Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY)
- Context: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved a reform to provide better-quality rice with fewer broken grains under PMGKAY and other welfare schemes, benefiting over 80 crore people.
About Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY)
- Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) is a free foodgrain distribution programme implemented under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013.
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- Under this scheme, eligible beneficiaries receive rice or wheat free of cost through the Public Distribution System (PDS).
- Launch: Started in March 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic to provide food support to poor and vulnerable families.
- Ministry: Implemented by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.
Objectives
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- To ensure food and nutrition security for economically weaker sections.
- To provide relief during emergencies such as pandemics and economic crises.
- To promote equity and inclusive access to food under the National Food Security Act (NFSA).
Components of the Scheme
- Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) families: Receive 35 kg of foodgrains per family every month.
- Priority Household (PHH) beneficiaries: Receive 5 kg of rice or wheat per person every month.
- Foodgrains are distributed through around 5.4 lakh Fair Price Shops (FPSs) across the country.
Key Features
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- Covers about 81.35 crore beneficiaries, including 75% of the rural population and 50% of the urban population.
- Distributes nearly 56–58 million tonnes of foodgrains every year.
- Since January 2023, foodgrains are provided completely free of cost, replacing the earlier system of nominal charges under NFSA.
- e-KYC and Aadhaar linking of ration cards have been introduced to improve transparency, with around 83% of beneficiaries verified.
- The food subsidy allocation for FY 2025–26 is ₹2.03 lakh crore.
- A re-verification drive is being conducted to remove ineligible beneficiaries, such as income taxpayers, vehicle owners, and inactive ration card holders.
National SC-ST Hub (NSSH) Scheme
- The National SC-ST Hub (NSSH) Scheme of the Ministry of MSME is a focused initiative designed to empower entrepreneurs from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes
About the National SC-ST Hub (NSSH) Scheme
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- Launched: October 2016
- It is a flagship scheme of the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME).
- Objective: To strengthen the capacity of Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) entrepreneurs and encourage an entrepreneurial culture among SC/ST communities.
- Implemented by: National Small Industries Corporation Ltd. (NSIC).
- The scheme provides support for:
- Purchase of plant and machinery/equipment.
- Training and capacity-building programmes.
- Market linkages and business promotion
- Participation in trade fairs and exhibitions.
- Access to credit and financial support.
- Udyam Registration.
- Government e-Marketplace (GeM) onboarding.
Functions of the Scheme
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- Encourages SC/ST-owned MSMEs to participate in the 4% public procurement target of Central/State Governments, CPSEs, and other government organizations.
- Develops strategies through industry associations to create awareness and increase SC/ST participation in government procurement.
- Helps SC/ST entrepreneurs join vendor development programmes and receive mentoring support from suitable Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs).
- Organizes skill development and capacity-building programmes for existing and aspiring SC/ST entrepreneurs.
- Shares the database of SC/ST MSMEs with CPSEs to increase procurement from these enterprises.
- Conducts awareness and outreach programmes to promote the scheme among SC/ST communities.
National Green Hydrogen Mission
- Context: India Advances Global Green Hydrogen Leadership under National Green Hydrogen Mission
National Green Hydrogen Mission
- National Green Hydrogen Mission: A flagship Government of India initiative to promote the production, use, and export of green hydrogen.
- Green Hydrogen: Produced by electrolysis of water using renewable energy (solar and wind), helping reduce carbon emissions.
- Objective: To reduce fossil fuel imports, enhance energy security, and make India a global hub for green hydrogen.
Approval and Budget
- Approved by the Union Cabinet in January 2023
- Total financial outlay of ₹19,744 crore
- Implemented by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
Objectives
- Establish India as a global hub for green hydrogen production and export
- Promote domestic manufacturing of electrolysers
- Enable large-scale decarbonisation of industry
- Achieve energy self-reliance
- Support India’s climate commitments
Key Components
Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition (SIGHT)
- Incentives for domestic electrolyser manufacturing
- Incentives for green hydrogen production
- Performance-linked support
Green Hydrogen Hubs
- Identification of states and regions for cluster-based development
- Integration of production, storage and export infrastructure
Targets by 2030
- Production capacity of at least 5 million metric tonnes per annum
- Addition of approximately 125 GW renewable energy capacity
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- Investment mobilisation of over ₹8 lakh crore
- Creation of more than 6 lakh jobs
- Reduction in fossil fuel imports exceeding ₹1 lakh crore
- Avoidance of nearly 50 million metric tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions annually
