UDAN / Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS)

Introduction

• A Central Sector Scheme to enable air operations on underserved and unserved routes, promote balanced regional growth, and make flying affordable for the masses.
• Objective: Improve unserved air routes in underserved regions and fulfil the aspirations of common citizens.
• Implementing agency: Airports Authority of India (AAI).
• Support includes Viability Gap Funding (VGF) alongside other facilitative measures.

Why in news?

• UDAN 5.3: Airfare capped at ₹3828 for distances of 501–525 km on subsidised seats.
• UDAN 5.0: The 600 km cap has been removed, introducing no distance restrictions.
• UDAN 4.0: Prioritised connectivity to the NorthEast, hilly states, and islands using helicopters and seaplanes.

Background

• Launched under the National Civil Aviation Policy (NCAP) of 2016 to improve regional connectivity through fiscal support and infrastructure development.

Significance

• Enhances regional air connectivity for underserved and unserved areas.
• Makes air travel more affordable for the general public through fare caps and targeted support.
• Promotes balanced regional development across the country.
• Improves access to remote regions via helicopters and seaplanes.
• Boosts farmers’ value realisation and market access through Krishi UDAN, focusing on the NorthEast and tribal districts.
• Enables states to establish international links through the International Air Connectivity Scheme (IACS).

Facts/General knowledge

• Type: Central Sector Scheme.
• Demand and marketbased model: States/airports provide concessions such as free security and fire services, utilities at reduced rates, and land for RCS airports.
• Regional Connectivity Fund (RCF): Finances VGF via a levy on certain domestic flights; targets 30 crore domestic ticketing by 2022 and 50 crore by 2027.
• Key initiatives: Krishi UDAN; International Air Connectivity Scheme (IACS).

Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) Scheme – Enhanced Flexibility for Localised Water Management

Introduction

• The Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) scheme promotes microirrigation and efficient onfarm water management to achieve “more crop per drop”.
• It advances localised, sustainable water storage to strengthen irrigation reliability and ensure sustainable water availability.
• The scheme aims to enhance farm productivity and income by optimising water resources.

Why in news?

• The Union Agriculture Ministry has introduced greater flexibility under PDMC to promote microlevel water storage and conservation.
• States and Union Territories can design localised water management projects to enhance irrigation efficiency and ensure sustainable water availability.
• The flexibility enables project planning based on local needs for both individual farmers and communitylevel systems.

Background

• PDMC is part of the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY), launched in 2015 to achieve “Har Khet Ko Pani” and improve wateruse efficiency in agriculture.
• The nodal ministry is the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare.
• Its primary objective is to promote microirrigation technologies (drip and sprinkler systems) and efficient onfarm water management practices.

Significance

• Promotes microirrigation and wateruse efficiency across agriculture.
• Supports localised, sustainable water storage, strengthening irrigation reliability.
• Enhances farm productivity and income by optimising water resources.
• Empowers states and UTs to address specific regional water requirements through tailored projects.

Facts/General knowledge

• Revised guidelines expand “other interventions” to include microlevel water management activities, such as:
• Diggi (small reservoir) construction
• Water harvesting systems
• Projects for both individual farmers and communitylevel systems based on local needs
• Increased funding flexibility:
• Earlier cap for such activities: 20% of total allocation for each state/UT; 40% for Northeastern and Himalayan states, and UTs of J&K and Ladakh.
• Now, states/UTs can exceed these limits depending on their regional water requirements.

NAKSHA urban land records initiative

Introduction

• NAKSHA is a centrally funded initiative under the Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme (DILRMP) to update urban land records.
• Its core objective is to create accurate geospatial maps of urban areas and establish a comprehensive digital database.

Why in news?

• Launched by the Union Rural Development Minister to address outdated or nonexistent land records in urban areas.
• Currently being piloted in selected urban local bodies.

Background

• Operates under DILRMP and is led by the Department of Land Resources (DoLR) under the Ministry of Rural Development.
• The Union Finance Minister, in the 2024 and 2025 Union Budgets, stressed urban land digitisation, GIS mapping, and ITbased property administration to bolster municipal finances and urban reforms.

Significance

• Tackles inefficient governance, tax collection gaps, land disputes, and poor urban planning arising from inaccurate records.
• Addresses the widespread lack of updated maps or structured land records in most Indian cities, with exceptions in Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Goa.

Facts/General knowledge

• Pilot coverage: 152 urban local bodies across 26 states.
• Pilot criteria: cities with area less than 35 sq km and population under 2 lakhs.
• Timeline: pilot to be completed within a year.
• Expansion plan: postevaluation rollout to 4,912 urban local bodies nationwide.
• Methodology: drone surveys and ground verification to produce accurate geospatial maps.

Mappls endorsed as India’s alternative to Google Maps

Introduction

• In a major push toward digital selfreliance, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw endorsed Mappls as a viable alternative to Google Maps.
• The move aligns with India’s “Atmanirbhar Bharat” goals, promoting indigenous technology solutions.

Why in news?

• A public demonstration by the minister triggered a surge in the app’s popularity.
• Following this: Mappls became the #2 navigation app on the Apple App Store, just behind Google Maps.
• On Google Play, it crossed 1 crore (10 million) downloads.
• Daily downloads rose tenfold within two weeks.
• Indian Railways is preparing to sign an MoU with Mappls to integrate its mapping services.

Background

• Mappls is an Indianmade navigation app developed by MapmyIndia.

Significance

• Rapid user growth and appstore visibility indicate mainstream acceptance of an indigenous alternative.
• Institutional adoption is advancing, with Indian Railways preparing an MoU to integrate Mappls’ mapping services.
• The tech community, including Zoho’s Sridhar Vembu, praised Mappls as the result of “decades of R&D”.
• Investor sentiment strengthened, with parent company CE Info Systems’ stock rising by 8%.
• The company is lobbying for preinstallation of apps on smartphones made under the PLI scheme, giving it an edge in domestic adoption.

 

Facts/General knowledge

• Developer: MapmyIndia.
• Indiaspecific features:
• 3D junction views for better realtime decisions.
• Traffic signal countdowns in supported cities.
• Indoor navigation for malls and buildings.
• Alerts for speed breakers, sharp turns, and accident zones.
• Support for 12+ Indian languages.
• Unique Mappls PIN for accurate geolocation.

 

Prime Minister DhanDhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY)

Introduction

• A scheme to make farming easier, modern, and more profitable across agriculture and allied sectors.
• Designed to enhance productivity, incomes, diversification, storage, value addition, irrigation, and access to agricultural credit.

Why in news?

• The Centre has announced 100 Aspirational Agriculture Districts under PMDDKY to boost farm productivity and rural prosperity.

Background

• Announced in the Union Budget 2025.
• Modelled after NITI Aayog’s Aspirational Districts Programme, focused exclusively on agriculture and allied sectors.
• No separate budgetary allocation; converges budgets of 36 existing schemes from 11 departments, including Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (cash transfers), Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (crop insurance), and Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojna (irrigation).
• Annual outlay of Rs 24,000 crore from 202526 to 203031, totalling Rs 1.44 lakh crore.

Significance

• Enhance agricultural productivity and farmer income.
• Promote crop diversification and sustainable farming practices.
• Expand postharvest storage and value addition.
• Support women, youth, and allied sectors (e.g., dairy, fisheries, poultry) to diversify income sources.
• Achieve selfsufficiency in foodgrains, pulses, and oilseeds to reduce India’s dependence on imports.
• Strengthen irrigation infrastructure and improve access to both longterm and shortterm agricultural credit.
• Expected to directly benefit 1.7 crore farmers and integrate allied sectors like livestock, dairy, and fisheries.

Facts/General knowledge

• Budget composition: around 40% for subsidies, 30% for infrastructure, 20% for loans, and 10% for training and market support.
• District selection criteria:
• Low crop productivity (e.g., wheat below 3.5 tonnes/hectare or rice below 2.7 tonnes/hectare).
• Moderate cropping intensity (fewer than 1.55 crop cycles per year).
• Low credit access (limited penetration of bank loans or Kisan Credit Cards, often below 30% of farmers).
• Geographic representation considering share of Net Cropped Area and operational holdings.
• A minimum of one district will be selected from each state/union territory for balanced regional development.
• Implementation under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare through a District DhanDhaanya Krishi Yojana (DDKY) Samiti, chaired by the District Collector, to implement the District Agriculture Development Plan (DADP).
• Coordination by local administrations and agriculture departments with 100 appointed Central Nodal Officers (mostly joint secretaries) to monitor performance.
• Coverage and timeline: 100 districts; 202526 to 203031.

Sugamya Bharat and the Sugamya Bharat Mobile Application

Introduction

• Sugamya Bharat (Accessible India Campaign) is a national initiative to improve accessibility across public spaces, transport, and digital platforms for persons with disabilities (PwDs).
• The Sugamya Bharat mobile application complements this effort by enabling users, including PwDs and the elderly, to report accessibility barriers.

Why in news?

• The Sugamya Bharat app has resolved 75% of over 1,400 accessibility complaints.

Background

• Sugamya Bharat Mobile Application: Launched in 2021 by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment.

• Empowers users to report accessibility issues in public infrastructure, transportation, and buildings.
• Available in 10 languages with options to upload photos and use geotagging.
• Open to anyone facing accessibilityrelated difficulties to register concerns or grievances.
• Sugamya Bharat (Accessible India Campaign):
• Launched in 2015 by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment.
• Seeks to ensure: Government buildings become more accessible.

• Governmentoperated public transport is more adaptable for disabled users.
• Government websites and media content are more accessible through texttospeech technology and sign language interpreters.
• Aligned with Article 9 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; India has been a signatory since 2007.

Significance

• Enhances participation of PwDs and the elderly by enabling direct reporting of accessibility gaps.
• Supports tangible improvements across physical and digital domains in government spaces and services.
• Facilitates grievance redressal through multilingual access and geotagged evidence.
• Reinforces India’s commitment to international accessibility standards under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Facts/General knowledge

• Legal framework and rights: The People with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act 1995 provided a legal foundation for empowerment in education, employment, and accessibility.

• The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016 replaced the 1995 Act, expanding disability categories from 7 to 21 and increasing reservation quotas to 4% in government jobs and 5% in higher education institutions.
• Education and scholarships: Inclusive education supported through Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) and Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA).

• National scholarships help students with disabilities pursue higher education, covering expenses such as tuition fees and books.
• Skill development and employment: The National Action Plan for Skill Training of Persons with Disabilities (2015) aims to boost employability through targeted skill development, vocational training, and collaborations with industries.

• Social security and welfare: The Assistance to Disabled Persons for Purchase/Fitting of Aids and Appliances (ADIP Scheme) provides financial assistance for necessary aids and appliances.

• The Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS) supports voluntary organisations with grants for setting up and maintaining rehabilitation centres.

 

Integrated PMAASHA Scheme

Introduction

• Provides price assurance to farmers.
• Helps control price volatility of essential commodities.

Why in news?

• For 2024–25, the Government has allowed procurement of tur, urad and masur under PSS equivalent to 100% of the State’s production.

Background

• Integrated scheme comprising:
• Price Support Scheme (PSS)
• Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS)
• Market Intervention Scheme (MIS)

Significance

• Supports farmers through MSPbased procurement or deficiency payments.
• Helps manage price volatility across eligible and perishable commodities.

Facts/General knowledge

• Tenure: Till 2025–26.
• Crops coverage: Pulses, oilseeds and copra.
• Price Support Scheme (PSS):
• Covers pulses, oilseeds and copra meeting Fair Average Quality standards.
• Procurement agencies: National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED) and Food Corporation of India (FCI).
• Beneficiaries: Preregistered farmers sell directly at Minimum Support Price (MSP) through state agencies.
• Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS): Covers all oilseeds for which MSP is notified.

• Direct payment of the difference between MSP and the selling/modal price, up to 15% of MSP value.
• States/UTs can choose PSS or PDPS for oilseeds each year/season.
• Market Intervention Scheme (MIS): For procurement of perishable commodities not covered under MSP, such as tomato, onion and potato.
• Implemented on State/UT request when market prices fall by at least 10% from the previous season.

National Pulses Mission (2025–31)

Introduction

• Central programme under the Union Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare.
• Designed to achieve Aatmanirbharta in pulses, ensuring food and nutritional security.

Background

• Baseline domestic pulse production: 242 lakh tonnes in 2024–25.
• Targeted domestic pulse production: 350 lakh tonnes by 2030–31.

Significance

• Food and nutritional security: Pulses are a vital protein source in Indian diets.
• Import reduction: Cuts 15–20% import dependency, saving foreign exchange.
• Farmer welfare: Ensures MSPbased income stability and strengthens the valuechain.

 

Facts/General knowledge

• Term: 2025–26 to 2030–31 (six years).
• Budget allocation: ₹11,440 crore.
• Production boost: Expand area to 310 lakh hectares with a yield target of 1,130 kg/ha.
• Seed security: Distribution of 126 lakh quintals of certified seeds and 88 lakh free seed kits; monitoring through the SATHI portal.
• Assured procurement: 100% procurement of Tur, Urad, and Masoor at MSP for four years.
• Infrastructure support: 1,000 postharvest processing units with subsidy up to ₹25 lakh each.
• Research and innovation: Multilocation trials for climateresilient and pestresistant pulse varieties.
• Farmer training: Capacitybuilding programmes for adoption of modern techniques.

We Rise Initiative

Introduction

• We Rise stands for Women Entrepreneurs Reimagining Inclusive Sustainable Enterprises.
• A significant institutional effort to promote womenled enterprises in the global market.

Why in news?

• Recently launched.
• Initiated by NITI Aayog’s Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) in partnership with DP World under the Award to Reward (ATR) programme.

Background

• Aims to enhance the global presence of women entrepreneurs and womenled MSMEs.
• Focuses on integrating womenled enterprises into global markets and competition.

Significance

• Provides structural support to women entrepreneurship in India.
• Increases women’s participation in the MSME sector.
• Strengthens the ‘Vocal for Local to Global’ approach.
• Promotes womenled economic development in India.
• Enhances the role of women in exports and integrates them into global competition.

Facts/General knowledge

• Objectives: Access to global business opportunities.

• Development of export capabilities.
• Mentorship, capacity building, and training.
• Facilitation of strategic partnerships.
• Technical and financial support for business expansion.
• Key features: Assistance to women entrepreneurs in market access and supply chain integration.

• International connectivity through DP World’s business network.
• Support for product quality, packaging, and export standards.
• Skilling, networking, and knowledgesharing through WEP’s digital platform.
• Steps to make the MSME sector exportoriented.

 

PMSHRI Scheme and Related Education Initiatives

Introduction

• The Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India (PMSHRI) Scheme, launched in 2022, is a centrally sponsored initiative to upgrade over 14,500 existing schools as model institutions implementing the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
• The scheme runs from 2022–23 to 2026–27, after which maintenance rests with the respective states and Union Territories.

Why in news?

• The Kerala Government has sought financial assistance under PMSHRI to support the State’s cashstrapped education sector.
• Some states, including Punjab and West Bengal, have refused to sign the MoU, while Tamil Nadu and Kerala have shown conditional willingness.
• The central government has stopped funding under Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) to states that have not signed an MoU to participate in the PMSHRI scheme.

Background

• Selection follows a competitive Challenge Mode in three stages.
• First, states and Union Territories sign an MoU with the central government.
• Second, eligible schools are identified using a minimum benchmark based on UDISE+ data.
• Third, a challengebased selection requires schools to meet specific criteria, verified through physical inspection before final selection by an expert committee.
• Monitoring is ensured through the School Quality Assessment Framework (SQAF) for accountability and continuous quality improvement.

Significance

• Strengthens competencybased learning and reallife application.
• Emphasises experiential, inquirydriven, and learnercentred pedagogy.
• Upgrades infrastructure with Smart Classrooms, Computer Labs, Integrated Science Labs, and Atal Tinkering Labs.
• Promotes green practices, including water conservation, solar energy use, and waste recycling.

 

Facts/General knowledge

• Funding pattern:General States/UTs with legislature: 60:40 (Centre: State/UT)

• Northeastern and Himalayan States, and J&K: 90:10
• UTs without legislature: 100% Centre funding
• Other key government initiatives related to education: National Education Policy (NEP) 2020: Aims to make India a global knowledge superpower; third major revamp after 1968 and 1986; features universal access, quality early childhood care (ages 3–6), a 5+3+3+4 structure, multidisciplinary learning, multilingualism, holistic assessment via PARAKH, and support for disadvantaged groups through the Gender Inclusion Fund and Special Education Zones.

• Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA): Integrated school education programme from preschool to class XII; merges Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan, and Teacher Education; focuses on Teacher and Technology.
• MidDay Meal Scheme: Provides free lunches in government and governmentaided schools; aims to improve nutrition, increase school enrolment, and reduce dropout rates; supports inclusive education for disadvantaged children.
• Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP): Promotes girls’ education and gender equality; works to prevent gender discrimination, improve enrolment, retention, and learning outcomes; encourages community awareness and valuing the girl child.
• PM eVIDYA: Launched in 2020 to facilitate multimode access to digital/online teachinglearning content for students and teachers.
• SWAYAM: A MOOC platform designed to achieve Access, Equity, and Quality.

 

NMIA Inauguration and Development Projects in Mumbai

Introduction

On 8 October 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Phase I of the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) and launched multiple development projects in Mumbai, Maharashtra.

Why in news?

• The Prime Minister inaugurated and dedicated:
• Navi Mumbai International Airport (Phase I)
• Mumbai One Application
• Mumbai Metro Line3 (Phase 2B)
• STEP programme by the Government of Maharashtra

Background

• NMIA is India’s largest Greenfield airport project with a budget outlay of Rs 19,650 crores.
• It will serve as the second international airport for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region alongside Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA).
• Developed under a PublicPrivate Partnership by Adani Airports Holdings Limited (a wholly owned subsidiary of Adani Enterprises Limited) and CIDCO, aligning with the Government of India’s Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.
• The airport’s design is inspired by the lotus flower, symbolising purity, sustainability, and Indian cultural heritage.

Significance

• Scalable capacity: around 20 million passengers annually in Phase I, rising to up to 90 million upon full completion.
• Multimodal connectivity: India’s first water taxi service linking Mumbai with the airport, and integration with metro and suburban rail for direct terminal access.
• Seamless internal movement: an Automated People Mover connecting terminals and parking zones.
• Sustainability focus: rainwater harvesting and 47 MW solar power, with a target of 4star GRIHA rating for sustainability and energy efficiency.

Facts/General knowledge

• Airside infrastructure: two parallel runways, with one operational initially.
• Cargo: a dedicated terminal capable of handling 1 tonnes of cargo annually.
• Ecofriendly operations: electric bus services and Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) infrastructure being developed.