📰 PIB Notes for UPSC – 04 August 2026
Daily PIB Current Affairs | UPSC & SSC Exam Preparation
Today's PIB Notes for UPSC covers 17 important topics —
MSP for 22 Crops, Indigenous ASF Vaccine, Agricultural Road Maps, Bharat Beej, World's Largest Grain Storage Plan,
Bharat Taxi Cooperative, Clouded Leopard Conservation, AB PM-JAY, NFHS-6, TB Drone Diagnosis,
PM Surya Ghar, SVAMITVA, Panchayat Advancement Index, RVY & DDRS, PLI Textiles,
GI Tags Backgrounder, and PM-eBus Sewa.
✅ Tap any option to instantly see the answer. Facts used below are from PIB releases dated 04 August 2026.
✅ Tap any option to instantly see the answer. Facts used below are from PIB releases dated 04 August 2026.
Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
🌾 Minimum Support Prices for 22 Crops – 1.5x Cost Principle Since 2018-19
📝 Key Notes
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
❓ MCQ Practice
- Government fixes MSPs for 22 mandated agricultural crops for the country as a whole every year.
- MSPs are fixed based on recommendations of the Commission for Agricultural Costs & Prices (CACP), after considering views of State Governments and concerned Central Ministries/Departments.
- Union Budget 2018-19 announced MSPs at levels of at least one and half times the cost of production.
- From 2018-19 onwards, MSPs for mandated Kharif, Rabi and commercial crops have a minimum margin of 50% over all-India weighted average cost of production.
- Cereals and coarse cereals are procured through FCI and designated State Agencies.
- Pulses, oilseeds and copra are procured under Price Support Scheme under PM-AASHA, through NAFED and NCCF.
- Cotton and jute are procured at MSP through CCI and JCI respectively.
- Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses has been launched till 2030-31 to reduce import dependence and achieve self-sufficiency in pulses.
- Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) protects growers of perishable agricultural/horticultural commodities not covered under PSS.
- From 2024-25, Price Differential Payment (PDP) was introduced under MIS for perishable crops.
- From 2024-25, another MIS component reimburses storage and transportation costs of TOP crops — Tomato, Onion and Potato.
22
Mandated MSP Crops
1.5x
Cost Principle Since 2018-19
5,781 LMT
Procurement: 2021-22 to 2025-26
₹14.58 L Cr
MSP Value Paid: 2021-22 to 2025-26
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
- PM-AASHA = Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan.
- NAFED and NCCF are Central Nodal Agencies for procurement of Tur, Urad and Masur from pre-registered farmers under PM-AASHA on request of State Governments.
- MIS is implemented at the request of a State/UT Government.
- For MIS intervention, there should be at least 10% decrease in ruling market prices over the previous normal year.
- Total procurement of all 22 MSP crops increased from 6,987 LMT during 2004-14 to 12,819 LMT during 2014-26 up to June 2026.
- MSP amount paid to farmers increased from ₹7.41 lakh crore during 2004-14 to ₹27.80 lakh crore during 2014-26 up to June 2026.
❓ MCQ Practice
Q. Since 2018-19, MSPs are kept at least how much over the cost of production?
Union Budget 2018-19 announced the principle of MSPs at at least 1.5 times the cost of production. From 2018-19 onwards, MSPs carry a minimum margin of 50% over all-India weighted average cost of production.
Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare – ICAR
🐷 India's First Indigenous African Swine Fever Vaccine by ICAR-NIHSAD
📝 Key Notes
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
❓ MCQ Practice
- Scientists at ICAR–National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (ICAR-NIHSAD), Bhopal developed India's first indigenous ASF vaccine.
- The vaccine is an MA-104 cell line-based live attenuated African Swine Fever vaccine for pigs.
- ASF is caused by African Swine Fever Virus (ASFV) and affects domestic and wild pigs.
- ASF mortality rates may approach 100%.
- ASF was first detected in India in 2020.
- During initial outbreaks in Assam in 2020 and 2021, losses were estimated at about ₹276 crore.
- In Mizoram, outbreaks affected more than 11,382 households up to 2025 with estimated loss of about ₹982 crore.
- The vaccine uses attenuated ASFV Genotype II virus with unique gene deletions in MA-104 cell line.
- Recommended for healthy pigs above 8 weeks of age.
- Dosage: 1 mL intramuscular injection followed by booster dose after 14 days.
- The vaccine was field validated in collaboration with Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying (DAHD).
ICAR-NIHSAD
Developer Institute, Bhopal
MA-104
Cell Line Used
8 Weeks+
Recommended Age
1 mL + Booster
IM Dose + Booster After 14 Days
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
- ASF control in India earlier relied mainly on rapid diagnosis, culling of infected animals and strict biosecurity measures.
- The indigenous vaccine removes dependence on patented proprietary cell-line platforms.
- PIB notes that only a couple of commercially licensed ASF vaccines are available in Vietnam.
- The vaccine is expected to reduce pig mortality, minimise economic losses and improve livelihoods of pig farmers.
- It is presented as a major step toward Atmanirbhar Bharat in veterinary vaccine development.
❓ MCQ Practice
Q. India's first indigenous ASF vaccine has been developed by which institute?
The ASF vaccine was developed by ICAR-NIHSAD, Bhopal. It is an MA-104 cell line-based live attenuated ASF vaccine for pigs.
Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
🗺️ Agricultural Road Maps Based on Agro-Climatic Conditions for 7 States/UTs
📝 Key Notes
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
❓ MCQ Practice
- ICAR reported that Agricultural Action Plans have been initiated for Assam, Goa, Maharashtra, Uttarakhand, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
- Comprehensive consultations were undertaken with concerned State Governments and stakeholders.
- The roadmaps are being prepared collaboratively by ICAR, Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, ICAR Institutes, State Governments, State Agricultural Universities and experts.
- Planning is based on agro-climatic regions, natural resource endowments, climate resilience, technological interventions and farmers' needs.
- The roadmaps aim to ensure technical validation and alignment with State priorities.
- They seek to enhance productivity, profitability and resource-use efficiency in agriculture and allied sectors.
- States/UTs may use these guiding principles while formulating annual action plans under various schemes.
7
States/UTs Covered
ICAR-led
Collaborative Preparation
Agro-climatic
Region-based Planning
Climate Resilience
Core Planning Element
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
- The agricultural roadmaps are described as a broad policy framework based on agro-climatic conditions.
- Key expected outcomes: enhancing farmers' income, improving self-sufficiency in agricultural and allied commodities, generating rural employment and ensuring sustainable agricultural growth.
- The approach specifically addresses local agro-climatic conditions, climate resilience and farmers' needs.
❓ MCQ Practice
Q. Agricultural Action Plans have been initiated for how many States/UTs as per the PIB release?
Agricultural Action Plans have been initiated for 7 States/UTs: Assam, Goa, Maharashtra, Uttarakhand, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
Ministry of Cooperation
🌱 Bhartiya Beej Sahakari Samiti Limited – Bharat Beej Brand
📝 Key Notes
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
❓ MCQ Practice
- Bhartiya Beej Sahakari Samiti Limited (BBSSL) has introduced seeds of 18 crops and 124 varieties under the Bharat Beej brand.
- Seeds are distributed through member cooperative societies, private distributors/dealers, State Seed Federations and Seed Corporations.
- BBSSL has designated region-wise Zonal Managers and Coordinators for implementation of its seed distribution programme.
- In Maharashtra, seeds of fodder crops, cotton, sorghum and groundnut were supplied through the State Government under Centrally Sponsored Schemes.
- In Dadra and Nagar Haveli, the Department of Agriculture has been designated as BBSSL's Nodal Agency.
- BBSSL has been set up as an apex organisation for production, procurement, processing, branding, labelling, packaging, storage, marketing and distribution of quality seeds.
- It also supports strategic R&D and a system for preservation and promotion of indigenous natural seeds.
18
Crops Covered
124
Seed Varieties
Bharat Beej
Brand Name
Apex Body
For Quality Seed Ecosystem
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
- BBSSL distributes seeds through both cooperative networks and private distribution channels.
- In Maharashtra, wheat and gram seeds have been distributed through private distribution channels.
- BBSSL functions include production, procurement, processing, branding, labelling, packaging, storage, marketing and distribution of quality seeds.
❓ MCQ Practice
Q. BBSSL has introduced seeds under Bharat Beej brand for how many crops?
BBSSL has introduced seeds of 18 crops and 124 varieties under the Bharat Beej brand for distribution across India.
Ministry of Cooperation
🏚️ World's Largest Grain Storage Plan – Decentralised Storage via PACS
📝 Key Notes
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
❓ MCQ Practice
- The decentralised grain storage plan in cooperative sector allows eligible cooperative societies, including PACS, to establish infrastructure on self-owned or leased land.
- Land allocation is facilitated by concerned State Governments wherever required.
- All storage facilities are constructed as per prescribed technical standards and WDRA specifications.
- No structural safety challenges have been reported by Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.
- Godowns constructed under the Plan are registered under Warehousing Development and Regulatory Authority (WDRA) framework.
- Efforts are made to facilitate registration of eligible PACS/cooperative societies with WDRA to use the electronic Negotiable Warehouse Receipt (e-NWR) system.
- Madhya Pradesh informed that it has surplus storage capacity and is not participating under the decentralised plan, but one godown was constructed in Paraswada Samiti in Balaghat district.
168
Projects Approved
119
Godowns Constructed
5
Projects Under Construction
₹5.24 Cr
AMI Advance Subsidy Listed
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
- State-wise approved projects: Andhra Pradesh 117, Bihar 36, Uttar Pradesh 14, Madhya Pradesh 1.
- Godowns constructed: Andhra Pradesh 117, Uttar Pradesh 1, Madhya Pradesh 1.
- AMI subsidy released: Bihar ₹5.06 crore, Madhya Pradesh ₹0.13 crore, Uttar Pradesh ₹0.05 crore.
- No AMI subsidy has been released to Andhra Pradesh so far.
- The e-NWR system is linked to the WDRA framework for eligible PACS/cooperative societies.
❓ MCQ Practice
Q. Godowns constructed under the decentralised grain storage plan are registered under which framework?
Godowns constructed under the Plan are registered under the Warehousing Development and Regulatory Authority (WDRA) framework, enabling eligible entities to avail e-NWR system benefits.
Ministry of Cooperation
🚕 Bharat Taxi – India's First Cooperative-Led Ride-Hailing Platform
📝 Key Notes
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
❓ MCQ Practice
- Bharat Taxi has been launched as the country's first cooperative-led ride-hailing platform.
- It is operated by Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited (STCL).
- The objective is not to replace private app-based taxi aggregators but to provide a driver-centric and people-centric mobility platform under cooperative principles.
- STCL is a Multi-State Cooperative Society registered under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002.
- Registered Head Office of STCL is located in New Delhi.
- The platform is supported by 8 national cooperative institutions: NCDC, IFFCO, AMUL (GCMMF), KRIBHCO, NAFED, NABARD, NDDB and NCEL.
- As on 28 July 2026, total registered Sarathis/drivers: 8.27 lakh.
- No financial assistance, equity support or incentive has been provided by the Government for Bharat Taxi.
- Safety features include verification, SOS facility, journey sharing and coordination with police authorities.
- Customer data is stored in encrypted form as per Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 and Information Technology Act, 2000.
8.27 Lakh
Registered Sarathis
STCL
Operating Society
8
Supporting National Cooperatives
No Govt Aid
No Financial Assistance Provided
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
- State-wise enabled Sarathis include Delhi-NCR 2,61,045, Gujarat 1,04,163, Maharashtra 84,332.
- Bharat Taxi includes cab, auto and bike categories.
- Fare determination follows a transparent framework after considering views of State Transport Authorities, Sarathi representatives and stakeholders.
- Grievance redressal is through Call Centre, Customer Support Team and Grievance Redressal Team.
❓ MCQ Practice
Q. Bharat Taxi is operated by which cooperative society?
Bharat Taxi is operated by Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited (STCL), a Multi-State Cooperative Society registered under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
🐆 Clouded Leopard Conservation Action Plan – 14 Priority Landscapes in Northeast India
📝 Key Notes
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
❓ MCQ Practice
- On International Clouded Leopard Day, India reaffirmed commitment through the newly launched Clouded Leopard Conservation Action Plan (CAP).
- The CAP was prepared under the Government of India–GEF–UNDP initiative.
- It was released during the 91st meeting of the Standing Committee of the National Board of Wild Life (SCNBWL), held in the second week of July 2026 at Coimbatore.
- CAP focuses on habitat protection, scientific monitoring, landscape connectivity and community participation across Northeast India.
- 14 priority conservation landscapes have been identified across Northeast India.
- The species has been included under the Species Recovery Programme of the Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats (IDWH) scheme.
- Scientific monitoring tools include camera traps, occupancy surveys, genetics and environmental DNA/eDNA.
- Capacity building of frontline staff includes use of the M-STrIPES smart application.
- The plan encourages transboundary cooperation with neighbouring range countries.
14
Priority Landscapes
91st SCNBWL
CAP Released During Meeting
IDWH
Species Recovery Programme
eDNA
Scientific Monitoring Tool
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
- CAP adopts a landscape-level conservation approach.
- It integrates climate resilience and adaptive management into conservation planning.
- Community-based conservation and sustainable livelihood support are key components.
- Conservation of Clouded Leopard is linked with forests and natural heritage of Northeast India.
❓ MCQ Practice
Q. The Clouded Leopard Conservation Action Plan identifies how many priority conservation landscapes?
The CAP identifies 14 priority conservation landscapes across Northeast India for Clouded Leopard conservation.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
🏥 AB PM-JAY Update – 12.69 Crore Admissions Worth ₹1.92 Lakh Crore
📝 Key Notes
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
❓ MCQ Practice
- Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) provides health coverage of ₹5 lakh per family per year.
- It covers secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation for 12 crore economically vulnerable families, constituting bottom 40% of India's population.
- In March 2024, the scheme was expanded to include about 37 lakh families of ASHAs, Anganwadi Workers and Anganwadi Helpers.
- In October 2024, it was expanded to cover 6 crore senior citizens aged 70 years and above belonging to 4.5 crore families, irrespective of socio-economic status.
- As on 30 June 2026, 12.69 crore hospital admissions worth ₹1.92 lakh crore were authorised.
- Admissions were authorised through a network of 37,413 public and private hospitals.
- Out-of-pocket expenditure as a share of total health expenditure declined from 62.6% in 2014-15 to 43.4% in 2022-23.
12.69 Cr
Hospital Admissions
₹1.92 L Cr
Authorised Amount
37,413
Hospitals Network
₹5 Lakh
Cover Per Family Per Year
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
- PM-JAY expansion for senior citizens aged 70+ was made irrespective of socio-economic status.
- Out-of-pocket expenditure reduction is based on National Health Accounts Estimates 2022-23.
- The release links reduction in household health burden to increased public investment and publicly financed health insurance schemes such as AB-PMJAY.
❓ MCQ Practice
Q. As on 30 June 2026, how many hospital admissions were authorised under AB PM-JAY?
As on 30 June 2026, 12.69 crore hospital admissions amounting to ₹1.92 lakh crore were authorised under AB PM-JAY.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
📊 NFHS-6 Update – National and State/UT Fact Sheets Released on 29 May 2026
📝 Key Notes
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
❓ MCQ Practice
- The Ministry conducts the National Family Health Survey (NFHS), an integrated survey on health and family welfare.
- NFHS provides data on population characteristics, fertility, family planning, maternal and child health, nutrition, morbidity, healthcare and women's empowerment.
- National and State/UT Fact Sheets of the sixth round of NFHS (2023-24) were released on 29 May 2026.
- Indicators in NFHS-6 Fact Sheets were finalised on recommendations of the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC).
- TAC included representatives from DDWS, MoWCD, MoSPI, ORGI, NITI Aayog, DEPwD and other concerned Ministries/Departments.
- Indicators were aligned with the Government's Data Harmonisation initiative to avoid inconsistencies across fragmented data sources.
- Fact Sheets are intended to present only key indicators, particularly those related to health and family welfare.
- Anaemia prevalence figures will be adopted from an independent ICMR survey using the gold standard intravenous method for haemoglobin testing.
NFHS-6
Sixth Round: 2023-24
29.05.2026
Fact Sheets Released
TAC
Recommended Indicators
ICMR
Anaemia Gold Standard Survey
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
- NFHS-6 Fact Sheets focus on harmonised key indicators.
- TAC recommended avoiding inconsistencies from fragmented and unharmonised official data sources.
- Anaemia estimates are to be based on ICMR's independent survey rather than the NFHS Fact Sheet itself.
❓ MCQ Practice
Q. NFHS-6 National and State/UT Fact Sheets were released on which date?
The National and State/UT Fact Sheets of NFHS-6 (2023-24) were released on 29 May 2026.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
🚁 ICMR i-DRONE – TB Diagnosis Time Cut from 15 Days to 5 Days
📝 Key Notes
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
❓ MCQ Practice
- ICMR study under its i-DRONE initiative found drone-assisted transport of TB sputum samples reduces diagnosis time and cost in remote areas.
- The study was conducted in Yadadri-Bhuvanagiri district of Telangana.
- It was done in collaboration with AIIMS Bibinagar and the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP).
- Median turnaround time for TB diagnosis reduced from 15 days to 5 days.
- Mean out-of-pocket expenditure incurred by patients reduced from about ₹9,451 to ₹91.
- The initiative improves timely access to TB diagnostic services in remote and hard-to-reach areas.
15 → 5 Days
Diagnosis Time
₹9,451 → ₹91
Patient Expenditure
Telangana
Yadadri-Bhuvanagiri Study Site
i-DRONE
ICMR Initiative
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
- The intervention used drones for transporting TB sputum samples.
- PIB states that diagnosis time was reduced by two-thirds.
- Patient costs were reduced by over 99%.
- The study directly relates to service delivery in remote and hard-to-reach areas.
❓ MCQ Practice
Q. Under ICMR's i-DRONE study, TB diagnosis time reduced from 15 days to:
The i-DRONE study reduced the median turnaround time for TB diagnosis from 15 days to 5 days.
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
☀️ PM Surya Ghar – 50.06 Lakh Rooftop Solar Installations Milestone
📝 Key Notes
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
❓ MCQ Practice
- PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana crossed 50.06 lakh households benefiting from rooftop solar installations.
- The milestone was achieved in just over two years since launch, compared to 7.94 lakh rooftop solar installations in the previous ten years.
- PIB describes it as the world's largest rooftop solar programme.
- Total outlay of the scheme is ₹75,021 crore.
- The scheme is benefiting 1 lakh households every six days.
- Installation pace increased from 5,038/day in October 2025 to nearly 16,328/day in July 2026.
- July 2026 recorded 5.06 lakh households benefited — highest-ever monthly figure.
- ₹28,024 crore subsidy has been released directly to beneficiaries through DBT.
- Nearly 19 lakh households are receiving zero electricity bills.
- More than 12 lakh households earned ₹421 crore from sale of surplus power in FY 2024-25.
- Cumulatively, 14.8 GW rooftop solar capacity has been commissioned.
- The scheme operates on a 100% online end-to-end digital process.
50.06 Lakh
Household Installations
₹75,021 Cr
Scheme Outlay
14.8 GW
Commissioned Capacity
₹28,024 Cr
Subsidy Released via DBT
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
- PM Surya Ghar is the Government of India's flagship rooftop solar scheme under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
- Concessional loans at 5.75%, benchmarked to Repo rate plus 50 basis points, have been sanctioned for 21.87 lakh applicants.
- Vendor ecosystem: 34,219 registered vendors, of whom 29,469 are active.
- More than 2.32 lakh people have been trained under capacity-building programmes.
- Central Ministries identified about 41,542 feasible Government buildings; 25,255 have already been solarised.
- Together, 1.06 lakh Government buildings have been solarised so far.
❓ MCQ Practice
Q. PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana crossed how many household rooftop solar installations?
The scheme crossed 50.06 lakh households benefiting from rooftop solar installations across the country.
Ministry of Panchayati Raj
🏡 SVAMITVA Scheme – 3.24 Crore Property Cards Prepared
📝 Key Notes
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
❓ MCQ Practice
- Under SVAMITVA Scheme, drone survey has been completed in 3.30 lakh villages.
- 3.24 crore Property Cards have been prepared for 1.97 lakh villages.
- About 2.72 crore Property Cards have been distributed to property owners.
- Main objective: provide Record of Rights to property owners in rural inhabited/abadi areas.
- SVAMITVA is not integrated with eGramSwaraj, as eGramSwaraj is a work-based planning, accounting and monitoring system for Panchayats.
- Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Department of Financial Services and State Revenue Departments are working to enable wider bank acceptance of SVAMITVA Property Cards.
- 11,147 loans worth ₹1,713 crore have been disbursed based on SVAMITVA Property Cards.
- Rural inhabited land is demarcated using drone survey and CORS technology.
- Target: covering 3.38 lakh villages within the scheme implementation period.
3.30 Lakh
Villages Drone Surveyed
3.24 Cr
Property Cards Prepared
2.72 Cr
Cards Distributed
₹1,713 Cr
Loans Disbursed
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
- CORS = Continuously Operating Reference Stations.
- Highly accurate maps help reduce property-related disputes by clearly demarcating property boundaries.
- Ministry of Panchayati Raj provides funds to Survey of India for drone survey and map preparation.
- Ground truthing, preparation and distribution of property cards are undertaken by States/UTs.
- Among Gujarat, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, 2,282 loans worth ₹185 crore were availed on property cards.
❓ MCQ Practice
Q. SVAMITVA Scheme uses drone survey along with which technology?
SVAMITVA demarcates rural inhabited land using drone survey and CORS technology to create high-accuracy maps of village abadi areas.
Ministry of Panchayati Raj
📈 Panchayat Advancement Index – 2.59 Lakh Gram Panchayats Assessed
📝 Key Notes
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
❓ MCQ Practice
- The Ministry developed the Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI), earlier known as Panchayat Development Index (PDI).
- PAI is a composite assessment framework to measure incremental performance of Gram Panchayats/Equivalent GPs across themes of localisation of SDGs.
- PAI provides theme-wise and overall scores through scorecards and dashboards.
- A total of 2.59 lakh Gram Panchayats/Equivalent to GPs of 33 States/UTs have been onboarded in PAI 2.0 for FY 2023-24.
- No special incentive fund has been created in the 2026-27 Budget for “Frontrunner” Panchayats.
- Revamped Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) is being implemented from FY 2022-23 for Capacity Building & Training.
- 36,81,750 elected representatives and other PRI stakeholders were trained on LSDG themes from FY 2022-23 to FY 2026-27 as on 10 July 2026.
- For FY 2026-27, as on 29 July 2026, 1,56,019 Gram Panchayats had taken Sankalp for GPDP preparation.
- Theme 4 Water Sufficient Panchayat selected by 31,789 GPs; Theme 5 Clean and Green Panchayat selected by 32,806 GPs.
- No collaboration has been established by the Ministry with UNDP under PAI.
2.59 Lakh
GPs Onboarded in PAI 2.0
33
States/UTs Covered
36.81 Lakh
PRI Stakeholders Trained
1.56 Lakh
GPs Took Sankalp for GPDP
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
- PAI helps identify performance gaps, relative strengths and areas requiring focused attention at Panchayat level.
- Climate-resilient agriculture-related sectors are integrated under Theme 4: Water Sufficient Panchayat and Theme 5: Clean and Green Panchayat.
- The Ministry localised SDGs through nine LSDG themes for Panchayats.
- PAI supports effective rural governance, improved service delivery and outcome-oriented Panchayat development.
❓ MCQ Practice
Q. Panchayat Advancement Index was earlier known as:
The Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) was earlier known as the Panchayat Development Index (PDI).
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
♿ Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana & DDRS – Third-Party Impact Evaluation
📝 Key Notes
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
❓ MCQ Practice
- A third-party impact evaluation of Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY) and Deendayal Divyangjan Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS) was conducted for appraisal.
- Evaluation found RVY to be exceptionally aligned with the needs of eligible senior citizens.
- RVY had transformative impact on mobility and functional independence of beneficiaries through assistive devices.
- RVY helped beneficiaries walk independently and move around without assistance.
- It promoted independent living and reduced reliance on caregivers for basic mobility and daily functioning.
- DDRS evaluation reported significant outcomes in education, rehabilitation, assistive support and livelihood inclusion.
- DDRS provided educational and therapeutic services leading to functional improvement.
- Free assistive devices under DDRS showed high usability and beneficiary satisfaction.
- Evaluation noted improved livelihood linkages, strong community and parental engagement, and enhanced transparency through e-Anudaan.
2 Schemes
RVY and DDRS Evaluated
RVY
Senior Citizen Assistive Support
DDRS
Education & Rehabilitation Outcomes
e-Anudaan
Transparency and Timeliness
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
- RVY evaluation emphasised mobility, functional independence and independent living.
- DDRS evaluation emphasised education, rehabilitation, assistive support, livelihood inclusion and social inclusion.
- Both evaluations reflected high beneficiary satisfaction and enhanced quality of life.
❓ MCQ Practice
Q. The third-party evaluation reported that which scheme had transformative impact on mobility and functional independence of eligible senior citizens?
The evaluation reported that Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana had a transformative impact on mobility and functional independence of eligible senior citizens.
Ministry of Textiles
🧵 PLI Scheme for Textiles – 170 Companies Approved, ₹8,117.64 Crore Investment
📝 Key Notes
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
❓ MCQ Practice
- As on date, 170 companies have been approved for participation under the PLI Scheme for Textiles.
- Segment-wise approved companies: 43 in MMF Apparel, 38 in MMF Fabric and 89 in Technical Textiles.
- 225 products have been notified in MMF Apparel, MMF Fabrics and Technical Textiles segments.
- Regular monitoring and review are done at Ministry level and by DPIIT, the nodal Department for all PLI Schemes.
- A Project Management Agency has been engaged for ground-level verification.
- A dedicated PLI portal serves as a central repository for scheme-related data and performance metrics.
- The scheme is integrated with NITI Aayog's Output-Outcome Monitoring Framework.
- As of 31 March 2026, investment under the scheme was ₹8,117.64 crore.
- Turnover: ₹11,241 crore; Employment: 33,427.
170
Approved Companies
225
Products Notified
₹8,117.64 Cr
Investment till 31.03.2026
33,427
Employment Generated
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
- Technical Textiles has the highest number of approved companies under the scheme: 89.
- MMF Apparel: 43 companies; MMF Fabric: 38 companies.
- Scheme monitoring includes Ministry review, DPIIT review, PMA verification, PLI portal and NITI Aayog Output-Outcome Monitoring Framework.
❓ MCQ Practice
Q. How many companies have been approved under the PLI Scheme for Textiles?
170 companies have been approved under the PLI Scheme for Textiles: 43 MMF Apparel, 38 MMF Fabric and 89 Technical Textiles.
PIB Backgrounder
🏷️ GI Tags – Scaling Traditional Wealth into Global Brands
📝 Key Notes
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
❓ MCQ Practice
- GI tags protect India's cultural heritage while creating economic opportunities for local communities.
- GI tags link products to place of origin, preserve traditional knowledge, prevent misuse and enhance consumer trust.
- India has 800+ registered GI products.
- 607 GIs have been granted since 2014.
- Darjeeling Tea from West Bengal was the first product in India to receive a GI tag.
- Authorised users increased from 365 to 29,000 as of January 2025.
- India's GI framework is based on the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 and Rules notified in 2002.
- The framework became operational in 2003; GI registrations commenced in 2004-05.
- The 2025 amendment reduced GI application-related fees by 80%; renewal fee reduced from ₹3,000 to ₹500.
- GI registration is valid for 10 years and can be renewed.
- GI Registry is located at Geographical Indications Registry, Chennai, with all-India jurisdiction.
- Target stated in PIB Backgrounder: 10,000 GI registrations by 2030.
800+
Registered GI Products
607
GIs Granted Since 2014
29,000
Authorised Users as of Jan 2025
10,000
GI Target by 2030
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
- GI is recognised internationally under the Paris Convention and WTO's TRIPS Agreement.
- GI product categories include handicrafts, agricultural products, manufactured goods, food products and natural products.
- As of December 2025: 445 handicraft products and 27 product logos have been registered under the Act.
- 251 agricultural products, 64 manufactured products, 66 food products and 5 natural products are registered.
- Leading States as of December 2025: Uttar Pradesh 81, Tamil Nadu 76, Maharashtra 55 GI-tagged products.
- GI registration can be cancelled/varied under Section 27 of the Act.
- GI cannot be registered if it is generic, misleading, offensive, not eligible for legal protection or violates law in force.
❓ MCQ Practice
Q. Which was the first product in India to receive a GI tag?
Darjeeling Tea from West Bengal was India's first GI-tagged product. GI Registry is located in Chennai and the legal framework is the GI Act, 1999 with Rules notified in 2002.
Ministry of Heavy Industries
🚌 PM-eBus Sewa–PSM Scheme – 523 e-Buses Deployed as on 10 July 2026
📝 Key Notes
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
❓ MCQ Practice
- As on 10 July 2026, the PM-eBus Sewa – Payment Security Mechanism (PSM) Scheme covers 27,555 e-buses out of the targeted 38,000 e-buses.
- Covered e-buses include 10,000 under PM-eBus Sewa Scheme of MoHUA.
- 14,000 e-buses are under the PM E-DRIVE Scheme of the Ministry of Heavy Industries.
- 3,555 e-buses are under State Government/STU initiatives.
- As on 10 July 2026, 523 e-buses have been deployed across India under PM-eBus Sewa–PSM Scheme.
- Under the PM-eBus Sewa Scheme of MoHUA covered under PSM, 400 e-buses have been allocated to Odisha with no deployment as on 3 August 2026.
- PM E-DRIVE Scheme was notified on 24 September 2024 with total outlay of ₹10,900 crore.
- No scheme titled “FAME-III” is currently being implemented; PM E-DRIVE continues to provide EV incentives.
523
e-Buses Deployed
27,555
e-Buses Covered Under PSM
38,000
Target e-Buses
₹10,900 Cr
PM E-DRIVE Outlay
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
- PLI-Auto scheme was approved on 23 September 2021 with budgetary outlay of ₹25,938 crore.
- PLI-Auto cumulative status till 31 March 2026: Investment ₹44,326 crore, incremental sales ₹52,414 crore, employment 67,820, incentive disbursed ₹2,386.36 crore.
- FAME India Scheme Phase II concluded on 31 March 2024.
- MHI has set up 4 SAMARTH Centres to promote Industry 4.0.
- SAMARTH progress since January 2023: 26,372 persons visited, 33,751 persons trained, 332 courses/training programmes conducted.
❓ MCQ Practice
Q. As on 10 July 2026, how many e-buses had been deployed under the PM-eBus Sewa–PSM Scheme?
As on 10 July 2026, 523 e-buses had been deployed across the country under the PM-eBus Sewa–PSM Scheme.
PIB Notes for UPSC – 04 August 2026
PIB Notes for UPSC 04 August 2026 provides exam-oriented coverage of important Press Information Bureau (PIB) releases relevant for UPSC Prelims and Mains. Every topic includes factual highlights, government initiatives, static linkages and important points for answer writing.
Key Topics Covered
- Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for 22 Crops
- Indigenous African Swine Fever (ASF) Vaccine
- Bharat Beej Initiative
- World's Largest Grain Storage Plan
- Bharat Taxi Cooperative
- Clouded Leopard Conservation
- Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY
- NFHS-6 Survey
- TB Drone Diagnosis
- PM Surya Ghar Yojana
- SVAMITVA Scheme
- Panchayat Advancement Index
- RVY & DDRS
- PLI Textiles
- GI Tags
- PM-eBus Sewa
Why Read PIB Notes?
PIB Notes for UPSC 04 August 2026 helps aspirants revise authentic government information frequently asked in UPSC, State PSC, SSC and other competitive examinations. These notes include Prelims facts, GS Paper linkages, important schemes, ministries and value-added content for Mains.
Follow our daily PIB Notes for UPSC 04 August 2026 series to stay updated with official government announcements, flagship schemes and policy developments directly from PIB sources.
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