Delhi Govt Amends DSER 1973, Replaces Essentiality Certificate with Self-Certification Aligned with RTE Act

Delhi Lakshmi Yojana: ₹5,100 Cr Budget, ₹2,500/Month Aid to Women via New Portal

Delhi CM Rekha Gupta launched the online portal for the Delhi Lakshmi Yojana on August 1, 2026, offering eligible women ₹2,500/month. With a ₹5,100 crore budget, the scheme fulfills a key BJP poll promise but includes strict eligibility exclusions and a lock-in component, making it a high-yield topic for welfare scheme-based questions in state and central exams.

Delhi Lakshmi Yojana: ₹2,500 Monthly Assistance for Women, 33,730 Register on Day 1

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta launched the Lakshmi Yojana on August 1, 2026, offering ₹2,500 monthly assistance to eligible women aged 21-60 with annual family income below ₹2.5 lakh. Over 33,730 registrations were completed on the first day. The scheme includes a four-stage verification process and offers two modes of payment — a CBDC wallet plus FD/RD, or full FD/RD.

Delhi Cabinet Approves Private Universities Bill, MPD-2047 Allows FAR 180 & Residential Schools

Delhi government has approved a draft Private Universities Bill and notified MPD-2047, allowing residential schools, removing height restrictions on educational buildings, and increasing FAR to 180. These changes aim to optimize land use and expand education infrastructure in land-constrained Delhi. Students should note key data points like FAR limits, floor calculations, and Narela education hub expansion for prelims.

Uttarakhand Waqf Board Proposes Revised Nikahnama Aligned with UCC; Interfaith Marriages under Special Marriage Act

Over 1.5 years after Uttarakhand implemented the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), the State Waqf Board has proposed a revised nikahnama to bring Muslim marriage registrations in line with the new law. The proposal bans conversions solely for marriage and mandates interfaith couples to register under the Special Marriage Act, marking a significant step in UCC implementation.

Delhi Land Records Bill 2026: Govt to Issue Unique Property Aadhaar Cards After Scientific Survey

Delhi government proposes the Delhi Land Records Bill, 2026 to create a consolidated digital record of all properties and issue unique Property Aadhaar Cards after a scientific survey. This aims to improve transparency, reduce disputes, and simplify transactions. The bill will be introduced in a special session, building on the successful SVAMITVA pilot in 30 rural villages.

CAG Report: ₹15.25 Cr Shortfall & ₹17.80 Cr Solatium Unpaid to Tribals in WB Mining Acquisitions

CAG report reveals West Bengal government's failure to ensure fair compensation to tribal landowners in mining land acquisitions by ECL and BCCL between 2017-22, resulting in a short payment of ₹15.25 crore and unpaid solatium of ₹17.80 crore. The report highlights systemic lapses by district authorities in implementing Coal India's R&R Policy 2012 and the LARR Act 2013.

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.

Karnataka Announces 7.5% Reservation for Rural Govt School Students in Medical, Engineering Seats

Karnataka CM Shivakumar announced a 7.5% reservation for rural government school students in medical and engineering courses to improve access to professional higher education. Additionally, AI education from Class 6, a government AI university in Bengaluru, and an exam reform committee were announced. This is significant for social justice and education policy in state exams.