State PCS - Uttar Pradesh (UP PCS)

• 05 May 2025

Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award

Why in News? 

The Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports honoured Olympians Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty with the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award for the year 2023 . 

Key Points 

• About Major Dhyanchand Khel Ratna Award: 
  • It is considered India's highest sporting honour. 
  • It is given for the most outstanding performance by a sportsperson in the field of sports during the last four years . 
  • In this, the winners are given a medal, certificate and a prize money of Rs 25 lakh . 
  • The award was instituted in the year 1991–92; it was earlier called the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award , which was renamed as Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award in the year 2021 .  
  • This award is given by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India. 

Major Dhyan Chand 

• Major Dhyan Chand was born on 29 August 1905 in Prayagraj. 
• He was a field hockey player who played international hockey from the year 1926 to 1949 . 
  • He was a three-time Olympic gold medalist, winning gold in the 1928, 1932, and 1936 Olympic editions. 
• His exceptional skills in the game earned him the title of ‘Hockey Wizard’. 
  • Dhyan Chand, along with his brother Roop Singh, contributed significantly to India's tally of 35 goals, leading to them being known as the 'Hockey Twins'. 
  • In 1934, Dhyan Chand was honoured with the captaincy of the Indian team. 
• Major Dhyan Chand retired from the Army as a Major in the year 1956 and was awarded the Padma Bhushan. 
• National Sports Day is celebrated every year on 29 August on the birth anniversary of Major Dhyan Chand to honour his contribution and promote sports culture. 

Old Age Homes for Transgenders

Why in News? 

The Uttar Pradesh government has decided to provide old age home facilities to transgender citizens above 60 years of age . 

Key Points 

• Special facilities for transgenders:
  • Under this initiative, they will be provided essential services like pension, Ayushman Bharat card, regular health check-up, nutritious food, medicines, medical care and mental health counselling. 
  • This initiative of the government aims to ensure social, economic and mental empowerment of the transgender community. 
  • Special arrangements have been made in old age homes for elderly transgender citizens, which include community activities, libraries, yoga and meditation sessions. 
• Transgender Welfare Policy 2021: 
  • In 2021, the Transgender Welfare Policy was implemented in Uttar Pradesh, under which the Transgender Welfare Board was constituted. 
  • Home of Dignity: 
    • Under this, a Garima Griha has been established in Gorakhpur, where accommodation, education, health services and skill development training are being provided to transgender persons. 
  • Transgender Protection Cell: 
    • Transgender Protection Cells have been established at both district and state levels. 
    • Services like police protection, legal aid, action in cases of harassment and social rehabilitation are provided through these cells . 

Transgender 

• According to the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill, Act, 2019 , transgender means a person whose gender does not match the sex assigned to that person at birth. 
  • This includes trans-men and trans-women, intersex variations and gender queer. 
• India's 2011 Census was the first in its history to include the country's 'trans' population. The report estimated that 4.8 million Indians identified as transgender. 
• The top 3 states with the largest transgender population are Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, and Maharashtra. 

  Ayushman Bharat Scheme  

• About: 
  • Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) is the world's largest publicly funded health assurance scheme, which provides insurance cover of up to Rs 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care. 
  • There is no limit on family size, age or gender under AB PM-JAY, ensuring inclusiveness for all beneficiaries.  
    • Apart from this, pre-existing diseases are also covered from day one. 
  • PM-JAY covers 1,949 medical procedures across 27 specialties including free medicines, diagnosis, food, accommodation and 15 days of medicine after hospital discharge . 
• Eligibility & Beneficiary Identification:  
  • The families included in it are based on the deprivation and occupational criteria of Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC 2011) for rural and urban areas respectively