Prelims Current Affairs includes Sanskaar Shaala, India’s First Hydrogen-Powered Train, Supreme Court Signs Law Clerk Exchange Mou with Bhutan, Tamil Nadu Announces Assured Pension Scheme (Taps), National-Level Saras Mela 2026, Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC), Melghat Tiger Reserve and Justice Mission 2025

POLICY AND PROGRAMME

1. SANSKAAR SHAALA

Current Context: The Governor of Assam, Lakshman Prasad Acharya, inaugurated Sanskaar Shaala, a value-based education programme for children, in Guwahati.

ABOUT SANSKAAR SHAALA

• Target Group: Children aged 4–14 years
• Nature: Value-based education programme
• Focus Areas: Ethics, compassion, discipline and Indian cultural values

OBJECTIVES

• To complement formal education with moral learning
• To promote social responsibility among children
• To nurture value-oriented and responsible citizens

POLITY

2. SUPREME COURT SIGNS LAW CLERK EXCHANGE MOU WITH BHUTAN

Current Context: The Supreme Court of India signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Bhutan to exchange law clerks.

WHY IN THE NEWS

• Bhutanese law clerks will work in the Supreme Court of India
• The announcement was made by Chief Justice Surya Kant

ABOUT THE MOU

• Two law clerks from Bhutan will be selected
• Tenure: Three months
• Honorarium: Same as Indian law clerks
• Travel Expenses: Borne by the Supreme Court of India

BACKGROUND

• Former CJI B R Gavai visited Bhutan in October 2025
• Both countries agreed to strengthen judicial cooperation
• Focus on technology integration and capacity building

STATE IN NEWS

3. TAMIL NADU ANNOUNCES ASSURED PENSION SCHEME (TAPS)

Current Context: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin announced the Tamil Nadu Assured Pension Scheme (TAPS) for state employees and teachers.

KEY FEATURES OF TAPS

• Pension Amount: 50% of last-drawn monthly salary
• Employee Contribution: 10% of basic salary
• Government Contribution: Remaining amount

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS

• Dearness Allowance revision every six months
• Family pension equal to 60% of last-drawn pension
• Gratuity up to ₹25 lakh
• Minimum assured pension even without qualifying service

SPECIAL PROVISIONS

• Compassionate pension for CPS employees retiring without pension
• Partial return to Old Pension Scheme-like benefits

POLICY AND PROGRAMME

4. NATIONAL-LEVEL SARAS MELA 2026

Current Context: Guntur district (Andhra Pradesh) will host the National-level SARAS Mela 2026 from 6 to 18 January 2026.

PARTICIPATION DETAILS

• Around 300 women artisans and entrepreneurs
• Representation from 21 States and Union Territories
• Includes DWCRA Self-Help Groups

FEATURES OF THE MELA

• Handicrafts, bamboo crafts, jewellery, eco-friendly products
• Handloom weaves like Pochampally and Gadwal
• All-India SHG Food Court

CULTURAL HIGHLIGHTS

• Rayalaseema cuisine
• Madugula Halwa
• Bheemili Thandra
• Atreyapuram Pootharekulu

ORGANISATION

5. APPAREL EXPORT PROMOTION COUNCIL (AEPC)

Current Context: Dr. A Sakthivel has been appointed Chairman of the Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) for the fifth term.

ABOUT AEPC

• Established: 1978
• Operates under the Ministry of Textiles
• Official body of apparel exporters in India

OBJECTIVES

• Promote Indian garment exports globally
• Improve competitiveness of apparel sector

FUNCTIONS

• Organises national and international trade fairs
• Conducts market research
• Policy advocacy with government
• Skill development programmes
• Ensures quality standards and certification
• Headquarters: Gurugram, Haryana

ENVIRONMENT

6. MELGHAT TIGER RESERVE

Current Context: The Bombay Natural History Society released 15 critically endangered Indian vultures in Melghat Tiger Reserve, Maharashtra.

About Melghat Tiger Reserve

• Situated in Maharashtra
• Part of Satpura Hill Range (Gavilgarh Hills)
• First tiger reserve of Maharashtra

PHYSICAL FEATURES

• Tropical dry deciduous forests dominated by teak
• Catchment area for rivers: Khandu, Khapra, Sipna, Gadga, Dolar
• Rivers are tributaries of Tapti River

BIODIVERSITY

• Fauna: Tiger, Sloth Bear, Gaur, Leopard, Dhole, Hyena
• Stronghold of critically endangered Forest Owlet

TRIBAL COMMUNITIES

• Korkus (largest group)
• Gond and Gawli communities

DEFENCE

7. JUSTICE MISSION 2025

Current Context: China conducted large-scale military drills around Taiwan under Justice Mission 2025.

ABOUT JUSTICE MISSION 2025

• Large inter-service military exercise
• Involves army, navy, air force and missile units

OBJECTIVES

• Sea-air combat readiness patrols
• Blockade of key ports and areas
• All-domain deterrence

STRATEGIC CONTEXT

• China claims Taiwan as sovereign territory
• Warns against Taiwan independence
• Follows US arms sales worth USD 10 billion to Taiwan

MISCELLANEOUS

8. INDIA’S FIRST HYDROGEN-POWERED TRAIN

Current Context: India is set to launch its first hydrogen-powered train on the Jind–Sonipat route in Haryana, marking a major step towards clean and sustainable rail transport.

ABOUT THE PROJECT

• Implementing Agency: Indian Railways
• Zone: Northern Railway
• Route: Jind to Sonipat (Haryana)
• Nature: Pilot project

TECHNOLOGY USED

• Hydrogen produced through electrolysis
• Represents green hydrogen generation
• Aims to cut carbon emissions and fossil fuel use

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