Rs 1,423.30 Crore Given to States Under SC/ST PoA Scheme

The correct answer is Rs 1,423.30 crore. The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment stated that this amount was released to States and Union Territories across three financial years under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme for the two Acts. The year-wise break-up adds up to the same figure: Rs 392.71 crore in 2022-23, Rs 535.30 crore in 2023-24 and Rs 495.29 crore in 2024-25. Options B, C and D are near figures of the sort an examiner places when a single total has been reported, and each is wrong. A good habit is to check whether the parts add to the whole, which they do here, so the total can be reconstructed even if only the yearly figures are remembered. The money pays for protection cells and special police stations, judicial machinery, relief and rehabilitation of victims, incentives for inter-caste marriages and awareness work.

The correct answer is 217. As reported by the states and Union Territories, 217 Exclusive Special Courts have been set up in 15 States and Union Territories to try offences under the Act of 1989, the purpose being speedy trial and quicker disposal of cases. Options A, B and D are the same three digits rearranged, which is a common way of testing whether a figure has been read closely rather than half remembered. Note the second half of the arrangement as well: where the number of cases in a district is relatively low, the Act allows a Court of Session to be designated a Special Court, with the concurrence of the Chief Justice of the High Court concerned. The need for such courts is clear from the pendency, since 3,92,006 cases were awaiting trial at the end of 2024.

The correct answer is SAMBAL. The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment launched the National Helpline Against Atrocities in December 2021 and the service was later given this name. It allows members of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes to register a grievance under the Prevention of Atrocities Act and then track what happens to it, and it works on the toll-free number 1800-202-1989 as well as the short code 14566. Options A, C and D are names that resemble those of other government initiatives and are placed to test recall of the exact name of this helpline. Remember the pairing of the helpline with its parent Act, because a question may give the name and ask for the Act, or give the Act and ask for the helpline. Note also that the number of couples receiving the inter-caste marriage incentive rose from 14,225 in 2022-23 to 26,050 in 2024-25.