NMPB: Key Facts for Prelims

• NMPB was set up in 2000 by the Government of India; nodal ministry is the Ministry of AYUSH.
• Mandate: develop coordination mechanisms between various ministries, departments, and organisations for overall growth of the medicinal plants sector.
• NMPB provides Quality Planting Material (QPM) to farmers through Regional-cum-Facilitation Centres (RCFCs), which also organise training on Good Agriculture Practices (GAPs) and Good Field Collection Practices (GFCPs).

Functions of NMPB

PMKSY: Key Facts for Prelims

• PMKSY is an umbrella scheme for irrigation development in India; it does not contain any specific provision for private sector investments.
• Capacity building and training on efficient water management are undertaken by implementing States and UTs as per scheme guidelines.

Three Components of PMKSY

• PMDDKY is a new scheme providing farmers direct financial help, farming tools, crop insurance, and better market access, implemented under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare.
• Annual budget: ₹24,000 crore for six years (2025-26 to 2030-31), totalling ₹1.44 lakh crore.

Scheme Consolidation

Target Criteria for Districts

• Districts with low crop yields (e.g., wheat below 3.5 tonnes/hectare vs national average).
• Districts with moderate cropping intensity below 155% (fewer than 1.55 crop cycles per year).
• Districts with limited access to credit and water scarcity.

Key Objectives & Benefits

• Reduce monsoon reliance through drip and sprinkler irrigation systems; double farmer incomes by 2030 through loans and direct market access.
• Promote organic farming, sustainable practices, and soil and water conservation; support women, youth, and allied sectors (dairy, fisheries, poultry) to diversify incomes.
• Financial support: subsidies of 50-80% on inputs; loans via Kisan Credit Cards or NABARD (short-term: ₹50,000 to ₹1 lakh; long-term: ₹1 to 10 lakh).
• Market access via digital platforms like e-NAM and PMDDKY apps; free KVK training on modern farming, drone use, and allied activities.
• Support for 10,000 women producer groups with training, loans, and market linkages.

Bharat Taxi: Key Facts for Prelims

• Bharat Taxi is a cooperative-based ride-hailing platform operated by Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited, providing a transparent, driver-owned mobility service under the cooperative model.
• The platform comprises three components: Sarathi (Driver) Application, Passenger Application, and Backend Management System. Drivers on the platform are called “Sarathis.”

Cooperative Model: Key Concepts

• A cooperative is a member-owned and democratically controlled enterprise where profits are distributed among members rather than external shareholders.
• In Bharat Taxi, drivers (Sarathis) are the cooperative members, giving them ownership and control over the platform.
• Cooperatives in India are governed by the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002 (for multi-state entities) or respective State Cooperative Acts; the Ministry of Cooperation was created in 2021 to give a separate administrative focus to the sector.

Regulatory Framework

• Before rollout in any state, Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited obtains licences, registrations, permissions, and statutory approvals.
• Consultations are undertaken with State Transport Departments, Urban Local Bodies/Municipal Authorities, and State Departments of Cooperation; operations commence only after completion of all statutory and administrative formalities.

Key Facts for Prelims

• The exercise is conducted under the Indian Navy-led Combined Task Force 154 (CTF 154) in partnership with Combined Maritime Forces (CMF).
• CTF 154 is CMF’s dedicated Training Task Force, presently commanded by the Indian Navy, focused on strengthening capacity, interoperability, and professional readiness of CMF Partner Nations.
• Training covered Ship Handling, Navigation, Astro Navigation, Maritime Distress Communication Systems, and Damage Control and Firefighting using Indian Navy simulators.
• The exercise reinforces the Indian Navy’s role as the “Preferred Security and Training Partner” in the Indo-Pacific region.

RBI Digital Lending Directions 2025

• RBI (Digital Lending) Directions, 2025 were issued on May 8, 2025, with detailed provisions on recovery, data privacy, and customer grievance redressal mechanisms.
• Mandatory for Regulated Entities (REs), Lending Service Providers (LSPs), and Digital Lending Apps (DLAs).

Regulatory & Legal Framework

Key Institutions

• I4C (Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre) under MHA proactively analyses digital lending apps.
• National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (www.cybercrime.gov.in) and National Cybercrime Helpline (1930) for reporting fake loan apps and other cyber incidents.
• e-BAAT (Electronic Banking Awareness and Training): RBI programme focusing on awareness about frauds and risk mitigation.

MyWAVES and WAVES OTT

• MyWAVES is a citizen creator platform under WAVES OTT, launched by Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, enabling citizens to create, upload, and share original content.
• Envisioned to encourage user-generated content and showcase India’s rich cultural diversity.

AVYAY: Key Facts for Prelims

• AVYAY is implemented by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, an umbrella scheme with four flagship initiatives: Elderline, IPSrC, SAGE, and RVY.
• Elderline (14567): National Helpline for Senior Citizens providing information, guidance, emotional support, intervention, rescue, and grievance redressal.

RVY & SAGE

• RVY provides physical assistive devices and living aids to eligible senior citizens with age-related disabilities; beneficiaries are BPL category or those with monthly income up to ₹15,000.
• SAGE stands for Seniorcare Ageing Growth Engine; the SAGE portal was launched in August 2022 to promote innovative products and services for senior citizens, strengthening the “silver economy” through technology-driven senior care solutions.

GREAT Scheme: Key Facts

• GREAT stands for Grant for Research and Entrepreneurship across Aspiring Innovators in Technical Textiles, launched in August 2023 to develop the startup ecosystem in technical textiles.
• It has evolved under the Research, Development, and Innovation Component of the National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM), supporting entrepreneurs and start-ups for functional prototypes or commercialisation of technical textile technologies.
• Funding: grant-in-aid of up to ₹50 lakh for up to 18 months.

National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM)

• NTTM was launched to increase penetration of technical textiles in India and leverage the sector’s high growth rate, aiming to position India as a global leader in technical textiles. Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Textiles.

Four Components of NTTM