Announcements & other updates
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment announced on 23 October 2026 the current status of the Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY). The scheme provides grant-in-aid to NGOs and local bodies to maintain care facilities, currently supporting 764 Senior Citizen Homes, 13 Continuous Care Homes, 17 Mobile Medicare Units, and 3 Physiotherapy Clinics.
- Who it affects
- eligible organizations including NGOs, State Governments, Panchayati Raj Institutions and local bodies
- When · Where
- Not stated in the document · Across India
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
- 23 October 2026
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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
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- Our check
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Announcements & other updates
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment announced on 22 October 2026 that its Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA) has reached over 35 crore people, including 13.94 crore youth and 10.86 crore women. Launched on 15 August 2020, the campaign focuses on drug demand reduction through awareness, treatment, and community participation across more than 32 lakh educational institutions.
- Who it affects
- youth, women, and educational institutions
- When · Where
- By 31 December 2029: uprooting the drug trade from India (+2 more) · Across India
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
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Announcements & other updates
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment announced on 22 October 2026 that Union Minister Dr. Virendra Kumar held a review meeting with the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis. The Minister called for the strict implementation of the MS Act 2013 and the use of mechanised equipment and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to eliminate unsafe practices.
- Who it affects
- sanitation workers
- When · Where
- On 22 October 2026: Meeting between Union Minister and NCSK officials · across the country
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
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Announcements & other updates
The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment reported on 22 October 2026 that the PM-DAKSH scheme, which provided skill training for SC, OBC, EWS, and other marginalized groups, has been merged with the PMKVY scheme. This decision, effective from 2024-25, aims to avoid duplication as both schemes used the same job roles from the Skill India Digital Hub.
- Who it affects
- skill training beneficiaries
- When · Where
- From 1 April 2024: merger of PM-DAKSH with PMKVY (+1 more) · Across India
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
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Announcements & other updates
The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment stated on 21 October 2026 that the Inter-Caste Marriage Incentive Scheme is helping couples build stable lives. Implemented by the Government of Maharashtra's Social Welfare Department, the scheme provides financial assistance to eligible inter-caste couples to purchase household items and meet daily needs.
- Who it affects
- eligible inter-caste couples
- When · Where
- Not stated in the document · Maharashtra
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
- 21 October 2026
- The link opens
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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
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Announcements & other updates
The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment reported on 19 October 2026 that four sanitation workers in Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, have transitioned to mechanised service entrepreneurs. Through the Swachhta Udyami Yojana under the NAMASTE Scheme, the group received a capital subsidy of Rs 13.96 lakh and a bank loan of Rs 21.89 lakh to purchase a Mini Jetting Machine.
- Who it affects
- sanitation workers
- When · Where
- From 1 January 2021: support provided to the group (+1 more) · Nellore, Andhra Pradesh
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
- 19 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 Social Justice & Empowerment announced on 17 October 2026 that a couple in Maharashtra received financial assistance through the state's Inter-Caste Marriage Incentive Scheme. Implemented by the Social Welfare Department, the scheme provides funds to help couples manage household expenses and essential needs.
- Who it affects
- eligible couples who choose inter-caste marriage
- When · Where
- Not stated in the document · Maharashtra
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
- 17 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.