Current Affairs, 7 August 2026

Classification

The Act now writes in MSME classification on two criteria: investment in plant/machinery and turnover.

Udyam portal

Udyam Registration Portal gets statutory permanence as a digital, free and voluntary registration platform.

TReDS for CPSEs

All Central Public Sector Enterprises must route invoice settlement for MSME procurement through TReDS. States are enabled to nudge their PSEs to do so.

Decriminalisation

Conviction-based fines are replaced by graded civil penalties: warning first, penalty on repeat offences.

Don’t confuse with MSE vs MSME: Delayed-payment protections and Facilitation Councils cover only micro and small enterprises, not medium ones.

Don’t confuse with TReDS vs Udyam: TReDS is an invoice discounting platform for liquidity; Udyam is the registration portal.

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. 2023Mains GS3 · Q1Comment on government policies to raise manufacturing share of GDP, especially MSMEs.
2. 2023Prelims Q71Which statements on MSMED Act enterprise investment limits and priority-sector bank loans are correct?

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

Formation of Poshan 2.0

Mission Poshan 2.0 was integrated in Union Budget 2021-22 under the Ministry of Women and Child Development.

Schemes merged

It combines POSHAN Abhiyaan, Anganwadi Services/ICDS and the Scheme for Adolescent Girls.

POSHAN Abhiyaan launch

POSHAN Abhiyaan began in March 2018 as a multi-ministerial convergence mission.

Poshan Tracker

Launched 1 March 2021, it is the digital tool for near real-time monitoring of Anganwadi services.

Beneficiaries

Supplementary Nutrition covers children (6 months to 6 years), pregnant women, lactating mothers and adolescent girls (14-18 years).

Forms of delivery

Supplementary Nutrition is given as Take-Home Ration, Morning Snacks and Hot Cooked Meal.

Legal basis of norms

Nutrition norms come from Schedule-II of the National Food Security Act, 2013, revised in January 2023.

SAM children

Severely Acute Malnourished children aged 6 months to 5 years get additional nutrition as THR.

Dietary Guidelines

The Dietary Guidelines for Indians, 2024 were released by ICMR-NIN; the guidelines urge less edible oil, salt and sugar.

Awareness events

Poshan Maah is in September and Poshan Pakhwada in March-April; Anganwadi workers must hold two Community Based Events a month.

Six services

Supplementary Nutrition, Pre-school Non-formal Education, Nutrition & Health Education, Immunization, Health Check-up and Referral Services are given through Anganwadi Centres.

Health services via NHM

Three of the six services (immunization, health check-up, referral) are health-related and delivered through the National Health Mission and public health infrastructure.

Saksham Anganwadis

Two lakh AWCs in government buildings were sanctioned as Saksham Anganwadis in the 15th Finance Commission cycle.

Worker incentive

Anganwadi Workers get ₹500 and Helpers ₹250 a month for growth monitoring of at least 80% of children aged 0-6 and at least 60% of home visits.

Adolescent girls coverage

Girls aged 14-18 are covered only in Aspirational Districts and all districts of the North Eastern Region.

Honorarium

From 1 October 2018, the honorarium of Anganwadi Workers rose from Rs 3,000 to Rs 4,500 a month. For Helpers it rose from Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,250.

Pankhudi Portal

A portal to enable organisations, individuals and corporates to collaborate on activities under Poshan 2.0, Mission Shakti and Mission Vatsalya.

Don’t confuse with Poshan Maah vs Poshan Pakhwada: Poshan Maah is held in September for a month; Poshan Pakhwada is a two-week campaign held in April.

Don’t confuse with POSHAN Abhiyaan vs Mission Poshan 2.0: POSHAN Abhiyaan (2018) is one component; Poshan 2.0 (2021-22) is the wider mission that includes it along with ICDS and the adolescent girls scheme.

Don’t confuse with Supplementary Nutrition vs Mid-Day Meal (PM POSHAN): Supplementary Nutrition is for under-6 children, mothers and adolescent girls via Anganwadis; PM POSHAN serves school children.

Don’t confuse with Poshan Vatika vs Saksham Anganwadi: Poshan Vatika is a nutrition garden at an AWC; Saksham Anganwadi is an upgraded AWC with LED screens, water filters, ECCE material and a Poshan Vatika.

Don’t confuse with Poshan 2.0 vs POSHAN Abhiyaan: POSHAN Abhiyaan was the earlier 2018 nutrition mission; Poshan 2.0 merged it with Anganwadi Services and the adolescent girls scheme.

Don’t confuse with Poshan Tracker vs Pankhudi Portal: Poshan Tracker is a monitoring app for service delivery and beneficiaries. Pankhudi is a collaboration portal for partners and donors across three Missions.

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 GS2 · Q9Critically examine twin objectives, mandates and success of Mid Day Meal scheme.
2. 2026Mains GS2 · Q7Discuss malnutrition as equity, human development, governance challenge.
3. 2021Mains GS3 · Q13NFSA 2013's salient features and effect on hunger, malnutrition.
4. 2024Mains GS2 · Q7Break poverty-malnutrition cycle affecting human capital formation; suggest steps.
5. 2021Mains GS2 · Q8Can microfinancing women SHGs break the gender, poverty and malnutrition cycle?
6. 2024Prelims Q99Statements on PMSMA antenatal care package and private provider volunteering.
7. 2017Prelims Q23Objectives of National Nutrition Mission, predecessor of POSHAN Abhiyaan.
8. 2016Prelims Q48Features of Initiative for Nutritional Security through Intensive Millets Promotion.

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

Outlay

Launched in 2021-22 with Rs 11,040 crore, of which the Centre's share is Rs 8,844 crore.

States covered

Implemented in 15 States, including several in the North East, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Kerala.

Price assurance

Farmers get a price assurance through the Viability Gap Payment (VGP).

NMEO-Oilseeds

NMEO-OS was launched on 3 October 2024 for seven years, 2024-25 to 2030-31.

Don’t confuse with NMEO-OP vs NMEO-OS: NMEO-OP (2021-22) promotes oil palm; NMEO-OS (2024) promotes oilseeds such as groundnut and mustard, with seed hubs and breeder seed support.

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. 2018Mains GS3 · Q13Assess National Horticulture Mission's role in boosting horticulture production, productivity and farmer income.
2. 2026Mains GS3 · Q3Describe agricultural Technology Missions and examine their role in food security.
3. 2021Mains GS3 · Q14Challenges to crop diversification and how emerging technologies can help it.

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

Launch year

The release says the Government launched the project in 2007.

Phase II tools

Phase II brought the National Judicial Data Grid, eFiling and eSewaKendras, and expanded video conferencing more than fivefold.

Phase III outlay and AI

Rs. 53.57 crore of the Rs. 7,210 crore Phase III outlay is earmarked for AI and machine learning in High Courts.

NJDG

NJDG is an online public dashboard with separate dashboards for the Supreme Court, High Courts and District Courts, tracking pendency and disposal.

NSTEP

NSTEP is a GPS-enabled web and mobile app used by bailiffs to serve summons electronically.

ICJS

The Inter-operable Criminal Justice System links courts, police, jails, forensic labs and prosecution; all High Courts have implemented it.

Don’t confuse with ICJS vs CCTNS: ICJS links courts, police, prisons, forensics and prosecution. CCTNS computerises police work from FIR to charge-sheet.

Don’t confuse with NJDG vs NSTEP: NJDG is a public dashboard on case pendency and disposal. NSTEP is an app for GPS-tracked service of summons.

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 · Q8Why ICT-based projects suffer, and measures for their effective implementation.
2. 2023Mains GS2 · Q8What inadequacies hamper effectiveness, transparency and accountability in e-governance.
3. 2024Mains GS2 · Q18Evaluate the Interactive Service Model of e-governance for transparency and accountability.

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

Terminals commissioned

142 GCTs are commissioned with an estimated capacity of 224 million tonnes per annum.

Private investment

The policy has mobilised about ₹10,000 crore of private investment.

Site selection

GCT locations depend on industry demand, cargo potential, railway infrastructure availability and logistics potential.

Dedicated Freight Corridors

Eastern DFC (Ludhiana to Sonnagar, 1337 km) and Western DFC (Dadri to JNPT, 1506 km) are both commissioned.

New DFC

A Dankuni–Surat DFC was announced in Union Budget 2026; DPR work has begun.

Don’t confuse with GCT policy vs wagon investment schemes: GCT policy invites private investment in terminals; wagon schemes invite private investment in rakes such as special-purpose, general-purpose and automobile wagons.

Don’t confuse with GCT vs railway goods sheds: GCTs are privately developed modern terminals; goods sheds are railway-owned and are being upgraded separately.

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. 2022Mains GS2 · Q6Need for government-private sector coordination to achieve Gati Shakti connectivity
2. 2022Mains GS3 · Q1Why PPP is required in infrastructure and its role in railway station redevelopment
3. 2014Mains GS2 · Q8Whether Rail Tariff Authority benefits consumers, Railways or private container operators
4. 2025Prelims Q62Which connections the International North-South Transport Corridor will provide
5. 2025Prelims Q82Statements on National Rail Plan and Kavach train protection system

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

Chenab Bridge

It is the world's highest railway bridge, in Reasi district. It is 1315 m long, with an arch span of 467 m and a height of 359 m above the river bed.

Travel time

After commissioning, the Katra-Srinagar journey takes about 3 hours.

Electrification

The whole line is electrified, and all of J&K's existing broad-gauge network is electrified.

Don’t confuse with Chenab Bridge vs Anji Khad Bridge: Chenab is a steel arch bridge, the world's highest rail bridge. Anji Khad is the cable-stayed bridge, the first on Indian Railways. Both are on the USBRL.

Don’t confuse with USBRL vs Jammu-Poonch line: USBRL is built and running (272 km). The 190-km Jammu/Reasi-Poonch line is only a sanctioned survey.

Places in the news: 26 Prelims questions since 2013, rising (12% of news questions in 2022–26); they test location and why it matters.

1. 2026Mains GS3 · Q19Examine J&K mainstreaming actions and effects of abrogating Articles 370 and 35A.
2. 2026Mains GS3 · Q7Manage conflict between infrastructure development and disaster-risk reduction in sensitive areas.
3. 2010Prelims Q75Which rivers flow through Himachal Pradesh, including the Chenab?
4. 2021Prelims Q53Which of four Indus tributaries joins the Indus directly?
5. 2009Prelims Q133On which river is the Dul Hasti Power Station based?

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

District committees

District Mine Closure Advisory Committees have been formed to support planning and stakeholder participation in all 10 operational districts of Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh.

Closure steps

Steps include sealing underground openings, demolishing redundant structures, treating subsidence areas, installing safety measures, reclaiming land, planting trees and restoring the ecology.

Don’t confuse with Abandoned mine vs. scientifically closed mine: An abandoned mine is one left without proper closure. A scientifically closed mine has been sealed, reclaimed and made safe under a closure plan.

Environment: Prelims tests bodies, programmes and the law behind them; Mains asks why plans fall short.

1. 2025Mains GS3 · Q17Why mining is an environmental hazard, and remedial measures to reduce it.
2. 2017Mains GS1 · Q6Whether coal mining's adverse environmental impact is inevitable for development; discuss.

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

Code of Ethics

Part III of the Rules sets the Code of Ethics for digital news publishers and OTT platforms.

Content classification

OTT platforms must classify content on seven bases: themes and messages, violence, nudity, sex, language, drug and substance abuse, and horror.

Grievance redressal

Complaints about Code of Ethics violations go through a three-tier mechanism. Complaints received by the Ministry are forwarded to the OTT platform concerned.

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

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. 2026Mains GS3 · Q9Fake news threats to internal security; discuss 2021 IT Rules amendments
2. 2020Mains GS4 · Q4Distinguish laws from rules and discuss the role of ethics
3. 2016Mains GS3 · Q20Misuse of internet and social media by non-state actors; suggest guidelines
4. 2018Prelims Q20Which committee scrutinises whether delegated rules are properly exercised by the executive

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

Launch and earlier name

The service began in October 2022 as Scan and Share and is now called Scan and Register.

How it works

The patient scans the facility's QR code using an ABDM-enabled PHR app. After giving consent, the patient shares the ABHA profile and gets registered without paper forms.

Leading States

Bihar leads with over 7.30 crore transactions, followed by Uttar Pradesh (4.09 crore), Andhra Pradesh (3.38 crore) and Jammu & Kashmir (1.39 crore).

Top facility

AIIMS New Delhi has the most registrations among government facilities, with over 54.29 lakh.

Implementing agency

The National Health Authority implements ABDM, and its CEO is Dr. Sunil Kumar Barnwal.

Don’t confuse with ABHA vs PHR app: ABHA is the health account/ID number of the citizen. A PHR app is the application used to hold it and to scan the QR code.

Don’t confuse with ABDM vs PM-JAY: ABDM is a digital health infrastructure mission. PM-JAY is the health insurance scheme, though both are run by the National Health Authority.

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. 2022Prelims Q19ABDM: whether hospitals must adopt it, universal coverage, and portability statements.
2. 2022Mains GS4 · Q4Ethical issues in telemedicine and online methods, especially for vulnerable sections.
3. 2014Mains GS2 · Q15Whether Aadhaar and NPR should run concurrently; their developmental benefits and equitable growth potential.

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

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.

1. 2015Mains GS2 · Q9Elucidate SHG-Bank Linkage Programme as poverty alleviation and women empowerment tool
2. 2020Mains GS2 · Q17Evaluate SHGs' role in microfinance for asset creation and women empowerment
3. 2017Mains GS2 · Q16Examine SHGs' role in development and government measures to promote them
4. 2016Prelims Q63Which scheme aims at promoting Self Help Groups in rural areas
5. 2010Prelims Q99Differences between Swadhar and Swayam Siddha women welfare schemes, including SHG role
6. 2015Prelims Q1Purpose of Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana, including women's SHGs option

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

Who issued the GBC Charter

The Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance, issued the Charter of Gender Budget Cells. It guides how GBCs are formed, staffed and run in all Ministries/Departments.

Role of a GBC

A GBC is the focal unit that coordinates gender budgeting initiatives in its Ministry/Department.

Coverage of GBCs

GBCs exist in 62 Central Ministries/Departments and 35 States/UTs, as per available information.

Gender Budget Statement

The Department of Economic Affairs issues a yearly Budget Circular requiring reporting of women and girls' allocations. The figures are compiled as Statement 13 of the Expenditure Profile.

Reporting Ministries

In FY 2026-27, 53 central Ministries/Departments and 5 UTs reported allocations, against 49 and 5 in FY 2025-26.

Don’t confuse with Gender Budget Statement vs Gender Budgeting: The Gender Budget Statement is the annual report of allocations for women and girls. Gender budgeting is the wider process of analysing and shaping budgets and policies for gender equality.

Don’t confuse with Ministry of Finance vs Ministry of WCD roles: Finance issues the GBC Charter and the Budget Circular. The WCD Ministry provides capacity building, technical support and funds for training institutes.

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. 2016Mains GS3 · Q2Requirements and status of gender budgeting in India.
2. 2019Mains GS3 · Q12Public expenditure management challenges in post-liberalisation budget making.
3. 2024Mains GS1 · Q8Distinguish gender equality, equity, empowerment; why gender concerns matter.
4. 2020Prelims Q6Legal basis for presenting Macro Economic Framework Statement with Budget.
5. 2024Prelims Q85Budget procedure: Annual Financial Statement laying and grant recommendations.

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

Two verticals

Mission Shakti has Sambal for safety and security, and Samarthya for empowerment.

One Stop Centres

OSCs give medical aid, legal aid, temporary shelter, police help and counselling under one roof to women hit by violence. They are part of Sambal.

OSC numbers

991 OSCs were operational from 1 April 2015 to 30 June 2026, and over 15.20 lakh women were assisted.

Women Helpline 181

A 24-hour toll-free service for women in emergency and non-emergency situations, also under Sambal.

Funding and implementation

It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme implemented by State Governments and UT Administrations.

Monitoring

The Programme Approval Board reviews progress once a year. A Mission Shakti Dashboard allows real-time tracking at district, State and national levels.

Don’t confuse with Mission Shakti vs Mission Vatsalya: Mission Shakti is for women's safety and empowerment. Mission Vatsalya is for children in difficult circumstances and includes Child Helpline 1098.

Don’t confuse with Women Helpline 181 vs ERSS-112: 181 is the Women and Child Ministry's helpline for women. ERSS-112 is the Home Ministry's single emergency number, and 181 is integrated with it.

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. 2017Mains GS2 · Q15Can NCW strategize and tackle women's problems in public and private spheres?
2. 2025Mains GS2 · Q6Explain how women's social capital advances empowerment and gender equity.
3. 2014Mains GS4 · Q8Suggest innovative measures to tackle rising sexual violence against women despite laws.

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