Government Schemes Current Affairs

Government Schemes and latest Development, Important for Competitive Exams. 

PM Modi launched Pradhan Mantri Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG) Development Mission

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Pradhan Mantri Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG) Development Mission, a scheme with a budget of 24,000 crore rupees.

  • The launch took place on November 15, 2023, during the third Janjaatiya Gaurav Diwas in the Khunti district of Jharkhand.
  • The PVTG Development Mission aims to benefit 75 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups in 18 states and Union Territories, residing in 22,544 villages across 220 districts, with a total population of approximately 28 lakhs.

Janjatiya Gaurav Divas is celebrated on 15 November to remember the contribution of tribal freedom fighters in Indian independence. November 15 is the birthday of the great tribal warrior Birsa Munda.

Q.: On which occasion did Prime Minister Narendra Modi launch the Pradhan Mantri Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG) Development Mission?

a. Republic Day
b. Independence Day
c. Janjaatiya Gaurav Diwas
d. Gandhi Jayanti

Ans : c. Janjaatiya Gaurav Diwas

Q.: What is the significance of November 15 in relation to Janjatiya Gaurav Divas?

a. It marks the Independence Day
b. It is the birth anniversary of Birsa Munda
c. It is the anniversary of the B R Ambedkar
d. It is the International Day of Tribes

Ans : b. It is the birth anniversary of Birsa Munda

PM Modi launched Pradhan Mantri Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG) Development Mission Read More »

Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat) : Government approves establishment of an autonomous body

The government has approved the establishment of an autonomous body called “Mera Yuva Bharat” (MY Bharat) with the aim of youth development and youth-led development.

  1. MY Bharat is designed to provide equitable access to youth to help them achieve their aspirations and contribute to the development of the nation.
  2. There are approximately 40 crore (400 million) youths in India who fall within the age group of 15-29 years.
  3. MY Bharat is envisioned as a technology-powered, overarching enabling mechanism for youth development.
  4. The goal of MY Bharat is to channel the energy of the youth for nation-building by facilitating their role as “Yuva Setu” (Youth Bridge) between the government and citizens.
  5. The formal dedication of Mera Yuva Bharat to the nation will take place on October 31, which coincides with the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, often referred to as the “Iron Man” of India.

MCQs on Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat)

Q.: What is the primary purpose of the autonomous body “Mera Yuva Bharat” (MY Bharat)?

a. Promoting sports and athletics among youth
b. Fostering cultural development in rural areas
c. Development of youth and youth-led development
d. Advancing environmental conservation initiatives

Ans : c. Development of youth and youth-led development

Q.: How many young individuals in India fall within the age group of 15-29 years, according to the provided information?

a. Approximately 20 crore
b. Around 30 crore
c. Approximately 40 crore
d. Nearly 50 crore

Ans : c. Approximately 40 crore

Q.: When is Mera Yuva Bharat scheduled to be dedicated to the nation?

a. On India’s Independence Day, August 15th
b. On New Year’s Day, January 1st
c. On the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, October 31st
d. On Youth Day, January 12th

Ans : c. On the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, October 31st

Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat) : Government approves establishment of an autonomous body Read More »

ABHA (Ayushman Bharat Health Account) : Highlights and important information

The ABHA (Ayushman Bharat Health Account) – Digital Health Account is a revolutionary platform designed to empower individuals in managing their health more effectively. Here are the key highlights and important information about ABHA:

Key Highlights:

  1. Accessible Anytime, Anywhere: ABHA is a web-based platform accessible from computers, tablets, and smartphones, enabling users to manage health records and access healthcare services from the comfort of their home.
  2. Centralized Health Records: Users can securely store all their medical records, prescriptions, and reports in one place, making it easy to retrieve health history when needed.
  3. Privacy and Security: ABHA prioritizes the security of health data through robust encryption, ensuring the privacy of users’ information.
  4. Appointment Booking: Users can conveniently schedule appointments with healthcare professionals, avoiding long queues and wait times through online booking.
  5. Telemedicine Services: ABHA allows users to connect with doctors through teleconsultations, enabling them to receive medical advice, prescriptions, and follow-up care remotely.
  6. Health Monitoring: Users can track vital signs and health metrics, set health goals, and achieve them using integrated tools.
  7. Medication Reminders: ABHA provides medication reminders, ensuring users never miss a dose and helping them stay on top of their prescription regimen for better health management.
  8. Personalized Insights: Users receive tailored health insights and recommendations, facilitating informed decisions for a healthier life.

Benefits of ABHA:

  • Simplifies healthcare management.
  • Reduces paperwork and administrative hassles.
  • Enhances doctor-patient communication.
  • Empowers individuals to play an active role in their health.

How to Create ABHA: Creating an ABHA is a straightforward process with multiple convenient options to cater to the diverse needs of citizens:

  1. Online Registration via ABHA Portal (abha.abdm.gov.in): Citizens can initiate the ABHA creation process by visiting the dedicated ABHA portal, accessible at abha.abdm.gov.in. This user-friendly online platform allows individuals to set up their ABHA quickly and efficiently.
  2. ABHA Mobile App or Partner Apps: Users can download the official ABHA app or partner apps affiliated with the All India Radio Digital Mission (ABDM), such as Aarogya Setu, Driefcase, and Ekacare, to self-register for an ABHA account. This mobile-friendly approach allows citizens to manage their health records and access healthcare services from their smartphones.
  3. Government Programs Integration: ABHA seamlessly integrates with various Central and State Government healthcare programs like CoWin, NCD, RCH, Nikshay, and more. Citizens benefiting from government healthcare initiatives are automatically enrolled in the ABHA ecosystem, streamlining their access to digital health management.
  4. Assisted Mode Creation: For those who may not have easy access to digital tools or require assistance, ABHA can be created in assisted mode. Hospitals, Customer Service Centres, and other healthcare facilities are equipped to help citizens set up their ABHA accounts during their visits.

Additional Information:

  • Yes, one mobile number can be linked to up to 6 Aadhaar Numbers for communication and authentication purposes.
  • In areas with limited or no connectivity, government programs can collect citizen data and create Aadhaar for them, as successfully implemented by the Governments of Andhra Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.

To get started, visit abha.abdm.gov.in to create your ABHA Digital Health Account and take the first step towards improved health management and peace of mind.

MCQs about ABHA

Q.: What is ABHA?

A. A cooking app
B. A digital health account
C. A fitness tracker
D. A social media platform

B. A digital health account

Q.: How many Aadhaar Numbers can be linked to one mobile number for communication and authentication purposes?

A. One
B. Two
C. Three
D. Six

Ans : D. Six

ABHA (Ayushman Bharat Health Account) : Highlights and important information Read More »

PM SVANidhi Scheme : More than 50 lakh Street Vendors covered

The PM SVANidhi scheme has achieved a milestone by extending its support to more than 50 lakh street vendors across the nation. Street vendors are essential to the urban informal economy and provide vital goods and services.

  1. The scheme, initiated by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, aims to formalize the street vending sector and create opportunities for economic growth.
  2. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has pushed for the expansion of the scheme, leading to revised targets.
  3. The scheme, launched on June 1, 2020, offers collateral-free working capital loans of up to 50 thousand rupees to urban street vendors.

MCQs

Q.: What is the main objective of the PM SVANidhi scheme?

A) To provide housing to street vendors
B) To offer free healthcare to street vendors
C) To provide collateral-free working capital loans to street vendors
D) To promote street vending as a career option

Ans : C) To provide collateral-free working capital loans to street vendors

Q.: What is the maximum amount of working capital loan offered under the PM SVANidhi scheme?

A) 10 thousand rupees
B) 25 thousand rupees
C) 50 thousand rupees
D) 1 lakh rupees

Ans : C) 50 thousand rupees

PM SVANidhi Scheme : More than 50 lakh Street Vendors covered Read More »

‘Ek Tareekh, Ek Ghanta, Ek Saath’ Campaign on October 1, 2023 to commemorate Gandhi Jayanti

‘Ek Tareekh, Ek Ghanta, Ek Saath’ Campaign: This is a mega cleanliness drive organized to commemorate Gandhi Jayanti. The cleanliness drive is scheduled for October 1st, Sunday, at 10 am.

  1. Objective: The campaign is a precursor to the ‘Swachhata Pakhwada- Swachhata Hi Seva’ 2023 initiative.
  2. PM’s Appeal: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for 1 hour of shramdaan (voluntary labor) for cleanliness at 10 am on October 1st, encouraging all citizens to participate.
  3. National Address: PM Modi addressed the nation, urging people to contribute to the cleanliness campaign in their streets, neighborhoods, parks, rivers, lakes, or any other public place.
  4. Date and Time: The cleanliness drive is scheduled for October 1st, Sunday, at 10 am.
  5. Duration of Swachhata Pakhwada: The Swachhata Pakhwada – Swachhata Hi Seva 2023 campaign spans from September 15th to October 2nd.

Q.: What is the objective of the ‘Ek Tareekh, Ek Ghanta, Ek Saath’ Campaign”, a mega cleanliness drive ?

a) To celebrate Diwali
b) To commemorate Gandhi Jayanti
c) To promote cricket
d) To encourage shopping

Answer: b) To commemorate Gandhi Jayanti

‘Ek Tareekh, Ek Ghanta, Ek Saath’ Campaign on October 1, 2023 to commemorate Gandhi Jayanti Read More »

PM Vishwakarma Scheme for Empowering Traditional Artisans and Craftspeople

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch the “PM Vishwakarma” scheme on September 17, 2023, in New Delhi. The scheme aims to support and promote traditional crafts and artisans. It will be fully funded by the Union Government with an allocation of Rs 13,000 crore.

  1. Artisans, referred to as Vishwakarmas, will be registered for free through Common Services Centres using a biometric-based portal.
  2. Vishwakarmas will receive recognition through a certificate and ID card, skill training, a toolkit incentive of ₹15,000, and collateral-free credit support at concessional interest rates.
  3. The scheme focuses on preserving the Guru-Shishya parampara (teacher-student tradition) and improving the quality and reach of artisanal products and services.
  4. It covers 18 traditional crafts, including carpentry, blacksmithing, pottery, weaving, and more.
  5. The scheme targets both rural and urban artisans across India.
  6. It aims to integrate artisans into domestic and global value chains.
  7. PM Vishwakarma will incentivize digital transactions and provide marketing support to artisans and craftspeople.

Q.: What is the primary objective of the PM Vishwakarma Scheme?

a) Promoting modern industries
b) Preserving traditional crafts and supporting artisans
c) Enhancing agricultural productivity
d) Boosting the tourism sector

Ans : b) Preserving traditional crafts and supporting artisans

PM Vishwakarma Scheme for Empowering Traditional Artisans and Craftspeople Read More »

Cabinet Approves extension of PM Ujjwala Yojana for three years

The Government has approved expansion of PM Ujjwala Yojana, a scheme to provide support for LPG connections to women on 13th September 2023 during a cabinet meeting.

  1. The scheme aims to release a total of 75 lakh LPG connections over a period of three years, from the Financial Year 2023-24 to 2025-26.
  2. The scheme’s total financial implication is one thousand 650 crore rupees.
  3. Under the scheme, 75 lakh free LPG connections will be provided to women from poor and needy families to enable them to benefit from the Ujjwala scheme.
  4. As per the existing modalities of Ujjawala 2.0, the first refill and stove will also be provided free of cost to Ujjwala beneficiaries.
  5. To date, 9.60 crore LPG cylinders have been distributed under the Ujjwala scheme, indicating its widespread impact and reach.

Q.: What is the purpose of the PM Ujjwala Yojana?

a) Supporting LPG suppliers
b) Providing free LPG connections to women
c) Reducing LPG prices
d) Enhancing LPG cylinder safety

Ans : b) Providing free LPG connections to women

Cabinet Approves extension of PM Ujjwala Yojana for three years Read More »

Mera Bill Mera Adhikaar : Invoice incentive scheme

The invoice incentive scheme – Mera Bill Mera Adhikaar begins on 1 September 2023. The objective of the scheme is to bring a cultural and behavioural change in the general public to ask for a Bill as their right and entitlement. 

  • Scheme Name: The invoice incentive scheme – Mera Bill Mera Adhikaar
  • Objective: To bring a cultural and behavioral change in the public by encouraging them to ask for a bill as their right and entitlement.
  • Initial Pilot: Launched as a pilot in the States of Assam, Gujarat, and Haryana, along with the Union Territories of Puducherry, Dadra Nagar Haveli, and Daman and Diu.
  • Consumer Reward: Consumers have the chance to win an attractive reward of one crore rupees.
  • Eligibility: All Business to Customer invoices issued by GST registered suppliers to consumers will be eligible for the scheme.
  • Minimum Invoice Value: Invoices with a minimum value of two hundred rupees will be considered for the lucky draw.
  • Invoice Submission: Invoices can be uploaded using the Mobile Application “Mera Bill Mera Adhikaar” or the web portal “merabill.gst.gov.in”.
  • Participant Eligibility: All residents of India can participate, regardless of their state or UT.
  • Monthly Upload Limit: An individual can upload a maximum of 25 invoices in a month to be eligible for the lucky draw.
  • Monthly Reward: The government will select 800 individuals every month, and each will receive a reward of ten thousand rupees.
  • Bumper Draw: A quarterly bumper draw will be held, with two people winning a reward of one crore rupees each.
  • Scheme Duration: The pilot scheme will run for a period of 12 months.

Q.: What is the name of the government-initiated invoice incentive scheme to bring a cultural and behavioural change in the general public to ask for a Bill as their right and entitlement ?

A) Bill Rewards Initiative
B) Mera Bill Mera Adhikaar
C) Fiscal Behavior Incentive
D) Invoice Culture Drive

Ans : B) Mera Bill Mera Adhikaar

Mera Bill Mera Adhikaar : Invoice incentive scheme Read More »

Government reduces prices of domestic LPG Cylinder for all consumers

The government has announced a reduction in the price of domestic LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) cylinders by 200 rupees for all consumers on 29 August 2023.

  1. Enhanced Benefit for Ujjwala Beneficiaries: The reduction amounts to 400 rupees per LPG cylinder for Ujjwala beneficiaries, a government initiative.
  2. Expansion of Ujjwala Scheme: The government plans to provide 75 lakh new free LPG connections under the Ujjwala scheme.
  3. Ujjwala Scheme’s Purpose: The Ujjwala scheme is aimed at reducing indoor air pollution and promoting the use of clean fuels among impoverished households, ultimately curbing carbon emissions.

Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY)

Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) was launched by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India on 01.05.2016. The main objective of the scheme is to provide deposit free LPG connections to women from poor households. The Government had set a target of 5 Crore LPG connections to be distributed to the poor households under the scheme.

Q.: What is the main objective of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana?

a) Providing free education to poor households
b) Offering interest-free loans to women entrepreneurs
c) Provide deposit free LPG connections to women from poor households
d) Distributing free smartphones to rural communities

Ans : c) Provide deposit free LPG connections to women from poor households

Government reduces prices of domestic LPG Cylinder for all consumers Read More »

Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) completed 9 years on August 28, 2023

Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) completed nine years on August 28, 2023. Over 50 crore people have been brought into the formal banking system through Jan Dhan Accounts. Over 50 crore new bank accounts have been opened since the scheme’s launch. Approximately 56% of Jan-Dhan account holders are women, and about 67% of the accounts are in rural and semi-urban areas. The total deposit balances in Jan Dhan accounts exceed two lakh three thousand crore rupees. More than 33 crore RuPay cards have been issued to Jan Dhan account holders. Around six crore 26 lakh account holders received direct benefit transfers from the Government under various schemes.

What is Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY)

The Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) is a financial inclusion program launched by the Government of India. It was initiated on August 28, 2014, with the aim of providing access to financial services to all households in the country, particularly those that were excluded from the formal banking system. The key objectives of the Jan Dhan Yojana include:

  1. Universal Financial Inclusion: The scheme seeks to ensure that every household in India has access to a bank account, making financial services accessible to even the most marginalized sections of society.
  2. Access to Banking Services: Under the scheme, account holders are provided with a basic savings account, a RuPay debit card, and access to banking facilities such as deposit and withdrawal services.
  3. Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT): The Jan Dhan accounts are often used for direct benefit transfers of various government subsidies and welfare schemes. This helps in reducing leakages and ensuring that benefits reach the intended beneficiaries directly.
  4. Credit Facilities: The scheme also promotes financial literacy and credit availability to the underserved population. It encourages banks to provide overdraft facilities to account holders after a certain period, helping them meet emergency financial needs.
  5. Insurance and Pension Schemes: Jan Dhan account holders are also eligible for government-backed insurance and pension schemes, providing them with financial security in case of unforeseen events.
  6. Encouraging Saving Habits: The scheme aims to encourage a culture of saving and financial discipline among the masses.

Q.: What is the primary objective of the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY)?

a) Providing free education to rural children
b) Enhancing agricultural productivity
c) Promoting digital entertainment services
d) Ensuring financial inclusion for all households

Answer: d) Ensuring financial inclusion for all households

Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) completed 9 years on August 28, 2023 Read More »

Scroll to Top