PolitySocial_Issues
News 6 of 30

SC Scraps Age Limit for Maternity Leave, India Ranks 116th in Happiness Report, ₹33,660 Cr BHAVYA Scheme for 100 Industrial Parks

Target:UPSC GS-IIMPSCTeachingSSC GAPrelims HighMains HighStatic GK Link
22 Mar 2026
~2 min
Source: Indian Express
Key Data:Rank 116thScore 4.536₹33,660 Cr₹1.51 Lakh Crore₹497 Crore₹1,600 Crore
Bodies:Supreme CourtMinistry of Commerce and IndustryDPIITNICDCMinistry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC)National Biodiversity Authority (NBA)WTOForest Survey of India (FSI)CSIR-NCLLPG Equipment Research CentreArchaeological Survey of India (ASI)World Athletics
Practice MCQs from today's news ▸
What This Article Covers

1.Supreme Court strikes down the three-month age limit for maternity leave for adoptive mothers under the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961/Social Security Code, 2020.

2.Cabinet approves ₹33,660 Cr BHAVYA scheme to develop 100 plug-and-play industrial parks and extends Jal Jeevan Mission till 2028 with ₹1.51 lakh crore.

3.India's first National Report on Nagoya Protocol submitted; SC clarifies 'creamy layer' criteria; and India to oppose WTO's permanent moratorium on e-transmission duties.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · High

This week's developments span crucial judicial reforms, economic schemes, and international environmental commitments. The Supreme Court's landmark ruling on maternity leave for adoptive mothers, the launch of the ₹33,660 Cr BHAVYA scheme for industrial parks, and India's submission of its first Nagoya Protocol report highlight significant policy and legal shifts. Additionally, India's opposition to the WTO e-transmission moratorium and updates on key scientific projects like LIGO and Anavaran provide multi-dimensional fodder for both Prelims and Mains.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

India's Happiness Rank 2026116th (Score: 4.536)
BHAVYA Scheme Outlay₹33,660 Crore
Jal Jeevan Mission ExtensionTill 2028, ₹1.51 Lakh Crore
World Indoor Championships HostBhubaneswar, India (2028)
Nagoya Protocol Report Period1 Nov 2017 to 31 Dec 2025
LIGO India Project Cost₹1,600 Crore

1-Minute Revision

  • ›India's Happiness Rank 2026: 116th (Score: 4.536)
  • ›BHAVYA Scheme Outlay: ₹33,660 Crore
  • ›Target this Data: ₹33,660 Cr outlay for BHAVYA scheme; India's rank 116th in World Happiness Report 2026.
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID) for Gandiva AI tool; National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) for Nagoya Protocol.
  • ›Target this Legal Point: Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 & Code on Social Security, 2020 for adoptive mothers' leave; Indra Sawhney vs Union of India (1992) for creamy layer concept.

Mastered this topic? Test your knowledge with a full MCQ quiz.

Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

Q1Static LinkageEasy

Which nodal agency is responsible for implementing the recently announced RELIEF scheme for exporters?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding the Anavaran-Deforestation Alert System:

1. It is operated by the Forest Survey of India (FSI) using satellite data and machine learning.

2. The system provides location alerts on forest cover loss to states every month.

3. It uses Sentinel-2 satellite images and is integrated with Sentinel-1 Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data for continuous monitoring.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

According to the World Happiness Report 2026, what was India's life evaluation score?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What is the primary objective of the Supreme Court's recent ruling regarding maternity leave for adoptive mothers?

All 20 MCQs ▸
You finished this topic
Explore Related Topics
Related Current Affairs
Polity Current Affairs

Cabinet Approves Rs 23,731 Cr GOBARdhan Scheme; Rajya Sabha Clears Rs 54,067 Cr Appropriation Bill

The UPSC Key article covers multiple critical topics: the Rajya Sabha cleared the Appropriation Bill for Rs 54,067 Cr excess expenditure, the Cabinet approved the Rs 23,731 Cr GOBARdhan scheme to boost CBG production, and new high-resolution images of the Sun's surface were captured. Also includes data on road safety Good Samaritans, school consolidation, and ethanol policy.

Science & Tech Current Affairs

ISRO Launches EOS-05: India's First Geo-Imaging Satellite in Geosynchronous Orbit; SC Invokes Article 142 to Quash CJP Protest Cases

A day of high exam relevance: ISRO successfully launched EOS-05, India’s first dedicated geo-imaging satellite in geosynchronous orbit, breaking a failure streak. The Supreme Court used its extraordinary power under Article 142 to close cases linked to CJP protests, raising important constitutional questions. Other key updates include OpenAI’s new autonomous AI model, Manipur’s NRC-first demand for Census deferral, mistrust in GDP data, and Tata Chemicals’ Kenya dispute.

Polity Current Affairs

UPSC Key: 14 Internal EC Dissents, Tarang Shakti-26 Multinational Exercise, and AI-Driven Semiconductor Supercycle

This Indian Express 'UPSC Key' compilation covers six critical topics: unprecedented internal dissent within the Election Commission (14 objections in 10 months), the second edition of India's largest multinational air exercise Tarang Shakti-26, the Supreme Court's reaffirmation of the Bijoe Emmanuel precedent on Vande Mataram, a new Centre scheme for lithium and nickel processing, the evolution of Yemen's Houthis from a local revivalist movement to a Red Sea power, and the global semiconductor 'supercycle' driven by AI demand. Each story is mapped to UPSC syllabus with previous year questions.

Polity Current Affairs

SC Applies Section 498A to Live-in Relationships; NOTTO Launches Real-Time Organ Transplant Portal with Aadhaar Pledges

The Indian Express UPSC Key for August 4, 2026, covers multiple crucial topics: the Supreme Court's ruling extending Section 498A cruelty protection to live-in relationships, the launch of a real-time organ transplant portal by NOTTO, the Vikram Sarabhai Medal awarded to Annapurni Subramaniam, India's resilient fertiliser supply amid the Iran war, the science behind Europe's wildfires, and the Ceuta migrant crisis. These topics span Polity, Health, Science, Environment, and International Relations, offering direct material for UPSC Prelims and Mains.

Science & Tech Current Affairs

UPSC Key: Moon Base, Surrogate Ads, Mines Bill, Criminalisation – Daily News Analysis for Prelims & Mains

Today's UPSC Key covers 5 major topics: India invited to NASA's Moon Base programme, FDA notices to actors for surrogate ads, Centre-State tussle over Mines Bill, 4,192 criminal cases pending against MPs/MLAs, and RBI's FCNR(B) swap facility. Essential for Prelims & Mains.

Economy Current Affairs

India to Flag China's Export Curbs on HVDC, Rare Earth Magnets at 18th BRICS Summit

India is preparing to confront China over its growing restrictions on critical technology exports (HVDC, rare earth magnets, battery cells) that threaten India's manufacturing ambitions and renewable energy grid integration. The 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi provides a diplomatic platform to push for reciprocity. This links to China dependency, self-reliance, and energy transition – key for Economy/IR syllabus.

Polity Current Affairs

RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25%; SC Judges Bill Passed as Money Bill; FCRA Amendment Sparks Controversy

This compilation covers critical current affairs for UPSC: the FCRA Amendment Bill facing opposition over asset vesting provisions, the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill passed as a Money Bill despite controversy, RBI maintaining repo rate at 5.25% with a neutral stance and planning polymer banknotes launch, a new Supreme Court gender sensitivity report replacing the 2023 handbook, and Kerala's worsening floods linked to sedimentation and urbanization. All topics have high Prelims and Mains potential.

Environment Current Affairs

World Bank Report: Extreme Heat Costs South Asia 31 Million Jobs, 7% GDP by 2050

World Bank report warns extreme heat costs South Asia 31 million jobs annually and threatens 7% GDP loss by 2050. It urges governments to treat heat as a core development challenge, not a seasonal emergency. Essential for UPSC: climate-economy linkages, urban resilience, and vulnerable worker protection.