Union Cabinet

Agniveer cadets get two-year extension as Cabinet approves tenure hike

The revised Agnipath policy allows the 75% of Agniveers earlier set to exit after four years to serve for two additional years, with a chance of regular enrolment subject to selection.

Govt clears ₹4K cr VISTAR scheme to revamp India's statistical system

The five-year VISTAR scheme will fund 59 surveys, the 8th Economic Census and AI-driven statistical reforms, while strengthening state-level data systems and GDP estimates.

Cabinet clears ₹2,814-crore support for lithium, nickel processing plants

The five-year scheme offers a 30 per cent capital subsidy for four lithium and nickel processing plants, aiming to reduce import dependence and strengthen critical mineral supply chains

Govt approves strengthening of fast track courts to deal with child abuse

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the strengthening and extension of 850 fast track courts to deal with child abuse and rape cases, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said. Briefing reporters on decisions taken by the Cabinet, Vaishnaw said the Modi government is committed to firmly dealing with cases of atrocities against women and children. He said the decision is part of efforts to fully utilise and implement prevailing laws and draft new legislations to deal with such cases. The Centrally Sponsored Scheme for the establishment of Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs), including exclusive POCSO (ePOCSO) courts, was introduced in October 2019, following the enactment of the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2018 and the order of the Supreme Court. These courts are dedicated to the time-bound trial and disposal of pending cases related to rape and crimes under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012.

Cabinet clears ₹14,500 cr funding scheme for battery energy storage systems

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved Rs 14,500 crore in viability gap funding for 92 GWh of grid-scale energy storage systems between FY27 and FY31. This development is significant given India's ambitious target of 500 GW of renewable energy by 2030. The scheme is aimed at supporting the development of 92 GWh storage capacity across three technologies -- Battery Energy Storage System (30 GWh), Pumped Storage Projects (60 GWh) and Emerging Storage Technologies (2GW), Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said in a media briefing here. The minister said the scheme will be implemented for five years till 2030-31.

Cabinet approves 3% DA, DR hike for central govt staff, pensioners

Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the increase would take DA and DR from 60 per cent to 63 per cent of basic pay and pension, respectively, with effect from July 1, 2026

Cabinet approves ₹2,009 crore bonus for 1.14 mn railway employees

The productivity-linked bonus, equivalent to 78 days' wages, will benefit around 1.14 million non-gazetted railway employees, with a maximum payout of ₹17,951 per eligible employee

Union Cabinet hails PM Modi's 25 years of uninterrupted leadership

The Union Cabinet on Tuesday adopted a resolution hailing the achievements of Narendra Modi in the last 25 years, first as chief minister of Gujarat and subsequently as the prime minister. Briefing reporters, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the resolution marks Modi's uninterrupted public service between October 7, 2001 and October 7, 2026. The resolution listed various decisions taken by Modi which have touched the lives of the common man and has given the country confidence. Vaishnaw said Modi's success and long service is a result of people's trust and faith in his style of governance and a vibrant example of the strengthen of Indian democracy.

Union Cabinet approves ₹10,000 crore commitment to SME Growth Fund

The fund will provide growth capital to SMEs seeking to expand capacity, adopt technology, enter global markets, make acquisitions and join global value chains

Cabinet approves new body to integrate transport and logistics planning

The Union Cabinet approved setting up of a Integrated Transport & Logistics Authority to strengthen research, planning, appraisal, monitoring in the broad domains of transportation and logistics.

Cabinet clears ₹1,789.52 crore AI-enabled system to manage Delhi traffic

The project will cover 42 traffic corridors in three phases, using adaptive signals, automated enforcement and real-time information to manage congestion and improve road safety

Draft of electricity policy sent to Cabinet: Power Secretary Pankaj Agarwal

Power Secretary Pankaj Agarwal said stakeholder comments have been incorporated in the draft, which seeks to improve financial viability and boost non-fossil capacity

Cabinet approves ₹20,000 cr rail multitracking projects in 9 states

Projects across nine states will add about 1,196 km to the railway network, improve freight capacity and connectivity, and are targeted for completion by 2029-30

Comprehensive support: PM-KISAN should include fertiliser subsidy

PM-Kisan's extension offers an opportunity to widen support to tenant farmers and use its DBT infrastructure to make fertiliser subsidies more targeted, transparent and efficient

Cabinet approves ₹23,731 crore GOBARdhan scheme for compressed biogas

The Union Cabinet has approved the ₹23,731-crore GOBARdhan scheme to scale up compressed biogas production, strengthen the circular bioeconomy and boost clean energy adoption

Cabinet approves ₹8,970 crore Guwahati-Tezpur highway project in Assam

The four-lane access-controlled NH-15 corridor will be developed under the BOT Toll model to improve connectivity, reduce congestion and support economic growth in Assam

Cabinet clears ₹23,731 crore GOBARdhan scheme for compressed biogas

The GOBARdhan scheme will be implemented from FY2026-27 to FY2035-36 and aims to establish compressed biogas as a major pillar of India's future energy mix

Cabinet approves ₹8,970-crore Guwahati-Tezpur highway project in Assam

The government said the project would double the average travel speeds and cut travel time by half, while improving road safety, fuel efficiency, and reducing vehicle operating costs.

Cabinet clears ₹84K cr scheme to boost offshore energy exploration

The National Offshore Exploration Scheme aims to boost domestic oil and gas production through seismic surveys, deepwater drilling and shared offshore infrastructure

Policy easing captive port berths for pvt players gets Cabinet nod

The revised policy allows capacity expansion at existing captive facilities, extends operational certainty and permits eligible government entities to access berths on a nomination basis