Consider the following pairs : Programme/Project : Ministry 1. Drought-Prone Area Programme : Ministry of Agriculture 2. Desert Development Programme : Ministry of Environment and Forests 3. National Watershed Development Project for Rainfed Areas : Ministry of Rural Development Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?
A
1 and 2 only
B
3 only
C
1, 2 and 3
D
None
Correct answer
Explanation
Option (d) is correct because all three pairs are mismatched: the Drought-Prone Area Programme (DPAP) and Desert Development Programme (DDP) are implemented by the Ministry of Rural Development, while the National Watershed Development Project for Rainfed Areas (NWDPRA) falls under the Ministry of Agriculture. Candidates are often tempted to match DPAP and DDP with Agriculture or Environment due to their ecological nature, but these are specifically land-resource management schemes under the Department of Land Resources. The core concept tested is the administrative framework and nodal ministries responsible for major socio-economic and rural development programmes in India.
Government Schemes & MinistriesRural Development & Environmental ProgrammesDrought-Prone Area Programme (DPAP)Desert Development Programme (DDP)National Watershed Development Project for Rainfed Areas (NWDPRA)Ministry of AgricultureMinistry of Environment and ForestsMinistry of Rural Development