India-Bhutan Rail Connectivity Initiative
India and Bhutan have embarked on a "major new initiative" to establish rail connectivity between the two nations. Two significant projects have been approved: the Kokrajhar-Gelephu new line and the Banarhat-Samtse new line. The Kokrajhar-Gelephu line, with an investment of ā¹3,456 crore, will connect Assam's Kokrajhar and Chirang districts with Bhutan's Sarpang region. The Banarhat-Samtse line, costing ā¹577 crore, will link West Bengal's Jalpaiguri district with Bhutan's Samtse. These projects are expected to facilitate the movement of people and goods, create economic opportunities, and enhance Bhutan's access to international trade routes through Indian ports. India has also committed Rs 10,000 crore towards Bhutan's 13th Five-Year Plan (2024-2029), marking a 100% increase over the previous plan.
PM E-DRIVE Scheme to Bolster EV Charging Infrastructure
The Government of India has rolled out new guidelines for the deployment of approximately 72,300 public Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations nationwide under the PM E-DRIVE scheme. This ā¹2,000 crore project, part of a larger ā¹10,900 crore scheme, aims to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles. Notably, government premises, including offices, residential complexes, hospitals, and educational institutions, will receive a 100% subsidy on both upstream infrastructure and EV charging equipment.
GST Reforms to Boost Economy and Consumer Spending
Recent Goods and Services Tax (GST) reforms, which include reduced rates on around 375 goods and services effective September 22, are anticipated to stimulate market consumption and boost the domestic economy. Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary stated that these reforms aim to lower the average tax burden, increase disposable income, and spur purchasing power. EY India projects India's real GDP growth for FY26 at 6.7%, citing the positive impact of these GST 2.0 reforms on domestic demand.
Amrit Bharat Station Scheme and Railway Modernization
Indian Railways continues its modernization efforts with over 1,300 stations being redeveloped under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, aiming to provide world-class facilities. Plans for the next two to three years include the introduction of 200 new Vande Bharat trains, 100 Amrit Bharat trains, and 50 Namo Bharat rapid rail services, alongside 17,500 General non-AC coaches, to revolutionize the travel experience for the masses. The 'Kavach' Automatic Train Protection system has also been introduced to enhance safety standards.
Digitalization of Immigration: e-Arrival Card for Foreign Nationals
Starting October 1, 2025, India will replace physical disembarkation cards for foreign nationals with an e-Arrival Card system. Foreign nationals will need to submit an online application up to 72 hours before arrival through the official Indian Visa Online website or the Indian Visa Su-Swagatam mobile app. This move is part of the government's broader efforts to reduce airport delays, strengthen border management, and improve traveler data control through technology.
Odisha Government Introduces Labor and Education Reforms
The Odisha government has approved significant policy changes, including increasing daily working hours to 10 hours, while maintaining a 48-hour weekly cap. It has also permitted women in private establishments to work night shifts, subject to their written consent. In the education sector, the Cabinet approved the development of model schools under the Godabarisha Adarsha Vidyalaya (GAV) scheme at the gram panchayat level, focusing on inclusive and quality education in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
Haryana Launches Deendayal Lado Lakshmi Women Scheme
The Haryana Government has introduced the Deendayal Lado Lakshmi Yojana in 2025, providing a monthly financial assistance of Rs 2,100 to eligible women aged 23 to 60 years. The scheme, which aims to empower women and uplift marginalized sections, targets women with an annual family income below Rs 1 lakh.
Changes in National Pension System (NPS) and RBI Cheque Clearing
From October 1, 2025, non-government National Pension Scheme (NPS) subscribers will be allowed to invest up to 100% of their funds in equities under a single NPS plan. Additionally, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced that, starting October 4, 2025, cheque handling will transition from the batch clearing method to a continuous clearing method with settlement on realization.