Imp Geographical terms(high frequency)

Agro-climatic
The climatic and land resource conditions in totality which are crucial for the development of agriculture and allied economic conditions of a region.

Aquifer
A saturated geological unit (e.g. sands,gravels, fractured rock) which can yield water to wells at a sufficient rate to support a well.

Artificial Recharge to Groundwater
Artificial Recharge to Groundwater means the process by which groundwater reservoir is augmented at a rate exceeding that under natural condition of replenishment.

Command Area
The area served by a canal system through supply of water for irrigation and other purposes.

Culturable command area
It refers to the culturable land irrigated by a canal system. It is different from gross command area. The later includes all the area served by a canal system including unculturatble.

Biofertilisers,Organic Farming,IPM,GMO(prelims based)

• Biofertilizers are plant nutrients of biological origin like algae, bacteria, fungi which
have no harmful effect on soil and environment.

• Organic farming is a type of agriculture which avoids synthetic inorganic fertilizers,
pesticides, growth regulators and livestock feed additives.Organically grown food products are free from harmful chemicals, or typical flavoursand preservatives.

• Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a grand idea to control pest and diseases. This
increases production, sakes the environment from pollution and harmful effects of
pesticides and saves money which is usually spent on buying pesticides.

• Biotechnology technique is used to produce plants by gene transfer (transgenics or Genetically modified organisms) whichcan be a direct answer to grow plants resistant to diseases, pests, tolerant to cold
draught and flooding etc. One can design a plant to suit this condition.

Aptly describes Migration

WHAT I LEFT BEHIND, WHAT I HOPE TO FIND


I left home, to come to school
I left farm, to come to food
I left my cows, my sheep,
But did not have time to weep.
Now I know why I cry tonight
’Cos I know now what I left behind
and today, what I hope to find.
Cities full of cars and bikes
Restaurants and bars and roaring mikes
But I miss the vast sky
and my kites to fly
And my folks, my friends
Seem vanishing trends
So I cry tonight but what shall I gain
Tomorrow I’ll struggle and then day after day again

WPI vs CPI

W.P.I	C.P.I
Wholesale price index measures inflation at each stage of production	Consumer price index measures inflation only at final stage of production
Wholesale price index is the middle point of the sum of all the goods bought by the traders	Consumer price index is the middle point of the sum of all the goods bought by consumers
Wholesale Price Index (WPI), is based on the price prevailing in the wholesale markets or the price at which bulk transactions are made	The Consumer Price Index (CPI), is based on the final prices of goods at the retail level.
There are only few countries that uses WPI to calculate inflation rates	Many nations have already shifted to using CPI.
There are 676 elementary items included in WPI, some of which are insignificant & outdated goods that are considered in WPI	CPI, on the other hand, have well-selected variables.
Category Weights – Base Year is 2004-05 with Energy Products having 14.91% weights, food 14.3% while services are not included.	Category Weights – Base Year is 20105 with Energy Products having 9.49% weights, food 49.7% while services are included with 26.3% weightage.

Reasons for Widening gap between CPI and WPI

Monthly variation between CPI and WPI inflation during January 2012 to January 2013 shows that the direction of the differential is on the rise.

The gap between inflation calculated at WPI (Wholesale Price Index) and CPI (Retail Price Index) has been found widening in the recent months. Monthly variation between CPI and WPI inflation during January 2012 to January 2013 shows that the direction of the differential is on the rise.

WPI inflation has been decelerated to 6.62% in January 2013 from 7.2% in January 2012, however, CPI Inflation has been increased from 7.7% in January 2012 to 10.8% in January 2013.

• The widening gap between prices at wholesale level and retail level could be attributed to supply chain bottlenecks which impede the process of smooth distribution of goods. Post-production hurdles at several levels including storage, packaging, marketing and infrastructure is a major fuel to retail prices
• A second reason may be the high weightage of food prices in calculation of CPI. In the WPI, food articles have a 14.33% weight. In the CPI (Rural+Urban), the food index has a 47% weight.Soaring food prices has been a major issue in India. Inflation in the food articles (WPI) has been increased from 6.7% in October 2012 to 8.8% in November 2012 to 11% in December 2012 and 11.8% in January 2013.CPI for food and beverages rose to 13.3% in January 2013 from 13% in December 2012, 11.8% in November 2012 and 11.4% in October 2012

retrieved from http://www.miraeassetmf.co.in/mailers/mar13/wpivscpi.html

Drought Management.

Droughts had been the grim past of our country.It is so sad to believe that a country which boasts of its GDP is so poor in social sector figures.Malnutrition,Health sector,Women and Infant health show a poinant figures.Agriculture sector which is responsible for  more that 50% employment suffers the most due to droughts leading to imbalance in the whole economy chain.

All said and done I believe following are the steps that can be taken to reduce droughts.--

1) Animal Camps to be promoted and maintainde properly as farmers sell them in their distressed situation.
2)Fodder crops,maize,pulses oilseeds etc which are high value but very less water requiring crops must be given precedence.
3)Seed banks must be opened.
4)Millets and ragi must be included in Public Distribution System progressively.
5)Proper infrastructure chain has to be developed to supply food during drought conditions.
6)Promotion of protein rich food like eggs,poultry etc.

One grave issue is about farmers enthusiasm.In a national weekly, 40% of farmers interviewed said that they would quit farming if they had another option. A grim prospect ,isnt it??

Save Tigers

Wildlife Conservation in India Aiming to Sustainable Growth and Development

Wildlife includes all non-domesticated plants, animals, and other organisms. Domesticating wild plant and animal species for human benefit has occurred many times all over the planet, and has a major impact on the environment, both positive and negative. Wildlife can be found in all ecosystems, Deserts, rain forests, plains, and other areas including the most developed urban sites all have distinct forms of wildlife. While the term in popular culture usually refers to animals that are untouched by human factors, most scientists agree that wildlife around the world is impacted by human activities.

Indian wildlife:-
The wildlife of India is a mix of species of diverse origins. The region's rich and diverse wildlife is preserved in numerous national parks and wildlife sanctuaries across the country. Since India is home to a number of rare and threatened animal species, wildlife management in the country is essential to preserve these species. According to one study, India is home to about 60-70% of the world's biodiversity. India, lying within the Indomalaya ecozone, is home to about 7.6% of all mammalian, 12.6% of avian, 6.2% of reptilian, and 6.0% of flowering plant species.

Indian Administrative Services(IAS)

The officers of the IAS play a major role in managing the bureaucracy of both the Union Government (Central Government) and the state governments, with its officers holding strategic posts across the country. It is one of the three All India Services (along with the Indian Police Service and the Indian Forest Service)

The Civil Service

History: The Indian Civil Service (Pre Independence)
In 1854, the British rulers introduced the principle of open competitive examination for entry into the Indian Civil Service (ICS). Although Indians had a right to sit for it, the only examination centre was in London and the system operated as a bar to those who could not afford to travel so far. The Indianisation of the ICS started only in 1922, when the entrance examination was held simultaneously in Allahabad, under pressure from the Indian National Congress. However, the ICS continued to be dominated by the British, and it was often denigrated as ‘neither Indian, nor Civil, nor Service’.

After Independence the loyalty of ICS officers was suspect. Public opinion was generally hostile to the ICS in view of its identification with foreign rule and its obstructing role during the freedom struggle. But Sardar Patel, the leader of the conservatives in Congress, did ultimately succeed in forcing his proposals down the throat of an unwilling Constituent Assembly. He advocated the importance of administrative continuity for the stability of the country. Finally, the institution was maintained under a new name, the Indian Administrative Service.

A nation which every Indian Wants

1.A Nation where the rural and urban divide has reduced to a thin line.
2. A Nation where there is an equitable distribution and adequate access to energy and quality water.
3. A Nation where agriculture, industry and service sector work together in symphony.
4. A Nation where education with value system is not denied to any meritorious candidates because of societal or economic discrimination.
5. A Nation which is the best destination for the most talented scholars, scientists, and investors.
6. A Nation where the best of health care is available to all.
7. A Nation where the governance is responsive, transparent and corruption free.
8. A Nation where poverty has been totally eradicated, illiteracy removed and crimes against women and children are absent and none in the society feels alienated.
9. A Nation that is prosperous, healthy, secure, devoid of terrorism, peaceful and happy and continues with a sustainable growth path.
10. A Nation that is one of the best places to live in and is proud of its leadership.

Brief Account of IAS and other Central Services(Posts Classification and Training Structure)

There is a lot of confusions regarding Group A ,B,C Services,Gazzetted posts and Training of the All India Civil Servants. So on demand I am posting a brief detail about the Civil Services and other Group B services.

Basically the creation of All India Services lies in the hand of Parliament act but it can only be done after recommendation from Raja Sabha(done to protect the interests of state).All India Services Act 1951 regulates the formation of rules and procedures for these services.
All India Services are managed and controlled by different Ministries  such as:
-IAS by Ministry of Personnel
-IPS by Ministry of Home Affairs
-IFS by External Affairs Ministry
-IFoS by Environment and Forest Ministry

Central Services can be divided into 4 categories-
• Group A(Selected through Civil Services Examination conducted by UPSC,more than 50 posts now.)
• Group B(Selected through SSC)
• Group C(Selected through SSC)
• Group D

Group C services consist of clerical personnel and Group D consists of manual personnel.
Group A and Group B are Gazetted Officers whereas Group C & D are non Gazetted posts.

Committes which led to evolution of present recruitment system
• Macauley Committee(1854)
• Kothari Committee
• Satish Chandra Committee
• Alagh Committee
• Hota Committee

Training Structure for the UPSC Civil Servants:
The UPSC submits the list of finally selected candidates to Ministry of Personnel.Through this lists Personnel Ministry,Home Ministry and External Affairs Ministry selects candidates for IAS,IPS and IFS respectively.This is followed by other ministeries and departments in a fixed order
IAS officers are also recruited through other methods also i.e –Promotion from State Civil Service(over all 33.33% posts in IAS),Special Selections from gazetted posts of State governments who are members of State Administrative Services.

After final Selection the Training is done in Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration at Mussorie.The Training Structure is as follows:

1. Foundational Training------------------------------------------------------4 months
2. Professional Training-First Spell--------------------------------------------5 months
3. District training in the respective State Cadres------------------------------12 months
4. Professional Training –Second Spell----------------------------------------3 months


After common Foundational Training Professional Training is different for different officers:

• IPS officers continue at—National Police Academy(Hyderabad)
• IFS officers at Foreign Service Institute,New Delhi and Language Training at Indian Mission Abroad.
• IRS officers at IRS Training Institute Nagpur
• Indian Audit and Accounts ar IAAS Staff Training College Shimla 

and the list goes on...

National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF)

National Skills Qualifications Framework (NQF) offers vocational qualifications according to levels of learning, skills and aptitude.

The hallmark of the programme would be that the credit accumulation and transfer system will be integrated in the NSQF,
So candidates can continue education any time  with vocational training and work at different stages in their lives according to their needs and convenience. 

The framework will also enable mobility among students from vocational to general education and vice versa and help make the qualifications more understandable and transparent. 

The framework would be anchored and operationalised by the National Skill Development Agency (NSDA), an autonomous body attached to the Ministry of Finance, mandated to coordinate and harmonise skill development efforts of the Government of India and the private sector. 

The framework is the amalgamation of separate skill framework developed by both the HRD Ministry and the Labour and Employment Ministry. 

There are 10 levels in the framework, with the entry level being 1, and the highest level being 10. This will enable a candidate to acquire desired competency levels, transit to the job market and, at an opportune time, return for acquiring additional skills to further upgrade competencies. 

Coal Bed Methane Policy in India

CBM Policy , 1997 aims to maintain a competitive bidding system for exploration of CBM blocks.The contractors pay a royalty of 10 % to state govt.The duration of contract is 38 years and 40 years (normal area and frontal area respectively).

CBM is a natural gas extracted from coal beds.It is an unconventional source of energy and has become an important source in countries like US, Canada etc.

INDIA has CBM reserves of 4.6 trillion cubic metres across 8 states. Recently the simultaneous mining of coal and exploration of CBM reserves has been allowed which was earlier prohibited.Union Cabinet has given clearance to Coal India Ltd (CIL) for CBM exploration.

What are the reasons for problems in implementation of health schemes

Recently the Sample Registration System report released by Registrar General of India mentioned that Under-5 IMR of India is currently 42 per 1000 which is a great disparity from the goal of 30 by 2015. There are various reasons behind the slow implementation of the myriad health schemes undergoing currently. These are:

1.Different levels of prevalent IMR in different states. Ex-73 in UP, 37 in Tamil Nadu

2. Different level of infrastructure and skilled human resources in different states.

3. Since Public Health is a state subject fund allocation and prioritization is different in different states.

4. Lack of accountability and responsibility in the implementation chain of these schemes.

These problems are not permanent and can be rooted out by proper and wullful implementation. Nevertheless specific measures can also be followed like  prioritization of low performing states for fund allocation like tribal and LWE states, incentives and appraisal for successful implementation and utilisation of funds.

Need for APMC reforms

Agricutural Produce Marketing committees were set up through Agriculture Produce Market Regulation Act,1970.The basic objective was to protect the farmers from the vagaries of market and moneylenders  and to ensure remunerative prices for farmers.But the purpose has been diluted over the course of time and the profit margins of  farmers has been reduced which results in increased the food inflation.

As per APMC Act in states trading outside mandi is not allowed and to trade within mandis license is needed.This system has been misuesd by the middlemen and they possess the licenses and hoard food crops and exercise monopoly to dictate the any prices from farmers.Farmers not having enough knowledge about licence procurement and warehousing availabilities have to suffer under the hands of these middlemens.

Consequently there is an inherent need to ensure the need for reforms as it will farmer's margin will increase as they can directly sell to retailers.This will be a win-win situation for both side as retailers will be able to spend less and therefore  spend the remaining expense on back end infrastructure.This inturn will also help in reducing food inflation in long term as the costs are reduced in the supply chain.

What do u mean by energy security ? discuss some of the energy resources of India.

Energy security refers to the uninterrupted availability of energy sources at an affordable price.Energy is the basic minimum requirment for the development of any nation therefore their is a  need to increase energy security globally.

Energy security has many aspects: long-term energy security is mainly linked to timely investments to supply energy in line with economic developments and environmental needs. On the other hand, short-term energy security focuses on the ability of the energy system to react promptly to sudden changes in the supply-demand balance.

What are Internal security threats for india and government strategies to solve it.

Ans: This is just a framework.It is left on the user to explore more--

- India is a country with certain internal security issues due to its physiographic limitations, cross cultural exchanges  resulting in porous borders. (leading to problems like trafficking,terrorism,insurgency , etc.)

-India , a land of multi ethnicity , multi religion , several communities ( communal riots , extremism , separatism , terrorism).

-Due to spurt in Internet Penetration---->cyber crimes

-Law and order problem

Recent Issues-- Karnataka SMS/Assam exodus issue , muzaffarnagar riots , naga issue , etc.

Government strategy after Mumbai attacks.
1-CCTNS
2-NATGRID
3-CPF
4-BSF
5-CRPF
6-SSB
7-CISF
8-ITBP

Q : Analyse how in recent times the nations like China and USA dominate the weaker countries .

There is a long history of major powers using international law against other states but not complying with it themselves , and even reinterpreting or making new multilateral rules to further their geopolitical and economic interests . The same unilateralist approach is followed by China and USA in international relations to rein in the weaker states.

Science, Technology and Innovation Policy (STI) 2013

Goal of STI Policy 2013
SRISHTI (Science, Research and innovation system for High technology led path for India.)
[Its actually SRISHTLPFI but old habit of GOI to make everything catchy and sound good.-->headache for us UPSC aspirants]

The STI Policy seeks to send a signal to the Indian scientific community, both in the private and public domain, that science, technology and innovation should focus on faster, sustainable and inclusive development of the people. The policy seeks to focus on both STI for people and people for STI. It aims to bring all the benefits of Science, Technology & Innovation to the national development and sustainable and more inclusive growth. It seeks the right sizing of the gross expenditure on research and development by encouraging and incentivizing private sector participation in R & D, technology and innovation activities.

Impact of Globalisation on Higher Education in India

Globalisation has considerably reduced funding on part of the Government as a result. Private companies and foreign agencies are being given due weightage. Globalisation has given boost to the higher education in India by opening horizons of progress in every sector.

Some positive impacts are as follows:

-This globalisation has also made distant education available inside the country. The instant impact of it is that students who care diligent and meritorious lot but devoid of resources to avail of latest educational patterns through visiting foreign countries, would get this facility in India.

-Multimedia Technology has come in vogue that is becoming popular due to its multi-dimensional approach and uses by this globalization. It has also facilitated and brough leverage in higher education.

- The standard of education has substantially been raised since private and foreign agencies are quite innovative and experimental in their attitude and dealing.

Some negative impacts are as follows:

1.Flipside of this globalization is that it could erode our traditional values and ethos.
2.Another negative impact of this globalization is that it has become beyond the reach of poor students. Since educational level by these agencies has been elevated, the monetary requirements to become admitted and study has also spiraled.

Assess the Significance of Coastal Regions in the Economic Development in India.

India has about 7500 km long coastline, including two island groups. Nine states have sea-coast including two island territories. The coastal zone inhabits about 25% population of India in its first 50 km of area.

It is the coastal region that provides India with a number of sea-ports, minor as well as major, and harbours to take on large scale sea-trade activities which are cheapest means of transport and helped India flourish its international trade.

About 90% of our foreign trade by volume and nearly 70% of value is carried out through sea route. Apart from this, coasts are the reservoir of petroleum and sea-food items. It also provides economic activities like fishing, saltfarming, handicrafts based on coastal materials.

Oil exploration facility from seabed installed at Bombay High accounts for more than 15% of nation's petroleum output.India's Exclusive Economic Zone area constitutes about 2 million sq. km. This area gives economical benefits in term of marine resources like minerals, vegetation and aqua-life.

Major industrial activities like metallurgy, ship-building, manufacturing etc. are also concentrated around the coastal cities and urban centres around the coasts. The sea-coasts also helps India on security front.

India's three sides are covered by sea. India's strategic location in sea is helpful. India is one mid-journey destination for ships travelling in the Indian Ocean. India gets earning from such visiting ships.

So, we can say that the coastline is the life-line of the economic development of India but it is under constant threat of Global warming and rising Sea-level.

Bring out the FDI and employment implications of China being a manufacturing hub and India a services hub.

China and India are the most rapidly growing economies of the world, even though whole world is facing an uphill task of tackling recession. Both countries poised an attractive growth rate. Most amazing fact of this growth-region that is made up of these two neighbouring country is that both are growing on different business models.

China has vast resources and huge population in rural area, therefore China has emerged as a manufacturing hub. India, on the other hand, has over time with English educated mass of middle class has emerged as the services hub.

With handsome return on investment by FDI showing in these two countries in a global slowdown scenario, a lot of investment is getting into these two nations, according to their expertise.

According to a hypothesis that for each 100 US Dollar invested, manufacturing sector generates 8 jobs while service sector generates 43 jobs. High level of mechanization has reduced jobs in manufacturing sector. This scenario helps India generating more jobs with per unit of FDI in comparison to manufacturing hub of China. This is further strengthened by the fact is India is a democracy unlike China that has single party system where human rights rarely captures the centre point of public discourse.On the other hand, china is attracting more FDI, because manufacturing sector is more capital intensive. Comparatively urban-employment generation in china is relatively less intense than that of India. Moreover there are poor salary structure, complex labor laws and union activities.

Important Events from The Hindu Diary of Event-2013(International Events;Part 2 of 2)

Jan. 2: U.S. President Barack Obama signs into law the “American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012”, fiscal cliff bill.

Malala Yousafzai, Pakistani schoolgirl shot by a Taliban gunman for advocating girls’ education is selected for Ireland’s Tipperary International Peace Prize for 2012.

Amerish B. ‘Ami’ Bera, an Indian-American and Tulsi Gabbard, the first ever Hindu elected to the U.S. House of Representatives create history as they are sworn in as members of the 113{+t}{+h}Congress.

Jan. 11: The Sri Lankan Parliament impeaches Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake.

Jan. 13: Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa dismisses Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake.

Important Events from The Hindu Diary of Event-2013(National Events;Part 1 of 2)

Only the exam oriented important events are covered and those who had made big news.

Jan. 1: The Union Government’s Direct Benefits Transfer scheme is launched in 20 districts in six States across the nation.

“Complex issues cannot be settled by faith, emotion and fear but by structured debate, analysis and enlightenment,” says Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the inauguration of the 100{+t}{+h}annual session of the Indian Science Congress in Kolkata.

Jan. 12: Follow in the footsteps of Swami Vivekananda, says the West Bengal Governor M.K. Narayanan, inaugurating the World Youth Festival to mark the Swamiji’s 150{+t}{+h}birth anniversary in Kolkata.

Jan. 18: The Supreme Court directs the Centre to set up a Special Court to try Italian marines Massimilano Latore and Salvatore Gironi involved in the shooting of two fishermen off the Kerala waters on February 15, 2012.

Jan. 21: Prema Jayakumar, daughter of an autorickshaw driver in Malad, Mumbai tops the nationwide CA exam. Her brother Dhanraj too clears the exam.

Jan. 23: The Justice Verma Committee rules against recommending the death penalty even in the rarest of rare cases, and also does not favour lowering the age of a juvenile from 18 to 16.

Jan. 25: Noted physicist Yash Pal, space scientist Roddam Narasimha, sculptor Raghunath Mohapatra and painter Syed Haider Raza chosen for Padma Vibhushan.

Author Jeet Thayil is presented the DSC Prize for South Asian Literature-2013 for his debut novel Narcopolis at the Jaipur Literature Festival.

Feb. 7: The Supreme Court directs Karnataka to release forthwith 2.44 tmcft of water to Tamil Nadu to save standing crops on one lakh acres in the Cauvery delta region.

Feb. 9: The December 13, 2001 Parliament attack case convict Mohammed Afzal Guru is hanged and buried inside the Tihar jail complex in New Delhi.

Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF)

RIDF was setup by Government of India in 1995-96 to finance the ongoing rural infrastructure projects in irrigation sector.This fund is maintained by NABARD .Subsequently, RIDF was made available for new projects as well and its ambit was broadened to cover almost all important aspects of rural infrastructure.

Domestic commercial banks donate to the Fund to the extent of their shortfall in stipulated priority sector lending to agriculture.The Fund provides loans to State Governments and State-owned corporations to enable them to complete ongoing rural infrastructure projects.

National Disaster Response Force(NDRF)

NDRF is special force created by government of India for the purpose of special and quick response in case a disaster happens in any part of the country .NDRF works under the policies and guidelines prepared by National Disaster Management Authority(NDMA) .

NDRF contains eight battalions , 2 each from ITBP , CISF ,BSF and CRPF positioned at 8 important locations across the country.In addition to these, 16 regional response centers being setup across country for quick and immediate response .

Interest Subsidy Scheme for Housing the Urban Poor (ISHUP)

The Interest Subsidy Scheme for Housing the Urban Poor (ISHUP) provides interest subsidy on housing loans to the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) and Low Income Group (LIG) as part of credit-enablement measures and encourages those households to avail of loan facilities through Commercial Banks/Housing Finance Companies for the purpose of construction/acquisition of houses and avail 5% subsidy in interest payment for loanz upto Rs. 1 lakh. The loan repayment period would be 15-20 years.

Households with monthly income of upto Rs. 3,300 (now revised Rs. 5,000) are classified as EWS while those with monthly income between 3301 and 7300 ( now revised between Rs. 5001 to Rs. 10,000/) are termed LIG. This is a demand driven scheme.

National River Conservation Plan (NRCP)

 National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) is a centrally sponsored scheme being implemented by the central Government jointly with the State Government on a cost-sharing basis(70:30). The scheme presently cover identified polluted stretches of 39 major rivers in 185 towns spread over 20 States in the country.

The following pollution abatement works are taken up:

(i) Interception and Diversion works to capture the raw sewage flowing into the river through open drains and divert them for treatment . (I&D)

(ii) Sewage Treatment Plants for treating the diverted sewage. (STP)

National Technical Research Organisation

The National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO) is a scientific organization under the National Security Advisor in the Prime Minister's Office, India.This agency was setup to avoid any kargil like unexpected situations. It is technical intelligence gathering organisation which provides inputs to other agencies on internal and external security .

The organization develops technology capabilities in data gathering and processing, aviation, remote sensing, cryptology systems,  cyber security,  strategic hardware and software development and strategic monitoring. 

NATGRID

National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID) is  intelligence database designed to consolidate and make searchable data gathered by existing security and law enforcement agencies in order to prevent terrorist activity within the country.This will help in better coordination among different agencies .

NATGRID is a tool which security agencies will use to locate and obtain relevant information on terror suspects from data providing organizations like telecommunication companies, banks, and immigration department. It will allow them to query information pertaining to their investigative process and receive responses in a timely and secure manner. This will provide actionable intelligence thus helping  law enforcement and intelligence agencies  to reduce the number of terrorist incidents as they will be able to identify, capture and prosecute terrorists in a more efficient manner.

This will act as a deterrent and convince potential terrorists about the possibility of getting caught—thus cutting down the number of people expected to indulge in terrorist activities in the long run.

National Policy on Biofuel

The National Policy on Biofuel endeavors to facilitate and bring about optimal development and utilization of indigenous biomass feedstocks for production of bio-fuels .The Policy aims at mainstreaming of biofuels and, therefore, envisions a central role for it in the energy and transportation sectors of the country in coming decades.

The salient features of the National Policy on Bio-fuels  are:-

1) Bio-diesel production will be taken up from non-edible oil seeds in waste /degraded / marginal lands.

2)An indicative target of 20% blending of bio-fuels, both for bio-diesel and bio-ethanol, by 2017 has been proposed.

Solar Cities

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is implementing a programme on ‘Development of Solar Cities’ which aims to reduce a minimum of 10% of the projected demand of conventional energy of the city through renewable energy installations and energy efficiency measures. Sixty Cities are proposed to be developed as Solar Cities during the Eleventh Plan period including four Model Solar Cities and 10 Pilot Solar Cities. The Master plan for each Solar City is being prepared to assess and utilize various renewable sources including Solar, Wind, Municipal Waste etc.

Ministry is providing financial support up to Rs. 50 lakh for each solar city to the respective City Government for preparation of a master plan, setting-up institutional arrangements for the implementation of the master plan, awareness generation and capacity building activities.

Tejas

Tejas is India's indigenous Light Combat Aircraft(LCA) developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). It is the world's smallest, light weight, multi-role combat aircraft. The LCA is designed to meet the requirements of Indian Air Force as its frontline multi-mission single-seat tactical aircraft to replace the MiG-21 series of aircraft.
Short takeoff and landing, excellent flight performance, safety, reliability and maintainability, are salient features of LCA design. The LCA integrates modern design concepts like static instability, digital fly-by-wire flight control system, integrated avionics, glass cockpit, primary composite structure, multi-mode radar, microprocessor based utility and brake management systems.

DNA profiling

DNA profiling is a technique which helps in identifying individuals based on their DNA profile .A technique called electrophoresis is used to obtain DNA profiles. Every individual have unique DNA sequencing or DNA profiles.

Uses of DNA profiling :
1) To find out if the alleged father is actually the biological father of the child.
2) To establish other family relations .
3) DNA testing can help solve crimes by comparing the DNA profiles of suspects to offender samples.
4) To identify war victims and to ascertain identity of dead which can not be identified otherwise .
5) To study genetic diseases

The DNA profiling is extremely sensitive and can be conducted on very small human sample , It just requires a cell with nuclei from the human body such as saliva ,semen , urine , hair etc. Also it is very hard to contaminate DNA samples . This makes DNA profiling very useful .

But the disadvantage with this technology is that it only gives probability and not 100% correct answer .Also DNA evidence can be planted on crime site to misguide. The DNA database maintained can be hacked by hackers and can be misused .

Invictus

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

Still I Rise

You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may tread me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I'll rise.

Does my sassiness upset you?
Why are you beset with gloom?
'Cause I walk like I've got oil wells
Pumping in my living room.

Just like moons and like suns,
With the certainty of tides,
Just like hopes springing high,
Still I'll rise.

Dreams

Hold fast to dreams
For if dreams die
Life is a broken-winged bird
That cannot fly.
Hold fast to dreams
For when dreams go
Life is a barren field
Frozen with snow.

-Langston Hughes

Don't Quit

When things go wrong as they sometimes will;
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill;
When the funds are low, and the debts are high;
And you want to smile, but have to sigh;
When care is pressing you down a bit-Rest if you must, but do not quit.

Success is failure turned inside out;
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt;
And you can never tell how close you are;
It may be near when it seems so far;
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit;
It's when things go wrong that you must not quit.

Types of Trees/Vegetation and Types of Grasslands

Distiction between Hardwood and Softwoods:

The distinction is to do with plant reproduction. All trees reproduce by producing seeds.

1. Hardwood trees are angiosperms, plants that produce seeds with some sort of covering. This might be a fruit or a hard shell, such as an acorn from the Oak.
Softwoods are gymnosperms. They let seeds fall to the ground with no covering. Pine trees, which grow seeds in hard cones.

2. Hardwood/angiosperm trees lose their leaves during cold weather while Softwoods/gymnosperm trees keep their leaves all year round.

3.The density (or mass) of the wood is irrelevant.

Hardwood Trees(Angiosperms):
They are used for making furnitures,Transport and Construction Materials. They are Rosewood, Ebony, Mahagony, Sal, Teak, Neem, Shisham, Oak, Eucalyptus,Ash,Beech.

Softwood Trees(Gymnosperms):They are used for making Pulp which is used for Manufacturing Paper and Newspapers,Match Boxes and Packing Boxes.They are Chir, Pine, Cedar


Types of Trees in different Vegetations:

1. Tropical Evergreen contains Hardwood trees mostly.
2. Tropical Deciduos contains Hardwood Tree which shed their leaves(Sal, Teak, Neem, Shisham)
3. Temperate Evergreen contain both hardwood and softwood(Oak and Eucalyptus+Pine)
4. Temperate Deciduous  contain both hardwood mostly(oak, ash ,beech)
5. Mediteranian contains orchards(Orange, figs, apples, olives, grapes)
6. Coniferous Forests contains Softwood Trees such as Chir, Pine,Cedar.

Types of Grasslands:

Tropical Grasslands

• Savanna--East Africa
• Campos-Brazil
• Llanos-Venezuela

Temperate Grasslands

• Pampas -Argentina
• Prairies-Nort America
• Velds-South Africa
• Steppes-Central Asia
• Downs-Australia.

India's South China Sea Gambit

Created By Zachary Keck

India more forcefully asserted itself into the South China Sea dispute on Monday, with a senior naval officer saying New Delhi is prepared to deploy ships to the disputed waters should its oil exploration interests come under threat.

Indian Navy Chief Admiral D.K Joshi said that his country stands ready to intervene in disputes in the South China Sea if Indian state-run Oil and Natural Gas Corp’s (ONGC) joint oil exploration venture with Vietnam came under threat.

India and Sri Lanka's Civil War

The article is created by PRATYUSH.

Last month the United Nations published a highly critical internal report in which it admitted it didn’t do enough to protect Tamil civilians in the final months of the Sri Lanka civil war. In late 2008, the UN had withdrawn staff from the northern part of the country in anticipation of the Sri Lanka government’s bloody military offensive against the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, more commonly known as Tamil Tigers). Tamil civilians had pleaded with the UN to stay at the time, but the international organization said it was unable to ensure the safety of its staff members. Still, the new report raises real questions about the international community’s response during and after the conflict.

VIENNA CONVENTION ON DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS

Article Created by Anjali Singh

This international treaty was negotiated in the Austrian capital in 1961 , but its central rules on rights and privileges of foriegn envoys had been widely practised for more than 200 years.

The convention says that persons working as diplomats are "inviolable" and can therefore not be arrested or detained.

Host nations must also protect diplomats from attacks on their freedom and dignity.

Although the text includes a guarantee of free travel inside the host country , no such freedom is spelled out for cross border trips.

Q-Why there is a need for education reforms in india ? Suggest some reforms in indian education system.

Ans : Indian Education sysem has evolved through various phases from british era to present modern era.There are certain deficiencies which needs to be adressed to make the values and system of education in lieu with contemporary demands/

-The nation is under economic transition , under this transition , india seeks a quality increase in education to counter the demands of globalization .

-To harness the demographic dividend of the country

-Reports like NCERT and Hungama report reveals low standards of education , biasesness among students relating to girl child education , etc.

Critically analyse advantages and disadvantages of GM foodcrops

GM foodcrops are the one whose genetical material has been modified either by traditional selection and breeding or by modern, scientific modification of the crops(genetic engineering).

Various Advantages are-

1.Pest resistance-Less pesticides is needed to be used due to insect resistant plants such as B.t. corn.

2.Herbicides tolerance-Farmers often need to spray large quantity of herbicides which is an expensive process.GM crops require one application of weed-killer,thus reducing the production cost.

3.Cold tolerance and Drought tolerance-Development of crops that can grow in extreme climate

4.Nutrition-Reduction of sickness and illness as GMO foods are more nutritious

5.High yield-Decrease in food prices due to lower cost and higher yield

There are many disadvantages which are-

1.Unintended harm to other organism as the genes and their effect included in a crop may turn out to be poisonous to insects

2.Insects will become resistant to B.t. or other crops that have been genetically modified to produce their own pesticides

3.Crop plants engineered for herbicide tolerance and weeds will cross-breed,resulting in the transfer of the herbicide tolerant gene to weeds making it “super weeds”

4.Introducing a gene into a plant may create a new allergen or cause an allergic reaction.

Though there are many pros and cons regarding the GM foods,the government must proceed with caution to avoid causing unintended harm to human health and the environment.

10 most important judgements of 2013

1. Upholding Section 377 of the IPC

                           

It was clearly one of the most debated judgments of the year.

On December 11, a Supreme Court bench comprising justices G S Singhvi and S J Mukhopadhaya set aside the Delhi High Court's verdict which had in 2009 decriminalised gay sex among consenting adults in private.

It ruled that Section 377 in the Indian Penal Code will continue making gay sex -- "irrespective of age and consent" -- an offence punishable with a sentence up to life term and put the onus Parliament "to consider the desirability and propriety of deleting Section 377 from the statute book or amend it.

The bench discarded the "anxiety" shown by the high court "to protect the so-called rights of LGBT persons" and said that it had wrongly relied upon the judgments of other jurisdictions which may be informative in relation to the plight of sexual minorities but it could not be applied "blindfolded" for deciding the constitutionality of the law enacted by the Indian legislature.

Demolishing the argument that Section 377 targeted LGBTs, the court said that it did not criminalize a particular people or identity or orientation. "It merely identifies certain acts which if committed would constitute an offence. Such a prohibition regulates sexual conduct regardless of gender identity and orientation," it said.

Activists campaigning for LGBT rights expressed anguish as well as fear of being vulnerable to all sorts of exploitation, prejudice and feeling ostracised.


Even the political class is divided on the issue. While the BJP supported the verdict, terming homosexuality as against the established norms of society, the government and the Congress went on an overdrive and indicated that various options, including ordinance, were available for negating the verdict.

Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement ( DTAA )

The “Double Tax Avoidance Agreement (DTAA)” or “Tax Treaty” is essentially bilateral agreements entered into between two countries, in our case, between India and another foreign state.

The basic objective is to avoid taxation of income in both the countries (i.e. Double taxation of same income). Currently India has comprehensive DTAA or Tax Treaty with 88 other countries.

Let’s take an example to understand how DTAA works; An NRI residing in USA is maintaining NRO Account with a bank in India. The interest earned on balances in this account is considered as the NRIs income originating in India. If India has DTAA with USA, this income will be taxed at the rate prescribed in the agreement and payable in USA and not India as per the agreement. It may differ as per the clauses in agreement.

The Non Resident can certainly take the benefit of the provisions of DTAA entered into between India and the country, in which he resides, more particularly in respect of Interest Income from NRO account, Government securities, Loans, Fixed Deposits with Companies and dividends etc.This also prevents tax evasion.

1921-Year of great divide

It is called so because after 1921 India's Population reduced drastically by 0.31%.This happed due to epidemic of Influenza. The population growth rate was highest in 1971 census which is 24.80 %.

Demographic Transition Theory

As per this theory there are 3 stages in demographic transition.

Stage 1: Nation is an agrarian economy. Birth rates and Death rates are high.Population unstable.

Sage 2: Death rates are low due to better hygiene, nutrition and medical sector. Birth rates high due to lack of awareness an unmet contraception, poor social development, high fertility and wanted fertility rate/TFR.

Stage 3: BR and DR low but population still uncontrolled due to high reproductive age people.

Stage 4: BR and DR low and country economically and socially developed as is seen in West and European countries.

INDIA is currently in 3rd stage.To achieve the demographic dividend demographic transition is necessary for which reduced TFR, IMR & MMR, Education and Social awareness required.

Pre Conception and Pre-natal Diagnostic Techniques Act (PC & PNDT ACT) 2003

Originally it was PNDT Act 1994, but amended in 2003 as PC & PNDT Act to cover the loop holes and make the law more stringent.

PC & PNDT Act seeks to curb sex determination and sex selection. It was dismal child sex ratio of 1991 Census which led Parliament to legislate a comprehensive Policy. However due to lackadaisical implementation and emergence of more sophisticated diagnosis the law had to be revised which led to its amendment in 2003.

Salient features of Act:-

1-prohibiits determination and disclosure of sex of foetus
2-bans advertisement for the same
3-all the technologies of sex determination come under the ambit of this act
4-signboard to be placed on ultra somography machines that the sex determination test is banned
5-all ultrasonography machines and practitioners to be registered.
6-punishment for offence---3 yrs imprisonment and 50,000 fine.

State of economy (21st century)

--More people moving out of agricultural sector in to various sectors like Industrial,Manufacturing,Construction and service sector.
In last 7 years 36 million people have left agricultural sector not because of distress but also as a matter of choice.

--There has been a remarkable difference between the consumption patterns of rich and poor.The product rural people consume like--Textiles,Mobiles,Shoes etc.. are good for economy as they result in employment generation bcoz these market sectors are labor intensive.

--For this structural shift to continue important thing required is that the manufacturing sector needs to create Jobs as much as15 million jobs per year is required.
Therefore Policy changes are required.
1-Import Substitution(Sab import karane ke bajay ghar me hi produce karein ;-P--as this will create jobs)
2-Labor intensive sectors rather than capital intensive.

--SMEs have to be given continued subsidy even after they upgrade as they get demotivated after upgradation from medium scale to large scale,when govt. drops all the subsidies and benefits given.

--Manufacturing policy is very imp if the agricultural to industrial shift is to be continued.In this lieu National Manufacturing Policy is of immense importance.

Top production of important materials/metals/articles

Cars:
China>European Union>USA>Japan>Germany

Steel
China>European Union>Japan>USA

Coal
China>US>India>European Union>Australia

Petroleum
Russia>Saudi Arabia>USA>Iran>China>Canada

Fortune 500 Companies/Indian Entries:

1.IOCL @88th rank
2.Reliance @107th rank
3.Bharat Petroleum @229
4-Hindustan Petroleum @260
5-SBI @298
6-Tata Motors @ 316
7-ONGC @ 369
8-Tata Steels @ 471

Framework of some essays

1--Essay Topic: "India has one of the largest pools of talented manpower, but few innovations
and patented products."

Analysis:
India has emerged as the human capital of the world and this is reflected in the growth of its knowledge
economy. However, India is merely a service provider and its contribution in fields of innovations and
patents is miniscule. This highlights a few problems that hinder India's growth and limit the opportunities
available to its people.
The following points can be discussed to explain the idea further:
• problems in the higher education infrastructure in India
• lack of Research and Development facilities available in India
• participation of private bodies in research and development
• lack of vision on the part of the government to ensure innovations and improvements

Innovation and patents is required to ensure India continues to chart higher economic growth and development. National Knowledge Commission
can be mentioned to support the ideas.


2--Essay Topic: "More than one billion Indians: A gigantic problem or a sea of opportunities."

Analysis:
The author tries to draw the attention of the reader to the great dilemma of whether ‘the glass is half full or
half empty’. India’s population can be seen in either as a boon or as a bane. It is a problem for the following
reasons:
• It puts more pressure on resources like land, water etc.
• A major chunk of the population is still languishing below the poverty line.
• It is difficult for any government to ensure health, education and employment etc for the entire
population
• It adversely impacts people in underprivileged groups
It is a boon in the following ways:
• Our economy is growing and it requires human capital to sustain that growth.
• India can emerge as the human resource capital of the world by providing trained manpower
to ageing societies.
• The manufacturing sector is still underdeveloped in India and it requires huge inputs of
human capital
While discussing the topic, the essay writer should:
• discuss both aspects of the issue mentioned
• discuss how to convert challenges into opportunities
• discuss the Chinese model of growth in which they have used their population (skilled manpower)
to their advantage come up with possible solutions to the problem highlighted.



3--Asked at the age of 83, as to which of his projects would he choose as his master
piece, Frank Lloyd Wright, the architect answered, "The next one"

The greatness of the human spirit is defined by its ability to learn and to improve continuously. The above
statement highlights the same thing. While writing this essay one has to explain that perfection is a
continuous process and that complacency stalls progress in any field. One can take the examples of
Sachin Tendulkar, Steve Jobs and others who have set new benchmarks through their achievements and
performances. Essay writers can also highlight the necessity of taking up every challenge with great
passion and zeal. A point can also be made for incremental improvement (giving the example of the Kaizen
philosophy).

Following points can be used to explain the topic
• Learning and improvement are never-ending processes.
• The importance of passion and zeal while taking up a challenge
• The importance of delivering one's best in whatever one takes up.

Gandhiji's quotes

Eart provides enough to satisfy every man's needs but not every man's greed.

Role of Banks in India Economy Development.

Some of the major important role of commercial banks in a developing country are as follows:

Besides performing the usual commercial banking functions, banks in developing countries play an effective role in their economic development. The majority of people in such countries are poor, unemployed and engaged in traditional agriculture.

There is acute shortage of capital. People lack initiative and enterprise. Means of transport are undeveloped. Industry is depressed. The commercial banks help in overcoming these obstacles and promoting economic development. The role of a commercial bank in a developing country is discussed as under.

1. Mobilising Saving for Capital Formation:

The commercial banks help in mobilising savings through network of branch banking. People in developing countries have low incomes but the banks induce them to save by introducing variety of deposit schemes to suit the needs of individual depositors. They also mobilise idle savings of the few rich. By mobilising savings, the banks channelise them into productive investments. Thus they help in the capital formation of a developing country.

2. Financing Industry:

The commercial banks finance the industrial sector in a number of ways. They provide short-term, medium-term and long-term loans to industry. In India they provide short-term loans. Income of the Latin American countries like Guatemala, they advance medium-term loans for one to three years. But in Korea, the commercial banks also advance long-term loans to industry.

In India, the commercial banks undertake short-term and medium-term financing of small scale industries, and also provide hire- purchase finance. Besides, they underwrite the shares and debentures of large scale industries. Thus they not only provide finance for industry but also help in developing the capital market which is undeveloped in such countries.

3. Financing Trade:

The commercial banks help in financing both internal and external trade. The banks provide loans to retailers and wholesalers to stock goods in which they deal. They also help in the movement of goods from one place to another by providing all types of facilities such as discounting and accepting bills of exchange, providing overdraft facilities, issuing drafts, etc. Moreover, they finance both exports and imports of developing countries by providing foreign exchange facilities to importers and exporters of goods.

4. Financing Agriculture:

The commercial banks help the large agricultural sector in developing countries in a number of ways. They provide loans to traders in agricultural commodities. They open a network of branches in rural areas to provide agricultural credit. They provide finance directly to agriculturists for the marketing of their produce, for the modernisation and mechanisation of their farms, for providing irrigation facilities, for developing land, etc.

They also provide financial assistance for animal husbandry, dairy farming, sheep breeding, poultry farming, pisciculture and horticulture. The small and marginal farmers and landless agricultural workers, artisans and petty shopkeepers in rural areas are provided financial assistance through the regional rural banks in India. These regional rural banks operate under a commercial bank. Thus the commercial banks meet the credit requirements of all types of rural people.

5. Financing Consumer Activities:

People in underdeveloped countries being poor and having low incomes do not possess sufficient financial resources to buy durable consumer goods. The commercial banks advance loans to consumers for the purchase of such items as houses, scooters, fans, refrigerators, etc. In this way, they also help in raising the standard of living of the people in developing countries by providing loans for consumptive activities.

6. Financing Employment Generating Activities:

The commercial banks finance employment generating activities in developing countries. They provide loans for the education of young person’s studying in engineering, medical and other vocational institutes of higher learning. They advance loans to young entrepreneurs, medical and engineering graduates, and other technically trained persons in establishing their own business. Such loan facilities are being provided by a number of commercial banks in India. Thus the banks not only help inhuman capital formation but also in increasing entrepreneurial activities in developing countries.

7. Help in Monetary Policy:

The commercial banks help the economic development of a country by faithfully following the monetary policy of the central bank. In fact, the central bank depends upon the commercial banks for the success of its policy of monetary management in keeping with requirements of a developing economy.

Thus the commercial banks contribute much to the growth of a developing economy by granting loans to agriculture, trade and industry, by helping in physical and human capital formation and by following the monetary policy of the country.

What is Self Help Group(SHG)

Self Help Group is a homogeneous group of micro entrepreneurs with affinity among themselves, voluntarily formed to save whatever amount they can conveniently save out of their earnings and mutually agree to contribute to a common fund of the group from which small loans are given to the members for meeting their productive and emergent credit needs at such rate of interest, period of loan and other terms as the group may decide.Women are cornerstone of SHGs as they are more prudential. NABARDs SHG Bank Linkage Programme extend finance to eligible SHGs which help in financial inclusion.

Objective:

1--To meet the credit needs of the poor by combining flexibility, sensitivity and responsiveness of the informal credit system with the strength of technical and administrative capabilities and financial resources of the formal credit institutions.

2--To build mutual trust and confidence between the bankers and the rural poor.

3--To encourage banking activity both on thrift as well as credit side in a segment of the population that the formal financial institutions usually find difficult to cover.