General

general Studies basics Trust me.. It'll help you...Pages Home

Monday, 14 May 2012Indian Polity

INDIAN POLITYIntroductionConstitution ----- Set of rules and regulationsBasic Law of the Land All laws are made under the boundaries or limits of the constitution. GOVERNMENT1. Legislature 2. Executive 3. Judicairy1. LegislatureLegislature is of two types.A. Central Legislature or Parliament B. State LegislaturePARLIAMENT1. Loksabha or Lower House or House of peoples representatives* LS consists of 552 members.* Not more than 230 from states* Not more than 20 from UTs* Not more than 2 from Anglo-Indian community----------------Present strength of LS is 545 = 543+ 2---------------STATE LEGISLATURE2. Rajya Sabha or Upper House or Council of states.Not more than 250Not more than 238 electedNot more than 12 nominated (Literature, Science, Arts, Social service)********* No reservation except for SC and ST ************EXECUTIVEPresident ----- PM ----- Council of MinistersJUDICIARYSC ----- HC ------ DISTRICT COURTSTHE CONSTITUTIONThe constitution of India was drawn up by a constituent assembly.

Constituent Assembly was set up in accordance with the cabinet mission plan.Constitution was first summoned on Dec 9, 1946. Sachidananda Sinha was the first president.July 1, 1947 Indian Independence Act was passed to divide into India and Pakistan.East Bengal, West Punjab, Sind, Baluchistan, N-w frontier provience and Sylhet district of Assam joined Pakistan and the representatives of these areas ceased to be the members of Constituent assembly.August 14, 1947 Constituent assembly met as Sovereign constituent assembly ----------- President ------- Sachidananda Sinha.Later Dr. Rajendra Prasad became the president of the Constituent assembly.August 15, 1947 ------- India attained independence.DRAFT CONSTITUTIONObjectives resolutions was moved by Jawaharlal Nehru and adopted onJanuary 22, 1947.Drafting committee Chairman was Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. Draft constitution was published in February, 1948. Total members ---- 299284/299 appended their signature and finally adopted on November 26,1949.Came into force on January 26, 1950.-----------------------------------------------Indian constitution closely follows British constitution with a difference. India ---------------- Constitution is supremeUK ---------------- Parliament is SupremeCONSTITUTION CONSISTS1. Preamble2. Parts 1 to XXII covering articles 1 3953. Schedules 1 to 124. An appendixIndian Parliament makes 60 laws per year average105 laws are made in the year 1956Preamble was the lost to be adopted. PREAMBLE:WE, THE PEOPLE OF INDIA, having solemnly resolved to constituteIndia into aSOVEREIGN SOCIALIST SECULAR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC and to secure to all its citizensJUSTICE social, economic and political;LIBERTY of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship:EQUALITY of status and of opportunity: and to promote among them allFRATERNITY assuring the dignity of the individual and unity and integrity of the Nation;IN OUR CONSTITUTENT ASSEMBLY this twenty-sixth day of November, 1949, do HEREBY ADOPT, ENACT AND GIVE TO OURSELVES THIS CONSTITUTION.The preamble to a written constitution states the objects which the constitution seeks to establish and promote and also aids the legal interpretation of the constitution where the language found to be ambiguous.Preamble indicates the source from which the constitution derives the power. Objects seek to establish and promote.We the people of India adopt , enact and give to ourselves.declares the sovereignty.********Sovereignty means independent authority of a state. ***********means power to legislate on any subject, not subject to any external control.Republic means by the people for the people. President is the Head of the state and office of the president is open to all the citizens.---- Preamble was amended in the year 1976 through 42nd amendmentSocialist Secular were added-- Initially 395 Articles and 8 schedules- Now 451 Articles and 12 schedules.FEATURES OF THE CONSTITUTION:1. Written 2. Rigid and Flexible 3. Single Citizenship 4. Detailed 5. Parliamentary form of government 6. Union of states 7. Federation with strong centre 8. Bicameral Legislature 9. Secular state 10 Adult franchise.SOURCES:1. GOI INDIA ACT: 1935 a. Federal structureb. Office of Governor (Discretionary and emergency powers)c. Bicameral Legislature2. British Constitution:a. Parliamentary form of Government b. Principle of rule of law3. USAa. Fundamental Rights b. Judicial reviewc. Removal of Judgesd. Independent Judiciary4. CANADAa. Federal setup with strong centre b. Residuary powers with centre5. Irelanda. DPSPb. Election of the Presidentc. Nominating members to RS6. USSRa. Fundamental Dutiesb. Five year plans (so far 11 plans, present 11 plan (2007-12))7. AUSTRALIAa. Concurrent list8. WEIRMAN (GERMANY)a. Suspension of Fundamental rights during emergency9. Japana. Supreme court functions10.SOUTH AFRICAa. Constitutional amendments (Art : 368)

=================================================UNION AND TERRITORIES (PART I (Art 1- 4))Art . 1 ------ India that is Bharat shall be a union of states.UTs and other territories as may be acquired by India.1962 Legislatures for Pondicherry (Art 239A), Delhi (Art 239AA)

Any territory may be acquired by India by purchase, treaty, cession, conquest. Pondichhery (karaikal, Mahe and Yanam ) ceded to India by France in1954 ------ It was an acquired territory until 1962. UT in Dec, 1962. SIKKIM ---- After Independence public opinion to merge with India Treaty between India and Sikkim for Defence, External affairs and communication 1974 Sikkim assembly passed Govt of Sikkim act . 35th amendmentArt :2. Admits new states 36th amendment ((Sikkim became Indiam state)371F --- special status to sikkimArt . 3: Form a new state by separation from any state or by uniting 2 or more states or parts of states or uniting any territory to a part of India. Increase the area of any state Decrease the area of any state Alter the boundaries Alter the name of any state

Art 4:

Special formality is not required as per Art 368 for creating a state(Flexibility)

Simple Majority -------- LS -------545/2+1 = 274-------- RS ------ 250/2+1 = 126Special Majority ----- 2/3rd majority in each house.

No bill for the purpose of creation of state can be introduced except on the recommendation of the President.

President shall refer the bill to the concerned state --- specifies the periodPresident is not bound by the view.EX:1. Assam act . 1951 altered the boundaries of Assam by ceding a strip of territory from India to Bhutan.2. Andhra state from Madras 19533. HP and Bilaspur merged in 19544. Bihar and WB 19565. SRA :19566. 1960 Bombay into GUJARAT and MAHARASTRA7. HP upgraded to the status of a state -- 19708. Mizoram --- UT to state 19869. Arunachal Pradesh UT to state 198610. GOA UT to state 198711.CHATTIGARH from MP 200012.Uttanchal from UP 2000 -- 2007 name changed to UTTARKHAND13.Jharkhand from Bihar 2000UTS 1. Andaman and Nicobar Port blair2. Chandigarh --- Chandigarh3. Delhi Delhi4. Dadra and Nagar Haveli Silvassa5. Daman and Diu - Diu6. Lakshwadeep Kavaratti7. Pondicherry Pondicherry

PART III (12-35) (FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS)US - Bill of rights

UK Not mentioned in the constitution. UK parliament omnipotent.US Judicial supremacyUk Parliament supremacyFundamental Rights:

1. Right to equality (14-18)2. Right to particular freedom (19-22)3. Right against exploitation (23-24)4. Right to freedom of religion (25-28)5. Cultural and educational rights (29-30)6. Right to property (31) ceased to be a FR by the 44th amendment. 19747. Right to constitutional remediesSome of the FRs are granted only to the citizens.1. 15 Protection from discrimination on grounds only of religion, race , caste, sex or place of birth2. 16- Equality of opportunity in matters of public employment3. 19 Freedoms of apeech, assembly. Association, movement, residence and profession.4. 30 Cultural and educational rights of minoritiesSome FRs available to citizens and foreigners

1. *********************

Art 12 : State includes legislative , executive bodies of central and states , but also local bodies (municipal authorities).

Art 14: The state shall not deny to any person equality before law and equal protection of the laws within the territory of India.

Equality before law : Absence of any special previlage by reason of birth, creed or the like in favour any indivisual. Everybody is equal before law (PM to peon).

Equal protection of the laws: Equality of treatment in equal circumstances. Among equals the law should be equal and equally administered.

Exceptions:The President or the Governor shall not be answerable to any court for the exercise of their powers.

No criminal proceeding shall be instituted or continued against them during the term of office.

Civil cases 2 months notice.Art 15 : Available only yo citizens and it prohibits discrimination against any citizen in any matter at the disposal of the state on any of the specified grounds namely religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth.

Art 16 : Also confined to citizens , restricted to one aspect of public discrimination, ie employment under state. (Equality of opportunity in case of public employment)

Art 17 : Abolition of Untouchability.

Art 18 : Abolition of Titles.: This ban is against state only and not againstUniversities.

State can award military or academic awards. Art 19:1. Freedom of speech and expression2. Assemble peacefully without arms.3. To form association and Unions4. To move freely throughout the territory of the country5. To reside and settle in any part of the country6. To practice any profession, or to carry on any occupation

(ALL THE FREEDOMS ARE WITH REASONABLE RESTRICTIONS) Art 20 : Protection in respect of conviction of offences.1. Expost facto legislation: Only according to the law in force at that time.2. Double jeopardy or punishment for the same offence more than once.3. Compulsion to give self-incriminating evidence.

Art 21: No person can be deprived of his liberty except according to law.

Art 22 : Specific safeguards against arbitrary arrest or detention. (Preventive detention)

Art 23 : traffic in human beings and beggar and similar forms of forced labour are prohibited and any contravention of this provision shall be an offence punishable in accordance with law.

Art 24 : Prohibition of employment of children in factories

Art 25 -28: Freedom of conscience and free profession, practice and propagation of religion.

Secular state : An attitude of neutrality and impartiality towards all religions.No state religion.

State will not compel any person to pay taxes for any religious institution. Persons cannot be compelled to receive religious education.

Art 29 : The state shall not impose upon any culture other than the communities own culture.

Art 30 : Educational institutions of their choice can be established. Art -32: Constitutional remedies for the enforcement of FRs.SC 32HC 226Art 32 : Is the heart and soul of the constitution B. R . Ambedkar. HABEAS CORPUS: To have a body An order calling upon a person who has detained another to produce before court to know why he was confined. It can be addressed to any person official or a private person.

MANDAMUS: To command or order. It demands some activity to whom it is addressed. Can also be against lower courts. Against officials only and not against private persons. Not against President or Governor

PROHIBITION: Issued by SC or HC to inferior courts only. For lack of jurisdiction Issued only against courts only Mandamus commands activity and prohibition inactivity

CERTIORARI: Available at a later stage Only after the order is made.

Quo warranto : Court enquires into the legality of the claim which a party asserts to a public office. Office must be public. Unlawful claimant does not usurp a public office.

During emergency:

Art : 19 is the first one to be suspended first.

Remaining may be suspended by the President later by an order. Art 21, 22 can not be suspended at any time (44th amendement)***************Art 36-51 (DPSP) Part IV

Guide lines to the Government.These are not enforceable, courts cannot interfere.

To provide adequate means of livelihood. To prevent concentration of health Equal pay for equal work Right to work Establishment of Village panchayats (Art 40) Promote cottage industries Prohibition of intoxicating drugs and drinks Prevention of slaughter of cows. Uniform civil code (Art 44) Separation of Judiciary from executive (Art 50) Protecting monuments

FUNDAMENTAL DUTIES: (PART IV A) (51 A)

10 FDs Incorporated in Art 51 A thru 42nd amendment, 1976 Borrowed from USSR1. To abide by the constitution and respect the National Flag and NationalAnthem.2. To cherish and follow the noble ideals which inspired our national struggle for freedom.3. To protect the sovereignty, unity and integrity4. To defend the country5. To promote the spirit of common brotherhood amongst all the people ofIndia.6. To preserve the rich heritage of our composite culture.7. To protect and improve the natural environment.8. To develop the scientific temper and spirit of enquiry9. To safeguard the public property10. To strive towards the excellence in all spheres of individual and collective activity.***** No provision of the direct enforcement. RIGHT TO EDUCATION:

86 amendment, 2002 Art 21(A)

Right to information:2005, for more transparencyBut not from IB, RAW, BSF, cabinet papers

BUDGET IN PARLIAMENT

Budget Annual Financial Statement Art 112

Budget is an anticipated Income and expenditure for the forthcoming financial year

Financial Year ? GOI has 2 budgets1. Railway Budget2. General Budget

The RB was separated fron GB in the year 1921 on the recommendation of Acworth committee report.

PROVISIONS IN THE CONSTITUTION

1. The President shall in respect of every financial year cause to be laid before both the houses of the parliament a statement of estimated receipts and expenditure of the GOI for that year.2. No demand for a grant shall be made except on the recommendation of thePresident.3. No money shall be withdrawn from the CFI except on the recommendation of thePresident.4. No money bill imposing tax shall be introduced except on the recommendation of the President.5. No tax shall be levied or collected except by authority of law.6. Parliament can reduce or abolish a tax but cannot increase a tax.

1. Money bill or Finance bill cannot be introduced in the Rajya sabha.2. The RS has no power to vote on the demand for grants.3. The RS should return the Money bill or Finance bill to the LS within 14 days.The LS can accept or reject the recommendations of RS

CHARGED EXPENDITURE

1. It is non votable by the Parliament.2. It is only discussed by the Parliament.

Amoluments and allowances of the President, Chairman and Deputy chairman of RS, Speaker and Deputy speaker of LS, Judges of SC and HC, CAG, UPSC.Stages in Enactment of the Budget

1. Presentation of the budget2. General discussion3. Voting on demand for grants4. Passing of appropriation bill5. Passing of finance bill

PRESENTATIONRB precedes GBRB Railway Minister ( 3rd week of February)GB Finance Minister (Last working day of February) Later presented to the RS by MOS.GENERAL DISCUSSION

1. Takes place in both the Houses.2. Discussed in total3. 3 to 4 days taken4. Finance Minister has to reply.

VOTING ON DEMAND FOR GRANTS

1. Demands presented ministry wise.2. A demand becomes grant after it has been duly voted.3. GB 109 demands, 103 civil and 6 defence dedmands4. RB 32 demands5. Each demand is voted separately.6. 26 days are allotted for this

DURING THIS STAGE CUT MOTIONS ARE INTRODUCED

1. POLICY CUT: It represents the disapproval of the policy. The amount of the demand is reduced to Rs. 1.

2. ECONOMY CUT MOTIONStates that the amount of the demand be reduced by a specified amount

3. Token cut MOTIONAmount of the demand is reduced by Rs. 100

CLOSURE and GUILLOTINE

PASSING OF APPROPRIATION OF BILL

Money is required to meet1. The grants voted by the LS2. The expenditure charged on the CFI

VOTE ON ACCOUNTAdvance in respect to the estimated expenditure for a part of the financial year pending the completion of the voting of the demands for grants and the enactment of the appropriation bill.

It is passed after the General discussion of the Budget is over.1/6th of the advance is granted.

PASSING OF THE FINANCE BILL

All conditions applicable like appropriation bill. Must be enacted with in 75 days.

SUPPLEMENTARY GRANTS: IF INSUFFICIENT ADDITIONAL GRANTS: NEW SERVICEEXCESS GRANT : If spent in excess, granted by the parliament after the financial year.

Vote of Credit : Blank chequeExceptional Grant : Special purpose and forms no part of financial year. Token Grant: Rs 1 only. Reappropriation from one head to the otherCONSOLIDATED FUND OF INDIA (266)

To which all funds are credited and payments are debited.

->PUBLIC ACCOUNT OF INDIA (266(1))

PF deposits, Judicial deposits, savings bank deposits, departmental deposits. CONTIGENCY FUND OF INDIA. (267)1. Placed at the disposal of the President.2. Makes advances for unforeseen expenditure.

COMMITTIES IN PARLIAMENT.

1. PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE: Set up in 1921 22 Members - 15 LS and 7 RS Elected every year by proportional representation The term of every member is 1 year Minister cannot be the Member Chairman is appointed by the Speaker 1967 opposition party member is the chairman

It examines the audit report of CAG

2. ESTIMATES COMMITTEE:a. Set up in 1950 b. Strength 30c. All from LSd. Membership 1 yeare. Minister cannot be the memberf. Chairman is appointed by the speaker from ruling party g. Examines the estimates of the budget

3. COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC UNDERTAKINGSa. set up in 1964 recommende by Krishanamenon committee b. 22 15 LS and 7 RSc. Term 1 yeard. Chairman appointed by the speaker.e. Examine the reports and accounts of Public undertakings.

UPSC. (Part XIV - 315- 323)

It is the Central recruiting agency in India. COMPOSITION:

Chairman and other members appointed by the President.Strength is left to the discretion of the President. Usually 9 11 members.No qualification is mentioned, except that atleast half the members should be such persons who have held office for atleast 10 years either under GOIor GOS.Conditions of service are determined by the President from time to time. Tenure: 6 yrs or 65yrs of age.Resignation submitted to the President.

REMOVAL: If he is adjusted insolvent (Bankrupt) If engages in paid employment outside office Infirmity of body or mind (in the view of the President) Misbehaviour . (In this case it is referred to the SC.Recommendation of the SC is binding on the President) The Chairman is not entitled to any office after the retirement.A member can become Chairman of UPSC or any SPSC.Not eligible for reappointlemt.

FUNCTIONS:Conducts examination for AIS , Central and UTsAssists states if requested by 2 or more states.On the request of Governor with the permission of the President it serves the needs of the state.

UPSC presents annual report to the President. President places the same before the parliament.Rejection must be approved by the Appointments committee of cabinet. Individual ministries have no power to reject the advice.

Role of UPSC is that of a watch dog of merit system.Concerned with Gr-A and B services where the salary is Min 10,500/-

SSC:

SSC set up in the year 1975 by an executive resolution. Chairman and 2 other members .Term is 5 years or 62 yrs of age.Appointed by the Central Governmment.Conducts exam for all Gr- B where the salary is less than 10,500/- and allGr-C exams.

SPSC:

Same articles like UPSC.

Chairman and other members are appointed by the Governor. Strength decided by the Governor.No qualifications.Half members must be with 10 years of experience under GOI or GOS.

Term: 6 years or 65 years of age. Resignation: to the Governor.Removal : Only by the President and not by the Governor.President can remove them just like UPSC members.On the grounds of misbehaviour President can refer the case to SC. During enquiry Governor can suspend the concerned person.

Chairman is eligible for appointment as the member or Chairman of UPSCor as the chairman of other SPSC.Member is eligible for Chairman or member of UPSC or Chairman of sameSPSC or any other SPSC.Not eligible for the second term.

JPSC:

For 2 or more states.JPSC created by an act of Parliament on the request of Assemblies concerned.

Chairman and members are appointed by the President. Term: 6 years or 62 years.Suspended or removed by the President.Resignation : Submitted to the President. Strength determined by the President.Annual report is submitted to the Governors of the concerned state.

FINANCE COMMISSION (280)Constituted by the President every 5th year or earlier. COMPOSITION:Chairman and 4 other members.Term as specified by the President. Eligible for reappointment.

Qualifications:

Chairman must be with experience in Public affairs.Others : A judge of HC or one qualified to be appointed so. Special knowledge of finance and accounts of the government. Wide experience in financial matters and administration. Special knowledge with economics.

FUNCTIONS:

Distribution of the net proceeds of taxes to be shared between centre and states.The principles that govern the grants-in-aid to the states by the centre.

Report is submitted to the President.

President lays it before the parliament.Recommendations are advisory and not binding on the government.

PLANNING COMMISSION

Set up in the year 1950 by an executive resolution.(UNION CABINET) Set up on the advice of Advisory planning board of 1946.

COMPOSITION:

1. PM is the exofficio chairman.2. Deputy chairman is the de facto head. Responsible for formulation and submission of draft of 5 year plan to cabinet.DC appointed by the cabinet for a fixed term and status equal to that of a cabinet minister. (Attends all cabinet meetings).3. Some central ministers are part time members. Finance andplanning ministers are ex-officio members.4. 4 7 full time experts and enjoy MOS rank.5. Member secretary usually an IAS.

FUNCTIONS:

1. Make an assessment of material, capital and HR of the country.2. Formulate plan for most effective and balanced growth of thecountrys resources.3. Determines the priorities.4. Indicate factors that retard the growth.5. To appraise from time to time about the development achieved. PC is a staff agency and not an executive agency.

NDC:

Set up in the year 1952 on the recommendation of PC. Set up by executive resolution.COMPOSITION:

1. PM is the chairman.2. All union cabinet ministers.3. CMs of all states and UTS4. Members of PC.5. Secretary of PC acts as the secretary of NDC.

FUNCTIONS:

1. Prescribe guidelines for the preparation of national plan.2. Consider national plan prepared by PC.3. Assessment of resources.4. Review the working of the national plan from time to time.

FIVE YEAR PLAN STEPS:

1. Draft 5 year plan prepared by the PC.2. PC submits to the Cabinet.3. After cabinets approval places before NDC.4. After NDC it is presented to the Parliament.5. After approval it becomes official plan.

NDC is the advisory body to the PC and recommendations are not binding. NDC should meet at least twice a year.

OFFICIAL LANGUAGE: (XVII 343-351)

Hindi written in Devanagari script is the official language for the Union For a period of 15 years (1965) the English language was continued. Even then Parliament continued to use English for specific purpose.

1955 Presiden appointed official language commission under theh chairmanship of BG Kher.

Parliament enacted the official language act in 1963. The act provided the continuous usage of English.

Eigth schedules 22 languages. Initially 18 languages.Sindhi was added through 21 amendment in the year 1967.Konkani, Manipuri,Nepali were added through 71 amendment in the year1992.

SUPREME COURT

The single system of courts adopted from the GOI Act of 1935. The SC was inaugurated on January 28, 1950.Articles 124 to 147 . Part (V). STRENGTH:1950 81956 101960- 131977-171986-252008-30

APPOINTMENT:Appointed by the President of India. (In consultation with other judges)

CJI consultation is obligatory in appointing other judges

QUALIFICATION:

1. Should be a citizen of India2. Should have been a judge of a HC for 5 years or should have been advocate of HC for 10 years orShould be a distinguished judge jurist in the opinion of thePresident.Oath is by the President of India. TENURE:No fixed tenure according to the constitution.1. Holds office until the age of 65 years attained.

Resignation:

To the President of India.

Removal:By the president on the recommendation of the Parliament. PROCEDURE FOR REMOVAL:1. The motion must be signed by 100 members of LSOr by 50 members of RS. To be given to Speaker or Chairman.2. Speaker or Chairman may admit or reject the same.3. If admitted they constitute a 3 member committee to investigate the charges.4. COMMITTEE: a. CJI or a judge of SCb. CJ of a HCc. A distinguished jurist5. On the recommendation of the committee The house can take a decision.6. After passed in both the houses and the consent of President, the orderis passed by the President for the removal.

SALARY:Determined by the Parliament.

CJI 33000/ to 1 lakh per month

Other Judges 30000/ to 90000 per month

HIGH COURT

1862 Calcutta, Bombay and Madras.1866 Allahabad.

Parliament may provide a common HC for 2 or more states. At present 21 HCs in the country.Delhi is the only UT which has a separate HC.Articles 214-231 (VI)

APPOINTEMENT:CJ and other Judges are appointed by the President.

Strength is left to the discretion of the President.

The CJ is appointed by the President after consultation with the CJIand the Governor of the state.For other judges the President consults the CJ of the HC.In case of common HC the Governors of all the states are consulted.

QUALIFICATION:1. Should be the citizen of India.2. Should have held the a judicial office in the territory of India for a period of 10 years.3. Should have been an advocate of a HC for 10 years.5. No minimum age prescribed.

OATH in front of the Governor. Tenure:No fixed tenure. Until the age of 62.

RESIGNATION: To the President.

REMOVAL:

In the same manner like that of a SC judge.

SALARY:CJ from 30000 to 90000Other judges 26000 to 80000GOVERNORArticle 153 to 167 (PART VI)

APPOINTEMNT: By the PresidentOne person can be appointed for more than 1 state.

QUALIFICATION:

1. Citizen2. >35 age

SALARY:

1,10,000/ per month , free official residence (RAJ BHAVAN)If same person is appointed as the Governor for more than one state his salary is divided among the states.

Oath:By the CJ of the HC.

TERM: 5 years but holds office during the pleasure of the President. RESIGNATION: To the PresidentREAPPOINMENT: is allowed and transferred from 1 state to the other. FUNCTIONS:EXECUTIVE:Appoints CM and other Ministers, Advocate General, State Election commissioner, Chairman and other members of SPSC, Can recommendthe Presidents rule in the state, Appoints VCs and acts as the Chancellor.

LEGISLATIVEFUNDAMENTAL DUTIES: (PART IV A) (51 A)86 amendment, 2002 Art 21(A)BUDGET IN PARLIAMENTFinancial Year ? GOI has 2 budgetsPROVISIONS IN THE CONSTITUTIONCHARGED EXPENDITUREStages in Enactment of the BudgetPRESENTATIONGENERAL DISCUSSIONVOTING ON DEMAND FOR GRANTSDURING THIS STAGE CUT MOTIONS ARE INTRODUCEDCLOSURE and GUILLOTINEPASSING OF APPROPRIATION OF BILLVOTE ON ACCOUNTPASSING OF THE FINANCE BILLCONSOLIDATED FUND OF INDIA (266)PUBLIC ACCOUNT OF INDIA (266(1))COMMITTIES IN PARLIAMENT.UPSC. (Part XIV - 315- 323)FINANCE COMMISSION (280)JPSC:SPSC:SSC:PLANNING COMMISSIONNDC:

FIVE YEAR PLAN STEPS:OFFICIAL LANGUAGE: (XVII 343-351)SUPREME COURTHIGH COURTGOVERNORLEGISLATIVE:CHIEF MINISTER::

Summon and prorogue, and dissolve the assembly. Addresses the state legislature.Send messages.Nominates 1/6th of the members to Council.Nominates 1 Anglo-Indian to the assembly.He decided the question of disqualification of the members. Promulgate ordinances.Can withdraw ordinance at any time.SFC, SPSC, CAG reports are presented before the state legislature. FINANCIAL POWERS:Sees that the Budget is laid before the legislature.

Money bills can beb introduced only with the permission of theGovernor.Can make advances out of Contingency fund of state. Finance Commission is constituted every five years.

JUDICIAL POWERS:He got all the powers of that of President of India except that of a pardon of a death sentence.

ART(163) : There shall be a council of ministers with the CM at the head to aid and advice the Governor in the exercise of his functions, except in so far as he is required to exercise his functions in his discretion.

164(1): The ministers hold office during the pleasure of the Governor. They are individually responsible to the Governor.

164(2): The Council of Ministers are collectively responsible toAssembly

DISCRETION:

1. Appointment of CM when no party got the majority. When CM dies.2. Dismissal of council when it cannot prove the majority.3. Dissolves the assembly when the council lost the majority.

CHIEF MINISTER:

A person who is not a member of state legislature can be appointed as theCM. ex: Bansila (Haryana) and S B Chavan (Maharastra)The CM may be a member of any house. ( C Raja Gopala chari in Madras,1952, Morarji desai in Bombay 1952,

Oath is by the Governor.

TERM: Holds office during the pleasure of the President. SALARY determined by the state legislature.POWERS:1. Allocates and reshuffles the portfolios among ministers.2. He can ask a minister to resign3. Ask Goveemor to dismiss a Minister.4. Presides over the cabinet meetings.5. If he dies or resigns entire council is dissolved.6. Recommends the Governor to summon, prorogue and dissolve.7. Chairman of the state planning board.8. Acts as the vice-chairman of the concerned Zonal council by rotation9. Member of NDC and inter state council

Art 167: It shall be the duty of the CM to communicate to the Governor of the state all decisions of the council of ministers relating to the administration and legislation.

STATE LEGISLATURE:

SL consists of Assembly, Council and Governor.

Only six states have bicameral Legislature ( UP, Bihar, Maharastra, Karnataka, JK and AP).

The Parliament can create or abolish council, if the assembly passes a resolution by a special majority. (Not fall under Art . 368).

(AP got in 1957 and abolished in 1985 and again got in 2005). (TN abolished in 1986, Punjab and WB in 1969).

ASSEMBLY

STREGTH:

Min 60 and Max 500.Sikkim, Goa, minimum number fixed at 30. Mizoram and Nagaland at 40Governor can nominate one Anglo-Indian member. COMPOSITION OF THE COUNCIL:Min 40 and maximum 1/3rd of the total strength of the assembly.The strength is fixed by the Parliament.

ELECTION:1. 1/3rd are elected by the members of local bodies (Muncipalities, district boards)2. 1/12th are elected the graduates3. 1/12th are elected by the teachers4. 1/3rd are elected by MLAs5. 1/6 nominated by the Governor.(5/6th are indirectly elected and 1/6th are nominated) Assembly normal term is 5 years.Council is a permanent house.1/3rd members retire at the end of every second year. Member continues for 6 years.

QUALIFICATION:

1. Citizan2. >25 for Assembly and > 30 for council3. Other qualifications as prescribed by the Parliament.4. Assembly and Council must be a resident of that state. DISQUALIFICATIONAS:Same that of Parliament.Governors decision is final. On the recommendation of EC Disqualification on the grounds of defection is decided by the speaker orchairman.

Resignation : Speaker / Chairman

ABSENT: If it is for 60 days his seat becomes vacant.

SPEAKER:

Must be a member of Assembly. Not for the term of the house.

VACANCY:

1. If he ceases to be a member of the assembly.2. If resigns. (to the dy. Speaker)3. If removed by a resolution (14 days in advance) FUNCTIONS:1. Maintains decorum.2. Adjourns assembly3. Suspends in the absence of quoram.4. Casting vote5. Decides whether a bill is money bill or not6. Decides the disqualification7. Appoints the chairmen of all the committeesDEPUTY SPEAKER: Must be a member.Acts like speaker in his absence. Resignation : to the Speaker Removal : 14 days in advance

CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL:

Must be a member

Vacancy:REMOVAL : 14 days advance notice. Resignation: Dy chairmanIf ceases to be a member

DEPUTY CHAIRMAN : Same that of a chairman

QUORAM: 1/10th or 10 members whichever is greater.

Language: Presiding officer can permit the member to speak in his mother tongue.

The constitution does not provide for the joint sitting of the state legislature.

A bill other than money bill can be introduced anywhere.

If introduced in council and passed by it then it comes to Assembly. If assembly rejects it the bill is lapsed.

If first pass by assembly then goes to council. 3 months and 1 month. Then it is considered as passed.

Governor may sign the bill or reserve the bill for presidents consideration.

PANCHAYATI RAJ

1952 Community Development Programme (CDP)!953 - National Extension Service Programme (NES)

January, 1957 Balwant Rai Mehta committee was appointed to examine the functioning of CDP and NES.

Report Submitted in November, 1957. Recommendations:1. Establishment of 3 tier PR system. Gram Panchayat, PanchayatSamithi and Zilla Parishad.2. VP should be with directly elected and other 2 tiers with indirectly elected people.3. The District Collector should be the Chairman for ZP.

These recommendations were accepted in the year 1958 by NDC. Rajastan was the first state to establish PR on Oct 2 1959.AP was the second on Nov 1 , 1959.

No uniform structure was there among the states. RAJASTAN adopted 3 tier and TN adopted 2 tier.

ASHOK MEHTA COMMITTEE:

December 1977, Janata Party Govt appointed this. Appointed to look into the functioning of PR. Report sublitted in August 1978.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

1. Only 2 tier ZP and Mandal Panchayat2. Compulsory powers of taxations.3. Official participation of political parties.4. The stste govts should not supersede the PR, if so election must be conducted within 6 months.5. A minister of PR should be appointed.6. Reservation for SC and STs.

*Because of collapse of Janata party govt nothing couold happen. GVK RAO COMMITTEE:The committee on Administrative Arrangements for Rural Development and Poverty Alleviation programme under GVK.

Appointed by PC in 1985.

It said that development was bureacratised and divorced the concept of PR. Grass without Roots. Recommened that Collectors role must be reduced.

L M SINGHVI COMMITTEE:

1986 Revitalisation of PRIs for Democracy and Development.

Recommended that PRIs must be recognized constitutionally.

On the recommendation of LM Singhvi, Rajiv Gandhi govt introduced64th amendment bill in 1989.Passed in LS and rejected by RS. On the grounds that it sought to strengthen the centralization in the federal system.

PV govt in 1991 deleted the controversial aspects and intruded and passed in both the houses in 1992.

It became the 73rd constitutional amendment act 1992 and came into force on April 24, 1993.

73 rd Amendment Act:

Articles 243 A to 243 O Added.11th Schedule added.

It contains 29 items. (UL 97, SL 66, CL 47)

Now state govts are under obligation to create PRIs.

SALIENT FEATURES:

Gram Sabha: All registered voters in the village.

3 tier system. Village Panchyat, Mandal Panchayat, ZP.States with less than 20 lakhs population may not constitute middle level. All members are elected directly by the people.Chairpersons at intermediate and District level may be elected indirectly. Village level can be decided by the Chairman.

RESERVATION:

SCs and STs according to the population.1/3rd reservation for women.

Duration: 5 years.If dissolved elections must be conducted with in 6 months.Disqualification: Decided by the state legislatures. STATE ELECTION COMMISSION:It conducts election to the PRI and MuncipalitiesElection commissioner is appointed by the Governor. Salary determined by the Governor.Removed just like a HC judge.

FINANCE COMMISSION:

By the Governor, every 5 years.

1. The principles that govern the distribution of taxes.2. Grants-in-aid to PR by the states.

SFC submits report to the Governor and governor places the same inAssembly.(Drinking water, Rural housing, Minor irrigation)73rd amendment bill, passed by LS on December 22, 1992 and by RS December 23, 1992. Later approved by 17 assemblies and assent of President on 20 April 1993.(From this day 1 year was given for states to approve the states)

URBAN LOCAL GOVERNMENT:

1687, the first municipal corporation was set up in Madras.1882, Lord Rippon issued a resolution for Local Self Government. It continued upto 1947.Rippon Father of local self government. In India.August 1989, Rajiv Gandhi gove introduced 65th Constitutional amendment bill in LS. But refused by Rs and not passed.PV Narasimha Rao- 1992- 74th constitutional amendment bill and came into force on june 1 1993.

74th Amendment:

243 P- 243 ZG.12th Schedule 18 items.

It gave constitutional status to municipalities. TYPES:1. Nagar Panchayats: Transition from rural to urban areas.2. Muncipal council for a smaller urban area.3. Muncipal corporation for urban area.All members elected by the people directly.Election of Chairpersons decide by the state legislature.

RESERVATION:SC AND STS according to population.1/3rd for women.

Duration: 5 years

Disqualifications : Decided by the legislature

State Election Commission:Finance Commission: MUNCIPAL CORPORATIONS:Muncipal Corporations are created by the state legislatures and for UTs bythe Parliament.An MC has three authorities.1. Council2. Standing committee3. Commissioner.

Council is the deliberative and legislative wing of the corporation. It consists of councilors directly elected by the people.Standing committee facilitates the working of the council. Commissioner is the implementing body. Appointed by the stategovernment. Generally an IAS.

MUNCIPALITIES:

Set up by the state legislatures.

For UTs by the parliament.

1. Council2. Standing committee3. Chief executive officer

AMENDMENT OF THE CONSTITUTION

Article 368 and part XX.Basic structure of the constitution cannot be amended as per SCjudgment in Kesavananda Bharati case . 1973.

PROCEDURE:

1. The procedure must begin only in Parliament in the form of a bill.2. State Legislatures cannot initiate the procedure.3. This bill may be introduced by the Minister or a private person.4. No requirement of Presidents permission.5. Must be passed by special majority in each house.6. In case of disagreement there is no provision for joint sitting.7. For federal powers it must be ratified by at least half the states with simple majority.8. President gives the assent.9. President cannot withhold or return the bill.

3 Types of Amendment:

1. Simple majority by Parliament2. Special majority by Parliament3. Specil majority by the Parliament and ratification by half the states.

SIMPLE MAJORITY:

1. Admission and creation of new states.2. Abolition or creation of new states.3. Quoram in parliament.

SPECIAL MAJORITY:1. Fundamental Rights2. DPSP3. All provisions which are not covered by other 2 procedures. SPECIAL MAJORITY AND THE CONSENT OF THE STATES:Related to the federal structure..

There is no time limit within which the states should give their consent.

1. Election of the President and its manner.2. Supreme court and High courts.3. 7th Schedule (Lists)4. representation of states in Parliament5. Powers of parliament to amend the constitution.

ANTI-DEFECTION LAW:

The 52nd amendment act of 1985 provided for the disqualification of the members of Parliament and assemblies on the grounds of defection.

New schedule has been added 10th . (Anti-defection law) Disqualifications for members of political parties:1. If he gives up his membership of the political party.2. If he votes or abstains from voting contrary to the decision of the whip issued by the party without prior permission of the party. Party should condemn within 15 days.

Independent members:If he joins any political party after election. Nominated members:If he joins any political party after the expiry of 6 months from the date onwhich he takes the seat in the house. EXCEPTIONS:1. SPLIT 1/3rd members go out and form a new party. (No disqualification)2. Merger 2/3rd members go out and join other party.3. Presiding officer resigning and joining the same party after ceasing to be the chairman.

In any case deciding authority is the presiding officer. The decision may be challenged in the court of law.The presiding officer takes up the decision only when he receives the complaint.

CVC:

Main agency for preventing corruption.

Set up in 1964 by executive resolution on the recommendation ofSanthanam Committee report.

SEPTEMBER , 2003 parliament provided a statutory status to CVC. COMPOSITION:1. CVC and not more than 2 Vigilance commissioners. APPOINTMENT:By the President on the recommendation of 3 member committee consisting PM, Union Home minister and the Leader of opposition.

TERM:4 years or 65 years of age. REMOVAL:By the President.But on the grounds of misbehavoiur or incapacity only on the advice ofSC.

Salary and allowances is same that of a UPSC chairman and members. FUNCTIONS:To conduct an enquiry in case of Central Government emplpoyees. Advice the government regarding the actions to be taken.In case of disagreement the govt must intimate the CVC.CBI:Set up in the year 1963 by a resolution by Home ministry. (Presently under the Cabinet Secretariat)

Its the main investigating agency for Central Government.

Provides assistance to CVC.

CBI is headed by a Director and presently 5000 employees are working.

LOKPAL:Ombudsman Sweden -1809Finland 1919Denmark - 1955Norway 1962In India its called Lokpal/ Lokayukta.

ARC (1966-1970) Recommended for Lokpal and lokayukta in India. To deal with cases against ministers and secretaries.

Lokpal would be appointed by the President after consultation with theCJI, speaker of LS and Chairman of RS.

Introduced 8 times so far. 1968, 1971 (Indira), 1977 (Morarji Desai),1985 (Rajiv), 1989 (NF-Vp singh), 1996(UF- Devagouda), 1998, 2001 (VAJPAYEE)

The main issue is that weather the PM must be included or not.

LOKAYUKTAS:

First passed in Orissa in 1970. (Came into force only in 1983). First set up in Maharastra 1971.RAjastan, Karnataka, Ap, Maharastra appointed Lokayukta andUpalokayuktas.

Appointment:

By the Governor. He must consult CJ of the HC and the leader of the opposition.

Qualification:

Differs from state to state.( AP, HP, Guj, KAR judicial qualifications) Bihar, maharastra, Raj No special qualifications)

Tenure:

5 years or 65 years.

NHRC:

Its a Statutory body.Established in 1993 by the act of Parliament. COMPOSITION:Chairman and 4 other members. Chairman Retired CJI1. Serving or retires judge of SC2. Serving or retired CJ of HC3. 2 persons having practical knowledge in Human rights4. Chairman of National commission for Minorities, SC and Sts andnational commission for women are the exoffici members.

Appointment:

Chairman and other members are appointed by the President on the recommendation of a 6 member committee.PM, Speaker, Deputy Chairman, Leaders of opposition in LS and RS and the Union Home minister.

Term:

5 years or 70 years. Removal :By the President. Salary :

General Facts About India

A SUGGESTION: The Geography subject will be clearer to you, if you look at the map. Please read with a map beside you. India is the 10th industrialized country in the world. India is the 6th nation in the world to have gone into outer space. India is the 7th largest country in the World. India lies entirely in the northern hemisphere. (Do you know what Northern Hemisphere is?). India measures 3,214 km from North to South. India measures 2,933 km from east to west. The mainland extends between latitudes 8 40 and 37 60 North. The mainland extends between 68 70 and 97 250 East longitudes. Indias land frontier is about 15,200 km. India has a common boarders with North-west: Afghanistan and Pakistan North: China, Bhutan and Nepal East: Myanmar East of West Bengal : Bangladesh India is separated from Sri Lanka by a narrow channel of sea formed by the Palk Strait and the Gulf of Mannar. The plains of the Ganga and the Indus are one of the worlds greatest stretches of flat alluvium and also one of the most densely populated areas on the earth. Between Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea lies a narrow coastal strip. Between Eastern Ghats and Bay of Bengal there is a broader costal area. Niligiri Hills is the point where the eastern and Western Ghats meets. Cardamom hills lying beyond may be regarded as a continuation of Western Ghats. The Indus, which is one of the greatest rivers of the world rises near manasarovar in Tibet and flows through India and thereafter through Pakistan and falls in Arabian Sea near Kutch. Tributaries of Indus: The Sutlej, the Beas, the Ravi, The Chenab and the Jhelum. The Ganga-Brahmaputra_Meghana is another important system of which the principle sub basins are those of Bhagirathi and Alakanada join at Dev Prayag to form the Ganga. The major east flowing rivers are Godavari, Krishna, Cauvery, Mahanadi, etc. The west flowing rivers Narmada, Tapti and Mahi. The climate of India is tropical monsoon type. South-West monsoon is the summer monsoon and wind blows from sea to land after crossing Indian ocean, the Arabian sea and the Bay of Bengal. North-east monsoon is known as the winter monsoon and wind blows from land to sea. Botanical survey of India (BSI) headquarters Kolkata. Zoological survey of India (ZSI) headquarters Kolkata. The tiger and lion belong to cat family. The salt water crocodile is found along eastern coast and in the Andaman and Nicobar islands. The first census in India was conducted in the year 1872. It was conducted non-synchronously in different parts. Since 1881 it was conducted synchronously. The first census commissioner of India was W W Plowden (1881). 2001 census was undertaken during 9-28 February 2001. The census moment, the referral time at which the snapshot of the population is taken was 00.00 hours of March 1, 2001. Until 1991 census, the sunrise of 1 March was taken as the census moment. India accounts for a meager 2.4 percent of the worlds surface area. India has 17.5 (2011) percent of World population. The percent decadal growth of population in the inter-censual period 1991-2001 varies from a low of 9.43 in Kerala to a very high 64.53 in Nagaland. The population density of India in 2001 was 324 per sq km. West Bengal is the most thickly populated state with a population density of 903 in 2001. Delhi is the city with highest population density with 9340. Lowest population density is in Arunachal Pradesh with 13. Bihar second and Kerala third. Sex ration in India 940:1000. (2011 census) Highest sex ratio is Kerala. 1084:1000. (2011 census) Who is a literate? A person aged seven and above, who can both read and write any language with understanding is treated as a literate. In the census prior to 1991 children below 5 years were necessarily treated as illiterates. The literacy rate in the country is 74.04 percent (2011). Kerala retained its position by being on top with a 93.91 percent literacy rate (2011). Highest male and female literacy state Kerala. Bihar with a literacy rate of 63.82 (2011) percent ranks last in the country. Lowest male and female literacy state Bihar. 743 million people in India live in rural areas as per the 2001 census. 286 million people in India live in urban areas. Highly populated state in India is UP with 199 million (2011) people. Lowest population is in Sikkim with 540,851 people and constitutes 0.05 percent of the total. *********DO YOU LIKE TO KNOW MORE FACTS ABOUT THE NATIONAL FLAG, NATIONAL ANTHEM.? The ratio of width of the flag to its length is 2 to 3. There are 3 colors in the National Flag. Saffron at the top, White in the middle followed by Green at the bottom. In the middle of the National Flag there is a wheel called Chakra. The Chakra has 24 spokes. The design of the National Flag was adopted by the Constituent Assembly of India on July 22, 1947. The Flag code of India, 2002, has taken effect from January 26, 2002 and supersedes the Flag code Indias as it existed. There shall be no restriction on the display of the National Flag by the members of general public private organizations, educational institutions, etc. The state emblem is an adoption from the saranath Lion capital of Asoka. In the sate emblem as adopted on January 26, 1950 only 3 lions are visible and the 4th one is hidden. The wheel appears in the center of the abacus with a bull on the right and a horse on the left and the outlines of other wheels on extreme right and left. The words Satyameva Jayate were taken from the Mundaka Upanishad. It means Truth Alone Triumphs are inscribed below the abacus in Devanagari script. The National Anthem Jana-gana-mana, composed originally in Bengali by Rabindranath Tagore, was adopted in its Hindi version as National Anthem on January 24, 1950. National Anthem was first sung on December 27, 1911 at the Calcutta session of the INC. The National song Vande Mataram, composed in Sanskrit by Bankimchandra Chatterji, was a source of inspiration to the people in their struggle for freedom. It has an equal status with the National Anthem. The first political occasion when National song, sung was the 1896 session of the INC. The National calendar is based on Saka era, with Chaitra as its first month and a normal year of 365 days was adopted from March 22, 1957 with Gregorian calendar.

NATIONAL SYMBOLS: National Animal: The magnificent tiger, (Panthera Tigris). National Bird: The Indian peacock (Peafowl), (Pavo Cristatus). National Flower: Lotus (Nelumbo Nucipera Gaertn). National Tree: The Banyan tree (Ficus benghalensis). National Fruit: Mango (Manigifera Indica). National River: Ganges National Aquatic Animal: Gangetic Dolphin National Reptile: King Cobra (Ophiophagus hanna) National Heritage Animal: Elephant (Elephas Maximus indicus) National Drink: Tea (this will be from April 17, 2013)

NATIONAL PARKS Bandipur National Park - Karnataka Chandraprabha sanctuary - UP Corbett National Park - Uttaranchal Ghana Bird Sanctuary - Rajasthan Gir National Park - Gujarat Hazaribagh Sanctuary - Jharkhand Kanha National Park - MP Kaziranga National Park - Assam (Famous for one-horned rhinoceros). Periyar Sanctuary - Kerala Wild Ass Sanctuary - Gujarat Manas Sanctuary - Assam *********

SOME MORE FACTS about INDIA: Area-wise Rajasthan is the largest state in India. Area-wise Goa is the smallest state. Area-wise Andaman & Nicobar Islands is the largest UT. Area-wise Lakshadweep is the smallest UT. Highest population is in UP. Lowest population is in Sikkim. Highest population Delhi (UT). Lowest population Lakshadweep (UT). Largest country is Russia (area wise). India is the 7th largest country (area wise). Highest population China. Population wise India is the second largest country in the world. Andhra Pradesh is the first state in India that has been formed on a purely linguistic basis in 1953 and enlarged in 1956. Andhra state 1953 and AP in 1956. Highest number of Assembly seats UP 355. Highest number of legislative Council seats UP 99. Highest number of Rajya Sabha seats UP -31. Highest number of Lok Sabha seats UP 80. Lowest number of Assembly seats Sikkim -32. Lowest number of Legislative Council seats JK 36. Lowest number of Lok Sabha seats Sikkim 1. Lowest number of Rajya Sabha seats Sikkim, Manipur, Nagaland, Tripura and Goa 1. The Legislative Councils are present only in seven states. Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Bihar, UP, J&K and Tamil Nadu. The Tamil Nadu is the latest state to establish the Legislative Council. (Legislative Councils are created / abolished by Parliament only). In Union Territories Delhi has maximum number of seats in Assembly. (70). Pondicherry has the lowest number of seats in Assembly. (30). Highest number of districts present in UP. 70 in number Goa has only 2 districts. Kutch in Gujarat is the largest district in India. The area is 45,652 Sq.km. Mahe in the state of Kerala is the smallest district in India. The area is 9 Sq.km. Mahe is geographically located in Kerala but administered by Pondicherry. Drass in Western Ladakh is the coldest place in India. It is also the second coldest place in the World after Siberia. The High Court was first established in Bombay, Calcutta and Madras in the year 1862. In the year 2000 three new High Courts were set up in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Uttaranchal. At present there are 21 High Courts present in India. N-E states are called Seven sisters. (Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura).*********SUBMARINES: INS SHALKI: First indigenously built submarine. INS CHAKRA: Indias first nuclear submarine. (From USSR). INS ARIHANT: Indias first indigenously built nuclear sub marine INS Sindhushastra: Indias first missile firing submarine. INS GHARIYAL: Indigenously built warship. INS VIBHUTI: Indigenously built missile boat. *********R&D (Research and Development) Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) was set up in 1958. The Defence Research and Development Laboratory launched Integrated Missile development Programme. Under this five missiles were successfully test fired. PRITHVI: Indias first indigenously built Surface to Surface missile. In 1998, first test fired from Sriharikota. 250 KM. Inducted in 1993. TRISHUL: Short range surface to Air missile. 5-9 KM. 1988. AKASH: Surface to Air missile. 25 KM. 1990. NAG: Third generation anti-tank guided missile. 4 KM. 1988. AGNI: Intermediate ballistic surface to surface missile. 2500 KM. 1989. *********MISCELLANEOUS: Coast guards set up in 1977. Cantonment board is established through cantonment Act of 1924. Home guards set up in 1946. ******ATOMIC ENERGY: The Atomic Energy Commission was set up in 1948. The present Chairman is DR Sirikumar Benarjee. On May 18, 1974 India conducted its first underground nuclear explosion at POKHRAN (RAJASTAN). The Second test was conducted on May 11, 1998. OPERATION SHAKTI was the code name of the tests. India became the sixth nuclear power in the world. At present there are six Nuclear power stations in India. Tarapur (Maharashtra), Rawatbhatta (Rajasthan), Kalpak am (Tamil Nadu), Narora (UP), kakrapar (Gujarat), Kaiga (Karnataka). Tarapur Atomic Power Station (T.AP.S.) was the first nuclear power plant in India. The construction of the plant was started in 1962 and the plant went operational in 1969. APSARA was India's First Nuclear Reactor. It was also the first nuclear reactor in Asia. Apsara went critical at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Trombay on August 4, 1956. The first Heavy water plant was set up in Nangal (Punjab) in the year 1962. Heavy water is used in Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWR). Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) set up in 1957 at Trombay, near Bombay. It houses APSARA, CIRUS and DHRUVA the three nuclear reactors. ISRO (Indian Space Research Organization) was set up in 1969. CENTRE LOCATION Vikram Sarabhai Space centre - Thiruvananthapuram. ISRO Satellite Centre - Bangalore Space Application Centre - Ahmadabad SHAR Centre - Srihari Kota (AP) National Remote Sensing Agency - Hyderabad

The first Indian satellite Aryabhatta was launched from USSR on April 19, 1975. Squadron Leader Rakesh Sharma became Indias first man in space. India set a record on April 28, 2008 by PSLV-C9 successfully launching 10 satellites from Sriharikota, AP. It also included remote sensing satellite CARTOSAT-2A. SLV-3 was Indias first indigenous satellite launch vehicle. This was launched by ISRO in the year 1980. Dr A P J Abdul Kalam was the Project Director for the same. INSAT-2A was India's first indigenously built satellite. The satellite was launched on July 9, 1992 from Kourou, French Guyana. *********NATIONAL INSTITUTIONS: Central Institute for cotton research Nagpur. Coffee Board Bangalore Tea Board - Kottayam (Kerala) Tobacco Board - Andhra Pradesh Indian Institute of Foreign Trade New Delhi Indian Institute of Mathematical Sciences - Chennai. Indian Diamond Institute Surat Advanced Level Telecom Centre Ghaziabad Bharat Ratna Bhim Rao Ambedkar Institute of Telecom Training Jabalpur. National Academy for Telecom Finance and Management Hyderabad. telecommunication Engineering Centre New Delhi Indian Institute of Science Bangalore. Indian School Business Hyderabad Bureau of Indian Standards Delhi Central Drug Research Institute Luck now National Institute for Oceanography Panaji (Goa) Centre For Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) Hyderabad National Institute for Nutrition Hyderabad Central Rice Research Institute Cuttack Centre for DNA finger printing and Diagnostics Hyderabad Indian Institute for Sugar Technology Kanpur National Institute for Immunology New Delhi National Institute for Ocean technology Chennai. Indian Institute for Spices Research (IISR) - Kozhikode, Kerala. *********HEALTH: Indias National Anti-Malaria programme is the worlds biggest health programme against a single communicable disease. Dengue fever is a viral disease which is transmitted through the bites if female AEDES mosquitoes. The National Leprosy control programme was launched in 1955. The National Programme for control of Blindness was launched in 1976. The control of sexually transmitted Diseases (STD) was introduced during fourth 5 year plan. National AIDS control programme was launched in 1987. Deficiency odf Iodine in the daily diet may cause goiter and other iodine deficiency disorders. The National Mental Health Programme was started in 1982. The National Cancer control Programme was launched in 1975. India became the first country to launch GUINEAWORM eradication programme in 1983. India was declared as guinea worm disease free country. The GOI was the first country in the world to initiate a comprehensive family planning programme in 1951. POLIO ---- Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) DIPHTHERIA PERTUSIS TETANUS -------DPT DIPHTHERIA TETANUS -------- DT TETANUS TOXOID ---------TT Prenatal Diagnostic Techniques (Regulation and Prevention of Misuse) Act, 1994 -------- It banned any test to determine the sex of an unborn child has become illegal. *********LEGISLATIVE MEASURES TO SAFEGUARD THE RIGHTS OF WOMEN Hindu Marriage Act, 1955: A Hindu cannot get married for second time till the first marriage is dissolved by divorce or decree. National Commission for Women: The National Commission for Women was set up as statutory body in January 1992 under the National Commission for Women Act, 1990. Chairman and 5 members are nominated by the Central government. Ms. Jayanti patnaik was the 1st and present chair person is Dr. Girija Vyas (since 2008).

Prohibition of Child Marriage act, 2006: It replaced the child Marriage Restraint Act of 1929. ***************** LANGUAGES IN INDIA: The languages are mentioned in the 8th schedule of the Constitution. At present there are 22 languages mentioned in the Constitution. Hindi is spoken by more people in India. 39.85% of the total population in India speaks Hindi. Hindi in Devanagari script is the official language in India. Bengali ranks at number two position with 8.22%. Telugu ranks at number three with 7.80%. Sanskrit ranks at the last position with 0.01%. It is the classic language of India and also one of the oldest languages in the world. It starts with Rig Veda. Telugu numerically the biggest of the Dravidian languages in India. Urdu is the official language for Jammu and Kashmir. *********DANCE FORMS IN INDIA: BHARATANATYAM: This is dance form in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The earliest exponents of Bharatanatyam were the Devadasis in South India. Devadasis means Temple dancers. This dance form contains 64 principles. The dance syllables are popularly known as BOLS. KATHAK: It is confined to North India. KATHAKALI: KERALA. Its a most scientific and elaborately defined dance form of Kerala. MANIPURI: MANIPUR ODISSI : ORISSA KUCHIPUDI: ANDHRA PRADESH MOHINIATTAM : KERALA TAMILNADU : Kollattam (Folk) ASSAM: BIHU (folk) PUNJAB: GIDDHA (WOMEN FOLK) PUNJAB: BHANGRA (MEN FOLK) *********BOOKS:1. ARTHSHASTRA - KAUTILYA2. MAHABHASYA - PATANJALI3. SWAPNA VASAVADATTA - BHASA4. NATYA SASTRA - BHARATA5. ABIGYAN SHAKUNTALA - KALLIDASA6. MRICHCHAKATIKA - SUDRA7. RATNAVALI - HARSHA8. MAHAVIRA CHARITRA - BHAVABHUTI9. UTTARAMA CHARITA - BHAVABHUTI10. MATTAVILASA - MAHENDRA VIKRAM PALLAVA11. SANGEETA RATNAKAR - SARANGADEVA The National School of Drama was founded in 1959.INSTRUMENTALISTS:1. VIOLIN - GAJANA RAO JOSHI.2. FLUTE - HARIPRASAD CHAURASIA3. TABLA - ZAKIR HUSSAIN4. VEENA - DORAISWAMY IYENGAR5. SAROD - BUDDADEV DASGUPTA6. SITAR - PANDIT RAVI SHANKAR7. SANTOOR - SHIV KUMAR SHARMA8. SHEHNAI - BISMILLA KHAN9. MRIDANGAM KARAIKUDI MANI10. NADASWARAM NEERUSWAMY PILLAIPAINTING: AJANTA paintings belong to 1st century to 8th Century AD. These are associated with the life History of the Buddha and the Jataka stories. MUGHAL paintings reached climax during Jahangirs time. Jahangirs court was patronized by Bishan Das, Murad, Mansur, Bahzad, and Aga Raza. EUROPEAN STYLE: Raja Ravi Verma of Kerala distinguished himself in this style of paintings. The modern paintings in India were pioneered by Gaganendranath Tagore, Jamini Roy, and Rabindranath Tagore. *********CULTURAL INISTITUTIONS LALIT KALA ACADEMY: It is the National Academy of Fine Arts. It was Established in 1954 in New Delhi. SANGEETH NATAK ACADEMY: It is the National Academy of Music, Dance and Drama. Established in the year 1952 in New Delhi. NATIONAL SCHOOL OF DRAMA: set up in 1959 in New Delhi. SAHITYA ACADEMY: Established in 1954 in New Delhi. *********OTHER INSTITUTIONS: ACHAELOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA: ESTABLISHED in 1861 in NEW DELHI. ASIATIC SOCIETY: It was established in 1784 at Calcutta by Sir William Jones. Anthropological Survey of India: Set up in 1945 at Calcutta. National Achieves of India: Set up in 1981 in New Delhi. *********PRECEDENCE IN ADMINISTRATION:1. President2. Vice President3. Prime Minister4. Governors of states within their respective states.5. Former Presidents.6. Chief Justice of India. *********INDIAs FIRST AND LAST: First Governor-General of Bengal (1772-1785) - Warren Hastings Last Governor-General of Bengal - Lord William Bentinck (1828-1833)GOVERNOR-GENERAL of Bengal became the GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF INDIA. First Governor-General of India (1833-35) -Lord William Bentinck. Last Governor-General of India (1856-1858_ - Lord CanningGOVERNOR-GENERAL OF INDIA REDESIGNATED AS GOVERNOR-GENERAL and VICEROY of INDIA. First Viceroy - Lord Canning Last Viceroy - Lord MountbattenGOVERNOR-GENERAL OF INDIAN UNION First G-G - Lord Mountbatten Last G-G - C.RajagopalachariPRESIDENTS First President (1950-1962) - Dr. Rajendra PrasadHe is the only president who got elected to the office for two times. Present President (2007- till date ) - Smt. Pratibha Patil VICE PRESIDENTS First Vice President (1952-1962) - Dr. S. Radhakrishnan He is the only Vice President who got elected to the office for two times Present Vice President (2007- till date) - Md. Hamid AnsariPRIME MINISTERS OF INDIA First Prime Minister (1947-1964) - Jawaharlal Nehru Present Prime Minister (2004 till date - Dr. Manmohan SinghDEPUTY PRIME MINISTERS First Deputy Prime Minister (1947-1950) - Sardar Patel Last Deputy PM (2002-2004) - LK AdvaniFINANCE MINISTERS: First FM (1947-1949) - RK SHANMUKHAM SHETTY Present FM (2009 till date) - Pranab MukharjeeSPEAKERS: First speaker (1947-1959) - GV Mavalankar Present speaker (2009- till date) - Meira Kumar(She is the first women speaker of Lok Sabha).CHIEF JUSTICES OF INDIA: First CJI (1950-51) - Harilal Kania Present CJI (2010- till date) - SH KAPADIACHIEF ELECTION COMMISSIONERS: First CEC (1950-58) - Sukumar sen Present CEC (2010 till date) - S Y QuereshiCHAIRMEN OF UPSC: Present Chairman - DP AgarwalCOMPTROLLER AND AUDITOR GENERALS First CAG (1948-1954) - V. Narahari Rao Present CAG (2008 till date) - Vinod RaiATTORNEY-GENERALS OF INDIA First A-G (1950-63) - MC. Setalvad Present A-G (Jun 2009 till date) - G E VahanavatiGOVERNORS OF RESERVE BANK OF INDIASet up in the year 1935. First Governor (1935-1937) - Sir Osborne Smith (1943- 1949) - Sir C D Deshmuk Present Governor (2008 till date) - Dr. Duvvuri Subba Rao

1. Press Trust of India (PTI) founded in 1947 in Bombay, to provide unbiased news to all subscribers.2. Do you know? Orissa has the distinction of publishing news papers in 18 out of 23 languages (22 languages plus English).3. The largest number of news papers and periodicals registered in any Indian language is Hindi.4. UP has the distinction largest number of registered news papers in India. NEWS PAPER COUNTRY The SUN - Britain The Mirror - Britain DAWN - Pakistan The Times - Britain New Statesman - Britain The New York Times - USA PRAVDA - Russia Red Flag - China*********THE SOLAR SYSTEM and few more facts: The rotation of the Sun as seen from the Earth. At the poles it is more than the equator. At the equator it is 25.38 days and at poles it is 33 days. The Chemical composition of the Sun is 71% Hydrogen, 26.5% Helium and other elements 2.5%. The age is about 5 billion years. The nearest planet to the Sun is Mercury 58 million kms. The farthest planet to the Sun is Neptune 4497 million kms. The distance of Earth from Sun is 150 million Km. The planet with highest diameter is Jupiter with 1, 41,968 km. It is next to Sun with 13, 84,000 km. Mercury has the lowest diameter with 4850 km. The Earth has only one satellite i.e. Moon. Jupiter has of 63 satellites. This is the highest for any planet. The planets Mercury and Venus have no satellites. On August 24, 2006 Pluto was declared as a dwarf planet. It lost its seven decade status as the ninth and the outermost planet. The Pluto was discovered in 1930 by the American Clyde Tom Baugh. ********************EARTH Escape Velocity is the speed necessary to break away from the Earth into outer space. It is 11 km per second. Speed of the rockets is 8 km per second. This is the velocity required to counter the Earths gravity to rise up to the atmosphere. The highest component in the Earth is Iron (35%) and lowest is Aluminum (0.4%). Period of rotation of earth on its own axis is 23 hours 56 m. 4.09 sec. Period of revolution of Earth round the Sun is 365 days 5 hrs 48 m 45.51 sec. Area of water surface on the Earth is 70.9%. Asia is the biggest continent and it has 29.5% in the earths area. Approximately 3879 million populations live in Asia. Antarctica is an uninhabited area and it occupies 9.6% of the earths area. Lowest population lives in Australia. 32 million people live in Australia. Area wise Australia is the lowest with only 5.2% of the earths area. Highest point on the Earth is Everest with 8848 meters. Pacific Ocean is the largest ocean. Greatest depth location is Mariana trench in Pacific. Russia is the biggest country in area wise. India is the 7th biggest country area wise. China is the biggest country population wise. India is the second biggest country population wise. Vatican City is the smallest country (0.44 sq km) with respect to area and population. Highest volcano Ojos del salado 6885 meters. It is in Andes mountain range. It is in Argentina and Chile. Largest desert is Sahara. Deepest cave Reseau du Foillis, in France. Greenland is the largest islands. South-china Sea is the largest sea. Largest ocean is pacific. Longest river is Nile, Africa. Deepest point is Challenger deep in Mariana Trench. Highest waterfalls are ANGEL is in Venezuela. The biggest deltas is Ganges-Brahmaputra in Bangladesh. China has most land borders. It has borders with 14 countries. India has borders with 7 countries. The Tallest statue is USHIKU DAIBUTSU in Japan. The Worlds longest mountains in the World Andes present in South America. This passes through the west coast of South America. The range is about 7000 km. This runs through 7 countries. Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela. (The highest peak in Andes is Mt. Aconcagua of 6963 m. This is in Argentina). *****************WITH REFERENCE TO INDIA: The highest mountain peak K2 (Mount Godwin Austen) 8611 meters. It is in Pak-occupied Kashmir. Kanchenjunga 8598 meters. Kuttanadu in the district of Alappuzha in Kerala is the region with lowest region in India. (The farming is carried below the sea level). Longest river is Ganga 2510 km. Longest river in South India is Godavari 1465 km. Highest population is in Mumbai. Hindus constitute 80.44% in India. India has longest border with Bangladesh. (4097 km). India has lowest border with Afghanistan. (80 km). Most literate district in India is AIZAWL in Mizoram. The district with highest sex ratio is Mahe in Pondicherry. Highest hill station in India Gulbarga in Jammu and Kashmir. 2250 meters. *****************Golden Quadrilateralproject: TheGolden Quadrilateralis a highway network connecting India'sfour largest metropolitan cities. Delhi,Mumbai,ChennaiandKolkata, thus forming aquadrilateral of sorts. The largesthighwayproject in India, initiated byAtal Bihari Vajpayee, it is the first phase of theNational Highways Development Project(NHDP), and consists of building 5,846km of four/six lane express highways at a cost of60,000crore. As of 31 October 2010, 5,806km of the entire work has been completed and work on remaining 40km is under progress. OnlyNational Highwaysare used in the Golden Quadrilateral. The four legs use the following National Highways: Delhi Kolkata:NH 2 Delhi Mumbai:NH 8(Delhi Kishangarh),NH 79A (Ajmerbypass),NH 79 (NasirabadChittaurgarh),NH 76(Chittaurgarh Udaipur),NH 8(Udaipur Mumbai) Mumbai Chennai:NH 4(Mumbai Bangalore),NH 7(Bangalore Krishnagiri),NH 46 (Krishnagiri Ranipet),NH 4(Ranipet Chennai) Kolkata Chennai:NH 6(Kolkata Kharagpur),NH 60(Kharagpur Balasore),NH 5(Balasore Chennai) **************UNO (UNITED NATIONS ORGANIZATION): UNO officially came into existence on October 24, 1945. The declaration was signed in 1942 in San Francisco. Every year October 24 is celebrated as UN day. 193 countries are the members in UNO. 193rd country is the South Sudan (2011). UN has 6 official languages. Chinese, English, French, Russian, Spanish and Arabic. Arabic was added in the year 1973 by the General Assembly. New countries will be admitted by the General Assembly after the recommendation by the Security Council. India became a member of UNO on October 30, 1945. The UN has six important wings. The General Assembly, the Security Council, the Secretariat, the Trusteeship Council, the Economic and Social Council and the International Court of Justice. ***************GENERAL ASSEMBLY: It is like a world Parliament. The members of UN form General Assembly. Meets once in a year.SECURITY COUNCIL: Five Permanent members. USA, Britain, France, Russia and China. 10 Non permanent members elected every 2 years by the General Assembly. Permanent 5 members have the veto power. (For more details please read GKBASICS.COM / CURRENT AFFAIRS). *********SECRETARIATE: Secretary-General is appointed by the General Assembly on the recommendation of Security Council. Secretary-General Tenure 5 years. The Secretary-General is eligible for reelection. First Secretary-general was Trygve Lie of Norway from 1946-53. Present Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon of South Korea 2007 to till date. *********HEADQUARTERS: The General Assembly, Security Council, Secretariat, Trusteeship Council and Economic and Social Council ------------- NEW YORK. International Court of Justice Hague, Netherlands. (15 Judges) United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) set up in 1946 in Paris. World Health Organization set up in 1948 in Geneva. Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) in 1945 in Rome. World Trade organization set up in Geneva in 1995. International Maritime Organization set up in London in the year 1948. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) set up in the year 1957 in Vienna. World Bank set up in the year 1945 in Washington. 10 International Labour Organization (ILO) was set up in the year 1946 in Geneva. International Monetary Fund (IMF), 1945 at Washington. International Telecommunications satellite Organization (INTELSAT) 1964, Washington. *********UNO INTERNATIONAL DECADES: 2001 2010 International Decade for a Culture of peace and non-violence for the children of the world. 2003-2012 UN literacy decade: Education for all. 2005-2015 International decade for Action: Water for life. 2008-2017 Second decade for eradication of poverty 2010-2020 UN decade for deserts and the fight against desertification *********UNO INTERNATIONAL YEARS: World Population Year - 1974. International womens year - 1975 International year of Children - 1979 World communication year - 1983 International Literacy Year - 1990 International Space Year - 1992 International year of Languages and Planet Earth - 2008. International Year of Reconciliation, National Fibers and Year of Astronomy -2009. ***************IAU (INTERNATIONAL ASTRONOMICAL UNION) The IAU was founded in the year 1919. Head Quarters Paris, France. Its mission is to promote and safeguard the science of astronomy in all its aspects through international cooperation. The long-term policy of the IAU is defined by the General Assembly. The policies are implemented by the Executive Committee. There are 70 National members in IAU. India is a member in IAU. *********NON-ALIGNED MOVEMENT (NAM): It is a group of 118 developing countries. 1955 a conference was held in Bandung in Indonesia. Founded in 1955. NAM officially cane into operations in the year 1961. 15th summit was be held in 2009 in SHARM EI SHEIK (EGYPT) from July 11-16. ******** THE COMMENWEALTH: Formed in the year 1926. India hosted a meeting in the year 1983. 2009 meeting is in Trinidad and Tobago (Port of Spain). 2011 summit will be in Colombo (Sri Lanka) ************EU (EUROPEAN UNION): Established in the year 1993. Head Quarters Brussels (Belgium). Bulgaria and Romania joined in the year 2007. Presently there are 27 countries. **************SAARC (SOUTH ASIAN ASSOCIATION FO RREGIONAL COOPERATION ) SAARC formed in the year 1985, at Dhaka, Bangladesh. Headquarters KATHMANDU, Nepal. Originally only 7 members and in the year 2007 Afghanistan has been admitted. At present the number is 8 countries. 2008 summit was held in Colombo, Sri Lanka. It declared 2008 as Year of Good Governance. 2009 summit is in Male, Maldives. 2009 is the year to Fight Terrorism. 2001 2010 declared as SAARC Decade of the Rights of the Child. 2006-20015 SAARC Decade of Poverty Alleviation. 2010 summit was held in Timphu, Bhutan. The 17th SAARC Summit was held in Addu City (Maldives) in November 2011. The theme of the summit is Building Bridges. The summit was held for the 1st time south of the equator in Addu City on one of the southern-most islands in Maldives. The summit finalizes 4 agreements. 2 on regional standards, one to establish a rapid response mechanism to deal with natural disasters and the other to establish a SAARC seed bank. Mahindra Rajapaksa (The President of Sri Lanka) is the present chairman. Sheel Kant Sharma is the present Secretary-General. *********INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS Asian Development Bank (ADB) -1966 -Manila (Philippines) Association of South East Nations (ASEAN) -1967 -Jakarta (Indonesia) European Space Research Organization -1964 - Paris (France) International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOLE) 1923- Lyons (France) North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) - 1949 - Brussels (Belgium) Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)- Vienna, Australia. G-8 (1985) initially it was G-7, Russia Joined in the year 1998. All are most industrialized nations. G-77 1964 - Developing Countries. D-8, Developing 8. India is not a member. ***********NUCLEAR NON-PROLIFIRATION TREATY (NPT) First signed in the year 1968 came into force in the year 1970. India has not signed the NPT protesting against discriminatory nature. *********COMPREHENSIVE TEST BAN TREATY (CTBT) 1996, UN General Assembly approved the CTBT. India voted against it. *********PANCHASHEEL Signed in the year 1954 in New Delhi. Signed between India and China by the PM Jawaharlal Nehru and Chou-en-Lai. *********MONTREAL PROTOCOL Signed in 1987 in Montreal (Canada). To prevent further depletion of Ozone layer. *********KYOTO PROTOCAL 1 Signed in Kyoto (Japan), 2005. It requires industrialized countries to reduce their emission of Carbon dioxide and other green house gases. NOTE: Green House gases water vapour, Methane, Nitrous oxide, ozone and Chloro floro carbons India signed and ratified in the year 2002. USA has not ratified. ***********BOUNDARY LINES: Radcliff line - India and Pakistan McMahon - India and China 49th parallel - USA and Canada 38th parallel - South Korea and North Korea Durand Line - India and Afghanistan 24th parallel - India and Pakistan **********BHUDDISM Founded in the year 525 BC by Gautama Buddha (Siddhartha). Vihara means Temple. Sacred books related to Buddhism are Tripitakas also called Sutras. Tripitakas (Sutta Piatika, Vinaya Pitaka and Abhidamma pitaka). Buddha was born in Lumbini in Nepal. He received enlightnment in Bodh Gaya in Bihar. Attained Nirvana in Kushinagara in UP.CHRISTIANITY Founded by Jesus Christ (Jesus of Nazareth) Sacred book Bible. Highest numbers of people in the World belong to this religion. Christ lived and preached in Jerusalem. *********HINDUISM Founded by Aryan Invaders. Sacred books Vedas, Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, Mahabharata, and Ramayana.

*********ISLAM Founded by Prophet Mohammad. Prophet was born in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Sacred book Quran. God delivered to the Prophet by the angle Gabriel. Judaism - Sacred book - Torah Shintoism - No specific sacred book Skims Guru Nanak Sacred Book - Guru Grant sahib Taoism -Sacred book Tao-te-Ching Zoroastrianism (Fire Temple) - Zend Avesta Majority of the people in the world speak Chinese, Mandarin followed by Spanish and English. *********NATIONAL DAYS1. National Science Day - February 282. International womens Day - March 83. World Meteorological Day - March 234. World Health Day - April 75. World Heritage Day - April 186. Earth Day - April 227. International Labour Day - May 18. World Red Cross Day - May 89. World Telecommunication Day - May 1710. No (Anti) Tobacco Day - May 3111. World Environment Day - June 5 12. World Population day - July 1113. Teachers Day - September 514. World Literacy Day - September 815. World Ozone Day - September 1616. World Tourism Day - September 2717. World Post Office Day - October 918. National Post Day - October 1019. World AIDS day - December 120. Human Rights Day - December 10********MISCELLANEOUS The largest archipelago (group of islands) in the world is Indonesia. The largest dam in the world Three Gorges dam in China. The largest island is the Greenland. The largest salt water lake is Caspian Sea. The largest mountain range is Andes (South America). The largest Railway platform is Kharagpur in West Bengal. The largest temple is Angkor Vat in Kampuchea. The country with largest electorate (number of voters) is India. The largest bird Ostrich. The largest creature Blue Whale. The largest delta Sunder bans. Gulf of Mexico is the largest gulf. Etosha Reserve (Africa) is the largest Zoo. Jama Masjid is the largest Mosque in the world. The tallest animal Giraffe. Highest rain fall is in Cherrapunji in East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya. The brightest star is Sirius (Dog Star). Fastest bird Swift. The largest Public sector bank in India is State Bank of India. The highest waterfall in India is the jog falls in India. *********IMPORTANT PERSONS Subash Chandra Bose - Netaji Abdul Gaffar Khan - Frontier Gandhi, Badshah Khan Madan Mohan Malaviya - Mahamana Mahatma Gandhi - Bapu, Father of the nation Lala Lajapathi Rai - Punjab kesari Rabindranath Tagore - Gurudev Rajinder Singh - Sparrow Sheik Mujibur Rahman - Bangabandhu Jaya Prakash Narayana - Loknayak Lal Bahadur Shastri - Man of peace Dadabhai Narorji - Grand Old Man of India Chittaranjan Das - Deshabandu C F Andrews - Deenabandu C Rajagopala Chari - Rajaji Annadurai - Anna Adolf Hitler - Fuehrer *******NEW 7 WONDERS IN THE WORLDNew Seven wonders foundation is a Swiss based non-profit organization conducted a worldwide poll. This was conducted by Bernard Weber Swiss adventurer.1. Taj Mahal - India2. Roman Colosseum - Italy3. Pyramid of Chichen Itza - Mexico4. Machu pichu - Peru5. Christ the redeemer - Brazil6. Petra - Jordan7. Great Wall of China - ChinaIn the year 2007, Red Fort Delhi and in the year 2008 Kalka-Shimla railway in Himachal Pradesh were included in the UNESCOs list of World Heritage sites.===========================================================FIRSTs First Chinese pilgrim to visit India - Fahein First Governor-General of Pakistan -Mohammad Ali Jinnah First to climb Everest - Tensing Norgay and Edmund Hillary First to step on the Moon- Neil Armstrong followed by Edwin Aldrin First President of USA - George Washington First lamb created using DNA from a sheep - Dolly Worlds first cloned Human Baby - EVE First women cosmonaut - Valentina Tereshkova First woman Prime Minister of a Country -Mrs. Sirimavo Bandarnaike First woman President of a country -Maria Estela Peron (Argentina) First Indian to get Oscar award -Bhanu Athaiya First Talkie Film -Alam Ara First test Tube Baby - Indira Baby Harsha First Woman Central Minister - Rajkumari Amrut Kaur First Woman CM of a state - Mrs. Sucheta Kripalani First woman Governor - Mrs. Sarojini Naidu First woman Minister of a state - Mrs. Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit First women to Climb Everest - Bachendri Pal First Science city - Kolkata First silent Movie - Raja Harish Chandra First News paper -Bengal Gazette First Telegraph line installed between Diamond Harbour and Kolkata First Indian in the British Parliament - Dadabhai Narorji First Indian woman to go to space - Kalpana Chawla *********OLYMPIC GAMES First held in 776 BC by Greeks. Revived and conducted in the modern times in the year 1896 for the first time in Athens, Greece. Summer Olympics -2008 - Beijing, China Summer Olympics- 2012 - London First winter Olympics 1924 - Chamonix. France. Winter Olympics -2006 - Turin, Italy. Winter Olympics -2010 - Vancouver, Canada Indias won the first gold medal in Hockey in the year 1928. In the year 2008 Abhinav Bindra won gold medal in Mens shooting 10 m air rifle. India officially participated in the sixth Olympic Games in the year 1920 in Antwerp, Belgium.********* President of IOC Jacques Rogge, Belgium***************COMMON WEALTH GAMES First - 1930 Hamilton, Canada 18th - 2006 Melbourne, Australia 19th - 2010 New Delhi 20th - 2014 Glasgow, ScotlandASIAN GAMES First - 1951 - New Delhi 15th - 2006 - Doha, Qatar 16th - 2010 - Guangzhou, China 17th - 2014 - Inch eon, South KoreaSOUTH ASIAN FEDERATION GAMES (SAF) 1st - 1984 - Kathmandu, Nepal 10th - 2006- Colombo 11th - 2008 Dhaka, Bangladesh 2010 games were held in Dhaka. 2012 and 2014 will be in New Delhi and Kathmandu respectively ********BANKS AND NATIONALIZATIONSBI (State Bank of India): SBI is the largeststate-ownedbankinginIndia. Thegovernment of Indianationalized the Imperial Bank of India in 1955, with theReserve Bank of Indiataking a 60% stake, and renamed it the State Bank of India. In 2008, the government took over the stake held by the Reserve Bank of India. TheBank of Calcutta, later renamed theBank of Bengal, was established on 2 June. TheBank of Bombay established on April 15, 1840. TheBank of Madras established on July 1, 1843. These banks amalgamated on 27 January 1921, and formed intoImperial Bank of India. Imperial Bank of India renamed to SBI. SBI has five associate banks: State Bank of Bikaner & Jaipur State Bank of Hyderabad State Bank of Mysore State Bank of Patiala State Bank of Travancore State Bank of Saurashtra- merged with SBI in 2008. State Bank of Indore- merged with SBI in 2010. 14 banks were nationalized in the year 1969. 6 more banks were nationalized in the year 1980. In the year 1993, the government mergedNew Bank of IndiawithPunjab National Bank. In early 1990s the Narasimham committee recommended the entry of private banks into the banking sector. Global Trust Bank (GTB) was the first private bank to set up. Later GTB amalgamated with the Oriental Bank of Commerce (OBC). ********FICCI (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry): FICCI was established in the year 1927. The headquarters located in New Delhi. This is an association of business organizations inIndia. FICCI was established On the advice of Mahatma Gandhi FICCI was founded byGD Birlaand Purushottam Takkur. FICCI is also the permanent Indian host of theGlobal India Business Meeting. The current President is Harsh C. Mariwala ( Chairman and Managing Director of FICCI). ********** PARAM-800 (Parallel Machine) is the first Super Computer in India. This is developed by C-DAC (Centre for Development of Advanced Computing) in the year 1991. (KASEZ) KANDLA SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONE is the first SEZ in India. This was set up in the year 1965. It is also the first SEZ in ASIA. This is the largest multi-product in India. The BSE (Bombay Stock exchange) is the oldest stock exchange in India. This was set up in the year 1875 as The Native Share and Stock Brokers Association. BSE is also the oldest stock exchange in the country. BSE obtained permanent recognition in the year 1956. This is located in Mumbai. Suman Sharma is the first woman in the World to fly Russian MIG-35 fight Jet. **********CBFC (Central Board For Film certification): CBFC was established in the year 1952. Head Quarters located in Mumbai. CBFC is popularly known as Censor Board. This functions under Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. This is a regulatory body. The films can be publicly exhibited in India only after the certification by CBFC. The term of the chairman is 2 years. Same person can be reappointed. The current chairperson is Leela Samson (April 1, 2001 - ...). Leela Samson is a noted Bharatanatyam Dancer. Prior to her appointment as the Chairperson of CBFC she Chairperson of Sangeet Natak Academy (Indias National Academy for Music Dance and Drama). Leela Samson replaced Sharmila Tagore. *********CABE (CENTRAL ADVISORY BOARD OF EDUCATION): This is the highest decision making body on education in the country. Union Minister for Human Resource Development Kapil Sibal is the Chairman of the Central Advisory Board of Education. (As on June 8, 2011). *********NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS The Nuclear power is produced by controlled nuclear reactions. The plants use nuclear fission reactions to heat water to produce steam which is then utilizes to generate electricity. Obninsk Nuclear Power Plant of USSR is the first nuclear power plant in the World. It was set up on January 27, 1954. TAPS (Tarapur Atomoc Power Plant), Maharasthra is the first nuclear power plant in India. This went operational in 1969. The Nuclear Accident of Chernobyl occurred on April 26, 1986 at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine. It is the worst nuclear power plant accident in the World. This is considered to be the level 7 on the INES (International Nuclear and radiological Event Scale). The INES was introduced in the year 1990 by IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna). There are 0 to 7 levels. Each level is considered to be 10 times more severe than the previous level. The level 7 is considered to be the major accident (Chernobyl). AERB (Atomic Energy Regulatory Board) was constituted by the President of India in the year 1983. Head Quarters Mumbai. Current Chairman is S S Bajaj. NPCIL (Nuclear Power Corporation