General Awareness

GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND SCHEMES - October 2021

Oct 2021

Aug 18, 2026

India supports Seychelles Coast Guard capacity building

India provided calibrated tools and repaired electronic components to the Seychelles Coast Guard, aiming to enhance maintenance capabilities and operational readiness. The assistance is part of ongoing maritime security cooperation in the Indian Ocean, supporting regional stability and counterpiracy efforts. Officials described the support as a practical step to strengthen Seychelles’ border protection and rescue capabilities. The handover included equipment for routine maintenance, diagnostics devices, and parts for critical systems. The gesture follows a series of cooperation initiatives between India and Seychelles in defense and security sectors, reflecting shared interests in safe sea lanes, search and rescue, and joint exercises.

India handed over calibrated tools and repaired components to Seychelles Coast Guard.
Aims to improve maintenance and operational readiness.
Part of broader India-Seychelles maritime security cooperation.
Supports safety at sea, rescue capabilities, and regional stability.

Aug 16, 2026

Karnataka Approves Sandhya Kiran Contributory Cashless Healthcare Scheme

The Karnataka government approved the Sandhya Kiran contributory cashless healthcare scheme for retired state government employees, family pensioners and eligible dependents. The scheme provides annual cashless medical coverage up to ₹5 lakh per family on a floater basis, covering hospitalisation and essential treatment. It will operate under the Ayushman Bharat–Arogya Karnataka framework to improve access to care in public and private facilities. The scheme aims to reduce financial burden on senior citizens and pensioners who require medical treatment, and to expand health security in the state. Details of eligibility, contribution and empanelled hospitals will be announced by the Health Department. The policy paper will include a transparent claims process and time-bound approvals.

Scheme covers retired government employees, family pensioners and eligible dependents.
Annual cashless coverage up to ₹5 lakh per family on a floater basis.
Operates under Ayushman Bharat–Arogya Karnataka framework.
Aims to ease medical costs for senior citizens and pensioners.
Eligibility criteria and empanelled hospitals to be announced by the Health Department.

Aug 15, 2026

IIHT SUTRA 2026 National Conclave on Handloom Innovation held in New Delhi

The first National Conclave of Indian Institutes of Handloom Technology, IIHT SUTRA 2026, convened at the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi. The theme, 'IIHTs: Weaving the Future of the Indian Handloom Sector – Educate. Innovate. Transform.', focused on skill development, innovation, and technology adoption within the handloom sector. Delegates discussed curricula, design collaborations, and market access strategies to modernise the traditional textile industry. The conclave aimed to strengthen IIHTs' role in promoting sustainable livelihoods for weavers, expanding export-ready products, and integrating heritage crafts with modern manufacturing through coordinated policy and industry engagement.

IIHT SUTRA 2026 held in New Delhi
Theme: Educate. Innovate. Transform.
Focus on skill development and technology adoption
Discussions on curricula, design collaboration, market access
Aims to modernise India's handloom sector
Emphasis on industry-policy collaboration

Chandigarh and DNH to pilot CBDC-based food subsidy transfers

Digital rupee-based food subsidy transfers are to be piloted in Union Territories, with Chandigarh and Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu (DNH) among the first to adopt programmable e₹ tokens for subsidy delivery. The initiative links the Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) with the Public Distribution System (PDS) to improve transparency, reduce leakage, and speed up transfers to eligible beneficiaries. Programmable tokens are designed to allow subsidies to be used only for food purchases, with smart contract controls guiding redemption within defined parameters. Officials say the move is a step toward broader digital reforms in welfare schemes and could inform future rollouts across the country.

Chandigarh and DNH are among first UTs to test digital subsidy transfers.
CBDC-based PDS aims to improve transparency and efficiency.
Programmable tokens restrict subsidies to food purchases.
Part of broader digital welfare reform in India.

Digital Rupee-based food subsidies to be piloted in UTs via programmable tokens

Chandigarh and Dadra and Nagar Haveli are set to pilot programmable Digital Rupee (e₹) tokens for food subsidy transfers, marking the first Union Territory-level CBDC subsidy initiative. The plan links the central bank digital currency with the Public Distribution System to enhance transparency, traceability, and efficiency in welfare delivery. Programmable e₹ subsidies can be restricted to intended purposes, helping prevent leakage and misallocation. Beneficiaries would receive CBDC-backed subsidy credits redeemable at approved shops, subject to embedded conditions. The move forms part of broader digitalisation of welfare schemes and aims to strengthen financial inclusion while preserving subsidy integrity.

UT-level pilots for CBDC-based food subsidies announced
Programmable e₹ tokens linked to PDS to increase transparency
Subsidies restricted to intended purposes to reduce leakage
Credits redeemable at approved merchants under conditions
Part of broader welfare digitalisation effort
Aims to improve efficiency and accountability in subsidies

Aug 13, 2026

AP signs with CSIR-NGRI for critical minerals in Kadapa Basin

The Government of Andhra Pradesh signed an agreement with CSIR-National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI) to explore critical minerals such as lithium and gallium in the Kadapa Basin. The Department of Mines and Geology aims to map and assess mineral deposits to support clean energy technologies, electronics manufacturing and advanced industries. The collaboration will involve geophysical surveys, exploratory drilling, and data sharing to strengthen India’s critical mineral supply chain. Officials say the project aligns with national policies to secure strategic minerals, attract investment, and enhance regional development while promoting sustainable extraction practices and environmental safeguards. The initiative forms part of a broader push to diversify India's mineral sources and reduce import dependency.

AP signs agreement with CSIR-NGRI to explore critical minerals in Kadapa Basin.
Focus on lithium and gallium for clean energy and electronics.
Involves geophysical surveys, drilling and data sharing.
Aims to strengthen India’s critical mineral supply chain.
Part of broader policy to diversify minerals and reduce imports.

India expands e-visa entry points to 88 designated points

India expanded its designated entry network for foreign nationals holding e-visas by adding 11 new entry points in August 2026. The expanded network now totals 88 designated e-visa entries, comprising 37 airports, 38 seaports, and 13 land ports. The newly added points include Bhopal and Tirupati airports, along with nine land ports across multiple states. The expansion aims to improve travel convenience and enhance tourism connectivity across states. The update comes as part of ongoing efforts to liberalize visa processes and support inbound tourism, with officials citing smoother customs and faster entry for eligible foreign visitors.

India added 11 new e-visa entry points in August 2026, reaching 88 total.
Total breakdown: 37 airports, 38 seaports, 13 land ports.
New entries include Bhopal and Tirupati airports; nine land ports added.
Aims to ease travel and strengthen tourism connectivity.
Part of visa liberalization and inbound tourism measures.

Karnataka launches Tathyakosh public data portal

Karnataka launched the public data portal Tathyakosh.in in Bengaluru in August 2026. Developed by the ACSEL Technology Forum in collaboration with the IIT Alumni Centre Bengaluru, the platform functions as an open-source digital public good. It provides access to more than 1.5 million datasets from hundreds of public repositories. The portal aims to improve data discovery and accessibility for citizens and institutions, enabling researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze trends and inform decisions. It also supports transparency and evidence-based governance by centralizing diverse data sources in a single interface. The launch is part of Karnataka's open data initiative to empower local governance. More datasets are planned in the coming months.

Tathyakosh.in launched in Bengaluru as an open-data portal.
Developed by ACSEL Technology Forum with IIT Alumni Centre Bengaluru.
Provides access to over 1.5 million datasets from many repositories.
Aims to enhance data discovery and governance transparency.
Part of Karnataka’s open data initiative; more datasets planned.

Aug 12, 2026

RCF Delivers 19 LHB Coaches to Bangladesh Railway

Rail Coach Factory (RCF), Kapurthala, prepared its first rake of 19 LHB broad-gauge passenger coaches for Bangladesh Railway in August 2026. The coaches form part of a larger contract to supply 200 broad-gauge passenger coaches to Bangladesh. Indian Railways PSU RITES Limited is overseeing the supply under the project. The initiative supports the modernization of Bangladesh's passenger railway services and strengthens India-Bangladesh railway cooperation. The contract highlights growing regional manufacturing linkages in South Asia and demonstrates India's capability to export rolling stock and related technology while building durable transport ties with neighbouring countries.

RCF delivered 19 LHB coaches for Bangladesh Railway.
Part of a 200-coach contract to Bangladesh.
RITES Limited oversees the project.
Aimed at modernizing Bangladesh rail services.
Strengthens India-Bangladesh railway cooperation.

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