Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY)
▪ It is a flagship scheme of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MOPNG) launched in May 2016.
▪ Objective: To make clean cooking fuel such as LPG available to the rural and deprived households which were otherwise using traditional cooking fuels such as firewood, coal, cow-dung cakes, etc.
▪ Eligibility: An adult woman belonging to a poor household and not having an LPG connection in her household will be eligible under UJJWALA 2.0.
▪ Eligible as per the SECC 2011 list.
Multidisciplinary Education and Research Improvement in Technical Education (MERITE) Scheme
▪ The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister, has approved the implementation of the MERITE
Scheme.
▪ The scheme will be implemented in 275 technical institutions, including 175 engineering institutions and 100 polytechnics, across all States and Union Territories.
▪ Objective: To enhance the quality, equity, and governance of technical education by implementing interventions that aligns with the National Educational Policy-2020 (NEP-2020).
▪ It is a ‘Central Sector Scheme’ with the total financial implication of ₹4,200 crore for a period from 2025-26 to 2029-30.
▪ Funding: ₹2,100 crore of the total budget will be an external loan from the World Bank.
▪ Curriculum: The scheme aims to develop multidisciplinary programs, and create relevant, labour market-aligned curriculums and blended courses.
▪ Employability: The initiative will focus on enhancing students’ skills and employability through internships, updated curricula, faculty development programs, and the establishment of research hubs and innovation centres.
PM E-DRIVE
▪ The government has extended the PM E-DRIVE Scheme for two years, from March 2026 to March 2028.
▪ The extension applies to specific categories of vehicles, including electric buses, e-ambulances, and e-trucks.
About PM E-DRIVE Scheme
▪ Launch date: October 1, 2024.
▪ Ministry: Ministry of Heavy Industries.
▪ Objective: Encourage EV adoption, reduce environmental impact from transport, and support domestic EV manufacturing.
▪ Subsidies: Incentives for e-2Ws, e-3Ws, e-ambulances, e-trucks, and other EVs.
