Current Affairs - State

Gujarat became the second state in India to adopt a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) after Uttarakhand. The Gujarat Legislative Assembly passed the UCC Bill, 2026, on March 24, 2026, through a majority voice vote. The law aims to establish a common legal framework for all citizens regardless of religion, covering areas such as marriage, divorce, succession, and live-in relationships. It also includes provisions like the prohibition of bigamy and mandatory registration of live-in relationships. However, Scheduled Tribes and certain constitutionally protected groups are exempted, ensuring protection of customary rights while promoting legal uniformity and gender equality.

Manipur launched the ‘Ningol Van Initiative’ on March 21, 2026, aligning with the International Day of Forests. The initiative focuses on enhancing community participation in forest conservation, with special emphasis on the role of women in protecting biodiversity and promoting sustainable practices. It aims to expand across all 16 districts of the state and supports livelihoods through micro food-processing units under Van Dhan Vikas Kendras, most of which are operated by women. The program also complements efforts to tackle illegal activities like poppy cultivation and promotes reforestation through bamboo and essential oil crops.

The Indiramma Family Life Insurance Scheme was announced as part of the Financial Year 2026–27 Budget by the Telangana government. The scheme aims to provide financial security to families by offering a life insurance cover of ₹5 lakh to each eligible household. It is designed to benefit around 1.15 crore families across the state, regardless of their socio-economic background. The initiative seeks to prevent financial distress among families in the event of the death of an earning member, ensuring a universal safety net for citizens.

Gujarat marked a significant milestone by successfully launching its first sounding rocket near Dholera on March 15, 2026. Developed by Ahmedabad-based Omspace Rocket and Exploration Pvt Ltd, the rocket reached an altitude of about 3 kilometers and carried a mini satellite payload for weather data collection. This achievement highlights the growing role of private startups in India’s space sector and reflects the state’s commitment to innovation through its Spacetech Policy 2025–2030. The mission also demonstrated advancements in propulsion, avionics, and lightweight composite materials, strengthening India’s self-reliance in aerospace technology.

The Himachal Pradesh government signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Dairy Development Board on March 16, 2026, to strengthen its dairy sector. The agreement focuses on enhancing milk processing capacity, improving infrastructure, and supporting farmers by providing better facilities. A key component of this initiative is the development of the Dagwar dairy project, which aims to become a major processing hub. Additionally, the promotion of dairy products under the ‘HIM’ brand is expected to boost the state’s market presence and generate employment opportunities in the dairy industry.