General Awareness

GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND SCHEMES - March 2022

Mar 2022

Jan 21, 2026

Centre introduces first tailings policy for critical minerals

The central government announced on 21 January 2026 the country’s first tailings policy for critical minerals. The policy provides guidelines for recovering minerals from primary ore as well as secondary sources such as mine dumps and tailings from existing mines. Tailings refer to residual waste after extraction. The Mines Ministry notes that recoverability and economic viability depend on a coordinated approach across ministries since critical elements may be present beyond solid mineral resources. The policy calls for mapping tailing ponds, assessing quantities, and evaluating environmental and economic viability to enable safer, technology-driven extraction and reuse.

First tailings policy for critical minerals announced on 21 January 2026.
Guidelines cover primary ore and tailings from existing mines.
Requires cross-ministry coordination to identify tailing sites.
Aims to map tailing ponds and assess recoverability and viability.
Emphasizes technology-driven recovery and environmental safeguards.

Railways OSOP scheme expands to 2,000 stations

The Indian Railways One Station One Product (OSOP) scheme has expanded to over 2,000 railway stations, benefiting more than 1.32 lakh artisans, weavers and small producers by giving them direct access to millions of passengers daily. The program links local crafts with rail networks, advancing Vocal for Local and sustaining regional economies. It features diverse products such as handmade pottery, bamboo crafts, spices, handlooms and sweets from across the country. Railways say OSOP strengthens inclusive growth by embedding local enterprise in train travel, while preserving traditional crafts for wider audiences.

OSOP now active at over 2,000 stations; 1.32 lakh beneficiaries.
Direct market access for artisans, weavers and small producers.
Promotes Vocal for Local and regional crafts across rail network.
Product range includes pottery, bamboo crafts, spices, handlooms and sweets.

VP Radhakrishnan launches Chalice of Ambrosia in New Delhi

Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan launched Chalice of Ambrosia: Ram Janmabhoomi-Challenge & Response in New Delhi. The book, authored by Surendra Kumar Pachauri, discusses the Ram Mandir at Ayodhya as a defining moment in India’s civilisational journey. The Vice President noted that the 2019 Supreme Court verdict fulfilled many aspirations and demonstrated the strength of Indian democracy. He spoke of Gandhian principles and recalled how Mahatma Gandhi’s experiences shaped social transformation. The event at the Gandhi Ashram in New Delhi featured a discussion with scholars and public figures and paid homage to national leaders associated with India’s democratic evolution.

Book Chalice of Ambrosia launched in New Delhi by Vice President on 21 January 2026.
Author: Surendra Kumar Pachauri; topic: Ram Mandir and democratic verdict.
VP connected the discourse to Gandhi, democracy and civilisational history.
Event held at Gandhi Ashram with scholars and dignitaries.

Jan 20, 2026

GeM and WTC Mumbai sign MoU to boost MSME procurement

GeM and World Trade Centre Mumbai signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen MSME participation in public procurement. The collaboration will focus on capacity building, supplier outreach, and knowledge sharing in AI, sustainability, and green procurement. GeM’s CEO and CFO highlighted the platform’s growing scale, with over one crore registered users, as a basis for wider market access. WTC Mumbai’s chairman said the partnership supports Atmanirbhar Bharat by improving transparency and efficiency in public procurement, particularly for startups, women entrepreneurs, and smaller enterprises.

GeM–WTC Mumbai MoU signed to boost MSMEs
Focus on capacity building and supplier outreach
Includes AI, sustainability, and green procurement
GeM has over one crore registered users
Aims to improve transparency and access for MSMEs

Karnataka inks MoU with Azim Premji Foundation for 1,000-bed organ transplant hospital in Bengaluru

The Karnataka medical education department signed an MoU with the Azim Premji Foundation to construct a 1,000-bed charitable hospital for multi‑organ transplantation in Bengaluru. The signing took place in Bengaluru with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Medical Education Minister Sharanprakash Patil, and Azim Premji Foundation CEO Anurag Behar in attendance. The government granted 10 acres on a 99-year lease at Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Chest Diseases for the project, while the Foundation will invest over ₹4,000 crore over coming years. The facility aims to make organ transplants more affordable and accessible to the public.

MoU signed between Karnataka government and Azim Premji Foundation
1,000-bed charitable multi‑organ transplant hospital planned
10 acres leased for 99 years near Rajiv Gandhi Institute
Project investment: over ₹4,000 crore
Goal: make transplants affordable and accessible

Jan 19, 2026

PM Vishwakarma Haat 2026 Announced at Dilli Haat, January 18–31

The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises announces PM Vishwakarma Haat 2026 at Dilli Haat, INA, in New Delhi from 18 to 31 January 2026. The event will showcase India s traditional crafts and artisanship, with over 117 artisans from across states and union territories. Union Minister Jiten Ram Manjhi will inaugurate the Haat, with Shobha Karandlaje in attendance. Hours are from 10 30 am to 10 pm daily, and foreign mission representatives have been invited. The exhibition aims to empower artisans, enhance market access, and strengthen MSME ecosystems through direct buyer interaction and visibility.

Dates: 18–31 January 2026
Venue: Dilli Haat, INA, New Delhi
Participants: 117 artisans from across India
Objective: empower artisans, improve market access
International involvement: foreign missions invited

PM-SETU Aims to Modernise 1000 Government ITIs

PM-SETU envisions modernising 1000 government ITIs through a hub and spoke approach. About 200 hub ITIs will receive upgraded infrastructure, while 800 spoke ITIs will extend reach across districts. A Pune industry consultation will mobilise participation from over 50 companies across construction, textiles, automotive, FMCG, electronics, oil and gas, and renewable energy sectors. The scheme places ITIs as government owned but industry managed, with stronger apprenticeship and placement linkages. MoUs will formalise partnerships with DVET Maharashtra, FIAT India, Schneider Electric India, Anudip Foundation, and others. The aim is to align training with labour market needs and governance.

Model: hub and spoke for ITIs
Hub count: 200; Spoke count: 800
Industry participation: 50+ companies
Key MoUs: FIAT India, Schneider Electric, Anudip
Goals: industry-led governance, improved employability

Supreme Court Upholds Open Merit Pool for Unreserved Seats

The Supreme Court on Friday held that candidates from reserved categories must be adjusted against unreserved vacancies if they score higher marks than the general category cut off. The case arose from a 2013 Airports Authority of India recruitment for Junior Assistant Fire Service. The AAI had filled 122 unreserved seats using meritorious reserved candidates, a decision challenged by a waiting unreserved candidate. The Kerala High Court had ruled in favor of the challenger in 2020, but the Supreme Court set aside that order, stating that the unreserved category is an open pool based on merit and not a private quota. Justices MM Sundresh and Satish Chandra Sharma delivered the judgment.

Judgment date context: January 2026
Merit-based open pool applies to unreserved seats
Case linked to AAI 2013 recruitment
Kerala HC decision (2020) overturned
Equality and merit emphasized by Supreme Court

Jan 18, 2026

Gruha Lakshmi Digital Marketing portal launches in Karnataka

Karnataka announced Gruha Lakshmi Digital Marketing, a state‑backed online portal to promote products of women entrepreneurs. The portal, launched under the Gruha Lakshmi scheme, aims to connect home‑based and rural women with national and global markets. It is accessible at gruhalakshmidigital.org, with plans for a mobile app. The initiative, led by Women and Child Development Minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar and supported by the Karnataka State Women’s Development Corporation, seeks to empower women through digital commerce, training, and mentorship while expanding market reach for their crafts and small‑scale goods.

Program: Gruha Lakshmi Digital Marketing
Launch: Karnataka government initiative
Platform: gruhalakshmidigital.org (app planned)
Aim: empower women entrepreneurs via digital marketplace
Leadership: Lakshmi Hebbalkar; G. Padmavathi

Uttarakhand cabinet clears equal pay for equal work for UPNL staff

The Uttarakhand Cabinet approved equal pay for equal work benefits for UPNL‑sponsored personnel who have completed 10 years of continuous service. Home Secretary Shailesh Bagauli said the measure is a phased response, aligned with the financial position of the state. The cabinet also approved amendments to the Uniform Civil Code, intended to resolve practical difficulties in implementation and clerical errors. The decisions were based on a cabinet sub‑committee’s recommendations and aim to provide salary parity and streamline civil service provisions for state‑sponsored personnel.

Policy: Equal pay for equal work for UPNL staff
Eligibility: 10 years of continuous service
Phase: First phase approval
Other measure: amendments to Uniform Civil Code
Rationale: financial and administrative efficiency

MNPL: 694‑km gas trunkline integrated inside utility corridor along PM‑GatiShakti

GAIL (India) Ltd completed the Mumbai‑Nagpur Natural Gas Pipeline (MNPL), a 694‑kilometre trunkline, almost entirely inside a three‑metre wide utility corridor along Maharashtra’s Samruddhi Mahamarg expressway. This marks India’s first major integration of a high‑capacity pipeline into a dense transport corridor under PM‑GatiShakti. The project required coordination with expressway construction and used limited workspace, with a 24‑inch high‑capacity gas line laid within a narrow corridor. Officials note that about 675 kilometres, or 96 percent, run inside the three‑metre strip, influencing design and construction methods for the corridor‑driven pipeline.

Project: Mumbai‑Nagpur Natural Gas Pipeline (MNPL)
Length: 694 km
Location: Mumbai to Nagpur, within Samruddhi Mahamarg corridor
Pipeline size: 24‑inch diameter
Key framework: PM‑GatiShakti integration
Engineering challenge: narrow three‑metre corridor

Jan 17, 2026

Government blocks 242 illegal betting websites; crackdown intensifies

The Government of India blocked 242 illegal betting and gambling website links, part of an ongoing crackdown following the Online Gaming Act of 2025. Authorities say enforcement has increased, with more than 7,800 sites taken down since measures began. The move aims to protect youth and reduce financial and social harms linked to online gaming. IT and law enforcement agencies monitor cross-border platforms and coordinate with tech providers to disable access and shut down operators. The government has pledged continuous auditing and public awareness campaigns across states to reinforce compliance and safety.

242 illegal betting sites blocked; total over 7,800 sites taken down since 2025 Act.
Crackdown aims to protect youth and curb financial/social harms.
Enforcement intensified with cross-border platform monitoring.
Coordination with tech providers to disable access and shut operators.
Ongoing auditing and public awareness campaigns planned.

Rs 1 lakh crore RD&I fund announced for innovation and AI

During National Startup Day events, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a Rs 1 lakh crore fund for research, development and innovation (RD&I). The scheme includes a Deep Tech Fund of Funds to support long-term investment in sunrise sectors such as AI, biotech, and clean energy. The plan aims to translate research into market-ready technologies and jobs. Officials say the package will strengthen India’s ability to compete globally in the AI era and support education and entrepreneurship. The policy underscores the government’s emphasis on innovation, future-ready industries, and sustaining momentum in science and technology investment.

Rs 1 lakh crore fund for RD&I announced by PM Modi.
Includes Deep Tech Fund of Funds to support sunrise sectors.
Targets AI, biotech, clean energy and other advanced fields.
Aims to convert research into technology-based jobs and growth.
Signals ongoing government focus on innovation and future industries.

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