SCHEMES IN NEWS

REVAMPED DISTRIBUTION SECTOR SCHEME (RDSS)

Context

• PM Modi will launch the Ministry of power’s flagship Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) on July 30, 2022. The scheme is aimed at improving the operational efficiencies and financial sustainability of the power distribution companies (discoms).

About

• The scheme, with an outlay of over Rs 3.03 trillion in five years to FY26, will enable Discoms to modernise and strengthen the distribution infrastructure and improve the reliability and quality of supply of power to end consumers.
• It also aims to reduce the AT&C (aggregate technical and commercial) losses to pan-India levels of 12-15% and the ACS-ARR (average cost of supply-average revenue realised) gap to zero by 2024-25. REC and PFC have been nominated as nodal agencies for the scheme.
• RDSS mandates the compulsory installation of smart meters across the country. The Centre has set an ambitious target of installing 250 million smart meters by 2025.
• With this new scheme coming into force, all other previous schemes such as Integrated Power Development Scheme, Deendayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana and Ujjwal Discom Assurance Yojana (UDAY) would stand subsumed. 

Context

• Recently, the Union Cabinet has approved the raising of seven new ITBP (Indo-Tibetan Border Police) battalions and allocated Rs 4,800 crore under the Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP) to bolster the social and security framework along the China border.

About

• It is a Centrally sponsored scheme, announced in the Union Budget 2022-23 (to 2025-26) for the development of villages on the northern border, thus improving the quality of life of people living in identified border villages.
• It will cover the border areas of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Ladakh.
• It will cover 2,963 villages with 663 of them to be covered in the first phase.
• Vibrant Village Action Plans will be created by the district administration with the help of Gram Panchayats.
• There will not be an overlap with Border Area Development Programme.
• Objective
  • It aids to identify and develop the economic drivers based on local, natural, human and other resources of the border villages on the northern border;
  • Development of growth centres on the ‘hub and spoke model’ through the promotion of social entrepreneurship, empowerment of youth and women through skill development and entrepreneurship;
  • Leveraging the tourism potential through the promotion of local, cultural, and traditional knowledge and heritage;
  • Development of sustainable eco-agri businesses on the concept of ‘one village-one product’ through community-based organisations, cooperatives, and NGOs.

Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)

• Context:
  • Recently, the second Anniversary of Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) was celebrated.
• AIM:
  • PMMSY aims towards the purpose of rural development by utilizing rural resources and boosting the rural economy in a rapid way.
  • The main motto of PMMSY is ‘Reform, Perform and Transform’ in the fisheries sector.
  • The reforms and initiatives in the PMMSY scheme have been inculcated in:
  • Core & trunk infrastructure development
  • Modernization of Indian fisheries by undertaking the efforts such as:
    • Push for new fishing harbours/landing centres
    • Modernisation and mechanization of traditional fishermen crafts-trawlers-deep sea-going vessels
    • Provision of post-harvest facilities to reduce post-harvest loss
    • Cold chains facilities
    • Clean and hygienic fish markets
    • Two-wheelers with ice boxes
• IMPLEMENTATION:
  • It is implemented as an umbrella scheme with two separate components namely:
  • Central Sector Scheme: The project cost will be borne by the Central government.
  • Centrally Sponsored Scheme: All the sub-components/activities will be implemented by the States/UTs and the cost will be shared between the Centre and State.

Primary Agricultural Credit Societies

Context:

• Recently, the Union Budget 2023 has announced Rs 2,516 crore for the digitization of 63,000 Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) over the next five years.

About

• PACS are village-level cooperative credit societies that serve as the last link in a three-tier cooperative credit structure headed by the State Cooperative Banks (SCB) at the state level.
• PACSs provide short-term, and medium-term agricultural loans to farmers for various agricultural and farming activities.
• The first PACS was formed in 1904.

Siginificance of PACS

• Access to Credit
• Financial Inclusion
• Convenient Services
• Promoting Savings Culture
• Enhancing Credit Discipline

Yuva Sangam Education Portal

Context

• The Union Minister of Education has launched the “Yuva Sangam” portal.

About

• Aim: To build close ties between the youth of the North East Region and the rest of India under the spirit of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.
•  
• Significance- The program is an opportunity for the youth of the North East to explore the country. It will also give an opportunity to them to celebrate the ancient culture and natural diversity of India.
• Under the initiative, the youth of 18 years to 30 years from North East will get an opportunity to see different states of the country to understand their art, culture and languages.

Context

• The Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change launched the ‘Save Wetlands Campaign’ in Goa.

About

• The Save Wetlands Campaign aims to enable affirmative actions for wetlands conservation by taking a “whole of society” approach. 
• Activities involved:  
• increasing the coverage of wetland mitras 
• sensitizing people to the value of wetlands
• building citizen partnerships for wetlands conservation.
• This campaign over the next year will include sensitizing people to the value of wetlands, increasing the coverage of wetland mitras and building citizen partnerships for wetlands conservation.

MISHTI Scheme

• Context:
  • In the Union Budget 2023-24 presented on February 1, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a new MISHTI scheme.
• About:
  • Building on India’s success in afforestation, ‘Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes’, MISHTI, will be taken up for mangrove plantation along the coastline and on salt pan lands, wherever feasible, through convergence between MGNREGS, CAMPA Fund and other sources.
• Implementation:
  • MISHTI is to be implemented by converging CAMPA Fund, MGNREGS, and other sources.

PM PRANAM

• Context:
  • To reduce the use of chemical fertilisers the Government launched the PM PRANAM (Promotion of Alternate Nutrients for Agriculture Management Yojana) Scheme.
  • ill move into the formal sector.
• Objectives
  • To encourage the balanced use of fertilisers in conjunction with bio fertilisers and organic fertilisers.
• Aim:
  • To bring down the subsidy burden on chemical fertilisers, which is estimated to reach Rs 2.25 lakh crore in 2022-23 — 39% higher than the 2021 figure of Rs 1.62 lakh crore.
• This programme will seek to incentivise states and union territories to promote alternative fertilisers and the balanced use of chemical fertilisers.

Amrit Dharohar Scheme

Context

• The GoI launched the Amrit Dharohar Scheme to maximise the utilisation of wetlands in cities and to enhance their biodiversity. The Finance Minister revealed the programme during her budget speech.

About

• The scheme will aim to conserver wetlands by promoting their optimal use
• The scheme will increase eco-tourism, and carbon stock, and also will help the local communities in their income generations.
• The scheme will emphasize the importance of wetlands and their preservation with an outlook that is inclusive of local communities as caretakers of the ecosystem.

Bhartiya Prakritik Kheti Bio-Input Resource Centres

• Context:
  • The Union Budget 2023-24 declared that Bio-Input Resource Centres will be developed across the country.
• About:
  • 10,000 Bio-Input Resource Centres will be set up, creating a national-level distributed micro-fertilizer and pesticide manufacturing network.
  • It will help facilitate 1 crore farmers to adopt natural farming in the next 3 years.

Amrot Sarovar Mission

• Context:
  • A target of 50,000 Amrit Sarovars was set to be completed by August 15, 2023.
  • So far, 60% of the target has been achieved with over 30,000 Amrit Sarovars constructed in the span of 9 months.
• About
  • On April 24, 2022, Mission Amrit Sarovar was launched as part of India's “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav” celebrations for the 75th year of independence.
  • The mission aims to construct/rejuvenate at least 75 Amrit Sarovars in each district across India to overcome the water crisis in rural areas.
  • Main Features
    • The whole of Government Approach
    • Jan Bhagidari (People's Participation)
    • Innovative Measures
    • Boosting Rural Livelihood

Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY)

• Context:
  • As per the sample survey conducted at the national level by the Ministry of Labour and Employment (MoLE) to assess employment generation under the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY), the scheme helped in generating 1.12 crore net additional employment during a period of approximately 3 years (i.e., from 2015 to 2018).
• About
  • PMMY was launched by the Government of India in 2015.
  • The PMMY provides collateral-free institutional loans up to Rs. 10 lakhs for small business enterprises.
• Funding Provision
  • It is provided by Member Lending Institutions (MLIs) i.e. Scheduled Commercial Banks (SCBs), Regional Rural Banks (RRBs), Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) and Micro-Finance Institutions (MFIs).
• Types
  • The loan can be used for income-generating activities in the manufacturing, trading, services sector, and agriculture.
  • There are three loan products under PMMY:
  • Shishu (loans up to Rs. 50,000)
  • Kishore (loans between Rs. 50,000 and Rs. 5 lakh)
  • Tarun (loans between Rs. 5 lakh and Rs. 10 lakh).

Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS)

Context:

• Recently, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry approved Rs. 477.25 crores under the Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS), which is a flagship Scheme under Startup India Initiative.

About:

• The Startup India initiative envisages building a robust Start-up ecosystem in the country for nurturing innovation and providing opportunities to budding entrepreneurs.
• Under the Initiative, an Action Plan of 19 Action Points was unveiled by the Prime Minister in January 2016.
• The flagship schemes under the Startup India initiative namely, Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS), SISFS and Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups (CGSS) extend support to startups at various stages of their business cycle.

 SISFS

• The scheme was announced at Startup India International Summit on 16th January 2021.
• Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) approved an outlay of Rs. 945 Crore for the period of 4 years starting from 2021-22 to provide financial assistance to startups for Proof of Concept, prototype development, product trials, market-entry, and commercialization.

• Execution and Monitoring:
  • An Experts Advisory Committee (EAC) has been constituted by DPIIT, which will be responsible for the overall execution and monitoring of the Startup India Seed Fund Scheme.
  • The EAC will evaluate and select incubators for allotment of Seed Funds, monitor progress, and take all necessary measures for efficient utilization of funds towards the fulfilment of objectives of the Startup India Seed Fund Scheme.
• Eligibility:
• A startup, recognized by DPIIT (Ministry of Commerce and Industry), incorporated not more than 2 years ago at the time of application.
• Startups should not have received more than Rs. 10 lakhs of monetary support under any other Central or State Government scheme.
• Preference would be given to startups creating innovative solutions in sectors such as social impact, waste management, water management, financial inclusion, education, agriculture, food processing, biotechnology, healthcare, energy, mobility, defence, space, railways, oil and gas, textiles, etc.

e-Courts Integrated Mission Mode Project

Context

• The Government of India has launched the e-Courts Integrated Mission Mode Project in the country for computerization of District and subordinate courts with the objective of improving access to justice using technology.

About

• As part of the National e-Governance Plan, the project is under implementation since 2007 for Information and Communications Technology (ICT) development of the Indian Judiciary
• e-Courts project is being implemented in association with the e-Committee Supreme Court of India and the Department of Justice.
• Phases:
• Phase I: It was implemented during 2011-2015.
• Phase II: It was started in 2015 under which various District & Subordinate courts have been computerised.
• Initiatives are taken under the Project
  • Improvisation of Software
  • Free and Open Source Software based Case Information Software
  • National Judicial Datagrid- a database of orders, judgments, and cases, created as an online platform under the eCourts Project
  • Access to Case Status Information
  • Virtual Courts
  • Video Conferencing
  • E-filing
  • National Service and Tracking of Electronic Processes (NSTEP) for technology-enabled process serving and issuing of a summons.
  • User-Friendly “Judgement Search” portal
  • Creating Awareness

Government e-Marketplace

• Context:
  • Government e-Marketplace achieves a Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) of Rs. 1.5 Lakh Crores.
• About:
  • The GeM is an online platform launched by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India in 2016 to facilitate the procurement of goods and services by various government departments and organisations.
  • It is open to all government departments, public sector undertakings, autonomous bodies and other organisations.
  • Currently, GeM stands in the third position after Singapore's GeBIZ.
  • South Korea's KONEPS is the largest such platform in the world.
  • GeM has integrated with 1.5 lakh+ India Post offices and 5.2+ lakh Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs) via the Common Service Centres for last-mile outreach and service delivery.

PM-KUSUM Scheme

• Context:
  • The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has extended the deadline to install 30,000 MW solar power capacity in rural India to March 2026 under PM-KUSUM (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha Evam Uttham Mahabhiyan).
• Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evem Utthan Mahabhiyan / (PM KUSUM) Scheme:
  • The Scheme is an initiative of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).
  • It is a scheme for farmers to the installation of solar pumps and grid-connected solar and other renewable power plants in the country.
  • Approved in February 2019, the objective of the scheme is to provide financial and water security.
  • The scheme aims to add solar and another renewable capacity of 25,750 MW by 2022.
• Key features:
  • As per provisions of the PM-KUSUM Scheme, the grid-connected agriculture pumps can be solarised with central and state subsidies of 30% each and farmers’ contributions of 40%.
  • It will also include feeder-level solarisation.
• Scheme implementation:
  • State Nodal Agencies (SNAs) of MNRE will coordinate with States/UTs, Discoms and farmers for implementation of the scheme.
• Scheme benefits:
  • The scheme will open a stable and continuous source of income to the rural landowners for a period of 25 years by utilisation of their dry/uncultivable land.
  • In case cultivated fields are chosen for setting up solar power projects, the farmers could continue to grow crops as the solar panels are to be set up above a minimum height.
  • The solar pumps will save the expenditure incurred on diesel for running diesel pumps and provide the farmers with a reliable source of irrigation through solar pumps apart from preventing harmful pollution from running diesel pumps.

Production Linked Incentive Scheme

Context:

• The manufacturing industry’s positive response to the Production Linked Incentive scheme (PLI) is likely to upgrade the labour force’s skills, replace old machinery, enhance production volumes and make logistics and operations efficient, giving India a chance to become a key manufacturing player.

About the scheme:

• The Indian government's introduction of the PLI scheme in 14 key manufacturing sectors is a significant step towards achieving its strategic vision for the manufacturing industry.
• Launched in March 2020, the scheme initially targeted three industries:
• Electrical Component Manufacturing and
• Mobile and allied Component Manufacturing
• Medical Devices
• Incentives Under the Scheme:
  • The incentives, calculated on the basis of incremental sales, range from as low as 1% for the electronics and technology products to as high as 20% for the manufacturing of critical key starting drugs and certain drug intermediaries.
  • In some sectors such as advanced chemistry cell batteries, textile products and the drone industry, the incentive to be given will be calculated on the basis of sales, performance and local value addition done over the period of five years.
• Sectors for the which PLI Scheme has been Announced:
  • So far, the government has announced PLI schemes for 14 sectors including automobile and auto components, electronics and IT hardware, telecom, pharmaceuticals, solar modules, metals and mining, textiles and apparel, white goods, drones, and advanced chemistry cell batteries.
•  Objectives
  • The Government introduced this scheme to reduce India’s dependence on China and other foreign countries.
  • It supports the labour-intensive sectors and aims to increase the employment ratio in India.
  • This scheme works to reduce import bills and boost domestic production.

‘Mahila Samman Saving Certificate’ Scheme (MSSC)

Context:

• Finance Minister recently announced a new saving scheme ‘Mahila Samman Saving Certificate’ for women and girls in the Union Budget.

About:

• The scheme offers deposit facilities up to Rs 2 lakh in the name of women or girls for a tenor of 2 years.
• It offers a fixed interest rate of 7.5 per cent.
• There are no tax benefits, but partial withdrawal is allowed in this scheme.
• This is a one-time scheme announced in Budget 2023 and will remain available for a two-year period i.e. up to March 2025.
• Benefit: It will encourage more women to adopt formal financial saving instruments.

Akshaya Big Campaign for Document Digitisation (ABCD) campaign

Context:

• Wayanad from Kerala became the first district in the country to provide basic documents and facilities to all tribal people under the (Akshaya Big Campaign for Document Digitisation) ABCD campaign.

About

• The ABCD campaign is an initiative by the Wayanad district administration in India to provide basic documents and facilities such as Aadhaar cards, ration cards, birth/death certificates, election ID cards, bank accounts and health insurance to all tribespeople.
• Since all the relevant departments were brought under one roof in a camp, each beneficiary gets all the needed services at the camp itself, saving them the time and effort of visiting several offices.
• Apart from these, other services such as income certificates, ownership certificates, age certificates and applications for new pensions were also provided.

Aspirational Block Programme

NITI Aayog

Context:

• The Prime Minister has launched the Aspirational Block Programme (ABP).

About:

• The Aspirational Blocks Programme is on the lines of the Aspirational District Programme that were launched in 2018.
• Aim: To improve the performance of blocks lagging on various development parameters. This will enable holistic development in those areas that require added assistance.
• Coverage: The programme will cover 500 blocks across 31 states and Union Territories initially. Over half of these blocks are in 6 states—Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Odisha and West Bengal.
• Ranking: NITI Aayog in partnership with the states will release a quarterly ranking of these blocks based on their performance on development indicators covering sectors such as health, education and nutrition among others.

North East Special Infrastructure Scheme (NESIDS)

Context:

• The Union Cabinet has approved the continuation of the Schemes of the Ministry of Development of the North Eastern Region for the balance period of the 15th Finance Commission (2022-23 to 2025-26).

About the scheme:

• NESIDS has been approved by the Government of India as a Central Sector Scheme in 2017
• It has been launched to focus on projects relating to infrastructure creation concerning water supply, power and connectivity, and thereby enhancing tourism.
• It also focuses on the social infrastructure of the primary and secondary sectors of health and education
• Under the Scheme, 100% central funding is provided to the State Governments of the North Eastern Region for the projects of physical infrastructure 
• The NESIDS will accord focus on the exploitation of the huge tourism potential of the area by way of strengthening related infrastructure and will also give emphasis on the creation of an infrastructure of social sectors like health and education.
• Only those projects would be considered for funding under the scheme which is not supported under any other scheme of the Central or State Government. 
• Objectives
• To ensure focused development of the North East Region by providing financial assistance to support projects related to the following:
• Physical infrastructures with respect to water supply, power and connectivity.
• Projects that promote tourism.
• Social sector for the creation of infrastructures in the primary and secondary sectors of education and health.

Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for North-East(PM-DevINE) Scheme

Context:

• The Union Cabinet has approved the continuation of the Schemes of the Ministry of Development of the North Eastern Region for the balance period of the 15th Finance Commission (2022-23 to 2025-26).

About:

• The PM-DevINE Scheme will fund infrastructure and social development projects based on the needs felt in the Northeast.
• Objective: To enable livelihood activities for youth and women and fill the gap in various sectors.
• Implementation: The scheme will be implemented through the North-Eastern Council. 
• The scheme is not a substitute for existing central and state schemes.
• Schemes covered under PM-DevINE
  • Establishment of Dedicated Services for the Management of Pediatric and Adult Hematolymphoid Cancers in North East India, Guwahati (Multi-State)
  • NECTAR Livelihood Improvement Project (Multi-State) 
  • Promoting Scientific Organic Agriculture in North East India (Multi-State)
  • Construction of Aizawl By-pass on the Western Side 
  • Gap funding for Passenger Ropeway system for Pelling to Sanga-Choeling in West Sikkim
  • Gap funding for Eco-friendly Ropeway (Cable Car) from Dhapper to Bhaleydhunga in South Sikkim 
  • Pilot Project for Construction of Bamboo Link Road at Different Locations in Various Districts in the State of Mizoram among others

Broadcasting Infrastructure and Network Development (BIND) Scheme

Context:

• The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved the proposal of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting’s “Broadcasting Infrastructure and Network Development” (BIND) Scheme.

About

• Aim: To bring modernisation to the public broadcaster Prasar Bharati i.e. All India Radio (AIR) and Doordarshan (DD). 
• Under the scheme, financial support will be provided to Prasar Bharati for expenses related to the expansion and upgradation of its broadcasting infrastructure, content development and civil work related to the organization.
• Significance of the scheme: The scheme will enable the public broadcaster to undertake a major upgradation of its facilities with better infrastructure which will widen its reach, including in the Left Wing Extremism border and strategic areas and provide high-quality content to the viewers.
• In addition to enhancing the scope of public broadcasting, the Project has the potential to generate indirect employment by way of manufacturing and services related to the supply and installation of broadcast equipment.

New Integrated Food Security Scheme- PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY)

Context:

• The Government of India has rolled out the new integrated food security scheme from January 1, 2023.

About

• The new scheme aims to ensure effective and uniform implementation of the National Food Security Act and to provide accessibility, affordability, and availability of food grains for the poor.
• It will also enable uniform implementation of portability under the “One Nation One Ration Card” program, which allows ration cards to be used anywhere in the country.
• Beneficiaries- all NFSA beneficiaries, including Antyodaya Ann Yojana households and Priority Household persons, for one year through the network of 5.33 lakh fair price shops across the country
• It will subsume two current food subsidy schemes of the Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD): the food subsidy to the Food Corporation of India (FCI) for the NFSA, and sops for decentralized procurement states, which deal with the procurement, allocation, and delivery of free food grains under the NFSA.
•  

Amrit Bharat Station Scheme for Indian Railways

Context

• The Ministry of Railways has formulated a new policy for the modernization of stations named the Amrit Bharat Station scheme.

About

• The scheme envisages the development of stations on a continuous basis with a long-term vision.
• It is based on Master Planning for the long term and implementation of the elements of the Master Plan as per the needs and patronage of the station.
• Objectives
  • Preparation of Master Plans of the Railway stations and implementation in phases to enhance the facilities including and beyond the Minimum Essential Amenities (MEA),
  • Cater for the introduction of new amenities as well as the upgradation and replacement of existing amenities,
  • Relocate redundant/old buildings in a cost-efficient manner.
• Scope of Work
  • Master Plans will have elementary details of the most appropriate location of Roof Plaza to be created in future.
  • Cover the stations where detailed techno-economic feasibility studies have been conducted or are being conducted.
  • Existing building usage shall be reviewed and space should be released in favour of passengers.
  • Amenities for Divyangjan at stations.
  • The gradual shift to sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions as per availability of funds and condition of existing assets.
  • At least one aesthetically designed hoarding(signage) on each side of the circulating area at a prominent location shall be erected for the display of important information etc.

Context

• The Union Cabinet has approved a pending pension revision for pensioners from the armed forces and their families under the One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme which has been delayed since July 2019.

About

• OROP implies a uniform pension for defence personnel retiring in the same rank with the same length of service, regardless of their date of retirement.
• Military personnel across the three services fall under two categories, the officers and the other ranks.
• The other ranks, which are soldiers, usually retire at age 35.
• Unlike government employees who retire close to 60, soldiers can thus miss out on the benefits from subsequent pay commissions.
• The scheme was implemented with retrospective effect from July 1st, 2014 with 2013 as the base year.
• The armed forces personnel who retired by June 30, 2014, are covered under the scheme.
• The OROP scheme envisages the revision of pension once every five years. The re-fixation of the pension was to be done in the year 2019, but the matter was pending in court at the time.
• The Supreme Court in March 2022, upheld the One Rank, One Pension scheme for armed forces personnel.

India Semiconductor Mission (ISM)

Context:

• The Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology has informed Lok Sabha about India Semiconductor Mission(ISM).

About

• ISM has been set up as an Independent Business Division within Digital India Corporation. 
• It was launched in 2021 with a total financial outlay of Rs76,000 crore under the aegis of the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY).
• It is part of the comprehensive program for the development of a sustainable semiconductor and displays ecosystem in the country.
• The programme aims to provide financial support to companies investing in semiconductors, display manufacturing and design ecosystems.
• Envisioned to be led by global experts in the Semiconductor and Display industry, ISM will serve as the nodal agency for efficient, coherent and smooth implementation of the schemes.
• Vision
  • To build a vibrant semiconductor and display design and innovation ecosystem to enable India’s emergence as a global hub for electronics manufacturing and design.
• Components
  • Scheme for setting up of Semiconductor Fabs in India
  • Scheme for setting up of Display Fabs in India
  • Scheme for setting up of Compound Semiconductors / Silicon Photonics / Sensors Fab and Semiconductor Assembly, Testing, Marking and Packaging (ATMP) / OSAT facilities in India
  • Design Linked Incentive (DLI) Scheme

AYURSWASTHYA Yojana

Context

• Ayush Ministry is currently running a Central Sector Scheme titled AYURSWASTHYA Yojana.

About

• It has two components:
  • AYUSH and Public Health: To promote AYUSH intervention for community health care.
  • Upgradation of facilities to Centre of Excellence: To support the establishment of advanced/ specialized AYUSH medical health units in reputed AYUSH and Allopathic institutions both in the Government and Non-Government sectors.
• Under the Centre of Excellence component of AYURSWASTHYA Yojana, financial assistance is provided to eligible individual organizations/institutes for establishing and upgrading their functions & facilities and/or for research & development activities in AYUSH.
• Funding- maximum admissible financial assistance under the Centre of Excellence component of AYURSWASTHYA Yojana, to an organization/institute is Rs.10.00 crores for a maximum period of three years.
• Objectives
  • To support the establishment of advanced/ specialized AYUSH medical health units in reputed AYUSH and Allopathic institutions both in the Government and Non-Government sectors.
  • To support creative and innovative proposals for the establishment and upgradation of both functions and facilities of reputed institutions to strengthen competencies of AYUSH professionals in education technology, research & innovation and other fields necessary for the promotion of AYUSH at national as well as international levels.
  • To support creative and innovative proposals for prestigious organizations which have well-established buildings and infrastructure, and wish to work for AYUSH systems to the level of Centre of Excellence.

Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana

Context

• The Minister of State Social Justice and Empowerment has informed Lok Sabha about Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana.

About

• Aim
  • To improve the quality of life of the Senior Citizens by providing basic amenities like shelter, food, medical care and entertainment opportunities and by encouraging productive and active ageing through providing support.
  • Provision of financial security, healthcare, nutrition, shelter, welfare etc. for senior citizens.
  • Encouraging productive and active ageing through providing support for capacity building of State/ UT Governments/Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)/Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) / local bodies and the community at large.

Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Ko Kaam Karyakram (PMKKK) now named as Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan(PM VIKAS) Scheme

Context

• The Minister of Minority Affairs has informed that the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Ko Kaam Karyakram (PMKKK) has now been named as Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM VIKAS) Scheme.

About 

• Aim: To improve livelihoods of the minorities, particularly the artisan communities, using the components of skill development, education, women leadership & entrepreneurship. 
• Merged schemes: The scheme combines ​​five (5) existing schemes of the Ministry of Minority Affairs under this: Seekho aur Kamao, USTTAD, Hamari Dharohar, Nai Roshni and Nai Manzil.
• Components
  • Skilling and Training,
  • Leadership and Entrepreneurship,
  • Education
  • Infrastructure Development.
• These components complement each other in the ultimate objective of the scheme to increase the incomes of the beneficiaries and provide support by facilitating credit and market linkages.

Pradhan Mantri Adi Adarsh Gram Yojna(PMAAGY)

Context:

• The Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs is now working to develop 36,428 villages with at least 50% tribal population and 500 STs across the country into ‘model tribal’ villages.
• These efforts were part of the existing Special Central Assistance to Tribal Sub-Scheme (SCA to TSS) which has now been renamed to the Pradhan Mantri Adi Adarsh Gram Yojna (PMAAGY).

About:

• Aim
  • To mitigate gaps and provide basic infrastructure in villages with significant tribal populations in convergence with funds available under different schemes in Central Scheduled Tribe Component.
• Coverage
  • It is envisaged to cover 36,428 villages having at least 50% ST population and 500 STs across States / UTs with notified STs during the period.
• Components:
  • Preparing Village Development Plan based on the needs, potential, and aspirations;
  • Maximizing the coverage of individual/family benefit schemes of the Central/State Governments;
  • Improving the infrastructure in vital sectors like health, education, connectivity and livelihood.

Capacity Building Programme for Leveraging Community and Local Resources Based on Technology

Context:

• National Mission for Clean Ganga(NMCG) has launched the project ‘Capacity Building Programme for Leveraging Community and Local Resources Based on Technology’ under Arth Ganga.

About:

• Aim: To develop new need-based skills for the future amongst the local community along River Ganga and provide alternative solutions to the community members under Arth Ganga.
• Objectives of the Project:
  • To empower the Ganga Basin’s local communities by working towards their economic upliftment through ecological perceptions. 
  • To establish Arth Ganga Centres (AGC) and three Ganga Resource Centres (GRC). 
  • To source the latest technologies and disseminate economically and ecologically viable interventions for the community. 
• Implementing bodies: National Mission for Clean Ganga(NMCG) and Himalayan Environmental Studies and Conservation Organization(HESCO).

Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products(RoDTEP) Scheme

Context:

• The Department of Commerce has decided to expand the scope of the Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products(RoDTEP) Scheme to include iron & steel, chemicals and pharmaceuticals.

About the scheme:

• The RoDTEP Scheme is based on the globally accepted principle that taxes and duties should not be exported, and taxes and levies borne on the exported products should be either exempted or remitted to exporters. 
• The scheme rebates/refunds the embedded Central, State and local duties/taxes to the exporters that were so far not being rebated/refunded.

Changes that have been made:

• The RoDTEP Scheme has now been expanded to the pharmaceuticals, chemicals and iron & steel sectors.
• Until now, the scheme was applicable to labour-intensive sectors such as agriculture, leather, gems & jewellery and textiles.
• These changes have been made against the backdrop of exports facing headwinds due to recessionary trends recession in some of the developed markets and supply chain disruptions triggered by the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
•  

Digi Yatra

Context

• The Union Minister for Civil Aviation has launched Digi Yatra from the Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi for three airports in the country namely New Delhi, Varanasi and Bengaluru. 

About

• Digi Yatra is conceived to achieve contactless, seamless processing of passengers at airports based on Facial Recognition Technology(FRT).
• With this, passenger data will be processed automatically based on a facial recognition system at various checkpoints at the airport.
• Nodal Body: The project is being implemented by the DigiYatra Foundation — a joint-venture company registered under the Companies Act, 2013.

Context

• The Union Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs(MoHUA) has launched the Toilets 2.0 campaign in Bengaluru on the occasion of World Toilet Day 2022.

About

• Aim: To change the face of public and community toilets in urban India through collective action involving citizens and Urban Local Bodies.
• Thematic Areas: The campaign has five thematic areas:
  • The People for Toilets program: It is an inter-city competition envisaged for cleaning and maintaining community and public toilets in which top-performing cities will be recognised.
  • The Partners for Toilets theme: It aims to forge partnerships with potential organizations for the adoption of community and public toilets for interim cleaning, annual operations and maintenance, one-time financial aid, beautification activities, innovation, and feedback among others.
  • The Design Challenge: It is being organized in collaboration with the Council of Architecture through which entries will be invited from students of architecture and practising architects on designs for aspirational toilets in the two categories of Public toilets and Community toilets. The top designs will be turned into a compendium for cities’ consideration to adopt for their facilities.
  • Rate Your Toilet is for promoting user feedback to improve public and community toilets
  • My thoughts – Our Toilets is a general public survey among citizens on public toilets across the country. A questionnaire on citizen aspiration for toilets will be available on the MyGov platform for the public to answer. The results from the survey are expected to help States and cities to understand gaps and provide course corrective measures.

GHAR – GO Home and Re-Unite Portal

Context:

• The Union Minister of Women and Child Development has launched the GHAR – GO Home and Re-Unite Portal on the occasion of World Children’s Day (20th November)

About:

• Launched by: National Commission for Protection of Child Rights(NCPCR) 
• Purpose: It is a portal for the restoration and repatriation of children.
• Key Features of the Portal:
  • Digital tracking and monitoring of children who are in the Juvenile Justice(JJ) system and have to be repatriated to another Country/State/District.  
  • Digital transfer of cases of children to the concerned Child Welfare Committees(CWCs) of the State. It will help in the speedy repatriation of children. 
  • CWCs and District Child Protection Units (DCPUs) will ensure proper restoration and rehabilitation of children by digitally monitoring the progress of the case of the child.
  • A checklist format will be provided in the forms so that the children who are being hard to repatriate or children who are not getting their entitled compensation or other monetary benefits can be identified. 
  • A list of Government implemented schemes will be provided so that at the time of restoration the CWCs can link the child with the schemes to strengthen the family and ensure that the child remains with his/her family.

Digital Shakti 4.0

Context:

• The National Commission for Women (NCW) launched the fourth phase of the Digital Shakti Campaign.

Digital Shakti Campaign:

• Launched in: 2018
• Aim: To help women across the nation to raise the awareness level on the digital front, to build resilience and fight cyber-crime in the most effective ways. 
• Through this campaign, over 3 Lakh women across India have been made aware of cyber safety tips and tricks, reporting & redressal mechanisms, data privacy and usage of technology for their benefit.

Digital Shakti 4.0:

• Launched by: National Commission for Women(NCW) in collaboration with CyberPeace Foundation and Meta.
• The focus of the campaign: To make women digitally skilled and aware to stand up against any illegal/inappropriate activity online.

National Bio Energy Programme

Context

• The Ministry of New & Renewable Energy has said that it will continue the National Bio Energy Programme till 2025-26.

About

• Aim: To aid the use of huge surplus biomass, cattle dung, and industrial and urban biowaste available in the country for energy recovery.
• Sub-Schemes: It will include the three Sub-schemes:
  • Waste to Energy Programme: It will support the setting up of large Biogas, BioCNG and Power plants (excluding MSW (municipal solid waste) to power projects).
  • Biomass Programme (Scheme to Support Manufacturing of Briquettes & Pellets and Promotion of Biomass (non-bagasse) based cogeneration in Industries) to support setting up of pellets and briquettes for use in power generation and non-bagasse based power generation projects.
  • Biogas Programme to support the setting up of family and medium size Biogas in rural areas.

Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF)

Context:

• Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) crosses Rs.30,000 crore mark of capital mobilisation for projects in the agriculture sector for the creation of post-harvest management infrastructure and community farming assets.

About:

• AIF is a financing facility launched in July 2020.
• It aims to provide all-around financial support to the farmers, agri-entrepreneurs, farmer groups like Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), Self Help Groups (SHGs), Joint Liability Groups (JLGs) etc. and many others to create post-harvest management infrastructure and build community farming assets throughout the country.

Features

• AIF provides support of 3% interest subvention, credit guarantee support through the Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE) scheme for loans of up to Rs. 2 crores and facility of convergence with other Central and State Government schemes.
• AIF is helping in reducing post-harvest losses by creating and modernising agriculture infrastructure, which includes primary processing centres for vegetables, and hi-tech hubs for the rental of agricultural machinery.

Electoral Bond scheme

Context

• The Government of India has notified several changes to the Electoral Bond Scheme.

About

• Electoral Bonds Scheme was launched in 2018 to cleanse the political funding in India.
• The central idea behind the electoral bonds scheme is to bring about transparency in electoral funding in India.
• The State Bank of India (SBI) issues electoral bonds in the months of January, April, July, and October.
• The electoral bonds are available in denominations from Rs 1,000 to Rs 1 crore.
• The donors can buy electoral bonds and transfer them into the accounts of the political parties as a donation. The name of the donor is kept confidential.
• Political parties will create a specific account. This account will be verified by the ECI. The political parties will encash the electoral bonds only in this verified account.
• The bonds will remain valid for 15 days. Within that time, the political parties have to encash the electoral bond in the designated accounts.

Changes Made:

• The government of India has amended the Electoral Bond Scheme. It has allowed the sale of Electoral Bonds for 15 extra days during the year of elections to the legislative assembly of states and Union territories with the legislature.
• Earlier, only an additional period of 30 days was allowed to be specified by the central government in the year of the Lok Sabha elections. 

India Infrastructure Project Development Fund Scheme(IIPDF Scheme)

Context:

• The Department of Economic Affairs(DEA), Ministry of Finance notified the Scheme for Financial Support for Project Development Expenses of PPP Projects – India Infrastructure Project Development Fund Scheme(IIPDF Scheme). 

About the scheme:

• Setup in: 2007
• Aim: To aid the development of quality PPP projects by providing necessary funding support to the Project Sponsoring Authorities(PSA) both in the Central and State Governments.
• Funding: The IIPDF will contribute up to 75% of the project development expenses to the Sponsoring Authority as an interest-free loan. The balance of 25% will be co-funded by the Sponsoring Authority.
• Significance: The fund will help the sponsoring authority to cover a portion of the PPP transaction costs thereby reducing the impact of costs related to procurement on their budgets

Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission(SPMRM)

Context:

• Aibawk cluster in the Aizwal district of Mizoram has become the first cluster to be completed under the Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission(SPMRM). 

About

• Aim: To preserve and nurture the essence of rural community life with a focus on equity and inclusiveness without compromising with the facilities perceived to be essentially urban in nature, thus creating a cluster of ‘Rurban villages’. 
• Objective: To stimulate local economic development, enhance basic services, and create well-planned Rurban clusters. 
• Target: To develop 300 clusters in the country holistically by provisioning economic, social and physical infrastructure facilities.
• Identification of Rurban Clusters: Rurban Clusters are identified across the country’s rural areas showing increasing signs of urbanization – i.e. increase in population density, high levels of non-farm employment, presence of growing economic activities and other socioeconomic parameters. 
• For the purposes of SPMRM, Rurban areas refer to a cluster of 15-20 villages having about 30 to 40 lakh population. 
• The clusters will be geographically contiguous Gram Panchayats with a population of about 25000 to 50000 in plain and coastal areas and a population of 5000 to 15000 in the desert, hilly or tribal areas. 
• Role of States: The State Government identifies the clusters in accordance with the Framework for Implementation prepared by the MoRD. 
• Funding: The mission has two fund streams: (1) Convergence through various Central sector schemes, centrally sponsored schemes, State sector/ sponsored schemes/ programmes, CSR funds, and (2) Critical Gap Funds (CGF): It provides for CGF upto Rs. 30 crores per cluster for Non-tribal clusters and upto Rs. 15 crores per cluster for Tribal and Hilly State clusters. 

Swadesh Darshan 2.0

Context:

• The government will launch the Swadesh Darshan Scheme 2.0 with chosen destinations from 15 States.

About the Scheme:

• Swadesh Darshan 2.0 is the revamped version of the scheme.
• The scheme has been revamped with the mantra of “vocal for local”. It moves away from theme-based tourist circuits and focuses on reviving destination tourism.
• It aims to develop sustainable and responsible destinations with a tourist and destination-centric approach.
• Under the scheme, two to three destinations each have been selected from 15 states.
• Some of the prominent places identified are Jhansi and Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh, Gwalior, Chitrakoot and Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh and Ajanta and Ellora in Maharashtra.

Women Involvement in Science and Engineering Research (WISER) programme

Context

• The first 11 awardees of the Women Involvement in Science and Engineering Research (WISER) programme were felicitated in the presence of the German Ambassador to India & Bhutan and the Vice Chancellor of the Jawaharlal Nehru University.

About

• Launched by: Indo-German Science & Technology Centre(IGSTC)
• Purpose: It is a first-of-its-kind programme to promote women in the field of research and development through lateral entry.
• Features: The program will support women scientists holding regular/long-term research positions in academia or research institutes/industries. 
• Involvement in the program will be possible through lateral entry. There is neither requirement for a break-in-career nor any age limit, and it will enable easy participation.
• Financial Support: IGSTC is going to support the awardees with a maximum amounting to Rs. 39 Lakh from the Indian side & €48000 from the German side. The WISER program offers 20 awards per year.

One Nation One Fertilizer Scheme

Context:

• The Prime Minister has inaugurated 600 Kisan Samridhi Kendras and launched One Nation One Fertilizer Scheme and Indian Edge magazine.

About:

• One Nation, One Fertilizer scheme is also known as Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Urvarak Pariyojana.
• Under this scheme, all types of fertilizers whether it is DAP, NPK or urea will be sold under the brand name of ‘Bharat’. 
• This will standardize fertilizer brands across the nation irrespective of the company that manufactures it.
• This will also help the farmers to get rid of all kinds of confusion about the quality of fertilizers and their availability. 

Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups (CGSS)

Context:

• The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry has notified the establishment of the Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups (CGSS).

About:

• The scheme will provide credit guarantees for Startups to loans extended by Scheduled Commercial Banks, Non-Banking Financial Companies and Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) registered Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs).
• Aim: Providing credit guarantees up to a specified limit against loans extended by Member Institutions (MIs) to finance eligible borrowers.
• Eligibility: To all the startups as defined in the Gazette Notification issued by DPIIT.
• The cover under the Scheme would be transaction-based and umbrella based. The exposure to individual cases would be capped at Rs. 10 crores per case or the actual outstanding credit amount, whichever is less.
• Operational oversight: DPIIT will be constituting a Management Committee (MC) and a Risk Evaluation Committee (REC) for reviewing, supervising and operational oversight of the Scheme.
• Operating agency: The National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company Limited (NCGTC) will be operating the Scheme.

Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF) Scheme

Context:

• Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF), a body under the Department of Telecommunications, officially launched Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF) Scheme.

About:

• Aim
  • To fund R&D in rural-specific communication technology applications and form synergies among academia, start-ups, research institutes, and the industry to build and develop the telecom ecosystem.
  • To promote technology ownership and indigenous manufacturing, create a culture of technology co-innovation, reduce imports, boost export opportunities and creation of Intellectual Property.
  • To develop standards to meet countrywide requirements and create the ecosystem for research, design, prototyping, use cases, pilots, and proof of concept testing
• Function- The scheme entails grants to Indian entities to encourage and induct indigenous technologies tailor-made to meet domestic needs.

Bharat Skills Forum

Context:

• A new feature called the Bharatskills Forum has been added to the Bharatskills learning platform that allows sharing of books, notes, videos, question banks, etc and other relevant skill-related content for learners.

About:

• Launched by: Directorate General of Training(DGT) in the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship(MSDE) 
• Purpose: It is a Central Digital Repository for the trainees and trainers of the ITI ecosystem, providing easy access to updated curriculum, e-books, Question Banks, mock/practice papers, learning videos for courses under the Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS), Craft Instructor Training Scheme(CITS) and the Apprenticeship Training Scheme(ATS).
• Significance: This platform presents unique access to a centralized, scalable, and thriving support ecosystem through its industrial partners for the students and teachers who can now learn the new age (Industrial Revolution 4.0) skills to meet the demands of the industry.

Operation Garuda

Context:

• The Central Bureau of Investigation(CBI) has launched a multi-phase ‘Operation Garuda’ against an illicit drug trafficking network.

About:

• Aim: To disrupt, degrade and dismantle drug networks with international linkages through the rapid exchange of criminal intelligence on drug trafficking and coordinated law enforcement actions across international jurisdictions.
• The operation was initiated in close coordination with Interpol and the Narcotics Control Bureau for combating the smuggling of illicit drugs and psychotropic substances, with a special focus on the Indian Ocean region. 

National Health Mission (NHM)

Context:

• The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister was informed about the progress under the National Health Mission(NHM) during FY 2020-21.

About:

• National Health Mission(NHM) was launched by the government of India in 2013 subsuming the National Rural Health Mission (Launched in 2005) and the National Urban Health Mission (Launched in 2013).
• Aim: To provide financial and technical support to States enabling them to provide accessible, affordable, accountable, and effective healthcare to District Hospitals (DHs), especially to the poor and vulnerable sections of the population.
• Components: The main programmatic components include Health System Strengthening in rural and urban areas, Reproductive-Maternal- Neonatal-Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCH+A), and Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases.
• Beneficiaries: NHM is implemented for universal benefit – i.e. entire population; services are offered to everyone visiting the public healthcare facilities with a special focus on vulnerable sections of society.
• Targets:
  • Reduce MMR to 90 from 113,
  • Reduce IMR to 23 from 32,
  • Reduce U5MR to 23 from 36,
  • Sustain Total Fertility Rate(TFR) to 2.1,
  • Reduce the prevalence of Leprosy to <1/10000 population and incidence to zero in all districts,
  • Annual Malaria Incidence to be <1/1000,
  • Prevent and reduce mortality & morbidity from communicable, non-communicable; injuries and emerging diseases,
  • Reduce household out-of-pocket expenditure on total health care expenditure and
  • Ending the TB epidemic by 2025 in the country
• Achievements:
  • Under-five mortality rate(U5MR): declined from 49 in 2013 to 36 in 2018. As per SRS 2020, U5MR has further reduced to 32.
  • Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR): declined by 443 points from 556 per one lakh live births in 1990 to 113 in 2016-18. 
  • The infant Mortality Rate (IMR): declined from 80 in 1990 to 32 in the year 2018. As per SRS 2020, IMR has further reduced to 28.
  • Total Fertility Rate(TFR): As per Sample Registration System (SRS), TFR in India declined from 2.3 in 2013 to 2.2 in the year 2018. As per SRS 2020, TFR has further reduced to 2.0.
  • Malaria: In the year 2020, malaria cases and deaths declined by 46.28% and 18.18%, respectively.
  • TB Cases: The incidence of TB per 1,00,000 population has been reduced from 234 in 2012 to 193 in 2019. The mortality due to TB per 1,00,000 populations in India reduced from 42 in 2012 to 33 in 2019.
  • Kala Azar: The percentage of Kala Azar (KA) endemic blocks, achieving the elimination target of < 1 KA case per 10000 population, increased from 74.2% in 2014 to 97.5% in 2020-21.

Operation Megh-Chakra

Context:

• The Central Bureau of Investigation(CBI) has conducted an operation code-named “Megh Chakra”.

About:

• Operation Megh Chakra ​​is a pan-India drive against the circulation and sharing of Child Sexual Abuse Material(CSAM).
• The operation is being carried out following the inputs received from Interpol’s Singapore special unit.

PM KISAN

• Context:
  • According to the Agriculture Ministry’s response to an RTI query, the number of farmers who received the 11th instalment of funds from the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Status by 67%.
• About Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi:
  • It is implemented as a central sector scheme by the Government of India.
  • This scheme was introduced to augment the source of income of many small and marginal farmers.
  • Under the Scheme, an amount of Rs.6000/- per year is transferred directly into the bank accounts of the farmers, subject to certain exclusion criteria relating to higher-income status.
  • The entire responsibility of identification of beneficiaries rests with the State / UT Governments.
• Ambit:
  • The Scheme initially provided income support to all Small and Marginal Farmers’ families across the country, holding cultivable land up to 2 hectares. Its ambit was later expanded w.e.f. 01.06.2019 to cover all farmer families in the country irrespective of the size of their landholdings.
• Exceptions:
  • Affluent farmers have been excluded from the scheme such as Income Taxpayers in the last assessment year, professionals like Doctors, Engineers, Lawyers, Chartered Accountants, etc and pensioners drawing at least Rs.10,000/- per month (excluding MTS/Class IV/Group D employees).
• Similar programmes by states:
  • Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana- MP.
  • The Rythu Bandhu scheme- Telangana.
  • Krushak Assistance for Livelihood and Income Augmentation (KALIA)- Odisha.

Swachh Toycathon

Context:

• Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs(MoHUA) has launched the “Swachh Toycathon” under the Swachh Amrit Mahotsav.

About the Scheme:

• Swachh Toycathon is a convergence between the National Action Plan for Toys (NAPT) and Swachh Bharat Mission phase two(SBM 2.0).
• Aim: To explore solutions for the use of waste in manufacturing toys.
• Eligibility: The Toycathon will be open to individuals and groups to bring forth innovation in toy designs using dry waste. 
• Focus: The focus will be on efficient designs that can be replicated on a larger scale, toys that comply with minimum safety standards and aesthetics of the toys.
• Knowledge Partner: The Center for Creative Learning, IIT Gandhinagar is the knowledge partner for the initiative. 

National Action Plan for Toys

• Launched in 2020 to promote the Indian toy industry including traditional handicrafts and handmade toys with the objective of establishing India as a global Toy hub.
• The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade(DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry along with 14 ministries of the Central government are currently implementing various aspects of the NAPT.

Programme for Development of Semiconductors and Display Manufacturing Ecosystem in India

Context

• The government of India has approved several changes in an existing scheme named ‘Programme for Development of Semiconductors and Display Manufacturing Ecosystem in India’.

About:

• Aim: To provide attractive incentive support to companies that are engaged in Silicon Semiconductor Fabs (Fabrication plants), Display Fabs, Compound Semiconductors / Silicon Photonics / Sensors (including MEMS) Fabs, Semiconductor Packaging (ATMP / OSAT),
• Components:
  • Semiconductor Fabs and Display Fabs
  • Semiconductor Laboratory (SCL)
  • Compound semiconductor units
  • Semiconductor Design Companies or Design Linked Incentive (DLI) Scheme
  • India Semiconductor Mission
  • Chips to Startup Programme

Key Modifications made under the Scheme

• Semiconductor Labs: Aiming to boost semiconductor manufacturing in India, the government will provide uniform fiscal support of 50% of the project cost for setting up of semiconductor fabrication plants.
• The 50% incentive is applicable to semiconductor fabrication across the technology nodes as well as for compound semiconductors, packaging and related facilities.
• Display Labs: Fiscal support of 50% of Project Cost will be provided under Scheme for Setting up of Display Fabs.

Production Linked Incentive Scheme on ‘National Programme on High Efficiency Solar PV Modules 

Context

• Cabinet has approved the implementation of the Production Linked Incentive Scheme on ‘National Programme on High-Efficiency Solar PV Modules’.

About

• Aim: To build an ecosystem for manufacturing of high-efficiency solar PV modules in India and thus reduce import dependence in the area of Renewable Energy.
• Under the scheme, Solar PV manufacturers will be selected through a transparent selection process. The PLI will be disbursed for five years post-commissioning of solar PV manufacturing plants on sales of high-efficiency solar PV modules from the domestic market will be incentivised.
• Expected Benefits of the scheme: 1) It is estimated that about 65,000 MW per annum manufacturing capacity of fully and partially integrated, solar PV modules would be installed, 2) Generate employment and direct investment, 3) Import substitution of approximately Rs.1.37 lakh crore and 4) Provide impetus to Research and Development to achieve higher efficiencies in Solar PV Modules

Context

• The Government of India has launched a joint convergence portal for different schemes run by Food Processing and Agriculture ministries.

About

• The Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Food Processing Industries has jointly launched a convergence portal between the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF), the Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) scheme and Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana(PMKSY).
• AIF
  • The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare is implementing the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF).
  • It is a medium to long-term debt financing facility launched for the creation of post-harvest management infrastructure and the building of community farming assets. 
  • Benefits under the scheme include 3% interest subvention and credit guarantee support.
  • AIF scheme has the facility of convergence with any other scheme of the State or Central Government.
• PMFME
  • Nodal Ministry- Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI).
  • Centrally Sponsored Scheme
  • Objectives
    • Credit access to existing micro food processing businesses, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), co-operatives, and Self-Help Groups (SHGs), for technology boost.
    • Contribution to 200,000 existing micro food processing units to convert them into methodical units, by amplifying their marketing & branding and incorporating the supply chain with formal units
    • Improved access to shared services, such as storage, incubation facilities, and packaging
    • Professional and technical aid for food processing entrepreneurs
    • Proper training and analysis for individual or group-owned food processing establishments
  • Features
    • One District One Product
    • Other focus areas like Waste to wealth products, minor forest products and Aspirational Districts; Capacity building and research
    • Financial Support
• PMKSY
  • In the year 2016, MoFPI introduced an umbrella Scheme Called “Agro-Marine Processing and Development of Agro-Processing Clusters” or SAMPADA, which was proposed to be implemented with an allocation of Rs 6,000 crore for the period of 2016-20.
  • In the year 2017, the government renamed the SAMPADA scheme Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY).
  • It is a Central Sector Umbrella Scheme.
  • Objectives
    • To supplement agriculture.
    • To create processing and preservation capacities.
    • To modernise and expand existing food processing units with a view to increasing the level of processing.
    • To add value leading to the reduction of wastage.
  • Components
    • Mega Food Parks,
    • Integrated Cold Chain and Value Addition Infrastructure,
    • Infrastructure for Agro-Processing Clusters,
    • Creation of Backward and Forward Linkages,
    • Creation/Expansion of Food Processing & Preservation Capacities,
    • Food Safety and Quality Assurance Infrastructure, and
    • Human Resources Institutions.
    • Operation Greens.

Context

• Recently, the Ministry of Shipping, Waterways, and Ports has launched ‘Bharat Pravah-India along its Shores’, an initiative to highlight the significance and imagery of rivers, ports, and shipping in everyday life through a series of nationwide events.

About

• Bharat Pravah will serve as a common platform to bring together stakeholders from different walks for the purpose of creating a larger vision of shipping, rivers, seas & people.
• It will highlight the challenges, policy issues and future goals relating to the maritime sector.
• Themes
  • Rivers and Sea-Centric Development in India- the Historical Lens.
  • Sea, River, Ports and Ship in Folk Culture and Literature.
  • Representation of Ports and Shipping in Popular Culture.
  • Role of Shipping and Ports in India’s Development in the Last 30 years.
  • The Politics and Economy of Privatisation of Ports.
  • Inland Waterways – Arteries of Growth, their Role and Significance.
  • Greening Ports and Shipping Industry.
  • Future of Ports and Shipping Industry- Management, Challenges and Policies.

Context

• The Ministry of Steel has given approval for the National Metallurgist Award 2022.

About

• National Metallurgists Day Awards was instituted in 1962 by the then Ministry of Steel & Mines.
• Objective: To recognise & honour the outstanding contributions of Metallurgists in the metallurgical field covering operation, research, design, education, waste management and energy conservation. 
• The awards are given on an annual basis. The first award was given in the year 1963 and subsequently every year thereafter.
• Mode of Nominations: Nominations for the award shall be invited online on the Ministry of Steel’s Portal or the centralized portal being developed by the Ministry of Home Affairs(MHA). Nominations will be through companies/ organizations or from the public through self-nomination.
• Date of Award: 3rd February every year. (It was on 3rd Feb 1959 when the then President Dr Rajendra Parasad commissioned the first Blast Furnace of the country after independence, at Rourkela)

Context

• The Union Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs has announced the commencement of ‘Swachh Amrit Mahotsav’ and the first-ever Indian Swachhata League(ISL).

About

• It is a fortnight of activities to galvanize action around Swachhata from 17th Sept. 2022(Seva Diwas) till 2nd Oct. 2022 (Swachhata Diwas). 
• The fortnight will focus on mobilizing citizen action and commitment towards the vision of building ‘Garbage Free Cities’.
• The official logo for the fortnight is ‘Swachh Amrit Mahotsav: Ek Aur Kadam Swachhata Ki Ore’ signifying the resolve to intensify and reinvigorate the Jan Andolan in the world’s largest sanitation programme.
• ISL
  • It is an inter-city competition to take place between the youth of the cities on the 17th of Sept. 2022. 
  • For the maiden edition of ISL, more than 1,850 city teams from across the country have officially registered to compete. 
  • Each team will compete in the League by creating its own unique sanitation initiatives to focus on creating garbage-free beaches, hills and tourist places.

Context

• The Union Cabinet has approved the PM SHRI Schools (PM ScHools for Rising India) Scheme. 

About

• Centrally Sponsored Scheme
• Aim: To upgrade and develop more than 14500 schools across the country as PM SHRI Schools by strengthening select existing schools being managed by Central Government/ State/ UT Government/ local bodies. These schools will also showcase all components of the National Education Policy 2020. 
• Duration Period: 2022-23 to 2026-27.
• Salient Features
  • PM SHRI schools will provide high-quality education in an equitable, inclusive and joyful school environment.
  • These schools will provide leadership to other schools in their respective regions by providing mentorship.
  • The schools will be developed as Green schools. The focus will be on the learning outcomes of every child in every grade.
  • Linkage with Sector Skill Councils and local industry for enhancing employability and providing better employment opportunities will be explored.
  • A School Quality Assessment Framework (SQAF) is being developed, specifying the key performance indicators to measure outcomes
• Implementation
  • Through the existing administrative structure available for Samagra Shiksha, KVS & NVS.
  • The other autonomous bodies would be involved on a specific project basis as required.
• Selection of Schools
  • Selection of PM SHRI schools will be done through Challenge Mode wherein Schools compete for support to become exemplary schools.
  • Schools would be required to self-apply on the online portal.
  • The portal will be opened four times a year, once every quarter, for the first two years of the scheme.
  • Schools will be selected only if the State government agrees to implement the NEP in its entirety with the Centre.

Context

• The Ministry of Rural Development(M/oRD) through its Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission leveraged the occasion of Rashtriya Poshan Maah to intensively disseminate key messages to all intended beneficiaries on positive nutritional behaviours and practices. 

About

• Centrally Sponsored Scheme
• Launched by the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) in 2011 as a restructured version of Swarna Jayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojna(SGSY).
• 2015- renamed as Deendayal Antayodaya Yojana(DAY-NRLM).
• Objective:
• • It looks to create efficient and effective institutional platforms for the rural poor.
  • It will enable SHGs to increase household income through sustainable livelihood enhancements and improved access to financial services.
• World Bank Support: The mission is aided in part by investment support from the World Bank.
• Target: The mission has set out an agenda to cover 7 Crore rural poor households through self-managed Self Help Groups(SHGs) and federated institutions. It will support them for livelihoods collectives in a period of 8-10 years.

Context

• The Ministry of Women and Child Development is celebrating the 5th Rashtriya Poshan Mah during the month of September 2022.

About

• Rashtriya Poshan Maah is being celebrated as part of the POSHAN Abhiyaan
• Aim: To serve as a platform to bring focus to the discourse of nutrition and good health.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Women and Child Development being the nodal Ministry for POSHAN Abhiyaan is celebrating it in convergence with partner Ministries and departments at the National, State/UTs, Districts and grass root levels. 
• Themes for 2022: The activities during the month will be centred on key themes like Mahila and Swasthya, Bachcha and Shiksha – Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi, gender-sensitive water conservation and management, and traditional food for women and children in tribal areas.

Context

• Only two-thirds of people living with tuberculosis benefitted from the Nikshay Poshan Yojana scheme in 2021.

About

• Launched- 2018
• Under the scheme, every TB patient in India, seeking treatment in both government and private sector hospitals is eligible for a direct benefit transfer(DBT) of Rs 500 per month to support their nutritional needs.
• Performance of the Scheme
  • As per India TB Report 2022, only 62.1 % of 2.1 million notified cases across the country received at least one payment in 2021.
  • In Delhi, which has the highest burden of all forms of TB at 747 cases per 100,000 people, only 30.2 % of patients have got at least one DBT.
  • Other poor performers are Punjab, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Bihar, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. In the North East, Manipur and Meghalaya fared the worst.

Context

• National Skill Development Corporation(NSDC) in partnership with Seva Bharti and Yuva Vikas Society has launched the second phase of the Grameen Udyami Project to augment skill training in tribal communities for their inclusive and sustainable growth.

About

• Aim: To multiskill India’s tribal youth and impart functional skills to them for enabling livelihoods.
• Coverage: implemented in six states— Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Gujarat. 
• Implemented under Sansadiya Parisankul Yojana.
• Funded by: National Skill Development Corporation(NSDC)
• The training under the project will be conducted in the following Job roles: Electrician & Solar PV Installation Technician Plumbing & Masonry 2-Wheeler Repair & Maintenance IT/ITES with e-Governance and Farm Mechanization.
• Phases:
• • Phase I- candidates were mobilized from rural and tribal areas of Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat.
  • Phase II – launched in Ranchi, Jharkhand.
• Significance of the project:
• • Increase in Rural/Local Economy,
  • Enhance employment opportunities,
  • Reduce forced migration due to a lack of local opportunities and
  • Conservation of natural resources.

Context

• The Union Cabinet has approved the Modified Interest Subvention Scheme(MISS).

Background

• The Kisan Credit Card scheme was introduced by the Government to empower farmers to purchase agriculture products and services on credit at any time. 
• To ensure that the farmers have to pay a minimal interest rate to the bank, the Government of India introduced Interest Subvention Scheme (ISS), now renamed as Modified Interest Subvention Scheme(MISS).

Aim

• To provide short-term credit to farmers at subsidized interest rates.

Features

• a short-term agriculture loan up to Rs. 3.00 lakh is available to farmers engaged in Agriculture and other allied activities including Animal Husbandry, Dairying, Poultry, and fisheries at the rate of 7% p.a. 
• An additional 3% subvention (Prompt Repayment Incentive – PRI) is also given to the farmers for prompt and timely repayment of loans. Therefore, if a farmer repays his loan on time, s/he gets credit at the rate of 4% p.a. 
• This support is 100% funded by the Centre.

Significance

• Second-largest scheme of the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare(DA&FW) as per budget outlay and coverage of beneficiaries.
• Will ensure the sustainability of credit flow in the agriculture sector as well as ensure the financial health and viability of the lending institutions.
• Will also lead to a generation of employment since short-term agri-loans are provided for all activities including Animal Husbandry, Dairying, Poultry, and fisheries.

Context

• Over 7.9 million children aged up to five were enrolled under the Unique Identification Authority’s Bal Aadhaar initiative from April to July.

About

• Baal Aadhaar is a blue-coloured variant of the Aadhaar Card. It is issued for children below the age of 5 years.
• How is it different from Aadhar Card?
  • Biometrics to establish uniqueness for the Bal Aadhar is not collected unlike in the case of Aadhaar. A facial image of a child is instead taken for enrolment. 
  • Moreover, biometric authentication of the parent/guardian and a proof of relationship document, preferably a birth certificate, are collected at the time of enrolment.
• What happens to the Baal Aadhar after the children turn five?
  • On attaining the age of five, the child is required to furnish his or her biometrics at an Aadhaar Seva Kendra to complete a process called mandatory biometric update(MBU). 
  • The MBU process goes through a de-duplication process. After completion of this process, the child is issued a normal Aadhaar without any change in the Aadhaar number.

Context

• The Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser(PSA) to the Government of India (GoI) has announced the launch of the Manthan platform.

About

• Manthan is a platform to promote collaboration at scale between industry and the scientific research and development ecosystem to help meet India’s scientific missions and goals in alignment with the UN-defined Sustainable Development Goals(SDG) charter. 
• Features:
• • The platform will facilitate knowledge transfers and interactions through information exchange sessions, exhibitions and events to develop a framework for future science, innovation, and technology-led growth. 
  • It will also provide the necessary fulcrum for transforming the nation through innovative ideas, inventive minds and public-private-academia collaboration to achieve the country’s sustainability goals.
• Powered by: The platform is powered by NSEIT. 
• NSEIT: 
  • A 100% subsidiary of the National Stock Exchange of India.
  • It is a global technology enterprise that offers a range of digital, data analytics, automation, cybersecurity, and technology-enabled services.

Context

• The Union Minister of State for Health has virtually launched the Paalan 1000 National Campaign and Parenting App to reduce child mortality.

About

• The paalan 1000 campaign focuses on the cognitive development of children in the first two years of their life. 
• Features:
• • The app will provide practical advice to caregivers on what they can do in their everyday routine and will help clear doubts.
  • The app combines coaching for parents, families and other caregivers with services designed to meet the family’s basic needs. 
• Significance: The campaign is aligned with the mission of the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram(RBSK) which emphasizes responsive care and focused interventions during the first 1,000 days of a child.

Context

• The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment(MoSJ&E) is now preparing to undertake a nationwide survey to enumerate all people engaged in the hazardous cleaning of sewers and septic tanks.

About

• Aim: To eradicate unsafe sewer and septic tank cleaning practices. 
• It will replace the Self-Employment Scheme for the Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers (SRMS), which was started in 2007.
• Features:
  • Capital subsidies of up to ₹5 lahks on sanitation machinery costing up to ₹15 lahks will be provided so that workers will be able to own sanitation machines themselves
  • Interest subsidies on loans will also be provided where interest rates will be capped between 4-6% for the beneficiaries with the government taking care of the rest of the interest
  • Provides for training the workers in the use of these machines, during which time a stipend of up to ₹3,000 per month will be provided
  • Provide for sanitation workers to train for and go into any of the approved lists of alternative occupations in sectors like agriculture, services, electronics assembling, handicrafts and so on

Context

• National Intellectual Property Awareness Mission(NIPAM) has achieved a target of imparting Intellectual Property(IP) awareness and basic training to 1 million students on 31st July 2022, ahead of the deadline which was 15 August 2022

About

• Launched in: 2021 as part of “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav” celebrations.
• Aim:
• • To provide awareness on intellectual property and its rights to 1 million students and
  • To inculcate the spirit of creativity and innovation to students of higher education (classes 8 to 12) and ignite and inspire the students of college/Universities to innovate and protect their creations
• Implemented by: Intellectual Property Office, the Office of Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks(CGPDTM), Ministry of Commerce and Industry. 

Context

• The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment has launched the “SMILE-75 Initiative”.

About

• Aim: To make cities/towns and municipal areas begging-free and make a strategy for comprehensive rehabilitation of the persons engaged in the act of begging through the coordinated action of various stakeholders.
• Under the initiative, seventy-five (75) Municipal Corporations in collaboration with NGOs and other stakeholders will cover several comprehensive welfare measures for persons who are engaged in the act of begging.
• These measures will focus extensively on rehabilitation, provision of medical facilities, counselling, awareness, education, skill development, economic linkages and convergence with other Government welfare programmes etc.

Context

• The Union Cabinet has approved the proposal of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) for the continuation of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U) up to 31st December 2024.

About

• Aim: To provide all-weather pucca houses to all eligible beneficiaries in the urban areas of the country through States/UTs/Central Nodal Agencies.
• Coverage: The scheme covers the entire urban area of the country, i.e., all statutory towns as per Census 2011 and towns notified subsequently, including Notified Planning/ Development Areas.
• It is being implemented through four verticals:
  • Beneficiary Linked Construction (BLC): Subsidy for beneficiary-led individual house construction /enhancement.
  • Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme (CLSS): Promotion of affordable housing for weaker sections through credit subsidy.
  • Affordable Housing in Partnership (AHP): Creation of houses by both public and private sectors.
  • In-Situ Slum Redevelopment (ISSR): Rehabilitation of slum dwellers with the participation of private developers using land as a resource.
• Features
  • It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS), except for Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme (CLSS), which is a Central Sector Scheme.
  • The Mission promotes women’s empowerment by providing the ownership of houses in the name of a female member or in a joint name. 

Context

• Badhe Chalo Movement under Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav has started.

About

• Aim: To connect with the youth of the nation and to instil a deeper sense of patriotism among them.
• The movement will feature Flash Dances happening across 75 cities where dancers will perform on a specially created ‘Youth Anthem’.

Context

• The National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS), Ministry of Tribal Affairs and Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) in collaboration with TATA Trusts and others have launched the “Experiential Learning for 21st Century Programme”.

About

• Experiential Learning for the 21st Century Programme has been launched for the Eklavya Model Residential School(EMRS) Principals and Teachers.
• Purpose: It is conceptualized as an online programme for educators i.e teachers and principals to help them adapt classroom learning to real-life experiences. 
• The program was offered free of cost to all the selected teachers and principals.
• The selected teachers were trained as “Teacher Leaders” who shall be espousing the Experiential Learning Pedagogy to all EMRS teaching fraternity in a phased manner.

NESTS (National Education Society for Tribal Students)

• NESTS is an autonomous organization established under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs(MoTA).
• Aim: To provide high-quality education to the tribal students in their own environment.

Context

• The Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) has launched a new scheme titled “State University Research Excellence(SERB-SURE)”.

About

• Aim: To augment the research capabilities in a structured way to create a robust R&D ecosystem in the state and private universities and colleges, including self-financed institutions working within these universities.
• Features:
• • The scheme provides research support to active researchers belonging to the state and private universities and colleges.
  • This includes self-financed institutions working within universities, across India to undertake research and development in frontier areas of science, engineering, and quantitative social science.
• Significance of the scheme:
• • The scheme will help bring the university system, which was so far mostly limited to teaching, into mainstream research and enable the young faculty there to participate in cutting-edge research.
  • The scheme will also provide much-needed research opportunities to the faculties of state universities, 45% of which are located in rural areas.

Context

• The Union Minister of Earth Sciences has convened a meeting of Union Ministers and Members of Parliament from coastal states of the country to discuss the ongoing countrywide Coastal Clean Up Campaign launched by the Ministry of Earth Sciences.

About

• Coastal Clean-Up campaign is a 75-day campaign launched by the government to clean up coastal beaches and raise awareness about “Swachh Sagar, Surakshit Sagar”.
• Aim: To make awareness about reducing marine litter, minimal use of plastics, segregation at source and waste management.
• The campaign will culminate on “International Coastal Clean-up Day” (17th September 2022).
• Impact: Through this campaign, a mass behavioural change among the masses is intended by raising awareness about how plastic usage is destroying our marine life.
• Eco Mitram
  • It is a mobile app launched to spread awareness about the campaign and also for the common people to voluntary registration for the beach cleaning activity on the 17th of September 2022.

Context

• The Minister for New and Renewable Energy has informed Lok Sabha about the Suryamitra Skill Development Programme.

About

• Aim: To train the youth of age above 18 years as solar PV technicians for the installation, operation and maintenance of solar power projects.
• Implemented by: National Institute of Solar Energy(NISE) since 2015-16.
• Significance of the scheme: The impact assessment report for Suryamitra training programme reported that more than 90% of the trainees have reported improvement in technical know-how, and improved performance in the sector and 88% of trainees reported an increase in job opportunities.
• National Institute of Solar Energy(NISE):
  • An autonomous specialized institute under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE)
  • Aim: It is mandated for research and development, solar component testing and certification, capacity building and development of solar products and applications.
  • Located at: Gurugram, Haryana 

Context

• Export Credit Guarantee Corporation(ECGC) has introduced a new scheme to provide enhanced export credit risk insurance coverage to the extent of 90% to support small exporters.

About

• Launched by: ECGC under the Export Credit Insurance for Banks Whole Turnover Packaging Credit and Post Shipment(ECIB- WTPC & PS).
• Objective: To provide small exporters with enhanced export credit risk insurance coverage of up to 90%.
• ELIGIBILITY
  • Manufacturers and exporters availing fund-based export credit working capital with a limit of up to Rs 20 crore (Packaging Credit and Post Shipment limit per exporter/exporter-group), excluding the gems, jewellery and diamond sector and merchant exporters.
• SIGNIFICANCE
  • The scheme is expected to benefit a number of small-scale exporters availing of export credit with banks which hold the ECGC WT-ECIB covers. 
  • This will also enable the small exporters to explore new markets/new buyers and diversify their existing product portfolio competitively.

Context

• The Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment has informed Rajya Sabha about the National Overseas Scholarship Scheme for SCs and others.

About

• Central Sector Scheme
• Aim: To facilitate the low-income students belonging to the Scheduled Castes, Denotified Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes, Landless Agricultural Labourers and Traditional Artisans category to obtain higher education viz., Master’s degree or Ph.D courses by studying abroad thereby improving their Economic and Social status.
• Features
  • 30% of the scholarships for each year shall be earmarked for women candidates. 
  • Bachelors Level courses in any discipline are not covered under the Scheme. 
  • Candidates already staying or studying or having completed studies abroad by utilizing any other scholarship from the State Government or through their own funds are not eligible to apply under the scheme. 
  • Candidates having an unconditional offer of admission to top 500 ranked foreign Institutes /Universities as per the latest available QS rankings only will be selected for grant of scholarship during the first round of selection. In the second round, other students will be selected.
• Eligibility: In order to be eligible for the scholarship, at least 60% marks or an equivalent grade in the qualifying examination would be required.
• Age: Age Not more than 35 (Thirty-Five) years, as on the first day of April for selection year.
• Income Criteria:  Income Ceiling Total family income from all sources shall not exceed Rs. 8.00 lakh per annum in the preceding financial year.

Context

• The Union Minister for Tribal Affairs has informed the Lok Sabha about the GOAL Programme.

About

• GOAL (Going Online as Leaders) is a joint initiative of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and Meta (formerly Facebook).
• Aim: To digitally empower tribal youth and women through the concept of mentor and mentee.
• Funded by: The programme is fully funded by Meta (Facebook India).
• Phases
  • 1st Phase: Launched as a pilot project in May 2020, and it was completed by Dec 2021. The mentees in the first phase were provided with training across three-course pillars: (1) Communication & Life Skills; (2) Enabling Digital Presence, and (3) Leadership & Entrepreneurship. 
  • 2nd Phase: Launched in June 2022 with an aim to digitally upskill tribal youth by promoting entrepreneurship and opening up opportunities for them using digital technology. There will be a special focus on more than 10 lakh members of 50000 Vandhan Self-Help Groups. 

Context

• The Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers is planning to roll out a series of initiatives under the banner of “Schemes for Strengthening Pharmaceuticals Industry(SPI)”.

About

• Aim: To further enhance India’s existing manufacturing prowess in the Pharmaceuticals Industry by addressing issues related to technology up-gradation among MSMEs at the unit level and cluster level. 
• Sub Schemes
  • Pharmaceuticals Industry Technology Upgradation Assistance Scheme (PTUAS): Under this, the Government will incentivise MSMEs for getting Schedule M certification or Good Manufacturing Practice(GMP) certification by the World Health Organization(WHO).
    • MSMEs will have the option to choose from either capital subsidy or interest subvention to upgrade their production facilities as per WHO-GMP or Schedule-M standards.
  • Assistance to Pharmaceuticals Industry for Common Facilities(APICF): Under this, Government will support the creation of common facilities like Testing Labs, Common Effluent Treatment Plants and other such common facilities by providing Govt support in the form of capital grants to the extent of up to 70% subject to a ceiling of a maximum of Rs. 20 crores.
  • Pharmaceutical & Medical Devices Promotion and Development Scheme (PMPDS): Under this, a series of awareness programs, sectoral studies and similar programs will be organized to generate soft inputs for policy advocacy.

Context

• The Ministry of Women and Child Development has issued detailed guidelines for the ‘Mission Shakti’ scheme. 

About

• Aim: It is a mission-mode scheme aimed at strengthening interventions for women’s safety, security and empowerment.
• Objective: To provide to all women and girls including differently-abled, socially and economically marginalized and vulnerable groups, in need of care and protection, with short-term and long-term services and information for their holistic development and empowerment.
• Sub Schemes:
  • Sambal: It is for the safety and security of women. The components consist of erstwhile schemes of One Stop Center (OSC), Women Helpline (WHL), Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) with a new component of Nari Adalats – women’s collectives to promote and facilitate alternative dispute resolution and gender justice in society and within families.
  • Samarthya: It is for the empowerment of women. The components consist of erstwhile schemes of Ujjwala, Swadhar Greh and Working Women Hostel have been included with modifications. In addition, the existing schemes of National Creche Scheme for children of working mothers and Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana(PMMVY) under umbrella ICDS have also been included. Moreover, a new component of Gap Funding for Economic Empowerment has also been added.

Context

• The Ministry of Women and Child Development has issued Guidelines for Mission Vatsalya Scheme.

About

• Centrally Sponsored Scheme
• It replaces the Child Protection Services(CPS) Scheme implemented in 2009-10.
• Objectives:
• • To secure a healthy and happy childhood for each and every child in India,
  • To ensure opportunities to enable them to discover their full potential,
  • To assist States/UTs in delivering the mandate of the Juvenile Justice Act 2015 and achieve the SDG goals and
  • To promote family-based non-institutional care of children in difficult circumstances.
• Components
  • Improve the functioning of statutory bodies,
  • Strengthen service delivery structures,
  • Upscale institutional care/services,
  • Encourage non-institutional community-based care,
  • Emergency outreach services
  • Training and capacity building.
• Funding: Funds to states will be approved through the Mission Vatsalya Project Approval Board (PAB) which will be chaired by the Ministry of Women and Child Development Secretary.
• Monitoring Mechanism: At the state level, there will be a committee headed by the Chief Secretary to monitor, review and promote convergence in the implementation of the scheme. There will also be a district-level committee.

Context

• The Finance Minister chaired the 1st meeting of the Apex Monitoring Authority constituted to review the activities of the National Industrial Corridor Development programme.

About

• National Industrial Corridor Development Programme is India’s most ambitious infrastructure programme aiming to develop new industrial cities as “Smart Cities” and converge next-generation technologies across infrastructure sectors.
• Objective: To expand the industrial output, increase employment opportunities, and provide better living and social facilities for the new and growing workforce by way of providing plug n play infrastructure at the plot level for industries.
• NICDC is developing Eleven(11) Industrial corridors comprising 32 projects in four Phases.
• Funding: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of India have signed a $250 million loan to support the NICDP.
• Implementing Agency: National Industrial Corridor Development & Implementation Trust (NICDIT)- a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) under the Administrative Control of DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce & Industry.
• Apex Monitoring Authority: An Apex Monitoring Authority under the chairmanship of the Finance Minister has been set up to periodically review the activities of the programme.

Context

• The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship(MSDE) has announced that the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) will be a part of Direct Beneficiary Transfer(DBT) Scheme providing direct government benefits to all apprentices.

About

• Launched in 2016 by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship(MSDE).
• Aim:To promote apprenticeship training and incentivize employers who wish to engage apprentices.
• Target:To increase the engagement of apprenticeship from 2.3 Lakhs to 50 Lakhs cumulatively by 2020.
• Components
  • Stipend support : reimbursement of 25% of prescribed stipend subject to a maximum of Rs 1500/- per month per apprentice with employers.
  • Sharing of  cost of Basic Training: Rs7500/- for a maximum of 3 months or 500 hours in respect of  apprentices who come directly to apprenticeship training without any formal trade training.

Context

• The Prime Minister has participated in the ‘Udyami Bharat’ programme.
• During this, he launched several initiatives like 1) Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance (RAMP) scheme, 2) Capacity Building of First-Time MSME Exporters(CBFTE) scheme, and 3) new features of the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) to ramp up the MSME sector. 

About

• Funding: It is a World Bank assisted programme
• Committees: The RAMP programme was formulated based on the recommendations made by U K Sinha Committee, KV Kamath Committee and Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (PM-EAC).
• Aim: To provide support to the MSMEs by improving access to market and credit, strengthening institutions and governance at the Centre and State, improving Centre-State linkages and partnerships, addressing issues of delayed payments and greening MSMEs.

Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MoMSME).

• Aim: To encourage MSMEs to offer products and services of international standards for the global market. 
• This will enhance the participation of Indian MSMEs in the global value chain and help them realize their export potential.

• It is a credit-linked subsidy scheme launched in 2008-09 by the Ministry of MSME.
• Aim:To promote self-employment through setting up of micro-enterprises where subsidy up to 35% is provided by the Government through Ministry of MSME for loans up to ₹25 lakhs in manufacturing and ₹10 lakhs in the service sector.
• Implementation:Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) at the national level.At the State level,the Scheme is implemented through State Khadi and Village Industries Commission Directorates among others.
• Eligibility:Any individual above 18 years of age, Self Help Groups, Institutions registered under Societies Registration Act 1860, Production Co-operative Societies and Charitable Trusts are eligible.
• New Features
  • Firstly, increase in the maximum project cost to Rs 50 lakhs (from Rs 25 lakhs) for the manufacturing sector and Rs 20 lakhs (from Rs 10 lakhs) in the service sector.
  • Secondly, the inclusion of applicants from Aspirational districts & Transgenders in the Special Category applicants for availing higher subsidies. 
  • Thirdly, handholding support is being provided to applicants/entrepreneurs through the engagement of banking, technical & marketing experts.

Context

• The Minister of Civil Aviation has launched National Air Sport Policy 2022 (NASP 2022).

About

• Aim: To lay out the vision of making India as one of the top sports nations by 2030 by providing a safe, affordable, accessible, enjoyable and sustainable air sports ecosystem in India.
• Objectives
  • Promote an air sports culture in the country.
  • Enable adoption of international good practices in safety including but not limited to, air sports infrastructure, equipment, operations, maintenance and training.
  • Develop a simple, stakeholder-friendly and effective governance structure.
  • Enhance participation and success of Indian sportspersons in global air sports events; and
  • Promote design, development and manufacturing of air sports equipment in India in line with the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan.
• Sports Covered
  • Air sports such as aerobatics, aeromodelling, model rocketry, amateur-built and experimental aircraft, ballooning, drones, gliding and powered gliding.
  • It also covers hang-gliding and powered hang-gliding, parachuting (including skydiving, BASE jumping and wingsuit flying), paragliding and paramotoring (including powered parachute trikes), powered aircraft and rotorcraft.
• Four Tier Governance Structure:
  • Air Sports Federation of India(ASFI) is the apex governing body
  • National associations for individual air sports or a set of air sports, as appropriate
  • Regional (e.g. West/ South/ North East etc.) or State and Union Territory level units of the national air sports associations, as appropriate and
  • District-level air sports associations as appropriate.

Context

• While launching an Integrated Credit Portal ‘Jan Samarth”, Prime Minister said that India is moving ahead with the approach of Citizen-Centric Governance, which is the fundamental aspect of Good Governance, leaving behind the government-centric approach.

About

• The portal, an initiative of the Ministry of Finance, is a one-stop gateway for over a dozen of the government’s credit-linked schemes directly connecting beneficiaries to lenders.
• The portal will act as a single platform for loan application and processing under Credit-Linked Government Schemes.
• The portal will improve the lives of students, farmers, businessmen, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises entrepreneurs and will also help the start-up ecosystem.
• The idea behind launching this portal is to encourage inclusive growth and development of several sectors.

Context

• The Prime Minister has launched a global initiative ‘Lifestyle for the Environment – LiFE Movement’.

About

• The idea of LiFE was introduced by the Prime Minister during the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow in 2021.
• Aim: To promote an environment-conscious lifestyle that focuses on ‘mindful and deliberate utilization’ instead of ‘mindless and destructive consumption’.
• Vision: To live a lifestyle that is in tune with our planet and does not harm it and those who live such a lifestyle are called Pro-Planet People.