General Awareness

GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND SCHEMES - January 2025

Jan 2025

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

Feb 13, 2026

Delhi CM Skill Development Scheme Aims to Link Artisans to Global Markets

The Delhi government approved the Chief Minister Skill Development Scheme to bolster artisans in khadi, handloom, and cottage industries, linking traditional crafts to global markets. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta described artisans as custodians of Delhi’s cultural heritage and outlined a programme of structured training, digital access, and financial support to strengthen livelihoods in a rapidly changing economy. The scheme targets thousands of artisans, easing access to design inputs, marketing networks, and e-commerce platforms. Officials emphasised bridging the gap between customary methods and modern supply chains while maintaining quality and identity. The plan complements existing state and central initiatives to formalize skills and expand export potential.

Focus on khadi, handloom, and cottage industries.
Structured training, digital access, and financial support.
Aims to connect artisans with global markets.
Targets thousands of artisans in Delhi.
Seeks to modernize traditional crafts without losing identity.

Odisha to implement QR codes on land records for digital verification

Odisha will introduce QR codes on land ownership documents to enable instant digital verification of property details. Each land patta, or Record of Rights, will carry a QR code providing information about ownership, location and transaction history. The move aims to improve transparency, curb fraud and streamline property dealings. Once scanned, the code will display the property’s profile, including location, parcel map and purchase history. Currently, buyers rely on encumbrance certificates issued by tehsil offices covering records for the past thirty years. The reform promises a quicker, verifiable paper trail and reduced reliance on offline documents.

QR codes to be added to land patta/Record of Rights documents.
Scan reveals ownership, location and transaction history.
Aims to curb fraud and streamline property transactions.
Encumbrance certificates currently cover up to 30 years.

Assam Rifles to Induct Indigenous Dog Breeds Under Atmanirbhar Bharat

Assam Rifles announced an Indigenous Dogs Induction plan under the Centre's Atmanirbhar Bharat push, highlighting a shift toward homegrown security assets. The force has already deployed the Tangkhul Hui breed from Manipur as a pilot project and intends to induct the Kombai breed from Tamil Nadu in April. Full induction is targeted by March 2027, with training taking place at the Assam Rifles Dog Training Centre in Jorhat, Assam. The move follows directives from the Union Home Ministry encouraging greater use of Indian dog breeds in security duties. Officials argue indigenous dogs are well-adapted to local climates and show disease resistance.

Tangkhul Hui breed deployed as pilot in Manipur.
Kombai breed to be inducted from Tamil Nadu in April.
Full induction targeted by March 2027 at ARDTC, Jorhat.
Centre directives push indigenisation of security assets.
Indigenous dogs cited as disease-resistant and climate-adapted.

Delhi unveils Chief Minister Skill Development Scheme for artisans

The Delhi government approved the Chief Minister Skill Development Scheme to empower artisans linked with khadi, handloom and cottage industries. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced that the program will provide structured training, digital access and financial support to thousands of artisans, helping them upgrade skills and access modern markets. The scheme aims to bridge the gap between traditional crafts and contemporary demand, enabling better income prospects and cultural preservation. Officials emphasise the scheme’s potential to boost livelihoods while integrating artisanal sectors into the broader digital and economic framework of the national capital.

Scheme targets khadi, handloom and cottage industries.
Offers structured training, digital access and finance support.
Aims to connect artisans with modern markets.
Supports livelihoods and cultural heritage in Delhi.

Feb 12, 2026

Budget 2026–27 Health Announcements Align with Biopharma and Care Workforce Goals

New Delhi, 12 February 2026 — The budget discourse around Union Budget 2026–27 highlights a strengthened health sector, including the Biopharma Shakti initiative to position India as a global biotech hub and a planned Rs 10,000 crore outlay over five years. Proposals include expanding the allied health workforce, establishing regional medical hubs, and advancing digital health to improve diagnostics and delivery. Industry experts welcomed the shift toward a robust healthcare ecosystem with greater private‑sector participation. The announcements align with national strategies to boost healthcare access, innovation, and global competitiveness in life sciences.

Biopharma Shakti initiative announced
Rs 10,000 crore outlay over five years
Expansion of allied health workforce
Regional medical hubs and digital health push
Positive reception from industry

Mumbai Unveils India’s First ‘Musical Road’ on Coastal Road

Mumbai, 12 February 2026 — Mumbai has unveiled India’s first musical road on the Coastal Road. A 500‑metre stretch between Nariman Point and Worli plays the song Jai Ho as vehicles travel at 70–80 km/h. The groove‑based installation uses rumble strips to create vibrations that generate musical notes. Inaugurated by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, the project blends infrastructure with culture and aims to enhance urban experience and tourism. The musical road sits on the northbound carriageway just after the Coastal Road tunnel, complementing ongoing coastal development in the city. The feature showcases design‑driven public spaces in India’s megacities.

First Indian melodious road on Coastal Road segment
Song Jai Ho audible at 70–80 km/h
Grooves (rumble strips) create musical notes
Location: Nariman Point to Worli, 500 metres
Inaugurated by CM Devendra Fadnavis

Balaghat Chosen for Grain Storage Plan Pilot

Balaghat district in Madhya Pradesh has been selected as the pilot district under the World’s Largest Grain Storage Plan in the Cooperative Sector (WLGSP). A 500 metric tonne godown was constructed at Bahudeshiya Prathamik Krishi Saakh Sahakari Society Maryadit, Parswada. The facility was inaugurated on 24 February 2024 and is hired by the Madhya Pradesh Warehousing and Logistics Corporation (MPWLC). The initiative aims to decentralise grain storage infrastructure at the PACS level, enhancing local storage capacity and resilience in the cooperative sector.

Balaghat chosen for WLGSP pilot
500 MT godown constructed at Parswada PACS
Inaugurated 24 February 2024
Hired by MPWLC to decentralise storage
Aims to strengthen PACS-level grain infrastructure

India Upholds E-Cigarette Ban, Rejects Philip Morris Push

Delhi, 12 February 2026 — India has reaffirmed its nationwide ban on e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products, dismissing calls for regulatory relaxation from Philip Morris International. The health ministry clarified that the 2019 prohibition remains in force and that no revocation or amendments are under consideration. The ban covers devices marketed as reduced‑risk alternatives to conventional smoking. The stance aligns with public health goals and aims to prevent youth uptake of nicotine products, while safeguarding existing tobacco control measures.

Nationwide e-cigarette ban reaffirmed
Philip Morris push for relaxation rejected
No revocation or amendments planned
Ban covers heated tobacco devices
Supports broader tobacco control goals

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