General Awareness

GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND SCHEMES - July 2023

Jul 2023

May 03, 2026

Anugraha Narayana Das takes charge as CGDA

Anugraha Narayana Das assumed charge as Controller General of Defence Accounts (CGDA). He is a 1991-batch officer of the Indian Defense Accounts Service (IDAS) with over three decades of experience in defense finance management and public administration. His appointment aims to strengthen financial transparency, accountability, and efficiency in defense spending. Das holds a degree from Utkal University and studied at the University of Ljubljana (ICPE), with advanced training from Indian Institute of Management Bangalore and Duke University. In his career, he served as Director in the Ministry of Water Resources, Additional Financial Adviser & Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Defence, and Principal Integrated Financial Adviser at Army Headquarters.

Anugraha Narayana Das appointed CGDA; 1991 IDAS batch.
Over three decades in defense finance and administration.
Educational background: Utkal University; University of Ljubljana; IIM Bengaluru; Duke University.
Former roles include Director, water resources; Additional Financial Adviser & Joint Secretary; PIFA at Army HQ.

May 02, 2026

Sikkim Declared the Country’s First Paperless Judiciary State

In a national conclave on technology and judicial education, Sikkim was declared the country’s first fully paperless judiciary state. Chief Justice of India Surya Kant announced the move in Gangtok, with Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang Golay describing it as a historic step toward a faster, more transparent justice system. The initiative aligns with broader digital governance goals and is seen as essential for meeting India’s 2047 developmental vision, Viksit Bharat. The paperless shift encompasses e‑filing, digital case management, and streamlined court administration, potentially reducing delays and improving accessibility to justice.

Sikkim named India’s first fully paperless judiciary state.
Announcement by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant in Gangtok (1 May 2026).
Aims to speed up justice delivery and increase transparency.
Includes e‑filing and digital case management as core components.
Supports broader digital governance and Viksit Bharat goals.

India’s Barrier-Free Toll Plaza: MLFF on NH‑48

India launched the first barrier‑free toll plaza on the Delhi–Mumbai NH‑48 (Chorayasi Toll Plaza, Gujarat) using a Multi‑Lane Free Flow (MLFF) system. The system integrates Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) and FASTag for seamless toll deduction without stopping. Benefits include shorter travel times, reduced fuel use, and lower emissions. Enforcement relies on electronic notices for non‑payment or missing FASTag, with penalties such as FASTag suspension or service restrictions. The move marks a shift toward technology‑driven toll collection and smoother highway traffic, aligning with broader objectives of infrastructure modernization and digital governance.

First barrier‑free toll plaza introduced on NH‑48 (Chorayasi, Gujarat).
MLFF system enables toll collection without stopping via ANPR and FASTag.
Expected benefits: shorter queues, lower fuel use, reduced emissions.
Enforcement includes e‑notices and possible penalties for non‑payment.
Represents modernization of toll infrastructure and digital governance.

Karnataka Launches Digital Grievance System for Gig Workers

Karnataka launched India's first dedicated digital grievance redressal mechanism for gig workers, effective 1 May 2026. Developed by the Karnataka Platform‑based Gig Workers’ Board in collaboration with the Department of e‑Governance, the system uses the Integrated Public Grievance Redressal System portal to register complaints about wages, working conditions, and disputes with aggregators. The platform links workers, service platforms, and government authorities, promoting transparency, accountability, and timely resolutions. The initiative aims to formalise rights and improve regulatory oversight of gig‑economy employment, addressing concerns across sectors such as ride‑hailing and food delivery.

Digital grievance system launched on 1 May 2026
First such system for gig workers in India
Portal enables complaints about wages and conditions
Connects workers, platforms, and government authorities
Aims for transparency and timely dispute resolution
Strengthens regulatory oversight of gig work

May 01, 2026

DPIIT signs MoU with Chamber India to boost startups

On 1 May 2026, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Chamber India to strengthen India’s startup ecosystem and promote innovation‑led growth. The partnership will enhance engagement among startups, corporates, investors, and global stakeholders, facilitating cross‑border collaboration and alignment with national programmes. Startups recognised by DPIIT will receive concessional Chamber memberships, along with access to export facilitation, IPR advisory, and business matchmaking. The plan includes five incubation and startup centres across India, focusing on Aspirational Districts and Northeastern states to support inclusive growth and regional development.

MoU date: 1 May 2026
Partnership: DPIIT and Chamber India
Goals: strengthen startups; promote innovation
Benefits: concessional memberships; export facilitation; IPR advisory
Incubation centres: five across India
Targets: Aspirational Districts and Northeastern states

Apr 30, 2026

APEDA to Set Up Basmati and Organic Training Centre in Pilibhit

APEDA will set up a Basmati and Organic Training Centre in Pilibhit district, Uttar Pradesh, on 7 acres allocated from the Tanda Bijesi village. The ₹15 crore project aims to boost India’s agricultural exports by training farmers in premium basmati cultivation, seed production, organic farming, and export compliance. It will also introduce modern technologies such as AI-based crop mapping to identify varieties and monitor fields. The facility, to be built with support from the Public Works Department, is expected to be completed within one year. The centre will include demonstration farms, a seed production unit, an auditorium, a museum with 45 basmati varieties, and a NABL-accredited lab for DNA profiling, pesticide residues, and heavy metals.

7 acres allocated in Pilibhit for a new training centre
₹15 crore project to boost basmati exports and organic farming
AI-based satellite mapping to identify basmati varieties
Facilities include demonstration farms, seed unit, auditorium, and museum
NABL-accredited laboratory for DNA profiling, pesticide residues, heavy metals
Completion targeted within 12 months

EPFO to Launch E-PRAAPTI Portal for Old EPF Accounts

EPFO will launch a digital platform named EPF Aadhaar-Based Access Portal for Tracking Inoperative Accounts (E-PRAAPTI). The portal will help members identify old EPF accounts without UAN, track them, and link or activate them via Aadhaar-based authentication. The system is designed to reduce manual intervention, minimize documentation, and improve transparency and efficiency in account updates. Members will securely access old accounts, initiate UAN linking, and receive activation updates. The project aligns with the government’s digital governance push and faster service delivery for workers. Officials say the portal will simplify enrollment, reduce paperwork, and improve worker welfare by faster access to provident fund benefits.

Launch of E-PRAAPTI portal for old EPF accounts
Aadhaar-based authentication for linking accounts
Reduces manual intervention and documentation
Provides secure access and status updates on activation
Supports digital governance and worker welfare improvements

Bengaluru Police Roll Out AI-Powered Multilingual Namma 112

Bengaluru City Police have upgraded the Namma 112 emergency system with an AI-powered multilingual platform named VANKI (Multilingual Voice AI for Nationwide Key Interventions). VANKI translates caller language in real time and conveys messages to emergency handlers, speeding up dispatch of police, ambulance, or fire services. The system initially supports more than 10 languages, including Bengali, Gujarati, Odia, Manipuri, Kashmiri, Nepali, and Assamese, plus international languages such as Spanish, French and Arabic. The upgrade aims to remove language barriers during crises and improve access for residents and visitors. The move underlines India’s push to use AI in public safety.

Namma 112 upgraded with VANKI multilingual AI
Real-time language translation for emergency calls
Supports 10+ Indian languages and several international languages
Aims to cut response times and improve accessibility
Demonstrates use of AI in public safety systems

Apr 29, 2026

RBI launches Mission SAKSHAM to bolster governance in Urban Co-Operative Banks

RBI launched Mission SAKSHAM on 28 April 2026 to strengthen governance and capacity in India's Urban Co-operative Banking (UCB) sector. The central bank aims to improve skills, governance, and operational efficiency through large-scale training programs. The initiative will reach about 1.4 lakh participants and target board members, senior management, and technical staff. Mission SAKSHAM stands for Sahkari Bank Kshamta Nirman and will use both in-person training and e-learning modules to ensure accessibility. The program seeks long-term transformation in UCB functioning, following extensive consultations with sector stakeholders including umbrella organizations and cooperative federations. It underscores RBI’s continued modernization of cooperative banking and financial inclusion.

Mission SAKSHAM launched on 28 April 2026 to strengthen UCB governance.
Aims to train about 1.4 lakh participants across boards and staff.
SAKSHAM stands for Sahkari Bank Kshamta Nirman; combines in-person and e-learning formats.
Intended to transform UCB functioning and governance long-term.
Developed after consultations with sector stakeholders; supports financial inclusion.

DPI@2047 roadmap: DPI 2.0 and DPI 3.0 details released by PIB

A PIB release on 28 April 2026 outlines the DPI@2047 roadmap, detailing Digital Public Infrastructure 2.0 (2025–2035) and 3.0 (2035–2047). The note emphasizes cross‑sectoral integration, pilot projects in MSMEs and agriculture, and a decentralised implementation approach. The document reiterates Aadhaar and UPI as foundations and calls for standardisation, skill development and new digital governance tools. The release situates these phases within India’s broader digital governance agenda and the Act East strategy, underscoring a push toward productivity‑led growth and inclusive digital transformation.

DPI@2047 roadmap released by PIB
Phases: DPI 2.0 (2025–2035) and DPI 3.0 (2035–2047)
Focus on cross‑sectoral digital infrastructure
Pilot projects in MSMEs and agriculture
Emphasis on standardisation and skill development

NITI Aayog launches DPI@2047 roadmap for digital prosperity

NITI Aayog announced the DPI@2047 roadmap to guide India’s digital public infrastructure (DPI) journey. The plan outlines DPI 2.0 (2025–2035) and DPI 3.0 (2035–2047), aiming to transform the economy into a $30 trillion economy by 2047 and raise per capita income to about $18,000. Phase 1 strengthens digital foundations, broadening access and improving service delivery, while Phase 2 stresses grassroots innovation and integration into global value chains. The DPI platform builds on Aadhaar and UPI and contemplates new finance, energy and governance models to accelerate inclusive growth and productivity across sectors.

DPI@2047 roadmap announced by NITI Aayog
Two phases: DPI 2.0 (2025–2035) and DPI 3.0 (2035–2047)
Goal: $30 trillion economy and $18,000 per capita income by 2047
Phase 1: broaden access and improve services
Phase 2: grassroots innovation and value-chain integration
Foundations include Aadhaar and UPI

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