Delhi Cabinet Approves ₹10 Lakh Health Cover Per Family for Construction Workers Under New Scheme

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.

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.

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.

Karnataka Bans HFSS Foods Near Schools Under FSS Act, 50-Metre Radius

Karnataka has banned the sale of High Fat, Sugar and Salt (HFSS) foods within 50 metres of schools and colleges, effective from July 24, 2026, under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. This is a significant public health measure targeting childhood obesity and unhealthy eating habits, with implications for state-level governance, food safety regulations, and school health policies.

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.

West Bengal MMSBY: ₹5 Lakh Health Insurance Covering 2,000 Diseases for Underprivileged Families

West Bengal's Mukhyamantri Swasthya Bima Yojana (MMSBY) provides ₹5 lakh cashless health insurance covering ~2,000 diseases to families with annual income ≤ ₹8 lakh. The scheme integrates with existing Swasthya Sathi and Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY, offering free digital cards. Key for exams: state health scheme, income eligibility, disease coverage, and integration with central schemes.

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.