Current Affairs - State

In April 2026, the Legislative Assembly of Punjab passed the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Bill, 2026, to impose stricter penalties for acts of sacrilege against the holy Sikh scripture. The bill was passed unanimously during a special session and introduced stringent punishments, including a minimum imprisonment of 10 years and up to life imprisonment. It also included heavy financial penalties ranging from ₹5 lakh to ₹25 lakh. This legislative move reflects the state’s commitment to protecting religious sentiments and maintaining law and order concerning sensitive cultural and spiritual matters.

On April 14, 2026, the government of Uttar Pradesh introduced an interim increase in minimum wages for unskilled, semi-skilled, and skilled workers. This decision came in response to labor protests in the Gautam Buddha Nagar district, particularly in industrial hubs like Noida and Ghaziabad. The wage hike was applied retrospectively from April 1, 2026, with varying increases across regions, including 21% in major urban centers. The move aimed to address rising living costs and worker dissatisfaction in the National Capital Region. Additionally, the state announced plans to establish a Wage Board to recommend a permanent wage structure.

The state government of Haryana implemented a revised minimum wage structure starting April 1, 2026, significantly increasing the monthly wages of unskilled workers from ₹11,257 to ₹15,220. This move was aimed at improving the standard of living for workers and ensuring fair compensation across different labour categories, including semi-skilled and skilled workers. In addition to wage reforms, the state also introduced social welfare measures such as a 33% reservation for women in ration depot allocations, prioritising disadvantaged groups like widows and members of self-help groups, thereby promoting inclusive development and economic empowerment.

Madhya Pradesh is the state where the cabinet approved multiple development packages worth over ₹18,000 crore. These initiatives focus on strengthening irrigation infrastructure, promoting agricultural mechanisation, enhancing women’s safety, and improving health and nutrition services. Significant allocations were made for projects like the Midwas Medium Irrigation Project, Sub-mission on Agricultural Mechanisation, and welfare schemes such as Beti Bachao Beti Padhao. The approvals also include funding for public works and new medical colleges, reflecting a comprehensive approach to socio-economic development across rural and urban areas in the state.

Karnataka is the state where the commemorative postage stamps honouring ISRO’s human spaceflight programme were released. The event took place in Bengaluru, which is also the headquarters of ISRO and a major hub for India’s space research and technological advancements. The ceremony highlighted India’s achievements in space exploration, including progress from early satellite launches to ambitious missions like Gaganyaan. The state plays a crucial role in India’s scientific development, housing key institutions and contributing significantly to advancements in aerospace, making it central to such national-level initiatives.