The Indian government has unveiled a series of new schemes and policy updates across various sectors, demonstrating a concerted effort to drive economic growth, enhance social welfare, and promote technological advancement. These initiatives, largely announced on October 13, 2025, span agriculture, aviation, labour, health, and artificial intelligence.
Agriculture Sector Boost
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched two significant agricultural schemes: the PM Dhan Dhaanya Krishi Yojana and the Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses. These initiatives represent a combined investment exceeding Rs 35,000 crore, targeting 100 specially selected districts across the country. The primary goals are to enhance agricultural productivity, bolster rural economies, and improve farmers' incomes. The schemes also encompass supportive infrastructure projects, the formation of over 10,000 Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), and initiatives to empower women in agriculture, such as the 'Lakhpati Didis' campaign and drone technology for spraying. Furthermore, recent GST reforms have reduced costs for essential agricultural equipment like tractors, irrigation tools, organic fertilizers, and bio-pesticides, easing financial burdens on farmers.
Aviation Made More Accessible
In a move to make air travel more affordable and predictable, the Union government introduced Alliance Air's "Fare Se Fursat" Fixed Airfare Scheme. This pilot initiative, active from October 13 to December 31, 2025, will offer a single, fixed fare on select routes, irrespective of the booking date. Union Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu Kinjarapu inaugurated the scheme, emphasizing its alignment with the UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme's objective of democratizing aviation and promoting regional connectivity. The scheme aims to bring transparency and stability to pricing, particularly benefiting passengers traveling to and from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.
Labour and Social Security Reforms
Labour and Employment Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya launched the Vishwas Scheme, designed to reduce litigation by introducing rationalized penal damages under the Employees' Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act. Additionally, the Central Board of Trustees (CBT) of the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) approved significant simplifications to the EPF partial withdrawal provisions. Thirteen complex rules have been merged into a single, streamlined regulation categorized into Essential Needs (illness, education, marriage), Housing Needs, and Special Circumstances. Withdrawal limits have also been liberalized, with education withdrawals allowed up to 10 times and marriage up to five times. In a related development, Minister Mandaviya indicated that the Cabinet is actively considering a proposal to increase the minimum PF pension from the current ā¹1,000 per month.
Healthcare and Innovation
The Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) announced revised package rates for its empanelled healthcare organizations, effective October 13, 2025. These new rates aim to bring greater uniformity and rationalization to healthcare cost structures, considering factors like hospital accreditation, city classification, and ward entitlement.
In the realm of technology and innovation, the government has opened applications for three flagship Global AI Impact Challenges (AI for All, AI by HER, and YUVAi) under the upcoming India-AI Impact Summit 2026. With a total prize pool of ā¹5.85 crore, these challenges seek to identify and scale transformative Artificial Intelligence solutions with significant social and economic impact across various sectors. Furthermore, the Viksit Bharat Buildathon 2025 saw over three lakh schools participate in India's largest synchronized live school innovation challenge, inaugurated by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. This initiative aims to foster creativity and problem-solving skills among students, aligning with the vision of a developed India by 2047.
Punjab's State-Level Initiatives
The Punjab Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, made several key decisions. Notably, it approved an increase in crop loss compensation for farmers to Rs 20,000 per acre, a historic decision making Punjab the first state to implement such a high rate, particularly for losses between 76-100%. This additional compensation will be provided by the state government from its own treasury, beyond the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF). The cabinet also approved a Group Housing Scheme ā 2025 policy for allotting sites to cooperative societies for multi-storey flats, aiming to boost affordable and planned housing in urban areas. Other decisions included amending the Punjab Minor Mineral Rules, 2013, to levy fees on vehicles carrying minerals, and approving measures to enhance vigilance in jails, including the procurement of sniffer dogs.