Cabinet Approves Rs 84,084 Crore Samudra Manthan National Offshore Exploration Scheme

2 August 2026National

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).

Static GK

Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas Minister: Hardeep Singh Puri | India imports ~85-87% of its crude oil | Mumbai High field operated by ONGC | HELP policy launched 2016

⚡ Quick Revision

The Cabinet approved the Rs 84,084 crore Samudra Manthan scheme (2026) to accelerate deepwater offshore oil & gas exploration and cut crude import dependence.

ShareWhatsApp Telegram

More Polity Current Affairs

Cabinet Extends PM-KISAN to 2030-31 with Rs 3.15 Lakh Crore Outlay

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.

GK BytePM-KISAN launched 24 February 2019, Gorakhpur (UP) | Rs 6,000/year in 3 instalments of Rs 2,000 via DBT | 23rd instalment released 20 June 2026 | Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare

📅 2 Aug 2026PolityRead complete →

MoPR Launches DAANVEER Initiative for Village Digital Infrastructure

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.

GK ByteUnion Panchayati Raj Minister: Rajiv Ranjan Singh (Lalan Singh) | National Panchayati Raj Day: 24 April | 73rd Constitutional Amendment (1992) gave Panchayati Raj constitutional status

📅 1 Aug 2026PolityRead complete →

DoT and Madhya Pradesh Sign MoU for India's First Telecom Manufacturing Zone at Gwalior

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.

GK ByteMadhya Pradesh Capital: Bhopal; CM: Dr. Mohan Yadav; Governor: Mangubhai C. Patel | Union Communications Minister: Jyotiraditya M. Scindia | MP is India's 2nd-largest state by area

📅 1 Aug 2026PolityRead complete →

Maharashtra Becomes First State to Qualify for Second RKVY Installment

Maharashtra became the first state in India to qualify for release of the second installment under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) after meeting the fund-utilisation benchmark set by the Centre. The decision came in a review chaired by Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. RKVY is a centrally sponsored scheme (launched 2007) that gives states flexibility and autonomy to plan and execute agriculture and allied-sector development based on local needs.

GK ByteRKVY launched 2007 (during the 11th Five-Year Plan) | Ministry: Agriculture and Farmers Welfare | Union Agriculture Minister (2026): Shivraj Singh Chouhan | RKVY now implemented as RKVY-RAFTAAR

📅 31 Jul 2026PolityRead complete →

See all Govt Initiatives →All Current Affairs