Maharashtra Extends 8 OBC Schemes to Maratha Community; Includes Post-Matric Scholarships & ITI Fee Reimbursement

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.

Maharashtra Drafts Law to Regulate Coaching Centres: Registration, Fee Caps, Penalties up to ₹50 Lakh

Maharashtra has released a draft bill to regulate private coaching centres, mandating registration, fee regulation, safety norms, and mental well-being provisions. The law, triggered by the NEET-UG paper leak, imposes penalties up to ₹50 lakh and prohibits school-coaching integration. It is stricter than similar laws in other states and faces criticism from coaching unions.

Maharashtra FDA Bans Junk Food in Schools: 41 Million Children Overweight, Experts Call for Home Diet Changes

Maharashtra FDA bans sale of HFSS foods (chocolates, chips, sugary drinks, deep-fried snacks) in schools and within 50-metre radius. Doctors welcome the move but emphasize it alone cannot curb childhood obesity without healthier home food, nutrition education, and physical activity. India has 41 million overweight/obese children aged 5-19, as per World Obesity Atlas 2026.

Maharashtra Mandates Safe Food Norms in Schools; Bans HFSS Items, Covers All Boards

Maharashtra has issued a statewide compliance order to ensure safe, balanced food in all schools, banning HFSS items (junk food) within premises and a 50-metre zone. The move targets childhood obesity and micronutrient deficiencies, making it a key governance and public health initiative for exam aspirants.

Maharashtra ‘Super 100’: Free JEE/NEET Residential Coaching for 100 Rural Govt Students per District

Maharashtra plans a ‘Super 100’ residential coaching scheme in each district to give free JEE/NEET coaching to 100 high-performing students from rural government schools. Modelled on Anand Kumar’s Super 30, the initiative aims to bridge the urban-rural coaching gap and is under finance department approval.

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.

FSSAI Safe Food Regulations 2020 Enforced in Maharashtra Schools; Junk Food Banned

Maharashtra's School Education Department has issued a to-do checklist enforcing the FSSAI's Safe Food and Balanced Diet for School Children Regulations 2020. All schools must ban junk food, ensure valid FSSAI licences for all food operators, and include nutritious items like fruits and pulses in menus. This is critical for understanding state-level food safety enforcement and child health governance.

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.