What is the total financial outlay in crore rupees for the Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana (Saubhagya) for universal household electrification?

Introduction / Context:
This question tests current affairs and economic awareness related to Indian government flagship schemes. Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana, popularly known as Saubhagya, aims at providing electricity connections to all willing households in rural and certain urban areas. For schemes of this scale, examinations frequently ask for the approved financial outlay, since it reflects the seriousness and scale of the government intervention.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The scheme in question is Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana, also known as Saubhagya.
• The question focuses specifically on the total financial outlay measured in crore rupees.
• Four very similar numeric options are given: 15320, 16320, 17320, and 18320 crore rupees, plus one extra distractor.
• We assume awareness of government press releases and budget documents related to Saubhagya.

Concept / Approach:
The correct outlay for the Saubhagya scheme is 16320 crore rupees. This figure is often quoted in official summaries of the programme. The approach is to remember both the scheme and its financial allocation as a pair. Because the options are very close in value, simple estimation is not enough; factual recall of the exact figure is needed.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Saubhagya is a scheme for universal household electrification in rural and some urban areas. Step 2: Remember that the total cost approved for the scheme is a little over sixteen thousand crore rupees. Step 3: Look at the numeric options 15320, 16320, 17320, and 18320 crore rupees, plus one extra distractor in the list. Step 4: Identify that 16320 crore rupees is the figure that matches official descriptions of the scheme. Step 5: Select 16320 crore rupees as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
Verification can be done by checking government notifications and press releases about Saubhagya. These clearly state that the total outlay is 16320 crore rupees, including budgetary support and contributions from states. Many exam preparation books and economic survey based materials repeat the same figure. Since the other numbers are not used in authentic sources for this scheme, cross checking confirms that 16320 crore rupees is correct.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
15320 crore rupees: This is numerically close but does not match the sanctioned outlay for Saubhagya and appears to be a distractor created by changing just one digit.
17320 crore rupees: This suggests a higher allocation than actually provided and is not supported by official scheme documents.
18320 crore rupees: This is again a larger number than the approved outlay and is incorrect for this specific question.
20320 crore rupees: This amount is even higher and has not been quoted as the sanctioned cost of the scheme, so it is not correct.

Common Pitfalls:
A common mistake is to rely on rough memory, remembering that the figure is around sixteen thousand crore rupees and then randomly choosing any option starting with sixteen. Because several options are very similar, misplacing a single digit can lead to an incorrect answer. Another pitfall is confusing this number with allocations for other energy or infrastructure schemes. To avoid these errors, it is useful to make a small table of major schemes and their approved outlay during preparation and revise it regularly.

Final Answer:
The total financial outlay for Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana (Saubhagya) is 16320 crore rupees.