1. What is the primary objective of SAMARTH scheme, recently seen in the news?
[A] Providing scholarship to rural students for higher education
[B] Providing assistance to farmers
[C] Providing assistance to the MSMEs
[D] providing comprehensive medical care to children
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Providing assistance to the MSMEs]
Notes:
The Minister of State for Heavy Industries revealed SAMARTH Centres to Lok Sabha. SAMARTH, or Smart Advanced Manufacturing and Rapid Transformation Hub, operates under the “Enhancement of Competitiveness in the Indian Capital Goods Sector” scheme. These centers aid MSMEs by organizing events on Industry 4.0, conducting training for awareness, offering consultancy in areas like IoT, software development, and data analytics, and providing incubation support to start-ups, contributing to workforce development and technological advancement.
2. Vidyanjali Scholarship Programme, recently seen in the news, launched by which ministry?
[A] Ministry of Education
[B] Ministry of Defence
[C] Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
[D] Ministry of MSME
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ministry of Education]
Notes:
Union Minister of Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan launched the EdCIL Vidyanjali Scholarship Programme in New Delhi. The program aims to support students who are academically gifted and meritorious but lack financial means to pursue education. The Ministry of Education, Government of India launched the Vidyanjali program in September 2021 to strengthen schools through community and private sector involvement. The program aims to increase the quality of education provided in government schools by taking help from private sector and community.
3. ‘Pure for Sure’ initiative, recently seen in the news, is related to which one of the following?
[A] CNG
[B] LPG
[C] Solar energy
[D] Wind energy
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [LPG]
Notes:
Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) launched “Pure for Sure” at India Energy Week 2024, aiming to enhance LPG distribution. Inaugurated by Hardeep Singh Puri, the initiative prioritizes consumer satisfaction by eliminating delivery inefficiencies. Unique features include a tamper-proof seal with QR codes for tracking cylinder integrity, ensuring quality and quantity assurance. “Pure for Sure” allow customers to authenticate cylinders pre-delivery, promoting transparency. Any tampering renders the QR code unscannable, ensuring product safety and trust in this innovative service.
4. How much budgetary support has the government constituted for ‘Fisheries Infrastructure Development Fund’?
[A] Rs 830.57 crores
[B] Rs 935.55 crores
[C] Rs 939.48 crores
[D] Rs 955.68 crores
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Rs 939.48 crores]
Notes:
The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved a 3-year extension of the Fisheries Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF) until 2025-26. The extension maintains the approved fund size of Rs 7522.48 crore with a budgetary support of Rs 939.48 crore. FIDF, initiated in 2018-19, has so far approved 121 projects, creating fisheries infrastructure and generating over 2.5 lakh employment opportunities. The extension aims to further boost development in fisheries, encouraging both public and private sector investments for economic growth in the sector.
5. How many units of free electricity per month are provided under the recently launched PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana?
[A] 300
[B] 200
[C] 400
[D] 500
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [300]
Notes:
The Prime Minister of India launched PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, a ₹75,000 crore initiative providing 300 units of free electricity per month to 1 crore households. The scheme promotes rooftop solar systems through incentives to Urban Local Bodies and Panchayats. The Central Government ensures no financial burden on citizens, offering subsidies and concessional bank loans. Benefits include annual savings, electric vehicle charging, entrepreneurship, and job opportunities in solar-related fields.
6. Which ministry has launched the renewed portal of the Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund?
[A] Ministry of Rural Development
[B] Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying
[C] Ministry of Agriculture
[D] Ministry of Tourism
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying]
Notes:
Union Minister Shri Parshottam Rupala unveiled the enhanced Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF) scheme with an increased outlay of ₹29,610 crore, up from ₹15,000 crore, showcasing the government’s dedication to boost the livestock sector. The Cabinet approved the realignment, extending the scheme until 2025-26, emphasizing support for rural livelihoods. Additionally, a Radio Jingle for AHIDF was introduced during the event in New Delhi.
7. Mukhyamantri Kanya Sumangala Yojana, recently seen in the news, is an initiative of which state?
[A] Jharkhand
[B] Haryana
[C] Rajasthan
[D] Uttar Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Uttar Pradesh]
Notes:
Sandeep Kaur, Director of the Women’s Welfare Department, announces a significant increase in grants for the Mukhyamantri Kanya Sumangala Yojana. In response to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s directive, the grant per beneficiary will rise from Rs 15,000 to Rs 25,000 annually starting April. The initiative, addressing challenges faced by girls in Uttar Pradesh, aims to enhance their well-being from birth through their educational journey.
8. Sikkim’s INSPIRES programme, recently seen in the news, is assisted by which multinational institutions?
[A] International Monetary Fund
[B] World Bank
[C] Global Environment Facility
[D] Asian Development Bank
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [World Bank]
Notes:
Sikkim’s Chief Minister, Prem Singh Tamang, introduced Sikkim INSPIRES, a groundbreaking collaboration between the state government and the World Bank. With a $100 million allocation, the program spans five years, engaging nine government departments to foster economic growth and inclusion. The initiative prioritizes collaboration and capacity-building across sectors, aiming to strengthen the state system for inclusive growth, employment for women and youth, and enhanced delivery of enabling services. The launch event featured a slogan competition winner announcement and the unveiling of a mental health awareness mobile app.
9. PM-SVANidhi scheme, recently seen in the news, is launched by which ministry?
[A] Ministry of Rural Development
[B] Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
[C] Ministry of Agriculture
[D] Ministry of Corporate Affairs
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs]
Notes:
Union Minister Hardeep Puri praised PM SVANidhi for restoring street vendors’ dignity during the pandemic. Launched on June 1, 2020, the scheme provided affordable working capital loans, totaling ₹10,678 crore, to over 60.94 lakh street vendors. The initiative, overseen by the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, distributed loans to 10,000 vendors at the PM SVANidhi Mega Camp, benefitting those severely affected by Covid-19 lockdown.
10. Mukhya Mantri Harit Vikas Chhattravriti Yojana, recently seen in the news, is launched by which state?
[A] Uttarakhand
[B] Madhya Pradesh
[C] Uttar Pradesh
[D] Himachal Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Himachal Pradesh]
Notes:
Himachal Pradesh’s 2024-25 annual budget prioritizes environmental concerns, unveiling the Mukhya Mantri Harit Vikas Chhattravriti Yojana for postgraduate researchers. Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu, in the February 17 presentation, emphasized climate change threats and outlined action plans at district and Panchayat levels. The state aims to collaborate with the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change and the German development agency GIZ to address climate change’s impact on agriculture and horticulture, conducting a need assessment study for effective mitigation.