Govt Initiatives Current Affairs August 2026

Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched Mission Samriddh Gaon at Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi in August 2026, a Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) programme to build a replicable model for poverty-free, employment-rich villages with assured access to basic amenities. It targets elimination of rural poverty, livelihoods for every family and reduced distress migration, in line with the Viksit Bharat vision. It will be piloted in Budni block (Sehore district) and Khategaon block (Dewas district) of Madhya Pradesh before nationwide replication. An integrated development framework will be prepared at family, gram panchayat and block levels, converging agriculture, employment, health, education and rural infrastructure schemes.

The Ministry of Rural Development launched the National Campaign on Entrepreneurship-II on 21 August 2026 under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission, timed with World Entrepreneurs Day. The three-month drive runs to 21 November 2026 and supports the goal of 6 crore Lakhpati Didis. Targets include training 5 lakh SHG women, formalising 50,000 rural enterprises, orienting 50,000 community cadres, adding 2 lakh producer-group members, promoting agro-ecological practices among 20 lakh women, and onboarding 25,000 SHG members onto ONDC and GeM. Secretary Rohit Kansal launched it and released the first issue of the bulletin *Sankalp Shakti*; enterprise cadres will be recognised as Udyam Sakhis.

Digital Bharat Nidhi, under the Department of Telecommunications, signed an agreement with Chhattisgarh on 18 August 2026 for the Amended BharatNet Programme under a State-led model, with the Centre approving ₹3,942 crore covering 11,682 Gram Panchayats — upgrading 4,048 Phase-I GPs to ring topology, 5,964 Phase-II GPs, and 1,670 new GPs, plus broadband for 8,328 villages. Partners include Chhattisgarh State BharatNet Infrastructure Ltd, BSNL and CHiPS. It lands the same week as DoT's 17 August circular enforcing a nine-SIM-per-person limit — together marking an active telecom-policy push on both connectivity and fraud control.

Union Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh, at the 56th Foundation Day of the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra, launched the Kapas Darshan bulletin and announced the implementation roadmap of the Rs 5,659-crore Cotton Productivity Mission (Kapas Kanti). Four MoUs were signed to enhance cotton quality, traceability, sustainability, market access and climate-smart cultivation, and modern farm equipment was distributed.

The Union Cabinet approved the continuation of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme from 2026-27 to 2030-31 with a total financial outlay of Rs 3.15 lakh crore. Under PM-KISAN, eligible land-holding farmer families receive Rs 6,000 per year in three equal instalments of Rs 2,000 directly into their bank accounts via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). The scheme was launched on 24 February 2019 at Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh; its 23rd instalment (Rs 18,880 crore) was released on 20 June 2026, and it has cumulatively benefited over 9 crore farmer families. It is administered by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare and is India's largest direct income-support programme for farmers by beneficiary count.

The National Medical Commission (NMC) notified the draft Registration of Medical Practitioners and Licence to Practice Medicine (Amendment) Regulations, 2026 on 11 August 2026, proposing a centrally generated Unique Identification (UID) number for every registered medical practitioner. Under the proposal, once a doctor or foreign medical graduate is registered in a State Medical Register, the Ethics and Medical Registration Board (EMRB) of the NMC would centrally issue a UID that grants registration in the National Medical Register (NMR) and eligibility to practise medicine anywhere in India without seeking a fresh state-wise licence. The centralised National Medical Register would also track a doctor's credentials, licence status and history of suspensions, cancellations or other disciplinary proceedings, replacing the current fragmented state-wise system while State Medical Councils retain jurisdiction over local registration and disciplinary cases. This draft withdraws and replaces an earlier version published on 7 April 2026.

The National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, launched a nationwide Cloud and AI Skilling Initiative with Amazon Web Services (AWS) and delivery partner Cultus Education on 23 August 2026. It targets foundational AI and cloud literacy for 1.5 lakh learners and job-ready cloud training for 10,000 participants through the AWS re/Start programme. Delivery is 100% online, prioritising Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities and underserved communities across all States and UTs, covering cloud infrastructure, networking, security, programming, databases and AI fundamentals. Participants receive AWS certification, interview opportunities and industry connections, with the programme concluding in a National Hackathon.

The National Testing Agency (NTA), an autonomous body under the Ministry of Education, announced a four-tier question paper checking system in New Delhi on 18 August 2026, which will screen papers for factual, grammatical, translation and formatting errors before finalisation. The agency simultaneously removed 600 experts from its panels and began onboarding new specialists. As part of a wider operational overhaul, NTA is shifting to new premises with CISF security, secluded workrooms, air-gapped systems and strict device-deposit protocols for confidential exam operations. It plans to induct 20–25 new officials within weeks and has advertised leadership posts including Chief Technology Officer and Chief Information Security Officer. The reforms follow NTA's notification for a re-examination of the June 2026 UGC-NET papers in English, Commerce and Sociology, scheduled for 9–10 September 2026, after a review committee found serious factual errors and repeated questions in the original papers.

The Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rojgar Yojana (PM-VBRY) completed one year on 1 August 2026, with more than 72 lakh first-time employees joining the formal workforce since its launch in August 2025. It is implemented by the Ministry of Labour & Employment through the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) from 1 August 2025 to 31 July 2027, with a total outlay of Rs 99,446 crore. The scheme has two parts — incentives for first-time employees and incentives for employers who create additional jobs.

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) notified the Mobile Phone Manufacturing Scheme (MPMS) with an outlay of Rs 62,500 crore, running five years from FY 2026-27 to FY 2030-31. It has two target segments: TS1 offers a differentiated incentive of 2.25% to 5% to mobile phone manufacturers, while TS2 gives Indian brands 5% plus 3% extra for Indian design and R&D. Both segments get up to 1.5% more for domestic sourcing of key components. MPMS succeeds the PLI-LSEM scheme, whose tenure ended on 31 March 2026, and is expected to yield about Rs 39 lakh crore in output and 60,000 direct jobs.

PhonePe signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) on 20 August 2026 to integrate its enterprise data intelligence platform, PulsePro, into the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan framework. PulsePro converts PhonePe's aggregated and anonymised digital-payments transaction data into hyperlocal, near real-time market and economic-activity insights. Under the MoU, these insights will support national infrastructure planning and holistic urban and rural development by giving planners granular visibility into local economic-activity patterns alongside GatiShakti's existing geospatial infrastructure data layers.

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) issued a circular on 17 August 2026 capping mobile connections at nine per person across most of India, and six in Jammu & Kashmir, Assam and the North Eastern states, applied across all operators combined. From 23-24 August 2026, DoT will share subscriber photographs of those at the limit via the Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP) for daily, next-day verification, suspending any excess SIM immediately; by 30 November 2026 operators must shift to real-time photographic verification at enrolment. The measure targets telecom-enabled cybercrime, including 'digital arrest' scams.

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has extended its digital FASTag Local Pass facility to 121 toll plazas across the country. The facility is available to residents living within a 20-km radius of an eligible toll plaza and is accessed through the Rajmargyatra mobile app for monthly subscription. The system uses consent-based integration with DigiLocker and VAHAN for address and vehicle verification, with GIS-based checks confirming that an applicant's registered address falls within the 20-km boundary. Eligible commuters can obtain an unlimited-trips monthly pass entirely online, without visiting the toll plaza or submitting physical documents. The digital local pass was first piloted in July 2026 at the Mundka–Bakkarwala Toll Plaza on Urban Extension Road-II (UER-II) in Delhi, and NHAI says it will expand the facility to more plazas in phases.

In July 2026, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) launched a citizen-participation initiative named DAANVEER to strengthen digital infrastructure across gram panchayats through voluntary public participation. It was launched by MoPR Secretary Vivek Bharadwaj in New Delhi. The programme addresses the immediate shortage of computers in village councils and builds a long-term framework for citizen participation. Through the Meri Panchayat mobile application, citizens and organisations can donate computer systems directly to eligible village councils.

In July 2026, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Ministry of Communications, and the Government of Madhya Pradesh signed an MoU at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, to establish India's first Telecom Manufacturing Zone (TMZ), Phase-I, at Gwalior, MP, in the presence of Union Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia and MP CM Dr. Mohan Yadav. Spread over about 350 acres, the TMZ will manufacture mobile phones, telecom equipment, optical fibre, semiconductors and 5G/6G products on a plug-and-play model. A Special Purpose Company (SPC) will implement the project.

Union Minister for Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy launched the Critical Minerals Innovation Hackathon 2026 (CMiH 2026), organised by the Jawaharlal Nehru Aluminium Research Development and Design Centre (JNARDDC), Nagpur, an autonomous body under the Ministry of Mines. It carries two problem statements: mineral prospectivity mapping from open-source data to locate lithium and rare earth element pegmatite zones, and a web-based smart technology and patent tracker. Ideas may be submitted until 20 September 2026, with winners announced at India Mining Week 2026 (15-17 November). Each problem statement carries a first prize of Rs 1.50 lakh and a second prize of Rs 1 lakh.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved four railway multi-tracking projects worth ₹9,450 crore on 19 August 2026, to be completed by 2030-31. The projects cover about 410 route km: the Kharagpur-Bhadrak (Ranital) 4th line (173 km, West Bengal-Odisha); the Bhadrak-Haridaspur 4th line (75 km, Odisha); the Gummidipundi-Gudur 3rd and 4th lines (90 km, Andhra Pradesh-Tamil Nadu); and the Cuttack-Paradeep (Badabandha) 3rd and 4th lines (72 km, Odisha). The multi-tracking works are aimed at decongesting saturated rail corridors, raising line capacity, and improving punctuality and freight movement across West Bengal, Odisha, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.

The Railway Board approved seven new Amrit Bharat Express trains to boost affordable long-distance connectivity across north, central, west and south India. Routes: Dhanbad-Coimbatore, Prayagraj-LTT (Mumbai), Prayagraj-Udhna, Subedarganj-LTT, Gorakhpur-Delhi, Gorakhpur-Bandra and Charlapalli-Gorakhpur. Amrit Bharat is a fully non-AC push-pull LHB train (locomotives at both ends) built for faster acceleration and passenger comfort; the first ran in early 2024.

Indian Railways approved reforms to the Model Concession Agreement allowing Container Train Operators (CTOs) to run trains on all routes under a single, uniform All-India Licence (announced 5 August 2026), scrapping the earlier route-wise permission-and-fee system. Applicants now pay a single non-refundable registration fee of Rs 25 crore for network-wide operations, replacing the four-category structure. A CTO''s permission can be extended by a further 20 years after expiry, subject to satisfactory performance. The reform aims to cut compliance costs, boost private participation, shift container freight from road to rail (lowering logistics costs, especially for MSMEs) and reduce emissions.

The Ministry of Railways approved reforms to the Model Concession Agreement for Container Train Operators (CTOs) on 6 August 2026, replacing route-specific permissions with a single All India Licence framework. Aimed at easing private operations and boosting rail freight under the National Rail Plan, it reduces compliance overheads; container operations were opened to private players in 2006.

The Ministry of MSME and the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) signed an MoU at Vanijya Bhawan, New Delhi, to accelerate the commercialisation, quality standardisation and market access of India's Geographical Indication (GI) products, and launched the 'Bharat GI' banner. Under the pact, both bodies will integrate One District One Product (ODOP) into their programmes and facilitate GI collectives and authorised users on ONDC and GeM under the 'Bharat GI' banner.

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, signed five strategic Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with industry leaders: Cashfree Payments, Darwin Dynamics, Vultr India, Cars24 and the Council for Startup India (CSI). The partnerships aim to improve startups' access to digital infrastructure, technology, mentorship, investment opportunities and global markets. DPIIT partnered with Cashfree (digital payments), Vultr India (cloud infrastructure) and Cars24 (AI-led mobility innovation, skilling), while MoUs with Darwin Dynamics and the Computer Society of India target entrepreneurship in Tier II, Tier III and rural regions.

Parliament passed the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development (Amendment) Bill, 2026 — cleared by the Rajya Sabha on 3 August and the Lok Sabha on 7 August 2026. It is the first major overhaul of the MSMED Act, 2006 in its 20-year history, targeting delayed payments to MSMEs and aiming to simplify dispute resolution. MSMEs registered on the Udyam portal have surged from 1.65 crore (April 2023) to about 9.16 crore; the sector employs over 40 crore people and is called the backbone of the Indian economy.

The Government launched the Nasha Mukta Yuva for Viksit Bharat (Drug-Free Youth for Developed India) campaign — a 100-week national de-addiction and awareness drive targeting youth aged 15-35 across all districts. It builds on the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan (NMBA) under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, with enforcement support from the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB).

The Union Cabinet, chaired by PM Narendra Modi, approved a revamped Khelo India Scheme along with enhanced Assistance to National Sports Federations (ANSFs), with a combined outlay of Rs 36,441 crore for 2026-27 to 2030-31 — the largest sports push since Independence. Of this, Rs 29,054 crore goes to Khelo India (grassroots talent) and Rs 7,387 crore to NSFs, nearly eight times the earlier outlay. Two new initiatives — Khelo India Feeder Schools (KIFS) and Khelo India Utkrishta Vidyalayas (KIUV) — integrate sport with school education, and a National Coach Accreditation Board will standardise coaching.

The Union Cabinet approved the Samudra Manthan National Offshore Exploration Scheme on 31 July 2026 with a total outlay of Rs 84,084 crore. The five-year programme will promote seismic surveys, exploratory drilling and shared offshore infrastructure in deepwater and ultra-deepwater regions, aiming to increase domestic oil and gas production and reduce India's import dependence. India imports about 85-87% of its crude oil requirement. The scheme aligns with India's Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy (HELP), 2016 and the Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP). India's main offshore field is Mumbai High (ONGC), and the Krishna-Godavari (KG) basin holds significant deepwater potential. Nodal ministry: Petroleum & Natural Gas (Minister Hardeep Singh Puri).

The Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), under the Ministry of AYUSH, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) in New Delhi to strengthen quality standards, conformity assessment, scientific research and capacity building in the AYUSH sector. This marks the 100th MoU signed by BIS and its first with an AYUSH organisation. The MoU was signed by Prof. Rabinarayan Acharya (Director General, CCRAS) and Sanjay Pant (Deputy Director General, BIS), in the presence of Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha (Secretary, Ministry of AYUSH). The aim is to establish global Ayurveda standards for safer, scientifically validated products and practices.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually launched the 'Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan' (Drug-Free Youth for a Developed India), a 100-week nationwide campaign against substance abuse. Through a video conference, he addressed over 1 crore youth connected from more than 28,000 locations, and the campaign will run every Sunday for the next 100 weeks. It builds on the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan (NMBA), a flagship of the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment launched in August 2020 under the NAPDDR.

PM Narendra Modi inaugurated the Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram, Vizianagaram district, Andhra Pradesh, on 1 August 2026. Built at about Rs 2,800 crore as a joint venture between the Andhra Pradesh government and GMR Group, the greenfield airport handles about 6 million passengers a year in Phase 1 (expandable to 24 million) and replaces the ageing Visakhapatnam airport as the region main gateway.

The Government e-Marketplace (GeM) celebrated its 10th foundation day at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, where Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal honoured top buyers from central and state departments and leading sellers for strengthening the public procurement ecosystem. He called for a more user-friendly, AI-enabled GeM. Key launches included a nationwide five-digit helpdesk short code, 14550, and a commemorative 'My Stamp', along with a film on GeM's 10-year journey.

The Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) amended the PM E-DRIVE Scheme (Prime Minister's Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement), reducing the incentive for electric two-wheelers (e-2W) to Rs 2,500 per kWh, capped at Rs 5,000 per vehicle, for April 2025-March 2028. The scheme was notified on 29 September 2024 with a total outlay of Rs 11,900 crore and has been extended to 31 March 2028. It promotes faster EV adoption, charging infrastructure and growth of the EV manufacturing ecosystem.

India''s Government e-Marketplace (GeM) completed 10 years of operations on 9 August 2026. The Ministry of Commerce & Industry announced that GeM had facilitated a cumulative Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) of over Rs 20 lakh crore through more than 3.78 crore orders. GeM took over eight years to reach its first Rs 10 lakh crore in cumulative GMV; the next Rs 10 lakh crore came in under two years. Annual GMV rose from Rs 422 crore in FY2016-17 to over Rs 5 lakh crore in FY2024-25. Registered MSEs have fulfilled orders worth over Rs 9.07 lakh crore — 45.6% of cumulative GMV. GeM was launched in 2016 to bring transparency to public procurement.