Question

Arrange these major rural development programmes launched in India chronologically starting from the latest to the earliest:
(A) SFDA
(B) IRDP
(C) RLEGP
(D) PMGSY
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

• A. (D), (C), (A), (B).
• B. (D), (C), (B), (A).
• C. (C), (D), (A), (B).
• D. (C), (D), (B), (A).

Hint:

- PMGSY was launched by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in late 2000, making it the latest program in this list.
- SFDA was one of the earliest targeted smallholder agricultural credit programs, launched in 1971.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This chronological question covers key rural development, asset creation, and poverty alleviation programs launched by the Government of India.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us establish the launch years for each program:
- (D) PMGSY (Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana):
Launched on December 25, 2000, as a nationwide plan to provide all-weather road connectivity to unconnected rural habitations.
- (C) RLEGP (Rural Landless Employment Guarantee Programme):
Launched on August 15, 1983, during the Sixth Five-Year Plan to guarantee employment for landless rural households.
- (B) IRDP (Integrated Rural Development Programme):
Launched in selected blocks in 1978 and expanded nationwide on October 2, 1980. It provided self-employment opportunities to the rural poor.
- (A) SFDA (Small Farmers Development Agency):
Launched in 1971 during the Fourth Five-Year Plan, following recommendations from the All-India Rural Credit Review Committee, to provide credit and inputs to small and marginal farmers.
We need to arrange these programs from the latest to the earliest:
1. PMGSY (2000) $\rightarrow$ (D)
2. RLEGP (1983) $\rightarrow$ (C)
3. IRDP (1980/1978) $\rightarrow$ (B)
4. SFDA (1971) $\rightarrow$ (A)
This yields the sequence: (D), (C), (B), (A).

Step 3: Final Answer:
The correct option is (B).