General Awareness

GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND SCHEMES - May 2024

May 2024

Apr 23, 2026

Maharashtra launches Centre of Excellence for Heat Resilience and Sustainable Cooling at IIM Nagpur

As part of its climate resilience drive, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis inaugurated the new Centre of Excellence for Heat Resilience and Sustainable Cooling (CoE-HRSC) at the Indian Institute of Management Nagpur. Conducted via video conference on 21 April 2026, the centre is planned to become a permanent wing of the State Institute of Disaster Management (SIDM). In its initial phase, CoE-HRSC will evaluate and refine Heat Action Plans and Urban Climate Action Plans, and provide implementation support to high-priority cities and districts. It will develop training modules for government officials, healthcare workers, and local communities, and promote eco-friendly construction materials and local cooling solutions to reduce reliance on energy-intensive air conditioning.

Centre named CoE-HRSC inaugurated at IIM Nagpur on 21 April 2026.
Planned as permanent wing of SIDM.
Initial focus: Heat Action Plans and Urban Climate Action Plans.
Will train government officials, healthcare workers, and citizens.
Promotes eco-friendly materials and local cooling to cut energy-heavy AC use.

OGAI to regulate India’s online gaming sector from May 2026

India will regulate online gaming through the Online Gaming Authority of India (OGAI), which becomes operational from 1 May 2026. The authority is established under the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, to create a structured and transparent framework for online gaming, including real‑money gaming, fantasy sports, esports, and skill‑based platforms. OGAI will function as a digital office under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and involve officials from several ministries for policy enforcement. Its mandate includes game registration, licensing, consumer protection, and fostering responsible growth in the sector while supporting innovation and taxation clarity.

OGAI becomes operational on 1 May 2026
Established under Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025
Oversight of real-money gaming, esports, and skill games
Digital office under MeitY; cross-ministry involvement
Tasks include game registration and licensing
Aims for responsible growth and regulatory clarity

Apr 22, 2026

RELIEF Scheme Expanded to Egypt and Jordan for Export Facilitation

On 22 April 2026, the Government announced an expansion of the Resilience & Logistics Intervention for Export Facilitation (RELIEF) scheme under the Export Promotion Mission (EPM), adding Egypt and Jordan to the list of eligible destinations. The program, designed to facilitate shipments and reduce trade barriers, seeks to broaden India's export reach amid global headwinds. The expansion complements existing RELIEF coverage and targets sectors such as textiles, pharmaceuticals, and engineering goods. Officials said the move would simplify regulatory procedures, lower transaction costs, and improve logistics efficiency for Indian exporters, especially small and medium enterprises, by offering advisory and logistical support.

RELIEF expansion announced 22 April 2026
Egypt and Jordan added as eligible destinations
Targets textiles, pharmaceuticals, engineering goods
Aims to reduce trade barriers and costs
Support for small and medium exporters

Apr 20, 2026

Punjab rolls out AI-based real-time crime tracking with IIT Ropar

The Punjab government announced a collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology Ropar to develop an Artificial Intelligence system for real-time crime tracking and analysis. The framework will integrate data analytics, voice recognition, and dashboard monitoring to support policing. It will unify scattered police records, including unstructured data, into a single database to cut investigation delays and improve accuracy. The objective is intelligence-led policing to combat crime and drug networks. The project reflects ongoing modernization of policing in Punjab and potential replication in other states if successful.

Partnership between Punjab government and IIT Ropar.
AI system for real-time crime tracking and analytics.
Includes data analytics, voice recognition, and dashboards.
Aims to digitize structured and unstructured data into one database.
Intended to speed up investigations and enhance policing.

AICTE Launches VAANI 3.0 Scheme to Promote Indian Languages in Higher Education

AICTE has launched the VAANI 3.0 scheme (Vibrant Advocacy for Advancement and Nurturing of Indian Languages) to strengthen the use of Indian languages in technical education and research. The initiative aims to bridge language barriers and foster inclusive knowledge across the country by enabling students to learn complex concepts in their mother tongue. Yogesh Singh, a key figure in the scheme, underscored the importance of making technical knowledge accessible in native languages. Alongside the launch, AICTE introduced a dedicated online portal for applications to simplify participation for institutions. VAANI 3.0 seeks to promote research and publication in Indian languages, encourage academia-industry collaboration, and widen access to modern technology.

Scheme name: VAANI 3.0 (Vibrant Advocacy for Advancement and Nurturing of Indian Languages).
Purpose: Strengthen use of Indian languages in technical education.
Launch figure: Yogesh Singh.
Key features: Online portal for applications.
Aims: Promote research/publication in Indian languages; academia-industry collaboration.
Impact: Reduce language barriers in higher education.

Vishwa Sutra launched to promote Indian handlooms globally

The Textiles Ministry launched Vishwa Sutra – Weaves of India for the World, a scheme to showcase Indian handlooms on a global stage. The program was launched through a designer collection presented at the 61st Femina Miss India in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. Developed by the Office of the Development Commissioner (Handlooms) in collaboration with the National Institute of Fashion Technology, Vishwa Sutra features 30 distinct handloom weaves from across states, reinterpreted with designs inspired by 30 countries. The effort aims to elevate export potential and present traditional crafts in a contemporary fashion context.

Initiative titled Vishwa Sutra launched by Textiles Ministry.
Showcase includes 30 different state handlooms.
Designed with NIFT and Handlooms Office collaboration.
Unveiled at the 61st Femina Miss India in Bhubaneswar.
Aims to position Indian handlooms in global design frameworks.

Apr 19, 2026

Meghalaya Recognises Khasi and Garo as Official Languages

Meghalaya has officially recognised the Khasi and Garo languages as state official languages alongside English, a historic move approved by the Meghalaya State Cabinet and enacted through the Meghalaya Official Languages Ordinance, 2026. The change repeals the Meghalaya State Language Act, 2005 and follows long-standing demands from indigenous communities. Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma described the decision as historic, stressing its importance for governance accessibility and cultural identity. The new policy requires Khasi and Garo to be used in government communications and functioning, while English remains a linking language for broader administration. The government hopes to strengthen inclusion and potentially support the languages' broader inclusion in the Eighth Schedule.

Meghalaya cabinet approves Official Languages Ordinance, 2026.
Khasi and Garo recognised as official languages; English remains linking language.
The Act repeals the 2005 Language Act.
CM Sangma calls it historic; aims to improve governance access and identity.
Policy may support inclusion in the Eighth Schedule.

Apr 17, 2026

India targets cocoa self-reliance by 2040 with new roadmap

A knowledge paper prepared by Grant Thornton Bharat in collaboration with FICCI outlines a long-term strategy to boost cocoa production by 2040. The plan aims to reduce cocoa imports, improve farmer incomes, and strengthen domestic supply. Key proposals include establishing a National Mission on Cocoa, creating a Centre of Excellence, expanding R&D, policy and financial support, and promoting digital transformation and traceability. India currently produces less than 20 percent of its cocoa needs, creating a substantial supply-demand gap. The roadmap envisions a robust ecosystem to achieve self-reliance within two decades.

Knowledge paper outlines cocoa strategy to 2040.
National Mission on Cocoa and Centre of Excellence proposed.
Emphasis on R&D, policy support, and digital traceability.
India currently produces less than 20% of its cocoa needs.

Centre notifies Tata Semiconductor SEZ in Dholera; logistics role clarified

Following petitions and approvals, the Centre notified a 66.166-hectare Tata Semiconductor SEZ at Dholera on 9 April 2026, with inland container depot status to facilitate logistics. The notification supports a ₹91,000 crore investment plan to establish India’s first chip fabrication unit and broader electronics ecosystem in Gujarat. Board of Approval decisions and Commerce Secretary oversight underpin the SEZ, signaling a strong policy push for domestic semiconductor manufacturing and export-oriented growth. The development complements ongoing national efforts to attract investment in high-tech manufacturing and strengthen supply chains.

Centre notified Tata Semiconductor SEZ at Dholera on 9 April 2026.
66.166 hectares; ₹91,000 crore investment; inland container depot designation.
Aims to establish India’s first chip fabrication unit in Gujarat.
Part of broader government push to boost domestic semiconductor manufacturing.

Tata Semiconductor SEZ in Dholera cleared with ₹91,000 crore plan

The government cleared a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) for Tata Semiconductor Manufacturing Private Limited at Dholera, Gujarat. The project envisions a ₹91,000 crore investment and will house India’s first chip fabrication unit. The SEZ, spanning about 66.166 hectares, focuses on electronic hardware, software, and IT/ITeS services, and will be designated as an inland container depot to ease logistics. Notification by the Department of Commerce on 9 April 2026, following Board of Approval clearance, marks a key milestone in India’s semiconductor ambitions and domestic manufacturing push, with expected job creation and a boost to the tech ecosystem in Gujarat.

SEZ for Tata Semiconductor Manufacturing notified in Dholera (April 9, 2026).
66.166 hectares; ₹91,000 crore investment envisaged.
Zone focuses on electronic hardware, software, IT/ITeS.
Inland container depot designation to streamline logistics.

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