In the following English grammar question on voice, choose the correct passive form of the sentence: The government has launched a programme to improve the performance of the ministries.

Introduction / Context:
This question checks your ability to convert a present perfect active sentence into an equivalent passive structure while keeping the meaning intact. The original sentence is The government has launched a programme to improve the performance of the ministries. In passive voice, the focus moves from the doer (the government) to the action or the object (a programme). At the same time, the purpose clause to improve the performance of the ministries must be preserved clearly.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Active sentence: The government has launched a programme to improve the performance of the ministries.
• Subject: The government
• Verb phrase: has launched (present perfect)
• Object: a programme
• Purpose: to improve the performance of the ministries
• Task: Choose the option that correctly expresses this meaning in passive voice.

Concept / Approach:
For present perfect tense (has launched), the passive structure is has been launched or have been launched depending on number. The object of the active sentence, a programme, becomes the subject in the passive sentence. The phrase to improve the performance of the ministries is an infinitive of purpose and should remain attached clearly to the programme. A natural passive transformation therefore has the form: To improve the performance of the ministries, a programme has been launched by the government. This keeps the same tense, the same purpose, and introduces the by phrase to show the agent, if needed.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Check by mentally converting the passive sentence back into active voice. From To improve the performance of the ministries, a programme has been launched by the government, you can restore the active form as The government has launched a programme to improve the performance of the ministries. The tense (present perfect), subject (the government), object (a programme), and the purpose remain identical, confirming that option A accurately reflects the original sentence in passive voice.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option B (For the improvement of performance by the ministries, a programme has been launched by the government.) is grammatically acceptable but stylistically awkward and slightly distorts focus by using the phrase improvement of performance by the ministries instead of performance of the ministries. Option C (A programme has been launched for the improvement of ministries by the government.) changes the meaning, suggesting that the ministries themselves are to be improved, not their performance. Option D (The programme launched by the government was for the improvement of performance of the ministries.) shifts the tense from has launched (present perfect) to was (simple past), altering the time reference. Option E introduces long ago, which is extra information not present in the original sentence.

Common Pitfalls:
Learners often change the tense by mistake when forming passive voice, especially with perfect tenses. Another frequent problem is altering the meaning of the purpose clause, for instance by making it sound as if the ministries themselves are being restructured rather than their performance being enhanced. Some candidates also produce overcomplicated noun phrases like for the improvement of performance by the ministries, which are grammatically heavy and unnatural. To avoid such pitfalls, focus on preserving tense, subject–object roles, and clarity of meaning, while keeping the sentence as natural and direct as possible.

Final Answer:
The correct passive form is To improve the performance of the ministries, a programme has been launched by the government.