Government Schemes [India & States] Current Affairs MCQs

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Uttarakhand government launched the Chief Minister Single Women Self-Employment Scheme. The scheme aims to support women’s economic independence. Single, deserted, or widowed women will receive financial assistance up to ₹2 lakh. The initiative helps women start their own businesses and achieve self-reliance.

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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 Maharashtra government disbursed ₹17,500 crore to 2.38 crore women under the Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana by December 2024. The Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana, launched in 2024, provides financial support to economically disadvantaged women aged 21 to 65. Eligibility includes being a permanent resident of Maharashtra, with a family income of less than ₹2.5 lakh and no income taxpayer in the family. Beneficiaries receive ₹1,500 per month through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

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The Ministry of Education launched the third edition of the Prime Minister’s Scheme for Mentoring Young Authors (PM-YUVA 3.0) scheme to mentor young authors under 30. The program promotes reading, writing, and book culture in India while providing mentorship and publishing opportunities. It focuses on three themes: Indian Diaspora’s role in nation-building, the Indian Knowledge System, and Makers of Modern India (1950-2025). The scheme aligns with National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 to build a knowledge-driven ecosystem. The National Book Trust, India, will implement PM-YUVA 3.0.

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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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The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) criticized the Union Ministry of Tourism for poor implementation of the Swadesh Darshan Scheme. The scheme was launched in 2015 by the Ministry of Tourism to develop sustainable, responsible tourism destinations through thematic circuits. It is a 100% centrally funded scheme. The Ministry provides financial assistance to State Governments, UT Administrations, and Central Agencies. States/UTs are responsible for operation and maintenance. Key features include theme-based tourism circuits, infrastructure development, eco-tourism, and heritage conservation efforts.

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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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Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM VIKAS) is a Central Sector Scheme under the Ministry of Minority Affairs. It merges five schemes: Seekho Aur Kamao, Nai Manzil, Nai Roshni, USTTAD, and Hamari Dharohar. It focuses on uplifting six notified minority communities through skilling, women leadership, education, and infrastructure development. Credit linkages are provided through the National Minorities Development & Finance Corporation (NMDFC). Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH) supports artisans in marketing, branding, and training.

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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 Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme with Rs.22,919 crore funding. The scheme aims to boost electronics manufacturing, increase Domestic Value Addition, and integrate Indian companies with Global Value Chains. It targets Rs.59,350 crore investment, Rs.4,56,500 crore production, and 91,600 direct jobs along with many indirect jobs. Differentiated incentives will help Indian manufacturers overcome challenges, develop technology, and scale production. The initiative supports India’s goal of becoming self-reliant in the electronics supply chain under the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision.