Daily filter — 18 April 2026
12 exam-worthy stories from the day's PIB releases · interactive view
🛣️ Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
PMGSY-III Extended: Rural Roads Boosted Until 2028-29
The Union Cabinet approved the continuation of **Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana-III** (**PMGSY-III**) beyond March 2025.
- PMGSY-III is extended from March 2025 to March 2028.
- Completion timeline for roads/bridges in plain areas is till March 2028.
- Completion timeline for bridges in hilly areas is till March 2029.
- The revised outlay for the scheme is Rs.83,977 crore.
- Pending Long Span Bridges (LSBs) worth Rs.961 crore may be sanctioned.
💡 Remember: PMGSY-III extended to 2028 (plain areas) and 2029 (hilly bridges) with an 83,977 crore outlay.
Source: Cabinet · PIB PRID 2253247
🚢 Economy · UPSC track
Cabinet approves Bharat Maritime Insurance Pool with Sovereign Guarantee
A new domestic insurance pool aims to provide continuous and affordable maritime insurance cover for Indian trade.
- The Cabinet approved creation of ‘Bharat Maritime Insurance Pool’ (BMI pool) on 18 APR 2026.
- It has a sovereign guarantee of Rs. 12,980 crore.
- The BMI pool covers risks like Hull and Machinery, Cargo, P&I, and War risk.
- Policies will be issued by pool members, with an underwriting capacity of Rs. 950 crore.
💡 For the exam: BMI Pool provides maritime insurance with a sovereign guarantee of Rs. 12,980 crore for Indian trade continuity.
Source: Cabinet · PIB PRID 2253242
🗳️ Polity & Governance · LAW track
Media Access Rules for Polling Stations Reiterated by ECI
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has reiterated the stringent rules for media persons' entry to polling stations during elections.
- Entry of media persons is regulated by Presiding Officers under Rule 32 of Conduct of Election Rules, 1961.
- Sponsoring authorities like PIB and CEOs (via DIPR) process requests for authority letters.
- PIB scrutinizes its accredited media and submits an approved list to ECI.
- CEO/DIPR certify applicants and forward recommendations to the Commission for approval.
- Authority letters are issued only after authentication; no facsimile/rubber stamps are allowed.
- Photography/videography is prohibited inside the voting compartment to protect vote secrecy.
- Authorized media personnel are entitled to postal ballot facility at Postal Voting Centre (PVC).
💡 For the exam: Remember the multi-level verification, key sponsoring authorities (PIB, CEO/DIPR), prohibition on compartment photography, and postal ballot entitlement for authorized media.
Source: Election Commission · PIB PRID 2253330
🤖 Science & Tech · UPSC track
India Forms Expert Committee for AI Governance
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has established a new expert advisory body to support India's AI governance architecture.
- Technology and Policy Expert Committee (TPEC) formed on 18 APR 2026.
- TPEC advises the AI Governance and Economic Group (AIGEG).
- Chaired by the Secretary, Ministry of Electronics & IT.
- Comprises experts from academia, industry, and digital policy.
- Ensures governance aligns with India's social, economic, strategic context.
💡 Remember TPEC (Tech & Policy Expert Committee) advises AIGEG (AI Governance & Economic Group) on AI.
Source: Ministry of Electronics & IT · PIB PRID 2253322
🚢 Economy · UPSC track
Cabinet Approves Bharat Maritime Insurance Pool with Sovereign Guarantee
The Union Cabinet approved a new domestic insurance pool to ensure continuous, affordable maritime insurance for Indian trade.
- The Bharat Maritime Insurance Pool (BMI pool) has a sovereign guarantee of Rs. 12,980 crore.
- It will cover risks like Hull and Machinery, Cargo, P&I, and War risk.
- The pool addresses global volatility, geopolitical instability, and reduces external insurance dependency for Indian vessels.
- Policies will be issued by Pool members, leveraging a combined underwriting capacity of Rs. 950 crore.
💡 Remember BMI pool as a domestic maritime insurance pool for Indian vessels with a Rs. 12,980 crore sovereign guarantee.
Source: Ministry of Finance · PIB PRID 2253243
🛣️ Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
PMGSY-III Extended: Rural Road Upgrades till March 2028
The Union Cabinet approved the continuation of the **Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana-III** (PMGSY-III) beyond March 2025.
- PMGSY-III extended from March 2025 up to March 2028.
- Revised scheme outlay is Rs. 83,977 crore.
- Road/bridge completion timelines extended to March 2028 for plain areas, March 2029 for hilly area bridges.
- 161 Long Span Bridges (LSBs) worth Rs. 961 crore to be sanctioned.
💡 The PMGSY-III scheme, extended until March 2028, has a revised outlay of Rs. 83,977 crore to improve rural connectivity.
Source: Ministry of Rural Development · PIB PRID 2253248
🚢 Economy · UPSC track
India Launches Maritime Insurance Pool with Sovereign Guarantee
The Union Cabinet has approved a domestic maritime insurance pool with a significant sovereign guarantee to insulate India’s maritime trade from global volatility.
- The Bharat Maritime Insurance Pool (BMI Pool) has a sovereign guarantee of ₹12,980 crore.
- It provides coverage for hull, machinery, cargo, P&I, and war risks for Indian-flagged and Indian-controlled vessels.
- The initiative aligns with the Maritime India Vision 2030 to reduce dependence on foreign underwriters.
- It will cover vessels carrying cargo between international ports and India in both directions.
💡 Remember: The BMI Pool with ₹12,980 crore sovereign guarantee aims for maritime self-reliance under Maritime India Vision 2030.
Source: Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways · PIB PRID 2253432
🚆 Economy · UPSC track
Two Major Multitracking Projects Approved for Indian Railways
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved two multitracking projects worth Rs 24,815 crore across Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh.
- The CCEA approved two Ministry of Railways projects totaling Rs 24,815 crore.
- Projects cover 15 Districts in Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh, adding 601 Kms to the network.
- One project is Ghaziabad – Sitapur 3rd and 4th Line (403 Km), costing Rs 14,926 crore.
- The other is Rajahmundry – Visakhapatnam 3rd and 4th Line (198 Km), costing Rs 9,889 crore.
- These projects are aligned with the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan.
- Completion is targeted for 2030-31.
💡 Remember the two states (UP, AP), total cost (24,815 cr), and total length (601 km) for these railway expansion projects.
Source: Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) · PIB PRID 2253249
⚕️ Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
NHA Concludes Chintan Shivir, Awards States for Health Scheme Excellence
The **National Health Authority (NHA)** concluded a two-day **Chintan Shivir** in **Pune**, focusing on **AB PM-JAY** and **ABDM** implementation and innovation.
- NHA conferred 18 awards under AB PM-JAY for various performance parameters.
- Uttarakhand, Goa, and Jammu & Kashmir awarded for best pre-authorisation approval TAT.
- Gujarat, Mizoram, and Ladakh received awards for highest bio-authentication percentage.
- Five awards were presented under ABDM for digital health adoption achievements.
- Ladakh awarded for maximum Scan & Share and health record linkages in model facilities.
- Uttar Pradesh recognized for highest PM-JAY empanelled hospitals with ABDM-enabled HMIS.
💡 For the exam: Remember key award winners like Uttarakhand (PM-JAY TAT), Gujarat (PM-JAY bio-authentication), and Ladakh (ABDM Scan & Share).
Source: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare · PIB PRID 2253329
🚂 Economy · UPSC track
Cabinet Approves Two Major Railway Multitracking Projects
The Cabinet approved two multitracking projects totaling 601 Kms in Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh to enhance railway capacity.
- Cabinet approved Ghaziabad – Sitapur 3rd and 4th Line (403 Km) costing ₹14,926 crore.
- Cabinet also approved Rajahmundry – Visakhapatnam 3rd and 4th Line (198 Km) costing ₹9,889 crore.
- Total estimated cost of the projects is ₹24,815 crore, for completion by 2030-31.
- Projects will add 601 Kms to the Indian Railways network, covering 15 Districts.
- The projects are aligned with PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan.
- Expected to generate 274 lakh human-days for Ghaziabad-Sitapur and 135 lakh for Rajahmundry-Visakhapatnam.
💡 Remember: Two multitracking projects (Ghaziabad-Sitapur & Rajahmundry-Visakhapatnam) worth ~₹24,815 Cr for 601 Km, boosting UP & AP by 2030-31.
Source: Ministry of Railways · PIB PRID 2253250
🌱 Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
SEED Scheme Shows Remarkable Growth in 2025-26
The **Scheme for Economic Empowerment of DNTs (SEED)** recorded significant growth in outreach and disbursals during FY 2025-26.
- DWBDNC disbursed ₹26.75 crore for education, benefiting 4,485 individuals, a 714% increase.
- ₹16.00 crore was allocated for livelihoods, empowering 64,701 individuals and forming 5,623 Self-Help Groups.
- 73,569 Ayushman Bharat cards were issued under the health component, growing over 419%.
💡 Remember SEED's 2025-26 performance across education, livelihood, and health, noting the impressive percentage growths.
Source: Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment · PIB PRID 2253348
🏛️ Law & Judiciary · UPSC track
Constitutional Provisions for India's Monument Conservation
India's Constitution establishes a strong framework for protecting cultural heritage, balancing central and state responsibilities with citizen duties.
- Article 49 mandates the State to protect monuments of national importance.
- The Seventh Schedule divides responsibilities: Union List (Entry 67) for national importance, State List (Entry 12) for others.
- Article 51A(f) makes valuing and preserving heritage a fundamental duty of citizens.
💡 Remember: 49 (State duty), 7th Schedule (Centre/State lists), 51A(f) (Citizen duty).
Source: PIB Backgrounder · PIB PRID 2253199