Announcements & other updates
The Press Information Bureau stated on 21 October 2026 that the Namami Gange Programme (NGP), launched in 2014, is using a technology-neutral approach to treat wastewater across 10 Ganga basin states. The programme has undertaken 219 projects worth an estimated ₹35,664 crore, creating 4,341 MLD of sewage treatment plant (STP) capacity out of a target of 6,603 MLD.
- Who it affects
- 10 Ganga basin states
- When · Where
- From 1 January 2014: Namami Gange Programme · 10 Ganga basin states
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
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- Our check
- Drafted from the release text and checked by software. Not yet reviewed by a person.
Announcements & other updates
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry announced on 19 October 2026 that the India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) will enter into force on 20 October 2026. The agreement provides 100% duty-free access to the New Zealand market for Indian goods, benefiting MSMEs, farmers, and women entrepreneurs, though sensitive items like dairy and sugar remain excluded.
- Who it affects
- Indian exporters, including MSMEs, artisans, farmers, and women entrepreneurs; Indian youth and professionals
- When · Where
- From 20 October 2026: India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement entry into force (+1 more) · New Zealand
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
- 19 October 2026
- The link opens
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- Our check
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Announcements & other updates
The Ministry of Home Affairs announced on 19 October 2026 that Union Home Minister Amit Shah will pay homage to martyrs at the National Police Memorial in New Delhi on 21 October 2026. The event marks Police Commemoration Day, which honors police personnel who died in the line of duty, including those killed in a 1959 ambush in Ladakh.
- Who it affects
- Police Forces
- When · Where
- From 22 October 2026: Commemorative Events at NPM and across the country (+3 more) · across the country
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
- 19 October 2026
- The link opens
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- Our check
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Announcements & other updates
The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying announced on 19 October 2026 that a review meeting was held to discuss the Pithoragarh Coldwater Fisheries Cluster and the future of trout farming in Himalayan states. The government has notified 34 fisheries clusters nationwide, including one in Pithoragarh, and is planning a roadmap for the next five years to address gaps in production and infrastructure.
- Who it affects
- fisheries clusters
- When · Where
- Next five years: roadmap for the Coldwater Fisheries Cluster Programme (+1 more) · across the country
Source details
- Issued by
- Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying
- 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
- 19 October 2026
- The link opens
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- Our check
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Announcements & other updates
The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying announced on 18 October 2026 that Union Secretary Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi visited Munsyari, Uttarakhand, to review coldwater aquaculture. Under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), the government has invested over ₹2,299 crore in six hilly states and UTs to support infrastructure like hatcheries and feed mills.
- Who it affects
- coldwater regions in six hilly states and UTs; trout farmers in Uttarakhand
- When · Where
- Until 31 March 2029: Deadline for establishing infrastructure under Trout Protsahan Yojna (+2 more) · Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh
Source details
- Issued by
- Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying
- 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
- 18 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 Indian Council of Agricultural Research- Central Potato Research Institute (ICAR-CPRI) announced on 18 October 2026 the development of biofortified coloured potato varieties, specifically highlighting Kufri jamunia. Released in 2024, this purple-fleshed potato is designed to combat "hidden hunger" by providing higher levels of Vitamin C, iron, and zinc compared to common potatoes.
- Who it affects
- farmers and consumers
- When · Where
- On 1 January 2018: release of Kufri Neelkanth (+2 more) · North Indian plains
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
- 18 October 2026
- The link opens
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- Our check
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Announcements & other updates
The Ministry of Culture announced on 13 October 2026 that 27 mementos from Uttarakhand, including temple models and artworks presented to the Prime Minister, are available in the 8th edition of the PM Mementos e-auction. The auction's proceeds will support the Namami Gange Programme for river rejuvenation and conservation.
- Who it affects
- Namami Gange Programme
- When · Where
- By 31 October 2026: bidding for the 8th edition of PM Mementos e-Auction · Across Uttarakhand
Source details
- Issued by
- Ministry of Culture
- 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
- 13 October 2026
- The link opens
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- Our check
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Announcements & other updates
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare announced on 12 October 2026 that Union Minister Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda laid the foundation stone for the ICMR Centre for High Altitude Medicine and Public Health Research at Keylong, Himachal Pradesh. This permanent facility will be a collaboration between the ICMR, Armed Forces Medical Services, and AIIMS Bilaspur to study the health impacts of low oxygen, extreme cold, and climatic changes.
- Who it affects
- Armed Forces personnel and Himalayan communities
- When · Where
- On 12 October 2026: foundation stone laying ceremony of the ICMR Centre · Himachal Pradesh, Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh
Source details
- Issued by
- Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
- 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
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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.