General Awareness

GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND SCHEMES - July 2024

Jul 2024

Dec 15, 2025

CoalSETU policy approved to create auction window for coal linkages

The government approved CoalSETU, a policy to auction coal linkages for industrial use and exports. Named to ensure seamless, efficient and transparent utilisation, CoalSETU adds a new window to the Non‑Regulated Sector (NRS) Linkage Auction Policy of 2016. Domestic buyers can participate in long‑term linkages for any end use, including exports (up to 50 percent exportable under holders). The policy allows flexible allocation among group companies and excludes resale within India. It seeks to improve efficiency and ensure fair access to coal resources while supporting national energy security and export goals.

CoalSETU introduces auction window for coal linkages
New window in NRS Linkage Auction Policy of 2016
Domestic buyers can export up to 50% of allocated coal
Cannot resell coal domestically under policy

Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhikshan Bill to create single higher education regulator

The Union Cabinet approved the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhikshan Bill, a unified regulator replacing UGC, AICTE, and NCTE. Earlier called the Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) Bill, the reform follows NEP 2020 recommendations for streamlined governance and oversight in higher education. The bill will be introduced in the ongoing Winter Session. A single regulator aims to improve quality assurance, accreditation, and policy implementation across universities and technical institutes, reducing fragmentation and enhancing regulatory clarity for institutions and students.

Single regulator for higher education proposed
Replaces UGC, AICTE, NCTE under SHIKSHA Adhikshan
Aligned with NEP 2020 objectives

Plan for conducting Census of India 2027 approved by Union Cabinet

The Union Cabinet approved the Census of India 2027 plan at a cost of Rs 11,718.24 crore. This will be India’s 16th national census and its first fully digital count. Phase one covers house listing and housing census from April to September 2026; population enumeration is scheduled for February 2027. In snow-prone Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, enumeration will occur earlier in September 2026. About 30 lakh field workers will participate. The data aims to produce faster, cleaner and more accessible policy information for governance and planning.

Census 2027 approved; cost Rs 11,718.24 crore
First completely digital national census
Two phases: House listing (Apr–Sep 2026) and Population Enumeration (Feb 2027)
Special enumeration in some hilly/border states in Sept 2026
Around 30 lakh field workers engaged

SHANTI Bill clears to allow private players in nuclear energy field

The Union Cabinet approved the SHANTI — Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India — Bill 2025. The legislation seeks to end the decades‑old monopoly of the Department of Atomic Energy by enabling private participation in nuclear energy. It aims to unify and update regulations, address gaps, and promote safe, transparent growth in the sector. The government projects a roadmap to reach 22,000 MW of nuclear capacity by 2032 and 100 GW by 2047, aligning with net‑zero goals for 2070 and the broader Viksit Bharat vision. Parliament is expected to table the bill during the Winter Session.

SHANTI Bill approved to allow private nuclear participation
Aims to reach 22,000 MW by 2032; 100 GW by 2047
Regulatory unification and modernization
Part of net-zero 2070 and Viksit Bharat goals

Dec 12, 2025

Nagaland launches Mission Watershed Punarutthan under flagship schemes

Nagaland launched the State-Level Watershed Mahotsav 2025 alongside Mission Watershed Punarutthan to rejuvenate traditional water bodies and restore degraded lands. The initiative emphasizes community-driven action and convergence with national schemes such as MGNREGA to improve water harvesting and rural livelihoods. By reviving springs, strengthening watershed structures, and promoting conservation practices, the program aims to secure water supply and support agriculture in villages. Local governance and citizen participation form the core of the project, with state agencies coordinating with central programs to sustain gains over time.

Nagaland launches Mission Watershed Punarutthan with Mahotsav 2025.
Focus on rejuvenating water bodies and restoring degraded land.
Community-driven actions linked to national schemes like MGNREGA.
Aims to improve water security and rural livelihoods.

SBI and BoB get RBI nod to set up Digital Payments Intelligence Platform (IDPIC)

The Reserve Bank of India has approved the creation of a Digital Payments Intelligence Platform (IDPIC) by the State Bank of India and Bank of Baroda. The new entity, named Indian Digital Payment Intelligence Corporation, will coordinate and strengthen fraud detection and prevention across public sector banks. The platform aims to integrate data from multiple payment rails to flag suspicious patterns and drive faster remediation. This development aligns with RBI rules on digital payments security and governance, and enhances the overall resilience of India’s digital banking ecosystem. The move is expected to improve consumer trust and reduce system-wide fraud risks.

RBI approves formation of IDPIC by SBI and BoB.
Entity named Indian Digital Payment Intelligence Corporation.
Aims to improve fraud detection across public sector banks.
Intends to integrate data across payment rails for rapid alerts.
Enhances RBI-regulated digital banking security and governance.

Dec 11, 2025

IALA Council Session in Mumbai and Lighthouse Tourism portal launch

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal virtually inaugurated the 3rd Session of the Council of the International Organisation for Marine Aids to Navigation (IALA) in Mumbai. The event runs from December 8 to 12 and is hosted by the Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships (DGLL) under the Ports, Shipping and Waterways Ministry. Alongside the council, a Digital Ticketing Portal for Lighthouse Tourism was launched to modernise visitor services. India’s participation reflects its active role in global navigation standards and maritime safety, as the IALA gathering brings together dozens of international delegates to discuss best practices and future collaborations in coastal infrastructure and navigation aids.

3rd IALA Council Session held in Mumbai (Dec 8–12, 2025).
DGLL under MoPSW hosts the event.
Digital Lighthouse Tourism Ticketing Portal launched.
India reinforces its role in international navigation standards.
Participants include 42 IALA members and observers.

Dec 10, 2025

Padho Pardesh: scheme discontinued; minority overseas study support reviewed

The Padho Pardesh scholarship scheme for studying abroad has been discontinued from 2022-23 onward due to overlap with other programs and limited impact. The NMDFC offers overseas study loans at comparatively lower rates, reducing the need for a separate subsidy. The government notes Kerala as the largest beneficiary state historically. The decision aligns with streamlining education subsidies and ensuring targeted support through existing loan schemes, while continuing to promote overseas education through NMDFC financing and other scholarship schemes.

Padho Pardesh scheme discontinued from 2022-23; rationale: overlap and limited impact.
NMDFC overseas study loans offered at lower interest rates.
Kerala historically the top beneficiary state.
Policy consolidation aims to optimize education subsidies.

SEBI launches PaRRVA to verify investment returns and curb misleading finfluencer claims

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has launched PaRRVA, the Past Risk and Return Verification Agency, as a pilot project. The mechanism will authenticate past performance claims made by SEBI-registered market intermediaries, including registered investment advisers, research analysts, and algorithmic trading service providers. Developed with Care Ratings and the National Stock Exchange (NSE), PaRRVA aims to counter unverified investment advice and exaggerated claims by online finfluencers. Verified past returns and risk metrics can be presented to investors, promoting informed decisions. Intermediaries must enroll with PaRRVA when fully operational. Data sharing rules will shift to PaRRVA-verified data after a two-year transition, with disclaimers required in public communications.

PaRRVA is SEBI's Past Risk and Return Verification Agency, launched as a pilot.
Collaboration with Care Ratings and NSE for verification processes.
Covers registered investment advisers, research analysts, and algo trading providers.
Aims to curb misleading online investment content and unverified claims.
Enrollment with PaRRVA becomes mandatory once the system is operational.

Kerala hosts Gen-Z post office counter at CMS College, Kottayam

Kerala opened its first Gen-Z post office extension counter at CMS College, Kottayam, on December 8, 2025. The youth-centric counter blends study and postal services in a cafe-like setting, including Wi-Fi, charging facilities, and a small library. Created with CMS College students, the space aims to attract younger users to postal services while maintaining traditional offerings such as parcel booking and MyStamp facilities. The project reflects India Post’s broader effort to modernize services on campus campuses and to design services around the needs of students and youth. The CMS College site houses the Gen-Z counter within the head post office complex.

Kerala inaugurates Kerala’s Gen-Z post office at CMS College, Kottayam (8 Dec 2025).
Campus design combines work, study, and postal services.
Co-created by CMS students and India Post officials.
Part of a broader push to modernize postal services on campuses.

Jal Shakti Hackathon-2025 and Bharat-WIN Portal launched to boost water innovation

Union Jal Shakti Minister launched Jal Shakti Hackathon-2025 and the Bharat-WIN Portal in New Delhi on December 9, 2025. The Hackathon is framed as a national movement to develop technology-driven water solutions, with likely grants and PoC support for winning ideas. The Bharat-WIN platform will connect researchers, startups, and civil society to address grassroots water challenges, promoting scalable, field-ready solutions. The initiative aligns with Mission LiFE and aims to strengthen the innovation ecosystem in water management, with a focus on flood management, smart monitoring, and climate resilience. The platform invites widespread participation across sectors to build a robust water future.

Jal Shakti Hackathon-2025 and Bharat-WIN Portal launched (9 Dec 2025).
Hackathon emphasizes technology-driven water solutions as a national movement.
Bharat-WIN Portal links researchers, startups, and communities for water challenges.
Focus areas include flood management, water-use efficiency, and climate resilience.

Dec 09, 2025

Rajasthan Completes 100% Digitisation of Voter Rolls Under SIR

Rajasthan announced 100% digitisation of its voter rolls under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) programme. The Chief Electoral Office reported 97% mapping completion and only 3% of voters needing document submission during claims and objections. The mapping aligns voters with polling booths, wards, and detailed records, reducing duplicate entries and improving accuracy. On average, about 30 voters per booth require verification. The move enhances electoral transparency and efficiency, and demonstrates progress toward a fully digital voter administration in India, potentially influencing other states to adopt similar digital governance measures.

SIR programme achieved 100% voter-roll digitisation in Rajasthan.
97% voter mapping completed; 3% to submit documents during objections.
Average verification: 30 voters per booth.
Aims to improve accuracy and ease of voter verification.
Signals broader move toward digital governance in elections.

Amit Shah Inaugurates Bio-CNG Plant at Banas Dairy, Gujarat

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah inaugurated Banas Dairy's Bio-CNG and Fertilizer Plant in the Vav-Tharad district of Gujarat and laid the foundation stone for a 150-ton powder plant. The event is linked to White Revolution 2.0, a Modi government initiative to modernize India's dairy sector through cooperative models. The Bio-CNG facility will convert cow dung and organic waste into renewable biofuel and organic manure, supporting environmental sustainability and higher farmer incomes. Officials emphasised the project as part of a circular-economy approach to strengthen farmer livelihoods, reduce waste, and boost local employment in the region.

Amit Shah inaugurated Bio-CNG and Fertilizer Plant in Vav-Tharad, Gujarat.
Foundation stone laid for a 150-ton powder plant under White Revolution 2.0.
Plant converts organic waste into biofuel and organic manure.
Aims to enhance sustainability, farmer incomes, and local employment.
Part of cooperative-model reforms in India's dairy sector.

Share on

TCY Analytics (View Subscription Plans)

Subscribe to GK Updates

I want to receive

GK Tags

July GK, June GK, May GK, INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS, ENVIRONMENT, BUSINESS AND ECONOMY, SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, SPORTS, NATIONAL AFFAIRS, DEFENCE, PERSONS IN NEWS, DAYS AND EVENTS, AWARDS AND HONOURS, GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND SCHEMES, GENDER/ HEALTH/ EDUCATION, ART AND CULTURE, BOOKS AND AUTHORS, TOURISM AND HOTEL INDUSTRY AWARENESS, ART AND CULTURE, LAW AND CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

Start Discussion

On any topic

Take Tests

Compiled from GK updates

Login

Sign Up

Forgot Password

Download TCY App

Unlock All Services And Enjoy The Premium Benefits

US$ 10

US$ 13

US$ 15

US$ 17

US$ 19

US$ 20

US$ 21

US$ 22

US$ 23

US$ 24

US$ 25

US$ 26