📰 PIB Notes for UPSC – 29 July 2026
Daily PIB Current Affairs | UPSC & SSC Exam Preparation
Today's PIB Notes for UPSC covers 15 key topics —
PM Vidyalaxmi Scheme (Backgrounder), Nasha Mukta Yuva Sankalp Abhiyaan Launch,
Mission Vatsalya Portal, MoTA-CSIR-NBRI MoU (Tribal Bioresources),
CPI Base Year Revised to 2024, ISP May 2026 Release, PM SETU Update,
PMKVY 4.0 Implementation, Pollens Reveal Harappan Decline, PARIVARTAN Scheme (Cleaner Mobility),
DAANVEER Initiative (Digital Panchayats), Naxalism Status Update, Swatantrata Sainik Samman Yojana,
Global Tiger Day 2026, and National Education Policy Progress.
✅ 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.
PIB Backgrounder – Ministry of Education
🎓 PM Vidyalaxmi Scheme – Collateral-Free Loans for Higher Education
📝 Key Notes
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
❓ MCQ Practice
- Pradhan Mantri Vidyalaxmi Scheme (PM-Vidyalaxmi) approved by Union Cabinet on 6 November 2024.
- Provides collateral-free and guarantor-free education loans.
- For meritorious students admitted to top-ranked Quality Higher Educational Institutions (QHEIs).
- Key Features:
- Currently 1,425 QHEIs covered under the scheme.
- Government provides 75% credit guarantee for loans up to ₹7.5 lakh.
- Interest rate: Bank's Externally Benchmarked Lending Rate (EBLR) + 0.5%.
- Loan repayment period: up to 15 years (excluding moratorium of course period + 1 year).
- 3% interest subvention on loans up to ₹10 lakh for family income up to ₹8 lakh.
- Full interest subsidy for family income up to ₹4.5 lakh under PM-USP CSIS.
- Budget & Coverage:
- Budget: ₹3,600 crore (2024-25 to 2030-31).
- Target: 7 lakh fresh students to benefit over 7 years.
- Max 1 lakh new interest subvention beneficiaries per year.
- Eligible Institutions:
- Top 100 HEIs in NIRF rankings (overall/category/domain).
- Top 200 HEIs under State/UT governance in NIRF.
- All remaining HEIs under Central Government.
- Rooted in National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
- Aligns with SDG 4 (Quality Education).
- Dedicated portal + PM Vidyalaxmi Digital Rupee App (CBDC Wallet).
- Progress FY 2025-26:
- 645,514 education loan applications received.
- 110,667 for PM-Vidyalaxmi loans specifically.
- 70,852 sanctioned; 67,728 disbursed.
- Applicants: 368,742 men + 276,764 women.
- Existing PM-USP CSIS administered through PM-Vidyalaxmi portal.
- CSIS: 35,777 active wallets; subsidies worth ₹57.66 crore.
1,425
QHEIs Covered
₹3,600 Cr
Budget (2024-31)
75%
Credit Guarantee (up to ₹7.5L)
7 Lakh
Target Beneficiaries
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
- NIRF: National Institutional Ranking Framework; launched 2015 by MoE.
- PM-USP CSIS: Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Protsahan Central Sector Interest Subsidy Scheme.
- EBLR: Externally Benchmarked Lending Rate; introduced by RBI in 2019.
- NEP 2020: 3rd National Education Policy; approved 29 July 2020.
- NEP 2020 target: GER in higher education to reach 50% by 2035 (from current 30%).
- Section 80E: Tax benefit on interest paid on education loans.
- India's HEIs: 1,168 universities, 45,473 colleges (AISHE 2023-24).
❓ MCQ Practice
Q. Under PM-Vidyalaxmi Scheme, interest subvention of 3% is available for families with annual income up to:
Under PM-Vidyalaxmi Scheme, a 3% interest subvention on loans up to ₹10 lakh is available for families with annual income up to ₹8 lakh. Note: PM-USP CSIS provides full interest subvention for family income up to ₹4.5 lakh. Approved 6 November 2024; ₹3,600 crore budget; 1,425 QHEIs covered; targets 7 lakh students over 2024-31.
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
🚫 Nasha Mukta Yuva for Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyaan – 2 August 2026 Launch
📝 Key Notes
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
❓ MCQ Practice
- PM Narendra Modi to launch "Nasha Mukta Yuva for Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyaan" on 2 August 2026.
- Nationwide 100-week Jan Bhagidari movement against substance abuse.
- Led by MY Bharat (Mera Yuva Bharat).
- Launch Day Highlights:
- Nearly 10,000 locations to organize simultaneous pledge ceremonies.
- Over 1 crore youth to take the Nasha Mukti Pledge.
- Youth will be dedicated as "Nasha Mukta Yuva Volunteers".
- Participating Organizations:
- MY Bharat Volunteers.
- MY Bharat National Service Scheme (NSS) volunteers.
- Youth Clubs, schools, colleges, universities.
- NGOs, industrial associations.
- 125+ spiritual organisations.
- 100-Week Sustained Programme:
- Every Sunday for 100 weeks.
- Youth-led activities across the country.
- Activities: sports competitions, walkathons, meditation sessions.
- Cultural programmes, art competitions, nukkad nataks (street plays).
- Recognition at 50th, 75th, and 100th week milestones.
- Union Minister YAS: Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya.
- Message: "Drug-free youth are the greatest strength of Viksit Bharat".
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
- MY Bharat (Mera Yuva Bharat): Launched October 2023; under MYAS.
- NSS (National Service Scheme): Launched 1969; motto — "Not Me, But You".
- Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA): Launched 15 August 2020 by Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment.
- NMBA covers 372 vulnerable districts.
- NCB: Narcotics Control Bureau; under MHA; est. 1986.
- India has 372+ vulnerable districts for drug abuse.
- India has ~35% youth (15-29 years) in population.
❓ MCQ Practice
Q. The "Nasha Mukta Yuva for Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyaan" is a Jan Bhagidari movement running for how many weeks?
The Nasha Mukta Yuva for Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyaan is a nationwide 100-week Jan Bhagidari movement against substance abuse. To be launched by PM Modi on 2 August 2026 through MY Bharat. Over 1 crore youth expected to take pledge across ~10,000 locations. Recognition at 50th, 75th, and 100th week milestones.
Ministry of Women and Child Development
👨👩👧 Mission Vatsalya – Integrated Portal for Child Protection Services
📝 Key Notes
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
❓ MCQ Practice
- Ministry of W&CD developed integrated unified Mission Vatsalya Portal.
- For service delivery and real-time monitoring.
- Response by MoS W&CD Smt. Savitri Thakur in Rajya Sabha.
- Framework:
- Governed by Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015.
- Statutory bodies at State/District levels.
- Sections 27-30 empower Child Welfare Committees (CWCs).
- Section 106: Primary responsibility with States/UTs.
- Section 109: National and State Commissions monitor implementation.
- Portals Integrated with Mission Vatsalya Portal:
- TrackChild portal: For missing/found children.
- Khoya-Paya application: For missing/sighted children.
- Integrated with CCTNS (Crime and Criminal Tracking & Network Systems).
- Enables interoperability with FIR data.
- Non-Institutional Care Options:
- Sponsorship.
- Foster Care.
- After Care.
- Assistance: ₹4,000 per month per child.
- Emergency Response: Toll-free Child Helpline #1098.
- Integrated with:
- Emergency Response Support System-112 (ERSS-112).
- Women Helpline (181).
- Dedicated WCD-Control Rooms in all 36 States/UTs.
- NCPCR Applications:
- MASI (Monitoring App for Seamless Inspection): For real-time CCI monitoring.
- Baal Swaraj Portal with CiSS application: For Children in Street Situation.
- E-Baal Nidan: Complaint redressal.
- GHAR (Go Home and Re-Unite) Portal: Integrated with Mission Vatsalya.
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
- Mission Vatsalya: Formerly Child Protection Services Scheme; renamed 2021-22.
- Juvenile Justice Act, 2015: Provides framework for children in conflict with law & children in need of care & protection.
- NCPCR: National Commission for Protection of Child Rights; est. under Commissions for Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005.
- Age of a Child (JJ Act): Below 18 years.
- Article 15(3): Special provisions for women and children.
- Article 39(f): DPSP — protect childhood from exploitation.
- India ratified UN Convention on Rights of the Child (UNCRC) in 1992.
❓ MCQ Practice
Q. Which of the following portals has been integrated with the Mission Vatsalya Portal?
All the above portals have been integrated with Mission Vatsalya Portal: TrackChild (Missing/Found Children), Khoya-Paya (Missing/Sighted Children), and GHAR (Go Home and Re-Unite) by NCPCR. Also integrated with CCTNS of MHA. Child Helpline #1098 also linked with ERSS-112 and Women Helpline (181).
Ministry of Tribal Affairs
🌿 MoTA Signs MoU with CSIR-NBRI for Conservation of Medicinal Plants
📝 Key Notes
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
❓ MCQ Practice
- Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) signed MoU with CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute (CSIR-NBRI), Lucknow.
- 3-year partnership.
- For conservation of Rare, Endangered, & Threatened (RET) medicinal plant species.
- Objectives:
- Sustainable livelihoods for tribal communities.
- Preservation of traditional knowledge.
- Ethnobotanical assessment of tribal bioresources.
- Development of tissue culture facilities.
- Specialized seed banks for medicinal plants.
- Signatories:
- Shri Manish Thakur, Additional Secretary, MoTA.
- Dr. Ajit Kumar Shasany, Director, CSIR.
- Secretary Ministry of Tribal Affairs: Smt. Ranjana Chopra.
- Key Provisions:
- Prior Informed Consent (PIC) of Gram Sabhas mandatory.
- Compliance with Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
- Dedicated budget for grassroots community development.
- Intellectual property jointly owned; held in trust for tribal communities.
- Financial gains routed through National/State Biodiversity Funds.
- Traditional Knowledge recognized as intangible cultural heritage of tribal peoples.
- Compliance with Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) mechanisms.
- Tribal youth to receive hands-on training in conservation techniques.
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
- CSIR-NBRI: National Botanical Research Institute; Lucknow; under CSIR.
- CSIR: Council of Scientific and Industrial Research; est. 1942; HQ New Delhi.
- CSIR has 37 laboratories across India.
- Ministry of Tribal Affairs: Created in October 1999.
- Biological Diversity Act, 2002: Implements Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) 1992.
- 3-tier structure under BD Act: NBA (National), SBB (State), BMC (Biodiversity Management Committee).
- India has ~8,000 medicinal plant species; 46+ crore tribals (~8.6% of population).
- UNDRIP: UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (2007); India voted in favour.
❓ MCQ Practice
Q. CSIR-NBRI (which signed MoU with MoTA for tribal bioresource conservation) is located at:
CSIR-NBRI (National Botanical Research Institute) is located in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. Under Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR est. 1942). The 3-year MoU with MoTA is for conservation of Rare, Endangered & Threatened (RET) medicinal plant species and safeguarding traditional tribal knowledge.
Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation
📊 MoSPI Revises CPI Base Year to 2024=100 (New Series)
📝 Key Notes
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
❓ MCQ Practice
- MoSPI revised Consumer Price Index (CPI) base year from 2012=100 to 2024=100.
- Revised series released on 12 February 2026.
- Response by MoS Rao Inderjit Singh in Lok Sabha.
- Coverage Expansion:
- Monthly price collection from 1,465 rural markets.
- 1,395 urban markets across 434 towns.
- 12 online markets added across 12 towns (population 25 lakh+).
- Captures e-commerce/online platform price variations.
- Item Basket Changes:
- Weighted items: 299 (old) → 358 (new).
- Goods: 259 → 308.
- Services: 40 → 50.
- Based on Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES) 2023-24.
- Inflation Under New Series (2024=100):
- Jan 2026: 2.74%.
- Feb 2026: 3.21%.
- March 2026: 3.40%.
- April 2026: 3.48%.
- May 2026: 3.93%.
- June 2026: 4.38% (Provisional).
- Direct comparison with old series not feasible.
- Back series data from January 2013 to December 2024 available on e-Sankhyiki Portal.
- Expert Group Report released 29 January 2026.
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
- CPI: Consumer Price Index; measures retail price changes; released by NSO under MoSPI.
- 3 CPI Series: CPI-Combined (rural + urban), CPI-Rural, CPI-Urban.
- Previous base years: 1960-61, 1969-70, 1982, 1993-94, 2001, 2010, 2012.
- Groups in CPI: Food and Beverages, Pan/Tobacco, Clothing, Housing, Fuel & Light, Miscellaneous.
- RBI targets CPI inflation: 4% ± 2% (flexible inflation targeting since 2016).
- WPI: Wholesale Price Index; base 2022-23; released by DPIIT.
- CPI released monthly on 12th of every month (or next working day).
❓ MCQ Practice
Q. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) has been recently revised with the new base year of:
MoSPI revised the CPI base year from 2012=100 to 2024=100. Revised series released 12 February 2026. Item basket increased from 299 to 358 weighted items. Based on HCES 2023-24. Note: Index of Services Production (ISP) uses base year 2024-25; WPI uses 2022-23.
Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation
📈 ISP May 2026 – Accommodation & Food Grew 27.4% YoY
📝 Key Notes
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
❓ MCQ Practice
- MoSPI released Index of Services Production (ISP) for May 2026.
- Base Year: 2024-25.
- Coverage: 19 sub-sectors.
- Key Findings (May 2026):
- 8 out of 19 sub-sectors recorded double-digit growth YoY.
- 16 out of 19 sub-sectors recorded positive growth.
- Top Growth Sub-sectors (May 2026 vs May 2025):
- Accommodation and Food: +27.4%.
- Real Estate: +17.7%.
- Retail Trade: +13.3%.
- Banking: +12.1%.
- Telecommunications: +11.8%.
- Warehousing and Support: +11.5%.
- Professional/Scientific Services: +11.0%.
- IT and computer related services: +10.3%.
- Negative Growth Sub-sectors:
- Information and Broadcasting: -7.6%.
- Air Transport: -2.8%.
- Postal and Courier: -1.0%.
- Published on experimental/trial basis.
- Available on e-Sankhyiki Portal.
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
- ISP: India's first high-frequency indicator for services sector.
- Released monthly on 29th (or next working day); ~60 days lag.
- Data sources: Administrative/secondary, GST, ASISSE.
- Services contribute 52.9% to India's GVA (2024-25).
- Uses Laspeyres volume index.
- Deflators: WPI, sector-specific CPI, CPI-General.
- OECD Compilation Manual for ISP (2007) used as reference.
❓ MCQ Practice
Q. Under ISP May 2026 data, which sub-sector recorded the highest year-on-year growth?
In ISP May 2026, Accommodation and Food recorded the highest YoY growth of 27.4%. Followed by Real Estate (17.7%), Retail Trade (13.3%), Banking (12.1%), Telecommunications (11.8%). ISP uses base year 2024-25; released monthly on 29th with ~60 days lag.
Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
🏫 PM-SETU – Upgradation of 1,000 ITIs on Hub-and-Spoke Model
📝 Key Notes
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
❓ MCQ Practice
- PM-SETU = Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs.
- Response by MoS (I/C) MSDE Shri Jayant Chaudhary in Rajya Sabha.
- Key Objectives:
- Improve training quality in ITIs and NSTIs.
- Modernize infrastructure per industry standards.
- Introduce industry-aligned long-term and short-term courses.
- Strengthen industry linkage.
- Enhance capacity of NSTIs for training of trainers.
- Two Components:
- Component I: Upgradation of 1,000 Government ITIs (200 Hub + 800 Spoke) in Hub & Spoke model.
- Component II: Capacity Augmentation of 5 NSTIs (Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kanpur, Ludhiana).
- Setting up sector-specific National Centres of Excellence for skilling.
- Approved Clusters (6 by National Steering Committee):
- 3 in Telangana (Old City, Patancheru, Sangareddy).
- 1 in Andhra Pradesh (Visakhapatnam).
- 1 in Odisha (Keonjhar-Barbil).
- 1 in Gujarat (Surat).
- 32 New Age Courses introduced by DGT under Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS):
- 3D Printing Technician.
- AI Programming Assistant.
- Drone Pilot/Technician.
- Cyber Security Assistant.
- Semiconductor Technician.
- Nuclear Power Plant Technician.
- 5G Network Technician.
- Electric Vehicle Mechanic.
- Solar Technician.
- And others.
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
- PM-SETU: Announced by PM Modi.
- ITI: Industrial Training Institute; established under Craftsmen Training Scheme (1950).
- NSTI: National Skill Training Institute.
- DGT: Directorate General of Training; under MSDE.
- India has ~15,000+ ITIs (majority private).
- Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship: Created 2014.
- NCVET: National Council for Vocational Education and Training.
- NSDC (National Skill Development Corporation): PPP; est. 2008.
❓ MCQ Practice
Q. Under PM-SETU scheme, how many Government ITIs will be upgraded under the Hub & Spoke Model?
PM-SETU will upgrade 1,000 Government ITIs (200 Hub + 800 Spoke) in Hub-and-Spoke model (Component I). Component II covers capacity augmentation of 5 NSTIs (Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kanpur, Ludhiana). 6 clusters approved by NSC so far. 32 new age courses introduced by DGT under CTS.
Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
🎯 PMKVY 4.0 Implementation – 600+ Futuristic Job Roles Introduced
📝 Key Notes
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
❓ MCQ Practice
- PMKVY 4.0 = Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana Phase 4; implemented since FY 2022-23.
- Realigned as demand-driven, technology-enabled, candidate-centric scheme.
- Response by MoS (I/C) MSDE Shri Jayant Chaudhary in Rajya Sabha.
- Key Features:
- Courses aligned with National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF).
- Standard curriculum + On-the-Job Training (OJT).
- Digital lifecycle management via Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH).
- Aadhaar-based authentication + live attendance monitoring.
- New Age Focus:
- 600+ futuristic job roles introduced.
- Focus on AI, drones, robotics, green energy, semiconductors.
- Industry Linkages:
- 15+ leading companies designated as Awarding Bodies.
- Examples: HCL Technologies, IBM, Bajaj Finserv, Microsoft.
- Impact Evaluation by AJNIFM:
- STT candidates' employed/self-employed share rose from 26.6% to 45.4% post-training.
- 18.8 percentage point increase.
- 41.4% of STT candidates and 48.9% of RPL candidates reported income increase.
- STT = Short-Term Training; RPL = Recognition of Prior Learning.
- Standard Operating Procedure on Assessment and Certification issued.
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
- PMKVY: Launched 2015; flagship skill training scheme.
- PMKVY phases: 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0 (current since 2022-23).
- NSQF: National Skills Qualifications Framework; 10 levels (revised recently); notified 2013.
- Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH): Launched September 2023; digital platform for skilling.
- AJNIFM: Arun Jaitley National Institute of Financial Management; autonomous institution under Ministry of Finance.
- Skill India Mission launched 2015.
- India's working-age population: ~62% (2025).
❓ MCQ Practice
Q. The impact evaluation of PMKVY 4.0 was conducted by which institution?
Impact evaluation of PMKVY 4.0 was conducted by AJNIFM (Arun Jaitley National Institute of Financial Management), an autonomous institution under Ministry of Finance. Findings: STT candidates' employment share rose from 26.6% to 45.4% (18.8 pp increase); 41.4% STT + 48.9% RPL candidates reported income increase.
Ministry of Science & Technology
🌸 Pollens Reveal Why the Harappan Civilization Shrank
📝 Key Notes
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
❓ MCQ Practice
- Study by Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (BSIP), autonomous institute of DST.
- Research based on sediment core recovered from Deoria Tal (Lake) of Garhwal Himalaya.
- Used 100 years of hand-drawn Sun records + pollen analysis.
- Key Findings:
- Weak Indian Summer Monsoon (ISM) between 5,100 and 4,000 cal yr BP.
- People from Indus & Ghaggar-Hakra Rivers migrated to east Ganga plains.
- Explains why Indus Valley/Harappan Civilization shrank.
- "4.2 ka event" — global dry climate event around 4,200 cal yr BP.
- Research Lead: Dr. Mohammad Firoze Quamar.
- Collaborators: David F. Porinchu (University of Georgia, USA), Anoop Kumar Singh, Bahadur Singh Kotlia (deceased).
- Climate Events Documented:
- Roman Warm Period (RWP): 2500-1450 cal yr BP; strong ISM ("Golden Age of India").
- Medieval Climate Anomaly (MCA): 1050-650 cal yr BP; strong ISM.
- Little Ice Age (LIA): 650-100 cal yr BP (CE 1350-1850); weak ISM.
- Weak ISM linked to:
- Southward shift of ITCZ (Inter Tropical Convergence Zone).
- Stronger phase of El Niño.
- Shift of Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) to negative state.
- Published in Palaeogeography Palaeoclimatology Palaeoecology (Elsevier).
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
- BSIP (Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences): Est. 1946; Lucknow; autonomous under DST.
- Indus Valley Civilization (Harappan): c. 3300-1300 BCE; peak 2600-1900 BCE.
- Major IVC sites: Harappa, Mohenjo-daro, Dholavira, Lothal, Rakhigarhi (largest IVC site).
- Meghalayan Age: Current geological subdivision of Holocene; started 4.2 ka BP.
- 4.2 ka event: Global climate anomaly ~4,200 years ago.
- ITCZ: Where NE and SE trade winds converge; brings monsoon rains to India.
- ENSO: El Niño-Southern Oscillation; affects Indian monsoon.
- IOD: Indian Ocean Dipole; positive/negative phases affect monsoon strength.
❓ MCQ Practice
Q. The study on Harappan Civilization decline through pollen analysis was conducted by which institution?
The study was conducted by Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (BSIP), Lucknow — autonomous institute under DST. Established 1946. The research analysed sediment core from Deoria Tal (lake) in Garhwal Himalaya, revealing weak Indian Summer Monsoon between 5,100-4,000 cal yr BP led to Harappan migration from Indus/Ghaggar-Hakra Rivers to east Ganga plains.
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
🚚 PARIVARTAN Scheme – ₹9,585 Cr Modernization of Delhi-NCR Trucks & Buses
📝 Key Notes
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
❓ MCQ Practice
- PARIVARTAN = Programme for Accelerated Renewal and Incentivization of Vehicle Assets for Reducing Transport Air Pollution and Network Emissions.
- Approved by Union Cabinet on 3 June 2026.
- To modernize commercial vehicle fleet in Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR).
- Financial Details:
- Total outlay: ₹9,585 crore.
- Central support: ₹5,041 crore.
- Implemented by MoRTH; funding via NCRPB (MoHUA).
- Coverage:
- National Capital Territory of Delhi.
- NCR districts of Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh.
- Target: Replace 1.9+ lakh trucks and 16,000+ buses.
- Eligible vehicles: BS-IV or older (Pre-BS, BS-I, BS-II, BS-III).
- Incentives:
- 100% concession on Motor Vehicle Tax.
- 100% waiver on registration fees.
- 5% interest subvention on vehicle loans.
- Up to 8% OEM discount.
- Monthly fuel vouchers for BS-VI vehicles.
- One-time equivalent incentive for electric vehicles.
- Delhi-Specific Provision: All replacement Light Goods Vehicles (LGVs) must be electric.
- Fuel Vouchers for BS-VI: ₹1,200 to ₹4,800/month for 5 years.
- EV Incentive: ₹64,000 to ₹2.56 lakh (one-time).
- 11 OEMs Partnered (95% of India's truck/bus market):
- Ashok Leyland, Switch Mobility, Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra.
- SML Mahindra, DICV, Eicher/VECV, Force Motors.
- Pinnacle Mobility, Olectra Greentech, Montra Electric.
- Dedicated portal: parivartan.parivahan.gov.in.
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
- BS-VI: Bharat Stage VI emission norms; implemented from 1 April 2020.
- India skipped BS-V; jumped from BS-IV to BS-VI directly.
- NCRPB: National Capital Region Planning Board; under MoHUA.
- NCR: National Capital Region; India's largest metropolitan area.
- MoRTH: Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
- NCAP: National Clean Air Programme; launched 2019; covers 130 cities.
- India signed Paris Agreement (2016); COP26 commitments; Net Zero by 2070.
❓ MCQ Practice
Q. The PARIVARTAN Scheme approved for modernizing commercial vehicles in Delhi-NCR has a total outlay of:
PARIVARTAN Scheme has total outlay of ₹9,585 crore (₹5,041 crore Central support). Approved 3 June 2026 to replace 1.9+ lakh trucks and 16,000+ buses (BS-IV or older) in Delhi-NCR with BS-VI/electric vehicles. Delhi-specific: All replacement LGVs must be electric. 11 major OEMs partnered.
Ministry of Panchayati Raj
💻 DAANVEER Initiative Launched – Citizens Can Donate Computers to Panchayats
📝 Key Notes
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
❓ MCQ Practice
- DAANVEER: Citizen participation initiative to strengthen digital infrastructure of Gram Panchayats.
- Launched by Shri Vivek Bharadwaj, Secretary Ministry of Panchayati Raj.
- Tagline: "Give Back to Your Village".
- Purpose:
- Enable citizens to voluntarily contribute computers to Gram Panchayats.
- Strengthen digital governance at grassroots.
- Transparent, end-to-end digital and verifiable platform.
- How It Works:
- Available through Meri Panchayat mobile application.
- Integrates with DigiHaat marketplace.
- Pre-approved computer bundles mapped to State-specific specs.
- Donors receive digital certificate of appreciation.
- Fully voluntary.
- Developed in collaboration with:
- National Informatics Centre (NIC).
- DigiHaat.
- India has nearly 2.5 lakh Gram Panchayats.
- Supports vision of Digital India and Viksit Bharat.
- Enables Indian diaspora and citizens away from villages to contribute back.
- Other digital platforms of MoPR: e-GramSwaraj, Meri Panchayat, Sabha Saar, AuditOnline, Gram Manchitra.
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
- Ministry of Panchayati Raj: Created 27 May 2004.
- 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992: Gave constitutional status to Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs).
- Part IX of Constitution: Deals with Panchayats (Articles 243-243O).
- 11th Schedule: Lists 29 functions of Panchayats.
- 3-tier PRI structure: Gram Panchayat (village), Panchayat Samiti (block), Zilla Parishad (district).
- NIC: National Informatics Centre; under MeitY; est. 1976.
- National Panchayati Raj Day: 24 April (day 73rd amendment came into force in 1993).
❓ MCQ Practice
Q. The DAANVEER initiative allows citizens to voluntarily contribute what to Gram Panchayats?
DAANVEER Initiative allows citizens to voluntarily contribute computers to Gram Panchayats through Meri Panchayat mobile app. Tagline: "Give Back to Your Village". Developed by MoPR with NIC and DigiHaat. India has nearly 2.5 lakh Gram Panchayats.
Ministry of Home Affairs
🛡️ Naxalism/LWE Status – India Freed from LWE Threat
📝 Key Notes
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
❓ MCQ Practice
- India has become free from Left Wing Extremism (LWE).
- Response by MoS Home Shri Nityanand Rai in Rajya Sabha.
- Naxal-Affected Districts Reduction:
- 126 districts (previously).
- 90 in April 2018.
- 70 in July 2021.
- 38 in April 2024.
- 8 in December 2025.
- ZERO in March/April 2026.
- Currently 37 "Legacy & Thrust" districts (no more LWE affected but need continued support).
- 1 "District of Concern" — Kandhamal (Odisha).
- Achieved through implementation of "National Policy and Action Plan to address Left-Wing Extremism" (2015).
- Violence Data:
- Violence incidents dropped from 361 (2021) to 33 (till 21 July 2026).
- Civilian deaths: 97 (2021) → 6 (2026).
- Security Forces martyred: 50 (2021) → 5 (2026).
- Financial Assistance (₹4,430.23 crore since 2021-22):
- Special Central Assistance: ₹1,616.69 Cr.
- Security Related Expenditure: ₹1,763.90 Cr.
- Special Infrastructure Scheme: ₹329.33 Cr.
- Assistance to Central Agencies: ₹590.10 Cr.
- Development Interventions:
- 15,189 km roads constructed (RRP + RCPLWEA).
- 9,497 telecom towers commissioned.
- 47 ITIs + 49 Skill Development Centres opened.
- 179 Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS).
- 6,025 Post Offices with banking services.
- 21.26 lakh title deeds distributed (individual + community).
- 21,12,268 tribal youth beneficiaries (TYEP).
- First Jan Suvidha Kendra: Netanar, Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh.
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
- Naxalism: Left-Wing Extremism movement; started at Naxalbari, West Bengal (May 1967).
- CPI (Maoist): Formed 2004 (merger of CPI-ML PW + MCC); banned under UAPA in 2009.
- Red Corridor: Regions in East and Central India historically affected by Naxalism.
- Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs): BSF, CISF, CRPF, ITBP, SSB, NSG.
- CRPF: Central Reserve Police Force; est. 1939; largest CAPF; main force against Naxals.
- SAMADHAN Doctrine (2017): Smart Leadership, Aggressive Strategy, Motivation and Training, Actionable Intelligence, Dashboard-based KPIs, Harnessing Technology, Action plan for each Theatre, No access to Financing.
- Fortified Police Stations (FPS): 663+ constructed in LWE areas.
❓ MCQ Practice
Q. India's National Policy and Action Plan to address Left-Wing Extremism was launched in which year?
The "National Policy and Action Plan to address Left-Wing Extremism" was launched in 2015. Focus: "Whole of Government" approach + multi-pronged strategy. Result: LWE-affected districts reduced from 126 to ZERO by March/April 2026. Currently 37 "Legacy & Thrust" districts. First Naxalite movement began at Naxalbari, WB in May 1967.
Ministry of Home Affairs
🇮🇳 Swatantrata Sainik Samman Yojana (SSSY) – Freedom Fighter Pension
📝 Key Notes
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
❓ MCQ Practice
- Swatantrata Sainik Samman Yojana (SSSY): Pension scheme for Freedom Fighters and eligible dependents.
- Administered by Ministry of Home Affairs.
- Response by MoS Home Shri Bandi Sanjay Kumar in Rajya Sabha.
- Current Beneficiaries: 12,898 total.
- Freedom Fighters: 1,553.
- Spouses: 9,776.
- Daughters: 1,569.
- Top Beneficiary States:
- Telangana: 2,812.
- West Bengal: 1,912.
- Maharashtra: 1,437.
- Bihar: 986.
- Pension Amount (w.e.f. 1 July 2025, incl. 56% DR):
- Ex-Andaman Political Prisoners/spouses: ₹46,800/month.
- Suffered outside British India/spouses: ₹43,680/month.
- Other Freedom Fighters (incl. INA): ₹40,560/month.
- Dependent parents/eligible daughters: 50% of freedom fighter's pension.
- Other Benefits:
- Free lifetime railway passes (2nd/3rd AC Duronto, 1st Class/2nd AC Rajdhani/Shatabdi).
- Free CGHS medical facilities.
- Free medical in PSU hospitals.
- Free transit stay at State Bhawan, New Delhi.
- Basic pension last revised on 15 August 2016.
- DR revised twice a year.
- Third-party evaluation being conducted by Quality Council of India (QCI).
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
- SSSY: Central Sector Scheme; started 1972 with 3 categories of freedom fighters.
- 1980: Revamped as Swatantrata Sainik Samman Pension Scheme.
- Renamed Swatantrata Sainik Samman Yojana in 2018.
- Includes freedom fighters of British India, Andaman jail inmates, INA, HSRA/HRA members.
- Family pension paid to eligible spouses, unmarried daughters, dependent parents.
- Ministry of Home Affairs runs it through Central Sector Scheme.
- DR (Dearness Relief) revised twice yearly per Central Government DA rates.
❓ MCQ Practice
Q. Which category of freedom fighter beneficiaries receive the highest pension amount under SSSY?
Ex-Andaman Political Prisoners receive the highest pension of ₹46,800/month (including 56% DR). Suffered outside British India = ₹43,680/month; Other freedom fighters (incl. INA) = ₹40,560/month; Dependent parents/daughters = 50% of freedom fighter's pension. Basic pension last revised 15 August 2016; DR revised twice yearly.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
🐅 Global Tiger Day 2026 – NTCA Eco-Tourism Webpage Launched
📝 Key Notes
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
❓ MCQ Practice
- Union Minister Environment Shri Bhupender Yadav addressed Global Tiger Day 2026 celebrations.
- Organised by National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) in New Delhi.
- Also attended by MoS Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh.
- Key Achievements Highlighted:
- Tiger numbers: 3,682 (2022 AITE) — significant increase in last 12 years.
- Tiger Reserves: 58.
- Elephant reserves, national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, protected areas, community reserves, wetlands — all increased.
- NTCA Eco-Tourism Webpage Launched:
- Integrated platform for all Tiger Reserves.
- Direct links for safari and accommodation bookings.
- Promotes responsible and sustainable nature-based tourism.
- Link: ntca.gov.in/eco-tourism/
- NTCA Awards: Presented to wildlife officers for exemplary work.
- 5 Publications Released:
- July 2026 STRIPES Journal.
- Security Audit Report of 24 Tiger Reserves.
- Report on Sloth Bear habitat suitability.
- Tigers of the World (published by IBCA and GTF).
- The Rehman Khera Tiger.
- Global Tiger Day: 29 July annually.
- Origin: Saint Petersburg Tiger Summit 2010.
- Started with Tx2 goal (Double tigers by 2022).
- Only 8% of historic tiger range remains today.
- 3 subspecies extinct: Bali, Javan, Caspian.
- International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) — Global initiative under PM Modi's leadership.
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
- Project Tiger: Launched 1 April 1973 at Corbett National Park.
- NTCA: Statutory body under Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act 2006.
- India has 3,682 tigers (2022) — 70%+ of world's wild tigers.
- 13 tiger-range countries globally.
- Global Tiger Recovery Program (GTRP): Launched at Saint Petersburg Summit 2010.
- Global Tiger Forum (GTF): HQ New Delhi; only intergovernmental organization for tiger conservation.
- India's tiger-range states: 18 (Karnataka has most tigers).
❓ MCQ Practice
Q. How many Tiger Reserves does India currently have as highlighted on Global Tiger Day 2026?
India has 58 Tiger Reserves as highlighted on Global Tiger Day 2026 (29 July). India has 3,682 tigers (2022 AITE) — over 70% of world's wild tigers. Project Tiger launched 1 April 1973 at Corbett. NTCA established under Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act 2006. NTCA Eco-Tourism webpage launched for integrated safari/accommodation booking.
Ministry of Education
📚 National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 – Skill Integration & Digital Learning
📝 Key Notes
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
❓ MCQ Practice
- Response by MoS Education Dr. Sukanta Majumdar in Rajya Sabha on NEP 2020 progress.
- Skill Integration in Schools (Samagra Shiksha):
- Classes VI-VIII: Pre-vocational education, 10 bagless days, Kaushal Bodh NCERT textbooks.
- Classes IX-XII: NSQF-aligned skill courses.
- Higher Education Skill Programmes:
- Community Colleges.
- B.Voc. Degree Programmes.
- Deen Dayal Upadhyay Centres.
- Apprenticeship Embedded Degree Programme (AEDP) — Guidelines 2025.
- Support to National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS).
- Digital Initiatives under Samagra Shiksha:
- PM eVidya: Launched 17 May 2020 (part of Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan).
- 200 DTH TV channels + 400 Radio channels.
- ICT Labs and Smart Classrooms.
- DIKSHA Platform:
- "One Nation, One Digital" platform for school education.
- 3.67+ lakh content in local languages (multilingualism).
- 579.41 crore learning sessions.
- 2.29 crore users.
- Also has 836+ Virtual Labs.
- Both online and offline access.
- Budget 2025 Announcement: Broadband connectivity to all Government Secondary schools in rural areas via BharatNet by BSNL.
- Higher Education Digital Platforms:
- SWAYAM, SWAYAM Prabha.
- e-PG Pathshala.
- UGC e-resource portal (integrated with Digital Seva Portal).
- Selected content in regional languages.
- Malaviya Mission Teacher Training Programme: Faculty capacity-building.
- Union Budget 2026-27: Viability Gap Funding (VGF) for girls' hostels in STEM institutions in every district.
- Union Budget 2025-26: Bhartiya Bhasha Pustak Yojana (BBPY) for digital books in Indian languages.
⭐ Prelims Extra Points
- NEP 2020: 3rd National Education Policy; approved 29 July 2020; replaced NEP 1986.
- New School Structure: 5+3+3+4 (Foundational + Preparatory + Middle + Secondary).
- NEP 2020 Targets: GER 50% in higher education by 2035; universalisation at all levels by 2030.
- Samagra Shiksha: Integrated scheme; launched 2018; covers pre-school to Class 12.
- SWAYAM: Study Webs of Active-Learning for Young Aspiring Minds; MOOCs platform.
- SWAYAM Prabha: 32 DTH TV channels for education.
- DIKSHA: Digital Infrastructure for Knowledge Sharing; launched 2017.
- BharatNet: Broadband for all Gram Panchayats.
- UGC: Est. 1953; statutory body under UGC Act 1956.
- AICTE: All India Council for Technical Education; est. 1945.
❓ MCQ Practice
Q. Under the new school structure recommended by NEP 2020, the "5+3+3+4" system replaces which previous system?
NEP 2020's new 5+3+3+4 school structure (Foundational + Preparatory + Middle + Secondary; ages 3-18) replaces the previous 10+2 system (10 years of general education + 2 years higher secondary). NEP 2020 approved 29 July 2020. GER target for higher education: 50% by 2035. GER now = 30 (AISHE 2023-24).
PIB Notes for UPSC – 29 July 2026
PIB Notes for UPSC 29 July 2026 covers 15 important government updates and current affairs topics from the Press Information Bureau. These exam-focused notes provide key facts and concepts relevant for UPSC Prelims, Mains and other competitive examinations.
Important PIB Current Affairs Topics
- PM Vidyalaxmi Scheme and Higher Education Loans
- Nasha Mukta Yuva Sankalp Abhiyaan
- Mission Vatsalya Portal
- Tribal Bioresources and MoTA-CSIR-NBRI MoU
- CPI Base Year Revision to 2024
- Index of Industrial Production Update
- PM SETU and PMKVY 4.0
- PARIVARTAN Scheme and Cleaner Mobility
- DAANVEER Initiative for Digital Panchayats
- Naxalism and Internal Security
- Global Tiger Day 2026
- National Education Policy Progress
PIB Current Affairs for UPSC Preparation
These PIB Notes for UPSC simplify important government schemes, policies, economic indicators and national developments into exam-oriented points. Regular PIB revision helps aspirants prepare government-source current affairs for UPSC Prelims, Mains, SSC and State PSC examinations.
📚 Hindu Editorial Analysis Today
🎥 UPSC & TNPSC Video - Pdf Resources
🚀 Join Our Exam Preparation Community
Stay ahead in your preparation with daily exam-focused content, curated for UPSC, TNPSC, SSC and other competitive exams.
📲 Telegram Community
👉 5,000+ active aspirants
👉 50+ MCQs reflected in recent exams (2024 & 2025)
👉 Daily quizzes, PYQs & revision content
👉 Positive feedback from prelims-cleared candidates
▶️ YouTube Channel
👉 Daily Current Affairs videos
👉 Based on The Hindu, PIB, Government sources
👉 PYQ-focused explanation (UPSC, TNPSC)
👉 Short, exam-oriented analysis
📸 Instagram Updates
👉 Daily quick revision posts
👉 Exam facts & current affairs snippets
💼 LinkedIn
👉 Professional updates & exam insights
+Trusted by thousands of aspirants preparing for competitive exams