Government Schemes [India & States] Current Affairs MCQs

Notes:
The Jharkhand cabinet recently approved lowering the minimum age limit for the Mukhyamantri Maiyan Samman Yojana (MMSY) from 21 to 18 years. This change aims to benefit an additional 800,000 women. Launched on August 3, 2024, MMSY provides Rs 1,000 each month to eligible women from families below the poverty line. Annually, Rs 12,000 will be deposited into the bank accounts of all qualified women through the Direct Benefit Transfer Scheme.

Notes:
Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) are more efficient in handling rape cases and those under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. FTSCs were launched in 2019 under a centrally sponsored scheme, extended until 2026.
The Centre funds FTSCs through the Nirbhaya Fund, and the Department of Justice implements the scheme. The goal is swift disposal of rape and POCSO cases. Currently, 755 FTSCs, including 410 exclusive POCSO courts, are operational across 30 states/UTs. In 2022, FTSCs resolved 83% of cases, compared to 10% in conventional courts.

Notes:
The Prime Minister addressed the National PM Vishwakarma Program in Maharashtra. He launched the ‘Acharya Chanakya Skill Development’ scheme and ‘Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Women Startup Scheme’ of the Maharashtra Government. The Punyashlok Ahilyadevi scheme offers financial assistance of up to ₹25 lakh for early-stage women-led startups. The PM Vishwakarma Program is a central sector scheme launched by the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in 2023 for five years. It supports artisans and craftspeople working with their hands and tools, covering eighteen traditional trades initially under the scheme.

Notes:
The Indian government launched the NAMASTE programme to support sewer and septic tank workers (SSWs) and mechanize sewer cleaning. Over 38,000 workers have been profiled, with 68.9% from Scheduled Castes, 14.7% from Other Backward Classes, and 8.3% from Scheduled Tribes. The programme aims to prevent deaths caused by hazardous manual cleaning, with 377 deaths recorded between 2019 and 2023. Profiling has been completed in 12 states and Union Territories, with approximately 100,000 SSWs across India. Rs 2.26 crore in capital subsidies has been disbursed to 191 beneficiaries for self-employment projects.

Notes:
The RoDTEP (Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products) scheme is extended for domestic tariff area (DTA) units until September 30, 2025. Launched in January 2021 by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, RoDTEP refunds un-reimbursed taxes, duties, and levies to exporters. It replaced the Merchandise Exports from India Scheme (MEIS), which was challenged at the World Trade Organization (WTO) for non-compliance with global trade rules. RoDTEP ensures that exporters receive compensation for costs incurred during production and distribution.

Notes:
The Union Health Ministry has increased monthly nutrition support for TB patients under Ni-Kshay Poshan Yojana from Rs 500 to Rs 1,000. Ni-Kshay Poshan Yojana (NPY) was launched in April 2018 under the National Health Mission. It is a direct benefit transfer (DBT) scheme under the National Tuberculosis Elimination Program (NTEP). The scheme aims to provide nutritional support to TB patients. All notified TB patients are eligible beneficiaries of the scheme.

Notes:
Around 6.5 lakh youth applied for internships under the PM Internship Scheme pilot project. Announced in the Union Budget 2024-25, the scheme aims to provide 12-month internships for 1 crore candidates aged 21 to 24 over five years. The goal is to offer real-life work experience in top companies. The Ministry of Corporate Affairs is implementing the scheme. For FY 2024-25, there are 1,25,000 vacancies across 500 top companies. Companies are selected based on their average CSR expenditure, and participation is voluntary.

Notes:
The Namo Lakshmi Yojana, launched by Gujarat’s Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, provides financial assistance of Rs 50,000 over four years to girl students from standards 9 to 12. With a budget of Rs 1,250 crore for the fiscal year, the initiative aims to empower girls through education and address financial barriers that lead to dropouts. Since its inception, it has benefitted around 10 lakh girls, disbursing over Rs 138.54 crore in aid.

Notes:
Gujarat has introduced the New Cottage Policy 2024, effective for five years, aiming to develop self-sustaining cottage industries. The policy focuses on credit access, market support, infrastructure, skill development, technology upgrades, and innovation for artisans and entrepreneurs. Maximum loan amounts under the scheme have increased from ₹8 lakh to ₹25 lakh, and subsidies have risen from ₹1.25 lakh to ₹3.75 lakh. The policy aims to create 12 lakh jobs over five years, including 3.3 lakh direct and indirect opportunities through enhanced financial support. It seeks to expand access to local and international markets for artisans.

Notes:
The Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana was launched by the Maharashtra government in 2024. It supports economically weaker women by offering financial aid for education and development opportunities. The scheme aims to reduce school dropouts and promotes girls’ education through financial assistance. It provides skill training, career opportunities, and access to higher education for underprivileged girls. The scheme addresses challenges like early marriages, limited access to education, and promotes independence and security among young girls. It seeks to uplift women and improve overall education levels in Maharashtra.