Agricultural Sector and Marketing Reforms – eNAM, Model APMC Act, Eco Survey Reco, etc.
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:
Prelims level: Yuva Sahakar Scheme
The Ministry of Cooperation, in written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha has informed about the progress of the Yuva Sahakar Scheme.
Current Financial Details:
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Agricultural Sector and Marketing Reforms – eNAM, Model APMC Act, Eco Survey Reco, etc.
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:
Prelims level: Various initiatives mentioned
| Clean Plant Programme (CPP) |
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| Digital Agriculture Mission |
(Discussed in detail in one of the today’s articles.) |
| Agriculture Infrastructure Fund Scheme |
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| National Mission on Edible Oils – Oilseeds (NMEO-Oilseeds) |
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| National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) |
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| Additional Key Programmes Initiated in 2024-25 |
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PYQ:[2020] In India, which of the following can be considered as public investment in agriculture?
Select the correct answer using the code given below: (a) 1, 2 and 5 only (b) 1, 3, 4 and 5 only (c) 2, 3 and 6 only (d) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 |
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:
Prelims level: Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maan Dhan Yojana
| Details | Type: Central Sector Scheme Objective: To provide a voluntary, contributory pension scheme for farmers aged 18–40 years, ensuring ₹3,000/month pension after they turn 60 years of age. |
| Implementation & Structural Mandate | Implemented by: Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Pension Fund Manager: Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) of India State-wise Registration: Registered farmers are managed by the respective state governments in collaboration with LIC. The scheme encourages a structured approach involving the collection of contributions and government matching funds. Contribution: Farmers contribute between ₹55 and ₹200 per month, depending on their entry age. |
| Beneficiaries & Benefits | Beneficiaries: Farmers aged 18–40 years. Benefits: Assured pension of ₹3,000 per month post-60 years, matching contribution by the Government of India, administered by LIC. Exclusions: Income taxpayers, members of government pension schemes, and those already enrolled in other pension schemes. |
PYQ:[2020] In India, which of the following can be considered as public investment in agriculture? (2020)
Select the correct answer using the code given below: (a) 1, 2 and 5 only (b) 1, 3, 4 and 5 only (c) 2, 3 and 6 only (d) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 |
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:
Prelims level: SHAKTI Yojana
The SHAKTI Yojana plays a crucial role in enhancing the reliability of coal supply for India’s power sector.
| Details | • SHAKTI stands for Scheme for Harnessing and Allocating Koyala Transparently in India. • Introduced by: Ministry of Coal, Government of India. • Launched in 2018, with amendments in March 2019 and November 2023. • Purpose: Ensure transparent coal allocation to the power sector, especially stressed power units facing coal shortages. |
| Objective | Allocate coal supplies to power plants that are unable to secure adequate fuel, ensuring consistent and transparent coal supply to power plants.
Features: Fuel Supply Agreement (FSA): Coal supplied through FSA with Letter of Assurance (LoA) holders, ensuring continuation of supply at 75% of the Annual Contracted Quantity (ACQ). Coal Linkages: Linkages granted to State/Central Generating Companies and Independent Power Producers (IPPs) with Long-Term PPAs. |
| Significance | • Ensures coal supply to stressed units, supporting new power plants and promoting transparency in coal allocation. • Supports uninterrupted power generation by ensuring consistent fuel supply. |
About India’s Coal Gasification Vision:To achieve 100 MT of coal gasification by FY 2030, with a focus on sustainable practices and reducing carbon emissions.
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PYQ:[2019] Consider the following statements: 1. Coal sector was nationalized by the Government of India under Indira Gandhi. 2. Now, coal blocks are allocated on lottery basis. 3. Till recently, India imported coal to meet the shortages of domestic supply, but now India is self-sufficient in coal production. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 |
AYUSH – Indian Medicine System
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:
Prelims level: AYURGYAN and AYURSWATHYA Scheme
| Details | |
| AYURSWASTHYA Yojana | • Under the Ministry of AYUSH to promote AYUSH healthcare and education. • Has two key components:
• Funding: Maximum assistance of ₹10 crore for Centre of Excellence upgrades for 3 years. |
| AYURGYAN Scheme | • Created by merging two schemes under one umbrella. • Focuses on promoting AYUSH education and research. • Aims to develop quality standards and expand AYUSH education and healthcare services across India. • Training of healthcare professionals in AYUSH and supporting research initiatives to improve efficacy and standards of traditional medicine. |
| Category | Details |
| Overview | • Launched in September 2014 under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare during the 12th Five Year Plan. • Aimed at promoting and strengthening traditional systems of medicine: AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, Homeopathy). • Focuses on improving healthcare infrastructure in rural and remote areas, enhancing access to AYUSH services and promoting holistic health across India. |
| Implementation and Structure | • Initially implemented by the Department of AYUSH, now under the Ministry of AYUSH for nationwide execution. • Works in partnership with States and UTs to address healthcare gaps in underserved areas. |
| Provisions under NAM | • Promotion of AYUSH Systems: Integrates AYUSH into the mainstream healthcare system, especially in rural and underserved areas. • Support to State/UTs: Provides financial support for establishing AYUSH dispensaries, clinics, colleges and hospitals. • Strengthening AYUSH Health Services: Financial assistance for expanding AYUSH services, especially in remote areas. • Research & Development (R&D): Supports research for developing better treatments and standardizing practices in AYUSH. |
PYQ:[2019] How is the Government of India protecting traditional knowledge of medicine from patenting by pharmaceutical companies? |
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Higher Education – RUSA, NIRF, HEFA, etc.
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:
Prelims level: One Nation One Subscription (ONOS) Scheme
The Union Cabinet has approved the “One Nation One Subscription (ONOS) scheme” aims to provide nationwide access to scholarly research articles and journals.
| About | • Fully digital and user-friendly Central Sector Scheme approved by the Union Cabinet. |
| Aims and Objectives | • Provide unified access to scholarly journals and research articles for government HEIs and R&D labs. • Support research through the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) and other government initiatives, particularly in tier 2 and tier 3 cities. • Centralize subscriptions to reduce the financial burden on individual institutions. • Align with Viksit Bharat@2047, National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, and National Research Foundation (NRF). |
| Structural Mandate | • Information and Library Network (INFLIBNET), an autonomous inter-university center under UGC, will coordinate ONOS and ensure seamless access to research materials. • 6,300 institutions under central and state government management, including universities, colleges, and R&D labs. • A dedicated digital portal for easy access, designed for wide accessibility. |
| Provisions and Eligibility Criteria | • All government-run HEIs and R&D institutions are eligible. • 13,000 journals from 30 international publishers are available free of cost. • ₹6,000 crore allocated for 2025-2027; payments to publishers made centrally by INFLIBNET. |
PYQ:[2013] To obtain full benefits of demographic dividend, what should India do? (a) Promoting skill development (b) Introducing more social security schemes (c) Reducing infant mortality rate (d) Privatization of higher education |
Health Sector – UHC, National Health Policy, Family Planning, Health Insurance, etc.
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:
Prelims level: Features of Ayushman Vay Vandana Yojana
Within just three weeks of its launch, over 10 lakh senior citizens have enrolled for the Ayushman Vay Vandana Yojana.
| Note: Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana (PM-VVY) is a pension scheme and insurance policy for senior citizens in India. One must not get confused with Ayushman-VVY. |
| Details | |
| Features and Provisions | • Cashless health coverage up to ₹5 lakh per year for senior citizens aged 70 and above. • Beneficiaries receive an Ayushman Vay Vandana Card, which grants them access to free treatment in empaneled hospitals across India. • Coverage includes medical consultations, treatments, pre- and post-hospitalization expenses, and complex procedures such as angioplasty. |
| Structural Mandate | • Administered under the PM-JAY framework, ensuring structured implementation and integration with India’s health insurance network. • Implemented across empaneled hospitals in both urban and rural areas, ensuring nationwide reach. • Centralized digital system tracks treatments, patient details, and expenses for transparency and accountability. • Specifically designed for senior citizens, addressing their unique healthcare needs. |
| Aims and Objectives | • Universal healthcare for senior citizens, ensuring access to essential medical treatments without financial strain. • Seeks to reduce out-of-pocket expenditure for elderly citizens and their families. • Encourages preventive care and early medical intervention to address age-related health conditions. |
| Eligibility Criteria | • Open to all Indian citizens aged 70 and above. • There are NO income/ family size restrictions, making it accessible to all senior citizens, regardless of their economic status. • Beneficiaries must be Indian citizens. • Seniors need to register under PM-JAY to receive the AVV Card and avail of the benefits. |
Higher Education – RUSA, NIRF, HEFA, etc.
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:
Prelims level: PM-Vidyalaxmi Scheme
The Union Cabinet has approved a new Central Sector Scheme named PM Vidyalaxmi to provide financial assistance to meritorious students pursuing higher education.
| Details | |
| Objective | To provide financial assistance to meritorious students pursuing higher education in quality institutions. |
| Eligible Students | Students gaining admission to the top 860 Quality Higher Education Institutions (QHEIs), including government and private institutions. |
| Annual Family Income Criteria | Up to ₹8 lakh for students who do not qualify for other government scholarships or interest subsidies. |
| Eligibility Based on NIRF Rankings | • Top 100 institutions in overall, category-specific, and domain-specific NIRF lists. • State government-run institutions ranked 101-200. • All Central government-governed institutions. |
| Loan Amounts | • Loans up to ₹7.5 lakh with a 75% credit guarantee. • For loans up to ₹10 lakh, 3% interest subvention during the moratorium period. |
| Target Beneficiaries | Approximately 1 lakh students each year, with preference for students in technical or professional courses from government institutions. |
| Financial Outlay | ₹3,600 crore for the period from 2024-25 to 2030-31. |
| Expected Impact | Benefit for 7 lakh new students through interest subvention during the scheme’s duration. |
| Application Process | Applications can be submitted via the PM-Vidyalaxmi portal for loans and interest benefits. |
| Payment Processing | Interest support payments through e-vouchers and Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) wallets. |
| Significance | Aims to enhance access to higher education for meritorious students, reducing financial barriers. |
PYQ:[2016] Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana is aimed at: (a) bringing the small entrepreneurs into formal financial system |
Civil Aviation Sector – CA Policy 2016, UDAN, Open Skies, etc.
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:
Prelims level: Namo Drone Didi Scheme and its features
The Govt. has released the Operational Guidelines for the Namo Drone Didi Scheme.
About Namo Drone Didi Scheme:
| Details | |
| About |
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| Total Funding | Rs. 1,261 crore allocated by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. |
| Financial Assistance |
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| Training |
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| Training Providers | Remote Pilot Training Organizations (RPTOs) approved by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). |
| Implementing Agency |
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| Operational Limits | Drones must operate within visual line of sight (vLOS) and below 400 feet (120 meters) AGL. |
| Expected Outcomes |
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PYQ:[2020] Consider the following activities:
At the present level of technology, which of the above activities can be successfully carried out by using drones? (a) 1 and 2 only |
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:
Prelims level: Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY)
| Details | |
| Launch | Launched on April 8, 2015, by Prime Minister. |
| Objective |
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| Recent Update | Loan limit increased from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 20 lakh under the new Tarun Plus category, announced in July 2024. |
| Loan Categories | • Shishu: Loans up to Rs 50,000 • Kishore: Loans between Rs 50,000 and Rs 5 lakh • Tarun: Loans between Rs 5 lakh and Rs 10 lakh • Tarun Plus: Loans between Rs 10 lakh and Rs 20 lakh |
| Loan Performance (2023-24) | • 66.8 million Loans sanctioned totaling Rs 5.4 trillion. • Over 487.8 million loans worth Rs 29.79 trillion sanctioned since launch. |
| NPA Statistics | • NPA of public sector banks under Mudra loans decreased to 3.4% in FY24, down from 4.77% in 2020-21. • Gross NPA for scheduled commercial banks at 2.8% as of March 2024. |
| Target Beneficiaries | Aims to empower women, minorities, and marginalized communities by facilitating easy access to credit. |
| Technological Intervention |
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PYQ:[2016] Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana is aimed at: (a) Bringing the small entrepreneurs into formal financial system. (b) Providing loans to poor farmers for cultivating particular crops. (c) Providing pension to old and destitute persons. (d) Funding the voluntary organizations involved in the promotion of skill development and employment generation. |
