Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding Smart India Hackathon 2017? 1. It is a centrally sponsored scheme for developing every city of our country into Smart Cities in a decade. 2. It is an initiative to identify new digital technology innovations for solving the many problems faced by our country. 3. It is a programme aimed at making all the financial transactions in our country completely digital in a decade. Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Contents8
- A1 and 3 only
- B2 only
- C3 only
- D2 and 3 only
Show answer
Answer: (B) 2 only
Only statement 2 correctly describes Smart India Hackathon 2017.
It was a 36-hour non-stop digital product development competition (hackathon) where thousands of technology students from across India built innovative digital solutions for real-world problems posted by 29 different central government ministries and departments (including Ministry of Railways, External Affairs, Defence, ISRO, Tourism, and Dept. of Atomic Energy).
For the first time, government departments directly engaged with students and challenged them to build digital solutions to improve efficiency, plug revenue leakages, and reduce corruption.
Statement 1 is incorrect:
Smart India Hackathon is NOT a 'centrally sponsored scheme for developing every city into Smart Cities'.
That describes the Smart Cities Mission, which is a completely different government initiative.
The similar-sounding names ('Smart India' vs 'Smart Cities') are a deliberate trap.
Statement 3 is incorrect:
Smart India Hackathon is NOT a programme aimed at making all financial transactions completely digital.
That goal is associated with the broader Digital India initiative and the push for a cashless/less-cash economy after demonetisation.
The hackathon was a one-time innovation competition, not a long-term policy programme.
So only statement 2 is correct.
Smart India Hackathon 2017 was a 36-hour innovation competition where students built digital solutions for problems posted by 29 central government ministries and departments.
The hackathon was launched in early 2017 as part of the Digital India push, connecting government departments directly with student innovators for the first time.
UPSC is testing whether students can distinguish between similar-sounding government initiatives - Smart India Hackathon versus Smart Cities Mission versus Digital India financial goals.
Smart India Hackathon 2017
Science And Technology Smart India Hackathon 2017
Smart India Hackathon 2017: Government's Digital Innovation Competition
36-hour non-stop digital product development competition for technology students
29 central government ministries posted real-world problems for students to solve
First direct engagement between government departments and students for digital solutions
Aimed at improving efficiency, plugging revenue leakages, and reducing corruption
Smart India Hackathon 2017 was a groundbreaking government-sponsored innovation competition where thousands of technology students built digital solutions for actual problems faced by central ministries and departments.
Key Details
Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
Duration | 36 hours non-stop |
Participants | Technology students from across India |
Problem Providers | 29 central government ministries/departments |
Key Ministries | Railways, External Affairs, Defence, ISRO, Tourism, Atomic Energy |
Objective | Build digital solutions for real-world government problems |
Impact Goals | Improve efficiency, plug revenue leakages, reduce corruption |
This question tests whether students can distinguish Smart India Hackathon from other similarly-named government initiatives like Smart Cities Mission and Digital India.
Trap: Statement 1 confuses Smart India Hackathon with Smart Cities Mission - similar names but completely different programmes
Trap: Statement 3 wrongly links it to Digital India's cashless economy goals - hackathon was a competition, not a financial policy
UPSC deliberately uses similar-sounding programme names to test precise knowledge
Smart Cities Mission
Indian Economy Smart Cities
Smart Cities Mission: Urban Development Programme
Centrally sponsored scheme to develop 100 smart cities across India
Launched in 2015 with ₹2 lakh crore investment over 5 years
Focus on citizen services, sustainability, and quality of life
Smart Cities Mission is the centrally sponsored scheme mentioned in Statement 1 of the question. It aims to transform 100 selected cities into smart cities through technology-driven urban solutions.
Smart Cities vs Smart India Hackathon
Aspect | Smart Cities Mission | Smart India Hackathon |
|---|---|---|
Type | Centrally sponsored scheme | Innovation competition |
Duration | Multi-year programme | 36-hour event |
Scope | 100 cities development | Digital solutions contest |
Participants | State governments, private sector | Technology students |
Objective | Urban transformation | Problem-solving innovations |
Never confuse Smart Cities Mission (urban development) with Smart India Hackathon (student competition)
Statement 1 in the question correctly describes Smart Cities Mission but wrongly attributes it to Smart India Hackathon
Digital India Initiative
Science And Technology digital financial transactions
Digital India: National Digital Transformation Programme
Comprehensive programme to transform India into digitally empowered society
Launched in 2015 with three key areas: infrastructure, services, empowerment
Includes cashless economy push, especially after demonetisation
Digital India is the broader initiative that includes the goal of digital financial transactions mentioned in Statement 3. However, Smart India Hackathon was a specific innovation competition, not this broader policy programme.
Digital India Components
# Digital India
## Infrastructure
- Broadband highways
- Mobile connectivity
- Public internet access
## Services
- Digital services delivery
- Mobile governance
- Digital financial services
## Empowerment
- Digital literacy
- Digital resources
- Collaborative digital platformsStatement 3 trap: Digital financial transformation is part of Digital India, not Smart India Hackathon
Don't link specific events (hackathon) with broader policy goals (cashless economy)
Government Innovation Programmes
Science And Technology digital technology innovations
Government Innovation & Technology Initiatives in India
Multiple government programmes promote innovation and technology development
Smart India Hackathon is one specific innovation competition among many initiatives
Key Innovation Initiatives
Programme | Type | Focus | Target Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
Smart India Hackathon | Competition | Digital solutions for govt problems | Technology students |
Startup India | Policy framework | Startup ecosystem development | Entrepreneurs |
Digital India | Umbrella programme | Digital transformation | All citizens |
Atal Innovation Mission | Institutional framework | Innovation & entrepreneurship | Students, innovators |
Make in India | Manufacturing initiative | Domestic manufacturing | Industries |
UPSC tests specific programme details, not just general awareness of innovation initiatives
Each programme has distinct objectives - don't merge their goals and features