Government Schemes [India & States] Current Affairs MCQs

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The Spices Board recently launched the “Sustainability in Spice Sector through Progressive, Innovative and Collaborative Interventions for Export Development (SPICED)” scheme for 2025–26. The Spices Board, under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, is responsible for the scheme’s implementation. The scheme aims to make the spice sector more sustainable and boost spice exports from India. It helps improve the productivity of small and large cardamom through financial support. It promotes organic farming and good agricultural practices to ensure better quality. The scheme provides funds for modern post-harvest machines like dryers, polishers, and slicers. It also supports startups, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), and small businesses through Spice Incubation Centres. It ensures spices meet global food safety and plant health standards.

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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.

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Recently, many research scholars across India raised concerns about not receiving their INSPIRE fellowships for 8 to 13 months. This delay affects their research work and financial stability. The INSPIRE Scheme stands for Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research. It is a flagship initiative of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), launched in 2008. It aims to attract talented youth to research in basic sciences and build a strong science and technology base in India. Unlike other scholarships, it does not hold entrance exams and selects candidates based on academic merit. The INSPIRE Fellowship supports around 1,000 scholars every year for pursuing doctoral research.

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Recently, the 38th Meeting of the Central Apprenticeship Council (CAC) was held under the chairmanship of the Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE). The council recommended a 36% increase in stipend under the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) and the National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS). The scheme was launched on 19th August 2016 by the Government of India. The scheme provides financial support to establishments running apprenticeship programs. It is an initiative by Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship to boost apprenticeship training across the country.

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The government has allocated ₹18,233 crore under the Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) scheme for 2025 to benefit over 10,750 product categories. As of March 31, 2025, total disbursements under RoDTEP have crossed ₹57,976.78 crore. From June 1, 2025, benefits under RoDTEP are also restored for goods exported from Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and Export-Oriented Units (EOUs). RoDTEP refunds various central and state duties, taxes, and levies that are not otherwise refunded to exporters. The current refund rates range from 0.3% to 4.3% depending on the product. This scheme was launched by amending the Foreign Trade Policy 2015–20 and came into effect on January 1, 2021. The aim is to boost Indian exports by reducing hidden tax costs on exported goods. RoDTEP is administered by the Department of Revenue under the Ministry of Finance.

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The Chamundi Hills project in Karnataka has finally progressed under the Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) scheme after years of delay. PRASHAD stands for Pilgrimage Rejuvenation And Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive. It was launched in 2014-15 by the Ministry of Tourism as a Central Sector Scheme. The scheme supports integrated development of pilgrimage and heritage destinations. It provides financial help to state governments and Union Territories for improving tourism infrastructure.

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Recently, the Government of Andhra Pradesh launched the Thalliki Vandanam Scheme 2025 to support education for underprivileged students by providing ₹15,000 per year per child to eligible mothers or guardians. The scheme applies to students from Class 1 to 12 enrolled in recognised schools in Andhra Pradesh. Orphans and street children enrolled through verified voluntary organisations can also benefit with government confirmation. Financial aid is given via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) into the Aadhaar-linked, NPCI-enabled bank account of the mother.

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Recently, the Union Agriculture Minister approved the procurement of moong and urad in Madhya Pradesh and urad in Uttar Pradesh under the Price Support Scheme (PSS). The Price Support Scheme (PSS) is part of the umbrella scheme PM-AASHA, which stands for Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan, launched in 2018. It is implemented by the Department of Agriculture and Cooperation for procuring oilseeds, pulses, and cotton at the Minimum Support Price (MSP). The National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED) acts as the central nodal agency.

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Recently, India marked 10 years of the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT), launched on June 25, 2015, to improve urban life. AMRUT focused on water supply, sewerage, urban mobility, and green spaces in 500 cities, prioritizing services for the urban poor. AMRUT 2.0, started in 2021 with an outlay of ₹2.99 lakh crore, aims for universal water and sewerage coverage using advanced monitoring like Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA). The nodal ministry for the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) is the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA).

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The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) recently announced the Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students (CSSS) for the academic year 2025–26 and invited applications through the National Scholarship Portal at scholarships.gov.in. The scheme is officially called “Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Protsahan (PM-USP) Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students” and is run by the Department of Higher Education under the Ministry of Education. It aims to provide financial help to bright students from poor families to support their daily expenses while pursuing higher studies.