Daily filter — 17 March 2026
12 exam-worthy stories from the day's PIB releases · interactive view
🌱 Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
Cabinet Approves 'Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses'
The Union Cabinet has approved a new scheme to boost domestic pulse production and achieve self-sufficiency by 2030-31.
- The centrally sponsored scheme was approved on 1st October, 2025.
- It has a financial outlay of ₹11,440 Crore over six years till 2030-31.
- Targets include 1000 processing units and 87.5 lakh seed kits over the mission period.
- The mission will expand pulse cultivation area by 35 lakh hectares by 2030–31.
- A total of 489 districts have been identified as focus districts for clusters.
💡 The 'Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses' aims for self-sufficiency by 2030-31 with ₹11,440 Crore.
Source: Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare · PIB PRID 2241411
👨🌾 Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
**VB-GRAM Act 2025**: Enhanced Rural Employment Guarantee
The new **Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) VB-G RAM G Act, 2025** aims to boost rural employment and livelihoods.
- Guarantees 125 days of wage employment for rural households per financial year.
- Provides 25 days of statutory employment outside the 60-day peak agricultural season.
- ₹95,692.31 crore central allocation for FY 2026–27, a record.
- Funding pattern is 90:10 for North-Eastern/Himalayan states and 60:40 for others.
💡 Remember VB-G RAM G Act 2025 guarantees 125 days of work with a 90:10 or 60:40 funding split.
Source: Ministry of Rural Development · PIB PRID 2241357
💳 Economy · LAW track
Government and RBI Combat Fraudulent Digital Lending Apps
Government and RBI have strengthened measures to protect consumers from exploitation by unauthorized mobile loan apps.
- RBI operationalized a 'Digital Lending Apps (DLAs)' directory on its website from 01.07.2025.
- MeitY issues directions under Section 69A of IT Act, 2000 to block fraudulent apps.
- MHA launched National Cybercrime Reporting Portal and Helpline '1930' for cyber incidents.
- RBI issues regulatory guidelines based on Working Group on Digital Lending recommendations.
💡 For the exam: Remember RBI's DLA directory (2025), MeitY's IT Act 69A, and MHA's cybercrime portal/1930 are key tools against loan app fraud.
Source: Ministry of Finance · PIB PRID 2241255
🎣 Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
PM Matsya Sampada Yojana Boosts India's Fisheries Sector
The **Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)**, a flagship scheme, has significantly increased India's fish production and supported fisher livelihoods.
- India's fish production reached 183.93 lakh tonnes in FY 2023-24.
- PMMSY, launched in FY 2020-21, has an outlay of ₹20,750 crore.
- Insurance coverage under PMMSY for fishers includes ₹5,00,000 for accidental death.
- Kisan Credit Cards (KCC) have been sanctioned to 5,01,900 fishers with ₹3,692.73 crore disbursed.
💡 Remember PMMSY for fish production (183.93 lakh tonnes), ₹20,750 crore outlay, ₹5 lakh insurance, and 5 lakh KCCs.
Source: Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying · PIB PRID 2241147
🏥 Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
AB-PMJAY and ABDM Show Significant Progress
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare released an update on the progress of Ayushman Bharat schemes.
- AB-PMJAY has created 43.52 crore Ayushman cards as of 28.02.2026.
- 36,229 hospitals, including 19,483 public, are empanelled under AB-PMJAY.
- The scheme covers 1,961 procedures across 27 medical specialties.
- ABDM created over 86 crore Ayushman Bharat Health Accounts (ABHA) by 11.03.2026.
- Over 90 crore health records are linked to patients' ABHA.
- More than 2.5 lakh facilities use ABDM-enabled software.
💡 For the exam: Remember the total Ayushman cards (43.52 crore), empanelled hospitals (36,229), and ABHA accounts (86 crore) as key progress indicators.
Source: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare · PIB PRID 2241085
💉 Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
National HPV Vaccination Programme Targets 1.2 Crore Girls
India launched a nationwide free HPV vaccination campaign on February 28, 2026, for eligible girls aged 14.
- The campaign targets 1.2 crore eligible girls aged 14 years.
- It covers all 36 States and Union Territories.
- The Gardasil-4 vaccine is administered free at government health facilities.
- Vaccination is voluntary and requires parental consent.
- The campaign duration is three months.
💡 The National HPV Vaccination Programme launched on Feb 28, 2026, for 1.2 crore 14-year-old girls uses Gardasil-4 vaccine, free and voluntary.
Source: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare · PIB PRID 2241079
🚌 Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
Electric Vehicle Promotion Schemes: FAME-II and PM E-DRIVE
Government schemes like FAME-II and PM E-DRIVE provide incentives for purchasing electric vehicles and deploying e-buses.
- FAME-II Scheme has incentivized 16,16,215 EVs and sanctioned 6,862 e-buses.
- PM E-DRIVE Scheme incentivized 18,01,307 EVs by 12.03.2026.
- PM E-DRIVE allocated 13,800 e-buses for nine cities with 4 million+ population.
- Allocation of ₹2,000 crore under PM E-DRIVE supports EV Public Charging Stations.
- The PLI Auto Scheme has 71 approved applicants with ₹39,081 crore investment by 31.12.2025.
💡 Remember: FAME-II and PM E-DRIVE focus on EV purchase incentives and e-bus deployment across India, with specific numbers for vehicles and charging infrastructure.
Source: Ministry of Heavy Industries · PIB PRID 2241269
🚌 Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
PM-eBus Sewa Scheme Progress: 19 States Adopt, 23,800 Buses Sanctioned
The **PM-eBus Sewa Payment Security Mechanism Scheme** sees significant progress since its notification on 28.10.2024, with widespread state adoption and bus sanctions.
- The PM-eBus Sewa–PSM Scheme was notified on 28.10.2024.
- As of 12.03.2026, 19 States/UTs submitted Direct Debit Mandates to RBI.
- As of 28.02.2026, tenders for 6,228 buses concluded under PM-eBus Sewa Scheme.
- Tenders for 10,900 buses concluded under PM E-DRIVE scheme.
- Total 23,800 buses sanctioned across both schemes (PM-eBus Sewa and PM E-DRIVE).
- Rs. 500 crore disbursed to CESL in FY 2025-26 to set up the PSM Fund.
- The scheme provides payment security coverage for up to 12 years per bus.
- States have a 90-day window to repay disbursed amounts with Late Payment Surcharge.
💡 Remember: PM-eBus Sewa for bus deployment, PM E-DRIVE for infrastructure, both aim to electrify public transport, with RBI and CESL playing key roles in financial security.
Source: Ministry of Heavy Industries · PIB PRID 2241267
🚌 Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
PM-eBus Sewa: Progress on Payment Security Mechanism Scheme
The **PM-eBus Sewa–Payment Security Mechanism (PSM) Scheme**, notified on **28.10.2024**, ensures timely payments for electric bus operations.
- CESL is the Central Implementing Agency, managing the Payment Security Fund.
- 19 States/UTs submitted Direct Debit Mandates (DDM) to RBI by 12.03.2026.
- Rs. 500 crore disbursed to CESL in FY 2025-26 for the PSM Fund.
- Payment security coverage lasts up to 12 years per bus deployed.
- Tenders for 6,228 buses concluded under PM-eBus Sewa Scheme by 28.02.2026.
💡 For the exam: PM-eBus Sewa PSM Scheme ensures operator payments via CESL and RBI through a 12-year payment security fund.
Source: Ministry of Heavy Industries · PIB PRID 2241264
🚌 Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
PM E-Bus Schemes: Progress and Payment Security
Two government schemes aim to deploy electric buses across India, with a robust payment security mechanism to deter defaults.
- A total of 23,800 electric buses have been sanctioned under PM E-DRIVE and PM-eBus Sewa Schemes.
- As on March 12, 2026, 123 cities across 27 States/UTs have adopted the schemes.
- The Payment Security Mechanism requires PTAs to repay within 90 days or face penalties.
- A Late Payment Surcharge accrues at SBI's 3-year MCLR + 1% per annum for delayed payments.
- If PTAs default, MHI can request RBI to invoke a Direct Debit Mandate on State/UT accounts.
💡 Remember: 23,800 buses, 123 cities, 90-day repayment with MCLR+1% LPS, and RBI's Direct Debit Mandate for defaults.
Source: Ministry of Heavy Industries · PIB PRID 2241262
🛡️ Defence & Security · UPSC track
Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) Bolsters Cyber Security Efforts
The **Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C)** strengthens India's capability to prevent and investigate cybercrimes nationwide.
- I4C was established in 2018 under MHA to tackle cybercrime.
- It became an Attached Office of MHA from July 1, 2024.
- The CFCFRMS helpline 1930 helps report financial frauds.
- More than Rs. 8,690 Crore saved in over 24.65 lakh complaints by Jan 31, 2026.
- A Suspect Registry launched on September 10, 2024, with banks.
- Samanvaya Platform is an MIS for LEA cybercrime data sharing and analytics.
- An e-FIR system for cybercrime is implemented in 6 states/UTs.
💡 I4C (2018, MHA attached July 2024) uses CFCFRMS (1930), Suspect Registry, Samanvaya, and e-FIRs to combat cybercrime.
Source: Ministry of Home Affairs · PIB PRID 2241344
🔒 Defence & Security · LAW track
India's Cybercrime Fight: Trends and Forensic Infrastructure Boost
India is strengthening its cybercrime investigation capabilities with new forensic labs and increased financial aid to states and UTs.
- In 2023, 86,420 cybercrime cases were registered nationwide, up from 52,974 in 2021.
- The National-Digital Investigation Support Centre was set up in New Delhi on 18.02.2019 and in Assam on 29.08.2025.
- A total of 07 Central and 27 State Forensic Science Laboratories assist in cybercrime investigations.
- Financial aid of ₹116.5 Crores has been given for cyber forensic-cum-training labs in 33 States/UTs.
- The Nirbhaya-funded scheme aids 20 States/UTs in strengthening cyber forensic capacities.
💡 Remember the rise in cybercrime cases (86,420 in 2023) and the two key national cyber forensic centers for India's exam.
Source: Ministry of Home Affairs · PIB PRID 2241339