Coverage of government schemes, policies, and welfare programs across various sectors
The Union government has notified the operational framework for Semicon 2.0, the next phase of the India Semiconductor Mission, with a total approved outlay of ₹1,27,500 crore. Unlike a semiconductor policy focused only on building fabrication plants, Semicon 2.0 covers the complete value chain—chip design, indigenous intellectual property, semiconductor equipment and materials, fabrication, advanced packaging, research and talent. The design pillar is especially significant because India possesses a large semiconductor engineering workforce but still lacks comparable Indian-owned chip products and intellectual property.
The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) is planning a set of reforms under its EPFO 3.0 phase, including a universal pension cover for all workers, first-time social security contributions for gig and platform workers, and a technology upgrade to a Core Banking Solution (CBS) platform. A key feature is a defined-contribution pension built around a Target Retirement Sum (TRS), aligned with the Code on Social Security, 2020. This article explains what EPFO 3.0 proposes, how the TRS works, how gig workers would be covered, the existing EPFO framework, and the wider social security architecture.
The Centre has announced an interim allocation of ₹95,692.31 crore for the rollout of the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin), or VB-G RAM G, from 1 July 2026. Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal received the highest interim shares, making the issue important for UPSC topics such as welfare schemes, rural employment, decentralised planning, Centre-State fiscal relations and social audit.
India's two flagship decentralised solar schemes — PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana (rooftop solar for households) and PM-KUSUM (solar power for farmers) — are running well below their targets, a gap recently flagged by the Parliamentary Estimates Committee. A key reason is the paradox of free and subsidised power offered by several states, which removes the incentive to install rooftop solar. This article explains both schemes in detail, the latest progress figures and the sharp inter-state disparity, the power-subsidy paradox, and why decentralised solar is central to India's clean energy transition and 500 GW non-fossil target by 2030.
On 23 May 2026, the Union Ministry of Rural Development released draft rules under the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025 (VB-G RAM G), the new law that will replace the two-decade-old MGNREGA from 1 July 2026. This article explains what VB-G RAM G is, how it differs from MGNREGS, the shift from demand-driven to supply-driven employment, normative allocation, the new 60:40 funding pattern, the role of the 16th Finance Commission, the federalism and wage concerns raised, and everything UPSC aspirants need on this major change in India's rural employment policy.
The Centre has delayed the annual wage hike for over 11 crore NREGS workers under MGNREGA for 2026-27 as it prepares to roll out the new Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) or G-RAM-G scheme. This is the first time in more than a decade that the revised wage notification has not been issued in February-March. Previous year’s rates will continue until the new scheme is implemented. This article explains what NREGS is, how wages are notified every year, what the new G-RAM-G scheme changes, why the hike is halted, its impact on rural workers and families, and all basic technical concepts behind the transition.