Current Affairs, 22 October 2026

Type and launch

A Central Sector Scheme launched in 2020-21 for SC, OBC, EWS, DNT and Safai Karamchari groups including waste pickers.

Implementing agencies

Three DoSJE corporations ran it: NSFDC, NBCFDC and NSKFDC.

Funding and training institutes

DoSJE funds the Corporations, which reimburse training costs to institutes empanelled under PMKVY of MSDE.

Placement condition

Institutes must place at least 70% of trained candidates, or the 3rd installment (30% of training cost) is forfeited.

Outcomes 2020-21 to 2023-24

1,87,305 candidates were trained and 96,162 placed.

Don’t confuse with PM-DAKSH vs PMKVY: PM-DAKSH was run by DoSJE through its corporations for specific target groups; PMKVY is the Skill Development Ministry's flagship skilling scheme, under which PM-DAKSH institutes were empanelled.

Don’t confuse with Central Sector vs Centrally Sponsored: A Central Sector Scheme is fully funded and run by the Centre. A Centrally Sponsored Scheme shares costs with states.

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. 2021Mains GS2 · Q7Whether Earn while you learn scheme needs strengthening for meaningful vocational training
2. 2023Mains GS2 · Q18Analyse linkages between education, skill and employment given skill programmes' success
3. 2016Mains GS2 · Q16Measures taken to make manpower educated, skilled and employable for demographic dividend
4. 2017Prelims Q61Which statements about NSQF certification and vocational mobility are correct?
5. 2018Prelims Q78Which statements about Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana are correct?
6. 2017Prelims Q3Recognition of Prior Learning Scheme is mentioned with reference to what?

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

Outlay and period

Cabinet approved continuation for five years, 2026-27 to 2030-31, with an outlay of Rs 53,428 crore.

Disability criterion

Disability pension now uses 40 per cent benchmark disability under the RPwD Act 2016 instead of 80 per cent.

Disability beneficiaries

Beneficiaries under the disability scheme rise from 8.33 lakh to 27.48 lakh.

Implementation

States and UTs implement it mainly through social welfare departments, with Gram Panchayats and municipalities helping to identify beneficiaries. Payment is largely by direct benefit transfer.

Constitutional basis

NSAP was launched on 15 August 1995 to meet the Centre's duty under Article 41 (DPSP).

Disability pension rates

Rs 375 for ages 0-79 and Rs 625 for 80 and above.

Benchmark disability

The eligibility threshold falls from 80% to 40%, and there is no minimum age (since birth).

Funding pattern

The Centre gives 100 per cent assistance so that benefits are uniform across the country.

Coverage

About 3.20 crore beneficiaries in all 36 States/UTs.

Don’t confuse with 80 per cent vs 40 per cent disability: 80 per cent is the severe disability level in the National Trust Act 1999, used earlier for the pension. 40 per cent is benchmark disability under the RPwD Act 2016, now used.

Don’t confuse with Central rate vs State top-up: The central rate is a floor. States add their own top-ups, ranging from Rs 50 to Rs 5700 a month.

Don’t confuse with NSAP vs Atal Pension Yojana: NSAP is a non-contributory, tax-funded pension for poor households. Atal Pension Yojana is a contributory scheme for unorganised workers.

Don’t confuse with Article 41 vs Article 21: Article 41 is a Directive Principle on public assistance. Article 21 is a justiciable fundamental right to life.

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. 2019Mains GS2 · Q18Why vulnerable-section welfare schemes underperform despite low beneficiary awareness
2. 2026Mains GS2 · Q17Whether rights-based welfare mandate is realisable under non-integrated governance, minimal investment
3. 2016Mains GS4 · Q11Handling old destitute woman lacking documents for social scheme eligibility
4. 2017Mains GS2 · Q17Whether poverty alleviation programmes are mere showpieces without political will
5. 2008Prelims Q14Eligibility and central assistance amount under IGNOAPS for BPL elderly
6. 2004Prelims Q9Which statement about TPDS, Annapurna and old-age pension is incorrect
7. 2002Prelims Q96Central pension amount under National Old Age Pension Scheme

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

Status of ties

The relationship was raised to a Strategic Partnership during Modi's August 2024 visit, with an Action Plan for 2024-2028.

Trade target

Both leaders set a target of doubling bilateral trade by 2030.

UNSC support

Poland backs a reformed, expanded UNSC with India as a member, and India's non-permanent seat bid for 2028-29.

Visegrad Group (V4)

The V4 comprises Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. India and the V4 held their first Foreign Ministers' Meetings.

Groupings India invited Poland to join

India invited Poland to join IPOI, the International Solar Alliance and the Global Biofuels Alliance. Poland announced it would join CDRI.

Pending defence pact

Both sides expect an Agreement on Mutual Protection and Exchange of Classified Information to be signed soon.

Don’t confuse with Visegrad Group (V4) vs EU: V4 is a regional grouping of four Central European states. The EU is a much larger bloc, and all four V4 members belong to it.

Don’t confuse with IPOI vs IMEC: IPOI is an India-led Indo-Pacific maritime initiative. IMEC is a proposed India-Middle East-Europe connectivity corridor.

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. 2023Mains GS2 · Q19Opinion on NATO expansion and stronger US-Europe ties for India, with reasons
2. 2019Mains GS2 · Q9Comment on building a global and strategic partnership with Japan
3. 2018Mains GS2 · Q9Discuss how India's deepening relations with Israel cannot be rolled back

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

ZCZP instrument

ZCZP lets eligible social-purpose organisations raise funds without interest or principal repayment. It stresses transparent use of funds and reporting of social outcomes.

First issue by NSDC

This was NSDC's first ZCZP issuance, with NABARD subscribing ₹4 crore.

Social Impact Bond

The government-funded part is an outcome-linked bilateral Social Impact Bond between NSDC and the Madhya Pradesh government.

Regulator of SSE

The Social Stock Exchange in India is regulated by SEBI and operates as a separate segment of the NSE and BSE.

Don’t confuse with ZCZP vs zero-coupon bond: A zero-coupon bond pays no interest but repays principal at maturity, sold at a discount. A ZCZP pays neither interest nor principal.

Don’t confuse with Social Impact Bond vs ordinary bond: A Social Impact Bond pays only if agreed social outcomes are met. It is not a standard debt instrument with fixed returns.

Economy terms and data: 42 Prelims questions since 2013, rising in recent years; they test what a term or instrument means. In Mains, 12 news-triggered questions.

1. 2022Mains GS4 · Q6Is corporate social responsibility efficient and sufficient for social roles?
2. 2023Mains GS4 · Q6Explain social capital and how it enhances good governance.
3. 2024Prelims Q42Can stock exchanges offer separate trading platforms for debts?
4. 2006Prelims Q27What is IndoNext, launched in January 2005?
5. 2009Prelims Q126What is MCX-SX, in recent Indian news?

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

Waste streams covered

Sector-specific rules now exist for nine waste streams, including plastic, battery, e-waste, tyres, used oil, end-of-life vehicles, C&D waste, non-ferrous scrap and solid waste.

Who bears EPR

EPR obliges producers, importers and brand owners to ensure environmentally sound end-of-life management of products.

EPR certificates

Transfer of EPR certificates gives recyclers a financial incentive to expand capacity and improve technology.

Four-stream segregation

Solid waste is to be segregated into wet, dry, sanitary and special-care waste.

Legal basis

The waste rules are framed under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, and administered by the MoEFCC, with CPCB and State Pollution Control Boards monitoring compliance.

Don’t confuse with EPR vs Polluter Pays Principle: EPR assigns producers responsibility for product end-of-life. Polluter Pays is the wider principle that the polluter bears the cost of damage.

Don’t confuse with EPR certificates vs carbon credits: EPR certificates prove recycling or processing obligations are met under waste rules. Carbon credits represent emission reductions under a climate market.

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. 2013Mains GS3 · Q20Legal provisions for management and handling of hazardous wastes in India
2. 2026Mains GS3 · Q17Challenges to solid waste management and governmental policy framework, with Delhi and Indore cases
3. 2018Mains GS3 · Q6Impediments to disposing discarded solid wastes and safely removing toxic wastes
4. 2019Prelims Q78Which rules introduced extended producer responsibility in India?
5. 2025Prelims Q9Whether circular economy reduces emissions, raw material use, and production wastage
6. 2019Prelims Q59Correct statement about Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 in India?

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

Launch

Launched nationwide from Taraori in Karnal district, Haryana, by the Union Agriculture Minister.

Duration

A village-level campaign from 22 October to 30 November 2026.

Three principles

Balanced fertiliser use based on Soil Health Cards, crop rotation with pulses, and natural farming on at least half an acre.

Who delivers it

Vice-chancellors of agricultural universities, ICAR, scientists and officials are to visit villages and hold meetings with farmers; KVKs joined the launch virtually.

Fertiliser subsidy

The Centre bears a fertiliser subsidy of over ₹1.5 lakh crore so that urea costs ₹266 and DAP ₹1,350 per bag.

Crop residue

The campaign discourages stubble burning, which causes air pollution and kills soil microbes and earthworms.

Aim

Promote balanced fertiliser use, soil-test-based nutrient management and conservation of soil fertility.

Run by

Launched under the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare.

Farmer groups

FPOs, SHGs and FIGs take part in the campaign.

Who runs it

Panchayats, KVKs, ICAR and state governments will jointly run it. KVKs are the key coordinators.

Core aim

Minimise reckless use of chemical fertilisers. Farmers are to use inputs based on soil tests and more green manure, organic and bio-products.

Demonstrations

Live demonstrations of Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) will be held.

Scheme linkage

The campaign will also link left-out beneficiaries to Kisan Credit Card and PM-KISAN, and carry the Pulses-Oilseeds Mission, Oil Palm and Cotton Mission to the farm.

Don’t confuse with Khet Bachao Abhiyan vs Soil Health Card scheme: The Abhiyan is a time-bound awareness drive. The Soil Health Card scheme issues cards with crop-wise nutrient advice, which the Abhiyan asks farmers to use.

Don’t confuse with Natural farming vs organic farming: The campaign promotes natural farming with inputs like Beejamrit and Ghanjeevamrit made from cow dung, cow urine and soil. Organic farming is a broader category.

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. 2013Mains GS3 · Q5Agricultural subsidies' types and distortions, including fertiliser use, critically analysed.
2. 2017Mains GS3 · Q14Causes of declining rice-wheat yield; how crop diversification stabilises yields.
3. 2021Mains GS3 · Q14Challenges to crop diversification and how emerging technologies can help.
4. 2017Prelims Q72Which statements about the Soil Health Card Scheme are correct?

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