General Awareness

GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND SCHEMES - September 2022

Sep 2022

Oct 15, 2026

National SARAS Livelihoods Mela 2026 inaugurated in Vijayawada

President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the National SARAS Livelihoods Mela 2026 at Vijayawada’s Punnami Ghat, marking the first time the fair is held outside Delhi-National Capital Region. The Rural Development Ministry and the Andhra Pradesh governmentorganize the event, which hosts around 1,500 women entrepreneurs and artisans across about 650 stalls. Exhibits showcase handlooms, handicrafts, organic goods, and household items, with regional food and live demonstrations. The Mela highlights training in packaging, branding, and online marketing. It also showcases the Lakhpati Didi initiative to help rural women secure sustainable incomes and financial independence, expanding market access for Self-Help Groups.

Location/date: Vijayawada, 15 Oct 2026
Organisers: Rural Development Ministry; Andhra Pradesh govt
Participants: ~1,500 women entrepreneurs; ~650 stalls
Focus: handloom, crafts, organic goods, foods
Initiatives: Lakhpati Didi; training on branding/online marketing
Significance: expands market access for rural women

Nagaland wins SKOCH Silver for Grassroots Football Festival

The Nagaland Youth Resources and Sports Department has received the SKOCH Silver Award for its Grassroots Football Festival (Baby League). Launched in June 2024, the festival promotes grassroots sports and invites children aged 5 to 12 to play small-sided football in four age groups. Participation rose from about 142 children to around 420 in 2026. The programme emphasizes participation and development over competition while allowing coaches to identify talent. Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted Nagaland’s grassroots work in his Mann Ki Baat address in June 2026, acknowledging the initiative’s social impact and potential to cultivate future athletes.

Award: SKOCH Silver to Nagaland Dept
Program: Grassroots Football Festival (Baby League)
Launch: June 2024; four age groups
Participation: ~142 → ~420 (2026)
PM Modi mention: Mann Ki Baat, June 2026
Focus: participation, development, talent identification

Cabinet approves strategic stake sale of IDBI Bank to Canada Inc. for ₹52,878 crore

The Union Cabinet approved the strategic stake sale of IDBI Bank to Canada Inc., whose parent company is Fairfax Financial Holdings. The 60.72 percent stake comprises 30.48 percent held by the Government of India and 30.24 percent by the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC). The deal values IDBI Bank at ₹52,878 crore and transfers management control to the buyer, subject to regulatory clearance, including the Reserve Bank of India’s opinion. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) gave its nod to the transaction, described by the Finance Minister as strategic restructuring. Regulatory approvals, including RBI input, remain essential before completion.

Total stake offered: 60.72% (Govt 30.48%, LIC 30.24%)
Buyer: Canada Inc., backed by Fairfax Financial Holdings
Deal value: ₹52,878 crore
Transfer of management control to buyer
Requires RBI opinion and other regulatory approvals
Described as strategic restructuring by Finance Minister

Oct 13, 2026

Lakshadweep Declared 100% Literate Under ULLAS Initiative

On 11 October 2026, Lakshadweep was declared 100 percent literate under the ULLAS – Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram. Administrator Praful Patel announced the achievement, crediting extensive adult education and literacy campaigns across the Union Territory. The milestone aligns with the New India Literacy Programme and emphasizes foundational literacy and numeracy. Officials noted continued outreach through community learning and phone‑based learning aids. The declaration signals a national literacy milestone and could influence expansion of literacy efforts in other union territories and states, supporting inclusive development, skill‑building, and broader access to education in remote regions.

Date: 11 October 2026.
Program: ULLAS – Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram.
Administrator: Praful Patel announced the achievement.
Focus: adult education, foundational literacy, numeracy.
Implication: momentum for literacy drives in other UTs.

Second Regional Conference on Forest Rights Act Held in Kolkata

The Second Regional Review Conference on the Forest Rights Act, FRA, 2006, was held in Kolkata, West Bengal, during October 2026. Organized by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, the meeting brought together representatives from eight states: West Bengal, Assam, Tripura, Jharkhand, Odisha, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. The conference reviewed pending forest rights claims, implementation challenges and measures to strengthen recognition of forest rights among tribal and forest‑dwelling communities. Officials discussed streamlining claim processing, field verification, and capacity building at local levels to accelerate approvals. The FRA recognises forest dwellers’ rights to land and resources, balancing rights with conservation goals.

Event: Second Regional Review Conference on FRA, October 2026.
States represented: WB, Assam, Tripura, Jharkhand, Odisha, Bihar, MP, Chhattisgarh.
Focus: pending claims, implementation challenges, recognition of rights.
Proposed measures: streamlined processing, digitisation, local participation.
Legal framework: FRA, 2006.

Oct 09, 2026

Kerala Police launches Speak Up task force against domestic violence

Kerala Police announced a new task force named Speak Up on 8 October 2026 to prevent domestic violence and protect survivors. The unit is headed by Inspector General of Police Ajeetha Begum. It aims to provide legal assistance, counselling, safe accommodation and livelihood support to survivors. A dedicated control room, digital helpline, WhatsApp facility and a mobile application enable confidential reporting. The initiative seeks to strengthen victim protection, encourage reporting and ensure timely police intervention in domestic violence cases. The program aligns with broader state and national efforts to improve safety for women and ensure access to justice for victims.

Speak Up task force launched on 8 October 2026 in Kerala.
Led by Inspector General Ajeetha Begum.
Helps with legal aid, counselling, shelter and livelihood support.
Features include control room, digital helpline, WhatsApp and app for confidential reports.
Aims to improve safety and reporting in domestic violence cases.

Oct 07, 2026

Nagaland launches Samaveshi Aajeevika Yojana

The Nagaland government launched the Samaveshi Aajeevika Yojana on 6 October 2026 to provide livelihood support to vulnerable sections of society. The programme is expected to benefit around 4,000 vulnerable households across the state. It focuses on promoting inclusive livelihoods and improving economic opportunities for families requiring additional support. The initiative forms part of Nagaland’s broader efforts to strengthen social protection and livelihood‑based development, aligning with national schemes that aim to empower marginalised communities and improve access to financial and non‑financial services.

Samaveshi Aajeevika Yojana launched on 6 October 2026 in Nagaland.
Aims to benefit about 4,000 vulnerable households.
Focus on inclusive livelihoods and enhanced economic opportunities.
Part of broader social protection and livelihood development efforts in Nagaland.
Supports national objectives for marginalised communities.

JOSH Teams launched for TB Mukt Bharat campaign

The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare launched Joint Squad for Health, or JOSH, Teams nationwide in October 2026 to boost youth participation in the TB Mukt Bharat campaign. The initiative, announced at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi and led by Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda, operates with the Ministries of Youth Affairs and Sports and Defence. The initial rollout covers 55 districts across 11 states and aims to mobilise young people for tuberculosis awareness, prevention and community action. JOSH teams will connect students, volunteers and local communities to strengthen TB control activities.

JOSH Teams launched nationally in October 2026.
Targets 55 districts across 11 states in the initial rollout.
Led by Health Minister J.P. Nadda; collaboration with Youth Affairs and Sports and Defence.
Aims to mobilise youth for TB awareness and prevention.
Part of the TB Mukt Bharat campaign.

Andhra Pradesh launches India’s first 3D-printed rural housing pilot

Andhra Pradesh launched India’s first 3D-printed rural housing pilot in October 2026, under the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana‑Gramin, PMAY-G 2.0. The project uses 3D concrete printing to construct rural houses more quickly and efficiently. The pilot aims to assess construction time, cost savings, and durability, while expanding affordable housing for rural communities. If successful, the technology could be scaled to other districts and integrated with existing housing schemes to improve rural living conditions and housing access. This initiative aligns with broader government priorities to modernise infrastructure and promote inclusive development in rural areas.

Pilot launched in Andhra Pradesh under PMAY-G 2.0.
3D concrete printing used to construct rural houses.
Goals include reducing build time and improving efficiency.
Potential for scaling to other districts if successful.
Supports broader push for affordable, inclusive rural housing.

Oct 06, 2026

SEBI launches 'Samajh Se Investing Simple' campaign under World Investor Week

SEBI launched the 'Samajh Se Investing Simple' investor awareness campaign under Project Jagrook at Panjab University, Chandigarh, on 5 October 2026. The event coincided with World Investor Week, observed from 5 to 11 October 2026. Project Jagrook aims to promote financial literacy and educate investors about the securities market. SEBI officials announced a nationwide effort that includes partnerships with universities, schools and market institutions, as well as a regulator’s presence on WhatsApp for verified information. The launch included demonstrations, quizzes and the introduction of a mentoring programme known as MUST, which trains faculty and students to share basic investing concepts. Students learned about risks, rewards and the importance of informed decisions.

Date and place: 5 October 2026, Panjab University, Chandigarh.
Event aligned with World Investor Week (5–11 October 2026).
Campaign named 'Samajh Se Investing Simple' under Project Jagrook.
MUST mentoring programme introduced for campus trainers.
SEBI to use WhatsApp channel for investor education.

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