Question 50 from UPSC CSE 2025 - Governme nt Schemes

Question

Consider the following statements about the Rashtriya Gokul Mission:
1. It is important for the upliftment of rural poor, as the majority of lowâproducing indigenous animals are with small and marginal farmers and landless labourers.
2. It was initiated to promote indigenous cattle and buffalo rearing and conservation in a scientific and holistic manner.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

IASCODEX · Accepted Answer

Correct Option: C. Both I and II

Strategy: Both statements are substantiated by the focus areas and objectives of the Rashtriya Gokul Mission. Statement 1 points to the Mission's social impact—addressing low productivity in indigenous cattle owned by rural poor, which aligns directly with official scheme documents. Statement 2 captures the Mission's scientific and holistic promotion of indigenous breeds. Confirmation that both match the scheme's real aims ensures both are correct.

Key Info: The Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM), launched in 2014 under the Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Government of India, is a flagship initiative for the conservation and development of indigenous bovine breeds.

- Key objectives include genetic upgradation, conservation, and sustainable breed improvement of native cattle and buffalo by integrating scientific methods such as advanced reproductive technologies (e.g., Artificial Insemination, IVF), and encouraging the use of high-genetic merit bulls. 
- The Mission is essential for rural upliftment because over 80% of low-yielding indigenous animals are owned by small and marginal farmers and landless laborers, making it a tool for income generation and poverty reduction at the grassroots level. 
- The RGM promotes breed conservation via Gokul Grams (integrated indigenous cattle development centers) and promotes the establishment of breeder societies and incentivizes farmers for maintaining pure breeds.
- The Mission's approach is holistic: it spans scientific breeding, genetic resource conservation, productivity enhancement, and animal welfare improvement, along with awareness campaigns to encourage scientific rearing of indigenous cattle and buffalo.
- The scheme aligns with the National Livestock Policy and addresses sustainable milk production for nutritional security, biodiversity conservation, and ecological balance.
- Examples of indigenous breeds promoted under RGM include Gir, Sahiwal, Rathi (cattle), and Murrah, Jaffarabadi (buffaloes).

IASCODEX · Answer

Option A: I only

IASCODEX · Answer

Option B: II only

IASCODEX · Answer

Option D: Neither I nor II