Rajkumari Amirt Kaur Coaching Scheme was started in the year:

Question

Accepted Answer

The correct option is (3):
The year 1953 is the historically accurate date for the sanctioning and launch of the Rajkumari Amrit Kaur Coaching Scheme. This was a foundational and pioneering effort by the Government of India, led by the then Health Minister Rajkumari Amrit Kaur, to provide systematic, high-quality coaching in various sports disciplines immediately following the country's independence. It was essentially the first national-level coaching program designed to uplift the standard of Indian athletes and prepare them for success in national and international competitions. The scheme’s establishment in 1953 marked the beginning of a structured, government-backed approach to sports development, recognizing coaching as an indispensable prerequisite for performance.

The incorrect option is (1):
The year 1951, while significant for Indian sports, predates the establishment of the Rajkumari Amrit Kaur Coaching Scheme. 1951 is famously known as the year when India hosted the inaugural Asian Games in New Delhi. This event certainly amplified the public and governmental awareness regarding the gaps in India's sports preparation, which subsequently motivated the push for structured schemes. However, the formal proposal for the national coaching scheme was only initiated and sanctioned in the subsequent years, meaning 1951 was too early for its official start.

The incorrect option is (2):
The year 1952 is incorrect because the official launch of the coaching scheme did not occur until the following year, 1953. This period was crucial for consultation and groundwork, with various government bodies like the Central Advisory Board of Physical Education assessing the needs of the country's sports landscape. Although the concept was in development, the financial sanction and implementation, which are necessary to mark the official "start" of the scheme, were finalized in 1953, not 1952.

The incorrect option is (4):
The year 1954 is incorrect because it represents the period of the scheme’s expansion and continued operation, not its initial launch. After the successful commencement of the Rajkumari Amrit Kaur Coaching Scheme in 1953, the government allocated increased funds for its second year (1954-55 financial year), demonstrating confidence in its effectiveness. Furthermore, 1954 is the year the All India Council of Sports (AICS) was established to act as a liaison between the government and national sports federations, which is a separate, though related, development that came after the scheme's initiation.