General Awareness

GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND SCHEMES - August 2024

Aug 2024

Feb 18, 2026

Kerala Advances India's First Graphene Policy

Kerala approved India's first comprehensive graphene policy, signaling a strategic push to position the state as a graphene R&D and manufacturing hub. The policy supports the Grefine Park to accelerate graphene‑based innovation and a dedicated graphene industrial park in Palakkad, plus a Digital Innovation Centre backed by ₹200 crore. The state will offer a 50 per cent subsidy on lease payments for manufacturing units in government parks to attract domestic and international investors. The initiative aims to integrate high‑tech industries into Kerala’s economy and create an ecosystem for advanced materials production. ([newindianexpress.com](https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/telangana/2026/Feb/06/hyderabad-set-to-host-bioasia-summit-2026?utm_source=openai))

Kerala approves first graphene policy
Grefine Park and Palakkad graphene park planned
₹200 crore Digital Innovation Centre investment
50% lease subsidy for manufacturing units
Aims to attract global graphene investments

Feb 17, 2026

Nadda to Launch SAHI and BODH Initiatives at India AI Summit

Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda announced two national AI initiatives at the India AI Summit in New Delhi: SAHI (Strategy for Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare for India) and BODH (Benchmarking Open Data Platform for Health AI). The programs aim to strengthen health services, disease surveillance and data sharing through AI. Officials say the initiatives will form part of broader digital health reforms and governance. The announcements reflect government–industry–academic collaboration intended to accelerate health tech adoption and foster responsible AI use in public health, research and policy development.

Initiatives: SAHI and BODH announced at India AI Summit.
SAHI: Strategy for Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare for India.
BODH: Benchmarking Open Data Platform for Health AI.
Goals: strengthen health services, surveillance, data sharing.
Policy driver: government–industry–academia collaboration.

North and South Blocks to Join Yuge Yugeen Bharat National Museum

The Union Cabinet approved transforming North Block and South Block into part of the proposed Yuge Yugeen Bharat National Museum. The decision follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s dedication of Seva Teerth, the new PMO, on 13 February 2026. As a result, cabinet meetings will cease to be held in South Block after nearly 95 years, and North Block will join the museum project. Officials describe the move as a step to consolidate governance history and present it through curated exhibits and heritage spaces. Details on funding, governance and timelines are expected later from government authorities.

Cabinet approval to incorporate North and South Blocks into the museum plan.
PM Seva Teerth dedication occurred on 13 February 2026.
South Block will stop hosting cabinet meetings after 95 years.
North Block to be part of the museum project.
Purpose: showcase governance history through exhibits.

Bharat-VISTAAR: AI Platform for Farmers Launched in Jaipur

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced Bharat-VISTAAR, an AI-based digital platform for Indian farmers. The tool will provide weather updates, mandi prices, pest and disease management, soil health, crop advice and information on government schemes, all via calls, chatbots and an upcoming mobile app. Phase 1 will launch in Hindi and English across states including Maharashtra, Bihar and Gujarat. The launch event included participation from state agriculture ministers and farmers connected virtually through ICAR and KVK networks. Bharat-VISTAAR aims to empower farmers with timely, locally relevant information to improve yields and incomes.

Platform: Bharat-VISTAAR; AI-based for farmers.
Key features: weather, mandi prices, pest management, soil health, crop advice, schemes.
Access: calls, chatbots; later mobile app.
Phase 1: Hindi and English; states include Maharashtra, Bihar, Gujarat.
Goal: empower farmers; improve yields and incomes.

Feb 16, 2026

PM Modi Announces PM RAHAT Scheme for Accident Victims

New Delhi, 16 February 2026 — The Government of India announced a new health scheme PM RAHAT for road accident victims, following Cabinet approval on 14 February 2026 at Seva Teerth. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said eligible patients will receive cashless treatment up to ₹1.5 lakh per person for seven days from the date of the accident. The plan aims to ensure that no road accident victim is denied life-saving care due to lack of money. Officials highlight the Golden Hour principle, where rapid treatment improves survival. The scheme strengthens India's emergency healthcare system and reduces financial barriers for families.

PM RAHAT stands for Road Accident Victim Hospitalization and Assured Treatment
Cabinet approved the scheme on 14 February 2026 at Seva Teerth
Cashless treatment up to ₹1.5 lakh per person for seven days
Eligibility tied to road accident victims
Emphasis on treating patients within the Golden Hour

Brahmaputra Rail-Road Twin Tunnel Gets Cabinet Approval

The Union Cabinet approved a major infrastructure project—the Brahmaputra Rail-Road Twin Tunnel—in a greenfield corridor in Assam. The 33.7-kilometre project will connect Gohpur on NH-15 with Numaligarh on NH-715 at an estimated cost of ₹18,662 crore, implemented under Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC). The centerpiece is a 15.79-kilometre twin-tube tunnel: one rail tube and a four-lane highway, with a 1.26-kilometre road cut-and-cover and a four-kilometre rail cut-and-cover section. Officials say the tunnel will transform connectivity across Northeast India by enabling faster travel for people and goods.

Cabinet approval for the Brahmaputra Rail-Road Twin Tunnel
33.7-kilometre greenfield corridor in Assam
Cost: ₹18,662 crore; EPC mode
Twin-tube design: rail and highway
Improved northeast connectivity for people and goods

Feb 15, 2026

Maharashtra Launches My Village, Healthy Village Campaign with Rs 80 Crore Budget

The Maharashtra government launched the My Village, Healthy Village campaign to uplift rural health services through a multi-sectoral approach. The scheme, approved by the state cabinet, runs annually from 1 April to 31 March and has a budget of approximately Rs 80 crore. Its objectives include improved rural health standards, sanitation, safe water supply, and health awareness programs to promote preventive care and healthy lifestyles. The initiative envisions coordination across sanitation and water departments and health outreach to strengthen rural healthcare capacity, identify local needs, and improve service delivery for villagers.

Campaign name: My Village, Healthy Village
Duration: 1 April to 31 March annually
Budget: around Rs 80 crore
Focus on sanitation, water, and preventive healthcare
Multi-sectoral collaboration for rural health improvements

Odisha to Add QR Codes on Land Records for Digital Verification

Odisha will introduce QR codes on land ownership documents (Record of Rights, RoR) to enable instant digital verification of property details. Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari announced that each RoR will carry a QR code with ownership, location, and transaction history. The system aims to enhance transparency, curb fraud, and streamline property transactions. Scanning the QR code will reveal the full property profile, including parcel maps. Currently, buyers rely on encumbrance certificates covering records from the past 30 years. The QR-based verification will complement existing records and improve due diligence for buyers, sellers, and authorities.

QR codes to be added to RoR land documents
Details include ownership, location, and history
Aims to improve transparency and curb fraud
Current records cover up to 30 years
Scan to view full property profile

Feb 14, 2026

Odisha to introduce QR codes on land records for instant digital verification

Odisha will introduce QR codes on land ownership documents to enable instant digital verification of property details. Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari announced that each land patta (Record of Rights, RoR) will carry a QR code providing ownership, location and transaction history. Scanning the code will display a property profile, including parcel maps and complete purchase history. The initiative aims to enhance transparency, curb fraud and streamline property transactions. Once implemented, scanning will replace reliance on encumbrance certificates for broader and faster verification, as EC records cover only about 30 years of transactions.

Policy: QR codes on RoR land records
Purpose: transparency, fraud reduction, faster verification
Data displayed: ownership, location, transaction history
Current practice: encumbrance certificates cover ~30 years
Expected benefit: streamlined property transactions
Implementation: phased rollout in land records

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