Government Schemes [India & States] Current Affairs MCQs

Notes:
CBSE has recently introduced the Merit Scholarship Scheme for Single Girl Child. The scheme supports meritorious female students who are the only children of their parents, have scored 60%+ in Class X, and continue education in Class XI/XII. It encourages parents’ efforts in promoting girls’ education and provides financial aid. Eligibility: Single girl child, Indian national, 60%+ in CBSE Class 10, studying in CBSE-affiliated schools with tuition fees ≤ Rs 1,500/month. Scholarship: ₹500/month for up to 2 years, renewable with 50% marks in Class XI exams. Family income must be ≤ Rs 8 lakh/year.

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.

Notes:
The National Pension Scheme (NPS) Vatsalya, launched in September 2024, allows parents or guardians to invest on behalf of children. It is designed for Indian minors (under 18) and regulated by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA). The scheme offers an interest rate between 9.5% and 10%, making it a valuable financial tool for children’s future. It promotes early saving habits and financial planning for minors. The account is in the child’s name, managed by a guardian, with the child as the sole beneficiary.

Notes:
Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy launched a special mobile app to select beneficiaries for the Indiramma housing scheme. The app will aid in verifying applicants’ eligibility through field visits and data collection. It ensures transparency and efficiency in identifying deserving beneficiaries for the housing program. Each of the 119 Assembly constituencies will see construction of 3,500 houses, prioritizing dalits, tribals, disabled persons, sanitation workers, and transgenders.

Notes:
The Prime Minister launched the Bima Sakhi Yojana in Panipat, Haryana. The scheme is an initiative by the Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) to empower women aged 18-70 with Class 10 education. Women will receive specialized training, financial literacy, and insurance awareness. They will get a stipend of Rs. 7,000 in the first year, Rs. 6,000 in the second, and Rs. 5,000 in the third year. Female agents will also earn commissions, starting with Rs. 48,000 in the first year. The goal is to appoint 2 lakh Bima Sakhis in three years, with the possibility of future development officer roles.

Notes:
Arvind Kejriwal announced the launch of the Mukhya Mantri Mahila Samman Yojana, providing Rs 1,000 monthly assistance to eligible women in Delhi. If AAP wins the upcoming Assembly elections, the amount will be increased to Rs 2,100. The scheme was approved by the Delhi Cabinet and will start after the elections, with registration beginning on Friday. The scheme was initially announced in the 2024-25 Delhi Budget with Rs 2,000 crore allocated for 5 million beneficiaries. 12 states already have similar schemes providing monthly stipends to women.

Notes:
The Union Government launched the ‘Jalvahak’ scheme to promote cargo movement via inland waterways. The scheme aims to reduce logistics costs, ease road and rail congestion, and unlock trade potential. Cargo owners transporting goods over 300 km via waterways can receive up to 35% reimbursement on operating costs. The scheme will last for three years and targets major shipping companies and trade bodies. It promotes transportation on National Waterways 1, 2, and 16. The scheme is implemented by Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) and Inland & Coastal Shipping Ltd (ICSL).

Notes:
Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav launched ‘Jan Kalyan Parv’ and ‘Mukhya Mantri Jan Kalyan Abhiyan’ to highlight government initiatives and connect people to welfare schemes. ‘Jan Kalyan Parv’ (11-26 December) focuses on inaugurating and laying foundations for development works. ‘Mukhya Mantri Jan Kalyan Abhiyan’ (11 December-26 January) will conduct door-to-door surveys to link people to 34 schemes, 11 target-based schemes, and 63 services. CM announced a goal to increase the state’s economy share to 5% from 4%. Campaigns target the poor, youth, farmers, and women, linking them to 34 schemes, 11 target-based schemes, and 63 services.

Notes:
The Credit Guarantee Scheme (CGS) for electronic negotiable warehouse receipts (e-NWRs) based Pledge Financing was launched to help small farmers avoid distress selling. It aims to provide credit to small farmers to prevent distress selling of crops. A corpus of Rs 1,000 crore is allocated for post-harvest finance. Farmers can avail loans against electronic negotiable warehouse receipts (e-NWRs) after storing commodities in WDRA-accredited warehouses. Loan coverage includes up to Rs 75 lakh for agricultural purposes and up to Rs 200 lakh for non-agricultural purposes. The scheme improves access to credit and supports farmers financially post-harvest.

Notes:
The ‘Sanjeevani Yojana’, announced by Delhi government, promises free medical care for all Delhi citizens aged 60 and above, regardless of income. The scheme will cover treatments in both government and private hospitals, reflecting an extension of existing health policies. The Delhi government allocates significant funds for healthcare, exceeding the budget for the national Ayushman Bharat scheme, aiming to ensure comprehensive medical support for its senior citizens.