Maharashtra's Urban Sex Ratio at Birth Falls to 885, Matching Haryana's State Average, As Per SRS Report 2024

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.

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.

TN Sanctions 29,108 New Police Posts to Improve Police-Public Ratio Above National Average

After 17 years, Tamil Nadu has sanctioned 29,108 new police posts to address acute manpower shortage. This will push the state's police-public ratio above the national average, improving crime response and reducing workload on constabulary.

CAG Report Flags 28-42% Transition Loss, Teacher Crunch & ₹2,428 Cr Fund Gap in Samagra Shiksha (WB)

CAG audit of Samagra Shiksha in West Bengal reveals severe implementation failures: 28-42% dropout transition loss, over 500 schools with no teachers, and fund utilisation as low as 46%. Students must note the data points for prelims and the governance failures for mains.

Himachal Pradesh to Launch ₹10 Lakh Health Insurance Scheme for Poor Families – First State to Offer Comprehensive Coverage

Himachal Pradesh is set to launch a new health insurance scheme offering up to ₹10 lakh coverage for poor families at a nominal premium, becoming the first state to do so. This aims to ensure quality healthcare access and reduce the need for residents to travel outside the state for advanced treatment.

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.

AP Pedestrian Safety Policy 2026: SC Recognises Right to Walk, 36,526 Pedestrian Deaths in 2024, Section 198A Fine

The Supreme Court recognized the right to walk on footpaths as a fundamental right. Andhra Pradesh became the first state to notify a pedestrian safety policy, mandating audits, removal of encroachments, and a Rs 1 lakh fine under Section 198A MV Act for infrastructure failure causing death. With 1 in 5 road deaths being pedestrians (36,526 in 2024), this policy is a landmark for urban governance and social justice.