Government Schemes [India & States] Current Affairs MCQs

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Bad loans in Kisan Credit Card (KCC) accounts have risen by 42% in scheduled commercial banks, excluding RRBs. KCC was introduced in 1998 to provide farmers easy access to credit for buying seeds, fertilizers, and other inputs. Extended in 2004 to cover investment credit for allied and non-farm activities. In 2018-19, KCC was extended to fisheries and animal husbandry farmers for working capital needs. It was implemented by Scheduled Commercial Banks, RRBs, Small Finance Banks, and Cooperatives.

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The Department of Pharmaceuticals organized an industry dialogue in Mumbai on the Pharma MedTech sector (PRIP) Scheme to boost R&D and innovation in the Pharma-MedTech sector. The event brought together industry leaders, research institutes (ICMR, CSIR, NIPERs), and associations to discuss collaborations and industry-academia partnerships. The PRIP Scheme, launched by the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, aims to make India a global leader in Pharma-MedTech R&D.

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The Delhi government will sign an MoU with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to implement the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM). PM-ABHIM is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme with some Central Sector Components. It has a total outlay of ₹64,180 crore for 2021-22 to 2025-26. The scheme aims to integrate and strengthen health services and public health action. It focuses on improving primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare. It prepares health systems to respond effectively to pandemics and disasters.

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Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy launched the ‘Rajiv Yuva Vikasam’ scheme to create self-employment opportunities for five lakh unemployed youth in Telangana. The government allocated ₹6,000 crore for the initiative, highlighting its commitment to youth empowerment and economic development. The scheme aims to empower Telangana’s youth and promote self-reliance through strong economic support.

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Haryana government launched a One Time Settlement (OTS) Scheme for small traders. The scheme offers tax relaxation and penalty waivers on outstanding tax dues. For tax disputes under ₹10 lakh, taxpayers will pay 40% of the amount. For disputes between ₹10 lakh and ₹10 crore, they must pay 50%. For disputes above ₹10 crore, full payment is required, but penalties are waived. The scheme takes effect from April 7, 2024. It addresses pending tax payments before GST implementation. The government aims to support small businesses and boost Haryana’s tax collection.

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The Government of India extended the Employees’ State Insurance (ESI) Scheme to 15 more districts in Uttar Pradesh. Now, 74 out of 75 districts in Uttar Pradesh are covered under the scheme. The total number of districts covered under the ESI scheme in India is 689 out of 778. Newly covered districts include Ambedkar Nagar, Bahraich, Gonda, Jalaun, Kannauj, and others. ESI Scheme is India’s largest social insurance scheme, administered by Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC). It was launched by Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru in Kanpur and New Delhi on 24 February 1952.

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The Jharkhand government has announced a lump sum payment of ₹7,500 under the Mukhyamantri Maiyan Samman Yojana for January-March 2025. Women without Aadhaar-linked bank accounts will still receive this payment temporarily until March 2025. To continue receiving benefits after March 2025, beneficiaries must link their bank accounts with Aadhaar and maintain a single account. The Jharkhand cabinet, led by Chief Minister Hemant Soren, approved this amendment along with 18 other proposals. 38 lakh women have already received the payment, while 20 lakh more will receive it by March 31, 2025. The Mukhyamantri Maiya Samman Yojana is a welfare initiative by the Jharkhand government. It provides financial assistance to economically disadvantaged women in the state.

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The Prime Minister’s Wi-Fi Access Network Interface (PM-WANI) framework aims to expand public Wi-Fi hotspots to build a digital India. Public Data Offices (PDOs) set up and operate WANI-compliant Wi-Fi hotspots and must partner with a Public Data Office Aggregator (PDOA) for internet services. As of March 20, 2025, India has 2,78,439 PM-WANI Wi-Fi hotspots. The scheme was launched by the Department of Telecommunication in December 2020. It aims to boost digital infrastructure, especially in rural areas, and generate employment for small and micro-entrepreneurs. It provides low-cost internet to underserved urban poor and rural households.

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Delhi became the 35th State or Union Territory to implement Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY). This happened after a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the National Health Authority (NHA) and the Department of Health & Family Welfare, Government of NCT, Delhi. AB PM-JAY was launched in September 2018 under the Ayushman Bharat scheme. It provides free medical coverage of ₹5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation. The scheme targets around 40% of India’s poor and vulnerable population. National Health Authority (NHA) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) implements the scheme and also develops digital health infrastructure.

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Odisha launched a unified health scheme combining Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) and Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana (GJAY), formerly Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY). The merged scheme now covers 1.03 crore families (3.46 crore people) in Odisha. Health cards will be accepted in 29,000 hospitals nationwide and distributed within three months. Every family member is eligible, and 23 lakh senior citizens will get free medical care. 4,000 doctors have been appointed; 5,374 more will follow.