RAS question
Under PMGSY-IV approved for the period 2024-25 to 2028-29, what is the approximate total financial outlay earmarked for the programme?
Correct answer: (D) ₹70,000 crore (over ₹70,125 crore).
PMGSY-IV, approved for FY 2024-25 to 2028-29, has a total financial outlay of ₹70,125 crore.
Explanation
The Union Cabinet approved PMGSY-IV for FY 2024-25 to 2028-29 with a total outlay of ₹70,125 crore, so the closest option is the one stating more than ₹70,000 crore. This outlay is tied to financial assistance for constructing 62,500 km of all-weather roads to provide new connectivity to eligible 25,000 unconnected habitations, along with bridges on new connectivity roads. The existing FY 2025-26 allocation of about ₹19,000 crore is a year-specific allocation, not the programme's total approved outlay. For the MCQ, the decisive phrase is the Cabinet-approved scheme outlay, not the annual allocation or a rounded lower estimate.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) ₹25,000 crore confuses the number of unconnected habitations, 25,000, with the financial outlay and is far below the approved ₹70,125 crore.
- (B) ₹40,000 crore is not the Cabinet-approved PMGSY-IV outlay and understates the official total by a large margin.
- (C) ₹1,25,000 crore is higher than the approved scheme outlay and is not supported by the Cabinet approval cited for PMGSY-IV.
Concept
This tests central government rural infrastructure schemes, especially the ability to distinguish a scheme's total approved outlay from annual allocations and physical targets. RAS often asks such figures because Rajasthan Economy and Indian Economy questions track flagship schemes through Cabinet approvals and budget-linked facts.