Announcements & other updates
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy reported on 22 October 2026 the highlights of the second day of the AgriVoltaics World Conference 2026. The event focused on combining solar power generation with agriculture to optimize land use and increase farmer income.
- Who it affects
- agrivoltaic project sites
- When · Where
- Until 1 January 2030: Odisha's agrivoltaic target of 1 GW (+1 more) · Odisha
Source details
- Issued by
- Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
- Published on
- Press Information Bureau, pib.gov.in (Press releases)
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- 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 Chemicals and Fertilizers announced on 22 October 2026 the inauguration of the 14th India Chem 2026 in Mumbai. This three-day international exhibition and conference aims to attract investments and promote sustainable growth in the chemicals and petrochemicals sector.
- Who it affects
- industry leaders, policymakers, investors, researchers and international participants
- When · Where
- From 22 October 2026: India Chem 2026 event (+2 more) · Mumbai
Source details
- Issued by
- Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers
- Published on
- Press Information Bureau, pib.gov.in (Press releases)
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- 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 Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Ministry of Jal Shakti, announced on 22 October 2026 that it held a virtual conference to align Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) 2.0 with 16th Finance Commission grants. The initiative aims to shift focus from building new infrastructure to maintaining existing systems through Gram Panchayat-led planning and sustainable financing.
- Who it affects
- rural households
- 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)
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- 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 Environment, Forest and Climate Change announced on 21 October 2026 that the CAQM Sub-Committee has invoked Stage-I of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) for the entire NCR with immediate effect. This decision follows a rise in the daily average Air Quality Index (AQI) to 245, placing it in the 'Poor' category.
- Who it affects
- agencies, industries, and vehicle owners
- When · Where
- From 21 October 2026: invocation of Stage-I of GRAP · entire NCR
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
- 21 October 2026
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Announcements & other updates
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare announced on 21 October 2026 the inauguration of the three-day AgriVoltaics World Conference 2026. The government will launch an ambitious agrivoltaic programme under the next phase of the PM-KUSUM scheme to help farmers generate solar power on the same land used for crops.
- Who it affects
- farmers
- When · Where
- On 21 October 2026: inauguration of AgriVoltaics World Conference 2026 (+1 more) · Several states
Source details
- Issued by
- Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
- 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 Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, announced on 21 October 2026 that it will organize the 14th India Chem 2026 from October 22 to 24, 2026, in Mumbai. This biennial event, held in partnership with FICCI, aims to showcase India's industrial capabilities and investment opportunities in the chemicals and petrochemicals sector under the theme “Advantage Bharat: An Emerging Global Chemicals Hub”.
- Who it affects
- chemical and petrochemical industry stakeholders
- When · Where
- On 22 October 2026: 14th India Chem 2026 · Mumbai
Source details
- Issued by
- Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers
- 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 Prime Minister's Office announced on 18 October 2026 that financial assistance will be provided to victims of a mishap in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh. The Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) will provide an ex-gratia payment of Rs. 2 lakh to the next of kin of each deceased person and Rs. 50,000 to those injured.
- Who it affects
- injured persons; next of kin of those who lost their lives
- When · Where
- Not stated in the document · Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh
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
- 18 October 2026
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Announcements & other updates
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change announced on 17 October 2026 that the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) has disbursed Rs 1.19 crore to 29 State Biodiversity Boards and one Union Territory Biodiversity Council. These funds, collected from companies using agricultural biological resources like maize, rice, pearl millet, and cotton, are intended for biodiversity conservation and community welfare.
- Who it affects
- State Biodiversity Boards and the Union Territory Biodiversity Council
- 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
- 17 October 2026
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Announcements & other updates
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment announced on 17 October 2026 that it is organizing the Shilp Samagam Mela 2026 at the Mysuru Dasara Exhibition Grounds. The event, which runs from 11 October to 19 October 2026, provides a marketing platform for artisans from Scheduled Castes, Other Backward Classes, and Safai Karamcharis to sell traditional handicrafts and handloom products.
- Who it affects
- participating artisans
- When · Where
- From 11 October 2026: Shilp Samagam Mela 2026 in Mysuru (+5 more) · Mysuru, Karnataka
Source details
- Issued by
- Ministry of Social Justice and 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
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Announcements & other updates
The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment announced on 16 October 2026 the recovery journey of an individual from Mandla, Madhya Pradesh. The person received free medical, psychological, and social support starting 7 May 2026 at the Saidhantik Drug De-Addiction Center under the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR).
- Who it affects
- individuals with substance dependence
- When · Where
- On 7 May 2026: start of comprehensive assistance for the individual · Mandla, Madhya 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 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 Department of School Education and Literacy announced on 15 October 2026 that it held a regional workshop in Bhopal on 14 October 2026 to improve the implementation of the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS). The scheme provides ₹12,000 per year to meritorious students from economically weaker sections to encourage them to continue education from Class VIII to Class XII.
- Who it affects
- eligible students
- When · Where
- By 31 October 2026: registration of applications for the academic year 2026–27 (+3 more) · Across Madhya Pradesh
Source details
- Issued by
- Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL), Union Ministry of Education
- 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
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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
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Announcements & other updates
The Government of India announced the Bharat Audyogik Vikas Yojna (BHAVYA), a ₹33,660 crore initiative to develop 100 plug-and-play industrial parks across the country. These parks provide pre-developed infrastructure, utilities, and streamlined approvals to help manufacturing firms, MSMEs, and startups start production faster.
- Who it affects
- industrial parks
- When · Where
- From 10 April 2026: BHAVYA scheme notification (+3 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
- 14 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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