Importance of Studying Schemes for UPSC CSE

Studying government schemes is crucial for UPSC CSE preparation, especially for General Studies Paper II (Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice) and General Studies Paper II (Economic Development). Government schemes often form the foundation of many policies and initiatives aimed at addressing various issues like poverty alleviation, education, healthcare, economic development, and environmental sustainability.

Here’s why studying schemes is essential for UPSC CSE:

Understanding Government Policies:

• Schemes reflect the government’s priorities in various sectors such as social justice, environment, health, education, and infrastructure development.
• Understanding these schemes helps candidates in answering questions related to policy-making and implementation.

Current Affairs Relevance:

• UPSC CSE, especially the Prelims, has a significant focus on current affairs, and government schemes are an important part of this.
• Newly launched schemes or changes in existing ones can appear in questions.
• Candidates must be aware of their objectives, implementation, and funding.

Governance and Accountability:

• Government schemes are designed to address the needs of the population. How well these schemes are implemented and their impact on society are important in the context of governance.
• In the Mains exam, questions related to governance often ask about the effectiveness, challenges, and recommendations for improving the schemes.

Program Evaluation:

• UPSC might ask questions that assess the effectiveness or failure of various schemes.
• Candidates must be prepared to discuss policy impacts, beneficiaries, and areas of improvement.
• Knowing the intricacies of each scheme helps in analyzing and evaluating them critically.

Difference Between Centrally Sponsored and Central Sector Schemes

• Understanding the difference between Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) and Central Sector Schemes (CSS) is very important for UPSC CSE as these schemes form a significant part of India’s governance and fiscal policy.

Central Sector Schemes (CSS):

Funding: These schemes are fully funded by the Central Government.

Implementation: The Central Government is responsible for the implementation and execution of these schemes.

Examples:

• Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY)
• Make in India
• Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM)

Key Feature:

• These schemes are under the direct control of the Central Government, and State Governments do not have to contribute financially to these schemes.
• Centrally Sponsored Schemes:
• Funding: These schemes are funded jointly by the Central Government and State Governments. The Central Government provides part of the funding, while the State Governments contribute the rest.
• Implementation: These schemes are implemented by State Governments with the financial support of the Central Government.

Examples:

• National Health Mission (NHM)
• Mid-Day Meal Scheme (MDM)
• Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY)

Key Feature:

• These schemes are designed to be more flexible and context-specific according to the needs of different states.
• The funding ratio for these schemes varies, with the Central Government typically contributing a higher share in poorer states.

Key Differences in Summary:

Previous Year Questions in UPSC CSE (Prelims and Mains)

Prelims Questions (Multiple Choice):

1.Consider the following statements regarding the Swachh Bharat Mission:

1. It aims to eliminate open defecation by promoting the construction of toilets.
2. It is a Central Sector Scheme, fully funded by the Central Government.
3. It focuses on both rural and urban areas.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

• a) 1 and 2 only
• b) 2 and 3 only
• c) 1 and 3 only
• d) 1, 2, and 3

Answer: c) 1 and 3 only

2. Which of the following is/are Centrally Sponsored Schemes?
   • a) National Health Mission
   • b) Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana
   • c) Mid-Day Meal Scheme
   • d) Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT)

Answer: a) National Health Mission, c) Mid-Day Meal Scheme

3. Consider the following statements regarding Centrally Sponsored Schemes:
   1. These schemes are implemented by State Governments.
   2. They are funded entirely by the Central Government.
   3. These schemes are typically targeted at specific needs of states.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

• a) 1 and 3 only
• b) 1 and 2 only
• c) 2 and 3 only
• d) 1, 2, and 3

Answer: a) 1 and 3 only

Mains Questions (Descriptive):

1. “The effectiveness of the Mid-Day Meal Scheme in improving the nutritional status of children in India.” Discuss the challenges and suggest improvements.
2. “Centrally Sponsored Schemes have become a significant part of India’s federal governance structure.” Analyze the advantages and challenges of these schemes in improving the social indicators across states.
3. “A healthy population is critical for the nation’s progress.” Evaluate the role of National Health Mission (NHM) in improving healthcare access in rural and urban areas.
4. “Government schemes like Swachh Bharat Mission have played a significant role in improving sanitation in India.” Discuss its achievements and the roadblocks to its complete success.

Conclusion

Studying government schemes and understanding their difference—whether Central Sector Schemes or Centrally Sponsored Schemes—is an essential part of UPSC CSE preparation, especially for General Studies papers on Governance and Economic Development. These schemes are not only vital for understanding India’s governance structure but also form a basis for evaluating policy effectiveness.

By staying updated on the latest schemes and understanding their objectives, implementation strategies, and challenges, candidates can effectively answer questions in both Prelims and Mains and demonstrate their in-depth understanding of governance and public administration.