General Awareness

GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND SCHEMES - January 2025

Jan 2025

Feb 21, 2026

Vibrant Villages Programme Phase II launched in Assam border area on 21 February 2026

On 21 February 2026, Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched Phase II of the Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP-II) in Assam’s Cachar district near the India–Bangladesh border. The initiative focuses on border infrastructure, livelihoods and essential services to improve governance and security in remote villages. The event underscored a broader push to reduce migration from border areas, boost local development, and strengthen national security through community-based approaches. Officials cited a multi-state rollout plan, with continued investment in roads, electricity, healthcare and education as part of the scheme’s expansion.

VVP-II launched in Cachar district, Assam on 21 February 2026
Aims to upgrade border villages with infrastructure and services
Part of a larger national effort to reduce infiltration and migration
Focus areas include roads, electricity, healthcare and education
Supports border governance and community development
Part of ongoing Northeast development and security strategy

Feb 20, 2026

India-Kenya Sign DigiLocker Implementation Framework for Kenya

India and Kenya signed an Implementation Framework Agreement for a DigiLocker pilot project in Kenya during the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi. The platform, co-developed by India's National e-Governance Division and Kenya’s Ministry of Information, Communications and Digital Economy, will be customised for Kenyan needs. It aims to provide secure digital storage and real-time verification of official documents, reduce paperwork, and improve access to public services for students and businesses. The agreement strengthens inclusive Digital Public Infrastructure collaboration between the two nations and demonstrates India's leadership in DPI scaling abroad.

DigiLocker pilot project agreed with Kenya (Feb 2026).
Co-developed by NEGD (India) and Kenya's ICT Ministry.
Aims: secure digital storage, real-time document verification.
Expect benefits for students, businesses, and public services.

Assam Launches PMS Portal for Venture Schools

The Assam government launched the Provincialisation Management System (PMS) portal on 18 February 2026 to streamline provincialisation of venture educational institutions and the services of teaching and non-teaching staff. The digital platform operates under the Assam Education Act, as amended in 2025, and creates a centralised database to process applications, verify eligibility, and monitor status. Ministers and senior officials attended the Lok Sewa Bhawan event. The PMS portal aims to bring transparency and efficiency to provincialisation and includes measures such as the Gurudakshina scheme for staff who were not provincialised previously. This is part of broader education reforms in Assam.

PMS 1.0 portal launched on 18 February 2026 in Assam.
Aims to provincialise venture educational institutions and staff.
Centralised database for applications and verification.
Amendments to the Assam Education Act 2017 (as of 2025).
Gurudakshina scheme introduced for ineligible staff.

Feb 19, 2026

Gujarat Budget 2026-27: AI, Tourism, and Olympic Dreams in Focus

Gujarat Budget 2026-27, presented on 18 February 2026, carries a record outlay of ₹4,08,053 crore, the highest in the state's history. Finance Minister Kanu Desai outlined a five-pillar framework: social security, human resource development, infrastructure, economic expansion and green growth. The budget prioritises AI-driven policing, Olympic-ready sports infrastructure, bus expansion, police housing, highways and health coverage. The government also declared 2026 as Gujarat Tourism Year, aiming to boost visitor numbers. The plan signals a bold growth trajectory while balancing social protection with investment in technology and climate resilience, as Gujarat seeks to enhance governance and attract investment over the coming decade.

Outlay: ₹4,08,053 crore, highest ever in Gujarat.
Five pillars: social security, HRD, infrastructure, growth, green growth.
AI-driven policing and Olympic-ready sports infrastructure.
Gujarat Tourism Year 2026 aimed at boosting tourism.
Emphasis on technology, climate resilience and investment.

Delhi Declaration positions India at centre of AI governance

On 19 February 2026, world leaders gathered at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, to adopt the Delhi Declaration as part of the India AI Impact Summit 2026. The pact, described as a Magna Carta of AI, shifts the global debate from existential risk mitigation to inclusive development, equity and innovation-led growth. The Delhi framework reflects priorities from the Global South, contrasting earlier summits at Bletchley Park and Seoul. It adopts a techno-legal model built around seven Sutras that balance progress with safeguards: trust and security in AI systems; prioritising human dignity; promoting innovation over blanket restraint; addressing dataset bias to ensure fairness; establishing accountability; mandating transparency to avoid black box decisions; embedding safety and sustainability in deployment.

Seven Sutras guide the techno-legal AI framework.
The declaration emphasizes trust, transparency, and accountability.
Global South priorities shape the Delhi approach.
Focus on safety, sustainability and responsible deployment.
Shifts global AI policy toward inclusive development.

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.

Share on

TCY Analytics (View Subscription Plans)

Subscribe to GK Updates

I want to receive

GK Tags

June GK, May GK, April 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