• 12 Mar 2026

Bihar Tops Free Medicine Distribution

Why in News? 

Bihar has retained its position as the top-performing state in providing free medicines at government hospitals, maintaining the number one rank for 18 consecutive months since September 2024. The ranking is based on data from the Drug and Vaccine Distribution Management System (DVDMS) monitored by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. 

Key Points: 

• Objective: Ensure every patient visiting a government hospital receives both medical care and essential medicines without charge, reducing financial burden on low-income and vulnerable groups. 
• Reforms Implemented: Introduction of an Essential Drug List (EDL) and a centralised drug management system to maintain continuous medicine supply across health facilities. 
  • A structured referral system enables timely transfer of patients from smaller health centres to larger hospitals for advanced treatment. 
• Public Confidence: Consistent medicine availability has increased trust in government hospitals, encouraging more people to seek treatment there. 
  • Highlighted by Health Minister Mangal Pandey, credited for sustained top ranking through hospital and drug management reforms. 
• Impact: Strengthens public healthcare infrastructure, improves service delivery, and ensures better accessibility for rural and economically disadvantaged populations. 
• Significance: Bihar’s model sets an example for other states to enhance free healthcare service delivery and implement reforms in drug availability and hospital management.

Uttarakhand Ranks First in Effective Implementation of New Criminal Laws

Why in News? 

Uttarakhand has secured the first position nationwide in the effective implementation of new criminal laws through the Inter‑Operable Criminal Justice System (ICJS) 2.0. 

Key Points: 

• Ranking: As per the CCTNS/ICJS Progress Dashboard of the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), Uttarakhand scored 93.46 — the highest among all states in India. 
• Top Five States: The national ranking places Uttarakhand first, followed by Haryana (93.41), Assam (93.16), Sikkim (91.82), and Madhya Pradesh (90.55). 
• New Criminal Laws: The state’s performance covers the implementation of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA). 
  • The “One Data, One Entry” principle under ICJS 2.0 ensures seamless real‑time data sharing across police (CCTNS), e‑Courts, e‑Prisons, e‑Prosecution, and e‑Forensics, reducing paperwork and accelerating case disposal. 
• Technology Integration: To enhance transparency, videography of crime scenes and secure digital evidence storage are mandated using the e‑Sakshya app, while virtual court hearings are supported through the Nyaya Shruti platform. 
  • Over 23,000 police personnel in the state received intensive training on the provisions and application of the new criminal laws to ensure effective implementation. 
• Recognition: Uttarakhand’s efficiency in digital justice delivery and smart policing has been acknowledged at the national level, with appreciation from key leaders, including the Union Home Minister. 

Read More: New criminal laws, National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB)

Read More: New criminal laws, National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) 

Chhattisgarh Launched ‘Mahatari Gaurav Varsh’ to Empower Women

Why in News? 

The Government of Chhattisgarh has declared 2026–27 as ‘Mahatari Gaurav Varsh’ (Year of Maternal Pride) to emphasise women’s empowerment, placing women at the centre of the state’s development initiatives and welfare programmes under the leadership of Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai. 

Key Points 

• Mahatari Vandan Scheme: A flagship initiative under this campaign provides ₹1,000 per month through direct benefit transfer (DBT) to about 70 lakh married women in the state, boosting financial confidence and self‑reliance. 
• Focus: The year places women at the centre of state policies, ensuring programmes prioritise their respect, safety, health, education, economic independence, and social dignity. 
  • Over ₹15,595 crore has been disbursed under this scheme so far, including recent instalments benefiting millions of women, who often invest in self‑employment ventures beyond household needs.  
• Success Stories: 
  • In Balod district, widowed women used funds to start vegetable farming, gaining regular income and family support. 
  • Women engaged in rural missions like Bihan have become successful entrepreneurs earning substantial annual incomes.  
  • Women have also taken up modern technology skills, such as drone operation for agricultural use, earning income and respect in their communities. 
• Budgetary Support: The state budget allocates ₹8,245 crore for women and child development, with dedicated provisions for anganwadi nutrition, mission schemes, and infrastructure like Anganwadi centres and Mahatari Sadans. 
  • The government has strengthened women’s safety with One Stop Centres, 181 helplines, and Dial‑112 services, and provides economic support to widows through schemes like Sukhad Sahara. 
• Livelihood Initiatives: Over 42,000 self‑help groups (SHGs) have been given concessional loans, and schemes such as Digital Sakhi, Didi E‑Rickshaw, and Ready to Eat production offer sustainable income to women. 
• Vision 2047: The initiative aligns with the ‘Chhattisgarh Anjor Vision 2047’ and national goals for inclusive and equitable development, positioning empowered women as a key pillar for a prosperous state. 

Read More: Chhattisgarh Budget, DBT, SHGs, Vision 2047 

Centre of Excellence for Future Skills Launched in Maharashtra

Why in News? 

The Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) and American multinational Honeywell have jointly established a new Centre of Excellence at the institute’s Powai campus in Mumbai to strengthen sustainability education and future skills development.  

Key Points:  

• Objective: The initiative aims to train over 100,000 students by 2030 in sustainability‑related fields. 
  • Promote research in energy efficiency, clean technologies, and industrial sustainability. 
  • Prepare students for future-ready careers in green and emerging sectors. 
• Funding: It is fully funded by the Honeywell Hometown Solutions India Foundation, covering infrastructure, curriculum design, workshops, and research programs. 
• Pilot Phase: In its initial phase over the next two months, the centre will focus on building core infrastructure, developing specialised curriculum and training the first batch of 250 students.  
• Programmes: It will offer certificate‑based courses that blend classroom learning with project‑based practical experience linked to real‑world sustainability challenges.  
• Focus: The centre focuses on renewable energy, sustainable industrial automation, smart infrastructure, and digital technologies for climate action. 
• Significance: The centre supports India’s transition towards a sustainable and future‑ready workforce, bridging the gap between academic learning and industry demands in emerging sustainability domains. 

Read More:  Centre of Excellence, Clean Energy & Sustainability 

Cabinet Approved 4‑Lane Expansion of NH‑752D in Madhya Pradesh

Why in News? 

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the construction of a 4‑lane section of NH‑752D covering the Badnawar–Petlawad–Thandla–Timarwani stretch in Madhya Pradesh on a Hybrid Annuity Mode. 

Key Points: 

• Length & Cost: The upgraded highway stretch will have a length of about 80.45 km and an estimated capital cost of ₹3,839.42 crore. 
  • The project will be executed on a Hybrid Annuity Mode, under which the government and the developer share project costs and risks, ensuring timely completion and maintenance. 
• Connectivity: The corridor will enhance connectivity between Ujjain and the Timrawani interchange on the Delhi–Mumbai Expressway, facilitating smoother traffic and faster movement of goods and passengers. 
• Strategic Importance: The expansion is expected to boost regional economic activity, improve logistics efficiency, and attract investment by providing better access to markets and industrial areas in western and central India. 
• Implementation: The project’s implementation involves detailed planning, land acquisition, and construction phases, with periodic oversight to ensure quality infrastructure delivery.  
• Project Features: 
  • Improved road safety with modern design standards. 
  • Reduced travel time and vehicle operating costs. 
  • Enhanced access to markets, urban centres, and industrial hubs. 
• Government Objective: Strengthen the national highway network, improve regional mobility, and facilitate socio-economic development in Madhya Pradesh. 

Read More: Delhi–Mumbai Expressway, Socio-economic development 

Union Cabinet Approved Madurai Airport as International Airport

Why in News? 

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister  Narendra Modi, has approved the declaration of Madurai Airport in Tamil Nadu as an international airport, marking a significant development in India’s aviation sector to enhance global air connectivity and regional growth.  

Key Points: 

• Location: Madurai Airport is situated in the Temple City of Madurai in Tamil Nadu, serving as a key gateway to southern parts of the state. 
• Historical Role: The airport has been one of the older aviation hubs in the state and already operated with customs and limited international services, including direct flights to cities like Colombo, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi.  
  • The upgrade will enhance global connectivity, allowing international travellers, especially tourists and pilgrims, to access southern Tamil Nadu directly. 
• Impact: The approval is likely to promote tourism, trade, and investment, supporting economic development across the region. 
  • Madurai’s rich cultural heritage, including the famous Meenakshi Amman Temple, positions the airport to attract more international visitors, reinforcing the city’s historic and religious significance.  
• Strategic Importance: The move aligns with broader national objectives to expand international air travel infrastructure beyond major metro cities, supporting balanced regional growth and global accessibility. 

Read More: Tourism 

Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0: Extension and Restructuring

Why in News? 

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the extension of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) until December 2028. This new phase, dubbed JJM 2.0, shifts the national focus from merely creating infrastructure to ensuring sustainable, citizen-centric service delivery. 

Key Points: 

• Extended Timeline: The mission period is now extended to December 2028 to achieve 100% saturation across all 19.36 crore rural households. 
• Enhanced Financial Outlay: The total budget has been increased to ₹8.69 lakh crore. 
  • Central Assistance: Elevated to ₹3.59 lakh crore, an increase of ₹1.51 lakh crore over the original 2019 allocation. 
• Structural Reform: Implementation is being restructured to move away from an "infrastructure-centric" model to a "utility-based service delivery" approach. 
• New Initiatives under JJM 2.0: The restructured mission introduces several governance and digital reforms to ensure long-term sustainability: 
  • Sujalam Bharat Digital Framework: A uniform national digital platform will assign every village a unique Sujal Gaon/Service Area ID.  
    • This will map the entire supply chain from the water source to individual household taps. 
  • Jal Arpan Initiative: Gram Panchayats and Village Water & Sanitation Committees (VWSCs) will be formally involved in the commissioning and handover of water schemes to foster community ownership. 
  • Har Ghar Jal Certification: A Gram Panchayat can only certify itself as 'Har Ghar Jal' after confirming that adequate Operation and Maintenance (O&M) mechanisms are locally in place. 
  • Jal Utsav: An annual community-led event to review the functioning of water systems and promote water sustainability at the village level. 
• Current Progress and Impact: As of March 2026, significant milestones have been recorded since the mission's launch in 2019: 
  • Coverage Growth: Tap water connections have risen from 17% (3.23 crore) in 2019 to approximately 81.6% (15.80 crore) of rural households. 

Read More:Jal Jeevan Mission 

Cabinet Approved Faridabad–Jewar Airport Elevated Corridor

Why in News? 

In a significant boost to regional connectivity in the National Capital Region (NCR), the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved a critical 11-km elevated stretch as part of the road connectivity project linking Faridabad to the Noida International Airport (Jewar). 

Key Points:  

• Project Scope: The approval covers the construction of an 11-km-long elevated highway designed to provide a seamless high-speed link between the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway spur (starting from Sector-65, Faridabad) and the upcoming Jewar Airport. 
• Revised Financial Outlay: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved a revised total capital cost of ₹3,630.77 crore for the entire 31.42 km connectivity corridor. 
• Cost Sharing: Out of the total cost for the 11-km elevated section (approx. ₹689 crore), the Haryana Government has agreed to contribute ₹450 crore. 
  • Reduced Travel Time: Once operational, the travel time between Faridabad and Jewar Airport is expected to drop to just 20–25 minutes. 
• Implementation Agency: The project is being executed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) under the Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM). 
• Multimodal Integration: This project is a prime example of the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan, integrating road, rail (Dedicated Freight Corridor), and air transport (Jewar Airport). 
  • Regional Economic Growth: By connecting the industrial hubs of Faridabad and Palwal directly to an international cargo and passenger hub, the corridor will stimulate the Logistics and Warehousing sectors in Haryana and UP. 
• Key Intersections: The corridor will provide crucial interchanges with the Yamuna Expressway and the Eastern Peripheral Expressway (EPE). 

Read More: Noida International Airport (Jewar) 

Supreme Court Permits Passive Euthanasia in Harish Rana Case

Why in News?

In a landmark judicial intervention, the Supreme Court of India has for the first time passed an order allowing the practical application of passive euthanasia for an individual patient. 

Key Points: 

• Case : A bench comprising Justices J. B. Pardiwala and K. V. Viswanathan permitted the withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment for 32-year-old Harish Rana, who had been in a persistent vegetative state (PVS) for over 13 years. 
• The Plea: His parents approached the Court stating that their son’s condition was "beyond recovery" and that maintaining him in a vegetative state was an affront to his dignity. 
• Judicial Decision: The Court authorised the withdrawal of Clinically Assisted Nutrition and Hydration (CANH).  
  • It directed that the patient be moved to the Palliative Care Centre at AIIMS-Delhi to ensure a "humane and dignified" end. 
• Legal Evolution of Euthanasia in India:The concept of "Right to Die with Dignity" has evolved through several key judicial pronouncements: 
  • Aruna Shanbaug Case (2011): The SC recognised passive euthanasia in principle for the first time but rejected the specific plea for Aruna Shanbaug. 
  • Common Cause v. Union of India (2018): A Constitution Bench declared that the "Right to Die with Dignity" is a fundamental right under Article 21. It legalised "Living Wills" (Advance Medical Directives). 
  • 2023 Amendment: The SC simplified the 2018 guidelines, making the process of withdrawing life support less bureaucratic by removing the mandatory presence of a Judicial Magistrate. 
  • The 2026 Order: While the law existed on paper, this is the first time the Court has actively applied these guidelines to permit the death of a specific individual. 
• Best Interests Principle: The Court applied the "Best Interests" test, concluding that when medical treatment is futile and offers no hope of recovery, prolonging life becomes a form of "cruelty" rather than care. 
• Bodily Autonomy: The ruling reinforces the idea that an individual (or their legal guardians, in cases of incompetence) has the right to refuse medical intervention that only serves to delay the inevitable. 

Read More: Passive Euthanasia 

Renovation of Kolkata’s Historic Bascule Bridge Approved

Why in News? 

On 10th March, 2026, the Union Minister for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways approved a major renovation project for the historic Bascule Bridge at the Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port.  

Key Points: 

• Aim: The project aims to balance the preservation of maritime heritage with the modernization of critical port infrastructure.  
• Financial Outlay: The estimated cost of the project is ₹117.54 crore. 
• Funding Mechanism: The project will receive financial assistance of approximately ₹41 crore under the Sagarmala Programme, India's flagship initiative for port-led development. 
• Implementation Agency: The renovation will be carried out by Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL). 
• Timeline: Modernization work is expected to be completed by May 2027.  
• Heritage Status: Constructed in 1966 by the Austrian firm Waagner-Biro Bridge Systems AG, the bridge is nearly six decades old. 
• Engineering Design: It is a unique double-leaf rolling bridge. The "leaves" swing upwards to allow large cargo ships to pass between Kidderpore Dock-I and Dock-II, then lock back down to facilitate road traffic. 
• Strategic Role: It serves as a vital artery for vehicular and cargo movement, connecting the Garden Reach and Metiabruz regions with the rest of Kolkata.

Read More: Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port,  Sagarmala Programme