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Type: Schemes

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

    Govt identifies 100 Aspirational Agriculture Districts (AADs)

    4 October 2025 | Schemes | Agriculture
    Mains Paper 3: Agriculture and related issues

    Why in the News?

    The Centre has announced the identification of 100 Aspirational Agriculture Districts under the Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY) to boost farm productivity, sustainability, and rural incomes.

    What are Aspirational Agriculture Districts (AADs)?

    • Overview: The AADs comprise 100 districts across 29 States and Union Territories with low productivity, moderate crop intensity, and limited access to agricultural credit.
    • Selection Basis: Districts were chosen to ensure balanced regional representation, considering each state’s net cropped area and number of operational holdings.
    • Purpose: Designed as focal points for agricultural transformation, akin to the Aspirational Districts Programme (ADP) model for holistic development.
    • Objective: Accelerate agricultural growth and raise farmers’ income through data-driven governance, technology adoption, and scheme convergence.
    • Leading States: Uttar Pradesh (12), Maharashtra (9), Madhya Pradesh & Rajasthan (8 each), and Bihar (7).
    • Implementation Mechanism: Each district formulates a District Agriculture Development Plan (DADP) integrating existing central and state schemes for productivity enhancement, irrigation, crop diversification, and credit inclusion.
    • Monitoring Framework: Employs a performance-based index with measurable outcome indicators for real-time progress tracking.

    About Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY):

    • Overview: Introduced in July 2025 by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
    • Aim: Transform 100 low-performing agricultural districts into high-productivity, market-linked, and climate-resilient hubs.
    • Design: Modeled on the Aspirational Districts Programme, emphasizing saturation-based development in agriculture.
    • Key Objectives:
      • Boost productivity through modern technology and best practices.
      • Promote crop diversification and climate-resilient farming.
      • Expand irrigation coverage and credit access.
      • Strengthen post-harvest infrastructure, storage, and value addition at grassroots levels.
      • Build market linkages and sustainable practices for inclusive rural growth.
    • Implementation Structure:
      • Convergence of 36 schemes from 11 Ministries/Departments, with no separate budget allocation.
      • District PMDDKY Committees, headed by Collectors, plan and execute projects.
      • 100 Central Nodal Officers (CNOs), mostly Joint Secretaries, monitor implementation.
      • A digital dashboard tracks 117 indicators across agriculture, irrigation, and markets.
    • Budget & Duration: Convergence-based outlay of ₹24,000 crore annually for six years (FY 2025–31), benefiting 1.7 crore farmers.
    • Expected Outcomes:
      • Improved productivity, resilience, and market efficiency.
      • Enhanced credit systems and localized agri-infrastructure.
      • Contribution toward “Viksit Bharat 2047” through sustainable agricultural transformation.
    [UPSC 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

    Options:

    (a) 1, 2 and 5 only

    (b) 1, 3 and 4 only *

    (c) 2, 3, 4 and 5 only

    (d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

     

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  • Mother and Child Health – Immunization Program, BPBB, PMJSY, PMMSY, etc.

    50 years of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme

    3 October 2025 | Schemes | Social Justice
    Mains Paper 2: Health & Education

    Why in the News?

    The Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme, launched on 2 October 1975 by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, has completed 50 years in 2025.

    50 years of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme

    What is Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme?

    • Launched: 2nd October 1975 by PM Indira Gandhi.
    • Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Women and Child Development (MoWCD).
    • Nature: Flagship centrally sponsored scheme and world’s largest community-based outreach programme for early childhood care.
    • Beneficiaries: Children (0–6 years), pregnant women, lactating mothers, and adolescent girls (under extensions).
    • Objectives:
      • Improve nutritional and health status of 0–6 year children.
      • Lay foundation for physical, psychological, and social development.
      • Reduce mortality, morbidity, malnutrition, and school dropouts.
      • Provide non-formal pre-school education.
      • Enhance maternal health & nutrition awareness.

    About Umbrella ICDS Scheme:

    • Origin: The Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme was restructured and renamed as the Umbrella ICDS scheme in 2016–17.
    • Aim: Strengthen child nutrition, early childhood care, adolescent girl support, and child protection services.
    • Key Feature: Convergence model – Anganwadi Centres serve as hubs delivering integrated health, nutrition, and education.
    • Funding Pattern:
      • General States: 60:40 (Centre: State).
      • Supplementary Nutrition: 50:50.
      • NE & Himalayan States: 90:10.
      • UTs without legislatures: 100% Centre.

    Key Components and Their Features

    1. Anganwadi Services

    • Core ICDS component.
    • Provides six services: supplementary nutrition, pre-school non-formal education, health check-ups, immunization, referral services, and nutrition/health education.
    • Nutrition support: Take-Home Rations (THR), Hot Cooked Meals, snacks.

    1. Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY)

    • Conditional cash transfer scheme for pregnant and lactating women.
    • Provides ₹5,000 in three instalments for wage loss, nutrition, and healthcare.
    • Delivered through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

    1. National Creche Scheme

    • Day-care facilities for children (6 months–6 years) of working women.
    • Services include supplementary nutrition, early childcare education, health check-ups, and sleeping facilities.
    • Functions 7.5 hours/day, 26 days/month.

    1. Scheme for Adolescent Girls (SAG – SABLA)

    • Focus on out-of-school girls (11–14 years).
    • Nutrition support: 600 kcal/day, 18–20 g protein.
    • Non-nutrition support: life skills, home management, health & hygiene awareness, educational and skill training.
    • Encourages mainstreaming into formal education and skill development.

    1. Child Protection Services (CPS)

    • Ensures care, protection, and rehabilitation of children in difficult situations.
    • Prevents abuse, exploitation, neglect, and family separation.
    • Runs child care institutions, helplines, adoption and foster care systems.

    1. POSHAN Abhiyaan (National Nutrition Mission)

    • Launched in 2018 to reduce stunting, anaemia, and low birth weight.
    • Uses Poshan Tracker (ICT-based real-time monitoring).
    • Promotes inter-ministerial convergence and community participation via Poshan Maah and Poshan Pakhwada.
    [UPSC 2013] Consider the following statements in relation to Janani Suraksha Yojna:

    1. It is safe motherhood intervention of the State Health Departments.

    2. Its objective is to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality among poor pregnant women.

    3. It aims to promote institutional delivery among poor pregnant women.

    4. Its objective includes providing public health facilities to sick infants up to one year of age.

    How many of the statements given above are correct?

    Options: (a) Only one (b) Only two* (c) Only three (d) All four

     

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  • Pulses Production – Subramanian Committee, Eco Survey, etc.

    [pib] Centre approves National Pulses Mission

    3 October 2025 | Prelims OnlySchemes | Agriculture
    Mains Paper 3: Agriculture and related issues

    Why in the News?

    The Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development has approved the National Pulses Mission (Mission for Atmanirbharta in Pulses).

    About the National Pulses Mission:

    • Launch (2025): Approved by the Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development to achieve self-sufficiency in pulses by 2030–31, improve nutrition, and raise farmer incomes.
    • Targets: Production to rise from 24.2 MT (2024–25) to 35 MT (2030–31); acreage 310 lakh ha, yield 1,130 kg/ha.
    • Coverage: 416 districts, with focus on rice fallows, improved seeds, intercropping, irrigation, and market linkages.
    • MSP Procurement: 100% assured for Tur, Urad, Masoor for four years under PM-AASHA Price Support Scheme, via NAFED/NCCF.
    • Framework: Under National Food Security Mission (NFSM); combines ICAR-led R&D with private sector inputs, processing, and storage.
    • Budget: ₹11,440 crore outlay up to 2030–31 for multi-year implementation.
    • Outcomes: Improved nutrition, soil fertility (nitrogen-fixing), stable prices, climate resilience, and rural employment.

    Key Features:

    • Cluster-Based Approach: Targets high-potential regions, diversifies beyond traditional belts, reduces risks.
    • Market Infrastructure: 1,000 post-harvest units (dal mills, grading, packaging) with subsidies up to ₹25 lakh/unit.
    • Research & Extension: New high-yield, climate-resilient varieties; farmer training on nutrient, pest, and water management.
    • Risk Cover: Subsidies, insurance, and credit to reduce cultivation risks.
    • Market Reforms: Direct sales linkages, transparent logistics, MSP-backed procurement.
    [UPSC 2020] With reference to pulse production in India, consider the following statements:

    1. Black gram can be cultivated as both kharif and rabi crop.

    2. Green-gram alone accounts for nearly half of pulse production.

    3. In the last three decades, while the production of kharif pulses has increased, the production of rabi pulses has decreased.

    (a) 1 only * (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3

     

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  • Trade Sector Updates – Falling Exports, TIES, MEIS, Foreign Trade Policy, etc.

    Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) Scheme

    1 October 2025 | Schemes | Economics
    Mains Paper 3: Effects Of Liberalization On The Economy, Changes In Industrial Policy and their effects on Industrial Growth

    Why in the News?

    The Government has extended the Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) Scheme until March 31, 2026, providing relief and policy certainty to exporters.

    About the RoDTEP Scheme:

    • Launch & Context: Introduced on 1 January 2021 under the Foreign Trade Policy 2015–20, replacing the Merchandise Exports from India Scheme (MEIS) after India lost a case at the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
    • Administration: Managed by the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance, and implemented via the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC).
    • Objective: Refund hidden domestic taxes/duties on exports to ensure goods leave the country free of embedded levies, enhancing competitiveness and ensuring WTO compliance.
    • Coverage: Applicable to all Indian exporters (manufacturers and merchants) including SEZs, Export Oriented Units (EOUs), Advance Authorisation (AA) holders, and Domestic Tariff Area (DTA) units.
    • Timeline: Initially valid till 5 February 2025, restored in May 2025 for AA, EOU, and SEZ exports after industry lobbying, and now extended till 31 March 2026.

    Key Features:

    • Hidden Taxes Covered: Refunds duties such as electricity duty, mandi tax, fuel charges in transport, and local cesses.
    • Rebate Mechanism: Calculated as a percentage of the Free on Board (FOB) value of exports.
    • Refund Mode: Benefits disbursed as electronic scrips (e-scrips), stored in CBIC’s digital ledger.
    • Use of E-Scrips: Can be utilised to pay basic customs duty or transferred to other importers.
    • Sectoral Priority: Focus on labour-intensive industries like textiles, handicrafts, leather, etc.
    • Exclusion: Re-exported goods are not eligible under RoDTEP.
    • Budgetary Control: Operates strictly within annual budget allocations, as clarified by DGFT.
    • Policy Certainty: Extension till 2026 ensures stability for exporters facing global trade headwinds.
    [UPSC 2020] With reference to the international trade of India at present, which of the following statements is/are correct?

    1.  India’s merchandise exports are less than its merchandise imports.

    2. India’s imports of iron and steel, chemicals, fertilizers and machinery have decreased in recent years.

    3. India’s exports of services are more than its imports of services.

    4. India suffers from an overall trade/current account deficit.

    Select the correct answer using the code given below:

    Options: (a) 1 and 2 only  (b) 2 and 4 only (c) 3 only (d) 1, 3 and 4 only*

     

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  • MGNREGA Scheme

    Centre amends MGNREGA for Water Conservation in Scarcity Zones

    26 September 2025 | Schemes | Social Justice
    Mains Paper 2: Government Scheme/Policies

    Why in the News?

    The Central Government has amended the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (2005) to mandate a minimum share of funds for water conservation and harvesting works. Earlier this month, MGNREGA completed 20 years of its implementation.

    What is entailed in this MGNREGA (2005) Amendment?

    • Objective: Prioritise long-term water management, shift focus from reactive drought relief to preventive groundwater conservation.
    • Provision Amended: Paragraph 4(2), Schedule I of MGNREGA (2005).
    • Mandate: Minimum share of MGNREGA funds earmarked for water conservation & harvesting works.
    • Allocation Criteria: Based on groundwater stress classification (Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) assessment):
      • 65% in over-exploited / critical (dark zones).
      • 40% in semi-critical blocks.
      • 30% in safe/non-critical blocks.
    • Responsibility: District Programme Coordinator / Programme Officer must ensure compliance.
    • Earlier Provision: Gram Panchayats could prioritise works; at least 60% of funds had to go to agriculture & allied works, including water.

    About MGNREGA:

    • Overview: MGNREGS is a rights-based Centrally Sponsored Scheme launched under the MGNREGA Act of 2005 to ensure the Right to Work for rural households.
    • Origins:
      • The idea of employment guarantee in India began with Maharashtra’s pilot, Employment Guarantee Scheme (MEGS), in 1965 under the Vasantrao Naik government.
      • At the national level, the idea was first proposed in 1991 by then PM P. V. Narasimha Rao and later enacted in 2005.
    • Employment Guarantee: It provides 100 days of wage employment per year to any adult willing to do unskilled manual labour in rural India.
    • Legal Obligation: It is the first law in India that imposes a legal duty on the government to provide employment and compensate for non-compliance.
    • Development Goal: The scheme aims to promote livelihood security, inclusive growth, and rural development.

    Key Features:

    • Statutory Right: Employment under MGNREGS is a legal entitlement, not just a welfare scheme.
    • Eligibility: Any rural adult aged 18 or above can apply and must be offered work within 15 days.
    • Proximity and Wages: Work must be provided within 5 km of the applicant’s residence with minimum wage, and delays attract compensation.
    • Unemployment Allowance: If work is not provided on time, the state must pay an allowance.
    • Demand-Driven Model: The scheme is worker-initiated, requiring the government to respond to demand.
    • Transparency and Audits: Regular social audits and online updates ensure accountability in job cards, muster rolls, and fund use.
    • Local Implementation: It is decentralised, led by Gram Panchayats, with support from block and state officials, and centrally funded.
    • Women’s Inclusion: At least one-third of beneficiaries must be women, enhancing gender equity.
    • Sustainable Assets: Projects focus on durable rural infrastructure like ponds, roads, canals, and plantations.
    [UPSC 2011] Among the following who are eligible to benefit from the “Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act”?

    (a) Adult members of only the scheduled caste and scheduled tribe households

    (b) Adult members of below poverty line (BPL) households

    (c) Adult members of households of all backward communities

    (d) Adult members of any household *

     

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  • Horticulture, Floriculture, Commercial crops, Bamboo Production – MIDH, NFSM-CC, etc.

    [pib] Clean Plant Programme (CPP)

    24 September 2025 | Schemes | Agriculture
    Mains Paper 3: Agriculture and related issues

    Why in the News?

    The government has announced the establishment of 9 Clean Plant Centres across the country as part of the recently approved Rs 1,765.67 crore Clean Plant Programme (CPP).

    What is Clean Plant Programme (CPP)?

    • Launch: Cleared by the Union Cabinet in August 2024 with an outlay of ₹1,765.67 crore, supported by a $98 million Asian Development Bank loan.
    • Implementation: Led by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare through the National Horticulture Board (NHB), with technical support from ICAR.
    • Objective: Supply virus-free, high-quality planting material to improve crop yield, quality, and farmer incomes in horticulture.
    • Scope: Focus on fruit crops such as grapes, oranges, pomegranates, apples, and citrus.

    Key Features:

    • Centres: Establishment of 9 Clean Plant Centres (CPCs) across India; three in Maharashtra – Pune (grapes), Nagpur (oranges), Solapur (pomegranates).
    • Research Hub: National-level laboratory in Pune for original plant species research.
    • Financial Aid: ₹3 crore for large nurseries, ₹1.5 crore for medium nurseries; target of 8 crore disease-free seedlings annually.
    • Certification & Traceability: Strong framework to ensure disease-free mother plants and regulated propagation.
    • Global Cooperation: Collaboration with Israel and the Netherlands for clean plant technologies.
    • Policy Alignment: Supports Mission LiFE, One Health, and Viksit Bharat 2047.

    On-Ground Progress:

    • Dedicated Website: Launched as central hub – cpp-beta.nhb.gov.in.
    • Hazard Analysis:
      • Grapevine: 578 samples tested from multiple states.
      • Apple: 535 samples under testing from Himalayan and northern states.
      • Citrus:  Hazard profiling preparations underway.
    • Assessments: ICAR, NHB, and ADB conducted lab and nursery visits (2024–25) to strengthen diagnostics and bioinformatics using High-Throughput Sequencing (HTS).
    • Propagation Protocol: Negative samples re-tested; positive ones treated with tissue culture, heat, or cryotherapy before propagation.
    • Infrastructure: First Clean Plant Centre underway; design bidding initiated.
    [UPSC 2011] With what purpose is the GoI promoting the concept of “Mega Food Parks”?

    1. To provide good infrastructure facilities for the food processing industry.

    2. To increase the processing of perishable items and reduce wastage.

    3. To provide emerging and eco-friendly food processing technologies to entrepreneurs.

    Select the correct answer using the code given below:

    Options: (a) 1 only (b) 1 and 2 only* (c) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3

     

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  • Textile Sector – Cotton, Jute, Wool, Silk, Handloom, etc.

    What is PM MITRA Park?

    19 September 2025 | Schemes | Economics
    Mains Paper 3: Effects Of Liberalization On The Economy, Changes In Industrial Policy and their effects on Industrial Growth

    Why in the News?

    Prime Minister recently laid the foundation stone for India’s first PM MITRA (Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel) Park in Dhar, Madhya Pradesh.

    About PM MITRA Scheme:

    • Overview: Introduced by the Ministry of Textiles in 2021, the scheme aims to strengthen India’s textile sector by creating 7 world-class integrated parks.
    • Concept: Designed on the vision “Farm to Fibre to Factory to Fashion to Foreign”, each park consolidates the entire textile value chain—spinning, weaving, dyeing, processing, printing, and garment-making—within a single ecosystem.
    • Sites Selected: Tamil Nadu (Virudhunagar), Telangana, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh (Dhar), and Uttar Pradesh (Lucknow).
    • Timeline: All parks are targeted to be established by 2026–27, with each covering around 1,000+ acres.
    • Implementation Structure:
      • Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV): Each park will be developed by an SPV jointly owned by the Centre and State Governments, operating in Public–Private Partnership (PPP) mode.
      • Development Capital Support (DCS): Up to ₹500 crore per park provided by the Centre to SPVs.
      • Competitive Incentive Support (CIS): Up to ₹300 crore per park offered to manufacturing units to encourage rapid implementation.

    Key Features and Benefits:

    • Integrated Value Chain: All stages of textile production are located in one hub, reducing transport costs, delays, and inefficiencies.
    • World-Class Infrastructure: Includes incubation centres, design/testing labs, effluent treatment plants, reliable utilities, logistics facilities, and worker hostels.
    • Employment Generation: Each park expected to create ~1 lakh direct and ~2 lakh indirect jobs, especially benefiting women and rural youth.
    • Investment Boost: Scheme aims to attract over ₹70,000 crore in investments in the textile sector.

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  • Mother and Child Health – Immunization Program, BPBB, PMJSY, PMMSY, etc.

    [pib] Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan (SNSPA)

    18 September 2025 | Schemes | Social Justice
    Mains Paper 2: Government Scheme/Policies

    Why in the News?

    Prime Minister has launched the Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan (SNSPA) alongside the 8th Rashtriya Poshan Maah.

    [pib] Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan (SNSPA)

    About Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan (SNSPA):

    • Launch: Introduced on 17 September 2025 by the PM, jointly led by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
    • Objective: Strengthen women’s, children’s, and family health services, focusing on rural, tribal, and underserved regions.
    • Scale: Over 10 lakh health camps at Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, Community Health Centres (CHCs), and District Hospitals.
    • Screenings: Anaemia, hypertension, diabetes, TB, breast and cervical cancers, sickle cell disease, reproductive health conditions.
    • Services offered: Maternal, child, adolescent health including antenatal care, immunisation, nutrition counselling, menstrual hygiene, mental health, lifestyle awareness.
    • Digital Monitoring: SASHAKT portal ensures real-time data tracking and transparency.
    • Jan Bhagidaari: Collaboration with private hospitals, SHGs, Anganwadis, Panchayati Raj institutions, volunteers.
    • Tribal Focus: Specialised medical services and tailored counselling for remote and tribal areas.

    What is Rashtriya Poshan Maah?

    • Overview: Part of POSHAN Abhiyaan (National Nutrition Mission); celebrated annually since 2018.
    • 2025 Edition: 8th Poshan Maah, aligned with SNSPA for synergised impact.
    • Aim: Mobilise communities to improve nutrition of children, pregnant women, lactating mothers, and adolescent girls.
    • Activities: Poshan Panchayats, health and nutrition camps, recipe demos, rallies, school-Anganwadi outreach, Jan Andolan approach.
    • Focus Areas (2025):
      • Anaemia Mukt Bharat and micronutrient awareness.
      • Complementary feeding practices for infants and toddlers.
      • Poshan-Vatika (nutri-gardens) for food security.
      • Promotion of traditional and regional diets for sustainable nutrition.
    [UPSC 2024] With reference to the ‘Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan’, consider the following statements:

    1. This scheme guarantees a minimum package of antenatal care services to women in their second and third trimesters of pregnancy and six months post-delivery health care service in any government health facility.

    2. Under this scheme, private sector health care providers of certain specialities can volunteer to provide services at nearby government health facilities.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    Options: (a) 1 only (b) 2 only* (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2

     

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  • Pension Reforms

    Unified Pension Scheme (UPS)

    17 September 2025 | Schemes | Economics
    Mains Paper 3: Indian Economy

    Why in the News?

    The Centre has approved the Unified Pension Scheme, starting Apr 2025, with NPS employees allowed to switch till Sept 30, 2025.

    About Unified Pension Scheme (UPS):

    • Launch & Applicability: Announced in August 2024; implemented from 1 April 2025. Applicable to central govt employees who joined service after 1 January 2004 (those under NPS).
    • Nature: Hybrid pension system combining features of the assured benefit of OPS and the contributory model of NPS.
    • Assured Pension: 50% of the average basic pay drawn in the last 12 months before retirement, with minimum 25 years of service.
    • Minimum Pension: ₹10,000/month assured after 10 years of service.
    • Family Pension: 60% of pension last drawn, payable to spouse on retiree’s death.
    • Contributions: Employee contributes 10% of basic pay + Dearness Allowances (DA); govt contributes 10% + an additional 8.5% towards a pooled corpus.
    • Lump Sum at Retirement: 1/10th of last pay + DA for every completed six months of service, in addition to gratuity.
    • Inflation Indexation: DA-linked relief on pensions, tied to CPI-IW.
    • Flexibility: Employees may choose between NPS and UPS, but once shifted, re-entry into UPS is not allowed.

    Difference between OPS, NPS and UPS:

    Old Pension Scheme (OPS) National Pension System (NPS) Unified Pension Scheme (UPS)
    Type Defined Benefit Defined Contribution (market-linked) Hybrid (Defined + Contribution)
    Employee Contribution None 10% of Basic + DA 10% of Basic + DA
    Govt Contribution Entire burden on govt 14% of Basic + DA 10% + 8.5% pooled corpus
    Assured Pension 50% of last drawn pay + DA None; depends on market returns 50% of avg. basic pay (last 12 months)
    Minimum Pension Not fixed, but effectively higher None ₹10,000 after 10 years’ service
    Family Pension 50% of pension last drawn Depends on accumulated corpus 60% of pension last drawn
    Lump Sum Commutation of up to 40% pension (reduces monthly pension) 60% withdrawal of accumulated corpus at retirement Lump sum = 1/10th of last pay + DA for every 6 months of service; pension unaffected
    Indexation (DA link) Full DA linked Market-driven returns; no DA link DA-linked inflation relief
    Fiscal Burden High, unfunded Lower, market-based Moderate (partially funded + assured)

     

    [UPSC 2021] With reference to casual workers employed in India, consider the following statements:

    1. All casual workers are entitled to Employees Provident Fund coverage.

    2. All casual workers are entitled to regular working hours and overtime payment.

    3. The government can, by notification, specify that an establishment or industry shall pay wages only through its bank account.

    Which of the above statements are correct?

    Options: (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only* (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2, and 3

     

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  • Electronic System Design and Manufacturing Sector – M-SIPS, National Policy on Electronics, etc.

    PLI Scheme for White Goods

    15 September 2025 | Prelims OnlySchemes | Economics
    Mains Paper 3: Effects Of Liberalization On The Economy, Changes In Industrial Policy and their effects on Industrial Growth

    Why in the News?

    The Centre has announced reopening of the application window for the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for White Goods, following the strong response and success of earlier rounds.

    Note: White goods refer to large household appliances like refrigerators, washing machines, and air conditioners, so named because they were traditionally white.

    About the PLI Scheme for White Goods:

    • Objective: To create a complete component ecosystem for ACs and LED lights, integrating India into global supply chains and boosting domestic manufacturing.
    • Approval: Cleared by the Union Cabinet in April 2021; implemented by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).
    • Duration: Implemented over seven years (FY 2021–22 to FY 2028–29) with a total outlay of ₹6,238 crore.
    • Incentives: Provides 4–6% incentive on incremental turnover (over base year 2019–20) for both domestic sales and exports, applicable for five years to eligible companies.
    • Eligibility:
      • Applicant must be a company incorporated under the Companies Act, 2013.
      • Eligibility depends on achieving threshold levels of incremental sales and investments.
      • Entities availing benefits under any other PLI scheme for the same products are not eligible.
    • Beneficiaries So Far: 83 companies with committed investment of ₹10,406 crore have been approved under the scheme, covering AC and LED components across the entire value chain.
    • Employment and Exports: Expected to create jobs, expand exports, and enhance self-reliance in components that were earlier imported.
    [UPSC 2023] Consider the following statements:

    Statement I: India accounts for 3.2% of global exports of goods.
    Statement II: Many local companies and some foreign companies operating in India have taken advantage of India’s ‘Production-linked Incentive’ scheme.
    Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
    (a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
    (b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
    (c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
    (d) Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct *

     

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