Full formGovernment & Exams
URAstands forUnit Running Account
Full Form of URA
What is URA?
Unit Running Account, commonly known as URA, is an important concept in India's public financial management system used for consolidating and managing government funds. Under this mechanism, a single account is opened by each government department, ministry, or implementing agency, into which the required funds are transferred from the Consolidated Fund of India or the state treasury as and when needed, rather than parking large sums in advance. This account is then used to make payments directly to beneficiaries, vendors, or field offices. The URA system was popularized through the Public Financial Management System (PFMS) developed by the Office of the Controller General of Accounts (CGA) under the Ministry of Finance. It ensures better cash management, reduces idle balances, prevents parking of funds in commercial banks, and enables real-time monitoring of scheme-wise expenditure. It is widely used by central ministries, state governments, autonomous bodies, and district-level implementing agencies across India. The concept is highly relevant for aspirants preparing for UPSC, SSC, banking, and other competitive examinations covering government accounting reforms and digital financial governance in the country.
URA का फुल फॉर्म
इकाई चालू खाता
Example
Under the new URA mechanism, the Ministry of Rural Development transferred funds directly to the implementing agency's account, ensuring faster and more transparent disbursement of MGNREGA wages to beneficiaries.
URA — frequently asked questions
What is the full form of URA?
The full form of URA is Unit Running Account, a public financial management tool used by Indian government departments for fund disbursement.
What is the purpose of Unit Running Account in India?
URA helps consolidate government funds into a single account, reduces idle balances, enables real-time tracking of expenditure, and ensures timely disbursement under various central and state schemes.
Which system implements URA in India?
The Public Financial Management System (PFMS), operated by the Office of the Controller General of Accounts (CGA) under the Ministry of Finance, implements the URA mechanism across government departments.