LEGAL NEWS

Supreme Court Expands Maternity Leave Rights for Adoptive Mothers

• The Supreme Court of India struck down a maternity leave restriction applicable to adoptive mothers.

• Earlier, leave benefits were allowed only if the adopted child was below 3 months of age.

• The Court removed this condition and granted 12 weeks maternity leave to adoptive mothers.

• This entitlement will now apply irrespective of the child’s age at adoption.

• The judgment was delivered by a bench of Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Justice R. Mahadevan.

• The Court held that maternity benefits should be inclusive social security rights, not limited by arbitrary age rules.

• It clearly recognised that adoptive mothers have the same parental duties and rights as biological mothers.

• The Centre was also advised to explore paternity leave provisions, treating them as part of social welfare under the Code on Social Security, 2020 (Section 60(4)).

National Highways Fee Rules, 2026 Amendment

• The Government has amended the National Highways Fee Rules, 2026 to improve toll compliance and digital enforcement.

• The changes aim to enhance transparency, accountability, and strengthen investor confidence in toll operations.

• A structured recovery system has been introduced for efficient collection of unpaid toll/user fees.

• A new Electronic Notice (e-notice) mechanism will send toll default details to registered vehicle owners.

• Notices will include vehicle number, toll plaza details, travel date, and pending amount.

• E-notices will be delivered via SMS, email, mobile apps, and will also be available on an online portal.

• The FASTag/National Electronic Toll Collection system has been integrated with the VAHAN database for better vehicle identification.

• A grievance facility allows users to raise objections within 72 hours, supporting a barrier-free and fully digital tolling system.

STATE NEWS

Gujarat UCC Committee Submits Final Draft Report

• The Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Committee of Gujarat submitted its final draft report to Bhupendra Patel in Gandhinagar.

• The committee was headed by former Supreme Court judge Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai.

• It included legal experts, senior bureaucrats, and eminent professionals from different fields.

• The draft was prepared after district-level studies and wide public consultations across Gujarat.

• The report suggests a common civil law framework for all religions covering marriage, divorce, inheritance, and adoption.

• Special emphasis has been given to ensuring women’s equality, rights, and legal protection.

• The committee also kept Gujarat’s cultural and geographical diversity in mind while drafting recommendations.

• The Gujarat government will now examine the report and decide the next steps for possible UCC implementation.

Uttarvahini Narmada Parikrama Begins in Gujarat

• The Uttarvahini Narmada Parikrama has started in Gujarat as a month-long spiritual pilgrimage.

• The event is expected to attract millions of devotees from across the country.

• Pilgrims will undertake a 30-km parikrama route along the sacred Narmada River.

• The yatra begins from Rampura and ends at the same point, completing the circular route.

• The administration has made digital registration compulsory for all participants.

• Devotees must register by scanning a QR code via the Yatradham Portal before starting.

• Around ₹10 crore has been spent to develop and improve the parikrama route.

• Pilgrims are expected from Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and other states.

SPORTS

India to Host World Indoor Athletics Championships 2028

• India has been selected to host the World Indoor Athletics Championships 2028 for the first time.

• The event will be held at the Kalinga Stadium indoor facility in Bhubaneswar.

• Hosting rights were awarded on 19 March during the World Athletics Council meeting in Torun.

• The decision highlights India’s rising status in global athletics.

• The 2026 edition of the championship is being held in Torun, Poland.

• The 2026 event is scheduled from 20 to 22 March over three days.

• The championship generally features around 26 events, equally divided for men and women.

• A mixed 4x400m relay has been included for the first time in the 2026 edition.

GOVERNMENT SCHEMES

Cabinet Clears Small Hydro Scheme & NH-927 Highway Project

• The Union Cabinet approved the Small Hydro Power Development Scheme for 2026–27 to 2030–31.

• The scheme has a total budget of over ₹2,584 crore.

• It targets installation of around 1,500 MW of small hydro power capacity.

• The initiative is expected to attract investments worth nearly ₹15,000 crore.

• It mainly aims to promote clean energy in rural and remote regions and boost employment.

• Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that states will be encouraged to prepare DPRs, with about 200 projects likely.

• The Cabinet also cleared a highway infrastructure project under NH-927 in Uttar Pradesh.

• The project includes a 4-lane access-controlled Barabanki–Bahraich stretch (101+ km) costing about ₹6,969 crore.

Patna Workshop on SDG Monitoring, Environment Accounts & Gender Statistics

• A two-day capacity-building workshop is being held in Patna on 18–19 March 2026.

• It is organised by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation in collaboration with the Government of Bihar.

• Technical support is being provided by UNDP India.

• The workshop aims to strengthen skills in SDG monitoring, environmental accounting, and gender statistics for data-based policymaking.

• Officials from ministries, state/UT departments and international agencies are participating to share experiences and best practices.

• Senior dignitaries including Bihar’s Planning & Development Minister, MoSPI Secretary and Bihar Chief Secretary attended the event.

• Day 1 focused on SDGs and gender statistics, including the National Indicator Framework and alignment with state indicators.

• Day 2 will cover environment accounts, including SEEA framework, forest valuation, biodiversity, and ecosystem services.