Government Schemes [India & States] Current Affairs MCQs

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The Chamundi Hills project in Karnataka has finally progressed under the Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) scheme after years of delay. PRASHAD stands for Pilgrimage Rejuvenation And Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive. It was launched in 2014-15 by the Ministry of Tourism as a Central Sector Scheme. The scheme supports integrated development of pilgrimage and heritage destinations. It provides financial help to state governments and Union Territories for improving tourism infrastructure.

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Recently, the Ministry of Minority Affairs held a one-day biometric authentication drive in Mumbai, Maharashtra, for beneficiaries of the Jiyo Parsi scheme. The Jiyo Parsi scheme was launched in 2013–14 by the Ministry of Minority Affairs. Its main goal is to tackle the sharp decline in the population of the Parsi (Zoroastrian) community and support their long-term survival and cultural continuity.

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Recently, the Haryana government announced the launch of the Lado Lakshmi Scheme to support women from economically weaker sections. This scheme will give ₹2,100 every month to women from Below Poverty Line (BPL) families. The scheme is inspired by the existing Haryana Ladli Lakshmi Yojana to help financially poor women. Its goal is to empower women, improve their livelihoods, and reduce poverty and economic inequality in Haryana.

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Recently, the Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister of India approved the Research Development and Innovation Scheme with a fund of Rs 1 Lakh Crore. The Research Development and Innovation Scheme aims to give long-term financing or refinancing with low or zero interest rates to boost private sector investment. It will help overcome funding challenges faced by the private sector. The Governing Board of Anusandhan National Research Foundation chaired by the Prime Minister will guide the scheme. The Department of Science and Technology is the nodal department to implement the scheme.

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The Rajasthan government launched the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Poverty-Free Village Scheme to uplift rural Below Poverty Line (BPL) families. In the first phase, 5,000 villages have been selected with an allocation of ₹300 crore for financial support. The scheme aims to boost economic empowerment and transform the rural social and economic landscape. Families who moved above the poverty line on their own will get a ₹21,000 incentive. Under the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Antyodaya Sambal Fortnight, 22,400 verified bank accounts are targeted for Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

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Recently, the Chhattisgarh government revived the Charan Paduka Scheme to support tendu leaf collectors. The scheme will benefit over 1.24 million tendu leaf collectors across the state. A budget of ₹40 crore has been approved for its implementation. Charan Paduka Scheme was first launched in November 2005 by the Chhattisgarh government. It provides one pair of footwear per year to up to two family members aged 18 years or above involved in tendu leaf collection. Initially, only one male member per family was eligible.

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Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) has completed 10 years of implementation in 2025. It was launched in 2015 by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) to promote skill development in India. Currently in its fourth phase, Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) 4.0 is part of the Central Sector Scheme of the Skill India Programme.

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Recently, the Union Cabinet led by the Prime Minister approved the Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana. It is the first scheme focused exclusively on agriculture and allied sectors. The scheme aims to boost productivity, crop diversification, sustainable farming, storage, irrigation, and credit access. It will be implemented through convergence of 36 existing schemes from 11 departments and state-private partnerships. 100 districts will be selected based on low productivity, low cropping intensity, and less credit disbursement.

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The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) launched the Prime Minister Professorship scheme to boost research in emerging state universities. It targets institutions with underdeveloped research ecosystems under ANRF’s PAIR (Partnerships for Advancing Interdisciplinary Research) program. The scheme enables eminent and superannuated scientists, faculty, and industry experts to mentor faculty and students, promote interdisciplinary research, and set up R&D labs. Each Professor receives ₹30 lakh/year fellowship, ₹24 lakh/year research grant, and ₹1 lakh/year overhead for the host university.

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Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) launched the ‘Dhwanispandana Yojana’ in Mysuru to help visually impaired passengers travel independently. Nearly 200 buses in Mysuru are now equipped with audio device systems under this initiative. Visually impaired users can activate the devices with a remote, which announces bus route numbers and details. Around 400 visually impaired persons have been trained to use these devices. A similar system is already running in Bengaluru with 125 buses fitted with such devices.