Which one of the following is not a specific flagship scheme or project launched as such by the present Central Government, even though the term may be used in other contexts?

Introduction / Context:

This question is about differentiating between named government schemes and broader sectors or ministries. The present Central Government has launched several flagship schemes with distinctive names, such as AMRUT, Swachh Bharat Mission and Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana. AYUSH, on the other hand, is a term used mainly to describe a group of traditional systems of medicine and a dedicated ministry, not a single stand alone scheme in itself. Identifying this difference helps in avoiding confusion in exam questions.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The question asks which option is not a specific scheme or project of the present Government.
• The options include names of well known missions and one term that refers to a sector or ministry rather than a flagship scheme.
• It is assumed that you have basic familiarity with the main schemes launched in recent years.
• The presence of similar sounding names may tempt you to think all are schemes, so careful discrimination is required.

Concept / Approach:

AMRUT, or Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation, is a defined urban renewal scheme focusing on basic infrastructure in cities. Swachh Bharat Mission is a nationwide cleanliness and sanitation campaign. Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana is a financial inclusion scheme. Smart Cities Mission is a programme to promote sustainable and citizen friendly cities. AYUSH, however, is an umbrella term for Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy and is associated with a Ministry of AYUSH. It is not, by itself, a specific centrally sponsored scheme like the others, which is why it is the correct answer here.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:

If you check government documents or official portals on schemes, you will see separate detailed pages for AMRUT, Swachh Bharat Mission, Jan Dhan Yojana and Smart Cities Mission. They have distinct objectives, funding patterns and implementation guidelines. AYUSH, in contrast, directs you mainly to the Ministry of AYUSH and its various initiatives; the term itself is not a single flagship scheme document but a sectoral label and ministerial name.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

AMRUT is a specific urban development mission that aims to provide basic services in cities and towns, especially water supply and sewerage.

Swachh Bharat Mission is a clearly identified scheme for cleanliness and sanitation, including rural and urban components.

Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana is a flagship financial inclusion scheme targeting universal access to banking facilities.

Smart Cities Mission is a defined programme to develop selected cities with improved infrastructure, technology and governance.

Common Pitfalls:

A common confusion arises because AYUSH appears frequently in news and government announcements, leading some learners to treat it as a stand alone scheme, when in reality it is the name of a ministry and a grouping of medical systems. To avoid such mistakes, it is useful to separate names of ministries and sectors from names of individual schemes. Schemes almost always carry words such as Yojana, Mission or Abhiyan, whereas ministry names describe departments of government.

Final Answer:

The option that is not a specific scheme or project of the present Government is AYUSH.