Category Policy Update

Ministry of Panchayati Raj: Strengthening Grassroots Democracy Since 2004

The Ministry of Panchayati Raj was established in 2004 under the Allocation of Business Rules, 1961, to monitor all matters related to Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and District Planning Committees. The Panchayati Raj plays a crucial role in strengthening India's democratic framework by encouraging political participation at the grassroots level. Currently, there are approximately 2.6 lakh Panchayats across the country, which have 31.5 lakh elected representatives, with almost 46% being women. The system also encourages the inclusion of marginalised communities such as Scheduled Tribes (STs), Scheduled Castes (SCs), and Other Backwards Classes (OBCs) through provisions for reservation mentioned in the constitutional provision. The 73rd Constitutional Amendment mentioned that Panchayats were recognised as the third tier of governance, reinforcing the country’s commitment to decentralised and participatory democracy.

GI Cloud MeghRaj (2014): National Cloud Initiative to build India’s Digital Infrastructure

India's e-governance efforts and digital empowerment require significant technological advancement and innovation. The introduction of the GI Cloud Initiative, Meghraj, was one significant move made by the Indian government. In order to increase the administrative effectiveness of public service delivery, promote openness and transparency at all governmental levels, and speed up access to e-services

Science and Heritage Research Initiative (SHRI), 2019

Science and Heritage Research Initiative is a flagship initiative of the Department of Science and Technology, Ministry of Science and Technology, and Earth Sciences, Government of India, on 16th December, 2019. It was initiated to apply scientific knowledge and technological tools towards the conservation of India’s cultural heritage. The scheme aims to bridge the gap between scientific advancements and the preservation of cultural heritage.

Poshan Abhiyaan 2.0: Strengthening India’s Nutrition Revolution 

Launched on March 8, 2018, the Poshan Abhiyaan (National Nutrition Mission) is India's flagship initiative for improving the nutritional status of children, pregnant and lactating women, adolescent girls, and other vulnerable groups. It is spearheaded by the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) and is aimed at reducing stunting, undernutrition, anemia, and low birth weight through a convergent approach involving multiple ministries.

IFSCA and GIFT City: Shaping India’s Place in Global Finance

This vision materialized through the creation of the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City) and the establishment of the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA). Together, they represent India's commitment to offering a financial hub that is competitive, forward-looking, and aligned with global standards. But beyond competition, there is a deeper ambition: to redefine what a financial centre can be—rooted in sustainability, inclusivity, and excellence. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s words capture this intent clearly when he described GIFT City as a zone designed to serve not just India, but the world.

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