This is a classic 'Administrative Genealogy' question. It tests whether you understand the operational hierarchy of Indian banking history, not just current affairs. It falls squarely within the 'Financial Inclusion' and 'Rural Credit' chapters of standard Economy textbooks.
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 Service Area Approach implemented under the purview of the Integrated Rural Development Programme (IRDP)?
Origin: Weak / unclear
Fairness: Borderline / guessy
Indirect textbook clues
Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 15: Regional Development and Planning > INTEGRATED RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (IRDP) > p. 18
Strength: 4/5
“The Integrated Rural Development Programme (IRDP) was launched by the Janta government in 1978-79, by bringing together the Community Area Development Programme (CADP), Drought Prone Area Programme (DPAP), Small Farmer Development Agency (SFDA), and Marginal Farmers and Agricultural Labourers Agency (MFALA).
Integrated rural development is one of the important tasks before the Government of India. The National Common Minimum Programme (NCMP) of the Central Government reiterates the cardinal importance of villages to overall development of the country”
Why relevant
Shows IRDP was formed by bringing together several area‑based programmes (CADP, DPAP, SFDA, MFALA), indicating IRDP functioned as a consolidation of area/targeted schemes.
How to extend
A student could use this pattern (IRDP as a vehicle for area‑based programmes) plus knowledge that Service Area Approach is an area/block‑level planning method to assess whether it plausibly would be subsumed under IRDP.
Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 15: Regional Development and Planning > INTEGRATED RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (IRDP) > p. 20
Strength: 4/5
“These families will also need support from social services such as health, education, and housing. The IRDP is implemented through District Rural Development Agencies (DRDAs) and Block Level Agencies at the grass-root level. The governing body of DRDAs include local MPs, MLAs, Chairman of Zila-Parishad, Heads of District Development Departments, representatives of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, and women. Some of the important integrated rural development programmes include National Rural Development Programme (NRDP), Minimum Needs Programme (MNP), Training of Rural Youth for Self-Employment (TRYSEM, 1979), Development of Women and Children in Rural Areas (DWCRA, 1982), and Indira Awaas Yojna (IAY, 1985), etc.”
Why relevant
States IRDP was implemented through District Rural Development Agencies (DRDAs) and Block Level Agencies, highlighting block/district level administrative purview.
How to extend
Given Service Area Approach operates at bank branches covering blocks/districts, one could check if its administrative units matched DRDA/block units to infer likely overlap with IRDP implementation mechanisms.
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 IRDP’s initial confinement to specific development blocks and its objective to introduce schemes to develop the production potential of each area.
How to extend
A student could combine this area/block focus with the known territorial nature of a Service Area Approach to evaluate whether the latter fits IRDP’s operational design.
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
Strength: 3/5
“In 1980 a consolidated rural development programme called Integrated Rural Development Programme was introduced. The The purpose was to provide rural households with assets which would improve their economic position, so that they would be able to come out of poverty. These could be improvements to the land, supply of cows or goats for dairying or help to set up small shops or other trade-related businesses. Introduced in all 5011 blocks in the country, the target was to provide assistance to 600 families in each block over five years (1980–1985), which would reach a total of 15 million families. The capital cost of the assets provided was covered by subsidies (divided equally between the Centre and the States) and loans.”
Why relevant
Notes IRDP was introduced across all blocks (5011) with targets per block to assist families—emphasising blockwise implementation and asset provision.
How to extend
Using this blockwise targetting fact, a student could ask if Service Area Approach’s blockwise coverage for services/credit would be consistent with IRDP’s block implementation and therefore likely coordinated under it.
Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 4: Climate of India > Current Status of DPAP > p. 46
Strength: 3/5
“• Year: 2001 and 2003; Regions: Guidelines for the watershed development were renamed as 'Haryali Guidelines' • Year: 2008; Regions: Common guidelines for watershed development programme have been made effective since April1, 2008 • Year: 2009; Regions: Three watershed programmes (DPAP, DDP, IWDP) have been consolidated under a comprehensive programme called 'Integrated Watershed Management Programme' covered under the Ministry of Rural Development. These steps, if taken together, can go a long way in minimising the miseries of people living in the drought prone areas of the county. Some of the important achievements of the Drought Prone Area Programme include the Indira Gandhi Canal Project, Sardar Sarovar Project (Narmada), and the Central Arid Research Institute, Jodhpur to promote drought resistant plants, trees and crops.”
Why relevant
Shows other programmes (DPAP, DDP, IWDP) were consolidated and their implementation basis shifted to watershed/area approaches—illustrating a pattern of grouping area‑based interventions under integrated schemes.
How to extend
A student could use this consolidation pattern to hypothesize that similarly area‑oriented approaches (such as Service Area Approach) might be placed within larger integrated programmes like IRDP and then verify with targeted sources.
Statement 2
Was the Service Area Approach implemented under the purview of the Lead Bank Scheme?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs
Fairness: CA heavy
Web-answerable
"The Service Area Approach (SAA), introduced in April 1989 for planned and orderly development of rural and semi-urban areas was applicable to all scheduled commercial banks including Regional Rural Banks."
Why this source?
- Defines the Service Area Approach (SAA) as a distinct scheme introduced in April 1989 applicable to scheduled commercial banks and RRBs.
- Describes SAA's objectives and operational design (branch-wise service area of 15–25 villages), indicating it is a standalone rural development approach.
"Implementation of Lead Bank Scheme A. Preparation of credit plans ... Under LBS, planning starts with identifying block wise/activity wise potential estimated for various sectors."
Why this source?
- Separately describes the Lead Bank Scheme (LBS) and its implementation, including preparation of credit plans and PLPs under LBS, indicating a distinct programme framework.
- The document treats Lead Bank Scheme implementation as a separate section, implying SAA and LBS are separate initiatives rather than SAA being explicitly under LBS.
Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 2: Money and Banking- Part I > ii) Lead Bank Scheme > p. 74
Strength: 5/5
“The lead bank is expected to assume leadership role for coordinating the efforts of the credit institutions and Government in matters of local development and are entrusted with the responsibility of identifying growth centres, assessing deposit potential and credit gaps and evolving a coordinated approach for credit deployment in each district. A High-Level Committee in 2009 noted that the Scheme has been useful in achieving its original objectives of improvement in branch expansion, deposit mobilisation and lending to the priority sectors, especially in rural/semi urban areas. The Lead Bank Scheme (LBS) has been extended to the districts in the metropolitan areas thus bringing the entire country under the fold of the Lead Bank Scheme.”
Why relevant
Describes the Lead Bank's district‑level coordinating role — identifying growth centres, assessing deposit potential and evolving a coordinated approach for credit deployment in each district.
How to extend
A student could infer that district credit planning tasks align with a 'service area' approach and check whether Service Area Approach responsibilities match these Lead Bank functions.
Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 8: Financial Market > begin{array}{|c|c|c|c|c|c|c|c|c|c|c|c|c|c|c|c|c} > p. 253
Strength: 5/5
“1. Purchase of government securities from the public by the Central Bank 2. Deposit of currency in commercial banks by the public 3. Borrowing by the government from the Central Bank 4. Sale of Government Securities to the public by the Central Bank Select the correct answer using the codes given below: (b) 2 and 4 only (a) 1 only• (d) 2, 3 and 4 (c) 1 and 3 only 41. The basic idea of Lead Bank Scheme is that (a) big banks should try to open offices in each district (b) there should be stiff competition among the various nationalised banks (c) individual banks should adopt particular district for intensive development (d) all the banks should make intensive efforts to mobilise deposits”
Why relevant
States the basic idea of the Lead Bank Scheme: individual banks should adopt particular districts for intensive development (adoption/coverage of districts).
How to extend
One could map this 'adopt a district' rule to the Service Area Approach concept (assignment of areas to banks) and then verify historical policy documents for explicit linkage.
Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 8: Financial Market > M India's Efforts for Financial Inclusion > p. 239
Strength: 4/5
“Accordingly, all the districts in the country have been allotted one Lead Bank each. Another scheme of Banking Ombudsman was introduced in 1995 to receive and consider the complaints of the bank customers relating to deficiency in banking services. The Banking Ombudsman is appointed by RBI. This scheme is applicable to all Commercial Banks, Regional Rural Banks and Scheduled Primary Co-operative Banks having business in India. Any person (including NRI) having bank account in India may file a complaint with the Banking Ombudsman.”
Why relevant
Notes that all districts are allotted one Lead Bank each, emphasizing formal district allocation under the scheme.
How to extend
Using a district allocation fact, a student can compare the administrative footprint of Lead Banks with known Service Area Approach coverage to see if they coincide.
Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 7: Money and Banking > LOCAL AREA BANKS > p. 184
Strength: 3/5
“Introduced in 1996, Local Area Banks (LABs) are small private banks which provide financial intermediation services in a limited area of operation (primarily in rural and semi-urban areas, comprising three contiguous districts). The objective of setting up LABs was to enable mobilisation of rural savings and to make them available for investments in the local areas. RBI guidelines for LABs include the following: • a. LABs should have a minimum capital of ₹5 crore. • Promoter of LAB may comprise private individuals, corporate entities, trusts and societies b. with a minimum capital contribution of ₹2 crore. • c. Area of operation is limited to a maximum of three geographically contiguous districts. • d.”
Why relevant
Explains 'Local Area Banks' were created with explicit limits on area of operation (contiguous districts), illustrating precedent for geographically limited banking responsibilities.
How to extend
A student can use this example of area‑based banking institutions to reason that Indian policy has precedent for area assignment, then seek specific linkage between Lead Bank duties and the Service Area Approach.
Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 9: Agriculture > 9.46 Indian Economy > p. 332
Strength: 2/5
“• The scheme is being implemented on 'Area Approach basis'.• All farmers (including sharecroppers and tenant farmers) growing notified crops are \bullet eligible for coverage under RWBCIS.• As per 2020 revision, RWBCIS has been made voluntary for all farmers (previously, it was mandatory for loanee farmers).• Amount of premium paid by farmers under RWBCIS: 2 per cent of sum insured or ó actuarial rate (whichever is less) for all kharif oilseed and food crops; 1”
Why relevant
Uses the phrase 'Area Approach basis' for implementation of another scheme, showing the terminology and concept of area‑based implementation in Indian schemes.
How to extend
A student could use this to justify comparing terminologies and implementation styles across schemes to test whether 'Service Area Approach' was implemented via the Lead Bank Scheme.
Statement 3
Was the Service Area Approach implemented under the purview of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGA)?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs
Fairness: CA heavy
Web-answerable
"As the restrictive provisions of the service area have been removed in December 2004, the Service Area Approach is applicable only for Government Sponsored programmes."
Why this source?
- Explicitly states the Service Area Approach is applicable to Government Sponsored programmes.
- If MGNREGA is a government-sponsored programme, this establishes applicability of the Service Area Approach to it.
"Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) | Ministry of Rural Development | Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (Mahatma Gandhi NREGS) is a demand driven wage employment programme"
Why this source?
- Identifies MGNREGA as a scheme under the Ministry of Rural Development and a demand-driven wage employment programme (i.e., a government programme).
- Connects MGNREGA to the category of Government Sponsored programmes referenced by the RBI passage.
Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 23: India and Climate Change > Do you know? > p. 311
Strength: 5/5
“Strengthening of ecological security is one of the goals of the Mahatma Gandhi Rural Employment Cuarantee rrogitm;e (MGNREGA). MGNREGA is designed to strengthen ongoing efforts in the areas of water harvesting, watershed management and health care and enhancement.”
Why relevant
States MGNREGA is designed to strengthen water harvesting and watershed management, linking the scheme to watershed-type interventions.
How to extend
A student could compare this with the Service Area Approach’s known focus on watershed/area-based planning to see if the SAA fits logically as an MGNREGA activity.
Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 3: Poverty, Inequality and Unemployment > Achievements made through MGNREGA so far: > p. 57
Strength: 4/5
“• Increased employment opportunities in rural areas.
• Higher participation of marginalised sections like SC/STs and women, thereby making MGNREGA \bullet more socially inclusive.
• Improved levels of financial inclusion by way of MGNREGA wage payment through bank and post office accounts of workers.
• Creation of durable rural assets like ponds, check dams, concrete roads, plantation, etc. through MGNREGA work.
However, critics argue that MGNREGA suffers from the following inefficiencies:
• Delayed payment of wages as noticed in various instances.
• Declining share of wage component in the MGNREGA annual action plan of many panchayats.
Amatha”
Why relevant
Lists creation of durable rural assets (ponds, check dams) as outcomes of MGNREGA work — asset types commonly produced under area-based watershed programmes.
How to extend
One could check whether the Service Area Approach is the administrative/operational method used to plan such asset creation under rural employment schemes.
Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 3: Poverty, Inequality and Unemployment > Achievements made through MGNREGA so far: > p. 58
Strength: 4/5
“Reluctance in the payment of unemployment allowance to the households who demanded employment but were not provided employment.
In spite of the above inefficiencies which mainly pertain to its implementation, MGNREGA has revitalised Panchayati Raj institutions and has provided a sense of entitlement among the deprived.
UNDP in its Human Development Report 2015 mentions MGNREGA as a milestone and has termed it as the 'best known' employment guarantee scheme providing direct employment to the rural poor.
Therefore, continuation of MGNREGA is desirable. However, there is a need to tackle inefficiencies which have cropped up during its implementation.”
Why relevant
Notes MGNREGA revitalised Panchayati Raj institutions and implies decentralized implementation through local bodies.
How to extend
Since the Service Area Approach often uses local administrative units (e.g., panchayats) as planning units, a student could investigate whether MGNREGA’s panchayat-based implementation corresponds to SAA practice.
Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 5: Natural Vegetation and National Parks > 3. Shifting Cultivation > p. 30
Strength: 3/5
“It has been noticed that in the places where 'Mahatama Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, (MGNREGA) has been implemented , the dependence on Jhum has declined.”
Why relevant
Mentions implementation of MGNREGA in specific areas reduced dependence on shifting cultivation, indicating the scheme was applied via area-specific interventions.
How to extend
A student might infer MGNREGA allows area-targeted measures and then verify whether those measures followed the Service Area Approach model.
Statement 4
Was the Service Area Approach implemented under the purview of the National Skill Development Mission?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs
Fairness: CA heavy
Web-answerable
"The Service Area Approach (SAA), introduced in April 1989 for planned and orderly development of rural and semi-urban areas was applicable to all scheduled commercial banks including Regional Rural Banks."
Why this source?
- Explicitly defines the Service Area Approach (SAA) as a banking scheme introduced in April 1989 for rural and semi-urban areas.
- States SAA was applicable to scheduled commercial banks (a banking/RBI domain), indicating it is a financial/credit programme not a skills-mission activity.
"therefore, proposes to launch the NATIONAL SKILL DEVELOPMENT MISSION (NMSD - known henceforth as, the Mission), which will provide the overall institutional framework to rapidly implement and scale up skill development efforts across India."
Why this source?
- Describes the National Skill Development Mission (NMSD) as an institutional framework to implement and scale up skill development efforts across India.
- Places NSDM within the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, indicating a separate administrative remit from banking schemes.
Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 7: Indian Economy after 2014 > Mission > p. 240
Strength: 5/5
“• Create a demand for skilling across the country• Correct and align skilling with required competencies• Connect the supply of skilled human resources with sectoral demands• Certify and assess in alignment with global and national standards The objectives and targets under the Policy will be met in mission mode approach and for that National Skill Development Mission was launched on 15th July 2015 (World Youth Skills Day 15th July) to implement and coordinate all skilling efforts in the country towards the objectives laid down in the policy. The Mission is housed under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and the key institutional mechanism for achieving the objectives of the Mission has been divided into a three-tier structure:”
Why relevant
Defines the National Skill Development Mission (NSDM) as the central mission launched to implement and coordinate all skilling efforts and housed under the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE).
How to extend
A student could use this rule to check whether the Service Area Approach is described as a skilling/coordination measure; if so it is plausibly under NSDM/MSDE's remit and not another ministry.
Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 19: Population and Demographic Dividend > TACKLING SKILL DEFICIT THROUGH HUMAN CAPITAL > p. 574
Strength: 4/5
“Skill mismatch is another reason. Government interventions so far to overcome skill deficit under Skill India Mission: • Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) PMKVY is dealt by the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and is meant for both rural and urban areas. It enables a large number of prospective youth to take up: • Short-Term Training (STT). STT is for fresh skilling of school/college drop-outs and unemployed youth. STT is provided through empanelled training centres/training providers. Training Providers are mandated to organise placements/Rozgar Melas every 6 months. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) - to recognise and certify the existing skills b. of persons with prior learning experience and also to take up special projects to address the skill requirements of groups which are under-represented or require special initiatives and efforts.”
Why relevant
Shows specific skilling schemes (e.g., PMKVY) are implemented by MSDE under the broader Skill India/skill-mission ecosystem.
How to extend
If Service Area Approach is an operational scheme or method for deploying skilling programmes, one could reasonably expect MSDE/NSDM involvement and thus check MSDE/NSDM documents for it.
Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 19: Population and Demographic Dividend > TACKLING SKILL DEFICIT THROUGH HUMAN CAPITAL > p. 575
Strength: 4/5
“• 2. Craftsman Training Scheme Under this scheme, long-term vocational training in around 137 trades is imparted through around 15,700 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs). The scheme is being implemented by MSDE.• National Career Service Launched in 2015 by the Ministry of Labour & Employment. 3. with a focus on providing right skills and generating employment. As per the Period Labour Force Survey (PLFS) 2017-18, only 13.53 per cent of the persons in the productive age group (15-59 years) have received skill training. Moreover, among these 13.53 per cent, only 2.26 per cent have received formal vocational/technical training. Thus, there is need for a lot more emphasis to improve the current situation of skill deficit.”
Why relevant
Distinguishes which bodies run particular employment/skill initiatives (e.g., Craftsman Training Scheme by MSDE; National Career Service by Ministry of Labour & Employment).
How to extend
Use this pattern to test the statement by identifying which ministry or mission typically runs the kind of intervention Service Area Approach represents (training vs. career services).
Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 19: Population and Demographic Dividend > Measures to Overcome above Challenges > p. 573
Strength: 3/5
“The peak of the demographic dividend in India is fast approaching but the positive impact is still not visible. To overcome the problems related to skill deficit, ageing population, unemployment etc., government has adopted several measures. Some are discussed below: • Schemes like Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Kaushal i. Vikas Yojana, National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme, Scheme for Higher Education Youth in Apprenticeship and Skills (SHREYAS) etc., are some skill development programs launched by government. They are directed towards rejuvenating the youth population in finding jobs and can increase their participation in economic growth National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF) - it is a competency-based framework that organizes all qualifications according to a series of levels of knowledge, skills and aptitude.”
Why relevant
Lists multiple government skill-development programmes and the National Skills Qualifications Framework as part of the skill-policy ecosystem.
How to extend
A student can check whether Service Area Approach is listed among these types of programmes or is consistent with NSQF-aligned, mission-mode interventions to infer likely administrative home.
Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 19: Population and Demographic Dividend > EXAMPLE Previous Years' Preliminary Examination Questions EXAMPLE PREVIOUS > p. 577
Strength: 3/5
“National Career Service is an initiative of the Department of Personnel and Training, Government of India. • 2. National Career Service has been launched in a Mission Mode to improve the employment opportunities to uneducated youth of the country. Which of the above statements is/are correct? (b) 2 only (a) 1 only (d) Neither 1 nor 2 (c) Both 1 & 2 3. With reference to 'National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF)', which of the statements given below is/are correct? 1. Under NSQF, a learner can acquire the certification for competency only through formal learning. 2. An outcome expected from the implementation of NSQF is the mobility between vocational and general education.”
Why relevant
Notes that some national employment/skill initiatives are explicitly launched 'in a Mission Mode' and administered by specific departments.
How to extend
Apply this rule by verifying whether Service Area Approach was launched in 'mission mode' and then tracing which department/mission was named as administrator.
Pattern takeaway:
UPSC frequently asks for the 'Parent Framework' of a specific initiative. Always map sub-schemes or approaches back to their umbrella programme or nodal ministry (e.g., SAA -> Lead Bank Scheme -> RBI).
How you should have studied
- [THE VERDICT]: Sitter. Found in standard texts (Ramesh Singh/Vivek Singh) under 'Banking Sector Reforms' or 'Rural Banking'.
- [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: The evolution of Rural Credit Architecture in India (from Nationalisation in 1969 to Financial Inclusion today).
- [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: Memorize the timeline: Lead Bank Scheme (1969, Nariman Comm., District-level) -> Regional Rural Banks (1975, Narasimham Comm.) -> NABARD (1982, Sivaraman Comm.) -> Service Area Approach (1989, Ojha Comm., Village-level) -> PM Jan Dhan Yojana (2014).
- [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: When studying a policy, map the 'Implementation Unit'. Lead Bank = District; Service Area Approach = Cluster of Villages (15-25); Aspirational Districts = District. UPSC tests the administrative jurisdiction.
Concept hooks from this question
👉 IRDP implementation machinery (DRDAs and Block Level Agencies)
💡 The insight
IRDP was implemented through District Rural Development Agencies and Block Level Agencies, which defines the administrative channels for any programme components or approaches.
High-yield: UPSC often asks about institutional structures and implementation mechanisms of rural schemes. Mastering this helps answer questions on administrative responsibility, scheme delivery, and links with Panchayati Raj and district planning.
📚 Reading List :
- Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 15: Regional Development and Planning > INTEGRATED RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (IRDP) > p. 20
🔗 Anchor: "Was the Service Area Approach implemented under the purview of the Integrated Ru..."
👉 Consolidation of pre-existing rural schemes into IRDP
💡 The insight
IRDP combined CADP, DPAP, SFDA and MFALA, so knowing its composite origins is essential to trace which approaches or practices might have been absorbed into IRDP.
High-yield: Questions frequently probe the evolution and amalgamation of rural programmes. This concept connects to programme design, continuity of policies, and comparative analysis of scheme components.
📚 Reading List :
- Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 15: Regional Development and Planning > INTEGRATED RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (IRDP) > p. 18
🔗 Anchor: "Was the Service Area Approach implemented under the purview of the Integrated Ru..."
👉 IRDP objectives, coverage and funding pattern
💡 The insight
IRDP aimed to eradicate rural poverty by asset provision, set block-wise targets, covered all blocks, and was a centrally sponsored scheme shared 50:50 between Centre and States.
High-yield: UPSC asks about objectives, scale, targets and financing of flagship schemes. Understanding these aspects aids in evaluating programme impact, Centre–State fiscal arrangements, and implementation scale.
📚 Reading List :
- Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 15: Regional Development and Planning > INTEGRATED RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (IRDP) > p. 19
- 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 Service Area Approach implemented under the purview of the Integrated Ru..."
👉 Lead Bank Scheme — district-level coordination and objectives
💡 The insight
Lead Bank Scheme assigns one lead bank to each district to coordinate credit institutions, identify growth centres, assess deposit potential and credit gaps, and evolve a coordinated approach for credit deployment.
High-yield for questions on banking policy and financial inclusion: explains how district-wise institutional arrangements work, links to priority sector lending and branch expansion, and enables analysis of implementation mechanisms of rural credit programmes.
📚 Reading List :
- Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 2: Money and Banking- Part I > ii) Lead Bank Scheme > p. 74
- Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 8: Financial Market > M India's Efforts for Financial Inclusion > p. 239
🔗 Anchor: "Was the Service Area Approach implemented under the purview of the Lead Bank Sch..."
👉 Area-based implementation ('Area/Service Area Approach')
💡 The insight
Area or service-area approaches implement programmes by geographic units to achieve targeted coverage and coordinated delivery across an area.
Important for evaluating design and delivery of schemes (banking outreach, crop/insurance schemes): helps compare centralised vs area-based implementation, and to trace how geographic targeting affects inclusion and risk pooling.
📚 Reading List :
- Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 9: Agriculture > 9.46 Indian Economy > p. 332
- Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 2: Money and Banking- Part I > ii) Lead Bank Scheme > p. 74
🔗 Anchor: "Was the Service Area Approach implemented under the purview of the Lead Bank Sch..."
👉 MGNREGA guarantees 100 days of wage employment
💡 The insight
MGNREGA's core design is a statutory guarantee of 100 days of unskilled wage work to rural households, which defines the scheme's operational scope.
High-yield for UPSC because many questions ask about the objectives and entitlements under major rural schemes; this concept links to poverty alleviation, labour rights, and rural livelihoods and enables answering questions on scheme design and legal guarantees.
📚 Reading List :
- Understanding Economic Development. Class X . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 2: SECTORS OF THE INDIAN ECONOMY > How to Create More Employment? > p. 28
- History , class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 9: Envisioning a New Socio-Economic Order > Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005 (MGNREGA) > p. 121
- Economics, Class IX . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 3: Poverty as a Challenge > Anti-Poverty Measures > p. 39
🔗 Anchor: "Was the Service Area Approach implemented under the purview of the Mahatma Gandh..."
👉 MGNREGA promotes creation of durable rural assets and ecological measures
💡 The insight
The scheme prioritises works that increase land productivity and supports water harvesting, watershed management and related ecological-security activities.
Important for mains and interviews: connects public works programmes to environmental management and rural development; helps frame answers on linkages between employment schemes and natural resource management and on programme outcomes.
📚 Reading List :
- Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 23: India and Climate Change > Do you know? > p. 311
- Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 3: Poverty, Inequality and Unemployment > Achievements made through MGNREGA so far: > p. 57
- Understanding Economic Development. Class X . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 2: SECTORS OF THE INDIAN ECONOMY > How to Create More Employment? > p. 28
🔗 Anchor: "Was the Service Area Approach implemented under the purview of the Mahatma Gandh..."
The 'Ojha Committee' (1988) recommended the Service Area Approach. A likely future question is matching committees to banking reforms: Nariman (Lead Bank), Narasimham (RRBs), Ojha (SAA), Gadgil (Area Approach).
Use 'Domain Matching'. 'Service Area' implies a jurisdiction for service delivery. IRDP (A) and MGNREGA (C) are welfare schemes, not administrative frameworks. Skill Mission (D) is too new (2015). 'Lead Bank' (B) inherently implies assigning a bank to a specific 'Area' (District), making 'Service Area' a logical sub-component.
Mains GS-3 (Inclusive Growth): The shift from 'Sectoral Planning' to 'Area-based Planning' (Lead Bank/SAA) was a structural attempt to fix regional imbalances in credit-deposit ratios, a key argument for financial federalism.