GK2024
GK2024
GK2024
Manohar Pandey
*arihant
ARIHANT PUBLICATIONS (IND/A) LTD.
,:carihant
Arihant Publications (India) Ltd.
All Rights Reserved
© Publishers
No part of this publication may be re-produced, stored in a retrieval system or distributed in
any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, web
or otherwise without the written permission of the publisher. Arihant has obtained all the
information in this book from the sources believed to be reliable and true. However, Arihant
or its editors or authors or illustrators don't take any responsibility for the absolute accuracy
of any information published and the damages or loss suffered there upon.
Yi Head Office
Kalindi, TP Nagar, Meerut (UP) - 250002
Tel: 0121-7156203, 7156204
Yi ISBN : 978·93-88127-01-1
PO No: TXT-XX-XXXXXXX-X-XX
Followu~on O (I] a @)
CONTENTS
~ Current Affairs 5-32
Medieval India
The Rajputs (40), The Delhi Sultanate (43), Vijayanagara Kingdom (AD 1336-1580)
(51), Religious Movements (54), The Mughal Empire (57), The Maratha Age (67)
Modern India
Advent of the Europeans (70), Phases of Economic Policy (75), Revolt of 1857
(76), Governor-Generals of Bengal (78), Growth of Modern Education in India
(83), Social and Cultural Uprisings (84), The Indian National Movement (89),
Important National Leaders (102)
World History
Important Wars of the 20th Century {121)
GEOGRAPHY 124-229
World Geography
Universe (125), Solar System (126), The Moon (130), The Earth (131),
Earthquakes (139), Volcanism (140), Rocks (142), Landforms (143),
Atmosphere (144), Climate and Weather (154), Hydrosphere (158),
Movements of Oceanic Water (161), Continents of the World (164)
Indian Geography
Drainage System of India {181), The Climate of lndia(186), Forest and
Natural Vegetation (189}, Agriculture in India (192), Green Revolution (193},
Mineral Resources (195), Energy (198), Transport (199}, Major Tribes of
India (204), States/UTs of India (208}
Chemistry
Matter and Its States {382), Atomic Structure {386), Radioactivity {389), Acids,
Bases and Salts (398), Electrochemistry {400}, Battery (401), Carbon and Its
Compounds (402), Energy Resources {404), Air, Water (408}, Important
Points {413)
Biology
The Cell (414), Biomolecules {417), Biological Evolution {420), Systems of
Human Body {424), Diseases {440), Genetics {449), Biotechnology (451),
Botany (454), Agriculture {458), Anima l Husbandry {462)
Computer
Types of Computer {466), Components of Computer {467), Networking {470),
Internet (471), Glossary (476), Abbreviations (477)
74th Republic Day 2023 Celebrated and Union Territory. It is the programme
India celebrated its 74th Republic Day to digitise India's Universal
on 26 January, 2023. This year's parade Immunisation Programme (UIP).
was special with many events taking Moidams' Nominated for
place for the first time. UNESCO World Heritage Site
It was the first time that the President of PM Narendra Modi has selected the
the Arab Republic of Egypt, Abdel 'Pyramids of Assam' as the country's sole
Fanah el-Sisi, had been invited as the nomination for the UNESCO World
chief guest on the Republic Day. Heritage Site out of 52 heritage sites on
For the first time, 12 women riders were January 24, 2023.
part of the Border Security Force's (BSF) The Ahom-era 'Moidams' (cemetery of
camel contingent and 16 march the royal family) in Assam's Charaideo
contingents of the armed forces. The district will be India's only nomination
formations like 'Bheem' and 'Vajrang' for recognition as a UNESCO World
showcased over the Kartavya Path for Heritage Site.
the first time.
21 Andaman Islands Named after
During the Beating Retreat Ceremony
2023, 3D anamorphic projection was Param Vir Chakra Awardees
held for the first time on the facade of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on
North and South Block. January 23, 2003 named the 21 largest
unnamed islands of the Andaman &
World's First Intranasal Nicobar Islands after 21 Param Vir
COVID19 Vaccine Unveiled Chakra awardees.
Union Health Minister Dr. Mansukh The 21 Param Vir Chakra winners named
Mandaviya unveiled world's first after these islands are: Major Somnath
intranasal COVID-19 vaccine, Sharma, Subedar and Honorary Captain
iNNCOVACC in New Delhi on (then Lance Naik) Karam Singh, MM,
January 26, 2023. Second Lieutenant Ram Raghoba Rane,
It is developed by Bharat Biotech Naik Jadunath Singh, Company Havildar
International Limited (BBIL) in Major Piru Singh, Capt GS Salaria etc.
collaboration with Biotechnology
Industry Research Assistance (BIRAC).
Brand Guardianship Index 2023
Released
iNCOVACC has been priced at t 325 per
dose. Bharat Biotech's intranasal Billionaire Mukesh Ambani ranked No. l
COVID-19 vaccine is a recombinant among Indians and second globally on
the Brand Guardianship Index 2023,
replicating adenovirus vectored vaccine.
published on January 20, 2023.
Government Launched U-WIN He has overtaken the likes of Satya
After the success of the Co-WIN Nadella of Microsoft and Google's
platform, the government has now Sundar Pichai to be ranked No. l among
replicated it to set-up an electronic Indians and 2nd globally in this Index.
registry for routine vaccinations U-WIN Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and Reliance
on January 25, 2023. Industries Ltd's Mukesh Ambani are
Named U-WIN has been launched in a ranked first and second respectively in
pilot mode in two districts of each state the Index (BGI).
Current Affairs
Indian Scientists made First of its World's Longest River Cruise -
Kind Discovery on Mars MV Ganga Vilas Launched
The first instance of solo Prime Minister Narendra Modi
electromagnetic waves has been flagged-off the world's longest river
discovered by Indian researchers on cruise, MV Ganga Vilas, and inaugurated
January 16, 2023. the Tent City in Varanasi via video
The results were established using conference on January 13, 2023.
information from the Mars Atmosphere MV Ganga Vilas has three decks with all
and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) mission luxury amenities, 18 suites with a
of the National Aeronautics and Space capacity of 36 tourists. MV Ganga Vilas
Administration. travel about 3200 km in 51 days to
Using high-resolution electric fie ld data reach Dibrugarh in Assam via
from MAVEN's captured by Langmuir Bangladesh, crossing 27 river systems in
Probe and Waves sensors, scientist s India and Bangladesh .
have detected the lone waves in t he National Youth Festival-2023 Held
Martian magnetosphere.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi
112-ft Tall Adiyogi Shiva inaugura ted the National You th
Statue Unveiled Festival-2023 on January 12, 2023 on t he
The 112-ft face of Adiyog i, the source of Birth Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda.
Yoga, was unveiled at the Sadhguru It was organised in the twin cities of
Sannidhi in Chikkaballapura near Hubballi - Dharwad in Karnataka from
Bengaluru on January 15, 2023. January 12 to 16, 2023. Theme of this
Statue unveiled by Karnataka Ch ief year's Youth Festival was 'Vikasit Yuva,
Minister Basavaraj Bommai in t he Vikasit Bharat1.
presence of Sadhguru, founder of lsha Successful Test Launch of Prithvi II
Foundation. Adiyogi Divya Darshanam,
DRDO successfully carried out a traini ng
a unique 14-minute video imaging
launch of a Short-Range Ballistic Missile,
show mapped on the 112-foot Adiyog i,
Prit hvi-II on January 11, 2023.
followed the unveiling.
It is launched from Integrated Test
'Aarogya Maitri' Project Announced Range, Chandipur off the Odisha coast.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has The user training launch successfully
announced a new 'Aarogya Maitri' validated all operational and technical
project on January 14, 2023. parameters of the Prithvi-1 I missile,
Under this project India wil l provide which has a range of around 350 km.
essent ial medical supplies to
Joshimath Declared as
developing countries affected by
'Landslide-Subsidence Zone'
natural disasters or humanitarian crises.
Joshimath (a city in Chamoli district in
PM proposed to set-up a 'centre of
Uttarakhand) has been declared a
excellence' to facilitate development
landslide-subsidence zone by respective
solutions to these countries.
authorities on January 9, 2023. Joshi math
PM announced this at the Concluding is the gateway to Hemkund Sahib and
Session of the two-day virtual 'Voice of Badrinath. Big cracks are being seen
Global South Summit'. between people's houses and roads.
Current Affairs
17th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas The targets by 2030 are likely to bring in
Convention Held over~ 8 lakh crore investments and
Prime Minister Narendra Modi create over six lakh jobs.
inaugurated the 17th Pravasi Bharatiya India took over Leadership of the
Divas Convention in Indore, Madhya Asian Pacific Postal Union
Pradesh on January 8, 2023.
India has taken over the leadership of
The 17th PBDC organised from the Asia Pacific Postal Union (APPU) on
January 8-10, 2023 in collaboration wi t h January 3, 2023.
the Government of Madhya Pradesh.
Dr. Vinaya Prakash Singh will take over
The theme of the conference was
the charge of Secretary General of the
"Diaspora : Reliable Partners for India's
Union for a tenure of 4 years. This is the
Progress in Amrit Kaai".
result of the elections during the
India Surpassed Japan to become 13th APPU Congress held in
3rd Largest Auto Market Globally August-September 2022.
India has surpassed Japan on January 8, India's Largest Single Unit of
2023 in terms of auto sales in 2022 to Women Peacekeepers
become the 3rd-largest auto market
It is mentioned on January 6, 2023 that
globally for the first time. India's new
India will deploy a platoon of women
vehicle sales were at least 4.25 million
peacekeepers to UN Mission in Sudan.
units, ahead of the 4.2 million sold in
This will be India's largest single unit of
Japan, based on prelim inary results.
women Peacekeepers in a UN Mission
DRDO Developed Unmanned since it deployed the first-ever
Vehicle all-women contingent in Liberia
The Defence Research & Development in 2007.
Organisation (DRDO) has developed an The deployment in Abyei (Sudan) will
unmanned aerial vehicle on January 7, also herald India's intent of increasing
2023 with the aim of targeting logistics significantly the number of Indian
operations on the Himalayan border. women in Peacekeeping contingents.
This aircraft has been displayed by
3 More Sites Added to
DRDO at the 108th Indian Science
UNESCO's Tentative List
Congress held in Nagpur, Maharashtra.
This UAV can fly with a load of 5 to Three more sites in India have made it
to the tentative list of UNESCO's world
25 kg. and is also capable of dropping
heritage sites on December 21, 2022.
bombs in enemy territory.
Sun Temple at Modhera, historic
National Green Hydrogen Vadnagar town in Gujarat, and rock-cut
Mission Approved relief sculptures of Unakoti in Tripura,
The Union Government has approved have been added to the tentative list of
the National Green Hydrogen Mission, UNESCO world heritage sites.
with an initial outlay of~ 19744 crore on The Sun Temple in Modhera, Gujarat, is
January 4, 2023. The Mission aims to dedicated to Surya Dev and is situated
make India a Global Hub for the on the left bank of the Pushpavati River,
production, utilisation, and export of a tributary of the River Ru pan.
Green Hydrogen.
Current Affairs
Ireland for the second time on sex outside marriage punishible by a year
December 17, 2022. He took over from in jail and cohabitation by 6 months.
Michael Martin under an arrangement
'Goblin Mode' is the Word of the
struck between their two parties under
Year 2022 of Oxford Dictionary
a 2020 coalition pact. Leo Varadkar was
earlier Prime Minister of Ireland from Oxford dictionary chosen 'Goblin Mode'
2017 to 2020. as word of the year 2022 on December 6,
2022. It is a "slang termfT means "a type of
US President Joe Biden Signed Gay behaviour which is unapologetically
Marriage Legislation self-indulgent, lazy, slovenly, or greedy,
United States (US) President Joe Biden typically in a way that rejects social
signed gay marriage law on norms or expectations".
December 14, 2022. On the occasion,
Forbes the World's 100 Most
the President said that "the law that
Powerful Women
protects love strikes a chord against
hate in all its forms". The 2022 list of the World's 100 Most
Powerful Women was released on
This law establishes statutory authority
December 6, 2022. European
for same-sex and interracial marriages.
Commission President Ursula von der
The House of Representatives passed
Leyen is ranked at the top, while Iran's
the law on December 8 by a vote of
Mahsa Amini is ranked at 100.
258-169-1.
Ranked at number 36, Nirmala
US Prints First Banknotes with Sitharaman has made it to the list for the
Women's Signatures fourth time in a row.
The US the Treasury (United States of The orher Indians ro feawre on the list are
America's Finance Ministry) has printed Ill HCL Tech Chairperson Roshni Nadar
the first US banknotes (currency notes) Malhotra (rank: 53),
with two women's signatures on
Ill SEBI Chairperson Madhabi Pu ri Buch
December 11, 2022.
(rank: 54) and
The new currency notes of $1 and $5
Ill Steel Authority of India Chairperson
value carry the signature of the
Soma Mondal (rank: 67).
Secretary of Treasury (American
Finance Minister) Janet Yellen and 'Gaslighting' is Merriam-Webster
Lynn Malerba. Word of the Year 2022
Ill When British playwright Patrick
Indonesia's Parliament Passed Law
Hamilton wrote Gas Light in 1938, little
Criminalising Adultery
did he know how often the word
Indonesia's parliament passed a
would be used in the 21st Century.
long-awaited and controversial revision Merriam-Webster, America's oldest
of its penal code on December 6, 2022
dictionary publisher, has just chosen
that criminalises extramaritial affairs.
'gaslighting' as its Word of the Year.
The new criminal code must be signed
by the President, according to Deputy EIU's Worldwide Cost of Living 2022
Minister of Law and Human Rights London-based Economist Intelligence
Edward Hiariej. Indonesia's amended Unit (EIU) released the Worldwide Cost
criminal code includes articls that make of Living 2022 report on Dec. 6, 2022.
Current Affairs
The report compares the prices of more US-based consulting firm Morning
than 200 goods and services in 172 Consult. The Indian PM is followed by
countries. Moscow and St. Petersburg Mexican President Andres Manuel
witnessed a drastic increase in the rank Lopez Obrador at 69% and Australian
Moscow has been ranked 37th in 2022 PM Anthony Albanese at 56%, on the
as compared to 72nd in 202 1. second and third spots, respectively.
November 22, 2022. The India-Australia It was published in 2005 and aims to
Economic Cooperation and Trade promote transparency in international
Agreement (AI-ECTA) had to be ratified climate politics. The CCPI considers 4
by the Australian Parliament. The categories: GHG Emissions, Renewable
agreement was signed between the two Energy, Energy Use and Climate Policy.
countries in April this year.
Bali G20 Summit 2022
Cambridge Dictionary Revealed Word The 2022 G20 summit was held on
of the Year 2022 November 15 and 16, 2022 in Bali
The Cambridge Dictionary has revealed (Indonesia)_ It was the 17th meeting of
Homer as the word of the year 2022 on G20 Summit
November 18, 2022. It was inspired by the The theme of G20 Summit 2022 was
global word game sensation, Word le. The Recover Together, Recover Stronger.
word was searched for about 75000 times Prime Minister Narendra Modi along
in the first week of May 2022. with other G20 Leaders visited and
cop 27 Summit 2022 Held planted Mangroves at the 'Taman
Hutan Raya Ngurah Rai' Mangrove
The United Nations Climate Change forests on the sidelines of G20 Summit
Conference 2022 or Conference of the in Bali.
Parties of the UNFCCC, more commonly
referred to as COP27 was held from World's Population Reached
November November 6-18, 2022 in 8 Billion
Sharm El Sheikh (Egypt). COP 27 took According to World Population
place under the Presidency of Egyptian Prospects 2022, released on World
Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry. Population Day, the global population
It was the first climate summit held in is projected to reach 8 billion on
Africa since 2016. November 15, 2022.
UNFCCC COP 27 Climate Summit 2022 The UN's latest projections suggest
was anended by 197 countries, 45000 that by 2030, the global population
people and 120 world leaders. could grow by half a billion to reach
8.5 billion. According to UNFPA
First Global Media Congress Held projections, India will continue to
The three day first World Media Congress have one of the youngest populations
opened on November 15, 2022 at Abu in the world till 2030.
Dhabi (Unrted Arab Emirates). The
Natasa Pirc Musar Elected
conference-cum- exhibition Congress is
Slovenia's First Female President
organised by ADNEC Group in partnersh ip
with Emirates News Agency (WAM). The Natasa Pirc Musar, won the second
theme of the World Media Congress was round of Slovenia's Presidential
Shaping the Future of the Media Industry. elections on November 14, 2022.
Natasa Pirc Musar becomes the first
Climate Change Performance female President of the country.
Index 2023 Released She won 58.86% of votes in the runoff,
The Climate change performance Index while the opposition right-wing
2023 was published by the New Climate politician and the former Foreign
Institute and the Climate Action Network Minister Andze Logar won 46.14% of
on November 15, 2022. votes.
Current Affairs
2022. Bhukya came from behind to beat India -Bangladesh Series 2022
Andhra Pradesh's Akhil Reddy Boba in The Indian cricket team led by KL Rahul
44 minutes. won the cricket test series against the
CRICKET Shakib Al Hassan led Bangladesh team
2-0 to win the 2 match test series in
ICC Under-19 Women's
Bangladesh on December 25,2022.
T20 World Cup 2023
Man of the match of second match was
South Africa hosted the ICC Under-19
Ravichandran Ashwin. Man of the Series
Women's T20 World Cup 2023 from
award won by Cheteshwar Pujara.
January 14-29, 2023. This was the
India lost the ODI series against
inaugural edition of this competition.
Bangladesh by 2- 1.
India won the title after defeating
England in the final. lshan Kishan made a world record by
England's Grace Scrivens named as scoring fastest double century in ODI.
He made his double century against
'Player of the Series'. India's Shweta
Bangladesh in just 126 balls.
Sehrawat scored most runs (297), while
Australian Maggie Clark took most Blind T20 Cricket World Cup 2022
wickets (12) during the competition. India defeated Bangladesh by 120 runs
India-New Zealand ODI Series 2023 in the final to win the 3rd T20 World
Cup for Blind on December 17, 2022.
India climbed to the top of the ICC Men's
Final played at the M. Chinnaswamy
ODI rankings after winning the series 3-0
Stadium in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
against New Zealand at the Holkar
Stadium in Indore on January 25, 2023. It was the third title for India having
won it in 2012and 2017. All the three
Shardul Thakur was awarded the Player
of the Match in the third ODI. Shubman T20 World Cup for Blind has been
hosted by India. Baning first India made
Gill won the Player of the Series award.
277 runs for the loss of 2 wickets in 20
India-Sri Lanka ODI Series 2023 allotted overs.
India scripted history by defeating Sri
Vijay Hazare Trophy 2022-23
Lanka by the largest ever margin of 317
runs in the third and final ODI in Saurashtra beat Maharashtra by
5 wickets in the final to win the Vijay
Thiruvananthpuram (Kerala) on
Hazare Trophy at the Narendra Modi
January 15, 2023. With this, India also
Stadium in Ahmedabad on
clean sweeped the series by 3-0. Player
December 2, 2022. Baning first,
of the series won by Vi rat Kohli (India).
Maharashtra scored 248 runs for the loss
India-Sri Lanka T20 Series 2023 of 9 wickets in 50 overs.
India defeated Sri Lanka by 91 runs in
India-NZ ODI Series 2022
the third and fina l T20 International
The final One Day international match
cricket in Rajkot on January 8, 2023.
of the series was held on November 30
With this victory, India clinched the
2022. It was held at the Hagley Oval in '
three-match series 2- 1.
Christchurch. New Zealand won the
Suryakumar Yadav was declared Man of opening ODI at Eden Park, in Auckland
the Match and Axar Patel Player of the by seven wickets.
Series.
Current Affairs
ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2022 Women's FIH Nations Cup 2022
The England men's cricket team won The Indian women Hockey team led by
its second ICC T20 men's cricket world Captain Savita Punia beat Spa in 1-0 in the
cup by defeating Pakistan in the finals, final to win the inaugural FIH Nations
at the Melbourne cricket stadium Cup played at Valencia (Spain) on
(Australia) on November 13, 2022. December 17, 2022.
It was the 8th edition of the The winning goal was scored by Gurjit
tournament and in the first round, Sri Kaur of India. The inaugural FIH Nations
Lanka played against Namibia. cup was held in Valencia (Spain) from
Originally, it was to be held in 2020 but 11-17 December 2022.
was postponed to 2022 due to covid . TENNIS
Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2022-23 Australian Open 2023
Mumbai won the Syed Mushtaq Ali The first tennis Grand Slam tournament
Trophy 2022-23 on November 5, 2022 of the year 'Australian Open 2023' was
after defeating Himachal Pradesh by 3 held in Melbourne (Australia) from
runs in the final played at Eden January 16-29, 2023. The winners and
Gardens (Kolkata). It was the 15th runner-ups in the major categories are as
edition of domestic T20 Cricket follows
tournament in India, which was played
from October 11 to November 5, 2022. Category Winner Runner-up
Men's Novak Djokovic Stefanos
HOCKEY Singles (Serbia) Tsitsipas (Greece)
FIH Hockey Men's World Cup 2023 Women's Aryna Elena RVoakina
Singles Sabalenka (Kazakhstan)
The FIH Hockey Men's World Cup 2023
(Belarus)
was held in Bhubaneswar and Rourkela
cities of Odisha from January 13-29, Tata Open Maharashtra 2023
2023. Germany won the title by Tata Open Maharashtra 2023 was a
defeating Belgium 5-4 in penalty shoot professional men's tennis tournament
out in the final. played in Pune from January 2 to 7, 2023 .
This is Germany's t hird men's hockey
Winners List
world cup title. Earlier, Germany won
this title in the year 2002 and 2006. Category Winner Runner-up
India finished ninth in this Men's Tallon Benjamin Benzi
competition. Major award winners are Singles Griekspoor (France)
as follows: (Netherlands)
0 Top Scorer Jeremy Hayward Men's Sander Gille / Sriram Balaji /
Doubles Joran Vliegen Jeevan
(Australia)
(Belgium) Nedunchezhiyan
0 Best Player Niklas Wellen (Germany) (India)
0 Best Young Player Mustapha Cassiem
Adelaide lnternational-1 2023
(South Africa)
Adelaide lntemational-1 2023 was held at
0 Best Goalkeeper Vincent Vanasch
the Memorial Drive Tennis Centre from
(Belgium)
January 1 to 8, 2023. Ace Tennis player
° Fair Play Award Belgium
Novak Djokovic defeated America's
Current Affairs
Sebastian Korda in the final to win the Djokovic in the final on Nov. 7, 2022.
Adelaide International men's singles title. Rune defeated Novak Djokovic in 3 sets
The 21-time Grand Slam winner also in the Paris Masters final.
equalled Rafael Nadal's tally of 92 ATP
ITF Men's Tournament 2022
singles titles in the Open Era.
Digvijay Pratap Singh earns the maiden
Davis Cup 2022 title in the $ 15000 ITF men's tennis
Canada won their first Davis Cup title tournament at the DLTA Complex on
after Felix Auger-Aliassime beat November 6, 2022.
Australia's Alex de Minaur by 6-3, 6-4 in Digvijay Pratap Singh won his first ITF
the second match of the finals on Title at the RK Khanna Tennis Stadium,
November 28, 2022. Felix Auger- New Delhi on November 6, 2022.
Aliassime had to guard against three
break points in the first set but also SHOOTING
found his rhythm in the eighth game. Asian Airgun Championship 2022
ATP Finals 2022 The 15th Asian Airgun Championship
Novak Djokovic defeated Norway's 2022 concluded at Daegu International
Shooting Range, Daegu (Republic of
Casper Ruud to collect 6th ATP Finals
Korea) on November 19, 2022.
title in Turin (Italy) on November 20,
2022. This victory brings Djokovic at par The Asian Airgun Championship was
with Federer's record. This was Djokovic's held from November 9 to 19, 2022.
first title at the event since 2015 and the FOOTBALL
one that matches Roger Federer's record.
Spanish Super Cup
Billie Jean King Cup 2022 Barcelona beat Real Madrid 3-1 in
Switzerland won their first Billie Jean Riyadh to win their 14th Spanish Super
King Cup title on November 13, 2022 Cup title on January 15, 2023.
after Belinda Bencic saw off Australia's Gavi (33rd minute), Robert
Ajla Tomljanovic in the second match of Lewandowski (45th minute) and Padry
the finals with a lead of 2-0. (69th minute) scored for Barcelona in
Seven-time winners Australia had beaten the fina l match played at the King Fahd
hosts Britain in the semi-final and were Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
seeking their first title since 1974.
FIFA World Cup 2022
Next Gen ATP Finals 2022 Lionel Messi's Argentina won the
American Brandon Nakashima won the Golden Ball FIFA World Cup 2022 for
Next Gen ATP Finals tennis trophy in his outstanding performance on
Milan on November 13, 2022. He was December 18, 2022.
ranked 49 while his opponent Lehecka Argentina won the fina l, defeating
was ranked 74th in the tournament defending champions France 4-2 on
which featured 8 best players aged penalties following a 3-3 draw after
21-years and under. extra time. French player Kylian
Paris Masters 2022 Mbappe won the Golden Boot as he
scored the most goals (eight) during
19-year-old Holger Rune won his maiden
the tournament.
Masters 1000 title when he beat Novak
Current Affairs
He became the first player to score a Chakras and 15 Shaurya Chakras for
hat-trick in a World Cup final since Geoff Armed Forces personnel and others on
Hurst in the 1966 final. January 25, 2023.
Argentine captain Lionel Messi was These include 6 Kirti Chakras, including
voted the tournament's best player, 4 posthumous, and 15 Shaurya Chakras
winning the Golden Ball. Emiliano including 2 posthumous.
Martfnez, also from Argentina, won the
ICC Awards 2022
Golden Glove, awarded to the
tournament's best goalkeeper. FIFA The International Cricket Council (ICQ
World 2022 took place in Qatar from announced the winners of ICC Awards
November 20 to December 18, 2022. 2022 on January 25-26, 2023.
Major award winners are listed below
KABADDI
Award/Category Winner
9th Pro Kabaddi League
Sir Garfield Sobers Babar Azam
Jaipur Pink Panthers won the Pro Trophy (Pakistan)
Kabaddi League Season 9 Final against a
Rachael Heyhoe Flint Nat Seiver (England)
hard-fighting Puneri Paltan by a score of Trophy
33-29 to win their second PKL Men's Test Cricketer Ben Stokes
championship on December 17, 2022. of the Year (England)
After Patna, Jaipur Pink Panthers, the Men's ODI Cricketer of Babar Azam
league's first-ever winners, are currently the Year (Pakistan)
only the second team to win multiple Women's ODI Nat Seiver (England)
titles. The tournament was played Cricketer of the Year
across Bengaluru, Pune, and Hyderabad Men's T20 Suryakumar Yadav
International Cricketer (India)
while the playoffs were played in
of the Year
Mumbai.
Women's T20 Tahlia McGrath
International Cricketer (Australia)
of the Year
AWARDS & HONOURS Men's Emerging Marco Jansen
Cricketer of the Year (South Africa)
NATIONAL
Women's Emerging Renuka Singh (India)
Padma Awards 2023 Cricketer of the Year
The Centre has announced the Padma
Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya
Awards on the eve of Republic Day
January 25, 2023. Of the total 106 Bal Puraskar
Padma Awards announced, 6 are President Droupadi Murmu has
Padma Vibhushan, 9 are Padma conferred upon Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya
Bhushan and 91 are Padma Shri. Bal Puraskar at a ceremony in New Delh i.
The list of awardees includes 19 women This year, 11 children have been
and 2 persons from the category of selected for the Pradhan Mantri
Foreigners/NRI/PIO/OC and 7 Rashtriya Bal Puraskar from which,
0 4 are from Art and Culture Aeld
posthumous awardees.
0 1 for Bravery
Gallantry Awards 0
2 for Innovation
President Droupadi Murmu approved 0 1 for Social Service
412 Gallantry awards, including 6 Kirti 0
3 for Sports
Current Affairs
Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda The Alm ultimately won the award for
Prabandhan Puraskar-2023 Best Original Song for 'Naatu Naatu' out
Odisha State Disaster Management of the two categories it was nominated
Authority and Lunglei Fire Station, for. 'Naatu Naatu' became the first Asian
Mizoram, selected in the Institutional song to win the coveted award.
Category for Subhash Chandra Bose Sahitya Akademi Awards 2022
Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar-2023.
The central government has
The award is announced every year on announced the Sahitya Akademi Award
January 23, the birth anniversary of for literature on December 22, 2022.
Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.
Writer M. Rajendran from Tamil Nadu
Miss Universe 2022 has received this award for his novel
The 71 st Miss Universe pageant was 'Kala Pani'.
held in the city of New Orleans in the US The awardee will be presented with a
state of Louisiana on January 15, 2023 . cash prize of~ 1 one lakh and a copper
America's R'Bonnie Gabriel won the Shield. This 'Kala Pani' novel is a
Miss Universe 2022 title at the 71 st Miss historical novel based on the war of
Universe pageant. Kalayarkovil or Kalayarkool.
Amanda Dudamel of Venezuela was A total of 17 books were selected for
declared the first runner up while the Sa hitya Akademi Prize for
Anderina Martinez of Dominican Translation 2022.
Republic became the second runner-up. National Award for Empowerment
UN Medal of Persons with Disabilities 2021-22
Indian peacekeepers serving in t he President Droupadi Murmu was Chief
United Nations Mission in South Sudan Guest at a ceremony to celebrate the
(UNMISS) were awarded the prestigious 'International Day of Persons with
UN Medal on January 12, 2023. Disabilities' in Delhi on December 3,
2022. The event organised by the
At a special award ceremony in Upper
Ministry of Social Justice and
Nile, 1171 peacekeepers from India
Empowerment.
deployed with the UNMISS were
awarded the UN Medal for their National Sports Awards 2022
exemplary service. President Droupadi Murmu given away
Golden Globe Awards 2023 the National Sports Awards on
November 30, 2022.
The Golden Globe Awards 2023
ceremony was held on January 10, 2023 List of Winners
to recognise excellence in Alm, both Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award
American and international, and 2022 Achanta Sharath Kamal
American television. This was the 80th (Table Tennis)
edition of the annual event by the Dhyan Chand Award for Lifetime
Hollywood Foreign Press Association. Achievement in Sports and Games 2022
One of the films in contention at the Ashwini Akkunji C. (Athletics), Dharamvir
Golden Globe awards was Telugu title Singh (Hockey), BC Suresh (Kabaddi), Nir
RRR, directed by SS Rajamouli. Bahadur Gurung (Para Athletics)
Current Affairs
Designation Dignitary
Important Internationa l
Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud
Officials
Chajrperson , NHRC AK Mishra
Designation Dignitary
Chajrperson , University M. Jagadesh
Grants Commission KumBf Secretary General , UNO Antonio Guterres
Chairman, ISRO S. Somanath President, World Bank David Malpass
Chairman, Atomio Energy Kamlesh Vyas Managing Director, IMF l<Iistalina Georgieva
Commission
Director General , ILO Gilbert Houngbo
Chajrperson , 15th Finance NK Singh
Commission President, UNGA Csaba Korosi
Chajrperson ,CBFC Prasoon Joshi Director General, WTO Ngozj Okonjo lweala
Chajrperson, CBSE Nidhi Chhibber Director General, Audrey Azoulay
Rajiv KumBf UNESCO
Chief Election
Commissioner Director General, WHO Tedros Adhanom
Chief Information Yashvardhan Ghebreyesus
Commissioner Sinha Secretary General , Rebeca Grynspan
Attorney General R. Venkataiamani UNCTAD
Solicitor General TushBf Mehta Director General, IAEA Rafael Grossi
Chajrman, UPSC Manoj Soni Executive Director, Catherine Russell
Governor, RBI ShakUkanta Das UNICEF
State Bank of India Dinesh Kumar Khara Chairman, ICC Greg BBfclay
Bank of Baroda Sanjeev Chaddha CEO, ICC Geoff Alla1dice
INDIAN
HISTORY
I ANCIENT INDIA I
THE EARLY MAN The Palaeolithic Age
0
The fossils of the early humans have (500000 BC-9000 BC)
been found in Africa about 2.6 million ° The Palaeolithic culture of India developed
years back, but there are no such in the pleistocene period or the ice age.
evidence in India. So, it appears that o Robert Bruce Foote was the £int to
lndia was inhabited later than Africa . discover a palaeolithic site in India . Homo
a The artefacts discovered from Bori in Sapiens first appeared towards the end of
Maharashtra suggest that the this phase.
appearance of early humans in India Palaeolithic men were hunters and food
0
was around 1.4 million years ago. gatherers. They had no knowledge of
0
The modem humans (Homo sapiens) agiiculture or pottery. They used tools of
first appeared in Africa around 2 lal<.b unpolished, rough stones and lived in cave
yea.rs ago and in India a.round 70,000 and rock shelters.
years ago. Their tools were mostly made of quartzite,
0
0 The early man in India used tools of thus, they are also called Quartzite men.
stone roughly dressed by crude This age is divided into three phases
0
clipping. This period is therefore, according to the nature of the stone tools
known as the Stone Age, which has used by the people and change in the
been divided in to climate.
0
The Palaeolithic or Old Stone Age ■ Early or Lower Palaeolithic
0 The Mesolithic or Middle Stone Ag-e ■ Middle Palaeolithic
0
The Neolithic or New Stone Age ■ Upper Palaeolithic
Upper Scrapers, burins and bone Warm dmate Caves and rockshelters of this
tools age have been discovered at
Bhimbetka near Bhopal.
e GENERAL KNOWLEDGE~ Indian History
0
The Neolithic settlers were the eru·liest richest among th e Chalcolithic
farming commw1ities. They produced ceramics.
rag:i and horse-gram (lrnlathi). Neolithic a important chalcolithic sites in India are
sites in Allahabad district are noted for Ahar, J orwe, Kayatha, Malwa, Eran ,
the cultivation of rice in the sixth Rang:pur, Navdatoli, Nevasa , Dain1abad
m illenium BC. They domesticated and Inamgaon.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ Indian History
0
I INDUS VALLEY CIVILISATION I
a lndus civilisation is one of the four Geographical Spread
earliest civilisations of the world along o The civilisation covered parts of Sind,
with the civilisations of Mesopotamia Baluchistan, Afghanistan , Punjab,
(figiis and Euph rates), Egypt (Nile) Gujara~ Uttar Pradesh, Haryana ,
and China (Hwang Ho). Rajasthan, Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab
a The civilisation forms part of the and Maharashtra.
pro to-history of lnma and belongs to the 0
M uncligak and Shortughai are th e two
Bronze age. sites located in Afghanistan.
a In its mature form, the civilisation 0
Western most site Sutkagendor on
lasted between 2600-1900 BC. Makran coast. Eastern most site
It can be divided into following sub-parts Alamgi.rpur in Uttar Pradesh .
" Early Phase 3500-2600 BC 0
Northern most site Manda in Jan1mu
0 Middle (matme) Phase 2600-1900 BC (River Chenab). Southern most site
Daimabad in Maharashtra (River
0
Later Phase 1900-1400 BC
Pravara) are major sites.
0
Dayaram Sahni first discovered
Harappa in 1921.
Some New Discoveries
0 RD Banerjee discovered Mohenjodaro
or Mound of the Dead in I 922. · Ganverivala in Pakistan by Rafeeq Mugal.
■ Bhirrana oldest Harappan site has said to be
Nomenclature of Indus the mounds at Bhirrana village on the banks of
Ghaggar river.
Valley Civilisation • Rakhigarhi in Haryana by Amarendra Nath.
0 Indus Valley Civilisation coined by
John Marshall as it flomished along the
lndus river. Town Planning
D Harappan Civilisation after th e first o A unique feature was the giid system i.e.
discovered site, Harappa. streets cutting across one another at right
0
Saraswati-Sindhu Civilisation as most angles, divimng the tm,vn into large
of the sites have been found along th e rectangular blocks.
lndus-Saraswati river.
• The tovvns were divided into tvvo o Crops Produced wheat, bai·ley, dates, peas,
parts: upper part or citadel and lower sesamum, mustai·d, millet, ragi, bajra and
part. jowar. At Lothal and Rangpur, rice husks
• The forti£ed citadel on the Western were found. Sugai·cane was not knovm to
side housed public buildings and Indus people.
members of ruling class. 0
They were First to Produce Cotton in the
• Below the citadel on the Eastern side, world, which Greek called as Sindon. A
lay the lower town inhabited by the fragment of woven cotton cloth was fomzd at
common people. Mohenjodaro.
• Underground Drainage System
connected all houses to the street Domestication ofAniinals
drains made of mortar, lime and " They domesticated buffaloes, oxens, sheep,
gypsum. They were covered with asses, goats, pigs, elephants, dogs, cats etc.
either brick or stone slabs and " Remains of Horse were found at Surkotada
equipped vvith 'Manhole'. This shows and of rhinoceros at Amri.
developed sense of health and 0
Lion was not known to Indus people. Cow
sanitation. was known to them but was not much
a The Great Bath (Mohenjodaro) It in1portant.
was used for religious bathing. Steps
at either end leads to the swface. Trade
There were changing rooms " Agriculture, industry and forest produce
alongside. provided the basis for internal and external
• The Granaries (Harappa) trade.
six g:ranaiies in a row were found in 0
Trade was based on barter system. Coins
the citadel at Hai·appa. were not evident. Bullock caii:s and boats
a Houses were made up of bw·nt were used for transportation.
bricks. They were often two or more o Weights and measures were made of
storeyed, vvith a square courtyai--d. limestone, steatite etc. generally in cubical
They had tiled bathrooms. shape. They were in multiple of sixteen.
a Lamp-posts were erected at regular Decimal system was known to them.
intervals. It indicates the existence of " Several sticks insc1ibed with measure mai·ks
street lighting. have been discovered. It indicates that
lineai· system of measurement was in use.
Ab0 Ticulture a Foreign trade flourished with Mesopotamia
a It was the backbone of the or Sume1ia (lraq), Central Asia, Persia ,
civilisation. The soil was fertile due to Afghanistan and Bahrain.
inundation in the river Indus and " Sumerian te:Kt refers to trade with Meluha
flooding. (Indus). Dilmun (Ba.hi-a.in) and Makan
a They used wooden ploughshare (Makran coast) were two intermediate
(World's first ploughed field at stations.
Ka.libangan) and stone sickles for o Susa and Ur were mesopotamian sites
hai·vesting. Iron was not knovm to where hai·appan seals were found.
them. 0
Lothal (arti£cial dockyai·d), Surkotada,
• Gabarbands or nalas enclosed by Sutkagendor Allahoino, Balakot, Dholavira,
1
dams for storing water were a feature Daimabad were coastal towns of the
in paii:s of Baluchistan. Canal civi.lisation.
irrigation was absent.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ Indian History
0
diinocerous, goat and elephant are
Towns Associated with found on most of the seals. They
Different Industries marked ovvnership of property.
• Daimabad Bronze industry. a Important Seals Pashupati seal found
· Lothal Factory for stone tools and metallic from Mohenjodaro and unicorn seal.
finished goods. a Images Bronze image of dancing girl
• Balakot Pearl finished goods, bangle and (identi£ed as devadasi) and stone
she II industry. steatite image of a bearded man (both
• Chanhudaro Beads and bangles factory. It are obtained from Mohenjodaro).
was the only city without a citadel. a Terracotta Figw·ines Terracotta is
the Fire baked clay. It was used to
a Major Exports were agiicultural products, make toys, objects of worship , animals,
cotton goods, terracotta figuTines, pottery, toy-carts etc.
steatite beads (from Chanhudaro ),
Conch-shell (from Lothal), ivory products, Religious Practices
copper etc.
o Chief Female Diety A terracotta
Major Imports figure where a plant is shown grmving
out of the embryo of a woman,
Imports From
represents Mother Goddess (Goddess
Gold Kolar (Kamataka), of Earth).
Afghanistan, Persia (Iran)
° Chlef Male Diety-Pashupati
Silver Afghanistan, Persia (Iran),
South India Mahadeva (Proto-Shiva), represented
in seals as sitting in a yogic posture on
Copper Khetri (Rajasthan),
Baluchistan a low throne having three heads and
two horns . He is surrounded by an
Tin Afghanistan, Central Asia
elephant, a tiger, a rhino and a buffalo
Lapis Lazuli Badak-Shan (Afghanistan) and tvvo deers appear at his feet.
and Sapphire
Lingam and yoni worship was
Jade Central Asia
prevalent. Trees (pipal) and animals
Steat:ite Shaher-i-Sokhta, Kirthar hills (bull, birds, dove, pigeon) were also
Turquoise Iran worshipped. No temples have been
Amethyst Maharashtra found, though idoltary was practiced.
0
Indus people believed in ghosts and
Art and Craft evil forces and used amulets for
protection against them.
0
Harappans used tools made of stone and
bronze. Bronze was made by mixing copper o Fire altars are found at Lothal and
(from Khetii) with tin. Kalibangan. Evidence of snal<e
worship is also found.
0
Beads and jewellery of gold, silver and
precious stone were made. Cotton fabrics
0
Swastika symbol was originated here.
were used in summers and woollen in
winters. Burial Practices
Pottery both plain (red) and painted (red o General practice was placing the dead
and black) pottery was made. Pots were body in the North-South direction.
decorated ,,vith human figures, plants, 0
Mohenjodaro Three forms of bwial
animals and geometlical patterns and were Complete, Fractional and Post
ochre was painted over it. Cremation.
a Seals were made of steatite. Pictui-es of o Kalibangan Two forms of bw-ial-
one horned bull , buffalo, tiger, Circular and Rectangular Grave.
0 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE~ Indian History
Script
" It was pictographic in nature. Fish symbol is most represented.
0
It was vv1.itten from right to left in the first line and then left to right in the second line.
This style is called Boustrophedon.
• Aryans came into conflict vvitb the a The Samiti was the National Assembly
indigenous inhabitants called Dasas of the people, while the Sabha was
(earlier branch of Aryans) and Dasyus Council of Elders.
(Original inhabitants). Dasyuhatya or 0
King was assisted by many functionaiies.
slaughter of Dasyus is repeatedly Most important functionat)' was the
mentioned in the Rig Veda. PurohHa, the religious advisor of the
king, followed by the Senani, the head of
The Dasarajna War the army.
(Battle of Ten Kings) a There was no regulai- system of taxation.
• This battle was fought on the bank of the People gave voluntat)' offerings to the
Parushni river (Ravi). Sudas, the son of king, called BaU.
Divodas and the Bharata king of Tritsu family .. There was no regular or standing army.
won over an allia~ce of ten tribes Hovvever, there were groups of infanb.--y
(Five Aryans and Five non-Aryans). and charioteers.
• The battle broke out due to a dispute between 0
Weapons made of stone, wood, bone and
Vashistha (priest of Bharatas) and metal were used.
Visvamitra (priest of alliance).
Society
Economy 0
Kinship was the basis of society's
0
Rigvedic Aryans followed a mixed srr-ucture. People gave their prirnai--y
economy consisting of both agriculture loyalty to the t1ibe, which was called
and pastoralism. Jana or Vis.
Pastoralism was their p rimary a Vis was divided into grnma. When
occupation while agriculture was grama clashed with one another, it
secondary. caused the Sangrnma or war.
They possessed better knowledge in 0
Society was mostly Pab.iai-chal.
agriculture. Wooden ploughshare is Monogamy was prevalent. No evidence
mentioned in Rig Veda. They were of child marriage was found. Levirate
acquainted ,~ri.th sowing, h arvesting, and Hridow remarriage was practised.
threshing and knew about different a Varna was the term used for colour of
seasons. people, which were classi£ed into four
° Cow was the most important form of Varnas.
wealth. The term for war in the Rig Veda o Brahmins (teachers and priests),
is Gavishthi or search for cows. The Kshatriyas (rulers and administrators),
horse vvas almost as important as cavv. Vaishyas (Peasants, merchants and
° Cow was the standard unit of exchange. bankers), Sadras (ai-tisans and
Gold coins like Nishlrn, Krishna and labourers).
Satnzana were also in use. Godhuli was
used as a measure of time and Gavyuti as Rigvedic Gods
measure of distance. Rigvedic people believed in nature
worship and not in erecting temples or
Polity idol worship. They performed Yajnas in
0 The king or Rajan was the head of the open areas.
tiibal polity. Although his post was 0
Soma was considered to be the God of
hereditary, we have also some traces of plants and an intoxicating drink is
election by the b.ibal assembly called named after him.
'Samiti'. a The ninth mandala of the Rig Veda i.e.
0 Several tiibal or clan based assemblies 'Soma Mandala' is att:J.ibuted to Soma.
existed such as the Sabha , Samiti, a Important female di,ri.nities were
Vidatha and Gana. Acliti and Usha.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ Indian History
0
Rig Vedic Deities Important Rituals
God Assooiated Field 0 Rajasuya- The king's influence was
lndra/Purandar Breaker of Forts strengthened by rituals. The king performed
(Most this sacrifice, vvhicb was supposed to confer
Important) supreme power on him.
Agni Fire God 0
Asvamedha- A king performed the
Varuna Water God and upholder Asvamedha, which meant unquestioned
of natural order
conh·ol over the area, in which the royal
Surya God with Seven horse horse ran uninterrupted.
driven chariot
Savitri God of light to whom
0 Vajapeya- A king performed the Vajapeya
Gayatri Mantra is or the chariot race, in which the royal
add ressed chaliot was made to vvin the race against his
Mitra Solar God kinsmen .
Pushan God of marriage , also
guarded roads and LATER VEDIC AGE
cattle
Vishnu One, who covered Earth
(1000- 600 BC)
in Three steps-Upakfama (PAINTED GREY WARE
Audra God of Animals
Dyaus Oldest God and Father
PHASE)
of the World .. Aryans ex.--panded from Pw1jab to Western
Ashwin/Nastya God of health, youth and UP covered by Ganga-Yarnuna Doab
immortality (Aryavarta).
Slndhu River Goddess 0
Later Vedic texts refer to livers Narmada ,
Yama God of death Sadan.ira, Charnbal and Vindhya mountain.
Maruts Personified storm Later Vedas gave three fold territorial
Usha Goddess of dawn division of India into Aryavarta (Nothem
lndia), Madhyadesa (Central India) and
AdiU Goddess of eternity
Dakshinapatha (Southern India).
a The expansion towards East is indicated in
YajurVeda 0
They are the limbs of the Vedas.
These are treaties of Science and Arts.
0
Deals ·with the procedures for the
performance of sacrifices. The beliefs and
0
Shihsha (deals with pronounciation)
(phonetics).
rituals of non-Aryans are written in it.
u Kalpa (deals with rituals)
0 Two text of Yajur Veda
u Vyalearana (Grammai-)
n Shukla (White) Yajur Veda
u Nirnkta (Etymology)
° Krishna (Black) Yajur Veda
u Chhanda (Metdcs)
Upavedas
There are four Upavedas-
0 Dhanurveda (Upaveda of Yajur Veda) : Deals vvitb art of warfare.
a Gandharvaveda (Upaveda of Sama Veda) : Deals with art and music.
" Shilpaveda/Arthaveda (Upaveda of Atharva Veda) : Deals with craft and wealth .
0
Aynr Veda (Upaveda of Rig Veda) : Deals with medicine.
Shad-Darshanas
Six systems of Hindu philosophies, given by six philosophers of ancient India.
o Nyaya Gautama o Vaisesilrn Kannada
o Sankhya Kapila u Yoga Patanjali
o Purua Mimansa Jaimin:i ■ Uttar Mimansa Badarayan
Puranas
0
Puranas means 'the old'. There are 18 famous Pmanas. Matsya Pmana is the oldest.
Other main puranas are Bhagavata, Vishnu, Vayu and Brahmnada.
0 They deals vvitb 5 subjects : Sarga (creation), Pratisarga (recreation), Wamsa
(Genealogies of gods), Manvantara (rule of manus) and Wamshanucharita
(Genealogies of kings).
Sutras
Sutra literature is divided into three classes
n Srauta Sutra (dealing with large public sacrifices).
o Griha Sutra (dealing with 1ituals connected with birth , naming, maniage).
Epic
0 Mahabharata, written by Ved Vyas. OrigmalJ)½ the Mahabharata consisted of
880 verses then it was raised to 24000 verses. The final compilation brought the
number of verses to 100000.
0 Ramayana vvritten by Valmiki which is older than the Mahabharata, 01igmally
consisted of 6000 verses, which was raised to 12000 and finally 24000 verses.
Smritis
" Dharma Shastra is the other name for the Sm.rids, which are the law books w1itten in
slolea form.
0
The important Smritis are Manav Dharma Shastra~ Vishnu Dhanna Shastr~
Yajnavalhya SmTiti and Narada Smriti.
0
Manav Dharma Shastra or Manusnu-iti is the oldest and most famous. Manu is
supposed to be the first king and law maker.
0
Later on, some minor Smritis and commentaiies like the Mitakshara were compiled.
I PRE-MAURYAN AGE I
• The material advantages brought about by the use of the iron implements in Eastern
UP and Bihai· in 6th century BC helped in the formation of lai·ge territorial states.
0 Use ofiron tools in agriculture produced surplus, which could be taxed by the princes
to finance their military and administrative needs.
0
Thus, many Janapadas sprung up in the 6th century BC, the larger of which were
called Mahajanapadas.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ Indian History
THE MAHAJANAPADAS
oThe Anguttara Nilwya of Suttapitaka, Mahavastu (Buddhist literature) and
Bhagavati Sutta (Jain literature) mentions the list of 16 Mahajanapadas.
They were of two types
Non-Monarchial/Republican States-Kamboj, Kum, Koliyas (Ramgrama), Malla,
Mariya (Pipplivana), Shalq1a (Kapilvastu), Vajji (Vaishali), Lichchhavis (Vaishali),
Bhaggas (Su.msumasa), KaJamas (Kesaputta), Videhas (Mithila), Jnatiikas
(KundaJgrama).
Monarchical States Anga, Avanti, Chedi, Kashi, KosaJa, Gandhara, Magadh, Matsya ,
Sursena, Vatsa.
People now owned sti·onger allegiance to the Janapada or tenitory than the Jana or
tiibe they belonged to.
Asmaka was the Southernmost Mahajanapada.
Vats a was earlier a KunL clan.
0
Vajji was confederacy of eight republican clans, among which Llchchhavis are prominent.
Administration
Raja (King), Uparaja (Vice-King), Senapati. (Commander) and B/zandagarika
(treasurer).
Mahajanapadas and their Capitals
Mahajanapadas (Looadon) CapitaJ(s)
1. Gandhara (Between Kabul and RawalpindQ. Taxila
2. Anga (BhagaJpur and Mungher in Bihar) . Champa
3. Magadha (Patna and Gaya district of Bihar). Girivraj, Rajagriha (Bimbisara);
Patliputra (Udayin) ; Vaishali
(Shishunaga); PatJiputra (Ashoka)
4. Kasi (Varanasi district, UP). Varanasi
5. Vajji (Vaishali district, Bihar) . Vaishali
6. Malla (South of Vaishali district, UP) . Kusinagara and Pava
7. Chedi (river Ken , Bundelkhand area). Sothivati-nagar or Shuktimati
8. Vatsa (river Yamuna, Allahabad and Mirzapur Kaushambi
district in UP).
9. Kosala (Eastern UP). Sravasti and Ayodhaya (Saket)
10. Kuru (Ganga Yamuna doab, Hastinapur and lndraprastha
Delhi-Meerut region).
11. Panchala (Ganga-Yamuna doab, Rohilkhand). Ahichhatra, Kampilya
12. Matsya (Jaipur-Bharatpur-Alwar district). Vlratnagar/Bairath
13. Surasenas (Mathura region). Mathura
14. Asmaka (river Godavari) (near Paithan in Patna or Patali
Maharashtra) .
15. Avanti (Malwa) . Ujjain (Northern caprtal) , Mahismati
(Southern capital)
16. Kamboja (Hazara district of Pakistan). Rajapur or Hataka
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE~ Indian History
I MAGADHA EMPIRE I
• Th e peliod from 6 th century BC to 4th clan of Punjab. (Khema, daughter of
century BC saw the struggle for supremacy Mach-a king).
amongst the four Mahajanapadas- o He sent his personal physician , Jivaka
Magadha , KosaJa, Vatsa and Avanti. to his 1jval Av anti king
a Ultimately, Magadha emerged as the most Chandapradyota Mahasena of
powerful and prosperous kingdom in the Ujjain, to cure him of jaundice.
North India. 0
The Gandhara ruler of Tax:ila , Puld.'U
a The founder of Magadha was Jarasandha Sati, sent an ambassador to
and Brihadratha. But , the growth started Bimbisara .
under the Haryanlrns , e)cpansfon took place
under the Shishunagas and Nandas and Ajatasbatru
reached its zenith under the Mam-yas. ( 492 BC- 460 BC)
0
He was son of Chellana and
Causes of the Rise of Magadha Birnbisai·a. He occupied the throne by
• Advantageous geographical location of the killing his father.
capital cities. a He adopted an aggressive policy of
• Abundance of natu ral resources such as iron, e)(pansion and gained complete
helped in preparing effective weapons. conb.·ol over Kasi.
• The alluvial soil of the Gangetic plains and 0
He defeated his maternal uncle
sufficient rainfall were very conducive for Prasenjit, king of Kosala and marlied
agriculture produce . his daughter Vijjira.
• Unorthodox character of Magadhan society and a He desn·oyed Vaishali (capital of the
ambitious rulers. Llchchhavis) after a protracted wai· of
sixteen yeai·s, by sovving the seeds of
discord amongst the people of
HARYANKA DYNAS1Y Vaishali .
0
Sunidha and Vatsakar Aj.atashan-u 's
Bimbisara (544 BC- 492 BC) diplomatic ministers,
a He built the capital city Rajgir (Girivraja) , M ahashilakantaka a wai· engine,
which was surrounded by five hills. which catapulted big stones and
a He was contemporai-y to Gautama Buddha Rathamusala a kind of chariot with a
and Mahavira and the fu-st king to have mace; helped him to defeat th e
standing ai-my for which he is known as Llchchhavis.
Seniya. o He forti£ed Rajagriha to meet the
a He defeated Anga King Brahrnadatta and threat from Avanti. He also built the
strengthened his ovvn position by fort of Rajagiiha and Jaladurga
matrimonial alliances. (a water fort) at Pat.ah village on the
• His three wives belonged to royal family of bank of river Ganges.
Koshala (Mahakosaladevi, sister of 0
He pab.·onised the fast Buddhist
Prasenjit ruler of Kashi), Llchchhav:i Council and Buddha died during his
(Chellana, sister of Chetaka) and Madra reign.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ Indian History
Sects of Jainism
o After the death of Mahavira , dur ing the reign of king Chandragupta Maurya, a severe
famine led to a great exodus of Jaina monks from Ganga valley to the deccan. This
migration led to a great schism in J ainisrn.
11
Bhadrabahu, who led the emigrants, insisted th at complete nudity is an essential
practice of Jainism as per Mahaviras teachings. His followers established the sect
called Digambaras.
0
Sthulabhadra, the leader of the group, who remain e d in the North allowed his
followers to wear white garments. This sect is called as the Svetambaras.
Spread of Jainisim
a In later times, Jainism was chiefly concentrated in two regions :
o Gujarat and Rajasthan-Svetambarn sect.
0
Mysore-Digambara sect.
Jaina Councils
Counoil Year Venue ChaJrman Royal Patron Developments
First Jaina 300 BC Pataliputra Sthulabhadra Chandragupta Compilation of 12
Council Maurya Angas to replace 14
Purvas.
Second Jaina AD 512 Vallabhi Devridhigani Final compilation of 12
Council Kshmasramana Angas and 12 Upangas.
Jain Literature
0
The sacred te)..i:S of Jainism were compiled in 6th century AD at Vallabbi . They are
written in Pralait language (Ardhumagadbi Pralait).
0 Jain texts are divided into 6 types: (1) 12 Angas (2) 12 Upangas (3) 10 Paiikamas (4)
6 Chhedasutras (5) 4 MuJasutras (6) 2 Sutragranthas.
0
Other important Jain text ai·e - Kalpasutra (in Sanslait by Bhadrabahu), Bhadrabahu
Charita , Pai-ishishtapai·van (by Hemchandra).
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ Indian History
I BUDDHISM I
Founded by Gautama Buddha (also Teachings of Buddha
called Sakyamzmi or Tathagata)
known miginally as Siddhartha. (a) Four Noble Truths (Arya Satyas)
1. The world is full of sorrows (Sabbam
Gautam Buddha Dulekam).
" He was born in 563 BC at Lumb inj 2. The cause of sorrow is desire (Dwadas/z
in Salq1a Kshat:riya clan of Nidan/Pratitya Samutpada).
Kapilvastu on Vaiskha Purnjma day. 3. If desires ai·e conquered, all sorrovvs can
a llis father Suddhodhana was the be removed (Nirnana) .
Saka ruler, his mother Mahamaya 4. This can be achieved by following the
med after 7 days of his birth, so he 8-fold path (Ashtangilrn Marga).
was brough t up by stepmother 0
The second truth, is based on Buddha 's
Gautami. doctrine of Paticheha Samutpada or Pratitya
a He Manied Yashodhara and had a Samutpada i.e. law of dependent origination
son named Rahul. or causation.
a llis teachers were Alara Kalama and
Sanskiit-Buddhachaiita and
Mahayana (The Greater Vehicle) Saundarananda by Ashwagosha;
0 Its follmvers believed in heavenliness of Mahavibhasha shastJ.·a by vasumitJ.·a;
Buddha. Mad.byamika Kaiika and
0
Sought salvation help of Bodhj sattvas. Prajnapai·imita kaiika hy Nagaijuna.
0 Believed in idol worship and favoured Spread of Buddhism
Sanskiit language.
0
Mahayanism in CentJ.·al Asia, Chlna
0
Two subsects : Mad.byanuka (founder
and Japan. Hinayarusm in Ceylon,
Nagaijuna) and Vijnanavada founder
Thailand and other pa.it; of
MajtJ.·eyanath.
South-East Asia.
Vajrayana a King Ashoka sent Buddhist mi.ssions
0
Its follm,vers believed that salvation could be under his son Mahendra and
attruned by acquiri.ng magical powers called daughter Sanghamitra to Sli Lanka.
vajra. ° Kanish.ka was the patron of Mahayana
° Chief divinity : the Taras. sect of Buddmsm .
Buddhist Councils
Buddhist Year Venue Chairman Royal Patron Development (s)
Counoil
First Council 483 BC Saptaparni Mahakassaapa Ajatashatru Compilation of Sutta
cave, (Haryanka Pitaka and Vinaya
Rajgriha Dynasty) Pitaka by Ananda and
Upali respectively.
Second 383 BC Vaishall Sabakami Kalasoka Monks were split into
Council (Shisunaga Sthavirvadins and
Dynasty) Maha sanghikas.
Third Council 250BC PaUiputra Mogaliputta Tissa Ashoka Compilation of
(Maurya Abhidhamma Pitaka_
Dynasty)
Fourth AD72 KundaJvan, Vasumitra Kanishka Division of Buddhists
Council Kashmir fhairman) and (Kushan into Hinayana and
shwaghosha Dynasty) Mahayana.
(V]ce-Chairman)
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ Indian History
Buddhist Architecture
Buddhism takes the credit for
° First human statues to be worshipped.
Stone-pillars depicting the life of Buddha at Gaya, Sanchi and Bharhut.
o
° Cave ai·chitecture in the Bai·abai· hills at Caya and in Western India around Nashik.
Art pieces of Amaravati and Nagaijunakonda .
0
0
Stupa relics of Buddha or some prominent monks.
a Chaitya Prayer hall .
• Vihara residence.
Buddhist Universities
Buddhist Universities Looation Founder
Nalanda Badagaon, Bihar Kumargupta-1
Vikramshila Bhagalpur, Bihar Dharmapala (Pala ruler)
Somapuri North BengaJ Dharmapala (Pala ruler)
Jagadal BengaJ Ramapala (Pala ruler)
Odantpuri Bihar Sharif, Bihar Gopala (Pala ruler)
Vallabhi Gujarat Bhattarka (Maitrak rule)
a Pcu-anas Chronology and lists of Mauryan ., ChandJ-agupta was the first Indian
kings. ruler to unite the whole North India.
a Others Account of Diodorous, Pli11y, Both trade and agriculture flomished
Plutarch (Chandragupta as Androcottus), dw-ing his reign. Weights and
Arrian and Justin (Chandrngupta as measui-es were standa1ised, money
Sandrocottus). came into use and sanitation and
famine relief measures were
Epigraphical Evidences undertaken by the states.
o Ashoka's Edicts and Inscriptions Ashoka 's
edicts were first deciphered by James Bindusara (298 BC-273 BC)
Princep in 1837. It was v,'litten in Praia.it 0
Greeks called him Amitro Chates
language and 3 scripts viz Kharnshthi in (delived from Sanslait word
North-West, Greek and Aramaic in West and Amitraghata i.e. slayer of foes);
Brahmi in Eastern India. Vindupala (Chinese te)..1:s;),
Sinhasena- Jain text; Bhadrasara
Quick Digest (Vayu Purana).
0 He e)..1:ended the kingdom further to
• Inscriptions of Skandgupta and Rudradaman are
the Peninsular region of India as far
also found at Gimar. The pillar Edict VII is the last
South as Mysore.
edict to be issued by Ashoka.
• Mahasthan and Soh~ura copper plate
0
Antioch us I, the Selucid king of Syiia ,
inscriptions issued by Chandragupta Maurya, sent his Ambassador, Deimachus to
deals with relief measures adopted during his court.
famine. .. Pliny mentions th at Ptolemy
• Latest discovery-3 Ashokan minor rock edicts Philladelph us of Egypt sent
from Sannati village (Kamataka). Dionysius as his Ambassador to the
court of Bindusara.
Taranath-tbe Buddhist monk,
Chandragupta Maurya 0
2. Royal/Court Art Royal Palace of o Stupas were butlt throughout the empire,
Chandragupta Maurya at Kumharar, to enshrine the relics of Buddha e .g.
Patna (Fa Hien referred it as the Sanchi and Bharbut.
creation of God), city of Pathputra
Ashokan pillars; stupas and caves. Significance of Mau1yan Rule
a Mauryans introduced stone masonry
o The emblem of lndian Republic has been
on a large scale. adopted from the lion capital of Ashokan
pillar at Sarnath.
" PilJars represent the masterpiece of
Mauryan sculpture e.g. o Many Gm·ukuJs and Buddhjst
o Single lion capital Rampurva and
monasteries (Taxila and Banaras)
Lauriya Nandangarh. developed with royal patronage.
a Four lion capital at Sa.math and o Literary developments e.g. Arthashashb.-a
(Kautilya); Kalpasub.·a (Bhadrabahu),
Sanchi.
Katha Vastu (Buddhist text), Bhagwati
° Carved elephant at Dhauli and Sutra, Acharanga Sun·a and Dasavalik
engraved elephant at Kalsi. Qaina text).
I POST-MAURYAN PERIOD I
Mam1'ans were succeeded by many ruling Hellinfatic art in the North-West frontier
dynasties from Central Asia in North-West oflndia.
lndia and by native rulers (Shungas, e.g. GandJ1ara art and Military
Kanvas, Satvahanas) in the Eastern, Governorship.
cenn·al and Deccan region of India. a The Sansla.it term for asb.·ology
Horshasb.·a is derived from the Greek
FOREIGN STATES term horoscope.
He patronised
11
the fourth Buddhist
Sudarshana Lake Council in Kashmir, where the doctrine of
• It was constructed by Pushyagupta the Mahayana form of the Buddhism was
Governor of Sau rashtra under finalised.
Chandragupta Maurya. .. Kanishka patronised the following
• Tushasp constructed dam on the lake persons:
during the reign of Ashoka Maurya. First Ashwaghosha (Buddhacharita)
reconstruction by Governor Survishakh Nagaijuna (Madhyamik sutra)
under Saka Satrap Rudradaman and Vasurnitra (Chairman of the fourth
second by Chakrapalit under Buddhist Council)
Skandgupta. Chai·aka (Charakasamhita).
a The last Kushana ruler was Vasudeva I.
• Vasishthiputi-a Sri Satkarni, the 24th rule r, manied the daughter of Saka Satrap
Rudradaman, but was twice defeated by him.
• Yajna Sri Satkarni (AD 166-194), the later king of Satavahanas, 'recovered North
Konkan and Malwa from Sh aka rulers. His coins figured 'ship vvith double mast'.
• Pulamayi ill was the last Satavahana ruler, succeeded by Ikshaval.'l..ls in the
3rd century BC.
lesser kings in their empire. The background and cavalry came to the
practice of appointing Kumara (crovvn forefront. The Gupta empire maintained
prince) came in vogue. a large standing army, but essentially the
military organisation was feudal in
0
Kings were assisted by Mantriparishad/ character.
Mantrimandal (Council of Ministers) as
Senabhakta It was a form of tax i.e. the
0
referred in the Prayag Prasasti.
army was to be fed by the people
Administrative Units and their whenever, it passed through the
Heads countryside. Forced labour or Vishti was
also practised in royal army.
Unit Headed by
Revenue Land revenue was the chief
0
11
Owing the Gupta 's rule, land grants common. Women were not give □ the
(Agarhara and Devagrahara grants) also right to property except for
included transfer of royal rights over salt stridhana, in the form of garments
and mines, which were earlier states and jewellery.
monopoly during Mam-yas. Jud_iciary For
the £int time, civil and criminal law were Religion
clearly defined and demarcated. 0 Bhagavatism centred around the
11 Coinage Guptas issued the largest number worship of Vishnu or Bhagavad.
of gold coins, which were called dinaras in 0
Bhagvad Gita was vvritten in this
their inscriptions. Silver coins were called pe1iod. It preached the doctrine of
the Rupayakas. incarnation or Avatar.
Important Officials ., Idol worship in the temple became a
common feature. The Gods were
Offioial Field of Work unified with their respective
u Maha Pratihari Chief usher of Royal consorts. Thus, Parvati got
Palace associated with Shiva and La>..,ni
■ Oandapashika Chief officer of the Polioe with Vishnu.
department 0 Gupta kings followed a policy of
u Mahaprajapati Chief officer of elephant tolerance towards the different
corps
religious sects.
■ Vinayasthitisthapak Chief officer of religious
affairs ., There was an evolution of
■ Mahashvapati Chief of Cavalry
Vajrayarusm as well and Buddhist
tantric cult.
u Mahadandanayaka Minister of Justice
., Buddhism no longe r received royal
patrnnage in the Gupta period.
Society
" The Supremacy of the Brahmins Econo1ny
continued They accumulated wealth oo Land was classified into five groups :
accounts of numerous land grant and
" Khila - Waste land
claimed many privilege.
u Kshetra Bhoomi - Cultivable land
11
The position of the Sbudras improved, and
u Vastu Bhoomi - Habitable land
they were permitted to listen epic,
purnnas and to worship a new God, Lord ° Charagah Bhoomi - Pasture land
Kiishna. Aprahata Bhoomi - Forest land
0
" Varna system got strengthened due to the According to Pahadpur copper plate
large scale proliferation of castes, chjefly inscription of Buddhagupta, state was
because of assimilation of foreigners in to the the exclusive owner of land.
lnman society, absorption of ttibal people
o Poona plates of Prabhavati Gupta
into Brahminkal society through land
refers to the land survey conducted
grants and transformation of guilds into
dw-ing the peliod.
class due to the decline of trade and urban
centres.
0
Pushtapala was the officer incharge
for maintaining records of all land
11The Position of women declined; The first
transactions.
example of immolation of widow after death
of her husband (Sati) appeared in Gupta
0 Trade There was a decline in trade
times. (Referred in the Eran inscription, ,vith the Roman empire after AD 3rd
Polygamy and pre-puberty marriages were centm-y, while the South-East Asian
trade increased.
G GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ Indian History
11
Ports OD West coast to trade \vith Gupta Architecture
Mediterranean and West Asia-Bharoach,
Chaul , KaJyan and Cambay.
0
The Gupta age marks the
beginning of main style of tern pie
11 Ports OD East coast to trade ·with South-East
architecture in India namely the
Asia-Tamralipti, GhantashaJa and Kandura.
Nagara and Dravida style (shikhar
style) with Garbhag1·iha (shrine
Taxes room in wruch the image of God is
Bhaga King's share in the produce, to be paid by kept).
cult1vators . " Squai'e sanctum sanctorum and a
Bali {Earlier a voluntary ottering) an additional and pillared porch.
oppressive tax during Gupta period.
Bhoga Periodic supplies of fruits, firewoods etc., Religious Literature
which the villagers had to furnish to the king. Hindu Texts Ma11y old religious
Uparika An extra tax levied on all subjects. books were re-vvritten e .g. Vayu
Pw-ana, Vishnu Purana, Manu
Smriti (o-anslated into English
Gupta.Art under th e title of "Institutes of
Gupta pe1iod is also called The Golden Age of Hi ndu law" William Jones),
Ancient India. Ramayana and Mahabharata.
" Samudrag-upta is represented on his coins .. New Text Na.rad Smri ti,
playing the Veena and Chandragupta 11 is Parashai- Smrit:i, Katyana Smriti
credited vvith maintaining in his cowi:, nin e and Brihat Sm1iti.
luminaiies or great scholai·s viz, Kalidasa , .. Jain Texts Nyayavartam w1itten
Amai·sirnha, Dhanavantli, Vai-ahmihira, by Sidhsena.
Vararuchi (Vartika-a comment on Ashtadhyayi),
Ghatakai-na, Kshapranak, Velabhatt and " Buddhlst Texts Abhi dharma
Shanl"ll. Kosha vv1itten by Dignaga, Vishu-
dhirnagga w1itten by Buddhghosa.
" Over two metl--e high bronze images of the
0
MI·ichchakatikam (i.e. the clay
Buddha of Gupta period has been recovered
from Bhagalpur.
cart) is the love story of a poor
Brahmin Charudatta and virtuous
11 For the fu~ time, we get in the Gupta period
courtsean Vasantasena. The work
images of Vishnu, Shjva and some other Hjndu is notable for its realistic depiction
Gods. of city life.
a Buddha sitting in Dharmachakra mudra
(Sa.math) ai1d Buddha images of Bamjya11
belong to tms period.
Quick Digest
" Brahmirncal Image The G1--eat Boar (Va.rah) • Brahmasidhanta, was translated into
carved in relief at the eno·ance of a cave at Arabic under the title "Sind Hind".
Udayagili. • Ritusamhara, Meghdootam and
11Paintings Ajan ta paintings and paintings at Ra~huvamsham are epics and not
Bagh (Madhya Pradesh) ai--e of thjs time. They plays.
belong to the Buddhist Art. • Bhasa wrote 13 plays in this period.
11
1n this period the Gandhara School of • There was a development of Sanskrit
Sculptme was replaced by regional ceno-es at grammar based on Panini and
Banai·as, Patalipuo·a and Mathura . Patanjali. Amarkosha was compiled
0 Stnpas-Mi.rpm Khas (Sindh) , Ratnagili
by Amarasimha.
(Orissa) and Dhammekh (Sa.math) .
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ Indian History
■ The Chinese pilgrim lliuen Tsang visited lndia dur ing Harsha peliod. He informs us
that the revenue of Harsha was divided into four parts, one for the king, second for
the scholar, third for the officer and fourth for religious purposes.
■ Harsha held two important assemblies - Kannauj assembly (to popularise Mahayana
Buddhism) and Prayaga assembly.
• He used to celebrate a solemn festiv al at Prayag after every five years.
• Harsha was a Shaivite. He also granted revenue of 200 villages for the maintenance of
Nalanda University. The empire of Harsha included parts of Punjab , Kannauj, Bengal,
Bihar and Orrisa.
■ Harsha was defeated by the chalukya ruler Pulakeshin Il in the battle on the banks of
Narmada in 618 AD. After the death of Harsha in 647 AD, the empire once again broke
up into petty states.
Tripa1tite Struggle
The struggle for supremacy between the Palas, the Gmjara - Pratihara and the
Rashtral'1.ltas for the possession of Kannauj at the end of AD 8th century is knovm as the
Tripartite struggle in history.
Mandapa temple
0
u PaUava Sculptme Based on Buddhist n-adition e .g. descent of the Ganges and A1juna 's
penance at Mamallapw-am.
Rashtrakuta Style
The rock-cut temple of Kailash (Shiva) at Ellora, was built by Krishna I.
Hoyasalas Style
Temple of Hoyasaleshvvar at Dwarsamudra .
G')
Other Dynasties and Rulers m
z
Dynasty Cap/la/ Founder Famous Ru /ers Other Features m
Palas Palaliputra, Gopala Dharma Pala Revived Nalanda Universily and They traded wilh Soulh-Easl Asia ~
i"'
(Eas1ern India) Gaur founded Vikramshila Universsity deleated Bhoja and w0r0 replaced by Senas in
(Pratihara) amogvarsha (Rashlrakuta) and won
kannauj.
Bengal.
"z
0
Devapala won Orissa and Assam.
Mahipala defea1ed by Rajendra Chola.
:e
i"'
m
Gurjara Pratiharas 1. Jodhpur H arich and ra Mihir Bhoja He worshipped Lord Vishnu and They originaled in Geyanla region of C
(SW Rajasthan) 2. Mah11a adopled the title Adi Varaha. Rajas than. G')
(AD 733-1019)
m
l
Vakatakas (Deccan Valsagumla, Vindhyashakti Pravarsena I performed four Ashvamedha Yagyas. Chandragupta II married his :::J
and Cenlral India) Paunar daugh1erPrabhavati to the Vakataka Q.
king Rudrasena . OJ
:::J
Eastern Gangas of Kalingnagar, Anantavarman Narshima Deva I built the Sun temple at l<on ark. Anantavarman built the Jagannath I
Orissa Cut1ack Chodagong Deva temple al Puri. (/)
.....+-
Western Ganges Kolar, Talakal Konganivarman Dunvirta Construcled Jain monumenls at 0
(AD 350-999) Madhava Sravanbelagola. '<
Senas of Bengal Vikrampura, Vijaysena Ballasena They were overthrown by Deva
Vijaypura Lakshmansena dynas1y.
Hoysalas Dwarasamudra Vishnu Vardhan Vira Ballal defeated the Chalukyan ruler Hoysala ar1 and arohilecture was of
Somesvara IV. a high standard. The minule carving
ol Hoysala 1emple is their mos1
atiractive feature.
Rashtrakutas Manyaket or Dantidurga (earlier Amogvarsha He is compared to Vikramaditya in Rashtrakutas are credited with the
(AD 7 50-11 42) Malkhed seNed the giving patronage to men of letiers. building of cave shrine of Elephanta.
Chalukyas of He wrote the Isl Kannad Poelry, Kavi Rajamarg and It was dedicated to Mahesh and
Badam~ also wrote Prashnot1ar Mallika. (Trlmur11) counts among the mos1
magnifioient ar1 creations of India.
0
Dynasty Cap/la! Founder Famous Rulers
Krishna II constructed l<ailash temple at Ellora in
Dravidian sytl0.
Other Features
9
Krishan Ill set-up Pillar of victory and a temple at
Rameshwaram.
Pallavas Kanchi Simhavishnu Narasimhavarman-1 (AD 630-668) occupied They were orihodox Brahmanical
(AD 560-903) of Chalukayan capital at Vatapi and assumed the tille Hindus.
Tondainadu Valapikonda. Both the Chalukyas and Pallavas tried
(land of creepers) to establish their supremacy over land
belween Krishna and Tungabhadra.
Chalukyas of Vatapi (Badami) Pulakesin I Pulakesin-11 He was conlemporary of Harsha and Many of the painting and sculplures of
Badami was able to check Harsha in conquering Deccan, the Ajanta and Ellora caves were
but was delealed and killed by Pallava ruler completed during Ohalukyan Ari
N arasimhavarrnan-1. developed the Deccan or Vesara style.
The Chinese pilgrim Hiuen Tsang visiled his They perfected the an of stone building, G)
kingdom. that is stones finally joined wilhou1 m
moriar, z
Chalukyas of Katyani Tailap II (delealed Somevara I (AD 1043-1068) He shit1ed the capilal Bilhana, the \Wiler of Vlkramdevacharfla
m
;a
Kalyani the Parmar king tram Manyakhel to l<alyani. and lvlitakshara in Yagyavalkya Smri1i, )>
Munj) Vikramaditya IV (AD 1070-1126) He staried the adorned the couri of Vikramaditya IV. r
Chalukya- Vikram era.
Yadavas Devagiri Bhillana Ramchandra Ramachandra was delealed by Malik
Kafur.
"z
0
:E
r
m
C
G)
m
l
::::J
0.
55·
::::J
I
u5·
......
0
'<
G)
Sangam Age m
(AD First-Third Century) z
m
0 1J1e lan d Sou th of Kri shn a river was dMd ed into thrne kingdoms ~
r
Kingdom Location
Chola North- Eas1 of
Capita/
U raiyur (famous
Emblem Famous Pon Famous Rulers
Tig er Puhar Elara was the earliest known Chola
Other Features
The Cholas maintained an efiicient
"z
0
(Cholama Pandyas between for cot1on trade king. He conquered Sri Lanka and Navy. ~
r
ndalam) ~enner and Vellar and Puhar) ruled over it for 50 years. Their economy was based on trade of m
nvers. cot1on cloth . The Chola kingdom was C
Karikala founded the capital city G)
Puhar/Kaveripatnam and constructed destroyed by the atiack ol Pallavas
embankment along Cauveri f ram the North . m
river. (kalla na Q
:::,
Chera Par1 of l<erala and Vanji or Karur Bow Muzris Todi, Udiyangera is one of the earliest It has well-es1ablished trade wilh Q.
Tamil Nadu Bandar known Chera rulers. This title of Romans and also set-up two regiments 0)
:::,
Udiyangera, was given to him at Muzris lo pro1ec1 their interests. They
because it is said 1hat he served both built the temple of Augustus at Muzris. I
the armies of Kurukshetra War. .....
CJ)
0
Senguttuvan/Red Ghera, was the
greatest Chera king. He invaded the
'<
North and crossed Ganga He is
remembered for building a temple ol
'Kannagi'-the Goddess of chastity
and founded the famous Pattini cult.
Pandya Southernmost par1 Madu ra i Carp (list) Korkai, Mudukudumi was the earlies! known This kingdom was first mentioned by
of India Saliyur Pandyan ruler. Megasthenes, who says that their
kingdom was famous for pearl and was
Nedunjelian was the most impor1ant
ruled by a woman. Also finds mention
king ot Pandya. He accused l<ovalan
in the Ramayana and Mahabharata .
ol theft As a result, the city of Madurai
was laid under a curse by Kannagi
(Kovalan 's wile).
• 1J1e Pan dyan kings profi ted from tra de ,viLb Rom an empise an d sen t em bassies to Roman empero r-Augustu s an d Trojan .
8
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE~ Indian History
o Kapalika is the tantric cult who worship Mah akal, Kapala bhrit and Bhairav.
SHAKTI DHARMA
o It refers to the worship of the female deity. It is first mentioned in the Mahabharata.
0
The Tantric Devi hymn in the 10th mandala of the Rig Veda is devoted to the worship
of Goddesses.
Some Important Temples of Ancient India
Temple Builder Dynasty
Jagannath temple, Puri Anantavarman Ganga
Sun temple of Konark Narsinghdev Ganga
Kandariya and Mahadev temple . Khajurao Krishna-I Chandela
Kailash temple of Ellora Krishna-I Rashtrakuta
Elephanta Narsingh Varman-1 Rashtrakuta
Mamallapuram temple Narsingh Varman-11 Pallava
Kailashnath temple of Kanchi Narsingh Varman-11 Pallava
Baikuntha PerumaJ Tempie of Kanchi Narsingh Varman-11 Pallava
Jain temple of Dilwara Vlmala Minister of Solanki ruler
I MEDIEVAL INDIA I
THERAJPUTS
o They emerged as a powerfuJ force in Northern India in AD 9th and I 0th centmies.
0
Origin: Four of the Rajput clans claim to have descendant from a mythical figure that
arose out of a sacrificial fae pit near Mount Abu , i.e. of AgniJ...,1.Ila origin. They are
- Chauhans of East Rajas than.
- Pratihara Padharas of South Rajas than .
- ChaJukyas/Solankis of Kathiawar.
- Parma.rs/Pa wars of MaJwa
0 However, the most accepted theory is that Rajputs were of a foreign origin , who came
as conquerors and settled in West India.
" The two main clans of Rajputs are
0
Surya Vansha (Sun family)
° Chandra Vansha (Moon family)
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE~ Indian History
CD
Some Important Rajput Kingdoms
Rafput J<jngdoms Capital(s) Founder
Chauhan/Chahaman of Delhi Vasudeva
Delhi-Ajmer
Pawar of Malwa Ujjain, Dhar Sri Harsha
Pratihara of Kannauj Avanti, Kannauj Nagabhatta I
Rashtrakuta of Malkhand Manyakheta Dantidurga (Dantivarman II)
Chalukya/Solanki of Kathiawar Aniha/vada Mularaja I
Kalchuri/Haihaya of Chedi Tripuri Kokkala I
Chandela of Jejakabhukti Khajuraho, Mahoba. Kalinjar Nannuk Chandela
Gadhawal/R~horofKanna~ Kannauj Chandradeva
Tomars of Delhi and Haryana Dhillika
Guhilota/Sisodiya of Mewar Chittor Bappa Rawal, Hammir I
Architectural Works
" Kandariya Mahadeva temple at Khajmaho, built by Chandellas of Bundelkhand
(AD 1000).
a Dilwara temple at Mount Abu (West Indian style of architecture) built by Siddharaja
Solanki of Gujarat.
0
Angkorvat Temple at Cambodia built by Suryavarman □. It is dedicated to Lord
Vishnu and built on Dravidian model.
0 Sun Temple at Konark (Orissa).
a Lingaraja Temple at Bhubaneshwar (Orlssa).
Literary Works
" Kathasmitasagar by Somadeva.
a Vikramdeva Chmita by Bilhana (biography of Chalukya King Vikramdeva Vl).
• He defeated Yadava king of Devagiri , a He was the firnt Turkish sultan who
Ramchandra Deva , Kakatiya king separated religion from politics. He
Pratap Ruclra Deva I, HoyasaJa king of proclaimed kingship lrnows no kinship.
Dwar Samudra Vira BallaJa Ill and c He pan·onised many great poets in his
Pandyas of Madurai (King Mahavarman court like Amir Khusro and Mir Hasan
Ku lshekhara). Dehlvi.
11
He is said to have reached as far as
Rameshwaram, where he built a Market/Economic Reforms
mosque. • Alauddin controlled the market by many
" Alauddin strengthened the North-West regulations
frontier, under his trusted commander • Fixed the cost of al l commodities.
Ghazi MaJilc • He set-up three markets at Delhi.
• All goods for sale were brought to the open
Administrative Refonns of market called 'Sarai-Ad!.
Alauddin Khalji • He established the market control department
" First Sultan to have a pem1anent amiy. under a minister called diwan-i-riyasat.
He paid soldiers in cash.
" 1n order to avoid the problems created Successors of
by the nobles, Alauddin issued four Alauddin Khalji
inlportant ordinances. 0
After the death of Alauddin in 1316, Malik
" Confiscation of religious endowments Ka.fur Hazar Dinari seized the throne, but
and free grants of lands. he could not rule for long and nominated
a Reorganised the spy system. Shihabuddin (Alauddit1's sixteenth son)
0
Prohibited the use of wine and as king.
intoxicants. 0
Shihabuddin was deposed by Qutbuddin
11Laid dovm that the nobles should not Mubarak Shah (1316-20).
have sociaJ gatherings and they should .. Nasiruddin Shah (AD 1320) killed
not inter-marry vvithout his permission. Mubarak Shah and himself was killed by
Ghazi Malik the Governor of DipaJpw-.
" He introduced the system of Dagh or
branding the horses and Ghehra or " This ended the 30 years rule of KhaJji
detailed description of each soldier. dynasty and established the Tughlaq
dynasty on throne.
Revenue Refonns of THE TUGHLAQ DYNASTY
Alauddin Khalji
0 Measured the cultivable land and fixed
(AD1320-1414)
the land revenue. Bishwa was declared
to be the standard of measurement. Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq
0
The state demanded h alf of th e (AD 1320-1325)
produce. o Ghazi Malik or Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq was
" The post of speciaJ officiaJ called the founder of Tughlaq dynasty or the
Mustakharaj was created for the d:rnasty of the Qaraunah Tw-ks. He was
purpose of collection of revenue. the first Sultan of Delhi who took up the
0
Alauddin is credited to have built many title of Ghazi or slayer of the infidels.
forts, and the most important of them is 0
He liberalised Alauddin's adminisb.·ative
Alai Fort. policies and took a keen interest in
construction of canals and formulated the
" He also constructed the Alai Darwaja"' famine policy. The judiciaJ and police
the enb.·ance gate of the Qutub Minar. arrangements were made efficient.
" He also buj]t the paJace of thousand 0
He gave up the land measurement system
pillars called 'Hazar Sitzm,' Hauz Khas and started the Batai System or sha1ing of
and Jamait Khana Mosque and built his crops. Efficient Postal service was
capitaJ at Sui. He adopted the title restored.
Sikandar-i-Sahni.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE~ Indian History
CD
11
He sent his son, Jau n a Kh an to The Khurasan Expedition
re-establish the auth01ity in Warangal
(Kakatiya) and Madurai (Pandyas). (1329)
a He built the city of Tughlagabad near Under the vision of Universal Conquest, he
Delhi and made it his capital. decided to conquest Khurasan and haq and
11
Sufi saint, Shaikh Nizam-ud-din Auba mobilised a huge army for this purpose.
said Delhi is far away, in regard to him. Qarachil Expedition (1330)
a He died in 1325, after a fall from a high
raised pavillion. lbn Battuta, the This e)rpedition was law1ched, in Kumaon
Moroccan traveller, who ·was in Delhi at bills in the Himalayas, allegedly to counter
Chinese incmsions. The attack was
that time, opined that his death was due
successfuL but when the rainy season set in ,
to sabotage arranged by his son, Jauna
the invaders suffered terribly. He died in
Khan (Muhammad-bin- Tughlaq).
Thatta (Sind), while campaigning against a
Turkish slave Tag hi.
MUHAMMAD-BIN-
TUGHLAQ(AD 1325-1351) Diwan-i-Kohi
11
Jauna Khan ascended the throne under A new department of agriculture Diwan-i-Kohi
the name Muhammad-bin- Tughl aq. He was set-up. He built the fortress of Adilabad and
was one of the most eJ\i:ra-ordinary king the city of u Jahanpanah".
who ever sat on the throne of Delhi. He lbn-Battuta
was an expert in Arabic , Persian
Astronomy, Philosophy, Maths and The famous Moroccan traveller lbn-Battuta
Medicine. came to Delhi in 1334 ar,id acted as the Dazi of
the capital for 8 years. He recorded the
11
He applied his rational and innovative
contemporary Indian scene in his Safranamah
mind in every aspect of administration
(Reh/a).
but achieved little success as he was
very hasty in nature.
FirozShah Tughlaq (1351-1388)
Five Ambitious Projects of 11
Firoz Tughlaq faced the problem of
Muhammad-Bin-Tughlaq preventing the imminent break up of
His five ambitious projects were Delhi Sultanate. So he b.ied to appease
the nobility, the army and the Battuta
Taxation in the Doab (1326) theologians .
The Sultan made an ill-advised financial .. He made the lqta system hereditary.
experiment in the Doab between the .. He extended the principle of heredity to
Gangas and the Yamuna. He not only the army. The soldiers were not paid by
increased the rate of taxation, but also cash but by assignments on land revenue
revived and created, some additional of villages (Vajeha). This technique led to
Abwabs or Cessess. many abuses.
Transfer of the Capital (1327) " In order to encourage agiiculture, the
Sultan paid a lot of attention to irrigation.
The most controversial step vvas the He repaired a number of canals. The first
n·ansfer of capital from Delhi to Deogiri.
canal was from Sutlej to Ghagga.r. The
He renamed Deogiri as Daulatabad. second canal carried water from Yamuna
Inh~oduction of Token Currency to Hissar. He imposed Haq-i-Sharb or
Hasil-i- Sharb i.e. water tax.
(1329)
a He encouraged the practice of slavery
Muhammad TugbJaq decided to inb.·oduce and selected young boys from the
Bronze coin , instead of the silver coin conquered territory for the purpose.
which would have the same value. Diwan-i-Bandagon was created as the
department for slaves.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE~ Indian History
• Built new tovms of Fatehabad, Hissar, " He robbed people. He is said to have
Jaunapur (in memory of Muhammad irrllicted on Indfa more mjsery, than had
Tughlaq) and Firozabad. During his ever before been done by a conquerer in a
Bengal campaign, he renamed Ikdala single invasion.
as Azadpur and Pandua as Ffrozabad. " Timur nominated Khizr Khan to rule over
• He brought two pillars of Ashoka from Punjab and himself retw-ned to Central
Topara and Meerut, to Delhi and Asia. He med on hjs way to conquer China
repaired Qutub-Minar when it was in AD 1404.
struck by Ughtnjng.
• He established a hospital at Delhj , Taxation System
known as Darnl-Shifa. Firoz Shah Tughlaq introduced new system of
• A new department of Diwan-i- Khairat taxation according to the Duran.
was set-up to make provision for the • Kharaj A land tax of 1/10th of the
marriage of poor girls. procedure of land.
• Introduced two new coins-Adha (50% • Zakat 2.5% tax on property (by Muslim
]ital) and Bikh (25% ]ital). only).
• Mat:hura was destroyed dwing his pedod. • Jaziya A tax by non-Muslims (even by
• He made Jaziya a separate tax and he Brahmins).
imposed this tax upon the Brahmans • Khams 1/6th of the booty captured during
for the first time in the mstory of war.
Sultanate.
• Barani, the histodan, was in his
cou1i. He wrote Tarileh-i-Firnzs/za/zi
THE SAYYID DYNAS1Y
and Fatwa-i-Jahangiri. (AD 1414-51)
• He med in AD 1388.
" Khlzr Khan (1414-21) founded the Sayyid
dynasty and claimed to have descended
THE LATER from the prophet of Islam.
TUGHLAQS (1388-1414) " He helped Timur in his invasion, so was
given the governship of Lahore .
• After Firozshah Tughlaq, Ghiyasuddin
Tughlaq Shah-I succeeded. He was " Khizr Khan took the title of Rayat-i-AJa
repalced by Abu Bakr Shah in AD 1389. and not of a king. The coins were struck
and Khutba was read in the name of Timur
• The states of Malwa, Sharqi Qaunpur)
and his successor Shahrukh.
and Gujarat broke away from the
Sultanate.
0
Khizr Khan's three successors were
incapable rulers.
• Abu Bakr was replaced by Nasi_ruddin
Muhammad in AD 1390. Nasi_ruddin a Mubarak Shah (1421-34) led successful
Muhammad was replaced by eArpeditions against Mewatis, Katehars and
Ala-ud-clin Sikandar Shah for a biief the Gangeti Doab area. He was killed and
period in 1394, but regained the deposed by the nobles.
throne after Sikandar's death. a Muhammad Shah (1434-43) ruled on a
He ruled till AD 1412. During his very small area, rest being governed by
period, Timur invaded lnma. nobles. Alauddin Shah Alam (1443-1451)
was the last Sayyid king who retired as a
Timur's Invasion coward, descenmng in favour of Bahlol
• Timur, the bead of the Chaghtai Turks Lodhi. Th us, the Sa yyid Dynasty was
and the ruler of Mongols in (Central replaced by the Lodhj Dynasty.
Asia) invaded Inma in 1398, during the 0
Yahya-bin-Ahmed-bin-AbduJJah Sir:hindi
reign of Nasi_ruddin Muhammad wrote Tarileh-i-Mubarak Shahi (History of
Tughlaq. Muhammad Shah of Sayyid Dynasty).
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE~ Indian History
PROVINCIAL Mewar
KINGDOMS 0
The capital city Chittor was captured by
Alaudclin Khalji in AD 1303, but Rajput rule
Gujarat was soon restored by Rana Haniir
(AD 1326-64).
0 Disintegrated from Delhi in 0
Rana Kumbha Karan (AD 1433-68) was the
AD 1397, under Zaffar Khan who 1
greatest ruler of Mewar. He built the famous
assumed the ti tle of S zLltan
victory tower Vijay Stambh at Chittor, to
Muzaffar Shah.
commemorate his victory over Mahmud Khilji
0
Ahmed Shah I (his grandson), built of Malwa. His court was adorned by Mandan ,
a new city Ahmedabad and also buil t who wrote many books on architecture
J ama Masjid and Tin Darwaza at namely, Parsad Mandan and Rupa Mandan.
Ahmedabad.
" Rana Sangram Singh or Rana Sanga
0
Mahmud Beg:hra was another (1509-28) defeated Mahmud IT of Malwa and
prominent ruler, in whose reign, the Ibrahim Lodhi. But, he was defeated by Ba.bur
Portuguese set-up a factory at Diu. in the Battle of Khanwa (AD 1527).
0 Sanslait scholar, Udayraja, was his
court poet. Akbar annexed Gujarat Bengal
in AD 1573.
Disintegrated from Delhi during the reign of
0
Mul1ammad-bin- Tugb]aq.
Malwa In AD 1342, lliyas Khan founded the new
0
• Ahmed Shah was succeeded by his son AJauddin-lI (AD 1436-58) and Humayun.
Humayun (AD 1458-61) was so cruel, that he got the title of Zalim.
a Humayun was succeeded by his son Nizam Shah (1461-63) and then by Muhammad
Shah-ill (AD 1463-82). Mahmud Gawan was the Prime Minister of Muhammad.
Nikitin, a Russian merchant, visited Bidar dw-ing his reign.
a After Gawan's execution by the discontented noble, the Bahmanj kingdom started
declining.
0
The last ruler of Bahmani kingdom was Kalim Ullah Shah (AD 1524-27).
0 After the break-up of Bahmaru kingdom, five Muslim separate states were fanned as
follow:
1. Nizam Shahis of Ahmednagar founder-Ahmed Nizam Shah, later annexed by
Shahjahan.
2. Aclilshabis of Bijapur (1490-1686) founded by Yusuf Adil Shah . It was annexed
by Aw-angazeb.
Greatest ruler of the kingdom was Ibrahim Adil Shah. He introduced Dakhini in
place of Persian language. Another ruler Muhammad Adil Shah buiJt the Gol
Gumbaz.
3. Imad Shahis of Berar (1490-1574) founded by Fateullah Khan lmrnad-ul-Mulk
with Daulatabad as capital Later, it was conquered and annexed by one of the
Nizarn Sham rulers of Ahmednagar.
4. Qutub Shabis of Golconda (1518-1687) founded by Quh Qutub Shah. He bwlt
the famous Golconda fort and made it his capital
• Muhammad Quli Qutab Shah was the greatest of all. He fow1ded the city of
Hyderabad.
0 He bwlt the famous Charminar. Most in1portant port of Qutub Shahi kingdom was
Masuhpatnam. The kingdom was annexed by Aurangzeb (1687).
5. Barid Shahls of Bidar (1528-1619) founded by Ab Barid. Annexed by Adil
Shah is of Bijapur.
RELIGIOUS MOVEMENTS
The Sufi Move1nent
Mystics who are called Sufis, rose in Islam at a very early stage.
0
These saints had nothing to do vvith the state. They lajd great emphasis on love as a
bond between God and the individual soul.
0
Sufi came out of the word sooph meanmg wool. They advocated life of pmity and
renunciation. Sufism sprang from the doctrine of Wahadat-ul-Wujud or unHy of being.
Trus docn-ine was propounded by lbn-u]-Arabi.
0
One and the earhest Su£s was Rabia, a woman.
a Sufis organjsed 12 orders or silsilas. A silsi.la was generally led by a prominent mystic,
who lived in a lehanqah or hospice alongv1rith his disciple. The link between the teacher
or pir and hls disciples or mmids was a vital part of Sufism. Every pir nominated a
successor or wali to carry out ms work.
0
Sufi orders are broadly divided into Ba-shara that is those wlnch followed the Islamic
law (shariat) and Be-shara, that is those which were not bound by it.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE~ Indian History
Sufi Terminology 0
The real development of Bhakti took place in
South India between the 7th and the
Sufi Words Meanings 12th centuries. The Bhakti saints came
Shaikh/Murid/Pir Spiritual teacher usually from the lower caste . They
disregarded caste, encouraged women to join
Tasavvwuf Sufism
and taught in the local vernacuJa.r language.
Murid Disciple a They considered that God has either a form
Khanqah The hospice (Sagzrna) or was forml ess (Nirguna).
Sama Musical recital
Rainanuja (AD 1017-1137)
Raksa Dance
l n the 11th century, Ramanuja tried to
Fana Self annihilation assimilate Bhakti to the tradition of the Vedas.
Khalifah Successor According to him, Moksha (salvation) can be
obtained through Karma, Gyan and Bhakti . He
gave the concept of Vishishtadvaita.
The Bhakti Movement
0
The Bhakti Movement, which J nandeva (AD 1275-96)
stressed mystical union of the Progenitor of Bhakti Movement in
individual with God, was initiated in Maharashtra.
South India by popular saint poets
called Alvars, who represented the N a1ndeva (1270-1350)
emotional side of Vaishnavism ,
through collective songs called He was a Nirgwza Upasalea. Some of his
abhangas are included in the Guru Gra11th
Prabandhas.
Sahib.
a It declined in the AD I 0th centmy,
rise to Sikhism.
Chaitanya (1486-1533)
o Born in Nadia district of West Bengal.
a Nanak began the practice of
community kitchen or Regarded as the founder of modern Vaislrnav
Gw·u-ka-Langar. Sect of Bengal.
a He named the formless God as Akal " He preached dw-ing the reign of Sultan
Prn·ush. Alauddin Shah of Bengal and Gajpati ruler of
Orissa. He died in Pwi. His biography is the
0
His teachings am compiled in the
Chaitanya Charitmala.
Am Granth. a Philosophy of Chaitanya was called
A chi tyab hedaveda.
Vallabhacharya a His disciples considered him as the
(1479-1531) incarnation of Krishna.
a He emphasised on the worship of
Kiisbna as an incarnation of the Surdas (1483-1563)
almighty God. Disciple of Vallabhacharya and devotee of lo1:1
Ki·ishna and Radha. He wrote Sur Suravalz ,
0
Lived in the court of Krishnadeva of
Vijayanagara. Sahitya Rahza and Sursagar (belonged to
Sagwza school).
0
He taught that there was no
difference in Ahna and Paramatma. DaduDayal
By means of Bhakti, one can get
Nirguna Bhak'ti tradition, founded Brahma
salvation and merge in him . He
Sampradaya and Parabrahma Sampradaya;
founded the Pushti sect.
preached service to humanity.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ Indian History
Nimbarakacharya Vidyapati
Worshipper of Krishna and Radha and 0
Maithilili saint poet.
contemporary of Ramanuja. 0 Wrote Padavali i.e. thousands of love
ballads on Radha and Ki·jshna. He also
Madhavacharya wrote Kirtilata Kirtipatalw.
(1238-1317)
According to hi.m1 the release from N arsingh Mehta
transmigration could be secured only by Saint from Gujarat, who vvrote songs in
means of lmowledge and devotion. Gujarati, depicting the love of Radha and
Jayatirtha was his successor. Krishna. He authored Mahatma Gandhi 's
favourite bhajan 'Vaishnava jan ko'.
Mirabai (1498-1546)
Married to Bhojraj, she was the Rath ore Purandar Das (1480-1564)
princesss of Mevata and daughter in-law Vaishnava saint, composer of Karnataka, who
of Rana Sanga ofMewar. She belonged to laid the foundation of Carnatic music.
the Kiishna cult of Vaishnavism.
Shankara Deva (1449-1568)
Tulsidas (1532-1623) Vaishnava saint from Assam.
Born in Brah.min famjly in Varanasi and
belonged to Ram Bhakti cult of Thyagaraja (1767-1847)
Vaishnavism. He wrote Telugu saint and greatest composer of
Ramcharitmanas, Gitawali, Kavitawali, Carnatic music.
Vi11ay Patrilw etc.
Babur (AD 1526-1530) .. The battle of Ghaghra was the 1st battle
0 He was the descendant of Timur on ms which was fought on land and water
father's side and Changez Khan on his sinrnltaneously in meilieval lnilia.
mother's side. HE family belonged to 0
Babur was the first ruler to entitle himself
the Chagtai section of the Tw-kish race 'Badshah'.
and were commonly lmovvn as 0
He wrote Tuzu.k.-i-Babari or Babarnama
M ughals. in Turkish. It was translated into Persian by
a Originally ruled over Ferghana Abdul Rahim Khan-i-Khanan and in
(Afghanistan). English by Madam Beb1idge.
He was invited to attack lnilia by 0
llis victory led to rapid populaiisation of
Daulat Khan Lodhi, Subedar of gunpowder and artillery in lnilia.
Punjab, Alam Khan Lodhi, uncle of 0
After the Kushanas, he was the first to have
Ibrahim Lodhi and Rana Sanga. brought Kabul and Kandhai· into the Inman
He was successful in his empire.
fifth e>...1Jeilition. In the First Battle of o He rued in AD 1530 and was bmied at
Panipat in AD 1526, he finally A.ram Bagh in Agra. Later his body was
defeated Ibrahim Lodhj _ tal<en to A.ram Bagh at Kabul.
0
Defeated Rana Sanga of Mewai· in Htunayun
Battle of Khanwa in 1527. Babur took
the title of 'Ghazi' after this. (AD 1530 - 40 and 1555 -56)
0 Defeated another Rajput ruler Meiliru 0 He was the son of Babm and Maham Anaga
Rai in the Battle of Chanderi in begum.
AD 1528. 0 Babur had ilivided his empire among the
0
In AD 1529, he defeated MuJ1ammad three brothers of Humayun (Karman ,
Lodhi (uncle of Ibrahim Lodhi) in the llindaJ and Asakari). So, Humayun had to
Battle of Ghaghra. face real problems asceniling to the throne.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE~ Indian History
11
His first campaign was against KalinjaL
.. In AD 1533, the first siege of Chunar and the March of Gaur was stopped by Jalal Khan
Sher Khan (Sher Shah) offered nominal submission by sending his son Qutb Khan to
Humayun's court.
11
The second siege of Chunar was stopped by Jalal Khan, Sher Shah 's son in 1538.
Humayun occupied Gaur from Sher Khan renamed it as Jannatabad (Paradise).
11
The Battle of Chausa (1539) was fought between Sher Shah and Humaynn's army.
Humayun was badly defeated and escaped . He vvas saved by Nizam.
11
The Battle of Kannauj (Bilgrnma) (1540) : Humayun was again defeated by Sher Shah
and had to flee.
11
He passed nearly 15 years in exile. He wandered in Sindh drning the reign of Shah
Hussain Arghuna, and then reached the Iranian Court.
11
He got a chance to retmn in AD 1555. By that time, Sher Shah and his son Islam
Shah, who ruled upto 1553, had died. Muhammad Adil Shah was fond of pleasure and
the entire affairs of his state were governed by Hearn, his minister.
11
Bairam Khan, his most faithful officer helped him. The Mughals occupied Lahore
without any march towards Delhi. After the Battle of Macbhiwa.ra against the Afghans,
and Battle of Sirhind against Sikandar Shah, Humayw1's second coronation was
organised. In AD 1556, he fell from the stairs of the library (Sher Mandal, Delhi) and
died. Dinpanah was his second capita.I.
a Raja Maan Singh conquered Bihar, Bengal and Odssa for him.
a 1n 1586, Akbar conquered Kash mir and in 1593, he conquered Sindh.
" At the time of Akbar's death in AD 1605, his empire included Kashmir, Sindh ,
Kandahar and extended as far as the Godavari in the Deccan.
" He was buried at Sikandara near Agra.
the emperor. Amangzeb compiled The campaigning was led by Akbar Il (Son of
the Fatwa-i- Alamgil"i. Aurangzeb) against Durgadas, General of Ajit
• T he Hindu Mansabdar, however, Singh (Son of Raja Jaswant Singh). Akbar Il
maintained their high proportions died in the battle. This gave a serious blow to
during his rule. Rajput Mughal alliance.
• Thus, the Mughal empire so-etched .. Bijapur and Golconda were annexed in
from Kashmir in the North to Jinji in AD 1686 and AD 1687, respectively.
the South and from Hindu Kush in .. Ahoms In 1662, Mir Jumla Aurangzeb's
the West to Chittagong in the East. ablest general led the expedition against
a Aurangzeb died in AD 1707 and was Ahoms.
bmied at Khuldabad (Daulatabad)
near Aurangabad. Religious Policy of Aurangzeb
0 He built 'Bibi ka Maqbara', similar Aurangzeb was a Sunni orthodox Muslim, who
to Taj Mal1al in Aurangabad. wanted to convert India from Dar-uJ-Harb to
Dar-uJ-lslam. His religious policy was a
Revolts under Aurangzeb departure from the policy of tolerance and
a Aurangzeb's rule can be broadly universal peace followed by Akbar. He replaced
divided into two pe1iods, in the first the solar calender by the lunar Hirn, dismissed
23 years, he concentrated in the court musicians and royal painters, appointed
North, when Maratha power under Muhtasibts (court sensors) from amongst the
Shivaji emerged and the second Ulema, to enforce sharia't.
period ( 1682-1 707) is marked by his
pre-occupations with the affairs of Causes of the Fall of
Deccan. the Mughal Empire
• Sikhs In 1675, he ordered the arrest
• Weak and incompetent successors .
and execution of the nin th Sikh
• Wars of succession.
Guru, Gun1 Tegh Bhadur. Against
tbis, Guru Gobind Singh organised • Aurangzeb's Deccan. religious and Rajput
his followers into a military force policies.
called Khalsa, but he was also • Jagirdari crisis.
murdered in AD 1708 by an Afghan • Growth of Marathas and other regional powers.
at Nanded in Deccan. Later, Banda • Foreign invasions of Nadir Shah (1739) and
Bairagi continued the war against Abdali.
Mughals.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE~ Indian History
0
Methods of revenue collection
Mansabdari System
- Rai Yield per unit area.
• Mansabdari system (1595-96) showed a noble's - Kankot Based on estimate.
civil and miltary capacity. In its broad aspect, the - Zabti Based on the yields of crops.
mansab or rank awarded to an individual fixed Jagirdari System In this system ,
both his status in the official hierarchy as well as every Jagirdar was assigned land in
his salary. proportion to hi.s salary.
• Twin ranks Zat and Sawar were alloted. The 0
Ijara System The Government
Zat ir;idicated the noble's personal status and the began contracting the land vvith the
Sawar rank, the actual number of horsemen he middle man, also lmovm as revenue
was expected to maintain. farmers, who were supposed to pay
fixed amount to the government,
Revenue Administration h owever, were left free to collect
whatever they could , from the
a The empire was divided into Khalisa (crovvn
farmers leading to their eA'J)loitation .
land), Jagirs (land granted to nobles) and
lnam or Madad-i-Maash or Suyurghal (land
granted to religious and learned men).
Mughal Paintings
o The Mughals introduced new
0 Dashala System of Raja Todarmal : Under
themes depicting the court, battle
this system the average produce of different
scenes and added new colours
crops at the average price prevailing over the (peacock blue and lndian red).
last IO years were calculated. l/3rd of the 0
Daswant and Basawan were two
average produce was the state's share. For
famous painters of Akbar's court.
the measurement of land, 'Bigha ' was
adopted as the standard unit. o Mugh al painting reached to its
zenith drning Jahangir's rule.
0
Zabti System was based on the Jahangir was a great patron of
measurement and assessment of land. painting.
Mughal Architecture
Ruler Arohiteoture Built
Babur Mosques at Kabuligarh (Panipat) and at Sambhal (Rohilkhand).
Humayun City of Dinpannah , Jamali mosque and mosque of Isa Khan at Delhi .
Haji Begum Humayun Tomb.
(wife of Humayun)
Akbar Agra fort; Jahangiri Mahal in Agra fort based on design of Manmandir;
Lahore Palace, Allahabad fort, temple of Govind-deva at Vrindavana and
several buildings at Fatehpur Sikri that included Panch MahaJ (planned on
Buddhist Vihara) , Diwan-i-khas, Jodhabais' Palace, Diwan-i-Aam, Buland
Darwaja (Iranian style). He began to build his own tomb at Sikandara which
was completed by Jahangir.
Jahangir (lndo- Moti Mosjid at Lahore, own Mausoleum at Shahdara .
Persian style)
Nurjahan ltamaduddaulas marble tomb at Agra in pietra dura technique .
Shahjahan At Agra Taj MahaJ, Moti ki Masjid, Khanas Mahal, Sheesh Mahal,
Musamman Burz (Jasmine Palace where he spent his last years) .
At Delhi Jama Masjid, Red Fort (Diwan-i-Khas and Rang MahaJ).
Others : Shalimar Bagh (Lahore), City of Shahjahandabad (Red Fort and
Taqht-i-Taus i.e. Peace throne), Nahor-i-Faiz.
Aurangzeb Moti Masjid at Delhi , Bibi-ka-Makbara (tomb of his wife Rabbia-ud-Douna) at
Aurangabad, Badshahi mosque at Lahore.
CD GENERAL KNOWLEDGE~ Indian History
0
Battle of Kannauj He also annexed
SHERSHAH SURI Kannauj after defeating Humayun.
AND AFGHAN 0
Battle of Samet (1544) Defeated
Rajput forces of Marwar.
EMPIRE (1540-55) 0 The campaign of Bundelkhand was the
a His real name was Farid. last campaign of his life. While
0
He was born to Hasan , a Jagirdar of besieging its fort at Kalinjar, Sher Shah
Sasha.ram and Hajipm. got burned due to fire in the bundle of
rockets in 1545.
0 He joined Babar Khan Loh anis service
and then appointed as th e Deputy
Governor of Bihar.
Adininistration
0 He usurped the throne as For administrative convenience,
'Hazarat-i-Ala '. Shershah divided his whole empire into
47 divisions called Sarkars and further
He gained Chuna.r by marrying Lad into smaller Parganas.
Malika, the widow of Governor ofChunar.
Pargana, composed of number of
0
Battle of Chausa In 1539, he captured
villages and was under the charge of
Chausa from Humayun. He assumed the Shiqdar, who looked after the law, the
title of Shershah as emperor.
order and general administration of the
0
He also issued coins and Khutba was read Pargana. The Amil or Munsif looked
in hjs name. The whole area from Bengal after the collection of land revenue in
to Bana.ras was under his empire. the Pargana.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE~ Indian History
I THE MARATHAAGE I
" Shivaji divided the tenitories under his rule succeeded the throne. He was an
into three provinces (prants), each under a incapable ruler and poor diplomat.
Viceroy. Provinces vvere divided into Frants, " Prince Akbar, the rebellious son of
which were subdivided into Parganas or Aurangzeb took shelter with him.
Tarafs. The lowest unit was village, headed Sambhaji was executed by Aurangzeb
by a headman or patel. and his infant son, Shahu, was tal<en
11Shivaji was helped by Ashtapradhan (eight captive by Aurangzeb. Sambhaji was
ministers), which was w1like a Council of succeeded by Rajaram in 1689.
Ministers, for there was no collective o Rajaram (1689-1700) was killed in
responsibility. Each minister was directly 1700 by Aurangzeb. His widow
responsible to Shivaji. Tarabai put her infant son, Shivaji TI,
" His administrative reforms were guided by on the throne. Rajaram created the
Malik Amber of Ahmednagar. new Ministerial post of Pratinidhi.
Thus, total number of ministers
Sbivaji's Revenue became nine.
" After Aurangzeb 's death in 1707,
Administration Shahu, the grandson of Shivaji and
0
Assessment of land revenue was based on son of Sambh aji was released by
measurement. The Kathi of Amber was Bahadur Sh ah. He claimed the
adopted as the unit of measmement. throne and this led to a civil war
" Chauth was one-fourth of the land revenue between Shahu and Tarabai. Shahu
paid to the Marathas so as not to be emerged victorious in the Battle of
subjected to Maratha 's raid . Khed, with the h elp of Balaji
" Sardeshmukhi was an additional levy of 10 Vishwanath. After this, Shahu ruled
per cent (I/10th) on those lands of from Satara and Ta.rabai from
Maharashtra, over which the Marathas Kolhaptu-. From now onwards, the
claimed hereditary right, but which formed rule of Peshwa started. They became
part of the Mughal empire. virtual rulers of the state.
Shivaji's Ashtapradhan
Ashtapradhan Department
Peshwa (Mukhya Pradhan) Prime Minister, Finance
Sar-i-Naubat/Senapati Military Commander
Majumdar or Amatya Accountant General
(revenue and finance minister during the Pesh was)
Waqenavis/Mantri Intelligence, posts and household aHairs
Surunavis or Sachiv Minister for Correspondence
Dabir or Sumanta Foreign Minister and Minister of royal ceremonies
Nyayadhish Administration of Justice
Pandit Rao Charity and religious aHairs
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ Indian History
from Portuguese in 1733. He also " 3rd Anglo Ma.ratha war (1817-18)
defeated the Nizam-ul-MuJk near • Lord Hastings declared war against
Bhopal and concluded the treaty of Pindaries the mercenai-y of world that
Durai Sarai, via which he got Malwa Marathas decisively defeated.
and Bundelkhand (1737).
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE~ Indian History
I MODERN INDIA I
Danes 0
The first French factory was established
at Surat by Francois Caron in 1668 and
a The Danes arrived in India in 16 16.
second at Masulipatnam in 1669.
They established settlement at
Tranqoeber (Tamil Nadu) in 1620 and
0
They occupied Mahe, Yanam and
Serampore (Bengal) in 1676. KaraikaJ.
Serampore was their headquarters. 0
The foundation of Pondicherry was laid
0
They were forced to sell their in 1673, which aftenvards became their
settlements to the British in 1854. capital. They also developed a factory at
Chandernagar.
French 0 The Governors, Lenoir and Dumas
0 The French East India Company revived the French power in lndfa
was formed in 1664 by Colbert under between 1720-42 and the Anglo-French
state patronage during the reign of Louis conflict started with the arrival of
XIV. Governor Duplei.x in 1742.
I INDEPENDENT STATES I
HYDERABAD 0
The highest post of his government was
h eld by Maharaja Nawab Rai. This shows
a Founded by Nizam-uJ-Mulk Asaf Jahan his religious tolerance towards the
in AD 1724. His original name was Chin Hindus.
Qilich Khan but emperor Farrukhsiyar
conferred on him the titles of MYSORE
'Khan-i-Duran' and later
'Nizam-ul-Mul/e' . 0 Haider Ali ( 1761-82) started his career
as a soldier in Mysore state, promoted to
0
Pu ran Chand was his di wan.
Commander-in-Chief and later to
° Carnatic was one of the Su bah of Deccan Faujadar at Dindigul.
h ence, it was under Nizam of 0 In 176 1, he overthrew Nanjaraj a and
Hyderabad.
established his authority over Mysore.
11
Nizam of Hyderabad becan1e He established a Modem Arsenal in
independent of Delhi and deputy Dindigu].
Governor of Carnatic made himself 0
In 1769, h e repeatedly defeated t he
independent of Hyderabad, hence
British in First Anglo-Mysore War and
assumed the title 'Nawab of Carnatic' .
reached the walls of Madras. He died in
0
Saadautullah Khan of Carnatic made his 1782 during Second Anglo-Mysore
nephew Dost Ali as his successor at War.
Carnatic without the approval of Nizam.
0 Tipu Sultan (1782-99) succeeded Haider
This caused rivah-y between Carnatic
Ali. He planted the Tree of Liberty at
and Hyderabad.
Srirangapatnam and became a member
11Hyderabad remained independent un til of the Jacobian Club.
it became a part of Independent India.
The Nizam provided assistance to th e
0
He died in 1799, fighting at the gates of
British dming tl1e 1857 Revolt. Srirangapatnam during the 4th Anglo-
Mysore War.
AWADH 0
He was tolerant and enlightened in his
approach towards other religions. He
11 Founded by Saadat Khan gave money for the construction of
Bw·han-nJ-Mnlk. Emperor Mul1ammad image of Goddess Sarcia on the
Shah appointed him as Governor of Shrinageri temple. The famous temple
Awadh in AD 1722. of Sri Rangnath was situated barely a
11 Committed suicide in 1 739 and was h undred yards from his palace. He
succeeded by bis nephew Safdar Jung. assumed the title of Padshah in 1797.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE~ Indian History
Industrial Phase (1813-1858) land. Hence, they could keep 1/11 th of the
revenue collected to themselves while the
The British mercantile industrial British got a fixed share of 10/11 th of the
capitalist class e>,._rploited India. Charter revenue collected. The zamindars were
Act of 1813, allowed 'one way free n-ade ' free to fix the rate .
for B1itish citizens resulting in Indian
markets flooded with cheap and machine Ryotwari Settlement
made imported goods from Britain. .. l nb.·oduced in Bombay, Madras and
Indians not only lost their foreign markets Assam. Munro and Charles Reed
but their Indian markets also.
recommended it.
1n this, the direct settlement was made
Finance hnperialis1n 0
I REVOLTOF1857 I
" J hansi was capturnd by Hugh Rose on 17th ., T he military equipments ofrebels were
J une , 1858. Rani Lakshmi Bai died in the inferior.
battle field. 0 T he most signi£ cant featme of the
a Luclmow was recaptured on revolt was the exhibition of
21st March, 1858 by Colin Campbell, llindu-Mushm Unity.
Havelock and Outram. ° Concentrated on the North e rn part of
0
Nana Sahjb and Haz:rat MahaJ both Inrna.
escaped to Nepal.
0 William Taylor and Edgre suppressed the Impacts of the Revolt
revolt at Arrah. Tantia Tope was betrayed o In August 1858, the British Parliament
by a friend. He was captured and executed passed an Act, which put an end to the
on 15th April, 1859. rule of the Company. The
responsibility of the adminish-ation of
Ran i Lakshmi Bai British Inrna passed into the hands of
the British Queen and the Parliament.
Rani Lakshmi Bai, nicknamed Manu, was married
to Raja Gangadhar Rao in 1842. The couple ., An office of the Secretary of State for
adopted a child in 1853 but Lord Dalhousie Inrna with a 15 members' council was
wished to annex Jhansi under the Doctrine of constituted for the admrnjstration of
Lapse. Rani did not surrender and died fighting at Inrna.
Kalpi near Jhansi during the Revolt of 1857. o The designation of the Governor-
General was changed to Viceroy, who
was to act as a representative.
Causes Behind the Failure of ., 'Docn-ine of Lapse' was withdrawn.
the Revolt Princely states were assured against
0 Lack of uruty and poor organisation of the annexation.
revolt. All the classes of the society were 0
T he British pmsued the divide and
not effected or participated in the revolt. rule policy.
0
Lack of common motive for participating 0
Increase in th e nun1ber of white
in the revolt. Some of the rulers like soldiers in the army.
Scindhias, Nizam and Holkars h elped 0
TotaJ expense of the suppression was
Britishers in reppressing the revolt. borne by the Inrnans.
Dr RC Majumdar The so called First NationaJ War of Independence 1857, is neither First,
nor National, nor War of Independence
I GOVERNOR-GENERALS OF BENGAL I
I GOVERNOR-GENERALS OF INDIA I
Lord William Bentinck Lord Ellenborough (1842-44)
(1828-1835) 0 Brought an end to the Afghan War
0
Most liberal and enlightened amongst all (1842).
the Governor-Generals of India, 0
Abolished Slavery
0 Regai·ded as the 'Father of Modern ° Sind was annexed by Charles Napier.
Western Education in India'. He was appointed as First Governor of
0
Abolition of Sati in 1829. Sind.
0
Suppression of Thugi (1830). Lord Hardinge (1844-48)
o Passed the Charter Act, of 1833.
° First Anglo-Sikh Wai· and the 11.'eaty of
0
Deposition of Raja of Mysore and Lahore.
annexation of his territolies (1831).
o Abolition of Provincial court of Appeal and Lord Dalhousie (1848-56)
appointment of commissioners instead. o Second Anglo-Sikh Wai· (1848-49) and
He was the First Governor-General of annexation of Punjab.
India. 0
Abolished titles and pensions.
° First Medical College was opened in Widow Remai·1iage Act (1856).
Calcutta in 1835. 0
Introduced Doctrine of Lapse.
0
Treaty of Frie nd shlp witb Ranjit Singh ., Woods Educational Despatch of 1864.
(1831).
D Annexed Coorg (l 834 ) and Central O
Introduction of the Railway, Telegraph
Cachai· (1831). and the Postal System in 1853.
0 Establishment of a sepai·ate Public
Sir Charles Metcalfe Works Department in every province.
An Engineering College was
(1835-36)
0
established at Roorkee.
Passed the famous Press Law, which
Planned to open universities in
liberated the press in India. He is knovm as
Calcutta, Bombay and Madras on the
the liberator of press.
model of Universities of London.
Lord Auckland (1836-42) 0
Second Anglo-Burmese War (1862).
First Afghan War (1836-42).
0 San thal uprisings (l 856-56).
0
Death of Ranjit Singh (l 839). .. Charter Act of 1863.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE~ Indian History
GROWTH OF
MODERN EDUCATION IN INDIA
First Phase (1758-1812) "' The cona·oversy was settled by
0
lnjtially, the East India Company was not MacauJay's Education Policy 1835 ,
interested in the development of which was approved by Lord William
education. Some minor exceptions were Bentinck. The policy favoured English
efforts by individuals. education to a traditional one.
0
The Calcutta Madrasa establishe d by In 1844, Lord Hardinge decided to give
0
0
1n 1882, Lord Ripon appointed t he Hunter
Sergeant Plan, 1944 Commission under Sir WW Hw1ter. The
• The Sergeant Plan, worked out by the commjssion's vievvs were restricted to
Central Advisory Board of Education in primary and secondary education. It
1944, ca lled for elementary and higher emphasised over the state 's role in extending
secondary schools, universa l, free and education, female education and to involve
compulsory education for children in the private enterprise in education.
6-11 age group and a six-year school 0
As a result , Punjab (1882) and Allahabad
course for the 11-17 age group. (1887) Universities were established .
• Though, the plan aimed to reconstruct
education in 40 years, it was later Fourth Phase (1901-1920)
restricted to 16 years. o Lord Cw-zon appointed University
• Sir John Sergeant was the Educational Commission under Sir Thomas Rayleigh
Advisor to the Government of India. Based on his report, the Inclian Unjversities
Act was passed in 1904.
Brah1no Sa111aj 0
Established a Vedanta College (l 825) , in
° Founded by Raja Rammohan Roy which courses both in Indian and Western ,
(l 771-1833). Social and Physical sciences were offered.
0
He is regarded as th e first great o He wrote A Gift to monotheists or
leader and reformer of modern 'Tuhafat-ul-Muwaihidin ' in Persian in 1809.
India. He was one of the earliest o Other important leaders of Brahmo Samaj
propagators of modem education. were Devendranath Tagore, who joined in
0 He started Atmiya Sabha in 181 4. 1848 and Keshab Chandra Sen in 1858.
Brahmo Sabha in 1828 and Brah mo Later, there was a split and in
Samaj in 1830. 1866-Devendranath Tagore founded Adj
0 He was deeply influenced by Brah.mo Samaj and Tattva Bodhfoj Sabha
monotheism, an ti-idolatry of Islam, and Brahmo Samaj of India was founded
Su£sm, ethical teachings of under th e leadership of Keshab Chandra
Christianity, liberal and rationalist Sen.
doct1-ine of the West. 0 Anand Mohan Bose started Sadharan
0
He laid emphasis on human dignity Brahmo Samaj.
and criticised social evils. o Justice MG Ranade founded the Prarthana
0 He launched a movement for th e Samaj.
abolition of Sati through his journals
Sambad Kaumudj (1819) , Precepts
Brahma Ideas
of Jesus in 1820.
The purpose of Brahma Samaj was to purify
0 He was a gifted linguis t. He knew
Hinduism and to preach monotheism. It was
more than a dozen languages
opposed to idol worship, priesthood and rit ualistic
including Sanshit, Persian, Arabic,
worship; Emphasised on worship through prayer,
English , French, Latin , Greek and
meditation and reading from the upanishada.
Hebrew. He was opposed to Sanshit
system of education.
0 He gave enthusiastic assistance to AryaSa111aj
David Hare, who founded the 0
The first Arya Samaj unit was founded by
famous Hindu College in Calcutta Swami Dayanand Saraswati in 1875 in
in 1817. Bombay.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE~ Indian History
0
Swami Dayanand Saraswati was born ., He urged people to inculcate the spirit of
in 1824 in Gujarat. His 01iginal name liberty, equality and free thinking.
was Mula Shankar. 0
He worked for emancipation of women.
0 He was knovvn as the earliest 0
He emerged as a preacher of Neo
Neo-nationalist. He looked on the filnduism. He advocated the Doctrine of
Vedas as 'Indfa's Rock and Ages'. His Service-the service of all human beings.
motto was go back to the Vedas and He was considered as the Spiritual Father
India for the Indians. of the Modem Nationalist Movement.
0
Arya Samaj stood for four-fold Varna 0
liish woman Margaret Noble (Sister
System determined by merit and not by Nivedita) popularised Ra.mala.ishna
birth; for equal rights for men and Mission after Vivekananda's death.
women.
Dharma Sabha
a Opposed untouchability, caste
discrimination, child marriage and
0
The orthodox Hindus organised the
supported widow remaniage and Dhanna Sabha under leadership of Raja
Radhakant Dev in 1830 to counter
intercaste marriages.
Brahma Sa.maj.
0
He wrote three books-Satyartba 0
It was opposed to reforms and protected
Prakash, Veda-Bhashya Bhumika
orthodm,-y, but played an active role in
and Veda Bhashya. promoting Western Education even to
0
1n 1886, Lala Hansraj instituted girls.
Dayanand Anglo Vedic (DAV) school in
Lahore. In 1902, GurukuJ Patbshala Paramhansa Mandali
was established at Haridwar. 0 Founded by Dadoba Pandmang and Bal
0
After the death of Dayanand in 1883, Shastri Ja.mbhekar in 1849. The Mandalis
difference occured in Gurukul section believed in One God.
and DAV section. While Gurukul o Members took food cooked by low caste
section la.id emphasis on the traditional people. Believed in permitting widow
pattern of education, the DAV stood for remarriage and in education of women.
the spread of English education.
VedaSamaj
0 The Arya Samaj started the Shuddhi
° Called Bra.bmo Sa.maj of the South.
Movement to convert non-Hindus to
Started by Sridharalu Naidu.
Hinduism. Other prominent Arya
Samajists were Lala Hansraj, Pt Guru
0 He translated books of Brahma Dhanna
Dutt, Lala Lajpat Ra.i and Swami into Telugu and Tamil.
Shraddhanand. The Pra1thana Sabha
° Founded in 1867 by MG Ranade.
Ra1nakrisbna Mission 0
Prominent leaders were Dr Atmaram
0
It was established by Swami
Pandurang and RG Bhandarkar and NG
Vivekanand to carry o □ humanitarian Chandavarkar.
relief and social work after death of his
Gum Ram k:rishna Paramhansa in ° It rejected idolatry, denied the vedas, and
_ adopted the method of Congregational
1897
Worship.
0
His original □ a.me was Narendranatb
Dutt. He was born in Calcutta in 1863. Young Bengal Movement
0 He sh·essed o □ social action and o During the late 1820 and early 1830, there
proclaimed the essential oneness of all emerged a radical intellectual trend
religions and condemned any among the youth in Bengal, vvhich ca.me to
narrO\,vness in religious matters. be knovvn as the 'Young Bengal
0
He attended the Parliament ofreligions Movement'.
held at Chicago in 1893 and published 0
It was founded by Heru-y Louis Vivian
two papers P1·abhudha Bharata in Derozio. He was a teacher in Hindu
English and Udbodhana in Bengali. College in Calcutta.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE~ Indian History
11
He started Newspapers- Paridaashak Gopal Krishna Gokhale
(weekly); Public Opinion and Tribune
(1866-1915)
(editor); Swaraj (English weekly in
London); Hindu Review (English 0 Gandhiji regarded him as his political
monthly); Independent (daily) ; and guru.
Democrate (weekly). 0
He was the President of tbe Banaras
Session of INC, 1905, supported the
Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941) Swadeshi Movement.
0 He was a poet, philosopher, educationist, 0 He was the founder of the Servants of
internationalist and a patriot. lndian Society in 1905, to train people ,
0 His elder brother, Satyendranatb Tagore who would work as national
was the first Indian to become an ICS. missionaries.
0 His first poem was published in the
'Amrita Bazar Patri/rn' and then he Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948)
wrote 'Banaphul' (story) and o Gandhi came to India in 1915. He
'Bhanusinher Padavali' (series oflyrics). ah-eady had Satyagrahas in South
" He founded Shantiniketan near Bolpore Anica. In 1907, Satyagraha was done
on 22nd December, 190 1. against compulsory registration and
0 He wrote Gitanjali, which fetche d him passes for Indians. In 1910, against
the Nobel Prize in 19 l 3. immigration rest1ictions, and
11He inaugurated Raksha Bandhan festi val de-recognition of Non-Christian Indian
to oppose the Partition of Bengal (1905). marriages.
11He founded the Vishva Bharati O
He followed the doctline of Ahimsa.
University. 0
The Champaran Satyagraha in 1917,
0 In 1915, British Crovm granted hi m a against the Tinkathia System led by him
lrnighthood, which he renounced after was his first success in Indfa.
the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre. 0 The Ahmedabad Satyagraha, where
11
His compositions were chosen as there was a dispute between the mill
National Anthem by two nations ovmer and workers over the "plague
1. India-Jana Gana Mana bonus' was also a success. Gandhi then
2. Bangladesh-Amar Sonar Bang/a advised the worker to go on strike and h e
undertook a hanger strike, after which
Lala Lajpat Rai (1865-1928) the mill ovmers were pressurised to
accept the tribunal award of 35 per cent
0
He was a courageous man so, he was
increase in wages.
called The Lion of Punjab
(Sher-a-Pzmjab). 0 Kheda Satyagraha The peasants of
0 He was inspired by Mal1atma Hans Raj. Kheda district were in e)(treme distress
Being an Arya Samajist, he helped in due to the failure of crops and the
establishment of the DAV College at government ignored their appeals for the
Lahore. remission of land revenue. Gandhiji
advised them to withhold the revenue
0 He vvithdrew his name from the
and fight until death.
presidency list of the INC at its Surat
session. He was the President of the Facts about Gandhi
special session of the Congress at
Calcutta, 1920. 0
Name Mohan Das Karam Chand
Gandhi .
" He opposed the withdrawal of
Non-Cooperation Movement in 1922. He Titles:
founded Swaraj Party with Motilal Nehru O
Mahatma (by Rabindranath Tagore,
and CR Das. 1917).
0
He was injured during a demonstration 0
Malang Baba/Nanga Fakir (by Kabailas of
against Simon Commission in 1928. North-West Frontier, 1930).
0 He was the editor of the Bande Mat.ram, 0 lndian/Iraitor Faqir (by Winston
The Punjab and The People. Churchill , 1931).
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE~ Indian History
11
Hali Naked Saint (by Franq Mores, 0
He held the post of the
1931). General-Secretary of the INC in
11 Rashtrapita (by Subhash Chandra Bose, 1921-1922 and was a member of
1944). Congress Working Committee from
11
Birth 2nd October, 1869 at Porbandar in 1922 to 1924.
Gujarat. 0
He started the Civil Disobedience
0
Mother Putali Bai. Movement in Tamil Nadu and was
arrested for leading a Salt March from
0 Father Karam Chand Gandhj_
Trichinapoly to Vedaranniyam on the
a Political Guru Gopal Krishna Gokhale. Tanjore coast.
0
Private Secretary Mahadev Desai. 0
He was elected as the Cruef Minister of
0
Influenced by John Ruskin (Unto the Madras in 1937 elections.
last); Leo Tolstoy; Thoreau; Emerson; the o He resigned from Indian National
Bible; the Gita. Congress in 1942 for not accepting the
" As an Erutor Cripps' Proposal.
0
Indian Opinion (1903-15) in E nglish, " He prepared the CR Formula for
Gujarati, Hindi and TamjJ_ Congress-League Cooperation.
Harijan (1919-31) in English, Gujarati " He served as the Governor of Bengal
and Hindi. (August-November, 1947) and was the
ffrst and last Indian Governor-General
" Young India (1933-42) in English and
of India ( 1948-50).
Gujarati.
0 He became the MWster of Home
a Literary works
Affairs in the counb.-y's first cabinet.
IBnd Swaraj (1909) " He founded the Swatantra Party in
My Experiments with Truth (Auto 1959. IBs rational ideas are reflected in
Biography, 1927). the collection Satyan1eva Jayate.
a He was awarded vvith the Bharat Ratna
Sarojini Naidu (1879-1949) in 1964.
" Popularly lmovvn as the Nightingale of
India, she was a nationalist and poetess Dr Rajenclra Prasad (1884-1963)
from Uttar Pradesh. " He participated in Swadeshi Movement
0
She was mar1ied to Dr Govindarajulu (established Bihaii Students,
Naidu in 1893. Conference), Champa.ran Satyagraha ,
0
Under the gwdance of Gopal Krishna Non-Cooperation Movement, Civil
Gokhale, she became the first woman to Disobedience Movement and Qujt India
participate in the India's struggle for Movemen t.
independence. " He founded the National College at
0 She participated in the Dandi March with Patna .
Gandruji and presided over the Kanpur 0
He was elected as the Minister Inchai'ge
Session of Congress in 1925. of Food and Agiicultme in the Interim
" She vvas the first woman to become the Government (1946).
Governor of Uttar Pradesh State. " He was the President of the Constituent
0 Her famous books include -The Golden Assembly.
Threshold (1905), The Feather of the " He became the ffrst President of the
Dawn; The Bi1·d of Time (1912) and The Indian Republic. He was honoured with
Broken Wing (1917). Bharat Ratna in 1962.
a He edited the newspaper-Desk (Hjndi
Chakrava1thi Rajagopalachari weekly).
(1879-1972)
" He was a politician and lavvyer from Taniil
Jawaharlal Nehru (1889-1964)
Nadu. " He became the General Secretary of the
0 He gave up his practice during Indian National Congi·ess in 1928 and
Non-Cooperation Movement. its President in 1929.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE~ Indian History
Republic India (from 1947 to 1964), also Examination in 1920 in England , but
knovvn as Architect of Modern India. He left it on Gandhiji's caJ1 of
authored the Doctrine of Panchseel and Non-Cooperation Movement.
believed in the policy of non-alignment. He founded the independence for In dia
0
0
Books-The Discovery of India, League with Jawaharlal Nehru.
Glimpses of World History, A Bunch of He was elected as the President of INC
0
Old Letters, The Unity of India , at its Haripura Session (1938) and
Independence and After, India and the Tripwi Session (1939), but resigned
World, etc. from Tripw-i due to differences vvith
0
His autobiography was entitled as Gandhiji.
Auto-biography. He founded the Forward Bloc (1939)
0
1
Important Dates/Years of lndia s Freedom Struggle
Date/Year lmportanoe
1905 Partition of Bengal announced; to come in force from 16th October 1906.
1906, December 30 Muslim League founded at Dacca
1908, April 30 Khudiram Bose executed .
1908, July 22 TTlak sentenced to six years on charges of sedition.
1909, May 21 Morley-Minto Reforms of Indian Councils Act, 1909.
1911 The coronation or Delhi durbar held at Delhi, in which the Partition of BengaJ
is cancelled .
1911 Delhi becomes the new capital of India.
1912, December 23 Bomb thrown on Lord Hardinge, on his entry into state Delhi.
1914, November 1 Ghadar Party formed at San Francisco.
1914,June16 BG Tilak released from jail.
1914, August 4 Outbreak of the First World War.
1914, September Komagatamaru ship reaches Budge Budge (Calcutta port) .
29
1915, January 9 Gandhiji arrives in India.
1915, February 19 Death of GopaJ Krishna Gokhale.
1916, April 28 BG Tilak finds Indian Home Rule League with rts headquarters at Poona_
1916, September Another Home Rule League started by Annie Besant.
25
1917, April Mahatma Gandhi launches the Champaran campaign in Bihar to focus
attention on the grievances of indigo planters .
1917, August20 The Secretary of State for India, Montague, declares that the goal of the
British Government in India is the introduction of Responsible Government.
1918 Beginning of Trade Union Movement in India.
1918, April Rowlatt (Sedition) Committee submits its report . Rowlatt Bill introduced
on February 16, 1919.
1919, April 13 Jallianwala Bagh tragedy
1919, December 5 The House of Commons passes the Montague-Chelmsford Reforms or
the Government of India Act, 1919. The new reforms under this act came
into operation in 1921 .
1920 First meeting of the All India Trade Union Congress.
(under Narain Malhar Joshi) .
1920, December The Indian National Congress (INC) adopts the Non-Cooperation
Resolution.
1920-22 Non-Cooperation Movement, suspended on February 12, 1922 after the
violent incidents at Chauri Chaura on February 5, 1922.
1922, August Moplah rebellion on the Malabar coast.
1923, January 1 Swarajist Party formed by Motilal Nehru and others.
1924 The Communist Party of India starts its activities at Kanpur.
1925, August Kakori Train Conspiracy case.
1927, November 8 The Brrtish Prime Minister announces the appointment of the Simon
Commission to suggest Mure constitutionaJ reforms in India.
Simon Commission arrives in Bombay on February 3, 1928 and all-India
hartal. Lala Lajpat Rai assaulted by police at Lahore.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE~ Indian History
Date/Year lmportanoe
1928 Nehru Report recommends principles for the New Constitution of India.
All-parties conference considers the Nehru Report, August 28-31 , 1928.
1928, November 17 Death of Lala Lajpat Rai.
1929 Sharda Act passed prohibiting marriage of girls below 14 and boys beloVJ
18 years of age with etf ect from 1930.
1929, March 9 All-Parties Muslim Conference formulates the 'Fourteen Points ' under the
leadership of Jinnah.
1929, April 8 Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt throw a bomb in the Central
Legislative Assembly.
1929, October 31 Lord Irwin's announcement that the goal of British policy in India was the
grant of the Dominion status .
1929, December 31 The Lahore Session of the INC adopts the goaJ of complete
independence-Pooma Swarajya for India; Jawaharlal Nehru hoists the
tricolour of Indian Independence on the banks of the river Ravi at Lahore .
1930, January 26 First Independence Day observed .
1930, February 14 The Working Committee of the INC meets at Sabarmati and passes the Civil
Disobedience resolution.
1930, March 12 Mahatma Gandhi launches the Civil Disobedience Movement with his epic
Dandi March (March 12 to April 6). First phase of the Civil Disobedience
movement : March 12, 1930 to March 5, 1931 .
1930, November 30 First Round Table Conference begins in London to consider the report of
the Simon Commission.
1931, March 5 Gandhi-Irwin pact signed . Civil Disobedience Movement suspended .
1931, March 23 Bhagat Singh, Sukh Dev and Rajguru executed.
1931, September 7 Second Round Table Conference.
1931, December 28 Gandhiji returns from London after the deadlock in Second Round Table
Conference. Launches Civil Disobedience Movement. The Indian National
Congress declared illegal.
1932, January 4 Gandhiji arrested and imprisoned without trial.
1932,August16 British Prime Minister Ramsay Macdonald announces the infamous
°Communal Award" .
0
1932, September Gandhiji in jail, begins his epic tast unto death" against the Communal
20 Award and ends the fast on 26th September, after the Poona Pact.
1932, November 17 The Third Round Table Conference begins in London (17th November to
24th December).
1933, May 9 Gandhiji released from prison as he begins his fast for self-purit1cation.
Indian National Congress suspends Civil Disobedience Movement but
authorises Satyagraha by individuals.
1934 Gandhiji withdraws from active politics and devotes himself to constructive
programmes.
1935,August4 The Government of India Act (1935) passed.
1937 Elections held in India under the Act of 1935 (February 1937). The Indian
National Congress contests elections, and forms ministries in several
provinces (July, 1937).
1938, February Haripura session of Indian National Congress . Subhash Chandra Bose
19-20 elected Congress President.
1939, March 10-12 Tripuri session of the Indian National Congress.
1939, April Subhash Chandra Bose resigns as the president of the Indian National
Congress.
1939, September 3 Second World War (1st September). Great Britain declares war on
Germany; the Viceroy declares that India too is at war.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE~ Indian History
Date/Year lmportanoe
1939, October 27- The Congress ministries in the provinces resign in protest against the war
November 5 policy of the British Government.
1939, December 22 The Muslim League observes the resignation of the Congress ministries as
Deliverance Day.
1940, March Lahore Session of the Muslim League, passes the Pakistan Resolution.
1940, August 10 Viceroy Linlithgow announces August Offer.
1940, August 18-22 Congress Working Committee rejects the August Offer.
1940, October 17 Congress launches Individual Satyagraha Movement.
1941, January 17 Subhash Chandra Bose escapes from India; arrives in Berlin (March 28).
1942, March 11 Churchill announces the Cripps Mission.
1942, August 7-8 The Indian National Congress meets in Bombay ; adopts 'Quit India'
resolution .
1942,August9 Gandhiji and other Congress leaders arrested .
1942, August 11 Quit India Movement begins; the Great August Uprising .
1942, September 1 Subhash Chandra Bose establish the Indian National Army 'Azad Hind
Fauj' .
1943, October 21 Subhash Chandra Bose proclaims the formation of the Provisional
Government of Free India.
1943, December Karachi Session of the Muslim League adopts the slogan 'Divide and Quit' .
1944, January 25 Wavell calls Shimla Conference in a bid to form the Executive Council of
Indian political leaders.
1946, February 18 Mutiny of the Indian naval ratings in Bombay.
1946, March 15 British Prime Minister Attlee announces Cabinet Mission to propose a new
solution to the Indian deadlock; Cabinet Mission arrives in New Delhi (14th
March); issues proposal (16th May).
1946, July 6 Jawaharlal Nehru takes over as Congress President.
1946, August 6 Wavell invites Nehru to form an Interim Government; Interim Government
takes ottice (2nd September) .
1946, December 9 First session of the Constituent Assembly of India starts. Muslim League
boycotts it
1947, February. 20 British Prime Minister Attlee declares that the British Government would
leave India not later than June, 1948.
1947, March 24 Lord Mountbatten, the last British Viceroy and Governor-General of India,
sworn in (March 24, 1947 to June 21 , 1948) .
1947, June 3 Mountbatten Plan for the partrtion of India and the announcement (4th
June) that transfer to power will take place on 15th August .
1947,August15 India wins freedom.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE~ Indian History
LANGUAGES Ta1nil
., Tamil is the mother language of the
Sanskrit DravidJan language family.
0
Sanslait is th e mother of many IndJan ., The Sangam literature is a collection of
languages. long and short poems composed by
0 The Vedas, Upanish ads , Puranas and vaiious poets in praise of numerous
Dharmasutras are all vv1itten in Sanslait. heroes and heroines.
0
It is one of the twenty-two languages listed 0
There are about 30000 lines of poetry,
in the lndJan Constitution. which are arranged in eight anthologies
0 The Dharmasutras, the Manusmriti 1
called Ettuttokai.
Arthashastra and Gita Govinda are the
famous books in Sanskiit. Persian and Urdu
Pan.ini, Kautilya, Kalhana and J ayadeva 0
Urdu emerged as an independent
are the famous vvriters of Sanslait. language towards the end of the AD 4th
century.
Pali ., Urdu as a language was born out of the
Pali is an Indo-Aryan language, which was interaction between HindJ and Persian.
used for the earliest Buddhist scriptures. 0
Urdu became more popular in the early
Pali literature is mainly concerned with 18th centw-y.
Theravada Buddhism. ., The eai-liest Urdu poet is supposed to
be Khusrau.
Telugu ., Urdu has given us a new form of poem ,
a The Vijyanagara period was the golden age that is called a nazm.
of Telugu literature.
0
Eight Telugu literary luminaries are Hindi
popularly known as Ashtadiggajas. 0
Hindi is a direct descendant of the
0
Ramakiishna was the author Sanslait language, through Pralait and
of Panduranga Mahatmayam, which was Apabhrnmsha.
considered as one of the greatest poetical 0
It is spoken largely in North lndJa.
works of Telugu literature. ., Evolution of Hindi literature can be
better understood through four stages
Kannada of AdJ Kal, Bhal'i:i Kal, R.iti-kavya Kal
a Kannada language developed fully after and Adhunik kal .
the AD 10th century. The earliest knovm
literary vvork in Kannada is Kavirajamarg, LITERATIJRE
w1itten by the Rashtrakuta King
Nlipatunga Amoghavargh a I. Bengali Literature
0 Pampa, known as the father of Kannada, Raja Ram Mohan Roy wrote in Bengali
0
music and essays, all flowed from his Indian Literature in English
pen. He won the Nobel Prize for
literature in 1913 for his Geetanjali. Lano-uao·e
b b
0
English came into India ·with the British
Assamese Literature and soon became a language of formal
0
Like Bengali, Assamese also developed in education. Some of the eai·ly Indian
response to the Bhakti movement. works in English were mitten by Raja
a Shankaradeva, who introduced Rammohan Roy, Hem--y Vivian Derozio
Vaishnavism in Assam helped in the and Madhusudan Dutt. Aurobindo
growth of Assamese poeb.--y. Even the Ghosh vvrote his epic poem 'S[[Vitri: A
Puranas were translated in Assamese. Legend and a Symbof in Engli.sh.
0 The earliest Assamese literature
0
India's only Nobel laureate in literature
Rabindranatb Tagore wrote some of his
consisted of bw·anjis (court chronicles).
work originally in English and did some
Shankaradeva has left several devotional
of his own Engli.sh translation from
poems, which people sang ,vith
Bengali. Sai·ojini Naidu and Jawal1ai·lal
rapturous pleasure, but it was only after
Nehru also wrote in English. Nehru 's
1827 that more interest was shown in
producing Assamese literature. 'The Discove1--y of India' and 'Glimpses of
World History' ai-e quite popular.
Oriya Literature 0 Some notable Indian poets, who w1ite in
English at'e Nissim Ezekiel, Dom
0
Oriya language shows the maximum
Mora.es, Arnn Kolakar and Dilip Chit1-e.
influence of Sanslait. It originated in
Other notable Indian ,,, 'liters ai-e
the AD 9th century and its literai--y
Khushwant Singh, Salman Rushdie,
development took place in the 13th
Vila·am Seth, Arundhati Roy, Kamala
century.
Mai·kandaya, Kiran Desai, Jhumpa
0
Worth mentioning in Oriya literature at'e Lahiri etc.
Falci.nnohan Senapati and Rad.ha Nath
Ray, whose w1itings deserve considerable
attention in the hist01--y of Oriya
MUSIC
literature. The music of India is said to be one of the
0
The works of Upendra Bhanja oldest unbroken musical n·aditions in the
(1670-1720) were in1portant as they World.
ushered a new period of Oriya literature. Many different legends have grown up
1n Odisha, the works of Saraladasa are concerning the 01igin and development of
regai'<led as the first works of Oriya Indian classical music.
literature.
Hindustani Music
Punjabi Literature
0
Punjabi is a language vvitb several
Classical Music
shades. It is being written in two sc1ipts, 0 Hindustani classical music originated in
Gurumukhi and Persian. North India at'ound the 13th and 14th
centw·ies. 1n conb.·ast to Cai·natic music
a Guru Nanak was the first poet in
the Hindustani classical music was no~
Punjabi. Some other conternporai--y
only influenced by ancient Hindu
poets, mostly Sufi saints, used to sing in
musical traditions and Vedic philosophy,
tl1is language.
but also by the Persian elements.
a Guru Gobind Singh, the 10th guru, was 0
Hindustani music is based on the Raga
educated in Patna (Bihai·), where he
system. The Raga is a melodic scale,
leai·nt Persian and Sanslait.
comprising of notes from the basic seven
0
He has composed two savaiyyas in - Sa, Re, Ga, Ma, Pa., Dha and Ni.
Punjabi, but these are not a part of the 0
On the basis of notes included in it, each
Adi Granth. Similar is the populaiity of
raga attains a different chai·acter. The
Bulley Shah, who was a Su£ saint. He
form of the raga is also determined by
has composed a large number of songs.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE~ Indian History
Instruments Vocalists
Carnadc MS Subbulakshm i, Balamuralikrishna, Bombay Jaishree, HK Raghavendra,
Aryakudi Ramanujan lyenegar Venkataram, Sitarajam, Mani Krishnaswamy ,
Akhil Krishnan, ML Vasanthakumari, MD Ramanathan, GN Balasubramaniam
Ohrupad Ustad Rahim Fahim-ud-din Dagar, Zahir-ud-din Dagar, Wasif-ud-din Dagar,
Bundecha Bandhu, Pt Abhay Narayan Mallick, Pt Ritwik Sanyal, Uday Bhawalkar
Hindustani Shubha Mudgal, Madhup Mudgal, Mukul Shivputra, Pandrt Jasraj, Parveen Sultana,
Naina Devi, Girija Devi, Ustad Ghulam Mustafa Khan, Gangubai Hangal, Krishna
HangaJ, V Rajput, Kumar Gandharva, Faiyyaz Khan, Mallikariun Mansur.
Thumri Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan, Ustad Mazhar Ali Khan, Ustad Zawad Ali Khan,
Poornima Chaudhary, Shanti Heerananda, Naina Devi, Rita Ganguly
Oawwali Ghulam Hasan Niyazi, Sultan Niyazi, Ghulam Farid Nizami, Hussain Khan
Bandanawaji , Aslam Sabaari, Chand Nrzami
DANCE
Indian Classical Dances
India has an old tradition of thousands of years in regard to classical and folk music and
dances. Indian classical dances traces their origin from Bharat Mum 's Natyasastra and
Nandi Kesvar's Abhinava Darpan. Classical dance forms that originated and evolved in
India are Bharatnatyam, Kathak, Kathakali, Kuchipudi, Manipuri, Mohiniattam, Odissi
and Sattriya .
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ Indian History
Bharatnatyam Manipuri
a Bharatnatyam is classical dance of 0
Manipuri is classical dance form of Manipur.
Tamil Nadu. The most striking part of Manipmi dance is
0
The music accompanying this dance its colow-fuJ decoration, lightness of dancing
is Carnatic music. It evolved out of foot, delicacy of abhinaya (drama), Wting
the Devadasi system of South Indian music and poetic cha.rm. Manipmi dance is
temples. Two famous styles are not only a medium of worship and delight
Pandanallur and Tanjore. but also essential for all socio-cultmal
° Famous dancers associated with ceremonies of Manipwi people. Popular
Bharatnatyarn are E Krishna Iyer, eArponents are Javeri sisters, llita Devi,
Rukmini Devi Arundale and Anna Ninnala Mehta, Guru Bipin Singh etc.
Pavlova.
Mohiniatta1n
Kathak 0
Mohinfattam from Kerala is a solo female
° Kathak is said to be derived from the dance and is knovvn for its rbythmjc and
word lwtha, meaning the art of unbroken flow of the body movements.
storytelling. Mohinfattarn has the grace and elegance of
° Famous centres are Lucknow and Bharatanatyam and vigour of Kathakili.
Jaipur. Luclrnow school depicts " Famous exponents of this dance form are
Mughal Court etiquette, while the Kalyani Amma, Vaijayanthimala, Bharati
Jaipur school depicts st01ies of Shivaji and Hema Malini.
Rajput kings and Gods. Famous
e>rponents are Sitara Devi, Sambhu Odissi
Maharaj, Uma Sharma Shovana
o Odissi is one of the famous classical Indian
Narayan etc.
dances from Odisha state.
a It is a graceful and sensous dance style and
Kathakali
involves the tribhanga (three bends)
° Kathakili is the classical dance form
posture.
of Kerala. The word Kathalwli
literalJy means story play.
0
The (three bends) symbolise the means to
escape the limitations of the body.
° Kathakili is considered as one of the
° Famous dancers of Odissi are lnch-ani
most magnificent theatres Of
iniagination and creativity. Rehman, Sonal Mansingh, Ki.ran Sengal,
Rani Karna, Sharon Lowen and Myrta
° Famous exponents of Kathakili are Barvie.
Vallathol Narayan Menon, Kunju
Kurup, Guru Gopinath etc.
Sattriya
Kuchipudi 0
Sattriya is the classical dance form from
Assam. It was created by Vaishnav Saint
a Kuchjpudi is the classical dance
Sremanta Sankaradeva in 15th century.
forms of Andhra Pradesh. Kuchipud:i
exhibits scenes from the Hindu " It is traditionally performed by bhokos (male
epics, legends and mythological monks) in monasteries, but now by female
tales. also. The dance is based on mythological
themes.
° Famous exponents of Kuchipudi are
Lakshmj Narayan Shastri, Raja and
0
It is pe1formed on Assamese music called
Radha Reddy, Swapana Sundarj and Borgeet and instruments used are Khol
Yamini Krishnamurti. (drum), Talas (cymbals) and Flute.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE~ Indian History
presence of bulbous domes with lotus Akbar and Jahangi:r were exceptionally
0
• This school illustrated an assortment of themes like landscapes, events from the
Mahabharata, Ramayana , Kiishna 's life and about human beings.
Bengal School
0
This school was a fashfon of art , which progressed during the British Raj of Inma in
early 20th century.
a Inman Nationabsm was grea tly linked to this painting. British art administrators also
supported and promoted it.
0
Raja Ravi Verma and Abanindranatb Tagore were amongst the pioneer artists of this
school. Today 's renovvned artists, who belong to this School include Nilima Dutta ,
Sudip Roy, Paresh Maiti and Bikash Bhattachaijee.
Cultural Heritage
Site State
Mahabodhi Temple Bihar
Red Fort Delhi
Outub Minar Delhi
Humayun's Tomb Delhi
Champaner Achaelogical Park Gujarat
Churches of Old Goa Goa
Jantar Mantar Jaipur
Hampi Karnataka
Pattadakal Karnataka
Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus Mumbai , Maharashtra
Ajanta Caves Maharashtra
Ellora Caves Maharashtra
Sanchi Stupa Madhya Pradesh
Khajuraho Madhya Pradesh
Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka Madhya Pradesh
Elephanta Caves Maharashtra
Konark Sun Temple Odisha
Mahabalipuram Tamil Nadu
Great Living Chola Temples Tamil Nadu
Agra Fort Uttar Pradesh
Taj Mahal Uttar Pradesh
Fatehpur Sikri Uttar Pradesh
Mountain Railway of India Paschim Banga
Nalanda Maha Vihara Bihar
Hill Forts of Rajasthan Rajasthan
Ahmedabad City Gujarat
Jaipur Crty Rajasthan
Rani ki Vav Gujarat
Capital Complex Chandigarh
Victoria! and Art Deco Ensemble of Maharashtra
Mumbai
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE~ Indian History
I WORLD HISTORY I
Mesopota1nian Civilisation ., In the Battle of Mai-a th on ( 490
a It is the oldest civilisation of the world. BC), Greeks defeated King Daiius
Mesopotamfa is the land between the rivers I. Alexander was the gi·eatest Greek
Tigris and Euphrates. ruler.
Mesopotamfans were the first to use potter's 0
The Olympic Games originated in
wheel, to make iron implements to make glass Greece. Iliad and Odyssey ai--e
ware, to evolve a proper system of vvriting among the best epics of the world
written by Homer.
called Cuneiform. Cuneiform sclipt was
deciphered by Henry Rawlinson.
Ro1nan Civilisation
a Mesopotamfans discovered sexagesimal
0 Italy was the centre of the
system of counting (based on sixties),
civilisation. The city of Rome was
Pythagoras theorem, lunar calendar and
founded by Romulus in I 000 BC on
calculated the length of day and night.
the bank of river Tiber.
., The vvai· between Cai-thage and
Chinese Civilisation Rome is knovm as Punic War (264
0
The earliest civilisation was by the Shang BC to 146 BC).
(Chou) Dynasty, followed by the Chin and 0
Ju]jus Caesar, one of the generals,
Han dynasties. murdered Pompey, another general
a In 3rd century BC, the ruler of China dynasty
and occupied the throne. He was
built the Great Wall attached to the Egyptian queen
° Chinese sclipt was pictogi·aphic and their Cleopatra. Caesai· was succeeded
calendar was a combination of solar-lunar by Octavian and Diocletian.
calendar. 0
Romans worshipped the planets.
a Silk became the chief item of export dw-ing They developed the Latin
the Hans . language.
a The two major religions were Taoism and 0
Lucretius, Seneca, Cicero and
Confucianism. They invented water clock, Mai·us were the famous Roman
abacus, umbrella, paper and seismogi·aph. philosophers and Horace and Virgil
were the poets. Tacitus and Pliny
Iranian Civilisation were the historians.
This civilisation developed in around 6th
0 They invented 'concrete ', usefuJ
centu1-y BC by the Achaemenid Empire under for constructing buildings.
its first ruler, Cyrus. llis capital was at
Pasarngadae . Renaissance
llis successors were Darius I and Darius ill. 0
The Renaissance or "Revival of
The Achaemenids introduced the use of gold lea1-r1ing" stai·ted in the AD 14th
and silver coins. centw-y in Italy. The fall of
constantinople by the Tw-ks in
a Thefr main religion was Zoroastrianism, 1453 led to the dispersal of
founded by Zai-athustra or Zoroaster. Their scholai·s from Ew-ope to Itlay.
official language was Aramaic.
0 Renaissance led to the revival of
classical learning, mt and
Greek Civilisation a1·chitectu1--e and propelled
0 The civilisation developed around 800 BC, humanism . Renaissance
when the small villages clustered to form writers-Dante, Petrai-ch, Boccaccio
city-states. and Machiavelli, came to the fore.
a They worshipped Zeus (Sky God), Poseidon 0 Renaissance painters- Leonardo
(Sea God), Apollo (Sun God), Athena (Goddess da Vinci (The last Supper and
of victoi-y), Dionysus (God of Wine) etc. Monalisa), Michelangelo (The last
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE~ Indian History
J udgement and the fall of man) and Raphael on a ship of East In dia Company into
(Madonna). the sea. This was because of the
The movement also helped in the problem on tea tax.
development of printing press. 0 On 4th July, 1776, the Declaration
of Independence was issued
Refonnation (16th Century) authored by Thomas Jafferson.
a This movement was started in Germany by 0 The war ended with the Treaty of
Martin Luther, by publicly protesting the Paris in AD 1783.
sale of Letters of Indulgence. 0
Benjamin Franklin established the
a It was a revolt against Roman Catholic American Philosophical Society.
Chlll·ch. As a result, Western Ew-ope was Americans were the first to have a
split between Roman Catholic and protestant w1itten Constitution.
counbies.
French Revolution
Glorious Revolution of aThe Revolution initiated on
England (1688) 5th May, 1789 dming the kingship of
Louis XVl.
0
This revolution started against the policies of
King James Il. He hied to secure freedom of ° French society vvas divided into three
worship for Catholics. estates (Clergy, Nobility and
Commoners).
0
This united the Whlgs and Tories of
Anglican Church against him , and they 0
The immediate cause of the
invited William of Orange to occupy English revolution was the eJ{h·avagant
throne. eJ{penditw-e and inefficiency by
Louis XV and Louis XVl.
a J ames Il threw the great seal into the
river Thames and fled to France. The event
0
Montesquieu, Voltaire and Rousseau
is knmvn as Glorious or Bloodless were the French writers and thinkers
Revolution. of the pe1iod.
0
It ended the despotic rule of the Stuarts,
0
Liberty, Equality and Fraternity
established Supremacy of Parliament. The were the watch word of the
Bill of Rights (1689) was passed that settled revolution.
dovvn the problem of succession .
Unification of Germany
Industrial Revolution a This was the result of the Blood and
0 It began in B1itain in AD 1750 with the Iron Policy of Bismarck, the Prime
invention of Spinning Jenny by Hargreaves, Minister of King William I (Prussia).
Water frame by Richard Arkvn.ight (1769), 0
After the Napoleonic war
MuJe by Samuel Crompton (1779), Power (1803-15), the 38 independent
loom by Emmund Cartwright (1785) and states were unified under the king
Steam engine by James Watt (1769). of Prussia. From 1815 to 1850,
0
This fastened the production of cloth and Ausbia ruled over the German
confederation.
better quality yarn were produced. The
economic progress also affected the cultural 0
Bismarck defeated Austria and
and social life of the people. dissolved the German confederation.
a He founded a new confederation of
American Revolution 22 states in 1866. The unification
0 A sb·uggle by which 13 English colonies of was completed with the
North Ame1ica got independence from Prussia-France War (1870), in
Britain. which the French Emperor Louis
Bonaparte was defeated.
0
George Washington, the :fiTSt President of
America was the pioneer of this revolution .
0
William I, the king of Prussia was
declared as the Emperor of Germany
a Boston Tea Party (1773) A group of citizens
at Versailles in France.
of Boston dumped the crates of tea, loaded
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE~ Indian History
Universe
• The universe is commonly defined as the states that although the universe is
totality of everything that exists expanding, it nevertheless does not
including all physical matter and energy, change its appearance over time and
the planets, stars, galaxies and the it has no beginning and no end.
con ten ts of intergalactic space. (ill) The Pulsating Theory According to
• The study of universe is knm,vn as this theory, the universe is supposed
Cosmology. to be expanding and conb.·acting
• The universe comprises of billions of alternately i.e. pulsating. At present,
galaxies. The galaxies are made up of the universe is expanding.
millions of stars held together by the NASA h as launched the Cosmic
force of gravity and these stars account Background Explorer (COBE) and the
for most of the masses of the gal3.A-y. Willdnson Microwave Anistropy Probe
• Our own galaxy is called the Milky Way (WMAP) missions to study the ramation
(or the Akash Ganga) and it contains present in the universe.
about 300 billion stars and one of these is
the Sun. Planets and other objects Stars
revolve around the Sun and make up the • Stars are heavenly homes made up of hot
solar system \"irith the Sun at the
burning gases. They produce their m,vn
cen tre.And1·omeda is our nearest galaxy.
light.
• In AD 140, Ptolemy propounded the
• A neutron star is about 20 km in
theory that the Earth was the centre of
the universe and the Sun and the other man1eter and has a mass of about 1.4
heavenly homes revolved around it. tin1es that of the Sun. Neutron stars are
• In 1543, Copernicus said that the Sun formed by supernova explosions. A
and not the Earth is the centre of pulsar is a highly magnetised and
universe. rotating neutron star.
• Kepler supported Copernicus but said • A star's colour inmcates the temperatme
that the Sun is the centre of solar system of its surface. Blue colour denotes
and not the universe. maximum temperatme. ,Vh.ite, yellov, 1
,
Concept of Black Hole and • The end of Solar System is about 122
AU (Asb.·onon:tical unjts) away from
Chanch-ashekhar Limit the Sun.
• A renowned Indian Physicist Chandra-
shekhar had predicted an upper limit to the Components of the
mass of stars, v, Wch is called as
1
THESUN
• The Sun accounts for more than
99 per cent of the mass of the Solai·
System and due to this, the Sun
exerts immense gravitationaJ pull on
the plane ts to keep them rotating
ai·ound it in de.firrite elliptical orbit.
• The Sun is the major source of energy
• The Sun is at the centre of the solar system in the solar system. The energy is
and all the planets revolve around it in an provided by the nuclear fusion
ellipticaJ orbit. It is the nearest star to the reaction, that converts hydrogen into
Earth. helium in the core of the Sun.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ Geography
• The glm"iring swface of the Sun that we see • Atll'ora The cons ti.tu en t particles of
1s called Photosphere. Above the the solar wind are rr·apped by the
photosphere is the red colomed Earth's magnetic field and enter the
Chmmosphere and beyond 1t is the Earth's upper atmosphere as Aurora. It
magnificent corona, which is most easily is described as Amora Borealis in the
visible during eclipses. Northern hemisphere and Amora
■ Hydrogen and helium are the main gases Ausrr·alis in Southern hemisphere.
present in the Sun. • Plages and Su.nspots The
■ The sun has a swface temperature of chrnmospbere of the Sun is
about 6000°C. continuously changing. Blight spots on
■ It takes 224 million years to complete one the chrnmosphere are called Plages
circle (revolution) around the cenb.'e of and dark spots are called Su.nspots.
the Milky Way. This is lmown as a Cosmic The Sunspots are cold and dark regions
year. on the Sun's sw:face with a peliodicity
■ The Sun is 1300000 tinJes bigger than the of 11 years. These spots greatly
Earth in terms of volunJe. influence the global climate.
• Superimposed on Sun's white light are
hun dred of dark lines call ed Frau.nhofe1· PLANETS
lines. Each line indicates some elements
existing as gases in the Solar System. • Planets are celestial bodies, which
continuously revolve around and are
Hydrogen
~\ oum[ilg
lighted by a star. There are eight
"' .,_~ core planets in the solar system that revolve
// f /1 around the Sun in an elliptical orbit.
/;.' ,/f\
r;, , 1
adlallve
layer
• The sequence of planets according to
-...:? 11 .. • ,/k their size (in descending order) is
,' Jupiter, Satw=n, Uranus, Neptune,
~ \ \ ~ 1):::.: - onvecllon
-7 \. ----
~~ ' , ". I . . \,.""" - layer Earth, Venus, Mars and Mercury.
~fa.;~~_., --~~.-. ...,...- ~- • The sequence of planets according to
/ 0h
/ly~ , omosphere their distance from the Sun 1s Mercury,
1
Photosphe;~ 1'l(f t \ ' "\
1 11 1
t Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn,
/ 8 unspo Uranus and Neptune.
Corona
Layers of the Sun Classi£cation of Planets
Sun Fact sheet 1. Inner Planets Include Mercury,
Venus, Earth and Mars.
Average distanoe from 149600000 km
the Earth 2. Outer Planets Include Jupiter,
Diametre 1391980 km Saturn, Uranus and Neptune.
Temperature of the core 15000000°C Inner Planet Outer Planet
Rotation speed 25.38 days (with
respect to equator); 33 They are called as They are called as
days (with respect to Terrestrial or Rock Jovian or Gaseous
poles) planets. They are planets.
nearer to the Sun. They are iar away
Time taken by sunlight 8 min and 16.6 sec
from the Sun.
to reach the Earth
They have very few They have a large
natural satellites (or number of natural
Concepts Associated with the Sun moons) or no satellites (or moons).
• Solai· Wmds The Sun is continuously satellites.
emitting streanJs of photons in all They have a oore of They are formed
directions either as spiral sb.·eanJs called molten rocks. mainly of gases, with
Solai· Wmd or bouts of incandescent a small rocky oore.
material called Solar Flarns. Solar flares They move faster and They move rather
rncreases ionisation in upper atmosphere have a shorter period slowly and have a
of revolution. longer period of
and thus pose danger to satelli te revolution.
communication.
e GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ Geography
Saturn It is ihe 2nd largest planet Rotation in 10.3 It has the least It has 82
and is surrounded by a set hours. Revolution density of all the satellites, the
of eight rings , which are . 1 planets. 30 times largest being
made up of primordial dust in 29- 2
years. less dense ihan the Titan.
and ice particles. Earth.
Interstellar Debris :
Asteroids, Meteoroids, Comets
Various Asteroids or Comets Meteoroids/Meteors
Aspects Planetoids
Constilutents Composed of rocks, Comets may originate in Meteoroids are small fragments
and Genesis dust and metal. a huge cloud called the of rooks and metal. Under the
They cannot retain Oort cloud that is Earth's gravitational i ield, ihey
their atmosphere ihought to surround the burn and become while hot
due to small size. solar system. It is through triotion as they fall
composed of frozen through ihe atmosphere and are
gases and dusL seen as the Meteors or
Shooting stars.
The Earth
• Earth js the third planet from the Sun and the densest and the fifth-largest of the eight
planets in the solar system.I t is also the largest of the solar system's fom terrestrial
planets. Earth js also called as Blue Planet.
• The age of the Earth js estinJated about 4.6 billion years . The his tory of the Earth js
studied in terms of geologica1 eras, periods and epochs. The whole hjs tory is divided
into three Eras-Palaeozoic, Mesozoic and Cenozoic.
Geological History of the Earth
Cenozoic Era Beginning Remarks
Period
(years before present)
Ouarternary Period Holocene Epoch 10000 Modern man
Pleistooene Epooh 2 million Homo Sapiens
Tertiary Period Pliocene Epoch 5 million Early human ancestors
Miocene Epoch 24 million Flowering plants and
trees
Oligocene Epooh 38 million Early horses, cats,
dogs, camels
Eocene Epoch 55 million Rabbits , Hare
Palaeooene Epooh 63 million Small mammals : rats,
mioe
Mesozoic Era Cretaceous Period 138 million Extinction of dinosaurs
Jurassic Period 205 million Age of dinosaurs
Triassic Period 240 million Frogs and turtles
Palaeozoic &a Permian Period 290 million Reptiles dominate,
Replace amphibians
Lower Carboniferous 330 million 1st Reptiles
Period
Upper Carboniferous 360 million Fish
Period
Devonian Period 410 million Amphibians
Silurian Period 435 million Corals
Ordovioian Period 500 million Graptoliies
Cambrian Period 570 million Trilobites
Pre-Cambrian Period 4.5 billion Bacteria
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ Geography
~
~sf.
22nd December
21st June
• If the ax_js were perpendicuJar to Longest day in the Northern 21st June
this plane, all parts of the globe hemisphere
,,vouJd have equal days and Shortest day in the Northern 22nd December
nights at all times of the year. hemisphere
Equal day and night in the 21st March and 23rd
• The Earth js tilted about 23.5°
Northern hemisphere September
from a line perpendicuJar to
Longest day in the Southern 22nd December
ecliptic plane. hemisphere
Perpendioular Shortest day in the Sou thern 21st June
hemisphere
~ Equal day and night in the 21st March and 23rd
If/', Southern hemisphere September
.§
Eolipl:ic 0 Eolipl:ic Seasons
Plane
• They are the periods in to \"i1hich the year can be
divided as a result of the climatic conditions,
mainly due to the changes in duration and
intensity of solar radiation.
• There are four seasons:
Equinoxes Spring Summer Autumn Winter
• These are the days, when days When the When the Sun When the Sun The Sun is
Sun is is directly return s to the at the
and nights are equal. Under this directly overhead the equator and the Trop ic of
situation, the Sun is vertically overhead Tropic of North Capricorn
overhead at the equator. It the Cancer -the temperate zone and the
happens on two days of the year equator. North experiences the North
i.e . 21st March and 23rd (21st temperate zone season of temperate
Maroh) experiences autumn. (23rd zone
September. summer. (21st September) experience
• 21st March: Vernal Equinox. June) s winier.
• 23rd September: Autumnal (22nd
Equinox. December)
~~.>L,.._.~ N
Russia and Canada, ,,vhich have
greater Eas t-West stretch h ave to
adopt several time zones for
5
:i: practical purposes.
~ ~ • Russia h as as many as 11 time zones.
~ • Both USA and Canada h ave five
!{ ~~~~r-r+:-+~-1~
. ,-'-,-:"/- Laliludc
time zones, viz, the Atlantic,
Eas tern, Cenn·al, Mountain and
Pacific time zones.
• A simple memory aid for time is
dl Mon Eas t- Gain-Add (EGA) and West-
(O" Longil Soulh Polo
(90'S Loliludc)
Lose-Subn·act (\iVLS) .
Latitude an d Longitude on the Earth International Date Line
Universal Time (Standard time) • lt js the 180 degree meddian
running over the Pacific Ocean,
and Time Zones deviating at Aleutian lsland, Fiji,
• To avoid confusion about having many local Samoa and Gilbert Island .
times within one country, a particuJar • At the In ternational Date Llne, the
meridian is chosen for the whole counb:y, date changes by exactly one day,
,,vbose time js lmO\Jvn as standard time. when it is crossed.
• The Indian Government has accepted the • Samoa and Tokelau shifted its
meridian of 82.5 degree East for standard posi tion to the West of the date line
on 30th December, 20 11.
ECLIPSE
• An eclipse occlll·s when the Sun , the Moon and the Earth are in a sb.·aight line. There
are two types of eclipses-Solar and Lun ar eclipse.
• Generally, a total of seven eclipse including solar an d lunar eclipses, take place in a
year.
Weathering
It is the process of disin tegration or decomposition of rocks in situ by natural agents.
There are three types of weathe7ing
1. Physical Weatheri.ng
The Process of Chemical Weathering
(or mechamcal weathering)
• It involves rock disintegration _
P_ro_o_e_s_s___
M_e_c_h_a_n_is_m
_ o_f_C
_h_e
_m_ io_a_l_W_e_
a_th_e_r_
in_g
without any change in the Solution It involves the dissolution of soluble
chemical constituents of the particles and minerals from the rocks
rocks. with ihe help of water.
Oxidation It represents addition of oxygen to form
• The factors responsible for oiddes.
physical weathering are Carbonation It is the reaotion of carbonate or
temperature change, bicarbonate ions with minerals.
crystallisation of water in to Hydration It is ihe process of addition of wa ter to
ice, the pressw·e release the minerals.
mechamsm. Hydrolysis It is the process wherein both minerals
2. Chemfoal Weatheri.ng It of rooks and water moleolues
involves the decomposition due deoompose and react in suoh a way that
new mineral compounds are formed_
to chemical changes. There a1·e
va1ious chemical processes,
\"i 1hich cause chemical weatheLing such as Solution, Oxidation, Ca1·bonation,
Hydration, Hydrolysis and Chelation.
3. Biological Weatheri.ng It is mainJy controlled by plants and animals and human
beings. It is divided into three hJpes
(i) Fauna.I weathedng (ii) Floral weathering (ili)Anthropogenk weathering
Erosion
• It involves removal of rock matedal and their transportation. Erosion is performed by
mobile agents such as rivers, streanJs, winds, , 111aves and underground water.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE~ Geography
Classification of Volcanoes
On the Basis of Mode of Eruption
Central Eruption or Explosive Type Fissure Eruption or Quiet Erupilon
Here the magma comes with great force Large quantities of lava quietly flow up from
through the small vent and forms volcanic fissures and spread out over the surrounding
cones. e.g. Hawaiian type, Strombolian type, areas. Successive flow of lava re sults in the growth
Pelean type, Vesuvious type , etc. of lava plateau. e.g. Oeocan Plateau.
Volcanic Belts
• Cfrcum-Pacific Belt (Fire girdle of the Pacific or the fire 1ing of the Pacific). It
extends across the Kan1chatka Peninsula, Kurile Islands, the Islands of Japan,
Philippines, New Guinea, New Zealand and the Soloman Islands.
• Major volcanic peaks in the circumpaci:fic belt includes Mt. Kralcatoa, Mt. Saint
Helens, Mt. Ruapebu, Mt. Fuji, Mt. Popa Catepte, Mt. Ojas Del Salado, Mt. Olrn1ok etc.
• Mid-Continental Belt (Volcanic zones of convergent continental plate
Mar·gins). It includes volcanoes of Alpine moWJtain chain, the Mediterranean sea
and the fault zone of Eas tern Afdca of Stromboli, Vesuvius, Ema, Kilimanjaro e tc.
• Mid-Atlantic Belt, in which the volcanoes are :fissme eruption type, e .g. Iceland,
Canary Rslands, Cape Verde, Azores etc.
Important Volcanic Mountains
Names Height (m) Country Last Eruption
Visuvius 1281(m) Italy 1944AO
St. Helens 2550{m) U.S.A 1980 AO
Krakatoa 813(m) Indonesi a 2019 AO
Mauna Loa 4169(m) U.S.A (Hawaii) 1984 AO
Cotopaxi 5897(m) Eouador 2015 AO
Fujiyama 3776(m) Japan 1707 AO
Popo Celepll 5426(m) Mexico 2016 AO
Ojas Del Salado 6893(m) Chile-Argentina 700± 300 AO
GENERAL KN OWLEDGE ~ Geography
trJ~~~~~/ ~~~~:u~~or
Dolomite
deposl\107 ~
Metamorphic Rocks
~lRock
~
The
Cycle
--~
Met.amorphic
• These ai-e the changed form of Igneous
and Sedimentai-y rocks.
• These ai·e the rocks, '"''mch change
ejther in form or composition without
disintegration.
oreru~~~~
lnlrus~ \ /2aland
extreme heat
• Already formed 1gneous, sedimentai--y
or even metanJOrpmc rocks are
changed to other forms and tms
~ process is called metamorphosis .
The Formation of Rocks • The agen ts of me tamorpmsrn ai-e heat,
compression and solution.
CLASSIFICATION OF Rock Transformation
IGNEOUS ROCKS Original Rook Metamorphic Rook
Limestone Marble
On the basis of Mode ofOcmrrence
Sandstone Quar1zi te
• Intrusive Rocks They are formed due to
the solidification of dsing magnJa belo\'v Sh ale/Clay Slate, Phyllite, Sohist
the surface of the Eai-th, e .g. GranHe, Coal Diamond
Lapolith, Batholiths, Sills e tc Granite Gneisse
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE~ Geography
Landforms
Classification of Landfo11ns mountains or horsts or it subsides into a
• There are four major landforms formed depression termed as PJ:ft valley or
on Earth's sw,face. These are Graben.
mountains, hills, plateaues and plains. Horsts
11' 11'
Landform % of the total Global
Surface Area
Plains 41
Plateau 33
Hills 14
Mountains 12
Block Mountains
Mountains • Example of Block mountain : Vindhyan
Based on their mode of Jonna tion four and Satpura in India, the Vosges in France
main types of mountain can be and Black forest in Germany (thrnugh
distingwished. which Rhine river flows).
Fold Mountains Volcanic Mountains
• It is formed due to the face to face • They are formed due to the accWJrnJation
orogenetic movements generated by of volcanic matedal_.
endogenetic forces. • They are also called Mountains of
• Example of fold moutains : l--Umalayas, Accumu lation.
Alps, Andes, Rocldes, Atlas etc. • Examples : Mt Fuji (Japan), Cotopaxi in
On the basis of age, fold mountains are Andes, Vesuvius and Etna in Italy, Mt
grouped into Mayon (Philippines) etc.
(a) Young/New Fold Mountains lt came
in to existence after the continental Residual or Dissected Mountains
drift and plate movements. e.g. • They are formed as a resuJt of erosion of
llimalayas, Andes, Rockies, Alps. plateaus and high planes by various
Himalayas are regarded as the a gen ts of erosion .
youngest mountains in the world. • Examples : Catskill mountains of New
(b) Old Fold Mountains They were York, Sierras of Central Spain, lligh]ands
once young fold mountains. But of Scotland, Paras □ ath, Gimar, Deccan
nm'I', they have denuded due to Plateau and Rajmabal of lndia.
erosional processes.
e.g. Pennines (Eurnpe), Appalachians Major Mountain Ranges
(US), Aravallis (India) etc.
Ranges Locations Length (km)
Andes South America 7200
Himalayas, South Central 5000
Karakoram and Asia
Hindu kush
Fold Mountains Rockies North America 4800
Great Dividing East Australia 3600
Range
Block Mountains Mas North-West 1930
• It is formed when great block of Earth's Africa
crust may be raised or lowered due to Caucasus Europe 1200
tectonic activ1ties. Alps Europe 1200
• The ]and between the h 'l'O paral1ed
Alaska USA 650
fauJts either rises forming Block
GENERAL KN OWLEDGE ~ Geography
Composition of Abnosphere
• The abnosphere is composed of gases, water vapour and particulates.
• Gases such as Helium, Ozone and Hydrogen etc are present in traces.
• Ozone gas absorbs the ultraviolet radiations and protects the biosphere from its
adverse impac t.
The percentage composition of the various gases in atmosphere upto 50 hm is given below:
Gases Peroentage ComposWon Signifioanoe
Nitrogen 78.08% Acts as dilutent and is generally chemically inactive.
Oxygen 21% Inhaled by biotic components for survival. Oxygen is
also essential for combustion of burning matter.
Argon 0.93% Inert gas.
Carbon 0.03% Being a greenhouse gas, it maintains the
dirn<ide temperature of the lower atmosphere.
Neon 0.0018% Inert gas
Helium 0.0005% Inert gas
Thermospbere
• The zone between the 85 Jan and 600 Jan above the surface is often called
Tbermosphere. In this layer, the temperature incrnases with increasing altitude. The
upper hmjt of the thermosphe1·e, the thermopause is generally taken at an altitude of
about 600 Jan.
• The day temperature at 600 km altitude exceed 1400° C while rnght temperature
remain about 225° C .
• The upper part of the thermosphere contains only the lighter gases Wee helium and
hydrogen.
is called Magnetosphere.
Temperature
Exosphere more than
1000°c
Thermosphere
600 km 600 km
Thermosphere
Temperature
Ionosphere increases
with height
Mesopause waves
80 km 80km
-::,::, (-100°C)
(-100°C} ':; Meteors
Mesosphere Temperature
decreases
-1 --7t~:::----------
with height
50 km 60km
(0°C} (0°C)
z Temperature
~~ S tratosphere increases
with height
i T opopause --- -- 18 km
------~ - -------MtEve es (- 80°C)
8km
(-45°C) -t;;j
, ,,,, Troposp here ~ ) ~ '••
1
Temperature
decreases
Earth with height
Structme of the Atrnosphere
their mean molecular weights. Fom mstinct ]ayers of gases are formed - N 2, 0 , He, H .
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ Geography
G
These layers in the order of height are ■ The remaining 51 unHs reach the Earth's
swface and are absorbed by the Earth
Layers Height (km )
due to which the surface gets heated.
Moleoular Nitrogen 100-200
■ The heated surface of the Earth starts
Atomic Oxygen 200-1100 radiating energy in the form oflong waves
Helium Layer 1100-3600 and this process 1s called Terrestrial
Hydrogen No upper limit Raillation.
■ Out of the total 51 units given up by the
The order is in decreasing order of the swface in the form of terrestrial
atomk mass. radiation, the atmosphere (mainly CO 2
and water vapour) absorbs about 34
Insolation u.n.its and the remaining 17 units escape
• Solar radiation that is intercepted by to space.
the Earth is lmm'VIl as lnsolation. • In thjs way, the atmosphere recejves a
■ Insolation is measlll'ed with the help of total of 14 + 34 = 48 uni ts and this
Pyranometers. amount is radiated back to space by the
The amount of insolation depends on a!JJrnsphere .
following factors: ■ The total loss of energy to space thus
(i) The area and nal:1..ll'e of the swface. amounts to 100 umts. 35 units reflected
(ii) The inclination of the rays of the Sun. by the atmosphere, 17 umts lost as
(iii) Distance between the Earth and the terrestrial radiation and 48 units from the
Sun. a!JJrnsphere.
(iv) Length of the day. • In this way, no net gain or loss of energy
(v) The transparency of the atmosphere. occurs on the Earth's sw:face.
• As the angle of the Sun's rays decreases ■ At equator, the amount of incommg
poleward, the amount of insolation radiation 1s more than outgoing radiation,
received also decreases in that direction. whereas the anrnunt of outgoing
radiation is more than incommg
• The Earth's swface does not absorb all
radiation in polor regions. The transport
the energy that it receives. The
of surplus heat from equator to poles is
proportion of the solar radiation
knmm as 'Melidional Transport of Heat'.
reflected back from the swface 1s called
Albedo. Atmospheric Pressure
• On an average, insolation 1s rughest
■
Air is a mixtme of several gases h aving
near the equator, marginally lower at
the b:opics and lowest at the poles. their m,vn weight. The pressme exerted
by air due to lts weight is called
atmospheric pressUJ·e on the Earth's
Heat Budget of the Earth swface.
• The Earth receives energy continuously
■ Atmospheric pressme is neither the sanJe
from the Sun but 1ts temperatme is s till
almost constant. Trns js because the for all the regions nor the sanJe for one
atmosphere loses an amount of heat region all the time.
equal to the amount of heat gain ■ Atmospheric pressme is affected by
through insolation. This mechanjsm of various factors such as altitu de,
maintainmg the balance between temperature and Earth's rotation.
incommg and outgoing heat in the Influence on the
atmosphere 1s called the Heat Budget
or Heat Balance. Atmospheric Pressure
• Let us assume that 100 units of energy Altitude Air pressure increases, when air
reach the top of the atmosphere of the descends. Trus is due to the decrease in
Earth. 14 uni tis are absorbed cfu·ectly volume of the air. When ,rir rajses 1ts
by the atmosphere and 35 units are lost volume inci·eases and the pressure of 1ts
to space through reflection. molecules is spread over a larger area so, its
pressure decreases.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ Geography
Temperatw·e The pressure of ail· rises, when its temperature falls. Low temperature at
the poles cause the ail· to contract-high pressure develops; , 1\'hereas the high temperature
along the equator cause the ail· to expand-low pressw-e develops.
. ._.,_«-/
/ //
Descending a ~ Np
Polar Easterlies
Ascend ing air -l Inter Tropical Converg ence Zone -1:.- - - 0°N
t
-+----'
Hadley cell \ \
- -
\ \ \ \
5°s
South-East Trade Winds
Descending air =:: --++------------- -------- +1- ----- 30°N
Ferrel 0011\ \ \ \ \ \
1==
Ascending air
W-- \ \ \
--- b.-------- ------- -1=- ---- 60°N
Polar Easlerlies
Descending a ~ Sp
Pressw-e Belts
The Westerlies become more Iigorous in the Southern hemisphere because of the lack
of land and dominance of water surface.
• Their velocity increases Southward and they become stormy so they are caJ]ed 1·oa.ring
forties betvveen 40°-50° South latitudes, fm·ious fifties at 50° South latitude and
screaming sixties at 60° South latitude.
Polar Winds
Polar winds blows from polar high pressure belt to sub-polar lm•v pressme belt. They are
North-Easterly in Northern hemisphere and South-Easterly in the Southern hemisphere.
CYCLONES
Cyclones are the centres oflow pressure sw:rnunded by closed 1sobars having inci·easing
pressw·e ouhvards due to lov,, pressure at the centre, there 1s continuous flow of air
towards the centre.
• Afr blows inward in anti-doclmrise direction in the Northern hemisphere.
• Afr blows inward in clockwise direction in the Southern hemisphere.
Cyclones are mainly of two types
(i) Tropical Cyclone (ii) Temperate Cyclone
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ Geography
e
Naming of Cyclones in Different • They are high pressure system and
Reg ions common in sub-tTopical belts and
practically absent in the equatodal
Name of Cyolone Region region .
Typh oons South China Sea • They are generally assocfated ·with
Tropical Cyolones Indian Ocean rainless fair weather and that's why they
Hurricanes Caribbean Sea are lmm,vn as weatherless phenomena.
Tornadoes USA
Thunderstornis
Willy Willies Northern Au stralia
• Thunderstorms are local storms
Differences Between Tropical and charncterised by swift upwar·d
Temperate Cyclones movement of air and heavy rainfall ,,vith
cloud thunder and lightening.
TropioaJ Cyolone Temperate Cyolone • Sb.7..Ictu.rally, thunderstorms consist of
They are found in the Normally found several convective cells, which are
trade wind bel t, between 30 to 65
between 8-20 degree degree North and
characterised by sb.·ong updraft of air.
North and South . But South in the sub-polar Tornado
not found between O to frontal zone, where
8 degree as there is no oold p olar air m ass • Tornadoes ,ue very sb.·ong rr·opical
ooriolis force there. meets the warm cyclones of smaller size. In the
tropical air mass . Mississippi valley (US), they ar·e called
It travels from East to It moves from West to Twisters.
We st in the Easterly East embedded in the
wind bell Westerly wind bell • They are more desb.·uctive than cyclones
Tropical cyolones are They form over a
as the speed of winds is very hjgh,
muoh smaller with a much large area with exceeding 220 km per hom.
diameter of about 200 a diameter 300 to
to 500 km. 1500 km. Jet Sh·eam
Tropical cyolones are Temperate cyolones • The strong and rapidly mmring
non frontal in nature. are fronta l in nature. circumpolar· Westerly air circuJation in a
It is formed only over It is formed either narrow belt of a fev,, hunched kilomeb.·es
the ooeans. over con- tinent s or width in the upper limit of troposphere
over the ooeans. js called Jet St.ream.
Tropical cyolone can They can form both in
• Their circulation path js wavy and
form only in the summer: summer as well as in
winte r. meandering.
It does not have It take s m ore time to • The ex tent of the Je t StTeams nar-rows
definite lifecycle and di ss ipate as it has a dm'lrn during the summer season
they dissi pate as they more definite because of their Northward shifting
pass over the land liiecyole.
surface.
,,vruJe these extend up to 20° North
latitude during winter season.
Anticyclone HUMIDI1Y
• They are the \'l'l.Ild systems, whkh have
the highest air pressW'e at the centre • Humidity of air refers to the content of
and lowest at the outer margins. the water vapour present in the air at a
■ The wind blows from the cen b:e to particular· time and place. Humidity is
outward in clockwise direction in measured by an instTu.ment called
Northern hemisphere and from centre to hygrometer. Another instrument used
ouh\1ard in anti-clockwise direction in for the same purpose is sling
Southern hemisphere . psychmmeter.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ Geography
The atmospheric hwmidity is ex.pressed in a • Fog is made fro m the droplets of water
number of ways such as: suspended in the lower layer of the
atmosphere. Fog is not considered as a
Way of Measurement Definftion form of precipitaion. Visibility of less
of Humidity than 1 km is the internationally
Humidity Capacity The capacity of air recognised definition of fog.
of certain volume at
certain temperature
• Haze is formed by ,,,.,ater particles that
to retain maximum have condensed in the atmosphere and
amount of moisture visibility lie between 1 km to 2 km.
contenL • Frost is the moistlll'e on the ground
Absolute Humidity The total weight of swiace that condenses directly into ice,
moisture content i.e. when condensation occU1·s below
per volume of air at
delinite
freezing point.
temperatu re is
called absolute
humidity_
RAINFALL
Speoiiic Humidity The mass of the On the basis of its origin, Rainfall may be
water vapour in classified into three main types
grams contained in • Convectional Rainfall Bt occUl's due to
a ki logram of air_ It
thermal convection currents caused
represents the
actual quantity of due to insolational beating of ground
moisture present in swiace.
a def iniie amount
~~
of air_
Relative Humidity It is the ratio of the
amount of water
vapour actually A A
u u -u A ll11 11111111111111111111
Relative Humidity 11 1111111111111111111111
present in the air l1l1l1l1l1l 1l 1l1l1l1l1 l1
ft 1}
i
Absolute humidity x :i111: 111111111111111111111
Rainfall d1
100 having definite
Humidity capacity volume and 111111111 111111 11111 1111
temperatu re (Le_ :1:1:1 :1:1:1 :1:1:1 :1:1:1
absolute humidity) nd from land
~ ::::::::::::::::::::::::
to the maximum Convectional Rainfall
amount the air can
hold CT-e- humidity • Orographlc Rainfall occUl's due to
capacity) _
ascent of air forced by a mountain
barrier.
Condensation and Its Forms
• When the relative hwniclity reaches
l 00%, the air is completely saturated_ The Rainfall
air temperature is said to be at dew-point. Wind beco
cold and
• It is the change of physical state of matter
from gaseous phase into liquid phase and
is the reverse of vaporisation. The
process of condensation depends upon Orographk Rainfall
the anJount of Relative Hwnidity present
• Frontal Rainfall or Cyclonic It occU1·s
in the air. due to upward movement of air caused
• Smog (Smoke + Fog) is a form of fog that by convergence of cold air masses
occ1us in areas, where the air contains a against warm air masses.
Jarge amount of smoke.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ Geography
Characteristics of Rainfall
Convectional Orographic Frontal or Cyclonic
■ It oocurs daily in the ■ The windward slope ■ Ra inf all assooiated with the
afternoon in the equatorial reoeives the maximum temperate cyclone oocurs,
regions_ amount of rainfall , when two extensive air
■ It is of very short duration whereas the leeward side masses of different physical
but oocurs in the form of reoeives less rainfall. properties converge_
heavy rainfall. ■ The windward slopes of ■ In temperate regions, two
■ It oocurs through thiok, dark the mountajns at the time extensive air masses of
and extensive oumulo- of rainfall are similar physical properties
nimbus olouds_ characterised by converge to form temperate
■ It is aocompanied by oloud, oumulus clouds while oyolones that cause heavy
thunder and lightening_ leeward slope has rainfall in these regions.
stratus olouds. It can
occur in any season.
Clouds
• Clouds are the masses of small wa ter droplets or tiny ice crystals.
• Clouds are classtfied according to their appearance, form an d height.
There are four groZLps
(i) I-Ugh Clouds 6 to 20 Jan
(ii) Middle Clouds 2.5 to 6 lrnJ
(iii) Low Clouds below 2.5 Jan
(iv) Clouds of great vertical extent upto 9000 m
The different tzJpes of clouds are given Latin names, which arre the combination of the
following words:
■ Cirrus means looking like a feather and used to describe the very high clouds.
■ Cumul us means looldng like a heap. It is used to desc.dbe the clouds having flat bases
and rounded tops.
■ Stratus means lying in level sheets. lt is used for layer type of clouds.
■ Alto means at middle altitudes.
■ Nimbus means rain cloud.
Types of Clouds
High Clouds Middle Clouds Low Clouds Clouds with Great
Vertical Extent
Cirrus Composed of Alto-cumulus Strata-cumulus Large Cumulus Round topped
small ice crystal , Composed of globular masses, bumpy and flat based forming a
transparent white, water droplets looking, soft and grey in whitish grey globular
and iibrous in in layers and appearanoe forming a mass, consists of
appearanoe. patches_ pronounced regular and individual aloud uniis.
sometimes wavy pattern.
Cirro-cumulus Alto-stratus Nimbo-stratus Dark grey Cumulo-nimbus They
Composed of ice Composed of and rainy looking, dense have a great vertical
crystals , but globular water droplets , and shapeless , often extent, white or black
or rippled in forming sheets gives continuous rains. globular masses, whose
appearanoe. of grey or blue rounded tops often
colour clouds. spread out in the form of
anviL It is characterised by
convectional rain, lightning
and thunder.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ Geography
Types of Clouds
High Clouds Middle Clouds Low Clouds Clouds with Great
Vertical Extent
Cirro"stratus Looks Stratus These are low, Noctiluoent clouds They
like a thin white grey and layered , almost are made of ice orystals.
almost transparent fog like in appearance, They are normally too
sheet. which causes b ri nging dull weather and faint to be seen as they
the Sun and Moon to often accompanied by form in the upper parts of
shine through it with drizzle. atmosphere_
a characteristic
'halo'.
Tropical Monsoon
Distribution Climate Natural Eoonomy
Vegetation
Relief of the Ocean Basin • The boundary between shelf and slope is
known as shelf break, which is a seaward
Continental Shelf edge with an abrupt drop.
• The shallow submerged extension of the • They cover about 8.5% of the total ocean
continent is caJJed the continental shelf. area.
• Extends to a depth of 100 fathoms
(1 fathoms= 18 m). Continental Rise
• Average width 70 km ; average slope of • Continental rise js an area at the foot of
about 1°. the slope, slightly rising due to the
• Continental shelf covers 8.6% of total accunrnJation of debds transported over
area of the oceans . It extends over 13.3% the slope.
of the Atlantic ocean 5. 7% of Pacific • Average slope-0.5° to 1°.
ocean and 4.2% of Indian ocean. • Oil deposits occm here.
• If mountains extend along the coast, the
shelf will be narrower. Abyssal or the Deep
• About 20% of oil and gas are found here. Sea Plains
They also provide the 1ichest fishing
• It js an underwater vas t and flat plain on
grounds in the world.
the oceamc floor.
Continental Slope • Average depth 3000 m to 6000 m.
• Extends seav,,ards from the continental • It covers about 40% of total oceamc area.
shelf. • Parts of the Abyssal plains are occupied
• Depth-200-2000 metres. by raised ridges or submai:ine mountains
and by very deep trenches or canyons.
• Average slope is 2 to 5 degrees.
Sea mount
Deep sea plain (forming island)
Continental shelf
• Salimty also increases the Influx of river Big voluminuous rive rs pour down
water immense volume of fre sh water into the
density of water. ooeans and salinity is reduced at the
Composition of Sea Water mouth.
Atmospheric Anticyclonic conditions with stable air and
Salt Percentage pressure high temperature increases the salinity of
Composition (Ofo) the surf ace water of the ooean.
Sodium 77.8 Circulation Ooean currents affect the spatial distribution
Chloride of oceanic of salinity by milting sea waters .
water
Magnesium 10.9
Chloride
Magnesium 4.7
MOVEMENTS OF OCEANIC
Sulphate WATER
Calcium 3.6
Sulphate Waves
Potassium 2.5 • Waves ar--e the osciJJatory movements in wa ter
Sulphate mainJy produced by winds, manifested by an
Others 0.5 alternate lise and fall of the sea swface.
• The ,,vaves are the important agents of erosion in
Most Saline Water Bodies the coastal regions, where they carve out various
landforms like caves, bays, gulfs, capes and cliffs.
Water Peroentage • Seismic waves or Tsunamjs are the waves caused
Bodies Composition (0/o) by ear-thquakes or volcanic eruptions at the sea
Lake Assel 34.8 bottom.
(Ojibuli)
• The Tsunamis, which mt the coast in South-East
Dead Sea 33.7 Asia on 26th December, 2004, caused very heavy
(West Asia) damage in that region.
Great Salt Lake 32.0 • Tsunamis in the Indonesian Islands of SuJawesi,
(USA)
Java and Sumab.-a in 2018 killed many and injmed
Lake Van 23 a lar·ge number of people.
(Turkey)
Cold Currents
• Falkland Cw-rent It flows along the South-East Coast of South AnJedca from South to
North.
• Benguela Cturent It flows from South to North near the 'Cape of Good Hope' .
• West Wlnd Drift It is a continuation of Brazilian and Falkland current.
• Gu.inea Cunent It flows near Coast of Guinea (Africa).
Cold currenls
Cold water
)
sinking
\ ~ ~ - Cold currenls
-;--, } , ~ Upwelling of
cold waler
(
North equatorial
currenls
Counter equalmial • South equatorial
current
,.,.__,,_ currenls
Warm currenls
Cold water
sinking
___l_ Cold currenls
Upwelling of
cold waler
Cold currenls
West wind drift
TIDES
• The periodic rise and fall of the sea level as a result of the gravitational forces bet\veen
the Earth, the Moon and the Sun is called a tide. The time interval bet\1\reen tvvo tides
1s 12 hours and 26 minutes.
Spring Tides
• When the Earth, the Moon and the Sun are in a straight line (SyzyGY) the Sun
assists the gravitational pull of the Moon, creating a condition of hjgher hjgh tides and
lower lov,r tides lmown as spring tides.
Neap Tides
• When the Sun and Moon are at right angles to the Earth (Quac:lrattue), the Sun
partially reduces the gravitational pull of the Moon, producing lower hjgh tides lmown
as a Neap tide.
Spring Neap
Tldes ~ d e s
New
Moon SUN
SYZYGY
Quadrature
Tides
the Indian ocean and to the West lies • lrawaddy liver is ]mown as the lifeline
Mediterranean sea. lt is separated from of Myanmar. It falls into Gulf of
Europe by the Ural mountains, the Marta.ban where pearls are found.
Caspian sea, the Black sea, the Caucasus • Lake Van of Turkey is the most saline
mountain and the sb.-ait of Dardanelles in water body in Asia.
the West. • Fujiyama~ a volcanic mountain is the
hjghest peak of Japan.
Imp01tant Information about Asia
• J apan js the most indusrralised nation
• Caspian Sea js the world's largest lake and of Asia.
five tinJes larger than the Lake SupeLior. It
• Myanmar is called land of mountains
separates Europe from Asia.
and rivers.
• Dast-e-KaviI· is the largest sal t desert of
• Pakistan is called counfry of canals.
the world situated in the Northern Iran.
• J apan is called land of Rising Sun.
• Lop Nor Lake in China is a site for
numeTous nuclear tests. • Dead Sea js one of the saltiest water
body in the world, is a landlocked sea. It
• Hwang Ho js lmmm as China's Sorrow. It
lies between Israel and Jordan and its
flows through loess land, hence it is also
shores are considered as lowest land
called as YelJow river.
based elevation on Earth.
Physical Aspects of Asia
Mountains Himalayas , Karakoram , Kailash, Kunlun Shan, Tienshan, Altai, Sayan,
Yablonovy, Stanvoy, Kolyma, Verkhoyansk, Pegu Yoma, Arakan Yoma,
Hindukush, Elburz, Sulaiman, Kirthar, Makran, Zagros, Pantie, Taurus.
Rivers Ganga, Ob, Yenisey, Amur, Yalu, Hwang Ho, Si kiang, Mekong, Tigris,
Eupharates, Amu Darya and Syr Darya
Lakes Baikal, Balkash, Van , Turnool, Assad, Dead Sea, Tonie Sap,
Toba, Lop Nor, Caspian Sea and Sea of Gallilee.
Plains Manohurian, Great Plain of China, West Siberian Plain, Mesopotamian.
Deserts Rubnal-Khali, Al Nafud, Dasht-1-Kavir, Dasht-1-Lut, Gobi, Thar, Takla Makan, Syrian
desert
Plateaus Ladakh, Tibet, Yunan , Pamir, Armenian, Iranian, Mongolia, Inda-China, Shan,
Deccan, Baloohistan, Arabian , Anatolia , Loess.
Mountains from South-West Sulaiman
Pamir Knot South-East: Himalaya, Karakoram and Kunlun
North-East: Tien Shan
North-West: Hindukush
Mountains from South-West : Taurus
Armenian Knot South-East: Zagros
North-East: Elburz
North-West: Pantie
e GENERAL KNOWLEDGE~ Geography
• Brazn js also Jmown as the coffee bowl • It js the second smallest continent in the
of the world, because it js the largest world, by area, after Austraba.
producer of coffee . • Eurnpe is situated between Ura.J
• Brazn is the only country through mountains in the East and Atlantic ocean
,,vbich both equator and one of the in the West, in the West of Asia and North
tropics (Tropic of Capricorn) pass. of Afiica.
• To the North of Eurnpe lies Arctic ocean,
EUROPE to the Sou th lies the Mediterranean sea,
the Black sea and the Caucasus mountain
Latitude 35° N and 73° N and to the East Ural mountains and the
LongHude 25° W and 65° E Caspian sea .
.Area 10530750 sq Jan (approx 6.7 %) • Balkan States It is a group of 9 countries
Population 783849000 (3rd largest) nanrnly Serbia, Montenegro, Slovenia,
Croatia, Bosnfa-Herzegovina, Nm·th
Macedorna, Bulgaria, Greece, Romania,
Albanfa and Kosovo. However,
Montenegro becanJe an independent state
in 2006 and Kosovo in 2008.
• Baltic States It is a group of thrne
coun tdes nanJely Es torna, Llthuanfa and
Latvia. Nonva)~ Sv11eden and Denmark are
collectively called as Scanclinavian
Ocean and Seas Atlantic Ocean , Arctic counb.ies. The , 1v01Jd's most Northerly
Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, Caspian Sea,
capital is Reykjavik (]celand).
Black Sea, White Sea, North Sea,
Norwegian Sea, Baltic Sea, Gulf of Physical Aspects of Europe
Bothnfa, Gulf of Finland, Bay of Biscay, Mountains Vesuvius, Appennine, Vosges, Alps,
Aegean Sea and Achfatic Sea. Mt Etna, Dinaric Alps , Carpathian,
Highest Point Mt Elbrus (5642 m) Pindus, Ural, Caucasus, Blaok
Forest, Mt Stromboli, Kjolen,
Lowest Point Caspian Sea (-28 m) Pennines, Cantabrian Pyrenees,
Straits Dardenelis Strait, English Sierra Morena and Sierra Nevada
Channel, Strait of Gibraltar Rivers Po, Tiber, Rhine, Ebro, Garonne,
Lakes Lake Ladoga, Onega, Peipus, Loire, Seine, Weser, Elbe, Wista,
Vanern, Vattern Onega, Dvina, Mezen, Volga, Don,
Dnieper, Dnister and Danube,
Islands Bdtisb Isles, Iceland, Sa..rdinfa, Rhine
Sicily, Crete Peninsula Iberian, Balkan and Kola
• Greenland js the ,,vorld's largest island
and it belongs to Denmark. Imp01tant I11for1nationAbout
Important Gulf and Bays Europe
• Copenhagen, capital of Denmark is
Gulf/Bay Looauon Jmown as the key to the Baltic.
Guli of Bothnia Sweden and Finland • Finland is ]mown as the land of forests and
English Channel Brttain and Franoe lakes.
• Both intensive and extensive cultivation
Gulf of Lions South of France
are done in Europe with a great variety of
Bay of Biscay Franoe and Spain crops due to the occurrence of different
lci.nds of soil and climate. On the steppes,
Description
wheat, sugar beet and sun flowers are the
• Wheat js the most important crop of major crops, ,,vhereas in the
Europe. The Ruhr in Germany js the Mediterranean region, fruit cultivation is
biggest and richest coal field of Europe . prominent. Moreover, cattle, sheep and
Other coal fields in Germany are Saar pigs are reared for meat, milk and other
and Saxony. products.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE~ Geography
ANTARCTICA
• It was discovered in 1820.
• Roald Amundsen was the first man to reach geograprucal South pole in Antarctica.
• It is Jmown as the continent for science because it provides unique opportunity to
scientists to learn about the Earth.
PHYSICAL FEATURES
INDIA : PHYSICAL
CHINA
TIBET
l>
5 0
£ t
: tTI;. • .
0
~ • \f.'
g ·o':
~
t---
0
LAKSHADWEEP
(INDIA) i
.-- - -~-1-0,-:-,M- l-O.-~- - -- ~ ~~
~a
!Olouolua 100 0 100 100 9JO •tOOHTu m.t ll ez, 0
o
Q
Physiographic divisions of India are as follows: • They sb:etch from the Indus river in
• The Himalayan Range of MoWJtains the West to the BralJmaputrn river in
• The Peninsular Plateau the East.
• Tbe Great Plains of lnrna • The Pamirs, popuJarly known as the
Roof of the World js the connecting
• The Coastal Plains
link between the H.inJalayas and the
• The Islands of India high ranges of Central Asia.
• The total length is about 2500 Ian
The Himalayas with varying width of 240 to 400 km
• Himalayas means 'Abode of snm'I,'. These and a total area of 595000 km 2 .
are yoWJg fold mountains of tertiary period,
They consists of three parallel ranges
\'l1hich were folded over Tethys sea due to
such as:
inter-continental collision .
(i) Himadri (Greater Himalayas)
• They are one of the yoWJgest fold mountain
(ii) Himachal (Lesser Himalayas)
ranges in the world and comprises mainly
sedinJen tary rocks. (iii) Shiwaliks (Outer H.inJalayas)
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE~ Geography
Name Signifioanoe
Norwester It is a spring storm shower and causes rainfall in Assam and West BengaL
Mango Shower Thunderstorm causing rainfall in Southern plateau, helps in mango ripening.
Cherry Blossoms Thunderstorm causing rainfall in Karnataka, helps in flowering of ooHee_
Kalbaisakhis Storms in West Bengal during su mmer due to the strong convective
movemenL
Annual Rainfall
India can be divided into the following regions depending upon the annual average
rainfall received by these regions
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE~ Geography
e
Distribution of Rainfall
Areas of Very High Areas of High Rainfall Areas of Low Areas of Very Low
Rainfall (100-200 cm) Rainfall Rajnfall
(above 200 cm) (50- 100 cm) (below 50 cm)
IE inoludes almost whole of It includes Eastern It inoludes large It lnoludes arid and
Assam, Nagaland, slopes of Western parts of Gujarat, semi-arid area and
Meghalaya, Mizoram, Ghats, major parts of Maharashtra, inoludes large areas of
Arunachal Pradesh , Sikkim, Northern Plain, Odisha, Western Madhya Western Rajasthan,
parts of Manipur, West Madhya Pradesh, Pradesh, Andhra Kaohchh and most of the
Bengal and ihe Western Andhra Pradesh and Pradesh and regi on of Ladakh
Coast from Mumbai to Tamil Nadu. Eastern Rajasthan (Jam mu and Ka shmir).
Thiruvananthapuram. etc.
■ Mountain Hills of Jammu and Kashmir, Rich in iron and humus, but deficient in Wilh the use of fertilizers , tea, truits and
Ut1arakhand and Assam Hills lime , medicinal plants can be grown.
■ Saline and Alkaline Drier parts of Bihar, Jharkhand, Ut1ar Many salls such as sodium, magnesium Unlit for agriculture .
Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan and calcium ,
and Maharashtra
■ Peaty and Marshy Kerala, coaslal regions of Odisha, Tamil Con lain large amount of soluble salts and Useful for rice and jute cultivallon,
Nadu and Sundarbans of West Bengal organic mat1er, but lacks in polash and
phosphates .
@
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE~ Geography
INDIA
SOILS
Red soil
: : : Alluvial soil
::::::::. Black (Regur) soil
Desert soil
Lalerile soil
Mountain soil
Grey and Brown soils
· Sub-mountain so~
Snowfields
• In thjs type of ag:r:icuJture, a piece of forest The components ofGreen Revol-ution are as
)an d is cleared mainly by tribal people by follows:
felling and burning of trees and crops are • l-ligh Yielcling Variety Seeds
grown. • Irrigation
• Dry paddy, buck wheat, maize, small millets, • Use of Fertilizers
tobacco and sugarcane are the main crops
• Use of Insecticides and Pesticides
grm'l'TI under tills type of agiicuJture.
• Command Area Development
Intensive Farming • Consolidation of Holdings
• This 1s a system of farming in which the • Land Reforms
cultivator uses large am ount of Jabour an d • Supply of Agricul tural Crernt
capital on a relatively small area. • Rural Elecliification
• In regions, where the size of popuJ ation is • Rural Roads an d Marketing
big, but )an d 1s less, tills type of farmmg is • Farm Mecharusation
done.
• Agric uJ tmal Universities
• AgiicuJture is done with the help of manu al
Jabom. Impact of Green Revolution
Extensive Farming Positive Impact
• This 1s a system of farming in which the • Increase in agricul tural production
cultivator uses a lim_j ted anrnunt of labour • Reduction of the import of
and capital on a relatively large area. foodgrains
• This type of agricuJture is practised in • Capitalist farming
regions, '"''here population size is sm all an d
• Industrial gi·o wth
)and is enough.
• AgiicuJtme 1s done with the help of • Rural employment
machmes. Negative Impact
• Inter-crop imbalance
Green Revolution
• Environmental inJpacts
It is a ph rase generally used to descdbe the
spectacular increase in the production an d • Increase in regional inJbalances
productivity of foo d gi·ains that took place • Unemployment due to
during 1970s. It was introduced by mecharusation
MS Swaminathan and he 1s also con sidered as • Negligence of other crops
Father of Green Revolu tion.
MINERAL RESOURCES
Thrree tzJpes of min era ls found in India are as follows:
(i) MetalUc Iron-ore, copper, alu.n1lllum, tin , lead, gold and silver.
(ii) Non-MetalUc Coal, mica, m anganese , peb.-oleum and sulphur.
(iii) Radioactive Uranium and thorium.
Metallic Mineral Mines
Metallic Mineral Mines
Iron Kemmangundi , Sandur and Hospet(Karnataka)
Gorumahisani, Badampahar (Odisha) , Bailadila and Dalli-Rajhara
(Chhattisgarh) , North Goa
Manganese Found in Karnataka, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra
Chromite Found in Odisha, Bihar, Kamataka, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh
Copper Malanjkhand Belt (Balaghat ,Madhya Pradesh), Khetri-Singhana Belt
(JhLD1jhLJ1 ), Singhbhum (Jharkhand)
Bauxite Found in Odisha, Gujarat , Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Chhatiisgarh
Gold Kolar and Hutti ( Kamataka) , Aamgiri in Anantapur (Andhra Pradesh)
Industries in India
Industries Details
Cotton Textile ■ The first modern Cotton textile mill was established in Bombay in 1854 by
Indu stry
CN Dewar wilh the name of Bombay spinning and weaving oompany.
■ Mumbai is called Cottonopolis of India
■ Ahmedabad is called Manchester of India_
■ Coimbatore is called Manchester of Sou th India
■ Kanpur is called Manchester of Uttar Pradesh_
■ Distribution Maharashtra (Mumbai, Solapur, Pune, Ko lhapur, Satara,
Ward ha, Aurangabad and Amravati) , Gujarat (Ahmedabad, Vadodra,
RaJkot, Surat, Bhavnagar, Porbandar, Morbi and Viramgam) , Tamil Nadu
(Chennai, Tirunelveli, Madurai, Tuticorin, Salem , Virudhnagar and
Tiruchripalli and Perambur), Karnataka (Bengaluru, Belgaum, Mangalore,
Chitradurga, Gulbaraga and Mysore),
Uttar Pradesh (Kanpur, Etawah, Modinagar, Moradabad, Bareilly, Agra,
Meerut and Varanasi), Madhya Pradesh (Indore, Gwalior, Ujjain, Bhopal),
Rajasthan (Kata, Jaipur, Sriganganagar, Bhilwara and Udaipur) .
Woollen ■ The first Woollen textiles mill was set-up in 1876 at Kanpur. Jammu and
Textile Punjab leads in the production of woollen textiles_ Kashmir is the large
Industry producer of handloom and powerloom product.
■ Distribution Punjab (DhariwaJ, Amritsar, Ludhiana, Ferozpur),
Maharashtra (MumbaQ, Uttar Pradesh (Kanpur, Mirzapur, Agra,
Tanakpur)_
Jute Textile ■ First modern Jute mill was set-up in 1856 at Rishra near Kolkata_ India is
Industry the second largest producer of raw jute and jute goods, whereas it is
second largest exporter of jute goods after Bangl adesh.
■ Distribution West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Odisha, Tripura
and Chhattisgarh _
Silk Textile ■ India is the second largest prouducer of natural silk, after China and is
Industry the only country producing all four varieties or natural silk viz Mulberry,
Tasar, Eri and Muga of which Golden yellow Muga silk is unique in India_
■ Distribution Kamataka is the leading producer followed by West Bengal,
Bihar and Jammu and Kashmir etc.
Rubber ■ The first factory of synthetic rubber was set-up at Bareilly_
Industry
■ Distribution Bareilly (Uttar Pradesh), Barod a (Gujarat) Synthetic Rubber
Units-Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Amritsar-Reclaimed Rubber Units_
Tea Industry ■ Tea cultivation in India was "irst started in the mid-19th century in
Darjeeling, Assam and Nilgiris_
■ Nearly 98% of the tea production comes from Assam, West Bengal , Tamil
Nadu and Kerala, while the rest of it oomes from Karnataka, Terai regions
of Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and
Tripura
Sugar ■ Uttar Pradesh is the leading producer of sugar_
Ind ustry Distribution Uttar Pradesh (Gorakhpur, Deoria, Basti , Gonda, Meerut,
Saharanpur, Muzaffamagar, Bijnor and Moradabad) , Bihar (Darbhanga,
Saran , Champaran and Muzaffarpur), Punjab (Phagwara and Dhuri)
Haryana (Ambala, Rohtak and Panipat), Maharashtra (Nashik, Pune,
Satara, Sangli , Kolhapur and Sholapur) and Karnataka (Munirabad,
Shivamogga and Mandya).
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE - Geography G
Industries Details
Paper ■ The first Paper mill in the country was set-up near Chennaj (1817) and
Ind ustry then at Serampore (Bengaf) in 1832, both of which faHed. In 1870, a
sucoessful venture was started at BaJlygunj near Calcutta. It was named
as the Royal Bengal Paper Mills.
■ Raw material : Bamboo (70%), Salai wood (12%), Sabai (9%), Bagasses
(4%) and Waste paper and Rags (5%).
■ Distribution Madhya Pradesh (Nepanagar) , Hindustan Paper
Corporation , Vellore, Mysore Paper mill, Bhadravati, Maharashtra,
(Mumbai, Pune, BaJlarpur and Kamptee produoe Paper and Vikhroli),
Andhra Pradesh (Rajahmundry and Sirpur), Madhya Pradesh (Indore,
Bhopal and Shahdol), Kamataka_
Machine Tool ■ It forms the basis for the manufacturing of industrial, defence
Industry equipments, automobiles, railway engines and electrical machinery.
■ Distribution Hyderabad, Bengaluru , Pinjore (Haryana) , Kalamassery
(Kerala) , Ajmer and Srinagar.
Heavy ■ Distribution Bengaluru, BhopaJ, Jammu, Tiruchirapalli,
Electrical Ramchandrapuram (Hyderabad) and Haridwar.
Equipments
Transport
RAILWAYS Railway Zones
• India has the second largest raihivay Zone Headquarter
net'1vork in Asia and the 3rd largest in Central Railway Mumbai
the World after the USA, Russia and Eastern Railway Kolkata
China. The Indian railway operate in Northern Railway New Delhi
three different gauges North-Eastern Railway Gorakhpur
North-East Frontier Railway Guwahati
Gauge Routes (km)
Southern Railway Chennai
Broad Gauges (I. 676 m) 61680 South Central Railway Seoundrabad
Meter Gauges (1. 000 m) 3479 South-Eastern Railway Kolkata
Narrow Gauges (0. 761 2209 Western Railway Mumbai (Church Gate)
and 0.610 m) East Central Railway Hajipur
East Coast Railway Bhubaneshwar
• It js the largest public sector
North Central Railway Allahabad
undertaldng of the country and it
North-Western Railway Jaipur
js the world's second largest r ailway
net\vork under single management. South-East Central Railway Bilaspur
• The first Indian railway line in India South-West Railway Hubbali
was opened for public traffic in 1853 West Central Railway Jabalpur
bet\veen Bombay and Thane over a Metro Railway Kolkata
distance of 34 Jan. South-Coast Railway Visakhapatnam
• Tbe second train ran between • Indian r ailways has the second biggest
Howrah and Hooghly in 1854. electrified system in the world after Russia.
• The first electric train in India was • The total route covered is approximately
introduced on 3rd February, 1925 67368 km.
bet\veen Vic toria Terminus and • The third longest train route is of 'Himsagar
Kmla. Express· from Jammu to KanyakunJad. It
• The headquarters of Indian railv,,ay covers a distance of 3787 lrnJ and passes
js in New Delm. thrnugh 12 states.
• The fastest train in India js 'Irain 18 • The first meb.·o r ail was ino.- oduced in
(also known as Vande Bharat Calcutta on 24th October, 1984. The two
Express) , 1vhose maxinJum speed is stations connected were Dumdum and
180 km/hr. Belgachhfa.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ Geography
• Delhi Meb.·o 1s busiest metro in the world. • It is 8th longest in the world.
• The oldest steam engine 'Fairy Queen' • It was started to comm emora te the 150th
was built by the Blitish in 1855. birth anmversary of Swami
• Uttar Pradesh has largest railway Vivekananda.
nehvork in India. • It is a weekly train with a total dis tance of
• Mwnba_j CST is busiest railway junction 4286 km .
of India. • Previously Himsagar Express was the
• Railway track elecliification was longest express .
introduced in early 1920s. The fu-s t hvo
sections from Victolia Termin us to Km la Konkan Railways
and fro m Vic toria Terminus to Bandra • It run s from Man galore to Rob a ( 40 km
were electrified. About 19.9% of the rail South of Mumba_j).
lines have been elecb.ified . • The net\1vork involves 3 sta tes such as
• The newest Meb.·o station in India 1s Maharashtra, Goa and Karnataka.
opened in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh on • It has a total length of 738 km.
December 2021. • Almost 10% of the line passes thrnugh
Indian Railways Recog nised tunnels .
by UNESCO Railway Manufactwing Units
Railways Speoialities • Chi ttaranjan Locomotive Works (CL\i\!),
Darjeeling Narrow gauge railway from Cbi ttal'anjan : EJecb.jc locom otives.
Himalayan Siliguri to Darjeeling in the • Diesel Locomotive Works (DL\i\!),
RaJ/ways (1999) State of West Bengal Varanasi Diesel and E.lecbjc
Chha/Japati It wa s oompleted in 1887, locomotives.
Shivaji Termin us marking 50 yea rs of Queen • Wheel Axle Plant (\iVAP), Bengaluru :
(2004) Vio toria's ru le. Wheel Ax.le plant
Ni/girl Mo untain It oonnects the town of • Diesel Com ponent Works (DC\i\!),
Railways (2005) Mettupalayam with the hill Patiala : Diesel components and paiis.
station of Udagamandalam
in the Nilgiri hill s. • Rail Coach Factory (RCF), Kapurthala,
Punjab : Rail coaches.
Kalka-Shim/a Narrow Gauge ra ilway in
RaJ/ways (2008) North-We st India travelling • Integral Coach Factm)' (ICF), Chenn a_j :
along a most mountainous Rail coaches.
route from Kalka to Shim la. • Bharat Earth Movers Ltd. Bengaluru :
* The year in Bracket repre sents the year in Rail coaches for Dellii Metro Rail
whic h UNESCO has added th e ra ilway line to Corporation .
the World Heritage Site list. • Dmgapm and YeJahanka : Wheel Ax.le
Committees Constituted plant.
for Rail Security • JanJshedpm Meb·e gauge s team
locomotives.
Committe es Years • BhiJa_j : Rail and Sleeper cars.
Shahnawaz Committee 1964 • PeranJbm : Rail coaches.
Kunzrou Committee 1962
Wahchoo Committee 1968
Diamond Quadril ateral Project
Sikri Com mittee 1978 The nev,, government at cenb·e has
promised to build the Diamond
Khanna Committee 1998
Quadrilateral Project which ,,vou.ld connect
Anil Ka kodkar Comm ittee 201 2
via high-speed r ail the cities of Chenn a_j,
Rakesh Mohan Committee 201 2
Mumba_j, Kolkata an d Delhi .
Mon tek Singh Ahluwalia Committee 2014
Bibek Debray Com mittee 2015 Bullet Train in India
Arvind Panagariya Committee 2016 Railway Minisb.1' in its v,,hi te paper 'V1sion
2020' env1sages the implemen tation of
Vivek Express regional high speed rail projects to provide
• It h as the longest rr·ain route in India services at 250-350 km/h . Six corridors
connecting Dibrngarh in Assam and have been identi£ed for techmcal studies
Kanyakum ari in Tamil Na.du . • Delbi-Chandigarb-Annitsar
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ Geography
Waterways
Major Waterways of India
Numbers Stretches of the Water Way Specifications
NW1 Allahabad-Haldia (1620 km) Along Ganga River
NW2 Sadiya- Dhub ri (891 km) Along Brahmaputra River
NW3 Kottapuram-Kollam (206 km) Along Champakara and Udyogamandal
Canal.
NW4 Bhadraohalam to Rajahmundry and Along Godavari and Krishna River
Wazirabad to Vijaywada (1096 km)
NW5 Mangalgarhi to Paradeep and Along Mahanadi and Brahmini River System
Talcher to Dhamara (623 km)
NW6 Lakhipur to Bhanga (121 km) Along Barak River
Under National Waterway Act, 20 16, the Central Government has designated new 106
Inlan d , 111aterways. As of January 2023, there are 11 1 Nation al Waterways in lnclia.
Ports in India
• The Inland Waterways Au thmity in Inclia clivides Inclian ports into thrne categmies,
major, minor and in termecliate ports.
• Inclia has about 205 ports, with 13 major and the rest intermecliate and minor ports.
Eastern Coast Ports
Ports of Eastern Coast Important Fact
Kolkata (renamed as Shyama Oldest port, India's riverine port having two dock system _
Prasad Mukherjee Port
Paradip It handles iron-ore and some amounts of ooal and dry cargo.
Chennai All weather port having deep drafted berth, oil jetties, iron- ore
terminals etc.
Visakhapatnam Deepest port of India and deals with export of Iron ore to Japan.
Tuticorin Artificial deep sea harbour, all weather port otter direct weekly
container service to USA. Also known as VO Chidambranar port.
Ennore First oorporalised major port in India Mainly handles ooal imports.
• Largest container port of lnclia is Jawahar]al Nehru (Nhava Sheva) port in Mumbai.
The largest natural port is in VisakhapalTianJ.
• Kandla in Gujarat is a tidal port. It has been converted into a free trade zone.
• The Government is consb.-ucting a greenfield major port at Vadh avan in Maharashtrn.
• Mumbai port is the busiest port of lnclia.
e GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ Geography
Miscellaneous
Important Lakes of India
Name of Lake State Important Fact
Chilika Lake Odisha It is a saline and lagoon lake. It is the large st ooastal
lagoon in India.
Kolleru Lake Andhra Pradesh It is a freshwater lake.
Loktak Lake Manipur It is a freshwater lake having floating vegelalion.
Lonar Lake Maharashtra It is a meteorite crater lake in Buldhana area of
Maharashtra_ The water is highly charged wi1h
Sodium carbonates and Sodium ohloride.
Pangong Lake Jammu and Kashmir It is a saline lake.
Pulicat Lake Ta mil Nadu and It is a saline and lagoon lake.
Andhra Pradesh border
Sambhar Lake Rajasthan It is a shallow lake, which is saline, localed near Jaipur.
Tsomarari Lake Jammu and Kashmir It is a saline lake.
Vembanad Lake Kerala It is a lagoon lake.
Wular and Dal Jammu and Kashmir Wular lake was oreated due to tectonic activitjes. Dal
Lakes lake is known as Sri nagar's Jewel.
India
Adjacent Countries
Myanmar
ARABIAN
SEA
- - lnlomotional BaundllJ)I
- - - Stoic Boundmy
:o
And11m11n & Nicobar IBlonds
(lnlfla) ~J
\I
Q'O
l\laldTues •
ac::.
;o
0 400 800 km
0
States/UTs of India
Andhra Pradesh
Capital Visakhapatnam (Executive) • Visakhapatnam is the major port in
Amaravati (Legislative) the state.
Kurnool (Judidal) • Andhra Pradesh is Inclia's seventh
Data of Formation 1st November, 1956 largest state by area and 10th largest by
(Reorganised in June 2014 by creating popuJation.
Telangana as a separate state) • It is the first state formed on linguistic
State Symbols basis in lnclia .
Animal Blackbuck • It is called the Rice Bowl of India and
Bird Rose Ringed Parakeet egg bowl of Asia.
Tree Neem • Andhra Pradesh has the second-
Neighbouring States longest coastline of 972 km among all
the states of India.
Maharashb.'a, Odisha, Karnataka, Telangana,
TamjJ Nadu.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ Geography
e
Arunachal Pradesh Bihar
Capital Itanagar Capital Patna
Date of Formation 20th February, 1987 Date of Fbrmation 26th Januai~ 1950
State Symbols State Symbols
Animal Mithun Animal Gam
Bird Great Hornbill Bird SpaJ.TO\'I'
Tree Hollong Tree Peepal
Flower Lady Slipper Orchid Flower Kachnar
Neigbbom·ing States Neigbbom·iJJg States
Assam, Nagaland. Jharkhand , Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal
Neigbbom·ing Counti-ies
Neigbbom·iJJg Counti-y Nepal
Bhutan, Myanmar, China
• After the separation of Jharkhand from
• It js the Easternmost State of India. Bihar, Bihar h as become a mineral Jess
• Rajiv Gandhi Urnversity js the oldest state, as the mineral-rich belt h as gone to
university ill the state of Anmachal Jharkhand .
Pradesh.
• Bihar js the 12th largest state in terms of
• Agrkulture js the main occupation of the geographical size and 3rd largest by
People of Arunach al Pradesh and Jh um population.
(sbifting cultivation) js practised.
• According to Census 2011, Biha1.· has
• Arunachal Pradesh is also lmo\lvn as land lowest li teracy rate (63.82%).
of the rising Sun ill reference to its • Gautam Buddha attained
position as the Easternmost State of Enligh tenmen t at Bodh Gaya, a town
India. located in the modern day district of
Gaya in Biha1.·.
Assam • Vardhamana Mahavira, the 24th and the
Capital rnspm last Tirthanka1.·a of J airrism, was born in
Date of Formation 26th J anua1.·y, 1950 Vaishali in Bihar around 6th century BC.
State Symbols
Animal Inman one-horned Cbhattisgarh
Rmno Capital Raipur
Bird White-wing Wood Data of Formation 1st November, 1956
Duck State Symbols
Tree Hollong Animal Wild Buffalo
Flowe r Fox-tail Orchid Bird Hill Myna
Neighbouring States Tree Sal
Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh and Neighbouring States
Nagaland, Manipur, llipura, Mizoran1, Madhya Pradesh, Ornsha, Telangana
West Bengal. Andh.ra Pradesh, Maha1.·ashtra, Uttar
Neigbbom·ing Countries Bhutan and Pradesh and Jha1.·khand.
Bangladesh. • 9th state in terms of aJ.'ea and 17th ill
• Assam contributes 52% of the total tea terms of population.
production of the country. • More than 80% of the population
• Assam js surrounded by six of the other depends on agricul tme. But, it is equally
seven sister states : Arunachal Pradesh, Iich in mineral deposits .
Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoran1, Tripma • It js an in1portant electrical power and
and Meghalaya. These states are steel producing state of India.
connected to the rest of India via a • Chbattisgarh is lmown for Kosa Silk and
na1.-row sbip in West Bengal called the Lost Wax Art.
Siligw·i Corridor or CWcken's Neck.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ Geography
Goa Haryana
Capital Panaji Capital Chandigarh
Date of Formation 30th May, 1987 Date of Formation 1st November, 1966
State Symbols State Symbols
Ani111al Gam Animal Black Buck Antelope
Bird Black crested Bird Black Francolin
Tree PeepaJ
Bu]buJ
Flower Lotus
Tree Matti
Neigbbmuing States
Neigbbom·ing States Punjab, Himacb al Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Uttar
Karnataka, Maharashtra Pradesh, Delhi, Rajasthan , Chandigarh.
• Goa js one of the favolliite • Panipat js called the Weaver' City for its
destination of tourists, \'lrith its handJoom produc ts . Haryana is a landJocked
famous beaches. Marmagao is the State in Northern India.
major port. • Haryana is self-sufficient in food production
• It is the India's smallest state by an d the second largest contJjbutor to lndia's
area and the fow-th smallest by central pool of foodgrains.
population. • Yamuna Nagar distiict is the largest industrial
• It also h as rich flora and fauna town wholly within Haryana. It has one of Asia's
owing to its location on the Jai·gest paper mill belt and one of Asia's largest
Western Ghats range, which is sugai· mill.
classified as a biodiversity hotspot. • Yamuna Nagai· h as a large timber industl-y, an
HFGC L thermal power plant, a hydro power
Gujarat plant and India's lai·gest railway worksh op.
Capital Gandhinagar Himachal Pradesh
Date of Formation 1st May, 1960 Capital Shirnla (swnmer),
State Symbols DharmsaJa (winter)
Animal Asiatic Llon Date of Formation 25th January, 1971
Bird Great Flan:iingo State Symbols
State Tree Banyan Animal Musk Deer
State Flower Madgold Bird MonaJ
Neighbouring States Tree Deodar
Flower Rhododendron
Rajasthan, Maharashti-a, Madhya
Pradesh, Daman an d Diu, Dacka Neigbbom·ing States
and Nagar Haveli Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Haryana,
• Gujarat js the main producer of U ttarakhand and Lada.kb.
groundnut and cotton. Neighbotuing Country China
• KandJa port, on the coast of Gu]£ • Population is divided into five major groups, the
of Kachchh lies in Gujarat. Gaddis, Kinners, Gujjars, Pangvvals and Lahaulis.
• It has longest coastline of • llinJachal Pradesh is known to be abundant in
natw_·a] beauty.
1600 km.
• The economy of the HinJachal Pradesh is
• It is among one of the mos t
mainly dependent on services and IndustJ-y.
industJjalised states of India an d
• Apples are the important .En.tits produced.
h as per capita GDP above the
national average . • Excellent opportw:iities are available for
h orticultme and cash crnps.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ Geography
Jharkhand Kerala
Capital Ranchi Capital Thirnvanan thapuram
Date of Formation 15th November, Date of Formation 1st November, 1956
2000 State Symbols
State Symbols Animal Elephant
Animal Elephant Bird Great Hornbill
Bird Koel
Tree Coconut
Tree Sal
Flower Palasb Flower Kanikonna
(Aooording to 2011 Census) Andhra Pradesh inoludes stale of Telangana and Andh ra Pradesh.
e GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ Geography
Sex Ratio
Ranks Sex Rauo Child Sex Ratio
State/UT Ratio State/UT Ratio
1- Kerala 1084 Mizoram 970
2. Puduoherry 1037 Meghalaya 970
3. Tamil Nadu 996 Andaman and Nicobar Island 968
4. Andhra Pradesh 993 Puducherry 967
6. Chhattisgarh 991 Chhattisgarh 969
6. Manipur 992 Arunaohal Pradesh 972
7. Meghalaya 989 Kerala 964
8. Odisha 979 Assam 962
9. Mizoram 976 Tripura 967
10. Himachal Pradesh 972 West Bengal 966
11. Goa 973 Tamil Nadu 943
12. Karna taka 973 Nagaland 943
13. Uttarakhand 963 Jharkhand 948
14. Tripura 960 Sikkim 967
16. Assam 968 Andhra Pradesh 939
16. West Bengal 960 Karnalaka 948
17. Jharkhand 949 Odisha 941
18. Maharashtra 929 Manipur 936
19. Lakshadweep 947 Bihar 935
20. Nagaland 931 Dadra and Nagar Haveli 926
21. Madhya Pradesh 931 Goa 942
22. Rajas than 928 Madhya Pradesh 918
23 . Arunachal Pradesh 938 Daman and Diu 904
24. Gujarat 919 Lakshadweep 911
25. Bihar 918 Himaohal Pradesh 909
26. Uttar Pradesh 912 Uttar Pradesh 902
27. Punjab 896 Uttarakhand 890
28. Sikkim 890 Gujarat 890
29. Jammu and Kashmir 889 Rajas than 888
30. Andaman and Nicobar Islands 876 Maharashtra 894
31. Haryana 879 Chandigarh 880
32. Delhi 868 Delhi 871
33. Chandigarh 818 Jammu and Kashmir 862
34. Dadra and Nagar Haveli 774 Punjab 846
36. Daman and Diu 618 Haryana 834
National Average 940 919
I ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT I
• Ecology is a science, in which study of Functions of Ecosystem
organism is undertaken in relation to The main functions of an ecosystem arre as
their environment. This science follows:
developed in response to the increasing (i) Matelials or nutrient cycle
awareness of inter- relationships
(ii) Biological or ecological reguJation
between plan ts, animals and their
physical h abitats. • Foodcba.in The flow of energy from of
• The term ecosystem was first used by one organism to another in a sequence of
AG Tansley in 1935, who defined food transfer is lmm'l'Il as a foodchain. A
ecosystem as a particuJar category of simple foodchain is like the following
physical system , consisting of organjsms Grass ➔ Insect ➔ Frogs ➔ Snake ➔ Hawk
and inorganic components in a relatively • Food Web A net\11101:k of foodchains or
stable equilibctum wmch is open and of feeding relationships, by which energy and
valious sizes and ldnds. nutrients are passed on from one specie of
living organism to another is called food
Components of Ecosystem web.
• _,\biotic Components are the non-living • Trophlc Levels Trophk levels aTe the
components, e.g. air, wate1~ soil, feeding position in a foodchain such as
suspended particulate matter etc. plimary producers, herbivore, primary
• Biotic Components includes plants, carnivore etc. Generally, green plants
anjmals and mkro-organism. form the fast o·ophic level, the
• The living organism in an ecosystem producers, h erbivores form the second
can be divided into three categories tropmc level, while carnivores and
ommvores form the third and even the
Producers fourth trophic levels .
• Producers are organisms that can malte • Ecological Pyramid An ecological
organic energy resoU1·ces from abiotic pyra_rnjd is a graphical representation
components of the environment. They designed to shm"i' the number of
produce their food themselves. organjsms, energy relationships and
biomass of an ecosystem. They aTe also
Consumers called Eltonian Pyramids after Charles
• Consumers are those organisms that Elton, who developed the concept of
gather energy by consuming organic ecological pyramids. Producer organisms
material from other organisms. Primary (usually green plants) from the base of
consl1Il1ers are those organfams, who the pyrannd, , 1vi th succeeding levels
consl1Il1e mainly producers . Primary above representing the different tropic
consumers are also knovl'Il as Herbivores. levels.
• Secondary consumers are those • Succeeding levels in the pyramid
organisms, who consume mainly represent the dependence of the
primary consl1Il1ers. Tertiary consumers organjsms at a given level on the
are organisms that consl1Il1e secondary
organisms at lower leveL
consumers. Tertiary consun1ers are
carnjvores. Omnivores fee d on both • Pyramid of Biomass Biomass is
producers and other consumers. renewable organic (living) matelial_. A
• Detiitovores consume debitus pyra_rnjd of biomass is a representation of
(dead material of plants and anjmals). the amoun t of energy contained in
biomass at different o·opmc levels for a
Decomposers particuJar time.
• Decomposers are organisms that break • lt is measw-ed in gran1s per meter or
dm'l'Il dead or decaying organisms. calories per meter. This demonstrates the
Decomposers are heteroo·opmc which amount of matter lost between !J.·ophic
means that they use organic substrates to levels.
get their energy and carbon an d • Pyi·amid of Energy The pyramid of
nutiients for their growth an d energy represents the total amount of
development e.g. bacte1ia and fungi. energy consumed at each o·opmc level.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ Geography
• An energy pyramjd is always upright as the total amount of energy available for
utilisation in the layers above js less than the energy available m the lower levels.
• Biome Biome is a large natural ecosystem, wherein we study the total assemblage of
plant and animal communities. Biosphere is the ]a.l'gest ecosystem on the Earth,
divided mto biomes.
• Ecological Niche Organisms in ecosystem get evolved for particular task. Tbjs task or
role, which an organjsm plays in ecosystem is called as ecological rnche.
Important Physical Characteristics Plants Animals
Biomes
Tundra Two seasons, dry and frozen No trees, dominated Insects , large hooved
deserts by mosses and mammals (caribou,
Winter extreme cold and snowy lichens and gra sses musk, ox), bears,
Summer flooding , caused by snow and some small wolves , small rodents
melt in the permafrost layer shrubs. (lemmings) migrate
during the breeding
(permanently frozen about 3 m
below the ground . season
Location far North and far South
towards the polar ioe caps
Average Temperature 10°C
Rainfall 25 am/yr
Snow 10-20 cm/yr
Borsa/ Forest Long winter, short fall and sp ring , Trees 6-10 m high, Diverse array of
2-3 months of summer. wetter boreal forest. tree mig rants from the
seasons, heavy rain an·d snow. species include tropics with few
conifers pine, spruce, re sident species
bog plants (fems and (moose, bear, lynx,
Location ooniferous forests, far
mosses) iox., voles).
Norlhern and far Southern latitudes
Temperate Four seasons Complex levels of Diverse array of
Deciduous Rainfall 80-140 om/yr vegetation inoluding migrants tram the
Forest deciduous trees. tropics and re sident
s ecies.
Savannah Three seasons Grasses, shrubs, Large ungulates, large
short and 2m tall trees predators
Rainfall 90-150 om/yr olumped together (10
Location tropical to sub-tropical
m 1all)
Temperate Temperate and some subartic Grasses Large ungulates
Grassland grassland (extreme Northern
Prairies-steppes and some
e>ctreme Southern grasslands-
Pampas of Argentina) Rainfall
26-70 om/ r
Mediterranean Mild wet winter followed by hot, Short trees and Diversity of mammals,
dry, summer. Many plants shrubs bird s, insects etc that
dependent on re gular fires like dry habitats
associated with Chaparral
Location near ooastlines
(California. Chile, Mediterranean)
Desert Very dry Cactus, sagebrush, Small rodents, reptil es
Rainfall less than 25 cm/year creosote and shrubs
Location primarily equatorial but
some re ach into temperate regions
Tropical Very wet-heavy rainfall. Large trees-broad- Highest diversity of
Ram forest leaved evergreens, animals
Soil poor in nutrients epiphytes, not much
forest iloor vegetation
Temperature constant throughout (little sunlight) canopy
the year (wet and dry seasons) 30-40 m above
round
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ Geography
Glossary
Bio Fuels are produced from dry organic EnviJ·onment The environment 1s the
matter or combustible oils from plants such biotic and abiot:ic smrounding of an
as alcohol from fermented sugar, black organism or population and includes
liquor from the paper manufacturing pai·ticuJarly the factor that have an
process, wood and soya.bean oil . influence in their surv1val,
Biogas Gas lich in methane, which is development and evolution.
produced by the fermentation of animal Ecology It is the scientific study of the
dung, human sewage or crop residues in an relations that uving organisms have
airtight container. ·with respect to each other and their
Biomass Organic matelial, both above ground natural envi.rnnment.
and below ground and living and dead, such Ecosystem An ecosystem 1s a biological
as b.'ees, crops, grasses and roots. system consiting of all the uving
Carbon credit The concept of Carbon Credit organisms or biotic components in a
came into existence as a resuJt of increasing pai·ticuJai· ai·ea and the non-uving or
awareness of the need for pollution control. abiotic components with which the
Carbon credits are certificates awarded to organisms interact such as air,
countries that successfully reduce the minel'al soil, water and sUilllgbt.
emissions that cause global warming. Biosphere The biosphere 1s the portion
Carbon Credits ,He measlll'ed in units of of Eai·th, in which all ]mown li.fe
Certified Emission Reductions (CERs). forms exist. If includes a thin layer of
Each CERis equivalent to one tonne ofC0 2 air (atmosphere), water
reduction. (hydrnspbere) and Eai-th
Carbon Footprint The Carbon Footprint is a (lithosphere).
measw·ement of all greenhouse gases in Geosphere The atmosphere,
terms of tonnes or kg of CO 2 equivalent. hydrosphere, lithosphere and
Carbon Market The Kyoto Protocol allows biosphere ai·e together referred to as
countries that have emissions units to spare the Geosphere.
the emissions permitted but not 'used' to Mitigation The sb.·uctural and non-
sell this excess capacity to countries that sb.7..lctural measures undertaken to
are over their targets. This is called the llIIllt the adverse impact of natw-al
carbon market, because carbon dioxide is hazai·ds, environmental degradation
the most , 1videly produced greenhouse gas and technological hazards.
and because of this other greenhouse gases Sustainable Development
will be recorded and counted in terms of Development that meet the needs of
their 'carbon dioxide equivalents'. the present generation \'l'l thou t
Green Tax It is a tax , 1vith a potenti ally positive compromising the ability of future
environmental impact. It includes energy generations to meet their own
tax, rr·ansport taxes and taxes on pollution needs.
and resolll'ces. They are also called Ecological Pyra.mjd An Ecological
environmental taxes. Pyramid is a graphical
Biomes Biomes are regions of the world , ..ri th representation designed to show the
similar climate (weather, temperatme), biomass or biomass productivity at
animals and plants. each Trophic level in a given
Examples of Aquatic biomes ai·e : Fresh ecosystem.
water, marine, Coral reef and Estuaries. Trophlc Level Successive stages of
Examples of Terresb.ial biomes are : now1shment as represented by the
Tundra, Rainforest, Savanna, Taiga, Alpine unks of the foodchain.
and Desert etc.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ Geography
FAQs (Geography)
1. A landmass surrounded by sea on three 29. El-Nino is ___ _
sides is referred to as. ___ __ 30. Where does the Arabian sea branch of
2. The highest peak in the Eastern Ghat is. __ monsoon and the Bay of Bengal bran ch
3. How many states are there in India through m onsoon join to eaoh other?
which the Tropic of Canoer passes? 31. The rainfall of winter season in the
4. Which group of island is located in the Bay Northen regi ons is locally known as .. _.
of Bengal? 32. Which type of vegetation is found in the
5. Name the place in Uttar Pradesh through Andaman and Nicobar Islands and
which the Standard Meridian of India Lakshadweep Island?
passes_ 33. In which state is the Gir National Park
6. Which latitude divides India into two parts? situated?
7. How many plates are found in orust 34. When did first oensus take place in India?
(upper part of the Earth)? 35. When did fi rst complete census take
8. Which State is known for Back waters? p lace in India?
9. In whioh state of India does the Sun rise 36. The red colourof the red soil is due to.-..
first? 37. Most of the iron in India is found in ___ _
1 O. Which plaoe does India has in the 38. Which ocean currents is associated with
geographical area of the world? the El Nino phenomenon?
11. When was the route of Suez canal 39. In which periods, the Appalachian
oonstructed? m ountains were formed?
12. The m ountain rang es between the Indus 40. The lapse rate of the atmosphere is .._.
and the Su tlej rivers are known as. ___ _
41. What is the most common salt in the sea
13. Where is the Chilika lake situated? water?
14. Which is the biggest salt lake of India? 42. The cattle kept by the Masai are called
15. Which is the longest river flowing in the 43. The timber of which tree is used for
Thar desert? making cricket bats?
16. In which ooean do the Tapi and Narmada 44. Ozone layer is found in ___ _
rivers f aJI?
45. 'Ring of Fire' refers to. ___
17. Which is the largest delta in the world?
46. Willy-Willy is the tropical cyolone
18. Whioh landmass is known as the roof of occurring in .. _.
the world?
47. The atmospheric layer, whioh reilects
19. An area drained by a single river is called_._ rad io-waves is known as. __ _
20. Which is the biggest drainage basin of the 48. Which planet is nearest to the Earth?
world?
49. In which layer of the atmosphere do most
21. Which river has the largest drajnage basin weather phenomenon occur?
of India? 50. Clear night are colder than cloudy nights
22. Where the rivers Su tlej, Ravi , Chenab, because oL _
Beas, Jhelum join the Indus rivers? 51. Where is the Hindustan Anti-biotics plant
23. Aocording to Indus Water Treaty (1960), located?
how muoh per cent of the total water can 52. Where is the Indian raHways factory Diesel
be used by India, carried by Indus River Component Works (DCW) located?
System? 53. Duncan Pass is located between ___ _
24. Where does the Bhagirath i and
54. Where is Thattekad Bird Sanctuary
Alakananda join? located?
25. The majn tributary of the Ganga, 55. In wh ioh state is the Hydel-Power Project
Bhagirathi originates from __ __ Nathpa Jhakri located?
26. Where does the Yamuna meetthe Ganga? 56. Indian's most modern and well
27. What type of climate is there in India? p lanned city Chandigarh was designed
28. Which place has the maximum difference by
in the temperature of day and night in 57. Sahyadri is the traditional name of the ....
India?
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ Geography
58. India's permanent researoh station 81. Which p lateau lies between the Aravali and
Dakshin Gangotri is situated in .... Vindyachal hills?
59. On which river, the Baglihar 82. The Easternmost longitude of India is ....
Hydro-power Project is located? 83. In which country does the Mt Everest lie?
60. Which state of India touches the 84. In which country the peak of Kanchenjunga
boundaries of the largest number of located?
other states? 85. The part lying between Tista and Dihang rivers
61. The term Regur refers to .... is known as ....
62. Which is the junction point of the
Eastern and Western Ghats? Answers
63. The biosphere reserve Dehang 1. Peninsula, 2. Mahendragiri,
Debang is located in ....
3. Eight, 4. Andaman and Nicobar Islands,
64. The two volcanic islands in the
5. Allahabad , 6. 23 ½0 N,
Indian territory are ....
7. Major Seven and Small Nine, 8. Andaman and
65. The Eastern slopes of the Western
Nicobar, 9. Arunachal Pradesh, 1 o. Seventh,
Ghats have low rainfall because of
11 . AD 1869, 12. Punjab HimaJaya, 13. Odisha,
66. In which of the following state is the
14. Sambhar Lake, 15. Luni, 16. The Arabian Sea,
Simplipal bio-reserve located?
17. The delta of Ganga- Brahmapu tra
67. The wind blowing in the Northern
plajns in summers is known as .... (Sundraban), 18. Pamir Granthi, 19. Drainage
basin , 20. The Nile river of Egypt, 21 . The Ganga
68. In which of the following states is the
Wular lake located? river, 22. Mithankot, 23. 20%, 24. Deva Prayag,
25. Gangotri, 26. Allahabad ,
69. Which is the longest river of the
Peninsular India? 27. Monsoon 28. Thar desert,
29. A warm ocean current, 30. Over the Ganga
70. Name the state of India, where the
Brahmaputra river enters first? plains, 31 . Mahawat, 32. Rain forest, 33. Gujarat,
71. Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, 34. 1872, 35. 1881, 36. Iron,
West Bengal and Sikkim have 37. Dharwar Rocks, 38. Humboldt or Peruvian,
common frontiers with .... 39. Paleozoic, 40. 6. 5° C for every 1000 m,
72. Which two Peninsular rivers flow 41. Sodium Chloride, 42. Zebu, 43. Willow,
through troughs? 44. Stratosphere, 45. Ciroum- Pacific volcanic
73. When was Wild Life Protection Act belt, 46. Coast of North-West Australia,
implemented? 47. Ionosphere, 48. Venus, 49. Troposphere,
7 4. In which state is the Corbett National 50. Radiation , 51 . Rishikesh, 52. Patiala, 53. Sou th
Park located? and Little Andaman , 54. Ke rala, 55. HimachaJ
75. The latitudinal extent of India is .... Pradesh, 56. Le Corbusier, 57. Western Ghats,
76. How much area does India cover of 58. Antarctica, 59. Chenab, 60. Uttar Pradesh,
the total geographical area of the 61. Black cotton soil, 62. Nilgiri Hills,
world? 63. Arunachal Pradesh, 64. Naroondam and
77. The length of the Indian coastline Barren, 65. their leeward location, 66. Odisha,
is .... 67. Loo , 68. Jammu and Kashmir, 69. Godavari,
78. Which state of India has the longest 70. Arunachal Pradesh, 71 . Nepal, 72. Narmada
coastal line? and Tapi, 73. 1972, 74. Uttarakhand , 75. 8°4' N to
79. In which state is the Ooty or 37°6'N, 76. 2.42%, 77. 7516.6 km , 78. Gujarat,
Udagamandalam located? 79. Tamil Nadu, 80. Anaimudi, 81. The Plateau of
80. Which is the highest peak of the Malwa, 82. 97°25'E, 83. Nepal,
Western Ghat? 84. India, 85. Assam Himalayas
INDIAN
POLITY
I CONSTITUTION OF INDIA I
• The Constitution is a set of fundamental • A Supreme Court was established in
principles according to , 1vhicb state Calcutta. Sir Elijah lmpey was the
orgamsation is governed. The idea to have a fast Chief Justice.
Constitution was given by MN Roy. • It prohibited the servants of the
• The objective of the Constitution is to company to engage in any p1ivate
evolve a certain type ofpoutical cuJtw:e that trade and accept presents or bribes
1s based on the values enshrined in the from natives.
Constitution and guided by the institutions Pitt's IniliaAci 1784
established Ullder the Constitution.
• Certain featlll'eS of Indian Fouty or • It provided for BoaTd of Control having
Constitution can be understood better vvith 6 members (2 from Biitish Cabinet
a brief review of the Constitutional set-up and remaining from Privy Council).
in the preceding pe1iods. As modern • Board was set-up to guide and
political institutions originated and supervise the affairs of the company
developed in India mainly during the in India.
Blitish rule, the 01igin and growth of the • Court of directors were confined to
Indian Constitution h as its roots in the manage the trade and commerce
Blitish peliod of Indian Wstory. related issues only.
The Company Rule (1773-1857) Charter Act, 1793
There are certain events in the British rule • Salaiies for the staff and members of
that laid do\i\rn the legal framework for the the Board of Conb.-ol to be paid from
orgamsation and administration in Bli tish Indian revenue.
India. These events have greatly influenced Charter Act, 1813
our Constitution and pohty.
• Ended East India Company's
They are e:t-plained below in the chronological monopoly of trade with India and
order provided { 1 la.kb grant for education
The Regulating Act, 1773 in India. The Company's monopoly in
trade with China and trade in tea , 111ere
• To regulate and control the affairs of East remained intact.
India Company by British Government.
• It designated the Governor of Bengal as the Charter Act, 1833
'Governor-General of Bengal', who has the • The centralisation of the power
authmity over the Presidencies of Madras, bega_n: the Governor-General of
Bombay and Calcutta. The fast such Bengal was to be the Governor-
Governor-General was Warren Hasti_ngs. General of lnclia. First such Governor
was Lord WllJjam Bentick.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ Indian Polity
MAKING OF THE
CONSTITUTION OF INDIA
• The Constituent Assembly was formed in were alloted to the princely states. Out of
November 1946, under the scheme 296 members, 292 members were to be
formulated by Cabinet Mission Plan. elected by the provincial legislatmes
• The total strength of the assembly was while 4 members were to represent the
389, out of these, 296 were elected to four Chief Commissioner's provinces of
represent the Blitish India and 93 seats Delhi, Ajmer-Merwara, Coorg and
0 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ Indian Polity
Schedules
The Constitution of India at the time of adoption had only 8 schedules to which 4 more
were added during the succeeding 66 years.
■ First Schedule State and UTs.
■ Second Schedule Salaries and Emoluments of President, Governor, Chief Judges,
Auditor General, Speaker and Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha.
■ Third Schedule Forms of Oath and Affirmations of Members of Legislatures , Ministers
Judges and the Comptroller and Auditor General.
■ Fourth Schedule Allocation of Seats in the Rajya Sabha
■ Fifth Schedule Administration and control of Scheduled Areas and Soheduled Tribes.
■ Sixth Schedule Administration of Tribal Areas in the stale of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura
and Mizoram.
■ Seventh Schedule Dis tribution of Power between the Union and the State Government
(Union List, State List and Conourrent List) .
■ Eighth Schedule Languages.
■ Ninth Schedule Validation of certain Acts and Regulations.
■ Tenth Schedule Anti-Defection Law.
■ Eleventh Schedule Power, authority and responsibility of Panchayals. It has 29 matters_
■ Twelfth Schedule Powers, authority and re sponsibility of munioipalities. It has 18 matters.
NP Con1111ittee
• The Congress in its Jaipw.- Session in 1948, appointed a thrne member committee to
consider the recommendation of the Dhar Commission. Its members were Jawah arlal
Nehru, Vallabhbhai Patel and Pattabhi Sitai·arnayya.
• The Committee rejected language as the basis for the reorgan.isation despite popuJai·
support for it.
I THE PREAMBLE I
• The Preamble means Introduction or Resolution drafted and moved by
Preface of the Constitution or essence of Pandi t Nehru and adopted by the
the Constitution. NA Palkivala, an Constituent Assembly.
eminentjUiist and Constitutional expert, • The idea of]ustice, Social, Economic and
called the Preamble as the identity card Political have been taken from the
of the Constitution. India followed the Russian Revolution (1 917).
USA to include Preamble in the • The idea of Liberty, Equality and
Constitution. The Prean1ble of the Indian Fraternity have been taken from the
Constitution is based on the Objectives French Revolu tion (1789-1799).
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ Indian Polity
I CITIZENSHIP I
• The Indian Constitution deals with the By Naturalisation
citizensrnp from Articles 5-11 under Part It can be acquired by a foreigner, who has
II. resided in India for 12 years.
• Articles 5 to 8 deal that how a person
became citizen of India, after By Incorporation of Territory
Comencement of Constitution. (Foreign Territory)
• A citizen is a person, ,,vho enjoys full If any new territory becomes a part of
membership of the counb.yr in which he India, the Government of India specifies
lives. Indian Constitution prmrides a single
the people of that tenitmyr to be dtizens of
and uniform citizenship for the en tire
India. Such persons become the citizens
country.
of India from the notified date.
Acquisition of Citizenship Loss of Citizenship
The Citizensrnp Act of 1955 provides for 5 The Citizenship Act, 1955, also provides thrree
,,,.,ays of acquiring citizenship as descdbed modes of losing citizenship
belm'I'
1. By Renunciation
ByBiith If a person gives up his Indian citizenship.
Every person born in India on or after
26th Januaiyr, 1950 bu t before 1st July, 2. By Tennination
1987 shall be a citizen of India by birth When an Indian citizen voluntaii1y
irrespective of the nationality of his acquires the citizenship of another
pai·ents. counb.'y, his Indian citizenship
• The childrnn of fo reign diplomats pos ted automatically terminates.
in India an d enemy aliens cannot 3. By Deprivation
acquire Indian Citizenship.
Deprivation of citizenship by the
By Descent Government of India on the basis of
Persons born outside India on or after acquisition of citizensrnp by fraud,
26th Januai'Y, 1950, but before helping an enemy during a wai· or being
l 0th December, 1992 ai·e citizens of India disloyal to the Constitution.
by descent if their father was a citizen of Overseas Citizens of India (OCI)
India at the time of their birth.
• Citizenship Act h as been amended in
By Registration 2003, by which people of Indian 01igin of
16 specified coun n·ies except Pakistan
The Central Government may, on an
and Bangladesh, v,ill become eligible to
application, register as a citizen of India
any person, if he belongs to any of the be registered as the Overseas Citizens
of lndja (OCl).
following categmies
• OCls are entitled to some beneBts like
• A person of Indian odgin, residing in
multiple enb.-y, muJtipurpose life long
India for 7 years.
visas, they can live and work in India or
• A person of Indian 01igin, ,,vho is
their counb.yr of naturalisation.
ordinarily resident in any country or
place outside undivided India. • They are not entitled to h old
constitutional posts and employment in
• A person, who is married to citizens of
India and resident of India for 7 years. the government offices and they can't
vote.
• Minor children of persons, who are
citizen of India. • All Persons of Indian Oligin (PIO)
• A person of full age and capacity, whose cardholders are deemed to be Overseas
parents are registered as citizen of India. Citizens of lndia(OCl) cardholders \i\rith
effect from 9th January, 20 15.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ Indian Polity
I FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS I
• Rights al'e claims of sodal life and equality before lav,r is an elemen t of the
they help individuals to develop their concept of 'Rule of ]aw'- propounded by AV
personality. Some of the Fundamental Dicey, the Blitish Jurist.
Rights provide protection only against The rule of equality before la,\ is not absolute .
1
the state action and do not safeguard Some of the exceptions are
against the action of private ■ The President or the Governor is not
individuals. answerable to any court for the exercise and
• The Fundamental Rights are gua- performance of the powers and duties of Ws
ranteed and protected by the office.
Constitution to all persons ,vithou t ■ No crimm aJ proceedings shall be institu ted
any discrimination . or continued against the President or the
• The Fundamental PJghts h ave been Governor in any court dming his term of
described in Articles 12-35, Part ill office.
of Indian Constitution. ■ No process for the arrest or imprisonmen t
• Oliginally, FundanJental PJghts were of the President or the Governor shall be
seven in number viz issued from any court during Ws term of
■ Right to Equality. office.
■ Right to Freedom. ■ No civil proceedings against the Presiden t
■ Right against ~-ploitation. or the Governor shall be institu ted during
■ Right to Freedom of Religion. hjs term of office in any court in respect of
■ Cul tural and Educational Rights. any act done by Wm in his personal capacity,
■ Right to Property . until the eJ\..-pi.ration of 2 months next after
■ Right to Constitutional Remedies . notice de.livered to bmJ.
A. rticle 15 Prohibition of discrim ination on
Right to Property certain grounds . It says that the state shall no t
discriminate against any citizen on grounds of
The Right to Property (Article 31) was religion, race, cas te , sex or place of birth. This
deleted tram the list of Fundamental provision prohjbits disclimination both by state
Rights by the 44th Amendment Act, 1978 . and pdvate individuals.
It is made a legal right under Article-300A
There an--e thrree exceptions to this general rule
in Part XII of the Constitution .
of non-discriminations
• Any special provision for women and
Right to Equality chilc:lrnn.
• Advancement of any socially, educationally
(Article 14-18) an d economically bachvarc:I classes of
.Article 14 Equality before law and citizens.
equal protection of laws . It says that the • Special prov1s1ons for any socially,
state shall not deny to any person educationalJy and economically backward
equality before the Jaw or equal classes, Scheduled Castes an d the
protection of the Jaws within the Scheduled Tribes regarding their admfasion
teni tory of India. Thjs provision to educational institutions, including private
confers rights to alJ persons whether
educational institutions.
citizens or foreigners. The concept of
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ Indian Polity
Article 21 Probection of life amd personal Article 22 Probection against mTest and
libertzJ. It declares that no person shall be detention
deprived of ms life or personal lilierty except • No person, who :is arrested shall be
according to procedure established by ]aw. detained in custody without being
TWs right is available to both citizens and informed of the grounds for such arrest
non-citizens. nor sh all h e be denied the light to
The Supreme Court has expanded the scope consul t, and to be defended by a legal
of Right to Llfe in its various judgments and practioner of his choice.
declared the following rights as part of • Every person, who is arrested and
ATticle 21. detained in custody is to be produced
(a) PJght to live with hwnan mgnity. before the nearest Magistrate v.dthin a
(b) Right to decent environment induding period of 24 homs of arrest excluding
pollution free water and air and the time necessary for the journey from
protection against hazardous industries. the place of arrest to the court of the
Magistrate and such person cann ot be
(c) PJght to livelihood.
detained in custody beyond that period
(d) PJght to privacy. v.dthout the a.uthmity of a Magistrate.
(e) Right to shelter. • There a.re some exception against these
(f) PJght to health. safeguards.
(g) Right to free education upto 14 years of • It is not available to an enemy a.lien an d
age. a person arrested or detained under a
(h) PJgh t to free legal aid. law providing for preventive detention
(i) PJght against solitary confinement. (detention of a person ,,.rithout trial).
(i) PJgh t to speedy tiiaJ. • The preventive detention of a person
cannot exceed three months unless
(k) PJgh t against h andcuffing.
there is sufficient ca.use for extension.
(l) PJght against inhuman treabnent.
(m) PJght against delayed execution. Right Against Exploitation
(n) PJght to travel abroad . (Al.tides 23-24)
(o) PJgh t against bonded labour Article 23 Prohibition of traffic in hmnam
(p) Right against custodial harassment. beiJngs and forced labozm: Rt prohibits traffic
( q) PJgh t to emergency medical aid in hunJan beings, 'Bega.r' (forced labour)
and other sinru ar forms of forced ]abom.
(r) Right to timely medical treabnent in
government hospital . .Article 24 Rt prohibits the employment of
children below the age of 14 yea.rs in any
(s) Right not to be driven out of a state. factory, mine or othei- hazardous activities
(t) PJght to fair tti al. like construction ' "'' ode or r ailway. But, it
(u) PJght of plisoner to have necessities of does not prohibit their employment in
life. any harmless or innocent work.
(v) PJght of women to be treated with • The Child Labours (Prohibition and
decency and mgnity. Regulation) Act, 1986, is the most
(v,1) PJght against public hanging. important law in this direction.
(x) PJgh t to hearing.
Right to Freedom
(y) Right to information.
(z) Right to reputation. of Religion (Articles 25-28)
Aliicle 25 Freedom of conscience and
Right to Education right to freely profess, pra ctice and
Article 21A. declares that the state shall propagate religion. It says that all persons
provide free and compulsory education to all ,ue equally entitled to freedom of
chj]dren of the age of 6 to 14 years in such a conscience and the light to freely profess,
manner as the state may determine. Thus, practice and propagate religion.
thfa provision makes only elementary The state :is empowered by law to regulate
education a Fundamental Right and not or resttict any economic, financial,
higher or professional education (86th political or other secular activity whkh
Amendment Act, 2002). may be associated v.dth religious practice.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ Indian Polity
DIRECTIVE PRINCIPLES
OF STATE POLICY
• The Directive Principles of State Policy are Socialistic Principles
enumerated in Part IV of the Constitution These principles reflect the ideology of
from Al1icles 36 to 51 . socialism. They lay dmvn the frame-
• Dr BR Ambedkar, described these principles work of a democratic socialist state,
as novel featrn·e of the Constitution. aim at provicling social and economic
• The DPSP alongwith FWJdamental llights justice and set the path towards welfare
contain the philosophy of the Constitution state.
and is the souJ of the Constitution. • Al1icle 38 To promote the welfare of
the people by securing a social order
Features permeated by justice-social,
• These are constitutional insb.-uctions to the econom.ic and political and to
state in legislative, executive and minjmjse inequalities in income,
admirrisb.'ative matters. status, facilities and opportunities.
• It resembles the 'lns b.-ument of lnsb.-uctions' • Al1icle 39 To secure (a) the Light to
enumerated in the Government of lnrua Act adequate means of livelihood for all
ofl935. citizens ; (b) the equitable
• They constitutes the comprehensive rnsbibu tion of mate1ial resouTces of
economic, social and political programme for the community for the common
a modern state. good ; (c) prevention of concentration
• They promote social and economic of wealth and means of production ;
(d) equal pay for equal work for men
democracy. T hey embody the concept of a
and women; (e) preservation of the
wella.re state'.
health and strength of wodcers and
• These are fundanrnnt al in the governance of children against forcible abuse ; and
the counb.-y. (f) opportunities for healthy
• They are non-justiciable. development of childrnn.
• They apply to both Unfon and State • Al1icle 39 (A) To promote equal
Governments and all other authmities justice and to provide free legal ajd to
coming under the definjtion of 'State'. the poor.
• Al1icle 41 To secure the right to
Classification work, education and to public
• The Constitution does not contain any assistance in cases of
classification of clirective principles. unemployment, old age, siclmess
However, on the basis of their content and and rusablemen t.
direction, they can be classified in to three • Al1icle 42 To make provision for
broad categories, vi.z socialistic, Gandhian just an d hWJJane conditions for , 1vork
and liberal-intellectual. and maternity relief.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ Indian Polity
I FUNDAMENTAL DUTIES I
• The FundanJental Duties in the (b) to chelish and follow the noble ideals
Constitution serve as a remmder to the that inspired the national struggle for
citizens that wbj}e enjoying their rights, freedom;
they should also be conscious of their ( c) to uphold and protect the sovereignty,
duties towards the country. V\/e have unity and integrity of India;
bm-rm'lred FundanJental Duties from the ( cl.) to promote harmony and the spilit of
Constitution of former Soviet Urnon. common brotherhood amongst all
• Originally, Constitution did not contain the people of lndia transcending
Fundamental Duties. ln 1976, the FDs of religious, linguistic and regional or
citizens were added by 42nd sectional diversities and to renounce
Constitutional Amendment Act (1976) practices derogatm)' to the dignjty of
on the recommendations of Swaran women;
Singh Comnnttee. Originally, ten FDs ( e) to defend the coun b.)' and render
were added. In 2002, one more duty was national service, when called upon to
added. Thus, today there are 11 do so;
Fundamental Duties. (f) to value and preserve the rich heritage of
the counb.)''s composite cultlll:e;
List of Fundamental Duties (g) to protect and improve the natural
According to A.r ticle 51 A, it shall be the environment including forests, Jakes,
duty of eve11' citizen of lndia rivers and wildlife and to have
(a) to abide by the Constitution and com passion for living creatures;
respect its ideals and institutions, the (h) to develop scientific temper,
National Flag and the National humarnsm and the spirit of inquil)'
Anthem; and reform;
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ Indian Polity
I UNION EXECUTIVE I
Article 52 to 78 in Pa1_t V of the Election of the President
Constitution deal with the Limon (Aitic1e 54)
Executive . The Union Executive
consists of the President, the Vice- The President is elected not directly by the
President, the Prime Minister, the people but by members of electoral college
Council of Mirristers and the Attorney consisting of
General of Inrua. 1. the elected members of both the Houses
of Parlianrnnt;
PRESIDENT 2. the elected Members of the Legislative
Assemblies of the states;
Article 52 provides the office of the 3. the elected Members of the Legislative
President of Inrua. The President is the Assemblies of the Limon Terri tories of
head of the Inman State. He is the first Delhi, Puducherry & J am.mu and
citizen of Inrua and acts as the symbol Kashmfr.
of unity, integrity and solidadty of the • Thus, the nommated members do not
nation. participate in the election of the President.
Qualification of the • When Assembly is russolved, the members
cease to be qualified to vote in the
President presidential election.
Under Atiicle 58, a person to be eligible • Value of the vote of an MLA
for election as President should fulfil the Total Population of State I
------------ X --
following qualifications Total Nun1ber of Elected MLAs 1000
• He should be a citizen of Inrua. He
should have completed 35 yea1_·s of • Value of the vote of an MP
age. To tal Value of Votes of
• He should be qualified for election as all MLAs of All States
a member of the Lok Sabha. Total Number of Elected .MPs
• He should not hold any office of profit
The President's election is held in accordance
under the Union Gove1nment or any
Virith the system of proportional represen tation
State Government or any local
by means of the single transferable vote and
authority or any other public authority.
the voting is through secret ballot.
e
• The candidate who gets 50% of votes is
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ Indian Polity
Conditions of President's
considered elected.
Office
Quota Number of Votes Polled +l
Article 59 of the Constitution lays down
2 the follow i ng condition of the President's
In this method, each voter casts as many office
votes as there are candidates in the field by • He shouJd not be a member of either
giving his preference. In the first phase, House of Parliament or a House of the
fhst preference votes are counted. In case State Legislature. If any such person is
a candidate secures the required quota, he elected as President, he is deemed to
is declared elected, otherwise the process have vacated his seat in that House on
of b.'ansfer of votes is set in motion. the date on which he enters upon his
• This process continues till a candidate office as the President.
secures the required quota. Trns procedme • He shouJd not hold any other office of
shows the majority of the elected profit. He is entitled, without payment
President. All disputes regardmg election of rent, to the use of his official
of the President are adjudicated by the residence (the Rastrapati Bhavan).
Supreme Court.
• He is entitled to such emoluments,
• Nommation for election of President must allowances and privileges as may be
be supported by at least 50 electors as determined by Parhament.
proposers and 50 electors as seconders.
• I-I.is emoluments and allowances
• Security deposit for the nommation as cannot be dirnimshed during hjs term
President is { 15000 in RBI. of office.
At1icle 60 Oath and affirmation of the President
• The oath of the President is admmjstered by Chief Justice of India and in his absence,
the serrior most J udge of the Supreme Court.
• Any person acting as the President also undertake simjJar oath.
Presidents of India
Tenure Important Facts
Name
From To
Dr Rajendra Prasad 26.01 .1960 13.06.1962 ■ First President and also had the
longest tenure (i 2 years)
Dr S Radhakrishnan 13.06.1962 13.06.1967 ■ Was also 'irst Vioe-President of India
Dr Zakir Hussain 13.06.1967 03.06.1969 ■ Shortest tenure; First Muslim President;
First President to die in offioe
VV Giri 03.06.1969 20.07.1969 ■ First acting President of India
Justioe M Hidayat-ul-lah 20.07.1969 24.08.1969 ■ Was also the Chief Justioe of India
and second Acting President
VV Giri 24.08.1969 24.08.1974
F Ali Ahmed 24.08.1974 11 .02.1977 ■ Died in ottioe
BO Jatti 11 .02.1977 25.07.1977 ■ Acting President
N Sanjeeva Reddy 25 .07.1977 25.07.1982 ■ Youngest President (64 years)
Giani Zail Singh 25 .07.1982 25.07.1987 ■ First Sikh President
R Venkataraman 25 .07.1987 25.07.1992 ■ Oldest President (76 years)
Dr SD Sharma 25 .07.1992 25.07.1997
KR Narayanan 25 .07.1997 25.072002 ■ First Dalit President
Dr APJ Abdul Kalam 25 .07.2002 25.072007 ■ First soientist to beoome President
Mrs Pratibha Patil 25 .07.2007 25.07 2012 ■ First woman to become President
Pranab Mukherjee 25.07.2012 25.072017
Ramnalh Kovind 25.07.2017 25.072022
Droupadi Murmu 25 .07.2022 Till date ■ First Tribal President
* As on 1st JanuafY, 2023
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ Indian Polity
e
date of the occurrence of such a vacancy.
Term of the President The newly-elected President remains in
Under Article 56, the President shall hold office for a full term of 5 years from the
office for a term of 5 years from the date date he assumes charge of bis office.
on which he enters upon his office.
• He may resign from his office by w1i ting Quick Digest
under his h and addressed to the • In Presidential Election, W Giri is the only
Vice-President. person, who won the election of the President
as an independent candidate in 1969.
Impeachment of the
■ In July 1977, Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy was
President elected unopposed as no one else filled
Under Article 61, President can be nomination for the post of the President
impeached from office for "violation of • Justice M Hidayat-ul-lah is the only person
the Constitution" . to perform the function of the President two
• The impeachment can be initiated by tim es in two different capacities, the first time
either House of the Pailiamen t. in 1969, being the Chief Justice of the Supreme
• These charges should be signed by Court and the second time being the
one-fomth members of the House (that Vice-President of India in 1982.
framed the charges), and a 14 days'
advance notice should be given to the Powers and Functions of the
President. After the impeachment
motion is passed by a majority of President
two-thirds of the total membership of Powers andftmctions of the President can be
that House, it is sent to the other House, categorised in to
\"i hich should investigate the charges.
1
• Executive powers • Legislative pm1vers
• The President has the 1ight to appear • Financial powers • Judicial powers
and to be represented at such • Diplomatic powers • Military powers
investigation. If the other House also • Emergency powers
sustains the charges and passes the
motion by a majmity of two-thirds of the Executive Powers
total membership, the President to be The Executive Powers and functions of the
removed from his office at that time President are
and date. • All executive actions of the Government
of India are formally taken in the nanJe of
Vacancy in the President's President.
• He can make rules specifying the manner
Office in whkh the orders and other
• Under At1icle 62 a vacancy in the insb.·uments made and executed in
President's office can occur in any of his/her name shall be authenticated.
the following ways • He appoin ts Prime Ministe1~ other
• On the e:\.-piry of his tenme of 5 years, Ministers, Chief Justice and Judges of
by his resignation. Supreme Court, High Courts, the
• On his removal by the process of Attorney-Genei-al of India, the Comptroller
impeachment, by his death. and Auditor General, Chairman and
Members of UPSC, Chief Election
• When he becomes disqualified to hold Commissioner and other Members of
office or when his election is declared Election Commission, Governors, Members
void. of Finance Commission etc.
• An election to fill the vacancy (due to • He can seek any information relating to
e:\.-piration of term) must be held before the admirnstration of affairs of the unfon,
the e:\.-piry of the term . and proposals for legislation from the
• If the office faJJ vacant by resignation, Prime Minjster.
removal, death or other\Jvise, then • He can appoint a con]Il]Jss10n to
election to fill the vacancy should be investiga te into the conditions of SCs, STs
completed within 6 months from the and other baclmrard classes.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ Indian Polity
• He should be qualified for election as• Emoluments He draws his saJary in his
a Member of Rajya Sabha. capacity as the Ex-officio Chairman of
• He should not hold any office of profit.Rajya Sabha. llis present saJary is { 125000
per month.
Oath • He as Vice-President draws the saJary of
Under Article 69, the oath of office of { 4,00,000 per month.
the Vice-President is adminis tered by
the President or some person appointed POWERSAND
in that behalf by him.
FUNCTIONS
Conditions of Office • He acts as the ex-officio Chairman of Rajya
• He should not be a member of either Sabha. In trns capacity, hjs powers and
House of the Parlianrnnt or State functions are similar to those of the
Legislatme. Speaker of Lok Sabha.
• He should not hold any office of profit. • He acts as President ,,vhen a vacancy occurs
in the office of the President due to rus
Term of Office resignation, removaJ, death or otherwise .
• He can resign from hjs office at any • He can act as President only for a
tinJe by addressing the resignation ma.xinJWJJ pe1iod of 6 months.
letter to the President. • While acting as President or ruscharging
• He holds office for a term of 5 years the functions of President, the
from the date on which he enters Vice-President does not perform the duties
upon hjs office. of the office of Chairman of Rajya Sabha,
• He can be removed by a resolution of those duties are performed by the Deputy
the Rajya Sabha passed by an absolu te Chairman of Rajya Sabha.
majmity and agreed by the Lok Sabha. • If the offices of both the President and the
[Article 67(b)] Vice-President fall vacant by reason of
• He can be elected for any nwnber of death , resignation, removal etc., the Chief
terms. Justice of lnrua or in hjs absence the serum·
most judge of the Supreme Court acts as
Vacancy in Office President.
• A vacancy in the Vice-President's • For the first time in 1969, ,,vhen
office can occur in any of the the President Dr Zakir Hussain med and
following ways the Vice-President V V Giri resigned, the
• On the expiry of his tenure, by hfa Cmef J ustice M llidayat-ul-la.h acted as
resignation, on his removaJ,, by hfa President.
death .
• When the vacancy is going to be Quick Digest
caused by the e:\..-pi.ration of the term • Krishna Kant was the first Vice-President to
of the sitting Vice-Presiden t, an die in office.
election to fill the vacancy must be
• When two Presidents, Dr Zaki r Hussain and
held before the expiration of the term .
Fakruddin Ali Ahmed, died in office, the then
If the office falls vacant by
resignation, removal,, death or respective Vice-Presidents, VV Giri and BO Jatti
otherwise, then election to fill the acted as President
vacancy should be held as soon as • The Vice-President Dr 5 Radhakrishnan
possible after the occurrence of the discharged the functi ons of the President in June
vacancy. 1960, when the then President Dr Rajendra
• The newly elected Vice-President Prasad was on a 15 days tour to the USSR and
remains in office for a full term of agai n in July 1961, when Dr Rajendra Prasad
5 years from the date he assumes was very ill.
charge of his office.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ Indian Polity
List of Vice-Presidents
Name Tenure Notes
■ Dr S Radhakrishnan 1962 to 1962 1st Vice-President; had the longest
tenure (10 years, elected twice)
■ Dr Zakir Hussain 1962 to 1967
■ VV Giri 1967 to 1969 Shortest tenure so far (2 years)
■ GS Pathak 1969 to 1974
■ BO JatLi 1974 to 1979
■ Justioe M Hidayat-ul-lah 1979 to 1984
■ R Venakataraman 1984 to 1987
■ Dr SD Sharma 1987 to 1992
■ KR Narayanan 1992 to 1997
■ Krishan Kant 1997 to 2002 Died in off ice
■ Bhairon Singh Shekhawat 2002 to 2007
■ Mohammad Hamid Ansari 2007 to 2017
■ Venkaiah Naidu 2017 to 2022
■ Jagdeep Dhankhar 2022 to ml date
* As on 1st Janumy, 2023
Name Tenure
Dr Bairam Jakhar 16.01.1985 18.12.1989
Rabi Ray 19.1 2.1989 09.07.1991
Shiv Raj Patil 10.07.1991 22.05.1996
PA Sangma 23.05.1996 23.03.1998
GMC Balyogi 24.03.1998 19.10.1999
GMC Balyogi 22.10.1999 03 .03.2002
Manohar Joshi 10.05.2002 20.06.2004
Somnath Chatterjee 04.06.2004 31 .05.2009
Meira Kumar 04.06.2009 04.06.2014
Sumi1ra Mahajan 06.06.2014 17.06.2019
Om Birla 19.06.2019 Till dale
has been given two exclusive or special powers second house, the Bill js sen t to the
that are not enjoyed by the Lok Sabha. President for his assent.
• It can authorise the Parl iament to make a law • In case the Bill is ~jected by the second
on a subject enumerated in the State List House or it is kept by the second House
(Article 249). , 1vith it for six months without any action
• It can authorise the Parliament to create new or the first House disagrees , 1vith the
All-India Services Common for both the centre an1endments suggested by the second
and states (Article 312). House, a deadlock is deemed to have
taken place.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ Indian Polity
ends .
• If the President returns the Bill for Contingency Fund of India
reconsideration and 1t js passed again by both (Article 267)
the Houses, he has to give hjs assent after the • A.rticle 267 of the Constitution
second passage. authorised the ParuanJent to
• Since, the Constitution provides no time limit establish a 'Contingency Fund of
for the President to give ms assent, he may India', into wmch anJounts
keep the Bill in ms office without taking any deternJined by law are paid from time
action and prevent it from becommg an act. to time. Accordingly, the Parliament
enacted the Contingency Fund of
Budget in Parliament India Act in 1950.
• Tbjs fund is placed at the disposaJ
■ The Constitution refers to the budget as the
of the President and h e can make
'annual financial statement'_In other words,
advances out of it to meet
the term 'budget' has nowhere been used in the
unforeseen e:\.-penditme pending its
Constitution_ 'Annual Financial Statement' has authorisation by the Parliament.
been dealt within Article 112 of the Constitution_
• The fund js held by the finance
■ The budget is a statement of the estimated
secretary on behalf of President.
receipts and expenditure of the Government of
India in a financial year, which begins on 1st April Public Account of India
and ends on 31st March of the following year_ • Article 266 (2) provides that all
■ After introduction of the Budget, the Lok Sabha other public moneys (other than
discusses the demands for grants of various those in the Consolidated Fund of
ministries and departments. All grants voted by India) received by or on behalf of
the Lok Sabha and expenditure, charged on the the Government of India or the
consolidated fund of India, are then presented in Government of a State shall be
the fo rm of single Bill called the 'Appropriatjon credited to the Public Account of
Bill'. Proposals for taxation (to raise revenue) are India or the Public Account of the
presented in the fo rm of 'Finance Bill'_ State, as the case may be. This
■ The Government of India has two budgets, account is operated by executive
namely, the Railway Budget and the General action and payments from it do not
Budget need ParlianJen tary approval.
■ From 2017, Railway Budget has been merged with • Moneys in tms account include
the General Budget on the recommendation of provident fund deposits , savings
Bibek Debray Committee. bank deposits , remittances etc.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ Indian Polity
• J udical review js needed for the • Article 141 Law declared by Supreme
reasons: Comt to be binding on aU courts, within the
■ To uphold the supremacy of the territory of lnrua.
Constitution • At1icle 144 All authmities, civil and
■ Maintain federal equilibrium jurucial in the Tenitory of lnrua to act in
■ Protect the Fundamental PJghts of the
aid of the Supreme Court.
citizens
• PubHc Interest Litigation (PIL) Any
Some famous cases, in which the Swpreme
person can TIO\'I' initiate a proceeding on
Court used the power ofjudical review are
behalf of the aggdeved person (if the
■ Golakanath Case (1967)
aggrieved persons cannot do so on their
■ Banlc Nationalisation Case (1970)
own) in either the H.igh Court or the
■ Privy Pmse Abolition Case (1971)
■ Kesavananda Bharati Case (1973)
Supreme Court for the protection of
■ Minerva Mills Case (1980)
greater public interest.
I STATES EXECUTIVE I
I STATES LEGISLATURE I
There is no uniformity in the creation Composition of Legislative
of State Legislatures. Most of the states Council
have unkameral system (single
house), only 6 States Andhra Pradesh, Of the total number of members of a Legislative
Council
Bihai~ Karnataka, Maharash b.'a, Uttar
Pradesh and Telengana are having • 1/3rd Elected from local bodies
Bicameral (Double House). (mumcipahties and rnstrict boards).
• 1/12th Elected by graduates of 3 years
Legislative Assembly standing and residmg in the state.
(Article 170) • 1/12th Elected by teachers of 3 years
• The Legislative Assembly (Vidban standing in the state, not lower in standard
than secondary school.
Sabha) consists of not more than
500 members and not less than • 1/3rd Elected by the members of the
60 members. However, the Legislative Assembly of the state from
Legislative Assembly of Sikkim, amongst person, v, ho ai·e not members of the
1
HIGH COURT
• Every lligh Court (v,,bether exclusive or comm on) consists of a Chief J ustice an d such
other judges as the Presiden t may fro m time to time deem necessary to appoin t. Th us ,
the Constitution does not specify the strength of a lligh Cow·t and leaves it to the
discretion of the President.
• Accordingly, the President determines the strength of a lligh Court from time to time
depending upon its workload.
• The Constitution of India provides a lligh Court for each state, but the 7th
Amendment Act of 1956, authorised the Parliam ent to establish a comm on lligh Court
for two or more sta tes or a state and a Lillian territory.
• The teni tmial j wisdiction of a High Court is co-termin us \'lrith the territory of a state.
• As of 2023, there are 25 High Courts in India. Telangana is the 25th High Court.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ Indian Polity
IpANCHAYATI RAJ I
PANCHAYATS 73rd AMENDMENT
• Panchayats constitute functional ACT
institutions of grassroot governance in
villages. The Balwant Rai Mehta • The Constitution 73rd Amendment
Committee, J anuary 1957, recommended a Act,1992 inserted a new part IX into
3-tier Panchayati Raj stTucture at the village, the Constitution.
intern1edfate and district levels. The salient featwres of Parrt IX of the
• In 1977, the government appointed the Constitution are as follows
Ashok Mehta Committee to examine the • The term of the Panchayats is five
measures to strengthen PPJs. yea.Ts unless dissolved earlier. Seats
• The LM Singhvi Committee (1986) shall be compulsorily reserved for
recommended Constitutional Status for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled
local bodies. Tribes. Seats to be reserved for
back\1vard classes is left at the
Three Tier System discretion of the State Government.
• There is a provision of State Fm ance
• The three-tier system of Panchayat Raj was
Commission to review the finandal
fi.Tst adopted by Rajasthan (Nagaur district
position of Pancbayats and
on 2nd October, 1959) followed by Andhra recommend grant-in-aids.
Pradesh.
• One-third of the seats cll'e rnserved for
( a) Village Panchaya± women. A State Election Comm.1ssion
h eaded by the State Election
• It consists of elected representatives of the
people, its membership varies from 5-3 1. Commissioner shall conduct elections
for the Panchayats.
There is reservation for SC, ST and Women.
• Chairman , i.e. Sarpanch is elected in a
manner as the State Legislature may provide
MUNICIPALITIES
dfrectly or indirectly. (Articles 243P- 243ZG)
• Villages Panchayat has to answer Gram
• The Constitution of In dia provides the
Sabha for all its actions.
p rovision of local self government
• Gram Sabha comp1ises the residing adults of uni.ts in urban area by inserting Part
the Panchayat and it supervises the working IX-A through the 74th Amendment
of Panchayat. Act, 1992.
(b) Bloclc and Panchaya± Samiti • The Constitution provides for three
• The Block consists 20-60 villages. It is types of Municipalities. Nagar
governed by the elected members of Village Panchayat, for areas in transition from
Panchayat, whkb is called Pancbayat rmal to urban.
Samiti. • Munkipal CounciJ is for smaller
• Pradhan is the head or Chairman of w·ban area.
Panchayat Sarni □ . • Munkipal Corporation is for larger
• States with population less than 20 la.kb mban area. It is the bigger urban local
need not constitute a Block Pancbayat. governn1ent.
Chairperson is elected form amongst the • The Constitution of Munkipallties
members. shall be deternJined by a La,v of the
State Legislature. Wards Committees
(c) Zila Parishad shall be constituted in those
• Members of the Zi.la Parisbad are elected Munidpalities having a population of
from the district by direct election on the tm·ee lakh or more.
basis ofadult franchise for a term of 5 years. • Seats shall be reserved for Scheduled
• Chairman of Zi.la Parishad is elected from Castes and Scheduled Tubes.
amongst the members.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ Indian Polity
• One-third of the seats shall be reserved for • All proceeding m the Supreme Court
women. and in every l-ligh Court are to be in
• Mumcipalities will have the power to English Language onJy.
impose taxes, duties, tolls and fees in • The authmitative teJ\.1:s of all bills, acts,
accordance with law. The Constitution ordinances, orde1~ rules, reguJation and
provjdes for a State Finance Commjssion to by-laws at the central and state levels.
review the financial position of the • Norma.Uy there were fmuteen
Munjcipalities and recommend measures languages in Eighth Schedule, but
to augment their funds.
eight were added during amemlmenls,
• Under Article 243 ZD, a District Planning now 22 languages are there 1. Assamese
Committee shall be constituted to 2. Bengali 3. Gujarati 4. Hinrn 5.
consolidate the plans prepared by the Kannada 6. Kashrniri 7. Konkan.i
Pancbayats and Munkipalit:ies in the 8. Malayalam 9. Marnpwi 10. Marathi
rnstr:ict. I 1. Nepali 12. Oriya 13. Punjabi 14.
• Under Article 243 ZE, a Metropolitan Sanskrit 15. Sindm 16. Tamil 17.
Planning Committee shall be constituted to Telugu 18. Urdu 19. Santhali 20. Bodo
prepare a draft development plan for the 21. Majthili 22. Dogri.
metropolltan area as a whole. • Sindm was added by the 21st
Arnendmen t Act, 1967; Konkan.i,
OFFICIAL LANGUAGE Manipuri and Nepali were added by the
71st Amendment Act, 1992: and Bodo,
• Part XVII of the Constitution deals with the Dogii, Maithili and Santhali were added
official language in A.t1icles 343 to 351. by the 92nd Amendment Act, 2003.
• Hinrn written in Devanagari Script js to be • The Constitution imposes a duty upon
the official language of the Urnon. the centre to spread the development of
• In 1955, the President appointed an official the Hinrn language so that lt may
Language Commfasion under the become the 'lingua franca' of the
Chairmanship of BG Kher. composite cuJture of lnrna.
I MISCELLANEOUS I
Comptroller and Auditor • Sh1·i V Nru·a.hari Rao, was the first
General of India Comptroller and Auditor GeneraJ of
Inrna (1948-1954).
• The Constitution of Indfa (Article 148)
provjdes for an in de pendent office of the
Comptroller and Aurntor GeneraJ of India
Attorney General of India
(CAG). • The Constitution (Article 76) h as
provided for the office of the Attorney
• He is the guardfan of the publlc pw-se and General of lnrna . He is the rughest law
audits the accounts of the government at officer in the country.
both the levels- the centre and the state.
• The Attorney General of In dia must be
• llis duty is to uphold the Constitution of a person, who is qua.lilied to be
Indfa and laws of Parllament in the field of appointed as a Judge of the Supreme
financial adrninjstration. Cow-t. He is appointed by the
• A.t·ticle 148 to 151 of the Constitution deals President.
with CAG's appointment, powers and aurnt • The term of off.ice of the Attorney
reports. General is not fixed by the
• The CAG of Inrna is appointed by the Constitution. Fw-ther, the Constitution
President for six years or tiU sixty five does not contain the procedure and
years, of age whkhever js earller. grounds for ms removal. He holds
office during the pleasw-e of the
• llis rnmoval process is similar to that of a
President.
Judge of the Supreme Court.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ Indian Polity
• The Attorney General's duty js to give • It also organ.ises the polling booths, coWJ ting
advice to the Government of India of votes, and declaration ofresults, to ensure
upon such legal matters, wmch are the orderly and fair manner of elections.
referred to mm by the President. • At present Election Commjssion consists of
Chief Election Commissioner and two
Advocate General of the State Election Commissioners.
• Article 165, has provided for the office of • The Constitution provides for an
the Advocate General for the states. He Independent Election Commission to
acts as highest Law officer in the state, ensure free and fair elections to the
Parliament, the State Legislature and the
corresponding to the Attorney General of
offices of the President and Vice-President.
India.
• The Chief Election Commjssionei- and
• He is appoi nted by the Governor to give
other Election Commissioners are appointed
advice to state government on legal
by the President for 6 yeru·s or till 65 years,
matters. And he also performs such other
wruchever js earl.ier. (Article 324) .
duties of a legal nature that are assigned
to him by the Governor. • The Ch.ief Election Commissioner ca□ be
removed on groWJd sim.ila.T to that of a Judge
• The Attorney General appears before of the Supreme Court. The other Election
the Supreme Court and various lligh Commjssioners may be removed by the
Courts in cases involving the President on the recommendation of the
Government of In dia. Cbfof Election Commissioner.
• The Attorney General of In d.ia is not a • The general election is held on the basis of
member of the Cabinet. Universal A.duJt Suffrage.
• He has the PJght to Speak in the either Chief Election Commissioners of India
House of Parliament, but he has no
Right to Vote. Name Tenure
From To
Election Con1n1ission Sukumar Sen 21 .03.1960 19.12.1958
• An independent Election Commission KVK Sundaram 20.1 2.1958 30.09.1967
h as been established under the
SP Sen Verma OU0.1967 30.09.1972
Constitution in order to carry out and
reguJate the holding of elections in Dr Nagendra Singh OU0.1972 06.02.1973
Indfa. The Election Commission was T Swam inalhan 07.02.1973 17.06.1977
established in accordance with the SL Shakdhar 18.06.1977 17.06.1982
Constitution on 25th J anuary, 1950. AK Trivedi 18.06.1982 31.12.1985
• The Election Comm.ission prepares, RVS Peri Sastri 01 _01 _1986 25.11.1990
maintains and period.ically updates the Smt VS Rama Devi 26.1 1.1990 11.12.1990
electoral roll, wmch shows who is TN Seshan 12.12.1990 11.12.1996
entitled to vo te , supervises the MS Gill 12.12.1996 13.06.2001
nominations of candidates, register JM Lyngdoh 14.06.2001 07.02.2004
political parties, monHors the election 08.02.2004 15.05.2005
TS Kri shnamurtht
campa.ign.
BB Tandon 16.05.2005 29.06.2006
Admi nistratjve Tribunals N Gopalaswamy 30.06.2006 20.04.2009
Navin Cha\1/la 21 _04.2009 29.07.2010
• The 42nd Amendment Act of 1976 added a
SY Qureshi 30.07.2010 10.06.2012
new Part XIV-A to the Constitution. This
VS Sam12ath 11.06.2012 15.01.2016
part is entitled as 'Tribunals' and consist
HS Brahma 16.01.2016 18.04.2016
of only two Articles, Article 323A dealing
Dr Nasim Zaidi 19.04.2015 05.07.2017
with administrative tribunals and
Article 323B dealing with tribunals for Achal Kumar Joli 06.07.2017 22.01.2018
other matters. Om Prakash Aa\1/at 23.01 .2018 01 .12.2018
Sunil Arora 02.1 2.2018 12.04.2021
• The Central Administrative Tribunal !CAT)
Sush i! Chandra 13.04.2021 14.05.2022
was set-up in 1985, with the principal
bench at Delhi and addi ti onal benches in Aajiv Kumar 15.05.2022 Till Date
different states. * As on 1st January, 2023
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ Indian Polity
(b) have special knowledge of finance, and salaries of State and Central Information
accounts of government. Commissioners, which are statutorily
(c) wide EA'Pe1ie □ ce in financial matters protected under the RTI Act.
and in adminjstratio□. • The Act replaces the fixed 5 years tenure
(d) having special lmowledge on to as much prescribed by government.
economics.
• The President constitutes a Finance Plannin g Co1nn1ission
Commission every five yeru·s, to The Planning Commission was an
(a) recommend to the President institution in the Governmen t of Indfa,
clislTibution of net proceeds of the whkh formuJated Indfa's F3ve-Year Plans.
taxes which are clivisible between The Government has replaced Planning
unfon and states. Commission with a new institution nan1ed
NITI Aayog (National Institution for
(b) recommend the principles, which
Transforming Inclia).
should govern the grants of the
revenues of the states out of the NITIAayog
Consolidate Fun d of Inclia.
• The institution will serve as 'Think Tank'
• The Commission's recommendations are
of the Governme □ t, a directional and
of advisory nature and hence, not binding
policy dynamo.
on the government.
• Nm Aayog will provide governments and
the central and state levels with relevant
Central Info11nation strntegic and technical advice across the
Commission (CIC) spectrum of key elements of policy. This
• Right to Information became an act in indudes matters of national and
2005. The aim is to make the international inJportance. PM is the
governments more transparent in its ex-officio chairman of N1TI Aayog.
working. It came into operation on 12th
October, 2005.
FunctionsofNITIAayog
• Under the act, a Central Information • To foster cooperative federalism through
Commission and State Information structured support, initiatives and
mechamsms with the states on a
Commissions needs to be constituted.
continuous basis, recogmsing that sb.'ong
• The Central Information Commission states m ake a sb.'ong nation.
and State Information Comm.1ssion h ear • To develop mechan.1sms to form ula te
complain ts from any person, who has cred.1ble plans at the village leveJ and
been derued information by any aggregate these progressively at rugher
government auth01ity. levels of goveTnme □ t.
• The Cruef Information Commissioner • To ensw-e, on areas that are specifically
and other Information Commissioners referred to it, that the interes t of national
shall be appointed by the President on security are incorporated in economic
the recommendation of a committee strntegy and policy. To pay spedal
consisting of the P1ime Minister, the attention to the sections of ow- sodety
leader of opposition in Lok Sabha and a that m ay be at 1isk of not be □ efitting
Umo□ Cabinet Minfa ter to be nominated adequately from economic progress.
by the PM. • To provide advice and encourage
• The RTI Amendment Bill, 2013 removes partnersmps between key stal<eholders
political parties from the ambit of the and national and international like-
definition of public authorities and h ence minded Thmk Tanks, as well as
from pl.ll·view of the RTL educational and policy research
• The Draft Provision 2017 wrucb provides ins ti tu tio□ s.
• The Nmety-Second Amendment Act 2003, (NJAC) for appointment and transfer of
provided for the Amendment of Elgth chjef Justice and Judges of Supreme
Schedule by adding four new regional Court and H.igh Courts. But Supreme
languages (Bodo, Maithili, San tball and Dogri) Court ded,ued fujs unconstitutional and
thus, extending the list to 22 ]anguages. void.
• The Ninety-Thl1·d Amendment Act 2005, • The HundJ·edth Amendment Act, 2015,
(came into effect o □ 20th January, 2006) deals with the acquiring of territories by
provided for specja] provision, by ]av, for the
1
,
l□ ma and transfer of certain te.1·1'.itoctes to
advancement of any socially and Bang]adesb in pw:suance of the
educationally backward classes of citizens or agreements and its protocol between
for the SCs/STs in so far as such special l□ ma and Bang]adesh .
provisions relate to their admission to • The Hundl"ed and One Amendment Act
educationa1 institutions including priva te 2017 deals with the Goods and Services
educational institutions. Tax act. The GST is a comprehensive
• The Ninety-Forth Amendment Act 2006, to indirec t tax levy o □ manufactw:e, sale
provide for a Minis ter of Tubal Welfare in and consumption of goods as well as
newly created Jbarkhand and Chhattisgarh. services at the national level.
• The Hu.ndJ·ed and Two Amendment Act
• The Ninety-Filth Amendment Act 2009, 2018 provides the constitutional status
exte nded reservation for the SC/ST for to Nationa1 Commission for Backward
further period of ten years, that ls upto 25th Classes.
January, 2020.
• The Hun dJ·ed and ThJ·ee Amendment
• The Ninety-Sixth Amendmant Act 2011 Act 2018 provideds the 10% Reservation
substituted 'Oma' for 'Oriya'. for economically weaker sec □ o □ of society.
• The Ninety-Seventh Amendment Act 2011, • The Hund_red and Fourth Amendment
provided for the Co-operative societies in Act 2020 eJ\.1:ended the reservation for
Part IX B of the Constitution of India. It a1so ten years to SCs and STs in Lok Sabha
amended Article 19 (1) (c) and inserted and State Assemblies besides doing
Article 43B. away with reservation for Anglo-Inman
• The Ninety-Eighth Amendment Act, 2012, CO Illill uni tie S.
Pmvided for specja] provisions for the • 105th Constitutional Amendment Act
Hyde rabad-Kar □ a taka region of the state of 2021, amends the Article 342A to state
Kamataka. that the power of the President to
• The Ninety-Ninth Amendment Act, 2014, specify the socially and educationally
reguJates the procedme to be followed by the back\l\,aTd classes in the Central List for
N ational Jumcial Appointments Commission the purposes of the Central govt.
• It can make rules to regulate its own Call-Attention Motion A member (after
procedure and the conduct of its permission from the speaker) calls the
business and to adjudicate upon such attention of the minister to any matter of
matters. 'urgent public importance'_ There is no
• The courts are prohibited to enquire call-attention motion in the Rajya Sabha .
into the proceedings of a House or its Instead , there exists a motion called
committees. 'motion for papers'.
Individual Privileges The privileges Censure Motion It can be moved only in
belonging to the members individually are the Lok Sabha an d only by the opposition _
• They cannot be arrested during th e It can be brought against the ruling
session of Parliament and 40 days government or against any minister for the
before the beginning and 40 days after failure of an act or seeking disapproval of
the end of a session . This privi lege is their policy_ A censure motion must specify
available only in civil cases and not in the charges against the government for
criminal cases. whioh it is moved.
• They have freedom of speech in No Confidence Motion It can be moved
Parliament No member is liable to any only in the Lok Sabha and only by the
proceedings in any court for anything opposition _ It needs the support of 50
said or any vote given by him in members to be admitted _It can be brought
Parliament only against the Council of Ministers and
Question Hour The first hour of every not against any ind ividua l minister. A
sitting in both Houses (11 am to 12 pm). No Coniidenoe Motion, need not to
In this, questions are asked by members specify the reasons , for which it has been
and answered by ministers. Question moved _If it is passed, the Government has
hour is an important mechanism through to resign_
whioh Executive's accou ntability is Privilege Motion A resolution introduoed by
brought about. There are three types of the opposition that a minister has mislead the
questions House by giving wrong information.
(i) A Starred Question It requires oral Cut Motions They are moved in the Lok
answers_ Supplementaries can be Sabha only_ They are related to the
asked _ budgetary process which seeks to reduce
(ii) An Unstarred Question requires a the amount for grants. The Cu t Motion can
written answer and hence, no be divided into three categories : policy
supplemen tary questions can be out, economy out and token cut
asked _
(iii) A Short Notice Questions These are Lame Duck Session This refers to the last
the ones which relates to matters of session of the existing Lok Sabha whioh is
urgent public importance and can be held after a new Lok Sabha has been
asked by members with notice shorter elected after the general election_
than ten days prescribed for an Whip A directive issued by any political
ordinary question_ It is answered party to ensure the support of its members
orally_ voting in favour or against a particular
Zero Hour the time gap between the issue on the floor of the House. A person
question hour and the agenda is known as may lose the membership of the party and
zero hour. This time is allotted everyday for the legislature if he votes against the whip
miscellaneous business, call-attention or abstains from voting_
notices, questions on official statements Ge.-ry Mandering It is the reorganisation of
and adjournment motions_ It has been in electoral districts attempted by the ruling
existence since 1962_ party to gain some electoral advantage in
Motion It is a proposal brought before the the forthcoming elections.
House for its opinion or decision_ The Guillotine When due to lack of time,
different types of motions are demand for grants are put to vote whether
Adjournment Motion It leads to setting they are discussed or not in the House on
aside th e normal business of th e Houses the last day of the allotted time, it is called
for discussing a definite matter of urgent Guillotine and it concludes the discussion
public importance_ on demands for grants_
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ Indian Polity
I GLOSSARY I
■ Add1·ess of President The President of ■ Floor Crossing It refers to the defection
India addresses to both Houses of of a Mem ber of ParJiament from the
Parliament assem bled together at the party he was elected, to another political
comme□ cem e□ t of the first session after party.
each general election to Lok Sabha a□ d at ■ Hung Parliament When in a general
the co mm e□ cem e□ t of the first session of election, no pol.H:ical party or coalition of
each year. the pol.H:ical parties is in a posil:ion to form
■ Adjournment of House The Speaker of a majority government, such a Parliament
the Lok Sabha determ ines, whe □ the js called a Hung Parliament.
sitting of the House js to be adjourned ■ Locus Stancli It means on what grounds
since die or to a particular day or to a□ ca□ a person file a case. Earlier a person,
h our or part of the same day. In the Rajya who did not have locus sta□ di~ could not
Sabha, ChairnJ a□ decides whe □ Rajya file a case on behalf of aggrieved person on
Sabha needs to be adjourned. his own . Later whe □ the concept of Public
■ Breach of PriviJeges If a person Interest Litigation (PIL) started, locus
disregards the privileges, rights a□ d sta□ di was waived a□ d a□ y citizen couJd
jmm unities of the Members of Parliam ent, file a P~ a□ d bring to court's notice,
then h e commi ts breach of privileges. violation of rights of people .
■ Closw-e It js the Parlime □ lary procedUTe, ■ Point of Order It is an extraaordinary
by ·which debate is closed a□ d the measme process, whkh when raised , h as the effec t
un der discussion brought up for a□ of suspending the business before the
jmmediate vote . h ouse and the m ember, who is on his legs
■ Contempt of Corn1: It is disobedience to gives way. This js m eant to assist the
or disregard of the rules, orders, process or Presiding Officer in enforcing the Rules,
rngnity of a court , \lvhich has power to Directions and Provisions of the
p unish such offence comm itted. Cons ti tu tio □ for regulating the business of
the House.
■ Caretaker Government It is the
government in the inten-egnum, ■ Rule of Law The rule of law theory was
whkh com es into existence as soo □ as the give □ by English jurist Dicey. It bas three
Council of Mirusters resigns or loses m eanings . (a) absolute suprem acy of law
confidence, or the Prime Minister dies. It (b) equality before law (c) Consitution js
lasts till the ne1rt Council of Min.isters js the result of the ordinary law of the l a□ d.
formed. It is a constitutional necessity ■ Subordinate Legislation T he rules a□ d
under Article 74. regulations made by the governm ent
■ Delegated Legislation The Parliament within the purview of the au thority
gives the Executive the Power to make delegated by the Legislatme are called
rules a□ d regulations regarding a□ act of Subordinate Legislation. It is the same as
the Parliament. Such rules are called Delegated Legislation.
delegated legislation. ■ UntouchabiHty It means social
■ Dissolution Under Article 85, the disabili ties historically jmposed o □ certain
President of India dissolves the House of classes of p eople by reason of their birth m
the people as per the procedure fixed by cetiain castes.
the Constitution . The dissolution ends the ■ Vote on Account It is a□ estim ate of a□
very hle of the existing House a□ d fresh advance payment to enable governm ent
election is essential to form a new House. departme.□ ls to carry on their work fro m
■ Electoral Roll It js comm only lmown as the beginning of financi al year till the
voter's list. It gives the names of all those passing of the Approp1iation Act.
p eople, \. \'ho are eligible to vote.
1
■ Vote of Creclit The Lok Sabha ca□ grant
■ E:\.-tradmon It is the smre □ der by a vote of credit to meet a□ e)l.'Penditure
foreign state of a person accused of a whose amount or details ca□not be
crime to the slate, where it ,vas precisely stated o□ account of magnitude
commi tted. or the indefinite character of service.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ Indian Polity
12. What is the duration of the National Anthem there in the Rajya Sabha?
"Jana Gana Mana"? 34. How much is the term of the Chief
Election Commissioner of India?
13. Under whom are the powers of the Union
Execu tive as per the Constitu tion? 35. Whioh committee of the Parliament
examines the audit reports of the
14. When was the Rajya Sabha first constituted? Comptroller and Auditor General of
15. Taxes on services, was enshrined in the India?
Constitution by which amendment? 36. Which amendment gave Constitutional
16. By which Constitutional Amendment was Status to Panchayati Raj in India?
Delhi given the status of National Capital 37. Disputes be tween centre and the
Territory? states or between states themselves
17. Under which part of the Constitution are is decided by which court?
provisions of municipalities mentioned? 38. The election of the President of India
18. In which year, was the Constituent Assembly is done by which process?
of India constituted? 39. Who was the Viceroy of India, when
19. Out of 389 members in the Consti tuent the Shimla Con ference took place?
Assembly, how many were from the 40. The High Court can stop the
Provinces? proceedings of an inferior court on
20. When President of India resigns from office, to grounds of exceeding its jurisdiction.
whom does he address his resignation letter? By which writ is this possible?
21. Who was Independent India's First Education 41. When was the FirstAmendmentto the
Minister? Constitution done?
22. Provisions regarding anti-defection are 42. Who is the head of the State
mentioned in which Schedule of the Government?
Constitution? 43. How many members of the Muslim
community were there in the
23. After Independence, which state was the first
Constituent Assembly?
to be established?
44. How are members of the Rajya Sabha
24. Freedom of Press is mentioned under which
elected?
Article of the Consti tution?
•- GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ Indian Polity
The term economics comes from the ancient It deals \1\dth formulation of models
Greek word oilwnomia mean management of explaining relationship between factors
a household. Economic js the social science such as consumption , inflation, savings ,
that studies economic activities to gain investment, nation al income and
an understanding of the processes that finance .
govern the production, diEb.ibution and
consumption of goods and services in an ECONOMY
economy. It representE production, dist11bution or
Economks includes the study of1abow:, )and trade and consumption of goods and
and investn1ents of capital, income and services in a given geographkal area by
production and taxes and government different agentE, 1, vhich can be
expenditw.-es. Adam Smith, regarded as the indi,dduals, businesses, orgarnsation or
Father of Economics, defines Economics as, governments.
"The science relating to the Jaws of The study of economy of any country
production, distribution and exchange." h elps us to find out the financi al
condition of the population as well as the
Branches of Economics different working sectors of the economy.
The two chief branches are as follow: The modern economy is a complex
machine. Its job is to allocate limjted
Micro Economics resom·ces and distJ.jbute output anrnng a
• It is concerned \1\dth how supply and Jai·ge nun1ber of agents mainly
demand interact in individual market and indi,dduals, firms and governments
hm"t' these interactions determine the allmving for the possibili ty that each
price level of goods and services. agent's action can directly (or indirectly)
• It examine the economic behaviow.· of affect other agent's actions. There are
individual actor/agent at the level of the two major type of economies.
economic entity- the individual firm, the
individual consumer and the individual Open Economy
worker. An economy sajd to be open , ifit has trade
, 111:ith other economies. In thjs economy,
It examine the behaviow.- of basic elements in
the economy, :including individual agentE market is mostly free from trade baniers
and ,,,here exports an d jmports from a
(such as households and firms or as buyers
Jai·ge percentage of the GDP.
and sellers) and market and their interaction.
Degree of openness of an economy
Macro Economics determines a government's freedom to
pmsue economic policies of its choice
It studies the economy as a whole and its and the susceptibility of the counb-y to
features like nation al income, unemployment, the international economic cycles.
poverty, balance of paymentE and :inflation.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ Indian Economy
gas and water supply, construction (also measures the volume of commodities and
called manufacturing sector). service turned out dw-ing a given period
counted ,vithout duplication."
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ Indian Economy
• NI = C + G + I + (X - M) + (R - P) Income Method
- Depredation - Indirect tax +
In this method, a total of net income earned
Subsidies.
by working people in differnnt sectors and
C = Total Consumption filJJenditure commercial enterprises is obtained.
I = Total Investment filJJenditure Incomes of both categories of people -
G = Total Government filJJenditme paying taxes and not paying taxes are added
X = fil'J)Olt to obtain national income. By income
M = In1port method, national income is obtained by
(R-P)= Net Faction Income from abroad. adding receipts as total rent, total wages,
• When the National Income is measw-ed total interest and total profit.
at the base year plice, it is called
national income at constant price. Consumption Method
• When the national income is measw-ed It is also called eAJJenditw-e method. Income
at the cunen t year price, it is called js eithei- spent on conswnption or saved.
national income at current year price. Hence, national income is the addition of
• When NNP is ca.JcuJated at Factor Cost total conswnption and total savings.
(FC) it js called National Income. Thfa In Inclia, a combination of production
measure is calcuJated by deducting method and income method is used for
indirect taxes and adding subsidies in estimating national income.
NNP at Market Price (MP).
• NNPpc= NNP:1IP - Indirec t Estimates ofNational
Taxes + Subsidies + Government Income in India
stu-plus = National lncome.
• In 1868, the first attempt was made by
• NI = NNP + Subsidies - Indirect taxes Dadabbai Naoroji in his book 'Poverty
• GNP - Depreciation - Indirect taxes + and Un-British RuJe in lnclia' . He
Subsidies. estimated the per capita annual income
• The CSO released the 'Ne,,., series' of to be~ 20.
national accounts with base year 2011-12 • The first scientific attempt to measure
instead of the base year 2004-05. The national income in Inclia was made by
revisions happen every 5 years. professor VKRV Rao in 1931-32. He
• In India, Central Statistical Organisation cliv:ided the Indian economy into
(1949) renanrnd as CentJ·al Statistical 13 sectors.
Office (CSO) has been formuJating • In 1949, National Income Comm_jttee
National Income. under the Chairmanship of professor PC
• National Income is the measurement of
Mabalanobis was constituted. The other
the production power of an economic system members were professor VKRV Rao and
in a given time period_ professor DR Gadgi.l.
• National Wealth is the measurement of • The Government of lnclia appointed a
the present assets available at a given time. National Income Committee under the
Chairmanship of Dr PC Mabalanobis.
Tbjs committee gave its fu-st report in
Methods of Measuring 1951 and final report New Series in 1954.
National Income
Product Method NATIONAL INCOME
In tWs method, net value of :final goods and AGGREGATES
services produced in a country during a
year is obtained, which js called total final Gross Domestic Product
product. This represents Gross Domestic (GDP)
Product (GDP). Net income earned in
foreign boundaries by nationals is added It is the tot al money value of all fin al goods
and services produced within the
and depreciation is subtracted from GDP.
geographical boundaiies of the count11'
during a given period of time.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ Indian Economy
GDP=C+G+I
Where, C= Consumption expenditme
G = Government eA"Penditure
I = lnvesbnen t expenditw·e
But in closed economy, (R- P) = 0, then GDP = GNP where, (R- P) = Net factor income
from abroad.
Calculation of GDP
• GDP in a counb.'y is usually calcuJated by the National Statistical Agency, whkb
compiles the information from a large number of sources.
• 1n case of lndia, it is Central Statistics Office (CSO), which estimates GDP. However,
most counn~ies follow established international standards for calcuJating GDP of their
country.
• The international standards for measuring GDP are contained in the System of
National Accounts (SNA), 1993, compiled by the International Monetary Fund (IMF),
the Eurnpean Commission (EC), the Organjsation for Economic Cooperation and
Development (OECD), the UnHed Nations (UN) and the World Bank.
Source Central Statistics Oftioe
PE = Provisional Estimates (CSO)
disposable income.
Symbolically,
Low Human
development
= 0.350 and above
NITIAAYOG
NlTl Aayog or National Institution for TI.-ansforming India Aayog canJe in to existence on
1st January, 2015. lt is policy-maJdng think-tank of government that replaces Planning
Commission and ainJs to involve states in economic policy-making. It will provide
strntegic and technical advice to the Central and the State Governments.
Basic Structure of NITI Aayog
Chairperson Prime Minister
Governing Counoil Its members are Chief Minister and Administrators of the Union Territories
Special Invitees Experts, Specialists and Practitioners with domain knowledge (nominated
by Prime Minister)
Vias-President Appointed by the Prime Minister
Members Full time members and maximum two ex-offoio members and university
teaoher
Ex-ottioio Members Fou r Central Ministers
CEO Secretary level oftioer from oentre, who will be appointed for a fixed term.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ Indian Economy
PURA Strategy
• PURA stands for providing Urban anrnrnties in rural areas and was the braincbj]d of
APJ Abdul KalanJ.
• This strntegy emphasises on tru:ee connectivities- physical, electrornc, lmowledge and
thereby leading to economic connectivity to enhance the prosperity of cluster of
villages in rural areas.
Third Plan • Indian economy entered take off • Inda-China (1962) and Inda-Pakistan
(1961-66) stage 0MfV Rostow) . Seit-reliant and (1965) conflict diverted the resouroes
(Gadgil seli-generaling economy was the from development to defence.
Yojana) goal. • Targeted growth 5.6% achieved
• To increase the national income by growth 2. 72%.
30% and per capita income by 17%. • The situation mealed by Inda-Pakistan
Conflict (1965) , two sucoessive years
of severe drought, devaluation of
cu rre ncy by 57%, genera l rise in
prioes and erosion of resources for
plan delayed .
_-wnual • Due to the unfortunate iailure of the third plan , the production in various sectors
Plans of the economy became stagnant In 1966, the Government of India declared
the devaluation of rupee, with a view to increase the exports of the country _So,
the fourth plan was postponed and three annual plan were implemented. Some
of the economists called this period i.e. from 1966 to 1969 as Plan Holiday.
Fourth • Laid special emphasis on improving • First two years of the plan were
Plan the condition of under privileged and successful with record foodgrain
(1969-74) weaker sections. production on account of Green
Revolution_
• Targeted growth 6.7% however,
achieved growth 3.3%.
• The plan was failure on account of ru n
way inflation (due to 1972 oil crisis or
supply shock) huge influx of refugees
from Bangladesh post 1972 Inda-Pak
War.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ Indian Economy
Plan Objecilves
Annual Plan • Annual Plan (Gunar Myrdal) was brought out by Janata Party Government
under Morarji Desai in 1978. The foous of the plan was enlargement of the
employment potential in agrioulture and allied activities to rai se the income of
the lowest income olasses through minimum needs programme. Annual Plan
period was 1979-80.
Sixth Plan • Removal of poverty through • Indian economy made an all round
(1 980-86) strengthening of infrastructure for progress and most of the targets
both agrioulture and industry.The fixed by the plan \I/as achieved.
emphasis wa s laid on greater • Targeted growth 5.2% and achieved
management, effioiency and growth 6.4%.
monitoring of various schemes.
• Involvement of people in formulating
schemes of development at local
level.
Seventh • To accelerate foodgrains production • Foodgrain production grew by
Plan • To inorease employment 3-23% as oompared to a long-term
(1 986-90) opportunities. growth rate of 2.68% between
• To raise productivity. 1967-68 and 1988-89.The Indian
eoonomy finally crossed the barrier
of the Hindu rate of growth
(profe ssor Raj Kri shna).
• Average annual growth rate was
6.0% as against the targeted 5.0%
and average of 3.6% in the previous
plans.
Annual Plan • The Eighth Plan oould not take oH due to fast changing political situations at
the centre. Therefore, from 1990-1992, Annual Plans were formulated .
Eighth Plan • Process of fiscal reforms and • Higher economic growth rate of
(1992-97) economic reform s ini1iated by 6.6% achieved as against the
Narsimhan Rao Government to targeted 5.6%.
prevent another major economic • Improvement in current account
orisis. deficit.
• To inorease the average industrial • Significant reduc tion in fi scal
growth rate to 7.5%. deficit.Agriculture growth and
• To provide a new dynamism to th e industrial gro\1/th increased.
economy and improve the quality of • Unshackled private seotor and
life of the common man. foreign investment control was the
• Also called as Rao-Manmohan Singh prime reason for high growth.
Model. First indicative plan. • Overall socio-economic
development indicators lo\1/.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ Indian Economy
Ninth Plan • Growth with sooial justice and • Global economic slo\1/ down and
(1997-2002) equality. other factors led to revision of
• Emphasis on seven Basic Minimum targeted gro\1/th ra te from 7% to
Services (BMSs) , which inoluded safe 6.5%, whioh too was not achieved.
drinking water, universalisation of The economy grew at 5.4% only.
primary education, streamlining PDS Agriculture grew by 2.1% as against
among others. the target of 4.2% per annum.
• Pursued the policy of fiscal
consolidation. Ensuring food and
nutri1ional seourity to alL
Empowerment of women,
SC/STs/OBCs.
Tenth Plan • The Tenth Plan aimed at achieving • lnorease in GDP growth to 7.5%
(2002-2007) 8% GDP growth. compared to 5.4% in the Ninth Plan.
• Assuming that ICOR (Incremental The lowerthan targeted growth rate
Capital Output Ratio will decline from of 8% was due to low growth of 3%
4.53% to 3.58%. in the first year of Tenth Plan
• It aimed at inoreasing domestic lnorease in gross domestic saving
saving rate from 23.52% to 29.4% of and investment.
GDP and gross capital iormation to • Reduotion in ICOR to 4.2% though
322% from 24.4% of GDP. higher than targeted but less than
• To improve the overall framework of Ninth Plan's ICOR of 4.53%.
governance. Ag riculture was the core • lnorease in foreign exchange
elemenL reserves to USS 287 billion.
11th Plan • Average GDP growth of 8.1 % per • The growth rate during the 11th plan
(2007-2012) year. period was about 7.9%, which is
• Ag riouttural GDP growth of 4% per higher than the 7.5% growth rate
year. Generation of 58 million achieved in the 10th plan.
employment opportuni1ies. • As against the target of 4% growth
• Sex ratio for age group 0-6 years to in the ag ricultural sector, the plan
be raised to 935 by 2011-12 and to could register a growth of only 3%
950 by 2016-17. during 2007-12 period.
• The services sector continued to
register a growth rate of more than
10%. However, the industrial growth
rate showed at 7.9%.
12th Plan • Real GDP growth rate of 82%. • The plan period was e>etended by six
(2012-2017) • Ag ricutture growth rate of 4.0%. months. ~.e. September, 2017)
• Manufacturing growth rate of 10%. • First fou r years of the plan is
estimated 6.8%
I DEMOGRAPHY I
[POVERTY [
• Poverty is a social phenomenon Organisation (NSSO) on monthly per
where few section of society is WJable capita consumption expenditure. In
to fulfil even basic necessities of life. India, b.-aditionally the poverty line was
• Planning Con]Il]jssion (Now, N ITI defined on the basis of calorie intake.
Aayog) js the au thmity, wmcb publishes According to thjs, 2100 calories a day has
the poverty estim ates based on various been fixed for urban areas and 2400
rounds of National Sample Survey calories in rural areas.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ Indian Economy
e
• However, t.Ws methodology was changed • It stipulated a benchmark daily per
considering other requirements of the capita e>...-penditure of {' 27 an d {' 33 in
poors such as housing, clothing and rmal and urban areas respectively to
education etc. The current estinJation of ardve at a poverty line.
poverty are based upon the
recommendation of Sw.-esb Tendulkar
Comm ittee (2005) that recommended
to shift away from the calorie based
model.
They estimated that in 1968-69 about 40% report, 41.8% popuJation in rural areas and
of the rural popuJation and a h ttle more 25. 7% population in mban areas was living
than 50% of the urban popul ation lived below poverty line.
belov,, the poverty line.
Rangarajan Report on
Montek Singh Ahluwalia's Study
of Rural Poverty (1977)
Poverty
The expert group under the Chairmanship
MS Ahluwalia studied the trends in of Dr C Rangarajan to rev.ie\Jv the
incidence of rural poverty in lnrua for the Methodology for measurement of poverty
peliod 1956-57 to 1973-74. He used the in the country const.ituted by the Planning
concept of poverty line, i.e. an expenditw:e Comm.ission in June, 2012 has submitted
level oH 15 in 1960-61 for rural areas and its report on 30th J une, 20 14. The report
t 20 per person for mban areas. retained conswnption expenruture
estim ates of NSSO as the basis for
Estimate of Poverty by the determ.ining poverty. On the basis of this, it
Seventh Finance Commission pegged the total number of poor in Inrua at
(1978) 363 million or 29.6% of the population .
The Seventh Finance Commission made Th.is is h.igher than 269.8 mill.ion poor
an attempt to have a more inclusive people or 21.9% pegged by the Smesh
concept of poverty line. TenduJkar Committee.
Since, the NSS data cover only household
consumer e:\.-penruture, thus, to get a more Highlights of the Report
inclusive measure of ,,velfare or The highlights of the report are as follows:
deprivation, an estimate of the beneJit of
public e:\.-penruture was added to private (i) The daily per capita e:\.-penruture is
consun1er e:\.-penditw'e norm for pegged at { 32 for the rural poor and at
calcuJating the augmented poverty line. { 47 for the urban poor.
(i.i) Poverty hn e based on the average
Tendulkar Committee monthly per capita expenrutme is
Report pegged at { 972 for rural areas and
{ 1407 for urban areas.
This comm.i ttee moved away from j ust
calorie criterion defin.ition to a broader (iii) The percentage of people below the
defin.it.ion of poverty that also includes poverty hne in 2011-12 was 30.95 in
expenditme on heal th, educat.ion, clothing rmal areas and 26.4 in mban areas .
in addition to food. According to th.is
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ Indian Economy
Unemployment
Unemployment in India Involuntary Unemployment
Unemployment refers to a situation, \'l hen
1
It refers to a situation in which the persons
a person js able and \i\illing to work at the are illterested to work but the jobs are not
prevailing wage rate, but doesn't get the available. Such persons are included in the
opportu.mty to work Unemployment is categories of unemployed persons. It is also
often used as a measure of the health of called open employment.
the economy. The most frequently cHed
measure of unemployment is Cyclical Unemployment
unemployment rate. That is the number of This type of unemployment js due to the
unemployed persons divided by the recession ill the economy. During recession,
number of people in the Jabour force. there js less requirement of man-power on
account of the decrease in the level of
Estimation of economic activities and thus causes cyclical
Unemployment unemployment. This type ofwJemployment
is prevalent in the developed counb.ies.
• B Bhagwati CommUtee on unemploy- This is also known as Keynesian
ment estimates (1973) set-up by the Unemployment.
Planning Commission gave thrne
estimates of unemployment. Frictional Unemployment
These are as follows: This type of unemployment js caused by
• Usual Principal Status (UPS) people taking tinJe out of work, being
Persons who remained unemployed betvveen jobs or looldng for a job.
for a major part of the year. This is The one cause of its evolution js decline of
also called 'open unemployment'. one indusb.-y and rise of the other and
• Current WeekJy Status (CWS) labour take some tinJe before moving to the
A person is considered to be other indusn·y. This type of WJemployment
employed if he or she pursues any is short-term in nature.
one or more of the gainful activities
for at least one hour on any day of the Seasonal Unemployment
reference week. It is an account of the seasonal natw-e of the
• Cturent Daily Status (CDS) productive activities, i.e., some productive
Persons who did not find work on a activities are carried out only for certain
day or some days during the duration of a year. Therefore, the persons
survey week. This is the employed ill such activities are unemployed
comprehensive measure of during off-season. This, generally, occw-s ill
unemployment, including chrnnic as agro-based indusb:ies.
well as underemployment.
Disguised Unemployment
TYPES OF It is a situation, ill which more persons are
UNEMPLOYMENT employed to do a job which can be done
with equal efficiency by less number of
Generally, unemployment can be workers.
classified into two types
Sbuctural Unemployment
Voluntary Unemployment It refers to a mismatch of job vacancies with
This type of unemployment is on account the supply of labour available, caused by
of people not interested to take the shifts in the sb.·ucture of the economy.
employment i.e. jobs are available but the Sn·uctw-al joblessness results from things
persons are not interested ill being like skills mismatches and policy to address
employed. It is psychological in nature. such mismatches is inherently longer term
Therefore, such types of persons are not in scope, illVOlving education and
included in the category of unemployed. encow·aging innovation.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ Indian Economy
Technological Unemployment
Technology has always displaced some work and jobs. Thus, technological
unemployment js a term used to describe the lack or loss of jobs due to technological
changes or innovations. Tbjs type of unemployment typically comes from workers either
being replaced by macrunes or having theb.-jobs made easier and require fewer workers to
accomplish the san1e task. It js one of the reasons of jobless grmivt:h.
Employment, Poverty, Rural and Urban Development Programmes
Name of the Programmes Year of ObjecUves/Desoripuons
Beginning
Swarana Jayanti Shahari Rozgar 1997 To provide gainful employment to urban
Yojana (SJSRY), it has been unemployed and under empoloyed p oor
revamped with eHect from April through sel f-employment of wage employmenL
2009.
Swaranajayanti Gram Swarozgar 1st April, For elimination rural property and
Yojana (SSGSY) , it replaoe d 1999 unemployment and promoting selfsemployment
IRPD, DWCRA, Ganga Kalyan through establishing mioro enterprises in rural
Yojana (1997)_ Million Wells areas. Targets to cover 50% SCs/STs. 40%
Scheme (1989) and Supply women, 15% minorities and 3% disabled_
Improved Tolls kits to Rural
Artisans (1992)
Pradhan Mantri Gramodya 2000 Focus on village level development in 5 oritical
Yojana (PMGY) areas. Le. primary health, primary education,
housing, rural roads and drinking water and
nutriiion with the overall objective of improving
the quality of life of people in rural areas.
Annapurna Scheme 2000 To ensure food security for all, create a hunger
free India in the next five serve the poorest of
the poor in rural and urban areas.
Food For Work Programme 2001 To give food through wage employment in the
drought aHected areas in 8 states. Wages are
paid by the State Governments, partly in cash
and partly in foodgrains.
Jai Prakash Narayan Rozgar Proposed Employment guarantee is m ust poor distriots.
Guarantee Yojana (JPNRGY) in 2002-03
Budget
MGNREGS (Mahatma Gandhi 2nd It aims at enhanoing livelihood security of
National Rural Employment February, households in rural areas of the oountry by
Guarantee Scheme). The 2006 providing at least 100 days on guaranteed
scheme was notified throughout wage employment in a financial year to every
the oountry with ettect from 1st household, whose adult members volunteer to
April, 2008. Renamed as do unskilled manual work. It also mandates
MGNREGS from 2nd October. 33% participation for women_ The primary
2009. SGRY and Food for Work objective of the scheme is to augment wage
Programme merged into iL employmenL
Prime Minister's Employment 2008 To generate employment opportunities in rural as
Generation Programme (PMEGP) well as urban areas through settin g up of self-
employment ventures/projects/micro enterprises.
Nirmal Bharat Programme 2012 To eradicate praolioe of open delacalion by 2020.
Di rect Beneiit Tran sfer 2013 Anti-Poverty Programme, aimed to transfer
subsidies direcUy to the people living below
poverty line.
Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen 2014 Aimed to tran sform Rural poor youth into an
Kaushalya Yojana economically independent and globally relevant
work force.
Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and 2015 To improve the basic in frastructure in 500 oities/
Urban Transformation (AMRUT) towns which would be known as mission
ailies/tovms.
e
Ru ral Development Programmes
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ Indian Economy
Ohan Laxmi Msroh 2008 Condillon cash transfer scheme lor lhe girl child to
encourage families to educate girl children and to prevent
child marri age.
Ujjwals 4th, A comprehensive scheme lor prevenllon of lrafllol<.lng viilh
December, live speolflc components prevention, res cue, rehsbi lilslion,
2007 reinlegrallon and repatriation of vlolims.
National Mis sion lor 2010 To achieve empowerment of women socially, economically
Empowerment of Women and educalionally by securing convergence of schemes.
(NMEW)
Nai Roshnl Scheme 2012 Aimed al developing leadership skl s among the mlnorlly
women_
Pradhan Manlri Ujjwafa 1st May, 2016 To provide cooldng gas oonnecllons lo 5 mllllon
Yojana (Labour day) benellolsrles below lhe poverty li ne.
Nallonal Nutrition Mission Blh March, 2018 To allaln prope r nutritional slalus among chi ldren from 0-6
(Women's Day) years, adolescent girls , pregnant vtomen and lsclaling
mothers ln a llmely manner ; reduce slunllng, under
nulrlllon and anaemia among young children , vtomen and
adolescent girls; and lowering low birth weight by at least
2% er annum.
She Box 2021 II ls an effort lo provide a single VJindow access lo woman
irrespective of her work Status, VJhether w orking in
organised or unorganlsed, pub lic or private sector lo
facililsle !he re gistration of compla in! related lo sexual
hsrr assmenl.
Mission Shakli 2022 II ls an lnlegraled women empowerment programme Is
launched as an umbrella scheme for the safely, seourily
and empowerment ol women lor lmplemenlslion.
FLAGSHIP PROGRAMMES OF
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
The flagship programmes were launched la unched the 'SHRES HTA' Scheme on
by the Government of India, to bddge 3rd Jun e, 2022. SHRESHTA stands for
education, health, employmen t and Scheme for Residential Education for
infrasb:uctw:e divides. The ultimate Students in High Schools in Targeted
objective of the flagship programme is to Areas. SHRESHTA envisions high
achieve broad-based improvement in the quality free residential education from
living standards of our people. class 9th to class 12th to medtorious
students from SC commumties.
New Social We1fare Schemes • SMJLE Scheme U Ilion Minis ter
• Tele-MANAS Initiative The Dr Virencka KunJar launched the
Tele-MANAS (Mental Health Support Central Sector Scheme 'SMILE
and Networking) :initiative was Support for Marginalised Individu als for
launched in all states on l 0th October, Llveliliood and Enterprise' in New Delhi
2022, Under this, a network of on 12th February, 2022. The scheme has
23 excellent tele-mental h ealth cenb.'es been designed by D epartment of Social
h as been created . Justice and Empowerment for
• SHRESHTA Scheme Launched Union providing welfare measures to the
Minjs ter of Social J ustice an d Transgender community an d people
Empowerment Virencka Kumar h as engaged in begging.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ Indian Economy
• Pradhan Mantri KrisW Sinchai Yojana was organfaed by the T RIFED under the
The primary objectives of PMKSY are to Mifljsb.-y of Tribal Affairs. The
attract investments in inigation system at
progranmJe will help the tribal
field level, develop and eA-pand cultivable
population to become self-reliant and
land in the country. The primary objective
enb.·eprenew:s.
js to enhance rain water use in order to
Swa.rna Jayanti Shahari Rozgru· Yojana
rn.i:nimise wastage of water, enhance crnp
(SJSRY) (Set-up in 1997)
per drop by implementing water saving • To provide gainfu] employment to urban
technologies and predsion irrigation. unemployed and under employed poor
• Pradhan Mantri UJ.jwala Yojana Prime through self employment or wage
Mifljster Narendra Modi has launched employment.
Pradhan Manb.i Ujjwal Yojana on 1st
• It has been revamped with effect from
May, 2016 (Labour Day) at Ba.ilia (UP)
April, 2009.
by providing cooking gas connections to
10 women. Swa.rna Jayanti G1·am Swarozgar Yojana
(SJGSY) (Set-up in 1999)
• The objective of the scheme is to provide
• It replaced In tegrated Rural Development
cooldng gas connections to 5 ~J.illi~n
beneficiaiies below the poverty line rn Progi·an]Il]e (lRDP) , Development of
the next 3 yeai·s (till the yeai· 2019). Women and Children in Rural Areas
(DWCRA), Ganga Kalyan Yojana (GKY)
• Ojala Yojana lt was launched by Limon (1997) Million Well Scheme (MWS)
Milljster for State (IC) for Power, Coal and
(1989)' and Supply of Improved Tool-kits
Renewable Energy Piyush Goyal :in Bhopal,to Rural Artisans (SITRA), (1992).
Madhya Pradesh on 30th April, 2016.
• For ellnrinating rural poverty and
The main motive of tms pollcy is energy unemployment and promoting self
efficiency inthe counb.-y. Consumers can employment through establishing mkro
buy the bulbs from distributor by showing
enterprises in rw·al ai·eas.
any identification card.
Mahatma Gandhi Rw·al Employment
• Pradhan Mantri Fas al Blma Yojana It
Guarantee Act (M GNREGA, launched on
js the new crop danJage insurance
2nd February, 2006) The National Rural
scheme stai·ted on 18 Feb, 2016. It will
replace the existing two crop insuranceEmployment Guarantee Act (NH.EGA)
2005, envisages secw·ing the livelihood of
schemes National Agrlcultw_·al Insurance
Scheme (NAIS) and Modified NAIS. people in rural areas. The main provisions
of the act are
• Pradhan Mant:ri Sabaj Bijli Har Ghar
Yojana The scheme aims for electd:fying• Employment to be given \'lrithin 15 days
all the households in rural and urban of application for work.
• The scheme prov1des a legal guara- ntee
ai·eas '"''ruch ai·e still living without power.
• Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana To offer for 100 days of employment in eve1-y
free-living assertive devices to serum· financial year to adult members of ~y
rural household willing to do public
citizens belong to BPL families.
work-related unsldlled manual work at the
• DDAN Scheme U dey Desh ka Aarn statutory m.i.rnnJunJ wage of 120 per day.
Nagrik aims at regional air connectivity.
• lf employment is not provided \"irithin 15
• Kisan Samman Nidhi Scheme It was days, daily unemployment allowance in
launched in 2019 to provide { 6000 per cash has to be pa_jd_
year financial assistance to those farmers
• Employment within 5 Ian rarnus, else
have cultivable area upto 2 hectare. { 6000
exb.·a wages to be pa_jd_
per year will be pa_jd in three instalments.
• At least one-third beneBciades have to
Employment Generation be women.
Prime M.injster's Employment Generation
ProoTammes
b Programme (Se t-up in 2008)
Van Dhan InternsWp Programme To aenerate employment opportunities in
• Limon Minister of Tribal Affairs rur~ as well as urban ai·eas thrnugh setting
launched the Van Dhan In ternship up of new self-employment ventlll'es/
progran]Il]e on 16th October, 2019. It projec ts/ mjcro enterprises.
e GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ Indian Economy
I AGRICULTURE I
geograpWcal area and 58% of the rmal • Tenth Plan did not set any targets for
households depend on agricultme as crop production.
their principaJ means of livelihood. • The gi·owth rate of agricul ture during the
• Its importance to the lnrnan economy Ninth and Tenth Plan were 2.44% and
can be gauged from the following facts. 2.02% respectively.
Contribution to GDP Agriculture in Eleventh Five
• According to the new series of national Year Plan
income released by CSO at 20 11-12 • Eleventh Plan (2007-12), recogmsing the
plices, the share of agiiculture in total jmportance of agi·icultme in promoting
GDP is 14% (Approx) in 2021-22. indusive gi·o\Jvth, fixed the agi·icultme
gi·owtb rate of 4%. Actual outlay in the
Conh-ibution to Employment Eleventh Plan is estimated to be 18.5%
• Agriculture provides livelihood to more of the total plan outlay. Conb.-act farmmg
than half of the population. was encouraged in frujts, vege tables and
• In 2019, it contributed around 52% to other crops.
the totaJ employment in the country. • The average annual gi·mvtb rate of GDP
in agricultme and allied sectors during
Conh-ibution to Trade 11th plan was 3.7 per cent.
• Although, the share of agiicul- A • __ 1 • l:fth
tural produc ts in total trade of India gricwture ill Twe
js declining due to 0..-port diversification. Five Year Plan
• Agiicultme sector plays a cruciaJ role in • The approach paper ainJs at gi·owth rate
indusive gi·owth by directly attacking of 4% per annum in agiicultme sector,
poverty and containmg inflation. It is w1th foodgi·ains growing at about 2% per
also an important sow-ce of raw material year and non-foodgrains gi·owing at 5.6%.
for a vas t seginent of industry. • The approach paper has emphasised on
tec hnology as the main veWcle for
Agriculture and Five Year Plans jmproving productivity in agi~icul ture as
• The Wghest outlay on agricuJ tme was natw·aJ resow·ces are fixed.
during the First Plan, it was 31 %.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ Indian Economy
G
Severely indictin$ the public sector • It emphasises on greater road
research in agricwture the Tv,,elfth Plan connectivity, development of
encourages Public Private Partnel'Ship horticulture, dairying and other animal
(PPP) in agriculture so as to blidge the gap husbandry to further improve the
in dryland areas and rapidly diversify market acces to the farmers.
agriculture.
Average Achievement in Agriculture
in Five Year Plans (in percentage)
Five Year Plan Growth Rate
First Five Year Plan (1951-52 to 1955-56)
Second Five Year Plan (1956-57 to 1960-61)
Third Five Year Plan (1961 -62 to 1966-66) 0.73
Annual Plan (1966-67 to 1968-69)
Fourth Five Year Plan (1969-70 to 1973-74) 2.57
Fifth Five Year Plan (1974-75 to 1978-79) 3.28
Si>cth Five Year Plan (1980-81 to 1984-85) 2.52
Seventh Five Year Plan (1985-86 to 1989-90) 3.47
Annual Plan (1990-91 to 1991-92) 1.01
Eighth Five Year Plan(1992-93tol996-97)
Ninth Five Year Plan (1997-98 to 2001-02) 2.02
Tenth Five Year Plan (2002-03 to 2006-07) 2.3
Eleventh Five Year Plan (2007-08 to 2011-12) 3.6
Twelfth Five Year Plan (2012-13 to 2016-17) 8%
Green Revolution
• The Green Revolution :in India refers to a Farmer's Commission
pedod ,,vhen Indian agriculture was
■ A National Commission on farmers was
converted into an industrial system due to
appointed in 2004, under the Chairmanship
the adoption of modern methods and
technology such as the use of High Yielding of Dr MS Swaminathan, which interalia
Variety (HYV) seeds, tsactors, irrigation suggested an Agricultural Renewal
facilities, pesticides and fertilizers. Action Plan (ARAP).
■ The AAAP comprised of soil health
• It was launched in the year 1966 and was
enhancement, irrigation water supply
the brainchild of Norman Borlaug,
augmentation and demand management,
though in India~it was made successful by
credit and insurance, technological reforms
Dr MS Swaminathan. The term 'Green
Revolution' was coined by Dr William Gaud. and assured and remmunerative marketing_
• The achievement of Green Revolution
were rise in cereal production especially Second Green Revolution
,,vheat and rice, change in cropping pattern • The call for Second Green Revolution
in favour of ,,vheat and increase in was given by then Pdme Minister
employment opportunities. Manmohan Singh at the 93rd Science
Con£ernnce in 2006.
• The wealmesses of Green Revolution were
growth of capitalistic farming, side • The Second Green Revolution seeks to
tracked land reforms, , 1videned income build up on the achievements of first
Green Revolution and blidge the
and regional disparities and
regional and crop imbalance, whkh
envirnnmental degradation.
were not addressed by First Green
• The Green Revolution demanded high Revolution.
yielding seed, increasing ir1igation, • The Second Green Revolution seeks to
pesticides in fertilizer. cover dry land farming and concentrate
• It ,,,.,as introduced by MS Swan:Iinathan on the small and marginal farmers. It
,,vho is also known as Father of Green seeks to raise the foodg:rain production
Revolution. to 400 million tonnes by 2020.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ Indian Economy
with the capital participation from GIC, • RR.B's mobilise :financial resource from
four public sector General lnsmance rw:aJ/sem.i urban areas.
Companies and NABARD_ • It is jointly m,v ned by Gal, the
• The other speciabsed insmer is Export concerned State Government and
CredH Guarantee Corporation (ECGC)_ sponsor banks.
It was established in 1957.
Quick Digest
NABARD • Kisan Credit Cards (KCCs) was introduced in
1998-99 by NABARD_ The purpose of the
• National Bank for Agriculture and Rural KCC scheme is to facilitate short-term credit
Development INABARD) was set up in July, to farmers, Union-Budget 2012-13 has
1982 as the Apex Bank with a paid-up capital proposed to make KCC as smart cards and
of t 1DD crore contributed equally by RBI and can be used at ATMs_
Government of India. Its headquarter is in
• Rehabilitation Package for Distressed
Mumbai_
Farmers was introduced in 2006 for 31
• The role of NABARD was to act as a refinance suicide prone-districts in the states of
institution for all kind of production and
Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and
investment credit to agricultural and village Maharashtra.
sector_
• The paid-up capital of NABARD was raised to
t 10,580 crore as on 31st March, 2018 Commodity Future Market
consequent to the revision in the composition The commodity futw-e market facilitates
of share capital between GOI and RBI, the pdce discovery process and
NABARD is fully owned by government of provides a platform for plice dsk
India_ management in commodities. The market
• Rural Infrastructure Development Fund comprises 21 commodity futures
IRIDF) was set-up in 1995-96, under NABARD exchanges, ,,vh.ich include 5 national and
for holistic rural development 16 (commodity- specific) regional
commodity exchanges.
NAFED
National Agricultural Co-operative Marketing Commodity Markets in India
Federation of India Limited is the Apex • Commod ity Exchange, Mumbai
Co-operative Organisation at the national leveL It • National Commodity and Derivatives
deals in procurement, distribution, export and Exchange, Mumbai
import of selected agricultural commodities_ • Mulii Commodity Exchange, Mumbai
NCDC • ACE Derivatjves and Commodity Exchange
Limited, Ahmedabad
National Co-operative Development
Corporation wa s set-up in 1963, under an Act of
Parliament The object of NCDC is planning and Food Processing Industry
promoting programmes for the production, • India is the third largest producer of
processing, storage and marketing of agricultural food in the world after CWna and the US.
produce and notified commodities through • Food processing indusb.-y is the fifth
co-operative societies_ largest industry in India in terms of
production, consumption, eJ\..-ports and
Regional Rm·al Banks (RRBs) eJ\..-pected grov,rth.
• RRBs formally Jaunched in 2nd October,
1975 at Moradabad and Gorakbpur (Uttar Mega Food Park Scheme
Pradesh), Bhiwani (Haryana), Jaipur Mega Food Park Scheme was launched in
(Rajasthan) and MaJda (West Bengal)_ 2008 that aims at providing a mechanism
• The objective of the R..RB was to provide to Jink ag:liculturaJ production to the
credit and other facilities particularly to marke t by bringing together farmers,
small and marginal farmers, agricul tural processors and retailers so as to ensw:e
labomers etc so as to develop agricul tme. m axin:ii sing vaJ u e addition, minimjsing
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ Indian Economy
was tage, increasing farmers' income and faimers to help them get a good harves t by
creating employment opportunities studying the quality of soil . The Soil Health
particularly in rmal sector. Government Cai·d sturues and reviews the health of soil
provide :financial assistance to set up or rather we can say a complete evaluation
modern infrasb.-uctme facilities for food of the quality of soil dght from its
processing. The 12th paln has targeted to functional chai·ac tedstics, to water and
set up 50 mega food parks during the plan nutrients content and other biological
peliod. properties. Under this scheme Centre
plans to target over 14 crore fai·mers in the
Important Portal and App next three years.
The -Participatory Guarantee System'
portal will help small and marginal farmers INDUSTRY
engaged in organic farming to secme • IndustTy refers to an economk activity
cerlificaton after checks for compliance to concerned with the processing of raw
standards are carded out. mateiials and manufacture of goods in
The 'Soil Health Card' portal has been factodes.
developed to register soil sample and • At present, industTy sector is the
record tests results along with fertiliser backbone of the Inman economy and
recommendations to create a national contributing around 54.3% of the Inman
database on soil health for futme use in GDP in 2018-19.
research. • The long-ternJ average annual g.rov,rth of
The FertiUser Quatity Control System industries during the post-reform period
portal , 1vill collate results of drav,, samples of between 1991-92 to 20 11-12, averaged
imported fertilisers helping both consumers 6.7%.
and importers with analysis reports.
Indusbial Policies
Mobile app "AgriMarket Mobile" • Indusbial Policies were launched in
Thjs app has been developed with an aim to 1948, 1956, 1977, 1980 and 1991.
keep them abreast with crop prices around
them. AgriMarket Mobile App can be used • The Indusbial Policy Resolution of 1948
to get the market price of crops in the marked the beginmng of the evolution of
markets wit.run 50 Jan of the de,rice's the Inman Industrial Policy.
location. • The lPR 1956 called the Economic
Constitution of India, gave the
Mobile app "Crop Insm·ance" public sector a sb.·ategic role in the
It v.ill help the farmers not onJy to find out economy.
complete details about insurance cover • The objective of the IPR 1956 was
available in thier area, but also to calculate establishment of socialistic pattern of
the insurance premjum for notified crops, the society in the country.
coverage anJount and loan amount in case
of a loaned farmer. New Industrial Policy, 1991
• Formed the basis for the economk
National Agricultm·e Market or reforms in Inrua, wruch proved to be a
eNAM watershed in the rustory of Jndjan
It is an onJine b.-ading platform for economy.
aglicuJtw_·al commoruties in lnrua. eNAJ\Jl • The main aim of the new industrial
provides inter-connectivity to e-manrus, in policy 199 l was to unshackle the Indian
order to enable farmers get better prices of industries from the cobweb of unnecessary
their produce. bureaucratic control; to introduce
liberalisation with a view to in teg:ra te
Soil Health Card Scheme Inman economy with the world
In February 2015, the Narenc:h-a Morn economy; to remove resmctions on FD[
government had launched the Soil Health and to abolish MRTP Act, 1969; and
Cud Scheme. Under this programme, the • To shed the load of the public
government plans to issue soil cai·d to
enterprises.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ Indian Economy
I FOREIGN TRADE I
Demonetisation
Currency demonetisation is a radical financial step in which a particular currency's
status as a legal tender is declared invalid. On 9th December, 2016, Reserve Bank of India
\i\dthc:hew the old { 500 and { 1000 notes as official mode of payment. The reason for this
move given was that it will help to tackle black money, help to eliminate fake cunency and
to lower cash circulation in the coun b.y
Banking in India
• The first bank of limited liability • Regu]ator and supervisor of the payment
managed by an Indian was Oudh and settlement system.
Commercial Bank established in 1881. • Since 1952, Monetary Policy of the RBI
Subsequently, PNB was established in emphasise on twin goals.
1894. These are as follows:
• The largest bank Imperial Bank of lnclia 1. Economic growth
was nationalised in 1955 and renamed as 2. Inflation control
State Bank of lnclia followed by
formation of its 7 associates in 1959. Credit Conb·ol lnsbuments
• The step toward 'Social Banking' was lnsb.·ument of credit control can be divided
taken \"irith the nationalisation of into hvo namely Qualitative/ Selective credit
14 Commercial Banks on 19th JuJy, 1969. control and Quantitative credit control.
Six more Commercial Banks were
nationalised on 15th August, 1980. Quantitative/ General
• The Banking Companies Act was passed Credit Conb·ol
in Feburary, 1949, which was
Quanti tative credit control are used to
subsequently amended to read as
control the volume of credit and indirectly
Banking Reg1JJations Act, 1949.
to control the inflationary and deflationary
Reserve Bank of Inclia (RED pressures caused by e>..."J)ansion and
contraction of credit.
• RBI is the Central Bank of the coUJJt:ry.
The quantitative credit control consists of
• RBI was set-up on the basis of Hil ton
• Bank Rate It is also called the
Young Commission recommendation in
rediscount rate. It is the rate , at which
April, 1935 with the enactment of RBI
the RB I gives :finance to Commercial
Act, 1934. Its first Governor was Sir Banks. It is cw-rently at 9%.
Osborne Smith.
• Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) It specifies
• The main purpose of creating RB I was to the fraction of the total deposits of banks
separate currency and credit from Gol. that they are obliged to keep with the
• RBI was nationalised in 1949 and its first RBI. Since 1962, the RBI has been
Indian Governor was CD Deshmukh. empowered to vary the CRR
requirement between 3% and 15% of the
Administration total demand and tinJe deposits.
• The headquarter of the RBI is in • Statutory Liqujclity Ratio (SLR) It is
Mumbai. the ratio of liquid asset, which a1I
• There are 14 Directors in Cenrr·al Board Commercial Banks have to keep in the
of Directors besides the Governor, four form of cash, gold or government
approved secU11ties before providing
Deputy Governors and one Government
credit to its customers. SLR rate is
Official.
determined and maintained by RBI in
• Governor of RBI - Shaktikanta Das. order to control the expansion of the
bank credit.
Functions • Repo Rate It was introduced in
The main functions of the RBI includes December 1992. It :is the rate, at which
• Monetary authmity. RBI lends short-term money to the banks
• Issue of currency. Banker and debt against securities.
manager to governnrnnt. • Reverse Repo Rate It is the rate, at
• BanJ(er of Banks. which banks park short-term excess
liquidity with the RBI. Reverse Repo Rate
• Regu]ator of banking system. ,,.rithch-aws liquidity from the marke t. This
• Manager of foreign exchange. is always 100 base point 1 % less than
• Maintaining financi al stability. Repo rate.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ Indian Economy
Bhartiya Mahila
Bank
Insurance Sector
• Insurance industry includes two 4. United India General Insurance
sectors- Life lnsrn·ance and General Company Llmi ted, Chennai.
lnsrn·ance.
• On 3rd Novembe1~ 2000 GIC was renamed
• Llfe insurance in India was as GIC Re and approved as Indian
introduced by Britishers. A Blit.ish Reinsrn·ei- and the four subsiruaries of GIC
firm in 1818 established the Oriental were separ·ated from GIC and are
LUe lnsrn·ance Company at Calcutta functioning independently under Public
nm•v Kolkata. Sector General lnsurance Companies
• Since the opening up, the number of (GIPSA).
participants in the lnsurance • GIC Reinsurer (Re) has branch offices in
lndusb.-y has gone up from 7 insurers Dubai and London and a representative
(including LIC, four public sector office in Moscow.
general insurers, one specialised
insurer and the GIC as the national InsnTance Reglllatory and
re-insurer) in 2000 to 49 insurers as Development Authority of India
on 30th September, 2011. (IRDAI)
Life Ins11Tance • The Insurance Regulatory and
Development Authmity (IRDA) has
Corporation (LI C) changed its name to Insurance ReguJatm-y
• UC was established on 1st and Development Athority of India
September, 1956, which set the pace (J R.DAI). The change of name was effected
for nationalisation of life insurance in the lnsmance Laws (Amendment)
under the Stewardship of CD Ordinance, 2014 was promulgated by the
Desbmukh. It has head office at President of India on 26th Decembe1~ 2014.
Mumbai and eight zonal offices the • The ordinance contains certain
most recent being at Patna. amendments to the lnsurance ReguJation
and Development Act, 1999 and inserted
• UC is also operating internationally
the , 1vords 'of lnrua' after development
through branch offices in F~ji, authmity.Insurance Regulatory and
Malllitius and UK and through joint Development Authority of India (lRDA) is
venture companies in Bahrain, Nepal, an autonomous apex statutory body whkb
Sli Lanka, Kenya and Saudi Arabia. regulates and develops the insurance
In 2008, its wholly and subsidiar-y was indusb.-y in India.
opened in Singapore. • It was constituted by a Parliament of India
• As of 2019 Llfe lnsurance act called lnsurance ReguJatm-y and
Corporation of lnrua had total life Development Authority Act, 1999 and duJy
fund oft 28.3 b.illion. passed by the Government of India. The
agency operates from its headquar·ters at
General Ins11Tance Hyderabad, Telangana where it shifted from
Corporation (GIC) Delhi in 2001.
• GIC was established on 1st
J anuar-y, 1973, with its fozm· Pension Sector
subsidiaries, viz, • New Pension System launched on 1st
1. National Insurance Company January, 2004.
Ll_mjted, Kolle.a.ta; • The NPS covers alJ employees of the
Central Government and Central
2. The Nev,, India lnsmance
autonomous bodies, except armed forces
Company LlmHed, Mumbai;
27 States have notified andjoined the NPS.
3. The Oliental Fire and General • With effect from 1st November, 2009 the
lnsmance Company Lin:tited NPS was opened to all citizens.
New Delhi; and
• NPS-Lite is the lower cost ,,ersion of NPS.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ Indian Economy
• NSE provides a modern, fully automated • NSE-50 From 28th July, 1998, its nanJe
screen-based trading system, which js S and P CNX Nifty. National Stock
offered easy trading terminals, thrnugh Exchange launched a ne\'1' shaise Plice
v,1hich investors in every nook and corner Index, NSE-50 in place of NSE-100 in
of India can b.'ade. Ap1il, 1996. NSE-50 includes
• NSE has played a critical role in 50 companies shares. This stock
reforming the Indian securities market exchanges was founde d on Fenvani
and in bonging unparalleled Committees's recommendation in
transparency, efficiency and maiJcet 1994.
integrity. NSE has a maiJcet • The CNX Nifty covers 22 sectors of the
capitabsation of more than US$2.27 Indian economy and offers invesbnen t
trillion making it the world's 11th largest managers e>...-posme to the Indian mai·ket
stock exchange as of April 2018.
in one portfolio. The CNX Nifty index is
MCX SX Stock Exchange a free float mai·ket capitabsation
weighted index.
• It is a private stock exchange head-
quartered in Mumbai, which was • The CNX Nifty Index was developed by
founded in 2008. Now it js a MCX-SX Ajay Shah and Susan Thomas.
Full Fledged Stock Exchange. Global Indices
• Secillities and Exchange Board of India
Index Country
(SEBI) on 10th JuJy, 2012 granted
perm.ission to MCX Stock Exchange Hang Seng Hong Kong
(MCX-SX) to operate as full-fledged JCI Indonesia
stock exchange. Nikkei 225 Japan
• MCX-SX wouJd be able to offer addition al Kospi South Korea
asset classes, such as eqwty and equity Kualalumpur Composite Malaysia
F and O (Fu tmes and Options) interest TSEC Weighted Index Taiwan
rate futures and ,,vholesale debt SSE Composite Index China
seg1nents. SET Thailand
FTSE 100 UK
Important Share Price Indexes NASDAQ Composite Index us
of India STOXX Europe
• BSE SENSEX Trus is the most Dow Jones us
sensitive share index of the Mumbai
Stock Exchange. This is the Credit Rating Agencies
representative index of 30 main shai·es. • It is a company that assigns credit ratings
Its base year is 1978-79. BSE is the for issuers of certain type of debt
oldest stock exchange of India, founded obligation as well as the debt instTument,
in 1875. example of issuers aise companies, State
• The barometer of Indian capital maiJcet. and Central Government etc.
BSE sensitive index also referred to as • The credit rating represents the credit
BSE-30 is a free-float maiJcet rating agency's evaluation of quabtative
capitab-sations-weighted stock maiJcet and quantitative information for a
index of 30 well established and company or government; including
financially sound comparues listed on non-public information obtained by the
Bombay Stock Exchange. credit rating agencies analysts. The
• The free-float mai·ket capitabsation of a credit rating js used by individuals and
company is determined by muJtiplytng entities that purchase the bonds jssued
the pdce of its stocks by the nunJber of by companies and governments to
shares issued by a company which is determine the Wcelihood that the
readily available for trading on the stock government or company will pay its bond
exchange. The base year/ period of obligations.
SENSEX js 1978-79.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ Indian Economy
G
• CRIS1L set-up in 1988, is a credit rating • In some cases, the services of the
agency. It undertakes the rating fixed underlying debt are also given ratings.
deposit programmes, convertible and
Credit Raung Established Head-
non-convertible debentures and also
Agency quarters
credit assessment of companies.
FITCH Group 1913 Paris
• CRIS1L 500 1s the net share Price Index
Sand P 1860 New York
introduced by Credit Rating Agency.
Group
The 'Credit Rating Information
Moody's 1909 New York
Services of India LlmHed' (CRISIL) on
Investor
18th J anuary, 1996. Services
I UNION BUDGET I
• The budget is an extensive account of Stages in Budget Enactment
the government's finances, in '"''hich The budget goes through the following six
revenues from all sources and expenses stages in the Parliament
of all activities undertaken a.1.·e • Presentation of the budge t on the floor of
aggregated. the house before the Lok Sabha.
• The Finance Minis ter presents the • General discussion on the budget.
Union Budget eve1--y year in the
Parliament that contains the • Scrutiny by depa.1.·bnentally related
Government of lnrna's revenue and standing commjttees.
e>...-penditme for one fisc al yea.1.·, which • Voting on demands for gran ts.
runs from 1st April to 31st Ma.1.·ch. • Passing of Appropliation Bill (Article 114 of
the Constitution of lndia).
Historical Preview • Passing of Finance Bill (under Rule 2 19
• The term 'Budget' is acutally derived of the Lok Sabha).
from a French word 'Bougette', which
means a sack or pouch. It was first used Vote on Account
in France in 1803. • Usually, the Appropdation Bill
• In the Constitution of lnrna the term (e>...-penrnture pa.1.t of budget) is passed by
Budget is nowhere used. It is rather end of Apij}, but government needs
mentioned as Annual Financial money from beginnmg of :financial yea.1.·,
Statement under Article 112 so government use vote-on-account to
comprising the revenue budget, capital remove money from consolida ted fund of
budget and also the estimates for the India.
ne:,.._i: fiscal yea.1.· called budgeted
estimates. Types of Budgeting
Preparation of Budget Line I te111 Budgeting
The budget is prepa.1.·ed by the budget If emphasises on the items (objec ts) of
division in the Ministery of Finance expenrnture without highlighting its
(MoF), after consu.1 ting with other purpose. It gives oqject-wise (Line-item)
minisb.jes and the Planning Commission . classification in budget. Under tms system,
The process majody includes following the amount granted by the legislature on a
steps which may be sequential or specific item should be spent on that item
overlapping too. only.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ Indian Economy
Quick Digest
specific lin e items are increasing or
e
decreasing. Zero based budgeting also refers
• John Mathai proposed the first budget of to the ident::i.fication of a task or tasks and
Republic of India in 1950 and also the the □ funding resources to complete the task
creation of Planning Commi ssion. indepe □ de □ t of cune □ t renouncing.
Glossary
Absolute Advantage The ability to than its impmis, it has a balance of rr·ade
produce more units of a good or service surplus. If the value of a counb.-y's impmis
than some other producer, using the of goods and services js greater than its
same quantity ofresotJTces. eA-ports, it has a balance of b:ade deficit.
Aggregate Demand (AD) A schedule Balanced Budget A financial plan, in
(or graph) that shows the value of v, hich income is equal to expenses.
1
output (real GDP) that ,,vould be Blue Chip Stocks Stocks in large,
demanded at different plice levels. nationally known companfos that have
Aggregate Supply (AS) A schedule (or been profitable for a long time and are
graph) that shows the value of output well-known and trusted.
(real GDP) that would be produced at Command Economy An economy, in
different plice levels. In the long run, v,1hich most economk issues of
the schedule shows a constant level of production and rnstribution are
real GDP at all price levels, determined resolved through cenb.·al planning and
by the economy's productive capacity at controlling.
full employment. In the short run, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) A price
aggregate supply schedule may show index that measures the cost of a fixed
different levels of real GDP as the plice basket of consumer goods and services
level changes. and compares the cost of tms basket in
Automated Teller Macbjne (ATM) A one time pe1iod ,11,jth its cost in some
machine that provides cash and base pedod. Changes in the CPI are
performs banking services (for deposits used to measure inflation.
and transfers of funds between Cost-Push InIJation Inflation caused by
accounts,) automatically, when Iising costs of production.
accessed by customers using plastic
Crowding-Out Increased interest rates
cards coded , 1vi th Personal
and decreased plivate investn1ent
Indentification Numbers (PINs).
caused by government borrovving.
Balance of Payments Delicit An
imbalance in a nation's balance of Currency Devaluation A government
adjusts the value of the nation's
payments, where more cunency is
cmrency so that it buys less of foreign
flowing out of the counb.}' than is cunencies than before.
flowing in. Thjs unequal flow of
Ctu-rent Account Part of a nation's
cunency is considered unfavourable
balance of payments accounts; records
and can lead to a loss of foreign
eA-ports and imports of goods and
cunency reserves.
services, net investn1ent income and
Balance of Payments Sw·plus An transfer payments with other counb.ies.
imbalance in a nation's balance of
Ctu-rent Account Balance The inflow of
payments, in which more cw-rency js
the goods, services, investn1ent income
flowing in to the counb.}' than is flowing
and rr·ansfer accounts into the
out. T.Ws unequal flow of currency js
domestic counb.}' from foreign
considered favomable and can lead to
counb.ies netted against the outflow of
an increase in foreign cunency
goods, services, investment income and
reserves.
transfer accounts from the domestic
Balance of Trade The part of a nation's country to foreign countries.
balance of payments accounts that deals
Demand-Pull InIJation Inflation caused
only with its in1ports and exports of
by increasing demand for output or 'too
goods and services. The balance of rr·ade
much money chasing too few goods.'
is mvided into the balance on goods
(merchandise) and the balance on Depreciation A reduction in the value
sel'Vices. If the value of a counb.)''s of capital goods over time due to their
eA-ports of goods and services is greater use in production.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ Indian Economy
a nation's money; a rate free to rise or all or most of the production or sales
fall (to float). of a good or service in a particulai·
HyperinDation A very rapid rise in the mai·ket and where barders to ne\'I'
overall plice level. firms entering the market are very
high. Some oligopolies produce
Imperfect Competition Any market homogeneous products; others
sb.-uctw:e, in which firms are not price produce heterogeneous products.
talcers, but instead must seek the price
and output levels that maximise their Open Market Operations The buying
profits. and selling of government bonds and
secudties by the federal Reserves to
Initial Public Oifering (IPO) A company's central bank reserve and the money
first sale of stock to the public. When a supply.
company 'goes public', it sells blocks of
Pegged Exchange Rate An exchange
stock shai-es to an investment firm that
rate that is fixed ,vithin a certain ranoe
e:,
speciilises in initial offerings of stock
or against a major currency or basket
and resells them to the public.
of currencies.
Market Failrn·es The systematic over
production or underproduction of some Perfect Competition A market
goods and services that occurs, when sb.·uctme, in which a lai·ge number of
producers or consumers do not have to relatively small firms produce and sell
bear the full costs of b.-ansactions they identical products and in which there
undertake. Usually related to are no significant barriers to entry into
exte1·nilities or the need for public or exit from the indusb.-y.
goods. Prog1·essive Tax A tax that take a
lai·ger percentage of income from
Monopolistic Competition A market
people in higher-income groups than
sb.-ucture, in which slightly
from people in lower-income ones: the
differentiated products ai·e sold by a
US federal income tax is an example.
Jarge number of relatively small
producers and in which the barriers to Recession A decline in the rate of
new firms entering the market are low. nation al economic activity, usually
meaEured by a decline in real GDP for
Monopoly A market sb.·ucture in which
atleast two consecutive quaiters (i.e. 6
there is a single supplier of a good or
months).
service. Also, a firm that is the single
supplier of a good or service, for which Regressive Tax A tax that takes a
there ai·e no close substitutes; also lai·ger percentage of income from
known as a monopolist. people in lower-income groups than
Monopsony A mai·ket situation, in which from higher-income ones. Sales taxes
there is only one buyer of a resource. and excise taxes are examples.
Also, a firm that is the only buyer of a Velocity of Money Member The
resow·ce; also Jmown as a monopsonist. average number of times each dollar is
spent on final goods and services in a
Natrn·a.l Monopoly An industry, in which
yeai·.
the advantages of large-scale production
e GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ Indian Economy
Units
Measurnment of any physical quantity Greatest Units
involves comparison , 1vith a certain basic 1 light year =9.46 x 1015 ID
arbitradly chosen and widely accepted
I parsec= 3.086 x 1016 ID= 3.26 ly
reference standard called unit.
1 AU= 1.5 x 101 1m
SI SYSTEM 1 meb.ic tonne = 103 kg
It is based on the following seven basic 1 quintal = I 0 2 kg
zmiits and two supplementary units
Name of Quantity Name of Un;t
Dimensions of Physical
Basic Units
Quantities
Djmensions of a physical quantity are the
■ Length metre
powers, to v, hich the fundamental
1
Neub·al Equilibrium
If on slight displacement from equilibiium position a body h as no tendency to come back
to its original position or to move in the direction of displacement, it is said to be in
neutral equilibliwn.
• In neutral equilibriWJJ, the centre of gravity always remains at the same height.
Condition.for Stable Equilibrium,
For stable equilibiium of a body, the following two conditions should be fulfilled
(i) The centre of gravity of the body should be at the minimWJJ height.
(ii) The vertical line passing through the centre of gravity of the body should pass through
the base of the body.
Centre of Mass Centre of mass of a body (system of particles) is a point '"''here the entire
mass of the body is supposed to be concentrated. We can define position of centre of mass
rby
X- 77Z-1F I + m2r 2 + .. .. .. ..+ m,, 1'11
m1 + m2_ + ........ + m11
whel'e, r 1,r 2 , •. •• • rri are position vec tors of constituent particles.
FRICTION
• If we slide or b.'y to slide a body over a surface, the motion is resis ted by a bonding
bet\l\ieen the body and the surface. This resistance is called mctional force .
• The opposite force that comes in to play when one body tends to move over the surface
of anothel' body but actually motion h as yet not started is called static friction.
• The maximWJJ value of the static fdction al force which comes into play when a body
j ust begins to slide over the surface of another body is called llmiti.ng [rictionaJ force.
• When two bodies actually roll on each other (as in case of ball bearing), the rolling
friction comes into play.
• When two bodies actually slide over each other, s liding friction comes into play.
• When a body moves over the other body, then the force of fdction acting behveen t\ivo
surfaces in contact in relative motion is called Kinetic Fiiction .
• µ 5 >µ" >µr, here µ 51 µ" and~ are called coefficient of static, ]dnetic and rolling fdction
respectively.
• The turning effect of a force on a body where, Me is the mass of the Earth and Re is
1s ]mown as the moment of the force or the rad.ius of Earth.
torque. Torque is a vec tor quantity. • The value of g at the surface of Earth 1s
Le. Torque, Z = F. d 9.8m/s 2 .
Whel'e, F = force • The Earth is surrounded by an
d = perpend.icular d.istance of force from atmosphere of gases due to gravity. The
the axis of rotation. value of g on the Moon is I/6th of that on
the Earth surface.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ General Science
scalar quantity.
• Pressure in a liquid js given by p = hpg Pascal's Law
where , h is the height, (p) js density of the • The pressure exerted anywhere at a
liquid and g js acceleration due to gravity. point of confined fluid is transmitted
• Abnospheric pressw-e of I abn equal]y and undinJ.inisbed in all
5 2 directions throughout the liquid .
= 1.01 x 10 N/m = 760 torr
• Atmospheric pressw-e decreases with • Hydraulic lift, hydraulic press,
altitude. This is , 1vhy (i) it is difficult to cook hydraulic bral<e work on the basis of
on the mountain, (ii) the fountain pen of a Pascal's law.
passenger lealcs in aeroplane at height.
• Atmospheric pressure is measw-ed by BUOYANCY
barometer. The slow rise in the barometric • The upward force exerted by a fluid on
reading is the indication of clear weather. the immersed body js called buoyant
• Sudden fall in barometric reading is the force or upthrust. The upthrust acts at
inrncation of storm. the centre of gravity of the liquid
• Slow fall in barometric reading js the displaced by the submerged part of the
inrncation of rain. body that is called the centre of
buoyancy.
DENSI1Y AND • Buoyant force depends on the density
of the fluid and not on the density of
RELATIVE DENS11Y body and acts on centre of gravity of
• The density of a substance (p) is defined as displaced fluid.
the ratio of its mass (M) to its volume (V).
.
1.e.
D .
e □stty
Mass Archimedes' Principle
Volume • When a solid body is immersed wholly
Its unit is kg/m 3 . or partially in a liquid, then there is
• Density of water is maximum at 4°C. some apparent loss in its weight. This
• The relative density js defined as the ratio loss in weight is equal to the weight of
of the density of the substance to the the liquid displaced by the body.
density of water at 4° C i.e. Law of Floatation
Relative density
_ Density of substance • Whenever a solid body js dipped in to a
fluid, the fluid exerts force of
Density of water at 4 ° C
buoyancy on it, if the force of
• Relative density has no unjt_ buoyancy equals to weight of the solid,
• Relative density is measw-ed by hydrome ter. the solid will remain in equilibrium.
• Ice floats on water surface as its density This is called floatation.
(0.92 g/cm 3) js lesser than the density of • If density of material of body js equal
3
, 111ater (1 g/cm ) . to density of liquid, the body floats
• The density of human body is less than the fully submerged in liquid in neutral
density of water but the density of head is equilibtium.
greater than the density of wa ter.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ General Science
Terminal Velocity ■
no force acts on the pai-ticle.
■
velocity js maxinJum.
• When a body falls in a viscous medium, its
■ acceleration is zero.
velocity first increases and finally becomes
constant. Tbfa constant velocity js caJJed • kinetic ene1·gy is maximum.
terminal velocity. ■ potential energy js zero.
• Terminal velocity of a spherical body falling in When a particle executing SHM is
a viscous medium is proportional to the squai·e at the exb:eme end, then
of radius of the body. ■ velocity of pai·ticle is zero.
• When a Uqujd flow thrnugh a pipe, jts speed is acceleration of the pai·ticle is
maxinJum near axis and minimum neai· the maximum .
, 111alls of the pipe. ■ kinetic energy of pai·ticle is zero.
• According to the eq uation of continuity the ■ potential energy is maximum.
speed of fJui d Dow becomes faster in the ■ restoring force acting on the
na1-rm11r pipe. pai·ticle is maximum.
• Stream Line Flow or Steady Flow In tWs Note
flow velocity at every point in the fluid ,•vill • In case of spri11g bloch system the
remains constant. restori'llg force F=-la
• Tw·buJent Flow In tWs flow, the speed of where, .x is displace111e11t of the bloch
wa ter is quite high, then the flow becomes from 111ea11 posil'iou a11d h is spri11g
irreguJai-. constant.
• Critical Velocity The lirniting velocity of a • In case of spri'llg blocle system, time
liquid above whkh flow will become tmbuJent. period' oscillat'io1L is give1L by
• Principle of Contin uity For a tube of flow, T= 2rc '!!!:..
k , wit ere 111 is 111ass o,f the
bet\•veen t\vo points h aving area of
cross-section A1 and A 2 and velocities v 1 and bloch.
v 2 , bet\veen t\vo poin ts Av= Constant, ⇒
A1V1 =A2.V2 Periodic Motion
• Any motion which repeats itself
Bernoulli's Theorem after a reguJar in terval of time is
• When an incompressible and non-viscous called periodic or harmonic
liquid ( or gas) flows in streanliined motion motion and the pedod of repetition
from one place to another, then at every point js called time period_.
of its path the total energy per unit volume • Motion of hands of a clock, motion
(pressure energy + kinetic energy + potential of Eai·th ai·ound the Sun, motion of
energy) remains constant. the needle of a sewing machine are
l o the examples of peliodic motion.
i.e. p+pg h+-pv-=constant
2
where, p = press me, p = density of fluid, v = Oscillatory Motion
velocity of flow, h = height of the tube of flow • If a pai·ticle repeats its motion after
• Venturimete1~ Pitot tube, Bunsen's bmner, a reguJai· time intervals about a
atomjzer, fil ter pump and magnus effect ai·e fixed point, motion js said to be
based upon the Bernoulli's theorem. oscillatory or vibratory.
• Motion of piston in an automobile
SIMPLE HARMONIC engine, motion of balance wheel of
MOTION a watch ai·e the examples of
oscillatory motion.
• If a body moves to and fro on a straight line
about a fixed position, then its motion is called Simple Pendulum
simple hai·monic motion.
• It is a heavy point mass suspended
When a pai-ticle executing SHM passes thrnugh from a rigid support by means of an
the mean position, then
elastic inextensible string.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ General Science
e
• Time peliod of simple pendulwn ascending, then time period of pendulum
'"'ill decrease.
T = 2Jr ,_ _le_n_gth
__o_f p_ e_n_d_ul
_ um
__
• If a lift falling freely under gravity, then the
acceleration due to gravity
time period of the pendulum will be
where, l is the length of simple infinHe. At Moon, the time period of simple
pendulwn and gis the acceleration due penduJunJ increases, because acceleration
to gravity. due to gra,rity at Moon decreases.
• The maximum time peLiod of a simple
pendulum js 84 .6 min.
• A pendulwn clock goes slow in
Resonance
summer and fast in winter. • It is a phenomenon that occurs when a vibrating
• If a simple penduJum js suspended in system or external force drive another system to
a lift descending dmm with oscillate with greater amplitude at a specific
acceleration, then time peLiod of preferential frequency.
pendulum v,ill increase. If lift is
Wave Motion
WAVES Electromagnetic Waves
• A wave is a disturbance which • The wave which do not require mediunJ for
propagates energy from one place to their propagation i.e. which can propagate
the other \"irithou t the b.'ansport of even though the vacuum are called
matter. electromagnetic wave. They propagate as
• These are of two types transverse wave.
(i) Mechamcal waves • The wavelength range of elecb.'omagneoc
(ii) Elecb.'omagnetic waves wave is 10-4 m to 104 m .
• Cathode rays, canal rays, a-rays, ~-rays are
Mechanical Waves not electromagneoc waves. Light and heat
• The waves which require mateLial waves are examples of elecb.'omagneoc
medium (solid, liquid or gas) for their waves.
propagation are called mechamcal
waves or elastic waves.
Impo1tant Te1ms
• These are of two tzJpes Related to Waves
I . Longitudinal waves • Amplitude Maximum displacement of a
vibrating pa.rode of medium from its mean
2 . Transverse ,,,.,aves
posioon is called amplitude.
Longitudinal Waves • Phase The position of a point in tinJe
• If the pa.rodes of the medium vibrate (instant) on wave form cycle.
in the direction of propagation of wave • Wavelength Wavelength js the distance
motion, the wave is called longitudinal beh veen any two nearest pa.rode of the
1
• The clinical thermometer reads from • Hot water burns are less severe than that
96°F to 1 10°F of steam bmns because steam has Wgh
• Triple point is the state at wWch all the latent heat.
three states of matter coexist. The • Latent heat of fusion of ice js 80 cal/g.
triple point of wateris 273.16 K. • Latent heat ofvapoLisation of steam is 536
• Scales of temperatw·e measw:ement cal/g.
C F - 32 R K - 273 • Its SI unit is J/kg. Ice at 0°C appears
- = --- = - = --- colder than that water at 0°C, because ice
5 9 4 5
takes more heat.
• The temperature at hich Celsius and
\"i1
• Molar Heat Capacity at Constant
Reaumtll" scale read the same is zero.
Pressw·e (Cp) lt is the anrnunt of
• Freezing point of mercw:y js - 39° C.
heat required to raise the temperatw:e of 1
Hence, to measU1·e temperatw·e below
mole of gas by 1 Kat constant p ressme.
this temperature, alcohol thermometer
js used. Freezing poin t of alcohol is • Molar Heat Capacity at Constant
ll5°C. Volume (Cv) It is the amount of heat
reqwred to raise the temperatill·e of
Pyrometer I mole of gas by 1 K at constant volume.
• Pyrometer measures the temperatw:e Cp - Cv =R (Mayer's relation)
of a body by measuring the radiation where, R is gas constant= 2 cal mol- 1IC1
emitted by the body. y = Cp = ratio is of specific heat capacities
• It cannot measw:e temperatw·e below Cv
800°C because at lm'I' temperatill·e Thermodynamics
emission of radiation is very small and
cannot be detected . • Zeroth law of Thermodynamics If two
bodies A and B are separately in thermal
equilibtium with the tWrd body C, then A
SPECIFIC HEAT and B will be in thermal equilibtium with
• It is the amount of heat required to each other.
raise the temperatill·e of a llillt mass of • First Law of Thermodynamics The
the substance by I °C. Its unit is J/kg-°C. an1ount of heat given to a system is used
• It is given by S=_g__, where m is the up in hvo ways, first to increase the
m!:10 in ternal energy and second to do the
mass Q is amount of heat given to the external work.
substance and !10 is change in • i.e. dQ = dU (internal energy) + dW
temperatw·e. (work done).
• Specific heat of water is 4200 Jkg-10 C-1 • Second Law of Thermodynamics The
or lcalg-1 0 C-1 wWch js hjgh in second law of thermodynamks is the
outcome of human e:\.-pe11ence under
compa11son to most other substances.
wWch heat energy can be converted in to
Therefore, water is used as coolant in mecharncal energy.
radiator of vemcle.
• Kelvin-Planck's Statement lt is
• For most substances, the specific heat
impossible to consb.-uct a device whkh
increases with rise in temperatw·e and
operates in a cycle that will take heat from
assumes a constant value at hjgh a body and convert it completely into the
temperatw·e. work without producing any other effect.
• The specific heat of water, however • Clausius Statement It is impossible to
decreases with rise in temperatill·e from conslTuct a self acting device whkh
0°C to about 4°C after wWch it operates in a cycle that '"'ill
transfer heat
increases with temperatU1·e. from a cold body to a h ot body without
• Mercury has low specific heat. e:\.-penditure of work.
• Latent Heat of Vaporisation It js the • Change in enb.-opy at temperature T.
anrnunt of heat required to change the When !iQ amount of heat exchanged is
phase of the substance at constant !is= !iQ its SI unit is J/K.
temperatw·e. T
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ General Science
Convection
Practical Applications
• In th.is process, heat is tTansferred by
of Thermal Expansions
the actual movement of pa.i·ticles of
• Telephone wires are given enough gap to the mediunJ due to diffemnce in
allow the wires for contraction in winter_ densities of different pa.i·ts of the
• An ordinary pendulum clock runs faster in mediunJ.
winter but slower in summer, because in • In liq u.id and gases tTansm.ission of
summer the length of pendulu m increases, heat tal{es place by convection
while in winter it decreases. process. Th.is process is also slm"i'.
• In the construction of bridges, ends of steel • The chimney used in kitchen or in a
girders are not fixed but placed on rolls to allow factory is based on the convection.
free expansion and contraction in summer and In rooms ventilators a.i·e provided to
winter respectively to avoid any damage to the escape the hot air by the process of
bridge. convection.
• A gap is provided between the iron rails of the
railway track so that rails can easily expand Radiation
during summer and do not bend. lt is the qu.ickest way of transm.ission of
heat in which there is no need of
Humidity medium for transfer of heat. Heat from
• The anrnunt of water vapour in air is called the Sun maches the Earth by rad.iation .
In th.is process, heat is b.-ansferred at the
as hum.idity.
speed of light.
• The amount of water vapour present in 1 m 3
air is called its absolu te hum.idity. Kirchhoff's Law
• The ratio of a.mount of water vapow.· (m) • Kirchboff 's law signifies that good
actually present in a certain volume of air absorbers are good em.itter.
at a given temperatw.·e to the a.mount of
• If a shining metal ball with some black
wa ter vapour (M) required to satw.·ate it, is
spot on its surface is heated to a h.igh
called Relative HumjdHy (RH) .
temperatlll'e, the shining ball becomes
• Relative hum.idity is measured by dull but the black spots shines brilliantly
hygrometer. because black spot absorbs radiation
• Relative h umid.ity increases with the dwiog heating and emit in dark.
increase of temperatw.--e.
e GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ General Science
Refraction of Light
if - - 1s even or th e ob.uect Ii es
3500 .
• When a ray of lig}Jt passes from
0 one medium to other, it bends from
symmemcaliy. its path. This phenomenon of
(b) Nwnber ofinJage, bending of lig}Jt ray is called as
~- e- 1
3600 3600 refraction of lig}Jt.
n-
- (
)' if - e- 1·s odd or· the
• When a ray of lig}Jt travels from one
object bes asymmemcally. medium to another the wavelength and
velocity of lig}Jt changes, but the
Reflection at Spherical frequency does not change.
Surface Laws of Refraction
• Sphelical mirrors are the mirrors in There are two laws of refraction
\ 'l1hich reflecting surface side js spbelical.
(i) The incident ray, the refracted ray
There are two types of spherical mirrors and the norm al at the point of
(i) Convex mirror incidence ali lie on the same plane.
(ii) Concave mirror (ii) The ratio of the sine of the angle of
1vli1TOr
\\ " ~- ·
.1orm
£ uJ a 1s
. given
. b y -I +-1 =-1 incidence to the sine of the angle of
. di V ZL f refraction is a constant for a given
u = obuect stance,
medium
v = inJage distance
sin i µ.,
f = foc al length of the mirror - .- =] µ2, =--=-
sm r µn
Magnification (m)
where, 1µ 2 is caJJed refractive index of
Length (height) of inJage - v
second medium with respect to first
Length (height) of object u medium.
where, C is centre of curvature, Pis pole of the mirror and Fis focus.
Image Formati on by Convex Mirror
Position of Object Position of Image Size of Image Nature of Image
At infinity At F Highly diminished Erect and virtual
Between infinity and pole Between F and P Diminished Erect and virtual
Electricity
Electric Charge where, e = ± 1.6 X 10- 19 C
• It is something that a body attains when it • Conductors ar-e those substances
loses or gains the electrons. which allow passage of elecb1cal
• The positive and negative labels and sign for charge to flow thrnugh them and
electric char·ges were chosen arbitrarj]y by have very low electrical 1-esistance.
Ben jam in Franklin. • Me tals like silver, iron , copper are
• Similar· char·ges repel each other while conductors.
opposite charges attract each other. • Human body and Earth act Wee a
• Char·ge is a scalar· quantity and its SI WJ.it is conductor. Silver is the best
coulomb C. conductor.
• Electricity is associated with the char·ge. • lnsuJators ar-e those substance
• The proton possesses positive char·ge ( +e) which do not allow passage of charge
and electron possesses an equal negative through themselves. Rubber, wood,
charge (-e) , m_jca, glass, ebonite are insulators.
GENERAL KN OWLEDGE ~ General Science
• Spintronics a technology that exploits the inb.insic spin of the electron and it
assocfated , 1vith magnetic with moment, in addition to its fundan1ental elecb.·onic
charge, in solid-state devices.
• Diamondoids Non-scale molecules "'~th
charactelistic diamond sb.·ucture isolated from
peb.·oleum.
• Grey Goo is hypothetical end-of-the-,"i1orld scenario involving molecular
nanotechnology in whkh out of control self- replicating robots consume all matter on
earth, while building more of themselves.
• Carbon nanotubes and nanofibers are molecular-scale tubes of graphitic carbon with
outstanding properties.
• Nano computing is the technique of computing by using the various nano
components.
Units of Measurement
Quantity Unit (SI) Quantity Unit (SI)
■ Volume Cubic metre ■ Heat Joule
2
■ Aooeleration Metre/seoond ■ Absolute temperature Kelvin
■ Density Kilogram/metre 3 ■ Resisiance Ohm
■ Momentum Kilogram metre/second ■ Electromotive force Volt
■ Work Joule ■ Electrical oonductivity Mho/metre
■ Energy Joule ■ Electric energy Kilo \1/att hour
■ Pressure 2 ■ Electric po\1/er
Pascal or Newton/metre Kilo \1/att or \1/att
■ Frequency Her1z ■ Magnetic intensity Orsted
■ Power Watt ■ Charge Coulomb
■ Weight Ne\1/ton or Kilogram ■ Magnetic induction Gauss
■ Impulse Ne\1/ton-second ■ Intensity of sound Decibel
■ Angular velocity Radian /second ■ Power of lens Dioptre
■ Viscosity Poise ■ Depth of sea Fathom
■ Surface tension Ne\1/ton/metre
Instrument Use
■ Calorimeter It measu res quantity of heal
■ Cardiogram It traoes movements of the heart, reoorde d on a cardiograph.
■ Chronometer It determines longitude of a plaoe kept on boa rd ship.
■ Cinematography It is an instrument used in oinema making.
■ Dynamo It converts meohanical energy into electrical energy.
■ Dynamometer It measu res electrical power.
■ Eleotrometer It measu res electrioity _
■ Eleotroscope It detects presence of an electric charge.
■ Endosoope It e>camines internal parts of the body.
■ Fathometer It measu res the depth of the ooean _
■ Galvanometer It measu res the eleotric ou rrent of low magnitude.
■ Hydrometer It measu res the speoific gravity of liquids.
■ Hygrometer It measu res humidity in air.
■ Hydrophone It measu res sound under water.
■ Laotometer It determines the purity of milk.
■ Manometer It measu res the pressure of gases.
■ Mariner's compass It is an instrument used by the sailors to determine the direotion .
■ Miorophone It converts the sound wave s into electrical vibrat ions.
■ Mioroscope It is used to obtain magniiied view of small objects.
■ Odometer It is an instrument by which the distanoe covered by wheeled vehioles
is measu re d.
■ Phonograph It is an instrument for produoing sound.
■ Photometer This instrument oompares the luminous intensity of t he source of lighL
■ Periscope It is used to view objects above sea level (used in sub-marines).
■ Radar It is used for detecting the direction and range of an approaohing
plane by means of radio microwave s.
■ Radiometer It measu res the emission of radian t energy.
■ Seismograph It measu res the intensity of earthquake shocks.
■ Salinometer It determines salinity of solution.
■ Spectrometer It is an instrument for measuring the energy distribution of a particular
type of radiation.
■ Speedometer It is an instrument placed in a vehiole to reoord its speed.
■ Sphygmomanometer It measu res blood pressure.
■ Spherometer It measu res the ourvatures of surfaces.
■ Stereoscope It is used to view two dimensional pictures.
■ Stethosoope An instrument which is used by the doctors to hear and analyse heart
and lung sounds.
■ Stroboscope It is used to view rapidly moving objects.
■ Tachometer An instrument used in measuring speeds of aeroplanes and motor
boats.
■ Telesoope It views distant objects in space.
■ Thermometer This instrument is used for the measurement of temperatures.
■ Thermostat It regulates the temperatu re at a partioular poinl
■ Voltmeter It measu res the electric potential difierenoe between two points.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ General Science
e
Inventions and Discoveries
Invention Year Inventor Count.ry
■ Adding machine 1642 Pascal France
■ Aeroplane 1903 Orville & Wilbur Wright USA
■ Air conditioning 1902 Carrier USA
■ Airplane (Jet engine) 1939 Ohain Germany
■ Airship (Non-rigid) 1852 Henri Ginard France
■ Atomic bomb 1945 J Robert Oppenheimer USA
■ Ball-point pen 1888 John J Loud USA
■ Barometer 1644 Evangelista Torricelli Italy
■ Battery (Electric) 1800 Alessandro Volta Italy
■ Bicycle 1839-40 Kirkpatrick Macmillan Briiain
■ Bicycle tyres (Pneumatic) 1888 John Boyd Dunlop Briiain
■ Bifocal lens 1780 Benjamin Franklin USA
■ Bleaching powder 1798 Tennant Britain
■ Bunsen burner 1855 R Willhelm van Bunsen Germany
■ Burglar alarm 1858 Edwin T Holmes USA
■ Camera (Kodak) 1888 Walker Eastman USA
■ Car (Steam) 1769 Nicolas Cugnot France
■ Car (Petrol) 1888 Karl Benz Germany
■ Carbu retor 1876 Gottlieb Daimler Germany
■ Cassette (Videotape) 1969 Sony Japan
■ Cement (Portland) 1824 Joseph Aspdin Britain
■ Cinema 1895 Nicolas & Jean Lu miere France
■ Clock (Mechanical) 1725 I-Hsing & Liang Ling-Tsan China
■ Cloak (Pendulum) 1656 Christian Huygens Netherlands
■ Compact disc 1972 RCA USA
:~ =f =I;(a=~J
where, 7i js the rate of diffusion for the
• These rays can)' negative charge and
generate X-rays.
• Electron was discovered by JJ Thomson.
[It's antiparticle is posib_-on C+1 e 0 ) ]_
first gas (volume or nwnber of moles per
unjt time). • It has mass 91 x 10- 31 kg or 0_00054 u.
12 js the rate of diffusion for the second • It has charge - 1.6 xI0- 19 C (by
gas. Millikan's oil drop experiment)_
d1 is the density of gas 1.
d2 is the density of gas 2. Discovery of Anode Rays
M 1 is the molar mass of gas 1.
and Protons ( 1 H 1 or P)
M2 is the molar mass of gas 2. • These rays were discovered by Goldstein
(also caJJed positive rays).
Dalton's Law of Partial • These do not odginate from anode.
Pressures • These are positively charged and have
It states that the total pressure exerted by a velocity less than cathode rays.
gaseous mixture of two or more • Proton was discovered by Rutherford.
non-reacting gases is equal to the sum of • It js positively charged_
the partial pressures of each inmvidual • It js present in the nucleus.
component in the gas m.ixture.
• It has charge + 1.6 x 10- 19 C and mass
Ptolal = Pl + P2 + --- + Pu
1.672 X 10-27 kg or 1.00727 U .
Ideal and Real Gases • It h as mass 1836 times than that of the
• Ideal gases follow gas Jaws in aJJ elecb:on.
conmtions of temperature and pressure_
Discovery of Neutr on ( 0 n 1 )
• Real gases follov,r gas laws onJy at high
temperature and lm11r pressure. • It was discovered by Chadwick.
• It has zero charge and 1.674x 10- 27 kg
Critical Temperature or 1.00867u mass.
• It js the temperature above wWch a gas • It is present inside the nucleus . Its
cannot be liq uefied_ antiparticle is antineutri.no.
At STP, • Hydrogen is the onJy atom in whkb
p = 1 atm =760mm Hg neutrons are not present.
T= 273 K=0°C
• Electromagnetic forces bind elecb:ons
• Volume of one mole of all the gases
with the nucleus.
= 22 .40 L = 22400mL
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ General Science
1 s
order of energies of various orbitals is,
2 s, p ~ < 2s < 2p < 26 < 3p < 4s < 3d < 4p
3 s, p, d < 5s < 4d < 5p < 6s < 4f < 5d < 6p < 7s
4 s, p,d, f < 5f < 6d <7p
5 s, p, d, f
6 s, p, d
Hund's Rule ofMaximum
7 s, p
Multiplicity
It states that if two or more orbitals of equal
The names of these subshells are taken as energy are available, elecb.·ons , 1vill occupy
induding the orbital name with the them singly before filling them in pairs.
subshell name, e.g., the s-subshell of 5th
orbital is termed as 5s, 6d, etc. Quantwn Nmnbers
These show the position and energy of
Electronic Corrfig11Tation electrons in an atom. These are four in
• It is the arrangement of elecb.·ons in nmnbers
vaiious shells, subshells and orbitals in
an atom. Principal Quantum Number, n
• It is wiitten as 2, 8, 8, 18, 18, 32 • It desc1ibes the energy of elecb.·on and is
or always a positive integer (elecb.-on shell).
• It is ,..v1itten as nf (v,1here , n indicates • It is represented by K,L, M, N, ... or l , 2,
the pdncipal quantum number, l 3, 4, . ...
indicates the azimuthal quantum • It shows the distance of outer elecb.·on
number or subshell and xis the number from the nucleus.
of elecb.·ons).
• Number of electTons inn she ll = 2n 2 Azimuthal Quantum Number, /
e.g., in second shell the number of • It describes the subshells and orbital
electrons = 2 x2 2 = 8 exceptfons of angular momentum of each electron.
normal ru le. • It shows the shapes of orbitals, e . g.,
Electronic configuration of some elements s-orbHal is spherical, p-orbital is
are tabulated below dumb-bell shape, d-orbital is double
dumb-bell shape and !-orbitals have
Elements Configuration
complicated sb.·ucture.
2, 8, 8... nix type • It h as values O to n - 1.
type • l equal to O shows s-orbital, 1 shows
2, 8, 1 p-orbital, 2 shows d-orbital and 3 shows
f-orbital.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ General Science
RADIOACTIVTIY
• It was rnscovered by Henry Becquerel but occupy a position one place right to the
term ramoactivity was given by Madam parent nuclej in the periomc table
CL11ie. It is the process of spontaneous (Soddy Fajans group rnsplacement lav,1) .
msintegration of nucleus an d js
measured by Geiger counter. Gamma(y) Rays
• It is a nuclear phenomenon, thus • These are electromagnetic ramation an d
remains unaffected by external factors have very high penetrating power.
like temperatw·e, pressure, e tc. • These have low ionising power and
kinetic energy.
Radioactive Rays • Their emfasion does not affect the
Ramoactivity involves emission of a, ~ and position of nuclei in the periornc table.
"{ rays or particles and has WJ.lts Curie,
Becquerel, Rutherford. HaJf-Life Period
It js the tin1e in which a radioactive
Alpba(a) Rays substance remains h aJf of its odginaJ
• These rays consist of positively charged amount.
h eliwn nuclei (He++). They have +2 w:tit
charge and 4 u mass.
Nuclear Fission
• It is a process in wrnch a heavy nucleus
• They have lov,, penetrating power but
is broken dmm in to h'lro or more Ugh ter
very rugh ionising power and kinetic
fragments.
energy.
• It js usually accompanied , 1vith the
• An a-emjssion reduces the atomic mass
emfasion of neub.·ons and large amount
by 4 and atomic number by 2, thus, the
of energy. It js used in nuclear reactor
new nuclej formed occupy a position hvo
and atom bomb.
places left to the parent nuclei in the
peliomc table (Soddy Fajans group Atom Bomb
msplacement law).
lt js based on unconb.'olled nuclear fission.
lt contains 235 U or 239 Pu as fuel.
Beta ( ~) Rays
• These rays consist of negatively charged Nuclear Reactor
0
elecb.·ons (_ 1 e ) and have - I urut charge • It is a device that is used to produce
and zern mass. electricjty and pernJjts a controlled chain
• These are more dangerous than a-rays. nuclear fission .
• These have hjgh penetrating power as • It contains fuels e.g., 92 U 235 , moderator
compared to a-rays. (e.g., graphite and heavy water, D 20) to
• A ~enJjssion increased the atonnc slow do\l\rn neutrons and conb.·ol rods
nwnber by one ,vith no change in atomic (made up of boron steel or cadmium) to
mass, thus, the new nuclei obtained absorb neutrons.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ General Science
[H-!-+{
(Ammonium ion)
;c- N, etc
(Cyanide ion)
Decomposition Reactions
These are those irreversible reactions in wrnch,
a molecule decomposes into t\vo or more
simplei- molecules e.g.,
Hychogen Bond 2KC10 3 ~ 2KC1 + 30 2
• It js the atl.Tactive interaction of a Potassium Potass~um Oxygen
chlorate chloride
hydrogen attached to rngh]y
electrnnegative atom (such as N, F, Dissociation Reactions
0) with another electronegative
atom, such as nitTogen, m')'gen
. or These ,He those reversible reactions in wrnch a
fluorine . molecule dissociates into t\vo or more simple
molecules, e.g.,
• It is strnnger (bas energy 5 to
30 kJ/mol) than a van der Waals' 2 HJ ~
interaction. Hydrogen Hydrogen Iodine
iodiae
• It occms in both inorganic
molecules such as water and Reversible Reactions
organic molecules such as DNA_ Reversible reactions are those wrnch occms in
• Ethanol, amine (except 3° anline), forward as well as in backvvard direction but
etc. , can form H-bond with water, never go to completion.
so these are soluble in water
although these are covalent Irreversible Reactions
compounds . Irreversible reactions occur only in forward
direction and go to completion.
e GENERAL KNOWLEDGE - General Science
Mendeleefs Periodic Law • lt is the only block \"i Wch contain metals,
1
~
Oe Pr Nd Pm Sm Eu Gd Tb Dy Ho Er Tm Yb Lu
58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71
Th Pa u Np Pu Am Cm Bk Cf Es Fm Md No Lr
90 91 92 93 94 96 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103
f-blook or inner-transition elements
0 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ General Science
• It inci·eases across a period from left to • Sodium and potassium burn in water
light but EA of II(2), 15 group and 0 while calcium floats over it.
group is O or positive. • Copper (Cu) js the first metal used by
• It decreases on moving down a group. man.
• It js rnghest for chlorine. • Pb (lead) is a bad conductor of elecliicity.
• Ti (Titanium) is called strategic metal.
Elecb:onegativity
It js the tendency of an atom in a molecule Non-Metals and their Prope1ties
to attract the shared electrons towards itsel£• These may be solid, liqwd or gas
It :incrnases regularly along a period from left (bromine is the on]y liquid non-metal).
to right and decrnases on moving dm'l'Il a
• These are soft, non-lustrous, biittle,
group. It is mghest for fluorine.
non-sonorous and non-conductor of heat
Metals and their Properties and elecliicity.
• These are the elements which are hard, • These have lm"i' melting and boiling
lustrous, ductile, malleable, sonorous points.
and conductor of heat and electricity in • These form oxides ,,.rith oxygen wmch are
their solid as well as molten state. generally acidic.
• These form oxide with air. These oxides • Examples are noble gases li.e., helium
are generally basic, but oxides of zinc (He), neon-(Ne), argon (Ar), h yp ton
and aluminium are amphoteLic, i.e., (Kr), xenon (Xe) and some other p-block
have acidic as , vell as basic properties.
1 elements].
• These evolve hydrogen gas , 1vhen reacts • DlanJond is the hardest substance ]mown .
,,.rith wa ter and acids. Iodine is lusb:ous. Melting point is very
• Metals which are rnghly reactive high for dianJond and graphite.
displace the less reactive metals from • The order of hardness of some
their salts. The order of reactivity is : substances is : dianrnnd > corundum >
potassium (K) > calcium (Ca) > topaz > quartz .
sodium (Na) > magnesium (Mg) >
alumiruum (Al) > zinc (Zn) > iron (Fe)
Helium
> lead (Pb) > hydrogen (H) > copper • It is a noble gas (discovered by Lockyear
(Cu) > mercury (Hg) > silver (Ag) > and Janssen).
gold (Au) (Thus, gold js less reactive • It is used for filling balloons and other
metal). ligh ter aircrafts. Helium, when mixed
e.g., \i\!ben iron nails are kept in copper with OJ\..-ygen, is used by deep-sea divers
sulphate solution (blue), iron being more for breathing and for respiratory patients.
reactive displaces the copper from copper • It js used as a heat transfer agent in gas
sulphate solution and thus, the blue cooled nuclear reactors .
colour of solution disappears.
• Mercury (metal) js liquid at room Neon
temperatw·e. It was discovered by RanJsay and Travers. It is
• Metal with lowest density js lithium. used in neon signs.
• Tungsten js the metal having rngh est Argon
melting point.
It was discovered by Rayleigh and Ramsay. It
• Reactivity of metals increases while that js used to generate inert abnospbere for
of non-metals decreases on mmring welding and to fill incandescent light bulbs.
dmvn the group. A mixture of mercury vapours and argon gas
• Sodium and potassium are soft and js filled in tube lights.
rnghly reactive metals. These react ,,.rith
air and water. That's why these are kept Xenon
in kerosene oil. Silver, gold and It is called stranger gas. Xe, when mixed
platinum do not react with air even on with Kr, used in high intensity, short
sb:ong heating. eJ\..-posme photographic flash tubes .
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ General Science
Calcination
• It is the process of heating the concentra ted ore in absence or in lin:tited supply of air
belm'I' its melting point. It is done for hydroxide or carbonate ore.
• It is done in reverberatory furnace.
Roasting
• It is the process of heating the concentrated ore in excess of air.
• It is used for sulphide ores.
• It is done in reverberatory fui-nace .
Smelting
It is the process of heating the oxides of elements with coke and flux above their melting
point.
Flux and Slag
• These are the substances which converts infusible impurities into fusible substances
called slag.
• These are of two types : Acidic flux such as Si0 2 (used to remove basic imprnjties) an d
basic flux such as CaO, MgO (used to remove acidic impurities).
Electrolytic Refining
In electrolytic reE.rring, anode is made up of impme metal and cathode is made by thin
sb.ip of pure metal.
Alloys
These are mixtures of two metals or a metal and a non-metal. They have properties
different from the main me tal . An alloy of mercury is called amalgam.
• Acids h ave sour taste and turns blue Tartaric aoid Tamarind
litmus red. While , bases have bit ter tas te Aoetic aoid Vinegar
and tmns red litmus blue. Lactic aoid Milk
• Acids reacts with metal to libera te Hydroohloric aoid Stomaoh
h ydrogen gas. Oxa lic aoid Tomato
Acid + Metal ~ Sal t + Hydrogen gas.
• Bases also reacts \i\rith some metals to Uses of Some Acids and Bases
liberate hydrogen gas .
Acids Uses
e .g., Zn+ 2NaOH ~ Na 2 Zn0 2 + H2
Nitric aoid, oxalic photography
• Acid an d base reacts together to form salt aoid
and water and the reaction is called
neutrali sation re action . Sulphuri c acid petroleum exp loration
Acid + Base ~ Salt+ H2 O. Hydrochloric acid leather industry
HCI(a q) + NaOH(aq) ~ Benzoic acid, preserva tion for food
NaCI(aq) + H2 0(l) formic acid, stuff
• Acids reacts \'lrith metallic oxides to give citri c aoid,
salt and water which shm'l,s that m etallic aoetic aoid
oxides are basic in natme. Whereas,
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ General Science
Mixed Salt
pHValue These al'e obtained by neu b.-alisation of
• It is a measw·e of acirnty or basicity of a an acid by hvo base or a base by two
solution . acids. e.g., bleaching powder (CaOCl ~-
• It is defined as the negative logarithm of the
concen b.-ation in mol/L of h ydrogen ions Double Salt
vi'ltich it contains, i.e., lt js obtained by mixing h \10 or more
1 salt, e.g.,
pH =- log [H 1 = log-
[H 1 Alum (K2SO 4 -Al 2 (SO4 ) 3 -24H2 O),
or (H1 = 1 X 10-pl:I Mohr Salt (FeSO 4 · ~ ) 2 SO 4 · 6H2 O).
• It js 7 for neutral solution, greater than 7 for
Imp01tant Salts
basic solution and less than 7 for acirnc
solution . Common Salt
• pH of some common substances are: • lt is sornum chloride (NaCl).
Substance pH Substance pH • lt is obtained from sea water.
Gastric juioe 1.0-3.0 Rain water 6.0
• lt is also lrnm'l'Il as table salt.
Soft drinks 2.0-4.0 Tears 7.4 Baking Soda
Lemon 2.2-2.4 Sea waler 8.5
• lt js sornum h ydrogen carbonate
Vinegar 2.4-3.4 Milk of 10.6 (NaHCO 3 ). It is a rnild non-corrosive
magnesia
base.
Urine 4.8-8.4 Milk (oow) 6.3•6.6
(human) • ,iVhen mixed with a mild edible acid
such as tartai1c acid it is called
Saliva 6.5-7.5 Blood 7.30-7.42
(human) plasma baking powder and is used to make
(human) bread or cake soft an d spongy.
• lt is use d as mild antiseptic for sldn
Indicators infections, ill soda-acids an d as fire
• These al'e the substances which give extinguishers.
drlferen t coloms ill acidic and basic • Ant or bee sting contains methanoic or
solutions. formk acid . Due to v,1hich victim feel
• Some inrncators and their colom in acirnc pain and irritation. Use of a mild base
and basic mernum are : Wee bald.Ilg soda is a remedy for it.
INTRODUCTION CHARACTERISTIC OF
• Biology is a natural science LIVING ORGANISMS
concerned with the study of hfe and • They have cellular organisation and also
living organisms, i.e., plants and
respire, i.e., take in 0 2 and evolve CO2 .
animals. It is classified in to two part:
Botany and zoology. • Metabolism is one of the most important
charactelistic featme of living organism. It
• Study of plants is called Botany and comprises two phases that are anabolism
study of animals is called Zoology. (constructive phase) and catabolism
Zoology and Botany are collectively (destructive phase.)
called Biology. The term 'Biology'
• They take nutrition for their growth.
was coined by Lamarck and
Treviranus. • They h ave tendency to reproduce.
• The scientist who gave his thought • They have the ability to respond to changes
for the first time about the hle of in both internal and external environment
plan ts and animals was Aristotle. i.e. they have sensitivity. Their survival
0
The Cell
• The CeU is the basic sb.-uctural and 2. Eukaryotic CelJs (Eu = tTue, lrnn·yos =
functional unit of alJ known living nucleus) These have a well defined
organisms. l t is the smallest unit of nucleus and membrane bound cell
hfe and is often called the building organelles. These are present in
block of life. unicellular and multicellular plant and
• The branch of biology which deals animal cells.
,,vi.th the study of cell, is called Differences between Prokaryotic
Cytology. and Eukaryotic Cell
• Robert Hooke coined the term cell
,,vhen he saw honey-comb like Prokaryouc Cell Eukaryotic Cell
sb.-ucture in the section of cork. Simplest and Developed and
However, he onJy discovered cell wall. primitive in nature. comparatively complex in
nature.
• The first living cell was discovered by
Lacks nuolear Nuoleu s is present with
Leeuwenhoek. envelope elaborate nuclear envelope
Centrosome Deoxyribonucleic
It was discovered by T Boveri. It is composed of Acid(DNA)
two set of centdoles and participate in the
formation of mi totic spindJe dw:ing cell division. • DNA ,,vas diBcovered by James
D Watson and Francis Crick, ,,vho
Vacuoles got Nobel Prize for thjs discovery.
These are non-hving reservior, bounded by • lt is a long polynJer made from
a membrane called tonoplast. Pjgment repeating units called nucleotides.
anthocyanin js present in the cell vacuole, • Each nucleotide consists of a
which provide colour to flowers. It stores toxic nucleoside (i.e. nib.·ogenous baBe
metabolic was te and helps in osmoregu]ation. and deo:\.-yiibose sugar) and a
phosphate group, joined together by
Nucleus phosphodiester bonds.
It was discovered by Robert Brown . It contains • It has four bases, i.e. adenine,
nucleoplasm, nucleolus and chromatin guanme, cytosine and thymine.
material Nucleolus is lich in protein and RNA. • Adenine and guanme are the
All this matetiaJ js covered up by a nuclear ptu·i.ne bases; cytosine and thymine
membrane. Chromatin is the controlling are py.rimjdlne baBes.
centre of cell as it form chrnmosomes.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ General Science
G
• It is of hvo types - Mitosis and Meiosis
RibonucleicAcid (RNA)
• It js also made up of a long chain of (i) Mitosis It occurs in unicelluJar
nucleotides. organism dilllllg asexua.J reproduction.
• Each nucleotide consists of a Each n:li totic cell division results in the
formation of two daughter cells having
nitrogenous base, a ribose sugar, and
number of chrnmosomes equa.J to the
a phosphate group.
parent cell
• It contains uracil in place of thymine. Twmowr or carncer is a result of
• RNA is of three types- ZLncontrolled mitosis.
mRNA (messenger RNA) (ii) Meiosis It occms in reproductive cells
rRNA (ribosomal RNA) and 1s called reduction division because of
tRNA (transfer RNA) the presence of single set of chrnmosomes
These three RNA's take part in protein (i.e., half of the parent chromosomes). It
synthesis. resuJts in the formation of four da ughter
cells.
Cell Division • Exchange of genetic matedal occms
• It js the process by whkh a cell beh1veen chromatids (branches of
increase in number. lt is essen □ a.J for chrnmosome) of a diploid set dilllllg
the grmivth, development and repair pachytene stage of meiosis and 1s lmown as
of the body. crossing over.
Differences between DNA and RNA
DNA RNA
It usually ooours in side nucleus and in some Very little RNA occurs inside nucleus. Most of it
oell organelles like mitochondria and is found in the cytoplasm.
ohloroplast
DNA is the genetic material exoept in some RNA is not the genetic material e>ccept in
viruses. oertain viruses, e.g_, HIV, reovirus.
It is double stranded with the e>cception of RNA is single stranded with the exception of
some viruses like q> x 174. some viru ses, e.g., double stranded in T2 , T4 ,
T bacteriophage.
DNA shows regular helical coiling. There is no regular coiling exoept in parts of
RNA
It contains derncyribose sugar. It contains ribose sugar.
Nitrogen base thymine occurs in DNA along Thymine is replaced by uraoil in RNA. The
with other three i.e. adenine, cytosine and other three are adenine, cytosine and guanine.
guanine.
It replicates to form new DNA moleoules. It cannot replicate itself exoept in RNA-RNA
viruses.
DNA oontrols heredity, evolution , metabolism, RNA controls only protein synthesis.
structure and differentiation.
• I gm glucose provides about 17 kJ energy (S). These form 15% pa.rt ofhunJan body.
or 4 .2 kcal energy. Snalce venom. rlcin of castor and bac tedaJ
• Ca..rbohych-ates are better fuel as toxins are pr~teinaceous in natui-e. Main
compared to proteins and fats as they sources of protein a.re groundnuts,
readily decompose to give energy. soya.bean, pulses, fiEh etc.
• Main sotll"ces of carbohydrates are wheat,
maize, 1ice, potato etc. Function of Proteins
The can-bohydJrates are categorised into • These are important for the growth and
following three tzJpes repair of the body (75% of our body is
protein only). However, in the
Monosaccharides deficiency of carbohydrates, these acts
as the s0U1·ce of energy. Protein also
• These are simple sugars, v,,Wch cannot be
control the development of genetic
hydrolysed further, e.g., Iibose, glucose,
characters.
fructose, galactose etc.
• Deficiency of protein causes
• In human beings, blood glucose level is
Kwashiorkor (a disease in v,,Wch hands
100-120 mglmL. Extra glucose, jf any, is
and legs of children get slimmed and the
converted into glycogen in the liver by a
stomach comes out) and Mat·asmus (a
process called glycogenesis.
disease in wWch muscles of children are
• D-fructose 1s the sweetest of all sugars loosened). Kwasbiorkor occms in
and is found in fruitjuice, honey etc. children be tween I to 5 yea.rs of age and
ma.rasmus ill children belov,, 1 year.
0 ligosaccharides
• They release 2-10 monosaccharides on Lipids (Fats)
hydrolysis, like disaccha.tides, e .g. • These are also the compounds of carbon
sucrose, lactose maltose etc and (C), hydrogen (H) and m.')'gen (0).
tliEaccha.tides, like raffinose etc. Chemically, these are the ester of
• Sucrose 1s also called invert sugat·. It glycerol and fatty acids. These are
gives glucose and fructose when present in cytoplasm, cell wall etc.
subjected to hydrolysis. • The main source of fats are ghee, butter,
almond, cheese, egg yolk, meat,
Polysaccharides soya.bean etc .
• They release more than ten • Fats are digested by enzymes called
monosaccha.Iides on hydrolysis. These lipases in the small intestine. Generally,
are non-sugars, i.e., do not have sweet at 20°C, these are in solid state but if
taste, e.g., cellulose, glycogen and starch. their state is liquid at this temperatme,
• Cell ulose 1s found in plant cell wall and is these a.re termed as oils .
digested by rwn.inants (like cow, goat, • Fa.tty acids are of two types- Saturated
buffalo, etc), but not by carnivorous or and Unsatura ted. Saturated fatty acids
omnivorous animals like human beings. are found in coconut oil and palm oil,
Thus, it acts as roughage ill case of while unsa.tmated fatty acids are found
h uman beings. in fish oil and vegetable oil.
• Excess of saturated fats raises the level
Function of Carbohych·ates of blood cholesterol and may cause
• Carbohydrates provide energy, that ac ts arteriosclerosis. TWs may lead to
as reserve food, help in the synthesis of heart attack.
nucleic acid and form exoskeleton of
animals. Excessive intake of carbohydrate Function of Lipids
results in digestive problems and obesity.
The main fumctions of lipids are
Proteins • These provide twice the energy than
that from carbohydrates.
These are found ill alJ living cells. These a.re
the compounds of carbon (C), hydrogen • These remain under the skin and
(H), m..')'gen (0), nitrogen (N) and sulphm prevents the loss of heat from the body.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ General Science
Biological Evolution
Origin of Universe Organic Evolution
• The universe is made up of matter and More and more creation of organism by
energy. Scientists believe that it was gradual changes from low category aninJal to
formed about 10 to 13 billion years ago higher animal is called organic evolution .
as a vast, dense, red-hot and rotating There are several evidences regarding
gaseous cloud of cosmic dust called the organic evolution.
updmaeval matter or 'ylem '.
• Two hypothesis i.e., Big -Bang Evidences from morphology
(universe formation through a very big and anatomy
e:xplosion) and NebuJa.r (universe On the basis of morphology (outer
formation by the condensation of appearance) and anatomy (inner stTucture),
gaseous cloud) were given to explain several evidences have been described as
mi gin of Earth. follows
• Hyarn has a tendency of regeneration of fee] itching and often vomits. Some
body organs. children urinate on the bed at rright.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ General Science
e
Phylum-Annelida • Excretion takes place through kidneys.
• Their body js long, thin, soft and e.g., Pila, Ap/JzJsia (Sea rabbit), Doris (Sea
metamerically (b.wy) segmented. lemon), Octopus (Devil-fish), Sepia
(Cuttle-fish).
• AJimentary canal is well-developed.
■ Eyes of octopus are similar to chordate
• These are the first to have proper organ
eyes.
systems.
• Nervous system is normal and blood Phylum- Echinodermata
(called haemolymph) is red (iron rich
h aemoglobin). • All the animals in this group are marine.
They have water vascuJar system.
• Their blood flows in dosed vessels. Brain js not developed in nervous
• Like in earth\Jvorm, there are five pairs of system.
blood vessels called as heart. • They h ave a special capacity of
• They respire through sldn, in some regeneration.
animals respiration takes place thrnugh
• These al'e the only invertebrate animals
coelom.
\"i 1hich contain proper bone lli{e
• Excretion by nephridia. strnctures (ossicles).
• They move through setae made up of e.g., Stai· fish, Sea mchin, Sea cucumber
chitin. etc.
e.g. Earthworm, Nereis, Leech etc.
Phylum-Chordata
Phylum- Arthropoda • They h ave notochord. A dorsal hollow
• Arthrnpoda is the largest phylum tubular nerve cord and paired
(con tains maximum number of animals phai-yngeal gill slits at some stage of their
and its existence is recorded for life span.
maximum pe1iod over the Eai·th). • In advanced forms, notochord changes
• Jointed leg is theil" main featme. to vertebral colllilJJJ, nerve cord develops
to brain and spinal cord and phai)'Ilgeal
• Their body js mvided into thrne
gill slits to sb.7..lctures of jaw attachment.
pai·ts-head, thorax and abdomen.
• This phylum is sub-mvided in to two
• Circulatory system js open type. sub-phylum, i.e., Protochordata and
Cochoach's heai·t has 13 chambers. Vertebrata.
• Trachea or book lungs, body swface are Some main classes of phylzmn- Chordata
respiratory organs. are as foll ows
e.g., Cochoach, Prav,rn, Crab, Bug, Fly,
Mosquito, Bees, etc. Pisces
■ Insects generally have six feets and foU1· • These 81'€ aquatic animals (cold-blooded
, 1vings. animals). Their heai·t pumps only
■ Ant is a social aninJal v, hich reflects
1 inJpme blood and h ave two chambers.
mvision of labom. • Respiration takes place thrnugh gills.
■ Term.ite is also a social aninJal v, hich
1
e.g., Trygon , Scoliodon, Torpedo etc.
lives in colony.
Amphibia (First land
Phylum- Mollusca vertebrates)
• Their body js soft and divided in to head • These ai·e found both on land and water.
and musculai· foot.
All of them al'e cold-blooded.
• Mantle is always present in it, which
secretes a hard calcareous shell . • Respiration takes place through gills,
skin and lungs.
• Their alimentai-y canal is well-
• They have three chanJbered heait
developed.
• Respiration takes place through gills or e.g. , Frog, Nectzm·us, Toad, lcthyophis,
ctenidfa. Blood is colourless.
Salamander.
e GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ General Science
snake. Epidermis
The top layer of skin is made up of
Aves (Aerial Vertebrates epithebal cells and does not contain
Birds) blood vessels.
• The animaJs of tWs group ~ue
warm-blooded tetrnpod vertebrates vl'ith Dermis
llight adaptation. • lt gives elasticity to the integunJent,
• Their fore-feet are modified in to wings to allowing stretching and conferring
fly. :flexibility, while aJso resisting
mstortions, wrinkling and sagging.
• They respiTe through lungs .
• Nails grow I mm per ·week on an
• Birds have no teeth, beak helps in feeding. average.
• They have a single ovary and pneumatic
• Protein, keratin stiffens epidermal
bones . e.g., Crow, Peacock, Parro t etc.
tissue to form finger nails.
■ Flightless birds are IGwi and Emu.
■ Largest bird is Ostrich. Hypodermis
■ Smallest bird is Humming bird. • lt is made up of adipose tissue.
■ Largest zoo in Ind.fa is Alipur (KoU<.ata) It pe1forms several irmportantftmctfons
and the lai·gest zoo of the wodd is Cruiser 1. Protect against invasion by
National Park in South Africa. infectious orgamsms.
2. Protect the body from dehydration.
Mammalia 3. Maintain homeostasis .
• These ai·e waim-blooded animaJs. 4. Act as a receptor for touch, pressure,
• Tooth comes twice in these animaJs pain, heat and cold.
( cllphyodont). 5. Protect the body against sunburns by
• There is no nucleus in their red blood cells secreting melanin.
(except in camel and llama). 6. Generate vitamin-D thrnugh
• Skin of mammaJs contains hair. e>...-posme to ul traviolet light.
• External eai· is present. 7. Store water, fat, glucose and
vitamin-D.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ General Science
e
Anin, al Nutrition and and OA'}'gen and constitute about 4% of
totaJ body weight.
Digestion • Milk, eggs, meat, fruit , food, vegetables
AnimaJs are not able to synthesise their etc are the sources of mineraJs.
O\'VIl food , therefore they obtain it from
Minerals are of two types
outside environment for their nutJ.i tionaJ
req uirements. 1. Macronutrients These are required in
large amount, e.g. , caJcium (Ca),
phosphorus (P) , potassium (K) etc.
Mineral Nutrients
2 . Micronutrients These are required in
• These are metaJs, non-metaJs and their
very small amount (less than 1 g), e.g.,
saJts other than the four iodine (I) , iron (Fe), zinc (Zn) etc.
elements- carbon, hydrogen , nitrogen
Minerals and their Functions in the Body
Mineral Major Food Source Uses Defioienoy Disease
Macronutrients
Caloium Milk, oheese, bread Muscle oontraclion, nerve Tetany and riokets.
(Ca) and vegetables. action, blood clotting and
the formation of bone.
Phosphorus Cheese.eggs, pea Bone and tooth formation , Tetany and riokets.
(P) nuts and most foods. energy transfer from foods,
DNA, RNA and ATP
formation.
Sulphur (S) Dairy produots, meat, Formation of ihiamine, Disturbed protein
eggs and brooooli. keratin and coenzymes. metabolism
Potassium Potatoes, meat and Muscle contraction , nerve Nervous disorder, poor
(K) chocolate. action, active transporl muscles leading to
paralysis.
Sodium (Na) Any salted food, meat, Muscle contraction , nerve Nervous, depression,
eggs and milk. action and aotive transport. muscular cramps, pH
disbalance
Chlorine (Cl) Salted food and Anion/cation balanoe and Loss of appetite muscle
seafood. gastric acid formation . cramp s.
Magnesium Meat, chocolate and Formation of bone, Irregularity of metabolism.
(Mg) green vegetable formation of coenzymes in
cell respiration.
Micronutrients (Traoe Elements)
Iron (Fe) Uver, kidney , red Formation of haemoglobin , Anaemia and low immunity.
meat, cocoa powder myoglobin and cytochromes.
and water oress
Fluorine (F) Water supplies, tea, Resistanoe to tooth decay. Weak teeth (H present in
sea food , meat, liver excess causes mottling of
and beans. (teeth)
Zinc (Zn) Meat, liver and beans. Enzyme aolivalion and Anaemia, retarted growth,
carbon dioidde transport. weak immunity and fertil~.
Copper (Cu) Uver, meat and iish. Enzyme, melanin and Anaemia, weak blood
haemoglobin formation. vessels and connective
tissues.
Iodine (I) Seafood , iodised salt Thyroxine produotion Goitre
and iish.
Manganese Tea, nuts, spioes and Bone development and Irregular growth of bones
(Mn) cerea ls. enzyme activation. and connective tissues.
Chromium Meat and cereals. Uptake of gluoose. Irregular metabolism.
(Cr)
Coba lt (Co) Meat and yeasL Synthesis of vitamin- B12 , Anaemia
formation of red blood cells
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ General Science
Tongue-----
Parotid gland
Salivary Submandibular--------r~
Gland gland
Sublingual
gland
Asoending portion
of larg ·
I leum
of small
intestine
Duodenum of
small intestine
Roughage RESPIRATORY
• Roughage is another term for dietary SYSTEM
fibres e.g., Natural food, dalia etc. Respiration is a catabolic process in
• It does not provide energy but only helps '"''rnch the respfred O>...'}'gen is used in the
in retaining water in the body. ox:ida tion of food res ulting in the release of
energy. It is brought about by respiratory
organs.
SOME DIGESTIVE
Respiratory Organs
GLANDS
of Some Animals
Liver Respiratory Animal
• It is the largest gland of the human body Organ
and secretes bile juice, which is stored in
gall bladder. Lungs Reptiles like lizards,
mammals like man, camel,
• It regulates the quantity of glucose in the cattle , etc.
blood by converting extra glucose (if any)
into glycogen or glycogen (during Skin Frog, earthworm and leeohes
deficiency of glucose) is converted in to Gills Fishes, tadpoles and prawns
glucose. Trachea Insects, oentipedes and
• It destroys dead RBC and regu]ates body millipedes.
temperatw·e. It conver ts excess of amino Body surface Amoeba, Euglena,
acid into ammonfa (v,1ruch is converted Chlamydomonas , Spirogyra,
into w.-ea by Orrnthine cycle). Urea Hydra, etc.
comes out from the body through kidney. Book lungs Spider, scorpion, ticks and
• If there is any obsb.·uction in bile duct, mites.
liver cells stop taking bilirnbin from the Book gills King crab, prawn, oray fish
blood, consequently it spreads and Daphnia.
throughout the body wWch is called
Air bladder Lung iish and bony
jaundfoe. iishes(e.g., Labeo).
• Liver is an important body organ in
Air sacs/lungs Birds
investigation of a person's death that has
been due to poison in food.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ General Science
CIRCULATORY
Human Heart
SYSTEM
• It is a transport system that supplies the • Fishes have ooJy two-cbanJbered heart
useful ma terial and removes the was te (one auricle and one ventiicle)_
from tbe body cells.
It consists of heart, blood vessels and • ln amphibians, heart is
blood. three-chambered.
• ln crocodile, birds and mammals, tbe
HEART heart is divided into four chambers (two
auricles and t\1110 ventricles).
• Heart is a thick, muscular, contractile,
automatic pumping organ of blood • ReptiUan heart 1s sb_-ucturally tm·ee-
vascular system. chanJbered but is functionally four-
chambered (i_e_, incomplete four-
• The chamber which receives tbe blood
chanJbered) except in crocodile.
from body tissues are called am·icles and
the chambers of heart which pump blood • A new born baby's heart weight is about
to body tissues are called ventricles_ 20 g.
• There is a thin t\ivo Jayered sac around • The average weight of heart in men
the heart knmvn as pericarclium, fille d is 280-340 g, while in women is
,,.rith a wa tery fluid called pelicardial 230-280 g.
Diseases of Heart
Angina pectoris Pain in heart muscles, appearing as chest pain_ It is caused due to
obstruction in ooronary artery_
Tachycardia Increased rate of heartbeat
Bradycardia Decreased rate of heartbeal
Heart attack Breathlessness, palpiiations, pain in the ohesL unconsciousness
appear suddenly (Nitroglycerine is used for the treatment) _
Heart block When heart beat is not passed to the ventricles properly_This is the
defect of conducting system of the heart.
Coronary thrombosis Due to the formation of clot in coronary artery_
Myocardial infarction It is the death of a part of heart muscle following cessation of blood
supply to rl It is acute heart attack_
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ General Science
e
• The circulation of blood through the whole This exb.-a blood supplies additional
body can be shown as OA'Ygen to body cells.
Superior Vena oave '-..... • During blood clotting fib1IDogen
~ Righi changes into fibrin by thrombin
Righi vontrlolo
/ a t rium
Inferior Vena oava which is obtained from thrombop-
Pulmonary arlery lastin in the presence of Ca 2 +.
i
t
Ds -o><ygsnsted blood
-- ----------- ----- - ------------------- Lu ngs
0 Hlfgensled blood
Oapllla ri es In Oeplllsrles In
head re gion body organs
t
Pulm onary ve ins
• The haemoglobin content of adult
female vaijes from 13.5-14.5%
whereas in adul t male its amount
vai-ies from 14.5-15.5% Haemoglobin
count is highest ill the foetus and is
LAorta Lett ventricle Left alrium about 23 g per 100 mL of blood at
Circulation of Blood 1hrough the Whole Body birth.
Blood Type of Parent and their Children • Mature red blood cells Jack a
nudeus and organelles in
Blood Type of Parent Possible Blood Type of man1ma1s. Howeve1~ in camel
(Homo or Heterozygous) Children and llama it is nucleated.
OxO 0 • One RBC contains about 280
OxA O,A haemoglobin molecules.
OxB 0, B
Ox AB A, B Leukocytes (WBCs)
AxA A,O These are part of the body's
AxB O,A,B,AB inlmune system; they destroy and
remove old or aberrant cells and
Ax AB A, B,AB
cellular debds, as well as attack
BxB B, 0 infectious agents and foreign
Bx AB A, B,AB substances. These are much Jess
ABxAB A, B, AB in number than RBCs (1 : 600).
~~~~!!1 ~~S]f ~
Optic nerve to
brain's visual
pedpheral nmous cortex
system that rr·ansm_jts impuJses from the
CNS to involuntary organs and smooth
muscles of the body. Autonomic nervous
system consists of two divisions
1. Sympathetic Nervous System
:increases defence system of body Retina
against adverse conditions. It is active • Ligh t sensitive tissue that lies at the
in sb.·ess condition, e.g., pain, fear and bac k of the eye. It contains millions of
anger. photoreceptors (rods and cones) that
2. Parasympathetic Nervous System convert bght rays into elecb.ical :impulses
prmrides relaxation, comfort, pleaslll'e that are relayed to the brain via the optic
at the tinJe of rest. It helps in the nerve.
restoration and conservation of • The inJage formed on retina is real and
energy. :inverted.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ General Science
G
• Rods are highly sensitive to dim light and Correspondence between
contain a reddish purple pigment called Camera and Eye
rhodopsin. Night vision involves mostly rods
(not cones). Part of Camera Corresponding
• Cones are sensitive to bright light, hence
Part of Eye
differentiate the colours. Box Solera
• The fovea centrali s is the area of sharpest Black inner paint Choroid
vision due to high concentration of cones. Shutter Eye lids
• The blind spot (optic disc) has no rods and Diaphragm Iris
cone cells, hence no inJage is form in this
Light hold Pupil
region.
Lens Lens
Eye Defects Light sensitive iilm Re tina
plate
Nearsightedness (Myopia)
• A condition in v,,Wch nearby objects are seen
more cleaiJy than distant objects because
Ear
• Ears ai·e meant for both balancing
h ght js focused in front of the retina, not on it.
It can be corrected by using concave glasses. and hearing.
• It can be divided into three parts
Farsightedness (Hypern1eb·opia) as External ear (pll]J]a +
• A condition in which dis tant o~jects ai·e seen external auditory canal), Middle
more clearly than neai·by objects because bght ear (tympanic cavity) and Internal
js focused behind the retina~ not on it. ear (bony and membranous
• It can be correc ted by using convex glasses. labyrinth).
• Hearing is controlled by audit011'
Astigmatism area of temporal lobe of cerebral
• A conmtion in ,,vh.ich the lens js wai·ped, cortex.
causing inJages not to focus properly on the • Human eai· can receive the soWJd
retina. ranging between 60-80 decibel.
• The cylinrn1cal glass can correct the defect. • Human eai· is sensitive to soWJds
• Colour blindness also caJled Dalton.ism js frequency 50-20,000 cycles/sec.
caused due to deficiency of cones. \i\fb.ile • Defects of ear are : Otalgia eru·,
night blindness is due to deficiency of ache (Pain in eai-) ; Othitis media
rhodopsin in rods. (Acute infection of middle eai-)
• Retina of Owl contains only rods ,,vhiJe fowl Labyrithlne disease (malfunction
contains only cones. of inner ear).
• The eyes of carnjvores like cat, dog, iron sea
etc, glov,, in night due to tapetum lucidum. Nose
Eyes ai·e most sensitive to yellow green • Nose is a sense organ for smell or
colour. Bees can see ultraviolet light. olfaction. It contains
Presbyopia I . Olfactory celJs '"''Wch are more
chemosensitive than taste cells.
• It is a reduction in pupil size and the loss of
accommodation or focusing capability with 2. Olfactory stimuli such as,
age, leading to a substantial decrease in bght chloroform and aTIJillonia are
received at the retina. frdtating and can cause teaiing.
• Bifocal lens can correct the defect. • Dogs have an acute olfactory sense.
They can trace people because they
• Conjunctivitis is an inflanJillation of
can distinguish between the odow-s
conjwJctiva by bactelia.
of differen t persons.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ General Science
Pancreas HEALTH
It is both an exocdne and endocrine gland.
The islet of Langerhans (endocrine) h ave Health is the function al or metabolic
three major types of cells efficiency of a living being. In human, it is
the general condition of a person's mind,
1. Alpha-Cells secretes glucagon hormone body and spilit, usual meaning, to be free
which increases blood sugar level. from illness, inj ury or pain.
2. Beta-CelJs secretes insulin, which
decreases the amoUJJt of sugar in the
blood.
DISEASES
3. Delta-Cells secretes somatostatin lt is a condition of the body or its part in
whkh is an anti-gro,11rth factor. which functions ~ue disturbed. The
diseases may be broadly classified into
Adrenal Gland two types, i.e., congenital and acquired .
• It is also Jmown as emergency gland_.
(a) Cortex (outer layer)
Congenital Diseases
These are anatoutical or physiological
(b) MeduJJa (inner layer) It secretes two
abnormilities present from birth.
important hormones- Epinephrine or
adrenaline and nor-epinephrine or They may be caused by
noradrenaline • A single gene mutation (alkaptonuria,
• It increases the blood glucose level, blood pbenylketonwfa, albinism , sickle-cell
pressure and cardiac output. anaelilla, haemophilia and colour
blindness).
Pineal Gland • Cm·omosomal aberrations (Down's
• It js situated in the brain and also Jmown syndrome, Klinefelter's syndrome and
as clockwork gland_. Turner's syndrome).
• It regulates the ovaries and b as an effect • Environmental factors (cleft palate
on the biological rhythm. and harelip). Unlike the gene and
chrnmosome induced congenital
defects, environmentally caused
GONADS abnormalities are not transmitted to the
These secrete steroid hormones. childrnn.
COMMUNICABLE Treatment
Antibiotics to treat bac teria that
DISEASES cause pneumorua. Antiviral meclications.
These are the cliseases ,,vhkh may pass or H.igh doses of steroids to reduce swelling in
carded from one human or animal to the lungs. O>..'}'gen, breathing support
other. (mecharucal ventilation) or chest therapy.
Commumcable cliseases are illness caused
by germs such as bacte1ia, viruses and Hepatitis
spread by an infected person, animals or Hepatitis is a swelling and inflammation of
object to other persons. the liver. It is not a conclition, but is often
used to refer a viral infect.ion of the liver.
Viral Diseases Hepatitis can be caused by
Viruses are parasitic and causes a number • Immune cells in the body attacking the
of cliseases. liver and causing autoimmune hepatitis.
BirdFlu(H 5 Infections from viruses (such as
hepatitis-A, B or C), bacteria or
Bird flu (Avian influenza) js a disease parasites. Liver damage from alcohol,
caused by an influenza virus-A, that poisonous mushrooms or other poisons.
primarily affect birds.
• Medications, such as an overdose of
The folio-wing persons may be on higher rish acetaminophen, can cause harm or death
for developing the bird flu also.
• Farmers and othe1·s, ,,vho \iVork ,,.rith
poultry. Symptoms
• Travellers, visiting affected countries. Abdominal pain or distention . Breasts
• Those who h ave touched an infec ted development in males. Dark urine and
bird. pale or clay coloured stools. Fatigue,
• Those who eat raw or undercooked general itching, fever, usually low-grade
poultry meat, eggs from infected birds. jaundice (yellowing of the sldn or eyes)
and loss of appetite, nausea, vom.iting and
Symptoms weight loss.
Fever, cough, sore thrnat, muscle aches and
eye infection (conjunctivitis). AIDS
Acquired lnJil1WJO Defic.iency Syndrome
Treabnent (AIDS) js a disease of the human immune
Treatment ,,.rith the antiviral medication system caused by the Human
oseltamivir (tamillu) or zanamiv:ir (relenza) lnJil1unodeficiency Virus (HIV). AIDS was
may make the disease less severe. first recognised by the Centres for Disease
Oseltamivir may also be prescribed for Control and Prevent.ion (CDC) in 1981.
persons, who live in the same house as
those diagnosed ,,.rith a,rian flu . HIV Infection
AIDS is a condition caused by HIV
Severe Acute RespiTatory infection. The conclition gradually
Syndrome (SARS) destroys the i.nJmune system, which
makes it harder for the body to fight
It is a selious form of pneumonia. lt :is infections.
caused by a vims that was firnt identified in
2003. Infection ,,.rith the SARS virus causes Tr ansmission
acute respiratory distress (severe breat.Wng
difficulty) and sometimes death. HIV can be spread by the following
• Through sexual contact Le. oral, vaginal
Symptoms and anal sex.
Cough usually starts 2-3 days after other • Through blood transfusions, accidental
symptoms like Fever, headache and muscle needle sticks or needle sharing.
aches.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ General Science
Vaccination
• It js the process of arti:fidaJ introduction of germs or the germ substance called
antigen into the body for developing resistance to a particular disease. The mateLial
introduced into the body js called vaccine.
• A vaccine js a dead or weakened microbes. They are unable to produce disease as they
are less in number but they stimulate the body to produce antibodies.
• World Heal th Orgarusation (WHO) in 1974 offidally launched a global vaccination
programme to protect children from six fatal diseases . Diphthe1ia, pertussis , tetanus ,
polio, TB (Tuberculosis) and measles . It was launched in India in 1985.
• BCG (Bacillus CaJmette Guerin) vaccine is given to protect against TB (Tuberculosis).
• DPT (diphtheria, Pertussis and Te tanus) vaccine js given to babies within first 6 weeks
of their birth.
Some Vaccines and their Doses
Age Vaooination Dose
Birth to ■ DPT (triple vaccine , against ■ Three doses (oommonly oral) at
12 months diptheria, \llhooping cough/pertussis intervals of 4-6 \f/eeks.
and tetanus)
■ Polio (Sabin's oral, previously Salk's ■ Three doses at intervals of 4-6
injectible) weeks.
■ BCG (Bacillus Calmette Guerin) ■ lntradermal and one vaccine
9-15 months ■ Measles vaooine (MMR or Measles, ■ One dose
Mumps and Rubella)
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ General Science
GENETICS
It is the study of heredity and
Some Important
vaifations. The term 'Genetics' was Genetic Tenns
coined by W Bateson in 1905. Gregor • Phenotype lt js the physical appearance of an
Johann Mandel (commonly called individual.
Father of Genetics) proposed three • Genotype It is the entire genetic complement
laws
of an individual organism.
(a) Law of Dominance It states that
• AIJeles The two individual genes in a
crossing of plant with red and
paiticuJar gene pair that occupies same locus
whHe flower produced plants
(position) on homologous pair of chromosome_
only ·with red flowe r i.e_,
dominant trait appear and • Dominant and Recessive Traits (inherited
recessive disappeai·ed. chai·acter) The b.'aits may be dominant or
recessive depending upon the fact that on
(b) Law of Seg1·egation It states
crossing the individuals (whkh are
that allele of a gene separate
during gamete formation. It is homozygous for a pai·ticu1ar trait of same
also called law of purity of chai·acter the b.'ait \"i Wch appears in the Fi
1
genetics or Ja\Jv of splitting of generation :is called dominant and the other
hyblids . It gives 3 : 1 ratio in F2 one :is recessive.
generation. • Hybrid An offspring, wWch is obtained from a
( c) Law of Independent cross between two genetically different
Assortment lt states that hvo or pai·en ts .
more genes assort independently • Linkage The phenomenon of genie
duringinheli tance. It gives 9: 3: inheritance in which genes of a particular
3 : 1 ratio in F2 generation. chromosome sho\lv their tendency to inhedt
Linkage is an exception to this togethe1; i.e_, tendency to retain their parental
law. combination even in the offsprings is knovm as
• Test Cross The cross betv,,een link.age.
he terozygous F 1 and homozygous • Mutation It is a sudden change of a gene (gene
recessive is called test cross. 1n test mu tation) or chrnmosome (chromosomal
cross, the monohybrid ratio :is 1 : 1 mutation) from one form to another, which are
and dihybrid ratio :is 1: 1:1: 1. passed to the daughter cells.
• Back Cross The cross behveen • Heteroploidy It is the variation in
he terozygous F1 hybrid and chromosome number.
homozygous dominant allele is • PleiotJ'opy lt occurs when one gene
called back cross. influences multiple phenotypic traits .
G GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ General Science
Biotechnology
It deals with technique of using live Golden Rice
micro-organisms, their par ts or processes for • lt js a vaiiety of Oryza sativa (rice)
the manufacttll"e of useful or commerdal produced through genetic engineedng
substances . It has hvo core tec hniques i.e., to biosynthesise beta-carotene, a
genetic engineering and technique to precursor of pro-vi ta.min-A in the
facilitate the growth and muJtipllcation of edible paits of rice. Golden 1ice was
only desired microbes. In genetic engineering developed as a fortified food to be used
(aJso called recombinant DNA technology) in areas, '"''here there is a shortage of
resb.iction endonucleases are very useful met having vitamin-A.
They cleave the DNA at specilic locations
called resb.iction sites. • Golden Rice 2 produces up to 23
times more beta-cai·otene than the
• Vectors ai·e organisms or their pai·ts used to
01iginal vai·iety of golden rice. Golden
transfer the desired DNA from one
rice was created by lngo Pob.ykus of
orga.rrism to another. T he common vectors
the Institute of Plant Sciences at the
ai·e bac tedophage, cosmids, phagem1ds,
Swiss Federal Institute of Technolog)',
plasmjds etc.
working with Peter Beyer of the
• Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Urnversity of Frejburg.
developed by Kary Mums (1983) can clone
• Cai·otene impai·t orange colotll" to
or amplify the small amount of DNA. It
carrots and is the reason why
involves denaturation, primer annealing
genetically modified 1ice is golden. For
and polymedsation in the de.finite
the golden rice to mal(e beta-cai·otene,
sequence.
three new genes are inserted: h"i'Ofrom
daffodiJs and the third from a
Applications of Biotechnology bacterium.
A number of transgernc plants, merucines,
adds are produced through genetic Flavr Savr
engineering.
By the use of antisense RNA technology
the enzyme polygalacto-uronase, which
BtCotton causes danJage to pectin 1s deactivated
It was developed to reduce the heavy reliance and the toma to is kept fresh for longer
on pesticides. The bacterium Bacill1.ls dmation.
thzmingiensis (Bt) natmally produces a
chemical harmful only to a small fraction of Canola
insects.
lt is either of rape seed (Brassica napus
L) or field mus tai·d (Brnssica campestris
BtBrinjal L or Brassi ca rapavar). Its nodes are
It is a b.'ansgernc brinjal (also known as an egg used to produce edible oil suitable for
plant or aubergine) created by inserting ~ consumption by hunJans and livestock.
crystal protein gene (Cry IAc) from the soil The oil 1s also suitable as bioruesel.
bac tedum Bacillus thurimgiensis in to the
genome of vaiious brinjal vai·ieties. Daiiy Products
• Cheese js prepai·ed by the coagulation
Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) of casein and other minor milk
It is Gram positive, soil-dwelling bacterium, proteins ( curdllng of millc) by an
commonly used as a biological pesticide. The Cry enzyme rennin extracted from calf
tmdn found in the bacterium is extracted and used gastric mucosa.
as a pesticide. It also occurs naturally in the gut of • Streptococcus and Lactobacillus
caterpillars of various types of moths and species are involved in the
butterflies, as well as on the dark surfaces of plants. manufac ture of most cheese .
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ General Science
* Milk is pasteurised (preserved) by boiling it at 62.8° for 30 minu1es (Low Temperature Holding
method or LTH) or at 71 .7.°C for 15 seconds (high temperature holding method) . These
treatments kfll all baoteria
e GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ General Science
Botany
• It is the branch of biology which PLANT MORPHOLOGY
deals ·with plants, whkh are Plant morphology represents a study of the
considered as multicellular development, form and sb.1.Jcture of plants and by
ulcerates. The cells of these implication, an attempt to interpret these on the
organisms contain a cell ,,vall basis of similadty of plan and migin.
made up of cellulose and other
polysaccharides. Plants have the Classification of Plants
ability to synthesise their O\'VIl • Plant classilication is the placing of knmvn
food (autotrophic) in the plants into groups or categodes to show their
presence of sunlight, via the relationship.
process of photosynthesis.
• Thus, plants are classified in to group h a,ring
• Plants have hvo main groups i.e.,
same characte1istics .
cryptogams (lower plan ts
• Tballophyta A phylum of plants of very
\"irjthou t well defined flo wers and
diverse habit and sb.·ucture, e.g., Algae, fungi
seeds) and phanerogams (higher
an d lichens .
plants with well defined flowers
and seeds). • Bryophytes Have stems and leaves but lack
• Cryptogams further contains rr·ue vascular tissue and reproduce by spores
thallophytes and pteddophytes e.g., Mosses, hormvorts, liverworts etc.
\"irjth bryophytes in behveen. • Pteridophytes Vascular plants with leaves,
Here, thallophytes means those stems and roots , but lack both seeds and
plants which h ave thallus like flowe rs , e.g., Ferns, Lycopodium, horsetails etc.
body i.e., ·without roots, leaves • Gymnosperms Group of seed producing
and stem e.g., algae, fungi, plants. A plant that h as seeds unprotected by an
bacteda e tc. ovary or fruit, e.g., Conife1~ cycads , pine tree etc.
• All the plants of cryptoganJs are • Angiosperms (Vascular plants) A major group
considered as primitive as these of flowedng plants. Their characteristics a re the
do not have well defined features possession of protected seeds or frui ts, e.g.,
of plants like presence of phloem Rose, tulip, tomatoes etc .
(a tissue for food transport) and
presence of xylem (a tissue for
water transport etc) . Virus
• Phanerogams are well defined The term virus was given by Pasteur. Virus was
advanced plants with proper roots, discovered by Iwanowski in the extract of diseased
leaves and stem and well tobacco plant Viru s is a nucleoprotein entity which do
differnntiated tissue system. These not have machinery of its own but can utilise the
can be categorised as synthetic machinery of living cell of other organisms for
Gymnosperms (Naked Seed) and its multiplication. Virus is considered to be a cellular,
Angiosperms (Covered seed) i.e. wi thout a celL
plants. Bacteria
• Algae like Nostoc, Anabaena etc are Basically, bacteria are unicellular prokaryotes. Their
used as manure. cell wall is generally, made up of peptidoglycans and
polysaccharides. Genetic material is not organised into
• Sphagnum a genus of mosses is nucleus, i.e. a primitive nucleus is present !without a
used as fuel and antiseptic.
nuclear membrane). Al l membra ne bound cell
organelles are absent.
• Some plants catch insects to
fulfill their nitrogen requirement. Flagella, if present is single-stranded, made up of
Such plants are called protein flagellin.
insectivorous plants. Gamete formatjon is absent
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ General Science
e
PARTS OF A PLANT Stem
Different parts of a plant perform dmerent lt js the ascending organ of the plant,
function. Accordingly they are divided into which js formed by the elongation of
root, stem, leaves, flower, fruits and seeds. plunmle. Thus, stem is that pait of the
plant, which originates from plumuJe and
Root goes towards sunlight opposite to the
gravity.
It is that part of plant body, which develops
from ramcle and grows dovm into the earth.
It gives secondary and tert.iai·y roots.
Underground Modifications
Plants have two types of root systems In the adverse conmtions underground
stems store their food and become
1. Tap root develop from ramcle, normally
tmckened and tuberous.
found in mcot plants.
Various tzJpes of modifications can be
2. Adventitious root , 1vith a main tap root desc1ibed as
that is lai·ger and grows faster than the
branch roots. Stem tuber Potato
BuJb Onion , garlic, tulips, lilies etc.
Modification of Tap Roots Corm Glamolus, CrocZ£s sativus or
Confoal Trus type of root is tmckened saffron etc.
towards base but tWn near the side of the Rbjzome Ginger, turmeric, arrow root
plant, e.g., Carrot. etc.
Napil'orm Trus type of root is very broad at Subaerial Modifications
the top and tapedng like a tail at the bottom,
e.g., turnip, beet root etc. There are various tzJpes of modifications
e.xists 11n such types of stem
Fusiform Trus type of root is inflated in the
middJe portion, while tWn towards bottom Runner Grass root, Mereilia etc.
and top, e.g., Radish. Stolon Mint, jasmine, srrawberry etc.
Pneumatophores Trns type of root is found Offset Water hyacinth, Pistia etc.
in salty soil neai· the sea and for the Sucker Pudira, chrysanthemwm etc.
respiratory activities, it wJdergoes tmvai·d
negative geob.-opism, e.g., Rhizophora, plant Aerial Modifications
sundari etc. Various aerial modifications arre:
Mycorrhlzal These roots ,ue Jmown from Stem tendriJ Grape
90% of plant species and ai--e mutualistic Stem thorn Lemon, roses , jujube plWTI
association of a fungus with plant root tissue. or Chinese date
Most plants require specific mycorrhizal fungi Phylloc)ade Cactus
without, wrnch they are unable to absorb
sufficient quantities of P, Zn and Mn. Bu)biJs RuscZLs.
The fungus takes the place of root hairs and Leaf
may penetrate the cortex completely
( endomycorrhizae) or remain on the swiace It is a green pai·t, its main function is to
of the root (ectomycorrhizae). make food t:hrnugh photosynthesis and
respiration. Leaves are mainly of two
Functions of Root types
• Keeps the plants static. I . Simple Leaf A leaf having one blade
but blade js not divided, e.g., mango.
• Thansports water and mineral salts to the
stem and ultimately to the leaves. 2. Compound Leaf A leaf with more
than one blade. All blades are
• Absorbs water and mineral salts from attached to a single leaf stem, e.g.,
the soil . Rose, orange etc.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ General Science
FLOWER Pollination
It js a modified shoot that consists of Thansfer of pollens from stamens to stigma
accessary whorls ( calyx and corolla) and js called pollination.
essential ,,vhorls (androeciwn and It is of two hJpes
gynoeciwn). The plant, which bears both
male and fe male flower is called Self-pollination
monoecious, while separate plants with Thansfer of pollen from stamen to the
one type of flower are called clioecious. stigma of same flower or different flower of
the same plant.
Calyx
The outermost \"i horJ consisting of w:tits
1 Cross-pollination
called sepals ; these ai·e typically green and In th.is, pollen reach from anther of one
enclose the rest of the flm 1ver in the bud flower to the stigma of diffe1·ent flower of
stage, hm1vever, they can be absent or same species. Th.is js done ,vjth the help of
prominent and petal-like in some species. air, ,,vater, insects or animals (agents of
pollination). In most flowers , maximum
Corolla pollination occurs by the method of
The next whorl toward the apex, composed anemophily (by n:tind). In this mode,
of unHs called petals , whkh ai·e typically pollen-loss is maximum.
thin, soft and coloW'ed to attract animals
that help the process of pollination. Fruits
It is ripened ovaiy of flower. The fruit may
Androecium be b.-ue (formed from ovaiy alone) or false
The ne:,..i: whorl, consisting of w:tits called (developed from other pait of flower except
stamens. It consist of two pai·ts-a stalk ovai-y). These ai·e of thl'ee main types, i.e.,
called a filament, topped by an anther, simple, aggregate and composite.
where pollen is produced by meiosis and
eventually dispersed.
Simple Fruit
A simple fruit always develops from a single
Gynoecium ovai-y containing one or more cai·pels and
• The innermost whorl of a flower, may or may not include admtion al
modified accessm-y floral (pedanth)
consisting of one or more w:tits called
sb.-uctures. In addition, a simple fruit is
carpels. The carpel or m uJtiple fused
either fleshy or my Fleshy £rt.tits ai·e edible
carpels form a hollow structme called an
and ai·e seen in the fresh fruit and
ovary, which produces ovules internally. vegetable section of your local super
• Ovu]es ai·e megasporangia and they in market.
turn produce megaspores by meiosis,
which develop into female Agg;regate Fruits
gametophytes. These give rise to egg These are groups of simple fruits, developed
cells. from m ul ticai-peliai-y or polycarpellai-y,
• The gynoecium of a flower is also apocarpous ovaiy of a flower. These are
desc1jbed using an alternative etae1io of follicle, etaedo of achenes, etae1jo
terminology, wherein the sb.-uctlli'e one of berries and etae1jo of drupes.
sees in the innermost whorl (consisting
of an ovary, style and stigma) is called Composite Fruits
a pistil. A composite or m ul tiple fruit develops from
• A pistil may consist of a single carpel or a the complete inflorescence. These are of
nwnber of cai·pels fused together. The two types
sticky tip of the pistil, the stigma, js the Soros is A muJtiple £rt.tit derived from just
receptor of pollen. The supportive stalk, the pistils of many unisexu al flowers of an
the style, becomes the pathway for pollen inflorescence, e.g., MuJben-y, jackfrwt,
tubes to grow from pollen grains pineapple etc.
adhering to the stigma.
e GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ General Science
Syconus A multiple fruit derived from Crop rotation also rutigates the build-up of
numerous ovaries borne on the inside of pathogens and pests that often occurs,
the fleshy receptacle of an inflorescence. when one species :is continuously cropped
Also in accessory fruit, the fleshy portion of and can also improve soil sb.-uctme and
the fruit is formed by the hollow peduncle fertility by alternating deep-rooted and
of the (inside-out) inflorescence, e.g., shalJow-rooted plants.
peepal, guJar.
Intensive Cropping
Seeds It refers to efficient use of water, nutrients
Seed is a fertilised mature ovule that and tillage. The interdependence of and
possesses an embryonic plant. synergies an1ong water, nutrients and
There are two types of seeds energy in regard to increasing crop
performance is generally preferred.
Non-endospermjc seeds non-albuminous
seed Endosperm :is absent in thjs seed
and stores their food material in Main Crops for Rotations
cotyledons, e.g., Gram, pea. One yearly Paddy and wh eat
Endospermjc or albumfoous seed These Two yearly Maize and cotton
possess endosperm and store their food in Three yearly Tomato and lady's finger
it, e.g., Castm~ maize, rice.
Four yearly Cotton and wheat
AGRICULTURE
• Agriculture is derived from Latin ,,vords
Zero Tillage
Ager and Cultura . Ager means land or It is a way of g:r·owing crops from year to year
field and Cultnra means cultivation. without disturbing the soil through tillage.
Therefore, the term Agricultzm·e means No-till is an agricultural technique, whkh
cultivation of land, i.e., the science and increases the amount of water and orgaruc
art of producing crops and hvestock for matter (nutrients) in the soil and decreases
economk purposes. erosion. It increases the anrnunt and variety
of life in and on the soil.
• It was the key development :in the rise of
sedentary human civilisation, whereby It has two distnctive features
farmmg of domesticated species created • Sole Cropping It is to cultivate a pure
food surpluses that nurtured the vadety of crop.
development of civilisation. • Monocu.ltrn·e Planting a sole crop in a
field regularly but harvest it single in a
AGRONOMY year.
The branch of ag:rjculture that deals with C01npanion Planting/Cropping
:field crop production and soil It is the plan ting of different crops in
management. Agronomists generally ,,vork proxinnty on the theory that they assist each
·with crops that are g:r·mvn on a large scale other in nutJjent uptake, pest conb.-ol,
(e.g., small g:r·a:ins) and that require pollination and other factors necessary in
relatively htt.le management. Agronomic inc1·easing crop productivity.
expedments focus on a variety of factors
relating to crop plants, includmg yield, Intercropping
diseases, cultivation and sensitivity to
factors such as climate and soil . It is the practice of growing two or more
crops in proximity. It is particuJarly
important not to have crops competing with
Cropping Pattern each other for physical space, nutiients,
Crop Rotation water or sunhght.
It is the practice of growing a sedes of The most common goal of intercropping is
dissimllar types of crops :in the same area to produce a greater yield on a given piece of
in sequential seasons. It confers various ]and by making use of resources that would
benefits to the soil. other\Jvise not be utilised by a single crop.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ General Science
e
Muitiple Cropping Organk farming uses fertilisers and
pesticides but sb.·ictly hmHs the use of
It is the practice of growing two or more crops syn the tic fertilisers, pesticides, plant
in the same space during a single growing gro\lvth regul ators such as hormones,
season. livestock antibiotics, food adrntives
It can take the form of double-cropping, in and genetically modified organfams.
which a second crop is planted after the first
has been harves ted or relay cropping, in v,,Wch Blanching
the second crop is started amidst the first crop In it, the young shoots of a plant are
before it has been harves ted.
covered to exclude light to prevent
photosynthesis, wWch would produce
Farming System chlorophyll and thus, remain pale in
Mixed Farming colom. Blanched vegetables have a
It is one in which crop production is combined more deucate flavour and texture than
vvith the rearing of livestock. The lives tock unblanched.
en terpLises are complementary to crop
production, so as to provide a balance and SEED SCIENCE
productive system of farming. • lt js a basic and mos t important input
of agriculture. A good quality seed is
Ranching one, v,,Wch is free from adulterants,
It is the practice ofraising the grazing livestock diseased or insect-pest infestations,
such as cattles, sheep or pouJb.--y. The area is wWch hinder or reduce the quality of
Jmown as 1·anch and the practice js called a seed.
ranching . The ranching and cowboy tradition • The era of hybddisation of seeds
miginated in Spain. During the Reconquista in started after 1930. The hybrid seeds
middle ages the Spanish nobles got huge lands are the cross breeded seeds, which
on grants. are art:ifidally developed so as to have
Terrace Farming the desirable characters. While
developing a hybrid seed, it goes
It is a piece of sloped land, which has been thrnugh the various developmental
landscaped in such a way that, the practice of stages.
farming can be easily carded out.
• These are
Generally, tWs type of farming :is done in the
moun ta.in regions along the slope. The land is • Nuclear Seed lt is imtial pure seed
cutout along the slope and terraces are made. of an improved vaiiety available with
This system :is more common in North-Eastern the breeder.
hilly a·acts of Ind.fa. • Breeder's Seed lt is the seed
obtained from the progeny
Truck Farming (generation) of nucleus seed.
(Marketing Gardening) • Foundation Seed The breeder
It :is a horticuJ tmal practice of growing fruits, seeds grov,rn on State Government
vegetables, etc., on commerdal basis, in b.7..lcks farms and agiicuJture universities
for direct deuvery to big restaurants, ho tels and under scientific observations and
motels. Thjs technjque was evolved by the check.
engbsh speaking farmers, ,,vho referred them • Registered Seed The seeds gi·own
as a-u ck farms in 19th century. from nucleus, breeder's and
foundation seeds.
Organic Farming
■ Certified Seed The seeds certified
Orgaruc agriculture means a process of
developing a viable and sustainable before release as a new vadety
agroecosystem. lt is an ag:dcultural practice having all the desirable characters.
that reues on crop rotation, green manure,
compost and biological pest control.
G GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ General Science
Animal Husbandry
The rearing of animals for specific • Mebsana It is found ill Mehsana, Sabar
purposes is called domestication and Kantha, Palanpur and Banaskatha. It
such animals are called domestic gives 8-9 L milk per day. 8-13% fat is
animals. Domestication of animals present in its milk. l t is considered as a
started during the hunting and gathering hybLid of Murrah and Surti breeds.
phase of h unJan civilisation. • Surti lt found in Gujarnt, South-West
part, Anand, Nadia.cl and Vadodara. It
BUFFALOES gives on an average 1 700 L milk per year.
Bubahls bubalis is its scientific nanJe. 8-12% fat is available in its milk.
Generally, it is assumed that India 1s place • Nagprn·i or Ellichpuri lt found ill
of its origin. There are two types breeds of Nagpm, A.kola and Am.rav,,ati. It gives on
buffaloes an average 1000-1200 L milk per year.
7-8% fat is present ill its rniJk.
Exotic or Marshy • Tarai It found in Tarai belt of Ranmagar,
These are generally found in Myanmar, Tanakpm. lt gives about 900-1200 L milk
Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, in a year.
Singapore, Indonesia, China. These are • Manda It found in the boundary of
used for cart mainly. Its breeds are Mondosa and Parlakimedi mountain.
Jerangi, Kuhzestani, Ongole, Sinhala, Male 1s used for carrying heavy loads.
Manofi, Suinue and Walede .
• Toda l t found on the Nilgiri moun ta.in ill
Aquatic or Indian Tamil Na.du. It gives about 4-8 L milk per
day.
These are heavy or light weighted and
generally preferred to stay in wa ter. It has
low heat-tolerancce capacity.
cows
Scientific name of cow is Bos indicus and
These are again categorised into two types Bos tam-us. In India, 30 varieties of cows are
Heavy Weight Buffaloes present. Rearing of CO\'I' and bull is preferred
in India. 16% of the world cow and bull are
It includes three breeds present in lnrua.
• Ja.IT.rabadi Its place of origin 1s
supposed to be at Junagarh, Ku tch and Varieties of Cows
Janmagar of Gujarat. l t gives 15-18 L Some varieties of cows are as follows
milk per day. Its milk contains 7-9% fat.
Humped Indian Breeds
• Munah It found generally in Punjab,
Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan, Uttar These are high milk-yielding and their calves
are not used for agdcultmal pmposes.
Pradesh etc. l t generally gives about 25 L
milk per day. Follo7.uing are its iniportant breeds
• Nm Ravi It 1s found mainly in Sahiwal Actually found in Mont- Gomari
Ferozpur of Punjab. Horns are small, in Pakistan . In India, it 1s found in Punjab,
, 1vhite spots on mouth and head. Gives
Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and
on an average 1500-1800 L milk per Bihar. It gives around 2150 L milk in a year.
year. 4-6% is content offat in its milk.
Red Sindhi Found in Allahabad,
Light Weight Bufffaloes Guwahati, Bengalurn. It gives around 5440
It in cludes following breeds L milk in a year.
Gir Generally found in J unagarh,
• Bhadawari lt is generally found in Kathfawad, Mumbai, PwJe, Ahmedabad,
Etawah, Agra, Gwalior and SlllTOWJding Hyderabad . Oxen are very strong. It gives
areas. Rt gives 4.5 Lmilkper day. 12-14% 1746 L milk on an average. Fat content is
fat is found in its milk. Male buffaloes 4-5% in its milk.
are used as load carrying cattle.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ General Science
e
Deoni SinJjJ ar to Gir breed. It gives
1600-1650 L milk in a year. Fat content is
SHEEP
4-5% in its milk. There are many breeds of sheep (Ovis
wries) in our country. Today sheeps are
Dual Purpose Breeds raised in all pai·ts of the world . Sheep
These breeds give more milk along with its provides us with wool, sldn and mutton .
calf is vet)' useful in ploughing. Foll01.uing are A sheep lives for about 13 yeai·s.
its breeds
• Haryana It foWJd in Robtak, Hai)'ana. It
Exotic Breeds of Sheep
give 1000-11 00 L milk in a year. Maximum • Merino TWs js the main
milk yielding capacity is 3178 kg/yr CaJf is representative of the Me1ino breed in
best for ploughing activities. Australia an d is foWJd in extremely
high number throughout New South
• N imari It mainly foWJd in Khai·gaWJ. Wales, Queensland, Victmia and
Oxen are vet)' sb.-ong. Western Australia .
• Tbarparkar It mainly foWJ d in Kutch , • South Devon The South Devon js a
Mai·wai· an d in Northern Mum bai. It is also lon£\vool and meat breed which
t,:,
known as Thaii . Its average milk yielding originated in South Devon and
capacity is 14 7 4 kg. Cornwall in England. They are of the
English Longwool type and ai--e sinmai·
Load Carrying Breeds to Devon Longwoolled but ai·e lai·ger.
• Nageri Main place of 01igin js believed to Both sexes are polled and are naturally
be Rajasthan. Nov,, max:inJum foWJd in h ornless.
Hai)'ana, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab. • Lincoln It js foWJd in England and it
Fanrnus for fast walk and heavy load. js usefuJ for , 1vool and meat.
• MaJvi Main place of migin is Uttar • CorriedaJe It js mainly foWJd in New
Pradesh, now also foun d in Madhya Zealand and Australia. It is useful for
Pradesh and in Rajasthan. , 1vool and meat.
GOAT PIGS
There are many breeds of goat (Capra • It is also called hog or swine and is an
capra) in our countT}'- Goat provide us omnivorous, non-ruminan t, gregarious
milk, meat, skin and hair. The fine soft mammal of genus Sus_
wool called Pashmina is the underfur of • All breeds of pigs have descended from the
Kashmir and Tibet goats. Eurnpean wild boar SZ£s scrofa or a
crossbreed of trus and the Asiatic species,
Noori S_ indi cus_ The care and management of
World's first Pashmina goat clone, pigs is called piggery
produced in Kashmir h as been named • Pigs a1·e the most prolific breeders and
Nood and Arabic word referring to light. quick gro,111ers among the domestic aninJals.
Funded by world bank, the clone project
• A group of 10 sows (female h og) and one
,,,.,as a jointy worked on Skaust and Nari
boar may produce over 160 piglets in a year.
Kamal.
The clone h as come as good news for • Pigs are most usefuJ domestic animals,
fine fibre producing Pashmin a goats, especially of lower classes of society. They
which are only spotted at an altitude of are most economical sow·ce of meat and
14,000 feet in Ladakh. animal fat.
Breeds of Pig
Asom H illy Breeds
These are smaller dwarf breeds of goats __o_m_e_s_u_·o_a_te_d__D_is_m
D _·b_u_ti_
o_n_______
found in the hilly tract of Asom and Indigenous Pigs
other Easte1·n states. _G_h_o-ri- - - - -M
- an- i-pu_r_,-A-so_m
_,M
_ _e_g -ha- 1-ay_a_ _
and Arunachal Pradesh
Important Breeds of
Desi Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Punjab
Indian Goats and Madhya Pradesh
Breeds Distribution Exotic Pigs
Gaddi and Himachal Pradesh Landraoe Switzerland and Denmark
Chamba
Large White UK
Ka shmiri and Himachal Pradesh , Yorkshire
Pashmina Kashmir and Tibet
Berkshire UK
Jamunapari Uttar Pradesh and
Madhya Pradesh
Beetal Punjab CAMELS
Marwari Aaj asthan The canrnl is a large, h orn less, ru.minan t
Berari Maharashtra
maJJJmal of genus Camelus_ lt is popuJ arly
called the sbjp of the desert because of its
Malabari Ke rala
great travelling power in a desert.
Bengal Bihar and Odisha It is a valuable beast carrying bmden in hot
desert and semi-desert regions as it can live on
Exotic Breeds of Goat minimum food and water when travelling with
Exotic breeds of Goats are load. The re are two types of camels
• Saa.hen • Alpine 1. Arabian camels (Camelus dromedarius)
With a single hump, short h air and found
• Nubian • Angora
in North Africa to India. It does not occur
• Boer • Mubende
in wild form .
• Sudan Nubian • Kambing
2_ Tw·k.ish or Bactrian camels (Camelus
Katjang bactrianus) With two humps, long h air
• Toggenbmg • Khursani and found in Gobi desert of Central Asia.
• Baluchi • Anglo Nubian It occurs in ,,.rild form also.
I COMPUTER I
Generations of Computer
The history of com puters is discussed in terms of different generations of computer.
Generation Technology Features Processing Examples Languages
Used Speed
First Vaouum ■ Magnetic drum for Measured in Mark-I, Machine
(1940-1966) Tubes primary storage miliseoonds UNIVAC, language
or Valves ■ Punoh card used as ENIAC
seoonda~ storage
Seoond Transistor ■ Magnet oore memory Measured in IBM-700, Assembly
(1966-1963) used as internal storage mioroseconds IBM 1401 language
■ Magnet tapes used as and HLL
seoondary storage (FORTRAN,
COBOL)
Third IC ■ Semiconductor memory Measured in IBM360 HLL
(1964-1971) (Integrated used as primary storage nanoseconds series, (SNOBOL,
Circuit) ■ Magnetic disks were ICL 1901 BASIC)
used as secondary
stora e
Fourth VLSI or ■ Massive use of Measured in IBMPC, HLL
(1971- Mioroprocess magnetic and optical piooseconds Pentium (ORACLE ,
Present) storage devices and beyond. PC, APPLE, EDA)
Maointosh .
Fifth Bio-chips ■ Artiiioial intelligenoe will Very high Robotics Natural
(Present & &ULSI make computer speed Language
Beyond) intelligent and
knowledge based
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ General Science
• Printer prints information and data • ROM (Read Only .M emmy) 1s a non-
from the computer onto a paper. It can volatile memory, which retains the data even
print documents in colour as well as in when the power gels svviLched OF£
black and wm te. Program and data that caiJnot be altered are
• Plotter js a special kind of output stored in ROM. There are basically three
channel, W<.e a printer, that produces types of ROM: Programmable ROM(PROM),
:images on paper. They are mainly used Erasable PROM(EPROM) and Electrically
to produce large clra\i\rings or inJages. EPROM(EEPROM).
• Speaker is an output device that • Secondary Memory The computer sys tem
receives sound in the form of elecbjc uses secondary memory to store data,
cunen t. It needs a sound card program msb.7..lction and information. It
connected to a CPU, that generates stores the data permanently. User can
sound. access or :rerneve the data , 1vhenever
required. Types of Secondary Memory:
3. CPU (Cenh·al Processing • Magnetic Tape (sequential access)
Unit) • Magnetic Disk (Floppy rnsk, Hard Disk)
CPU js considered as the 'Brain of • Optical Disc (CD, DVD, Blu-ray Disc)
Computer'. It js responsible for all the • Solid State drive (Flash c:lrlve, SD cards)
man:ipulations and processing of the
data provided to the computer. It is Cache Memory
further categorised basically into two It is a type of memory used to hold the frequently
main components used data_ It acts as a buffer between the CPU
• Arithmetic Logical Unit (ALU) Tms and the main memory_ It consumes less access
un_j t performs both arithmetical and time as compared to main memory and thus, is
logical operations. Aiithmetic opera- used to match up the speed of fast running
tions mvolves addition, subtraction, processor.
multiplication, division etc and the
logical operations involves AND, OR, Registers
NOT, NOR, NAND etc. These are defined as the special memory units
• Control UnH (CU) It js an :important used by the CPU to speed up the rate of accessing
part that insb-uc ts, maintains and information_ There are some special type of
conb·ols the flow of information but registers used for specific work_
does not store the data. It tells the e_g_ Program Counter (PC) is used to hold the
memory, ALU and 1/0 devices that address of the next instruction for e><ecution.
hm11• they have to respond to the Some other examples are Accu mulator, Memory
program's insb7..lctions. Buffer Register (MBA), Instruction Register OR) etc.
NE1WORKING
Computer netvvorking relates to the Types of Computer Network
conID1llillcation between a group of two or • Local Area Network (LAN) In this,
more computers linked together. When we computers can be connected with a
conID1llillcate on a network, we share geographical ai·ea spread over I km to
information or data through a 10 Jan or we can say within a san1e
COilJil1llillCation mernum . E-mailing,
builrnng. All the terminals are
instant messaging and web pages all are
connected to a main computer calJed
dependent on comm llillcation that take
server.
place across an underlying computer
netv1rork. • Mefropolitan Area Network (MAN) It
is a data nehl\rork designed for a town or
Benefits of Networking city. Its main pmpose is to share
• Data and Fill sharing hardware and software resow·ces among
the valious users.
• Software shaiing
• Wlde Area Network (WAN) In this,
• Hardware sharing
the computers are farther apart and are
• Reliability connected by rarnowaves. Such a
nehvork may spread over counb.ies.
Network Devices
These are required to amplyfy the signal to Communication Media
restore the odginal strength of signal and to
Communkation merna of a nehvod<. refer
provide an in terface to connect multiple
to the □·ansm.ission media or the
computers in a network. Many types of
connecting media used in the nehvodc
Network Devices
Transmission merna can be rnvided in to
• Repeater is a device that amplifies the hl\ro broad categmies; guided and
signals \1\ hen they are transported over a
1
unguided merna.
long rnstance so that the signal can be as
• Gu.ided Media or Wired Technologies
sb:ong as the miginal signal .
It consists of a cable composed of metals
• Hub is like a repeater with m ul tiple ports like copper, tin or silver. BasicalJy, these
used to connect the network channels. are divided into thrne categmies
• Gateway is an interconnecting device, • Elhel'Ilet Cable or Twisted Pair A
which joins two dillerent network [ype of cable chat consisls of cwo
protocols together. independent..ly insulaled wires L\\lis ted
• Switch forwards a data packet to a around one a.nor.her. The use of [WO
wiJ:es rndsted Lager.her helps to reduce
specific route by establishing a temporary
crosstalk and electromagnetic
connection behveen the sow·ce and the induction .
destination.
• CoaxiaJ Cable A type of wiJ'e that
• Bridge reduces the amoWJt of b.'a:ffic on a consisls of a center wiJ:e swToUJJded by
LAN by rnvirnng it into two segn1ents. insulation and then a grounded shield of
• Modem is a device that converts rngital braided wiJ:e_ The shieJd minimizes
signal to analog signal and vice-versa. electrical and radio frequency
inLerference.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ General Science
points on Earth. It covers a vast range of circwt switching and packet switching for
area. It is very usefuJ in television the purpose of transmjtting data.
n·ansmission.
• Infra.red Wave Transmission lt refers to
Firewall
energy in the region of the electromagnetic It :is a combination of both software and
radiation specD'.urn at wavelengths longer hardware based devices to permit or deny
than those of visible light, but shm'ler than netwod{ transmission based on a set of
those of radio. rules. It :is frequently used to protect
• Bluetooth It is a wireless Lecbnology network from unauthmised access while
standard for exchanging darn over short permitting legitimate communication to
disLances from fixed and mobile devices pass.
and to creaLe a Personal Area Networks
(PANs).
INTERNET
Network Related Terms Internet is defined as network of
Topology netwodcs that consists of millions of
plivate and public computer neh"i1orlcs
It 1s defined as the way in which several
linked together and sharing information
nodes of the network are linked together. It using client server relationship. Data is
represents the physical path between the
shared by packet switching thrnugh
connected nodes. e.g. Bus, Ring, Star, Tree, standardised Internet Protocol Suite
Mesh etc.
(TCP/IP).
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ General Science
IP Address
Along with the physical address stored in NICs, In ternet requires and additional
addressing that identifies the connection of a host to its net.wade which js known as the IP
address. No h'l'0 hos ts on the Internet can h ave the same IP address. Each IP address
consjsts of 4 bytes i.e. 32 bits defining 3 fields: Class, Network ID and Host ID .
Instant Messaging
There are several applications (apps) prmrided for instant messaging such as Viber,
WeChat, Line, \i\!hatsApp etc. Among all, \i\!batsApp is considered to be the most globally
popular messaging app. It was bought by fucebook in 20 14. The messengers ,He only
available for Android, Black berry, iOS and Windows phone mobile operating system.
WIRELESS COMMUNICATION
The migin of wireless communication goes back to 1896, when Marcom invented the
\l\rireless telegraphy. Wireless communication is the transfer of information over a
di.stance ,vithout the use of electrical conductors or wires. The distance involed may be
short or long. e.g. GPS unHs, wireless computer mice, keyboards and headsets, satellite
telev1sion etc.
Security Threats
Phisbing
It is charncterised by the attempts to frauduJently acquire sensitive information such as
passv1rords, credit card detaiJs etc. by masquerading as a rr·ustv1rorthy person.
Inbuders
The attacker who , 1vouJd constantly find their way for breaJdng and entering in to a
secured system to access confidential or users information are called inb.·uders.
Virus
It is defined as a program or a piece of code that gets loaded onto the computer ,11rithout
users Jmowledge and replicates itself. Vaiious kinds of virus ai·e Boot sector virus, Macrn
virus, Resident virus, Polymorphic virus, Direct action virus etc.
e.g. Creeper, Stuxnet, Melissa, Con:ficker, Code red, SQL Slammer, Nimda (delived from
the word 'Admin') etc.
• Creeper is generally accep ted to be the first computer vims wlitten by Bob Thomas at
BBN (Bolt Beranak and Newman) in 1971.
Worm
It is a self replicating computer program, similar to a vims. It is a self contained program
and does not need to be a pai-t of another program to propagate itself.
Spam
It is an unsolici ted message sent over the Internet in the form of E-maiJs, to a large
number of users for the purpose of spreading malware, advertising prnshing etc.
Spyware
It is a type of malicious softwai·e instal]ed on computers and collects information about
users ,11rithout their lmowledge and may send such information to another entity. It can
assets control over the computer ,11rithout the consumer's lmowledge.
Malware
A software which is specifically designed to rnsrupt or damage a computer system. It is a
superset of computer viruses, worms, spyware, rr·ojan horses and other malicious or
unwanted softwai·e.
Botnet
It is a number of Internet computers that have been set-up to forward rr·ansm.issions
induding spam and viruses to the other computers on the Internet without the
lmowledge of their owners. It is also lmown as Zombie Army.
Antivirus
It is a softwai·e consisting of computer programs that attempt to identify, detect and
prevent the malware from the computer. It typically uses two different techniques to
accomplish this
• Exannning files to look for lmown viruses by means of a virus rnctionaiJ'.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ General Science
• Identifying suspicious behav:iom from any computer program which might indicate
infection.
e.g. Kaspersky, Norton, AVG, Avast, McAfee etc.
Steve Jobs
Steve Jobs was an Amelican businessman, inventor and industiial designer and the
co-founder of Apple Inc with Stephen Wozniak. He was the Chairman and CEO of Apple
Inc.
Glossary
• Algorithm It is a fin ite set of step-by-step, well defined instructions for accomplishing
desired actions or results.
• Animation It is the optical illusion of motion created by the conseou tive display of images of
static elements _
• Artificial Intelligence It is a branch of science that deals with helping machines fin d
solutions to complex problems in a more human like fashion.
• Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) It is also known as ROM BIOS _It is a consistent way for
application programs and operating system to interact with inpuVouput devices_
• Biometric Device A device used for user au thentication that veriiies some physical
characteristics of a user such as the person's appearance , finger print etc.
• Blu-ray Disc It can be defined as a digital optical disc data storage medium, storing high
definition video resolution. It contajns 25 GB per layer and 50 GB dual layer. It is a plastic
disc with 120 mm diameter and 1 .2 mm thickness, the same size as of DVDs and CDs.
• Camcorder It is a video camera recorder_ It is a portable electronic device capable of
recording live motion video and audio, for later playback.
• Cloud Computing It is a general term for the delivery of hosted services over the Internet
whereby shared resources, softwares and information are provided to computers and
devices as a utility over the network_
• Cookies These are often used to store information on the computer system to track the
browsing pattern on a particular site_
• Cryptography It is a method of storing and transmitting data in a particular coded form so
that only those can read and process it, for whom it is intended. It includes encoding and
decoding of data_
• Firmware It is defined as the program that has been written on to ROM.It cannot be
changed or deleted by an end user_ They are in the non-volatile memory_ Firmware is the
combination of both software and hardware_
• Flow Chart It is the graphical representation formed with specified symbols (fig) and shows
the flow of data, operations performed and the sequence of their execu tion.
• Microprocessor It is the controlling element in a computer system and is sometimes
ref erred to as the chip. e.g. Intel, Dual core, Pentium-IV etc_ Intel 4004 was the first
microprocessor.
• Motherboard The biggest piece of silicon housed in the system unit of a computer is
motherboard. All the other electronic devices and circuits of compu ter system are attached
to this board like, processor, ROM , RAM , expansion slots and USB ports. It also includes
controllers for devices like the hard drive, keyboard and mouse.
• Multimedia It refers to the use of several medias such as text, audio, graphics, video etc, to
convey information_It simply means, being able to communicate in more than one way_
• Robot It is a system that contains sensors , control systems, manipulators, power supplies
and software all working together to perform a task_
• Robotics It is the branch of technology that deals with the design, construction,
operation, structural disposition, manufacture and application of robots and computer
systems for their control , sensury feedback and information processing_
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ General Science
Abbreviations
ANSI American National Standard Institute
ALGOL Algori thmic Language
ASCII American Standard Code for Information lnterohange
AR PANET Advanoed Researoh Projects Agency Network
BASIC Beginner's All Purposes Symbolic Instruction Code
BIOS Basic Input Output System
BPS Bits Per Second
CAD Computer Aided Design
CGI Common Gateway lnterf aoe
COBOL Common Business Oriented Language
DSL Digital Subsoriber Lines/Domain-Speoiiic Language
ENIAC Eleotronic Numerical Integrator And Computer
EDI Eleotronic Data lnterohange
FAX Far Away Xerox
FORTRAN Formula Translation
GPS Global Positioning System
GIF Graphic Interchange Format
IBM International Business Maohine
ISDN Integrated Servioes Digital Network
LI PS List Processing
MICA Magnetic Ink Character Reoognition
MMS Multimedia Messaging Service
MODEM MODulator DEModulator
MIDI Musical Instrument Digital lnterf aoe
NICNET National Information Centre Network
OMR Optical Mark Reader
OOP Object Oriented Program ming
RISC Reduoed Instruction Set Computer
SNOBOL String Oriented Symbolic Language
SMTP Simple Mail Transfer Protoool
SOL Structured Query Language
TOMA Time Division Multiple Aooess
TRAI Teleoom Regulatory Authority of India
UPS Uninterruptible Power Supply
USB Universal Serial Bus
WiMAX World Wide Interoperability for Microwave Access
Wi-Fi Wireless Fidelity
WLAN Wireless Local Area Network
XHTML Extensible HyperTeict Markup Language
ZIP Zone Information Protoool
GENERAL
KNOWLEDGE
First in World (Male)
First Seoretary-General of Uniied Nations Trygve Lie (Norway)
First President of Uni1ed Stales of America George Washington
First President of the Republic of China Dr Sun Yat Sen (1912)
First Prime Minister of Great Bri1ain Robert Walpole (1715)
Pakis tan's first Governor-General Mohammed Ali Jinnah
First Ethnic-Indian Prime Min ister of Fiji Mahendra Choudhary
First American President to visit India Dwight David Eisenhower
First Russian (Soviet) Prime Minister to visit India Nikolai Bulganin
First European invader of Indian soil Alei<ander The Great
First man to go into space Major Yu ri Gagarin (USSR)
First man to walk in spaoe Alei<ey Leonov (Russia)
First space iourist Dennis Tito (USA)
First man to set foot on the Moon Neil Armstrong (USA)
First man to fly an aeroplane Wright Brothers
First man to reaoh North pole Robert Peary
First man to reaoh South pole Roald Amundsen
First man to olimb Mount Everest Sherpa Tenzing Norgay and Sir
Edmund Hillary (29th May, 1953)
First man to olimb Mount Everest twioe Nawang Gombu (1965)
First blind man to scale Mount Everest Erik Weihenmayer (25th May, 2001)
First person to sail around the world Ferdinand Magellan
First deaf and dumb to oross the Strait of Gibralter Taranath Shenoy (India)
First European to vi sit China Maroa Polo
First man to draw the map of Earth Anaximander
First man to compile encyolopaedia Aspheosis (Athens)
First man to win Nobel Prize for Literature Sully Prudhomme (Franoe)
First man to win Nobel Prize for Peaoe Henry Dunant (Switzerland}
and Frederic Passy (Franoe)
First man to win Nobel Prize for Physics WK Roentgen (Germany)
First man to win Nobel Prize for Chemistry Jaoobus H Van' t Haft (Holland)
First man to win Nobel Prize for Medioine AE Von Behring (Germany)
First man to win Nobel Prize for Economics Ragnar Frisch (Norway) and Jan
Tinbergen (Holland)
First and only blaok man ever to win singles Arthur Ashe (USA}
Wimbledon Trophy
First Asian io head the International Crioket Counoil Jagmohan Dalmiya
First man to hit double oentury in One Day Saohin Tendulkar (India}
International Matoh
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ General Knowledge
Geographical Epithets
Geographical Epithet Looation Geographical Epithet Location
Blue Mountains Nilgiri Hills Island of Cloves Zanzibar
City Beautiful Chandigarh Island of Pearls Bahrain (Persian
City of Golden Gate San Francisco GulD
Key to the Mediterranean Gibraltar
City of Magniiicent Washington (USA)
Buildings Coffee Port of the World Santos
Geographical Discoveries
Discovery Discoverer Discovery Discoverer
America Christopher Columbus North Pole Robert Peary
China Marco Polo South Pole Amundsen
Australia James Cook Mount Everest Edmund Hillary
Newfoundland Cabot Sebastian Sailed around the World Magellan
Hudson Bay Henry Hudson Sea route to India via Cape Vasco da Gama
of Good Hope
Tasmania Island Abel Tasman Planets Kepler
Hawaian Island James Cook Solar System Copemious
Cape of the Good Bartolomew Dias
Hope
Superlatives India
(Biggest, Highest, Largest, Longest, Smallest, Tallest, etc)
The longest river The Ganga (2525 km)
The longest canal Indira Gandhi Canal or Rajasthan Canal (Rajasthan)
The longest dam Hirakud dam (Odisha)
The longest sea beach Marina beaoh (Chenna1)
The highest lake Devtal lake (Uffarakhand)
The highest dam Tehri Dam (Uttarakhand)
The largest lake Wular lake (Jammu and Kashmir)
The largest saline waler lake Chilka lake (Odisha)
The largest fre sh water lake Wular lake (J & K)
The largest artifioial lake Govind Sagar (Rihand dam)
The largest river island Majuli, Brahmaputra river (Assam)
The highest waterfall Kunohikal falls, Shimoga (Karna/aka)
The deepest river valley Bhagirathi and Alaknanda
The longest river bridge Bhupen Hazarika Bridge, Loh it River (9_ 15 Km)
The longest sea bridge Bandra-Worli Sea link
The largest can tilever bridge Rabindra Setu or Howrah Bridge (Kolkata)
The state with longest coastline Gujarat
Longest rail-oum-road bridge Bogibeel Bridge
The longest river without delta Narmada
The longest railway platform Hubli
The longest road Grand Trunk Road (Kalka/a to Delhi)
The highest road Road at Umling La (Ladakh)
The longest corridor Corridor of Ramnathswam i Temple at Rameshwaram
(Tamil Nadu)
The highest airport Leh Airport (Ladakh)
The largest desert Thar (Rajasthan)
The largest delta Sunderbans (West Bengal)
The largest zoo Zoological Garden (Kolkata)
The biggest stadium Yuva BharU (Salt Jake) Stadium (Kalka/a)
The tallest TV tower Rameswaram TV tower (Tamil Nadu)
The largest gurudwara Golden temple, (Amritsar)
The largest cave temple Kailash temple (Blora , Maharashtra)
The highest peak Godwin Austin, K-2 (8611 m)
The longest tunnel Syama Pra sad Mukherjee (Chenani-Nashiri)
Tunnel (Jammu and Kashmir)
The largest animal fair Sonepur (Bihar)
The largest cave Amamath (Jammu and Kashmir)
The highest gale way Buland Darwaza, (Fatehpur Sikri, UP)
The tallest statue Statue of Unity (Gujarat)
The most populous oity Mumbai (Maharashlla)
The oldest churoh St Thomas Church at Palayur, Trichur (Kera/a)
The biggest church Saint Cathedral at old Goa (Goa)
The longest national highway NH-44 (Srinagar to Kanyakuman)
The highest award Bharat Raina
The highest gallantry award Param Vir Chakra
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE~ General Knowledge
Institute of Communication
Bharat Ratna Bhim Rao Ambedkar Institute of Telecom Training Jabalpur
Tele Communication Engineering Centre New Delhi
National Academy of Telecom Finanoe and Management Secunderabad, Hyderabad
Advanced Level Telecom Cen tre Ghaziabad
Indian Institute of Telecom Management (IITM) Pune
Indian Railways lnsLitute of Signal Engineering and Secunderabad
Telecommunications
Telecom Centres of Exoellenoe (TCOE) India New Delhi
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE~ General Knowledge
Education
Central Institute of Indian Languages Mysore
Central Institute of English and Foreign Languages Hyderabad
Rash triya Sanskrit Sansthan New Delhi
Rash triya Sanskrit Vidyapeetha Tiru pati
Indian National Academy of Engineering New Delhi
High Altitude Training Centre Shillaru (Himachal Pradesh)
Fire Training Centre New Delhi
Maharishi Sandipani Rash triya Veda Vidya Prathisthan Ujjain
Indian Sohool of Business Hyderabad
Indian Statistical Institute Kolkata
National Law Sohool Bangalore
Indian Institute of Spaoe Science and Technology Thiruvanan thapu ram (Kera/a)
Indian Institute of Public Administration New Delhi
Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Researoh Mumbai
Energy
National Power Training Institute Faridabad
Centre fo r Wind Energy Technology Chennai
National Solar Energy Federation of India (NSEFI) New Delhi
Environment
Centre for Environmental Education (GEE) Ahmedabad
Centre for Mining Environment (CME) Dhanbad
GB Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development Almora (Ultarakhand)
Centre for Ecological Sciences (CES) Bengaluru
National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) Chennai
CPR Environmental Education Centre (CEEC) Chennai
Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) Chenna i
Forest Survey of India (FSI) Dehradun
Indian Council of Forest Research and Education (ICFRE) Dehradun
Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy (IGNFA) Dehradun
Wildliie Institute of India (WIT) Dehradun
Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT) Hyderabad
Central Soil and Material Researoh Station (CSMRS) New Delhi
National Mangrove Genetic Resouroe Centre (NMGRC) Odisha
National Coral Reef Researoh Centre (NCRRC) Port Blair
National Institute of Hydrology (NIH) Roorkee
National Environmental Engineering Researoh Institute Nagpur
Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) New Delhi
Forest
Centre for Social Forestry and Eoo-rehabilitation (CSFE) Allahabad
Indian Plywood Industries Researoh and Training Institute (IPIRTI) Bengaluru
Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM) Bhopal
Institute of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding (IFGTB) Coimbatore
Forest Research Institute (FRI) Dehradun
Tropical Forestry Researoh Institute (TFRI) Jabalpur
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE~ General Knowledge
Industry
Sardar Vallabhbhai Institute of TeKtile Management Coimbatore
Institute of Pesticide Formulation Technology Gurgaon
Central Institute of Plastic Engineering and Teohnology Chennai
Labour
V V Giri National Labour Institute Naida (Uttar Pradesh)
National lnstruclional Media Institute Chennai
Central Staff Training and Research Institute Kolkata
Laboratories
Central Soientiiic Instrument Organisation Chandigarh
Central Leather Research lnslitute Chennai
Indian Institute of Petroleum Dehradun
Central Mining Research Stalion Dhanbad
Central Fuel Research Institute Dhanbad (Jharkhand)
Nalional Geophysical Researoh Institute Hyderabad
National Metallurgical Laboratory Jamshedpur
Central Glass and Ceramic Research Institute Kolkata
National Botanical Researoh Institute Lucknow
Central Drug Research Institute Luoknow
Central Institute of Medical and Aromatic Plants Lucknow
Central Food Technological Research Institute Mysore
Nalional Environment Engineering Institute Nagpur
Nalional Physical Laboratory New Delhi
Pulses Research Laboratory Pachmarh i (Madhya Pradesh)
Nalional Biological Laboratory Palampur (Himachal Pradesh)
National Institute of Oceanography Panaji (Goa)
Central Electronic Engineering Researoh Institute Pilani (Rajasthan)
Mass Communication
Film and Television Institute of India Pune
Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute Kolkata
Indian Institute of Mass Communication New Delhi
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE~ General Knowledge
e
Nuclear and Space Research Centres in India
Research Centre Place
Indian Rare Earths Limited (IREL) Alwaye (Kerala)
Uranium Corporation of India Limited Jadugora (Jharkhand)
Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) Mumbai
Eleotronics Corporation of India Limited Hyderabad
Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) Trombay (Mumbaij
Radio Astronomy Centre Ootacamund (Tamil Nadu, Ooty)
Tata Institute of Fundamental Research Mumbai
Saha Institute of Nuolear Physics Kolkata
Centre of Earth Soienoe's Studies Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala)
Physical Researoh Laboratory Ahmedabad
Spaoe Commission Bengaluru
Vikram Sarabhai Spaoe Centre Thiruvananthapuram
Indian Spaoe Researoh Organisation (ISRO) Bengaluru
Spaoe Application Centre Ahmedabad
Thumba Equatorial Rooket Launohing Station Thumba (Kerala)
College of Satellite Communication Technology Ahmedabad
Transport
Rail Wheel Faotory Bengaluru
Chittaranjan Looomotive Works Chittaranjan (West Bengal)
The National Institute of Aviation Management and Research Delhi
Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi Fursatganj (Uttar Pradesh)
National Institute of Water Sports Goa
The Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management G\1/alior
Rail Coaoh Factory Kapurthala
Diesel Locomotives Work Varanasi
LBS College of Advance Maritime Studies and Researoh Mumbai
Marine Engineering and Researoh Institute Mumbai
National Rail and Transportation Institute Vadodara
Integ ral Coach Factory Perumbur (Chennai)
Maritime Training Institute Po\1/ai (Mumbai)
Water Resources
The Central Soil and Material Research Station Ne\1/ Delhi
The Central Water and Power Research Station Puns
The National Institute of Hydrology Roorkee
Jnne October
1 Global Day of Parents 1 International Day for the Elderly (UN)
5 World Environment Day 2 lnternationaJ Non-violenoe Day, Lal
7 World Food Safety Day Bahadur Shastri and Mahatma
Gandhi's Birthday
20 World Refugee Day
3 World Habitat Day
21 lnternationaJ Yoga Day
4 World Animal Welfare Day
29 National Statistics Day
5 World Teacher's Day
July 8 Indian Air Faroe Day
1 Doctor's Day, State Bank of India 9 World Postal Day
Foundation Day 10 World Mental Health Day; National
4 Amerioan lndependenoe Day Post Day
7 lnternationaJ Day of Co-operatives 11 lnternationaJ Girl Child Day
11 World Population Day 13 World Calamity Control Day (UN)
18 lnternationaJ Nelson Mandela Day 14 World Standards Day
26 Kargil Victory Day 15 National Women Farmer's Day
28 World Nature Conservation Day, 16 World Food Day
World Hepatrtis Day 17 lnternationaJ Poverty Eradication Day
20 National Solidarity Day
August (China attaoked India on that day)
1 World Breast Feeding Day 21 World Iodine Shortage Day
6 Hiroshima Day (World Peaoe Day) 22 World Energy Day
9 Kranti Divas, Nagasaki Day, Quit 24 United Nations Day, World Polio Day
India Day, International Day of
31 World Thrift Day, National Integration
word's Ingenious People
Day
12 lnternationaJ Youth Day
31 National Unity Day
15 India's lndependenoe Day
19 World Photography Day November
20 Sadbhavna Diwas 7 Infant Protection Day; National Canoer
29 National Sports Day Awareness Day
(Dhyanchand's birthday) 10 Transport Day, Malala Day (by UN)
30 Small Industry Day 11 National Eduoation Day
14 Children's Day,
September World Diabetics Day
5 Teachers' Day, 16 National Press Day
Dr Radhakrishnan's Birthday 17 National Epilepsy Day
8 International Literacy Day 18 National Naturopathy Day
(UNESCO)
19 World Citizen Day, National
14 World First Aid Day Integration Day, World Toilet Day
15 Engineers Day, 20 Unrversal Children's Day (UN) , Africa
International Day of Democracy Industrialisation Day
16 World Ozone Day 21 World Fisheries Day
18 Biosphere Day, 25 World Non-veg Prevention Day
World Alzheimer's Day
26 Law Day, National Milk Day,
20 Railway Police Faroe Foundation Samvidhan Diwas
Day
21 lnternationaJ Day of Peaoe December
24 World Deaf Day, World Heart Day 1 World AIDS Day
27 World Tourism Day 2 lnternationaJ Day for the Abolition of
Slavery, World Computer literacy Day
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ General Knowledge
Abbreviations
[KJ ASCI Advanoed Strategic Computing
Initiative
ABM Anti BallisUc Missile
ASCII American Standard Code for
AD Anno Domini (After the birth of
Information Interchange
Jesus)
ADF Asian Development Fund ATM Automated Teller Machine
AERE Atomic Energy Research APEC Asia Paoific Eoonomic
Establishment Cooperation
AFSPA Armed Foroes Speoial Power Act ASSOCHAM Assooiated Chamber of
AGOC Asian Games Organising Commeroe and Industry of India
Commrttee ASLV Augmented Satellite Launoh
AIDS Aoquired lmmuno Detioienoy Vehiole
Syndrome
ASI Arohaeological Survey of India
ALB Advanoed Light Helicopter
APPLE Ariane Passenger Payload AVES Aoute Viral Enoephalitic
Experiment Syndrome
ASAT Anti-Satellite Weapon AWACS Airborne Warning And Control
ASEAN AssooiaUon of South-East Asian System
Nations
e GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ General Knowledge
BCG
Jesus Christ)
Bacillus Calmette Guerin
[[]
(Anti-Tuberculosis Vaccine) DAVP Directorate of Advertising and
BCTT Banking Cash Transaction Tax Visual Publicity
BCCI Board for Control of Cricket in DDT Dichlorodiphenyl Trichloroethane
India DFDR Digital Flight Data Recorder (Black
BHEL Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited Box)
BHI.l\lI Bharat Interface for Money DIG Deputy Inspector General
BIMSTEC Bay of BengaJ Initiative for DPSA Deep Penetration Strike Aircraft
Multi-Sectoral Technical and DPT Diphtheria Pertussis Tetanus
Economic Cooperation DRDO Defence Researoh and
BIS Bureau of Indian Standards Development Organisation
BIT Binary Digit (Basic unit of
information in computing and
telecommunication)
[I]
ECG Electro Cardiogram
Bl\IDS Ballistic Missile Defence System
ECT Electro Concvulsive Therapy
BRO Border Roads Organisation (electric shook treatment)
BRT Bus Rapid Transit EEG Electro-Encephalography
EET Exempt Exempt Taxation
[I] EUSA Enzyme Linked lmmuno Sorbent
Assay (used for testing AIDS)
CAA Civil Aviation Authority
EXIM Bank Export -Import Bank of India
CABE CentraJ Advisory Board of
Education ECGC Export Credit Guarantee
Corporation
CAG Comptroller and Auditor General
CAD Computer Aided Design ESCAP Economic and Social Commission
for Asia and the Pacific
CAJR Centre for Artificial Intelligence
EVl\lI Electronic Voting Machine
and Robotics
CAPES Computer-Aided Paperless EPZ Export Processing Zone
Examination System
CAZRI Central Arid Zone Research [[]
Institute
FDI Foreign Direct Investment
CAT CentraJ Administrative Tribunal
FIi Foreign Institutional Investor
CBI CentraJ Bureau of Investigation
FBI Federal Bureau of Investigation
CECA Comprehensive Economic
Cooperation Agreement FERA Foreign Exohange Regulation Act
CERT Computer Emergency Response FEM.A Foreign Exohange Management
team Act
CHOGM Commonwealth Heads of FICCI Federation of Indian Chambers of
Government Meeting Commerce and Industry
CISF CentraJ Industrial Security Foroe FRIBA Fellow of the Royal Institute of
British Architects
CITES Convention on lntemationaJ
Trade in Endangered Species FLAG Fibre Optic Link Around the Globe
CLASS Computer Literacy and Studies
in School []]
CNG Compressed Natural Gas
GAIN Global Alliance for Improved
Nutrttion
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ General Knowledge
[[] LCA
LOC
Light Combat Airoraft
Line of Control
RAC Hindustan Aluminium LOAC Line of Actual Control
Corporation LTA Light Transport Airoraft
LIGO Laser lnterf eramenter
HAL Hindustan Aeronautics Limited Gravitational-wave Observatory
mv Human lmmunodetioienoy Virus
HRIDAY National Heritage City
Development and Augmentation IBJ
Yojana. l\lJAT Minimum Alternative Tax
HYVS High Yield Variety Seeds l\lJ:ETSAT Meteorological Satellite
M.MS Multimedia Message Servioe
[I] MR.TS
MTCR
Mass Rapid Transit System
Missile Technology Control
lAAI International Airport Authority of Regime
India
IAEA International Atomic Energy [[]
Agenoy NACO National AIDS Control
IBRD International Bank for Organisation
Reoonstruction and NADA National Anti-Doping Agenoy
Development NAFTA North American Free Trade
ICAO International Civil Aviation Agreement
Organisation NASA National Aeronau1ics and Spaoe
ICAR Indian Counoil of Agrioultural Administration
Researoh NATA Natural Aptitude Test for
ICMR. Indian Counoil of Medioal Arohitecture
Researoh NATO North Atlantic Treaty Organisation
NCEP National Commit1ee on
ICRC International Committee of the Environmental Planning
Red Cross NeGP National e-Govemanoe Plan
IDPL Indian Drugs and NEP National Education Polioy
Pharmaoeuticals Limited NEPA National Environment Protection
International Maritime Act
Organisation NTPC National ThermaJ Power Corporation
INSAS Indian Small Arms System
INSAT Indian National Satellite []]
IPC Indian PenaJ Code OCI Overseas Citizen of India
IPCC lntergovernmentaJ Panel on OAS Organisation of American States
Climate Change OAU Organisation of African Unity
ODS Ozone Depletion Substanoes
e GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ General Knowledge
m
Cooperation in Europe
OROP One Rank One Pension
SAFTA
SAIL
South Asian Free Trade Area
Steel Authority of India Limited [R]
SAPTA SAARC Preferential Trading WADA World Anti-Doping Agency
Agreement WAVE Wireless Aooess for Virtual
SATNAV Satellite Navigation Enterprise
SAVE SAARC Audio Visual Exchange
WFP World Food Programme
sco Shanghaj Cooperation
WFTU World Federation of Trade Unions
Organisation
SCOPE Standing Commitiee of Public WLL Wireless in Local Loop
Enterprises WWF World Wide Fund for Nature
SEBI Securities and Exchange Board
SIDBI
of India
Small Industries Development
I x,v I
Meghnad Desai • The Rediscovery of India Sir Syyed Ahmed ■ Causes of the Indian Mutiny
Khan
MJ Akbar ■ Nehru: The Making of India
SK Nandi ■ Ramacharit
Morarji Desai ■ A Minister and his
Responsibilities Sri Aurobindo ■ Savitri
Ghosh
Narayan Shehgal ■ A Voioe of Freedom
Sunil Gavaskar ■ Su nny Days
Sh ri Narendra ■ "Convenient Action :
Modi Gujarat's Response to Surin Singh BamaJa • My Other Two Daughters
Climate Change"
Swami Dayanand ■ Satyarth Prakash
■ Exam warriors
TS ■ The Miracle of Democracy :
Nilanjan • Narendra Modi: The Man, Krishnanmurthy India's Amazing Jou rney
Mukhopadhyay The Times
■ An Unknown Indian Upinder Singh ■ A History of Ancient and
Nirad C Choudhary
Early Medieval India from
NR Narayan ■ A Better India A Better Stone Age to the 12th
Murthy World Century
PM Nayar ■ The Kalam Effect My VV Giri ■ Voice of Conscience
Years with the President
V VS Laxman R ■ 281 and Beyond
Parameswaran
Iyer
■ The Swachh Bharat
Revolution Veerappa Moily . Unleashing India
Ramesh Chandra ■ Eoonomic History of India Raghuram Rajan ■ The Third Pillar
Dutta ■ I Do What I Do
Ram Chandra ■ Gandhi Abhijit Baner/ee ■ Good Economics for
Guha & Esther Duf o Hard Times, Poor
Ravi Shankar ■ My Music, My Life Economics
United Nations
The United Nations (UN) js an 5. The International Court of Jus □ ce
international organisation, whose stated 6. The Secretariat
aims are facilitating cooperation in
international Jav, international secwjty, General Assembly
1,
• Consist of all member states of the • Trusteeship Council was formed in 1945.
UN. • The headquarters of Trusteeship Council is
• Each member nation can send five at New York (US).
delegates, but each nation has only • The rr·usteeship council suspended
one vote. operation on 1st November, 1994 with the
• The headquarters of General independence of Palau, the last remaining
Assembly is at New York (US). United Nations b.7..lst terdtory, on 1st
October, 1994.
Security Council
• The main aim of Secur1ty Council is The International Court of
the maintenance of the international Justice (I CJ)
peace and security.
• The International Court of Justice (]CJ) is
• The Secwjty Council originally
the prin1ary judicial organ of the UnHed
consisted of eleven members, but
increases to fifteen in 1966. Nations.
• Security Council comprises of five • Its main functions al'e to settle legal
permanent members nanrnly China, disputes submitted to it by states and to
OK, Russia, France and USA and 10 prov1de advisory oplillons on legal
non-permanent members, elected for questions submjtted to :it by only authmised
a term of 2 years by a two-third international organs, agencies and the UN
majority of the General Assembly, five General Assembly. The headquarters ofICJ
non- permanent members rel:i.re every :is at Hague (Netherland).
year. Retiring members cannot be • The ICJ was established in 1945.
re-elected immediately. • It consists of 15 judges. The judges of the
• Permanent member have Veto Power, cow·t are elected by the General Assembly
\'l hich can be cast against
1
any along with the Secwity Council for a
decision supported by the majority 9-years term.
members.
• The headquarters of Seclllity Council The Secretariat
:is at New York (US). • The United Nations Secretarfat :is one of
the p1inciple organs of the United Nations,
Economic and Social an inter governmental organisation
Council (ECOSOC) charged with the promotion of aiding states
• Its main aim is to promote social to collectively maintain international peace
progress and better standards of life. and secwity. It serves as a forum for
• ECOSOC comprises 54 members, 18 member-states to discuss and resolve
(one third) of whom are elected every pressing :issues in the international :field
year by the General Assembly of UN, through primarily diplomatic resources.
to serve a 3-years term. The rel:i.dng • The Secretaiiat is composed of a Secretar)'
members as well as the President are General, assisted by a staff of international
eligible for :immediate re-elections. civil servants ,,vorldwide. The Secretar)'
The headquarters of ECOSOC is at General :is appointed by the General
New York (US). Assembly upon the recommendation of the
The Trusteeship Council Secwjty Council.
• The United Nations 'frusteeship • The Secretat)' General of the UN is elected
Council was established to help for 5-year·s and eligible for re-election,
ensme that rr·ust territories were although, none so far· has held office for
administered in the best interests of more than t\Jvo terms.
their inhabitants and of international
peace and secw..ity.
Sports
OLYMPICS Olympic Flag
• The Olympic Flag was created in 1913 at
• The Olympic Games were held for the the suggestion of Baron Pierre de
first time by the Greeks in 776 BC on Coubertin. It was adopted in Pads in
Mount Olympus, in honour of the Greek June, 1914, but it was raised over an
God, Zeus. They were stopped by a royal Olympic stadium for the first time at the
order of the Roman Emperor Theodosius Antwerp games (Belgiwn) in 1920.
in AD 394. There is also a second Olympic Flag,
• These games were revived in 1894 by the '"''rnch is used for the Winter games.
efforts of a French Baron Pierre de These flags ~ue made of wrute silk and
Coube11in and the fhst modern Olympic contain five interwined rings of the
GanJes were started in Athens the capital Olympic Emblem.
of Greece on 6th April, 1896. Separate • From left to right the 1ings are Blue
, 1vinter Olympic GanJes began in 1924. (Europe), Yellow (Asia), Black (Africa),
Women have been participating in the Red (America) and Green (Australia).
Olympics since 1912. Atleast one of these colours is found on
• The Olympic Games are organised after the flag of every country.
every 4-years. • The flag is 3 m long and 2 m wide. The
emblem placed in the center is 2.06 m
Founder and Governing Body by 60 cm.
• In 1894, Baron Pierre de Coubertin
founded the In ternational Olympic Olympic Motto
Committee (] OC) to govern the Olympic Olympic Motto 'Citius, Altius, Fortius' is
Movement (comp1ising International the Latin motto meaning 'Fas ter, Higher
Sports Federations (lSF's), National and Stronger' composed by Father Didon
Olympic Committees (NOCs) and in 1897.
Organising Committees for each speci£c
The motto was introduced in 1924 at the
games).
Olympic Games in Paiis.
• IOC chooses the host city and the games
to be contested organisation and funding Olympic Flame
is made by the host city. The Olympic :flanJe symbolises the
• International Sports Federation (]SF) continwty betv11een ancient and modern
determines the qualification ruJes for games. It was at the Amsterdam GanJes in
each Olympic. 1928 that for the first time an Olympic
• The Head office of In ternational Olympic flame was ceremorually lighted and burned
Committee (]OC) is at Lausanne in a giant torch at the entrance of the
(Switzerland). stachum. The modern version of the flanJe
was adopted in 1936 at the Berlin GanJes.
Olympic Symbol
• It contains five rings or circles lin ked Olympic Medals
together to represent the sporting Olympic cbanJpions are rewarded with
fdendship of all people. Each ring is of a medals and certificate. The winning
different colour i.e., blue, yellow, black, athlete or sports persons receive a Gold
green and red. The rings are meant to Medal which, is 60 mm in chanrnter and
represent five continents viz Africa 3 mm truck and is made of 92.5% silver
(Black), America (Red), Asia (Yellow), plated with 6 gm of gold.
Australia (Green) and Europe (Blue).
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ General Knowledge
e
Olyinpic Mascot Swnmer and Winter Games on sepai-ate 4
year cycles in alternating even-nwnbered
• The Olympic Mascot(s) js/are a years, the next Winter Olympics after 1992
character, usually an animal native to was in 199 4_ In 20 14 Olympic games were
the area or occasionally hum an figures, held at Sochi, Russia.
\'l ho represents the cultural h eritage of
1
the place, where the Olympic and The 2018 winter olympic gan1es were held
Paraolympic Games are taldng place. in Pyeongchang County, South Korea .
• Since the 1968 Winter Olympics in Norway topped the medal tally by winning
Grenoble, France, the Olympic Games 14 Gold, 14 Silver and 11 Bronze.
h ave had a mascot. The :fiTst major The 2022 Winter Olympics were held in
mascot in the Olympic Games was Misha Beijing, China.
in the 1980 Summer Olympics in
Moscow. Summer Olympic Games
Olyinpic Gold Order Year Venue
• It is presented by the International 1896 Athenes, Greece
Olympic Committee for distingl.l.isbed 1900 Paris, Franoe
services in the development of the 1904 St Louis, Franoe
Olympie Movement. 1906 Athenes, Greece (Games were not
reoognised by IOC)
Olympics : Quick Digest 1908 London, Great Britain
■ 'Norman Pritchard' was the first Indian 1912 Sto □ kholm, Sweden
player to participate in Olympic (2nd 1916 Games not held due to World War I
Olympic Games in 1900) and won two 1920 Antwerp, Belgium
Silver Medals in athletics.
1924 Paris, Franoe
■ Marrie Lila Rao is 1st Indian woman
partioipant in the Olympics after 1928 Amsterdam, Netherlands
lndependenoe. 1932 Los Angele s, USA
■ India ofiioially participated in the 1936 Berlin, Germany
Olympics for the i irst time in the Sixth 1940 Games not held due to World War II
Olympic Games (1920) at Antwerp 1944 Games not held due to World War II
Belgium. 1948 London, Great Britain
■ The Indian Olympic Association was
1952 Helsinki , Finland
established in 1927. Sir Dorabji Tata was
its first President 1956 Melbourne, Australia
■ Sonia Denoncourt (Canada) was the 1960 Rome, Italy
1st woman referee in football in A'llanta 1964 Tokyo, Japan
Olympics. 1968 Me><ioo City, Mexico
1972 Munioh, West Germany
The Winter Olympic Games ai·e a major
international sporting event that occoms 1976 Montreal, Canada
once every 4 years. Unhke the Summer 1980 Mosoow, Russia
Olympics, the Winter Olympics feature 1984 Los Angele s, USA
sports practiced on snow and ice. The :fhst 1988 Seoul, Sou1h Korea
Winter Olympics, the 1924 Winter 1992 Barcelona, Spain
Olympics, was held in Chamorux, France.
The games were held every 4 years from 1996 Atlanta, USA
1924 until 1936, after which they were 2000 Sydney, Australia
interrupted by World War Il. 2004 Athene s, Greece
The Olympics resumed in 1948 and was 2008 Beijing, China
again held every 4 years. Until 1992, the 2012 London, Great Britain
Winter and Swnmer Olympic Games were 2016 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
held in the same yeai·s, but in accordance
·with a 1986 decision by the International 2021 Tokyo, Japan
Olympic Commmee (] OC) to place the 2024 Paris, Franoe (Soheduled)
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ General Knowledge
Other Sports
Table Tennis Badminton
Table Tennjs was introduced in the The modem name in 1873 of Badm.mton came
Olympic Games in 1988 at Seoul from the Badminton House, the International
(South Korea). Badminton Fed.ration was establismentin 1934,
the new name is Badminton World Federation.
Billiard
Cue sports also Jmown as billiard Cycling
sports, are a wide valiety of games of • The Tour de France toU1·nan1ent is an annual
sldll generally played with cue stick, bicycle race held in France and nearby
whkh is used to sbike billiard balls, counmes. First staged in 1903, the race
moving them around a cloth-covered covers more than 3600 Jan and Jast three
billiards table bounded rubber weeks. This is organfaed every year in month
cushions. of July.
• The 2002 Summer Olympics will be the first,
Polo at whkh men and women complete in the
Polo (Chowgan) is a team sport played some number of events in all cyding
on horsebac k, in which the objectives disciplines.
is to score goals against an opposing
team. Sometimes called, 'The sport of Swin1n1ing
kings' it was highly popularised by the • S\Jvimmmg js a wa ter based sport governed by
Biitish. It js not an Olympic sport. the Federation In ternationals de Natation
(FINA) and js formed in 1908. FINA is the
Wrestling In ternational Federation (IF) recogrused by
Wrestling is a form of combat sport the lnternationa.1 Olympic Col]]J]]ittee (I OC)
involving grappling types techniques for adminfatering international competition
such as clinch fighting, thrnws and in the aquatic sports.
talc.e downs, joint locks, pins and other • Its headquarters js at Lausanne, Switzerland.
grappling holds.
Shooting
Formula One (Fl) Race • Shooting sports have been contested at eve11'
• Formula one, also knmiv-n as Summer Olympic Games since the birth of
Formula 1 or Fl and referred to the modern Olympic Movement at the 1896
officially as the FIA Formula One Summer Olympics except at the 1904 and
World Championship, is the highest 1928 erntions.
class of single seater auto racing
sanctioned by the Federation Marathon
International Automobile (FIA). The marathon is a long-distance runing event
• It was started in 1950. with on official rnstance of 42. 195 km (26 miles
• The first Formula One World and 385 yards), that is usually run as a road
Championshlp was won by Italian race.
Giuseppe Farina in Alfa Romeo in The event was instituted in commemoration of
1950. The first Fl race in India , 1vas the fabled run of the Greek Solrner
he]d at the Buddha International Phedippiddes, a messenger fro m the Battle of
Circujt in Greater Naida, UP (201 1). Marathon to Athens.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ General Knowledge
* Pitch in fact is the space between the wickets and not the entire cricket field_
** It is the area around the hole only.
Important Sport Terms
Sport Terms
Basketball Dunk. front oourt. lay up, held ball, pivot. rebound. steal
Cricket Bye, draw, googly, topspin, over throw. duck, hit wioket
Football Bend dribble, dissent, dummy, iein~ free kick, header, re d card . throwins
Hocke y Bully, striking, oirole , p ost back
Chess Castle, diagonaes, file s, pawns, peices, prom ote, gambit. pawn
Boxing Jab. laying on knook, second out habbit punoh. upper out
Badminton Loab, let, drive, drop, love
Polo Chuker, bunker
Baseball Diamond, home run , put out, strike, ant-rubber.
Rifle Shooting Target. muzzle fulb. bulls eye
Wrestling Hali, nelson, hold sager, rebuts
Golf Fore some. stymie. T. put hole. caddy, nib liok. iron. the green. bunkeer
Billiards Jigger, p o~ break pot, in off, cans, bolting, long. hazard, oue
Swimming Breast stroke. twist, butterfly, orawl. spring board
Volle y Ball Antennae, attack hi~ libero, service , set-up, blocking, dribbling
Lawn Tennis Advantage, aoe, denoe, volley, foot fault, smash. grand-slam, slioe. love
Table Tennis End line, flat hit, foil , service, phnholder grip, reverse, top-spin , couter-hitting ,
let
Sports Organisations
FIDE Federation International Des Eohecs Chess
(World Chess Federation)
FIFA Federation International de Football Assooialion Football
IHF Indian Hockey Federation Hockey
ICC International Cricket Counoil Cricket
ITTF International Tab le Tennis Federation Table Tennis
BWF Badminton World Federation Badminton
Indian Defence
Indian Army Commands Indian Air Force Commands
Command HQ Looation Command (Operational) HQ Location
Central Command Luoknow Central Air Command Allahabad
Eastern Air Command Shillong
Eastern Command Kolkata
Southern Air Command Thiruvanan-
Northern Command Udhampur thapuram
Southern Command Pune South Western Air Command Gandhi Nagar
SW Command Jaipur Western Air Command New Delhi
We stern Command Chandigarh Command (Funotional) HQ Loaotion
Training Command (ARTRAC) Shimla Training Command Bengaluru
Maintenance Command Nagpur
Note In Decem ber 2019, Cabinet Com_mj ttee on secU1ity has established the post of
Chfof of Defence Staff to bring coordination between the thl'ee services i.e. Army, Navy
and Air Force.
e GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ General Knowledge
National Security ■ It was established in 1984 to counter the surge of militancy in the country_
Guards (NSG) ■ It is a highly trained force which deals with the militants effectively_
Rapid Action ■ It was established in 1991 _
Force (RAF) ■ Under the operationaJ command of CRPF, 10 battalions of the CRPF have
been reorien ted for tackling communal riots in the country_
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE~ General Knowledge
Indian Missiles
Name Range
Agn i-I Ir is a medium-range ballistic missile with a range of 700-800 km .
Agn i-II Ir is an intermediate-range ballistic missile with a range of 2000-3000 km.
Agn i-Ill Ir is an intermediate-range ballistic missile with a range of 3000-6000 km.
Agn i-IV Ir is an intermediate-range ballistic missile with a range of at a distance upto
4000 km .
Agni-V It is an intercontinental ballistic missile with a range of 5000-8000 km.
Prithvi Prtthvi is a tactical surface-to-surface Short-Range Ballistic Missile (SRBM) _
It has three versions.
Prithvi-1 (SS-150) Army Version (150 km range with a payload of 1ODO kg) .
Prithvi-11 (SS-250) Air Faroe Version {250 km range with a payload of 500 kg).
Prithvi-111 (SS-350) Naval Version (350 km range with a payload of 1000 kg) _
Astra Astra is Beyond Visual Range (BVR) air-to-air missile. Astra is designed to be
capable of engaging targets at varying range and altitudes allowing for both
short-range targets (upto 20 km) and long-range targets (upto 80 km) using
alternative propulsion modes.
Akash ■ Akash is a medium range surface-to-air missile defence system developed
by DADO and BEL as part of t he IGMDP. The missile can target aircraft up to
30 km away, at altitudes of 18000 m. Akash can be fired from both tracked
and wheeled platforms.
■ Akash is said to be capable of both oonventional and nuolearwarheads, with
a reported payload of 60 kg .
Trishul Trishu l is a short range surfaoe-to-air missile. The range of the missile is
12 km and is fitted with a 15 kg warhead _The weight of the missile is 130 kg_
Nag Nag is India's third generation 'Fire-and-Forget' anti-tank missile. It is an all
weather, top attaok missile with a range of 3 to 7 km.
Sagarika K-15 Sagarika is a nuolear-capable submarine launched ballistic missile with
a range of 750 km . It belongs to the K Missile family. The latest test of the
K-15 Missile was done on 11th March , 2012_
Agni VI It is an intercontinental ballistic missile with a range of 8000-12000 km .
e GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ General Knowledge
Name Range
Brahmas ■ Brahmas is a stealth supersonic oruise missile that can be launched from
submarines, ships , aircraft or land. It is a joint venture between Republic of
India 's DADO and Ru ssian Federation's NPO Mashinostroyeniya, who have
together formed Brahmas Aerospace Private Limited.
■ It is the world's fa stest cruise missile in operation _ The missi le travels at a
speed of m ach 2.8 to 3.0. It has a range of 290 km. It can carry 300 kg of
conventional or nuolear warhead.
• It is a hypersonic cruise missi le with a rang e of 290 km. It is under
developmenL
Nirbhay ■ Nirbhay is a long range, subsonic cruise missile being developed in India.
The missi le will have a range of 1ODO km. The m issile will have a speed of
0.8 maoh. The Nirbhay will be able to launohed from multiple platforms on
land, sea and air_
Rudram ■ It is air to surfaoe anti-radiation missile with an operational range of 100-250
km. The missile will help in detecting, neutrali sing the adversary's rada rs and
communication assets.
Agni P ■ DADO suooessfully tested the new generation nuoleur capable ballistic
m issile 'Agni P' from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island_ The missile is capable of
striking 5000 kms way.
Sukhoi Su-30 MKI Ru ssia, India Multirole Air Superiority Fighter Su-30 MKI
INS Kalvari ■ It is the iirst of Indian Navy's six Kalvari class sub-marine being build in India. It
is a diesal-electric attack sub-mari ne, which is designed by French naval
defence and energy oompany DCNS and being manufactured at Mazagon
Dock Umited in Mumbai.
INS Arighat ■ It is the second Arihant-olass submarine and the second nuolear-powered
ballistic missile submarine being built by India It was launched on 19th
November, 2017.
INS Khanderi ■ It is the second of the Indian Navy's six Kalvari-olass submari nes being built in
India. It is a diesel-electric attack submarine. It was launched on 12th January,
2017.
INS Karanj • Third submarine of the iirst batch of six kalvari class submarine.
■ It is a diesel-electric attack submarine, that was launohed on 31th January,
2018.
INS Vela ■ It is the fitth submarine of the firs t batoh of six Kalvari-olass submarines for the
Indian Navy.
■ It is a diesel-electric attack submarine based on the Scorpene olass, designed
by French naval defence and manufactured by Mazagon Doak Umited .
■ The submarine inherits its name from INS Vagir (S41) which served in the Navy
from 1973-2001, and was named after a species of sandtish.
INS Delhi ■ It is India's largest and m ost sophisticated indigenously built warship _
(Destroyer) ■ It was launohed in 1991 at Mazgaon Docks and Commissioned in 1997_
■ It is the leadship of her □ lass of guided Missile destroyers.
INS Mysore ■ It is a Delhi □lass guided missile destroyer ourrently in aotive servioe wi1h the
(Destroyer) Indian Navy_ INS Mysore was built at Mazgaon Dock Umited in Mumbai and it
was commissioned in 1999_
INS Prabal ■ It is a veer □lass corvette , ou rrently in aotive service with the Indian Navy_
(Corvette) ■ It was built at Mazgaon Doak Umiled and Commissioned in 2002.
INS TaJwar • It is the leadship of the Talwar olass frigates of the Indian Navy_
(Frigate) • Its name means 'Sword' in English _
■ It was built in Russia and oom missioned into th e Indian Navy in 2003.
INS Kolkata ■ It is the lead ship of the Kolkata olass guided missile destroyers of Indian Navy_
(Destroyer) ■ It was handed over to the Navy on 10th July, 2014.
INS ■ It is the lead ship of the Visakhapatnam-class stealth guided-missile
Visakhapatnam destroyers of the Indian Navy_
(Destroyer) ■ It is being constructed at Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) and has been launched
on 2oth April, 2015 _The ship is expected to get oommissioned by 2018.
INS Kavaratti ■ It is an anti-submarine warfare corvette of the Indian Navy_
(Anti-submarine ■ It is the last of fou r komodo class corvettes under various stages of induction
Warfare w ith the Indian Navy_
Corvette) • The ship was built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers, Kolkata and
launched on 19th May, 2015 _
INS Kochi ■ It is the second ship of the Kolkata-olass destroyers built for the Indian Navy_
(Destroyer) ■ It is built at Mazagon Dock Umiied, Mumbai. She was oommissioned to Indian
Navy on 30th September, 2015.
■ It has been built under th e code name of project 15 Alpha.
INS ■ It is first totally indigenously-designed and built torpedo launoh and recovery
Astradharani vessel , commissioned on 6th Ootober, 2015.
(Torpedo ■ The unique design of the ship was a oollaborative effort of Naval Soienoe and
Recovery Technological Laboratory, IIT Kharagpur and shaft shipyard.
Vessel) • It is the advanced replacement of the INS Astravahini which w as
deoom missioned on 17th July, 2015.
INS Vibhuti ■ It was India's first indigenously bum missile boat launohed at Mazgaon Docks
(Corvette) in Mumbai.
■ It is a veer □ lass corvette_
INS Savitri ■ It was India's first warship fabricated at Hindustan shipyard Umiled in 1990_
(Offshore petrol ■ It is a Sukanya olass patrol vessel of the Indian Navy_
Vessel)
INS Shakti ■ It was India's first indigenously built submarine.
(Auxillary Fleet) ■ The ship is one of the largest in the Indian Navy as it is 175 min length and 32 m
in wid th_ It is a Deepak-class i leet tanker_
INS Dhruv ■ It is India's first nuoleur missile.
■ The ship wi1h its anti ballistic missile capabilities will act as an early warn ing
system for enemy missile headed toward Indian oities and military
establishments.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE~ General Knowledge
IL Under Construction
1. Kudankulam Tamil Nadu 2
2. Kalpakkam Tamil Nadu
3. Aawalbhala Rajas than 2
4. Kakrapar Unit 344 Gujarat
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ General Knowledge
There are now 22 operating nuclear power reactors (two boiling water reactors and
twenty PHWRs (Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors) , 1vith a total installed capacity of
6780 MW (1.8% of total installed base).
ISRO Establishments
SHAR Cenb·e, Sriharikota
• It :is located on the East coast of Andhra Pradesh, SHAR :is the main launch centre of
ISRO. Thjs centre also undertalces large scale production of sand rocket propellant and
ground testing of sand fulled rocket stages of the Indian launch vehicles. In September
2002, the SLibarikota Space CentTe was renan1ed as Professor Satish Dhawan Space
Centre.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE~ General Knowledge
UNITY Sat and 28th February, 2021 PSLV-C51 Sriharikota Earth Observation
Satish Dhawan
SAT
Gaganyaan Mission
• It is the first indigenous human space mission designed by ISRO_
• Under this mission, three Indian asronauets (Gaganyatris) will be taken to space on board
Gaganyaan spacecraft _The launch has been delayed and is expected to take its first flight by 2023_
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE~ General Knowledge
National Awards
BHARAT RA1NA • The reverse side of the decoration
SatzJamev ]ayate has been , 1vritten in
• Bharat Ratna js lnrna's Wghes t Civilian Hindi with an inscription of state
Award. It was first awarded in 1954. The emblem. The emblem, the Sun and the
actual av,,ard is designed in the shape of rim are of platinum. The inscriptions are
a Peepal leaf with Bharat Ratna in burrnsbed bronze.
inscdbed in Devanagri script in the Sun
Note The Pad ma Awards were suspended
Figme. between 1977 and 1980 as well as
between 1992 and 1998.
Winners of Bharat Ratna
2019 ■ Pranab Mukherjee, Bhupen Hazarika*, 1990 ■ Dr Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela
Nanaji Deshmukh*
1990 ■ Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar *
2015 ■ Madan Mohan Malaviya*
1988 • Marudur Gopalan Ramaohandran *
■ Atal Bihari Vajpayee
1987 ■ Khan Abdul Ghattar Khan
2014 ■ Saohin Tendulkar, CNR Rao
1983 • Acharya Vinoba Bhave *
2008 ■ Pandit Bhimsen Joshi
1980 ■ Mother Teresa
2001 ■ Ustad Bismillah Khan
2001 ■ Lala Dinanath Mangeshkar 1976 ■ Kumaraswamy Kamraj *
1975 ■ Varahagiri Venkata Giri
1999 ■ Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi *
1999 ■ Professor Amartya Sen 1971 ■ Indira Gandhi
1966 ■ Lal Bahadur Shastri *
1999 ■ Loknayak Jayprakash Narayan *
1999 ■ Pandit Ravi Shankar 1963 ■ Dr Zakir Hussain
1998 ■ Madurai Shanmukhavadivu 1963 • Dr Pandurang Vaman Kane
Subbulakshm 1962 ■ Dr Rajendra Prasad
1998 ■ Chidambaram Subramaniam 1961 • Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy
1997 • Dr APJ Abdul Kalam 1961 ■ Shri Purushottam Das Tandon
1997 • Aruna Asaf Ali * 1968 ■ Dr Dhonde Keshav Karve
1997 ■ Gulzari Lal Nanda * 1967 ■ Pt Govind Ballabh Pant
1992 ■ Maulana Abul Kalam Azad * 1965 ■ PandltJawaharl~Nehru
1992 ■ Satyajii Ray 1955 ■ Dr Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya
1992 ■ Jehangir Ratanji Dadabhai Tata 1955 ■ Dr Bhagwan Das
1991 ■ Rajiv Gandhi * 1954 ■ Dr Chandrashekhar Venkala Raman
1991 ■ Sardar Vallabhbha i Patel * 1964 ■ Dr Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan
1991 ■ Morarji Ranohhodji Desai 1954 • Chakravarti Rajagopalachari
PADMAAWARDS
There are three Padma Awards given on Republic D{ljy (26th January) every yem:
1. Padma Vibhushan
• This is the second highest National Av,,ard .
• Instituted on 2nd January, 1954 by the Government of lnma.
• It is awarded to recog:rrise exceptiona.1 and distinguished service to the nation in any
field.
2 . Padma Bhushan
• This is the third largest Nationa.1 Awards.
• Instituted on 2nd January, 1954 by the Government of lnma.
• It :is awarded to recognise distinguished service of a b_jgh order to the nation , in any
field.
3 . Padma Shri
• This :is the fourth highest Nation a.1 Award instituted on 2nd January, 1954 by
Government of lnma.
• In 1960, Dr MG Ramachandran refused to accept the award as the wordings of the
award is in Hindi.
• It recognises the contribution of Inman citizens (generally) in various spheres of
activity inducting Arts, Education , industry, Literatme, Science, Sports, Socia.1 Service
and Public life.
MILITARY AWARDS
To be given on Republic Day (26th J anuary)
Vir Chakra Established on 26th January, Government of Acts of bravery in the battle
1950 wef 15th August, 1947 India field
• Subedar Major Bana Singh of the 8th JanJmu and Kashmir light infantry was the only
serving personnel of the Inman defence establishment with a Param Vir Chalaa till the
Kargil operations.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ General Knowledge
■ Company Quarter 4th Battalion, Grenadiers 10th September, Chima, Khem Karan
Master Havaldar Abdul 1965 Sector Pakistan
Hamid
■ Lieutenant-Colonel 17th Poona Horse 15th October, Phillora, Sialkot
Arde shir Burzorji 1965 Sector, Pakistan
Tarapore
■ Lanae Naik Albert Ekka 14th Battalion, Brigade of 3rd December, Gangasagar,
the Guards 1971 Agartala Sector
• Flying Offioer Nirmal Jit No. 18 Squadron, Indian 14th December, Srinagar, Kashmir
Singh Sekhon Air Faroe 1971
■ 2Jlieutenant Arun 17th Poona House 16th Deaember, Barapind Jarpal ,
Khetarpal 1971 Shakargarh Seator
■ Major Hoshiar Singh 3rd Battalion, The 17th December, Basantar River,
Grenadiers 1971 Shakargarh Seator
■ Naib Subedar Bana 8th Battalion , Jammu and 23rd May, 1987 Siachen Glaoier,
Singh Kash mir Light Infantry Jammu and Ka shmir
■ Major Ramaswamy 8th Battalion, Mahar 25th November, Sri Lanka
Parameshwaran Regiment 1987
■ Captain Manoj Kumar 1st Battalion, 11th 3th July, 1999 Khaluber/Juber Top,
Pandey Gorkha Riiiles Batalik Sector, Kargil
area, Jammu and
Kashmir
■ Grenadier Yogendra 18th Battalion, The 4th July, 1999 Tiger Hill, Kargil Area
Singh Yadav Grenadiers
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE~ General Knowledge
■ Captain Vikram Batra 13th Battalion, Jammu 6th July, 1999 Point 6140. Point
and Kashmir 4875, Karg.ii Area
Sports Awards
Rajiv Gandhi Khel RatnaAward
• The Rajiv Gandhi KheJ Ratna Award (renamed as Major Dbyan Chand KheJ Ratna
Award) is lnrua's highest bonom given for achievemen t in sports. The ,,vords 'Khel
Ratna' li terally means 'Sports Gem ' in Hinru. The award is named after late Rajiv
Gandhi, former Prime Minister of India.
• The award was instituted in the year 1991-1992 and was awarded by the minjsb.-y of
youth affairs and sports.
• The prize money in thjs award h as been rncreased from t 7.5 lakb tot 25 lakh.
• First Awardees-199 1-92 Viswanathan Anand (Chess).
• In 2020, Romt Sharma (Cricket), Vrnesh Pbogat (Wresiling), Ram Ran1paJ (Hockey),
Monika Batra (Table Tenms) and Mariyappan Thangavelu (Para athlete) were awarded
Rajiv Gandm Khel Raina Award.
e GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ General Knowledge
AijnnaAward
• The Aijuna Awards were institu ted in 1961 by the Mirusb.'y of youth affairs and
sports, Government of India to recognfae outstanding achievement in National
Sports. The award carries a cash prize of~ 15 ]akb, a bronze statuette of Aijuna and a
scroll_.
• From the year 2001, the av,,ard is given only in disciplines falling under the following
categories
■ Olympic Games
■ Asian Games
■ Commonwealth Games
■ World Cup
■ World Championship Disciplines and Cricket
■ Inrngenous Games
■ Sports for the physically challenged
Dronacharya Award
Dronacharya Av,,ard js an award presented by the minjsb.)' of youth affairs and sports,
Government of India for excellence in sports coaching. The award comprises a bronze
statuette of Dronacharya a scroll of honour and a cash prize of~ 10 la.kb. The award was
instituted m 1985.
DhyanchandAward
Dhyanachand Award is India's highest award for lifetime acmevement in sports and
games, given by the Government of Inrna. The award is named after the legendai)' Inman
hockey player Dhyanchand. The awards was instituted in 2002. The awai·d carries a cash
prize oft 10 la.kb. Kulmp Singh BhuJJai· (Athletics), Jincy Philips (Athletics), Pradeep
ShriJrrishna Gandbe (Badminton), Trupti Murgunde (Badmmton), N Usha (Boxing),
Lalcha Singh (Boxing), Sulchvinder Singh Sand.bu (Football), Ajit Pal Singh (Hockey),
Manpreet Singh (Kabadm), J Ranjith Kumai· (Pai·a Athletics), Satyaprakash Tiwari (Pai·a
Badmmton), Manjee t Singh (Rowing), Sa.chin Nag (Swimming), Nandan P Bal (Tenms)
and Netai~paJ Hooda (Wrestlmg) were awai·ded Dhyanchand Award for 2020.
Film Awards
National Film Awards
• The National Film Awards are the most Recipients Years
prominent film award ceremony in Satyajit Ray 1984
Inclia, established in 1954 and it is V Shanlaram 1985
admirristered, along with the B Nagi Reddy 1986
international film festival of India and Raj Kapoor 1987
the Inclian Panorama, by the Inclian Ashok Kumar 1988
Government's Directorate of Film Lata Mangeshkar 1989
Festivals since 1973. A Nageshwar Rao 1990
• Due to the national character of the Bhalji Pendharkar 1991
National Film Awards, it is considered to Bhupen Hazari ka 1992
be the equivalent of the American Majrooh Sullanpu ri 1993
Academy Awards. Dilip Kumar 1994
• The National Award for Best Actor was Dr Raj Kum ar 1995
jointly won by Suriya for Soorarai Pottrn Shivaji Ganeshan 1996
and Ajay Devgan for Tanhaji. Aparna Kavi Pradeep 1997
Balamw.-ali won the Best Acb.-ess Award BR Chopra 1998
for her role in Soora1·ai Potn·u . Tamil Hrishikesh Mukherjee 1999
featme Soora1·ai Potn·u was named the Asha Bhosle 2000
best film of the year at 68th National Yash Chopra 2001
Film Awards. Dev Anand 2002
Mrinal Sen 2003
Dada Saheb PhalkeAward Adoor Gopalakrishnan 2004
• The Dada Saheb Phalke Award is India's Shyam Senegal 2005
highest awa1·d in cinema given annually Tapan Sinha 2006
by the Government of Inclia for lifetime Manna Dey 2007
Contiibution to Inman Cinema. VK Murthy 2008
• It was institu ted in 1969, the birth D Ramanaidu 2009
centenary yea1· of Dada Saheb Phalke, K Balachander 2010
considered as the Father of Inclian Soumitra Chatterjee 2011
Cinema. Pran Krishan Sikand 2012
• Phalle Awa1·d carries a 'Swa1·na Kamal', Sampooran Singh Ka lra 2013
a shawl and a cash prize of~ I 000000. (Guizar)
Shashi Kapoor 2014
Recipients of Dada Saheb Phalke Manoj Kumar 2015
Award Kasinalhun i Viswanath 2016
Reoipients Years Vinod Khanna 2017
Mrs Devika Rani Roerioh 1969 (First) Amilabh Bachohan 2018
B N Sirkar 1970 Rajinikanth 201 9
Prithvi Raj Kapoor 1971 Asha Parekh 2020
Pankaj Mallick 1972
Mrs Ruby Myers 1973 Filmfare Awards
BN Reddy 1974 • The Filmfa1·e Awards are presented
Dhiren Ganguly 1975 annually by the Times group to honour
Mrs Kanan Devi 1976 both a1tistic and technical excellence of
Nilin Bose 1977 professionals in the Hincli language film
RC Baral 1978 indus b.-y of Inclia. The awa1·ds were first
Sohrab Modi 1979 in n·oduced in 1954, the same yea1· as the
P Jai Raj 1980 National Film Awa1·ds.
Naushad Ali 1981 • They were irrit::ially referred to as the
L V Prasad 1982 C]a1'e Awards after the editor of the
Mrs Durga Khote 1983 Times of Inclia, Clare Mendonca.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ General Knowledge
JnanpithAward
• The Jnanpith Award is a literary award in Inma. The award was instituted in 196 1. It is
presented by the Bharatiya Jnanpith, a b:ust founded by the Sahu Jain family, the
publishers of the Times of lndia newspaper.
• It carries a check of~ 7 Jakh, a citation plaque and a bronze replica of Saraswati, the
Inman Goddess of lrnowledge, music and arts . First awarded in 1965 to Sankar Kurnp
(Malayalam).
Recipients of the Jnanpith Award
Recipients Years
G Shankar Kurup (Malayalam) 1965
TS Bandopadhyaya (Bengali) 1966
Uma Shankar Joshi (GujaratQ 1967
R S Firaq Gorakhpuri (Urdu) 1969
Sumitra Nandan Pant (Hindi) 1968
Vishwanath Satyanarayan (Telugu) 1970
Vishnu Dey (Bengali) 1971
Ram Dhari Singh Dinkar (Hindi ) 1972
Dr D R Bendre (Kannada) and Gopinath Mohanty (Oriya) 1973
V S Khandekar (Marathi) 1974
PV Akilandam (Tamil) 1975
Mrs Asha Purna Devi (Bengali) 1976
K Shiv Ram Karanth (Kannada) 1977
H S Vatsayan 'Ageya' (Hindi) 1978
V K Bhattaoharya (Assamese) 1979
S K Pottekat (Malayalam) 1980
Mrs Amrita Pritam (Punjabi) 1981
Mrs Mahadevi Verma (Hindi) 1982
M V Iyengar (Kannada) 1983
T S Pillai (Malayalam) 1984
Panna Lal Patel (Gujarati) 1985
Sachida Nanci Routory (Oriya) 1986
V V Shirvadkar (MarathQ 1987
C Narayana Reddy (Telugu) 1988
Qurtul-ain-Haider (Urdu) 1989
Vinayak Krishna Gokak (Kannada) 1990
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE~ General Knowledge
Reoipients Years
Subhash Mukhopadhyay (Bengali) 1991
Naresh Mehta (Hindi) 1992
Dr Sitakant Mahapatra (Oriya) 1993
U R Anantha Murthy (Kannada) 1994
M T Vasudevan Nair (Malayalam) 1995
Smt Mahasweta Devi (Bengali) 1996
Ali Sardar Jafri (Urdu) 1997
Girish Karnad (Kannada) 1998
Nirmal Verma (Hindi) and Gurdayal Singh (Punjabi) 1999
Dr Indira Goswami (Assamese) 2000
Rajendra Keshavlal Shah (Gujarati) 2001
D Jaya Kanthan (Tamil) 2002
Vinda Karandikar (Marathi) 2003
Rehman Rahi (Kashmiri) 2004
Kunwar Narayan (Hindi) 2005
Ravindra Kelekar (Konkani) and Satyavrat Shastri (Sanskrit) 2006
0 N V Kurup (Malayalam) 2007
Akhlaq Khan Shaharyar (Urdu) 2008
Amar Kant (Hindi) 2009
Shrilal Shukla (Hind i) 2009
Chandrashekhara, Kambara (Kannada) 2010
Pratibha Ray (Odiya) 2011
Ravuri Bharadhwaja (Telugu) 2012
Ke darnath Singh (Hindi) 2013
Bhalchandra Nemade (Marathi) 2014
Raghuveer Chadhari (Gujarati) 2015
Shankha Ghosh (Bengali) 2016
Krishana Sobti (Hindi) 2017
Amitav Ghosh (English) 2018
Akkitham Aohuthan Namboothiri (Malyalam) 2019
Nilmani Phookan (Assamese) 2021
Damodar Mauzo (Konkani) 2022
Bhasha Sam.man
Instituted in 1996, Sahltya AJcaderni gives these special awards to ,,.rriters for significant
con!J.:ibution to Indian languages other than the above 24 major ones and also for
contJ.jbution to classical and medieval bteratme.
Translation Awards
Established in 1989, Sahitya AJcademi annually gives these awards for outstanding
ITanslations of major works in other languages in to one of the 24 major Indian languages.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ~ General Knowledge
Saraswati Samman
The Saraswati Sam.man is an arnmal award for outstanding prose or poe □-y literacy wades
in any Indian language listed in Schedule VIl of the Constitution of India. The Saraswati
Sam.man was instituted in 1991 by the KK Bi.rla foundation. The award consist oH' 10
la.kb , a citation and a plaque.
TansenAward
These awards are given by Government of Madhya Pradesh for the outstanding
conb.ibution in the field of music. This award was constituted in 1980 and compreses { 2
la.kb .
VyasSamman
The Vyas Samman is a literary award in India, first awarded in 1991. It jg awarded
annually by the KK Bir]a Foundation and includes a cash payout of { 2.5 la.kb.
Iqbal Samman
These awards are given by the Llterary Council of Madhya Pradesh for the outstanding
con □ibution in the field of mdu li teratme. Trus award was constituted in 1987 and
comprises { l la.kb and certificate.
Murtidevi Award
This award was constituted in 1984 and is given for extra ordinary performance in
literature. It is given by Indian Jnanpith Trust
Science Awards
Shanti Swarup BhatnagarA'ward
• Trns p1ize for science and technology in awarded annually by the Council of Scientific
& lndusrnal Research (CSIR) for notable and outstanding research, applied or
fundamental , in biology, chemjsb.-y, environmental science, engineering, mathematics,
medicine and physics under the age of 65 years.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE~ General Knowledge