Relevance for Banking, SSC & RBI Grade B exams: Polity & Governance
Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar recently criticized the Union government’s decision to rename the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) to the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025, questioning the rationale behind removing Mahatma Gandhi’s name from the flagship welfare program. Speaking at a Gandhi Jayanti event in Bengaluru, Shivakumar highlighted that Gandhi’s global legacy was honored by the UN, yet his name was stripped from a scheme aimed at rural employment, calling the move perplexing. He stressed the need for a broader discussion on the ideological shift, asserting that his government aligns with Gandhian principles, while also honoring addiction-free villages under the Gandhi Seva Award-2026. The controversy underscores the political and ideological dimensions of governance, a key topic for aspirants preparing for exams like RBI Grade B and SSC, where questions on constitutional schemes, federalism, and socio-economic policies often feature prominently.
The incident also reflects the broader debate on cultural symbolism in public policies, which is relevant for Banking and SSC exams where current affairs questions frequently test awareness of government schemes, their objectives, and political narratives. For instance, MGNREGS, a constitutional guarantee under Article 22 of the Directive Principles, has been a focal point in past examinations due to its impact on rural employment and poverty alleviation. The renaming debate ties into themes of governance, federal relations, and the role of historical figures in policy branding—concepts that are often tested in descriptive papers of RBI Grade B and SSC CGL. Additionally, the emphasis on Gandhian values and social welfare initiatives aligns with the syllabus’s focus on India’s socio-economic development, making it a pertinent case study for aspirants aiming to tackle polity and governance questions effectively.
Source: The Hindu
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