Current Affairs - State

Tamil Nadu recorded the highest number of deceased organ donors in India during 2025, with 266 deceased donors, according to the NOTTO Annual Report 2025–26. The state also ranked second in total organ transplants, behind Delhi, and has the country's largest transplant infrastructure with 172 transplant centres. Tamil Nadu performed the highest number of transplants involving kidneys, livers, hearts, lungs, pancreases, and small bowels. The state's advanced healthcare system and well-established organ donation network have made it a national leader in promoting organ donation, improving transplant outcomes, and supporting patients in need of life-saving organ transplants.

President Droupadi Murmu approved the Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Act, 2026, completing the final constitutional requirement before the law can come into force. The Act will become effective only after the Maharashtra Government issues an official notification. It prohibits religious conversions carried out through coercion, fraud, misrepresentation, inducement, violence, or marriage for conversion purposes, while permitting voluntary conversions. The law also requires a 60-day advance notice to the district magistrate before conversion, allows close relatives to file complaints, shifts the burden of proving voluntary conversion to the person conducting it, and prescribes imprisonment of up to seven years for offences and up to ten years for repeat violations.

Rajasthan became the first state in India to issue an exploration licence for a Rare Earth Elements (REE) block on July 30, 2026. The licence was awarded to the Central Mine Planning and Design Institute Ltd (CMPDI) for a 207.6 sq km area in the Nawatala-Devigarh region covering Balotra and Jodhpur districts. Geological surveys identified valuable rare earth elements such as lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, and neodymium. These strategic minerals are crucial for electric vehicles, semiconductors, aerospace, and telecommunications, supporting India's goal of reducing dependence on imported critical minerals through domestic exploration.

Maharashtra banned the sale, distribution, and advertisement of HFSS (High in Fat, Trans-fat, Sugar, and Salt) foods within school campuses and a 50-metre radius around them. The restriction covers government and private schools, benefiting nearly 2 crore students aged 22 months to 17 years. School canteens must obtain FDA food safety licenses and comply with the Food Safety and Standards Regulations, 2021. The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA), headquartered in Mumbai, will monitor compliance through inspections conducted at least twice a year under the legal framework of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

Chhattisgarh launched the DWEEPTI Yojana in July 2026 to promote women-led solar entrepreneurship and expand renewable energy access across rural areas. The scheme aims to establish 5,000 women-led solar enterprises and generate around 50,000 green jobs by empowering Self-Help Groups (SHGs) with training, financial support, and business opportunities. It also targets providing clean energy to 5 lakh families and 10,000 public institutions. Implemented under the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, the initiative links renewable energy adoption with women's economic empowerment and sustainable rural development.