The Kutir Jyoti Scheme of the Government of India is primarily associated with which of the following objectives?

Introduction / Context:
This question is about an important rural electrification scheme of the Government of India. Social sector schemes are a favourite area in competitive examinations, and many such schemes have very similar sounding names. Kutir Jyoti Scheme specifically targeted poor rural households, and remembering its main objective helps differentiate it from employment or housing schemes.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The scheme is called Kutir Jyoti Scheme.
• It is a Government of India initiative.
• Options mention cottage industry, rural employment, electrification and housing.
• We must identify the primary objective of the scheme.

Concept / Approach:
Kutir Jyoti literally means light in the hut. The scheme was launched to provide single point light connections to rural households that were below the poverty line. The idea was that even one light could significantly improve quality of life, enable children to study after sunset and support basic household activities. It was a component of the wider rural electrification efforts eventually integrated into later programmes.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Decode the words Kutir and Jyoti in common Indian languages. Kutir generally refers to hut or small dwelling and Jyoti means light. Step 2: Link this meaning with the policy focus on electrification of rural poor households. Step 3: Remember that the scheme provided a one time grant to cover the cost of internal wiring and connection for rural below poverty line families. Step 4: This clearly fits the description of providing electricity to rural families living below the poverty line. Step 5: Therefore, option that talks about electricity access for rural poor families is the correct one.

Verification / Alternative check:
You can verify by recalling that employment generation schemes often have words like Rojgar, Swarna Jayanti Gram Swarozgar or Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee. Housing related schemes may include terms like Awas Yojana. The use of the word Jyoti strongly suggests a focus on light and hence electricity. Reference materials on rural electrification describe Kutir Jyoti as a programme to provide single point light connections to below poverty line rural households.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Promoting cottage and small scale industry in villages: While electricity can indirectly support industry, Kutir Jyoti Scheme was not specifically designed as an industrial promotion programme.
• Promoting employment among unemployed rural youth: This is more closely associated with schemes such as Swarna Jayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana or later rural employment guarantee programmes.
• Providing all of the above benefits together: The scheme had a focused objective rather than a very broad multi sector mandate.
• Providing free housing to landless agricultural labourers: Housing for rural poor is addressed under different schemes such as Indira Awas Yojana and its successors, not Kutir Jyoti Scheme.

Common Pitfalls:
Candidates frequently mix up scheme names due to similar themes like poverty, rural and employment. Another pitfall is to pick the broadest sounding option, assuming that every scheme does everything. Examiners often include an all of these kind of distractor to trap such guesswork. To avoid this, focus on the literal meaning of the scheme name and at least one core fact about it, for example single light connection for Kutir Jyoti.

Final Answer:
The Kutir Jyoti Scheme is primarily associated with providing electricity to rural families living below the poverty line.