UPSC current affairs · Tuesday

Current Affairs, 3 February 2026

12 issues picked from 75 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). Ministry details VB-G RAM G Act: 125 days' work, four thematic works, 60:40 funding.
Minimum Support Price and CACP. MSP for 22 crops is set on CACP advice, at 1.5 times cost.
PM Surya Ghar. PM Surya Ghar reached 26 lakh households; Rs 14,771 crore subsidy paid by December 2025.
National Technical Textiles Mission. NTTM, launched 2020 with Rs 1,480 crore, has approved 168 research projects and trained over 1,000 people.
Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY. 96.73 lakh Vay Vandana cards issued; 10.33 lakh admissions worth Rs 2,154 crore authorised by December 2025.
Central Zoo Authority. CZA's 43rd meeting orders second zoo effectiveness evaluation and forms a CSR sub-committee.
Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR). DRDO tests Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet from Chandipur, a step toward long-range air-to-air missiles.
Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM). DAY-NRLM has mobilised 10.05 crore households into 90.91 lakh SHGs; Bank Sakhis link them to credit.
Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY). States may add wild-animal damage cover to PMFBY at their cost; claims reforms continue.
Agriculture Infrastructure Fund. AIF has sanctioned over ₹80,000 crore in subsidised loans for post-harvest infrastructure since July 2020.
Energy Storage. Government lists VGF, ISTS waivers and tender changes to reach 60.63 GW storage by 2029-30.
Income-tax Act, 2025. Budget 2026-27 aligns tax rules for recognized provident funds with the EPF Act, 1952.

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 3 February 2026 the Rural Development Ministry told the Lok Sabha, in a written reply, the core objectives and key provisions of the VB-G RAM G Act, 2025, including 125 days of work and a 60:40 or 90:10 funding split.
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, 3 Feb, 18:03 IST · Release 283313

Issue page →

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

Economy

Minimum Support Price and CACP

GS3 AgricultureGS2 Statutory bodiesPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 3 February 2026, the Minister of State for Agriculture told the Lok Sabha that MSPs are fixed yearly for 22 crops on CACP advice, and gave procurement and MSP value data for 2022-23 to 2024-25.
What it is: Minimum Support Price is the price at which the government stands ready to buy mandated crops from farmers. The Union Government announces it on the advice of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP). Raw jute is one of the mandated crops, and its MSP is backed by price support operations run by a central nodal agency.

Return over cost: The MSP gives a 61.8 percent return over the all-India weighted average cost of production.
1.5 times principle: MSP is fixed at least 1.5 times the all-India weighted average cost of production, as announced in Budget 2018-19.
Nodal agency: Jute Corporation of India (JCI) continues as the central nodal agency for price support operations. The Centre fully reimburses any losses.
Who approves MSP: The CCEA approves MSP on the recommendation of CACP, which is a statutory-status-less advisory body under the Agriculture Ministry.
Who recommends: CACP recommends MSPs. The Centre decides after considering views of State Governments and Central Ministries.
Status of CACP: CACP is an attached office of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. It has a statutory-like advisory role but no statutory backing; MSP itself has no legal guarantee.

Don’t confuse with MSP vs Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP): MSP applies to mandated crops like jute. FRP is the minimum price mills must pay for sugarcane.

Don’t confuse with JCI vs FCI/NAFED: JCI handles jute price support. FCI mainly handles wheat and rice, and NAFED handles pulses and oilseeds.

Don’t confuse with MSP vs FRP: MSP applies to 22 crops on CACP advice. FRP is the minimum price mills must pay for sugarcane.

Don’t confuse with MSP vs procurement: MSP is announced for 22 crops, but actual government procurement is concentrated in a few, mainly wheat and paddy.

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.

Test yourself

True or false?

1 of 12

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

1.The Minimum Support Price of raw jute for the 2026-27 marketing season has been fixed at Rs 5,925 per quintal.
2.The approved MSP of raw jute gives farmers a return of 61.8 percent over the all-India weighted average cost of production.
3.The 2026-27 raw jute MSP was fixed at twice the all-India weighted average cost of production, as announced in Budget 2018-19.
4.The Food Corporation of India has been named the nodal agency for price support operations in raw jute.
5.Losses incurred by the nodal agency in jute price support operations are to be fully reimbursed by the Central Government.
6.The raw jute MSP for 2026-27 is Rs 275 per quintal higher than the previous marketing season.
7.MSP for mandated crops is announced by the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices on its own authority.
8.MSP is announced for 22 mandated crops, including two commercial crops.
9.Sugarcane is among the 22 mandated crops for which MSP is fixed by the Centre.
10.Rabi crops among the mandated crops include wheat, barley, gram, masur, rapeseed and mustard, and safflower.
11.CACP fixes MSPs on its own and the Union Government has no role in the final decision.
12.MSP carries statutory legal backing under which private traders must pay at least MSP.

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

Source: PIB, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, 3 Feb, 20:12 IST · Release 283340

Issue page →

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

Scheme

PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana

GS3 EnergyGS2 Welfare schemesPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 3 February 2026, the Government told Rajya Sabha that 26.14 lakh households had benefited under PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana till December 2025, with Rs 14,771.82 crore of central assistance paid.
What it is: PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana is a Central scheme of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy to put rooftop solar on residential homes. It gives central financial assistance and cheap bank loans. Its aim is to cut household power bills and raise India's rooftop solar capacity.

Outlay: The scheme has an outlay of ₹75,021 crore.
Nodal ministry: It is the flagship rooftop solar scheme of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
Loan terms: Concessional loans carry 5.75 percent interest, set at the Repo rate plus 50 basis points.
Subsidy delivery: Subsidy goes directly to beneficiaries by DBT, and PFMS integration allows release within 15 days.
Ease of doing solar: Deemed approval and feasibility waiver apply to rooftop solar up to 10 kW.
Utility Led Aggregation: The model serves PMAY, BPL and SC/ST households and is sanctioned for 12 States.
Record month: A record 2.7 lakh rooftop installations were completed in April 2026, the highest in any single month.
Fastest addition: The last 50 GW of solar capacity was added in just 15 months, the fastest such addition in India's history.
Non-fossil share: About half of India's installed electricity capacity is now non-fossil, reached well ahead of the 2030 target timeline.
Global rank: India ranks third globally in installed renewable energy capacity.
Implementing ministry: The scheme is run by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and covers residential rooftop solar.
Eligibility: Any residential consumer with a grid-connected electricity connection from the local DISCOM can apply. The scheme is demand driven.
How to apply: Applications are made on the National Portal of the scheme.
Progress till December 2025: 20,85,514 rooftop solar systems were installed, benefiting 26,14,446 households. Central Financial Assistance of Rs 14,771.82 crore was disbursed.
Estimated benefit: Rooftop solar in 1 crore households may generate 1,000 billion units over 25 years. This may avoid 720 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent.
Target: The scheme targets rooftop solar in 1 crore households.

Don’t confuse with PM Surya Ghar vs PM-KUSUM: PM Surya Ghar is for residential rooftop solar. PM-KUSUM is for farmers, covering solar pumps and solarisation of agricultural feeders.

Don’t confuse with PM-KUSUM: PM-KUSUM is also an MNRE scheme, but it targets farmers' solar pumps and grid-connected farm solar, not residential rooftops.

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.PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana is implemented under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
2.The scheme has an outlay of about ₹75,021 crore.
3.Concessional loans under the scheme are priced at the Repo rate plus 50 basis points.
4.Paperless loan processing under the scheme is enabled through integration with the Jan Samarth portal.
5.The Utility Led Aggregation model under the scheme targets only APL households in urban areas.
6.Subsidy under the scheme is released to vendors, not to beneficiaries, through the Ministry's own offices.
7.PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana is implemented by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
8.The scheme is aimed at installing rooftop solar on residential homes.
9.The scheme provides central financial assistance to households for rooftop solar.
10.India ranks first globally in installed renewable energy capacity.
11.PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana is a demand driven scheme open to residential consumers with a grid-connected electricity connection.
12.Households apply for the scheme through the respective State electricity regulatory commissions only.
13.The scheme was launched in February 2024.
14.Maharashtra has the highest number of rooftop solar installations under the scheme.
15.The scheme is implemented by the Ministry of Power.
16.The scheme aims to install rooftop solar in 1 crore households.

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

Source: PIB, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, 3 Feb, 13:33 IST · Release 283267

Issue page →

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

Scheme

National Technical Textiles Mission

GS3 IndustryPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 3 February 2026 the Textiles Ministry told the Lok Sabha about progress under the National Technical Textiles Mission, including projects approved in Karnataka.
What it is: The National Technical Textiles Mission is a Ministry of Textiles scheme for technical textiles, which are fabrics made for function rather than looks. It supports research, indigenous machinery, skilling, awareness and exports. It aims to raise India's share in the global technical textiles market.

Launch and outlay: NTTM was launched in 2020 with an outlay of Rs 1,480 crore.
Objectives: It promotes research and innovation in specialty fibres and technical textiles, indigenous machinery, user awareness, exports and a skilled workforce.
Skilling: 24 skilling courses have been developed and over 1,000 persons trained.
Internships: 21 agencies are empanelled to run internships for undergraduate students.
Reach: NTTM is a Pan India Mission, implemented across the country.

Don’t confuse with NTTM vs PLI for textiles: NTTM supports research, skilling and machinery for technical textiles. The PLI scheme for textiles gives production-linked incentives for MMF apparel, fabrics and technical textiles.

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 Textiles, 3 Feb, 13:41 IST · Release 283272

Issue page →

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

Scheme

Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY

GS2 Health · Welfare schemesGS3 EconomyPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 3 February 2026, the Health Minister of State told the Rajya Sabha in a written reply that over 96.73 lakh Ayushman Vay Vandana cards had been issued by 31 December 2025.
What it is: Ayushman Vay Vandana is an extension of Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY to every citizen aged 70 years and above, whatever their income. It was launched by the Prime Minister on 29 October 2024. It is run by the National Health Authority and gives cashless hospital cover for secondary and tertiary care.

Eligibility: All citizens aged 70 and above are eligible, irrespective of socio-economic status.
Cover: Up to ₹5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation.
Top-up for covered families: Seniors in families already under PM-JAY get an extra top-up of up to ₹5 lakh a year, only for themselves.
Implementing agency: The National Health Authority implements it under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Most common procedure: Cataract surgery is the most availed procedure, about 20.1% of authorised treatments.
Highest value procedure: PTCA (coronary angioplasty) has the largest share of authorised value, about ₹649 crore.
Expansion to senior citizens: The scheme now covers all citizens aged 70 and above, irrespective of socio-economic status.
Secure Data Environment: Developed by NHA with IISc Bengaluru, it gives governed access to de-identified PM-JAY and ABDM data for research, with outputs reviewed before release.
National Health Claims Exchange: NHCX seeks to put hospitals and insurers on one common digital platform for claims.
Scale of ABDM: More than 97.8 crore ABHAs have been created and over 121 crore health records linked.
Portability recognition: Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra and Gujarat were recognised as top performers in claim settlement for inter-State portability.
Beneficiary identification: Families are identified from SECC 2011 deprivation and occupational criteria. Families earlier covered under RSBY are also included.
Expansion to elderly: On 11 September 2024 the scheme was extended to all citizens aged 70 and above, about 6 crore people.
Coverage: The scheme now operates in all 36 States/UTs.
Senior citizens: Citizens aged 70 and above are covered irrespective of socio-economic status: 6 crore people in 4.5 crore families.
ASHA and Anganwadi inclusion: About 37 lakh additional families of ASHAs, Anganwadi Workers and Helpers were added in March 2024.
Portability: Beneficiaries can get cashless treatment at any empanelled hospital in the country. By 30 June 2026, 29.05 lakh inter-state admissions worth over Rs 8,383.97 crore were authorised.
Base families: The original PM-JAY targets 12 crore families, the bottom 40% of the population.
Expansion: In October 2024 the scheme was extended to 6 crore senior citizens aged 70+ from 4.5 crore families, regardless of socio-economic status.
Cards issued: More than 96.73 lakh Vay Vandana cards had been created across all States and UTs by 31.12.2025.
Launch: PM-JAY was launched in 2018 and is implemented by the National Health Authority.

Don’t confuse with Vay Vandana vs PM-JAY: PM-JAY covers eligible poor and vulnerable families; Vay Vandana covers all aged 70+ regardless of income.

Don’t confuse with Vay Vandana vs Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission: Vay Vandana gives hospital cover; the Digital Mission builds a digital health ID and records system.

Don’t confuse with PM-JAY vs ABDM: PM-JAY is the health assurance (insurance) scheme for hospital care. ABDM is the digital health ecosystem built on ABHA IDs and health records.

Don’t confuse with Ayushman Card vs ABHA ID: The Ayushman Card shows PM-JAY eligibility. The ABHA is a health ID that links a person's health records.

Don’t confuse with PM-JAY vs PM-ABHIM: PM-JAY pays for hospital treatment of eligible families. PM-ABHIM builds health infrastructure such as health centres, labs and critical care blocks.

Don’t confuse with ABHA vs Ayushman card: ABHA is a digital health ID for anyone under ABDM. The Ayushman card shows eligibility for PM-JAY cover.

Don’t confuse with PM-JAY vs Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission: PM-JAY gives cashless hospital cover. ABDM builds digital health records and infrastructure.

Don’t confuse with PM-JAY vs Health and Wellness Centres: Health and Wellness Centres (Ayushman Arogya Mandir) give primary care. PM-JAY covers secondary and tertiary hospitalisation.

Don’t confuse with PM-JAY vs Vay Vandana: PM-JAY targets poor families by socio-economic criteria; Vay Vandana covers all citizens aged 70+ regardless of income.

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

Gives financial protection to about 6 crore elderly, reducing out-of-pocket hospital spending.
Cashless cover reduces out-of-pocket spending for poor and elderly families.
Portability helps migrant workers use the scheme across States.
Gives cashless hospital care and cuts catastrophic out-of-pocket spending for poor families.
Moves India towards universal health coverage, with the elderly, ASHAs and gig-type urban workers brought in.
Links insurance with primary care, digital records and infrastructure under one Ayushman Bharat framework.
Portability protects migrant workers who fall ill away from home.
Cashless cover reduces out-of-pocket spending and moves India towards Universal Health Coverage.
Gives older people, who face high health costs, financial protection irrespective of income.

Problems

Cover is only for hospitalisation, so outpatient and medicine costs remain with families.
Claim processing and programme integrity need stronger checks, which is why auto-adjudication is being introduced.
Health data sharing needs consent and privacy safeguards, and ABHA adoption is yet to reach saturation.
Eligibility rests on SECC 2011 data, which may exclude newly poor families.
Uneven uptake and hospital empanelment across States, with risks of claim delays and fraud.
Cover is for inpatient care, while much household spending is on outpatient care and medicines.
States differ in how well they run the scheme, and some run their own schemes alongside it.
Empanelled hospitals may refuse patients or delay claims, so access on the ground can be uneven.
Hospital empanelment gaps and claim delays can limit access to cashless care.

Way forward

Widen coverage to outpatient care and strengthen monitoring of private hospital claims.
Strengthen NHCX, standard treatment protocols and common billing formats to improve quality and claims.
Improve continuity of care and referral systems while protecting personal data.
Update beneficiary databases and widen coverage to outpatient care.
Strengthen claim audit, grievance redress and timely payment to hospitals.
Expand public hospitals and primary care so the scheme does not rely only on private providers.
Improve awareness of portability and speed up claim settlement.
Further integrate state schemes with PM-JAY and monitor hospital conduct.
Widen empanelment and speed up claim settlement using digital systems.

Put in your answer

Beneficiary base: Around 6 crore seniors in about 4.5 crore families are targeted.

PM-JAY scale: More than 60 crore beneficiaries covered, over 13 crore hospital admissions, and treatment worth over Rs 2 lakh crore.

Standard treatment workflows: ICMR has developed more than 150 standard treatment workflows, and HTAIn under DHR assesses cost-effectiveness of health technologies.

Scale of PM-JAY: 13.25 crore admissions worth Rs 2.03 lakh crore funded, with 38,000+ empanelled hospitals.

Digital health spine: Over 97.61 crore ABHA IDs operational, linking health records across providers.

Portability data: 29.05 lakh inter-state admissions worth over Rs 8,383.97 crore were authorised by 30 June 2026.

Senior citizen expansion: The scheme covers 6 crore senior citizens aged 70 and above in 4.5 crore families, irrespective of income.

Test yourself

True or false?

1 of 19

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

1.Ayushman Vay Vandana is open to citizens aged 70 years and above irrespective of their socio-economic status.
2.It is implemented by the National Health Authority under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
3.It covers outpatient consultations and medicines as its main benefit.
4.Senior citizens from families already covered under PM-JAY receive an additional top-up of up to ₹5 lakh per year meant only for themselves.
5.The top-up cover for seniors in covered families is shared with all family members.
6.Chronic haemodialysis is the most frequently availed procedure under the initiative.
7.Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY, of which this is an extension, was launched in 2018.
8.AB PM-JAY is a centrally sponsored scheme.
9.Under AB PM-JAY, the Centre and States share funds in the ratio 60:40 for Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
10.Rural beneficiaries under AB PM-JAY are identified using deprivation criteria from the Socio-Economic and Caste Census 2011.
11.AB PM-JAY covers primary healthcare only, which is delivered at Ayushman Arogya Mandirs.
12.The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission was launched in September 2021 and is built on ABHA digital health IDs.
13.Transgender persons covered under the SMILE initiative and workers covered under NAMASTE are among the additional categories eligible under AB PM-JAY.
14.Ayushman Vay Vandana card covers senior citizens aged 70 years and above irrespective of their socio-economic status.
15.AB-PMJAY provides health cover of Rs 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation.
16.The Ayushman Vay Vandana card was introduced in October 2024 as an expansion of PM-JAY.
17.Female beneficiaries account for more hospital admissions than male beneficiaries under Ayushman Vay Vandana.
18.PM-JAY is implemented at the national level by the National Health Authority.
19.PM-JAY was launched in 2014 as a centrally sponsored scheme.

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

Source: PIB, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, 3 Feb, 14:14 IST · Release 283274

Issue page →

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

Law and statutory body

Central Zoo Authority

GS3 EnvironmentPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 3 February 2026, Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav chaired the 43rd meeting of the Central Zoo Authority in New Delhi. It also marked CZA's 34th Foundation Day, and the meeting set up a CSR sub-committee and ordered a second round of zoo evaluations.
What it is: The Central Zoo Authority is a statutory body under the Environment Ministry. It sets standards for zoos, evaluates them and regulates their working in India. It promotes ex-situ conservation, meaning protecting species outside their natural habitat, such as in zoos and breeding centres.

Status: CZA is a statutory body under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
Evaluation: The meeting directed that the second round of Management Effectiveness Evaluation of zoos be completed.
CSR sub-committee: A sub-committee was formed to examine CSR contributions for zoos, and CZA meetings will be more frequent.
Zoo management: Out of more than 150 zoos in India, most are run by forest departments.
Legal basis: CZA was set up under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 (amended 1991), and the Environment Minister chairs it.

Don’t confuse with CZA vs NBWL: CZA regulates zoos and ex-situ conservation. The National Board for Wildlife advises on wildlife policy and project clearances near protected areas.

Don’t confuse with Ex-situ vs in-situ: Ex-situ conservation protects species outside their habitat, as in zoos. In-situ protects them in their natural habitat, as in national parks.

Test yourself

Source: PIB, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change., 3 Feb, 16:08 IST · Release 283293

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

Defence and security

Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR)

GS3 Defence technologyPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 3 February 2026, DRDO successfully demonstrated Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR) technology from the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur, off Odisha.
What it is: A Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet is a missile propulsion system. A booster takes the missile to the required speed, then a ramjet motor burns solid fuel using air taken in from the atmosphere. This lets a missile carry more fuel and sustain speed over long range, which suits long-range air-to-air missiles.

Test site: The demonstration was held at the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur, off the coast of Odisha, on the Bay of Bengal.
Subsystems tested: The Nozzle-less Booster, the SFDR motor and the Fuel Flow Controller all performed as expected.
Intended use: The technology enables long-range air-to-air missiles that give a tactical edge over adversaries.
Laboratories involved: Scientists from DRDL, HEMRL, Research Centre Imarat and ITR monitored the launch.
Ramjet principle: A ramjet has no compressor or turbine. It needs forward speed to compress incoming air, so it cannot start from rest and needs a booster.

Don’t confuse with Ramjet vs scramjet: A ramjet slows incoming air to subsonic speed before combustion. A scramjet burns fuel in supersonic airflow.

Don’t confuse with SFDR vs liquid-fuel ramjet: SFDR burns solid fuel regulated by a flow controller. Liquid ramjets use liquid fuel.

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

Test yourself

Source: PIB, Ministry of Defence, 3 Feb, 17:15 IST · Release 283305

Issue page →

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

Scheme

Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM)

GS2 Welfare schemes · Rural livelihoodsGS3 Inclusive growthPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 3 February 2026, the Rural Development Ministry told the Lok Sabha that 10.05 crore households are in 90.91 lakh SHGs under DAY-NRLM (December 2025), with 50,548 Bank Sakhis deployed.
What it is: DAY-NRLM is the Rural Development Ministry's flagship mission to organise poor rural households, mainly women, into Self Help Groups and their federations. It links them to bank credit and livelihood activities so that they can raise their incomes. It is implemented through State Rural Livelihoods Missions.

Implementing ministry: The Ministry of Rural Development runs DAY-NRLM as a flagship programme to build community institutions and link them with livelihoods.
Reach: The Mission has mobilised over 10 crore rural women into over 93 lakh SHGs and their federations.
Bank credit: Banks have disbursed over Rs 13.67 lakh crore cumulatively to SHGs, with high repayment discipline.
Lakhpati Didis: 3.46 crore women have become Lakhpati Didis through livelihood enterprises.
Meeting agenda: Focus is on doubling individual enterprise credit, faster loan sanction, saturating credit linkage of remaining SHGs, and strengthening DCCBs and PACS.
Financial Inclusion 2.0: The deliberations will feed into the Financial Inclusion 2.0 vision for timely credit, dedicated financing for women-led enterprises and higher-order financial services.
Coverage: The mission runs in all States and UTs except Delhi and Chandigarh.
Four core components: Social mobilization and community institutions; financial inclusion; sustainable livelihoods; social inclusion and development.
Cumulative reach: 10.08 crore women mobilised into 92 lakh SHGs.
eSaras and partners: MoRD set up the eSaras platform and tied up with GeM, ONDC, Amazon, Flipkart, Meesho and JioMart.
Households and SHGs: 10.05 crore households have been mobilised into 90.91 lakh SHGs as on December 2025.
Bank Sakhis: 50,548 Bank Sakhis are deployed at branch level. They have helped women SHGs access ₹12.18 lakh crore of bank credit since 2013–14.
Role of Bank Sakhis: They identify eligible SHGs, help prepare and submit loan applications, and follow up on pending proposals monthly.
CBRM: A Community Based Recovery Mechanism is institutionalised at each bank branch to ensure timely repayment of SHG loans.
SVEP: 5.88 lakh enterprises have been supported under the entrepreneurship component of DAY-NRLM (SVEP) as on December 2025.

Don’t confuse with DAY-NRLM vs DAY-NULM: DAY-NRLM covers rural areas under the Rural Development Ministry. DAY-NULM is the urban counterpart under the Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry.

Don’t confuse with SHG-Bank Linkage vs DAY-NRLM: SHG-Bank Linkage is NABARD's microfinance programme from the early 1990s. DAY-NRLM is a government mission that promotes SHGs and uses bank linkage for credit.

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 Rural Development, 3 Feb, 18:02 IST · Release 283312

Issue page →

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

Scheme

Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)

GS3 AgricultureGS2 Welfare schemesPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 3 February 2026, the Agriculture Ministry told Lok Sabha that States can add wild animal damage cover under PMFBY at their own cost, and listed steps to speed up claims.
What it is: PMFBY is the central crop insurance scheme launched on 18 February 2016. It insures farmers against yield loss and specified localised and post-harvest risks at low farmer premium rates. Premium above the farmer share is subsidised by the Centre and states.

Prevented sowing: Insured farmers prevented from sowing by adverse weather can claim up to 25% of the sum insured.
Post-harvest cover: Crops in cut-and-spread condition for drying in the field are covered for up to 14 days after harvest against specified cyclonic and unseasonal rain events.
YES-TECH: It uses remote sensing for crop yield estimates. It was launched for paddy and wheat in Kharif 2023.
RWBCIS: The Restructured Weather-Based Crop Insurance Scheme pays on weather parameters as a proxy for crop damage, not assessed yield loss.
Farmer premium cap: Farmers pay at most 2% of sum insured for Kharif, 1.5% for Rabi and 5% for commercial/horticultural crops.
Subsidy sharing: The balance of the actuarial premium is shared 50:50 by Centre and states. North Eastern States (from Kharif 2020) and Himalayan States (from Kharif 2023) share it 90:10.
Alternate Risk Transfer models: Besides standard PMFBY, there are three models: cup and cap (80:110), cup and cap (60:130), and profit and loss sharing. States may choose any one.
Crops and stages covered: Cover runs from pre-sowing to post-harvest for food crops, oilseeds and annual commercial horticultural crops notified by the state.
Clustering of districts: States group districts so each cluster mixes different risk profiles. This lowers expected sum insured and bidded premium.
Wild animal cover: Wild animal losses were not covered earlier as they are preventable. States can now notify them on individual assessment as an add-on at state cost.
Inundation: Inundation cover is available for all notified crops. For paddy, jute, mesta and sugarcane it is excluded for localised claims.
Operational Guidelines revised: The guidelines were comprehensively revised in 2018, 2020 and 2023.
Late-claim penalty: A 12% penalty on insurers for delayed claim payment is auto-calculated on NCIP.
Escrow account: States must open an escrow account to deposit their premium share in advance, mandatory from Kharif 2025.

Don’t confuse with PMFBY vs RWBCIS: PMFBY pays on area-based assessed yield loss, plus localised and post-harvest cover. RWBCIS pays on weather index triggers, mainly for fruit, vegetable and plantation crops.

Don’t confuse with YES-TECH vs WINDS: YES-TECH estimates yields by remote sensing. WINDS gathers hyperlocal weather data through automatic weather stations and rain gauges.

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

Gives farmers an income safety net against weather, pest and disease shocks, and helps loan repayment and next-season investment.
Technology tools such as NCIP, DigiClaim and YES-TECH aim at faster and more transparent claim settlement.
Voluntary non-loanee enrolment, about 50% on average over ten years, shows wider acceptance.
Gives farmers low-cost insurance against crop loss and income shocks.
Wide coverage: about 78.7 crore cumulative applications since 2016-17.
Add-on cover for wild animal damage helps farmers near forests, where human-wildlife conflict hits crops.

Problems

States have opted out or run their own schemes, and enrolment swings with state premium subsidies, as in Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra.
Accurate yield estimation and land-record validation remain hard, which can delay or reduce claims.
Add-on exclusions and the exclusion of preventable or man-made losses limit the cover.
High state-level cost burden and delays in state subsidy release.
Insurers' bidding and claim settlement vary widely across states.
Delays in state subsidy share, late proposals by banks and yield data disputes delay claims.

Way forward

Expand technology-based yield estimation and land-record integration to more crops and states.
Raise awareness and doorstep enrolment of non-loanee, tenant and sharecropper farmers.
Keep grievance redressal strong and settle claims on time.
Use clustering and risk-transfer models to keep premiums sustainable.
Speed up claim payment with timely data and technology.
Use remote sensing, CCE-Agri App and hyper-local weather data to make yield estimates objective and cut disputes.

Put in your answer

Ten-year claims record: From Kharif 2016 to Rabi 2025-26, over 92.46 crore farmer applications were insured and claims exceeded ₹2.06 lakh crore.

States rejoining: Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand and West Bengal rejoined, and Bihar will return from Rabi 2026–27.

Budget 2026-27: The Union Budget 2026–27 allocated ₹12,200 crore to PMFBY.

Digiclaim module: Links NCIP with PFMS and insurers' accounting systems for transparent claim processing.

Delinking of subsidy: Central share is delinked from state share so farmers get proportionate claims on the Centre's share.

Test yourself

True or false?

1 of 14

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

1.Under PMFBY, the maximum farmer premium for Kharif foodgrain and oilseed crops is 2% of the sum insured.
2.Insured farmers prevented from sowing by adverse weather can claim up to 25% of the sum insured.
3.Under PMFBY, premiums of loanee farmers are automatically deducted from the loan amount by banks.
4.The Restructured Weather-Based Crop Insurance Scheme pays claims on the basis of actual assessed crop-yield losses.
5.Under PMFBY, the maximum farmer premium is 2% of sum insured for Kharif crops and 1.5% for Rabi crops.
6.For North Eastern States, the balance premium is shared between Centre and State in the ratio 90:10.
7.In all states, the premium subsidy is borne entirely by the Central Government.
8.States may choose among alternate risk transfer models such as cup and cap and profit and loss sharing instead of the standard PMFBY.
9.PMFBY was launched in 2016 and covers post-harvest losses among its risks.
10.Under PMFBY, states can notify crop losses caused by wild animals as an add-on cover at the cost of the State Government.
11.Inundation cover under PMFBY is available for all notified crops without any exception.
12.A penalty of 12% on insurance companies for delayed claim payment is auto-calculated on the National Crop Insurance Portal.
13.YES-TECH mandatorily assigns 30% weightage to technology-derived yield estimation for paddy and wheat from Kharif 2023.
14.PMFBY was launched in 2016 and covers non-preventable natural risks from pre-sowing to post-harvest.

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

Source: PIB, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, 3 Feb, 20:09 IST · Release 283337

Issue page →

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

Scheme

Agriculture Infrastructure Fund

GS3 AgriculturePrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 3 February 2026, the Agriculture Minister of State told the Lok Sabha that AIF had sanctioned ₹80,224.15 crore for 1,50,431 projects by 26 January 2026.
What it is: The Agriculture Infrastructure Fund is a Central Sector Scheme launched in July 2020. It gives medium and long-term loans through banks and financial institutions for post-harvest management infrastructure and community farming assets. The Government of India supports these loans with interest subvention and credit guarantee cover.

Nature of scheme: AIF is a Central Sector Scheme to mobilise medium and long-term debt finance for post-harvest and community farming assets.
Interest subvention: Loans carry 3% per annum interest subvention from the Government of India.
Credit guarantee: Loans up to ₹2 crore get credit guarantee cover under CGTMSE and NABSanrakshan.
Progress: From July 2020 to 26.01.2026, ₹80,224.15 crore was sanctioned for 1,50,431 projects, mobilising ₹1,27,508 crore of investment.
PM-KUSUM convergence: Components B and C of PM-KUSUM (grid-connected pump solarisation and standalone solar pumps) became eligible assets under AIF in September 2020.

Don’t confuse with CGTMSE vs NABSanrakshan: Both give credit guarantee cover under AIF for loans up to ₹2 crore. CGTMSE is the trust for micro and small enterprises, while NABSanrakshan is the NABARD-linked guarantee arm for agriculture.

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 Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, 3 Feb, 20:15 IST · Release 283344

Issue page →

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

Science and technology

Energy Storage: BESS and Pumped Storage Projects

GS3 EnergyPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 3 February 2026, the Government told the Rajya Sabha about its steps to scale up energy storage (BESS and pumped storage) and to speed up signing of renewable power purchase agreements.
What it is: Energy storage holds surplus power, mainly from solar and wind, for use at peak hours or when generation drops. The two main routes are Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), which store power in batteries, and Pumped Storage Projects (PSP), which pump water uphill and release it through turbines. Storage makes variable renewable power dispatchable and keeps the grid stable.

Storage need by 2029-30: CEA's Optimal Generation Mix 2030 report estimates 60.63 GW of storage is needed: 18.98 GW from PSP and 41.65 GW from BESS.
ISTS waiver for PSP: PSPs get a 100% waiver of inter-state transmission charges if construction work is awarded on or before 30 June 2028.
First BESS VGF scheme: Approved in March 2024: Rs 3,760 crore outlay for 13,220 MWh of BESS, at Rs 27 lakh per MWh.
Second BESS VGF scheme: Approved in June 2025: 30 GWh, funded by Rs 5,400 crore from the Power System Development Fund, at Rs 18 lakh per MWh.
ACC battery programme: 10 GWh is earmarked for grid-scale stationary storage under the National Programme on Advanced Chemistry Cell Battery Storage.
PPA gap: As on 31.12.2025, SECI, NTPC, NHPC and SJVN issued Letters of Award for about 69 GW, but PPAs are signed for only about 24.3 GW.

Don’t confuse with BESS vs PSP: BESS stores energy chemically in batteries; PSP stores it as gravitational potential energy of water between two reservoirs.

Don’t confuse with FDRE vs plain RE tender: FDRE tenders require firm, dispatchable renewable supply, often with storage. Plain solar or wind tenders supply power only when the resource is available.

Science and technology: 57 Prelims questions since 2013; most test the concept behind the news, not the news itself. In Mains, 12 news-triggered questions.

No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: Lasting energy topic with VGF and ISTS waiver details, but UPSC rarely sets questions on storage policy numbers.

Source: PIB, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, 3 Feb, 13:31 IST · Release 283265

Issue page →

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

Law and statutory body

Income-tax Act, 2025

GS3 Economy: taxationGS2 LawsPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 3 February 2026, EPFO welcomed Union Budget 2026-27 changes that align the Income-tax Act, 2025 rules on recognized provident funds with the EPF law.
What it is: The Income-tax Act, 2025 is India's new direct tax law. It rewrites and replaces the Income-tax Act, 1961 in simpler language and a cleaner structure. It is meant to ease compliance and does not change the underlying tax policy.

Act replaced: It replaces the six-decade-old Income-tax Act, 1961.
Passage and assent: Parliament passed the Bill on 12 August 2025. The President gave assent on 21 August 2025.
Rules: The CBDT notified the Income-tax Rules, 2026 on 20 March 2026 to operationalise the Act.
Commencement: The Act came into force on 1 April 2026.
Constitutional basis: Parliament taxes income under Entry 82 of the Union List (taxes on income other than agricultural income). Agricultural income is a State subject.
Who runs the campaign: PRARAMBH is an Income Tax Department outreach run through CBDT, expanded as Policy Reform and Responsible Action for Mission Viksit Bharat.
Kar Saathi: An AI-enabled chatbot to help taxpayers with queries on the new Act, Rules and Forms.
Outreach scale: The campaign includes over 300 workshops, and seeks stakeholder feedback.
Simultaneous overhaul: The FM said direct and indirect tax systems are being overhauled together, a first for independent India.
Governing schedule: Recognized provident funds fall under Schedule XI of the Income Tax Act, 2025.
Exemption condition: Tax recognition is now open only to provident funds that have exemption under Section 17 of the EPF and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952.
Investment ceiling removed: The fixed statutory cap of 50% on investment in Government securities has been removed. Investment norms follow the EPF framework.
Reason for change: Differences between the two laws caused confusion and avoidable litigation.
Effective date: The Act is slated to come into force on 1 April 2026.
Rules and forms: Simplified rules and redesigned forms will be notified later, giving taxpayers time to prepare.
Law it replaces: It replaces the Income-tax Act, 1961.
ICDS and IndAS: A joint committee of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs and CBDT will fold ICDS requirements into IndAS. Separate ICDS-based accounting ends from tax year 2027-28.

Don’t confuse with Income-tax Act vs Rules: The Act is passed by Parliament; the Rules and Forms are subordinate legislation notified by the CBDT.

Don’t confuse with Passage vs assent vs commencement: Passed 12 Aug 2025, assent 21 Aug 2025, in force 1 Apr 2026.

Don’t confuse with CBDT vs CBIC: CBDT administers direct taxes such as income tax; CBIC administers indirect taxes such as GST and customs. Both sit under the Department of Revenue.

Don’t confuse with EPF Act, 1952 vs Employees' Provident Funds Scheme, 1952: The Act is the parent law. The Scheme is framed under it and lays out the working rules.

Don’t confuse with Income-tax Act, 2025 vs Finance Bill: The Act is a standing rewrite of the direct tax law. The Finance Bill carries the year's rate and rule changes, such as TCS, STT and MAT.

Don’t confuse with MAT vs ICDS: MAT is a minimum tax on companies with low taxable income. ICDS are standards for computing taxable income.

Why it matters

Replaces a six-decade-old law with simpler language and structure, easing compliance.
Reduces litigation arising from complex wording while keeping tax policy unchanged.
Supports a more modern, predictable tax administration.
Simpler language and structure can ease compliance and cut disputes.
Multilingual outreach and digital tools improve taxpayer access.
Aligning the two laws reduces confusion and litigation for employers and fund trusts.
It makes EPF exemption depend on one framework, which eases compliance.
Simpler language and structure can cut disputes and ease compliance for ordinary taxpayers.
Aligning tax accounting (ICDS) with IndAS reduces duplicate record-keeping for companies.

Problems

Taxpayers and officials must adjust to new section numbers and Forms, causing transition costs.
Old case law is tied to 1961 Act provisions, which may create interpretive uncertainty.
Simplifying language alone does not remove complexity in rates, exemptions and disputes.
Frequent amendments could undo the simplicity; the FM warned against repeating past patterns.
Officers need training and uniform on-ground implementation.
Removing the 50% cap on government securities gives trusts more investment freedom, which needs sound oversight to protect members' savings.
Taxpayers and professionals need time to learn the new sections, rules and forms.
Transition from old provisions may cause litigation and uncertainty.

Way forward

Give clear guidance, FAQs and training for taxpayers, professionals and officers.
Map old provisions to new ones to preserve legal continuity.
Move next to rationalising exemptions and speeding up dispute resolution.
Keep the law stable with minimal amendments.
Use technology to reduce human interface while keeping an empathetic, trust-based approach.
Keep investment norms under the EPF framework clear and watch fund performance and member safety.
Notify clear rules and forms on time, with guidance and training.
Monitor early implementation and issue clarifications quickly.

Put in your answer

Constitutional basis: Entry 82, Union List gives Parliament power to tax non-agricultural income.

Stability of law: FM stressed that the new law must remain stable, simple and comprehensible, avoiding excessive amendments.

Capacity building: Over 300 workshops are planned under the outreach to seek stakeholder feedback.

Budget 2026-27 alignment: Example of harmonising tax law with labour and social security law to cut disputes.

MAT shift to new regime: Set-off of brought-forward MAT credit is allowed only in the new regime, up to one-fourth of tax liability, to push companies to the new regime.

Test yourself

Source: PIB, Ministry of Labour & Employment, 3 Feb, 14:13 IST · Release 283273

Issue page →

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

Quick facts

India-Bhutan hydropower cooperation began in 1961; the agreement on hydroelectric cooperation is from 2006; Punatsangchhu-II is 1020 MW and Punatsangchhu-I is 1200 MW.
PM VIKAS is a Central Sector Scheme for six notified minority communities; guidelines were approved in January 2025.
An MoU was signed to set up Bharat Container Shipping Line, aligned with the Container Manufacturing Assistance Scheme announced in Budget 2026-27.
Lung Cancer Treatment and Palliation guidelines released with 15 recommendations, called India's first nationally developed evidence-based cancer guideline.

Source: PIB, 3 Feb

What we left out: 59 of 75 releases

Speeches without a decision (4)
Same issue as another release (19)
Routine data and lists (1)
Routine parliamentary replies (12)
Ceremonies and campaigns (5)
Budget summary, routine data (2)
Routine appointments (1)
Routine data and training (1)
Routine research news (2)
Rejoinders and clarifications (1)
Project milestones (1)
Routine MoUs (1)
Routine bilateral meetings (1)
Workshops and webinars (2)
Routine data (2)
Review meetings (1)
Company performance records (1)
Other releases (2)

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
2Minimum Support Price and CACPMCQ · 12 true or false · Mains
3PM Surya GharMCQ · 16 true or false
4National Technical Textiles MissionMCQ · 6 true or false
5Ayushman Bharat PM-JAYMCQ · 19 true or false · Mains
6Central Zoo AuthorityMCQ · 6 true or false
7Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR)MCQ · 7 true or false
8Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM)MCQ · 7 true or false
9Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)MCQ · 14 true or false · Mains
10Agriculture Infrastructure FundMCQ · 6 true or false
11Income-tax Act, 2025MCQ · 10 true or false · Mains

Mains question of the day

15 marks · 250 words

The Rural Development Ministry has told Parliament that the VB-G RAM G Act, 2025 guarantees 125 days of wage employment a year and makes the scheme Centrally Sponsored, with a 60:40 or 90:10 Centre-State funding split and Central determination of State-wise allocation. Examine the key provisions of the Act and discuss the challenges it may pose for fiscal federalism and for rural employment delivery.

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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