NATIONAL SCHEMES

Bharat Maritime Insurance Pool (BMI Pool)

• • Context: The Union Cabinet has approved the establishment of the Bharat Maritime Insurance Pool with a sovereign guarantee of ₹12,980 crore.

• It is a government-backed domestic insurance mechanism to ensure uninterrupted coverage for shipping vessels.

• Covers Indian-flagged ships, Indian-controlled vessels, and ships bound for Indian ports.
• Acts as a financial safeguard to maintain trade continuity even if global insurers withdraw due to sanctions or geopolitical conflicts.

Governance and Structure

• A newly constituted governing body will manage implementation and operations.
• Domestic insurance companies will function as pool members.
• Combined underwriting capacity of around ₹950 crore will support policy issuance.

Objectives

• Reduce dependence on the international Protection and Indemnity (IGP&I) Club system.

• Provide affordable insurance for vessels in high-risk or sensitive maritime routes.
• Prevent sudden increases in freight and trade costs.
• Strengthen India’s control over maritime risk management.

Coverage Scope

• Hull and Machinery (ship structure and equipment damage).
• Cargo insurance for transported goods.
• Protection and Indemnity (third-party liabilities such as pollution, crew injury, wreck removal).
• War risk coverage for conflict-affected maritime zones.

Key Features

• Backed by a ₹12,980 crore sovereign guarantee ensuring financial stability and claim settlement capacity.
• Applicable to Indian vessels, India-bound foreign ships, and vessels operating from Indian ports.
• Insurance policies will be issued domestically for India-specific requirements.
• Expected to develop national expertise in marine insurance, claims management, and maritime law.

RELIEF

• Context: Rising geopolitical tensions in West Asia and its continuing impact on maritime logistics across the Gulf and adjoining regions, the Government has expanded the list of eligible destinations under RELIEF – Resilience & Logistics Intervention for Export Facilitation, a time-bound intervention under the Export Promotion Mission (EPM).

About RELIEF

• • RELIEF (Resilience & Logistics Intervention for Export Facilitation) was launched on 19 March 2026 under the Export Promotion Mission (EPM).

• The scheme addresses challenges such as high freight costs, increased insurance premiums, and war-related export risks.

• • It provides support across the export cycle, including both past shipments during disruption and upcoming exports.

• Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India is the nodal agency responsible for implementing the scheme.

• Assistance includes insurance support for exporters, facilitation of coverage for new shipments, and reimbursement aid for eligible MSMEs facing extra costs.
• Egypt and Jordan have been newly added to the list of eligible destinations under the scheme.

 

River Basin Management (RBM) Scheme

• Context: The RBM Scheme is proposed to be continued during the 16th Finance Commission period from 2026–27 to 2030–31 with a fully funded estimated financial outlay of ₹2183 crore. 
• In the previous phase, covering 2021–22 to 2025–26, the total budget allocation for the scheme was ₹1276 crore.  

About River Basin Management (RBM) Scheme

• RBM is a Central Sector Scheme under the Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti.

• • It focuses on integrated planning and development of water resources at the river basin level.

• The scheme covers both surface water and groundwater systems.

• • It aims to promote comprehensive and sustainable management of water resources.

• Implementing agencies include the Brahmaputra Board, Central Water Commission, and National Water Development Agency.

• Supports preparation of river basin master plans for long-term water resource management.
• Facilitates survey and investigation of water resource projects.
• Promotes planning and development of multipurpose projects such as irrigation, hydropower, and flood control.

Objectives of the Scheme

• The River Basin Management Scheme is designed to address the diverse challenges associated with water resource planning and development at the basin level. 

• The objective of the scheme is to focus on promoting sustainable use of water while supporting irrigation, hydropower, and flood management. 

• These objectives guide the overall planning and implementation of the scheme.
• Geographical Scope and Priority Areas

The RBM Scheme primarily focuses on strategically important and water-rich but underdeveloped regions, particularly:

• North Eastern Region river basins.
• Indus Basin in Jammu & Kashmir / Ladakh.
• Key basins such as Brahmaputra, Barak, Teesta, and Indus.

These basins are prioritised due to their importance in

• National water security.
• Cross-border water management.
• Flood control and erosion management.
• Ecological stability.

The scheme also addresses capacity gaps in states such as Jammu & Kashmir, Sikkim, Mizoram, Manipur, and Nagaland, which require central support for project planning and development.

 

Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY)

• Context: The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister has given its approval for the continuation of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana-III (PMGSY-III) beyond March 2025 upto March 2028.

About Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY)

• Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana was launched on 25 December 2000 as a flagship rural development programme.

• Objective: To provide all-weather road connectivity to unconnected rural habitations through a single reliable road.

Eligibility Criteria

• • Based on population size and connectivity status of habitations.
  • In plain areas: Habitations with a population of 500 or more are eligible.

• In North-Eastern, Himalayan states and Union Territories: Threshold reduced to 250 or more (as per 2001 Census).

Implementation Mechanism

• Implemented by State Governments and Union Territory Administrations through designated Executing Agencies.
• At the district level, Programme Implementation Units (PIUs) handle planning, coordination, and execution.
• PIUs are staffed with qualified technical personnel.
• Coordination with District Rural Development Agencies ensures smooth implementation and fund flow.

Administration

• • Funds are released through DRDAs.

• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Rural Development oversees the scheme

Benefits

• • Extension of PMGSY-III timeline will ensure completion of targeted rural road upgradation.
  • Enhances socio-economic benefits by improving connectivity in rural areas.
  • Boosts rural economy and trade by improving market access for agricultural and non-farm products.
  • Reduces transportation time and costs, leading to higher rural incomes.
  • Improves access to education and healthcare, especially in remote and underserved regions.
  • Ensures timely delivery of essential services.
  • Generates employment opportunities through construction and related activities.
  • Promotes growth of rural enterprises and services.
  • Helps bridge the rural-urban divide.
  • Contributes to inclusive and sustainable development.

• Supports the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.

 

Pipeline Gas Project

• • Context: The Central Government in New Delhi has formulated a pipeline gas project worth ₹12,500 crore, with the objective of reducing the road-based transportation of gas and enhancing energy security.
  • Currently, there is a heavy reliance on road transport, as gas imported from abroad is transported to refineries via tanker trucks.
  • To address this situation, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) has planned the establishment of a pipeline network.
  • Under this project, direct pipeline linkages will be established connecting gas import terminals, refineries, and cylinder filling centers.

• Consequently, the use of tanker trucks will decrease, making gas distribution safer and more efficient.

• • As the first phase of this project, nine locations across the country have been identified; specifically, plans are in place to lay pipelines spanning approximately 2,500 kilometers across four key regions.

• It is anticipated that once implemented, this project will enable a significant reduction in road-based gas transportation by the year 2030.

• Overall, this project marks a pivotal step toward modernizing India’s energy distribution infrastructure while simultaneously enhancing its safety and efficiency.

Pradhan Mantri Vishwakarma Yojana

• Context: The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) has provided training to over 2,500 beneficiaries under the ‘Pradhan Mantri Vishwakarma Yojana’ scheme on the usage of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools.

About Pradhan Mantri Vishwakarma Yojana

• The ‘Pradhan Mantri Vishwakarma Yojana’ was launched in 2023 as a fully funded Central Sector Scheme by the Government of India to support traditional artisans and craftspeople.

• This scheme is implemented under the leadership of the Ministry of MSME, in collaboration with the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and the Department of Financial Services under the Ministry of Finance.

• • The scheme will remain operational for a period of five years, spanning from the financial year 2023-24 to 2027-28, thereby ensuring long-term support for artisans across India.

• Its objective is to empower traditional workers engaged in family-based trades such as blacksmithing, goldsmithing, pottery, carpentry, and sculpting by integrating them into the modern economy.

• • The scheme places special emphasis on inclusive growth by extending support to women, marginalized sections (SCs, STs, and OBCs), persons with disabilities, transgender individuals, and residents of the North-Eastern, island, and hilly regions.
  • Only artisans aged 18 years and above who are working in the unorganized sector are eligible for this scheme. Only one beneficiary per family is permitted.
  • Beneficiaries of schemes such as the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme and PM SVANidhi over the past five years, as well as government employees and their families, have been excluded from this scheme.
  • Collateral-free business development loans of up to ₹3 lakh are provided at a concessional interest rate of 5%. The Government of India provides an interest subvention of 8% for this purpose.

• This scheme covers 18 traditional trades across both rural and urban areas, thereby ensuring wide-ranging reach and impact.

Current Facts

• Adjournment sine die

• Adjournment sine die refers to ending a session of Parliament for an unspecified period, without fixing any date for it to meet again. 
• The authority to declare such an adjournment rests with the presiding officer of the House. 
• The presiding officer also has the power to reconvene the House earlier than the scheduled adjournment or even after it has been adjourned sine die, whenever considered necessary.
  Current Facts
  • Adjournment sine die
  • Adjournment sine die refers to ending a session of Parliament for an unspecified period, without fixing any date for it to meet again. 
  • The authority to declare such an adjournment rests with the presiding officer of the House. 
  • The presiding officer also has the power to reconvene the House earlier than the scheduled adjournment or even after it has been adjourned sine die, whenever considered necessary.