Concept:
Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana (PMMY) is a government scheme launched to provide financial support to small businesses and non-corporate entrepreneurs.
The word MUDRA stands for:
\[
\text{Micro Units Development and Refinance Agency}
\]
The scheme helps small business owners obtain loans without heavy collateral requirements.
Step 1: Understand the objective of PMMY.
The main aims of PMMY are:
• To support small entrepreneurs
• To encourage self-employment
• To provide loans to micro and small enterprises
• To promote economic growth and job creation
The scheme mainly benefits:
• Small shopkeepers
• Vendors
• Repair shops
• Artisans
• Small manufacturing units
Step 2: Identify the launch year.
The Government of India launched:
\[
\text{Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana}
\]
in the year:
\[
2015
\]
under the Ministry of Finance.
Step 3: Know the categories of MUDRA loans.
Loans under PMMY are divided into three categories:
• Shishu -- up to ₹50,000
• Kishor -- ₹50,000 to ₹5 lakh
• Tarun -- ₹5 lakh to ₹10 lakh
These categories support businesses at different growth stages.
Step 4: Eliminate incorrect options.
• 2012 -- Incorrect
• 2015 -- Correct
• 2017 -- Incorrect
• 2018 -- Incorrect
Step 5: Conclusion.
Hence, the correct answer is:
\[
\boxed{2015}
\]