Q90. Shabri Sankalp Abhiyan is associated with which area?
[UP RO/ARO Prelims 2021]
(A) Poverty-line registration
(B) Women’s reservation
(C) Self-help-group banking
(D) National Nutrition Mission
Answer: (D) National Nutrition Mission
Explanation: Shabri Sankalp Abhiyan is linked with efforts to combat malnutrition in Uttar Pradesh and the National Nutrition Mission framework. The initiative focuses on nutritional improvement rather than reservations, banking systems or identification of the poverty line.
Q89. Which agency is responsible for implementing Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana nationally?
[RAS/RTS Prelims 2021]
(A) National Health Authority
(B) World Health Organization
(C) NITI Aayog
(D) IRDAI
Answer: (A) National Health Authority
Explanation: The National Health Authority supervises implementation of Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY nationally. NITI Aayog is a policy think tank, WHO is an international health agency and IRDAI regulates insurance. PM-JAY primarily provides eligible households with hospitalisation coverage.
Q88. When was Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maandhan Yojana formally launched for small and marginal farmers?
[RAS/RTS Prelims 2021]
(A) 15 August 2020
(B) 12 September 2019
(C) 26 January 2020
(D) 25 August 2019
Answer: (B) 12 September 2019
Explanation: Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maandhan Yojana was launched on 12 September 2019 to create contributory old-age pension support for eligible small and marginal farmers. It is distinct from PM-KISAN income support, which is a separate transfer programme.
Q87. On which date did NITI Aayog formally come into existence?
[WBCS Prelims, 22 Aug 2021]
(A) 1 January 2015
(B) 1 January 2016
(C) 1 January 2017
(D) 1 January 2018
Answer: (A) 1 January 2015
Explanation: The Government of India created NITI Aayog on 1 January 2015 through a Union Cabinet resolution. It replaced the Planning Commission as a collaborative policy think tank, promoting cooperative federalism and advisory support instead of directly administering Five-Year Plans.
Q86. Which Five-Year Plan made population stabilisation through family planning a central planning concern?
[WBCS Mains Paper V (held May 2022) 2021]
(A) First Plan
(B) Second Plan
(C) Third Plan
(D) Fourth Plan
Answer: (C) Third Plan
Explanation: During the Third Five-Year Plan of 1961–66, population growth and family planning received explicit policy attention alongside agricultural output and national self-reliance. This plan period also faced wars and droughts that disrupted development objectives.
Q85. Which Five-Year Plan emphasised ‘Growth with Social Justice and Equality’?
[WBCS Mains Paper V (held May 2022) 2021]
(A) Sixth Plan
(B) Seventh Plan
(C) Eighth Plan
(D) Ninth Plan
Answer: (D) Ninth Plan
Explanation: The Ninth Five-Year Plan, covering 1997–2002, foregrounded growth alongside social justice and equity. Its agenda linked production and economic expansion to the distribution of opportunities and benefits, rather than treating aggregate growth as an adequate goal by itself.
Q84. What was the principal objective of the Minimum Needs Programme?
[WBCS Mains Paper V (held May 2022) 2021]
(A) Mechanising all farms
(B) Improving poor people’s living conditions, health and education
(C) Refinancing banking institutions
(D) Replacing all social welfare programmes
Answer: (B) Improving poor people’s living conditions, health and education
Explanation: Introduced during the Fifth Plan in 1974, the Minimum Needs Programme sought to improve basic services and living standards among disadvantaged households. It focused on essential social infrastructure and welfare needs, rather than credit refinancing or farm mechanisation alone.
Q83. Who is the chairperson of NITI Aayog?
[WBCS Mains Paper V (held May 2022) 2021]
(A) Home Minister
(B) Lok Sabha Speaker
(C) President of India
(D) Prime Minister
Answer: (D) Prime Minister
Explanation: The Prime Minister chairs NITI Aayog, India’s central public-policy think tank. Its Governing Council includes representatives from the states and Union Territories and supports policy coordination. The chairpersonship is institutionally attached to the Prime Minister’s office, not the President’s.
Q82. The Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office is attached to which institution?
[UPPSC PCS Prelims 2020]
(A) Prime Minister’s Office
(B) Ministry of Home Affairs
(C) Cabinet Secretariat
(D) NITI Aayog
Answer: (D) NITI Aayog
Explanation: The Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office operates under NITI Aayog. It evaluates implementation and outcomes of public programmes. Formed in 2015 by integrating earlier evaluation offices, it seeks to strengthen evidence-based decisions and programme accountability.
Q81. Who was the first vice-chairperson of NITI Aayog?
[MPPSC Prelims 2020]
(A) Rajiv Kumar
(B) Amitabh Kant
(C) Arvind Panagariya
(D) Rao Inderjit Singh
Answer: (C) Arvind Panagariya
Explanation: Arvind Panagariya was NITI Aayog’s inaugural vice-chairperson after its formation in January 2015. He served until 2017, when Rajiv Kumar succeeded him. The vice-chairperson is different from the chairperson, a position held by the Prime Minister.
