General Awareness

GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND SCHEMES - October 2021

Oct 2021

May 21, 2026

Ayush Anudan Portal Boosts Ayush Grid Initiative

The Ayush Anudan Portal was launched to digitize grant management in the AYUSH sector under the Ayush Grid initiative. Union Minister Prataprao Jadhav announced the platform, which handles proposal submission, document verification, approvals, and real-time monitoring. The portal replaces paper-heavy processes, aiming to speed funding for AYUSH institutions and make grants more transparent. It centralizes grant-related workflows across central schemes and provides faster tracking of applications. Developed by the Ministry of Ayush, the portal is expected to reduce delays and administrative complexity while promoting greater efficiency in grant administration.

Ayush Anudan Portal launched to digitalize grants.
Part of the Ayush Grid initiative; announced by Prataprao Jadhav.
Streamlines proposal submission, verification, approvals, and monitoring.
Aims to reduce delays and increase transparency in grants.

May 20, 2026

India and Vietnam sign MoU on AI and quantum technology in Hanoi

In Hanoi on 19 May 2026, during a ministerial meeting between Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Vietnamese Defence Minister Phan Van Giang, India and Vietnam signed a Memorandum of Understanding on artificial intelligence and quantum technology. The agreement strengthens the Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and coincides with the 136th birth anniversary of Ho Chi Minh. The MoU envisages collaboration on AI and quantum research, joint exercises and technological exchanges to bolster regional security and defence capabilities. The talks emphasized institutional cooperation, information sharing, and capability development between Indian and Vietnamese defence establishments.

MoU signed in Hanoi on AI and quantum technology.
Participants: Rajnath Singh and Phan Van Giang.
Part of the Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Aligned with Ho Chi Minh’s birth anniversary commemoration.
Focus on joint research, exchanges and defence-tech collaboration.

May 19, 2026

IAS Officer Saurabh Vijay Takes Charge as UIDAI CEO

Senior IAS officer Saurabh Vijay of the 1998 Maharashtra cadre officially took charge as Chief Executive Officer of UIDAI on 18 May 2026. He brings extensive administrative experience from state and central government roles. UIDAI manages the Aadhaar program, which is the world’s largest biometric identity system. In his new role, Vijay will oversee UIDAI’s governance and digital governance initiatives across India. He previously held senior positions in multiple departments, and his appointment comes as the agency expands its mandate and faces privacy and data security considerations amid rapid digitization.

Appointment date: 18 May 2026
Office: UIDAI CEO
Background: 1998 Maharashtra cadre IAS
Role: oversee Aadhaar and digital governance
Context: expansion of UIDAI mandate and privacy considerations

West Bengal Introduces Free Bus Travel for Women and Annapurna Yojana

West Bengal approved free bus travel for women on state-run buses and launched the Annapurna Yojana on 18 May 2026. Free travel begins on 1 June 2026 and applies to all state buses, benefiting students and working professionals in rural and urban areas. The Annapurna Yojana provides ₹3,000 per month to eligible women beneficiaries from 1 June 2026 via direct benefit transfer. Automatic inclusion of Lakshmir Bhandar recipients is planned, with a new portal to verify eligibility and remove ineligible entries. The scheme aims to improve mobility and household finances for women across the state.

Approval date: 18 May 2026
Free bus travel starts: 1 June 2026
Annapurna Yojana: ₹3,000 monthly to beneficiaries
Automatic inclusion: Lakshmir Bhandar recipients
New portal: eligibility verification and cleanup

Andhra Pradesh Announces Incentives for Third and Fourth Child Under New Policy

On 17 May 2026, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu announced a new policy in Srikakulam district to encourage larger families. The state will provide ₹30,000 for the birth of a third child and ₹40,000 for a fourth child as direct financial support. Officials say the policy responds to declining fertility rates and rising incomes that influence family size. The move marks a shift from earlier population-control norms in several states. Analysts caution about potential social implications, but supporters view the policy as a measure to address long-term demographic and economic planning. The policy is under review for implementation details and governance mechanisms.

Policy announced: 17 May 2026
Beneficiaries: families having a third or fourth child
Financial support: ₹30,000 (third child) and ₹40,000 (fourth child)
Rationale: declining fertility rates and changing family patterns
Considerations: potential social implications and governance needs

May 18, 2026

Kalpasar Project: India and Netherlands sign LOI for technical cooperation

India’s Ministry of Jal Shakti and the Netherlands’ Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management signed a Letter of Intent on 17 May 2026 to pursue technical cooperation for Gujarat’s Kalpasar Project. The plan envisages a freshwater reservoir created by a dam across the Gulf of Khambhat, combining water storage with tidal power generation, irrigation facilities and enhanced transport links between Saurashtra and South Gujarat. The Netherlands will share water-management expertise drawn from the Afsluitdijk Dam experience, under the India-Netherlands Strategic Partnership on Water. The project targets freshwater from seven rivers, benefiting about 10 lakh hectares across 42 talukas in nine districts and could reduce travel distance from 240 km to about 60 km.

LOI signed on 17 May 2026 between India and the Netherlands.
Project location: Gulf of Khambhat, Gujarat; aims to build a dam and reservoir.
Components: freshwater storage, tidal power, irrigation, transport connectivity.
Dutch expertise linked to Afsluitdijk Dam; part of the India-Netherlands Water Partnership.
Irrigation target: ~10 lakh hectares across 42 talukas in nine districts.
Travel distance between South Gujarat and Saurashtra could drop from ~240 km to ~60 km.

May 17, 2026

PMAY-G Beneficiary Conference and Maha Awaas Abhiyan Awards in Maharashtra

India's Pradhan Mantri Gramin Awas Yojana (PMAY-G) beneficiary conference and the Maha Awaas Abhiyan state awards ceremony were scheduled to be held in Satara, Maharashtra. Union Minister for Rural Development and Agriculture Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, and Sunetra Pawar were to attend. Under PMAY-G, five lakh houses would be handed over to beneficiaries during the event. So far, the scheme has constructed around three crore houses nationwide. On the occasion, central assistance worth 8,368 crore and 50 lakh rupees for Maharashtra for 2026-27 were expected, along with approval of 35 PMGSY road projects worth 122 crore 98 lakh rupees benefiting rural habitations.

PMAY-G beneficiary conference and Maha Awaas Abhiyan awards to be held in Satara, Maharashtra.
Attendees include Chouhan, Fadnavis, Shinde, and Sunetra Pawar.
Five lakh houses to be handed over; nationwide total around three crore.
Central assistance of 8,368 crore and 50 lakh rupees expected for Maharashtra (2026-27).
Approval of 35 PMGSY road projects worth 122 crore 98 lakh rupees.

FACT Begins Di-Ammonium Phosphate Production at Udyogamandal Plant

FACT, Fertilizers and Chemicals Travancore Limited, a central public sector undertaking under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, commenced production of Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP) at its Udyogamandal plant in Kochi, Kerala on 15 May 2026. The permission for DAP manufacturing at the Kochi facility was granted on 24 April 2026 under the Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) Scheme, which provides financial support to fertilizer manufacturers for specified nutrients. DAP is a complex fertiliser supplying nitrogen and phosphorus, widely used in Indian agriculture. FACT, established in 1943 and headquartered in Kochi, Kerala, produces a range of fertilisers including complex, straight, organic, bio-fertilisers, and imported products. The Udyogamandal plant strengthens supply under NBS, helping farmers with affordable nutrients.

15 May 2026 marked the start of DAP production at FACT's Udyogamandal plant, Kochi.
Permission for DAP manufacturing granted on 24 April 2026 under the Nutrient Based Subsidy Scheme.
FACT is a central public sector undertaking under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, established in 1943.
DAP supplies nitrogen and phosphorus as a complex fertiliser for Indian agriculture.
The Udyogamandal facility supports affordable nutrient supply under NBS.
FACT's product range includes complex, straight, organic, bio-fertilisers and imported fertilisers.

Share on

TCY Analytics (View Subscription Plans)

Subscribe to GK Updates

I want to receive

GK Tags

June GK, May GK, April GK, INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS, ENVIRONMENT, BUSINESS AND ECONOMY, SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, SPORTS, NATIONAL AFFAIRS, DEFENCE, PERSONS IN NEWS, DAYS AND EVENTS, AWARDS AND HONOURS, GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND SCHEMES, GENDER/ HEALTH/ EDUCATION, ART AND CULTURE, BOOKS AND AUTHORS, TOURISM AND HOTEL INDUSTRY AWARENESS, ART AND CULTURE, LAW AND CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

Start Discussion

On any topic

Take Tests

Compiled from GK updates

Login

Sign Up

Forgot Password

Download TCY App

Unlock All Services And Enjoy The Premium Benefits

US$ 10

US$ 13

US$ 15

US$ 17

US$ 19

US$ 20

US$ 21

US$ 22

US$ 23

US$ 24

US$ 25

US$ 26