IAS Sources

CSAT - Internet Resources

2011-04-17T22:08:00.000-07:00

1) www.bbcnews.com
2) www.sci.edu/public.html
3) www.si.edu
4) www.nasm.edu
7) http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/
8) discoveryschool.com/dysee
9) www.futureforests.com/calculators/flightcalculatorshop.asp
10)www.nationalgeographic.com/earthpulse
11)www.cpcb.nic.in
12)http://school.discovery.com/
13)http://nationalgeographic.com/
14)http://www.incredibleindia.org/
15)http://www.greenpeace.org/
16)http://www.ceeindia.org/cee/index.html
17)www.swapsushias.blogspot.com
18)http://www.ddinews.gov.in/

# Central Government (Ministries)

* Ministry of Agriculture - http://goidirectory.nic.in/min222.htm
* Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers - http://goidirectory.nic.in/min223.htm
* Ministry of Civil Aviation - http://civilaviation.nic.in/
* Ministry of Coal - http://coal.nic.in/welcome.html
* Ministry of Commerce and Industry - http://goidirectory.nic.in/min6.htm
* Ministry of Communications and Information Technology - http://goidirectory.nic.in/min226.htm
* Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution -
http://fcamin.nic.in/
* Ministry of Corporate Affairs - http://www.mca.gov.in/
* Ministry of Culture - http://indiaculture.gov.in/
* Ministry of Defence - http://mod.nic.in/
* Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region - http://mdoner.gov.in/
* Ministry of Earth Sciences - http://moes.gov.in
* Ministry of Environment and Forests - http://moef.nic.in/index.php
* Ministry of External Affairs - http://meaindia.nic.in/
* Ministry of Finance - http://finmin.nic.in/
* Ministry of Food Processing Industries - http://mofpi.nic.in/
* Ministry of Health and Family Welfare - http://mohfw.nic.in/
* Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises - http://goidirectory.nic.in/min260.htm
* Ministry of Home Affairs - http://mha.gov.in/

continue...

* Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation - http://mhupa.gov.in/
* Ministry of Human Resource Development - http://education.nic.in/
* Ministry of Information and Broadcasting - http://mib.gov.in
* Ministry of Labour and Employment - http://labour.nic.in/
* Ministry of Law and Justice - http://lawmin.nic.in/
* Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises - http://msme.gov.in/
* Ministry of Mines - http://mines.nic.in/
* Ministry of Minority Affairs - http://minorityaffairs.gov.in/newsite/index.asp
* Ministry of New and Renewable Energy - http://mnre.gov.in/
* Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs - http://moia.gov.in/
* Ministry of Panchayati Raj - http://panchayat.gov.in/index.do?siteid=101&sitename=Government%20of%20India%20%3Cbr%3E%20Ministry%20of%20Panchayati%20Raj
* Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs - http://mpa.nic.in/
* Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions - http://persmin.nic.in/
* Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas - http://petroleum.nic.in/
* Ministry of Power - http://powermin.nic.in/
* Ministry of Railways - http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/
* Ministry of Road Transport and Highways - http://morth.nic.in/
* Ministry of Rural Development - http://rural.nic.in/
* Ministry of Science and Technology - http://goidirectory.nic.in/min52.htm
* Ministry of Shipping - http://shipping.gov.in/
* Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment - http://socialjustice.nic.in/
* Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation - http://mospi.gov.in/
* Ministry of Steel - http://steel.nic.in/

* Ministry of Textiles - http://texmin.nic.in/
* Ministry of Tourism - http://tourism.gov.in/
* Ministry of Tribal Affairs - http://tribal.gov.in/
* Ministry of Urban Development - http://urbanindia.nic.in/
* Ministry of Water Resources - http://wrmin.nic.in/
* Ministry of Women and Child Development - http://wcd.nic.in/
* Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports - http://yas.nic.in/index.html

# Central Government (Independent Departments)

o Department of Atomic Energy - http://www.dae.gov.in/
o Department of Space - http://goidirectory.nic.in/dep1015.htm

# Apex/Independent Offices...

* Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)- http://www.cbi.gov.in/index.php
* Central Information Commission - http://cic.gov.in/
* Central Vigilance Commission (CVC)- http://cvc.gov.in/
* Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG)- http://cag.gov.in/
* Election Commission of India - http://www.eci.gov.in/
* National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) - http://ncbc.nic.in/
* National Commission for Minorities (NCM)- http://ncm.nic.in/
* National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) - http://ncsc.nic.in/
* National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) - http://ncst.nic.in/index.asp?langid=1
* National Commission for Women (NCW) - http://ncw.nic.in/
* National Commission on Population - http://populationcommission.nic.in/
* National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) - http://nhrc.nic.in/
* National Manufacturing Competitiveness Council (NMCC)- http://nmcc.nic.in/
* Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser - http://psa.gov.in/
* Planning Commission - http://planningcommission.gov.in/
* Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI)- http://www.trai.gov.in/
* Thirteenth Finance Commission - http://fincomindia.nic.in/
* Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) - http://www.upsc.gov.in/
* Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) - http://uidai.gov.in/

Gyan- Centre Right India

2011-02-19T17:03:00.000-08:00

This page will feature some of the finest commentary and analysis on matters affecting India that is available elsewhere.
1. Is India a Flailing State? Detours on the Four Lane Highway to Modernisation: Lant Pritchett (Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University) on what ails India and how it compares with China.
2. The Invention of Pakistan: How the British Raj Sundered: Karl E. Meyer provides a good account of the forces involved in the partition of the Indian subcontinent with new evidence on some contested issues like the Radcliffe line.
3. Political Parties as Victims of Populism and Electoral Compulsions: A Quest for Systemic Solutions: Vinay Sahasrabuddhe identifies the deficiencies of India’s political culture and charts a course forward.
4. Alice in Blunderland: Arun Shourie’s seminal interview to Shekhar Gupta on the state of affairs in the BJP.
5. Acid Dreams on Dharma Nights: A critical profile of Arun Shourie in Tehelka.
6. The Sarkari Musalman: Saba Naqvi highlights the vicissitudes of the secular experiment in India.
7. Capital Gains: An essay on Delhi by Rana Dasgupta in Granta Summer 2009.
8. Masters in Illiberal Arts: Shekhar Gupta laments the glaring intellectual deficit in the liberal arts and social sciences in India.
9. The Month We Lost Dara: Ashok Malik on the India that might have been.
10. Pakistan’s Westward Drift: Pervez Hoodbhoy on Pakistan exchanging her Subcontinental identity for an Arab one.
11. India’s Higher Education Reform: From Half-Baked Socialism to Half-Baked Capitalism: Devesh Kapur and Pratap Bhanu Mehta highlight the crisis facing Indian higher education.
12. Quota Is Not The Way: Arun Shourie’s impassioned plea against Reservations.
13. At Home Nowhere: Swapan Dasgupta analyses the mood of India’s English-speaking elite after the demolition of the Babri Masjid.
14. Against Nuclear Apartheid: Jaswant Singh outlines the reasoning behind India’s decision to test Nuclear Weapons in 1998.
15. The Story of the Integration of the Indian States: Iconic Raj-era civil servant, Vappala Pangunni (V.P.) Menon catalogues the integration of 500+ princely states into the Indian Union and with it the effort to give political meaning to the geographic expression, ‘India’.
from
http://centreright.in/gyan/

www.prep4civils.com

2011-02-19T16:58:00.000-08:00

Read more: http://www.prep4civils.com/blog/current-affairs/558/daily-news-22-jan-2011-current-affairs/#ixzz1C0WB7Q00

Nation and politics:

Decision on Lokpal Bill soon:

    * The Lokpal Bill has been decided by recently constituted group of ministers to firm up earliest.
    * The important thing about the Bill and considering recent corruption issues in which role of Prime Minister has been under scrutiny; the bill takes the Stature of Prime Minister also to be under it.
    * Group Of Ministers led by Pranab Mukherjee has directed the Cabinet Secretary to form two committee to examine various reports dealing with anti-corruption mechanisms.

International:

Russia takes on greater Afghan role:

    * Russia has agreed to play a larger role in the region with expansion of military and economic assistance to Afghanistan.
    * Russian has stepped up to provide defence aid, including the training of greater numbers of Afghan military personnel in Russia.
    * Russia voiced the hope that the U.S-led international military coalition would succeed in Afghanisatn and leave the country “with honours and dignity” by 2014.
    * A joint Russia-Afghanistan statement voiced support for Russia’s involvement in regional infrastructure projects, including a gas pipeline from Turkmenistan to Pakistan and India across Afghanistan (TAPI) and electricity exports from Tajikistan to Afghanistan and Pakistan, know as the CASA-1000 (Central Asia-South Asia) project.

Business and Finance:

Airbus arm in race to supply mid-air refueling aircraft to IAF:

    * Airbus Military, the military aircraft-producing wing of Airbus, which is a consortium supported by several governments in Europe, has announced that is in the race to supply six mid-air refueling transport aircraft to the Indian Air Force (IAF).
    * Airbus Military is in competition with the Russian-made IL_78 to supply the Airbus A330 multi-role tanker transport (MRTT).”
    * Aircraft, which is based on the A330 civilian aircraft, “can easily be converted into an MRTT.” This aircraft is of latest vintage, which gives it an edge over the IL-78 manufactured by Ilyushin said Head Market Development, Airbus Military Didier Vernet.
    * The design of the Aircraft is such that it can be used for a combination of in-flight refueling, troop carrier and cargo operations.
    * What is to be noted that already 28 A330 MRTT aircraft have been ordered by six air forces- Australia, the U.K., United Arab Emirates, Canada, Germany and Saudi Arabia.
    * The move towards making it fool proof is in the process, converted A330 aircraft are undergoing certification at Airbus’ facility in Spain. “The IAF can verify the capability of the aircraft at the facility,” said Didier Vernet.
    * Airbus Military’s new transport aircraft, A400M, which is under going testing is being positioned as a transport carrier for both civilian and military will be ready for deliveries in early 2013.”

RBI favours subsidiary structure for foreign banks:

    * Reserve Bank of India on Friday came out with a discussion paper suggesting that foreign banks should be incentivised to operate in India as wholly-owned subsidiaries as against the current systems of having presence through branch network.
    * The idea behind bringing foreign banks under this is “on balance the subsidiary model has clear advantages over the branch model despite certain downside risks…there may be a need to incentivise the subsidiary form of presence of foreign banks.”
    * The important thing is that after the wholly-owned subsidiary (WOS) form, a foreign bank will have to operate as a locally incorporated legal entity and will be subject to domestic laws such as the Companies Act and the Banking Regulation Act.
    * At present, there are 34 foreign banks operating in India, with five major banks, including StanChart, HSBC, Citibank, and Deutsche, accounting for over 70 percent of the total asset size.
    * The RBI in its discussion paper have said that the subsidiaries should be given preferential treatment for opening of branches as compared to those foreign banks which operate through branches.

DIRAY OF EVENTS 2010

2011-02-15T17:45:00.000-08:00

FOR 2010 HINDU DIARY OF EVENTS
http://upscportal.com/civilservices/forum/hindu-events-2010?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+upscportal+%28www.UPSCPORTAL.com+-+India%27s+Largest+UPSC%2C+IAS%2C+IFS%2C+PCS%2C+Civil+Services+Aspirants+Community.%29

USEFUL

TRY IT.

PRELIMS FEVER

2011-02-12T01:24:00.001-08:00

1. You know the pattern of Prelims GS paper
2. You collected the so called 'must' book and materials for Prelims GS
3. You read the books and materials completely and many times revised them
4. You solved many model tests from Coaching centres directly or indirectly downloading from websites or magazines
5. You read for not less than 4 hours per day since an year

Then also you are failed in Prelims, specially in GS!!! Why
'Failed' includes aspirants who didnt scored more than 60% Previous Prelims, which is of 150 Marks with 150 questions
Why?

1. Although you started very well from an year
2. You checked you knowledge level in different modes
3. You planned well and kept a definite timetable
4. Chatted with most of the Top Toppers and already IAS officers
5. You are aware of all updates and available downloads of UPSC related things

Then also you are not did upto the MARK!!!

1. At the Examination hall you feel nervous, you feel forgetting everything
2. You are feeling that time is running very fast as it is actually.
3. You feel that still you are not ready for this attempt
4. You feel that you might have read the notes intesively and extensively
5. Confused to attempt questions in which you know half answers and seems Negetive markings kill your dareness to try for luck

( Above problems are thought to be common to aspirants who are preparing for civils with great zear and very less time and readable environment, specially working)
If you experienced at least ten out of fifteen questions as YES...you require a patience look at your ATTITUDE and rectify it, before time runs away.

Try to find out why and how by joining us in a non profit blog..
Share your experience frankly with your email id

Dont expect exact solutions for your problems...Here not solutions are found...we are sharing experiences and try to figureout Why and How...

( Note Seriously exam oriented experiences are expected )

Regards
Indra
www.indru-ias.blogspot.com

CSAT : READINGS

2011-02-04T10:18:00.000-08:00

by Bijay Ketan Upadhyaya AIR 5 2008 in his blog
bijayketanupadhyayaias.blogspot.com
Friends, as you are all aware, UPSC has recently announced the new Syllabus for CSAT. Many candidates are in a confused state of mind. I am suggesting here a Tentative Book List to start with. I will update it as and when I receive inputs from my Batchmates. Here the edge will be with people who are smart in English Language, Quick Mathematics & Reasoning Skills & Good Grounding in Current Events & General Knowledge. Both papers are of equal weightage, so EQUAL ATTENTION must be given. Practice of simple maths, verbal & non-verbal reasoning of Bank PO Standard will help as Social Science students are generally poor in these things (me included). Don’t go for CAT standard as they will not help & that kind of brain is not needed in Civil Services. The Approach for CSAT will be different & it will depend on HOW MUCH INTEREST YOU CAN GENERATE TO REPETEDLY PRACTISE PAPER 2 sample questions. Read the text books in both papers & only then solve MCQs. Don’t jump on the MCQs the moment you see them. Basic ground rules must be known before you start practising …
Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) 2011 would consist Paper I and Paper II. Applicants having full knowledge of the English will have better chance to succeed in CSAT 2011.
Paper 1
Pattern:
Total Marks: 200
Duration: 2 Hours
Syllabus:-
• Current events of national and international importance >>>>
1. THE HINDU
2. WIZARD CURRENT EVENTS FOR PRELIMS
3. VAJIRAM CURRENT EVENTS BOOKLETS (OPTIONAL,IF YOU HAVE TIME)
• History of India and Indian national movement
1. SPECTRUM MODERN INDIA
2. MEDIEVAL & ANCIENT – NCERT or WIZARD BOOKLETS (In 20-25 pages)
• Indian and World Geography- physical, social, economic geography of India and the world >>>> NCERT 11TH & 12TH 4 BOOKS
1. FUNDAMENTAL OF PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY
2. INDIA PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT
3. FUNDAMENTALS OF HUMAN GEOGRAPHY
4. INDIA – PEOPLE & ECONOMY
• Indian Polity and governance – constitution, political system, panchayati raj, public policy, Rights issues, etc. >>>>> NCERT POLITICAL SCIENCE BOOKS 11TH & 12TH
1. INDIAN CONSTITUTION AT WORK (IMPORTANT)
2. OUR CONSTITUTION By SUBHASH KASHYAP or D D BASU (BETTER)
YOU CAN DOWNLOAD NCERT TEXTBOOKS FROM NCERT WEBSITE. http://www.ncert.nic.in/index1.html
• Economic and social development – sustainable development, poverty, inclusion, demographics, social sector initiatives etc.
1. NCERT INDIAN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (CLASS XI)
2. ECONOMIC SURVEY 2010-11
3. UMA KAPILA (OPTIONAL)
• General issues on environmental ecology, bio-diversity and climate change-that donot require subject specialization >>>>>
1. YOJANA (will help)
2. THE HINDU (articles on these topics)
3. INDIA YEAR BOOK 2011 & MANORAMA YEAR BOOK 2011 (OCCASSIONAL READING)
• General science
1. NCERT 9TH,10TH
2. TATA McGRAW HILL GUIDE (SCIENCE,MENTAL ABILITY & GENERAL KNOWLEDGE SECTIONS)

Paper 2
Pattern:
Total Marks: 200
Duration : 2 Hours
This paper holds the key as many will not be comfortable with the pattern of questions & the surprise elements. Still, we can hope that UPSC will ask simple questions this year, at least. Be prepared for it. Plan a nice strategy to deal this paper. Read thoroughly all BASIC TEXT BOOKS & then solve MCQs. Be meticulous as you were with the optional paper in earlier Preliminary.
Syllabus :-
• Comprehension
1. Comprehension 1, 2 and 3 Student Books (with Keys) by D'Arcy Adrian-Vallance, Lewis Lansford
Pearson Longman Publication (May be helpful. Not needed for those whose command over English is good.)
See the link for download: - http://www.ebook3000.com/Comprehension-1--2-and-3-Student-Books--with-Keys-_82408.html
2. You can also search Scribd for books on Comprehension & other subjects like Decision Making & Problem Solving.
• Interpersonal skills including communication skills
1. The Seven Challenges Workbook A Guide to Cooperative Communication Skills for Success at Home and at Work by Dennis Rivers. DOWNLOAD LINK - http://www.newconversations.net/communication_skills_workbook_summary_and_toc.htm
THE QUESTIONS MAY NOT COME DIRECTLY FROM THIS BOOK. BUT IT WILL GIVE YOU AN IDEA ABOUT WHAT TO READ & SOME THEMES & ISSUES IN COMMUNICATION.
2. YOU CAN ALSO READ “COMMUNICATION” CHAPTER FROM BOOKS LIKE ORGANISATIONAL BEHAVIOUR by STEPHEN P. ROBBINS, ESSENTIALS OF MANAGEMENT by KOONTZ & WEIRICH TO GET SOME THEORETICAL CONCEPTS. THEY WILL HELP & QUESTIONS MAY COME FROM THEM.
• Logical reasoning and analytical ability
1. VERBAL & NON-VERBAL REASONING by R S AGARWAL
2. ANALYTICAL REASONING by R S AGARWAL
• Decision making and problem solving
1. SEARCH “PROBLEM SOLVING”, “TECHNIQUES OF PROBLEM SOLVING”, “DECISION MAKING”, “TECHNIQUES OF DECISION MAKING” ETC IN GOOGLE & WIKIPEDIA & READ SOME 30-50 PAGES ON THEM.YOU CAN ALSO READ CHAPTERS LIKE DECISION MAKING FROM ROBBINS,KOONTZ WEIRICH TO HAVE THEORETICAL KNOWLEDGE.
THEY MAY ASK: -
What is the technique of Problem Solving in which we solve the problem in a model of the system before applying it to the real system?
Ans: - Abstraction (Source: - Wikipedia)
2. VERBAL & NON-VERBAL REASONING by R S AGARWAL
3. ANALYTICAL REASONING by R S AGARWAL
• General mental ability
1. GENERAL MENTAL ABILITY SECTION OF TATA McGRAW HILL GUIDE
2. FOCUS SHOULD BE ON PROBABILITY, PERMUTATIONS & COMBINATIONS & OTHER AREAS WHICH HAVE BEEN PREVIOUSLY ASKED BY UPSC IN PRELIMINARY EXAM LAST 3 YEARS 2008,09 & 10.
3. VERBAL & NON-VERBAL REASONING by R S AGARWAL or ANALYTICAL REASONING by R S AGARWAL
• Basic numeracy (numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude etc. (Class X level), Data interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency etc. –Class X level)
1. Quantitative Aptitude by R S Agarwal(MUST BE READ THOROUGHLY)
2. QUICKER MATHS (MAGICAL BOOK SERIES) by M. Tyra(SHOULD BE READ THOROUGHLY)
• English language comprehension skills (Class X level)
READ ANY TWO BOOKS.OCCASSIONAL READING OF 1-2 CHAPTERS IN FREE TIME WILL HELP.
1. A Practical English Grammar (Thomson & Martinet )
2. A University Grammar of English by Quirk and Greenbaum (Better.But don't know whether it is available with Sood or Jawahar Book Depo.,Ber Sarai)
3. High School English Grammar & Composition by Wren and Martin
YOU NEED NOT READ ALL THESE BOOKS IN DETAIL. BUT, SOME BASIC STUDY OF THESE TEXTS WILL CERTAINLY HELP IN INCREASING YOUR CONFIDENCE LEVEL TO HANDLE PAPER 2 IN CSAT.YOU CAN READ LIKE THIS :-
ONE CHAPTER FROM THOMSON & MARTINET
ONE CHAPTER FROM QUANTITATIVE APTITUDE BY R S AGARWAL
COMMUNICATIONS CHAPTER FROM ROBBINS
ONE CHAPTER FROM M TYRA
& THEN SOLVE ALL MCQS FROM THE CHAPTERS U HAVE READ.
THE IDEA IS TO GAIN EXTENSIVE KNOWLEDGE IN A SPAN OF 6-8 MONTHS.DON'T GO TOO DEEP.JUST 1 CM DEEP,BUT 1O KM WIDE ...IN PAPER 2 REMEMBER SOME FORMULAE,WRITE THEM DOWN IN XEROX PAPERS & PASTE NEAR UR STUDY TABLE SO THAT U CAN REVISE THEM MANY TIMES ...
BON VOYAGE!

Test Series by EDOONI

2011-02-01T07:00:00.000-08:00

the tests are very useful. Specially the analysis part is wonderful. One must take this test.

http://ias.edooni.com/test-center

What is CSAT?

2011-01-28T17:12:00.000-08:00

Finally it has been changed! After many years (or even decades) of discussions, meetings, deliberations and many committee reports, the UPSC has finally changed the pattern of the Civil Services Preliminary (Prelims) Exam and according to the information provided by the government this entrance test would be rechristened “Civil Services Aptitude Test” (CSAT) Candidates appearing for the civil services preliminary exam will, from year 2011, have to clear a paper that will test their general aptitude instead of their knowledge in a subject of their choice. The modified pattern of the Prelims means that from year 2011, there will be no optional subject-based paper. However, the other paper on general studies will continue as before. The modified pattern will provide a level-playing field to all candidates as they have to answer the same set of questions. The main complaint about the Prelims pattern was that, “It was a test of memory more than knowledge,” To overcome this allegation, many commissions have given their recommendations, over the years, on improving the process of recruitment to the Civil Services. Some of these were the D.S. Kothari Committee Report of 1976, the Satish Chandra Committee Report of 1989, Professor Yoginder K. Alagh Committee Report of 2001 and the Hota Committee Report, 2004. The newly introduced CSAT was proposed by the Report of the Civil Services Examination Review Committee, 2001, also known as the Professor Yoginder K. Alagh Committee Report. The committee, after its study of the officers selected, concluded that a mismatch exists between the “suitability or aptitude and the service allocated to a candidate.” The Alagh Committee recommended an aptitude test with emphasis on comprehension, logical reasoning, problem solving and data analysis. Based on all these recommendations the UPSC has finally decided to change the pattern of the preliminary examination by introducing CSAT. CSAT will test the candidates’ on their aptitude and analytical abilities rather than their memorising ability.

The New Pattern

The new syllabus, applicable for the 2011 exams, shall now comprise of two compulsory Papers of 200 marks and of two hours duration each.

The Paper-I will be General Studies, which includes Current Events of National and International importance, History of India and Indian National Movement, Indian and World Geography- Physical, Social, Economic Geography of India and the World, Indian Polity and Governance – Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc, Economic and Social Development– Sustainable Development-Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives, etc, General issues on Environmental ecology, Bio-diversity, Climate Change and General Science. There is not much change in the syllabus of paper –I, except inclusion of the topics of General issues on Environmental Ecology, Bio-diversity and Climate Change. On the other hand Paper II is completely new to the IAS aspirants. Decoding the New Syllabus of Paper-II The Paper-II, which will be the aptitude test, will include aptitude skills including Comprehension, Interpersonal skills and Communication skills, Logical Reasoning and Analytical Ability, Decision Making and Problem solving, General Mental Ability, Basic Numeracy, Data Interpretation and English Language

Comprehension skills.

The paper-II looks certainly like that of management tests and banking examinations, but reliable sources confirm that, CSAT will not be a replica of MAT, CAT or Bank Exams. Experts say that, with the CSAT, UPSC will test the candidates’ administrative aptitude, rather than the Management Aptitude and this way it will be different from the Management aptitude exams. As per the new syllabus, the Paper-II has 8 types of tests. And all these sections have been playing a crucial role in the selection of key employees across the globe in government as well as private sectors. With the introduction of these tests in the civil services exam, it is expected that the UPSC’s recruitment process will be nothing less than perfect, and India’s civil service will have the best talents.

What is the paper-II all about?

Here is a quick tour on the different types of tests included in the paper II syllabus:

Comprehension

In this section the candidates’ level of understanding will be tested. Questions can be based on certain real life situations and are trying to find out how well you can find facts, sift through information, interpret text, infer (what has happened) predict (what might happen) and recognize implied meanings.
Interpersonal skills including Communication skills

Inter personal communication means face-to-face communication involving few people (typically two) rather than large groups. It does not simply involve the exchange of messages. It essentially involves the creation and exchange of meaning. This section included in the UPSC exam is aimed to test the candidates’ ability to understand and manage the dynamics of social interaction, which is essential for a civil servant. A successful candidate should have a natural and highly developed ability to read the actual and potential behavior of others around them and to construct their own conduct in accordance with this reading. Fortunately, interpersonal skills can be learned by anybody. All it takes is awareness, patience and practice.
Logical reasoning and analytical ability

Logical reasoning is the ability to analyze and critique argumentation by understanding and assessing relationships among arguments or part of an argument. Logical reasoning measures your ability to understand, analyze, and evaluate arguments. Each question is based on a short passage, graph, table or a set of conditions. Analytical ability questions are aimed at measuring your ability to analyze a given structure of arbitrary relationships and to deduce new information from that structure. Focus will be on testing your ability to think logically on the basis of a set of rules and analyze situations using common sense.

Decision Making and Problem Solving

Decision Making and Problem Solving explains the key principles for developing your thinking skills and applying them creatively and productively to every challenge. This part of the Examination measures your ability to use logic and commonsense in the solving of problems commonly confronted by administrators. The question will generally relate to situations that require you either to take some action, to explain why an action has or would be taken or interpret what the action implies. Questions based on some law and order situations or civil administrative matters also can be expected in this section. General Mental Ability: In the old Exam pattern, General Mental Ability (GMA) Tests were included in the General Studies Paper. Now it is shifted to Paper-II. Aim of GMA Test is to evaluate your cognitive abilities - how proficient will you are at learning and finding solutions, a competency that will impact on job performance irrespective of the cadre you select. Basic Numeracy: The syllabus clearly says that this section includes numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude etc, which are of Class X level. The questions will tests your ability to use numbers and solve simple numerical problems. The good news is that the numerical knowledge you need to do well in these tests is the math you learnt in school. You need now is a quick refresher course and the application of little logical thinking.

Data Interpretation

Data Interpretation (DI) questions test your ability to interpret data presented in tables, graphs and charts. DI problems usually require two basic steps. First, you have to read a chart, Table or graph in order to obtain certain information. Then you have to apply or manipulate the information in order to obtain an answer. Though the syllabus prescribed is of Standard X, experts believe that UPSC may not stick to it while preparing the question paper. This section includes Data Sufficiency also. Each Data Sufficiency consists of a question followed by two statements—labeled (1) and (2). Your task is to analyze each of the two statements to determine whether it provides sufficient data to answer the question.

English Language Comprehension

The English language comprehension questions test your ability to read and understand written material. Questions in this section will be of Class X level and will be tested through passages. The Reading Comprehension test requires a good grasping skill over the English language and comprehending. Grasping a written Text means extracting the required information from it as efficiently as possible. Passage will be followed by multiple- choice questions to measure your ability to read and comprehend the written material, to reason and evaluate arguments, and to correct written material to conform to standard written English. All questions are to be answered on the basis of what is stated or implied in the passage, and no specific prior knowledge of the material is required. Comprehension question favour people who can read fast and have good short term memory. If you have these attributes, great; if not, don’t worry- you can still get a great score if you know how to approach the material in the right way. IAS is for SMART people A close analysis of the new syllabus will say that, “ now its’ the turn of the smartest people to win the IAS exam; goodbye to book worms, memory giants and subject masters.”

facts

2011-01-14T10:10:00.000-08:00

Amazing facts

1.A crocodile cannot stick its tongue out
2.Cats can't taste sweets
3. The only 2 animals that can see behind itself without turning it's head are the rabbit and the parrot.
4."Almost" is the longest word in the English language with all the letters in alphabetical order
5. The color blue has a calming effect. It causes the brain to release calming hormones.
6. When hippos are upset, their sweat turns red.
7. It cost 7 million dollars to build the Titanic and 200 million to make a film about it.
8. The only part of the body that has no blood supply is the cornea in the eye. It takes in oxygen directly from the air.
9. Starfish don't have brains.
10. The king of hearts is the only king without a mustache.
11. A duck's quack doesn't echo and no one knows why.
12. Those stars and colours you see when you close and rub your eyes are called phosphenes.
13. 160 cars can drive side by side on the Monumental Axis in Brazil, the world's widest road.
The word "queue" is the only word in the English language that is still pronounced the same way when the last four letters are removed.
Beetles taste like apples, wasps like pine nuts, and worms like fried bacon.

Of all the words in the English language, the word 'set' has the most definitions!

What is called a "French kiss" in the English speaking world is known as an "English kiss" in France.

"Almost" is the longest word in the English language with all the letters in alphabetical order.

"Rhythm" is the longest English word without a vowel.

In 1386, a pig in France was executed by public hanging for the murder of a child

A cockroach can live several weeks with its head cut off!

Human thigh bones are stronger than concrete.

You can't kill yourself by holding your breath

There is a city called Rome on every continent.

It's against the law to have a pet dog in Iceland!

Your heart beats over 100,000 times a day!

Horatio Nelson, one of England's most illustrious admirals was throughout his life, never able to find a cure for his sea-sickness.

The skeleton of Jeremy Bentham is present at all important meetings of the University of London

Right handed people live, on average, nine years longer than left-handed people

Your ribs move about 5 million times a year, everytime you breathe!

The elephant is the only mammal that can't jump!

One quarter of the bones in your body, are in your feet!

Like fingerprints, everyone's tongue print is different!

The first known transfusion of blood was performed as early as 1667, when Jean-Baptiste, transfused two pints of blood from a sheep to a young man

Fingernails grow nearly 4 times faster than toenails!

Most dust particles in your house are made from dead skin!

The present population of 5 billion plus people of the world is predicted to become 15 billion by 2080.

Women blink nearly twice as much as men.
Adolf Hitler was a vegetarian, and had only ONE testicle.
Honey is the only food that does not spoil. Honey found in the tombs of Egyptian pharaohs has been tasted by archaeologists and found edible.

Months that begin on a Sunday will always have a "Friday the 13th."
Coca-Cola would be green if colouring weren’t added to it.

On average a hedgehog's heart beats 300 times a minute.

More people are killed each year from bees than from snakes.

The average lead pencil will draw a line 35 miles long or write approximately 50,000 English words.

More people are allergic to cow's milk than any other food.

Camels have three eyelids to protect themselves from blowing sand.

The placement of a donkey's eyes in its' heads enables it to see all four feet at all times!

The six official languages of the United Nations are: English, French, Arabic, Chinese, Russian and Spanish.

Earth is the only planet not named after a god.

It's against the law to burp, or sneeze in a church in Nebraska, USA.

You're born with 300 bones, but by the time you become an adult, you only have 206.

Some worms will eat themselves if they can't find any food!

Dolphins sleep with one eye open!

It is impossible to sneeze with your eyes open

The worlds oldest piece of chewing gum is 9000 years old!

The longest recorded flight of a chicken is 13 seconds

Queen Elizabeth I regarded herself as a paragon of cleanliness. She declared that she bathed once every three months, whether she needed it or not

Slugs have 4 noses.

Owls are the only birds who can see the colour blue.

A man named Charles Osborne had the hiccups for 69 years!

A giraffe can clean its ears with its 21-inch tongue!

The average person laughs 10 times a day!

An ostrich's eye is bigger than its brain

from
http://www.orkut.co.in/Main#CommMsgs?cmm=27716497&tid=5545981571685042175

Safi IAS AIR55 helps aspirants in Indian Officer Forum

2011-01-07T09:51:00.000-08:00

Click the link to see and join the discussion

http://www.indianofficer.com/forums/search.php?searchid=177579

Arihanth-Exam Articles- Logical Thinking

2011-01-04T11:28:00.000-08:00

There are 100 bulbs and each having separate switches and on at the initial stage.
First man enters and switches off the bulbs, which are the multiples of 2.
Next man enters and switches on the bulbs which are off and switches off the bulbs which are on, which are multiples of 3.
Next man does the same as above for the multiples of 4.
Next man does it for the multiples of 5.
This process is repeated up to the multiples of 100.
So finally how many bulbs will be glowing.
Rate if the question is good.

for answering and for answer go to the link below
from
http://www.goiit.com/posts/list/community-shelf-logical-thinking-1065046.htm

E catalog from 98th Indian Science Congress, Chennai

2011-01-03T05:13:00.000-08:00

Download the catalog from the following link
http://www.isc2011.in/e-catalog/e-catalog.htm#

Preparing CSAT with Non Mathematical Background

2011-01-02T18:47:00.000-08:00

CSAT IAS 2011 has been introduced with new syllabus which includes coverage on numeracy and mathematics.
Here are some easy tips and tricks for non-mathetical background students to prepare for CSAT Examination:

Start with the basic NCERT books for Class V to VIII
Go through the basic concepts and understanding
Keep your motivation level high
Do not underestimate your potentials
Try solving very basic questions at first to give it a start
Now, slowly increase the level of difficulty and go for the basic concepts of NCERT class IX and X books
Try to follow as many shortcuts as possible beacuse time is a major limiting factor in determining the number of questions you can solve
Remember that CSAT is not about checking the mathematical abilities but the reasoning and logical power
So there is always a logic behind a problem which can be solved with the basic concepts and formulas
Learn the last moment cheat sheet for the formulas
Display major formulas on a board in the room, so that you can get a chance to revise them off and on
For learning formulas just go through the basic ones and learn them
The complex formulas can always be derived from the easy formulas and therefore there is no need to bother about the difficulty level just by looking at the list of formulas
Expressions like "Oh my God so many formulas", " Trigonometry is not my game", " I cannot solve probability questions" will all lower your self confidence & take you away from studying those topics
Take maths as a challenge and not as a botheration
Speak up your heart and say " I can do it", "I will do it", "If others can do it, why I cannot do it"

For more help with CSAT preparation check Examrace CSAT Series

Useful sites/blogs

2010-12-28T11:04:00.001-08:00

http://prajyotpublication.blogspot.com/?psinvite=ALRopfWFqN7FIqeXUOn30Y
uEquWkiIpMFM0sxU4equM5aXkBf_7bZOhEhAt39tovb8MaH7kwBVXhZ7lyuXB9iOaTWxwf_
pU7dQ
http://preparegk.blogspot.com/
http://preparegk.blogspot.com/
http://iasarticles.blogspot.com/
http://swapsushias.blogspot.com/
http://approachias.blogspot.com/
http://ghanshyamthori.blogspot.com/
http://www.gscurrentaffairs.com/
http://indianhistoryias.blogspot.com/
http://upsc-cse.blogspot.com/ Mouyeen...
http://www.iasaspirants.com/
http://www.landoflime.com/ KV Manjunath Prasad's cousin blog
http://aloksingh705.blogspot.com/2010/11/strategy-for-civil-services-pe
rliminary.html
http://www.ias100.in/toppers.php?id=27
http://gyanpoint.com/resources.jsp
kannada
http://shreeshum.blogspot.com/
ONLINE GK WEBSITES
---------------------------
http://www.onlinegk.com/general-knowledge/
http://www.webindia123.com/government/award/asp/index.asp
http://www.csgsindia.com/InfoBits.asp?Topic=Per&SubName=Person
http://www.onlinegkguide.com/2009/04/03/important-and-famous-books-writ
ten-by-indian-authors/
http://www.historytution.com/pre_historic_cultures_in_india/basis_for_p
eriodization.html
ONLINE CURRENT AFFAIRS WEBSITES
ONLINE CURRENT AFFAIRS WEBSITES
-----------------------------------------------
http://www.indiasummary.com/2010/07/
http://www.currentgk.com/gk/abbreviations.html
http://www.gktoday.in/2010/01/current-affairs-2010-national-january-1.h
tml
http://www.civilserviceindia.com/current-affairs/august.html
http://upscportal.com/civilservices/QUIZ
Some useful general Websites
Some useful general Websites
------------------------------
http://www.india.gov.in/
http://www.frontlineonnet.com/
http://www.yojana.gov.in/
http://www.competitionmaster.com/
http://indiacode.nic.in/coiweb/welcome.html
http://www.mppolice.gov.in/Static/IPC%20and%20CrPC/IPC/ipcmain.htm

IES - Indian Education Service

2010-12-28T11:03:00.001-08:00

Indian Education Service (IES)

10.51 The Commission has throughout been aware of the lack of an Indian Educational Service at the National level. We noted that such a service did exist some time ago but was discontinued later. The IES was first constituted in India as a result of the recommendations contained in the Report of the Public Service Commission of 1886, and was further reconstituted in 1896-97 in the form of Superior Educational Service comprising two divisions-the Indian Educational Service and the Provincial Educational, Service. However, recruitment to the service was discontinued in 1924 as a result of the fact that education had become a "transferred" subject.
10.52 The IES from its very inception suffered from low status in comparison with the Indian Civil Service and other allied services and faced discontent among its incumbents. Although attempts were made from time to time to upgrade the position of the Service, it ended to remain somewhat unpopular because of lack of equality of rank and status vis-a-vis other all-India Services. The top positions in the field of education continued to be held by ICS personnel with higher, benefits and status. Considerable disparity existed between members of the Service at the provincial levels as well. General discontent on these accounts and financial considerations led to the progressive extinction of the Indian Education Service.
10.53 While noting the reasons for the discontinuation of the IES, the Commission is in no doubt that it had made a distinct contribution by way of giving
TRANSLATION WORDS INTO ACTION: IMPLICATIONS AND IMPLEMENTATION 85
status to educational profession and improving its influence and quality. That, in fact, is the main reason why various Commissions on Education have from time to time been stressing the, needs for its reinstatement. In 1965 a Resolution was passed in the Rajya Sabha for the creation of the IEs (General and Technical Education). The resolution was reiterated by the conference of Education Ministers held in 1966. But matter was not pursued further. The Commission feels that the time, has come when the revival of the IES must not be postponed any further. The IES will be a healthy check on the narrow parochialism and divisive tendencies within the national system of education. The Commission is convinced that the process of educational improvement at all levels, would be speeded up considerably with the help of the Indian Education Service.
10.54 We also feel that the Institution of Indian Education Service will contribute materially to national integration. Since the service would be common to the centre and the States, there would be movement of officers between; them and this mobility and inter change of experience would be of advantage, both to the Central as well as the State administrations.

from
http://www.education.nic.in/cd50years/r/2Q/41/2Q410B03.htm

10 Business quiz questions:

2010-12-12T18:35:00.000-08:00

1. India’s position in world E-commerce activities?
2. Which Sector contributes highest percentage in GDP?
3. Which country has second largest area of arable land in world?
4. India registered a GDP growth of ____% in 2008.
5. India is a world’s largest producer of ___?
6. In Textile India is ranked ____, incase of Electrical Machinery and apparatus it is ranked ___, Basic Metals Category it is ranked _____?
7. Total Expenditure in budget estimate 2009-2010 was increased by ___% by over Budget estimate 2008-2009.
8. India has been ranked ____ in Global Foreign Direct Investments.
9. Inflation Rate in India today is?
10. The economy of India is the _______ largest economy in the world by market exchange rates and the ______largest by purchasing power parity (PPP) basis.

Quiz Answers:
1. 43
2. Service sector
3. India
4. 7.7
5. Milk,sugarcane and Tea
6. 4th ,5th and 6th
7. 36
8. 3rd
9. 0.27%
10. 12, 4
Author: Nitin Gupta

Do u know?

2010-11-25T05:18:00.000-08:00

The intensity of a tropical cyclone is usually determined by the Dvorak technique using only visible and infrared satellite images? ... that a mercury arc rectifier converts alternating current to direct current by means of an electric arc through mercury vapor?
The technique of double-balloon enteroscopy allows any position along the gastrointestinal tract to be visualized in real-time?
The record for the longest manned spaceflight stands at 437.7 days, which was set by Valeriy Polyakov aboard Mir, An electronic gear-shifting system for bicycles can shift faster than a traditional mechanical system and calibrate itself to minimize maintenance?

Courtesy:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Technology

Kurukshetra

2010-11-23T17:34:00.000-08:00

Kurukshetra is a Hindi magazine published on a monthly basis. It is a Hindi magazine that generally deals with the various social and political issues of the society. Eminent thinkers and authors use this platform as an easy medium to reach the people of various classes of the society. The magazine has proved to be beneficial as people get to know about what is happening around them and to know about some possible and good solutions of the problems faced by them from some of the experts in this field. This is published by the publishing house Rajpal & sons from the city of Delhi.
Utility of Kurukshetra Magazine
The Kurukshetra magazine is a platform where people get a chance to voice their opinion about various issues that affects the society. This has not only helped to change and influence numerous government policies, it has also constructed a concrete path for them to criticize and develop the society. Hence it has been a favorite medium of expression.
Rise of popularity
The magazine also has been popular due to its detailed and analytic cover stories that are purely logical and readable complying with good quality. The good presentations from cheap stories are few contributing factor of the increasing popularity nationwide.
Readership profile
Kurukshetra has witnessed a rising demand among people from various sectors of the society and it has become equally famous among students, aged people and other people who are influenced by various changes in the political field of human development and rural development. Hence, the publisher has taken the initiative to reach the consumers that is the readers directly by sending them the magazine via post. This consumer oriented initiative taken up by the magazine editor has helped a lot in increase in circulation of the magazine. The Delhi based magazine has been able to build up a good circulation nationwide.
Contact Details of Kurukshetra magazine
Editor: Mr. Pranav
Rajpal & Sons
1590 Madarsa Road,
Kashmere Gate,
Delhi 110006, India.
Email: mail@rajpalpublishing.com, pranav@rajpalpublishing.com
Tele: 011- 23869812, 23865483,
Fax: 011-23867791
the information is taken from the website - http://ekikrat.in/Kurukshetra-Magazine

The Hindu : Columns / Chandrasekhar : The G20 and the IMF

2010-11-20T18:49:00.000-08:00

The Hindu : Columns / Chandrasekhar : The G20 and the IMF

Wikipedia World News 1.11.2010

2010-11-20T04:27:00.000-08:00

1 November 2010

Armed conflicts and attacks

Two Afghan women charity workers shot dead. They were travelling between Lashkar Gah and Garmser, a volatile area in the Helmand River valley, when they were attacked.

Battle of Mogadishu (2010):

At least 12 people are killed in fighting in Mogadishu, Somalia, between pro-government forces, African Union troops and the Islamist militant al-Shabaab group.
Photographs, diaries and footage of Gyles Mackrell's rescue of refugees from the Japanese invasion of Burma in World War II are made avaliable.
The rebel Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in Turkey announces it will extend a truce until elections next year.
58 hostage-takers, hostages and police officers are killed and 67 people wounded when Iraqi forces storm a Baghdad church to free dozens of hostages.
Four militants, including two from Lashkar-e-Toiba (LET), are killed in separate gunbattles with security forces in Kupwara and Kulgam districts of Kashmir Valley, India.

Arts and culture

A Turkish film wins the Best Documentary award at the Thanet International Film Festival in the United Kingdom. (Hurriyet Daily)
The People's Republic of China begins its first census in ten years. Business and economy
India, China helped boost Asian shares outside Japan by 1.7%. Ambac Financial Group announces that it may have to declare bankruptcy, though it is still in talks with its senior bondholders about a consensual rescheduling of its debts. Before the 2008 financial crisis, Ambac was one of the two dominant bond insurance companies.
An examiner appointed by the Delaware Bankruptcy court said that there is no value left in the estate of defunct bank Washington Mutual for the stockholders to receive anything.

Disasters

At least 50 people drown after a ferry-boat capsizes on the Muri Ganga River in West Bengal, India.
A large crater appeared in the early hours in the central German town of Schmalkalden.

International relations
Disputed islands:

The President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev visits Kunashiri, one of the southern Kuril Islands that are the subject of the Kuril Islands dispute between Russia and Japan.
The Prime Minister of Japan Naoto Kan describes Medvedev's visit as "deplorable".

Law and crime

The Government of Canada agrees to accept Canadian Omar Khadr, detained at Guantanamo Bay for the past eight years, after he serves a year of his sentence at the Guantanamo Bay detention camp.

Politics and elections

State media in Burma warn against a boycott of the general election on Sunday, with the government threatening jail time for those encouraging a boycott.
While attempting to open a mental healthcare facility in Dublin, Irish Health Minister Mary Harney is pelted with red paint by an opposition politician highlighting the "blood budget" which "will result in the unnecessary and avoidable deaths of hundreds, if not thousands, of people over the coming years". Harney is overseeing hospital cuts of €1 billion.

-----------------------------
*The Battle of Mogadishu (2010) began on August 23, 2010 when al-Shabaab insurgents began attacking government and African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM) positions in the Somali capital. Al-Shabaab began its offensive after its spokesman said the group was declaring a "massive war" on the AMISOM force, describing its 6,000 "peacekeepers" as "invaders".
^*
Lashkar-e-Taiba is one of the largest and most active Islamist militant terrorist organizations in South Asia operating from Pakistan.
It was founded by Hafiz Muhammad Saeed and Zafar Iqbal in Afghanistan. With its headquarters based in Muridke, near Lahore in Punjab province of Pakistan, the group operates several training camps in Pakistan-administered Kashmir.

Civil Service Prelims 2011 New Syllabus

2010-11-15T03:53:00.000-08:00

UNION PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION

PRESS NOTE
Subject: Changes in syllabus and pattern of the Preliminary Examination from
2011 in the scheme of Civil Services Examination
• As per the decision of Government of India, there shall be change in the syllabus and
pattern of the Preliminary Examination from 2011 in the scheme of the Civil Services
Examination.
• The Preliminary Examination shall now comprise of two compulsory Papers of 200
marks each and of two hours duration each. Detailed below is the new syllabus and
pattern of the Preliminary Examination, which is brought to the notice of the
prospective candidates intending to appear at the Civil Services Examination (CSE) in
2011 onwards:
Paper I - (200 marks) Duration: Two hours
• Current events of national and international importance
• History of India and Indian National Movement
• Indian and World Geography - Physical, Social, Economic geography
of India and the World.
• Indian Polity and Governance – Constitution, Political System,
Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc.
• Economic and Social Development – Sustainable Development,
Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives, etc.
• General issues on Environmental ecology, Bio-diversity and Climate
Change - that do not require subject specialization
• General Science.
Paper II- (200 marks) Duration: Two hours
• Comprehension
• Interpersonal skills including communication skills;
• Logical reasoning and analytical ability
• Decision making and problem solving
• General mental ability
• Basic numeracy (numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude
etc.) (Class X level), Data interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data
sufficiency etc. -Class X level)
• English Language Comprehension skills (Class X level).
• Questions relating to English Language Comprehension skills of Class X level
(last item in the Syllabus of Paper-II) will be tested through passages from
English language only without providing Hindi translation thereof in the question
paper.
• The questions will be of multiple choice, objective type.
• A set of sample questions for both Papers would be put on the UPSC website
http://www.upsc.gov.in in due course for reference of the prospective candidates.
• The prospective candidates are advised to note that no changes are being introduced
at this stage in the Civil Services (Main) Examination and Personality Test in the
scheme of Civil Services Examination (CSE).
Courtesy :
http://upsc.gov.in/exams/misc/csp2011-syll.pdf

CSAT Syllabus

2010-11-06T11:39:00.001-07:00

Official Press Release (Issued on 18 October 2010) Civil Services (Prelim) Exam.-2011:

From Civil Service Examination 2011, Preliminary Examination would consist of two papers- Paper I and Paper II.

The syllabus and pattern of the Preliminary Examination would be as under: (Paper 1) (200 marks) - Duration: Two

hrs.
* Current events of national and international importance
* History of India and Indian national movement
* Indian and World Geography- physical, social, economic geography of India and the world
* Indian Polity and governance – constitution, political system, panchayatiraj, public policy, Rights
issues, etc.
* Economic and social development – sustainable development, poverty, inclusion, demographics, social sector
initiatives etc.
* General issues on environmental ecology, bio-diversity and climate change-that donot require subject
specialization
* General science.

(Paper II) (200 marks) – Duration: Two hrs

* Comprehension
* Interpersonal skills including communication skills
* Logical reasoning and analytical ability
* Decision making and problem solving
* General mental ability
* Basic numeracy (numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude etc. (Class X level)
* Data interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency etc. –Class X level)
* English language comprehension skills (Class X level)

[Topicwise analysis] GS mains paper 2 (2010) by Mrunal

2010-11-05T03:18:00.000-07:00

Markwise- Breakup

Indian Diaspora 12
International Institutions 15
India-defense / strategic relations 32
Bilateral 32
India and its neighbors 37
World Economy 39
International current affairs 55
Science & Tech 110

India and neighbors

Evaluate India's approach towards meeting the country's growing energy
demands. Compare the success of this approach with that of another
Asian giant which has perhaps the fastest growing energy demands. 20
Examine the recent developments towards the solution of the
Bangladesh-Myanmar maritime boundary dispute. What implications do
these have for India? 12
What are the major capacity-building and reconstruction projects being
undertaken by India in Afghanistan? 5

India- Defense / strategic relations

Critically examine the implications of the disintegration of the Soviet
Union on India's security and strategic perspectives. What further
responses would you suggest in India's foreign policy to accommodate
these implications? 20
Do you agree with the view that Israel is a 'natural ally' of India? 12

India and world Economy

Bring out the FDI and employment implications of China being a
manufacturing hub and India a service hub? 12
Have the Uruguay Round negotiations and the resultant Trade Related
Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) agreement helped in resolving
trade conflicts arising out of variations in different nations' IPR
regimes ? Also list the steps taken by India to conform to TRIPS.

[To clear the basic concepts related to TRIPs, refer to my articles on
Economy for newbie series here ] 12
What is 'Round Tripping' in the context of FDI inflow, and why has it
been in the news recently in the case of India? 5
Comment on the reasons for the recent economic crisis in the so-called
'PIGS' countries of Europe. 5
Rotterdam Convention 5

India- bilateral relations

How far have Japan's principles of Hikaku San Gensoku [non-nuclear
principle] impacted bilateral ties with India? 12
Comment on the reason for the recent hike in visa processing fees for
certain categories of US visas. What is the likely impact of this hike
on India? 5
(h)List the salient features of the Riyadh declaration and the
bilateral agreements between India and Saudi Arabia signed earlier this
year. 5
International Affairs (Where India isn’t directly involved)
Examine the opportunities for a lasting West Asia peace solution in the
context of the 'historic' talks started in September 2010. 12
Has the February agreement between the Sudanese government and the
Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) been more successful in ending the
strife in Darfur than the Abuja peace agreement of 2006? Evaluate. 12
Comment on the present status of the Biological Weapons Convention
(BWC). What important issues, do you think, need to be taken up at the
seventh review conference of the BWC scheduled for 2011? 12
Trial chamber of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia
(ECCC) and its recent verdict. 5
'Predator' drones 3
Mavi Marmara incident 5
(b) Shahran Amiri (nuke scientist of Iran) 3
(g) 'Deepwater Horizon' incident 3
Diaspora
Assess the contributions of Indian Diaspora in the Caribbean. 12

International Institutions (अंतर्राष्ट्रीय संस्थान- આંતરરાષ્ટ્રીય

સંગઠનો)

Compare and contrast the role of the IMF with that of the World Bank. 5
Bring out the significance of GDI and GEM as components of the UN's
Human Development Report (HDR). Comment on India's relative rankings
with regard to HDI and GDI. 5
In the context of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change (UNFCCC), distinguish between 'Annex I' and 'Annex II'
countries. 5
Significance of the Kampala declaration of the International Criminal
Court (ICC) 5
Highlight the role of the Indian peacekeeping contingent as part of
MONUSCO. 5

Science and Tech (विज्ञानं और प्रौद्योगिकी –વિજ્ઞાન અને ટેકનોલોજી)

(a)Bring out the applications of computer models in studying climate
changes, with special reference to the Community Earth System Model
(CESM). 12
(b)What is phytoremediation ? Discuss its applications. 12
(c) Explain and differentiate among 'Plasma', 'LCD' and 'LED'
television technologies. 12
(d) What is 'cloud computing’? Bring out its essential features and
list its advantages and limitations. 12
(e) Discuss the applications of nanotechnology in the health care
sector. 12
(a) MRSA infection 5
(b) HRP-2M Choromet 5
(c) Maglev vehicles 5
(d) Super absorbent polymers (SAP) 5
(e) Ginkgo biloba (some plant) 5
(f) CARTOSAT-2B 5
(g) Various generations of mobile phone technology 5
(a) Craig Venter (biologist- first to sequence the human genome) 3
(c) Wolfram Alpha (search engine) 3
(d) 'Dreamliner' aircraft (new Boeing plane, 330 seats, eats 20% less
fuel than Boeing 767) 3
(e) Blue gene project (computer Architech project to design super
computers) 3
(h) ACTN 3 gene

GMA Tests

2010-11-01T01:05:00.000-07:00

Mental Ability Tests

source : http://allexamguru.blogspot.com/2008/09/mental-ability-tests.html

CSAT 2011 : Get Ready

2010-10-31T07:41:00.000-07:00

From Civil Service Examination 2011, Preliminary Examination would consist of two papers- Paper I and Paper II.
The syllabus and pattern of the Preliminary Examination would be as under :
(Paper 1) (200 marks) -
Duration : Two hrs.
· Current events of national and international importance
· History of India and Indian national movement
· Indian and World Geography- physical, social, economic geography of India and the world
· Indian Polity and governance – constitution, political system, panchayati raj, public policy, Rights issues, etc.
· Economic and social development – sustainable development, poverty, inclusion, demographics, social sector initiatives etc.
· General issues on environmental ecology, bio-diversity and climate change-that donot require subject specialization
·General science.
(Paper II) (200 marks) –
Duration : Two hrs
· Comprehension
· Interpersonal skills including communication skills
· Logical reasoning and analytical ability
· Decision making and problem solving
· General mental ability
· Basic numeracy (numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude etc. (Class X level), Data interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency etc. –Class X level)
· English language comprehension skills (Class X level)
source : http://www.worthview.com/csat-2011-ready/

Quick Fact Sheet : Vedic Civilization in India

2010-07-11T00:06:00.000-07:00

1. Vedic Literature is known to be written between 1000 to 600 BC. Veda means to know or to get
knowledge.
2. Arya means Foreigner (ary in Russian language is outsider or unknown). Aryas were originally from south Russia as per Brandastine.
3. Vedic Hymns or Types of Veda: Rig-Veda, Yajurveda, Samveda, Atharvaveda
4. Rig veda is a collection of praise of Gods or Devtas. Indra was the god of Rig-Veda.
5. Samveda is a collection of melodies
6. Atharveda describes beliefs and superstitions
7. Yajurveda is of two types : Shukla Yajurveda & Krishna Yajurveda
8. There are 6 vedangas : siksha, Kalpa, Vyakarna, Nirukt, Jyotish, Chhanda
9. Siksha vedanga is related to Phonetic Education.
10. Kalpa Vedanga is related to Rituals
11. Vyakarna Vedanga is related to Grammar
12. Nirukt Vedanga is related to Etymology
13. Chhanda is related to Metrics
14. Jyotish is related to Astrology
15. There are 4 kalpsutra : Sharutan Sutra, Grih Sutra , Dharma Sutra, and Sholva Sutra,
16. There are 4 major upvedas: Ayurveda of Rig-Veda, Dhanurveda of Yajurveda, Gandharvaveda of Sam Veda, Shilpveda is of Atharvaveda
17. Ayurveda was propounded by Brahma and it is about medicinal science Ayurveda
18. Dhanurveda was propounded by Vishvamitra and it describes art of War
19. Gandharvaveda was propounded by Narad and it describes Music
20. Shilpveda was propounded by Vishwakarma and it describes architecture
21. The Number of Puranas is 18
22. The No. of Upnishad is 108. The subjects described in Upanishads are God, soul, Birth, Matter, Rebirth, Salvation etc.
23. The period of Upanishads is supposed to be 800 to 500 BC.
24. Prominent Upanishads are as follows:
Ish, Ken, Kath, Prashn, Mundak, Mandukya, Taitteriya, Aitereya, Chhandogya, Vriahdaranyaka, Shwetaswara, Kaushitaki, Mahanarayana
25. Brahman of Rig-Veda : Aitareya, Kaushitaki
26. Brahman of Samveda : Tandya, Panchvinsa, Jaiminia
27. Brahman of Yajurveda : Taitteriya which is of Krishna Yajurveda, Satpath which is of Shukla Yajurveda
28. Brahman of Atharvaveda :Gopatha
29. There are 6 schools of Philosophy in Vedic Culture: Samkhya, Yoga, Nyaya, Vaiseshika, Mimansa , Vedanta . They are collectively called shaddarshana
30. Samkhya school was propounded by kapilMuni and it describes about real knowledge and atheism
31. Yoga was propounded by Patanjali which describes Yoga and meditation
32. Nyaya is propounded by Gautam and it deals with justice and logic
33. Vaiseshika is propounded by Mahrishi Kanad and deals with materialistic
34. Mimansa was propounded by Jaiminia and Badrayana and deals with practical religion
35. Vedanta was propounded by Badrayana and deals with soul, Brahma and Karma
36. Vedic mantras are called suktas.
37. Prominent Sages were Gritsamad, Vishwamitra, Bhardwaj, Atri, and vashishtha.
38. Prominent female sages were Lopamudra, Ghosa, Shachi, Poulomi
39. Prominent Ayurvedacharyas were : Ashwini Kumar, Dhanvantari, Banbhatt, Sushrut, Madhav
40. Araynakas deal with life, death and other serious themes, they were read and listened in loneliness of Jungles (Aranya means Forests)
41. The Samveda and Yajurveda have no Araynakas
42. India was a land of seven rivers, called as sapt sindhu and pronounced by the west Asians as Hapt Hindu that is how the Hindu term was coined.
43. The sapta sindhu were the Indus, Five River of Punjab and saraswati (extinct now)
44. The doctor or vaidya was called Bheesaj or Mishak
45. The goddesses were Usha, Sita, Prithvi, Aranyani, Ratri, Vak
46. Traders were called pani
47. Cow was the backbone of economy
48. Prajapati has been refereed as aadipurush or first male
49. The officer of lands was Vrajpati
50. Main crops were wheat and paddy
51. Rajsuya Yajna was performed to obtain divine power
52. Ashwamedha yajna was performed to expand the empire
53. Vajpey Yajna for Chariot racing
54. Gotra system developed in later vedic ages.
55. Shatpath Brahman gives account about agriculture procedure.
56. Rig-Veda is divided among 10 mandalas. Xth mandala of Rig-Veda gives an account of origin of the universe
57. Rig-Veda is the oldest religious text in the world
58. The three Vedas except Rig-Veda are collectively called “Traya”
59. There were 4 councils : Sabha, Samiti, Vidhata, Gana
60. The word Bharat comes first from Rig-Veda.
61. There are 1028 Vedic texts in Rig-Veda
62. Language of Vedas was Sanskrit
63. Gayatri Mantra is mentioned in 3rd mandal of Rig-Veda
64. Savitri or Sun is worshipped in Gayatri mantra
65. The social structure was Patriarchal
66. Cow was also used as a medium of exchange
67. Satyamev Jayate is taken from Mundakopnishad
68. The birth and rebirth is mentioned in Vrihadranyaka
69. Animal Theft was the crime mentioned most in Vedas’
70. Om has been used for 1028 times in Rigveda
71. Mahabharat was the largest epic of Vedic period written by Vedvyas in Sanskrit
72. Bronze was referred as Ayas
73. Barley was referred as Yava
74. Carpenter was called Takshak
75. Maker of bows was called dhumvakrit
76. Rice was referred as Vrihi
77. Goldsmith was called as Hiranyakata.
78. Jana word was used for 275 times in Rigveda
79. Indra word was used for 200 times
80. The potteries used were Black and Red ware, Black Slipped ware, painted Grey ware and Red ware.
81. Name of Indus River of Sindhu
82. Name of Kabul River was Kumbha
83. The name of swat river was Suvastu
84. Name of Chenab was Askini
85. The name of Jhelam river was Vitasta
86. The name of ravi river was Purushni.
Source--http://shobhitsharma1947.blogspot.com/2010/01/quick-fact-sheet-vedic-civilization-in.html

From 2011, an aptitude test for civil services - TIMES OF INDIA

2010-06-09T06:41:00.000-07:00

NEW DELHI: Aspirants for the civil services will face a different pattern of examination from next year as the government has approved a proposal to introduce an aptitude test in place of the existing preliminary examination to shortlist candidates for the main exam.

Accordingly, the candidates will have to appear in two objective-type papers having special emphasis on testing their "aptitude for civil services" as well as on "ethical and moral dimension of decision-making" under a Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT).

Both these papers — having equal weightage — will be common to all candidates in place of the one common paper (general awareness) and one optional paper (any particular subject of choice) under the existing system which lays greater emphasis on subject knowledge.

As of now, the change will be effective only for the first stage of the Civil Services Examination (CSE) from 2011 onwards. The second and third stages — CS (Main) Examination and interview respectively — may remain the same till a committee of experts goes into various aspects of the entire system and submits its report.

Confirming the change for the first stage of CSE, minister of state for personnel Prithviraj Chavan told the Lok Sabha on Wednesday that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has approved the proposal for introduction of CSAT in place of the existing CS (Preliminary) Examination.

In his written reply, he said: "CSAT is expected to come into effect from CSE, 2011." The proposal to this effect was sent to the PMO last year by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) which conducts CSE every year to select candidates for elite all-India services, including IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS and others Group 'A' and Group 'B' central jobs.

Officials familiar with the proposal which has got the PM's nod explained that the changes were suggested by various committees, including the second Administrative Reforms Commission, in their reports submitted over the years. Most of the panels had advocated laying greater emphasis on the "aptitude" of candidates than their knowledge of a subject, arguing that specialists or experts in any particular subject may not necessarily be good civil servants.

Referring to introduction of CSAT, an official said: "The new system will also provide a level-playing field and equity, since all candidates will have to attempt common papers unlike the current format which provides for only one common paper."

Though a scaling system is currently used in the preliminary examination in order to ensure that no candidate who has opted for any particular optional paper gets undue advantage because of varying degree of difficulty of any paper or inherent scorability, the government has received a number of complaints objecting to the method on one ground or the other. One related matter has even been pending in Supreme Court for long.

Mar 11, 2010

11th five year plan

2010-03-16T10:47:00.001-07:00

http://planningcommission.nic.in/plans/planrel/fiveyr/11th/11_v2/11th_vol2.pdf

Current affairs

2010-03-14T10:21:00.001-07:00

Current affairs, is the mainstay of the civil service examination, what with one portion of the exam dedicated to general studies. The current affairs of india and international current event affairs, are an important part of the general studies paper, both in the mains and the prelims. At the interview current affairs news rules and decides the rank of the candidate and even whether s/he will get through or not. In such a scenario the coverage of current affairs in india as well as current world affairs, becomes an important part of your preprations.

For the very purpose of getting you ready for the challenge that is Current Affairs In India, we are covering the 2010 current affairs including politics current affair, current affair news, science current affairs, general knowledge current affair, current government affair and international current affairs. Only studying India's current affairs or political current affairs is not sufficient as you have to cover international events and current affairs along with the Indian current affairs, as well as those in the field of science and sports.

International Current Affairs 2010

NATO forces carried out Marjah operation (dubbed Moshtarak) against Taliban forces in Afghanistan.
European Union summit was held in Brussels. EU & IMF decided to giving support to Greece in its struggle to bring its ballooning budget deficit under control. EU President is Herman Van Rompuy.
Iran’s President Mahmood Ahmedinejad declared that Iran had produced first batch of 20 % enriched uranium and now Iran became a nuclear state.
Iran launched ‘Kavoshger -3 rocket’ capable of carrying a satellite. It carried a mouse, worms & two turtles.

National Current Affairs 2010

Kirit Parikh committee , set up to review petro pricing regime, submit its recommendation. Its major recommendation are to deregulate the prices of petrol & diesel as per market prices, reduce the subsidy on LPG.
India signed a Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement with the UK, which became the 8th country to enter into such a pact, since the lifting of atomic trade embargo in 2008.
Govt set up a panel under the Chairmanship of former Justice B N Srikrishna which would consider the demand for splitting Andhra Pradesh.
India and Denmark signed a social security pact which will relieve their workers from double taxation and provide for cooperation in areas of labour market expansion and orderly migration.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh visits Saudi Arabia in Feb 2010. He was the first Indian PM in 28 years to visit the gulf country. Saudi Arabia is India’s largest supplier of crude oil ( 23 %) followed by Iran ( 17 %) and Nigeria ( 11 %). India is offering upto 10 % equity to Saudi petroleum firm Saudi Aramco in a refinery being built in Orissa. PM addressed the Shoura council of Saudi Arabia.
Constitution 111th Amendment – Proposes to incorporate a new Part ( Part IX B) in the Constitution so as to provide for legal framework to regulate the functioning of cooperative societies. A new Article ( Article 43 B) is also proposed to be inserted in Part IV of the Constitution (Directive Principles of State Policy) for the States to promote voluntary formation, autonomous functioning of cooperative societies.
Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Bill 2009 commonly known as Nuclear Liability Bill will be introduced by Govt in Parliament in Winter session 2010. The draft bill aims at limiting the liability of a nuclear plant operator to Rs. 300 crore in the eventuality of an accident. The bill provides for the penalty to be paid by the operator and not the supplier companies which would mainly be American in this case. India has entered into civil nuclear cooperation agreement with eight countries so far.

Sports Current Affairs 2010

11th South Asian Games 2010 : Held at Dhaka, Bangladesh from 29 Jan to 8 Feb. Originally scheduled to take place in 2009, but due to general elections in Bangladesh, the games were held in 2010. This was the third time that the Dhaka hosted the Games, thus becoming the first city to hold the games three times. 8 countries participated in the games in 23 different sports, including T20 cricket, which was introduced for the first time in SAG. The 8 countries included are Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan & Sri Lanka. 1The logo of the games was ‘Kutumb’, a flying doel , which is the national bird of Bangladesh. The mascot of the games featured a magpie robin, which was holding the torch to begin the games. The final medal tally include : India - 1st place with 90 G 55 S 29 B Total 174, Pakistan- 2nd place with 19 G 25 S 36 B Total 80, Bangladesh- 3rd place with 18 G 23 S 56 B Total 97.
West Zone won Duleep Trophy ( 2009-10) defeating South Zone.
India’s Gaganjeet Bhullar won the Asian Tour International Trophy 2010. It is his 2nd consecutive title.
Euro 2012 to be co-hosted by Poland and Ukraine.
2010 Winter Olympic Games were held at Vancouver, Canada. Mascot of the game was MIGA (a sea bear), QUATCHI( a sasquatch) and SUMI (animal guardian spirit). The logo of the games was Ilnaaq meaning Friend in Inuktut. There were 86 events in 7 sports. The games were held from 12 Feb to 28 Feb. Final medal tally. Canada- 14 G 7 S 5 B, Germany- 10 G 13 S 7 B, USA- 9 G 15 S 13 B.
IOC (International Olympic Committee ) has approved ICC (International Cricket Council) bid to join the Olympic games 2020. The first time cricket was included in the Olympic games was in Paris Olympic 1900.
11th World Hockey Cup 2010- To be held in Delhi, India. This is 2nd WHC which India is hosting. India also hosted the WHC in 1982 at Mumbai. 12 countries participated in the tournament. WHC is held in the years between two summer Olympics. First WHC was held at Barcelona in 1971. Pakistan has won the cup four times, Netherland three times, Germany two times, India & Australia once each. India won the WHC in 1975.
Sachin Tendulkar became first player in the world to score a double century in ODI (One day International). He scored 200 (Not out) against South Africa.
Commonwealth Shooting Championship was held in New Delhi in Feb 2010. India stood at first place with 35 Gold 25 Silver and 14 Bronze. England stood at 2nd place with 4 gold and Wales stood at 3rd place.

Science and Technology Current Affairs 2010

USA Space agency NASA launched Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) to discover the causes of extreme solar activity such as sun spots and solar winds & flares.
‘GANGES’- Global Advisory Network Group on environmental sciences. It was created by Govt for environment research work.
Agni-III ballistic missile with a range of 3500 Km was successfully launched from Wheeler Island, Orissa.
Ht Cotton – Herbicide Tolerant Cotton. The variety of Ht Cotton in MON 1445. The variety can withstand herbicides (weed killers) for better productivity and is under trail.
Cervical cancer is caused by HPV- Human Papilloma Virus.
South Korea has world’s highest average connection speed at 14.6 Mbpd in Internet links. Japan has 2nd highest average speed.
Scientist deciphered the genetic blueprint of South Africa’s Archbishop Desmond Titu.

Persons in News 2010

Horst Kochler , Germany President visit India in Feb 2010.
Abdullah Gul, Turkey President visit India in Feb 2010.
Economist Kokkadan Nandanath Raj, who made a significant contribution in the preparation of first Five Year Plan(1951-56) died.
Sharad Chandra Sinha is appointed as Director General of National Investigation Agency(NIA).
Mahmoud Abbas, Palestinian President visit India in Feb 2010.
Muhammad Shahrul Ikram Yaakob of Malaysia appointed Chairman, International Atomic Energy Agency.
Govt appointed R S Pandey as its mediator for talk with NSCN(IM) in Nagaland to carry forward the peace process.
Former Justice P V Reddy will be appointed as Chairman, Law Commission of India.
Ram Baran Yadav, Nepal President visit India in Feb 2010. It was the first visit by Yadav to any foreign country after taking over as Nepal’s President. Yadav is the first President of Nepal since monarchy ended in 2008. India extended $ 250 million soft line of credit to Nepal.
Rajinder Singh became first non-white and also first Asian member of the right wing British National Party, after it amended its constitution to allow black and Asian to be its member.
Amitabh Bachan became the brand ambassador of Gujarat state.
Amnesty International, the global human right organization has appointed Salid Shetty as its next Secy General from June 2010. He will be the first Indian to head the organization.
Shah Rukh Khan & Kajol become the first Indian bollywood actors to ring the opening bell of the world’s biggest stock exchange’ NASDAQ’.
Rajiv Satav appointed President, Indian Youth Congress.
Katrina Kaif awarded with 2009 Excellence in Performing Arts Award established by ASSOCHAM.
M H Hussain, famous painter accepted citizenship of Qatar.

Economics

Planning Commission grant special category status to the Bundelkhand region comprising 9 distt of Uttar Pradesh and 15 distt of Madhya Pradesh for the irrigation projects. Under special category status, state govt can seek 90 % grant assistance from the centre and 10 % as loan.
Govt revises base year for the calculation of National Income from 1999-2000 to 2004-2005. The GDP for 2009-10 will be Rs. 55,74,449 crore and the fiscal deficit for the corresponding period will be 6.4 %.
Capital Control – Foreign capital inflows in the form of loans and equity that are allowed in a restricted form are said to be controlled. The capital inflows include foreign borrowings by Indian corporate and businesses, NRI deposits and portfolio flow from institutional investors into the stock market. Loans to Govt and short term trade credit are also included. India had control on both capital account transactions as well as on current account with the local currency fixed by the Central Bank. In 1991, rupee was first made convertible on the current account. In 1994, Govt allows foreign portfolio investments.
Govt will replace Benchmark Prime Lending System (BPLR) with Base rate system from 1 April 2010 to make bank lending more transparent. It provided for minimum rate for all types of loans for banks.

Misc Issues

Milan 2010, a biennial meeting of navies of Asia Pacific countries held at Port Blair in Feb 2010. 12 countries of Asia Pacific Region participated in it. It is the 7th edition of Milan exercises. It is a biennial exercise of Asia Pacific maritime navies, hosted by the Indian Navy. First Milan exercise was held in 1995.
‘Vayu-Shakti’ name given to IAF exercise conducted at Pokhran range in the Thar desert in Feb 2010. IAF is the 4th largest air force in the world after USA, Russia and China.
‘Bo’ language of Andaman become extinct. Its last speaker died.
As per Indian Meteorological deptt, 2009 was the warmest year since 1990. The annual mean temperature for 2009 was 25.55 degree celcius for the country s as a whole.
Uttarakhand became first state in the country to ban the cultivation of Bt Brinjal ( Country’s first Genetically Modified food crop). Bt Brijnal is a genetically modified crop which has a special gene- Cry1AC, inserted to make it poisonous to pests. GM Crops resists pests and give better yields as well as nutrition. Bt Brinjal is developed in India by Mahyco company. GM foods are derived from organisms whose DNA has been modified through genetic engineering.
China ranked 1st in the wind power capacity in the world. India is at 5th place with 10925 MW capacity. The five top nations in the order of wind power capacity are China, US, Spain, Germany & India.
Eurozone is a economic and monetary union of 16 EU member states which have adopted the euro currency as their sole legal tender. PIIGS countries include Portugal, Italy, Ireland, Greece & Spain.
17 army jawans killed in a avalanche at High Altitude Warfare School (HAWS) at Khilanmarg, J&K.
West Bengal govt reserved 10 % of govt jobs in the state for poor muslims.
China will celebrate 2010 as Year of Tiger.
India has a road network of 33 lakh km and is second largest in the world. It included 200 km of expressway, 70548 km of national highways, 131899 km of state highways, 467763 km of major district roads and 26.5 lakh km of rural & other roads. The Golden Quadrilateral joining four metro cities of Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai and Kolkatta, has a length of 5846 km.
Taj Mahotsav organized by UP govt in Feb 2010 with the theme ‘Ek Utsav Prem Ka’.
Vancouver city, Canada named as the World’s most livable city as per survey conducted by Economics Intelligence Unit. Delhi is ranked at 113th place and Mumbai at 117th place.
16th Conference of Parties (COP) will be held in Dec 2010 at Mexico. The 15th COP was held in Copenhagen in Dec 2009.
Hyderabad International Airport has been named amongst the world’s five top airports. Other four airports are Seol, Singapore, Hong Kong and Beijing.
’1000 faces for 1000 tigers’ campaign was launched in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The campaign aims to help double the number of wild tigers in Malaysia by 2022.
Sachin Tendulkar features in BMC’s ‘Save Water Campaign’.
Indian Navy inducted Russian built MiG 29 K fighters planes.
Basic Capabilities Index 2009- India received 68 points. The index was published by Social Watch’s. The highest BCI points was given to Iran having 97 points and lowest points 44 was given to Chad.
K R Sridhar, an US based Indian scientist invented Bloom Box- which convert air and virtually any other fuel source into clean electricity. The box uses solid oxide fuel cells and can generate 100 KW of power.
Present life expectancy of life at birth in India is 63.4 yrs. The highest expectancy of life is in Australia of 81.4 yrs, 81 yrs for France and 79.3 yrs for England.
World Cancer Day – 04 Feb
International Condom Day – 14 Feb

For Civilserviceindia.com
Mr. Rakesh kumar Gupta
Ph: 9868145285
Mail: rakeshgupta1234@yahoo.com

The World's Largest Software Companies

2010-03-10T05:53:00.001-08:00

The World's Largest Software Companies - interim update -
Rank	Company	Software revenues
1	Microsoft	49,453
2	IBM	22,089
3	Oracle	17,560
4	SAP	11,604
5	Ericsson	7,256
6	Nintendo	7,245
7	HP	6,243
8	Symantec	5,692
9	Nokia Siemens Networks	5,327
10	Activision Blizzard	4,622
* Software revenues are in US$ billion ** Click here for the full Software Top 100 interim update

TMH books

2010-03-07T11:20:00.001-08:00

Wanna buy TMH books..but want to know what it contains..
Go to the web and see the preview pages..
http://www.tatamcgrawhill.com/html/9780070604476.html

Indian History quiz

2010-03-03T11:45:00.001-08:00

http://www.atrochatro.com/quiz_india-12.html

Q U E ST I O N S A S K E D B E F O R E

2010-03-03T10:22:00.000-08:00

what is the decibel level in this room now?
can you compare the per capita income of India and the US.
can you tell me one item in olympics where men and women see face to face?
why do you want join civil service when you are likely to get more income from your current job?
what is the role of 'non playing captain' in Volley Ball?
what is the chief mode of transportation in China?
what is the importance of cord blood?This was the first question i got way back in 2005.I, from a medical background.

Indian Military Operations

2010-03-03T09:56:00.000-08:00

Exercises by Indian Army:

Operation Barrastacks:

November 1986- full scale war on west – this was the largest ever conducted in India

Operation Parakram:

Accumulation of Indian troops in Indo – Pak border aftermath of Parliament attack on December 13, 2001

Operation Sanghe Sakthi:

To validate mobilization strategies of the Ambala based II Strike Corps

Exercise Ashwamedha:

Indian Army tested its Network Centric Warfare Capabilities – held in Thar Desert – Asymmetric war capabilities were also tested.

Operation Polo:

Indian armed forces ended the rule of the Nizam of Hyderabad and led to the incorporation of the princely state of Hyderabad in Southern India, into the Indian Union

Operation Bluestar: (June 1984)

Indian military operation ordered by Indira Gandhi, to remove Sikh separatists who were amassing weapons in theGolden Temple in Amritsar.

Operation Woodrose: (June to September 1984)

Follow up to Operation Bluestar – where the Indian army unsuccessfully attempted to wipe out Sikh terrorism.

Operation Meghdoot:

Attack launched by Indian army to capture the Siachen Glacier in the disputed Kashmir region – April 13, 1984 – first assault at World’s highest battlefield.

Operation Pawan:

By Indian peace keeping force to take control of Jaffna from LTTE – 1987 –

Operation Viraat & Operation Trishul:

By Indian Peace Keeping Force against the LTTE in April 1988 in Northern Sri Lanka in the Provinces of Mannar to Mullaithevu and Elephanta Pass to Vavuniya.

Operation Checkmate:

By Indian Peace Keeping Force against the LTTE in the Vadamarachi area of Northern Srilanka.

Operation Cactus:

The 1988 Maldives Coup, whose rescue efforts were code-named Operation Cactus by the Indian armed forces, was the attempt by a group of Maldivians led by Abdullah Luthufi and assisted by about 80 armed mercenaries of a Sri Lankan secessionist organisation, People's Liberation Organisation of Tamil Eelam (PLOTE), to overthrow the government of the island republic of Maldives. The coup was foiled after Indian forces were invited by the Maldivian government to intervene.

Operation Vijay:

1961- Capture of Goa, Diu & Daman; 1999- Kargil war;

Operation Parakram:

The 2001–2002 India–Pakistan standoff was a military standoff between India and Pakistan that resulted in the amassing of troops on either side of the International Border (IB) and along the Line of Control (LoC) in the region of Kashmir.

Operation Black Tornado & Operation Cyclone:

Mumbai Attack on November 26, 2008

NAVAL EVENTS

VARUNA 2009 - Indian Navy-French Navy Joint Exercise

KONKAN 2009 - Indian Navy-Royal British Navy Joint Exercise
source : http://www.indianofficer.com/forums/prelims-general-discussions/8523-indian-military-operations.html
special thanks to Mr. Krish

Solved and Elaborated Prelims 2009 History

2010-03-02T09:32:00.000-08:00

1) The copper – hoard culture in the post – Harappa period has provisionally been identified with which one of the following pottery types?
a) Sothi Pottery
b) Ochre colour pottery
c) Painted grey ware
d) Northern Black polished ware
Answer: Ochre Colour Pottery.
Elaboration:
Indus Valley Civilization is identified with Bronze Age. Bronze, a metal alloy, includes copper and tin. The Bronze of Indus Valley consisted of copper and tin whereas there can be other variations in making of bronze by adding phosphorous, manganese, aluminum and silicon.
The Ochre colour pottery has been identified with the later stage of the Harappan Valley Civilization or as it is stated in the question, as post – Harappa period. The OCP (Ochre colour pottery) was located along with copper artifacts which included axes, harpoons and swords. Thus, here in the above question, there is reference to the copper hoards and the Ochre colour pottery. This collection was first report by B. B. Lal. There is another term which has been used for it. It is OCP Copper Hoard culture.
The time period for this culture is 2^nd millennium (That is 2000 BC to I000 BC). Hence, it is the later part of the Harappan culture as the later part is considered to have ended by 1750 BC.
Being a culture of later part of Harappan period, the remains had been found in sourthen Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhyapardesh and Ganga Yammuna plains reaching upto to Chota Nagapur.
Similarly, the copper for the bronze would have been procured from Khetri in Rajasthan, Singbhum in West Bengal but also from Bihar and Orissa and Maljkhand in Madhya Pardesh. The high quality of the copper in the artifacts is the basis of the claim that the culture spread upto Chota Nagpur area from where the copper of high quality and purity could be obtained.
The OCP culture has been identified with the latter stage of Harappan culture. This fact has given rise to debate among the scholars. One view is that the OCP culture depicts the impoverished phase of Harappa Culture and thus provides an evidence of its decline. On the other hand, the view has emerged that it was an original culture; an indigenous culture and not related to Harappa culture as such.
The OCP culture was followed by Iron Age black-and-red ware culture and painted-grey ware culture.
The first specimen of the OCP culture was found at Jodhpura near Jaipur in Rajasthan. It belonged to 3^rd millennium. The later specimens were found at Ganga Yammuna plains and belonged to 2^nd millennium.
(Source: Wikipedia athttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ochre_Coloured_Pottery_culture
Indus Civilization at http://pubweb.cc.u-tokai.ac.jp/indus/english/3_1_06.html)

The Sothi Pottery: The Sothi Pottery belongs to the earlier stage of the Harapa Culture. The pottery of this phase was found at Sothi in Bikaner District of Rajesthan. The Sothi pottery is about the earliest stages of the Harapa Culture and not the post Harapa Culture. The main scholar giving this view is Amalanand Ghose as described in An Encyclopedia of Indian Archeology page 72. The phase is early stage is identified with Kalibangan finds also.

Painted Grey Ware: Painted Grey Ware refers to the post Harapa culture but it is later than OCP-Copper Hoard culture. It belongs to Iron Age Culture of Gangetic Plain. It does not belong to the Bronze Age. The time period is between 1100 BC to 350 BC. It succeeds Black and red ware culture. Some of the earlier phase is contemporary to the Black and Red Ware culture. It belongs to rather Later Vedic period. It was followed by Northern Black Polished Ware culure. According to B. B. Lal, it flourished in around Hastinapur, Mathura, Ahichatra, Barnawa and Kurukshetra.

Northern Black Polished Ware: Northern Black Polished Ware culture succeeded Painted Grey Ware Culture. It had started in the middle of Later Vedic Period. It continued upto the rise of the Mauryan Empire. This culture is of interest more for its impact of Harapa Culture on the later period. The impact had been seen in the use of the mud bricks, backed bricks, architecture, and different crafts. But it appeared long after the disappearance of Harapa culture.

Hence, the Harapa Culture period is identified with 3000 to 1750 BC. The Sothi Culture is identified with the 3000 to 2000 BC. The Ochre Colour pottery culture more recognizable for the collection of refined copper implements belongs to 2000 to 1000 BC. The Painted Grey Ware culture belongs to 1000 to 300 BC. Northern Black Polished Ware belongs to 700 BC to 300 BC.
The Harappan Culture followed the Chalcolithic Age or the Copper Age. The Sothi culture belongs to Bronze Age. The Ochre coloured belongs to later stage of Bronze Age but with increased use of refined copper but pre-Iron Age. The rest of the two belongs to Iron age.

(For further material Check Notes and Compilation (Book) by Sumir Sharma)

2) Consider the following statements:
1. Lime mortar was used at Mohenjodaro in the construction of dwellings
2. At Dholavira, stone was used in the construction of dwellings
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans: C. Both 1 and 2.
In Mohenjo daro the lime mortar use is quite evident in the Great Hall and Great Bath complex.
Dholavira (Kotada), in Bhachau taluka of district Kutch of Gujarat, is another metropolis of Harappan Civilization which has similar city plan as that of Mohenjodaro and Harappa. No doubt that main contruction material is sun baked burned mud bricks but the most significant feature of Dholavira is the use of stone in the dwelling buildings. It was discovered by J P Joshi in 1967-68. It is one of the four main major cities of the Harappan culture. It is also distinctivly different from other cities because of more importance is given to fortification in this city. Dholavira is also famous for ten large sized inscriptions which has been identified as the oldest sign board in the world. It is also famous for making arrangement for the water storage. It used limestone along with baked bricks.

(For further material Check Notes and Compilation (Book) by Sumir Sharma)

3) With reference to Indus Valley Civilization, consider the following animals:
1. Bull 2. Elephant 3. Rhinoceros
The figure/figures of which of the above animal/animals is/are found on the Indus seals?
a) 1 only
b) 1 and 2 only
c) 2 and 3 only
d) 1,2 and 3

Ans: Bull, Elephant and Rhinoceros, are all shown the seals. Apart from that the markhor (a goat), tiger, Buffaloes, crocodile, fish, hare and dogs are other animals shown on the seals. In addition to that there are shown composite animals wherein like the head is that of a tiger but hind legs are of bull. The special animal is unicorn.

4) Which one of the following contains the famous Gayatri Mantra?
a) Rig Veda
b) Samveda
c) Yajurveda
d) Atharvadeda

Ans: a. Rig Veda.
Gayatri Mantra is found in Third Mandal of Rig Veda. The Mandal has 62 hymns and the tenth richa in the 62th hymn is the gyatri mantra. It is attributed to Rishi Vishvamitra. The Gayatri Mantra is addressed to god Savitar. The rest of the hymns of the third mandal at attributed Agni and Indra. It being in the third Mandal, hence, it belongs to the core part of the Rig Veda as the first and the tenth mandals are considered to be the latter additions. It is called gayatri because of the meter used to chant is gayatri. The second name is Savitri Mantra, after the name of the god who is invoked in this mantra. (Savitar is shown as an aspect of Usha – a goddess whereas in most of the books checked, Savitri is shown as male divinity and thus an aspect of Surya). Savitri Mantra is repeated again and again in numerous upnishads. It has been widely praised and interepreted by leading brains of India like Swami Vivekananda, S Radhakrishanan, J. Krishnamurthi and many others.

5) The famous phrase “tattvamasi” is found in which one of the following Upanishads?
a) Chandogya
b) Mundaka
c) Mandukya
d) Isavasya
Ans: a. Chandogya Upnishad.
Tattvamasi literary means You Are That. Linguistically correct version is Thou art That.
It is an utterance in the dialogue between Uddalaka Aruni and Shvetaketu. Shvetaketu was son of Uddalaka.

6) In which one of the following Smritui is found the statement: “the royal charters were written on cloth or copper plate?
a) Manusmruti
b) Parasharasmruti
c) Yagnyavalkyasmruti
d) Shankhasmruti
Ans: C Yagnyavalkyasmruti.
The statement is taken from Yagnyavalkya Samruti from Book 1, page 316. It is mentioned in the book of D. C. Sircar on page 66, of the book titled Indian Epigraphy. The book was published in1965 by Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Private Limited. ISBN no 81-208-1166-6. In the chapter III titled Writing Materials, Dr. Sircar has elaborated on the epigraphy and the material used for writing.

7) The famous Dasarajna (battle of ten kings) is mentioned in
a) Rigveda
b) Yajurveda
c) Samaveda
d) None of the above
Ans: a. Rigveda.
The battle of ten kings is mentioned in Rig Veda, Mandal 7, hymn 83. Suda of Trtsu family of Bharta Tribe fought against ten kings on the River Purushani that is present River Ravi. Bharata Tribe was assisted by Vashishta and the ten kings were assisted by Vishvamitra. The hymns in which the battle and victory is mentioned invoked Indra and Varun.
The ten tribes were Alina, Anu, Bhrigu, Bhalana, Dasa or Dasyu, Druhyu, Matsya, Parshu, Purus, Pani or Parnis.

The King Suda killed Bheda, one of the independent commander of a tribe without a king.
King Suda was grandson of Devodasa Atithigva . (Mentioned in Devadatta Ramkrishana Bhandarkar's Some Aspects of Ancient Culture' published from Madras.)

8) In which Vedic Sukta is found the reference to the orgin of the four Varnas?
a) Ushas
b) Purusha
c) Nasadiya
d) Aranyani
Ans: b, Purusha Sukta

(For further material Check Notes and Compilation (Book) by Sumir Sharma) For the notes Contact Iqbal Dua at 9814936936, AooG Enterprises, 36 E, Sarabha Nagar, Ludhiana. or write to us at cshistory at the rate of gmail dot com

9) Which one of the following dramas was written by Sriharsha?
a) Kundamala
b) Priyadarshika
c) Karpuramanjari
d) Malati – Madhava
Ans: Sri Harsha wrote Priyadarshika. His other important works were Ratanvali. Both of them are plays.
In Priyadarshika, it is about the love story of Vatsaraja Udayana with princess Priyadarshika. It is written under the influence of the Kalidasa Malavikagnimitram. (Mentioned in History of Indian Theater 3 Volumes by Manohar Laxman Varadpande.)
(For further material Check Notes and Compilation (Book) by Sumir Sharma) For the notes Contact Iqbal Dua at 9814936936, AooG Enterprises, 36 E, Sarabha Nagar, Ludhiana. or write to us at cshistory at the rate of gmail dot com

10) Against which republican state did Ajatashatru fight for more than 16 years to establish Megadhan Suzerainty over Eastern India?
a) Mallas of Pava and Kushinara
b) Videhas of Mithilai
c) Lichhavis of Vaishali
d) Koliyas of Ramagrama

Ans: c Lichchavis of Vaishali.
Ajatsatru had raised Magadha Empire by annexing 36 republican states. The major monarchies which he annexed was Kosala, and Vats. He fought the 16 years wars against the Vrijji of Vishali. Vriji was ruled by a confederacy of five tribes among which Lichchavis were one of the dominating tribe. Lichchavi Republic was at that time represented by Chetaka. (derived from multiple articles on Wikipedia).
In Jain accounts, Bimbisara, father of Ajatasatru is mentioned as Srenika and Ajatasatru as Kunika.

Mallas of Pava and Kushinara:
Mallas were one of the sixteen Mahajanapadas. These Mahanajanapadas are mentioned in Anguttara Nikaya of Tripitaka. They occupied the North Central India. It was conquered by Bhima, one of the five Pandus. Their region was divided into nine territories each held by a confederation of clans. Two of the important confederacies had their capital at Kushinara and Pava respectively. Kushinara is present modern Kasia near Gorakhpur and Pava is present modern Padrauna near Kasia. Mahatama Buddha took his last meal at Kushinara. Lord Mahavira took his last meal at Pava or Pavapuri. Mahatama Buddha fell ill at Pava and died in Kushinara. Mahavira took Nirvana at Pava Puri. At the time of the death of Lord Buddha, King Sastipal Mal was ruling at Kushinara.

Mallas are also mentioned in Manusamriti under the category of Vratya Kshatriya.

In Buddhist literature, Mahaparinirbbana Suttanta, they are called Vashista Kshatriya.

Mallas had both form of governments, monarchical as well as republican, at different times. They were also annexed to Magadhan Empire after the death of Buddha.

Videha of Mithilai:
Videha was the kingdom of Seeradwaj Janak, the father of Sita. Mithila was the capital of Videha. The rulers of the Videha were called Janak. The rulers were known for their Vedic knowledge and most of them had been established scholars. The Mithila is present Janakpur in Nepal. The agriculture seems to be the major economic activity of this kingdom. Seeradwaj himself had obtained Sita with the help of a plough from the womb of land. Sita was married to Raghava Ram, the prince of Kosala. Kosala was one of the monarchy annexed by Magadha during the reign of Ajatsatru. The sisters of Sita were also married to the brothers of Raghava Ram. Therefore, Videha was associated with Kosala.

Koliyas of Ramagrama
Koliya was a republican clan having equal status with Sakya clan. Yashodhara, wife of Prince Siddharta (Buddha) belonged to Koliya. The Chief of Koliya was Suppabuddha and father of Yashodhara. The Koliya clan had two capitals namely Ramagrama and Devadaha. A stupa of remains of Buddha stands at Ramagrama in Bhairahawa in Nepal. It is the only undisturbed stupa.

11) The Mahayana Buddhism had two philosophical schools. Which of the following belonged to Mahayana Buddhism?
a) Madhyamika and Yogachara
b) Vijnanavada and Sthaviravada
c) Mahasanghika and Theraveda
d) Acharyavada and Sarvastivada

Ans: a: Madhyamika and Yogachara

According to I-ching's report from India (A. D. 691), Mahayana Buddhism was divided into two schools, the Madhyamika and Yogacara. The main author of Madhyamika school was Nagarjuna.
Other popular name of Madhyamika is Shunyavada. In English translations, it repeatedly termed as Buddhist philosophy or Mahayana Philosophy of Emptiness.
Madhyamika originated with Nagarjuna. Nagarjuna was born around 150 AD in Guntur District of Andhra Pardesh.

Yogachara school of Mahayana developed around 4c. AD. In Sanskrit, it is also called Vigyana Vada. The main text of Yogachara Mahayana is Sandhinirmochana Sutra. The main scholars of this school of Mahayana were Vasubandhu and Asanga. Vasubandhu and Asanga were half brothers.

Vijnanavada and Sthaviravada
Vijnanavada or Vigyanavada is the other name of the theory which is given under Yogachara philosophy of Mahayana. It means Consciousness only theory.

Sthaviravada: Sthaviravada is a Sanskrit word for the Pali word Theravada. Theravada of Sthaviravada is the oldest or the traditionalist school of Buddhism. It is also known as the Teaching of the Elders school. Theravada and Mahasinghika were the schools which developed between the second and third Buddhist council. The first Buddhist council was held in the year when Buddha passed away. It took place in 486 BC. The second council took place in 350 BC. The third council took place 250 BC during the reign of Asoka. The first schism took place between second and third great councils.

Mahasanghika and Theraveda
Mahasanghika and Theravada are the two break up schools of Buddhism. The break up took place between the second and third Great Councils. The head of Mahasanghikas was Mahadeva. The origin of these two schools is mentioned in Mahavamsa.

Acharyavada and Sarvastivada
Sarvastivada is Sanskrit term. The Pali term is Sabbatthivada. It means all exist theory. It is the oldest form of Buddhism which existed along with Theravada (The sayings of the elder.)

Acharyavada is another term for Mahasanghika. The first council was held in Rajagriha. The second at Vaisali. The third at Pataliputra during the reign of Asoka. The third council of Pataliputra was held after the rise of Mahasanhika or Acharyavada. (James Hastings, Encyclopedia of Religion and Ethics, Part 13, pp 210.)

12) Who was the twenty second Tiruthankara?
a) Parsvanatha
b) Rishabha
c) Aristhanemi
d) Neminatha
Ans: Neminatha, d
According to Jain religion, there are 24 Trithankaras. The first Trithankara was Rishab. Muni Rishab is mentioned in Rig Veda also. According to Digambaras, all the 24 Trithankaras were men. However, according to Shavetambars, 19th Trithankara, Mallinath was a woman. Parsvanatha was twentry third Trithankar. Mahavira was the twenty fourth Trithankar.
Arithanemi is another name of Neminatha. Neminatha, the 22nd Trinthankara, the cousin of Shri Krishna, is also called Bhagwan Aristhanemi. His name also appears in Rig Veda as that of Adinath Rishab.

13) Directions for erecting stupas and Chaityas, and an account of the contest for
buddha’s Relics to deposit in them is found for the first time in
a) Milindapanha
b) Majjhim Nikaya
c) Mahaparinibbana Sutta
d) Jnanaprasthana Sutra
Ans: C Mahaprinibbana Sutta (Pali). It is part of Vinay Sutta. Vinay Sutta is part of Tripitakka.
In it, the last days of Buddha and contest between the different Bhikkshu at the time of Parinirvana is given. It is a long one.
There is another Mahayana Maha Parinivana Sutta which is in Sanskrit. They are two separate books.
Milindapanha: It is also a Buddhist text written in c. 100 BC. It consists of dialogue between Menander I, the Bactrian king with Nagasena. In some of the Pali canons, it is included in the Khuddaka Nikaya.

Majjhim Nikaya: The Sutta Pittaka of Tripitaka of Theravada school, consists of five Nikayas. The second Nikaya is called Majjhim Nikaya. It consists of dialogue between Buddha and his chief disciples.

14) What is the modern name of Kundagrama Where Mahavira was born?
a) Vaishali
b) Patana
c) Basukunda
d) Paithan
Ans: C. Basukunda or Basu Kunda, a village in Vaishali district.
Vaishali was the capital of Vajjis or Virjis. The Vajjis gave name to the Vajji Janapada. This fact is mentioned in Bhagavati Sutra of Jains and Anguttra Nikaya (Part of Tripitaka) of Buddhists. It is also referred to by Panini and Kautilya. The Vajji Mahajanapada consisted of eight clans. The four leading clans were Vajjis, Lichchavis, Jnatrikass and Videhas. Lord Mahavira was born in Jnatrikass clan which is also mentioned as tribe in numerous books.

Paithan or Parishtana is a city in Aurangabad district of Maharashtra. It was capital of Satavahana Empire. It has found reference even in a Grecian book Periplus Maris Ertharaei or Periplus of Erythraean Sea written by an annonymous writer somewhere around 150 AD.

15) In Buddhism what does Patimokkha stand for ?
a) A description of Mahayana Buddhism
b) A description of Hinayana Buddhism
c) The rules of the Samgha
d) The questions of King Menander
Ans: c. The rules of Samgha.
It is rule of discipline for the Buddhist monks included in Vinaya Pitaka. It is part of Theravada literature. There are 227 rules for Bikkhus and 311 for Bhikkhunis. It is part of Suttavibhanga included in Vinaya Pitaka got compiled by Maha Kassapa and Ananda when there arose some dispute because of monks like Subhadda.

The description of the Mahayana Buddhism is given in Mahayana Sutras. However, the Hinayana Buddhists and many scholars call them heretic sayings.
The description of the Hinayana Buddhism is generally considered to be given in the Palli cannons. The most accepted source is Sutra Pitaka, the first part of Tripitaka.

Milinda Panaho is the book on the questions of King Menander. The questions by Menander or Milind were put to Nagasena. It is part of the Khuddak Nikaya which again is the part of the Tripitaka.

16) According to Mathura pillar inscription Uditacharya consecrated two Sivalingas named
a) Gutteshwara and Kadambeshwara
b) Nageshwara and Naganatha
c) Kapileshwara and Upmiteswara
d) Nanjundeshwara and Shrishaileswara
Ans: c. Kapileshwara and Upmiteswara.
Mathura Pillar inscription belongs to Chandragupta II. Uditacharya was follower of Pasupata Sect.(four in total). He is considered founder of the Pasupata sect, one of the oldest Shaivite Sect. The Mathura Pillar inscription was written in 380 AD.

Uditacharya declares himself to be the tenth descendent of Bhagvat Kaushika, the founder of Maheshvara sect. This fact appears in Vayu Purana and Linga Purana. Bhagvat Kaushika was the disciple of Lakuli, the real Siva Maheshvara. The two Sivalinga were attributed to the teachers of Acharya Upendra.
(This question has also appeared in UGC/NET question number of times.)

Kadambeshwara Temple is a Historical Temple of Banavasi Kadamba age. This is in the village called Heggarani (which means Hegeya Rana - The war field of Hegge, in the vicinity of Kadambas Territory in Karnataka. The temple enshrines the Lord Ganesha.
Gutteshwara or Kutteshwara is a village in Kundapura in Karnataka State. The place is more popular for the lake of that name and the temple of Lord Shiva. It is also called Kotilingeshwara temple . There are other temples dedicated to other deities also.

Nageshwara and Naganatha:
Nageshwara or Nageswara Jyotirlinga is one of the 12 Jyotirlinga mentioned in the Shiva Purana. The main temple is in Dwarka in Gujarat. The second temple, which is also called the Negeshwara Jyotirlinga and called as Nagnath temple, is in Aundha in Maharashtra. There is a third temple having the same significance and it is called Jageshwara temple at Almora in Uttrakhand state. The Jageshwara temple is considered as the first Jyotirlinga on the earth.

Nanjundeshwara and Shrishaileswara
Nanjundeshwara is a Shiva Temple at Nanjangud town, south of Mysore. It is situated on the banks of Kabini rive, a tributary of Kaveri River in Karnataka State. The town became popular during Ganga dynasty. Later Chola dynasty took over in 11th century. The temple of Nanjundeshwara Temple is an important landmark there. It is one of the biggest temple in Karnataka with numerous small temples dotted around the main temple. The Wodeyars and Tipu Sultan extended liberal patronage to the temple.

17) Pindakara under the Mauryan ruler was a tax
a) A paid in labour
b) on irrigation
c) On non – agricultural produce
d) collected jointly from a village
Ans: d. collected jointly from a village.
Pindkara was one of the four taxes which were being collected since the days of Mahajanapada. Initially it was a voluntary contribution in form of a fistful grain at a yagya. Apart from that, there were Shadbhaga that was 1/6 of the produce. Senabhaktam, the tax charged for using the services of the troops.
However, this tax has not been mentioned in the post Mauryan period or Gupta period. Hence, it was collected upto Mauryan period. But it was never imposed on the individual. It was collected from the village as a whole.
The tax on irrigation was Udakabhagam. Apart from that, the tax was levied on the irrigation from wells if the water was drawn by hand and it was called hastaparvartimam. When the water was used for irrigation by withdrawing it from well with the help of Bullocks, then Skandhaparvartimam tax was imposed. They were all irrigation taxes. They were upto ¼ of the produce. The taxes were further differentiated if the water was drawn from a river, tank or lakes.
Shulka is a common term for the tax collected on non-agricultural produce. It was also imposed on trading activity. Secondly, it was a local tax. It was not similar to toll tax which was levied on the commodities coming from outside the regions. Hence, shulka and toll were different taxes and they could be paid and collected collectively. It was tax generally paid by the merchants.
Visti and simhanaka were the two taxes which were paid in labour to the Mauryan ruler. They were basically a tax similar to income, which a person was not in a position to pay in money or other form. He was then liable to pay in form of labour to the king. All the classes and castes were liable to pay such type of labour to the ruler. It was meant to get the services of the artisans which were highly valued during the ancient period. Vishti was a cooperative contribution by all the people for the common cause. When it became a compulsion and the ruler made the artisans to work for them under command and force, then it was called Begar.

18) Consider the following places:
1. Ahiraura 2. Dhauli 3. Girnar
At which of the above place/places do Asoka’s rock edicts occur?
a) 1 only
b) 1 and 2 only
c) 2 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: 1, 2, and 3. D.
Ahriarua is Jhansi District of Uttar Pardesh.
Dhauli is in Orissa more famous of Rock Edict XiV and Kalinga war.
Girnar is in Junagarh District of Gujarat.

19) Who of the following deciphered the Brahmi script?
a) William jones
b) James prinsep
c) John Marshall
d) E.J.H.Mackay
Ans: James Prinsep: b
James Prinsep was an assay-master in Indian Government Mint, Calcutta. In addition to that he had interest in inscriptions, philology and numismatics. At Calcutta Mint, he had worked under Dr. H. H. Wilson, a known sanskrit scholar and orientalist in his times. He also remained the secretary of Asiatic Society of Bengal. He was also a qualified architecture.
He had won a place in history of India when he deciphered the Brahmi on Ashokan inscription in 1837. Later, in 1915, when it was further collaborated from finding on the inscription that the Devanam Piya Piyadasi and Asoka refers to the same person, it was well confirmed that the inscriptions belong to Asoka.

William Jones: William Jones, generally written as Sir William Jones, was founder of the Asiatic Society of Bengal. He was an English Philologist. He knew 28 languages. The name of his father was also William Jones, who was a known mathematician of his times. He is also famous as an orientalist. He translated Kalidasa AbhigyanaShakultanam into English. He encouraged Charles Wilkins to translate Bhagvat Gita into English.

John Marshall: John Marshall was Director General of Archeological Survey of India from 1902 (Year of founding during the period of Lord Curzon as the Viceroy of India) to 1928. It was during his tenure that the sites of Harappa and Mohenjodaro were excavated and forgotten civilization of Indus Valley came into light before the world.

E. J. H. Mackay: EJH MacKay was a veteran archeologist who had earlier worked on Egypt under the supervision of Sir Flinders Petrie. He took over from Sir John Marshall for continuing the excavation at Mohenjodaro. He died on October 2, 1943 at the age of 63. He was awarded Watumull Prize in 1945 by American Historical Association posthumously.
(Death and award source: http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v157/n3982/pdf/157220b0.pdf)

20) In which one among the following edicts of Ashoka, his Kalinga war is mentioned?
a) Piller edict I
b) Pillar edict VII
c) Rock edict XI
d) Rock edict XIII
Ans: Rock Edit XIII ; c
The contents of the Rock Edict reads as follows:
Beloved-of-the-Gods, King Piyadasi, conquered the Kalingas eight years after his coronation. One hundred and fifty thousand were deported, one hundred thousand were killed and many more died (from other causes). After the Kalingas had been conquered, Beloved-of-the-Gods came to feel a strong inclination towards the Dhamma, a love for the Dhamma and for instruction in Dhamma. Now Beloved-of-the-Gods feels deep remorse for having conquered the Kalingas.
Indeed, Beloved-of-the-Gods is deeply pained by the killing, dying and deportation that take place when an unconquered country is conquered. But Beloved-of-the-Gods is pained even more by this -- that Brahmans, ascetics, and householders of different religions who live in those countries, and who are respectful to superiors, to mother and father, to elders, and who behave properly and have strong loyalty towards friends, acquaintances, companions, relatives, servants and employees -- that they are injured, killed or separated from their loved ones. Even those who are not affected (by all this) suffer when they see friends, acquaintances, companions and relatives affected. These misfortunes befall all (as a result of war), and this pains Beloved-of-the-Gods.
There is no country, except among the Greeks, where these two groups, Brahmans and ascetics, are not found, and there is no country where people are not devoted to one or another religion.[26] Therefore the killing, death or deportation of a hundredth, or even a thousandth part of those who died during the conquest of Kalinga now pains Beloved-of-the-Gods. Now Beloved-of-the-Gods thinks that even those who do wrong should be forgiven where forgiveness is possible.
Even the forest people, who live in Beloved-of-the-Gods' domain, are entreated and reasoned with to act properly. They are told that despite his remorse Beloved-of-the-Gods has the power to punish them if necessary, so that they should be ashamed of their wrong and not be killed. Truly, Beloved-of-the-Gods desires non-injury, restraint and impartiality to all beings, even where wrong has been done.
Now it is conquest by Dhamma that Beloved-of-the-Gods considers to be the best conquest.[27] And it (conquest by Dhamma) has been won here, on the borders, even six hundred yojanas away, where the Greek king Antiochos rules, beyond there where the four kings named Ptolemy, Antigonos, Magas and Alexander rule, likewise in the south among the Cholas, the Pandyas, and as far as Tamraparni.[28] Here in the king's domain among the Greeks, the Kambojas, the Nabhakas, the Nabhapamkits, the Bhojas, the Pitinikas, the Andhras and the Palidas, everywhere people are following Beloved-of-the-Gods' instructions in Dhamma. Even where Beloved-of-the-Gods' envoys have not been, these people too, having heard of the practice of Dhamma and the ordinances and instructions in Dhamma given by Beloved-of-the-Gods, are following it and will continue to do so. This conquest has been won everywhere, and it gives great joy -- the joy which only conquest by Dhamma can give. But even this joy is of little consequence. Beloved-of-the-Gods considers the great fruit to be experienced in the next world to be more important.
I have had this Dhamma edict written so that my sons and great-grandsons may not consider making new conquests, or that if military conquests are made, that they be done with forbearance and light punishment, or better still, that they consider making conquest by Dhamma only, for that bears fruit in this world and the next. May all their intense devotion be given to this which has a result in this world and the next.
(Source: http://www.cs.colostate.edu/~malaiya/ashoka.html#FOURTEEN)
(Copyright: The contents appear here in confirmation with the copyright of the site with its origin in Srilanka. Apart from that, the references by the original author are to D. R. Bhandarkar, R. Mookerji, A Sen, and D. C. Sircar in which similar and near to same phrases describing the contents of the inscriptions are given.)

Further elaborations:
Pillar Edict I:
It is about the stopping of the animal killing during festivals and abstaining of the non-vegetarian food by the king himself.
The contents are translated as follows:
Beloved-of-the-Gods, King Piyadasi, has caused this Dhamma edict to be written.[1] Here (in my domain) no living beings are to be slaughtered or offered in sacrifice. Nor should festivals be held, for Beloved-of-the-Gods, King Piyadasi, sees much to object to in such festivals, although there are some festivals that Beloved-of-the-Gods, King Piyadasi, does approve of.
Formerly, in the kitchen of Beloved-of-the-Gods, King Piyadasi, hundreds of thousands of animals were killed every day to make curry. But now with the writing of this Dhamma edict only three creatures, two peacocks and a deer are killed, and the deer not always. And in time, not even these three creatures will be killed.
(copyright: As given under the elaboration of the answer above. )

Pillar Edict VII:
It is about the religious freedom to all and peaceful co-existence among the members of the different religions:
The contents of the edict are translated as follows:
Beloved-of-the-Gods, King Piyadasi, desires that all religions should reside everywhere, for all of them desire self-control and purity of heart.[14] But people have various desires and various passions, and they may practice all of what they should or only a part of it. But one who receives great gifts yet is lacking in self-control, purity of heart, gratitude and firm devotion, such a person is mean.

(Copyright: As given under the elaboration of the answer above.)

Pillar Edict XI:
In this inscription, Asoka had defined the real meaning of his dhamma. Kindly read it discreetly. No where any Buddhist instruction is given. It can be noted for short notes for main question paper.

The contents of the edict are translated as follows:
Beloved-of-the-Gods, King Piyadasi, speaks thus:[20] There is no gift like the gift of the Dhamma,[21] (no acquaintance like) acquaintance with Dhamma, (no distribution like) distribution of Dhamma, and (no kinship like) kinship through Dhamma. And it consists of this: proper behavior towards servants and employees, respect for mother and father, generosity to friends, companions, relations, Brahmans and ascetics, and not killing living beings. Therefore a father, a son, a brother, a master, a friend, a companion or a neighbor should say: "This is good, this should be done." One benefits in this world and gains great merit in the next by giving the gift of the Dhamma.

21) The fact that the satavahanas did maritime trade and had naval power is proved from the availability of a special type of coin. ‘ship with double mast’. Which ruler of the dynasty was supposed to have issued these coins?
a) Simuka
b) Satakarni II
c) Gautamiputra Satakarni
d) Yajna Sri Satakarni
Ans: All the Options are incorrect. The correct answer is Vashistaputra Pulumayi.
A good description can be had from Dr. S. S. Sen books published by Willey Publication Kolkata.

22) Which one of the following represents the ancient town of Vijayapuri of the Ikshvakus?
a) Amaravati
b) Nagarjunakonda
c) Vijayawada
d) Vizianagaram

23) Which one of the following pairs is not correctly matched?
a) Silappadikaram : Ilangovadigal
b) Manimekalai : Tirumazishy
c) Kural : Thiruvalluvar
d) Tirumadal : Tirumangai alwar
Silappadikaram is written by Ilango Adigal, a Jain monk. It is highly reputed epic in Tamil language.

Manimekalai is written by Sattanar, probably a contemporary of Ilalngo Adigal. Hence, option b is the answer as it is not rightly paired. Manimekalai is also one of the famous epic in Tamil literature.

Kural is a classic form of Tamil poetry. One of the best example of such poetry is Thirukkural which was written by Thiruvallur.

24) Which sangam Literary work says that the Aryans introduced the ritual and ceremony of marriage (Karanam)?
a) Tolkappiyam
b) Balaputradeva
c) Chaudamani Varman
d) Sri mara vijaya Hunga varman

Ans: Tolkappiyam: a
Tolkappiyam is the grammar of Tamil Language. It is the earliest available book on the Tamil language which was probably written before third century BC and continued to be modified up to 10th century A. D. The marriage practice in Tamil literature is generally written as Vivaham or Kaliyanam.
The fact as given in the question is stated in the 'Ancient India' by R. C. Majumdar page 208 and with reference to 'A History of South India by K. A. N. Shastri', pp. 124. ff.
This is one of the MCQ, in which the right answer is the only book and rest of the options are either the name of the place or a person. Secondly, it was one of the most important book which has been asked in the exams again and again. Another two books Manimekalai written by Seethalai Saathanar and Silapathikaram have appeared again and again in the Prelims. Sangam literature usually gives two to three questions.

25) Match list – I with List – II and select the answer using the code given below the list
List – I                                     List – II
(Sangam Texts)      (Compiled by )
A. Aingurunuru        1. Rudra sarman
B. Ahananuru                 2. Nakkirar
C. Murugarrupadai 3. Nattattanar
D. Sirupunurruppadai              4. Gudalur kilar
a) A-3 B-2 C-1 D-4
b) A-3 B-1 C-2 D-4
c) A-4 B-2 C-1 D-3
d) A-4 B-1 C-2 D-3

Ans: A-4: Aingurunuru: It is a classic Tamil Poetic work, containing five hundred short poems. It is a part of the third Sangam (Kuttum) Literature Anthology named Ettuthokai. Aingurunuru contains stanzas of three lines. the aingurunuru means literally the short five hundred.

B:1: Perum-Devanar and Ahananuru was collected in present form by Rudrasarman. (References: “Some Contributions of South India to Indian Cutlure by S. Krishnaswami Aiyangar.)
Further, 'One of the most important of these collections which is known to Tamil Scholars under two names, Ahananuru, which means the 400 relating to 'erotics' (love poems) or Nedum-togai, meaning longer poems, was made by a Brahman Rudrasarman, the son of Uppurikudi Kilan of Madura at the instance of the Pandyan Ugrappervaludi.
C-2:
Nakkirar is the considered as the pre-eminent poet of the third Sangam. He is also known by different names as Kirar, Nakkirar, Narirkkirar. Kirar is his title because of his mastery over speech. He wrote Tiru murrugaarruppadai during the third Sangam under the patronage of the Pandya King Vangya (Vansha) Chudamani. ( Studies in Tamil Literature and History by Ramachandra Dikshitar).

D-3
Nattanttanar: Nattanar of Nallur wrote third idyll of Pattuppattu namely Chruplanaruu-paddi and Sirpanatru ppadai.

26) The reign period of which one of the following Parthian rulers has been definitely fixed in the famous Takht–I–Bahi inscription?
a) Vonones
b) Maues
c) Gondophernes
d) Apollorius
Ans: C:Gondophernes:
(A good note on Wikipedia itself).
Takht-i-Bahi is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is ruins of Buddhist Monastery belonging to 1 c. BC (Before Common Era: BCE). It is located at Mardan in North West Frontier Province of Pakistan. A village by the name Takht-i-Bahi is located near the ruins.
Gondophernes was the Parthian (Pallavas – not to be confused with Pallavas of South) king. He had ruled from Taxila. The Parthians had followed the Sakas (Scythians) invasion and preceded the invaded of Kushans. He ruled around 20 AD. He had placed an inscription at at Takht-i-Bahi. He had come into contact with Saint Thomas as per Dr. B. N. Puri.

Vonones was Indo-Scythian king who ruled from 75 to 65 BC in North Western India when they were being pushed back Chinese tribes coming from Central Asia generally called the great migration. (Kindly note: The latest researches based on Chinese account are changing the details of this post Mauryan and Kushan period. However, in India, you still find the earlier version and mostly the NCERT book of +2 level should be made the basis of the notes if one come across a book in which new researches are mentioned. In the mains, a question for 60 marks or 15 marks question appear again and again. Secondly, Saka is the official calendar which begins from 72 AD. (current eg 2010 minus 72 gives 1938 which is the official year in government calenders. In case of Vikrami eras, add 57 to the 2010 and it gives 2067 Vikrami).

Maues: Maues or Moga (A district in Punjab) was another Saka or Indo Scythian king. He ruled from 85 BC to 60 BC. He ruled in the area of present Afghanistan. Maues is mainly known for his silver coins which he minted at Taxila or Taksha Sila. He was succeeded in Taxila region by Vonones towards the south of Afghanistan.

Apollorius: No Idea

By
SUMIR SHARMA
http://civilservices-prelims.blogspot.com
http://itihas-dictionary.blogspot.com/
http://educationforum.ipbhost.com/index.php?showtopic=3232
http://highschoolhistory.blogspot.com/
http://sumir-history.blogspot.com/

Indian History 7

2010-03-02T09:24:00.001-08:00

1. Who among the following was a great musician in the court of Akbar?

a) Amir Khusro
b) Tansen
c) Ramdas
d) Abul Fazl

2. Who is the author of Mrchchhakatika?

a) Varahamihira
b) Visakhadatta
c) Sudraka
d) Bilhana

3. The Butler Committee Report enquired into which of the following?

a) Jallianwala Bagh Massacre
b) The growth of education in British India
c) Working of Diarchy as mentioned in the Montague Chelmsford reforms
d) Relationship between Indian states and the paramount power

4. Which of the following committee reports enquired into the growth of education in British India and potentialities of its further progress?

a) Butler Committee Report
b) The Hurtog Committee Report
c) Muddiman Committee Report
d) Hunter Commision

5. Who among the following is associated with Kakori Conspiracy?

a) Ram Prasad Bismal
b) Jatin Das
c) Surya Sen
d) Vasudeo Phadke

6. Which dynasty built the rock-cut temples at Khajuraho?

a) Chandellas
b) Cholas
c) Rashtrakudas
d) Chalukyas

7. Who among the following has been the President of Indian National Congress thrice?

a) Dadabhai Naoroji
b) Annie Besant
c) Gokhale
d) Aurobindo

8. Who were the first to call the river Sindhu, ‘Hindu’?

a) Persians
b) Greeks
c) Turks
d) Egyptians

9. Which of the following committee report enquired into the working of diarchy as laid down in the Montague Chelmsford reforms?

a) Muddiman Committee report
b) The Hurtog Committee Report
c) Butler Committee Report
d) none of these

10. The most important feature of which civilization was well planned and well built towns?

a) Vedic civilization
b) Indus Valley civilization
c) Egyptian civilization
d) Persian civilization

11. The Indus Valley people are believed to have been the worshippers of

a) Mother Goddess
b) Indra
b) Agni
d) Vishnu

12. From where did Aryans, the nomadic pastoral people come to India?

a) Western Asia
b) Central Asia
c) Europe
d) Africa

13. The Aryans reached the frontiers of the Indian subcontinent by 2000 BC. In India where did they settle down first?

a) Rajasthan
b) Gujarat
c) Punjab
d) Kashmir

14. Among whom were the worship of trees, animals and stones quite present?

a) The Aryans
b) The Dravidas
c) The Huns
d) The Bactrians

15. Who among the following was worshiped by Aryans?

a) Mother Goddess
b) Lord Shiva
c) Varuna
d) Trees

16. During which period were the Ramayana and Mahabharata composed?

a) Indus Valley Civilization
b) Early Vedic period
c) During the reign of Guptas
d) Later Vedic period

17. Which one of the following was an important republic that existed during the 7th and early 6th centuries?

a) Vaishali
b) Magadha
c) Kosala
d) Avanti

18. Alexander invaded India in

a) 326 BC
b) 420 BC
c) 322 BC
d) 360 BC

19. Between whom were the battle of Karri fought?

a) Alexander and Porus
b) Tipu Sultan and the British
c) Muhammd Ghori and Prithviraj
d) The British and the French

20. On the bank of which river was the battle of Karri fought?

a) Indus
b) Chenad
c) Ravi
d) Jhelum

21. ‘As a King treats a King’, that was how the loser replied when the conqueror asked him what treatment he should be meted out. Who are the winner and the loser here?

a) Alexander and Porus
b) Babur and Ibrahim Lodhi
c) Akbar and Hemu
d) Prithviraj Chauhan and Mohammad Ghori

22. Which dynasty was ruling over the Gangetic planes at the time of the invasion of Alexander?

a) Nandas
b) Mauryas
c) Guptas
c) Hunas

23. Which of the following was the capital of Nandas?

a) Magadha
b) Purushapura
c) Vatsa
d) Kosala

24. In which year was the Mauryan Empire founded by Chandragupta Maurya?

a) 322 BC
b) 326 BC
c) 320 BC
d) 341 BC

25. Which of the following was the capital city of the Mauryans?

a) Pataliputra
b) Purushapura
c) Magadha
d) Badami

Answers

1. Tansen
2. Visakhadatta
3. working of diarchy as laid down in the Montague Chemlsford reforms
4. The Hurtog Committee Report
5. Ram Prasad Bismal
6. Chandellas
7. Dadabhai Naoroji
8. Persians
9. Muddiman Committee report
10. Indus Valley civilization
11. Mother Goddess
12. Central Asia
13. Punjab
14. The Dravidas
15. Varuna
16. Later Vedic period
17. Vaishali
18. 326 BC
19. Alexander and Porus
20. Jhelum
21. Alexander and Porus
22. Nandas
23. Magadha
24. 322 BC
25. Pataliputra

Indian History 6

2010-03-02T09:23:00.000-08:00

Indian History 6
1. Who founded the famous Pala dynasty which ruled over Bengal?
a) Dharmapala
b) Devapala
c) Gopala I
d) Jayapala
2. From where did the Sakas come to India?
a) Europe
b) Western China
c) Central Asia
d) Arabia
3. Who gave the famous ‘Girnar inscription’?
a) Rudraman
b) Ashoka
c) Samudragupta
d) Kanishka
4. By what name is Purushapura, the capital of Kushanas known today?
a) Purushapura
b) Peshavar
c) Patna
d) Patliputra
5. Who is the author of the famous literary work Tahqiq-i-Hind?
a) Alberuni
b) Badami
c) Zia-ud-din Barni
d) Khafi Khan
6. During whose reign did the famous Buddhist pundits Aswagosha, Vasumitra and Nagarjuna live?
a) Ashoka
b) Kanishka
c) Harshavardhana
d) Samudragupta
7. Which of the following is the correct chronological order of the Slave dynasty rulers?
a) Qutub-ud-din Aibak, Balban, Iltumish, Raziya
b) Qutub-ud-din Aibak, Iltumish, Raziya, Balban
c) Balban, Qutub-ud-din Aibak, Raziya, Iltumish
d) Qutub-ud-din-Aibak, Balban, Raziya, Iltumish
8. Who among the following forbade intoxicating drinks?
a) Akbar
b) Sher Shah
c) Allauddin Khilji
d) Aurangazeb
9. Who is the author of ‘Buddha Charita’?
a) Asvagosha
b) Nagarjuna
c) Banabhatta
d) Vasumitra
10. Between the Hinayana and Mahayana schools of Buddhism, which one was patronized by Kanishka?
a) Hinayana
b) Mahayana
c) Both
d) Neither
11. The reign of which dynasty is known as the golden period of Hinduism and Sanskrit literature?
a) Gupta
b) Maurya
c) Kushana
d) Saka
12. Who is the author of the famous ‘Panchatantra’ stories?
a) Amarasimhan
b) Vishnusharma
c) Nagarjuna
d) Bilhana
13. Who among the following issued edicts regulating the prices pf all articles and goods?
a) Ala-ud-din Khilji
b) Babur
c) Muhammad bin-Tughlaq
d) Sher Shah Suri
14. Ala-ud-din Khilji became the Sultan of Delhi in 1296 AD after treacherously murdering his uncle and patron. Who was this patron?
a) Jalal-ud-din Khilji
b) Nasir-ud-din Khusrau
c) Ghias-ud-din-Balban
d) Qutub-ud-din Mubarak
15. Who among the following is believed to have been the destroyer of the Khilji dynasty?
a) Nasir-ud-din Khusrau Shah
b) Malik Kafur
c) Ghazni Malik
d) Qutub-ud-din Mubarak Shah
16. Who among the following required that all grains should be stored in the royal granaries in Delhi?
a) Sher Shah
b) Akbar
c) Ala-ud-din Khilji
d) Balban
17. Who among the following was the founder of the Tughlaq dynasty?
a) Firuz Shah Tughlaq
b) Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq
c) Ghias-ud-din Tughlaq
d) Balban
18. Who amongst the following brothers of Aurangazeb was condemned to death and his body paraded in Delhi?
a) Dara Shikoh
b) Murad Baksh
c) Shuja
d) None of these
19. Which of the following was a maritime power?
a) Bahmanis
b) Chalukyas
c) Cholas
d) Rashtrakutas
20. During whose reign did Ibn-Batutah, the famous traveler visit India?
a) Ala-ud-din Khilji
b) Ghias-ud-din Tughlaq
c) Sher Shah Suri
d) Muhammad bin Tughlaq
21. The rulers of which of the following dynasty established the largest dominion in southern India?
a) Chalukyas
b) Cholas
c) Pallavas
d) Pandyas
22. Two of the great Mughal emperors wrote their own memoirs. Who are they?
a) Babur and Humayun
b) Humayun and Jahangir
c) Babur and Jahangir
d) Babur and Akbar
23. Who among the following wrote the famous Sanskrit plays ‘Ratnavali’, ‘Priyadarsika’ and ‘Naganandam’?
a) Harshavardhana
b) Kalidasa
c) Bhasa
d) Asoka
24. Whose court did Banabhatta adorn?
a) Harshavardhana
b) Chandragupta II
c) Kanishka
d) Asoka
25. Who authored ‘Harshacharita’ and ‘Kadambari’?
a) Banabhatta
b) Bilhana
c) Visakhadatta
d) Aryabatta
Answers
1. Gopala I
2. Western China
3. Rudraman
4. Peshavar
5. Alberuni
6. Kanishka
7. Qutub-ud-din Aibak, Iltumish, Raziya, Balban
8. Allauddin Khilji
9. Asvagosha
10. Mahayana
11. Gupta
12. Vishnusharma
13. Ala-ud-din Khilji
14. Jalal-ud-din Khilji
15. Malik Kafur
16. Ala-ud-din Khilji
17. Ghias-ud-din Tughlaq
18. Dara Shikoh
19. Cholas
20. Muhammad bin Tughlaq
21. Cholas
22. Babur and Jahangir
23. Harshavardhana
24. Harshavardhana
25. Banabhatta

Indian History Quiz 5

2010-03-02T09:21:00.001-08:00

1. Which Chalukya King had the title of Sri Prithvi-Vallabha and Parameswara?

a) Pulakesin I
b) Maharaja Kirtivarman
c) Mangalesa
d) Pulakesin II

2. Which dynasty built the Meenakshi temple at Madurai?

a) Pandyas
b) Pallavas
c) Cholas
d) Palas

3. Who amongst the following is regarded as the historical founder of Jainism?

a) Mahavira
b) Sisunaga
c) Rishabha
d) Gautama

4. During the Indus Valley period what was the dominant number used for weights and measures?

a) six
b) eight
c) twelve
d) sixteen

5. During whose reign was India’s first currency note printed?

a) Ashoka
b) Samudra Gupta
c) Akbar
d) Vikramaditya

6. In which of the following kingdom was the Hoysala kingdom finally dissolved?

a) Bahmani
b) Pallavas
c) Vijayanagar
d) Chalukyas

7. Which of the following was the capital city of Tipu Sultan?

a) Dwarasamudra
b) Srirangam
c) Belur
d) Srirangapatanam

8. Which of the following was the most commonly used coin during the Mauryan period?

a) Nishka
b) Suvarna
c) Kakini
d) Karshapana

9. Who among the following did not accept the Subsidiary Alliance?

a) the Nizam of Hyderabad
b) The Scindia of Gwalior
c) The Rajput States of Jodhpur, Jaipur and Bharatpur
d) The Holkar state of Indore

10. To which dynasty did the famous king of legends Bhoja belong?

a) Rashtrakutas
b) Pratiharas
c) Pallavas
d) Palas

11. Akbar built Ibadat Khana at Fatehpur Sikri to

a) conduct mass prayer
b) hold darbar
c) hold religious discussions
d) hear public grievances

12. Which one of the given Mughal buildings bears the inscription ‘If on earth be an Eden of Bliss it is this, it is this, none but this’?

a) Diwan-i-Am
b) Diwan-i-Khas
c) Taj Mahal
d) Buland Darwaza

13. Who is the British Viceroy who took a number of measures to preserve ancient buildings and monuments of India?

a) Lord Irwin
b) Lord Cornwallis
c) Lord Ripon
d) Lord Lytton

14. Who presided over the Lahore session of the Indian National Congress when Swaraj was interpreted as complete independence?

a) WC Bannerji
b) Jawahar Lal Nehru
c) Gandhiji
d) Motilal Nehru

15. During whose reign did the Mughal painting achieve fulsome development?

a) Akbar
b) Jahangir
c) Shah Jahan
d) Aurangzeb

16. Where did Buddha give his first Sermon?

a) Lumbini
b) Bodh Gaya
c) Sarnath
d) Sanchi

17. Buddha attained enlightenment at

a) Bodh Gaya
b) Sarnath
c) Sanchi
d) Lumbini

18. Satavahanas minted their coins predominantly in

a) gold
b) silver
c) copper
d) lead

19. Which of the following was the first permanent home of Aryans in India?

a) Baluchistan
b) Sindh
c) Uttar Pradesh
d) Punjab

20. Which of the following scholars accompanied Mahmood of Ghazni to India?

a) Ibn Batuta
b) Al-Biruni
c) Al-Firdausi
d) Al-Razi

21. Who were the first people to introduce Islam in India?

a) Arab merchants
b) Arab travelers
c) Turkish warriors
d) Persian Scholars

22. Who introduced the Iqtadari system?

a) Akbar
b) Ala-ud-din Khilji
c) Iltumish
d) Muhammad bin Tughlaq

23. Who among the following composed the popular devotional song ‘Bhaja Govindam’?

a) Thyagaraja
b) Shyama Shastri
c) Sankaracharya
d) Shad Kala Govinda Marar

24. In which of the following ancient towns was the great council held soon after the ‘nirvana’ of Buddha to codify his doctrines?

a) Kusinagara
b) Girivraja
c) Bodh Gaya
d) Sarnath

25. Who was the finance minister of Akbar?

a) Raja Man Singh
b) Raja Todar Mal
c) Faiji
d) Bahadur Singh

Answers

1. Pulakesin II
2. Pandyas
3. Mahavira
4. sixteen
5. Samudra Gupta
6. Bahmani
7. Srirangapatanam
8. Kakini
9. The Holkar state of Indore
10. Pratiharas
11. conduct mass prayer
12. Diwan-i-Khas
13. Lord Ripon
14. Jawahar Lal Nehru
15. Jahangir
16. Sarnath
17. Bodh Gaya
18. lead
19. Punjab
20. Al-Biruni
21. Arab travelers
22. Iltumish
23. Sankaracharya
24. Girivraja
25. Raja Todar Mal

Indian History Quiz 4

2010-03-02T09:20:00.003-08:00

1. Who was the first Indian to be elected to the House of Commons?

a) Gokhale
b) Dadabhai Naoroji
c) Badr-ud-din-Tyabji
d) Romesh Chander Dutt

2. Which one of the following literature was patronized by the Pandya kings?

a) sacred literature
b) secular literature
c) Sangam literature
d) Sanskrit literature

3. At which of the following places did Vasco-da-Gama land on 20th May, 1498?

a) Calicut
b) Masulipatanam
c) Goa
d) Cannanore

4. Why did the Communists in India decide to support the Government of India during the World War II?

a) Gandhiji’s call to the nation
b) Lord Linlithgow’s statement
c) Activities of the Azad Hind Fauj
d) Hitler’s attack on Russia

5. The architectural features of Taj Mahal have resemblance to which of the following?

a) Jama Masjid at Delhi
b) Mecca Masjid at Hyderabad
c) Humayun’s tomb at Delhi
d) Gol Gombaz

6. Which of the following was the capital of the Hoysalas?

a) Warangal
b) Madurai
c) Dwarasamudram
d) Badami

7. Who was the first to describe the great mutiny of 1857 as the first War of Independence?

a) Nehru
b) Tilak
c) VD Savarkar
d) Lajpat Rai

8. Who among the following is referred to as the ‘Father of Local self-government in India’?

a) Lord Curzon
b) Lord Rippon
c) Lord Harding
d) Lord Dalhousie

9. With which of the following incidents did Mahatma Gandhi’s entry into national politics start?

a) Champaran movement
b) Dandi March
c) Non-cooperation movement
d) civil disobedience movement

10. In its session held at which place did Indian National Congress declare ‘Complete Independence’ as its goal?

a) Madras in 1927
b) Calcutta in 1928
c) Lahore in 1929
d) Allahabad in 1930

11. Which of the following works state that the society was divided into seven classes in the Mauryan period?

a) Arthashastra
b) Edicts of Asoka
c) Puranas
d) Indica

12. In which language were the Sangam classics written?

a) Tamil
b) Telugu
c) Kannada
d) Malayalam

13. Which of the following dynasties of early medieval India was justly famous for its system of village administration?

a) Cholas
b) Pandyas
c) Rashtrakutas
d) Palas

14. Who popularized Ganesh festival during the freedom struggle?

a) Mahadev Govinda Ranade
b) Gokhale
c) Bal Gangadhar Tilak
d) VD Savarkar

15. Which of the following was the greatest achievement of Allauddin Khilji?

a) invasion of South India
b) contribution to art
c) measures to improve the standards of living
d) revenue system and control of inflation

Answers

1. Dadabhai Naoroji
2. Sangam literature
3. Calicut
4. Hitler’s attack on Russia
5. Humayun’s tomb at Delhi
6. Dwarasamudram
7. VD Savarkar
8. Lord Rippon
9. Champaran movement
10. Lahore in 1929
11. Indica
12. Tamil
13. Cholas
14. Bal Gangadhar Tilak
15. revenue system and control of inflation

GK History 3

2010-03-02T09:20:00.001-08:00

1. What did Ramanuja preach?

a) Satya
b) Ahimsa
c) Gyana
d) Bhakti

2. Who among the Governor Generals of India is called the ‘Maker of Modern India’?

a) Cornwallis
b) Warren Hastings
c) Lord Ripon
d) Lord Dalhousie

3. From where did Gandhiji develop the technique of Satyagraha?

a) South Africa
b) Chauri Chaura
c)Bardoli
d) Sabarmati

4. Who organized the ‘Khudai Khidmatgars’?

a) Abdul Ghaffar Khan
b) Abul Kalam Azad
c) Maulana Mohammad Ali
d) Sir Sayyid Ahmed Khan

5. Who among the following estimated Indian National Income and criticized the constant drain of wealth from India to England?

a) Gandhiji
b) Gokhale
c) Dadabhai Naoroji
d) Bal Gangadhar Tilak

6. Who introduced the principle of the ‘Doctrine of Lapse’?

a) Clive
b) Cornwallis
c) Warren Hastings
d) Dalhousie

7. Which of the following Vedic sacrifices was a royal consecration ceremony?

a) Agnishtoma
b) Rajasuya
c) Vajapeya
d) Asvamedha

8. Which of the following dynasties was ruling at the time of the invasion of Alexander?

a) Nandas
b) Mauryas
c) Guptas
d) Sungas

9. In which one of the following do we come across a detailed account of the municipal administration of the Mauryas?

a) Arthashastra
b) Indica
b) Mudrarakshasa
d) Mauryan inscriptions

10. The Moplah rebellion broke out in

b) Uttarakhand
b) Chauri Chaura
c) Malabar
d) Telengana

11. To which period does the Mehrauli Pillar inscription belong?

a) Mauryas
b) Sungas
c) Kushanas
d) Guptas

12. Which of the following works deals with the history of Kashmir?

a) Gaudavaha
b) Harshacharita
c) Arthashastra
d) Rajatarangini

13. Who built the famous Moti Masjid in the Red Fort?

a) Sher Shah
b) Shahjahan
c) Aurangzeb
d) Akbar

14. During whose reign did Delhi become the capital of Hindustan for the first time?

a) Iltumish
b) Raziya
c) Balban
d) Qutub-ud-din Aibak

15. Which one of the following was one of the effects of the Sepoy Mutiny (1857)?

a) Reorganization of the East India company
b) Establishment of princely states
c) abolition of East India company
d) none of these

Answers

1. Bhakti
2. Lord Dalhousie
3. South Africa
4. Abdul Ghaffar Khan
5. Dadabhai Naoroji
6. Dalhousie
7. Rajasuya
8. Nandas
9. Indica
10. Malabar
11. Guptas
12. Rajatarangini
13. Shahjahan
14. Iltumish
15. abolition of East India company

GK History 2

2010-03-02T09:19:00.002-08:00

1. In which edict did Asoka express regret over the bloodshed in his conquest of Kalinga?

a) Pillar Edict VII
b) Minor Rock Edict I
c) Lumbini Pillar Edict
d) Rock Edict XIII

2. Who was the first Delhi Sultan to introduce gold and silver coinage?

a) Iltumish
b) Balban
c) Muhammad bin Tughlaq
d) Ibrahim Lodhi

3. Where is Ibadat Khana situated?

a) Lahore
b) Delhi
c) Agra
d) Fatehpur Sikri

4. During whose reign was Ramacharitamanas composed by Tulsidas?

a) Harsha
b) Akbar
c) Babur
d) Alauddin Khilji

5. Who amongst the Vijayanagar rulers is considered to be the greatest patron of literature?

a) Davaraya I
b) Rama Raja
c) Devaraya II
d) Krishnadevaraya

6. Who among the following made the ‘August offer’ of 1940 rejected by the Congress?

a) Lord Wavell
b) Lord Linlithgow
c) Sir George Stanley
d) Lord Willington

7. Who among the following pioneered the movement leading to the Widow Remarriage Act?

a) Raja Ram Mohan Roy
b) Dayananda Saraswathi
c) Vivekananda
d) Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar

8. Which of the following was the designation of the principal governors in the Vijayanagar Empire?

a) Nayaks
b) Ranaks
c) Rayas
d) Senapathis

9. Which Sikh guru compiled the ‘Adi Granth’?

a) Gura Nanak
b) Ramdas
c) Arjun Dev
d) Tegh Bahadur

10. Which of the following terms is not related to Buddhism?

a) Sangha
b) Mahayana
c) Ashwamedha
d) Nirvana

Answers

1. Rock Edict XIII
2. Iltumish
3. Fatehpur Sikri
4. Akbar
5. Devaraya II
6. Lord Linlithgow
7. Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar
8. Nayaks
9. Arjun Dev
10. Ashwamedha

GK History 1

2010-03-02T09:19:00.000-08:00

1. The Maratha and Kesari were newspapers published by Lokmanya Tilak. In which language was the Maratha published?

a) Marathi
b) Gujarati
c) English
d) Hindi

2. Who was the first Indian to have entered the Indian Civil Service?

a) Satyendra Nath Tagore
b) CC Desai
c) Surendra Nath Banerjee
d) Subash Chandra Bose

3. Who is called the ‘Nightingale of India’?

a) Mother Teresa
b) Vijayalakhmi Pundit
c) Indira Gandhi
d) Sarojini Naidu

4. Who was the founder of Mughal Empire in India?

a) Akbar
b) Babur
c) Humayun
d) Timur

5. At which place was Akbar born?

a) Delhi
b) Agra
c) Amarkot
d) Kannauj

6. Who was the first Governor General of free India?

a) C Rajagopalachari
b) Mountbatten
c) Nehru
d) Vallabhai Patel

7. In which year was the ‘Quit India’ movement launched?

a) 1930
b) 1940
c) 1942
d) 1947

8. At what place did the British construct their first port in India?

a) Calcutta
b) Bombay
c) Chennai
d) Surat

9. In which year was the Capital of India moved from Calcutta to Delhi?

a) 1910
b) 1911
c) 1912
d) 1913

10. The earliest evidence regarding a ploughed field has been found from

a) Lothal
b) Kalibangan
c) Harappa
d) Maski

11. In which of the following areas were the Rigvedic hymns mainly composed?

a) Haryana and Uttar Pradesh
b) Gujarat and Rajasthan
c) Punjab and Haryana
d) Afghanistan

12. In what language were the Buddhist literary works generally written?

a) Pali
b) Sanskrit
c) Prakrit
d) Apabramsa

13. Where is the well known inscription of Samudra Gupta describing his conquests found?

a) Ujjain
b) Allahabad
c) Mehrauli
d) Iran

14. Under whose reign were the earliest of Ajanta caves made?

a) Chalukyas
b) Vakatakas
c) Cheras
d) Kshatrapas

15. Which of the following was composed by Banabhatta?

a) Kadambari
b) Rajatarangini
c) Meghaduta
d) Arthashastra

Answers

1. English
2. Surendra Nath Banerjee
3. Sarojini Naidu
4. Babur
5. Amarkot
6. Mountbatten
7. 1942
8. Calcutta
9. 1911
10. Kalibangan
11. Punjab and Haryana
12. Pali
13. Allahabad
14. Vakatakas
15. Kadambari

From : http://www.dailylearningtips.com/gk/gk-history-1.htm

ECONOMIC SURVEY 2009-10

2010-03-01T05:01:00.000-08:00

Economic survey optimistic on growth
Current fuel prices not fiscally sustainable
expenditure control needed to control deficit
Power, coal seeing a revival
Infra capacity need to be accelerated
Expect revenues of Rs 820 to 850 Crs in FY10
Timely off-loading of food stocks need urgent attention
Rationalise port service charges
Lower peak custom duty to 7.5% from 10%
Monetary measures must ensure credit growth
Lower than budgeted non taxed revenue expected
Medium term prospects of Indian economy really strong
Major decline in consumption expenditure growth in FY10
To give higher share to states despite fiscal strain
States to get 1.5% more: Pranab
To compensate states on revenue loss when GST rolled out
Local bodies to also get share of central taxes
Accepted major recommendations of 13th Financial Panel
Food inflation is at present hovering close to 18%
Moots direct food subsidy via food coupons to households
Survey favours making available food in open market
Survey favours monthly ration coupons usable anywhere for poor
Fiscal deficit may be cut to 5.5%
Gas output up 52.8 per cent to 50.2 billion cubic meters with RIL starting production
Trade gap narrowed to USD 76.24 bn in April-December
India 10th largest gold holding nation at 557.7 tonnes
Large decline in customs, excise expected
Tighten FRBM clauses for future relaxations
Overall revenue transfers to state at 39.5%
Services sector growth rate at 8.7%
Virtually every second Indian has access to phone
Fundamental policy changes needed for trade
Wants credit available at reasonable rates on time for private sector to invest in agriculture
Small shortfall in revenue recept in FY10
Overall farm GDP decline of 0.2% in FY10
Investment growth still below GDP growth rate
India not immune to global prices
Auction for 3G spectrum to provide existing and foreign players to bring in new technology and innovations
India world's 2nd largest wireless network with 525.1 million mobile users
Slowdown in infrastructure that began in 2007, arrested
Government initiates steps to boost private investment in agriculture
Credit needed for private investment in agriculture
Imports in April-December 2009 down 23.6 per cent
Exports in April-December 2009 down 20.3 per cent
Gross fiscal deficit pegged at 6.5 pc of GDP in 2009-10
Favours making available food in open market
Hype on Kharif crop failure helped hoarding
Poor rainfall stopped prices falling
Delay in releasing imported sugar pushed up prices
Farm and allied sector production falls 0.2 per cent in 2009-10
Rising food inflation a major concern
Growth in private investments
Growth has to quicken
Watch and withdraw stimulus
Risks of double dip recession seen
Economy likely to grow up to 8.75%
Inflation may spread, warns survey
V-shaped recovery seen
Economic recovery weak
India's GDP growth rate in 2009-10 was 7.2%
India's GDP to return to 9% in 2011-12
High double digit food inflation in 2009-10
Possible spurt in global commodity
India can become world's fastest growing economy in 4 years
Hike in fuel prices will impact inflation
Pranab tables economic survey in Parliament
The fiscal deficit for the current fiscal year is expected to shoot up to 6.8% of GDP
The economic survey is expected to project around 7.5% growth rate for the current fiscal year
Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee to table the Economic Survey in Parliament today
By: Yogesh Mate from upscportal.com

Quizzes

2010-03-01T04:31:00.001-08:00

http://www.indiastudychannel.com

2010-02-23T10:15:00.000-08:00

Info bits
1. IUPAC officially names the element with atomic number112 as copernicium in honour of Nicolaus Copernicus.
2. Flooding on the Portuguese island of Madeira kills at least 43 people and paralyzes many basic services in the regional capital Funchal.
3. The African Union suspends Niger's membership following the recent military coup in the country.
4. Falkland Islands sovereignty dispute:

2010-02-23T09:33:00.000-08:00

http://nojan.wordpress.com/