ARCTIC POLICY Context:

India drafted Arctic Policy to explore this region and to utilise its resources sustainably.

5 Pillars of Arctic Policy:

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● Human Resources Capabilities Development ● Scientific Research ● Global Governance and International Cooperation ● Economics and Human Development ● Connectivity

Benefits of this Policy:

● It will help in understanding Monsoon Pattern ● It will help to understand melting rate of Himalayayan

Glaciers ● It will check the impact of climate change and will decrease

the occurrence of future pandemics. ● It will promote ‘Scientific Tourism’. ● It will help to explore Mineral Oil and other natural resources ● It will provide diplomatic edge to India in the Arctic Region

which will serve India’s National Interest.

Challenges:

● Technological barriers may impact India’s aspirations in Arctic region

● India has not insert herself as a strong player in Western Pacific Region

● India will have to face Chinese aggression in “Polar Silk Road” and to reply effectively

About Arctic Council:

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● Arctic council was formed on 19th september 1996 in Ottawa, Canada.

● There are three Arctic Nations- Finland, Sweden and Iceland ● There are five Arctic littoral- Denmark, U.S.A, Russia,

Canada and Norway ● India is an observer state in Arctic Council

India’s experience in Arctic Region:

● In 2007, India launched its first expedition and set up a research station ‘Himadri’ in the International Arctic research base at Ny- Alesund in Spitsbergen, Svalbard, Norway

● India has two other observations in Kongsforden, Gruvebadet

● Since 2007, India has sent more than 300 scientists and 13 expeditions in the Arctic region

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Pardoning Power of Governor Context- The Governor of Tamil Nadu will have to make a decision on a plea for the release of a prisoner. The prisoner is undergoing life imprisonment for the assassination of former Prime Minister of India Rajiv Gandhi in 1991. About the Pardoning Power of Government-

● Article 161 of the Indian Constitution deals with the Pardoning Power of the Governor.

● The Governor of state can grant Pardons, Reprieves, Respites and Remissions of Punishments or suspend, Remit and commute the sentences of any person convicted of any offences against any law relating to a matter to which the executive power of the state extends.

Pardon Power according to the Constitution of India-

● Pardon- Pardon means completely absolving the person from the crime and letting him free.

● Commutation- Here the type of Punishment is changed . Here

the punishment awarded to the guilty is replaced by the less Harsh one.

● Reprieve- It means delay allowed in the execution of a sentence.

● Respite- It means reducing the degree of the punishment.

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● Remission- It means changing the quantum of the punishment without changing its nature.

Difference Between Pardoning Power of The President and Governor-

● The Governor cannot Pardon a Death sentence but the President

can pardon it. ● The Governor cannot grant Pardon, Reprieve, Respite , suspension,

Remission or commutation in respect to a punishment or sentence by a court martial but the President can do so.

Exercise Kavach

Context- A large scale joint Military exercise - Exercise Kavach involving assets of Indian Army, Navy, Indian Airforce and Indian Coast Guard is conducted in the Andaman and Nicobar command.

About Exercise Kavach-

● It is a joint military exercise involving the all three Indian Forces and Indian Coast Guard.

● The exercise is conducted under the aegis of Andaman and Nicobar Command, the only Joint Forces Command of the country.

Objective-

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● To develop fine tune joint warfighting capabilities and Standard

operating Procedures. ● To execute multi-domain, high intensity offensive and defensive

maneuvers.

The Preamble: What does it say, and what does it mean to India and its Constitution Context:

● Maharashtra government has asked all the local government bodies to organize the reading of Preamble to the Constitution in the assembly before hosting the national flag on 26 January.

● It was made mandatory for all the school students to read the preamble during the morning assembly.

What is a Preamble? ❖ It is an introductory statement in a document that highlights the

philosophy and objectives of the Constitution of India. ❖ It presents the intention of its framers, the history behind its creation,

and the core values and principles of the nation. What is the history of the Preamble to India’s Constitution?

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❖ The ideals behind it were laid down by Jawaharlal Nehru’s Objectives Resolution, adopted by the Constituent Assembly on January 22, 1947.

What do the key words in the Preamble stand for? ❖ The words, “We, the people of India…” highlights the ultimate

sovereignty of the people of India. ❖ It declares India to be a “Republic” — indicating a government by the

people and for the people. ❖ It highlights “social, economic, and political justice” as an objective.

Amendments to the Preamble: Through the 42nd Amendment to the Constitution:

● Two words were added socialist and secular. ● “Unity of the nation” was changed to “unity and integrity of the nation”.

Status of Preamble: It can be understood by reading the following two cases. ❖ Berubari Case:

➢ The Court held that ‘Preamble is the key to open the mind of the makers’ but it can not be considered as part of the Constitution. Therefore it is not enforceable in a court of law.

❖ Kesavananda Bharati Case: ➢ The Court held that:

■ The Preamble of the Constitution will now be considered as part of the Constitution.

■ The Preamble is not the supreme power or source of any restriction or prohibition but it plays an important role in the interpretation of statutes and provisions of the Constitution.

Conclusion:

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❖ Thus, it is now accepted as a part of the Constitution. It can be amended under Article 368, but the basic structure of the preamble can not be amended.

❖ Although not enforceable in court, the Preamble states the objects of the Constitution, and acts as an aid during the interpretation of Articles when language is found ambiguous.

Prelims Facts: ● DAYS

1. 23 January is celebrated as Parakram Diwas

The 125th birth anniversary is celebrated on 23 January 2021 and observed as a Parakram Diwas. Netaji Subhash chandra bose -

1. He was born on 23rd January 1897 in Cuttack, Odisha. 2. SLOGAN-- "Give me blood and I will give you freedom”

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3. He built Azad Hind Fauj ( Indian National Army) giving the slogan of "Dilli Chalo".

2. 24 January is celebrated as International day of Education. First time international Education was celebrated on 24 Jan 2019 as per the resolution passed from United Nations General assembly on 3 december 2019.

Why?? -- Important of Education in development. Theme-- Recover and Revitalize Education for the COVID-19 Generation’. 3. 24 January is also celebrated as National Girl Child day.

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In order to eradicate the inequalities faced by girls,to promote education, health and nutrition levels of the girl child. First time it was celebrated in 2008 under the women and child development ministry. Ministry of Women and child development : Smriti Zubin Irani. 4. 25 January is celebrated as National Voters Day

11th National Voters Day to encourage more young voters to take part in the political process. Theme-- Making Our Voters Empowered, Vigilant, Safe and Informed’. Election Commision founded--25 January 1950. 1st Chief Election Commissioner of Independent India- Sukumar Sen.

● EXERCISES

5. Joint military Exercise 'Kavach' Conduct in Andaman and Nicobar

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Kavach joint military exercise conducted between Indian Army, Indian Airforce, and Indian Coast Guard in the Andaman sea and Bay of Bengal. The exercise involves maritime strikes, coordinated air, air defense, and landing operations.

● REPORTS 6. World Economic Forum released The Global risk report 2021

The report was published before the Davos summit of WEF held between 25-29 January 2021. ABOUT REPORT-

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1. The Survey respondents also assessed Individual Global Risks based on Likelihood & Impact 2. Widespread Effects 3. Climate Concerns 4. Process to Counter Risks. ● INDEX 7. India holds 4th rank in the 'Global Firepower 2021' Military Strength Ranking.

According to this index USA topped., 138 modern military nations participated in it. With a Power index of 0.1214, India ranked 4th and 1st in Asia. About Military Strength Ranking Since 2006, 50 individuals factors to determine a Nation's Power index score. It includes Manpower, airpower, natural resources, naval forces, logistics, and financials. EXPECTATION--The nuclear capability of any country not included.

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● STATES AFFAIRS 8. 'Ghar Ghar Rozgar te Karoobaar ' mission launched by Punjab

CM of Punjab Amarinder Singh started the allotment of 7219 Fair price shops across the state under the scheme. Purpose -- To improve the economic condition of people & boost the Public distribution system of Punjab. 9.' Mukhyamantri Bagayat Vikas Mission' announced by the CM of Gujarat

'Horticulture Development Mission' to accelerate agriculture, horticulture and promote farming of herbal plants in the state. It aims to double the income of farmers by 2022.

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The mission also generates employment with an increase in the export of such products. Facts: 1 Gujarat is the state with the longest coastline in India. 2. Kandla port renamed as Deendayal Port Trust is a Special Economic Zone. 3. National parks-- Gir national park, Velavadar Blackbuck, Vansda National park.

● DEFENCE 10. " SAAW" Test flight indigenously developed by DRDO

Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon (SAAW) from Hawk-I aircraft of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) off the Odisha coast developed by DRDO. About of SAAW The 125 Kg class smart weapon SAAW was successfully test-fired from Indian Hawk-Mk132 of HAL.

● INFRASTRUCTURE AFFAIRS

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11. Longest Road arch bridge of India inaugurated in Meghalaya

“Wahrew Bridge” at Sohbar in East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya on 22 January 2021 inaugurated by Conrad K.sangma Cm of Meghalaya to promote tourism in Meghalaya.

● SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AFFAIRS 12. Quantum Computing Applications Lab in India announced by MeITY and AWS.

Quantum Computing Applications Lab opened in India with the collaboration with the giant company of USA Amazon Web services to develop fundamental science, technology development in the nation.

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BUDGET -- Rs 8000 crore allocated on the Mission on Quantum Technologies and Applications. Minister of Electronics and Information Technology: Ravi Shankar Prasad.

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