Government Schemes [India & States] Current Affairs MCQs

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Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY) marks 10 years of encouraging investments in daughters’ futures. It was launched in 2015 under the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao campaign. It allows guardians to open a savings account for a girl child at banks or India Post. NRIs are not eligible. SSY promotes financial inclusion and aims to secure the future of girl children by fostering savings.

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A Parliamentary committee urged the government to develop a clear SOP and obtain approvals for timely completion of projects under the PRASHAD scheme. The PRASHAD (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spirituality Augmentation Drive) scheme was launched by the Ministry of Tourism in 2014. It aims to enhance cultural preservation and spiritual tourism at pilgrimage sites across India. Key objectives include improving infrastructure, connectivity, and conservation of heritage sites. It promotes local employment through skill development and supports eco-friendly tourism. The scheme is 100% publicly funded, with additional support from CSR and Public-Private Partnerships (PPP).

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Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi launched the ‘Bikashita Gaon, Bikashita Odisha’ (BGBO) scheme to bridge the rural-urban development gap. The scheme has a budget of ₹5,000 crore over five years and aims to develop 60,000 villages. It focuses on improving basic infrastructure for better living conditions in rural areas, covering 80% of the state’s population. Villagers will plan and implement projects, with 40% of funds reserved for tribal areas. Transparent governance ensured through district collectors and social audits.

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“Beti Bachao Beti Padhao” (BBBP) was launched in 2015 to address gender imbalance and child sex ratio issues in India. Odisha implemented several schemes under BBBP, including “Nirbhaya Kadhi” in Ganjam, “Kalpana Avijan” in Dhenkanal, “Swarna Kalika” in Keonjhar, and “Veerangana Yojana” in Deogarh. “Nirbhaya Kadhi” in Ganjam covered 183,933 adolescent girls, leading to the district being declared child marriage-free in 2022. “Kalpana Avijan” in Dhenkanal tracked and prevented 343 child marriages from 2019-2024. “Swarna Kalika” in Keonjhar reduced child marriages by 50% through awareness campaigns. “Veerangana” in Deogarh trained 6,000 girls in self-defense and won the SKOCH Award.

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Madhya Pradesh’s Ladli Behna Yojana will increase monthly assistance from ₹1,250 to ₹3,000. The scheme aims to economically empower women in the state. ₹1,553 crore has been transferred to 1.27 crore women beneficiaries so far. With the increased amount, more women will benefit and improve their financial condition. The scheme was launched in May 2023, initially providing ₹1,000 per month. The assistance was later raised to ₹1,250 and will now be further increased to ₹3,000.

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Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) launched the J. C. Bose Grant (JBG) scheme. It is a restructured version of the J. C. Bose Fellowship under the former Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB). The grant recognizes senior Indian scientists and engineers for their outstanding contributions. It supports senior-level researchers with proven excellence in publications, patents, technology transfers, awards, and grants. It covers multiple fields, including science, technology, agriculture, medicine, humanities, and social sciences at the interface of S&T.

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₹12,000 crore allocated for station redevelopment in FY 2025-26 under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme (ABSS). Amrit Bharat Station Scheme (ABSS) was launched in February 2023 by Indian Railways for station redevelopment. It focuses on long-term, phased development with master plans tailored to each station. It aims to improve passenger amenities, traffic circulation and inter-modal integration.

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The Soil Health Card Scheme has completed 10 years since its launch in 2015. It helps State Governments issue soil health cards to farmers. The card provides nutrient status of soil with recommendations for better soil health and fertility. It helps farmers choose suitable crops based on soil condition. Soil is monitored regularly, and a report is given every 3 years. This ensures farmers have updated soil data even if conditions change. Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) is the nodal agency for the scheme.

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The Prime Minister Internship Scheme (PMIS) has reopened for applications with Round 2 of the pilot phase. The scheme aims to offer 12-month paid internships in top Indian companies to individuals aged 21-24, not enrolled in full-time academic programs. The Ministry of Corporate Affairs oversees PMIS. Interns receive ₹5,000 monthly, plus a one-time ₹6,000 assistance. Participants gain real-life experience in leading companies. Insurance coverage is provided through Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana.

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Andhra Pradesh launched the Thalliki Vandanam Scheme 2025 to support students from financially unstable families. The scheme helps students from Class 1 to 12 continue their education without financial worries. Eligible students who struggle to pay fees can apply for assistance. The government aims to reduce dropout rates and ensure uninterrupted education. The scheme reflects the state’s commitment to education accessibility and financial support for underprivileged students.