Simplifying UPSC Civil Services 2026| यूपीएससी सिविल सेवा अभिक्षमता परीक्षा (प्रारंभिक) परीक्षा

What are the key Sub-schemes under Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) ? Hon’ble Prime Minister acting through CCEA has given its approval for key sub-schemes under Umbrella Scheme “Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS)” from 1.4.2017 to 30.11.2018 with an outlay of over Rs.41,000 crore: i. Anganwadi Services ii. Scheme for Adolescent Girls iii. Child Protection Services iv. National Crèche Scheme v. National Nutrition Mission is also proposed. Approval will be taken later. Additionally, the CCEA also approved: i. implementation of Scheme for Adolescent Girls for out of school girlsi ii. in the age group of 11-14 years, its phased expansion iii. phasing out of the on–going Kishori Shakti Yojana for out of school girls in the age group of 11-14 years. CCEA: Cabinet Commit...

Aadi Mahotsav and Role of TRIFED It is a Mega fortnight long National Tribal festival started with the theme: ‘A celebration of the spirit of Tribal culture, cuisine & commerce’ which was organized by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and TRIFED (Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India) The Vice President of India, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu has inaugurated a fortnight long Aadi Mahotav on November 16, 2017.  He said the tribal development is an important component to achieve the object of inclusive development (Sabka Vikas).  Salient points from the speech of Hon’ble Vice President of India: This festival will prove very useful to introduce this wonderful cultural heritage to all over India and the world.  Another advantage through this festival can be that the objects and artifacts made by tribals will have an opportunity to sell them and get financial benefits. Their efficiency will be rewarded in the form of economic prosperity. Wha...

Highlights of The Interim Budget 2014-15 The Union Finance Minister, Shri P. Chidambaram here today presented the Interim Budget 2014-15 that shows an  Estimated Plan Expenditure of Rs. 5,55,322 Crore and  Non-Plan Expenditure of Rs. 12,07,892 Crore Fiscal Deficit to be Pegged at 4.1% and  The Revenue Deficit at 3%  The fiscal deficit (of current financial year) at 4.6% and  The revenue deficit (of current financial year) at 3.3%. The fiscal deficit during 2014-15 will be below the target set by the fiscal consolidation path. Major Economic Initiatives in the Current Financial Year Public Sector Enterprises Achieve a New Record in Capital Expenditure • About 50,000 MW of Thermal and Hydelpower capacity is under construction and 78,000 MW of power capacity has been assured coal supply. • The FDI policy was liberlised. • Approval was granted to establish two semi-conductor wafer fab units. • IT modernization of the Department of Posts w...

What is Vote on Account? The discussion on the Budget begins a few days after its presentation. In a democratic set-up, Government is anxious to give Parliament full opportunity to discuss the budgetary provisions and the various proposals for taxation. Since Parliament is not able to vote the entire budget before the commencement of the new financial year, the necessity to keep enough finance at the disposal of Government in order to allow it to run the administration of the country remains. A special provision is, therefore, made for "Vote on Account" by which Government obtains the Vote of Parliament for a sum sufficient to incur expenditure on various items for a part of the year. What is duration for the Vote-on-Account? Normally, the Vote on Account is taken for two months only. But during election year or when it is anticipated that the main Demands and Appropriation Bill will take longer time than two months, the Vote on Account may be for a period exceeding two...

Fibre Optic Network based National Knowledge Network Under the National Mission on Education through Information and Communication Technology (ICT) it is envisaged to provide connectivity to over 25000+ colleges and 2000 polytechnics in the country and to 419 universities/deemed universities and institutions of national importance.  Connectivity to the universities are provided on optical fibre and to the colleges are provided on copper cable.  Up to another 400 universities fall under the ambit of National Knowledge Network (NKN) for connectivity.  As on 29.2.2012, 391 universities and more than 15396 colleges in the country have been connected under NMEICT.  An amount of Rs. 1500 crore has been approved by the Government during the 11th Five Year Plan for the connectivity.  An amount of Rs. 872,95,19,701/- has already been spent so far for providing connectivity to University/Colleges.  By obtaining synergy between NMEICT and NKN, a lot of cost ...

Strategies to Improve Connectivity The strategic plan of the Ministry of Civil Aviation for year 2010-15 has been prepared.  The strategic plan focuses in identified areas such as World Class infrastructure facilities, establishment of Regulatory Framework in consonance with international standards, connectivity, skilled manpower according to the needs of the industry etc .  The vision of the plane is to enable people to have access to safe, secure, sustainable and affordable air services in world class civil aviation . In its plan the Ministry has planned to pursue on following six strategies in order to improve connectivity of people by air services: Connecting un-served and under-served areas – through increase of airport infrastructure in such areas using the appropriate development model.  Inter Government Collaboration -  The ministry shall work with other government agencies to identify opportunities of reducing risks and hurdles for the aviation ...

The Ministry of Tourism with the objective to tap the high end tourists from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) organised Tourism Road Shows in the cities of Dammam, Riyadh and Jeddah. The shows were held from 7th to 11th of this month. A strong Indian delegation comprising officials from the Tourism Departments of Jammu & Kashmir and Maharashtra, members of the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) , Air India, Jet Airways, Taj Group of Hotels, Medical and Wellness facilities etc., from India were present to showcase the multitude of tourist attractions of India to the Saudi Arabian Traveler. The Indian delegation was led by Shri RH Khwaja, Union Tourism Secretary. The State delegation of Jammu & Kashmir was led by the Minister of Tourism & Culture Shri Nawang Rigzin Zora and the Minister of State for Tourism Shri Nasir Aslam Wani. The Ambassador of India, Shri Hamid Ali Rao, was also present during the event in Riyadh. The Road Show held in the city of Damm...

Twenty four children from different parts of the country will receive the National Bravery Awards for 2011 from the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh at a function in New Delhi on the eve of Republic Day this year. Among the awardees eight are girls and sixteen are boys. Five Awards will be given posthumously.  The prestigious Geeta Chopra Award will be conferred on 13 year old Km. Mittal Mahendrabhai Patadiya of Gujarat who faced armed miscreants and foiled a robbery attempt.   Master Kapil Singh Negi of Uttarakhand will get the coveted Bharat Award posthumously . The 15-year-old-boy sacrificed his life while helping his younger schoolmates to cross an over-flooded stream on a day of heavy rain and landslide.  The Sanjay Chopra Award has been given to 12½-year-old Master Om Prakash Yadav of Uttar Pradesh who saved his schoolmates from a burning van .  Late Master Adithya Gopal (14 years) of Arunachal Pradesh, Master Uma Shankar (14 years) of Delhi and Km. A...

The Department of Public Enterprises(DPE) has laid down criteria for initial as well as re-categorization of Central Public Sector Enterprises(CPSEs) into appropriate schedules. All CPSEs are required to be categorised into four schedules, namely, Schedule ‘A’, Schedule ’B’, Schedule ‘C’ and Schedule ‘D’ . The categorization of CPSE has implications mainly for organizational structure and salary of Board level incumbents of the concerned CPSE. Some modifications have been made to the previously existing system of categorization. The procedure and parameters to be used for the purpose of categorization are as below: (i) The proposals for categorization of CPSEs would continue to be initiated by the concerned administrative Ministry/Department and submitted to DPE, which would examine such proposals in consultation with the Public Enterprises Selection Board. The proposals for categorization of CPSEs should be furnished to DPE with the concurrence of the Financial Advis...

The following Bills, after having received the assent of the President on 12th January, 2012, have been published as Acts in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part-II, Section-1, dated the 13th January, 2012: 1. Constitution (Ninety Seventh Amendment) Bill, 2011 as the Constitution (Ninety seventh Amendment) Act, 2011; 2. Life Insurance Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2011 as Act No. 8 of 2012; 3. Petroleum and Mineral Pipelines (Acquisition of Right of User in land) Amendment Bill, 2011 as Act No. 9 of 2012; 4. Cost and Works Accountants (Amendment) Bill, 2011 as Act No. 10 of 2012; and 5. Export-Import Bank of India (Amendment) Bill, 2011 as Act No. 11 of 2012. Also, the following Bills, after having received the assent of the President on 8th January, 2012 , have been published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part-II, Section-1, dated the 9th January, 2012: 1. Damodar Valley Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2011 as Act No. 1 of 2012; 2. Constitution (Schedu...

The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment Government of India has appointed Shri Prasanna Kumar Pincha as the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities .  Shri Pincha has assumed charge w.e.f. 28th December, 2011 accordingly. It is for the first time ever that a person with disability has been appointed as the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities in the country .  The CCPD is appointed by the Government as per the Section 57 of the Persons with Disability Act , 1995 .  The appointment of Mr. Pincha comes at a very important time as the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment is also in the process of finalization of new Act for the Persons with Disability .  In this regard Union Minister, Shri Mukul Wasnik, is taking keen interest in the proposed new Act for PwDs, which in many ways would be compliant with UNCRPD .  About Shri Prasanna Kumar Pincha: A Disability Rights Activist of caliber, Shri Pincha is Visua...

The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) is implementing various schemes and programmes for promotion and development of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises for all the states. Under the Micro and Small Enterprises – Cluster Development Programme (MSE-CDP) : The total number of Infrastructure Development (ID) Centres functioning in the country are 102 (77 New and 25 upgradation) . 10739 plots have been allotted and 3819 units have been set up in the new ID Centres . Details of Upgradation Centres: S. No. State No. of upgradation Centres 1. Haryana 18 2. Tamilnadu 7 Total 25 Details of New ID Centres:  (We have highlighted important ones) S.No State Number of New ID Centres No. of plots allotted in new ID Centres No. of units set up in new ID Centres 1. Andhra Pradesh 4 533 151 2. Assam 6 334 52 ...