Schemes

PRELIMS BITS – SCHEMES Context: Two ropeway projects in Uttarakhand have received approval under the Parvatmala Pariyojana initiative. Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH). The project is being executed by National Highways Logistics Management Limited (NHLML), a special-purpose vehicle of NHAI. Launch Year: Announced in the Union …

Context The Rajya Sabha recently approved the Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Amendment Bill, 2024, aiming to enhance efficiency in oil and gas exploration across India. Rationale for the Bill Addressing Energy Needs: Aims to bridge the gap between domestic oil and gas production and consumption. Improving Business Environment: Modernizes outdated …

Context: The Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan, launched on December 3, 2015, coinciding with the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, recently marked nine years of progress. The initiative aims to create a barrier-free environment for Divyangjans (Persons with Disabilities) across the country. Implementing Agency: Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities …

Context: The Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana in Maharashtra, launched four months before elections, offers ₹1,500 monthly financial aid to poor women. This has sparked debates about whether such Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) schemes amount to voter bribery or genuine welfare measures. Key Features of Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana …

Context: The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has released the 7th consecutive edition of “EnviStats India 2024: Environment Accounts,” aligned with the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA) Framework. Findings From 2000 to 2023, the number of Total Protected Areas saw an increase of approximately 72%, while the area …

Background: The Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana (PMMY) was launched in 2015 to promote entrepreneurship by providing collateral-free micro-loans up to ₹10 lakh. Recent Changes: The Union Budget 2024 increased the loan ceiling to ₹20 lakh, specifically benefiting those under the Tarun category who had previously accessed MUDRA loans. Impact: The …

Context (TH): Recent government decisions that prioritize imports over local production could undermine India’s domestic pharmaceutical sector and potentially result in increased drug prices. Ensuring the availability of affordable medications is vital in India, where out-of-pocket health expenditures made up nearly 47.1% of total spending in 2021. Current Scenario India, …

Context: The Government of India recently announced a significant recruitment drive for lateral entrants, addressing an “acute shortage” of IAS officers. Lateral entry allows experts from outside the traditional government structure to be appointed to mid and senior-level roles, bypassing the conventional UPSC examination process. This initiative aims to infuse …

Context (IE) Over the past twenty years, maize production in India has seen a remarkable increase, transforming it into a green revolution driven by the private sector. Production has surged from 11.5 million tonnes in 2000 to over 35 million tonnes in 2024, with yields rising from 1.8 tonnes to …

Introduction: The GREAT Scheme is an initiative by the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India. It aims to boost innovation and entrepreneurship in the technical textiles sector. Objectives: Promote research and development: GREAT encourages scientists, technologists, and startups to translate their ideas into commercially viable products and technologies for technical …

Why was the NOTA Option Introduced, and Its Consequences GS2 : About NOTA and its consequences with respect to the Voters Right to Secrecy, Implications of Large Number of Votes to NOTA Option, etc. The BJP’s Shankar Lalwani has won in Indore with a massive 10.09 lakh margin, receiving 12,26,751 …

Relevance : Hunar se Rozgar Scheme, India Skills Report 2024 And Skill Development In India, and Higher Education & The Skill Requirements In The Job. Since 2006, the Ministry of Tourism is implementing a relatively less-known scheme called ‘Hunar se Rozgar’ meaning skill to employment, primarily aimed at catching the …

Introduction: The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), also known as “Housing for All” mission, is a flagship initiative launched by the Government of India in 2015. It aims to achieve the ambitious goal of “Housing for All by 2022” by providing affordable housing solutions to all eligible urban and rural …

Introduction: The Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) launched by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1974 marks a significant milestone in global public health. It aimed to ensure universal access to life-saving vaccines for children, initially focusing on six childhood diseases: diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, polio, measles, and tuberculosis. EPI: A …

Introduction The Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) is a strategic economic initiative launched by the United States in May 2022. It aims to strengthen economic ties among member countries in the Indo-Pacific region, fostering resilience, sustainability, and shared prosperity. This framework holds significance for regional economies, including India, offering …

Introduction The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, popularly known as the Forest Rights Act (FRA), is a landmark legislation in India. It aims to address historical injustices faced by Scheduled Tribes (STs) and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (OTFDs) and empower them by …

Introduction The Prevention of Sexual Harassment (PoSH) Act, 2013, is a landmark legislation in India that aims to create safe and secure working environments for women. This Act defines, prohibits, and lays down the procedures for the prevention and redressal of sexual harassment at workplaces. Let’s delve deeper into the …

Introduction The National Mission on Edible Oils-Oil Palm (NMEO-OP) is a flagship initiative launched by the Government of India (GoI) in 2021 to address India’s heavy dependence on edible oil imports. This mission aims to significantly increase domestic oil palm production, a key source of edible oil, and reduce import …

Introduction The growing urgency of environmental challenges has prompted innovative solutions across the globe. In this context, India’s Green Credit program emerges as a promising market-based initiative aimed at incentivizing environmentally friendly behavior. Launched in October 2023 as part of the government’s “Lifestyle for Environment” (LiFE) mission, this program seeks …

Introduction: India, a nation undergoing rapid economic growth and urbanization, faces a critical challenge: air pollution. This invisible enemy poses a severe threat to public health, environmental sustainability, and economic productivity. Recognizing the urgency of this issue, the Government of India launched the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) in January …