The correct option is (c).
Explanation
Government initiatives in the education sector are designed to address issues of access, equity, quality, and nutritional support across various levels of schooling and higher education.
Statement 1 is Correct.
Samagra Shiksha is an integrated scheme for school education extending from pre-school to Class XII. It subsumes the three erstwhile schemes of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA), and Teacher Education (TE). Its primary objective is to treat school education holistically as a continuum and to improve the effectiveness of schools measured in terms of equal opportunities for schooling and equitable learning outcomes.
Statement 2 is Incorrect.
The Mid-Day Meal Scheme (now known as PM POSHAN) has dual objectives. While it aims to improve the nutritional status of children in classes I–VIII in eligible schools, it is also explicitly designed to encourage poor children, belonging to disadvantaged sections, to attend school more regularly and help them concentrate on classroom activities. Therefore, it aims to increase enrolment, retention, and attendance, not solely nutrition.
Statement 3 is Correct.
The Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in higher education in India is calculated based on the official eligible population in the age group of 18 to 23 years. It represents the total enrolment in higher education, regardless of age, expressed as a percentage of the population in this specific age bracket.
Key Takeaway:
Samagra Shiksha covers the entire spectrum of school education (Pre-school to Class XII), whereas the Mid-Day Meal Scheme targets both nutritional health and school attendance/retention. GER for higher education corresponds to the 18–23 age cohort.