15 January 2026: MAINS CURRENT AFFAIRS

MAINS Current Affairs includes Ministry of Rural Development Launches National Campaign on Entrepreneurship & UGC Brings Out New Rules Against Caste Discrimination

Governance

1. Ministry of Rural Development Launches National Campaign on Entrepreneurship

In News

A National Campaign on Entrepreneurship has been launched to strengthen non-farm livelihoods for rural women under Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM).
The campaign aims to:
Train 50,000 Community Resource Persons (CRPs) on enterprise promotion.
Provide Entrepreneurship Development Programme (EDP) training to 50 lakh SHG members.

Importance of Rural Entrepreneurship

Reducing Overdependence on Agriculture

Agriculture employs about 45% of India’s workforce but contributes only 18% to GDP.
Non-farm rural enterprises help absorb surplus labour and diversify livelihoods.

Employment and Income Generation

MSMEs contribute nearly 30% of GDP and 45% of exports.
Rural enterprises expand the MSME ecosystem beyond urban centres.

Women-Led Development

SHG-based enterprises enhance female labour force participation, currently around 25%.
Women’s control over income improves nutrition, health, and education outcomes.

Migration Reduction

Local entrepreneurship reduces seasonal and distress migration to cities.

Government Steps to Foster Rural Entrepreneurship

Pradhan Mantri Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP)

Implemented by KVIC.
Provides subsidy up to 35% of project cost (higher for rural areas).
Supports new micro-enterprises in manufacturing and services.
Targets unemployed youth and artisans with loans up to ₹25 lakh.

ASPIRE Scheme

Implemented by the Ministry of MSME.
Supports Livelihood Business Incubators (LBIs) in rural areas.
Provides up to ₹1 crore for infrastructure, skill development, and innovation.
Aims to nurture agro-rural start-ups.

Lakhpati Didi Initiative

Recognises SHG women earning ₹1 lakh or more annually (₹10,000+ per month).
Income achieved through farm and non-farm activities across four cycles.

Role of NABARD

Supports rural non-farm sectors through:
Refinancing and infrastructure development (e.g., rural haats).
Capacity-building of SHGs and FPOs.
Programmes like MEDPs and LEDPs.

Challenges in Rural Entrepreneurship

Limited access to credit and markets.
Inadequate skill training and enterprise mentoring.
Poor infrastructure and digital connectivity.
Low scale of operations and limited value addition.
Weak backward and forward market linkages.

About DAY-NRLM

Launch: 2011 (restructured from Swarnajayanti Gram Swarojgar Yojana – SGSY).
Renamed as DAY-NRLM in 2016.
Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Rural Development.
Funding Pattern: Centrally Sponsored Scheme
60:40 (Centre:State)
90:10 for NE & Himalayan states.

Objective

Reduce poverty by enabling poor rural households to access sustainable livelihoods and enhanced incomes.

Core Strategy

Universal mobilisation of rural poor women into Self-Help Groups (SHGs)
Capacity building, access to credit, and livelihood diversification

Key Focus Areas

Farm livelihoods
Non-farm livelihoods and enterprises
Financial inclusion and social empowerment

Polity and Governance

2. UGC Brings Out New Rules Against Caste Discrimination

Context

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has notified new regulations to address caste-based discrimination in higher education institutions across India.

Evolution from Draft to Final Regulations

Concerns with the February 2024 Draft

Excluded Other Backward Classes (OBCs) from the ambit of caste-based discrimination.
Included penalties to “discourage” false complaints, risking deterrence of genuine grievances.
Contained ambiguous definitions of discrimination.

Changes in the Final Regulations

Explicit inclusion of OBCs.
Removal of provisions relating to false complaints.
Expanded and clearer definition of discrimination.

Need for New Regulations

UGC introduced the Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions Regulations, 2026 to strengthen safeguards against caste-based discrimination.
Persistent reports of discrimination in higher education made clearer definitions, stronger institutional mechanisms, and enforceable penalties necessary.

Major Highlights

Caste-Based Discrimination

Regulations apply to SCs, STs, and OBCs.
Marks a key shift by formally recognising OBCs within the anti-discrimination architecture.

Definition of Discrimination

Includes any unfair, differential, or biased treatment.
Grounds include religion, race, caste, gender, place of birth, and disability, individually or combined.
Emphasises impact over intent, covering acts that nullify or impair equality in education.
Omits earlier 2012-specific prohibitions like bans on separate caste- or religion-based educational systems.

Equal Opportunity Centres (EOCs)

Every institution must set up an Equal Opportunity Centre.
Objectives:
Promote equity and equal opportunity.
Foster social inclusion on campuses.
EOCs serve as the primary mechanism to address discrimination-related concerns.

Equity Committees under EOCs

Must be constituted in every institution.
Chairperson: Head of the institution.
Mandatory representation: OBCs, persons with disabilities, SCs, STs, and women.
Must meet at least twice a year for regular review.

Reporting and Review Mechanisms

EOCs must submit bi-annual reports on their activities.
Institutions must send annual compliance reports to the UGC.
These feed into UGC’s periodic reviews of institutional performance.

National-Level Monitoring Mechanism

UGC will constitute a National Monitoring Committee.
Composition: Representatives from statutory councils, commissions, and civil society organisations.
Functions:
- Monitor implementation.
- Examine discrimination complaints.
- Recommend preventive and corrective measures.
- Committee must meet at least twice annually.

Enforcement and Penalties

For non-compliance, the UGC may:

Debar institutions from UGC schemes.
Prohibit them from offering degrees, distance learning, or online programmes.
Remove them from the UGC’s list of recognised institutions.

Significance

Strengthens social justice in higher education.
Reinforces constitutional mandates under Articles 14, 15, and 46.
Enhances accountability through monitoring and sanctions.

Conclusion

The 2026 UGC regulations represent a significant step toward institutionalising equity and inclusion in higher education.
While they strengthen coverage and enforcement, their long-term impact will depend on robust monitoring, transparent reporting, and genuine institutional commitment, beyond mere compliance.