Tips For Civil Services Main Exam, General Studies

The first papers will be that of General Studies which is a compulsory subject for all candidates.
General Studies in Main Examination comprises two papers of three hundred marls each. The duration of each paper is three hourse.
Paper-I has four segments, namely :
History of Modern India and Indian Culture
Geography of India
Constitution of India and Indian Polity
Current National Issues and Topics of Social Relevance
Paper-II has five segments , which are as follows :
India and the World
India’s Economic Interaction with the World
Development in the field of Science and Technology, IT and Space
International Affairs and Institutions
Statistical Analysis , Graphs and Diagrams
The syllabus as provided by UPSC, does not have much explanation regarding the details for the segments . It is therefore, advised to refer to previous years’ questions to get an idea about the explanation . The following observations have been made on the bases of analysis of previous years’ question papers:
The temporal reference to the History of Modern India and Indian Culture is up to the middle of 19th century. Thematic reference includes major events of the time, personalities,Facts and events associated with it. A majority of question pertain to the issues associated with the freedom struggle. Along with this there are question which deal with the cultural diversity of the country. However , the marks contained in culture segment are relatively less. This segment of History of Modern India and Indian Culture accounts for almost 30% of the total score of 300 marks.
Geography of India (physical , economic and social ) is a wide ranging segment of the syllabus. However , in terms of marks the total share is not so impressive . This segment accounts for approximately 10% of the total marks of Paper- I To prepare for this segment the candidates are advised to collect information about latest geographical events concerning India.
Constitution of India and Indian Policy is the most vital segment of Paper-I since its share of marks is almost one third. Students are advised to take note of it and accordingly give more time for its preparation . Here mainly the question are asked from the Indian political system and the Constitution of India. Students are required to collect information about various Government institutions and their functions, and also the relationship between them.
Current National Issues and Topics of Social Relevance include such events that are expected of an educated person to be aware about . They primarily include contemporary social problems that the Indian society is facing Some of the major issues include Human Rights, Human Resources, Corruption, Health, Environment and Preservation of Ecology, Pollution etc. The weightage of this segment in terms of marks is approximately one fourth.
The first segment of Paper-II is ‘India and the World’. In this segment candidate’s awareness is tested with regard to the country and the rest of the world. Here questions on issues such as foreign affairs, external security , nuclear debate, etc. are asked Further, another import area is with regard to Non- Resident Indians and the issues related to them . International position of India vis –a-vis various issues should also be kept in orientation while preparing for this segment . The share of this segment in Paper- II is about 15%.
Economic consciousness is on the rise. There have been more changes in the Indian Economy in last ten years than the change that occurred in the first four decades after independence . Questions on Indian Economy (about 30% of Paper II, as regards marks) have reference not only to the Indian planning commitment and issues , programmes and priorities of economic development, but also about the international economic and financial institutions . Students should gather information on WTO, IMF and other international institutions , particularly with regard to their relationship with India, Here, keeping abreast of the changing economic scenario is also very helpful.
Development in the field of Science and Technology, IT and Space is also a major component of Paper-II . In terms of participation of marks , about 25% of question are asked from this segment. While preparing the same those issues that have a bearing on the socio-economic development of the country , must be given more importance.
International Affairs and Institutions accounts for about 15% of the marks in Paper-II . It contains questions on major global changes that are taking place . It also includes questions on such relationship that develop between different countries which have their impact not only on India but on the world as a whole.
The last segment of Statistical Analysis, Graph and Diagrams’ with the participations of about 15% marks. Is significant . It is the only part of General Studies where students have a chance to score close to hundred percent . Here speed is vital, which can be achieved by practicing previous years’ questions.
The approach to the above mentioned segments of General Studies may very from student to student, depending upon his/ her comfort level in each area. Since General Studies can be more scoring than your optional subjects you cannot afford to ignore any of these.
In the examination hall read all the questions quickly in the first go and select those where you feel more confident and comfortable . Start with those questions where you can give your best. Apart from making a good impression on the examiner , this will give you an extra boost of confidence.
Read each and every question very carefully before attempting it. See what the examiner wants in your answer. He will be more interested in your approach to a given problem than your knowledge as such . Hit the question directly and stick to the basics. Try to present your answer in a simple and lucid manner. You may use pointers, diagrams, and illustrations to make your answer ‘examiner-friendly’ Your paper must stand out from those of the others in order to get good marks . Believe it or not, many have done this in the past . Maintain a reasonable speed without making avoidable errors.
Do not cross the word limit prescribed for each question. You may be penalized for writing more than what has been asked for. Economical use of words comes with a lot of writing practice before the examination. Also, avoid common mistakes, like giving incorrect facts, wrong spellings and careless presentation of answer. Unless you take care of each one of these common mistakes as well as the pitfalls mentioned above, you cannot expect of get the marks that you may otherwise deserve. Therefore, take up the task of preparation in an organized and intensive manner. Do spend some time to think over how to handle questions by taking examples from the previous years’ question papers. However it is important to enjoy the journey.

President Bush Signs Indo- US Nuclear Bill Into Law

The US President Mr. George W. Bush on October 8, 2008, signed into law the legislation to implement the historic Indo- US civil nuclear deal. Mr. Bush signed into law the ‘India-US Nuclear Cooperation Approval and Non- proliferation Enhancement Act’. Know as HR7081 , the deal was cleared by the Congress on October 1, 2008, and represents the American legislature’s formal approval of the Hndn, UR bil`ter`l ntcld`r bnopdrathnn `fredlent – the 123 Agreement – concluded in July 2007. Signing the bill in the White House in Washington DC, Mr. Bush assured that there would be no change in fuel supply commitments as contained in the 123 Agreement. He said, “India can count on reliable fuel supply from the US for its reactors.”
HR 7081, as it emerged finally from the Senate, subjected the 123 Agreement to precisely this kind of “cosmetically less glaring” alteration by embedding riders about the fuel supply assurances being mere political commitments.
The President maintained that the bill was clear that the agreement with India was consistent with the Atomic Energy Act and other elements of the US law.
The agreement also grants India advance consent to reprocessing’, which will be brought into effect upon the conclusion of arrangements and procedures for a dedicated reprocessing facility under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards.
The Congress also sought to put an end to the Government of india’s spin that the 123 Agreement would trump the provisions of the Hyde Act as far as American obligations were concerned . This it did by explicitly inserting rules of construction stating that nothing in the Agreement should be construed to supersede the legal requirements of the Hyde Act.
Since the 123 Agreement is manifestly an international agreement, it follows that all of its provisions are equally binding in a legal sense. India is thus on strong deal grounds to insist on the text of the 123 Agreement ,as signed by the two countries ,being the sole reference point for elaborating the rights and obligations of both sides . But it need to break its silence on the US reservations that have already been entered rather than declaiming, as Indian Ambassador to the US , Mr. Ronen Sen did on October 8, 2008, that India was completely satisfied by the statements Mr. Bush made.
The deal is being considered a historic breakthrough for India, (which suffered the technology denial regime for tnn lnng) to jnin the nucldar blub without sifninf thd nublear Non- proliferation Treaty (NPT).
The signing of the bill marks the culmination of a rough journey the deal undertook in the last three years, especially in India with the Left parties withdrawing their support to the UPA Government . The nuclear deal ended 34 year of nuclear apartheid against India when the 45-member Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) granted a historic waiver of norms for nuclear commerce with India on September 6, 2008, Following the waiver France also signed an agreement with India for civil nuclear cooperation.
Mr. Bush’s signing statement sought to address India objections to these riders by the cosmetic use of words and phrases that reiterated America’s commitment to its obligations . Mr. Bush said “the legislation makes no changes to the terms of the 123 Agreement” sent to the Congress.

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India, US Sign 123 Agreement :
India and the US on October 10, 2008, operationalised the path- breaking bilateral nuclear deal as they signed the 023 Agrddment . Dxtdrnal Aff`irr Minhstdr Mr. Pr`nab Mujherjde and the US Secretary of State, Ms. Condoleezza Rice put the seal on the agreement in Washington DC.
Republican Congresswoman Ms. Ileana Ros- Lehtinen , the co- chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said the formal signing of the agreement paves the way for closer economic and political relations between the world’s two largest democracies.

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“The Act will strengthen the relationship between the US and India and deliver valuable benefits to both nations”. President Mr. Bush said. “This agreement sends a signal to the world : Nations that follow the path of democracy and responsible behaviour will find a friend in the US”, Mr. Bush said.
For a deal that was initiated on July 18, 2005, the journey has been long and dramatic . It is a result of the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and Mr. Bush. Both the leaders, towards the end of their tenures in office, seem to have finally pushed it forward and given India a unique place in the world’s global structure.

India, France Sign Nuclear Agreement

India and France signed an agreement on civil nuclear cooperation in Paris on September 30, 2008, . The agreement formally called the ‘Cooperation Agreement between India and France on the Development of Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy’ , was signed by Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) Chairman Dr. Anil Kakodkar and French Foreign Minister Mr. Bernard Kouchner at the Elysee Palace. Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and the French President Mr. Nicolas Sarkozy were also present on this occasion.
The agreement brings India back into the nuclear mainstream after 34 year of isolation . France become the first country to enter into a nuclear pact with India after the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) waived international restrictions on the India’s nuclear trade on September 6, 2008.
The agreement marks the unshackling of India from the denial regime in place after the first Pokhran test in Rajasthan in 1974. In fact, this pathbreaking development brings down the wall keeping India away from nuclear technology. In addition, the agreement paves the way for India to do business with France in reactors , nuclear fuel safety, nuclear fuel supply, radiation and environment protection and nuclear fuel cycle management.
After the agreement was signed, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh said, “ Today we have added a new dimension to our strategic partnership by signing an inter – governmental agreement on civil nuclear cooperation . France is the first country with whom we have entered into such an agreement after the lifting of international restrictions on civil nuclear cooperation with India by the NSG”. A French presidential spokes-person described the document as a “broad agreement one that will allow a wide range of cooperation in the civilian nuclear field inclueing the transfer of technology”.
Both sides have contextualised the agreement in the global need to find non-polltting energy sources in order to combat climate change. The two sides also reaffirmee their “common concerns and objectives in the field of non- proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery including a view of possible linkage to terrorism”.
Cooperation in the nuclear arena between India and France dates back to the days of the fast breeder test reactor at Kalpakkam near Chennai (Tamil Nadu), the heavy water production facilities at Vadodara (Gujarat) , and the supply of enriched uranium for the Tarapur (Maharashtra) nuclear plant after the Pokhran test in Rajasthan 1974.
Dr. Kakodkar said that under the agreement, India can, using its own technology and under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards, reprocess used nuclear fuel imported from France. Though the agreement does not permit transfer of reprocessing technology to India, Dr. Kakodkar said this was only the beginning of a process of full-scale cooperation. He expressed the hope that “sooner than later”, India and France would hammer out commercial agreements to operationalise the nuclear agreement.
India and France also signed a social security agreement. It will result in benefits for Indian nationals working in France as also for French nationals working India.
A major pat was signed between the India Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the French Space Organisation, on utilisation of he Indian Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) launch services.
The two countries also decided to raise their bilateral trade to 12 billon Euros by 2012.

India- European Union Summit Concludes

The ninth India- European Union Summit concluded on September 29, 2008 in Marseille, France, with the European Union (EU) welcoming India’s emergence out of the nuclear denial regime.
The summit re-affirmed the strategic partnership , based on “shared value of democracy and human rights, fundamental freedoms (including religious), pluralism, rule of law and multilateralism”.
The European side was represented by French President. Mr. Nicolas Sarkozy (France now holds rotating presidency of the European Union) , European Commisshon Preshdent Mr. Jore M`nuel Barrosn, French Foreign Ministdr Mr. Bernard Kouchner and others . The Indian delegation included, besides the Prime Minister, Union Commerce Minister Mr. Kamal Nath and National Security Adviser Mr. M.K. Narayanan.
Mr. Sarkozy , at the end of the summit, said, “ How can we talk of the problem of climate change and yet deny India access to nuclear energy, the cleanest form of energy? We trust India, and we trust the Prime Minister”. Dr. Singh declared himself “extremely satisfied” with the talks.
The joint press communiqués issued after the India- EU meeting stressed the growing convergence between the two sides on Iran. “They expressed their concern over the Indian nuclear issue and called upon Iran to take steps to re-establish confidence in the nature of nuclear programme, as required by the IAEA Board of Governors:, the communiqué said.
The India –EU joint communiqué also touched upon the issue of cooperation in the field of civil nuclear energy, saying the two sides “noted that joint cnoperatinn in thd fr`mewnrk nf the Internatinnal Thermonuclear Experimental Reactors remains a priority”.
In their review of the regional and international issues, the leaders were in agreement on the need to work towards “national reconciliation” in Myanmar and urged “an inclusive dialogue” with the dissident leaders like Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi. The French President termed the Myanmar army leadership’s attitude “intolerant” but stopped short of advising India on what to do .
In the summit, Both sides- India and the European Union – also reached an agreement on combating terrorism . The two sides were in favour of an early conclusion of the “Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism at the United Nations”.

Zimbabwe Signs Historic Deal With Rivals

Zimbabwe President Mr. Robert Mugabe and his rivals signed a historic power-sharing agreement on September 15, 2008 ending nearly three decades of one-man rule of Mr. Mugabe . The main opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Mr. Mnrgan Tsvanghrai and Mr. Arthur Lutalbar` and Mr. Mufabe signed the deal in the capital Harare. In fact , the deal is the result of more than two months of difficult negotiations.
Under the deal , Mr. Mugabe will remain President , Mr. Tsvangirai will be Prime Minister and Mr. Mutambara will be Deputy Prime Minister. Though details of the deal were not made public, officials from the rival camps said that the agreement had laid out a complicated arrangement with Mr. Mugabe chairing the cabinet and Mr. Tsvangirai heading the cabinet and Mr. Tsvangirai heading a new Council of ministers which would supervise the work of the Cabinet.
After signing the agreement, Mr. Tsvangirai said that the government’s first priority should be addressing hunger. The world’s highest inflation rate has made it difficult for Zimbabweans to feed themselves in their country which was once the region’s breadbasket.
Earlier Mr. Mugabe had restricted the work of said agencies , accusing them of siding with the opposition before a presidenthal run-nff . Hovever, the b`n w`s lhfted in Augtst 2008. Before the ban was lifted , UN humanitarian agencies had predicted that the number of Zimbabweans who would need to stave off hunger would to more than five million by 2009.
Main opposition leader Mr, Tsvangirai, blaming the “policies of the past” for problems, said “Under my leadership , this unity government will let businesses flourish ,so that our people can work and provide for their families with pride”. He appreciated and praised MPs for their willingness to work across party lines. He also called for legislators to be “driven by the hope of a new, better, bright country” and the “hope of a new beginning”.
Moreover, Zimbabweans hope the agreement will be a first step in helping to rescue the once prosperous nation from economic collapse due to surge in inflation. Millions of people have already fled to neighbouring African countries .

However, a deadlock over the allocation of Cabinet posts has dimmed hope that a power-sharing deal would bring a qtick solttion to Zimbabwe’s economic and political crisis. Mr. Tsvangirai expressed optimism that the deadlock was not insurmountable and hoped Mr. Mugabe would help to end the stalemate very soon.

Livni Wins Party Leadership Election In Israel

Israel’s Foreign Minister Ms. Tzipi Livni won party’s leadership election on September 18, 2008. The 50- year-old Ms. Livni of the ruling Kadima Party narrowly won the election securing 43.1 percent of the votes or 16,936 while her closest rival, Transport Minister Mr. Shaul Mofaz, got 42 percent or 16,505 votes. She got a chance to be the country’s first female leader in 34 years. Prime Minister Mr. Ehud Olmert called Ms. Livni to congratulate her on her victory. Even Mr. Mofaz called Ms. Livni to congratulate her, rejecting a legal adviser’s proposal to challenge the results.
Ms. Livni, lawyer and a former Mossad agent , has given 42 day to cobble together a coalition government. In case Ms. Livni is unable to from government within six weeks. Israel would go to the pollr in early 2009, one and a h`lf xearr ahdad nf sbhedule. Moreover , as per analysis , the task would not be easy as some of her potential partners have already made hard-to- accept political demands. Leader of the ultra- orthodox Shas Party Mr. Eli Yishai has conditioned his party’s participation in the new government to a commitment by Kadima against negotiating the status of Jerusalem in future talks with Palestinians. However, the Palestinians visualise East Jerusalem as their future capital.
The victory confirms Ms. Livni’s meteoric rise to become the most powerful woman in Israel and could see her follow in the footsteps of Ms. Golda Meir who served as the country’s first woman Prime Minister from 1969 to 1974. Ms. Livni who first joined parliament in 1999. has a reputation for integrity that has kept her out of the scandals which have dogged Mr. Olmert and other Israeli ministers.
Meanwhile , Hamas expressed indifference to the vote result . Its leader Mr. Ismail Haniyesh said both Ms. Livni and hdr rhvalr deny “legitimate P`lestini`n rhghtr”. However , the senior Palestinian Authority representative , Mr. Saeb Erekat , hoped the vote would return stability to Israel.

China Spacewalks Into History

China’s first spacewalk , by taikonaut Mr. Zhai Zhigang on September 27, 2008. created history, as it made China only the third country capable of conducting spacewalk after the former Soviet Union and the US. The spacecraft Shenzhou-7 successfully returned to China’s northern grassland on September 28, 2008 after the historic spacewalk Mr. Zhai Zhigang, with his two teammates, Mr. Liu Boming and Mr. Jing Haipeng , came back from a 68-hour flight including a 25- minute spacewalk.
During the spacewalk , Mr. Zhai wore a hulking $4 million home made Feitian space suit and spent 25 minutes outside the spacecraft. Tethered to the craft with two safety wires and a long electric cord providing oxygen and communications , he moved slowly along a set of handrails around the orbiter. “Shenzhou-7 is now outsidd thd sp`cecraft. I feel well, I am here gredtinf thd Chhnesd people and people of the whole world”. He said . He waved a Chinese flag handed over to him by Mr. Liu.
The historic moment was witnessed by tens of millions of Chinese with bated breath. The success makes China the third to master the extravehicular activity (EVA) technology following the US and Russia. Performing a successful spacewalk is a key step towards mastering docking techniques technology that is needed for the establishment of a space station. The mission is of great significance to the country’s future plans to build a space lab and!a space station , said Mr. Zhang Jianqi, Deputy Chief Minister Commander of the project.
After the return of the Shenzhou-7 spacecraft , Chinese Premier Mr. Wen Jiabao said , ’The successful mission marked a milestone and great leap forward in China’s space tecinology development”. He hailed the Chinese people’s persistent aspiration to develop the manned spaceflight technologies for the peaceful exploration and usd of the outdr space . Hd alro exprersed hopd th`t the success would play a significant role in the development of the economy, technology and national defence. Chinese President Mr. Hu Jintao , who watched live transmission of the spacewalk , hailed the spacewalk as a breakthrough and thanked the trio for their devotion and excellent performance.
Other tasks of the mission included carrying out trials of satellite data relay and releasing a 40 – kg companion satellite, Tianlian- I which was left in space with the orbital module. Earlier ,China successfully launched the Shenzhou-7 spacecraft on September 25, 2008. from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in Northwest China. It was China’s third consecutive launch of a manned spacecraft since it sent first man into space in 2003 and followed it up with two taikonauts in 2005.

Unfilled OBC Seats Must Go TO General Category : Supreme Court

The supreme Court on September 29, 2008, clarified that if seats reserved for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) students in Central educational institutions remained vacant for want of eligible candidates, such seats must be allotted to general category candidates. A five- judge Constitution Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Justice K.G. Balakrishnan , which uphed the OBC quota law on April 10,2008 said that such vacant seats out of 27 percent reserved for OBC students couldn’t be carried forward to the next academic year. “ You cannot keep the OBC quota seats vacant as per our judgment . The unfilled seats must go to general category. Keeping seats vacant will be counter –productive” the Bench said while hearing an application filed by academician P. V . Indiresan seeking proper implementation of the Constitution .Bench judgment.
Solicitor Geleral Mr. G.E.Vahanvati submitted that the Government was not averse to a clarification to this effect from the Court . He said that those institution which implemented the 27% OBC quota at one go this year, were definitely mandated, as per the five- judge Constitution Bench, to give unfilled seats to the general category. Further Mr. Vahanvati said that if nine percent seats were increased every year to give effect to the 27 % OBC quota , only vacant seats accumulated at the end of the third year would be filldd box third general category. However Centre’s stand that unfilled OBC seats should be accumulated for three years before being allotted to general students , if they ultimately remained vacant.
According to the Centre’s affidavit, the Jawaharlal Nehru university has filled 54 vacant OBC seats with general category candidates while 29 such seats are vacant . Out of the 654 seats available for OBCs in 13 IITs, only 20 remain vacant but the cut-off wasn’t diluted.

Jodhpur Chamunda Devi Temple Stampede

Over 200 pilgrims, mostly boys or men in the age group of 15-40 years , were killed and over 60 injured in a stampede outside the Chamunda Devi temple on a hillock adjoining the Mehrangarh Fort. The incident took place on September 30, 2008, the first day of the nine- day navratra festivities in Jodhpur district of Rajasthan when throngs of devotees gathered on the installation (Sthapana) ceremony. Around 9,000 people had stood in queues on the 2-km mountain road to have a darshan of the goddess.
The morning chant for the installation (Sthapana) ceremony turned into shrieks of hapless victims as suddenly, some people began pushing forward for an early darshan. As a result , barricade broke, opening up more space on the 8- fit – wide path. Seeing the widened approach, people began jumping the queue which went wrong. Someone mentioned a bomb and all hell broke loose . Panic –stricken people rtarted runnhng hn opposhte direbtion, ptshing and trampling. The slope rendered slippery due to coconut water further worsened the situation leading to the spot death of 20 people .
However , the authorities rejected the reports of any bomb scare and denied that any instance of eve-teasing lad to the stampede .Chief Minister Ms. Vasundhara Raje, who reached Jodhpur from Banswara, announced a relief of Rs. 2 lakh to the families of the deceased and Rs.50,000 to those seriously injured. The government later announced a judicial inquiry by a retired Rajasthan High Court Judge which will submit the report in three months.

Cabinet Approves Higher Ceiling For Creamy Layer

The Union Government , on October 3, 2008, approved raising the income criterion for the “Creamy layer” among the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) from Rs. 2.5 lakh to 4.5 lakh a year. The decision was taken at a Union Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh.
The higher ceiling for “Creamy layer” will help in bringing more people under the reservation category. In fact, it will also help students seeking admission under the Central Educational Institutions Act, 2006 which provides!27 percent reservation for the OBCs. However , the decision will not impact admissions in the current academic year as the Supreme Court has already said vacant OBC seats are to be filled by general category students Hence, it will benefit those applying under quota in 2009.
The proposal had been mooted by the Ministsy of Social Justice and Empowerment on the recommendatinns nf the N`tional Bommhssinn fnr B`ckw`rd Blasres. It vas discussed at an inter-governmental level, involving the Ministries of Tribal Affairs, Home, Law , the Departments of Personnel and Training, and Human Resource Development , besides Social Justice and Empowerment.
The National Commission for Backward Classes submitted its report on July 1, 2008. It took into account the recommendations of the Sixth Central Pay Commission besides the all- India Consumer Prices Index , price rise, inflation rate, the monthly per capita expenditure of the OBCs , their economic conditions , and per capita national product before arriving at the new ceiling .
Moreover ,most of the States had demanded that the new ceiling be fixed between Rs. 4 lakh and 6 lakh . However some States like Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh had demanded much higher ceilings .Karnataka sought the ceiling of Rs. 25 lakh while Madhya’ Pradesh , of Rs. 10 lakh.
The annual income ceiling for OBC reservation was fixed at Rs. 1 lakh first in 1993 and it was increased to Rs. 2.5 lakh in 2004. Now , it has been raised to Rs. 4.5 lakh.

SHRI O.P.BHATT DECLARED CNN IBN'S BUSINESSMAN OF THE YEAR 2007

Our Chairman Shri O P Bhatt, has been declared the CNN-IBN Indian of the Year 2007 in the Business category ahead of Vijay Mallya and the Ambanis .After much deliberation, the jury voted for the maverick banker Shri O P Bhatt, at the helm of the State Bank of India since 2006, as the CNN-IBN's businessman of the Year. He has been credited with doing the impossible. Shri Bhatt took over at a time when India's largest bank was faced with tough competition from fast growing private players. The mammoth challenge was to arrest SBI's falling market share, raise funds for expansion and look for new avenues of growth.In another daring move, Shri Bhatt has started the merger of all seven associate banks with the parent bank. Once the merger is completed, the combined entity will have a balance sheet of over 8 lakh crore rupees, and a countrywide network of 14,000 branches - enough to take on global banks looking to penetrate the Indian market after 2009. Bhatt is the only SBI chairman since liberalisation who has been given a five year term. He is setting himself some tough targets. One of the targets is to up SBI's market share by one per cent every year. Under him the bank is also looking at new business streams like general insurance, pension funds & mobile banking. It's a vision to make SBI a truly global bank and the man behind that dream is CNN-IBN's Indian of the Year in the Business category for 2007.

INDIAN ECONOMY

Growth Hit, Market Plunges
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on October 10, 2008 announced a surprise one percentage point cut in reserve requirement of commercial banks- Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) – so as to inject more liquidity into the system. This cut, coupled with the helf a percentage point cut announced on October 6, 2008, would release about Rs. 60,000 crore into the system.India’s industrial production seemed to hit rock bottom on October 10, 2008 , as the economy registered the slowest growth in 14 years . What made the situation worse was the global financial turmoil that sent the Sensex into a nosedive . Also , the fall in the value of rupee compounded the worries ,as the rupee turned out to be the most vulnerable of Asian currencies touching a record low of 49.26 per dollar.The recent developments in India’s economic scenario have clearly signalled the onset of a slowdown bordering on recession. The possibility of an economic recession was further accentuated by the dismal 1.3 percent industrial growth rate which the economy registered in August 2008. It represented a drastic downslide in industrial growth as compared to the 10.7 percent growth logged during the same month in 2007. As markets around the world tumbled amid deepening fears of a global recession , more evidence surfaced which showed that India, too was taking a bigger than expected hit. The impact of the global financial crisis, so far limited to the stock market and a couple of other export- centric businesses, now appears to be cascading into the real economy. It is evident that the ongoing global financial crisis has taken its toll in India as well. The financial turmoil , coupled with the monetary tightening measures put in place to check inflation, contributed in worsening the crisis . Analysis opine that a possible fall in industrial growth has for quite sometime been around the corner in view of the high interest rates and decreasing demand in both domestic and international markets. However , the magnitude of the fall has come as a surprise to many.Meanwhile ,almost all sectors of the economy continued to suffer as the global financial crisis triggered a number of spill-over effects. It included stock markets, rupee value and other such aspects. Sensex tanked by 800 points to 10,527 points on October 10, 2008 , which was the lowest in two years. The rupess touched an all-time low and the inflation rate was at11.8 percent for the week ended September 27, 2008 . The financial situation also markedly affected the fortunes of Indian business conglomerates, as the top five Indian companies suffered huge value erosion. Reliance (Mukesh Ambani) Group’s net worth went down by 49.1 percent ,Anil Ambani-led Bharti Group by 28.4 percent, KP Singh-led DLF Group by 75.3 percent , and Azim Premji-led Wipro Group slid by 46 percent.However to India’s credit, controls on capital flows and banking transactions have relatively insulated the country from the kind of turmoil that financial institutions are facing in the US and elsewhere. The economic slowdown in the US is not an abrupt development . This is basically a credit crisis which stems from skyrocketing expectations of financial services companies that made them overindulge in the risky business of trade in derivatives. Derivatives usually project overstated earning estimates, which , if used as an instrument for gauging returns, may happen to be a fallacious premise . The US financial majors like the Lehman Brothers, now in the dock , banked overmuch on such innovative patterns as trade in Futures & Options . In the long run, the rick factors associated with such ventures caused their failure. As a result , markets around the world took a tumble. India has so far been comparatively immune to the global turmoil because of the fact that the country’s financial and banking set – up revolves around old- world and time- tested principles involving savings deposits, mutual funds, equity shares and the likes. These instruments have a lower risk of inducing across the board failures and that is why Indian economy appears relatively safe as of now. However , there is concern at the highest level that though the US meltdown has not had a substantial impact in India, a prolonged crisis may take is toll on our economy as well. Globalisation has interlinked all nations and economies to the extent that no single country can sustain immunity for long in the wake of a global crisis . In some sectors such as IT and in the overall corporate scenario , the impact of the turmoil is already visible. Experts are unanimous in their opinion that if such a situation continued for long , it will be foolish to expect that India will remain insulated in the long run. Referring to emergency liquidity injection by central banks around the world , Union Finance Minister Mr. P. Chidambaram said that India would also take the necessary steps to bring the situation under control. He added "We will take steps to infuse liquidity because we recognize that flow of credit efficiently and smoothly through the system is vital to the stability of the financial system".

Nanavati Commision Says Godhra Train Carnage A Conspiracy

The Nanavati Commission , set up by the Gujarat Chief Minster, Mr. Narendra Modi’s Government in 2002 to inquire into the fire on coach S-6 of the Sabarmati Express train in Which 58 Kar Sewaks Were burnt alive , has concluded that the fire was a “ pre-planned conspiracy” by local Muslims. The report of the commission totally contradicts the conclusion of the U. C. Banerjde Bommhssinn , appnintdd bx thd Rahlwax Minster, Mr. L`lu Prasad Yadav, which stated that the fire was “ purely accidental”. The Banerjee Commission report was made public but is yet to be tabled in the Parliament because of a stay order by the Gujarat High Court .The first part of the Nanavati Commission’s 168- page report was tabled in the Gujarat Assembly on Septerber 25, 2008 by the Chief minister, Mr. Narendra Modi The first part, of the report, which exclusively deals, with the train carnage , and not the post –Godhra communal riots, gave a clean chit to the Chief Minister , Mr. Narendra Modi , the members of his the then Council of Ministers and police officers . It also ruled out the involvement of any religious or political organization in the fire .The report stated that the Commission has come to the conclusion that “there was a conspiracy to burn coach S-6 of the Sabarmati Express train coming from Ayodhya and to cause harm to the Kar Sewaks traveling in that coach”. The conspiracy hatched appears to be a “part of a larger conspiracy to create terror and destabilize the administration”. the report stated.The report also rejected the allegations that the Gujarat Government failed to comply with the recommendations and directions given by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). The report of the Godhra riots would come later in the second part yet to be finalised by the Commission.The evidence recorded by the Commission also claimed that a mob of Muslims attacked the train and stoned the coaches so heavily that the passengers could not come out. This was to ensure maximum casualties when the S-6 coach of the Sabarmati Express train was set a fire.The Commission, in its 168-page report , stated that the conspiracy was hatched by some local Muslims at the Aman-Guest House in Godhra the previous night . The conspirators immediately made arrangements for collecting about 140 litres of petrol from a nearby petrol pump on the night of February 26, 2002. The next day when the train arrived in Godhra , ond person knov by the namd Harsan Lala, after forbibly opening the vestibule between coaches S-6 and S-7, entered S-6 and threw burning rage setting it on fire.According to the report , setting fire to the train was part of a larger conspiracy to instill a sense of fear in the administration and create anarchy in the State. It ,however, has not named the architects of the larger conspiracy. The Commission disagreed with the contentions of the Benerjee Committee and the Jan Sangharsha Manch, which represented the riot victims before the Commission , that alarm chains could not be operated from outside under the modified system introduced by the Railways in 1995. The Commission stated that the passengers of the train were attacked the second time some three hours after the stone throwing and burning incident when the train was being shunted to detach the two affected coaches.The Commission claimed that there was no evidence to justify the contention that the Kar Sewaks had been fighting with Muslim vendors at stations before Godhra as alleged earlier , though there were some minor scuffles with three Muslim vendors on the Godhra platform . But there was no reliable evidence to show that any attempt was made by the Kar Sewaks to spread violence. It dismissed as not worthy of any credence the Manch theory that there was no crowd ,except a small group of curious onlookers, no stone-throwing and no conspirational setting on fire. Without mentioning the Benerjee Commission report , the Nanavati Panel rejected the accidental fire theory. It stated that the reasoning that a fire was caused by fire the overturning of a burning stove used for cooking by some Kar Sewaks in the compartment or that it was set off by an electric short circuit was baseless. There was no space for anyone to light the stove in the overcrowded coach carrying more than 200 passengers and any spill- over of kerosene from the stove , though out the question ,could not have caused such heavy fire and damage. Dismissing the short circuit theorx, the Cnmmirsion st`ted that in such an event the p`ssengers would not have climbed up to the upper berths to protect themselves as electric lines were going through the top of the coaches , and rather they would have climbed down on the floor. In such an event , the windows on the platform side of the coach would not have been closed or the windowpanes broken by stone throwing. The smoke before fire did not necessarily mean electric short circuit as propounded by the Manch; instead , the fire was caused by some inflammable materials thrown on the floor from outside, the report concluded.Now one looks forward to the second part of the report and the findings of the Supreme Court- appointed special Investigation Team (SIT) , for a more comprehensive view of what happened during the terrible days of carnage in Gujarat in 2002, But as things stand, the Nanavati Commission report raises some questions. In the first place, Gujarat’s Forensic Science Laboratory had conducted a study of the Godhra train carnage and concluded that the inflammable liquid that caused the fire was spread from inside , not outside the coach. Both the Benerjee Commission’s and forensic laboratory’s versions of the train fire are contradicted by the Nanavati Commission's version.
BANERJEE VS NANAVATI REPORT
Justice Banerjee Commission Report

1. Not deliberately inflicted, but accidental2. Petrol theory ruled out , fire sequence against it

3. Fire not caused by outsiders, Intelligence agencies had no Information about Kar Sewaks coming

4. Doors closed a misconception

5. Deaths due to toxicity and suffocation

6. Large number nf whtnerses exalined,but no clue about cause of fire

7. Railways failed to conduct a statutory inquiry

Justice Nanavati Commission Report

1. Pre-planned, a conspiracy and not accidental

2. 140 litres of petrol purchased to burn bogey

3. Umarji conspired, Hassan Lala threw burning rags inside the bogey

4. Door of S-6 and S-7 bogey forcibly opened

5. Kar Sewaks burnt to death,conspiracy hatched at Aman guest house

6. 1,106 witnessds, 46,000 affidavits

7. No evidence to show that the Gujarat CM, Mr. Narendra Modi, any minister or police officers played a role

Tata’s Nano Moves From Singur To Sanand

Tata Group and the Gujarat Government on October 7, 2008 signed an agreement for production of Nano in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. The State Principal Secretary, Industries, Mr. Gauri Kumar, and Tata Group Managing Director Mr. Ravi Kant signed the documents in the presence of Mr. Ratan Tata and Chief Minister Mr. Narendra Modi . The agreement ended the speculation on the relocation of the project that had been marred by controversy since work began two years ago in Singur, West Bengal.Tata has been allocated 1,100 acres at Chharodi and Charal villages in Sanand , just 25km. from Ahmedabad . The land was part of about 2,200 acres owned by the Gujarat Agricultural University for running a cattle from and experimental crop cultivation and cattle breeding . The land has been allocated to Tata Motors for the Nano small car project “at the prevailing market price” in the area.The plant, to be set up at Sanand , will initially have an annual capacity of 2.50 lakh units , which will be expanded to 5 lakh units per year. Tata Group will invest Rs. 2,000 crore in the first phase of the project and the car is slated to roll out from the first quarter of 2009.Mr. Modi and Mr. Tata described the agreement as “historic” and hoped that after the “unfortunate turmoil” the project underwent is Singur, it would now have a “smooth sailing”.Earlier, Tata Motors announced its decision on October 3, 2008 to pull out of Singur in West Bengal. The decision was taken in the interests of the Nano small car project’s success and viability and in the light of the Opposition’s continued and heightened agitation .The much-anticipated curtain to the project came after the Tata Group Chairman Mr. Ratan Tata met West Bengal’s Chief Minister, Mr. Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, who failed to convince the Trinamool Congress leader Ms. Mamata Banerjee to withdraw the farmers’ agitation on acquisition of land . The Chairman of the Tata Group ,Mr. Ratan Tata ,Said “we have taken the very regretful decision to move the Nano project out of West Bengal; we are left with no option”.The Tata Group Chairman blamed Ms. Mamata for pushing him to take the pullout decision, two years after his tryst with the Nano Car factory in West Bengal began.

RIL Begins Production Of Crude Oil In Krishna Godavari Basin

In a significant development India’s industrial giant Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) , the country’s biggest private sector company on the basis of turnover, started production of crude oil at KG- D 6 block of the Krishna Godavari basin on September 17,2008 . According to RIL Chairman Mr. Mukesh Ambani , the field would initially produce about 5,000 barrels of crude per day.Reliance is the biggest exploration acreage holder in the private sector in India. RIL’s exploration and production assets comprise 54 blocks across eight countries. The Company , which boasts of a success ratio of over 60 percent , has so far 42 discoveries to its name . The KG-D6 venture is a first –of its – kind hydrocarbon production from any deep water field in India. The venture is slated to account for 40 percent of India’s current indigenous hydrocarbons production in a matter of one and a half years. According to company estimates, the production from the KG_D6 facility will help the country save a yearly foreign exchange outflow of $20 billion.The KG-D 6 block (KG-DWN-98/3) was awarded to RIL under the National Exploration Licensing Policy (NELP)- I. In the venture , RIL holds 90 percent participation interest while Niko Resources Limited holds 10 percent. The block is located in the Bay of Bengal, 50 km off the Kakinada coast (Andhra Pradesh), at a depth of 8,000 feet. The company has commenced production within just over two years from the time of oil discovery , making KG-D6 one of the faster Greenfield deep water oil development projects in the world.India’s current hydrocarbon oil and gas production is 1.3 million barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd). An initial flow of 5,000 barrels per day is expected to go up to 5,50,000 barrels of oil equivalent over the next six to eight quarters. 5,50,000 barrels per day of hydrocarbons can pump cooking gas to 100-200 million households. 2,000 engineers, technical and management personnel worked on the project.The vessel employed in the project , Dhirubhai-1 is the first vessel of its kind in Indian waters and has the ability to operate in water depths of greater than 1,200 metres. The vessel boasts of a number of features which can help it withstand harsh sea conditions.What makes RIL’s feat more special is the fact that production was achieved despite challenges such as harsh environment , lack of data, low seabed, severe temperature , supply-related problems and shortage of competent technicians. The company sources made it clear that the refinery would begin production in the next few months and gas production would commence from early 2009

Cabinet Approves Judges Inquiry (Amendment ) Bill

The Union Cabinet approved the Judges Inquiry (Amendment) Bill, 2008, on October 8, 2008. The new Bill makes Supreme Court and High court Judges accountable for their acts, including corruption and incapacity . With the introduction of this bill, the Judges Inquiry Bill, 2006 would be withdrawn.The Bill provides for establishing a National Judicial Council (NJC) to investigate and inquire into allegations of misbehavior or incapacity on the part of a judge of the Supreme Court or of a High court as well as regulate the procedure for investigation and inquiry. Thus , the provisions of the new Bill would bring about transparency in the functioning of the judiciary by making judges more accountable and would also enhance its prestige.Any person can complain to the NJC against judges of the Supreme Court (except the CJI), and the Chief Justices and judges of the High Courts . If the complaint is against a Supreme court Judge, the NJC will consist of the CJI and four seniormost judges of the apex court . If it is against the CJI , the CJI will not take part in the proceedings and the President shall nominate the next seniormost judge.In the new Bill, there is a provision for preliminary scrutiny and verification by the NJC . if a judge is proved guilty, the NJC can recommend his or her removal through impeachment by the parliament. However, where the proved misbehavior does not warrant removal , the NJc can impose minor measures such as issuing advisory , requesting retirement, stoppage of assignment of judicial work for a limited time, and warning censure or admonition (public or private). The NJC cannot impose or recommend any minor measure in the case of a reference by the Speaker of the Lock Sabha or the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha on a motion for removal.

Smoking Ban Across Indian Comes Into Force

The notification issued on May 30, 2008 by the Union Health Minister, Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss , for the ban under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, 2003 came into force on Gandhi Jayanti i.e. October 2, 2008. Smoking is banned at public place all over the country. Any violation of the ban is a punishable offence with a fine up to Rs. 200.Union Health Minister Dr. Ramadoss welcomed the Supreme Court order declining to stay the Centre’s notification prohibiting smoking . The Supreme Court , on September 29, 2008. had refused to stay ban on smoking in public places. A Bench consisting of Justice B. Agrawal and Justice G.S. Singhvi rejected the contention that enforcement of the notification would result in inspector raj and needless harassment , thus paving the way for implementation of the Centre’s notification dated May 30, 2008.Dr Ramadoss described the ban as a major step towards providing a smoke-free atmosphere and protecting non- smokers from passive smoking . He said he had personally written to Governors. Chief Ministers , Health Ministers and Members of Parliament to ensure effective implementation of the ban. According to him , Delhi , Jharkhand and Chandigarh are some States which have already begun implementing the ban. In case of Maharashtra and Bihar which expressed their inability to impose it, he said all effortr , hncltdinf litigation , would be lade to presrurise the States to implement the prohibition . Massive publicity and awareness campaigns would also be launched .Smoking will be prohibited at all places to which the public has access, including auditoriums, health institutions, government buildings , stadiums, workplace , shopping malls , restaurants, etc. However in case of large hotels and restaurants having more than 30 rooms or 30 seats , and airports, a provision for a separate smoking area is made . Further , the States might create a separate head of account in which the fine could be deposited . The department could use the money for tobacco control activities.

Smoking Ban Across Indian Comes Into Force

The notification issued on May 30, 2008 by the Union Health Minister, Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss , for the ban under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, 2003 came into force on Gandhi Jayanti i.e. October 2, 2008. Smoking is banned at public place all over the country. Any violation of the ban is a punishable offence with a fine up to Rs. 200.
Union Health Minister Dr. Ramadoss welcomed the Supreme Court order declining to stay the Centre’s notification prohibiting smoking . The Supreme Court , on September 29, 2008. had refused to stay ban on smoking in public places. A Bench consisting of Justice B. Agrawal and Justice G.S. Singhvi rejected the contention that enforcement of the notification would result in inspector raj and needless harassment , thus paving the way for implementation of the Centre’s notification dated May 30, 2008.
Dr Ramadoss described the ban as a major step towards providing a smoke-free atmosphere and protecting non- smokers from passive smoking . He said he had personally written to Governors. Chief Ministers , Health Ministers and Members of Parliament to ensure effective implementation of the ban. According to him , Delhi , Jharkhand and Chandigarh are some States which have already begun implementing the ban. In case of Maharashtra and Bihar which expressed their inability to impose it, he said all effortr , hncltdinf litigation , wnuld be lade to presrurise the States to implement the prohibition . Massive publicity and awareness campaigns would also be launched .
Smoking will be prohibited at all places to which the public has access, including auditoriums, health institutions, government buildings , stadiums, workplace , shopping malls , restaurants, etc. However in case of large hotels and restaurants having more than 30 rooms or 30 seats , and airports, a provision for a separate smoking area is made . Further , the States might create a separate head of account in which the fine could be deposited . The department could use the money for tobacco control activities.

Cabinet Approves Judges Inquiry (Amendment ) Bill

The Union Cabinet approved the Judges Inquiry (Amendment) Bill, 2008, on October 8, 2008. The new Bill makes Supreme Court and High court Judges accountable for their acts, including corruption and incapacity . With the introduction of this bill, the Judges Inquiry Bill, 2006 would be withdrawn.
The Bill provides for establishing a National Judicial Council (NJC) to investigate and inquire into allegations of misbehavior or incapacity on the part of a judge of the Supreme Court or of a High court as well as regulate the procedure for investigation and inquiry. Thus , the provisions of the new Bill would bring about transparency in the functioning of the judiciary by making judges more accountable and would also enhance its prestige.
Any person can complain to the NJC against judges of the Supreme Court (except the CJI), and the Chief Justices and judges of the High Courts . If the complaint is against a Supreme court Judge, the NJC will consist of the CJI and four seniormost judges of the apex court . If it is against the CJI , the CJI will not take part in the proceedings and the President shall nominate the next seniormost judge.In the new Bill, there is a provision for preliminary scrutiny and verification by the NJC . if a judge is proved guilty, the NJC can recommend his or her removal through impeachment by the parliament. However, where the proved misbehavior does not warrant removal , the NJc can impose minor measures such as issuing advisory , requesting retirement, stoppage of assignment of judicial work for a limited time, and warning censure or admonition (public or private). The NJC cannot impose or recommend any minor measure in the case of a reference by the Speaker of the Lock Sabha or the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha on a motion for removal.

RIL Begins Production Of Crude Oil In Krishna Godavari Basin

In a significant development India’s industrial giant Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) , the country’s biggest private sector company on the basis of turnover, started production of crude oil at KG- D 6 block of the Krishna Godavari basin on September 17,2008 . According to RIL Chairman Mr. Mukesh Ambani , the field would initially produce about 5,000 barrels of crude per day.
Reliance is the biggest exploration acreage holder in the private sector in India. RIL’s exploration and production assets comprise 54 blocks across eight countries. The Company , which boasts of a success ratio of over 60 percent , has so far 42 discoveries to its name . The KG-D6 venture is a first –of its – kind hydrocarbon production from any deep water field in India. The venture is slated to account for 40 percent of India’s current indigenous hydrocarbons production in a matter of one and a half years. According to company estimates, the production from the KG_D6 facility will help the country save a yearly foreign exchange outflow of $20 billion.
The KG-D 6 block (KG-DWN-98/3) was awarded to RIL under the National Exploration Licensing Policy (NELP)- I. In the venture , RIL holds 90 percent participation interest while Niko Resources Limited holds 10 percent. The block is located in the Bay of Bengal, 50 km off the Kakinada coast (Andhra Pradesh), at a depth of 8,000 feet. The company has commenced production within just over two years from the time of oil discovery , making KG-D6 one of the faster Greenfield deep water oil development projects in the world.
India’s current hydrocarbon oil and gas production is 1.3 million barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd). An initial flow of 5,000 barrels per day is expected to go up to 5,50,000 barrels of oil equivalent over the next six to eight quarters. 5,50,000 barrels per day of hydrocarbons can pump cooking gas to 100-200 million households. 2,000 engineers, technical and management personnel worked on the project.
The vessel employed in the project , Dhirubhai-1 is the first vessel of its kind in Indian waters and has the ability to operate in water depths of greater than 1,200 metres. The vessel boasts of a number of features which can help it withstand harsh sea conditions.
What makes RIL’s feat more special is the fact that production was achieved despite challenges such as harsh environment , lack of data, low seabed, severe temperature , supply-related problems and shortage of competent technicians. The company sources made it clear that the refinery would begin production in the next few months and gas production would commence from early 2009.

Tata’s Nano Moves From Singur To Sanand

Tata Group and the Gujarat Government on October 7, 2008 signed an agreement for production of Nano in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. The State Principal Secretary, Industries, Mr. Gauri Kumar, and Tata Group Managing Director Mr. Ravi Kant signed the documents in the presence of Mr. Ratan Tata and Chief Minister Mr. Narendra Modi . The agreement ended the speculation on the relocation of the project that had been marred by controversy since work began two years ago in Singur, West Bengal.
Tata has been allocated 1,100 acres at Chharodi and Charal villages in Sanand , just 25km. from Ahmedabad . The land was part of about 2,200 acres owned by the Gujarat Agricultural University for running a cattle from and experimental crop cultivation and cattle breeding . The land has been allocated to Tata Motors for the Nano small car project “at the prevailing market price” in the area.
The plant, to be set up at Sanand , will initially have an annual capacity of 2.50 lakh units , which will be expanded to 5 lakh units per year. Tata Group will invest Rs. 2,000 crore in the first phase of the project and the car is slated to roll out from the first quarter of 2009.
Mr. Modi and Mr. Tata described the agreement as “historic” and hoped that after the “unfortunate turmoil” the project underwent is Singur, it would now have a “smooth sailing”.
Earlier, Tata Motors announced its decision on October 3, 2008 to pull out of Singur in West Bengal. The decision was taken in the interests of the Nano small car project’s success and viability and in the light of the Opposition’s continued and heightened agitation .
The much-anticipated curtain to the project came after the Tata Group Chairman Mr. Ratan Tata met West Bengal’s Chief Minister, Mr. Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, who failed to convince the Trinamool Congress leader Ms. Mamata Banerjee to withdraw the farmers’ agitation on acquisition of land . The Chairman of the Tata Group ,Mr. Ratan Tata ,Said “we have taken the very regretful decision to move the Nano project out of West Bengal; we are left with no option”.
The Tata Group Chairman blamed Ms. Mamata for pushing him to take the pullout decision, two years after his tryst with the Nano Car factory in West Bengal began.

CIVIL ENGINEERING

PAPER- I
PART A :

ENGINEERING MECHANICS, STRENGTH OF MATERIALS AND STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS
Engineering mechanics- Unit and Dimensions, SI Units , Vectors, concept of Force, Concept of particle and rigid body . Concurrent , Non Concurrent and parallel forces in a plane, moment of force and Varignon’s theorem, free body diagram, conditions of equilibrium, Principle of virtual work, equivalent force system.
First and Second Moment o tares, Mass moment of Inertia.
Static Friction , Inclined Plane and bearings , Kinematics and Kinetics :
Kinematics in Cartesian and polar Co- ordinates, motion under uniform and nonuniform acceleration , motion under gravity . Kinetics of particle; Momentum and Energy principles , D’ Alembert’s Principle , Collision of elastic bodies , rotation of rigid bodies , simple harmonic motion, Flywheel.
Strength of materials- Simple stress and Strain, Elastic constants , axially loaded compression members, Shear force and bending moment , theory of simple bending , Shear Stress distribution across cross sections, Beams of uniform strength, Leaf spring . Strain Energy in direct stress, bending & shear.
Deflection of beams : Mecaulay’s method’s Moment area method, Conjugate beam method , unit load method . Torsion of Shafts, Transmission of power ,close coiled helical springs, Elastic stability of columns, Euler’s Rankine’s and Secant formulae. Principle Stresses and Strains in two dimensions , Mohr’s Circle, Theories of Elastic Failure, Thin and Thick cylinder : Stresses due to internal and external pressure Lames’ equations..
Structural analysis- Castiglianio’s theorems I and II, unit load . method of consistent deformation applied to beams and pin jointed trusses. Slope-deflection , moment distribution , kani’s method of analysis and column Analogy method applied to indeterminate beams and rigid frames.
Rolling loads and Influences lines : Influences lines for Shear Force and Bending moment at a section of beam. Criteria for maximum shear force and bending Moment in beam traversed by a system of moving loads. Influences lines for simple supported plane pin jointed trusses.
Arches : Three hinged, two hinged and fixed arches, rib shortening and temperature effects , influence lines in arches.
Matrix method of analysis- Force method and displacement method of analysis of indeterminate beams and rigid frames.
Plastic Analysis of beams and frames : Theory of plastic bending, plastic analysis, statical method, Mechanism method.
Unsymmetrical bending : Moment of inertia , product of inertia, position of Neutral Axis and Principle axes, calculation of bending stresses.
PART- B : DESIGN OF STRUCTURES : STEEL, CONCRETE AND MASONRY STRUCTURES.
STRUCTURAL STEEL DESIGN :
Structural Steel – Factors of safety and load factors. Rivetted , bolted and welded joints and connections . Design of tension and compression member, beams of built up section, rivetted and welded plate girders, gantry girders, stancheons with battens and lacings , slab and gussetted column bases.
Design of highway and railway bridges : Through and deck type plate girder, Warren girder, Pratt truss.

Design of concrete and masonry structures- Concept of mix design. Reinforced Concrete : Working Stress and Limit State method of design- Recommendations of I.S. codes Design of one way and two way slabs , stair- case slabs. Simple and continuous beams of rectangular, T and L sections. Compression members under direct load with or without eccentricity, Isolated and combined footings. Cantilever and Counterfort type retaining walls.
Water-tanks : Design requirements for Rectangular and circular tanks resting on ground.
Prestressed concrete : Methods and systems of prestressing, anchorages, Analysis and design of sections for flexure based on working stress, loss of prestress.
Design of brick masonry as per I.S. Codes design of masonry retaining walls.

PART-C : FLUID MECHANICS, OPEN CHANNEL , FLOW AND HYDRAULIC MACHINES
Fluid Mechanics – Fluid properties and their role in fluid motion, fluid statics including forces acting on plane and curve surfaces.
Kinematics and Dynamics of Fluid flow : Velocity and accelerations , stream lines, equation of continuity, irrotational and rotational flow, velocity potential and stream functions, flownet , methods of drawing flownet ,sources and sinjs , flov separation, frde and fnrced vorticds.
Bontrol volume equation, continuity , momentum, energy and moment of momentum equation from control volume equation , Navier-Stokes equation , Euler’s equation of motion, application to fluid flow problems, pipe flow , plane, curved , stationary and moving vanes, sluice gates, weirs, orifice meters and Venturi meters.
Dimensional Analysis and Similitude- Buckingham’s Pi-theorem, dimensionless parameters , similitude theory, model laws, undistorted and distorted models.
Laminar Flow- Laminar flow between parallel, stationary and moving plates, flow through tube.
Boundary layer- Laminar and turbulent boundary layer on a flat plate, laminar sublayer, smooth and rough boundaries , drag and lift.
Torbulent flow through pipes : Characteristics of turbulent flow, velocity distribution and variation of pipe friction factor, hydraulic grade line and total energy line, siphons , expansion and contractions in pipes, pipe network , water hammer in pipes and surge tanks.
Open channel flow- Tnifnrm and non-Tnifnrm flowr, mnmentum `nd energy correction factors, specific energy and specific force, critical depth, resistance equations and variation of roughness coefficient , rapidly varied flow , flow in contractions, flow at sudden drop, hydraulic jump and its applications surges and waves , gradually varied flow, classification of surface profiles , control section, step method of integration of varied flow equation , moving surges and hydraulic bore.
Hydraulic Machines and Hydropower-
Centrifugal pumps- Types, characteristics, Net Positive Suction Height (NPSH) , specifhc rpeed, Ptlps hn parallel.
Reciprocating pumps , Airvessels., Hydraulic ram, efficiency parameters, Rotary and positive displacement pumps, diaphragm and jet pumps.
Hydraulic turbines , types classification, Choice of turbines , performance parameters, controls, characteristics, specific speed.
Principles of hydropower development. Type, layouts and Component works. Surge tanks, types and choice . Flow duration curves and dependable flow. Storage an pondage. Pumped plants. Special features of mini, micro- hydel plants.
PART-D : GEO- TECHNICAL ENGINEERING
Types of soil, phase relationships , consistency limits particles size distribution , classifications of soil, structures and clay mineralogy .
Capillary water and structural water , effectives trees and pore water pressure , Darcy’s Law factors affecting permeability , determination of permeability , permeability of stratified soil deposits.
Seepage pressure , quick sand condition , compressibility and consolidation, Terzaghi’s theory of one dimensional consnlid`tion ,cnnsolhdathon test.
Cnlpabtion of roil, fhdld bontrol of compaction . Total stress and effective stress parameters, pore pressure coefficients.
Shear strength of soil , Mohr Coulomb failure theory , Shear tests.
Earth pressure at rest , active and passive pressures, Rankine’s theory, Coulomb’s wedge theory , earth pressure on retaining wall, sheetpile walls , Braced excavation.
Bearing capacity, Terzaghi and other hmportant , net `nd frosr be`rinf prdssure.
Immediate and consolidation settlement.
Stability of slope . Total Stress and Effective Stress methods, Conventional methods of slices , stability number.
Subsurface exploration , methods of boring , sampling, penetration tests, pressure meter tests.
Essential features of foundation, types of foundation , design criteria, choice of type of foundation, stress distribution in soils, Boussinessq’s theory, Newmarks’s chart , pressure bulb, contact pressure , applicability of different bearing capacity theories , evaluation of bearing capacity frol fhdld testr allow`ble bearhng bap`bitx . Rdttldment an`lyrhs , allowable settlement.
Proportioning of footing , isolated and combined footings , rafts, buoyancy rafts , pile foundation , type of piles, pile capacity , static and dynamic analysis , design of pile groups , pile load test, settlement of piles, lateral capacity . Foundation for Bridges. Ground Improvement techniques preloading, sand drains , stone column, grouting ,soil stabilization.
PAPER- II
PART-A : CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY , EQUIPMENT , PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT
Construction Technology :
Engineering Materials- Physical properties nf construction materials : Stones, Bricks and Tiles ; Lime, Cement and Surkhi Mortars : Lime Concrete and Cement Concrete ,Properties of freshly mixed and hardened concrete, Flooring Tiles , use of ferso- cement- reinforced and polymer concrete. High strength concrete and light weight concrete. Timber : Properties and uses; defects in timber-seasoning and preservation of timber. Plastics, rubber and damp-proofing materials, termite proofing Materials, for Low cost housing.
1.Costruction- Building components and their functions;
Brick masonry : Bonds, jointing . Stone masonry . Design of Brick masonry walls as per I.S codes , factors of safety , serviceability and strength requirements; plastering , pointing . Types of Floors & Roofs. Ventilators, Repairs in buildings.
Functional planning of building : Building orientation, circulation, grouping of areas, privaby concept and design of energy efficient building ; provisions of National Building code. Building code . Building estimates and specifications; Cost of works; valuation.
2.Construction Equipment- Standard and special types of equipment , Preventive maintenance and repair , factors affecting the selection of equipment , economical life , time and motion study , capital and maintenance cost.
Concreting equipments- Weight batcher, mixer, vibration, batching plant, Concrete pump.
Earth- work equipment- Power shovel hoe, bulldozer ,dumper, trailors, and tractors, rollers, sheep foot roller.
3. Construction Planning and Management- Construction activity, schedules, job layout , bar charts. Organization of contracting firms, project control and supervision . Cost reduction measures.
Network analysis- CPM and PERT analysis , Float Times, cashing of activities , contraction of network for cost optimization , updating , Cost analysis and resource allocation.
Elements of Engineering Economics , methods of appraisal , present worth, annual cost, benefit- cost , incremental analysis , Economy of scale and size. Choosing between alternatives including levels of investments. Project profitability.
PART-B : SURVEY AND TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING
Survey- Common methods of distance and angle measurements , plane table survey, leveling traverse survey, triangulation survey, corrections, and adjustments , contouring , topographical map. Surveying instruments for above purposes . Technometry , Circular and transition curves. Principles of photogrammetry.
Railways- Permanent way, sleepers r`hl f`stdninfr , ball`st , pnhntr and crnrsinfs , derhgn nf ttrn outs , stations and yards , turntables, signals, and interlocking ,level- crossing. Construction and maintenance of permanent ways : Superelevation , creep of rail , ruling gradient , track resistance, tractive effort, relaying of track.
Highway Engineering- Principles of highway planning ,Highway alignments. Geometrical design : Cross section , camber, superelevation, horizontal and vertical curves. classification of roads : low cost roads , flexible pavements rigid pavements . Design of pavements and their construction , evaluation of pavement failure and strengthening .
Drainage of roads : Surface and sub – surface drainage.
Traffic Engineering- Forecasting techniques, origin and destination survey, , highway capacity. Channelised and unchannelisd intersections, rotary design elements markings, sign , signals, sureet lighting ; Traffic surveys . Principle of highway financing .
PART- C : HYDROLOGY , WATER RESOURCES AND ENGINEERING
Hydrology- Hydrological cycle, precipitation, evaporation , transpiration , depression storage, infiltration, overland flow, hydrograph, flood frequency analysis , flood estimation , flood routing through a reservoir, channel flow routing- Muskingam method .
Ground water flow- Specific yield, storage coefficient, coefficient of permeability , confined and unconfined equifers , aquifers , aquitards , radial flow into a well under confined and unconfined conditions , tube wells , pumping and recuperation tests ,ground water potential.
Water Resources Engineering – Ground and surface water resource, single and multipurpose projects, storage capacity of reservoirs , reservoir losses, reservoir sedimentation , economics of water resources projects.
Irrigation Engineering- Water requirements of crops: consumptive use, quality of water for irrigation , duty and delta, irrigation methods and their efficiencies.
Canals- Distribution system for canal irrigation , canal capacity ,canal losses, alignment of main and dhrtrhbutnry b`nalr mnrt dffibhent sebtion, lhned ban`ls , their design, regime theory, critical shear ,bed load , local and suspended load transport , cost analysis of lined and unlied canals drainage behind lining.
Water logging- Causes and control , drainage system design, salinity.
Canal structures- Design of cross regulators , head regulators , canal falls, aqueducts , metering flumes and canal outlets.
Diversion head work : Principles and design of weirs of permeable and impermeable foundation , Khosla’s theory, energy dissipation , stilling basin, sediment excluders.
Storage works- Type of dams, design, principles of rigid gravity and earth dams, stability analysis , foundation treatment , joints and galleries, control of seepage.
Spillways- Spillway types, crest gates, energy dissipation.
River training- Objectives of river training ,methods of river training.
PART- D : ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING
Water Supply- Estimation of surface and sub- surface water resources, predicting demand for water , impurities nf water and their significance, physical, chemical and bacteriological analysis waterborne diseases, standards for potable water.
Intake of water- Pumping and gravity schemes. Water treatment : principle of coagulation ,flocculation and sedimentation ; slow; rapid-, pressure , filters; chlorination, softening , removal of taste , odour and salinity.
Water storage and distribution- Storage and balancing reservoirs : types , location and capacity . Distribution system : layout , hydraulics of pipe lines, pipes fittings , values including check and pressure reducing values, meters, analysis of distribution system, leak detection , maintenance of distribution systems, pumping stations and their operations.
Sewerage systems- Domestic and industrial wastes, storm sew age-separate and combined systems , flow through sewers, design of sewers, sewer appurtenances , manholes, inlets, junctions , siphon, Plumbing in public buildings.
Sewage characterization – BOD, COD, solids, dissolved oxygen, nitrogen and TOC, Standards of disposal in normal water course and on land.
Sewage treatment- Working principles , units , chambers, sedimentation tanks, trickling fillers, oxidation ponds, activated sludge process, septic tank, disposal of sludge, recyling of waste water.
Solid waste- Collection and disposal in rural and urban contexts. Management of long-term ill-effects.Environmental pollution- Sustainable development. Radioactive wastes and disposal . Environmental impact assessment for thermal power plants, mines, river valley projects. Air pollution. Pollution control acts.

BANK OF MAHARASHTRA PROBATIONARY OFFICERS EXAM., 2008

General Awareness


1. The Govt. of India has taken a decision to open three more IITs during the year 2008-09. These IIts will be in which of the following groups of States?

(A) Bihar, Rajasthan , Andhra Pradesh

(B) Karnataka Pradesh, Orissa, Karnataka

(C) Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala

(D) Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar

(E) None of these

2. Which of the followinf is / are nnt the hhghlhghtr of the Uninn Btdget 2008-08 ?

1. @ Risk Capital Fund is to be set up and maintained by one of the financial institutes.

2. Allocation for Defence is reduced by 10% to make it Rs. 10,000 crore.

3.Several new schemes to be introduced for providing social security to the people in unorganized sectors.

(A) Only 1
(B) Only 2

(C) Only 3
(D) Both 1 and 2

(E) All 1,2 and 3

3. To help farming community the Govt. of India has decided to raise the Minimum support price of paddy for current Kharif marketing season. What is that price?

(A) Rs . 800 per quintal

(B) Rs. 900 per quintal

(C) Rs. 950 per quintal

(D) Rs. 1200 per quintal

(E) None of these

4. Which of the following is the correct definition of the term commercial papers ?

1. It is nothing but the popular name of the Judicial stamp papers used to register financial transactions.

2. It is one of the instruments through which Corporates raise debt from the market.

3. It is the name of the ‘Certificate of Deposits’ provided by the Banks to its retail customers.

(A) Only 1
(B) Only 2

(C) Only 3
(D) Both 1 and 2

(E) All 1,2 and 3

5. As per the decision taken by the Govt. of India two financial inclusion funds are set up with an overall corpus of Rs. 500 crore each. These funds- Financial Inclusion Technology Fund are to be set up by the initial contribution made by the….

(A) SIDBI, NABARD and UTI

(B) NABARD , UTI and RBI

(C) Govt. of India, NABARD and RBI

(D) SIDBI , Govt. of India and IDBI Bank

(E) None of these

6. As per the Railway Budget 2008-09 the Operating ratio of Railways is pitched at which of the following levels? Approximately…

(A) 70 %
(B) 75 %

(C) 98 %
(D) 90 %

(E) 81 %

7. As per the Govt. Policy the provision of the subsidy for interest subvention to co-operative Sugar Mills is done by which of the following agencies / organizations ?

(A) Commission for Agricultural costs and prices

(B) National Bank for Agricultural and Rural Deveopment

(C) Ministry of Agriculture

(D) National Commission on Farmers

(E) None of these

8. Bankr thdse days havd latnchdd a new scheme prodtct known as a Reverse Mortgage The scheme is designed keeping which of the following groups of society in consideration ?
(A) Youngsters who have just started earning

(B) Defence personnel whose life is always at high risk

(C) Senior Citizen

(D) Women who do not have independent source of income

(E) None of these

9. As per the new figures released in recent past what has been the ratio of taxes to Gross Domestic Product (Tax- GDP) in 2007-08 ?

(A) 8 %
(B) 9 %

(C) 10 %
(D) 11.5 %

(E) 12.5 %

10. Many a times we read in the newspapers a term ‘Hot Money’ Which of the following is the correct definition of Hot Money?

1. This is the fund which is dumped into a country to get the advantage of a favourable interest rate and hence brings higher returns.

2. This is the fund which is provided by a bank in US $ at very short notice and at a very high rate of interest and for a longer period of repayment.

3. This is the fund which is pushed into market through Hawala or some other such illegal methods and sometimes referred also as Black Money.

(A) Only 1 is correct

(B) Both 1 and 2 are correct

(C) Only 3 is correct

(D) Both 1 and 3 are true

(E) Only 2 is correct

11. As per the report released in the press the Govt. of India has done a study on Special Economics Zones. Which of the following is / are the highlights of the reports?

1. Report says that SEZs should not be given much preference by the policy makers.

2. Study says that the end benefit in the next few years may be of the true of Rs. 1,50,000 crores which will be much higher than the estimated revenue losses.
3. Since new SEZs are developed by the Private Sector the investment for infrastructural development is like a net saving for the Govt.

(A) Only 1

(B) Only 2

(C) Both 1 and 2

(D) Only 3

(E) All 1,2 and 3

12. As per the new figures released by the Govt. agencies the Foreign Direct Investment inflow to India is at higher level and has increased substantially in recent past.

Which of the following is/ are the contributory factors which has/ have helped in this record growth?

1. Progressive delicensing of various sectors.

2. Simplification of business procedures in India.

3. Sub Prime crisis in USA.

(F) Only 1

(G) Only 2

(H) Both 1 and 2

(I) Only 3

(J) All 1,2 and 3

13. Which of the following Companies has got “Navratna Status’ recently?

(A) National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC)

(B) National Textile Corporation (NTC)

(C) Maruti Udyog Ltd

(D) IDBI Bank Ltd

(E) None of these

14. The real return to the investor sometimes gets reduced due to sudden rise in the prices of the commodities. This phenomenon in financial market is know as….

(A) Market rick

(B) Inflation rick

(C) Credit rick

(D) Diversification of funds

(E) None of these

15. In the recent times the RBI and Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) have taken various steps to control the flow of capital in Indian economy. Which of the following is/ are not included in these step(s)?

1. Guidelines are issued to restrict unregulated overseas investors through ‘P- notes’.

2. Rs. 60,000 crores out of this fund is being provided to waive the loans on farmers.

3. Borrowers raising external commercial borrowings of over $ 20 million would have to park the proceeds overseas for use as foreign currency expenditure.

(A) Only 1
(B) Only 2

(C) Only 3
(D) Both 1 and 3

(E) All 1,2 and 3

16. Which of the following countries has recently made an agreement with the World Trade Organization which will allow it to join the same as a permanent member?

(A) Russia
(B) Afghanistan

(C) Zambia
(D) Uganda

(E) Ukraine

17. Prime Minister of India on his visit to China a few months back signed a detailed agreement with the same. What is/are the major highlights of the agreement?

1. Both the countries agreed to continue high level exchange of views. Indian President is invited to China.

2. India to host joint military exercise in 2008.

3. India has decided to raise the issue of Tibet in UNO. China has agreed for the same.

(A)Only 1

(B)Only 2

(C)Both 1 and 2

(D) Only 3

(E) All 1,2 and 3

18. As per the reports in the leading newspapers Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has asked the Mutual Fund industry to stop ‘Misselling’ their schemes to investors. What is ‘Misselling’ of products /

1. Misselling takes place when mutual funds are sold without telling the likely returns.

2. When agents sell the products without telling investors what are the risks involved in investing in mutual funds.

3. When agents invest somebody’s money in mutual funds without their knowledge it is called misselling..

(A) Only 1
(B) Only 2

(C) Only 3
(D) All 1,2 and 3

(E) None of these

19. As per the news report SEBI has allowed short selling by Fls/MFs from February 1, 2008. What is ‘short selling?

1. Selling of shares that the seller does not own at the time of trading.

2. Selling of shares on the same day or on the day they were allotted to the trader.

3. Selling of shares on a much lower price due to turbulent market situations.

(A) Only 1
(B) Only 2

(C) Only 3
(D) All 1,2 and 3

(E) None of these

20.Which of the following countries is governed by theNorweigian-mediated ceasefire Agreement to end its dispute with a group of rebellions?

(A) Nepal

(B) Myanmar

(C) Afghanistan

(D) Sri Lanka

(E) None of these

21. The USA, as reported in the leading newspapers is proceeding towards’ recession’ What happens when an economy goes in the grip of ‘recession’?

1. GDP growth slows down.

2. People lose their jobs.

3. Foreign exchange reserve goes up substantially as lot of loans/ grants start pouring in.

(A) Only 1
(B) Only 2

(C) Only 3
(D) Only 1 and 2

(E) None of these

22. The Sensitive Index of the Bombay Stock Exchange keeps on changing positively and negatively both. Which of the following is/are the main reasons which contribute for this sudden change in the same?

1. Higher GDP Growth.

2. Continuous Foreign Funds Flow.

3. High Volume of Forex Reserves.

4. Recession in USA.

(A)Only 1 and 2

(B)Only 2 and 3

(C)Only 3 and 4

(D)Only 2

(E)All 1,2,3 and 4

23. The Jerusalem and Palestine made an agreement on their peace negotiations . Which of the following is/ are the points included in the agreement?

1. There should be an end to the occupation that began in 1967.

2. The agreement must establish Palestine as a homeland for the Palestinian people just as Israel is the homeland for Jewish people.

3. All the disputes should be solved with the mutual talks only and in presence of US Observers.

(A) Only 1
(B) Only 2

(C) Only 3
(D) Both 1 and 2

(E) None of these

24. Who amongst the following agreed to supply aircraft carrier Gorshkov to India for its defence services?

(A) Russia
(B) France

(C) Germany
(D) Italy

(E) None of these

25. The Govt. of India has decided to set up a Committee to redraft Right to Education Bill 2005. What was/ were the objection(s) owing to which Govt. has to redraft the bill?

1. State Governments are required to spend more money on education. Since education is the responsibility of centre and state both expenditure should be shared equally by both of them.

2. States were advised to ensure that a school is available at the distance of one km for each child.

3. Children in Central schools are not allowed to get free education whereas schools run by States were asked to ensure that.

(A) Only 1
(B) Only 2

(C) Only 3
(D) Both 1 and 2

(E) All 1,2 and 3

26. As per newspaper report out-sourcing has become a profitable business in India and countries like China are trying to learn about it from India. What are the main factors

Which has/ have helped India in attaining this position?

1. Availability of skilled manpower in abundance.

2. Knowledge of English language.

3. A switch over from farming to other sectors which are creating more job opportunities.

(A)Only 1

(B)Only 2

(C)Both 1 and 2

(D) Only 3

(E) All 1,2 and 3

27. Who amongst the following established the ‘Anandvan’ a rehabilitation centre for Leprosy patients in Maharashra?

(A) Baba Amte

(B) Pandurang Shashtri Athawle

(C) Medha Patkar

(D) Asaram Babu

(E) None of these

28. Thaksin Shinawatra’s name is associated with which of the following countries?

(A) Singapore

(B) Thailand

(C) North Korea

(D) South Korea

(E) None of these

29. Bhupen Hazarika is the recipient of the Life Time Achievement Award and is provided the status of a Cabinet Minister. Which of the following State Govt. has honoured him in this manner?

(A) Orissa

(B) Assam

(C) West Bengal

(D) Maharashtra

(E) None of these

30. The first ever Youth Olympic Games are scheduled to be held in 2010. These games will be organized in….

(A) Moscow

(B) New Delhi

(C) Kuala Lumpur

(D) None of these

31. Who amongst the following has taken over as the President of Serbia?

(A) Raul Castro

(B) Steven Spielberg

(C) Boris Tadic

(D) Joes Manuel Ramos Horta

(E) None of these

32. International Desert Festival 2008 was organized in February 2008 in….

(A) Bhuj
(B) Ganganagar

(C) Bikaner
(D) Jaiselmer

(E) None of these

33. Who amongst the following is the recipient of the Kishore Kumar Award given by the Madhya Pradesh Govt?

(A) Shabana Azmi

(B) Amitabh Bachchan

(C) Dev Anand

(E) None of these

34. The Under 19 Cricket World Cup 2008 was won by which of the following teams?

(A) Malaysia
(B) India

(C) Pakistan
(D) Australia

(E) England

35. Why was the name of Anatolyevich Medvedev in news recently?

(A) He has taken over as the President of Russia

(B) He has taken over as the Prime Minister of Russia

(C) He is the new President of South Korea

(D) He is the new Prime Minister of South Korea

(E) None of these

36. Who amongst the following was the Chief Guest in India’s Republic Day function?

(A) Samak Sundaravej

(B) Gordon Brown

(C) Boris Tadic

(D) Nicolas Sarkozy

(E) None of these

37. The General Elections in Iran are due in 2008. Iran elects its Parliament for a period of….

(A) 2 years only

(B) 3 years only

(C) 4 years only

(D) 5 years only

(E) 6 years only

38. Which of the following states tops in primary, upper primary education in India?

(A) Tamil Nadu

(B) Haryana

(C) Gujarat

(D) Kerala

(E) None of these

39. Which of the following is the recipient of Padma Vibhushan given away recently?

(A) Anu Malik

(B) Shan

(C) Asha Bhosle

(D) Sonu Nigam

(E) None of these

40.Luciana Aymar who was adjudged the World Hockey Player 2007is from which of the following countries?

(A) Germany
(B) Argentina

(C) Italy
(D) Russia

(E) None of these

41. Which of the following State Governments has decided to provide ownership Rights to Tribals over forest land being cultivated by them since last 10 yeaars.

(A) Madhya Pradesh

(B) Uttar Pradesh

(C) Andhra Pradesh

(D) None of these

42. Who amongst the following players has completed 16000 runs in One day International Cricket matches recently ?

(A) Anil Kumble

(B) Rahul Dravid

(C) Sourav Ganguly

(D) Irfan Pathan

(E) Sachin Tendulkar

43. The 11th Five Year Plan wishes to raise the existing 2% growth in agriculture and allied activities to which of the following levels by the year 2012?

(A) 8%
(B) 6%

(C) 5%
(D) 4%

(E) None of these

44. As a policy the Reserve B`nk nf India wishes to cnntahn inflation at vhich of the following levels?

(A) 5%
(B) 4.5%

(C) 4%
(D) 6%

(E) None of these

45. The current trend in Agricultural sector in India is a matter of concern for the policy makers these days as it is not showing the expected result . What is /are the major areas of problem (s) being faced by the farmers?

1. Irrigation facilities are not enough.

2. Use of chemical fertilizers has badly affected the fertility of the land.

3. Govt. has reduced the subsidy in the farming sector. Hence it is no more a profitable activity.

(A) Only 1
(B) Only 2

(C) Only 3
(D) All 1,2 and 3

(E) None of these

46. Which of the following committees recommended the revival of Cooperative Credit institutions in states?

(A) Vaidyanathan Committee

(B) Rangarajan Committee

(C) Sachchar Committee

(D) Rakesh Mohan Committee

(E) None of these

47. ‘World Day for Water’ is observed on which of the following days?

(A) March 22

(B) February 22

(C) January 22

(D) May 22

(E) None of these

48. As we all know Chinese economy is a booming economy and its exports have played a significant role in it. What was the share of China’s export as compared to its GDP in 2007?

(A) 20%
(B) 30%

(C)40%
(D) 50%

(E) None of these

49. Delhi won the Ranji Trophy for the seventh time in January 2008 by defeating ….

(A) Railways

(B) Haryana

(C) Maharashtra

(D) Gujarat

(E) Uttar Pradesh

50. Gagan Narang, who got a silver medal in an international championship held in Munich, is a / an….

(A) 100 metre runner

(B) Badminton player

(C) Chess player

(D) Swimmer

(E) Air Rifle shooter

Answers with Hints

1. (A)
2. (B) The amount allocated for defence in 2008-09 budget is Rs. 1,05,600 crore which is higher than that in 2007 -08 budget.
3. (E) The purchase price recommended by CACP for the crop year 2008-09 for general category rice is Rs. 1000 per quintal and for A- Grade is Rs. 1,050 per quintal.
4. (B) 5. (C)
6.(E) The operating ratio has been determined at 81.4% in the budget for 2008-09.
7. (B)
8. (C) Reverse Mortgage Scheme is designed for Reninr Chtizdn.
8. (D) 10. (@) 10. (B) 12. (B)
03. (A) National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC) a public sector company won assigned the status of a Navratna Company in January 2008.
14. (B) 15. (E)
16. (E) Ukraine is the 152nd member of World Trade Organization.
17. (C) 18. (B) 19. (A) 20.(D) 21. (D) 22.(B) 23. (D) 24. (A) 25. (B) 26. (C) 27. (A) 28. (B) 29. (B)
30. (E) A first ever Youth Olympic Game are scheduled to be held in 2010 in Singapore.
31. (C) 32. (D) 33. (C) 34. (B) 35. (A) 36. (D) 37. (C) 38. (D) 39. (C)
40. (B) Luciana Paula Aymar is an Argentina field hockey professional . She has been compared with Argentina football (Soccer) legend Diego Maradona. She was adjudged the FIH World’s Hockey Player of the year 2007.
41. (A) 42. (E) 43. (D) 44. (A) 45. (A) 46. (A) 47. (A) 48. (C) 49. (E) 50. (E)

CHEMISTRY

PAPER-I
1.Atomic structure- Quantum theory , Heisenberg’s uncertainity principle, Schrodinger wave equation (time independent). Interpretation of wave function , particle in one – dimensional box, quantum numbers , hydrogen atom wave functions . Shapes of s, p and d orbitals .
2.Chemical bonding – Ionic bond, characteristics of ionic compounds, factors affecting stability of ionic compounds, lattice energy, Born – Haber cycle; covalent bond and its general characteristics , polarities of bonds in molecules and their dipole moments. Valence bond theory , concept of resonance and resonance energx. Mnlectlar orbhtal thenry (LCAN method(; bnnding in holonuclear molecular ; H2 +,H2 to Ne2, NO, CO, HF , CN , CN-, BeH2 and CO2 . Comparision of valence bond and molecular orbital theories, bond order , bond strength and bond length.
Solid State – Forms of solids , laws of constancy of interfacial angles, crystal systems and crystal classes (crystallographic groups). Designation of crystal faces, lattice structures and unit cell . Laws of rational indices. Bragg’s law . X-ray diffraction by crystals . Close packing , radious ratio rules , calculation of some limiting radius ratio values . Structures of NaCl, Zns, CsCl, CaF2, Cdl2 , and rutile . Imperfection in crystals , stoichiometric and nonstoichiometric defects , impurity defects , semi- conductors. Elementary study of liquid crystals.
4.The gaseous state – Equation of state for real gases, intermolecular interactions, liquefication of gases and critical phenomena , Maxwell’s distribution of speeds , intermolecular collisions , collisions on the wall and effusion .
5.Thermodynamics and statistical thermodynamics – Thermodynamic systems, states and processes , work , heat and internal energy; first law of thermodynamics, work done on the systems and heat absorbed in different types of processes; calorimetry, energy and enthalpy changes in various processes and their temperature dependence.
Second law of thermodynamics; entropy as a state function , entropy changes in various process, entropy – reversibility and irreversibility , Free energy functions; criteria for equilibrium, relation between equilibrium constant and thermodynamic quantities; Nernst heat theorem and third law of thermodynamics.
Micro and macro states; canonical ensemble and canonical partition function; electronic, rotational and vibrational partition functions and thermodynamic quantities; chemical equilibrium in ideal gas reactions.
6.Phase equilibria and solutions- Phase equilibria in pure substances; Clausius- Clapeyron equation; phase diagram for a pure substance; Phase equilibria in binary systems, partially miscible liquids- upper and lower critical solution temperatures; partial molar quantities , their significance and determination; excess thermodynamic functions and their determination.
7.Electrochemistry- Debye- Hucket theory of strong electrolytes and Debye- Huckel limiting Law for various equilibrium and transport properties .
Galvanic cells, concentration cells; electrochemical series, measurement of e.m.f. ofcell and its applications fuel cells and batteries.
Processes at electrodes; double layer at the interface; rate of change transfer , current density; overpotential ; electroanalytical techniques- voltameter , polarography, amperometry , cyclic- voltametry , ion selective electrodes and their use.
8.Chemical kinetics- Concentration dependence of rate of reaction; differential and integral rate equations for zeroth, first, second and fractional order reactions. Rate equations involving reverse, parallel, consecutive and chain reactions; effect of temperature and pressure on rate constant . Study of fast reactions by stop flow and relaxation methods. Collisions and transition state theories.
9.Photochemistry- Absorption of light; decay of excited state by different routes; photochemical reactions between hydrogen and halogens and their quantum yields.
10.Surface phenomena and catalysis- Adsorption from gases and solutions on solid adsorbents , adsorption isotherms Langmuir and B.E.T. isotherms; determination of surface area, characteristics and mechanism of reaction on heterogeneous catalysts.
11.Bio- inorganic chemistry – Metal ions in biological systems and their role in ion- transport across the membranes (molecular mechanism), ionophores, photosynthesis – PSI, PSII; nitrogen fixation, oxygen- uptake proteins , cytochromes and ferredoxins.
12.Co- ordination chemistry – (a) Electronic configurations; introduction to theories of bonding in transition metal complexes . Valence bond theory ,crystal field theory and its modifications ; applications of theories in the explanation of magnetism and electronic spactra of metal complexes.
(b) Isomerism in coordination compounds; IUPAC nomenclature of coordination compounds; stereochemistry of complexes with 4 and 6 coordination number ; chelate effect and polynuclear complexes; trans effect and its theories; kinetic of substitution reactions in square- planar complexes; thermodynamic and kinetic stability of complexes.
(C) Synthesis and structures of metal carbonyls; carboxylate anions, carbony 1 hydrides and metal nitrosy1 complexes.
(d) Complexes with aromatic systems, synthesis , structure and bonding in metal olefin complexes, alkyne complexes and cyclopentadieny1 complexes ; coordinative unsaturation , oxidative addition reactions, insertion reactions, fluxional molecules and their characterization . Compounds with metal- metal bonds and metal atom clusters.
13. General chemistry of ‘f’ block elements- Lanthanides and actinides; separation , Oxidation states, magnetic and spectral properties; lanthanide contraction.
14. Non- Aqueous Solvents- Reactions in liquid NH3 , HF, SO2 and H2SO4.
Failure of solvent system concept , coordination model of non- aqueous solvents. Some highly acidic media, fluorosulphuric acid and super acids.
PAPER- II
1.Delocalised covalent bonding – Aromaticity, anti- aromaticity; Annulenes, azulenes, tropolones, kekulene, fulvenes, sydnones.
2.(a) Reaction mechanisms- General methods (both kinetic and non- kinetic of study of mebhanhsm nr organhc rdacthons illtstr`ted by dxamples- use of isotopes, cross- over experiment , intermediate trapping, stereochemistry ; energy diagrams of simple organic reactions- transition states and intermediates; energy of activation ; thermodynamic control and kinetic control of reactions.
(b) Reactive intermediates- Generation , geometry, stability and reactions of carbonium and carbonium ions, carbanions , free radicals, carbenes, benzynes and niternes.
(c) Substitution reactions- SNI, SN2, SNi, SN1, SN2, SNi and SRN1 mechanisms; neighbouring group participation; electrophilic and nucleophilic reactions of aromatic compound including simple heterocyclic compounds- pyrrole, furan thiophene , indole.
(d) Elimination reactions- E1, E2 and E1 cb mechanism; orientation in E2 reactions- Saytzeff and Hoffmann; pyrolytic syn elimination- acetate pyrolysis, Chugaev and Cope eliminations.
(e) Addition reactions- Electrophilic addition to C.= C and C= C; nucleophilic addition to C= O, C=N, conjugated olefins and carbonyls.
(f) Rearrangements- Pinacol- pinacolune , Hoffmann, Beckmann, Baeyer- Villiger , Favorskii, Fries, Claisen, Cope, Stevens and Wagner- Meerwein rearrangements.
3. Pericyclic reactions- classification and examples , woodward- Hoffmann rules- electrocyclic reaction, cycloddition reaction s (2+2 and 4+2) and sigmatropic shifts (1,3,3,3and 1,5)FMO approach.
4. Chemistry and mechanism of reactions- Aldol condensation (including directed aldol condensation), Claisen condensation, Dieckmann, Perkin, Knoevenagel, Witting, Clemmensen, Wolff-Kishner, Cannizzaro and von Richter reactions; Stobbe , benzoin and acyloin condensations; Fischer indole synthesis, Skraup, synthesis, Bischler- Napieralski , Sandmeyer, Reimer- Tiemann and Reformatsky reactions.
5. Polymeric Systems- (a) Physical chemistry of polymers- Polymer solutions and their thermodynamic properties; number and weight average molecular weights of polymers. Determination of molecular weights by sedimentation , light scattering, osmntic prersurd , viscnsitx , dnd froup an`lyshs mdthods.
(b) Preparation and properties of polymers- Organic polymers – polyethylene , polystyrene, polyvinyl 1 chloride, Teflon, nylon, terylene, synthetic and natural rubber. Inorganic polymers- phoshonitrilic halides, borazines, silicones and silicates.
(c) Biopolymers- Basic bonding in proteins , DNA and RNA.
6. Synthetic uses of reagents- OsO4, HIO4, CrO3, Pb(OAc)4, SeO2, NBS, B2H6, Na- Liquid NH3, LiA1H4 NaBH4n-Buli, MCPBA.
7. Photochemist- Photochemical reactions of simple organic compounds, excited and ground states , singlet and triplet states, Norrish- Type I and Type II reaction .
8. Principles of spectroscopy and applications in structure elucidation
(a) Rotational spectra- Diatomic molecules; isotopic substitution and rotational constants.
(b) Vibrational spectra – Diatomic molecules, linear triatomic mole- cules, specific frequencies of functional groups in polyatomic molecules.
(c) Electronic spectra- Singlet and triplet states. N-> ^* and ^ ->^* transitions; applications to conjugated double bond and conjugated carbonyls – Woodward- Fieser rules.
(d) Nuclear magnetic resonance- Isochronous and anisochronous protons; chemical shift and coupling constants; Applications of H’ NMR to simple organic molecules.
(e) Mass spectra- Parent peak , base peak, daughter peak, metastable peak, fragmentation of simple organic molecules, a cleavage , McLafferty rearrangement.
(f) Electron spin resonance- Inorganic complexes and free radicals.