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Type: Schemes

  • Women empowerment issues – Jobs,Reservation and education

    The long, bumpy road from ‘drone didis’ to ‘lakhpati didis’

    ExplainedSchemes | Agriculture | Mains Paper 3: Agriculture and related issues

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Lakhpati Didi Scheme

    Mains level: Modernization of Agriculture and Role of Women

    Why in the news? 

    Efforts of fertilizer companies in supporting a Central government program aimed at training women to operate drones for spraying pesticides.

    Context-

    • This initiative represents a broader trend of encouraging women’s entrepreneurship in India and empowering them to participate in traditionally male-dominated sectors such as agriculture and technology.
    • The involvement of fertilizer companies in funding and facilitating this program underscores the importance of public-private partnerships in driving social and economic development initiatives. 

    Scheme Details-

    Under the Namo Drone Didi scheme, 15,000 women-led Self-Help Groups (SHGs) will receive agricultural drones to assist in crucial tasks such as crop monitoring, fertiliser spraying, and seed sowing.

    Costs to companies-

    • Financial Commitment by Fertilizer Companies: Fertilizer companies such as Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO) and Coromandel International Limited (CIL) are shouldering significant costs for the “drone didi” program.
    • IFFCO is investing ₹42 crore to support the training and equipment for 300 drone didis, while CIL is backing another 200.
    • Expense Breakdown: The approximate cost per woman participating in the program is ₹14 lakh. This covers expenses like the drone, four battery sets, a generator, and an electric autorickshaw for transportation.
    • IFFCO has categorized this expenditure as “benefits to farmers” in its financial records.
    • Contribution of Other Companies: Several additional fertilizer companies, including Krishak Bharati Cooperative (KRIBHCO), Indian Potash Limited (IPL), Matix, Indorama India Private Limited, Brahmaputra Valley Fertilizer Corporation Limited, and National Fertilizers Limited, are collectively providing an extra 500 drones.
    • Funding Arrangement: The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has agreed to provide financial assistance of up to ₹8 lakh for each set of equipment. The remaining ₹2 lakh is to be sourced by the participating Self-Help Groups (SHGs).

    Farmer trials-

    • Online Portal Enrollment: Haryana’s Agriculture Department, along with fertilizer companies, introduced online enrollment via the Meri Fasal Mera Byora portal to encourage farmers to apply for crop spraying through drones.
    • Subsidized Nano Urea Bottle: Farmers are offered a 1-litre nano urea bottle at ₹100, discounted from the market price of ₹225. This nano urea, when mixed with water, serves one acre.
    • Manual vs. Drone Spraying: Farmers weigh the costs of the manual application, which include subsidized granular urea and labor costs, against the higher charges of drone didis.
    • Viability for Small Landholders: Small landholders express concerns about the affordability and practicality of drone services due to limited financial resources and smaller land holdings.
    • Usefulness of Drones: Drones are seen as more cost-effective for larger plantations like coffee, tea, or sugarcane, rather than smaller-scale agricultural operations.
    • Financial Constraints: Farmers highlight financial constraints, including the inability to afford necessities like housing, education, and farm equipment, which diminishes the feasibility of investing in drone technology.

    The women’s challenges-

    • Fuel Costs:  significant daily expenses (₹500 to ₹600) on fuel to run the generator required to charge the battery sets for the drone, raising concerns about the economic feasibility of the job in the long run.
    • Battery Set Limitations: Each day, exhausts one charged battery set after covering three acres with the drone. This necessitates simultaneous charging of another set in her electric vehicle (EV) to continue her work, resulting in additional time and fuel costs.
    • Economic Viability: Despite the potential earnings mentioned on paper, there are doubts about the economic viability of the job due to high fuel costs, the need for additional assistance, and uncertainties regarding the longevity of the scheme’s benefits
    • Safety Concerns and Need for Assistance: There is safety concerns while operating the drone and the necessity of having an assistant to drive the electric autorickshaw and assist with unloading and handling the heavy drone equipment.
    • Lack of Provision for Helpers: There is no provision for hiring assistants or helpers in the scheme, leading to additional expenses

    Limitation of this scheme- 

    • Current Urea Usage and Subsidy: India uses 3.5 lakh metric tonnes (MT) of granular urea annually, with a significant portion subsidized by the government to make it affordable for farmers. Liquid nano urea, an alternative, is produced in limited quantities.
    • Government’s Vision for Nano Urea Production: The government aims to increase the production capacity of liquid nano urea to reduce dependence on expensive imported granular urea. The goal is to produce 48.5 crore bottles annually by 2026-27.
    • Limitations of Nano Urea: While liquid nano urea can supplement traditional granular urea, it cannot entirely replace it due to specific requirements in different stages of crop growth.
    • Ownership and Earnings Concerns: There are uncertainties regarding the ownership of drones and the distribution of earnings from drone operations among individuals, Self-Help Groups (SHGs), village organizations (VOs), or cluster-level federations (CLFs).
    • Need for Clarity and Coordination: Questions are raised about the lack of clarity on ownership, earnings distribution, and coordination among stakeholders involved in drone operations.
    • Challenges with Previous Proposals: Issues regarding the implementation of previous drone-related schemes, such as the procurement of drones under Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), and concerns about competition from individual farmers purchasing their drones are highlighted.

    To overcome the challenges outlined regarding drone operations and nano urea production, several measures can be considered:

    • Clarity in Ownership and Earnings Distribution: Establish clear guidelines and agreements on drone ownership and revenue sharing among individuals, SHGs, VOs, and CLFs. Ensure transparency in decision-making processes and consult all stakeholders involved.
    • Enhanced Coordination: Facilitate better coordination among government agencies, agricultural organizations, and drone operators to streamline operations, address concerns, and ensure effective implementation of schemes. Regular meetings, feedback mechanisms, and communication channels can aid in coordination efforts.
    • Capacity Building: Provide training and capacity-building programs for drone operators, farmers, and other stakeholders to enhance their skills in drone operation, maintenance, and data interpretation. This can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of drone-based agricultural activities.
    • Promotion of Nano Urea: Invest in research and development to improve the efficacy and availability of liquid nano urea. Conduct awareness campaigns to educate farmers about the benefits and proper usage of nano urea, emphasizing its role as a supplement to traditional fertilizers.
    • Policy Reforms: Review existing policies related to drone operations, urea subsidy, and agricultural initiatives to address loopholes and inconsistencies. Introduce new policies or amendments to support the expansion of nano urea production and drone technology adoption in agriculture.
    • Collaborative Partnerships: Foster partnerships between government agencies, private companies, research institutions, and farmer groups to leverage expertise, resources, and innovation in addressing challenges related to drone operations and urea production.
    • Monitoring and Evaluation: Implement robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to assess the impact of drone-based agricultural initiatives and nano urea production efforts. Collect data on key performance indicators and stakeholders’ feedback to identify areas for improvement and make informed decisions.

    Conclusion-

    The initiative to train women as “drone didis” for agricultural tasks faces challenges of economic viability, ownership clarity, and coordination. Solutions include clear guidelines, capacity building, policy reforms, and collaborative partnerships to ensure sustainable implementation and overcome limitations in nano urea production.

    Mains PYQ-

    Q- The Self Help Group (SHG) Bank Linkage Program (SBLP), which is India’s own innovation , has proved to be one of the most effective poverty alleviation and women empowerment programme. Elucidate.(UPSC IAS/2015)

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  • Food Processing Industry: Issues and Developments

    Mission Palm Oil: Achieving Self-sufficiency in Edible Oil Production

    Schemes | Agriculture | Mains Paper 3: Major Crops & Cropping Patterns

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Mission Palm Oil, Key stats on India's Edible Oil Imports

    Mains level: NA

    Why in the news-

    • The Prime Minister highlighted the National Mission on Edible Oils – Oil Palm (NMEO-OP) during his visit to Arunachal Pradesh, inaugurating the first oil mill under this mission.

    Why discuss this?

    • This results in a substantial outflow of $20.56 billion in foreign exchange, the need for self-reliance in edible oil production has become paramount.

    Edible Oil Consumption in India: Key Facts

    • India, the world’s biggest importer of vegetable oils, is likely to buy 15.6 million metric tons of cooking oils in the 2023-24 oil year, down from 16.6 million in the current year to Oct.
    • With India imports 57% of its vegetable oil demand.
    • These imports have shown a declining trend in recent months.
    • This decline is attributed to various factors such as reduced availability of palm oil for edible oil requirements due to producers diverting it for biodiesel production.
    • Additionally, the import of soyabean oil from Argentina increased sharply in February 2024, while imports from Brazil declined.
    • The top three vegetable oil imports – palm, soybean, and sunflower seed oil.
    • India’s vegetable oil sector accounts for 13% of the Gross Cropped Area, 3% of the Gross National Product, and 10% of the value of all agricultural commodities.
    • A substantial portion of India’s edible oil requirement is fulfilled through palm oil imports from Indonesia and Malaysia.

    Mission Palm Oil: A Catalyst for Self-Reliance

    • It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme launched in 2021 targeting a substantial increase in oil palm cultivation and crude palm oil production.
    • It has been introduced with a particular emphasis on the Northeast region and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

    Objectives:

    1. Expand oil palm acreage by an additional 6.5 lakh hectares by 2025-26
    2. Increase crude palm oil production to 11.2 lakh tonnes by 2025-26, reaching up to 28 lakh tonnes by 2029-30.
    3. Increase consumer awareness to maintain a consumption level of 19.00 kg/person/annum till 2025-26.

    Focus Areas

    (1)  Fixing of Viability Price

    • Oil palm farmers currently produce Fresh Fruit Bunches (FFBs), from which the industry extracts oil.
    • Presently, FFB prices fluctuate with international Crude Palm Oil (CPO) prices.
    • The Government of India will now assure price stability for FFBs, known as Viability Price (VP), shielding farmers from international CPO price fluctuations.
    • A Formula Price (FP), set at 14.3% of CPO and adjusted monthly, will be established. Viability gap funding will be the difference between VP and FP, directly disbursed to farmers’ accounts via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) when necessary.

    (2) Input Assistance

    • The scheme’s second major focus is to significantly enhance input assistance/interventions, including:
      1. Increasing assistance for oil palm planting material from Rs. 12,000 to Rs. 29,000 per hectare.
      2. Boosting support for maintenance and intercropping interventions.
      3. Providing special assistance of Rs. 250 per plant for replanting old gardens to rejuvenate them.
      4. Offering special assistance tailored for the North-East and Andaman regions, including provisions for half-moon terrace cultivation, bio-fencing, land clearance, and integrated farming.

    Try this PYQ from CSE Prelims 2019:

    Among the following, which one is the largest exporter of rice in the world in the last five years?

    (a) China

    (b) India

    (c) Myanmar

    (d) Vietnam

     

    Practice MCQ:

    Consider the following statements:

    1. India is the world’s biggest importer of vegetable oils.
    2. The top three vegetable oil imports include – soybean, palm and groundnut oil.

    Which of the given statements is/are correct?

    (a) Only 1

    (b) Only 2

    (c) Both 1 and 2

    (d) Neither 1 nor 2

     

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  • Agricultural Sector and Marketing Reforms – eNAM, Model APMC Act, Eco Survey Reco, etc.

    [pib] Integration of Kisan Credit Card (KCC) Fisheries Scheme and JanSamarth Portal

    Schemes | Agriculture | Mains Paper 3: Economics Of Animal-Rearing

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Kisan Credit Cards (KCC) Scheme, JanSamarth Portal

    Mains level: NA

    Why in the news-

    • The Department of Fisheries inaugurated the integration of the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) Fisheries scheme onto the JanSamarth Portal, marking a revolutionary step in providing credit facilities to fishers and fish farmers nationwide.

    JanSamarth Portal

    • It is a first-of-its-kind online platform for directly connecting lenders with beneficiaries. Citizens can avail loans under 13 Central government schemes under 4 loan categories.
    • The one-stop portal allows citizens to check eligibility, apply online and get digital approval.

    About KCC Fisheries Scheme

    • The GoI, in the year 2018-19, extended KCC facility to fisheries and animal husbandry farmers to help them to meet their working capital requirements.
    • Bank authorities have been instructed to issue KCC within 14 days of receipt of the completed application from the fish farmers.
    • Benefits Include:
    1. For the existing KCC holders the benefits of interest subvention and prompt repayment incentive will be admissible up to the credit limit of Rs. 3 lakhs including fisheries activities.
    2. In the case of new card holders, the credit limit is Rs. 2 lakhs to meet their working capital requirements for fisheries activities.
    3. In the KCC scheme @7% is the lending rate to farmers including @2% interest subvention per annum by GoI. Also, another @3% per annum is provided in case of prompt repayment as an additional incentive as per the existing guidelines.
    4. This implies that the farmers repaying promptly as above would get a loan @ 4% per annum effectively for loan amount upto Rs 2 lakhs.

    Kisan Credit Cards (KCC) Scheme

    • The KCC scheme was introduced on the recommendation of R.V. Gupta of the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development.
    • The scheme was launched in 1998 to provide adequate and timely credit support from the banking system to the farmers.
    • It provides a single window with flexible and simplified procedures to the farmers for their cultivation and other needs like purchasing agriculture inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, pesticides etc. and drawing cash for their production needs.
    • The scheme was further extended for the investment credit requirement of farmers viz. allied and non-farm activities in the year 2004.
    • In 2018-19, it was extended to fisheries and animal husbandry farmers.

    Objectives include:

    1. To meet the short-term credit requirement for cultivation
    2. To manage post-harvest expenses
    3. To meet the consumption requirement of farmer’s household
    4. Working capital for maintaining the farm assets and activities allied to agriculture
    5. Investment credit requirement for agriculture-allied activities

    KCC scheme is implemented by:

    1. Commercial banks
    2. Regional Rural Banks (RRBs)
    3. Small Financial Banks, and
    4. Cooperative banks

    Try this PYQ from CSE Prelims 2020:

    Under the Kisan Credit Card scheme, short-term credit support is given to farmers for which of the following purposes?

    1. Working capital for maintenance of farm assets
    2. Purchase of combine harvesters, tractors and mini trucks
    3. Consumption requirements of farm households
    4. Post-harvest expenses
    5. Construction of family house and setting up of village cold storage facility

    Select the correct answer:

    (a) 1, 2 and 5 only

    (b) 1, 3 and 4 only

    (c) 2, 3, 4 and 5 only

    (d) 1, 2, 4 and 5

     

    Practice MCQ:

    The JanSamarth Portal often seen in the news is related to:

    (a) Lending Facility

    (b) E-KYC

    (c) Consumer Grievances

    (d) Right to Information

     

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  • Make in India: Challenges & Prospects

    [pib] ‘Vocal for Local’ Initiative

    Schemes | Governance | Mains Paper 2: Government Scheme/Policies

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Vocal for Local Initiative, Aspirational Blockd/Dist Program

    Mains level: NA

    Why in the news-

    About Vocal for Local Initiative

    • Under this program, indigenous local products from 500 Aspirational Blocks have been mapped and consolidated for sale.
    • District collectors and block-level officials will collaborate with partners such as Government e-Marketplace (GeM) and Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) to facilitate sustainable growth of microenterprises in Aspirational Blocks.
    • To facilitate this, a dedicated window for Aspirational Blocks Programme under the brand name ‘Aakanksha’ on GeM portal has been established.

    What is Aspirational Blocks Programme (ABP)?

    • The ABP is set on the lines of the Aspirational District Programme that was launched in 2018 and covers 112 districts across the country.
    • The Centre had announced its intention to launch this initiative in the Union Budget 2022-23.
    • The programme will cover 500 districts across 31 states and Union Territories initially.
    • Over half of these blocks are in 6 states—Uttar Pradesh (68 blocks), Bihar (61), Madhya Pradesh (42), Jharkhand (34), Odisha (29) and West Bengal (29).
    • However, states can add more blocks to the programme later.

    Back2Basics:  Aspirational Districts Programme (ADP)

    Details
    Launch Date January 2018
    Objective To transform identified aspirational districts quickly and effectively through a mass movement.
    Program Contours
    • Convergence of Central & State Schemes
    • Collaboration among Central, State level ‘Prabhari’ Officers & District Collectors
    • Competition among districts driven by mass Movement.
    Selection of Districts
    • 117 Aspirational districts identified by NITI Aayog based on composite indicators.
    • Real-time progress monitored based on 49 indicators from 5 thematic areas.
    Weightage of Indicators
    1. Health & Nutrition (30%)
    2. Education (30%)
    3. Agriculture & Water Resources (20%)
    4. Financial Inclusion & Skill Development (10%)
    5. Basic Infrastructure (10%)
    Core Strategy
    • Development as a mass movement
    • Identify strengths and low-hanging fruits in each district
    • Measure progress and rank districts
    • Foster competition.
    Features
    • Transform into a Jan Andolan
    • Real-time data tracking for monitoring improvement
    • Convergence between central and state government programmes.
    • District performance made public
    • Experience building of district bureaucracy
    • Targeted towards the entire district population.

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  • North-East India – Security and Developmental Issues

    [pib] Cabinet approves UNNATI Scheme

    Schemes | Governance | Mains Paper 2: Government Scheme/Policies

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: UNNATI Scheme

    Mains level: NER Development

    unnati

    In the news

    • The Union Cabinet approved the proposal for Uttar Poorva Transformative Industrialization (UNNATI) Scheme, 2024.

    What is the UNNATI Scheme?

    • The UNNATI is a significant initiative aimed at fostering industrial development and generating employment opportunities in the North East Region of India.
    • With a focus on promoting manufacturing and services sectors, the scheme aims to stimulate economic growth and uplift the socio-economic landscape of the region.

    Objectives

    • Employment Generation: UNNATI aims to create productive economic activities that generate gainful employment opportunities, thereby contributing to the overall socio-economic development of the North East Region.
    • Industrial Development: The scheme seeks to encourage the establishment of industries and the expansion of existing ones, fostering growth and development across various sectors.

    Expenditure Allocation

    • UNNATI will operate as a Central Sector Scheme, with funds allocated for both incentives to eligible units (Part A) and implementation and institutional arrangements (Part B).
    • Part A of the scheme will receive Rs. 9,737 crores, while Rs. 300 crores will be allocated for Part B.

    Salient Features

    • Scheme Period: Effective from the date of Notification until March 31, 2034, along with 8 years of committed liabilities.
    • Commencement of Production: Eligible industrial units must commence production or operation within 4 years from the grant of registration.
    • Categorization of Districts: Districts are categorized into Zone A (Industrially Advanced Districts) and Zone B (Industrially Backward Districts) to ensure targeted development.
    • Funds Allocation: 60% of Part A outlay is earmarked for the 8 North Eastern states, while the remaining 40% follows a First-In-First-Out (FIFO) basis.
    • Eligibility: New and expanding industrial units are eligible for incentives under the scheme.

    Implementation and Oversight

    • The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, will oversee the implementation of UNNATI.
    • National and state-level committees, including the Steering Committee and State Level Committee, will monitor implementation, ensure transparency, and facilitate the registration and claims process for incentives.

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  • Direct Benefits Transfers

    Centre extends Ujjwala Subsidy by another Year

    Schemes | Governance | Mains Paper 2: Government Scheme/Policies

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Ujjwala Scheme

    Mains level: NA

    In the news

    • In pretext of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, the Union Cabinet approved the extension of the subsidy under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) for LPG cylinders, offering a subsidy of ₹300 (earlier ₹200) per cylinder for up to 12 refills per year.

    About Ujjwala Scheme

    Details
    Launch 1 May 2016
    Introduced By Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas
    Aim Provide clean cooking fuel (LPG) to rural and disadvantaged households, reducing reliance on traditional fuels like firewood, coal, and cow dung cakes.
    Phases
    1. Phase I: Launched on May 1, 2016, aimed to release 8 Crore LPG connections by March 2020.
    2. Ujjwala 2.0: Aimed to release an additional 1 crore LPG connections, achieved in January 2022, subsequently expanded to release an additional 60 lakh LPG connections.
    Financial Support ₹1600 financial assistance provided for each LPG connection to Below Poverty Line (BPL) households.
    Deposit-Free Connections Beneficiaries receive deposit-free LPG connections, including the first refill and a free hotplate.
    Benefits
    • Eligible beneficiaries receive a free LPG connection.
    • Subsidy on the first six refills of 14.2 kg cylinders or eight refills of 5 kg cylinders.
    • Option to use EMI facility for stove and first refill costs.
    • Opportunity to join the PAHAL (Pratyaksh Hanstantrit Labh) scheme for direct subsidy transfers to bank accounts.

    Try a similar PYQ from CSE Prelims 2018:

    With reference to Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana, consider the following statements:

    1. It is the flagship scheme of the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
    2. It, among other things, will also impart training in soft skills, entrepreneurship, financial and digital literacy.
    3. It aims to align the competencies of the unregulated workforce of the country to the National Skill Qualification Framework.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    (a) 1 and 3 only

    (b) 2 only

    (c) 2 and 3 only

    (d) 1, 2 and 3

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  • Food Procurement and Distribution – PDS & NFSA, Shanta Kumar Committee, FCI restructuring, Buffer stock, etc.

    Kerala to launch affordable ‘Sabari K-Rice ‘

    Schemes | Governance | Mains Paper 2: Government Scheme/Policies

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Sabari K-Rice, Bharat Rice, Atta

    Mains level: Food security, affordability

    In the news

    • The Kerala government’s decision to introduce ‘Sabari K-Rice’ is seen as a response to the Union government’s distribution of ‘Bharat Rice.’

    Bharat Rice and Other Commodities

     

    • ‘Bharat’ Rice refers to the retail sale of rice by the Food Corporation of India (FCI) to the general public at a subsidized price.
    • Its primary objective is to stabilize markets and ensure affordability for consumers.
    • This rice is available in 5kg and 10kg packs priced at ₹29/kg.
    •  It is distributed through cooperatives such as Kendriya Bhandar, National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED), and National Cooperative Consumers’ Federation of India (NCCF).
    • Additionally, it can be purchased from mobile vans and physical outlets of these cooperative agencies.
    • Moreover, these agencies also offer ‘Bharat Atta’ (wheat flour) at Rs. 27.50 per kg in 5kg and 10kg packs.
    • Similarly, ‘Bharat Dal’ (chana dal / Chickpea) is available at Rs. 60 per kg for a 1kg pack and Rs. 55 per kg for a 30kg pack, along with onions priced at Rs. 25 per kg.

    Sabari K-Rice

    • Objective: It aims to provide good quality rice at affordable rates, presenting an alternative to the existing subsidized rice scheme.
    • Distribution: K-Rice will be made available through Supplyco outlets, alongside the existing subsidized rice supply of 10 kg per card.
    • Quality and Pricing: K-Rice offers high-quality varieties at subsidized rates, contrasting with Bharat Rice sold by NAFED and NCCF at different prices.
    • Price Discrepancy: While Bharat Rice sells at ₹29 per kg, K-Rice aims to provide affordable rates, with the state government incurring additional costs to distribute it.

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  • Solar Energy – JNNSM, Solar Cities, Solar Pumps, etc.

    Launch of PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana

    Schemes | Economics | Mains Paper 3: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways Etc.

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, 300 Units Cap

    Mains level: Solar Energy Transition

    Introduction

    • Prime Minister has launched PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana to provide free electricity to its beneficiaries.

    About PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana

    Description
    Purpose To provide 300 units of free electricity per month to beneficiaries through an investment of ₹75,000 crores.
    Announcement Initially announced in an interim budget speech by the Finance Minister.
    Target Aimed to light up 1 crore households.
    Incentive for Renewable Energy Urban Local Bodies and Panchayats incentivized to promote rooftop solar systems.
    Financial Support Central Government guarantees no financial burden on people through subsidies directly to bank accounts and highly concessional bank loans.
    Expected Benefits – Annual savings of ₹15,000 to ₹18,000 for households

    – Charging of electric vehicles

    – Entrepreneurship opportunities

    – Employment opportunities for youth with technical skills.

     

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  • Aadhaar Card Issues

    APAAR: One Nation, One Student ID Initiative  

    Schemes | Governance | Mains Paper 2: Government Scheme/Policies

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: APAAR, One Nation, One Student ID

    Mains level: Read the attached storyapaar

    apaar

    Central Idea

    • About 25 crore Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry (APAAR) have been created, Union Education Minister informed at a national conference on ‘APAAR: One Nation One Student ID Card.’

    What is APAAR?

    • What is it? : APAAR serves as a unique identification system for all students across India, commencing from early childhood.
    • Lifelong Student ID: Every student is assigned a lifelong 12-digit ID, simplifying the tracking of academic progress from pre-primary education through higher education.
    • Gateway to Digilocker: APAAR functions as a gateway to Digilocker, a digital repository where students can securely store crucial documents, including exam results and report cards, for convenient access during future endeavours such as higher education or job applications.

    How does APAAR ID function?

    • Unique Identification: Each individual receives a unique APAAR ID, linked to the Academic Bank Credit (ABC), a digital repository housing a student’s earned credits throughout their academic journey.
    • Seamless Data Transfer: When students change schools, whether within the state or to another state, their data in the ABC is seamlessly transferred to the new school by sharing the APAAR ID, eliminating the need for physical document submission.
    • All-Inclusive Repository: APAAR allows students to store certificates and credits from both formal and informal learning experiences, with digital certification from authorized institutions.

    Rationale behind APAAR

    • Streamlined Education: APAAR’s introduction aims to streamline education processes, reducing the burden on students to carry physical documents.
    • NEP 2020 Initiative: This initiative was launched as part of the National Education Policy 2020 by the Ministry of Education.
    • Empowering State Governments: APAAR empowers state governments to monitor literacy rates, dropout rates, and educational improvements effectively.
    • Combatting Fraud: It seeks to combat fraud and the proliferation of duplicate educational certificates by providing a single, reliable reference for educational institutions, ensuring authenticity through first-party verification.

    How to get an APAAR ID?

    • Registration Process: To enrol for APAAR, students provide basic details such as name, age, date of birth, gender, and a photograph, all of which are verified using their Aadhar number.
    • Aadhar Authentication: The Aadhaar number is used solely for verification purposes to match the name and date of birth, with no sharing of this data during registration.
    • Parental Consent for Minors: For minors, parental consent is mandatory for using the student’s Aadhar number for authentication with UIDAI.
    • Voluntary Registration: Registration for creating an APAAR ID is voluntary, not mandatory.

    Concerns surrounding APAAR

    • Data Security Concerns: Parents and students express concerns about sharing their Aadhar details, fearing potential leaks of personal information to external parties.
    • Government Assurance: The government assures that shared information will remain confidential and will only be disclosed to entities engaged in educational activities, including UDISE+ (Unified District Information System for Education Plus), scholarships, academic record maintenance, educational institutions, and recruitment agencies.
    • Data Control: Students retain the option to cease sharing their information with these entities at any time, with a halt in data processing. However, previously processed data remains unaffected if consent is withdrawn.

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  • Health Sector – UHC, National Health Policy, Family Planning, Health Insurance, etc.

    ASHA and Anganwadi Workers/Helpers in Ayushman Bharat Scheme

    Schemes | Governance | Mains Paper 2: Health & Education

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Ayushman Bharat Scheme, ASHA and Anganwadi Workers

    Mains level: ASHA and Anganwadi Workers

    asha

    Introduction

    • Following the Centre’s decision to extend health coverage under the Ayushman Bharat Scheme to Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) and Anganwadi workers and helpers, the Health Ministry has initiated the process of enrollment.
    • The Health Ministry has received Aadhaar details of 23 lakh Anganwadi workers and helpers and over three lakh ASHA workers from various states.

    About Ayushman Bharat Scheme

    Details
    Launch 2018, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW)
    Aim Achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by providing promotive, preventive, curative, palliative, and rehabilitative care.
    Funding Centrally Sponsored Scheme (expenditure shared between Central and State governments)
    Coverage Targets over 10 crore families (approximately 50 crore beneficiaries) based on SECC (Socio-Economic Caste Census)
    Implementing Agency National Health Authority (NHA)
    Components
    1. Health and Wellness Centres (HWC) providing primary care services.
    2. Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) offering health cover of Rs. 5 lakhs per family per year.
    Coverage Details
    • Covers secondary and tertiary care hospitalization.
    • Includes pre-hospitalization and post-hospitalization expenses.
    • No restrictions on family size, age, or gender.
    Portability of Benefits Benefits are portable across the country, allowing cashless treatment at any empanelled public or private hospital in India.
    Digital Overture Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM): Launched in 2021 to provide Unique Digital Health IDs (UHID) for all Indian citizens, facilitating electronic access to health records.

    Significance of ASHA Program

    • Workforce: As of December 31, 2023, there were over 13 lakh Anganwadi workers and over 10 lakh Anganwadi helpers in the country, along with 9.83 lakh ASHAs in position.
    • Program Scale: India’s ASHA program is recognized as the world’s largest community volunteer program, operating across 35 states and union territories.
    • Role of ASHAs: The ASHA program serves as a vital component of community healthcare, facilitating access to care and playing a crucial role in the prevention and management of COVID-19.
    • Contribution Acknowledged: ASHAs have been recognized for their substantial contribution to improving access to care for communities and are integral to various community platforms under the National Health Mission.

    Ayushman Bharat Scheme Impact

    • Beneficiary Coverage: Currently, 55 crore individuals corresponding to 12 crore families are covered under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, with some states/UTs expanding the beneficiary base at their own cost.
    • Enrollment and Hospital Admissions: The government has issued approximately 28.45 crore Ayushman cards, authorizing over 6.11 crore hospital admissions amounting to ₹78,188 crores.
    • Hospital Empanelment: A total of 26,901 hospitals, including 11,813 private hospitals, have been empanelled under AB-PMJAY to provide healthcare services to scheme beneficiaries.
    • Gender Equity: The scheme ensures gender equity in access to healthcare services, with women accounting for approximately 49% of Ayushman cards created and 48% of total authorized hospital admissions.

    Back2Basics:

    [1] Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA)

    Details
    Launch Year 2005-06 as part of the National Rural Health Mission.

    Later extended to urban areas with the National Urban Health Mission in 2013.
    Program Scope Largest community health worker program globally, serving as health care facilitators, service providers, and health awareness generators.
    Number of ASHAs Over 10.52 Lakh ASHAs across all states/UTs (except Goa) as of June 2022.
    Role Provide maternal and child health services, family planning, and services under National Disease Control Programme.
    Service Population Serve populations of approximately 1,000 in rural areas and 2,000 in urban areas, with local adjustments based on workload.
    Selection Criteria
    • Primarily women residents of the village, preferably aged 25 to 45.
    • Literacy preferred and relaxed standards for tribal, hilly, or desert areas.
    Employment Classification Considered honorary/volunteer positions rather than government workers.

     

    [2] Anganwadi Programme

    Details
    Initiation
    • Started by the Government of India in 1975
    • Part of the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS)
    Objective To combat child hunger and malnutrition
    Implementation Centrally sponsored scheme implemented by States/UTs
    Services Provided
    1. Supplementary nutrition
    2. Pre-school non-formal education
    3. Immunization
    4. Health check-up
    5. Nutrition and health education
    6. Referral services
    Beneficiaries Identified based on Aadhaar

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