ECONOMY & INFRASTRUCTURE
Power & Energy
Cabinet Sanctions ₹2,584 Crore for Small Hydro Power Development Scheme (2026-31)
The Union Cabinet has approved the Small Hydro Power Development Scheme for the period FY 2026-27 to 2030-31.
The scheme has a total outlay of ₹2,584.60 crore and targets the development of 1,500 MW of small hydro power capacity.
It provides financial assistance for decentralized projects with capacities ranging between 1 MW and 25 MW.
Special focus is placed on hilly and border areas, with subsidies of up to ₹3.6 crore per megawatt (max ₹30 crore per project).
Impact: The project promotes 100% indigenous equipment use and is expected to generate 51 lakh person-days of employment during construction.
The scheme has a total outlay of ₹2,584.60 crore and targets the development of 1,500 MW of small hydro power capacity.
It provides financial assistance for decentralized projects with capacities ranging between 1 MW and 25 MW.
Special focus is placed on hilly and border areas, with subsidies of up to ₹3.6 crore per megawatt (max ₹30 crore per project).
Impact: The project promotes 100% indigenous equipment use and is expected to generate 51 lakh person-days of employment during construction.
Key Facts / Static GK
Total Outlay: ₹2,584.60 crore
Capacity Target: 1,500 MW
Focus Regions: Hilly and North Eastern regions
Capacity Target: 1,500 MW
Focus Regions: Hilly and North Eastern regions
Practice Quiz — 23 March 2026
Q1. Regarding the 'PRARAMBH 2026' initiative, what does the 'N' represent in the M.A.N.A.V. framework?
Answer: (B) National Sovereignty — In the PRARAMBH 2026 framework M.A.N.A.V., the acronym stands for: Moral & Ethical Systems, Accountable Governance, National Sovereignty, Accessible & Inclusive AI, and Valid & Legitimate Systems.
Q2. What is the specific duration covered by the newly approved 'Utkarsh 3.0' strategy framework of the RBI?
Answer: (C) 2026-2029 — Utkarsh 3.0 is the Medium-Term Strategy Framework approved by the RBI board to cover a three-year period from 2026 to 2029.
Q3. Which of the following statements is true regarding the new UPI-linked credit line launched by Bank of Baroda?
Answer: (C) It is the first bank in India to introduce such a facility for Women SHGs. — Bank of Baroda is the 1st bank in India to introduce a UPI-linked credit line (OD facility) specifically for Women SHG members holding PMJDY accounts, with a maximum limit of ₹5,000.
Q4. What was the total value of India's textile exports in FY25 according to the NIRYAT data?
Answer: (C) USD 36,610 million — India’s total textile exports for the fiscal year 2024-25 (FY25) stood at USD 36,610 million, with Tamil Nadu contributing the largest share.
Q5. What was the primary reason Kaveh Madani was awarded the Stockholm Water Prize 2026?
Answer: (B) Contributions to water governance and crisis management — Kaveh Madani was honored for his contributions to water governance and shifting the global focus from infrastructure-only to governance-based solutions for water crisis management.
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