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PORTFOLIOS AFTER RECENT CABINET RESHUFFLE: President of India : Pranab Mukherjee Vice President of India : Mohd. Hamid Ansari Manmohan Singh : Prime Minister of India Ministry of Planning Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Department of Atomic Energy Department of Space Sushilkumar Shinde Minister of Home Affairs P Chidambaram : Minister of Finance Salman Khurshid Minister of External Affairs A K Antony : Ministry of Defense Jairam Ramesh Minister of Rural Development Sharad Pawar : Minister of Food Processing Industries Minister of Agriculture Ghulam Nabi Azad Minister of Health and Family Welfare Farooq Abdullah Minister of New and Renewable Energy Kamal Nath Minister of Urban Development Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Vayalar Ravi Minister of Overseas Indian Affair S. Jaipal Reddy Minister of Science and Technology Minister of Earth Sciences Ajit Singh Minister of Civil Aviation Kapil Sibal Minister of Communications and Information Technology M.M. Pallam Raju Minister of Human Resource Development M. Veerappa Moily Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Mallikarjun Kharge Minister of Labour and Employment C. P. Joshi Minister of Road Transport and Highways Anand Sharma Minister of Commerce and Industry

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PORTFOLIOS AFTER RECENT CABINET RESHUFFLE:

President of India : Pranab MukherjeeVice President of India : Mohd. Hamid AnsariManmohan Singh :Prime Minister of IndiaMinistry of PlanningMinistry of Personnel, Public Grievances and PensionsDepartment of Atomic EnergyDepartment of Space

Sushilkumar ShindeMinister of Home AffairsP Chidambaram :Minister of FinanceSalman KhurshidMinister of External AffairsA K Antony :Ministry of DefenseJairam RameshMinister of Rural DevelopmentSharad Pawar :Minister of Food Processing IndustriesMinister of AgricultureGhulam Nabi AzadMinister of Health and Family WelfareFarooq AbdullahMinister of New and Renewable EnergyKamal NathMinister of Urban DevelopmentMinister of Parliamentary AffairsVayalar RaviMinister of Overseas Indian AffairS. Jaipal ReddyMinister of Science and TechnologyMinister of Earth SciencesAjit SinghMinister of Civil AviationKapil SibalMinister of Communications and Information TechnologyM.M. Pallam RajuMinister of Human Resource DevelopmentM. Veerappa MoilyMinister of Petroleum and Natural GasMallikarjun KhargeMinister of Labour and EmploymentC. P. JoshiMinister of Road Transport and HighwaysAnand SharmaMinister of Commerce and IndustryMinister of TextilesPraful PatelMinister of Heavy Industries and Public EnterprisesChandresh Kumari KatochMinister of CultureAjay MakenMinister of Housing and Urban Poverty AlleviationK Rahman KhanMinister of Minority Affairs

G K VasanMinister of ShippingPavan Kumar BansalMinister of RailwaysHarish RawatMinister of Water ResourcesKumari SeljaMinister of Social Justice and EmpowermentV. Kishore Chandra DeoMinister of Tribal AffairsMinister of Panchayati RajM. K. AlagiriMinister of Chemicals and FertilizersBeni Prasad VermaMinister of SteelAshwin KumarMinister of Law and JusticeShriprakash JaiswalMinister of CoalDinsha PatelMinistry of Mines=== Ministers of State with Independent Charge ===Krishna TirathMinistry of Women and Child DevelopmentJitendra SinghMinistry of Youth Affairs and SportsSrikant Kumar JenaMinistry of Statistics and Programme ImplementationJayanthi NatarajanMinistry of Environment and ForestsManish TewariMinister of Information and BroadcastingJayanthi NatarajanMinistry of Development of North Eastern RegionK. ChiranjeeviMinister of TourismBharatsinh Madhavsinh SolankiMinistry of Drinking Water and SanitationJyotiraditya ScindiaMinister of PowerK.H. MuniyappaMinister of Micro, Small and Medium EnterprisesSachin PilotMinister of Corporate Affairs=============================================Montek Singh AhluwaliaPlanning CommissionNandan NilekaniUnique Identification Authority of India

>>The 4 percent target for growth in agriculture, which will be missed in the Eleventh Plan (3.28% achieved in 11th FYP), must be achieved in the Twelfth Plan as it is critical for inclusiveness. (Ministry Of Rural Development).

>>NEDFi was declared Winner of the NABARD Rural Innovation Award -2012 in the Category of Public/ Co-Operative Sector / Government for its contribution towards promoting handicraft products made from water hyacinth.

>>UPA GOVT. SWABHIMAN SWAVALAMBAN scheme.

SIKKIM first NIRMAL STATE IN THE COUNTRY,UNDER TOTAL SANITATION PROGRAM.

National rural livelihood mission launched in BANSWADA district ,Rajasthan in 2011.

KUNWAR BAINU MAMERU (GUJRAT GOVT SCHEME FOR WOMAN)

BHARAT NIRMAN -SIX COMPONENTS IRRIGATION,HOUSING,ROADS,WATER SUPPLY ELECTRIFICATION AND RURAL COMMUNICATION.

KAUSHIKI BASU WORLD BANK CHIEF ECONOMIST.

ICICI TO EXTEND NET BANKING VIA FACEBOOK.

TATA CONSULTANCY SIGNS 103 CRORE DEAL WITH MGNREGA IN WEST BENGAL.

Onnu Ruhl country director for india,world bank.

PUNJAB GOVT. DOOR TO DOOR CANCER CAMPAIGN.

21 ST SEPT WORLD PEACE DAY.

Union Ministry for women and child development launched SAKSHAM to empower boys on gender sensitivity. Web portaL TRACH CHILD LAUNCHED........

>>KULENDEI FRANCIS---RAMON MAGSAYSAY 2012 COMMUNITY SERVICE

>>UTI LAUNCHES MICRO PENSION SCHEME FOR UNORGANISED POOR INDIAN WORKERS

>>MRINAL GORE - ASSOCIATED WITH WATER RIGHTS, PRICE RISE AND WOMENS EMPOWERMENT

>>VILASRAO SALUNKHE- ASSOCIATED WITH PAANI PANCHAYATS

>>RAJENDRA SINGH-- WATER CONSERVATION

>>GOI SWAJAL DHARA SCHEME

>>CARBON SEQUESTRATION---TECHNIQUE USED TO REMOVE CARBON FROM ATMOS AND DEPOSITING IT IN THE RESERVOIR

>>DELHI--IST TO GET CARBON CREDIT AWARD FROM UN

>>CHIEF CROP --RICE FOR 2ND GREEN REVOLUTION IN EASTERN INDIA

>>5 JUNE WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY

>>PURA SCHEME BRAINCHILD OF APJ KALAM.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Providing_Urban_Amenities_to_Rural_Areas_(PURA)

Provision of Urban Amenities to Rural Areas (PURA) is a strategy for rural development in India. Concept given by former president Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.and framed by Prof.Emerson.

PURA proposes that urban infrastructure and services be provided in rural hubs to create economic opportunities outside of cities. Physical connectivity by providing roads electronic connectivity by providing communication network and knowledge connectivity by establishing professional and Technical institutions will have to be done

in an integrated way so that economic connectivity will emanate. The Indian central government has been running pilot PURA programs in several states since 2004.

>>RASHTRIYA AAROGYA NIDHI SCHEME---ITANAGAR ARUNACHALPRADESH PROVIDES FINANCE UPTO 1.5 LAKH

>>UP GOVERNMENT LAUNCHED SAMAJWADI SWASTHYA SEWA (BIGGEST EMMERGENCY TRANSPORT SERVICE IN INDIA)

>>VERGHESE KURIEN--MILKMAN AND WHITE REVOLUTIONARY OF INDIA PASSES AWAY.

6TH MEKONG GANGA COOPERATION MEET HELD IN DELHI

>>Bharat Nirman Objectives: 1) provide safe drinking water to all uncovered habitations by 2012.Cover approximately 55 thousand uncovered habitations and provide safe drinking water to approximately 2.16 lakh villages affected by poor water quality.2) Target of 60 lakh houses for the poor already achieved in 2009. New target of 1.2 crore houses by 2014 adopted. Provide additional 1.2 crore houses at the rate of 24 lakh houses each year to be built by funds allocated to the homeless through Panchayats.3)Achieve 40% rural teledensity by 2014,assure broadband coverage to all 2.5 Lakh Panchayats and setup Bharat NIrman Seva Kendra at Panchayat level by 2012. 4) Connect all villages that have a population of 1000(500 in Hilly and tribal areas by all weather roads by 2012.Provide road connections to remaining 23,000 villages approximately with population of 1000 or 500 in case of hilly or tribal areas. 5) Reach electricity to all villages and offer electricity connection to 1.75 crore poor households by end of 2012. Provide electricity to remaining 40,000 villages approximately and connections to about 1.75 crore poor households.6) Bring additional one crore hectare of land under assured irrigation by 2012.(1.85 Million Hectare achieved during 2009-10 and 1.56 Million Hectare achieved during 2010-11.6.5 million hectares brought under assured irrigation till 2009. Remaining 3.5 million hectares to be completed by 2012.

>>HIMAYAT SCHEME: LAUNCHED UNDER NRLMHimayat is a placement linked skill development scheme for youth from Jammu and Kashmir. Himayat scheme will cover 1 lakh youth from J&K; in the next 5 years and will be implemented through competent training providers, from the private sector and non-profit organisations. The training providers for placement linked skill training will give a 75 percent placement guarantee for the trained youth. Placement for youth will be provided all over the country, within J&K; and outside. Under SEE J&K; Scheme, different training strategies will be used for diverse groups of youth – school dropouts, dropouts of XII class level, and those who have had college education.

>>Aajeevika - National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) was launched by the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), Government of India in June 2011. Aided in part through investment support by the World Bank, the Mission aims at creating efficient and effective institutional platforms of the rural poor enabling them to increase household income through sustainable livelihood enhancements and improved access to financial services.NRLM has set out with an agenda to cover 7 Crore BPL households, across 600 districts, 6000 blocks, 2.5 lakh Gram Panchayats and 6 lakh villages in the country through self-managed Self Help Groups (SHGs) and federated institutions and support them for livelihoods collectives in a period of 8-10 years. In addition, the poor would be facilitated to achieve increased access to their rights, entitlements and public services, diversified risk and better social indicators of empowerment. NRLM believes in harnessing the innate capabilities of the poor and complements them with capacities (information, knowledge, skills, tools, finance and collectivization) to participate in the growing economy of the country.

>>NRLM initiated livelihood enhancement and vulnerability reduction interventions through a special program "Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana". MKSP was launched in 2010-11. The programme envisages empowering women in agriculture by making systematic investments to enhance their participation and productivity, as also create and sustain agriculture based livelihoods of rural women. The program is being implemented by NRLM in partnership with State Departments/CSOs as implementing partners (PIAs) across the country. The central to state share in funding for MKSP stands at 75:25 ratio.

Under NRLM, the core agenda of MKSP is to (i) create sustainable livelihood institutions around agriculture and allied activities (ii) create sector-specific geography-specific best package of practices and (iii) create a wide pool of community resource persons for scaling up livelihood interventions in the entire country.The mission has narrowed down to four major themes, to work with partners in MKSP programme. They are:(a) Sustainable agriculture(b) Non Timber Forest Produce (NTFP)

NRLM SPECIAL SCHEMES:Special Projects have been developed to bridge the skill gap and entry level barriers for the rural BPL youth and facilitate their entry into relatively high level wage employment in the growing sectors of the economy. The initiative was piloted in 2005-06 as a special project under SGSY in partnership with Dr. Reddy's Foundation. The project sanctioned for training of 35,000 youth was spread in seven states: Bihar, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh .The success of this pilot catalysed progressive growth of innovative attempts by different private sector and civil society organizations to train and place rural BPL youth. SGSY skill development is an outcome based programme with funding linked to placement – 75% of trainees should be placed by an agency to avail any payment of training and placement services under this program. It primary objective is to train rural BPL youth in the age group of 18-35 years in marketable skills and place them in suitable jobs.

>>PARVAAZ PROGRAMME

One of the initiatives of Special Projects being implemented by the Project Implementing Agency IL&FS; is Parvaaz - a pilot program on "Comprehensive Skills and Education Program for Rural BPL Minority Youth. The main objective of this programme is to mainstream the minority BPL youth of the country by empowering them with education, skills & employment.

>>OMKAR NATH SHARMA ---KNOWN AS MEDICINE BABA. ESTABLISHED A MEDICINE BANK FOR THE POOR

>>EIGHT Millenium Development Goals :-eradicate poverty and hunger,universal primary education,promote gender equality andn empower women,reduce child mortality,improve maternal health,combat HIV.AIDS,malaria and other diseases,ensure environmental sustainability,develop a global partnership for development

The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act

The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act aims at enhancing the livelihood security of people in rural areas by guaranteeing hundred days of wage-employment in a financial year to a rural household whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled manual work.

MGNREGA- enacted on 5th sep,2005, came into force w.e.f. 2nd feb,2006 and named as MGNREGA on 31st dec ,2009>>INDIA -- 2.4%-world surface area>>16.7%-world population-1.28billion people -28 states-7 union territories

population mix- 80.5%-Hindu 13.43-muslims Christians-2.3% others-3.7%

social inclusion - sarwa shikshan abhiyan (2001)-education to all children

universalisation of secondry education- 11 th plan

national literary mission-80% 11 th planpublic expenditure on education-3.6%of gdp

>>the right to children for free and compulsory education bill 2008 (up to age of 14%) is a constitutional commitment in indiakasturaba ghandhi balika vidhyalaya scheme subsidized under sarwa shiksah abhiyan is specially designed for under privileged girls-->>mid day may scheme (originated tamilnadu - followed by central laterally - 100% center sponsored) launched aug 1995 - revised sep 2004 - minimum 300 calories, 8-12 gms protein11plan target- achieve 80% - reduce gender gap in literacy to 10%

IMS ISSUES OF SOCIAL CONCERN FOR IRMA----------------------------------- 20121.According to central plan outlay 2011-2012 RS 11075 Crore has been allocated for rural housing2.NOVOD a statutory body was constituted in 19843.World Ozone day 16th September4.Rabi crop is the spring harvest also known as winter harvest5.Maternal Mortality ratio means number of maternal deaths per 1,00,000 live births.6. The live stock census is done every 5 years. Last was done in 20087.Country programe action plan 2008-2012 signed between GOI and UNDP8.City of locks Aligarh9.India is the largest MILK producer in the world10.Saboni west Bengal is the location of an RBI Currency printing press11.The world’d largest foreign exchange market is London market12.RBI has 100% equity on National Housing13.Economic survey is an annual commentary on the state of economy in india which is put together by the Finance ministry of India.14.The dairy cooperative network operates in over 346 districts 15. As per the economic survey of 2011-2012 the area coverage under total food grains during Kharif season 2010 compared to Kharif season 2009 shows a marginal decline of 2.71 lakh ha.16.UREA is NOT a bio fertilizer but a chemical fertilizer.17.Macro economics is often called Aggregative economics as it is the study of aggregates18.National Income calculated at constant price is according to the base price year19.The input method is NOT a method to estimate national income20.Barter economy was replaced my money economy21.RBI has the power of issuing currency notes in India22.The banyan tree is National Tree of India23.All landless labourers living BPL in rural areas come under the coverage Aam Admi Bima Yojana24.GREEN HIKER CAMPAIGN is the name of the campaign by WWF for Nature India launched on june 4,2012.The idea is to encourage the tour operators to adopt better practices for disposal of waste in the Himalayas and protect the fragile eco system.25. For the year 2011-2012 India’s economy grew by 5.3% in fourth quarter ending March 201226.The National Literacy Mission was set up by GOI on 5th may 1998 with the aim to irradicate illiteracy in the country by imparting functional literacy to non illiterates27.ITC Ltd plans to scale up 20000 E Choupals by 2012 covering 100000 villagers in 15 states servicing 15 million farmers28. The main objective of Mill Gate Price Scheme is to provide all types of yarns to the handloom weavers organizations at the mill gate price 29. The publication titled Data Base on Indian Economy is realeased from time to time by the RBI30. The full form of PFRDA is Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority31. Services sector of Indian Economy is most dependent on economic developments in advanced nations 32. Yeshaswini Health Insurance Scheme was introduced in 2003 in Karnataka for rural farmers and peseants in Karnataka33. About 65% of Indian population is mainly dependent on agriculture for their livelihood34.The 9th five year plan was from 1997-200235. About 70 million new work opportunities will be created as per 11 th Five year plan36.Carbamide is a fertilizer, another name for UREA37. World forestry day March 21st38. Asia’s FIRST ECONOMIC PROCESSING ZONE was set up in KANDLA,india39. The R K Talwar Committee deals with enactments having bearing on agro landings by commercial banks

1.The Indian institute of crop processing technology is situated at tanjavur2.Girish wagh is associated with TATA motors3.In order to achieve 11th five year plan target of average growth of 4% per year the agriculture sector needs to grow at 8.5% during 2011-2012 as per economic survey of 2010-20114.The national project on management of soil health fertility (NPMSF) was introduced in 2008-20095.Per capita income at current prices during 2011-2012 is estimated to have attained a lever of Rs 60603 as per advanced estimates of national income 2011-2012 released by Central statistics office6.Currently there are 15 state seed corporations operational in india7.KUDUMBASHREE is the woman oriented community based state poverty eradication mission of GOI8.The country expects to lower its infant mortality rate to below 30 per 1000 live births by year 2012 according to economic survey 2010-20119.The handicrafts development wing of the union textile ministry has started organizing BAMBOO BAZAARS in various parts of the country from june 2010. The first was launched in CHENNAI10.Indias main import is petroleum and crude oil11.The NRLM was launched for the first time in state of ORRISSA IN april 201112.The SABLA scheme caters to the health needs of adolescent girls13.The SANJHA CHULHA YOJANA has been launched in 2009 in Madhya Pradesh .it provides nutritious food to children between age of 3 to 6 years under integrated child development scheme in rural areas14.The Maharashtra state buget has fixed of rs 438 crores for the MIHAN PROJECT 2012-201315.IN APRIL 2011 The GOI has started full scale survey of the families living BPL16.PROJECT GREEN HANDS is a MOVEMENT to raise GREEN COVER IN TAMIL NADU BY 10%17.KNIDS GREEN INITIATIVE is marketed under the brand name of SAMRIDDHI18.RAJIV GANDHI JEEVAMDAYI YOJANA has been launched in 6 districts of MAHARASHTRA. The objective is to provide mediclaim insurance worth rs one lakh to people living BPL19.NABARD came into existence on 12th july 198220.IFFCO one of the largest co operatives produces fertilizers21.The first CREDA(CENTRE FOR RURAL EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT ACTION) was set up in UTTAR PRADESH22.The rate of GDP growth to be maintained in the 12th five year plan is 10%23.According to 11th five year plan 4% is the required percentage of increase in agricultural GDP growth rate to ensure a broader spread of benefits24.According to the 11th five year plan by 2012 the GOI will provide broadband connectivity to all villages25.The main target of MAHILA SAMAKHYA PROGRAMME is education and empowerment of women in rural areas26.38 rivers have been brought under the National River conservation plan (NRCP) till date27.24TH APRIL IS OBSERVED AS PANCHAYATI RAJ DAY28.Service sector in the Indian economy received maximum equity inflow in 201229.GRAM SUMANGAL a 100% central sector scheme is associated with RURAL POSTAL LIFE INSURANCE30.NABARD has been releasing money of recapitalizing assistance to Primary agricultural credit societies (PACS) in various states to introduce cooperative reforms. PROF. A VAIDYANATHAN COMMITTEE provides recommendation for this purpose31.According to prime ministers National council Skill Development under 11th five year plan by year 2022 India will have 500 million skilled people32.5 Communities in india come under the category of minorities as prescribed by section 2 (a) of the National commission for Minorities act 199233.The percentage of central government expenditure in IAY is 75%.it is a flagship scheme of ministry of rural development to provide houses to rural poor 34.The ministry of Rural development has identified 35 districts for RURAL BUSINESS HUB INTERVENTION PROGRAMME35.AGRICOLA MEDAL---------------(please see latest awardees)36.Rs 9271 crore is the provision made for Rashtriya Krishi Vikas yojana (RKVY) in the UNION BUDGET 2012-2012>>11th 5 year plan targets-GDP growth rate-9%Agriculture growth rate- 4%Industrial growth rate - 9% to 11%Manufacturing growth rate- 12%Revised GDP growth rate- 8.1%Vision- Inclusive growth and improve quality lifeTotal layout of 11th year plan 120% of 10th 5 year planReduce Infant mortality rate to 1 out of 1000.

Reduce Maternal mortality Rate to 28 out of 1000Reduce poverty by 10 percentage points.

>>The World Trade Organization (WTO) is an organization that intends to supervise and liberalize international trade. The organization officially commenced on January 1, 1995 under the Marrakech Agreement, replacing the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), which commenced in 1948.[5]The organization deals with regulation of trade between participating countries; it provides a framework for negotiating and formalizing trade agreements, and a dispute resolution process aimed at enforcing participants' adherence to WTO agreements which are signed by representatives of member governments[6]:fol.9-10 and ratified by their parliaments.[7] Most of the issues that the WTO focuses on derive from previous trade negotiations, especially from the Uruguay Round (1986–1994).WTO's current Director-General is Pascal Lamy, who leads a staff of over 600 people in Geneva, Switzerland.

1.RICE is the most cultivated crop in india.india is the worlds second largest producer of rice behind china and more than 33% of cropland in india is under rice cultivation2.LULANDEI FRANCIS whose integrated village development project in krishnagiri has helped change the lives of the many TAMIL NADU workers has won the RAYMON MAGSAYSAY AWARD 2012 Community leadership3.India ranks second in the world in the production of sugar4.DDT was first synthetic pesticide of the modern age.it ultimately created widespread concern as an environmental hazard5.Slash and Burn is an agricultural technique which involves cutting and burning of forests or woodlands to create fields6.Crop stubble helps to hold soil in place and thus reduce erosion7.Wetlands don’t serve as landfill sites8.PUSA HYBRID 4 is TOMATO HYBRID9.In between rabi and kharif season there is a period during the summer months known as ZAID season---crops grown in ZAID are watermelon pumpkin etc10.India is the worlds largest cattle population 11.The commission for agriculture submits its recommendations on price policy for 23 crops12.The swarnjayanti gram swarozgar yojana was launched as an integrated programme for self employment for the rural poor with effect from 1999.13.Antyaoday anna yojana launched in 2000 for food security14.1980’s has been best phase of agricultural development and growth in india15.The SARVODAY PROGRAMME WAS LAUNCHED BY VINOBA BHAVE IN 1948-4916.AGMARK is an acronym for agricultural marketing.agmark is a qualifiy certification mark provided by GOI17.Kasturba Gandhi balika vidayalay (KGBV) is a scheme launched in 2004 for setting up residential schools at upper primary lever for girls belonging to SC ST OBC and MINORITRY communities18.The 6th five year plan marked the beginning of economic liberalization19.Rashtriya swasthya bima yojana is a central government scheme announced by PM Manmohan scheme on 15 august 2007 .20.Brazil is the largest producer of sugar in the world21.THE KISAN CREDIT CARD is a pioneering credit delivery innovation for providing adequate and timely credit to farmers under single window with flexible and simplified procedure adopting whole farm approach22.AMMONIUM SULPHATE is used largely as an artificial fertilizer for alkaline soils.23.THE B HORIZON is commonly refered to as SUBSIOL 24.Chickens as succeptable to at least 11 species of COCCIDIAA 25.Red data book consists lists of endangered species published by international union for conservation of nature26.KERELA has the highest number of children delivered in hospitals27.The new symbol of Indian rupee is designed by IIT postgraduate D UDAI KUMAR28.The union territory of PUDDU CHERI leads the country in EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT INDEX29.RAJIV GANDHI EQUITY SCHEME aims at boosting retail investments in the capital market30.NIRMAN BHARAT ABHIYAN YOJANA is a SLUM SANITATION INITIATIVE aimed at constructing community toilets in SLUMS31.The term “EVERGREEN REVOLUTION “ is coined by MS SWAMINATHAN .The green revolution was coined in 1968 to indicate revolutionary improvements in crop yield in several asian countries .many of these improvements came at a cost of adverse environmental effects in areas subjected to intensive farming. However where population pressure is high there is no option except to produce more food. Productivity must increase but in ways which are environmentally safe , economically viable and socially sustainable. This has been rechristened as “EVERGREEN

REVOLUTION”32.The MICRO IRRIGATION PLAN is not restricted to western indiaa33.The MINISTRY OF RURAL AREAS AND EMPLOYMENT was renamed as MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT IN 199934.KERELA IS KNOWN AS INDIAN SPICE GARDEN because of the variety of spices that are grown there

India - Some Basic Information Land – 32,87,263 sq km; 7th largest in the world Pop – 102 cr. (2001 Census); 2nd most populous 28 states, 7 UTs including 1 NCR (Delhi) Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, & Uttarakhand - 3 new states in that order Land Frontier – 15,200 km Total length of coast line – 7,516.6 km Population Density – 324 / sq km Sex ratio – 933 Literacy rate – 65.38 2.4% of the world’s surface area & 16.7% of the world’s population India has a heritage of democratic republics (Janapadas) National Symbols Jana Gana Mana: adopted January 24, 1950, 1st sung on December 27, 1911, at INC, Calcutta, originally in Bengali…..written by Rabinder Nath Tagore Vande Mataram: 1st sung at 1896 INC session, originally in Sanskrit by Bankim C Chatterji Saka Era (AD 78), adopted on March 22, 1957 Tiger ( national animal) , Peacock ( national bird) , Lotus (national flower) National Flag adopted on July 22, 1947 State emblem is an adaptation of Sarnath lion capital of Asokha adopted on January 26, 1950 Flag code adopted in 2002 Dolphin – National Aquatic Creature Satyameva Jayate – from Upanishads Traditional Indian calendar starts with Chaitra Major Sectors of the Economy [1] Primary – Agriculture & allied - 20-22% [1] Secondary – Industrial, which includes mining & quarrying; manufacturing; electricity, gas & water supply, and construction - 22-24%[1] Tertiary – Services, which includes trade, hotels, IT, transport & communication; financial services, and community, social & personal services - 57.2% [1] Micro finance hub of India is Andhra Pradesh [1] IT and Biotechnology hub is Bangalore[1] Automobile hub is Tamil Nadu [1]Hyderabad pharma hub [1] Mumbai financial capital [1] GDP - $1.25 trillion (2009), world’s 11th largest economy [1] At $3.13 trillion, 4th largest by PPP, after U.S., Japan, & China[1] 2nd fastest GDP growth among large economies [1]India a services led economy. GDP growth rate was 7.5% in 2004-05, 9.5% in 2005-06, 9.7% in 2006-07, 9.2% in 2007-08, 6.7% in 2008-09, 7.4% in 2009-10 [1]India’s share in world trade has increased from 0.7% in 2003 to 1.1% in 2008. Export target$200 billion by March 2011. [1] Latest poverty estimate of Tendulkar Panel is 8.3 crore households and 37.2% [1] Principal commodities exported are ores and minerals, gems and jewelry chemical and alliedproducts engineering goods petroleum products, agriculture and allied products [1] Principal commodities imported are pearls, fertilizers, cereals, edible oils, newsprint and petroleum products [1] Infrastructure and building up of social infrastructure - top priorities [1]India was the second largest economy in the world before British era [1] Shameful record of famines in British India – 1947 famine in BengalAgriculture [1] About 64% of the population dependent on agriculture [1] Contributes 20-22% to GDP [1] 2008-09 – 4th Advance estimate 233.88 MT [1] Net sown area – 1,412 lakh hectares (2000) [1] Area under forests – 695.5 lakh hectares (2003-04) [1] 60% of area sown is dependent upon rainfall [1] Agriculture, Animal husbandry and Fisheries contributed 5.3% to GDP in 2005-06 

[1] 3 harvesting seasons – Rabi, Kharif, & Zaid[1] Major Rabi crops: wheat, barley, mustard [1] Major Kharif crops: rice, jowar, bajra, cotton [1] Foodgrain cropping share comes down to 65 per cent of gross cropped area (2000) [1] Estimated production of Rice in 2008-09 is 99.37 mt [1] Estimated production of Wheat in 2008-09 is 77.63 mt [1]India third largest producer and consumer of fertilizers [1]India second largest producer of fruits and vegetables [1] Land area under marginal holdings (less than 1 hectare) is 20% of Total Cultivated Area (2001-2002) [1] High level of disguised unemployment [1] 33% ideal forest cover [1] Need for improved irrigation, better seeds & fertilizers, consolidation of land holdings, land reforms, better access to credit, extension of marketing facilities, etc. [1] The first Green Revolution achieved breakthrough in the production of wheat and rice [1] No significant breakthrough in production of oil seeds & pulses [1] M.S. Swaminathan, C. Subramaniam and Norman Borlaug key figures in Green Revolution [1] National Food Security Mission[1] Rotting foodgrains and malnutrition [1] Contract farming and regulated markets - key areas of reforms [1] Controversy over GM crops - GM cotton and Brinjal [1] Organic farming a necessity not a fad (latest controversy of antibiotics in honey) Dairy, Poultry and Fisheries [1] NDDB ( National Dairy Development Board) – chairperson Dr. Amrita Patel [1] AMUL started by Dr. Verghese Kurien, who also launched Operation Flood (White Revolution) [1] 105 MT of milk production (2008-09) [1] UP – largest milk producer, also largest milch bovine pop [1] 485 million livestock population, World No.1 [1] Total egg production reached 50.7 billion in 2006-07 [1]India ranked sixth in poultry [1]India 3rd largest producer of Fish [1] Fisheries sector major contributor to exports[1] Rs.8,357 crore valuation in 2008-09 of fisheries exports [1] National Fisheries Development Board set up in Hyderabad[1] Allied activities give good scope for income generation and employment Agri & related institutes Central Institute for Medicinal and Aromatic Plants - LucknowInternational Crop Research Institute for Semi-arid Tropics - HyderabadNational Fisheries Development Board - HyderabadNational Dairy Research Institute - Karnal Indian Council of Agricultural Research - DelhiCentral Sheep Breeding Farm - Hissar National Institute of Agricultural Marketing - Jaipur National Institute of Rural Development - HyderabadNational Institute of Agriculture Research Management – HyderabadPANCHAYATI RAJ The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act The idea that produced the 73rd Amendment was not a response to pressure from the grassroots, but to an increasing recognition that the institutional initiatives of the preceding decade had not delivered, that the extent of rural poverty was still much too large and thus the existing structure of government needed to be reformed. It is interesting to note that this idea evolved from the Centre and the state governments. It was a political drive to see PRIs as a solution to the governmental crises that India was experiencing. The Constitutional (73rd Amendment) Act, passed in 1992 by the Narasimha Rao government, came into force on April 24, 1993. It was meant to provide constitutional sanction to establish "democracy at the grassroots level as it is at the state level or national level". Its main features are as follows : • The Gram Sabha or village assembly as a deliberative body to decentralised governance has been envisaged as the foundation of the Panchayati Raj System. • A uniform three-tier structure of panchayats at village (Gram Panchayat — GP), intermediate or block (Panchayat Samiti — PS) and district (Zilla Parishad — ZP) levels. • All the seats in a panchayat at every level are to be filled by elections from respective territorial constituencies. • Not less than one-third of the total seats for membership as well as office of chairpersons of each tier have to be reserved for women. 

• Reservation for weaker castes and tribes (SCs and STs) have to be provided at all levels in proportion to their population in the panchayats.• To supervise, direct and control the regular and smooth elections to panchayats, a State Election Commission has to be constituted in every State and UT. • The Act has ensured constitution of a State Finance Commission in every State/UT, for every five years, to suggest measures to strengthen finances of PRIs. • To promote bottom-up-planning, the District Planning Committee fDPC} in every district has been accorded constitutional status. • An indicative list of 29 items has been given in Eleventh Schedule of the Constitution. Panchayats are expected to play an effective role in planning and implementation of works related to these 29 items. 74 CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT RELATED TO MUNICIPAL COMMITTEES EDUCATION AS A FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT (86th CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT ) Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan Launched in 2001, 75:25 exp sharing during 10th Plan between Centre & States All children in 6-14 yrs bracket in school Bridge all gender & social category gaps at primary stage by 2007 & elementary stage by 2010 Universal retention by 2010 Before 1976 education was the exclusive responsibility of the states Central Advisory Board for Education was first established in 1920 National Programme of Nutritional Support to Primary Education was launched in 1995 NCERT set up in 1961 National Literacy Mission was launched in 1988 Navodaya Schools launched in 1985 Mid-Day Meal Scheme – Launched 1995, aims to increase enrolment & retention in schools Operation Blackboard – Launched 1987-88, 2 large classrooms, 2 teachers, essential teaching material Lok Jumbish – Launched in Rajasthan with assistance from Sweden, aims for edu for all Shiksha Karmi Project – aims at universalisation & qualitative improvement of primary edu in remote places of Rajasthan, special emphasis on girl child National Curriculum Framework was launched in 2005 UGC set up in 1953 IGNOU set up in 1985National Book Trust set up in 1957 Environment [1] 20.55% area under forest cover ( Ideal forest cover is 33.33%) [1] Forest Survey of India – HO at Dehra Dun[1] 15 Biosphere Reserves, 4 recognized by UNESCO viz., Nilgiri, Sunderbans, Gulf of Mannar and Nanda Devi[1]Forest Policy – 1894, revised 1952 & 1988 [1] Project Tiger – 1973; 281 Tiger Reserves in 17 states [1] Project Elephant – 1992; 14 reserves [1] Eco-mark – to label environment-friendly consumer products [1] Sunderlal Bahuguna of Chipko Movement awarded Padma Vibushan [1] Sunita Narain Centre for Science and Environment Delhi[1] Vandana Shiva, Maneka Gandhi and Amala – Blue Cross, Navadhanya [1] Mining license of Vedanta revoked [1] Many projects in Uttarakhand on Ganga put on hold [1] Development vs Environment [1]India’s good record in carbon emissions [1] Low development responsible for low emissions? [1] Is environment clearance becoming politicized? Ex: Vedanta and Polavaram [1] Bishnois – highly eco friendly community – Haryana, Rajasthan Welfare Schemes – [1] Annapurna Scheme (2000-01) – Poor over 65 yrs of age with no pension are eligible, 10 kgof rice per month [1] Antyodaya Anna Yojana (2000) – Poorest of the poor, 35 kg of foodgrain at highly subsidised rates (Rs.2 - rice, Rs.3 - wheat) [1] Sampoorna Grameen Rozgar Yojana (2001) – Universal Food for Work scheme in all UTs / states, who are supplied with 50 lakh tonne food grain free of cost by MoRD [1] MGNREGS – Food for Work programme in 200 most backward districts; 100 days employment guarantee for ONE member of a poor household or else compensation provided; Minimum 

Wage at Rs.60 per day [1] Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship for scheduled caste and students launched in 2006. For higher studies like M.phil and P.hd [1] Scheme for Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers launched in 2007 [1] A central scheme for Primitive Tribal Groups launched in 1998-99 [1] National Policy for older persons launched in 1999 [1] Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act enacted in 2006 [1]India ratified the Convention on Elimination of Discrimination against Women in 1993 [1] Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) launched in 1975 [1] SABLA scheme for adolescent girls [1] Basic services for urban poor Employment Scenario [1] Total labour force – Estimated 457.50 million. More than 86% in informal sector [1] Services – 23 per cent; Industry – 17-19 per cent [1] Unemployment for males in 2004 – Increases to 9% in rural areas (5.6% in 1993-94) and 8.1% in urban areas (6.7% in 1993-94) [1] Unemployment for females in 2004 – Increases to 9.3% in rural areas (5.6% in 1993-94) and 11.7% in urban areas (10.5% in 1993-94) [1] Disguised unemployment and underemployment feature of India. More than 50% of the workforce in Agriculture [1]India’s first Rural Employment Guarantee Programme in Maharashtra[1] 61st round of NSSO 2004-05 informal sector workers 395 million out of total of 457.50 million [1] About 62% of unemployment in rural areas and 38% unemployment in urban areas [1] Demographic dividend – 15 to 64 years age group was 62.9% in 2006 – to be 68.4% in 2026 Health ( INDIAN DEMOGRAPHY) [1] Population growth – 1.93% (annual) [1] Decadal growth – 21.34 (1991-2001) [1] Crude Birth Rate (CBR) – 25; CDR – 8.1 [1] IMR – 64 (2002); MMR – 487 [1] Total Fertility Rate (TFR) – 3.2 [1] Life Expectancy at Birth – 63.8 yrs (M); 66.9 yrs (F) [1] Highest TFR – Bihar with 4.5 [1]India first country to officially adopt family planning programme [1]Sale of non-iodated salt banned in 2006 to control Goitre [1] AYUSH programme for alternate medical systems (Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy) [1]India has the largest number of Homeo practitioners [1]India has digitalized traditional knowledge of healing systems like Ayurveda Yoga and Siddha and registered with European patent office to prevent frivolous grant of patents [1] Small-pox officially “eliminated” in 1975 [1] New disease - SARS / Dengue and Swine flu [1] Nation Rural Health Mission launched in 2005 [1] Acute need for Health Insurance [1] Malnutrition acute problem [1] Fluoride ‘belts’ in the country [1] Recurrence of Brain Fever National Health Policy 2002 Eliminate [1] Malaria, Yaws, & Leprosy - 2005 [1] Kala Azar - 2010; Filariasis - 2015 [1] Achieve zero level growth of HIV / AIDS - 2007 Reduce [1] IMR to 30 / 100 & MMR 100 / lakh by 2010 [1] Prevalence of Blindness to 0.5% by 2010 [1] Mortality by 50% on a/c of vector diseases like TB / Malaria India is home to [1] As per revised estimates carried out in 2006, the number of persons living with HIV in India is 2 to 3.1 million [1] Highest blind population [1] Highest polio-afflicted population specially in parts of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar[1] Highest TB population (1/3rd of global TB pop) [1] Highest diabetic population (nearly 15%) [1] Highest projected population with cardiovascular diseases[1] Lifestyle diseases in urban, semi-urban areas Health - National Programmes [1] National Malaria Control Programme (1953) 

[1] National Filaria Control Programme (1955) [1] National TB Control Programme (1962) [1] National Leprosy Control Programme (1955) [1] National Programme for Control of Blindness (1953) [1] National AIDS Control Programme (1987) [1] National Goitre Control Programme (1962) [1] National Mental Health Programme (1955) [1] National Surveillance Programme for Communicable Diseases (1997-98) [1] The Universal Immumisation Programme aims at preventing TB, Diphtheria, Pertusis, Tetanus Polio and Measles [1] The pulse polio programme was launched in 1995-96 TRANSPORT [1] Railways modest beginning in 1853 [1] 6909 stations over total track kms of 1,09,996; 41% of total track electrified [1] 16 Railway Zones; 11 InternationalAirports[1] 12 Major Ports incl. one at Ennore (TN) – India’s first coporatised port [1] 200 non-major ports [1] 219 National Highways; longest NH 7 between Kanya Kumari & Varanasi; shortest is NH 47A between WillingdonIsland & Kochi (Kerala) [1]Cochin largest shipyard in country [1] Golden Quadrilateral – 5,486 km (D-M-C-K) [1] North-South Corridor & East-West Corridor – 7,300 km [1]Hyderabad and BangaloreInternationalAirports are greenfield airports [1]India 33 lakh kms of roads [1] NHDP largest highway project in the country [1]India has largest merchant shipping fleet in developing countries [1] Railways largest employer[1] Railway still a monopoly of public sector [1] Dedicated Railway freight corridor proposed SOME OTHER FACTS [1] Biggest constituent of UPA after Congress is Trinamool Congress [1] Agatha Sangma aged 28 is the youngest Cabinet Minister [1] Pranab Mukherjee is Finance Minster – heads many GOMs [1] Hamidullah Syed Basheer, age 27 is the youngest Member of Parliament from Lakshwadweep [1] The chairman of the National Identification Authority is Nandan Nilekani [1] The chairman of the PMEAC is C. Rangarajan [1] Bindeswari Pathak receives the prestigious Stockholm Water Prize [1] Vandana Shiva awarded Sydney Peace Prize [1] Sushma Swaraj and Arun Jaitley – leaders of opposition Five Year Plans – 1. First plan – 1951-56 Highest Priority to agriculture, irrigation and power 2. Second plan – 1956 to 1961 Highest Priority to Heavy Industries 3. Third plan – 1961-1966 Self sustaining growth 4. 1967 to 1969 plan Holiday three annual plans 5. Fourth plan – 1969-74 Equality and Social Justice 6. Fifth plan – 1974-79 Self Reliance 7. Sixth plan – 1980-85 Removal of Poverty 8. Seventh plan – 1985-90 Increased employment 9. 1991, 1992 – Annual plans 10. Eighth plan – 1992-97 Faster economic growth 11. Ninth plan – 1997-2002 accelerating growth rate with stable prices 12. Tenth plan – 2002-07 Growth with enhanced quality of life 13. Eleventh plan – 2007-2012 Faster and inclusive growth 14. NDC approves plans 15. Planning Commission is advisory body Important Government Programmes SGSY Swarnjayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY)launched in 1999PURA ( Provision of Urban Amenities in Rural Area) is a concept of Abdul KalamMaharashtrafirst state to launch Food for Work ProgrammeNREGA rechristened as Mahatma Gandhi Rural Employment ActPrime Minister Gram Sadak Yojana launched in 2000Indira Awaas Yojana launched in 1985National Drinking WaterMissionlaunched in 1986Sampoorna Grameen Rozgar Yojana launched in 2001Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) aims at urban development

VAMBAY( Valmiki Ambedkar Awas Yojna) is a programme aimed at rehabilitation of slumhouseholds Integrated Child Development Services launched in 1975Some important Statutory and Autonomous Organisations 1. National Commission for Minorities, 1993 2. National Commission for Women, 1992 3. National Commission for Protection of Rights of Children, 2007 4. Rashtriya Mahila Kosh, 1993 to facilitate credit support to poor women 5. National Handicapped Finance and Development Corporation 6. Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO) Kanpur a public sector unit 7. Rehabilitation Council of India, 1992 8. National Trust for Welfare of Persons with Autism Cereberal Palsy Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities 9. National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation 10. National Commission for Religious and Linguistic Minorities, 2005 11. National Commission for Scheduled Castes 12. National Commission for Safai Karamchari’s 13. National Commission for Backward Classes, 1993 14. National Commission for Human Rights 15. Central Adoption Resource Agency (CARA), 1990 16. National Commission on Population, 2000 17. National Knowledge Commission 18. Council for Advancement of People Action and Rural Technology (CAPART), 1986 19. Unique Identification Authority 20. National Innovation Council 21. Investment Commission MAHATAM GANDHI JI BOOK : A WEEK WITH GANDHI …………LOUIS FISCHER MY EXPERIMENTS WITH TRUTH…………..AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MAHATAMA GANDHI MOVIE “ GANDHI”…….DIRECTOR : Richard Attenborough WRITER : JOHN BRILEY IMPORTANT DAYS 

Important Days in World History Timeline Jan 10 World Laughter Day Jan 11 Death anniversary of Lai Bahadur Shastri Jan 12 National Youth Day (Birth day of Swami Vivekanand) Jan 23 Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose's birth anniversary Jan 25 International Customs Duty Day, India Tourism Day Jan 26 Republic Day Jan 30 (Martyr's day) Mahatma Gandhi's Martyrdom Day; World Leprosy Eradication Day Feb 2 World Wetlands Day Feb 13 Sarojini Naidu's Birth Anniversary Feb 14 St. Valentine's Day Feb 24 Central Excise Day Feb 28 National Science Day Mar 8 International Women's Day Mar 15 World Consumer Day Mar 16 National Vaccination Day Mar 19 World Disabled Day Mar 21 World Forestry Day Mar 22 World Day for Water Mar 23 World Meteorological Day Mar 24 World TB Day April 7 World Health Day April 13 Jallianwallah Bagh Massacre Day (1919) April 22 World Earth Day April 23 World Books Day May 1 International Labour Day (May Day) May 3 International Energy Day May 8 International Red Cross Day (It is celebrated to commemorate the birth anniversary of the founder of the Red Cross Organisation Jean Henry Dunant) May 11 National Technology Day May 15 International Family Day May 24 Commonwealth Day May 31 World No Tobacco Day 

Jun 5 World Environment Day Jun 27 World Diabetes Day Jul 1 Doctor's Day Jul 11 World Population Day Aug 29 Sports Day (Dhyanchand's birthday) Aug 30 Small Industry Day Sep 5 Teacher's Day Sep 7 Forgiveness Day Sep 8 International Literacy Day Sep 14 Hindi Day, World First Aid Day Sep 15 International Day of Democracy Sep 16 Weld Ozone Day Sep 21 Word Alzheimer's Day Sep 25 Social Justice Day Sep 27 World Tourism Day Oct 1 International Day for the Elderly (UN) Oct 2 Gandhi Jayanti, International Non-violence Day Oct 3 World Nature Day Oct 4 World Animal Day Oct 5 World Habitat Day; World Teacher's Day Oct 6 World Wildlife Day Oct 8 Indian Air force Day Oct 9 World Postal Day Oct 10 World Mental Health Day; National Post Day Oct 12 World Sight Day Oct 13 World Calamity Control Day (UN) Oct 14 World Standards Day Oct 15 World White cane day (guiding the blind) Oct 17 International Poverty Eradication Day Oct 20 National Solidarity Day (China attacked India on that day) Oct 24 United Nations Day Nov 7 Infant Protection Day; World Cancer Awareness Day Nov 14 Children's Day/World Diabetics day Nov 26 Law Day Dec 1 World AIDS Day Dec 10 Human Rights Day Dec 11 UNICEF Day Dec 14 National Energy Conservation Day Dec 23 Kisan Divas (Farmer's day) UNIQE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER - Tembhali: India’s most ambitious project to issue an unique identification number to all its citizens got off to a start with the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh handing over the first UID Number ‘782474317884’ to Rajana Sonawane, a tribal lady 's in Tembhali village in Nandurbar, Maharashtra on September 29, 2010. This marks the national launch of the Aadhaar Project under Unique Identification Authority of India. Ranjna received the Aadhaar letter from the Prime Minister. Ranjna’s letter marks the point where the Aadhaar initiative transforms from a technology concept to an on the ground reality. Ranjna had enrolled with her five year old son Hitesh, who was the second person to receive the Aadhaar letter. For Hitesh, Aadhaar will be his first proof of identity. The launch of Aadhaar in Tembhali was also attended by the UPA Chairperson, Sonia Gandhi. During a public function marking the launch, the Prime Minister acknowledged the significance of the number and dedicated Aadhaar to the service of the nation. Nandan Nilekani, Chairman of Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) & Ex Infosys CEO, mentioned the significance of the Aadhaar number for the millions of residents who still do not have any form of identification, “Today many people in this country do not possess any form of identification. The Aadhaar number will be able to fill this void”. Ranjna and Hitesh were among ten people from Tembhali who received letters containing their Aadhaar number from the Prime Minister and UPA Chairperson. Tembhali thus becomes India’s first ‘Aadhaar-gram’. The Aadhaar (UID) project will be rolled out across the country in the next four years. The 12-digit UID number will be stored in a centralised database and linked to the basic demographics and biometric information - photograph, ten fingerprints and iris - of each individual. In Kerala, Akshaya, IT@School and Keltron have been identified as enrolment agencies. MAHATAM GANDHI NATIONAL RURAL EMPLOYMENT GUARANTEE SCHEME 

- Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) is an Indian job guarantee scheme, enacted by legislation on August 25, 2005. The scheme provides a legal guarantee for one hundred days of employment in every financial year to adult members of any rural household willing to do public work-related unskilled manual work at the statutory minimum wage of Rs.100 per day. The Central government outlay for scheme is Rs. 40,100 crores in FY 2010-11.It was initially called the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) but was renamed on 2 October 2009. The act was brought about by the UPA coalition government supported by the left parties. The promise of this project is considered by many to be one of the major reasons for the re-election of the UPA in the Indian general election, 2004. - Dr. Jean Drèze, a Belgian born economist, at the Delhi School of Economics, has been a major influence on this project The act directs state governments to implement MNREGA "schemes". Under the MGNREGA the Central Government meets the cost towards the payment of wage, 3/4 of material cost and some percentage of administrative cost. State Governments meet the cost of unemployment allowance, 1/4 of material cost and administrative cost of State council. Since the State Governments pay the unemployment allowance, they are heavily incentivized to offer employment to workers. However, it is up to the State Government to decide the amount of unemployment allowance, subject to the stipulation that it not be less than 1/4th the minimum wage for the first 30 days, and not less than 1/2 the minimum wage thereafter. 100 days of employment (or unemployment allowance) per household must be provided to able and willing workers every financial year. - The scheme commenced on February 2, 2006 in 200 districts, was expanded to cover another130 districts in 2007-2008 and eventually covered all 593 districts in India by April 1, 2008. The outlay was Rs. 110 billion in 2006-2007, and rose steeply to Rs. 391 billion (140% increase in amount with respect to previous 2008-2009 budget) in 2009-2010. First a proposal is given by the Panchayat to the Block Office and then the Block Office decides whether the work should be sanctioned. The MGNREGA achieves twin objectives of rural development and employment. Human Development Index - INDIAN RANK 134 OUT OF 182 IN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT INDEX - The Human Development Index (HDI) is a composite statistic used to rank countries by level of "human development" and separate developed (high development), developing (middle development), and underdeveloped (low development) countries. The statistic is composed from data on life expectancy, education and per-capita GDP (as an indicator of standard of living) collected at the national level . The HDI combines three dimensions: * Life expectancy at birth, as an index of population health and longevity * Knowledge and education, as measured by the adult literacy rate (with two-thirds weighting) and the combined primary, secondary, and tertiary gross enrollment ratio (with one-third weighting). * Standard of living, as indicated by the natural logarithm of gross domestic product per capita at purchasing power parity. Poverty: - Poverty in India is widespread with the nation estimated to have a third of the world's poor. According to a 2005 World Bank estimate, 42% of India falls below the international poverty line of US$ 1.25 a day (PPP, in nominal terms 21.6 a day in urban areas and 14.3 in rural areas); having reduced from 60% in 1981. According to the criterion used by the Planning Commission of India 27.5% of the population was living below the poverty line in 2004–2005, down from 51.3% in 1977–1978, and 36% in 1993-1994. As per the 2001 census, 35.5% of Indian households availed of banking services, 35.1% owned a radio or transistor, 31.6% a television, 9.1% a phone, 43.7% a bicycle, 11.7% a scooter, motorcycle or a moped, and 2.5% a car, jeep or van; 34.5% of the households had none of these assets MID DAY MEAL SCHEME The Mid-day Meal Scheme is the popular name for school meal programme in India. It involves provision of lunch free of cost to school-children on all working days. The key objectives of the programme are: protecting children from classroom hunger, increasing school enrolment and attendance, improved socialisation among children belonging to all castes, addressing malnutrition, and social empowerment through provision of employment to women. The scheme has a long history especially in Tamil Nadu introduced statewide by K. Kamaraj government in 1960s and expanded by M. G. Ramachandran in 1982 has been adopted by most of the states in India after a landmark direction by the Supreme Court of India on November 28, 2001. 12 crore (120 million) children are so far covered under the Mid-day Meal Scheme, which is the largest school lunch programme in the world. Allocation for this programme has been enhanced from Rs 3010 crore to Rs 4813 crore (Rs 48 billion1.2 billion) in 2006-2007. 

In April 2001 People’s Union for Civil Liberties (Rajasthan) initiated the now famous right to food litigation. This public interest litigation has covered a large range of issues relating to right to food, but the best known intervention by the court is on mid-day meals. In one of its many direction in the litigation the Supreme Court directed the government to fully implement its scheme of providing cooked meals to all children in primary schools. This landmark direction converted the mid-day meal scheme into a legal entitlement, the violation of which can be taken up in the court of law. The direction and further follow-up by the Supreme Court has been a major instrument in universalising the scheme The State of Karnataka introduced the provision of cooked meals in June 2002. Since then it has successfully involved private sector participation in the programme. One of the successful of the ventures is Akshaya Patra, which started with leadership from ISKCON in the Bangalore community. The Foundation gets a corpus from the State government but meets a major share of its costs with donations from private corporations and individuals in the city. Despite the success of the program, child hunger as a problem persists in India. According to current statistics, 42.5% of the children under 5 are underweight. This is due to simple reasons such as not using iodized salt. “India is home to the world’s largest food insecure population, with more than 200 million people who are hungry,” India State Hunger Index (ISHI) said, adding that the country’s poor performance is driven by its high levels of child under-nutrition and poor calorie count. “Its rates of child malnutrition is higher than most countries in Sub-Saharan Africa,” it noted. A report released as part of the 2009 Global Hunger Index ranks India at 65 out of 84 countries. LOOK EAST POLICY : Look East policy is an attempt to forge closer and deeper economic integration with its eastern neighbours as a part of the new realpolitik in evidence in India’s foreign policy, and the engagement with Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a part of the recognition on the part of India’s elite of the strategic and economic importance of the region to the country’s national interests Members: BruneiDarussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, VietnamSARVA SHIKSHA ABHIYAAN The 'Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan' (Hindi: The 'Education for All' Movement, is a flagship programme of the Government of India pioneered by Atal Bihari Vajpayee for achievement of universalization of elementary education in a time bound manner, as mandated by the 86th amendment to the Constitution of India making free and compulsory education to children of ages 6–14 (estimated to be 205 million in number in 2001) a fundamental right. The programme aims to achieve the goal of universalization of elementary education of satisfactory quality by 2010. There are 8 main programs in SSA.It includes ICDS,AANGANWADI etc. It also Includes KGBVY. Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidalaya Yojana was started in 2004 with a view to give primary education to all girls. later on it was merged with SSA. Goals 1. All in school by 2005. 2. Complete 5 years of primary education by 2005 and 8 years of schooling by 2010. 3. Satisfactory Quality with emphasis on education for life. 4. Bridge all gender and social gaps at primary level by 2007 and elementary level by 2010. 5. Universal retention by 2010. The program seeks to open new schools in those habitations which do not have schooling facilities and strengthen existing school infrastructure through provision of additional class rooms, toilets, drinking water, maintenance grant and school improvement grants. KUTIR JYOTI SCHEME In order to boost electrification of households that are below the poverty line (BPL), the Power Ministry wants to revitalise the Kutir Jyoti programme. Originally launched by the Congress Government in the late 80s, the Kutir Jyoti programme envisaged extending single point light connections to households of rural BPL families. These were to include Harijan and tribal families. The programme had come under criticism as it was seen as one of the factors responsible for rampant increase in transmission & distribution (T&D  losses and even inflating supplies to the agriculture sector over the years. PMGSY PRADHAN MANTRI GRAMEEN SADAK YOJNA : Rural Road Connectivity is not only a key component of Rural Development by promoting access to economic and social services and thereby generating increased agricultural incomes and productive employment opportunities in India, it is also as a result, a key ingredient in ensuring sustainable poverty reduction. Notwithstanding the efforts made, over the years, at the State and Central levels, through different Programmes, about 40% of the Habitations in the country are still not connected by All-weather roads. It is well known that even where connectivity has been provided, the roads constructed are of such quality (due 

to poor construction or maintenance) that they cannot always be categorised as All-weather roads. With a view to redressing the situation, Government have launched the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana on 25th December, 2000 to provide all-weather access to unconnected habitations. The Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) is a 100% Centrally Sponsored Scheme. 50% of the Cess on High Speed Diesel (HSD) is earmarked for this Programme. SWARNJAYANTI GRAM SWAROZGAR YOJANA Swarnajayanthi Gram Sswarozgar Yojana Scheme is a holistic approach towards poverty eradication in rural India through creation of self-employment opportunities to the rural Swarozgaries. This scheme is implemented in the country through District Rural Development Agencies. The Centre and State fund this program in the ratio of 75:25. It is designed to help poor rural families cross the poverty line. This is achieved through providing income generating assets and inputs to the target groups through a package of assistance consisting of subsidy and bank loan. Objectives SGSY came into existence in 1999-2000 duly merging the schemes of Integrated Rural Development Program (IRDP), Training for Rural Youth under Self Employment (TRYSEM) Development of Women & Children in Rural Areas (DWCRA) and Supply of Improved Toolkits to Rural Artisans (SITRA). The scheme aims to bring every assisted poor family above the poverty line by ensuring appreciably sustainable level of income over a period of time. This objective is to be achieved by organizing the rural poor in to Self Help Groups (SHG) through the process of social mobilization, their training and capacity building,and provision of income generating assets. INDIRA AWAS YOJNA ( IAY) FOR RURAL HOUSING With a view to meeting the housing needs of the rural poor, Indira Awaas Yojana (IAY) was launched in May 1985 as a sub-scheme of Jawahar Rozgar Yojana. It is being implemented as an independent scheme since 1 January 1996. The Indira Awaas Yojana aims at helping rural people below the poverty-line belonging to SCs/STs, freed bonded labourers and non-SC/ST categories in construction of dwelling units and up gradation of existing unserviceable kutcha houses by providing grant-in-aid. From 1995-96, the IAY benefits have been extended to widows or next-of-kin of defence personnel killed in action. Benefits have also been extended to ex-servicemen and retired members of the paramilitary forces as long as they fulfill the normal eligibility conditions of Indira Awaas Yojana. Under the scheme allotment of the house is done in the name of the female member of the households or in the joint names of husband and wife. A minimum of 60 % of funds are to be utilized for construction of houses for the SC/ST people. Further, 60% of the IAY allocation is meant for benefiting SC/ST families, 3% for physically handicapped and 15% for minorities. 5% of the central allocation can be utilized for meeting exigencies arising out of natural calamities and other emergent situations like riot, arson, fire, rehabilitation etc. NATIONAL SOCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMME : The National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) then comprised of National Old Age Pension Scheme (NOAPS), National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS) and National Maternity Benefit Scheme (NMBS). These programmes were meant for providing social assistance benefit to the aged, the BPL households in the case of death of the primary breadwinner and for maternity. These programmes were aimed to ensure minimum national standards in addition to the benefits that the States were then providing or would provide in future. Council for Advancement of People’s Action & Rural Technology (CAPART) Recognising the need for an organisation that would coordinate and catalyse the development work of voluntary agencies in the country, particularly to ensure smooth flow of benefits to the underprivileged and socio-economically weaker sections of society, Government of India, in September, 1986 set up the Council for Advancement of People’s Action and Rural Technology (CAPART), a registered society under the aegis of the Department of Rural Development, by merging two autonomous bodies, namely, People’s Action for Development of India (PADI) and Council for Advancement of Rural Technology (CAPART). DRDA( DISTRICT RURAL DEVELOPMENT AGENCY) The District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) has traditionally been the principal organ at the District level to oversee the implementation of different anti-poverty programmes. Since its inception, the administrative costs of the DRDAs were met by way of setting apart a share of the allocations for each programme. However, of late, the number of the programmes had increased and while some of the programmes provided for administrative costs of the DRDAs, others did not. There was no uniformity among the different programmes with reference to administrative 

costs. Keeping in view the need for an effective agency at the district level to coordinate the anti-poverty effort, a new Centrally Sponsored Scheme for strengthening the DRDAs has been introduced with effect from 1st April, 1999. Accordingly, the administrative costs are met by providing a separate budget provisions. This scheme which is funded on a 75:25 basis between Centre and States, aims at strengthening and professionalsing the DRDAs. PURA ( PROVISION FOR URBAN AMENITIES IN RURAL AREAS) ELEVENTH FIVE YEAR PLAN MAJOR OBJECTIVES Eleventh plan (2007-2012) The eleventh plan has the following objectives: 1. Income & Poverty o Accelerate GDP growth from 8% to 10% and then maintain at 10% in the 12th Plan in order to double per capita income by 2016-17 o Increase agricultural GDP growth rate to 4% per year to ensure a broader spread of benefits o Create 70 million new work opportunities. o Reduce educated unemployment to below 5%. o Raise real wage rate of unskilled workers by 20 percent. o Reduce the headcount ratio of consumption poverty by 10 percentage points. 2. Education o Reduce dropout rates of children from elementary school from 52.2% in 2003-04 to 20% by 2011-12 o Develop minimum standards of educational attainment in elementary school, and by regular testing monitor effectiveness of education to ensure quality o Increase literacy rate for persons of age 7 years or above to 85% o Lower gender gap in literacy to 10 percentage point o Increase the percentage of each cohort going to higher education from the present 10% to 15% by the end of the plan 3. Health o Reduce infant mortality rate to 28 and maternal mortality ratio to 1 per 1000 live births o Reduce Total Fertility Rate to 2.1 o Provide clean drinking water for all by 2009 and ensure that there are no slip-backs o Reduce malnutrition among children of age group 0-3 to half its present level o Reduce anaemia among women and girls by 50% by the end of the plan 4. Women and Children o Raise the sex ratio for age group 0-6 to 935 by 2011-12 and to 950 by 2016-17 o Ensure that at least 33 percent of the direct and indirect beneficiaries of all government schemes are women and girl children o Ensure that all children enjoy a safe childhood, without any compulsion to work 5. Infrastructure o Ensure electricity connection to all villages and BPL households by 2009 and roundthe-clock power. o Ensure all-weather road connection to all habitation with population 1000 and above (500 in hilly and tribal areas) by 2009, and ensure coverage of all significant habitation by 2015 o Connect every village by telephone by November 2007 and provide broadband connectivity to all villages by 2012 o Provide homestead sites to all by 2012 and step up the pace of house construction for rural poor to cover all the poor by 2016-17 6. Environment o Increase forest and tree cover by 5 percentage points. o Attain WHO standards of air quality in all major cities by 2011-12. o Treat all urban waste water by 2011-12 to clean river waters. o Increase energy efficiency by 20 percentage points by 2016-17. CREDIT RATING AGENCIES IN INDIA - ONICRA Credit Rating Agency of India Ltd. - Credit Rating Information Services of India Limited (CRISIL) - Investment Information and Credit Rating Agency of India (ICRA) - Credit Analysis & Research Limited (CARE) - Duff & Phelps Credit Rating India Private Ltd. (DCR India) Ratings awarded by major credit rating agencies: - AAA - : Highest Safety - AA - : High Safety - A - : Adequate Safety - BBB - : Moderate Safety 

- BB - : Sub -moderate Safety - B - : Inadequate Safety - C - : Substantial Risk - D - : Default - Under Pulse Polio Programme children in which group are given two doses of oral polio vaccines at an interval of six weeks ………………0 to 5 years - Vaidyanathan Committee : corporate credit institutions - The last live stock census was done in the year 1992. - NATIONAL FISHRIES DEVELOPMENT BOARD IS LOCATED AT…………HYDERABAD LATEST CENSUS IN INDIA : - 15th Indian National census began on April 1, 2010. Census has been conducted in Indiasince 1872 and this is the first time biometric information will be collected. - The census will cover all 1.2 billion Indians, involve 25 lakh (2.5 millions) officials. It is estimated to cost Rs 2,209 crore (1.3 billion US dollars). - Information such as name, age, sex, date of birth, caste, ownership of mobile phones, computers and Internet will be collected during this massive undertaking. - Information on castes initially not intended to be collected was later included after demand from almost all opposition parties. Opposition to not including the caste was spearheaded by Lalu Prasad Yadav, Sharad Yadav and Mulayam Singh Yadav and supported by opposition parties Bharatiya Janata Party, Akali Dal, Shiv Sena, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam.[1] Information on caste was last collected during British Raj in 1931. During the early census, people often exaggerated their caste status to garner social status and it is expected that people downgrade it now in the expectation of gaining government benefits - Once the information will be collected and digitalised, fingerprints and photos will be collected. Unique Identification Authority of India will issue a 16-digit identification number to all individuals and the first ID is expected to be issued in 2011 NATIONAL RURAL HEALTH MISSION • The National Rural Health Mission (2005-12) seeks to provide effective healthcare to rural population throughout the country with special focus on 18 states, which have weak public health indicators and/or weak infrastructure. • These 18 States are Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Jammu & Kashmir, Manipur, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Madhya Pradesh, Nagaland, Orissa, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tripura, Uttaranchal and Uttar Pradesh. • The Mission is an articulation of the commitment of the Government to raise public spending on Health from 0.9% of GDP to 2-3% of GDP. It has as its key components provision of a female health activist in each village; a village health plan prepared through a local team headed by the Health & Sanitation Committee of the Panchayat; strengthening of the rural hospital for effective curative care and made measurable and accountable to the community through Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS); and integration of vertical Health & Family Welfare Programmes and Funds for optimal utilization of funds and infrastructure and strengthening delivery of primary healthcare. • It seeks to revitalize local health traditions and mainstream AYUSH into the public health system. Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) and Maternal Mortality - Ratio (MMR) - Revitalize local health traditions and mainstream AYUSH Every village/large habitat will have a female Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) Now Surfing – Rural India @ 5.4 Million Users If you are talking about an Internet revolution in India, you will, now, have some very impressive numbers to aid you. The Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) and the Indian Market Research Bureau (IMRB), jointly, carried out a research recently and concluded that the number of active Internet users in rural India is expected to rise to 5.4 million in 2010 – a staggering 30%increase since 2008. The numbers are of users who have logged in atleast once over the last 30days which adds considerable weight to the figures. e-Choupal: ITC Scaled Down Commodities, Launched Tamil Portal In FY09 its annual report, BSE listed ITC Ltd has noted that with Government intervention over the past year – like a ban on exports, stock controls and subsidization of prices, ITC had to exit trading in several commodities, and consequently, restructure its e-Choupal network. ITC launched 50 e-Choupals during the year in Tamil Nadu, supported by the Tamil version of echoupal.com... “with over 250 web pages”, looking to target crops such as paddy. ITC also set up three more Choupal Sagar malls during the year, and now has 24 Choupal Sagars in three states. 

e-Choupals are outlets for sourcing raw materials and selling FMCG products, set up in Rural India by ITC, in partnership with local entrepreneuts. These are backed by a digital infrastructure, and offer farmers value added services such as crop advisories, advance weather forecasts, output price discovery, direct communication tools etc. Reuters Market Light also has a service for daily updates via SMS, and powers Nokia Life Tools with similar inputs. eChoupals claim to cover over 40,000 villages, but I wonder if all villagers have access to them. Access to information is power, and given the societal complexities of our country, I feel that personal access to such information via the mobile would be more powerful than having a “Sanchalak” in control of information. According to a press release in July, e-Choupals reached out to 1 million farmers, which isn’t much. Pranab launches pension scheme for unorganised sector workers JANGIPUR (WEST BENGAL): Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Sunday launched a pension scheme for workers in the unorganised sector who do not have access to the social security net.“I launched the scheme to coincide with the 78th birthday of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. This scheme will help those who are not covered under any social security scheme,” Mr. Mukherjee said after unveiling the programme at a function here in Murshidabad district. Validity period Under the scheme — which is named ‘Swavalamban' — subscribers would get Rs.1,000 from the government each year for a subscription amount of Rs.12,000 per year. The scheme will remain valid for this financial year and for the next three consecutive fiscals. Mr. Mukherjee has already allocated Rs. 100 crore for the scheme in the budget for 2010-11. It will be managed by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority of India. A subscriber can enter the scheme at the age of 18 years and will be eligible for pension after turning 60. Mr. Mukherjee said 87 per cent of the country's workforce would benefit from the ‘Swavalamban' scheme, adding that there were eight crore people above 60 who were not getting pension. This figure will rise to 20 crore over the next 17-18 years. On turning 60, the pensioner can withdraw 60 per cent of his contribution, while the balance will be given as a monthly annuity by the LIC. The LIC has been appointed one of the many aggregators who will collect subscription amounts from subscribers. Higher pension amount Mr. Mukherjee said that while announcing the scheme in the budget, he had asked the State governments to join the programme so that pensioners could benefit by getting a higher pension amount. Responses “However, only two states — Haryana and Karnataka — have responded to the scheme,” he said. Minister of State for Finance N.N. Meena, LIC chairman T.S. Vijayan and other senior Finance Ministry officials were present at the event. 

MAHATAMA GANDHI TANTA MUKTI GAON MOHIM Pune: The United Nations has decided to recognise the Mahatma Gandhi Tanta Mukti Gaon Mohim (Dispute-freeVillage Scheme) of the Maharashtra government. The scheme was introduced as a way to get rid of small disputes in the village and thus bring about harmony. It was also seen as a measure to reduce the work pressure on policemen. Pune Rural SP Pratap Dighavkar will present the model to the U.N. at their New York headquarters on August 11. Speaking to journalists here, he said that he was really happy to be representing India at the global level. “The credit goes to the local police officers and constables. I am just representing them,” he said. The presentation will be given to the officials of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the U.N. General Assembly and the Security Council. The Maharashtra model is likely to be replicated in other developing countries, where logistics and infrastructure of the judicial machinery were weak, Mr. Dighavkar said. He will also spend time with social scientists, reformers and peace makers in various universities and share the model and his experiences with them. Speaking of the achievements of the scheme, he cited figures in Pune district where 790 out of 1,134 villages have become ‘dispute-free' in the last two and a half years and hence the district received Rs. 19,31,000,00 ($4.4 million), as the prize money from the State government. Since October 2009, 36,294 conflicts at the village-level were resolved and now, 28,084 cases were awaiting resolution, he said. Mr. Dighavkar said the scheme helped the government save Rs. 20 crore and also 15 tonnes of paper. The government did not have to spend a single rupee for the implementation of the 

scheme. In April 2010, Khairlanji was recognised by the scheme as a dispute-free village. The award and the money came to the village three years after four from a family of Dalits were brutally massacredthere. The case will now be heard in the Supreme Court after the death sentence of six of the accused was commuted to life term. Calling Khairlanji dispute-free, some would argue, was an irony. The committee members of the village defended themselves saying that murder, as a cognizable offence, was out of the ambit of the scheme and hence, the committee could not do anything about it. Mr. Dighavkar refused to comment on Khairlanji and said he would do the same if the question came up in the U.N. presentation. “I cannot say anything about a matter that is in the courts. But I agree, sometimes political and communal biases may play a role at the village level.” Khairlanji was not the only village facing such issues over the scheme being implemented in theState since 2007, when Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh and Home Minster R.R. Patil introduced it. Gender issues surrounding the scheme came to light when Kiran Moghe, State president of the All India Women's Democratic Association (AIDWA) studied its implementation in Pune district in association with the Department of Women's Studies, University of Pune. “In Pune, there are not many sharp distinctions in caste. But there are serious gender problems. In a society that is mostly male-dominated, it is already difficult for women, especially in the rural areas, to express themselves. To add to it, the committee members are in most cases, men. This puts more pressure on the women and cases of domestic violence are covered up,” she said. Five-eggs-a-week scheme inaugurated in Krishnagiri and Dharmapuri KRISHNAGIRI/DHARMAPURI: Collector V. Arun Roy inaugurated the five-eggs-a-week scheme at the PanchayatUnionPrimary School, Kaveripattinam, near Krishnagiri, on Tuesday in the presence ofPublic Relations Officer N. Monoharan and other officials. Inaugurating the scheme, the Collector said that during the birth anniversary celebrations of former Chief Minister C.N. Annadurai, Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi had announced the scheme to increase the number of eggs from three to five a week at all the noon meal centres. Accordingly, a total of 1,99,833 students would get the extra nutrition through the 1,585 rural noon meal centres and 12 urban centres across the Krishnagiri district. For 4,401 students who do not consume eggs, bananas would be supplied for all the five days. The Collector called upon the noon meal centre workers to maintain hygiene in the centres, check the quality of eggs and boil them to the required temperature. He also called up on the Block Development Officers, Assistant Project Officers and elected representatives to visit the noon meal centres on regular basis and verify whether the scheme isimplemented properly. The serving of boiled channa (20 grams) on Tuesdays and boiled potato (20 grams) on Fridays would continue, the Collector added. In Dharmapuri, Collector P. Amutha inaugurated the scheme at the Illakkiampatti Government Girls Higher Secondary School in Dharmapuri on Monday. After inaugurating the scheme, she said that under the scheme, a total number of 1,92,335 students will be benefited from this scheme. Shealso said that 7,075 students who do not consume eggs will be provided banana in all the five days. Pranab to launch LIC's Swavalamban scheme today NEW DELHI: Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee is scheduled to formally launch the ‘Swavalamban Scheme' of Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) on Sunday at Murshidabad in West Bengal. The Centre has already approved the operational guidelines for the scheme which was announced by Mr. Mukherjee in his budget speech for 2010-11. The scheme is applicable to all citizens in the unorganised sector who join the New Pension Scheme (NPS), subject to their meeting the eligibility criteria, an official statement said here. The scheme is to be funded by grants from the Centre. Under the scheme, the Central government will contribute Rs.1,000 a year to each NPS account opened in 2010-11 and for the next three years. To be eligible, a person will have to make a minimum contribution of Rs.1,000 and a maximum contribution of Rs.12,000 annually . In recognition of their faith in the NPS, all NPS accounts opened in 2009-10 will also be entitled to the benefit of ‘Swavalamban', subject to fulfilment of the eligibility criteria. A person will have the option to join the NPS as an individual as per the existing scheme or through the CRA Lite approved by the Pension Fund Regulatory Development Authority (PFRDA). Akrama-Sakrama scheme approved by Cabinet Bangalore: The State Cabinet has given approval to the Akrama-Sakrama scheme for

regularisation of unauthorised housing layouts and violations in building bylaws across the State. The scheme will come into effect immediately (after it is notified in the State gazette) and building bylaw violations up to 25 per cent for commercial structures and up to 50 per cent for residential structures will be regularised. The penalty for various categories and varieties of violations has also been slashed by 50 per cent. All violations, with December 3, 2009, being the cut-off date, will be eligible under the regulation scheme, and those who pay the fine within a specified period (likely to be a month) will be eligible for a 5 per cent discount. Further, the declaration and the fine to be paid will also be similar to the self-assessment scheme (SAS) in payment of the property taxes. All building owners will be given three months’ time to submit their application and the applications received will be processed within a period of three months. In other words, violations can be regularised within a period of six months after the notification is gazetted. Exit from the ‘Swavalamban scheme' would be on the same terms and conditions on which exit from Tier-I account of NPS is permitted and will be subject to the condition that the minimum pension out of the accumulated pension wealth would be Rs.1,000 a month, in accordance with the provisions of operational guidelines. Sabla scheme likely to be launched on November 14 NEW DELHI: The Rajiv Gandhi Scheme for Empowerment of Adolescent Girls - Sabla - is likely to be launched in 200 select districts on November 14, celebrated as Children's Day in the country. The Scheme is aimed at addressing the multi-dimensional problems of adolescent girls between 11 and 18 years and would be implemented through the platform of Integrated Child DevelopmentScheme (ICDS) projects and anganwadi centres. Over one crore girls are expected to benefit from the scheme annually. Upgrading skills The girls would be empowered by improvement in their nutritional and health status and upgrading home, life and vocational skills. It also aims at equipping the girls on family welfare, health, hygiene and information and guidance on existing public services, along with mainstreaming out of school girls into formal or non-formal education. Nutrition would be provided to all girls of 11 to 15 years who are out of school and those of 15 to 18 years. The scheme is expected to tackle the inter-generational cycle of malnutrition, effectively, to prepare young girls for future motherhood. It would eventually result in the reduction of high levels of anaemia, maternal mortality rate and child marriages. Launch on pilot-basis The Centre is in the process of identifying the 200 select districts where the scheme would be launched on a pilot basis. The government has allocated Rs. 1,000 crore for the purpose for thecurrent financial year. Sabla would be a Centrally-sponsored scheme except for the nutrition component for which the State would have to shell out 50 per cent of the cost. As per the estimates, the cost of nutrition would be Rs. 5 per day per girl. Health problems Adolescent girls in general, and those out of school in particular, have considerable unmet needs in terms of health including reproductive health, education, nutrition and skill development. Given the high levels of under-nutrition and anaemia in adolescent girls and women, compounded by early marriage, early child bearing and inadequate spacing between births, adolescent girls perpetuate an inter-generational cycle of under-nutrition, gender discrimination and poverty. ‘Laadli' scheme making its mark NEW DELHI: Over 6,900 girls registered under the Delhi Government's ‘Laadli' girl child welfare scheme have passed their Class X examination. As per information provided by the Delhi Government, the flagship scheme launched in 2008 has come a long way as Rs.3.7 crore has already been released as final claim in respect of these girls who have attained 18 years of age. The scheme has received a good response so far with 290,655 girls registered under it till July this year. It has helped improve the gender ratio in Delhi and enrolment of girls in schools. Girls who are keen to pursue their studies after passing Class X would be helped in securing admission to higher secondary classes. INDIAN AGRICULTURE [1]India is the largest producer of wheat in the worl [1]India is the largest producer of Rice in the world [1]India is among the largest vegetable oil economies in the world [1]India is the largest producer of Tea in the world [1]India is the second largest producer of Fruits in the world 

[1]India is the largest producer of Milk in the world [1]India is the largest producer of Coffee in the world [1]India is the largest producer of Cotton in the world Indian Agriculture by its sheer size can dictate global markets directly and indirectly. Majority ofrural population still is dependent on agriculture for their livelihood and over 600 million farmers involved in agriculture related activities. Agriculture in India has a long history dating back to ten thousand years. Today, India ranks second worldwide in farm output. Agriculture and allied sectors like forestry and logging accounted for 16.6% of the GDP in 2007, employed 52% of the total workforce and despite a steady decline of its share in the GDP, is still the largest economic sector and plays a significant role in the overall socio-economic development of India. India is the largest producer in the world of milk, cashew nuts, coconuts, tea, ginger, turmeric and black pepper.It also has the world's largest cattle population (281 million). It is the second largest producer of wheat, rice, sugar, groundnut and inland fish. It is the third largest producer of tobacco.India accounts for 10% of the world fruit production with first rank in the production ofbanana and sapota. India's population is growing faster than its ability to produce rice and wheat. INDIAN ECONOMY AT AGLANCE • Illiteracy (Literacy – 64.8% - 75.3% male and 53.7% female literates) • Low HDI – 134 (Calculated using Life expectancy at birth, primary education, Per capita income) • Low level of technology and productivity • Poverty • 46% of children suffer from malnutrition. • High savings and low capital formation • Low per capita income • Over sized population (1.38% growth) • Dependence on primary production • 72.25% live in villages • High density of population – 324/sq.km Agriculture Sector Overview • Growth rate of 2% approximately • Green Revolution helped to achieve self sufficiency in food. • Blue, White, Yellow Revolutions increased the production of marine products, milk and oil seeds. • 43% land arable • 60% of arable land - monsoon dependent • Minimum Support Price, (MSP) on pulses, oilseeds, sugarcane to help farmers Cropping season The Indian crops can be divided into three groups in which two are major namely Kharif & Rabi- Kharif crop- The Kharif season is during the southwest monsoon (July-October). During this season, agricultural activities take place both in rain-fed areas and irrigated areas. Kharif crop includes Rice (Paddy), Jowar, Bajra, Maize, Cotton, Sugarcane, Seasamum, Soyabean, and Groundnut. Rabi crops- The Rabi season is during the winter months, when agricultural activities take place only in the irrigated areas. This crop is sown in October last and harvested in March/April every year. These crops include Wheat, Jowar, Barley, Gram, Tur, Rapeseed, and Mustard. Zayad Crop- In some parts of the country a crop is sown during March to June every year. Zayad crops include Melon, watermelon, Vegetables, Cucumber, Moong, Urad etc. Irrigation India is a monsoon dependent country for its water resources. Irrigation sector has been fundamental to India’s economic development and poverty alleviation since 25% of India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and 65% of employment is based on agriculture. During the post independence period, the country has invested a huge amount of capital in the major and the medium irrigation projects. Among the states, three have already achieved 70% or more of the ultimate irrigation potential with Tamilnadu recording 100% achievement, followed by Punjab and Rajasthan at 84% and 74% respectively. Six states, i.e., Haryana, Karnataka, Jammu & Kashmir, and West Bengal are in the range of 63% to 71%, whereas in U.P. and Maharashtra, the achievement would be 56% each. The states of Bihar, Gujarat, Orissa, M.P. and Assam have achieved less than 50% of the ultimate potential. Revolutions Revolutions in Indian Economy Revolutions Area Key Person Green Agriculture Dr. Norman Borlaug and 

Dr. M.S.Swaminathan. Yellow Oil Seeds Sam Pitroda White Milk Varghese Kurien Blue Fish - Pink Shrimp - Brown Masaaley - Grey Wool & Poultry – Black Crude Oil Agriculture: At A Glance - Agriculture growth rate target for Tenth Plan (2002-2007) is 4%,but achived was merely 1.8%. target for 11th plan is again 4%. - Agriculture sector provides employment to 58.4% of country’s workforce and is the single largest private sector occupation. - India holds first position in the world in the production of sugarcane and sugar, Brazil closely follow us and many times its production is more than ours. Brazil is also largest producer of Ethanol. - Cashew nuts assume an important place in the Indian Economy. India produces 45% of the global production of cashew. India is the largest producer,processor, consumer & exporter of cashew in the world. - India contributes about 13% to the world vegetable production and occupies first rank in the production of Cauliflower, second in onion and third in cabbage in the world. - India’s share in the world production of mango is about 54%. - India occupies the first rank in banana production of 1.16 Million tones. - Animal husbandry output constitutes about 30% of the country’s agriculture output. - U.P. is the highest wheat producing state, Punjab and Haryana hold 2nd & 3rd positions respectively. - Rice is the main food crop in India. The highest rice producing State is West Bengal, U.P & Punjab are 2nd& 3rd respectively. - The highest pulses & Soyabean producing state is Madhya Pradesh. - The highest cereals producing state is Maharashtra. - India is the largest producer & consumer of tea in the world and accounts for around 27% of world production and 13% of world trade. - Karnataka, which is the largest producer of coffee in the country, accounts for 56.5% of total coffee production in India. India ranks sixth in the world coffee production. - Kerela is the main rubber producing state, which produces 90% of the rubber in the country and accounts for over 85% of the area under cultivation. - India is the largest Milk producing country in the world. - India is the third highest tobacco producing country in the world. - India ranked first in production of vegetable in the world. Besides India is the second largest producer of fruits in the world. - The Horticulture sector contributed 28% of GDP in agriculture. Agriculture finance Agricultural production in this country depends upon millions of small farmers. It is the intensity of their effort and the efficiency of their technique that will help in raising yields per acre. Because of inadequate financial resources and absence of timely credit facilities at reasonable rates, many of the farmers, even though otherwise willing, are unable to go in for improved seeds and manures or to introduce better methods or techniques. Works of minor irrigation like wells owned by thecultivators either get into disuse or are not fully utilized for want of capital. Types of Financing: Finance required for production can be divided broadly into : (a) short-term (for periods up to 15 months) ; (b) medium-term (from 15 months up to 5 years) and (c) long-term (above 5 years). Short-term loans are required for purchasing seeds, manures and fertilizers or for meeting labour charges, etc. These are expected to berepaid after the harvest. Medium-term loans are granted for purposes such as sinking of wells, purchase of bullocks, pumping plants and other improved implements, etc. Loans repayable over a longer period (i.e. above 5 years) are classified as long-term loans. These are utilised for payment of old debts, purchase of the heavier machines, making permanent improvements and increasing the size of the holding17. Primary sources of agricultural credit are: The following agencies provide finance to the cultivators :— 1. Private agencies: (a) Money lenders and landlords ; (b) Commercial banks. 

2. Public or semi-public agencies: (a) The State (b) Co-operative societies (c) Regional Rural banks Co-operatives: Commercial and regional rural banks are institutional lenders whereas moneylenders which operate in the villages and talukas are non-institutional lenders. Moneylenders have exploited the farmers and small landowners. With increased institutional intervention in the rural finance sector, this exploitation has reduced considerably and the farmers are no longer at the mercy of the whimsical moneylenders for the satisfaction of their financial requirements. NABARD: NABARD, which is considered to be the leading institution in the agricultural sector, was set up on July1, 1982. Since its inception, NABARD has taken over the functions of the Agricultural finance department of RBI and the Agricultural Refinance and Development Corporation (ARDC). NABARD is responsible for the development, planning, operational matters, coordination, monitoring, research, training and consultancy in relation to rural credit. NABARD maintains two funds, viz National Rural Credit (Long term operations) and the National Rural Credit (Stabilization) Fund. Both the Central and the State governments contribute to these funds. It operates throughout the country through its 16 regional offices and 3 Sub-offices. Crop Insurance Scheme: the United Front government on an experimental basis in selected districts during the Rabi 1997-98 season introduced The Crop Insurance scheme. The limit of insurance cover was fixed at Rs. 10000 irrespective of the losses incurred by them. Under the new scheme, the farmers will themselves deal with the insurance provider directly and the government will not provide any subsidiary directly to the farmers. Both premium and claims were shared between the central and the state governments in the ratio of 4:1. National Agricultural Insurance Scheme (NAIS): The National Agricultural Insurance Scheme (NAIS) was introduced in the country from the1999-2000 Rabi season, replacing the Comprehensive Crop Insurance Scheme (CCIS), which was in operation in the country since1985. The General Insurance Corporation (GIC) on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture implements this scheme. The main objective of the scheme is to protect the farmers against losses suffered by them due to crop failure on account of natural calamities, such as, drought, flood, hailstorm, cyclone, fire, pest/diseases etc. ForestThe overall forest cover in India is around 19.3% in the year 1999. The estimate is done by theplanning commission of India. One would find different figure from different sources precisely because different agencies have different definition of what constitute a forest. The latest assessment on forest cover (FSI 1999) indicates that 11.48 per cent of the total geographical area is dense forest (over 40 per cent crown density) and 7.76 per cent is the open forest (10-40per cent crown density). Dense forest 37.73 m ha 11.48% Open forest 25.51 m ha 7.76 % Mangroves 0.49 m ha 0.15% SOME IMPORTANT KEY POINTS: 

- The Tehri Dam is a rock and earth-fill embankment dam on the BhagirathiRiver near Tehri in Uttarakhand, India. It is the primary dam of theTehri Hydro Development Corporation Ltd. and the Tehri hydroelectric complex. Completed in 2006, the Tehri Dam withholds a reservoir of 2.6 billion cubic meters for irrigation, municipal water supply and the generation of 1,000 MW of hydroelectricity along with an additional 1,000 MW of pumped storage hydroelectricity - Watershed Development Fund (NABARD) A Watershed Development Fund (WDF) has been established at NABARD with the objective of integrated watershed development in 100 priority districts of 18 States through participatory approach. The total corpus of WDF is Rs.200 crore. Under WDF, two-thirds of amount is given for loan based project and one-third of amount is given for grant based project in the State. A number of externally aided projects are also under implementation on watershed approach, which covers an area of about 1.5 lakh hectares annually. Various Watershed Development Programmes namely: • National Watershed Development Project for Rainfed Areas (NWDPRA) • Soil Conservation in the Catchments of RiverValley Project & Flood Prone River (RVP & FPR) • Reclamation & Development of Alkali & Acid Soil (RADAS) • Watershed Development Project in Shifting Cultivation Areas (WDPSCA) are being 

implemented. - Treasury Information Management System In Kerala - The Group of Eight (G8, and formerly the G6 or Group of Six and also the G7 or Group of Seven) is a forum, created by France in 1975, for governments of six countries in the world: France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. In 1976, Canadajoined the group (thus creating the G7). In becoming the G8, the group added Russia in 1997 - The Group of Twenty Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors (G-20, G20, Group of Twenty) is a group of finance ministers and central bank governors from 20 economies: 19 countries plus the European Union, which is represented by the President of the European Council and by the European Central Bank - 97th Indian Science Congress held at Trivantpuram ( Kerala) in Janurary 2010 - Kiran Mazumdar Shaw – Biocon- related to biotechnology - Un accoustomed Earth – Jumpha Lahiri - Republic Day Guests : 2008 President Nicolas Sarkozy Franceo 2009 President Nursultan Nazarbayev Kazakhstano 2010 PresidentLeeMyungbakRepublic of Korea- Inflation is checked from Whole sale Price Index ( WPI) - The World Trade Organization (WTO) is an organization that intends to supervise and liberalize international trade. The organization officially commenced on January 1, 1995 under the Marrakech Agreement, replacing the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), which commenced in 1948. The WTO has 153 members, representing more than 97%of total world trade. The WTO's headquarters is at the Centre William Rappard, Geneva, Switzerland. - BRIC COUNTRIES : BRIC (typically rendered as "the BRICs" or "the BRIC countries" or known as the "Big Four") is a grouping acronym that refers to the countries of Brazil, Russia, India, and China that are deemed to all be at a similar stage of newly advanced economic development. - OPEC ( ORGANISATION OF PETROLEUM EXPORTING COUNTRIES) The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries(OPEC) was created in 1960 to unify and protect the interests of oil-producing countries. OPEC allows oil-producing countries to guarantee their income by coordinating policies and prices among them. This unified front was created primarily in response to the efforts of Western oil companies to drive oil prices down. The original members of OPEC included Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela. OPEC has since expanded to include seven more countries (Algeria, Angola, Indonesia, Libya, Nigeria, Qatar, and United Arab Emerates) making a total membership of 12. - Competition Bill 2002 replaced MRTP Act………… ( Monopoly restrictive Trade practices Act) - Narmada Bachao Andolan …………..Megha Patkar - Bhoo Daan …………Vinoba Bhave INDIAN ECONOMY : SOME IMPORTANT DATA According to the estimates by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, the Indian economy has registered a growth of 7.4 per cent in 2009-10, with 8.6 per cent year-on-year (y-o-y) growth in its fourth quarter. The growth is driven by robust performance of the manufacturing sector on the back of government and consumer spending. GDP growth rate of 7.4 per cent in 2009- 10 has exceeded the government forecast of 7.2 per cent for the full year. According to government data, the manufacturing sector witnessed a growth of 16.3 per cent in January-March 2010, from a year earlier. Economic activities which showed significant growth rates in 2009-10 over the corresponding period last year were mining and quarrying (10.6 per cent), manufacturing (10.8 per cent), electricity, gas and water supply (6.5 per cent), construction (6.5 per cent), trade, hotels, transport and communications (9.3 per cent), financing, insurance, real estate and business services (9.7 per cent), community, social and personal services (5.6 per cent). The Gross National Income is estimated to rise by 7.3 per cent in 2009-10 as compared to 6.8 per cent in 2008-09. The per capita income is estimated to grow at 5.6 per cent in 2009-10. India’s industrial output grew by 17.6 per cent in April 2010. The manufacturing sector that accounts for 80 per cent of the index of industrial production (IIP) grew 19.4 per cent in April 2010, as against 0.4 per cent a year-ago. Capital goods production grew by 72.8 per cent against a contraction of 5.9 per cent a yearago.Consumer durables output continued to grow at a fast pace of 37 per cent, mirroring higher purchase of goods such as televisions and refrigerators. The Economic scenario The number of registered foreign institutional investors (FIIs) was 1710 as on May 31, 2010 and the 

total FII inflow in equity during January to May 2010 was US$ 4606.50 million while it was US$5931.80 million in debt. Net investment made by FIIs in equity between June 1, 2010 and June 14, 2010 was US$ 530.05 million while it was US$ 875.73 million in debt. As on June 4, 2010, India's foreign exchange reserves totalled US$ 271.09 billion, an increase of US$ 9.88 billion over the same period last year, according to the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) Weekly Statistical Supplement. Moreover, India received foreign direct investment (FDI) worth US$ 25,888 million during April- March, 2009-10, taking the cumulative amount of FDI inflows during August 1991 - March 2010 to US$ 1, 32,428 million, according to the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP). The services sector comprising financial and non-financial services attracted 21 per cent of the total FDI equity inflow into India, with FDI worth US$ 4,392 million during April-March 2009-10, while construction activities including roadways and highways attracted second largest amount of FDI worth US$ 2,868 million during the same period. Housing and real estate was the third highest sector attracting FDI worth US$ 2,844 million followed by telecommunications which garnered US$ 2,554 million during the financial year 2009-10. • Exports from India were worth US$ 16,887 million in April 2010, 36.2 per cent higher than the level in April 2009, which touched US$ 12,397 million, according to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. India's imports during April 2010 were valued at US$ 27,307 million representing a growth of 43.3 per cent over April 2009. • India's logistics sector is witnessing increased activity—the country's major ports handled 560,968 metric tonnes (MT) of cargo during April-March 2009-10, an increase of 5.74 per cent over previous year traffic, according to revised estimates released by the Ministry of Shipping. • Foreign tourist arrivals in India during the month of May 2010 were 345,000, an increase of 15.5 per cent over May 2009. Foreign tourist arrivals during January-May 2010 were 2.263 million, an increase of 11.3 per cent over the corresponding period last year. Foreign exchange earnings during May 2010 were US$ 951 million, an increase of 42.2 per cent over May 2009. Foreign exchange earnings during January-May 2010 were US$ 5822 million, an increase of 38.3 per cent over the corresponding period last year, according to data released by the Ministry of Tourism. • The total telephone subscriber base in the country reached 638.05 million in April 2010, taking the overall tele-density to 54.10, according to the figures released by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). Also the wireless subscriber base increased to 601.22 million. • According to the latest statistics from the Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI), the assets under management (AUM) of mutual funds were worth US$ 170.46 billion in May 2010 as compared to US$ 135.58 billion in May 2009. • As per NASSCOM’s Strategic Review 2010, the BPO sector continues to be the fastest growingsegment of the industry and is expected to reach US$ 12.4 billion in 2009-10, growing at 6 per cent. • According to data released by Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), the total number of vehicles including passenger cars, commercial vehicles, two wheelers and three wheelers produced in 2009-10 was 14,049,830, as compared to 11,172,275 produced in 2008-09. • According to the Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council, the exports of gems and jewellery from India including rough diamonds, rose by 57.08 per cent during April-May 2010 to touch US$ 5551.24 million. • According to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, domestic airlines carried 211,380 passengers between January-May 2010, an increase of 21.95 per cent over 173,340 passengers carried in the same period last year. • The number of corporate merger & acquisitions (M&As  and private equity (PE) transactions,have more than doubled during January-May 2010. 439 M&A; and PE deals valuing over US$ 30 billion took place between January-May 2010 as compared to 179 deals worth US$ 8.1 billion in the corresponding period in 2009. • The HSBC Market Business Activity Index, which measures business activity among Indian services companies, based on a survey of 400 firms, rose to 62.1 in April 2010, its highest since July 2008, and compared with 58.1 in March 2010. Agriculture Agriculture is one of the strongholds of the Indian economy and accounted for 15.7 per cent of the country's gross domestic product (GDP) in 2008-09, and 10.23 per cent of the total exports. Moreover, it provided employment to 58.2 per cent of the work force. Production of foodgrains during 2009-10 is estimated at 216.85 million as per second Advance Estimates. In the Union Budget 2010-11, the Finance Minister, Mr Pranab Mukherjee made the following 

announcements for the agriculture sector. • US$ 86.89 million is provided to increase the Green Revolution to the eastern region of the country comprising Bihar, Chattisgarh, Jharkhand, Eastern up, West Bengal and Orissa. • US$ 65.17 million has been provided to organise 60,000 pulses and oil-seed villages in rainfed areas in 2010-11 and provide an integrated intervention for water harvesting, watershed management and soil health to improve productivitiy of the dry land farming areas. • Banks have been consistently meeting the targets set for agricultural credit flow in the past few years. For the year 2010-11, the target has been set at US$ 81.47 billion. • In addition to the 10 mega food park projects already being set up, the government has decided to set up five more such parks. • External commercial borrowings are available for cold storage for preservation or storage of agricultural and allied products, marine products and meat. Growth potential story • The data centre services market in the country is forecast to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 22.7 per cent between 2009 and 2011, to touch close to US$ 2.2 billion by the end of 2011, according to research firm IDC India’s report published in March 2010. The report further stated that the overall India data centre services market in 2009 was estimated at US$ 1.39 billion. • According to a report by research and advisory firm Gartner published in March 2010, the domestic BPO market is expected to grow at 25 per cent in 2010 to touch US$ 1.2 billion by 2011. Further, the BPO market in India is estimated to grow 19 per cent through 2013 and grow to US$ 1.8 billion by 2013. According to the report, the domestic India BPO services market grew by 7.3 per cent year-on-year in 2009. • The BMI India Retail Report Quarter 3, 2010 released in May 2010, forecasts that total retail sales will grow from US$ 353.0 billion in 2010 to US$ 543.2 billion by 2014. • According to a report titled 'India 2020: Seeing, Beyond', published by domestic broking major, Edelweiss Capital in March 2010, stated that India's GDP is set to quadruple over the next ten years and the country is likely to become an over US$ 4 trillion economy by 2020. • India will overtake China to become the world's fastest growing economy by 2018, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), the research arm of London-based Economist magazine. Exchange rate used: 1 USD = 47.14 INR (as on June 2010) IMPORTANT READING ON ENERGY SECTOR Sustainable Development Last Updated: August 2010 Sustainable development in India now encompasses a variety of development schemes in social,cleantech (clean energy, clean water and sustainable agriculture) and human resources segments, having caught the attention of both the Central and State governments and also public and private sectors. In fact, India is expected to begin the greening of its national income accounting, making depletion in natural resources wealth a key component in its measurement of gross domestic product (GDP). As per a report by UN Environment Program (UNEP), 'Global Trends in Sustainable Energy Investment 2010', released on July 2010, India was ranked eighth in the world in terms of investment in sustainable energy. The report further stated that India invested around US$ 2.7 billion in sustainable energy in 2009. Wind energy attracted 59 per cent of financial investment in clean energy in India. India was placed fifth in the world for installed wind power during the year. Biomass and waste was the second largest sector recipient of investment, generating US$ 0.6 billion of new financial investment or 22 per cent of the total. India's sustained effort towards reducing greenhouse gases (GHG) will ensure that the country's per capita emission of GHG will continue to be low until 2030-31, and it is estimated that the per capita emission in 2031 will be lower than per capita global emission of GHG in 2005, according to a new study. Even in 2031, India's per capita GHG emissions would stay under four tonnes of CO2, which is lower than the global per capita emission of 4.22 tonnes of CO2 in 2005. India has been ranked ninth in the tree planting roll of honour in 2009 in a campaign to plant a billion trees, which was launched by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in November 2006. The Secretary of the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Mr. Vijay Sharma, announced that Indiahas joined the United Nations Environment Programme's Plant for the Planet: Billion Tree Campaign (BTC) by planting two billion trees since 2007. The number of carbon credits issued for emission reduction projects in India is set to triple overthe next three years to 246 million by December 2012 from 72 million in November 2009, according to a CRISIL Research study. 

This will cement India's second position in the global carbon credits market (technically called Certified Emission Reduction units or CERs). The growth in CER issuance will be driven by capacity additions in the renewable energy sector and by the eligibility of more renewable energy projects to issue CERs. Consequently, the share of renewable energy projects in Indian CERs will increase to 31 per cent. CRISIL Research expects India's renewable energy capacity to increase to 20,000 mega watt (MW) by December 2012, from the current 15,542 MW. The contribution of renewable energy to the power business in India has now reached 70 per cent, compared to 10 per cent in 2000, in terms of project numbers and dollar value, according to Anita George, Director, Infrastructure, International Finance Corporation (IFC). As per industry estimates, private equity and global venture capital companies will invest up to US$ 1 billion in high-growth, incentive-driven renewable energy companies by the end of the currentfiscal. Companies such as Moser Baer and Caparo Energy along with state-owned companies areplanning to raise funds for clean energy projects. Recently, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a World Bank arm, committed US$ 10 million in Azure Power India, a solar energy producer. India's first-ever 3 MW solar photovoltaic power plant, developed by the Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL), the state-owned power generating company, was dedicated to the nation at Yalesandra village in Kolar district on June 17, 2010. The plant, which uses modular crystalline technology to generate solar energy, has been set up at a cost of US$ 1.29 million. India is the fifth largest wind energy producer in the world, with installed capacity of nearly 10,500 MW and a target to scale up capacity to 14,000 MW by the end of 2011. Corporate Initiatives According to a study released in May 2010 by leading Swiss lender, Bank Sarasin, Indian information technology (IT) giant Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), telecom major Bharti Airtel and windturbine maker, Suzlon are among the global firms having high sustainable development standards. Other Indian firms, which have high level of sustainability standards mentioned in the report include India's largest manufacturer of irrigation plants, Jain Irrigation and leading IT-firm Infosys. The study, which was conducted among 360 emerging market companies, found that a third of these firms have high rating in terms of sustainability. Further, Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) commercial arm Antrix Corporation was awarded the Globe Sustainability Research Award 2010, set up by Stockholm-based Global Forum, for fostering sustainable development. The prestigious award has been conferred on Antrix for its contribution to improve sustainable livelihood of the rural poor while reducing their vulnerability to climate risks. • Tata Steel Rural Development Society (TSRDS), an organisation involved in the steel major's community building initiatives, embarked on an initiative to empower communities by creating awareness on the Right to Information (RTI) Act at the grassroot level, in October 2009. • Wipro Infotech, provider of IT and business transformation services, has unveiled its new eco-friendly and toxin-free desktops, manufactured with materials completely free of deadly chemicals like polyvinyl chloride and brominated flame retardants. • Ramky Enviro Engineers Ltd and GE Power & Water have signed an agreement, to work together and offer environment management solutions, including waste-water treatment and recycling. Public sector major the Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited's (BHEL) two units—Tiruchi and Ranipet— have collaborated Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (IITM) for joint research and the focuswould be sea water desalination and pollutant control systems. 

National Solar Mission According to Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy Dr Farooq Abdullah, the government targets to set up 1,100 MW grid-connected solar plants, including 100 MW capacity plants as rooftop and smaller solar power plants for the first phase of the National Solar Mission till March2013. In addition, the government plans to generate 20,000 MW solar power by 2022 under the threephase National Solar Mission, with 2000 MW capacity equivalent off-grid solar applications, including 20 million solar lights, also planned to be installed during this period. The new and renewable energy ministry has signed power purchase agreements for solar capacity of as much as 100 MW to speed up solar power capacity addition in the country. Seven projects from Tamil Nadu have been selected under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission programme. Each of these seven companies is to set up a 1 MW solar photovoltaic power generation facility connected to the state grid. Clean Energy and Technology 

Investment levels in energy efficiency have remained strong despite the global recession according to the Energy Efficiency Indicator (EEI) survey conducted by Johnson Controls in June 2010. Across all regions surveyed, energy management is considered an important priority among commercial decision-makers (92 per cent). Notably, respondents from India (85 per cent) and China (80 per cent) were more likely to consider energy management very or extremely important as compared to those in Europe (55 per cent) and North America (53 per cent). Green Industry Bio Energy Private Limited, a special purpose vehicle (SPV) formed by EmergentVentures and US-based Indus Terra is aiming to use poultry litter in Haryana to generate power for the state power grid. The power project, costing US$ 13.23 million, will convert poultry manure into electricity and slurry into fertiliser by the process of anaerobic digestion at a high temperature through a process called thermophilic digestion. The 5.6 MW power project would be built in two phases; phase one with a capacity of 1.4 MW and the second with 4.2 MW capacity. The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) is looking to create a demand for energy efficient, products, goods and services awareness. The Bureau has set up an energy efficiency financing platform (EEFP), which aims at ensuring availability of finance at reasonable rates for energy efficiency project implementation and its expansion. USAID through its clean-tech energy initiatives is stepping up its presence in India by partnering stakeholders and mentoring and working with the policy makers. Through the Environmental Cooperation-Asia Clean Development and Climate Programme (ECO-Asia), a programme of the USAgency for International Development's Regional Development Mission for Asia (USAID/RDMA), it aims to catalyse policy and finance solutions for clean energy. Corporate Investments • Gamesa Corporacion Tecnologica, a Spanish company specialising in sustainable energy technologies, especially fabrication of wind turbines and setting up of wind farms, has set up a 500 MW per year capacity facility in Chennai at an investment of US$ 54.7 million. • CLP India aims to add around 200 MW of wind power installations every year to its portfolio and has committed an investment of over US$ 2.2 billion towards this. It recently opened its 99 MW Theni Wind Farm in Tamil Nadu taking its total wind power portfolio in India to 446 MW. • Power and automation technology major ABB has launched its fourth global wind power generator factory at Vadodara. The factory will supply wind power generators for Indian and global markets. • US-based private equity (PE) fund Blackstone has invested US$ 300 million in Moser Baer Projects Private Ltd (MBPPL), a subsidiary of Moser Baer India. It is considered to be the largest investment by a single PE investor in power sector. The investment will fund MBPPL's plans of commissioning 5,000 MW of power generation capacity—4,000 MW of thermal power, 500 MW of solar power and 500 MW of hydro power—over the next six years in India and Germany. • Orient Green Power Company Ltd (OGPL), a part of the Chennai-based Shriram Group, has tied up with Nishi-Nippon Environmental Energy Co of Japan to set up a 7.5 MW biomass power project. • The Mumbai-based Apar Group has announced partnership with Neat Energy, Inc, US, to set up a solar power generation facility of up to 40 MW near Bhuj in Kutch district, at an investment of up to US$ 130.3 million. • The Cleantech division of the diversified Mahindra & Mahindra Group plans to install 50 MW of solar power generation capacity across five States at an outlay of US$ 161.12 million. Government Initiatives In the Union Budget 2010-11, the government announced the setting up of the National Clean Energy Fund (NCEF) for funding research and innovative projects in clean technologies. To build the corpus of the NCEF, clean energy cess on coal produced in India at a nominal rate of US$ 1.08 per tonne has been levied. This cess is also applied on imported coal. The clean energy cess imposed on coal, lignite and peat came into effect from July 1, 2010. Moreover, the plan outlay for the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has been increased by 61 per cent, from US$ 134.7 million in 2009-10 to US$ 217.2 million in 2010-11. The Urban Development Ministry has launched a US$ 300 million green urban transport projectcalled the Sustainable Urban Transport Project (SUTP). Under the project, green urban transport will be introduced in select cities to overcome pollution and other hazards of the existing urban transport system, including traffic impediments for pedestrians. The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) has announced renewable energy certificate (REC) norms in a bid to promote power generation from clean sources in the country. The Orissa government has come out with a draft Action Plan on Climate Change entailing an investment of around US$ 3.6 billion in 11 key sectors over the next five years. It has proposed to 

put in place a Climate Change Agency to ensure effective implementation of the plan. Orissa has become the first state to have formulated the Climate Change Action Plan. During 2009, the Indian government approved its national biofuels policy, targeting 20 per centbiodiesel and ethanol blends in diesel and petrol respectively by 2017. Under the plan, the government proposes a minimum support price for non-edible oilseeds. UNITED NATIONS - The United Nations Organization (UNO)……….. There are currently 192 member states, - the General Assembly (the main deliberative assembly); the Security Council (for deciding certain resolutions for peace and security); the Economic and Social Council (for assisting in promotinginternational economic and social cooperation and development); the Secretariat (for providing studies, information, and facilities needed by the UN); the International Court of Justice (the primary judicial organ); and the United Nations Trusteeship Council (which is currently inactive). Other prominent UN System agencies include the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Food Programme (WFP) and United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). The UN's most visible public figure is the Secretary-General, currently Ban Ki-moon of South Korea, who attained the post in 2007. The organization is financed from assessed and voluntary contributions from its member states, and has six official languages: Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), English, French, Russian, and Spanish - International Court of Justice is located in The Hague, while other major agencies are based in the UN offices at Geneva, Vienna, and Nairobi. Other UN institutions are located throughout the world. 

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parasharv Reply #856 08:05 PM, 23 Oct '12

GK Capsule - 11) Name the president of World Bank?Robert ZoellickBan – Ki – MoonJerzy BuzekDr. Abdul Wahhed2) When is World Environment Day celebrated?05th June05th May 10th Jan26th Feb3) Who is presently the Secretary General of United Nations Organisation?Robert ZoellickMichael GriffinBan Ki – MoonPascal Lamy4) As on date 4th June 2010, what is the CRR?6%6.25%7%None of these5) What is the present Reverse Repo rate (as on 4th June 2010)?3.75%6%3.25%5.25%6) During an official visit to China, which among the following ministers recently plunged himself into controversy and criticism for critic sing the working of Union home ministry ?Anand SharmaJai Ram RameshS M KrishnaSharad Pawar7) Who among the following was not among the9 gems (Navratna)of the Vikramaditya's court ?Vetalbhatt

Amar SimhaKaalidasaAryabhatta8) As per recent data released by Reserve bank of India, what was the number of online frauds in India in 2009?more than 1000more than 750more than 350more than 250

9) What is the maximum limit, the Telecom regulator TRAI has fixed for mobile operators to charge from customers for switching to another operator under the proposed Mobile Number Portability scheme?

Rs. 10Rs. 15Rs. 19Rs. 26

10) Walk the Worldis an awareness campaign of which of the following UN agencies?

United nations Environment programmeUnited Nations Institute for Training and ResearchWorld Food ProgrammeUnited Nations Children's Fund11) Who among the following Indians is the winner of United Nations Environment Programme established Champions of the Earth award for 2009?Tulsi TantiBindeshwar PathakMeera KosambiSunderlal Bahuguna12) Sports footwear maker Reebok is a subsidiary of ...?a.Adidasb.Nikec.HULd.Bata13) Which company’s mobile phone are marketed with the slogan - Big inside. Small Outsidea.Samsugb.Nokiac.Sonyd.Motorola14) Which newspaper says You needn't read us to understand us?Times of IndiaThe HinduIndian ExpressMalyalam Manorama15) Which network marketing company sells with the slogan - Better Ideas- Better LifeAmwaySkyBizHULNirma16) Power is the name of oil from which of the following Oil gaints?

IOCLHPBPCLShell

17) Cerelac is the brand of which companies baby foods?

KellogsNestleJohnson n JohnsonHLL

18) This company is - Applying Thought

InfosysWiproSunErnest & Young

19) In which year was National Rural Health Mission launched?200920082005200020) In February 2010, India’s Index of Industrial Production (IIP), registered a growth rate of 16%15.1%17.6%8%21) World Health Day is celebrated every year on 7th April13th April13th March7th March22) Who amongst the following is not a Brand Ambassador of Whirlpool India?KajolAjay DevganAmitabh BachaanNone of these23) Which is the first Indian company to be listed on NASDAQ?InfosysTCSHCLReliance24) “Love What you Do. Do What You Love” is the punch line of NokiaSamsungBlackBerryLG25)As per the latest guidelines of Reserve bank of India, the banks have been mandated to calculate interest paid on money kept in the savings bank account in the banks on the which of the following basis?DailyWeekly10 daysmonthly

26) The line “Rishtaaon ki jaama poonji” is associated with which of the following banks:Bank of IndiaCorporation BankIndian BankHDFC Bank27) "The God of Small Things" was the tile of the novel for which Arundhati Roy won a Booker Prize. She was the first Indian to win a booker prize. In which year she won this prize?199619971998199928) Expand SIMSubscriber Ideal ModuleSubscriber in MobileSubscriber Identity ModuleSubscriber Immediate Memory

29) The new name of UID project is :AadhaarPehchaanUniversal Pehchaan

None of these30) .Which of the following company is coordinating with Government of India in Passport Seva Project?Ernst & YoungTata Consultancy ServicesWiproPatni Computer System31) Which among the following is world's largest mobile operator having largest subscriber base in the world ?ChinaMobileVodafoneOrangeTelenor32) Which of the following bollywood star pair recently became India's first to ring the opening bell of NASDAQ, the world's biggest stock exchange in the United states?

Sharukh Khan - Aishwarya BachchanShahrukh Khan – KajolAjay Devgan – KajolAbhishek Bachchan - Aishwarya Bachchan33) On which date recently International Women’s Day was observed?March 8March 11March 14March 1734) Who is the brand ambassador of BSNL?KajolKatrina KaifKareena KapoorDeepika Padukone35) “The power of Knowledge : is the punchline of Hindustan TimesTimes of IndiaThe HinduThe Economic Times36) The Future group has launched a toothpaste brand called?WhiteSachTrueAlways clear37) ‘Building India’ whose baseline?MRFFirst FlightDLFBinani Cement38) If it's Corby, which company's mobile phone are we talking about?NokiaSamsungLGSony39) Who is the brand ambassador of Big TV?Sharukh KhanAmitabh BhachanHrithik RoshanNone of these40) “ Jeetey Raho” is the punchline of HDFC StandardAegon ReligareICICI PrudentialSBI Life41) CEAT – the tyre company gives cricket ratings. To which group does this company belong?Tata groupRPG GroupEssarApollo 42) Which among the following substances can be used as a Food preservative?

BoraxVinegarSodium BenzoateSodium Hydroxide43) Which of the following country is the host of 2014 FIFA World Cup?MexicoArgentinaBrazilFrance44) Which Softdrinks group launched Montain Dew in Indian market?Coca – ColaPepsiParleDukes45) Philip Kotler is a widely known personality in the field of:Fine ArtsMusicManagementAgriculture46) Who among the following is the current chief Justice of United States of America?John G. RobertsWilliam Rehnquist.Warren E BurgerEarl Warren47) Apart from UN General Assembly, which among the following is not among five principal active organs of United Nations?UN Security CouncilUN Economic and Social CouncilUN SecretariatUN Trusteeship Council48) Who among the following was chairman of Union Carbide when Bhopal tragedy occurred on 3 December 1984?

Marc GalanterWarren AndersonMike CiresiNone of them49) .How many digits of Pincode in India are assigned to the Individual Post Offices?

last 1 digitlast 2 digitslast 3 digitsfirst 3 digits

50) Who among the following is known as the first tomeasure the distance round the earth and also known as Father of Geometry?EratosthenesEuclidHapparchusGalileo

I

GK Capsule - 21)-The ruler who introduced the Salivahana Saka era, now being followed by the Indian Government was A)KanishkaB)AshokaC)SalivahanaD)Sathavahana2)-Where did Buddha penance for 40 days? A)Kapila VasthuB)PrayagaC)Varanasi D)Gaya

3)-On the basis of certain events Indian history has been divided into _____periodsA)3B)4C)2D)54)-The book Harshacharitha is a biography of _________ emperorA)AshokaB)ChanakyaC)Harsha D)None5)-Where was the Indus Valley Civilization was first discovered?A)KashmirB)PunjabC)KushinagarD)Harrappa and Mohenjodaro6)-In which period Indus Valley Civilization was flourished? A)1900 ADB)1800BCC)1800ADD)500BC7)-Who was the author of Mahabharatha? A)ValmikiB)KalidasC)VedvyasaD)Pothana8)-Which was the epic Adi Kavya? A)MahaBharathaB)RamayanaC)VishnuPuramD)Sivapuran9)-In whose court Kautilya worked as the minster? A)SamudraguptB)VikramadityaC)AshokaD)Chandragupt Maurya10)-Which of the following country is priviously called as Siam? A)JapanB)S.KoreaC)N.KoreaD)Thailand11)-Who invented Xeroxe machine in 1935? A)Chester F KarlsonB)Alexander C)Chester f kennedyD)Miche J Jhonson12)-Who was the founder of Indian National Congress? A)Motilal NehruB)A.O HumeC)AnneBeaseantD)Mahatma Gandhi 13)-Maximum number of Members of Rajya Sabha is A)232B)540C)244D)25014)-Emperor Ashoka was belong to which of the following dynasty? A)MauryaB)GuptaC)IkshvakD)Kushan15)-How many languages recognised by Indian Constitution as National Languages? A)12B)13C)14D)1516)-Which of the following bird is a symbol of peace? 

A)PeacockB)ParrotC)PigeonD)Pea Hen17)-In which language bible was first written? A)EnglishB)GreekC)HibruD)Urdu18)-Which group of blood is known as universal donor? A)A+B)B+C)AB+D)O+19)-The country who first enacted the Right of Information A)IndiaB)UKC)USAD)Sweden20)-Who will preside over the combined meetings of both houses? A)PresidentB)Vice PresidentC)SpeakerD)Prime minister21)-The largest revenue in India is obtained from A)RailwaysB)Excise dutyC)Sales taxD)Direct tax22)-The tax levied by Central Government and collected by State Government is A)Stamp DutyB)Excise dutyC)Income TaxD)Gift Tax23)-The period for Call Money is (days)A)1-14B)10-15C)15-30D)0ne month24)-Who regulates the money circulation in India? A)RBIB)SBIC)NABARDD)Commercial banks25)-Which of the following is not an organized sector in India? A)Nationalised banksB)Cooperative banksC)Chits and Money lenders D)Regional rural banks26)-Who will settle the grievances of customers of banks? A)RBIB)Local CourtsC)OmbudsmenD)SBI27)-When was Reserve Bank of India established? A)1920B)1925C)1935D)194828)-How many banks were first nationalised? A)10B)12C)14D)1629)-When was Reserve Bank of India Nationalised? A)1947

B)1948C)1949D)195030)-When was Indian Banking Act come into force? A)1951B)1948C)1949D)195031)-What is the maximum number of judges in Supreme Court of India as per the new policy? (Excluding Chief Justice) A)30B)31C)25D)2832)-Who was the first non congress prime minister of India? A)Lal Bahadur Sastry B)Morarji Desai C)Chandra ShekharD)Charan Singh33)-Who is the present Attorney General of India? A)GE VahanvatiB)Vinod RaiC)Soli SorabjiD)Bala Krishnan34)-In which muslim festival the goat is sacrificed? A)RamjanB)MoharramC)BakridD)None35)-Who was the first Home Minister of India? A)Sardar Vallabhai Patel B)S. Radha Krishnan C)Jawahar lal Nehru D)None36)-Earth Day is observed on A)April 22B)May 21C)May 22D)April 2137)-Who discovered that the plants have life and also exhibits feelings? A)C.V. RamanB)J.C. BoseC)Arya BhattD)M.S. Swaminathan 38)-Which of the following is the birth place of Jesus Christ? A)JerusalamB)BethelamC)EgyptD)Vatican City39)-What is the maximum limit for members of Lok Sabha? A)544B)542C)545D)55240)-What was the name of inaugural stadium at Beijing for Olympics? A)Bird Nest National Stadium B)Beijing Central Stadium C)Olympics Village D)Tiazine National Stadium 41)-Who won 8 Gold medals in one Olympics and created record? A)Mark Spitz B)Michael Phelps C)Walter Diks D)Richard Thompson 42)-Which country won highest number of Gold Medals in Beijing Olympics? A)USA

B)RussiaC)ChinaD)Italy43)-Which country won the highest number of Medals in Beijing Olympics? A)USAB)RussiaC)ChinaD)Italy44)-Who made the hat trick winning 100M, 200M and 4X100M running in Beijing Olympics? A)Usain Bolt B)Karluis C)Churandi Martina D)Croford 45)-Which of the following chemical was used in rockets to avoid rainfall on inauguration day of Olympics on Beijing Stadium? A)Silver IodideB)Silver BromideC)Silver ChlorideD)Silver oxide46)-What are the colors on Olympics flag? A)Blue, Yellow, Black, Green and Red on White Back Ground B)Blue, Yellow, Black, Orange and Red on White Back Ground C)Pink, Yellow, Black, Green and Red on White Back Ground D)Brown, Yellow, Black, Green and Red on White Back Ground 47)-How many countries( olympic committee) were participated in Beijing Olympics? A)201B)204C)203D)20248)-Which of the following famous country was not qualified for Hockey in Beijing Olympics? A)IndiaB)AustraliaC)Germany D)Canada49)-Rings in Olympics Logo are representsA)OceansB)MountainsC)Continents D)Famous Cities50)-What is Khap Panchayat? A)local Panchayat’s in Haryana villages B)local Panchayat’s in Punjab villages C)local Panchayat’s in Bihar villages D)local Panchayat’s in Uttar Pradesh villages Answers to previous GK Capsule

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GK Capsule - 31). Which of the follwoing is the sweetest sugar?a. Sucroseb. Glucosec. Fructosed. Maltose2). The first indian to win Nobel prize wasa. C.V. Ramanb. Rabindra Nath Tagorec. Hargovind Khuranad. Amartya Sen3). The Governments stake in Indian airlines isa. 50%b. 51%c. 49%d. 26%4). The first General Elections to the Lok Sabha were held in a. 1949b. 1952c. 1950d. 19545). Which country won the Thomas Cup 2008?a. Spainb. Australiac. Franced. China6). Asia Cricket Cup 2010 was started ona. June 15, 2010b. May 10, 2010

c. Jan 15, 2010d. March 14, 20107). Whose death took place on the opening day of the World Cup (June 11, 2010) ?a. Nadia Joelle Torradob. Zenani Mandelac. Mickky Pachecod. None of these8). Which country won the Thomas Cup title for Badminton in 2010?a. Indonesiab. Malaysiac. Chinad. India9). Who is the recipient of Lokmanya Tilak Award for 2009?a. Amartya Senb. Pranab Mukherjeec. L.K. Advanid. Somnath Chatterjee10). Which Indian IT company is associated with FIFA World Cup 2010 as one of the sponsors?a. TCSb. Infosysc. CTSd. Mahindra Satyam11). Which country won the World Twenty-20 cricket final?a. England b. Australia c. India d. None of These 12). The length of night on Venus is a. 180 earth days b. 135 earth days c. 118 earth days d. 50 earth days13). Which place India has got in HDI ranking in Human Development Report 2009? a. 126 b. 134 c. 128 d. 13514). The UN Census Bureau has projected world population in 2050 to be around a. 8850 million b. 9346 million c. 8246 million d. 7590 million15). Which country will host the World Cup Football Tournament in 2014? a. New Zealand b. West Indies c. Brazil d. South Africa16). Which is the oldest type of organisation? a. Line b. Line and Staff c.Functional d. Matrix17). Which of economy system occurred first?a. Laizes-fare b. Socialism c. Communism d. Capitalism18). Which of the following is not the method of forecasting demand?a.Collective opinion method b. Total out line method c. Expert opinion method d. Controlled experiment method19). Which of the following elements is not present in stainless steel? a. Iron b. Tungsten c. Chromium d. Nickel20). Select the one which is not a mixture. a. Air b. Gasoline c. LPG d. Distilled water21). The most abundant element in the earth's crust is a. O b. Al c. Si d. N22). In an economy, the sectors are classified into public and private on the basis of a. emloyment conditions b. nature of economic activities c. ownership of enterprises d. use of raw materials23). In March 2010, the World Bank approved two education projects for India which are worth a. $95 million b. $98 million c. $1.05 million d. $1.08 million24). Which one of the following business magnates has been adjudged the 'Business Person of the Year 2008' by The Times of India Survey? a. Ratan Tata b. Rahul Bajaj c. Aditya Birla d. Laxmi Mittal25). Which one of the following longitudes determines the Indian Standard Time? a. 85.5° E b. 86.5° E c. 84.5° E d.82.5° E26). As per the Census 2001 data released in March 2010, how many Indians speak at least two languages?a. 255 million b. 260 million c. 262 million d. 265 million27). How much percentage of income comes from animals, out of India's total income? a. 20% b. 25% c. 15% d. 10%28). What is the average temperature of cow and buffalo? a. -98.4°F b. 100°F c. 101.5°F d. 102°F29). The relationship between the value of money the price level in an economy is a. Direct b. Inverse c. Propotional d. Stable

30). The "Emerging Player of the Year 2008" award was given by ICC to which Sri Lankan cricketer?a. Ajantha Mendis b. Muttiah Mulitharan c. C. Kapugedera d. M. Mahroof31). Who is the author of 'Ageless Body, Timeless Mind'? a. V. S. Najpaul b. Deepak Chopra c. Dom Moraes d. Tony Kusher32) Name the author of the ‘Communitisation: The Third Way of Governance’. The book was released by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.a. RS Pandeyb. Murli Deorac. Gurucharan Dasd. CK Prahlad33). Name this Indian beauty who has featured in the top ten list of most stylish women in the ‘Vogue’.a. Aishwarya Raib. Preity Zintac. Freida Pintod. Katrina Kaif34). Which among these radio broadcast services will be terminated for all customers who are serviced from India?a. Radio Mirchib. Red FMc. WorldSpaced. Fever 10435). Name this person who has been awarded with the title ‘Indian of the Year’ by CNN-IBN.a. Rahul Gandhib. AR Rehmanc. Pandit Ravi Shankard. Kamal Hassan36). US President Barack Obama has nominated 36-year-old doctor Rajiv Shah as the head ofa. UNDPb. USAIDc. UNHCRd. None of the above37). Which among these is the co-writer of ‘3 Idiots’ along with Raju Hirani?a. Aamir Khanb. Shimit Aminc. Jugal Hansrajd. Abhijat Joshi38). Which of these has been charged of corruption by the Central Bureau of Investigation in a case of collecting assets worth Rs 80 crore along with his brother?a. Om Prakash Chautalab. Justice Dinakaranc. Ajay Singh Chautalad. Bhupinder Singh Hooda39). Out of 27 members of the European Union, which country is India's biggest trade partner?a. UKb. Francec. Germany d. None of these40). The new service tax rate as per the Union Budget of 2010-2011 is...a. 10 per centb. 10.5 per centc. 10.8 per centd. 11.2 per cent41).As per the domestic passenger vehicles sales in January 2010 , which of the following was the market leader?a. Tata Motorsb. Hyundai Motors India Ltdc. Maruti Suzuki Ltdd. Honda Motors India Ltd

42). ‘Obsessed with quality since 1895’, is the punch line of … a. Volkswagen AG b. TAG Heuer c. Skoda Automobiles d. Swarovski43). Recently Bharti Airtel bided for the Kuwait based Zain Telecom’s Affrican assets. What was the amount of the bid?a. $ 9.8 billionb. $10.7 billionc. $12.2 billiond. $ 14.9 billion44). The first city in the world where metro started is?a. New Yorkb. Londonc. Tokyod. Hong Kong45). The oldest printed work in the world that dates back to 868 AD is- a. The Bible b. The Hirake Sutra c. The Ramayana d. The Mahabharata 46). “Golden Quadrilateral”, is the name of the project that is linked with… a. Waterways b. airwaysc. roadways d. None of these47). Which of the following represents the year in which the Regional Rural Banks came into existence?a. 1973 b. 1975 c. 1977 d. 197948). As per the Macroeconomic and Monetary Development Report by RBI - what is the latest growth rate for Agriculture in 2010-11?a. .7%b. 3.5%c. -1.2% d. None of these49). How many Indian women corporate leaders have made it to the Forbes' list of Asia Pacific's 48 "Heroes Of Philanthropy" released recentlya. 1b. 4c. 3 d. 550). Which one of the following newspaper was launched by Motilal Nehru?a. Leaderb. The Independentc. Hindustan Timesd. National HeraldAnswers to previous GK Capsule

1a11a21b31a41b2d12b22a32b42c3d13d23a33a43a4c14a24a34c44a

5d15d25c35a45a6b16c26c36a46a7c17c27c37b47b8b18d28c38b48a9d19d29c39c49c10d20c30c40a50a>>Hilary Mintel won womens booker prize 2012 for her novel "Bring Up the Bodies"

>>AShish chauhan is appointed as new MD and CEO of BSE.

>>Current Chief Justice of India -- Altmas Kabir

>>He was the president of the US during the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki -- Harry Truman

>>Famous Books : a)Savitri: Sri Aurobindo B)The hungry tide: Amitav ghosh C)The Great Indian Novel: Shashi Tharoor

>>who was the opponent for Saina nehwal(Bronze medalist) in London olympics 2012. -- Xin Wang

>>Sariska Tiger Reserve is located in: Aravalli Range ,Rajastan

>>2009: man booker prize : WOLF HALL

2012 : man booker prize : Bringing up the bodies:

>>The Casual Vacancy - J.K. Rowling >>Who won the Gold Medal in Tennis Mens Singles Event at London 2012? Andy Murraysilver - federerbronze - juan martin delpo

>>USA won a total of 46 Gold Medals

>> TOTAL MEDAL TALLY -- USA -> 104 China -> 88 GBR -> 65

>>The Director General of AADHAR ?  Ram Sewak Sharma

>>When did the London 2012 Olympics officially Start and End???  July 27 to August 12

>>INDIA F1 Buddha International Circuit 1 Vettel 2 Fernando Alonso 3 Webber 4 Hemilton  Katrhikayen: 21st

>>The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) is an organisation of south asian nations, which was established on 8 December 1985 when the government ofBangladesh , Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka formally adopted its charter providing for the promotion of economic and social progress, cultural development within the South Asia region and also for friendship and cooperation with other developing countries.

OSCAR AWRDS

Best cinematography

Robert Richardson, Hugo

Best art direction

Hugo

Best costume design

The Artist

Best make up

The Iron Lady

Best foreign language film

A Separation

Best actress in a supporting role

Octavia Spencer, The Help

Best film editing

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Best sound editing

Hugo

Best sound mixing

Hugo

Best documentary feature

Undefeated

Best animated film

Rango

Best visual effects

Hugo

Best actor in a supporting role

Christopher Plummer, Beginners

Best original score

Ludovic Bource, The Artist

Best song

Man or Muppet, The Muppets

Best adapted screenplay

Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon, and Jim Rash, The Descendants

Best original screenplay

Woody Allen, Midnight in Paris

Best live action short

The Shore

Best documentary short

Saving Face

Best animated short

The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr Morris Lessmore

Best director

Michel Hazavanicius, The Artist

Best actor in a leading role

Jean Dujardin, The Artist

Best actress in a leading role

Meryl Streep, The Iron Lady

Best picture

The Artist

Martin Scorsese's 3D film Hugo and silent movie The Artisttopped the night with five wins apiece. The Artist took home several of the top awards, including best picture, director (Michel Hazanavicius) and actor (Jean Dujardin). The Iron Lady was the only other film to take home multiple awards with two honors, including Meryl Streep's third Oscar.Other films represented with wins include The Descendants, The Help, A Separation, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, Undefeated, Beginners, The Muppets, Midnight in Paris and the short films The Shore, Saving Face and The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore.Who among the following won Nobel Prize 2012 in physics???Serge Haroche and David J. Wineland2012THE NOBEL PRIZE IN PHYSICSSerge Haroche, David J. Wineland

THE NOBEL PRIZE IN CHEMISTRYRobert J. Lefkowitz, Brian K. Kobilka

THE NOBEL PRIZE IN PHYSIOLOGY OR MEDICINESir John B. Gurdon, Shinya Yamanaka

THE NOBEL PRIZE IN LITERATUREMo Yan --- who with hallucinatory realism merges folk tales, history and the contemporaryTHE NOBEL PEACE PRIZEEuropean Union (EU) 

THE PRIZE IN ECONOMIC SCIENCESAlvin E. Roth, Lloyd S. Shapley

TOP 10 Mergers and AcusationTop 10 Mergers & Acquisitions in India for 2010

Tata Chemicals buys British salt

Tata Chemicals bought British Salt; a UK based white salt producing company for about US $ 13 billion. The acquisition gives Tata access to very strong brine supplies and also access to British Salts facilities as it produces about 800,000 tons of pure white salt every year

Reliance Power and Reliance Natural Resources merger

This deal was valued at US $11 billion and turned out to be one of the biggest deals of the year. It eased out the path for Reliance power to get natural gas for its power projects

Airtels acquisition of Zain in Africa

Airtel acquired Zain at about US $ 10.7 billion to become the third biggest telecom major in the world. Since Zain is one of the biggest players in Africa covering over 15 countries, Airtels acquisition gave it the opportunity to establish its base in one of the most important markets in the coming decade

Abbotts acquisition of Piramal healthcare solutions

Abbott acquired Piramal healthcare solutions at US $ 3.72 billion which was 9 times its sales. Though the valuation of this deal made Piramals take this move, Abbott benefited greatly by moving to leadership position in the Indian market

GTL Infrastructure acquisition of Aircel towers

This acquisition was worth about US $ 1.8 billion and brought GTL Infrastructure to the third position in terms of number of mobile towers 33000. The money generated gave Aircel the funds for expansion throughout the country and also for rolling out its 3G services

ICICI Bank buys Bank of Rajasthan

This merger between the two for a price of Rs 3000 cr would help ICICI improve its market share in northern as well as western India

JSW and Ispat Ki Kahani

Jindal Steel Works acquired 41% stake at Rs 2,157 cr in Ispat Industries to make it the largest steel producer in the country. This move would also help Ispat return to profitability with time

Reckitt Benckiser goes shopping

Reckitt acquired Paras Pharma at a price of US $ 726 million to basically strengthen its healthcare business in the country. This was Reckitts move to establish itself as a strong consumer healthcare player in the fast growing Indian market

Mahindra goes international

Mahindra acquired a 70% controlling stake in troubled South Korea auto major Ssang Yong at US $ 463 million. Along with the edge it would give Mahindra in terms of the R & D capabilities, this deal would also help them utilise the 98 country strong dealer network of Ssang Yong

Fortis Healthcare acquisitions

Fortis Healthcare, the unlisted company owned by Malvinder and Shivinder Singh looks set to make it two in two in terms of acquisitions. After acquiring Hong Kongs Quality Healthcare Asia Ltd for around Rs 882 cr last month, they are planning on acquiring Dental Corp, the largest dental services provider in Australia at Rs 450 cr

As you see in the list, the M & As have happened across industries and sectors like banking, automotive, healthcare, FMCG, telecom etc. This shows that this really has been the dream year of Indian industry.RBI POLICY"Under Section 22 of the Reserve Bank of India Act, the RBI has the sole right to issue bank notes of all denominations. The distribution of one rupee notes and coins and small coins all over the country is undertaken by the Reserve Bank as agent of the Government."

"Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR): Every commercial bank has to keep certain minimum cash reserves with RBI. RBI can vary this rate between 3% and 15%. RBI uses this tool to increase or decrease the reserve requirement depending on whether it wants to affect a decrease or an increase in the money supply. An increase in Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) will make it mandatory on the part of the banks to hold a large proportion of their deposits in the form of deposits with the RBI. This will reduce the size of their deposits and they will lend less. This will in turn decrease the money supply. The current rate is 6%. "This is an important mechanism through which RBI controls liquidity in market and inturn the inflation.

"Bank Rate: RBI lends to the commercial banks through its discount window to help the banks meet depositors demands and reserve requirements. The interest rate the RBI charges the banks for this purpose is called bank rate. If the RBI wants to increase the liquidity and money supply in the market, it will decrease the bank rate and if it wants to reduce the liquidity and money supply in the system, it will increase the bank rate. As of 5 May, 2011 the bank rate was 6%."

"Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR): Apart from the CRR, banks are required to maintain liquid assets in the form of gold, cash and approved securities. Higher liquidity ratio forces commercial banks to maintain a larger proportion of their resources in liquid form and thus reduces their capacity to grant loans and advances, thus it is an anti-inflationary impact. A higher liquidity ratio diverts the bank funds from loans and advances to investment in government and approved securities."

Repo Rate and Reverse Repo Rate in simple terms:

Repo (Repurchase) rate is the rate at which the RBI lends shot-term money to the banks against securities. When the repo rate increases borrowing from RBI becomes more expensive. Therefore, we can say that in case, RBI wants to make it more expensive for the banks to borrow money, it

increases the repo rate; similarly, if it wants to make it cheaper for banks to borrow money, it reduces the repo rate.

Reverse Repo rate is the rate at which banks park their short-term excess liquidity with the RBI.The banks use this tool when they feel that they are stuck with excess funds and are not able to invest anywhere for reasonable returns. An increase in the reverse repo rate means that the RBI is ready to borrow money from the banks at a higher rate of interest. As a result, banks would prefer to keep more and more surplus funds with RBI.

More comprehensive explanation:

Repo rate or repurchase rate is the rate at which banks borrow money from the central bank (read RBI for India) for short period by selling their securities (financial assets) to the central bank with an agreement to repurchase it at a future date at predetermined price. It is similar to borrowing money from a money-lender by selling him something, and later buying it back at a pre-fixed price. Bank rate is the rate at which banks borrow money from the central bank without any sale of securities. It is generally for a longer period of time. This is similar to borrowing money from someone and paying interest on that amount.Both these rates are determined by the central bank of the country based on the demand and supply of money in the economy.1.According to a UN study what is India's rank among a total of 187 countries in terms of Human Development Index? a.95 b.134 c.119

2.Goa State Assembly Unanimously Passed Goa Lokayukta Bill 2011. The bill is a modified version of Goa Lakayukta Bill of which yr?a.2002 b.2004 c.2003

3.Which one of the following launched the social auditing programme of gram Panchayats? a.Goa b.Assam c.Uttar pradesh

4. The largest ever water supply scheme in Himachal Pradesh was inaugurated in __ district. a. Kangra b. Kullu c.Kinnaur

5.Name the legendary Bollywood playback singer who entered the Guinness World Records for the most number of single studio recordings. a.Suchitra Krisnamurthy b.Lata Mangeshkar c.Asha Bhosle

6.Rajasthan government on 19 October 2011 launched a web based Social Security Pension system. At which one of the following places the system was launched? 

a.Jaipur b.Jodhpur c.Bikaner

7.UP state government increased the age limit for recruitment of Primary school teachers from 35 to __ years. a.40 b.38 c.45

8.Nabum Tuki was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh on 1 November 2011. He is the__ Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh? a.Seventh b.Sixth c.Fifth

9.The Save Sharmila Campaign was flagged off by Magsaysay award winner Sandeep Pandey on 16 October 2011. In which of the following Indian cities was the campaign launched? a.Imphal b.Guwahati c.Srinagar

10.Who was honoured with the Swiss Ambassador's award for exceptional leadership and his contribution to strengthening bilateral ties between India and Switzerland on 16 October 2011? a.Anil Ambani b.Narayan Murthy c.Ratan Tata

OAs

1. 1342. 20033. Assam4. Kangra5. Asha Bhosle6. Jaipur7. 408. Seventh9. Srinagar10. Ratan Tata

Important facts about India:

1) Seventh largest in area2) Made up of 28 states3) UP is largest population wise and Sikkim smallest4) 6 union territories, and 1 national capital territory5) 77pc population lives in rural areas(this is according to 2001 census)6) India has largest number of persons on Electoral roll.7) Area wise Rajasthan is biggest and Goa smallest.

 Shares political border with Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, China, Bhutan and

Nepal.9) Seperated with Sri Lanka by Palk Straits and Gulf of Mannar.10) The national song has been taken from Bankim Chandra Chatterjees novel Ananda Math.11) National aquatic animal: Dolphin12) National heritage animal : Elephant13) National Tree: Banyan Tree14) National River: Ganges

FDI IN INDIA

films:100%Coal & Lignite :74%Tourism :100%Electricity :100%

Private Sector Banking 49%Non-Banking Financial Com-panies (NBFC) 100%Insurance 26%Telecom-munications 49%Drugs & Pharmaceuticals 100%Road and highways, Ports and harbours 100%Hotel & Tourism 100%Airports 74%

The United Nations

Origin: The United Nations Organization is an association of states which have pledged themselves to maintain international peace and security and cooperate in solving international political, economic, social, cultural and humanitarian problems towards achieving this end.

The United Nations officially came into existence on Oct. 24,1945, with the deposit of the requisite number of ratifications of the Charter, the constituting instrument of the UN with the US Department.

United Nations Day is celebrated on 24 Oct. each year. The headquarters of the UNO is in New York.

Flag : White UN Emblem (two bent olive branches open at the top and in between them in world map) on a light blue background.

Official Languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish.

The United Nations has six principal organs according to the Charter which are indicated as below :

The General AssemblyIt consists of all 193 member nations and functions as the main deliberative body. It meets once a year on the third Tuesday of the month of September and session lasts for two weeks. At each session the Assembly elects a new President, 21 Vice-Presidents and Chairmen of the six main committees. For proper geographical representation, the Presidency of the Assembly rotates every year among the five geographical groups–Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America and Caribbean, and Western Europe and other stares.

The Security CouncilThe UN Charter has entrusted the primary responsibility for maintenance of international peace and security. The Security Council is made up of 15 member states, consisting of 5 permanent members–China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States–and 10 non-permanent members, currently Azerbaijan, India, South Africa, Colombia, Morocco, Togo, Germany, Pakistan, Guatemala, and Portugal.

The Economic and Social Council (ECO-SOC) The Trusteeship Council The International Court of Justice

The International Court of Justice (ICJ), located in The Hague, Netherlands, is the primary judicial organ of the United Nations.

The UN Secretariat

The United Nations Secretariat is headed by the Secretary-General, assisted by a staff of international civil servants worldwide. It provides studies, information, and facilities needed by United Nations bodies for their meetings. It also carries out tasks as directed by the UN Security Council, the UN General Assembly, the UN Economic and Social Council, and other UN bodies. The current Secretary-General is Ban Ki-moon, who took over from Kofi Annan in 2007 and has been elected for a second term to conclude at the end of 2016.

Important Years Observed by UNO

2005 Year of Physics

2006 International Year of Desert and Desertification

2008 International Year of the Potato

2009 International Year of Reconciliation

2010 International Year of Biodiversity

2011 International Year of Forests

2012 International Year of Cooperatives

2013 International Year of Water Cooperation

2014 International Year of Family Farming

Organizations and specialized agencies of the United Nations

FAO

Food and Agriculture Organization

Rome, Italy

1945

IAEA

International Atomic Energy Agency

Vienna, Austria

1957

ICAO

International Civil Aviation Organization

Montreal, Canada

1947

IFAD

International Fund for Agricultural Development

Rome, Italy

1977

ILO

International Labour Organization

Geneva, Switzerland

1946 (1919)

IMO

International Maritime Organization

London, United Kingdom

1948

IMF

International Monetary Fund

Washington, D.C., USA

1945 (1944)

ITU

International Telecommunication Union

Geneva, Switzerland

1947 (1865)

UNESCO

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

Paris, France

1946

UNIDO

United Nations Industrial Development Organization

Vienna, Austria

1967

UPU

Universal Postal Union

Bern, Switzerland

1947 (1874)

WB

World Bank

Washington, .C., USA

1945 (1944)

WFP

World Food Programme

Rome, Italy

1963

WHO

World Health Organization

Geneva, Switzerland

1948

WIPO

World Intellectual Property Organization

Geneva, Switzerland

1974

WMO

World Meteorological Organization

Geneva, Switzerland

1950 (1873)

UNWTO

World Tourism Organization

Madrid, Spain

1974

Q1. which economist has written an article about 100 million missing women in S-E asia?A. Amartya SenQ2. who has written the book- ‘towards a hunger-free world’?A. M.S. SwaminathanQ3. Punjab national bank has launched a reverse mortgage scheme for senior citizens under what name?A. BaghbanQ4. India’s first weather satellite ‘Megha-tropiques’ is built in collaboration with which country?A. FranceQ5. What is the name of the time tracking delivery project created by Indian railways?A. SimranQ6. which disease was officially eradicated in 1975?A. Small poxQ7. which state in India is touted as India’s first banking state as it has got 100% financial inclusion?A. kerelaQ8. ILO and govt. of India have collaborated for eradication of child labor, what is the name of that project?A. Project IndusQ9.’ sayani rani’ is the mascot of which popular campaign?A. jaago grahak jaago.Q10. what is the other name given to GM foods?A. Frankenstein food.

1. Total population of the country : 1.21billion2. Most populated state : Uttar Pradesh (19.96 crore)3. Most populated district : Thane (Maharashtra)(1.11 crore)4. Most populated city : Mumbai (Maharashtra)(1.25 crore)5. Least populated state : Sikkim (6,07,688)6. Least populated district : Dilbang valley (Arunachal Pradesh)(7,948)7. Least populated city : Nagda (Uttar Pradesh)(1,00,036)The combined population of which 2 states in India is bigger than that of USAA)UP and Maharashtra

In 2011 , the ___ census was conducted?A)15th

CDR and CBR stand for?Crude Death Rate and Crude Birth Rate.

CDR and CBR in 2008?7.8 and 22.8 respectively.

Rural population?83.3 crore

Chairman of National Commision on Populn(NCP)?PM of Ind.

No. of Members of NCP?44

The National Popultn Stabilisation Fund was renamed?Janasankhya Stithrata Kosh

3 objectives of Population Policy 2000?i)meet the needs of contraception, health infrastructr, manpower,integrated service delivery of reproductive n child health care

ii) bring TOTAL FERTILITY RATE(TFR) to replacement level.

iii)achieve stable populn by 2045

goals to achieve populn policy?

i)Compulsory school eduii)Reduce infant mortality rate to 30 per 1000iii)reduce maternal mortality to blow 100 per 1000iv)promote delayed marrg of girlsv)achieve 80% institutional deliveriesvi)prevent communicable diseasesvii)promote small family normOccupational classification -

58.4% of the total workers are either cultivators or agricultural laborers.

Highest % of workers engaged as cultivators is in Himachal PradeshLowest in- Kerala

Highest % of agricultural workers- BiharLowest- Arunachal Pradesh

The % of workers in Bihar engaged directly in agriculture?- 77.35

Facts about UP- Most populous state. 16.4% of India's populn orOne sixth of India's populn

Most populous city in Up: Lucknow and KanpurThe GDI and GEI stand for?Gender Development Index and Gender Empowerment Index. The 2 key parameters of women's development. 

The GDI is the human development index. GEI is the participation in politics and decision making, power over economic resources, etc.

They were analysed from 1996-2006. The figures for 06 - GDI = 0.590 and GEI = 0.497Least GDI- Bihar (only state with a score of less than 0.5) 

The Global Gender Gap report???

total countries in the assessment- 134

Rank 1- Iceland (the best)

Rank 134- YemenIndia- Rank 112

The TFR(Total fertility rate) in 2006- 2.7

The TFR in 2012- 2.5 (outside the magazine)

TFR- average number of children expected to be born per woman during her reproductive years

THE NHRM- launched in 2005

Among other major innovations of NHRM the creation of ASHA is of prime importance.

ASHA- Accredited Social Health Activists. 

13th finance commission chairman - vijay kelkar

13th finance commission has become operational from 2010-14

nabard was established in sixth paln

outlines of the second five year plan was made by P.C. Mahalanobis

planning commission has lowered the poverty line from 32 rs to 28 rs per day

indian planning commission was constitued in 1950

national development council was constitued in 1952

the 12th plan proposes country's average growth rate at 9.0 %

rolling plan was made for the period 1978-83

recently planning commission has released a document presenting pre-estimated a progressof the economy.it is named as india vision 2020

chairman of planning commission is dr.Manmohan Singh

vice-chairman of planning commission is montek singh ahluwaliah

he Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are eight international development goals  that were officially established following theMillennium Summit of the United Nations in 2000, following the adoption of the United Nations Millennium Declaration. All 193 United Nationsmember states and at least 23 international organizations have agreed to achieve these goals by the year 2015. The goals are:eradicating extreme poverty and hunger,achieving universal primary education,promoting gender equality and empowering womenreducing child mortality rates,improving maternal health,combating HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases,ensuring environmental sustainability, anddeveloping a global partnership for development.

India may miss infant, maternal health goals said Nata Menabde, World Health Organization (WHO) representative to India.The Millennium Development Goals-India Country Report 2011released by the statistics ministry, forecast that by 2015, infant mortality rate at 44 per 1,000 live births and maternal mortality at 139 per 100,000 live births will continue to remain higher than MDG targets, which are 27 and 109, respectively.

Revolution Associated with + some detailsGreen The Introduction of High-yielding varieties of seeds and the increased use

of fertilizers and irrigationWhite Milk production (Operation flood : India->Milk-deficient to Largest milk-

producer)Pink Prawns

Black /Brown

Non-conventional Energy ( For making country self-dependent in crude oil)

Blue FisheriesGrey FertilizersRed Meat /Tomato

Golden Apple (fruits)Silver Eggs/ Poultry

Yellow Oilseeds/ OilEvergreen Doubling the present production of foodgrains (Agri-scientist Dr.Swamninathan

has given a call for this)

Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme

Launched on 2nd October 1975, today, ICDS Scheme represents one of the world’s largest and most unique programmes for early childhood development. ICDS is the foremost symbol of India’s commitment to her children – India’s response to the challenge of providing pre-school education on one hand and breaking the vicious cycle of malnutrition, morbidity, reduced learning capacity and mortality, on the other.

1. Objectives: The Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme was launched in 1975 with the following objectives:

i. to improve the nutritional and health status of children in the age-group 0-6 years;

ii. to lay the foundation for proper psychological, physical and social development of the child;

iii. to reduce the incidence of mortality, morbidity, malnutrition and school dropout;

iv. to achieve effective co-ordination of policy and implementation amongst the various departments to promote child development; and

v. to enhance the capability of the mother to look after the normal health and nutritional needs of the child through proper nutrition and health education.

2. Services: The above objectives are sought to be achieved through a package of services comprising:

i. supplementary nutrition,ii. immunization,

iii. health check-up,iv. referral services,v. pre-school non-formal education and

vi. nutrition & health education.

·Delhi Police launched a Drive named Katkth to make Sex workers Independent

·The Union Ministry of Women and Child Development decided to launch a scheme calledSaksham to empower adolescent boys by educating them on gender sensitivity and moral behavior

·The NCR Planning Board approved the Controversial Greater Noida Master Plan 2021

·The state government of Delhi launched a Kishori Scheme under which sanitary napkins would be distributed to adolescent girls

·The Centre Launched an Ambitious Programme Called Himayat for Unemployed Kashmiri Youth

·The Sanchar Shakti project of the Department of Telecommunications was launched by President Pratibha Patil on 7 March 2011 to empower women.

·SABLA was launched by the Indian Women and Child Development Ministry for empowerment of adolescent girlsMONTREAL PROTOCOL:

The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer(a protocol to theVienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer) is an international treatydesigned to protect theozone layerby phasing out the production of numerous substances believed to be responsible for ozone depletion.It is believed that if the international agreement is adhered to, the ozone layer is expected to recover by 2050.

KYOTO PROTOCOLThe Kyoto Protocol is a protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC or FCCC) that set binding obligations on the industrialised countries to reduce their emissions ofgreenhouse gases. The Protocol was initially adopted on 11 December 1997 in Kyoto, Japan, and entered into force on 16 February 2005. As of September 2011, 191 states have signed and ratified the protocol.The only remaining signatory not to have ratified the protocol is the United States. OtherUnited Nations member states which did not ratify the protocol are Afghanistan, Andorra and South Sudan. In December 2011, Canadawithdrew from the Protocol.

STOCKHOLM CONVENTIONStockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants is an internationalenvironmental treaty , signed in 2001 and effective from May 2004, that aims to eliminate or restrict the production and use of persistent organic pollutants (POPs). POPs, which are defined as "chemical substances that persist in the environment,bio-accumulatethrough the food web, and pose a risk of causing adverse effects to human health and the environment".

BASEL CONVENTIONThe Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, usually known simply as the Basel Convention, is an international treatythat was designed to reduce the movements ofhazardous waste between nations, and specifically to prevent transfer of hazardous waste fromdeveloped to less developed countries (LDCs).It does not, however, address the movement of radioactive waste. The Convention is also intended to minimize the amount and toxicity of wastes generated, to ensure their environmentally sound management as closely as possible to the source of generation, and to assist LDCs in environmentally sound management of the hazardous and other wastes they generate.

BAMAKO CONVENTIONThe Bamako Convention (in full: Bamako Convention on the ban on the Import into Africa and the Control of Transboundary Movement and Management of Hazardous Wastes within Africa) is a treaty of African nations prohibiting the import of any hazardous(including radioactive)waste. The Convention was negotiated by twelve nations of theOrganization of African Unity atBamako, Mali in January, 1991, and came into force in 1998.Impetus for the Bamako Convention arose from the failure of the Basel Convention to prohibit trade of hazardous waste to less developed countries(LDCs), and from the realization that many developed nations were exporting toxic wastes to Africa.

ROTTERDAM CONVENTIONThe Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade, more commonly known simply as the Rotterdam Convention, is a multilateral treaty to promote shared responsibilities in relation to importation of hazardous chemicals. The convention promotes open exchange of information and calls on exporters of hazardous chemicals to use proper labeling, include directions on safe handling, and inform purchasers of any known restrictions or bans. Signatory nations can decide whether to allow or ban the importation of chemicals listed in the treaty, and exporting countries are obliged make sure that producers within their jurisdiction comply.

Chief of army - Vikrim singhChief of Navy - D.K. joshiAir chief - N.A. Brown

some important info:2012- international year of sustainable energy,international year of cooperatives2011- international year of forests2011-2020- united nations decade of biodiversity5 th Year Plan

The economy of India is based in part on planning through its five-year plans, which are developed, executed and monitored by thePlanning Commission. The eleventh plan completed its term in March 2012 and the twelfth plan is currently underway.[1] Prior to the fourth plan, the allocation of state resources was based on schematic patterns rather than a transparent and objective mechanism, which led to the adoption of the Gadgil formula in 1969. Revised versions of the formula have been used since then to determine the allocation of central assistance for state plans.[2]Contents[hide] 1First Five-Year Plan (1951–1956)2Second Five-Year Plan (1956–1961)3Third Five-Year Plan (1961–1966)4Fourth Five-Year Plan (1969–1974)5Fifth Five-Year Plan (1974–1979)6Sixth Five-Year Plan (1980–1985)7Seventh Five-Year Plan (1985–1990)8Eighth Five-Year Plan (1992–1997)9Ninth Five-Year Plan (1997–2002)10Tenth Five-Year Plan (2002–2007)11Eleventh Five-Year Plan (2007–2012)12References13External links[edit]First Five-Year Plan (1951–1956)The first Indian Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru presented the first five-year plan to theParliament of India on December 8, 1951.This plan was based on the Harrod-Domar model. The plan addressed, mainly, the agrarian sector, including investments in dams and irrigation. The agricultural sector was hit hardest by the partition of India and needed urgent attention.[3]The total planned budget of 2069 crore was allocated to seven broad areas: irrigation andenergy (27.2 percent), agriculture and community development (17.4 percent), transport andcommunications (24 percent), industry (8.4 percent), social services (16.64 percent), land rehabilitation (4.1 percent), and for other sectors and services (2.5 percent).[4] The most important feature of this phase was active role of state in all economic sectors. Such a role was justified at that time because immediately after independence, India was facing basic problems—deficiency of capital and low capacity to save.The target growth rate was 2.1% annual gross domestic product (GDP) growth; the achieved growth rate was 3.6%[5] The net domestic product went up by 15%. The monsoon was good and there were relatively high crop yields, boosting exchange reserves and the per capita income, which increased by 8%. National income increased more than the per capita income due to rapid population growth. Many irrigation projects were initiated during this period, including the Bhakra Dam and Hirakud Dam. The World Health Organization, with the Indian government, addressed children's health and reduced infant mortality, indirectly contributing to population growth.At the end of the plan period in 1956, five Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) were started as major technical institutions. TheUniversity Grant Commission was set up to take care of funding and take measures to strengthen the higher education in the country.[6]Contracts were signed to start five steel plants, which came into existence in the middle of the second five-year plan. The plan was successful.Target Growth: 2.1% Actual Growth: 3.6%[5][edit]Second Five-Year Plan (1956–1961)The second five-year plan focused on industry, especially heavy industry. Unlike the First plan, which focused mainly on agriculture, domestic production of industrial products was encouraged in the Second plan, particularly in the development of the public sector. The plan followed the Mahalanobis model, an economic development model developed by the IndianstatisticianPrasanta Chandra Mahalanobis in 1953. The plan attempted to determine the optimal allocation of investment between productive sectors in order to maximise long-run economic growth . It used the prevalent state of art techniques of operations research and optimization as well as the novel applications of statistical models developed at the Indian Statistical Institute. The plan assumed a closed

economy in which the main trading activity would be centered on importing capital goods.[7][8]Hydroelectric power projects and five steel mills at Bhilai, Durgapur, and Rourkela were established. Coal production was increased. More railway lines were added in the north east.The Atomic Energy Commission was formed in 1958 with Homi J. Bhabha as the first chairman. The Tata Institute of Fundamental Research was established as a research institute. In 1957 a talent search and scholarship program was begun to find talented young students to train for work in nuclear power.The total amount allocated under the second five-year plan in India was Rs. 4,600 crore. This amount was allocated among various sectors:Power and irrigationSocial servicesCommunications and transportMiscellaneousTarget Growth:4.5% Growth achieved:4.0%[5][edit]Third Five-Year Plan (1961–1966)The third plan stressed on agriculture and improvement in the production of wheat, but the brief Sino-Indian War of 1962 exposed weaknesses in the economy and shifted the focus towards the [Defence industry]. In 1965–1966, India fought a [Indo-Pak] War with Pakistan. Due to this there was a severe drought in 1965. The war led to inflation and the priority was shifted to price stabilisation. The construction of dams continued. Many cement and fertilizerplants were also built. Punjab began producing an abundance of wheat.Many primary schools have been started in rural areas. In an effort to bring democracy to the grassroot level, Panchayat elections have been started and the states have been given more development responsibilities.State electricity boards and state secondary education boards were formed. States were made responsible for secondary and higher education. State road transportation corporations were formed and local road building became a state responsibility.Target Growth: 5.6% Actual Growth: 2.4%[5][edit]Fourth Five-Year Plan (1969–1974)At this time Indira Gandhi was the Prime Minister. The Indira Gandhi government nationalised14 major Indian banks and the Green Revolution in India advanced agriculture. In addition, the situation in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) was becoming dire as the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 and Bangladesh Liberation War took Funds earmarked for the industrial development had to be diverted for the war effort. India also performed the Smiling Buddhaunderground nuclear test in 1974, partially in response to the United Statesdeployment of the Seventh Fleet in theBay of Bengal. The fleet had been deployed to warn India against attacking West Pakistan and extending the war.Target Growth: 5.7% Actual Growth: 3.3%[5][edit]Fifth Five-Year Plan (1974–1979)Stress was by laid on employment, poverty alleviation, and justice. The plan also focused onself-reliance in agricultural production and defence. In 1978 the newly elected Morarji Desaigovernment rejected the plan. Electricity Supply Act was enacted in 1975, which enabled the Central Government to enter into power generation and transmission.[citation needed]The Indian national highway system was introduced and many roads were widened to accommodate the increasing traffic. Tourism also expanded.Target Growth: 4.4% Actual Growth: 5.0[5][edit]Sixth Five-Year Plan (1980–1985)The sixth plan also marked the beginning of economic liberalization. Price controls were eliminated and ration shops were closed. This led to an increase in food prices and an increase in the cost of living. This was the end of Nehruvian Plan and Rajiv Gandhi was prime minister during this period.Family planning was also expanded in order to prevent overpopulation. In contrast to China's strict and binding one-child policy, Indian policy did not rely on the threat of force[citation needed]. More prosperous areas of India adopted family planning more rapidly than less prosperous areas, which continued to have a high birth rate.

Target Growth: 5.2% Actual Growth: 5.4%[5][edit]Seventh Five-Year Plan (1985–1990)The Seventh Plan marked the comeback of the Congress Party to power. The plan laid stress on improving the productivity level of industries by upgrading of technology.The main objectives of the 7th five-year plans were to establish growth in areas of increasing economic productivity, production of food grains, and generating employment.As an outcome of the sixth five-year plan, there had been steady growth in agriculture, control on rate of Inflation, and favourable balance of payments which had provided a strong base for the seventh five Year plan to build on the need for further economic growth. The 7th Plan had strived towards socialism and energy production at large. The thrust areas of the 7th Five year plan have been enlisted below:Social JusticeRemoval of oppression of the weakUsing modern technologyAgricultural developmentAnti-poverty programsFull supply of food, clothing, and shelterIncreasing productivity of small- and large-scale farmersMaking India an Independent EconomyBased on a 15-year period of striving towards steady growth, the 7th Plan was focused on achieving the pre-requisites of self-sustaining growth by the year 2000. The Plan expected a growth in labour force of 39 million people and employment was expected to grow at the rate of 4 percent per year.Some of the expected outcomes of the Seventh Five Year Plan India are given below:Balance of Payments (estimates): Export – 33,000 crore (US$6.2 billion), Imports – (-)54,000crore (US$10.2 billion), Trade Balance – (-)21,000 crore (US$4 billion)Merchandise exports (estimates): 60,653 crore (US$11.5 billion)Merchandise imports (estimates): 95,437 crore (US$18 billion)Projections for Balance of Payments: Export – 60,700 crore (US$11.5 billion), Imports – (-) 95,400 crore (US$18 billion), Trade Balance- (-) 34,700 crore (US$6.6 billion)Under the Seventh Five Year Plan, India strove to bring about a self-sustained economy in the country with valuable contributions from voluntary agencies and the general populace.Target Growth: 5.0% Actual Growth: 5.7%[5][edit]Eighth Five-Year Plan (1992–1997)1989–91 was a period of economic instability in India and hence no five-year plan was implemented. Between 1990 and 1992, there were only Annual Plans. In 1991, India faced a crisis in Foreign Exchange (Forex) reserves, left with reserves of only about US$1 billion. Thus, under pressure, the country took the risk of reforming the socialist economy. P.V. Narasimha Rao was the twelfth Prime Minister of the Republic of India and head of Congress Party, and led one of the most important administrations in India's modern history overseeing a major economic transformation and several incidents affecting national security. At that time Dr.Manmohan Singh(currently, Prime Minister of India) launched India's free market reforms that brought the nearly bankrupt nation back from the edge. It was the beginning of privatisationand liberalisation in India.Modernization of industries was a major highlight of the Eighth Plan. Under this plan, the gradual opening of the Indian economy was undertaken to correct the burgeoning deficit and foreign debt. Meanwhile India became a member of the World Trade Organization on 1 January 1995.This plan can be termed as Rao and Manmohan model of Economic development. The major objectives included, controlling population growth, poverty reduction, employment generation, strengthening the infrastructure, Institutional building, tourism management, Human Resource development, Involvement of Panchayat raj, Nagar Palikas, N.G.O'S and Decentralisation and people's participation. Energy was given priority with 26.6% of the outlay. An average annual growth rate of 6.78% against the target 5.6%[5] was achieved.To achieve the target of an average of 5.6% per annum, investment of 23.2% of the gross domestic product was required. The incremental capital ratio is 4.1.The saving for invetsment was to come from domestic sources and foreign sources, with the rate of domestic saving at 21.6% of gross domestic production and of foreign saving at 1.6% of gross domestic production. [9][edit]Ninth Five-Year Plan (1997–2002)Ninth Five Year Plan India runs through the period from 1997 to 2002 with the main aim of attaining objectives like speedy industrialization, human development, full-scale employment, poverty reduction, and self-reliance on domestic resources.Background of Ninth Five Year Plan India: Ninth Five Year Plan was formulated amidst the backdrop of India's Golden jubilee of Independence.

The main objectives of the Ninth Five Year Plan of India are:to prioritize agricultural sector and emphasize on the rural developmentto generate adequate employment opportunities and promote poverty reductionto stabilize the prices in order to accelerate the growth rate of the economyto ensure food and nutritional security.to provide for the basic infrastructural facilities like education for all, safe drinking water, primary health care, transport, energyto check the growing population increaseto encourage social issues like women empowerment, conservation of certain benefits for the Special Groups of the societyto create a liberal market for increase in private investmentsDuring the Ninth Plan period, the growth rate was 5.35 per cent, a percentage point lower than the target GDP growth of 6.5 per cent.[10][edit]Tenth Five-Year Plan (2002–2007)Attain 8% GDP growth per year.Reduction of poverty ratio by 5 percentage points by 2007.Providing gainful and high-quality employment at least to the addition to the labour force.Reduction in gender gaps in literacy and wage rates by at least 50% by 2007.20 point program was introduced.Target growth:8.1% Growth achieved:7.7%[edit]Eleventh Five-Year Plan (2007–2012)The eleventh plan has the following objectives:Income & PovertyAccelerate GDP growth from 8% to 10% and then maintain at 10% in the 12th Plan in order to double per capita income by 2016–17Increase agricultural GDP growth rate to 4% per year to ensure a broader spread of benefitsCreate 70 million new work opportunities.Reduce educated unemployment to below 5%.Raise real wage rate of unskilled workers by 20 percent.Reduce the headcount ratio of consumption poverty by 10 percentage points.EducationReduce dropout rates of children from elementary school from 52.2% in 2003–04 to 20% by 2011–12Develop minimum standards of educational attainment in elementary school, and by regular testing monitor effectiveness of education to ensure qualityIncrease literacy rate for persons of age 7 years or above to 85%Lower gender gap in literacy to 10 percentage pointIncrease the percentage of each cohort going to higher education from the present 10% to 15% by the end of the planHealthReduce infant mortality rate to 28 and maternal mortality ratio to 1 per 1000 live birthsReduce Total Fertility Rate to 2.1Provide clean drinking water for all by 2009 and ensure that there are no slip-backsReduce malnutrition among children of age group 0–3 to half its present levelReduce anaemia among women and girls by 50% by the end of the planWomen and ChildrenRaise the sex ratio for age group 0–6 to 935 by 2011–12 and to 950 by 2016–17Ensure that at least 33 percent of the direct and indirect beneficiaries of all government schemes are women and girl childrenEnsure that all children enjoy a safe childhood, without any compulsion to workInfrastructureEnsure electricity connection to all villages and BPL households by 2009 and round-the-clock power.Ensure all-weather road connection to all habitation with population 1000 and above (500 in hilly and tribal areas) by 2009, and ensure coverage of all significant habitation by 2015Connect every village by telephone by November 2007 and provide broadband connectivity to all villages by 2012Provide homestead sites to all by 2012 and step up the pace of house construction for rural poor to cover all the poor by 2016–17EnvironmentIncrease forest and tree cover by 5 percentage points.Attain WHO standards of air quality in all major cities by 2011–12.Treat all urban waste water by 2011–12 to clean river waters.Increase energy efficiency by 20%Target growth:8.33% Growth achieved:7.9%

Which is the Biggest Museum in the World ? British Museum (London)Which is the Longest Railway Bridge in the World ? Huey P. Long Bridge, Louisiana (U.S.A.)Which is the Tallest Building in the World ? Burj, Dubai (UAE)Which is the Costliest City in the World ? TokyoWhich is the Highest Dam in the World ? Hoover Dam (U.S.A.)Which is the Largest Dam in the World ? Grand Coulee Dam (U.S.A.)Which is the Largest Desert in the World ? Sahara (Africa)Which is the Largest Epic in the World ? MahabharatWhich is the Deepest Lake in the World ? Baikal (Siberia)Which is the Largest Democracy in the World ? IndiaWhich is the Lightest Gas ? HydrogenWhich is the Lightest Metal ? LithiumWhich is the Largest Sea in the World ? Mediterranean seaWhich is the Longest Road Tunnel in the World ? Mont Blanc Tunnel between France and ItalyWhich is the Longest river in the World ? NileWhich is the The longest tributary river of India ? YamunaWhich is the Largest Mosque in India ? Jama Masjid, DelhiWhich is the Largest Museum in India ? National Museum, KolkataWhich is the Largest Delta in India ? Sunderban Delta, West BengalWhich is the Highest Waterfall in India ? Gersoppa Waterfall, Karnataka

Q 1. What is the objective of Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) mechanism?

Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) mechanism is a market based instrument to promote renewable

energy and facilitate compliance of renewable purchase obligations (RPO). It is aimed at addressing the

mismatch between availability of RE resources in state and the requirement of the obligated entities to

meet the renewable purchase obligation (RPO).

Q 2. What is the denomination of each REC issued?

One Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) is treated as equivalent to 1 MWh.

Q 3. How many types of RECs are there?

There are two categories of RECs, viz., solar RECs and non-solar RECs.

Solar RECs are issued to eligible entities for generation of electricity based on solar as renewable energy

source, and non-solar RECs are issued to eligible entities for generation of electricity based on renewable

energy sources other than solar.

Q 4. What would be the sources of revenue under REC mechanism?

Revenue for a RE generator under REC scheme includes revenue from the sale of electricity component of

RE generation and the revenue from the sale of environmental attributes in the form of RECs.

Q 5. Who is eligible for REC?

A generating company engaged in generation of electricity from renewable energy sources shall be eligible

for participation under REC scheme if it fulfils the following conditions:

a. it does not have any power purchase agreement to sell electricity at a preferential tariff determined

by the Appropriate Commission; and

b. it sells the electricity generated either

i. to the distribution licensee of the area in which the eligible entity is located, at a price not

exceeding the pooled cost of power purchase of such distribution licensee, or

ii. to any other licensee or to an open access consumer at a mutually agreed price, or

through power exchange at market determined price.

Q 6. Whether Captive Power Plants(CPPs) would be eligible for REC?

A Captive Power Producer (CPP) based on renewable energy sources shall be eligible for the entire energy

generated from such plant including self consumption for participating in the REC scheme subject to the

condition that such CPP has not availed or does not propose to avail any benefit in the form of

concessional/promotional transmission or wheeling charges, banking facility benefit and waiver of electricity

duty.

Provided also that if such a CPP forgoes the benefits of concessional transmission or wheeling charges,

banking facility benefit and waiver of electricity duty, it shall become eligible for participating in the REC

scheme only after a period of three years has elapsed from the date of forgoing such benefits.

Provided also that, the abovementioned condition for CPPs for participating in the REC scheme shall not

apply if the benefits given to such CPPs in the form of concessional transmission or wheeling charges,

banking facility benefit and waiver of electricity duty are withdrawn by the State Electricity Regulatory

Commission and/or the State Government.

The expression 'banking facility benefit' means only such banking facility whereby the CPP gets the benefit

of utilizing the banked energy at any time (including peak hours) even when it has injected into grid during

off-peak hours.

Q 7. Does early termination of PPA by an RE generator make it eligible for REC?

A generating company having entered into a power purchase agreement for sale of electricity at a

preferential tariff shall not, in case of premature termination of the agreement, be eligible for participating in

the REC scheme for a period of three years from the date of termination of such agreement or till the

scheduled date of expiry of power purchase agreement whichever is earlier ,if any order or ruling is found

to have been passed by an Appropriate Commission or a competent court against the generating company

for material breach of the terms and conditions of the said power purchase agreement.

Q 8. To whom REC would be issued? Whether Distribution licensee, Open Access

consumer, Conventional captive power consumer are eligible for issuance of

REC?

REC would be issued to RE generators only.

Q 9. How long one REC would be valid?

The REC once issued shall remain valid for three hundred and sixty five days from the date of issuance of

such Certificate.

Q 10. Which RE technologies are eligible for REC?

Grid connected RE Technologies approved by MNRE would be eligible under this scheme.

Q 11. What are the options available for RE generators to sell renewable energy

generated?

RE generators will have two options i) either to sell the renewable energy at preferential tariff or ii) to sell

electricity generation and environmental attributes associated with RE generations separately.

Q 12. What is the procedure for getting REC?

The RE generators who fulfil the eligibility criteria can apply for the accreditation to concerned State

Agency. After successful accreditation the eligible entity (RE generator) may apply for registration to the

Central Agency. After successful registration the eligible entity may obtain REC through the 'process of

issuance of REC' by Central Agency. The detailed procedures for Accreditation, Registration, Issuance and

Redemption of REC can be downloaded from CERC/NLDC (POSOCO)

websites: www.cercind.gov.in, www.nldc.in, www.recregistryindia.in

Q 13. Who could buy REC? Can REC be used to fulfil Renewable Purchase

Obligation?

REC could be purchased by the obligated entities. REC could also be purchased by entities other than

obligated entities on voluntary basis

Q 14. Where would RECs be traded?

REC would be exchanged only in the CERC approved power exchanges.

Q 15. What would be the price of one REC?

The price of REC would be determined in power exchange. REC would be traded in power exchange within

the forbearance price and floor price determined by CERC from time to time. The floor and forbearance

price as determined by the Commission vide Order dated 1.6.2010 (Petition No. 99/2010 - Suo-Motu) are

as under:

Non solar REC (  / MWh)Solar REC (  / 

MWh)

Forbearance Price 3,900 17,000

Floor Price 1,500 12,000

CERC has determined floor price and forbearance price on 23rd Aug, 2011 applicable from, 2012 valid till

FY 2016-17.

Non solar REC (  / MWh)Solar REC (  / 

MWh)

Forbearance Price 3,300 13,400

Floor Price 1,500 9,300

Q 16. What are the Fees and Charges for Accreditation, Registration, Issuance

and Redemption?

The details of fees and charges for different procedures of REC are as under:

Fee and Charges towards Accreditation Amount in 

Processing Fees (One Time) 5,000

Accreditation Charges (One Time) 30,000

Annual Charges 10,000

Revalidation Charge at the end of five (5) years 15,000

Fee and Charges towards Registration Amount in 

Processing Fees (One Time) 1,000

Registration Charges (One Time) 5,000

Annual Charges 1,000

Revalidation Charge at the end of five (5) years 5,000

Fee and Charges towards Issuance of REC Amount in 

Fees per Certificate 10

Q 17. What happens if Renewable Purchase Obligation is not met by the

Obligated Entities?

As per the Model Regulation evolved by FOR, in case of default the concerned SERC may direct obligated

entity to deposit into a separate fund to purchase the shortfall of REC at forbearance price. However, in

case of genuine difficulty in complying with the renewable purchase obligation because of non-availability of

certificates, the obligated entity can approach the Commission for carry forward of compliance requirement

to the next year.

Q 18. Whether a RE CPP is eligible under REC frame work if the self (captive)

consumption from such RE CPP is exempted from the levy of Electricity Duty by

the State Government and not availing the benefits of concessional transmission

or wheeling charges and banking facility benefit?

Since such RE CPP is availing the benefit of waiver of electricity duty, it will not be eligible under REC

frame work. If such a CPP forgoes on its own, the benefit of waiver of electricity duty, it shall become

eligible for participating in the REC scheme only after a period of three years has elapsed from the date of

forgoing such benefits. Provided that the abovementioned condition for CPPs for participating in the REC

scheme will not be applicable if the benefits given to such CPPs in the form of concessional transmission or

wheeling charges, banking facility benefit and waiver of electricity duty are withdrawn by the State

Electricity Regulatory Commission and/or the State Government.

Q 19. Whether an RE generator eligible under REC Mechanism, if it terminates its

PPA (which is at preferential tariff) with obligated entities at mutual consent?

Yes, such RE projects are eligible under REC Mechanism. In such cases the bar, under the proviso added

at the end of the Sub?clause (c) of Clause (1) of Regulation 5, for participating in the Renewable Energy

Certificate (REC) scheme for a period of three years from the date of termination of such agreement or till

the scheduled date of expiry of power purchase agreement whichever is earlier, would not be applicable as

the termination would be with mutual consent.

Q 20. Whether Auxiliary consumption of the any RE generator (including RE CPP

or Bagasse based cogeneration power plants) is entitled for issuance of REC?

No, only net generation of any RE generation project will be entitled for the issuance of REC.

Q 21. Whether a captive RE generator which banks electricity generated during

any period of time and utilizes such banked energy at peak hours would be

eligible under the REC mechanism?

When a captive RE generator banks electricity generated during any period of time and utilizes such

banked energy at peak hours would not be eligible under the REC mechanism. The banking facility wherein

the CPP is entitled to draw power from the utility based on and corresponding to the time period (peak or

off?peak period) of injection of power by such CPP will not be considered as concessional / promotional

benefit.

Q 22. Whether self (captive) consumption of any Bagasse based co-generation

projects or any other renewable energy based Captive Power project is qualified

for REC if they are not meeting criteria for qualifying as captive Power Plant as

specified in the Electricity Rules, 2005?

In case a Captive Power Plant based on renewable energy sources (including the non-fossil fuel based co-

generation) does not meet the criteria for qualifying as Captive Power Plant as specified in the Electricity

Rules, 2005, such a CPP/co-generation plant would be treated as any other generator and would be

eligible for the entire energy generated from such plant including self consumption for participating in the

REC scheme subject to the condition that such a generator meets the REC eligibility requirements

applicable for a generating company.

Q 23. If a plant is connected to grid as consumer (it is drawing power from the

grid) and it has a RE Generating facility within its premises which is not

connected to the grid. Whether this generating facility is eligible under REC

Mechanism?

As per CERC REC Regulations, only grid connected RE Technologies are eligible under REC Mechanism.

Since, the RE Generating unit for which REC benefits are sought is not connected to the grid, it is not

eligible to participate under REC Mechanism.

Q 24. What is the date from which an RE Generator becomes eligible for issuance

of RECs?

The energy injection for issuance of REC by Registered RE Generator shall be applicable from the next

day of registration to last day of the same month for the first month. However for the subsequent months,

period of energy injection shall be from the first day of the month to last day of the same month.

For different billing cycles of RE Generators, the format of Energy Injection Report submitted by SLDC to

Central Agency shall be for the complete calendar month in accordance with approved REC procedures. In

order to do accounting for the calendar month, SLDCs may calculate on pro-rata basis or any other method

deemed suitable by the SLDC.

Q 25. Can a RE Generator apply for Accreditation and Registration under REC

Mechanism prior to Commissioning ?

Eligible RE Generating Projects can apply for Accreditation under REC Mechanism six months prior to

proposed date of Commissioning.Eligible RE Generating Projects can apply for Registration under REC

Mechanism three months prior to proposed date of Commissioning.

Q 26. What may be the probable cases of DEFAULT which may lead to

REVOCATION of Registration?

If the Central Agency, after making an enquiry or based on the report of the Compliance Auditors, is

satisfied that public interests so require, it may revoke registration of the eligible entity in any of the

following cases, namely :-

(a) where the eligible entity, in the opinion of the Central Agency, makes willful and prolonged default in

doing anything required of him by or under these regulations;

(b) where the eligible entity breaks any of the terms and conditions of its accreditation or registration, the

breach of which is expressly declared by such accreditation or registration to render it liable to revocation;

(c) where the eligible entity fails within the period required in this behalf by the Central Agency - (i) to show,

to the satisfaction of the Central Agency, that it is in a position fully and efficiently to discharge the duties

and obligations imposed on it by its accreditation or registration; or (ii) to make the deposit or furnish the

security, or pay the fees or other charges required by its accreditation or registration.

Q 27. Within how many days of generation, an eligible entity may apply for

issuance of RECs?

The eligible entities shall apply to the Central Agency for Certificates within three months after

corresponding generation from eligible renewable energy projects provided that the application for issuance

of certificates may be made on fortnightly basis, that is, on the first day of the month or on the fifteenth day

of the month.

 

Eleventh Five-Year Plan (2007–2012)

The eleventh plan has the following objectives:

Income & Poverty

Accelerate GDP growth from 8% to 10% and then maintain at 10% in the 12th Plan in order to double per capita income by 2016–17Increase agricultural GDP growth rate to 4% per year to ensure a broader spread of benefitsCreate 70 million new work opportunities.Reduce educated unemployment to below 5%.Raise real wage rate of unskilled workers by 20 percent.Reduce the headcount ratio of consumption poverty by 10 percentage points.

Education

Reduce dropout rates of children from elementary school from 52.2% in 2003–04 to 20% by 2011–12Develop minimum standards of educational attainment in elementary school, and by regular testing monitor effectiveness of education to ensure qualityIncrease literacy rate for persons of age 7 years or above to 85%Lower gender gap in literacy to 10 percentage pointIncrease the percentage of each cohort going to higher education from the present 10% to 15% by the end of the plan

Health

Reduce infant mortality rate to 28 and maternal mortality ratio to 1 per 1000 live birthsReduce Total Fertility Rate to 2.1Provide clean drinking water for all by 2009 and ensure that there are no slip-backsReduce malnutrition among children of age group 0–3 to half its present levelReduce anaemia among women and girls by 50% by the end of the plan

Women and Children

Raise the sex ratio for age group 0–6 to 935 by 2011–12 and to 950 by 2016–17Ensure that at least 33 percent of the direct and indirect beneficiaries of all government schemes are women and girl childrenEnsure that all children enjoy a safe childhood, without any compulsion to work

Infrastructure

Ensure electricity connection to all villages and BPL households by 2009 and round-the-clock power.Ensure all-weather road connection to all habitation with population 1000 and above (500 in hilly and tribal areas) by 2009, and ensure coverage of all significant habitation by 2015Connect every village by telephone by November 2007 and provide broadband connectivity to all villages by 2012Provide homestead sites to all by 2012 and step up the pace of house construction for rural poor to cover all the poor by 2016–17

Environment

Increase forest and tree cover by 5 percentage points.Attain WHO standards of air quality in all major cities by 2011–12.Treat all urban waste water by 2011–12 to clean river waters.Increase energy efficiency by 20%

Target growth:8.33% Growth achieved:7.9%

Indian Economy 2012

Government of India announced Minimum Support Price for Cotton 

The Union Government on 2 October 2012 announced a revised Minimum Support Price (MSP)for cotton and this would help in inducing stabilisation in cotton price. Cotton has witnessed a sharp decline in the past and remained operational round about its minimum support price.

After the review meet conducted on 2 October 2012, by the Union Textiles Minister, Anand Sharma the revisions were done. The decided minimum support price of medium staple cotton has gone up to 3600 rupees per quintal from initial rate of 2800 rupees. Similarly, the MSP for long staple cotton has gone up to 3900 per quintal from 3300 rupees. This rate is fixed for the fiscal year 2012-13.

The Cotton Advisory Board has declared that the estimated production of cotton in the country for this year would be about 334 lakh bales, out of which the national consumption would record to 260 lakh bales. The surplous 70 lakh bales would be available for exports purposes.

The government has formulated a contingency plan to procure 90 lakh bales of cotton under MSP operations in the season of cotton production in the year 2012-13. To carry on with this procurement process, it has also operationlised 288 procurement centers across all the nine cotton growing states of the nation. The working capital requirement was raised to 15000 crore rupees by the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) for operationlisation of the MSP fixed.

To control the MSP plan a special MSP cell has also been created at the CCI’s corporate office and it is headed by the A. Chokalingam, Director Marketing. To alleviate the distress of farmers from NAFED and CCI, the government would be taking serious steps for price stabilization and operationlisation of the MSP decided.

Criteria of Selection of Procurement Centers• Centers that would cross the expected arrivals of 50000 quintals of cotton• It should have an existence of market yard that is functional• Weighbridge should be available in the market• Ginning and pressing factories must be available in proximity to the center, with availability of facilities for fire fighting

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RBI kept Repo Rate unchanged at 8 Percent with cutting of CRR by 0.25 Per cent

The RBI on 30 October 2012 left interest rates unchanged but had cut the cash reserve ratio for banks and indicated that it is going to cut monetary policy further in the January-March 2013 quarter, with inflation remaining a near-term concern.

The decision of leaving the policy repo rate unchanged at 8.00 percent, which is at the same level for the past six months was in line with forecasts in a recent review of macroeconomic and monetary developments by Reuters.

Also, the reverse repo, at which RBI absorbs excess liquidity through borrowings from banks, remained at 7 percent.The new rates will be effective 3 November 2012.

The expectations for a rate cut had grown after India's finance minister P. Chidambaram on 29 October 2012 outlined a plan to trim the country's hefty fiscal deficit.

D. Subbarao mentioned in his quarterly policy review that with the reduction in inflation, there is an opportunity for monetary policy to act in conjunction with fiscal and other measures to mitigate the growth risks and take the economy to a sustained higher growth trajectory.

The RBI, however, cut the Cash Reserve Ratio (the amount parked by banks with the RBI) by 25 basis points from 4.5 per cent to 4.25 per cent. This measure is expected to infuse Rs 17,500 crore liquidity into the banking system.

The RBI cut its GDP growth forecast for Asia's third-largest economy to 5.8 per cent for the current fiscal year, from 6.5 per cent previously, and increased its projection for headline inflation in March to 7.5 per cent, from 7 per cent earlier.

Repo rate - The rate at which banks borrow f from RBI. It is an instrument of monetary policy. Whenever banks have any shortage of funds they can borrow from the RBI.

Reverse Repo rate -The rate at which the RBI borrows money from commercial banks.

Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) - the amount of total deposits that banks are required to keep with the central bank. If the central bank decides to increase the CRR, the available amount with the banks comes down. The RBI uses the CRR to drain out excessive money from the system.Highlights of the RBI Quarterly Monetary Policy Review:

• Repo rate remain unchanged at 8 percent• CRR decreased by 0.5 Percent, coming down to 4.5 to 4.25 percent• Reverse repo rate remain unchanged at 7 Percent• GDP growth forecast cut down to 5.8 per cent for the current fiscal year 2012-13 from 6.5 percent.

2012- International year of sustainable energy, international year of cooperatives2011- international year of forests2011-2020- united nation’s decade of biodiversity

The following are some of the Government Schemes and Projects that have been named after the Nehru-Gandhi family.Central Government Schemes :1. Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana, Ministry of Power – A scheme “Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana” for Rural Electricity Infrastructure and Household Electrification was …launched for the attainment of the National Common Minimum Programme of providing access to electricity to all Rural Household by 2009. Rural Electrification Corporation (REC) is the nodal agency for the scheme. Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana to be continued during the Eleventh Plan period with a capital subsidy of Rs. 28000 Crore; allocation of Rs 5500 crore for FY09.2. Rajiv Gandhi National Drinking Water Mission (RGNDWM), Ministry of Rural Development, Annual allocation plan 2007-08 was Rs.6,400 crore and Annual allocation plan 2008-09 is Rs.7,300 crore.3. Rajiv Gandhi National Crèche Scheme for the Children of Working Mothers, Department of Women & Child Development, Ministry of HRD, New Delhi,Budgetary allocation 2008-09 – 91.88 crore.

Budgetary allocation 2009-10 – 91.52 crore4. Rajiv Gandhi Udyami Mitra Yojana for benefit of NE entrepreneurs, Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises, Government of India,Budgetary allocation 2008-9 – Rs. 2.70 croreBudgetary allocation 2009-10 – Rs.1.12 crore5. Indira Awas Yojana, Ministry of Rural Areas and Environment – IAY is a CSS funded on cost-sharing basis between the Centre and the States in the ratio of 75:25. In the case of UTs, the entire funds are provided by Centre. The target groups for housing under IAY are households below poverty line living in rural areas, particularly those belonging to SC/ST and freed bonded labourers.Budgetary allocation 2008-09 – Rs. 7919.00 croresBudgetary allocation 2009-10 – Rs.7914.70 crores6. Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme – objective to provide social security to workers in the unorganized sector in a phased manner. Budgetary allocation in 2008-09 is Rs. 3,443 crore7. Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission, Ministry of Urban Development,Govt. of India – 7 years time frame, 50,000 cr.Budgetary allocation for 2008 – 9 – 10447.98 croreBudgetary allocation for 2009-10 – 10713.84 crore8. Jawaharlal Nehru Rojgar Yojna – Ministry of Labour and Employment – A Self- employment programme for urban poor9. Rajiv Gandhi Shramik Kalyan Yojna, Employees’ State Insurance Corporation10. Indira Gandhi Canal Project, Funded by World Bank11. Rajiv Gandhi Shilpi Swasthya Bima Yojana, Union Ministry of Textiles, in association with ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company Limited12. Indira Vikas Patra

CRR - Cash reserve RatioSLR Statuary Liquidity RatioNabard - National bank for agriculture and rural developmentExim bank - Export Import bankNATIONAL PARKS IN INDIANNational Park of Uttrakhand - Raja ji National Park , Carbbet National Park , NAnda ki devi ,Govind National Park .titasdebnath National Parks in Uttrakhand - GOvind national park , Raja ji National Park , CarbetNational Park 

National Park in Rajasthan - Rantham bore , Sariska national PArk , Koiladeo national park , Desert national park .

National park in Assam - Nameri national park , Manas national park , Orang National Park , Kanziranga National ParkKarnatark - Bandipur

CORPS AND ITS SEASON

kharif crops |July –October | sown in monsoon | harvested in winter | Rice , pulsesRabi crops |October-March |sown in winter | harvested in summer |Wheat , barleySummer crops| March- June | sown in summer | 

11th Five Year Plan of India (2007 - 2012)On the eve of the 11th Plan, our economy is in a much stronger position than it was a few Years ago. After slowing down to an average growth rate of about 5.5% in the 9th Plan period (1997 - 98 to 2001 - 02), it has accelerated significantly in recent Years.The average growth rate in the last four Years of 10th Plan period (2003 - 04 to 2006 - 07) is likely to be a little over 8%, making the growth rate 7.2% for the entire 10th Plan period. Though, this is below the 10th Plan target of 8%, it is the highest growth rate achieved in any plan period.This performance reflects the strength of our economy and the dynamism of the private sector in many areas. Yet, it is also true that economic growth has failed to be sufficiently inclusive, particularly after the mid - 1990s.

Agriculture lost its growth momentum from that point on and subsequently entered a near crisis situation. Jobs in the organized sector have not increased despite faster growth. The percentage of our population below the poverty line is declining but only at a modest pace.Malnutrition levels also appear to be declining, but the magnitude of the problem continues to be very high. Far too many people still lack access to basic services such as health, education, clean drinking water and sanitation facilities without which they cannot claim their share in the benefits of growth.Women have increased their participation in the labor force as individuals, but continue to face discrimination and are subject to increasing violence, one stark example of which is the declining child sex ratio.India's Vision for the 11th Five Year Plan :

The 11th Plan provides an opportunity to restructure policies to achieve a new vision based on faster, more broad - based and inclusive growth. It is designed to reduce poverty and focus on bridging the various divides that continue to fragment our society.The 11th Plan must aim at putting the economy on a sustainable growth trajectory with a growth rate of approximately 10 per cent by the end of the Plan period. It will create productive employment at a faster pace than before, and target robust agriculture growth at 4% per Year.It must seek to reduce disparities across regions and communities by ensuring access to basic physical infrastructure as well as health and education services to all. It must recognize gender as a cross - cutting theme across all sectors and commit to respect and promote the rights of the common person.Rapid growth is an essential part of our strategy for two reasons. Firstly, it is only in a rapidly growing economy that we can expect to sufficiently raise the incomes of the mass of our population to bring about a general improvement in living conditions. Secondly, rapid growth is necessary to generate the resources needed to provide basic services to all.Work done within the Planning Commission and elsewhere suggests that the economy can accelerate from 8 per cent per Year to an average of around 9% over the 11th Plan period, provided appropriate policies are put in place.With population growing at 1.5% per Year, 9% growth in GDP would double the real per capita income in 10 Years. This must be combined with policies that will ensure that this per capita income growth is broad based, benefiting all sections of the population, especially those who have thus far remained deprived.A key element of the strategy for inclusive growth must be an all out effort to provide the mass of our people the access to basic facilities such as health, education, clean drinking water etc. While in the short run these essential public services impact directly on welfare, in the longer run they determine economic opportunities for the future.The private sector, including farming, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and the corporate sector, has a critical role to play in achieving the objective of faster and more inclusive growth.This sector accounts for 76% of the total investment in the economy and an even larger share in employment and output. MSMEs, in particular, have a vital role in expanding production in a regionally balanced manner and generating widely dispersed off - farm employment. Our policies must aim at creating an environment in which entrepreneurship can flourish at all levels, not just at the top.All this is feasible but it is by no means an easy task. Converting potential into reality is a formidable Endeavour and will not be achieved if we simply continue on a business - as - usual basis. There is need for both the Centre and the States to be self critical and evaluate programmes and policies to see what is working and what is not.Macroeconomic Indicators for the 11th Five Year PlanSI. No.Macroeconomic Indicators10th Plan (Actual)*11th Plan (Average)1. Growth rate of GDP (%); of which; 7.2 9.0 a. Agriculture 1.7 4.1 b. Industry 8.3 10.5 c. Services 9.0 9.9 2. Investment rate (% of GDP) 27.8 35.1 a. Public 6.7 10.2 b. Private 21.1 24.9 3.Domestic Savings rate (% of GDP) of which28.232.3 a. Household 22.8 22.0 b. Corporate 4.5 6.1 c. PSEs 4.2 3.0 d. Government -3.2 1.2 4. Current account balance (% of GDP) 0.2 -2.8 5. Government revenue balance (% of GDP) -4.4 -0.2 6. Government Fiscal balance (% of GDP) -8.0 -6.0 *1. GDP growth rate is actual up to 2005 - 06 and as estimated by the EAC to PM for 2006 - 07. Savings rate, investment rate and CAB are actual up to 2004 - 05.2. Government Fiscal Balance and Revenue Balance are Based on Actuals (3 Years for Centre and 2 Years for states) and for remaining Years RE / BE / Projected.Monitorable Socio - Economic Targets of the 11th PlanIncome & Poverty in India :Accelerate growth rate of GDP from 8% to 10% and then maintain at 10% in the 12th Plan in order to double per capita income by 2016 - 17.Increase agricultural GDP growth rate to 4% per Year to ensure a broader spread of benefitsCreate 70 million new work opportunities.Reduce educated unemployment to below 5%.Raise real wage rate of unskilled workers by 20 percent.Reduce the headcount ratio of consumption poverty by 10 percentage points.11th Five Year Plan EducationReduce dropout rates of children from elementary school from 52.2% in 2003 - 04 to 20% by 2011 - 12.Develop minimum standards of educational attainment in elementary school, and by regular testing monitor effectiveness of education to ensure quality.Increase literacy rate for persons of age 7 Years or more to 85%.Lower gender gap in literacy to 10 percentage points.Increase the percentage of each cohort going t6 higher education from the present 10% to 15% by the end of the 11th Plan.11th Five Year Plan HealthReduce infant mortality rate (IMR) to 28 and maternal mortality ratio (MMR) to 1 per 1000 live births.Reduce Total Fertility Rate to 2.1.Provide clean drinking water for all by 2009 and ensure that there are no slip - backs by the end of the 11th Plan.

Reduce malnutrition among children of age group 0 - 3 to half its present level.Reduce anemia among women and girls by 50% by the end of the 11th Plan.Women and ChildrenRaise the sex ratio for age group 0 - 6 to 935 by 2011 - 12 and to 950 by 2016 - 17.Ensure that at least 33 percent of the direct and indirect beneficiaries of all government schemes are Women and Girl Children.Ensure that all children enjoy a safe childhood, without any compulsion to work.11th Five Year Plan Infrastructure :Ensure Electricity connection to all villages and BPL households by 2009 and round - the - clock power by the end of the Plan.Ensure all - weather road connection to all habitation with population 1000 and above (500 in hilly and tribal areas) by 2009, and ensure coverage of all significant habitation by 2015.Connect every village by telephone by November 2007 and provide broadband connectivity to all villages by 2012.Provide homestead sites to all by 2012 and step up the pace of house construction for rural poor to cover all the poor by 2016 - 17.Environment in IndiaIncrease forest and tree cover by 5 percentage points.Attain WHO standards of air quality in all major cities by 2011 - 12.Treat all urban waste water by 2011 - 12 to clean river waters.Increase energy efficiency by 20 percentage points by 2016 - 17.Growth During Five Year PlansIt was developed in the context of four important dimensions: Quality of life, generation of productive employment, regional balance and self-reliance.Appraisal of the Ninth Plan in IndiaGrowth rate of GDP during the plan was 5.4% per annum as against the target of 6.5%.Agriculture grew by 2.1% as against the target of 4.2% p.a.Industrial growth was 4.5% as against the target of 3% p.a.Exports grew by 7.4% (target was 14.55%) and imports grew by 6.6% (target was 12.2% p.a.).Statutory Liquidity Ratio refers to the amount that the commercial banks require to maintain in the form gold or govt. approved securities before providing credit to the customers. Here by approved securities we mean, bond and shares of different companies. Statutory Liquidity Ratio is determined and maintained by the Reserve Bank of India in order to control the expansion of bank credit. It is determined as percentage of total demand and percentage of time liabilities. 

The maximum limit of SLR is 40% and minimum limit of SLR is 23%.In India, Reserve Bank of India always determines the percentage of Statutory Liquidity Ratio.

 At present, the minimum limit of Statutory Liquidity Ratio that can be set by the Reserve Bank is 23% AS ON AUGUST 2012 Objectives of SLR:

If any Indian Bank fails to maintain the required level of Statutory Liquidity Ratio, then it becomes liable to pay penalty to Reserve Bank of India. The defaulter bank pays penal interest at the rate of 3% per annum above the Bank Rate, on the shortfall amount for that particular day. 

The objectives of SLR are to restrict the expansion of bank credit.

1. To augment the investment of the banks in government securities.

2. To ensure solvency of banks. A reduction of SLR rates looks eminent to support the credit growth in India.

Diff between SLR and CRR

SLR restricts the bank’s leverage in pumping more money into the economy. On the other hand, CRR, or cash reserve ratio, is the portion of deposits that the banks have to maintain with the Central Bank to reduce liquidity in economy. Thus CRR controls liquidity in economy while SLR regulates credit growth in the country

The other difference is that to meet SLR, banks can use cash, gold or approved securities whereas with CRR it has to be only cash. CRR is maintained in cash form with central bank, whereas SLR is money deposited in govt. securities.CRR is used to control inflation.

FCI CMD is Dr. Amar singh

Raghu Ram Rajan is Chief Economic Advisor of Govt. of India Finance Ministry and Chakravarthy Rangarajan is Chairman of PRIME MINISTERS ECONOMIC ADVISORY COUNCIL (PMEAC) ....

A detrimental effect of the green revolution is...

(1) Neglect of low input agricultural practices.(2) More emphasis on hybrid varieties and thus destroyingthe local seed varieties

(3) Indiscriminate use of pesticides and fertilizers thuspushing up the cost of farming.(4) Destroying the local seed varieties(5) Eliminating the native animal breedsHydrabad Biodiversity SummitHyderabad will play host to the 18-day International Biodiversity Conference of Parties slated from October 1. The next round of the conference will be held in Korea. R. Hampaiah, Chairman of the Andhra Pradesh State Bio Diversity Board, said over 8,000 delegates from 193 countries were expected to participate in the summit. “It will discuss a wide-range of bio-diversity issues. At the end, the outcome of the conference will be named as the Hyderabad Protocol or something to that effect,” he told media persons here today. To mark the occasion, an Rs 100-crore biodiversity museum will be set up in Hyderabad. While the Union Government will provide the finance, the State Government will contribute 15-acre land for the project, he said, adding that it would take about two years for completion. 

The Prime Minister of India, Manmohan Singh, pledged around $50 million (Rs. 264 crore) for domestic biodiversity protection, reports the Hindu. The pledge came this week at theConvention on Biological Diversity (CBD) meeting in Hyderabad, India. The CBD has set bold goals on stemming the rate of extinction worldwide, but these have suffered from a lack of funding. India also said it had set aside another $10 million (Rs. 50 crore) for biodiversity projects abroad. Still, such funds are far below what scientists say is necessary to stem ongoing extinctions. Read more at news.mongabay.com/2012/1018-ha...the British government has also pledged $1.6 million (one million pounds) for the effort.

STOCKHOLM CONVENTIONStockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants is an international environmental treaty, signed in 2001 and effective from May 2004, that aims to eliminate or restrict the production and use of persistent organic pollutants (POPs).POPs, which are defined as "chemical substances that persist in the environment, bio-accumulate through the food web, and pose a risk of causing adverse effects to human health and the environment". 

BASEL CONVENTIONThe Basel Convention on the Control of Trans boundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, usually known simply as the Basel Convention, is an international treaty that was designed to reduce the movements of hazardous waste between nations, and specifically to prevent transfer of hazardous waste from developed to less developed countries (LDCs).It does not, however, address the movement of radioactive waste. The Convention is also intended to minimize the amount and toxicity of wastes generated, to ensure their environmentally sound management as closely as possible to the source of generation, and to assist LDCs in environmentally sound management of the hazardous and other wastes they generate.

BAMAKO CONVENTIONThe Bamako Convention (in full: Bamako Convention on the ban on the Import into Africa and the Control of Transboundary Movement and Management of Hazardous Wastes within Africa) is a treaty of African nations prohibiting the import of any hazardous(including radioactive)waste. The Convention was negotiated by twelve nations of theOrganization of African Unity at Bamako, Mali in January, 1991, and came into force in 1998.Impetus for the Bamako Convention arose from the failure of the Basel Convention to prohibit trade of hazardous waste to less developed countries(LDCs), and from the realization that many developed nations were exporting toxic wastes to Africa.

ROTTERDAM CONVENTIONThe Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade, more commonly known simply as the Rotterdam Convention, is a multilateral treaty to promote shared responsibilities in relation to importation of hazardous chemicals. The convention promotes open exchange of information and calls on exporters of hazardous chemicals to use proper labeling, include directions on safe handling, and inform purchasers of any known restrictions or bans. Signatory nations can decide whether to allow or ban the importation of chemicals listed in the treaty, and exporting countries are obliged make sure that producers within their jurisdiction comply

The boxes :In WTO terminology, subsidies in general are identified by “boxes” which are given the colours of traffic lights: green (permitted), amber (slow down — i.e. be reduced), red (forbidden). In agriculture, things are, as usual, more complicated. The Agriculture Agreement has no red box, although domestic support exceeding the reduction commitment levels in the amber box is prohibited; and there is a blue box for subsidies that are tied to programmes that limit production. 

Amber box :All domestic support measures considered to distort production and trade (with some exceptions) fall into the amber box.

Blue box :This is the “amber box with conditions” — conditions designed to reduce distortion. Any support that would normally be in the amber box, is placed in the blue box if the support also requires farmers to limit production.

Green box :In order to qualify, green box subsidies must not distort trade, or at most cause minimal distortion. They have to be government-funded (not by charging consumers higher prices) and must not involve price support.Rajiv Gandhi Scheme for Empowerment of Adolescent Girls(RGSEAG)This scheme was launched on 19 November 2010 with the objective of empowering adolescent girls inthe age group 11-18 years by bringing improvement in their nutritional and health status and upgradingvarious skills like home skills, life skills, and vocational skills. To start with, it will be implemented in 200selected districts across the country on a pilot basis. RGSEAG would be implemented through StateGovernments / UT Administrations with 100 per cent financial assistance from the Central Government forall inputs other than nutrition provision for which 50 per cent Central assistance to states/UTs would beprovided. Anganwadi centres will be the focal points for delivery of services. Nearly 100 lakh adolescentgirls in 200 districts are expected to be benefited per annum under the scheme. In these 200 districts,Kishori Shakti Yojna (KSY) and the Nutrition Programme for Adolescent Girls (NPAG) have been mergedin the RGSEAG. In the remaining districts, the KSY will continue as before.

The Rajiv Gandhi National Creche Scheme for Children of WorkingMothersThis scheme provides for day-care facilities to 0-6 year-old children of working mothers by openingcrèches and development services, i.e., supplementary nutrition, health-care inputs like immunization,polio drops, basic health monitoring, and recreation. The combined monthly income of both the parentsshould not exceed ` 12000 for availing of the facilities. The scheme is presently being implementedthrough the Central Social Welfare Board (CSWB) and Indian Council for Child Welfare (ICCW). As ofnow 22,599 crèches are functional and the number of beneficiary children is 5,64,975. Under the revisedscheme, an amount of ` 1.70 lakh per annum per crèche has been proposed against ` 42,384 per annumper crèche in the existing scheme. This will provide for better nutritional support as well as better servicesfor children.

Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS)This scheme was launched in 2009-10 with the objective of providing a safe and secure environment forcomprehensive development of children in the country who are in need of care and protection as well aschildren in conflict with the law. The ICPS provides preventive and statutory care and rehabilitationservices to any vulnerable child including, but not limited to, children of potentially vulnerable families andfamilies at risk, children of socially excluded groups like migrant families, families living in extremepoverty, families subjected to or affected by discrimination and minorities, children infected and / oraffected by HIV / AIDS, orphans, child drug abusers, children of substance abusers, child beggars,trafficked or sexually exploited children, children of prisoners, and street and working children. Theallocation of funds under this scheme for 2010-11 is ` 300 crore. The Scheme is Centrally Sponsored andis being mainly implemented through State Governments / UT Administrations from 2009-10 and 33states/UTs have signed the MOUs for implementation of this scheme. During 2010-11, ` 82.37 crore havebeen released under the scheme upto 11 February, 2011. Thirteen more States/ UTs have agreed toimplement this it and are at various stage of preparation of plans including financial proposals.

Support to Training and Employment Programme for Women (STEP)

SchemeThis scheme seeks to provide updated skills and new knowledge to poor women in 10 traditional sectorsfor enhancing their productivity and income generation. It is being implemented through public-sectororganizations, State corporations, cooperatives, federations, and registered voluntary organizations withminimum existence of three years. With a view to expanding the reach of the programme and furtherstrengthening implementation and monitoring, the norms and parameters of this scheme have beenrevised in November 2009. The major changes in the norms relate to the number of beneficiaries to becovered, project duration, and per capita cost and the scheme now provides for introduction of locallyappropriate sectors in consultation with State governments. The number of beneficiaries in each projectmay now vary from 200 to 10,000 with the funding ceiling at ` 16,000 per beneficiary up to a period of fiveyears. During 2010-11, a total number of 91 STEP projects were ongoing and 196 more were underconsideration at various stages as on 30 November 2010. A sum of ` 25 crore has been allocated in thefinancial year 2010-11 to achieve a target of 35,000 beneficiaries.

Some of the other schemes implemented by the Ministry of Women and Child Development,include:

(i) Dhanlakshmi, which is a conditional cash transfer scheme for the girl child which was launched as apilot project in March 2008. The objective is to encourage families to educate girl children and to preventchild marriage. The scheme provides for cash transfers to the family of a girl child on fulfilling certainspecific conditionalities relating to birth and registration, immunization, and enrolment and retention inschool up to Class VIII. The Scheme is being implemented in 11 blocks of seven States on pilot basis.(ii) Scheme for the Welfare of Working Children in Need of Care and Protection providing fornonformal education, vocational training, etc. to working children to facilitate their entry/re-entry intomainstream education. There are 120 projects of 100 children each currently being funded under theScheme.(iii) Bal Bandhu Scheme for protection of children in areas of civil unrest is being implemented throughthe National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) with the grant sanctioned from thePrime Minister's National Relief Fund.(iv) Swadhar scheme for providing temporary accommodation, maintenance, and rehabilitative servicesto women and girls rendered homeless and women in difficult circumstances(v) Short Stay Home (SSH) scheme being implemented by the Central Social Welfare Board with similarobjectives/target group as in case of the Swadhar scheme.(vi) Ujjawala, a comprehensive scheme for prevention of trafficking with five specific components–prevention, rescue, rehabilitation, reintegration, and repatriation of victims–was launched on 4 December2007. Under this scheme, 134 projects including 73 rehabilitation homes, spread over 16 States, havebeen sanctioned.Scheme for Gender Budgeting : This Scheme for Gender Budgeting has been included in the EleventhPlan. At present, 56 Ministries / Departments have set up gender budget cells and a number of Ministries/ Departments have reflected allocation for women in the Gender Budget Statement of the Union Budget.National Mission for Empowerment of Women (NMEW)This has been set up with a view to empowering women socially, economically, and educationally. TheMission aims to achieve empowerment of women on all these fronts by securing convergence ofschemes / programmes of different Ministries / Departments of the Government of India as well as StateGovernments. Alongside, the Mission shall monitor and review gender budgeting by Ministries /Departments as well as effective implementation of various laws concerning women.

Rashtriya Mahila Kosh (RMK)This was created in 1993 with a corpus fund of ` 31crore. Since, its creation, the RMK has establisheditself as a premier micro-credit agency of the country, with its focus on poor women and theirempowerment through the provision of credit for livelihood-related activities. The RMK provides microcreditin a quasi-informal manner, lending to intermediate micro-credit organizations (IMOs) (for exampleNGOs/voluntary organizations, women development corporations, women's cooperative societies, andsuitable Government / local bodies). The IMOs in turn lend to self-help groups (SHGs), which, in turn,lend to individual members at a rate not above the ceiling prescribed by the RMK, i.e. 18 per cent perannum on reducing balance method.

M V Rao was the father of yellow revolution...also india is the highest producer and consumer of yellow oil..

Kundankulam Nuclear ProtestThousands of protesters, belonging to the vicinity of the plant, have used various means to protest against the plant fearing a Fukushima like disaster.[17] The protesters base their objection on the "more than 1 million people live within the 30 km radius of the KKNPP which far exceeds the AERB (Atomic Energy Regulatory Board) stipulations. It is quite impossible to evacuate this many people quickly and efficiently in case of a nuclear disaster at Koodankulam", etc.[18] According to S P Udayakumar, of the voluntary People's Movement Against Nuclear Energy, "the nuclear plant is unsafe". No public hearing was held. It's an authoritarian project that has been imposed on the people." A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has also been filed against the government’s civil nuclear programme at the Supreme Court. The PIL specifically asks for the "staying of all proposed nuclear power plants till satisfactory safety measures and cost-benefit analyses are completed by independent agencies".[19] [20]  Protesters said that even advanced countries like Germany have decided to shutdown all its 17 Nuclear reactors through which the country gets 23% of its energy.[21][22] Gopal Gandhi , grandson of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, former West Bengal governor also said that an "Indian Fukushima cannot be ruled out and government needs to convince people about safety aspects of the project".[23]In March 2012, police said they had arrested nearly 200 anti-nuclear protesters objecting resumption of work of building one of two 1 GW reactors, a day after the local government restarted work on the project.[24]There have also been rallies and protests in favour of commissioning this nuclear power plant.[25] [26] On, February 24, 2012, Prime MinisterManmohan Singhblamed American and ScandivanianNGOsfor fuelling protests at the power plant. Three of the NGOs were later found to have used foreign funds received for social and religious purposes to fuel the protests, violating foreign exchange regulatory rules.[27]The PM also blamed these NGOs for opposing genetically modified foods and the use of biotechnology to increase food production in the country.----------------

list of major sea ports in indiaKandla Port - GujaratVisakhapatanam - Andhra PradeshChennai Port - Tamil NaduJawaharlal Nehru Port - MaharashtraParadip - OdhisaMumbai - MaharashtraMormugoa - GoaKolkata & Haldia - West BengalNew Mangalore Port - KarnatakaTuticorin - TamilnaduCochin - KeralaEnnore - TamilnaduPort Blair--Port Blair

Out of these 12 are controlled by Govt and 1 Ennore in controlled by private players..

issue of internal security...naxalsbackground--Several Left Wing Extremist groups have been operating in certain parts of the country for a few decades now. In a significant development in 2004, the People’s War (PW), then operating in Andhra Pradesh, and the Maoist Communist Centre of India (MCCI), then operating in Bihar and adjoining areas, merged to form the CPI (Maoist). The CPI (Maoist), is the major Left Wing Extremist outfit responsible for most incidents of violence and killing of civilians and security forces and has been included in the Schedule of Terrorist Organisations along with all its formations and front organisations under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. The CPI (Maoist) philosophy of armed struggle to overthrow the Indian State is not acceptable in a Parliamentary Democracy. The Government has given a call to the Left Wing Extremists to abjure violence and come for talks. This plea has been rejected by them, since they believe in violence as a means to achieve their objective. This has resulted in a spiralling cycle of violence in many parts of India. The poor and the marginalised sections like the tribals are bearing the brunt of this violence. Many well-meaning liberal intellectuals fall prey to Maoist propaganda without understanding the true nature of Maoist insurgency doctrine which glorifies violence and believes in annihilation of the so called class enemies. Since, 2001, more than 5661 civilians and 2036 security force personel (till 30-07-2012) have been killed by the Maoists in different parts of India. A majority of the civilians killed are tribals, often branded as ‘Police informers’ before being brutally tortured and killed. In fact, tribals and the economically underprivileged sections have been the biggest victims of the so called ‘protracted peoples war’ of the CPI (Maoist) against the Indian state.

Dynamics Of Naxal mission--Many sections of society, especially the younger generation, have romantic illusions about the Maoists, arising out of an incomplete understanding of their ideology. The central theme of Maoist ideology is violence. The Maoist insurgency doctrine glorifies violence as the primary means to overwhelm the existing socio-economic and political structures. The Peoples Liberation Guerilla Army (PLGA), the armed wing of CPI (Maoist), has been created with this purpose in mind. In the first stage of the insurgency, the PLGA resorts to guerrilla warfare, which primarily aims at creating a vacuum at the grass-roots level of the existing governance structures. They achieve this by killing lower-level government officials, police-personnel of the local police stations, the workers of mainstream political parties and the peoples representatives of the Panchayati Raj system. After creating a vacuum, they coerce the local population to join the movement. A strident propaganda is also carried out against the purported and real inadequacies of the existing state structure.

Plans to cater naxalismSecurity Related Expenditure (SRE) Scheme : Under the Security Related Expenditure (SRE) scheme, funds are provided for meeting the recurring expenditure relating to insurance, training and operational needs of the security forces, rehabilitation of Left Wing Extremist cadres who surrender in accordance with the surrender and rehabilitation policy of the State Government concerned, community policing, security related infrastructure for village defence committees and publicity material.Special Infrastructure Scheme (SIS) : The Scheme for Special Infrastructure in Leftwing Extremism affected States was approved in the Eleventh Plan, with an allocation of Rs. 500 crore, to cater to critical infrastructure gaps, which cannot be covered under the existing schemes. These relate to requirements of mobility for the police / security forces by upgrading existing roads / tracks in inaccessible areas, providing secure camping grounds and helipads at strategic locations in remote and interior areas, measures to enhance security in respect of police stations / outposts located in vulnerable areas etc.Central Scheme for assistance to civilian victims/family of victims of Terrorist, Communal and Naxal violence : The broad aim of the Scheme is to assist families of victims of Terrorist, Communal and Naxal violence. An amount of Rs. 3 lakh is given to the affected family under the scheme. The assistance given to those who are adversely affected by naxal violence under this scheme is in addition to the ex-gratia payment of Rs. 1 lakh paid under the Security Related Expenditure (SRE) scheme.Integrated Action Plan : The Planning Commission is implementing the Integrated Action Plan (IAP) for 82 Selected Tribal and Backward Districts for accelerated development. The aim of this initiative is to provide public infrastructure and services in 82 affected / contiguous Districts. Originally, a sum of Rs. 25 crores and Rs. 30 crores was released to

60 Districts during the financial years 2010-11 and 2011-12 respectively. This Scheme has now been extended to 22 more LWE affected Districts, taking the total coverage to 82 Districts. The nature of major works/projects taken up by the districts under the IAP include construction of School Buildings / School Furniture, Anganwadi Centres, Drinking Water Facilities, Rural Roads, Panchayats Bhawan / Community Halls, Godowns / PDS shops, livelihood activities, skill development/ trainings, Minor Irrigation Works, Electric Lighting, Health Centres/Facilities, Ashram Schools, construction of Toilets, construction of multi-purpose chabutra, construction of passenger waiting hall, special coaching classes for students, construction of ANM Centres, development of play grounds etc. Out of 81180 projects taken up by the states under the IAP, 61677 projects have been completed till 21.8.2012.Road Requirement Plan for LWE areas : The Road Requirement Plan (RRP) Phase-I was approved in February, 2009 for improvement of road connectivity in 34 extremely LWE affected districts in 8 States viz. Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa and Uttar Pradesh. The RRP-I envisages development of 1126 kms of National Highways and 4351 kms of State Roads (total 5477 kms), at a cost of Rs. 7300 crore. A length of 848 kms has been built at an expenditure of Rs 1363 crores till 31st December, 2011. The stretches for Phase-II of the Road Requirement Plan have been finalised by the Ministry of Home Affairs in August, 2011, based on the priority indicated by the State Governments and is under consideration with the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways.Scheme of Fortified Police Stations : The Ministry has sanctioned 400 police stations in 9 LWE affected States at a unit cost Rs. 2 crores under this scheme.Civic Action Programme : Under this scheme financial grants are sanctioned to CAPFs to undertake civic action in the affected states. This is a successful scheme which aims to build bridges between the local population and the security forces.

        LIST OF NATIONAL PARKS IN INDIA:

Kaziranga, manas –assam Indravati- chattisgarh Gir, Nal Sarovar- Gujarat Sultanpur- Haryana Great Himalayan- Himachal Pradesh Bandipur, Bhadra , Billigiri –Karnataka Periyar, silent valley – Kerala Bandhavgarh , Kanha , panmarhi, Sanjay – M.P Melghat ,Tadoba – Maharashtra Kaldeo, Kumbhalgarh ,Ranthambore , Sariska – Rajasthan Indra Gandhi WLS , Kallakad ,Mudumalai- Tamil Nadu Jim Corbett , Kedarnath, Govind ,Rajaji , valley of flowers -Uttarakhand Dudhwa ,Kaimur – U.P Jaldapara, Sunderbans- W. Bengal Kavery river dispute: The sharing of waters of the river Kaveri has been the source of a serious conflict between the Indian

states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.The 802 km Kaveri river has 32,000 sq km basin area in Karnataka and 44,000 sq km basin area in Tamil Nadu.The state of Karnataka contends that it does not receive its due share of water from the river as does Tamil Nadu. Karnataka claims that these agreements were skewed heavily in favour of the Madras Presidency, and has demanded a renegotiated settlement based on "equitable sharing of the waters". Tamil Nadu, on the other hand, pleads that it has already developed almost 3,000,000 acres (12,000 km2) of land and as a result has come to depend very heavily on the existing pattern of usage. Any change in this pattern, it says, will adversely affect the livelihood of millions of farmers in the state.On 19th Sep 2012, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh , who is also the Chairman of Cauvery River Authority (CRA), directed Karnataka to release 9,000 cusecs of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu at Biligundlu (the border) daily from September 21 

Manthan-1977 National Filmfare award winner Based on Operation Flood Directed by Shyam Benegal

Government on 11 September 2012 reduced interest rates on rescheduled crop loans from 12 to 7 per cent in drought-affected areas for this fiscal. It also increased the number of guaranteed work days under the MGNREGA to 150 days from 100 days.Four Indian states namely Karnataka, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Rajasthan have declared drought in more than 390 taluks.During agrarian crisis, crop loans get converted into term loans for a longer period of three years but at a higher interest rate of 12 per cent.

The Empowered Group of Ministers also approved 846 crore rupees to Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Haryana under the National Rural Drinking Water Programme, and relaxed some norms.

Millennium Development GoalsEight Millennium Development Goals, as set by UN in September 2000, for target year 2015-

1. Eradicating extreme poverty and hunger,2. Achieving universal primary education,3. Promoting gender equality and empowering women4. Reducing child mortality rates,5. Improving maternal health,6. Combating HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases,7. Ensuring environmental sustainability, and8. Developing a global partnership for development

Millennium Development Goals [Targets]-

Goal 1: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger

Target 1A: Halve the proportion of people living on less than $1 a day Target 1B: Achieve Decent Employment for Women, Men, and Young People Target 1C: Halve the proportion of people who suffer from hunger

Goal 2: Achieve universal primary education

Target 2A: By 2015, all children can complete a full course of primary schooling, girls and boys

Goal 3: Promote gender equality and empower women

Target 3A: Eliminate gender disparity in primary and secondary education preferably by 2005, and at all levels by 2015

Goal 4: Reduce child mortality rates

Target 4A: Reduce by two-thirds, between 1990 and 2060, the under-five mortality rate

Goal 5: Improve maternal health

Target 5A: Reduce by three quarters, between 1990 and 2015, the maternal mortality ratio

Target 5B: Achieve, by 2015, universal access to reproductive health

Goal 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases

Target 6A: Have halted by 2015 and begun to reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS Target 6B: Achieve, by 2010, universal access to treatment for HIV/AIDS for all

those who need it

Target 6C: Have halted by 2015 and begun to reverse the incidence of malaria and other major diseases

Goal 7: Ensure environmental sustainability

Target 7A: Integrate the principles of sustainable development into country policies and programs; reverse loss of environmental resources

Target 7B: Reduce biodiversity loss, achieving, by 2010, a significant reduction in the rate of loss

Target 7C: Halve, by 2015, the proportion of the population without sustainable access to safe drinking

Target 7D: By 2020, to have achieved a significant improvement in the lives of at least 100 million slum-dwellers

Goal 8: Develop a global partnership for development

Target 8A: Develop further an open, rule-based, predictable, non-discriminatory trading and financial system

Target 8B: Address the Special Needs of the Least Developed Countries (LDC) Target 8C: Address the special needs of landlocked developing countries and small

island developing States Target 8D: Deal comprehensively with the debt problems of developing countries

through national and international measures in order to make debt sustainable in the long term

Target 8E: In co-operation with pharmaceutical companies, provide access to affordable, essential drugs in developing countries

Target 8F: In co-operation with the private sector, make available the benefits of new technologies, especially information and communications

Demographics of IndiaAs per 2011 census, population of India is 1.21 Billion, making it second most populous country in world. Already containing 17.5% of the world's population, India is projected to be the world’s most populous country by 2025, surpassing China, its population reaching 1.6 billion by 2050. Its population growth rate is 1.41%, ranking 102nd in the world in 2010. India has more than 50% of its population below the age of 25 and more than 65% below the age of 35. It is expected that, in 2020, the average age of an Indian will be 29 years, compared to 37 for China and 48 for Japan; and, by 2030, India's dependency ratio should be just over 0.4. India has more than two thousand ethnic groups, with Hindus consisting 80% of population and Muslims as 13%, followed by Christians, Sikhs and Buddhists. States U.P., Maharashtra, Bihar tops the population counts, while Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram and Sikkim are on the bottom in the list.

Eleventh Five Year Plan of IndiaThe eleventh plan has the following objectives:

Income & Poverty

Accelerate GDP growth from 8% to 10% and then maintain at 10% in the 12th Plan in order to double per capita income by 2016–17

Increase agricultural GDP growth rate to 4% per year to ensure a broader spread of benefits

Create 70 million new work opportunities. Reduce educated unemployment to below 5%. Raise real wage rate of unskilled workers by 20 percent. Reduce the headcount ratio of consumption poverty by 10 percentage points.

Education

Reduce dropout rates of children from elementary school from 52.2% in 2003–04 to 20% by 2011–12

Develop minimum standards of educational attainment in elementary school, and by regular testing monitor effectiveness of education to ensure quality

Increase literacy rate for persons of age 7 years or above to 85% Lower gender gap in literacy to 10 percentage point Five-Year plans of India 114 Increase the percentage of each cohort going to higher education from the present 10% to

15% by the end of the plan

Health

Reduce infant mortality rate to 28 and maternal mortality ratio to 1 per 1000 live births Reduce Total Fertility Rate to 2.1 Provide clean drinking water for all by 2009 and ensure that there are no slip-backs Reduce malnutrition among children of age group 0–3 to half its present level Reduce anaemia among women and girls by 50% by the end of the plan

Women and Children

Raise the sex ratio for age group 0–6 to 935 by 2011–12 and to 950 by 2016–17 Ensure that at least 33 percent of the direct and indirect beneficiaries of all government

schemes are women and girl children Ensure that all children enjoy a safe childhood, without any compulsion to work

Infrastructure

Ensure electricity connection to all villages and BPL households by 2009 and round-the-clock power.

Ensure all-weather road connection to all habitation with population 1000 and above (500 in hilly and tribal areas) by 2009, and ensure coverage of all significant habitation by 2015

Connect every village by telephone by November 2007 and provide broadband connectivity to all villages by 2012

Provide homestead sites to all by 2012 and step up the pace of house construction for rural poor to cover all the poor by 2016–17

Environment

Increase forest and tree cover by 5 percentage points. Attain WHO standards of air quality in all major cities by 2011–12. Treat all urban waste water by 2011–12 to clean river waters. Increase energy efficiency by 20%

Target growth:8.33% Growth achieved:7.9%