General Awareness

GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND SCHEMES - November 2021

Nov 2021

May 29, 2026

Coal gasification incentives expand; states push cleaner energy policy

Odisha and Maharashtra have introduced incentive frameworks to promote coal gasification, with the Centre engaging other coal-bearing states to participate in a ₹37,500 crore financial incentive package for surface coal and lignite gasification. The policy aims to reduce import dependence on natural gas, ammonia, urea, methanol and related products, while supporting energy security, industrial policy and domestic manufacturing. Officials say the package could accelerate gasification projects and help diversify the energy supply. The move complements ongoing energy transition efforts and reflects government emphasis on cleaner, indigenous energy pathways.

States announce coal gasification incentives; Centre seeking broader participation.
Financial package: ₹37,500 crore for surface coal and lignite gasification.
Goals: reduce imports of gas-based chemicals and fuels; energy security.
Impacts: potential boost to domestic manufacturing and cleaner energy pathways.

May 28, 2026

Andhra Pradesh CM directs Farm-to-Home delivery plan

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu of Andhra Pradesh directed officials to implement a Farm‑to‑Home model to benefit farmers by delivering agricultural produce directly to consumers. The plan, to be implemented through Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), aims to reduce marketing costs and improve affordability of fruits and vegetables. Naidu asked officials to assess El Niño’s likely impact and prepare region‑wise crop planning, promote natural farming and PMDS‑Half Moon systems in water‑scarce areas, and ensure farmers receive minimum support price. The move seeks to strengthen linkages between producers and consumers in a challenging climatic year.

Farm‑to‑Home delivery model announced
Implementation through FPOs
Aims to reduce marketing costs and improve affordability
El Niño impact assessment and region‑wise planning
Promotion of natural farming and PMDS‑Half Moon systems
Ensuring minimum support price for farmers

Sikkim becomes India's fifth fully literate state

On 27 May 2026, Sikkim was declared the fifth fully literate state under the ULLAS – Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram. The state reported a literacy rate of 99.82 percent, well above the 95 percent benchmark set by the Education Ministry for full literacy. ULLAS stands for Understanding of Lifelong Learning for All in Society. The programme began on 14 November 2022 and has been implemented across all districts, blocks, Gram Panchayat units and wards. Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang announced the declaration during the 7th convocation of Sikkim University in Gangtok, with President Droupadi Murmu and Governor Om Prakash Mathur in attendance.

Date of declaration: 27 May 2026
Literacy rate achieved: 99.82 percent
ULLAS stands for Understanding of Lifelong Learning for All in Society
Program launched on 14 November 2022
Declared at Sikkim University convocation in Gangtok
Attendees included President Murmu and Governor Mathur

May 27, 2026

Bihar mandates quarterly tourist visits by state employees

The Bihar Government issued a directive on 20 May requiring state government employees to undertake a two-day, two-night visit to state tourist destinations with their families once every three months. Reports must be submitted detailing promotional impact. Travel is preferably scheduled on Fridays and Saturdays. The Additional Chief Secretary of the General Administration Department stated that employees should visit at least three eco or rural tourism sites outside their home district during each trip and stay overnight. Official time spent on travel and stay will be recognised as duty time, reinforcing the aim to promote tourism and local culture.

Directive date: 20 May 2026
Frequency: every three months
Trip duration: two days, two nights
Sites: at least three eco/rural destinations
Travel time counts as duty time

PM-AJAY Portal and AJAY Mobile App launched

Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Dr. Virendra Kumar launched the PM-AJAY Portal and the AJAY Mobile App to digitise and expedite the Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojna (PM-AJAY). The new digital workflow aims to replace paper processes with real-time, end-to-end processing. The launch occurred in the presence of Minister of State B L Verma, the Department Secretary Sudhansh Pant, and senior department officials, with participation from secretaries and senior officials from all States and Union Territories joining virtually. The portal and app are intended to improve service delivery and monitoring under the scheme.

System: PM-AJAY Portal and AJAY App
Purpose: digitise PM-AJAY scheme processes
Status: real-time end-to-end workflow
Attendees: senior officials from states/UTs
Impact: improved service delivery and monitoring

Kerala launches Project Zero Against Corruption

Kerala launched Project Zero on 26 May 2026 as an intensified anti corruption drive across state administration. The programme targets bribery, cyber crimes, vigilance procedures, and complaint handling through the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau. Project Zero is a state level initiative aimed at reducing graft at all administrative layers, with public participation components and stronger vigilance measures. It emphasizes the use of technology to track corruption cases and improve transparency. The initiative also seeks to update the Vigilance Manual, the procedural handbook guiding vigilance investigations, to reflect modern practices in digital and physical graft cases. Citizens are urged to report corruption directly to the department, with confidentiality safeguards for whistleblowers and complainants.

Launch date: 26 May 2026
Targets bribery, cyber crimes, vigilance procedures, and complaint handling
Involves Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau
Emphasizes technology to enhance transparency
Plans to update the Vigilance Manual

May 26, 2026

Railways inaugurates CHIRAG Centre for governance analytics

Indian Railways opened the CHIRAG Centre, the Centre for HR Information Systems, Research and Analytics in Governance. The centre focuses on improving the use of human resources data and governance analytics within railway operations. Officials say CHIRAG will support e-governance and public sector reforms by enabling data-driven decision-making across departments. The centre aligns with ongoing administration modernisation and aims to share analytics insights to improve efficiency, transparency, and service delivery in rail transport. It represents a strategic step toward stronger governance and digital transformation in the railways sector.

CHIRAG Centre for HR information systems and analytics inaugurated.
Aims to enhance governance analytics in Railways.
Supports e-governance and public sector reforms.
Promotes data-driven decision making in operations.
Part of broader digital transformation in rail governance.

National AI & Digital Water Summit held in Bengaluru

India hosted its first National AI and Digital Water Summit in Bengaluru, in collaboration with the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board. The event focused on artificial intelligence applications in water management, smart metering, and digital utilities. Delegates discussed urban water stress, climate challenges, and governance strategies to improve efficiency, conservation, and service delivery. The summit demonstrates a growing emphasis on data-driven governance and sustainable water security, linking technology with municipal infrastructure and resource management. It is expected to influence policy discussions and pilot projects across cities facing water challenges.

First National AI and Digital Water Summit in Bengaluru.
Focus on AI in water management, smart metering, digital utilities.
Addresses urban water stress and climate challenges.
Highlights data-driven governance and urban infrastructure.
Could shape policy and pilot projects in cities.

May 25, 2026

Department of Space approves space facilities in Tamil Nadu and Gujarat

The Department of Space approved Common Technical Facilities in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu on 22 May 2026 to support India’s private-space sector. These shared hubs provide testing, validation, and integration infrastructure for space hardware, enabling startups and large industries to access high-end space testing capabilities. The program seeks to accelerate domestic space manufacturing and R&D by providing governance and shared resources through the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) framework. The facilities will serve multiple actors in the evolving space ecosystem.

22 May 2026: DoS approval for Common Technical Facilities
Locations: Gujarat and Tamil Nadu
Purpose: testing, validation, integration for space hardware
Targets startups and large industries
Supports private-space ecosystem via IN-SPACe

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