Prelims Current Affairs includes Seva Teerth, Pm-Daksh Yojana, Agricultural And Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (Apeda), Prime Minister Rahat (Pm-Rahat) Scheme & Urban Challenge Fund (Ucf)

GOVERNANCE

1. SEVA TEERTH

Current Context Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Seva Teerth in New Delhi creating an integrated administrative complex housing the Prime Minister’s Office, the National Security Council Secretariat, and the Cabinet Secretariat under one roof.

ABOUT SEVA TEERTH

• Nature: Newly developed high-level administrative complex
• Key Offices Housed: Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS), Cabinet Secretariat
• Objective:
  • Improve coordination among top decision-making bodies
  • Reduce administrative delays
  • Enhance operational efficiency and security
  • Promote integrated governance
• Administrative Significance:
  • Centralises previously dispersed strategic offices
  • Strengthens inter-departmental communication and faster policy execution
• Motto: “Nagriko Devo Bhava” (Citizens are akin to God)
• Governance Vision: Citizen-centric and efficiency-driven administration

SCHEME

2.PM-DAKSH YOJANA

Current Context: Recently, data presented in the Lok Sabha revealed that less than half of candidates trained under the PM-DAKSH Scheme (2021–2024) secured placements, raising concerns about training-to-employment conversion.

ABOUT PM-DAKSH YOJANA

• Full Name: Pradhan Mantri Dakshata Aur Kushalata Sampanna Hitgrahi Yojana
• Launch Year: 2020–21
• Type: Central Sector Scheme
• Implementing Ministry: Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
• Aim:
  • Provide free-of-cost skill training through quality institutions
  • Enhance employability of socially disadvantaged groups
• Target Groups:
  • Scheduled Castes (SC), Other Backward Classes (OBC), Economically Weaker Sections (EWS)
  • De-notified Tribes (DNTs), Safai Karamcharis / Waste Pickers, Transgenders
• Eligibility Criteria:
  • Age: 18–45 years
  • OBC & EWS: Family income below Rupees 3 lakh annually
  • SC / DNT / Safai Mitras: No income limit
• Training Categories:
  • Up-skilling / Re-skilling
  • Short Term Training
  • Long Term Training
  • Entrepreneurship Development Programme
• Accountability Clause:
  • Institutes must ensure 70 percent placement for Short Term Courses
  • Failure results in forfeiture of 30 percent training cost per candidate
• Recent Policy Update:
• Scheme merged with Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY)

POLICY AND PROGRAMME

3. AGRICULTURAL AND PROCESSED FOOD PRODUCTS EXPORT DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (APEDA)

Current Context : APEDA recently celebrated its 40th Establishment Day, highlighting its role in strengthening India’s agricultural exports.

ABOUT APEDA

• Established Under: APEDA Act, 1985
  • Type: Statutory Body
  • Ministry: Ministry of Commerce and Industry
  • Headquarters: New Delhi
  • Chairman: Appointed by Government of India
• Core Functions:
  • Promotion of agricultural and processed food exports
  • Accreditation and certification oversight
  • Inspection of scheduled products including meat
• Key Role: Secretariat to the National Accreditation Board for certification bodies
• IMPORTANT INITIATIVES
  • National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP): Sets standards for organic farming and certification
  • BHARATI (2025): Supports agri-food and agri-tech startups and Promotes export-oriented innovation
• Farmers Connect Portal:
  • Digital platform linking Farmer Producer Organisations and exporters
  • Enables continuous market access

SCHEME

4. PRIME MINISTER RAHAT (PM-RAHAT) SCHEME

Current Context : The Government of India launched the PM-RAHAT Scheme to ensure structured emergency medical response and financial protection for road accident victims.

ABOUT PM-RAHAT SCHEME

• Full Name: Road Accident Victim Hospitalization and Assured Treatment
• Objective:
  • Prioritise life-saving medical care
  • Ensure cashless treatment access
  • Provide financial certainty to hospitals
• KEY FEATURES
  • Emergency Integration: Linked with Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) 112
  • Benefit: Cashless treatment up to Rupees 1.5 lakh per victim
• Digital Platforms Used:
  • eDAR (Electronic Detailed Accident Report)
  • TMS 2.0 (Transaction Management System)
• Reimbursement Source: Motor Vehicle Accident Fund (MVAF)
• Funding Mechanism:
  • Insured Vehicles → Insurance Company Contributions
  • Uninsured / Hit & Run → Government Budgetary Support

SCHEME

5. URBAN CHALLENGE FUND (UCF)

Current Context : The Union Cabinet approved the launch of the Urban Challenge Fund, aimed at transforming Indian cities into resilient and growth-oriented urban centres.

ABOUT URBAN CHALLENGE FUND

• Type: Centrally Sponsored Scheme
• Ministry: Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
• Financial Outlay: Rupees 1 lakh crore (Central Assistance)
• Operational Period: FY 2025–26 to FY 2030–31 (Extendable)

KEY FEATURES

• Financing Structure: Minimum 50 percent market-based funding (municipal bonds, loans, PPPs)
• Selection Mode: Competitive Challenge-Based Approach
• Reform Focus: Urban Governance, Financial Systems, Operational Efficiency, Urban Planning
• Creditworthiness Corpus: Rupees 5,000 crore for smaller cities
• Coverage:
  • Cities with population ≥ 10 lakh
  • All State / Union Territory Capitals
  • Industrial Cities ≥ 1 lakh population
• Special Provision: Hilly and North-Eastern States eligible under Credit Repayment Guarantee Scheme.

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