Government Schemes [India & States] Current Affairs MCQs

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Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari announced a new FASTag Annual Pass scheme on June 18, 2025, to make highway travel easier for private vehicle users. The pass costs ₹3,000 and is valid from August 15 for one year or 200 trips, whichever comes first. It is applicable only for non-commercial private vehicles like cars, jeeps, and vans. FASTag is an electronic toll system managed by National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). The pass allows free travel at National Highway (NH) and National Expressway (NE) toll plazas without per-trip charges.

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Delhi University has launched a new scheme called Janajati Immersive Holistic Intervention for Novel Development (JAIHIND) to help Scheduled Tribes (ST) students from Classes 9 to 12. The scheme gives training in basic computer skills and helps with the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) application process. The first batch has 25 students, including 12 girls and 13 boys from Ukhrul district in Manipur, selected based on merit. This initiative aims to reduce digital barriers and promote inclusive higher education.

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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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Recently, the Bihar government launched the Chief Minister Guru-Shishya Parampara Scheme. Under this scheme, a monthly honorarium of ₹15,000 is given to the Guru (teacher). ₹7,500 per month is given to the musician. ₹3,000 per month is given to the disciples. The scheme supports teaching of nearly extinct folk tales, folk drama, folk dance, folk music, folk instruments, classical art, and painting. This step will help protect and revive folk arts that are on the verge of extinction. It aims to preserve Bihar’s rich cultural heritage for future generations.

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The Rajasthan government launched the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Poverty-Free Village Scheme to uplift rural Below Poverty Line (BPL) families. In the first phase, 5,000 villages have been selected with an allocation of ₹300 crore for financial support. The scheme aims to boost economic empowerment and transform the rural social and economic landscape. Families who moved above the poverty line on their own will get a ₹21,000 incentive. Under the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Antyodaya Sambal Fortnight, 22,400 verified bank accounts are targeted for Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

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The Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is seeking more funds for the National Overseas Scholarship (NOS) Scheme. National Overseas Scholarship (NOS) is a Central Sector Scheme. It supports higher education abroad for low-income students from marginalized communities. Beneficiaries include Scheduled Castes (SC), Denotified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes, Landless Agricultural Labourers, and Traditional Artisans. The scheme is administered by Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

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Recently, the Chhattisgarh government revived the Charan Paduka Scheme to support tendu leaf collectors. The scheme will benefit over 1.24 million tendu leaf collectors across the state. A budget of ₹40 crore has been approved for its implementation. Charan Paduka Scheme was first launched in November 2005 by the Chhattisgarh government. It provides one pair of footwear per year to up to two family members aged 18 years or above involved in tendu leaf collection. Initially, only one male member per family was eligible.

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The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) launched the Prime Minister Professorship scheme to boost research in emerging state universities. It targets institutions with underdeveloped research ecosystems under ANRF’s PAIR (Partnerships for Advancing Interdisciplinary Research) program. The scheme enables eminent and superannuated scientists, faculty, and industry experts to mentor faculty and students, promote interdisciplinary research, and set up R&D labs. Each Professor receives ₹30 lakh/year fellowship, ₹24 lakh/year research grant, and ₹1 lakh/year overhead for the host university.

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Recently, the Bihar government announced free electricity up to 125 units per month for 1.67 crore families from 1 August 2025. This move provides major financial relief to domestic electricity consumers across the state. The government will also install rooftop and nearby public space solar power plants over the next three years with consumer consent. For extremely poor families, the full cost of solar plant installation will be covered by the government. This support will be provided under the ongoing Kutir Jyoti Scheme. Kutir Jyoti Scheme aims to provide electricity access to rural Below Poverty Line (BPL) families. The initiative promotes clean energy, financial inclusion, and rural electrification. Ask ChatGPT

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The United Kingdom (UK) has opened its final 2025 visa ballot under the India Young Professionals Scheme for Indians aged 18–30 to live, work, or study in the UK for two years. The scheme was part of the India-UK Migration and Mobility Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in May 2021 and announced during the G20 summit in Bali. It was officially launched in February 2023. It allows Indian citizens aged 18–30 with a bachelor’s degree or higher to live and work in the UK for up to two years.