Government Schemes [India & States] Current Affairs MCQs

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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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Union Minister Dr. Virender Kumar visited Jammu to review the implementation of Social Justice and Empowerment schemes. He distributed PPE kits and Ayushman health cards to Sewer and Septic Tank Workers (Safai Mitras). This was done under the NAMASTE scheme, which stands for National Action for Mechanized Sanitation Ecosystem. NAMASTE aims to ensure the safety, dignity, and sustainable livelihood of sanitation workers in urban India. It is a joint initiative of the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment (MoSJE) and the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA). The National Safai Karamchari Financial Development Corporation (NSKFDC) is the implementing agency.

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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 Union government launched the ‘Mutual Credit Guarantee Scheme for MSMEs’ as announced in the Union Budget 2025-26. The scheme provides collateral-free loans up to ₹100 crore for purchasing plant, machinery, or equipment. The National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company Ltd (NCGTC) offers 60% guarantee coverage to lending institutions. Borrowers must be MSMEs with a valid Udyam Registration Number. The guaranteed loan amount is capped at ₹100 crore, though the total project cost can be higher. At least 75% of the project cost must be used for equipment or machinery purchase.

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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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Haryana Witness Protection Scheme, 2025 was launched by Haryana government to protect witnesses in serious criminal cases. It applies to offences punishable by death, life imprisonment, or imprisonment of seven years or more, including Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and POCSO Act cases. Witnesses are categorized into three levels based on threat perception. Protection measures include separating witnesses from the accused, monitoring communication, and close security. Witnesses may get new identities or relocation based on threats. A Witness Protection Cell will be set up in each district to implement the scheme.

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The Government e Marketplace (GeM) celebrated six years of the Startups, Women & Youth Advantage through eTransactions (SWAYATT) initiative in New Delhi. SWAYATT was launched on 19th February 2019 to boost participation of women-led enterprises and youth in public procurement. It is based on GeM’s principle of social inclusion and aims to improve ease of doing business. The initiative connects startups, women entrepreneurs, MSEs, SHGs, and youth to government procurement. It focuses on training last-mile sellers, promoting women entrepreneurship, and supporting small-scale businesses in public procurement.

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Union Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched the NAKSHA initiative (National Geospatial Knowledge-based Land Survey of Urban Habitations). NAKSHA aims to modernize urban land records and increase transparency in property ownership and transactions. It is part of the Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme (DILRMP) and is implemented by the Department of Land Resources (DoLR), Ministry of Rural Development. The initiative focuses on mapping towns and cities for better land governance.

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The Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan (PM-SYM) Yojana offers a monthly pension for unorganized sector workers after 60 years of age. It ensures a minimum ₹3,000 monthly pension for workers earning up to ₹15,000. The scheme is aimed at the unorganized workers contributing around 50% of India’s GDP, including street vendors, domestic workers, and agricultural workers. Over 30.51 crore unorganized workers are registered on the e-Shram portal as of December 2024. It was launched in the Interim Budget 2019. PM-SYM is administered by the Ministry of Labour and Employment with with Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) and Common Service Centres e-Governance Services India Limited (CSC SPV) for implementation.

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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.