Government Schemes [India & States] Current Affairs MCQs

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The government launched the Modified Ethanol Interest Subvention Scheme to support Cooperative Sugar Mills (CSMs). It helps convert sugarcane-based ethanol plants into multi-feedstock plants using maize and damaged food grains (DFG). The scheme offers 6% annual interest subvention or 50% of the bank interest rate, whichever is lower. The subvention is available for five years, including a one-year moratorium. This initiative aligns with the Ethanol Blended with Petrol (EBP) Programme, promoting biofuel production and energy sustainability.

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The Delhi government approved the Mahila Samriddhi Yojana on International Women’s Day. It provides Rs 2,500 per month to women aged 21-60 from weaker economic sections earning up to Rs 3 lakh annually. The scheme aims to empower women with financial support and self-employment opportunities. It has various forms, including monthly allowances, subsidized loans for micro-enterprises, and vocational training. The scheme is designed to help women achieve stable incomes and contribute to their families’ well-being.

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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 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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Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini launched the Lado Laxmi Yojana to support women financially. Under this scheme, women in Haryana will receive Rs 2,100 per month. The announcement was made during the state’s budget presentation for the financial year 2025-26. The total budget for Haryana was Rs 2,05,017 crore. The scheme aims to provide economic security and empowerment to women.

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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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Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman launched a mobile app for the Prime Minister Internship Scheme and encouraged more companies to join. The PM Internship Scheme provides 12-month internships for youth (aged 21-24) from low-income households in India’s top 500 companies. The pilot phase aims to target 1.25 lakh youth, with a goal of providing internships for 1 crore young individuals in five years. Internships cover 24 sectors, including oil, gas, energy, travel, hospitality, automotive, banking, and financial services.

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Rajasthan government launched the One Time Settlement Scheme (OTS) to support farmers and small entrepreneurs. The scheme aims to protect them from financial crises and stabilize land development banks. Borrowers who repay 100% of overdue medium and long-term loans by July 1, 2024, will get a 100% interest rebate. A 5% subsidy will help borrowers avail loans again. The scheme benefits 36,351 defaulting loan members with Rs. 760 crore overdue loans. The government will spend Rs. 200 crore to ease loan recovery and improve bank finances. It will boost new loans, production, and business recovery.

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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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A Parliamentary Standing Committee urged the Education Ministry to release over ₹4,000 crore in Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) funds for Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and West Bengal. The funds are withheld as these states have not signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the PM SHRI scheme. The report emphasized that SSA predates PM SHRI and is crucial for implementing the Right to Education (RTE) Act. PM SHRI (PM Schools for Rising India) is a centrally sponsored scheme under NEP 2020 to establish 14,500 model schools with holistic education, 21st-century skills, and eco-friendly infrastructure.