Which organisation launched a Rural Development Programme in Uttar Pradesh so that villages could be developed in an integrated manner?

Introduction / Context:
Rural development programmes in India are often implemented or supported by specialised institutions that focus on agriculture, rural credit, and infrastructure. Uttar Pradesh, being a large agrarian state, has been the target of several integrated rural development initiatives. This question asks which organisation initiated a Rural Development Programme in Uttar Pradesh aimed at developing villages in an integrated and sustainable manner.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The programme is specifically called a Rural Development Programme.
• The focus is on integrated development of villages in Uttar Pradesh.
• The options include banks and financial institutions: NABARD, SBI, RBI, ECGC, and SIDBI.
• We assume familiarity with the primary mandates of these institutions.

Concept / Approach:
The essential idea is to align the nature of the programme with the core mandate of the institution. NABARD stands for National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development and is specifically tasked with rural credit, agricultural development, and integrated rural projects. Therefore, a Rural Development Programme for integrated village development in a state like Uttar Pradesh fits squarely within NABARD's mission. The other institutions handle commercial banking, monetary policy, export credit guarantees, or small industry finance, which are related but not as directly focused on integrated rural development.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Note that the programme targets villages and rural development in Uttar Pradesh. Step 2: Recall the full form and core purpose of NABARD, which is dedicated to agriculture and rural development across India. Step 3: Compare this with SBI (a large commercial bank), RBI (the central bank), ECGC (export credit guarantee body), and SIDBI (small industries finance institution). Step 4: Identify that among these, NABARD is the most logical organisation to start such an integrated rural development initiative. Step 5: Choose “NABARD” as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
You can verify this by looking at typical functions: NABARD finances rural infrastructure projects, self help groups, watershed management, and village level development models. Many exam oriented GK sources specifically mention that NABARD launched a Rural Development Programme in Uttar Pradesh to promote integrated village development. No similar flagship integrated rural programme is usually attributed to RBI, ECGC, or SIDBI in this context.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
State Bank of India (SBI): Although SBI has rural branches and runs financial inclusion schemes, it is primarily a commercial bank rather than a specialised rural development institution.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI): The central bank sets monetary policy and regulates banking but does not directly implement integrated village development programmes.
Export Credit Guarantee Corporation (ECGC): Its main role is to provide export credit insurance and support exporters, not to design rural development projects.
Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI): Focuses on small and medium enterprises, not comprehensive cluster based rural village development in the way NABARD does.

Common Pitfalls:
Candidates may mistakenly pick SBI simply because it is a familiar name or because it also works in rural areas. Another common confusion is to think RBI handles all economic programmes nationwide. To avoid this, always match the specific nature of a scheme, especially one explicitly labelled rural development, with NABARD, which is the apex institution in that domain.

Final Answer:
The Rural Development Programme for integrated village development in Uttar Pradesh was initiated by NABARD.