JJM 2.0 extended to Dec 2028, SWM Rules 2026 enforcement

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

• JJM 2.0 extended to Dec 2028; enforcement push for Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026: DDWS convened a national review with ~759 district heads, shifting focus from infrastructure creation to sustained service delivery under JJM 2.0, and directing strict district-level enforcement of SWM Rules 2026 (including segregation, bulk waste generator registration, legacy waste mapping/remediation, and Gram Panchayat certification), with monitoring via DWSM dashboards and PRAGATI.
• JNPA container evacuation measures to sustain trade flow amid supply-chain pressure: MoPSW reported a “whole of government” response to rerouting Gulf-bound containers to JNPA, including rail-based evacuation (including to nearby CFSs with sidings), scanning of double containers to cut processing time, waivers of ITRHO and change-of-mode charges, green channels for empty trailers, and trailer pooling to clear congested yards; JNPA also outlined a longer-term logistics preparedness roadmap (driver availability, truck appointment system, and gradual EV transition).
• PM Vishwakarma rollout operationalized in West Bengal via state implementation committees: MSME Ministry engagement with West Bengal officials confirmed the state’s notification for State Monitoring Committee and District Implementation Committees for PM Vishwakarma roll-out, with focus on beneficiary identification, skill development, and outreach; the state reported 7.79 lakh artisans/craftspeople enrolled under the scheme.
• ABDM milestone: 100 crore health records linked to ABHA; ecosystem expansion continues: MoHFW/NHA reported ABHA-linked records crossing 100 crore (from 50 crore in Feb 2025), with ~10 crore linked every 2–3 months and 450+ public/private health tech solutions integrated; ABDM’s consent-based exchange and registries (HPR/HFR/UHI/NHCX etc.) continue to scale across multiple states.
• India–Cyprus partnership upgraded to Strategic Partnership; multiple MoUs/roadmaps advanced: In the India–Cyprus state visit, leaders agreed to elevate the Comprehensive Partnership to a Strategic Partnership and to take forward implementation of the India-Cyprus Joint Action Plan 2025–2029; defence/security cooperation was reinforced via MoUs (counter-terrorism JWG, cybersecurity dialogue, SAR coordination arrangement, defence industrial cooperation) and a 2026–2031 roadmap for bilateral defence cooperation, alongside fintech interoperability (UPI–TIPS) and an MoU on innovation & technology.
• Ethiopia WTO accession: India signed bilateral accession protocol in Geneva: India and Ethiopia signed the bilateral accession protocol for Ethiopia’s WTO membership, with protocol and annexes deposited with the WTO Secretariat; the release frames it as support for developing countries’ integration through WTO accession and notes Ethiopia’s advanced stage (Working Party met 7th time in April 2026).
• GIFT City review: continued push to strengthen IFSC ecosystem across banking, capital markets, fintech and taxation: Finance Ministry chaired a high-level review at GIFT City covering infrastructure, talent ecosystem, ease of doing business, taxation framework, and residential ecosystem; reported scale includes 1,150+ entities and banking assets crossing USD 110 billion, with fund management commitments above USD 32 billion.
• BRICS ICT and Women’s Working Groups: capacity-building and digital cooperation tracks progressed under India’s chairship: DoT reported the second BRICS Working Group meeting on ICTs (21 May) with emphasis on resilient digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, DPI, future networks, and India’s concept note for BRICS Capacity Building Centres; separately, MoWCD reported the second preparatory meeting of BRICS Women’s Working Group, including agreement to continue technical consultations and a BRICS Women’s Ministerial Meeting in Kochi on 8–9 July 2026.
• Greenhouse gas transparency: workshop planning for BTR-2 by end-2026 and BTR-3 by 2028: CSIR-IIP and MoEFCC held a three-day workshop on strengthening India’s national GHG inventory systems post submission of BTR-1, focusing on emissions accounting for Energy and IPPU sectors and explicitly targeting timely submission of BTR-2 (end-2026) and BTR-3 (2028).
• Care economy digital infrastructure launched: JEEVAN app and SHATAYU dashboard: Social Justice & Empowerment launched the JEEVAN mobile app for senior citizens’ welfare access and the SHATAYU dashboard for geriatric caregiver information, following a national workshop on building a well-functioning care economy and deliberations across care workforce, financing, and care-work valuation.
• Regulatory capacity in ASU&H: PCIM&H concluded 5-day training for drug regulators and stakeholders: AYUSH reported a concluded capacity-building programme (May 18–22) for Drug Enforcement Officers, quality control personnel and ASU&H manufacturers, covering pharmacopoeial standards, GMP, shelf-life studies, regulatory frameworks, microbiological evaluation, and standardization for metal/mineral-based drugs.
• E-commerce logistics: DoP and Flipkart signed agreement for nationwide last-mile parcel delivery: Department of Posts signed an agreement with Flipkart to provide last-mile delivery for prepaid and COD parcels using India Post’s network (1.6 lakh post offices), including OTP-based delivery authentication and real-time tracking, to strengthen e-commerce logistics reach into rural/remote areas.

DETAILED NOTES:

JJM 2.0 extended to Dec 2028; enforcement push for Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026

• What happened:
• DDWS held a national video-conference review with ~759 district heads on implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) 2.0 and enforcement of Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules, 2026 in rural areas.
• DDWS highlighted Cabinet-approved extension of JJM till Dec 2028 and directed districts to move from asset creation to reliable service delivery, functionality, sustainability, and community ownership.
• District Collectors were urged to strengthen segregation, collection, processing and scientific disposal under SWM Rules 2026; the release notes SWM Rules implementation is also under Supreme Court monitoring and emphasizes Gram Panchayat-level decentralised waste management.
• Why it matters:
• It tightens accountability at the district level for both water service continuity and rural sanitation/waste compliance, with dashboard- and PRAGATI-linked monitoring.

JNPA container evacuation measures to sustain trade flow amid supply-chain pressure

• What happened:
• MoPSW reported a “whole of government” response after Gulf-bound containers were rerouted to JNPA, increasing pressure on port and logistics infrastructure.
• JNPA implemented operational interventions including rail evacuation (including to nearby CFSs with sidings), simultaneous scanning of double containers to reduce processing time, and waivers of ITRHO and change-of-mode charges plus terminal ground-rent waivers/discounts case-to-case.
• Additional yard-management steps included green channels for empty trailers and trailer pooling (~100 trailers) to lift entire container stacks; JNPA also outlined a longer-term roadmap (driver availability, rail evacuation, truck appointment system, and gradual EV transition).
• Why it matters:
• The measures are explicitly aimed at preventing trade disruption and sustaining ease of doing business through faster cargo evacuation and reduced terminal bottlenecks.

PM Vishwakarma rollout operationalized in West Bengal via state implementation committees

• What happened:
• MSME Ministry officials met West Bengal’s Chief Secretary to accelerate PM Vishwakarma implementation in the state.
• The release states West Bengal has issued notification for State Monitoring Committee and District Implementation Committees for PM Vishwakarma roll-out.
• Discussions covered beneficiary identification, skill development, outreach modalities, and coordination with bankers; West Bengal reported 7.79 lakh artisans/craftspeople enrolled under PM Vishwakarma.
• Why it matters:
• It signals near-term operationalization of the scheme through formal state governance structures for delivery and outreach.

ABDM milestone: 100 crore health records linked to ABHA; ecosystem expansion continues

• What happened:
• NHA reported 100+ crore health records linked with ABHA, doubling from 50 crore in Feb 2025 to 100 crore in 15 months.
• The ecosystem now includes 450+ public/private health tech solutions integrated with ABDM, with nearly 10 crore records linked every 2–3 months.
• The release lists major contributing states/platforms (e.g., UP, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Gujarat) and reiterates ABDM’s consent-based health information exchange model.
• Why it matters:
• It confirms rapid scaling of India’s digital health interoperability infrastructure, expanding longitudinal access to records across providers.

India–Cyprus partnership upgraded to Strategic Partnership; multiple MoUs/roadmaps advanced

• What happened:
• Leaders agreed to elevate India–Cyprus relations from a Comprehensive Partnership to a Strategic Partnership, tied to implementation of the India-Cyprus Joint Action Plan 2025–2029.
• Defence/security cooperation was advanced through MoUs and frameworks including a counter-terrorism Joint Working Group, cybersecurity dialogue, SAR coordination arrangement, and a 2026–2031 roadmap for bilateral defence cooperation.
• Economic/tech cooperation included UPI–TIPS interoperability for cross-border payments and an MoU on Innovation & Technology supporting exchanges among startups, incubators and innovation agencies.
• Why it matters:
• It provides a concrete upgrade in bilateral ambition with institutional mechanisms across defence, cyber, fintech, and innovation.

Ethiopia WTO accession: India signed bilateral accession protocol in Geneva

• What happened:
• India and Ethiopia signed the bilateral accession protocol for Ethiopia’s WTO membership on 22 May 2026 in Geneva; the protocol and annexes were deposited with the WTO Secretariat.
• The signing was conducted by India’s WTO Ambassador/PR and Ethiopia’s representative in Geneva.
• The release notes Ethiopia is at an advanced stage of accession, with its Working Party having met for the 7th time (22–23 April 2026).
• Why it matters:
• It advances Ethiopia’s WTO integration pathway and reinforces India’s stated support for developing countries’ participation in global trade rules.

GIFT City review: continued push to strengthen IFSC ecosystem across banking, capital markets, fintech and taxation

• What happened:
• Finance Minister chaired a high-level review at GIFT City covering progress across banking, capital markets, fund management, insurance, aircraft/ship leasing, fintech, bullion exchange, and education-related services.
• Discussions included infrastructure development, talent ecosystem, ease of doing business, and taxation framework, plus residential ecosystem measures.
• Reported scale: 1,150+ entities, USD 110+ billion banking assets, and USD 32+ billion in fund management commitments.
• Why it matters:
• It indicates continued central coordination to strengthen GIFT City’s regulatory and operating environment for international financial services.

BRICS ICT and Women’s Working Groups: capacity-building and digital cooperation tracks progressed under India’s chairship

• What happened:
• DoT reported the second BRICS Working Group meeting on ICTs (21 May, virtual), focusing on resilient digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, future networks, Digital Public Infrastructure, and inclusive digital transformation.
• India presented a concept note for BRICS Capacity Building Centres under the BRICS ICT Track, aimed at skilling, knowledge exchange, technical training, and research cooperation.
• MoWCD reported the second preparatory meeting of the BRICS Women’s Working Group, including agreement to continue technical consultations and a BRICS Women’s Ministerial Meeting in Kochi (8–9 July 2026).
• Why it matters:
• It signals India’s chairship emphasis on institutional capacity building and digital cooperation across BRICS, with a near-term ministerial milestone for women’s priorities.

Greenhouse gas transparency: workshop planning for BTR-2 by end-2026 and BTR-3 by 2028

• What happened:
• After India submitted BTR-1 to UNFCCC, CSIR-IIP and MoEFCC held a three-day workshop on strengthening the National Greenhouse Gas Inventory and emissions accounting.
• The workshop discussed gaps and challenges in inventory preparation, including emissions accounting for Energy and IPPU sectors (e.g., iron & steel, road transport, fugitive emissions, process emissions).
• It concluded with explicit planning targets: BTR-2 by end of 2026 and BTR-3 by 2028.
• Why it matters:
• It provides a clear timeline for India’s next transparency reporting cycle and reinforces focus on improving emissions accounting methods.

Care economy digital infrastructure launched: JEEVAN app and SHATAYU dashboard

• What happened:
• Social Justice & Empowerment launched JEEVAN (mobile app) for senior citizens to access welfare services and support mechanisms.
• It also launched SHATAYU (dashboard) as a centralized digital platform for information relating to trained geriatric caregivers.
• The launches followed a national workshop on creating a well-functioning care economy, with thematic deliberations on care-work valuation, workforce strengthening, and financing long-term care.
• Why it matters:
• It operationalizes a technology-enabled care ecosystem with digital discovery/assistance for seniors and caregiver information.

Regulatory capacity in ASU&H: PCIM&H concluded 5-day training for drug regulators and stakeholders

• What happened:
• AYUSH’s PCIM&H concluded a 5-day capacity building programme (May 18–22) for Drug Enforcement Officers, quality control personnel, and ASU&H manufacturers.
• Training covered pharmacopoeial standards, GMP, shelf-life studies, regulatory frameworks, microbiological evaluation, and standardization of metal/mineral-based drugs.
• The programme involved 28 participants from regulators, research councils, industry, and academia.
• Why it matters:
• It strengthens regulatory and quality assurance competencies in the ASU&H drug supply chain.

E-commerce logistics: DoP and Flipkart signed agreement for nationwide last-mile parcel delivery

• What happened:
• Department of Posts and Flipkart signed an agreement for last-mile parcel delivery services across India.
• The agreement covers delivery of prepaid and COD parcels, with OTP-based delivery authentication and real-time shipment tracking.
• The release states Flipkart will use India Post’s network of over 1.6 lakh post offices, including remote and underserved regions.
• Why it matters:
• It expands India Post’s role in e-commerce logistics and improves last-mile reach for online retail deliveries.