What is the purpose of 'Vidyanjali Yojana' ? 1. To enable the famous foreign educational institutions to open their campuses in India. 2. To increase the quality of education provided in government schools by taking help from the private sector and the community. 3. To encourage voluntary monetary contributions from private individuals and organizations so as to improve the infrastructure facilities for primary and secondary schools. Select the correct answer using the code given below :
- (a) 2 only ✓ UPSC's answer
- (b) 3 only
- (c) 1 and 2 only
- (d) 2 and 3 only
Why the answer is (a)
• Vidyanjali (2016; relaunched 2021) is a school volunteer programme of the Ministry of Education that invites private-sector professionals, retired teachers, NRIs and community members to volunteer in government schools — teaching, mentoring and supporting co-scholastic activities — to improve quality (statement 2).
• It is not about foreign campuses (1); and while Vidyanjali 2.0 also allows contribution of assets, its purpose is not primarily monetary donation for infrastructure (3), per the official key.
• Hence 2 only, option (a).
Why the other options are wrong
- (b) 3 only
- Monetary contribution is not the scheme's purpose per the key.
- (c) 1 and 2 only
- Foreign campuses are unrelated to Vidyanjali.
- (d) 2 and 3 only
- Statement 3 is not the purpose per the key.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2017, held on 18 June 2017. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.