Current Context: Bidar district of Karnataka has won the Centre’s Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari Award as the top-performing district under the campaign Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain. ABOUT Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari Initiative Launched: 2024 Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Jal Shakti Aim: To enhance water recharge through rainwater harvesting, aquifer recharge, borewell recharge, and recharge shafts. Objective: To conserve every drop of water through collective efforts following a whole-of-society and whole-of-government Stakeholders: Government agencies, local communities, industries, NGOs, resident welfare associations. Key Outcomes Expected Boost in Groundwater Levels: Capture and store rainwater to stabilize and increase groundwater levels. Promotion....Read More

CURRENT CONTEXT : Tamil Nadu CM M.K. Stalin launched the ‘Anbu Karangal’ (Hands of Love) scheme on 16 September 2025 to support orphaned children. FEATURES : Benefit: ₹2,000/month per child Duration: Till 18 years or completion of school Initial Beneficiaries: 6,082 children Eligibility: Children who lost both parents Children with one surviving parent unable to care Legal Basis: Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 Additional Aid: Laptops to 1,340 orphan students (Class 12 pass, entering college) Digital App: Developed with TN e-Governance Agency for Online applications Grievance redressal Real-time monitoring of beneficiariesRead More

Current Context: The Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) launched two key schemes to expand social security and simplify compliance for industries. SPREE-2025 Full Form: Scheme for Promoting Registration of Employers and Employees Validity: Up to 31 December 2025 Key Features: Allows unregistered employers/employees to enrol via ESI Portal, Shram Suvidha Portal, or Company Affairs Portal No demand for old dues during registration Coverage starts from registration date or declared earlier date Immediate ESI benefits to newly registered employees Objective: Promote voluntary registration, reduce litigation, build trust, and simplify compliance AMNESTY SCHEME-2025 Duration: 1 October 2025 to 30 September 2026 Purpose:....Read More

Current Context : The Union Cabinet approved a ₹1,500 crore Incentive Scheme for recycling critical minerals from secondary sources. It is a part of the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM). ABOUT THE SCHEME Tenure: FY 2025–26 to FY 2030–31. Outlay: ₹1,500 crore. Feedstock: e-waste, Lithium-Ion Battery scrap, and other industrial scrap. Incentives: 20% capital subsidy on plant and machinery. Operational subsidy (40% in 2nd year, 60% in 5th year). Limit: ₹50 crore for large entities, ₹25 crore for small entities. EXPECTED IMPACT Capacity creation: 270 kilotons of annual recycling. Critical mineral output: 40 kilotons annually. Investment: ~₹8,000 crore. Jobs: ~70,000....Read More

CURRENT CONTEXT : The Bihar Cabinet cleared the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana (August 29, 2025) to boost women’s employment and reduce migration. KEY FEATURES Financial Aid: ₹10,000 to one woman per family via Direct Benefit Transfer Performance Review: After 6 months, additional support up to ₹2 lakh for scaling business Target sectors: Small-scale manufacturing Handicrafts Dairy, poultry, agriculture entrepreneurshipRead More

Current Context : The Union Cabinet approved the restructuring and extension of the PM Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) scheme beyond 31 December 2024. About PM SVANidhi Scheme Launch: 1 June 2020. Objective: Provide working capital loans to street vendors affected by COVID-19. Implementing Agencies: Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA). Department of Financial Services (DFS) facilitates credit through banks. Key Features of Restructured Scheme Coverage Expansion: From statutory towns to census towns and peri-urban areas. Enhanced Loan Tranches: 1st tranche: ₹15,000 (earlier ₹10,000). 2nd tranche: ₹25,000 (earlier ₹20,000). 3rd tranche: ₹50,000 (unchanged). Digital Boost: UPI-linked RuPay Credit....Read More

Current Context : The Government of India launched a 15-day Entrepreneurship Development Programme under SMILE Scheme to empower transgender persons. ABOUT SMILE SCHEME Type: Central Sector Scheme under the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment. Sub-Schemes: Welfare of Transgender Persons. Welfare of Persons Engaged in Begging. Key Features: Scholarships: For transgender students (Class IX to post-graduation). Skill Development: Under PM-DAKSH scheme. Healthcare: Gender-reaffirmation surgeries supported under PM-JAY. Housing: Garima Greh with food, clothing, medical support, and training. Transgender Protection Cells in every state for timely redressal of offences. National Portal & Helpline for grievance support.Read More

Current Context : West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee launched the Shramshree Scheme for returning migrant workers facing discrimination in other states. ABOUT SHRAMEHREE SCHEME Purpose: Welfare scheme for rehabilitation of Bengali migrant workers. Key Aims: Provide monthly aid and social security. Ensure employment/self-employment within the state. Promote skill training and entrepreneurship. Benefits: Financial Support: ₹5,000/month (up to 1 year or till job secured). Job Cards: Employment under rural job schemes. Skill Training: For public/private job readiness. Self-Employment: Government loans and entrepreneurship training. Eligibility: Must be a Bengali migrant worker returning from another state. Must have a valid bank account for....Read More

Current Context: Prime Minister announced the launch of the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana under the Ministry of Labour and Employment, aiming to generate over 3.5 crore jobs in two years. ABOUT THE SCHEME Part A – Support to First-Time Employees Target: First-time employees registered with EPFO. Incentive: One-month EPF wage up to ₹15,000, given in two instalments. 1st instalment: After 6 months of service. 2nd instalment: After 12 months of service + completion of financial literacy programme. Eligibility: Employees earning up to ₹1 lakh per month. Savings Incentive: Portion of incentive to be deposited in a savings account....Read More

Current Context : Ministry of Women and Child Development has extended the special registration drive for the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) till 15 August 2025. ABOUT PMMVY Category: Centrally Sponsored Scheme under Mission Shakti – Samarthya. Target: Pregnant and lactating women from disadvantaged sections. Benefits ₹5,000 cash incentive in two instalments for the first child. Additional ₹1,000 under Janani Suraksha Yojana, making total ₹6,000. ₹6,000 benefit for second child only if the second child is a girl. In case of stillbirth or miscarriage, the woman can reapply for future pregnancies. Eligibility Criteria Women belonging to Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes....Read More