Amit Shah chairs 26th Central Zonal Council meeting in Bastar, Chhattisgarh
On 19 May 2026 Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired the 26th meeting of the Central Zonal Council in Bastar, Chhattisgarh, attended by the Chief Ministers of Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
Summary
The 26th meeting of the Central Zonal Council (CZC) was held in Bastar, Chhattisgarh on 19 May 2026 under the chairmanship of Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Chief Ministers Vishnu Deo Sai (Chhattisgarh), Mohan Yadav (Madhya Pradesh), Yogi Adityanath (Uttar Pradesh) and Pushkar Singh Dhami (Uttarakhand) attended; the Inter-State Council Secretariat under the Home Ministry organised it with Chhattisgarh as host. Amit Shah said the meeting was being held in Bastar after the milestone of a Naxal-free India, and that the region had no pending inter-state or Centre–state disputes. He said Zonal Council meetings had nearly tripled compared with 2004–2014, urged High Courts to set up special courts for cases pending over five years, and directed states to upgrade cyber-crime helpline 1930 call centres.
Key facts
- Meeting / date
- 26th Central Zonal Council, Bastar, 19 May 2026
- Chair
- Union Home Minister Amit Shah
- Member states
- Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand
- Organiser
- Inter-State Council Secretariat (MHA); host Chhattisgarh
- Meetings
- Nearly tripled vs 2004–2014; 200%+ more issues discussed
- Directions
- Special courts for cases pending 5+ years; upgrade 1930 cyber helpline call centres
Practice MCQs 2 questions
Which of the following states is NOT a member of the Central Zonal Council, whose 26th meeting was held in Bastar in May 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Bihar
The meeting was attended by the Chief Ministers of the member states Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Bihar is not among them.
Which body organised the 26th meeting of the Central Zonal Council in May 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Inter-State Council Secretariat under the Ministry of Home Affairs
PIB: the meeting was organised by the Inter-State Council Secretariat, functioning under the MHA, with Chhattisgarh as host.