General Awareness

GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND SCHEMES - October 2026

Oct 2026

Oct 26, 2026

PM Modi inaugurates RBI data centre and cybersecurity institute in Odisha

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Reserve Bank of India’s Data Centre and Cybersecurity Training Institute in Odisha on 25 October 2026. The facility is located at Jatni in Khordha district near Bhubaneswar. It aims to strengthen India's digital financial infrastructure, enhance cybersecurity, and improve banking-system resilience. The data centre will support RBI operations continuity and better protect the financial sector from cyber threats. The training institute will equip public and private sector staff with skills in cyber defense, data management, and incident response. The event underscores ongoing efforts to modernize financial services and safeguard digital payments nationwide.

Date of inauguration: 25 October 2026
Location: Jatni, Khordha district, Odisha
Purpose: strengthen digital infrastructure and cybersecurity
Impact: RBI operations continuity and financial resilience
Training: Institute for cyber defense and data management
Policy signal: Modi government’s digital safeguard agenda

Ladakh becomes India's first fully organic Union Territory

Ladakh was declared India's first 100% organic Union Territory on 25 October 2026 by Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena. The move followed years of policy work to phase out chemical fertilizers and promote organic farming in Leh and Kargil. Officials say the initiative will improve soil health, protect the fragile Himalayan environment, and support sustainable farming practices. Individual farmer certification is expected to follow, enabling broader adoption. The declaration aligns with national climate and sustainable agriculture goals, with potential benefits to local livelihoods and tourism. The policy will require monitoring of inputs and capacity-building programs for farmers.

Date of declaration: 25 October 2026
Authority: Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena
Status: 100% organic Union Territory
Areas covered: Leh and Kargil
Intent: soil health, environmental protection, sustainability
Next steps: farmer certification program

Oct 24, 2026

Centre Launches Khet Bachao Abhiyan-Rabi 2026

The Centre launched Khet Bachao Abhiyan-Rabi 2026 from Karnal, Haryana on 22 October 2026. The nationwide campaign runs until 30 November 2026 and promotes soil health, balanced fertilizer use, crop diversification and proper residue management. It involves Krishi Vigyan Kendras, ICAR institutes and agricultural universities, delivering field demonstrations and farmer outreach through state and district programs. The initiative builds on earlier campaigns to strengthen sustainable farming and soil conservation across the country.

Launch date: 22 October 2026 from Karnal, Haryana.
Campaign runs until 30 November 2026.
Aims: soil health, balanced fertilizers, crop diversification, residue management.
Implemented with KVKs, ICAR and agriuniversities.
Part of nationwide efforts to promote sustainable farming.

Union Minister J.P. Nadda Inaugurates 14th India Chem 2026 in Mumbai

Union Minister J. P. Nadda inaugurated the 14th India Chem 2026 at the Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai, in October 2026. The three-day international exhibition and conference is organized by the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals in partnership with FICCI under the theme 'Advantage Bharat: An Emerging Global Chemicals Hub.' The event aims to strengthen global partnerships, attract investments and promote sustainable growth in chemicals and petrochemicals. The Prime Minister's message was read at the opening, emphasising an enabling environment for the sector and BHAVYA Rasayan Scheme as a potential game changer. The Indian chemical industry is projected to reach USD 300 billion by 2030 and USD 1 trillion by 2040.

Inauguration by Union Minister J.P. Nadda.
14th India Chem 2026 held in Mumbai (Oct 2026).
Theme: Advantage Bharat: An Emerging Global Chemicals Hub.
BHAVYA Rasayan Scheme highlighted as a game changer.
Connectivity and integrated value chains stressed for hubs.
Industry projections: USD 300 billion by 2030; USD 1 trillion by 2040.

Oct 23, 2026

OpenAI Academy tie-up expands AI training for Indian civil servants

OpenAI Academy and Karmayogi Bharat, the government-owned SPV that runs the iGOT Karmayogi platform, signed a Memorandum of Understanding in October 2026 to broaden AI training for India's civil servants. The agreement will integrate approved AI learning resources from OpenAI Academy into the iGOT Karmayogi portal, enabling practical AI education for public sector staff. The collaboration supports Mission Karmayogi's aim to develop a skilled, efficient and future‑ready civil service by helping personnel apply AI in daily work. The iGOT platform already hosts courses for over 1.7 crore registered government employees nationwide. Officials say the program will translate AI knowledge into improved public service delivery.

MoU signed in October 2026 between OpenAI Academy and Karmayogi Bharat.
OpenAI Academy resources to be integrated into iGOT Karmayogi.
Aim: upskill civil servants in practical AI applications.
Targets central and state government employees.
iGOT Karmayogi has over 1.7 crore registered learners.
Supports Mission Karmayogi's vision for a future-ready civil service.

OpenAI to train Indian civil servants in AI via Mission Karmayogi

On 21 October 2026, reports from The Times of India and Economic Times confirmed that OpenAI and Karmayogi Bharat signed an MoU to widen artificial intelligence training for India's government workforce. The arrangement will bring approved AI learning resources from OpenAI Academy to the iGOT Karmayogi platform, enabling civil servants to develop practical AI skills. The initiative aligns with Mission Karmayogi's effort to improve public service delivery through capacity building and responsible technology use. iGOT Karmayogi already hosts courses for more than 1.7 crore learners, and the partnership will broaden access to AI content across central and state departments.

MoU signed on 21 October 2026 between OpenAI and Karmayogi Bharat.
OpenAI Academy resources integrated into iGOT Karmayogi.
Aims to upskill civil servants in practical AI applications.
Targets central and state government employees.
iGOT Karmayogi has over 1.7 crore learners.
Supports responsible AI adoption in public services.

Oct 22, 2026

Khet Bachao Abhiyan – Rabi 2026 launched across Haryana

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched the nationwide Khet Bachao Abhiyan – Rabi 2026 from Taraori in Karnal district, Haryana. The campaign, scheduled to continue until 30 November 2026, promotes balanced fertiliser use, crop diversification, soil health and sustainable agriculture through farmer training and awareness programmes. Officials said the drive would emphasise soil testing, integrated nutrient management and judicious pesticide use while encouraging farmers to adopt climate-smart practices. The scheme aligns with government goals of improving productivity and ecological sustainability, and aims to empower farmers with practical, field-based guidance to optimise input use and soil health.

Launch from Taraori, Karnal, Haryana.
Runs until 30 November 2026.
Focus on balanced fertiliser use and soil health.
Includes farmer training and awareness programmes.

Oct 21, 2026

Maharashtra's first Annapurti Grain ATM opens in Nashik

Maharashtra opened its first Annapurti Grain ATM in Nashik in October 2026, inaugurated by State Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection Minister Chhagan Bhujbal. Developed in collaboration with the United Nations World Food Programme, the facility allows eligible beneficiaries to collect subsidised food grains beyond regular ration-shop hours, improving transparency and convenience under the Public Distribution System. Similar facilities are planned for Nagpur and Thane, signaling a broader rollout of grain-atm technology to streamline distribution and reduce crowds at traditional shops.

First Annapurti Grain ATM opened in Nashik, October 2026.
Inaugurated by Chhagan Bhujbal; collaboration with WFP.
Allows subsidised grains outside regular ration-shop hours.
Aims to improve transparency under the PDS.
Additional sites planned for Nagpur and Thane.

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