General Awareness

GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND SCHEMES - July 2024

Jul 2024

Jan 15, 2026

DFS launches composite salary account package for central government employees

The Department of Financial Services (DFS), under the Finance Ministry, launched a composite Salary Account Package for central government employees. The package combines banking services, insurance, and cards into a single account structure to simplify operations for Group A, B, and C cadres. The initiative aims to enhance financial well-being and social security, with features such as personal accident insurance up to Rs 1.50 crore and air accident cover up to Rs 2 crore. Zero-balance accounts, preferential loan terms for housing, education, and vehicles, and broader accessibility are included. The package was announced by DFS Secretary M Nagaraju with senior bank officials in attendance.

Composite Salary Account Package for central employees
Includes banking, insurance, and cards in one package
Personal accident insurance up to Rs 1.50 crore; air cover Rs 2 crore
Zero-balance accounts with enhanced facilities

Tripura Gramin Bank launches India's first solar-powered ATM van

Tripura Gramin Bank has rolled out India's first solar-powered ATM van, a milestone for rural banking and financial inclusion. The mobile unit is designed to operate in remote pockets where grid electricity can be unreliable, expanding access to cash withdrawal and other banking services across Tripura’s interior districts. Marketing Head Jeet Bhattacharya said the initiative demonstrates the bank’s commitment to sustainable and inclusive finance. The project earned the SKOCH Silver Award for innovative governance, highlighting its national significance. Tripura Gramin Bank currently operates three solar-powered ATM vans and serves about 150 branches across the state, supporting eco-friendly, uninterrupted banking in challenging terrain. The van’s inauguration, historically led by senior policymakers, set a benchmark in Tripura’s financial inclusion drive.

First solar-powered ATM van in India, targeting rural Tripura
Extends banking access to electricity-scarce areas
Three vans in operation; about 150 branches covered
SKOCH Silver Award for innovative governance
Inauguration linked to national policy visibility

Jan 14, 2026

Chhattisgarh leads large states in APAAR ID creation

Chhattisgarh has emerged as the leading large state in implementing the Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry (APAAR) system. As of 7 January, the state generated 50,60,941 APAAR IDs, covering 88.63 percent of 57,10,207 students across 57,045 schools. The digital identity system aims to streamline student records and improve accessibility to education services. Educational officials highlighted the achievement as a major milestone in digital education infrastructure and a model for other states pursuing comprehensive student data integration.

Chhattisgarh leads large states in APAAR IDs
50,60,941 APAAR IDs created as of 7 January
88.63% coverage of 57,10,207 students in 57,045 schools
APAAR aims to digitalize student identities
Viewed as a model for other states

BMRCL unveils mobile QR-based unlimited travel passes

Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) launched mobile QR-based unlimited travel passes for 1-day, 3-day, and 5-day use, effective from January 15. Previously available only as contactless smart cards (CSC) with a refundable security deposit, the new QR-based system aims to enhance commuter convenience and promote digital ticketing. Customers can access passes via mobile devices, simplifying travel for residents and visitors. The program supports the city’s ongoing efforts to modernize transit and reduce cash handling at stations.

QR-based unlimited travel passes launched by BMRCL
Passes available for 1, 3, and 5 days
Digital alternative to CSC with security deposit
Aims to boost commuter convenience and digital ticketing
Part of broader transit modernization efforts

Dagadarthi airport in Nellore gets Cabinet approval

The Andhra Pradesh Cabinet approved the Dagadarthi Greenfield Airport in Nellore district, paving the way for the state’s eighth airport. The project aims to bolster aviation, industry, and logistics infrastructure by linking to major ports and industrial zones, including Krishnapatnam Port, Ramayapatnam Port, and KRIS City. The Ministry of Civil Aviation gave in-principle clearance, and the RFP has been issued to invite private participation under a long-term concession framework. The decision is expected to improve regional connectivity and attract investment, aligning with the state’s broader development and logistics integration plans.

Dagadarthi Greenfield Airport approved in Nellore
Aims to boost aviation, industry, and logistics
Connections to major ports and industrial zones planned
MoCA in-principle clearance; RFP issued
Long-term concession framework to invite private partners

ICAR and NDDB sign MoU to boost dairy research and innovation

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) signed a Memorandum of Understanding to enhance collaboration in multidisciplinary research, innovation, and capacity building across the dairy sector. The partnership aims to combine ICAR’s scientific expertise with NDDB’s field-level experience to address challenges from climate resilience to value chain development. Emphasis will be on knowledge sharing, technology validation, human resource development, and joint training for researchers, professionals, and farmers. Officials expect the alliance to foster new dairy technologies, strengthen demonstrations for farmers, and accelerate uptake of best practices through coordinated extension and capacity-building programs nationwide.

MoU between ICAR and NDDB for dairy sector collaboration
Focus on multidisciplinary research, innovation, and capacity building
Emphasis on climate resilience, productivity, and value chains
Joint training and knowledge sharing for researchers, professionals, and farmers
Plan to validate technologies through field-level demonstrations

TTD launches QR-based footwear management at Tirumala

The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) unveiled a QR code–based footwear management system at the Tarigonda Vengamamba Anna Prasadam Complex. The initiative aims to reduce misplaced footwear and improve pilgrim convenience by providing digital tracking and quick retrieval. The inauguration, led by TTD’s Additional Executive Officer Ch. Venkaiah Chowdary, marks a move toward modernizing temple infrastructure with user-friendly, contactless technologies. Pilgrims will experience smoother footwear handling, while the system enables better crowd management in the pilgrimage precincts.

QR-based footwear management launched at Tirumala
Aims to reduce misplacement and improve retrieval
Digital tracking enhances pilgrim convenience
Inauguration by TTD official Ch. Venkaiah Chowdary
Represents modernization of temple infrastructure

Jan 13, 2026

India Post launches Speed Post 24 and Speed Post 48 to ensure delivery within 24–48 hours

India Post has launched two new priority delivery services, Speed Post 24 and Speed Post 48, aimed at delivering select mail and parcels within 24 hours and 48 hours, respectively. Union Minister for Communications Jyotiraditya Scindia announced the services at a programme held at the Pichor sub-office in Shivpuri district, Madhya Pradesh. The renovated Pichhor sub-office cost ₹2 lakh, while the foundation stone for a proposed new sub-office building has been laid at ₹1 crore 11 lakh. Scindia stated the move would modernise the postal network and set a higher benchmark for punctual, reliable delivery. This aligns with a broader postal modernisation push; on 29 December 2025 the DoT via NCCS unveiled reforms to bolster indigenous manufacturing and testing capabilities.

New services: Speed Post 24 aims for 24-hour delivery; Speed Post 48 targets 48-hour delivery.
Announced by Union Minister for Communications Jyotiraditya Scindia at Pichor, Madhya Pradesh.
Renovated Pichhor sub-office cost ₹2 lakh; new sub-office foundation ₹1 crore 11 lakh.
Part of ongoing modernisation of India Post’s network.
DoT reforms through NCCS announced on 29 December 2025 to boost domestic manufacturing and testing.

Jan 12, 2026

Railways to confer Ati Vishisht Rail Seva Puraskar on 100 employees

Indian Railways will confer the Ati Vishisht Rail Seva Puraskar 2025 on 100 employees, including officers and staff across various divisions. The awards will be presented on January 9 at the India International Convention & Expo Centre in New Delhi, with Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and other railway officials in attendance. The ceremony recognises exemplary service, safety, efficiency, innovation and contributions to revenue and operations. This broad recognition reflects the Railways’ ongoing emphasis on workforce excellence and public service delivery across a wide spectrum of railway functions.

Ati Vishisht Rail Seva Puraskar 2025 to be awarded to 100 employees.
Ceremony on January 9 at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi; Vaishnaw to attend.
Awards cover safety, efficiency, innovation and service excellence.
Recognises a broad range of railway personnel across divisions.
Highlights government emphasis on workforce recognition and public service.

UIDAI launches Udai, a mascot to simplify Aadhaar communication

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) launched Udai, a mascot designed to simplify public understanding of Aadhaar services. Udai was chosen from entries submitted through a national design and name competition on the MyGov platform. The mascot aims to improve outreach and clarity for residents seeking Aadhaar-related information and services. UIDAI described Udai as a people-friendly asset to help users navigate identity services more easily. The move aligns with efforts to enhance accessibility and awareness around biometric UID programs across diverse Indian communities.

UIDAI launches mascot Udai to simplify Aadhaar communication.
Udai selected via MyGov national design and name competition.
Mascot aims to improve public understanding of Aadhaar services.
Part of broader efforts to boost accessibility of identity programs.
Represents UIDAI’s focus on user-friendly public outreach.

NHAI marks four Guinness World Records along Bengaluru–Kadapa–Vijayawada corridor

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) announced four Guinness World Records linked to the Bengaluru–Kadapa–Vijayawada economic corridor (NH-544G). Official releases state that on January 6, 2026, two records were set near Puttaparthi as part of the project’s execution excellence and engineering prowess. The feat showcases India’s growing infrastructure capabilities and project delivery speed. The records come amid ongoing efforts to accelerate highway development and regional connectivity, supporting freight movement and regional growth. NHAI emphasized safety, quality, and timely completion as core pillars of the corridor’s implementation.

NHAI reports four Guinness World Records for NH-544G corridor.
Two records achieved near Puttaparthi on January 6, 2026.
Part of Bengaluru–Kadapa–Vijayawada economic corridor project.
Highlights India’s infrastructure capability and execution speed.
Emphasis on safety, quality, and timely completion.

Jan 11, 2026

AYUSH recognised in Oman and New Zealand trade pacts

India’s traditional medicine system AYUSH has gained formal recognition in bilateral trade agreements with Oman and New Zealand. Commerce Ministry officials stated the pacts were finalised in December 2025 and include dedicated annexures on health‑related services and traditional medicine. The recognition is expected to boost collaboration in AYUSH products and services and support standardisation efforts. Exports of AYUSH and herbal products grew by 6.11 percent, rising from 649.2 million US dollars in 2023‑24 to 688.89 million dollars in 2024‑25. The agreements align with India’s push to expand traditional medicine on international markets and strengthen regulatory cooperation.

AYUSH gains formal recognition in Oman and New Zealand trade pacts.
Agreements finalised in December 2025 with health services annexures.
Exports of AYUSH products rose to 688.89 million USD in 2024‑25.
Move supports standardisation and international market access for AYUSH.

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