General Awareness

GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND SCHEMES - May 2024

May 2024

Mar 23, 2026

Telangana Indiramma Family Life Insurance Scheme Announced

In the 2026–27 Budget, Telangana unveiled the Indiramma Family Life Insurance Scheme to provide financial security across the state. Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka announced a universal life cover of ₹5 lakh for each of Telangana’s 1.15 crore families. The scheme, designed to reduce poverty risk after the death of a breadwinner, will be implemented from 2 June 2026. Coverage is intended to be universal, with accessible enrollment and digital processes ensuring broad reach. The initiative aligns with welfare-focused budget priorities and aims to strengthen social protection for households.

Indiramma Family Life Insurance Scheme announced in 2026–27 Budget.
Universal life cover of ₹5 lakh per family for 1.15 crore families.
Unveiled by Deputy CM and Finance Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka.
Planned implementation from 2 June 2026.
Aims to reduce poverty risk and boost social protection.

Mar 22, 2026

Har Ghar Jal Under Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 Expands Rural Water Access

Union Minister of Jal Shakti, C. R. Patil, highlighted Har Ghar Jal as a transformative instrument in rural India during MoU signings under Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 with Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Goa. The MoUs aim to ensure every rural household receives a regular, adequate, quality water supply and to reform operation and maintenance of rural water systems. The minister stressed that tap water access improves daily life, reduces women’s drudgery, and empowers communities. The government’s broader objective is long-term water security and improved living standards through structured, scalable reforms.

Program: Har Ghar Jal under Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0.
States involved in MoUs: Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Goa.
Goals: Regular, adequate water supply; strengthen rural water systems.
Impact: Improved daily life and women’s time for development.
Strategic aim: Long-term water security and governance reforms.

India-Bhutan Sign MoU on Postal Cooperation

India and Bhutan signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Postal Cooperation, establishing a structured framework for collaboration between India Post and Bhutan Post. The agreement covers postal operations, technology development, capacity building, logistics connectivity, philately, and knowledge exchange. The pact was signed during the ongoing Bhutan visit of the Secretary of the Department of Posts and aims to deepen collaboration in postal technology and service delivery, sharing best practices in digital transformation and customer service. The MoU strengthens bilateral relations and cross-border connectivity between India and Bhutan.

MoU: Postal Cooperation between India Post and Bhutan Post.
Scope: Operations, technology, capacity building, logistics, philately, knowledge exchange.
Signatory context: Bhutan visit of Posts Secretary.
Objectives: Deepen postal technology collaboration and service quality.
Impact: Strengthens bilateral connectivity and knowledge exchange.

Mar 21, 2026

PRARAMBH 2026 launched to explain new Income Tax Act provisions

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman launched PRARAMBH 2026, a nationwide awareness campaign by the Income Tax Department to explain provisions of the Income Tax Act, 2025, which comes into effect from 1 April 2026. The campaign will use print, television, radio, digital and social media to simplify tax rules, provide guidance materials, and encourage citizen engagement. Simultaneously, the Finance Minister unveiled an upgraded Income Tax Website 2.0 to improve usability, navigation, and service delivery as part of the government’s digital transformation. The launch aims to foster compliance and ease during the transition period.

Campaign name: PRARAMBH 2026
Effective date: 1 April 2026
Mediums: print, TV, radio, digital and social media
New: Income Tax Website 2.0 launched
Goal: simplify provisions and aid taxpayer transition

NHAI to deploy AI-powered dashcam monitoring on 40,000 km of highways

National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) announced the rollout of an AI powered dashcam monitoring system for operations and maintenance across approximately 40,000 kilometres of the national highway network. The system uses AI and machine learning to enable data-driven monitoring, remote tracking, and timely road condition assessments. Dashcams mounted on Route Patrol Vehicles will conduct weekly surveys, enabling rapid identification of issues such as damaged lane markings, crash barriers, and non-functional streetlights. The initiative aims to improve asset management, safety, and service delivery by providing real-time insights for planners and field teams.

Scale: ~40,000 km of highways
Technology: AI-powered dashcam monitoring
Method: weekly surveys from Route Patrol Vehicles
Focus areas: lane markings, barriers, streetlights
Outcome: enhanced asset management and safety

Mar 20, 2026

Cabinet Approves ₹2,584 Crore Small Hydro Scheme (FY 2026–27 to 2030–31)

The Union Cabinet approved the Small Hydro Power Development Scheme with an outlay of ₹2,584.60 crore to add about 1,500 MW of capacity. The program targets decentralised renewable energy in hilly and remote regions, supporting projects from 1 MW to 25 MW. Of the total outlay, ₹2,532 crore will fund project implementation, while ₹30 crore will prepare detailed project reports for a future pipeline. The initiative aims to unlock untapped hydro potential in the Himalayan and North Eastern regions, promoting cleaner energy and local employment opportunities while reducing grid constraints.

Small Hydro Power Development Scheme approved for 2026–31
Outlay: ₹2,584.60 crore; ~1,500 MW capacity
Projects ranged from 1–25 MW; focuses on remote/hilly areas
₹2,532 crore for implementation; ₹30 crore for DPRs
Aims to expand renewable energy and rural electricity access

Mar 19, 2026

BHAVYA approved to develop 100 plug-and-play industrial parks

The Union Cabinet approved BHAVYA, the Bharat Audyogik Vikas Yojna, with an outlay of ₹33,660 crore to develop 100 plug-and-play industrial parks across India. Parks will range from 100 to 1,000 acres, with financial support up to ₹1 crore per acre for core infrastructure such as roads, utilities, drainage, and ICT. The scheme also covers value-added facilities, factory sheds, testing labs, and worker housing. BHAVYA aims to boost manufacturing, attract investment, and create large-scale employment, aligning with the Viksit Bharat and Atmanirbhar Bharat visions. Implementation will involve states and private partners to establish ready-to-use industrial ecosystems nationwide.

BHAVYA approved; ₹33,660 crore outlay
100 plug-and-play industrial parks across India
Parks: 100–1,000 acres; up to ₹1 crore/acre
Infrastructure: roads, utilities, ICT; social facilities
Public-private partnership; aims to boost manufacturing

BHAVYA Scheme: key features explained

BHAVYA is designed to develop one hundred plug-and-play industrial parks across India with an outlay of about ₹33,600 crore. Parks will range from 100 to 1,000 acres and will receive up to ₹1 crore per acre for core infrastructure such as roads, utilities, drainage, and ICT. The plan includes ready-to-use factory sheds, testing labs, warehousing, and social infrastructure like worker housing. The scheme aims to reduce setup time and investment barriers, promoting manufacturing growth and attracting private investment through public-private collaboration across states. It builds on NICDP and previous industrial park initiatives to accelerate industrial development.

100 plug-and-play industrial parks targeted
Outlay around ₹33,600 crore
Park sizes: 100–1,000 acres
Up to ₹1 crore/acre for core infra
Public-private collaboration; NICDP alignment

Chhattisgarh launches Gaudham Yojana for stray cattle

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnudeo Sai launched Gaudham Yojana, a scheme to improve care for stray cattle. The inauguration took place at a Gaudham facility in Lakhassar village, Takhatpur block, Bilaspur district. The Gaudham covers about 25 acres, with 19 acres dedicated to green fodder cultivation. The Kamdhenu Gaushala Samiti will manage the facility, providing fodder, drinking water, veterinary care, and grazing land arrangements. The project underscores the state’s focus on cattle welfare and livestock management, linking animal care to rural livelihoods and cultural responsibilities associated with Gau Mata.

Gaudham Yojana launched in Chhattisgarh
Facility at Lakhassar; 25 acres total; 19 acres fodder
Managed by Kamdhenu Gaushala Samiti
Focus on stray cattle welfare and grazing land
Supports rural livelihoods and cattle conservation

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