Poverty Alleviation Programs — Current Affairs 2026
Current Affairs Connections
Budget 2024-25 Allocations Reinforce Commitment to Core Poverty Alleviation Schemes
February 1, 2024The Union Budget 2024-25, presented by the Finance Minister, maintained significant allocations for flagship poverty alleviation programs. MGNREGA received ₹86,000 crore (BE), indicating its continued role as a crucial rural employment safety net. The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) was allocated ₹80,671 crore (BE), underscoring the government's 'Housing for All' vision. Furthermore, the food subsidy under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) remained substantial at ₹2,05,250 crore (BE). These allocations reflect the government's sustained focus on social sector spending and its reliance on established welfare architecture to address poverty and ensure basic necessities. The budget also emphasized leveraging digital public infrastructure for efficient delivery, aligning with the broader DBT strategy.
UPSC Angle: Analyze the continuity and changes in government's approach to poverty alleviation. Discuss the implications of these budget allocations on rural employment, housing, and food security. Evaluate the role of digital infrastructure in enhancing program efficiency and reducing leakages. Connect to [VY:ECO-07-03] on public expenditure and fiscal policy.
Expansion of Ayushman Bharat and Digital Health Mission to Boost Healthcare Access
Ongoing through 2024-2025The Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) continues its expansion, aiming to cover more vulnerable populations and procedures. Concurrently, the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) is gaining traction, focusing on creating a seamless online platform for health records, unique health IDs, and digital access to healthcare services. This dual approach aims to not only provide financial protection against catastrophic health expenditures but also to streamline healthcare delivery, improve data management, and enhance accessibility, particularly for the poor. The integration of technology is crucial for improving the reach and effectiveness of Ayushman Bharat healthcare coverage, addressing a key dimension of multidimensional poverty.
UPSC Angle: Examine the role of health insurance and digital health initiatives in poverty reduction. Discuss the challenges and opportunities in achieving universal health coverage through such schemes. Evaluate the impact of AB-PMJAY on out-of-pocket expenditure and access to quality healthcare for the poor. Relate to [VY:SOC-04-01] on social justice and empowerment through health.