GOVERNMENT / POLITY
Policies, Rules & Regulations
Parliamentary Standing Committee Advocates Appointment of a Polar Ambassador for India
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs, chaired by Shashi Tharoor, recommended creating a dedicated 'Polar Representative' post.
The recommendation features in a report titled 'India's Role and Presence in the Arctic and Antarctic Regions'.
The official will lead high-level diplomatic strategy and scientific engagement across Arctic and Antarctic polar governance bodies.
India currently operates two permanent stations in Antarctica—Maitri (established 1989) and Bharati (established 2012).
Exam Significance: Emphasizes India's growing strategic and environmental interest in global polar regions.
The recommendation features in a report titled 'India's Role and Presence in the Arctic and Antarctic Regions'.
The official will lead high-level diplomatic strategy and scientific engagement across Arctic and Antarctic polar governance bodies.
India currently operates two permanent stations in Antarctica—Maitri (established 1989) and Bharati (established 2012).
Exam Significance: Emphasizes India's growing strategic and environmental interest in global polar regions.
Key Facts / Static GK
India's Antarctic Stations: Maitri (1989) and Bharati (2012)
Committee: Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs
Committee: Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs
Practice Quiz — 1 August 2026
Q1. Which two organizations collaborated to launch the Favara-UPI cross-border payment corridor between Maldives and India?
Answer: (A) NPCI International Payments Ltd (NIPL) and Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) — The Favara-UPI payment corridor was jointly launched by NPCI International Payments Ltd (NIPL) and the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA).
Q2. What percentage of stake will Patanjali Ayurved hold in Magma General Insurance following the IRDAI-approved acquisition?
Answer: (C) 73.56% — Under the Share Purchase Agreement, Patanjali Ayurved holds a 73.56% stake while DS Group holds 24.50%.
Q3. Which entity is a joint venture partner along with M Pallonji Group in ProTec General Insurance Limited?
Answer: (A) True North — ProTec General Insurance is a joint venture between M Pallonji Group and True North (led by Divya Sehgal).
Q4. Where has India's first dedicated Department of Military Medicine been established?
Answer: (A) Command Hospital (Central Command), Lucknow — India's first dedicated Department of Military Medicine was inaugurated at Command Hospital (Central Command) in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.
Q5. How many Advanced Skill Centres (ASCs) for drone technology will be established in the first phase of the NSDC-AVPL partnership?
Answer: (B) 75 — Out of the total 350 planned Advanced Skill Centres (ASCs), the first phase aims to set up 75 ASCs.
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