PANKHUDI Portal

Introduction

• An integrated, single-window digital portal to facilitate Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and partnership initiatives for women and child development.

Why in news?

• The Ministry of Women and Child Development has launched the PANKHUDI portal.

Background

• Inspired by the vision of technology-driven governance and Jan Bhagidari.
• Acts as a bridge between the government, citizens, and institutions to promote transparency, participation, and trust.
• Brings together individuals, NRIs, NGOs, CSR contributors, corporate entities, and government agencies on a common digital interface to streamline voluntary and institutional contributions.

Significance

• Strengthens collaboration and transparency in initiatives for women and child development.
• Enhances coordination, monitoring, and accountability through structured workflows.
• Strengthens the implementation of Mission Saksham Anganwadi & Poshan 2.0, Mission Vatsalya, and Mission Shakti.
• Represents a technology-enabled, outcome-oriented governance model, improving ease of doing CSR, strengthening partnerships, and enhancing ease of living for crores of beneficiaries across India.

Facts/General knowledge

• Coverage includes nutrition; health; Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE); child welfare, protection and rehabilitation; and women’s safety and empowerment.
• Contributors can register, identify initiatives, submit proposals, and track approvals and project progress on the portal.
• To ensure financial transparency and traceability, all contributions are accepted only through non-cash modes.
• Expected to improve service delivery across 14+ lakh Anganwadi Centres, ~5,000 Child Care Institutions, ~800 One Stop Centres, 500+ Shakhi Niwas, and 400+ Shakti Sadan.
• Topic: Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana

Introduction

• A scheme providing a dedicated account for a girl child with defined rules on eligibility, deposits, interest, withdrawals, maturity, and tax treatment.

Background

• Launched on 22 January 2015 as part of the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao Campaign.

Facts/General knowledge

• Eligibility: The account can be opened by the natural or legal guardian for a girl child below 10 years of age.

• Only one account may be opened in the name of a girl child.
• A natural or legal guardian may open accounts for up to two girl children.
• Deposits and contributions:

Minimum deposit: ₹250.

• Maximum deposit: ₹1,50,000 per financial year.
• Deposits can be made for up to 15 years from the date of account opening.
• Tax benefits:

Contributions, interest, and maturity proceeds are exempt under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act, making it a triple tax-free (EEE) scheme.

• Interest: The interest rate is revised quarterly by the Ministry of Finance.

• Interest is calculated monthly on the lowest balance between the close of the fifth day and the end of the month.
• Interest is credited at the end of each financial year.
• Maturity: The account matures upon completion of 21 years from the date of opening.

• Early closure is permitted for marriage after the account holder turns 18, subject to required documents.
• Account management: Managed by the guardian until the girl child turns 18.

• Upon turning 18, the account holder can assume control by submitting necessary documents.
• Withdrawals for education: Up to 50% withdrawal allowed after the account holder turns 18 or completes the tenth standard, whichever comes first.

• Withdrawals may be taken as a lump sum or in instalments, with a maximum of one withdrawal per year for up to five years.
• Premature closure:
• Immediate closure in the event of the account holder’s death.
• Allowed on extreme compassionate grounds, such as life-threatening medical issues of the account holder or the death of the guardian.
• No premature closure within the first five years of opening.

Sanskaar Shaala – Assam’s Value-Based Education Initiative

Introduction

• Lakshman Prasad Acharya, Governor of Assam, inaugurated Sanskaar Shaala, a value-based education programme for children in Guwahati.
• The initiative complements formal education in a modern, technology-driven society.
• It promotes moral education, Indian cultural values, and social responsibility among children.

Why in news?

• The Governor of Assam launched the Sanskaar Shaala programme focused on value-based education.
• He also attended the Golden Jubilee celebrations of Guwahati Blind High School.

Background

• Designed for children aged 4 to 14 years.
• Focuses on ethics, compassion, and Indian cultural values.
• Aims to shape responsible and value-oriented citizens.
• Governor’s key observations:
• Values are the foundation of personality and social harmony.
• Moral education must accompany formal learning.
• Ancient Indian texts offer timeless guidance on righteous living.

Significance

• Preserves India’s moral and cultural heritage.
• Encourages social responsibility from an early age.
• Balances technological progress with ethics and discipline.

Facts/General knowledge

• Launch location: Guwahati, Assam.
• Programme name: Sanskaar Shaala.
• Core themes: Ethics, compassion, Indian cultural values, social responsibility, and moral education.

Namma Arasu App (Tamil Nadu)

Introduction

• Namma Arasu is a Tamil Nadu government app featuring a user-friendly chatbot available in Tamil and English.
• Residents interact via text for maximum inclusivity.

Background

• The platform consolidates services from around 16 government departments into a single channel.
• Users engage through one WhatsApp number, selecting options from a menu to complete tasks.
• This removes the need for multiple apps or visits to government offices.

Significance

• A Tamil and English chatbot with text interaction supports maximum inclusivity.
• A single-number, menu-driven WhatsApp interface simplifies access to government services.
• Integration across departments centralises routine citizen services.

Facts/General knowledge

• Services available include: Booking bus tickets

• Receiving examination hall tickets
• Applying for or accessing social welfare schemes
• Paying taxes and utility bills
• Availing agriculture subsidies
• Renewing licences
• Filing grievances
• Departments integrated include rural development, social welfare, agriculture, and Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE).

Ayush Export Promotion Council (AYUSHEXCIL)

Introduction

• Nodal Export Promotion Council for the AYUSH sector
• Launched by the Prime Minister during the Global AYUSH Investment and Innovation Summit, Gandhinagar in 2022
• Functions in consultation with the Ministry of AYUSH, with support from the Ministry of Commerce & Industry

Why in news?

• Observed its 4th Establishment Anniversary on 4th January 2026

Background

• AYUSH systems have received formal recognition in bilateral trade agreements, including the India–Oman CEPA and the India–New Zealand FTA, with dedicated annexes on traditional medicine and health-related services

Significance

• Anchors the Ayush Quality Mark programme of the Ministry of AYUSH, strengthening global quality assurance and product credibility
• Strengthens global market access through exporter capacity building, regulatory compliance facilitation, B2B meetings, international exhibitions, seminars and overseas outreach programmes
• AYUSH and herbal product exports grew by 6.11%, from USD 649.2 million (2023–24) to USD 688.89 million (2024–25), reflecting rising global demand for India’s traditional medicine systems

Facts/General knowledge

• Acronym: AYUSHEXCIL
• Coverage: Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa, Homeopathy, herbal products and Indian traditional healthcare services

Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari

Introduction

• An initiative to conserve water with strong community involvement and ownership.
• Plans the construction of about 24,800 rainwater harvesting structures through community participation to ensure long-term water sustainability across the state.

Why in news?

• Recently launched by the Indian prime minister from Surat, Gujarat, to enhance rainwater harvesting.

Background

• Draws on the success of Gujarat’s Jal Sanchay initiative that mobilised citizens, local bodies, industries and other stakeholders.
• Adopts a whole-of-society and whole-of-government approach to involve everyone from citizens to government bodies.
• Frames water conservation as a social commitment rooted in India’s traditional consciousness, revering water as a form of God and rivers as Goddesses.
• Aligns with the ongoing Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain for collaborative water management.

Significance

• Conserves water by capturing rainwater, reducing demand on local supplies.
• Lowers rainwater runoff, mitigating soil erosion, flooding risk, and impacts on local waterways and ecosystems.
• Recharges groundwater by returning collected rainwater to the ground to help maintain water levels.
• Eases pressure on municipal water infrastructure, delaying costly upgrades and expansions.
• Facts/General knowledge
• Ministry: Ministry of Jal Shakti.

Sandalwood Leopard Sighting in Karnataka

Introduction

• Karnataka has recorded an ultra-rare strawberry-coloured leopard, popularly called the Sandalwood Leopard.
• This leopard shows a pale reddish-pink or strawberry-coloured coat with light-brown rosettes, unlike the usual tawny-yellow coat with black rosettes.

Why in news?

• It is Karnataka’s first-ever sighting, drawing national and global attention.
• This is only the second recorded sighting in India; the earlier instance was reported from Ranakpur, Rajasthan, in 2021.
• The leopard was documented in Vijayanagara district using camera traps by conservation scientist Sanjay Gubbi and his team from the Holematthi Nature Foundation.
• The animal is believed to be a seven-year-old female, and one camera trap image captured her with a cub of normal coat colour.

Background

• Internationally, such leopards are referred to as strawberry leopards.
• Scientists attribute the rare coloration to unusual genetic conditions such as hypomelanism (reduced dark pigmentation) or erythrism (excess red pigmentation).
• Globally, this colour morph has been documented only five times: twice in South Africa, once in Tanzania, and twice in India.
• The name Sandalwood Leopard reflects Karnataka’s cultural and ecological association with sandalwood forests.
• Karnataka is known for having one of the highest densities of melanistic leopards, commonly called black panthers.

Significance

• The discovery underscores the genetic diversity and adaptability of leopards in the region.
• Such rare findings are important for understanding evolutionary biology, biodiversity conservation, and long-term wildlife management strategies.

Facts/General knowledge

• Karnataka: Capital – Bengaluru; Chief Minister – Siddaramaiah; Governor – Thaawarchand Gehlot.
• National Parks: Bandipur, Nagarhole, Kudremukh, Anshi (Kali), Bannerghatta.
• Wildlife Sanctuaries: Dandeli, Bhadra, Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary, Brahmagiri, Pushpagiri, Cauvery.
• Recent development: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah launched the upgraded e-Swathu 2.0, a digital platform to regularise rural properties, expected to bring 95 lakh gram panchayat properties under the tax net and generate up to Rs 2,000 crore in revenue.