General Studies Basics

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Quick Review Quick Review IVRS: Interactive Voice response System. SMS: Short Messaging Service PAN means Permanent Account Number. In India so far 15 times the Lok Sabha elections are conducted. 15 th one is 2009. The midterm elections were conducted for 5 times so far. (1971, 1980, 1991, 1998, 1999). The Madam Tussauds Museum is located in London. The wax models of historical and Royal figures, film stars, sport stars etc are displayed. Green Cars are those cars that run with CNG (Compressed Natural Gas), LPG (liquefied Petroleum Gas) and with electric engine. Highest number of air ports are present in USA (15079).

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General Studies Basics

Transcript of General Studies Basics

Quick Review

Quick Review IVRS: Interactive Voice response System. SMS: Short Messaging Service PAN means Permanent Account Number. In India so far 15 times the Lok Sabha elections are conducted. 15th one is 2009. The midterm elections were conducted for 5 times so far. (1971, 1980, 1991, 1998, 1999). The Madam Tussauds Museum is located in London. The wax models of historical and Royal figures, film stars, sport stars etc are displayed. Green Cars are those cars that run with CNG (Compressed Natural Gas), LPG (liquefied Petroleum Gas) and with electric engine. Highest number of air ports are present in USA (15079). Sir Robert Cheese Brow (1837 1933) is the inventor of Vaseline Petroleum gelly. The life expectancy is lowest in Swaziland (32 years). Here more than 61 percent of the people die of AIDS every year. Gulzarilal Nanda was the first interim PM of India after the death of the Jawaharlal Nehru (1st PM) in the year 1964. Gulazari Lal Nanda is also the interim PM after the death of Lal Bahadur Sastri in the year 1966. Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel was the first Home Minster of India. P.Chidambaram is the current HM. So far India had 7 deputy PMs (As of March 2011). First Dy. PM was Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel (1947-50). 7th was LK Advani (2002-04). The position of Deputy PM was not mentioned in the Constitution. Maulana Abdul Kalam was the first Education Minister for the independent India. November 11, the birth anniversary of Maulana was declared as National Education Day. During National Emergency the term of Lok Sabha and assemblies is extended by 1 year. So far National Emergency was imposed for 3 times. National Emergency was imposed for the 1st time in 1962 because of war with China, second time in 1971 because of war with Pakistan. Third time in 1975 because of internal disturbances. (44th Constitutional amendment replaced the Internal Disturbances with Armed Rebellion). Golaknath vs. the state of Punjab (1967) case judgment was delivered by the CJI K.Subba Rao. Supreme Court said Fundamental Rights cannot be amended. Keshavananda Bharati Vs state of Kerala (1973) case judgment was delivered by the CJI SM Sikri. Supreme Court said Judicial Review is a basic feature of the Constitution. 86th Amendment of 2002 changed the subject matter of Article 45 and also made elementary education a fundamental right under Article 21 A. (This came into effect on April 1, 2010). Morarji Desai (4th PM) is the 1st PM of India who do not belong to Congress. He is the only Indian to receive both Bharat Ratna and Nishaan-e-Pakistan. Morarji Desai is the first Indian Prime Minister to resign from the office. In Radar system, Radio waves are used to locate the existence of an object. As on January 12, 2012, the four Chief Ministers are the members of the State Legislative Council (Upper House). They are Nitish Kumar (Bihar), Mayawati (UP), Sadananda Gowda (Karnataka) and Prithviraj Chouhan (Maharashtra). Smiling Buddha is the code name of the Indias 1st nuclear programme conducted in 1974 in Pokhran (Rajasthan). Operation Shakti is the name of Pokhran-II conducted by India May 11 and May 13, 1998. Morarji Desai was the 1st Chairman of Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) and Verappa Moily the Union Law minister is the latest chairman of ARC. Legislative Assembly strength should not be more than 500 and not less than 60 members. Legislative council strength should not be less than 40 and not more than 1/3rd of the strength of assembly. Lion was the National animal of India up to 1972. Since 1972, National animal is Tiger.

NATIONAL SYMBOLS:

National Animal - Tiger National Tree Banyan. National bird Peacock National Flower Lotus National Fruit Mango National River Ganga National Aquatic animal Dolphin.

The President nominates 2 Anglo-Indians to Lok sabha and 12 members to Rajya Sabha. The Governor of a state nominates 1 Anglo-Indian to Assembly and 1/6th members to legislative council. Tenure of CAG is 6 years or till he attains the age of 65 years whichever is earlier. Tenure of Chairman and members of UPSC is 6 years or till he attains the age of 65 years whichever is earlier. Tenure of Chairman and members of State Public Service Commission or JPSC is 6 years or till he attains the age of 62 years whichever is earlier. The tenure of a service Chief (Army, Air Force and Navy) is 3 years or till the age of 62 years whichever is earlier. Article 52. There shall be a President. Article 153. There shall be a Governor for each state. The President of India is elected by the elected members of Lok Sabha, Elected members of Rajya Sabha and the elected members of State Assemblies including that of Delhi and Pondicherry. The Governor is appointed by the President. Air Force One (Rajdoot, Rajhans & Rajkamal) fleet. This is modeled on US Presidents Air Force One. Indian President traveled on Rajdoot to Assam. B-Complex and C Vitamins are water soluble and A, D, E and K are the fat soluble vitamins. Vitamins B and C are water soluble. B and C dissolve in water and are not stored. Hence needed in daily diet. Excess A, D, E and K are stored in liver. They are not needed every day in diet. The right of suffrage (Voting) for Lok sabha and assemblies is mentioned under Article 326 of the Indian Constitution. In the original Constitution the minimum age to vote was 21 and through 61st amendment in the year 1989 it was reduced to 18 years. Articles 15, 16 and 19 belong only to citizens. Remaining articles under Fundamental rights are applicable to citizens and aliens equally. Yuri Gagarin (USSR) was the first Cosmonaut to go into space in the year 1961 in a space craft called Vostok-1. Valentina Tereshkova (USSR) is the first woman to go into space in the year 1963. She travelled through Vostok-6. Neil Armstrong (US) along with Edwin Aldrin was the first to land on Moon on July 20, 1969. They travelled through Apollo-11(Eagle) landed on sea of Tranquility on Moon. Rakesh Sharma was the first Indian to go into space in the year 1984. He went in a space craft called Soyuz T-11. Kalpana Chawla died in the crash of space shuttle Columbia STS-107 on February 1, 2003. India's 1st meteorological satellite METSAT renamed as Kalpana-1. The Sankranti festival is the festival of the Sun god who is regarded as the symbol of divinity and wisdom. The Sankranti marks the Suns transition from Dhanur rasi (Sagittarius) to Makara rasi (Capricorn). This also means that the Suns is on its northwards journey or Uttarayan bringing it closer to the northern hemisphere. The Sankranti festival is called Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Lohri (Punjab), Bhogali Bihu (Assam). First Lok Sabha was constituted in May 1952. Mavalankar was the first speaker and M Ananthasayanam Ayyangar was the first deputy Speaker of Lok sabha. Parliament means Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha and the President. The Lok Sabha is also called lower house or House of people. The Rajya Sabha is also called Upper House or Council of states. State Legislature means Legislative Assembly, Legislative Council and the Governor. Central Hindu College at Banaras was founded by Dr Annie Besant in the year 1898. It was developed into Banaras Hindu University by Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya. Annie Besant was the first woman President of INC in 1917 during Calcutta session. Sarojini Naidu was the first Indian woman President of INC in 1925 during Kanpur session. Mahatma Gandhi was the President of INC only once in the year 1924 during Belgaum session. Justice Sinha of Allahabad High Court delivered judgment against Indira Gandhi in the year 1975 for the malpractices of 1971 elections. The petition was filed by Raj Narain. Theosophical society was founded in New York in the year 1975 by Madam Elena Blavatsky. Later it is moved to Adyar (Chennai). Vijaya lakshmi Pandit was the first Indian elected as the President of the 8th United Nations General Assembly in 1953. Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit was the first woman cabinet Minister in India. She was the Minister for Local self Government and Health in the congress ministry of UP from 1937 to 1939. She was the first Indian woman ambassador to erstwhile USSR from 1947 to 1949. In 1901 Kadambini Ganguly became the first woman to address INC during Calcutta session. INC was founded by A O Hume in Bombay in the year 1885. WC Bennerjee was the first President of INC. First woman Governor in India Sarojini Naidu for the state of UP in the year 1949. First woman CM in India Sucheta Kripalani for the state of Uttar Pradesh (1963 1967). Rajkumari Amrit Kaur was the first woman Cabinet Minister in India up to the year 1957. She held the Ministry of Health portfolio. Indira Gandhi was the first Prime Minster to get defeated in the elections. She was defeated in the 1977 election by Janata Party candidate Raj Narain. Leila Seth-1st woman Chief Justice of High Court(HP). National environmental engineering institute was established in Nagpur in the year 1958. Cape Verde is the 153rd nation in WTO (World Trade Organization). WTO head Quarters Geneva, Switzerland. WTO Director-General Pascal Lamy. In April 2009 he was reappointed for a term of 4 years. Russia is not a member of WTO. TEMPLE Trees: This is the official residence of the President of Sri Lanka. Food& Agriculture organization HQ Rome. Director General Jacques Doiuf. MNP (Mobile number Portability). MNP was first introduced in Haryana in the year 2010. On January 20, 2011 it was extended to the entire country. The Wagah border lies on the Grand Trunk road connecting Amritsar and Lahore. The towns of Baarle-Nassau in Netherlands and Baarle-Hertog in Belgium are so deeply intertwined that it is very common to find the white crosses the divide the 2 countries running through a road, a restaurant or even a house. The citizens of Australia and New Zealand can work and live in either country without restrictions. India shares open border policy with Nepal. The smallest sea island Market Island is shared by Sweden and Finland. The Berlin wall that separated East and West Germany epitomized as the Iron Curtain, a boundary between the Free World and the Communist World. As per Schengen agreement one does not require any special travel documents to cross over to another European country. International Monitory Fund and International Bank for Reconstruction and Development or World Bank, both put together is called Bretton Woods twins. International Monitory Fund and World Bank both Head quarters located in Washington. Both were set up in the year 1945 Pluto lost the status of a planet. Venus is the nearest planet to the earth. Venus is the hottest planet in the solar system. This is called Morning star/Evening star. Mercury is nearest to the Sun. All planets rotate up on their axis from west to East. Venus and Uranus rotate from east to West. Asteroids are present between Mars and Jupiter. In Supreme Court there is a Chief Justice of India and 30 other judges. All are appointed by the President. Once appointed retire at the age of 65. SC and HC judges are appointed by the President. Both Submit resignation letter to the President. SALARIES:

President Rs. 1, 50,000/- Vice President- Rs. 1, 25,000/-. Governor Rs. 1, 10,000/-. Chief Justice of India (CJI) - Rs. 1,00,000/- Other Judges of SC- Rs. 90,000/- Chief Justice of High Court Rs. 90,000/- Other judges of High Court Rs. 80,000/-

After the death of the President Zakir Husain in 1969, Vice President VV Giri resigned. At that time the CJI Hidayatullah acted as the President till the completion of elections. Arjun is Indias main battle tank developed by DRDO (Defense Research and Development Organization). Its original name MBT-80. DRDO Head quarters located in New Delhi. DRDO Director General Dr V K Saraswat. He is the scientific advisor to the Defence Minister. Edmund Hillary (New Zealand) and Tensing Norgay (Nepal) called "Tiger of the snows", became the first men to scale Mt. Everest in 1953. Zero was invented by Unknown Indian. Indias first satellite Aryabhatta (1975) and second satellite Bhaskara-I (1979) both were launched from Baikanour Comsodrome (USSR). Bhaskara-I was Indias first earth observations satellite. Geosynchronous orbit (36,000 km) is an earth orbit made by an artificial satellite moving west to east direction. Tropic of cancer passes through Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Tripura and Mizoram. (8 States). Among parallels only Equator is a great circle. Equator passes through Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, Gabon, Congo, Congo Republic, Uganda, Kenya, Somalia and Indonesia.

THE MINIMUM AGE FOR CONTESTINGELECTIONS: President, Vice President, Governor 35 years. Rajya sabha and Legislative councils 30 years. Lok sabha and Assemblies 25 years.

Parliament is Summoned and Prorogued by the President. Lok sabha is dissolved by the President. Rajya Sabha is a permanent house that cannot be dissolved. The term of the President and the Vice President is 5 years. They can be reelected. Governor holds office during the pleasure of the President. Governor can be reappointed. President submits resignation letter to the Vice president and the Vice President submits to the President. Governor submits the resignation to the President. The National Museum of Natural History was set up in the year 1772 in Madrid (Spain) is the first museum of its kind. The red colour of the blood is due to the presence of the iron compound called hemoglobin. Blood consists of RBC (Erythrocytes), WBC (Leucocytes), Platelets and Plasma. Blood is classified into A, B, AB and O. The blood group AB is Universal acceptor. The blood group O is Universal donor. Karakoram Highway connects Pakistan-occupied Kashmir with xianjing in China. This is 800 km long. The atmosphere contains 5 layers. They are Troposphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere, Ionosphere and exosphere. Maximum concentration of Ozone-present in stratosphere. Finance commission is mentioned in Article 280 of the Constitution. It is constituted by the President of India every 5 years. Chairman and Members are appointed by the President. Finance commission submits the report to the President of India. President lays the report before the Parliament. So far 13 Finance Commissions were constituted. K C Neogy was the chairman of 1st Finance Commission. The Chairman for 13th Finance Commission was Vijay Kelkar. Olympics: 1st modern Olympics were held in 776 BC in Athens. 1st modern Olympics 1896 Athens.2008 Beijing, 2012 London, 2016 -Rio de Janeiro. SAARC was set up in the year 1985. Afghanistan joined the group during 2007 SAARC summit in Delhi. 2010 SAARC summit was held in Thimphu, Bhutan. In the year 2011SAARC summit will be held in Male, Maldives. Nitrous Oxide (N2O) is commonly known as Laughing gas. In the year 1984 Union Carbide (UC) gas leak of Methyl isocyanides many people were killed. Warren Anderson was the chairman of UC. Later UC was taken over by DOW. June 5th World Environment day. July 11th World population day. RBI prints currency notes except one rupee note and other coins. One rupee note printed and coins are minted by the Ministry of Finance. The highest denomination at present in India is Rs. 1000/- notes. Maximum denomination that RBI can issue notes is Rs. 10,000/- Corbett National park is Indias 1st national park (1935). Presently it is in Uttaranchal. This is the 1st sanctuary that is covered under project Tiger. Bengal was divided in the year 1905 and reunited in the year 1911. Jains used Prakrit language. Buddhists used Pali languages. Vitamin D is called sunshine vitamin. Integrated Guided Missile Development programme (IGMDP) comprises Prithvi, Trishul, Agni, Akash and Nag missiles. Agni Surface to surface Missile. Prithvi surface to surface missile. Trishul Surface to Air missile. Akash Surface to Air missile. Nag is an anti tank missile. Deficiency of Vitamin A results in night blindness. Deficiency of Vitamin C causes Scurvy. Deficiency of vitamin D causes Rickets. Total vitamins 13. A, B complex (8), C, D, E and K. Vitamin K-essential for clotting of blood. A-Retional,B1-Thiamine,B2-Riboflavin,C-ascorbic acid The Punganur cow is the Worlds smallest breed (type, variety) of cows. This cow milk contains highest fat (8 percent) content and rich medicinal properties. Normally a cow milk contains 3 to 3.5 percent fat. Jaya Deva was the author of Gita Govind. Harsha Moved capital from Thaneshwar to Kanauj Harsha was defeated by Chalukya ruler Pulakesini II. Bana Bhatta lived in the court of Harshavardhana. Harsha belongs to pushyabuti dynasty. He followed Buddhism. Elephanta caves (Maharashtra) were built by the Chalukyas. It has both Hindu caves (Shiva) and Buddhist caves. Ajanta caves Buddhism. Ellora caves Buddhism, Jainism and Hinduism. Nasik caves Buddhist, Shivate & Vaishnavite. Bactrians were the first kings to issue coins bearing their names. During Vedic period Goghana means a guest. Nishka means Gold. Yava means Barley. Vrihi, Tandula, Sali means Rice. Junagad Inscription (Gujarat) is the first official inscription in Sanskrit. Ashokas Rock Edict XIII gave importance to the policy of Dhamma. These Rock Edicts are the collection of 33 inscriptions. Taxila (Punjab) sculpture represents the nature. Mahavira was associated with triratnas (Right Knowledge, Right faith and Right Action) Tripitikas Buddhist literature compiled in Pali language. o Vinaya Pitikao Sutta Pitika o Abhidamma Pitika. Jatakas are part of Suttapitika and they explain the stories of previous birth of Buddha. Buddhist Councils: 1st Rajagriha (483 BC) 2nd Vaisali (383) 3rd Pataliputrs (250 BC) 4th Kashmir (1 AD).

3rd Buddhist council was held during Ashoka period. During 4th council Buddhism was divided into Hinayana and Mahayana. Linga raja temple is present in Bhubaneswar. It represents the Nagara style of architecture. It was built by Jajati Keshari in 11 AD. Dasavatara temple is present in Deogarh in UP. It was built during Gupta period. Ashoka Pillar or Allahabad inscription at Allahabad provided the information of Samudra Gupta.

Avesta was the oldest Iranian texts. Swapnavasavadatta was written by Bhasa. Vasavadatta was the prince of Avanti. Mahajanapadas and capital:

o Kashi - Varanasio Anga - Champao Vajji -Vaisali Vasta - Kausambi.

Bimbisara (founder of Haryanka dynasty) was the contemporary of Buddha. Selucas Nicator was the contemporary of Chandra Gupta Maurya. Bimbisara, Ajatasatru and Udayin are the 3 important kings belong to Haryanka dynasty. Haryanka, Naga, Nanda, Maurya and Sunga are the sequence of dynasties that ruled Magadha. Terracotta was used for making Harappa seals. Bronze dancing girl was found at Mohenjo-Daro. Mohammad-Bin-Tuglaq introduced token copper currency. Firoz-shah-Tuglaq set up a separate department to maintain slaves. Alexander was the king of Macedonia. He crossed Hindukush Mountains and Indus River in the year 326 BC. The battle of Hydespes was fought on the river Jhelum between Alexander and Porus and Porus was defeated. Rishaba was the first Jain Thirthankara. Rishaba means bull. Parshva was the 23rd Jain Thirthankara. Mahavira was the 24th Thirthankara. Mahavira died at Pavapuri in 468 BC. According to Jainism plants and trees have 2 jivas. Animals have 3 or more jivas. Mahavira preached in Magadhi. The teachings of Jainism were recorded at a council conducted at Pataliputra in 5 AD. The Third Battle of Panipattook place in1761. Fought between Marathas and Afghans led by Ahmad shah Durrani also called Ahmad Shah Abdali. Marathas were defeated. Rahim was the court poet of Akbar. Taj Mahal was finest Mughal architecture in Marble. Babur tomb is present in Kabul (Afghanistan). Jaipala (Shaka king) was the 1st ruler to face the invasion of Mahmud of Ghazni. Bengal Gazette was the first major news paper started in India in 1780. Liver is the largest gland in the human body. Lord Canning was the Governor-General of India when 1857 revolt broke out. Lord Canning was the last Governor-General and the first Viceroy of India. Doctrine of Lapse was introduced by Lord Dalhousie. Satara (Maharashtra) was the 1st to be annexed in the year 1848. Portugal was the first country to establish trade relations with India. Lord Macaulay introduced English education in India. Sir Clement Atlee was the PM of England when India got the independence. Mount Batten Plan or June 3rd plan is envisaged the partition of India into India and Pakistan. Lord Mountbatten was appointed as the 1st Governor-General of free India. First Indian Governor-General was C. Rajagopala Chari. Mohammad Ali Jinnah was the 1st Governor-General of Pakistan.o ********* Insulin was discovered by Fredrick Banting and Charles Best of Canada in the year 1921. Insulin is a hormone secreted by the Pancreas that regulates sugar levels in the body. The Attorney-General cannot vote but has right to speak and take part in the proceedings of Parliament without being a member. The Advocate-General cannot vote but has right to speak and take part in the proceeding of state legislature without being a member. As per the estimations of UN World Population India will be the most populous country by the year 2050. Dadabhai Naoroji (Grand Old Man of India) was the first Indian to be elected to the British House of commons in the year 1892. Lunar eclipse occurs when the earth is between Sun and Moon. Solar eclipse occurs when the Moon is in between the Sun and the Earth. Fourth estate refers to Press. The term was first used by Thomas Macaulay in 1828. Jammu and Kashmir is the only state in India which has a separate Constitution which came into force in 1957. Article 370 of Indian Constitution provides for the special status for Jammu and Kashmir. Indias first fast Breeder Test Reactor located at Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, Kalpak am near Chennai. Apsara is Indias first nuclear research reactor. Kamini is Indias first neutron reactor. 38th parallel is the boundary between North Korea and South Korea. 49th parallel is the boundary between USA and Canada. The Joint session of the Parliament is summoned by the President. The Joint session of the parliament is presided over by the Speaker. As per 2001 census Kerala registered lowest decadal population growth rate and highest was Nagaland. Pipavav (Gujarat) is the first private port in India. In India there are 12 major ports. 6 on east coast and 6 on west coast. Kandla-Gujarat Mumbai-Maharashtra Nhava Sheva-Maha New Mangalore-Karnataka Mormugao-Goa Kochi-Kerala Tuticorin-Tamil Nadu Chennai-TN Vishakhapatnam-AP, Para dip-Orissa Haldia Kolkata Kolkata in West Bengal.

Kandla is a free port. Mumbai is the biggest port. Calcutta is riverine port. Vishakhapatnam is the deepest port. Aiteraya Brahmana is associated with Rig-Veda. Shatapatha Brahmana is associated with Yajur Veda. Jaiminiya is associated with Sama Veda. Gopatha is associated with Atharva Veda. Labour party was in power in England when India got independence. Lord Curzon was the viceroy of India when Bengal was partitioned in the year 1905. Red Shirts or Khudai Khidmmatgar movement was led by Khan Abdul Gaffer Khan. Also called Frontier Gandhi. Hunter commission was appointed to look into the tragedy of Jallianwala Bagh of 1919. In the year 1907 INC split into moderates and extremists. This is popularly called Surat Split. Rashbehari Ghosh was the president of INC in 1907. Servants of India society was launched by Gopala Krishna Gokale in the year 1905. During Tripuri session (1939) S C Bose defeated Pattabhi sitaramaiah (Gandhis nominee). Abdul Kalam Azad withdrew nomination. Direct action was launched by Muslim league in the year 1946 to achieve Pakistan. Hindu-Muslim riots took place in Calcutta. Iron was unknown to the people of Indus Valley civilization. In Carnatic region French and British East India Company clashed for the first time. Vinobha Bhave was the first person to start individual Satyagraha in the year 1940. Jawaharlal Nehru was the second to launch the same. Lord Harding II was the viceroy of India when Bengal was reunited in the year 1911. Same year capital was shifted from Calcutta to Delhi. Carbohydrates are the compounds consisting of Carbon, Hydrogen and Oxygen. Enzymes are made up of Proteins. Enzyme is a catalyst. It promotes action without direct involvement. Substrate is a substance up on which enzyme acts. There are 23 pairs of chromosomes and total 46 present in a human body cell. Out of these 23 pairs one pair determines the sex. This pair is called sex chromosomes and others are called autosomes. If the pair contains identical chromosomes XX then the sex is female. If it is XY the sex is male. Human blood was classified into A, B, AB and O by K. Landsteiner. Blood Group AB carries no antibody, where as O carries antibody Anti-A and Anti-B. A carries antibody Anti-B and B group carries Anti-A. Deficiency of Iodine causes goiter. This is the enlargement of thyroid. Deficiency of protein leads to Kwashiorkor. Deficiency of iron leads to Anemia. Deficiency of sodium leads to Hyponatremia. Deficiency of calcium leads to Rickets. Deficiency of Vitamin A leads to Xerophthalmia/dry eye and Night Blindness. Deficiency of Vitamin B1 leads to Beriberi. Deficiency of Vitamin B2 leads to Ariboflavinosis Deficiency of Vitamin C leads to Scurvy. Deficiency of Vitamin D leads to Rickets. Oxygen is a product of Photosynthesis that comes from water. Lactic acid is present in milk. A bacterium contains only one chromosome. A plant cell is differentiated from animal cell with the presence of cell wall in plant cell. Mitochondrion is considered to the power house of a cell. Virus that infects a bacterium is called bacteriophage. Oceansat-3 is planned for the year 2011-12. Chandrayaan I: Moon Mineralogy Map per (M3) US supplied instrument found water and Hydroxyl emanating from Moon. Hydroxyl is 1 Hydrogen and 1 oxygen atoms. Hyper-Spectral Imager (HySI) is an Indian instrument also detected presence of water on the Moon. Large Hadron Collider (LHC), the Worlds largest particle acceletor set a record for high energy collisions by crashing 2 proton beams into each other at 3 times more force than ever before. Collision was conducted at CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research) Head quarters Geneva. K-152 Nerpa (Akula-II) is a nuclear submarine inducted into the army of Russia. This will be leased to India in 2010 for a period of 10 years and is commissioned as INS Chakra. Agni III Indian long range missile of 3500 km was tested successfully in Feb, 2010. Agni I, II, III tested successfully. Agni-V is planned for 2011. (Remember there is no Agni-IV). K-15 missile is fitted to Arihant (Indias first indigenously developed nuclear sub marine) K-15 land version is Shourya. Danush (Ship based anti-surface missile) is the naval version of Prithvi. It was tested recently on March 11, 2011. Prithvi was the first missile developed under Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme. Prithvi-II was successfully launched in October 2009. Astra (Beyond-Visual-Range Air to Air) missile successfully tested in Jan, 2010. Tested at Balasore, Orissa. Astra is the smallest missile that is developed by DRDO. UN Climate Change Conference was held in Cancun, Mexico from November 29 to December 10, 2010. This is officially called COP 16. COP is Conference of the Parties. And also called CMP6 means conference of the parties serving as the meeting of the parties to Kyoto protocol. COP 17/CMP7 will be held in Durban, South Africa from November 28 to December 9, 2011. Kyoto Protocol was signed in 1997 and came into force in 2005. It imposes targets for emission reductions up to 2012 only on developed nations. BASIC (Brazil, South Africa, India and China) conference took place in Beijing in November 2009. Green India 2047 report is published annually by TERI (The Energy and resources Institute) since 1995. Miss Kerala is Indias most popular fresh water fish. It is also called Red Line Torpedo Barb. India has the target of generating 20000 MW power by 2020 thru nuclear energy and 20,000 MW by 2022 through solar energy. World Future Energy Summit was held in Jan, 2010 in Abu Dhabi. The PRITZKER prize is the highest honor in architecture and is regarded as equivalent to Nobel Prize. For the year 2010 it was awarded to Japanese duo Kazuyo Seijma and Ryue Nishizawa. 1st census in India conducted in 1872 and the 14th census in the year 2001. 2011 will be the 15th census. 1872 to 1931 caste based census was conducted. Government is conducting the caste based census for the 1st time in independent India during 2011. 19th Law Commission chairman is Venkata Rama Reddy. MMTS stands for Multi Model Transport System. DHMU stands for Diesel Hydraulic Multiple Unit. Nuclear Security Summit (NSS) convened by Obama in Washington on April 12, 2010. Next NSS will be South Korea in the year 2012 IED: Improvised Explosive Devise BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) Summit 2010 held in Brazil and for the 2011 it will be in China. SaaS (Software as a Service) is an application hosted on a remote server and accessed through internet. Indias first commercial solar power plant is Azure powers located in Punjab. Inaugurated in 2009. WIMAX (World wide interoperability for Microwave access) is a telecommunication technology that provides wireless data in various ways. Cloud computing is a general term for anything that involves delivering hosted services through internet. Bing, Wolframalpha, Kosmix, Cuil are the names of various search engines. Orkut, Face book, Twitter, My Space, LinkedIn are the names of various Social networks. Lord Wellesley established Fort William College in Calcutta in 1800. Fort St.George is Madras was set up in Madras in 1812 by east India Company. Sulphuric Acid is the most important industrial chemical in the world. A most commonly used strong acid.USA is the largest producer of the same. Satyajit ray and Latha Mangeshkar are the two persons who won both Bharat Ratna and Dada Sahib Phalke awards. 369 parties contested in 15th Loksabha elections of 2009. Three Gorges dam (China) is the largest Hydro Power plant in the world. Capacity 22,500 MW. Indian institute of science is located in Bangalore. Sputnik I of Russia was the first earth orbiting satellite.(1957) Vostok I of Russia- 1st manned earth orbiter with Yuri Gagarin (1959). Luna I of Russia was the first lunar fly. Luna II was the first lunar impact. PHALCON AWACS (Air borne warning and control system) delivered to India by Israel. This is the radar surveillance system. INS Vikramaditya (Air craft Carrier) will be inducted into Indian Navy by 2012. This will be delivered b Russia. Rulers: Peshwa Pune Gaikwads Baroda Bhonsle Nagpur Holkars Indore Sindhias Gwalior.

Article 243D of the Constitution provides that aminimum of one-thirdof the total number of seats filled by direct elections in Panchayat Raj shall be reserved for women. The reservation for women is increased to 50% through the 110th amendment of the Constitution Article 243T of the Constitution provides that aminimum of one-thirdof the total number of seats filled by direct elections in every Municipality shall be reserved for women. The reservation for women is increased to 50% through the 112th amendment of the Constitution. Justice YV Chandrachud was the longest serving CJI from February 22, 1978 to July 11, 1985. K N Singh was the CJI for the shortest period of time from November 25, 1991 to December 12, 1991. During photosynthesis plants cool the environment by releasing water through pores or stomata that present on the surface of leaves. TheGini coefficientis ameasure of statistical dispersion developed by theItalianstatisticianCorrado Gini. COBALT 60 is an artificial element. Its half life period is 5.27 years. It is produced by neutron activation of COBALT 59. China started economic reforms in the year 1979 and India in the year 1991 The Indian Wild Life (Protection) Act 1972. This also granted permission to kill rogue animals. Gir forest in Sourastra region of Gujarat is the home for Asiatic lions. When Aurobindo was arrested in the year 1908 by the British for being the prime suspect in bomb outrage, C R Das fought his case and Aurobindo was acquitted. China was the 1st country to introduce paper currency. Cowries shells were used by the Chinese as a medium of exchange.

TWO HEADS ARE BETTER THAN ONE.

Assam was called Kamrupa. The Tomaras built the city of Dhillika (Delhi) in 736. Alberuni (writer and scientist) and Firdausi (Poet) were present in the court of Ghazani. In the first battle of Tarai (1191) prithvi raj chauhan defeated Mohammad Ghori. In the second battle of Tarai (1192) Mahmud ghori defeated Prithvi raj chauhan. Qutub-ud-din Aibak was the first independent Muslim ruler of India. Aibak died while playing Chowgan. (Persian game , this is Polo). Babur defeated Ibrahim Lodi in first battle of Panipat in the year 1526. This is the beginning Mughal Empire Paper industry started in China in 1 AD. Sadasiva raya was the last ruler of the Vijaya Nagara dynasty. During his time vijayanagara kingdom was ruined and destroyed by Muslim rulers in the battle of tallikota or Rakshasa tangadi or Bannihatti in 1565. At the second battle of Panipat (1556) Hemu was defeated by Akbar. The last Mughal ruler was Bahadur shah. (1857). During the time of Ahmad Delhi was attacked by Ahmad shah Abdali in third battle of Panipat in the year 1761. The Battle of Buxar was fought in October 1764 between the forces under the command of the British East India Company, and the combined armies of Mir Kasim (the Nawab of Bengal), Shuja-ud-Daula (the Nawab of Awadh) and Shah Alam II, the Mughal Emperor. 108th amendment Meant for providing 33 percent of reservation for women in Parliament and state legislative assemblies. This was introduced in Rajya Sabha and passed. 109th amendment Extension of reservation for SCs, STs and Anglo-Indians in Parliament and state legislatures up to the year 2020. 110th Constitutional amendment Increasing reservation for women in Panchayati Raj bodies from the existing 33 percent to 50 percent. 111th amendment Meant for providing constitutional status to cooperative societies. 112th amendment Increasing reservation for women in Muncipalities from the existing 33 percent to 50 percent. Right to Information act came into force on June 15, 2005. Right to Education act came into force on April 1, 2010. Nitrous oxide (N2O) is the laughing gas. Ethylene is used for ripening of fruits. Appendix also called vermix located near the junction of large intestine and small intestine. This is a vestigial organ (No function). MF Hussain acquired the Qatar citizenship. 11th five year plan (200 2012) is the Indias educational plan. Highest point on the land-Mt Everest. Lowest area-shore of dead sea(Jordan) Deepest area Mariana Trench in Pacific Ocean Mars is called Red planet. Duncan passage is present between South Andaman & Little Andaman. Western& Eastern Ghats are connected by Niligiri (blue) hills. Annaimudi-highest peak in Western Ghats(sahyadri) Niligiri are separated by Annamalai hills by Palghat (Kerala) pass.

Ancient names of rivers:

SUTLEJ SATURDI. RAVI PARUSINI CHENAB ASKINI JHELUM VITASTA BEAS - VIPAS

Narmada, Tapti, Mahi and Luni are the west flowing rivers. Highest waterfall is Angela. This is located in Venezuela. Victoria Falls present between Zambia Zimbabwe. Jog falls-Highest in India present on river sharavati.

GRASS LANDS:

o East Africa- Savannao Brazil- Camposo Venezuela- Llanoso Argentina- Pampaso N. America- Prairieo S. Africa- Veldo Asia- Steppeo Australia- Down

Sahara (Largest) desert touches 11 countries in Africa. Ladakh is the coldest desert present in Himalayas. William Hawkins visited the court of Jahangir in 1609. Sir Thomas Roe visited in 1617 and got the permission to set up a factory at Surat. Concept of Public interest Litigation (PIL) 1st started in USA. In India Public Interest Litigation was introduced in the year 1985. At that time P N Bhagawati was the CJI. In Iceland an eruption started in Eyjafjallajokulla glacier The Volcano erupted on March 20, 2010 after silence of 200 years. The International Space Station project began in 1994 with the Shuttle-Mir programme-completed by 2011. Mangala is the oil field in Barmer district of Rajasthan. The largest onshore discovery in India. X board exams-CBSE cancelled from 2011. Rajya Sabha members are elected by elected MLA's. Finance Commission recommends about the grants-in-aid to be given to the states. Residuary powers are borrowed from Canada.

Article 134 A of the Constitution Grant of Certificate for the appeal to the Higher court.

Article 143 of the Constitution President can seek the advice from the Supreme Court.

Supreme Court judge, justice VS Sirpurkar will head the panel that will have Andhra Pradesh high court former chief justice AR Dave and noted constitutional lawyer PP Rao.

*********** India has mainly two types of satellite systems. IRS (Indian Remote Sensing) satellite launched by PSLV and INSAT (Indian National Satellite) launched by GSLV. India developed 4 types of launch vehicles. SLV, ASLV, PSLV and GSLV. The SLV (Satellite Launch Vehicle) is also called SLV-3. This is a four staged solid fuel light launcher. This carries a payload of 40 kg and can reach a height of 500 Km. SLV was first launched in 1979 and it was launched last time in the year 1983. The current status is that it is decommissioned. ASLV (Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle) is a five staged solid propellant rocket system with a capacity to place 150 kg satellite into the LEO (Low Earth Orbit). This was first tested in 1987 and decommissioned in the year 1994. PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle) launch the IRS into the Sun Synchronous Orbits. PSLV can also launch small satellites into GTO (Geostationary Transfer orbit). PSLV launched highest number of satellites at once. This is the highest by any country. GSLV (Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle) is to launch INSAT into Geostationary Orbit. This can put the payloads of up to five tons into the Low Earth Orbit. The latest launch of GSLV-F06 with the GSAT-5P satellite was failed on December 25, 2010. The very latest launch vehicle is GSLV Mark III is under development. This is scheduled in the year 2012. Indias first satellite was Aryabhatta launched in the year 1975 from USSR. Rohini satellites were built and launched indigenously. INSAT satellites are useful for Telecommunications, broadcasting, Meteorology, search and rescue needs for India. IRS satellites are the earth observation satellites. These are placed in the sun synchronous orbit. IRS P4 is a type of Remote sensing satellite and is also called Oceansat 1 launched in the year 1999. The Oceansat -2 was launched in the year 2009. PSLV C-16 is scheduled in 2011. This will launch Resourcesat -2. GAGAN (GPS Aided Geo Augmented Navigation) the concept was prepared jointly by the AAI (Airports Authority of India) and ISRO. This is meant for navigation and surveillance of air traffic management. Article 84 (a) of the Indian Constitution says that only the citizens of Indian are eligible to contest in the Parliament elections. Article 173 (a) of the Indian Constitution says that only the citizens of India are eligible to contest in the state Assembly elections. In any election if a defeated candidate fails to secure more than 1/6th of the valid polled votes in the constituency will lose the security deposit. From Modakurichi Assembly constituency of Tamil Nadu 1033 candidates contested in the year 1996. This is the maximum number so far. The election expenditure means the expenditure incurred by a candidate between the date of nomination and the date of announcement of the results. The election expenditure details must be submitted to the Election Commission within 30 days from the date of announcement of the results. Smallest bone in the human body is stapes. This is present in the ear. The largest bone in the human body is Femur. This is present in thigh. The skin is the largest organ of the human body. The smallest muscle in the human body is Stapedius. This is also present in the ear. This is attached to Stapes. (The smallest bone). The biggest skeletal muscle is Gluteus Maximus. This is a buttock muscle. The longest muscle is Sartorius. This runs from hip to knee. The strongest muscle is Masseter, the chewing muscle. The muscle with the largest surface area is Latissimus Dorsi that covers the middle portion of the back. The sweat has no odor. There are 9000 taste buds on the tongue. India and Sri Lanka are separated by PALK Strait and Gulf of Mannar DHANUSHKODI is a place near Rameshwaram in Tamil Nadu form where the total solar eclipse was seen. (Map Pointing question) look at the map. Central Information Commissioner is appointed by the President. State Information Commissioner is appointed by the Governor Veerappa Moily (Union Law Minister) is the Chair person for second Administrative Reforms Commission. The committee submitted 15 reports. Nuclear Security Summit 2010 held in Washington. DHRUV is the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH), designed and developed by the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. The word Budget is not mentioned in the constitution. Annual Financial Statement is mentioned in Article 112. Krita, Treta, Dwapara and Kali yugas. These are the four yugas. (Remember the sequence). Joint Session is mentioned in Article 108 of the Constitution. Joint session is summoned by the President. Joint session is presided over by the speaker The Supreme Court judges are appointed by the President. The High Court judges are appointed by the President. The District Court judges are appointed by the Governor. K Santhanam former DRDO official who was associated with the Pokhran tests, has provided fresh fodder to the criticism by terming the thermonuclear test a fizzle? Arijit Payasat a judge of Supreme Court nick named as Sachin Tendulkar of SC judges. Danush is the naval version of Prithvi missile. June 5 World Environment Day. Longest elevated national highway of 9.5 km inaugurated in Bangalore. This connects silk board junction and electronic city in Bangalore. Palakkad district in Kerala is the 1st district in the country which if fully electrified. LESOTHO is a land locked country is South Africa. Swaziland is a land locked country in South Africa and towards east bordered by Mozambique. Under Article 143 of the Constitution the President of India can consult the Supreme Court and seek its opinion. Apatani is a tribe in Arunachal Pradesh. Jarawa tribe is in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Munda tribe is in Jharkhand and Bihar. Santhal tribe is in Jharkahnd and West Bengal. First Municipal Corporation in India was set up in Madras in the year 1687. Lord Rippon considered as the Father of Local self Government in India. The Anti-defection law was 1st enacted in West Bengal in the year 1979. In Berubari Union case of 1960 Supreme Court opined that Preamble is not a part of Constitution. In Keshavananda Bharati case (1973) and LIC of India case (1995) Supreme Court held that the Preamble is a part of Constitution (Be very clear). Gini Coefficient used as a measure of inequality ofincome Kalapani and Susta is the dispute between India and Nepal. The Supreme Court inquires into the disputes related to the election of the President and Vice President. The decision of the Supreme Court is final and exclusive. CAG (Comptroller and Auditor General) of India is considered to be a friend, philosopher and guide to PAC (Public Accounts Committee). Below Poverty Line (BPL) census in India conducted for the first time in 1992. In the year 2010 it was conducted for the 4th time. National Rural Employment Guarantee Act was renamed as Mahatma Gandhi REGA since October 2, 2009. This is a central law for providing minimum 100 days of employment to the people of Below Poverty line in rural areas. Barak Obama is the 44th president of USA. Joe Biden is the Vice President of USA. Domestication of animals started during Neolithic period. Dog and sheep 1st domesticated. Wheat and Barley were the earliest cereals grown. Bramhacharya, Gruhasthya, Vanaprastha & Sannyasa are the 4 ashramas. (Remember the sequence). The Battle of 10 kings mentioned in Rig-Veda. This was fought over the division of RAVI water. During Vedic period Rice was called Vrihi, Wheat Godhuma, Barley Yava. The Battle of Hydaspes took place on the banks of river Jhelum between Alexander and Porus. (Alexander won). Alexander died in 323BC in Babylonia Rishaba was the first Jain Thirthankara. Rishaba means bull. Parshva was the 23rd Jain Thirthankara. Mahavira was the 24th Jain Thirthankara. Tamraparni (Sri Lanka) and now it is called Tamirabarani) and The ancient name of Burma was Suvarnabhumi. In the ancient days the name Suvarnadweepa was used for South-east Asia. The Ancient name for the Indian subcontinent is Jambudvipa. Periplus of Erythrean Sea was written by unknown author. Zero was invented by unknown Indian. Saka Era began in 78 AD. Subahsh Chandra Bose was re elected as the President of congress in 1939 and defeated Pattabhi Sitaramaiah who was supported by Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel. Maulana Abdul Kalam withdrew his nomination. The Earth is divided into3 parts Crust (SIAL), Mantle (SIMA) and Core(NIFE) Crust and Mantle separated by Mohorivicic Discontinuity. Mantle and core separated by Gutenberg Discontinuity. The Himalayans are formed from the sea called Tethys sea which is situated between the Gondwana in the south and Angaraland(Laurasia)toNorth. Khadar is new Alluvium and Bangar is old alluvium. 1939 tripuri congress session Bose defeated Pattabhi sitaramaiah who was supported by Gandhi. The Andamans and Nicobars are separated by the Ten degree channel. The 8 degree channel passes thruogh south Minicoy Island. FIFA President Joseph Sepp Blatter of Switzerland. Golden boot is awarded to the top goal scorer in FIFA world cup international. Jyoyhi Basu(CPI(M)) was the longest serving CM (1977-2000) Mahatma Gandhi was the President of INC in the year 1924 during Belgaum session. Gandhi called Tilak "The Maker of Modern India Gopala Krishna Gokale was the mentor for both Gandhi and Jinnah. Gandhi Sequence: Champaran (1917), Kheda (1918), Ahmadabad (1918) By August 15 the rulers of all 562 states with an exception of Junagarh, Kashmir and Hyderabad had signed the instrument of accession. According to the Article 75(2) of the Indian Constitution the Ministers (including PM) are individually responsible to the President. Under Article 75 (3) of the Indian Constitution the Council of Ministers are collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha. Portfolio system introduced in India through the Indian Cuncils Act of 1861. Dyarchy was first introduced in provinces through GOI Act of 1919. GOI Act of 1935 introduced Dyarchy at center and abolished in provinces. Portuguese were the first to come to India and followed by Dutch, English and French. Indian Federation is based on pattern of Canada. Lokpal bill 1st introduced in the year 1968. PM-Chairman for National Population commission, National Integration Council, National Water Council, Planning Commission and National Development Council. Number of seats-Parliament&Assembles freezed up to the year 2026. Agenda 21 is the -programme of action for sustainable development at local, national and global level. 123 Agreement between USA and other countries with relation to nuclear cooperation. There are four main Islands in Japan. Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu. The one child policy in China was established by Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping in the year 1979. A Cabinet Secretary Looks Back is written by B G Deshmukh a former cabinet secretary. India has highest number of Oral cancer patients in the World. The Red Fort is constructed with Sand stone. (Sedimentary rock). The Taj Mahal is constructed with white Marble (Metamorphic rock). One Gallon is equal to 54 liters. Global Crisis Recession and Recovery book is written by Y.Venu Gopala Reddy. The biggest clock tower in the World is present in Mecca (Saudi Arabia). The minimum amount that is required to open Swiss account is 10 lakh dollors (4.5 crores). The coldest natural temperature ever recorded on Earth was 89.2C/128.6F at theRussianVostok Stationin Antarctica on 21 July 1983. Alexander Cunningham, the first Director General of the Archaeological Survey of India. Pakistans ISI (Inter Service Intelligence) is the only spy agency in the World charged with sponsoring international terrorism. Pakistan is the largest recipient of US aid. The Service Tax in India was introduced in the year 1994. Telecommunications, Stock Broking and General Insurance were the three areas where the Service tax was imposed first. At present (2011) 119 items are under the ambit of Service Tax. A. R. Rahman was the first Indian to receive two Oscar Awards. The first Indian woman to win individual medal in Olympics was Karanam Mallishwari (Weight Lifting). The Tobacco smoke contains over four thousand (4000) chemicals according to World Health Organization. The Tobacco epidemic kills nearly 6 million people per year. The largest University in the World is the Indira Gandhi University National Open University in New Delhi. The Hubble telescope: This was put into space in 1990 by NASA. This is revolving around 564 km away from the earth. This uses the solar power. This is going to be decommissioned in 2013. James Web Space Telescope will replace Hubble Telescope. The Institute of Nano Science and Technology is located in Mohali. Nanotechnology is the study of matter at a miniature level called the nano scale. A Nano meter is equal to one billionth of a meter. The Nanotechnology facilitates research on particles less than one billionth of a meter in diameter and thus paves way to some amazing inventions and discoveries. C.N.R. Rao is the Chairman of the Scientific Advisory Council to the Prime Minister. Russell s viper is a viviparous reptile that litters its young ones. The other oviparous reptiles lay eggs. Mithi river is a 18 km long river in Mumbai. Arribada in Spanish means arrival of the Olive Ridley Turtles to lay their eggs. In Indian region it transpires on three beaches along the coat of Orissa. Rushikulya is in Orissa. This is a place where the Olive Ridley Turtles lay eggs. Thousands of expectant mother turtles gather at one place during nights. The Pied Cuckoos breeding grounds are in Africa. This migrates to India only in the summer. Beijing Genomics (China) is the largest DNA research centre in the world. Ethiopia is the only African Nation that is independent for 2000 (Two Thousand) years. A small Pox case was seen in last in Somalia in the year 1977. In 1980 the WHO (World Health Organization) declared that the World and all its people have won freedom from small pox. The term Monsoon was first used in English in British India and the neighboring countries to refer to the big seasonal winds blowing from the Indian Ocean over the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea. South Asias largest jail is Tihar Jail, located in New Delhi. The Princess Nora bint Abdulrahman University is the worlds largest University for Women, located in Riyad, Saudi Arabia. Apa Sherpa, a Nepalese mountaineer has climbed Mt. Everest for 21 times. (This is a record). First climbed in 1990 and 21st time in May 2011. Nepal is the only country in the World that boasts a triangular flag. The Pygmy marmoset also called dwarf monkey is a new World monkey, native to the rainforest canopies of western Brazil. Colombia and other areas in South America. This is the smallest monkey. In 1893 Mahatma Gandhi was thrown out of a train in Pietermaritzburg in South Africa. With this Gandhi launched his first Satyagraha. There are 8 PIN code zones in India. PPP is Public-Private-Participation: In this mode the government does not have to invest any money. The successful bidder will construct, maintain and share revenue with the government. Nitisataka was written by Bhartrihari. 1 barrel is equal to 117.347765 liters. 1 bale is equal to 170 kg. 1 Fathom is equal to 1.8288 meters. FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) proposals are recommended by FIPB (Foreign Investment Promotion Board). The term of UN Secretary-General is 5 years. Silviculture: The care and cultivation of forest trees. In India the silver coins were used since 600 BC. In the year 1835 the British introduced similar currency throughout India. These were the silver coins with the queen Victoria figure. In India the Nickel coins were introduced on August 15, 1950. During the time of independence one rupee is equal to 64 paisa. One Ana is equal to 1/16th of a rupee. 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 25 and 50 paisa was first minted in the year 1957. The Reserve Bank of India has banned all the coins below 50 paisa periodically. They were banned because of the cost of minting is more than the face value. The latest coin that was banned was 25 paisa. (Since June 30, 2011). The 25 paisa is also called Chavanni. At present the 50 paisa coin is the lowest denomination in the country. Coins are minted at the four Indian Government Mints at Mumbai, Alipore(Kolkata), Saifabad(Hyderabad), Cherlapally (Hyderabad) and NOIDA (UP). The coins up to 50 paisa are called small coins. The coins above 50 paisa are called rupee coins. Under the coinage act of 1906 coins up to the denomination of Rs. 1000 can be issued. Ammonium Nitrate is frequently used by the terror groups for making bombs. Radio tag is a tag around ankle for electronic surveillance. Malaria causing parasite was discovered by Sir Ronald Ross. Mir Mahbub Ali Pasha (1869 1911) the sixth Nizam centenary of his death was commemorated on August 29, 2011. He contributed to infrastructure, irrigation, education and administrative reforms. Sheetal Niwas is the official residence of the President of Nepal. The Telugu cinema industry will observe September 15 as the Telugu Cinema day remembering the day in the year 1931, when Hamumappa Muniappa Reddy produced and directed the first talkie Bhakta Prahlada in Telugu. B H Reddy worked as an assistant to Ardeshir Irani who created the first Indian talkie titled Alam Ara. The Vijayanagara emperor, Sri Krishnadevaraya (1509 1529) had won all the wars he waged over a span of 11 years against his enemies. The Nalanda University was started during Gupta period (5 BC). The original site is located at Rajgir, Bihar. The Nalanda University was ransacked and destroyed by Turkish Muslim invaders under Bakhtiyar Khalji in 1193. The Parliament has approved the Nalanda University Bill 2010 and the Nalanda University will be set up at an approximate cost of 1005 crore. Shakespeares last play was The Tempest 1610. RADAR means Radio Detection and Ranging. Radars are extensively used in air traffic control, air defense, astronomy, meteorology and many surveillance systems. Cellulose is a carbohydrate that cannot be digested in the human digestive system. Test Match tied: In the year 1960 the match that was held between Australia and West Indies at Brisbane was tied. This is the first tied match in the History of test cricket. The second match that was tied in the year 1986 between Australia and India in Chennai. Murrah breed cow is known as Pride of Haryana. The longest canal in the country is the Indira Sagar Canal. The length is 635 km. Kerala is the first state in the country to switch over to e-payments of VAT. In AADHAR car there are 12 digits. Computer Mouse was developed by Dr. Douglas C. Angelbart. When the patent was taken the name was X Y Position Indicator For a Display System. Vivek Express is the longest train service in India. It travels between Dibrugarh (Assam) and Kanya Kumari (Tamil Nadu). The train travels a distance of 4286 km in 82.30 hours. This is a weekly train starts on every Saturday and reaches the destination on Wednesday. Before this, the Himasagar express running between Jammu Tawi and Kanyakumari had the longest run covering 3715 km. The vivek train from costs only Rs. 673 by 2nd class. The Vivek express has 18 coaches and 52 stops. Worlds longest train services: Moscow to Vladivostok Russia 9259 km 178 hrs Moscow to Beijing via Harbin (China) 8984 km 144 hrs Moscow to Beijing via Ulan Bator (Mongolia) 7826 km 131 hrs Guangzhou to Lhasa (China) 4980 km 54.5 hrs Toronto (Canada) to Vancouver (Canada) 4466 km 86 hrs Shanghai to Lhasa (China) 4373 km 48 hrs Sydney to Perth 4352 km 65 hrs Dibrugarh to Kanyakumari 4286 km 82.30 hrs

Kerala is the longest run daily express with 3054 km in 42.5 hrs. Howrah Amritsar express is the train with maximum halts with 115. Longest nonstop train Trivandrum Rajdhani express with 528 km in 6.5 hrs. Dr SMS was launched by Kerala, this is an M(Mobile)-Health information system. Bar Council of India was set up in the year 1961. This is a regulating body for the legal profession governed by the Indian Advocates Act. Buddhist Circuit Train is in operation since 2007, stops along several pilgrimage sites in northern India. The 42nd IFFI (International Film Festival of India) has been launched in Goa on November 23, 2011. Exotica: These are the rivers that flow in deserts. Sindh and Nile rivers are the examples for Exotica rivers. South America is called Bird Continent. Mexico is the leading producer of sulpher in the World. Chile is the leading producer of Nitrates in the World. The original name of Josef Stalin is Ioseb Besarionis dze Jughashvili. The meaning of Stalin is Man of Steel. Stalins daughter, Lana Peters original name was Svetlana Stalina. After the death of the Stalin in 1953 she took the mothers last name Alliluyeva and she was called Svetlana Alliluyeva. After her marring an American she became Lana Peters. The casting of Television first started in United Kingdom. Alco meter: This is a breath analyzer to check drunken driving. Kudzu is a forest creeper in USA grows very rapidly and it covered over 1.5 lakh acres in 1 years. Kudzu belongs to China, grown in Japan and finally reached US. On December 12, 1911 King George V announced at the Great Coronation Durbar in Delhi: We have decided upon the transfer of the seat of the government of India from Calcutta to the ancient capital of Delhi. The New Delhi is the architectural brilliance of Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker. The current monthly allowances given to the heroes of the war. Award Current (Rs.) Previoulsy (Rs.) Param Vira Chakra - 10,000/- - 3,000/- Asoka Chakra - 6,000/- - 2,800 Maha Vira Chakra - 5,000/- - 2,400/- Kirti Chakra - 4,500/- - 2,100/- Vira Chakra - 3,500/- - 1,700/- Shourya Chakra - 3,000/- - 1,500/-

The Gateway of India (Mumbai) was built 100 years ago to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary prior to the Delhi Durbar. The foundation stone for Gate Way of India was laid down in March 1911 by the Governor of Bombay, Sir George Sydenham Clarke. The Gate way was officially opened on December 4, 1924 by the Viceroy the Earl of Reading. The MRC (Madras Regiment Centre) is the oldest regiment in Indian Army. It was raised on December 4, 1758 at Chennapatnam (Chennai). The MRC was raised when 2 battalions were raised under Colonel Robert Clive consequent to the siege of Fort St. George by the French. Madras troops fought in the battle of seringapatnam and battle of Assaye under Arthur Wellington. The MRC is the only regime that was not bifurcated after Indian attaining the independence. The Thilafushi, an artificial island in Maldives is nicknamed Rubbish Island. (For the accumulation of the garbage). DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) is a molecular substance that contains basic genetic instructions responsible for the development and functioning of living organisms. The information held in the DNA determines how inherited features or traits are passed down from one generation to the other. (This is one of the most profound discoveries in 20th century). The first metro rail in the World started in London on January 10, 1863. This owes its existence to Charles Pearson (Solicitor to the City of London Corporation). This measured 6 Km and ran between Paddington and Farringdon street. The first deep level Tube Train that ran on electricity became operational in 1890 in London. London underground today known as Tube. New Yorks first underground subsystem became operational in 1904. In India the first underground rapid transport system started in 1984 in Kolkata. This is followed by Delhi metro in 2002 and Namma Metro in Bangalore in October 2011. The Delhi Metro is the only Metro to get Carbon Credits from the United Nations for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and helping in reducing pollution levels in the city by 6.3 lakh tones every year. The Shanghai Metro (China) is the Worlds longest metro in the World. The Tokyo Metro is the busiest in terms of annual passengers. The Channel tunnel that links the UK and France is the longest underwater rail tunnel in the World. It measures 37.9 km. China has over taken India as the Diabetes Capital of the World. New Delhi is the first city in India to begin screening for the Silent Killer Hepatitis C. Rashtrapathi Bhavan: This was built by the British Architect Edwin Landseer Lutyens. He mixed the Indian, Mughal and European styles of architecture. The construction was started in the year 1912 and completed in the year 1929 and in 1931 the Viceroy of India Lord Irwin was the first occupant. Initially it was called viceroys House. In the year 1950 the name was changed to Rashtrapathi Bhavan. Marble Hall: the portraits and sculptures of various kings, queens, viceroys, governor generals and other important personalities are displayed. Durbar Hall: Also known as Throne room. National Awards ceremony takes place here. Ball Room: Now it is called Asoka room. Defense gallantry awards ceremony takes place here. Banquet Hall: The portraits of all the Presidents of India are placed here. Mughal gardens: This is 13 acre garden built in 3 levels. In these lawns the President hosts the At Home on the Indian Republic day and Independence Day. Childrens Museum: The weighing machine gives the weight of the person on the Moon and every planet in the universe. FSA (Financial Services Authority) is the Britains financial regulator. (This is like SEBI in India). The first persons to reach South Pole successfully are Roald Amundsens and Robert Scotts (99 years ago). The first Indian expedition successfully reached the South Pole on November 22, 2010. The team was led by Dr. Rasik Ravindra, the Director of Goa based National Centre for Antarctica and Ocean Research (NCAOR). RAW (Research and Analysis Wing) is Indias external intelligence agency. This was formed in the year 1967. IVRS means Interactive Voice Response System. After taking control over Daman and Diu on December 18, 1961 the Defence Minister Mr V K Krishna Menon, has designated Major-General Kenneth Candeth, commanding the 17th division of the Indian Army in the Goa operations (Operation Vijay) as the Military Governor of Goa. T B DCunha is considered to be the Father of Goas liberation movement. Army day January 15 US Embassy in Iraq is the largest American diplomatic facility in the World. It is elementary Physics that when light falls on certain semiconducting material like silicon, its energy knocks off electrons of the atoms which can be made to flow and the flow is electricity. Solar Industry: In the year 2007 to put up 1 MW solar power plant, it cost Rs. 21 crore. Now it costs less than Rs. 10 crore. There are 2 methods to produce power through solar system Panel way and Mirror way. Under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (one of the 8 mission covered under the National Action Plan for Climate Change) the target is to creation of a capacity of 20, 000 MW from the grid connected to solar plants and addition 2,000 MW from non-grid. At present India is producing only 186 MW from the solar plants. This will increase to 1300 MW by the year 2013. Indias total capacity of power from all the sources is 2,00, 000 (two lakh) MW. Navarasas are the 9 basic emotions. Angry, Disgust, Fear, Humor, Love, Mercy, Peace, Valour and Wonder. The study of Fungi is called Mycology. Queen Elizabeth II is the oldest living monarch of United Kingdom. She surpassed the record of Queen Victoria in the year 2007. Cyclones are called Willy-Willies by Australians. Xoloitzcuintle is a rare hairless dog. WAP stands for Wide AC Passenger. This is written on the rail locomotives. The Papier mache is an art that is introduced in India by the Mughals. This is a paper art. The French is the first European country to learn this art. The craftsmen of Kashmir are the first to learn this. Bone to Bone connection is called Ligament. On December 20, 1961 the commercial operation of the cross channel power link between Britain and France was inaugurated. A power cable was laid on the sea bed. This enabled Britain and France to draw on each others electricity supplies at periods of peak demands. The paper industry that manufactures the paper for the printing of currency notes is located in Hoshangabad. The RBI is planning to set up another industry in Mysore. Minorities: This is mentioned in the National Minority Commission Act, 1992. Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists and Zoroastrians were included in the act as minorities. Alexander Graham Bell made the first telephone call on March 10, 1876 to Watson and requested for medical aid. Every 6th human and every 5th mobile phone on this planet is in India. Johannes Gutenberg invented the movable type for a printing press around 1439. Nomophobia: This is an abbreviation for no-mobile-phone-phobia. This term was coined during a study conducted by the U K Post Office. Indians contributed decimal system and Zero. Karnataka is the first state in the country to introduce 2 budgets. General budget and agriculture budget. (This happened in the year 2011). SBI is the first bank in the country to introduce Bank on Bike facilities. This is meant for providing the banking services to the people in the rural areas. This was initiated in the Sangaraddy mandal of Medak district in Andhra Pradesh. The Minimum wage in India is Rs. 100/-. In April 2011 the government increased the same to Rs. 115/-. For the year 2011-12 the MSP (Minimum Support Price) to the Paddy has been increased from Rs. 1000/- to Rs. 1080/- for normal grade and from Rs. 1030/- to Rs. 1110/- from grade A type. The government has banned the export of rice in the year 2008. In July 2011 the government lifted the ban rice. (this does not include Basmati). For the year 2010 2011 (July to June) the total production of the food grains is 24.16 crore tonnes. This is a new record in the country. In August 2011 the RBI decided to withdraw Nickel 50 paisa and Rs. 1/- coins from the market and to issue steel coins of the same. From July 1, 2011 the RBI banned the usage of 25 paisa coins. Albert Einstein is considered to be the founder of Modern Physics, he developed the theory of general relativity. The Travancore University (now called University of Kerala) was set up in the year 1937. The fledgling university offered Einstein the post of Vice-Chancellor who rejected politely. Dandaniti means a legitimate use of violence. IGNOU (Indira Gandhi National Open University) locate in New Delhi, is the largest university in the World. Kalki is the 10th avatar of Lord Vishnu sitting on white horse. W3C stands for World Wide Web Consortium. Nepal is the only country in the World with National Flag that is taller than wider. Param Vir Chakra is the Indian equivalent of Pakistans Nishsn-e-Haideer. On December 29, 2011 Samoa the South pacific Island that was 21 hours behind Sydney became 3 hours ahead. (Apart from Samoa, Tokelau a non-self-governing territory of New Zealand that also skipped December 30 because of the changes in the time zone alignment). Jude the apostle (disciple) of Jesus was also known as Thaddeus. Mahatma Gandhi performed his last hunger strike on January 12, 1948 for the integrity of Hindus and Muslims. In the manufacturing of tires charcoal powder is mixed to avoid more elasticity. This also helps in the more stiffness of the tires. K-Computer is designed and developed by Japan. This is considered to be the fastest computer in the World. Uday Kumar designed the new symbol of Rupee for India. The government of India is planning to set up 2,500 model schools in the country during 12th five year plan. Chennai beach is the longest beach in the country. The supreme court of India constituted SIT (Special Investigation Team) to investigate on black money. The SIT is headed by Justice B P Jeevan Reddy. Scotland of East: Shillong (Meghalaya) is called Scotland of East. An Air craft is equipped with tricycle under carriage type landing gear front or nose wheels and rear wheels. The airplane lands first on rear wheels and not on front or nose wheels. The center of the gravity present of the plane lied somewhere in the middle of the fuselage which is close to the rear wheels. The Lords cricket ground in UK is named after the famous cricketer Thomas Lord. A Giraffe sleeps only 10 minutes a day. Polio: The year 2000 was the target date for global eradication of set by World Health Assembly in the year 1988. Of the 3 types of polio viruses type 2 was globally eradicated in the year 1999 with the last case seen in East UP and West Bihar. Beyond 2005 the polio virus continued in 4 countries. India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria. In India over 95 percent of cases occurred in UP and Bihar arguably the Worlds most difficult spots for eradication. The preventive methods are IPV (Inactivated Polio Virus Vaccine) and OPV (Oral Poliovirus vaccine). The OPV is cheaper. India started battle against polio virus in late 1970s. In 1985 India became a part of the global programme. The PPI (Pulse Polio Initiative) in India was launched in the year 1995-96 through OPV. This is given on 2 days, one each in December and January. The PPI target was the year 2005. India spent more than 12,000 crore on PPI. Olive Ridley Turtles: They are present in the Rushikulya roorkey caost in Ganjam district of South Odisha.