General Awareness

GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND SCHEMES - December 2022

Dec 2022

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

May 24, 2026

Amit Shah inaugurates Million Minds Tech Park and GREMI City Campus in Ahmedabad

Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the Million Minds Tech Park and GREMI City Campus in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The combined investment is around ₹1,600 crore, developed by Ganesh Housing Corporation Limited. Million Minds Tech Park costs ₹1,100 crore and aims to be a Global Capability Centre hub, boosting tech innovation. GREMI City Campus costs ₹500 crore and will promote education and training in real estate and urban development. The projects will support sectors such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science, cyber security, finance, and research and development. The inauguration signals Gujarat’s growing technology ecosystem and national aims to expand skilled employment.

Inauguration location: Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
Total investment: ₹1,600 crore (Million Minds Tech Park + GREMI City Campus).
Tech Park cost: ₹1,100 crore; aims to be a Global Capability Centre hub.
GREMI City Campus cost: ₹500 crore; focuses on real estate and urban development education.
Sectors targeted: AI, ML, data science, cyber security, finance, R&D.

May 23, 2026

Odisha Finance Department to Issue Vehicle Guidelines in 15 Days

The Odisha Finance Department will issue guidelines within 15 days to identify categories of officers eligible for government vehicles and to frame rules for the use of privately owned electric vehicles for official purposes. The forthcoming guidelines are part of Odisha’s broader push toward sustainable public mobility and emission reductions. Officials say the document will clarify eligibility, fleet allocation, and oversight mechanisms, ensuring a transparent transition for government mobility needs. The move aligns with the state’s EV mandate and aims to balance operational requirements with budget and environmental goals.

Guidelines to be issued within 15 days to identify eligible vehicle‑holding officers.
Rules to govern use of privately owned electric vehicles for official tasks included.
Part of Odisha’s broader strategy for sustainable public transport.
Aims to ensure transparency, accountability, and alignment with emissions targets.

ShramMitra App Aims to Modernise Worker Hiring in Haryana

The Haryana government has launched the ShramMitra mobile application to connect workers and employers directly through smartphones. Introduced by Labour Minister Anil Vij, the app replaces reliance on traditional labour chowks and aims to streamline job matching for daily wage and skilled workers. The app is developed by the Haryana Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board and provides a direct communication channel to reduce delays and confusion in hiring. Officials describe ShramMitra as a major labour market reform intended to enhance transparency, speed of placement, and oversight of working conditions in Haryana.

ShramMitra app launched to connect workers with employers via smartphones.
Initiated by Labour Minister Anil Vij; replaces traditional labour chowks.
Developed by the Haryana Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board.
Aims to reduce delays and improve transparency in job placement.

Odisha Mandates Electric Vehicles for Government Use

Odisha has mandated electric vehicles for all new government two‑wheelers and four‑wheelers from 1 June 2026, per an order issued on 21 May 2026 by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi. The rule also covers four‑wheelers hired for official work. The policy aims to reduce fossil fuel use, with senior officers required to carpool and departments instructed to achieve at least a 10% monthly reduction in fuel consumption. The Odisha Finance Department will issue guidelines within 15 days to identify officer categories eligible for government vehicles and to set rules for using privately owned electric vehicles for official purposes.

From 1 June 2026, all new government two‑wheelers and four‑wheelers must be electric in Odisha.
Order issued on 21 May 2026 by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.
Policy requires senior officers to carpool; target 10% monthly fuel reduction.
Guidelines to identify eligible officers and regulate private EV usage to follow within 15 days.

Kerala Creates Dedicated Cabinet-Level AI Portfolio

Kerala has created a cabinet-level Artificial Intelligence portfolio, making it the first Indian state to formalise AI as a separate administrative identity. The portfolio will be placed under Kerala’s Industries and Commerce Department and will coordinate AI initiatives alongside Information Technology, Startups, Mining and Geology, and Handlooms and Textiles. Senior IUML leader PK Kunhalikutty has been assigned the AI portfolio, as disclosed in an official Gazette notification. The move signals a sharper state governance framework for AI, guiding procurement, data policy, talent development, and digital public services. Officials emphasise that the AI department will support policy design, project implementation, and cross‑sector collaboration to accelerate innovation in governance and industry.

Kerala establishes a cabinet-level AI portfolio, a first for an Indian state.
AI portfolio is placed under the Industries and Commerce Department along with IT, Startups, and other sectors.
PK Kunhalikutty (IUML) is the appointed AI portfolio holder.
Aim is to guide AI governance, procurement, data policy, and public service delivery.

Arunachal Kiwi Mission Aims Global Organic Kiwi Growth

Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region Jyotiraditya Scindia launched the Arunachal Kiwi Mission, a ₹167 crore cluster‑based initiative to transform Arunachal Pradesh into India’s premium organic kiwi hub. The mission covers cultivation to branding, exports and agri-tourism, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Viksit North East vision. Scindia noted Arunachal Pradesh contributes more than 50 percent of India’s kiwi production, about 7,050 metric tonnes annually, yet farmers receive lower prices than imported kiwis. The initiative seeks to strengthen the entire kiwi value chain and expand domestic and global markets by coordinating state and Centre efforts.

Arunachal Pradesh kiwis account for over 50% of India’s production (~7,050 MT annually).
₹167 crore Arunachal Kiwi Mission aims to build a premium organic kiwi hub.
Focus areas include cultivation, post‑harvest, branding, exports and agritourism.
Part of PM Modi’s ‘Viksit North East’ plan to boost regional agriculture and markets.

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