General Awareness

GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND SCHEMES - February 2024

Feb 2024

Jun 03, 2026

New CBSE Chairperson Appointed

Prashant Sitaram Lokhande, a senior IAS officer, has been appointed as the new Chairperson of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). The appointment follows the transfer of former CBSE Chairman Rahul Singh. Secretary Himanshu Gupta has also been moved to a different assignment. The leadership change comes at a time when CBSE's examinations, evaluation processes, and reforms are under heightened public scrutiny, including concerns about the online evaluation mechanism for Class 12 board exams. Lokhande is expected to oversee key policy initiatives, strengthen governance, and guide CBSE’s reforms in the coming years. The country’s largest school board aims for transparent examination practices.

Lokhande appointed as CBSE Chairperson
Rahul Singh transferred; Himanshu Gupta reassigned
CBSE examinations and online evaluation under scrutiny
Lokhande to oversee policy initiatives and governance
CBSE aims for transparent examination practices

India–Oman CEPA Enters Into Force

From 1 June 2026, the India–Oman Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, CEPA, entered into force, expanding tariff concessions and trade facilitation with Oman. Government notifications outline rules of origin and transitional arrangements, while officials note that around 95 percent of Indian exports to Oman may enjoy preferential access. The CEPA is expected to diversify supply chains, boost pharmaceutical and chemical trade, and create new business opportunities. The government plans to implement electronic Certificates of Origin filing through Trade Connect to streamline procedures. Analysts view CEPA as a step to deepen economic ties with the Gulf region.

CEPA with Oman effective from 1 June 2026
Tariff concessions and origin rules clarified
Estimated 95% of exports eligible for preferential access
Aims to diversify supply chains and boost trade
Electronic CoO filings to simplify compliance

Jun 02, 2026

₹200-crore MAHA Water Mission launched to boost water solutions

India launched the ₹200-crore MAHA Water Mission to foster innovative solutions for water-related challenges. Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh unveiled the programme, a joint effort of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation and the Ministry of Jal Shakti. The mission will support startups, MSMEs, academic institutions and research organisations working in the water sector. It aims to develop technologies for water conservation, purification, recycling and efficient management of water resources. By promoting research-driven solutions, the initiative seeks to strengthen water security as demand rises and climate pressures intensify. Financial and technical assistance will be provided to innovators, with pilot projects and scale-up opportunities planned across the country.

₹200-crore MAHA Water Mission launched by Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh.
Joint effort of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation and the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
Supports startups, MSMEs, academic institutions and research organisations.
Focus on water conservation, purification, recycling and efficient management.
Provides financial and technical support for pilots and scale-up.

Jun 01, 2026

Andhra Pradesh announces ₹22,000 crore Green Energy Corridor to evacuate 18 GW RE

Andhra Pradesh unveiled a ₹22,000 crore Green Energy Corridor plan on 29 May 2026 to strengthen renewable-power transmission. The project aims to evacuate electricity from solar and wind farms and other clean-energy sources, expand grid capacity, and reduce congestion across the state’s power network. Officials said the corridor will facilitate 18 GW of renewable-energy integration, supporting the government's broader objective of turning Andhra Pradesh into a major green-energy hub for eastern India. The plan encompasses new transmission lines, substations, and grid-management upgrades to enhance reliability and resilience against weather-driven demand. The initiative is expected to create jobs and attract investment while aligning with climate targets.

Plan announced on 29 May 2026 with ₹22,000 crore investment.
Aims to evacuate power from solar, wind, and other renewables.
Intends to enable 18 GW of renewable-energy integration.
Includes new transmission lines, substations, and grid upgrades.
Supports Andhra Pradesh's goal to become a green-energy hub.

Khet Bachao Abhiyan Launched in Madhya Pradesh

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched the Khet Bachao Abhiyan in Raisen district, Madhya Pradesh, during a month‑long campaign. The initiative promotes balanced fertiliser use, weather‑based agricultural advisories, and active participation by farmers at the grassroots level. Government officials hope the drive will improve soil health, optimise input use, and ensure better delivery of welfare schemes to smallholders. The program emphasizes timely dissemination of advisories, demonstrations of best practices, and the use of local agricultural networks to reach farmers in remote areas. The campaign aligns with broader efforts to enhance farm productivity and climate resilience.

Khet Bachao Abhiyan launched in Raisen, MP
Aims for balanced fertiliser use and weather advisories
Grassroots farmer participation emphasized
Focus on soil health and welfare scheme delivery
Utilizes local agricultural networks

Kerala Launches Dedicated Senior Citizens’ Welfare Department

Kerala announced the creation of a dedicated Senior Citizens’ Welfare Department, becoming the first Indian state to establish such a unit as of 1 June 2026. The department is backed by the Kerala Elderly Commission Bill and aims to improve protection, services, and legal safeguards for elderly residents. It will oversee welfare schemes, healthcare access, social support networks, and grievance redressal mechanisms. Officials say the move addresses the rising needs of an aging population in Kerala and embodies a whole‑of‑government approach to elder care. The department will coordinate with district administrations, hospitals, and NGOs to deliver targeted assistance and inclusion programs.

Kerala founded the Senior Citizens’ Welfare Department
First state to establish such a unit as of 1 June 2026
Supported by Kerala Elderly Commission Bill
Focus on protection, services, and safeguards for seniors
Coordination with districts, hospitals, and NGOs

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

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