New paradigm shift in India’s welfare programmes

The government will focus on welfare measures in a broader perspective than before, said a statement from the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
The paradigm shift in its approach to social sector issues, which were earlier only welfare oriented, will now look at holistic empowerment, especially of the marginalized.  The emphasis continues to be on empowerment and development of women, adolescent girls and children in all spheres of life.
Here is a list of all the welfare programmes at a glance and the new approach:
ICDS, Malnutrition & Early Childhood Care & Education
Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme: This was launched in 1975 for holistic development of children below 6 years of age and for proper nutrition and health education of pregnant and lactating mothers with 33 projects and 4891 anganwadi centres (AWCs).  It has been continuously expended to uncovered areas and has now been universalized with the Government of India cumulatively approving 7076 projects and 14 lakh AWCs including 20,000 anganwadis ‘on-demand’.
To fulfill the commitment of the Government to universalize the ICDS Scheme, it has been expanded in three phases in the years 2005-06, 2007-08 and 2008-09. Government of India has sanctioned 7015 ICDS Projects and 13.67 lakh AWCs out of which 6771 ICDS Projects and 12.95 lakh AWCs are operational as on date. The services are currently being provided to 959.22 lakh beneficiaries.  Number of AWCs and Projects increased by 53, 248 and 52 respectively during the year.
Multi-sectoral programme to address maternal and child malnutrition in selected 200 high burden districts:
MWCD has prepared a draft framework of action for operationalization of multi-sectoral programmes in 200 high burden districts following four regional workshops. District level consultations have also been held in this regard in Warangal in Andhra Pradesh and Alwar in Rajasthan. The Scheme largely based on convergence and gap filling and district plan of action mode is likely to be rolled out by May, 2012 as per timelines. Detailed cost implication is likely to be Rs. 5 crore per district per annum. This programme could attempt to bring a comprehensive and collective action plan at state & district level in 200 high burden districts to combat the burden of Malnutrition in these districts.
2. A. Introducing a nationwide information, education and communication campaign against malnutrition
One of the four key decisions of Prime Minister’s Council on India’s Nutrition challenges is to launch a nationwide information, education and communication (IEC) campaign against malnutrition to address issues of status of women, care of pregnant mothers and children under two years of age, breastfeeding and the importance of balanced nutrition, health, hygiene and sanitation. The IEC campaign is being coordinated by Ministry of Women & Child Development, in consultation with Ministry of Information & Broadcasting and Planning Commission.
B.        Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE)
A core committee of experts in early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) has been formed to formulate a national policy and curriculum framework on ECCE. After holding regional consultations and in depth discussions with other stakeholders, the committee has evolved a draft national policy on ECCE, national curriculum Framework and Quality Standards for ECCE. This would be operationalised through the ECCD Council, which is proposed. The Strengthened and restructured ICDS would reposition the AWC as the Early Childhood Development Centre, with the orientation of an enabling environment for promotion of early childhood development with focus on delivering quality ECCE. A separate and appropriate framework of action would be brought about in this regard.
C.        World Bank assisted “ICDS Systems Strengthening & Nutrition Improvement Project (ISSNIP)” :
The Ministry of Women and Child Development has formulated a specific project on ICDS titled, “ICDS Systems Strengthening and Nutrition Improvement Project” for seeking financial assistance from the International Development Association (IDA) of the World Bank. The project is proposed to be implemented in 162 districts having higher proportion of child under-nutrition across 8 States (Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh). The project has been designed to strengthen the ICDS systems for effective programme implementation in selected States/districts through techno-managerial support and decentralized district based planning in ICDS. The project is one of the steps for the overall ICDS strengthening and restructuring proposal of the Ministry.
The Ministry is now in the process of expediting the approval of the project by the competent authority. It is expected that project will be made effective sometimes during the last quarter of 2011-12.
D.        Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY):
Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana is a Centrally Sponsored Insurance Scheme with cost sharing pattern of 75:25 between the Government of India and the State Governments/UTs.
The proposal has been initiated on the recommendation of the National Social Security Board under the Ministry of Labour and Employment.  The Scheme of RSBY has been extended to many workers in the unorganized sector such as Domestic workers, Auto Rickshaw drivers, Rickshaw pullers, Safai Karamcharis and National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) Workers. The subject proposal is for the extension of RSBY to the Anganwadi Workers and Anganwadi Helpers under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme.
E.        Increased focus on issues relating to Malnutrition :
The problem of malnutrition is complex, multi-dimensional and inter-generational in nature and cannot be tackled by a single sector / programme alone. The determinants of malnutrition include household food insecurity; illiteracy especially in women; poor access to health services; lack of availability of safe drinking water; poor sanitation and environmental conditions and low purchasing power etc. The major thrust was given to issues pertaining to malnutrition with emphasis on a convergent and multi-sectoral approach involving all other line Ministries such as Drinking Water & Sanitation, MoRD, Panchayati Raj, MHRD, Agriculture etc.
II.        Rajiv Gandhi for Empowerment of Adolescent Girls’ (RGSEAG) – SABLA
The scheme is being implemented in 200 districts across the country on a pilot basis.  In the remaining districts, Kishori Shakti Yojana (KSY) continues to be operational as before.  However, SABLA has completely replaced Nutrition Programme for Adolescent Girls (NPAG) as all districts of NPAG are now part of the SABLA.
2.         Sabla is being implemented through the State Governments/UTs with 100 percent financial assistance from the Central Government for all inputs other than nutrition provision for which 50% Central assistance to States is provided.  Anganwadi Centre is the focal point for the delivery of the services.  Sabla aims at an all-round development of adolescent girls of 11-18 years by making them self reliant by facilitating access to learning, health and nutrition through various interventions such as health, education, vocational training etc.
III.       Indira Gandhi Matritva Sahyog Yojana (IGMSY)
IGMSY is a centrally Sponsored Scheme under which full grant-in-aid would be provided to State Governments/Union Territories. The Scheme envisages providing cash directly to P&L women in response to individual fulfilling specific conditions. The Scheme attempts to partly compensate for wage loss to P&L women both prior to and after delivery of the child. The Scheme will increase the demand for health services and promote recommended nutrition and health behaviours.
2.         A cash incentive of Rs. 4000/- is  provided under the Scheme to P&L women of 19 years of age and above, for the first two live births, subject to the woman fulfilling specific conditions relating to maternal child health and nutrition. All Government/PSUs (Central & State) employees are excluded from the Scheme as they are entitled for paid maternity leave. Cash incentive is provided in three installments, between the second trimesters of pregnancy till the infant completes 6 months of age through only bank/post office accounts.
3.         An incentive of Rs. 200/- per beneficiary for Anganwadi Workers and Rs. 100/- per beneficiary for Anganwadi Helpers is provided for in the Scheme so that they can be fully involved in motivating the women to participate in the Scheme.
IV.       Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Bill, 2011.
The main aim of the Bill is to address sexual abuse and exploitation of children, including child pornography.  It provides for establishment of special courts for trial of such offences.  The Bill defines offences, namely, penetrative sexual assault, aggravated penetrative sexual assault, sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault, sexual harassment and use of child for pornography.  The Bill provides for stringent punishment to offenders.  For speedy trail, the State Governments have been mandated to designate a Court of Session in each district, to be a Special Court to try offences under the Bill.  The other provisions of the Bill include child friendly court procedure, punishment for not reporting the offence to police or appropriate authority, and punishment for abetment and for making false complaint or false information.
V.        The Juvenile Justice (Care And Protection Of Children) Act, 2000
The Ministry of Women and Child Development is implementing the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000 (JJ Act). During the year 2011, the JJ Act has been amended through Gazette notification dated 8th September, 2011.  The following amendment has been carried out in the JJ Act to remove discriminatory references against children under the Act having diseases such as leprosy, hepatitis B, tuberculosis, etc.
(i)         In the JJ Act, in Section 48, sub-section (2) has been omitted.
(ii)        For Section 58 of the JJ Act, the following Sections has been substituted, namely:-
Where it appears to the competent authority that any juvenile or child kept in a Special Home or an Observation Home or a Children’s Home or a Shelter Home or in an institution in pursuance of this Act, is a mentally ill person or addicted to alcohol or other drugs which lead to behavioural changes in a person, the competent authority may order his removal to a psychiatric hospital or psychiatric nursing home in accordance with the provisions of the Mental Health Act, 1987 or the Rules made there under.
In case the juvenile or child had been removed to a psychiatric hospital or psychiatric nursing home under sub-section (1), the competent authority may, on the basis of the advice given in the certificate of discharge of the psychiatric hospital or psychiatric nursing home, order to remove such juvenile or child to an Integrated Rehabilitation Centre for Addicts or similar centers maintained by the State Government for the mentally ill persons (including the persons addicted to any narcotic drug or psychotropic substance) and such removal shall be only for the period required for the in-patient treatment of such juvenile or child.
VI.       Integrated Child Protection Scheme (Icps)
The Ministry of Women and Child Development is implementing a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, namely, Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS) from 2009-10 through State Governments/UT Administrations for the welfare and rehabilitation of children in conflict with law as well as children need of care and protection.
The objectives of the Scheme are (i) to provide safe and secure environment for children in conflict with law and children in need of care and protection; (ii) to reduce vulnerabilities to situations and actions that lead to abuse, neglect, exploitation, abandonment and separation; (iii) to bring focus on Non-institutional care; (iv) to develop a platform for partnership between Government & Civil Society; and (v) to establish convergence of services.
To bring a focus on child protection and create an environment conducive to their growth and development, ICPS envisages creation of a dedicated cadre of personnel in structure set up at State and district level.  So far 23 States have already set up State Child Protection Societies and District Children Protection Committees have been set up in 438 districts across 18 States.  ICPS has also given a fillip to establishment of Statutory structures under the JJ Act, namely Child Welfare Committees and  Juvenile Justice Boards, which have now been establishment in 548 and 561 districts respectively as against 211 and 240 before introduction of ICPS.  Approximately 1 lakh beneficiaries have been covered under ICPS in 2011.
VII.     Rajiv Gandhi National Creche Scheme for Children of Working Mothers
Rajiv Gandhi National Creche Scheme for Children of Working Mothers launched w.e.f. 1st January 2006 to provide day care facilities to children (age group of 0-6 years) of working mothers belonging to families whose monthly income is not more than Rs. 12,000/-.  The Scheme provides development services, i.e. supplementary nutrition, health care inputs like immunization, polio drops, basic health monitoring, and recreation to such children.
This scheme is presently being implemented through the Central Social Welfare Board (CSWB), New Delhi, and Indian Council for Child Welfare (ICCW), New Delhi.
A Committee had been set up by the Ministry to suggest changes in the scheme for improving its coverage and quality.  The Committee has suggested enhanced financial norms, stringent monitoring recommended fulfillment of certain preconditions before setting up of the crèches.  On recommendation of the Committee, 5 model crèches are being set up in Delhi on pilot basis with enhanced financial norms as per recommendations of the Committee for the remaining period of the current financial year with a view to see whether the revised norms are sufficient to provide better environment and facilities to the children in the crèches before new model is replicated or existing crèches are strengthened.
VIII.    National Mission for Empowerment of Women (NMEW)
The National Mission for Empowerment of Women has been operationalized with the setting up of a Mission Directorate along with a National Resource Centre for Women (NRCW) under the Ministry of Women and Child Development at the National level. NRCW has technical experts in eight domains: economic empowerment, social empowerment, health and nutrition, gender budgeting, gender laws and rights, marginal and vulnerable women, media and communication and I.T services and provide technical support to operationalize activities of the mission.
NMEW has developed a multi- pronged strategy to achieve its objectives based on discussion with sectoral experts as well as recommendations from the three consultative workshops with various stakeholders including government, civil society organizations and PRI (Panchayat Raj Institutions) leaders in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Assam. The strategy focuses on Intervention at the policy level by reviewing studies/evaluations/impact assessment of programs/schemes for gender equality, strengthening the implementation and delivery mechanism and empowering women to demand their entitlements
IX.       Scheme for Working Women Hostel
In order to promote greater mobility of women in the employment market and to provide suitable, safe and inexpensive accommodation to women residing away from their hometowns to be able to work, Government of India is implementing since 1972-73 Scheme of Working Women Hostel as a Central Sector Plan Scheme. So far, 891 hostels have been sanctioned under the Scheme since inception in 1972-73, with a sanctioned capacity of about 66,299 women and 8532 children in the attached 323 Day Care Centres.
The Scheme of working women hostel has been revised with the aim to increase coverage, proper monitoring and utilization of public money. The objective of the Scheme is to provide safe and secure accommodation to the working women at affordable rate. In the revised scheme, apart from the provision of extending financial assistance for the construction of hostel building on public land, new components of grants-in-aid for maintenance, furnishing of hostel and cost of rent of the hostels running in rented building have also been envisaged.
Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) in collaboration with Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DONER) has constructed a 500 bedded working women hostel with 176 living rooms along-with Kitchen, dining and common area at Jasola (Behind Apollo Hospital) to provide a safe and secure accommodation to women and girls of North Eastern Region.  The hostel has been inaugurated on 8th September, 2011 and handed over to YWCA.
X.  Support to Training and Employment Programme for Women (STEP) Scheme
This is a centrally sponsored scheme and provides training for skill up-gradation to poor and assetless women in the traditional sectors of agriculture, animal husbandry, diary, fisheries, handlooms, handcrafts, khadi and village industries, sericulture, social forestry and waste land development.
XI.  Swadhar Greh
Swadhar Scheme and SSH are being implemented with similar objective and for same target group.  Now these two existing schemes i.e. Swadhar and Short Stay Home have been merged in to a new scheme ‘Swadhar Greh’ with revised financial norms in order to reach out to those women who are victims of unfortunate circumstances and are in need of institutional support for rehabilitation so that they could lead their life with dignity.  Under the new Scheme, sufficient financial assistance under each component of the scheme will be provided to the implementing agencies so that the day to day requirement of the intimates of the home could be fulfilled easily.  The envisaged coverage of the revised scheme is all 641 districts of the country.
XII. Gender Budgeting
Gender Budgeting (GB) is a tool for gender mainstreaming in all government policies, programmes and schemes. MWCD has been engaged in conducting a number of trainings, workshops, one to one interactions/discussions and development of resource material to take GB forward.  In the year 2011-12, till December end 2011, MWCD had organized 14 trainings/workshops for Central and State Government officers and other stakeholders.
An important tool of GB is the Gender Budget Statement which serves as a reporting mechanism and provides an indication of the funds flowing to women. The magnitude of GB allocations as a percentage of total budget as reflected in the GB Statement went up from 2.79 percent in 2005-06 to 6.22 percent in 2011-12.
Since Gender Audit is of utmost importance to identify the gaps in the Government policies, programmes, schemes and to assess the impact of gender budgeting interventions, a brainstorming workshop was organized by MWCD to develop gender audit guidelines. A working group has been formed to develop these guidelines.
XIII. National Girl Child Day, 2011
The National Girl Child Day is on 24th January and was celebrated on 21st January, 2011. The theme for the year was empowering of the Adolescent girls (AGs). The issues and challenges facing Adolescent girls were discussed in which eminent panelists having experts in health, nutrition, education and socio-legal empowerment made presentation which was followed up by an interactive session.
XIV.  UJJAWALA
The scheme was introduced in Dec. 2007 and is being implemented mainly through the Non-Government Organization. It comprises of five components: -
i)          Prevention, which consists of formation of community vigilance groups/adolescents groups, awareness and sensitization of important functionaries like police, community leaders and preparation of IEC material, holding workshops, etc.
ii)         Rescue, safe withdrawal of the victim from the place of exploitation.
iii)        Rehabilitation, which includes providing safe shelter for victims with basic inputs of food, clothing, counseling medical care, legal aid, vocational training and income generation activities etc.
iv)        Reintegration, which includes restoring the victim into the family/community (if she so desires) and the accompanying costs.
v)         Repatriation, to provide support to cross-border victims for their safe repatriation to their country of origin.
From January 2011 to first week of December 2011, 185 new projects of Ujjawala Scheme have been considered and 53 projects have been approved   by the Project Sanctioning Committee.
So for 162 projects including 81 Rehabilitation Homes have been sanctioned, spread over 17 States.
XV.     Dhanalakshmi – A Conditional Cash Transfer Scheme for Girl Child
A new pilot Scheme Dhanalakshmi   was launched on 03rd March, 2008
Objective of the Scheme
· Provide a set of staggered financial incentives for families to encourage them to retain the girl child and educate her.
· Change the attitudinal mindset of the family towards the girl, by looking upon the girl as an asset rather than a liability since her very existence has led to cash inflow to the family.
Cash transfers are made under the Scheme to the family of the girl child (preferably the mother) on fulfilling following conditions:
·         Birth registration of the girl child
·         Progress of immunization
·         Full immunization
·         Enrolment to school and retention in school.
“Dhanalakshmi” is being implemented in 11 Blocks across seven States on pilot basis:
The Scheme is being implemented by the State Government through District Authorities.
XVI.    Women Welfare
In order to address the problems faced for women, this Ministry has arranged two major conferences on issues and challenges for Development of Scheduled Caste & Scheduled Tribes Women & Children on 18-19 January, 2011 (for SC Women & Children) and 30-31st May, 2011 (for ST Women & Children).  A synopsis of both the conferences are given hereunder:
(i) A two day conference `Issues & Challenges for Development of Scheduled Caste Women & Children was organized on 18-19 Jan., 2011 at Vigyan Bhavan. There was wide participation from various stakeholders including Central Government Ministries, State Governments, experts and representative of civil society organizations. The conference focused upon social empowerment of SC women and children by improving their access to health and nutrition, education, housing and living conditions; and economic empowerment by enhancing opportunities for development and livelihoods in agriculture and non-agriculture sector. Issues relating to manual scavenging and security & protection from atrocities were the other areas of focus. The Conference made a number of recommendations which were forwarded to Ministries concerned with the request to place them before the Working Group who may examine them for inclusion in the 12th Plan.
(ii)  A two day Conference on ‘Issues & Challenges for Development of Scheduled Tribe Women & Children’ was organized on 30-31st May 2011 at Vigyan Bhavan. There was wide participation from various stakeholders including Central Government Ministries, State Governments, experts and, NGOs. The Conference focused upon the various issues e.g Atrocities (physical, mental and Sexual Oppression); Exploitation; PESA, 1996 (State laws), Forest (issue of Patta, possession on of land etc.); Land alienation; land acquisition; Economic activities; Human Resource Development and Health and Nutrition etc. The Conference made a number of recommendations which were forwarded to Ministry of Tribal Affairs and the Planning Commission with the request to consider these recommendations while formulating/finalizing 12th Plan Proposals.
(iii)  A Working Group on Women’s Agency & Empowerment for the 12th Five Year Plan (2012-17) finalized its Report.  An amount of Rs. 7515.72 crores has been projected for various schemes/programme relating to Women to be implemented by the Ministry in the 12th Plan.
XVII.  Women Development
The Ministry sponsored the visit of a four member delegation to participate in the meeting of UN-Commission on Status of Women which commenced at New York from 22nd February 2011, the delegation comprised Smt. Chandresh Kumari Katoch and Smt. Sumitra Mahajan (Members of Parliament); Member Secretary, National Commission of Women and Director of the Ministry. The Indian delegation made important interventions at the various panel discussions in the meeting.
Celebration of International Women’s Day
International Women’s Day was celebrated on 8th March, 2011 at Vigyan Bhavan. This year, the theme of the event was Socio Economic Empowerment of Women: Way Forward. The focus was on issues relating to women in the informal sector, need for their financial inclusion besides providing access to them for skill development and marketing. The Panel discussion which was organized as a part of the celebrations was chaired by Mrs. Usha Thorat, former Deputy Governor of Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
Conferment of Stree Shakti Puraskar
Minister of State (I/C), Women and Child Development conferred Stree Shakti Puraskar for the year 2010 to four (4) eminent women who have done excellent work and demonstrated their commitment to the cause of women on the International Women’s Day.
The Ministry has also same delegation in difference national and international conferences relating to women’s issues.  These are:
(i)         ECOSOC meeting in Geneva
(ii)        Meeting of Co-Chairs of India-US Women’s Empowerment Dialogue (WED)
(iii)       Gender Mainstreaming Consultation for South Asian Countries organized by ADB at Manila.
(iv)       National Workshop on gender in development issues held in Goa
The other meeting of importance are as follows:
(i)         Meeting of IBSA is South Africa
Krishna Tirath, Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Women & Child Development attended the Fourth IBSA Women’s Forum at Ministerial level on 13-14 October, 2011 at South Africa. The Forum discussed the issued related to impact of climate change on women and the challenges faced by young women for empowerment and employment generation.
(ii)        Visit of First Lady of Mozambique to India from 7-11 November, 2011
The First Lady of Mozambique,  Maria Da Luz Guebuza, along with her team, visited India from 7-11th November, 2011. National Mission for Empowerment of Women (NMEW) made a presentation on various issues relating to social, economic, political and legal empowerment of women. SEWA BHARAT, a prominent NGO working with women workers in informal economy, also made a presentation on protecting livelihoods of these workers through skill development and creating market linkages.
(iii)       Convention on Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW)
(a) Fifth Inter-Ministerial Committee Meeting
Based on the inputs provided by various Ministries, MWCD had prepared a revised draft Combined Fourth and Fifth Periodic Reports of India on CEDAW. The fifth inter-ministerial committee meeting was organized on 17th November 2011 to discuss and finalize the draft report.
(b) National Consultation with Civil Society Organizations
The draft Combined Fourth and Fifth periodic reports of India to CEDAW prepared by MWCD was shared widely with the members of civil society through a National Consultation held on 25 November 2011 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi under the Chairpersonship  Shri D K Sikri. He highlighted progress made by women of India in the spheres of social, economic, legal and political empowerment over the years but emphasized that a lot remains to be achieved in future. Over 25 participants from different civil society organizations across the country deliberated on the draft Report and gave feedback.
Initiatives for Twelfth Plan and Meetings of Sub-Groups
The Working Groups for the 12th Plan Document have been established and meetings of the following Sub-Groups have been held.
·         Sub-group on “Women’s Agency and Empowerment”
·         Sub-group on ‘Girl Child’ for Working Group on Child rights.
·         Sub-group on Adolescents as part of Working Group on Child Rights
·         Sub-group on Nutrition
·         Sub group on Child Rights and Protection
XVIII. Vatsalya Mela, 2011
A composite outreach event, Vatsalya Mela, combining information in all schemes and services relating to the Ministry and various events was held at Delhi Haat for six days from 14-19th November, 2011.

India is free from Bird Flu: Ministry

India has declared itself free from bird flu (H5N1) as of Dec. 29, 2011 though it said the surveillance will continue, in the vulnerable areas bordering the infected countries and in areas visited by migratory birds.
Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries in the Ministry of Agriculture has advised the States to maintain vigil against the disease.
Outbreak of bird flu was notified on Sept. 8, 2011 in village Bhamondanga, part- I, Agomoni Block in Dhubri district of Assam. This was followed by another outbreak in Betai Nanshatola and Putimari Christianpara in Tehetta Block of Nadia district of West Bengal, which was notified on Sept. 19, 2011. Thereafter, there has been no further outbreak.
The control measures adopted in the outbreaks were stamping out of entire poultry population including destruction of eggs, feed, litters and other infected materials in the radius of 3 kms. around each outbreak location, restriction on movement of poultry, poultry products to and from the area of outbreak, disinfection and cleaning up of infected premises. The final disinfection process was completed on Sept. 29, 2011.
Surveillance was carried out throughout the country. Surveillance around the area of outbreak since completion of the operation (including culling disinfection and clean up) and surveillance in rest of the country has shown no evidence of presence of bird flu (H5N1), said a statement.

India State of Forest Report 2011

Twelve states/UTs have shown decrease in the forest cover to the extent of 867sqkm while AP’s decline of 281 sqkm is mainly attributed to harvesting of mature plantation of Eucalyptus and other species and in the norhte-east, it was mainly due to prevailing practice of shifting cultivation, said the India State of Forest Report 2011, released on February 07.
Published biannually by the Forest Survey of India since 1987, the report is recognized as the authoritative assessment of the country’s forest resources. Secretary in Ministry of Environment & Forests T. Chatterjee released India State of Forest Report 2011 in National Capital.
The India State of Forest Report 2011 is the 12th report in the series. It is based on interpretation of satellite data recorded during October 2008-March 2009 from the indigenous IRS-P6-LISS III sensor on a resolution of 23.5m with a minimum mappable area of one hectare. The assessment made on the basis of satellite imageries is backed by rigorous ground truthing carried out by the staff of FSI. The change matrices recorded in the present report refer to changes with respect to the satellite data recorded for the previous India State of Forest Report two years earlier. Special coverage is provided to forest cover in hill districts, tribal districts and the north-east keeping in mind the special symbiotic relationship of communities with forests in these regions.
As per the present assessment, the Forest and Tree cover of the country is 78.29 million ha, which is 23.81% of the geographical area of the country. In comparison to the 2009 assessment, after taking into account the interpretational changes, there is a decrease of 367 square km in country’s forest cover. 15 states have registered aggregate increase of 5000sqkm in their forest cover with Punjab leading with increase of 100sqkm. 12 states/UTs (mainly the NE states) have shown decrease to the extent of 867sqkm.
The state of Madhya Pradesh has the largest forest cover in the country at 77,700 square km followed by Aruncachal Pradesh at 67, 410 square km. In terms of percentage of forest cover in relation to total geographical area, Mizoram tops with 90.68% followed by Lakshadweed with 84.56%. The total growing stock of India’s forests and trees outside forests is estimated as 6047.15 million cu m i.e. 4498.73 million cu m inside the recorded forest area and 1548.42 million cu m outside the recorded forests.
The India State of Forest Report 2011 contains the regular features like forest cover, tree cover, mangroves and growing stock both in forests and areas outside forests. However, it adds three new chapters that are of crucial importance in the present national and global worldview about forests. These are: a detailed assessment of bamboo resources, a production-consumption assessment of wood based on data stock in India’s forests reported under the NATCOM project.
Due to its significant impact on rural/tribal economy and their livelihood the Production and consumption Study is expected to fill the information gap in this arena. The study highlights the importance of trees outside forests is meeting the requirements of industrial wood, small timber and firewood. As for the assessment of carbon stock in India’s forests, in lies at the center of international dialogue on climate change.

UPSC CIVIL SERVICES NOTIFICATION 2012

India's top most exam, Civil Services Examination, is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) every year to select the best candidates into the top level administration of India. The dates of the Civil Services Examination-2012 have been announced  by the UPSC. 

IMPORTANT DATES:

• Date of Notification:-- 4th February, 2012
• Last Date for Applying:-- 5th March, 2012
• Date of Civil Services Preliminary Test, 2012:-- 20th May 2012; 1 Day
• Date of Civil Services Mains Test, 2012:-- From 5th October 2012; 21 Days

Notification-Civil Services Examination 2012

APPSC GEOLOGY EXAM PRACTICE MCQs

Q.1 : ln nature, the metallic ore deposits generally occur as :
(a) Oxides.
(b) Sulphides.
(c) Carbonates.
(d) Chlorides.
ANSWER: (b)
Q.2 : Mangampet Baryte deposllfin cuddapah district (A.P.) are found In
(a) Guacharo quantizes.
(b) Vempalle limestone.
(c) Nagri quantizes.
(d) Pullampet slate.
ANSWER:(c)
Q.3: Bauxite is a:
(a) Alternation product
(b) Replacement product.
(c) Metamorphic product.
(d) Magmatic product.
ANSWER: (a)
Q.4: Which metal is also known as white gold?
(a) Gold.
(b) Silver.
(c) Tungsten.
(d) Platinum.
ANSWER:(d)
Q.5: Match the following:
I ll
1. Bauxite deposits of central and Western India. i. Khondalites.
2. Bauxite deposits of Andhra Pradesh & Orissa. ii. Detrital origin.
3. Bauxite deposits of Tamil Nadu. iii. Deccan traps.
4. Bauxite deposits of Kati (M.P.). iv. Charnockites.
(a) 1-iii, 2-i, 3-ii, 4-iv.
(b) 1-iii,-2-iv, 3-ai, 4-i.
(c) 1-iii, 2-i, 3-iv, 4-ii.
(d) 1-ii, 2-iv, 3-iii, 4-i
ANSWER: (c)
Q.6: Amarkantak deposits of M.P. are associated with:
(a) Iron.
(b) Bauxite.
(c) Copper.
(d) Manganese.
ANSWER: (b)
Q.7: Baryte deposits in Andhra Pradesh are:
(a) Mangampet deposits in the cuddapah district.
(b) Brahmanakutukuru deposits in the Kurnool district.
(c) Vinjamuru deposits in the Nellore district.
(d) All the above.
ANSWER: (d)
Q.8: The largest known deposits of bauxite in India are, located in:
(a) Amarkantak area of M.P.
(b) Bikaner Naive ridge of Karnataka.
(c) Lohardaga area of Bihar.
(d) None of these.
ANSWER: (a)
Q.9: Baryte may be used as:
(a) Drilling mud.
(b) Raw-material for the manufacture of lithopone.
(c) Preparation of chemicals.
(d) All the above.
ANSWER: (d)
Q.10 : Chromate is closely associated with :
(a) Acidic rocks.
(b) Basic rocks.
(C) Sub-basic rocks.
(d) Ultrabasic rocks.
ANSWER: (d)
Q.11: Graphite can be formed by:
(a) Organic matter trapped in the sediments.
(b) Precipitation from carbonic fluids derived by magmatic processes
(c) The decarbonation of carbonate rocks.
(d) All the above.
ANSWER: (d)
Q.12 : Which state is the Iargest producer of chromite :
(a) Maharashtra.
(b) Orissa.
(C) Andhra Pradesh.
(d) Bihar.
ANSWER: (b)
Q.13: In nuclear reaction, pure graphite ls used as:
(a) Catalyst.
(b) Insulating material.
(c) Moderator.
(d) Frothier.
ANSWER: (c)
Q.14: Chromite belongs to which mineral group:
(a) Olivine.
(b) Spinal.
(c) Pyroxene.
(d) Garnet.
ANSWER: (b)
Q.15 : Largest deposits of chromite in Jammu and Kashmir occurring in :
(a) Dunite intrusions.
(b) Norite rocks.
(C) Serpentines rocks.
(d) Gabbro rocks.
ANSWER: (a)
Q.16: Fibrous or silky variety of gypsum is known as:
(a) Syenite.
(b) Alabaster.
(c) Satin spar.
(d) Amosite.
ANSWER: (c)
Q.17 : Chromite deposits are product of segregation during :
(a) Early magmatic crystallisation
(b) Late magmatic crystallization.
(c) Residual liquid segregation.
(d) Contact metasomatism.
ANSWER: (a)
Q.18: What is the chemical formula of Chrysocolla?
ANSWER: (c)
Q.19 “Plaster of pairs” is formed of
(a) Calcite.
(b) Gypsum.
(c) Rock salt.
(d) Chalk.
ANSWER: (b)
Q.20: The mineralisation in Khelri copper belt has taken place in the:
(a) Granites and Gneisses rocks.
(b) Calcareous rocks.
(c) Shales and Sandstones rocks.
(d) Phyllite. Schists and slates rocks.
ANSWER: (d)
Q.21: Gypsum deposits in Tamil Nadu are associated with
(a) Calcareous rocks in Permian sequence.
(b) Sandstone in Jurassic sequence.
(c) Shales in cretaceous sequence.
(d) Slates in Triassic sequence.
ANSWER: (c)
Q.22 : Copper mineralisatpn in Khelri area belongs to :
(a) Ajabgarh series.
(b) Alwar series.
(c) Hallo series. .
(d) Kaimur series.
ANSWER: (a)
Q.23 : Zinnwaldite is a :
(a) Sodium mica.
(b) Iron mica.
(C) Lithium mica.
(d) Lithium iron mica.
ANSWER: (d)
Q.24 : When copper is alloyed with tin it is known as :
(a) Brass
(b) Bronze.
(c) Type-metal.
(d) Golden metal.
ANSWER: (b)
Q.25 : Mark the correct statement about Mosabani copper deposits :
(a) The sulphide assemblage of Mosabani situated within singhbhum shear zone
(b) Quartz-chlorite-Biotite Schist is the major host rock.
(c) Chalcopyrite, pyrite and pyrrhotite constitute the main ore mineral.
(d) All are correct.
ANSWER: (d)

APPSC GEOLOGY EXAM PRACTICE QUESTIONS

Q.1 : Mangantpet deposit in cuddapah district (A.P.) is associated with :
(a) Flu spar.
(b) Baryte.
(c) China clay.
(d) Bauxite.
ANSWER:(b)
Q.2 : Bauxite is an aggregate of :
(a) Gibbsite and Diaspora.
(b) Gibbsite and Bonhomie.
(c) Diaspora and Bonhomie.
(d) Gibbsite, Diaspora and Boehme.
ANSWER: (d)
Q.3: Chrysolite asbestos of cuddapah district (A.P.) is found in:
(a) Srisailam quartzites.
(b) Kolamnala shells.
(c) Contact of a bed of cuddapah limestones with a dolerite still.
(d) Tadpatri shales.
ANSWER:(c)
Q.4: ‘Bharat Ratna’ medal is made up of:
(a) Gold.
(b) Platinum.
(c) Silver.
(d) Diamond.
ANSWER: (b)
Q.5: Lithomarge is a:
(a) Black clay.
(b) White or yellowish clay interlaminated with yellow ochre’s.
(C) Yellow ochre formed by magmatic processes.
(d) Clay bed sand switched between two lava flows.
ANSWER: (b)
Q.6: In lndia most of the Baryte occurrences/deposits are of:
(q) Vein type.
(b) Stringer type.
(c) Fissure type.
(d) Bedded type.
ANSWER: (d)
Q.7: Claimed bauxite is mainly used for the production of:
(a) Aluminum metal.
(b) High alumina cement.
(c) High alumina refractory bricks.
(d) None of these.
ANSWER: (c)
Q.8: Baryte deposits of Vinjamuru area in the Nellore schist belt of Southern lndia is of:
(a) Bacteriogenic origin.
(b) Volcanogemc origin
(c) Evaporate origin.
(d) Hydrothermal origin.
ANSWER: (b)
Q.9 : Largest producer of Bauxite In India is :
(a) Madhya Pradesh.
(b) Bihar.
(c ) Karnataka.
(d) Maharashtra.
ANSWER: (b)
Q.10: Baryte deposits of Mangampet (A.P.) are of:
(a) Evaporate origin.
(b) Bacteriogenic origin.
(c) Volcanogenic origin.
(d) Magmatic origin.
ANSWER: (b)
Q. 11: Choose the correct statement about graphite:
(a) lt crystallises in a hexagonal system.
(b) lt has good conductivity of heat and electricity.
(c) It has a high refractoriness.
(d) All the above are correct
ANSWER: (d)
Q.12: The bauxite deposits occurring along the sea coast are mostly
(a) Gibbsite.
(b) Boehmite.
(c) Diaspora.
(d) Kaolinite.
ANSWER: (a)
Q. 13 : Crystallisation of graphite In a rock is related to the :
(a) Temperature.
(b) Temperature and pressure.
(c) Temperature, pressure and oxygen fugacity
(d) None of these.
ANSWER: (c)
Q.14 : Most of the graphite deposits In Orissa are found ln the
(a) Granitic rocks.
(b) Khondalites rocks.
(c) Gondite rocks.
(d) Charnockites rocks.
ANSWER: (b)
Q.15 : Sukinda chromite mine is situated in :
(a) Bihar.
(b) Maharashtra.
(c) Orissa.
(d) Karnataka.
ANSWER: (c)
Q.16: Which state ls the major source of graphite in India?
(a) Karnataka.
(b) Rajasthan.
(c) Bihar.
(d) Orissa.
ANSWER: (d)
Q.17: Mark the odd one, regarding occurrence of bauxite deposits:
(a) Peridolite rock.
(b) Dunite rock.
(c) Norite rock.
(d) Granite rock.
ANSWER: (d)
Q.18: Malachite and Azurite are:
(a) Sulphides.
(b) Carbonates.
(c) Oxides.
(d) Hydroxides.
ANSWER: (b)
Q.19: Which state ls the leading producer of gypsum?
(a) Rajasthan.
(b) Tamil Nadu.
(c) Gujrat.
(d) Uttar Pradesh.
ANSWER: (a)
Q.20: The copper deposits following stratigraphic beds are:
(a) Malanjakhand copper deposits.
(b) Khelri copper deposits.
(c) Rakha copper deposits.
(d) Mosabani copper deposits.
ANSWER: (b)
Q.21: Deposits of gypsum are of:
(a) Sedimentary origin.
(b) Marine evaporates origin.
(c) Hydrothermal origin.
(d) Both (a) and (b).
ANSWER: (d)
Q.22 :The singhbhum copper belt extends between :
(a) Duarapuram and Bah agora.
b) Duarapuram and Kharswan.
(c) Kharswan and seraikella.
(d) Flakha and Mosabani.
ANSWER: (a)
Q.23 : Match the following :
I II
1. Mifiscovite. i Sodium mica.
2. Paragonite. ii Magnesium mica.
3. Lepidolite. iii Potassium mica.
4. Phologopite. iv Lithium mica.
(a)1-ii, 2-i, 3-iv, 4-iii.
(b)1-iii,2-i, 3-iv, 4-ii.
(c) 1-i, 2-ii, 3-iii, 4-iv.
(d)1-iv, 2-iii, 3-ii, 4-i.
ANSWER: (b)
Q.24 : ln India, mica occurs in :
(a) Bihar mica belt.
(b) Nellore mica belt.
(C) Rajasthan mica belt.
(d) All the above.
ANSWER: (d)
Q.25 : ln Malanjakhand the copper mineralization has taken place in :
(a) Fractured quartz reefs.
(b) Calcareous veins.
(c) Shear zones of pegmatite.
(d) All the above.
ANSWER: (a)

APPSC GEOLOGY EXAM PRACTICE MCQs

Q.1 :Oldest and deepest copper; mine In India is :
(a) Malanjakhand.
(b) Khelri.
(c) Mosabani.
(d) Agnigundala.
ANSWER: (c)
Q.2: Malachite and Azurite often indicate the:
(a) Presence of lron ore deposits below the surface.
(D) Presence of enriched sulphide below the surface.
(c) Presence of green and the blue-coloured rocks below the surface.
(d) Magmatic origin of the copper ores.
ANSWER: (b)
Q.3: Red and Yellow ochre in Jammu and Kashmir is associated with:
(a) Shale rock.
(b) Phyllite rock of Vaikrita system. .
(c) Toumaline-bearing gneiss rock.
(d) Black graphite-bearing slate occurs in the Salkhala system.
ANSWER:(d)
Q.4: Copper deposits of Andhra Pradesh are associated with:
(a) Quartzite.
(b) Dolomites.
(c) Calcareous quartzite.
(d) Calcareous shales.
ANSWER: (c)
Q.5: The auriferous lodes of koura gold field are contained in:
(a) Fractures of granitic rock.
(b) Shear zones in the area.
(c) Quartz reefs traversing the Dharwar rocks.
(d) Minor faults in Dharwarian rocks.
ANSWER: (c)
Q.6 : Bihar mica belt is …. Long and …. wide :
(a) 100 Kms and 25 Kms.
(b) 125 Kms and 10 Kms.
(c) 150 Kms and 32 Kms.
(d) 200 Km and 75 Kms.
ANSWER: (c)
Q.7: The origin of Kola gold deposits is:
(a) Hydrothermal.
(b) Early magmatic.
(c)Late magnetic.
(d) Metasomatism.
ANSWER: (a)
Q.8: Vermiculite mineralization in Baroda district, Gujarat, is associated with
(a) Pegmatite veins.
(b) Dolomite marble.
(c) lntrusivecalcite vein into granite.
(d) Intrusive quart-z tourmaline veins into Biotite schist of Archaean age.
ANSWER:(d)
Q.9: Purity of gold is expressed by:
(a) The ratio 1000 Au/Au + Ag.
(b) The ratio 100 Au/Au + Ag.
(C) The ratio 1 OO Au/Au.
(d) The ratio 1000 Au/Ag.
ANSWER: (a)
Q.10: Majhgawan Klmberlite pipe introduced into the:
(a) Bhander limestone.
(b) Rewa Sandstone.
(c) Kaimur sandstone.
(d) Semri shale.
ANSWER:(c)
Q.11: What is the total reef length in Kola-gold-bearing belt?
(a) 6 Km.
(b) 12 Km.
(c) 18 Km.
(d) 26 Km.
ANSWER: (b)
Q.12: Hot spot theory mainly supports the origin of the:
(a) Pegmatite.
(b) Coal.
(c) Petroleum.
(d) Kimberlite.
ANSWER:(d)
Q.13: Archaean is characterised by:
(a) Copper and manganese ore deposits.
(b) Uranium deposits.
(c) Simple ores of gold, chromium nickel and copper.
(d) Presence of gold, copper and coal.
ANSWER.(c)
Q.14: Limonite ls also known as:
(a) Red ore.
(b) Brown ore
(c) Black ore.
(d) Dust ore.
ANSWER.(b)
Q.15 : Diamond deposits are found in:
(a) Bester area.
(b) Singhbhum area.
(c) Kolar area.
(d) Panna area.
ANSWER:(d)
Q.16 Iron ore deposits or KudremuKh (kerala) are of:
(a) Sedimentary origin.
(b) Magmatic origin.
(C) Replacement origin.
(d) Residual origin
ANSWER.(d)
Q.17: Banded Iron Formation of KudremuKh (Kerala) belongs to:
(a) The sager Group.
(b) The Bababudan Group.
(c) The chitradurga group.
(d) The Ranibonnur group.
ANSWER:(b)
Q.18 : Blue coloured gem variety ot corundum is :
(a) Ruby.
(b) Sapphire.
(c) Opal.
(d) None of these.
ANSWER: (b)
Q.19: Donimalai Iron ore deposits are located in :
(a) Shimoga group.
(b) Chitradurga group.
(c) Ranibennur group.
(d) Sandur schist belt.
ANSWER:(d)
Q.20 : Mark the correct statement about the iron-ores of Karnataka :
(a) The primary source for the iron ores is the Banded Iron Formation (BIF).
(b) The BIF belongs to the Archaean.
(c) The BIF belongs to the Proterozoic.
(d) Both (a) and (b).
ANSWER:(d)
Q.21: Which state has the largest proved reserves of magnetic ore?
(a) Madhya Pradesh.
(b) Bihar.
(c) Karnataka.
(d) Andhra Pradesh.
ANSWER:(c)
Q.22: ln Karnataka BIF occurs in four district settings, the order of their appearance from
bottom upwards are :
(a) Sager, chitradurga, Bababudan and Ranibennur.
(b) Bababudan, Chitradurga, Sager and Ranibennur.
(c) Sager, Bababudan, chitradurg and Ranibennur.
(d) Sager, Ranibennur, Chitradurg and Bababudan.
ANSWER:(c)
Q.23 : Visvesvarayya Iron and steel plant is located at :
(a) Donimalai.
(b) KudremuKh
(c) Wayanagar.
(d) Bhadravati.
ANSWER:(d)
Q.24 :Scordite is :
(a) Hydrated Iron Arsenate.
(b) Iron silicate.
(c) Copper carbonate.
(d) Zinc carbonate.
ANSWER:(a)
Q.25. Deep emerald-green variety is known as:
(a) Jadeite.
(b) Sang-e-yeshm.
(c) Alexandrite.
(d) Aquamarine.
ANSWER: (c)

APPSC GEOLOGY EXAM PRACTICE QUESTIONS

Q.1: Which is the open cast copper mine in lndia :
(a) Khelri.
(b) Mosabani.
(C) Rakha.
(d) Malanjakhand.
ANSWER: (d)
Q.2: Which state is the largest producer ot block mica :
(a) Bihar.
(b) Orissa.
(c) Madhya Pradesh.
(d) Maharashtra.
ANSWER: (a)
Q.3: Choose the correct statement regarding various mica belts ln India;
(a) In Nellore mica belt, the host rocks are an Archaean schistose complex in which sheets, lenses
and masses of pegmatites are frequently present.
(b) ln Rajasthan mica belt the mica pegmatites occur as intrusive in the greases and schists.
(c) In Bihar mica belt, the mica is found in pegmatites which usually strike and dip parallel with the
enclosing schists and grease of Archaean age.
(d) All the above statement are correct.
ANSWER: (d)
Q.4: Vermiculite is an alteration product of:
(a) Felspars.
(0) Mica.
(c) Calcite.
(d) Kyanite.
ANSWER:(b)
Q5: Vermiculite generally occurs associated with:
(a) Volcanic rocks.
(b) Granitic rocks.
(c) Felsic rocks.
(d) Ultrabasic rocks.
ANSWER:(d)
Q.6: Gold is being produced in lndia mainly from:
(a) The gold deposits of Chittor district and Remarriage in Anantpur district of A.P.
(b) The gold-bearing belt of Wined goldfield in Gudalur talus of Niger distt. Of Tamil Nadu.
(c) The Diode deposits of greenstone belts of Kola, Hutt and Himgiri of Karnataka.
(d) The singhbhum and shear zone of Bihar.
ANSWER: (c)
Q.7 : Scott smith has classified the majhgawan diamond pipe rock as :
(a) Kimberlite.
(b) Lamproite.
(c) Diorite.
(d) Dunite.
ANSWER:(b)
Q.8: Recent absolute age of Majhgawan diamond pipe estimated is:
(a) 1044-1067 Ma.
(b) 1510-1600 Ma.
(C) 900-1000 Ma.
(d) 720-810 Ma.
ANSWER:(a)
Q.9: Kola Gold Fields (KGF) are in the:
(a) High grade terrain.
(b) Low grade terrain.
(c) Both high and low grades terrains.
(d) Sedimentary terrain.
ANSWER: (b)
Q.10: Who was discovered the Majhgawan diamond pipe:
(a) Scott smith (1850).
(b) B.Sahni (191 O).
(c) Capt. Franklin (1827).
(d) A.B.Wynne (1902).
ANSWER:(c)
Q.11: Kimberlites of south and central India occur in the:
(a) Archaean period only.
(b) Archaean and early Proterozoic period.
(c) Late Proterozoic period only.
(d) Permian period.
ANSWER: (b)
Q.12: All the known diamondiferous kimberlites in India are confined to the:
(a) Mobile areas.
(b) Carbonic areas.
(c) Mountain building areas.
(d) Both (a) and (b).
ANSWER:(b)
Q.13: Garage gold belt is situated in:
(a) Kerala.
(b) Bihar. .
(c) Madhya Pradesh.
(d) Karnataka.
ANSWER.(d)
Q.14 : Non-diamondiferous kimberlites are associated with :
(a) Carbonic areas.
(b) Stable plateform areas.
(c) Mobile areas.
(d) Both (a) and (b).
ANSWER:(c)
Q.15: Mark the correct statement regarding commercial name of siderite
(a) Spastic.
(b) Black band.
(c) Clay-ironstone.
(d)All the above are commercial name of siderite.
ANSWER.(d)
Q.16: Deobhog mine, Raipur (M.P.) is associated with:
(a) Gold.
(b) Copper ore.
(c) Iron ore.
(d) Diamond.
ANSWER:(d)
Q.17 : Garlband-Mainpur area of Raipur district (M.P
respect of possible occurrence of :
(a) Copper.
(b) Gold.
(c) Diamond.
(d) Coal.
ANSWER:(c)
Q.18: ‘Hogbomite’ is :
(a) An oxide of Fe and mg.
(B) An oxide of Fe, Mg, AI and n.
(c) A hydroxide of Fe and Ni.
(d) A carbonate of Fe, Ca, and AI.
ANSWER.(b)
Q.19: Diamond is a best gem stone because of it’s:
(a) High refractive index.
(b) Lusture.
(c) High hardness.
(d) All the above.
ANSWER:(d)
Q.20: In Panna diamond belt, diamond is recovered from:
(a) Kimberlite pipes.
(b) Conglomerate beds.
(c) Gravel deposits.
(d) All the above.
ANSWER:(d)
Q.21 : Walrakarur-Lattavaram belt (A.P.) is associated with
(a) Gold.
(b) Diamond.
(c) Copper.
(d) Manganese.
ANSWER: (b)
Q.22: Ruby and Sapphire are the gem variety of :
(a) Quartz
(b) Topaz.
(c) Corundum
(d) Diamond.
ANSWER: (c)
Q.23: The source of silica and iron oxide in Archaean time was mainly:
(a) Biogenic.
(b) Volcanogenic.
(c) Atmospheric.
(d) All the above.
ANSWER:(b)
Q.24 : Emerald is a green variety of :
(a) Corundum
(b) Topaz.
(c) Kyanite.
(d) Beryl.
ANSWER: (d)
Q.25: Chrysoberye is a:
(a) Compound of beryllium and aluminium oxides.
(b) Variety of Ruby.
(c) Compound of barium and aluminium silicates.
(d) Variety of corundum.
ANSWER: (a)

CSO releases Quick estimates of national income for the year 2010-11

 

The Central Statistics Office (CSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation has released the Quick estimates of national income, consumption expenditure, saving and capital formation for the financial year 2010-11. The estimates of GDP and other aggregates for the previous years have been revised on account of using the new series of the Index of industrial production (IIP) with base 2004-05 and also subsequent revision in Wholesale price Index (WPI). The revision in estimates is also on account of use of latest available data on agricultural production, industrial production, government expenditure and also detailed and more comprehensive data available from various source agencies.

The following are the salient features of the estimates: 

GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT AND GROSS NATIONAL INCOME

Gross domestic product (GDP) at factor cost at constant (2004-05) prices in 2010-11 is estimated at Rs. 48,85,954 crore as against Rs. 45,07,637 crore in 2009-10 registering a growth of 8.4 per cent during the year which is same as in the year 2009-10. At current prices, GDP in 2010-11 is estimated at Rs. 71,57,412 crore as against Rs. 60,91,485 crore in 2009-10, showing an increase of 17.5 per cent during the year.

At constant (2004-05) prices the gross national income at factor cost in 2010-11 is estimated at Rs 48,33,178 crore as against Rs. 44,79,973 crore in 2009-10 showing a rise of 7.9 per cent during the year. At current prices, the gross national income in 2010-11 is estimated at Rs. 70,78,512 crore as compared to Rs 60,53,585 crore in 2009-10, showing a rise of 16.9 per cent during the year.

The growth rate of 8.4 per cent in the GDP during 2010-11 has been achieved due to high growth in transport, storage and communication (14.7%), financing, insurance, real estate & business services (10.4%), trade, hotels & restaurants (9.0%), and construction (8.0%). At constant prices, the primary sector i.e. agriculture, forestry & fishing has shown a high growth of 7.0 per cent during 2010-11 as against 1.0 per cent during the year 2009-10. The growth of secondary sector is 7.2 per cent and that of service sector is 9.3 per cent during 2010-11.

PER CAPITA NATIONAL INCOME

The per capita income (per capita net national income at factor cost) in real terms, i.e. at 2004-05 prices, is estimated at Rs. 35,993 for 2010-11 as against Rs. 33,843 in 2009-10, registering an increase of 6.4 per cent during the year. The per capita income at current prices is estimated at Rs. 53,331 in 2010-11 as against Rs. 46,117 for the previous year depicting a growth of 15.6 per cent.

CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURE, SAVING AND CAPITAL FORMATION

In order to derive the GDP at market prices, the GDP at factor cost is adjusted by adding indirect taxes net of subsidies. Estimates of GDP at market prices for the year 2009-10 has been revised on account of receipt of data on actual collection of indirect taxes from central and state Governments as well as rectification of misclassification of revised estimates of central Government, used in QE 2009-10. As various components of expenditure on gross domestic product, namely, consumption expenditure and capital formation, are normally measured at market prices, the discussion in the following paragraphs is in terms of market prices.

PRIVATE FINAL CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURE

Private Final Consumption Expenditure (PFCE) in the domestic market at current prices is estimated at Rs. 43,59,792 crore in 2010-11 as against Rs. 37,22,036 crore in 2009-10. At constant (2004-05) prices, the PFCE is estimated at Rs. 30,87,047 crore in 2010-11 as against Rs. 28,52,301 crore in 2009-10. In terms of GDP at market prices, the rates of PFCE at current and constant (2004-05) prices during 2010-11 are estimated at 56.8 per cent and 58.9 per cent, respectively, as against the corresponding rates of 57.6 per cent and 59.7 per cent, respectively in 2009-10.

The per capita PFCE in the domestic market in 2010-11 is estimated to be Rs. 36,760 at current prices and Rs. 26,029 at constant (2004-05) prices as against Rs. 31,812 and Rs. 24,379 respectively in 2009-10. 

DOMESTIC SAVING

Gross domestic saving (GDS) at current prices in 2010-11 is estimated at Rs. 24,81,931 crore as against Rs. 21,82,970 crore in 2009-10, constituting 32.3 per cent of GDP at market prices as against 33.8 per cent in the previous year. The decrease in the rate of GDS has mainly been due to the decrease in the rates of financial savings of household sector from 12.9% to 10.0% and private corporate sector from 8.2 per cent in 2009-10 to 7.9 per cent in 2010-11. However, the rate of savings of public sector increased from 0.2 per cent in 2009-10 to 1.7 per cent in 2010-11. In absolute terms, the saving of the household sector has increased from Rs. 16,39,038 crore in 2009-10 to Rs. 17,49,311 crore in 2010-11, the saving of private corporate sector has gone up from Rs. 5,32,136 crore in 2009-10 to Rs. 6,02,464 crore in 2010-11 and that of public sector has gone up from Rs. 11,796 crore in 2009-10 to Rs. 1,30,155 crore in 2010-11. 

CAPITAL FORMATION

Gross Domestic Capital Formation has increased from Rs. 23,63,670 crore in 2009-10 to Rs. 26,92,031 crore in 2010-11 at current prices and it increased from Rs. 18,38,870 crore in 2009-10 to Rs. 19,74,172 crore in 2010-11 at constant (2004-05) prices. The rate of gross capital formation at current prices is 35.1 per cent in 2010-11 as against 36.6 per cent in 2009-10. The rate of gross capital formation at constant (2004-05) prices is 37.7 per cent in 2010-11 as against 38.5 per cent in 2009-10.

Within the gross capital formation at current prices, the gross fixed capital formation amounted to Rs. 23,31,382 crore in 2010-11 as against Rs. 20,41,758 crore in 2009-10. At current prices, the gross fixed capital formation of the public sector has increased from Rs. 5,43,337 crore in 2009-10 to Rs. 6,19,923 crore in 2010-11, that of private corporate sector from Rs.6,97,451 crore in 2009-10 to Rs. 7,61,107 crore in 2010-11, and the household sector from Rs. 8,00,971 crore in 2009-10 to Rs. 9,50,352 crore in 2010-11.

The change in stocks of inventories, measured as additions to stocks increased at current prices, from Rs. 1,74,310 crore in 2009-10 to Rs 2,54,970 crore in 2010-11. The increase is observed due to increase in change in stocks of all the sectors.

The estimates of National Product, Consumption Expenditure, Saving and Capital Formation at aggregate and per capita levels for the years 2004-05 to 2010-11 are presented in Statement 1 and the detailed estimates at industry/item level in Statements 2 to 10.

MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS INDIA REPORT 2011

FOR MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS INDIA REPORT 2011 CLICK HERE

ENVIRONMENT STATISTICS INDIA 2011

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CURRENT AFFAIRS MCQs

1.    Name the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) leader who was inducted into the Union Cabinet as civil aviation minister on 18 December 2011.
a.    Ajit Singh
b.    Jayant Chaudhary
c.    Devendra Nagpal
d.    Sanjay Singh Chauhan
Answer: (a)

2.    Popularly known as Adam Gondvi, this Hindi poet who  wrote revolutionary poetry focusing on the pathetic state of dalits and the poor breathed his last in Lucknow on 18 December 2011. Name the poet.
a.    Bharat Bhusan
b.    Ram Nath Singh
c.    Uday Prakash
d.    Shail Chaturvedi
e.    Naresh Mehta
Answer: (b)

3.    Which world renowned architect was bestowed with Goa's highest civilian honour, the Gomant Vibhushan, on the eve of the Golden Jubiliee of Goa's Liberation on 18 December 2011?
a.    Michael Hopkins
b.    Kengo Kuma
c.    Charles Correa
d.    Kevin Kennon
Answer: (c)

4.  The Union cabinet of India on 22 December 2011 approved __ percent share for minorities within the 27% OBC quota in jobs and university seats.
a) 4.5
b) 5.6
c) 3.4
d) 5
Answer: (a) 4.5


5. The Manipur Legislative Assembly passed the Manipur Lokayukta Bill, 2011. Manipur will be the __state in North-Eastern India to have alegislation of Lokayukta.
a) Second
b) Third
c) First
d) Fourth
Answer: (b) Third



6. Oman Investment Fund (OIF), the Sultanate of Oman’s sovereign wealth fund, filed application with the government to buy a stake in which of the software solutions company, IT People promoted exchange?
a. Universal Commodity Exchange
b. Agri bourse  NCDEX
c. Intercontinental Exchange
d. National Spot Exchange Limited
Answer: (a)


7. Which company on 27 Deember 2011 mentioned that it would acquire the remaining 51 per cent stake from BP Alternative Energy Holdings in the joint venture that it formed with BP?
a. Reliance Power
b. Tata Power
c. Adani Power Limited
d. ABB Ltd
Answer: (b)


8. Which paharmaceutical company announced in December 2011 the launch of Supamovecream used for treating pain and inflammation in India?
a. Cipla
b. Ranbaxy
c. Dr. Reddy’s
d. Sun Pharmaceuticals
Answer: (c)


9. Name the state-run Mumbai-headquartered bank which on 29 December 2011 surprised the market by cutting its base rate, the minimum lending rate, by 10 basis points, thereby becoming the first banker this year to do so when others are waiting for a signal from the central bank.
a. State Bank of India
b. Union Bank
c. United Bank of India
d. Allahabad Bank
Answer: (b)


10. The $35-billion Aditya Birla group plans to set up a viscose staple fibre (VSF) plant in the Adana Organised Industrial Zone in which of the following countries?
a. Tunisia
b. Tanzania
c. Turkey
d. Tibet
Answer: (c)


11.    Reserve Bank of India deregulated non-resident external (NRE) deposits on 16 December 2011 allowing banks  to offer higher interest rates to dollar-denominated accounts. Which of the following facts related to the above statement is/are not true?
2.    Reserve Bank freed the rates on non-resident external accounts, offering interest as high as 9.6% per annum
3.    Following RBI’s deregulation five Indian banks, including HDFC Bank and Yes Bank on 23 December 2011 raised their interest rates on such deposits in order to lure foreign money
4.    Private lender Yes Bank increased the interest rates on fixed deposits held by non-resident Indians (NRIs) to 8.4 per cent from 3.82 per cent
5.    The new rates are effective from 24 December for fresh deposits as well as those being renewed on maturity.
a.    1 & 2
b.    Only4
c.    Only 3
d.    1 & 4
Answer: (c)

12. According to the RBI data, India's foreign exchange reserves fell by what amount to $302.1 billion during the week ended 16 December  2011 on account of a fall in foreign currency assets?
a.    $4.67 billion
b.    $3.33 billion
c.    $5 billion
d.    $5.75 billion
Answer: (a)

13. According to the Tea Board data released in December 2011, tea imports declined by what per cent to 9.91 million kg in the April-October period of 2011?
a.    10%
b.    12.5%
c.    14%
d.    15.3%
Answer: (c)

14. Infrastructure sector recorded a growth of what per cent in Novemberr 2011 after touching five-year low of 0.3% in October 2011 due to an impressive growth in cement, electricity and refinery products?
a.    2.3%
b.    3.9%
c.    4.6%
d.    6.8%
Answer: (d)

15.    Telecom Commission, the decision-making body of the Department of Telecommunications recommended a uniform licence fee of what per cent of adjusted gross revenues (AGR) as against the prevalent rate of 6-8 per cent?
a.    10%
b.    8%
c.    5.2%
d.    9.3%
Answer: (b)


16.    Theatre director, screenplay writer and actor Satyadev Dubey, credited with introducing existential and absurd theatre, passed away on 25 December 2011. Which facts about the concerned person is/are not true?
2.    he got attracted to the post-1947 theatre and joined Theatre Unit, the theatre group-cum-school founded by Ebrahim Alkazi
3.    Dubey came into prominence with Dharamvir Bharati’s radio-play Andha Yug that brought to the fore the pervasive criminal and homicidal tendencies during the times of war.
4.    He penned screenplays/dialogue of some acclaimed films in the 1970s, including Shyam Benegal's Nishant, Ankur, Kalyug and Bhumika
5.    He won the Filmfare Award for Best Dialogue in 1980 for the film Ankur
a.    Only 1
b.    Only4
c.    2 & 3
d.    Only 2
Answer: (b)

17. Identify the veteran politician and former Chief Minister of Karnataka with the help of the following clues.
1.    He was the Chief Minister of Karnataka from 1990-92 and died on 26 December 2011
2.    The three time Lok Sabha member represented Bellary constituency
3.    He was on the national political stage as a Lok Sabha member for three terms in 1996, 1999 and 2003.
4.    He was instrumental in holding the first Indian international film festival in Bengaluru in 1993
a.    H. D. Kumaraswamy
b.    J. H. Patel
c.    S. M. Krishna
d.    S.Bangarappa
Answer: (d)

18. India’s infant mortality rate (IMR) showed a 3 point decline, dropping to what number per 1,000 live births, as per government data released on 28 December 2011?
a.    43
b.    55
c.    47
d.    50
Answer: (c)

19.  Maharashtra government planned to provide free medicare for poor families. Consider the following statements:
i) The plan will benefit 50 lakh families.
ii) The plan will cover eight districts in state.
Choose the right option:
a)    Both i and ii are correct.
b)    Only i is correct.
c)    Only ii is correct.
d)    Neither i nor ii is correct.
Answer:  (a) Both i and ii are correct

20.  Lok Sabha on 27 December 2011 passed the Lokpal and Lokayukta bill, 2011. Consider the following statements:
i) The setting up of Lokayuktas by the states would not be mandatory.
ii) The constitutional amendment bill fell through.
Choose the right option:
a)    Both i and ii are correct.
b)    Only i is correct.
c)    Only ii is correct.
d)    Neither i nor ii is correct.
Answer: (a) Both i and ii are correct


21.    Name the Mumbai skipper who on 22 December 2011 overtook former teammate as the highest run-getter in Ranji Trophy by scoring a total of 8242 runs.
a.    Wasim Jaffer
b.    Amol Muzumdar
c.    Amarjeet Kaypee
d.    Pankaj Dharmani
Answer: (a)
22.    Who won his first Men’s Singles title of 2011 at the 2011 $120,000 Syed Modi India Open Grand Prix Gold badminton championship?
a.    Sourabh Verma
b.    Taufik Hidayat
c.    Anup Sridhar
d.    Hendra Setiawan
Answer: (b)

23.    Which team won both the men's & women’s title in the 10th All-India Invitational volleyball tournament for the Vajpayee Cup?
a.    Andhra Pradesh
b.    Punjab
c.    Kerala
d.    Southern Railway
Answer: (c)

24.    Identify the Indian footballer with the help of the following clues.
1.    This Indian football team defender announced his retirement from international football on 26 December 2011
2.    He captained the Indian team in one match (against Malaysia) in November 2011
3.    He had scored one goal against Bhutan in SAFF Cup in 2005
4.    He was part of the Indian teams which won SAFF Cup (2005), Nehru Cup (2007 and 2009), AFC Challenge Cup (2008) apart from the recent SAFF championship
a.    Arnab Mondal
b.    Gurwinder Singh
c.    Anas Edathodika
d.    Mahesh Gawli
Answer: (d)

25.    The Indian team finished at the fourth position in the World Women's Team Chess Championship at Mardin,Turkey on 27 December 2011. Which team won gold and emerged at the top in the competition?
a.    Ukraine
b.    Russia
c.    China
d.    Greece
Answer: (c)


26.    Which leading NRI industrialist was conferred with the Life Time Achievement award for his outstanding contributions in various fields on 12 December 2011?
a.    Lakshmi Mittal
b.    G P Hinduja
c.    Lord Swraj Paul
d.    Jassi Khangura
Answer: (c)

27.    The world renowned cartoonist who famously captured vignettes of Goan life on canvas in his trademark style for over two decades died in Goa on 11 December 2011. Name him.
a.    Mario Miranda
b.    Sam Gross
c.    Ed Subitzky
d.    Bob Boyle
Answer: (a)

28.  Which one of the following countries made an exit from Kyoto Protocol?
a) France
b) Canada
c) India
d) China
Answer: (b) Canada

29.  OPEC countries in its meeting held in Vienna on 14 December 2011 decided to increase its production ceiling to __ million barrels a day.
a) 30
b) 20
c) 25
d) 27
Answer: (a) 30

30.   Which one of the following countries barred veiled women from taking oath of citizenship?
a) Canada
b) Russia
c) UK
d) India
Answer: (a) Canada


31.    The book Non-Stop India by a journalist-author was launched in Chennai by Editor-in-Chief  of The Hindu, N Ram on 13 December 2011. Name the journalist-author who authored the book?
a.    Mark Tully
b.    Sophie Raworth
c.    Jane Hill
d.    Babita Sharma
Answer: (a)

32.    The Sangita Kalanidhi M.S. Subbulakshmi Award was presented to whom at the inauguration of the 85th annual conference of the Music Academy in Chennai on 15 December 2011?
a.    S.R. Nathan
b.    Trichy Sankaran
c.    Subramania Pillai
d.    Subramaniyam Iyer
Answer: (b)

33.    The 40th anniversary of vijay diwas was celebrated on which day marking the finest hour of the Indian armed forces when they defeated Pakistan, leading to the creation of Bangladesh in 1971?
a.    12 December
b.    15 December
c.    16 December
d.    18 December
Answer: (c)

34.  The Himachal Pradesh Cabinet on 15 December 2011 approved amendment to the state industrial policy. Consider the following statements:
i) The amended industrial policy seeks to promote environmentally sustainable development in the state and encourage cleaner production and adoption.
ii) Under this policy, disincentive industries will be put on negative list.
Choose the right option:
a)    Both i and ii are correct.
b)    Only i is correct.
c)    Only ii is correct.
d)    Neither i nor ii is correct.
Answer: (a) Both i and ii are correct

35.  The Supreme Court of India directed Tamil Nadu to ensure that the water level in the Mullaperiyar dam does not exceed __but declined to entertain Kerala’s plea for reducing the level to__.
a) 136 feet; 120 feet
b) 120 feet; 136 feet
c) 140 feet; 112 feet
d) 150 feet; 140 feet
Answer: (a) 136 feet; 120 feet 


36.  Scientists discovered that the protein__ is responsible for regulating fatty acid oxidation in the liver and is critical for metabolism.
 a) CPT1
b) CTP1
c) CTT1
d) CPT2
Answer: (a) CPT1

37. NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) developed Space Harpoon to take Samples from Comets.  Where are the headquarters of NASA located?
a) Washington DC
b) New York
c) Florida
d) Paris
Answer: (a) Washington DC

38. British Scientists recently developed a technology to produce pocket TV.   Consider the following statements:
i) Scientists developed a new form of light-emitting crystals, known as quantum dots.
ii) These tiny crystals are 100000 times smaller than the width of human hair.
Choose the right option:
a)    Both i and ii are correct.
b)    Only i is correct.
c)    Only ii is correct.
d)    Neither i nor ii is correct.
Answer: (a) Both i and ii are correct

39.  Scientists developed a hydrogel that regenerate healthy and scar-free tissue on skin damaged by severe burns.  Consider the following statements:
 i) The hydrogel helps in formatting of new blood vessels and skin including hair follicles.
ii) The injured soldiers, fire victims and people with third degree burns can avail of the gel.
Choose the right option:
a)    Both i and ii are correct.
b)    Only i is correct.
c)    Only ii is correct.
d)    Neither i nor ii is correct.
Answer: (a) Both i and ii are correct

40. A cargo ship called MV Rak sank off Mumbai coast on 5 August 2011. Consider the following statements:
i) The oil spill from the ship enters into the food chain.
ii)The algae imbibe the oil and this affects entire marine ecology.
Choose the right option:
a)    Both i and ii are correct.
b)    Only i is correct.
c)    Only ii is correct.
d)    Neither i nor ii is correct.
Answer: (a) Both i and ii are correct


41.    Which digital technology major received an award for its Air conditioners at the National Energy Conservation Awards, 2011?
a.    Samsung Electronics
b.    Phillips
c.    Hitachi
d.    Videocon
Answer: (a)

42.    Swedish multinational SKF launched the company's Global Technical Centre in which of the following cities in India on 14 December 2011?
a.    Chennai
b.    Hyderabad
c.    Bangalore
d.    New Delhi
Answer: (c)

43.    Which PSU lender decided to aggressively market its gold loan scheme for farmers to prevent defaults after the agriculture sector witnessed a sharp spike in bad debt in the past one year?
a.    Union Bank
b.    United Bank of India
c.    Industrial Development Bank of India
d.    State Bank of India
Answer: (d)

44.    Who did the Central Government appoint as Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Andhra Bank?
a.    B. A. Prabhakar
b.    O. P. Bhatt
c.    Pratip Chaudhuri
d.    S. Vishvanathan
Answer: (a)

45.    The directorate general of hydrocarbons (DGH), the technical arm of the oil ministry approved which company’s proposal to commence production from Bhagyam, the second-largest oil field in the Rajasthan block?
a.    Essar Oil
b.    ONGC
c.    Cairn India
d.    Indian Oil
Answer: (c)


46.    Who did Colgate-Palmolive India (CPIL) on 20 December 2011 appoint as Managing Director for five years from 1 February 2012?
a.    Prabha Parameswaran
b.    Mukul Deora
c.    R. A. Shah
d.    P. K. Ghosh
Answer: (a)

47.    AstraZeneca, a biopharmaceutical company in December 2011 chose which of the following companies as a strategic infrastructure outsourcing partner?
a.    Infosys
b.    HCL Technologies
c.    Wipro BPO
d.    Cape Gemini
Answer: (b)

48.    Which of India's leading commodity bourses on 20 December 2011 became the world's fifth-largest commodity futures exchange?
a.    National Multi Commodity Exchange of India
b.    Bharat Diamond Bourse
c.    Multi Commodity Exchange
d.    Bombay Stock Exchange
Answer: (d)

49.    Ravi Ruia decided on 21 December 2011 to step down as chairman of which of the following London-listed after a trial court admitted a criminal chargesheet filed by the investigating agency, CBI?
a.    Essar Energy
b.    Essar Shipping
c.    Essar Oil
d.    Eaasr Technologies
Answer: (a)

50.    Which company won the award for Alternative Thinking and Driving Positive Change in the Fleet Owner category at the Mahindra Navistar Transport Excellence Awards 2011 at Hotel Ashok here on 20 December 2011?
a.    Tata Motors
b.    Hero Group
c.    Edu Comp
d.    Agarwal Packers & Movers
Answer: (d)


51.    According to the International Data Corporation's (IDC) Quarter 3 2011 Mobile Phone Tracker release, the Indian mobile phone market grew by what percentage in units shipped in the July-September quarter of 2011 to clock 47.07 million units?
a.    10%
b.    10.5%
c.    11.3%
d.    12%
Answer: (d)

52.    Diesel consumption in Delhi declined by a startling 26% in 2010-11 compared to 2009-10. Delhi was however found to have used 2.24% more petrol in the same period. As per the latest Delhi government figures, the consumption of diesel in the city stood at what amount in 2010-2011?
a.    10.98 lakh metric tonnes
b.    7.5 lakh metric tonnes
c.    8.11 lakh metric tonnes
d.    6 lakh metric tonnes
Answer: (c)

53.    Fears of continuing economic slowdown, lack of decision making at the centre, rising fiscal deficit combined with not-so-impressive revenue collections upset Dalal Street investors on 20 December 2011. Which of the foolowing facts  related to the above statement is/are not true?
1.    Fears of continuing economic slowdown, lack of decision making at the centre, rising fiscal deficit combined with not-so-impressive revenue collections led to a 204 points loss in sensex that ended at 15175
2.    The slide on 20 December 2011 was triggered by FII selling which recorded a net outflow of Rs 600 crore, taking the month’s total net outflow to about Rs 1700 crore.
3.    The combined effect of the market’s slide and the depreciation of the rupee forced India to exit from the select group of countries with a $1 trillion market capitalization
4.    There was not even a single ADR issue in 2011. However, companies raised about $220 million through GDRs (Global Depository Receipts) during 2011
a.    Only 1
b.    3 & 4
c.    Only 3
d.    Only 2
Answer: (d)

54.    Credit rating agency Moody's on 21 December 2011 upgraded the credit rating of the Indian government's bonds from the speculative to investment grade. Which of the following facts related to the above statement is/are true?
1.    According to a release issued by the Finance Ministry, Moody's unified India's local and foreign currency bond ratings at Baa3
2.    Moody's Investor Service upgraded its local currency rating for Indian government bonds to Baa3 which is speculative grade as compared to the earlier Ba1 which is junk or investment grade.
3.    India's foreign currency bond ceiling is unchanged at Baa2, and the foreign currency bank deposit ceiling is Baa3. The local currency bond and bank deposit ceilings are unified at A1.
4.    The government's local currency short-term rating has been changed to P-3 from NP, indicating the government's ability to repay short-term debts.
a.    Only 2
b.    Only 1
c.    1 & 3
d.    Only 4
Answer: (a)

55.    According to official data released here on 22 December 2011, food inflation dropped sharply to an almost four-year low of what per cent during the week ended 10 December indicating an overall easing of prices?
a.    1.5%
b.    1.32%
c.    1.81 %
d.    2.32%
Answer: (c)


56.    Former Czech president Vaclav Havel who had been suffering from chronic respiratory problems died on 18 December 2011. Which of the following facts mentioned about him is/are not true?
2.    He was the tenth and last president of Czechoslovakia (1989–92) and the second President of the Czech Republic (1993–2003)
3.    He played a seminal role in the Velvet Revolution that ended four decades of repression by a regime which Havel ridiculed as Absurdistan.
4.    He co-authored the human rights manifesto Charter 77, which drew wide attention in the West.
5.    As president, he oversaw the country's transition to democracy and a free-market economy and also the peaceful 1993 breakup into the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
a.    Only 3
b.    Only 1
c.    1 & 4
d.    Only 4
Answer: (b)

57. The enigmatic leader of North Korea Kim who led his nation for 17 years through a devastating famine while frustrating the United States and other global powers with approach to talks on giving up nuclear arms in return for food and other assistanceon died on 17 December 2011 after he suffered a massive heart attack. Name the leader
a.    Kim Jong-il
b.    Kim Il-sung
c.    Kim Jong-un
d.    Kim Jong-chul
Answer: (a)

58. Which Controversial film based on the 116-year-old Mullaperiyar dam and directed by Sohan Roy made it to a shortlist for the Oscars under the Best Picture category?
a.    Rio and The Muppets
b.    Undefeated
c.    Project Nim
d.    Dam 999
Answer: (d)

59.  As per the Charities Aid Foundation’s World Giving Index which one of the following nations was adjudged as the most generous one in terms of charitable acts and monetary donations?
a) India
b) Thailand
c) China
d) Sri Lanka
Answer:  (b) Thailand

60.  India and Australia on 16 December 2011 signed an agreement to amend DTAA (Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement).  DTAA was signed between India and Australia in__.
a) 1990
b) 1991
c) 1992
d) 1995
Answer: (b) 1991

61.  The leaders of the CSTO (Collective Security Treaty Organisation) on 21 December 2011 agreed that the deployment of foreign bases in their territory will be done with the approval of all partners of the defence alliance. Which one of the following nations is not the member of CSTO?
a)Armenia
b) Russia
c) China
d) Uzbekistan
Answer: (c) China


62.    A parliamentary committee on 13 December 2011 rejected the proposal to allow what percentage foreign direct investment in the insurance sector?
a.    51%
b.    49%
c.    43%
d.    29%
Answer: (b)

63.    According to data from research body All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD), Indian drugmakers posted a certain per cent month-on-month growth in sales of November 2011 which was the highest in the past 14 months. What was the per cent of sales growth projected for the month?
a.    23%
b.    31%
c.    21%
d.    43%
Answer: (c)

64.    The government waived loan of handloom weavers in India to help revive the sector under the scheme of Revival, Reform and Restructuring Package for Handloom Sector. What amount of loan was waived?
a.    Rs 548.35 crore
b.    Rs 420.66 crore
c.    Rs 506.64 crore
d.    Rs 3521 crore
Answer: (d)

65.    Food inflation fell to nearly a four-year low at what per cent for the week ended 3  December  20112 due to significant fall in prices of wheat and vegetable owing to seasonal factors?
a.    4.35%
b.    4%
c.    5.21%
d.    5.33%
Answer: (a)

66.    A committee on mutual funds, constituted by SEBI in december 2011 recommended to the regulator’s board to break down the bifurcation within the fee structure known as expense ratio. Which of the following facts are not true with regard to the above statement?
1.    Currently  mutual funds are allowed to charge up to 2.25% as expense ratio. fund houses are allowed to accept only 1.25% as asset management charges
2.    Funds with large corpuses currently charge 1.55% as expenses charges
3.    SEBI was suggested to keep overall scheme expenses unchanged at 2.25% for schemes with assets under management not exceeding Rs 400 crore
4.    Expense ratio is more than important in debt schemes where the rate of return is not hig.
a.    1 & 2
b.    3 & 4
c.    1 & 3
d.    Only 2
e.    None of the above
Answer: (d)


67.    Which player became the first player to win the Orders of Merit on both sides of the Atlantic on 11 December 2011 when he shot a closing 66 to finish third in the Dubai World Championship?
a.    Luke Donald
b.    Alvaro Quiros
c.    Rory McIlroy
d.    Paul Lawrie
Answer: (a)

68.    Which country defeated Spain 1-0 to win for the 4th time hockey’s Champions Trophy title on 11 December 2011?
a.    Pakistan
b.    New Zealand
c.    Australia
d.    Greece
Answer: (c)

69.    Name the woman squash player who on 10 December 2011 annexed the elusive women’s title while in the Senior National Squash Championship in Chennai.
a.    Sarah Fitz-Gerald
b.    Dipika Pallikal
c.    Anaka Alankamony
d.    Sushma Pillai
Answer: (b)

70.    Who defeated David Vofsonof Canada 1-6, 6-1, 10-6 in the final of the under-14 boys' section of the 23rd America Cup international tennis championship at the Miccosukee Tennis Club in Miami?
a.    Evgeny Tyurnev
b.    Bobby Mahal
c.    Fernando Gonzalez
d.    Sumit Nagal
Answer: (d)


71.    Which squash player retained the men's crown in the Senior National Squash Championship in Chennai on 10 December 2011?
a.    Saurav Ghosal
b.    Harinder Pal Sandhu
c.    Rohit Thanwani
d.    Cyrus Poncha
Answer: (a)

72.  NASA’s Kepler mission recently discovered a Habitable Earth-like planet__.
a) Kepler 22-b
b)Kepler-22 b
c) Kepler 22-c
c) kepler 22-a
Answer: (b) Kepler-22b


73.  Which one of the following countries recently approved the bill that reformed the rules on the amount of land farmers must preserve as forest?
a) Brazil
b) India
c) USA
d) China
Answer: (a) Brazil

74. The Labour Party conference in Australia approved Uranium Exports to India.  What is the atomic number of Uranium?
a) 92
b) 82
c) 88
d) 86
Answer: (a) 92

75. Scientists produced the most detailed map of Antarctica called BEDMAP. Consider the following statements on BEDMAP:
i) This is the second generation of the digital BEDMAP.
ii) It incorporates 27 million measurement points.
Choose the right option:
a)    Both i and ii are correct.
b)    Only i is correct.
c)    Only ii is correct.
d)    Both i and ii are incorrect.
Answer: (a) Both i and ii are correct

76.    An icon of Indian cinema and evergreen star Dev Anand died at the age of 88 in London on 3 December 2011 (4 December according to IST) after suffering a massive cardiac arrest. Which of the following facts about him is/are not true?
2.    Dev Anand started his career with Prabhat Films' Hum Ek Hain (1946) soon after he joined IPTA
3.    Anand started producing films after the success of Ziddi. He launched his own company Navketan in 1949 which, by 2011, had produced 31 films
4.    His first colour film, Johny Mera Naam with Waheeda Rehman was based on the novel of the same name by R. K. Narayan
5.    The Government of India honoured him with the Padma Bhushan in 2001 and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2002
a.    1 & 4
b.    Only 3
c.    2 & 4
d.    1 & 4
Answer: (b)


77. The Golden Peacock Award for the Best Film was given to which of the following films at the 42nd International Film Festival of India which came to an end at the Kala Academy in Panaji, Goa on 3 December 2011?
a.    Russian film Elena
b.    an Israeli film Restoration
c.    Columbian Film Porfirio
d.    Malayalam film Adaminte Makan Abu
Answer: (c)

78. Readers of international travel magazine Condé Nast Traveller voted which city in Rajasthan as the best leisure destination in India?
a.    Jaipur
b.    Udaipur
c.    Jaisalmer
d.    Bikaner
Answer: (b)

79.  The state assembly of Bihar passed the Bihar Lokayukta  Bill 2011. Consider the following statements on the features of the bill:
i) The bill will have Chief Minister, ministers, former chief ministers, the speaker of the vidhan sabha and chairman of the legislative council, legislative council, legislators and former legislators under its purview.
ii) The bill provides for a three-member Lokayukta, which will have at least two members from the judiciary.
Choose the right option:
a)    Both i and ii are correct.
b)    Only i is correct.
c)    Only ii is correct.
d)    Neither i nor ii is correct.
Answer: (a) Both i and ii are correct

80.  The Chhattisgarh government on 7 December 2011 decided to raise the percentage of reservation for the scheduled tribes and schedule castes. The STs will now get __ whereas the SCs will get_ reservation.
a) 32; 12
b) 12; 32
c) 32; 32
d) 12; 12
Answer: (a) 32; 12


81.    Brazil's former football captain, Socrates died of septic shock on 4 December 2011 in Sao Paulo. Which of the following facts mentioned below about Socrates is/are not true?
2.    Socrates Brasileiro de Souza Viera de Oliveira made his international debut in 1979 and captained Brazil at the 1982 and 1986 World Cups
3.    Brazil won 1986 World Cup under his captaincy
4.    Socrates won 60 caps and scored 21 goals in his seven-year Brazil career. He had scored 25 goals in 63 games for Brazil
5.    He was notable for the use of the backheel and was also known as the Golden Hee and the Big Thin One.
a.    1 & 3
b.    Only 2
c.    2 & 3
d.    1 & 4
Answer: (b)

82. World Aids Day is observed anually on 1 December 2011. What was the theme of World AIDS Day 2011?
1.    Getting to Zero
2.    Stigma and Discrimination
3.    Women & AIDS
4.    Force For Change: World AIDS Campaign With Young People
Answer: (a)

83. In 2011, the theme for the International Day of Person’s With Disability was- Together for a better world for all: Including persons with disabilities in development. Which day is anually observed as World Disability Day (WDD)?
a.    2 December
b.    5 December
c.    3 December
d.    8 December
Answer: (c)

84.  The one-day Bonn conference on Afghanistan’s future ended on 5 December 2011. Bonn is the capital of_.
a) Germany
b) UK
c) Spain
d) France
Answer: (a) Germany

85.  Turkey announced a New Set of Sanctions against Syria. Turkey is located to the__ of Syria.
a) North
b) South
c) East
d)West
Answer: (a) North

86.  The Labour Party conference in Australia approved Uranium Exports to India. Consider the following statements:
i) The Conference was held in Sydney.
ii) Australia possesses approximately 40 percent of the world’s known uranium reserves.
Choose the right option:
a)    Both i and ii are correct.
b)    Only i is correct.
c)    Only ii is correct.
d)    Neither i nor ii is correct.
Answer: (a) Both i and ii are correct


87.    Which country won its fifth Davis Cup title after Rafael Nadal defeated Argentina’s Juan Martin del Potro 1-6 6-4 6-1 7-6 (0) on 4 December 2011?
a.    Switzerland
b.    Spain
c.    USA
d.    France
Answer: (b)

88.    Who won the Fukuoka men's marathon in Japan winning the 42.195km race in 2hrs 7mins and 36secs on 4 December 2011?
a.    Josphat Ndambiri
b.    Mwangi
c.    Yuki Kawauchi
d.    Joan Bolt
Answer: (a)

89.    Which English batsman on 6 December 2011 received Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) medal from Britain's Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace?
a.    Andrew Strauss
b.    Andrew Strauss
c.    Alastair Cook
d.    Steve Finn
Answer: (c)

90.    According to the latest ICC ranking released on 7 December 2011, India's R Ashwin moved into top 20 of the ICC ODI bowling charts for the first time in his career. What is the position of Virat Kohli in the list?
a.    3rd
b.    4th
c.    5th
d.    7th
Answer: (b)

91.    Name the Broadcaster which on 8 December 2011 announced a new five-year contract with Cricket Australia, a deal which for the first time will give them the rights to showcase two of Indian cricket teams' visits Down Under?
a.    Ten Sports
b.    DD Sports
c.    Zee Sports
d.    ESPN STAR Sports
Answer: (d)


92.    The UPA-II Government set up an expert group to suggest restructuring of power utilities of seven major States. Which of the following  statements given below are not true in this context?
2.    The expert group headed by Planning Commission member (Energy) B. K. Chaturvedi is expected to submit its report by March 2012.
3.    The group was entrusted with the responsibility to make an assessment of the cumulative losses of distribution utilities of seven major States.
4.    Uttar Pradesh and tamil Nadu are not amon gthe list of seven states where the power utility structure is to be restructured.
5.    The expert group will have to suggest a strategy for capital restructuring of these power discoms (distribution companies), including commitment by other stakeholders like State governments.
a.    1 & 4
b.    2 & 4
c.    Only 3
d.    Only 1
Answer: (c)

93. Which stock exchange in India launched operations on the National Stock Exchange (NSE) platform on 28 November 2011 and became the only stock exchange in India to offer facility to trade on three trading platforms?
a.    Guwahati Stock Exchange
b.    Bombay Stock Exchange
c.    MCX Stock Exchange (MCX-SX)
d.    Ahmedabad Stock Exchange
e.    Calcutta Stock Exchange
Answer: (e)

94. The Union government on 28 November 2011 asserted that a certain percentage sourcing under FDI in multi-brand retail has been made mandatory from Indian MSEs only. Quote the per centage.
a.    23%
b.    30%
c.    33%
d.    49%
Answer: (b)

95. According to the the quarterly public debt management report released by the Finance Ministry on 28 November 2011, the Indian government's internal debt rose during the second quarter (July-September) of 2011-12.The internal debt to GDP ratio increased to what per cent of GDP during second quarter of 2011-12 from 31.4% in the April-June quarter?
a.    31.9%
b.    31.3%
c.    32.3%
d.    33%
Answer: (c)

96.    The government’s three oil marketing companies (OMCs) on 29 November 2011 cut petrol prices by what amount. It would now cost Rs 65.64 in Delhi.
a.    Rs 0.50 per litr
b.    Rs 0.70 per litr
c.    Rs 0.78 per litr
d.    Rs 0.82 per litr
Answer: (c)


97.    Which of the following facts regarding the acclaimed and eccentric British film director Ken Russell who died on 27 November 2011 is/are not true?
2.    Russell is best known for controversial films including Women In Love and The Devils.
3.    Russell's first feature film was French Dressing (1963), a comedy loosely based on Roger Vadim's And God Created Woman.
4.    Vanessa Redgrave won the Oscar the Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her performance in Women In Love directed by Ken
5.    Ken Russell (1927-2011) won a BAFTA in 1969 for creative contribution to television.
a.    2 & 3
b.    Only 4
c.    Only2
d.    Only 3
Answer: (d)

98. Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin’s only daughter, Lana Peters, who had defected to the US while in India at the height of the Cold War died on 22 November 2011 in Wisconsin. Which of the following facts about her is not true?
1.    At her birth, on 28 February 1926 she was named Svetlana Stalina.
2.    She took the name Lana Peters upon marrying architect William Wesley Peters in the US. Peters became a United States citizen in 1978.
3.    Her first memoir, Only One Year, was published in 1967 and made more than $2.5m (£1.6m). In 1969 she recounted her journey from the Soviet Union in a second memoir, Twenty letters to a Friend.
4.    She returned to the Soviet Union briefly in 1984. She had defected to the US in 1967
a.    Only 1
b.    Only 2
c.    Only 3
d.    Only 4
Answer: (c)

99. Which film was judged the Best Picture at the 2011 New York  Film Critics Circle Awards which announced its winners on 29 November on its official Twitter feed?
a.    The Artist
b.    The Iron Lady
c.    Tree of Life
d.    The Help
Answer: (a)

100.  India on 27 November 2011 signed revised DTAA (Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement) with which one of the following countries?
a) Nepal
b) Bhutan
c) Pakistan
d) Sri Lanka
Answer: (a) Nepal

101.  The Arab League on 27 November 2011 imposed a set of sanctions against Syria for its failure to comply with the League mediated peace plan to end violence in the country.  When was Arab league set up?
a) 22 March 1945
b) 21 august 1945
c) 22 March 1946
d) 22 September 1950
Answer: (a) 22 March 1945

102.  Which one of the following countries recently passed a bill, the Vested Properties Return (Amendment) Bill 2011?
a) Pakistan
b) Bangladesh
c) Nepal
d) Sri Lanka
Answer: (b) Bangladesh


103.    The Election Commission announced on 28 November that by-elections to Rajya Sabha seats in 2 states would be held on 22 December 2011. Which are the two states where the by-elections are to be held?
a.    Assam and Arunachal Pradesh
b.    Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh
c.    Orissa and Bihar
d.    Assam and Bihar
Answer: (d)

104.    Eminent Assamese litterateur and Jnanpith award winner, Indira Goswami, popularly known as Mamoni Raisom Goswami passed away in Guwahati on 29 November 2011. Which of the following facts regarding her is/are not true?
1.    Goswami who was an expert in Ramayani studies, published her first collection of short stories Chinaki Morom at the age of 20.
2.    She won the Sahitya Akademi Award for her powerful novel Dasarathir Khoj in 1982
3.    She was India's first Principal Prince Claus Laureate.
4.    Dr. Goswami in 2004 mediated between the Centre and the ULFA and succeeded in convincing both the government and the ULFA to come forward for negotiations
a.    1 & 2
b.    Only 2
c.    Only 3
d.    3 & 4
Answer: (b)


105.    Social activist who was chosen for the Basava award for the year 2010 for excellence in service in the social sector by the Karnataka State Government?
a.    C.R. Neelakandan
b.    Reetika Khera
c.    Medha Patkar
d.    Aruna Roy
Answer: (c)

106.  Which one of the following governments launched Kishori scheme for adolescent girls?
a) Delhi State government
b) Haryana state government
c) Bihar state government
d) Orissa state government
Answer: (a) Delhi State Government

107.  Which one of the state governments gave Kahtedari rights to its farmers occupying the custodian land in Alwar, Sriganganagar, Bharatpur and Hanumangarh.?
a) Rajasthan
b) Bihar
c) Haryana
d) Uttar Pradesh
Answer: (a) Rajasthan


108.  The Delhi Assembly on 1 December 2011 passed the Delhi Municipal Corporation, MCD (Amendment) Bill -2011 to trifurcate the Civic body with voice vote. The MCD came into existence on__.
a) 7 April 1958
b) 5 April 1950
c) 10 March 1960
d) 2 November 1990
Answer: (a) 7 April 1958


109.  Scientists identified genes that can increase a person’s risk of developing multiple myeloma by 30 percent.  Consider the following statements on multiple myeloma:
i) Multiple myeloma is also known as plasma cell myeloma or Kahler’s disease.
ii) It is a cancer of plasma cells.
a)    Both i and ii are correct.
b)    Only i is correct.
c)    Only ii is correct.
d)    Neither i nor ii is correct.
Answer: (a) Both i and ii are correct

110.  As per the report compiled by British-based firm Maplecroft, which one of the following countries is top greenhouse gas emitter?
a) India
b) USA
c) China
d) Japan
Answer: (c) China

111.  NASA launched rover, nicknamed Curiosity to explore the planet Mars. The rover was launched from which one of the following province of USA?
a) Florida
b) Texas
c) Washington
d) California
Answer:  (a) Florida

112. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on 1 December 2011 approved 1656 crore rupees scheme for __ of Yamuna Action plan.
a) phase-3
b) phase-2
c) phase-1
d) phase-4
Answer: (a) phase-3

113.  The first Eld’s deer was born via in vitro fertilization in Thailand.
i) Eld's Deer is also known as the Thamin or Brow-antlered Deer.
ii) It is an endangered species of deer indigenous to southeastern Asia. 
Consider the following statements:
a)    Both i and ii are correct.
b)    Only i is correct.
c)    Only ii is correct.
d)    Neither i nor ii is correct.
Answer: (a) Both i and ii are correct


114.    Which real eastate major company acquired the additional 26 per cent stake in its joint venture company with Hilton Hotel from Aro Participation Ltd and Splendid Property Company Ltd, affiliates of Hilton International?
a.    Larsen & Toubro Limited
b.    DLF
c.    Punj Lloyd Limited
d.    Tata Construction & Projects Ltd
Answer: (b)

115.    Which Power distribution company on 5 December 2011 announced change of its name to Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited?
a.    North Delhi Power Limited (NDPL)
b.    Adani Power
c.    Lanco Infratech
d.    CLP Power
Answer: (a)

116.    Name the mobile phone operator in India which decided to renew its contract with Nokia Siemens Networks (NSN) to manage and maintain its networks in eight circles for three years.
a.    BSNL
b.    Idea Cellular
c.    Bharti Airtel
d.    Uninor
Answer: (c)

117.    Retail entrepreneur Kishore Biyani exited his financial services through two separate transactions worth over Rs 1000 crore. Which company purchased Pantaloon's 26% stake in its insurance Future group’s joint venture Future Generali Life for Rs 250-300 crore?
a.    Deccan Chronicle
b.    Investment Trust ( IITL)
c.    RIL
d.    Tata group
Answer: (b)

118.    Which bank signed a memorandum of understanding with Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) to use the National Electronic Funds Transfer (NEFT) facility  to facilitate electronic funds transfer of policy payments to policyholders?
a.    IDBI
b.    Corp Bank
c.    Indian Overseas Bank
d.    Dhanlaxmi Bank
Answer: (d)


119. Bank lending to the priority sector grew at what percentagein October 2011 on an annual basis due to lower offtake by agriculture and MSME segments as well as decline in micro credit?
a.    10%
b.    12%
c.    13.7%
d.    8.3%
Answer: (a)


120. With the inauguration of the first state-of-the-art ATDC-SMART (Skill for Manufacturing Apparels through Research and Training) in Egmore, Chennai, the Ministry of Textiles launched which of the following schemes?
a.    National Technology Mission for Technical Textiles
b.    Integrated Skill Development Scheme
c.    Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme (TUFS) For Textile
d.    Rural Textiles Technology Development Skill
Answer: (b)