Context:
India’s Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system has helped the country achieve cumulative savings of ₹3.48 lakh crore, according to a new quantitative assessment by the BlueKraft Digital Foundation.
DBT Initiative:
- Genesis – Launched in 2013 to improve the Government’s delivery system.
- Aim –
- To reform welfare schemes by re-engineering existing processes.
- Ensure accurate targeting of beneficiaries.
- Minimize fraud and achieve de-duplication.
- Implementation –
- Initially under the Planning Commission.
- Currently placed under the Cabinet Secretariat.
- Key Features –
- Aadhaar – Not mandatory but preferred in DBT schemes.
- JAM Trinity – A core enabler of DBT, JAM stands for Jan Dhan Accounts, Aadhaar, and Mobile Numbers.
- Electronic Payment Framework – Applicable for all Central Sector (CS) and Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS).
Achievements (as per the policy paper):
- Saved ₹3.48 lakh crore by 2024.
- Increased beneficiary coverage 16 times, enhancing welfare delivery.
- Improved Welfare Efficiency Index (WEI) from 0.32 (2014) to 0.91 (2023).
- Share of subsidies in total expenditure reduced from 16% (pre-2013) to 9% (2023–24).
Source: PIB
Previous Year Question
‘Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana’ has been launched for
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2015 Prelims]
(a) providing housing loan to poor people at cheaper interest rates
(b) promoting women’s Self-Help Groups in backward areas
(c) promoting financial inclusion in the country
(d) providing financial help to the marginalized communities
Answer: (c)