Government Schemes [India & States] Current Affairs MCQs

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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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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 Government of India has discontinued Medium-Term and Long-Term Government Deposits (MLTGD) under the Gold Monetisation Scheme (GMS) from March 26, 2025. Gold Monetisation Scheme (GMS) was launched in November 2015 as an improved version of the Gold Deposit Scheme (GDS) and Gold Metal Loan (GML) Scheme. It allows individuals, institutions, and government entities to deposit idle gold in banks and earn interest. Depositors can redeem the gold in cash, bars, or coins upon maturity but not in its original form. The scheme aims to mobilize idle gold, bring it into the formal economy, and reduce gold imports to lower the Current Account Deficit (CAD).

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The Jal Shakti Ministry is requesting Rs 2.79 lakh crore additional funding for the Jal Jeevan Mission. The mission was launched by the Prime Minister in 2019. Its aim is to provide tap water connections to around 16 crore rural households, aiming for full coverage by 2028 (previously set for 2024). Key components include source sustainability, greywater management, water conservation, and rainwater harvesting. The mission empowers women by reducing the burden of water collection, improving their health, education, and socio-economic status. It enhances the dignity and quality of life for rural families, contributing to their overall ease of living.

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The Rajasthan government has launched the One Time Settlement Scheme (OTS) to provide relief to farmers and small entrepreneurs while strengthening the financial position of land development banks. Announced in the 2025-26 budget, the first phase of the scheme will run from May 1 to September 30, 2025. The scheme applies to loans disbursed by the Rajasthan Minorities Finance and Development Cooperative Corporation Limited (RMFDCC), overdue by March 31, 2024.

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The Uttar Pradesh government launched the Resham Sakhi Yojana to economically empower rural women. The scheme allows women to earn income through sericulture by rearing silkworms at home. It is being implemented jointly by the State Rural Livelihood Mission and the Silk Department. Women will receive training in silkworm rearing to produce mulberry silk and tussar silk. Training for mulberry silk will be conducted in Mysore, Karnataka, and for tussar silk in Ranchi, Jharkhand. The scheme aims to benefit 50,000 women in 5 years. In the first phase, 7,500 women from 15 districts will be trained by 2025-26.

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The Government of Madhya Pradesh has banned stubble burning due to a rise in such cases after crop harvesting. Farmers found burning stubble will be denied benefits under the Mukhyamantri Kisan Kalyan Yojana (MKKY). Mukhyamantri Kisan Kalyan Yojana (MKKY) was launched by Madhya Pradesh government to provide financial help and improve the economic condition of farmers. It also aims to promote the use of modern agricultural technologies in the state. This decision highlights the government’s focus on controlling pollution and encouraging sustainable farming practices.

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Haryana Government has launched a new scheme called Pandit Lakhmi Chand Kalakar Samajik Samman Yojana. It aims to support senior artists and art scholars who have contributed to art but are now inactive due to old age. Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini approved this decision in a recent State Cabinet meeting. Eligible artists will receive ₹10,000 per month if their annual income is up to ₹1.80 lakh, and ₹7,000 if income is between ₹1.80 lakh and ₹3 lakh. Artists must be 60 years or older, with proof from Parivar Pehchan Patra (PPP). Contributions in fields like singing, acting, painting, and dance for at least 20 years are required. Applications must include documents and press clippings and must be submitted online. A special committee will assess applications based on financial need and artistic merit.

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The government has recently revised the Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups (CGSS) to support innovation and entrepreneurship. The scheme is managed by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and benefits startups recognised by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). It helps startups get collateral-free loans by offering credit guarantees through eligible lenders like Scheduled Commercial Banks, Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs), and Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) registered Venture Debt Funds (VDFs). The guarantee cover has been increased to ₹20 crore, with loan coverage up to 85% for loans up to ₹10 crore. The annual guarantee fee has been reduced to 1% for key sectors, making borrowing easier for startups.