Question map
With reference to the Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-dhan (PM-SYM) Yojana, consider the following statements : 1. The entry age group for enrolment in the scheme is 21 to 40 years. 2. Age specific contribution shall be made by the beneficiary. 3. Each subscriber under the scheme shall receive a minimum pension of ₹ 3,000 per month after attaining the age of 60 years. 4. Family pension is applicable to the spouse and unmarried daughters. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
Explanation
The entry age group for PM-SYM is 18 to 40 years, not 21 to 40 years[2], making statement 1 incorrect. Statement 2 is correct as monthly contributions range from Rs.55 to Rs.200 depending upon the entry age of the beneficiary[3], and this contribution increases as the subscriber grows old[4]. Statement 3 is also correct since a minimum monthly pension of ₹3,000 is given after 60 years of age[2]. However, statement 4 is incorrect because if the beneficiary passes away, the spouse receives 50% of the pension amount[5], with no mention of unmarried daughters being eligible for family pension. Therefore, only statements 2 and 3 are correct, making option B the right answer.
Sources- [1] https://www.epfindia.gov.in/site_docs/PDFs/MiscPDFs/FAQ_PM-SYM.pdf
- [2] Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 12: Indian Industry > by the Ministry of Labour & Employment) > p. 393
- [3] https://eshram.gov.in/social-security-welfare-schemes
- [5] https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2108082
PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
Full viewThis is a classic 'Scheme Anatomy' question. It combines a high-level promise (₹3000 pension) found in standard books with granular operational details (entry age, family definition) found in official FAQs. The difficulty lies in the subtle numeric distortion (21 vs 18) and the inclusion of 'unmarried daughters' to test your knowledge of actuarial liabilities.
This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.
- Statement 1: Is the entry age for enrolment in the Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-dhan (PM-SYM) scheme 21 to 40 years?
- Statement 2: Are contributions under the Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-dhan (PM-SYM) scheme age-specific (i.e., contribution amount varies by beneficiary age)?
- Statement 3: Does each subscriber under the Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-dhan (PM-SYM) scheme receive a minimum pension of ₹3,000 per month after attaining the age of 60 years?
- Statement 4: Under the Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-dhan (PM-SYM) scheme, is family pension applicable to the spouse and unmarried daughters?
- The passage explicitly states the scheme's entry age range as 18 to 40 years.
- It repeats the eligibility as 'age group of 18-40 years', directly contradicting a 21-40 entry-age claim.
This snippet states PM-SYM is for unorganised sector workers aged 18-40, giving a specific age-range pattern for the scheme.
A student could use this as a baseline to doubt a 21–40 claim and check official scheme documents or notifications to confirm whether lower limit is 18 or 21.
Shows a pattern that several pension/retirement-related government schemes (Atal Pension Yojana, PMJJBY) commonly use 18 as the lower enrolment age and sometimes 40 as an upper bound for contributory schemes.
Use this recurring 18–40 pattern across schemes to infer that PM-SYM is more likely to follow 18 as the entry age rather than 21, and verify against authoritative sources.
Gives another example (PMSBY) where the age-band starts at 18, reinforcing that many social-financial schemes start eligibility at 18.
Combine this general rule (schemes often start at 18) with the PM-SYM mention in snippet 1 to reason that 21 is an unlikely lower bound and that checking primary government notifications would resolve the discrepancy.
- Official government source explicitly states the monthly contribution varies by entry age.
- Provides a specific contribution range tied to beneficiary entry age (Rs.55 to Rs.200).
- Explains that early enrollment leads to lower monthly contributions, implying contribution amount depends on entry age.
- Directly links entry age to contribution impact (earlier entry → lower contributions).
- Notes that the government's matching contribution changes as the subscriber ages, indicating contributions are time/age-related.
- Supports the idea that contribution dynamics vary over the lifecycle of the beneficiary.
States PM-SYM is for beneficiaries aged 18–40 and says beneficiaries pay a 'prescribed monthly contribution' with equal central government contribution — giving eligibility age and that contributions are prescribed.
A student could look for the scheme's prescribed contribution schedule (often published as a table) to see whether 'prescribed' contributions differ by entry age.
Describes Atal Pension Yojana (APY) where pension after 60 depends on contributions, and APY has an 18–40 entry age band — illustrating that pension schemes sometimes set contributions to achieve age-linked pension targets.
Use the APY model (where contribution schedules vary by desired pension/entry age) as a template: check whether PM-SYM publishes a contribution table that varies by beneficiary age to reach its ₹3,000 pension.
Shows other government social-protection schemes (PMSBY, PMJJBY) specify age-eligibility bands while giving a single premium amount — an example where contribution is not age-tiered despite age limits.
Compare PM-SYM to these schemes: if PM-SYM follows the same pattern, its contribution may be a single fixed monthly amount for all eligible ages; check official scheme rules for confirmatory tables.
Mentions PMJJBY as a government-backed insurance with an age band, reinforcing that several flagship schemes set age limits but use fixed premiums.
A student can infer that age-banded eligibility doesn't necessarily imply age-varying contributions and should therefore inspect PM-SYM documentation for either a fixed contribution or an age-based schedule.
Describes PMFBY using a single premium rate across crops and districts, illustrating a policy pattern where programs sometimes fix contribution/premium rates to simplify administration.
Use this administrative-principle example to hypothesize PM-SYM might adopt a uniform contribution rate; then check PM-SYM's official contribution tables to accept or reject that hypothesis.
- Explicitly describes PM-SYM as a voluntary contributory pension for unorganised workers with government matching contribution
- Directly states that in return a minimum monthly pension of ₹3,000 is given after 60 years of age
- Includes eligibility age-band and income cap, linking subscriber status to entitlement
Gives the core design of PM‑SYM as a voluntary contributory pension that pays a minimum monthly pension to the beneficiary after age 60.
A student could infer that because PM‑SYM specifies a single pensioner benefit, they should check official rules for any separate 'family pension' or survivor benefit provisions.
Shows that other central schemes (PM‑KISAN) explicitly define who constitutes the 'family' (husband, wife and minor children), indicating schemes often define family/beneficiary scope in their own rules.
One could use this pattern to look for a PM‑SYM-specific definition of 'family' or 'dependent' to judge whether spouse and unmarried daughters qualify.
Describes Atal Pension Yojana (APY) as a defined contributor pension scheme where benefits depend on contributions and plan rules.
Use the analogy that contributory pension schemes commonly have scheme-specific rules about survivor/family pension—so check PM‑SYM rules for survivor benefit clauses.
Mentions other social protection products (PMSBY) that provide specific nominee/beneficiary payouts, illustrating that benefits to family members are determined by scheme terms.
A student can reasonably conclude that family pension under PM‑SYM, if any, would be explicitly specified and should be verified in the scheme document.
PMJJBY is cited as a government-backed life insurance—another example where entitlement to survivors depends on scheme conditions rather than a universal rule.
This reinforces checking PM‑SYM’s official provisions to see whether spouse and unmarried daughters are covered as survivors.
- [THE VERDICT]: Trap. Statement 1 distorts the standard '18-40' age band to '21-40'. Statement 4 expands 'Family' to daughters, which is incorrect for this specific low-cost scheme.
- [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: Social Security for Unorganised Sector (Ministry of Labour & Employment).
- [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: Memorize the 'Age & Benefit Matrix': PM-SYM (18-40, ₹3000 fixed); APY (18-40, ₹1000-5000 variable); PMJJBY (18-50, Life Cover); PMSBY (18-70, Accidental Cover). Note the 'Spouse Only' clause for family pension in PM-SYM vs. broader definitions in formal sector schemes.
- [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: When reading scheme rules, apply the 'Liability Filter'. Does the government promise to pay children? Usually no, because that extends fiscal liability indefinitely. For mass schemes, benefits are typically restricted to the contributor and spouse to keep premiums low.
Several national schemes define specific age bands (for enrolment or cover), which determine who can join and when benefits begin.
High-yield for UPSC because questions frequently ask scheme features and target groups; mastering age bands helps compare schemes, assess targeting, and craft policy recommendations on coverage and demographic prioritisation.
- Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 12: Indian Industry > by the Ministry of Labour & Employment) > p. 393
- Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 8: Financial Market > Recent Major Initiatives to Improve Financial Inclusion Are > p. 239
- Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 8: Financial Market > 7.54 Indian Economy > p. 240
PM-SYM is a voluntary, contributory pension scheme for unorganised workers with government matching contributions and a defined pension payout at retirement.
Important for questions on social protection design and fiscal implications; understanding voluntary contributory models connects to topics on welfare financing, informal sector coverage, and pension reform debates.
- Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 12: Indian Industry > by the Ministry of Labour & Employment) > p. 393
Schemes use monetary caps (monthly income or annual turnover) to define beneficiary eligibility and exclude higher-earning groups.
Exam-relevant for analysing inclusion/exclusion trade-offs in scheme design, fiscal targeting, and administrative feasibility; useful when evaluating who benefits from a programme and policy equity.
- Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 12: Indian Industry > by the Ministry of Labour & Employment) > p. 393
PM-SYM specifies an enrolment age band (18–40 years), so understanding age-bands is essential to scheme design and targeting.
High-yield for UPSC: many welfare schemes use age bands to determine eligibility and administration. Mastering this helps answer questions on social policy targeting, demographic coverage, and implementation challenges. It links to topics on welfare economics, population policy, and public administration.
- Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 12: Indian Industry > by the Ministry of Labour & Employment) > p. 393
PM-SYM requires a prescribed monthly contribution from the beneficiary with an equal contribution from the central government, exemplifying matching-contribution design.
Important for policy analysis questions: comparing financing models (contributory vs non-contributory) clarifies fiscal implications and beneficiary incentives. Useful when evaluating scheme sustainability, budgetary impact, and behavioural effects on informal workers.
- Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 12: Indian Industry > by the Ministry of Labour & Employment) > p. 393
PM-SYM promises a fixed minimum monthly pension (₹3,000) after 60, while other schemes (e.g., APY) show pensions that vary with contributions — understanding both models is crucial.
Valuable for UPSC: distinguishes benefit-design choices (defined-benefit vs defined-contribution) and their trade-offs for fiscal risk, adequacy of support, and incentive effects. Helps answer comparative questions on social security schemes and reforms.
- Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 12: Indian Industry > by the Ministry of Labour & Employment) > p. 393
- Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 8: Financial Market > 7.54 Indian Economy > p. 240
PM-SYM operates as a voluntary scheme where subscribers pay monthly contributions matched by the central government to secure a defined pension benefit.
High-yield for UPSC questions on social security policy design: explains how contribution-sharing affects fiscal burden and beneficiary incentives. Connects to broader topics like pension reform, welfare financing, and comparative schemes (e.g., APY). Enables analysis questions on scheme sustainability and design trade-offs.
- Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 12: Indian Industry > by the Ministry of Labour & Employment) > p. 393
- Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 8: Financial Market > 7.54 Indian Economy > p. 240
Exit Provisions: If a subscriber exits PM-SYM within less than 10 years, they receive only their share of contribution with savings bank interest rate (not the accumulated fund interest).
The 'Actuarial Simplicity' Hack. Statement 4 includes 'unmarried daughters'. In a low-premium scheme (starting at ₹55/month), covering children creates complex, long-term liabilities that require massive funding. Logically, a basic pension scheme will only cover the Spouse (50% pension) to limit the government's actuarial risk. Eliminate options with Statement 4.
Mains GS-3 (Inclusive Growth) & GS-2 (Welfare Schemes): PM-SYM represents a shift towards 'Contributory Social Security' rather than fully state-funded welfare, highlighting the fiscal challenge of India's demographic transition and the ageing unorganised workforce.