PratiyogitaDarpan

To Our Readers

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Dear Readers, We are extremely happy to present to our readers the June issue of your favourite magazine `Pratiyogita Darpan'.
Our editorial board has worked hard to make this issue extremely useful for competitive examinations as well as for general reading. We believe that if you go through it intelligently and with proper understanding, it will go a long way in ensuring success to you

Learn to Live With Those Who do not Agree with you

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

You want to break the head of the man who has an opinion different from yours. But you do not think of breaking your own head in spite of the fact that ten years ago, you had altogether a different line of thought and your opinion was different from that at present. Would you not call it a game of double standards or a case of cruel partiality ? In case your reply is that your line of thought and

Govt. Lifts Ban, Allows Pakistanis to Invest in Indian Companies

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

For the first time ever, India on April 13, 2012 decided to allow Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) from Pakistan--a step that signals growing warmth in the relations between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. Until now, Pakistan was the only country from where FDI was not allowed into India. The decision to allow FDI may not lead to an immediate rush of investments from Pakistan but it does show t

50 Weeks to Bonhomie

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Done Deals : Pakistan moves towards grant of full most-favoured nation tag to India Wagah-Attari land trade route upgraded, Second gate opened Anand Sharma becomes First Indian trade minister to cross border for bilateral talks; his counterpart Makh doom Amin Fahim undertakes first bilateral journey by Pak Minister in 30 years India helps Pakistan get be

Pak Honcho Lauds Aman ki Asha Project

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

With governments of India and Pakistan pushing for liberalizing trade norms, Bashir Ali Ahmed, President of International Textile Manufacturers Federation, is positive that regional trade between the two countries will grow manifold.
In an interview to The Press Ahmed said, "With the world economy going through a bad phase, we (India and Pakistan) have a big responsibility to the world and to t

Cabinet Approves a New Procurement Policy

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Anti-graft step. Finally, government wakes up to plug the biggest known fund leaks.

Jail for corrupt bureaucrats in the new law for government purchases.

All the whistleblowers, scam-diggers and Anna Hazare's anti-graft crusaders have finally been vindicated. The Union Cabinet on April 12, 2012 came out with a new public procurement policy that would send corrupt bureaucra

Cabinet Okays Registration of Religion Neutral Marriages Plan

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

A proposal to enable registration of religion-neutral marriages was on April 12, 2012 approved by the union Cabinet.

The proposal has been brought in the form of amendment to the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969.

The proposed Bill will save the women from unnecessary harassment in matrimonial and maintenance cases, an official release said. It will also provide evidentiary v

Apex Court Upholds Seats for Poor under RTE

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

The Supreme Court on April 12, 2012 upheld the constitutional validity of the right to education (RTE) Act that mandates unaided private schools to keep 25 per cent seats for students from economically and socially weaker sections of society. However the court made it clear that this quota would not be applicable to unaided minority institutions. The Apex Court bench of Chief Justice S.H. Kapadi

NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR WOMEN PROMOTES

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Zero Tolerance to Sexual Harassment at Work Place (Code of Conduct) What is Sexual Harassment ?
As defined by the Supreme Court of India in the guidelines given in Vishakha and others vs. State of Rajasthan and others (1997) sexual harassment includes such unwelcome sexually determined behaviour (whether directly or by implication) as : (a) physical contact and advances; (b) a demand

Prevalent Misconceptions About Sexual Harassment

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Myth : Women enjoy being teased and sexually harassed.
Fact : Women find sexual harassment a humiliating, pain ful, and frightening experience.
Myth : Sexual harassment is harmless flirtation. Women need to take it as humour.
Fact : Any behaviour which makes the woman uncomfort able cannot be termed as harmless or as humour.
Myth : Sexual harassment is natural male b

Positive Impact of Zardari's Visit on Indo-Pak Ties

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari's April visit to India appears to have triggered a chain of positive events, with Pakistani scientist Mohammed Khalil Chisty getting bail two days later and Islamabad on April 12 releasing 26 Indian fishermen. It was just 40 minutes Prime Minister Manmohan Singh spent talking an entire gamut of bilateral issues with Zardari on April 8, 2012, but the discussi

Sri Lanka Hits Back at India's UN Vote

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

[Energy Minister raises Fukushima Bogey, says Colombo will go to IAEA] In what is seen as an apparent retaliation for India's vote against Sri Lanka at the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) recently in the context of the latter's human rights violations, Sri Lanka's energy minister has said that his country was threatened by the Kudankulam nuclear plant, in case of a Fukushima like disaster.

Govt. Panel Bats for would be Mothers

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

[Amend Law to ensure pregnant women can't be sacked on any ground] To plug loopholes in the law on maternity benefits, a government panel has suggested an amendment forbidding the sacking of a pregnant employee on any ground.

The working group, which had been asked to review the Maternity Benefit Act, said there were many examples where employers sacked pregnant women citing `misconduct' t

Make Mothers First Guardians : Panel

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

(Committee moots review of laws to give mothers equal rights over kids) In a move to empower women, a government panel wants that a mother should be listed as the first guardian for all official purposes instead of a father, arguing that she primarily looks after the children.

"Since normally it is the mother who primarily looks after the children, she should be listed as the first guardi

The Times of India View

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Women form an increasingly larger part of the workforce and that trend is only likely to accelerate in future. It makes sense therefore for societies to adapt to this development.
Clearly demanding that women choose between work and motherhood in unfair. It follows that employers must adjust to the fact that women will need to take long periods off for maternity. This is a small price to pay as

UN Chief Visits India

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon visited India in the last week of April 2012. He met the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and External Minister S. M. Krishna and discussed measures to counter terrorism. Mr. Ban called upon India and Pakistan to work hard to improve their bilateral relations.

He called upon the Indian people to help the UN in its quest for peace, questioned

India, Qatar Sign Pact to Boost Oil and Gas Cooperation

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

A pact to enhance cooperation in the key sector of oil and gas exploration is among the six agreements inked on April 9, 2012 between India and Qatar, which has the world's third, largest natural gas reserves after Russia and Iran. Indian Petroleum Minister S. Jaipal Reddy and Qatar's Energy Minister Mohammed Bin Saleh-al-Sada signed an MoU to establish a cooperative framework to fac

India Successfully Test-fires Nuclear Capable Agni-V

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

India on April 19, 2012 demonstrated the capability of launching a nuclear-tipped inter-continental ballistic missile (ICBM) as Agni-V hit a target over 5,000 km away.
With this, India has joined an elite group of nations which have mastered such technology. These nations are : The United States, Russia, China and France.

The 5,000 km ranger missile gives India the capability to hit targe

PSLV C-19 Puts RISAT-1 in Orbit

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

[First microwave satellite will forecast weather for Kharif crops, monitor flood] India's first indigenously built all-weather Radar Imaging Satellite, RISAT-1, with applications ranging from agriculture to natural disaster management was successfully launched into orbit by its carrier, the PSLV C-19 with clinical precision from the Sriharikota spaceport of the Indian Space Research Organisation

News in a Nutshell

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Govt. bans use of live animals for education, research The Union Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) has banned the use of live animals in dissection and other experiments in educational and research institutions. But scientists conducting new molecular research will be exempted from the ban.

The guidelines were framed based on the duties of the Committee for the Purpose of Contr

Pakistan Rapidly Developing its Nuke Arsenal : Report

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Estimated to have more nuclear weapons than India, Pakistan is rapidly developing and expanding its atomic arsenal, spending about $ 2·5 billion a year to develop such weapons, a report has said.

"Pakistan has been rapidly developing and expanding its nuclear arsenal, increasing its capacity to produce plutonium, and testing and deploying a diverse array of nuclear-capable ballistic and crui

Massive Quake in Indonesia [Measures 8.5 on Richter Scale]

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Two massive earthquakes shook Sumatra in Indonesia on April 11, 2012 triggering a tsunami alert in 28 countries including India and panic all across India's east coast. The tremors, caused by quakes measuring 8·5 and 8·2 on the Richter scale, sent tens of thousands scurrying out of high-rise buildings and houses in several Indian cities from Guwahati and Kolkata to Chennai and Kochi. The

Ten Strongest Earthquakes Recorded Since 1900

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

May 22, 1960 Chile--An quake of magnitude 9·5 killed 5,000 people.
March 28, 1964 Alaska--A magnitude 9·2 quake and tsunami killed 125 people.
December 26, 2004 Indonesia--A magnitude 9·1 quake struck off the coast of Aceh province on the Indonesian island of Sumatra, setting off a tsunami that killed more than 2,26,000 people.
November 4, 1952 Russia--An earthquak

US will Accept Iran's Civilian N-Programme

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

US President Obama descalates the demand.

Obama asks Tehran to prove that it is not seeking atomic weapons.

`We can but won't make N-weapons,' says Iran.

Softening of the US stand may lead to a thaw in US-Iran confrontation.

In what may be termed as an epoch making development President Barack Obama has told Iran that the United States would accept Tehran ha

Presidential poll in Rebel south ossetia, former KGB Agent Wins the Race

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

A former top KGB agent on April 9, 2012 won a tense run-off election to lead Georgia's pro-Russian region of South Ossetia after two earlier polls ended in turmoil.

The tiny republic's former security chief Leonid Tibilov was congratulated by his rival in March 8's runoff and then promised to build a flourishing independent nation despite its lack of recognition from most of the world.

US Signs Deal with Afghanistan on Night Raids

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

The Afghan government and the USA have reached a deal governing controversial night raids by US forces-resolving an issue that had long seemed intractable and which had threatened to derail a larger pact governing US forces in the country for decades to come.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Afghanistan of special operation on Afghan soil was signed by the two sides.

The agreem

Chinese Diplomacy in the Caribbean to Woo the Regional Nations

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

China's diplomatic tentacles are trying to capture the Caribbean heart where it wants to establish its sphere of influence, only next door to the USA. A brand new $ 35 million stadium opened in the Bahamas sometime back, a gift from the Chinese government.

The tiny island nation of Dominica has received a grammar school, a renovated hospital and a sports stadium, also courtesy of the Chin

Pak Parliament Approves New Proposals On US Ties

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Pakistan's Parliament on April 13, 2012 unanimously approved new guidelines for the country in its troubled relationship with the United States, a decision that could pave the way for the reopening of supply lines to NATO forces in neighbouring Afghanistan.

The guidelines allow for the blockade on US and NATO supplies to be lifted but also call for an immediate end to American drone strikes

India, Russia, China Unite on North Korea

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

The trilateral meeting breaks fresh grounds for mutual cooperation.

The meeting rules out new sanctions against North Korea.

Foreign ministers of India, Russia and China on April 13, 2012 in Moscow asked all parties in the stand-off over North Korea to show restraint after Pyong-yang's muchheralded rocket plunged into the sea after sparking global concerns.

"We are c

ANDHRA PRADESH

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Planning Commission Approves ` 48935 crore for Andhra Pradesh for the year 2012-13 The Planning Commission on April 18, 2012 approved a total plan outlay of 48935 crore for Andhra Pradesh for the year 2012-13. The total outlay for the state for the current year witnessed an increase of 13·8 per cent against the previous figure of 43000 crore in the fiscal year 2011-12.

The plan size was

KERALA

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

The ` 14010 crore Annual Plan outlay Approved The Planning Commission on April 20, 2012 approved the 14010 crore annual plan outlay for Kerala. The plan panel outlay was approved at a meeting between Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia and Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy.

The services sector accounted for 69·7 per cent of the Kerala's GDP,

RAJASTHAN

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

First Spice Park in Rajasthan Inaugurated Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma and Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on April 7, 2012 dedicated the first spice park in the state, built at a cost of 27 crore, to the nation. The spice park, which is the second such park in the country, has been constructed in Rampura Bhatiyan village in Mathania near Jodhpur, is a full line proces

NEW DELHI

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

BJP Wins All Three Municipal Corporation Elections in Delhi The BJP on April 17, 2012 claimed all the three new civic bodies carved out of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD). The party bagged 138 of the 272 wards while the Congress was voted to victory in 78 wards. This was the first municipal election after the MCD was divided.

In North Delhi, the BJP posted a big victory as it c

SIKKIM

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Sikkim Wins the Best State Award for Strengthening the Panchayati Raj Institutions Sikkim, on April 24, 2012 won the best state award for strengthening its Panchayati Raj Institutions. The CPCSEA--Committee for the Purpose of Control and Supervision of Experiments on Animals.

DGHS--Director of General Health Services.

DRL--Defence Research Laboratory.

DSIIDC--Delhi State Ind

APPOINTMENTS/ELECTION

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Salman Bashir Pakistan on April 14, 2012 formally announced the appointment of Salman Bashir as its new High Commissioner to India. Foreign office spokesman Moazzam Ahmed Khan said that the government had appointed former Pakistan foreign secretary Salman Bashir as its new envoy to India.
Two Indians Selected as Yale 2012 World Fellows Two Indians are among 16 people selected by the pre

PERSONS IN THE NEWS

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Viktor Bout Viktor Bout is a Russian arms dealer. He came into the news when he was sentenced in New York to 25 years in prison following his conviction on terrorism charges that grew from a US sting operation, that demonstrated Washington's determination to bring him to justice. Dubbed `the Merchant of Death' the former Soviet Officer was sentenced on April 5, 2012 in a federal court in

DEATHS

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

NKP Salve Former Union Minister and former BCCI President NKP Salve died on April 1, 2012 in Delhi. He was 90.

Salve was a Chartered Accountant by profession and film actor Dilip Kumar was one of his clients.

Born in Chhindwara in Madhya Pradesh, Salve was associated with cricket administration for several years and had brought the cricket World Cup to the Indian sub continent in

AWARDS AND HONOURS

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Pulitzer Prizes 2012 Presented The prestigious Pulitzer Prizes in the field of journalism were presented on April 16, 2012. There were 21 prizes awarded in three categories. Each prize was accompanied by a payment of $ 10,000. The winners list is listed ahead : Journalism Public Service--The Philadelphia Inquirer ``for its exploration of pervasive violence in the city's schools."

REPORT/SURVEY/STUDY/ RESEARCH

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Reporter's Job Fifth Worst, Software Engineer's Best A reporter's job figures among the ten worst professions, along side the like of butchers, waiters and dishwashers, as per a new study by the US-based consultancy Career Cast, which has named a software engineer's occupation as the best for the year 2012.

The annual study has ranked a total of 200 jobs from best to worst on the basis

PLACES IN THE NEWS

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Rampura Bhatiyan Rampura Bhatiyan village near Jodhpur came into news when Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma and Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot in April 2012 dedicated the first spice park in this village, built at a cost of 27 crore, to the nation.

The spice park, which is the second such park in the country, has been constructed in Rampura Bhatiyan village in Mathania

WILDLIFE

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Assam Rhino Population Crosses 2,500 Mark Poachers may have been on the prowl and killing a number of rhinos, especially at Kaziranga National Park in upper Assam. However, the population of one-horned rhinoceros has shot up in the state very encouragingly, with the just concluded census putting it at 2,500, over 300 more than what it was three years ago.

In Kaziranga, which has the hig

ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Scrap 34 Dams on Ganga : Green Panel [The panel says project will cause irreparable harm to Uttarakhand's biodiversity] A report commissioned by the government has recommended that 34 dams on the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi rivers--the two main tributaries of the Ganga-should not be allowed to come up as they will cause irrevocable harm to biodiversity in Uttarakhand.

Prepared by the Wildl

RESIGNATION

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Ex-CM Mayawati Quits Uttar Pradesh Council Former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati, who has been elected to the Rajya Sabha, has resigned from the membership of the state Legislative Council. She said that her party men had asked her to increase the party's support base all over.
Bangladesh Minister Resigns over Cash Scam Bangladesh's embattled Railway Minister Suranjit Sengupta on

EMPLOYMENT AND CAREER NEWS

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Recruitment in Indo Tibetan Border Police Force for Sportspersons as Constables/GD Last Date (Receipt of Application Forms)--May 12, 2012.

Total Vacancies--418.

Educational Qualifications-Minimum Matriculation.

Selection Procedure--Verification of testimonials followed by Physical Standard Test will be held for the selection of candidates.

How to Apply--As

FORTHCOMING COMPETITIVE EXAMS., 2012

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Madhya Bihar Gramin Bank Officers Scale I, II and III Exam. (May 13) C.B.S.E. All India Pre-Medical and Pre-Dental (Main) Exam., 2012 (May 13) Common Law Admission Test (CLAT), 2012 (May 13) Punjab Gramin Bank Officer Middle Management Scale (I, II & III) Exam. (May 13) U.P. Civil Judge Preliminary Exam., 2012 (May 13) EPFO Social Security A

UTTAR PRADESH

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Mata Prasad Pandey Unanimously Elected Speaker of the Assembly Samajwadi Party MLA Mata Prasad Pandey was unanimously elected Speaker of the 16th Uttar Pradesh Assembly on April 13, 2012. Pandey was elected to serve as Speaker for the second time. He first held the post when Mulayam Singh headed the SP govern- Mata Prasad ment from 2003 to 2007. Pandey : Newly Pand

TENNIS

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Paes and Stepanek Claim Miami Masters Doubles Title Seventh seeded Indo-Czech pair of Leander Paes and Radak Stepanek claimed the doubles title of Miami Masters on March 31, 2012. It was his 50th doubles career title. The duo of Radak and Paes beat pair of Bryan.

Max Mirnyi and Canada's Daniel Nestor. The duo had also defeated world's number one pair of America's Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan

FOOTBALL

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Van Persie Picks Double Player of the Year Award Arsenal striker Robin Van Persie was named the Player of the Year by England's Professional Footballers Association (PFA) on April 22, 2012.
The 28-year-old Dutch international has scored 27 Premier League goals so far this season--his best return for the north London Club. Two days after being honoured with the PFA Player of the Year Pri

HOCKEY

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Former Captain Ajit Pal Singh is India's Chef-de-Mission for the London Olympics 2012 Three-time Olympian and former Captain of the Indian hockey team Ajit Pal Singh became the first sportsperson to be named India's Chefde-Mission for London Olympic Games 2012 by Indian Olympic Association (IOA). The seven-member committee, which was formed to appoint the Chef-

BADMINTON

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Saina Loses in Asian Badminton Championship India's Saina Nehwal lost to Chinese Youngster Xiao Jia Chen in the second round of Asian Badminton Championship in Qingdao (China) on April 20, 2012. It may be added here that China had defeated Kaori Imabeppu of Japan in the first set. Chen is ranked 40th in the international ranking. Along with Saina the rest of the Indian squad, including t

` GOLF

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Watson Wins Augusta Masters in Playoff Bubba Watson has become only the third left-hander to win the Augusta Masters with an emotional playoff victory over Louis Oosthuizen at Augusta National on April 8, 2012.

The American clinched his first major title with a two-putt par on the second extra hole, the par-four 10th, where South African Oosthuizen bogeyed after ending up just short of

GRAND PRIX

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Nico Rosberg Clinches Chinese Grand Prix Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg (Germany) won the Chinese Grand Prix on April 15, 2012 in Shangai. If was his first career Formula One Victory. In this race Roseberg also captured his first pole on April 14, 2012 and finished second of Jenson Button of McLaren. Lewis Hamilton of McLaren came third followed by the Red Bull duo of Mark and Sebastian Vett

National

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

The winner of International Indu Sharma Katha Samman 2012 is Pradeep Saurabh Noted author and journalist Pradeep Saurabh has been honoured with International Indu Sharma Katha Samman 2012 for his novel Teesri Taali--a unique novel which deals with the life of eunuchs. Pradeep Saurabh is political editor of a daily newspaper The Sea Express.

The bi-annual coastal security exercise recently conduc

International

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

The winner of Chinese Grand Prix this year is Nico Rosberg Mercedes driver Nico Roseberg of Germany won the Chinese Grand Prix (formula one race) on April 15, 2012 in Shanghai. It was Mercedes' first Formula One Victory since the 1955 Italian Grand Prix. Jenson Button finished second in the race.

A powerful earthquake recently hit

CIVIL SERVICES (Mains) EXAMINATION, 2011 : RESULT

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

The final result of Civil Services Examination 2011 based on the results of the written part of Civil Services (Mains) Examination, 2011, held in October-November, 2011 and the interviews for Personality Test held in March-April, 2012 has been declared by Union Public Service Commission on May 4, 2012.

A total of 910 candidates have been recommended for appointment for the posts of IAS, IF

RBI's Policy Highlights

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

(A) Monetary Measures Repo rate cut by 50 bps to 8%.

Reverse repo rate automatically down to 7%.

MSF borrowing cap raised to 2% from 1% of bank's net demand and time liabilities.

CRR kept unchanged at 4·75%.

Bank rate cut by 0·5% to 9·0%.
(B) Growth Projections FY13 GDP growth projected at 7·3%.

Non food credit growth for FY13 projected at 17%.

Deposit growth proje

Third Advance Estimates of Foodgrain Production 2011-12 Released

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

The Ministry of Agriculture on April 23, 2012 released the third advance estimates of crop production for 2011-12. As per the latest estimates, foodgrain production is estimated to be 252·56 million tonnes during 2011-12 compared to 244·78 million tonnes in the previous year.
Total production of rice is estimated at 103·41 million tonnes which is an all time record. Production of wheat, estimat

Scaling Down Growth Heavily in January 2012

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

January 2012 IIP data saw a major downward revision--from 6·8% to 1·1%. Consumer non-durables saw a downward correction of 31·07 percentage points from 42·1% earlier to 11·03% now, followed by manufacturing, which was revised to 1·39% from 8·50% earlier.

Big Bailout for Air India

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

` 30,231 crore total govt. infusion.

` 18,929 crore to come as equity for already guaranteed aircraft loans till 2020-21.

` 6,750 crore upfront equity support (of this, ` 1,200 crore already infused in 2011-12, ` 4,000 crore infusion announced in Budget; the rest to be announced in supplementary Budget) ` 4,552 crore Equity for cash deficit support till 2020-21; the equity infusion will be

Govt. Approves Air India's Turnaround Plan

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved an infusion of ` 30,231 crore in Air India till 2020-21 as part of its turnaround plan. The government has already infused equity of ` 3,200 crore in the last two financial years.

The government also approved the restructuring of the airline's debt of ` 18,000 crore, the formation of two subsidiaries for groundhandling and engine

ADB Estimates 7.0% GDP Growth in India for 2012-13

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

As against the projection of GDP growth of Indian economy for 201213 at 7·6 per cent in Union Budget 2012-13, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has pegged this growth rate only at 7·0 per cent, slightly above the estimated 6·9 per cent in the year 2011-12 and only 0·3 per cent higher

States : Debt-Gross States Domestic Product

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

The overall debt-GSDP ratio of states rose from 25·5 in 2009-10 to 23·5 in 2010-11, notwithstanding the large market borrowing programme in 2009-10, which moderated further in 2010-11 in an environment of increasing inflationary pressures and tight liquidity conditions

IMF Modifies Growth Forecasts

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

While International Monetary Fund has raised its forecasts for economic growth in 2012 for most of the economies in the world, it cut India's economic growth projection marginally to 6·9% in 2012 from its January 2012 estimate of 7·0%, along with countries like Spain and some in sub-sharan Africa.

Growth Forecasts 2012 (in %)

Gross Fiscal Deficit of States Stood 2.2% of GDP in 2010-11

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

As a proportion of GDP total receipts of the state government were more or less stable or higher even in the fiscal expansion years of 2008-09 and 2009-10. In 2010-11 there has been an increase in receipts driven by higher tax devolution as well as growth in own state revenues. The disbursement of the states also exhibit a similar trait and the budget estimates for 2011-12 indicated a revenue surp

Zero Import Duty on Sugar Extended Till June 2012

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

The Ministry of Finance has extended the zero import duty on sugar for another three months till June end 2012. The zero import duty regime was to conclude on March 30, 2012. It may be recalled that zero import duty on sugar was implemented in 2010, despite a recommendation to rationalise the duty structure in the range of 1520 per cent, as with other agricultural commodities.

According to

News in a Nutshell

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Infrastructure Debt Fund to be Constituted--With the aim to raise funds for infrastructure sec tor in the country, four financial institutions--ICICI Bank, Bank of Baroda, Citi Financial and LIC have formed the country's first $ 2 billion (about ` 10,000 crore) Infrastructure Development Fund (IDF). The newly consti tuted fund with an equity of ` 300 crore has become opera tional s

India's External Debt Trap Some Facts : At a Glance

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

India's external debt had touched $ 335 bn. in December 2011. The share of government debt in the overall external debt has been declining over the years-from 33·3 per cent in March 2006 to 24·3 per cent in December 2011. However, nongovernment debt is on the rise.

Fourth BRICS Summit

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

--Arunoday Bajpai BRICS or Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa has emerged as a global forum of five emerging economies of world, which have potential for future economic development. South Africa was admitted to this global platform. It came into being in 2009 and was then known as BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China). These four economies are viewed as the fastest growing econo

Background of BRICS

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

The idea of BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) was for the first time mooted by Jim O' Neill, an economist of Goldman Sachs in 2001. This thesis was that these four emerging economies represent 40% of global population and produce 25% of Global GDP. Since these four economies are fastest growing economies of the world, they were projected to overtake the developed economies by the year 2050. J

India and South Korea : Deepening Strategic Partnership

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

India's cultural ambassador, Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore visited South Korea in 1929 and remarked that she has a glorious past and a bright future. He said, "In the

Personality Development Time Management : An Essential Component in Personality Development --Shweta Bhardwaj

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Introduction The influence of human personality upon the functional efficiency of an organization and its personnel has been widely recognized. The personality can also be modified to a certain extent. Accordingly, recent years have seen a variety of efforts by professionals in various fields to design courses that will help develop certain positive trends in personality. These courses are m

Inspiring Youth "The mantra of success is work hard, keep patience and have faith in your abilities."
--Dr. Vaibhav Sharma

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

`Pratiyogita Darpan' arranged an exclusive interview with Dr. Vaibhav Sharma who has been selected in U.P. PCS Exam., 2009. He has achieved 2nd rank. He deserves all admiration and our heartiest congratulations on his splendid success. This important, thought provoking and highly inspiring interview is being presented here in its original form. PD--Achieving top slot in the CS Examination is no

Bio-Data

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Name--Dr. Vaibhav Sharma Father's Name--Mr. Vinod Kumar Sharma Mother's Name--Smt. Kanta Sharma.
Educational Qualifications-10th--I.C.S.E. (1993), St. Pauls Academy, Ghaziabad.
12th--ISC, (1995), St. Pauls Academy, Ghaziabad.
B.A.--Ch. Charan Singh (1998), University Meerut.
M.A.--(2001), History JNU, New Delhi.
M.Phil--(2003), Medieval History JNU, New Delhi.
Ph.D.--(2008), Medi

Personal Qualities

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Favourite Person--My Parents and Mahatma Gandhi.
Strong Point--Hard Work and Patience.
Hobbies--Cricket Umpiring, Reading.

MY STRATEGY FOR SUCCESS

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

FOR PRELIMS General Studies requires much extensive study while optionals require both intensive and extensive studies. I devoted much time on my optional subjects since it carries more weightage then General Studies paper. I devoted two-third time of my studies on preparing optional papers and one-third on General Studies.

FOR MAINS I decided to cover the entire

List of Books

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Prelims : Optional History NCERT--Indian HistoryNCERT, Ancient Romila Thaper, D. N. Jha, IGNOU, Medieval-Satish Chandra, IGNOU, ModernBipan Chandra, IGNOU, Sumit Sarkar, B. L.
Grover.

Mains : Optional-I NCERT History--NCERT, Ancient-Romila Thaper, D. N.
JHA, IGNOU, Medieval--Satish Chandra, IGNOU, Modern-Bipan Chandra, IGNOU, Sumit Sarkar, World History

Inspiring Youth "A set goal with single minded hardwork is the secret of my success."

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

--Dr. Arashdeep Singh Topper--Indian Forest Services Exam., 2010 (2nd Rank) `Pratiyogita Darpan' arranged an exclusive interview with Dr. Arashdeep Singh who has been selected in Indian Forest Services Exam., 2010. He has achieved 2nd rank. He deserves all admiration and our heartiest congratulations on his splendid success. This important, thought provoking and highly inspiring interview is bein

Bio-Data

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Name--Dr. Arashdeep Singh Father's Name--Late Isher Singh Mother's Name--Narinder Kour Date of Birth--February 27, 1981 Educational Qualifications- B. V. Sc.--(2000-2006) SKUAST, Jammu (70%) M.V. Sc.--(2006-2008) SKUAST Jammu (84·2%) 12th--1999, Army School, Jammu Cantt (82·4%) 10th--1997, Army School Jammu Cantt (75·4%) Previous Selections--Civil Services 2009 484th Rank

Personal Qualities

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Favourite Person--My Mother.

Strong Point--Perform Under Pressure.

Weak Point--Not Disclosed.

Hobbies--Trekking and Long Driving.

MY STRATEGY FOR SUCCESS

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

FOR PRELIMS I followed a mix of analytical and factual studying with 2/3rd time for optional but this may vary depending on individual.

FOR MAINS I think an intelligent analysis of previous years' papers help us to avoid reading some topic safely plus selective approach with balance for different sections is very helpful.

FOR INTERVIEW I mostly prepared m

Inspiring Youth "Self-confidence, faith in God and a good academic record are the secrets of my success."

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

--Vishal Kumar Modi Topper--SSC Combined Graduate Level Exam., 2012 (2nd Rank) `Pratiyogita Darpan' arranged an exclusive interview with Vishal Kumar Modi who has been selected in SSC Combined Graduate Level Exam., 2012. He has achieved 2nd rank. He deserves all admiration and our heartiest congratulations on his splendid success. This important, thought provoking and highly inspi

Indian Economy Article Approaches Towards Social Sector and Agriculture During Twelfth Five Year Plan

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

--Ms. Arpita Sharma Mahatma Gandhiji had a vision that India after its independence should achieve self-sufficiency of villages in which every one would have adequate food, shelter, clothing, proper hygienic and sanitation facilities and every person willing to work and is provided gainful employment. Let not history of India record that Mahatma Gandhi brought political independence for India bu

International Diplomacy Article Israel-Iran Secret War : Middle East and US --Dr. Amresh Chandra

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

After a decade of calamitous western wars in the wider Middle East, the signs are becoming ever more ominous that we're heading for another. And, hard as it is to credit, the same discredited arguments used to justify the disasters of Iraq and Afghanistan from weapons of mass destruction to sponsorship of terrorism and fundamentalist fanatics-are now being used to make the case for an attack on Ir

Iran's Controversial Nuclear Programme : A Chronology

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

1957 : The United States signs a civil nuclear cooperation agreement with Iran.

1958 : Iran joins the International Atomic Energy Agency [IAEA].

1967 : The Tehran Nuclear Research Center, which includes a small reactor supplied by the United States, opens.

1968 : Iran signs the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Mid-1970s : With U.S. backing, Iran begins developing a nuclear power program.<

Law Article Criminalization of Politics : Urgent Needs for Speedy Disposal of Cases

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

"The question still remains : Should there not be a fast track court to try MPs facing criminal charges ?
Should Parliament's dignity not be protected ? When they tore the (Draft Lokpal) Bill inside Parliament, was that not unparliamentary ? When Sharad Pawar was slapped, Parliament debated it for two hours, but when Narendra Kumar dies, no one cares ... Targetting Team Anna is not the solution

National Movement Article Role of Socio-Religious Movements in National Awakening

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

--Dr. S. P. Kashyap The 19th Century was a century of Social and Religious reform movements. It was also a century of national awakening. The two developments were inter-related and social-religious reform movements played an important role in bringing about national awakening. These movements contributed in national awakening in two ways-directly, by propagating modern political ideas, includin

International Trade Article Dawei as the Future Dubai ? Dawei-Chennai Trade Corridor as India's New Gateway to the Southeast Asia

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

--Sourabh Jyoti Sharma Introduction India's strategic objective of establishing close connectivity with Southeast Asia via the proposed multi-billion dollar Dawei-Chennai Trade Corridor (DCTC) has received fresh impetus following Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's talks with the visiting Thai PM Yingluck Shinawatra together with Myanmar's Foreign Minister Maung Lwin in New Delhi most recently.

International Relations Article India's Look East Policy and India-ASEAN Relations

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

--Arunoday Bajpai Background The last decade of 20th century marks the end as well as the beginning of a new era in international politics. The end of cold war, the disintegration of the Soviet Union, the process of globalization, liberalization and privatization (LPG) led to the fundamental changes in the global political and economic architecture.
The end of communist economies of sov

Career Article Unlock the Mysteries of Civil Services Exam

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

--Atul Kapoor India is a young country with demographics clearly indicating that the best part of its population belongs to Gen-Y and majority of them grow up with one dream--to become IAS officer.

The general fascination with `IAS' is sometimes the main reason for choosing `Civil Services' as career option. Every aspirant expects to conquer new heights of success in Civil Services Examina

Indian Polity and Constitution

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

The Chief Election Commissioner of India holds office for a period of --Six year or till the age of 65 years whichever is earlier The Sarkaria Commission was set up for the review of the rela tion between --The Centre and States The Speaker of the Lok Sabha votes only --In case of tie Article 24 of the Constitution pro hibits employment of children in any factory below the age of --14 years Which

Indian National Movement

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Which policy of the Britishers made the annexation of Indian states compulsory if the adoption of heir had not been approved by the British Authorities ?
--Doctrine of Lapse During the freedom struggle, Aruna Asaf Ali was a major woman organiser of underground activities during --Quit India Movement (1942) Who had moved a resolution for the creation of Pakistan in

History and Culture of India

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

The first Muslim ruler of India to introduce Judicial Reforms was --Mughal Emperor Akbar The rock cut temples known as the Seven Pagodas is located at --Mahabalipuram Both Vardhman Mahavir and Gautam Buddha preached their doctrines during the reign of --Bimbisara In whose reign did Huien Tsang, a Chinese pilgrim, visit India ?
--Harshvardhan The philosophy of Upanishads emphasises --Gyan

Economic Affairs of India

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Bank Cash Transaction Tax (BCTT) was withdrawn with effect from --April 1, 2009 Which Committee recommended abolition of tax rebates under Section 88 ? --Kelkar Committee Sagarmala is a name associated with --A Project of port development Tarapore Committee submitted its report on Full Convertibility on Rupee in --Capital Account In India who is the Chairman of the National Reso

Geography (India and the World)

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

The deepest points of the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans respectively are --Milwaukee Deep, Java Trench and Challenger Deep What is the general direction of Cyclones formed in the Bay of Bengal ? --East to West No trees are found in Tundra biome near polar region of north ern hemisphere due to --Frozen ice beneath the surface oil restricts root growth Thames River flows in --Un

Science & Technology

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Venkatraman Ramakrishnan was jointly awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in the year 2009 for --Studies of the structure and function of the ribosome Solar Energy is due to --Fusion reactions India's Permanent Research Sta tion Dakshin Gangotri is located in --Antarctica In order to stay over the same spot on the earth, a geostationary satellite has to be directly above --The Equator Due to contr

Agriculture

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Which element plays an impor tant role in nitrogen metabolism?
--Molybdenum Apis florea, apis dorsata and apis cerana are the species of --Honeybee For how many years is sheep able to breed ? --10 years The major fungi that affects food grains in storage is --Mucor Topography, soil age and parent material are the natural factors which affects --Soil fertility The leaching loss of Nitrogen (N2)

Sports and Games

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

The terms Bolting, Cannon, Cue, Hazard, In-off are used in --Billiards The measurement of 1 1 2 miles (2·4 km) is associated with --Derby Course B. C. Gupta Trophy is associated with --Basketball Sabina Park (West Indies) is asso ciated with --Cricket Adidas Golden Shoe is given to The Best Player in --World Cup Football The Olympic flag was solemnly inaugurated in --Paris in June 1914 First ev

Miscellany

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Which planet has the largest number of natural satellites or moons ? --Jupiter Shompen Tribe is found in --Nicobar Islands The continents that form a mirror image of each other are --Africa and South America What is the target of the Millen nium Development Goals of the United Nations with respect to Universal Primary Education ?
--All children both boys and girls would complete a full course

SPAIN

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Official Name : Kingdom of Spain Area : 504,750 sq km (194,884 sq mi), including the Balearic and Canary Islands.
Capital : Madrid (3·3 million).
Other cities : Barcelona (1·6 million), Valencia (809,267), Seville (704,198), Malaga (568,507), Zaragoza (675,121), Bilbao (353,187).
Terrain : High plateaus, lowland areas such as narrow coastal plains, and moun tainous regions.
Climate : T

Annual Report 2010-11 Present Scenario of Research, Training Programmes, Schemes, Information and Progress in Women and Child Development Sector : In a Nutshell

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Undoubtedly ! the Ministry of Women and Child Development (Mo W&CD--Government of India-GOI) has successfully evolved policies, plans of action, legislations, programmes and several schemes for advancement of women and children with the support of State Govts./UTs Govt. and Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) for achieving its mandates, which almost came into existence as a separate Ministry w.e.f

Facts : At a Glance--Women and Child Development Related

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Ministry of Women and Child Development (GOI)-w.e.f. Jan. 30, 2006-as a separate Ministry.

ICDS (Integrated Child Develop ment Services)launched in 1975.

IGMSY (Indira Gandhi Matritva Sahyog Yojana)-Conditional Mater nity Benefit (CMB) Scheme-w.e.f.

Oct. 2010.

RGNCS (Rajiv Gandhi National Creche Scheme)w.e.f. Jan. 1, 2006.

ICPS (Integrated Child Protection Scheme)-introduced in 20

THE UNITED NATIONS HUMAN SETTLEMENTS PROGRAMME (UN-HABITAT)

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Established in -- 1978 Headquarters -- Nairobi, Kenya Member States -- 58 Member Countries (in Governing Council) Type of Organisation The United Nations Human Settlements Programme, UN-HABITAT, is the United Nations agency for human settlements. It is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns

Multiple Choice Questions

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

1. Consider the following sentences about New Remote Sensing Data Policy- 1. The policy, easing restric tions on high-resolution satellite imagery of `sensi tive areas' in the country.

2. The implementation of this policy meant that these `sensitive areas' would be blanked out or their image quality deliberately degra ded before the data was supplied to users within the country.

Which of the

Current Objective Questions

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

1. According to Economic Survey 2011-12, the share of service sector in India's GDP during 2010-11 has been estimated at- (A) 49·6% (B) 55·1% (C) 57·3% (D) 63·3% 2. According to the figure as shown in Economic Survey 2011-12, the saving--investment gap which was 2·8% in 2009-10 became/ remained- (A) 2·4% in 2010-11 (B) 2·7% in 2010-11 (C) 2·8% in 20

UGC-NET/JRF EXAMINATION, 2011 (Held in June 2011) Computer Science and Application Paper-II

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Directions--This paper contains fifty objective type questions, each question carrying two marks. Attempt all the questions.

1. Any integer composed of 3 n identical digits divisible by- (A) 2 n (B) 3 n (C) 5 n (D) 7 n 2. The circumference of the two concentric disks are divided into 100 sections each. For the outer disk, 100 of the sections are p

USEFUL MODEL PAPER FOR RAS/RTS (Pre.) EXAMINATION, 2012 Political Science

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

1. Who is known as the `Grand Old Man of India' ?
(A) Dadabhai Naoroji (B) Mahatma Gandhi (C) B. G. Tilak (D) Keshav Chandra Sen 2. The characterisation of British Rule in Pre1857 India as `destructive and regressive' was made by- (A) Raja Rammohan Roy (B) Dadabhai Naoroji (C) Karl Marx (D) Surendra Nath Banerjee 3. In which of the following sessions o

USEFUL MODEL PAPER FOR RAS/RTS (Pre.) EXAMINATION, 2012 Geography

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

1. On which of the following rivers the `Dhuandhar' waterfall is located ?
(A) Narmada (B) Tapi (C) Godavari (D) Mahanadi 2. The place `Taregana' said to be associated with astronomical laboratory of Aryabhatta is located in Bihar in the vicinity of which of the following towns ?
(A) Gaya (B) Motihari (C) Munger (D) Patna 3. Match List-I and List-

Forthcoming Civil Services (Pre.) Aptitude Test, CSAT-2012 Paper-II

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Directions--(Q. 1 to 5) Read the following passage and answer the items that follow. Your answers to these items should be based on the passage only.

PASSAGE Lizard island is only 30 km off the far north Queensland coast and 250 km north of Cairns, the most northerly city in Northeastern Australia. The 1,012 hectare island is spectacularly rugged with vegetation ranging from g

UGC-NET/JRF EXAMINATION, 2011 (Held in June 2011) Teaching and Research Aptitude Paper-I

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

1. A research paper is a brief report of research work based on- (A) Primary Data only (B) Secondary Data only (C) Both Primary and Secon dary Data (D) None of the above 2. Newton gave three basic laws of motion. This research is cate gorized as- (A) Descriptive Research (B) Sample Survey (C) Fundamental Research (D) Applied Research 3. A g

UTTARANCHAL GRAMIN BANK OFFICERS EXAM., 2012 (Held on 19-2-2012) General Knowledge (Based on Memory)

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

1. As per Educational Development Index prepared by the Govt., which one of the following States is at the top in elementary education ?
(A) Punjab (B) Tamil Nadu (C) Kerala (D) Haryana (E) None of these 2. Which one of the following coun tries has suffered the most due to percentage change in currency value against $ since August 2011 ?
(A) China

RESERVE BANK OF INDIA (Grade-B) EXAM., 2011 (Held on 18-12-2011) General Awareness (Based on Memory)

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

1. Some time we see a reference of `Least Developed Country' in the economic journals/papers etc.

Which among the following is one of the parameters on the basis of which a country in economic parlance, is labelled `Least Developed' ?
(A) Frequent changes in mone tary/fiscal policies (B) No change in the Govern ment in last ten years as general elections did n

UTTARAKHAND P.C.S. (J) EXAM., 2011 (Held on 21-8-2011) General Knowledge and Law

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

PART-I General Knowledge 1. Constitutional Status to Pan chayati Raj System was given by- (A) 24th Amendment (B) 25th Amendment (C) 42nd Amendment (D) 73rd Amendment 2. National and State Disaster Management Authority is consti tuted under- (A) Cabinet Decision (B) Planning Commission Deci sion (C) Disaster Management Act, 2005 (D) Natural Calamities Manage

ARYAVARTA GRAMIN BANK OFFICERS EXAM., 2011 (Held on 13-11-2011) Reasoning (Based on Memory)

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Directions--(Q. 15) Four of the following five are alike in a certain way and so form a group. Which is the one that does not belong to that group ?
1. (A) Doubtful (B) Spacious (C) Confusing (D) Uncertain (E) Ambiguous 2. (A) Happy (B) Elated (C) Moved (D) Joyful (E) Excited 3. (A) America (B) Europe (C) London

BOOKS AND AUTHORS

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

1. The Coalition of Competitors --by Kiran Karnik Collins Business 2. Zona --by Geoff Dyer Conongate 3. Heaven on Earth : A Journey Through Sharia Law --by Sadakat Kadri The Body Head, London 4. A Dark Anatomy --by Robin Black Macmillan, London 5. Pariah --by David Jackson, a British, novelist Pan Macmill

IMPORTANT DAYS

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

National Days June 29 National Statistic Day International Days June 5 World Environment Day June 12 Child Labour Prohibi tion Day June 14 World Blood Donor Day June 21 World Music Day P.Darpan

JHARKHAND GRAMIN BANK OFFICERS EXAM., 2012 (Held on 19-2-2012) Numerical Ability (Based on Memory)

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Directions--(Q. 15) What will come in place of question-mark (?) in the following questions ?
1. (0·17 × 10) 5 ÷ (2·89) 5 × (4·913)7 = (1·7)? + 15 (A) 5 (B) 2 (C) 6 (D) 1 (E) None of these 2. (1·6)2 × 5 + 1·6 × (8)3 103 = (?)3 (A) 3 (B) 81 (C) 9 (D) 27 (E) None of these 3. 36·7% of 1760 22·2% of

Essay Contest What Electoral Reforms are Due in India ?

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

--Neha Jindal One of the most important features of a democratic polity is elections at regular intervals. Elections constitute the signpost of demo cracy. These are the mediums through which the attitudes, values and beliefs of the people towards their political environmental are reflected. Elections grant people a government and the government has constitutional right to govern those who el

MARKETING APTITUDE SPECIAL

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

1. `Definitely Male' this adver tisement line is for which Motor Cycle ?
(A) Hero Honda (B) TVS (C) Bajaj (D) LML 2. Delivery channels other than Bank counters are- (A) ATM's (B) Internet Banking (C) Tele Banking (D) All of these 3. Marketing is best suited in- (A) Buyers' market (B) Sellers' market (C) Internal marketing (D) Direct marketing 4. Custome

Rules and Regulations

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

All students or those appearing in competitive examinations can take part in this contest.

Candidates taking part in quiz contest will necessarily have to send their entries by a fixed date. Entries are to be sent by ordinary post. Please mark your envelope 'QuizPratiyogita Darpan' on the top left hand side.

Answers given only on the Entry Form of the magazine will be admissible.

In the fo

Mental Exercise

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

1. Which of the following is not correctly matched ?
(A) Prime Meridian--0° (B) International Date Line -- 180° (C) Arctic Circle--66 1/2° N (D) Tropic of Cancer--23 1/2° S 2. The natural dye present in tur meric is known as- (A) Cinnamin (B) Phenolphthalein (C) Methyl Orange (D) Curcumin 3. Which of the following is not an enzyme ?

PratiyogitaDarpan

To Our Readers

Learn to Live With Those Who do not Agree with you

Govt. Lifts Ban, Allows Pakistanis to Invest in Indian Companies

50 Weeks to Bonhomie

Pak Honcho Lauds Aman ki Asha Project

Cabinet Approves a New Procurement Policy

Cabinet Okays Registration of Religion Neutral Marriages Plan

Apex Court Upholds Seats for Poor under RTE

NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR WOMEN PROMOTES

Prevalent Misconceptions About Sexual Harassment

Positive Impact of Zardari's Visit on Indo-Pak Ties

Sri Lanka Hits Back at India's UN Vote

Govt. Panel Bats for would be Mothers

Make Mothers First Guardians : Panel

The Times of India View

UN Chief Visits India

India, Qatar Sign Pact to Boost Oil and Gas Cooperation

India Successfully Test-fires Nuclear Capable Agni-V

PSLV C-19 Puts RISAT-1 in Orbit

News in a Nutshell

Pakistan Rapidly Developing its Nuke Arsenal : Report

Massive Quake in Indonesia [Measures 8.5 on Richter Scale]

Ten Strongest Earthquakes Recorded Since 1900

US will Accept Iran's Civilian N-Programme

Presidential poll in Rebel south ossetia, former KGB Agent Wins the Race

US Signs Deal with Afghanistan on Night Raids

Chinese Diplomacy in the Caribbean to Woo the Regional Nations

Pak Parliament Approves New Proposals On US Ties

India, Russia, China Unite on North Korea

ANDHRA PRADESH

KERALA

RAJASTHAN

NEW DELHI

SIKKIM

APPOINTMENTS/ELECTION

PERSONS IN THE NEWS

DEATHS

AWARDS AND HONOURS

REPORT/SURVEY/STUDY/ RESEARCH

PLACES IN THE NEWS

WILDLIFE

ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS

RESIGNATION

EMPLOYMENT AND CAREER NEWS

FORTHCOMING COMPETITIVE EXAMS., 2012

UTTAR PRADESH

TENNIS

FOOTBALL

HOCKEY

BADMINTON

` GOLF

GRAND PRIX

National

International

CIVIL SERVICES (Mains) EXAMINATION, 2011 : RESULT

RBI's Policy Highlights

Third Advance Estimates of Foodgrain Production 2011-12 Released

Scaling Down Growth Heavily in January 2012

Big Bailout for Air India

Govt. Approves Air India's Turnaround Plan

ADB Estimates 7.0% GDP Growth in India for 2012-13

States : Debt-Gross States Domestic Product

IMF Modifies Growth Forecasts

Gross Fiscal Deficit of States Stood 2.2% of GDP in 2010-11

Zero Import Duty on Sugar Extended Till June 2012

News in a Nutshell

India's External Debt Trap Some Facts : At a Glance

Fourth BRICS Summit

Background of BRICS

India and South Korea : Deepening Strategic Partnership

Personality Development Time Management : An Essential Component in Personality Development --Shweta Bhardwaj

Inspiring Youth "The mantra of success is work hard, keep patience and have faith in your abilities." --Dr. Vaibhav Sharma

Bio-Data

Personal Qualities

MY STRATEGY FOR SUCCESS

List of Books

Inspiring Youth "A set goal with single minded hardwork is the secret of my success."

Bio-Data

Personal Qualities

Inspiring Youth "The mantra of success is work hard, keep patience and have faith in your abilities."
--Dr. Vaibhav Sharma