Daily PIB digest

The Ministry of Labour & Employment has notified the official constitution of the National Social Security Board for Unorganised Workers and Gig & Platform Workers under the statutory framework of the Code on Social Security. Presided over by the Union Minister for Labour & Employment, the Board includes representatives from central and state governments, aggregator companies, employers, civil society organizations, workers' unions, and gig and platform associations. The Board is mandated to recommend suitable welfare schemes, advise the Central Government, monitor welfare schemes, review state-level record keeping and fund expenditures, and meet at least thrice a year.

The government released the 24th instalment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme, transferring over ₹18,690 crore directly to more than 9.34 crore eligible farmers via Direct Benefit Transfer. Launched on February 24, 2019, PM-KISAN is a centrally sponsored scheme providing ₹6,000 annually in three equal instalments to landholding farmer families with cultivable land. The Union Cabinet approved its continuation from 2026-27 to 2030-31 with a financial outlay of ₹3.15 lakh crore, while the Union Budget 2026-27 allocated ₹60,000 crore. Cumulative disbursements have crossed ₹4.64 lakh crore. The scheme utilizes technology-enabled verification such as Aadhaar-seeding, e-KYC including face authentication, and the AI chatbot Kisan-eMitra to ensure transparency and streamline benefit delivery.

The Government of India has constituted the 'High Level Committee on Banking for Viksit Bharat' to review India's banking sector and recommend structural, institutional, regulatory, and legislative reforms. Announced initially in the Budget 2026-27 by the Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs, the committee is chaired by Shri Suresh N. Patel, former Central Vigilance Commissioner, with three other members and a tenure of six months. Its terms of reference include assessing present banking practices, reviewing regulatory and legal frameworks for banks including Regional Rural Banks and Cooperative Banks, assessing long-term capital requirements, examining cost of capital differences, preparing a roadmap for AI, digital innovation, and cyber security, and reviewing the Priority Sector Lending framework and Lead Bank Scheme.

India's fisheries sector is transitioning from a production-focused activity into a value-oriented, technology-driven blue economy pillar. Key interventions include value addition, cold-chain development, mobile fish marketing, and precision aquaculture supported by public investments of Rs. 39,272 crore since 2015 via schemes like the Blue Revolution, FIDF, PMMSY, PM-MKSSY, and Kisan Credit Card. These initiatives aim to reduce post-harvest losses, enhance export competitiveness, empower women through micro-enterprises, and integrate small producers via Fisheries Farmer Producer Organizations (FFPOs) and the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC).

The Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change visited the Commission for Air Quality Management's newly developed Integrated Command and Control Centre called PAVAN (Platform for Air quality Vigilance and Analytics for NCR) in New Delhi. PAVAN-I3C integrates over 30 APIs and data streams, including air quality, emissions, meteorological, satellite, traffic, and complaint data from multiple agencies to enable real-time monitoring and data-driven compliance management of air quality across the Delhi-NCR region. The platform operates on a 'Detect, Analyse, Act' principle to facilitate inter-agency coordination, automated alerts, and rapid enforcement. Additionally, it was announced that construction and demolition activities across the NCR region would be halted from 5th to 20th November to control pollution.

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has released draft 'Guidelines on Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Telecommunication Networks and Provision of Telecommunication Services' to seek stakeholders' comments. The draft guidelines aim to ensure the consistent and responsible implementation of the India AI Governance Guidelines released in February 2026 within the telecom sector, aiming to increase clarity, predictability, and accountability. Stakeholders have been invited to submit their written comments by November 27, 2026.

The Ministry of Culture, in collaboration with the Government of Arunachal Pradesh, the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), and the National Museum, New Delhi, is organizing an exposition of the Holy Relics of Shakyamuni Buddha in Arunachal Pradesh from 31 October to 21 November 2026. The exposition covers Tawang, Bomdila, and Namsai, allowing public veneration or darshan. The sacred Piprahwa relics are being transported using Indian Air Force aircraft and helicopters. Accompanying events include an exhibition titled 'Unearthing the Sacred Piprahwa' and an international conference on 'Buddhism: Dissemination in the Himalayan Region and Beyond' featuring delegates from India and six other countries.

The 19th Session of the India–Belgium–Luxembourg Economic Union (BLEU) Joint Economic Commission (JEC) was held in Luxembourg on 29 October 2026. Co-chaired by Indian and BLEU officials, the meeting reviewed bilateral trade and investment relations. Discussions covered key sectors such as logistics, renewable energy, FinTech, healthcare, Ayurveda, and agro-food processing, alongside exploring cooperation in aerospace, research, innovation, and higher education. Market-related issues and trade concerns were also addressed. Following the session, the Indian Commerce Secretary interacted with Luxembourg-based CEOs to highlight India's economic growth and investment potential across various sectors.

The First Training Squadron of the Indian Navy, consisting of INS Tir, INS Sujata, and ICGS Sarathi, departed Colombo, Sri Lanka, after concluding a successful port call. The visit included bilateral engagements between the Indian Navy and the Sri Lanka Navy, professional exchanges at the Naval and Maritime Academy in Trincomalee, community outreach such as a beach clean-up, and ship visits for the local community and Indian diaspora. The deployment concluded with a Passage Exercise alongside SLNS Nandimithra, reinforcing bilateral maritime cooperation, interoperability, and the vision of MAHASAGAR.

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), with operational assistance from the Uttar Pradesh ATS, conducted an intelligence-led joint operation that busted a clandestine synthetic drug manufacturing laboratory in Jalaun district, Uttar Pradesh. The operation resulted in the seizure of approximately 1,100 kg of drugs, semi-prepared drugs, precursor chemicals, and associated manufacturing equipment. Two persons were arrested in connection with the case under the provisions of the NDPS Act, 1985. Follow-up searches led to the recovery of finished methaqualone and additional chemicals.