Government schemes & initiatives

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Prelims 2025 · Q30

Easy

Consider the following statements about the Rashtriya Gokul Mission:

I.It is important for the upliftment of rural poor as majority of low producing indigenous animals are with small and marginal farmers and landless labourers.
II.It was initiated to promote indigenous cattle and buffalo rearing and conservation in a scientific and holistic manner.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Answer & explanation

Answer: (c) Both I and II

The Rashtriya Gokul Mission, run by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying since December 2014, exists to develop and conserve indigenous cattle and buffalo breeds on scientific lines. The Department itself says it matters for the rural poor because more than 80% of low-yielding indigenous animals belong to small and marginal farmers and landless labourers.

✓ I The Department describes the scheme as crucial for the rural poor, since more than 80% of the low-producing indigenous animals are with small and marginal farmers and landless labourers.
✓ II It was launched in December 2014 to develop and conserve indigenous bovine breeds scientifically, alongside genetic upgradation and higher milk productivity.

Remember · Rashtriya Gokul Mission (Dec 2014, Dept of Animal Husbandry and Dairying): conserve and develop indigenous cattle and buffalo breeds; realigned 2021–22 to 2025–26.

Sources

Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying: Rashtriya Gokul Mission ↗ “The Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM) is being implemented since December 2014 for development and conservation of indigenous bovine breeds, genetic upgradation of bovine population, and enhancement of milk productivity and production. … Scheme is crucial for upliftment of rural poor as more than 80% low producing indigenous animals are with small and marginal farmers and landless labourers.”

Question and answer: UPSC's official GS Paper I (2025, Series A) — paper ↗ · answer key ↗. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 30 Sept 2026 (how we verify). Permalink ·

Prelims 2025 · Q70

Medium

Consider the following statements about 'PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana':

I.It targets installation of one crore solar rooftop panels in the residential sector.
II.The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy aims to impart training on installation, operation, maintenance and repairs of solar rooftop systems at grassroot levels.
III.It aims to create more than three lakhs skilled manpower through fresh skilling, and up-skilling, under scheme component of capacity building.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Answer & explanation

Answer: (d) I, II and III

All three statements match the Ministry's own guidelines for the scheme. The programme aims at one crore residential rooftop solar installations, MNRE plans grass-root training in installing, operating, maintaining and repairing rooftop systems, and the capacity-building component targets more than 3 lakh skilled workers.

✓ I The first key objective of the programme is to achieve 1 crore rooftop solar system installations in the residential sector.
✓ II The Capacity Building guidelines say MNRE intends to train technicians, electricians, installers and others in installation, operation, maintenance and repair of rooftop solar systems at grass-root level.
✓ III The capacity-building component aims to create more than 3 lakh skilled workers through fresh skilling and up-skilling, of whom at least 1 lakh are to be solar PV technicians.

Remember · PM Surya Ghar (approved 29 Feb 2024): one crore rooftop solar installations in homes; capacity building targets 3 lakh+ skilled workers, at least 1 lakh solar PV technicians.