• 24 Mar 2026

Chhattisgarh Freedom of Religion Bill, 2026

Why in News?

The Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly recently passed the Chhattisgarh Dharm Swatantraya Vidheyak (Freedom of Religion Bill), 2026, introducing stricter provisions against unlawful religious conversions, including life imprisonment for mass conversions.

Key Points 

• Purpose: The legislation aims to prevent religious conversions through force, fraud, coercion, or inducement, while regulating voluntary conversions. 
• The new bill replaces the Chhattisgarh Freedom of Religion Act, 1968.
• Punishment: The law prescribes 10 years to life imprisonment and a minimum fine of ₹25 lakh for conducting “mass conversions,”.
  • If the victim is a minor, woman, person of unsound mind, or from OBC/SC/ST communities, punishment ranges from 10–20 years imprisonment with a minimum fine of ₹10 lakh.
  • Compensation of up to ₹10 lakh may be provided to victims of illegal conversion.
• Declaration: Individuals intending to change religion must submit a declaration to the competent authority [District Magistrate or an officer (not below Additional District Magistrate rank) authorised by them], after which authorities may conduct verification and allow objections. 
• Marriage-Related Provision: Religious conversion solely for the purpose of marriage is treated as invalid unless proper legal procedures and declarations are followed.
• Nature of Offences: Offences under the law are cognisable and non-bailable, allowing authorities to take immediate legal action in suspected illegal conversion cases.
• Investigation & Trial: Cases may be investigated by a police officer (e.g., sub‑inspector rank) and tried in a special court, or if none is designated, in a sessions court. Trials are to be completed within six months of filing the chargesheet.
• Additional Key Provisions: 
  • Mass Conversion: The bill defines mass conversion as the conversion of two or more persons in a single event.
  • Digital Platforms Included: The Bill prohibits religious conversions carried out through force, coercion, undue influence, allurement, misrepresentation, fraudulent means, or marriage, including through digital platforms such as social media and electronic communication.
  • Reconversion to Ancestral Religion: Reconversion to one’s ancestral religion is not treated as a conversion under the bill, exempting it from the declaration requirement.
  • Public Display of Conversion Details: Authorities are required to maintain and publicly display on official platforms (such as government websites or notice boards) the details of people who intend to convert, allowing public scrutiny and objections.
  • Allurement & Coercion: The Bill broadens the definition of allurements to include monetary benefits, gifts, employment, free education or medical facilities, promises of better lifestyle, or marriage. 
    • “Coercion”, according to the Bill, includes psychological pressure, physical force, or threats, including social boycott.

Read More: Religious Conversion

MoCA Launched ‘Fare Se Fursat’ Scheme from MP

Why in News?

The Union Civil Aviation Minister and the Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister flagged off a flight connecting Rewa (MP) to Raipur (Chhattisgarh), marking the debut of the 'Fare Se Fursat - One Route One Fare' initiative launched by the Ministry of  Civil Aviation .

Key Points

• Objective: The initiative aims to provide fixed airfares on select regional routes, making aviation more inclusive, affordable and predictable for passengers.
  • The scheme will initially operate on six routes of Alliance Air, including Rewa‑Raipur and Tirupati‑Rajahmundry, focusing on unserved and underserved air connectivity sectors.
• Regional Connectivity: Supports the government’s Regional Connectivity Scheme (UDAN), aiming to enhance air access to smaller towns and boost local economies.
• Investment: Airports Authority of India (AAI) has invested over ₹100 crore in infrastructure upgrades at various regional airports under the UDAN scheme.

Read More: UDAN

Bihar Diwas 2026

Why in News?

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar inaugurated the Bihar Diwas 2026 celebrations, marking the 114th foundation day of the state on 22nd March 2026. 

Key Points

• Theme: Unnat Bihar, Ujjwal Bihar (Advanced Bihar, Bright Bihar). 
  • Bihar Diwas is celebrated from March 22–24 in 2026 with statewide events.
• History of Bihar Day:
  • Viceroy Lord Hardinge made the final formal proclamation regarding the creation of the province of Bihar and Orissa with its boundaries, through the Government of India Act, 1912.
  • Later, the province of Bihar, after separation from Orissa in 1936, consisted of four divisions –Bhagalpur, Patna, Tirhut and Chota Nagpur.
    • Their respective districts were: Bhagalpur –Bhagalpur, Munger, Purnia, Santhal Parganas; Patna – Patna, Gaya and Shahabad; Tirhut – Champaran, Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur and Saran; and Chota Nagpur – Hazaribagh, Manbhum, Palamau, and Ranchi.
  • In 2000, a new state 'Jharkhand' was established, separate from Bihar.

• Bihar’s Cultural History:
  • The name of this state has been mentioned even the old epics, Vedas, Purans. It was the main scene of activities of Buddha and 24 Tirthankars of Jains.
    • Bihar's capital Patna, in that period known as Patliputra was the capital of famous rulers of ancient India like Maurya emperors, Imperial Guptas. Great rulers of the State before the Christian era were Bimbisar, Udayin, Chandragupta Maurya, Emperor Ashoka, Kanishka, Chandragupta, Samudragupta, Vikramaditya etc. 
  • The famous poet Kalidas lived in the reign of Gupta emperors. During the medieval period Muslim conquered this state. The first Muslim ruler was Mohammed-bin-Bakhtiar Khalji. The Khaljis are followed by Tughlaks and then by Mughals. 
  • In the Mughal reign, famous ruler Sher Shah Suri conquered this state and ruled it for a little period of about 4 years. 
  • The tenth Guru of the Sikh community Gobind Singh, who created Khalsa and defended the people of North from Muslim rulers of Delhi was born here.
• Achievements of Bihar:
  • Bihar continues to be the world leader in makhana production, contributing approximately 90% of the global supply of this prized aquatic crop.
  • Bihar was awarded the Gold Medal at the 2025 ET Government Digitech Awards for its Smart Prepaid Meter initiative and the ‘Bihar Krishi’ mobile app.

Read More: Swadeshi movement, Bengal Partition, National Recognition for Digital Innovation

World TB Day 2026

Why in News?

World TB Day is observed on 24th March 2026 to raise awareness about tuberculosis (TB) and to strengthen global efforts to eliminate the disease. 

Key Points

• Historical Background: World TB Day is observed annually on 24 March to commemorate the discovery of the tuberculosis bacterium by Robert Koch in 1882, which enabled the diagnosis and treatment of the disease.
• Theme 2026: “Yes! We Can End TB: Led by countries, powered by people.”
• Global Burden: Tuberculosis remains one of the world’s leading infectious diseases. 
  • In 2024, around 10.7 million people fell ill with TB and about 1.23 million deaths were reported globally.
• About Tuberculosis (TB):
  • Causative Agent: Tuberculosis is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which mainly affects the lungs but can also damage other organs.
  • Transmission: TB spreads through airborne droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or speaks, making early diagnosis and treatment critical.
  • High-Burden Countries: Countries such as India, Indonesia, China, Philippines, and Pakistan account for a large share of global TB cases.
  • Prevention and Treatment: TB is preventable and curable with early diagnosis, antibiotic treatment, vaccination (BCG vaccine), and improved public health systems.
    • Multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) is caused by bacteria resistant to key first-line drugs like rifampicin and isoniazid. MDR-TB can still be treated with alternative drugs, though these are costlier and have more side effects. 
    • In severe cases, extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB) develops, leaving very limited treatment options. 
    • WHO recommends shorter 6-month all-oral regimens (BPaLM/BPaL) for eligible patients (including for MDR-TB patients), which are more effective and reduce treatment burden.
• Global Strategy: WHO’s End TB Strategy aims to reduce TB deaths by 95% and TB incidence by 90% by 2035 compared with 2015 levels.
  • The World Health Organization and the Stop TB Partnership lead international campaigns and programs to control and eliminate tuberculosis.
  • SDGs: Ending TB is part of Sustainable Development Goal 3, which aims to eliminate the TB epidemic by 2030.
• India Initiatives:
  • Nikshay Portal: A digital platform for tracking TB patients, treatment, and case management across the country.
  • Nikshay Poshan Yojana: Provides ₹500 per month nutritional support to TB patients during treatment.
  • Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan: A national initiative launched to accelerate India’s goal of TB elimination by 2025 (not yet fully eliminated).

Read More: WHO, SDGs

Haryana to Set Up Three New Cyber Police Stations

Why in News?

The Haryana Legislative Assembly, in its 2026 Budget Session, discussed the setting up of three new cyber police stations in Gohana, Bahadurgarh, and Sonipat.

Key Points

• Objective: The new cyber police stations aim to bolster law enforcement capabilities in investigating and managing cyber‑related offences more effectively across the state.
• Districts Covered: The proposed stations will be established in Gohana, Bahadurgarh and Sonipat.
  • Haryana’s cybercrime control room currently coordinates with banks and agencies for fraud response.
• Technology Integration: The stations will be equipped with modern forensic tools, digital investigation software, and secure communication systems for efficient handling of cyber offences.
• Law Enforcement: The move forms part of broader efforts by the state police to strengthen digital and traditional policing, including recent public safety and anti‑crime initiatives.
• Significance: These additional stations are expected to improve cyber threat responsiveness, public trust in digital safety, and enforcement efficiency, especially in rapidly urbanising districts.

Read More: Cyber police stations, Haryana Budget 2026-27

Sarhul Festival 2026

Why in News?

Sarhul is an ancient tribal festival celebrated principally in Jharkhand, marking the worship of nature and the beginning of the spring season. The word Sarhul literally means worship of the Sal tree, which is central to tribal belief as the abode of the deity Sarna Maa. 

Key Points

• Cultural Significance: The festival marks the tribal New Year for communities such as the Oraon, Munda, and Ho, symbolising renewal, prosperity, and the bond between people and nature. 
  • Sarhul was celebrated in March 2026 (regional holiday spanning March 21 and 22), coinciding with the third day of the waxing moon in the Hindu month of Chaitra.
• Ritual Practices: Traditional rituals involve the village priest (Pahan) performing nature worship, offering Saal flowers, fruits, roosters, and rice beer (Handia) to deities and ancestors. 
  • It honours the Sal (Sakhuwa) tree, central to tribal belief systems. 
  • Observations of water levels in earthen pots are used to predict rainfall for the coming year. 
  • Local people worship Dhartimata (Mother Earth) as Sita and offer prayers for a good harvest, prosperity, and protection from natural disasters. 
• Significance: Sarhul embodies the tribal ethos of harmony with nature, celebrates the onset of spring, and serves as a platform for cultural expression, unity, and environmental reverence in Jharkhand.

Read More: Sal Tree

Mamata Banerjee Launched ‘10 Protigya’ in West Bengal

Why in News?

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has unveiled a comprehensive ‘10 Protigya’ (10 pledges) roadmap as part of TMC’s manifesto for the upcoming West Bengal Assembly polls.

Key Points

• Launch of ‘10 Protigya’: Mamata Banerjee formally unveiled 10 pledges covering welfare, infrastructure, education, employment, healthcare, and economic growth as part of the TMC manifesto.
• Expansion of Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme: Monthly assistance to women will be enhanced (by ₹500):
  • ₹1,500 per month for women from the General category.
  • ₹1,700 per month for women from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
• Banglar Yuba-Sathi Scheme: Financial assistance of ₹1,500 per month will be continued to unemployed youth to support livelihood and job search.
• Strengthening Agriculture: A Rs 30,000 crore agri-budget has been proposed to support farm families, landless farmers and overall sector growth.
• Housing: Commitment to provide pucca houses.
• Piped drinking water to all households across the state.
• Duare Chikitsa Healthcare Initiative: Expansion of healthcare outreach camps in every block and town to improve access to medical services.
• Education Infrastructure Upgrade: Government schools will be upgraded under the Banglar Shikshayatan initiative to strengthen educational infrastructure and quality.
• Expansion of Social Security: Continued coverage of old-age pension and social security benefits for elderly and vulnerable citizens.
• Trade and Economic Development: Plans to develop West Bengal as a major trade and logistics gateway for Eastern India, boosting industry and investment.
• Administrative Reorganisation: Proposal to create seven new districts and expand urban local bodies to improve governance and service delivery.