30 Key MCQs on Palna Scheme – Mission Shakti’s Childcare Initiative (With Answers)

Key features:

• Replaced the National Creche Scheme (2022).
• Implemented under Samarthya sub-scheme of Mission Shakti.
• Funding ratio: 60:40 (Centre:State) for general states, 90:10 for NE & special category states, and 100% for UTs without legislature.
• Two types of crèches: Standalone Crèches and Anganwadi-cum-Crèches (AWCCs).
• Services include sleeping facilities, preschool education, nutrition, health check-ups, and immunization.
• Honorarium-based workers (no fixed salary).

30 Important MCQs on Palna Scheme

1. What is the primary objective of the Palna Scheme?

a) To provide free education to women
b) To offer quality crèche facilities for children (6 months–6 years)
c) To replace Anganwadi centres
d) To provide maternity benefits to working women

Answer: b) To offer quality crèche facilities for children (6 months–6 years)
Explanation: The scheme ensures safe childcare, nutrition, and early education to support working mothers.

2. Under which mission was the Palna Scheme launched?

a) Mission Poshan
b) Mission Shakti
c) Mission Indradhanush
d) Mission Vatsalya

Answer: b) Mission Shakti
Explanation: Palna is a sub-scheme under Samarthya of Mission Shakti.

3. What age group does the Palna Scheme cater to?

a) 0–5 years
b) 6 months–6 years
c) 1–10 years
d) 3–12 years

Answer: b) 6 months–6 years
Explanation: The scheme targets infants and young children for early childhood care.

4. What is the funding pattern for North-Eastern States under Palna?

a) 50:50
b) 60:40
c) 90:10
d) 100% Central funding

Answer: c) 90:10
Explanation: NE and special category states receive 90% Central funding and 10% State share.

5. Which legislation mandates crèches in establishments with 50+ employees?

a) Factories Act
b) Maternity Benefit Act
c) Child Labour Act
d) POSHAN Act

Answer: b) Maternity Benefit Act
Explanation: Section 11A of the Maternity Benefit Act requires crèches in eligible establishments.

6. What is the honorarium for a Creche Worker in a Standalone Crèche?

a) ₹3,000
b) ₹5,500
c) ₹6,500
d) ₹8,000

Answer: c) ₹6,500
Explanation: Standalone crèche workers receive ₹6,500, while AWCC workers get ₹5,500.

7. Which ministry implements the Palna Scheme?

a) Ministry of Labour
b) Ministry of Health
c) Ministry of Women and Child Development
d) Ministry of Education

Answer: c) Ministry of Women and Child Development
Explanation: The scheme is managed by the WCD Ministry.

8. What is the maximum number of children per crèche under Palna?

a) 20
b) 25
c) 30
d) 50

Answer: b) 25
Explanation: To ensure quality care, each crèche serves max 25 children.

9. Which service is NOT provided under Palna?

a) Immunization
b) Higher education stipends
c) Supplementary nutrition
d) Preschool education

Answer: b) Higher education stipends
Explanation: Palna focuses on early childhood care, not higher education.

10. What replaced the National Creche Scheme in 2022?

a) Poshan Abhiyan
b) Palna Scheme
c) Beti Bachao Beti Padhao
d) Saksham Anganwadi

Answer: b) Palna Scheme
Explanation: The National Creche Scheme was restructured into Palna in 2022.

(Continued below with 20 more MCQs...)

11. Which sub-scheme of Mission Shakti includes Palna?

a) Samarthya
b) Sambal
c) Sampoorna
d) Saksham

Answer: a) Samarthya

12. What is the honorarium for an AWCC Creche Helper?

a) ₹2,500
b) ₹3,000
c) ₹3,250
d) ₹5,500

Answer: b) ₹3,000

13. How many AWCCs were approved as of March 2025?

a) 5,000
b) 11,395
c) 17,000
d) 20,000

Answer: b) 11,395

14. Which SDG does Palna align with?

a) SDG 3 (Health)
b) SDG 5 (Gender Equality)
c) SDG 8 (Decent Work)
d) SDG 4 (Education)

Answer: c) SDG 8 (Decent Work)

15. Crèches must be located within ___ km of workplaces/residences.

a) 0.5–1 km
b) 2 km
c) 5 km
d) 10 km

Answer: a) 0.5–1 km

16. What is the funding ratio for Union Territories without legislature under Palna?

a) 60:40
b) 90:10
c) 100% Central funding
d) 50:50

Answer: c) 100% Central funding
Explanation: UTs without legislature receive full central funding under the scheme.

17. Which of the following is a key service under the Palna Scheme?

a) Vocational training for adolescents
b) Early stimulation for children below 3 years
c) College scholarships
d) Elderly care programs

Answer: b) Early stimulation for children below 3 years
Explanation: The scheme focuses on early childhood development through stimulation, nutrition, and preschool education.

18. How many days per month must a crèche remain operational under Palna?

a) 20 days
b) 26 days
c) 30 days
d) Flexible as per state discretion

Answer: b) 26 days
Explanation: Crèches must operate for 26 days/month and 7.5 hours/day to align with mothers’ work schedules.

19. What is the role of a Creche Helper in AWCCs?

a) Conducting health check-ups
b) Maintaining hygiene and toilet training
c) Teaching advanced mathematics
d) Managing administrative paperwork

Answer: b) Maintaining hygiene and toilet training
Explanation: Creche Helpers assist in hygiene, toilet training, and cleanliness under the supervision of Anganwadi Workers.

20. Which program converges with Palna for nutrition support?

a) Ayushman Bharat
b) Mission Poshan 2.0
c) Swachh Bharat Mission
d) PM-KISAN

Answer: b) Mission Poshan 2.0
Explanation: Palna integrates with Mission Poshan 2.0 for supplementary nutrition and growth monitoring.

21. How many standalone crèches were operational as of February 2025?

a) 500
b) 1,284
c) 5,000
d) 11,395

Answer: b) 1,284
Explanation: As per the document, 1,284 standalone crèches were operational nationwide.

22. What is the primary purpose of Anganwadi-cum-Crèches (AWCCs)?

a) Replace standalone crèches
b) Extend childcare services to the last mile
c) Provide higher education
d) Train women in entrepreneurship

Answer: b) Extend childcare services to the last mile
Explanation: AWCCs leverage existing Anganwadi infrastructure to ensure widespread access to crèche facilities.

23. Which entity monitors compliance with crèche facilities under the Maternity Benefit Act?

a) Ministry of Labour & Employment
b) NITI Aayog
c) Ministry of Education
d) Central Bureau of Investigation

Answer: a) Ministry of Labour & Employment
Explanation: States/UTs collaborate with Labour Departments to monitor crèche compliance via dedicated portals.

24. What is the total allocation for Palna in 2024-25 (as per the document)?

a) ₹35 crore
b) ₹85 crore
c) ₹150.11 crore
d) ₹200 crore

Answer: c) ₹150.11 crore
Explanation: The allocated budget for 2024-25 was ₹150.11 crore, a significant increase from previous years.

25. Which of the following is NOT a responsibility of Creche Workers?

a) Ensuring food hygiene
b) Teaching college-level courses
c) Organizing health check-ups
d) Supervising sleep arrangements

Answer: b) Teaching college-level courses
Explanation: Creche Workers focus on childcare, hygiene, and early education, not advanced academics.

26. What percentage of funding do general states contribute under Palna?

a) 10%
b) 40%
c) 60%
d) 90%

Answer: b) 40%
Explanation: General states share 40% of costs, while the Centre contributes 60%.

27. Which initiative aims to establish 17,000 new AWCCs in 2024-25?

a) Mission Vatsalya
b) Palna Scheme
c) Beti Bachao Beti Padhao
d) PM Matru Vandana Yojana

Answer: b) Palna Scheme
Explanation: The Ministry of WCD targeted 17,000 new AWCCs under Palna.

28. What is the recommended distance for crèches from workplaces/residences?

a) Within 0.5–1 km
b) Within 5 km
c) Within 10 km
d) No specific requirement

Answer: a) Within 0.5–1 km
Explanation: Proximity ensures easy access for breastfeeding and emergencies.

29. Which group benefits directly from the Palna Scheme?

a) Pregnant women
b) Working mothers with young children
c) Senior citizens
d) Unemployed men

Answer: b) Working mothers with young children
Explanation: The scheme enables working mothers to pursue employment by providing childcare.

30. What is the status of Creche Workers under Palna?

a) Permanent government employees
b) Contractual staff with fixed salaries
c) Honorary workers receiving honorarium
d) Volunteers without compensation

Answer: c) Honorary workers receiving honorarium
Explanation: Workers and helpers are honorary and receive monthly honorariums, not salaries.