Nasha Mukt Vidyalaya
- Context: The Ministry of Education has released a detailed three-year action plan for the Nasha Mukt Vidyalaya programme, aimed at eradicating substance abuse in schools.
About Nasha Mukt Vidyalaya Initiative
-
- Nasha Mukt Vidyalaya (Drug-Free Schools) is a focused programme under the larger Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan (NMBA), intended to make schools a frontline defense against drug addiction.
- The initiative seeks to reduce the growing problem of substance abuse among young people by using schools as a platform for awareness, early detection, and long-term behavioural change.
- Areas within a 500-metre radius around every school must be officially declared drug-free.
- Principals and designated teachers are obligated to report any drug-related incidents within this zone to local authorities and police.
- Students are encouraged to take part in peer-led activities that promote awareness and mutual support.
- Teachers and school leaders receive structured training to identify early warning signs of substance abuse and conduct awareness programmes.
- A well-defined reporting and tracking mechanism operates at school, district, and state levels to monitor progress and ensure accountability.
Current Facts
- India’s coastline
- In accordance with the guidelines of the National Security Council Secretariat, the National Hydrographic Office, in collaboration with the Survey of India, has re-evaluated India’s coastline, revising its length from 7,516.6 km to 11,098.81 km.
- Furthermore, Tamil Nadu’s coastline has been revised from 906.9 km to 1,068.69 km, making it the state with the second-longest coastline.
Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan Yojana- Context: The Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan (PM-SYM) Yojana to celebrate its anniversary and highlight its success in providing social security to unorganized workers.
About Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan Yojana
- Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan (PM-SYM), is a voluntary and contributory pension scheme launched by the Government of India to provide social security to unorganised workers.
-
- This scheme ensures a minimum monthly pension of ₹3,000 after the age of 60 for workers who belong to the unorganised sector and have a monthly income of up to ₹15,000.
- The scheme is a tribute to the workers in the Unorganized sectors who contribute around 50 per cent of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
- PM-SYM was introduced in the Interim Budget 2019.
- The scheme is administered by the Ministry of Labour and Employment in collaboration with Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) and Common Service Centres e-Governance Services India Limited (CSC SPV) for seamless implementation.
- The scheme is a part of the government’s broader social security initiatives and aligns with the vision of universal pension coverage for workers in the unorganised sector.
Eligibility Criteria
- To enroll in PM-SYM, individuals must meet the following eligibility conditions:
- Age Requirement: 18 to 40 years.
- Income Limit: Monthly income should be ₹15,000 or less.
- Unorganised Sector Employment: Workers engaged in professions such as: Street vendors, rag pickers, rickshaw pullers, Construction workers, daily wage labourers etc
Exclusion Criteria
- Should not be covered under the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF), Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC), or National Pension Scheme (NPS).
- Should not be an income taxpayer.
- Should not be receiving benefits from any other government pension scheme.
