Relevance for Banking, SSC & RBI Grade B exams: Polity & Governance
The Union Cabinet’s approval of ₹53,428 crore for the revamped National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP), renamed as the ‘Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana’, holds significant relevance for banking and financial services aspirants preparing for exams like Bank PO, IBPS, SBI, RBI Grade B, and SSC. The scheme’s expansion, particularly the revision of disability pension norms—lowering the benchmark disability requirement from 80% to 40% and removing the minimum age criterion—aligns with constitutional directives under Article 41, emphasizing social security as a state responsibility. For banking exams, understanding such welfare schemes is crucial as they reflect government priorities in financial inclusion and social sector spending, often tested in sections on economic policies, budget allocations, and constitutional provisions. RBI Grade B aspirants, in particular, may encounter questions linking these reforms to broader macroeconomic goals like poverty alleviation and inclusive growth, while SSC candidates could face questions on the scheme’s beneficiaries, eligibility criteria, or its impact on fiscal policy.
The renaming of existing pension schemes—such as the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme to ‘Pradhan Mantri Vridhavastha Pension Yojana’—and the introduction of the ‘Pradhan Mantri Divyangjan Pension Yojana’ for persons with disabilities underscore the government’s commitment to aligning welfare policies with contemporary legal frameworks, including the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. This shift is particularly relevant for aspirants targeting RBI Grade B and SSC exams, where questions on social sector reforms, disability rights, and pension schemes are common. The scheme’s 100% central funding model ensures uniform support across states, a point that may be tested in exams focusing on federalism, fiscal federalism, or the role of the central government in social welfare. Additionally, the increased monthly assistance for elderly disabled individuals (₹625 for those above 80) and the broader eligibility criteria could be linked to broader themes of demographic dividend, aging population, and social security challenges in India, making this a key topic for current affairs preparation.
Source: The Hindu
Generated by AanyaAi for educational purpose.
2 comments on “Cabinet approves ₹53,428 crore for PM Samajik Sahayata Yojana: Key changes for exams”