Leprosy clause removed from UP beggary law
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On 10 March 2026 the UP Cabinet approved amending Section 21 of the UP Prohibition of Beggary Act, 1975 to remove leprosy-related provisions. It follows a Supreme Court order of 7 May 2025. The provisions are also aligned with the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017. An amendment Bill of 2026 will be placed before the state legislature.
- Date
- 10 March 2026, UP Cabinet
- Law
- UP Prohibition of Beggary Act, 1975
- Section
- 21
- Change
- leprosy-related provisions removed
- Trigger
- Supreme Court order of 7 May 2025
- Aligned with
- Mental Healthcare Act, 2017
Removal of the leprosy clause from UP’s beggary law: what happened?
Leprosy is curable. Yet old laws still treated people affected by it as a class apart. Such clauses shame people and keep them out of society. The Supreme Court has been asking states to clear these laws out.
- The Cabinet approved amending Section 21 of the 1975 Act.
- The leprosy provisions are removed and the section aligned with the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017.
- The UP Prohibition of Beggary (Amendment) Bill, 2026 will go to the state legislature.
Why does it matter?
- The Cabinet says it ends discrimination against persons affected by leprosy.
- It secures their right to a life with dignity.
Why does removal of the leprosy clause from UP’s beggary law matter?
- Rights: Dignity and equality for persons affected by leprosy.
- Law reform: Old laws brought in line with modern health law.
What can Prelims ask on removal of the leprosy clause from UP’s beggary law?
- UP Prohibition of Beggary Act, 1975: Section 21 leprosy clause removed (2026).
- Followed Supreme Court order of 7 May 2025.
Read all of March 2026 in the monthly UP current affairs compilation →
How to use this in Mains
- Laws that single out leprosy patients violate dignity; the Court has been clearing them out.
Quotable data pointThe Cabinet approved amending Section 21 of the UP Prohibition of Beggary Act-1975 to remove leprosy-related provisions, following a Supreme Court order of 7 May 2025 [UP Cabinet].
UP Information Dept: Cabinet decisions, 10 March 2026 (Hindi PDF)
Exam angle
GS-VI: social justice in UP. Use as an example of removing discriminatory provisions from state law.
Practice MCQs
Original practice questions (not PYQs).
The UP Cabinet in March 2026 removed leprosy provisions from which section of the UP Prohibition of Beggary Act, 1975?
Answer (c) & explanation
UP Cabinet note, 10 March 2026.
Questions students ask about this
What change was made to the UP beggary law?
Leprosy-related provisions are removed from Section 21 of the UP Prohibition of Beggary Act, 1975.
Why was it done?
To comply with a Supreme Court order of 7 May 2025 and end discrimination against persons affected by leprosy.
Which law are the provisions aligned with?
The Mental Healthcare Act, 2017.
Keep studying
Go deeper
Official source: UP Information Dept: Cabinet decisions, 10 March 2026 (Hindi PDF)
facts from cited sources only; numbers machine-checked against source text; faculty review pending