A powerful typhoon struck Japan on 21 September 2011, bringing torrential rains and floods. The typhoon, packing winds of 162 km per hour passed near Tokyo.The Typhoon was named Roke. This is the second time in less than a month that Japan was lashed by a typhoon. Talas ripped through the west of the country on 4 September 2011, leaving about 90 people dead or missing.
Friday, September 30, 2011
CAG of India Appointed External Auditor OF IAEA and WIPO
The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has been appointed as the external auditor of two major UN organizations - the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Vienna and World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Geneva. Both these organizations have traditionally been the stronghold of the developed world and it is for the first time that a Supreme Audit Institution from outside Europe has been appointed to these prestigious positions. These appointments were made in the face of competition from other developed countries like United Kingdom, Spain and Norway.
These appointments for organizations such as IAEA and WIPO, which are specialized agencies, is a recognition of the professional capabilities of the CAG`s auditing talent pool. The international community has acknowledged that public auditors of the Indian Audit and Accounts Department have high professional competence. In particular, their knowledge, expertise and domain experience in conducting performance audits has been highly acclaimed. It is in recognition of such expertise that in the face of competition from Auditors` General of developed countries such as UK and Norway, the CAG of India has been preferred. The tenure of these audits could extend up to six years.
The CAG of India is on the Panel of External Auditors of the United Nations and its Agencies. He is the chair of the Knowledge Sharing and Knowledge Services Committee of the International Organization of the Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI), the global body of Auditors` General which has a membership of 184. He also chairs the INTOSAI Working Group on IT Audit. The CAG of India is also on the Governing Board of the Asian Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (ASOSAI) and is poised to take over as its Chairman for a term of three years from March 2012.
The institution of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) is recognized as one of the most professionally accomplished Supreme Audit Institutions in the world. The CAG occupies a pre-eminent position in the international community of public auditors and is a prominent member of INTOSAI. The recognition of the capabilities of the CAG of India has in the past manifested in his appointment on the Board of Auditors of the United Nations and as external auditor to a number of other major UN agencies like Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), World Health Organization (WHO), International Maritime Organization (IMO), Organization for Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) etc.
These appointments for organizations such as IAEA and WIPO, which are specialized agencies, is a recognition of the professional capabilities of the CAG`s auditing talent pool. The international community has acknowledged that public auditors of the Indian Audit and Accounts Department have high professional competence. In particular, their knowledge, expertise and domain experience in conducting performance audits has been highly acclaimed. It is in recognition of such expertise that in the face of competition from Auditors` General of developed countries such as UK and Norway, the CAG of India has been preferred. The tenure of these audits could extend up to six years.
The CAG of India is on the Panel of External Auditors of the United Nations and its Agencies. He is the chair of the Knowledge Sharing and Knowledge Services Committee of the International Organization of the Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI), the global body of Auditors` General which has a membership of 184. He also chairs the INTOSAI Working Group on IT Audit. The CAG of India is also on the Governing Board of the Asian Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (ASOSAI) and is poised to take over as its Chairman for a term of three years from March 2012.
The institution of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) is recognized as one of the most professionally accomplished Supreme Audit Institutions in the world. The CAG occupies a pre-eminent position in the international community of public auditors and is a prominent member of INTOSAI. The recognition of the capabilities of the CAG of India has in the past manifested in his appointment on the Board of Auditors of the United Nations and as external auditor to a number of other major UN agencies like Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), World Health Organization (WHO), International Maritime Organization (IMO), Organization for Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) etc.
Conference on National Population Register
A Conference of Chief Secretaries, State Coordinators and Directors of Census Operations on the creation of National Population Register (NPR) was held at New Delhi on September 30. The Minister of State for Home, Jitendra Singh delivered the key note address to the delegates and the meeting was Chaired by the Union Home Secretary, Shri R.K.Singh.
In his inaugural address, the Union Home Secretary informed the participants that creation of National Population Register is a vital scheme of the Government, being created under the Citizenship Act, 1955 and Citizenship Rules, 2003. The Government has to compulsorily register every citizen in the country and creation of NPR is the first step towards the creation of the citizens register. He informed that more than 14 crore records have been digitised and more than 50 lakh biometrics have been captured so far under the NPR. A target for completing the exercise by December, 2012 was set by the Home Secretary.
In his key note address to the delegates, the MOS (Home) emphasised the importance of this national flagship scheme of the Government and stated that this is a mandatory exercise. He expressed the hope that with the unstinting cooperation from the State/UT Governments, the work will be completed within the timelines set. Shri Singh congratulated the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, for completing the stupendous task of counting more than a 121 crore persons, scanning more than 26 crore NPR schedules, undertaking data entry and capture of biometrics. Shri Singh reiterated the timelines set by the Government for completing the works by December, 2012 and urged all State/UT Governments to work towards achieving the target in a planned way.
The Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India, Dr. C. Chandramouli made a brief presentation to the delegates on the legal framework in place for creation of NPR.
In his inaugural address, the Union Home Secretary informed the participants that creation of National Population Register is a vital scheme of the Government, being created under the Citizenship Act, 1955 and Citizenship Rules, 2003. The Government has to compulsorily register every citizen in the country and creation of NPR is the first step towards the creation of the citizens register. He informed that more than 14 crore records have been digitised and more than 50 lakh biometrics have been captured so far under the NPR. A target for completing the exercise by December, 2012 was set by the Home Secretary.
In his key note address to the delegates, the MOS (Home) emphasised the importance of this national flagship scheme of the Government and stated that this is a mandatory exercise. He expressed the hope that with the unstinting cooperation from the State/UT Governments, the work will be completed within the timelines set. Shri Singh congratulated the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, for completing the stupendous task of counting more than a 121 crore persons, scanning more than 26 crore NPR schedules, undertaking data entry and capture of biometrics. Shri Singh reiterated the timelines set by the Government for completing the works by December, 2012 and urged all State/UT Governments to work towards achieving the target in a planned way.
The Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India, Dr. C. Chandramouli made a brief presentation to the delegates on the legal framework in place for creation of NPR.
Green Economy for Sustainable Mountain Development
A book on “Green Economy for Sustainable Mountain Development: A Concept Paper for Rio+20 and Beyond” examines the role of mountains in a green economy and their contribution to national, regional, and global economy and environmental protection. It was released by Smt. Jayanthai Natarajan, Minister of State for Environment and Forest, (I/C) and Mr. Vilasrao Desmukh, Minister for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences at the celebration of India-ICIMOD Day here today. This book is the outcome of the International Conference on Green Economy and Sustainable Mountain Development Opportunities and Challenges in View of Rio+20 organized by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development on 5–7 September 2011, Kathmandu in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme.
It discusses emerging challenges, issues, and opportunities to promote sustainable development in the mountains. Finally, it briefly outlines relevant strategies, approaches, and options. Its purpose is to support mountain stakeholders by bringing mountain issues into the mainstream of global discussions and debate, with a view to ensuring renewed efforts and commitment by the global community at Rio+20 in 2012. This paper emphasises the changes in the conditions influencing sustainable development in mountains, which bring new challenges and opportunities and demand urgent action for the benefit not only of mountain regions but also of lowland areas. It recommendations among other things include the recognition of benefits deriving from mountains; incorporation of the value of ecosystems services in national development planning and decision making; the establishment of global, regional, national, and local mechanisms to compensate and reward mountain communities for the services they provide; the establishment of favourable conditions for improving markets for mountain ecosystem goods and services; inclusion of equity concerns in green economy in mountains; and access to resources and property rights for mountain women, indigenous communities, and marginalized groups.
It discusses emerging challenges, issues, and opportunities to promote sustainable development in the mountains. Finally, it briefly outlines relevant strategies, approaches, and options. Its purpose is to support mountain stakeholders by bringing mountain issues into the mainstream of global discussions and debate, with a view to ensuring renewed efforts and commitment by the global community at Rio+20 in 2012. This paper emphasises the changes in the conditions influencing sustainable development in mountains, which bring new challenges and opportunities and demand urgent action for the benefit not only of mountain regions but also of lowland areas. It recommendations among other things include the recognition of benefits deriving from mountains; incorporation of the value of ecosystems services in national development planning and decision making; the establishment of global, regional, national, and local mechanisms to compensate and reward mountain communities for the services they provide; the establishment of favourable conditions for improving markets for mountain ecosystem goods and services; inclusion of equity concerns in green economy in mountains; and access to resources and property rights for mountain women, indigenous communities, and marginalized groups.
National Frequency Allocation Plan
The National Frequency Allocation Plan-2011 (NAFP) was released at New Delhi on September 30 by Kapil Sibal, the Union Minister of Communications and Information Technology to ensure its efficient and effective management. Speaking on the occasion, Shri Sibal said that in today’s society, radio spectrum is becoming increasingly important for all walks of life and needs to be managed rationally. While spectrum management has always been important, the complexity of the task has been compounded by the proliferation of both traditional and entirely new radio spectrum frequency-using services in recent years.
The Minister underlined that it is essential that these scarce resources be used rationally, optimally, efficiently and economically so that equitable access could be available to a large variety of radio communication network in an interference free radio environment. Therefore planning of frequency bands for various services/applications for their coexistence without constraining the existing assignments is essential. The growing demand for information rich content, faster access speeds and mobility by both commercial and captive users is increasingly being met by broadband wireless application, Shri Sibal added.
NFAP-2011 is a policy document which contains spectrum allocation for various radio communication services/applications in different frequency bands. This document provides the basis for development, manufacturing and spectrum utilization activities in the country, both for government and private sectors.
NFAP-2011 will come into effect from October 1, 2011. It contains International and National frequency allocation table, footnotes to international table of frequency allocations, India remark and channeling plan in different frequency bands.
The salient features of NFAP-2011 are:
• It is in line with the Radio Regulations of International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
• It has been developed to cater to the needs of newly emerging technologies such as Ultra Wide Band (UWB), Intelligent Transport System (ITS), Short Range Devices, etc.
• It has enabled provisions in few frequency bands for indigenous development and manufacturing.
• The NFAP-2011 has taken due care to ensure protection of existing services.
• It has kept in view the requirement projected by all stakeholders.
The Minister underlined that it is essential that these scarce resources be used rationally, optimally, efficiently and economically so that equitable access could be available to a large variety of radio communication network in an interference free radio environment. Therefore planning of frequency bands for various services/applications for their coexistence without constraining the existing assignments is essential. The growing demand for information rich content, faster access speeds and mobility by both commercial and captive users is increasingly being met by broadband wireless application, Shri Sibal added.
NFAP-2011 is a policy document which contains spectrum allocation for various radio communication services/applications in different frequency bands. This document provides the basis for development, manufacturing and spectrum utilization activities in the country, both for government and private sectors.
NFAP-2011 will come into effect from October 1, 2011. It contains International and National frequency allocation table, footnotes to international table of frequency allocations, India remark and channeling plan in different frequency bands.
The salient features of NFAP-2011 are:
• It is in line with the Radio Regulations of International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
• It has been developed to cater to the needs of newly emerging technologies such as Ultra Wide Band (UWB), Intelligent Transport System (ITS), Short Range Devices, etc.
• It has enabled provisions in few frequency bands for indigenous development and manufacturing.
• The NFAP-2011 has taken due care to ensure protection of existing services.
• It has kept in view the requirement projected by all stakeholders.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Monday, September 26, 2011
Uttar Pradesh P.C.S. (Pre.) Exam., 2011
(Exam Held on 26-6-2011)
1. Which one of the following is not formed in our body ?
(A) Vitamin A
(B) Protein
(C) Enzyme
(D) Hormone
Ans : (A)
2. Which one of the following pairs is correctly matched ?
(A) Silver iodide —Horn Silver
(B) Silver chloride —Artificial rain
(C) Zinc phosphide —Rat poison
(D) Zinc sulphide —Philosopher’s wool
Ans : (C)
3. Which one of the following gases is essential for photosynthesis process ?
(A) CO
(B) CO2
(C) N2
(D) O2
Ans : (B)
4. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer from the codes given below—
List-I
(a) Morphine
(b) Sodium
(c) Boric Acid
(d) German Silver
List-II
1. Antiseptic
2. Alloy
3. Analgesic
4. Kerosene oil
Codes :
(a) (b) (c) (d)
(A) 4 3 1 2
(B) 2 4 3 1
(C) 3 1 4 2
(D) 3 4 1 2
Ans : (D)
5. Which one of the following human organs is most susceptible to harmful radiations ?
(A) Eyes
(B) Heart
(C) Brain
(D) Lungs
Ans : (A)
6. The minimum height of a plane mirror to see the full size image of a person is equal to—
(A) the height of the person
(B) half the height of the person
(C) one-fourth the height of the person
(D) double the height of the person
Ans : (B)
7. Helium is preferred to hydrogen in air balloons because it—
(A) is cheaper
(B) is less dense
(C) has greater lifting power
(D) does not form an explosive mixture with air
Ans : (B)
8. Retina of the eye is comparable to which of the following parts of a traditional camera ?
(A) Film
(B) Lens
(C) Shutter
(D) Cover
Ans : (A)
9. Anosmia is—
(A) loss of the sense of taste
(B) loss of the sense of smell
(C) loss of the sense of touch
(D) loss of the sense of heat
Ans : (B)
10. Assertion (A) : If somebody stops taking green vegetables he will suffer from night blindness.
Reason (R) : He will suffer from Vitamin A deficiency.
Select the correct answer from the codes given below—
Codes :
(A) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(B) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(C) (A) is true, but (R) is false.
(D) (A) is false, but (R) is true.
Ans : (A)
11. Insectivorous fish used for mosquito control is—
(A) Hilsa
(B) Labeo
(C) Gambusia
(D) Mystus
Ans : (C)
12. With which of the physiological process Thrombin is associated ?
(A) Excretion
(B) Blood clotting
(C) Reproduction
(D) Growth
Ans : (B)
13. AIDS is caused by—
(A) Bacteria
(B) Fungus
(C) Helminth
(D) Virus
Ans : (D)
14. Which of the following is not the normal function of the human kidney ?
(A) Regulation of water level in the blood.
(B) Regulation of sugar level in the blood.
(C) Filter out urea.
(D) Secretion of several hormones.
Ans : (B)
15. The principle of ‘Black hole’ was enunciated by—
(A) C.V. Raman
(B) H.J. Bhabha
(C) S. Chandrashekhar
(D) H. Khurana
Ans : (C)
16. Which one of the following is used as a moderator in the nuclear reactor ?
(A) Thorium
(B) Graphite
(C) Radium
(D) Ordinary water
Ans : (B)
17. Refrigeration helps in food preservation by—
(A) killing the germs
(B) reducing the rate of biochemical reactions
(C) destroying enzyme action
(D) sealing the food with a layer of ice
Ans : (B)
18. Electric bulb filament is made of—
(A) Copper
(B) Aluminium
(C) Lead
(D) Tungsten
Ans : (D)
19. Which mirror is used as a rear view mirror in the vehicles ?
(A) Plane
(B) Convex
(C) Concave
D) Inverted
Ans : (B)
20. Which one of the following is a part of Infotech Terminology ?
(A) Protocol
(B) Login
(C) Archie
(D) All the above
Ans : (D)
21. Inventor and founder of www is—
(A) Timbernrus
(B) N. Russel
(C) Lee N. Fiyong
(D) Bill Gates
Ans : (A)
22. Amniocentosis is a method used to determine the—
(A) foetal sex
(B) kind of Amino acids
(C) sequence of Amino acids in protein
(D) type of hormones
Ans : (A)
23. BMD testing is done to diagnose
(A) Dengue
(B) Malaria
(C) Osteoporosis
(D) AIDS
Ans : (C)
24. Which one of the following States has granted Sanskrit language the status of the second official language of the State ?
(A) Bihar
(B) Chhattisgarh
(C) Uttar Pradesh
(D) Uttarakhand
Ans : (D)
25. Which one of the following has the right to address the Parliament ?
(A) Attorney General of India
(B) Chief Election Commissioner of India
(C) Chief Justice of India
(D) National Security Advisor
Ans : (A)
26. Which one of the following statements about the Parliament of India is not correct ?
(A) The Constitution provides for a Parliamentary form of Government.
(B) The foremost function of the Parliament is to provide a Cabinet.
(C) The membership of the Cabinet is restricted to the Lower House.
(D) The Cabinet has to enjoy the confidence of the majority in the popular Chamber.
Ans : (C)
27. Voting right by the youths at the age of 18 years was exercised for the first time in the General Election of—
(A) 1987
(B) 1988
(C) 1989
(D) 1990
Ans : (C)
28. Under which one of the following Articles of the Indian Constitution, the Legislative Assembly is allowed to resolve for the creation of the Legislative Council ?
(A) 168
(B) 169
(C) 170
(D) 171
Ans : (B)
29. Missile ‘Astra’ is a—
(A) land to land missile
(B) land to air missile
(C) air to air missile
(D) water to land missile
Ans : (C)
30. Indane gas is a mixture of—
(A) butane and hydrogen
(B) butane and oxygen
(C) butane and propane
(D) methane and oxygen
Ans : (C)
31. South Indian festival of ‘Onam’ is associated with which of the following ?
(A) Ram’s victory over Rawan
(B) Durga’s killing of Mahishasur
(C) Shiva Shakti
(D) Mahabali
Ans : (D)
32. Which among the following is the largest software company in India ?
(A) Infosys
(B) TCS
(C) WIPRO
(D) HCL Tech
Ans : (C)
33. Which one of the following is different from the others from the point of view of ownership ?
(A) LIC Policy
(B) Bank Fixed Deposit
(C) Kisan Vikas Patra
(D) Debenture of a Company
Ans : (C)
34. In the Union Budget 2011-12, the effective rate of interest for farmers on timely repayment of the bank loan is—
(A) 7 per cent
(B) 6 per cent
(C) 4 per cent
(D) 3 per cent
Ans : (C)
35. ‘Athapoo’ is associated with which of the following festivals ?
(A) Dol Yatra
(B) Onam
(C) Pongal
(D) Vishwakarma Puja
Ans : (B)
36. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer from the codes given below—
List-I(a) Pandit Durgalal
(b) Lalgudi Jayaraman
(c) Bala Murali Krishna
(d) Amrita Shergil
List-II1. Instrumental Music
2. Dance
3. Painting
4. Vocal Music
Codes :
(a) (b) (c) (d)
(A) 2 1 4 3
(B) 1 2 4 3
(C) 3 1 2 4
(D) 2 4 3 1
Ans : (A)
37. Which one of the following is useful in the treatment of scurvy disease ?
(A) Mango
(B) Papaya
(C) Myrobalan
(D) Ber
Ans : (C)
38. Which of the following crops are grown mainly in the irrigated areas during Zaid ?
(A) Arhar and Gram
(B) Moong and Urad
(C) Rice and Millets
(D) Maize and Groundnut
Ans : (B)
39. The largest producer of Sugar in India is—
(A) Bihar
(B) Karnataka
(C) Maharashtra
(D) Uttar Pradesh
Ans : (D)
40. Which of the following authority sanctions foreign exchange for the import of goods ?
(A) Any Nationalised Bank
(B) Exchange Bank
(C) Reserve Bank of India
(D) Ministry of Finance
Ans : (C)
41. A letter of credit has to be produced by—
(A) an exporter
(B) an importer
(C) custom authorities
(D) shipping company
Ans : (A)
42. Which organisation promotes the foreign trade ?
(A) ECGS
(B) MMTC
(C) STC
(D) All of the above
Ans : (A)
43. The main source of fund for the National Highway Authority of India is—
(A) Cess
(B) Foreign assistance
(C) Market borrowings
(D) Budgetary support of Union Government
Ans : (D)
44. Golden rice has the highest quantity of—
(A) Vitamin A
(B) Vitamin B
(C) Vitamin C
(D) Vitamin K
Ans : (A)
45. The State known as ‘Garden of Spices’ is—
(A) Karnataka
(B) Kerala
(C) Maharashtra
(D) Tamil Nadu
Ans : (B)
46. MODVAT is related to—
(A) Excise duty
(B) Value Added Tax (VAT)
(C) Wealth Tax
(D) Income Tax
Ans : (B)
47. More than one-third of the crude steel production of the world comes from—
(A) China
(B) Japan
(C) Russia
(D) U.S.A.
Ans : (A)
48. The Sun City is located in—
(A) Italy
(B) Japan
(C) Mexico
(D) South Africa
Ans : (D)
49. The correct descending order of the leading producers of milk is—
(A) China, India, Russia, U.S.A.
(B) India, U.S.A., China, Russia
(C) U.S.A., India, China, Russia
(D) India, China, U.S.A., Russia
Ans : (D)
50. Match List-I and List-II and select the correct answer from the codes given below the lists— List-I (Iron-Steel Centre)(a) Hamilton
(b) Birmingham
(c) Essen
(d) Anshan
List-II (Country)
1. China
2. Canada
3. U.K.
4. Germany
Codes :
(a) (b) (c) (d)
(A) 4 3 1 2
(B) 2 1 4 3
(C) 2 3 4 1
(D) 3 4 2 1
Ans : (C)
51. Import procedure begins with—
(A) Indent
(B) Mate’s receipt
(C) Marine insurance
(D) Shipping bill
Ans : (B)
52. Private Sector Mutual Funds in India were permitted in—
(A) 1964
(B) 1993
(C) 1994
(D) 2001
Ans : (B)
53. In India the State with the largest area under very dense forests is—
(A) Arunachal Pradesh
(B) Madhya Pradesh
(C) Maharashtra
(D) Orissa (Odisha)
Ans : (A)
54. In India two largest producers of coal (2008-09) are—
(A) Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh
(B) Chhattisgarh and Orissa (Odisha)
(C) Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand
(D) Jharkhand and Madhya Pradesh
Ans : (C)
55. Which of the following towns lie in the National Capital Region ?
1. Ambala
2. Khurja
3. Karnal
4. Rohtak
Select the correct answer from the codes given below—
Codes :
(A) 1 and 2 only
(B) 3 and 4 only
(C) 1, 2 and 3 only
(D) 2, 3 and 4 only
Ans : (D)
56. Coolgardie lies in the Australian province of—
(A) New South Wales
(B) Northern Territory
(C) Queensland
(D) Western Australia
Ans : (D)
57. Match List-I and List-II and select the correct answer from the codes given below—
List-I (Lake)
(a) Erie
(b) Michigan
(c) Ontario
(d) Superior
List-II (City)
1. Duluth
2. Detroit
3. Gary
4. Hamilton
Codes :
(a) (b) (c) (d)
(A) 2 1 4 3
(B) 1 3 2 4
(C) 4 2 3 1
(D) 2 3 4 1
Ans : (D)
58. Arrange the following States of India in descending order of their forest-area and select the correct answer from the code given below :
1. Andhra Pradesh
2. Arunachal Pradesh
3. Chhattisgarh
4. Orissa (Odisha)
(A) 1, 3, 4, 2
(B) 1, 2, 3, 4
(C) 4, 3, 1, 2
(D) 2, 3, 4, 1
Ans : (D)
59. Which one of the following does not lie in Maharashtra ?
(A) Balaghat Range
(B) Harishchandra Range
(C) Mandav Hills
(D) Satmala Hills
Ans : (C)
60. Which one of the following is not the port town of Gujarat ?
(A) Jamnagar
(B) Okha
(C) Porbandar
(D) Veraval
Ans : (A)
61. Who among the following has been awarded the prestigious Abel Prize for the year 2011 ?
(A) Isadore M. Singer
(B) John Griggs Thompson
(C) John Willard Milnor
(D) Peter D. Lax
Ans : (C)
62. Assertion (A) : Kerala stands first in terms of human development index.
Reason (R) : Its unemployment rate is the highest in the country.
Select the correct answer from the codes given below :
Codes :
(A) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(B) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(C) (A) is true, but (R) is false.
(D) (A) is false, but (R) is true.
Ans : (C)
63. Which one of the following pairs is not correctly matched ?
(A) Koyali : Gujarat
(B) Nagapattinam : Andhra Pradesh
(C) Numaligarh : Assam
(D) Manali : Tamil Nadu
Ans : (B)
64. Which one of the following Indian States has recently signed a $ 220 million agreement with the World Bank ?
(A) Bihar
(B) Kerala
(C) Maharashtra
(D) Tamil Nadu
Ans : (A)
65. According to the World Bank’s Global Development Finance Report 2010 the correct descending order of the world’s five most indebted countries is—
(A) Russia, Brazil, China, Turkey, India
(B) Russia, China, Turkey, Brazil, India
(C) Russia, China, Brazil, India, Turkey
(D) Russia, Brazil, India, China, Turkey
Ans : (D)
66. In February 2011 India International Youth Film Festival was held in
(A) Hyderabad
(B) Kolkata
(C) Mumbai
(D) New Delhi
Ans : (D)
67. At the 83rd Oscar Awards the best film award was won by—
(A) Black Swan
(B) The Fighter
(C) The King’s Speech
(D) The Social Network
Ans : (C)
68. The foundation stone of the third Indian Research Centre in Antarctica was laid by the name of—
(A) Sarswati
(B) Bharti
(C) Anweshan
(D) Yamnotri
Ans : (B)
69. The author of the book ‘The Emperor of All Maladies : A Biography of Cancer’, for which 2011 Pulitzer Prize has been awarded, is—
(A) Farid Zakariya
(B) Geeta Anand
(C) Jhumpa Lahiri
(D) Siddhartha Mukherjee
Ans : (D)
70. Who among the following film actors was given Mother Teresa Award in March 2011 ?
(A) Prem Chopra
(B) Rajesh Khanna
(C) Shammi Kapoor
(D) Shatrughan Sinha
Ans : (A)
71. India in February 2011 signed Free Trade Agreement with—
(A) Australia
(B) Indonesia
(C) Japan
(D) South Korea
Ans : (C)
72. India has recently signed Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement with—
(A) Indonesia
(B) Malaysia
(C) Saudi Arabia
(D) Vietnam
Ans : (B)
73. Which one of the following districts of Uttar Pradesh has the highest literacy rate as per the provisional figures of 2011 Census ?
(A) Gautambuddh Nagar
(B) Ghaziabad
(C) Kanpur Nagar
(D) Lucknow
Ans : (B)
74. Thumri Singer Girija Devi belongs to—
(A) Banaras Gharana
(B) Agra Gharana
(C) Kirana Gharana
(D) Lucknow Gharana
Ans : (A)
75. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer from the code given below—
List-I (District)
(a) Jalaun
(b) Kanpur Dehat
(c) Sant Ravidas Nagar
(d) Kushinagar
List-II (Headquarters)
1. Akbarpur
2. Navgarh (Bhadohi)
3. Padrauna
4. Orai
Codes :
(a) (b) (c) (d)
(A) 4 1 2 3
(B) 4 3 2 1
(C) 2 1 3 4
(D) 1 2 4 3
Ans : (A)
76. The first Woman General Secretary of SAARC, elected in January 2011, comes from—
(A) Bangladesh
(B) Sri Lanka
(C) Maldives
(D) Bhutan
Ans : (C)
77. The 18th Rajiv Gandhi National Sadbhawana Award has been given to—
(A) Shabana Azmi
(B) Maulana Wahiduddin Khan
(C) Javed Akhtar
(D) None of the above
Ans : (B)
78. Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel Agricultural University is located at—
(A) Faizabad
(B) Meerut (Modipuram)
(C) Kanpur
(D) Jhansi
Ans : (B)
79. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer from the code given below—
List-I (City)
(a) Lucknow
(b) Varanasi
(c) Kanpur
(d) Agra
List-II (Aerodrome)
1. Babatpur
2. Kheria
3. Amausi
4. Chakeri
Codes :
(a) (b) (c) (d)
(A) 4 3 1 2
(B) 2 1 4 3
(C) 3 2 1 4
(D) 3 1 4 2
Ans : (D)
80. The official bird of Uttar Pradesh is—
(A) Peacock
(B) Saras
(C) Parrot
(D) Cuckoo
Ans : (B)
81. The most popular religious magazine ‘Kalyan’ is published from—
(A) Mathura
(B) Rishikesh
(C) Gorakhpur
(D) Varanasi
Ans : (C)
82. Which one of the following pairs is not correctly matched ?
(A) Vrindavan Mandir : Mathura
(B) J. K. Temple : Lucknow
(C) Vishwanath Mandir : Varanasi
(D) Devipatan Mandir : Tulsipur
Ans : (B)
83. Which one of the following statements regarding Uttar Pradesh, according to the provisional figures of 2011 Census is not correct ?
(A) It accounts for 16•5 per cent of the country’s population.
(B) It has the largest number of children in the country.
(C) Its decadal growth rate is 18•4%.
(D) Its sex ratio is 908.
Ans : (C)
84. Famous Charkula dance is associated with—
(A) Avadh
(B) Bundelkhand
(C) Brij Bhumi
(D) Rohilkhand
Ans : (C)
85. In ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 the ‘man of the tournament’ was—
(A) Kumar Sangakkara
(B) Sachin Tendulkar
(C) Tilakratne Dilshan
(D) Yuvraj Singh
Ans : (D)
86. The winner of All England Badminton Championship, 2011, Men’s Singles Title, was—
(A) Chen Jin
(B) Lee Chong Wei
(C) Lee Yong Dae
(D) Lin Dan
Ans : (B)
87. The winner of Australian Open 2011, Men’s Singles, was—
(A) Andy Murray
(B) David Ferrer
(C) Novak Djokovic
(D) Roger Federer
Ans : (C)
88. The Captain of the Indian Hockey Team for Azlan Shah Cup Hockey Tournament, 2011, was—
(A) Arjun Halappa
(B) Rajesh Kumar
(C) Rajpal Singh
(D) Shivendra Singh
Ans : (A)
89. Farrukhabad is known for—
(A) Carpet weaving
(B) Glassware
(C) Perfume manufacture
(D) Hand printing
Ans : (C)
90. In which of the following crops Uttar Pradesh is not the largest producer in India ?
(A) Potato
(B) Rice
(C) Sugarcane
(D) Wheat
Ans : (B)
91. ‘Stanley Cup’ is associated with—
(A) Badminton
(B) Basketball
(C) Golf
(D) Ice Hockey
Ans : (D)
92. The ‘Laureus World Sportsman of the Year’ award for 2010 was given to—
(A) Lionel Messi
(B) Rafael Nadal
(C) Ronaldo
(D) Sachin Tendulkar
Ans : (B)
93. ‘Smash’ is associated with which of the following sports ?
(A) Boxing
(B) Wrestling
(C) Football
(D) Volleyball
Ans : (D)
94. Bula Chaudhary is well-known in which of the following sport disciplines ?
(A) Swimming
(B) Hockey
(C) Football
(D) Archery
Ans : (A)
95. Tejaswini Sawant is the first Indian woman to be crowned World Champion in—
(A) Athletics
(B) Boxing
(C) Shooting
(D) Wrestling
Ans : (C)
96. The correct descending order of the four winners of the highest number of gold medals in the 34th National Games 2011 is—
(A) Services, Manipur, Haryana, Maharashtra
(B) Services, Haryana, Manipur, Maharashtra
(C) Services, Manipur, Mahara-shtra, Haryana
(D) Services, Haryana, Mahara-shtra, Manipur
Ans : (A)
97. In the 34th National Games, 2011 which State won the team title in Badminton in Men’s Section ?
(A) Andhra Pradesh
(B) Kerala
(C) Maharashtra
(D) Tamil Nadu
Ans : (A)
98. Which one of the following will come next in the series given below ?
LXF MTJ NPN OLR ...........
(A) PHV
(B) PPV
(C) PTV
D) PJW
Ans : (A)
99. If COMPUTER is coded as RFUVQNPC, the code for MEDICINE will be—
(A) MFEDJJOE
(B) MFEJDJOE
(C) EOJDEJFM
(D) EOJDJEFM
Ans : (D)
100. Introducing a girl Mohan said, “Her mother is the only daughter of my mother-in-law.” How is Mohan related to that girl ?
(A) Brother
(B) Father
(C) Husband
(D) Uncle
Ans : (B)
101. The following series has a wrong number :
1 12 65 264 795 1590 1593
The wrong number is—
(A) 65
(B) 264
(C) 795
(D) 1590
Ans : (D)
102. Govind is 3 years older than his wife Shyama and four times as old as his son Raghu. If Raghu becomes 15 years old after 3 years, what is the present age of Shyama ?
(A) 60 years
(B) 51 years
(C) 48 years
(D) 45 years
Ans : (D)
103. Ten years ago Ram’s age was half of Moti’s age. If the ratio of their present ages is 3 : 4, what is the total of their present ages ?
(A) 25
(B) 28
(C) 32
(D) 35
Ans : (D)
104. Sonu bought a watch with 30 per cent discount on the labelled price. He sold it with 20 per cent profit on the labelled price. Approximately, what was his percentage of profit on the price he bought ?
(A) 50
(B) 65
(C) 70
(D) 85
Ans : (C)
105. The surface area of a cube is 384 m2. Its volume will be—
(A) 512 m3
(B) 516 m3
(C) 1032 m3
(D) 216 m3
Ans : (A)
106. There are four prime numbers. The product of first three is 385 and the product of the last three is 1001. First and the last numbers are respectively—
(A) 5, 11
(B) 5, 13
(C) 7, 11
(D) 7, 13
Ans : (B)
107. If the number 1 X 5 X 01 is divisible by 11, then X is equal to—
(A) 2
(B) 6
(C) 8
(D) 3
Ans : (C)
108. Avinash spent 2/5 of his income for a month on rent and 3/4 th of the remainder on other expenses. The balance of Rs. 180 he put in his savings account. How much was his income for the month ?
(A) Rs. 1,200
(B) Rs. 1,400
(C) Rs. 1,600
(D) Rs. 1,800
Ans : (A)
109. The author of ‘Green Development’ is—
(A) M. J. Bradshaw
(B) M. Nicolson
(C) R. H. Whittakar
(D) W. M. Adams
Ans : (D)
110. The missing number in the following series :
0, 4, 18, 48, ?, 180 is—
(A) 58
(B) 68
(C) 84
(D) 100
Ans : (D)
111. Manas started a business investing Rs. 42,000. After 7 months, Kamal joined him with a capital of Rs. 50,000. At the end of the year, the total profit was Rs. 30,160. What is Kamal’s share in the profit ?
(A) Rs. 10,000
(B) Rs. 20,160
(C) Rs. 10,160
(D) Rs. 8,000
Ans : (A)
112. The author of ‘Nuclear Reactor Time Bomb’ is—
(A) C. C. Park
(B) E. P. Odum
(C) S. Polasky
(D) Takashi Hirose
Ans : (D)
113. The World Water Conservation Day is observed on—
(A) February 28
(B) March 22
(C) June 5
(D) July 11
Ans : (B)
114. The Periyar Game Sanctuary is renowned by—
(A) Lions
(B) Spotted deers
(C) Tigers
(D) Wild Elephants
Ans : (C)
115. Which one of the following cities has the largest slum population ?
(A) Bangalore
(B) Chennai
(C) Delhi
(D) Surat
Ans : (C)
116. Which one of the following is the most urbanized country of West Asia ?
(A) Israel
(B) Kuwait
(C) Qatar
(D) Saudi Arabia
Ans : (B)
117. Which of the following countries suffer from the acid rains ?
1. Canada
2. France
3. Norway
4. Germany
Select the correct answer from the codes given below :
Codes :
(A) 1 and 2
(B) 1 and 3
(C) 2 and 3
(D) 3 and 4
Ans : (C)
118. The World Tiger Summit 2010 was held at—
(A) Bangkok
(B) Nairobi
(C) New Delhi
(D) Petersburg
Ans : (D)
119. According to the provisional figures of 2011 Census the lowest sex ratio in India is found in—
(A) Chandigarh
(B) Daman and Diu
(C) Dadra and Nagar Haveli
(D) Haryana
Ans : (B)
120. Which one of the following States of India has recorded the maximum increase in literacy rate during 2001-11 ?
(A) Bihar
(B) Gujarat
(C) Rajasthan
(D) Uttar Pradesh
Ans : (A)
121. As per the provisional figures of 2011 Census the second most populous State of India is—
(A) Andhra Pradesh
(B) Bihar
(C) Maharashtra
(D) West Bengal
Ans : (C)
122. Which of the following statements are correct according to the provisional figures of Census of India 2011 ? Use the codes given below to select the correct answer—
1. The lowest population is found in Lakshadweep.
2. Chandigarh has the highest population density.
3. Arunachal Pradesh has the lowest population density.
4. Dadra and Nagar Haveli has the highest decadal growth of population.
Codes :
(A) 1 and 2
(B) 1, 2 and 3
(C) 2, 3 and 4
(D) 1, 3 and 4
Ans : (D)
123. According to the provisional figures of Census 2011 arrange the following districts of Uttar Pradesh in descending order of their population size and select the correct answer from the codes given below :
1. Allahabad
2. Azamgarh
3. Ghaziabad
4. Lucknow
Codes :
(A) 1, 3, 2, 4
(B) 1, 4, 3, 2
(C) 2, 3, 1, 4
(D) 4, 1, 2, 3
Ans : (A)
124. Buddha had delivered maximum sermons at—
(A) Vaishali
(B) Sravasti
(C) Kaushambi
(D) Rajgriha
Ans : (B)
125. The first Gupta ruler who issued coins was—
(A) Srigupta
(B) Chandragupta I
(C) Samudragupta
(D) Chandragupta II
Ans : (B)
126. The Prince who was responsible for the death of his father was—
(A) Ajatasatru
(B) Chandapradyota
(C) Prasenjit
(D) Udayana
Ans : (A)
127. Who among the following was the earliest Sufi Saint to have settled at Ajmer ?
(A) Sheikh Moinuddin Chisti
(B) Sheikh Qutbuddin Bakhti-yar Qaki
(C) Sheikh Nizamuddin Auliya
(D) Sheikh Salim Chisti
Ans : (A)
128. With which Mughal General did Shivaji sign the famous ‘Treaty of Purandhar’ in 1665 A.D. ?
(A) Jaswant Singh
(B) Jai Singh
(C) Shaishta Khan
(D) Diler Khan
Ans : (B)
129. During the 13th and 14th Centuries A.D. the Indian peasants did not cultivate—
(A) Wheat
(B) Barley
(C) Rice
(D) Maize
Ans : (D)
130. The writer of Mahabhasya ‘Patanjali’ was a contemporary of—
(A) Chandragupta Maurya
(B) Ashoka
(C) Pushyamitra Sunga
(D) Chandragupta-I
Ans : (C)
131. Gautama Buddha had attained Mahaparinibban in the State of—
(A) Anga
(B) Magadha
(C) Malla
(D) Vatsa
Ans : (C)
132. Which one of the following pairs is not correctly matched ?
(A) Ajmer : Quuwal-al-Islam
(B) Jaunpur : Atala Mosque
(C) Malwa : Jahaz Mahal
(D) Gulbarga : Jama Masjid
Ans : (A)
133. Consider the following statements and select the correct answer from the codes given below—
1. Vikram Samvat began in 58 BC.
2. Saka Samvat began in 78 AD.
3. Gupta era began in 319 AD.
4. The era of Muslim rule in India began in 1192 AD.
Codes :
(A) 1 and 2
(B) 3 and 4
(C) 1, 2 and 3
(D) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Ans : (D)
134. Which one of the following rulers established embassies in foreign countries on modern lines ?
(A) Haider Ali
(B) Mir Qasim
(C) Shah Alam II
(D) Tipu Sultan
Ans : (D)
135. Who among the following was the one to have escaped being hanged in the ‘Kakori Conspiracy Case’ ?
(A) Ashfaqullah Khan
(B) Rajendra Lahiri
(C) Ram Prasad Bismil
(D) Chandra Shekhar Azad
Ans : (D)
136. Who among the following attended all the three Round Table Conferences ?
(A) Jawaharlal Nehru
(B) B. R. Ambedkar
(C) Vallabh Bhai Patel
(D) Rajendra Prasad
Ans : (B)
137. Which Sultan of Delhi imposed Jaziya on the Brahmins also ?
(A) Balban
(B) Firoz Tughlaq
(C) Allauddin Khilji
(D) Mohammad bin Tughlaq
Ans : (B)
138. Who among the following was the founder of Agra ?
(A) Balban
(B) Bahlol Lodhi
(C) Sikandar Lodhi
(D) Firoz Tughlaq
Ans : (C)
139. The only session of the Indian National Congress which was addressed by Mahatma Gandhi was held at—
(A) Amravati
(B) Belgaum
(C) Karachi
(D) Nagpur
Ans : (B)
140. Who among the following leaders of the Revolution of 1857 had the real name of Ram Chandra Pandurang ?
(A) Kunwar Singh
(B) Nana Saheb
(C) Tatiya Tope
(D) Mangal Pandey
Ans : (C)
141. Who among the following led the agitation against the Partition of Bengal (1905) ?
(A) Surendranath Banerjee
(B) C. R. Das
(C) Ashutosh Mukherjee
(D) Rabindra Nath Tagore
Ans : (A)
142. Who among the following leaders escaped from the prison and organized underground activities during the ‘Quit India Movement’ ?
(A) J. B. Kriplani
(B) Ram Manohar Lohia
(C) Achyut Patwardhan
(D) Jai Prakash Narayan
Ans : (D)
143. Arrange the following in the chronological order and select the correct answer from the codes given below—
1. The August Offer
2. The Cabinet Mission Plan
3. The Cripps Mission Plan
4. The Wavell Plan
Codes :(A) 1, 2, 4, 3
(B) 4, 3, 2, 1
(C) 1, 3, 4, 2
(D) 3, 4, 1, 2
Ans : (C)
144. After returning from South Africa, Gandhiji launched his first successful Satyagraha in—
(A) Champaran
(B) Chauri-Chaura
(C) Bardoli
(D) Dandi
Ans : (A)
145. Who among the following had led the Swadeshi Movement in Delhi ?
(A) Balgangadhar Tilak
(B) Ajit Singh
(C) Lala Lajpat Rai
(D) Syed Haider Raza
Ans : (D)
146. Who among the following had moved the Non cooperation resolution in the Nagpur session of the Indian National Congress in 1920 ?
(A) C. R. Das
(B) Annie Besant
(C) B. C. Pal
(D) Madan Mohan Malviya
Ans : (A)
147. Which one of the following pairs is correctly matched ?
(A) Durga Das —The life of Mahatma Gandhi
(B) Louis Fischer —India From Curzon to Nehru and After
(C) Frank Moraes —Jawahar Lal Nehru (A Biography)
(D) Maulana Abul Kalam Azad —India Divided
Ans : (C)
148. Which one of the following pairs is not correctly matched ?
(A) James Watt : Steam Engine
(B) A. G. Bell : Telephone
(C) J. L. Baird : Television
(D) J. Perkins : Penicillin
Ans : (D)
149. Who among the following had started ‘Mitra Mela’ Association ?
(A) Shyamji Krishna Verma
(B) Vinayak Damodar Savarkar
(C) Lala Hardayal
(D) Sohan Singh Bhakna
Ans : (B)
150. The statement “I am a socialist and a republican and am no believer in Kings and Princes” is associated with—
(A) Narendra Dev
(B) Achyut Patwardhan
(C) Jai Prakash Narayan
(D) Jawahar Lal Nehru
Ans : (D)
Friday, September 23, 2011
Additional Candidates allowed for Group - I Main Exam
The additional candidates who are allowed to write Group-I (Mains) Exam to be held on from 25/09/2011 to 03/10/2011 as per orders of the Hon’ble High Court orders dt. 23/09/2011, may download their Hall Tickets from Commission’s website www.apspsc.gov.in from 23/09/2011 at 5.00PM onwards.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
List of Jnanpith Award Winners
Year : Name – Works (Language)
1965 : G. Sankara Kurup – Odakkuzhal [Flute] (Malayalam)
1966 : Tarashankar Bandopadhyaya – Ganadevta (Bengali)
1967 : Kuppali Venkatappagowda Puttappa (Kuvempu) – Sri Ramayana Darshanam (Kannada)
1967 : Umashankar Joshi – Nishitha (Gujarati)
1968 : Sumitranandan Pant – Chidambara (Hindi)
1969 : Firaq Gorakhpuri – Gul-e-Naghma (Urdu)
1970 : Viswanatha Satyanarayana – Ramayana Kalpavrikshamu [A resourceful tree:Ramayana] (Telugu)
1971 : Bishnu Dey Smriti – Satta Bhavishyat (Bengali)
1972 : Ramdhari Singh 'Dinkar' – Urvashi (Hindi)
1973 : Dattatreya Ramachandra Bendre – Nakutanti [Naku Thanthi (Four Strings)] (Kannada)
1973 : Gopinath Mohanty – Paraja (Oriya)
1974 : Vishnu Sakharam Khandekar – Yayati (Marathi)
1975 : P. V. Akilan – Chitttrappavai (Tamil)
1976 : Ashapurna Devi – Pratham Pratisruti (Bengali)
1977 : K. Shivaram Karanth – Mookajjiya Kanasugalu [Mookajjis dreams] (Kannada)
1978 : Sachchidananda Hirananda Vatsyayan 'Ajneya' – Kitni Navon Men Kitni Bar [How many times in many boats?] (Hindi)
1979 : Birendra Kumar Bhattacharya – Mrityunjay [Immortal] (Assamese)
1980 : S. K. Pottekkatt – Oru Desathinte Katha [Story of a land] (Malayalam)
1981 : Amrita Pritam – Kagaj te Canvas (Punjabi)
1982 : Mahadevi Varma – Yama (Hindi)
1983 : Maasti Venkatesh Ayengar – Chikkaveera Rajendra [Life and struggle of Kodava King Chikkaveera Rajendra] (Kannada)
1984 : Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai – Kayar [Coir] (Malayalam)
1985 : Pannalal Patel – Maanavi Ni Bhavaai (Gujarati)
1986 : Sachidananda Rout Roy (Oriya)
1987 : Vishnu Vaman Shirwadkar (Kusumagraj) – Natsamrat (Marathi)
1988 : Dr.C. Narayana Reddy – Vishwambhara (Telugu)
1989 : Qurratulain Hyder – Akhire Shab Ke Humsafar (Urdu)
1990 : V. K. Gokak (Vinayaka Krishna Gokak) – Bharatha Sindhu Rashmi (Kannada)
1991 : Subhas Mukhopadhyay – Padati (Bengali)
1992 : Naresh Mehta (Hindi)
1993 : Sitakant Mahapatra – "for outstanding contribution to the enrichment of Indian literature, 1973-92" (Oriya)
1994 : U. R. Ananthamurthy – for his contributions to (Kannada) literature (Kannada)
1995 : M. T. Vasudevan Nair – Randamoozham [Second Chance] (Malayalam)
1996 : Mahasweta Devi – Hajar Churashir Ma (Bengali)
1997 : Ali Sardar Jafri (Urdu)
1998 : Girish Karnad – "for his contributions to (Kannada) literature and for contributions to (Kannada) theater (yayati)" (Kannada)
1999 : Nirmal Verma (Hindi)
1999 : Gurdial Singh (Punjabi)
2000 : Indira Goswami (Assamese)
2001 : Rajendra Keshavlal Shah (Gujarati)
2002 : D. Jayakanthan (Tamil)
2003 : Vinda Karandikar – Ashtadarshana (poetry) (Marathi)
2004 : Rahman Rahi – Subhuk Soda, Kalami Rahi and Siyah Rode Jaren Manz (Kashmiri)
2005 : Kunwar Narayan (Hindi)
2006 : Ravindra Kelekar (Konkani)
2006 : Satya Vrat Shastri (Sanskrit)
2007 : O. N. V. Kurup (Malayalam)
2008 : Akhlaq Mohammed Khan 'Shahryar' (Urdu)
2009 : Amar Kant (Hindi)
2009 : Shrilal Shukla (Hindi)
2010 : Chandrashekhara Kambara – for his contributions to Kannada literature (Kannada)
Amar Kant, Shrilal Shukla, Kambar win Jnanpith Award
The selection board chaired by noted writer and Jnanpith award winner Dr. Sitakant Mahapatra made the selections for the 45th and 46th Jnanpith awards.
86-year-old Kant is a leading author whose famous novel Inhin Hathiyaron Se earned him Sahitya Akademi Award in 2007.
His short stories like Hatiyare, Dopahar ka Bhojan and Diptee Kalaktari have found place in the syllabi of several Indian Universities.
Shukla, born in 1925 in Uttar Pradesh, is an eminent novelist and a satirist whose works threw light on the falling moral values of the Indian society in the post-independence era.
His noted works include Raag Darbari, Makaan, Sooni Ghaati Ka Sooraj, Pehla Padaav, Agyatvas, and Bisrampur Ka Sant. He is winner of several awards which included Sahitya Akademi Award and Vyas Sammaan. In 2008, he was awarded the Padma Bhushan for his contribution to Indian literature and culture.
74-year-old Kambar, who won the Jnanpith for the year 2010, is a novelist and playwright.
His noted works include Takararinavaru, Saavirada Neralu, Chakori (poetries); Jokumaraswamy, Chalesha, Jaisidanayaka, Harakeya Kuri (plays), Karimaayi, and Singarevva mattu Aramane (novels and stories). He is also a recipient of the Sangeet Nataka Academy Award and Sahitya Academy Award.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Women Empowerment
Power is a relational dynamic between individuals or between groups of people and is often unequally distributed.This inequality results in control or domination.The pattern in which power is distributed in a society or the power structure of society is strengthened by the force of tradition ,values,history and by the prevalent ways of thinking and behaving.Any effort to change the balance of power entails change in the existing power structure.
Women's empowerment is the process by which women negotiate a more equitable distribution of power , a greater space in the critical decision making processes in the home ,in the community and in the economic and political life.The aim of empowerment of women is the fuller and wholesome development of both men and women. Empowerment of women is anti-men.It is against patriarchy.Changes in law pertaining to marriage ,property,sexual harassment ,dowry,rape and other forms of violence,so as to bring in laws favouring or supporting women's empowerment are necessary but not enough.Enabling women to actually access to the benefits of appropriate laws is the key task of the empowerment process.
The process of empowerment which seeks an equitable and active share for women has to deal with the burden of ideas and values which are passed on to women as part of their socialisation process from their very childhood.This social conditioning becomes part of her person and mindset and influences her behaviour.The empowerment process must begin with women changing their own ways of thinking and behaving .They must try to appreciate themselves more and to recognise and value their knowledge and skills and their contribution of the sustainability of the households and the community.
Women then,must wage a multi-prolonged battle at many levels and this battle has necessarily to begin with the women themselves at a personal and individual level .As the empowerment process advances ,men loose their traditional power and control over women and this process must begin within the family.Women setting out to empower themselves must be aware and also prepared for the backlash they might have to face from the men who suddenly find themselves losing their traditional power and control.The road to empowerment is long,lonely and often frightening.In fact ,the struggle is the process of empowerment.In recent decades, while individual women have been waging a very personal struggle ,they have not been alone.Women within communities ,within countries and across the globe have been linking within one another to expand and to sharpen their efforts for their own empowerment.
Economic Empowerment of women:
Poverty Eradication: Since women comprise the majority of the population below the poverty line and are very often in situations of extreme poverty, given the harsh realities of intra-household and social discrimination, macro economic policies and poverty eradication programmes will specifically address the needs and problems of such women. There will be improved implementation of programmes which are already women oriented with special targets for women. Steps will be taken for mobilization of poor women and convergence of services, by offering them a range of economic and social options, along with necessary support measures to enhance their capabilities
Micro Credit: In order to enhance women’s access to credit for consumption and production, the establishment of new, and strengthening of existing micro-credit mechanisms and micro-finance institution will be undertaken so that the outreach of credit is enhanced. Other supportive measures would be taken to ensure adequate flow of credit through extant financial institutions and banks, so that all women below poverty line have easy access to credit.
Women and Economy: Women’s perspectives will be included in designing and implementing macro-economic and social policies by institutionalizing their participation in such processes. Their contribution to socio-economic development as producers and workers will be recognized in the formal and informal sectors (including home based workers) and appropriate policies relating to employment and to her working conditions will be drawn up. Such measures could include:
Women and Agriculture: In view of the critical role of women in the agriculture and allied sectors, as producers, concentrated efforts will be made to ensure that benefits of training, extension and various programmes will reach them in proportion to their numbers. The programmes for training women in soil conservation, social forestry, dairy development and other occupations allied to agriculture like horticulture, livestock including small animal husbandry, poultry, fisheries etc. will be expanded to benefit women workers in the agriculture sector.
Women and Industry: The important role played by women in electronics, information technology and food processing and agro industry and textiles has been crucial to the development of these sectors. They would be given comprehensive support in terms of labour legislation, social security and other support services to participate in various industrial sectors.
Women at present cannot work in night shift in factories even if they wish to. Suitable measures will be taken to enable women to work on the night shift in factories. This will be accompanied with support services for security, transportation etc.
Women at present cannot work in night shift in factories even if they wish to. Suitable measures will be taken to enable women to work on the night shift in factories. This will be accompanied with support services for security, transportation etc.
Social Empowerment of Women:
Education: Equal access to education for women and girls will be ensured. Special measures will be taken to eliminate discrimination, universalize education, eradicate illiteracy, create a gender-sensitive educational system, increase enrolment and retention rates of girls and improve the quality of education to facilitate life-long learning as well as development of occupation/vocation/technical skills by women. Reducing the gender gap in secondary and higher education would be a focus area. Sectoral time targets in existing policies will be achieved, with a special focus on girls and women, particularly those belonging to weaker sections including the Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes/Other Backward Classes/Minorities. Gender sensitive curricula would be developed at all levels of educational system in order to address sex stereotyping as one of the causes of gender discrimination.
Health: A holistic approach to women’s health which includes both nutrition and health services will be adopted and special attention will be given to the needs of women and the girl at all stages of the life cycle. The reduction of infant mortality and maternal mortality, which are sensitive indicators of human development, is a priority concern. This policy reiterates the national demographic goals for Infant Mortality Rate (IMR), Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) set out in the National Population Policy 2000. Women should have access to comprehensive, affordable and quality health care. Measures will be adopted that take into account the reproductive rights of women to enable them to exercise informed choices, their vulnerability to sexual and health problems together with endemic, infectious and communicable diseases such as malaria, TB, and water borne diseases as well as hypertension and cardio-pulmonary diseases. The social, developmental and health consequences of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases will be tackled from a gender perspective.
Nutrition: Intra-household discrimination in nutritional matters vis-Ã -vis girls and women will be sought to be ended through appropriate strategies. Widespread use of nutrition education would be made to address the issues of intra-household imbalances in nutrition and the special needs of pregnant and lactating women. Women’s participation will also be ensured in the planning, superintendence and delivery of the system.
Violence against women: All forms of violence against women, physical and mental, whether at domestic or societal levels, including those arising from customs, traditions or accepted practices shall be dealt with effectively with a view to eliminate its incidence. Institutions and mechanisms/schemes for assistance will be created and strengthened for prevention of such violence , including sexual harassment at work place and customs like dowry; for the rehabilitation of the victims of violence and for taking effective action against the perpetrators of such violence. A special emphasis will also be laid on programmes and measures to deal with trafficking in women and girls.
Rights of the Girl Child: All forms of discrimination against the girl child and violation of her rights shall be eliminated by undertaking strong measures both preventive and punitive within and outside the family. These would relate specifically to strict enforcement of laws against prenatal sex selection and the practices of female foeticide, female infanticide, child marriage, child abuse and child prostitution etc. Removal of discrimination in the treatment of the girl child within the family and outside and projection of a positive image of the girl child will be actively fostered. There will be special emphasis on the needs of the girl child and earmarking of substantial investments in the areas relating to food and nutrition, health and education, and in vocational education. In implementing programmes for eliminating child labour, there will be a special focus on girl children.
Mass Media: Media will be used to portray images consistent with human dignity of girls and women. The Policy will specifically strive to remove demeaning, degrading and negative conventional stereotypical images of women and violence against women. Private sector partners and media networks will be involved at all levels to ensure equal access for women particularly in the area of information and communication technologies. The media would be encouraged to develop codes of conduct, professional guidelines and other self regulatory mechanisms to remove gender stereotypes and promote balanced portrayals of women and men.
Operational Strategies:
Institutional Mechanisms: National and State Resource Centres on women will be established with mandates for collection and dissemination of information, undertaking research work, conducting surveys, implementing training and awareness generation programmes, etc. These Centers will link up with Women’s Studies Centres and other research and academic institutions through suitable information networking systems.While institutions at the district level will be strengthened, at the grass-roots, women will be helped by Government through its programmes to organize and strengthen into Self-Help Groups (SHGs) at the Anganwadi/Village/Town level. The women’s groups will be helped to institutionalize themselves into registered societies and to federate at the Panchyat/Municipal level. These societies will bring about synergistic implementation of all the social and economic development programmes by drawing resources made available through Government and Non-Government channels, including banks and financial institutions and by establishing a close Interface with the Panchayats/ Municipalities.
Resource Management:- Assessment of benefits flowing to women and resource allocation to the programmes relating to them through an exercise of gender budgeting. Appropriate changes in policies will be made to optimize benefits to women under these schemes;
- Adequate resource allocation to develop and promote the policy outlined earlier based on (a) above by concerned Departments.
- Developing synergy between personnel of Health, Rural Development, Education and Women & Child Development Department at field level and other village level functionaries’
- Meeting credit needs by banks and financial credit institutions through suitable policy initiatives and development of new institutions in coordination with the Department of Women & Child Development.
Women’s Component Plan: The strategy of Women’s Component Plan adopted in the Ninth Plan of ensuring that not less than 30% of benefits/funds flow to women from all Ministries and Departments will be implemented effectively so that the needs and interests of women and girls are addressed by all concerned sectors. The Department of Women and Child Development being the nodal Ministry will monitor and review the progress of the implementation of the Component Plan from time to time, in terms of both quality and quantity in collaboration with the Planning Commission.
Legislation- Strict enforcement of all relevant legal provisions and speedy redressal of grievances will be ensured, with a special focus on violence and gender related atrocities.
- Measures to prevent and punish sexual harassment at the place of work, protection for women workers in the organized/ unorganized sector and strict enforcement of relevant laws such as Equal Remuneration Act and Minimum Wages Act will be undertaken,
- Crimes against women, their incidence, prevention, investigation, detection and prosecution will be regularly reviewed at all Crime Review fora and Conferences at the Central, State and District levels. Recognised, local, voluntary organizations will be authorized to lodge Complaints and facilitate registration, investigations and legal proceedings related to violence and atrocities against girls and women.
- Women’s Cells in Police Stations, Encourage Women Police Stations Family Courts, Mahila Courts, Counselling Centers, Legal Aid Centers and Nyaya Panchayats will be strengthened and expanded to eliminate violence and atrocities against women.
- Widespread dissemination of information on all aspects of legal rights, human rights and other entitlements of women, through specially designed legal literacy programmes and rights information programmes will be done.
- Promoting societal awareness to gender issues and women’s human rights.
- Review of curriculum and educational materials to include gender education and human rights issues
- Removal of all references derogatory to the dignity of women from all public documents and legal instruments.
- Use of different forms of mass media to communicate social messages relating to women’s equality and empowerment.
Partnership with the voluntary sector organizations: The involvement of voluntary organizations, associations, federations, trade unions, non-governmental organizations, women’s organizations, as well as institutions dealing with education, training and research will be ensured in the formulation, implementation, monitoring and review of all policies and programmes affecting women. Towards this end, they will be provided with appropriate support related to resources and capacity building and facilitated to participate actively in the process of the empowerment of women.
Women Reservation Bill: Reservation for women at each level of legislative decision-making, starting with the Lok Sabha, down to state and local legislatures.If the Bill is passed, one-third of the total available seats would be reserved for women in national, state, or local governments.In continuation of the existing provisions already mandating reservations for scheduled caste and scheduled tribes, one-third of such SC and ST candidates must be women. Political pundits, sociologists, political scientists, feminists and historians and almost everybody has said that if the bill becomes an act then it will be the biggest socio-political news since independence.
The central government cleared the Bill on February 25, 2010. For such a bill to pass, the Constitution has laid out an elaborate procedure. So, even if the Rajya Sabha passes the bill its real impact will be felt only when it passes through the Lok Sabha.On March 8, it's difficult to say how the government will manage order in the Upper House so that members favouring the bill can vote without disruption or chaos created by opposing members.
The central government cleared the Bill on February 25, 2010. For such a bill to pass, the Constitution has laid out an elaborate procedure. So, even if the Rajya Sabha passes the bill its real impact will be felt only when it passes through the Lok Sabha.On March 8, it's difficult to say how the government will manage order in the Upper House so that members favouring the bill can vote without disruption or chaos created by opposing members.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
DIVISIONAL ACCOUNTS OFFICERS (24/2007 & 23/2008) - WRITTEN EXAMINATION RESULT
FOR RESULT CLICK HERE
Monday, September 19, 2011
ECONOMIC SURVEY 2010-11 MCQs
1. According to the Economic survey 2010-11 what percentage growth was recorded by the manufacturing sector in 2010?
a. 9.1%
b. 8.6%
c. 7.3%
d. 8%
Answer: a
2. As per the economic Survey of India 2010-11, the production of food grains is estimated at over 232 million tonnes with record production of which food crop?
a. Rice
b. Wheat
c. Bajra
d. Maize
Answer: b
3. What is the percentage growth of GDP predicted by The Economic Survey for the financial year 2010-11?
a. 8.6%
b. 8.3%
c. 8.0%
d. 9.1%
Answer: a
4. The Economic Survey estimated the Forex reserves of India at over 297 billion US dollars. The surge in Forex is attributed to growth in which of the following sector?
a. Export sector
b. Foreign Direct Investments
c. Agricultural output
d. Industrial output
Answer: a
5. Gross Fiscal Deficit stands at 4.8% of GDP. What was the percentage of Gross Fiscal Deficit in 2010?
a. 6.3%
b. 5.8%
c. 5.0%
d. 7.1%
Answer: a
6. Agriculture is expected to grow by what percentage in 2010-11 as per the Economic Survey?
a. 5.0%
b. 5.1%
c. 5.4%
d. 5.5%
Answer: c
7. What percentage of GDP growth at market prices was estimated by the Economic Survey 2010-11? a. 9.0%
b. 9.5%
c. 9.7%
d. 10.0%
Answer: c
8. Exports surged by what percentage in the period between April to December 2010?
a. 25.0%
b. 29.5%
c. 18.1%
d. 33.0%
Answer: b
9. Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee proposed to increase the Income Tax Exemption Limit for individual tax payers from 1 lakh 60 to _?
a. 1 lakh 80 thousand
b. 1 lakh 90 thousand
c. 2 lakh
d. 2 lakh 20 thousand
Answer: a
10. Which of the following was not proposed in the Union Budget 2011-12 presented by pranab Mukherjee?
1. Special vehicles were proposed to be created in the form of Infrastructure Debt Funds to attract foreign funds.
2. Rs. 300 crore expenditure was proposed to promote horticulture centres in rain fed areas for increasing crop productivity.
3. For the manufacturing sector, the budget proposed reduction of basic customs duty on raw silk from 30 to 5 per cent.
4. Concessional 10 per cent Excise Duty was also proposed for fuel cell or Hydrogen cell-technology-based vehicles.
a. 1 & 3
b. Only 2
c. Only 4
d. 3 & 4
Answer: b
11. In the Budget it was proposed to provide sum of money for implementation of vegetable initiative to set in motion a virtuous cycle of higher production and incomes for the farmers. What was the proposed amount?
a. Rs 500 crore
b. Rs 300 crore
c. Rs 10000 crore
d. Rs 650 crore
Answer: b
12. Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana was proposed to be being extended to the beneficiaries of which of the following Union Government schemes?
a. Mahatma Gandhi NREGA beneficiaries
b. Beneficiaries of Swavlamban pension scheme
c. Indira Gandhi National old Age Pension scheme beneficiaries
d.Beneficiaries of Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana
Answer: a
13. Acknowledging the need for development of J&K and North-east, Mamata Banerjee introduced in the Railway Budget 2011 a number measures for these two regions. In which of the following North-eastern cities did the budget propose to set up a diesel locomotive centre?
a. Imphal
b. Manipur
c. Guwahati
d. Tripura
Answer: b
14. Read the two statements with regard to the passenger benefit plans proposed in the Railway Budget 2011.
1.The budget proposed extension of Train Management System to New Delhi, Bangalore, Secunderabad, Ahmedabad and Lucknow stations to provide information on running of trains.
2.Mamta Banerjee introduced a new concept of Smart Card - Go India for long distance travel by Indian railways.
Which of the two statements are true?
a. Only 1
b. Only 2
c. Both 1 & 2
d. None of the above
Answer: c
15. According to Railway Budget 2011, railway card passes would be extended to the parents of the unmarried posthumous winners of which of the following Awards?
1. Param Vir Chakra
2. Bharat Ratna
3. Ashok Chakra gallantry award
4. Padma Shri
a. 1 & 2
b. 2 & 3
c. 1, 2 & 3
d. 1 & 3
Answer: d
16. Which of the following schemes proposed in the Railway Budget 2011 is/are not meant for Railway Employees?
1. Expansion of Liberalized Active Retirement Scheme for Guaranteed Employment
2. Railway Vidyalaya Prabandhan Board
3. Sukhi Griha Scheme
4. Pradhan Mantri Rail Vikas Yojana
a. 1 & 3
b. 3 & 4
c. 2 & 4
d. 1 & 4
Answer: b
17. The electrical energy requirement of railways is growing rapidly with the expansion of the rail infrastructure and traffic. Considering the rising demand the Ministry of Railways proposed to set up 700 MW power plant at Thakurli in Maharashtra. The power plant is proposed to be based on what form of energy?
a. gas-based
b. coal-based
c. solar power
d. nuclear energy based
Answer: a
18. Ministry of Railways proposed to extend Anti Collision Device (ACD) to which of the following Railway zones in India?
1. Eastern zone
2. East Central
3. North Eastern
4. South Central
a. 1 & 4
b. 2 & 4
c. 1 & 2
d. 1 & 3
Answer: c
19. With regard to the infrastructure development of Railways as proposed in Railway Budget 2011 which statement/statements is/are false?
1. The budget proposed to lay 40 new lines, covering 1075 km.
2. The Ministry has allocated Rs 5406 crore for doubling of 867 km of lines
3. A greater thrust was given to the expansion of the rail network with a larger allocation of Rs 9583 cr for new lines.
4. for gauge conversion over 1017 km. Rs 13820 crore was proposed
a. Only 1
b. 1 & 2
c. Only 4
d. 2 & 4
Answer: c
20. Read the two statements mentioned with regard to the budgetary allocations for addressing environmental concerns.
1. The budget proposed that the solar lantern used in far-flung villages will attract no duty from 10 per cent charged earlier.
2. To provide green and clean transportation for the masses, National Mission for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles will be launched in the year 2011 in collaboration with all stakeholders.
Which of them is true?
a. Only 1
b. Only 2
c. Both 1 & 2
d. None of the above
Answer: b
21. To enhance credit worthiness of economically weaker sections and LIG households, a Mortgage Risk Guarantee Fund was announced to be created under which of the following scheme or Yojana?
a. Rajiv Awas Yojana
b. Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana
c. Indira Awas Yojana
d. Mahatama Gandhi NREGA
Answer: a
22. Read the following statements with regard to the allocation in the Educational sector as proposed by Union Budget 2011-12.
1. For Sarva Siksha Abhiyan the allocation was increased by 40 percent to 21000 crore rupees.
2. All institutions of higher learning will be connected through optical fibers by March 2012.
3. 500 crore rupees was proposed to be provided for national skill development fund.
4. For the needy scheduled castes ad scheduled tribe candidates studying in class-IX and Xth pre-matric scholarship scheme was proposed to be introduced.
Which of the above mentioned statements is not true?
a. 1
b. 2
c. 3 & 4
d. 4
Answer: b
23. The Basic Customs Duty exemption was proposed to be extended to which of the following sectors?
a. art and antiquities for exhibition or display in private art galleries
b. Cinematographic film, factory-built ambulances
c. syringes and needles
d. agricultural machinery
Answer: a
24. What amount of money was allocated for Bharat Nirman?
a. 1000 crore
b. 58000 crore
c. 55438 crore
d. 14362 crore
Answer: b
25. Which of the following statement/statements is/are true with reference to the Railway Budget 2011?
1. Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee proposed Annual Plan for the year 2011-12 at Rs 57630 cr which is the highest ever plan investment by the railways in a single year.
2. Under the proposed Pradhan Mantri Rail Vikas Yojana the pending socially desirable lines would be completed and other similar new line projects would also be taken up.
3. Mamata Banerjee declared 2010-11 as the Year of Green Energy.
4. 2 AC Double Decker Trains in the Jaipur-Delhi and Delhi-Ahmedabad routes were proposed.
Choose Answers:
a. 1,2 & 3
b. 1 & 4
c. 2 & 3
d. 1 & 2
Answer: d
a. 9.1%
b. 8.6%
c. 7.3%
d. 8%
Answer: a
2. As per the economic Survey of India 2010-11, the production of food grains is estimated at over 232 million tonnes with record production of which food crop?
a. Rice
b. Wheat
c. Bajra
d. Maize
Answer: b
3. What is the percentage growth of GDP predicted by The Economic Survey for the financial year 2010-11?
a. 8.6%
b. 8.3%
c. 8.0%
d. 9.1%
Answer: a
4. The Economic Survey estimated the Forex reserves of India at over 297 billion US dollars. The surge in Forex is attributed to growth in which of the following sector?
a. Export sector
b. Foreign Direct Investments
c. Agricultural output
d. Industrial output
Answer: a
5. Gross Fiscal Deficit stands at 4.8% of GDP. What was the percentage of Gross Fiscal Deficit in 2010?
a. 6.3%
b. 5.8%
c. 5.0%
d. 7.1%
Answer: a
6. Agriculture is expected to grow by what percentage in 2010-11 as per the Economic Survey?
a. 5.0%
b. 5.1%
c. 5.4%
d. 5.5%
Answer: c
7. What percentage of GDP growth at market prices was estimated by the Economic Survey 2010-11? a. 9.0%
b. 9.5%
c. 9.7%
d. 10.0%
Answer: c
8. Exports surged by what percentage in the period between April to December 2010?
a. 25.0%
b. 29.5%
c. 18.1%
d. 33.0%
Answer: b
9. Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee proposed to increase the Income Tax Exemption Limit for individual tax payers from 1 lakh 60 to _?
a. 1 lakh 80 thousand
b. 1 lakh 90 thousand
c. 2 lakh
d. 2 lakh 20 thousand
Answer: a
10. Which of the following was not proposed in the Union Budget 2011-12 presented by pranab Mukherjee?
1. Special vehicles were proposed to be created in the form of Infrastructure Debt Funds to attract foreign funds.
2. Rs. 300 crore expenditure was proposed to promote horticulture centres in rain fed areas for increasing crop productivity.
3. For the manufacturing sector, the budget proposed reduction of basic customs duty on raw silk from 30 to 5 per cent.
4. Concessional 10 per cent Excise Duty was also proposed for fuel cell or Hydrogen cell-technology-based vehicles.
a. 1 & 3
b. Only 2
c. Only 4
d. 3 & 4
Answer: b
11. In the Budget it was proposed to provide sum of money for implementation of vegetable initiative to set in motion a virtuous cycle of higher production and incomes for the farmers. What was the proposed amount?
a. Rs 500 crore
b. Rs 300 crore
c. Rs 10000 crore
d. Rs 650 crore
Answer: b
12. Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana was proposed to be being extended to the beneficiaries of which of the following Union Government schemes?
a. Mahatma Gandhi NREGA beneficiaries
b. Beneficiaries of Swavlamban pension scheme
c. Indira Gandhi National old Age Pension scheme beneficiaries
d.Beneficiaries of Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana
Answer: a
13. Acknowledging the need for development of J&K and North-east, Mamata Banerjee introduced in the Railway Budget 2011 a number measures for these two regions. In which of the following North-eastern cities did the budget propose to set up a diesel locomotive centre?
a. Imphal
b. Manipur
c. Guwahati
d. Tripura
Answer: b
14. Read the two statements with regard to the passenger benefit plans proposed in the Railway Budget 2011.
1.The budget proposed extension of Train Management System to New Delhi, Bangalore, Secunderabad, Ahmedabad and Lucknow stations to provide information on running of trains.
2.Mamta Banerjee introduced a new concept of Smart Card - Go India for long distance travel by Indian railways.
Which of the two statements are true?
a. Only 1
b. Only 2
c. Both 1 & 2
d. None of the above
Answer: c
15. According to Railway Budget 2011, railway card passes would be extended to the parents of the unmarried posthumous winners of which of the following Awards?
1. Param Vir Chakra
2. Bharat Ratna
3. Ashok Chakra gallantry award
4. Padma Shri
a. 1 & 2
b. 2 & 3
c. 1, 2 & 3
d. 1 & 3
Answer: d
16. Which of the following schemes proposed in the Railway Budget 2011 is/are not meant for Railway Employees?
1. Expansion of Liberalized Active Retirement Scheme for Guaranteed Employment
2. Railway Vidyalaya Prabandhan Board
3. Sukhi Griha Scheme
4. Pradhan Mantri Rail Vikas Yojana
a. 1 & 3
b. 3 & 4
c. 2 & 4
d. 1 & 4
Answer: b
17. The electrical energy requirement of railways is growing rapidly with the expansion of the rail infrastructure and traffic. Considering the rising demand the Ministry of Railways proposed to set up 700 MW power plant at Thakurli in Maharashtra. The power plant is proposed to be based on what form of energy?
a. gas-based
b. coal-based
c. solar power
d. nuclear energy based
Answer: a
18. Ministry of Railways proposed to extend Anti Collision Device (ACD) to which of the following Railway zones in India?
1. Eastern zone
2. East Central
3. North Eastern
4. South Central
a. 1 & 4
b. 2 & 4
c. 1 & 2
d. 1 & 3
Answer: c
19. With regard to the infrastructure development of Railways as proposed in Railway Budget 2011 which statement/statements is/are false?
1. The budget proposed to lay 40 new lines, covering 1075 km.
2. The Ministry has allocated Rs 5406 crore for doubling of 867 km of lines
3. A greater thrust was given to the expansion of the rail network with a larger allocation of Rs 9583 cr for new lines.
4. for gauge conversion over 1017 km. Rs 13820 crore was proposed
a. Only 1
b. 1 & 2
c. Only 4
d. 2 & 4
Answer: c
20. Read the two statements mentioned with regard to the budgetary allocations for addressing environmental concerns.
1. The budget proposed that the solar lantern used in far-flung villages will attract no duty from 10 per cent charged earlier.
2. To provide green and clean transportation for the masses, National Mission for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles will be launched in the year 2011 in collaboration with all stakeholders.
Which of them is true?
a. Only 1
b. Only 2
c. Both 1 & 2
d. None of the above
Answer: b
21. To enhance credit worthiness of economically weaker sections and LIG households, a Mortgage Risk Guarantee Fund was announced to be created under which of the following scheme or Yojana?
a. Rajiv Awas Yojana
b. Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana
c. Indira Awas Yojana
d. Mahatama Gandhi NREGA
Answer: a
22. Read the following statements with regard to the allocation in the Educational sector as proposed by Union Budget 2011-12.
1. For Sarva Siksha Abhiyan the allocation was increased by 40 percent to 21000 crore rupees.
2. All institutions of higher learning will be connected through optical fibers by March 2012.
3. 500 crore rupees was proposed to be provided for national skill development fund.
4. For the needy scheduled castes ad scheduled tribe candidates studying in class-IX and Xth pre-matric scholarship scheme was proposed to be introduced.
Which of the above mentioned statements is not true?
a. 1
b. 2
c. 3 & 4
d. 4
Answer: b
23. The Basic Customs Duty exemption was proposed to be extended to which of the following sectors?
a. art and antiquities for exhibition or display in private art galleries
b. Cinematographic film, factory-built ambulances
c. syringes and needles
d. agricultural machinery
Answer: a
24. What amount of money was allocated for Bharat Nirman?
a. 1000 crore
b. 58000 crore
c. 55438 crore
d. 14362 crore
Answer: b
25. Which of the following statement/statements is/are true with reference to the Railway Budget 2011?
1. Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee proposed Annual Plan for the year 2011-12 at Rs 57630 cr which is the highest ever plan investment by the railways in a single year.
2. Under the proposed Pradhan Mantri Rail Vikas Yojana the pending socially desirable lines would be completed and other similar new line projects would also be taken up.
3. Mamata Banerjee declared 2010-11 as the Year of Green Energy.
4. 2 AC Double Decker Trains in the Jaipur-Delhi and Delhi-Ahmedabad routes were proposed.
Choose Answers:
a. 1,2 & 3
b. 1 & 4
c. 2 & 3
d. 1 & 2
Answer: d
Sunday, September 18, 2011
CURRENT AFFAIRS QUESTIONS
1. ‘Verna’ is the new model of the following car makers—
(A) Suzuki
(B) BMW
(C) Hyundai
(D) Honda
Answer: Hyundai
2. Which position did Sachin Tendulkar achieve in the ICC ranking in August 2011 ?
(A) First
(B) Sixth
(C) Third
(D) Eighth
Answer: Third
3. How many seats did the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) bag on its own in the Uttar Pradesh state general assembly election in April-May 2007 ?
(A) 145
(B) 138
(C) 207
(D) 187
Answer: 207
4. Who among the following has been honoured with Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development for the year 2009 ?
(A) Mohd. El Baradei
(B) Dalai Lama
(C) Sheikh Hasina Wajed
(D) Barack Obama
Answer: Sheikh Hasina Wajed
5. The Nobel Prize for Chemistry for the year 2009 was conferred on—
(A) Venkatraman Ramakrishnan
(B) Thomas A. Steitz
(C) Ada E. Yonuth
(D) All the above
Answer: All the above
6. Who among the following is heading the SEBI’s Committee on Corporate governance?
(A) Ratan Tata
(B) G. N. Bajpai
(C) Narayan Murthy
(D) J. S. Verma
Answer: Narayan Murthy
7. In which of the following states has the Tata Tele-service (TTSL) started its first operation under the new name Tata Indicom?
(A) Goa
(B) Kerala
(C) Tamil Nadu
(D) Maharashtra
Answer: Tamil Nadu
8. Who among the following has been honoured with Bharat Ratna for the year 2008 ?
(A) Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
(B) G. Madhavan Nair
(C) None of these
(D) Pt. Bhimsen Joshi
Answer: Pt. Bhimsen Joshi
9. Which Hindi author has been selected for the K. K. Birla Vyas Samman 2010 for his poetry collection “Phir Bhi Kuch Rah Jayega” ?
(A) Sri Lal Shukla
(B) Gopal Das Neeraj
(C) Vishwanath Prasad Tiwari
(D) None of these
Answer: Vishwanath Prasad Tiwari
10. Who was awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace in the year 2010 ?
(A) Ehud Barak
(B) Liu Xiaobo
(C) Linda Buck
(D) Both (B) & (C)
Answer: Liu Xiaobo
11. Which of the following companies is the world’s number one car maker ?
(A) Honda Motor
(B) Volvo Motor
(C) Suzuki Motor
(D) General Motor
Answer: General Motor
12. With what game is the name of Cara Black associated ?
(A) Lawn Tennis
(B) Badminton
(C) Table Tennis
(D) Chess
Answer: Lawn Tennis
13. The multinational company which has launched ‘Bio Colour Television’ in Indian market?
(A) L.G.
(B) Samsung
(C) BPL
(D) Philips
Answer: Samsung
14. Who was awarded the 83rd Oscar Award for the Best Director on 27th February, 2011?
(A) Jamie Foxx
(B) Tom Hooper (The King’s Speech)
(C) Morgan Freeman
(D) None of these
Answer: Tom Hooper (The King’s Speech)
15. Which one of the following countries of the world is worst affected by the economic meltdown currently plaguing the world ?
(A) China
(B) India
(C) The U.K.
(D) The U.S.A.
Answer: The U.S.A.
16. Name the magazine which has been circulated on the board of Indian Airlines after replacing ‘Swagat.’
(A) Cosmopolitan
(B) Darpan
(C) Welcome
(D) Flying World
Answer: Darpan
17. Government of India formed a new South-Western Command of the Indian land army. With this the number of commands will be raised to—
(A) 6
(B) 8
(C) 7
(D) 5
Answer: 7
18. How many states in the country have been chosen for a pilot project to introduce a new multipurpose national Identity Card ?
(A) 16
(B) 15
(C) 14
(D) 13
Answer: 13
19. With the admission of two new members into the European Union on January 1, 2007, the membership of the organisation has now risen to—
(A) 25
(B) 19
(C) 27
(D) 15
Answer: 27
20. The famous Akshardham Temple is situated in the city of—
(A) Madurai
(B) Gandhi Nagar
(C) Jammu
(D) Srinagar
Answer: Gandhi Nagar
21. Which of the following parties does not form part of the United Progressive Alliance government formed following the elections to the 14th Lok Sabha ?
(A) DMK
(B) RJD
(C) JD (U)
(D) NCP
Answer: JD (U)
22. ‘India’s Gateway to the World’ the famous slogan is of—
(A) Air India
(B) BSNL
(C) VSNL
(D) Wipro
Answer: VSNL
23. ‘Vision India 2020’ is a book written by—
(A) A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
(B) I. K. Gujral
(C) Narendra Modi
(D) Shushil Kumar Shinde
Answer: A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
24. The company which sponsored the Wisden Indian Cricketer of the century is—
(A) Birla
(B) Onida
(C) Electrolux
(D) Sony
Answer: Electrolux
25. Who among the following won the Nobel Prize for Medicine 2010 ?
(A) Elizabeth H. Blackburn
(B) Carol W. Greider
(C) Jack W. Szostak
(D) Robert G. Edwards
Answer: Robert G. Edwards
26. Which Indian Scientist has had the distinction of receiving not only the Nobel Prize, but also Bharat Ratna ?
(A) Dr. Homi Bhabha
(B) Dr. J. C. Bose
(C) Dr. C. V. Raman
(D) Dr. Vikram Sarabhai
Answer: Dr. C. V. Raman
27. Who among the following was awarded Nobel Prize for Literature-2010 ?
(A) Mario Vergas Llosa
(B) Bill Clinton
(C) Paul Lauterbur
(D) Shirin Ebadi
Answer: Mario Vergas Llosa
28. Who got the Best Actor Award in the 58th National Film Awards announced on May 19, 2011 ?
(A) Amitabh Bachchan
(B) Shahrukh Khan
(C) Dhanush and Salim Kumar
(D) Nana Patekar
See Answer:
29. Who was awarded the UNESCO—Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Award for 2011 ?
(A) K.C. Vashishtha
(B) Ahmad Zeidabadi
(C) Mai Chidiac
(D) N. Swaminathan
Answer: Ahmad Zeidabadi
30. The Nuclear Security Summit was held between 12-13 April, 2010 at—
(A) Bucharest
(B) Dhaka
(C) Washington
(D) Islamabad
Answer: Washington
31. Who among the following is the USA’s new Foreign Secretary or Secretary of State in place of Condolezza Rice, following Presidential elections in Nov. 2008?
(A) James Rumsfeld
(B) Hillary Clinton
(C) Armitage
(D) None of these
Answer: Hillary Clinton
32. Which company recently hit the business headlines for striking a historic natural gas discovery near Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh ?
(A) Gas Authority of India Ltd.
(B) ONGC
(C) Oil India Ltd.
(D) Reliance Industries
Answer: Reliance Industries
33. Who became the first Indian women to cross Gobi Desert in July 2011 ?
(A) Amrita Singh
(B) Ankita Singh
(C) Sucheta Kadethanker
(D) None of these
Answer: Sucheta Kadethanker
34. Which of the following is a recipient of Dhyan Chand Award, 2010 announced in August 2010 ?
(A) Hukam Singh
(B) Satish Pillai
(C) Mukh Bain Singh
(D) Gyan Singh
Answer: Satish Pillai
35. G-15 Summit concluded on 17 May, 2010 in—
(A) Kualalumpur
(B) Tehran
(C) Beijing
(D) Hanoi
Answer: Tehran
36. Where was the World Economic Forum meeting held in January, 2009 ?
(A) Jakarta
(B) Manila
(C) Kualalumpur
(D) Davos
Answer: Davos
37. India’s newly built and tested missile ‘Astra’ is meant for—
(A) Surface to air strike
(B) Air to air strike
(C) Ship to ship strike
(D) Surface to surface strike
Answer: Air to air strike
38. Who has been appointed the first woman Prime Minister of Tobago ?
(A) Kamla Das
(B) Kamla Devi
(C) Kamla Prasad Bissessar
(D) Kamla K. Singh
Answer: Kamla Prasad Bissessar
39. ‘Power’ a new variety of petrol has been introduced in the market by—
(A) BPCL
(B) ONGC
(C) IOC
(D) HPCL
Answer: HPCL
40. Who is the new President of the European Council ?
(A) Leszek Miller
(B) Marek Belka
(C) Gerhard Schroeder
(D) Herman Van Rompuy
Answer: Herman Van Rompuy
41. Identify Mullaithivu—
(A) It is the name of the town which was one of the strong holds of the LTTE in Sri Lanka
(B) It is a terrorist organisation in Sri Lanka
(C) It is a place of pilgrimage in Tamil Nadu
(D) None of these
Answer: It is the name of the town which was one of the strong holds of the LTTE in Sri Lanka
42. Which of the following is not a member of G-20 developing nations ?
(A) Argentina
(B) India
(C) Pakistan
(D) USA
Answer: USA
43. Which of the following was crowned Miss India worldwide 2010 ?
(A) Niharica Raizada
(B) Kajal Lutchminarain
(C) Cher Merchand
(D) None of these
Answer: Kajal Lutchminarain
44. Where did the 16th SAARC Summit take place in April 2010 ?
(A) Vientiane
(B) Kualalumpur
(C) Thimpu
(D) Hanoi
Answer: Thimpu
45. Which scientist received Shantiswarup Bhatanagar Award 2009 for Mathematical Sciences ?
(A) Dr. Probal Chaudhuri
(B) Dr. Kapil Hare Paranjape
(C) Dr. Mitali Mukherjee
(D) Dr. Atul Chawksi
Answer: Dr. Mitali Mukherjee
46. Which of the following has been not selected for Padma Bhushan Award for 2011 ?
(A) Satyadev Dubey
(B) Shashi Kapoor
(C) Waheeda Rehman
(D) Dr. Sitakant Mahapatra
Answer: Dr. Sitakant Mahapatra
47. The first Indian to win Nobel Prize was—
(A) C.V. Raman
(B) Rabindra Nath Tagore
(C) Hargovind Khurana
(D) Amartya Sen
Answer: Rabindra Nath Tagore
48. Who was awarded the UNESCO Peace Prize 2008 ?
(A) Institute for Justice and Reconciliation
(B) Atal Bihari Vajpai
(C) Tony Blair
(D) George W. Bush
Answer: Institute for Justice and Reconciliation
49. Julictte Binoche has begged best actress award in 63rd International Film Festival of Cannes for the film—
(A) A Screaming Man
(B) Of Gods and Men
(C) Certified Copy
(D) Ano Bisiesto
Answer: Certified Copy
50. Who has been awarded the Best Younger Player Award in FIFA World Cup Football 2010 ?
(A) Diego Forlan
(B) Thomas Muller
(C) Andres Iniesta
(D) Iker Casillas
Answer: Andres Iniesta
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Leila Lopes of Angola crowned 60th Miss Universe
Leila Lopes from Angola was crowned Miss Universe, smoothly handling an interview question about what physical trait she would change if could, while wearing a strapless cream-colored gown.
Lopes, Angola’s first winner, beat out 88 other competitors to win the title during the 60th anniversary of the world’s biggest beauty pageant. She replaces last year’s winner, Ximena Navarrete of Mexico.
The first runner-up was 23-year-old Olesia Stefanko of Ukraine and the second runner-up was Priscila Machado of Brazil. The third was Miss Philippines and the fourth Miss China.
Contestants from 89 nations on six continents spent the past three weeks in Sao Paulo, trying to learn samba dance steps, visiting impoverished children and kicking a football around for cameras as the globe’s biggest beauty contest is held in Brazil for the first time.
The contestants, who must never have been married or had children and who must be at least 18 years of age and under 27 years of age by Feb. 1 of the competition year.
Miss Universe 2011, the 60th anniversary of the Miss Universe pageant, will be held at the Credicard Hall, in São Paulo, Brazil on September 12, 2011. Ximena Navarrete of Mexico will crown her successor. 89 contestants are participating in this year´s pageant, surpassing the previous record of 86 contestants in 2006.
Miss Universe is an annual international beauty contest run by the Miss Universe Organization. The pageant is the most publicized beauty contest in the world with 600 million viewers. The contest was founded in 1952 by California clothing company Pacific Mills. The pageant became part of Kayser-Roth and then Gulf and Western Industries, before being acquired by Donald Trump in 1996.
In 1998, Miss Universe changed its name from Miss Universe, Inc. to Miss Universe Organization and the headquarters moved from Long Beach California, to New York City that year. Donald Trump brought in a new team of professionals to the contest headed by its new CEO, Molly Miles, and president Maureen Reidy. The contest would use the slogan "Redefined for Today" for promotion of the pageants.
List of Miss Universe titleholders
| Year | Country/Territory | Miss Universe | National title | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 |  Angola | Leila Lopes | Miss Angola | São Paulo, Brazil |
| 2010 |  Mexico | Ximena Navarrete | Nuestra Belleza México | Las Vegas, Nevada U.S. |
| 2009 |  Venezuela | Stefania Fernandez | Miss Venezuela | Nassau, Bahamas |
| 2008 | Venezuela | Dayana Mendoza | Miss Venezuela | Nha Trang, Vietnam |
| 2007 |  Japan | Riyo Mori | Miss Universe Japan | Mexico City, Mexico |
| 2006 |  Puerto Rico | Zuleyka Rivera | Miss Puerto Rico Universe | Los Angeles, California U.S. |
| 2005 |  Canada | Natalie Glebova | Miss Universe Canada | Bangkok, Thailand |
| 2004 |  Australia | Jennifer Hawkins | Miss Universe Australia | Quito, Ecuador |
| 2003 |  Dominican Republic | Amelia Vega | Miss Dominican Republic | Panama City, Panama |
| 2002 |  Panama | Justine Pasek | Señorita Panamá | Crowned by Donald Trump in NYC* |
| 2002 |  Russia | Oxana Fedorova (Dethroned) | Miss Russia | San Juan, Puerto Rico |
| 2001 | Puerto Rico | Denise Quiñones | Miss Puerto Rico Universe | Bayamón, Puerto Rico |
| 2000 |  India | Lara Dutta | Miss India | Nicosia, Cyprus |
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