Questions:

1.    Identify the correct statement/s regarding the National Pension Scheme: 
1.    A committee, headed by G N Raghvan, former chairman of the SEBI, set up by the pension regulator to suggest ways to energies the National Pension scheme (NPS). 
2.    The committee recommended that the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) should consider bringing down the minimum annual subscription of Rs 6,000 for the NPS to Rs 1,000 per year to expand its reach and coverage.
    (a)    1 only 
    (b)    2 only
    (c)    1 and 2 Both
    (d)    Neither 1 nor 2.

2.    Consider the following statements and choose the correct option:
1.    The Partition of Bengal took effect on 16 October, 1905.
2.    Most of the middle and upper class Muslims enthusiastically participated in Swadeshi and Boycott Movement.
3.    A National College was set up during Swadeshi and Boycott Movement, in Calcutta with Aurobindo Ghose as Principal.
4.    The leading role was played by B. G. Tilak in spreading Swadeshi Movement to the different parts of the country.
    (a)    2, 3 and 4    (b)    1, 3 and 4
    (c)    1, 2 and 3    (d)    1, 2, 3 and 4

3.    This Funds is a debt instrument being set up by the Finance Ministry of India in order to channelize long term funds into various projects which require long term stable capital investment. We are talking about which fund? 
    (a)    Corporate Debt Funds
    (b)    Industrial Debt Funds
    (c)    Infrastructure Debt Funds
    (d)    India Millennium Bonds

4.    Consider the following statements and choose the correct option:
1.    Rowlatt Act was passed in March 1919 even though every single Indian member of the Central Legislative Council opposed it.
2.    Rowlatt Act authorised the Government to imprison any person without trial and conviction in a court of Law.
3.    In February 1919, Gandhiji founded the Satyagraha Sabha whose members took a pledge to disobey the Act and thus to court arrest and imprisonment.
4.    The nationalist agitation against the Rowlatt Act had touched all the Indians alike and brought Muslims together in political agitation.
    (a)    1, 2 and 4    (b)    1, 2 and 3
    (c)    2, 3 and 4    (d)    1, 2, 3 and 4

5.    Tick the correct statement/s regarding the Green Bonds: 
1.    Green Bonds are tax-exempt bonds which are issued by qualified organizations and/or municipalities for the development of Green-field sites.
2.    Green-field sites are areas of land that are under-utilized, have abandoned buildings, or are under developed.
    (a)    1 only 
    (b)    2 only
    (c)    1 and 2 both
    (d)    Neither 1 nor 2.

Water wars : India needs an effective hydro - diplomacy

India is facing a serious water resource problem and the country is expected to become 'water stressed' by 2025 and 'water scarce' by 2050. Thus, India will have to balance its growing water needs and larger security concerns with effective 'hydro-diplomacy'.

Water shortages could hit the subcontinent in a few years because growing populations and increasing development are placing rising pressure on the Ganges-Brahamaputra-Meghna (GBM) and Indus Basin. In the last 50 years some 40 conflicts over water with weapons have been recorded.

As an active regional player, riparian issues for India will be crucial for settling many of the water-induced conflicts in the region. Both the GBM and the Indus basins account for two-thirds of India's water potential. Further, any water outlook will necessitate interdisciplinary approaches linking together natural sciences, politics and policy.

"The challenge for India will be to imbibe hydro-diplomacy in its overall regional diplomacy; not an easy task as India's diplomacy has traditionally been bilateral rather than multilateral," opine analysts.

According to officials, "Water has been a major issue in India-Bangladesh relations. Nearly 50 rivers flow from India into Bangladesh. Both sides signed the Ganges Water Treaty in 1996. While the treaty has helped them to arrive at a mutually acceptable solution on the sharing of the water of the Ganges; Bangladesh remains apprehensive about India's intentions with regard to several other water-related issues such as the sharing of the Teesta river waters, India's plans for the interlinking of the rivers and the construction of the Tipaimukh dam in the northeast."

Sharing his views with FE on conditions of anonymity, a senior army officer points out the urgency to upholster our northeast region. " We need to prepare for competitive relations in the northeast region on more than one ground and more so water resources."

China has strengthened its political and economic control over Tibet where India and China have a complex, unresolved boundary dispute. Thus, water has assumed higher priority in Sino-Indian relations in recent years. There are widespread fears in India that China's diversion of waters of the Yarlung-Tsangpo, to meet high demand in its arid north, will cause hydrological imbalance in the northeast part of India and shortage in Bangladesh, which in turn will impact riparian relations.

Rivers, a crucial source of water resources, physically link upstream and downstream users. While their flows offer ample opportunity for water harnessing, equally, they create barriers. The management of rivers does not take place in a vacuum but rather in a complex political and economic framework.

"The implementation of river policies, even when purely design-related to the linking of rivers or constructions of dams and barrages, are undertaken within a political context. Rivers, in effect, can no longer be viewed as a soft component of a country's foreign policy. Rather they are intricately linked to developmental goals and domestic needs and thus impact bilateral relations," experts opine.

Combined Civil Service

Group I Service

Premilinary Examination

General Studies – Degree Standard

Objective type – 200 items & 300 marks

UNIT – I - General science :

Physics - Universe - General Scientific laws - Scientific instruments - Inventions and discoveries-National scientific laboratories-Science glossary-Mechanics and properties of matter-Physical quantities, standards and units-Force, motion and energy- electricity and Magnetism - electronics & communications - Heat, light and sound-Atomic and nuclear physics-Solid State Physics-Spectroscopy – Geophysics - Astronomy and space science.

Chemistry - Elements and Compounds-Acids, bases and salts - Oxidation and reduction – Chemistry of ores and metals -Carbon, nitrogen and their compounds-Fertilizers, pesticides, insecticides-Biochemistry and biotechnology-Electrochemistry-Polymers and plastics

Botany - Main Concepts of life science-The cell-basic unit of life-Classification of living organism-Nutrition and dietetics-Respiration-Excretion of metabolic waste-Bio-communication

Zoology - Blood and blood circulation-Endocrine system-Reproductive system-Genetics the science of heredity-Environment, ecology, health and hygiene, Bio- diversity and its conservation-Human diseases, prevention and remedies-Communicable diseases and non- communicable diseases-Alcoholism and drug abuse-Animals, plants and human life-

UNIT - II. Current Events

History - Latest diary of events – National - National symbols -Profile of States-Defence, national security and terrorism-World organizations-pacts and summits-Eminent persons & places in news-Sports & games-Books & authors -Awards & honours-Cultural panorama-Latest historical events- India and its neighbours- Latest terminology- Appointments-who is who?

Political Science - India’s foreign policy - Latest court verdicts – public opinion - Problems in conduct of public elections- Political parties and political system in India- Public awareness & General administration- Role of Voluntary organizations & Govt.,-Welfare oriented govt. schemes, their utility

Geography - Geographical landmarks-Policy on environment and ecology

Economics- Current socio-economic problems-New economic policy & govt. sector

Science - Latest inventions on science & technology - Latest discoveries in Health Science - Mass media & communication

UNIT – III Geography - Earth and Universe - Solar system - Atmosphere hydrosphere, lithosphere -Monsoon, rainfall, weather and climate - Water resources - rivers in India - Soil, minerals & natural resources-Natural vegetation-Forest & wildlife-Agricultural pattern, livestock & fisheries-Transport & communication-Social geography – population-density and distribution-Natural calamities – disaster management-Climate change - impact and consequences - mitigation measures-Pollution Control

UNIT – IV History and culture of India - Pre-historic events -Indus valley civilization-Vedic, Aryan and Sangam age-Maurya dynasty-Buddhism and Jainism-Guptas, Delhi Sultans, Mughals and Marathas-Age of Vijayanagaram and the bahmanis-South Indian history-Culture and Heritage of Tamil people-Advent of European invasion-Expansion and consolidation of British rule-Effect of British rule on socio-economic factors-Social reforms and religious movements-India since independence-Characteristics of Indian culture-Unity in diversity –race, colour, language, custom-India-as secular state-Organizations for fine arts, dance, drama, music-Growth of rationalist, Dravidian movement in TN-Political parties and populist schemes – Prominent personalities in the various spheres – Arts, Science, literature and Philosophy – Mother Teresa, Swami Vivekananda, Pandit Ravishankar , M.S.Subbulakshmi, Rukmani Arundel and J.Krishnamoorthy etc.

UNIT – V - INDIAN POLITY - Constitution of India - Preamble to the constitution - Salient features of constitution - Union, State and territory - Citizenship-rights amend duties - Fundamental rights - Fundamental duties - Human rights charter - Union legislature – Parliament - State executive - State Legislature – assembly - Status of Jammu & Kashmir - Local government – panchayat raj – Tamil Nadu - Judiciary in India – Rule of law/Due process of law - Indian federalism – center – state relations - Emergency provisions - Civil services in India - Administrative challenges in a welfare state - Complexities of district administration - Elections - Election Commission Union and State - Official language and Schedule-VIII - Amendments to constitution - Schedules to constitution - Administrative reforms & tribunals- Corruption in public life - Anti-corruption measures – Central Vigilance Commission, lok-adalats, Ombudsman, Comptroller and Auditor General of India. - Right to information - Central and State Commission - Empowerment of women- Voluntary organizations and public grievances redressal - Consumer protection forms

UNIT – VI - INDIAN ECONOMY - Nature of Indian economy - Five-year plan models-an assessment - Land reforms & agriculture - Application of science in agriculture -Industrial growth - Capital formation and investment-Role of public sector & disinvestment-Development of infrastructure- National income - Public finance & fiscal policy - Price policy & public distribution- Banking, money & monetary policy - Role of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) - WTO-globalization & privatization - Rural welfare oriented programmes - Social sector problems – population, education, health, employment, poverty - HRD – sustainable economic growth- Economic trends in Tamil Nadu - Energy Different sources and development - Finance Commission - Planning Commission - National Development Council

UNIT – VII - INDIAN NATIONAL MOVEMENT - National renaissance- Early uprising against British rule-1857 Revolt- Indian National Congress - Emergence of national leaders- Gandhi, Nehru, Tagore, Netaji -Growth of militant movements -Different modes of agitations-Era of different Acts & Pacts-World war & final phase struggle

Communalism led to partition- Role of Tamil Nadu in freedom struggle - Rajaji, VOC, Periyar, Bharathiar & Others - Birth of political parties /political system in India since independence

UNIT – VIII - MENTAL ABILITY TESTS - Conversion of information to data - Collection, compilation and presentation of data - Tables, graphs, diagrams-Parametric representation of data-Analytical interpretation of data -Simplification-Percentage-Highest Common Factor (HCF)-Lowest Common Multiple (LCM)-Ratio and Proportion-Simple interest-Compound interest-Area-Volume-Time and Work-Behavioral ability - Basic terms, Communications in information technology -Application of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) - Decision making and problem solving

Logical Reasoning - Puzzles – Dice - Visual Reasoning- Alpha numeric Reasoning- Number Series - Logical Number/Alphabetical/Diagrammatic Sequences

Questions

1.    Consider the following statements and correct choose option:
1.    The Theosophical Society was founded the United Kingdom by Madam H.P. Blavatsky and Colonel H. S. Olcott.
2.    The Theosophists advocated the revival and strengthening of the ancient religions of Hinduism, Zoroastrianism and Buddhism.
3.    Mrs. Annie Besant played an important role in the establishment of Central Hindu School, which was later developed by Gopal Krishna Gokhale into the Benaras Hindu University.
4.    The Theosophists recognized the doctrine of transmigration of the soul.
    (a)    1, 2 and 4    (b)    1, 2 and 3
    (c)    2, 3 and 4    (d)    2 and 4

2.    From the statements given below choose the correct option/s:
1.    The Union Cabinet approved acquisition of the State Bank of India Commercial and International Bank Ltd. (SBICI Bank Ltd.) by State Bank of India (SBI), in terms of sub-section (2) of section 35 of the State Bank of India Act, 1955.
2.    SBICI, with two branches in Mumbai, is a wholly owned subsidiary of State Bank of India (SBI) and functions as a private sector bank offering an array of financial products and services.
3.    SBICI Bank Ltd. is a wholly owned subsidiary of SBI, which was set up in 1994 after taking over the Indian operations of the erstwhile Bank of Credit and Commerce International Ltd. (BCCI), which went into liquidation in 1991.
    (a)    1 and 2 only
    (b)    2 and 3 only
    (c)    3 only 
    (d)    All 1, 2 and 3
3.    Consider the following statements regarding Sayyid Ahmad Khan and Choose the correct option:
1.    In his view and interpretation of the Quran that conflicted with human reason, science or nature was in reality a misinterpretation.
2.    Promotion of Religious education remained his first task throughout his life.
3.    He believed that all religions had a certain underlying unity which could be called practical morality.
4.    He talked about Hindu Domination to prevent his followers from joining the rising national movement.
    (a)    1, 2 and 3    (b)    1, 2 and 4
    (c)    1 and 4    (d)    1, 3 and 4

4.    Choose the correct option/s regarding the entry of 'Water' in the 7th Schedule of Indian Constitution:
1.    It is in the Concurrent list.
2.    The Ashok Chawla panel has recommended that water should be put on the State List from the Concurrent List of the Constitution.
3.    The panel said that considering the recent imperatives, it has become necessary for the Union Government to have more effective control over water resources.
    (a)    1 and 2 only
    (b)    2 and 3 only
    (c)    3 only 
    (d)    None of the Above.

5.    Consider the following statements and choose the correct option:
1.    After 1920, Akali Movement rose in the Punjab with the aim of purifying the management of the gurudwaras.
2.    The Sikh masses led by the Akalis started in 1921 a powerful satyagraha against the mahants and the Governments.
3.    In 1881, the Rehnumai Mazdayasan Sabha or Religious Reform Association was started to reform the Parsi Community.
4.    Religious Reform Association initiated the modernisation of Parsi social customs regarding the education of women, marriage and the social position of women in general.
    (a)    1, 2 and 3    (b)    1, 2, 3 and 4
    (c)    1, 2 and 4    (d)    2, 3 and 4

Factors influencing Nature and Movement of Ocean currents

1. Factors related to the earth’s rotation gravitational force and force of deflection.

2. Factors originating within the sea: atmospheric pressure, winds, precipitation, evaporation and insolation.

3. Factors originating within the sea: pressure gradient temperature difference, salinity density and melting of ice.

4. Factors modifying the ocean currents: direction and shape of the coast, seasonal variations, and bottom topography.  

General Characteristics of Ocean Currents

These characteristics arise as a result of interplay of the above mentioned factors and include the following.

1. The general movement of the currents on the northern hemisphere is clockwise and in the southern hemisphere, anti-clockwise This is due to the Coriolis force which is a deflective force and follows. Farrel’s law. A notable exception in this trend is seen in the northern part of the Indian Ocean where the current movement changes its direction in response to the seasonal change in the direction of monsoon winds.

2. The warm currents more towards the cold seas and cool currents towards the warm seas.

3. In the lower latitudes, the warm currents flow on the eastern shores and cold on the western shores. The situation is reversed in the higher latitudes the warm currents move along the western shores and the cold currents along the eastern shores.    

4. Convergence along which the warm and cold currents meet and divergence from which they move out in different directions also control the currents.

5. The shape and position of coasts play an important role in guiding the direction of currents.

6. The currents flow not only at the surface but also below the sea surface. Such currents are caused by the differences in salinity and temperature. For instance, heavy surface water of the Mediterranean sea sinks and flows westward past Gibratlar as a sub surface current.

Given below is a survey of ocean currents in three major oceans. 

questions

1.    Tick the correct statement/s regarding International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD): 
1.    India is IFAD's largest borrower, as well as one of its main contributors. Working in close partnership with the Government of India and other donors, IFAD funds projects for rural development, tribal development, women's empowerment, natural resource management and rural finance.
2.    Since 1979 the organization has financed 25 programmes and projects, approving loans for a total of approximately US$797.3 million.
3.    IFAD has an important role in developing replicable models through project activities, and it acts as a catalyst for far-reaching innovative change. 
    Choose the correct option:
    (a)    1 and 2 only     (b)    2 and 3 only
    (c)    3 only      (d)    All 1, 2 and 3

2.    Identify the incorrect statement/s regarding Swami Vivekananda:
1.    Swami Vivekananda was the disciple of Ramakrishna Parmahansa.
2.    In 1887, he founded the Ramakrishna Mission to carry on humanitarian relief and social work.
3.    He condemned the Hindu emphasis on rituals and superstitions but supported the caste system.
4.    He criticised Indians for having lost touch with the rest of the world and became stagnant and mummified.
    (a)    2 and 3    (b)    1, 2 and 4
    (c)    2, 3 and 4    (d)    1, 2, 3 and 4

3.    Consider the following statements regarding Asian and Pacific Centre for Transfer of Technology (APCTT):
1.    APCTT is a regional institution of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) servicing the Asia-Pacific region.
2.    It was established in 1977 with the objective of facilitating technology transfer in the Asia-Pacific region. The Centre is headquartered in Dhaka with host facilities provided by the Government of Bangladesh.  
    Choose the correct option:
    (a)    1 only     (b)    2 only
    (c)    1 and 2 Both    (d)    Neither 1 nor 2.

4.    Tick the correct statement/s regarding Swami Dayanand:
1.    He favoured the study of western sciences and he also regarded Vedas as Infallible.
2.    In many aspects, the ideas of Arya Samaj resembled the practices of the Brahmo Samaj and Prarthana Samaj.
3.    Swami Dayanand's follower Lala Hansraj started the Gurukul near Hardwar to propagate the more traditional ideals of education.
4.    While Arya Samaj's reformist work tended to remove social ills and to unite people the growing national unity among various religions.
    (a)    1, 2 and 4    (b)    1, 2 and 3
    (c)    2, 3 and 4    (d
)    2 and 4

5.    Following are the features of Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2008:
1.    LLP is a separate legal entity separate from its partners, can own assets in its name, sue and be sued.
2.    One partner is not responsible or liable for another partner's misconduct or negligence.
3.    Minimum of 2 partners and no maximum.
4.    LLP shall maintain annual accounts. However, audit of the accounts is required only if the contribution exceeds Rs. 50 lakhs or annual turnover exceeds Rs.80 lakhs.
    Choose the correct option:
    (a)    1, 2 and 3 only 
    (b)    2, 3 and 4 only
    (c)    All 1, 2, 3 and 4   
    (d)    None of the above

Coral Reefs

Corals are nothing but calcareous rocks, formed from the skeletons of minute sea animals, called polyps. The polyps extract calcium salts from sea water to form hard skeletons which protect their soft bodies. These skeletons give rise to corals. The corals live in colonies fastened to the rocky sea floor. New generations develop on skeletons of dead polyps. The tubular skeletons grow upwards and outwards as a cemented calcareous rocky mass, collectively called corals. The shallow rock created by these depositions is called reef. These reefs, later on, evolve into islands.

The corals occur in different forms and colours, depending upon the nature of salts or constituents they are made of. Progressive development of corals appears over the sea surface in different forms over a period of time. Small marine plants (algae) also deposit, calcium, carbonate, thus contributing to coral growth.

Questions

1.    Consider the following statements and choose the correct option:
1.    Ishwar Chandra Vidhyasagar started a weekly, the Darpan.
2.    Paramahansa Mandali, was founded in Bengal in 1849. Its founders believed in one God and were primarily interested in breaking rigid caste rules.
3.    Karsondas Mulji started the 'Satya Prakash' in Gujarati in 1852 to advocate widow remarriage.
4.    All his life Jotiba Phule carried on a campaign against upper caste domination and Brahmnical supremacy.
    (a)    1, 2 and 4    (b)    2 and 4
    (c)    3 and 4    (d)    1, 2, 3 and 4

2.    Identify the incorrect statement/s regarding International Trade Centre (ITC): 
1.    ITC's mission is to enable small business export success in developing and transition-economy countries, by providing, with partners, sustainable and inclusive development solutions to the private sector, trade support institutions and policymakers.
2.    Our aim is for businesses in developing countries to become more competitive in global markets, speeding economic development and contributing to the achievement of the UN's Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2020. 
    (a)    1 only 
    (b)    2 only
    (c)    1 and 2 Both
    (d)    Neither 1 nor 2.

3.    Consider the following statements and choose the correct option regarding the causes of 'The Revolt of 1857".
1.    The most important cause of the popular discontent was the economic exploitation of the country by the British and the complete destruction of its traditional economic fabric.
2.    The growing poverty of the people made them desperate and led them to join a general revolt in the hope of improving their lot.
3.    The annexation of Awadh by Lord Dalhousie in 1856.
4.    Use of greased cartridges and other grievances of the Indian sepoys.
    (a)    1, 2 and 4    (b)    2, 3 and 4
    (c)    2 and 4    (d)    1, 2, 3 and 4

4.    Choose the correct statement/s regarding International Labour Organisation (ILO). 
1.    The ILO is the international organization responsible for drawing up and overseeing international labour standards. It is the only 'bipartite' United Nations agency that brings together representatives of governments, employers and workers to jointly shape policies and programmes promoting decent work for all.
2.    Conventions and Recommendations are the instruments used by the International Labour Conference to set international labour standards. 
    (a)    1 only 
    (b)    2 only
    (c)    1 and 2 Both
    (d)    Neither 1 nor 2.

5.    Consider the following statements and choose the correct option:
1.    Gopal Hari Deshmukh popularly know as 'Lokahitwadi' was the earliest religious reformer in Western India.
2.    Prarthana Samaj was started with the aim of reforming Hindu religious thought and practice in the light of modern knowledge.
3.    Prarthana Samaj was strongly against the Brahmo Samaj.
4.    Gopal Ganesh Agarkar was one of the greatest rationalist thinkers of Modern India. He was an advocate of the power of human reason.
    (a)    1, 2 and 3    (b)    2 and 4

    (c)    1, 2 and 4    (d)    1 and 4 

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UPSC

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