For Prelims: State Cabinet, Wholesale Price Index, Raw water
For Mains: Governance: State welfare schemes and public policy; Economy: Price indices and resource pricing
Source:
The Hindu
5 facts for one-day exams
SSC, railway, police and teaching exams ask direct questions like these.
- Himachal Pradesh approved Mukhya Mantri Apna Parivar Sukhi Parivar Yojna on 13 November 2026.
- Eligible women aged 18–59 are to receive ₹1,500 monthly.
- The scheme identified 3.5 lakh eligible women as beneficiaries.
- The raw water benchmark is ₹100 per 1,000 cubic feet.
- Khelo Himachal Chitta Mukt Abhiyan-2026 is planned across all 12 districts.
The news
The Himachal Pradesh Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu in Shimla on November 13, 2026, approved the launch of the “Mukhya Mantri Apna Parivar Sukhi Parivar Yojna,” under which eligible women aged 18 to 59 will receive ₹1,500 per month in financial assistance. The scheme also provides 300 units of free electricity to eligible beneficiary families. According to an official statement, 3.5 lakh eligible women have been identified as beneficiaries.
The government had earlier raised the monthly assistance for women above 59 years from ₹1,050 to ₹1,500. Providing ₹1,500 monthly to women aged 18 to 60 and free electricity up to 300 units per month to households were among the key pre-poll promises made by the Congress party during the 2022 Assembly election. The Cabinet also adopted a uniform State policy for determining and periodically revising the rates for the sale of surplus raw water to neighbouring States, government agencies and industries, with an initial benchmark rate of ₹100 per 1,000 cubic feet, linked to the Wholesale Price Index. Additionally, the Cabinet decided to launch the ‘Khelo Himachal Chitta Mukt Abhiyan-2026’ across all twelve districts to engage youth in sports and strengthen drug prevention efforts.
Why in the news?
The Himachal Pradesh Cabinet approved the scheme on November 13, 2026, fulfilling a key Congress election promise and directly affecting 3.5 lakh women in the state.
How will the scheme work?
The scheme identifies individual women aged 18–59 for cash assistance, while the electricity benefit of 300 free units is extended to eligible beneficiary families. The two benefits therefore have different units of entitlement: an eligible woman and an eligible family. Cash assistance may support household financial security, while electricity support can reduce the cost of consumption.
What are the other Cabinet decisions?
The uniform water-pricing policy sets an initial benchmark of ₹100 per 1,000 cubic feet for surplus raw water sold to neighbouring states, government agencies and industries, applicable to all existing and future projects including inter-state water projects. Rates will be revised periodically through a mechanism linked to the Wholesale Price Index. The Khelo Himachal Chitta Mukt Abhiyan-2026, covering all 12 districts, aims to involve youth in sports while encouraging healthy lifestyles, discipline and positive community participation, complementing action against illegal drug trafficking; chitta refers to heroin in this context.
Himachal Pradesh connection
Facts and terms for exams
- State Cabinet:
- The State Cabinet is the group of senior ministers that makes major executive policy decisions under the Chief Minister’s leadership.
- Wholesale Price Index:
- The Wholesale Price Index measures changes in the prices of a selected basket of goods at the wholesale level.
- Raw water:
- Raw water is water in its natural state before treatment for a specific use.
Why it matters for exams
Exams: HPPSC HAS, HPRCA
Syllabus: Governance: State welfare schemes and public policy; Economy: Price indices and resource pricing
Common mistake: Examiners may swap the approved age group with the election promise: the approved scheme specifies ages 18–59, while the earlier promise referred to ages 18–60. The cash benefit is for eligible women; electricity support is for eligible beneficiary families.
Mains question
Discuss the potential impact of direct cash transfers and free electricity on women's financial security and household welfare in Himachal Pradesh.
Stuck? Get it in one tap
Himachal Pradesh has approved a scheme offering eligible women monthly financial assistance. Eligible beneficiary families are also to receive free electricity units. Separately, the state approved a benchmark price for surplus raw water and planned a sports-based campaign against drug abuse.
- Governance: State welfare schemes and public policy
- Economy: Price indices and resource pricing
Related concepts: State Cabinet, Wholesale Price Index, Raw water
Practice questions
Pick an answer, then read the explanation.
- Q1Easy
Which body approved the launch of Mukhya Mantri Apna Parivar Sukhi Parivar Yojna in November 2026?
Explanation: The Himachal Pradesh State Cabinet approved the scheme at its meeting in Shimla. The Assembly was associated with the earlier election context, while government agencies and neighbouring states feature as potential purchasers under the water policy.
- Q2Hard
Consider the following statements about Himachal Pradesh’s November 2026 Cabinet decisions:
- 1.Eligible women aged 18–59 are to receive ₹1,500 per month under Mukhya Mantri Apna Parivar Sukhi Parivar Yojna.
- 2.The surplus raw water benchmark is ₹100 per 1,000 litres.
- 3.Khelo Himachal Chitta Mukt Abhiyan-2026 is planned across all 12 districts.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Explanation: Statements 1 and 3 are correct: the scheme covers eligible women aged 18–59 and the campaign is planned for all 12 districts. Statement 2 is incorrect because the water benchmark is ₹100 per 1,000 cubic feet, not per 1,000 litres.
- Q3Medium
How many eligible women had been identified for Himachal Pradesh’s Mukhya Mantri Apna Parivar Sukhi Parivar Yojna in November 2026?
Explanation: The state identified 3.5 lakh eligible women as beneficiaries. The figure is an identified beneficiary count, not a statement that payments had already reached all of them.
- Q4Medium
What is the primary objective of Khelo Himachal Chitta Mukt Abhiyan-2026?
Explanation: The campaign promotes sports, healthy lifestyles and community participation to prevent drug abuse. Water pricing and monthly financial assistance are separate Cabinet decisions.
Frequently asked questions
1. Who is eligible for Himachal Pradesh’s ₹1,500 women’s assistance scheme?
Eligible women aged 18–59 are to receive ₹1,500 per month under Mukhya Mantri Apna Parivar Sukhi Parivar Yojna.
2. How many women have been identified for Apna Parivar Sukhi Parivar Yojna?
The Himachal Pradesh government has identified 3.5 lakh eligible women as beneficiaries.
3. What electricity benefit is included in Apna Parivar Sukhi Parivar Yojna?
Eligible beneficiary families are to receive 300 units of free electricity.
4. What is Himachal Pradesh’s initial surplus raw water benchmark?
The initial benchmark is ₹100 per 1,000 cubic feet, with periodic revisions linked to the Wholesale Price Index.
All sources
- Original14 November 2026 · Read story
