₹5,629-Crore Addendum Signed for BharatNet Rural Broadband Rollout in Gujarat
14 July 2026National
Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) under DoT, the Government of Gujarat, Gujarat Fibre Grid Network Limited (GFGNL) and BSNL signed an addendum for the Amended BharatNet Programme (ABP) in Gujarat under the State-led model, with a total outlay of ₹5,629 crore. GFGNL will implement across 14,287 Gram Panchayats, providing over 5 lakh rural home fibre connections and extending connectivity to 3,895 villages on demand.
Static GK
BharatNet: launched as NOFN in 2011, renamed BharatNet in 2015 | Digital Bharat Nidhi: new name of the erstwhile USOF (Universal Service Obligation Fund)
⚡ Quick Revision
A ₹5,629-crore addendum was signed for the Amended BharatNet Programme in Gujarat — 14,287 Gram Panchayats, 5 lakh+ rural fibre connections.
More Polity Current Affairs
PLakhanpur (J&K) Selected for Street Food Hub under PM SVANidhiLakhanpur in Kathua district, Jammu & Kashmir was selected among the first towns in India for a Street Food Hub under the PM Street Vendor's AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) initiative of MoHUA, announced by Union MoS (IC) Dr. Jitendra Singh. Each approved hub gets ₹4 crore in three instalments (30%–50%–20%) plus a ₹25 lakh incentive for ULBs with a notified Street Vending Plan. The initiative targets up to 50 hubs nationwide with support from MoHUA, the Ministry of Tourism and FSSAI.14 Jul 2026PBharat Tex 2026 Opens at Bharat Mandapam — India's Largest Global Textiles ExpoThe 3rd edition of Bharat Tex, India's largest global textile trade fair, is held from 14–17 July 2026 at Bharat Mandapam (Pragati Maidan), New Delhi, incorporating the 75th India International Garment Fair. The expo features 1,600+ exhibitors across 1.6 million sq ft, buyers from 160 countries, over 7,000 buyers and about 1.3 lakh trade visitors, plus 100+ knowledge sessions with 350+ speakers. It covers the complete textile value chain and is expected to facilitate nearly 4,000 B2B meetings and 30+ MoUs.14 Jul 2026PUttarakhand Becomes India's Sixth Fully Literate State under ULLAS ProgrammeUttarakhand has become India's sixth fully literate State, after Governor Lt Gen (Retd) Gurmit Singh approved the declaration on 8 July 2026 under the ULLAS - New India Literacy Programme (Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram) and NEP 2020. The state's literacy rate now stands at over 98%, above the 95% threshold required for 'fully literate' status. Uttarakhand joins Mizoram, Goa, Tripura, Himachal Pradesh and Sikkim. ULLAS targets adults aged 15 and above who missed formal schooling, with proficiency measured through the Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Assessment Test (FLNAT). Chief Minister: Pushkar Singh Dhami. A State or UT achieving 95% literacy is declared 'fully literate' under ULLAS.12 Jul 2026
Central Vista Area in New Delhi Renamed 'Kartavya Bhawan Complex'; 'Central Vista' Name DroppedUnion Housing & Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal Khattar announced on Sunday, 12 July 2026 that the Central Vista redevelopment area in New Delhi will now be referred to as the 'Kartavya Bhawan Complex' or 'Kartavya Bhawan Area', and that the name 'Central Vista' should no longer be used in official documents. Speaking at the CPWD (Central Public Works Department) Foundation Day, he said the precinct - comprising the Kartavya Bhawans, Kartavya Marg and future government buildings - reflects India's own identity over its colonial past. The area houses the Common Central Secretariat (CCS) of 10 buildings meant to consolidate central ministries, of which three are operational. Rajpath was renamed Kartavya Path in 2022, and the new PMO complex is named Seva Teerth. Just as the Viceroy's House became Rashtrapati Bhawan, the administrative district now carries an Indian identity.12 Jul 2026
Central Vista Area in New Delhi Renamed 'Kartavya Bhawan Complex'; 'Central Vista' Name DroppedUnion Housing & Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal Khattar announced on Sunday, 12 July 2026 that the Central Vista redevelopment area in New Delhi will now be referred to as the 'Kartavya Bhawan Complex' or 'Kartavya Bhawan Area', and that the name 'Central Vista' should no longer be used in official documents. Speaking at the CPWD (Central Public Works Department) Foundation Day, he said the precinct - comprising the Kartavya Bhawans, Kartavya Marg and future government buildings - reflects India's own identity over its colonial past. The area houses the Common Central Secretariat (CCS) of 10 buildings meant to consolidate central ministries, of which three are operational. Rajpath was renamed Kartavya Path in 2022, and the new PMO complex is named Seva Teerth. Just as the Viceroy's House became Rashtrapati Bhawan, the administrative district now carries an Indian identity.12 Jul 2026