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
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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
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Announcements & other updates
The Press Information Bureau announced on 19 October 2026 that India is scaling up Pumped Storage Projects (PSPs), which act as "water batteries" to store renewable energy. The Central Electricity Authority has mapped a pathway to commission 100.81 GW of new projects by 2035-36, bringing total capacity to 105.56 GW.
- Who it affects
- Pumped Storage Projects; off-stream closed-loop pumped storage schemes
- When · Where
- By 30 June 2028: deadline for PSPs to be awarded for construction to receive ISTS charge waiver (+3 more) · Several 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
- 19 October 2026
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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
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Announcements & other updates
The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment announced on 16 October 2026 that a scholar from Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, has received support through the National Fellowship for Scheduled Caste Students (NFSC) Scheme. The assistance, which began in January 2024, includes a fellowship, House Rent Allowance (HRA), and contingency support to help the student manage doctoral study expenses.
- Who it affects
- one scholar
- When · Where
- From 1 January 2024: commencement of fellowship assistance · Kangra, Himachal 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
- 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 Central Bureau of Narcotics (CBN) announced on 14 October 2026 that it destroyed 5,165 acres (2,070 hectares) of illicit cannabis cultivation in the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh. This operation, named "Operation Parivartan," took place over one month and used drone technology and ground surveys to locate crops at altitudes up to 3,500 metres.
- Who it affects
- illicit cannabis cultivators
- When · Where
- Over one month: destruction of illicit cannabis cultivation in Kullu district · Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh
Source details
- Issued by
- Central Bureau of Narcotics (CBN)
- 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
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Announcements & other updates
The Prime Minister's Office announced on 14 October 2026 that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate five development projects in Ladakh on 15 October 2026. These projects, totaling approximately ₹3,350 crore, include a new airport terminal in Leh, a 298-km road connecting Leh to Himachal Pradesh, a hydroelectric project, a petroglyph conservation park, and 40 water bodies.
- Who it affects
- Armed Forces and residents of Zanskar; passengers
- When · Where
- On 15 October 2026: Inauguration and dedication of five development projects · Leh
Source details
- Issued by
- Prime Minister's Office
- 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
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Announcements & other updates
The Press Information Bureau reported on 13 October 2026 that the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) has seen significant growth in rural enterprises. In 2025–26, sales of Khadi and village industry products reached a record ₹1.87lakh crore, with employment in the sector increasing to 2.04 crore.
- Who it affects
- eligible Khadi institutions
- When · Where
- Annually from 2 October to 31 October: Khadi Mahotsav · Several 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
- 13 October 2026
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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
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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 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
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Announcements & other updates
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare announced on 11 October 2026 that Union Health Minister Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda will lay the foundation stone for the ICMR Centre for High Altitude Medicine and Public Health Research (ICMR-CHAMP) in Keylong, Himachal Pradesh, on 12 October 2026. This first-of-its-kind dedicated centre aims to improve healthcare and biomedical research for people living and working in the Himalayan region's challenging environments.
- Who it affects
- people living and working in high-altitude and climate-sensitive regions
- When · Where
- On 12 October 2026: foundation stone laying ceremony of ICMR-CHAMP · Himalayan region, specifically Keylong in Lahaul & Spiti district, Himachal 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
- 11 October 2026
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