Prelims Current Affairs includes She Marts, Mahatma Gandhi Gram Swaraj Initiative (Mggsi), Bharat-Vistaar Biopharma Shakti, Divyangjan Kaushal Yojana & Divyang Sahara Yojana, Securities Transaction Tax (Stt), ‘Chakra’ – Centre Of Excellence (Coe), Grain Atm (Annapurti)

POLICY AND PROGRAMME

1. SHE MARTS

Current Context: The Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced SHE Marts, a new platform to strengthen market access and income opportunities for women entrepreneurs.

ABOUT SHE MARTS

• Full Form: SHE – Self-help Entrepreneur Marts
• Nature: Community-owned retail outlets
• Institutional Base: Set up within cluster-level federations of Self-Help Groups (SHGs)
• Financial Support: Backed by enhanced and innovative financing instruments

OBJECTIVES

• Provide permanent retail points for SHG-made goods
• Improve direct market access and branding
• Promote value-added and processed products
• Strengthen grassroots institutions and women-owned enterprises

SIGNIFICANCE

• Builds on the success of the Lakhpati Didi Programme
• Signals a shift from micro-credit-led livelihoods to structured women-owned enterprises
• Supports sustainable income generation for women entrepreneurs

ABOUT LAKHPATI DIDI PROGRAMME

• Announced: 15 August 2023 (Independence Day)
• Implementing Ministry: Ministry of Rural Development
• Aim: Enable SHG women to earn ₹1 lakh or more annually
• Skill Training: Plumbing, LED bulb making, drone operation, tailoring, weaving, etc.
• Target: Training 2 crore women for financial independence

SCHEME

2. MAHATMA GANDHI GRAM SWARAJ INITIATIVE (MGGSI)

Current Context: Announced in the Union Budget 2026–27 to strengthen khadi, handloom, and handicrafts.

ABOUT MGGSI

• Launch: Union Budget 2026–27
• Focus Sectors: Khadi, handloom, handicrafts
• Target Groups: Weavers, village industries, ODOP beneficiaries, rural youth

KEY FEATURES

• Improve global market access, branding, and market linkages
• Address fragmented supply chains and quality inconsistencies
• Encourage modern production methods while preserving tradition

SIGNIFICANCE

• Aligns with Vocal for Local and Atmanirbhar Bharat
• Enhances competitiveness of traditional rural industries
• Generates sustainable employment and reduces rural distress

SCHEME

3. BHARAT-VISTAAR

Current Context: The Union Finance Minister proposed Bharat-VISTAAR as a digital tool for the agriculture sector.

ABOUT BHARAT-VISTAAR

• Full Form: Virtually Integrated System to Access Agricultural Resources
• Nature: Multilingual AI tool
• Integration: AgriStack portals + ICAR package of agricultural practices

SIGNIFICANCE

• Enhances farm productivity
• Enables customised advisory support
• Improves farmer decision-making and reduces risk

ABOUT AGRISTACK

• Digital foundation for data-driven agriculture
• Facilitates access to credit, inputs, advisory services, and markets
• Supports efficient implementation of farmer-centric schemes

SCHEME

4. BIOPHARMA SHAKTI

Current Context: The Union Budget 2026–27 announced Biopharma SHAKTI to position India as a global biopharmaceutical hub.

ABOUT BIOPHARMA SHAKTI

• Full Form: Strategy for Healthcare Advancement through Knowledge, Technology & Innovation
• Objective: Develop India as a global biopharma manufacturing hub
• Financial Outlay: ₹10,000 crore over 5 years

KEY COMPONENTS

• Ecosystem for biologics and biosimilars production
• Establish 3 new NIPERs and upgrade 7 existing NIPERs
• Network of 1,000+ accredited clinical trial sites

SIGNIFICANCE

• Boosts advanced biomanufacturing infrastructure
• Promotes innovation in next-generation therapies
• Addresses rising non-communicable diseases (diabetes, cancer, autoimmune disorders)

KEY TERMS

• Biologics: Medicines derived from living organisms
• Biosimilars: Highly similar, safe, and effective alternatives to biologics, reducing costs and improving access

SCHEME

5. DIVYANGJAN KAUSHAL YOJANA & DIVYANG SAHARA YOJANA

Current Context: The Union Minister of Finance announced Divyangjan Kaushal Yojana and Divyang Sahara Yojana in the Union Budget 2026–27 to strengthen skilling, livelihood, and assistive support for persons with disabilities.

ABOUT DIVYANGJAN KAUSHAL YOJANA

• Target Group: Persons with disabilities (Divyangjan)
• Objective: Provide industry-relevant, customised training for dignified livelihood opportunities
• Financial Allocation: ₹200 crore (FY 2026–27)
• Sectors Covered : Information Technology, Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comics (AVGC), Hospitality, Food and Beverages, Focus on task-oriented and process-driven roles.

ABOUT DIVYANG SAHARA YOJANA

Financial Allocation: ₹100 crore

• Implementing Support: Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO)

Objectives:

• Scale up production of high-quality assistive devices
• Strengthen research and development
• Integrate advanced technologies, including Artificial Intelligence, into product design and services
• Strengthen PM Divyasha Kendras
• Support establishment of Assistive Technology Marts (modern retail-style centres)

WHAT IS PM DIVYASHA KENDRA?

• Integrated service centres providing assessment, evaluation, counselling, distribution, and post-distribution care
• Established through ALIMCO under the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD)
• Cater to Divyangjan and senior citizens under one roof.

ECONOMY

6. SECURITIES TRANSACTION TAX (STT)

Current Context: The Finance Minister proposed to raise STT on futures and options by up to 150%.

ABOUT SECURITIES TRANSACTION TAX

• Nature: Direct tax on purchase and sale of securities on recognised stock exchanges
• Levied By: Central Government of India
• Introduced: Finance Act, 2004
• Governed By: Securities Transaction Tax Act

KEY FEATURES

• Levied irrespective of profit or loss
• Charged on transaction value
• Collected at the time of transaction, similar to Tax Deducted at Source (TDS)
• Paid to government via stock exchanges/intermediaries
• Rates vary by type of security and can be revised periodically

SCOPE

• Applies to equities, derivatives, equity-oriented mutual funds
• Includes unlisted shares sold via IPO offer for sale
• Not applicable to off-market, commodity, or currency transactions

ECONOMY

7. ‘CHAKRA’ – CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE (CoE)

Current Context: Recently, State Bank of India launched ‘CHAKRA’ – Centre of Excellence to finance sunrise sectors critical for India’s growth.

ABOUT CHAKRA CoE

• Purpose: Knowledge-driven platform for financing technology-led and sustainability-focused industries
• Role: Advisory and funding support to SBI and the broader financial ecosystem

FOCUS: EIGHT SUNRISE SECTORS

• Renewables, Data Centres, E-Mobility & Charging Infrastructure, Advanced Cell Chemistry / Batteries, Semiconductors, Green Hydrogen & Ammonia, Decarbonisation, Smart Infrastructure.

SIGNIFICANCE

• Expected cumulative capital expenditure: ₹100 lakh crore+ by 2030
• Enhances India’s global value chain integration
• Supports Net Zero and sustainability goals
• Facilitates engagement with DFIs, multilateral agencies, banks, NBFCs, startups, academia, and policymakers

ECONOMY

8. GRAIN ATM (ANNAPURTI)

Current Context: Recently, The Bihar Government approved installation of three Grain ATMs in Patna as a pilot project.

ABOUT GRAIN ATM

• Automated machine dispensing food grains (rice/wheat)
• Technology developed by World Food Programme (WFP)
• Implemented in collaboration with Food Corporation of India and State Governments

KEY FEATURES

• Dispenses 50 kg grain in 5 minutes
• Operates 24×7 like a bank ATM
• Can run on solar power
• Requires internet connectivity to access PDS database

WORKING MECHANISM

• Beneficiary swipes ration/ATM card linked with Aadhaar
• Selects grain type and quantity
• Aadhaar-based biometric authentication
• Grain dispensed within prescribed limit
• PDS data updated and receipt generated

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