RAS question
Namami Gange Programme was launched in:
Correct answer: (B) 2014.
The Namami Gange Programme was launched in June 2014 to rejuvenate the River Ganga and its tributaries.
Explanation
Namami Gange is a June 2014 launch, not a later clean-up label. The PIB note from the Ministry of Jal Shakti states that the programme was launched in June 2014 to rejuvenate the River Ganga and its tributaries, and that it was later extended up to 31 March 2026. The exam-relevant institutional frame is that it was launched as a flagship programme with a budget of Rs. 20,000 crore and is implemented by the National Mission for Clean Ganga under the Ministry of Jal Shakti. That makes 2014 the only option aligned with both the launch date and the official programme identity.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) 2012 is too early, because the Press Information Bureau, Government of India - Ministry of Jal Shakti identifies the programme as a June 2014 launch.
- (C) 2010 belongs to the earlier NGRBA period noted in the question data, whereas Namami Gange itself was launched in June 2014.
- (D) 2016 is too late; by then Namami Gange had already been launched in June 2014 and was being implemented under the same programme identity.
Concept
This tests the Science and Technology/environment governance habit of linking flagship river-rejuvenation programmes with their launch year, implementing body and ministry. It recurs in RAS because scheme chronology is often used to separate similar-looking government initiatives.