Government Schemes & Programs Current Affairs

In early 2026, the National Green Hydrogen Mission, a flagship initiative of the Indian government, is witnessing significant progress in its implementation, bolstered by ongoing policy support and increasing private sector interest. Launched in January 2023 with an outlay of ₹19,744 crore, the mission aims to make India a global hub for the production, utilization, and export of Green Hydrogen. The focus in 2026 is on establishing pilot projects, fostering research and development, and creating an enabling policy framework to drive down the cost of green hydrogen production. Several large-scale electrolyzer manufacturing facilities are in various stages of development, indicating a strong commitment from domestic and international players. The government is actively promoting the use of green hydrogen in sectors like refining, fertilizers, and mobility through various incentives and mandates. Policy measures such as the Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition (SIGHT) program, which provides financial incentives for domestic manufacturing of electrolyzers and production of green hydrogen, are crucial in this regard. Furthermore, the mission is encouraging the development of infrastructure for hydrogen refueling stations and the integration of green hydrogen into the existing natural gas grid. International collaborations are also being strengthened to facilitate technology transfer and investment. The mission's success is critical for India's climate goals, as it aims to reduce dependence on fossil fuel imports, enhance energy security, and create new employment opportunities. The ongoing efforts are geared towards making green hydrogen a viable and cost-competitive alternative fuel source.

As of March 2026, the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) continues its robust expansion, with a significant increase in the number of Ayushman Bharat Health Accounts (ABHAs) created and a growing integration with public and private healthcare facilities across the nation. ABDM, launched in September 2021, aims to create a seamless digital health ecosystem by providing a unique digital health identity to every citizen, enabling access to their health records across various healthcare providers. The mission has seen a surge in ABHA creation, with millions of citizens now possessing this digital health identifier. This has facilitated easier access to health services and improved continuity of care. A key development in early 2026 has been the accelerated onboarding of healthcare facilities onto the ABDM platform. Both government hospitals and private clinics are increasingly adopting the necessary infrastructure and protocols to integrate their Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems with ABDM. This integration allows for the secure sharing of patient health information, such as diagnostic reports, prescriptions, and treatment history, with the patient's consent. The mission is also focusing on enhancing the interoperability of different health information systems, ensuring that data can flow smoothly between various platforms. Furthermore, ABDM is promoting the development and adoption of health applications that leverage the digital health infrastructure, offering services like appointment booking, telemedicine, and access to health information. The government is actively encouraging citizens to link their existing health records with their ABHA, thereby creating a comprehensive digital health profile. The long-term vision of ABDM is to revolutionize healthcare delivery in India by making it more accessible, affordable, and efficient through the power of digital technology.

As of March 2026, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has announced a renewed focus on the National Urban Livelihoods Mission (NULM), with significant emphasis on enhancing skill development opportunities and deepening financial inclusion for the urban poor. The NULM, originally launched in 2013, aims to address the livelihood needs of the urban poor by creating self-employment and skilled wage employment opportunities. The recent initiatives under NULM are geared towards upskilling and reskilling urban dwellers, particularly youth and women, in demand-driven trades. This includes partnerships with various industry bodies and training providers to offer short-term and long-term vocational courses. A key aspect of the re-energized mission is the strengthened focus on financial inclusion through the promotion of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and their access to formal credit. The mission is actively encouraging the formation of new SHGs and providing them with financial literacy training and support for availing bank loans. Furthermore, NULM is facilitating the linkage of SHGs with market opportunities, enabling them to sell their products and services effectively. The scheme also continues to support urban street vendors through the PM SVANidhi scheme, ensuring their access to working capital and promoting their economic empowerment. The Ministry is also leveraging technology to improve the outreach and delivery of NULM services, including a digital platform for registration, training, and placement assistance. The overarching goal is to create sustainable livelihoods, reduce poverty, and improve the quality of life for the urban poor, contributing to the broader agenda of inclusive urban development in India.

On March 28, 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi released the 16th installment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme, benefiting over 9 crore farmers across India. This disbursement, amounting to over ₹20,000 crore, underscores the government's continued commitment to supporting small and marginal farmers. The PM-KISAN scheme, launched in February 2019, aims to provide financial assistance of ₹6,000 per year to eligible farmer families, paid in three equal installments of ₹2,000 each. The recent disbursement highlights a significant push towards further digitalization of the scheme's processes. Efforts have been intensified to ensure that all beneficiaries are linked with their Aadhaar numbers and have completed their e-KYC. This focus on digitalization not only enhances transparency and efficiency in fund transfer but also aids in identifying and eliminating potential leakages and ghost beneficiaries. The government has been actively promoting the use of the PM-KISAN portal and mobile app for farmers to update their information, check their installment status, and access other relevant agricultural advisories. Furthermore, the scheme's integration with other agricultural initiatives, such as soil health card distribution and crop insurance schemes, is being strengthened to create a more holistic support system for farmers. The ongoing emphasis on direct benefit transfer (DBT) through this scheme has proven instrumental in empowering farmers and improving their financial resilience, especially in the face of unpredictable agricultural cycles and market fluctuations. The scheme's success is measured not just by the financial aid disbursed but also by its contribution to increased agricultural productivity and farmer welfare.