State PCS - Rajasthan (RAS)

• 08 Dec 2025

IEPFA Organises Niveshak Shivir in Jaipur

Why in News? 

The Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA), in partnership with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) and Market Infrastructure Institutions (MIIs), organised a “Niveshak Shivir” in Jaipur. 

Key Points 

• Objective: The Shivir enabled direct facilitation of unclaimed dividends and unclaimed shares pending for six to seven years, provided on-the-spot Know Your Customer (KYC) and nomination updates, and addressed pending Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA) claim issues. 
• Outreach – Following successful editions in Pune, Hyderabad and Amritsar, Jaipur became the next host city, reaffirming the Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority’s (IEPFA’s) commitment to a transparent, accessible and investor-centric financial ecosystem.

Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA) 

• The Government of India established the Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority on 7th September 2016 under Section 125 of the Companies Act, 2013, to oversee the administration of the Investor Education and Protection Fund. 
• The Authority is responsible for managing the Investor Education and Protection Fund, processing refunds for unclaimed dividends, shares, and matured deposits or debentures, and promoting financial awareness among investors. 

Anti–Child Marriage Campaign in Rajasthan

Why in News? 

A civil society network has identified 38 high-risk districts in Rajasthan for a focused, year-long campaign to eliminate child marriage through community mobilisation and legal action.

Key Points 

• Previous Success: The network, Just Rights for Children (JRC), working with 17 partner organisations, reports having prevented 22,480 child marriages in Rajasthan over the past year. 
• Government Support: The initiative will complement the State government’s efforts, using panchayat-level resources to expand awareness campaigns into remote villages. 
• High-Prevalence Zones: The selected districts are classified as high-prevalence areas based on National Family Health Survey-5 (NFHS-5) data from 2019–21. 
• Community Engagement: JRC emphasises the involvement of community groups, faith leaders, panchayats, and citizens to collectively end child marriage, describing it as a crime against children. 
• Collaborative Action: The Rajasthan government has directed officials from Health, Panchayati Raj, Rural Development, Education and Higher Education departments to actively support and strengthen the anti-child-marriage campaign. 
• National Initiative:  
  • The Union Ministry of Women and Child Development has launched a 100-day nationwide movement aimed at eliminating child marriage by 2030, aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. 
• State Statistics:  
  • Rajasthan’s overall child marriage prevalence stands at 25.4%, slightly above the national average of 23.3%. 
  • Chittorgarh and Bhilwara report rates above 40%, while nine districts — including Jhalawar, Tonk, Sawai Madhopur, and Alwar — show prevalence above 30%. 
  • Another nine districts fall in the 23%–29.9% range, indicating widespread vulnerability across the State.

Initiatives to Tackle Child Marriage 

• Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 (PCMA) 
• BetiBachaoBetiPadhao (BBBP) scheme. 
• National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR). 
• Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act 2012. 
• CHILDLINE 

Mahaparinirvan Diwas of Dr Ambedkar

Why in News? 

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw paid tribute to Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar on Mahaparinirvan Diwas. 

Key Points 

• About: Mahaparinirvan Diwas is observed every year on 6th December to commemorate the death anniversary of Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, the principal architect of the Indian Constitution. 
  • It honours his legacy, emphasising his transformative impact on social reform, justice, and equality. 
  • The term "Mahaparinirvan" stems from Buddhist philosophy, symbolising liberation from the cycle of birth and death, marking the most sacred day in the Buddhist calendar. 
• Key Contributions:  
  • Upliftment: Founded the Bahishkrit Hitkarini Sabha (1923) to promote education, improve socio-economic conditions, and empower outcast communities. 
  • Advocacy: Established the newspaper Mooknayaka (Leader of the Silent) to provide a platform for the oppressed and challenge societal inequalities. 
  • Equality: Spearheaded landmark movements, including the Mahad Satyagraha (1927), advocating for equal access to public water resources. 
  • Liberation: Led the Kalaram Temple entry movement in 1930 (Nashik Satyagraha) to break caste-based restrictions in places of worship, symbolising a broader fight against untouchability. 
  • Representation: Played a pivotal role in negotiating the Poona Pact, which replaced separate electorates for Dalits with reserved seats, paving the way for their political representation. 
  • Constitution: As the Chairman of the Drafting Committee appointed in 1947, Dr Ambedkar oversaw the meticulous process of crafting the world’s largest written Constitution.  
  • Economics: Dr Ambedkar’s doctoral thesis influenced the creation of the Finance Commission of India and the policy framework for the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Act, 1934. 
• Awards and Recognition:  
  • Bharat Ratna Award: Dr Ambedkar was posthumously awarded India’s highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna, in 1990. 
  • Ambedkar Circuit: Five places associated with Ambedkar’s life were developed as pilgrimage centers (Panchteerth Development): 
    • Birthplace in Mhow 
    • Memorial in London (Shiksha Bhoomi) 
    • Deeksha Bhoomi in Nagpur 
    • Chaitya Bhoomi in Mumbai 
    • Mahaparinirvan Bhoomi in Delhi 
  • Constitution Day: Since 2015, 26th November is observed as Constitution Day, commemorating Ambedkar’s role as the architect of the Indian Constitution.