Question 43 from UPSC CSE 2017 - Current
Affairs

Question

Consider the following in respect of 'National Career Service':
1. National Career Service is an initiative of the Department of Personnel and Training, Government of India.
2. National Career Service has been launched in a Mission Mode to improve the employment opportunities to uneducated youth of the country.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?

IASCODEX · Accepted Answer

Correct Option: B. 2 only

Strategy: The strategy involves a two-step evaluation of the given statements:

*   **Evaluate Statement 1**: Assess the claim that the 'National Career Service' (NCS) is attributed to the 'Department of Personnel and Training'. Factually, NCS is an initiative of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, not DoPT. This renders Statement 1 incorrect and eliminates corresponding options.
*   **Evaluate Statement 2**: Consider the claim that NCS is for 'uneducated youth'. While NCS serves a broad demographic, it specifically includes and aims to improve opportunities for uneducated youth. Since the statement is not exclusive, it is considered correct in its inclusive sense.

Given Statement 1 is incorrect and Statement 2 is correct, the appropriate option is selected.

Key Info: ## National Career Service (NCS)

*   **Nodal Ministry** -- The National Career Service is a flagship initiative of the **Ministry of Labour and Employment**, Government of India. It is not managed by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT).
*   **Nature and Objective** -- Launched in 2015, NCS is a **Mission Mode Project** under the National e-Governance Plan (NeGP). It functions as a one-stop-solution providing a wide array of employment and career-related services. It is an ICT-based portal (www.ncs.gov.in) designed to connect job seekers, employers, counselors, and training providers.
*   **Target Beneficiaries** -- The services are open to all citizens of India. It caters to a diverse range of job seekers, including but not limited to youth (both educated and uneducated), women, persons with disabilities (PwDs), ex-servicemen, and veterans. The term 'uneducated youth' in the question refers to one of the many target groups, not the sole beneficiary group.
*   **Services Offered** -- The portal facilitates registration of job seekers, job providers, skill providers, and counselors. Its services include automated job matching, career counseling, vocational guidance, and providing information on skill development courses, apprenticeships, and internships.

## Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT)

*   **Jurisdiction** -- DoPT is the central personnel agency in India, operating under the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions. Its primary mandate is to regulate the service conditions of government employees and manage personnel policies.
*   **Key Functions** -- It handles matters concerning recruitment (through bodies like UPSC, SSC), training, career development, posting, promotion, and the welfare of Central Government staff. It does not manage public employment exchanges or general career services for the public, which is the role of the Ministry of Labour & Employment.

IASCODEX · Answer

Option A: 1 only

IASCODEX · Answer

Option C: Both 1 and 2

IASCODEX · Answer

Option D: Neither 1 nor 2