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Topic 105 · International Relations & Organisations

Parliamentary panel urges India polar ambassador

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Revise the 12 points first Book 1 RATNA

Core Trigger: On 30 July 2026 the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs tabled 'India's Role and Presence in the Arctic and Antarctic Regions'.
Recommendations: It sought a Polar Ambassador, a Polar Affairs Desk in the MEA, polar research vessels and an early new Maitri station.
Current Head: Shashi Tharoor chairs the committee; Denmark chairs the Arctic Council for 2025-2027.
Key Terms: The Arctic lies above 66 degrees North; the Antarctic lies south of 60 degrees South.
Data Points: The report records about Rs 17.53 crore spent on Arctic activities in 2024-25.
Stakeholders: India is one of 13 non-Arctic state observers; the Council has eight members and six Permanent Participants.
India Link: Himadri station at Ny-Alesund, Svalbard, opened on 1 July 2008; India's Arctic Policy followed on 17 March 2022.
Headquarters: The Arctic Council Secretariat is in Tromso, Norway.
Founded: The Ottawa Declaration, signed 19 September 1996, created the Arctic Council.
Landmark: The Svalbard Treaty, signed in Paris on 9 February 1920, recognises Norway's sovereignty but gives parties equal economic access; India is a party.
Statute: The Indian Antarctic Act, 2022, assented to on 6 August 2022, gives effect to the Antarctic Treaty, CCAMLR and the Madrid Protocol.
Doctrine: Arctic Council decisions need consensus of the eight Arctic States, military security is excluded, and observers cannot propose projects alone.

Question 1 of 10

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs tabled its report on 30 July 2026 on India's role in which regions?

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Answer: (D) Arctic and Antarctic

Core Trigger: On 30 July 2026 the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs tabled 'India's Role and Presence in the Arctic and Antarctic Regions'.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 105, point 1

Question 2 of 10

Which new post did the committee recommend for India's polar affairs?

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Answer: (B) Polar Ambassador

Recommendations: It sought a Polar Ambassador, a Polar Affairs Desk in the MEA, polar research vessels and an early new Maitri station.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 105, point 2

Question 3 of 10

Who chairs the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs?

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Answer: (D) Shashi Tharoor

Current Head: Shashi Tharoor chairs the committee; Denmark chairs the Arctic Council for 2025-2027.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 105, point 3

Question 4 of 10

The Antarctic lies south of which latitude?

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Answer: (B) 60 degrees South

Key Terms: The Arctic lies above 66 degrees North; the Antarctic lies south of 60 degrees South.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 105, point 4

Question 5 of 10

About how much did India spend on Arctic activities in 2024-25?

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Answer: (D) Rs 17.53 crore

Data Points: The report records about Rs 17.53 crore spent on Arctic activities in 2024-25.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 105, point 5

Question 6 of 10

India is one of how many non-Arctic state observers at the Arctic Council?

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Answer: (C) 13

Stakeholders: India is one of 13 non-Arctic state observers; the Council has eight members and six Permanent Participants.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 105, point 6

Question 7 of 10

In which city is the Arctic Council Secretariat?

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Answer: (A) Tromso

Headquarters: The Arctic Council Secretariat is in Tromso, Norway.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 105, point 8

Question 8 of 10

Which declaration of 19 September 1996 created the Arctic Council?

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Answer: (C) Ottawa Declaration

Founded: The Ottawa Declaration, signed 19 September 1996, created the Arctic Council.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 105, point 9

Question 9 of 10

Consider the statements. 1. The Svalbard Treaty recognises Norway's sovereignty over Svalbard. 2. It gives treaty parties equal economic access. Which is/are correct?

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Answer: (C) Both 1 and 2

Landmark: The Svalbard Treaty, signed in Paris on 9 February 1920, recognises Norway's sovereignty but gives parties equal economic access; India is a party.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 105, point 10

Question 10 of 10

Consider the statements. 1. Arctic Council decisions need only a simple majority. 2. Observers can propose projects alone. Which is/are correct?

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Answer: (D) Neither

Doctrine: Arctic Council decisions need consensus of the eight Arctic States, military security is excluded, and observers cannot propose projects alone.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 105, point 12

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