General Awareness

GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND SCHEMES - January 2025

Jan 2025

Apr 14, 2026

India shifts to digital toll payments; cashless system becomes mandatory

India moved to a fully digital tolling system across national highways from 11 April 2026. All toll payments are now processed via FASTag and Unified Payments Interface (UPI), eliminating cash transactions. The rollout aims to reduce congestion, increase transparency, and improve user convenience. Officials note that the transition may be temporarily tempered by ongoing elections. The change reflects a broader push toward cashless infrastructure and smarter transport networks as part of national development goals.

Effective date: 11 April 2026
Payment methods: FASTag and UPI only; no cash
Area: National Highways toll plazas
Benefits: reduced congestion and greater transparency
Caveat: temporary holding patterns during elections

Apr 12, 2026

Poshan Pakhwada 2026 observed from 9 to 23 April

Poshan Pakhwada 2026, the eighth edition of the national nutrition campaign, will be observed across India from 9 to 23 April 2026 under POSHAN Abhiyaan. The Ministry of Women and Child Development emphasizes nutrition and early childhood development, focusing on the first 1,000 days of life. The campaign highlights maximizing brain development in the first six years of life, recognizing that substantial brain growth occurs early. Activities will run through Anganwadi Centres with participation from mothers, carers, families, community institutions, and local bodies. Prime Minister Modi has stressed that Poshan Abhiyaan is a people’s movement to ensure holistic nutrition for every mother and child. (Sources: GKToday, PMF IAS)

Poshan Pakhwada 2026 runs 9–23 April 2026 across India.
Theme centers on maximizing brain development in the first six years of life.
Implementing agency: Ministry of Women and Child Development under POSHAN Abhiyaan.
Anganwadi Centres, mothers and communities engage in activities.
PM Modi has framed Poshan Abhiyaan as a people’s movement for nutrition.

RBI to simplify onboarding on TReDS for MSMEs

On 8 April 2026, the Reserve Bank of India announced measures to simplify onboarding of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) on the Trade Receivables Discounting System (TReDS). The RBI issued a draft Master Direction consolidating guidelines and proposing easier participation by buyers and sellers, stronger governance, and enhanced risk mitigation. The move aims to speed up invoice discounting and improve MSME access to working capital, as part of the central bank's Payments Vision 2028. The reforms are expected to broaden the TReDS ecosystem and support liquidity for Indian small businesses.

Announcement date: 8 April 2026.
Subject: Onboarding simplification for MSMEs on TReDS.
Policy tool: draft Master Direction with consolidated guidelines.
Objective: faster invoice discounting and better MSME working capital access.
Broader plan: alignment with Payments Vision 2028.
Expected impact: expanded TReDS ecosystem.

Poshan Pakhwada 2026 dates and theme clarified

Poshan Pakhwada 2026 runs from 9 to 23 April 2026, marking the eighth edition of a nationwide effort under POSHAN Abhiyaan to improve child nutrition and early development. The campaign emphasizes the first 1,000 days of life and the brain’s rapid growth in early years. Anganwadi Centres, ASHA workers, and local authorities will organize community activities to promote nutrition, hygiene, and healthy lifestyles. The official theme for 2026 is maximizing brain development in the first six years of life, aligning nutrition with early education. This year’s observance continues a long-standing, government-led push to reduce malnutrition. (Sources: GKToday, PMF IAS)

Poshan Pakhwada 2026 dates: 9–23 April 2026 (eighth edition).
Theme: Maximizing brain development in the first six years of life.
Observance under POSHAN Abhiyaan with Anganwadi involvement.
Focus on nutrition, hygiene, and early education within communities.
Part of ongoing government efforts to reduce malnutrition.

Doordarshan and ICCR sign MoU to expand global reach of Indian culture

Doordarshan (Prasar Bharati) and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) signed a Memorandum of Understanding on 7 April 2026 in Doordarshan Bhawan, New Delhi, to expand the global reach of Indian cultural content. Doordarshan Director General K. Satish Nambudiripad and ICCR Director General K. Nandini Singla led the agreement in the presence of senior officials from both organisations. Under the partnership, ICCR will provide cultural content, including performances and events organized by Indian missions abroad as well as programmes across India. Doordarshan will manage production, coverage, and dissemination across multiple platforms, including television channels, radio, OTT platforms, and social media. The MoU seeks to strengthen India's cultural diplomacy through multi‑platform dissemination.

Date and place of MoU signing: 7 April 2026, Doordarshan Bhawan, New Delhi.
Signatories: K. Satish Nambudiripad (DDG) and K. Nandini Singla (ICCR).
Objective: expand global reach of Indian cultural content via multi‑platform dissemination.
Content flow: ICCR supply content; Doordarshan handle production and distribution.
Platforms: television, radio, OTT, and social media.
Overall aim: strengthen India's cultural diplomacy.

Apr 10, 2026

ICAR forms task force to strengthen agricultural resilience

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has formed a high-level Special Task Force to develop mitigation strategies for the agricultural sector amid climate variability and resource constraints. ICAR operates under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, and traces its origins to 16 July 1929, following recommendations of the Royal Commission on Agriculture. The STF will coordinate research priorities across crop science, horticultural science, natural resource management, agricultural engineering and animal and fisheries sciences.

Organization: ICAR under DARE, Ministry of Agriculture
Formation: Special Task Force for agricultural resilience
Established: 16 July 1929; role in coordinating research and education

Odisha approves Mukhyamantri Annapurna Yojana expansion

The Odisha government approved the Mukhyamantri Annapurna Yojana (MAPY) for the 2026-27 year, providing beneficiaries with an additional 5 kg of rice per person per month, free of charge, beyond existing quotas. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced the scheme will operate for NFSA and SFSS beneficiaries, aiming to strengthen food security and support vulnerable families. The cabinet decision accompanies earlier welfare measures and sets the year’s outlay to broaden coverage and impact across districts.

Scheme: Mukhyamantri Annapurna Yojana (MAPY) 2026-27
Benefit: extra 5 kg rice per person per month; free of cost
Target: NFSA and SFSS beneficiaries; broader district coverage

Apr 09, 2026

Maharashtra launches Majha Gaon, Arogyasampann Gaon rural health scheme

On World Health Day, 7 April 2026, the Maharashtra government launched the Majha Gaon, Arogyasampann Gaon scheme with a budget of Rs 65.25 crore to strengthen rural healthcare. The program, launched in Mumbai by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, aims to improve access to quality medical services in villages and reduce disease burden. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Health Minister Prakash Abitkar, and Sunetra Ajit Pawar attended the event, during which a short film and booklet were released to explain targets. The initiative seeks to empower villages to manage health issues locally, expand preventive and curative services, and ensure timely treatment.

World Health Day launch of Majha Gaon, Arogyasampann Gaon scheme on 7 April 2026.
Budget: Rs 65.25 crore to strengthen rural health services.
Aim: improve village-level access to quality medical care.
Attendees included CM Fadnavis, Deputy CM Shinde, and Health Minister Abitkar.
Includes promotional material to explain scheme goals.

Apr 08, 2026

PGIMER Chandigarh hosts World Health Day workshop

On World Health Day 2026, PGIMER Chandigarh organized a workshop to promote the themes of health for all and science led policy. Held at Govt Model High School in Chandigarh, the event featured talks on evidence based health decisions, nutrition and public health communication. Organisers emphasised the importance of science trust and community engagement in improving local health literacy. The workshop included student participation, expert discussions, and practical demonstrations aimed at reinforcing the message that science informs policy and everyday health choices.

Workshop held in Chandigarh on 7 April 2026
Part of World Health Day activities at PGIMER Chandigarh
Focused on evidence based health decisions and science in policy
Sessions on nutrition and health communication
Emphasis on health literacy and community engagement
Includes student participation and expert talks

NSO launches ASISSE to map services sector data

The National Statistical Office has launched the first ever Annual Survey of Incorporated Services Sector Enterprises, ASISSE, to strengthen India’s statistical framework. The survey aims to generate a robust database on the country’s incorporated services sector, crucial for growth and employment analysis. Conducted by NSO under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, ASISSE will focus on organised service enterprises including Companies Act and LLP Act entities. It will cover over 1.21 lakh enterprises, making it one of the largest sector surveys in India. Findings will support policy formulation and evidence based governance across states.

ASISSE launched as first annual survey of services sector
Aims to strengthen India’s statistical framework
Covers over 1.21 lakh enterprises
Includes companies and LLP entities under relevant acts
Under NSO and Ministry of Statistics
Supports policy formulation with new data

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