UPSC current affairs · Friday

Current Affairs, 13 February 2026

12 issues picked from 114 PIB releases · about 2 minutes each · written by UPSC Grade, each fact checked against its PIB release or by a second model

How to readRead “Why in news” and “What it is” for every issue. Open For Prelims or For Mains for the exam you’re preparing for, then Test yourself at the foot of each card. Half the news questions in Prelims are answered from background, not the news itself.

In 60 seconds

Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025 (VB-G RAM G). VB-G RAM G gives 125 days' work; Gram Panchayats plan, execute and are audited by Gram Sabha.
PLI Scheme. PLI ACC battery scheme: 40 GWh awarded, little installed; technology, skills, equipment and material gaps persist.
Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2026. Draft DAP 2026 cuts procurement categories to four, raises indigenous content, and speeds up defence buying.
Swadesh Darshan and PRASHAD. Tourism Ministry revamps Swadesh Darshan as 2.0 and lists its schemes for States like Himachal Pradesh.
PM-RAHAT (Road Accident Victims' Hospitalisation and Assured Treatment). PM approves PM RAHAT: cashless treatment up to ₹1.5 lakh for accident victims.
Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY). MoFPI's PMKSY got ₹630 crore in 2024-25; demand-driven, no State-wise allocation, two components discontinued.
Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP). 17,990 Jan Aushadhi Kendras open by December 2025; generic prescribing pushed through MCI rules and PMBI campaigns.
DISHA Scheme and Tele-Law. Government reports DISHA's reach under Article 39A: Tele-Law, pro bono advocates, legal literacy, defence counsel and eCourts.
PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana. Centre seeks CSR money and partners for the 100-district PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana.
National Biodiversity Authority and Access and Benefit Sharing. NBA collected ₹2.40 crore benefit-sharing in 45 days; total ABS now above ₹266 crore.
Research Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme. BIRAC becomes a second-level RDI fund manager and opens a Rs 2,000 crore biotech funding call.
IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021. Government cites IT Rules 2021, TV Programme Code and Fact Check Unit against fake content.

Law and statutory body

Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025 (VB-G RAM G)

GS2 Welfare schemesGS3 Inclusive growthPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 13 February 2026, the Rural Development Ministry told the Rajya Sabha how the VB-G RAM G Act, 2025 links village plans to PM Gati Shakti and what role Panchayats play under section 16.
What it is: The Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025 is a Central law on rural wage employment. It gives eligible rural households a statutory entitlement to guaranteed wage employment and aims at durable rural assets and livelihoods. It takes the place of the earlier rural employment guarantee framework under which households had 100 days of work.

Wage floor: No notified daily wage anywhere in the country will be below ₹300.
National average wage: The national average notified wage rose from ₹298.8 to ₹327.4 per day, an increase of over 10 per cent.
Interim allocation: The Centre has released an interim allocation of ₹95,692.31 crore to States and UTs.
Launch venue: The National Launch Programme is on 2 July 2026 at Mukkavaripalle Village, Tirupati District, Andhra Pradesh.
Ministry: The Act is administered by the Ministry of Rural Development.
Days of guaranteed work: The statutory guarantee rises from 100 to 125 days for every eligible rural household.
Commencement date: The Act comes into force across rural India from July 1, 2026.
Role of Gram Panchayats: The Act places Gram Panchayats at the centre, stressing durable assets, water conservation, SHGs and convergence with other rural programmes.
State readiness: 29 States/UTs have made budget provisions and 24 States have notified the VB-G RAM G State Scheme.
Job card transition: Existing e-KYC verified job cards stay valid until new Gramin Rozgar Guarantee Cards are issued.
Commencement: The Act is to be rolled out nationwide from 1 July 2026, notified on 11 May 2026.
Repeal of MGNREGA: MGNREGA, 2005 stands repealed from the date the new Act commences.
Guarantee: Each rural household whose adult members volunteer for unskilled manual work is entitled to 125 days of wage employment every financial year.
Unemployment allowance: If work is not given within the prescribed time after demand, workers are entitled to unemployment allowance.
Funding pattern: Centrally Sponsored Scheme under Section 22. Sharing is 90:10 for North-Eastern States, Himalayan States and UTs (Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, J&K), and 60:40 for all other States and UTs with legislature.
State scheme: Under Section 3(1), each State must notify a Scheme consistent with the Act within six months of its commencement.
Normative allocation: The Central Government decides State-wise normative allocation on objective parameters it prescribes (Section 22(4)).
Type of scheme: Section 22 makes the scheme a Centrally Sponsored Scheme.
Fund sharing: The Centre-State ratio is 90:10 for North-Eastern and Himalayan States and the UT of Jammu and Kashmir, and 60:40 for all other States and UTs with legislature.
State-wise allocation: Under Section 22(4), the Centre decides each State's normative allocation on objective parameters it prescribes.
Special relaxations: In disasters or pandemics, States may recommend relaxations. The Centre can allow wider permissible works, relaxed documentation and temporarily more employment.
Plan approval: The Gram Panchayat prepares the Viksit Gram Panchayat Plan and the Gram Sabha approves it (Schedule I, para 5(2)).
50% works through Gram Panchayats: At least half of the total works, by cost, must be implemented through Gram Panchayats.
Gati Shakti link: Village plans are integrated with PM Gati Shakti, use geospatial systems, and are aggregated at Block, District, State and National levels.
Guaranteed days: At least 125 days of wage employment per rural household per financial year, up from 100 days.
Women's participation: At least one-third participation of women is mandatory, with special job cards for women-headed households and single women.
Crèche: A crèche is to be provided at worksites where five or more children under five accompany working women.
Councils: One-third women representation is mandatory in the Central and State Rojgar Guarantee Councils.
Work themes: Works are prioritised under four themes: water security, core rural infrastructure, livelihood infrastructure and mitigation of extreme weather events.
Nature of scheme: The scheme under the Act is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme.
Allocation: The Centre fixes State-wise normative allocation on objective parameters, under Section 22(4).
Planning: Works are chosen through Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans approved by the Gram Sabha and aggregated up to the national level, in four thematic domains.
Four thematic domains: Water security works, core rural infrastructure, livelihood infrastructure, and special works for extreme weather events and disaster preparedness.
Allocation to States: The Central Government determines State-wise normative allocation on objective parameters it prescribes (Section 22(4)).
Planning link: Works are planned through Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans, integrated with PM Gati Shakti and aggregated at Block, District, State and National levels.
Wage payment: Wages must be paid within one week. If payment is delayed beyond 15 days, workers get 0.05 percent extra as interest on dues.
Role of Gram Sabha: The Gram Sabha takes the decision on which village-related works are to be undertaken.
Women's share: 33 percent of the work under the scheme is reserved for women.
Farm work window: State governments can notify deployment of workers for agricultural operations for a maximum of 60 days during sowing and harvesting.
Administrative expenditure: Administrative expenditure is raised from 6 percent to 9 percent to avoid delays in payments to employment assistants.

Don’t confuse with VB-G RAM G vs MGNREGA: MGNREGA, 2005 guaranteed 100 days of work per household. VB-G RAM G raises the entitlement to 125 days and adds a focus on durable assets and livelihoods.

Don’t confuse with VB-G RAM G Act vs earlier rural employment guarantee law: The new Act raises the guarantee from 100 to 125 days and replaces the earlier framework; the 100-day figure belongs to the old one.

Don’t confuse with Interim allocation vs final allocation: The ₹95,692.31 crore is an interim sum for a smooth start, not the full annual allocation.

Don’t confuse with VB–G RAM G vs MGNREGA: MGNREGA, 2005 gave 100 days and is repealed; VB–G RAM G gives 125 days from 1 July 2026.

Don’t confuse with Notification vs commencement: The notification was on 11 May 2026; the Act applies from 1 July 2026.

Don’t confuse with VB-G RAM G vs earlier 100-day framework: The new Act raises the guarantee to 125 days, makes the scheme Centrally Sponsored with normative allocation, and adds an off-season employment guarantee.

Don’t confuse with VB-G RAM G vs the earlier rural employment guarantee: The earlier framework gave 100 days of work. The 2025 Act guarantees 125 days.

Don’t confuse with VB-G RAM G vs MGNREGS: MGNREGS gave 100 days of work; VB-G RAM G gives 125 days and adds Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans linked to PM Gati Shakti.

Don’t confuse with Gram Panchayat vs Gram Sabha: The Gram Panchayat is the elected village body that prepares plans and executes works; the Gram Sabha of village voters approves plans and conducts social audits.

Don’t confuse with VB-G RAM G Act vs MGNREGA: The new Act gives 125 days of guaranteed work; the earlier framework gave 100 days.

Don’t confuse with VB-G RAM G Act vs earlier MGNREGA: The earlier framework guaranteed 100 days of work; VB-G RAM G guarantees 125 days and adds thematic works and a digital governance layer.

Don’t confuse with Centrally Sponsored vs Central Sector Scheme: Centrally Sponsored Schemes share cost with States; Central Sector Schemes are fully funded by the Centre.

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.

Why it matters

Raises the statutory work guarantee to 125 days and lifts wages, supporting rural income and livelihood security.
Targets durable assets, natural resource conservation and women-led development.
Raises the legal guarantee of wage work to 125 days, improving rural income security.
Focus on durable assets, water conservation and convergence can build rural infrastructure and livelihoods.
Gram Panchayat-centred planning supports decentralised, participatory governance.
Raises the statutory guarantee from 100 to 125 days, strengthening livelihood security and rural incomes.
Keeps the legal right to work, with unemployment allowance and delay compensation as enforcement tools.
Makes Gram Panchayats central to rural development planning.
Raises the statutory wage guarantee, improving income and livelihood security for rural households.
Mandatory off-season work gives support when farm work is scarce.
Large outlay supports rural asset creation and demand.
Raises the statutory work guarantee to 125 days, adding to rural income security.
Demand-driven design with State partnership supports cooperative federalism.
Strengthens decentralised planning by making Panchayats at three tiers the principal authorities.
Raises the guarantee to 125 days, adding to rural livelihood security.
Geospatial, Gati Shakti-linked plans promote convergence and durable assets.
Higher guaranteed days raise rural income security and consumption smoothing.
Women-centric provisions promote gender-inclusive employment and support SHGs.
Focus on durable and climate-resilient assets links wage work to livelihoods.
Raises the statutory guarantee of rural work from 100 to 125 days, strengthening income security.
Links works to water security, rural infrastructure and disaster resilience through local plans.
Raises the statutory guarantee to 125 days, supporting rural income security.
Ties wage work to durable assets, water security and climate resilience.
Digital tools like biometrics, GPS monitoring and AI audits aim to cut leakages.
Gives rural households a stronger legal work guarantee and a safety net through more days and an unemployment allowance.
Gram Sabha control over works ties employment to local needs such as water conservation and disaster mitigation.

Problems

States must share costs and keep up timely wage payment, which strains finances.
Real delivery depends on demand-based work, administration capacity and transparent payments.
States must share costs and prepare schemes, and uneven readiness could delay work and wage payments.
Technology-based verification and new cards may exclude workers with poor connectivity or documents.
Transition risk: rules on transition, allocation and grievance redressal are still being drafted.
Fiscal burden on States, which share the cost, and dependence on Central normative allocation.
Technology-linked requirements such as e-KYC and DBT can exclude workers.
The 60:40 sharing and normative allocation may strain finances of poorer States.
Centrally fixed allocation may limit a demand-driven entitlement.
Timely wage payment, State scheme notification and capacity remain hurdles.
States must pay 40% in most cases, which strains finances.
Central fixing of normative allocations may limit the demand-driven character.
Panchayats may lack technical staff and capacity for geospatial planning and record-keeping.
Dependence on digital systems can exclude workers with poor connectivity.
Funding and timely wage payment depend on Centre-State coordination.
Timely wage payment and paying the unemployment allowance depend on state capacity and funds.
Critics may argue that changes to the earlier framework could weaken its demand-driven nature.
The 60:40 sharing may strain finances of poorer States.
Biometric and digital monitoring may exclude workers with poor connectivity or authentication failures.
Centre-set normative allocation may limit demand-driven work.
States must bear 40% (or 10%) of costs, straining finances of poorer States.
Centre-set normative allocation may limit demand-driven work and State autonomy.
Biometric and digital dependence can exclude workers in areas with poor connectivity.
Faster wage payment and interest on delays depend on states' capacity and fund flow.
Allowing farm work for up to 60 days must not dilute the purpose of creating durable rural assets.

Way forward

Release funds on time and pay wages without delay.
Use the new software platform for transparency and social audit of works.
Ensure timely wage payment and adequate funds to States, with regular social audits.
Build Gram Panchayat capacity for planning and asset creation, with support for digital access.
Publish the rules quickly after public consultation so the transition is smooth.
Support States with timely funds and e-KYC facilitation, never denying work for pending e-KYC.
Strengthen grievance redressal and social audit so wage payment and work demand are enforced.
Keep allocation flexible enough to meet actual demand.
Ensure timely payment of wages and the Centre's share.
Build State capacity and social audit to ensure assets are durable.
Use clear, objective allocation parameters and release funds on time.
Focus spending on durable rural assets.
Build Panchayat capacity with technical staff and training.
Ensure regular Gram Sabha social audits with public disclosure of records.
Keep offline options and grievance redressal for workers facing digital barriers.
Ensure time-bound wage payment and effective social audits.
Converge works with Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans and ensure strong grievance redressal.
Ensure fallback to manual verification so no worker is excluded.
Keep funds flowing on time and allocation responsive to actual demand.
Strengthen Gram Sabha role and social audits in planning.
Ensure timely fund release and wage payment, with fiscal support for weaker States.
Keep non-digital fallback for authentication and strengthen social audits and Gram Sabha role.
Issue clear instructions with states and strengthen monitoring and social audit so timely payment is enforced.
Build Gram Panchayat capacity to plan village-specific works.

Put in your answer

Interim allocation: Cite the ₹95,692.31 crore interim release as the Centre's funding for rollout.

Guarantee raised: Statutory entitlement increased from 100 to 125 days per eligible rural household.

State readiness data: 29 States/UTs made budget provisions and 24 States notified the State Scheme before rollout.

Fiscal federalism angle: Section 22 makes it a Centrally Sponsored Scheme with 90:10 and 60:40 sharing, a case of cooperative federalism and cost burden on States.

Fund sharing: Centre-State ratio of 90:10 for NE and Himalayan States, 60:40 for others, shows differentiated cooperative federalism.

Section 16 role of Panchayats: Panchayats at all three levels are the principal authorities for planning, implementation and monitoring, a decentralisation point in answers on grassroots governance.

Social audit: Records must be placed before the Gram Sabha for social audits, supporting transparency and accountability.

Women's participation: Women's participation under MGNREGS has been above 50% in the last three financial years and in 2025-26.

Livelihood infrastructure: Assets such as SHG buildings, work sheds, nurseries, livestock shelters and rural haats strengthen women and SHGs.

Digital governance: Biometric authentication, GPS or mobile worksite monitoring, real-time dashboards and AI for audits and fraud risk.

Funding split: 60:40 for most States and 90:10 for NE and Himalayan States shows differentiated cooperative federalism.

Accountability: Delayed wages now attract 0.05 percent extra interest on dues after 15 days, so those responsible bear the cost of delays.

Test yourself

True or false?

1 of 40

Statements the way Prelims prints them. Say first, then see the fact.

1.The Act keeps the earlier entitlement of 100 days of employment per eligible rural household.
2.Following the notification of revised rates, no notified daily wage in any State or UT is below ₹300.
3.The Act is administered by the Ministry of Rural Development.
4.The National Launch Programme of the Act is to be held in Tirupati district of Telangana.
5.The Act comes into force across rural India from July 1, 2026.
6.The Act makes Block Panchayats the central unit of rural transformation in place of Gram Panchayats.
7.The Act is administered by the Ministry of Rural Development, whose Union Minister also holds the Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare portfolio.
8.The interim allocation to States and UTs for the rollout is ₹95,692.31 crore.
9.The Act will come into force on 11 May 2026, the date of its notification.
10.MGNREGA, 2005 stands repealed when the new Act comes into force.
11.If work is not provided within the prescribed time after demand, the worker has no remedy under the Act.
12.Existing e-KYC verified MGNREGA job cards remain valid under the new Act until Gramin Rozgar Guarantee Cards are issued.
13.The ₹95,692.31 crore allocation for 2026–27 is the total programme outlay including State contributions.
14.The scheme under the Act is a Central Sector Scheme funded wholly by the Centre.
15.For Himalayan States such as Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, the Centre-State sharing ratio is 90:10.
16.For States other than North-Eastern and Himalayan States, the Centre bears 90 per cent of the cost.
17.Each State must notify its own Scheme consistent with the Act within six months of commencement.
18.State-wise normative allocation is fixed by each State Government on its own parameters.
19.Under the Act, the Viksit Gram Panchayat Plan is prepared by the Programme Officer and approved by the Block Panchayat.
20.At least fifty percent of the total works, in cost terms, are to be implemented through Gram Panchayats.
21.The intermediate-level Panchayat finalises the aggregate district-level plan under the Act.
22.The Gram Panchayat registers households and issues Gramin Rozgar Guarantee Cards under the Scheme.
23.Under the Act, muster rolls, bills and vouchers are placed before the Block Panchayat for social audit.
24.Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans are integrated with PM Gati Shakti and aggregated at Block, District, State and National levels.
25.The VB-G RAM G Act, 2025 guarantees at least 125 days of wage employment per rural household per financial year.
26.Under the Act, an unemployment allowance is payable if work is not provided within the stipulated time.
27.The Act makes at least half of the participation of women mandatory.
28.Crèche facilities are required at worksites where five or more children under five years accompany working women.
29.The Act requires one-third women representation in the Central and State Rojgar Guarantee Councils.
30.The four priority themes of works under the Act include defence infrastructure.
31.For most States, the Centre and State share the cost in a 60:40 ratio.
32.The 90:10 sharing pattern applies to the North-Eastern and Himalayan States and the UT of Jammu and Kashmir.
33.State-wise normative allocation under the Act is decided by each State Government on its own parameters.
34.Works under the Act are identified through Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans prepared and approved by the Gram Sabha.
35.The Act confines works to a single theme, rural roads.
36.The scheme under the Act is a Central Sector Scheme funded wholly by the Union Government.
37.Under the Act, the Centre-State funding ratio is 60:40 for most States, and 90:10 for North-Eastern and Himalayan States.
38.Special works to mitigate extreme weather events and prepare for disasters are one of the thematic domains of works under the Act.
39.The Act provides for works to be identified through Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans, which are integrated with PM Gati Shakti.
40.The Act has five thematic domains of works, including a separate domain for urban infrastructure.

Written by us from the release, not by UPSC; checked by a second model.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Rural Development, 13 Feb, 16:15 IST · Release 284202

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2028: most news questions come within two years of the event.

Scheme

PLI Scheme: National Programme on Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) Battery Storage

GS3 Industry and energy storagePrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 13 Feb 2026, the Minister of State for Heavy Industries told the Rajya Sabha that 40 GWh of the 50 GWh PLI ACC capacity is awarded, with only ₹3,237 crore invested by 31 Dec 2025.
What it is: The National Programme on Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) Battery Storage is a Production Linked Incentive scheme run by the Ministry of Heavy Industries. It gives incentives to firms that set up large-scale ACC manufacturing in India. ACCs are new-generation devices that store electrical energy as electrochemical or chemical energy and convert it back to electricity when needed.

Approval and outlay: The scheme was approved in May 2021 with a total outlay of ₹18,100 crore.
Target capacity: The scheme aims to build 50 GWh of domestic ACC manufacturing capacity.
Capacity awarded: Of the 50 GWh, 40 GWh has been awarded to four beneficiary firms.
Aim: The scheme seeks to cut dependence on imported ACCs and build a globally competitive manufacturing ecosystem.
Technology: Beneficiary firms report using in-house developed ACC technology.
Administering ministry: The scheme is administered by the Ministry of Heavy Industries.
Implementation challenges: Firms face limited technology, a skilled manpower gap, dependence on imported critical equipment and no upstream components such as CAM, AAM and electrolyte.
National Critical Mineral Mission: Run by the Ministry of Mines, approved on 29 Jan 2025, to secure the critical mineral value chain from exploration to recovery from end-of-life products.
Outlay and capacity: Approved in May 2021 with an outlay of ₹18,100 crore to build 50 GWh of domestic ACC capacity.
Incentive basis: Incentive depends on the subsidy per kWh quoted by the firm and the percentage of value addition achieved on actual sales.
Value addition targets: At least 25% value addition within 2 years at Mother Unit level, rising to 60% within 5 years of the appointed date.
Technology neutrality: The scheme is technology agnostic, and superior technologies get higher incentives. R&D spending counts towards investment criteria.

Don’t confuse with PLI ACC vs FAME / PM E-DRIVE: PLI ACC subsidises battery cell manufacturing. FAME and PM E-DRIVE support electric vehicle demand and adoption.

Don’t confuse with PLI ACC vs PLI-Auto: PLI ACC supports making battery cells; PLI-Auto supports automobiles and auto components. Both are run by the Ministry of Heavy Industries.

Don’t confuse with PM E-DRIVE vs PLI ACC: PM E-DRIVE promotes EV adoption through demand-side support; PLI ACC is a supply-side manufacturing incentive.

Don’t confuse with PLI ACC vs FAME/PM E-DRIVE: PLI ACC subsidises domestic battery cell manufacturing; FAME and PM E-DRIVE support demand for electric vehicles.

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.

Test yourself

True or false?

1 of 16

Statements the way Prelims prints them. Say first, then see the fact.

1.The PLI scheme for ACC battery storage is administered by the Ministry of Heavy Industries.
2.The scheme has a total outlay of ₹18,100 crore.
3.The entire targeted capacity under the scheme has been awarded to beneficiary firms.
4.The scheme was approved in May 2021.
5.The scheme aims to reduce India's dependence on imported ACCs.
6.Domestic demand for ACCs is now largely met by domestic production under the scheme.
7.The PLI scheme on National Programme on ACC Battery Storage is administered by the Ministry of Heavy Industries.
8.The scheme aims to establish 50 GWh of domestic ACC manufacturing capacity with an outlay of ₹18,100 crore.
9.The capacity awarded under the scheme can be used only for electric vehicle batteries.
10.The Ministry of Mines' recycling incentive scheme accepts Lithium Ion Battery scrap as eligible feedstock.
11.The PLI ACC scheme is administered by the Ministry of Heavy Industries.
12.The scheme targets 50 GWh of domestic ACC manufacturing capacity.
13.Incentive under the scheme depends on the subsidy per kWh quoted by the firm and the value addition achieved on actual sales.
14.Beneficiary firms must reach 60% value addition within 2 years of the appointed date.
15.The scheme favours a single prescribed battery chemistry and gives equal incentive to all technologies.
16.Under Round-2, the scheme period is seven years from the appointed date, including a two-year gestation period.

Written by us from the release, not by UPSC; checked by a second model.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises, 13 Feb, 17:05 IST · Release 284217

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2027: most news questions come within two years of the event.

Defence and security

Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2026

GS3 Defence and securityGS3 IndigenisationPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 13 February 2026 the Ministry of Defence said the draft Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2026, meant to replace DAP 2020, is out for stakeholder comments.
What it is: The Defence Acquisition Procedure is the Ministry of Defence rulebook for capital purchases for the armed forces. It sets procurement categories, approval steps, trials and indigenous content rules. DAP 2020 is the version now in force; it favoured Indian sources and was part of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat push.

Categories: Procurement categories fall from 5 to 4.
Indigenous content: Indigenous content in the Buy Indigenous Design, Development & Manufacturer category rises from 50% to 60%, with incentives.
TRL-based single vendor: Technology Readiness Level based categorisation is introduced. An ab-initio single vendor is allowed in Buy (Indian-indigenous design, development and manufacture) for TRL 6 to 9 equipment.
New procedures: Long Term Bulk Acquisition and Low-Cost Capital Acquisition are introduced.
Preferred category: The DAP gives institutional preference to the Buy (Indian-IDDM) category: indigenously designed, developed and manufactured.
DAP vs DPM: DAP covers capital procurement under the Capital head. The Defence Procurement Manual 2025 covers maintenance and sustenance under the Revenue head.
Import restriction: Imports are to be restricted to equipment that is not available domestically and is critical.

Don’t confuse with DAP vs DPP: DPP was the earlier Defence Procurement Procedure; it was renamed DAP in 2020.

Don’t confuse with Make vs iDEX: Make is a procurement route for industry-developed prototypes; iDEX is the Innovations for Defence Excellence scheme for start-ups and MSMEs.

Don’t confuse with DAP vs DPM: DAP governs capital acquisition (Capital head); DPM 2025 governs maintenance and sustenance (Revenue head).

Don’t confuse with IDDM vs Indian-IC: IDDM needs indigenous design, development and manufacture; other Buy (Indian) categories are judged mainly on indigenous content percentage.

Defence: Prelims tests exercises (with whom), equipment (who makes it) and firsts.

Test yourself

Source: PIB, Ministry of Defence, 13 Feb, 19:46 IST · Release 284264

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2027: most news questions come within two years of the event.

Scheme

Swadesh Darshan and PRASHAD

GS3 Tourism infrastructurePrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 13 February 2026, the Tourism Minister told Lok Sabha that Swadesh Darshan has been revamped as Swadesh Darshan 2.0, with a Challenge Based Destination Development sub-scheme, and listed other tourism schemes.
What it is: Swadesh Darshan is a Central Sector scheme of the Ministry of Tourism, launched in 2014-15, to develop themed tourist circuits in States and UTs. PRASHAD, launched in 2014-15, develops pilgrimage and heritage sites. Swadesh Darshan 2.0 shifts the focus from circuits to sustainable destinations.

Swadesh Darshan 2.0: The revamped scheme aims at sustainable and responsible destinations, with a tourist and destination centric approach, framed in consultation with States/UTs.
CBDD: Challenge Based Destination Development is a sub-scheme under Swadesh Darshan 2.0 for holistic development of destinations across the tourist value chain.
ACA: Assistance to Central Agencies gives support to bodies such as ITDC, WAPCOS, BECIL, ASI and Port Trust of India for tourism infrastructure.
CBSP: Capacity Building for Service Providers gives education, training and certification to hospitality service providers, to help move from informal to formal jobs.
Homestays: Budget 2025-26 announced collateral-free institutional credit through Mudra Loans for homestays.
Launch: Swadesh Darshan was launched in 2014-15 by the Ministry of Tourism.
Scale: 76 projects worth Rs 5,290.33 crore have been sanctioned under thematic circuits.
Uttar Pradesh status: Projects on the Ramayana and Buddhist Circuits in Uttar Pradesh are physically complete.
Who develops destinations: Destination planning and development is mainly the responsibility of the State or UT government. The Centre's scheme complements this.
SASCI iconic centres: Under SASCI, the 'Integrated Buddhist Tourism Development in Shrawasti' project was sanctioned in 2024-25 for Rs 80.24 crore.
Funding type: Swadesh Darshan is a Central Sector Scheme of the Ministry of Tourism.
Type of schemes: Swadesh Darshan, SD 2.0, PRASHAD and others are ongoing Central Sector Schemes of the Ministry of Tourism.
PRASHAD project in Assam: PRASHAD funds the Kamakhya Temple and pilgrimage destination development in and around Guwahati.
How funds flow: States, UTs or Central Agencies prepare proposals. Aid depends on guidelines, conditions and availability of funds.
Stated objectives: The schemes aim at holistic, sustainable infrastructure to boost tourism, conserve culture, create jobs and strengthen local economies.

Don’t confuse with Swadesh Darshan vs PRASHAD: Swadesh Darshan develops themed tourist circuits and now destinations; PRASHAD develops pilgrimage and heritage sites.

Don’t confuse with CBSP vs ACA: CBSP trains tourism service providers; ACA funds Central agencies for infrastructure.

Don’t confuse with Swadesh Darshan vs SASCI iconic centres: Swadesh Darshan covers thematic circuits. The SASCI scheme develops iconic tourist centres to global scale, with capital investment support to States.

Don’t confuse with SASCI vs ACA: SASCI gives special assistance to States for capital investment. ACA assists Central Agencies for tourism 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.

Test yourself

Source: PIB, Ministry of Tourism, 13 Feb, 11:54 IST · Release 284166

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2027: most news questions come within two years of the event.

Scheme

PM-RAHAT (Road Accident Victims' Hospitalisation and Assured Treatment)

GS2 Governance: health and road safety schemesGS3 InfrastructurePrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 13 February 2026, PM Modi approved the PM RAHAT scheme in his first decisions from Seva Teerth. It gives accident victims cashless treatment of up to ₹1.5 lakh.
What it is: PM-RAHAT is a cashless treatment scheme for road accident victims, run under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. It aims to cut deaths by ensuring prompt care, especially in the Golden Hour after injury. Claims are handled through State Health Agencies and hospitals designated under the scheme.

Legal basis: The scheme rests on Section 162 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
Cover: Treatment cover is up to Rs 1.5 lakh per victim, for a maximum of 7 days from the date of accident, on any category of road.
Designated hospitals: Empanelled AB PM-JAY hospitals that follow National Health Authority guidelines count as designated hospitals under the scheme.
112 link: The scheme is linked to the 112 Emergency Response Support System so a victim or Good Samaritan can find the nearest designated hospital and get an ambulance.
Stabilisation treatment: Up to 24 hours in non-life-threatening cases and up to 48 hours in life-threatening cases, subject to police response.
Funding: Hospitals are reimbursed through the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund. General insurers fund insured cases; the budget funds uninsured and hit-and-run cases.
Platforms: The scheme merges eDAR (used by police) and the NHA's TMS 2.0 (used by hospitals).
Governance: District Road Safety Committees monitor at district level; the State Road Safety Council is the nodal agency in each State/UT; an Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee oversees nationally.
Coverage: Every eligible victim on any category of road gets cashless treatment up to ₹1.5 lakh for 7 days from the accident.
Stabilisation and police check: Stabilisation care runs up to 24 hours in non-life-threatening cases and 48 hours in life-threatening cases, subject to police authentication.
Digital backbone: The MoRTH eDAR platform is linked with the National Health Authority's TMS 2.0.
Who pays hospitals: Payment is made from the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund. Insured cases draw on general insurers' contributions; uninsured and hit-and-run cases are paid from the Union budget.
Claim timeline: Claims approved by the State Health Agency are paid within 10 days.
Approval: The Prime Minister approved the launch of the PM RAHAT scheme.
Legal base: It operates under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
Delivery: Claims go through State Health Agencies and designated hospitals.

Don’t confuse with PM-RAHAT vs AB PM-JAY: AB PM-JAY is a health insurance scheme for poor families; PM-RAHAT covers road accident victims regardless of income, though it uses PM-JAY hospitals.

Don’t confuse with eDAR vs TMS 2.0: eDAR is the police accident reporting platform. TMS 2.0 is the NHA platform used by hospitals for treatment and claims.

Don’t confuse with PM RAHAT vs Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY: PM-JAY is a health insurance scheme for eligible poor families. PM RAHAT covers road accident victims regardless of income, on any road.

Don’t confuse with Good Samaritan protections: Rah-Veer (Good Samaritan) protections shield helpers from harassment. PM RAHAT funds the victim's treatment.

Don’t confuse with PM-RAHAT vs Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY: PM-JAY is a general hospitalisation insurance for poor families. PM-RAHAT is limited to road accident victims.

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.

Why it matters

Cashless care in the Golden Hour can cut road deaths and spare families from payment delays.
Cashless care in the Golden Hour can reduce deaths from road accidents.
A statutory scheme gives a legal right to treatment regardless of insurance status or road type.
Quick treatment in the Golden Hour can avert many preventable deaths; the release says nearly 50% could be averted with hospital admission in the first hour.
Assured payment within 10 days removes hospitals' fear of unpaid emergency care.
Integrating 112, eDAR and TMS 2.0 builds a single digital emergency response chain.
Cashless care in the Golden Hour can reduce road deaths.

Problems

Many cases were discharged from the scheme because police did not respond within the timelines, and some life-threatening cases were found ineligible by police.
Uptake is uneven: Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh account for most cases.
Treatment depends on police response on eDAR within 24 or 48 hours.
Availability of designated hospitals near accident sites varies across States.
Enough designated hospitals and ambulances are needed, especially in rural and highway areas.
Police authentication timelines may strain capacity and delay claims.
The Motor Vehicle Accident Fund needs steady funding from insurers and the Union budget.
Hospitals may delay care or reject claims, and awareness is low.

Way forward

Tighten police response timelines and link e-DAR with hospital systems.
Designate more hospitals and penalise denial of treatment.
Expand designation of hospitals and ambulance links via 112 ERSS.
Enforce the 10-day payment timeline and monitor grievances at district level.
Widen the network of designated trauma-capable hospitals and strengthen ambulance response under 112.
Train police and hospitals on the digital system and monitor claim timelines.
Spread awareness among citizens and Rah-Veers about 112 and cashless entitlement.
Pay hospitals promptly and train first responders.

Put in your answer

Hospital payment timeline: Payments are due within 10 days of State Health Agency claim approval.

Digital trail: A complete digital trail runs from 112 ERSS accident reporting to final payment.

Golden Hour data point: Studies cited by the Government say nearly 50% of road accident deaths can be averted with hospital admission within the first hour.

PM RAHAT cover: Cashless treatment of up to ₹1.5 lakh for accident victims.

Test yourself

True or false?

1 of 21

Statements the way Prelims prints them. Say first, then see the fact.

1.PM-RAHAT was launched under a legal mandate in Section 162 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
2.The treatment cover is limited to a maximum of 7 days from the date of accident.
3.The scheme covers victims only of accidents on National Highways.
4.Hospitals empanelled under AB PM-JAY that comply with NHA guidelines are deemed designated hospitals under the scheme.
5.The Golden Hour is the period of one hour following a traumatic injury.
6.The PM-RAHAT scheme is notified under Section 162 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
7.Treatment cover under the scheme is up to ₹1.5 lakh per victim, subject to a maximum of 7 days from the date of accident.
8.Reimbursement to hospitals is made from the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund, with budgetary support for uninsured and hit-and-run cases.
9.The scheme integrates the police's eDAR platform with the Transaction Management System of the National Health Authority.
10.Stabilisation treatment is provided for up to 48 hours in non-life-threatening cases and up to 24 hours in life-threatening cases.
11.The State Road Safety Council acts as the nodal agency for the scheme in each State or Union Territory.
12.Under the scheme, AB PM-JAY empanelled hospitals cannot be designated hospitals, as the scheme runs separately from it.
13.The scheme covers cashless treatment for road accident victims only on National Highways.
14.Cashless treatment is available up to ₹1.5 lakh per victim for up to 7 days from the date of accident.
15.Police confirmation is required within 24 hours for life-threatening cases and 48 hours for non-life-threatening cases.
16.The scheme links the eDAR platform of MoRTH with the Transaction Management System (TMS 2.0) of the National Health Authority.
17.In hit-and-run and uninsured vehicle cases, hospitals are reimbursed from contributions by general insurance companies.
18.Grievances are handled by an officer nominated by the District Road Safety Committee, chaired by the District Collector or Magistrate.
19.Claims approved by the State Health Agency are to be paid to hospitals within 10 days.
20.PM RAHAT provides cashless treatment of up to ₹1.5 lakh to accident victims.
21.The Agriculture Infrastructure Fund loan target announced alongside was doubled from ₹1 lakh crore to ₹2 lakh crore.

Written by us from the release, not by UPSC; checked by a second model.

Source: PIB, Prime Minister's Office, 13 Feb, 16:16 IST · Release 284203

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2028: most news questions come within two years of the event.

Scheme

Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY)

GS3 Agriculture and irrigationPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 13 February 2026, the Minister of State for Food Processing Industries told Rajya Sabha that PMKSY (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana) got ₹630 crore for 2024-25 and described its components.
What it is: PMKSY is the Centre's umbrella irrigation scheme, launched in 2015-16 to extend assured irrigation and improve on-farm water use efficiency. Its parts include AIBP for major and medium projects, and M-CADWM is a newer sub-scheme for piped, micro-irrigation based command area management. Water is a State subject, so the Centre gives technical help and partial funds.

Centre-State role: Irrigation is a State subject. The Centre gives only technical support and partial financial aid for identified projects.
Clusters: 32 clusters in 23 States/UTs are sanctioned under M-CADWM.
Technology: M-CADWM uses SCADA and IoT for water accounting and management, with pressurised piped networks and micro-irrigation.
Implementing ministry: PMKSY (Kisan Sampada) is run by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries as a Central Sector umbrella scheme.
Allocation 2024-25: The scheme's fund allocation for 2024-25 was ₹630 crore.
Form of assistance: Aid is given as grants-in-aid on a reimbursement basis to companies, firms, LLPs, cooperatives, FPOs/FPCs and SHGs.
Demand-driven: Applications are invited through Expression of Interest, and merit-based approval depends on availability of funds.
No State-wise funds: Funds are not allocated, sanctioned or released State-wise under any component.

Don’t confuse with PMKSY-AIBP vs M-CADWM: AIBP gives central assistance to States for identified irrigation projects. M-CADWM is a pilot sub-scheme for piped, micro-irrigation clusters.

Don’t confuse with Assured vs protected irrigation: M-CADWM models cover both areas of assured irrigation and areas of protected irrigation.

Don’t confuse with PMKSY (Krishi Sinchayee) vs PMKSY (Kisan Sampada): Krishi Sinchayee Yojana is the irrigation scheme (AIBP, Har Khet Ko Pani, watershed). Kisan Sampada Yojana is MoFPI's food processing and cold chain scheme.

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.

Test yourself

True or false?

1 of 13

Statements the way Prelims prints them. Say first, then see the fact.

1.PMKSY was launched in 2015-16.
2.Under PMKSY the Centre plans, implements and manages irrigation projects in the States.
3.M-CADWM is a sub-scheme of PMKSY approved by the Cabinet in April 2025.
4.M-CADWM relies on open canal flow and avoids pressurised piped networks.
5.The approved outlay of M-CADWM is Rs 1600 crore, of which the State share is Rs 500 crore.
6.M-CADWM clusters have been sanctioned in 32 States/UTs.
7.SCADA and IoT are envisaged for water accounting and management under M-CADWM.
8.Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana is a Central Sector umbrella scheme implemented by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries.
9.Mega Food Parks continue as an active component of the scheme.
10.Financial assistance under the scheme is given as grants-in-aid on a reimbursement basis.
11.Funds under the scheme are allocated to States in fixed shares each year.
12.Cooperatives, FPOs and Self Help Groups are among the entities eligible for assistance under the scheme.
13.Proposals under the scheme are selected through a fixed first-come allotment to every applicant, regardless of merit.

Written by us from the release, not by UPSC; checked by a second model.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, 13 Feb, 16:18 IST · Release 284205

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2027: most news questions come within two years of the event.

Scheme

Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP)

GS2 Health schemesPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 13 Feb 2026, the government told the Lok Sabha that 17,990 Jan Aushadhi Kendras were open as on 31 Dec 2025, and described steps to promote generic prescribing.
What it is: PMBJP is a scheme of the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers. It sells quality generic medicines at much lower prices through Jan Aushadhi Kendras. The Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI) is the implementing agency.

Implementing agency: PMBI under the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers, runs the scheme.
Quality assurance: Medicines come only from WHO-GMP compliant manufacturers, and each batch is tested in NABL-accredited labs.
Target: 25,000 Kendras by March 2027 through a franchise-based model.
Price advantage: JAK medicines are about 50% to 80% cheaper than equivalent branded alternatives.
Generic prescribing rule: Paragraph 1.5 of the 2002 Indian Medical Council Regulations requires physicians to prescribe drugs by generic names, legibly and preferably in capital letters.

Don’t confuse with Normal vs special incentive: Normal incentive is up to Rs 5 lakh (20% of monthly purchases, cap Rs 20,000 a month); the special incentive is a separate one-time Rs 2 lakh for reimbursing furniture and IT equipment.

Don’t confuse with PMBJP vs Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY: PMBJP sells cheap generic medicines through outlets; PM-JAY is a health insurance scheme for hospitalisation.

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.

Test yourself

Source: PIB, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, 13 Feb, 17:19 IST · Release 284225

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2027: most news questions come within two years of the event.

Scheme

DISHA Scheme and Tele-Law

GS2 Justice and Welfare SchemesGS2 JudiciaryPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 13 February 2026, the Law Minister told Lok Sabha about DISHA, Tele-Law, Nyaya Bandhu, LADCS, Lok Adalats and eCourts progress on access to justice.
What it is: DISHA (Designing Innovative Solutions for Holistic Access to Justice) is a scheme of the Department of Justice, Ministry of Law and Justice. It brings together Tele-Law, Nyaya Bandhu pro bono services and legal literacy and awareness programmes. Its aim is to give legal help to people in remote and underserved areas, in line with Article 39A.

Components of DISHA: DISHA joins Tele-Law, Nyaya Bandhu (pro bono legal services) and Legal Literacy and Legal Awareness programmes.
Tele-Law delivery channels: Pre-litigation legal advice is given through Common Service Centres, the Tele-Law mobile app and toll-free helpline 14454.
Tele-Law's start and spread in Haryana: Tele-Law began in the Aspirational District of Nuh (Mewat) with 317 CSCs. 6,197 CSCs now serve all districts of Haryana.
Nyaya Bandhu reach: Over 10,000 advocates are registered, with Pro Bono Clubs in 109 law colleges as of February 2026.
Outlay and period: DISHA has an outlay of Rs 250 crore for five years, 2021-2026, as a Central Sector Scheme.
Tele-Law: Tele-Law gives free pre-litigation advice through video and phone at Common Service Centres, a mobile app and toll-free helpline 14454.
Nyaya Bandhu: Pro bono advocates are connected through the Nyaya Bandhu app to beneficiaries entitled to free legal aid under Section 12 of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987.
Nyaya Sahayaks: Nyaya Sahayaks have been engaged since 2024 for door-to-door pre-litigation help in 500 Aspirational Blocks.
Lok Adalat award: Under the LSA Act, a Lok Adalat award is deemed a civil court decree, final and binding, with no appeal.

Don’t confuse with DISHA scheme vs NALSA legal services: DISHA is a Department of Justice scheme for tech-enabled access, pro bono and awareness. NALSA and SLSAs are statutory bodies under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 that give free legal aid; they supported the workshop.

Don’t confuse with Article 39A vs Article 21: Article 39A is a Directive Principle on equal justice and free legal aid. Article 21 is a Fundamental Right to life and liberty, which courts have read to include access to justice.

Don’t confuse with DISHA vs NALSA: DISHA is a Department of Justice scheme; NALSA is a statutory body under the LSA Act, 1987 that runs legal aid through State and District Legal Services Authorities.

Don’t confuse with LADCS vs Nyaya Bandhu: LADCS uses full-time paid defence counsels in criminal courts; Nyaya Bandhu connects volunteer pro bono advocates to beneficiaries.

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.

Test yourself

Source: PIB, Ministry of Law & Justice, 13 Feb, 18:34 IST · Release 284249

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2027: most news questions come within two years of the event.

Scheme

PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana

GS3 Agriculture · SchemesGS2 Welfare schemesPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 13 February 2026, the Agriculture Department, UNDP India and the Gates Foundation held a CSR Conclave in New Delhi to bring corporate funding and partners into PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana districts.
What it is: PMDDKY is a six-year, district-focused agriculture scheme that began in 2025-26. It targets 100 districts that lag in productivity, cropping intensity and agricultural credit. It works by converging existing Central and State schemes and private participation, and tracks progress on a dashboard.

Approval and launch: Union Cabinet approved the scheme on 16 July 2025 for six years. The Prime Minister launched it on 11 October 2025.
Convergence: The scheme converges 36 Central schemes across 11 Ministries and Departments, besides State schemes and private participation.
Three-tier structure: The District Samiti is headed by the Collector/DM and the State Samiti by the Chief Secretary. At national level, the National Executive Committee is headed by the Agriculture Minister and the National Monitoring Committee by the Secretary, DA&FW.
Monitoring: Progress is tracked through 121 indicators (74 output, 47 outcome) across 36 schemes. Output rankings are monthly on the PM-DDKY dashboard.
Score improvement: The average score of the 100 districts rose from 18.85 (April 2026) to 46.89 (August 2026).
District selection: 100 districts are chosen on three criteria: low agricultural productivity, low cropping intensity and low agricultural credit disbursement.
Six objectives: Productivity, crop diversification and sustainable practices, post-harvest storage, irrigation, short- and long-term credit, and governance and service delivery.
Indicators: 121 indicators: 74 output and 47 outcome. Output indicators rank districts monthly on the dashboard.
Dates: Cabinet approval on 16 July 2025; launch by the Prime Minister on 11 October 2025.
Role of KVKs: Krishi Vigyan Kendras act as technical partners for capacity building and field interventions.
Selection criteria: Districts were chosen on three indicators: low crop productivity, low cropping intensity and low agricultural credit disbursement.
Aims: Higher productivity, crop diversification, sustainable practices, panchayat and block-level post-harvest storage, better irrigation and long- and short-term credit.
Who prepares the plan: The District Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana Samiti prepares and implements the District Action Plan; it is headed by the district collector.
Launch and duration: Launched by the Prime Minister on 11 October 2025 for six years, covering 100 districts.
Model: Draws inspiration from NITI Aayog's Aspirational District Programme, but is the first of its kind focusing only on agriculture and allied sectors.
Implementation: Runs through convergence of 36 existing schemes across 11 Departments, State schemes and private sector partnerships.
Role of Lead Banks: Lead Banks are to ensure success of KCC and PMFBY in these districts through specialised drives and financial inclusion efforts.

Don’t confuse with National Executive Committee vs National Monitoring Committee: The Agriculture Minister heads the Executive Committee; the DA&FW Secretary heads the Monitoring Committee.

Don’t confuse with Output vs outcome indicators: Monthly district rankings use output indicators; outcome indicator data is submitted yearly (FY 2025-26).

Don’t confuse with PM-DDKY vs Aspirational Districts Programme: Both target lagging districts with dashboards. PM-DDKY is farm-sector specific and converges 36 schemes. The Aspirational Districts Programme covers many sectors (health, education, etc.).

Don’t confuse with DDKY vs Aspirational Districts Programme: The Aspirational Districts Programme (NITI Aayog) covers many sectors; DDKY focuses only on agriculture and allied sectors.

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.

Why it matters

Targets lagging districts, so it can cut regional gaps in farm productivity, irrigation and credit.
Convergence of 36 schemes avoids duplication and uses existing funds.
Targets agriculturally lagging districts, helping regional balance in farm incomes.
Convergence of many schemes reduces duplication and improves last-mile delivery.
Targets lagging districts, so it addresses regional disparity in farm outcomes.
Convergence of many schemes can cut duplication and fit local needs.
Targets lagging agricultural districts through convergence, so no large new spending stream is needed.
Brings in private and CSR resources, FPO linkages and manpower such as Young Professionals.

Problems

Convergence depends on coordination across Centre, States and many departments.
Early score gains rest on self-reported data and low starting scores, so lasting impact is uncertain.
Coordination across 11 Ministries, States and districts is hard to sustain.
Scores based on output tracking may not show real gains in farmers' incomes.
Coordination across 11 departments and many schemes is hard at district level.
Quality of District Action Plans and local capacity may vary.
Coordinating 36 schemes across 11 Departments is hard.
Private CSR funding is voluntary and may be small or uneven across districts.

Way forward

Verify district data independently and track outcome indicators such as farmer income.
Strengthen FPOs, post-harvest infrastructure and credit access, and extend CSR and private participation.
Move monitoring from activities and spending to farmer-level outcomes, as the Beneficiary Progress Module plans.
Involve farmers in District Dhan-Dhaanya Committees and use KVKs for extension.
Use the monthly dashboard rankings for timely course correction.
Build district-level capacity for planning and credit linkage.
Strong monitoring with district-level outcome tracking and rankings.
Long-term CSR engagement with capacity building, FPO linkages and market access.

Put in your answer

District score rise: Average district score rose from 18.85 to 46.89 between April and August 2026.

FPO Sangam: The December 2025 FPO Sangam brought together over 72 FPOs from 15 States and 33 districts.

CSR adoption: Department of Public Enterprises allowed CPSEs to adopt DDKY districts under CSR for FY 2026-27 and 2027-28.

Capacity building: From January to July 2026, 6,90,530 farmers and 88,961 extension workers were trained.

CSR convergence: The Department of Public Enterprises has included adoption of PM-DDKY districts for CPSE CSR activities in 2026-27 and 2027-28.

Convergence model: DDKY plans converge 36 Central Schemes of 11 Departments with state schemes and private participation.

CSR example: Canara Bank was felicitated for a Rs 50 lakh CSR grant to a DDKY district.

Test yourself

True or false?

1 of 26

Statements the way Prelims prints them. Say first, then see the fact.

1.The scheme was approved by the Union Cabinet for a period of six years beginning with 2025-26.
2.The districts under the scheme were selected on low productivity, low cropping intensity and low agricultural credit disbursement.
3.The State-level Dhan Dhaanya Krishi Yojana Samiti is headed by the State Agriculture Minister.
4.The scheme is implemented through convergence of 36 Central schemes across 11 Ministries and Departments.
5.The National Monitoring Committee under the scheme is headed by the Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
6.District performance is ranked monthly on output indicators through the PM-DDKY dashboard.
7.Of the 121 monitoring indicators, 74 are outcome indicators and 47 are output indicators.
8.PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana covers 100 districts selected on the basis of low agricultural productivity, low cropping intensity and low agricultural credit disbursement.
9.The scheme is implemented through the convergence of 36 Central schemes of 11 Ministries and Departments.
10.The scheme is implemented only through Central schemes, with no role for State schemes or private-sector participation.
11.Among the scheme's six objectives are enhancing post-harvest storage capacity and improving irrigation infrastructure.
12.The scheme was approved by the Union Cabinet in October 2025 and launched in July 2025.
13.District performance on output indicators is ranked every month through the scheme's dashboard.
14.Districts under DDKY were identified using indicators of low crop productivity, low cropping intensity and low agricultural credit disbursement.
15.The District Action Plan under DDKY is prepared by the District Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana Samiti.
16.The District Action Plans are made in convergence of 36 Central Schemes of 11 Departments.
17.The District DDKY Samitis are headed by the Chief Development Officer of the district.
18.DDKY provides for Central Nodal Officers assigned to each DDKY district for field visits and performance review.
19.DDKY plans exclude private sector participation and rely only on Central schemes.
20.PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana covers 100 districts.
21.The scheme was launched for a period of ten years.
22.It is implemented mainly through convergence of 36 existing schemes across 11 Departments.
23.The scheme is the first of its kind to focus exclusively on agriculture and allied sectors, drawing inspiration from the Aspirational Districts Programme.
24.The scheme aims to augment post-harvest storage only at the district headquarters level.
25.The scheme aims to facilitate both long-term and short-term agricultural credit.
26.The scheme is run by the Ministry of Rural Development.

Written by us from the release, not by UPSC; checked by a second model.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, 13 Feb, 19:45 IST · Release 284263

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2028: most news questions come within two years of the event.

Scheme

Research Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme

GS3 Science and technology policyPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 13 February 2026, Dr Jitendra Singh announced the first national call for the Rs 2,000 crore BIRAC–RDI Fund, under the Rs 1 lakh crore RDI initiative. Phase 1 proposals are due by 31 March 2026.
What it is: The RDI Scheme funds private-sector research and innovation in sunrise and strategic areas, to help turn deep science into products. Money flows through a Rs 1 lakh crore fund (RDIF) to second-level fund managers such as the Technology Development Board. These managers lend or invest in eligible technology enterprises (ETEs).

Who runs it: RDIF is managed by an Independent Business Unit housed within ANRF, under the Department of Science and Technology.
Who gets the money: SLFMs channel capital to Eligible Technology Enterprises working at Technology Readiness Level 4 and above.
Launch: The Rs 1 lakh crore scheme was launched by the Prime Minister in November 2025.
Approval chain: Proposals went to the ANRF Executive Council and then to the EGoS for approval, after evaluation and an Expert Advisory Committee interaction.
Private matching: SLFMs are expected to mobilise private capital equal to the RDIF contribution.
Matching funds rule: TDB releases RDI money only against matching funds the ETE raises from non-government sources.
Call to reopen: The call is paused only for now and will reopen after all proposals received till 30 September are assessed.
Form of funding: The support is given as Optionally Convertible Debentures (OCD), a debt instrument that can convert to equity, not a grant.
Technology readiness target: The project aims to raise the technology from TRL-4 and above to TRL-8.
Priority area: The project fits the RDI Fund's priority area of advanced and reusable launch vehicles and propulsion innovation within Space Technologies.
Full-system reusability: The project moves beyond recovering only the first stage towards reusing the whole system, to cut costs and space debris.
Earlier Agnikul work: Agnikul developed the Agnilet engine, a single-piece 3D-printed rocket engine made in-house.
Form of support: The money is given as Optionally Convertible Debentures (OCD), not a grant.
SAR vs optical: SAR can operate regardless of daylight and can image through cloud cover. Optical imaging is affected by cloud and illumination.
Technology readiness: The funding is meant to take the technology from TRL-6 to TRL-9, that is, from a demonstrated prototype to a proven system in operation.
Intended uses: The satellite is meant for surveillance, human and vehicle detection and target classification, in varied weather and light.
Fund managers: TDB and BIRAC are the designated Second-Level Fund Managers. They issued calls on 4 and 13 February 2026.
Eligibility: Start-ups, companies and industry-led R&D projects developing technologies at TRL 4 and above in strategic and sunrise sectors can get funding.
Mode: The scheme works at national level through a competitive, proposal-based mechanism.
NM-ICPS: The National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems has an outlay of Rs 3,660 crore and 25 Technology Innovation Hubs.
Fund size and period: BIRAC will deploy Rs 2,000 crore over up to five years, with scope for expansion.
Approval and launch: The RDI initiative was approved by the Union Cabinet in July 2025 and launched in November 2025 under ANRF, anchored by DST.
Technology readiness and instruments: The fund backs technologies from TRL-4 to TRL-9 through equity, convertible instruments and long-term debt.
Link to BioE3: The fund complements the BioE3 Policy and targets biopharma, bio-industrial manufacturing, bioenergy, blue economy and biocomputation.
Bioeconomy target: India's bioeconomy is put at 165.7 billion dollars in 2024, with targets of 300 billion dollars by 2030 and 1 trillion dollars by 2047.
Fund size: The RDI Fund is a Rs 1 lakh crore initiative to catalyse private sector-led research and innovation.
Roles of the first fund managers: TDB handles projects across all sunrise and strategic sectors. BIRAC oversees biotechnology and allied areas.
Initial allocation: TDB and BIRAC get Rs 2,000 crore each in the first quarter, so the initial allocation is Rs 4,000 crore.
Approval route: The Empowered Group of Secretaries approved the two managers on 12 January, in line with the decision of the ANRF Executive Council.

Don’t confuse with RDIF vs ANRF: ANRF is the statutory research body; RDIF is the Rs 1 lakh crore fund run by a business unit inside it.

Don’t confuse with SLFM vs ETE: SLFMs are intermediaries that receive RDIF money; ETEs are the firms that finally receive funding.

Don’t confuse with RDIF vs SLFM: RDIF is the main fund; second-level fund managers like TDB take money from it and pass it on to ETEs.

Don’t confuse with Allocation vs disbursement: Allocation is what the fund sets aside; disbursement depends on ETEs raising matching funds and sending demand notices.

Don’t confuse with RDI Fund vs TDB: The RDI Fund is the Rs 1 lakh crore pool. TDB is one of the second-level fund managers that deploys money from it to firms.

Don’t confuse with TRL-4 vs TRL-8: TRL is a 1-9 scale of technology maturity. TRL-4 is lab validation of components, while TRL-8 is a complete, qualified system.

Don’t confuse with SAR vs EO imaging: SAR is active microwave imaging that works at night and through cloud. EO imaging is usually passive, relies on sunlight and is blocked by cloud.

Don’t confuse with RDI Scheme vs NM-ICPS: RDI funds private-sector R&D via fund managers; NM-ICPS is a DST mission funding hubs in academic institutions.

Don’t confuse with TDB vs BIRAC: Both are RDI fund managers; BIRAC focuses on biotechnology, TDB on commercialising indigenous technology.

Don’t confuse with RDI Scheme vs ANRF: ANRF is the body under which the RDI initiative runs. The RDI Scheme is the funding programme for private-sector research.

Don’t confuse with BIRAC vs DBT: BIRAC is the industry-research support agency linked to the Department of Biotechnology. It is the fund manager here, not the department.

Don’t confuse with RDI Fund vs Fund of Funds for Startups: The RDI Fund finances technology enterprises in research and innovation through second-level managers. The Fund of Funds for Startups (SIDBI-run) invests in startups through venture funds.

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.

Why it matters

Provides long-term patient capital for high-risk private R&D, addressing a financing gap.
Supports technological sovereignty and reduces dependence on imported technology.
Gives long-tenor, low-cost finance to private deep-tech research, where risk keeps lenders away.
Strong response (about 330 proposals) shows demand for deep-science funding.
Gives long-term finance to private space firms for risky, capital-heavy technology that ordinary lenders avoid.
Reusable launchers can lower launch costs and space debris, strengthening India's position in the space economy.
Builds indigenous, all-weather, high-resolution Earth-observation capability for surveillance and civil use.
Shows the RDI Fund helping private firms through the late-stage gap between development and deployment.
Raises private R&D, which is low in India relative to GDP.
Supports strategic self-reliance in deep-tech, AI, biotech and energy transition.
Gives patient capital to long-gestation, high-risk biotech research that private lenders often avoid.
Helps move lab research to industrial-scale products and supports the BioE3 push.
Raises low private-sector R&D spending by sharing the risk of high-risk, long-gestation research.
Helps turn laboratory research into products by linking labs, startups and industry.

Problems

Private R&D spending in India is low, and investors may be wary of high-risk, long-gestation projects.
Matching private capital must be mobilised, and fund managers must be selected and monitored well.
Limited evaluation capacity: only about 150 projects assessed in seven months, causing a call closure.
Disbursal is slowed by the time ETEs need to raise matching funds.
Reusable launch technology is technically hard, especially controlled descent and restart, and carries high failure risk.
Debt-type support must be repaid or converted, which pressures start-ups with no early revenue.
Moving from TRL-6 to TRL-9 is costly and risky, and needs long testing and validation.
Commercial viability and demand for the data are uncertain.
Private firms may hesitate to take risk on long-gestation, uncertain research.
Capacity of fund managers to evaluate many proposals and track outcomes.
Risk of low private co-investment and slow deployment in high-risk deep-tech.
Biotech scale-up needs advanced infrastructure and regulatory clarity.
Private firms may be slow to take up high-risk research, and projects past TRL-4 may leave out early-stage research.
Guidelines have needed revision after stakeholder queries, which suggests clarity and speed are concerns.

Way forward

Onboard more fund managers and track outcomes such as products commercialised.
Link funding to industry-academia partnerships and clear transparency norms.
Add more fund managers and evaluation capacity, as DST/ANRF plans to assign more SLFMs.
Communicate call closures clearly to avoid misreading and keep investor confidence.
Tie disbursement to technical milestones and independent testing, with IN-SPACe and ISRO facilities support.
Track outcomes of RDI-funded projects publicly to judge whether they move technology from lab to market.
Link such funded projects to government demand, such as defence and agriculture users, to help commercialisation.
Track outcomes of RDI-funded projects so that later funding can be targeted better.
Use outcome-based monitoring and third-party evaluation of funded projects.
Link industry, academia and start-ups through ANRF missions and hubs.
Speed up approvals and align the fund with BioE3 biomanufacturing hubs.
Track outcomes by technology readiness level and publish deployment data.
Keep the process transparent and simple, and revise guidelines on feedback.
Track measurable outcomes for industry and society.

Put in your answer

RDI Fund example: TDB-DST's ₹63.84 crore OCD support to GalaxEye shows how the RDI Fund backs private strategic-technology projects.

RDI Scheme: Rs 1 lakh crore over six years to incentivise private R&D in strategic sectors.

NM-ICPS: Rs 3,660 crore mission with 25 hubs backing deep-tech start-ups.

Bioeconomy growth: India's bioeconomy rose from 28 billion dollars in 2012 to 165.7 billion dollars in 2024, according to BIRAC's MD.

BIRAC ecosystem: BIRAC reports more than 100 bio-incubation centres and over 10 lakh square feet of incubation space.

Test yourself

True or false?

1 of 12

Statements the way Prelims prints them. Say first, then see the fact.

1.The RDI Fund is managed by an Independent Business Unit housed within the Anusandhan National Research Foundation.
2.The first cohort of Second Level Fund Managers consists only of Alternative Investment Funds.
3.Second Level Fund Managers under the RDI Fund channel capital to enterprises working at Technology Readiness Level 4 and above.
4.Second Level Fund Managers are expected to mobilise private capital equal to the RDIF contribution.
5.Proposals from prospective fund managers are finally approved by the Executive Council of ANRF, with no further approval needed.
6.The RDI Scheme was launched in November 2025.
7.The RDI Scheme has a total outlay of Rs 1 lakh crore spread over six years.
8.The Technology Development Board and BIRAC are the Second-Level Fund Managers under the RDI Scheme.
9.The RDI Scheme funds only technologies at the earliest research stage, below TRL 4.
10.Under the RDI Scheme, funds are allocated to states on a state-specific quota basis.
11.The National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems has established 25 Technology Innovation Hubs in academic institutions.
12.The Anusandhan National Research Foundation runs state-specific programmes for each state, including Jharkhand.

Written by us from the release, not by UPSC; checked by a second model.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Science & Technology, 13 Feb, 15:47 IST · Release 284195

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2028: most news questions come within two years of the event.

Law and statutory body

IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021

GS2 Polity: Media regulation and Article 19GS3 Cyber securityPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 13 February 2026, the I&B Ministry told the Rajya Sabha how existing laws and the IT Rules, 2021 address fake, false and misleading content on digital platforms and TV.
What it is: The IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 are subordinate rules under the IT Act, 2000. They set due diligence duties for intermediaries and a code of ethics for publishers of news and online curated content such as OTT platforms. They use a three-tier grievance redressal system.

Parent law: The Rules are notified under the Information Technology Act, 2000.
Part III: Part III covers publishers of online curated content (OTT platforms) and publishers of news and current affairs content.
Age classification: OTT platforms must classify content by age into 5 categories and restrict age-inappropriate content for children.
News publishers' code: News publishers must follow the Programme Code under the Cable Television Networks Act, 1995 and the Norms of Journalistic Conduct under the Press Council Act, 1978.
Fact Check Unit: The FCU under PIB was set up in November 2019 to check fake news about the Central Government.
Grievance redressal: The Rules provide a three-tier grievance mechanism: self-regulation by the publisher, a self-regulatory body, and an oversight mechanism of the Central Government.

Don’t confuse with IT Rules 2021 vs IT Act 2000: The Act is the parent law passed by Parliament. The Rules are delegated legislation made by the executive under it.

Don’t confuse with Programme Code vs Norms of Journalistic Conduct: The Programme Code is under the Cable Television Networks Act, 1995 for TV. The Norms are issued under the Press Council Act, 1978 for the press.

No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: Lasting rules on OTT age classification, code of ethics and Fact Check Unit; mostly restated background, so no practice question.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, 13 Feb, 16:57 IST · Release 284211

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2027: most news questions come within two years of the event.

Quick facts

Government approved export of 25 LMT wheat and 5 LMT wheat products, plus sugar exports, citing higher stocks.
IAF held an in-situ air combat exercise with the Royal Thai Air Force in the Indian Ocean Region, 9-12 February 2026.
India became the third country, after the US and South Korea, to host a waterjet production and testing facility (Marine Jet Power, Goa).
Justice (Retd) Ramalingam Sudhakar demitted office as NCLT President on 13 February 2026; over 85% of nearly 54,800 cases were disposed of in his tenure.
TSDSI, with DoT support, hosted 3GPP SA and CT working group meetings in Goa (9-13 Feb 2026), launching 6G study items under Release 20.

Source: PIB, 13 Feb

What we left out: 97 of 114 releases

Ceremonies and campaigns (8)
Visit schedules and inaugurations (2)
Same issue as another release (20)
Speeches without a decision (11)
Congratulatory messages (3)
Routine agreements and MoUs (2)
Routine data updates (16)
Routine scheme replies (18)
Research findings (2)
Routine reports (1)
Routine railway project lists (1)
Review meetings (1)
Workshops and meetings (8)
Routine seizures and arrests (1)
Other releases (3)

Practise the day’s news

In UPSC’s formats, inside each issue. The answer and why come after you choose.

1Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025 (VB-G RAM G)MCQ · 40 true or false · Mains
2PLI SchemeMCQ · 16 true or false · Mains
3Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2026MCQ · 9 true or false · Mains
4Swadesh Darshan and PRASHADMCQ · 6 true or false
5PM-RAHAT (Road Accident Victims' Hospitalisation and Assured Treatment)MCQ · 21 true or false · Mains
6Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY)MCQ · 13 true or false
7Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP)MCQ · 8 true or false
8DISHA Scheme and Tele-LawMCQ · 7 true or false
9PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi YojanaMCQ · 26 true or false · Mains
10National Biodiversity Authority and Access and Benefit SharingMCQ · 53 true or false · Mains
11Research Development and Innovation (RDI) SchemeMCQ · 12 true or false · Mains

Mains question of the day

15 marks · 250 words

The VB-G RAM G Act, 2025 replaces the MGNREGS framework with a statutory guarantee of 125 days of work and gives Panchayats a central role in planning, linked to PM Gati Shakti. Examine the main provisions of the Act and discuss the challenges in implementing it through Panchayati Raj Institutions.

From: Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025 (VB-G RAM G)

Write and get it marked

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