Government Schemes [India & States] Current Affairs MCQs

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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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The Jharkhand government has announced a lump sum payment of ₹7,500 under the Mukhyamantri Maiyan Samman Yojana for January-March 2025. Women without Aadhaar-linked bank accounts will still receive this payment temporarily until March 2025. To continue receiving benefits after March 2025, beneficiaries must link their bank accounts with Aadhaar and maintain a single account. The Jharkhand cabinet, led by Chief Minister Hemant Soren, approved this amendment along with 18 other proposals. 38 lakh women have already received the payment, while 20 lakh more will receive it by March 31, 2025. The Mukhyamantri Maiya Samman Yojana is a welfare initiative by the Jharkhand government. It provides financial assistance to economically disadvantaged women in the state.

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Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY) is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme implemented since 2021-22. It has three components: ‘Adarsh Gram’, ‘Grants-in-aid for District/State-level Projects for Socio-Economic betterment of Scheduled Caste (SC) Communities’, and ‘Hostel’. The scheme aims to improve socio-economic indicators in SC-dominated villages by ensuring infrastructure and services. It reduces poverty by generating employment through skill development and income-generating schemes. 25 states submitted Perspective Plans for 2023-26, and Rs. 457.82 Crore was released for 8146 projects, including 987 for skill development in 2023-25. In 2024-25, 4,991 villages were declared as Adarsh Gram. The Hostel component provides residential facilities in quality institutions and schools to boost SC literacy and enrolment. A total of 891 hostels have been sanctioned under PM-AJAY, including 27 in 2024-25. In 2024-25, Rs. 6.64 Crore was used for administrative expenses under PM-AJAY.

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Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) marked its 10th anniversary in April 2025, celebrating its role in promoting small businesses and financial inclusion. PMMY, launched in 2015 by the Government of India, aims to provide affordable credit to micro and small enterprises. It helps integrate underserved entrepreneurs into the formal financial system through easy access to credit. Loans up to ₹10 lakh are given for non-farm income-generating activities like manufacturing, trading, services, and processing. Loan categories include Shishu (up to ₹50,000), Kishore (₹50,000–₹5 lakh), and Tarun (₹5–10 lakh) based on business stage. No direct subsidy is given, but loans under government-linked schemes with capital support can benefit from PMMY.

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Public sector banks (PSBs) have raised concerns about the slow uptake of the PM Vidyalaxmi scheme. These concerns relate to the implementation of the scheme. The PM Vidyalakshmi scheme, a Central Sector Scheme, provides financial support to meritorious students for higher education. It targets students admitted to India’s top 860 Quality Higher Education Institutions (QHEIs), ranked by the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF). Students receiving other government scholarships or fee reimbursements are not eligible for this scheme. Students who discontinue studies or are dismissed for academic or disciplinary reasons are also ineligible for the scheme’s benefits. Loans can be applied for through the PM Vidyalakshmi portal, which offers a seamless, digital application process by integrating with various banks.

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The SVAMITVA Scheme, which stands for Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas, recently completed 5 years. It was launched on 24 April 2020 on National Panchayati Raj Day by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj as a Central Sector scheme. The scheme uses drones and mapping technology to give legal ownership papers for houses and land in villages. This helps villagers get loans, settle property disputes, and improve local planning. It is implemented by the Survey of India with National Informatics Centre Services Inc. (NICSI) as the technology partner. The scheme has a total budget of ₹566.23 crores from financial year 2020-21 to 2024-25, now extended to 2025-26.

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India recently signed agreements to supply 4.12 lakh tonnes of green hydrogen derivatives to Japan and Singapore. The Green Hydrogen Certification Scheme of India (GHCI) was launched simultaneously to ensure credible and transparent green hydrogen production. GHCI is India’s first certification framework to verify that hydrogen is produced exclusively using renewable energy. This certification ensures hydrogen is recognized as “green.” GHCI was launched by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) is the nodal agency for GHCI. It is supported by the National Green Hydrogen Mission.

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The Haryana Cabinet led by Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini launched the Pandit Lakhmi Chand Kalakar Samajik Samman Yojana on 5th May 2025. This scheme offers monthly financial help to elderly and economically weaker artistes in Haryana. It aims to support senior artists who have made significant contributions in fields like music, dance, painting, and theatre. The scheme honours veteran cultural practitioners who face financial hardship in their old age. It reflects the state’s commitment to preserving Haryana’s rich cultural heritage. It also promotes traditional arts by valuing and supporting the artists who have kept them alive.

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The Uttar Pradesh government has launched the Mukhyamantri Yuva Udyami Abhiyan Yojana to boost self-employment among youth. Under this scheme, young entrepreneurs can get interest-free loans of up to ₹5 lakh. No collateral or personal guarantee is required to avail the loan. The aim is to support youth in starting their own businesses and becoming self-reliant. This initiative encourages entrepreneurship and job creation in the state. It is a step toward empowering youth and reducing unemployment through financial assistance. The scheme reflects the state’s commitment to inclusive economic development.

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Recently, ₹2,000 crore has been allocated under the PM E-DRIVE (Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement) scheme to set up 72,000 public electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across India. PM E-DRIVE is a flagship scheme launched to boost electric mobility by offering demand incentives and improving EV charging infrastructure. The scheme aims to cut transport-related carbon emissions, enhance air quality, and reduce dependence on fossil fuels, supporting energy security. With a total outlay of ₹10,900 crore, it will run from 2024 to 2026. It supports the purchase of EVs such as electric two-wheelers (e-2Ws), three-wheelers (e-3Ws), buses, ambulances, and trucks. It plans a strong national EV charging network to reduce range anxiety and enable smooth travel across India.