GOVERNMENT SCHEMES AND INITIATIVES 2021

 GOVERNMENT SCHEMES AND INITIATIVES 

 Government launched Global Pravasi Rishta portal & App to connect with 

Indian diaspora. 

 launched by The Ministry of External Affairs It will also be available for NRIs, 

OCIs and PIOs communities across the world. 

 PM Modi laid foundation stone for Light House Projects (LHPs) under GHTC-

India. 

 LHPs are being constructed under the Global Housing Technology Challenge

(GHTC)-India. Each LHP comprises one thousand homes. LHPs will provide 

ready to live houses within twelve months. 

 The foundation stone for LHPs has been laid at six sites in six states. LHPs 

demonstrate a variety of technologies 

 Global Housing Technology Challenge (GHTC)-India: launched by Ministry of 

Housing and Urban Affairs in February 2019. It aims to introduce best technologies 

to construct houses in a shorter amount of time and at cheaper cost. It has three 

components as given below. 

 Biennial Expo-cum Conference: It is called Construction Technology India 

(CTI). First CTI (CT-2019) was held in March 2019. Second CTI (CTI 2021) will 

be held in 2021. 

 Identifying Proven Demonstrable Technologies worldwide to construct Light 

House Projects (LHPs) 

 Affordable Sustainable Housing Accelerators (ASHA)- India to promote 

Potential Future Technologies (domestic). 

 PM Modi releases NAVARITIH (New, Affordable, Validated, Research 

Innovation Technologies for Indian Housing). 

 NAVARITIH is a certificate course on innovative construction technologies. 

Furthermore, PM Modi will announce annual awards for excellence in 

implementation of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana - Urban (PMAY-U) 

Mission. 

 Affordable Sustainable Housing Accelerators (ASHA)- India: 

 It is one of the three components of Global Housing Technology Challenge 

(GHTC)-India. 

 Its aim is to promote domestic research and entrepreneurship through incubation 

and acceleration support. 

 Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana: It was launched in 2015. It is a small saving scheme by the Government for the

Girl child. 

 It was launched under the initiative of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao. The Sukanya 

Samriddhi Account can be opened with a minimum deposit of Rs 250. It can be 

opened at any time from the birth of a girl child till she attains the age of 10 years. 

The account remains operative for 21 years from the date of opening of the 

account or till the marriage of the girl child after attaining 18 years of age. 

 Government has launched Toycathon 2021 to promote manufacturing of 

indigenous toys. 

 Union Minister of Education and Union Minister of Women and Child 

Development has launched ‘Toycathon 2021’ for promoting the 

manufacturing of indigenous toys.

 The government is promoting the indigenous toy industry to make India self-

reliant in this sector. It has been launched under the vision of Aatmanirbhar 

Bharat Abhiyan. 

 It will also focus on the development of innovative toys from local materials. 

 Indian Railways launched a Freight Business Development Portal. 

 Indian Railways has launched a Freight Business Development Portal for 

promoting the freight business. It will be one-stop solutions for freight customers. 

 It is the first dedicated freight portal that will enable freight customers to track 

their consignments. It will also help customers in finding the nearest terminal and 

simplify the process of goods transportation. 

 ICAR’s initiative “Mera Gaon, Mera Gaurav” is helping villages in disposing 

of garbage. 

 Mera Gaon Mera Gaurav: It was launched in 2015. It has been launched to 

promote the direct contact of scientists with the farmers. Its main objective is to 

provide information to farmers by adopting villages. 

 Government launched ‘Single Window Clearance System’ for coal mines. 

 Union Home Minister has launched the ‘Single Window Clearance System’. 

 It will be an online platform to obtain clearances for smooth operationalization of 

coal mines. Currently, India produces 72 % of its electricity from coal. India is 

the second-largest trader and consumer of coal. 

 Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) completed five years on 13 

January. 

 The main objective of this scheme is to provide comprehensive insurance cover 

against the failure of the crop. Under this scheme, farmers have to pay a premium 

of 2% for all Kharif crops and 1.5% for all Rabi crops. Farmers have to pay a 

premium of 5% for the commercial and horticultural crops.

 Under this scheme, farmers are encouraged to adopt innovative and modern 

agricultural practices. It covers yield losses, post-harvest losses, and losses from 

the local calamities 

 New Foreign Trade Policy will come into effect from 1 April. 

 The Government has announced that “New Foreign Trade Policy 2021-26” will 

come into effect from 1 April 2021. This new trade policy will be effective for 

the next five years.

 It will help India in becoming a leader in international trade. It will also help in 

increasing the export of products and in the generation of employment. 

 District Export Hubs initiative will be an important pillar of the new trade policy. 

It will aim to convert each District of the country into an export hub by identifying 

products with export potential in the district. 

 It will play a vital role in achieving the goal of becoming a $ 5 trillion economy. 

 FTP 2015-20 was effective from 2015 to 2021. 

 CBSE, NIC will launch CollabCAD Software for Engineering students. 

 Central Board of Secondary Education and National Informatics Centre will 

jointly launch a CollabCAD Software to help engineering students and faculties. 

 It will help students and faculties in Engineering Graphics subject and help them 

in creating and modifying 3D digital designs. 

 Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana 3rd phase was launched 

 The PMKVY 3.0 will impart training to eight lakhs within the period of 2020-

2021. 

 Under PMKVY 3.0, 729 Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Kendras and 200 ITIs will 

create a pool of skilled professionals. It will also focus on the new generation and 

COVID-related skills. 

 Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana: 

 Its main objective is to encourage and promote skill development in the country 

through short duration skill training and by incentivizing youth for the skill 

certification. 

 It is launched by the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship 

(MSDE). 

 National Skill Development Corporation is implementing agency PMKVY. 

 SAKSHAM campaign launched to create awareness regarding green energy. 

 Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has launched SAKSHAM campaign to 

create awareness about green and clean energy. It is a month-long green 

energy campaign of the Petroleum Conservation Research Association 

(PCRA).

 Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare introduced Electronic 

“Pension Payment Order” (e-PPO).

 e-PPO would ensure ease of living for senior citizens. Electronic PPO is

integrated with Digi-locker. With this, the pensioner will be able to get an instant 

print - out of the latest copy of his PPO from the Digi-locker account. 

 Digi-locker was introduced by PM Modi in July 2015. It is a digital document

wallet. It has a storage space of 1 GB and the maximum allowed file size of 10 

MB. 

 Pradhan Mantri Aawas Yojna - Gramin (PMAY-G) was launched on November, 

2016. 

 It became effective from April 2016. Government has targeted to construct 2.95 

crore houses by 2022 in two phases given below. 

 First phase: Construction of 1.00 crore houses in 3 years (2016-17 to 2018-19) 

 Second phase: Construction of 1.95 crore houses in 3 years (2019-20 to 2021-22) 

 Government included Central Armed Police Forces in Ayushman Bharat health 

scheme. 

 The Government has extended the Ayushman Bharat health scheme to 28 lakh 

Central Armed Police Forces and their families. 

 Union Home Minister has launched the ‘Ayushman CAPF’ scheme. The 

families and personnel of CAPF, Assam Rifles and National Security Guard 

(NSG) will be covered under the Ayushman Bharat scheme. 

 Ayushman Bharat- Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana: 

 It was launched in 2018 in Ranchi, Jharkhand, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 

 The scheme provides a health cover of Rs 5 lakhs per family per year for 

secondary and tertiary health care hospitalization. 

 The beneficiary households are identified based on the Socio-Economic Caste 

Census 2011 for rural and urban, respectively. 

 National Health Authority is the implementing agency of this scheme. 

 Union IT and Communications Minister will launch virtual intelligence tool 

Tejas and ‘Work from Anywhere’ portal. 

 Tejas: It is a virtual intelligence tool, which will convert critical data into 

important information. It will help policy decisions and improve the efficiency of 

government services. 

 ‘Work from Anywhere’ portal: It will help government employees to access 

applications like e-office, calendar, mail, and other departmental applications. It 

will also help in departmental communications. 

 Tribal Affairs Minister launched Shram Shakti Portal and Shram-Saathi for 

migrant workers in Goa. 

 Recently, the Union government has started the National Migrant Information 

System to capture information on the movement of migrants. 

 Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs): IIM was started by Jawaharlal Nehru on the recommendation of the Planning 

Commission of India. These are the premier institutes for management education 

and research in India. IIMs were declared institutions of national importance in 

2017 by the Ministry of Human Resource Development (Ministry of Education). 

 At present, there are a total of 20 IIMs in the country. 

 Drug Controller General of India (DCGI): 

 It is a department under the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation. 

 It is also responsible for setting the standards for manufacturing, import, sales and 

distribution of drugs in India. It approves licenses of specified categories of drugs, 

including blood and blood products, vaccines, sera, etc. 

 Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation approved emergency use of 

Covishield and Covaxin vaccine.

Covaxin vaccine 

 developed by the Serum 

Institute of India in 

collaboration with Astra 

Zeneca/ Oxford University. 

 It is a Recombinant 

Chimpanzee Adenovirus 

vector vaccine encoding the 

SARS-CoV-2 Spike (S) 

glycoprotein. 

 The overall efficacy of the 

vaccine is 70.42% 

 It is developed by Bharat 

Biotech in collaboration with 

the Indian Council of Medical 

research. 

 It is India’s first indigenously 

developed COVID-19 

vaccine. 

 It is a Whole Virion 

inactivated Coronavirus 

Vaccine. 

 Amit Shah released inaugural issue of the ‘National Police K-9 Journal’. 

 It is the country’s first journal on the subject of Police Service K9s (PSKs). It is 

a biannual journal The journal will help in the promotion of training and use of 

dogs in the Police service 

 Police K9 Cell: It was established in 2019 under the Police Modernization 

Division of the Ministry of Home Affairs. It is a specialized cell of Police Dogs. 

 FSSAI reduced the limit of Trans fat levels in foods. 

 At present, the FSSAI’s limit of trans fat content in fats and oils is 5%. After this 

notification, the trans-fat limit will be reduced to 3% in 2021 and to 2% by 2022. 

 In 2011, the government had reduced the trans fatty acids limits from 10 % to 5 

% in oils and fats. 

 WHO aimed for the global elimination of trans fats by 2023?

 Trans Fats: These are unsaturated fats produced from vegetable oils. There are two 

forms of trans fat – natural and artificial trans fats. Trans fat increases the risk of a 

heart attack. 

 HYDXB-VAXCOR, a Vaccine Air Freight Corridor launched. 

 HYDXB-VAXCOR, a Vaccine Air Freight Corridor, has been launched for 

worldwide distribution of Covid-19 vaccines. It is launched by GMR Hyderabad 

International Airport Limited & GMR Hyderabad Air Cargo and Dubai Airports 

Corporations. 

 Hyderabad is also referred to as the pharma capital of South Asia, Bulk drug 

capital of India. 

 World’s largest pharmaceuticals industrial park, Hyderabad pharma city, is 

being set up near Hyderabad, Telangana. 

 Indian Antarctic expeditions: 

 The Indian Antarctic expeditions were started in 1981. India’s Antarctic program 

is managed by the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), Goa. 

 Dakshin Gangotri, Maitri, and Bharati are permanent research base stations of 

India in Antarctica. 

 New Parliament House building: 

 It will be developed under the Central Vista project. 

 This new Parliament building will be triangular in shape, spread over 64,500 

square meters, and have a seating capacity of 1,244 MPs. It will be constructed 

by Tata Projects Limited and has been designed by the HCP Designs firm of 

Gujarat. 

 Arunachal Pradesh could become India’s major producer of Vanadium. 

 Geological Survey of India has found the presence of Vanadium in Arunachal 

Pradesh. It could be the first primary deposit of Vanadium in India.

 The concentration has been found in the Depo and Tamang areas of Papum Pare 

district in Arunachal Pradesh. 

 Vanadium metal is produced as a by-product from the slag collected from the 

processing of vanadiferous magnetite ores.

 China is the largest producer of Vanadium, followed by Russia and South 

Africa

 Vanadium: 

 It is a hard, silvery-grey, malleable transition metal. It is used in improving the 

tensile strength of steel and titanium. It is durable in extreme temperature and is 

corrosion-resistant 

 Atal Innovation Mission (AIM): 

 It is a flagship initiative of NITI Aayog set up to promote innovation and 

entrepreneurship.

 Atal Tinkering Labs is a major initiative under Atal Innovation Mission to 

promote a creative, innovative mindset in schools. 

 Union Minister Nitin Gadkari launched Khadi Prakritik paint developed by 

KVIC. 

 The paint is developed by Khadi and Village Industries Commission. 

 It is an eco-friendly and non-toxic paint. It is India’s first cow dung paint with 

anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. The paint has been certified by the 

Bureau of Indian Standards. It has been developed under the vision of 

increasing farmers’ income and boosting the rural economy. 

 Coastal Research Vessel (CRV) Sagar Anveshika launched by Union Health 

Minister Dr.Harsh Vardhan

 Names of other coastal research vessels such as Sagar Tara, Sagar Nidhi, Sagar 

Sampada, Sagar Manjusha and Sagar Kanya 

 Sagar Anveshika will enable scientists to conduct various oceanographic 

research missions aboard 

 PM flagged off six express trains to provide direct connectivity to the Statue of 

Unity.

 Statue of Unity: It is located in the state of Gujarat, India. It is the world’s tallest 

statue with a height of 182 metres (597 feet). It is the statue of India’s first deputy 

Prime Minister, Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel. 

 PM Modi addresses ‘Prarambh: Startup India International Summit’ 

 Prime Minister addressed the two-day summit ‘Prarambh: Startup India 

International Summit’ 

 It has been organised by the Department for Promotion of Industry and 

Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry 

 The main focus of this summit is on mobilizing global capital and access of the 

international market for the startups of India. It aims to bring policymaker, 

investors, startups and all stakeholders on one platform. 

 Iron-ore Policy 2021 released by Ministry of Railways

 Iron-ore Policy 2021 will govern the allocation of rakes and transportation of iron 

ore. 

 Priority of movement of Iron Ore will be categorized on the basis of availability 

of Railway infrastructure. 

 Among the various streams Railways traffic, Iron ore is the second most 

important. 

 India’s first Labour movement museum will be set up in Kerala. 

 India’s first Labour movement museum will be established in Alappuzha, 

Kerala.

 It will showcase the history of Labour movements across the world. It will display 

a huge repository of documents, pictures and exhibits related to Labour 

movements of the world and particularly of Kerala. 

 India’s first leather park will be set up at Kanpur.

 Union Health Minister inaugurated the seventh edition of “MASCRADE 2021”.

 MASCRADE 2021” against Smuggled & Counterfeit Trade. It is being 

organised by FICCI Cascade. 

 organised to discuss the challenges of counterfeiting and smuggling in the post 

COVID period. 

 Indian Railways set a record of running 3.5 km long freight train ‘Vasuki’.

 ‘Vasuki’ train is made up of five rakes of the goods train. It comprises of five 

engines and 295 rakes. 

 PM addressed 125th anniversary celebrations of ‘Prabuddha Bharata’.

 Prabuddha Bharata: 

 o It is an English-language monthly journal of the Ramakrishna Order. 

 o It is being published from 1896. It is India’s longest-running English Journal. 

 Unified web portal for monitoring progress of GOBARDHAN activities.

 It is jointly launched by union ministers of Agriculture, Petroleum, Animal 

Husbandry and Jal Shakti. 

 GOBARDHAN activities form a key component of Swachh Bharat Mission 

Phase-2 for organic solid waste management. It will provide people a way for 

proper disposal of dung and achieve the goal of ODF Plus. Through scheme of 

GOBARDHAN, people would get ethanol, bio-diesel and compressed bio-fuel in 

future. 

 Swachch Bharat Mission Grameen-Phase 2: 

 Swachch Bharat Mission Grameen-Phase 2 focuses on Open Defecation Free 

Plus (ODF Plus). ODF sustainability and Solid and Liquid Waste Management 

(SLWM) are two components of ODF Plus. 

 Government had launched ‘KAPILA’ program for Intellectual Property 

Literacy and Awareness. 

 Union Education Minister has launched the Kalam Program for Intellectual 

Property Literacy and Awareness (KAPILA) campaign 

 Its main objective is to raise awareness about the importance of patenting and 

inventions. 

 Rashtriya Yuva Sashaktikaran Karyakram 

 Its main objective is to develop leadership and personality development qualities 

in youth.

 The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports has merged some schemes in the 

Rashtriya Yuva Sashaktikaran Karyakaram (RYSK). It is also running the 

National Service Scheme (NSS) and Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth 

Development (RGNIYD) for the youths of the country. 

 The scheme merged in the Rashtriya Yuva Sashaktikaran Karyakram (RYSK) 

are: 

1. Nehru Yuva Kendra Sanghatan

2. National Youth Corps (NYC) 

3. National Programme for Youth and Adolescent Development (NPYAD) 

4. International Cooperation (IC) 

5. Youth Hostels (YH) 

6. Assistance to Scouting and Guiding Organisations 

7. National Young Leaders Programme (NYLP)

 “Nai Roshni”- Scheme for Leadership Development of Minority Women. 

 ‘Nai Roshni’ scheme was launched by the Ministry of Minority Affairs in 2012-

13. 

 The main objective of this scheme is to empower minority women by providing 

them knowledge, tools and techniques for interacting with Government systems, 

banks and other institutions. The Seekho Aur Kamao Scheme and Nai Manzil 

scheme are also helping in the economic empowerment of Minority women. 

 Government approved Startup India Seed Fund Scheme for the next four years. 

 It was announced by the Prime Minister at the Startup India’s international 

summit Prarambh. Startup India Seed Fund Scheme will support 3600 

entrepreneurs through 300 incubators. It will mainly support startups from the 

education, agriculture, food processing, biotechnology, healthcare and energy 

sectors. 

 Startup India Seed Fund Scheme:

 The main objective of this scheme is to provide financial assistance to startups 

for proof of concept, prototype development, product trials, market entry and 

commercialization. 

 Government launched a new scheme for Formation and Promotion of Farmer 

Producer Organizations. 

 A new Scheme has been launched by the Ministry of Agriculture. 

 The main objective of this scheme is to help small and marginal farmers 

through Farmer Producer Organizations. It will help them in accessing new 

technology, credit, and markets for improving the productivity of their 

produce. 

 It will help in the government vision of ‘Doubling of Farmer’s Income’ by 

2022 and in generating employment and strengthen the rural economy.

 Under this scheme, 10,000 new FPOs will be formed over five years.

 Institutional deliveries have increased under the Janani Suraksha Yojana

(JSY). 

 It is a safe motherhood intervention under the National Rural Health 

Mission. 

 aims to reduce maternal and infant mortality rate by promoting institutional 

delivery. 

 Government provides cash assistance to the pregnant women for giving birth 

in a government or accredited private health facility, irrespective of the age of 

the mother and number of children. 

 It focuses mainly on poor pregnant women (especially belonging to SC, ST 

and BPL households) in states like Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar,

Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Assam, Rajasthan, Odisha, and 

Jammu and Kashmir. These states have low institutional delivery rates. 

 Women health volunteers, ASHA, are given performance-based incentives 

under the scheme for promoting institutional delivery.

 Rs. 1050 crore budget allocated to Sub Mission on Agricultural Mechanization 

(SMAM) for 2021-22. 

 Under SMAM, government proposed to set up Village Level farm 

Machinery Bank (VLFMB) and Custom Hiring Centers (CHC).

 SMAM aims at making farm mechanization available to small and marginal 

farmers. It also aims at setting up hubs for hi-tech & high value farm 

equipment and creating awareness among stakeholders. 

 Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana: 

 It was launched by the Ministry of Women and Child Development.

 It is a direct benefit transfer (DBT) scheme for pregnant women and lactating 

mothers. It provides wage compensation of Rs 5000 in three instalments for 

the loss of wages of working women due to pregnancy. The cash incentive 

will be provided for only the first living child of the family. 

 Madhya Pradesh has got the 1st prize in the implementation of Pradhan 

Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana.

 TIFAC launched Saksham job portal and Seaweed Mission. 

 The Technology Information, Forecasting and Assessment Council 

(TIFAC) has launched SAKSHAM (Shramik Shakti Manch) job portal and 

Seaweed Mission. 

 TIFAC has also released two reports- ‘Techno-economic feasibility on Indian 

bamboo as Wood Substitute’ and ‘Opportunities for Fruit and Vegetable 

Processing in North Eastern region of India’. 

 SAKSHAM (Shramik Shakti Manch) job portal:

 It is a dynamic job portal that provides a common platform to connect the 

requirements of MSME sector and the skill of workers across the country.

 It will help in eliminating the role of middle man between worker and MSME. 

 Seaweed Mission: 

 Seaweed Mission has been launched to promote seaweed production in India. 

At present, India produces only 0.01-0.02% of the global seaweed production. 

 According to an estimate, seaweed cultivation in 5% of the EEZ area of India 

can generate 50 million employments. 

 It aims to establish model farms in more than 1 hectares for the cultivation of 

seaweeds in different states along the coast of India. It will establish seaweed 

nurseries for supplying seed material for seaweed cultivation. 

 Commercial Jute seed distribution scheme launched by Union Textile Minister 

Smriti Irani. 

 Golden Fibre Revolution is related to jute production in India. Jute is a bast 

fibre. Bast fibre is obtained from the phloem.

 Jute is mainly cultivated in West Bengal, Odisha, Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura 

and Andhra Pradesh. 

 Jute Industry in India: 

 India is the largest producer of jute. It is the second-largest exporter of jute 

and jute goods after Bangladesh.

 Jute Industry in India is mainly concentrated at Haora and Bhatpara in West 

Bengal. 

 Pilot Pey Jal Survekshan launched by Secretary, Ministry of Housing and 

Urban Affairs. 

 It will be carried out to assess equitable water distribution, wastewater reuse 

and mapping of water bodies. 

 Under the survekshan, data on drinking water and conditions of three water 

bodies in the city will be collected. 

 Pilot Pey Jal Survekshan will be later extended to all the AMRUT cities. As 

of now, it has been launched in 10 cities given below. Agra, Badlapur, 

Bhubaneshwar, Churu, Kochi, Madurai, Patiala, Rohtak, Surat, Tumkar.

 Defence Minister launched the E-Chhawani portal. 

 Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launched the E-Chhawani portal and mobile 

app. It will provide online municipal services for the residents of 62 

Cantonment Boards across the country. It will provide various services, 

including renewal of leases, online registration of births and deaths, online 

application for water and sewerage connection, etc. 

 Cantonment Boards:It is a civic administration body under the Ministry of 

Defence. It is regulated by the Cantonments Act, 2006.

 Government launched a new messaging app called ‘Sandes’. 

 Sandes app has been launched by the National Informatics Centre (NIC). It 

is an Indian government alternative to WhatsApp and other instant 

messaging apps. 

 The instant messaging app, called Sandes, has been launched by the 

government for secure communication. At present, it is available for 

government officers as well as for the common public. 

 It is available on Android and iOS platforms. It allows users to backup chat 

histories to a registered email. It has an additional safety feature, which 

enables the user to mark a message as confidential. 

 Central government launched ‘Go Electric Campaign’ to promote adoption of 

electric vehicles and cooking appliances. 

 In order to ensure energy security, the Union government has launched ‘Go 

Electric Campaign’ of BEE. 

 The aim of this campaign is to promote the adoption of electric vehicles and 

cooking appliances. This campaign will promote cost-effective, environment-

friendly and domestically made electric products. It will reduce dependency 

on imported fossil fuels. 

 In February 2021, CM of Delhi launched the ‘Switch Delhi’ campaign to 

promote use of electric vehicles. 

 Dr. Harsh Vardhan launched Intensified Mission Indradhanush 3.0. 

 Focus of IMI 3.0 will be the children and pregnant women who did not get the 

vaccine during COVID-19 pandemic. 

 IMI 3.0 aims to achieve 90% full immunization coverage in all districts of 

India. 

 Intensified Mission Indradhanush: 

 Mission Indradhanush was launched in December 2014 to ensure full 

immunization with all available vaccines for children up to two years of age 

and pregnant women. 

 Vaccines for diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, polio, measles, severe form of 

childhood tuberculosis, hepatitis B, meningitis and pneumonia (Hemophilus 

influenza type B infections), Japanese encephalitis (JE), rotavirus vaccine, 

IPV, adult JE vaccine, pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) and measles-

rubella (MR) vaccine are provided under this programme. 

 National Urban Digital Mission (NUDM): launched by the Union Housing and 

Urban Affairs Minister 

 The main objective of the National Urban Digital Mission is to create a digital 

infrastructure for cities in the country.

 It will help cities and towns in developing digital infrastructure by working 

across the three pillars of people, process, and platform. 

 It aims to create citizen-centric digital infrastructure in 2022 cities by 2022, 

and it will cover all cities of India by 2024. 

 India Urban Data Exchange (IUDX): 

 It is jointly developed by the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru and Smart 

Cities Mission. It is an open software platform for the exchange of data among 

various data platforms. 

 SmartCode Platform: 

 It is a platform that will work as a repository of open-source code for various 

solutions and applications for urban governance. It will help urban local 

bodies in the development of digital applications. 

 New Smart Cities Website ver. 2.0 and GMIS: 

 The new version of the Smart Cities Mission website has been launched. 

 It will be a one-stop solution for all Smart Cities initiatives. It will work as a 

gateway for the different platforms and initiatives of the Smart Cities Mission. 

 The Geospatial Management Information System has been integrated with 

this new version of the website. 

 Union Cabinet approves PLI Scheme for Pharmaceuticals and IT Hardware. 

 It aims to promote domestic manufacturing and attract investment in the IT 

and pharmaceuticals sectors. 

 It aims to reduce India’s dependency on foreign IT hardware. Under this 

scheme incentive will be given to beneficiary companies. 

 Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme: 

 The Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme was launched by the 

government for enhancing India’s manufacturing capabilities and exports in 

10 key sectors.

 Under this scheme, the Automobiles and Auto Components sector have 

received the maximum incentive. 

 PM-Kisan scheme completed two years. 

 launched on 24 February 2019.It is a 100% centrally sponsored scheme. It is 

also known as Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana. 

 Under this scheme, Rs 6,000 per year is transferred by the Central Government 

in three equal instalments of Rs 2000 to the bank accounts of the cultivable 

land holding farmer family having landholding of up to 2 hectares. 

 The main objective of this scheme is to increase the income of small and 

marginal farmers. 

 Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs Secretary launched City Innovation 

Exchange (CiX).

 The platform has been launched to promote innovation in the Urban 

ecosystem. 

 It is a platform to bring citizen organisations, academia, businesses and 

government together to create the future of Urban India. 

 Smart Cities Mission will partner with Startup India, Atal Innovation Mission, 

Accelerating Growth of New India’s Innovations (AGNIi) and other 

initiatives. 

 City Innovation Exchange (CiX): 

 It will connect cities to innovators to develop solutions for the challenges 

faced by them. The platform will help cities to find innovative and fitting 

solutions. 

 FASTag made mandatory for all the lanes on toll plazas of National Highways. 

 FASTag has been made mandatory for all the lanes on toll plazas of National 

Highways from midnight of February 15, 2021. 

 FASTag: 

 It is a Radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag. RFID is a method of 

automatic identification and data capture. 

 Government launched FASTag in 2014 on a pilot basis. It is affixed on the 

windscreen of any vehicle. The RFID reader fixed at the toll plaza reads it and 

toll fare is deducted from the account. 

 MSME Minister inaugurated SFURTI clusters to promote the traditional craft. 

 It will support 42000 artisans involved in traditional industries of muslin, 

khadi, coir, handicraft, handlooms, woodcraft, leather, etc. 

 Scheme of Fund for Regeneration of Traditional Industries (SFURTI) scheme: 

 The revamped SFURTI scheme was started on 1 August 2014 by the Ministry 

of MSMEs for promoting Traditional Industries. 

 The main objective is to organize traditional industries and artisans into 

clusters to make them competitive and increase their income. It provides 

support to clusters through various Facilitation Centers (CFCs). 

 Government announced ‘One District, One Product’ (ODOP) scheme to boost 

agricultural products. 

 It aims to convert each District into an export hub by identifying products with 

export potential in the District.It will help in increasing the income of farmers.

 By the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI). 

 Government decides to integrate Common Service Centres with e-daakhil 

portal.

 E-daakhil portal to facilitate the rural consumers for e-filing. 

 Launched by National Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission, 2020.

 Common Service Centres (CSCs) scheme: It is one of the mission modes projects 

under Digital India Programme. CSCs are access points for the delivery of essential 

public utility services, social welfare schemes and others. . 

 Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment launched “Sugamya Bharat

App”.

 Sugamya Bharat App is developed by the department of empowerment of 

persons with disabilities (DEPwD) under the Ministry of Social Justice and 

Empowerment. 

 It will act as a medium to enhance the accessibility for disabled peoples 

through three pillars of the Accessible India Campaign, i.e., built environment, 

transportation sector and ICT ecosystem. 

 The handbook titled “Access - The Photo Digest” is prepared by the 

Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities. 

 Women and Child Development Ministry classified all programmes under 3 

Umbrella Schemes. 

 The Women and Child Development Ministry has classified all schemes under 

three umbrella schemes -Mission Poshan 2.0, Mission Vatsalya and Mission 

Shakti. 

 Mission Poshan 2.0: It has been announced in the Union Budget of 20221-

22. It aims for improving the Nutritional status of children, adolescent girls, 

pregnant women and lactating mothers. 

 Mission Vatsalya: All programmes related to child protection services and 

child welfare services will be merged under it. 

 Mission Shakti: All schemes associated with the protection and 

empowerment of women will be merged into it. Schemes like one stop centre, 

women’s helpline, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana 

Yojana will now be covered under the Mission Shakti. 

 Mera Ration Mobile App launched by Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and 

Public Distribution.

 Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution have launched 

app

 The App will benefit those ration cardholders who migrate to new places in 

search of livelihood. 

 Atmanirbhar Niveshak Mitra Portal will be ready for launch.

 Project is under the “Invest India” agency.It gives Daily updates on Policies 

and New Initiatives by Central and State Government.

 Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain campaign has been launched by PM Modi 

on World Water Day.

 ‘Catch the rain, where it falls, when it falls’ is the theme for this campaign.

 Union Power Minister launched GRAM UJALA scheme in Varanasi

 launched by Power Minister the GRAM UJALA scheme in Varanasi after 

launching in Arrah, Bihar. The scheme will help in achieving the CO2 

reduction 

 UJALA scheme: It was started in 2015 to distribute LED bulbs at subsidized 

rates. The scheme is under the Ministry of Power and implemented by Energy 

Efficiency Services Limited 

 Finance Minister launched Central Scrutiny Centre and IEPFA’s Mobile App.

 Union Finance Minister has launched Central Scrutiny Centre (CSC) and Investor 

Education and Protection Fund Authority’s (IEPFA) Mobile App to achieve the 

vision of ‘Digitally empowered India’. Launched to promote awareness among 

investors, increasing financial literacy, protection of investors, in rural and urban 

areas

 Health Ministry launched ‘Tribal TB Initiative’ to achieve the goal of “TB Mukt 

Bharat”.

 Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, launched the “Tribal TB 

Initiative” to achieve the goal of “TB Mukt Bharat”. 

 India has the highest burden of both TB and MDR TB. Tuberculosis spread 

through the air and usually attacks the lungs but can also spread to other parts of 

the body. 

 Cabinet approves formation of Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Nidhi as a 

single non-lapsable reserve fund.

 It will be a ‘single non-lapsable fund’ for the availability of universal and 

affordable health care. The fund will not lapse at the end of the financial year.The 

fund will be used for Ayushman Bharat, Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, 

Ayushman Bharat - Health and Wellness Centres, National Health Mission and 

Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana

 Union Education Minister launched “MyNEP2020” platform of NCTE Portal. 

 It will seek suggestions or inputs from different stakeholders for preparing a draft 

for the development of National Professional Standards for Teachers (NPST) and 

National Mission for Mentoring Program membership (NMM). In this digital 

consultation, teachers, education professionals, academicians, & other 

stakeholders will participate in preparing the draft on teacher policy. 

 “Sankalp se Siddhi” - Village and Digital Connect Drive launched by TRIFED 

under Ministry of Tribal Affairs. 

 The drive aims to activate the Van Dhan Vikas Kendras in villages. It will cover 

100 villages in each region and 1500 villages in the country.

 Under the drive, the teams will identify Van Dhan Vikas Kendras for clustering 

as TRIFOOD and SFURTI Units. 

 SFURTI stands for Scheme of Fund for Regeneration of Traditional Industries. 

 TRIFOOD Scheme is a joint initiative of the Ministry of Food Processing 

Industry, Ministry of Tribal Affairs and TRIFED. It was started in August 2020. 

 Under this scheme, a tertiary value addition center will be set up in Jagdalpur in 

Chhattisgarh and Raigad in Maharashtra at the cost of approximately Rs.11 

crores. 

 Union Agriculture Minister launches ‘Madhukranti’ portal and ‘Honey 

corners. 

 Madhukranti portal: It is an initiative of National Bee Board (NBB) under 

National Beekeeping & Honey Mission (NBHM). The portal will help in 

achieving traceability of honey and other beehive products on a digital platform. 

It will also ensure quality check and source of adulteration of honey. 

 National Beekeeping & Honey Mission (NBHM): It a Central Sector scheme 

that was approved by the government for overall promotion and development of 

scientific beekeeping. The mission aims to achieve the goal of “Sweet 

Revolution”. Implementing agency: National Bee Board 

 Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana completed six years. 

 It was launched in April 2015. 

 Under the scheme, Rs 10 lakh is provided as loans to non-corporate, non-farm 

small/micro-enterprises. ‘Shishu’, ‘Kishore’ and ‘Tarun are three categories 

under PMMY. Its main objective is to promote entrepreneurship among the youth 

of India. The loans are offered in the manufacturing, services, and agriculture 

allied sectors.

 Dr. Harsh Vardhan launched the ‘Aahaar Kranti’ mission. 

 It has been launched to spread awareness about the need for a nutritionally 

balanced diet and the importance of available local fruits and vegetables. 

 The United Nations has also declared 2021 as the International Year of Fruits 

and Vegetables. 

 NITI Aayog launched ‘Poshan Gyan’, a Digital Repository on Nutrition 

Information. 

 It is a national digital repository on health and nutrition. 

 India is facing the problem of high malnutrition despite being a food-surplus 

nation. 

 Poshan Gyan portal will help in bringing behavioural change among the people. 

It acts as the source of communication materials on 14 thematic areas of health 

and nutrition in different languages, and media types. The portal also highlights 

the “Theme of the Month” and the “Most Downloaded Media”.

 PM Modi launched distribution of e-property cards under SVAMITVA 

scheme. 

 SVAMITVA (Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology 

in Village Areas) scheme: It was launched as a Central Sector Scheme on 24th 

April 2020. 

 Its main objective is to create a socio-economically empowered and self-reliant 

rural India. It will cover 6.62 Lakh villages of the country from 2021-2025. 

 It will enable people of rural India to use their property as a financial asset for 

taking loans and other financial benefits. It will create accurate land records 

for rural planning. The demarcation of rural areas will be done through modern 

technology and GIS maps. 

 The Ministry of Panchayati Raj is implementing this scheme. 

 PLI scheme for ‘National Programme on High-Efficiency Solar PV Modules’ 

approved. 

 Union Cabinet has approved the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme 

for ‘National Programme on High-Efficiency Solar PV (Photo Voltaic) 

Modules’. 

 The scheme will help in achieving the manufacturing capacity of Giga watt in 

high-efficiency solar PV Modules. 

 The programme will reduce the dependency on imported solar PV cells and 

modules for solar capacity addition. 

 Union Cabinet has also approved PLI Scheme for White Goods such as Air 

Conditioners and LED Lights. This scheme aims to remove sectoral disabilities, 

create economies of scale, and ensure efficiency to make manufacturing in India 

globally competitive. 

 SIDBI launches two new quick credit delivery schemes, SHWAS and AROG. 

 These schemes will help MSMEs in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic. 

 SHWAS (SIDBI assistance to healthcare sector in War Against the Second 

wave of Covid-19)

 AROG (SIDBI Assistance to MSMEs for Recovery & Organic Growth 

during a pandemic)

 They have been launched to provide funding for production and services related 

to the supply of oxygen cylinders and essential drugs. 

 SIDBI Assistance to Facilitate Emergency response against corona virus 

(SAFE) scheme was launched by SIDBI last month.

 PLI scheme “National Programme on Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) Battery 

Storage” approved by Union Cabinet.

 Under the scheme, ACC battery Storage manufacturing facility would have to be 

commissioned within a period of two years. The incentive amount will be 

disbursed thereafter over a period of five years.

 Advanced Chemistry Cells (ACCs) are the new generation of advanced storage 

technologies. ACCs can store electric energy either as electrochemical or as 

chemical energy and convert it back to electric energy as and when required.

 Government launched innovation challenge for creating Indian Language 

Learning App

 MyGov platform of the Government of India has launched an Innovation 

Challenge for creating an Indian Language Learning App in collaboration with 

the Department of Higher Education.

 It will help in promoting regional language literacy and develop greater cultural 

understanding across the country. 

 Government launched NMMS National Mobile Monitoring Software and Area 

officer monitoring App.

 The NMMS App will help in tracking the attendance of workers at Mahatma 

Gandhi NREGA worksites. It will make the payment process faster.

 It will help in better implementation of the government programmes

 First phase of data analytics driven MCA21 Version 3.0 launched by Minister 

of State for Finance and Corporate Affairs Anurag Singh Thakur.

 MCA21 Version 3.0 has additional modules for e-Adjudication, eConsultation 

and Compliance Management

 MCA21: It was India’s first mission mode e-governance project.It is the online 

portal of the Corporate Affairs Ministry (MCA). o It was launched in 2006.

 Ayush Minister launched repository portal & Ayush Sanjivani App.

 The Ayush Clinical Case Repository (ACCR) portal will bring Ayush 

practitioners and the general public on one platform. It will provide information 

about the clinical outcomes achieved by Ayush practitioners.

 Sanjivani App will provide information about the Ayush medicine for 

asymptomatic & mild to moderate patients of Covid 19.

 Government to provide financial assistance to students through DBT under 

Mid-Day Meal Scheme.

 Financial assistance will be provided to students in addition to the benefits of 

Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana.

 Mid-Day Meal Scheme: It was launched on 15 August 1995. Under the Mid-

Day Meal Scheme, a onetime meal is provided to children enrolled in government 

or local body schools. The main objective of the scheme is to increase the 

enrolments and retention of children in schools. It is a centrally sponsored scheme

 Government launched YUVA - Prime Minister’s Scheme for Young Authors.

 The Ministry of Education has launched YUVA- Prime Minister’s Scheme for 

Mentoring Young Authors. Here, YUVA stands for Young, Upcoming and 

Versatile Authors. 

 It has been launched to promote reading, writing, and book culture in the 

country. 

 It has been launched as part of the India@75 Project (Azadi Ka Amrit 

Mahotsav).

 It will encourage young generation writers to write on the Unsung Heroes, 

Freedom Fighters, Unknown and Forgotten Places and their role in National 

Movement.

 Ministry of Power decides to set up National Mission on Biomass use in coal 

based thermal power plants.Aims to address air pollution issue arising due to farm 

stubble burning and to reduce carbon footprints of thermal power generation.

 Objective

 To take up R&D activity in boiler design to handle the higher amount of silica, 

alkalis in the biomass pellets.

 To facilitate overcoming the constraints in supply chain of bio mass pellets and 

agro residue and its transport up to to the power plants.

 To consider regulatory issues in biomass co-firing.

 Department of Atomic Energy to build India’s first research reactor on PPP 

model

 The research reactor will be designed by Bhabha Atomic Research Centre 

(BARC). It will produce radioisotopes.

 Radioactive isotopes are used in various fields including agriculture, food 

industry, and medicine. At present, all major radioisotopes are produced by 

BARC from the Trombay campus. 

 First anniversary of National AI Portal (INDIAai) celebrated on 28th May 

 National AI Portal: It is a joint initiative by the Ministry of Electronics and IT 

(MeitY), National e-Governance Division (NeGD), and NASSCOM. The main aim 

of this portal is to promote Artificial Intelligence among school students.

India’s first city-wide environmental surveillance platform for COVID 

launched in Bangalore. 

 A city-wide sewage surveillance system has been launched in Bangalore. It will 

help scientists in tracking viruses at an early stage. 

 The surveillance platform has been launched by COVIDactionCollab (CAC) in 

collaboration with United States Agency for International Development (USAID) 

and the Skoll Foundation.

 Govt tells social media firms to share information on compliance with new IT 

rules 

 The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has asked all social 

media intermediaries to share their compliance details over the new Information 

Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Ethics Code) Rules, 2021. 

 Salient features of Guidelines Related to social media: 

 A grievance redressal mechanism will be established for resolving complaints 

from the users or victims. 

 Social media platforms have to remove the content related to nudity or morphed 

images of women within 24 hours of complaints.

 Significant Social Media Intermediary will have to appoint a Chief Compliance 

Officer, a Nodal Contact Person and Resident Grievance Officer for grievance 

redressal. 

 Social media intermediaries must identify the “first originator” of the information 

 Horticulture Cluster Development Programme (CDP)

 Horticulture Cluster Development Programme is a central sector programme. It 

will be implemented by the National Horticulture Board (NHB) of the Ministry 

of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare. 

 It aims at growing and developing identified horticulture clusters to make them 

globally competitive. 

 RDSO becomes first standards body to join 'One Nation, One Standard' 

scheme.

 RDSO has been recognized as a 'Standard Developing Organisation' (SDO)

by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). The recognition will be valid for three 

years. 

 The recognition will help RDSO in aligning its standard formulation procedures 

with the WTO-TBT code of good practice. 

 The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is implementing the 'One Nation, One 

Standard' scheme across the country. It is making efforts to encourage 

standardization of Organizations. 

 One Nation, One Standard' scheme: 

 It was launched by the Ministry of Railways and the Ministry of Consumer 

Affairs in 2021. 

 The main aim of this scheme is to synergize standards adopted by various 

Standard Development Organisations in the country.It will improve the quality 

and services produced in India.

 The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment launched SAGE (Senior care 

Ageing Growth Engine) initiative and SAGE portal for elderly people.

 Under the senior care Ageing Growth Engine project, credible start-ups will 

provide products and services for the elderly population. Start-ups can apply for 

SAGE projects through SAGE portal. 

 The start-ups will be selected on the basis of their innovative products and 

services. These start-ups will provide products and services in the health, housing, 

care centers sectors. 

 Agriculture Ministry launched a dedicated window on Government e-

Marketplace (GeM) portal for Bamboo products.

 The dedicated window has been named “The Green Gold Collection”. 

 The “Green Gold Collection” dedicated window is created by the efforts of the 

National Bamboo Mission and GeM. It will provide an electronic platform for 

small manufacturers and sellers. 

 Government announced Operational Guidelines for PLI Scheme for telecom & 

Networking equipment.

 The Department of Telecommunications will give a grant to ten eligible 

applicants each in MSME & non-MSME categories. 

 The main objective of this scheme is to boost the manufacturing and export of 

telecom and networking products. 

 Government launched ‘Namaste Yoga’ mobile App. 

 Ayush Ministry launched the ‘Namaste Yoga’ mobile App during an event for 

the 7th International Day of Yoga (IDY). It will help in spreading awareness 

about yoga and make it more reachable to common people. 

 International Day of Yoga (IDY) is celebrated every year on 21 June. This year 

it was celebrated under the theme “Yoga at home and Yoga with Family”. 

 Prime Minister launched M-Yoga App on International Day of Yoga 2021. 

 On the occasion of the 7th International Day of Yoga, Prime Minister Narendra 

Modi launched the ‘WHO M-Yoga’ App to promote Yoga. 

 It will provide many videos of Yoga training and practice based on common Yoga 

protocol in many languages. 

 M-Yoga App will play a vital role in making the ‘Be Healthy, Be Mobile 

(BHBM)’ initiative a success. BHBM supports mobile health (m-Health) 

technology to combat non-communicable diseases (NCDs). 

 Government modified FAME scheme to promote electric mobility. 

 Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises modified the Faster 

Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles (FAME) scheme to 

promote electric mobility. 

 Under the modified FAME scheme, Government will subsidize 500,000 electric 

three-wheelers, 1 million electric two-wheelers, 55,000 electric passenger 

vehicles, and 7,090 electric buses.

 The government has increased demand incentive by 50% for electric two-

wheelers to Rs 15,000 per Kwh. The cap for the incentives for electric two-

wheelers has been increased 

 FAME SCHEME

 Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles in India 

(FAME India) Scheme was launched in the year 2015.

 The Department of Heavy Industries under the Ministry of Heavy Industries and 

Public Enterprises is the implementing agency of the scheme. It is part of the 

National Electric Mobility Mission Plan.

 Its aim is to promote adoption and market creation of both hybrid and electric 

technologies vehicles by providing fiscal and monetary incentives.

 CCEA approved the "Deep Ocean Mission".

 The main objective of the mission is to explore deep ocean resources and to 

develop deep sea technologies for the sustainable use of ocean resources. 

 Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) will be the nodal Ministry implementing this 

mission. 

 Tribal Affairs Minister launched 'Adi Prashikshan Portal' and training 

programme for ST PRI Members.

 ADI PRASHIKSHAN portal has been developed by the Ministry of Tribal 

Affairs. It will act as a Central Repository for all training programs. 

 Adi Prashikshan will revolutionize the various ongoing training initiatives of the 

Ministry and it will improve the process of conducting training. 

 The training programme will improve the education, health, nutrition, social 

security, livelihood, and skills of the tribal youth. 

 Quality Council of India (QCI) launched Indian Certification of Medical 

Devices (ICMED) 13485 Plus Scheme

 It has been launched to integrate the Quality Management System components 

and product- related quality validation processes through testing of products. 

 It will be the only scheme for an end-to-end quality assurance scheme for the 

medical devices sector in India. It provides an institutional mechanism for 

assuring product quality and safety. 

 ICMED scheme: 

 It was launched for Certification of Medical Devices in 2016. 

 It has been launched to eliminate the malpractices of sub-standard or fraudulent 

certification or quality audits of medical products or devices. 

 It aims to bring medical products or devices at par with global standards.

 E-filing portal of Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), ‘itat e-dwar’, 

formally launched by Law Minister

 The portal will make the possible online filing of appeals, applications and 

documents by various parties 

 Atmanirbhar Bharat Rojgar Yojana (ABRY):

 The scheme is being implemented through the EPFO and reduces the financial 

burden on companies. 

 Under this scheme, the government bears provident fund contribution for 

employer and employee for two years. 

 This will be for new employees in organizations having up to 1000 employees 

for two years.