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UPSC Prelims 2026Question 74Government Schemes

Which of the following statements with respect to the Revamped Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) is/are correct ?
1. The period of its implementation is 1st April, 2021 to 31st March, 2026.
2. The key objective of the Revamped RGSA is to develop the governance capabilities of the Panchayati Raj Institutions to deliver on the Sustainable Development Goals.
3. The share of the Central funding for the Revamped RGSA is 100% for all States and Union Territories.
Select the answer using the code given below:

Options

  1. (a)1 and 2
  2. (b)2 only
  3. (c)1 and 3
  4. (d)2 and 3
Correct answer: b
Decision rule

Centrally sponsored schemes are never 100% Centre-funded for all States: general States share 60:40, North-Eastern and hilly States 90:10.

Explanation



Correct Answer

(b) 2 only


Explanation of the Correct Answer

Only Statement 2 is correct.

The Revamped Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj.

Its key objective is to develop governance capabilities of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) so that they can deliver effectively on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the grassroots level. The Union Cabinet approved the revamped RGSA for implementation from 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2026, not from 1 April 2021. (Press Information Bureau)

Therefore:

StatementVerdict
1. Implementation period is 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2026Incorrect
2. Objective is to develop governance capabilities of PRIs to deliver on SDGsCorrect
3. Central funding is 100% for all States and UTsIncorrect

Hence, the correct answer is (b) 2 only.


Why Other Options Are Incorrect

OptionCombinationVerdictReason
(a)1 and 2IncorrectStatement 2 is correct, but Statement 1 is incorrect because the implementation period is 2022–2026, not 2021–2026.
(b)2 onlyCorrectOnly Statement 2 is correct.
(c)1 and 3IncorrectBoth statements are incorrect. The period is not 2021–2026, and funding is not 100% for all States and UTs.
(d)2 and 3IncorrectStatement 2 is correct, but Statement 3 is incorrect because the funding pattern varies by category of State/UT.

Relevant Supplementary Information


Revamped RGSA: Key Features

FeatureDetails
Full NameRashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan
MinistryMinistry of Panchayati Raj
Type of SchemeCentrally Sponsored Scheme
Implementation Period1 April 2022 to 31 March 2026
Main ObjectiveCapacity building of Panchayati Raj Institutions
Focus AreaLocalisation of Sustainable Development Goals through Panchayats
CoverageAll States and Union Territories, including rural local bodies in non-Part IX areas
Total Outlay₹5,911 crore
Central Share₹3,700 crore
State Share₹2,211 crore

The PIB release states that the total financial outlay is ₹5,911 crore, with Central Share of ₹3,700 crore and State Share of ₹2,211 crore. (Press Information Bureau)


Funding Pattern of Revamped RGSA

Component / RegionFunding Pattern
Central Components100% funded by Government of India
General States60:40 between Centre and State
North-Eastern States, Hilly States and UT of Jammu & Kashmir90:10 between Centre and State/UT
Other Union Territories100% Central funding

The funding pattern shows that 100% central funding is not applicable to all States and UTs. It applies mainly to central components and certain UTs, while States generally follow 60:40 or 90:10 sharing patterns.

CategoryFunding Pattern
Central Components100% Central funding
General States60:40 between Centre and State
North-Eastern States90:10 between Centre and State
Hilly States90:10 between Centre and State
Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir90:10 between Centre and UT
Other Union Territories100% Central funding

Key Takeaways from the Tables

  • Revamped RGSA period = 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2026, not 2021–2026.
  • Main objective = improving PRI governance capacity for SDG delivery.
  • Funding is not 100% for all States and UTs.
  • General States follow 60:40 funding.
  • North-Eastern and hilly States generally follow 90:10 funding.
  • Certain Union Territories receive 100% Central funding.
PointExplanation
RGSA is about capacity buildingIt strengthens Panchayati Raj Institutions through training and institutional support.
Revamped RGSA period is 2022–2026The correct implementation period is 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2026.
It supports SDG localisationPanchayats are expected to help deliver development goals at the grassroots level.
Funding is not 100% for all StatesGeneral States follow 60:40 and North-Eastern/hilly States follow 90:10.
Panchayats are central to grassroots governanceSchemes like RGSA, GPDP, e-GramSwaraj and SVAMITVA strengthen local democracy and rural administration.

Context and Current Relevance

  • RGSA supports the localisation of SDGs through Panchayats.
  • It is important for strengthening grassroots democracy under Part IX of the Constitution.
  • The scheme links capacity building, Gram Panchayat planning, and rural governance reform.
  • Revamped RGSA is important for making Panchayats capable of delivering basic services, local planning and SDG-linked development.
  • It strengthens the constitutional vision of Panchayats as institutions of self-government under Part IX.
  • Its importance has increased with the focus on data-based governance, local planning and transparent fund utilisation.

Table: Important Panchayati Raj and Rural Governance Schemes

Scheme / InitiativeMinistry / AuthorityNatureMain ObjectiveKey Feature
Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA)Ministry of Panchayati RajCentrally Sponsored SchemeCapacity building of Panchayati Raj InstitutionsFocuses on governance capacity and localisation of SDGs
Revamped RGSAMinistry of Panchayati RajCentrally Sponsored SchemeStrengthening PRIs for SDG deliveryImplementation period: 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2026
Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP)Ministry of Panchayati RajPlanning initiativeParticipatory planning at Gram Panchayat levelPanchayats prepare local development plans
e-GramSwarajMinistry of Panchayati RajDigital governance platformImprove transparency in Panchayat planning and accountingIntegrates planning, budgeting, accounting and monitoring
SVAMITVA SchemeMinistry of Panchayati RajCentral Sector SchemeProperty cards for rural householdsUses drone survey to map village inhabited areas
Panchayat Development Index (PDI)Ministry of Panchayati RajPerformance measurement toolAssess development at Panchayat levelLinked with localisation of SDGs
Mission AntyodayaMinistry of Rural DevelopmentConvergence and monitoring frameworkIdentify gaps in rural developmentUses Gram Panchayat-level data
Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana (SAGY)Ministry of Rural DevelopmentVillage development initiativeDevelopment of model villagesLed by Members of Parliament
National Gram Swaraj AbhiyanMinistry of Panchayati RajCapacity-building frameworkStrengthening Panchayati Raj governanceEarlier framework before RGSA reforms
Finance Commission Grants to PanchayatsMinistry of Finance / State GovernmentsFiscal devolution mechanismStrengthen local bodies financiallyGrants for basic services and tied purposes

Table: Revamped RGSA at a Glance

ParameterDetails
Full NameRashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan
Revamped Version Approved For2022–2026
Implementation Period1 April 2022 to 31 March 2026
MinistryMinistry of Panchayati Raj
TypeCentrally Sponsored Scheme
Main Beneficiary InstitutionsPanchayati Raj Institutions
Core ObjectiveCapacity building and training of PRIs
Development LinkageLocalisation of Sustainable Development Goals
CoverageAll States and Union Territories
Main FocusGovernance capacity, training, planning, transparency and accountability

Table: Similar Rural Local Governance Concepts

ConceptMeaningImportance
Gram SabhaBody of all registered voters in a villageFoundation of direct democracy at village level
Gram PanchayatElected village-level local governmentExecutes local development functions
Panchayat SamitiIntermediate/block-level Panchayat bodyCoordinates between village and district level
Zila ParishadDistrict-level Panchayat bodyDistrict-level planning and supervision
GPDPGram Panchayat Development PlanLocal participatory planning
Localisation of SDGsAchieving SDGs through local institutionsMakes global goals relevant to village-level development
Social AuditCommunity-based verification of public works and expenditureStrengthens transparency and accountability
DevolutionTransfer of funds, functions and functionaries to local bodiesMakes Panchayats effective institutions of self-government
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