General Awareness

GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND SCHEMES - June 2023

Jun 2023

Jan 13, 2026

India Post launches Speed Post 24 and Speed Post 48 to ensure delivery within 24–48 hours

India Post has launched two new priority delivery services, Speed Post 24 and Speed Post 48, aimed at delivering select mail and parcels within 24 hours and 48 hours, respectively. Union Minister for Communications Jyotiraditya Scindia announced the services at a programme held at the Pichor sub-office in Shivpuri district, Madhya Pradesh. The renovated Pichhor sub-office cost ₹2 lakh, while the foundation stone for a proposed new sub-office building has been laid at ₹1 crore 11 lakh. Scindia stated the move would modernise the postal network and set a higher benchmark for punctual, reliable delivery. This aligns with a broader postal modernisation push; on 29 December 2025 the DoT via NCCS unveiled reforms to bolster indigenous manufacturing and testing capabilities.

New services: Speed Post 24 aims for 24-hour delivery; Speed Post 48 targets 48-hour delivery.
Announced by Union Minister for Communications Jyotiraditya Scindia at Pichor, Madhya Pradesh.
Renovated Pichhor sub-office cost ₹2 lakh; new sub-office foundation ₹1 crore 11 lakh.
Part of ongoing modernisation of India Post’s network.
DoT reforms through NCCS announced on 29 December 2025 to boost domestic manufacturing and testing.

Jan 12, 2026

Railways to confer Ati Vishisht Rail Seva Puraskar on 100 employees

Indian Railways will confer the Ati Vishisht Rail Seva Puraskar 2025 on 100 employees, including officers and staff across various divisions. The awards will be presented on January 9 at the India International Convention & Expo Centre in New Delhi, with Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and other railway officials in attendance. The ceremony recognises exemplary service, safety, efficiency, innovation and contributions to revenue and operations. This broad recognition reflects the Railways’ ongoing emphasis on workforce excellence and public service delivery across a wide spectrum of railway functions.

Ati Vishisht Rail Seva Puraskar 2025 to be awarded to 100 employees.
Ceremony on January 9 at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi; Vaishnaw to attend.
Awards cover safety, efficiency, innovation and service excellence.
Recognises a broad range of railway personnel across divisions.
Highlights government emphasis on workforce recognition and public service.

UIDAI launches Udai, a mascot to simplify Aadhaar communication

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) launched Udai, a mascot designed to simplify public understanding of Aadhaar services. Udai was chosen from entries submitted through a national design and name competition on the MyGov platform. The mascot aims to improve outreach and clarity for residents seeking Aadhaar-related information and services. UIDAI described Udai as a people-friendly asset to help users navigate identity services more easily. The move aligns with efforts to enhance accessibility and awareness around biometric UID programs across diverse Indian communities.

UIDAI launches mascot Udai to simplify Aadhaar communication.
Udai selected via MyGov national design and name competition.
Mascot aims to improve public understanding of Aadhaar services.
Part of broader efforts to boost accessibility of identity programs.
Represents UIDAI’s focus on user-friendly public outreach.

NHAI marks four Guinness World Records along Bengaluru–Kadapa–Vijayawada corridor

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) announced four Guinness World Records linked to the Bengaluru–Kadapa–Vijayawada economic corridor (NH-544G). Official releases state that on January 6, 2026, two records were set near Puttaparthi as part of the project’s execution excellence and engineering prowess. The feat showcases India’s growing infrastructure capabilities and project delivery speed. The records come amid ongoing efforts to accelerate highway development and regional connectivity, supporting freight movement and regional growth. NHAI emphasized safety, quality, and timely completion as core pillars of the corridor’s implementation.

NHAI reports four Guinness World Records for NH-544G corridor.
Two records achieved near Puttaparthi on January 6, 2026.
Part of Bengaluru–Kadapa–Vijayawada economic corridor project.
Highlights India’s infrastructure capability and execution speed.
Emphasis on safety, quality, and timely completion.

Jan 11, 2026

AYUSH recognised in Oman and New Zealand trade pacts

India’s traditional medicine system AYUSH has gained formal recognition in bilateral trade agreements with Oman and New Zealand. Commerce Ministry officials stated the pacts were finalised in December 2025 and include dedicated annexures on health‑related services and traditional medicine. The recognition is expected to boost collaboration in AYUSH products and services and support standardisation efforts. Exports of AYUSH and herbal products grew by 6.11 percent, rising from 649.2 million US dollars in 2023‑24 to 688.89 million dollars in 2024‑25. The agreements align with India’s push to expand traditional medicine on international markets and strengthen regulatory cooperation.

AYUSH gains formal recognition in Oman and New Zealand trade pacts.
Agreements finalised in December 2025 with health services annexures.
Exports of AYUSH products rose to 688.89 million USD in 2024‑25.
Move supports standardisation and international market access for AYUSH.

Jan 10, 2026

Tamil Nadu unveils first Deep Tech Start-up Policy (2025–26) at UmagineTN 2026

Tamil Nadu announced India's first dedicated Deep Tech Start-up Policy for 2025–26 at UmagineTN 2026, launched by Chief Minister M. K. Stalin. The policy aims to back 100 deep-tech startups and mobilise ₹100 crore in public and private investments over five years. Implemented through the iTNT Hub, TNDTSP seeks to bridge the lab-to-market gap, boost patent filings, enable technology transfer, and help startups reach global markets. The policy complements existing Tamil Nadu startup initiatives and emphasizes a strong ecosystem for IP-intensive ventures in science-led industries, aligning with the state’s broader mission of innovation-led growth.

First Deep Tech Start-up Policy for 2025–26
Backs 100 startups; targets ₹100 crore investments
iTNT Hub as nodal implementing agency
Aims to increase patents, tech transfer, and global market access

Jan 08, 2026

BHU launches 121 INI‑Swayam courses for Jan–Apr 2026

Banaras Hindu University (BHU) has launched 121 Institutes of National Importance (INI)‑SWAYAM online courses for the January–April 2026 session. BHU is offering 71 courses in January 2026, spanning sciences, engineering, management, medicine, education, humanities and interdisciplinary studies. AMU contributes 48 courses, with sessions beginning January 26 and February 16, 2026. SWAYAM is an Education Ministry initiative to provide free online education. The Rashtriya Raksha University provides two courses in Defence and Strategic Studies and Forensic Accounting. Interested learners can enrol via swayam.gov.in/INI for flexible, accessible higher learning.

BHU offers 121 INI‑SWAYAM courses for Jan–Apr 2026.
BHU: 71 courses in January; AMU: 48 courses.
SWAYAM is an Education Ministry online learning program.
Sessions start January 26 and February 16, 2026.
RRU offers two courses in Defence & Strategic Studies and Forensic Accounting.

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