Government Schemes [India & States] Current Affairs MCQs

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the expanded Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) scheme. The scheme will cover all individuals aged 70 and above, regardless of their socio-economic status. Each eligible senior citizen will receive a benefit cover of ₹5 lakh per year in empanelled hospitals across India. This expansion is part of a ₹12,850 crore health initiative aimed at benefiting 60 million senior citizens. Senior citizens from families already under AB-PMJAY can access an additional ₹5 lakh cover. Those not covered by the scheme will also receive up to ₹5 lakh annually on a family basis. The expansion will be supported by an outlay of ₹3,437 crore.

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The Pradhan Mantri Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana (PMVKY) was launched on October 28, 2014, to empower tribal communities in India. It addresses historical neglect by providing financial assistance and promoting sustainable development. The initiative includes the Pradhan Mantri Adi Adarsh Gram Yojana for integrated development in 36,428 tribal villages, focusing on connectivity, education, health, and sanitation. It supports Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups with tailored development projects, allocating ₹15,000 crore for housing, water, sanitation, and education over three years. It provides pre-matric and post-matric scholarships for tribal students and funds research on tribal cultures and challenges. Funds are also allocated for project management units to ensure effective monitoring and implementation of welfare schemes.

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Prime Minister Modi celebrated a decade of the One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme, honoring India’s veterans and ex-service personnel. OROP ensures uniform pensions for personnel retiring in the same rank and service length, regardless of retirement date. Pensions are re-fixed based on the average pensions of 2013 retirees in the same rank and service length. Arrears are paid in installments, with family pensioners and gallantry awardees receiving it in one go. Pensions are re-fixed every five years, managed by the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare, Ministry of Defence.

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The Union Cabinet approved the “One Nation One Subscription” scheme for nationwide access to scholarly research articles and journals. It will be administered through a digital, user-friendly process for government higher education institutions and central R&D labs. The scheme supports research and innovation, complementing the ANRF initiative. Information and Library Network (INFLIBNET) will coordinate the national subscription, providing access to journals through a unified portal. The scheme covers all government-managed higher education and R&D institutions. Rs. 6,000 crore is allocated for the scheme from 2025 to 2027. It enhances the government’s education initiatives and access to quality higher education.

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The Union Cabinet approved the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) Scheme to promote natural farming across India. This centrally sponsored scheme aims to reduce farmers’ input costs and dependency on external inputs while ensuring safe, nutritious food. NMNF will be implemented in 15,000 clusters across Gram Panchayats, covering 1 crore farmers and 7.5 lakh hectares in two years. 10,000 Bio-input Resource Centres (BRCs) will be set up for easy access to natural farming inputs. 2,000 model demonstration farms will be created, and 18.75 lakh farmers will be trained in natural farming practices. 30,000 Krishi Sakhis/CRPs will assist farmers in clusters for awareness and support.

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The 5th Anniversary of the National Youth Parliament Scheme (NYPS) web portal was celebrated. It was launched by the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs on November 26, 2019. It aims to expand Youth Parliament participation nationwide, including untouched areas, promoting democratic values. The portal provides guidelines, training modules, video tutorials, and sample scripts for self-learning. Participants receive e-certificates after conducting physical or virtual Youth Parliament sittings. NYPS 2.0, launched in 2024, allows participation through Institutions, Groups, or Individuals. More than 1,00,000 students have participated since its inception. The initiative aligns with the Prime Minister’s vision of strengthening democracy by engaging youth.

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The Ministry of Culture implements the “Global Engagement Scheme” to promote India’s cultural heritage globally. The Festival of India (FoI) is organized abroad to foster people-to-people connections and cultural ties. Artists showcase diverse fields like folk music, dance, theatre, puppetry, classical and contemporary arts. Indian folk art and music are also promoted through grants to Indo-Foreign Friendship Cultural Societies. These grants support cultural programs and activities in foreign countries, enhancing India’s global cultural presence.

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Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan (PMGDISHA) was launched to promote digital literacy in rural India. The scheme aimed to train one individual per household in 6 crore rural households. It successfully exceeded its target, training 6.39 crore individuals by March 31, 2024. The initiative is part of India’s broader strategy to strengthen IT skills and digital infrastructure, supporting the government’s vision to empower rural communities and foster economic growth through technology.

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The Department of Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities will implement the SMILE scheme in Puri, Jajpur, and Bhubaneswar. SMILE (Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise) is a central scheme launched by the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment in February 2022. The scheme aims to ensure the proper rehabilitation of beggars. The first phase of the scheme has been rolled out in select cities, and Bhubaneswar, Puri, and Jajpur are part of the second phase involving 50 cities.

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The Mukhya Mantri Mahila Samman Rashi Yojna (MMMSY) is a financial assistance program launched by the Delhi government, offering monthly payouts of Rs 1,000 to women. This initiative was first announced in the 2024-25 budget by Finance Minister Atishi. However, concerns about fiscal responsibility and the potential long-term financial liabilities associated with the scheme have been raised by the Finance Department, particularly regarding its impact on future budgets and the state’s borrowing capacity.