State PCS - Rajasthan (RAS)

• 17 Mar 2026

Rajasthan Assembly Passes Disturbed Areas Bill

Why in News? 

On March 6, 2026, the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly passed the Rajasthan Disturbed Areas (Control of Transfer of Immovable Property) Bill, 2026. The legislation aims to regulate the sale and transfer of property in areas officially notified as "disturbed" to prevent forced migrations and maintain communal harmony.  

Key Points: 

• Prior Permission Mandatory: In any area notified as 'disturbed' under the Act, no person can transfer (sell, gift, or lease) immovable property without the prior written permission of the District Collector. 
• Verification Process: Before granting permission, the Collector must hold an inquiry to ensure that the transfer is being made voluntarily and is not the result of coercion, threat, or "distress sale" due to communal tension. 
• Definition of ‘Disturbed Area’: The State Government can notify an area as "disturbed" for a specific period if it is satisfied that public peace and tranquility are threatened by riots or communal bridge-building issues. 
• Penalties for Violation: Any transfer made without following the prescribed procedure will be considered null and void. Parties involved may face imprisonment up to two years or a fine.  
• Objectives: The Bill seeks to check the trend of specific communities being forced to leave their ancestral neighbourhoods due to localized pressure, which often leads to the creation of mono-religious pockets. 
  • Curbing Distress Sales: It protects vulnerable property owners from being forced to sell their assets at throwaway prices during periods of social unrest. 
  • Maintaining Demographic Balance: By regulating transfers, the government aims to preserve the diverse social fabric of historic urban centres. 
• Significance:This highlights the state's power to enact "reasonable restrictions" on individual rights to maintain public order. 
• Communal Harmony: It reflects a proactive legislative approach to preventing the long-term sociological impacts of communal friction.

BCCI Naman Awards 2026

Why in News? 

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) organised the Naman Awards 2026 to honour outstanding performers and legendary personalities in Indian cricket for the 2024–25 season, recognising achievements in international and domestic cricket. 

Key Points: 

• Polly Umrigar Award: Shubman Gill received the Award for Best International Cricketer (Men) for the 2024–25 season, while Smriti Mandhana was named Best International Cricketer (Women), marking her record fifth BCCI honour.  
• Colonel C. K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award: It was conferred on former cricketers Rahul Dravid, Roger Binny, and Mithali Raj for their outstanding contribution to Indian cricket. 
• International Debut Awards: These awards recognise emerging cricketers for their impressive debut performances in international cricket. 
  • Best International Debut (Men): Harshit Rana 
  • Best International Debut (Women): N. Sree Charani 
• Domestic Cricket Awards: These honours recognise exceptional performances in India’s domestic cricket competitions. 
  • Jagmohan Dalmiya Trophy (Best Woman Cricketer – Domestic): Ira Jadhav 
  • Best Woman Cricketer in Senior Domestic One-Day Tournament: Shafali Verma 
• Lala Amarnath Award for Best All-Rounder: The award in domestic cricket was presented to Ayush Mhatre (Limited-Overs tournaments) and Harsh Dubey (Ranji Trophy). 
• Best Cricket Association: The Mumbai Cricket Association received the award for Best Performance in BCCI Domestic Tournaments for the 2024–25 season.  
• Best Umpire: Ulhas Gandhe was recognised as the Best Umpire in Domestic Cricket for his officiating performance in domestic tournaments. 
• Significance: The BCCI Naman Awards celebrate excellence across all levels of Indian cricket—international, domestic, and administrative—while honouring legendary personalities who have made lasting contributions to the sport. 

Read More: Ranji Trophy