The Prime Minister's National Relief Fund, which is used to provide immediate relief to people in distress due to natural disasters and certain medical emergencies, is operated and administered by which of the following?

Introduction / Context:
The Prime Minister's National Relief Fund is an important fund set up to provide immediate financial assistance to people affected by natural disasters, major accidents and certain serious medical conditions. It is supported by voluntary donations and is frequently mentioned in news reports after calamities. This question tests your awareness of which institution actually operates and administers this fund within the Government of India structure.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- The fund is known as the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund.- It provides assistance primarily in disaster and emergency situations.- We need to identify the body responsible for its operation and administration.

Concept / Approach:
Although the fund is related to relief and rehabilitation, it is not directly run by the National Disaster Management Authority or by any particular ministry. Instead, it is operated and administered under the guidance of the Prime Minister through the Prime Minister's Office. The Prime Minister heads the administration of the fund and decisions on disbursement are taken within this framework, often with the help of an advisory committee.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Consider option B, the National Disaster Management Authority. While it plays a major role in disaster management framework and planning, it does not directly administer the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund.Step 2: Consider option C, the Ministry of Finance. This ministry handles the Government's budget and financial policies but does not operate the fund in question.Step 3: Consider option D, the National Development Council, which has been largely inactive and historically dealt with planning issues, not day to day relief operations.Step 4: The remaining option is the Prime Minister's Office, which is directly linked to the Prime Minister and is the actual body that operates and administers the fund.Step 5: Therefore, the correct answer is that the Prime Minister's Office operates the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund.

Verification / Alternative check:
A simple way to remember this is to focus on the name of the fund itself. Since it is the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund, it is natural that it is handled by the Prime Minister's Office rather than by another authority with a different mandate. Public donations are also usually sent directly to the fund managed by the Prime Minister's Office, which further confirms this administrative arrangement.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option B (National Disaster Management Authority) is wrong because its role is in planning, coordination and monitoring of disaster management policy, not in operating this particular relief fund.Option C (Ministry of Finance) is wrong because, although finance is involved in many schemes, the administration of this specific fund is not under that ministry.Option D (National Development Council) is wrong as it historically dealt with planning issues and has no direct role in administering relief funds.

Common Pitfalls:
Students often assume that anything related to disasters must automatically fall under the National Disaster Management Authority. Another misconception is that all funds involving money are operated by the Ministry of Finance. Remember that some funds are directly linked to the offices of top constitutional functionaries, and their names often indicate this relationship. Recognising such patterns helps in quickly eliminating distractor options in examinations.

Final Answer:
Correct answer: The Prime Minister's Office