Why in NEWS
The Ministry of Education’s flagship programme Unnat Bharat Abhiyan (UBA) completes ten years, showcasing how higher educational institutions can catalyze grassroots development in India.
Key Concepts/Terms
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Unnat Bharat Abhiyan (UBA) | A national program launched in 2014 to connect higher educational institutions with rural India for sustainable development. |
| UBA 2.0 | The 2018 upgraded version of the scheme that introduced a voluntary Challenge Mode for institutions. |
| Village Adhyayan | Participatory rural appraisal method under UBA for understanding village needs from the grassroots level. |
| Challenge Mode | Institutions voluntarily adopt 5 villages and work on locally relevant solutions. |
News Simplified
- Launched in 2014, UBA aims to use the knowledge and technology base of higher education institutions (HEIs) to solve the socio-economic problems of rural India.
- Coordinated by IIT Delhi, the program has expanded to 4,000+ institutions across 35 states/UTs, covering 19,000+ villages.
- Emphasizes sustainable, inclusive development through a bottom-up approach, empowering local communities.
Why the Need?
- Despite 70% of Indians living in villages, agriculture contributes only 15-18% to GDP, indicating a large development gap.
- UBA helps bridge this by deploying academic expertise in villages to address pressing issues.
Key Focus Areas
| Domain | Interventions |
|---|---|
| Agriculture | Organic farming, income diversification |
| Water & Energy | Low-cost purifiers, decentralized energy systems |
| Healthcare & Sanitation | Rural health awareness, hygiene solutions |
| Housing & Crafts | Eco-friendly housing, artisan skill support |
| E-Governance & Amenities | Digital access, planning infrastructure |
Success Stories
| Institution | Impact |
|---|---|
| IIT Delhi | Lemongrass cultivation & oil unit helped farmers earn an extra ₹8,000–10,000/month |
| NIT Manipur | Installed a water purifier serving over 2,000 villagers |
UBA 1.0 vs UBA 2.0
| Feature | UBA 1.0 | UBA 2.0 |
|---|---|---|
| Mode | Invitation-based | Voluntary (Challenge Mode) |
| Participation | Selected institutions | All HEIs encouraged |
In a Nutshell
Mnemonic: “UBA HELPS RURAL”
Upliftment through
Bottom-up planning by
Academic institutions for
Health,
Energy,
Livelihood,
Purity (Water), and
Sustainability in
RURAL India.
Prelims Practice Questions
- Which of the following institutions serves as the National Coordinating Institute for Unnat Bharat Abhiyan?
A) IIT Bombay
B) IIT Delhi
C) NIT Warangal
D) IISc Bangalore - Consider the following statements about Unnat Bharat Abhiyan:
1. It was launched in 2018 under the Challenge Mode.
2. It requires higher education institutions to adopt a minimum of 10 villages.
Which of the above is/are correct?
A) 1 only
B) 2 only
C) Both
D) None - What is the primary focus of Village Adhyayan under UBA?
A) Promoting industrial development in rural areas
B) Top-down governance initiatives
C) Understanding local issues through participatory learning
D) Replacing Panchayati Raj Institutions
Answers with Explanation
| Ques | Ans | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | B | IIT Delhi coordinates the national implementation of UBA. |
| 2 | D | UBA began in 2014; UBA 2.0 in 2018 requires adoption of 5 villages, not 10. |
| 3 | C | Village Adhyayan encourages bottom-up planning through participatory rural studies. |
