Background
Lakshadweep's push for a ₹519 crore fisheries investment and a 50,000 tonne tuna target runs through the central schemes listed by its own Department of Fisheries.
Under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana the department lists 81 projects, of which 24 are completed and 57 ongoing, with another 18 Fish Aggregating Devices planned.
Chetlat and Minicoy have been selected under the Climate Resilient Coastal Fishing Village Scheme.
A seaweed cluster project has in-principle approval for a hatchery and a seed bank, and 10 self-help groups across the nine inhabited islands are running demonstrations.
The Minicoy tuna canning factory has been outsourced to private entrepreneurs.
1,607 Kisan Credit Cards worth 16.5 crore have been issued to support micro-enterprises such as fish pickle and fish powder.
Seven new fisheries cooperatives were added to three existing ones, so every inhabited island now has a registered cooperative.
PMMSY projects:
81 (24 completed, 57 ongoing)
Climate Resilient Coastal Fishing Villages:
Chetlat and Minicoy
Kisan Credit Cards issued:
1,607 worth 16.5 crore
Seaweed self-help groups:
10 across nine inhabited islands
Why it matters for exams: The Climate Resilient Coastal Fishing Village Scheme and the use of Kisan Credit Cards for fisheries micro-enterprise are both newer scheme details that examiners like.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
KCC Kisan Credit Card — A short-term credit instrument for farmers and, since its extension, for fishers and animal rearers.
16 October 2026
The Social Justice Department invited nominations for the State Disability Award 2026, and the Information and Public Relations Department published the notice on 16 October 2026.
Individuals, institutions and local self-government bodies that have shown proven skill in various fields related to disability can be nominated.
The last date for submitting nominations is 25 October.
Further details are available from the District Social Justice Offices or on 0471 2306040.
Award:
State Disability Award 2026
Department:
Social Justice Department
Last date:
25 October
Why it matters for exams: Which Kerala department runs disability welfare, and the fact that local self-government bodies are themselves eligible for the award, are both askable points.
Kerala PSC
In plain words
Social Justice Department Social Justice Department, Government of Kerala — The Kerala department responsible for welfare of persons with disabilities, the elderly, women and children.
16 October 2026
The Information and Public Relations Department announced the 2026-27 Margadeepam scholarship on 16 October 2026.
The scholarship is a one-time grant of ₹1,500 a year.
It is open to minority students of Classes 1 to 8 in government and government-aided schools, from the Muslim, Christian (all denominations), Sikh, Buddhist, Jain and Parsi communities.
Applicants must be permanent residents of Kerala studying in the State, and family annual income must not exceed ₹2,50,000.
The applicant must hold a bank account in their own name in a scheduled or commercial bank.
Forms are downloaded from www.margadeepam.kerala.gov.in and submitted through the head of the institution; the last date is 31 October, 11 pm.
Amount:
₹1,500 a year, one-time grant
Classes covered:
Classes 1 to 8
Income ceiling:
₹2,50,000 a year
Last date:
31 October, 11 pm
Why it matters for exams: Kerala PSC asks the name, amount, income ceiling and administering department of State scholarship schemes, and Margadeepam is the minority-education one.
Kerala PSC
In plain words
Margadeepam Margadeepam scholarship — A Kerala scholarship for minority community pupils in the primary and upper primary classes.
16 October 2026
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment set out the progress of Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY). Over 47,200 villages have been covered and 18,093 were declared Adarsh Grams as on 8 September 2026, benefiting more than 47.79 lakh citizens. A total of 46,944 development works have been completed and 27,032 Village Development Plans prepared. About Rs 1,730 crore in grants-in-aid was released directly to States for the years 2021-22 to 2025-26, supporting over 2.5 lakh individual and group beneficiaries. As of September 2026, 785 student hostels had been completed, and Rs 61.46 crore was allocated for 2026-27 for two hostel projects, one for girls and one for boys, accommodating 264 students. PM-AJAY has three components: developing Scheduled Caste dominated villages into Adarsh Grams, grants-in-aid for socio-economic projects at State and district level, and construction and repair of hostels. The scheme is 100 per cent centrally funded, with States and Union Territories free to supplement it.
Adarsh Grams declared:
18,093 as on September 8, 2026
Villages covered:
over 47,200
Grants-in-aid released:
about Rs 1,730 crore (FY 2021-22 to FY 2025-26)
Hostels completed:
785 as of September 2026
Funding pattern:
100% centrally funded
Why it matters for exams: PM-AJAY merged three older schemes and its three components and funding pattern are frequently asked in welfare scheme questions.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
PM-AJAY Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana — A centrally funded scheme of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment for Scheduled Caste development through Adarsh Grams, grants-in-aid and hostels.
2 October 2026
Saudi Arabia has granted Nigeria 10,000 additional Hajj slots for 2027, increasing the country's total allocation from 50,000 to 60,000. The Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, Ismail Yusuf, announced the figures at the General Assembly of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in Abuja. Of the 10,000 additional slots, 7,500 go to State Muslim Pilgrims' Welfare Boards, agencies and commissions, and 2,500 go to seven lead licensed tour operators. Yusuf urged intending pilgrims to register early so that Nigeria's arrangements align with Saudi Arabia's digitised Hajj systems.
New total allocation:
60,000
Previous allocation:
50,000
Additional slots granted:
10,000
Share to state boards, agencies and commissions:
7,500
Share to lead licensed tour operators:
2,500 (seven operators)
Why it matters for exams: Hajj quotas are set country by country, and the Nigerian commission that administers them is the named body in questions comparing Nigeria's arrangements with India's Haj Committee.
UPSCSSC
In plain words
NAHCON National Hajj Commission of Nigeria — The federal body that regulates and organises the Hajj pilgrimage for Nigerian pilgrims.