise. The Lead Bank Scheme itself dates from 1969 and gives each district a lead bank. The approach was not part of IRDP, MGNREGS or the National Skill Development Mission.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) IRDP gave subsidised credit and assets to poor households, and did not introduce this approach.
- (b) Correct: the Service Area Approach came under the Lead Bank Scheme.
- (c) MGNREGS is a wage employment guarantee, with no role here.
- (d) The skill mission has no role in bank credit planning.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2019, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.