Daily Current Affairs 30 September 2026 – IAS Current Affairs

Current Affairs 30 September 2026 focuses on the Prelims-Mains perspective. Major events are :

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Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY)

Source: PIB
GS II: Welfare  Schemes, Social Justice, Vulnerable Sections, Government Policies and Interventions

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Why in the News?

The Press Information Bureau recently highlighted the progress and implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY), a Centrally Sponsored Scheme aimed at improving the socio-economic and educational conditions of Scheduled Castes (SCs).

News in Brief

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• PM-AJAY was launched in FY 2021-22 as a 100% centrally sponsored scheme under the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment.
• It was formed by merging three erstwhile schemes — Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana (PMAGY), Special Central Assistance to Scheduled Castes Sub Plan (SCA to SCSP), and Babu Jagjivan Ram Chhatrawas Yojana (BJRCY).
• The scheme seeks to reduce poverty, improve infrastructure and basic services in SC-dominated areas, and promote literacy and enrolment in educational institutions.
• As of September 2026, 18,093 villages had been declared Adarsh Grams, while 785 student hostels had been completed.

Objectives of PM-AJAY

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• To reduce poverty of the SC communities by generation of additional employment opportunities.
  • It can be done through skill development, income generating schemes and other initiatives.
  • These interventions seek to enhance livelihood opportunities and enable beneficiaries to engage in sustainable income-generating activities.
• To improve socio-economic developmental indicators by ensuring adequate infrastructure and requisite services in SC dominated areas.
  • The scheme seeks to bridge critical developmental gaps and improve access to essential facilities that contribute to a better quality of life.
• To increase literacy and encourage enrolment of SCs in schools and higher educational institutions.
  • It is achieved by providing adequate residential facilities in quality institutions and residential schools, especially in aspirational districts/SC-dominated blocks and elsewhere in India.

Three Components of PM-AJAY

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Adarsh Gram Development

• The scheme seeks to transform SC-majority villages into ‘Adarsh Grams’ (model villages) by filling critical gaps in infrastructure and basic services.
• The Adarsh Gram component has covered 47,243 villages, with 46,944 development works completed and 27,032 Village Development Plans (VDPs) prepared.
• As of 8 September 2026, 18,093 villages had been declared Adarsh Grams.
• This reflects significant progress in improving infrastructure, basic services and quality of life Scheduled Caste-majority villages.

Grants-in-Aid to States/Districts

• Financial assistance is provided for projects aimed at the socio-economic development of SC communities.
• It covers,
  • Increasing the income of the target population by way of comprehensive livelihood projects, including skill development and related infrastructure.
  • Improving socio-economic developmental indicators by creating adequate infrastructure in SC dominated villages.
  • Increasing literacy and encouraging enrolment of SCs in schools by providing residential schools where required.

Construction and Repair of Hostels

• The component supports hostel infrastructure to help SC students, particularly those from rural and remote areas, access quality education.

Eligibility

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• Under the Grants-in-Aid component, priority is given to families/persons with an annual income of not more than ₹2.50 lakh.
• For infrastructure development, villages with 40% or more SC population and a total population of 500 or more are eligible for grants.

Funding Pattern

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• PM-AJAY is a 100% centrally funded scheme, although States/UTs can supplement it with additional resources.
• The funding framework includes;
  • Up to 50% for gap-filling activities in selected Adarsh Gram villages.
  • Up to 5% for the Technical Support Group and Project Implementation Units.
  • Up to 2% for construction and repair of hostels for Central Institutions.
  • Remaining funds are provided as grants-in-aid for district/state-level projects based on SC population and related criteria.

Digital Governance

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• The government has launched the PM-AJAY Mobile App and Portal that aims to transition from paper-based workflow and processing to an end-to-end digital workflow and processing on a real-time basis.
• Good Governance is built on the principles of transparency, accountability and efficiency.
• Digital technologies have transformed the planning, delivery and monitoring of public programmes.
• Technology-enabled governance improves information access, strengthens monitoring and supports data-driven decision-making.
• It also enhances coordination, transparency and the overall effectiveness of programme implementation.

Significance and Challenges

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PM-AJAY reflects a shift from welfare-oriented support towards targeted and outcome-based social empowerment combining, livelihoods, infrastructure, education and digital governance.

Challenges

• Ensuring that infrastructure created under the scheme is properly maintained after completion.
• Ensuring effective last-mile delivery in remote and SC-dominated areas.
• Converting infrastructure support into sustained improvements in livelihoods and education.
• Strengthening monitoring and accountability at the State and district levels.
• Ensuring that digital governance mechanisms remain accessible to beneficiaries with limited digital literacy.

Way Forward and Conclusion

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PM-AJAY represents an integrated approach to SC empowerment by combining economic opportunities, basic infrastructure and educational support.

Its effectiveness will ultimately depend on strong implementation, continuous monitoring and ensuring that the benefits reach the intended communities at the grassroots level. This aligns with the broader objective of making development more inclusive and participatory.

UPSC Prelims and Mains Practice Questions

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With reference to the Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY), consider the following statements:

1. PM-AJAY is a 100% centrally sponsored scheme launched in FY 2021-22.
2. It was created by merging three erstwhile Centrally Sponsored Schemes.
3. Villages having at least 40% Scheduled Caste population and a total population of 500 or more are eligible for infrastructure grants under the scheme.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3

Answer: D

Mains Practice Question

Q) Discuss the role of targeted welfare interventions in promoting socio-economic empowerment of Scheduled Castes in India. What measures are required to improve their last-mile implementation? (150 words)

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Gender-Just Uniform Civil Code

Source: Indian Express
GS II: Indian Constitution, Polity and Governance, Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles of State Policy, Issues related to secularism and women’s rights.

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Why in the News?

The debate over a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) has gained renewed attention following the implementation of the Uttarakhand UCC and discussions in several other States.

News in Brief

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• Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated that the UCC would be implemented in all 21 BJP- and NDA-ruled States before the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.
• Gujarat, Assam, Madhya Pradesh and States such as Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and West Bengal have been considering or examining UCC-related frameworks.
• The Uttarakhand Uniform Civil Code raises questions about whether uniformity alone can ensure gender justice, particularly in marriage, divorce, maintenance, inheritance and family rights.
• It emphasis that consultations with women’s groups, legal experts, religious and community organizations and marginalized groups are important for developing  an inclusive framework.

Key Concerns Regarding a Gender-Just UCC

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Uniformity versus substantive equality

• A UCC should not merely create a common set of rules.
• It should address existing inequalities within personal laws and ensure substantive equality for women.
• The concern is that a law may appear uniform while continuing to reproduce unequal outcomes for different groups.

Marriage and live-in relationships

• The Uttarakhand UCC introduces provisions concerning registration of marriages and live-in relationships.
• This raised concerns about;
  • Mandatory or extensive registration requirements.
  • Possible bureaucratic hurdles.
  • Privacy implications.
  • Greater surveillance of relationships through authorities and parents.
  • The need to protect individuals from social or familial pressure.
• The regulatory framework should distinguish between legitimate regulation and unnecessary intrusion into personal autonomy.

Divorce and access to justice

• Making every divorce a matter for civil courts could create a bottleneck in the justice system.
• Courts are already burdened with cases, while family disputes can take years to resolve.
• Suggested Reforms;
  • Customary divorces should be recognised where appropriate.
  • Alternative mechanisms should be strengthened.
  • Mediation and other forms of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) can help resolve disputes.
  • Courts should remain available for contested and complex matters.

Maintenance and economic rights of women

• Maintenance is an important component of gender justice.
• Experts calls for enforceable economic remedies for deserted women, including provisions relating to maintenance, automatic or timely financial support, distribution of marital assets, protection of automatically dependent spouses.
• A gender-just UCC should recognize the economic consequences of unpaid domestic and care work.

Hindu Marriage Act and Maintenance

• Under existing legal provisions, including the Hindu Marriage Act, spouses can claim maintenance in specified circumstances.
• It argues that protection should not be weakened merely in the pursuit of uniformity, particularly where existing provisions provide safeguards to women.

Property and inheritance rights

• Concerns are raised about women’s inheritance and property rights.
• Experts argue that a UCC should ensure;
  • Equal inheritance rights
  • Protection of women’s share in family property.
  • Protection of children’s property rights.
  • Safeguards against unilateral decisions affecting jointly held or family property.

Women’s unpaid care work

• A gender-just legal framework should recognize the economic value of unpaid domestic and care work.
• Women who spend years performing household and caregiving responsibilities may face economic disadvantages after separation or divorce.
• Therefore, marital property rules should recognize contribution through unpaid labour, rather than considering only direct monetary contributions.

Matrimonial property

• Instead of treating property solely according to formal ownership, the law could recognize contributions made through:
  • Household work.
  • Childcare.
  • Care of elderly family members.
  • Supporting the earning spouse.
  • Other non-monetary contributions during marriage.
• This can help establish a more equitable framework for property division after divorce.

Second marriage and maintenance

• Judicial decisions have also addressed cases where a spouse enters into a second marriage while financial obligations towards the first spouse continue.
• Legal safeguards should ensure that women do not lose their right to maintenance and financial security because of disputes regarding the validity or legality of the subsequent marriage.

Tribal and customary practices

• One major concern is the treatment of tribal communities and customary practices.
• The Uttarakhand UCC does not adequately address the Hindu Undivided Family(HUF), while certain customary practices may also require careful consideration.
• A nationwide UCC would therefore have to balance uniformity, constitutional equality, cultural diversity and tribal/customary rights.

Registration of marriages and live-in relationships

• Experts specifically questions provisions requiring registration of marriages, and live-in relationships.
• Excessive penalties for non-registration could disproportionately affect poor, marginalized and vulnerable communities.
• Instead of relying primarily on punitive measures, the framework should focus on:
  • Accessible registration.
  • Awareness.
  • Simple procedures.
  • User-friendly administrative mechanisms.
  • Protection of privacy.

Need for wider consultation

The role of the Maharashtra UCC committee, constituted on 9 July under Justice Ranjana Desai.

• It notes that the committee’s consultation process involved discussions with;
  • Individuals
  • Organizations working for women’s rights
  • Adivasi communities
  • Queer and transgender persons
  • Persons with disabilities.
• Such participation is important because a UCC affects diverse communities differently.

Constitutional Perspective

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• The UCC debate is closely connected with the constitutional principles of;
  • Article 14- Equality before law
  • Article 15- Prohibition of discrimination
  • Article 21- Right to life and personal liberty
  • Article 25- Freedom of conscience and religion
  • Article 44- Directive Principle relating to a Uniform Civil Code
• The central challenges is to reconcile equality before law with freedom of religion, cultural diversity and individual autonomy.

What should a Gender-Just UCC focus on?

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• A gender-just UCC should ideally ensure:
  • Equal rights in marriage and divorce.
  • Fair maintenance and financial security.
  • Equal inheritance and property rights.
  • Recognition of unpaid domestic and care work.
  • Protection of children and vulnerable spouses.
  • Accessible and affordable dispute resolution.
  • Protection of privacy and individual autonomy.
  • Recognition of legitimate customary and tribal practices.
  • Meaningful consultation with affected communities.
  • Special safeguards for marginalised groups.

Challenges in implementing UCC

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• Different religious laws and customary practices make a common framework difficult.
• Balancing gender equality with freedom of religion remains a key challenge.
• Tribal and indigenous customary practices need to be protected.
• Effective implementation requires adequate administrative and judicial infrastructure.
• Excessive regulation of personal relationships may affect individual autonomy.
• Mandatory registration and reporting may raise privacy concerns.
• Lack of awareness and access to legal remedies can disadvantage vulnerable groups.
• Complex procedures and penalties may disproportionately affect economically weaker groups.
• The UCC must be aligned with existing family and personal laws to avoid legal conflicts.

Way Forward and Conclusion

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The UCC should be developed through wide consultation with women’s groups, tribal communities, religious and social organisations, legal experts and other stakeholders. The focus should be on gender equality, accessible justice, protection of privacy, recognition of legitimate customs and adequate safeguards for vulnerable groups.

A UCC should go beyond mere legal uniformity and promote substantive equality and social justice. A balanced and inclusive framework can protect individual rights while respecting India’s diversity, making the UCC an instrument of gender justice and constitutional equality.

UPSC Prelims and Mains Practice Question

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Consider the following statements regarding the Uniform Civil Code:

1. Article 44 of the Constitution deals with the Uniform Civil Code.
2. Article 44 is a Fundamental Right enforceable by courts.
3. Personal laws can involve issues such as marriage, divorce, inheritance and succession.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 2 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (a) 1 and 3 only

Mains Practice Question

Q) A Uniform Civil Code should aim at substantive gender justice rather than merely uniformity in personal laws. Discuss. ( 250 words)

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India Expands Literacy Initiatives Towards The Goal Of Full Literacy

Source: PIB
GS II: Education, Human Resources, Government Policies and Interventions

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Why in the News?

The PIB highlighted India’s progress towards universal literacy and the role of initiatives such as NEP 2020, ULLAS, and NIPUN Bharat in expanding literacy, foundational learning, adult education and lifelong learning.

News in Brief

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• India’s literacy rate increased from 18.32% in 1951 to 74.04% in 2011, with significant improvement in female and rural literacy.
• According to PLFS 2025, India’s overall literacy rate was 81.1%; urban literacy was higher than rural literacy, while gender disparities persist.
• ULLAS focuses on adult literacy for those aged 15 years and above, combining functional literacy, numeracy, critical life skills and lifelong learning.
• NIPUN Bharat seeks to achieve foundational literacy and numeracy by 2026–27, while schemes such as Samagra Shiksha, PM SHRI, PM e-VIDYA and PM POSHAN support school education.

Key Highlights

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Changing Understanding of Literacy

• The Ministry of Education defines literacy as the ability to read, write and compute with comprehension, along with critical life skills such as digital and financial literacy.
• A literacy rate of 95% in a State/UT is considered equivalent to full literacy.
• Thus, literacy is increasingly viewed not merely as the ability to read and write, but as a foundation for meaningful participation in economic and social life.

Progress in Literacy

• Overall literacy increased from 18.32% in 1951 to 74.04% in 2011.
• Female literacy increased from 8.86% to 65.46% during the same period.
• Rural literacy rose from 12.10% in 1951 to 67.8% in 2011.
• According to PLFS 2025, overall literacy reached 81.1%.

However, the rural-urban and male-female gaps indicate that universal literacy requires continued attention to regional and gender disparities.

School Education

• According to UDISE+ 2025–26:
  • More than 24.72 crore students were enrolled in schools.
  • Secondary-stage dropout rate stood at 7%.
  • Secondary-stage retention rate was 51.9%.
  • The transition rate from Middle to Secondary stage was 88.3%.
• These indicators show that improving literacy also requires better retention and successful progression through successive stages of schooling.

Higher Education

• Higher education enrolment increased from 3.42 crore in 2014–15 to 4.50 crore in 2023–24, while the Gross Enrolment Ratio rose from 23.7% to 30%.
• This supports the NEP 2020 objective of achieving a 50% higher education GER by 2035.

Key Government Initiatives for Advancing Literacy

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ULLAS-Adult Literacy

• ULLAS (Understanding of Lifelong Learning for All in Society), or the New India Literacy Programme, targets adults aged 15 years and above who missed formal schooling.
• ULLAS’s vision is ‘Jan Jan Saakshar’, empowering every individual through literacy.
• It follows the spirit of ‘Kartavya Bodh’ (Duty).
• It promotes volunteerism and Janbhagidari, or community participation, to achieve universal literacy.
• It provides functional literacy and numeracy, critical life skills, digital and lifelong learning opportunities, and community-based learning through volunteers.
• The programme uses a hybrid approach through the ULLAS App, available in 27 languages, and culminates in the Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Assessment Test (FLNAT) and certification.
• ULLAS aims to cover 5 crore learners during 2022–27. It has around 4.03 crore registered learners, over 52.20 lakh volunteers, and more than 3.3 crore FLNAT participants.

NIPUN Bharat

• NIPUN Bharat (National Initiative for Proficiency in Reading with Understanding and Numeracy) was launched in July 2021 under Samagra Shiksha.
• It aims to achieve universal foundational literacy and numeracy by 2026-27, with a focus on children in the 3-8 years age group and foundational skills by Grade 2.

Other Supporting Initiatives

• Samagra Shiksha 
  • It focuses on enhancing school effectiveness and ensuring equal opportunities for schooling to improve learning outcomes.
  • The scheme is aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG-4) on education.
  • The scheme promotes equitable, inclusive, and quality education, with a focus on foundational learning, teacher development, and vocational integration.
• Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI)
  • It seeks to strengthen more than 14,500 exemplar schools across the country.
  • The scheme focuses on the holistic and well-rounded development of students by fostering an equitable, inclusive, and joyful learning environment that addresses diverse backgrounds, multilingual needs, and varied academic abilities.
• PM e-VIDYA
  • It is a comprehensive initiative that brings together various efforts related to digital, online, and on-air education to provide multi-mode access to learning.
  • The initiative is expected to benefit nearly 25 crore school-going children across the country.
• PM POSHAN
  • It is a centrally sponsored scheme that provides hot cooked meals to school children to support nutrition and school participation.

Together, these initiatives create an enabling environment that enhances enrolment, retention, and learning outcomes. They also address literacy across age groups and learning stages, strengthening foundational education, adult literacy and lifelong learning.

Literacy for Viksit Bharat and Sustainable Development

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• The SDGs provide a comprehensive framework for promoting a more equitable, inclusive, and sustainable future for all.
• Literacy and education are central to SDG 4, which seeks to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for all.
• Literacy is closely associated with GDP and per capita income and contributes to economic growth and national development.
• For India, a literate, educated and skilled population is essential for achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat.
• Its benefits extend beyond education
• Literacy promotes women’s empowerment, equality, social inclusion and human rights, while also  strengthening innovation and economic participation.
• Education and skills can further support green employment, the circular economy and environmental sustainability.
• Therefore, improving literacy can create multiplier effects across the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and contribute to more inclusive, sustainable and broad-based development.

Conclusion

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India’s literacy journey has moved from achieving basic reading and writing skills towards foundational learning, digital literacy, lifelong education and skill development.

Sustained implementation of NEP 2020, ULLAS and NIPUN Bharat, along with greater attention to gender and regional disparities, can strengthen the human-capital foundation of Viksit Bharat.

UPSC Prelims and Mains Practice Question

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With reference to literacy initiatives in India, consider the following statements:

1. ULLAS focuses on adult learners aged 15 years and above.
2. NIPUN Bharat aims to achieve universal foundational literacy and numeracy by 2026–27.
3. A State/UT achieving 95% literacy is considered fully literate under the Ministry of Education’s definition.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3

Mains Practice Question

Q) Literacy in contemporary India extends beyond the ability to read and write. Discuss the role of foundational learning, adult education and digital literacy in achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat. (250 words)

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