Question 74 from UPSC CSE 2017 - Current
Affairs

Question

What is the aim of the programme 'Unnat Bharat Abhiyan'?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: B. Connecting institutions of higher education with local communities to address development challenges through appropriate technologies.

Strategy: Identify the correct programme by focusing on the keywords 'Unnat Bharat Abhiyan' and its core mandate of linking higher education institutions with local communities for technology-driven rural development. Eliminate options that focus on literacy, scientific institutions, or general skill development without this specific linkage.

Key Info: Unnat Bharat Abhiyan (UBA) is a flagship initiative of the Ministry of Education (formerly MHRD) launched in 2014. Its primary goal is to bring transformational change in rural development by leveraging the knowledge base and expertise of higher educational institutions, including IITs, NITs, and central universities, to address rural challenges.

The programme seeks to identify challenges in rural areas, develop and implement appropriate technologies, and facilitate sustainable development through community engagement. UBA operates by ensuring each participating institute adopts clusters of villages, conducts baseline surveys to identify problems, and works collaboratively to find affordable, scalable, and technology-driven solutions relevant to rural India.

**Key focus areas include:**
- Sustainable agriculture
- Water management
- Renewable energy
- Artisanship
- Basic amenities
- Skill enhancement
- Improved governance

The programme serves as a platform for experiential learning for students and as a bridge between academic research and community needs, fostering innovation and practical problem-solving in rural contexts.

Answer

Option A: Achieving 100% literacy by promoting collaboration between voluntary organizations and government's education system and local communities.

Answer

Option C: Strengthening India's scientific research institutions in order to make India a scientific and technological power.

Answer

Option D: Developing human capital by allocating special funds for health care and education of rural and urban poor, and organizing skill development programmes and vocational training for them.