General Awareness

GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND SCHEMES - August 2023

Aug 2023

May 31, 2026

MNRE says no blanket extension to ALMM List-II beyond June 1, 2026 for solar PV cells

India's Ministry of New and Renewable Energy announced there will be no blanket extension of the deadline for the ALMM List-II for solar PV cells beyond 1 June 2026. Net-metering and open-access renewable energy projects commissioned on or after that date must source solar modules from ALMM List-I and solar cells from ALMM List-II, reinforcing domestic manufacturing. The decision aims to provide policy stability for investors and manufacturers amid shifts in global supply chains. Some projects may receive case-by-case relief, and industry groups welcomed clarity while noting potential short-term price and supply adjustments as domestic capacity scales up. Project developers are urged to plan procurement accordingly and monitor local production capacity.

No blanket ALMM extension beyond 1 June 2026.
Future projects must source modules from ALMM List-I and cells from ALMM List-II.
Aims to strengthen domestic solar manufacturing and policy stability.
Some case-by-case relief possible for existing projects.
Developers should plan procurement and monitor capacity.

Andhra Pradesh unveils ₹22,000 crore Green Energy Corridor to strengthen renewable-energy trans...

Andhra Pradesh government on May 31 announced a ₹22,000 crore Green Energy Corridor to strengthen renewable-energy transmission. The plan will enable evacuation of power from solar, wind, and other clean energy sources and expand grid capacity to handle higher volumes of renewable electricity. Officials said the corridor will improve grid reliability, reduce transmission bottlenecks, and support the state's push to become a major green-energy hub. The project is expected to attract investment in infrastructure and create jobs by expanding transmission networks and interconnections with national grids. It reflects the state's commitment to accelerate clean-energy deployment while enabling industrial growth and affordable power for consumers.

₹22,000 crore Green Energy Corridor announced.
Aims to evacuate power from solar, wind, and other renewables.
Plans to expand grid capacity and reliability.
Supports Andhra Pradesh's goal to become a green-energy hub.
Potential to attract investments and create jobs.

May 30, 2026

Mission Queen Pineapple launched in Tripura with ₹236 crore outlay

Mission Queen Pineapple, announced by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region, seeks to position Tripura's GI-tagged Queen Pineapple as a premium global brand. With an outlay of ₹236 crore, the scheme aims to strengthen cultivation practices, establish modern processing units, improve packaging and logistics, and build branding and export capabilities. Officials say the program will create value chains from farm to market and help small growers access domestic and international markets. The project aligns with the government's broader push to develop the North East and to promote regional agricultural products. Implementation will occur in phases, starting with pilot clusters in pineapple-growing districts.

Outlay ₹236 crore proposed for Mission Queen Pineapple
Aims to upgrade cultivation, processing, packaging, logistics, branding, and exports
Queen Pineapple is GI-tagged
Aims to create value chains from farm to market and boost farmer incomes
Phased implementation starting with pilot clusters in pineapple-growing districts

May 29, 2026

Coal gasification incentives expand; states push cleaner energy policy

Odisha and Maharashtra have introduced incentive frameworks to promote coal gasification, with the Centre engaging other coal-bearing states to participate in a ₹37,500 crore financial incentive package for surface coal and lignite gasification. The policy aims to reduce import dependence on natural gas, ammonia, urea, methanol and related products, while supporting energy security, industrial policy and domestic manufacturing. Officials say the package could accelerate gasification projects and help diversify the energy supply. The move complements ongoing energy transition efforts and reflects government emphasis on cleaner, indigenous energy pathways.

States announce coal gasification incentives; Centre seeking broader participation.
Financial package: ₹37,500 crore for surface coal and lignite gasification.
Goals: reduce imports of gas-based chemicals and fuels; energy security.
Impacts: potential boost to domestic manufacturing and cleaner energy pathways.

May 28, 2026

Andhra Pradesh CM directs Farm-to-Home delivery plan

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu of Andhra Pradesh directed officials to implement a Farm‑to‑Home model to benefit farmers by delivering agricultural produce directly to consumers. The plan, to be implemented through Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), aims to reduce marketing costs and improve affordability of fruits and vegetables. Naidu asked officials to assess El Niño’s likely impact and prepare region‑wise crop planning, promote natural farming and PMDS‑Half Moon systems in water‑scarce areas, and ensure farmers receive minimum support price. The move seeks to strengthen linkages between producers and consumers in a challenging climatic year.

Farm‑to‑Home delivery model announced
Implementation through FPOs
Aims to reduce marketing costs and improve affordability
El Niño impact assessment and region‑wise planning
Promotion of natural farming and PMDS‑Half Moon systems
Ensuring minimum support price for farmers

Sikkim becomes India's fifth fully literate state

On 27 May 2026, Sikkim was declared the fifth fully literate state under the ULLAS – Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram. The state reported a literacy rate of 99.82 percent, well above the 95 percent benchmark set by the Education Ministry for full literacy. ULLAS stands for Understanding of Lifelong Learning for All in Society. The programme began on 14 November 2022 and has been implemented across all districts, blocks, Gram Panchayat units and wards. Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang announced the declaration during the 7th convocation of Sikkim University in Gangtok, with President Droupadi Murmu and Governor Om Prakash Mathur in attendance.

Date of declaration: 27 May 2026
Literacy rate achieved: 99.82 percent
ULLAS stands for Understanding of Lifelong Learning for All in Society
Program launched on 14 November 2022
Declared at Sikkim University convocation in Gangtok
Attendees included President Murmu and Governor Mathur

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

Share on

TCY Analytics (View Subscription Plans)

Subscribe to GK Updates

I want to receive

GK Tags

June GK, May GK, April GK, INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS, ENVIRONMENT, BUSINESS AND ECONOMY, SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, SPORTS, NATIONAL AFFAIRS, DEFENCE, PERSONS IN NEWS, DAYS AND EVENTS, AWARDS AND HONOURS, GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND SCHEMES, GENDER/ HEALTH/ EDUCATION, ART AND CULTURE, BOOKS AND AUTHORS, TOURISM AND HOTEL INDUSTRY AWARENESS, ART AND CULTURE, LAW AND CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

Start Discussion

On any topic

Take Tests

Compiled from GK updates

Login

Sign Up

Forgot Password

Download TCY App

Unlock All Services And Enjoy The Premium Benefits

US$ 10

US$ 13

US$ 15

US$ 17

US$ 19

US$ 20

US$ 21

US$ 22

US$ 23

US$ 24

US$ 25

US$ 26