Aditi Sinha
July 24, 2023 11:54
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PM Cares Fund: The PM CARES Fund is an important initiative started by the Government of India. Its main purpose is to provide help during emergencies like pandemics. It was launched on 27th March 2020. One part of the fund is the PM CARES for Children scheme, which is a public charitable trust. This scheme aims to support children who became orphans or were abandoned during the Covid-19 pandemic. It started on 29th May 2021.
For UPSC aspirants, understanding the PM CARES Fund is crucial as it’s a significant topic that can come up in different stages of the exam. With the country still facing challenges from Covid-19 and dealing with its aftermath, the PM CARES Fund offers an innovative solution to assist during difficult times.
The PM Cares Fund, an initiative launched by the Government of India, stands as a testament to the nation’s resilience and solidarity during times of crisis. Introduced by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) in March 2020, in response to the unprecedented challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, this fund aims to provide much-needed relief and support to those affected by the pandemic and other emergencies.
The full form of the PM CARES Fund is “Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund.” As a public charitable trust, the PM Cares Fund has garnered attention and contributions from individuals, organisations, and corporates alike, becoming a crucial instrument in the nation’s efforts to combat and mitigate the impact of various disasters and health crises.
The PM CARES Fund holds significant importance in the Current Affairs section for the UPSC Exam 2024. It is a crucial topic for UPSC Prelims, UPSC Mains, and Interviews. As a vital General Knowledge subject, candidates should refer to UPSC Study Material and Notes for thorough preparation. Reviewing UPSC Previous Year Question Papers will help candidates understand the paper patterns and prepare effectively for the examination.
Download the PM CARES Fund UPSC PDF
The objectives of the PM CARES Fund are:
The PM CARES for Children scheme is designed to support and care for orphaned and abandoned children affected by the pandemic. It ensures their well-being and upbringing, covering education and health needs until they turn twenty-three.
Here’s how the scheme works:
Overall, the scheme aims to provide comprehensive support to these children, ensuring a brighter and more sustainable future.
The PMNRF, which stands for the Prime Minister National Relief Fund, is a public charitable trust established in India. It was inaugurated in January 1948 by India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru. The main objective of the PMNRF is to provide immediate relief and assistance during times of natural calamities, disasters, and other emergencies that affect people across the nation. The fund operates on voluntary donations from individuals and organisations, and its primary focus is on alleviating the suffering of those impacted by various crises, including floods, earthquakes, droughts, and other calamities.
Confusing PMNRF (Prime Minister National Relief Fund) with PM CARES is a common mistake, as their aims are similar, but they are distinct entities. There are several notable differences between PMNRF and PM CARES Fund.
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Comparison between PMNRF and PM CARES Fund |
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| Prime Minister National Relief Fund (PMNRF) | Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations (PM CARES) Fund |
| Jawaharlal Nehru introduced the PMNRF. | Narendra Modi introduced the PM CARES Fund. |
| Inaugurated in January 1948. | Introduced on 27th March 2020. |
| Aimed to provide relief to displaced people during the India and Pakistan Partition. | Established to provide relief during any Covid-19 emergencies. |
| The Prime Minister is the chairperson, and other members include the spokesperson of FICCI, TATA members, and the Congress President. | The Prime Minister is the head, along with Home, Defence, and Finance Ministers. The Prime Minister can nominate other members. |
| Accepts donations starting from Rs. 100. | Accepts micro-donations, starting from as little as Rs. 10. |
| Can be utilised for various natural calamities and cases such as kidney transplants, cancer treatments, and acid attack victims. | Established for emergencies related to the Covid-19 Pandemic and can be utilized for future emergencies. |
| Associated with all government hospitals (both central and state) and includes some private hospitals. | Connection with hospitals is ambiguous. |
| Reportedly running low on liquidation, with only 15% in the Fund. A significant amount is invested. | No reports on restrictions, implying that the Fund can be utilized without restrictions. |
| Only allows donations made voluntarily by individuals and companies. | Accepts donations from individuals, companies, and Public Sector Undertakings. |
| At present, the main objective of the PMNRF is to provide immediate relief and assistance during times of natural calamities, disasters, and other emergencies that affect people across the nation. | Currently, the primary aim of the fund is to address any emergency or distress situation, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, and provide assistance and relief to those affected. |
There are various similarities between the PMNRF and the PM CARES Fund which are listed below.
The PM CARES Fund is primarily supported by domestic donations, with contributions accepted starting from the smallest denomination of Rs. 10 to encourage broader participation.
The Right to Information (RTI) is a fundamental right under Article 19 (1) of the Indian Constitution. In India’s democratic nature, citizens have the fundamental right to question and seek information about the workings of the Indian Government.
The PM CARES Fund and the PM CARES for children scheme are innovative initiatives. However, since its inception, the PM CARES Fund has faced scrutiny from opposition parties, who continuously question its legitimacy.
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