Government Greenlights Digital Census 2027 and MGNREGA Overhaul
The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has given its approval for the conduct of the Census of India 2027, earmarking a substantial budget of Rs. 11,718.24 crore for this colossal exercise. This upcoming census is poised to be a landmark event as it will be the first to be conducted digitally, leveraging mobile applications for data collection and a dedicated portal for real-time monitoring. The initiative is also expected to generate approximately 1.02 crore man-days of employment, engaging around 18,600 technical personnel for about 550 days at local levels.
In another significant development concerning social welfare, the government is reportedly moving forward with a proposal to revamp and rename the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). The scheme, currently known as MGNREGA, is likely to be rechristened as "Pujya Bapu Gramin Rozgar Yojana." Beyond a mere name change, the proposed amendments include increasing the guaranteed employment days for eligible rural households from the current 100 days to 125 days. The Union Cabinet has discussed this proposal, and a bill is expected to be introduced in the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament. The government also plans to allocate Rs 1.51 lakh crore for the scheme.
New Labor Codes Enacted and Economic Policy Adjustments
India's Parliament has introduced a comprehensive overhaul of the country's labor laws, consolidating 29 existing statutes into four new labor codes. These codes, which became effective on November 21, aim to standardize definitions, enhance worker protections, and streamline administrative processes across various sectors. A notable aspect of these reforms is the formal recognition and regulation of gig and platform work, with provisions for social security contributions for such workers. Employers are currently navigating a transitional period as many provisions await state-level rules.
On the economic front, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) unanimously decided to reduce the policy repo rate by 25 basis points (bps) to 5.25% in its December 2025 review. While maintaining a neutral policy stance, this rate cut is anticipated to be the final one in the current easing cycle, according to ICRA. The MPC also revised down its FY2026 CPI inflation forecast to 2.0% and increased the GDP growth projection to 7.3%. This comes as India continues to showcase robust economic resilience, with a 7.8% GDP growth rate in the first quarter of FY2025-26, driven by strong domestic consumption and policy reforms.
Advancements in Science & Technology and International Engagements
The Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, recently hosted a delegation of over 40 foreign media journalists from Central Asia, Europe, and North America. The engagement aimed to highlight India's rapid progress, emerging leadership, and global collaborations in Science, Technology, and Innovation, particularly its vision for "Viksit Bharat @2047." The discussions covered India's policy reforms shaping the future of S&T, opportunities for global partnerships, and its leadership in sustainable and inclusive technologies. Furthermore, the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme continues to drive growth in India's solar manufacturing sector, contributing to domestic PV manufacturing capacity.
In international relations, India and Austria held their 8th Foreign Office Consultations in Vienna, reviewing the full spectrum of bilateral relations. Discussions encompassed political engagement, trade and economic cooperation, science and technology, cultural exchanges, and people-to-people ties, along with cooperation in international forums.
Concerns Over Fundraising and Visa Delays
Controversy arose from an RTI revelation indicating that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) allegedly collected illegal party funds by soliciting donations under the guise of government welfare schemes such as "Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao" and "Swachh Bharat" via its official portal and NaMo App. RTI responses confirmed that the BJP had no authorization from the Prime Minister's Office or any central ministry to collect funds for these government initiatives.
Additionally, Indian nationals seeking H-1B and H-4 visas for the United States are facing significant delays, with US consulates in India rescheduling appointments. This is attributed to a new online presence review requirement for all H-1B and H-4 visa applicants, effective December 15, 2025, which has reduced daily interview capacity.