The Mahila Police Volunteer scheme was first launched on a pilot basis in which Indian state?

Introduction / Context:
This question relates to a social security and women safety initiative known as the Mahila Police Volunteer scheme. The scheme aims to create a link between the police and the local community, especially women, by appointing trained volunteers at the village or ward level. It is important in the context of gender based violence and community policing reforms. Knowing where the scheme was first launched on a pilot basis is part of current affairs and governance awareness.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The scheme is called Mahila Police Volunteer and focuses on women volunteers.
• It was to be implemented in all states but started on a pilot basis in one state first.
• The options given are Delhi, Gujarat, Haryana, and Rajasthan.
• We assume that the question refers to the officially announced pilot state at the time of launch.

Concept / Approach:
The Mahila Police Volunteer scheme is a joint initiative of the Ministry of Women and Child Development and the Ministry of Home Affairs. The first pilot implementation was launched in Haryana, specifically in districts such as Karnal and Mahendragarh, before being extended to other states. The scheme positions volunteers as a contact point between the police and the community for reporting crimes against women. While other states may later adopt the scheme, the pilot state was Haryana, making it the correct answer.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that the scheme was launched to strengthen community policing and women safety. Step 2: Remember that Haryana was selected for the pilot implementation, with volunteers identified at the village level. Step 3: Note that Delhi, Gujarat, and Rajasthan, though important states, were not the first to launch the scheme on a pilot basis. Step 4: Conclude that Haryana is the correct option.

Verification / Alternative check:
Government communications and press releases on the Mahila Police Volunteer scheme specify that it was launched initially in Haryana. The documents mention that the pilot districts were in Haryana and that the scheme would then be scaled up to other parts of the country. No similar mention is made for Delhi, Gujarat, or Rajasthan as pilot states at the time of launch, which supports the answer.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Delhi, while being a union territory with a high focus on women safety, was not the first state or region chosen as the pilot implementation area. Gujarat and Rajasthan also introduced various women safety measures but did not host the first pilot for this specific scheme. Therefore, none of these options match the description of the initial pilot launch state for Mahila Police Volunteers.

Common Pitfalls:
Some candidates may assume that Delhi must be the pilot location because of media attention to women safety issues there. Others might guess Rajasthan or Gujarat based on regional news. These guesses arise from association rather than precise recall. Maintaining a separate list of schemes and their pilot states or districts can help aspirants avoid such errors in examinations.

Final Answer:
The Mahila Police Volunteer scheme was first launched on a pilot basis in the state of Haryana.