Here's a summary of the most important current events related to Indian government schemes and policies from the last 24 hours:
1. New Rules for Ration Cards and Gas Cylinders for Enhanced Transparency
The Central Government has announced new rules regarding ration cards and gas cylinders, effective October 18, 2025, aimed at making welfare schemes more convenient, transparent, and beneficiary-focused. These reforms seek to eliminate irregularities and fraud in the ration and gas subsidy systems. Key changes include validating only one ration card per family, mandatory Aadhaar and mobile number linking for secure OTP verification during ration distribution, and requiring bank account linkage for gas subsidies to ensure direct credit to beneficiaries. Advanced technological monitoring and data analytics will be employed to identify fake cards, false connections, and irregular subsidy claims.
2. PLI Scheme Extended for White Goods to Boost Domestic Manufacturing
The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has extended the application window for Round 4 of the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for White Goods (Air Conditioners and LED Lights) until November 10, 2025. This extension, in response to strong industry interest, aims to strengthen domestic production, promote component localization, and enhance India's global competitiveness in these sectors. The scheme, launched in April 2021 with an outlay of ₹6,238 crore, has already attracted significant investment commitments.
3. Agricultural Sector Initiatives: Kapas Kranti Mission and PM KISAN Update
The Centre has launched the ₹600 crore Kapas Kranti Mission to boost long-staple cotton cultivation in India. This initiative will utilize High-Density Plantation (HDP) techniques, digital tools like the Kapas Kisan App, and farmer training, aiming to improve cotton productivity and income security, particularly in Telangana. Meanwhile, farmers across India are keenly awaiting the 21st installment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM KISAN) scheme. The government has already released this installment for farmers in flood and rain-affected states like Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, and Jammu and Kashmir.
4. NITI Aayog's 'We Rise' Initiative for Women-led MSMEs
NITI Aayog's Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) and DP World have launched the 'We Rise' initiative, a public-private partnership focused on making women-led Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) export-ready. Under WEP's Award to Reward (ATR) framework, the program will mentor 100 women entrepreneurs, enhancing their global trade participation through capacity-building, mentorship, and access to international markets.
5. Ayushman Bharat-PMJAY Report Highlights Private Hospital Dominance
The National Health Authority's (NHA) Annual Report 2024–25 on the Ayushman Bharat–Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) revealed that while government hospitals constitute the majority of empanelled institutions, most beneficiaries (52% of 9.19 crore hospitalizations) are availing treatment in private hospitals, often at higher costs. Private hospitals, despite being 45% of empanelled institutions, accounted for 66% of the total ₹1.29 lakh crore treatment cost. The report also highlighted the scheme's portability feature, allowing treatment across states, and progress in the digital health ecosystem, with 6 in 10 people having an ABHA number.
6. Boosting Defence Self-Reliance: New Titanium & Superalloy Plant and BrahMos Production
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh dedicated a Titanium and Superalloy Materials Plant at PTC Industries' Strategic Materials Technology Complex in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. He emphasized India's need to produce rare materials for defence and aerospace to achieve technological sovereignty and become a technology creator under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative. Furthermore, Raksha Mantri Singh and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Shri Yogi Adityanath jointly flagged off the first batch of BrahMos missiles manufactured at the BrahMos Integration and Testing Facility Centre in Lucknow, part of the UP Defence Industrial Corridor. This facility aims to produce approximately 100 missile systems annually.
7. FSSAI Bans Misuse of 'ORS' Label for Consumer Protection
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has directed that no product can use the 'Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS)' tag unless approved by the World Health Organization (WHO). This directive aims to prevent consumer deception and associated health risks from sugary drinks being marketed with the ORS label, ensuring that only scientifically formulated solutions for dehydration are identified as ORS.
8. Haryana Government Increases Old Age Pension
The Haryana government has announced an increase in the monthly old age pension for senior citizens from ₹3,000 to ₹3,200, effective January 1, 2025. Eligible beneficiaries will begin receiving the enhanced amount from November 2025. This decision, made under the 'Jan Vishwas-Jan Vikas' initiative, reflects the state's commitment to social security and improving living conditions for its elderly population.
9. Digital India's Growth Story and Technological Sovereignty
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, speaking at the NDTV World Summit, highlighted India's digital-led growth story, focusing on initiatives like digital credit, fast mobile data, and Large Language Models (LLMs). He showcased a homegrown semiconductor wafer, underscoring its potential to disrupt global markets. Vaishnaw emphasized the critical importance of data sovereignty, stating that data must remain geographically within India, viewing data centers as "new refineries" for the evolving economy.