India has witnessed a series of crucial government schemes and policy implementations in November 2025, signaling continued efforts towards financial inclusion, agricultural welfare, and economic growth.
PM-KISAN Scheme and Farmer Welfare
On November 19, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi released the 21st installment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme. Over ā¹18,000 crore was directly transferred to approximately 9 crore eligible farmer beneficiaries across the country. This financial assistance aims to support farmers with their agricultural inputs and other domestic needs.
In a significant move to protect farmers from unforeseen losses, the Union Agriculture Ministry has approved new rules to include crop damages caused by wild animal attacks and paddy inundation under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY). Farmers are now required to report such crop losses within 72 hours through a dedicated mobile application, which facilitates quicker and more transparent claim processing.
Empowering Girl Child and Financial Inclusion
Prime Minister Modi also announced on November 19, 2025, that the deposits in Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana accounts have surpassed ā¹3,25,000 crore (US$ 36.72 billion), with over four crore accounts opened under the scheme. Launched a decade ago, this scheme, offering a high-interest rate of 8.2%, aims to promote the education and welfare of girls, reflecting increased awareness and financial inclusion for the girl child.
Major Financial and Administrative Reforms
Effective from November 1, 2025, several key financial rules have been implemented. A new two-slab Goods and Services Tax (GST) system has replaced the earlier four-slab structure, with the 12% and 28% slabs being removed and a 40% rate applied to luxury and sin goods. This change is intended to simplify India's indirect tax framework.
In a move to streamline financial operations and reduce disputes, banks now allow customers to nominate up to four individuals for their deposit accounts, lockers, or safe custody items. Furthermore, the deadline for central government employees to switch from the National Pension System (NPS) to the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) has been extended until November 30, 2025. All central and state government pensioners are also mandated to submit their annual Life Certificate (Jeevan Pramaan) between November 1 and November 30, 2025, to ensure uninterrupted pension payments.
Boost to Defence Indigenization and R&D
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh launched the Defence Procurement Manual (DPM) 2025 in October, which became effective on November 1, 2025. This manual aims to simplify defence procurement procedures, enhance transparency, and encourage greater participation from domestic enterprises, aligning with the 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' (Self-Reliant India) vision.
To further bolster India's innovation ecosystem, the Research Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme Fund was launched on November 3, 2025, with an allocation of ā¹1 lakh crore. This scheme is designed to foster private sector-driven innovation and accelerate scientific and technological progress across the nation.
Other Notable Policy Changes
The government has revoked the Quality Control Order (QCO) for Viscose Staple Fibre (VSF) to improve the availability of raw materials for the textile industry, supporting the sector's Vision 2030. Additionally, government initiatives like the JAM Trinity (Jan Dhan-Aadhaar-Mobile) and the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) continue to strengthen the digital financial framework, enhancing financial inclusion and credit access for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). India's strategic initiatives in the Indian Ocean Region, such as the Sagarmala project, also continue to focus on upgrading port connectivity and promoting industrial growth.