<h2>Overview</h2> <p>The <span class="key-term" data-definition="Swachhata Pakhwada — A fortnightly cleanliness drive organized by various ministries to reinforce the Swachh Bharat mission (GS4: Ethics & Governance)">Swachhata Pakhwada 2026</span> was observed by the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Department of Legal Affairs — A wing of the Ministry of Law & Justice that handles legal affairs of the Government of India (GS2: Polity)">Department of Legal Affairs</span>, Ministry of Law &amp; Justice on 2‑4‑2026. A series of activities aimed at promoting hygiene, public awareness and collective responsibility among officers and staff were conducted at Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi.</p> <h3>Key Developments</h3> <ul> <li><strong>Mass Swachhata Pledge &amp; Swachhata Bharat Anthem</strong>: Administered by <strong>Dr. Rajiv Mani, Secretary, Department of Legal Affairs</strong>, participants pledged to uphold a clean India.</li> <li><strong>Signature Campaign</strong>: Employees and visitors signed a pledge board, reinforcing the message of the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Swachh Bharat Abhiyan — Nationwide cleanliness campaign launched in 2014 to eliminate open defecation and improve solid‑waste management (GS3: Environment/Economy)">Swachh Bharat Abhiyan</span>.</li> <li><strong>Selfie Booth</strong>: Set up to encourage creative expression of support for cleanliness drives.</li> <li><strong>Rangoli Activity</strong>: Artistic designs depicting cleanliness and environmental consciousness were displayed.</li> </ul> <h3>Important Facts</h3> <ul> <li>Date of observance: <strong>02 April 2026</strong>.</li> <li>Venue: Conference Room, Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi.</li> <li>Participants: Officers and staff of the Department of Legal Affairs, along with visitors.</li> <li>Core message: Collective responsibility for maintaining cleanliness in workplaces and beyond.</li> </ul> <h3>UPSC Relevance</h3> <p>Understanding the implementation of <span class="key-term" data-definition="Ministry of Law &amp; Justice — The central ministry responsible for legal affairs, judicial administration and law reform in India (GS2: Polity)">Ministry of Law &amp; Justice</span> in national campaigns helps aspirants grasp inter‑ministerial coordination (GS2). The event illustrates how central policies like <span class="key-term" data-definition="Swachh Bharat Abhiyan — A flagship programme of the Government aimed at improving sanitation, public health and environmental quality (GS3: Environment/Economy)">Swachh Bharat Abhiyan</span> are operationalised at the departmental level, linking governance, public health and citizen participation—key themes for GS3 and GS4.</p> <h3>Way Forward</h3> <p>The Department of Legal Affairs has pledged continued engagement through periodic cleanliness drives, awareness programmes and monitoring mechanisms. Replicating such micro‑level initiatives across other ministries can strengthen the overall impact of the Swachh Bharat mission, fostering a culture of hygiene, accountability and sustainable urban management.</p>