PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana Completes One Year: Key Achievements and Progress
The Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY) completed its first year of implementation on 11 October 2026. Launched on 11 October 2025, the scheme aims to strengthen agriculture and allied activities in 100 selected districts across India through district-specific planning, improved agricultural infrastructure and better access to institutional credit.
To mark the first anniversary, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare organised a programme in New Delhi on 12 October 2026. Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan highlighted the need to move from establishing the scheme’s foundations towards delivering measurable improvements in agricultural productivity and farmers’ incomes.
Key Achievements During the First Year
1. District Action Plans prepared across all 100 districts
All 100 selected districts have prepared District Action Plans, which are now under implementation. These plans are tailored to local conditions, including soil quality, rainfall, cropping patterns, water availability and farmers’ needs.
2. Improvement in district performance scores
According to the government’s progress review, the average performance score across the 100 districts increased from 18.85 in April 2026 to 46.89 in August 2026. This indicates progress against the scheme’s monitoring indicators, although sustained improvements in farmers’ incomes and agricultural outcomes remain important measures of long-term success.
3. Dedicated monitoring system
A dedicated dashboard tracks district performance through 121 indicators. Monthly rankings are intended to encourage transparency, accountability and the sharing of successful agricultural practices among districts.
4. Knowledge-sharing among farmers
The PM-DDKY Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) Sangam, held in December 2025, brought together more than 72 FPOs from 15 states and 33 scheme districts. Participants exchanged experiences related to agricultural productivity, market access, natural farming, micro-irrigation and income enhancement.
Six Major Objectives of PMDDKY
The scheme focuses on six principal areas:
- Enhancing agricultural productivity.
- Encouraging crop diversification and sustainable agricultural practices.
- Increasing post-harvest storage capacity at the panchayat and block levels.
- Improving irrigation infrastructure.
- Facilitating access to short-term and long-term agricultural credit.
- Improving governance and service delivery.
Best-Performing Districts Recognised
During the first-anniversary programme, the government recognised three districts for their overall performance under the scheme:
- First: Gaya, Bihar
- Second: Nagaur, Rajasthan
- Third: Umaria, Madhya Pradesh
Indian Army Launches ‘Bharat Rice’ to Strengthen Military Ration Supply Chain
The Indian Army launched ‘Bharat Rice’ for the Defence Forces in New Delhi to improve the quality, delivery and reliability of food supplies for military personnel. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Union Minister Pralhad Joshi attended the launch.
The initiative aims to streamline the military ration supply chain by arranging direct delivery of rice to Army Supply Depots, including those in remote regions such as Ladakh and the North-East. Previously, Army depots collected supplies from nearby Food Corporation of India facilities.
As part of the initiative, the Indian Army signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Food Corporation of India (FCI), enabling the Army to use FCI's warehousing, manpower and material-handling resources during operational contingencies. The programme was coordinated by the Directorate General of Supplies and Transport, along with FCI, the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Limited (NAFED) and the Department of Food and Public Distribution.
World Students’ Day: 15 October
World Students’ Day is observed on 15 October, the birth anniversary of Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, India's former President, renowned scientist and an enduring source of inspiration for students. Born in 1931, he was widely known for his commitment to education, scientific development and youth empowerment.
Dr. Kalam played an important role in India's missile and space-related programmes before becoming the 11th President of India, serving from 2002 to 2007. Popularly known as the Missile Man of India, he encouraged young people to develop curiosity, discipline, creativity and a strong sense of responsibility towards the nation.
World Students’ Day highlights the importance of accessible education, innovation, lifelong learning and the role of students in building a developed and inclusive society.
Indian Navy and UK Royal Navy Commence Exercise KONKAN-26
The Indian Navy and the United Kingdom's Royal Navy conducted the bilateral maritime exercise KONKAN-26 off Plymouth, United Kingdom, from 8 to 15 October 2026. The Indian Navy's guided-missile stealth frigate INS Trishul arrived at Plymouth to participate in the exercise.
KONKAN is an annual bilateral maritime exercise designed to strengthen operational cooperation and mutual understanding between the two navies. Over the years, it has developed in scale and complexity, reflecting the growing maritime partnership between India and the United Kingdom.
UNCTAD Projects India as the World’s Fastest-Growing Large Economy at 7.3% in 2026
The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) projected that India would grow by 7.3% in 2026, making it one of the world's fastest-growing major economies. The projection appeared in UNCTAD's Trade and Development Report 2026, released on 9 October 2026.
The report highlighted India's economic resilience amid a slowdown in global economic growth and continuing changes in international trade. It projected global economic growth at 2.6% in 2026, down from 2.9% in 2025, while global trade in goods and services was expected to expand by approximately 4% at constant prices.
Indian Navy Commissions INS Mangrol, Third Mahe-Class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft
The Indian Navy commissioned INS Mangrol (P82) at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai, Maharashtra, on 12 October 2026. It is the third vessel in the indigenous Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC) series.
Designed and constructed by Cochin Shipyard Limited in Kochi, Kerala, INS Mangrol represents India's growing capacity to design and build advanced naval platforms domestically. The vessel has more than 80% indigenous content, supporting the national objectives of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India.
What is an Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft?
An Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft is a naval vessel designed primarily for anti-submarine operations in coastal waters, shallow seas and confined maritime areas. These vessels help the Navy monitor underwater threats and protect important coastal approaches.
INS Mangrol's capabilities support the Indian Navy's efforts to strengthen coastal defence and underwater surveillance. Its induction also contributes to the modernisation of the fleet and the development of India's domestic defence-manufacturing ecosystem.
Putul Sonowal Secures India's First-Ever Medal at World Bowls Champion of Champions 2026
Indian lawn bowls player Putul Sonowal from Assam created history by assuring India its first-ever medal at the World Bowls Champion of Champions tournament. He achieved the milestone by reaching the semi-finals of the men's singles event in Barham, New South Wales, Australia.
Sonowal secured his place in the semi-finals after defeating Singapore's Harriman Yuen in the quarter-finals. The achievement marked a significant milestone for Indian lawn bowls, a precision sport in which players roll biased balls towards a smaller target ball known as the jack.
Sonowal, who is associated with the Assam Police, has established himself as a prominent Indian player in the sport. He also won gold in the men's singles at the 2026 Asian Lawn Bowls Championship, further strengthening India's presence in international lawn bowls competitions.
What is lawn bowls?
Lawn bowls is a precision sport in which players roll bowls across a playing surface to get as close as possible to a small target ball. Because the bowls are biased, players must account for their curved path while judging distance and direction.
