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Predicted Questions with Model Answers
Q1 (5 marks — 50 words): Write a short note on Mukhyamantri Ayushman Arogya (MAA) Yojana.
Answer (EN): Mukhyamantri Ayushman Arogya (MAA) Yojana provides ₹25 lakh cashless health cover per family per year (₹5 lakh insurance + ₹20 lakh trust mode) to 1.33 crore registered families in Rajasthan. It covers 1,819 treatment packages including 73 cancer day-care packages. Budget: ₹2,500 crore (2024-25). It is the renamed and enhanced successor to the Chiranjeevi Swasthya Bima Yojana.
Q2 (5 marks — 50 words): What is Palanhar Yojana? Mention its benefit structure.
Answer (EN): Palanhar Yojana is Rajasthan's cash transfer scheme for children in difficult circumstances — orphans, children of incarcerated/leprosy/HIV-affected parents, etc. Orphans (0–6 yrs): ₹1,500/month; (6–18 yrs): ₹2,500/month. Others: ₹750 and ₹1,500 respectively + ₹2,000 annual lump sum. In 2024-25, 6.15 lakh children benefited; ₹861.37 crore expended.
Q3 (5 marks — 50 words): Write a short note on Shri Annapurna Rasoi Yojana.
Answer (EN): Shri Annapurna Rasoi Yojana (renamed from Indira Rasoi in December 2023) serves nutritious meals at ₹8/plate across 1,000 rasois in 240 urban bodies; state subsidises ₹22/plate. Annual expenditure: ₹250 crore; 9.21 crore plates/year. Rural extension launched 6 January 2024 with 984 rasois operated by Rajivika SHG women.
Q4 (10 marks — 150 words): Describe the significance of ERCP (Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project) for Rajasthan. What is its current status?
Answer (EN): The Modified Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal (integrated ERCP) is Rajasthan's most ambitious water infrastructure project. It proposes transferring surplus monsoon runoff from the Kunu, Kul, Parbati, Kalisindh and Mej sub-basins (Chambal tributaries in eastern Rajasthan) to the water-scarce Banas, Morel, Banganga, Gambhiri and Parvati basins.
Significance: (1) Drinking water to 17 districts benefiting approximately 3.25 crore people; (2) Irrigation of 2,51,000 hectares of new farmland and supplemental irrigation for 1,52,000 hectares; (3) Industrial water supply to stimulate economic growth in eastern Rajasthan districts; (4) Reduces groundwater depletion in over-exploited aquifers.
Status: The Union Cabinet declared ERCP a national project in 2024, making it eligible for central funding beyond state resources. Budget provision 2024-25: ₹5,803.75 crore (for irrigation sector). This declaration resolved years of political deadlock between the state and centre.
Challenge: Inter-state water sharing issues with Madhya Pradesh (which also lies in the Chambal basin) require resolution through the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act framework.
Q5 (10 marks — 150 words): Explain the role of Jan Aadhaar in Rajasthan's welfare delivery system. How does it ensure direct benefit transfer?
Answer (EN): Jan Aadhaar ("One Number, One Card, One Identity") is Rajasthan's integrated family digital identity platform launched to streamline welfare delivery and eliminate leakages.
Scale: Enrolled 97%+ of the state's projected population in a comprehensive family directory. A 10-digit family identification number is issued; a woman above 18 is mandatorily the family head — embedding women's empowerment structurally.
Welfare integration: 175+ schemes and services integrated; ₹78,300 crore in Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) facilitated through 184 crore+ transactions. Integration covers food security (ration entitlements), health (MAA Yojana enrollment), scholarships, employment (MGNREGS wage payment), and pensions.
Anti-duplication: Integration with Aadhaar, voter ID, PAN, and Pehchan portal (birth/death registration) enables de-duplication. Fake beneficiaries can be identified and removed.
Financial inclusion: Jan Aadhaar DBT portal can deliver cash benefits directly to bank accounts. For mobile-based access, wallets like Paytm and M-Pesa are integrated. DBT transactions have saved significant resources by eliminating ghost beneficiaries.
Grievance linkage: Rajasthan Sampark (181), Jan Soochna Portal, and Jansunwai are accessible via Jan Aadhaar — creating a closed loop of service delivery, complaint, and redressal.
Q6 (5 marks — 50 words): What is International Yoga Day? Explain Rajasthan's role in its observance.
Answer (EN): International Yoga Day, observed annually on 21 June, was established by UN resolution (December 2014) following India's proposal under PM Modi with 177 co-sponsoring nations. Rajasthan observes mass yoga sessions at heritage monuments (Amber Fort, Jantar Mantar, Chittorgarh), government schools, and Anganwadis. 2,019 dispensaries transformed into Ayushman Arogya Mandirs provide regular yoga services in Rajasthan.