National Current Events — Study Notes
Overview
National Current Events form a critical component of the General Awareness section in HSSC CET. This topic tests your awareness of major government schemes, policies, national events, and recent developments within India. Questions typically cover flagship schemes launched by the Central and State governments, important national appointments, policy changes, and significant events from the past 6–12 months.
For Haryana-based exams, expect a blend of pan-India current affairs and Haryana-specific developments. Scoring well requires regular newspaper reading and understanding the purpose, features, and beneficiaries of major schemes rather than just memorizing names. This section carries moderate weightage but offers easy marks to well-prepared candidates.
Key Concepts
- Flagship Government Schemes: Large-scale Central schemes addressing poverty, health, education, housing, and financial inclusion — these form the bulk of questions.
- Ministries and Nodal Agencies: Each major scheme has a specific ministry or implementing body; knowing this linkage helps answer application-based questions.
- Target Beneficiaries: Schemes are designed for specific groups — BPL families, women, farmers, MSMEs, senior citizens — understanding this helps eliminate wrong options.
- Launch Year and Amendments: Original launch dates and significant modifications or extensions to schemes are frequently tested.
- Budget Allocations: Major schemes with increased budgetary allocations or newly launched schemes in the Union Budget deserve special attention.
- Digital India Initiatives: Apps, portals, and digital platforms launched for governance (UMANG, DigiLocker, GeM) are increasingly tested.
- Constitutional Amendments and Policy Changes: Recent amendments affecting governance, elections, or citizen rights appear as questions.
Key Facts
Major Central Government Schemes (Must Remember)
| Scheme | Year | Ministry | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM Awas Yojana (PMAY) | 2015 | Housing and Urban Affairs | Housing for All — Urban and Rural components |
| Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY) | 2018 | Health | Rs 5 lakh health cover per family per year |
| PM Kisan Samman Nidhi | 2019 | Agriculture | Rs 6,000 per year to farmer families in 3 instalments |
| Swachh Bharat Mission | 2014 | Jal Shakti | Open Defecation Free (ODF) India |
| Jal Jeevan Mission | 2019 | Jal Shakti | Functional tap water to every rural household by 2024 |
| PM Ujjwala Yojana | 2016 | Petroleum | Free LPG connections to BPL women |
| Stand-Up India | 2016 | Finance | Loans Rs 10 lakh to 1 crore for SC/ST/Women entrepreneurs |
| Startup India | 2016 | Commerce | Support ecosystem for startups — tax benefits, funding |
| Digital India | 2015 | Electronics and IT | e-Governance and digital infrastructure |
| Make in India | 2014 | Commerce | Manufacturing boost — 25 sectors identified |
Recent Schemes and Initiatives (2023–2024)
- PM Vishwakarma Yojana (2023): Support for traditional artisans and craftspeople — collateral-free loans up to Rs 3 lakh
- PM SVANIDHI: Micro-credit for street vendors — loans up to Rs 50,000
- Amrit Bharat Station Scheme: Modernization of 1,309 railway stations
- Lakhpati Didi Scheme: Aim to create 2 crore women as "Lakhpati Didis" through SHGs
- Vibrant Villages Programme: Development of border villages for security and livelihood
- PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana (2024): Free electricity through rooftop solar for 1 crore households
Important National Events and Milestones
- G20 Summit 2023: India held G20 Presidency (December 2022 – November 2023); New Delhi Declaration adopted
- Chandrayaan-3 (August 2023): Successful soft landing on Moon's south pole — India became 4th country to land on Moon
- Aditya-L1 (September 2023): India's first solar mission — positioned at Lagrange Point 1
- Women's Reservation Bill (2023): 106th Constitutional Amendment — 33% reservation for women in Lok Sabha and State Assemblies
- Bharat name usage: Official communications increasingly use "Bharat" alongside India
- 5G Rollout: Launched October 2022; expanded coverage throughout 2023–24
Key Portals and Digital Platforms
- UMANG App: Unified platform for multiple government services
- DigiLocker: Cloud-based document storage
- GeM (Government e-Marketplace): Procurement portal for government departments
- PM Gati Shakti: National Master Plan for multi-modal connectivity
- e-Shram Portal: Database of unorganized sector workers
Common Mistakes
- Confusing similar scheme names → PM Awas Yojana has separate Urban (PMAY-U) and Rural (PMAY-G) components with different implementing ministries. Read the question carefully for urban/rural specification.
- Mixing up financial amounts → PM Kisan gives Rs 6,000/year (not Rs 5,000). Ayushman Bharat gives Rs 5 lakh health cover (not Rs 3 lakh). Memorize exact figures.
- Wrong ministry attribution → Swachh Bharat was initially under Ministry of Urban Development but later moved to Jal Shakti. Always check current ministry assignments.
- Ignoring scheme modifications → Many schemes get renamed, merged, or have eligibility criteria changed. MGNREGA continues but older schemes may be discontinued — know current status.
- Overlooking launch years → Digital India (2015) and Make in India (2014) were launched in different years despite both being Modi government initiatives. Don't assume simultaneous launches.
Quick Reference
- Ayushman Bharat = Rs 5 lakh health cover for 10.74 crore poor families
- PM Kisan = Rs 6,000/year in 3 instalments of Rs 2,000 each
- G20 2023 theme: "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" — One Earth, One Family, One Future
- Chandrayaan-3 landing date: 23 August 2023 at Moon's south pole
- Women's Reservation: 33% in Lok Sabha and State Assemblies (to be effective after delimitation)
- Jal Jeevan Mission target: Functional household tap connection (FHTC) to all rural homes