General Awareness

GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND SCHEMES - May 2023

May 2023

Jul 22, 2026

Coal-sector technical cooperation with GIZ to support mine closure and redevelopment

India's Ministry of Coal signed an Implementation Agreement with Germany's development agency, GIZ, for technical cooperation in the coal sector. The partnership focuses on scientific closure and redevelopment of coal mines, institutional capacity building, knowledge sharing, and post-mining development. The agreement aims to promote sustainable and responsible practices in India's coal sector, including environmental safeguards, land rehabilitation, and community development. The collaboration is expected to enable technical training, data sharing, and joint pilots in several coal regions, with a focus on long-term reclamation and livelihoods.

MoC signs agreement with GIZ for coal-sector cooperation.
Focus on mine closure, redevelopment, and capacity building.
Emphasis on environmental safeguards and post-mining development.
Includes training, data sharing, and pilot projects in multiple regions.
Aims for sustainable, responsible practices in coal mining.

Mission Golden Spice to strengthen Lakadong turmeric value chain in Meghalaya

The Centre launched Mission Golden Spice in July 2026 to strengthen the value chain of Meghalaya's GI-tag Lakadong turmeric. The ₹175.45 crore initiative aims to improve cultivation, processing, branding and exports, with a five-year timeline from 2026 to 2030 in two phases. It seeks to raise farmers' incomes and promote Lakadong turmeric as a premium global spice. The program will support better seeds, extension services, post-harvest handling, quality testing, packaging and market access. It also includes capacity building for farmers and cooperatives, development of branding and traceability, and export-readiness activities to integrate Lakadong turmeric into international supply chains. The initiative also envisions monitoring and evaluation.

Initiative launched in July 2026; budget ₹175.45 crore; duration 2026–2030 in two phases.
Aims to boost cultivation, processing, branding and exports of Lakadong turmeric (GI-tag).
Targets higher farmer incomes and premium positioning in global markets.
Focus areas include seeds, extension services, post-harvest, packaging, branding, and traceability.
Emphasizes capacity building, market linkages, and export-readiness; includes monitoring.

Jul 21, 2026

Delhi approves PARIVARTAN vehicle renewal scheme

In July 2026, the Delhi Government approved the PARIVARTAN Programme for Accelerated Renewal and Incentivisation of Vehicle Assets for Reducing Transport Air Pollution and Network Emissions. The Centre-backed vehicle scrappage scheme targets commercial vehicles in the Delhi-NCR region, including BS-IV or older Light Goods Vehicles, Medium Goods Vehicles, Heavy Goods Vehicles, and buses. The scheme provides incentives for scrapping and replacement under a notified framework, aiming to curb pollution and modernise the fleet. Officials emphasised expected improvements in air quality and efficiency alongside broader transport policy goals.

PARIVARTAN approved for Delhi and NCR commercial fleets.
Targets BS-IV and older LGVs, MGVs, HGVs, and buses.
Centre-backed vehicle scrappage with replacement incentives.
Aims to reduce transport emissions and improve air quality.

QDENGA dengue vaccine approved in India for 4–60 years age group

India's drug regulator, the DCGI, granted market authorisation to Takeda's dengue vaccine QDENGA (TAK-003) in July 2026 for individuals aged 4 to 60 years. The live-attenuated tetravalent vaccine protects against all four dengue serotypes and uses a two-dose schedule three months apart, with no prior screening required. The approval marks the first dengue vaccine available in India, aiming to reduce the disease burden in high-risk regions and complement vector-control efforts. Health authorities emphasised the importance of vaccination alongside surveillance and public education to sustain protection across communities.

DCGI approved Takeda's QDENGA for ages 4–60.
Two-dose schedule three months apart; no prior screening needed.
First dengue vaccine authorised for India.
Aims to reduce dengue burden with vaccination plus surveillance.

Jul 20, 2026

Andhra Pradesh launches Common Zoning Regulations 2026

The Andhra Pradesh government notified the Common Zoning Regulations, 2026 to create a uniform framework for land use and urban development. The new system standardises zoning categories and consolidates earlier planning rules into a single, rule-based framework. It aims to simplify development permissions, improve transparency, and reduce delays. Local authorities will apply standardized norms for housing, commercial, and industrial zones, promoting predictable approvals and orderly growth. The regulations aim to balance growth with environmental protections and public amenities, supporting sustainable urban development. Stakeholders from real estate and civic administration welcome the move, while some residents seek transitional guidelines.

New uniform zoning framework: Common Zoning Regulations, 2026
Replaces multiple existing planning rules
Aims: simplify permissions, increase transparency
Standardised norms for housing, commercial, industrial zones
Focus on sustainable, orderly urban growth

White Rabbit IST Network inaugurated for secure time dissemination

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi commissioned the White Rabbit Technology-based Indian Standard Time Dissemination Demonstration Network in Bengaluru on 16 July 2026. The facility, located at the Regional Reference Standard Laboratory, provides highly accurate time signals and secure dissemination. The network aims to strengthen timekeeping infrastructure for banking, telecommunications, power, and transportation sectors. Officials say the system will improve reliability, security, and redundancy of national time standards. The project supports self-reliant digital infrastructure, enabling synchronized operations across the country and reducing dependence on external time sources.

Inauguration date: 16 July 2026
Location: Bengaluru; Regional Reference Standard Laboratory
Purpose: precise time dissemination for critical sectors
Benefits: reliability, security, redundancy
Strategic goal: robust national time standards

Jul 19, 2026

Maharashtra Advances NeVA Digitisation of Legislature

The Maharashtra Legislature advanced plans to implement the National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA) to digitise legislative proceedings. A high‑level meeting at Vidhan Bhawan, Mumbai, on 16 July 2026 laid out the roadmap for moving to a paperless, transparent and efficient legislative process under the Digital India Programme. Stakeholders agreed to expedite the signing of a memorandum of understanding to enable early rollout and scale across committees, sessions and member access. NeVA seeks to modernise procedural workflows, improve record-keeping, and enhance public accessibility to legislative documents. In the last 48 hours, momentum grew toward MoU signing and formal project initiation in Maharashtra.

Date of meeting: 16 July 2026.
Programme: National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA).
Objectives: paperless, transparent, efficient legislature.
Next step: signing of MoU for early implementation.
Scope: potential rollout across committees and sessions.

Jul 18, 2026

Harjit Singh Grewal appointed NCM Chairperson

The central government appointed Harjit Singh Grewal as the new Chairperson of the National Commission for Minorities (NCM) on 17 July 2026, for a three‑year term, succeeding Iqbal Singh Lalpura. S. Munavari Begum was named Vice‑Chairperson, and Glen E. Suze Ticklo was appointed as a member. The move aims to strengthen minority rights protection and representation in policy processes. The appointments were announced by the Ministry of Minority Affairs and reflect ongoing governance efforts. Must‑know in India in the last 48 hours: Grewal’s appointment to lead the NCM and the new leadership team were announced on 17 July 2026.

Position: Chairperson, National Commission for Minorities (NCM).
Term: Three years.
New appointees: S. Munavari Begum (Vice‑Chairperson), Glen E. Suze Ticklo (Member).
Purpose: Strengthen functioning and minority representation.
Context: Government oversight of minority welfare.

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