India has embarked on a series of transformative policy initiatives and scheme updates across various crucial sectors, demonstrating a proactive approach to governance and development. These measures, announced and implemented within the last 24 hours, aim to enhance social welfare, boost economic growth, and strengthen national capabilities in emerging technologies.
Updated Senior Citizen Scheme 2025
The government has unveiled an updated Senior Citizen Scheme for 2025, introducing new financial, healthcare, and welfare benefits for citizens aged 65 and above, with additional support for those over 70. This update clarifies existing provisions and aims to provide a more dignified, independent, and supported life for India's elderly population. Key benefits include higher monthly pension assistance, more free treatments and screenings, expanded travel concessions, improved interest rates on savings schemes, and subsidized insurance premiums. The scheme features a two-tier benefit structure based on age, with enhanced support for seniors aged 70+. Aadhaar-based verification is required for eligibility.
Implementation of Four New Labour Codes
In a historic reform, India has implemented four new labor codes with effect from November 21, 2025. These codes significantly impact gig and platform workers, fixed-term employees, contract workers, women, and young workers. For the first time, gig work, platform work, and aggregators have been officially defined. All workers are now guaranteed a minimum wage, appointment letters, and social security coverage, including provident fund (PF), employees' state insurance (ESIC), and other benefits. Fixed-term employees will now be eligible for gratuity after one year of service and receive equal wages as permanent staff. Aggregators are mandated to contribute 1-2% of their annual turnover, capped at 5% of the amount paid to gig and platform workers, towards social security.
India AI Governance Guidelines Released
The Government of India has released its India AI Governance Guidelines, marking a pivotal moment in the nation's artificial intelligence landscape. These guidelines, issued by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser, aim to foster a safe, inclusive, and responsible adoption of AI while supporting innovation and mitigating risks. The framework is built around six policy pillars: Infrastructure, Capacity Building, Policy & Regulation, Risk Mitigation, Accountability, and Institutions. It also establishes an institutional framework comprising a cross-government AI Governance Group (AIGG), a Technology & Policy Expert Committee (TPEC), and an AI Safety Institute (AISI). An action plan outlines short, medium, and long-term measures for operationalizing these principles, including voluntary codes of practice and risk-based classifications.
Cyber Security Innovation Challenge (CSIC) 1.0 Launched
To bolster India's cybersecurity ecosystem, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) launched the Cyber Security Innovation Challenge (CSIC) 1.0 under its Information Security Education and Awareness (ISEA) Project. The initiative aims to expose students to real-world cybersecurity challenges, position cybersecurity as a viable career path, and catalyze homegrown, product-oriented solutions to deepen India's cyber resilience.
Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) Bill 2025
The Union Government is set to introduce the Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) Bill 2025 during the Winter Session of Parliament. This bill aims to create a single, unified higher-education regulator, aligning with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 vision. The HECI will replace existing bodies like the University Grants Commission (UGC), All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), and National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE), streamlining oversight and ensuring coherent standards across general, technical, and teacher education.
RBI 2025 Draft Rules for Foreign Branch and Office Setup
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has released new draft regulations, the Foreign Exchange Management (Establishment in India of a branch or office) Regulations, 2025. These rules overhaul the framework for foreign companies establishing branches or offices in India, aiming to streamline approval procedures, simplify eligibility requirements, and reduce administrative friction. The objective is to modernize India's foreign exchange management regime, improve the ease of doing business, and enhance coordination between foreign companies and Authorized Dealer (AD) banks, while also introducing stronger security and compliance measures.