Government Schemes [India & States] Current Affairs MCQs

Notes:
Himachal Pradesh launched the ‘Him Bus Plus’ scheme to promote cashless travel and identity-linked ticketing in Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) buses. Passengers will get 5% discount on fares and monthly loyalty cashback benefits. Digital bus inspection scheduling introduced with SMS alerts for timely checks and staff monitoring. GPS-based tracking system launched in 82 Shimla buses, to cover full fleet soon. ‘Him Access HRTC’ portal launched for 9000+ employees to view salary and personal details.

Notes:
Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma launched the Mukhya Mantrir Nijut Moina 2.0 scheme in Guwahati. The scheme provides monthly financial support to increase girls’ enrolment in higher education. Application forms were ceremonially distributed at Gauhati University and across the state. Nijut Moina 2.0 is a flagship initiative to reduce school dropout rates and empower girl students. Girls from all families, regardless of economic status, are eligible for the scheme.

Notes:
India has achieved a record-low price of ₹55.75/kg for Green Ammonia in the first Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) auction. This milestone was achieved under the Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition (SIGHT) Scheme. The scheme is a flagship financial component of the National Green Hydrogen Mission. The scheme aims to scale up green hydrogen production and use in India. It seeks to make green hydrogen cost-competitive with fossil fuels. It also focuses on creating domestic demand in key sectors like industry and transport.

Notes:
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.

Notes:
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).

Notes:
On August 12, 2025, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin launched the ‘Thayumanavar Thittam’ scheme to deliver ration products at the doorsteps of over 21.7 lakh elderly and disabled citizens. The scheme will operate through 34,809 fair price shops under the Public Distribution System (PDS), benefiting 20,42,657 citizens above 70 years and 1,27,797 disabled persons. Deliveries will be made on the second Saturday and Sunday of each month in Chennai and nine districts on a pilot basis. The Cooperation Department will bear an additional cost of ₹30.16 crore for the service.

Notes:
The Bihar government has doubled the pension for ‘JP Senanis’, political activists jailed during the Emergency for supporting Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan’s movement. The decision was approved in a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister (CM) Nitish Kumar. Pension for those jailed over six months is increased from ₹15,000 to ₹30,000 per month. Pension for those jailed less than six months is raised from ₹7,500 to ₹15,000 per month. This adjustment falls under JP Senani Samman Pension Scheme. The scheme was launched by Bihar CM Nitish Kumar in 2009. Currently, 3,354 people receive this pension.

Notes:
Government of India launched a 15-day Entrepreneurship Development Programme under the SMILE scheme. The programme aims to empower transgender persons through self-employment and livelihood opportunities. SMILE stands for Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise scheme. It is a Central Sector Scheme under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. SMILE has two subschemes: Central Sector Scheme for Comprehensive Rehabilitation for Welfare of Transgender Persons and Central Sector Scheme for Comprehensive Rehabilitation of persons engaged in the act of Begging.

Notes:
The Union Cabinet approved the continuation of universal supply of fortified rice under all government schemes till December 2028 with 100% central funding of ₹17,082 crore. The Fortified Rice Scheme is a nutrition intervention programme that supplies rice enriched with Iron, Folic Acid, and Vitamin B12 through government food safety nets. The scheme aims to combat anaemia, malnutrition, and hidden hunger across India. The nodal agency is the Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD) under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, and technical standards are framed by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).

Notes:
Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) completes 11 years on August 28, 2025, as the world’s largest financial inclusion programme. It was launched on August 28, 2014. Its objective is to promote financial inclusion via banking, savings, credit, insurance, pensions, and remittance services. PMJDY supports Direct Benefit Transfers (DBTs) and forms the backbone of government economic initiatives. Before PMJDY, 59% of households and 35% of adults in India had bank accounts. After 11 years, almost 100% households and over 90% adults have bank accounts. 56.2 crore accounts opened, including 37.5 crore rural/semi-urban and 18.7 crore urban accounts. 56% accounts held by women, promoting gender inclusion.