With reference to the scheme-wise allocation in the 2023-24 Union Budget, which of the following statement(s) is/are correct?(1)Compared to the previous year, the highest percentage of decline has been recorded in the allocation for MGNREGA.(2)Compared to the previous year, the highest percentage of growth has been recorded in the allocation for Jal Jeevan Mission.Select the correct answer from the code given below:

1. A

   Only 1

   Option (a) asserts that only statement 1 is correct regarding the scheme-wise allocation in the 2023-24 Union Budget. Statement 1 is correct because the allocation for Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGA) saw a notable percentage reduction compared to the revised estimates of the previous year. This option correctly identifies the budgetary trend for rural employment while discarding the erroneous growth claim in the second statement. Therefore, this option is the designated key because it accurately filters the correct budgetary statement based on official financial data.

2. B

   Only 2

   Option (b) claims that only statement 2 is correct. This is incorrect because Jal Jeevan Mission did not record the highest percentage growth in that fiscal year's allocation compared to other major schemes. Consequently, relying solely on statement 2 misinterprets the comparative fiscal figures presented in the budget documents.

3. C

   Both 1 and 2

   Option (c) states that both 1 and 2 are correct. This is incorrect because while the first statement about MGNREGA holds true based on the comparative budgetary allocations, the second statement regarding Jal Jeevan Mission is factually inaccurate. Thus, combining both statements makes this choice wrong.

4. D

   Neither 1 nor 2

   Option (d) claims that neither 1 nor 2 is correct. This is incorrect because statement 1 accurately reflects the percentage decline in the MGNREGA allocation in the 2023-24 Union Budget compared to the previous year. Hence, dismissing both statements overlooks the valid budgetary fact presented in the first statement.

Summary. Official key is (a) with respect to the scheme-wise allocation in the 2023-24 Union Budget. Statement 1 correctly notes the percentage decline in MGNREGA, whereas statement 2 erroneously claims the highest growth for Jal Jeevan Mission. Aspirants often confuse absolute outlay figures with percentage growth or decline calculations. Careful analysis of financial documents confirms that only the first statement stands validated. Thus, option (a) is the correct answer.