classical language - indo-pacific

Classical Language Status

• 2004: GOI established a new language category: "classical languages."
• 2006: Criteria for classical language status were defined.
• 2024: 11 languages hold classical language status.
• 2024: Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese, and Bengali became classical languages.
• 2004: Tamil was the first language granted classical status.
• 2005: Sanskrit was granted classical language status.
• 2008: Telugu and Kannada were granted classical language status.
• 2013: Malayalam was granted classical language status.
• 2014: Odia was granted classical language status.
• GOI modified classical language status criteria based on a committee's recommendations.
• Linguistics Expert Committee: A ministry of culture committee chaired by the Sahitya Akademi.
• NEP 2020: Works of literature in Pali, Persian, and Prakrit will be preserved.

Indian Constitution - Language Related Articles

• Article 344(1): A commission will be formed after 5 years of India's founding, to progressively adopt Hindi for Union official purposes.
• Article 351: The Union is responsible for promoting Hindi.
• Article 120: Languages suitable for Parliament use are specified.
• Article 210: Same as Article 120, but for state legislatures.
• Article 343: Hindi (in Devanagari script) is declared the official Union language.
• Article 345: State legislatures can adopt their official languages.
• Article 347: The President can recognize languages spoken by a state's population if requested.
• Article 29: Protects the interests of linguistic minorities, allowing them to preserve their language, script and culture.

Eighth Schedule Languages

• The Eighth Schedule lists 22 languages in India.
• English is not included in the Eighth Schedule.
• Initially, 14 languages were in the schedule.
• Sindhi was added in 1967.
• 21st Century Amendment (CAA) - Further changes to language provisions might have occurred.

Law Commission of India

• 23rd Law Commission: A non-statutory advisory body to the Ministry of Law and Justice.

• 23rd Law Commission's term: 3 years (from September 1, 2024 to August 31, 2027).

• 23rd Law Commission's chairperson and members: Appointed by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister.

• First pre-Independence Law Commission: Established in 1834 by the British.

• First Independent India Law Commission: Established in 1955.

Important Law Commission Reports

• 170th Report: Addresses simultaneous elections for Lok Sabha & state assemblies.
• 262nd Report: Suggests abolishing the death penalty (except for terror-related offences).

National Sports Awards

• National Sports and Adventure Awards 2023: Presented at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
• Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna (highest sporting honour): Established 1991-92, renamed in 2021. Awarded for outstanding performance over 4 years.
• Arjuna Award (1961): India's highest sporting honour before the Khel Ratna. Awarded for consistent good performance over 4 years.
• Dronacharya Award (1985): India's highest coaching award. Awarded for coaching excellence.
• Major Dhyan Chand Award (2002): Honours lifetime achievements in sports.
• Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy (MAKA): Oldest national award for inter-university tournaments.
• Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar (2009): Awarded to individuals & organizations for sports promotion.
• Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award (since 1993-94): Recognises achievements in adventure sports.

Indian of the Year Award 2023

• Awardees: Team ISRO for Chandrayaan-3 mission (achievements on the Moon).

Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict

• Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh): Mountainous region in the Caucasus.
• Internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan.
• Mostly inhabited by Armenians.
• Unrecognized government.
• Capital: Stepanakert
• Key timeline events: including war periods, ceasefires, and blockades.

Agnibaan Rocket

• India's first rocket with a fully 3D-printed engine.
• Capacity: 300 kg.
• Altitude: 700 km.
• Developed by IIT Madras startup, Agnikul Cosmos.
• Launched from Dhanush, India's first privately developed launchpad.

RHUMI-1

• India's first reusable hybrid rocket.
• Developed by SpaceZone (startup).
• Launched from Thiruvidandhai, Chennai.
• Altitude: 35 km

Lokpal

• New Lokpal Chairperson: Justice Ajay Manikrao Khanwilkar.
• Appointment process: The President appoints the chairperson and members based on a selection committee's recommendations with the Prime Minister as the committee's head.

Indo-Pacific Region

• IORA (Indian Ocean Rim Association): Established in 1997. Originated from Nelson Mandela's 1995 visit to India.
• 23 member states bordering the Indian Ocean.
• Secretariat: Ebene, Mauritius.
• Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI): First suggested by PM Modi in 2019. Part of the SAGAR mission to enhance regional maritime cooperation.