PM-KISAN Scheme Delivers 21st Installment to Farmers
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 19, 2025, released the 21st installment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme from Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. This disbursement saw ₹18,000 crore transferred directly to the bank accounts of nearly 9 crore eligible farmer families across the country. The PM-KISAN scheme, launched in February 2019, provides an annual income support of ₹6,000 to landholding farmer families, paid in three equal installments of ₹2,000. The scheme's extensive digital ecosystem, including Aadhaar-based e-KYC and digital verification of land records, has been instrumental in ensuring transparent and tamper-proof beneficiary authentication.
Sukanya Samriddhi Scheme Garners Significant Deposits
Highlighting another successful welfare initiative, Prime Minister Modi announced that the Sukanya Samriddhi scheme has seen over 4 crore accounts opened, accumulating deposits exceeding ₹3.25 trillion. Launched ten years ago, this scheme aims to support the education and betterment of daughters, offering one of the highest interest rates in the country at 8.2 percent.
Digital Personal Data Protection Act Operationalized
India's new data protection framework, the Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDP Act), has been formally operationalized through a series of government notifications dated November 13, 2025. This marks a significant step towards safeguarding digital personal data, with a phased implementation of the DPDP Act and its corresponding Rules expected over the next 18 months.
Boost to Electronics Manufacturing with PLI Scheme
In a move to strengthen domestic manufacturing and India's electronics value chain, the government has approved 17 new projects under the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for electronics components manufacturing. These projects represent a substantial investment of ₹7,172 crore and span across various states, including the first-ever from Jammu and Kashmir.
Survey to Assess Scheme Reach for Vulnerable Tribal Groups
To ensure that welfare benefits reach the most deserving, the Centre will conduct its first 'Individual Entitlement Survey' targeting 10 lakh households from particularly vulnerable tribal groups (PVTGs). This exercise will assess whether 39 central schemes are effectively reaching these communities, mapping gaps in coverage among nearly 48 lakh people from 75 recognized groups across 1,000 PVTG-dominated blocks.
Ineligible Beneficiaries Removed from NFSA Scheme
The Union Government has removed approximately 2.25 crore ineligible beneficiaries from the free monthly ration scheme under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) over the past four to five months. This measure aims to enhance the transparency and focus of the NFSA, ensuring that benefits are directed only to genuine beneficiaries who truly require assistance.
RBI Introduces New Bank Account Rules
Effective November 20, 2025, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has implemented new rules for bank accounts. A key change allows account holders to add up to four nominees per bank account, simplifying the claim process for family members. The new regulations also emphasize the closure or restriction of dormant, inactive, and zero-balance accounts to enhance the security and transparency of the banking system.
India and Sweden Collaborate on Industrial Transition
India and Sweden are advancing their cooperation on industrial transition, with companies from both nations partnering for pre-pilot steel and cement projects in India under the India–Sweden Industry Transition Partnership. This collaboration, announced at COP30, fulfills a commitment made by the Prime Ministers of both countries at COP28 to deepen collaboration on innovative technology pathways and joint implementation of industrial transition initiatives.