Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY Extended to All Senior Citizens Aged 70+ with ₹5 Lakh Annual Health Cover

Bombay HC Rules Community Health Volunteers Entitled to Minimum Wage Under 1948 Act

The Bombay High Court has ruled that community health volunteers working for the BMC are entitled to minimum wages under the Minimum Wages Act, 1948, rejecting the argument that their honorarium exempts them. This judgment strengthens labour rights for contractual and volunteer workers, an important topic for UPSC labour jurisprudence and social security.

Health Ministry Backs Same-Sex Partners' Medical Decision Rights Under Mental Healthcare Act, 2017

The Union Health Ministry has told the Delhi High Court that excluding same-sex partners from making medical decisions for each other solely based on sexual orientation is unethical. This marks a significant administrative shift, though the government maintains that 'spouse' under Indian marriage laws only applies to heterosexual couples, creating a nuanced legal landscape for exam aspirants.

Union Health Ministry Mandates CCTV at Medical Stores for Schedule H, H1, X Drug Sales; 3-Month Recordings

The Union Health Ministry has proposed mandatory CCTV installation at medical stores selling prescription and habit-forming drugs (Schedule H, H1, X) to curb unauthorized sale and drug abuse, especially among children. Chemists oppose citing cost, privacy, and rural connectivity issues. The move involves CDSCO and the Drugs Consultative Committee.

Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY: 60 Cr Beneficiaries, 13 Cr Treatments, ₹2 Lakh Crore Savings in 8 Years

Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY, the world's largest health insurance scheme, completes 8 years with 60 crore beneficiaries, 13 crore hospitalisations, and ₹2 lakh crore in savings. The scheme provides ₹5 lakh cashless cover per family annually, with 48.5 crore Ayushman cards issued. This news is significant for exams as it tests understanding of India's health infrastructure and government welfare schemes.

PM Modi Launches 100-Week 'Nasha Mukt Yuva Abhiyan' for Drug-Free Youth Under Viksit Bharat

PM Modi launched the 'Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan', a 100-week nationwide Jan Bhagidari campaign to combat substance abuse among youth. The campaign emphasizes community participation through weekly Sunday activities like sports, meditation, and cultural events. It aligns drug-free youth with the Viksit Bharat goal, and includes strict action against traffickers.

SC Recognises Student Mental Health Under Article 21 in Sukdeb Saha (2025); NEET Paper Leak Tests Institutional Responsibility

The Supreme Court has expanded the right to life (Article 21) to include student mental health, holding institutions responsible for student suicides under Sukdeb Saha v. State of Andhra Pradesh (2025). The NEET paper leak of 2026 becomes the first major test of this new constitutional principle, forcing the state to move beyond individual controversies toward structural reform in examinations and recruitment.

Karnataka HC Refuses to Quash Case Against Firm for Relabeling Expired Food; Calls it 'Assault on Public Health'

The Karnataka High Court has refused to quash a criminal case against Earth Recycler Pvt. Ltd and its representatives for allegedly relabeling expired food products with fresh expiry dates and reselling them. The court termed this a 'calculated assault on public health' and held that such acts attract provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for cheating and public mischief, beyond mere regulatory infractions under the Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act. This judgment reinforces the legal principle that food safety is not just a regulatory matter but a fundamental consumer health concern, and that criminal liability can be invoked for such deceptive practices.

SC Upholds NCTE Notice: TEIs Must File Annual Appraisal Reports Under RTE Act

The Supreme Court has upheld the authority of the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) to require all Teacher Education Institutions (TEIs) to file annual Performance Appraisal Reports. This judgment reinforces the regulatory power of NCTE, links the RTE Act's academic authority provisions, and expands the concept of 'duty-bearers' to include TEIs and NCTE itself. For exam aspirants, this is a key case in education governance, statutory interpretation, and fundamental rights.