General Awareness

GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND SCHEMES - October 2021

Oct 2021

Mar 30, 2026

PM Shram Yogi Maandhan Yojana (PM-SYM) Expands Pension Access

The Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan (PM-SYM) pension scheme continues to help unorganised sector workers. Contributions can be as low as ₹55 per month, with a guaranteed pension of ₹3,000 per month after age 60. The scheme, launched in 2019, requires workers to opt in voluntarily, with the government contributing matching amounts. PM-SYM aims to provide secure retirement income for workers not covered by EPF or NPS, reducing old-age financial stress and promoting financial inclusion and social security.

Target: unorganised sector workers
Pension: ₹3,000 per month from age 60
Employee contribution: as low as ₹55/month
Government: matches worker contributions
Launch: 2019; purpose: social security for informal workers

Mar 29, 2026

PRISM-SG Portal launched to streamline bridge construction

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways launched the PRISM-SG Portal in New Delhi to streamline processes for building Road Over Bridges and railway bridges. PRISM-SG stands for Portal for Rail-Road Inspection and Stages Management – Steel Girders. The online platform integrates documentation, inspections, and approvals, enabling submission of Quality Assurance Plans, Welding Procedure Specifications, and fabrication stage inspections. Stakeholders can track queries, schedule inspections, and upload reports, with real-time monitoring and a complete audit trail. The portal aims to reduce delays, improve coordination among agencies, and enhance transparency in bridge construction projects.

PRISM-SG Portal introduced by MoRTH in New Delhi.
Aims to streamline ROB and railway bridge projects.
Digitizes QA plans, welding specs, and fabrication inspections.
Online submission, tracking, and real-time monitoring features.
Designed to cut delays and improve inter-agency coordination.

Mar 28, 2026

Gruh Sugam Portal launches on 26 March 2026 to simplify housing loans for defence and government ...

The National Housing Bank launched the Gruh Sugam Portal on 26 March 2026 to simplify home loan access for defence, paramilitary, and government personnel. The portal acts as a centralized digital marketplace where eligible personnel can apply for housing loans from posting locations, avoiding in-person bank visits. Registered requests are forwarded to multiple lenders who offer customized terms, enabling applicants to compare offers and select the best option. Gruh Sugam aims to accelerate digital lending and advance the government's Housing for All vision by expanding financial inclusion for defense and public sector employees.

Gruh Sugam Portal launched on 26 March 2026 by National Housing Bank.
Targets defense, paramilitary, and government personnel.
Digital marketplace for housing loan applications from posting locations.
Lenders provide customized offers; applicants can compare and choose.
Aims to boost digital lending and financial inclusion for public workers.

Mar 27, 2026

Rajasthan launches Industrial Park Promotion Policy 2026 to attract investment

The Rajasthan state government has unveiled the Industrial Park Promotion Policy 2026 to attract investment and create jobs. Led by Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, the policy aims to develop world-class industrial parks and align with national goals such as Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat. It proposes a four-model framework for park development, including fully private ownership, hybrid land-sharing systems, and Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangements. The approach emphasizes public and private sector participation and is designed to attract a broad range of investors. The policy seeks to strengthen infrastructure, streamline approvals, and position Rajasthan as a future-ready industrial destination.

Policy named Industrial Park Promotion Policy 2026; aims to attract investment.
Led by Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma.
Aligns with Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat.
Four development models: private ownership, hybrid land-sharing, PPP, etc.
Aims for public-private participation and broader investor appeal.

DPIIT & MoCI sign agreement with KRAFTON India Pvt. Ltd to support startups

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) signed an agreement with Krafton India Pvt. Ltd to support startups, innovators, and entrepreneurs nationwide. The collaboration focuses on digital entertainment, online gaming, esports, interactive media, and AI-enabled technologies. Startups will gain access to mentorship, industry insights, and curated engagement opportunities, with ecosystem-building through Startup India programs. Sanjiv, Joint Secretary, DPIIT, described the partnership as a vital step toward strengthening India’s digital economy and global competitiveness by enabling startups to innovate, scale, and compete internationally.

DPIIT and MoCI sign agreement with Krafton India Pvt. Ltd.
Focus areas: digital entertainment, gaming, esports, AI tech.
Startup access: mentorship, insights, engagement platforms.
Ecosystem-building via Startup India programs.
Sanjiv, Joint Secretary, calls it a key step for India's digital economy.

Mar 26, 2026

Cabinet approves five-year continuation of IVFRT scheme

The Union Cabinet approved the continuation of the Immigration, Visa, Foreigners Registration and Tracking (IVFRT) Scheme beyond 31 March 2026 for five years, up to 31 March 2031, with a budget outlay of Rs 1,800 crore. Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw explained that the objective is to modernize immigration and visa services within a secure, integrated framework. IVFRT aims to facilitate legitimate travellers while strengthening national security, reduce processing times, and improve data sharing among agencies. The decision supports digital governance and streamlined border management at airports and land borders nationwide.

Extension: 5 years to 2031
Budget: Rs 1,800 crore
Objective: modernize immigration and visa services
Outcomes: faster processing, better data sharing
Security and governance emphasis
Widespread implementation across borders

BHASHINI and PFRDA sign MoU to widen pension services accessibility

Digital India BHASHINI Division and the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen multilingual capabilities in pension services. The collaboration integrates with BHASHINI, India’s National Language Digital Public Infrastructure, enabling translation tools, multilingual AI models, and voice-enabled technologies within PFRDA systems. The initiative will cover all 22 languages listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution, expanding accessibility for subscribers and stakeholders. The MoU aims to boost language inclusivity across pension platforms and improve user experience for diverse linguistic communities.

Parties: BHASHINI Division and PFRDA
Objective: multilingual pension services
Technology: translation tools, multilingual AI, voice tools
Languages: 22 in Eighth Schedule
Impact: increased inclusivity and accessibility
Scope: integration across pension interfaces

Kompella Venkata Ramana Murty named SEBI Whole-Time Member

Kompella Venkata Ramana Murty has been appointed as a whole-time member of the Securities and Exchange Board of India for a three-year term. The appointment, notified on 25 March 2026, strengthens SEBI's leadership as capital markets expand and regulatory complexity grows. Murty previously served as Additional Controller General of Defence Accounts, bringing extensive public-finance experience to the regulator. His inclusion is expected to enhance financial oversight, accounting standards, and market supervision in a rapidly changing environment. The appointment aligns with government priorities to deepen market integrity, safeguard investors, and ensure efficient enforcement across diverse financial sectors. Market participants welcomed the move as a signal of stable regulatory leadership.

Appointed: 25 March 2026
Term: three years
Previous role: Additional Controller General of Defence Accounts
Impact: stronger SEBI oversight
Signal of stable regulatory leadership
Supports expanding and complex markets

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