RAS question
PMDDKY was announced in which Union Budget?
Correct answer: (B) Union Budget 2025-26.
Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana was announced in the Union Budget 2025-26.
Explanation
Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana, or PMDDKY, was announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the Union Budget 2025-26 on 1 February 2025. The PIB release later confirms this budget link by saying the scheme is in pursuance of the Budget announcement for 2025-26 to develop 100 districts under the programme. PMDDKY matters because it is designed for 100 districts and focuses on agriculture and allied sectors, with aims such as improving agricultural productivity, crop diversification, sustainable practices, post-harvest storage, irrigation facilities, and credit availability. Therefore, among the listed Union Budgets, 2025-26 is the only option supported by the announcement date and the official PIB release.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) Union Budget 2024-25 is wrong because PMDDKY was announced on 1 February 2025, and the PIB release ties PMDDKY to the Budget announcement for 2025-26.
- (C) Union Budget 2023-24 is wrong because PMDDKY is linked with the 2025-26 Budget announcement, not that earlier budget year.
- (D) Union Budget 2026-27 is wrong because the official PIB release links the scheme to the 2025-26 Budget announcement and describes implementation beginning with 2025-26.
Concept
This tests Union Budget-linked government schemes in Indian Economy. RAS often asks such scheme-year linkages because they connect current policy announcements with agriculture, rural development, and budget priorities.