UPSC Prelims 2008 Q14: Indian Economy – Human Development, Poverty & Employment Schemes
Consider the following statements with reference to Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension
Scheme (IGNOAPS):
1. All persons of 60 years or above belonging to the households below poverty line in rural areas
are eligible.
2. The Central Assistance under this Scheme is at the rate of Rs 300 per month per beneficiary.
Under the Scheme, States have been urged to give matching amounts.
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
Checking two claims about the IGNOAPS scheme
The Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme has specific eligibility and funding rules, often misstated.
| Statement | Verdict | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| 1. All persons 60+ in rural BPL households are eligible | Incorrect | IGNOAPS covers BPL elderly in both rural AND urban areas, not rural only, so restricting eligibility to 'rural areas' is inaccurate |
| 2. Central assistance is Rs 300/month, with states urged to match | Incorrect | At the time, the central assistance rate was Rs 200/month (for the 60-79 age group), not Rs 300 — this overstates the actual figure |
Correcting both claims:
| Point | Correct detail |
|---|---|
| Coverage | Both rural and urban BPL elderly, not rural-only |
| Central assistance rate (at the time) | Rs 200/month, not Rs 300 |
Answer: (d) Neither 1 nor 2.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. IGNOAPS covers both rural and urban BPL elderly, so restricting to 'rural areas' is false.
- (b) Incorrect. The central assistance rate at the time was Rs 200, not Rs 300, so statement 2 is false.
- (c) Incorrect. Both statements contain inaccuracies, so 'both' cannot be correct.
- (d) CORRECT. Both the rural-only eligibility claim and the Rs 300 assistance figure are inaccurate.
Key point
IGNOAPS covers BOTH rural and urban BPL elderly (not rural-only), and at the time, the central assistance rate was Rs 200/month (not Rs 300) — both statements overstate or misstate the scheme's actual provisions.
Remember
IGNOAPS: covers both rural and urban BPL elderly (not rural-only); central assistance at the time was Rs 200/month, not Rs 300.
Common mistakes
- Assuming IGNOAPS is restricted to rural areas, missing urban BPL coverage.
- Overstating the central assistance amount, confusing it with later revised rates.
- Not verifying specific numeric claims about government scheme funding against the actual figures of the time.
Exam tip
IGNOAPS covers both rural AND urban BPL elderly — at the time, central assistance was Rs 200/month, not Rs 300.
Sources
- Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India — National Social Assistance Programme: Guidelines (Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme)
- Ministry of Rural Development — Annual Report 2007–08