On which date was the Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan (PMSYM) pension scheme announced for launch?

Introduction / Context:
This question is from the area of government schemes and social security. Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan, abbreviated as PMSYM, is a pension scheme aimed at providing old age income support to unorganised sector workers. Knowing the date on which the scheme was announced in the Union Budget is important for exam aspirants following economic and policy developments.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The scheme name is Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan.
• The question focuses on the date linked with its launch announcement.
• All options are February dates from either 2018 or 2019.

Concept / Approach:
The PMSYM scheme was announced by the Finance Minister during the Union Budget presentation on 1 February 2019 for the financial year that followed. Although the formal nationwide rollout occurred later, most exam questions refer to the Budget date when asking about when the scheme was announced. Therefore, associating the scheme with the 2019 Interim Budget helps identify the correct answer.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that PMSYM is a social security pension scheme for unorganised workers. Step 2: Remember that the scheme was introduced in the Union Budget speech of 2019. Step 3: Note that Union Budgets are usually presented on 1 February. Step 4: From the options, match this information with the date 1 February 2019. Step 5: Select 1 February 2019 as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
Budget highlights documents from 2019 list PMSYM as a key scheme for workers earning up to a certain income threshold, introduced in the Interim Budget on 1 February 2019. No comparable announcements about this scheme appear in the 2018 Budget dates, which rules out the options from 2018 and the mid February date of 2019. This consistency confirms 1 February 2019 as the relevant date for exam purposes.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
15 February 2019: A date after the Budget presentation and not associated with the main announcement of the scheme.
14 February 2018: Falls in an earlier year and is unrelated to the introduction of PMSYM.
2 February 2018: Also from 2018 and does not correspond to the Budget day announcement of this specific scheme.

Common Pitfalls:
Students may confuse the announcement date with later dates related to cabinet approval or formal launch ceremonies. Another mistake is mixing PMSYM with other pension or insurance schemes announced in earlier Budgets. To avoid these errors, it is helpful to tie each scheme to its Budget year and opening highlights list.

Final Answer:
The Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan scheme was announced in the Union Budget on 1 February 2019.