CURRENT AFFAIRS

The Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) completed 12 years on 28 August 2026.

The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet on 22 August 2026 approved an amendment allowing eligible women state government employees to avail 180 days of paid maternity leave twice during their service. A major change is the removal of the earlier requirement of a minimum two-year gap between two spells of maternity leave. The decision also extends maternity-leave benefits to eligible adoptive mothers.

The Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has submitted a proposal to expand the National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) scheme beyond urban centers into rural India. The initiative aims to eradicate sewer and septic tank deaths by modernising sanitation work nationwide.

On 18 August 2026, the Tamil Nadu government announced in the state Legislative Assembly that women government employees having a third child will now be entitled to 365 days (one year) of maternity leave, up from the existing 12 weeks.

The Government of India has temporarily suspended the fortification of rice under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) based on findings from a study conducted by the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur.

The PRASHAD Scheme (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive) is a Central Sector Scheme launched in 2014–15 by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India.

Recently, 22 States and Union Territories that responded to the Ministry of Education’s call for feedback on the PM-POSHAN scheme have urged the Centre to increase the honorarium for cooks and helpers, highlighting concerns over low remuneration and workforce sustainability in one of India’s largest school nutrition programmes.

A 2024 government-commissioned survey has revealed that although nearly 98% of rural households now have tap connections under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), only about three-fourths actually receive a regular, safe, and adequate water supply, exposing a gap between coverage and functionality.

The results of the Prime Minister’s Scheme for Mentoring Young Authors (PM-YUVA 3.0) have been declared, with 43 young authors selected through an All-India contest. The scheme aims to mentor talented youth writers and promote original writing on India’s civilisational, cultural, and contemporary themes.

The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare recently conducted the PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PM-DDKY) – FPO Sangam, which saw participation from 72 Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) representing 15 states.