Government Schemes [India & States] Current Affairs MCQs

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The government has recently revised the Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups (CGSS) to support innovation and entrepreneurship. The scheme is managed by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and benefits startups recognised by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). It helps startups get collateral-free loans by offering credit guarantees through eligible lenders like Scheduled Commercial Banks, Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs), and Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) registered Venture Debt Funds (VDFs). The guarantee cover has been increased to ₹20 crore, with loan coverage up to 85% for loans up to ₹10 crore. The annual guarantee fee has been reduced to 1% for key sectors, making borrowing easier for startups.

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Recently, two people, including a chartered accountant, were arrested for cheating the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) of over ₹3 crore under the SAMRIDH scheme. The Startup Accelerator for Product Innovation, Development, and Growth (SAMRIDH) is a key programme of MeitY launched under the National Policy on Software Products–2019. It supports existing and new accelerators to select and scale promising Information Technology (IT)-based startups. The scheme helps startups connect with customers, investors, and global markets. It provides up to ₹40 lakh per startup and requires matching investment from the accelerator. The programme is implemented by Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) Start-up Hub (MSH), Digital India Corporation (DIC).

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Kerala has decided to move the Supreme Court after the Centre withheld ₹1,500 crore for education schemes, citing Kerala’s non-participation in the PM Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI) scheme. PM SHRI stands for Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India and was launched in 2022 as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme. It aims to upgrade selected schools as model institutions to implement the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The scheme runs from 2022–23 to 2026–27, after which states and Union Territories will maintain the standards. It focuses on modern infrastructure, smart classrooms, labs, sustainability, and real-world skill development.

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In a special cabinet meeting held at Rajwada Fort, Indore, the Madhya Pradesh government approved the Union government initiative, Rahveer Scheme, to reward Rs 25,000 to any passerby who helps accident victims reach a hospital in time. The objective is to encourage the public to help road accident victims during emergencies and inspire others to save lives. To qualify, the person must call a 108 ambulance and actively assist in transporting the injured to a hospital, Primary Health Centre (PHC), or Community Health Centre (CHC).

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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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Himachal state government launched the ‘Rajiv Gandhi Van Samvardhan Yojana’ from Hamirpur to boost environmental conservation and public participation in forest management. It aims to increase green cover by planting fruit-bearing trees on barren forest lands and create jobs for local people. The ‘Green Adoption Scheme’ was also launched, where companies like Ambuja, Adani Foundation, and Ultra-Tech will undertake plantations under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). ‘Van Mitras’ were appointed to support forest protection and raise awareness, with many women among the recruits.

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Recently, the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) under the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) disbursed ₹300 crore as margin money subsidy to 8,794 beneficiaries. This was done under the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP). PMEGP is a central sector scheme launched in August 2008 to create jobs by supporting micro-enterprises in rural and urban non-farm sectors. It is a credit-linked subsidy scheme managed by the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME).

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As Prime Minister Narendra Modi completes 11 years in office, the Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA) has completed 9 years, improving maternal health across India. It was launched in June 2016 by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. PMSMA provides free and quality antenatal care (ANC) to pregnant women every month. India’s Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) has reduced from 130 in 2014–16 to 80 in 2021–23, showing strong impact.

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India recently marked the ninth anniversary of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY), launched in 2016. Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) is a welfare scheme by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas to provide clean cooking fuel. It offers deposit-free LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) connections to adult women from poor households. The scheme has become the world’s largest clean energy program for households. As of March 1, 2025, it has benefited 10.33 crore families, especially women in rural and poor areas. The International Energy Agency (IEA) called it a major achievement with broad economic and social impact.

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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.