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
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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
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Announcements & other updates
The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises announced on 16 October 2026 that the KVIC Chairman inaugurated 'Khadi Mahotsav-2026' in Mumbai on 15 October 2026. The exhibition, running from 2 October to 31 October 2026, features 77 units from 12 states and offers discounts of 20% on Khadi products and 10% on Village Industries products.
- Who it affects
- consumers
- When · Where
- From 2 October 2026: Khadi Mahotsav exhibition (+2 more) · Mumbai
Source details
- Issued by
- Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises
- 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
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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
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Announcements & other updates
The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare announced on 12 October 2026 that the PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY) prioritises 100 districts with low agricultural productivity or inadequate credit flow. Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan called for inter-ministerial coordination and the promotion of pulses and oilseeds in rice fallow areas to increase farmers' incomes.
- Who it affects
- districts
- When · Where
- On 12 October 2026: national conference on the Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana · Several states
Source details
- Issued by
- Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers 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
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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
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Announcements & other updates
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change announced on 10 October 2026 that the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) has disbursed Rs 2.02 crore to 27 State Biodiversity Boards and 3 Union Territory Biodiversity Councils. These funds, collected as Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS) contributions from seed-sector companies for using biological resources like rice and tomato, are intended to support biodiversity conservation and local community livelihoods.
- Who it affects
- State Biodiversity Boards and Union Territory Biodiversity Councils
- When · Where
- On 19 October 2026: seventeenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 17) · Several states
Source details
- Issued by
- Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
- 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
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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
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Announcements & other updates
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) announced on 9 October 2026 the results of network quality tests conducted in Bilaspur and Janjgir-Champa cities during August 2026. The tests measured voice and data performance across various locations to provide transparency for consumers and push service providers to improve quality.
- Who it affects
- general telecom consumers
- When · Where
- On 17 August 2026: Start of drive tests (+1 more) · Bilaspur and Janjgir-Champa City
Source details
- Issued by
- Ministry of Communications
- 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
- 9 October 2026
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Announcements & other updates
The Ministry of Culture announced on 7 October 2026 that a collection of 16 mementos from Chhattisgarh is available for bidding through the official PM Mementos portal. The collection includes 4,000-year-old Dhokra metal-casting works, tribal headgear, and items reflecting the state's contemporary identity.
- Who it affects
- interested bidders
- When · Where
- By 31 October 2026: end of the auction · Across Chhattisgarh
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
- 7 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.