The Modi government approved a 10% reservation for economically backward upper castes in government jobs. The new quota proposal seeks to benefit the economically backward among those castes that do not fall under the quota meant for socially backward. This means that people who do not benefit from the 50% existing quota and are below the EWS criteria, will benefit from this proposal.

India will send a three-member team into space for upto a week when it launches its first manned mission expected in 2022, government announced. Indian ministers approved a budget of $1.4 billion to provide technology and infrastructure for the programme, according to a government statement. PM Modi announced in August that India will launch a manned space flight by 2022 with atleast one astronaut.

The centre's proposal of providing nutritional support of Rs.500 per month to tuberculosis patients lacks clarity about how disbursal of the money will be effected through direct benefit transfer (DBT), according to STOs. The food packages also cost more than amount provided, these officers said. STOs have raised concerns about providing entitlements to beneficiaries who do not possess Aadhaar cards or have bank accounts.