Prelims Current Affairs includes National Horse Day, India’s First Hydrogen-Powered Water Taxi, Mission Punarutthan, Shilp Guru & National Handicrafts Awards, Your Money, Your Right Movement, Deepavali – UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, SAMPANN Portal, Charaichung Royal Bird Sanctuary, World Inequality Report 2026.

IMPORTANT DAYS

1. NATIONAL HORSE DAY

• Observed on 13 December.
• Aim: To honour the historical, cultural, and economic contributions made by horses.
• Recognises horses’ role in agriculture, transport, warfare, sports, ranching, and heritage.
• Celebrates the role of horses in shaping early civilisation and economies.

PLACE IN NEWS

2. INDIA’S FIRST HYDROGEN-POWERED WATER TAXI

Current Context: Varanasi launched India’s first hydrogen-powered water taxi, inaugurated at Namo Ghat, marking a major step in green inland water transport.

ABOUT THE HYDROGEN WATER TAXI

Built By: Cochin Shipyard
Engine Type: Hybrid electric–hydrogen system (zero emissions)
Capacity: Around 50 passengers
Route: Namo Ghat ↔ Ravidas Ghat
Future Extension: Asi Ghat & Markandeya Dham
Eco-Friendly Features:
1. Bio-toilets
2. CCTV surveillance
3. Solar panels
4. Low-noise propulsion

POLICY AND PROGRAMME

3. MISSION PUNARUTTHAN

Current Context: Nagaland launched Mission Punarutthan during Watershed Mahotsav 2025 to revive traditional water bodies and strengthen watershed systems.

ABOUT MISSION PUNARUTTHAN

• Aims to make villages water-secure and ecologically resilient.
• Emphasises community-led conservation.
• Supported by schemes like MGNREGA, enabling employment generation and rural resilience.

FOCUS AREAS:

• Revival of natural springs
• Strengthening watershed structures
• Enhancing groundwater availability
• Improving rural water security

4. ‘YOUR MONEY, YOUR RIGHT’ MOVEMENT

Current Context: The Prime Minister urged citizens to participate in the Your Money, Your Right movement to reclaim unclaimed financial assets.

ABOUT THE MOVEMENT

Launched: October 2025
Aim: Return unclaimed deposits, insurance proceeds, dividends, and mutual fund amounts to rightful owners.
Coordinated By: Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance

UNCLAIMED AMOUNTS IN INDIA
Banks: ₹78,000 crore
Insurance: ₹14,000 crore
Mutual Funds: ₹3,000 crore
Unpaid Dividends: ₹9,000 crore

PORTALS FOR RECOVERY
1. RBI – UDGAM (bank deposits)
2. IRDAI – Bima Bharosa (insurance)
3. SEBI – MITRA (mutual funds)
4. MCA – IEPFA (dividends & shares)

IMPLEMENTATION
1. District-level facilitation camps
2. On-spot assistance for verification and claims
3. Digital guidance for record updates

AWARDS

5. SHILP GURU & NATIONAL HANDICRAFTS AWARDS 2023–24

Current Context: President Droupadi Murmu presented the Shilp Guru and National Handicrafts Awards at Vigyan Bhawan during National Handicrafts Week 2025.

ABOUT THE AWARDS

National Handicrafts Awards: Instituted in 1965 to honour outstanding craftspersons preserving India’s cultural heritage.
Shilp Guru Awards: Instituted in 2002; highest national honour for master artisans.

AWARDS DISTRIBUTION (2023–24):
Total Awards: 48
1. 12 Shilp Guru Awards
2. 36 National Handicrafts Awards
3. 2 Design & Innovation Awards

WOMEN PARTICIPATION
1. 20 women awardees
2. Women constitute 68% of India’s handicraft workforce

HISTORY

6. DEEPAVALI – UNESCO INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE

Current Context: Deepavali has been added to UNESCO’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

ABOUT DEEPAVALI

• Festival of lights celebrated across India.
• Meaning: Deepa (light) + Avali (row).
• Observed on Kartik Amavasya (Oct–Nov).
• Symbolises prosperity, renewal, and abundance.
• Becomes India’s 16th element on UNESCO’s ICH list.

FIVE-DAY CELEBRATION

• Dhanteras – Auspicious purchases
• Naraka Chaturdashi – Rituals & lamps
• Deepavali – Lakshmi–Ganesha Puja
• Padwa – Family visits and gifting
• Bhai Dooj – Sibling bond

E-GOVERNANCE

7. SAMPANN PORTAL

Current Context: CGCA onboarded all MTNL employees retiring in November 2025 onto the SAMPANN portal.

ABOUT SAMPANN

Full Form: System for Accounting and Management of Pension
Launched: 29 December 2018
Developed By: Controller General of Communication Accounts (CGCA), DoT

FEATURES:

• Direct pension disbursement to bank accounts
• Single-window end-to-end pension processing
• Online grievance redressal
• Real-time pension tracking
• Faster arrear settlement

ENVIRONMENT

8. CHARAICHUNG ROYAL BIRD SANCTUARY

Current Context: The second Charaichung Festival was held in Majuli to revive Asia’s first royal bird sanctuary.

ABOUT THE SANCTUARY

• Asia’s first protected bird sanctuary (established 1633 AD)
• Founded by Ahom king Swargadeu Pratap Singha
• Located in Majuli, the world’s largest river island
• Home to ~150 indigenous and migratory bird species

CHARAICHUNG FESTIVAL

• Promotes sanctuary-based tourism
• Organised by Majuli Sahitya Sabha & local communities

REPORT

9. WORLD INEQUALITY REPORT 2026

Current Context: The World Inequality Report 2026 (3rd edition) was released by the World Inequality Lab.

KEY FINDINGS

Global Wealth:
1.  Top 1% own 37%
2. Top 10% own 75%

India:
1. Top 1% own 40%
2. Top 10% own 65%

Income Inequality:
1. Global top 10% earn 53%
2. India’s top 10% earn 58%

Climate Inequality:
 1. Top 10% emit 77% of carbon
2. Bottom 50% emit only 3%

• Billionaire wealth grew at 8% annually since the 1990s.
• Global South transfers over 1% of world GDP annually to Global North.

POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS

• Progressive taxation & global minimum billionaire tax
• Public investment in health, education, nutrition, childcare
• Cash transfers, pensions, unemployment benefits
• Gender-equality measures
• Climate justice through green subsidies
• Global financial reforms

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