Government Schemes [India & States] Current Affairs MCQs

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Recently, the Indian government announced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions intensity targets for entities in eight heavy industrial sectors under the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS). It is a market-based framework to regulate and trade carbon credits. It assigns monetary value to GHG emissions, promoting a shift to a low-carbon economy. The scheme moves focus from energy efficiency (Perform, Achieve, Trade – PAT Scheme) to GHG intensity reduction. It is implemented by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE). It is governed by the National Steering Committee for Indian Carbon Market (NSCICM) for transparency and accountability.

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The United Kingdom (UK) has opened its final 2025 visa ballot under the India Young Professionals Scheme for Indians aged 18–30 to live, work, or study in the UK for two years. The scheme was part of the India-UK Migration and Mobility Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in May 2021 and announced during the G20 summit in Bali. It was officially launched in February 2023. It allows Indian citizens aged 18–30 with a bachelor’s degree or higher to live and work in the UK for up to two years.

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Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the Chief Minister’s Foreign Language Initiative for Global Human Talent (CM-FLIGHT) to enhance youth employability abroad. The scheme will offer structured training in foreign languages, including up to Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) N2 level. The project aligns with Japan’s Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) visa program to facilitate paid short-term jobs in Japan. A subsidy of ₹1.5 lakh will be provided to each selected applicant for language training. This initiative aims to tackle unemployment and underemployment in Assam through international job access.

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Recently, Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat shared updates on Scheme for Promotion of Culture of Science (SPoCS) in Rajya Sabha. Scheme for Promotion of Culture of Science (SPoCS) is a flagship scheme of the Ministry of Culture, Government of India. It aims to foster scientific temper and awareness among the public and students. National Council of Science Museums (NCSM) is the nodal agency for implementation. SPoCS supports Science Cities, Science Centres, Innovation Hubs, and Digital Planetariums. As of July 2025, 27 Science Centres have been set up across India. These centres offer hands-on exhibits, workshops, and outreach to promote science.

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The Employment Linked Incentive (ELI) Scheme has been renamed as PM Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana (PM-VBRY) and will start from 1st August 2025. It aligns with the Viksit Bharat initiative to promote inclusive and sustainable employment. The scheme was approved by the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister of India. PM-VBRY aims to create over 3.5 crore new jobs across India in two years. Out of these, 1.92 crore will be first-time workers entering the formal workforce. The scheme has a financial outlay of ₹99,446 crore. It will apply to jobs created between 1st August 2025 and 31st July 2027.

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The Indian government has deactivated over 4 crore fake or inactive LPG connections under the PAHAL scheme, as informed recently in Parliament. PAHAL (Pratyaksh Hanstantrit Labh) is a Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme for LPG subsidies launched by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. Under the scheme, consumers pay the full market price for LPG, and the subsidy is directly transferred to their registered bank account. It is the world’s largest cash transfer program, covering over 17 crore LPG users. The scheme ensures transparency, removes middlemen, and prevents diversion of LPG.

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The Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL), Ministry of Education, held an awareness session on National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS) in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh. National Means-Cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS) was launched by the Ministry of Education as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme. Uttar Pradesh receives the highest quota with 15,000 fresh scholarships yearly. Students must register on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) after Class VIII using Aadhaar credentials. A One-Time Registration (OTR) system launched in 2024-25 avoids duplication of benefits.

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The Mahatari Vandan Yojana is transforming women’s lives in Chhattisgarh by boosting economic and social empowerment. More than 69.19 lakh women across the state are currently benefiting from this initiative. It was launched by the Chhattisgarh government in March 2024 to empower women socially and economically. It aims to address gender discrimination, inequality, improve health and nutrition, promote economic independence, and strengthen women’s decision-making in families.

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Recently, the Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment informed the Lok Sabha that under Pradhan Mantri Dakshta Aur Kushalta Sampann Hitgrahi (PM-DAKSH) Scheme, 1,87,305 people have received skill training. Out of these, 73,102 beneficiaries (39%) have gained employment or self-employment. PM-DAKSH scheme was launched by Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. The scheme is monitored by three corporations – National Scheduled Castes Finance & Development Corporation (NSFDC), National Backward Classes Finance & Development Corporation (NBCFDC), and National Safai Karamcharis Finance & Development Corporation (NSKFDC).

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Karnataka’s flagship Shakti Scheme offers free bus travel to women across state-run transport corporations. The scheme has earned a place in the Golden Book of World Records. It recognized 5,049,476,416 women passenger journeys, equal to over 500 crore ticketed rides. These rides were recorded between 11 June 2023 and 20 July 2024.