100. Regarding Sagarmala:
I. It seeks port-led growth through sustainable coastal infrastructure.
II. Shipping growth and better port rankings show its effectiveness.
III. Sagarmala 2.0 advances maritime innovation.
Which relationships hold?
1. II supports I;
2. III extends I;
3. I contradicts III.
[UPSC CSE Prelims, Paper I – 2026]
A. 1 only
B. 1 and 2
C. 2 and 3
D. 3 only
Answer: B. 1 and 2
Explanation: Sagarmala began in 2015 to improve ports, connectivity and coastal development. Shipping and logistics gains support its initial strategy, while Sagarmala 2.0 adds shipbuilding and innovation. The newer programme extends, rather than contradicts, the original port-led development approach.
99. Which statements about disability-related initiatives are correct?
1. The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act was passed in 2018.
2. Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan addresses accessibility in buildings, transport and ICT.
3. NDFDC was established by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs.
[UPSC CSE Prelims, Paper I – 2026]
A. 1 and 2
B. 2 only
C. 1 and 3
D. 1 only
Answer: B. 2 only
Explanation: The Accessible India Campaign, or Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan, was launched in December 2015 for universal accessibility. The disability rights legislation dates to 2016, not 2018. NDFDC operates under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, making only statement two correct.
98. Consider the Revamped Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan:
1. It runs from April 2021 to March 2026.
2. It strengthens Panchayati Raj institutions for achieving SDGs.
3. Central funding covers 100% of costs for all states and UTs.
Which are correct?
[UPSC CSE Prelims, Paper I – 2026]
A. 1 and 2
B. 2 only
C. 1 and 3
D. 2 and 3
Answer: B. 2 only
Explanation: The revamped programme covers financial years 2022–23 through 2025–26, not from April 2021. Its central objective is stronger local governance aligned with Sustainable Development Goals. States generally share costs with the Union, so funding is not universally 100 percent central.
97. What is the central purpose of the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC)?
[UPSC CSE Prelims, Paper I – 2026]
A. Give government control over all online sales
B. Replace all private marketplaces
C. Enable interoperability between buyer and seller networks
D. Require UPI for every e-commerce transaction
Answer: C. Enable interoperability between buyer and seller networks
Explanation: ONDC provides open digital-commerce protocols through which different buyer and seller applications can interact. Facilitated by DPIIT, it lowers barriers for smaller merchants without replacing commercial platforms. It is not a mandatory payment system or a government-controlled marketplace.
96. Regarding rare-earth elements and India’s National Critical Mineral Mission, which statements are correct?
1. REEs are used in advanced technologies.
2. India is the second-largest miner after China.
3. The NCMM was launched in 2025.
4. There are 13 rare-earth elements.
[UPSC CSE Prelims, Paper I – 2026]
A. 1 and 3 only
B. 3 only
C. 1, 3 and 4
D. 1, 2 and 4
Answer: A. 1 and 3 only
Explanation: Rare earths support magnets, robotics, electronics and aerospace technologies. India’s Critical Mineral Mission was approved in January 2025 to strengthen exploration, processing and recycling. Rare-earth elements number 17, while India’s mined output is far below that of major producers.
95. About PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana:
I. One crore residential rooftop solar installations are targeted.
II. The renewable energy ministry plans training in solar systems.
III. Capacity building aims at over three lakh skilled personnel.
Which statements are correct?
[UPSC CSE Prelims, Paper I – 2025]
A. I and II only
B. I and III only
C. II and III only
D. I, II and III
Answer: D. I, II and III
Explanation: Launched in 2024, PM Surya Ghar seeks to expand domestic rooftop solar and reduce household electricity costs. It also supports technicians trained in installation, operation and maintenance. All three listed provisions align with the programme’s rooftop installation and skilling components.
94. Which Union programme provides financial assistance and credit linkage to women’s Self-Help Groups?
[SSC CGL Tier I, 26 Sep, Shift 3 – 2025]
A. Rashtriya Mahila Kosh
B. Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana–National Rural Livelihoods Mission
C. Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana
D. Mahila e-Haat
Answer: B. Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana–National Rural Livelihoods Mission
Explanation: DAY-NRLM, launched in 2011, organises rural poor households, especially women, into Self-Help Groups. It supports revolving funds, community investment, affordable credit and livelihoods. PMJDY focuses on bank access, while Mahila e-Haat is a digital marketing initiative.
93. What is a major continuing challenge for Jal Jeevan Mission’s goal of providing tap-water connections to rural households?
[SSC CGL Tier I, 26 Sep, Shift 2 – 2025]
A. Entire absence of government funding
B. Sustaining water sources and maintaining potable water quality
C. No provision for village participation
D. No national progress-monitoring mechanism
Answer: B. Sustaining water sources and maintaining potable water quality
Explanation: Jal Jeevan Mission started in 2019 to provide functional tap-water connections to rural homes. Building pipes alone is insufficient: groundwater availability, source sustainability and contamination remain central concerns. Village water committees, funding mechanisms and monitoring already form parts of the mission.
92. Which scheme supports women’s empowerment through skill development and entrepreneurship assistance?
[SSC CGL Tier I, 26 Sep, Shift 1 – 2025]
A. Beti Bachao Beti Padhao
B. Mahila Shakti Kendra
C. Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana
D. National Mission for Empowerment of Women
Answer: B. Mahila Shakti Kendra
Explanation: The Mahila Shakti Kendra scheme was introduced in 2017 to strengthen rural women’s access to skills, services and community participation. It differs from Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, which prioritises girls’ welfare and education, and MUDRA’s broader microenterprise lending.
91. Which programme specifically offers a contributory pension for workers in the unorganised sector?
[SSC CGL Tier I, 25 Sep, Shift 2 – 2025]
A. MGNREGA
B. Atal Pension Yojana
C. Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana
D. National Health Mission
Answer: B. Atal Pension Yojana
Explanation: Atal Pension Yojana, introduced in 2015, is designed to give subscribers a guaranteed pension after the age of sixty, according to their contributions. It provides old-age income security rather than direct employment, health care or basic bank-account access.