DocumentWelfare programs

1. Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana(PMGSY):

Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) was launched on 25th December 2000. It is a
nationwide plan in India to provide good all-weather road connectivity to unconnected
villages of more than 500 persons in the rural areas (250 persons in the hilly and desert
areas).

ü It is a 100% Centrally Sponsored Scheme.

ü Allocations under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) increased by 59 per to
Rs.12,000 crore in the Union Budget 2009-10.

2. Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana (RGGVY):

ü It was launched on 4th April 2005 for attaining the National Common Minimum
Programme (NCMP) goal of providing access to electricity to all households in the country
in five years by merging “Accelerated Electrification of one lakh Villages and one crore
Households” and the “Minimum Needs Programme (MNP)”.

ü Under the programme, 90% grant is provided by Govt. of India and 10% as loan by Rural
Electrification Corporation (REC) to the State Governments.

ü Rural Electrification Corporation (REC) is the nodal agency for the programme.

ü The scheme aims at electrification of over 1 lakh un-electrified villages and providing
electricity connections to 2.34 crore rural households. The estimated cost of the scheme is
approximately Rs. 51,000 crore.

ü All the BPL families are eligible for free connections under the scheme.

ü Allocation under Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana (RGGVY) increased by 27%
to Rs.7000cr in the Union Budget 2009-10.

3. Indira Awaas Yojana(IAY):

ü Indira Awaas Yojana (IAY) was launched during 1985-86 as a sub-scheme of Rural
Landless Employment Guarantee Programme (RLEGP) and continued as a sub-scheme of
Jawahar Rozgar Yojana (JRY) since its launching from April, 1989.

ü It has been delinked from the JRY and has been made an independent scheme with effect
from January 1, 1996.

ü The objective of IAY is primarily to provide grant for construction of houses to members
of Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes, freed bonded labourers and also to non-SC/ST rural
people living below poverty line.

ü Funding of IAY is shared between the Centre & State in the ratio of 75:25.

ü The financial assistance provided for new construction under IAY is Rs.35,000/- per unit

for the plain areas & Rs.38,500/- for the hilly/difficult areas.

ü Allocation under Indira Awaas Yojana (IAY) increased by 63% to 8,800 cr in the Union
Budget 2009-10.

4. Bharat Nirman:

ü Bharat Nirman, a programme to build rural infrastructure, was launched by the
Government of India in 2005.

ü Phase I of the programme was implemented in the period 2005-06 to 2008-09. Phase II is
being implemented from 2009-10 to 2011-12.

ü Bharat Nirman comprises of six components:

i)Irrigation

ii)Rural Roads

iii)Rural Housing

iv)Rural Drinking Water Supply

v)Rural Electrification

vi)Telephone Connectivity.

ü Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana(PMGSY) for Rural Roads , Rajiv Gandhi Vidyutikaran
Yojana(RGVY) for Rural Electrification & Indira Awas Yojana(IWY) for Rural Housing come
under Bharat Nirman.

ü Bharat Nirman programme of six schemes for the development of rural infrastructure is
being stepped up by 45% in Union Budget 2009-10.

5. Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana(PMAGY):

ü It is a new scheme launched in the Union Budget 2009-10 by the Union Government on a
pilot basis for integrated development 0f 1,000 villages, each having more than 50% SC
population.

ü There are about 44,000 villages in which the population of scheduled castes is above 50
per cent.

ü If the pilot scheme is successful the scheme will be expanded to remaining villages.

ü An amount of Rs.100 crore has been allocated for this Scheme in the Union Budget 2009-
10.

6. National Rural Health Mission (NRHM):

ü The National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), launched in 2006 as the central government
flagship project that would dramatically change the healthcare system in rural India.

ü The objective of National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) is to provide accessible,
affordable, accountable, effective and reliable health care, especially to the poor and the
vulnerable sections of the population in rural areas.

ü The NRHM covers the entire country, with special focus on 18 States where the challenge
of strengthening poor public health systems and thereby improving key health indicators is
the greatest.

ü Allocation under National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) increased by Rs.2,057 crore
amounting to 14,064 crore in the Union Budget 2009-10.

7. Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA):

ü One of the key components of the National Rural Health Mission is to provide every
village in the country with a trained female community health activist – ‘ASHA’ or
Accredited Social Health Activist for every village with a population of 1000.

ü ASHA will take steps to create awareness and she will counsel women on birth
preparedness, importance of safe delivery, breastfeeding and complementary feeding,
immunization, contraception and prevention of common infections including Reproductive
Tract infection/Sexually Transmitted Infection (RTIs/STIs) and care of the young child.

ü The ASHA will be trained to work as an interface between the community and the public
health system.

ü ASHA must primarily be a woman resident of the village – married/ widowed/ divorced,
preferably in the age group of 25 to 45 years.

8. National Rural Employment Guarantee Act(NREGA):

ü The National Rural Employment Guarantee Act or NREGA is an Indian job guarantee
scheme, enacted by legislation on August 25, 2005.

ü This act was introduced with an aim of improving the purchasing power of the rural
people, primarily semi or un-skilled work to people living in rural India, whether or not
they are below the poverty line.

ü The scheme provides a legal guarantee for one hundred days of employment in every
financial year to adult members of any rural household willing to do public work-related
unskilled manual work at the statutory minimum wage of Rs.100 per day.

ü The NREGA achieves twin objectives of rural development and employment.

ü Around one-third of the stipulated work force must be women.

ü The scheme started from February 2, 2006 in 200 districts, was expanded to cover
another 130 districts in 2007-2008 and eventually covered all 593 districts in India in 2008.

ü It has been renamed as Mahatma Gandhi Rural Employment Guarantee Act on 2nd
October, 2009.

ü Allocation under NREGS increased by 144% to 39,100 cr in the Union Budget 2009-10.

9. Sarva Siksha Abhiyan(SSA):

ü The scheme of SSA was launched in 2001.

ü It is a flagship programme of the Government of India pioneered by Atal Bihari Vajpayee
for achievement of universalization of elementary education in a time bound manner.

ü The Abhiyan is to provide useful and relevant elementary education for children in the 6-
14 age group by 2010.

ü The assistance under the programme of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan was on a 85:15 sharing
arrangement during the Ninth Plan, 75:25 sharing arrangement during the Tenth Plan, and
50:50 sharing thereafter between the Central Government and the State Government except
for 8 NE states.

ü The programme covers the entire country with special focus on educational needs of
girls, SCs/STs and other children in difficult circumstances.

ü The programme seeks to open new schools in those places which do not have schooling
facilities and strengthen existing school infrastructure through provision of additional class
rooms, toilets, drinking water, maintenance grant and school improvement grant.

10. Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan(RMSA):

ü Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) which is the most recent initiative of
Government of India to achieve the goal of universalisation of secondary education (USE) -
classes VIII to X.

ü The Sarva Shiksha Abhiyaan program set up by the government to bring elementary
education to millions of children has been successful to a large extent, and has thus created
a need for strengthening secondary education infrastructure across the country.

ü In Jan 2009 CCEA (Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs) approved the
implementation.

ü It is announced in 2007 and it is proposed to implement during 11th Five Year plan

ü Rs.20,120 crore has been allocated for the Scheme during the 11th Five Year Plan.

Note: This is only Part-1.Part-2 will be published soon with more Schemes. Highlighted
words are important and it may be used for quick reference & also asked in many Bank Po
exams. Try to understand the concept behind it and remember. It will be useful to your only.

1. Swarna Jayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY): (Go for Part-1)

ü The Swarnjayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY) was launched as an integrated
programme for self-employment of the rural poor with effect from 1 April 1999.

ü Under the SGSY, assistance is given to the poor families living below the poverty line in
rural areas for taking up self employment. The persons taking up Self-Employment are
called swarozgaris.

ü They may take up the activity either individually or in Groups, called the Self-Help
Groups.

ü The SGSY aims at providing self-employment to villagers through the establishment of
Self-help groups.

ü There are over 22 lakh Women’s Self Help Groups linked with banks. Reach of SHGs to be
widened to enrol at least 50 per cent of all rural women in India as members of SHGs over
the next five years.

ü A Self- Help Group (SHG) may generally consist of 10-20 persons.

ü In Union Budget 2009-10, The Swarna Jayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY)
restructured as National Rural Livelihood Mission to make it universal in application,
focused in approach and time bound for poverty eradication by 2014-15.

2. Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY):

ü It was formally launched on October 1, 2007.

ü It is a new health insurance scheme for the Below Poverty Line (BPL) families in the
unorganized sector.

ü The objective of RSBY is to provide the insurance cover to below poverty line (BPL)
households from major health shocks that involve hospitalization.

ü The RSBY is being implemented in 20 States/Union Territories.

ü By the end of the year, 2009-10, 1.2 crore BPL families ( a unit of five) are expected to be
covered and all the estimated 6 crore BPL families are proposed to be covered in the next
four years.

ü In the Union Budget 2009-10, It is proposed that All BPL families to be covered under
Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY).

ü Allocation under RSBY increased by 40 per cent over previous allocation to Rs.350 crore

in Budget 2009-10.

3. Rajiv Awas Yojana:

ü It is a new scheme announced in the Union Budget 2009-10 for the slum dwellers and the
urban poor in an effort to promote a slum-free India in five years.

ü Rajiv Awas Yojana comes under JNNURM on the lines of Indira Awas Yojana for rural poor.

4. Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission(JNNUM):

ü The Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), launched on

ü December 3rd 2005 is the largest national urban initiative to encourage reforms and fast

ü track planned development of 63 identified cities.

ü JNNURM comprises two Sub-Missions:

o Urban Infrastructure and Governance (UIG) (Sub-mission I)

o Basic Services to the Urban Poor Urban (BSUP) (Sub-mission II)

Objectives:

ü Focused attention to integrated development of basic services to the urban poor.

ü Security of tenre at affordable price, improved housing, water supply, sanitation.

ü Convergence of services in fields of education, health and social security.

ü Ensuring adequate investment of funds to fulfill deficiencies in the basic services to the
urban poor.

ü In simple JNNURM is designed to support: Provision of basic service to urban poor, water
supply, Road Network, Urban transport, Street lighting, Sewerage & Sanitation and etc.

ü In the Union Budget 2009-10, Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission
(JNNURM) stepped up by 87% to Rs.12, 887 cr.

5. Swarna Jayanti Shahari Rozgar Yojana (SJSRY):

ü It is introduced in 1997 sponsored by Central Government.

ü The Union Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation Ministry in November 2009
comprehensively revamped the Swarna Jayanti Shahari Rozgar Yojana (SJSRY) with a view
to providing gainful employment to the urban unemployed and underemployed.

ü The new scheme will commence with financial year 2009-2010.

ü The Swarna Jayanthi Shahari Rozgar Yojana (SJSRY) shall sheek to provide gainful

employment to the Urban unemployed or underemployed poor through encouraging the
setting up of self-employment ventures or provision of wage employment.

ü The programme shall target the urban poor, defined as those living below the urban
poverty line, as defined from time to time.

ü The Swarna Jayanti Shahari Rozgar Yojana shall consist of two special schemes, namely-

ü i)The Urban Self-Employment Programme (USEP)

ü ii)The Urban Wage Employment Programme (UWEP)

6. Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana:

ü Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana was launched by Govt. of India during 2007-08 to
incentives states to draw up plans for their agriculture sector more comprehensively, taking
agro-climatic conditions, natural resource and technology into account and integrating
livestock, poultry and fisheries fully.

ü The RKVY aims at achieving 4% annual growth in the agriculture sector during the XI
Plan period, by ensuring a holistic development of Agriculture and Allied Sectors.

ü Allocation under Rashtriya Krishi Yojana (RKVY) stepped up by 30% in the Union Budget
2009-10.

7. National Social Assistance Programme:

The programme was launched with effect from 15th August 1985 and under this
programme three sub-schemes are under implementation. They are.

1. National Old Age Pension(NOAP)

2. National Family Benefit Scheme (NEBS)

3. Annapurna Scheme

National Old Age pension (NOAP):

ü The Scheme is implemented to the Old Age persons who are living above 65 Years.
Physically Handicapped persons and Leprosy destitute (Irrespective of Age) who comes
under Below Poverty line.

ü The National Old Age Pension Scheme has been renamed as Indira Gandhi National Old
Age Pension Scheme (IGNOPS) and formally launched on 19th November, 2007.

ü The central contribution of pension under the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension
Scheme (IGNOAPS) is Rs. 200/- per month per beneficiary and the State Governments may
contribute over and above to this amount. At present old age beneficiaries are getting
anywhere between Rs. 200/- to Rs. 1000/- depending on the State Contribution.

National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS)

ü Under this scheme, in the death of primary breadwinner, the head of household is
untitled to get the benefit of Rs.10000/- in case normal deaths.

ü The deceased persons should have been primary bread winner and in the age group of
more or less than 65 Years and who comes under Below poverty line and residing in the
district preceding 3 years.

ü In case of accidental deaths. The benefit shall be extruded under "APADBANDHU" scheme
which covers carton incidents as prescribed by the Government. The deceased family will
get Rs. 50000/- or 10000/- depending upon their age.

Annapurna Scheme

ü The Annapurna scheme has been launched with effect from 1st April, 2000.

ü It aims at providing food security to meet the requirement of those Senior Citizens who
though eligible have remained uncovered under the National Old Age Pension Scheme
(NOAPS).

ü Under the Annapurna Scheme, 10 Kg. of food grains per month are to be provided 'free of
cost' to the Beneficiary.

ü The age of the applicant ( male or female) should be 65 years or above.

Two new schemes have been introduced in the Interim Budget 2009-10:

· 'Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme' to provide pension of Rs.200 to
widows between age groups of 40-64 years and

· 'Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme' to provide pension for severely
disabled persons. Widows in the age group of 18-40 years to be given priority in admission
to ITIs, Women ITIs and National/Regional ITIs for women. Government to bear cost of
their training and provide stipend of Rs.500 per month.

8. Aam Admi Bima Yojna (AABY):

ü It was launched in 2nd October 2007.

ü It is an Insurance Scheme. It covers the death and permanent disability for the benefit of
rural landless households between the age group of 18 to 59 years.

ü The Scheme is being implemented through the LIC of India and inter alias.

ü The scheme provides for insurance of head of the family or an earning member of the
family of rural landless household.

ü 50% will be contributed by the central Govt. and the rest 50% will be contributed by the

state Government.

General Overview

The National Policy on Education - 1986 (External website that opens in a new window)
envisaged setting up of model school, one in each district of the Country. Accordingly, a
scheme was formulated under which it was decided to set-up co-educational residential
schools (now called Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas).

Navodaya Vidyalayas (External website that opens in a new window) are fully residential
co-educational institutions providing education up to senior secondary stage. The scheme,
which started with only two schools on experimental basis in 1985-86, has grown to 565
schools (as on 31 March 2007) covering as many districts in 34 States/UTs, with over 1.93
lakh students on rolls as on 31 March 2007. More than 30,000 new students are admitted
every year.

Migration is a unique feature of Navodaya Vidyalayas scheme whereby 30 per cent of
students of Class IX from a Vidyalaya located in Hindi speaking area spend one academic
year in a Vidyalaya located in Non-Hindi speaking area and vice-versa to promote national
integration through understanding of the diversity and plurality of country's people, their
language and culture.

Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan

The Government approved the scheme of Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan in 1962, on the
recommendations of the Second Pay Commission. Initially, 20 regimental schools in
different States were taken over as Central Schools. In 1965, an Autonomous Body called
Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan was established with the primary objective of setting-up and
monitoring Kendriya Vidyalayas to cater to the educational needs of the children of
transferable Central Government Employees including Defence Personnel and Para-Military
forces by providing common programme of education. At present, there are 931 Kendriya
Vidyalayas (as on 17 June 2005) out of which three Kendriya Vidyalayas are based abroad
i.e., one each in Kathmandu, Moscow and Tehran. All Kendriya Vidyalayas follow a uniform
syllabus.

Mid-Day Meal Scheme

With a view to enhancing enrollment, retention and attendance and simultaneously
improving nutritional levels among children, the National Programme of Nutritional
Support to Primary Education (NP-NSPE) was launched as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme on
15th August 1995, initially in 2408 blocks in the country. By the year 1997-98 the NP-NSPE

was introduced in all blocks of the country. It was further extended in 2002 to cover not
only children in classes I-V of government, government aided and local body schools, but
also children studying in EGS and AIE centres. Central Assistance under the scheme
consisted of free supply of food grains @ 100 grams per child per school day, and subsidy
for transportation of food grains up to a maximum of Rs.50 per quintal.

In September 2004 the scheme was revised to provide cooked mid day meal with 300
calories and 8-12 grams of protein to all children studying in classes I-V in Government and
The Finance Minister has announced in the Union Budget 2007-08 that the Mid-Day Meal
Scheme will be extended to cover children in Upper Primary Classes in 3427 Educationally
Backwards Blocks (EBBs) in 2007-08. A Budget provision of Rs.7324 crores has been made
for this purpose, representing 37% increase over the budget for 2006-

he Scheme of SSA a national flagship programme, is being implemented in all districts of the
country. The aim of SSA is to provide useful and relevant elementary education for all
children in the 6-14 age groups by 2010. The scheme of SSA was launched in 2001. The

Mahila Samakhya

Pursuant to the objectives of the NPE, 1986, the Mahila Samakhya Scheme was started in
1989 to translate the goals enshrined in the NPE into a concrete programme for the
education and empowerment of women in rural areas particularly those from socially and
economically marginalized groups. The MS scheme recognizes the centrality of education in
empowering women to achieve equality. The Mahila Sanghas or women's collectives at the
village level provide the women a space to meet, reflect, ask questions and articulate their
thoughts and needs and make informed choices.

The Mahila Sanghas though various programmes and awareness campaigns have brought
about a change in the outlook of rural women and the effects can how be seen in various
facets of life at home within the family, the community and at the block and Panchayat
levels. The programme has also focused on awareness of the need to educate the children,
especially girls, to give the equal status and opportunities which has resulted in a direct
impact on enrolment and retention of girls in schools.

The Mahila Samakhya Scheme is currently being implemented in nine States viz., Andhra
Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and
Uttarakhand spread over 83 districts and covering more than 21,000 villages. From the
current financial year the programme is being extended to two new States i.e. Madhya

Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. The budgetary allocation for the Scheme forth current financial
year i.e. 2007-08 is Rs.34.00 crores.

Commitment in NCMP: The UPA government has set six basic principles for governance.
One of them is "To provide for full equality of opportunity, particularly in education and
employment for scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, OBCs and religious minorities". Besides,
the National Common Minimum Programme (NCMP) of the UPA Government contains
following provisions aimed at the welfare and empowerment of these communities:

UPA Government will take immediate steps to reverse the trend of communalisation of
education that had set in the past five-years.

Steps will be taken to remove the communalisation of the school syllabus that has taken
place in the past five-years. A review committee of experts will be set up for this purpose.

The UPA will ensure that nobody is denied professional education because he or she is poor.

All reservation quotas, including those relating to promotions, will be fulfilled in a time
bound manner. To codify all reservations, a Reservation Act will be enacted.

The UPA Government is very sensitive to the issue of affirmative action, including
reservations, in the private sector.

Special provisions: After independence, the Government of India has taken number of steps
to strengthen the educational base of the persons belonging to the Scheduled Castes and
Scheduled Tribes. Pursuant to the National Policy on Education-1986 and the Programme of
Action (POA)-1992, the following special provisions for SCs and STs have been incorporated
in the existing schemes of the Departments of Elementary Education and Literacy and
Secondary and Higher Education (External website that opens in a new window):

relaxed norms for opening of primary/middle schools; a primary school within one km
walking distance from habitations of population up to 200 instead of habitations of up to
300 population.

Abolition of tuition fee in all States in Government Schools at least up to the upper primary
level. In fact, most of the states have abolished tuition fees for SC/ST students up to the
senior secondary level.

Incentives like free textbooks, uniforms, stationery, schools bags, etc., for these students.

The Constitutional (86th Amendment) Bill, notified on 13 December 2002, provides for free
and compulsory elementary education as a Fundamental Right, for all children in the age
group of 6-14 years.

Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA):Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) (External website that opens in a
new window) is a historic stride towards achieving the long cherished goal of

Universalisation of Elementary Education (UEE) through a time bound integrated approach,
in partnership with States. SSA, which promises to change the face of elementary education
sector of the country, aims to provide useful and quality elementary education to all
children in the 6-14 age group by 2010.

The main features of the programme are:

Focus on girls, especially belonging to SC/ST communities and minority groups.

Back to school campus for out of school girls.

Free textbooks for girls.

Special coaching remedial classes for girls and a congenial learning environment.

Teachers' sensitisation programmes to promote equitable learning opportunities.

Special focus for innovative projects related to girls education.

cRecruitment of 50 per cent female teachers.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) (File referring to external site opens in a new
window) which came into existence on 28 December 1953 became a statutory organisation
by an Act of Parliament in 1956. It is a national body for the coordination, determination
and maintenance of standards of university education. It serves as a coordinating body
between the Union and State Governments and the institutions of higher learning. It also
acts as an advisory body to these Governments and institutions on issues relating to higher
education.

Section 12 of the UGC Act provides that the Commission shall, in consultation with the
universities concerned, take all such steps as it may think fit for the promotion and
coordination of university education and for the maintenance of standards in teaching,
examination and research. To teaching and research, extension was added as the third
dimension of education by the Commission. For the purpose of performing its functions, the
Commission may allocate and disburse, out of the Fund of the Commission, grants to
universities and colleges for their maintenance and development; advise the Union
Government, State Governments and Institutions of higher learning on the measures
necessary for the promotion of university education and make Rules and Regulations
consistent with the Act, etc. The Commission consists of the Chairman, Vice-Chairman and
10 other members appointed by the Government of India. The executive head is Secretary.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has its Regional Offices at Hyderabad, Pune,

Bhopal, Kolkata, Guwahati and Bangalore. The Northern Regional Office which was earlier
located at Ghaziabad has now been functioning from the UGC Head Quarters as Northern
Regional Colleges Bureau (NRCB). The UGC has taken up some new initiatives, viz.

Promotion of Entrepreneurship and knowledge based enterprises.

Protection of Intellectual Property Rights.

Promotion of Indian Higher Education abroad.

Training and development of Academic Administrators.

Comprehensive Computerisation Initiative.

The Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR) (External website that opens in a new
window), New Delhi, set-up in 1972, reviews the progress of historical research and
encourages scientific writing of history. It operates research projects, finances research
projects by individual scholars, awards fellowships and undertakes publication and
translation work.

The Indian Council of Philosophical Research (ICPR) (External website that opens in a new
window), functioning from 1977 with offices in New Delhi and Lucknow, reviews the
progress, sponsors or assists projects and programmes of research in philosophy, and gives
financial assistance to institutions and individuals to conduct research in philosophy and
allied disciplines.

The Indian Institute of Advanced Study (IIAS) (External website that opens in a new
window), Shimla set up in 1965 is a residential centre for advanced research in humanities,
social sciences and natural sciences. It is a community of scholars engaged in exploring new
frontiers of knowledge aimed at conceptual development and offering interdisciplinary
perspectives on questions of contemporary relevance.

The Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) (External website that opens in a new
window), New Delhi, is an autonomous body for promoting and coordinating social science
research. Its main functioning are to review the progress of social science research, give
advice on research activities in government or outside, sponsor research programmes and
give grants to institutions and individuals for research in social sciences. The National
Council of Rural Institute (NCRI) was set up in 1995 as a autonomous organisation fully
funded by the Central Government to promote rural higher education on the lines of

Mahatma Gandhi's revolutionary and voluntary agencies in accordance with Gandhian
Philosophy of education and promote research as tool of social and rural development.

The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) (External website that opens in a new
window) established in September 1985, is responsible for the promotion of Open
University and distance education system in the educational pattern of the country and for
coordination and determination of standards in such systems. The major objectives of the
University include widening access to higher education to larger segments of the
population, organising programmes of continuing education and initiating special
programmes of higher education for specific target groups like women, physically
challenged and people living in backward regions and hilly areas, such as NE, KBK, and
those predominantly inhibited by tribals and SCs.

The IGNOU provide an innovative system for tertiary education and training. The system is
flexible and open in regard to methods and pace of learning, combination of courses,
eligibility for enrolment, age of entry, method of evaluation, etc. The University has adopted
an integrated multimedia instructional strategy consisting of printed materials, audio-visual
aids, educational radio and TV, teleconferencing and video conferencing supported by face-
to-face counselling sessions through a network of study centres throughout the country. It
conducts both continuous evaluation as well as term-end examinations.

The IGNOU introduced its programmes in 1987 and has so far launched 117 programmes
consisting of more than 900 courses consisting of Ph.D., Master's Degree Programmes,
Advanced/Post Graduate Diploma, Diploma Programmes and Certificate Programmes, etc.
During 2005 over 4.60 lakh students were registered for various programmes of study.

The University has established an extensive student support services network consisting of
60 regional centres, 7 sub-regional centres and 1298 study centres situated in different
parts of the country. IGNOU has established 269 study centres for women, SC/ST and
physically challenged persons. On 26 January 2001, IGNOU launched an education channel
Gyandarshan which is now a 24-hour channel and has capacity for six simultaneous
telecasts. In November 2001, IGNOU launched FM Radio Network for providing additional
student support. As of now, 17 FM radio stations are functional and this number should
increase to 40 FM stations in course of time. The launch of an exclusive educational satellite
Edusat is an historic opportunity for the growth and development of distance education to
create Educated India and meet the aspirations of our people and empower them through
quality education. In the year 2005, the university established 100 Edusat supported
Satellite Interactive Terminals (SITs) in its regional/study centres all over the country.
Distance Education Council, established by the University as a statutory authority, is an

apex body for coordination and determination of standards in distance education in the
country.

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