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Q89 (IAS/2017) Economy › Schemes, Inclusion & Social Sector › Rural development programmes Official Key

What is the aim of the programme 'Unnat Bharat Abhiyan' ?

Result
Your answer:  ·  Correct: B
Explanation

The Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) launched Unnat Bharat Abhiyan with an aim to connect institutions of higher education, including IITs, NITs and IISERs, with local communities to address the development challenges through appropriate technologies.[1] The mission enables higher educational institutions to work with the people of rural India in identifying development challenges and evolving appropriate solutions for accelerating sustainable growth.[2]

Option A is incorrect as the program is not focused on achieving 100% literacy or promoting collaboration with voluntary organizations. Option C is incorrect because while the program involves scientific institutions, its objectives focus on building institutional capacity in research and training relevant to the needs of rural India[3], not on making India a global scientific power. Option D is incorrect as the program does not involve allocating special funds for healthcare, education, or organizing skill development programs for the poor; rather, it aims to provide rural India with professional resource support from institutes of higher education.[4]

Sources
  1. [1] https://www.pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=113018
  2. [2] https://drdahamirpurhp.nic.in/ubm.htm
  3. [3] https://www.pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=113018
  4. [4] https://www.pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=113018
How others answered
Each bar shows the % of students who chose that option. Green bar = correct answer, blue outline = your choice.
Community Performance
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got it right
PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
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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. What is the aim of the programme 'Unnat Bharat Abhiyan' ? [A] Achieving 100% literacy by promoting collaboration between voluntary organ…
At a glance
Origin: Mostly Current Affairs Fairness: Low / Borderline fairness Books / CA: 0/10 · 7.5/10
Statement 1
Does the Unnat Bharat Abhiyan program aim to achieve 100% literacy by promoting collaboration between voluntary organizations, the government's education system, and local communities?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs Fairness: CA heavy Web-answerable

Web source
Presence: 2/5
"The Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) has launched a programme called Unnat Bharat Abhiyan with an aim to connect institutions of higher education, including Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), National Institutes of Technology (NITs) and Indian Institutes of Science Education & Research (IISERs) etc. with local communities to address the development challenges through appropriate technologies."
Why this source?
  • Explicitly states UBA aims to connect institutions of higher education with local communities to address development challenges — supporting the "collaboration... with local communities" part of the statement.
  • Does not mention 100% literacy or collaboration with voluntary organizations or the government's education system, so it does not support the literacy claim.
Web source
Presence: 2/5
"The Mission of Unnat Bharat Abhiyan is to enable higher educational institutions to work with the people of rural India in identifying development challenges and evolving appropriate solutions for accelerating sustainable growth."
Why this source?
  • Describes UBA's mission to enable higher educational institutions to work with the people of rural India to identify development challenges and evolve solutions — again supporting collaboration with local communities.
  • Makes no reference to a goal of 100% literacy or explicit partnerships with voluntary organisations or the government's formal education system.
Web source
Presence: 2/5
"The Unnat Bharat Abhiyan is conceptualized as a movement to connect institutes of higher education with local communities to address the development challenges of rural India through appropriate technological inventions."
Why this source?
  • States UBA is conceptualized as a movement to connect institutes of higher education with local communities to address development challenges through appropriate technological inventions — supporting the collaboration-with-communities element.
  • Does not mention 100% literacy or voluntary organisations or the government's education system, so it does not support the specific literacy aim in the statement.

Exploring Society:India and Beyond. Social Science-Class VI . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 13: The Value of Work > The strength of community participation > p. 192
Strength: 4/5
“The Swachh Bharat Abhiyan is based on the collective efforts of all Indian citizens to keep our surroundings clean. Individually, we keep our homes and surroundings clean. People have also come together to clean up streets, roads, parks and other public places or community areas. Together, these efforts lead to a clean home, neighbourhood, society and nation. Another example of collective community participation is the celebration of Van Mahotsav (the festival of forests) in India to promote awareness about the value of trees and the conservation”
Why relevant

Describes the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan as based on collective community participation, showing a pattern where national campaigns enlist local communities to achieve social goals.

How to extend

A student could infer that similar national programmes (like Unnat Bharat Abhiyan) might use local community collaboration to meet ambitious targets such as literacy.

Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 6: Environmental Degradation and Management > EnvIronMEnt EducatIon, aWarEnESS and traInInG ScHEME (EEat). > p. 56
Strength: 5/5
“Te Central Government of India launched in the Sixth Five Year Plan in 1983-84. Te main objectives of the scheme were as under: • (i) to promote environmental awareness among all the section of the society,• (ii) to spread environmental education, especially in the non-formal system,• (iii) to facilitate development of education/training materials and aids in formal education sector,• (iv) to promote environmental education through existing educational/scientifc institutions,• (v) to ensure training and manpower development of Environment Education, Awareness and Training.• (vi) to encourage NGOs, mass media and other concerned organizations for promoting awareness about environmental issues,• (vii) to use diferent media (audio and visual) for spreading messages concerning environment awareness, and• (viii) to mobilize people's participation for the preservation and conservation of resources and environment.”
Why relevant

The EEAT scheme lists encouraging NGOs and mobilizing people's participation as explicit objectives, demonstrating an established rule of involving voluntary organisations and community mobilization in government education/awareness programmes.

How to extend

One could extend this pattern to suspect Unnat Bharat Abhiyan may also leverage NGOs and community participation to pursue educational outcomes.

Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 15: Regional Development and Planning > Areas of Development > p. 35
Strength: 4/5
“• 1. Education: The literacy rate of the Scheduled Tribes is only 49.5% as against the national average of 73.0% (2011). Since education plays an important role in bridging the gap between the tribals and non-tribals and in helping the process of change and modernisation, a considerable amount of money is being spent on the provision of educational facilities to the tribals. For this purpose, award of scholarships, hostel facilities, stipends, stationery grants, boarding grants, midday meals etc. have been provided by the central and state governments. The coaching and guidance facilities are also provided to tribal students who appear for the Indian Administrative Services (IAS) and other competitions.”
Why relevant

Notes targeted educational measures (scholarships, hostels, coaching) used by government to raise literacy among marginalized groups, illustrating that state education systems implement interventions to improve literacy.

How to extend

A student could combine this with the idea of community/NGO involvement to assess whether Unnat Bharat Abhiyan might blend government education interventions with local/voluntary support to aim for universal literacy.

Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 7: Indian Economy after 2014 > 7.1 NITI Aayog > p. 228
Strength: 3/5
“The Governing Council presents a platform to discuss inter-sectoral, inter-departmental and federal issues in order to accelerate the implementation of the national development agenda, in the spirit of Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat. The following are the various initiatives and programmes of NITI Aayog: • Aspirational District Programme• Poshan Abhiyan• Atal Innovation Mission• With emphasis on outcomes, NITI finalized indices to measure incremental annual outcomes in critical social sectors like health, education, water and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). For example, Health Index, 'School Education Quality Index' (SEQI), 'SDG India Index', 'Digital Transformation Index' (DTI).”
Why relevant

Describes NITI Aayog initiatives and indices (e.g., 'School Education Quality Index') showing central bodies set education targets and monitor outcomes, indicating a framework for nationwide educational programs.

How to extend

Using this, one could plausibly expect national programmes like Unnat Bharat Abhiyan to align with central monitoring and targets when pursuing literacy goals.

Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 8: Financial Market > 2016| > p. 250
Strength: 3/5
“Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana is aimed at (a) bringing the small entrepreneurs into formal financial system (b) providing loans to poor farmers for cultivating particular crops (c) providing pensions to old and destitute persons (d) funding the voluntary organizations involved in the promotion of skill development and employment generation STARTING”
Why relevant

Mentions that MUDRA Yojana funds voluntary organizations involved in skill development, giving an example of government funding NGOs to deliver social objectives.

How to extend

A student might generalize that government schemes sometimes fund voluntary organisations to achieve social targets, a model Unnat Bharat Abhiyan could follow for literacy efforts.

Statement 2
Does the Unnat Bharat Abhiyan program aim to connect institutions of higher education with local communities to address development challenges through appropriate technologies?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs Fairness: CA heavy Web-answerable

Web source
Presence: 5/5
"The Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) has launched a programme called Unnat Bharat Abhiyan with an aim to connect institutions of higher education, including Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), National Institutes of Technology (NITs) and Indian Institutes of Science Education & Research (IISERs) etc. with local communities to address the development challenges through appropriate technologies."
Why this source?
  • Official MHRD/PIB description explicitly states the programme's aim to connect higher education institutions with local communities.
  • Specifies addressing development challenges through appropriate technologies and names types of institutions involved (IITs, NITs, IISERs).
Web source
Presence: 5/5
"The Unnat Bharat Abhiyan is conceptualized as a movement to connect institutes of higher education with local communities to address the development challenges of rural India through appropriate technological inventions."
Why this source?
  • Describes UBA as a movement to connect institutes of higher education with local communities.
  • Explicitly ties that connection to addressing rural development challenges via appropriate technological inventions.
Web source
Presence: 4/5
"education with local communities to address the developmental challenges of rural india through appropriate technological inventions. The Mission of Unnat Bharat Abhiyan is to enable higher educational institutions to work with the people of rural India in identifying development challenges and evolving appropriate solutions for accelerating sustainable growth."
Why this source?
  • States the mission to enable higher educational institutions to work with rural communities to identify development challenges.
  • Mentions evolving appropriate solutions (technological inventions) for accelerating sustainable growth in rural India.

Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 26: ADMINISTRATIVE RELATIONS BETWEEN THE UNION AND THE STATES > CHAP. 26 ADMINISTRATIVE RELATIONS BETWEEN THE UNION AND THE STATES > p. 400
Strength: 5/5
“The NITI Aayog aims to enable India to better face complex challenges, through the following: • Leveraging of India's demographic dividend, and realization of the potential of youth, men and women, through education, skill development, elimination of gender bias, and employment. • Elimination of poverty, and the chance for every Indian to live a life of dignity and self-respect. • Redressal of inequalities based on gender bias, caste, and economic disparities. • Integrate villages institutionally into the development process. It is expected that through its commitment to a co-operative federalism, promotion of citizen engagement, egalitarian access to opportunity, participative and adaptive governance and increasing use of technology, the NITI Aayog will seek to provide a critical directional and strategic input into the development process.”
Why relevant

States that a central policy goal is to 'Integrate villages institutionally into the development process' and to increase the 'use of technology'.

How to extend

A student could infer that programmes aiming to integrate villages + use technology plausibly involve institutions (like colleges) applying technologies to local problems and then check whether UBA is one such scheme.

Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 4: Government Budgeting > 4. Sector Specific Grants > p. 184
Strength: 4/5
“• (b) School Education• (c) Higher Education• (d) Implementation of Agricultural Reforms (Performance based incentives covering policies, investments, development initiatives and outcomes in the following four areas will be rewarded viz. (i) land lease reforms (ii) sustainable and efficient water use in agriculture (iii) export promotion, (iv) Contribution towards Aatma Nirbhar Bharat in terms of oilseeds, pulses and wood and wood-based products.)• (e) Maintenance of PMGSY roads• (f) Judiciary• (g) Statistics• (h) Aspirational Districts and Blocks• (i) Power Sector: (A performance-based incentive has been developed for the power sector (and there is no grant), but opens up additional borrowing window for States)”
Why relevant

Lists 'Higher Education' explicitly among sector-specific government priorities and grants.

How to extend

Knowing higher education is a named sector, a student could reasonably look for schemes that operationalize higher-education involvement in local development (e.g., by connecting campuses with communities).

NCERT. (2022). Contemporary India II: Textbook in Geography for Class X (Revised ed.). NCERT. > Chapter 1: The Rise of Nationalism in Europe > RESOURCE PLANNING > p. 5
Strength: 4/5
“This calls for balanced resource planning at the national, state, regional and local levels. Prepare a list of resources found in your state and also identify the resources that are important but deficit in your state. What resources are being developed in your surroundings by the community/village panchayats/ward level communities with the help of community participation? technology and institutions may hinder development. There are many regions in our country that are rich in resources but these are included in economically backward regions. On the contrary there are some regions which have a poor resource base but they are economically developed.”
Why relevant

Notes that 'technology and institutions may hinder development' and highlights community/village level resource development with institutional help.

How to extend

Combining this rule (institutions + technology affect local development) suggests a model where higher-education institutions apply appropriate technologies to assist village resource planning — a pattern consistent with the statement to be checked.

Exploring Society:India and Beyond. Social Science-Class VI . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 13: The Value of Work > The strength of community participation > p. 192
Strength: 3/5
“The Swachh Bharat Abhiyan is based on the collective efforts of all Indian citizens to keep our surroundings clean. Individually, we keep our homes and surroundings clean. People have also come together to clean up streets, roads, parks and other public places or community areas. Together, these efforts lead to a clean home, neighbourhood, society and nation. Another example of collective community participation is the celebration of Van Mahotsav (the festival of forests) in India to promote awareness about the value of trees and the conservation”
Why relevant

Describes examples of collective community participation (e.g., Swachh Bharat) as a mode of addressing local development issues.

How to extend

A student could extend that many government programmes rely on community-institution partnerships, so a programme linking colleges and communities to tackle issues would fit this common pattern and merits verification.

Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 7: Indian Economy after 2014 > 7.1 NITI Aayog > p. 228
Strength: 3/5
“The Governing Council presents a platform to discuss inter-sectoral, inter-departmental and federal issues in order to accelerate the implementation of the national development agenda, in the spirit of Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat. The following are the various initiatives and programmes of NITI Aayog: • Aspirational District Programme• Poshan Abhiyan• Atal Innovation Mission• With emphasis on outcomes, NITI finalized indices to measure incremental annual outcomes in critical social sectors like health, education, water and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). For example, Health Index, 'School Education Quality Index' (SEQI), 'SDG India Index', 'Digital Transformation Index' (DTI).”
Why relevant

Shows that NITI Aayog runs multiple initiatives and uses coordinated platforms to accelerate implementation of national development agendas.

How to extend

Given NITI's role in launching/overseeing applied development initiatives, one might suspect a scheme connecting academic institutions and communities could be promoted under such institutional frameworks and then seek direct evidence of UBA's design.

Statement 3
Does the Unnat Bharat Abhiyan program aim to strengthen India's scientific research institutions in order to make India a scientific and technological power?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs Fairness: CA heavy Web-answerable

Web source
Presence: 5/5
"The Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) has launched a programme called Unnat Bharat Abhiyan ... with an aim to connect institutions of higher education ... with local communities to address the development challenges through appropriate technologies. The objectives of Unnat Bharat Abhiyan are broadly two-fold: i) Building institutional capacity in Institutes of higher education in research & training relevant to the needs of rural India."
Why this source?
  • Official description of UBA states its aim to connect higher-education institutions with communities to address development challenges through appropriate technologies.
  • Explicit objective: building institutional capacity in institutes of higher education in research and training relevant to rural India — which indicates strengthening research/training institutions.
Web source
Presence: 4/5
"The Unnat Bharat Abhiyan is conceptualized as a movement to connect institutes of higher education with local communities to address the development challenges of rural India through appropriate technological inventions."
Why this source?
  • Describes UBA as a movement to connect institutes of higher education with local communities to address rural development challenges.
  • Emphasizes use of appropriate technological inventions, linking the programme to technological strengthening and application of institutional knowledge.
Web source
Presence: 3/5
"pace of quality reform, and elevate India’s scientific and technological capacity to global excellence."
Why this source?
  • States an objective to elevate India’s scientific and technological capacity to global excellence, which aligns with the goal of making India a scientific and technological power.
  • Supports the interpretation that government initiatives in higher education and research aim to raise national scientific/technological standing.

Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 38: Developments under Nehru’s Leadership (1947-64) > Progress of Science and Technology > p. 646
Strength: 5/5
“Nehru believed that science and technology were crucial to the solution of India's problems. The Scientific Policy Resolution, acknowledging the role of science and technology in the economic, social and cultural advancement of the country, was passed by the Lok Sabha in March 1958. But prior to the passing of SPR in 1958 many scientific and technological institutes were set up in the country. To emphasise the value of science and scientific research, Nehru himself assumed the chairmanship of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). Some of the strides taken in this direction, are given below.”
Why relevant

Describes a national policy (Scientific Policy Resolution) and political leadership deliberately building science/technology institutions and placing leaders in charge (e.g., Nehru chairing CSIR).

How to extend

A student could check whether Unnat Bharat Abhiyan is presented similarly in government policy documents or whether its mandate and leadership structures echo such institution‑building aims.

Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 38: Developments under Nehru’s Leadership (1947-64) > Progress of Science and Technology > p. 647
Strength: 5/5
“● In January 1947, to promote self-sustaining, scientific and technological growth, the National Physical Laboratory— India's first national laboratory—was set up; which was followed by the setting up of a network of seventeen national laboratories, focusing on different areas of research. ● In 1952, the first of the five institutes of technology, patterned after the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, was set up at Kharagpur. ● The Atomic Energy Commission, headed by Homi J. Bhabha, was set up in August 1948. Nehru personally encouraged Bhabha to do his best. In 1954, the government created a separate Department of Atomic Energy with Homi Bhabha as secretary.”
Why relevant

Gives a pattern: post‑Independence India set up national laboratories and institutes (NPL, IITs, Atomic Energy Dept.) as a route to technological power.

How to extend

Compare Unnat Bharat Abhiyan's activities to this pattern—does it fund or network research labs/academic institutes, or create new institutional capacity?

Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 39: After Nehru... > Technology Missions > p. 727
Strength: 4/5
“Imbued with the desire to reform the socio-economic situation in India, six technology missions were set up under Rajiv Gandhi's direction. The idea was to use science and technology to tackle under development. The scientific approach was to be applied for solving problems. The targetoriented projects intended that India should enter the millennium as a modern nation. The drinking water mission aimed at using satellites and the disciplines of geology, civil engineering and biochemistry in locating, extracting and purifying water so that all people in the country could have safe drinking water.”
Why relevant

Describes technology missions using targeted, scientific approaches to solve national problems—an example of using programmes to advance science/technology goals.

How to extend

A student could examine whether Unnat Bharat Abhiyan uses similar mission‑style, target‑oriented scientific projects aimed at national advancement.

History , class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 9: Envisioning a New Socio-Economic Order > b) Science and Technology > p. 126
Strength: 3/5
“(b) Science and Technology India has made great strides in developing institutions of scientific research and technology. The only science research institute in India before Independence was the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) established in 1909 in Bangalore with funding from J.R.D. Tata and the Maharaja of Mysore.”
Why relevant

States the general historical pattern that India 'has made great strides in developing institutions of scientific research and technology.'

How to extend

Use this background to ask whether Unnat Bharat Abhiyan is part of this continuing trend of programmes meant to develop institutional scientific capacity.

Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 15: Protected Area Network > 15.8. THE MANAND BIOSPHERE {MAB} > p. 218
Strength: 3/5
“• The Man and the Biosphere (MAB) programme is an Intergovernmental Scientific programme aiming to set a scientific basis for the improvement of the relationships between people and their environment globally. • Launched in the early 1970s, it proposes an interdisciplinary research agenda and capacity building that target the ecological, social and economic dimensions of biodiversity loss and the reduction of this loss.”
Why relevant

Shows an example (MAB) of an intergovernmental programme that sets a research agenda and builds capacity to address socio‑environmental issues.

How to extend

Check if Unnat Bharat Abhiyan similarly defines a research agenda and includes capacity‑building components linking communities and scientific/academic institutions.

Statement 4
Does the Unnat Bharat Abhiyan program aim to develop human capital by allocating special funds for health care and education of the rural and urban poor and organizing skill development programmes and vocational training for them?
Origin: Weak / unclear Fairness: Borderline / guessy
Indirect textbook clues
Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 19: Population and Demographic Dividend > TACKLING SKILL DEFICIT THROUGH HUMAN CAPITAL > p. 574
Strength: 5/5
“Human capital refers to increasing the knowledge, skill levels and capacities of the people of the country. It is termed as an intangible asset that plays a great role in the economic growth and development of a nation. Hence, there is a need to transform the working age population into human capital in order to reap the benefits of demographic dividend in India. General education improves knowledge of the people while skill training enhances their employability and equips them to tackle the requirements of labour market. Persisting skill deficit among the working age is one of the important factors for dropping rates of employability.”
Why relevant

Defines 'human capital' as increasing knowledge, skills and capacities and links skill training to employability.

How to extend

A student could use this definition to interpret any programme language about 'developing human capital' as likely involving education and skill training, and then check Unnat Bharat Abhiyan sources for such components.

FUNDAMENTALS OF HUMAN GEOGRAPHY, CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 3: Human Development > MEASURING HUMAN DEVELOPMENT > p. 17
Strength: 5/5
“Amartya Sen. Building human capabilities in the areas of health, education and access to resources is the key to increasing human development.”
Why relevant

States that building capabilities in health and education is key to human development.

How to extend

One could reasonably expect a programme claiming to develop human capital to include health and education interventions and then look for those features in Unnat Bharat Abhiyan documentation.

Indian Constitution at Work, Political Science Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 8: LOCAL GOVERNMENTS > Some subjects listed in the eleventh schedule > p. 185
Strength: 4/5
“• 1. Agriculture, …• 3. Minor irrigation, water management and watershed development.• ….• 8. Small scale industries, including food processing industries. • 10. Rural housing.• 11. Drinking water. • 13. Roads, culverts,….• 14. Rural electrification,…. • 16. Poverty alleviation programme.• 17. Education, including primary and secondary schools. 18. Technical training and vocational education. • 19. Adult and non-formal education.• 20. Libraries.• 21. Cultural activities.• 22. Markets and fairs.• 23. Health and sanitation, including hospitals, primary health centres and dispensaries.• 24. Family welfare.• 25. Women and child development.• 26. Social welfare, …• 27. Welfare of the weaker sections, and in particular, of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes.• 28.”
Why relevant

The Eleventh Schedule lists local government subjects including 'Education, technical training and vocational education' and 'Health and sanitation', linking local development programmes to these areas.

How to extend

Since Unnat Bharat Abhiyan works with villages/colleges and local bodies, a student could check whether the programme aligns with these listed local-government domains (health, education, vocational training).

Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 15: Regional Development and Planning > INTEGRATED RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (IRDP) > p. 19
Strength: 4/5
“and commits to work towards the development of rural areas. The main objective of Integrated Rural Development is to eradicate poverty, hunger and unemployment from rural India. The integrated rural development programme was confined in the initial phase to 2000 blocks out of the then 5004 development blocks in the country. Through coverage under this programme, about 3000 blocks and over 5.45 lakh families have been assisted. It is a centrally sponsored scheme with funds shared on 50:50 basis between the Centre and the states. The programme was intended to generate gainful employment for all able-bodied persons in rural areas within a period of about ten years by introducing such schemes as would help development of production potential of each area, and utilisation and upgrading of the human skills available.”
Why relevant

Describes the Integrated Rural Development Programme's objective to eradicate poverty by developing production potential and 'upgrading of the human skills available' and notes central/state fund sharing.

How to extend

By analogy, a student could treat rural development programmes as commonly funding skill-upgrade and then verify if Unnat Bharat Abhiyan likewise allocates special funds for skills/education/health.

Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 6: Economic Planning in India > 6.19 > p. 149
Strength: 3/5
“• 1. Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat - This initiative aims to make India united, strong and promote excellence in all walks of life by means of long-term inter-State engagements through cultural exchanges and education. • 2. Sustainable Action for Transforming Human Capital (SATH) Under SATH, NITI Aayog aims to bring transformative change by hand-holding States towards improving their social sector indicators and providing technical support.”
Why relevant

Mentions 'Sustainable Action for Transforming Human Capital (SATH)' as a policy initiative aimed at transforming social sector indicators (health, education) by technical support to states.

How to extend

This shows that national initiatives labeled as transforming human capital typically target health and education outcomes; a student could therefore look for similar stated targets or funding lines in Unnat Bharat Abhiyan.

Pattern takeaway: UPSC constructs distractors by describing *other* real schemes. Option A describes 'Saakshar Bharat'. Option D describes 'DDU-GKY' or 'NRLM'. The key is to identify the specific institutional actor (Higher Ed) mentioned in the correct option.
How you should have studied
  1. [THE VERDICT]: Sitter for Scheme-Trackers / Trap for Generalists. Source: PIB Release (MHRD) or India Year Book.
  2. [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: Government Schemes > Social Sector > Higher Education's role in Rural Development (Lab-to-Land).
  3. [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: Memorize MHRD/MoE siblings: SWAYAM (MOOCs), GIAN (Foreign Faculty), IMPRINT (Engineering Challenges), RUSA (State Uni Funding), Rashtriya Avishkar Abhiyan (School Science), and PM-SHRI (Model Schools).
  4. [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: Map the 'Mechanism' to the 'Ministry'. Unnat Bharat is unique because it forces elite institutions (IITs/NITs) to engage with grassroots (Villages). If you only memorized 'Rural Development', you would confuse it with Rural Ministry schemes.
Concept hooks from this question
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Community participation and voluntary action in public campaigns
💡 The insight

References show examples (Swachh Bharat, environmental education scheme) where community participation and NGOs are explicitly mobilized to achieve social objectives.

High-yield for UPSC because many implementation questions ask how programmes achieve outcomes through grassroots mobilisation. Connects governance, civil society, and social-sector implementation; useful for answering questions on programme design, public participation, and implementation challenges.

📚 Reading List :
  • Exploring Society:India and Beyond. Social Science-Class VI . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 13: The Value of Work > The strength of community participation > p. 192
  • Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 6: Environmental Degradation and Management > EnvIronMEnt EducatIon, aWarEnESS and traInInG ScHEME (EEat). > p. 56
🔗 Anchor: "Does the Unnat Bharat Abhiyan program aim to achieve 100% literacy by promoting ..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Education as a measurable social-sector indicator (literacy, SEQI)
💡 The insight

Evidence discusses literacy levels and NITI Aayog indices (e.g., School Education Quality Index) and programmes (SATH) aimed at improving social-sector indicators.

Crucial for questions on policy evaluation and targets — understanding how literacy is measured and monitored (indices, state support) helps frame critiques and policy recommendations. Links to planning, NITI Aayog, SDG monitoring and comparative state performance.

📚 Reading List :
  • History , class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 9: Envisioning a New Socio-Economic Order > a) Education > p. 125
  • Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 7: Indian Economy after 2014 > 7.1 NITI Aayog > p. 228
  • Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 6: Economic Planning in India > 6.19 > p. 149
🔗 Anchor: "Does the Unnat Bharat Abhiyan program aim to achieve 100% literacy by promoting ..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Targeted incentives/support for disadvantaged groups to raise education outcomes
💡 The insight

References list measures (scholarships, hostels, stipends, mid-day meals) used to raise tribal and disadvantaged literacy/enrolment.

Exam-relevant because UPSC often asks about equity-focused strategies in education policy. Mastering these mechanisms helps in questions on inclusive development, human capital, and regional disparities.

📚 Reading List :
  • Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 15: Regional Development and Planning > Areas of Development > p. 35
  • History , class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 9: Envisioning a New Socio-Economic Order > a) Education > p. 125
🔗 Anchor: "Does the Unnat Bharat Abhiyan program aim to achieve 100% literacy by promoting ..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Institutional linkage for village development
💡 The insight

The idea of integrating villages into the development process and involvement of institutional actors (e.g., higher education) is reflected in NITI Aayog's goal to 'integrate villages institutionally into the development process'.

High-yield for UPSC: questions often ask how central bodies and institutions link to grassroots development. Understanding this concept helps answer questions on policy design, cooperative federalism and rural development programs. It connects to topics on governance, Panchayati Raj, and role of education institutions in social development — enabling answers on institutional mechanisms and policy instruments.

📚 Reading List :
  • Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 26: ADMINISTRATIVE RELATIONS BETWEEN THE UNION AND THE STATES > CHAP. 26 ADMINISTRATIVE RELATIONS BETWEEN THE UNION AND THE STATES > p. 400
  • Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 4: Government Budgeting > 4. Sector Specific Grants > p. 184
🔗 Anchor: "Does the Unnat Bharat Abhiyan program aim to connect institutions of higher educ..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Role of technology and innovation missions in public programmes
💡 The insight

Government initiatives (e.g., Atal Innovation Mission listed among NITI Aayog initiatives) show the use of technology/innovation as instruments in development programmes.

Important for questions on modern policy tools: links technology/innovation to social outcomes and program design. Mastery helps in essays/answers on tech-enabled governance, public‑private partnerships, and evaluating scheme effectiveness. It allows discussion of how technology is mainstreamed via mission-mode programmes.

📚 Reading List :
  • Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 7: Indian Economy after 2014 > 7.1 NITI Aayog > p. 228
  • Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 26: ADMINISTRATIVE RELATIONS BETWEEN THE UNION AND THE STATES > CHAP. 26 ADMINISTRATIVE RELATIONS BETWEEN THE UNION AND THE STATES > p. 400
🔗 Anchor: "Does the Unnat Bharat Abhiyan program aim to connect institutions of higher educ..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Community participation and resource planning
💡 The insight

References emphasise community participation (Swachh Bharat example) and local resource planning, both central to connecting institutions with local communities for development.

Core for UPSC: many prelims/mains questions examine participatory development, decentralized planning and community-led initiatives. Understanding this helps craft policy critiques and suggestions (e.g., leveraging local knowledge, participatory resource mapping). It links to rural development, environment, and social sector governance questions.

📚 Reading List :
  • Exploring Society:India and Beyond. Social Science-Class VI . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 13: The Value of Work > The strength of community participation > p. 192
  • NCERT. (2022). Contemporary India II: Textbook in Geography for Class X (Revised ed.). NCERT. > Chapter 1: The Rise of Nationalism in Europe > RESOURCE PLANNING > p. 5
🔗 Anchor: "Does the Unnat Bharat Abhiyan program aim to connect institutions of higher educ..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S3
👉 Development of scientific research institutions post‑Independence
💡 The insight

The statement concerns institutional strengthening; several references document the establishment and growth of research institutions (IISc, national laboratories, specialized institutes).

High‑yield for history and polity sections: understanding how and when major research institutions were created explains India's scientific capacity. Connects to topics on state policy, institutional evolution, and science‑led development. Useful for questions asking to 'examine the development of institutions' or 'assess achievements of science policy'.

📚 Reading List :
  • History , class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 9: Envisioning a New Socio-Economic Order > b) Science and Technology > p. 126
  • Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 38: Developments under Nehru’s Leadership (1947-64) > Progress of Science and Technology > p. 647
🔗 Anchor: "Does the Unnat Bharat Abhiyan program aim to strengthen India's scientific resea..."
🌑 The Hidden Trap

IMPRINT India (Impacting Research Innovation and Technology). Launched around the same time as UBA. While UBA is 'Lab-to-Land' (Social application), IMPRINT is 'Lab-to-Product' (Solving engineering challenges). Don't confuse the two.

⚡ Elimination Cheat Code

Use the 'Resource-Mandate Mismatch' hack. If the scheme involves IITs/NITs (implied by the high-profile nature of the question): Option A (Literacy) is too basic for IITs. Option D (Health/Vocational Funds) belongs to the Ministry of Rural Development/Skill. Option C (Scientific Power) is the *default* job of IITs, not a special 'Abhiyan'. Option B (Tech for Locals) represents a *shift* in mandate (Social Responsibility), making it the most logical candidate for a specific campaign.

🔗 Mains Connection

GS-3 (Science & Tech): Use Unnat Bharat Abhiyan as a prime example of 'Scientific Social Responsibility' (SSR) or 'Appropriate Technology' when writing answers on rural distress or the technology divide.

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SIMILAR QUESTIONS

CAPF · 2022 · Q70 Relevance score: 2.17

Which of the following statements about 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat' programme is/are correct? 1. It was announced in the year 201 4. 2. Its aim is to create an environment which promotes learning between the States by sharing best practices and experiences. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

CDS-I · 2024 · Q73 Relevance score: 1.45

Consider the following statements regarding the Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan: 1. This programme is initiated by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. 2. It aims to develop an inclusive society for persons with disabilities. 3. It has provisions of pension for persons with disabilities. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

CDS-I · 2016 · Q99 Relevance score: -1.39

Which one of the following is not an objective of the Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA)?

IAS · 2022 · Q89 Relevance score: -1.69

With reference to Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, consider the following statements : 1. Private and public hospitals must adopt it. 2. As it aims to achieve universal health coverage, every citizen of India should be part of it ultimately. 3. It has seamless portability across the country. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?