Current Affairs, 10 June 2026

Loan cap

Maximum loan to large NBFC-MFIs/MFIs raised from ₹300 crore to ₹1000 crore, within an overall ceiling of 20% of AUM.

Guarantee coverage

Cover is 80% of the amount in default for small, 75% for medium and 70% for large NBFC-MFIs/MFIs.

Guarantee fee

The fee is 0.50% a year, on the sanctioned amount in the first year and on the outstanding amount after that.

Implementing agency

Guarantees are issued through NCGTC.

Guarantee agency

Guarantee cover is given through the National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company Limited (NCGTC) to banks and FIs lending to NBFC-MFIs and MFIs.

Coverage rates

The guarantee covers 80% of the amount in default for small, 75% for medium and 70% for large NBFC-MFIs/MFIs.

Don’t confuse with CGSMFI-2.0 vs Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE): CGSMFI-2.0 guarantees loans to MFIs through NCGTC; CGTMSE covers collateral-free loans to micro and small enterprises.

Don’t confuse with NBFC-MFI vs other MFIs: NBFC-MFIs are RBI-regulated non-bank finance companies; MFIs here also include other microfinance lenders. Both on-lend to small borrowers under the RBI definition of microfinance.

Schemes: 52 Prelims questions since 2013, 10 in Prelims 2026 alone. They test features, the period and who funds it. In Mains, 33 news-triggered questions, mostly GS3.

1. 2020Mains GS2 · Q17Evaluate SHGs' role in microfinance for asset creation and women's empowerment
2. 2013Mains GS2 · Q11Discuss legitimacy and accountability of SHGs and microfinance outfits
3. 2021Mains GS2 · Q8Can microfinancing women SHGs break gender inequality, poverty, malnutrition cycle?
4. 2015Mains GS2 · Q9Elucidate how the SHG-Bank Linkage Programme works as poverty alleviation and women empowerment tool.
5. 2011Prelims Q83Which institution has highest share in agricultural credit: commercial, cooperative, RRB, MFIs
6. 2011Prelims Q38Which microfinance services are provided: credit, savings, insurance, fund transfer
7. 2026Prelims Q99Statements on NBFC deposits, registration, and DICGC insurance coverage

UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.

Implementing agency

NCGTC implements the scheme. It gives guarantees to Member Lending Institutions, which lend the extra credit.

Cap and validity

The scheme runs till 31 March 2027 or until guarantees of ₹2.55 lakh crore are issued, whichever is earlier.

Guarantee cover

MSMEs get 100% cover and non-MSMEs get 90%. No guarantee fee is charged to lenders.

Access

Borrowers apply through the Jan Samarth Portal.

Target credit

The scheme aims to add ₹2,55,000 crore of credit to existing borrowers facing liquidity stress from the West Asia crisis.

Share of MSMEs and PSBs

MSMEs hold 96% of guarantees by number and 86% by amount; Public Sector Banks account for 96% of guarantees.

Lenders covered

PSU banks, private banks, RRBs, SFBs and NBFCs take part as lenders.

Implementing body

NCGTC runs ECLGS and acts as guarantee trustee.

Who runs it

NCGTC gives the guarantee to Member Lending Institutions.

Don’t confuse with EBLR vs MCLR: EBLR is an external benchmark for floating-rate loans, e.g. retail and micro and small enterprise loans. MCLR is a bank's internal reference rate, set by the bank.

Don’t confuse with ECLGS vs CGSE: CGSE is the Credit Guarantee Scheme for Exporters. Borrowers who took extra credit under it cannot claim ECLGS 5.0 for that amount.

Don’t confuse with ECLGS vs CGTMSE: CGTMSE guarantees collateral-free loans to micro and small enterprises on a standing basis; ECLGS is a crisis-time scheme giving extra working capital loans to existing borrowers.

Schemes: 52 Prelims questions since 2013, 10 in Prelims 2026 alone. They test features, the period and who funds it. In Mains, 33 news-triggered questions, mostly GS3.

1. 2023Mains GS3 · Q1Comment on government policies for MSME-led manufacturing growth.
2. 2002Prelims Q85Which PSU statements are correct, including ECGC's objectives and functions?
3. 2024Prelims Q52Whether syndicated loans spread default risk and can be credit lines
4. 2026Prelims Q93Which statements are correct about M1xchange's role in MSME financing?

UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.

Chair and venue

The PM chaired the 11th meeting at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre, New Delhi.

Theme

The theme of the meeting was Inclusive Human Development for Viksit Bharat@2047.

A first

Chief Ministers of all 28 States took part for the first time.

Aspirational approach

The PM suggested identifying 100 districts in agriculture, on the lines of aspirational districts.

Legal basis

NITI Aayog was created in 2015 by a Union Cabinet resolution. It has no statutory or constitutional status.

Composition

The Governing Council includes the PM as chairperson, Chief Ministers of all States and UTs with legislatures, and Lt Governors of the other UTs.

Who attends

Chief Ministers of States and UTs, Lieutenant Governors/Administrators, Union Ministers as ex-officio members and special invitees, and the NITI Vice Chairman, Members and CEO attend.

Four pillars

The Inclusive Human Development Framework rests on four pillars: human capital and skills; employment and entrepreneurship; health, nutrition and wellbeing; and equity and dignity.

Chief Secretaries' recommendations

The Council will also consider recommendations of the 5th National Conference of Chief Secretaries, held 26-28 December 2025.

Don’t confuse with NITI Aayog vs Planning Commission: The Planning Commission (1950) allocated funds through Five-Year Plans. NITI Aayog is advisory and does not allocate funds.

Don’t confuse with NITI Governing Council vs National Development Council: The NDC was the Planning Commission-era body of PM and CMs that approved Plans. The Governing Council is NITI's body for policy discussion.

Don’t confuse with Governing Council vs National Development Council: Both include the PM and Chief Ministers. The NDC was linked to the Planning Commission and approved Five-Year Plans; the NITI Governing Council is advisory and discusses policy.

Laws, judgments and statutory bodies: 30 Prelims questions since 2013 (what the law says, who chairs, legal basis). In Mains, 44 news-triggered questions, most in GS2, asking for provisions and challenges.

1. 2018Mains GS3 · Q11How NITI Aayog's principles differ from Planning Commission's principles
2. 2016Mains ESSAY · Q1Cooperative federalism: myth or reality
3. 2015Mains GS2 · Q2Drawbacks of existing structure; how cooperative federalism answers them
4. 2016Prelims Q56Whether Financial Stability and Development Council is an organ of NITI Aayog
5. 2015Prelims Q42Which body NITI Aayog was set up to replace
6. 2019Prelims Q19Under which body Atal Innovation Mission is set up

UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.

Role

DGTR runs anti-dumping, anti-subsidy and safeguard investigations and recommends measures to the Government.

Lesser Duty Rule

Duties are recommended only to the extent needed to remove injury to domestic industry.

Trade Defence Wing

Set up in 2016 to help Indian exporters facing trade remedy cases abroad.

Recommendatory role

DGTR recommends duties; the Ministry of Finance (Department of Revenue) decides on and imposes them.

Don’t confuse with Anti-dumping duty vs countervailing duty: Anti-dumping duty targets imports sold below normal value. Countervailing duty offsets foreign government subsidies.

Don’t confuse with Safeguard duty vs anti-dumping duty: Safeguard duty answers a sudden surge in imports, whether or not they are unfair. Anti-dumping duty answers dumped imports from specific countries.

Laws, judgments and statutory bodies: 30 Prelims questions since 2013 (what the law says, who chairs, legal basis). In Mains, 44 news-triggered questions, most in GS2, asking for provisions and challenges.

1. 2025Mains GS3 · Q2Indian economy's challenges as the world shifts toward protectionism and bilateralism
2. 2018Mains GS2 · Q19Key WTO reforms needed amid trade war, keeping India's interests in mind
3. 2023Mains GS3 · Q14Direct and indirect farm subsidies in India, and WTO issues on agricultural subsidies

UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.

Round-3 total

96 companies are selected, with committed investment of ₹12,822.67 crore and projected turnover of ₹58,294.18 crore.

Focus segments

Approved applicants cover MMF Apparel, MMF Fabrics and Technical Textiles.

Implementing ministry

The scheme is run by the Ministry of Textiles.

Don’t confuse with PLI Textiles vs PM MITRA: PLI Textiles gives production-linked incentives to firms. PM MITRA develops integrated textile parks with infrastructure.

Schemes: 52 Prelims questions since 2013, 10 in Prelims 2026 alone. They test features, the period and who funds it. In Mains, 33 news-triggered questions, mostly GS3.

1. 2025Mains GS3 · Q12Rationale, achievements of PLI scheme; improving its functioning and outcomes
2. 2013Mains GS1 · Q23Factors behind the highly decentralized cotton textile industry in India
3. 2023Mains GS3 · Q1Government policies to raise manufacturing share in GDP, especially MSMEs
4. 1997Prelims Q35Which 1996 WTO Ministerial agreement relates to the Multi-fibre Agreement?
5. 2022Prelims Q46Statements on PET fibres' blending, recycling, and incineration properties
6. 2023Prelims Q53Statements on carbon fibres' automotive, aircraft use and recyclability

UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.

Legal basis

The programme runs under an MoU on Employment of Workers between India and Mauritius, signed in May 2023.

Implementing agency

NSDC was designated in July 2025 to support Mauritius's Economic Development Board in running the scheme.

Ministry in charge

The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship leads on the Indian side; MoS (IC) Jayant Chaudhary flagged off the batch.

Contract terms

Workers get three-year contracts at about ₹4-4.5 lakh a year, with housing, transport, overtime, work permits and medical cover.

Employer and pipeline

The first employer is Super U Mauritius, a retail chain. 33 more candidates are in work permit and documentation processing.

Don’t confuse with G2G framework vs private recruitment: In G2G mobility, the two governments set the rules and agencies like NSDC handle placement. Private recruitment agents are regulated separately under the Emigration Act, 1983.

International bodies and relations: the largest group of news questions in Prelims (61 since 2013), often about background, members and location. In Mains, 27 news-triggered questions, mostly on India's interests.

1. 2015Mains GS1 · Q11Discuss changing trends of labour migration within and outside India
2. 2020Mains GS4 · Q12Ethical dilemma around migrant workers' welfare during pandemic lockdown
3. 2018Mains GS1 · Q13Why British took indentured labour from India; cultural identity preserved abroad
4. 2026Prelims Q69Which statements on Colombo Process, Abu Dhabi Dialogue, GFMD are correct
5. 2026Prelims Q64Which international conventions on labour and migrants India has not ratified

UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.

Floating solar potential

The report estimates India's floating solar potential at over 102 GWp.

Total assessed solar potential

With floating solar included, India's total assessed solar potential is 3,445 GWp.

Planned scheme

The Ministry is working on a dedicated scheme to promote floating solar deployment.

Solar capacity growth

Installed solar capacity rose from 2.8 GW in 2014 to 155 GW, as stated by the Minister.

Manufacturing capacity

Module manufacturing capacity is 192 GW and cell manufacturing capacity is 30 GW.

Publisher

The report was released by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, the nodal ministry for renewable energy.

Don’t confuse with GWp vs GW: GWp is peak capacity under standard test conditions, used for potential assessments. GW is generally used for installed or operating capacity.

Don’t confuse with PM-KUSUM vs PM Surya Ghar: PM-KUSUM covers farmers' solar pumps and farm-level solar. PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana covers rooftop solar for households.

Reports and indices: 14 Prelims questions since 2013; they test who publishes a report and what it measures.

1. 2020Mains GS1 · Q16Elaborate India's immense solar energy potential and its regional variations
2. 2016Mains GS3 · Q11Give current status and targets of renewable energy sources in India
3. 2025Mains GS1 · Q6Explain ecological and economic benefits of solar energy generation in India
4. 2022Prelims Q84Which statements about largest solar park and floating solar project are correct
5. 2018Prelims Q67Which statements on India's silicon wafer manufacturing and solar tariffs are correct

UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.