Government Schemes

 

Government Schemes and latest Development, Important for Competitive Exams. 

India Accelerates National EV Charging Grid under PM E-Drive

India has launched a major push toward clean mobility with the rollout of the PM E-Drive scheme, backed by a ₹2,000 crore investment. The initiative aims to set up 72,000 public EV charging stations across India, covering metro cities, highways, airports, toll plazas, and industrial corridors.

The announcement came after an inter-ministerial meeting chaired by Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, with officials from key ministries. The program supports Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of making India a global leader in sustainable transport and energy security.

BHEL (Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited) is being considered as the nodal agency to handle demand aggregation and develop a unified EV super app, which will offer real-time booking, payment integration, and progress tracking.

The EV grid will span 50 national highway corridors and focus on high-traffic zones. The government sees this project as a cornerstone for green economic growth, Make in India manufacturing, and job creation, while paving the way for net-zero mobility.

Mizoram Becomes India’s First Fully Literate State

Mizoram has officially become the first state in India to achieve full functional literacy, as announced by Chief Minister Lalduhoma on 20 May 2025 in Aizawl. The declaration was made during a ceremony at Mizoram University, attended by Union Minister Jayant Chaudhary and other dignitaries.

Building on a strong foundation (91.33% literacy in 2011), Mizoram implemented the ULLAS – Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram, a national adult education program under NEP 2020. A door-to-door survey in 2023 identified 3,026 non-literate individuals, and with the help of 292 volunteer teachers, the state raised its literacy rate to 98.20%, surpassing the Ministry of Education’s benchmark for full literacy (95%).

ULLAS focuses on five areas: foundational literacy, life skills, basic education, vocational training, and continuing education. Nationally, the program has reached over 2.37 crore learners and involved more than 40.84 lakh volunteer teachers.

Mizoram’s success follows Ladakh, which in June 2024 became the first fully literate administrative unit. Mizoram, however, is the first state to achieve this milestone.

10 Years of Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY)

On April 8, 2025, India marks 10 years since the launch of the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY), a flagship government scheme that provides collateral-free institutional finance to non-corporate, non-farm micro and small enterprises.

Since its inception in 2015, PMMY has sanctioned over 52 crore loans worth ₹32.61 lakh crore. The average loan size has increased from ₹38,000 in FY16 to ₹1.02 lakh in FY25, reflecting growing credit demand among small businesses.

📈 Key Highlights:

MSME Credit Growth: Lending to MSMEs rose from ₹8.51 lakh crore in FY14 to ₹27.25 lakh crore in FY24, with projections to cross ₹30 lakh crore in FY25.

Women Empowerment: Women account for 68% of Mudra loan recipients. The average loan to women borrowers grew at 13% CAGR, while their savings rose at 14% CAGR.

Social Inclusion: 50% of accounts are held by SC, ST, and OBC entrepreneurs, and 11% by minority communities, improving financial inclusion.

Loan Categories:

  • Shishu: Up to ₹50,000
  • Kishor: ₹50,000 – ₹5 lakh (grew from 5.9% to 44.7% share)
  • Tarun: ₹5 lakh – ₹10 lakh
  • Tarun Plus: ₹10 lakh – ₹20 lakh (new addition)

Top States by Disbursal:

  1. Tamil Nadu – ₹3.23 lakh crore
  2. Uttar Pradesh – ₹3.14 lakh crore
  3. Karnataka – ₹3.02 lakh crore
  4. West Bengal – ₹2.82 lakh crore
  5. Bihar – ₹2.81 lakh crore

UT Leader: Jammu & Kashmir with ₹45,816 crore across 21 lakh loans

Sector Impact: The scheme supports units in manufacturing, trading, processing, and services, employing nearly 10 crore people, making it India’s second-largest source of employment after agriculture.

Global Recognition: The IMF has praised PMMY for expanding financial access, promoting self-employment, and supporting women-led businesses.

Implemented By: Scheduled Commercial Banks, Regional Rural Banks, NBFCs, and Microfinance Institutions under MUDRA (Micro Units Development and Refinance Agency).

Government Launches Model Women-Friendly Gram Panchayats Nationwide

New Delhi, March 5, 2025 – The Ministry of Panchayati Raj has launched a pioneering initiative to promote gender-sensitive governance at the grassroots level. The Model Women-Friendly Gram Panchayat (MWFGP) initiative was unveiled at a National Convention held at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, as part of the International Women’s Day 2025 celebrations.

Key Highlights of the Initiative

  • The initiative aims to establish at least one Model Women-Friendly Gram Panchayat in each district, fostering safety, inclusivity, and gender equality.
  • It aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of strengthening Viksit Bharat through Viksit Panchayats.
  • A dedicated Monitoring Dashboard was launched to track the progress of the initiative.
  • The convention included virtual training programs for elected representatives and officials from selected Gram Panchayats.
  • Best practices and success stories of women-friendly initiatives were presented.

Dignitaries and Participants

The event was attended by Union Minister of State, Prof. S. P. Singh Baghel (Ministry of Panchayati Raj & Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying) and Union Minister of State, Anupriya Patel (Ministry of Health & Family Welfare). Other prominent attendees included Vivek Bharadwaj, Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, and Sushil Kumar Lohani, Additional Secretary.

Representatives from various ministries, State Institutes of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj (SIRD&PRs), and international organizations such as the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) participated. Around 350 delegates, including elected representatives and officials from selected Gram Panchayats, attended physically or virtually.

Upcoming Nationwide Mahila Gram Sabhas

To further strengthen women’s participation in governance, the Ministry will organize Mahila Gram Sabhas nationwide on March 8, 2025, coinciding with International Women’s Day.

Kisan Credit Card loans cross 10 Lakh Crore, benefitting 7.72 crore farmers

Over ₹10 lakh crore in loans have been provided under the Kisan Credit Card (KCC), benefiting 7.72 crore farmers. KCC offers timely and affordable credit for agricultural inputs.

The government provides a 1.5% interest subvention on short-term agricultural loans up to ₹3 lakh, reducing the interest rate to 7% per annum. Additionally, a 3% Prompt Repayment Incentive lowers the effective interest rate to 4% for timely repayments.

The total loan amount under KCC has more than doubled from ₹4.26 lakh crore in 2014 to over ₹10 lakh crore in December 2024.

Six Years of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) Scheme

The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme, launched on 24 February, 2019, has completed six years of providing financial assistance to farmers across India. This initiative, aimed at ensuring stability and enhancing crop production, has played a crucial role in reducing agricultural costs and improving farmers’ economic conditions.

Under the PM-KISAN scheme, eligible farmers receive ₹6,000 annually, credited directly to their bank accounts in three installments of ₹2,000 each. This financial aid is transferred through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system, eliminating middlemen and ensuring that the rightful benefits reach the farmers without any delays or discrepancies.

Over the past six years, the scheme has disbursed approximately ₹3.5 lakh crore to farmers’ accounts, benefiting millions of small and marginal farmers across the country. The 19th installment of the PM-KISAN financial assistance was recently released, providing over ₹22,000 crore to 9.8 crore farmers, including 2.41 crore female farmers.

The PM-KISAN scheme has not only provided financial support but has also brought respect, prosperity, and new strength to India’s food providers. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has emphasized the government’s commitment to supporting farmers and enhancing their livelihoods through various initiatives, including the PM-KISAN scheme.

In addition to the financial aid, the government has also dedicated 10,000 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) to the country, further strengthening the support system for agricultural producers. The scheme has significantly contributed to reducing the cost of agriculture, increasing farmers’ access to the market, and improving their income.

“Shatavari – For Better Health” Campaign Launched

On February 6, 2025, the Ministry of Ayush launched a nationwide species-specific campaign titled “Shatavari – For Better Health” to promote awareness of the medicinal benefits of Shatavari, particularly for women’s health. The event was led by Shri Prataprao Jadhav, Minister of State (IC), along with senior ministry officials.

The campaign aligns with India’s Panch Pran Goal for a developed nation by 2047, as envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Shatavari has been recognized as a key resource in improving women’s health.

Key highlights:

  • NMPB’s Contribution: The National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB) has previously conducted similar campaigns for Amla, Moringa, Giloe, and Ashwagandha.
  • Financial Support: ₹18.9 Lakhs will be provided to eligible organizations to promote Shatavari’s cultivation and usage.
  • Long-term Impact: The campaign will aid in public awareness, sustainable management, and conservation of medicinal plants, reinforcing traditional medicine’s role in India’s healthcare.

This initiative strengthens the Ministry of Ayush’s ongoing efforts in promoting medicinal plants and holistic well-being across the nation.

Govt Increases Minimum Support Price for Raw Jute

On 22 January 2025, the government announced Increase in Minimum Support Price for Raw Jute.

The MSP for raw jute for the 2025-26 marketing season was raised to ₹5,650 per quintal. This is ₹315 higher than the 2024-25 season. The move aims to benefit 40 lakh families involved in jute production.

10th anniversary of the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme

The Ministry of Women and Child Development celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme, a flagship initiative to protect, educate, and empower girls in India. The inaugural event was held on January 22, 2025, at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, attended by Union Ministers J. P. Nadda, Annapurna Devi, and Savitri Thakur.

Key achievements highlighted included:

  • Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB): Improved from 918 (2014-15) to 930 (2023-24).
  • Gross Enrolment Ratio of Girls: Increased from 75.51% to 78%.
  • Institutional Deliveries: Rose from 61% to 97.3%.
  • Antenatal Care Registrations (First Trimester): Increased from 61% to 80.5%.

The event featured women officers from the armed forces, paramilitary, Delhi Police, and international representatives from UNICEF, UN Women, and the World Bank. The celebrations, running from January 22 to March 8, 2025, concluded on International Women’s Day.

Launched on January 22, 2015, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BBBP has re-enrolled over 100,000 out-of-school girls and initiated impactful programs like the Yashaswini Bike Expedition and Kanya Shiksha Pravesh Utsav. The Ministry remains committed to fostering a Viksit Bharat with gender equality and women’s empowerment at its core.

Entity Locker: Streamlining Efficient Business Document Management

Introduction of Entity Locker: Building on DigiLocker’s success, the government has launched a new digital platform called ‘Entity Locker’ for managing and verifying business and organizational documents.

Development and Target Audience: Developed by the National eGovernance Division (NeGD) under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), it serves corporations, MSMEs, trusts, startups, and societies.

Advanced Technology: Entity Locker integrates with various government and regulatory systems, providing features like real-time access to government databases, secure information sharing, Aadhaar-authenticated role-based access, and legally valid digital signatures. It offers 10 GB of encrypted cloud storage.

Alignment with Union Budget Goals: It aligns with the Union Budget 2024-25 goals to improve digital governance and ease of doing business.

Operational Efficiency: The platform aims to reduce administrative tasks, cut processing times, and enhance operational efficiency for businesses.

Seamless Connectivity: It connects with systems like the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), the Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN), and the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT).

Transparency and Security: Entity Locker ensures transparency and accountability by tracking document-related activities and enhancing document security.

Multiple Applications: Supports applications like vendor verification on procurement portals, MSME loan approvals, FSSAI compliance, registrations with GSTN, MCA, and tendering processes. Simplifies corporate annual filings.

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