Government Schemes [India & States] Current Affairs MCQs

Notes:
At the 79th Foundation Day of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), the Union Minister launched the SHINE scheme in New Delhi. SHINE stands for Standards Help Inform and Nurture Empowered Women. It is a new initiative of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). The scheme places women at the centre of India’s quality and standards journey. It provides structured training through partnerships with Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and Self-Help Groups (SHGs). It empowers women with knowledge to ensure safety, quality, and family protection. The scheme also helps strengthen livelihoods and community awareness.

Notes:
In January 2026, the Karnataka cabinet, led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, launched the “Akka Pade” (Elder Sister Force) scheme. The scheme aims to protect and ensure the safety of women and minor girls across Karnataka. It is a women- and community-oriented programme to prevent violence, harassment, exploitation, child marriage, and other social evils. Initially launched in Mysuru, Belagavi, and Dakshina Kannada, it will expand to all 31 districts and five police commissionerates.

Notes:
The PM-SETU (Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs) initiative aims to modernise 1,000 government Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) across India using a hub-and-spoke model. Under this, 200 hub ITIs will receive advanced infrastructure and modern training facilities, while 800 spoke ITIs will extend training access across districts. The nodal ministry implementing PM-SETU is the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.

Notes:
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the ‘Atal Vichal Agragami Assam’ scheme to support research scholars. The scheme will provide ₹25,000 per month to research scholars and ₹40,000 per month to Divyang research scholars. It will be formally launched on 11 February 2026. The initiative aims to promote high-quality research, innovation, and academic excellence. It seeks to reduce financial constraints related to research materials, fieldwork, and living costs.

Notes:
The Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) implements the Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana (PMKSY), a Central Sector Umbrella scheme. As of 31 December 2025, 1,607 projects have been approved under PMKSY, with 1,196 completed/operational and 411 under implementation. Delays in implementation are mainly due to non-receipt of statutory clearances from authorities like Revenue, Town Planning, Electricity, Water, Pollution Control Board, and Licensing Authorities. Funds are released only after submission of required documents and fulfillment of all criteria under the scheme guidelines.

Notes:
The Minister of State for the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Dr. Sukanta Majumdar, informed the Rajya Sabha about the North Eastern Region Agri-Commodity E-Connect (NE-RACE) portal. NE-RACE is fully operational and connects farmers, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), Self Help Groups (SHGs), and cooperatives of the North Eastern Region (NER) with buyers across India. As of 23 January 2026, 6,807 sellers and 735 buyers are onboarded, with 1,797 agri-commodities listed. The portal has facilitated sales worth ₹895.56 lakh nationwide.

Notes:
The Jiyo Parsi Scheme has supported the birth of over 490 Parsi children across India. It has provided financial assistance of ₹35.05 crore to Parsi couples. Jiyo Parsi is a unique Central Sector Scheme launched in 2013–14. The scheme is implemented by the Ministry of Minority Affairs. It aims to arrest the declining population of the Parsi community. The scheme uses scientific protocols and structured interventions. Its goal is to stabilise and gradually increase the Parsi population in India.

Notes:
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta approved the Chief Minister Skill Development Scheme to support artisans of khadi, handloom, cottage industries and unorganised sector. The scheme will be implemented through Delhi Khadi and Village Industries Board (DKVIB). In 2025–26, 3,728 beneficiaries will be trained with Rs 8.95 crore allocation, and Rs 57.50 crore is proposed for 2026–27 expansion. The first phase will focus on 18,000 tailors registered on the e-Shram portal. Beneficiaries must be 18 years or above, only one per family, with mandatory Aadhaar verification. Training will be for 12 days including Entrepreneurship Development Programme (EDP), with stipend, meals and toolkits.

Notes:
National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) launched NALSA SAMVAD Scheme 2025 in April 2025 to ensure access to justice for Scheduled Tribes (STs), Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) and De-Notified and Nomadic Tribes (DNTs). The scheme creates dedicated district-level SAMVAD Units and deploys trained lawyers and para-legal volunteers from tribal areas. It provides legal aid on land and forest rights, displacement, rehabilitation, documentation and welfare schemes. It promotes legal awareness through door-to-door outreach, camps and Gram Sabha coordination in local languages.

Notes:
The Government of India has undertaken multiple initiatives over the past five years to improve access to justice and fulfil its obligation under Article 39A of the Constitution, which mandates equal justice and free legal aid. The Department of Justice, Ministry of Law and Justice, is implementing the Designing Innovative Solutions for Holistic Access to Justice (DISHA) scheme with an outlay of ₹250 crore for 2021–2026 to provide a technology-driven, citizen-centric, pan-India access to justice framework. DISHA comprises three key components: Tele-Law, Nyaya Bandhu (Pro Bono Legal Services), and Legal Literacy & Legal Awareness Programmes, aimed at delivering inclusive and integrated legal support.