Question map
Not attempted Correct Incorrect ★ Bookmarked
Loading…
Q62 (IAS/2015) Economy › Agriculture & Rural Economy › Irrigation and watershed Official Key

Consider the following statements : 1. The Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme was launched during 1996-97 to provide loan assistance to poor farmers. 2. The Command Area Development Programme was launched in 1974-75 for the development of water-use efficiency. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Explanation

**Statement 1 is incorrect.** The Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP) was launched during 1996-97 as a Central Assistance programme for accelerating the implementation of large projects which were beyond the resource capability of the States.[1] While Rs. 500 crore was released as central loan assistance to the States during 1996-97[2], the programme's primary objective was not to provide loan assistance to poor farmers but to accelerate large irrigation projects.

**Statement 2 is correct.** The Command Area Development Programme was launched in 1974–75 with the set objectives of improving the utilisation of created irrigation potential and optimising agriculture production and productivity from irrigated agriculture[3], which essentially relates to improving water-use efficiency in command areas. The programme aimed to optimize the use of irrigation infrastructure already created.

Therefore, only Statement 2 is correct, making option B the right answer.

Sources
  1. [1] https://cag.gov.in/uploads/download_audit_report/2018/Report_No_22_of_2018_Accelerated_Irrigation_Benefits_Programme_Ministry_of_Water_Resources_River_Development.pdf
  2. [2] https://www.indiabudget.gov.in/budget_archive/es97-98/chap84.pdf
  3. [3] Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 15: Regional Development and Planning > COMMAND AREA DEVELOPMENT > p. 23
PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
Full view
Don’t just practise – reverse-engineer the question. This panel shows where this PYQ came from (books / web), how the examiner broke it into hidden statements, and which nearby micro-concepts you were supposed to learn from it. Treat it like an autopsy of the question: what might have triggered it, which exact lines in the book matter, and what linked ideas you should carry forward to future questions.
Q. Consider the following statements : 1. The Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme was launched during 1996-97 to provide loan assista…
At a glance
Origin: Books + Current Affairs Fairness: Moderate fairness Books / CA: 5/10 · 5/10

This is a classic 'Compound Statement Trap'. Statement 1 mixes a correct fact (1996-97 launch) with a subtle lie (beneficiary is the State, not poor farmers). Statement 2 is a direct lift from standard Geography textbooks (Majid Husain). Success requires distinguishing between 'Infrastructure Financing' (loans to Govt) and 'Welfare' (loans to individuals).

How this question is built

This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.

Statement 1
Was the Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP) in India launched in 1996–97?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs Fairness: CA heavy Web-answerable

Web source
Presence: 5/5
"The Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP) was launched during 1996-97"
Why this source?
  • Direct statement in an official CAG report that AIBP was launched in 1996-97.
  • Context specifies it was a Central Assistance programme started in that year.
Web source
Presence: 5/5
"The Government launched Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP) in 1996-97."
Why this source?
  • Government budget document explicitly states the AIBP was launched in 1996-97.
  • Mentions central loan assistance released in 1996-97, confirming launch-year activity.
Web source
Presence: 5/5
"The Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP) was launched by the Central Government in 1996-97"
Why this source?
  • UN-hosted document reiterates that the Central Government launched AIBP in 1996-97.
  • Provides supporting international-source corroboration of the launch year.

Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 11: Irrigation in India > Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY) > p. 369
Strength: 5/5
“• Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme of Ministry of Jal Shakti (Department i. of Water Resources, RD & GR) • Integrated Watershed Management of Ministry of Rural Development ii. • Farm Water Management of National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture of iii. Department of Agriculture and Cooperation • PMKSY was launched under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare. But in 2016, the Ministry of Jal Shakti has been made the nodal ministry for PMKSY. • Motto of PMKSY: Har Khet Ko Paani. It focuses on extending loan assistance to the States for faster completion of ongoing major and medium irrigation projects.”
Why relevant

Explicitly names the "Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme" as a recognized government irrigation initiative, showing AIBP is part of the modern suite of irrigation schemes.

How to extend

A student could use this to search program lists or timelines of government irrigation schemes to locate AIBP's launch year (knowing it exists and is linked to PMKSY-era policy discussions helps target sources).

Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 15: Regional Development and Planning > Desertification and Desert Development Programme > p. 50
Strength: 3/5
“The Drought Prone Area Programme (DPAP) was launched in 1973–74 to tackle the special problems faced by areas constantly affected by severe drought conditions, while the Desert Development Programme (DDP) was launched in 1977–78 to mitigate the adverse effects of desertification, the Integrated Watershed Development Programme (IWDP) has been implemented since 1989–90 for the development of watersheds/degraded lands. The basis of implementation of all the three programmes has been shifted from sectoral to watershed from April 1995.”
Why relevant

Shows a pattern of government irrigation/watershed programmes being created and restructured across decades, with a notable policy shift to watershed implementation from April 1995.

How to extend

A student could infer the mid-1990s were an active policy period and therefore check whether AIBP fits into this mid-90s wave of initiatives (making 1996–97 plausible to verify).

Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 15: Regional Development and Planning > COMMAND AREA DEVELOPMENT > p. 23
Strength: 3/5
“The Command Area Development Programme was launched in 1974–75 with the set objectives of improving the utilisation of created irrigation potential and optimising agriculture production and productivity from irrigated agriculture through a multi-disciplinary team under an Area Development Authority. It is about the command areas of the major and medium irrigation projects in the country. The programme was restructured and termed as "Command Area Development and Water Management (CADWM) Programme" from 1 April 2004. This programme was initially introduced in 60 major and minor projects including the Indira Gandhi Canal Command Area in 1974. Subsequently, the Command Area Development Programme was spread 110 districts in 13 states, covering about 15 million hectares of irrigated agricultural land.”
Why relevant

Gives an example of an irrigation-related programme (Command Area Development) launched earlier (1974–75) and later restructured (2004), indicating programmes often have launch and later reorganisation dates.

How to extend

A student could apply this pattern (initial launch then later restructuring) to AIBP to look for its original launch date and any later reorganisation records to confirm timing.

Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 3: The Drainage System of India > Government Strategy > p. 36
Strength: 2/5
“The total renewable water resources of India are estimated at about 1900 sq km per annum. It is predicted that by 2025 large parts of India will join countries or regions having absolute water scarcity. Groundwater has emerged as the prime source of drinking and irrigation. About 77% of present groundwater withdrawl is being used for irrigation purpose, thus contributing largely in food security of the country. The following steps have been taken by the government to implement the water harvesting programme: • 1. Since sustainability of drinking water-source is of paramount importance for smooth functioning of rural water supply, 25% out of 20% of the allocation under Accelerated Rural Water Supply Programme (ARWSP) has been earmarked exclusively for water harvesting schemes to make implementation of such schemes mandatory.• 2.”
Why relevant

References government allocations and programme structuring for water-related schemes (e.g., ARWSP earmarking), illustrating that irrigation/water programmes have documented administrative changes and budgetary notes.

How to extend

Knowing such programmes are documented in budget/administrative notes, a student could examine mid-1990s budget documents or ministry records to find a formal launch date for AIBP.

Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 17: Contemporary Issues > 5. Development of Canal Irrigation > p. 68
Strength: 2/5
“In order to overcome the problem of food shortage and famine, the British Government in India developed canal irrigation by digging the Upper-Ganga Canal (1854), the Lower-Ganga Canal (1878), the Agra Canal (1878), the Bari Doab Canal (1878), etc. The benefit of irrigation development were mainly concentrated in northern, western, and southern provinces during the British Period. Central and Eastern India were relatively neglected. The historical growth processes described above explain the creation of regional imbalances in the early stage of development and modernisation in India.”
Why relevant

Provides historical context that irrigation policy in India evolved over long periods, implying programme launches are part of documented policy timelines.

How to extend

A student could use this historical-timeline approach to place AIBP within the broader chronology of irrigation initiatives and check if 1996–97 aligns with known waves of programme launches.

Statement 2
Was the Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP) in India launched to provide loan assistance to poor farmers?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs Fairness: CA heavy Web-answerable

Web source
Presence: 4/5
"The Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme was launched during 1996-97 to provide loan assistance to poor farmers."
Why this source?
  • Explicitly states the AIBP was launched in 1996-97 to provide loan assistance to poor farmers.
  • Directly matches the claim's wording about providing loan assistance to poor farmers.
Web source
Presence: 5/5
"The Government launched Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP) in 1996-97. Under the programme Rs. 500 crore has been released as central loan assistance to the States during 1996-97."
Why this source?
  • States the AIBP was launched in 1996-97 and that Rs. 500 crore was released as central loan assistance.
  • Indicates the loan assistance was provided to States (central loan assistance), not directly to poor farmers.
Web source
Presence: 5/5
"The Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP) was launched during 1996-97 as a Central Assistance programme for accelerating the implementation of large projects which were beyond the resource capability of the States."
Why this source?
  • Describes AIBP as a 'Central Assistance programme' launched to accelerate implementation of large irrigation projects beyond States' resource capability.
  • Shows the programme's target was project completion and state-level support, not direct loans to poor farmers.

Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 11: Irrigation in India > Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY) > p. 369
Strength: 5/5
“• Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme of Ministry of Jal Shakti (Department i. of Water Resources, RD & GR) • Integrated Watershed Management of Ministry of Rural Development ii. • Farm Water Management of National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture of iii. Department of Agriculture and Cooperation • PMKSY was launched under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare. But in 2016, the Ministry of Jal Shakti has been made the nodal ministry for PMKSY. • Motto of PMKSY: Har Khet Ko Paani. It focuses on extending loan assistance to the States for faster completion of ongoing major and medium irrigation projects.”
Why relevant

Explicitly states the Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP) focuses on extending loan assistance to the States for faster completion of major and medium irrigation projects.

How to extend

A student could contrast 'loan assistance to States for projects' with schemes that give credit directly to farmers (e.g., KCC) to test whether AIBP targeted poor farmers or state projects.

Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 15: Regional Development and Planning > COMMAND AREA DEVELOPMENT > p. 23
Strength: 4/5
“So far it has covered 310 irrigation projects with a Culturable Command Area (CCA) of about 28.45 mha. Financial assistance is provided to the state governments on 50:50 basis for the construction activities. The main objectives of the Command Area Development and Water Management Programme are as under: • 1. Warbandi or the rotational system of water distribution: Some of the marginal and small farmers were not getting their share of the irrigation water. In fact, their water was being utilised by the influential big farmers. In order to overcome this problem, Warbandi was done to ensure equitable and timely supply of water to all the farmers irrespective of the size of their holdings.• 2.”
Why relevant

Describes a pattern in irrigation programmes: financial assistance is provided to state governments (on a 50:50 basis) for construction and command-area development activities.

How to extend

Use this pattern to infer that irrigation-focused programmes commonly fund state-level infrastructure rather than direct farmer loans, making direct farmer loan intent for AIBP less likely.

Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 9: Agriculture > Small Farmers > p. 63
Strength: 4/5
“The small farmers generally have less than two acres of land in most of the states of India. These farmers are not well placed technologically and financially. Moreover, they do not have an easy access to the credit agencies. For the irrigation of their crops, they have to depend on the tube-wells of large farmers. It has been observed that at the time of peak irrigation demand, the tube-well owners (large farmers) either do not give water to the small farmers or they charge exorbitantly for the water, which is often beyond the reach of small farmers. In the absence of timely irrigation, the crops of the small farmers suffer adversely.”
Why relevant

Explains that small and marginal farmers often lack access to credit and depend on others' tube-wells, highlighting a distinct category of schemes aimed specifically at farmer credit.

How to extend

Compare the described farmer-credit needs with the AIBP description (state project loans) to assess if AIBP matches typical farmer-credit interventions.

Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 21: Sustainable Development and Climate Change > Part II: For Poor, including migrants and farmers > p. 620
Strength: 3/5
“• 3 months' loan moratorium on agricultural loans. Interest Subvention and Prompt Repayment Incentive on crop loans extended. • Additional credit to farmers through sanction of additional 25 lakh new Kisan Credit Cards (KCCs). • A new scheme to be launched under PMAY for migrant labourers or urban poor to provide ease of living to them at affordable rent.”
Why relevant

Lists farmer-focused credit measures (loan moratorium, interest subvention, additional Kisan Credit Cards) as examples of direct assistance to farmers.

How to extend

A student could use these examples as a checklist of direct farmer loan measures and see that AIBP's stated loan assistance to States differs from these direct measures.

NCERT. (2022). Contemporary India II: Textbook in Geography for Class X (Revised ed.). NCERT. > Chapter 4: The Age of Industrialisation > TYPES OF FARMING > p. 88
Strength: 3/5
“reforms. Provision for crop insurance against drought, flood, cyclone, fire and disease, establishment of Grameen banks, cooperative societies and banks for providing loan facilities to the farmers at lower rates of interest were some important steps in this direction. Kisan Credit Card (KCC), Personal Accident Insurance Scheme (PAIS) are some other schemes introduced by the Government of India for the benefit of the farmers. Moreover, special weather bulletins and agricultural programmes for farmers were introduced on the radio and television. The government also announces minimum support price, remunerative and procurement prices for important crops to check the exploitation of farmers by speculators and middlemen.”
Why relevant

Notes institutional steps (Grameen banks, cooperative societies, Kisan Credit Card) that provide loan facilities directly to farmers, illustrating the typical mechanisms for farmer-targeted credit.

How to extend

Contrast these farmer-directed mechanisms with AIBP's project/state-focused financing to judge whether AIBP was intended as direct loan assistance to poor farmers.

Statement 3
Was the Command Area Development Programme (CADP) in India launched in 1974–75?
Origin: Direct from books Fairness: Straightforward Book-answerable
From standard books
Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 15: Regional Development and Planning > COMMAND AREA DEVELOPMENT > p. 23
Presence: 5/5
“The Command Area Development Programme was launched in 1974–75 with the set objectives of improving the utilisation of created irrigation potential and optimising agriculture production and productivity from irrigated agriculture through a multi-disciplinary team under an Area Development Authority. It is about the command areas of the major and medium irrigation projects in the country. The programme was restructured and termed as "Command Area Development and Water Management (CADWM) Programme" from 1 April 2004. This programme was initially introduced in 60 major and minor projects including the Indira Gandhi Canal Command Area in 1974. Subsequently, the Command Area Development Programme was spread 110 districts in 13 states, covering about 15 million hectares of irrigated agricultural land.”
Why this source?
  • Explicitly states 'The Command Area Development Programme was launched in 1974–75'.
  • Describes programme scope and later restructuring, tying the launch date to the programme's origin.
Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 15: Regional Development and Planning > Indira Gandhi Canal Command Area Development Programme > p. 24
Presence: 4/5
“The Command Area Development was introduced in the Indira Gandhi Canal Command Area in 1974. The main objectives of the Indira Gandhi Canal Command Area were as under:”
Why this source?
  • Notes that Command Area Development was introduced in the Indira Gandhi Canal Command Area in 1974, supporting the 1974–75 launch timeframe.
  • Provides a specific early project (Indira Gandhi Canal) consistent with a 1974 start.
Statement 4
Is the stated objective of the Command Area Development Programme (CADP) in India to improve water-use efficiency in irrigated command areas?
Origin: Direct from books Fairness: Straightforward Book-answerable
From standard books
Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 15: Regional Development and Planning > COMMAND AREA DEVELOPMENT > p. 23
Presence: 4/5
“The Command Area Development Programme was launched in 1974–75 with the set objectives of improving the utilisation of created irrigation potential and optimising agriculture production and productivity from irrigated agriculture through a multi-disciplinary team under an Area Development Authority. It is about the command areas of the major and medium irrigation projects in the country. The programme was restructured and termed as "Command Area Development and Water Management (CADWM) Programme" from 1 April 2004. This programme was initially introduced in 60 major and minor projects including the Indira Gandhi Canal Command Area in 1974. Subsequently, the Command Area Development Programme was spread 110 districts in 13 states, covering about 15 million hectares of irrigated agricultural land.”
Why this source?
  • Explicitly states CADP objectives: improve utilisation of created irrigation potential and optimise production/productivity from irrigated agriculture — goals aligned with better water use.
  • Mentions programme focus on command areas of major and medium irrigation projects, i.e., the irrigated areas where water-use efficiency is targeted.
INDIA PEOPLE AND ECONOMY, TEXTBOOK IN GEOGRAPHY FOR CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 6: Planning and Sustainable Development in Indian Context > Measures for Promotion of Sustainable Development > p. 73
Presence: 4/5
“The ecological sustainability of Indira Gandhi Canal Project has been questioned by various scholars. Their point of view has also largely been validated by the course of development this region has taken during the last four decades, which has resulted in degradation of physical environment. It is a hard fact that attaining sustainable development in the command area requires major thrust upon the measures to achieve ecological sustainability. Hence, five of the seven measures proposed to promote sustainable development in the command area are meant to restore ecological balance. • (i) The first requirement is strict implementation of water management policy.”
Why this source?
  • Emphasises ecological sustainability in command areas and lists strict implementation of water management policy as a key requirement — directly links command-area programmes to water management/efficiency.
  • Frames several sustainability measures around restoring ecological balance via water management, implying efficiency and reduced wastage are programme aims.
Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 9: Agriculture > Table 9.9 > p. 37
Presence: 3/5
“There is wastage of water, water-logging in canal command areas and other ecological problems. Hence, there is a need for a judicious and scientific development of irrigation, full utilisation of its potential and rational pricing of irrigation water. Wells and Tube-Wells: This type of irrigation has been practised in India since the time immemorial. The widely used methods for the utilization of underground water are persian-wheel Rahat, Charas, or mot and tubewells. Out of these, tube-well irrigation is more popular in the Satluj-Ganga plains. Tube-well irrigation accounts for more than 62% of the total irrigated area of the country.”
Why this source?
  • Identifies water wastage and water-logging in canal command areas and calls for judicious/scientific development of irrigation — supporting the need for improving water-use efficiency in command areas.
  • Links problems in command areas to the rationale for programmes that optimise irrigation use.
Pattern takeaway: UPSC tests schemes on three specific pivots: 1) Launch Year (Chronology), 2) Nodal Ministry, and 3) The Financial Mechanism (Grant/Loan to State vs. DBT to Citizen). Never assume the second half of a sentence is true just because the date is correct.
How you should have studied
  1. [THE VERDICT]: Trap. Statement 1 is the killer—it baits you with the correct year but swaps the beneficiary. Source: Majid Husain (Ch 15) covers CADP; AIBP is standard Economic Survey/Yearbook data.
  2. [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: Evolution of Indian Irrigation Policy (Sectoral approach vs. Watershed approach).
  3. [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: Memorize the 'Water Timeline': DPAP (1973-74), CADP (1974-75), DDP (1977-78), IWDP (1989-90), RIDF (1995-96), AIBP (1996-97). Know who gets the money (State vs. Farmer) for each.
  4. [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: Whenever a statement has two distinct parts (Date + Objective), treat them as separate True/False checks. 'Accelerated Irrigation' implies completing stalled big dams—poor farmers don't build dams, States do. Thus, the loan must be for the State.
Concept hooks from this question
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Timeline of major irrigation and watershed programmes
💡 The insight

Several references list launch years for national irrigation/watershed schemes (DPAP, DDP, IWDP), showing importance of knowing programme start-dates when verifying claims about AIBP's start year.

UPSC often asks about origins/timelines of central schemes; mastering these launch years helps answer direct-date questions and distinguish contemporaneous policies. Study by making a timeline of major schemes and cross-linking to policy shifts (e.g., sectoral → watershed).

📚 Reading List :
  • Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 15: Regional Development and Planning > Desertification and Desert Development Programme > p. 50
  • Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 3: The Drainage System of India > Government Strategy > p. 36
🔗 Anchor: "Was the Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP) in India launched in 19..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Command Area Development → CADWM restructuring
💡 The insight

Command Area Development is an example of an irrigation programme with a clear launch date and later restructuring (1974–75; CADWM from 1 April 2004), illustrating how programmes evolve over time—relevant when assessing claims about programme origins versus later reforms.

Questions probe both initial launches and later rebrandings/restructurings; aspirants should note original launch dates and restructured names/years to avoid confusing a programme's origin with later changes. Use timeline charts and compare original vs. restructured titles.

📚 Reading List :
  • Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 15: Regional Development and Planning > COMMAND AREA DEVELOPMENT > p. 23
🔗 Anchor: "Was the Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP) in India launched in 19..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 PMKSY composition and role of AIBP
💡 The insight

PMKSY's components list explicitly names the Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme, connecting AIBP to later umbrella programmes and showing where to look for official descriptions and roles.

Understanding which schemes are components of larger missions (like PMKSY) is high-yield for GS mains and prelims; it helps trace administrative responsibility, purpose, and any consolidation of schemes. Memorise components and their nodal ministries, and review official scheme documents for dates/changes.

📚 Reading List :
  • Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 11: Irrigation in India > Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY) > p. 369
🔗 Anchor: "Was the Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP) in India launched in 19..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 AIBP/PMKSY — objective and beneficiary distinction
💡 The insight

Reference [6] links AIBP to PMKSY and mentions loan assistance, but specifies loans are extended to States for completion of irrigation projects rather than to individual poor farmers.

Understanding which agricultural/irrigation schemes target states (project financing) versus individual farmers (direct credit) is frequently tested in polity/economy and agriculture questions. Master this to correctly identify scheme beneficiaries, funding routes, and implementation bodies; compare scheme objectives directly from source descriptions and classify them in answer frameworks.

📚 Reading List :
  • Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 11: Irrigation in India > Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY) > p. 369
🔗 Anchor: "Was the Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP) in India launched to pr..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Farmer credit instruments (Kisan Credit Card, crop loan measures)
💡 The insight

References [1] and [3] document credit measures aimed directly at farmers (KCC, interest subvention, crop loan measures), showing the typical government channels for providing credit to farmers.

High-yield topic: questions often ask about agricultural credit, subsidy/interest support and schemes for farmers. Knowing instruments like KCC and interest subvention helps distinguish direct farmer-assistance programmes from infrastructure/project financing. Prepare by tabulating scheme purpose, beneficiary, implementing agency and finance flow.

📚 Reading List :
  • Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 21: Sustainable Development and Climate Change > Part II: For Poor, including migrants and farmers > p. 620
  • NCERT. (2022). Contemporary India II: Textbook in Geography for Class X (Revised ed.). NCERT. > Chapter 4: The Age of Industrialisation > TYPES OF FARMING > p. 88
🔗 Anchor: "Was the Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP) in India launched to pr..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Integrated Rural Development Programmes and household-level loan/subsidy schemes (IRDP)
💡 The insight

References [2] and [4] describe IRDP and its model of subsidies plus bank loans to selected households, illustrating the archetype of programmes that provide loans/subsidies directly to poor farmers/households.

IRDP-style schemes are a recurring theme in governance and rural development questions; mastering their structure (subsidy proportions, bank lending role, beneficiary targeting) helps answer questions on poverty alleviation, rural credit and scheme evaluation. Study by comparing IRDP with contemporary schemes to spot continuities and differences.

📚 Reading List :
  • Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 15: Regional Development and Planning > INTEGRATED RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (IRDP) > p. 18
  • History , class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 9: Envisioning a New Socio-Economic Order > Integrated Rural Development Programme (IRDP), 1980–1999 > p. 120
🔗 Anchor: "Was the Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP) in India launched to pr..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S3
👉 CADP launch year and core objectives
💡 The insight

The question asks about the launch date; reference [1] pairs the 1974–75 launch with clear objectives for CADP.

Understanding launch years and stated objectives of major central schemes is frequently tested in UPSC (static + contemporary context). It links to questions on irrigation policy, agricultural productivity, and program evaluation. Memorise scheme names, launch years, and core aims; use scheme timelines to answer comparative and cause-effect questions.

📚 Reading List :
  • Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 15: Regional Development and Planning > COMMAND AREA DEVELOPMENT > p. 23
  • Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 15: Regional Development and Planning > Indira Gandhi Canal Command Area Development Programme > p. 24
🔗 Anchor: "Was the Command Area Development Programme (CADP) in India launched in 1974–75?"
🌑 The Hidden Trap

RIDF (Rural Infrastructure Development Fund). Established in NABARD in 1995-96 (one year before AIBP). Like AIBP, it provides loans to State Governments for rural infrastructure, not directly to farmers. It is the 'sibling scheme' of that era.

⚡ Elimination Cheat Code

Semantic Logic: 'Accelerated Irrigation Benefits' implies speeding up something that is lagging. In the Indian context, this refers to 'Major/Medium Irrigation Projects' (dams/canals) that are stuck. Major projects are built by the State, not individuals. Therefore, 'loan assistance to poor farmers' is structurally impossible for this specific program name.

🔗 Mains Connection

Mains GS-3 (Water Resources): Use CADP as the starting point for the shift from 'Construction-centric' policy (1970s) to 'Management-centric' (CADWM 2004) to 'Integrated' (PMKSY 2015). It illustrates the failure of merely creating potential without ensuring 'last-mile' connectivity.

✓ Thank you! We'll review this.

SIMILAR QUESTIONS

IAS · 2021 · Q24 Relevance score: -0.47

With reference to WaterCredit', consider the following statements : 1. It puts microfinance tools to work in the water and sanitation sector. 2. It is a global initiative launched under the aegis of the World Health Organization and the World Bank. 3. It aims to enable the poor people to meet their water needs without depending on subsidies. Which of the statements given above are correct?

IAS · 1996 · Q89 Relevance score: -1.63

Consider the following statements: Most international agencies which fund development programmes in India on intergovernmental bilateral agreements, mainly provide I. Technical assistance. II. Soft loans which are required to be paid back with interest. III. Grants, not required to be paid back. IV. Food assistance to alleviate poverty. Of these statements

IAS · 2006 · Q60 Relevance score: -1.99

Consider the following statements in respect of welfare schemes launched by the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India: I. Drinking water for rural areas is one of the component of the Bharat Nirman Plan. II. In the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005 there is a provision that the statutory minimum wage applicable to agricultural workers in the State has to be paid to the workers under the Act. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

IAS · 2009 · Q6 Relevance score: -2.02

With reference to the scheme launched by the Union Government, consider the following statements: 1. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare launched the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana 2. Ministry of Textiles launched the Rajiv Gandhi Shilpi Swasthya Bima Yojana Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

IAS · 2005 · Q20 Relevance score: -2.15

Consider the following statements: 1. Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF) has been established by the International Development Association (IDA) to provide further assistance to low-income countries facing high level of indebtedness. 2. Singapore Regional Training Institute (STI) is one of the institutes that provides training in macroeconomic analysis and policy, and related subjects as a part of programme of the IMF institute. Which of the statements is/are correct?