1. India-Vietnam BrahMos Missile Export Deal

Historic defence export deal marking India's first supersonic cruise missile sale to a foreign nation, strengthening strategic partnership with Vietnam.

Why in News

India finalized a BrahMos missile export contract with Vietnam in 2026, marking a significant milestone in India's defence manufacturing and export capabilities under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

Key Facts

• First Export: Vietnam becomes the first international customer for India's BrahMos supersonic cruise missile (UPSC Mains Usage: Defence diplomacy under GS2 - International Relations)
• Missile Type: BrahMos — world's fastest operational supersonic cruise missile with speed of Mach 2.8-3.0
• Joint Venture: Developed by BrahMos Aerospace, a joint venture between India's DRDO and Russia's NPO Mashinostroyeniya
• Range: Export variant configured with 290 km range (compliant with Missile Technology Control Regime/MTCR norms)
• Strategic Significance: Strengthens India-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership established in 2016
• Regional Context: Enhances Vietnam's maritime defence capabilities in South China Sea amid territorial disputes
• Export Push: Part of India's goal to achieve ₹35,000 crore defence exports by 2025 (UPSC Mains Usage: Make in India under GS3 - Economy)
• Technology: Uses ramjet propulsion, capable of being launched from land, sea, and air platforms

Quick Revision Box

Term	Detail
Missile Name	BrahMos (Brahmaputra + Moskva rivers)
Speed	Mach 2.8-3.0 (supersonic)
First Customer	Vietnam (2026 contract)
Export Range	290 km (MTCR-compliant)
Joint Venture	DRDO (India) + NPO Mashinostroyeniya (Russia)
Launch Platforms	Land, sea, air (tri-service capability)

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2. National Family Health Survey-6 (NFHS-6) 2023-24

India's largest household health survey revealing critical data on maternal health, child nutrition, immunization, and women's empowerment — a cornerstone for evidence-based health policymaking.

Why in News

The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) released NFHS-6 data for 2023-24, showing that 90.6% of births in India now occur in healthcare facilities, marking a significant milestone in maternal and child healthcare.

Key Facts

• NFHS-6 surveyed 79 lakh households across 715 districts (excluding Manipur) during 2023-24.
• Total Fertility Rate (TFR) stands at 0, below the replacement level of 2.1, signaling population stabilization.
• Institutional deliveries increased from 6% (NFHS-5) to 90.6% (NFHS-6).
• Full vaccination coverage among children (12-23 months) rose from 8% to 87.1%.
• Stunting among under-five children dropped from 5% to 29.3%.
• Women using internet nearly doubled from 3% to 64.3%.
• Nodal agency: International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS), Mumbai.
• First survey: Launched in 1992-93; NFHS-6 is the sixth round.

Quick Revision Box

Term	Detail
NFHS-6 Period	2023-24
Nodal Agency	IIPS, Mumbai
Total Fertility Rate	2.0 (below replacement level 2.1)
Institutional Deliveries	90.6% (up from 88.6%)
Child Stunting	29.3% (down from 35.5%)
Full Vaccination Coverage	87.1% (children 12-23 months)

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3. Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY)

Flagship conditional cash transfer scheme promoting institutional deliveries and reducing maternal and neonatal mortality — a critical intervention for safe motherhood.

Why in News

NFHS-6 data attributes the rise in institutional deliveries to 90.6% partly to the success of schemes like Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY), which incentivizes facility-based childbirth.

Key Facts

• JSY is a conditional cash transfer scheme under the National Health Mission (NHM).
• Launched: 12 April 2005 by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
• Objective: Reduce maternal and neonatal mortality by promoting institutional deliveries.
• Target beneficiaries: Pregnant women, especially from Below Poverty Line (BPL)
• Cash assistance: Varies by state category — ₹1,400 in Low Performing States (LPS), ₹700 in High Performing States (HPS) for rural areas. (UPSC Mains Usage: JSY directly links to SDG 3.1 — reducing maternal mortality ratio to <70 per 100,000 live births.)
• Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers receive performance-based incentives for facilitating deliveries.
• NFHS-6: 6% institutional deliveries achieved, up from 88.6% in NFHS-5.

Quick Revision Box

Term	Detail
Launch Year	2005
Parent Programme	National Health Mission (NHM)
Cash Incentive (LPS Rural)	₹1,400
Key Facilitator	ASHA workers
Target SDG	SDG 3.1 (Maternal Mortality Reduction)
NFHS-6 Institutional Delivery	90.6%

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4. Anaemia Mukt Bharat (AMB) Strategy

National multi-sectoral initiative targeting anaemia reduction across all age groups through supplementation, fortification, and behaviour change — a critical nutrition intervention.

Why in News

NFHS-6 shows Iron Folic Acid (IFA) supplementation for 100+ days during pregnancy rose to 54.9% (from 44.1%), reflecting the impact of the Anaemia Mukt Bharat strategy.

Key Facts

• Launched: 2018 by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare under POSHAN Abhiyaan.
• Objective: Reduce anaemia prevalence by 3 percentage points per year among children, adolescents, and women of reproductive age.
• Target groups: Children (6-59 months), adolescents (10-19 years), pregnant and lactating women.
• Six-fold strategy: (1) Prophylactic IFA supplementation, (2) Food fortification, (3) Deworming, (4) Intensified year-round Behaviour Change Communication (BCC), (5) Testing, and (6) Mandatory provision of IFA at public health facilities. (UPSC Mains Usage: Links to SDG 2.2 — ending all forms of malnutrition, including anaemia; GS2 Nutrition Policy.)
• NFHS-6: 9% of mothers consumed IFA for 100+ days; 37.8% for 180+ days (up from 26.0%).
• Weekly Iron Folic Acid Supplementation (WIFS): Targets adolescent girls through schools and Anganwadi centers.

Quick Revision Box

Term	Detail
Launch Year	2018
Parent Programme	POSHAN Abhiyaan
Target Reduction	3% per year
IFA 100+ Days (NFHS-6)	54.9% (up from 44.1%)
IFA 180+ Days (NFHS-6)	37.8% (up from 26.0%)
Adolescent Programme	WIFS (Weekly IFA Supplementation)

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5. Operation Sheruwali — Counter-Terrorism Mission in J&K

Major counter-terrorism operation conducted by Indian security forces in Jammu & Kashmir targeting militant networks.

Why in News

Current affairs handout dated 01 June 2026 highlights Operation Sheruwali as a significant counter-terrorism mission undertaken by Indian forces in Jammu & Kashmir.

Key Facts

• Location: Conducted in Jammu & Kashmir, India's northernmost Union Territory
• Operational Focus: Targeted elimination of militant networks and terror infrastructure
• Security Forces Involved: Joint operations by Indian Army, Jammu & Kashmir Police, and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs)
• Strategic Significance: Part of India's enhanced counter-terrorism posture in the region (UPSC Mains Usage: Links to internal security challenges under GS3 - Security)
• Codename Origin: Named after the tiger (शेर/sher in Hindi), symbolizing strength and tactical precision
• Regional Context: Follows post-Article 370 abrogation security architecture in J&K (UPSC Mains Usage: Constitutional dimension under GS2 - Polity)
• Operational Outcome: Successfully neutralized terror threats and dismantled logistical support networks

Quick Revision Box

Term	Detail
Operation Name	Sheruwali (शेरुवाली)
Location	Jammu & Kashmir Union Territory
Objective	Counter-terrorism and militant neutralization
Forces Deployed	Army, J&K Police, CAPFs
Strategic Context	Post-Article 370 security framework

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6. Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission — 90 Crore ABHA Accounts

National digital health ecosystem creating unique health IDs for citizens, enabling seamless medical record access and interoperability.

Why in News

The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission crossed a historic milestone of 90 crore ABHA (Ayushman Bharat Health Account) registrations, significantly strengthening India's digital health infrastructure in 2026.

Key Facts

• Launched: September 2021 by the National Health Authority (NHA) under Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
• ABHA Number: 14-digit unique health identifier linking all medical records, prescriptions, and diagnostic reports (UPSC Mains Usage: Digital governance initiative under GS2 - E-Governance)
• Milestone: 90 crore ABHA accounts created, making it one of the world's largest digital health registries
• Coverage: Represents approximately 64% of India's 4 billion population
• Key Components: ABHA Number, Health Facility Registry (HFR), Healthcare Professionals Registry (HPR), and Personal Health Records (PHR) applications
• Interoperability: Enables seamless health data exchange across public and private healthcare providers (UPSC Mains Usage: Links to National Digital Health Ecosystem under GS3 - Science & Technology)
• Privacy Protection: Built on consent-based data sharing framework aligned with Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023
• Integration: Connected with Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY, CoWIN, e-Sanjeevani telemedicine, and other health platforms

Quick Revision Box

Term	Detail
ABHA Number	14-digit unique health identifier for every citizen
Launch Year	September 2021 by National Health Authority
Current Milestone	90 crore accounts (64% population coverage)
Nodal Ministry	Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Key Registries	HFR (Facilities), HPR (Professionals), PHR (Records)
Data Framework	Consent-based sharing under DPDP Act 2023

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7. Northwestern Dust Storms and Aravalli Degradation

Severe dust storms in northwestern India intensified by degradation of the Aravalli mountain range, which historically acted as a natural windbreak.

Why in News

Recent analysis linked intensifying northwestern dust storms to accelerated Aravalli range degradation, highlighting the ecological consequences of deforestation and mining in this critical geographical barrier.

Key Facts

• Aravalli Range: India's oldest fold mountain system (approximately 8 billion years old), stretching 692 km from Gujarat to Delhi (UPSC Mains Usage: Physical geography anchor under GS1 - Indian Geography)
• Ecological Function: Acts as natural barrier preventing Thar Desert expansion eastward into the fertile Indo-Gangetic Plains
• States Covered: Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Delhi
• Peak Elevation: Mount Abu at 1,722 meters in Rajasthan
• Degradation Factors: Illegal mining, quarrying, deforestation, and urban encroachment reduced forest cover by over 30% in past decades
• Dust Storm Intensity: Frequency and severity of dust storms in Delhi-NCR, Rajasthan, and Haryana increased by 40% compared to pre-2000 levels
• Health Impact: PM10 and PM2.5 particulate matter levels spike during dust storms, causing respiratory emergencies (UPSC Mains Usage: Environmental health linkage under GS3 - Environment)
• Conservation Efforts: Supreme Court directives for Aravalli protection; Aravalli Green Wall Project under consideration

Quick Revision Box

Term	Detail
Age of Aravalli	1.8 billion years (oldest fold mountains in India)
Length	692 km (Gujarat to Delhi)
Highest Peak	Mount Abu (1,722 m) in Rajasthan
Ecological Role	Natural barrier preventing Thar Desert expansion
States Covered	Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, Delhi
Forest Loss	Over 30% reduction due to mining and encroachment

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8. CBSE On-Screen Marking System — Digital Evaluation

Digitized examination evaluation system where answer scripts are scanned and evaluated electronically by examiners on computer screens.

Why in News

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) expanded its On-Screen Marking (OSM) system across all major examinations in 2026, marking a significant shift from traditional paper-based evaluation to digital assessment.

Key Facts

• Launch: Initially piloted in 2018, full-scale implementation completed by 2026
• Coverage: Applied to Class 10 and Class 12 board examinations across all subjects
• Process: Answer scripts physically scanned at designated centers; evaluators assess digitally from remote locations
• Nodal Body: Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) under Ministry of Education (UPSC Mains Usage: Educational reform under GS2 - Governance)
• Dual Evaluation: System enables two independent evaluators to assess same answer script; third evaluator assigned if marks differ beyond threshold
• Transparency Feature: Allows moderation and third evaluation without physical script handling
• Data Security: Encrypted digital storage with audit trails tracking every evaluation action
• Benefits: Reduced evaluation time by 30%, eliminated script tampering risks, ensured geographical diversity in evaluator selection

Quick Revision Box

Term	Detail
Full Form	On-Screen Marking (OSM)
Implementing Body	Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)
Pilot Launch	2018; Full implementation by 2026
Coverage	Class 10 & 12 board examinations
Key Feature	Dual independent evaluation with digital moderation
Time Efficiency	30% reduction in evaluation turnaround time

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9. PM SVANidhi Scheme: Transforming Urban Street Vendor Economy Through Financial Inclusion

Introduction

India's urban informal economy, particularly street vending, employs an estimated 10 million vendors who contribute significantly to urban life while remaining financially excluded. The Prime Minister Street Vendor's AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) scheme, launched in June 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, represents a paradigm shift in recognizing and empowering this vital yet vulnerable sector through collateral-free credit, digital onboarding, and social security convergence.

Background

Constitutional and Legal Framework

The Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014 provided legal recognition to street vendors, mandating vending zones and vendor registration. However, financial exclusion persisted due to lack of formal credit access, collateral requirements, and documentation gaps.

COVID-19 Disruption

The pandemic severely impacted urban informal workers, with street vendors losing livelihoods due to lockdowns. PM SVANidhi emerged as an emergency relief mechanism addressing immediate capital needs while building long-term institutional support for vendor formalization and financial inclusion—aligning with the broader Atmanirbhar Bharat vision.

Scheme Architecture

Administered jointly by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) and Department of Financial Services (DFS), the scheme offers three progressive loan tranches (₹10,000, ₹20,000, ₹50,000) without collateral, enabling vendors to rebuild working capital while incentivizing timely repayment through 7% annual interest subsidy directly credited to beneficiary accounts.

Recent Development

As the scheme completed six years in June 2026, its achievements demonstrate scalable impact:

• Over 75.5 lakh unique vendors accessed credit across 12 crore loan sanctions
• Total disbursement exceeding ₹17,800 crore directly into informal markets
• 55 lakh vendors digitally onboarded, conducting 841 crore digital transactions worth ₹8.96 lakh crore
• Gender-inclusive outreach: 46% beneficiaries are women (34.81 lakh individuals); 70% belong to SC/ST/OBC categories

The SVANidhi se Samriddhi (SSS) component profiled 50 lakh families, linking them to eight Central welfare schemes, sanctioning 1.52 crore benefits—demonstrating effective inter-ministerial convergence.

Significance

Financial Inclusion and Formalization

PM SVANidhi addresses the missing middle in financial inclusion—vendors excluded from formal banking despite economic contribution. By creating credit histories through timely repayments, vendors graduate from informal credit (with exploitative interest rates) to institutional finance, with second-tranche repayers eligible for RuPay Credit Cards (₹30,000 limit)—enhancing creditworthiness.

Digital Economic Integration

The scheme's digital onboarding catalyzes urban informal economy's integration into the digital payments ecosystem. Annual cashback of ₹1,600 for digital transactions incentivizes UPI adoption, generating transaction data that enables future credit scoring and financial product access—critical for data-driven inclusive finance.

Social Justice and Inclusive Growth

With 46% women beneficiaries and 70% from marginalized communities, the scheme operationalizes substantive equality principles. Women vendors gain economic agency beyond household roles, while caste-based economic marginalization diminishes through formal credit access—aligning with SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) and SDG 8 (Decent Work).

Urban Livelihood Security

By stabilizing vendor livelihoods, the scheme strengthens urban resilience. Street vendors provide affordable goods and services to low-income neighborhoods while maintaining cultural diversity in urban commerce—contributing to SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities).

Challenges

Coverage Gaps

Despite 75.5 lakh beneficiaries, an estimated 4-5 million eligible vendors remain unreached due to incomplete municipal surveys mandated under the 2014 Act. Migrant vendors lacking local documentation face exclusion despite contributing significantly to urban economies.

Digital Divide

While 55 lakh vendors are digitally onboarded, older vendors and those in Tier-2/3 cities face digital literacy constraints. Infrastructure gaps—poor internet connectivity, smartphone unavailability—limit digital transaction adoption, reducing cashback incentive effectiveness.

Loan Utilization and Repayment

Informal income volatility, seasonal business fluctuations, and inadequate financial literacy affect repayment rates. Some vendors divert working capital loans to consumption needs due to economic stress, hindering graduation to higher loan tranches.

Welfare Convergence Implementation

Despite SSS framework linking eight schemes, ground-level convergence suffers from inter-departmental coordination gaps, incomplete vendor profiling, and lack of proactive benefit delivery—limiting holistic livelihood security.

Sustainability Concerns

The scheme's long-term fiscal sustainability requires balancing interest subsidies with broader financial sector viability. As loan sizes increase to ₹50,000, credit risk management becomes critical for lending institutions.

Way Forward

Expand Coverage Through Technology

Leverage Aadhaar-based authentication and mobile-based self-registration portals to include migrant and unregistered vendors. Deploy AI-driven outreach identifying potential beneficiaries through geospatial mapping of vending zones.

Strengthen Digital Literacy and Infrastructure

Integrate financial and digital literacy modules within the scheme through partnerships with NGOs and CSR initiatives. Establish vendor resource centers in municipal markets providing smartphone access, digital payment training, and technology support.

Enhance Credit Plus Services

Beyond credit, provide business development services—inventory management training, bulk procurement linkages, market access platforms—transforming vendors into micro-entrepreneurs. Link top-performing vendors to MUDRA Yojana for business expansion.

Improve Welfare Convergence

Establish single-window systems for welfare scheme access, using Common Service Centers and municipal offices. Create vendor-centric welfare dashboards tracking entitlements, with proactive notifications and assisted application support.

Institutionalize Vendor Organizations

Support formation of vendor cooperatives and self-help groups enabling collective bargaining, bulk procurement, and peer monitoring of loan utilization. Strengthen Town Vending Committees under the 2014 Act for participatory governance.

Build Robust Data Systems

Create comprehensive vendor databases integrating identity, credit history, business performance, and welfare linkages—enabling predictive analytics for targeted interventions and credit risk management while protecting vendor privacy.

Conclusion

PM SVANidhi represents a transformative approach to urban informal economy governance—moving from regulation to enablement, from exclusion to inclusion. By combining collateral-free credit, digital integration, and welfare convergence, it demonstrates how targeted interventions can empower marginalized communities while strengthening urban economic resilience. As India urbanizes rapidly, scaling such inclusive financial architectures becomes imperative for achieving equitable, sustainable urban development aligned with constitutional values of social justice and economic democracy.

Mains Practice Question

Q. The PM SVANidhi scheme addresses the financial exclusion of urban street vendors through collateral-free credit and digital integration. Critically examine the scheme's contribution to inclusive urban development while analyzing the challenges in its implementation. Suggest measures to enhance its effectiveness in achieving economic empowerment of marginalized urban workers. (250 words, 15 marks)

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