1 . Pradhan Mantri Dakshata Aur Kushalta Sampann Hitgrahi (PM-DAKSH)
Syllabus Mapping: GS-II: Welfare Schemes for Vulnerable Sections | GS-III: Skill Development | Inclusive Growth
- PM-DAKSH, a Central Sector Scheme launched in 2020–21, provides skill training to SCs, OBCs, EWS, De-notified Tribes (DNTs), Safai Karamcharis and waste pickers to promote wage employment and self-employment.
- The scheme is implemented by three corporations under the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment (DoSJE): National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation (NSFDC), National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation (NBCFDC) and National Safai Karamcharis Finance & Development Corporation (NSKFDC).
- DoSJE releases funds to these corporations, which reimburse training costs to institutes empanelled under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY). Training institutes must collaborate with relevant industries and provide wage and/or self-employment to at least 70% of trained candidates; failure results in forfeiture of the third instalment, amounting to 30% of the training cost.
- The three implementing corporations also provide eligible beneficiaries with loans and handholding support to establish their own projects, facilitating self-employment alongside skill-based wage employment.
- During 2020–21 to 2023–24, the scheme trained 1,87,305 candidates, of whom 96,162 were placed.
- The scheme’s evaluation found that over 90% of beneficiaries reported alignment of training with their career goals, local labour-market needs and intended learning outcomes. Other reported gains included improved confidence, self-esteem and social recognition, particularly among women and marginalised groups.
- From 2024–25, PM-DAKSH was subsumed under PMKVY to avoid duplication, as the job roles offered under PM-DAKSH were also covered under PMKVY and available through the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH).
2. Kashi Tamil Sangamam 5.0
Syllabus Mapping: GS-I: Indian Culture | Indian Literature | GS-II: Education | Government Initiatives
- The fifth edition of Kashi Tamil Sangamam (KTS 5.0) will be held from 28 November to 12 December 2026 under the theme “Thirukkural Payilvom – Thirukkural Abhyas Karen” to strengthen civilisational ties between Tamil Nadu and Kashi.
- Launched in 2022, Kashi Tamil Sangamam is associated with Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat, which promotes cultural exchange and mutual understanding among different regions of India.
- The programme is organised by the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, in collaboration with IIT Madras, Banaras Hindu University (BHU) and the Central Institute of Classical Tamil (CICT), Chennai, among other institutions.
- Thirukkural, traditionally attributed to the Tamil poet-philosopher Thiruvalluvar, comprises 1,330 couplets in 133 chapters, organised into three sections: Aram (virtue), Porul (wealth) and Inbam (love).
- The 2026 theme aims to familiarise youth with the ethical teachings of Thirukkural. The text is being promoted through multilingual learning resources in 22 languages, corresponding to the languages in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.
- Tamil was the first Indian language to receive Classical Language status, in 2004. India currently recognises 11 Classical Languages.
- Around 1,400 participants from Tamil Nadu, divided into seven groups, will participate in an eight-day programme involving cultural, academic and spiritual engagements in Varanasi, Prayagraj and Ayodhya.
- A nationwide student engagement initiative will involve 1,000 higher educational institutions, with one student selected from each participating institution. The programme includes learning activities, a one-month internship and campus-level dissemination of Thirukkural’s teachings; selected students are offered a ₹10,000 stipend.
- The initiative also includes school and college outreach, interactive sessions and technology-enabled dissemination of Thirukkural.
3. Nuakhai Festival and Seva Samman Parv
Syllabus Mapping: GS-I: Indian Culture | Regional Festivals | GS-II: Women Empowerment | Inclusive Development
- President Droupadi Murmu attended Seva Samman Parv and Yuva Prabodhan during the Nuakhai Milan Samaroh in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, on 22 October 2026, highlighting agricultural traditions, social harmony, youth development and women’s participation in nation-building.
- Seva Samman Parv highlights the values of social service, public contribution and recognition of those working for society, while Yuva Prabodhan focuses on youth awareness, ethical conduct, innovation and their role in nation-building. Both programmes were held in the context of the Nuakhai celebrations.
- Nuakhai is a major harvest festival of Western Odisha. The name combines Nua (new) and Khai (eating), symbolising the consumption of the newly harvested crop after offering it to the presiding deity.
- The festival is associated with Nabanna (newly harvested rice offered as the first harvest) and community celebrations expressing gratitude to nature, respect for farmers and the importance of food.
- Maa Samaleswari, the presiding deity of Sambalpur, is closely associated with Nuakhai. The traditional greeting “Nuakhai Juhar” involves paying respect to elders and seeking their blessings.
- Nuakhai reflects the relationship between agriculture, local religious traditions and community identity. The President emphasised responsible food consumption, recognition of farmers’ contributions and conservation of natural resources.
- Harvest festivals across India reflect regional agricultural cycles—Baisakhi in Punjab, Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Bihu in Assam and Onam in Kerala.
- The President stressed that achieving Viksit Bharat 2047 requires equal participation of women and opportunities for them to contribute to social and national development.
4. SARAS Mela 2026 – Promoting Rural Women’s Enterprises
Syllabus Mapping: GS-II: Welfare Schemes for Vulnerable Sections | GS-III: Inclusive Growth | Women’s Empowerment
- The National SARAS Mela 2026 is being held at Punnami Ghat, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, from 13–31 October 2026. It is the first National SARAS Mela outside Delhi-NCR, bringing together around 1,500 women SHG entrepreneurs from 34 States and UTs across more than 650 stalls.
- Organised under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana–National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), SARAS Melas connect women-led Self-Help Group (SHG) enterprises with consumers, institutional buyers and wider markets through direct sales, branding and business linkages.
- The initiative began in 1999 with the first National SARAS Mela in Delhi, involving around 65 beneficiaries. 117 National SARAS Melas have been organised, with annual sales exceeding ₹200 crore. States and UTs organise at least two State-level SARAS Melas annually, contributing to around 50 SARAS events per year nationally across different levels.
- DAY-NRLM, under the Ministry of Rural Development, mobilises rural women into SHGs and their federations, facilitating financial inclusion, access to credit, skills and sustainable livelihood opportunities.
- The Lakhpati Didi initiative aims to help SHG members achieve sustainable annual household income of at least ₹1 lakh, assessed over at least four agricultural seasons and/or business cycles. The Lakhpati Didi target rose from 2 crore to 3 crore in the Interim Budget 2024–25 and was subsequently doubled to 6 crore in 2026.
- The Lakhpati Didi Pavilion showcases successful entrepreneurs, including women earning over ₹10 lakh annually and some earning more than ₹1 crore, encouraging peer learning and the exchange of business models.
- Dedicated Learning and Knowledge, Convergence and Demonstration Pavilions facilitate business training, institutional linkages and live demonstrations of traditional and contemporary production techniques, including pottery, needlework and mirror-work embroidery.
- The Convergence Pavilion connects SHG entrepreneurs with government departments and market institutions, including NABARD, NIRDPR, GeM, ONDC and TRIFED, supporting access to finance, procurement, digital commerce and enterprise-related assistance.
- The India Food Court features 50 food stalls and over 200 first-generation women food-service entrepreneurs from more than 28 States and UTs, providing a national marketplace for regional cuisines and women-led food enterprises.
- Digital integration includes eSARAS, an online platform for discovering and purchasing SHG products, and the SARAS Mela Digital App, introduced in 2025 for nominations, attendance management and event information. UPI payments support cashless transactions, while coupon-based cash payment facilities accommodate visitors who prefer cash.
- A 16-foot installation titled “SHAKTI – The Spirit of Lakhpati Didi” symbolises the collective strength of women entrepreneurs. The Mela also showcases traditional textiles, handicrafts and processed foods, promoting Vocal for Local and Atmanirbhar Bharat by linking rural producers with wider markets.
5. India–Brazil–South Africa Maritime Exercise (IBSAMAR IX 2026)
Syllabus Mapping: GS-II: Bilateral and Multilateral Relations | GS-III: Security | Maritime Cooperation
- The 9th edition of IBSAMAR (IBSAMAR IX 2026) concluded on 20 October 2026 at Simon’s Town, South Africa, following ten days of joint activities involving the Indian, Brazilian and South African Navies.
- IBSAMAR is a trilateral maritime exercise that strengthens naval interoperability, operational coordination and professional exchanges among the three participating countries.
- The exercise comprised harbour and sea phases, including joint training, professional interactions and maritime evolutions to familiarise participating personnel with each other’s procedures and operational capabilities.
- India, Brazil and South Africa are also members of IBSA (India-Brazil-South Africa) Dialogue Forum, a trilateral cooperation initiative established in 2003 among three major democracies from Asia, South America and Africa.
- The exercise supports cooperation on shared maritime challenges and the objective of maintaining safe, secure and open seas, strengthening naval relationships across the Indian, Atlantic and Southern Ocean regions.
