Today's Brief 20/08/2025

1 Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Gramin):

General Studies Paper-II (250 Marks) – Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations

Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Gramin), or PMAY-G, is a flagship social welfare program of the Indian government under the Ministry of Rural Development. 

Launched on April 1, 2016, it aims to provide a pucca (permanent) house with basic amenities to all eligible houseless families and those living in kutcha (temporary) and dilapidated houses in rural areas. 

The program's goal is to achieve "Housing for All."

Beneficiaries are identified using housing deprivation parameters from the Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC) of 2011, which are then verified by the Gram Sabhas (village councils) to ensure that only the most genuinely deprived households receive assistance. 

The scheme provides financial assistance of up to ₹1.20 lakh in plain areas and ₹1.30 lakh in hilly states, difficult areas, and Integrated Action Plan (IAP) districts. The funds are transferred directly to the Aadhaar-linked bank or post office account of the beneficiary to ensure transparency.

PMAY-G also works in convergence with other government schemes to provide comprehensive support. 

For example, beneficiaries receive an additional ₹12,000 for toilet construction under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Gramin, as well as access to employment through the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and free LPG connections under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana. 

The houses constructed under the scheme have a minimum area of 25 square meters, including a dedicated hygienic cooking space.

 A key feature of the scheme is its focus on women's empowerment, with houses being allotted either in the name of the female head of the household or jointly with her husband.

2 .The Vice President of India

General Studies Paper-II (250 Marks) – Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations

holds the second-highest constitutional office in the country, after the President.

 The office is modeled on the lines of the American Vice President.

 The Vice President has a dual role: serving as the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha (the Council of States) and acting as the President in case of a vacancy.

 As Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, the Vice President presides over its sessions, maintaining order and decorum.

 They do not have a vote in the proceedings, except for a casting vote in the event of a tie.

The Vice President's other crucial function is to take on the duties of the President in the case of a vacancy due to death, resignation, removal, or absence due to illness.

 This temporary role lasts until a new President is elected, which must happen within six months.

 While acting as President, the Vice President ceases to perform the duties of the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, and all powers and immunities of the President are conferred upon them.

To be eligible for the post, a candidate must be a citizen of India, at least 35 years old, and qualified to be a member of the Rajya Sabha. They must not hold any office of profit under the central or state government.

 The Vice President is elected by an electoral college consisting of all members (elected and nominated) of both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.

 This election is conducted by secret ballot, using the system of proportional representation by means of a single transferable vote.

3 .Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan:

General Studies Paper-II (250 Marks) – Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations

The Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan (VKSA) is a nationwide campaign launched by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare in collaboration with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) to modernize and strengthen Indian agriculture.

Aligned with the vision of "Viksit Bharat" (Developed India), the campaign aims to bridge the gap between agricultural research and the grassroots farming community.

It operates on a "Lab to Land" model, where teams of agricultural scientists, experts, and government officials directly interact with farmers in villages.

The primary objective of the Abhiyan is to empower farmers by providing them with timely, field-level guidance on modern farming practices, sustainable techniques, and government schemes.

The campaign focuses on promoting the use of new seed varieties, soil health management, natural farming, crop diversification, and climate-resilient farming methods.

A key aspect is the two-way communication approach, where scientists not only disseminate knowledge but also gather feedback and understand the on-ground challenges faced by farmers, which in turn helps in shaping future research efforts and policies.

The campaign is often conducted before the Kharif and Rabi sowing seasons to provide farmers with the most relevant and timely information.

It leverages a vast network of Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), ICAR institutes, and state agricultural departments to reach a large number of farmers across different districts.

Through initiatives like "Kisan Chaupals" and on-field demonstrations, the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan seeks to enhance agricultural productivity, reduce production costs, and ensure fair prices for produce, ultimately contributing to the economic prosperity of farmers and the food security of the nation.

4 .Press Sewa portal:

General Studies Paper-II (250 Marks) – Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations

The Press Sewa Portal is a landmark digital initiative by the Press Registrar General of India (PRGI), formerly known as the Registrar of Newspapers for India (RNI).

Launched to simplify and streamline the process of registering newspapers and periodicals, it is a key component of the government's "Digital India" and "Ease of Doing Business" initiatives.

The portal automates the previously manual and time-consuming procedures under the old Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867, by implementing the new Press and Registration of Periodicals Act, 2023.

The primary objective of the portal is to create a transparent, efficient, and hassle-free ecosystem for media houses and publishers. Through this single-window solution, publishers can apply for title registration, submit applications with Aadhar-based e-signatures, and track the real-time status of their applications via a dashboard.

The system also offers a "Probability Meter" to indicate the likelihood of a title's availability.

Key features of the Press Sewa Portal include paperless processing, a direct payment gateway for fees, and the issuance of QR code-based digital certificates. It also provides a platform for printers to submit intimations about their printing presses and for publishers to make minor corrections to their applications within a specified window.

The portal is integrated with a centralized system for District Magistrates to manage applications and even includes an AI-based chatbot to assist users with their queries, making the entire process more accessible and user-friendly.