General Awareness

GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND SCHEMES - August 2023

Aug 2023

Jan 19, 2026

PM Vishwakarma Haat 2026 Announced at Dilli Haat, January 18–31

The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises announces PM Vishwakarma Haat 2026 at Dilli Haat, INA, in New Delhi from 18 to 31 January 2026. The event will showcase India s traditional crafts and artisanship, with over 117 artisans from across states and union territories. Union Minister Jiten Ram Manjhi will inaugurate the Haat, with Shobha Karandlaje in attendance. Hours are from 10 30 am to 10 pm daily, and foreign mission representatives have been invited. The exhibition aims to empower artisans, enhance market access, and strengthen MSME ecosystems through direct buyer interaction and visibility.

Dates: 18–31 January 2026
Venue: Dilli Haat, INA, New Delhi
Participants: 117 artisans from across India
Objective: empower artisans, improve market access
International involvement: foreign missions invited

PM-SETU Aims to Modernise 1000 Government ITIs

PM-SETU envisions modernising 1000 government ITIs through a hub and spoke approach. About 200 hub ITIs will receive upgraded infrastructure, while 800 spoke ITIs will extend reach across districts. A Pune industry consultation will mobilise participation from over 50 companies across construction, textiles, automotive, FMCG, electronics, oil and gas, and renewable energy sectors. The scheme places ITIs as government owned but industry managed, with stronger apprenticeship and placement linkages. MoUs will formalise partnerships with DVET Maharashtra, FIAT India, Schneider Electric India, Anudip Foundation, and others. The aim is to align training with labour market needs and governance.

Model: hub and spoke for ITIs
Hub count: 200; Spoke count: 800
Industry participation: 50+ companies
Key MoUs: FIAT India, Schneider Electric, Anudip
Goals: industry-led governance, improved employability

Supreme Court Upholds Open Merit Pool for Unreserved Seats

The Supreme Court on Friday held that candidates from reserved categories must be adjusted against unreserved vacancies if they score higher marks than the general category cut off. The case arose from a 2013 Airports Authority of India recruitment for Junior Assistant Fire Service. The AAI had filled 122 unreserved seats using meritorious reserved candidates, a decision challenged by a waiting unreserved candidate. The Kerala High Court had ruled in favor of the challenger in 2020, but the Supreme Court set aside that order, stating that the unreserved category is an open pool based on merit and not a private quota. Justices MM Sundresh and Satish Chandra Sharma delivered the judgment.

Judgment date context: January 2026
Merit-based open pool applies to unreserved seats
Case linked to AAI 2013 recruitment
Kerala HC decision (2020) overturned
Equality and merit emphasized by Supreme Court

Jan 18, 2026

Gruha Lakshmi Digital Marketing portal launches in Karnataka

Karnataka announced Gruha Lakshmi Digital Marketing, a state‑backed online portal to promote products of women entrepreneurs. The portal, launched under the Gruha Lakshmi scheme, aims to connect home‑based and rural women with national and global markets. It is accessible at gruhalakshmidigital.org, with plans for a mobile app. The initiative, led by Women and Child Development Minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar and supported by the Karnataka State Women’s Development Corporation, seeks to empower women through digital commerce, training, and mentorship while expanding market reach for their crafts and small‑scale goods.

Program: Gruha Lakshmi Digital Marketing
Launch: Karnataka government initiative
Platform: gruhalakshmidigital.org (app planned)
Aim: empower women entrepreneurs via digital marketplace
Leadership: Lakshmi Hebbalkar; G. Padmavathi

Uttarakhand cabinet clears equal pay for equal work for UPNL staff

The Uttarakhand Cabinet approved equal pay for equal work benefits for UPNL‑sponsored personnel who have completed 10 years of continuous service. Home Secretary Shailesh Bagauli said the measure is a phased response, aligned with the financial position of the state. The cabinet also approved amendments to the Uniform Civil Code, intended to resolve practical difficulties in implementation and clerical errors. The decisions were based on a cabinet sub‑committee’s recommendations and aim to provide salary parity and streamline civil service provisions for state‑sponsored personnel.

Policy: Equal pay for equal work for UPNL staff
Eligibility: 10 years of continuous service
Phase: First phase approval
Other measure: amendments to Uniform Civil Code
Rationale: financial and administrative efficiency

MNPL: 694‑km gas trunkline integrated inside utility corridor along PM‑GatiShakti

GAIL (India) Ltd completed the Mumbai‑Nagpur Natural Gas Pipeline (MNPL), a 694‑kilometre trunkline, almost entirely inside a three‑metre wide utility corridor along Maharashtra’s Samruddhi Mahamarg expressway. This marks India’s first major integration of a high‑capacity pipeline into a dense transport corridor under PM‑GatiShakti. The project required coordination with expressway construction and used limited workspace, with a 24‑inch high‑capacity gas line laid within a narrow corridor. Officials note that about 675 kilometres, or 96 percent, run inside the three‑metre strip, influencing design and construction methods for the corridor‑driven pipeline.

Project: Mumbai‑Nagpur Natural Gas Pipeline (MNPL)
Length: 694 km
Location: Mumbai to Nagpur, within Samruddhi Mahamarg corridor
Pipeline size: 24‑inch diameter
Key framework: PM‑GatiShakti integration
Engineering challenge: narrow three‑metre corridor

Jan 17, 2026

Government blocks 242 illegal betting websites; crackdown intensifies

The Government of India blocked 242 illegal betting and gambling website links, part of an ongoing crackdown following the Online Gaming Act of 2025. Authorities say enforcement has increased, with more than 7,800 sites taken down since measures began. The move aims to protect youth and reduce financial and social harms linked to online gaming. IT and law enforcement agencies monitor cross-border platforms and coordinate with tech providers to disable access and shut down operators. The government has pledged continuous auditing and public awareness campaigns across states to reinforce compliance and safety.

242 illegal betting sites blocked; total over 7,800 sites taken down since 2025 Act.
Crackdown aims to protect youth and curb financial/social harms.
Enforcement intensified with cross-border platform monitoring.
Coordination with tech providers to disable access and shut operators.
Ongoing auditing and public awareness campaigns planned.

Rs 1 lakh crore RD&I fund announced for innovation and AI

During National Startup Day events, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a Rs 1 lakh crore fund for research, development and innovation (RD&I). The scheme includes a Deep Tech Fund of Funds to support long-term investment in sunrise sectors such as AI, biotech, and clean energy. The plan aims to translate research into market-ready technologies and jobs. Officials say the package will strengthen India’s ability to compete globally in the AI era and support education and entrepreneurship. The policy underscores the government’s emphasis on innovation, future-ready industries, and sustaining momentum in science and technology investment.

Rs 1 lakh crore fund for RD&I announced by PM Modi.
Includes Deep Tech Fund of Funds to support sunrise sectors.
Targets AI, biotech, clean energy and other advanced fields.
Aims to convert research into technology-based jobs and growth.
Signals ongoing government focus on innovation and future industries.

Jan 16, 2026

RBI proposes changes to banks’ foreign exchange positions (NOP) rules

The Reserve Bank of India proposed amendments to net open position (NOP) guidelines governing banks’ foreign exchange exposure. The changes aim to tighten risk management and provide clearer timelines for action. Under the proposed framework, banks’ foreign currency assets minus liabilities will define exposure, with monitoring by the IO. Timelines for resolution and reporting are clarified, including specific review periods and escalation paths for discrepancies. The RBI stressed that these rules will help mitigate currency fluctuations risks and improve oversight of banks’ cross-border activities as the rupee market evolves. Public comments were invited on the draft.

NOP guidelines to be updated for banks’ FX exposure.
New timelines and escalation paths outlined.
IO oversight component highlighted.
Aims to reduce currency risk and improve transparency.
Public comments invited on the draft.

MoU signed between Madhya Pradesh government and Digital India BHASHINI

The Digital India BHASHINI Division (DIBD) of MeitY and Madhya Pradesh government formalized a MoU at the Regional AI Impact Conference 2026 in Bhopal. The agreement aims to deploy multilingual AI solutions across state governance, enhancing citizen access and last-mile service delivery. The MoU aligns with the IndiaAI Mission and BHASHINI’s mandate to embed Indian languages into digital public infrastructure. State Chief Minister Mohan Yadav inaugurated the event, highlighting a soon-to-be-launched State AI Policy in mission mode. The collaboration seeks to improve governance through voice-first, multilingual AI tools while maintaining ethical AI use and inclusivity.

MoU between MP government and BHASHINI Division.
Aims to deploy multilingual AI for governance and service delivery.
Part of IndiaAI Mission and BHASHINI national mandate.
State AI Policy to be launched in mission mode.
Focus on inclusive, language-enabled digital governance.

Himachal Pradesh CM highlights tourism transformation under Vyavastha Parivartan

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu outlined Himachal Pradesh’s tourism transformation under the Vyavastha Parivartan vision, emphasizing conservation, livelihoods, and economic growth. The plan includes reviving water-based tourism along Pong Dam Lake and Gobind Sagar, with Shikara rides and bird-watching decks. The government aims to develop 77 new eco-tourism sites and projects to generate close to Rs 200 crore over five years. A state startup policy backs homestays, hotels, and food services to empower youth in rural areas, aligning tourism with sustainable development and local entrepreneurship.

Vyavastha Parivartan guides Himachal Pradesh tourism strategy.
Focus on water-based tourism at Pong Dam Lake and Gobind Sagar.
77 new eco-tourism sites; potential Rs 200 crore revenue.
Startup policy supports homestays, hotels, and local services.
Aims for sustainable growth and rural empowerment.

PM Modi to mark ten years of Startup India on National Startup Day

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will participate in a program on January 16 to mark ten years of the Startup India initiative. The event, at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, will feature selected startup founders sharing insights and Modi’s address to attendees. Launched on January 16, 2016, Startup India aimed to foster innovation, entrepreneurship, and investment-led growth. The PMO highlighted that the initiative has strengthened institutional support, improved access to capital, and built a conducive regulatory environment, contributing to a rapidly growing startup ecosystem with hundreds of thousands of recognised startups. The anniversary underlines the government’s long-term support for entrepreneurship.

Startup India marks ten-year milestone on Jan 16, 2026.
Event at Bharat Mandapam; PM Modi to speak.
Launched January 16, 2016, to boost startups.
Government cites improved capital access and policy support.
Over two lakh recognised startups across sectors.

RBI drafts auto-transfer guidelines for unresolved complaints to Internal Ombudsman

The Reserve Bank of India issued draft guidelines mandating a fully automated complaints management system for banks and non-banking financial companies (NBFCs). Unresolved grievances must be auto-escalated to the Internal Ombudsman (IO) for review. The IO should have at least 10 days to examine complaints under RBI, NPCI, or card network guidelines, and 20 days for other cases from receipt. The draft also requires complaints rejected by regulated entities to be transferred to the IO within 20 days and sets a 25-day deadline for credit information companies to refer complaints to IO. The RBI aims to strengthen consumer protection and resolution timelines.

Drafts require automated complaints management systems in banks/NBFCs.
Unresolved complaints auto-escalated to Internal Ombudsman.
IO review timelines: 10 days (special cases) or 20 days (others).
20-day transfer window for rejected complaints to IO.
25-day referral timeline for credit information companies.

Jan 15, 2026

DFS launches composite salary account package for central government employees

The Department of Financial Services (DFS), under the Finance Ministry, launched a composite Salary Account Package for central government employees. The package combines banking services, insurance, and cards into a single account structure to simplify operations for Group A, B, and C cadres. The initiative aims to enhance financial well-being and social security, with features such as personal accident insurance up to Rs 1.50 crore and air accident cover up to Rs 2 crore. Zero-balance accounts, preferential loan terms for housing, education, and vehicles, and broader accessibility are included. The package was announced by DFS Secretary M Nagaraju with senior bank officials in attendance.

Composite Salary Account Package for central employees
Includes banking, insurance, and cards in one package
Personal accident insurance up to Rs 1.50 crore; air cover Rs 2 crore
Zero-balance accounts with enhanced facilities

Tripura Gramin Bank launches India's first solar-powered ATM van

Tripura Gramin Bank has rolled out India's first solar-powered ATM van, a milestone for rural banking and financial inclusion. The mobile unit is designed to operate in remote pockets where grid electricity can be unreliable, expanding access to cash withdrawal and other banking services across Tripura’s interior districts. Marketing Head Jeet Bhattacharya said the initiative demonstrates the bank’s commitment to sustainable and inclusive finance. The project earned the SKOCH Silver Award for innovative governance, highlighting its national significance. Tripura Gramin Bank currently operates three solar-powered ATM vans and serves about 150 branches across the state, supporting eco-friendly, uninterrupted banking in challenging terrain. The van’s inauguration, historically led by senior policymakers, set a benchmark in Tripura’s financial inclusion drive.

First solar-powered ATM van in India, targeting rural Tripura
Extends banking access to electricity-scarce areas
Three vans in operation; about 150 branches covered
SKOCH Silver Award for innovative governance
Inauguration linked to national policy visibility

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