General Awareness

GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND SCHEMES - August 2025

Aug 2025

Jun 07, 2026

FSSAI introduces standardised vegan logo; mandatory from 1 July 2027

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has introduced a standardised vegan logo to help consumers identify vegan food products. The logo features a green V with a sprouting leaf and the word VEGAN. It will become mandatory for approved vegan food products from 1 July 2027. The move aims to improve transparency and consumer confidence and supports growing demand for plant-based foods in India. Packaging regulations specify that only products carrying a valid vegan endorsement from FSSAI may display the logo. Industry observers note potential updates to labeling processes and certification workflows for manufacturers.

Logo design: green V with sprouting leaf and the word VEGAN.
Effective date: 1 July 2027 for all approved vegan products.
Purpose: enhance transparency and consumer confidence in vegan labeling.
Implementation: applies to products with FSSAI vegan endorsement.

Jun 06, 2026

APEDA facilitates first millet shipment to New Zealand

APEDA facilitated the first-ever sea shipment of botanical-infused ready-to-cook millet functional foods from Karnataka to New Zealand. The consignment was flagged off on 3 June 2026 and included 1 metric tonne of value-added millet products, exported under APEDA’s BHARATI Initiative. The move boosts India’s millet export sector and promotes value-added agri-food products globally, signaling a push to diversify agricultural exports and open new markets for millet-based foods.

First millet shipment to New Zealand by sea (3 June 2026).
1 metric tonne of value-added millet products shipped.
Under APEDA BHARATI Initiative.
Supports diversification of India’s agricultural exports.

Jun 05, 2026

UPI Cross-Border Network Expands Across Asia and Beyond

Industry observers note that UPI cross border volumes are expanding as a multi country network grows. By late 2025, live cross border transactions reached nearly 1.5 million across an eight country network, with trials underway in Japan and routine collaboration with Malaysia, Israel and Cambodia. The network has driven greater merchant acceptance and helped Indian travellers carry out quick digital payments abroad. Analysts expect continued expansion into new markets and ongoing regulatory alignment to support rapid growth. The cross border system is increasingly central to India’s fintech diplomacy and international commerce strategy.

UPI cross-border network shows growing volume and reach.
Approximately 1.4–1.5 million cross-border transactions by late 2025.
Japan trial and collaborations with Malaysia, Israel, Cambodia ongoing.
Merchant acceptance points number in the millions regionally.
Fintech diplomacy and international commerce strategy are linked to growth.

First Phase of India Cambodia UPI Connectivity Goes Live

The first phase of India Cambodia payment connectivity went live as part of a government initiative to enable UPI acceptance in Cambodia. The initiative, announced by NPCI International and partner banks, connects India's digital payments framework with Cambodia's payment ecosystem. It aims to facilitate seamless cross border commerce and travel, allowing Indian travellers to pay at local merchants through UPI. The launch aligns with broader digital finance expansions and efforts to promote a two way payment corridor between the two countries. The development follows government announcements and PIB press releases issued in early June 2026.

First phase of UPI cross border connectivity with Cambodia operational.
NPCI International leads implementation with ACLEDA Bank collaboration.
Enables UPI payments for Indian travellers in Cambodia.
Aims to create a two way cross border payments corridor.
Supports broader goals of expanding digital payments internationally.

UPI Acceptance Launched in Cambodia via ACLEDA Bank

NPCI International partnered with ACLEDA Bank to launch Unified Payments Interface UPI acceptance in Cambodia. The service will enable Indian travellers to make QR based digital payments across Cambodia using KHQR compatible terminals. The first phase brings cross border QR payments and is part of a broader plan to extend Indian digital payments infrastructure globally. The move is expected to boost tourism and trade with Cambodia by offering a familiar payment method for Indian visitors, while expanding the reach of India's digital payment ecosystem beyond its borders.

NPCI International partners with ACLEDA Bank in Cambodia.
UPI acceptance enables QR based payments in Cambodia.
KHQR compatibility supports cross border use.
First phase focuses on cross border payments for Indian travellers.
Aims to boost people-to-people and business links with Cambodia.

Jun 04, 2026

Navachar Mantra launched to support grassroots innovators

Navachar Mantra, a national initiative for grassroots innovators and early-stage entrepreneurs, was launched by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) at IIT Delhi. Jayant Chaudhary, the minister, announced the program, which aims to identify and support innovators from Tier-2 and Tier-3 towns, rural areas, aspirational districts, and underserved regions. The programme is implemented by NIESBUD, with FITT at IIT Delhi acting as the technical knowledge partner. It will provide mentorship, visibility, and growth opportunities, including guidance on market access, funding, and scaling. The initiative seeks to strengthen India's innovation ecosystem and promote self-reliant entrepreneurship by connecting grassroots ideas with national and global networks.

Navachar Mantra launched at IIT Delhi
Targets grassroots innovators from Tier-2/3 and rural areas
Implemented by NIESBUD; FITT IIT Delhi as knowledge partner
Provides mentorship, visibility, and growth opportunities
Aims to strengthen India's innovation ecosystem

Jun 03, 2026

New CBSE Chairperson Appointed

Prashant Sitaram Lokhande, a senior IAS officer, has been appointed as the new Chairperson of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). The appointment follows the transfer of former CBSE Chairman Rahul Singh. Secretary Himanshu Gupta has also been moved to a different assignment. The leadership change comes at a time when CBSE's examinations, evaluation processes, and reforms are under heightened public scrutiny, including concerns about the online evaluation mechanism for Class 12 board exams. Lokhande is expected to oversee key policy initiatives, strengthen governance, and guide CBSE’s reforms in the coming years. The country’s largest school board aims for transparent examination practices.

Lokhande appointed as CBSE Chairperson
Rahul Singh transferred; Himanshu Gupta reassigned
CBSE examinations and online evaluation under scrutiny
Lokhande to oversee policy initiatives and governance
CBSE aims for transparent examination practices

India–Oman CEPA Enters Into Force

From 1 June 2026, the India–Oman Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, CEPA, entered into force, expanding tariff concessions and trade facilitation with Oman. Government notifications outline rules of origin and transitional arrangements, while officials note that around 95 percent of Indian exports to Oman may enjoy preferential access. The CEPA is expected to diversify supply chains, boost pharmaceutical and chemical trade, and create new business opportunities. The government plans to implement electronic Certificates of Origin filing through Trade Connect to streamline procedures. Analysts view CEPA as a step to deepen economic ties with the Gulf region.

CEPA with Oman effective from 1 June 2026
Tariff concessions and origin rules clarified
Estimated 95% of exports eligible for preferential access
Aims to diversify supply chains and boost trade
Electronic CoO filings to simplify compliance

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