BANK OF MAHARASHTRA PROBATIONARY OFFICERS EXAM., 2008
0 comments1. 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
0 comments1.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.
Nanavati Commision Says Godhra Train Carnage A Conspiracy
0 commentsThe 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.
1. Not deliberately inflicted, but accidental
2. 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
INDIAN ECONOMY
0 commentsGrowth Hit, Market Plunges
(Essential Reading material for Civil Services General Studies Paper- I & II and extremely useful for MBA and other Competitive Examinations, Group Discussion and Interviews.)
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".