India has witnessed several crucial updates and implementations across its government schemes and policies throughout October 2025, reflecting the nation's focus on economic growth, citizen welfare, digital transformation, and enhanced connectivity. These changes are vital for students preparing for competitive exams to understand the evolving landscape of governance and public administration.

UDAN Scheme Continues to Expand Regional Air Connectivity

The Regional Connectivity Scheme – Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN) has marked its ninth anniversary with significant achievements. As of October 21, 2025, the Civil Aviation Ministry reported that the UDAN scheme has facilitated over 1.56 crore passengers through 3.23 lakh flights since its launch. The scheme, which began on October 21, 2016, has operationalized 649 routes, connecting 93 unserved and underserved airports, including 15 heliports and 2 water aerodromes. The government has reaffirmed its commitment to extending the scheme beyond April 2027 through an Expanded UDAN Framework, which will focus on improving connectivity in hilly, North-Eastern, and aspirational regions, alongside developing approximately 120 new destinations. The Ministry has disbursed over ₹4,300 crore as Viability Gap Funding to support airline operators and regional infrastructure, with an additional ₹4,638 crore invested in airport development under the scheme. Furthermore, Comprehensive Guidelines for Seaplane Operations were introduced last year, leading to UDAN 5.5, a special bidding round for seaplanes and helicopters, under which Letters of Intent have been issued for 150 routes connecting 30 water aerodromes.

Key Policy Changes Effective from October 1, 2025

Several significant policy changes, impacting finance, digital payments, pensions, and public services, came into effect from October 1, 2025, aiming to improve transparency, efficiency, and consumer protection across various sectors:

• National Pension System (NPS) Reforms: Non-government subscribers now have the flexibility to invest up to 100% in equity and manage multiple schemes using a single Permanent Account Number (PAN). This aims to boost retirement planning flexibility and potential long-term growth.
• RBI Cheque Clearing System: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) introduced a continuous cheque clearing system, replacing the previous batch processing. This reform ensures faster settlements and quicker access to funds for beneficiaries.
• Online Gaming Regulation: The Promotion & Regulation of Online Gaming Act has been implemented, banning real-money games and betting applications. The new law permits only e-sports and skill-based games, aiming to protect youth and reduce gambling addiction.
• UPI "Collect Request" Feature Discontinued: The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has removed the peer-to-peer collect request feature on UPI to enhance transaction security and mitigate fraud.
• New RBI Locker Rules: Updated rules for bank lockers have been enforced, requiring customers to update agreements with banks as per new RBI norms.
• IRCTC Ticket Booking Changes: For the first 15 minutes of general ticket reservation, booking is now restricted to Aadhaar-verified users, with agent bookings also restricted during this period.
• Revised Bank Charges: New or revised charges have been introduced for various banking services, including lockers, service failures, debit cards, ATM limits, and salary accounts.
• GST E-Invoicing: A new turnover slab for mandatory e-invoicing under GST has been implemented.

RBI Monetary Policy Update

Following its 57th Monetary Policy Committee meeting from September 29 to October 1, 2025, the Reserve Bank of India announced that the repo rate would remain unchanged at 5.50% with a neutral stance. The RBI revised India's GDP growth forecast for FY 2025-26 upwards to 6.8% from an earlier estimate of 6.5%. Additionally, the CPI inflation forecast for FY 2025–26 was lowered to 2.6% from 3.1%. The report highlighted resilient domestic demand, supportive financial conditions, and a stable external sector, projecting a cautiously optimistic outlook for the Indian economy.

Advancements in Food Security Initiatives

The Central Government continues its commitment to ensuring food and nutritional equity for its citizens. As of October 15, 2025, the government is set to launch the SMART-PDS (Scheme for Modernisation and Reforms through Technology in PDS) initiative in phases by December 2025. This initiative aims to strengthen the technological backbone of the Public Distribution System (PDS) by focusing on food grain procurement, supply chain management, ration card and Fair Price Shop management, and biometric-based grain distribution (e-KYC). The One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) scheme has successfully facilitated approximately 191 crore portability transactions (inter-State and intra-State) as of October 2025. Furthermore, the universal supply of fortified rice under all central government schemes, including PMGKAY, ICDS, and PM-POSHAN, has been extended until December 2028, with 100% funding by the Government of India.