UPSC Prelims 2020 · GS Paper I

Question 3: Polity and Governance

With reference to the funds under Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS), which of the following statements are correct ?

1.MPLADS funds must be used to create durable assets like physical infrastructure for health, education, etc.
2.A specified portion of each MP’s fund must benefit SC/ST populations.
3.MPLADS funds are sanctioned on yearly basis and the unused funds cannot be carried forward to the next year.
4.The district authority must inspect at least 10% of all works under implementation every year.

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

a1 and 2 only

b3 and 4 only

c1, 2 and 3 only

d1, 2 and 4 only

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (d).

MPLADS guidelines direct funds to durable community assets, with MPs recommending at least 15 per cent of their entitlement for areas with SC population and 7.5 per cent for ST areas. The district authority must inspect at least 10 per cent of works under way every year. The fund is non-lapsable: money not spent in a year is carried forward, which makes statement 3 wrong.

1. Works must create durable assets for public use, mainly community infrastructure.
2. At least 15 per cent for SC areas and 7.5 per cent for ST areas.
3. The scheme is non-lapsable; unused funds carry over.
4. The district authority must inspect at least 10 per cent of ongoing works each year.

How you could have got this

If you were sure statement 4 is correct, (a) and (c) go: each of them leaves 4 out.
What you needed to know: The district authority must inspect at least 10 per cent of ongoing works each year.
The red flag in statement 4 is “all”. In UPSC’s papers, statements with “all” were true 41% of the time (76 statements). A hint, not a rule.
Then, if you were sure statement 1 is correct, (b) goes: it leaves 1 out.
What you needed to know: Works must create durable assets for public use, mainly community infrastructure.

Only (d) 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: leaves out statement 4, which is correct.
(b) Wrong: statement 3 is false and statement 4 alone is not enough.
(c) Wrong: includes statement 3, but unspent funds carry forward.
(d) Right: statements 1, 2 and 4 match the guidelines.

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

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2020, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.