🔆 Logistics: India’s Growth Engine

📍 Context & Importance
✅ Logistics sector = backbone of trade, supports manufacturing, services, e-commerce.
✅ Employs 22 million+ people; CAGR of 10.7% expected till 2026.
✅ India aims to reduce logistics cost <10% of GDP by 2030 (currently ~13–14%).
✅ World Bank LPI 2023: India ranked 38th (up 6 places from 2018).

📍 Key Government Initiatives
✅ National Logistics Policy (2022): ULIP & LDB for efficiency & transparency.
✅ PM GatiShakti (2021): Integrated multimodal infrastructure with 1,700+ data layers.
✅ Dedicated Freight Corridors: 96% operational (EDFC & WDFC).
✅ Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047: Green ports, hydrogen hubs, shipbuilding push.
✅ Multi-Modal Logistics Parks: 35 approved hubs, 5 ready by 2027.
✅ GST & e-Way Bill: Streamlined goods movement, reduced delays.
✅ Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya: First logistics-focused university in India.
✅ LEADS Report: Assesses state logistics performance.

📍 Sustainability Path
✅ Freight GHG Calculator & Rail Green Points for eco-friendly freight.
✅ Aim: Rail freight share from 35–36% → 45% by 2030.
✅ Digital platforms (ULIP) supporting greener transport choices.

📍 Recent Milestones
✅ Inland Waterways cargo: 145.5 MT (2024–25), 29 operational waterways.
✅ Record 100 crore API transactions on ULIP (Mar 2025).
✅ ₹10 lakh crore investment commitments under Maritime Summit 2023.

📍 Significance
✅ Boosts competitiveness, trade & economic growth.
✅ Creates jobs, supports balanced regional development.
✅ Essential for India’s $5 trillion economy by 2027 & Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.

Possible Prelims MCQs

Q1. Which of the following are features of the National Logistics Policy (2022)?
1. Unified Logistics Interface Platform (ULIP)
2. Logistics Data Bank (LDB)
3. Direct subsidies to exporters
4. Integration with PM GatiShakti

Options:
A. 1, 2 and 4 only
B. 1 and 3 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer: A

Q2. The term “Rail Green P

oints”, recently seen in the news, relates to:
A. Carbon credits issued for renewable energy projects
B. Incentives for passengers choosing green tourism trains
C. Points earned by freight customers showing emission savings
D. Government subsidies for electrified rail corridors

Answer: C


Possib

le Mains Question

Q. Discuss the significance of logistics reforms like the National Logistics Policy and PM GatiShakti Master Plan in enhancing India’s competitiveness. How can these contribute to achieving the $5 trillion economy goal? (250 words)

#Economy #Infrastructure #UPSC #GS3

🔆 Startup Village Entrepreneurship Programme (SVEP)

📍 Launched – 2014
📍 Ministry – Ministry of Rural Development
📍 Type – Centrally Sponsored Scheme

📍 Key Features
✅ Focus on 3 pillars – Finance, Incubation & Skills
✅ Builds CRP-EPs (Community Resource Persons – Enterprise Promotion) to mentor rural entrepreneurs
✅ Establishes Block Resource Centres (BRCs) for enterprise support & resource management


📍 Beneficiaries
✅ Rural poor
✅ Women
✅ SC/ST communities
✅ Artisans


#Governance #RuralDevelopment #SVEP #UPSC
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🔆 National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF)

📍 Launched: 2023-24 (Central Sector Scheme)
📍 Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare

📍 Objective:
✅ Promote chemical-free, low-cost, climate-resilient agriculture
✅ Reduce input costs & improve soil health

📍 Key Features:
✅ Training through Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), ICAR institutes, and State Agriculture Universities
✅ Incentives: ₹15,000/ha for cluster formation & capacity building
✅ Focus on Bhartiya Prakritik Krishi Paddhati (BPKP) — use of Beejamrit, Jivamrit, and mulching
✅ Integration with PM-KUSUM, Soil Health Card, and Organic Farming schemes

📍 Coverage:
✅ States/UTs adopting Natural Farming on cluster basis (minimum 500 ha per cluster)

Prelims Question:
Q. Consider the following statements about the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF):
1. It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme launched in 2018.
2. It promotes Bhartiya Prakritik Krishi Paddhati (BPKP).
3. It provides ₹15,000/ha for cluster formation.
Which of the above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3

Mains Question:
Discuss the significance of the National Mission on Natural Farming in achieving sustainable agriculture and reducing farmers’ dependence on chemical inputs.

#Agriculture #NaturalFarming #SustainableDevelopment
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🔆 Sanchar Mitra Scheme

📍 Why in News?
✅ Department of Telecommunications (DoT) expands Sanchar Mitra Scheme nationwide.

📍 Objective
✅ Promote digital safety, cyber fraud prevention, responsible mobile usage, and EMF radiation awareness through student volunteerism.

📍 Key Features
✅ Volunteers: Named Sanchar Mitras.
✅ Target Group: Students from telecom, electronics, computer science & cybersecurity streams.
✅ Nomination: Via local DoT offices.
✅ Training: By National Communications Academy – Technology (NCA-T) & DoT’s Media Wing.
✅ Focus Areas: 5G, 6G, AI, cybersecurity.
✅ Incentives: Top performers get internships, project work & representation at major events (e.g., India Mobile Congress, ITU conferences).

💠 Prelims MCQ
Q. Which ministry implements the Sanchar Mitra Scheme?
A. Ministry of Electronics & IT
B. Ministry of Communications ✅
C. Ministry of Education
D. Ministry of Home Affairs

💠 Mains Question
Q. Discuss the role of initi

atives like the Sanchar Mitra Scheme in enhancing cyber safety and digital literacy in India. (150 words)

#DigitalIndia #CyberSecurity
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🔆 Shree Anna for Shreshta Bharat – India’s Millet Revolution

📍 Why in News?
✅ India produced 180.15 lakh tonnes of millets in 2024–25 – 4.43 lakh tonnes more than the previous year.
✅ Rajasthan leads in production; Bajra accounts for 60.3% of total output.
✅ Exports: 89,165 tonnes worth $37 million.

📍 Key Government Initiatives
✅ National Food Security Mission – Nutri Cereals: Covers 28 States & 2 UTs; supports seed distribution, demos, farm mechanisation.
✅ MSP boost: Ragi MSP (2025–26) hiked by ₹596/quintal – 2nd highest increase.
✅ PM-FME Scheme: ₹2,000 crore to formalise millet-based micro food units.
✅ PLISMBP: ₹800 crore to promote millet RTE/RTC products (≥15% millet content).
✅ Export Push: APEDA-led promotion, ₹80 crore allocation, dedicated portal, Export Promotion Forum.
✅ R&D: ICAR–IIMR Hyderabad as Global Centre of Excellence on Millets.
✅ Public Distribution: Millets allowed under PM-GKAY & NFSA in place of wheat/rice.

📍 State Innovations
✅ Odisha Millet Mission – Ragi revival, millet cafes, conditional cash transfers.
✅ Chhattisgarh Millet Mission – Tribal inclusion, decentralised processing.
✅ Haryana BBY – Price compensation for Bajra (up to ₹600/qtl).
✅ AP Drought Mitigation Project – FPO-led promotion of minor millets.

📍 Why Millets?
✅ Climate-resilient, require low inputs, adaptable to diverse soils.
✅ Rich in protein, fibre, minerals; low glycaemic index – suitable for diabetics & gluten intolerant.

UPSC Prelims Practice Qs
1. Consider the following pairs:
1. Foxtail millet – Nutri-Cereals under NFSM
2. Ragi – Odisha Millet Mission
3. Bajra – Bhavantar Bharpayee Yojana in Haryana
Which of the above is/are correctly matched?
a) 1 & 2 only
b) 2 & 3 only
c) 1, 2 & 3
d) 1 & 3 only

UPSC Mains Qs
1. Discuss the role of millets in

ensuring cltrong>imate-resilient agriculture and nutritional security in India. Illustrate with recent government schem

es.

💡 Model Skill Loan Scheme – Revamped for Future-Ready Workforce

📅 Launched: 25 July 2024
📍 Ministry: Skill Development & Entrepreneurship + Education

✅ Higher Loan Limit – Increased from ₹1.5 lakh ➡️ ₹7.5 lakh to cover high-end skill courses

✅ Wider Lending Network – Now includes:
• Public & private banks
• Foreign banks (IBA members)
• NBFCs, NBFC-MFIs, Small Finance Banks

✅ Expanded Course Coverage – Not just NSQF-aligned, but also other courses onboarded on Skill India Digital Hub

✅ Govt Guarantee – Loans backed by a government-promoted fund to reduce lending risk

✅ Beneficiaries – ~25,000 students annually

✅ Future-Readiness – Supports skill training in line with emerging tech & job market .


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🔆 PMKSY Gets a Big Push with Additional ₹1,920 Crores
📍 Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY)

✅ Summary (Short & Crisp)
• Launched: Originally as SAMPADA (2017); renamed PMKSY in Aug 2017.
• Aim: Boost income of farmers by modernizing food processing and minimizing post-harvest losses.
• Latest Outlay: ₹6,520 crore for 2021–26; includes ₹1,920 crore additional boost in 2025.
• Impact: 1,601 projects approved; 1,133 completed; benefitted ~50 lakh farmers; created 7.25 lakh man-days of jobs.
• Key Components:
• Mega Food Parks & Agro-Processing Clusters
• Integrated Cold Chains
• Food Testing Labs (100 NABL labs underway)
• Food Irradiation Units (50 new units planned)
• Operation Greens (TOP → TOTAL expansion to 22 perishables)
• Sector Contribution (2023–24):
• 1.39% to overall GVA
• 9.46% of Agriculture GVA
• 7.93% of Manufacturing GVA

📝 Prelims Questions
1. Which of the following is not a component of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY)?
a) Mega Food Parks
b) Operation Greens
c) National Livestock Mission
d) Food Safety and Quality Assurance Infrastructure
✅ Answer: c) National Livestock Mission
2. Under PMKSY’s Operation Greens, the term “TOTAL” refers to:
a) Only Tomato, Onion, and Potato
b) All horticultural crops
c) All notified fruits and vegetables
d) Marine and dairy products
✅ Answer: c) All notified fruits and vegetables
3. What is the objective of Multi-Product Food Irradiation Units under PMKSY?
a) Increase shelf life of marine produce
b) Improve quality of bio-fertilizers
c) Enhance export potential of textiles
d) None of the above
✅ Answer: a) Increase shelf life of marine produce

✍️ Mains Questions
1. Q. Discuss how the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY) c

ontributes to doubling farmers’ income and reducing post-harvest losses.
2. Q. Highlight the role of PMKSY in creating rural employment and strengthening the farm-to-market supply chain.
3. Q. What are the major challenges in the food processing sector in India? How does PMKSY address them?



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