Tag: Government Schemes

TechPulse

Goa to Host Startup Handholding Programme to Mark National Startup Day 2026

rencygomes02

Written by Intern Rency Gomes || Team Allycaral 

Panjim; January 2026: To celebrate National Startup Day 2026, the Startup & IT Promotion Cell (SITPC) under the Department of Information Technology, Electronics & Communications (DITE&C), Government of Goa, will organise a Startup Handholding Support Programme on January 19, 2026, at the Goa Marriott Resort, Miramar, aimed at strengthening the state’s growing startup ecosystem.


The programme will provide structured, end-to-end guidance to startups on understanding and availing benefits under various Government of India and Government of Goa schemes. Through panel discussions, scheme presentations and an interactive workshop, founders will gain practical insights into compliance requirements, funding readiness and best practices to scale their ventures.
DS Prashant, Chief Executive Officer of SITPC, said the initiative will create a strong engagement platform for startups, incubators, industry associations and ecosystem enablers. He noted that registered startups will receive step-by-step guidance, enhanced awareness of schemes and follow-up assistance to help them successfully access government incentives and support mechanisms.
Along with capacity-building sessions, the event will also felicitate successful startups and recognise key contributors to the Goa startup ecosystem, reinforcing the government’s commitment to fostering innovation, entrepreneurship and a future-ready, inclusive startup environment in the state.

National

Kerala Declares Victory Over Extreme Poverty: 64,006 Families Lifted Out of Poverty

Tanisha Cardozo

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan formally announced in the state assembly on November 1, coinciding with Kerala Formation Day, that the state has eradicated extreme poverty. The LDF government claims Kerala is the first state in India to achieve this milestone, a feat accomplished through the four-year-long Extreme Poverty Alleviation Project launched in 2021.

The program identified 64,006 families, comprising 1,03,099 individuals, as extremely poor through extensive ground-level surveys. Indicators such as access to food, health, housing, and livelihood were used to determine eligibility, ensuring assistance reached those in greatest need.

MB Rajesh, minister for local self-governments, explained that the project’s success stems from targeted support and a clear understanding of the needs of even the smallest population segment. A NITI Aayog study previously highlighted that Kerala already had the lowest poverty rate in India at 0.7%, making the eradication of extreme poverty a feasible, focused objective.

However, the announcement was met with protest from the Congress-led UDF opposition, who staged a walkout from the assembly and called the government’s claim “pure fraud.” Opposition leader V D Satheesan stated that the announcement was in contempt of House rules.

Responding to the protest, CM Vijayan remarked that the government only claims what it can implement, and this milestone reflects tangible results of the dedicated program. The Extreme Poverty Alleviation Project has now officially marked a historic achievement for Kerala, highlighting the state’s commitment to social welfare and inclusive development.

EduConnect

Scholarship and Stipend Scheme for Students with Disabilities Announced by Goa Government

Tanisha Cardozo

The Department for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities in Goa has announced a welfare scheme to support the education of students with disabilities through monthly stipends and scholarships. This initiative aims to provide financial assistance across various levels of education—from primary school to post-graduation—covering both academic and vocational fields. The stipend for students from Standard I to VIII is ₹200 per month, while those from Standard IX to XII are eligible for ₹300 per month, both for a duration of 11 months. Additionally, scholarships are available for students from Standard IX and above.

For students from Standard IX to XII or equivalent university courses, day scholars will receive ₹500 per month, hostellers ₹200 per month, and blind students will be provided with a reader’s allowance of ₹75 per month, all for 11 months. For students pursuing undergraduate degrees such as B.A., B.Com., or B.Sc., the scholarship amount is ₹650 per month for day scholars, ₹270 per month for hostellers, and ₹115 per month for readers’ allowance for blind students. Students enrolled in professional and technical courses like BE, B.Arch, MBBS, LLB, B.Ed, diplomas in engineering, as well as postgraduate degrees like MA, MSc, M.Com, LLM, and M.Ed, are eligible for ₹900 per month for day scholars, ₹360 per month for hostellers, and ₹150 per month for readers’ allowance for the blind.

To qualify for the scheme, students must have a disability of 40% or more, as certified by a Medical Board. They must also have secured at least 45% marks in their last annual exam, and their parents’ annual income should not exceed ₹1,50,000 from all sources. Possession of a valid UDID card issued by the Directorate of Social Welfare is also mandatory. The scheme additionally supports students pursuing music and vocational courses through recognized educational boards or universities.

Only online applications will be accepted under this scheme. Students must register and apply through the official CM Scholarship Portal. The application window for the academic year 2025-26 is now open, and the last date for submission is November 15, 2025. No offline applications will be considered.