State PCS - Maharashtra (MPSC)

• 19 Mar 2026

India Hosts BIMSTEC Young Professionals Exchange Programme in Maharashtra

Why in News? 

India hosted the BIMSTEC Young Professionals Exchange Programme in Maharashtra in March 2026 to promote regional cooperation, knowledge exchange, and exposure to India’s innovation ecosystem. 

Key Points: 

• Organising Authority: The programme was organised by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in partnership with the Government of Maharashtra.  
  • The programme was conducted in Mumbai and Pune in Maharashtra. 
  • Around 30 young professionals, including innovators, entrepreneurs, and technology experts from BIMSTEC countries, participated.  
• Objective: To promote knowledge exchange, regional cooperation, and collaboration among emerging leaders of the Bay of Bengal region.  
  • Exposure to India’s innovation, start-up, research, and technology ecosystems. 
• Outcome: The initiative enabled participants to understand India’s development model and explore opportunities for partnerships and collaboration.  
• First Edition: It was the first BIMSTEC Young Professionals Exchange Programme, institutionalising youth-led regional cooperation. 
• BIMSTEC: BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) connects South and Southeast Asia, comprising 7 member countries. 
• Significance: Strengthens people-to-people ties, innovation networks, and regional integration among BIMSTEC nations. 

Read More: BIMSTEC, 

Maharashtra Passes Freedom of Religion Bill 2026

Why in News? 

The Maharashtra Legislature has passed the Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Bill 2026, aimed at regulating religious conversions and preventing conversions through coercion, fraud, or inducement. 

Key Points: 

• Key Provisions of the Bill: Bans conversions made through force, fraud, allurement, coercion, or marriage-related deception. 
• Penalties: 
  • General offences: 3 to 5 years jail and fine up to ₹1 lakh. 
  • Vulnerable groups (Minors, Women, SC/ST): Up to 7 years jail and ₹5 lakh fine. 
  • Mass conversions: Up to 10 years jail and ₹5 lakh fine. 
• Procedural Mandates: Requires a 60-day prior notice to the District Magistrate and post-conversion reporting within 21 days. 
• Burden of Proof: Placed on the accused to prove the conversion was not forced or fraudulent. 
• Fundamental Rights: Article 25 of the Indian Constitution guarantees freedom of religion, including the right to propagate religion. 
  • However, the Supreme Court has upheld that forced or fraudulent conversions are not protected. 
• Judicial Position: In Rev. Stanislaus vs State of Madhya Pradesh (1977), the Supreme Court ruled: 
  • The right to “propagate” does not include the right to convert others by force or inducement. 
• Significance: Seeks to prevent exploitation and coercion in religious conversion.

Read More:Article 25