UPSC Prelims 2006 Q73: Indian Economy – Human Development, Poverty & Employment Schemes
Consider the following statements in respect of the National Rural Employment Guarantee
Act, 2005 :
1. Under the provisions of the Act, 100 days of employment in a year to every household whose
adult members volunteer to do unskilled manual work has become a fundamental right.
2. Under the provisions of the Act, women are to get priority to the extent that one - half of
persons who are given employment are women who have asked for work.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 only
- (c) Both 1 and 2
- (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Explanation
National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005
| Statement | Verdict | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| 1. 100 days of employment per household is a fundamental right | False | It is a statutory (legal) entitlement under the Act, not a Fundamental Right |
| 2. One-half of those employed must be women | False | The Act provides that at least one-third of the beneficiaries must be women |
Both statements are incorrect.
Answer: (d) Neither 1 nor 2.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Statement 1 is false; the guarantee is statutory, not a Fundamental Right.
- (b) Incorrect. Statement 2 is false; the Act reserves one-third, not one-half, for women.
- (c) Incorrect. Neither statement is correct.
- (d) CORRECT. The 100-day guarantee is a statutory right and women's share is one-third.
Key point
NREGA gives a statutory 100-day employment guarantee, not a Fundamental Right, and reserves one-third (not one-half) of the work for women.
Remember
NREGA is statutory, not a Fundamental Right; women get one-third.
Common mistakes
- Calling any legal guarantee a Fundamental Right.
- Remembering the women's share as 50% instead of one-third.
- Confusing NREGA with the Right to Education provision.
Exam tip
NREGA: 100 days, statutory entitlement, one-third women.
Sources
- National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005, Section 3 (100 days of guaranteed employment) and Schedule II (participation of women)
- Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India — Mahatma Gandhi NREGA Operational Guidelines