Government Schemes [India & States] Current Affairs MCQs

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The Department of Posts, under the Ministry of Communications, initiated the Deen Dayal SPARSH Yojana. This scholarship program is designed to promote philately (stamp collection) among school children. Department of Posts has recently invited applications for the “Deen Dayal SPARSH Yojana” for students of Class VI to IX. SPARSH stands for Scholarship for Promotion of Aptitude and Research in Stamps as a Hobby. Eligible students must have 60% marks in 2024-25 and a Philately Deposit Account or Philatelic Club membership. Scholarship amount is ₹6,000 per year.

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The Mahatari Vandan Yojana is transforming women’s lives in Chhattisgarh by boosting economic and social empowerment. More than 69.19 lakh women across the state are currently benefiting from this initiative. It was launched by the Chhattisgarh government in March 2024 to empower women socially and economically. It aims to address gender discrimination, inequality, improve health and nutrition, promote economic independence, and strengthen women’s decision-making in families.

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Recently, the Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment informed the Lok Sabha that under Pradhan Mantri Dakshta Aur Kushalta Sampann Hitgrahi (PM-DAKSH) Scheme, 1,87,305 people have received skill training. Out of these, 73,102 beneficiaries (39%) have gained employment or self-employment. PM-DAKSH scheme was launched by Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. The scheme is monitored by three corporations – National Scheduled Castes Finance & Development Corporation (NSFDC), National Backward Classes Finance & Development Corporation (NBCFDC), and National Safai Karamcharis Finance & Development Corporation (NSKFDC).

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On 18 August 2025, Government of India launched the Made in India Label Scheme with an allocation of ₹995 crore for three years. The scheme introduces QR-coded labels to authenticate Indian products and strengthen their identity in domestic and global markets. It is a voluntary certification scheme led by Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) with support from Quality Council of India (QCI) and India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF). Labels display product origin, manufacturing location, validity, and product-specific details. It covers MSMEs, textiles, steel, electronics, agriculture, fisheries, and allied sectors.

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The Matsya Shakti Project was launched on August 28, 2025, by Shri George Kurian, Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Minority Affairs, at Kovalam. It is implemented by the Vizhinjam Regional Centre of ICAR–Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Ministry of Minority Affairs and CMFRI for programme rollout. It is conceived under the Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM VIKAS) scheme. The project will enhance the socio-economic well-being of fisherfolk families through a year-long phased training programme.

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The Union Cabinet approved a Rs.1,500 crore Incentive Scheme to recycle critical minerals from secondary sources. This scheme is part of the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) to build domestic capacity and strengthen supply chain resilience. The scheme will run for six years from Financial Year (FY) 2025-26 to FY 2030-31. The total outlay of the scheme is Rs.1,500 crore. The scheme will benefit large recyclers, small recyclers and start-ups with one-third of the funds reserved for them. It will support investments in new units, expansion of capacity, modernization and diversification of existing units. The scheme will incentivize only those involved in actual extraction of critical minerals and not those doing only black mass production.

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Bihar Government’s Department of Art, Culture, and Youth has launched the Chief Minister’s Guru-Shishya Parampara Scheme.
It aims to revive rare folk arts, musical traditions, and paintings through the guru-shishya system. The scheme promotes heritage by giving structured training to youth. Incentives are fixed: Rs. 15,000/month for Gurus, Rs. 7,500/month for Sangat Artists, and Rs. 3,000/month for each Shishya. For FY 2025–26, the Bihar Government allocated Rs. 1.11 crore for the scheme.

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Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav called the Sambal Scheme a reflection of India’s ethos of “serving humanity.” In September 2025, he transferred ₹175 crore to 7,953 workers through single-click Direct Benefit Transfer in the fifth round. The Chief Minister Jan Kalyan (Sambal) Scheme was launched in 2018 to provide social security for unorganized workers. More than 1.77 crore workers are registered, with ongoing enrolments. Assistance includes ₹5,000 for funeral, ₹2 lakh for natural death, ₹4 lakh for accidental death, ₹1 lakh for partial disability, and ₹2 lakh for permanent disability. Since inception, ₹7,000 crore has been disbursed to 7.6 lakh beneficiaries.

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The Government recently informed that over 68,000 ponds have been created under the Amrit Sarovar Mission. The Amrit Sarovar Mission, launched in April 2022, aims to construct or rejuvenate 75 Amrit Sarovars (ponds) in each district as part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav. Each pond has a minimum area of 1 acre and a water holding capacity of about 10,000 cubic metres. Amrit Sarovars are surrounded by trees like Neem, Peepal, and Banyan. They support livelihoods through irrigation, fisheries, duckery, water chestnut cultivation, water tourism, and other activities.

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Recently, the Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research / Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR/CSIR) Scheme “Capacity Building and Human Resource Development (CBHRD)” with an outlay of Rs.2277.397 crore for 2021-22 to 2025-26. The scheme is implemented by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and covers Research & Development institutions, national laboratories, Institutes of National Importance, Institutes of Eminence, and Universities. It provides opportunities for young researchers in Science, Technology, Engineering, Medical, and Mathematical Sciences (STEMM).