Politics & Governance:
The Winter Session of Parliament began with the government seeking approval for supplementary demands for grants totaling ā¹1.32 lakh crore for the fiscal year 2025-26. This expenditure aims to address various governmental needs and priorities.
A significant ongoing debate revolves around the Old Pension Scheme (OPS). Government employees and various unions are persistently pushing for its revival, highlighting concerns about financial security post-retirement under the New Pension Scheme (NPS). Discussions are actively addressing the financial implications of reverting to OPS for both employees and state finances.
In Uttar Pradesh, the state government is planning an accelerated rollout of welfare schemes, including provisions for free travel for elderly women in state-run public transport, an increase in senior citizen pensions, and an expansion of the Ayushman Bharat healthcare coverage. This push is reportedly influenced by the success of welfare-driven policies in recent elections.
Economy & Finance:
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has launched a new five-year 'National Strategy for Financial Inclusion (NSFI): 2025-30'. This strategy emphasizes a synergistic ecosystem approach to improve the quality and consistency of last-mile access and effective usage of financial services. It includes specific objectives, termed 'Panch-Jyoti', and 47 action points, with a particular focus on women-led financial inclusion and tailored strategies for underserved and vulnerable segments.
India's economy continues to show robust growth, with an expansion of 8.2% in the third quarter of 2025, making it one of the fastest-growing major economies globally. This growth is broad-based, with manufacturing and construction playing increasingly significant roles alongside the services sector.
Science & Technology:
In a move to enhance cybersecurity and combat telecom fraud, the Indian government has reportedly mandated smartphone manufacturers, including major players like Apple, Samsung, and Xiaomi, to pre-install the Sanchar Saathi cybersecurity app on all new devices within 90 days. The app, which cannot be deleted by users, assists in tracking lost or stolen phones, preventing counterfeit devices, and reporting cyber threats.
The Maharashtra government has approved a significant expansion of its 'Smart & Intelligent Village' initiative. The pilot project will now extend to 75 villages across five districts, including Nagpur and Amravati. The scheme aims to transform these villages into technologically enabled, service-driven clusters by equipping Gram Panchayats with facilities such as CCTV surveillance, public Wi-Fi, and various digital services for education, health, and agriculture.
Social Welfare:
The PM Vishwakarma scheme has seen a substantial enrollment of 2.72 crore artisans and craftspeople across 18 traditional trades. Launched in 2023, the scheme provides holistic support, including skill training and digital incentives, to empower these workers.
Enrollments under the Atal Pension Yojana (APY) have crossed 8.34 crore, with women constituting 48% of the total subscribers. This reflects the increasing reach of the social security scheme aimed at providing pension benefits to workers in the unorganized sector.
An analysis of welfare schemes highlights the growing trend of women-centred cash transfers across 13 states, amounting to approximately ā¹1.75 lakh crore in 2025-26. While these schemes, such as Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana ā National Rural Livelihood Mission, and Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, significantly improve daily life for millions, they also raise questions about the fiscal space needed for long-term investments.
The Madhya Pradesh Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board has launched a social media outreach program to help construction workers access information about various welfare schemes. The initiative uses short videos and AI-based content to explain eligibility, registration procedures, and available benefits, including education support, health assistance, and pension entitlements.