Interesting facts-success rates of optional subjects, medium, profiles of candidates in UPSC

Enter your email address

Once you subscribe,
you'll get my full articles
in your email for free!
See Below
The Number of readers
I already have!

*nothing written below is meant to discourage or pamper anyone,

only hard work can guarantee you success- not your degree, medium, university, gender or optional subject.*

this article is copy pasted from here
Following facts are related to candidates appeared in civil service(mains), 2003,04,05,06. (available in the Annual Reports of UPSC).

Optional with best success rate

Psychology is the best optional having consistency. Success rate of Psychology is around 12-14%.
While 10-12% of candidates writing mains have Psychology as one of their optional, 20-22% of successful candidates in the final list have Psychology as one of their optional.
Medical Science is the other optional with very high success rate 20-30%, but very few opt for it.

Popular Optional
History is opted by maximum number of students (~35%) followed by Geography (30%) and PubAd.
For candidates with English as medium, 

popular optionals are Geography followed by PubAd and Psychology.
For candidates with Hindi as medium, 

popular optionals are History (60-70%) followed by Philosophy (30%) and PubAd.

Medium of writing the exam
English (~55%), followed by Hindi (~42%), rest Tamil, Marathi, Telgu(more or less in that order)

broad stream of discipline

Medical Science stream (~15%) followed by Engineering.

Academic Qualifications 
M.B.B.S. (~20 %+)
Among the successful candidates, B.Tech/B.E/B.Sc(Engg) degree holder are maximum in number(25-30%).

Gender-wise 

Female candidates (success rate 15-20%) are distinctly ahead of male candidates with success rate 2-2.5 times than that of male candidates (7-8%).

Number of attempts 

Only 8-9% of the recommended candidates could qualify at their first attempt. However for female candidates this figure is around 15%.

University wise successful candidates

D.U, Delhi followed by J.N.U, Delhi.

P.S.
Click here to get Get email update in your inbox whenever I post a new Article.
(ofcourse its completely free & safe from- phishing,spamming.)

[Note] Goods and Services Tax

Enter your email address

Once you subscribe,
you'll get my full articles
in your email for free!
See Below
The Number of readers
I already have!

  Good

    no more Differential treatments of manufacturing and service sector.
    will Abolish

1.       octroi
2.       Central sales tax
3.       State level sales tax
4.       entry tax
5.       stamp duty
6.       telecom licence fees
7.       turnover tax
8.       tax on consumption or sale of electricity
9.       taxes on transportation of goods and services
10.       layered structure of taxes

    currently so many taxes (GST will remove this- will be implemented from 1st April,'10)

a)   states  VAT depending on goods (started in 2005)
        4 percent
        12.5 percent rate
b)      excise duty -8%
c)      Services tax 10.3%

  Challenges

    1) Constitutional amendment to enable state to levy service tax.
    2) Center to tax goods beyond factory Gates
    3) Laws of central excise act 1944 and finance act 1994 needs to be replaced
    4) Existing VAT laws needs to be repealed.
    5) states objecting that they'll lose lots of Revenue from this model.
    6) the separate list for exempted goods= defeats the purpose

  Features

    two categories for tax on GST.
      1) Goods : 3 tier
        1) Low rate for Goods of mass consumption ( 4-5 per cent).
        2) Standard rate for other items ( 8-9 %)
        3) Premium rate for small category of item (1 % for  precious metals, + separate list for exempted goods)
      2) Services : 2 tier
        yet to be decided
    13th Finance commission will address issues of compensation of states for revenue loss.

    courtesy : Thesandy from IO Forum


P.S.
Click here to get Get email update in your inbox whenever I post a new Article.
(ofcourse its completely free & safe from- phishing,spamming.)

[Q] why read Hindi books for writing Mains exam in Hindi

Enter your email address

Once you subscribe,
you'll get my full articles
in your email for free!
See Below
The Number of readers
I already have!

This article is only for those people, who are planning to write the mains exam in Hindi.

यदि आप हिंदी में मुख्य परीक्षा देना चाहते है तो ये जरुरी है के आप अपने जवाब में हिंदी शब्दों का प्रयोग करे जैसे की

• personnel administration = कार्मिक प्रशासन
• financial administration = वित्तीय प्रशासन
• planning = नियोजन
• audit=लेखा परिक्षण

etc. etc.
that's why you need to read the books in hindi to get fimiliar with that terminology and sentence composition.
this isn't a water tight rule though like for words like computer, mobile phone, sms there is no conventional translation so write them
as they're but in hindi script like

इ-गवरनेंस के लिए कंप्यूटर ज़रूरी है.

but for the conventional words you must use the proper Hindi terminology

for example

Union public service Commission  = केंद्रीय लोक सेवा आयोग

also subscribe to Hindi version of the magazines to build up your vocabulary.
e.g. Chronical, Pratiyogita Darpan , Kurukshetra, Yojana are available in Hindi.
( but as far as i know, Wizard magazine isn't available in Hindi.) 

sometimes some books are not available in Hindi, but only in English - then read them but write the idea in your own language in the note.

*this applies to all optional subjects including General Studies and Essay-- IF you're planning to give Mains exam in Hindi language- same goes for people wanting to appear in other regional languages.*




P.S.
Click here to get Get email update in your inbox whenever I post a new Article.
(ofcourse its completely free & safe from- phishing,spamming.)

[Q] List of Public Administration books available in Hindi

Enter your email address

Once you subscribe,
you'll get my full articles
in your email for free!
See Below
The Number of readers
I already have!

Suggest alternatives for Nicholas and Stephen Robins books, and Wizard indian polity for hindi medium students. Mrunal sir please suggest. I am a hindi medium. I have taken Public adm in hindi

Books Available in Hindi ( I'm sure about)

1. Prasad & Prasad,: प्रशासनिक चिन्तक -Administrative Thinkers-
   
2. Sharma & Sadana-  लोक प्रशासन -सिधांत एवं व्यवहार
   
3. Wizard indian polity
   
4. Mohit Bhattacharya : लोक प्रशासन के नए आयाम (new horizons of  public administration )
   
5. Avasthi & Avasthi: :भारतीय प्रशासन  Indian Administration 
6. M.Laxmikanth for Public Administration Prelims (Tata Macgraw hill publication) 
7. M.Laxmikanth : Indian Polity
   

---

i think Nicholas and Stephen are in English language only, but you can still refer them and make notes in Hindi.


P.S.
Click here to get Get email update in your inbox whenever I post a new Article.
(ofcourse its completely free & safe from- phishing,spamming.)

[Notes]Important Places in ancient India

Enter your email address

Once you subscribe,
you'll get my full articles
in your email for free!
See Below
The Number of readers
I already have!

for GS mains 2 marker (culture/Geography part) + Prelims

1. AIHOLE near Badami with rock cut and structural temples of Western Chalukya period, is favous for the temples of Vishnu, Ladkhan and Durga. It furnish examples of a well developed Deccan style of architecture. The other three styles of ancient India being Nagar Dravidian and Vesara. It is also famous for its inscription or Prasasti composed by Ravikirti, the court poet of Pulkesin II. This prasasti mentions the defeat of Harsha by the Chalukya king, Pulkesin II, a r rare event of a Northern emperor or ruler being defeated by a ruler south of Narmada.
2. ACHICHHATRA identified with modern Ramnagar in Bareily district of U.P. was the capital of North Panchala in the first half of first millennium B.C. Exacavation grove that it had moats and ramparts around it, it has revealed terracottas of the Kushan period, and also remarkable siries of coins of second century A.D. Its importance lies in the fact that it was on the important ancient Indian northern trade route linking Taxila and Inidraprastha with Kanyakubaj and Sravasti, Rajgriha and Pataliputra indicating that trae could be one of the reasons for its prominence.
3. AJANTA near Aurangabad (Maharashtra), is famous for wonderful Buddist caves, and also paintings probably executed only b the Buddhist monks. Paintings of exceptional skill belong to the period between 2nd century B.C. and 7th Century A.D. One of the cave well depicts the reception of a Persian mission in the Chalukya court of Pulkasin II indicating cultural and commercial contacts with the Persian empire.
4. ANUPA in Narmada valley mentioned in the Nasik inscription (dated 115 A.D.) of Gautami Balasri, mother of the Satvahana ruler Sri Satakarni (Circa 72-95 A.D.) was conqured bythe latter from the sakas, and was a bone of contention for long between the Sakas and the Satvahanas. The sakas were responsible for driving the Satavahanas. Into the south -eastern and western direction. In other words, Anupa signifies the earlier homeland of the Satvahanas.
5. APARNTAKA (Aparanta), identified withk Konkan, i.e. North western region of the Deccan, was a bone of contention between the sakas and the Satavahanas and is mentioned in Nasik Inscription (dated circle 155 A.D.) of Gautami Balasri. Gautamiputa stakarni conquered it from theSakas. According to the Mahavamsa, the third Buddhist council deputed Great elder Dharamarakshita to do missionary work in Aparantaka region. Literacy evience locates the Abhiras in this region, who probably were responsible for identifying Lord Krishna as the diety of cowherd and milk-maids.
In matters relating to trade and commerce it was famous for the production of cotton textiles in ancient times and ated, as the hinterland for the ancient ports of Bharukachechha and Sopara.
6. ARIKAMEDU near Pondicherry, known to the periplus as podoka, wa port of call in Sangam Times (200 B.C.) on the route of Malaya and china. Recent excavation during which a veryrich treasure of Roman beads, glass and coins, and of Roman and south Indian Pottery were found have proved that it was once a prosperous settlement of Western trading people, including the Romans.
The favourable balance of Payments position ejoyed by India in its trade with Rome is amply revealed by the rich haul of Roman gold coins.
7. AYODHYA also known as A-yu-te or Abhur of Saketa on the river Sarya (Modern Ghaghra) in Faizabad district of U.P. was the earliest capital of the Kosala Janapade and was the seat of the epic hero, Rama. It is also known for its short Sanskrit inscription of king Dhandeva of Kosal (belonging probably to the first century B.C.) which refers to the conducting of two Asvamedha sacrifices by king Pushyamitra. From the economic view-point it was located on the important trade of Tamralipti-Rajagriha-Sravasti which passed via Ayodhya.
8. AMRAVATI near modern Vijayawada (Andhra Pradesh), is famous for its stupa and as an art center flourishing under the Satavahanas and the pallavas. Second century works of art khow mastery of stone sculpture. Amravati bas-reliefs have the representation of ancient Indian vehicles - the boat or the ship or the cart, and of a foreign mission (like the Ajanta cave paintings) of marchants being received by a king. In ancient times is was an important center of trade, and ships from here sailed to Burma and Indonesia.
It is maintained by some scholars that a human figure, for the first time, that a marble stone relief was executed.
9. ASIKA (Probably on the left bankof the river Krishna), is mentioned in the Nasik inscription (dated circe 115 A.D.) of Gautami Balasri, it was conquered by the Satavahana rular Gautamiputra Satakarini (………) The latter fact reveals that Gautamiputra Satakarni gained a stronger hold of southern India which proved beneficial because of the continuing Saka pressure even after his victory against the Sakas. King Kharavela of Kalinga also made a claim of its conquest.
10. AVANTI (western Malva) one of the 16 Janapadas of 6th century B.C. with its capital at Ujjain; struggle dhard against Magadhan imperialism but in vain. According to Buddhist traditions, Asoka, the Mauryan ruler, served as the Viceroy of Avanti, while he was a prince.
Since Malwa region is important politically, and economically it became a bone of contention between the Sakas. And the Satavahanas, Rashtrakutas and Pratiharas in ancient India. It is through this region that the importanttrade routes from eastern and western Indian passed Via Ujjain to the important Western ports Bharukachchha (Broach) and Soparaka (Sopara).
11. ANGA one of the 16th Janapadas of 16th century B.C. Lay to the east of Magadha with Champa, near Bhagalpur, as its capital. Some of the Anga monarchas, like Brahmadatta, appear to have defeated their Magadha contemporaries. Subsequently, however, Magadha emerged supreme leading to the establishment of the first empire of ancient India. In other words, the conquest of Anga by Magadha was one of the stepping stones for the Magadhan Empire.
12. BARHUT in central Indian is famous for Buddhist Stupa and stone railings which replaced the wooden ones in the Sunga period. Barhut sculptures depict the visit of king Ajatasatru to the Buddha. Barhut along with Sanchi and Bodh-Gaya represent the first organized art activity of the Indian people as a whole. Furthermore, all these clearly indicate the transition of sculpture from wood to stone.
13. BARYGAZA OR BHARUKACHCHA (Broach) was the oldest and largest northern most entrepot on the mouth of the Narmada river in modern Maharashtra. It handled the bulk of the trade with western Asia (Jataka stories and the Periplus mention it). It was also one of the district head quarters of the Saka rulers. According to Jain traditions, it was the capital of the Saka empire. It was international trade that mode Barygaza important in ancient India.
14. BARBARICUM was an important port in the Indus delta, receiving Chinese furs and silks through Bacteria for export to the West. It added to the growing prosperity of India in the first century A.D.
15. BADAMI (MODERN NAME FOR VATAPI) in Bijapur district was founded by pulkesin I as an early capital of the Western Chalukyas. It as a hill-fort and an exquisite cave temple of lord Vishnu excavated during the rule of Manglesh, the Chalukya ruler. Huen-tsang visited it.
16. BODH-GAYA situated six miles south of Gaya in Bihar on the western bank of the Nilajan river, was the place where the Buddha attained enlightenement. It was part of the Magadha janapada.
17. BANAVASI (north kanara in Karnataka) also known as Vaijayanti, was the capital of the Kadambas who were defeated by the Chalukya king Kirtivarman during the last quarter of the 6th century A.D. According to the Ceylonese chronicles Ashoka sent a mission to Deccan with the Monk Rkshita who went as far as Banavasi.
18. BRAHMAGIRI in Chitaldurg district of Karnataka, is remarkable for its continuity of cultural heritage extending from Neolithic (stone-age culture) to megalithic (early historic culture-3rd century B.C. to Ist century B.C. with possible links with Mediter anean and Caucasian Megaliths) revealing ancestory worship and animism pointing to the practice of cist and pit burials. It is the site of one of the two minor rock edicts of Askoka. These edicts suggest the provability of Ashoka entering the Sangha as a full monk after two and a half years of his conversion to Buddhism.
19. BURZAHOM in Kashmir Valley near Srinagar, is associated with megalithic settlements (dating 2400 B.C.) where the people lived on a plateau in pits using tools and weapons of stone (axe) and bones. (The only other site which has yielded considerable bone implements is Chirand, 40 km. West of Patna on the northern bank of the Ganges and using coarse grey pottery. The information that we gather from the two places, recently discovered, throws light on the proto-histroy of India).
20. BAMIYAN an important Buddhist and Gandhara Art center in Afghanistan in the early Christian centuries, has tall rock-cut Buddha statues. The ancient trade route linking north western India with China passed through it. It was the capital of the Hunas in the 5th and the 6th centuries A.D.
21. BELUR with a group of Hoysala monuments including the famous Chennakesava temple (built around 1117 A.D.) represents an art which applies to stone the technique of the ivory worker or the goldsmith.
22. CHIDAMBARAM a town in south Arcot district in Tamilnadu is famous for its great Hindu Siva Temple dedicated to Nataraja, i.e. Siva in his aspects of cosmic dance. The Nataraja sculptures are esteemed as tehgreatest specimens of sculpture in the world. Also, Chidambaram bears evidence to the birth as well as the development of Shaivism to begin with insouthern Indian and its consequential spread to the whole of India.
23. CHEDI OR CHETI one of the 16 Janapadas of 6th century B.C. roughly corresponds to modern Bundelkhand and adjacent tracts. It lay near the Kanuna, its metropolis was suktimati to Sottihivatinagar.
24. CAAMPA the capital city of the Anga Janapada on the border of Bengal was of great commercial importance in ancient times; for it was a river port from which ships would sail down the Ganges and the coast the south India, returning with jewels and spices which were much in demand in the North. By Mauryan times, with the eastward expansion of Aryan culture, Tamralipti replaced in in importance. An interesting feature of this is the fact that a Hindu Kingdom with the same name came into existence in the mainland of South east Asia. Indeed it is difficult to say how exactly this name came to be transplanted in South-east Asia.
25. DASAPURA modern Mandasor in western Malwa, was disputed between the Sakas and the Satavahanas. Its famous Siva temple of the guild of Silk weavers, was built during the reign of kumar Gupta I (414 A.D.-455 A.D.) the institution that is responsible for building the Siva temple indicates the climax of Indian trading and commercial activities in ancient Indian. It also reveals that manufacture of silk was no longer the secret monopoly of China and it had taken roots in India by the 5th century A.D.
26. DEVAKA modern Dokak in Nowgong district in Assam, a frontier country which paid tribute to Samudragupta claiming the payment of tribute by Kamarupa goes along with Devaka. However, it is to be borne in mind that Harisena's Prasasti is of doubtful historical validity. The one significant thing that is known is the fact that no ruler of the northern India could ever conquer the Assam region but instead Burma conquered it and it was wrenched from Burma by the British in 1829 by the Treaty of Yandavoo.
27. DEOGARH in Jhansi district of U.P. is famous for its Dasvatara Vishnu temple belonging to the Gupta period. The temple may be considered as most respresentative and well known example of the early sikhara style of temple architecture in example of the early sikhara style of temple architecture on the panels of its walls. Deogarh is one the temples with which began the temple architecture of India. In particular, the Shikhara is the unique feature of the northerntemples compared to those of southern Indian.
28. DWARAKA Legends associate this place toYadavas after the battle of Kurukshetra. According to mythology Dwaraka was destroyed by the huge tidal wave as per the forewarning of Lord Krishna. In very recent times Dr. S.R.Rao with the cooperation of the Department of Ocenography, did carry out under-sea explorations. Some artifacts including stone anchors have been found dating back to the Harappan period. The exploration is still continuing.
29. ELLORA With three distinct groups of rock-cut architecture associated with Buddhism, Jainism and Brahmanical Hinduism, is famous for its temple of Kailash (Siva) "an entire temple complex completely hewn-out of the live rock in imitation of a distinctive structural form". The temple ws built by the Rashtrakuta king Krishna I (758-773 A.D.) and is one of the most magnificent examples of Dravida architecture with its four principal characteristic components, viz. Vimana, Mandapa, nandi mandapa and gopuram. The Ellora sculptures are famous for their liveliness.
30. ERAN Besnagar district (Madhya Pradesh) is famous on account of Eran Inscriptions dated 510 A.D. This inscription mentions the practice of Sati, first of its kind. It is also famous for its colossal board, the zoomorphic incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
31. ELEPHANTA beautiful little island off Bombay, with latest cavetemples in Ellora style was famous for their sculpture, especially the great Trimutti figure of Siva, emblem of the Maharashtar Govt. representing the highest plastic expression of the Hindu concept of divinity.
32. GANDHARA with Taxila and peshwar as two capitals, in earlier and later ancient periods was one of the 16 Janapadas (6th century B.C.) onthenorth-western frontier of India. Under the Kushans it become a popular center of Mahayana Buddhism and Gandhara art- Indian images both secular and religious (the Buddha and Lord Krishna) but in long floating garments, as is the tradition of early Greek sculpture. It was a meeting ground for several civilizations and mercantile communities belonging to different countries.
33. GORATHAGIRA A hill fortress on the modern Barabar hills in the Gaya district of Bihar, was attacked by King Kharavela of Kalinga in the 8th year of his reign. This fact is known from the Hathigumpha Inscription of king Kharavela.
34. GANGAIKOND-CHOLA-PURAM was capital city of the greatest Chola ruler Rajendra Chola I (1012-1044 A.D.) who built it after the successful Chola military camaign upto the bank of the river Ganges in 1021-22. Currently the city lies inruins and its enormous tankshas dried up.
35. GIRNAR hill near Janagarh in Gujarat, where a Mauryan governor is said to have built an artificial lake, known as Sudarsana lake which Rudradaman, the Saka ruler renovated. Rudradaman's Sanskrit Inscription was located here and it is the first Sanskrit inscription It had been a sacred place to the Jainas since remote times because Jain shrines are also located here.
36. HASTINAPURA aim district Meerut in U.P. (known as Asandivant) was the capital of the ancient tribe of the Kurus. Later the floods destroyed it. Recent excavations prove that the people of this region used iron by about 700 B.C. that is the Aryans had learnt the art of making iron which revolutionized the whole socio-economic pattern of Aryan communities. It was this fact that lay at the base of the Economic Revolution that India passed through between 1000 B.C. to 600 A.D. with far too many consequences like the emergence of an empire, various kinds of guilds, brisk trade both with in and with out the country and links with buth South-east Asia and the Roman empire.
37. HATHIGUPHA on Udaigir hill, three miles from Bhuvaneshwar in the puri district of Orissa, is famous for an inscription in post-ashokan character, engraved inside the elephant cave. It depicts the meteoric and dazzling carer of Jaina king Kharavela, the 3rd ruler of the Cate dynasty. It also refers to the building of an equeduct in Kalinga by one of the Nanda rulers of Pataliputra. The importance of this inscription lies in the fact that it is the first important sign-post in fixing the chronology of ancient India.
38. HAILBID is famous for Hoysalesvara temple (Hoysala period) designed and built by Kedoroja, the master-building of Narasimha I. The infinite wealth of sculpture over the exterior of this temple makes it one of the most remarkable monuments of the world. Known as Dwaramudra it was the capital of the Hoysalas.
39. INDRAPRASTHA identified by Jain scholars with the site around the enclosure of the Purana Oila (Delhi) one of the sites of painted Grey Ware (10th century B.C.) finda, was the legendry capital of the Pandava brothers of the epic Mahabharata, which they lost to the Kauravas having been defeated in the gambling match. After the second battle of Tarain (1192) Moh. Gauri appointed Outbuddin Aibak as his deputy at Indraprastha which became a base for Aibak's successful operations against north Indian states.
40. KURA one of the 16 Janapadas of 6th century B.C., was in the neighbourhood of Delhi. Among its towns may be mentioned Indraprastha and Hastinapur. This place clearly brings home the truth to us that Mahabharata was not purely fictional story but some amount of historical evidence is embedded in the story. As a matter of fact, Vasudeve Krishna is now known as a historical personality as borne out by the writings of patanjali and other sources of evidence.
41. KAJANGALA in Raj mahal district in Eastern Bihar, where king Harsha (606-647 A.D.) held his court while campaigning in eastern India.The Chiense pilgrim Huen-Tsang first saw Harsha here.
42. KAPISA It is the region near Kabul, probably Kipin as referred to by Chineses writers. The presiding diety of the city according to Chiense writers was zeus. The Greek god. The gold and silver coins issued by the Greek kings have been discovered from this region in big numbers. The Greeks were the first to issue gold coins in India. These coins testify to the growing trade links between India and Central Asia and China and also with the Roman world. Far more important is the fact that these coins testify to the gowing worship of Vasudeva-krishna or the Bhagavata cult which later repened as Vaishnavism.
43. KIPIN is identified with Kapisa or Kafirstan in Kashmir. It indicated the wide region know in earlier times as the Mahajanapada of Kamboja. It was ruled by the Sakas, the Kushans and the Hunas in succession. The name Kamboja reappears as the name of kamboja, an important of the mainland of South-East Asia.
44. KAMPILYA was the capital of southern Panchalas, one of the tribal communities of the Aryans. This fact proves that the Aryans, to begin with in India, lived as various tribes. The tribes were in constant war with eachother culminating in the emergence of the Magadha Empire.
45. KUSAMDHVALA (Patliputara) Gargi-Samhita alludes that in the 2nd century B.C. the Yavanas (Indo-Bacterians) having reduced Saketa, Panchala, and Mathura reached kusumdhvana. Demetrios, was, most probably, the Yavana leader. He was defeated or he retired withouth fighting.
46. KASI one of the 16 Janapadas of the 6th century B.C. with its capital of the same name. It was also called Varanasi (69). It greatly prospered under the rule of Brahmadatta.
47. KOSAL one of the 16 janapadas of the 6th century B.C. had three different capitals (Saketa, Ayodhya and Sravasti) in three different periods. It region roughly corresponded to modern oudh.
48. KUSINAGAR (Kusinara ?) moder Kasia, in Gorakhpur district in UP was a small town where the Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana. It was one of the two capitals of the Mall Janapada in pre-Buddhists times. It was visited by Ashoka and the Chinese pilgrim Fa-hien.
49. KANYAKUBJA (Kanauj) on the bank of river Gangas in UP rose to prominence during the time of Mukhar is, Harsha and Gujara-Pratiharas. Under the pratiharas, Kanauj successfully resisted the Arabs. In the 9th century A.D. It was disputed among the Palas of Bengal, Prathiharas, and the Rashtrakutas. It was situated on a very important trade-route linking north-Western regions of India with Prayaga, Kasi, Vaishali, Pataliputra, Rajagriha, Tamralipti.
50. KAUSAMBI identified with the villagesof Kosam near Allahabad was one of the earliest cities, so prominent that Anand, the Buddhist monk, though it important enough for a Buddha to die in. Recent excavation it here unearthed historically and culturally important terracotta figures. It was built in the shape of a trapezium and was the capital of the vastse Janapada. One of the Ashokan Pillars was located here. It was also an inscription of the Kushan monarch.
60. KARNA-SUVARNA : refers to the region of Bengal and some parts of Bihar and Orrisa, fuled by sasanka in the early 7th century A.D. Harsha conquered the region from him after 619 A.D.
61. KANHERI In Thana district near Bombay, has rock cut Chaitya shrines with elaborately decorated railings belonging to the third century A.D. One inscription of the last great ruler of the Satavahana dynasty. Yajnasri Satakarni is found here. Kanheri Buddhist Tank inscription makes mention of Matiemonial relationship between the Sakas and the Satavahanas. It was the chief center of Buddhism in Rashtrakuta times. Faint traces of the art of paintings may be traced in the caves of Kanheri.
62. KANCHI modern canjeevaram, south-west to Madras is reckoned among the seven sacred cities of the Hindus. It was an important center of Jaina culture in the first half of the first millennium A.D. It was one of the south Indian kingdoms conquered by Samudragupta. It was visited by Huen-Tsang. It rose to prominence in 7th century A.D. Under the Pallava king. It possesses the famous Kailashnath temple (built by Pallava King Narsimhavarman - II) and Vaikuntha perumalla (constructed sometime after the kailashnath). The Kailashnath temple is a landmark in the development of dravida temple style with its characteristic components-vimana, mandapa gopuram and an array of vimanas along the walls of the court, i.e. peristyle cells.
63. KAVERIPATTANAM known as Puhar, was the Chola capital and chief port in Sangam period (200 B.C.- 300 A.D.) with a large colongy of foreigners. It was an important trade center. Ships sailing from here to South-East Asia. A long poem on this Chola capital is the part of the famous Sangam work pattupattu (Ten Idylls).
64. KURUKSHETRA near Thaneswar, to the north of Delhi in Haryana, was the site of the great battle of Mahbharata. This battle fought between the Kauravas and the Pandavas, formed the basis of the story of the greatness of India epics the Mahabharata. It is in this great war that Krishna prached his gospel of the Gita, to the Pandava hero Arjuna who saw his own elders and kishmen arranged himself for the fith and then early decided to renounce and retire. Krishna gave him the message of disinterested perfomance of duty i.e. renunciation in action but no renunciation of action. That a great war ws fought between the cousin brothers - Kauravas and Pandavas is quite possible.
65. MANYAKHET (modern Malkhed in Hyderabad region) was the capital of Rashtrakuta Amoghavarsha I in the 9th century A.D.
66. MAHABALIPURAM is today a tiny coastal village 65 kms. south of Madras. This port-city was founded by Pallava king Narasimhavarman in the 7th century A.D. Pallava kings created an architecture of their own which was to be the basis of all the styles of the south. In fact Mahabilipuram, the Pallava art with its monolithic temples (rathas) and rocks sculptured in the shapes of animals with a wonderfully broad and powerful naturalism, with whole cliffs worked in stone frescoes, immenspictures unparalleled at the time in all Indian in their order movement and lyrical value. The Descent of the Ganges, the unique masterpiece of Pallava art was surely one of the most remarkable compositions of all time (in which is portrayed the Ganges coming down to earth, with gods, animals men and all creation in adoration). The shore temple built by Rajasimha represents one of the earliest examples of structural temples. the Pallvava monuments at Mahabalipuram symbolize not only the transition from rock-architecture to structural stone temples but also significantly the completion of the "Aryanisation" of South India during the Pallava period.
67. MADHYAMIKA is identified with Nagari near Chitor in Rajasthan. Patanjali alludes toYavana (Indo-Bacterian) invasion of Madhyamika.
68. MUSHIKAS on the lower Indus with its capital at Alord. Was the greatest principality at the time of Alexander's invasion. Its king mousikanas submitted to Alexander after brave resistance.
69. MATIPUR modern Mandawar in district Bijnor of UP was a center of Hinayana Buddhist studies in the 6th and 7th centuries A.D. Huen-Tsang stayed here for some time.
70. MADURAI popularly known as the city of festivals, was the seat of the 3rd Sangam and was till the 14th century the capital of the Pandyan kingdom which had sea-borne brade with Rome and Greece. It is famous for the Minakshi temple.
80. MACCHA or Matsaya, was one of the 16 janapads. The Matsyas ruled to the west of the Jamuna and south of the Kurus. Their capital was at Viratnagar (modern Bairrat near Jaipur).
81. MALLA was one of the 16 Janapadas of the16th century B.C. The territory of the Mallas was on the mountain slopes probably to the north of the vijjain confederation. They had to branches with their capitals at Kusinagar and Pawa. But in pre-Buddhist time the Mallas were a monarchy.
82. MUZIRIS modern canganors in Kerala at the mouth of the river Periyar, an important port in Sangam period (20 B.C. - 300 A.D.) abounded in ships with cargoes from Arabia and Roman world. Later literature speaks of Roman settlements and a temple was built here ni honour of Augustus.
83. NAGARJUNAKONDA is Krishna Velley, harboured a Neolithic community with stone-axe-culture and primitive mode of agriculture. With a few classical accidental looking sculptures in proves trade and culture contacts with the Roman world. Survival of a Buddhist stupa proves it to be a Buddhist center in early Christian centuries. The beginning of Hindu temple architecture in south India are best traced in the remains of the early brick temples of the Ikshavakus excavated here anticipating the Nagara, Dravida and Vasars styles.
84. NASIK (also known as Naiskya and Govardhan) is famous for exquisite rock-cut Buddhist temple (of the period 2nd BC - 1st A.D.) with an engraved iscription of Gautami Balsari recording the achievement of the Satavahanas ruler Gautamiputra Satakarni). A large board of silver coins bearing the name, the titles of Nahapana were discovered at Jogalthambi very close to the Nasik suggesting the defeat of the Saka ruler bythe Satavahana knig. It is also famous for the Chaitya and Vihar as pan-du-lonea.
85. PITHUNDA on the Godavari, was the capital of the Avapeople or the Avamukta which was conquered as Samudragupta.
86. PADMAVATI was Nag capital is Gwalior region. Its king Ganapati Naga was defeated by Samudragupta.
87. PRATISHTHANA (Paithan) at the mouth of the river godavri in the Aurangabad district of Maharashtra, was the capital of Satavahana kings. It was an important commercial mart linked with Sravasti.
88. PURUSHPURA (modern Peshawar) was the capital of Kanishka's vast empire and the center of Gandhara art. It became the chief center of Buiddhist activity and studies with building of number of huge Chaityas and viharas and with one stupa. The Chiense pilgrims refer to a many storied relic-tower in which some relics of Buddha were enshrined. It is here that the icons of Buddha and other Hindu gods were first finely carved. In provided the meeting place of the marchants of India, China, central Asia, Persia, and the Roman world.
89. PATTADAKAL near Aihole Badami is famous for magnificentrock-cult and sculptures temples in Chalukya and Pallava style. The number of such temples is ten - four in the northern style and six in southern. Most famous of these temples is lokesvara temple (now called Virupaksha).
90. PANCHALA was one of the 16 janapadas of the 6th century B.C. Its area correspondent to modern Bundelkhand and the portion of the Central Doab. It had two divisions northern and southern, the Ganges forming the boundary line. Their capitals were Ahicchatra and Kampilya respectively. One of the early Panchalas kings, Durmukha, is credited with conquests in all directions.
91. PUSHKALAVATI i.e. the "city of lotuses' in Afganisthan to the north of the river Kabul (modern Charasadda) in the district of Peshawar was conquered by Alexandar. It was the old capital of western Gandhara. A gold coin (belonging to the 2nd century B.C.) with the city goddess (Lakshmi) holding a lotus in her right hand and an appropriate Kharoshthi legend "Pakhalavati devata" had been discovered here pointing to the popularity of Indian goddess. It remained under the rule of the Indo-Greeks, the sakas and the Kushana. It was an important link in India's trade relations with central Asia and China.
92. RAJAGRIHA moder Rajgir, near Patna in Bihar was and ancient capital of Magadha under Bimbisara and Ajatsatru. It was here that first Buddhist council was held after the death of Buddha. The cyclopean walls of the this old commercial town are among themost remarkable finds in India.
93. SAKALA modern Sialkot, capital of Menander, was the refuge of Buddhist monks. It was here, according to Buddhist tradition, that Pushyamitra Sungha declared to give an award of 199 dinars for the head of a Buddhist monk.
94. SANCHI :near Bhopal famous for a Buddhist stupa and for one of Ashoka's Minor Pillar Edicts. Sanchi sculptures along with Bharhut Godh-Gaya represent the first organized art activity of the Indian People. There are reliefs of the Jatkas on the stone walls around the stupa. Sanchi revealed historically important inscription of the Satavahanas and the Gupta kings. Kakanodbota probably was the ancient name for Sanchi, which was inhabited by the tribal people Kakar, and was conquered by the Samudragupta.
95. SRAVASTI moder Saket-Mahet on the borders of the Gonda and the Bahraich districts of U.P. On the river Rapti - It was a famous center of trade in ancient times, from where three important trade routes emanated linking it with Rajagriha, Pratishthana, and Taxila. It was one of the early capitals of the Janapad of Kosal. Later, it served as the provincial headquarters of the Gupta kings. Fa-hien visited it.
96. SAKETA region around Ayodhya, was invaded by Yavanas (Indo-Bacterin) is attested to by Patanjali.
97. SARNATH near Varanasi, is the place where the Buddha delivered his frist sermon in the Deer park, this event being known as the "Turning of the Wheel of Law". It is the site of the famous Ashokan Pillar of Polished sand-stone whose lion capital was adopted by the people of Free India as the state emblem. It was also the famous seat of Gupta sculpture. Gupta plastic art reached its perfection e.g. the seated Buddha in preaching posture.
98. SRAVANA-BELGOLA in Hasan district of Karnataka, is famous for the monolithic statue of Gometeswara- 85fit. High, erected in 980 A.D. by Chemundya Rai, the chief minister of the Ganga king Rachmal.
99. SOPARA port town known to the Periplus and ptolmey, carried most of the ancient Indian trade with foreign countries; gradually it began to lose its importance to Berygaza and Barharium- Ist century A.D. onwards. It ahs survived as a village 40 miles north of Bombay.
100. TOSALI (Dhauli) near Bhuaneshwar in Puri district of Orissa, was the seat of one of the Mauryan viceroyalties as well as one of the fourteen major rock edicts of Ashoka. The Tosali rock edict refers only to the conquered province.
101. TRIPURI now village near Jabalpur, was the capital of the Kalachuri dynasty. The Kalachuri kings became independent in 10th century A.D. In 1939, Tripuri had the distinction of being the venue of the 54th session of Indian National congress.
102. TAMRALIPTI Tamluk in the Midnapur district of Western Bengal was one of the most important port-towns of ancient India. Outlet to south-east Asia when there was trade boom.
103. TANJORE is famous for Rajarajeswava or Brihadeswara temple of lord Shiva which is the largest and tallest of all India temples with its vimana towering to a height of nearly 200 feet over the Garbhagriha with Pyramidal body in thirteen tiers. It was the seat of Chola government in the 9th century A.D. and later of an independent kingdom after the fall of ther Vijayanagar Empire. Weight of the cap 80 tonnes. Conceived on a gigantic scale. Stone relief as minute as that of jewelers.
104. THANESWAR near Kurukshetra, to the north of Delhi in the province of Haryana, was the capital of the Pushyabhuti dynsty. The kingdom of thanesar emerged into a powerful state under Harsha's (606-647 A.D.) father, Prabhakarvardhan who was in constant warfare against the Huns on the frontier and with the rulers of Malwa. Harsha shifted his capital from Thaneswar to Kannauj. According to Heun-Tsang the people of this city were specially inclined to trade. Thus thanesar was a principal center of trade. It was attacked by Mahmud of Ghazni in 1014 A.D. it is here that ahmad Shah Abdali first defeated the Maratha army in 1759 boding to the Maratha collapse at Panipat in 1761.
105. UJJAIN in Madhya pradesh was the capital of Avanti (6th century B.C.) and Chandragupta II, and was one of the provincial capitals of the Mauryas. It was the modal point of two ancient trade routes, one from Kausambui and the other from Mathura, its chief exports being agate, jasper and carnelian. It has an observatory built by Maharaja Savai Jai Sing II (1686-1743).
106. URAIYUR also known as Aragaru,on the river Kavari, was for some time the Sangam chola capital, was famous for its pearls and muslin, the latter being as think as the slough of the snake.
107. UTTARMERUR is a village of Tamil Nadu where nearly two hundred inscriptions belonging to Pallava and Chola periods indicating the nature and working of the village administration have been found. According to Uttarmerur inscriptions Pallava and Chola villages enjoyed maximum of autonomy inadministrative matters with popular village assemblies like the Ur, Sabha, Mahasabha or Nagaram looking after the village affains without any interference from royal officers. The village of Uttarmerur was divided in thirty wards.
108. VATSGULMA modern Basim in the Ahoka district in the South of Ajanta, was the capital of a Junior branch of the Vakatakas who are mentioned in the Ajanta cave inscriptiona No. XVI.
109. VIDISA modern Besnagar, near Bhilsa, in East Malwa, was a part of Sunga empire with Agnimitra, the sone of Pushyamitra Sunga as viceroy. The Vidisa guild of ivory worker was famous for these workers carved the stone sculpture on the gateways and railings surrounding the Sanchi Stupa. It indicates commercial prosperity. It was also famous for the Garuda Pillar Inscription which testified its erection by a Greak ambassabor named Heliodorus in honour of Vasudeva Krishna, the god of the Bhagavatas.
110. VAISHALI indentified with modern Basali in Muzaffarpur district of Bihar, was apulent and prosperous town in the Buddhist period. The second Buddhist Councial was held here. It served as the capital of lichchavis. Later, Ajatsatru annexed it to this kingdom. Ambapali, the famous charming courtesan, lived here and hosted to the Buddha at one time and later she became a convert to Buddhism.
111. VENGI (in Andhra Pradesh) one of the south Indian kingdoms probably joined the Sangha conquered by Samudragupta. It was the capital of the eastern Chalukyas, and was disputed between the Chalukyas and the Pallavas.

courtesy: Aarthiias

P.S.
Click here to get Get email update in your inbox whenever I post a new Article.
(ofcourse its completely free & safe from- phishing,spamming.)

[Notes] Geography - Planets : For Prelim General studies

Enter your email address

Once you subscribe,
you'll get my full articles
in your email for free!
See Below
The Number of readers
I already have!

Helps in Prelims General Studies - Geography section

Terrestrial planet

are smaller in size; rocky in structure; slow rotation on the axis and have lesser satellite. Inner terrestrial planets are: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars.

Jovian planets

 are huge in size; spin very fast and have higher number of satellites. Outer or Jovian planets are: Jupiters, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto.

- Earth is the densest of all the planets; Saturn has the lowest density (less than water 0.5)
- Mercury is closest to the sun.


- Uranus and Venus rotates retrograde (i.e., from east to west), other planet rotates in the same way as earth (from west to east).
- Venus is the only planet whose period of rotation (243 days) is longer than the period of revolution (225 days) around the sun.
- Uranus is tilted at 90°, so it almost rolls around the sun. Mars tilted at 23° in the same way as the earth, so experi¬ences four seasons as earth.
- Mercury is the hottest planet; Venus is the second hottest planet (600°C), atmosphere mainly made of C02 (90%).
- Mars glows with reddish light because of high iron content; it has thin atmosphere (containing free oxygen at very low-level), also has frozen water at polar region. Due to these factors, Mars is considered as the first planet that will be colonised.
- Jupiter's internal temperature of Jupiter is very high, close to starting nuclear fusion. Mainly hydrogen is present around the Jupiter.
- Saturn is the second largest planet; it looks yellowish light (due to the presence of ammonia). Ring around Saturn is made up of dust particles, frozen ice, and frozen ammonia.
-Uranus grows with blue light.
- Neptune grows with the greenish blue light due to presence of methane.
- Pluto is the coldest, darkest, and the strongest planet. It is smaller in size and does not fall in giant planet category

» Satellite:

» Asteroids:

- Mercury and Venus have no satellite.
- Earth has one satellite: moon
- Mars has two satellite: Deimos and Phobos.
- Jupiter has 19 satellites, one of the satellite known is Europa, containing large number of deep oceans. It contains possibility of extra-terrestrial life.
- Saturn has 21 satellites (10 discovered by Voyage 1&2)
- Uranus has 17 satellite (12 discovered by Voyage 1&2)
- Neptune has 11,-one of this is tital.
- Pluto's satellite is Charon.

» Comets:

Minor planets of the solar system, small rocky structure, revolving around sun mostly between Mars and Jupiter. These are considered as debris of large planets existing between Mars and Jupiter as is evident from the distance between them.
Earth has long history of collision with: (i) comets, and (ii) asteroids.
Sedimentary rocks of 65 million years ago have high iridium content which gives evidence of collision of celestial body.
- Miss distance: a celestial body coming closer beyond 9,00,000 km, may not strike earth. This is called as miss distance.

»Syzygy:

Member of the solar system, found revolving around the sun beyond the path of Pluto, generally, at outer edges of the solar system.
Comets are made of pre-mordial substance from which solar system are made. Since, they are undisturbed due to far location, study of comets may give more information about evolution of earth or other planets. Comets are made up of frozen ammonia, dust par¬ticles and ice crystals and other chemicals.
- Halley Comet: appears after a period of 76 years.
- Halle Bopp: one of the larg¬est comet with 40 km diameter.
- Comet Swift Turtle: calculated to collide on 14 Aug.2126 A.D. in Australia
- Comets making journey towards sun develop small head and long tail, due to heat only as it approaches Jupiter. Tail extending millions of kilometers in the outer space. Tail always point away from the sun. Solar wind is responsible for the formation of tails since solar winds goes away from the sun.

It is the alignment of three celestial bodies along a straight line; Viewed from one of these bodies, the other two will either be in conjunction or in opposition. An inferior planet, whose orbit lies inside that of earth, can, in reference to the sun as seen from the earth, be either in inferior conjunction or in superior conjunction; unlike a superior planet, whose orbit lies outside the earth's, and unlike the moon, it can never be in opposition to the sun as seen from the earth

Earth

-Looks bluish white, body due to the presence of ocean and ice-caps.
- Earth's core is mainly made up of iron and nickle; mantle is mostly solid.Outer core due to its movement gives magnetic field of earth manifested in Van-alien Radiation bell. Van-Allen Radiation belts are two concentric circles. Inner belt is more energetic and situated at 3000 km above the equator. Outer concentric circle is less energetic and found at 16000 km above the earth. Van-Allen radiation belts are formed due to concentration of solar-winds.

Fastest Rotational Period (descending order) -Jupiter > Saturn > Neptune > Uranus > Earth > Mars > Pluto > Mercury > Venus

Density (Highest to Lowest) -Earth > Mercury > Venus > Mars > Neptune > Jupiter > Uranus > Saturn

this one is most imp because they generally ask from it -->

- Sequence of planets' distance from the sun:

 Mercury< Venus< Earth< Mars< Jupiter< Saturn< Uranus< Pluto traces elongated elliptical orbit.
So, from 1980-1999, the distance of Neptune was more than Pluto.

Size (Biggest to Smallest) -

Jupiter > Saturn > Uranus > Neptune > Earth > Venus > Mars > Mercury > Pluto

Courtesy : Aarthiias

P.S.
Click here to get Get email update in your inbox whenever I post a new Article.
(ofcourse its completely free & safe from- phishing,spamming.)

[Notes] Newspapers during Freedom Struggle- for Prelim History GS + Mains 2 Markers

Enter your email address

Once you subscribe,
you'll get my full articles
in your email for free!
See Below
The Number of readers
I already have!

Helps in

1. Mains 2 markers
2. Prelims (in 2008's prelim there was one question on newspaper during Freedom struggle.)

Newspaper/Journal Founder/Editor

1. Bengal Gazette(1780) (India's first newspaper) J.K.Hikki
2. Kesari B.G.Tilak
3. Maharatta B.G.Tilak
4. Sudharak G.K.Gokhale
5. Amrita Bazar Patrika Sisir Kumar Ghosh and Motilal Ghosh
6. Vande Mataram Aurobindo Ghosh
7. Native Opinion V.N.Mandalik
8. Kavivachan Sudha Bhartendu Harishchandra
9. Rast Goftar (First newspaper in Gujarati) Dadabhai Naoroji
10. New India (Weekly) Bipin Chandra Pal
11. Statesman Robert Knight
12. Hindu Vir Raghavacharya and G.S.Aiyar
13. Sandhya B.B.Upadhyaya
14. Vichar Lahiri Krishnashastri Chiplunkar
15. Hindu Patriot Girish Chandra Ghosh (later Harish Chandra Mukherji)
16. Som Prakash Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar
17. Yugantar Bhupendranath Datta and Barinder Kumar Ghosh
18. Bombay Chronicle Firoze Shah Mehta
19. Hindustan M.M.Malviya
20. Mooknayak B.R.Ambedkar
21. Comrade Mohammed Ali
22. Tahzib-ul-Akhlaq Sir Syyed Ahmed Khan
23. Al-Hilal Abdul Kalam Azad
24. Al-Balagh Abdul Kalam Azad
25. Independent Motilal Nehru
26. Punjabi Lala Lajpat Rai
27. New India (Daily) Annie Besant
28. Commonweal Annie Besant
29. Pratap Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi
30. Essays in Indian Economics M.G.Ranade
31. Samvad Kaumudi (Bengali) Ram Mohan Roy
32. Mirat-ul-Akhbar Ram Mohan Roy (first Persian newspaper)
33. Indian Mirror Devendra Nath Tagore
34. Nav Jeevan M.K.Gandhi
35. Young India M.K.Gandhi
36. Harijan M.K.Gandhi
37. Prabudha Bharat Swami Vivekananda
38. Udbodhana Swami Vivekananda
39. Indian Socialist Shyamji Krishna Verma
40. Talwar (in Berlin) Birendra Nath Chattopadhyaya
41. Free Hindustan (in Vancouver) Tarak Nath Das
42. Hindustan Times K.M.Pannikar
43. Kranti Mirajkar, Joglekar, Ghate

Courtesy : Aarthiias

P.S.
Click here to get Get email update in your inbox whenever I post a new Article.
(ofcourse its completely free & safe from- phishing,spamming.)

[Q] which chapters of IGNOU material?

Enter your email address

Once you subscribe,
you'll get my full articles
in your email for free!
See Below
The Number of readers
I already have!

Deepak Goel:     iknow dat we have 2 study masters level notes (MPA) of ignou...bt cn u tell me which chapters of IGNOU notes do we need to study.

if you're going to appear in 2010, then you've plenty of time to study entire notes so you can write good answers in mains.
else confine to the chapters - topics which are in UPSC's syllabus.


P.S.
Click here to get Get email update in your inbox whenever I post a new Article.
(ofcourse its completely free & safe from- phishing,spamming.)

[Polity] Language in Parliament

Enter your email address

Once you subscribe,
you'll get my full articles
in your email for free!
See Below
The Number of readers
I already have!

Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar Saturday said she is "having a look at" the request of DMK ministers to answer questions in parliament in Tamil.

Chemicals and Fertilisers Minister M.K. Azhagiri had said in Chennai last week that

DMK ministers and MPs had requested parliament authorities to allow them to raise and answer questions in Tamil.

"The request is before me. I'm having a look at it," the speaker told reporters here.

Citing precedents, senior Lok Sabha officials said that the

ministers should answer the questions either in English or Hindi as the files containing the answers to questions are written in English and Hindi.

The MPs, however, could ask questions and make speeches in their regional languages, 

AIADMK chief J. Jayalalithaa had supported Azhagiri's request that the Lok Sabha secretariat should extend an "interpreter service" to him to answer the queries of MPs in Tamil. She said ministers who do not know Hindi and English would remain mute spectators if an interpretation service was not provided.


P.S.
Click here to get Get email update in your inbox whenever I post a new Article.
(ofcourse its completely free & safe from- phishing,spamming.)

[GS notes] Bhatnagar Award to 11 scientists

Enter your email address

Once you subscribe,
you'll get my full articles
in your email for free!
See Below
The Number of readers
I already have!

2009 Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award for Science and Technology research by the Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).

Requirement:

1. scientists below 45 years of age 
2. outstanding research conducted in India during the last five years.

Director General of CSIR and Secretary, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, Prof. Sameer Brahmchari announced the names of the awardees at the foundation day function of the CSIR,
(that's 26th Sept. 09)

The prize

= a citation + cash award of 5 lakh rupees.

The awardees are

1. Dr. Amitabh Joshi of Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research Bangalore.
2. Dr. Bhaskar Saha of National Centre of Cell Science, Pune.
3. Dr. Charu Sitha chakravarty and
   
4. Dr. Narayan Swami Jayaraman of Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi.
5. Dr. S.K. Satheesh,
   
6. Dr. Giridhar and
   
7. Dr. Jayantrama Swami of Indian Institute of Sciences, Bangalore.
8. Dr. Venapalli Suresh of University of Hyderabad.
9. Dr, Santosh Gajanan Hunawar of L V Prasad Eye institute of Hyderabad.
10. Dr. Rajesh Gopal Kumar of Harishchandra Research Institute, Allahabad.
11. Dr. Abhishek Dhar of Raman Research Institute, Bangalore. (ANI)

P.S.
Click here to get Get email update in your inbox whenever I post a new Article.
(ofcourse its completely free & safe from- phishing,spamming.)

[Q] Subject Selection : Public Administration & Philosophy for IT Engineer

Enter your email address

Once you subscribe,
you'll get my full articles
in your email for free!
See Below
The Number of readers
I already have!

I did my engg in CSE and have 2 yrs exp in IT. I want to appear for 2010 exams. I am confused in selecting the subjects.

Public admin and philosphy would be good option? please help.

yes both are good option but it depends on your interest + hard work.

Also kindly tell when shall start coaching for second optional subject?

mostly the 2nd opt (i.e. the mains releted classes)  start after Prelims (in August)
right now most classes would be 'Prelim cum Mains batches'  


P.S.
Click here to get Get email update in your inbox whenever I post a new Article.
(ofcourse its completely free & safe from- phishing,spamming.)

[Q] confusion over botany and agriculture.

Enter your email address

Once you subscribe,
you'll get my full articles
in your email for free!
See Below
The Number of readers
I already have!

i have fininshed my Msc in biotech... so planning to take botany and agriculture.. i have not seen much people opting for these subjects.. what would u suggest me??

there are lots of coaching classes in Botany / Zoology nowadays- so its popular. you can see their ads in chronicle & other mags.
but agriculture has only a few takers.
you can take either of the subject as long as you've interest in it + the relevant study material.

P.S.
Click here to get Get email update in your inbox whenever I post a new Article.
(ofcourse its completely free & safe from- phishing,spamming.)

[Q] tata macgrow hill general studies manual - is it important?

Enter your email address

Once you subscribe,
you'll get my full articles
in your email for free!
See Below
The Number of readers
I already have!

i m ronak from gujarat.i do preparation for upsc i want to ask u that what should i read first ncert or tmhl. which standard 's books read of ncert

if you don't have TMH (Tata Macgrowhill) then no need to buy it.its no more relevent for G/S nowadays.
refer NCERT for basic concept clarity.




P.S.
Click here to get Get email update in your inbox whenever I post a new Article.
(ofcourse its completely free & safe from- phishing,spamming.)

[Polity] Pocket Veto

Enter your email address

Once you subscribe,
you'll get my full articles
in your email for free!
See Below
The Number of readers
I already have!

What does it mean?

The constitution gives the President the power to return a bill unsigned but it circumscribes the power to send it back only once for reconsideration.
If the Parliament sends back the bill with or without changes, the President is duty bound to sign it. However, deliberately or inadvertently, the constitution does not set a time-limit in which the President is obliged to approve the bill, so they may withhold assent indefinitely. This has come to be known in legal and constitutional circles as the "Pocket Veto", and has been used on a number of occasions against controversial Bills.

Use in India

• In the mid-1980s, President Zail Singh withheld assent to a Bill passed by Parliament that gave sweeping powers to the State to intercept mail. This was considered by the President to be an encroachment on citizens' freedom of speech and liberty as guaranteed by the Constitution.
• 
  
• In early 1990, President Venkataraman withheld assent to a Bill passed by the outgoing Parliament that gave pension benefits to themselves. This was interpreted by the President to be self-aggrandisement.

Source: Sambhav Garg
Pics:-
President Venkatraman



President Zail Singh






P.S.
Click here to get Get email update in your inbox whenever I post a new Article.
(ofcourse its completely free & safe from- phishing,spamming.)

UPSC to accept applications online by next year

Enter your email address

Once you subscribe,
you'll get my full articles
in your email for free!
See Below
The Number of readers
I already have!

Reference  : igovernment article

Introduction of the online application facility will help in easing the mammoth work of scrutinising the applications
 Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), the recruitment and selection body for government services will accept online job application by next year.

"UPSC will be introducing system for online application procedure by next year for all exams and recruitment," "UPSC handles about 12 lakh applications annually. Introduction of the online application facility will help in easing the mammoth work of scrutinising the applications,"About 800 UPSC employees have been trained in the use of computer technology,"This is an ongoing process and the commission is planning to give advance training to its officials with the help of outside expert agencies,"

-UPSC Chairman DP Agrawal

   

UPSC conducts examinations for recruitment to various government jobs including civil, medical, defence, engineering, foreign and central police services.

---

P.S.
Click here to get Get email update in your inbox whenever I post a new Article.
(ofcourse its completely free & safe from- phishing,spamming.)

[Polity] Human rights

Enter your email address

Once you subscribe,
you'll get my full articles
in your email for free!
See Below
The Number of readers
I already have!

Reference IO Forum Article of Aarthiias

What are Human Rights?

■ Human Rights are moral claims which are inalienable and inherent to all individuals by virtue of their being humans alone.
History
■ Throughout history, there has been a conflict between ruling elite and ruled.
e.g. Magna Carta-England 1215.
■ French Declaration of Rights of Man and of Citizen-1789.
■ American Bill of Rights.
■ Since First World War, League of Nations took some initiative.
■ ILO was created in 1919.
■ International Slavery Convention was signed in 1926
■ But during 1920s and 30s massive abuse of human life and dignity based on race, religion and nationality were there.
■ UNO was established after World War II.
■ Art I of UN Charter: 'To achieve international co-operation in promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and for fundamental freedom for all without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion.'

Universal Declaration of Human Rights

General Assembly of United Nations adopted and proclaimed Universal Declaration of Human Rights on December 10, 1948.
■ Art 1: All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.
■ Art 2: Everyone is entitled to all rights and freedoms set forth in this declaration without distinction of any kind such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, nation, property, birth or other status.
■ Art 3: Everyone has right to life, liberty and security of person.
■ Art 4: Slavery and slave trade is prohibited.
■ Art 5: No one shall be subject to torture.
■ Art 7: All are equal before law and are entitled to equal protection of law.
■ Art 9: No one shall be subject to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile.
■ Art 15: Everyone has right to a nationality.
■ Art 18: Freedom of thought, conscience & religion.
■ Art 23: Right to work.
■ Art 26: Right to education.

Indian Constitution and Human Rights

■ Art 13: Boldly declares that all laws in so far they are inconsistent with Fundamental Rights, be void, to extent of inconsistency, and further State shall not make any law which takes away or abridges these rights and any law made in contravention, shall be void.
■ Art 14: Secures equality before law to all persons.
■ Art 15: Prohibits discrimination among citizens on ground of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth.
■ Art 16: Ensures equal opportunity to them in matters of public employment.
■ Art 19: Assures freedom of speech and expression, right to assemble peacefully and without arms; to form association and unions; to move freely throughout territory of India; to reside and settle in any part of country, trade and business etc.
■ Art 21: Guarantees equal protection of law and prohibits deprivation of life and personal liberty.
■ Art 23: Prohibits traffic in human beings and forced labour.
■ Art 24: Prohibits child labour.
■ Art 25-30: Assures freedom of conscience and right to manage religious institutions; as well as makes provisions for protection of minorities and their places of worship and educational institutions.
■ Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) provides for a lot of social and economic benefits for citizens to be attained in future.
■ In addition to these, there are several laws of a reformative character like Employees State Insurance Acts, Dowry (Prohibition) Act, Bonded Labour (Abolition) Act, Minimum Wages Act, Workmen Compensation Act, Protection of Civil Rights Act, Environmental Protection Act, etc. which try to ensure safety and security against various evils.

National Human Rights Commission

■ In keeping with spirit of human rights movement all over world, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) came into existence in India through an Ordinance promulgated on 28th September 1993 by President of India.
■ However, soon Ordinance was replaced by a statute called Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 which came into force in 1994. This Act provides for setting up NHRC at Centre as well as one Commission each at State level.
■ National Human Rights Commission is designed to protect human rights, defined as "rights relating to life, liberty, equality and dignity of individual guaranteed by Constitution or embodied in International covenant and which are enforceable by Courts in India" (Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993).

Composition

• NHRC consists of a Chairperson and four members, all of them being full-time members.
• Apart from these full-time members, Commission also has its deemed members as Chairpersons of National Commission for Minorities, National Commission for SCs & STs and National Commission for Women.
• multi-membership is intended to reinforce independence and impartiality of Commission. Of five members including Chairperson, three are to possess high level judicial background and remaining must have knowledge of or practical experience in matters relating to Human Rights.
• Chairperson must be no less than a former Chief Justice of India.

Functions

• It can intervene in any legal proceedings involving an allegation of violation of Human Rights.
• It can also, visit, with prior approval of State Government, any jail to study living conditions of inmates and make recommendations.
• It can review safeguards provided by or under Constitution or any law for protection of Human Rights and recommend measures for their effective implementation.
• Commission also reviews factors, including acts of terrorism, that inhibit enjoyment of Human Rights and recommends remedial measures.
• It also undertakes and promotes research in field of Human Rights.
• Finally, it encourages NGOs working in field of Human Rights.

Autonomy of Commission

• autonomy of Commission is derived from method of appointment of its members, their fixity of tenure, and statutory guarantees.
• Chairperson and members of Commission are appointed by President on basis of recommendations of a committee comprising Prime Minister as chairperson, Speaker of Lok Sabha, Home Minister, leaders of Opposition in LS and RS and Dy. Chairperson of RS as members.

Working of Commission

• Commission has all powers of a Civil Court.
• It has its own investigating staff for investigation into complaints of Human Rights violations.
• It is open to Commission to utilise services of any officer or investigation agency of Central Government or any State Government.
• Commission while inquiring into complaints of violations of human rights may call for information or report from Central Government or any State-Government, or any other authority or organisation subordinate thereto within such time as may be specified by it.
Commission may take any of following steps upon completion of an enquiry:
1. Where enquiry discloses Commission of violation of Human Rights or negligence in prevention of violation of Human Rights by a public servant, it may recommend to concerned Government or authority initiation of proceedings for prosecution or such other function.
2. Approach SC or HC concerned for such directions, orders, or writs as that court may deem necessary.
3. Recommend to concerned Government or authority for grant of such immediate interim relief to victim or members of his family.
authority or State Government or Some of Programmes and Human Rights issues taken up by Commission include:
• Review of Child Marriage Restraint Act, 1929
• Protocols to Convention on Rights of Child
• Preventing Employment of Children by Government Servants: Amendment of Service Rules
• Abolition of Child Labour
• Guidebook for Media on Sexual Violence against Children
• Trafficking in Women and Children : Manual for Judiciary for Gender Sensitization
• Sensitization Program on Prevention of Sex Tourism and Trafficking
• Maternal Anaemia and Human Rights
• Rehabilitation of Destitute Women in Vrindavan
• Combating Sexual Harassment of Women at Work Place
• Harassment of Women Passengers in Trains
• Abolition of Manual Scavenging
• Dalits issues including atrocities perpetrated on them
• Problems faced by Denotified and Nomadic Tribes
• Rights of Disabled
• Right to Health . HIV/AIDS
Central Government to whom Commission recommends for action has to indicate its comments/ action taken on report/recommendations of Commission within a period of one month in respect of general complaints and within a period of three months in respect of complaints relating to Armed Forces.


P.S.
Click here to get Get email update in your inbox whenever I post a new Article.
(ofcourse its completely free & safe from- phishing,spamming.)

[Q] books for Indian Polity -DD Basu, M.V.Pylee, P.M. Bakhi & Subhas Kashyap’s ?

Enter your email address

Once you subscribe,
you'll get my full articles
in your email for free!
See Below
The Number of readers
I already have!

 

I have started reading P M Bhaksi's 'Constitution of India'. There are number of cases of supreme court he has given while explaining each article of Constitution.
Please let me know the Approach for notes taking from P M Bhakshi book 'Constitution of India' book

The era of DD Basu, M.V.Pylee, P.M. Bakhi & Subhas Kashyap's books for Indian Polity in general studies has ended- it used to be so in the 90s,
now irrelvent since 2007. Besides these books are not updated with the latest amendements since a long time because their authors are either too old or dead.

This is conspiracy of the coaching classes.

They put the list of irrelevant, big and useless books on their websites and articles and seminars to frustrate the newcomers into beliving that they can't succeed with out a coaching class.

Refer this article on how to prepare General Studies –Polity

[Q] Stephen Robbins : Public Administration book not available

Enter your email address

Once you subscribe,
you'll get my full articles
in your email for free!
See Below
The Number of readers
I already have!

Can i get an e-book of Stephen Robins as the book is not availabe in the market at my town/city.Please provide the e-book link or scanned copy/pages.
presently I need 13th chapter as I've completed 2nd chapter of Laxmikanth

 

Yes its hard to get it in regular stores.

Perhaps someone doing MBA might be having book. Get Xerox from him / her

Or

Call these people- and get it via post or

Jawahar Book store

011 26564337 , 011 26962973 | 9811347103

Address: 14, DDA Market , Ber Sarai , Delhi- 110067

Landmark: Opposite JNU Old Campus

 

There are 2 version of the book- - don't buy the big one of Rs. 450/- (that's for MBA people)

For Public Administration you'll need the Economy Edition (330 pages)

 

Or if someone is going to delhi ask him to get it from there.

I don't think there exist the e-book version of it.

If someone reading this article knows about the ebook-please post the link in comments.

[Q] Stephen Robbins : Public Administration book not available

Enter your email address

Once you subscribe,
you'll get my full articles
in your email for free!
See Below
The Number of readers
I already have!

Can i get an e-book of Stephen Robins as the book is not availabe in the market at my town/city.Please provide the e-book link or scanned copy/pages.
presently I need 13th chapter as I've completed 2nd chapter of Laxmikanth

 
Yes its hard to get it in regular stores.

Perhaps someone doing MBA might be having book. Get Xerox from him / her

Or

Call these people- and get it via post or

Jawahar Book store

011 26564337 , 011 26962973 | 9811347103

Address: 14, DDA Market , Ber Sarai , Delhi- 110067

Landmark: Opposite JNU Old Campus


 
There are 2 version of the book- - don't buy the big one of Rs. 450/- (that's for MBA people)
For Public Administration you'll need the Low price Edition (330 pages)
isbn :81-317-0877-2

publisher - pearson

I don't know the price because its not printed on my book, i had got it for around 150 Rupees from a shop in Ahmedabad.Or if someone is going to delhi ask him to get it from there.

I don't think there exist the e-book version of it.

If someone reading this article knows about the ebook-please post the link in comments.

[Q] Right aptitude for philosophy mains preparation in UPSC

Enter your email address

Once you subscribe,
you'll get my full articles
in your email for free!
See Below
The Number of readers
I already have!

Taken from here


Answer by Vishal1980
1.    just brother read few books like
2.    y.masih for western philo., and theory of religion,
3.    C.D.Sharma for indian philo.to get an aptitude of philo
4.    first read sophie's world by gardner,
5.    for socio political read gauba.
6.    hick for theory of religion

 thats it .. if u do this much u will gurantee get 320+.don get misguided by so many refernce books
 

[Q] Alternative of India Year book 2009

Enter your email address

Once you subscribe,
you'll get my full articles
in your email for free!
See Below
The Number of readers
I already have!

I have just taken a printout of the first 200 pages of India Year Book. It is having 1200 pages and I wanted to request you to provide me with some tips - how to go through it effectively ? Pls. let me know.

Don't read that book.

The official India 2009 has fact-data scattered and reverent parallel reference information is not given.

Instead of that, use

Wizard's India 2009:	size: 650 pages price: about 300/- This one has all the fact-data of India 2009 + Polity +Art –religion-History, Culture and many other parallel things (minus the irrelevant tables and statistical charts given in the official India 2009)
New Vishal's India 200* / Arihants'/M'n'M series/ T.P. Singh (VPG books) etc	size- about 100-200 pages price- aeound 100+/- These are tiny booklets for those who've ran out of time and want to cover everything in a week. Its not recommend.