Which financial body announced a plan to promote micro enterprises in 115 aspirational districts across India after tying up with the Common Service Centre (CSC) network?

Introduction / Context:
The Government of India has identified several aspirational districts that lag behind on key development indicators. To support inclusive growth, various institutions have launched programmes to encourage micro enterprises and entrepreneurship in these districts. This question focuses on one such initiative where a financial body tied up with the Common Service Centre (CSC) network to promote micro enterprises in 115 aspirational districts.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• A plan was announced to promote micro enterprises in 115 aspirational districts.
• The implementation involves collaboration with the Common Service Centre network.
• The options list SEBI, RBI, SIDBI and IRDAI.
• We must identify which institution is behind this particular initiative.

Concept / Approach:
Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) is specifically mandated to support micro, small and medium enterprises. It is therefore the most natural body to launch a programme aimed at promoting micro enterprises. The involvement of CSCs, which operate at the village level, aligns with SIDBI's goal of reaching entrepreneurs in underserved areas. SEBI regulates capital markets, RBI is the central bank and IRDAI regulates insurance, so their primary mandates do not focus on direct micro enterprise promotion in the way SIDBI does.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Analyse the purpose of the initiative, which is to promote micro enterprises in less developed districts. Step 2: Recall the core functions of each body: SEBI (securities markets), RBI (monetary policy and banking regulation), SIDBI (MSME development) and IRDAI (insurance regulation). Step 3: Connect micro enterprise promotion most strongly with SIDBI's official mission. Step 4: Remember that announcements about this programme specifically mentioned SIDBI partnering with CSCs to reach rural entrepreneurs. Step 5: Conclude that SIDBI is the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
To verify, think of news reports describing how SIDBI planned to use CSCs as local access points for information, credit facilitation and enterprise support in aspirational districts. These reports emphasised that this project fits within SIDBI's mandate to nurture micro and small enterprises. SEBI, RBI and IRDAI do not typically work directly with CSCs to promote micro entrepreneurship at the district level, confirming that SIDBI is the correct choice.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
SEBI: Focuses on securities markets and investor protection, not direct micro enterprise promotion in aspirational districts.
RBI: As the central bank, it sets monetary policy and regulates banks but does not run district level micro enterprise programmes through CSCs.
IRDAI: Regulates the insurance sector and is not the primary agency for this type of entrepreneurship initiative.

Common Pitfalls:
Test takers sometimes confuse financial regulators with development finance institutions, assuming that any big acronym must be involved. Others may guess RBI due to its prominence. Understanding the distinct roles of each institution and linking micro enterprises with SIDBI is essential to avoid these errors.

Final Answer:
The body that launched the plan to promote micro enterprises in 115 aspirational districts in partnership with CSCs is SIDBI (Small Industries Development Bank of India).