General Awareness

GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND SCHEMES - September 2024

Sep 2024

Mar 25, 2026

Gujarat digitises 20 citizen services under Sugam Digital Gujarat

On 23 March 2026, the Gujarat state government announced digitisation of 20 high-demand citizen services under the Sugam Digital Gujarat Initiative. The program aims to deliver faceless, cashless and paperless governance via the Digital Gujarat portal. Services use Aadhaar authentication, DigiLocker, eSign and UPI payments to improve transparency and ease of access. Sugam Digital Gujarat focuses on transforming traditional government services into a seamless digital system, reducing in-person visits and paperwork. Citizens can access services from anywhere with minimal effort, while officials expect faster processing, fewer delays and greater transparency in service delivery.

Date: 23 March 2026
20 digitised citizen services under Sugam Digital Gujarat
Aims: faceless, cashless, paperless governance
Technologies used: Aadhaar, DigiLocker, eSign, UPI
Goal: reduce physical visits and delays
Outcome: enhanced transparency and accessibility

DPIIT signs MoU with Blue Star to boost manufacturing innovation

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Blue Star Limited to strengthen India’s manufacturing and startup ecosystem. The collaboration targets startups in HVAC technologies, digital solutions, advanced manufacturing and supply-chain innovation. Under the MoU, participating startups will gain access to mentorship from industry experts, R&D facilities, testing infrastructure and pilot opportunities. The programme supports product validation, proof-of-concept development and integration into industry value chains. It aims to accelerate manufacturing innovation and encourage scalable, market-ready solutions through industry-government partnerships.

Parties: DPIIT and Blue Star Limited
Focus areas: HVAC, digital solutions, advanced manufacturing, supply chain
Benefits to startups: mentorship, R&D facilities, testing, pilots
Outcomes: validation, PoC, integration into value chains
Strategic aim: boost manufacturing innovation and startup ecosystem
Context: part of India’s broader DPIIT-startup collaborations

Mar 24, 2026

TB Mukt Bharat 100-days campaign and related TB Day events announced

Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda is set to lead India's World TB Day 2026 events on 24 March at Gautam Buddha University, Greater Noida. The government will launch a series of initiatives, including the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan — 100 Days Campaign, the TB Mukt Bharat App, and the TB Mukt Urban Ward Initiative. These measures aim to strengthen case detection, improve treatment adherence, and enhance last‑mile delivery of TB services, especially in high‑burden areas. The effort aligns with a broader commitment to achieving a TB‑free India through targeted, scalable programmatic actions.

Event: World TB Day 2026 at Gautam Buddha University
Initiatives: TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan — 100 Days Campaign; App; Urban Ward Initiative
Goals: Better case detection, adherence, service delivery
Focus: High-burden areas in India
Theme alignment: Yes! We Can End TB

Manipur launches Ningol Van Initiative to boost forest conservation

On the occasion of the International Day of Forests, the Manipur government renewed its focus on protecting forests, preventing deforestation, and curbing illegal activities, including poppy cultivation. The launch of the Ningol Van Initiative aims to strengthen community participation in forest conservation, highlighting the role of women as custodians of nature and biodiversity. Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Anurag Bajpai said similar initiatives would be rolled out across all 16 districts. He noted forests form the backbone of Manipur’s economy, with over 74 percent of the state under forest cover, supporting livelihoods and food security while addressing illegal activities and habitat degradation.

Ningol Van Initiative launched by Manipur government
Focus on community participation and women’s role in conservation
Target: 16 districts across Manipur
74% of Manipur’s area under forest cover
Aims to curb deforestation and illegal activities including poppy cultivation

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

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