GS Paper II · Social Justice
Welfare Schemes Current Affairs for UPSC (GS Paper II)
From the syllabus: Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections and their performance; laws and bodies for their protection; social sector services relating to health, education, human resources; poverty and hunger
Why it matters: Questions analyze beneficiary targeting efficiency, leakages, and the socio-economic impact of social security programs on vulnerable populations.
In the news
October 2026
05 Oct 2026Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh Launches Amarajeevi Jaladhara Drinking Water SchemeChief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan have launched the Amarajeevi Jaladhara scheme under Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 at Proddatur. With an outlay of 30,156 crore rupees, the initiative aims to provide...
04 Oct 2026Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh Initiates PMAY-G Phase with 3D-Printed Wall PilotChief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan laid the foundation for three lakh houses under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana - Gramin in Andhra Pradesh. The state aims to complete nine lakh houses by 2029,...
03 Oct 2026Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh ranks second in PM Kaushal Vikas YojanaAndhra Pradesh has secured the second rank nationally in the implementation of the PM Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) for skill development. The state achieved this milestone by training over thousands of youth through customized,...
September 2026
28 Sep 2026
Delays in Remuneration at SAKHI One Stop Centres Highlight Implementation GapsOperational delays in disbursing salaries to staff at SAKHI One Stop Centres have highlighted administrative bottlenecks in the centrally sponsored scheme funded under the Nirbhaya Fund. SAKHI centres provide integrated support,...
21 Sep 2026
EPFO Revision to Expand Social Security NetThe government is considering a revision to the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) wage ceiling to expand social security coverage for formal sector workers. Raising the threshold will allow more employees to qualify for...
19 Sep 2026
Dedicated Child Help Desks in Bihar Police StationsBihar will establish dedicated Child Help Desks in every police station across the state starting October 2. The scheme aims to address the rising rate of crimes against children and provide a secure, sensitive environment for minors to...
19 Sep 2026
Proposed Reforms to the EPFO Wage CeilingDiscussions around revising the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) wage ceiling aim to enhance social security benefits for the formal workforce. Proponents argue that raising the minimum PF pension will offer a vital safety...
15 Sep 2026
Evaluating evidence gaps and outcomes in unconditional cash transfer schemesPolicy experts have highlighted a growing evidence gap in welfare governance, noting that governments frequently launch direct benefit transfer schemes without publishing outcome monitoring models. While cash transfers are framed around...
14 Sep 2026
Experts Highlight Evidence Gap in Public Cash Transfer PoliciesEconomic policy analysts have drawn attention to an evidence gap in cash transfer schemes, noting that governments frequently promote such programs without publishing empirical frameworks linking spending to long-term outcomes. While...
10 Sep 2026
Government to Launch PM-KUSUM 2.0 to Promote AgrivoltaicsThe Union Government is expected to announce the PM-KUSUM 2.0 scheme soon, incorporating a dedicated component for agrivoltaics. Agrivoltaics allows farmers to generate solar power while continuing crop cultivation on the same land,...
09 Sep 2026
Equalization of LPG Refill Interval Rules for Rural and Urban HouseholdsThe Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has reduced the minimum booking interval for LPG cylinder refills for rural consumers from 45 days to 25 days. This decision brings rural refill guidelines on par with urban consumers, who...
05 Sep 2026
Managing Demographic Shifts and Ageing Populations in Southern StatesRecent demographic data from states like Tamil Nadu indicates a sustained decline in fertility rates alongside a rising proportion of elderly citizens. Policy experts emphasize the need to shift governance priorities toward geriatric...
04 Sep 2026
Supreme Court Scrutinizes Maternity and Parental Leave ProvisionsThe Supreme Court reviewed provisions under the Social Security Code regarding paid maternity leave, with particular emphasis on equal protections for adoptive mothers and non-biological parents. The bench recommended that the Union...
02 Sep 2026
Gaps Identified in Pediatric Cancer Treatment and Data CollectionAlthough India has advanced its medical capability to treat childhood cancers, significant gaps persist in early screening and centralized patient data registries. Many rural and low-income families are unable to access specialized...
August 2026
23 Aug 2026
Regulatory Framework Targeted at Curbing Surrogate Advertising Across Consumer SectorsRecent policy discussions emphasize the need to strictly regulate surrogate advertising without causing unwarranted regulatory overreach. Surrogate ads often promote restricted items such as alcohol and tobacco under the guise of...
23 Aug 2026
PFRDA Reports Low Retirement Income Replacement Rate in IndiaThe Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) reported that India's retirement income replacement rate stands at only 35 to 40 percent, compared to the global average of 60 percent. This gap indicates that most Indian...
22 Aug 2026
National Commission for Safai Karmacharis Pushes for Grievance Line and Wage ParityThe National Commission for Safai Karmacharis (NCSK) announced plans to introduce a dedicated grievance registration line for sanitation workers across the country. The Commission is also engaging with the Union Labour Ministry to raise...
21 Aug 2026
Supreme Court Reaffirms Significance of MGNREGAThe Supreme Court of India praised the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGA), observing that it serves as a crucial social security net rather than a freebie or a measure of exploitation. The court was...
19 Aug 2026
Balancing Unconditional Cash Transfers with Social Capital InvestmentEconomic policy debates have emerged over the rapid expansion of direct, unconditional cash transfer schemes by several state governments. Data shows that growing revenue expenditure on immediate cash assistance risks crowding out...
18 Aug 2026
Debate Surrounds Unconditional Cash Transfers vs Public SpendingRecent economic analyses indicate that an excessive focus on unconditional cash transfer schemes risks diverting resources from long-term public investments in health and education. While direct benefit transfers provide immediate...
17 Aug 2026
Bombay High Court Rules Minimum Wages for Community Health VolunteersThe Bombay High Court ruled that community health volunteers working with local government bodies are legally entitled to statutory minimum wages. The court directed authorities to pay the difference between the low honorarium...
17 Aug 2026
Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment Supports InfrastructureState governments are utilizing 50-year interest-free loans granted under the Central Government's Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment scheme. The scheme provides financial support to states for major infrastructure...
02 Aug 2026
Union Cabinet Approves Samudra Manthan Scheme for Deepwater ExplorationThe Union Cabinet approved the Samudra Manthan scheme with an allocation of 84,084 crore rupees to boost India's deepwater hydrocarbon exploration and energy security. The scheme earmarks 43,200 crore rupees specifically for drilling 60...
02 Aug 2026
Cabinet Extends PM-Kisan Scheme for Four More YearsThe Union Government has extended the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-Kisan) scheme for another four years, allocating 3.15 lakh crore rupees. Since its launch in February 2019, the scheme has transferred over 4.47 lakh crore...
01 Aug 2026
Pradhan Mantri Surya Sarovar Yojana for Floating SolarThe Union Cabinet has approved a new scheme to promote floating solar plants on water bodies across India. The project aims to install 5,000 MW of capacity by 2030-31, helping to preserve land resources while generating clean energy and...
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July 2026
29 Jul 2026
Early menopause crisis identified among women in rural BiharA recent study has highlighted a worrying trend where women in rural Bihar are reaching menopause in their early thirties. Experts point to poor reproductive surgical care and the incentivization of unnecessary hysterectomies under...
28 Jul 2026
Balancing Safety and Access in Dengue Vaccine DeploymentAs India considers the deployment of the Qdenga dengue vaccine, public health experts are urging the government to ensure its affordability. Given the high burden of dengue in tropical regions, making the vaccine accessible to...
27 Jul 2026
Call for Affordable Rollout of Qdenga Dengue Vaccine in IndiaPublic health advocates have emphasized the need for an affordable, country-wide rollout of the Qdenga live-attenuated dengue vaccine in India. Dengue is a major vector-borne health threat in India, placing substantial economic and...
26 Jul 2026
Free legal aid cell opens in VijayanagaraThe District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) has officially commenced operations in the Vijayanagara district of Karnataka. Inaugurated by Karnataka High Court Judge Justice Pradeep Singh Yerur, the authority aims to deliver free legal...
23 Jul 2026
Gujarat Mandates Specialized De-Addiction Centres in All DistrictsThe Gujarat government has approved the establishment of specialized de-addiction centres in all district hospitals across the state to address substance abuse systematically. These centres are designed to provide scientific...
22 Jul 2026
EPFO 3.0 Proposals Seek Universal Social SecurityThe Union Government has proposed the EPFO 3.0 framework, aiming to expand social security coverage across India. The major reforms include providing pension cover for all workers and integrating social security benefits specifically...
18 Jul 2026
Prime Minister Inaugurates 75 Redeveloped Railway StationsPrime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated 75 newly redeveloped railway stations across the country under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. The scheme envisions continuous development of stations with a long-term planning approach,...
12 Jul 2026
Bihar Launches Doorstep Land Registration for Elderly CitizensThe Bihar government has launched a doorstep land and property registration service specifically for citizens aged 75 years and older. Introduced by the Department of Prohibition, Excise, and Registration, this initiative allows elderly...
11 Jul 2026
Global Report Highlights Deep Disparities in Cancer Medicine AccessThe Global Status Report on Cancer 2026 has raised alarms over the rising incidence of cancer worldwide and the severe inequality in access to essential treatments. The report reveals that the availability of the top 20 priority cancer...
09 Jul 2026
Centralized Database Marks Evolution of India's Pension PortalThe Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has updated its portal by introducing a centralized database that allows members to easily view consolidated balances and request withdrawals. While experts view this as a progressive...
08 Jul 2026
Assam’s Success in Cancer Survival RatesAssam has recorded a landmark 62% cancer survival rate, attributed to its unique decentralized cancer care model and widespread early screening programs. Instead of relying on a single, overburdened apex institute, the state established...
08 Jul 2026
Southern States Oppose Proposed Changes to Food Security LawTamil Nadu and Kerala have voiced strong concerns over proposed amendments to the National Food Security Act (NFSA). The states argue that the new allocation models and restructured urban-to-rural coverage ratios could unfairly reduce...
07 Jul 2026
EPFO Changes Signal Continuity Rather Than Radical ReformsRecent administrative updates by the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation suggest a focus on policy continuity rather than deep-seated structural reforms. Analysts point out that while procedural simplifications have been introduced,...
07 Jul 2026
India Mandates Yoga-Based Wellness Training for All Merchant SeafarersThe Government of India has made it mandatory for all Indian seafarers holding a valid Continuous Discharge Certificate (CDC) to complete yoga-based wellness training within one year. Additionally, all maritime students enrolled in...
06 Jul 2026
Beekeeping Initiative in Pichavaram for Irula TribalsA new beekeeping initiative has been launched in the Pichavaram mangroves of Tamil Nadu to support 100 Irula tribal households. Around 250 bee boxes will be installed, aimed at enhancing pollination for mangrove regeneration while...
06 Jul 2026
Centre to Launch Cooperative Life Insurance FirmThe Union Ministry of Cooperation has announced plans to establish a cooperative life insurance firm modeled after Bharat Taxi. This initiative aims to provide affordable and accessible insurance coverage to workers in the unorganized...
04 Jul 2026
Social Security Reforms: EPF Contributions Beyond ₹1,800 Made VoluntaryThe Union Labour Ministry has reformed social security contributions by making Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) contributions beyond the threshold of ₹1,800 voluntary. This change modifies the implementation of the Employees' Provident...
Practise Welfare Schemes
10 of our latest questions on this topic (out of 25).
Question 1 of 10
Which joint initiative has been launched by the Union Health Ministry in 2026 to accelerate community-led tuberculosis elimination efforts?
Mains practice
Sustainable socio-economic development demands a fine balance between administrative reforms, robust public health infrastructure, and equitable resource allocation. Discuss this statement in the context of recent institutional policy shifts, welfare measures, and inter-state development priorities in India.
15 marks
In an evolving national and global landscape, balancing socio-economic growth with environmental sustainability, ease of governance, and cooperative federalism poses significant policy choices. Discuss how strategic economic reforms, social security expansion, and ecological restoration can collectively drive India's inclusive development trajectory.
15 marks
Effective governance requires balancing economic growth with social protection, environmental sustainability, and public safety. Examine how recent regulatory interventions in India, spanning social security expansion, food safety labeling, and environmental compliance, reflect this multidimensional governance approach. Discuss the challenges in implementing these standards across diverse socio-economic contexts.
15 marks
Previous years' questions
Past exam questions sorted by topic are coming here. Until then, the full papers are in our previous papers library.