June 2nd current affairs PSC chronicles

                       PSCchronicles

1. PM-AJAY scheme:

Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY) is a centrally sponsored scheme launched in 2021-22 by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

It merges three pre-existing welfare schemes to ensure the holistic socio-economic upliftment of Scheduled Caste (SC) communities through income generation, infrastructure development, and improved educational access.

1. Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana (PMAGY)

1. Special Central Assistance to Scheduled Castes Sub Plan (SCA to SCSP)

1. Babu Jagjivan Ram Chhatrawas Yojana (BJRCY)

The scheme is 100% funded by the Central Government.

1B: PM-SVANIDHI:

PM SVANidhi (Pradhan Mantri Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi) is a Central Sector Scheme launched in June 2020 by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) in collaboration with the Department of Financial Services (DFS).

Initially an emergency micro-credit response to COVID-19, it is now extended to March 31, 2030, to function as a permanent driver of financial inclusion

• Funding Pattern: 100% Central Sector Scheme

• Loan Nature: Collateral-free working capital micro-credit.

• Tranches: Increased limits: 1st (₹15,000), 2nd (₹25,000), 3rd (₹50,000).

• Interest Subsidy: 7% per annum via DBT on timely repayment.

91st Constitutional Amendment Act of 2003

The size of the Council of Ministers at the Union and State levels is restricted to (15%) of the total strength of the lower legislative house (Lok Sabha or State Legislative Assembly), while Union Territories with assemblies are strictly capped at (10%). This “jumbo cabinet” restriction was introduced by the 91st Constitutional Amendment Act of 2003 to prevent political misuse of ministerial berths and curb government expenditure

• Union govt: 15% of the total strength of the Lok Sabha (Lower House)- No constitutional minimum specified

• State govts: 15% of the total strength of the Legislative Assembly-Minimum 12 ministers

• UTs with legislature: 10% of the total strength of the assembly.

Index of Industrial Production and recent changes

The Index of Industrial Production (IIP) is a crucial macroeconomic indicator that measures short-term volume changes in India’s industrial sector output.

• It is compiled and released monthly by the National Statistical Office (NSO) under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).

Base year revised from 2011-12 to 2022-23. This is the 10th revision of base year of All India IIP

Now, IIP covers four broad sectors-Manufacturing, Mining & Quarrying, Electrcity & Gas supplay, Water supplay, seweage and

No of items increased from 407 to 463.

Fiscal Deficit:

Fiscal deficit is the gap between the government’s total expenditure and its total revenue (excluding borrowings) in a financial year.

It indicates the total amount of money the government must borrow to meet its expenses. It is usually expressed as a percentage of a country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Fiscal Deficit = Revenue Deficit + Capital Expenditure (financed through debt)

Rajya Sabha Elections:

Rajya Sabha members are elected indirectly by the elected members of the State Legislative Assemblies (MLAs) in accordance with Article 80(4) of the Indian Constitution.

• Constitutional Basis: Article 80 governs the composition of the Council of States (Rajya Sabha).

• Maximum Strength: Fixed at 250 members (238 representing States/UTs and 12 nominated by the President).

• Presidential Nominations: The President nominates 12 members for their special knowledge or practical experience in Art, Literature, Science, and Social Service

• Seat Allocation: Allocation is based on the population of each state, as detailed in the Fourth Schedule of the Constitution

• Member Tenure: MPs are elected for a six-year term.

• Rotational Retirement: One-third of members retire every two years.

The Electoral College

• From States: Elected by the elected members of the State Legislative Assemblies (MLAs). Nominated MLAs cannot vote

• The election is held in accordance with the system of Proportional Representation by means of the Single Transferable Vote (PR-STV).

Other important points

• Anti-Defection Law Exception: The Supreme Court in the Kuldip Nayar vs. Union of India (2006) case ruled that voting against the party line in a Rajya Sabha election does not attract disqualification under the Tenth Schedule.

• No Domicile Requirement: Since 2003, a candidate contesting for a Rajya Sabha seat from a particular state does not need to be a resident or elector of that state; they only need to be a registered elector in any parliamentary constituency across India.

• NOTA Applicability: The Supreme Court ruled in 2018 that the “None of the Above” (NOTA) option is not applicable to Rajya Sabha elections, as it violates the principle of proportional representation through the single transferable vote.

Practice Questions:

1. Which of the following is NOT one of the three schemes merged into PM-AJAY?

Options: A) PMAGY B) SCA to SCSP C) BJRCY D) PMAY

Answer: D) PMAY

Explanation: PM-AJAY merged PMAGY, SCA to SCSP, and BJRCY. PMAY (Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana) is a separate scheme.

2. What is the interest subsidy provided under the PM-SVANidhi scheme?

Options: A) 3% B) 5% C) 7% D) 9%

Answer: C) 7%

Explanation: The scheme provides an interest subsidy of 7% per annum on the loans taken by eligible street vendors.

3. Which Article of the Constitution deals with the disqualification of members on grounds of defection, linked to the 91st Amendment?

Options: A) Article 101 B) Article 102 C) Article 103 D) Article 105

Answer: B) Article 102

Explanation: The 91st Amendment amended Article 75 and 164, and added clauses to Articles 75 and 164, and added the 10th Schedule, which is linked to disqualification under Article 102(2) and 191(2).

5. Which committee recommended the ‘Fiscal Deficit’ target to be reached in the FRBM Act?

Options: A) Kelkar Committee B) N.K. Singh Committee C) Rangarajan Committee D) Vijay Kelkar Committee

Answer: B) N.K. Singh Committee

Explanation: The N.K. Singh Committee was tasked to review the FRBM Act and recommended specific fiscal deficit targets for the government.

6. How many members are nominated by the President to the Rajya Sabha?

Options: A) 10 B) 12 C) 14 D) 15

Answer: B) 12

Explanation: Article 80 allows the President to nominate 12 members who have special knowledge in literature, science, art, and social service.

7. What is the maximum loan amount available in the second tranche of PM-SVANidhi?

Options: A) ₹10,000 B) ₹20,000 C) ₹50,000 D) ₹1,00,000

Answer: C) ₹50,000

Explanation: The scheme allows for a total working capital loan of up to ₹50,000 to be availed in graded tranches (10k, then 20k, then 20k).

8. Under the 91st Amendment, the total number of Ministers in the Council of Ministers shall not exceed?

Options: A) 10% B) 15% C) 20% D) 25%

Answer: B) 15%

Explanation: The 91st Constitutional Amendment Act (2003) restricted the size of the Council of Ministers to 15% of the total strength of the Lok Sabha.

9. Which organization is responsible for the computation and publication of IIP data?

Options: A) RBI B) NITI Aayog C) NSO D) Ministry of Finance

Answer: C) NSO

Explanation: The National Statistical Office (NSO), under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), computes and releases the IIP data.

10. Rajya Sabha is a permanent house, and how many of its members retire every second year?

Options: A) 1/2 B) 1/3 C) 1/4 D) 1/6

Answer: B) 1/3

Explanation: Rajya Sabha is not subject to dissolution; however, one-third of its members retire every two years.