Today's Brief 27/08/2025

1 .The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)

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

is a permanent intergovernmental international organization that brings together a significant portion of the Eurasian continent.

It was founded in 2001 and has grown to become the world's largest regional organization in terms of geographic scope and population.

History and Formation

The SCO evolved from the "Shanghai Five" mechanism, which was established in 1996 by China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan to resolve border disputes and promote demilitarization along their shared borders.

With the addition of Uzbekistan in 2001, the group was officially renamed the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, with a broader mandate for political, economic, and security cooperation.

Aims and Objectives

The main goals of the SCO, as outlined in its charter, are to:

• Strengthen mutual trust and good-neighborly relations among member countries.

• Promote effective cooperation in various fields, including politics, trade, economy, science and technology, culture, education, energy, transportation, and tourism.

• Jointly ensure regional peace, security, and stability by combating what the organization identifies as the "three evils" of terrorism, separatism, and extremism.

• Create a new, democratic, fair, and rational international political and economic order.

Structure

The SCO has a well-defined organizational structure to facilitate its operations:

• Council of Heads of State (HSC): This is the supreme decision-making body, which meets annually to set the overall strategic direction of the organization.

  
  

• Council of Heads of Government (CHG): This council meets annually to discuss strategic initiatives and economic cooperation.

  
  

• Secretariat: Located in Beijing, this is the main permanent executive body of the SCO.

  
  

• Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS): Headquartered in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, RATS is a permanent body responsible for coordinating efforts among member states to combat terrorism, separatism, and extremism.

Membership

The SCO has a multi-tiered membership structure:

• Member States: The SCO has ten member states, including China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Belarus is also in the process of becoming a member.

  
  

• Observer States: These countries have observer status, allowing them to participate in some SCO activities.

  
  

• Dialogue Partners: These countries engage in a cooperative dialogue with the SCO on issues of mutual interest.

Significance

The SCO is a key institution in the Chinese and Russian push for a "multipolar world," often positioning itself as an alternative to Western-dominated forums. Its significance lies in its large size, representing a vast portion of the global population and economic output.

The organization's focus has expanded from primarily security concerns to include economic cooperation, with many member states being part of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

2 .The PM SVANidhi

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

(Prime Minister Street Vendor's AtmaNirbhar Nidhi) Scheme is a special micro-credit facility launched by the Indian Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs on June 1, 2020.

The scheme's primary objective is to provide a lifeline to street vendors whose livelihoods were adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

It aims to formalize this segment of the urban informal economy and integrate them into the formal financial system.

Key Features and Benefits

• Collateral-Free Loans: The scheme provides working capital loans to street vendors without requiring any collateral. This makes it accessible to a large number of vendors who may not have assets to offer as security.

  
  

• Incremental Loan Amounts: The scheme offers loans in a tiered structure:

  
  

  • First Tranche: Up to ₹10,000.

  • Second Tranche: Up to ₹20,000, upon timely repayment of the first loan.

  • Third Tranche: Up to ₹50,000, after timely repayment of the second loan.

• Interest Subsidy: A key benefit is the 7% per annum interest subsidy on the loans. This amount is credited to the vendor's bank account on a quarterly basis.

  
  

• Incentives for Digital Transactions: To promote a digital economy, the scheme offers cashback incentives on digital transactions. This also helps in building a credit score for the vendors, which can facilitate future access to credit.

  
  

• No Prepayment Penalty: The scheme does not charge any penalty for early loan repayment, giving vendors flexibility.

  
  

• Expanded Coverage: The scheme's reach has been extended beyond statutory towns to include census towns and peri-urban/rural areas, ensuring a wider base of beneficiaries.

  
  

• Holistic Development: The scheme also focuses on the overall socio-economic upliftment of street vendors and their families by linking them to various government welfare schemes like PM Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana, PM Suraksha Bima Yojana, and One Nation One Ration Card, among others.

Eligibility

The scheme is available to all street vendors who are engaged in vending in urban areas on or before a specified date (initially March 24, 2020). Eligible vendors are identified based on:

• Possession of a Certificate of Vending or Identity Card issued by Urban Local Bodies (ULBs).

• Inclusion in the ULB-led survey of vendors, even if an ID card has not been issued.

• A Letter of Recommendation (LoR) from the ULB/Town Vending Committee (TVC) for those left out of the survey or who started vending later.

How to Apply

Street vendors can apply for the loan online through the official PM SVANidhi portal.

The process involves providing their mobile number, a survey reference number, and filling out an application form with relevant documents.

They can also seek assistance from Common Service Centers (CSCs) or agents of Micro Finance Institutions (MFIs).

The PM SVANidhi scheme has been instrumental in providing financial stability to a vulnerable segment of the population, helping them restart and grow their businesses while promoting financial and digital inclusion.

3 .Project Aarohan

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

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has launched a significant initiative called "Project Aarohan" to support the educational and career aspirations of the children of its toll plaza employees.

This collaborative effort, which includes Vertis Infrastructure Trust and SMEC Trust's Bharat Cares, aims to remove financial barriers and provide access to quality education for students from economically weaker sections.

The program's core is a scholarship program that will provide annual financial aid to 500 students from Class 11 up to the final year of graduation, with additional, larger scholarships for 50 postgraduate students.

Beyond financial assistance, Project Aarohan focuses on holistic development, offering mentorship, skill-building workshops, and career guidance to help students prepare for their future.

The project also emphasizes inclusivity by prioritizing girls, first-generation learners, and students from disadvantaged communities (EWS, SC, and ST).

The entire application process is managed through a transparent online portal, ensuring equal opportunity for all eligible candidates.

Ultimately, the launch of Project Aarohan highlights NHAI's commitment to the welfare of its workforce, recognizing the importance of investing in human potential alongside the development of India's infrastructure.