📰 PIB Notes for UPSC – 28 July 2026
Daily PIB Current Affairs | UPSC & SSC Exam Preparation
Today's PIB Notes for UPSC covers 12 key topics —
PM Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana Update, Tiger Conservation Leadership (Intl. Tiger Day),
National Technical Textiles Mission, PM-AJAY Scheme (SC Empowerment),
VB-G RAM G Launch Update, National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS),
PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, Vibrant Villages Programme,
World Hepatitis Day 2026, AB PM-JAY Update, PMMSY Inland Fisheries,
and World Nature Conservation Day.
✅ Tap any option to instantly see the answer! Facts verified from PIB sources.
✅ Tap any option to instantly see the answer! Facts verified from PIB sources.
Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers – Dept. of Pharmaceuticals
💊 PM Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) Update
📝 Key Notes
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
❓ MCQ Practice
- Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP): Provides quality generic medicines at affordable prices.
- Response by MoS Chemicals & Fertilizers Smt. Anupriya Patel in Rajya Sabha.
- Progress as of 30 June 2026:
- 20,149 Jan Aushadhi Kendras (JAKs) opened nationwide.
- Product basket: 2,110 medicines + 315 surgicals, medical consumables and devices.
- Medicines priced 50-80% cheaper than branded medicines.
- Therapeutic Groups Covered:
- Cardiovascular medicines.
- Anti-cancer drugs.
- Anti-diabetic medicines.
- Anti-infectives.
- Anti-allergic medicines.
- Gastro-intestinal medicines.
- Nutraceuticals.
- Sales Statistics:
- FY 2025-26: MRP-value sales of ₹2,252.19 crore.
- FY 2026-27 (till 30 June 2026): ₹474.40 crore.
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
- PMBJP: Launched in 2008 (as Jan Aushadhi Scheme); renamed in 2015.
- Implementing agency: Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI).
- Under Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers.
- Generic medicines are unbranded medicines equivalent to branded ones.
- Jan Aushadhi Diwas: 7 March.
- India = "Pharmacy of the World"; largest supplier of generic medicines globally.
❓ MCQ Practice
Q. Under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana, medicines are available at what discount rate compared to branded medicines?
Medicines under PMBJP are 50-80% cheaper than branded medicines. As of 30 June 2026: 20,149 Jan Aushadhi Kendras opened; product basket includes 2,110 medicines + 315 surgicals. FY 2025-26 sales: ₹2,252.19 crore MRP value. Launched 2008 (as Jan Aushadhi Scheme); renamed PMBJP in 2015.
PIB Backgrounder – Ministry of Environment
🐅 International Tiger Day 2026 (29 July) – India Leads Global Tiger Conservation
📝 Key Notes
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
❓ MCQ Practice
- International Tiger Day: Observed on 29 July annually.
- India home to nearly 70% of world's wild tigers.
- Origin: Saint Petersburg Tiger Summit (November 2010) with 13 tiger-range countries.
- Adopted Tx2 goal: Double global wild tiger population by 2022.
- Global Tiger Numbers:
- 2010: ~3,200 wild tigers.
- 2022: ~4,500 wild tigers.
- Latest estimate: ~5,711 wild tigers globally (78% increase since 2010).
- India's Achievements:
- All India Tiger Estimation (AITE 2022): 3,682 tigers.
- Population more than doubled since 2006.
- 2022 AITE surveyed 20 States, 6.41 lakh km on foot.
- World's largest & most comprehensive wildlife assessment.
- Project Tiger:
- Centrally Sponsored Scheme under MoEF&CC.
- 58 Tiger Reserves across 18 tiger-range States.
- Coverage: ~84,500 sq. km (2.56% of India's geographical area).
- Governance:
- National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA): Statutory body under MoEF&CC.
- Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB): Also statutory.
- Both established under Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act, 2006 (following Tiger Task Force recommendations).
- Chairperson NTCA: Union Minister for Environment.
- Tiger Reserves Structure:
- Core Area = Critical Tiger Habitat (highest protection).
- Buffer Area = Balance conservation with livelihoods.
- Section 38 V (3) of WPA 1972: Mandates Tiger Conservation Plan for each reserve.
- Technology Used:
- M-STrIPES: Monitoring System for Tigers - Intensive Protection and Ecological Status.
- CaTRAT: Camera Trap Data Repository and Analysis Tool.
- ExtractCompare: Identifies individual tigers using stripe patterns.
- Management Effectiveness Evaluation (MEE): 51 reserves evaluated (by 2022); 12 got "Excellent" ratings; avg score 78%.
- Global Cooperation:
- International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA): 95 countries; approved 12 March 2024; HQ in India.
- Global Tiger Forum (GTF): HQ New Delhi; 13 tiger-range countries; only intergovernmental organisation for tiger conservation.
- Conservation Assured|Tiger Standards (CA|TS): 23 Indian reserves accredited.
- NTCA's camera trap survey holds a Guinness World Record as world's largest.
- Royal Bengal Tiger declared National Animal in 1972.
3,682
India's Tiger Population (2022)
58
Tiger Reserves
70%
World's Wild Tigers in India
29 July
Intl. Tiger Day
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
- Project Tiger: Launched 1 April 1973 at Corbett National Park (India's oldest tiger reserve).
- India has 13 tiger-range countries globally.
- Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 — main law for wildlife conservation.
- Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act, 2006: Created NTCA and WCCB.
- Tiger = Umbrella species (protecting tigers protects entire ecosystem).
- Wildlife Institute of India (WII): Located in Dehradun; est. 1982.
- India's 4 Biodiversity Hotspots: Himalayas, Indo-Burma, Western Ghats-Sri Lanka, Sundaland.
- India signed CITES in 1976.
❓ MCQ Practice
Q. Where is the Secretariat of the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) headquartered?
International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) Secretariat is headquartered in India. Approved by Union Cabinet on 12 March 2024. Covers 95 countries and focuses on conservation of 7 big cats: tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, cheetah, jaguar, puma. India has 3,682 tigers (2022 AITE) — 70% of world's wild tigers.
Ministry of Textiles
🧵 National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM) – Trade Surplus Achieved
📝 Key Notes
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
❓ MCQ Practice
- NTTM = National Technical Textiles Mission.
- Launched by Ministry of Textiles in 2020.
- Aim: Boost technical textile sector in India.
- Response by MoS Textiles Shri Pabitra Margherita in Lok Sabha.
- Trade Performance FY 2025-26:
- India's exports of technical textiles: ₹29,217.60 crore.
- India's imports: ₹25,797.40 crore.
- Net Trade Surplus: ₹3,420.20 crore.
- Key Segments:
- Agro-textiles (crop protection).
- Geo-textiles (soil erosion, infrastructure).
- Medical textiles (surgical products).
- Industrial textiles.
- Protective textiles (safety gear).
- Sportech (sports equipment).
- Under Component-II (Promotion & Market Development), 47 National/International conferences organized.
- Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Textiles: Focus segment includes Technical Textiles.
- NTTM promotes indigenous development of Man-Made Fibre (MMF) and technical textiles value chain.
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
- Technical Textiles: Textiles primarily manufactured for functional/technical properties rather than aesthetic; 12 categories.
- India = 2nd largest textile producer & exporter globally.
- India = 5th largest technical textiles market in the world.
- PLI Scheme for Textiles: Approved by Cabinet in September 2021; ₹10,683 crore outlay.
- PM MITRA Parks: 7 Mega Integrated Textile Regions and Apparel Parks.
- India's textile exports ~$44 billion (2023-24); target $100 billion by 2030.
- Textile sector contributes ~2.3% to India's GDP.
❓ MCQ Practice
Q. India's Technical Textiles net trade surplus in FY 2025-26 as per NTTM data is:
India's Technical Textiles net trade surplus in FY 2025-26 = ₹3,420.20 crore (Exports ₹29,217.60 Cr - Imports ₹25,797.40 Cr). NTTM launched 2020 by Ministry of Textiles. Segments include agro-textiles, geo-textiles, medical textiles, industrial textiles, protective textiles, sportech.
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
👥 PM-AJAY Scheme – ₹4,276 Cr Released for SC Empowerment
📝 Key Notes
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
❓ MCQ Practice
- PM-AJAY = Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana.
- Launched in 2021-22.
- For socio-economic empowerment of Scheduled Caste (SC) communities.
- Response by MoS Shri Ramdas Athawale in Lok Sabha.
- Three Components:
- Adarsh Gram (Model Villages).
- Grants-in-Aid.
- Hostels.
- Financial Progress:
- Central release since launch: ₹4,276.62 crore.
- Utilised: ₹3,185.072 crore.
- Released in 2025-26: ₹1,100.09 crore.
- Across 30 States/UTs.
- Adarsh Gram Progress:
- 3,112 villages identified since 2018-19.
- 3,111 villages in Tamil Nadu declared Adarsh Gram.
- NITI Aayog Evaluation (DMEO):
- Scheme found aligned with inclusive and equitable development.
- Enhanced access to basic infrastructure, electricity, banking.
- Improved education, livelihoods for SC communities.
- Proposed Continuation: 2026-27 to 2030-31 with enhanced financial outlay.
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
- PM-AJAY: Merged 3 earlier schemes — Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana (PMAGY), Special Central Assistance to SCSP, and Babu Jagjivan Ram Chhatrawas Yojana.
- Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment: Nodal ministry for SC/ST welfare.
- SC population in India: ~16.6% (Census 2011); ~20+ crore.
- Article 46: DPSP for promoting educational and economic interests of SCs, STs, weaker sections.
- SCSP: Scheduled Castes Sub Plan (now replaced by Development Action Plan for SCs — DAPSC).
- NITI Aayog DMEO: Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office.
❓ MCQ Practice
Q. PM-AJAY Scheme is implemented through how many components?
PM-AJAY (Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana) has 3 components: (1) Adarsh Gram (Model Villages), (2) Grants-in-Aid, (3) Hostels. Launched 2021-22 by Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment. ₹4,276.62 crore released since launch. Proposed continuation 2026-27 to 2030-31.
Ministry of Rural Development
🌾 VB-G RAM G Launch Update – 5.20 Crore Persondays Generated
📝 Key Notes
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
❓ MCQ Practice
- VB-G RAM G Act 2025 came into force from 1 July 2026 in all rural areas.
- All States and UTs have notified the Scheme.
- Response by MoS Rural Development Shri Kamlesh Paswan in Lok Sabha.
- Key Features:
- Provides 125 days of guaranteed wage employment in a financial year.
- Enhanced from 100 days under MGNREGA.
- Preserves statutory, demand-driven nature.
- Emphasis on sustainable livelihood creation.
- Durable and productive rural assets.
- Water security, climate resilience.
- Retained statutory right to demand employment.
- Unemployment allowance provisions retained.
- Progress (as of 22 July 2026):
- 99.5%+ workers who demanded employment were offered work.
- 5.20 crore persondays generated.
- Across 8.46 lakh worksites.
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
- MGNREGA: Passed 25 August 2005; effective 2 February 2006.
- VB-G RAM G Act 2025: Replaces MGNREGA framework; effective from 1 July 2026.
- Wages fixed by Central Government under Section 6(1) of the Act.
- Female participation ~55% in rural employment schemes.
- Budget 2026-27: ₹95,692.31 crore Central share.
- Article 41 (DPSP): Right to work is a directive principle.
- India's rural population: ~65% of total (Census 2011).
❓ MCQ Practice
Q. As of 22 July 2026, how many persondays have been generated under the new VB-G RAM G scheme (since 1 July 2026)?
As of 22 July 2026, 5.20 crore persondays have been generated under VB-G RAM G scheme across 8.46 lakh worksites. Over 99.5% workers who demanded employment were offered work. Effective 1 July 2026; enhances guarantee from 100 days (MGNREGA) to 125 days per rural household per year.
Ministry of Rural Development
💰 National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS) Status Update
📝 Key Notes
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
❓ MCQ Practice
- NFBS = National Family Benefit Scheme.
- Provides financial assistance to families in case of death of the primary breadwinner.
- Response by MoS Rural Development Shri Kamlesh Paswan in Lok Sabha.
- State/UT-wise Cap: Beneficiaries capped based on proposals.
- Total beneficiary cap: 3,58,840 across all States/UTs.
- Funds Released (Last 5 Years - ₹ Crore):
- 2021-22: ₹339.25 crore.
- 2022-23: ₹458.88 crore.
- 2023-24: ₹336.48 crore.
- 2024-25: ₹394.19 crore.
- 2025-26: ₹380.14 crore.
- SNA-SPARSH Mechanism: Now used for fund release from FY 2026-27.
- First installment 2026-27: Mother Sanction of ₹369.25 crore.
- Top states in beneficiary cap:
- Uttar Pradesh: 73,075.
- Bihar: 35,859.
- Maharashtra: 34,987.
- Madhya Pradesh: 30,826.
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
- NFBS is part of National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP).
- NSAP: Launched 15 August 1995; under Ministry of Rural Development.
- NSAP has 5 components: IGNOAPS, IGNWPS, IGNDPS, NFBS, Annapurna Scheme.
- NFBS provides one-time grant of ₹20,000 in case of death of primary breadwinner (age 18-59 years).
- Family must be Below Poverty Line (BPL).
- SNA-SPARSH = Single Nodal Agency – Simplified & Automated Payment for Real-Time Sanctions and Handling.
- Constitutional basis: Article 41 (Right to public assistance in old age/sickness/disability).
❓ MCQ Practice
Q. The National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS) is a component of which larger programme?
NFBS is a component of the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP), launched 15 August 1995 under Ministry of Rural Development. NSAP has 5 components: IGNOAPS, IGNWPS, IGNDPS, NFBS, Annapurna Scheme. NFBS provides one-time grant of ₹20,000 in case of death of primary breadwinner.
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
☀️ PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana – 39.72 Lakh RTS Systems Installed
📝 Key Notes
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
❓ MCQ Practice
- PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana (PMSG: MBY): For rooftop solar (RTS) systems.
- Response by MoS Shri Shripad Yesso Naik in Rajya Sabha.
- Key Provisions:
- Higher central financial assistance for first 2 kWp capacity.
- Collateral-free loans from nationalized banks.
- Concessional interest rate: Repo-rate + 50 bps (5.75% at present).
- Loan tenure: 10 years.
- Includes RESCO/Utility-Led Aggregation (ULA) Models.
- Budget Allocation & Expenditure:
- FY 2024-25: Budget ₹6,250 Cr; Expenditure ₹7,822.92 Cr.
- FY 2025-26: Budget ₹20,000 Cr; Expenditure ₹16,166.23 Cr.
- FY 2026-27: Budget ₹22,000 Cr; Expenditure ₹10,392.48 Cr (as on 22 July 2026).
- Progress (as of 22 July 2026):
- 39,72,447 RTS systems installed.
- Covering 48,02,717 households.
- Over 18.93 lakh households reported zero electricity bills (for some months).
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
- PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana: Announced by PM Modi on 22 January 2024; approved 29 February 2024.
- Total outlay: ₹75,021 crore.
- Target: 1 crore households to get free electricity up to 300 units/month.
- Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE): Nodal ministry; est. 1992 (as Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources).
- India's solar target: 500 GW non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030 (Panchamrit commitment at COP26).
- RESCO = Renewable Energy Service Company; solar leasing model.
- India = 4th largest solar power producer globally.
- India's installed solar capacity: ~90+ GW (2024).
❓ MCQ Practice
Q. Under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, the collateral-free loan tenure available from nationalized banks is:
Under PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, collateral-free loans are available from nationalized banks at concessional interest rate of Repo-rate + 50 bps (5.75% at present) with a tenure of 10 years. Scheme approved 29 Feb 2024; ₹75,021 crore outlay; target 1 crore households. 39.72 lakh systems installed as of 22 July 2026.
Ministry of Home Affairs
🏔️ Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP-I) – Border Village Development
📝 Key Notes
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
❓ MCQ Practice
- VVP-I: Vibrant Villages Programme-I; approved on 15 February 2023.
- Centrally Sponsored Scheme.
- For comprehensive development of villages in 46 blocks abutting northern border.
- Response by MoS Home Shri Nityanand Rai in Lok Sabha.
- Coverage:
- 19 districts in 4 States + 1 UT.
- States: Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand.
- UT: Ladakh.
- Villages Identified for Priority: 662 villages total.
- Arunachal Pradesh: 455.
- Himachal Pradesh: 75.
- Ladakh (UT): 35.
- Sikkim: 46.
- Uttarakhand: 51.
- Projects Sanctioned by MHA:
- Arunachal Pradesh: 832 projects.
- Himachal Pradesh: 98.
- Ladakh: 79.
- Sikkim: 87.
- Uttarakhand: 152.
- Total outlay: ₹3,065.32 crore.
- 316 projects completed.
- Amount released to States/UT: ₹953.47 crore.
- Key Infrastructure Progress:
- 111 road projects sanctioned (₹2,481.93 crore) to connect 134 unconnected villages.
- 528 villages covered with 4G mobile connectivity.
- 625 villages with piped drinking water.
- 621 villages with on/off-grid electricity.
- 140 off-grid solar projects + 7 micro-hydel projects.
- 40 Mobile Medical Units in Arunachal Pradesh.
- 146 school infrastructure projects.
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
- Vibrant Villages Programme: Announced in Union Budget 2022-23.
- Aim: Prevent migration from border villages, strengthen border security.
- Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA): Nodal Ministry.
- India's Northern border: with China (LAC), Nepal, Bhutan, Pakistan, Myanmar.
- India-China border (LAC): ~3,488 km; disputed in Ladakh, Arunachal Pradesh.
- Ladakh: UT since 31 October 2019; Districts — Leh and Kargil.
- PM Modi has visited border villages under initiatives like "Border Village Tourism".
❓ MCQ Practice
Q. The Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP-I) covers border villages in how many states and Union Territories?
The Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP-I) covers 4 States + 1 UT abutting India's northern border: States — Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand; UT — Ladakh. Approved 15 February 2023 as Centrally Sponsored Scheme by MHA. Covers 46 blocks in 19 districts; 662 priority villages; total outlay ₹3,065.32 crore.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
🎗️ World Hepatitis Day 2026 – 8 Years of NVHCP
📝 Key Notes
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
❓ MCQ Practice
- World Hepatitis Day 2026 observed on 28 July.
- Theme: "Hepatitis: Let's Break It Down".
- Marks 8 years of National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme (NVHCP).
- NVHCP launched on World Hepatitis Day in 2018.
- Union MoS Health Smt. Anupriya Patel delivered keynote.
- Union Health Secretary: Smt. Punya Salila Srivastava.
- India's Goal: Eliminate viral hepatitis as public health threat by 2030 (SDG Target 3.3).
- Programme Achievements:
- 21 crore+ beneficiaries screened.
- 6 lakh+ patients treated free.
- 1,153 treatment centres established (target was 1 per district; exceeded).
- 70+ specialised treatment sites.
- 7.64 crore+ pregnant women screened.
- 2.24 lakh newborns received HBIG (from Hep B+ mothers).
- Hepatitis B vaccine birth-dose coverage: 92%+.
- Convergence:
- Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) Programme.
- National AIDS Control Programme.
- NVHCP Case-Based Management Information System (CPMIS) integrated with Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM).
- India provides free-of-cost treatment for Hepatitis C and management of Hepatitis B.
- Cost of medicines reduced to less than 1 dollar.
- Hepatitis B vaccine introduced under Universal Immunization Programme in 2011.
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
- Hepatitis: Inflammation of liver; caused by viruses (A, B, C, D, E).
- Hepatitis B & C: Main causes of chronic liver disease and liver cancer.
- World Hepatitis Day: 28 July — birth anniversary of Nobel laureate Dr. Baruch Blumberg (discovered Hepatitis B virus).
- Nobel Prize for Hepatitis B: Baruch Blumberg (1976).
- SDG Target 3.3: End AIDS, TB, malaria and neglected tropical diseases by 2030.
- WHO: Global lead for viral hepatitis elimination.
- HBIG = Hepatitis B Immunoglobulin.
- Universal Immunization Programme (UIP): Launched 1985; provides 12 vaccines currently.
❓ MCQ Practice
Q. World Hepatitis Day is observed on 28 July to commemorate the birth anniversary of which Nobel laureate?
World Hepatitis Day (28 July) commemorates the birth anniversary of Dr. Baruch Blumberg — Nobel laureate (1976) who discovered Hepatitis B virus. National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme (NVHCP) launched on World Hepatitis Day 2018. Target: Eliminate viral hepatitis as public health threat by 2030 (SDG 3.3).
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
🏥 AB PM-JAY Update – 29 Lakh Portability Admissions Nationwide
📝 Key Notes
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
❓ MCQ Practice
- Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY).
- Operational across all 36 States/UTs nationwide.
- Response by MoS Health Smt. Prataprao Jadhav in Rajya Sabha.
- Beneficiary Expansion:
- Initially: 10.74 crore families (SECC 2011 - bottom 40%).
- January 2023: Revised to 12 crore families (decadal population growth).
- March 2024: 37 lakh additional families (ASHAs, Anganwadi Workers/Helpers).
- Extended to 6 crore senior citizens aged 70+ from 4.5 crore families (regardless of socio-economic status).
- Portability Feature:
- Beneficiaries can access cashless treatment at any empanelled hospital across India.
- As on 30 June 2026: 29.05 lakh inter-state portability admissions.
- Amount authorized: ₹8,383.97 crore.
- Pradhan Mantri Arogya Mitras: Deployed at empanelled hospitals to help beneficiaries.
- Cashless, paperless digital platform.
- Provides ₹5 lakh health insurance per family per year.
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
- AB PM-JAY: Launched 23 September 2018 by PM Modi from Ranchi, Jharkhand.
- Announced in Union Budget 2018-19.
- World's largest health assurance scheme.
- Implementing agency: National Health Authority (NHA).
- Provides secondary and tertiary care hospitalization.
- Covers ~1,900 medical/surgical procedures across 27 specialties.
- ASHA = Accredited Social Health Activist; ~10 lakh+ across India.
- Ayushman Bharat has 2 components: HWCs (Ayushman Arogya Mandirs) + PM-JAY.
❓ MCQ Practice
Q. AB PM-JAY provides annual health insurance coverage of how much per family?
AB PM-JAY provides ₹5 lakh health insurance per family per year. Launched 23 September 2018; world's largest health assurance scheme. Beneficiary base now 12 crore families + 6 crore senior citizens (70+). Nationwide portability feature enabled 29.05 lakh inter-state admissions worth ₹8,383.97 crore (as of 30 June 2026).
Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying
🐟 PMMSY – Fish Production Grows to 197.97 Lakh Tonnes
📝 Key Notes
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
❓ MCQ Practice
- Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY): Implemented from FY 2020-21.
- Total cost: ₹20,750 crore.
- For overall development of fisheries sector.
- Response by Union Minister Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh (Lalan Singh).
- Fisheries Sector Growth:
- Annual fish production: 141.64 lakh tonnes (2019-20) → 197.97 lakh tonnes (2024-25).
- Fisheries export: ₹46,662.85 crore (2019-20) → ₹73,890 crore (2025-26).
- Per capita fish consumption: 5-6 kg → 12-13 kg.
- Aquaculture productivity: 3 tonnes/ha → 4.7 tonnes/ha.
- Total Project Cost Approved: ₹21,394.88 crore.
- Central Share: ₹9,510.89 crore.
- Central fund released: ₹6,113.12 crore.
- Uttar Pradesh Focus:
- Total cost: ₹1,294.32 crore; Central liability ₹412.30 crore.
- ₹336.61 crore released; ₹316.61 crore utilised.
- Wholesale fish market at Chandauli.
- Pangasius cluster at Sidharth Nagar district.
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
- PMMSY: Launched 10 September 2020; implementation 2020-21 to 2024-25 (5 years); flagship scheme.
- Department of Fisheries: Under Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying (created 2019).
- India = 2nd largest global fish producer (after China).
- Contributes ~1.24% to India's GDP; 7.28% to agri GDP.
- National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB): Est. 2006; HQ Hyderabad.
- Fisheries sector employs 30 million+ people in India.
- India's inland fisheries: ~70% of total production.
- Key inland species: Rohu, Catla, Mrigal, Pangasius, Tilapia.
❓ MCQ Practice
Q. Under PMMSY, India's annual fish production has grown from 141.64 lakh tonnes (2019-20) to what level in 2024-25?
Under PMMSY, India's annual fish production grew from 141.64 lakh tonnes (2019-20) to 197.97 lakh tonnes (2024-25). Fisheries exports grew from ₹46,662.85 Cr to ₹73,890 Cr. Per capita fish consumption: 5-6 kg to 12-13 kg. PMMSY has total cost ₹20,750 crore; launched 10 September 2020.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
🌳 World Nature Conservation Day 2026 (28 July) – Delhi Zoo Celebration
📝 Key Notes
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
❓ MCQ Practice
- World Nature Conservation Day observed on 28 July 2026.
- Celebration at National Zoological Park (Delhi Zoo), New Delhi.
- Theme 2026: Conservation of natural resources and biodiversity.
- Key Activities:
- Plastic removal drive by 35 sanitation workers.
- Collected ~230 kg of plastic waste.
- Awareness session on LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) initiative.
- Themes: "Segregation of Waste" and "Waste to Useful Products".
- Doodle activity for creative environmental expression.
- Prizes and souvenirs distributed to participating staff.
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
- World Nature Conservation Day: 28 July annually; raises awareness on protecting natural resources.
- National Zoological Park (Delhi Zoo): Established 1959; managed by Central Zoo Authority (CZA).
- LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment): Launched by PM Modi at COP26 Glasgow (November 2021).
- Full form: LiFE Movement — for sustainable living.
- LiFE aims to change global mindset from "mindless consumption" to "mindful utilisation".
- Mission LiFE: Launched 20 October 2022 in Kevadia by PM Modi + UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres.
- India's environmental protection framework: Environment (Protection) Act 1986; Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972.
- Other important environment days: Earth Day (22 April), World Environment Day (5 June), Earth Hour (last Saturday of March).
❓ MCQ Practice
Q. Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) was formally launched by PM Modi and UN Secretary General on:
Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) was launched on 20 October 2022 at Kevadia, Gujarat (Statue of Unity) by PM Modi and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. First conceptualized by PM Modi at COP26 Glasgow in November 2021. Aims to change mindset from "mindless consumption" to "mindful utilisation" for sustainable living.
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