JULY - 2024

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Government
Schemes
(1st to 15th July 2024)

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Contents
Government Schemes (1st to 15th July 2024) ................................................................................................................ 2
FIRST SECTION .............................................................................................................................................................. 4
MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ................................................................................. 4
1.1 Digital India ....................................................................................................................................................... 4
MINISTRY OF PANCHAYATI RAJ .................................................................................................................................... 5
1.2 Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) ........................................................................................................... 5
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION ............................................................................................................................................ 7
1.3 National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS)............................................................................. 7
1.4 Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan ................................................................................................................................. 8
MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS ...........................................................................................................10
1.5 Smart Cities Mission (SCM).............................................................................................................................10
NITI Aayog...................................................................................................................................................................11
1.6 Aspirational Districts Programme ...................................................................................................................11
MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATION................................................................................................................................12
1.7 Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Telecom and Networking Products .......................................12
MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY .........................................................................................................13
1.8 Rashtriya Gokul Mission .................................................................................................................................13
MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY.................................................................................................................15
1.9 Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for White Goods (Air Conditioners and LED Lights) ....................15
MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS ...............................................................................................................................16
1.10 Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakaram (PMJVK).............................................................................................16
MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP .................................................................................17
1.11 Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS) Scheme ..............................................................................................................17
SECOND SECTION........................................................................................................................................................19
1.12 Defence Testing Infrastructure Scheme (DTIS)...............................................................................................19
1.13 Technology Development Fund (TDF) ............................................................................................................20
1.14 Noble Initiative for Rewarding Mains Aspirants of National Civil Services Examination (NIRMAN) ..............20
REFERENCE SECTION ..................................................................................................................................................21

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 FIRST SECTION

MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

1.1 Digital India

Why in News?
• 9 years have completed since the launch of “Digital India” initiative. Government has shared data related
to achievements of Digital India:
o Over 11 crore farmers now receive money directly in their bank accounts.
o More than 137 crore Aadhar numbers have been generated.
o BharatNet has laid 6.83 lakh km of optical fibre network.
o UPI transactions worth Rs. 535 lakh crore have been made.
o Over 34.6 crore Ayushman Cards created.

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 MINISTRY OF PANCHAYATI RAJ

1.2 Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA)

Why in News?
• Ministry of Panchayati Raj held a training program for State Nodal Officers and State Program Managers
under the Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) at Indian Institute of Public Administration, New Delhi.

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 MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

1.3 National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS)

Why in News?
• Ministry of Education has launched the updated web version for One-Time Registration (OTR) application under
NMMSS.
• OTR is required on National Scholarship Portal (NSP) for submission of fresh and renewal applications. The OTR
Module will be available to students across the year.
• OTR is a unique 14-digit number issued based on the Aadhaar/Aadhaar Enrolment ID (EID).
• OTR is required to apply for the scholarship on NSP. The OTR ID will remain valid for the entire academic
lifecycle of the student.

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 1.4 Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan
Why in News?
• Ministry of Education will provide ICT Labs and Smart Classrooms, as per Samagra Shiksha norms, in all
functional Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBVs) and Hostels.
• This initiative will benefit 7 lakh girls of KGBVs at an estimated cost of approximately Rs. 290 crore.
• KGBVs are residential schools from Classes VI to XII for girls from disadvantaged groups (SC, ST, OBC, Minority,
BPL) in Educationally Backward Blocks.

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 MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS

1.5 Smart Cities Mission (SCM)

Why in News?
• 90% of total projects amounting to ₹1,44,237 crore have been completed as of June 2024.
• Taking cognizance of these requests, the Govt of India has extended the Mission period upto 31 March 2025 to
complete these balance 10% projects, without any additional cost.
• The Mission has an allocated GOI budget of ₹48,000 crore for the 100 Cities. As on date, GOI has released
₹46,585 crore (97% of the allocated GOI budget) to 100 Cities.

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 NITI Aayog

1.6 Aspirational Districts Programme

Why in News?
• NITI Aayog has launched ‘Sampoornata Abhiyan’ for the duration of 4th July to 30th September 2024.
• Goal: Achieve 100% saturation of 12 key social sector indicators in all Aspirational Districts and Blocks.
• Coverage: 112 Aspirational Districts and 500 Aspirational Blocks.
• Participants: District and block-level officials, frontline workers, community leaders, local artists, students, local
representatives from across the country.
• ‘Sampoornata Abhiyan’ will focus on the following 6 identified KPIs across all Aspirational Blocks:
o Percentage of pregnant women registered for Antenatal Care (ANC) within the first trimester
o Percentage of persons screened for Diabetes against the targeted population in the Block
o Percentage of persons screened for Hypertension against the targeted population in the Block
o Percentage of pregnant women taking Supplementary Nutrition under the ICDS Programme regularly
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 o Percentage of Soil Health Cards generated against the soil sample collection target
o Percentage of SHGs that have received a Revolving Fund against the total SHGs in the block

MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATION

1.7 Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Telecom and Networking
Products
Why in News?
• Within three years of the Telecom PLI scheme, the scheme has attracted an investment of Rs 3,400 crore.
• The telecom equipment production has exceeded the milestone of Rs 50,000 crore with exports totalling
approximately Rs 10,500 crore, creating more than 17,800 direct jobs and many more indirect jobs.
• Sales of Telecom & Networking Products by PLI beneficiary companies in FY 2023-24 has increased by 370% vis-
a-vis Base Year (FY 2019-20).
• By encouraging local production, the PLI scheme has significantly reduced the country’s reliance on imported
telecom equipment, resulting in import substitution of 60%.
• Over the last five years, the trade deficit in telecom (both telecom equipment and mobiles put together) has

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 reduced from Rs 68,000 crore to Rs 4,000 crore.

MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY

1.8 Rashtriya Gokul Mission

Why in News?
• Under Rashtriya Gokul Mission, the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying has announced the
“National Gopal Ratna Award (NGRA 2024)” for the following categories:
o Best Dairy farmer rearing indigenous cattle/buffalo breeds

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 o Best Dairy Cooperative Society (DCS)/ Milk producer Company (MPC)/ Dairy Farmer Producer
Organization
o Best Artificial Insemination Technician (AIT)
• This year onwards, department has incorporated a Special award for North Eastern Region (NER) States.
• NGRA 2024 will conferred to 1st, 2nd, 3rd and one Special Award for North Eastern Region(NER) States in each
category.

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 MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

1.9 Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for White Goods (Air Conditioners
and LED Lights)
Why in News?
• Government has reopened application window for PLI Scheme for White Goods (ACs and LED Lights) for 90 days
effective from 15th July, 2024.
• To prevent discrimination, both new applicants as well as existing beneficiaries who propose to invest more by
way of switching over to higher target segment are eligible to apply.

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 MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS

1.10 Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakaram (PMJVK)

Why in News?
• Ministry of Minority Affairs has released financial assistance of Rs. 35 Crores as the Central Share to the State
of Arunachal Pradesh for ongoing projects under the PMJVK.

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 MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

1.11 Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS) Scheme

Why in News?
• The scheme was in news.

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 SECOND SECTION
1.12 Defence Testing Infrastructure Scheme (DTIS)
Why in News?
• Ministry of Defence has signed an MoU to establish three state-of-the-art testing facilities in Chennai under
the Tamil Nadu Defence Industrial Corridor under the Defence Testing Infrastructure Scheme (DTIS).
• MoUs have been signed for one each in Unmanned Aerial System (UAS), Electronic Warfare (EW) and
Electro Optics (EO) domains.

Defence Testing Infrastructure Scheme (DTIS):

• Objective – To create state-of-the-art testing infrastructure in partnership with the private industry. It
envisages setting up of 6-8 Greenfield Defence Testing Infrastructure facilities that are required for
defence and aerospace related production..
• Nodal Ministry – Ministry of Defence
• Financial outlay – Rs. 400 crores
• Up to 75% of project funding will come from the government as a ‘Grant-in-Aid’. The remaining 25%
must be provided by a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), composed of Indian private entities and State
Governments.
• SPVs, to be registered as Section 8 Company under the Companies Act 2013, will manage, operate, and
maintain the facilities, sustaining operations through user charges.
• The SPV may include at least five private entities and state government agencies, with no single
member contributing more than 40% of the agency's share capital.
• While the majority of the testing facilities are expected to be developed in the two Defence Industrial
Corridors (DICs), the scheme allows for setting up facilities outside the DICs as well.
• The test facilities planned to be set up can be divided into three types – Small, Medium and Large. The
estimated cost of each type of facility is as below:

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 1.13 Technology Development Fund (TDF)
Why in News?
• Till date, a total of 77 projects, with a commitment of over Rs 300 crore, have been sanctioned to various
industries, and 27 defence technologies have been successfully realised under the scheme.

Technology Development Fund Scheme (TDF):

• Launch Year: 2016
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Defence
• Implementation Agency: Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO)

• Objective: To encourage participation of public/private industries, especially MSMEs and startups, and to
create an ecosystem for enhancing cutting edge technology capability in the defence sector.
• Eligibility Criterion:
o Private industry registered in India especially MSMEs and Startups.
o Industry should be public limited company/private company/partnership firm/one person-company
registered under Indian laws.
o Industry should be owned and controlled by a resident Indian citizen holding at least 51% shareholdings.
o Entity with excess of 49% foreign investment will not be eligible.

• Key Features:
o Project Duration: maximum project duration would be 4 Years.
o Funding will be through provision of grants to the industry. Up to Rs. 50 crore to be provided, subject to a
maximum of 90% of project cost.
o Industry may work in collaboration with academia or research institutions. The work involvement of
academia cannot exceed 40% of the total project cost.
o Selection Criteria: Three-tier evaluation and assessment will be done.
o Nascent Startups should not be more than 3 years old.

1.14 Noble Initiative for Rewarding Mains Aspirants of National Civil Services
Examination (NIRMAN)
Why in News?
• Coal India Limited has announced “NIRMAN Initiative” under CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility), for
meritorious youth of its operating districts who have qualified the Preliminary round of UPSC examination
(for Civil Services & Forest Service) in 2024.

Noble Initiative for Rewarding Mains Aspirants of National Civil Services Examination (NIRMAN):
• Launched by – Coal India Ltd
• Objective – To provide financial support to the meritorious youth of Coal India’s operating districts who
have qualified the Preliminary round of UPSC examination (for Civil Services & Forest Service) in 2024.

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 • Financial assistance – Rs. 1 lakh to each beneficiary
• Applicant should have qualified the Civil Services Examination (Prelims) in 2024.
• The annual family income should be less than 8 lakhs and belonging to Scheduled Caste, Scheduled
Tribe, female or third gender; who are permanent residents of any of the 39 operational districts of CIL.

REFERENCE SECTION

SchemesTap – May 2024

Pradhan Mantri Gati Shakti Scheme:
• Uttar Pradesh government signed over 150 defence manufacturing agreements, valued at ₹25,000 crore
(approximately $3 billion USD).
• UP Defence Industrial Corridor (UPDIC): Located across six nodes: Lucknow, Kanpur, Jhansi, Aligarh, Chitrakoot,
and Agra (Kanpur node holds highest investment among all UPDIC nodes).
• Key Projects and Partnerships:
o Production of 35,000 Kalashnikov AK-203 rifles at Korwa factory.
o Indo-Russia joint venture plant in Lucknow for manufacturing BrahMos missiles.
• India's annual defence production reached ₹1.27 trillion ($15.4 billion USD) in FY 2023-24, a 16.7% increase from
the previous year.
• Defence exports surged 32%, reaching ₹21,083 crore ($2.5 billion USD) in FY 2023-24.

Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS):

• RBI has expanded scope of remittances to International Financial Services Centres (IFSCs) under the Liberalised
Remittance Scheme (LRS).
• Authorised persons can now facilitate remittances for financial services or products within IFSCs per the
International Financial Services Centres Authority Act, 2019.
• It has permitted current or capital account transactions overseas (excluding foreign IFSCs) through a foreign
currency account (FCA).
o Currently, remittances under LRS to IFSCs were limited to investments in securities and payment of
education fees to foreign universities or institutions in IFSCs for specific courses.
• Residents will have option to open a fixed deposit in US dollars at a bank in GIFT IFSC, providing a means to
protect assets from inflation and depreciation against the US dollar.
• It also allows residents to invest overseas through an FCA, within the LRS limit of $250,000 per year.

SchemesTap – April 2024

Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM):
News 1:
• Ministry of Rural Development signed an MoU with Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL), a wholly owned
subsidiary of EESL (Energy Efficiency Services Limited).
• The MoU aims to facilitate "Sustainable Transport for Rural Entrepreneurs through Electric Bicycles" (STREE).
• Target group: Self Help Group (SHG) Women under DAY-NRLM.
• STREE aims to empower the rural economy and rural women.
• Focus: Providing access to green mobility through electric bicycles.
News 2:
• DAY-NRLM has mobilised more than 10.04 crore women into over 90.76 lakh self-help groups.

Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM):

• Uttarakhand government’s eSwasthya Dham portal integrated with Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM).
• Purpose: Monitors health parameters of Char Dham Yatra pilgrims.
• Char Dham Yatra includes visits to Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath.

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• Benefits:
o Generates ABHA (Ayushman Bharat Health Account) number.
o Pilgrims can create their 14-digit ABHA number quickly (1-2 minutes) on the portal.

National Pension System (NPS):

• Aided by a strong show from the private sector, the overall NPS assets under management (AUM) grew
robust 28% at ₹12.28 lakh crore.
• The noteworthy growth in private sector assets has contributed to an increase in their AUM share, which
rose from 13.1% in March 2019 to 20% in March 2024.

SchemesTap – March 2024

Pradhan Mantri Schools For Rising India (PM-SHRI) Yojana:
• Five states — Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Delhi, Punjab and West Bengal are yet to sign the MoU with Ministry of
Education for implementing PM SHRI scheme.
• Out of these, the states of Punjab, West Bengal, and Delhi have refused participation in the Pradhan Mantri
Schools for Rising India (PM-SHRI) scheme.
• Tamil Nadu and Kerala have however expressed their willingness to be part of PM-SHRI.

Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM):

• Uttarakhand government’s eSwasthya Dham portal integrated with Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM).
• Purpose: Monitors health parameters of Char Dham Yatra pilgrims.
• Char Dham Yatra includes visits to Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath.
• Benefits:
o Generates ABHA (Ayushman Bharat Health Account) number.
o Pilgrims can create their 14-digit ABHA number quickly (1-2 minutes) on the portal.

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