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GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND SCHEMES - January 2024

Jan 2024

Dec 23, 2025

Viksit Bharat-G RAM G Bill Gets President’s Assent

President Droupadi Murmu gave assent to the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025, following passage in Parliament in December. The Act replaces the MGNREGA framework and raises rural employment guarantees to 125 days per financial year. It aims to strengthen rural livelihoods through enhanced planning, funding, and delivery mechanisms under the Rural Development Ministry. The Government emphasises empowerment, inclusive growth, and convergence of development initiatives. This policy shift seeks to sustain rural employment and improve targeted outcomes, aligning with the broader Viksit Bharat 2047 agenda and a move toward longer-term, outcome-based rural development strategies.

President assent to VB-G RAM G Act, 2025; replaces MGNREGA.
Rural employment guarantee increased to 125 days per financial year.
New funding, planning, and delivery mechanisms introduced.
Aims for empowerment, inclusive growth, and convergence of initiatives.

Auroville Foundation Recommended for Institution National Importance Status

A Parliamentary panel has recommended recognising the Auroville Foundation in Pondicherry as an Institution of National Importance (INI). The report suggests amending the Auroville Foundation Act, 1988, noting UNESCO resolutions since 1966 supporting Auroville’s mission of international understanding and peace. INI status would place Auroville among premier Indian higher education and research bodies, with implications for funding, governance, and visa procedures. The panel also highlighted that the foundation receives central grants but should become financially self-sustaining, while retaining five-year visas for residents. The recommendation is a significant policy development in India’s cultural and educational landscape.

Parliamentary panel recommends INI status for Auroville Foundation.
Suggests amending Auroville Foundation Act, 1988.
UNESCO resolutions cited in support of Auroville’s international role.
Recommendation includes funding reform and visa considerations.

Dec 22, 2025

President Murmu Grants Assent to SHANTI Bill; Private Firms to Enter Nuclear Sector

President Droupadi Murmu granted assent to the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill, passed by Parliament during the Winter Session. The law subsumes civil nuclear sector laws and opens the field to private players, repealing the Atomic Energy Act of 1962 and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010. Under SHANTI, private companies and joint ventures can build, own, operate, and decommission nuclear plants with government licenses, while critical elements like uranium mining remain with the central government. This marks a major shift in India’s energy policy and private investment landscape. ([ndtv.com](https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/parliament-winter-session-president-droupadi-murmu-grants-assent-to-shanti-bill-private-firms-to-enter-nuclear-sector-9862526?pfrom=home-ndtv_indianews&utm_source=openai))

Meghalaya Introduces New Curriculum; Khasi and Garo Made Compulsory in Early Classes

The Meghalaya government announced that Khasi and Garo will be included in the Class-1 curriculum. The move aims to preserve local language and culture while simplifying learning. Textbooks will be optional this year and become compulsory from the next session, as several schools have aligned their syllabi. Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma said the plan will strengthen cultural identity from the foundational years. The policy aligns with broader educational reforms and local language preservation efforts in the state.

Khasi and Garo added to Class-1 curriculum
Textbooks optional this year; compulsory next year
Strengthens local language and culture
CM Conrad K. Sangma announced the plan
Educational reform aligned with regional identity

PM Unveils Rs. 10,601 Crore Fertiliser Plant in Assam

Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of a Rs. 10,601-crore brownfield ammonia-urea fertiliser plant in Dibrugarh district, Assam. The Assam Valley Fertilisers and Chemical Company Ltd (AVFCCL) project aims to enhance urea production by 12.7 lakh metric tonnes annually, with commissioning targeted in 2030. The plant is expected to bolster industrial progress in the region and reduce dependence on imports for fertilisers. The project aligns with broader energy and rural development goals for the northeast.

Rs. 10,601 crore fertiliser plant foundation in Assam
AVFCCL project aims for 12.7 lakh MTPA urea capacity
Commissioning targeted for 2030
Aims to boost northeast industrial development
Part of broader energy and rural development goals

Dec 20, 2025

Direct Tax Collections Up 8% YoY Through December 17, 2025

India’s direct tax collections rose 8% year-on-year from April 1 to December 17, 2025, with net direct tax receipts around ₹17 trillion and gross receipts about ₹20 trillion. Tax refunds totaled roughly ₹3 trillion in this period. Corporate tax collections grew by about 10.5%, while personal income tax, trusts, and securities rose by over 6%. Despite earlier tax cuts in February 2025, officials remain confident of reaching the full-year target of ₹25.2 trillion by 31 March 2026. The data reflect improving tax administration, stronger corporate activity, and steady collections amid macroeconomic headwinds.

Net direct tax receipts approx. ₹17 trillion; gross ₹20 trillion.
Refunds around ₹3 trillion; period: Apr 1–Dec 17, 2025.
Corporate tax +10.5%; personal taxes +6+%.
Full-year target: ₹25.2 trillion; optimism on revenue.

UP to Establish North India’s First Forest University in Gorakhpur

On 18 December 2025, Uttar Pradesh announced the establishment of North India’s first Forest University in Gorakhpur. The project will focus on forestry, wildlife conservation, climate science, and environmental technology, with about 125 acres of land identified near the Jatayu Conservation and Breeding Centre. The state aims to invest around ₹500 crore in the project and works with central authorities for approvals. The university will train professionals for forest departments, promote biodiversity research, and support sustainable forest management and wildlife conservation. The initiative aligns with national goals on climate resilience and ecological protection.

Announcement dated 18 December 2025; Gorakhpur site identified.
125 acres near Jatayu Conservation Centre; ₹500 crore budget.
Focus areas: forestry, wildlife, climate science, environmental tech.
Aims to train professionals and advance biodiversity research.

Jharkhand Passes Gig Workers Welfare Bill; Board to Oversee Welfare

The Jharkhand Platform Based Gig Workers (Registration and Welfare) Bill, 2025, secured assent from the governor and will become law after gazette notification. Passed during the monsoon session, the Bill enables formation of a Gig Workers’ Welfare Board with the labour department minister as ex-officio chairman and the secretary plus five members serving for three years. The measure aims to bring gig workers under a single platform to improve welfare and security. Officials emphasised that the Board will coordinate registration, welfare schemes, and social protection measures for workers operating on digital platforms within Jharkhand.

Governor gave assent to the Jharkhand Gig Workers Welfare Bill, 2025.
Bill creates a Gig Workers Welfare Board; membership for three years.
Labour minister named ex-officio chairman; gazette notification required for Act.
Aims to improve welfare and security for gig workers on digital platforms.

Dec 19, 2025

Finance Ministry unveils unified logo for Regional Rural Banks

The Finance Ministry unveiled a single logo for all Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) as part of the ‘One State One RRB’ branding initiative, effective from 1 May 2025. Twenty‑eight RRBs across 11 states/UTs now share a common emblem to strengthen identity, trust, and visibility. The initiative accompanies a broader amalgamation drive, with a network of over 22,000 branches in more than 700 districts. The nationwide branding is designed to reinforce financial inclusion and rural development through a cohesive and recognizable corporate presence.

New logo for all 28 RRBs
Effective date: 1 May 2025
Aims: unified branding, financial inclusion
Coverage: 11 states/UTs, 22,000+ branches
Context: part of wider RRB consolidation

Parliament approves G RAM G Bill to replace MGNREGA

In a midnight session, Parliament passed the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Employment and Livelihood Mission (Rural) Bill, called G RAM G, replacing the two‑decade‑old MGNREGA. The bill promises 125 days of rural wage employment annually. Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said the reform aims to correct structural flaws and improve implementation. The Rajya Sabha passed the bill by voice vote after opposition protests over Mahatma Gandhi’s name removal from MGNREGA and concerns about the financial burden on states. The reform is part of a broader rural development strategy and fiscal reshaping of rural employment schemes.

Bill name: G RAM G (Rural Employment and Livelihood Mission)
Key feature: 125 days of rural wage employment annually
Status: passed by Parliament (midnight session)
Contested issues: Gandhi name removal; state fiscal burden
Context: replaces MGNREGA

Dec 18, 2025

Lok Sabha passes 100% FDI in insurance Bill

The Lok Sabha passed a Bill on 16 December 2025 to raise foreign direct investment (FDI) in the insurance sector from 74% to 100%, along with other amendments to insurance laws. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman argued that higher FDI would bring capital, technology, and better insurance products, while reducing the need for domestic partners. Opponents criticized the move as reducing domestic control. Proponents say the reform could attract more global insurers and expand coverage. The Bill now advances to the Rajya Sabha for considerations and potential further amendments before becoming law.

Lok Sabha approves 100% FDI in insurance (16 Dec 2025).
FDI raised from 74% to 100%; additional law amendments included.
Finance Minister cites capital infusion and better products.
Opposition concerns about domestic control.

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