RAS question
Consider the following statements about the Divya Bharat anthology launched by NITI Aayog on April 17, 2026: 1. It was released by NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Suman Bery in New Delhi. 2. It catalogues approximately 2,100 tourism destinations and 1,200 cultural listings. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Correct answer: (A) Both 1 and 2.
NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Suman Bery released the Divya Bharat anthology in New Delhi on 17 April 2026, and the anthology catalogues about 2,100 tourism destinations and 1,200 cultural listings.
Explanation
Both statements are correct because the launch detail and the catalogue detail point in the same direction. The PIB release says NITI Aayog launched Divya Bharat: A Window to the Soul of India on 17 April 2026 and that it was released by Suman Bery, Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog. The anthology contains approximately 2,100 tourism destinations and 1,200 cultural listings, together forming about 3,000 curated entries. Its structure also matters: it uses a monthly travel calendar and State-wise chapters, while the PIB note describes it as a structured companion for exploring India's tourism landscape through destinations, heritage sites, cultural traditions, festivals, cuisines and lesser-known places.
Why the other options are wrong
- (B) It accepts the release by Suman Bery but wrongly rejects the catalogue figures of about 2,100 tourism destinations and 1,200 cultural listings.
- (C) It accepts the catalogue figures but wrongly denies that Suman Bery, Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog, released the anthology.
- (D) It is wrong because both the launch statement and the catalogue-count statement are correct.
Concept
This tests current governance initiatives connected with tourism, culture and institutional releases by NITI Aayog. RAS asks such items because state services require precise recall of official schemes, documents and launch facts, not just broad awareness.