Announcements & other updates
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment announced on 22 October 2026 that the Shilp Samagam Mela 2026 is currently underway at Farm Gate, Khanapara, Guwahati. The event provides a platform for 75 artisans, including 31 women, from Scheduled Castes, Other Backward Classes, Safai Mitras, and Denotified Tribes to sell approximately 40 varieties of handloom and handicraft products directly to the public.
- Who it affects
- artisans belonging to Scheduled Castes (SCs), Other Backward Classes (OBCs), Safai Mitras and Denotified Tribes (DNTs)
- When · Where
- On 28 October 2026: conclusion of the Shilp Samagam Mela 2026 in Guwahati (+1 more) · Guwahati, Assam
Source details
- Issued by
- Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
- Published on
- Press Information Bureau, pib.gov.in (Press releases)
- File hosted on
- www.pib.gov.in, the government's file server for pib.gov.in
- Dated
- 22 October 2026
- The link opens
- The original press release on the government website, in a new tab, unchanged.
- Our check
- Drafted from the release text and checked by software. Not yet reviewed by a person.
Announcements & other updates
The Ministry of Rural Development announced on 21 October 2026 that the National SARAS Mela is being held in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, from 13 October to 31 October 2026. This event is the first of its kind outside the Delhi-NCR region and features around 1,500 women entrepreneurs from 34 states and UTs showcasing products in over 650 stalls.
- Who it affects
- women SHG entrepreneurs
- When · Where
- On 13 October 2026: Start of National SARAS Mela in Vijayawada (+2 more) · Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh
Source details
- Issued by
- PIB Delhi
- Published on
- Press Information Bureau, pib.gov.in (Press releases)
- File hosted on
- www.pib.gov.in, the government's file server for pib.gov.in
- Dated
- 21 October 2026
- The link opens
- The original press release on the government website, in a new tab, unchanged.
- Our check
- Drafted from the release text and checked by software. Not yet reviewed by a person.
Announcements & other updates
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment announced on 20 October 2026 that the Shilp Samagam Mela 2026 will begin in Guwahati, Assam, on 21 October. The event, running until 28 October, allows 75 artisans—including 31 women—to showcase and sell approximately 40 varieties of handloom and handicraft products.
- Who it affects
- artisans belonging to Scheduled Castes (SCs), Other Backward Classes (OBCs), Safai Mitras and Denotified Tribes (DNTs)
- When · Where
- Until 28 October 2026: end of Shilp Samagam Mela 2026 in Guwahati (+1 more) · Guwahati, Assam
Source details
- Issued by
- Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
- Published on
- Press Information Bureau, pib.gov.in (Press releases)
- File hosted on
- www.pib.gov.in, the government's file server for pib.gov.in
- Dated
- 20 October 2026
- The link opens
- The original press release on the government website, in a new tab, unchanged.
- Our check
- Drafted from the release text and checked by software. Not yet reviewed by a person.
Announcements & other updates
The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution announced on 16 October 2026 that it is expanding the distribution of buffer onions from the Price Stabilization Fund to the North-East. A shipment of approximately 440 MT of onions is expected to reach Agartala, Tripura, by 18 October 2026 to ensure affordable prices before the festive season.
- Who it affects
- consumers
- When · Where
- On 18 October 2026: expected arrival of 440 MT onion consignment in Agartala · Agartala, Tripura
Source details
- Issued by
- Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
- Published on
- Press Information Bureau, pib.gov.in (Press releases)
- File hosted on
- www.pib.gov.in, the government's file server for pib.gov.in
- Dated
- 16 October 2026
- The link opens
- The original press release on the government website, in a new tab, unchanged.
- Our check
- Drafted from the release text and checked by software. Not yet reviewed by a person.
Announcements & other updates
The Ministry of Home Affairs announced on 15 October 2026 that Assam Police conducted a state-wide anti-drug operation on 12 October 2026 as part of the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan. The operation led to 945 arrests, the registration of 547 cases, and the seizure of narcotics worth approximately ₹182 crore.
- Who it affects
- accused individuals and drug networks
- When · Where
- From 1 January 2026: Vision Document on Narcotics Control (+2 more) · Assam
Source details
- Issued by
- Ministry of Home Affairs
- Published on
- Press Information Bureau, pib.gov.in (Press releases)
- File hosted on
- www.pib.gov.in, the government's file server for pib.gov.in
- Dated
- 15 October 2026
- The link opens
- The original press release on the government website, in a new tab, unchanged.
- Our check
- Drafted from the release text and checked by software. Not yet reviewed by a person.
Announcements & other updates
The Ministry of Defence announced on 15 October 2026 that the government intends to expand the National Cadet Corps (NCC) from approximately 17 lakh to 20 lakh cadets. During a conference in Guwahati, Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Sanjay Seth called on nine states—including those in the North Eastern Region, West Bengal, and Sikkim—to implement plans for improving training facilities and infrastructure.
- Who it affects
- NCC cadets
- When · Where
- On 15 October 2026: Special Joint State Representatives and Additional Director General’s Conference 2026 · Several states
Source details
- Issued by
- Ministry of Defence
- Published on
- Press Information Bureau, pib.gov.in (Press releases)
- File hosted on
- www.pib.gov.in, the government's file server for pib.gov.in
- Dated
- 15 October 2026
- The link opens
- The original press release on the government website, in a new tab, unchanged.
- Our check
- Drafted from the release text and checked by software. Not yet reviewed by a person.
Announcements & other updates
The Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances (DARPG) announced on 15 October 2026 that the Secretary, DARPG, chaired the third review meeting for Special Campaign 6. This initiative focuses on cleanliness (Swachhata) and the disposal of pending matters across 84 Ministries and Departments.
- Who it affects
- Ministries, Departments, PSUs and field offices
- When · Where
- From 2 October 2026: Implementation Phase of Special Campaign 6 (+2 more) · Assam and Gujarat
Source details
- Issued by
- PIB Delhi
- Published on
- Press Information Bureau, pib.gov.in (Press releases)
- File hosted on
- www.pib.gov.in, the government's file server for pib.gov.in
- Dated
- 15 October 2026
- The link opens
- The original press release on the government website, in a new tab, unchanged.
- Our check
- Drafted from the release text and checked by software. Not yet reviewed by a person.
Announcements & other updates
The Press Information Bureau reported on 15 October 2026 that India's female Labour Force Participation Rate rose from 23.3% in 2017-18 to 40% in 2025. The government is supporting this growth through credit schemes like PMMY, the Swavalambini pilot for young women, and the Yashasvini Campaign to achieve gender parity in business registrations by 2029.
- Who it affects
- women workers
- When · Where
- By 1 January 2029: achieving gender parity on Udyam Registration Portal and Udyam Assist Platform (+1 more) · Several states
Source details
- Issued by
- Press Information Bureau (PIB)
- Published on
- Press Information Bureau, pib.gov.in (Press releases)
- File hosted on
- www.pib.gov.in, the government's file server for pib.gov.in
- Dated
- 15 October 2026
- The link opens
- The original PDF on the government website, in a new tab, unchanged.
- Our check
- Drafted from extracted PDF text and checked by software; long documents may be read only in part. Not yet reviewed by a person.
Announcements & other updates
The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution announced on 14 October 2026 that the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has launched the BIS Silver Refinery Scheme. This scheme provides purity assurance and hallmarking for silver bullion and coins of three purity grades (999.9, 999.5, and 999.0 ppt) through licensed refineries and mints.
- Who it affects
- silver refineries and mints
- When · Where
- 1 year: short-term standard formulation for sustainable agriculture (+1 more) · Several states
Source details
- Issued by
- Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
- Published on
- Press Information Bureau, pib.gov.in (Press releases)
- File hosted on
- www.pib.gov.in, the government's file server for pib.gov.in
- Dated
- 14 October 2026
- The link opens
- The original press release on the government website, in a new tab, unchanged.
- Our check
- Drafted from the release text and checked by software. Not yet reviewed by a person.
Announcements & other updates
The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS), Ministry of Jal Shakti, held a virtual conference on 14 October 2026 to coordinate the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) 2.0 with the VB-G RAM G programme. The initiative aims to ensure the long-term sustainability of rural water sources through scientific planning and Gram Panchayat-led governance.
- Who it affects
- Gram Panchayats
- When · Where
- On 1 September 2026: Departmental Summit on Water 2026 (+1 more) · Several states
Source details
- Issued by
- Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS), Ministry of Jal Shakti
- Published on
- Press Information Bureau, pib.gov.in (Press releases)
- File hosted on
- www.pib.gov.in, the government's file server for pib.gov.in
- Dated
- 14 October 2026
- The link opens
- The original press release on the government website, in a new tab, unchanged.
- Our check
- Drafted from the release text and checked by software. Not yet reviewed by a person.
Announcements & other updates
The Ministry of Commerce & Industry announced on 12 October 2026 that India and the UK held the 16th Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) meeting in New Delhi. The meeting reviewed the progress of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), which has enabled the export of Indian electronics and Joha rice to the UK, and Scottish salmon and whisky to India.
- Who it affects
- businesses
- When · Where
- On 12 October 2026: 16th meeting of the India–UK Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) (+1 more) · India and UK
Source details
- Issued by
- Ministry of Commerce & Industry
- Published on
- Press Information Bureau, pib.gov.in (Press releases)
- File hosted on
- www.pib.gov.in, the government's file server for pib.gov.in
- Dated
- 12 October 2026
- The link opens
- The original press release on the government website, in a new tab, unchanged.
- Our check
- Drafted from the release text and checked by software. Not yet reviewed by a person.
Announcements & other updates
The Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation announced on 12 October 2026 that provisional retail inflation for September 2026 was 5.54% year-on-year. Food inflation was higher at 7.74%, with rural inflation at 8.06% and urban at 7.18%.
- Who it affects
- general public
- When · Where
- On 12 November 2026: release of CPI for October 2026 · Several states
Source details
- Issued by
- Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation
- Published on
- Press Information Bureau, pib.gov.in (Press releases)
- File hosted on
- www.pib.gov.in, the government's file server for pib.gov.in
- Dated
- 12 October 2026
- The link opens
- The original press release on the government website, in a new tab, unchanged.
- Our check
- Drafted from the release text and checked by software. Not yet reviewed by a person.
Announcements & other updates
The Press Information Bureau reported on 12 October 2026 that the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan, launched on 13 October 2021, has evolved into a nationwide planning framework. It uses a GIS-based platform to coordinate infrastructure projects across 58 Central Ministries and 36 States and Union Territories to save cost and time.
- Who it affects
- private sector
- When · Where
- By 31 March 2030: completion of Green Energy Corridor: Ladakh–Haryana (+2 more) · Several states
Source details
- Issued by
- PIB Backgrounder
- Published on
- Press Information Bureau, pib.gov.in (Press releases)
- File hosted on
- www.pib.gov.in, the government's file server for pib.gov.in
- Dated
- 12 October 2026
- The link opens
- The original press release on the government website, in a new tab, unchanged.
- Our check
- Drafted from the release text and checked by software. Not yet reviewed by a person.
Announcements & other updates
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs announced on 10 October 2026 that it held a review conference in Kolkata on 9 October 2026 to assess the Forest Rights Act (FRA) in eight states. As of 31 August 2026, over 54 lakh claims were received nationally, with 25 lakh titles distributed and 11 lakh claims pending.
- Who it affects
- States
- When · Where
- On 9 October 2026: Second Regional Review Conference on implementation of the FRA (+1 more) · West Bengal, Assam, Tripura, Jharkhand, Odisha, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh
Source details
- Issued by
- Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA), Government of India
- Published on
- Press Information Bureau, pib.gov.in (Press releases)
- File hosted on
- www.pib.gov.in, the government's file server for pib.gov.in
- Dated
- 10 October 2026
- The link opens
- The original press release on the government website, in a new tab, unchanged.
- Our check
- Drafted from the release text and checked by software. Not yet reviewed by a person.
Announcements & other updates
The Ministry of Textiles announced on 8 October 2026 that Union Minister of State Pabitra Margherita inaugurated a new Grainage Building and Cold Storage facility at the CSB-Silkworm Seed Production Centre in Jorhat, Assam. Established under the North-East Region Textile Promotion Scheme, the facility can produce 30 lakh mulberry hybrid seed Disease-Free Layings (DFLs) annually and store up to 1 crore DFLs.
- Who it affects
- sericulture farmers
- When · Where
- On 8 October 2026: Inauguration of Grainage Building and Cold Storage facility · North-Eastern Region
Source details
- Issued by
- Ministry of Textiles
- Published on
- Press Information Bureau, pib.gov.in (Press releases)
- File hosted on
- www.pib.gov.in, the government's file server for pib.gov.in
- Dated
- 8 October 2026
- The link opens
- The original press release on the government website, in a new tab, unchanged.
- Our check
- Drafted from the release text and checked by software. Not yet reviewed by a person.