State PCS - JAMMU & KASHMIR (JKAS)

• 17 Dec 2025

25,000 Jan Aushadhi Kendras by March 2027

Why in News? 

The Government has set a new target to increase the number of Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras (JAKs) in India to 25,000 by March 2027. 

Key Points 

• Current Status: As of 30 November 2025, a total of 17,610 Janaushadhi Kendras (JAKs) have been opened nationwide, compared to only 80 in 2014, showing significant expansion of the scheme.  
• Target Set: The Government has set a target of increasing JAKs to 25,000 by March 2027 to further improve access to low‑cost quality generic medicines. 
• About Jan Aushadhi Kendra: It is a government-supported retail outlet  scheme that sells quality generic medicines at affordable prices to the public. 
• Growing Awareness: Rising sales volumes and an expanding product basket under the scheme indicate increasing public confidence and awareness about Janaushadhi medicines. 
• Entrepreneur Participation: Enhanced viability and attractiveness of JAKs have led to a 37% increase in outlets and a 38% increase in MRP sales value in the last financial year. 
• Application Process: JAKs are opened by inviting online applications from individual entrepreneurs, NGOs, societies, trusts, firms, and companies through the official Janaushadhi website. 

Sahakar Sarathi

Why in News? 

The Government of India has established Sahakar Sarathi, a Shared Service Entity (SSE), to modernise and digitally empower Rural Cooperative Banks (RCBs). 

Key Points

• Establishment of Sahakar Sarathi: Sahakar Sarathi (SSE) has been set up with the approval of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to strengthen the technological and service capabilities of Rural Cooperative Banks. 
• Date of Registration: The entity was registered on 21 July 2025 with the aim of providing shared infrastructure for cooperative banking digitalisation. 
• Authorised Capital & Shareholding: Sahakar Sarathi has an authorised capital of ₹1,000 crore, with equal 33.33% shareholding each for NABARD, NCDC, and Rural Cooperative Banks. 
• Services Provided: It offers shared modern banking infrastructure and digital services including: Common Core Banking Solutions (CBS), Digital payments like AePS and UPI, Cybersecurity, IT governance etc. 
• Purpose & Impact: The initiative seeks to help RCBs provide modern, standardised, and digital banking services, enhance customer reach, and improve operational efficiency comparable to other regulated financial institutions. 

NAMASTE Scheme: Nationwide Survey of Sewer and Septic Tank Workers

Why in News? 

A nationwide survey covering over 4,800 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) was conducted under the National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) scheme to identify Sewer and Septic Tank Workers (SSWs) and strengthen their safety and dignity in sanitation work.  

Key Points 

• Survey Objective: The survey was conducted to identify Sewer and Septic Tank Workers (SSWs) under the NAMASTE scheme — not manual scavengers — to ensure improved working conditions and safety. 
• Fatality Data: According to the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis (NCSK), 471 sanitation workers have lost their lives due to hazardous sewer and septic tank cleaning between 2019 and October 2025. 
•  Legal Prohibition: Section 7 of the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013 prohibits hazardous entry into sewer or septic tanks. 
• NAMASTE Scheme: Launched in 2023–24 by the Department of Social Justice & Empowerment in convergence with the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs 
• Scheme Objectives: The scheme aims to eliminate manual entry into sewer and septic tanks and promote mechanised cleaning to achieve zero fatality and protect workers health. 
• Scheme Components: Support includes safety devices for Emergency Response Sanitation Units (ERSUs), capital subsidies for mechanised equipment, occupational safety training, and workshops on prevention of hazardous cleaning. 
• SBM-U 2.0 Linkage: Under Swachh Bharat Mission – Urban (SBM-U) 2.0, the Used Water Management (UWM) component focuses on eradicating hazardous sewer/septic tank entry through mechanisation.