General Awareness

GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND SCHEMES - May 2024

May 2024

Mar 13, 2026

PM-RAHAT scheme provides cashless treatment up to ₹1.5 lakh for road accident victims

The Centre launched the Prime Minister–Road Accident Victims’ Hospitalisation and Assured Treatment (PM-RAHAT) scheme on 13 February 2026 to provide cashless medical treatment up to ₹1.5 lakh for road-accident victims. Under the scheme, eligible patients receive treatment coverage for up to seven days from the date of the accident, regardless of road type. The program, notified under Section 162 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, includes detailed operational guidelines and standard procedures issued by the Union government. Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari briefed Parliament on 11 March 2026, outlining implementation steps, eligibility and expected benefits for crash victims and hospitals.

Launch date: 13 February 2026
Coverage: up to ₹1.5 lakh for seven days
Eligible victims: road-accident patients
Legal basis: Section 162 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988
Briefing date: 11 March 2026 by Nitin Gadkari

Mar 12, 2026

President Murmu Launches Four Women Welfare Schemes in Delhi

President Droupadi Murmu, on 2 March 2026, launched four women-centric welfare schemes under the Delhi Government during the Sashakt Nari, Samriddh Delhi programme in New Delhi. The package includes the Pink National Common Mobility Card, enabling women’s free bus travel and seamless access across the capital’s transport network; another scheme provides two free LPG cylinders annually to ration card families during Holi and Diwali; and two additional measures enhance mobility and safety for women, including financial support linked to skill development and entrepreneurship. The announcements reflect renewed emphasis on women’s safety, mobility, and economic participation in the national capital. The measures will be rolled out across Delhi next financial year.

Date and event: 2 March 2026, Sashakt Nari, Samriddh Delhi in New Delhi
Schemes: Pink National Common Mobility Card; two free LPG cylinders
Additional measures: mobility and safety enhancements; skill/entrepreneurship support
Roll-out: to be implemented in Delhi from next financial year

Mar 11, 2026

Nagauri Paan Methi Registered as Community Farmers’ Variety

Nagauri Paan Methi has been registered as a Community Farmers’ Variety by the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority (PPVFRA). The registration appeared in the February 2026 Plant Variety Journal and grants statutory ownership and protection to farmers in Nagaur district, Rajasthan. The crop is Trigonella corniculata L., grown in arid agro‑ecology, and has been conserved by families for generations. The recognition highlights the importance of regionally adapted crops and supports farmers’ rights under the PPV&FR Act, 2001. The award enables local seed preservation and potential commercial exploitation under plant‑variety protections while promoting biodiversity and traditional farming knowledge.

Nagauri Paan Methi registered as Community Farmers’ Variety by PPVFRA.
Registration appeared in February 2026 Plant Variety Journal.
Crop identified as Trigonella corniculata L., grown in arid agro‑ecology.
Protection granted under PPV&FR Act, 2001 to Nagaur farmers.
Promotes biodiversity and traditional farming knowledge.

Kerala Cyber Safety Protocol 2026 Aims to Protect Students in AI Era

Kerala has introduced the Cyber Safety Protocol 2026, a comprehensive framework to protect students in the AI era. Developed by Kerala Infrastructure and Technology for Education (KITE) and the General Education Department, the protocol aims to create a safe digital learning environment in public schools. It addresses cyber threats such as AI‑generated misinformation, deepfakes, digital grooming, and cyber fraud, combining cyber security awareness with digital literacy. The protocol seeks to empower students to navigate online spaces safely, while schools implement guidelines for data privacy and responsible use of AI tools. The plan emphasizes collaboration among educators, families, and government agencies.

Cyber Safety Protocol 2026 introduced by KITE and Education Department.
Aims to protect students in AI era in public schools.
Addresses misinformation, deepfakes, digital grooming, cyber fraud.
Combines cyber security awareness with digital literacy.
Encourages data privacy guidelines and responsible AI use.

Viksit Bharat Yuva Connect Programme Continues Across Delhi Colleges

Viksit Bharat Yuva Connect Programme (VBYCP) is continuing in Delhi colleges, with over 900 students participating. The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, through Mera Yuva Bharat, is expanding youth engagement under the vision Viksit Bharat@2047. In the second phase, more than 10,000 young people in 35 colleges will participate through interactive sessions and youth‑led activities. On the second day, youth icons Ramandeep Singh, Lavisha Arora, Sneha Bhardwaj, Ankit Kumar, and Sakshi Shah spoke with students at institutions such as Dr. B.R. Ambedkar University Delhi and JIMS. The program aims to empower youth and strengthen India's future workforce.

VBYCP continues across Delhi colleges with 900+ participants.
Part of Mera Yuva Bharat under the Viksit Bharat@2047 agenda.
Second phase targets 10,000 youths in 35 colleges.
Interactive sessions and youth‑led activities are planned.
Program aims to empower youth and build a future workforce.

Mar 10, 2026

UP launches Project GANGA to connect 20 lakh rural homes with high-speed internet

The Uttar Pradesh government has launched Project GANGA to provide high-speed internet to more than 20 lakh rural households over the next two to three years. The effort aims to expand digital connectivity in villages and semi-urban areas, creating new employment opportunities and enabling online services. A memorandum of understanding was signed between the State Transformation Commission (STC) and One OTT Entertainment Limited, a subsidiary of the Hinduja Group, to implement the project. The plan targets broadband access in areas with limited infrastructure, supporting e-governance, education, health, and business activities in rural communities.

Initiative: Project GANGA by Uttar Pradesh government
Target: 20 lakh rural households over 2–3 years
MoU: STC and One OTT Entertainment Limited (Hinduja Group)
Focus areas: broadband, e-governance, education, health
Impact: improved digital inclusion in rural areas

NABARD launches National Climate Stack Innovation Challenge

The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), in collaboration with the Gates Foundation and Dalberg Advisors, has launched the National Climate Stack Innovation Challenge. The initiative aims to strengthen India’s climate resilience framework for rural regions by building foundational technological layers of a National Climate Stack that can integrate diverse climate datasets and enable better climate intelligence for agriculture, rural finance, and public planning. It addresses risks from heatwaves, floods, droughts, and cyclones and seeks to bridge data gaps across platforms. The program will support interoperable data systems and informed decision-making for rural communities.

Collaborators: NABARD, Gates Foundation, Dalberg Advisors
Goal: National Climate Stack for rural climate resilience
Applications: agriculture, rural finance, public planning
Focus areas: interoperable climate data systems
Impact: improved forecasting, risk management, policy planning

Mar 09, 2026

Dipali Das becomes Assam’s first citizenship certificate recipient under CAA

Dipali Das of Cachar district, Assam, became the state’s first recipient of Indian citizenship under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). She received her citizenship certificate on 6 March 2026, after years of documentary scrutiny and legal proceedings. Das had entered India with her husband on 7 February 1988, fleeing persecution in what is now Bangladesh. She faced early detention for alleged illegal entry, but a 2020 Supreme Court direction led to her release. The Assam case highlights the practical application of CAA provisions in resolving long-standing nationality questions for eligible individuals.

First citizenship certificate under CAA in Assam
Recipient: Dipali Das, Cachar district
Certificate issued on 6 March 2026
Entered India with husband on 7 February 1988
Case illustrates CAA implementation at state level

India to build first riverine lighthouses on Brahmaputra to boost navigation

India laid foundation stones for four riverine lighthouses along the Brahmaputra River, a first for inland waterways. The sites at Bogibeel, Pandu, Silghat, and Biswanath Ghat will support National Waterway 2. Each lighthouse will rise about 20 metres, offer 14 nautical miles of geographical range, and 8–10 nautical miles of luminous range. Solar-powered and equipped with weather sensors, the lighthouses will double as tourism venues with museums and amenities. The project, part of IWAI-DGLL collaboration, involves around ₹84 crore in investment. Completion is expected within 24 months of contract awards.

Four riverine lighthouses on Brahmaputra (Bogibeel, Pandu, Silghat, Biswanath Ghat)
First inland riverine lighthouse project in India
Each lighthouse: ~20 metres tall; 14 nautical miles range
Solar-powered; weather sensors for 24/7 navigation
Investment: ₹84 crore; completion within 24 months

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