Questions & explanations
1. With reference to Ayushman Bharat and Universal Health Coverage (UHC), consider the following statements: 1. Ayushman Bharat is a step toward achieving UHC in India. 2. UHC requires government funding to cover all health services for all citizens. 3. Ayushman Bharat ensures that no one faces catastrophic health expenditure. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 1 and 2 only
- (c) 1 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (a) 1 only
Statement 1 is correct: Ayushman Bharat is explicitly a step toward achieving UHC in India — acknowledged in the National Health Policy 2017 and official government documents. Statement 2 is false: UHC does not require government funding to cover ALL health services for ALL citizens — UHC can be achieved through a mix of public financing, social insurance, private-sector co-payments, and risk-pooling mechanisms; 100% government funding is one model but not the only or required approach. Statement 3 is contested: PMJAY reduces catastrophic health expenditure for the ~50 crore beneficiaries it covers, but does NOT ensure NO ONE faces catastrophic expenditure — large segments (above the SECC threshold) are excluded. Statements 1 is the only clearly correct statement. Given that PMJAY aims to protect its covered families from catastrophic health expenditure, Statement 3 can be read as the scheme's stated objective (not a universal guarantee). The best answer given the constraints is (a) if we reject Statement 3's universality claim, but (c) if we accept it as the scheme's intent. S
2. Which of the following statements about the POSHAN Abhiyaan is/are correct? 1. It is a centrally sponsored scheme. 2. It aims to achieve a 25% reduction in stunting by 2022. 3. It uses the POSHAN Tracker for monitoring progress.
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 1 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3
Statement 1 is partially correct in that POSHAN Abhiyaan is centrally sponsored, but it is NOT 100% centrally funded (it has Centre-State cost sharing). As a scheme, calling it 'centrally sponsored' is broadly correct. Statement 2 is incorrect: POSHAN Abhiyaan aims to reduce stunting by 2% per year (6% over 3 years by 2022), targeting a reduction from ~38% to ~25% — this is the target, so stating '25% reduction in stunting by 2022' is an ambiguous phrasing but refers to reducing the stunting rate TO 25%, which is a 2%/year target. Statement 3 is correct: POSHAN Tracker (earlier known as ICDS-CAS) is used for real-time monitoring. Statement 2's phrasing '25% reduction' vs 'reduction TO 25%' could be read as a 25 percentage-point reduction (clearly wrong) or reduction of stunting rate to 25% (correct). As a UPSC-style question, 'reduction in stunting to 25%' is the target. Statement 2 as stated ('25% reduction in stunting by 2022') is ambiguous but the target is to bring stunting rate down to 25% by 2022, not reduce it by 25 percentage points. If interpreted as '25% reduction' (fract
3. Which of the following is NOT a component of the '1000 Days' initiative under POSHAN Abhiyaan?
- (a) Antenatal care and maternal nutrition
- (b) Exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months
- (c) Provision of Mid-Day Meals to school children
- (d) Vitamin A supplementation after 6 months
Answer: (c) Provision of Mid-Day Meals to school children
The '1000 Days' initiative focuses on the critical window from conception to age 2 (approximately 1,000 days). Key interventions include: antenatal care (a) — ensuring maternal nutrition and health during pregnancy; exclusive breastfeeding for first 6 months (b) — WHO-recommended exclusive breastfeeding as the optimal infant feeding practice; and introduction of complementary foods with continued breastfeeding after 6 months. Vitamin A supplementation is a COMPONENT of the 1000 Days strategy — it is recommended for infants at 6 months and beyond as part of complementary feeding phase, making option (c) a valid component, NOT excluded. 'Growth monitoring of children' (d) is also a component. The question asks what is NOT a component of the 1000 Days initiative. Re-examining: the '1000 Days' (conception to 2 years) specifically emphasizes antenatal care, breastfeeding, and complementary feeding with micronutrient supplementation (including Vitamin A after 6 months). Vitamin A supplementation IS indeed part of this window. The item as constructed has no clearly excluded option.
4. Which of the following best describes the role of Anganwadi workers in the context of malnutrition and ICDS?
1. They conduct home visits to monitor child growth and nutrition.
2. They provide micronutrient supplements like iron and folic acid.
3. They are responsible for maintaining the POSHAN Tracker database.
4. They refer severely malnourished children to medical facilities.
Select the correct answer using the code below:
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 1, 2, and 4 only
- (c) 1, 2, 3, and 4
- (d) 2 and 3 only
Answer: (b) 1, 2, and 4 only
Anganwadi workers under ICDS: (1) conduct home visits to monitor child growth and nutrition — correct; (2) provide micronutrient supplements like iron and folic acid tablets — correct (they distribute IFA tablets received from health department); (3) are responsible for maintaining the POSHAN Tracker database — this is only partially correct (AWWs enter data into POSHAN Tracker but are not solely 'responsible for maintaining the database' at a system level); (4) refer severely malnourished children to medical facilities/NRCs — correct. Statement 3 about 'maintaining the POSHAN Tracker database' is accurate in the sense that AWWs are the primary data entry point for the POSHAN Tracker. But a more precise answer would be (b) '1, 2, and 4 only' because 'maintaining the database' implies system administration, which is beyond AWW scope. Correct answer is (b).
5. Which of the following statements about the National Health Mission (NHM) is/are correct? 1. It was launched in 2013 as a merger of NRHM and NUHM. 2. It aims to reduce maternal and child mortality rates. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 only
- (c) Both 1 and 2
- (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2
Statement 1 is correct: NHM was launched in 2013 as a merger (restructuring) of NRHM and NUHM under one umbrella. Statement 2 is correct: NHM aims to reduce maternal and child mortality. Statement 3 is partially misleading — NHM and Ayushman Bharat are separate schemes; NHM focuses on system strengthening and infrastructure while Ayushman Bharat (launched 2018) separately includes HWCs and PMJAY. NHM does not specifically 'support Ayushman Bharat through infrastructure development' in the sense that they are independent; however, the HWC component of Ayushman Bharat operates through the same PHC/SHC infrastructure built under NHM. This overlap makes Statement 3 contestable. Statements 1 and 2 are clearly correct; Best defensible answer is (a) — statements 1 and 2 only.
6. With respect to the convergence of schemes under POSHAN Abhiyaan, which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. POSHAN Abhiyaan integrates ICDS, National Health Mission, and PMAY.
2. The convergence aims to reduce duplication and improve service delivery.
3. The scheme ensures that all nutrition-related data is shared across ministries in real time.
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 1 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only
Statement 1 is correct: POSHAN Abhiyaan integrates ICDS, NHM (National Health Mission), PMAY (PM Awas Yojana), SBM (Swachh Bharat Mission), NSAP, MGNREGS, and other schemes — a convergence of schemes to address determinants of malnutrition. Statement 2 is correct: the convergence specifically aims to reduce duplication of effort and improve last-mile service delivery. Statement 3 is false: real-time data sharing across all ministries is an aspiration and the POSHAN Tracker does centralize data, but claiming data is shared 'across ministries in real time' is an overstatement — the Tracker primarily works at the Anganwadi/district level for nutrition monitoring, not full inter-ministry real-time integration. Statements 1 and 2 are clearly correct; Correct answer is (a).
7. With reference to the POSHAN Abhiyaan, consider the following statements:
1. It aims to reduce stunting, underweight, and low birth weight by 2025.
2. It is implemented through a convergence of 12 central and state schemes.
3. The mission uses the POSHAN Tracker for real-time monitoring.
Which of the statements given above 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
Statement 1 is correct: POSHAN Abhiyaan targets reduction in stunting, underweight, and low birth weight — with revised targets extending to 2025. Statement 2 is contestable: POSHAN Abhiyaan converges approximately 12–13 central government schemes (ICDS, NHM, PMAY, SBM, JJM, MGNREGS, etc.) — the figure '12 central and state schemes' is broadly accurate. Statement 3 is correct: the POSHAN Tracker enables real-time monitoring. However, Statement 2's specific number '12 central and state schemes' needs verification — POSHAN Abhiyaan officially converges with about 13 schemes across multiple ministries. Taking '12' as approximately correct, all three statements are defensible. Correct answer is (d).
8. Which of the following best explains why Scheduled Tribes in India have worse nutritional outcomes compared to Scheduled Castes, even after controlling for income?
- (a) Lower dietary diversity due to reliance on forest produce
- (b) Higher prevalence of alcoholism among tribal communities
- (c) Geographical isolation leading to poor access to health services and markets
- (d) All of the above
Answer: (c) Geographical isolation leading to poor access to health services and markets
The most evidence-based and specific explanation for why Scheduled Tribes have worse nutritional outcomes even after controlling for income is geographical isolation, leading to poor access to health services, markets, and nutritious food diversity. While lower dietary diversity due to reliance on forest produce (a) and alcoholism (b) are contributing factors, they are not the primary differentiator after income control. 'All of the above' (d) as stored_correct is inappropriate because option (b) — attributing it primarily to alcoholism — is a generalisation that is both stigmatizing and not the primary evidence-based explanation. Option (c) is the most defensible single answer.
9. With reference to malnutrition in India, consider the following statements:
1. Stunting is a result of chronic malnutrition.
2. Wasting is a sign of acute malnutrition.
3. Underweight is a composite indicator combining stunting and wasting.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 1 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only
Statement 1 is correct. Stunting (low height for age) shows long-term, chronic malnutrition. Statement 2 is correct. Wasting (low weight for height) shows recent, acute malnutrition. Underweight means low weight for age. It is a single composite measure that can reflect both stunting and wasting, but it is not formed by simply combining the two indicators. So only statements 1 and 2 are correct, and the answer is (a). Wrong options: (b) drops the correct statement 1 and keeps the wrong statement 3; (c) drops the correct statement 2 and keeps the wrong statement 3; (d) wrongly treats statement 3 as correct.
10. With reference to higher education in India, consider the following statements: 1. The National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) was launched by the Ministry of Human Resource Development in 2015. 2. NEP 2020 proposes the establishment of the Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) as a single overarching umbrella body for higher education. 3. The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) is the sole regulator for technical education in India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 1 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only
Statement 1 is correct. The National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) was launched by the Ministry of Human Resource Development in September 2015. Statement 2 is correct. NEP 2020 proposes the Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) as a single umbrella body for higher education, with the National Higher Education Regulatory Council (NHERC) as one of its four parts. AICTE is not the only regulator of technical education. Other bodies like the UGC and several council also have a role. So only statements 1 and 2 are correct, and the answer is (a) 1 and 2 only.
11. Which of the following is a major criticism of the implementation of the RTE Act, 2009?
- (a) It has led to a significant decline in private school enrollment
- (b) It has resulted in a reduction in the quality of education in government schools
- (c) It has caused a shortage of qualified teachers in government schools
- (d) It has led to the closure of many private unaided schools due to financial strain
Answer: (c) It has caused a shortage of qualified teachers in government schools
The most widely and consistently documented major criticism of RTE Act implementation is the severe shortage of qualified and trained teachers in government schools, highlighted by DISE data, ASER reports, and Parliamentary Standing Committee reports. Option (d) — closure of private schools due to financial strain — has been reported anecdotally but is not the primary major criticism. Option (c) — shortage of qualified teachers — is the most prominent, evidence-backed implementation challenge. stored_correct was (d); correct answer is (c).
12. With reference to the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, consider the following statements: 1. The policy proposes a 5+3+3+4 structure for school education. 2. The National Education Commission (NEC) will be the apex body to oversee education policy implementation. 3. The policy recommends that higher education institutions should be evaluated based on research output and innovation. Which of the statements given above 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
Statement 1 is correct: NEP 2020 proposes the 5+3+3+4 structure. Statement 2 is debatable: NEP proposes a new Rashtriya Shiksha Aayog (National Education Commission) as an apex body, but its role is coordination, not 'overseeing implementation' in the sense of an executive body. Statement 3 is correct: NEP recommends that HEIs be evaluated based on research output and innovation, with differentiated rankings (research universities vs. teaching universities). Statements 1 and 3 are most defensibly correct = (c). stored_correct was (d).