7th November 2025

Explanation - The Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) is an outcome-based skill certification scheme implemented by the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC). 

Objectives: 

• Enable a large number of Indian youth to undertake industry-relevant skill training for better livelihoods. 

Key Features: 

• Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): Provides recognition to informal learning or work-based learning, giving it equal acceptance as formal education levels. 

• Funding: Training and assessment fees are completely paid by the Government. 

• Components: Short-term training, recognition of prior learning, special projects, Kaushal and Rozgar Melas, placement guidelines, and monitoring guidelines. 

Explanation - The National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) is a statutory organisation under the Ministry of Cooperation, Government of India (not Ministry of Agriculture). 

Functions: 

• Promotes and strengthens farmer cooperatives to increase production and productivity. 

• Develops post-harvest facilities including processing, storage, cold chain, and marketing. 

• Supports income-generating cooperatives in non-farm sectors like dairy, livestock, handloom, sericulture. 

• Provides financial assistance through NCDC-sponsored schemes. 

Initiatives: 

• Yuva Sahakar: Promotes cooperative start-ups with preferential support to cooperatives in North Eastern Region, Aspirational Districts, and those comprising exclusively women, SC, ST, or PwD members. 

• Ayushman Sahakar: Adopts a holistic approach to strengthen the healthcare ecosystem through cooperative institutions. 

Explanation - The Second World Summit for Social Development, 2025 is a United Nations-convened summit reaffirming the goals of eradicating poverty, promoting full and productive employment and decent work for all, and fostering social inclusion. It aligns with recent global processes such as the 2023 SDG Summit Political Declaration, the Pact of the Future, and the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4). 

History: The first World Summit for Social Development was held in Copenhagen in March 1995, not in Doha. The second summit is held in Doha, Qatar. 

Main Objectives: 

• Global solidarity and accelerate action on social development. 

• Strengthen implementation of the 2030 Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals. 

• Reaffirm the 10 Commitments of the Copenhagen Declaration. 

• Promote equality, inclusion, and well-being for all. 

Explanation - The VAIBHAV Fellowship Programme is awarded to outstanding scientists/technologists of Indian origin (NRI/OCI/PIO) who are engaged in research activities in their respective countries. 

Key Details: 

• Eligibility: Researchers from institutions featuring in the top 500 QS World University Rankings (not just top 100). 

• Duration: May spend up to two months in a year for a maximum of 3 years. 

• Funding: INR 4,00,000 per month for the entire period (not a one-time amount). 

• Aim: Improving India's research ecosystem by facilitating academic and research collaborations between Indian and global institutions. 

• 75 selected fellows work in 18 knowledge verticals including quantum technology, health, pharma, electronics, agriculture, energy, computer sciences, and material sciences. 

• Nodal Ministry: Department of Science and Technology. 

Explanation - A SEZ is a designated duty-free enclave to be treated as foreign territory for the purpose of trade operations and duties and tariffs. Other notable features include: 

• The units must become net foreign exchange earners within 3 years. 

• A SEZ does not require a license for imports. 

• SEZ are allowed manufacturing, trading and service activities. 

• Full freedom for subcontracting. 

• Domestic sales from the SEZ are subject to full custom duties and import policy is in force when they sell their produce to domestic markets. 

• There is no routine examination by the custom authorities. 

• Single window clearance for Central and State level approvals.