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ANCIENT INDIA
History is a record of time. Ages have come and brought with them their foundations and ruins. The
study of Ancient India begins with the study of the Stone Age.
1. Stone Age
The Stone Age, or the stages of early man can be classified into:
Paleolithic Age This period was essentially the stage of hunters and food gatherers. They
used crude tools made of flakes. They had no knowledge of cultivation and house building.
They lived on roots and fruits. By the end of the Paleolithic Age, the flint industry came up. The
important development of this age was the emergence of Homo-Sapiens.
Mesolithic Age This age was the transition between the Paleolithic & the Neolithic Ages.
Mesolithic people lived on hunting, fishing and food gathering. At a later stage, they domesticated
animals. They used microlith - a small raw-stone tools.
Neolithic Age - These people used tools and implements of polished stone. They particularly used
stone axes. Parashurama became an important axe-wielding hero. Dwelling pits, ceramics, a variety of
stone and bone tools and a complete absence of microliths marked this age. Cattle, sheep and goat
were domesticated. Men became food producer.
2. Chalcolithic Age
Copper was the first metal used by men.
3. Indus Valley Civilization
The most important event of ancient Indian history was the development of Indus Valley Civilization.
This Civilization prospered on the banks of river Indus. It extended from Jammu in the North to
Daimabad in the South, and covered various regions of Gujarat. The main sites which have been
found in the excavation are:
Kalibangan in Rajasthan
Lothal in Gujarat (Sea Port)
Banwali in Haryana
Ropar in Punjab.
Mohenjodaro in Pakistan (Great Bath)
The Indus Valley Civilization existed between 2350 BC and 1750 BC. The main cities associated
with the civilization were Harappa, Mohenjo-Daro and Lothal. The main feature of this
civilization was Town Planning. They had great buildings, well-planned roads, cities and drainage
GENERAL AWARENESS 5
systems. Trade and agriculture were the main sources of livelihood for the people. The people
of Indus Valley were the first to produce cotton. Mother Goddess was the most important deity
of worship. Wheat was the main food crops. They did not know about Iron.
4. Vedic Period
This period is marked by the entry of the Aryans, who were originally inhabitants of Central Asia
around the Caspian Sea and probably came through the Hindu Kush Mountains. The period in
which they existed was between 1500-600 BC.
The Main Features of the Aryans were:
i) They were admirers of nature and worshipped the Sun, Fire and Water.
ii) Indra was an important deity for the Aryans.
iii) Metal iron was used for the first time during this period in 1000 BC.
iv) Sanskrit was first time introduced in India by Aryans.
The following religious books were written during this period:
i) Vedas: These were their most sacred books.
They were four in number, viz. :
a) Rig Veda The oldest, and it contained prayers of God, Vayu, Varun, Indra and Agni.
b) Sam Veda It dealt with music.
c) Yajur Veda It dealt with formulae, sacrifices and rituals.
d) Atharva Veda It dealt with medicines.
ii) The Upanishads: They are the foundation stones of Indian Philosophy and are 108 in numbers.
Satyameva Jayate (Truth Alone Triumphs) is taken from Mundaka Upanishad.
5. Rise of Religions
The two major religions that came into prominence after the vedic period:
i) Buddhism - Initiated by a Kshatriya prince of the Shakya clan, Siddhartha, (who later came to
be known as Buddha) around 6th century BC. Siddhartha was born in 567 BC at Lumbini in
Kapilavastu (present day Nepal). He was the son of king Shuddhodana. He went in search of truth
and attained enlightenment under a pipal tree at Bodh Gaya, and delivered his first sermons at
Sarnath in U.P. He died at Kushinagar in U.P.
The main Buddhist teachings of the eightfold path of
right faith
thought
GENERAL AWARENESS 6
action
livelihood
efforts
speech
remembrance and concentration
belief in nirvana (freedom from the cycle of birth and death)
Ahimsa and law of karma were recorded in Triptikas, the religious book of Buddhists.
ii) Jainism - Initiated by Rishabha Dava (a Kshatriya prince), Jainism attained peak under
Vardhamana Mahavira (the 24th Tirthankara). Mahavira was born at Kundagrama in 540 BC. He
left his house at the age of 30 years and attained Kaivalya (Perfect knowledge) at the age of 42
years. He became a Jina (one who has conquered happiness and misery) and died at Pavapuri
(present day Bihar).
The major teachings of Jainism were based on the Tri-ratna concept and the Tri-ratna concept
was based on
a) Right knowledge,
b) Right faith
c) Right conduct.
Religious book - Agam (In Pali Language)
Dilwara Temple at Mount Abu in Rajasthan is a famous religious place of Jainism.
6. Magadha Empire (6th Century BC - 4th Century BC)
Major dynasties of the Magadha Empire were:
i) Haryanka Dynasty - Bimbisara and Ajatashatru laid the foundation of this dynasty in 684 BC.
ii) Shishunaga Dynasty - This dynasty was founded by Shishunag in 413 BC after defeating the
last king of the Haryanka dynasty.
iii) Nanda Dynasty This dynasty was founded in 382 BC by Mahapadma Nanda.
7. Alexanders Invasion of India
Alexander, after establishing his Kingdom in present day Pakistan, crossed the river Indus and
invaded India.
He defeated Porus, the ruler of Punjab in the Battle of Hydaspes in 326 BC and extended his
kingdom till India.
He founded the city of Alexandria in present day Afghanistan.
GENERAL AWARENESS 7
11. Harshvardhana
Harshvardhana was the last important king of North India.
His capital was at Kannauj.
Hiuen-Tsang, the Chinese pilgrime came to his court.
Harshcharita, a book on the life of Harshvardhana was written by Banabhata, who had also
written Kadambari.
He was defeated by Pulshekin II of the Chalukya dynasty.
12. South Indian Dynasties
12.1 The Sathavanas
This dynasty was founded by Simuka. (65 BC)
Satakarni was an important king.
They constructed many buddhist worshipping sites- the important ones being at Amaravati and
Nagarjuna Konda.
They issued the maximum number of lead coins.
Sangam Literature relates primarily to Pandyan kingdom but also contains information about
Cholas and Cheras.
Tolkappiyam is the oldest book of Tamil grammar.
Three Major Southern Kingdoms
Kingdom Capital Emblem
Famous
Port
Important
King
Cholas
Cheras
Pandyas
Uraiyar
Vanji Karur
Madurai
Tiger
Bow
Carp
Puhar
Tondi, Bandar
Korkai
Karikala
Udiyanjeral
Nedunjeliyan
12.2 The Chalukyas (6th - 7th Century AD)
Pulkeshin I founded the Chalukya dynasty and established its capital at Vatapi.
Pulkeshin II (609 AD - 642 AD) was the most important king.
According to the Aihole inscriptions, he defeated Harshvardhana on the banks of river Narmada
in 619 AD.
Narasimhavarman I defeated and killed Pulkeshin II and captured Vadani.
Most of the Buddhist caves at Ajanta and Ellora were structured during the reign of the Chalukyas.
GENERAL AWARENESS 9
The Cholas were famous for naval power and for their village administration.
Administrative Units of the Cholas
Mandlam, the provinces
Valanadusnadus, the districts
Taniyur, the large villages
The Village Assembly was constituted of
Urs- the assembly of common people.
Abha - the assembly of brahmins.
Nagaram - the assembly of merchants.
MEDIEVAL INDIA
It is marked by the beginning of the Sultanate of Delhi, which was established after the conquest of
Muhammad Ghori. The period of the Sultanate of Delhi ranges from AD 1206-1526. It is also considered
as the beginning of Muslim rule in India.
Important Dynasties
1. The Slave Dynasty period ranges from AD 1206-1290. It was founded by Qutabud-din Aibak
whose capital was at Lahore. The Qutub Minar at Delhi was also built by Qutabud-din Aibak.
Later Iltutmish got three more floors added to the Minar. Razia Sultana, the only woman ruler
of India, and Balban was the important ruler of the Slave Dynasty. Balban had started the Persian
Festival, NAUROZ.
2. The Khi l j i Dynast y was founded by Jal al - ud- di n Khi l j i and i t s per i od r anges
from AD 1290-1320. Ala-ud-din Khilji was one of the most prominent rulers of this dynasty.
He started branding of horses and constructed Siri Fort at Delhi and Alai Darwaza near
Qutub Minar. He was famous for market reforms.
3. The Tughlaq dynasty was founded by Ghiyath-al-din-Tughlag and the period of this dynasty ranges
from AD 1320-1414. Ibn Buttuta was an important African traveller who visited India in 1333.
Mohammed-Bin-Tughlaq introduced coins of brass and copper.
Feroz Shah Tughlaq was another important king and he constructed many towns.
4. The Lodhi dynasty was founded by Bahlol Lodhi and the period of this dynasty ranges
from AD 14511526. Sikandar Lodhi and Ibrahim Lodhi were the other two prominent
rulers belonging to this dynasty. Sikandar Lodhi established Agra City and transferred his
capital from Agra to Delhi.
5. Mughal Dynasty (AD 1526-1857)
5.1 Babur - He is credited with the foundation of the Mughal empire by defeating Ibrahim Lodhi
in the First Battle of Panipat on April 20, 1526. His tomb is built at Kabul, and his autobiography
GENERAL AWARENESS 11
Viceroys of India
1. Lord Canning (1858 - 1862)
Lord Canning was the first Viceroy of India. He abolished The Doctrine of Lapse and also established
three major Indian universities at Calcutta, Bombay and Madras.
2. Lord Litton (1876 - 1880)
Lord Litton introduced The Vernacular Press Act, to curb the freedom of Indian Press.
3. Lord Rippon (1880 - 1884)
Lord Rippon was known as the father of Local Self Government. He started census for the
first time in India in 1881.He abolished The Vernacular Press Act and introduced Illbert Bill.
4. Lord Curzon (1899 - 1904)
Lord Curzon was responsible for the partition of Bengal into East and West Bengal in 1905. He passed
Indian University Act in 1904 and also passed The Indian Monuments Act.
5. Lord Minto (1905 -1910)
During his tenure there was great unrest in India because of the the Indian Council Act or the
Minto Morley reforms passed in 1909.
6. Lord Hardinge (1910 - 1916)
During his tenure a Durbar was held at Delhi in 1911 to greet the King of England, George V.
Bengal was unified and Delhi was made the capital in place of Calcutta in 1911. Gate-way of India
was constructed to greet him.
7. Lord Chelmsford (1916 - 1921)
Under Lord Chelmsford, The Government of India Act of 1919, popularly know as Montague-
Chelmsford reform was passed. The Jallianwala Bagh massacre took place on 13th April 1919.
Rowlatt Act, also called the Black Bill, was passed in 1919. The Non - Cooperation movement
started in the year 1920.
8. Lord Reading (1921 - 1925)
The visit of the Duke of Connaught and the Prince of Wales to India was boycotted under Lord Reading.
Mahatma Gandhi called off Non-cooperation Movement in 1922 due to Chauri-Chaura event.
9. Lord Irwin (1926 - 1931)
During Lord Irwins reign, the Simon commission visited India in 1928. Civil Disobedience
movement was started in India by Mahatma Gandhi. Gandhi - Irwin pact was signed in 1931. The
First Round Table Conference was held in London. Indian National Congress boycotted it.
GENERAL AWARENESS 15
Dandi March (Salt Satyagraha) 1930 Gandhiji marched from his Sabarmati Ashram,
which was basically a form of protest against
t he t ax on sal t i mposed by t he Br i t i sh
Government.
Government of India Act 1935 Passed on the basis of the Simon Commission
report , i t envi saged t he st ruct ure of t he
government under the direct governance of the
British Crown.
Quit India Movement 1942 Mahatma Gandhi led this movement and asked the
Britishers to leave India.
Cabinet Mission Plan 1946 This envisaged forming an interim government in
India
Formation of the Constituent 1946 Without the Muslim leagues participation under
Assembly the Assembly predisency of Dr. Rajendra Prasad,
the Constituent Assembly was formed.
Partition of India 1947 Indian Independence Act of 1947 was responsible
for the partition of India.
Constitution Enforcement 1950 The Constitution came into force on 26
th
Jan, 1950.
THE WORLD WARS
World War I (Aug 14, 1914 to Nov 11, 1919)
Major Participants
1. Germany, Austria, Hungary, Bulgaria and Turkey formed a group known as the Central powers.
2. England, France, Belgium and Serbia later joined by Russia and Italy, were known as the
Allied powers.
GENERAL AWARENESS 19
Causes of War
The First World War was a consequence of
1. assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria,
2. initiation of war against Serbia by Austria,
3. mobilization of forces against Austria-Hungary by Russia.
Outcome
The Allied forces won the war, Treaty of Versailles was signed, which curbed the power of the
German Empire and led to the creation of many new countries in Eastern Europe.
World War II (1939 to 1945)
Major Participants
1. Allied Powers - Britain, Russia, USA, and France.
2. Axis Powers (central powers) - Germany, Italy and Japan.
Causes of War
The Second World War was a consequence of
1. rise of the Nazi party in Germany.
2. treaty of Versailles which was against Germany.
3. the expansion policy of Japan.
Outcome
The Allied forces won the war and Germany was divided into two parts. Russia and the US
became the biggest powers in the World. The end of war led to the Cold War amongst the
industrialised countries.
The Cold War (1947-1991)
The Cold War refers to the period of geopolitical and economic struggle that emerged after the
World War II between the US and its allies and Russia and its allies. The phase lasted from
1947 till the division of erstwhile Soviet Union in 1991. This stage was referred to as the Cold
War because members of both the blocs were faced wit h a fear of host ile at tack from i ts
enemies. The era of cold war led to a large scale development of weapons including nuclear
weapons. It also led t o economic warfare and trade embargoes between nations. Japan had
full support of the US and Russia supported all the erstwhile Soviet Union members. The war
finally came to an end in 1991 with the dissolution of Warsaw Pact which led to the division of
the Soviet Union.
GENERAL AWARENESS 20
MAJOR REVOLUTIONS
I. The Russian Revolution (1917)
The main cause of the Russian Revolution was the autocratic rule of the Czars. This revolution led
to the establishment of the rule of Lenin in Russia. In this way Russia became the first communist
state of the World.
II.French Revolution (1789 - 1793)
The autocratic rule of the king of France led the country to financial bankruptcy. The philosophers
and intellectuals inspired the people of France to change the face of the society. Liberty, Equality
and Fraternity became the slogan of the revolution. Napoleon Bonaparte emerged as a great
military general of France.
END OF THE CHAPTER
In this chapter, you will learn:
l The Structure of the Earth
l The Shape and Composition of the Earth
l The Internal Structure of the Earth
l Important Geographical Terms
Chapter 2
Structure of the Earth
GENERAL AWARENESS 22
THE EARTH
Earth is the third planet in the solar system in terms of distance from the Sun, and the fifth largest in
size. It is also the largest amongst its planetary systems terrestrial planets, making it the largest solid
body in the solar system, and it is the only planet in the universe known to support life. The Earth was
formed around 4.57 billion years ago and its largest natural satellite, the Moon, was orbiting it shortly
thereafter, around 4.533 billion years ago.
THE SHAPE OF THE EARTH
The Earths shape is that of an oblate spheroid, with an average diameter of approximately 12,742 km
(~ 40,000 km /).
THE COMPOSITION OF THE EARTH
The mass of the Earth is approximately 5.98 10
24
kg. It comprises of iron (35.1%), oxygen (28.2%),
silicon (17.2%), magnesium (15.9%), nickel (1.6%), calcium (1.6%) and aluminum (1.5%).
THE INTERNAL STRUCTURE OF THE EARTH
The interior of the Earth, like that of the other terrestrial planets, is
chemically divided into layers. The Earth has an outer silicate solid
crust, a highly viscous mantle, a liquid outer core that is much less
viscous than the mantle, and a solid inner core.
1. Earths Hydrosphere
The abundance of water on Earth is a unique feature that
distinguishes The Blue Planet from the other planets in the
Solar System. Approximately, 71% of the Earth is covered by
water and only 29% is solid land.
The Earths hydrosphere mainly consists of oceans, but
technically includes all water surfaces in the world, including
inland seas, lakes, rivers, and underground waters. The average
depth of the oceans is 3,794 m (12,447 ft), more than five
times the average height of the continents.
Earth Structure
GENERAL AWARENESS 23
viii. Meridians - They represent the imaginary lines drawn out on the global map from pole to
pole and perpendicular to the Equator. Prime Meridian is the 0 degree meridian, which passes
through Greenwich, a place near London.
ix. Aphelion - Aphelion refers to that position of the Earth in its orbit, when it is at the greatest
distance from the Sun (about 152 million kms). The Earth reaches this position during the northern
summer. This term also refers to the position of any other planet or a comet, when it is at its
greatest distance from the Sun.
x. Perihelion - Perihelion refers to the nearest point of a heavenly body in its orbit around the
Sun. The Earth at perihelion is at a distance of about 147 million kms from the Sun.
xi. Apogee - Apogee refers to the position of the orbit of the moon when it is at its greatest
distance from Earth. This is approximately 406,000 kms for the Earth.
xii. Perigee - Perigee refers to the point of the moon when it is at its minimum distance from the
Earth. This distance is approximately 364,000 kms.
xiii. Cyclone - Any area of low pressure around which the air turns in the same direction as the
Earth is a cyclone. In the Indian Ocean, a tropical storm with masses of air turning rapidly round
a low pressure area is called a tropical cyclone.
xiv. Typhoon - It is the name given to a tropical cyclone in the Far East.
xv. Hurricane - It is a tropical storm in the Caribbean or West Pacific Ocean, with extremely
strong winds. The wind force reaches 12 on the Beaufort scale.
xvi. Tornado - It is a type of whirlwind which is formed by rising air currents associated with
large cumulonimbus clouds. It rotates in an anticlockwise direction in the Northern Hemisphere
and in a clockwise direction in the Southern Hemisphere.
GENERAL AWARENESS 26
xvii. Estuary - It is the tidal mouth of a river where the salt water of the tide meets the fresh
water of the river current.
xviii. Isobars - Lines on the map denoting places experiencing equal pressure.
xix. Isobaths - Lines denoting equal depths in the Sea.
xx. Isobronts - Lines joining places experiencing a thunderstorm at the same time.
xxi. Isochrones - Lines joining places located at equal travel time from a common centre.
xxii. Isogonics - Lines joining places with the same magnetic declination.
xxiii. Isorymes - Lines denoting places experiencing equal frost.
xxiv. Isoseismics - Lines denoting places experiencing equal seismic activity.
END OF THE CHAPTER
In this chapter, you will learn:
l India at a glance
l Indian Agriculture
l Major Rivers of India
l Indias Mineral Wealth
l Major Industries and Industrial Regions
l States/Union Territories and Capital
l National Parks
l Important towns on the bank of rivers
Chapter 3
Geography of India
GENERAL AWARENESS 28
INDIA AT A GLANCE
India, the seventh largest country of the world, accounts for about 2.4% of the total world area. It is bounded
by the great Himalayas and other snowy mountains in the north. The country stretches southwards and at the
Tropic of Cancer, narrows down and ends into the Indian Ocean between the Bay of Bengal on the East and
the Arabian Sea on the West.
Location
India lies on the Northern Hemisphere between parallels of latitude 37
o
6 and 8
o
4 North and between the
Meridians of longitude 68
o
7 E and 97
o
25 East.
Dimensions
The land area covered by Indian mainland is 32, 87,780 Sq Kms. It measures about 3214 Kms from North to
South and 2933 Kms from East to West. The length of the Indian coastline is 7615 Kms. It is bounded by
Arabian Sea in the West, the Indian Ocean in the South and the Bay of Bengal in the East. The coastline of
India is not indented and the sea on the coast is not very deep. The Western coast is rocky while the Eastern
coast is shallow. Therefore, India does not have many good harbours. Only Mumbai and Goa are natural
harbours while all the other are artificial.
Population
India is the second largest country in the World in terms of population. According to the 2001 census, the
population of India was about 10287 crore (16.87% of the World population). The number of males in 2001
was 53.13 crore while the number of females was 49.57 crore. The density of population in India is about 324
persons per square km. The life expectancy is 64 years and the present literacy rate in 2005 was 65.38 percent.
Neighbours
To the North of the country lie China, Nepal, Bhutan and Afghanistan. The East of the country is surrounded
by Myanmar and Bangladesh. Towards the West of India lies Pakistan and in the South, the Indian mainland
is surrounded by Sri Lanka.
INDIAN AGRICULTURE
India primarily has an agrarian economy. About 2/3
rd
of the population is engaged in agricuture and it provides
livelihood to about 60% of the population. About 43% of the total land area in India is under agricultural
cultivation. It is the second largest contributor to the national income, and accounted for 16% of the national
income.
Major Soil Types
The major types of soil found in India are:
GENERAL AWARENESS 29
i. Alluvial Soil Alluvial soil is formed due the deposition of particles such as silt, gravel and sand by
the rivers in the plains. It is the most fertile soil form found in India and is generally found in regions of
Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Bihar, Haryana and parts of West Bengal. This soil type facilitates the cultivation
of cereals, pulses, sugarcane and wheat.
ii. Black Soil - Also known as the cotton soil, this soil type is rich in iron, lime and alluminium. It
covers 30 percent of the total area of the country. Black soil is generally found in Madhya Pradesh,
Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu and facilitates the cultivation of cotton, wheat,
oil seeds and tobacco.
iii. Red Soil This soil is red in colour because of the presence of Iron oxides. It is mainly found in
Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Orissa and Chattisgarh and facilitates the cultivation of wheat, millets,
potato and chillies.
iv. Laterite Soil Laterite soil is highly leached and the least fertile soil type found in India. It is mainly
found in Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu and facilitates the cultivation of tea, coffee, and cashew nut.
Largest Producers of Major Food Crops
Crops State
Rice 1. West Bengal
2. Punjab
Wheat 1. Uttar Pradesh
2. Punjab
Maize 1. Madhya Pradesh
2. Andhra Pradesh
Total Coarse Cereals 1. Maharashtra
2. Karnataka
Total Pulses 1. Madhya Pradesh
2. Uttar Pradesh
Total Foodgrains 1. Uttar Pradesh
2. Punjab
Groundnut 1. Gujarat
2. Tamil Nadu
Rapessed & Mustard 1. Rajasthan
2. Uttar Pradesh
Soyabean 1. Madhya Pradesh
2. Maharashtra
GENERAL AWARENESS 30
Suflower 1. Karnataka
2. Andhra Pradesh
Total Oilseeds 1. Madhya Pradesh
2. Maharashtra
Cash Crops Sugarcane 1. Uttar Pradesh
2. Maharashtra
Cotton 1. Maharashtra
2. Gujarat
Jute & Mesta 1. West Bengal
2. Bihar
Potato 1. Uttar Pradesh
2. West Bengal
Onion 1. Maharashtra
2. Gujarat
RIVERS OF INDIA
There are four major river routes found in India. These are:
1) Himalayan Rivers The Himalayan Rivers are snow fed and have water throughout the year.
During monsoon heavy rainfall in the Himalayan region causes frequent floods in these rivers. The
major Himalayan rivers are:
The Indus and its tributaries- Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas and Sutlej.
The Ganges and its tributaries- Yamuna, Chambal, Betwa, Sone, Ghagra, Gandak, Gomti etc.
Brahmaputra and its tributary - Tista.
2) Peninsular Rivers - The Peninsular rivers are only rain fed and fluctuate in volume and a large
number of streams dry up after monsoon. The major peninsular rivers are:
Mahanadi
Krishna
Kaveri known as the Ganga of South India.
Godavari
Narmada
Tapi (also known as Tapti)
3) Coastal Rivers - The coastal rivers, especially on the West Coast, are short and have limited catchment
areas. Most of these are non-perennial as well. Periyar, Mithi and Mandovi are major coastal rivers of
India.
GENERAL AWARENESS 31
4) Rivers of the inland drainage basin - The rivers on the inland drainage basin consists of those in
Western Rajasthan which are very few and short lived, like the Sambhar, which is lost in the desert
sands, and the Loni that drains into the Rann of Kutch.
Major River Projects
Name of the Project River State
Bhakra Nangal Project Satluj Punjab
Damodar Valley Project Damodar Jharkhand
Farakka Barrage Project Ganga West Bengal
Hirakund Dam Project Mahanadi Orissa
Nagarjunasagar Project Krishna Karnataka
Tehri Dam Project Bhilangana, Bhagirathi Uttrakhand
INDIAS MINERAL WEALTH
India has certain basic and useful minerals such as iron and coal. India is very rich in iron, coal, aluminium,
limestone, manganese, titanium, thorium and mica but does not have large reserves of mineral oil, sulphur,
lead and tin.
India is the largest producer of mica blocks and mica splittings, ranks third in the production of coal,
fourth in iron ore, sixth in bauxite and manganese ore, tenth in aluminium and eleventh in crude steel.
1. Iron
Ranked fourth in the world in iron ore production, India has almost one-fourth of the worlds iron ore
reserves. Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Orissa are major iron
bearing areas. Singhbhum (Jharkhand), Keonjhar, Bonai and Mayurbhanj (all Orissa) are areas with
richest iron deposits in the world. The major iron ore mines are at Chanda, Bastar and Durg districts
in Chhattisgarh.
2. Manganese
Ranked sixth in the world for production of manganese, India is a major exporter of manganese and
possesses one-third of the worlds reserves. It is an important mineral used for the production of steel.
A major portion of the deposits is found in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh and
Jammu and Kashmir.
GENERAL AWARENESS 32
3. Mica
Indias is the worlds largest producer of Mica. The majority of this product (almost 60%) comes
from Jharkhand. Apart from Jharkhand, Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh are the major producers of
Mica in the country. Since the domestic consumption is not very large most of the Mica produce
is exported.
4. Coal
Ranked third in the production of coal, 80 per cent of the coal is extracted from the mines in West
Bengal and Jharkhand. Huge coal reserves exist in Rani Ganj (West Bengal) and Jharia (Jharkhand).
Other coal bearing areas are in Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.
5. Bauxite
Bauxite is an aluminium ore which is mainly found in Orissa, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Andhra
Pradesh and Gujarat. These are also the largest aluminium producing areas of the country.
Major Indian Industries and Industrial Regions
Aircraft - Bangalore and Kanpur.
Cement - Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and
Tamil Nadu.
Cotton Textile - Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh,
Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.
Glass - Firozabad, Jabalpur, Amritsar, Ambala, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu.
Jute - West Bengal
Leather - Kanpur, Batanagar, Dighaghat, Deonar, Chembur, Chennai, Agra, Coimbatore and Bangalore.
Paper - Nepanagar, Pune, Saharanpur, Orissa, and Mumbai.
Rail Engine and Coaches - Chittaranjan Locomotives Works at Chittaranjan, Diesel
Locomotives at Varanasi, Rail Coaches at Integral Coach Factory at Perambur and Rail Coach
Factory at Kapurthala.
Silk - Karnataka, West Bengal and Jammu and Kashmir.
Sugar - Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Punjab and Tamil Nadu.
INDIAN STATES
States Capital Since Former Capital
Arunachal Pradesh Itanagar 1972
Andhra Pradesh Hyderabad 1956 Kurnool
GENERAL AWARENESS 33
WORLD
The 10 Smallest Countries
Country Area (Sq km) Continent
Vatican City 1 Europe
Monaco 2 Europe
Nauru 21 Oceania
Tuvalu 26 Oceania
San Marino 61 Europe
Liechtenstein 160 Europe
Marshall Islands 181 Oceania
St. Kitts and Nevis 261 North America
Seychelles 270 Europe
Maldives 300 Asia
Malta 316 Europe
THE SEAS OF THE WORLD
The 10 largest seas of the World and the area covered by them
Sea Area (Mn. Sq km)
1. South China Sea 2.97
2. Caribbean Sea 2.515
3. Mediterranean Sea 2.512
4. Bering Sea 2.26
5. Gulf of Mexico 1.5
6. Arbian Sea 1.49
7. Sea of Okhotsk 1.39
8. Sea of Japan 1.01
9. Hudson Bay 0.73
10. East China Sea 0.66
11. Andaman Sea 0.56
The worlds largest salt water lake (Inland sea), is Russias Caspian Sea. It has an area of 372,000 Sq. Km.
The largest fresh water lake is Lake Superior, Canada, with an area of 82,100 Sq Km.
GENERAL AWARENESS 40
Pakistan 162.4
Bangladesh 144.3
Russia 143.4
Nigeria 128.7
Japan 127.4
Smallest Countries
Country Population (Numbers)
Vatican City 920
Tuvalu 11640
Nauru 13050
Palau 20300
San Marino 28880
Monaco 32410
Liechtenstein 33720
St. Kitts 38960
Marshall Islands 59070
Antigua & Barbuda 68720
COUNTRIES, CAPITALS AND CURRENCIES
Country Capital Currency
Afghanistan Kabul Afghani
Albania Tirane Lek
Algeria Algiers Dinar
Principality of An Dorra Andorra La Vieille Franc
Angola Luanda Kwanza
Argentina Buenos Aires Peso
Australia Canberra Australian Dollar
Austria Vienna Schilling
Bahrain Manama Bahraini Dinar
Bangladesh Dhaka Taka
Barbados Bridgetown Barbados Dollar
Belgium Brussels Euro
Belize Belmopan Belize Dollar
Benin Porto Novo Franc
Bhutan Thimphu
Ngultrum (fixed at par
with Indian rupee)
GENERAL AWARENESS 42
Denmark Beach
France Lily
Germany Corn Flower
India Lion Capital
Iran Rose
Ireland Shamrock
Italy White Lily
Japan Chrysanthemum
Pakistan Crescent
Spain Eagle
United Kingdom Rose
USA Golden Rod
NEW NAMES OF COUNTRIES AND STATES
Old Name New Name
Abyssinia Ethiopia
Angora Ankara
Batavia Jakarta
Burma Myanmar
Cape Canaveral Cape Kennedy
Ceylon Sri Lanka
Christina Oslo
Congo Zaire
Constantinople Istanbul
Dacca Dhaka
Dutch East Indies Indonesia
East Pakistan Bangladesh
Egypt United Arab Republic of Egypt
Ellice Island Tuvalu
Formosa Taiwan
French West Africa Mali
GENERAL AWARENESS 47
SOBRIQUETS
Distinctive Name Country/Town/Port/River
Britain of the South New Zealand
The Battlefield of Europe Belgium
City of the Golden Gate San Francisco
City of Magnificent Distances Washington D.C.
City of Popes Rome
IMPORTANT INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARIES
Durand Line : Boundary between India & Afghanistan.
Hindenburg Line : Boundary between Germany & Poland.
McMohan Line : Boundary between China & India.
Maginot Line : Boundary between France & Germany.
Radcliffe Line : Boundary between India & Pakistan.
17th parallel : Defined the boundary between North Vietnam & South Vietnam
before the two were united.
38th parallel : Boundary line between North Korea & South Korea.
49th parallel : Boundary line between USA & Canada.
Siegfried Line : The line between Germany and France
GENERAL AWARENESS 51
International Days
International Customs Days January 26
World Leprosy Day January 30
International Womens Day March 8
World Disabled day March 15
World Health Day April 7
Earth day April 22
International Labor Day May 1
Mothers Day May (2nd Sunday)
World Red Cross Day May 8
World Telecommunication Day May 17
Commonwealth Day May 24
Anti Tobacco Day May 31
World Environment Day June 5
World Diabetes Day June 27
World Population Day July 11
World Peace Day (Hiroshima day) August 6
Nagasaki Day August 9
International Literacy Day September 8
World Tourism Day September 27
World Postal Day October 9
World Food Day October 16
U.N. Day October 24
World AIDS day December 1
Human Rights Day December 10
END OF THE CHAPTER
GENERAL AWARENESS 52
a) To abide by the Constitution, show respect to the National Flag and the National Anthem.
b) To follow the noble ideas of the freedom struggle.
c) To protect the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India.
d) To defend ones country.
e) To promote common brotherhood and establish dignity of women.
f) To preserve our heritage and culture.
g) To protect the natural environment.
h) To develop a scientific temper.
i) To safeguard public property.
j) To strive for excellence in all spheres of activity.
k) Every citizen who is a parent or guardian to provide opportunities for education to his child or
as the case may be ward between the age of 6 & 14 years.
Union Executive
Part V (Articles 52-78) describe the functioning of the President, Vice president and the parliament.
The president is elected by the member of an electoral college consisting of the elected members of both
House of Parliament and the elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of the States and the Union
Territory of Delhi and Puducherry.
Article 55 describes how President is elected. The election is held in accordance with the system of
proportional representation through secret ballot.
Every elected member of the Legislative Assembly of a State shall have as many votes as there are
multiply of 1000 in the quotient obtained by dividing the pupulation of the State by the total number of
the elected members of Assembly.
The term of the president is 5 years (Article 56 but can serve for any number of terms).
The qualifications of the president are laid down in Article 58. To be eligible, a person must be:
a) a citizen of India,
b) has minimum age of thirty-five years,
c) is qualified for election as a member of the Lok Sabha
A person is not eligible for election as President if he holds any office of profit under
central government
state government
any local or other authority.
The monthly salary of the president is Rs. one lakh per month.
There is no limit as to how many times a person can become President.
Article 61 lays down the procedure for impeachment of the President.
Article 63-68 lays down the procedure for the Vice-President of India. The Vice-president is ex-officio
chairman of the council of states (Rajaya Sabha) and shall not hold any other office of profit.
GENERAL AWARENESS 56
If the president is temporarily unable to discharge his duties, the vice-president discharge his functions.
The procedure of election of the Vice-president is laid down in Article 66 and is similar to that of the
president. The Vice-president is elected by the members of electoral college consisting of the members
of both House of Parliament in accordance with the system of proportional representation. The basic
qualifications are the same as that of the president.
The term of office of Vice-president is five years.
Any disputes in connection with the election of a president or Vice-president are to be decided by the
Supreme Court. (Article 71)
The president has a power to grant pardons, reprieves, respires of remissions of punishment of commute
the sentence of any person convicted of any offence (Article 72).
Under Article 74, the Council of ministers with the prime minister as the head, is to aid and advice the
president who shall, in the exercise of his functions, act in accordance with such advice.
Article 76 - the appointment of Attorney General of India, who gives advice to the government of India
upon legal matters.
Article 77 says that all executives action of the government of India is to be taken in the name of the
president. In this regard, it is the duty of the prime minister to inform the president about the decision
of the Council of Ministers (Article 78), and to furnish information relating of the Union as the president
may call for.
Kinds of Bills
i. Ordinary Bill - An ordinary bill can be introduced in either of the Houses and can be passed by
a simple majority in both the Houses. In case of a deadlock a joint sitting of both the houses is
possible.
ii. Money Bill (Article 110) A money bill is concerned with taxation and government spending.
It can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha after prior recommendation of the President. Speaker
of the Lok Sabha is the deciding authority whether the introduced bill is a Money bill or not.
iii. Financial Bill - A bill which is related with revenue and expenditure of the government is a
financial bill.
iv. Constitutional Amendment Bill (Article 368) - This bill can be introduced in either of the
Houses of the Parliament. It can be passed only by a special majority.
INDIAN LEGISLATURE
India is the second largest democracy in the world. The Indian legislature is bicameral i.e. the Indian Parliament
is made up of the Lower House Lok Sabha, and the Upper House Rajya Sabha and President.
GENERAL AWARENESS 57
There is a Council of Ministers with the Chief Minister as the head to aid and advice the Governor
in the exercise of his functions.
The Legislative Assembly of each state shall consist of not more than five hundred, and not less
than sixty members chosen by direct election. (except Sikkim)
The Central government distributes taxes and grants-in-aid to States through the decision of the
Finance Commission, stipulated in Article 275. The president constitutes the Finance Commission
at the expiry of 5 years.
The central Government also distributes grants to States through the development plans prepared
by the Planning Commission.
Union Territories are administered by the President through the administrator who is appointed by President.
President may appoint the Goveror of a state as the administrator of an adjoining Union Territory.
CAG
The powers and duties of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) are described in
Articles 149 and 150. He has three main functions: (1) to audit governments expenditure; (2) to
see that the financial rules are obeyed; and (3) to see the sanction of expenditure.
Under Article 151, reports of the CAG relating to the Union are submitted to the President, those
relating to the states are submitted to the Governor. These are to be a placed before Parliament and
State Legislature respectively.
Elections
Under Article 327, Parliament is vested with the Supreme power to legislate on all matters relating
to elections, including election State legislatures. The States have also been vested with certain
limited powers of legislation with respect to elections, Under Article 328. But such legislation
should not be in conflict with any parlimentary.
One of the outstanding features of the Consitution is adult suffrage. Every person who is not less than 18
years of the age has the right to vote in the election to the House of the People and the State Legislative
Party. The only grounds for disqualifications are: () non residence (ii) unsoundness of mind, (iii) crime,
and (iv) corrupt or illegal practice, Article 325 says that no person will be ineligible for inclusion in, or to
claim to be included in special, electoral roll on grounds of religion, race, caste or sex.
Article 324 provides that the superintendence, direction and control of election in India to be
vested in and Election Commission. According to the 19th Amendment, the provisions of
constituting election tribunals have been abolished. Election petitions are now heard by the High
Court in appeals. Article 339, however, bars interference by courts in electoral matters. State
election commission conducts election of corporations, municipalities and other local bodies.
GENERAL AWARENESS 59
Air Force
The Indian Air Force is responsible for the defence and security of the Indian airspace. The fourth
largest Air Force in the World, it is organised into five operational commands Western Command,
South-Western Command, Central Air Command, Eastern Air Command, and Southern Air Command
and two functional commands - a Maintainance and a Training command. It is headquartered at New
Delhi. The designation of The Chief of the Air Force is Air Chief Marshall and he is answerable to the
Defence Minister
First in Indian Politics
1. First President of India Dr. Rajendra Prasad.
2. First Vice-President of India Dr. S. Radhakrishnan.
3. First Muslim President of India Dr. Zakir Hussain.
4. First Sikh President of India Giani Jail Singh.
5. First Prime Minister of India Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru
6. First Woman President of India Mrs. Pratibha Patil
7. First Woman Prime Minister of India Mrs. Indira Gandhi.
8. First Speaker of the Lok Sabha G.V. Mavlankar.
9. First Chief Justice of India Justice H.L. Kania.
10. First Chairman of the Rajaya Sabha Dr. S. Radhakrishnan.
11. First Woman Governor of a State Mrs. Sarojini Naidu.
12. First Woman Chief Minister Mrs. Sucheta Kripalani.
13. First Woman Central Minister Rajkumari Amrit Kaur.
14. First Woman Speaker of Lok Sabha Mrs. Shanno Devi.
15. First Woman IAS Officer Anna George.
16. First Woman IPS Officer Kiran Bedi.
17. First Woman Advocate Carnelia Sorabji.
18. First Woman Judge Anna Chandi.
19. First Woman Judge of High Court Anna Chandi.
20. First Woman Judge of Supreme Court M. Fathima Beevi.
21. First Woman Chief Justice of High Court Justice Leela Seth.
22. First Chairman of Planning Commission Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru.
23. First Chairman of Finance Commission K.C. Niyogi.
24. First Acting Prime Minister of India Guljari Lal Nanda.
25. First Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha M. Ananthasayanam Ayyangar.
26. First recognised leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Y.V. Chavan.
27. First recognised leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha Lokpati Tripathi.
28. First Lok Sabha Election 1952
29. First State where Panchayati Raj was implemented (in the whole state) Rajasthan.
30. First Chief Election Commissioner of India Sukumar Sen.
31. First Woman Chief Election Commissioner (acting) of India Smt. V.S. Rama Devi.
END OF THE CHAPTER
In this chapter, you will learn:
l The Planning Commission
l The Monetary Policy
l The Fiscal Policy
l The Major Public Sector Financial Institutions
l Economic Liberalisation
l Important Sectors in Indian Economy
l Important Industries of India
l Insurance, Stock Exchange
l Census - 2001
Chapter 6
Economics
GENERAL AWARENESS 62
Sixth Year Plan (1979-85) The sixth plan aimed at achieving a annual growth rate of 5.2 per
cent and raising the per capita income by 3.3 per cent.
Seventh Five Year Plan (1985-90) The plan focussed on policies and programmes to
i ncrease domest i c i ndust rial product i vi t y, empl oyment oppurt uni t i es, and agri cul t ure
productivity by increasing the basic framework and by adopting modern technologies.
Annual Plans 1990-92
Eighth Five Year Plan (1992-97) The plan aimed at achieving a higher outlay of public
sector enterprises to meet the demands of various central and state sectors.
Ninth Five Year Plan (1997-02) The plan aimed to achieve an anual growth rate of 6.5 per
cent. The total public sector outlay was Rs. 859000 crore.
Tenth Five Year Plan (2002-07) This plan has adopted an aggressive approach. This plan
aims at achieving 8 per cent GDP growth, reduce the poverty ratio to 20 per cent, increase the
literacy rate to 72 per cent, reduce the infant mortality rate to 45 per 1000 births and clean all
major polluted rivers till the end of the plan in 2007.
Eleventh Five Year Plan (2007-12) This plan aims to accelerate GDP growth from 8% to 10%
and then maintain at 10% in the 12th Plan in order to double per capita income by 2016-17,increase
literacy rate for persons of age 7 years or more to 85%, reduce infant mortality rate to 28 and maternal
mortality ratio to 1 per 1000 live births and ensure electricity connection to all villages and BPL households
by 2009 and round-the-clock power.
THE MONETARY POLICY
The Monetary Policy, as the name suggests, is the policy used as a tool to regulate the supply of money
in the economy. The basic task of a monetary policy in a developing economy is to meet the credit
needs of the growth sectors on the one hand and to curb the supply of money meant to be used in
non - productive activities like speculative dealings, headging etc. In India, the monetary policy is
regulated by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). The policy in India is designed on the principles mentioned
above and exercises various quantitative controls to make the policy effective. The policy is therefore
also referred to as the policy of Controlled Monetary Expansion which implies
i. Expansion in the supply of money.
ii. Restraint on secondary expansion of credit.
The Monetary Policy thus helps the government to exercise control over the money supply in the
economy.
GENERAL AWARENESS 64
faced by the country. The new economic framework adopted by the government did away with the
Licence Raj (investment, industrial and import licensing) system and ended many public monopolies.
The policy aimed at allowing foreign direct investment (FDI) in many sectors of the economy. Even
though the foreign direct investment ceiling was removed by the government in 1991, it was only in
1996 that foreign investors started showing confidence in the Indian economy and large sectors saw
the inflow of foreign capital.
Since then, the overall direction of liberalisation has remained the same, irrespective of the ruling party,
although no party has yet tried to take on powerful lobbies such as the trade unions and farmers, or
contentious issues such as reforming labour laws and reducing agricultural subsidies.
IMPORTANT SECTORS OF INDIAN ECONOMY
1. AGRICULTURE
i) Contribution to GDP
Agriculture forms the backbone of Indian economy. it contributes approx. 26 percent of Gross
Domestic Product. It was 55.4 percent in 1950-51.
Though the agriculture in national income has come down, even now agriculture contributes a
major share of the national income in India. Further, the share of agriculture in manufacturing
and services sector is increasing.
ii) Source of Employment
Agriculture provides employment to around 65 percent of the total work-force of the country.
iii) Source of Industrial Development
Agriculture has been the source of supply of raw material to our leading industries.
Many of our small and cottage industries like handloom, weaving, oil crushing, rice husking,
etc. depends on agriculture.
Green Revolution
Indian Green Revolution is associated with the use of HYVS (High Yielding Variety Seeds). Chemical
fertilizers and new technology led to a sharp rise in agricultural production during the middle of
1960.
The term Green Revolution was given by Americal Scientist, Dr. William Gande.
During the middle of sixties, Indian agriculture scientists developed a number of new high yielding
varieties of wheat by processing wheat seeds imported from Mexico. A similar improvement in
variety of rice was also observed.
The credit of this goes not only to Nobel Laureate Dr. Norman Borlaug. But also to Dr. M.S.
Swaminathan. Dr. M.S. Swaminathan is also known as the father of the Green Revolution in
India.
GENERAL AWARENESS 67
v) Fertilizer Industry:
India is the third largest producer of nitrogeneous fertilizers in the world.
There are at present, 57 fertilizer units manufacturing a wide range of nitrogeneous and complex fertilizers,
including 29 units producing urea and 9 units producing ammonium sulphate as a by-product.
vi) Paper Industry:
The first mechanized paper mill was set-up in 1812 at Serampur in West Bengal.
The Paper Industry in India is ranked among the 15 top global paper industries.
vii) Silk Industry :
India is the second largest (first being China) country in the world in producing natural silk. At
present, India produces about 16 percent silk of the world.
India enjoys the distinction of being the only country producing all the five known commercial
varieties of silk, viz. Mulberry, Troical rassal, Oak Tussar, Eri and Muga.
viii) Petroleum and Natural Gas:
First successful oil well was dug in India in 1889 at Digboi, Assam.
For exploration purpose, Oil and Natural Gas Commission (ONGC) was established in 1956 at
Dehradun, Uttranchal.
The total oil reserves in India have been estimated to be about 13 crore tones. Domestic production
of oil in India is much less to meet the domestic demand. India currently produces just over 32
million tones of crude oil against it annual demand of 105 million tones meeting only 30.5 percent
of demand from domestic resources.
Marketing and Distribution of Petroleum Products
a) Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (BPCL): By acquisition of Burmah Shell in 1976.
b) Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (HPCL): Established in 1974 by acquiring the assets of
US company ESSO Eastern. In 1976, Government acquired Caltex Oil Refining Ltd. and merged
it with HPCL.
c) Gas Authority of India Ltd. (GAIL): Established in 1984 for handling post-exploration activities
relating to natural gas. The company was assigned the priority task of setting up the cross
country HBJ (Hazira, Bijapur, and Jagdishpur) pipeline. Presently GAIL is the largest company
in India for marketing of natural gas.
NAVRATNAS
In 1997, the Government identified nine leading, well performing and high profit making public enterprises
as Navratnas (Nine Precious Jewels). Later, on the same year, two more were added to the list.
They have been given special powers including freedom to form new joint ventures, make new
investments and authorized to raise money.
GENERAL AWARENESS 70
STOCK EXCHANGES
Stock exchange or share market plays a dominant role in mobilizing resources for corporate sector. It
is a market for dealing in shares, debentures and financial securities. In the stock exchange, shares and
debentures are bought and sold for investment as well as for speculative purposes. There are 24 stock
exchanges in the country.
CENSUS-2001
Total Population : 1,02,70,15,247
Males : 531,277,078
Females : 495,738,169
Population Growth : 21.34%
Males : 20.93%
Females : 21.70%
Average Yearly Growth Rate : 1.93%
Density of population : 324
Sex Ratio : 933
Literacy Rate : 65.38
Males : 75.85
Females : 54.16
Life Expectancy : 62 years
Child Population : 15.42%
TOP STATES IN IMPORTANT PARAMETERS
MAXIMUM POPULATION
Uttar Pradesh : 16.6 crore
Maharashtra : 9.7 crore
Bihar : 8.3 crore
West Bengal : 8.0 crore
Andhra Pradesh : 7.6 crore
MINIMUM POPULATION
Sikkim : 5.4 lakh
Mizoram : 8.9 lakh
Arunachal Pradesh : 10.9 lakh
Goa : 13.4 lakh
Nagaland : 19.8 lakh
MAXIMUM DECADAL GROWTH RATE
Nagaland : 64.41
Sikkim : 32.98
Manipur : 30.02
Jammu and Kashmir : 29.04
Meghalaya : 29.94
GENERAL AWARENESS 72
POPULATION DENSITY
Delhi : 9294
Chandigarh : 7903
Pondicherry : 2029
Lakshadwep : 1894
Daman and Diu : 1411
Dadar and Nagar Haveli : 449
Andaman and Nicobar : 43
SEX RATIO
Pondicherry : 1001
Daman and Diu : 989
Lakshadweep : 947
Andaman and Nicobar : 846
Delhi : 821
Dadar and Nagar Haveli : 811
Chandigarh : 773
LITERACY RATE
Lakshadweep : 87.52
Delhi : 81.82
Chandigarh : 81.76
Pondicherry : 81.49
Andaman and Nicobar : 81.18
Daman and Diu : 81.09
Dadar and Nagar Haveli : 60.03
END OF THE CHAPTER
In this chapter, you will learn:
l The United Nations Organisation (UNO)
l Important International Agencies and their Headquaters
Chapter 7
The UNO and International Agencies
GENERAL AWARENESS 76
UN Secretary Generals
1. Trygve Lie (Norway) 1946-53
2. Dag Hammarskjold (Sweden) 1953-61
3. U Thant (Burma) 1961-71
4. Kurt Waldheim (Austria) 1972-81
5. Javier Perez De Gueller (Peru) 1982-91
6. Boutros Boutros Ghali (Egypt) 1992-96
7. Kofi Annan (Ghana) 1997-2007
8. Ban Ki Moon (South Korea) 2007- till date
Specific UN Agencies and their Headquarters
1. The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) - UNDP is the UNs global development
network advocating change and connecting countries to share knowledge and resources which
helps build a better life in countries across the globe. Presently it has offices in 166 member
countries. UNDP is headquartered at New York, US.
2. The United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF) UNICEF was initially set up in 1946 as an
emergency fund to provide post-war relief to children in different countries. Today, as a childrens
fund, UNICEF concentrates its activities on providing assistance to children and mothers in
developing countries, aiming at improving their quality of life. UNICEF is headquartered at New
York, US.
3. The United Nations Educational and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) UNESCO was founded
on 16 November 1945 to assist developing countries in their educational projects, to help the
countries in scientific development and to build cultural understanding between the nations.
UNESCO is headquartered at Paris, France.
4. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) IMF is an international organisation having 184
member countries. It was established in 1945 to promote international monetary co-operation and
exchange stability between nations which in turn would promote economic growth and increase
employment opportunities. IMF also provides temporary financial assistance to its member countries
to ease their balance of payment. IMF is headquartered at Washington DC, US.
5. The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD, commonly known as
the World Bank) The World Bank was formed after the Bretton Woods conference in 1944,
but begun operations in 1946. It aims at providing financial and technical assistance to developing
countries around the World. Presently World Bank has 184 member countries and is headquartered
at Washinton DC, US.
6. The World Trade Organisation (WTO) WTO was formed as an international trade body to
replace General Agreement on Trade and Tariffs (GATT) in 1995. WTO is the only international
body dealing with rules of trade between the countries to help producers of goods and services,
GENERAL AWARENESS 78
THE SUPERLATIVES
THE HIGHEST, BIGGEST, LARGEST, LONGEST ETC. IN THE WORLD
Airport Largest
King Khaled International Airport,
Riyadh (Saudi Arabia)
Tallest Giraffe (Average height 6.09m)
Largest & Heaviest Blue Whale (190 tonnes) Animal
Fastest Cheetah (Approximately 100 km/hr)
With max. shore line Hudson Bay
Bay
With max. area Bay of Bengal
Highest
Over the Royal Gorge of the Arakansas river,
Colorado, USA
Longest Donghai Bridge, China Bridge
Rail Bridge
Tsing Ma bridge linking HongKong to Lantau
island
Building Highest Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Big Ship Suez Canal
Canal
Busiest Kiel Canal
Deepest Vicos Gorge (Greece)
Canyon
Largest Grand Canyon (Colarado River)
Church Largest Basilica of St. Peter (Vatican City)
Cinema House Largest Radio City Music Hall (New York)
Largest Population Mumbai
City
Largest Area Mount Isa, Queensland, Australia
Largest Asia (44.5 million sq km)
Continent
Smallest Australia (7.7 million sq km)
Coral Formation Largest The Great Barrier Reef (Australia)
Largest in Population China
Largest in Area Russia
With largest electorate India
Smallest in Area Vatican City
Country
With most Land Frontiers China
Largest Grand Coulee Dam, Columbia River (USA)
Dam
Highest Rogunskaya dam across river Vakash, Tajakistan
Delta Largest Ganges Delta (Sundarban Delta )
GENERAL AWARENESS 81
Lolita V. Nabakov
Love Story Eric Segal
Malgudi Days R K Narayan
Midnights children Salman Rushdie
Moors Last Sigh Salman Rushdie
Mother Moxim Gorky
Nice Guys Finish Second B K Nehru
Panchatantra Vishnu Sharma
Post Office Rabindranath Tagore
The Satanic Verses Salman Rushdie
Shape of Things to Come H. G. Wells
Shame Salman Rushdie
The Last Don Mario Puzo
The Tin Drum Guenter Grass
Treasure Island R L Stevenson
Two Leaves and a Bud Mulk Raj Anand
Unofficial Guide to Ethical Hacking Ankit Fadia
Vish Vriksha Bankim Chandra Chatterjee
War and Peace Leo Tolstoy
History Books
Arthashastra Kautilya
August 1914 (H) Alexander Solzhenitsyn
Ben Hur Lewis Wallace
Communist Manifesto Karl Marx
Discovery of India Jawahar Lal Nehru
Hindu View of Life D. S. Radhakrishnan
India-A Wounded Civilisation V S Naipaul
India Divided Rajendra Prasad
India Wins Freedom Maulana Abul Kalam Azad
Indian Home Rule M. K. Gandhi
Indian Philosophy D. S. Radhakrishnan
Man and Superman George Bernard Shaw
A Passage to India E. M. Forster
Wake up India Annie Besant
The Wonder that Was India A.L. Basham
GENERAL AWARENESS 89
Poetry
Bharat Bharati Maithili Sharan Gupt
Geet Govinda Jaya Dev
Gitanjali Rabindranath Tagore
Rubaiyat Omar Khayyam
Philosophy
Atlas Shrugged Ayn Rand
Geet govinda Jaya Dev
Voice of Conscience V. V. Giri
Psychology
Crime and Punishment Fyodor Dostoevsky
Games People Play Eric Berne
Man of Destiny George Bernard Shaw
Satyartha Prakash Swami Dayanand
Sociology
Das Kapital Karl Marx
Diplomacy Henry Kissinger
Gita Rahasya Bal Gangadhar Tilak
Grammer of Politics Harold Laski
Politics Aristotle
Republic Plato
Sub Regionalism in Asia Abul Kalam Azad
Surviving Men Khushwant Singh
The Degeneration of India T. N. Seshan
Untouchable Mulk Raj Anand
Utopia Thomas Moore
Miscellaneous
Area of Darkness V. S. Naipaul
Between the lines Kuldip Nayar
Brave New world Aldous Huxley
Broken wing Sarojini Naidu
GENERAL AWARENESS 90
Year Place
1896 Athens
1900 Paris
1904 St. Louis
1908 London
1912 Stockholm
1920 Antwerp
1924 Paris
1928 Amsterdam
1932 Los Angeles
1936 Berlin
1948 London
1952 Helsinki
1956 Melbourne
1960 Rome
1964 Tokyo
1968 Mexico City
1972 Munich
1976 Montreal
1980 Moscow
1984 Los Angeles
1988 Seoul
1992 Barcelona
1996 Atlanta
2000 Sydney
2004 Athens
2008 Beijing
2012 London (scheduled)
GENERAL AWARENESS 95
2. Commonwealth Games The Commonwealth Games are the second largest sporting event
in the World after Olympics. These games are held every four years between the years of the
Olympic Games. The games involve atheletes from Commonwealth Nations (majority erstwhile
colonies of the British). Started in 1930, the games were originally called the British Empire
Games. It was in 1978 that the present name of the Commonwelth Games was adopted. The
table below gives the details of the Commonwealth Games till date. The games were not held
from 1939 till 1949.
Year Venue
1930 Hamilton
1934 London
1938 Sydney
1950 Auckland
1954 Vancouver
1958 Cardiff
1962 Perth
1966 Jamaica
1970 Edinburgh
1974 Christchurch
1978 Edmonton
1982 Brisbane
1986 Edinburgh
1990 Auckland
1994 Victoria
1998 Kuala Lumpur
2002 Manchester
2006 Melbourne
2010 Delhi (scheduled)
GENERAL AWARENESS 96
3. Asian Games The Asian Games, also called the Asiad, is a sporting event on the lines of the
Olympic Games held every four years among atheletes from all over Asia. India played a leading
role in starting an event for the Asian nations. The motto of the Asian Games is Ever Onward.
The table below gives the details of Asian Games till date.
Year Venue
1951 New Delhi
1954 Manila
1958 Tokyo
1962 Jakarta
1966 Bangkok
1970 Bangkok (originally had to be hosted by Seoul)
1974 Tehran
1978 Bangkok (originally had to be hosted by Karachi)
1982 New Delhi
1986 Seoul
1990 Beijing
1994 Hiroshima
1998 Bangkok
2002 Busan
2006 Doha
2010 Guangzhou (scheduled)
4. Cricket World Cup The Cricket World Cup is a premier international championship for one
day cricket in the world. The event is organised once every four years by the sports governing
body, The International Cricket Council (ICC) and is contested by all Test playing nations (presently
10) plus the qualifying teams. The table below gives the details of the World Cups held till date.
Year Venue Winner Runner-up
1975 England West Indies Australia
1979 England West Indies England
GENERAL AWARENESS 97
6. Football World Cup - The Football/Soccer World Cup is an international football competition
contested by the national teams of the member nations of Federation Internationale de Football
Association (FIFA). The tournament started in 1930 and is held every four years, but could not
be held in 1942 and 1946 due to World War II. The table below gives details of the last ten
World Cups.
7. Tennis Grand Slams
The tables below give the last five year championship winners for four major Tennis Grand Slams
viz Australian Open (held at Melbourne), French Open (held at Paris, also called Roland
Garros), Wimbledon (held at Wimbledon, near London) and U.S. Open (held at Flushing
Meadows, New York).
Australian Open
French Open
Wimbledon
US Open
Year Venue Winner Runner-up
1974 West Germany
West
Germany
Netherlands
1978 Argentina Argentina Netherlands
1982 Spain Italy West Germany
1986 Mexico Argentina West Germany
1990 Italy
West
Germany
Argentina
1994 USA Brazil Italy
1998 France France Brazil
2002 South Korea & Japan Brazil Germany
2006 Germany Italy France
2010 South Africa
2014 South America
Scheduled
GENERAL AWARENESS 99
INTERNATIONAL AWARDS
1. Nobel Prizes
The Nobel Prizes are awarded annually to people (and, in the case of the Peace Prize, sometimes
to organisations) who have completed outstanding research, invented ground-breaking techniques
or equipment, or made an outstanding contribution to society in physics, chemistry, literature,
peace, medicine or physiology and economics. They are widely regarded as the supreme com-
mendation in their respective subject areas. Those honoured are known as Nobel Laureates.
The Prizes were instituted by the Swedish scientist Alfred Nobel through his will. They were first
awarded in 1901, five years after Nobels death. The prize in economics, instituted by the Bank of
Sweden, has been awarded since 1969.
As of September 2007, a total of 799 Nobel Prizes have been awarded, 777 to individuals (33 of
these to women), 20 to organizations and 2 were awarded in different categories.
Prize Categories
Nobel Prize Winners for 2007
Categories Awarding Body
Nobel Prize in Physics Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences
Nobel Prize in Chemistry Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences
Nobel Prize in Medicine Karolinska Institutet
Nobel Prize in Literature Swedish Academy
Nobel Prize in Peace Norwegian Nobel Committee
Nobel Prize in Economics Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences
Pri ze Category Winner
Peace
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
Change (IPCC, President R.K.
Pachauri), Albert Arnold (Al),
Gore Jr.(USA)
GENERAL AWARENESS 103
Physics
Albert Fert (France)
Peter Grunberg (Germany)
Physiology or Medicine
Mario R. Capecchi (USA)
Sir Martin J. Evans (UK)
Oliver Smithies (USA)
Chemistry Gerhard Ertl (Germany)
Literature Doris Lessing (UK)
Economics
Leonid Hurwicz
Eric S. Maskin
Roger B. Myerson (All from USA)
2. Man Booker Prize
The Man Booker Prize for Fiction, also known as the Booker Prize, is one of the worlds
most prestigious literary prizes, awarded each year for the best original full-length novel
written by a citizen of the Commonwealth or the Republic of Ireland in the English lan-
guage. The Booker prize was started by Booker McConnel, a multinational conglomerate
company in 1969. This award is administered by Book Trust in the United Kingdom. For the
year 2007, the prize has been awarded to Ireland noveli st Anne Enright for The Gathering.
3. Ramon Magsaysay Award
Ramon Magsaysay Award or the Magsaysay Award is the Asian equivalent of the Nobel Prize. The
Ramon Magsaysay Award was established in April 1957 by the trustees of the Rockefeller Broth-
ers Fund (RBF) based in New York City. With the concurrence of the Philippine government, the
prize was created to commemorate Ramon Magsaysay, the late President of the Philippines, and
to perpetuate his example of integrity in government, courageous service to the people, and prag-
matic idealism within a democratic society.
Every year the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation gives away prizes to Asian individuals
and organizations for achieving excellence in their respective fields. The awards are given in
six categories:
Government Service
Public Service
Community Leadership
Journalism, Literature and Creative Communication Arts
Peace and International Understanding
Emergent Leadership
GENERAL AWARENESS 104
ABBREVIATIONS
AAA : Asian Atheletics Association
AAFI : Amateur Atheletics Federation of India
ABC : Atomic Biological and Chemical (warfare)
ABLE : Association of Biotechnology led Enterprises
AC : Ante Christum
AD : Anno Domini
ADB : Asian Development Bank
ADBS : Advanced Data Broadcast System
AFI : Atheletics Federation of India
AFMS : Armed Forces Medical College
AFP : Agence France Presse
AG : Accountant General
AI : Artificial Intelligence
AIDS : Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome
AIG : American International Group
AINEC : All India Newspaper Editors Conference
ALGOL : Algebraic Oriented Language
AMIE : Associate Member of the Institute of Engineers
ANC : African National Congress
ANERT : Agency for Non-conventional Energy and Rural Technology
ANN : Artificial Neural Network
AOC : Air Officer Commanding
APCTT : Asian and Pacific Centre for Transfer of Technology
AQA : Assessment and Qualification Alliance
APEC : Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation
APM : Administered Price Mechanism
ARPANET : Advanced Research Project Agency Network
ART : Assisted Reproductive Technologies
ASCII : American Standard Code for Information Interchange
ASEAN : Association of South East Asian Nations
ASEM : Asia-Europe Meeting
ASLV : Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle
ASPO : Asoociation for the Study of Peak Oil and Gas
ASP : Application Service Provider
ATC : Air Traffic Control
ATM : Automated Teller Machine
GENERAL AWARENESS 107
ESCAP : Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific
ESMA : Essential Services Maintenance Act
ESR : Electron Spin Resonance
ETT : Embryo Transfer Technology
EVA : Economic Value Added
EVE : Economic Valuation of the Environment
FAO : Food and Agriculture Organisation
FBI : Federal Bureau of investigation
FBT : Fringe Benefit Tax
FBTR : Fast Breeder Test Reactor
FCI : Food Corporation of India
FCRA : Foreign Contribution Regulation Act
FEMA : Foreign Exchange Management Act
FIFA : Federation Internationale de Football Association
FIR : First Information Report
FIRE : Fully integrated robotised engine
FLAG : Fibre optic Link Around the Globe
FOSDIC : Film Optical Sensing Device for Input to Computers
FPD : Flat panel display
FTII : Films and Television Institute of India
GAAP : Generally Accepted Accounting Practices
GAIN : Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition
GATS : General Agreement on Trade and Services
GDP : Gross Domestic Product
GDR : Global Depository Receipt
GLS : Geographical Information System
GMO : Genetically Modified Organisms
GPS : Global Positioning System
GSI : Geological Survey of India
GSLV : Geo-Synchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle
GSM : Global System for Mobile Communications
HAL : Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.
HFD : High Frequency
HIV : Human Immunodeficiency Virus
HTML : Hyper Text Markup Language
HTR : High Temperature Reactor
Http : Hypertext Transfer Protocol
HUDCO : Housing and Urban Development Corp.
IA : Indian Airlines
GENERAL AWARENESS 110
In addition to movement, muscle contraction also fulfills some other important functions in the
body, such as posture, joint stability, and heat production. Posture, such as sitting and standing, is
maintained as a result of muscle.
3. Digestive system: The digestive system includes the digestive tract and its accessory organs,
which process food into molecules that can be absorbed and utilized by the cells of the body. The
digestive tract, also called the alimentary canal or gastrointestinal (GI) tract, consists of a long
continuous tube that extends from the mouth to the anus. It includes the mouth, pharynx, esophagus,
stomach, small intestine, and large intestine. The tongue and teeth are accessory structures located
in the mouth. The salivary glands, liver, gallbladder, and pancreas are major accessory organs that
have a role in digestion. These organs secrete fluids into the digestive tract.
Functions:
The main function of digestive system is to break down the food particles into smaller and smaller
particles so that they get absorbed in the blood.
4. Respiratory system: Respiration is the sequence of events that results in the exchange of oxygen
and carbon dioxide between the atmosphere and the body cells.
We generally associate breathing to be the only function of the Respiratory system, breathing is
only one of the activities of the respiratory system. The body cells need a continuous supply of
oxygen for the metabolic processes that are necessary to maintain life. The respiratory system
works with the circulatory system to provide this oxygen and to remove the waste products of
metabolism. It also helps to regulate pH of the blood.
It consists of following organs: Nose, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, alveoli.
The process of breathing, which involves inhalation and exhalation moves air into and out of the
lungs.
After this, there is an exchange of gases between the lungs and the blood. This is called external
respiration. The blood transports the gases to and from the tissue cells. The exchange of gases
between the blood and tissue cells is internal respiration. Finally, the cells utilize the oxygen for their
specific activities. This is cellular metabolism, or cellular respiration. Together these activities constitute
respiration.
5. Circulatory system: This system is also known as cardio-vascular system. It consists of the
heart, a muscular pumping device, and a closed system of vessels called arteries, veins, and capillaries.
The blood is pumped by the heart around a close circuit of vessels. The vital role of the cardiovascular
system in maintaining homeostasis depends on the continuous and controlled movement of blood
GENERAL AWARENESS 118
through the thousands of miles of capillaries that permeate every tissue and reach every cell in the
body.
It is in the microscopic capillaries that blood performs its ultimate transport function. Nutrients and other
essential materials pass from capillary blood into fluids surrounding the cells as waste products are removed.
6. Reproductive system: In humans, male reproductive system consists of testes, epididymus,
scrotum, vas deferens, penis, and glands.
Female reproductive system consists of vagina, cervix, fallopian tubes, uterus,
The reproductive system has following functions
(i) to produce sperm and egg cells
(ii) to produce hormones
(iii) to nurture the developing offspring
7. Urinary system: The urinary system consists of the kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, and urethra.
The kidneys form the urine and account for the other functions.
The urinary system maintains an appropriate fluid volume by regulating the amount of water that is
excreted in the urine. Other aspects of its function include regulating the concentrations of various
electrolytes in the body fluids and maintaining normal pH of the blood. Although the urinary system
has a major role in excretion, other organs contribute to the excretory function. The lungs in the
respiratory system excrete some waste products, such as carbon dioxide and water. The skin is
another excretory organ that rids the body of wastes through the sweat glands. The liver and intestines
excrete bile pigments that result from the destruction of hemoglobin. The major task of excretion still
belongs to the urinary system. If it fails the other organs cannot take over and compensate adequately.
8. Nervous system: The nervous system is composed of organs, principally the brain, spinal cord,
nerves. These, in turn, consist of various tissues, including nerve, blood, and connective tissue.
Together these carry out the complex activities of the nervous system. The nervous system is the
major controlling, regulatory, and communicating system in the body. It is the center of all mental
activity including thought, learning, and memory.
9. Endocrine system: The endocrine system, along with the nervous system, functions in the regulation
of body activities. The endocrine system acts through chemical messengers called hormones that
influence growth, development, and metabolic activities.
There are basically two types of glands endocrine and exocrine gland. The endocrine glands are
also known as ductless glands. The secretory products of endocrine glands are called hormones
GENERAL AWARENESS 119
and are secreted directly into the blood and then carried throughout the body where they influence
only those cells that have receptor sites for that hormone. There are eight major endocrine glands
scattered throughout the body. These are Pituitary and pineal gland; thyroid and parathyroid gland;
adrenal gland; pancreas; gonads(testes and ovaries), etc.
Some glands also have non-endocrine regions that have functions other than hormone secretion.
For example, the pancreas has a major exocrine portion that secretes digestive enzymes and an
endocrine portion that secretes hormones. The ovaries and testes secrete hormones and also produce
the ova and sperm.
COMPONENTS OF THE BODY
I. Structural organization of cell
The word cell is derived from a Latin word cellula, which means a little room.
Robert Hooke was the scientist who coined the term cell. He observed the cells while examining a
thin slice of cork. The human body, which is made up of numerous cells, begins as a single, newly
fertilized cell.
Cells constitute various components of plants and animals. A cell is the smallest unit of life and is
capable of all living functions. Cells are the building blocks of life. This is the reason why cells are
referred to as the basic structural and functional units of life.
The cell theory that all plants and animals are composed of cells and that cell is the basic unit of life
was presented by two biologist, Schleiden (1838) and Schwann (1839).
The cell theory was further expanded by Rudolf Virchow in 1855. He suggested that all cells arise
from pre-existing cells.
Principles of cell theory
A. All living organisms are composed of one or more cells.
B. Cells are the basic units of structure and function in an organism.
C. All cells come only from the reproduction of existing cells.
There are many different types, sizes, and shapes of cells in the body. For descriptive purposes, the
concept of a generalized cell is introduced. It includes features from all cell types. A cell consists
of three parts: the cell membrane, the nucleus, and between the two, the cytoplasm. Within the
cytoplasm lie intricate arrangements of fine fibers and hundreds or even thousands of miniscule but
distinct structures called organelles.
GENERAL AWARENESS 120
Cell organelles
Endoplasmic Reticulum:
The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a large network of membrane-bound tubes and sheets. It looks like long
tubules or round or oblong bags (vesicles). The ER functions as a packaging system. However, it does not
work alone; it works closely with Golgi apparatus and ribosomes.
There are two types of ERrough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) and smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER).
RER looks rough under a microscope because it has particles called ribosomes attached to its surface. The
ribosomes, which are present in all active cells, are the sites of protein manufacturing.
Functions:-
1. ER serves as a channel for the transport of materials (especially proteins) between various regions
of the cytoplasm or between the cytoplasm and the nucleus.
2. ER also functions as a cytoplasmic framework providing a surface for some of the biochemical
activities of the cell.
Ribosomes:
These are very small, round structures found either in free state suspended in the cytoplasm or attached to
the surface of the endoplasmic reticulum. They are composed of ribonucleic acids and proteins.
The main function of ribosomes is to act as a site of protein synthesis.
Golgi Apparatus:
The Golgi apparatus is another packaging organelle like the endoplasmic reticulum. It was named after
Camillo Golgi, an Italian biologist. It consists of a system of membrane bound vesicles arranged approximately
parallel to each other in stacks called cisterns.
Functions:
1. The material synthesised near the ER is packaged and dispatched to various targets inside and
outside the cell through the Golgi apparatus.
2. It helps in the storage, modification and packaging of products in vesicles.
3. The Golgi apparatus is also involved in the formation of lysosomes and peroxisomes.
Lysosomes:
Lysosomes are found in almost all animal-like eukaryotic cells. It is a membrane-bound vesicular structure
that holds variety of other enzymes. The purpose of lysosome is to digest worn out cells. Lysosomes are
involved in intracellular digestion of foreign food particles or microbes and are called digestive bags.
Sometimes, this organelle is also involved in the self-digestion of cells after their death, also known as autolysis.
Hence they are also called as suicidal bags. Lysosomes are a kind of waste disposal system of a cell.
GENERAL AWARENESS 122
Mitochondria:
Mitochondria create energy for the cell and this process of creating energy for the cell is known as cellular
respiration. Most of the chemical reactions involved in cellular respiration occur in mitochondria. (though
cellular respiration also occur in cytoplasm but very little energy is produced) The energy required for
various chemical activities needed for life is released by mitochondria in the form of ATP (Adenosine
triphosphate) molecules. This is why, mitochondria are known as the powerhouses of the cell.
Functions of Mitochondria:
1. Mitochondria are the sites of cellular respiration.
2. They provide energy (in the form of ATP) for vital activities of the living cells.
3. Mitochondria are able to make some of their own proteins, so they are regarded as semiautonomous
organelles.
Plastids:
Plastids are the organelles that are present only in plant cells. These are double membrane organelles which
are usually spherical or discoidal in shape.
There are two types of plastids chromoplasts (coloured plastids) and leucoplasts (white or colourless
plastids). Chromoplasts containing the pigment chlorophyll are known as chloroplasts. Chloroplasts are
important for photosynthesis in plants. Chloroplasts also contain various yellow or orange pigments in
addition to chlorophyll. Leucoplasts are primarily organelles in which materials such as starch, oils and
protein granules are stored.
Vacuoles:
Vacuoles are storage sacs (for solid or liquid contents) found in the cells. These are found in both plant and
animal cells but are much larger in plant cells. The central vacuole of some plant cells may occupy 50-90%
of the cell volume.
In plant cells, vacuoles are full of cell sap and provide turgidity and rigidity to the cell. Vacuoles store food and
nutrients that a cell needs to survive. These include amino acids, sugars, various organic acids and some proteins.
Differences between plant and animal cells
Animal Cell Plant Cell
1. Animal cells are generally small in size. 1. Plant cells are usually larger than animal cells.
2. Cell wall is absent. 2. The plasma membrane of plant cells is surrounded
by a rigid cell wall of cellulose.
3. Except the protozoan Euglena, no animal cell 3. Plastids (chromoplasts and leucoplasts) are
possesses plastids. present.
4. Vacuoles are less in number and small in size. 4. Vacuoles are present in abundance and larger in size.
5. Animal cells have a single highly complex and 5. Plant cells have many simpler units of golgi
prominent golgi apparatus. apparatus, called dictyosomes.
GENERAL AWARENESS 123
II Blood
Blood is a highly specialised connective tissue present in human body. It is a vascular tissue that
contains cells, separated by a non-living, liquid material. This liquid material or fluid is known as
plasma.
Red blood cells (RBC), white blood cells (WBC), and platelets are suspended in plasma.
The blood is the medium through which the entire body is nourished and supported carrying nutrient
molecules from digested foods, as well as carrying away harmful waste products such as carbon
dioxide. It circulates the needed oxygen from the lungs. It also picks up hormones and uses custom
distribution to deliver chemical messages to the organs it comes into contact with. As other organs
interact with the blood it is in a constant flux of updating and extending its chemical composition.
Functions of blood:
It transports hormones, nutrients, waste material to different parts of the body.
Red blood cells transport respiratory gases such as oxygen and carbon dioxide.
White blood cells fight diseases by producing antibodies.
III Human brain
The brain is the main coordinating centre of the body. It is a part of the nervous system that
controls and monitors every organ of the body.
The nervous system is divided into the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous
system (PNS). The CNS consists of the brain and spinal cord, while the PNS consists of nerves
that connect the central nervous system to different parts of the body.
The central nervous system receives information from all parts of the body and also sends information
to the muscles. The communication between the CNS and the body parts is facilitated by the nerves
of the PNS.
The brain is divisible into three main regionsforebrain, midbrain, and hindbrain.
Forebrain: It consists of the cerebrum, thalamus, and hypothalamus. It is the main thinking part of
the brain. Cerebrum is the largest part of the brain and constitutes four-fifth of its weight. The
forebrain has sensory regions that receive sensory impulses from various receptors, as well as
motor regions that control the movement of various muscles such as, the leg muscles. There are
separate areas in the forebrain that are specialized for hearing, smelling, sight, and general sensations
such as pain, touch, taste, etc. A certain part of the cerebrum primarily controls intelligence,
learning, memory, thinking, and speech. The forebrain is also known as the main thinking part of
the brain.
GENERAL AWARENESS 124
The hypothalamus contains many areas that control things such as body temperature, urge for
eating and drinking, etc. Some regions of the cerebrum, along with the hypothalamus, are involved
in the regulation of sexual behaviour and expression of emotional reactions such as, excitement,
pleasure, fear, etc.
Midbrain: It has regions that are concerned with the sense of sight and hearing. Some regions of
the midbrain transmit motor impulses to the limbs.
Hindbrain: Most involuntary actions such as heartbeat, blood pressure, movement of food in the
alimentary canal, salivation, etc., are controlled by the midbrain and hindbrain. All these involuntary
actions are controlled by the medulla of the hindbrain.
The cerebellum, which is a part of the hindbrain, is responsible for maintaining posture and equilibrium
of the body. It also coordinates the contraction of voluntary muscles according to the directions of
the cerebrum.
The brain, as you have learnt, is an important organ for the maintenance of a variety of activities. As
an important organ, it needs protection. Hence, it is enclosed by a bony box called the cranium. The
spinal cord is protected by a bony, curved, vertical rod called the vertebrae or vertebral column.
EYE
Our paired eyes are located in sockets of the skull called orbits. A brief account of structure and functions
of the human eye is given in the following sections.
Parts of an eye
The adult human eye ball is nearly a spherical structure. The wall of the
eye ball is composed of three layers.
The external layer is composed of a dense connective tissue and is called the sclera. The anterior
portion of this layer is called the cornea.
The middle layer, choroid, contains many blood vessels and looks bluish in colour.
The choroid layer is thin over the posterior two-thirds of the eye ball, but it becomes thick in the
anterior part to form the ciliary body.
The ciliary body itself continues forward to form a pigmented and opaque structure called the iris
which is the visible coloured portion of the eye.
The eye ball contains a transparent crystalline lens which is held in place by ligaments attached to
the ciliary body.
In front of the lens, the aperture surrounded by the iris is called the pupil. The diameter of the pupil
is regulated by the muscle fibres of iris.
The inner layer is the retina and it contains three layers of cells from inside to outside ganglion
cells, bipolar cells and photoreceptor cells.
GENERAL AWARENESS 125
DEFECTS OF VISION
Myopia
Myopia is also known as near-sightedness. A person with myopia can see nearby objects clearly but cannot
see distant objects distinctly.
This defect can be corrected by using a concave lens of suitable power.
Hypermetropia
Hypermetropia is also known as far-sightedness. A person with hypermetropia can see distant objects clearly
but cannot see nearby objects distinctly.
This defect arises either because (i) the focal length of the eye lens is too long, or (ii) the eyeball has become
too small. This defect can be corrected by using a convex lens of appropriate power.
Presbyopia
The power of accommodation of the eye usually decreases with ageing. For most people, the near point
gradually recedes away. They find it difficult to see nearby objects comfortable and distinctly without
corrective eye-glasses. This defect is called Presbyopia.
EAR
The ears perform two sensory functions, hearing and maintenance of body balance. Anatomically, the ear
can be divided into three major sections called the outer ear, the middle ear and the inner ear.
The outer ear consists of the pinna and external auditory meatus (canal). The pinna collects the
vibrations in the air which produce sound.
The external auditory meatus leads inwards and extends up to the tympanic membrane (the ear drum).
There are very fine hairs and wax- secreting sebaceous glands in the skin of the pinna and the
meatus. The tympanic membrane is composed of connective tissues covered with skin outside and
with mucus membrane inside.
The middle ear contains three ossicles called malleus, incus and stapes which are attached to one
another in a chain-like fashion.
GENERAL AWARENESS 126
The malleus is attached to the tympanic membrane and the stapes is attached to the oval window of
the cochlea. The ear ossicles increase the efficiency of transmission of sound waves to the inner
ear.
An Eustachian tube connects the middle ear cavity with the pharynx. The Eustachian tube helps in
equalising the pressures on either sides of the ear drum.
FOOD AND NUTRITION
The process of intake of any external source of energy or food is called nutrition. All living organisms
require energy, but they get it from different sources. Some organisms utilize simple inorganic sources such
as, carbon dioxide and water, whereas the other organisms utilize complex substances. These complex
substances are broken down into simpler ones before they can be utilized by various life processes for the
growth and repair of the body.
All the varied sources of energy, that any living organism consumes, are always broken down or built up
into a uniform source of energy that can be used for sustaining various life processes.
There are seven major classes of nutrients that the body needs: carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins,
minerals, fibers and water
Carbohydrates:
These are the bodys main source of energy. The three different kinds of carbohydrates are starch, sugar
and fibers. Plant foods like cereals, bread, rice, pasta, potatoes, plantains and corn are good sources of
starch. They give us the energy we need to do daily activities. These starchy foods give us important
vitamins and minerals, too.
Fats:
Fat is a nutrient that is an important source of calories. One gram of fat supplies 9 calories - more than twice
the amount we get from carbohydrates or protein. Fat also is needed to carry and store essential fat-soluble
vitamins, like vitamins A and D. There are two basic types of fat. They are grouped by their chemical
structure. Each type of fat is used differently in our bodies and has a different effect on our health.
GENERAL AWARENESS 127
Fat is found in many foods. Some of the fat that we eat comes from the fat we add in cooking or spread
on breads, vegetables or other foods. A lot of fat is hidden in foods that we eat as snacks, pastries or
prepared meals.
Proteins
These are necessary for the growth of the cells. It also repairs or replaces healthy cells and tissues.
Protein is made of chains of amino acids. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein. Our bodies can
make most of the amino acids. Most foods that are obtained from animals, such as fish, chicken, beef, pork,
eggs, milk, cheese, and yogurt contain all of the essential amino acids. They are known as complete
proteins. Plant foods, such as rice, dried beans, peas, lentils, nuts, seeds, wheat, oats, corn, may be low or
lacking in one or more of the amino acids. They are considered to be incomplete proteins.
Vitamins
These are the organic compounds obtained from the food in minute quantity. They must be supplied from
external sources and perform specific functions. On the basis of their solubility, vitamins are divided into
two categories:
Fat soluble vitamins Vitamin A, D, E, and K
Water soluble vitamins Vitamin B complex, and C
Vitamin A: It is also known as retinol. It is manly found in animal sources such as cod-liver oil, milk,
butter, ghee, egg, fish, etc. In plant sources, vitamin A is mainly found in carrot, tomatoes, leafy vegetable,
papaya, etc.
The deficiency of this vitamin can cause nightblindness.
Functions
Vitamin A is essential for growth.
It is main component of rhodopsin, hence it is essential for night vision.
It controls the action of bone cells.
Vitamin D: It is also known as calciferol. It is mainly found in animal sources such as cod liver oil, butter,
milk, ghee, egg, etc.
Functions
It promotes calcium absorption from the intestine.
It helps in the development of new born.
Vitamin E: It is also known as tocopherol. The main animal source of this vitamin is egg, fish, meat, etc.
The plant sources include vegetable seed oils sucha s wheat, soyabean, corn, etc.
GENERAL AWARENESS 128
Functions
It has antioxidative properties. It mainly prevents unwanted oxidation the body.
It is required for normal functioning of muscles.
Vitamin K: It is also known as phylloquinone. The main plant sources of this vitamin are cabbage, spinach,
tomatoes, etc.
Functions
It helps in the maintenance of normal prothrombin and factor VII in the blood. Thus it takes active part in
normal coagulation.
Vitamin B complex: It includes vitamin B
1
or thiamine, B
2
or riboflavin, B
3
or pantothenic acid, B
5
or niacin,
B
6
or pyridoxine, B
12
or cyanocobalamin.
The main source of this vitamin are cereals, pulses, nuts, and green vegetables.
Functions:
It is essential for normal growth
It is essential basic reactions of metabolism
It helps in the formation of fat from carbohydrates.
Vitamin C: It is also known as ascorbic acid. It is mainly found in citrus fruits such as amla, tomato,
papaya, etc. It is also found in fresh vegetables such as cabbage, spinach, cauliflower, beans. Etc.
Functions:
It is essential for proper functioning of the formative cells of various tissues
It plays a key role in wound repair.
Human diseases
1. Infectious diseases
A disease caused due to microorganisms is known as an infectious disease.
Infectious agents: They are the disease-causing microorganisms which belong to different categories
such as:
Viruses
Some bacteria
Some fungi
Some unicellular animals
Some multicellular animals
Infectious agents
GENERAL AWARENESS 129
Viruses They are very tiny organisms which are visible only with the help of electron microscope.
They cannot grow, multiply, or reproduce on their own. They need to infect a host cell to get the
required machinery to perform these functions. Influenza, cold (Rhinovirus), dengue, AIDS, etc.,
are certain human diseases caused by viruses.
Bacteria Bacteria are unicellular organisms that are larger than viruses. There are only some
bacteria that cause diseases while some other bacteria are useful in nature.
Whooping cough, typhoid, cholera, anthrax, etc., are certain human diseases caused by bacteria.
Fungi They are plant-like organisms, which are heterotrophic, i.e., they lack chlorophyll. Their
cells have cell walls.
Athletes foot, candidiasis, ringworms, etc., are some human diseases caused by fungi.
Protozoa They are simple, primitive unicellular organisms which include Amoeba, Trypanosoma,
and Leishmania. They are often found in water as they need moisture for survival. Hence, they
cause diseases through contaminated water.
Amoebiasis, kala azar, malaria, African sleeping sickness, etc., are some of the diseases caused by
protozoans.
Multicellular animals like worms Worms are the parasites that infect intestines of human
beings and other animals. It includes round worms, pinworms, hookworm, tapeworm etc.
Diarrhoea, anaemia, liver rot, etc., are caused by these worms.
2. Deficiency diseases: These diseases are caused by the deficiency of one or the other nutrient in
the diet. For example,
(i) Deficiency of protein may cause Kwashiorkar and marasmus
(ii) Deficiency of iron causes anaemia
(iii) Deficiency of iodine causes goitre
(iv) Deficiency of vitamin A causes night blindness
(v) Deficiency of vitamin B1 causes beri-beri
SOME IMPORTANT FACTS ABOUT THE HUMAN BODY
Number of cells in body 75 trillion
Longest bone Femur (Thigh bone)
Smallest bone Ear ossicle, stapes
Blood volume 6.8 liters (in 70 kg body)
Normal B.P. 120/80mm Hg
Life span of R.B.C. 120 days
Life span of W.B.C. 3-4days
Universal Blood Donor O Rh-ve
Universal Blood Recipient AB
Blood clotting time 2-5 minutes
GENERAL AWARENESS 130
Chemistry : The study of elements, their behaviour and laws of their combination, etc.
Cosmetology : The study of cosmetics and their use
Cosmology : The study of the universeits origin, nature, structure and evolution
Cytopathology : The study of diseased cells
Dermatology : A branch of medicine dealing with skin
Dietetics : The science of diet and nutrition
Entomology : Deals with study of insects
Endocrinology : The study of glands
Genetics : A branch of biology dealing with heredity and the laws that govern it
Geology : A study of the chemical composition of the earths crust
Gerontology : A branch medicine studying the ageing process, problems and diseases
Gynaecology : A branch of medicine dealing with female diseases of the reproduction system
Haematology : A branch of medicine studying blood and its disorders
Hepatology : A branch of medicine dealing with liver
Horticulture : A branch of agricultural science dealing with flowers, fruits, vegetables, etc.
Hydrology : The science of water with reference to its occurrence and properties in the
hydrosphere and atmosphere
Hygiene : A branch of medicine dealing with health and its presevation
Immunology : A branch of medicine dealing with the immune system of the body
Neuropathology : A branch of medicine dealing with changes produced by diseases in the nervous
system
Obstetrics : A branch of medicine dealing with pregnancy, labour and child birth
Oncology : A branch of medicine dealing with tumours
Ophthalmology : A branch of medicine dealing with eyes and related problems
Ornithology : The science of birds
Orthopaedics : A branch of medicine dealing with diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the
skeletal system (bones)
Paediatrics : A branch of medicine dealing with child diseases (infants)
Pathology : A branch of medicine that deals with etiologies, mechanisms and manifestation
of diseases
Physiology : A study of the life processes of various organs of living organisms
Psychiatry : The study and treatment of mental and emotional disorders
Radiology : A branch of medical science dealing with the use of x-rays for diagnosis and treatment
Zoology : A branch of biology that deals with animal life
GENERAL AWARENESS 132
SCIENTIFIC INVENTIONS
Invention Inventor(s) Country Year
Adding Machine
(Pascaline)
Blaise Pascal France 1642
Aeroplane Wright brothers US 1903
Ballpoint Pen Laszlo Biro Hungary 1938
Barometer E. Torricelli Italy 1644
Bicycle Kirkpatrick Scotland 1839
Bicycle Tyre J.B. Dunlop Scotland 1888
Centigrade Scale A. Celsius France 1742
Computer Charles Babbage Britain 1820
Cinema
A.L. and
J.L. Lumiere
France 1895
Clock (mechanical) Hsing and Ling-Tsan China 1725
Clock (pendulum) C. Hugyens The Netherlands 1656
Diesel Engine Rudolf Diesel Germany 1892
Dynamite Alfred Nobel Sweden 1866
Dynamo Michael Faraday England 1831
Electric Lam Thomas Alva Edison US 1879
Electromagnet W. Sturgeon England 1825
Elevator E G Otis US 1852
Fountain Pen L.E. Waterman US 1884
Gas Lighting William Murdoch Scotland 1794
Gramophone Thomas Alva Edison US 1877
Jet Engine Sir Frank Whittle England 1937
GENERAL AWARENESS 133
Our draft Constitution of India when presented to the President of the constituent assembly. It contained
315 Articles and 8 Schedules.
The date of commencement of the Constitution was 26
th
January, 1950. It contained 395 Articles and
8 Schedules.
The State Emblem which has three lions, a horse a bull and a charka was taken from Ashokas Pillar in
Sarnath, it was adopted on 26
th
January, 1950 and has the words Satyameva Jayayte (let Truth alone
prevail).
The National Anthem composed by Rabindranath Tagore was adopted on 24
th
January, 1950.
India as Part of the Commonwealth:-India did not sever all ties with the British Commonwealth. India
joined the Commonwealth without any allegiance to the British crown.
It was this decision of India to join the Commonwealth, that the association of these independent
nations it was called the Commonwealth of Nations.
This historic decision took place in London on April 27
th
, 1949.
Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru said it is an agreement by free will, to be terminated by free will.
WRITTEN CONSTITUTION
The Constitutional laws of the country contain the legal and the non legal norms. Legal norms are those
which are enforceable in the courts of law and non legal norms are generally practices and conventions
of the Constitution which are not enforceable.
Ours being a written Constitution is in the form of a Constitutional document whereas England does
not have a written Constitution. The Sovereignty of the Parliament is based upon traditions.
A written Constitution contains the supreme law of the land on the source of the Constitutional law in
the country. Every organ in the country must adhere to it otherwise it will be declared unconstitutional.
Though we have often heard that the Indian Parliament is Sovereign, it is sovereign to the extent that
India is a sovereign nation and not under any external influence. Therefore the Parliament which
functions under the written Constitution has to adhere to the rules stated under it and cannot have
unbridled powers.
Our Constitution being a federal Constitution has a few characteristics attached to it, they are:-
i) Distribution of powers
ii) Supremacy of the Constitution
iii) Written Constitution
iv) Rigidity
v) Authority of the Courts
GENERAL AWARENESS 138
PREAMBLE
The Preamble literally means preface, preliminary statement or intorduction states that India is a
Sovereign, Socialist, Democratic Republic.
Sovereign denotes that our country is not subject to any external authority.
Socialist herein does not mean that it adheres to any ideas of Socialism but means that it will have
Private enterprise as well as State ownership. What we were trying was a mixed economy.
Secular, means that the Constitution ensures equal freedom for all religions.
Democratic signifies that India has a Parliamentary form of government wherein the government is
responsible to an elected legislature.
Republic means where the Head of the State is an elected functionary.
According to the Preamble it is the people who have imposed this Constitution upon themselves and
will conduct their government through elected representatives.
The terms Socialist And Secular were added by the 42
nd
Amendment.
The Preamble envisages being a Social Welfare State as stated by the Directive Principles of State Policy.
In Aruna Roy v. Union of India 2002 SC, it was held that the Preamble was part of the basic structure
of the Constitution. The essence of secularism is non discrimination of people by the State on the
basis of religious differences.
THE JUDICIARY
It is very important to have an independent and impartial Judiciary. Our Constitution has done everything
to make the Supreme Courts and the various High Courts independent of the Executive.
The High Court is a Court Of Appeal and can also enforce the Fundamental Rights. The Supreme
Court, the High Court and the lower courts constitute a single judiciary having jurisdiction over all
cases arising under any law whether enacted by the Parliament or the State Legislature.
The judiciary scrutinizes Governmental action in order to assess whether it confirms with the Constitution
or not. It also scrutinizes the administrative action.
Judicial review is based on the assumption that the Constitution is the supreme law of the land and that
all government organs and governmental actions must confirm with the Constitution.
The State shall not make any law that takes away the Fundamental Rights of the people.
CITIZENSHIP
A person who is born in the territory of India Citizenship Act 1955; either whose parents are born in
India; or who has been ordinarily a resident in the territory of India for not less than five years immediately
preceding such commencement, shall be a citizen of India.
Articles 5 to 11 of the Constitution lay down as to who are citizens of India at the commencement of
the Constitution.
Article 5 deals with the Domicile of a person. But however the term domicile has not been defined in
the Constitution. Domicile means permanent home.
The Article draws a difference between Domicile and Residence. Its domicile and not residence
that makes a person an Indian citizen. Domicile and five years Residence is sufficient to make a
person a citizen of India.
GENERAL AWARENESS 139
India has neither State citizenship, nor dual citizenship. There is single citizenship in India.(2003
Citizenship Ammendant Act that further ammends the Citizenship Act, 155, 2 provides for overseas
Indian citizenship or Dual citizenship)
POLITICAL AND CIVIL RIGHTS
FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS
Concept of Fundamental Rights: -
i) The fundamental rights were supposed to be basic, natural and in alienable rights of the man.
Where there are rights there are certain limitations. With time it became the most important thing
to protect the rights and liberties of the people to be protected from governmental action.
ii) The fundamental rights in India has its roots in the preamble which the people of India have given
to themselves and apart from guaranteeing all that, it also safeguards the interests of the minorities
and tries to keep away discrimination, guaranteeing religious freedom and protecting other cultural
rights.
Fundamental Rights In India
i) The framers of the constitution have tried to strike a balance between the rights of the people and
the society and the courts have also had a tough time interpreting them.
ii) Though it was said earlier that the fundamental rights were mutually exclusive but now the courts
have held that some of the rights are not mutually exclusive.
Justiciability Of Fundamental Rights
i) Article 13 makes the fundamental rights justiciable. It is because of this Article that the fundamental
rights cannot be infringed by the government.
RIGHT TO EQUALITY ARTICLE 14 to 18
Right to equality will encompass :
i) Equality before law-Article 14
ii) Prohibition on the grounds of religion ,race, caste, sex or place-Article 15
iii) Equal opportunity in matters of employment-Article 16
iv) Abolition of titles-Article 18
Right to equality Article 14:-
i) According to the Article all persons who are in the similar circumstances are to be treated
alike in respect to both privileges conferred and the liabilities imposed. It however does not
forbid different treatment of unequals. All persons are not equal in all respects and they
cannot be treated at par with every body. Thus, would only result in unequal treatment (e.g.
the reservation we have for the various classes of people is one such example of giving
different treatment for unequal).
ii) Right to equality has been recognised as the Basic Structure of the Constitution held in Indra
Swahney v. Union of India A.I.R. 2000
GENERAL AWARENESS 140
iii) Article14 does not allow classification of persons into groups that are treated differently but
does not forbid differentiation on the grounds of reasonable classification.
iv) According to the new approach of Article14; Article 14 strikes at the arbitrariness of the state
action and ensures fairness and equality of State action. The principle of reasonableness is an
essential element of equality. Any arbitrary or those actions which are unreasonable are as
such discriminatory.
v) In Vishaka v. State of Rajasthan, A.I.R. 1997 Article14 was invoked to prohibit sexual harassment
of women in their workplace on grounds of violation of the right to gender equality.
Probation of discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste sex or place of birth-Article15
i) The State may provide special provisions in favour of women and children.
ii) Indra Swahney v. Union of India the court held that other that in extraordinary cases reservation
should not exceed 50%. Caste should not be the yardstick for social or economic
backwardness (SEBC. Socially and educationally backward classes) within the SEBC further
classification between backward and more backward is however permissible.
Equal opportunity in matters of Employment-Article 16
i) Right to Equality is guaranteed by Article14, Article 16 gives Equality of Opportunity in
matters relating to appointment or employment in offices under the State.
Abolition of titles-Article 18
i) Untouchability is abolished and its practice in any form is punishable by law.
Abolition of titles-Article 18
i) No titles other than military and academic shall be conferred by the state. Conferring honors on the
people, like Bharat Ratna, Padma Vibhushan, and Padma Bhushan are not to be treated as a title.
RIGHT TO FREEDOM Article19
Freedom of speech Article 19(1)(a);
Freedom to assemble peacefully Article19(1)(b);
Freedom to form associations or unions Article19(1)(c)
Freedom to move freely throughout the territory of India Article 19(1)(d);
To reside and settle in any part of the country Article 19(1)(e);
To acquire, hold and dispose off property Article 19(1)(f) (this freedom was omitted by the 44
th
Amendment
Act 1978)
To practice any profession, or carry on any occupation, trade or business Article 19(1) (g).
These freedoms are available only to citizens. These freedoms guaranteed under Article 19 are basic
freedoms which all persons should enjoy, but these freedoms do not come without certain restrictions.
From clause (2) to clause (6) of Article 19 the state has the right to impose certain reasonable restrictions
so that the interests of the public, security of the state, public order e.t.c are protected for general welfare
of the people.
These freedoms are restricted in matters related to the security of state, defamation, public order,
decency or morality, contempt of court, incitement to an offence, sovereignty and integrity of India.
GENERAL AWARENESS 141
Some of the areas which shows the widening horizon of Article21 are:-
i) Bandua Mukti Morcha v. Union of India A.I.R.1984 the court held that the bonded laborers
were to be released and rehabilitated as it was against the principles enunciated by Article21
and also the Directive Principles of State Policy.
ii) In Hussain v. State of Kerala 2000 SC and Rudal Shah v. State of Bihar recognised the Right
to Compensation for the violation of Article21.
PROTECTION AGAINST ARREST AND DETENTION ARTICLE 22
Fundamental rights can be suspended for the period the emergency is proclaimed but the rights under
Article20 and 21 cannot be suspended even then.
Today progressive judicial interpretation of Article 21 has lead it to greater heights in terms of protecting
a persons life and liberty. The procedure established by law could deprive a person of his right to life
and liberty under Article 21. The procedure must answer to the test of reasonableness. Article 21 is the
procedural Magna Carta protective of right to life and liberty and article 22 draws its strength from it.
Article 22 confers a few rights on the person who is arrested.
i) Shall not be detained without being informed of the grounds of arrest.
ii) Right to consult a lawyer. The right to consult a lawyer is not lost if he is released on bail.
iii) To be produced before a magistrate within 24 hours of his arrest.
iv) Cannot be detained for a period exceeding 24 hours without the authority of the court.
All these are instances of punitive detention where in a person is detained for the wrong caused by him.
In case of preventive detention the object of this is to curtail a persons liberty so that h is prevented
from doing anything injurious.
Preventive detention is used for the purposes like defence, foreign affairs, or the security of India.
RIGHT AGAINST EXPLOITATION
Prohibition of Traffic in Human Beings and Forced Labour Article 24.
i) There were socio economic problems that were growing out of the control which was mainly
due to poverty. Lack of education and economic conditions so bad that people were willing to
work for any amount of money.
ii) According to this article no person can be forced to work without payment, and traffic in human
beings means to buy and sell human beings like property, other forms of forced labour which
includes bonded labour, and also includes immoral traffic of women.
iii) Bandua Mukti Morcha v. Union of India A.I.R.1984 the Supreme Court held that it was the
fundamental right of every human being to live with human dignity and free from exploitation.
GENERAL AWARENESS 143
The main function of this writ is to keep the public authorities within their limits of jurisdiction
while carrying out their public functions. This writ can be issued to administrative bodies,
legislative, judicial as well as quasi judicial bodies.
A discriminatory administrative decision can be squashed by a writ of mandamus
iii) Certiorari: - the function of certiorari is to squash a decision already made by the lower subordinate court or a
tribunal. And so it is issued when the body in question has deposed off the matter and rendered the
decision.
The function of certiorari is supervisory. This writ is issued when the authority is acting
under an invalid law.
iv) Quo warranto: - This writ is used to control executive action in the areas of making appointments
to public offices under relevant statutory provisions judicially.
This writ protects the citizens from the holder of a public office when he is not entitled to it.
This writ requires the holder of a particular public office to show under what authority he is
holding that particular office. If it is found that he is not entitled to that office then the court
will restrain him from holding that office and declare that office vacant.
v) Prohibition: - both prohibition and certiorari are remedies for the judicial control of quasi judicial
bodies and administrative decisions affecting the rights.
Prohibition is issued when the matter has not been disposed of but being considered by the
body concerned. The function of prohibition is to prohibit the body concerned from proceeding
with the matter further.
RES JUDICATA
Wherein a matter has been resolved under Article 32 between two parties the same matter between
the same parties cannot come up under the same Article.
This principle will be applicable even when the High Court has been moved under Article226 and
a fresh petition has been filed under Article 32.
The writ of Habeas corpus is an exception to this rule. Res judicata is not applicable for this writ. A
writ of Habeas Corpus has been rejected by the High Court a petition can be filed under Article 32
under the same writ.
DIRECTIVE PRINCIPLES OF STATE POLICY
NATURE
Articles 38 to 51 deals with the Directive Principles of State Policy. This concept was borrowed from
the Irish Constitution. The directive principles lay down certain socio-economic goals which the
government of India seeks to achieve.
These directives are not enforceable in the court of law. The reason behind the non-justiciability of the
principles is that they impose positive obligations on the government.
GENERAL AWARENESS 146
Then why have them? It was more to have an awakened public opinion.
When directive principles override the fundamental rights, the courts have held that it is the fundamental
rights that will prevail. The fundamental rights are justiciable wherein the directive principles are not.
The laws made to implement directive principles cannot take away the fundamental rights.
If the Parliament in its capacity of an amending body amends the Constitution, by which a fundamental
right is taken away or is abridged the court cannot declare the Constitutional amendment as wrong.
Both the directive principles and the fundamental rights have to coexist harmoniously. There has to be
a harmonious construction between the directive principles and the fundamental rights.
DIRECTIVE PRINCIPLES- WHAT IT SEEKS TO ACHIEVE
The directive principle seeks to create certain obligations upon the government and at the same time
gives certain rights to its citizens.
The obligation it imposes upon the State:-
i) Directs the State to strive for social, political, and economic equality Article38(1)
ii) To minimize inequality of income Article38(2)
iii) To direct its policy towards controlling material resources Article39 (b) and concentration of
wealth in the hands of few Article39(c).this affects the entire economic system of our
nation.
iv) To enable the citizens to have village panchayats Article40.
v) Welfare of the workers .and to promote cottage industries on individual or cooperative basis in
rural areas Article42, 43.
vi) To strive for a uniform civil code Article44
vii) Educational and economic interests for the weaker sections of the people Article46.
viii) To regard as its primary duty to improve public health and raise nutritional levels and standard of
living Article47. To organize agriculture and animal husbandry Article48.
ix) To protect and improve environment safeguard wildlife and forests of the country Article48A.
x) Places of historical interest to be protected Article49.
xi) Independence of judiciary Article50 this Article is directory and not mandatory.
xii) To promote international peace and security and harmonious relations between countries. To
abide by treaties and international law Article51.
The rights that the directive principles give its citizens. Though these are non-justiciable rights there
are statutes which implement these provisions.
i) Right to means of livelihood Article39(a)
ii) Equal work for men and women Article39(d)
GENERAL AWARENESS 147
Membership
i) Not more than 530 members are representatives of the state.
ii) Not more than 20 representatives of the union territories.
iii) Not more than 2 members belonging to the Anglo-Indian community.
Duration
i) The Lok sabha is not a continuing body.
ii) Elections may be held to constitute new Lok sabha before that is done the existing Lok sabha is
dissolved.
iii) The house shall continue for a period of 5 years.
iv) It can be dissolved earlier by the President. The life of the Lok sabha can be extended when there
is a proclaimed emergency.
Qualification
i) A citizen of India
ii) Not less than 25 years of age.
Disqualification
i) Must not be of unsound mind.
ii) Should not be discharged or insolvent.
iii) Voluntarily acquired the citizenship or acknowledges the allegiance to another country.
iv) If should not hold an office of profit.
EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONS OF THE CENTRE
WORKING OF EXECUTIVE
The Union Executive consists of the President, Prime minister, and the Council Of Ministers. Though the
Constitution gives a lot of functions to the President he actually does not do so without the consultation
of the ministers, so effectively it is the Prime minister and the Council of Ministers that constitute the
Executive.
PRESIDENT
Qualifications For Election As The President-Article58
i) Should be a citizen of India
ii) Should have completed 35 years of age
iii) Should be qualified for election as a member of the House Of The People
iv) Should not hold any office of profit under the Central Government or any of the State Governments.
GENERAL AWARENESS 150
PRIME MINISTER
Since it is a parliamentary form of government the Prime minister have a very important role to play.
He is the leader of the majority party in the Lok Sabha and also of the Council Of Ministers.
The Prime Minister is the link between the President and the Ministers. He appoints a minister and can
also compel the resignation of the minister.
The entire functioning of the parliament depends upon the Prime Minister.
The President may be the Head of State but practically it seems that the Prime Minister is the Head of
State.
When ever the Prime Minister resigns the entire council of ministers also resign.
The Constitution states that the Prime Minister is the head of the Council of Ministers.
COUNCIL OF MINISTERS
The total number of the ministers including the Prime Minister in the Council of Ministers should not
exceed 15% of the total number of members in the House of People. The ministers hold office at the
pleasure of the President.
The Council of Ministers has collective responsibility towards the house of people. Where in the
whole ministry will be treated like a single entity on matters relating to policies as far as being answerable
to the parliament. The President shall act in accordance to the aid and advice given by the council of
ministers but the President can always ask the Council of Ministers to reconsider such advice.
If a minister within the period of 6 months is not a member of either house of the Parliament ceases to
be a minister.
ATTORNEY GENERAL OF INDIA Article 76
A person qualified to be appointed as the judge of the Supreme Court shall be appointed as the
Attorney General of India.
Holds office at the pleasure of the President.
Functions of the Attorney General
i) To give advice to the Government of India on legal matters.
ii) Perform such duties assigned to him by the President.
iii) Discharge functions conferred to him by the Constitution.
SUPREME COURT
It is the protector of fundamental rights of the people in exercise of its original as well as appellate jurisdiction
It is the ultimate authority to interpret the provisions of the Constitution.
It is the final court of appeal in all matters, constitutional, civil, criminal, etc
It is the sole tribunal to decide matters regarding Centre State relationship and inter -State disputes.
GENERAL AWARENESS 153
iv) The process of removal of a Judge under Article124 (4) was invoked only once against Justice
Ramaswamy in 1991 but turned out in favour of the judge despite support for removal by the
committee and the media bar, and the Parliamentarians.
Salary
i) The salary of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Rs 33,000 and other Judges of the Supreme
Court Rs 30,000
JURISDICTION OF POWERS
The Constitution of India grants the Supreme Court three types of Jurisdiction. They are Original
Appellate and Advisory Jurisdiction.
Original Jurisdiction
i) Under Article131 the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court extends to any dispute between
the Centre and the State.
ii) The Supreme Court is not a court of original jurisdiction in all matters between parties.
iii) The Supreme Court has original jurisdiction under Article32 regarding the enforcement of
Fundamentals Rights, it is empowered to issue directions, orders or writs.
Appellate jurisdiction
i) Articles 132 to 136 deal with Appellate Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court in Constitutional, Civil
and Criminal cases.
ii) It deals with appeals involving interpretation of the statutes and also regarding civil matters
iii) Article134 empowers the Supreme Court to hear appeals from any judgment, final order or
sentence in a criminal proceeding. It is a court of criminal appeal over the High Courts and
creates a right of second appeal.
Advisory jurisdiction
i) The Supreme Court has advisory jurisdiction in matters which may specifically be referred to it
by the President of India under Article143 of the Constitution.
POWER TO REVIEW
Under Article137 the Supreme Court can review its own judgments, subject to the provisions of any
law made by Parliament or any rules made by the Supreme Court under Article145.
GENERAL AWARENESS 155
JURISDICTION
The High Courts have Appellate Jurisdiction and is empower to supervise all courts under its appellate
jurisdiction.
The High Courts of Calcutta, Bombay, and Madras and Andhra Pradesh continue to have admiralty
jurisdiction.
WRIT JURISDICTION
Article226 confers upon the High Courts of India to issue to any person or authority orders or writs for
the enforcement of the Fundamental Rights. Or any other legal right it can be exercised even against
the Legislature.
STATE GOVERNMENT
CONSTITUTION
i) The State legislature shall consist of the Governor,
ii) In the States of Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Maharastra, Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh the legislature
is bicarmel, where in the States have two houses. The Legislative Council (Vidhan Parishad) and
the Legislative Assembly (vidhan sabha).
iii) In all the other States there is only one House which is the Legislative Assembly,
iv) The creation of, or the abolition of the Legislative Council shall not be considered the Amendment
of the Constitution.
COMPOSITION
i) Legislative Council
The total number of members in the Legislative Council of a State shall not exceed 1/3 of the
total number of members in the Legislative Assembly of the State. But the total number of
members shall not be less than 40.
The membership of the Legislative Council is not from territorial constituencies as in the
Legislative Assemblies but by nomination.
ii) Legislative Assembly
The members are elected directly by the people in the State.
They are elected once in every five years.
The minimum number members in the Legislative Assembly should be 60 and the maximum
should be 500.
No member shall be the member of the Council and the Assembly at the same time and no
member can be the member of the Assembly and the Parliament.
GENERAL AWARENESS 157
FUNCTION
i) Legislative Council and Legislative Assembly
When there are two Houses then the Bill has to be passed by both the Houses.
When the assembly is dissolved and the Bill pending in the Legislative Council which has not
been passed by the Legislative Assembly does not lapse.
But if passed by the Assembly and not by the Council then it lapses.
A non- money Bill may become an act without the consent of the Legislative Council if the
Legislative Assembly passes the Bill and the Council fails to pass it within three months from
the date the Bill was laid before the Council, or if the Council makes certain amendments to
which the Assembly does not agree to.
A Money Bill shall not be introduced in the Legislative Council.
Whether the Assembly accepts or does not accept the recommendations of the Council, the
Money Bill shall be deemed to have been passed by both the Houses.
Like the Parliament both the Houses perform the function of discussing and debating public
issues, controlling the State Government, looking into policies.
FUNCTIONS OF THE GOVERNOR
FIRST WOMAN GOVERNOR:-SAROJINI NAIDU (1947)
Each State has a Governor. Sometimes two or more States may have a common Governor. He is
formally appointed by the President.
The Governor is the Head of the State as well as the link between the Centre and the State so as to
ensure a smooth functioning of the Constitutional Machinery.
THE CHIEF MINISTER AND THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS
FIRST WOMAN CHIEF MINISTER:- SUCHETA KRIPLANI (1963)
The Governor appoints the Chief Minister. There is no specific qualification required to be the Chief
Minister of a State. He only has to be the leader of the majority party.
The Governor can dismiss the Ministers and dissolve the Legislative Assembly. Under Article163 the
Ministers have no right to advice the Governor in relation to the functions he has to carry on under
Constitution to exercise his discretion.
He maintains peace and tranquility of the State, summoning, dissolving the State Legislative Assembly,
superintendence and direction, and control of elections, appointment of members of the State Public
Service Commission, and Advocate General of the State.
By the Constitution (Ninety-first Amendment) act, 2003, Article164(1-A) the total number of the Ministers
including the Chief Minister and the Council of Ministers should not exceed fifteen percent of the total
number of the memberd of the Legislative Assembly.
END OF THE CHAPTER
GENERAL AWARENESS 158
IT Awareness
Chapter 15
GENERAL AWARENESS 160
Output Devices
The device that gives the processed data or information to us is called the output device. Depending on the
requirement of the user, the result is displayed on the monitor or a printer.
Monitor: All the data entered from the keyboard, first appears on the small TV called monitor. It is
called so because it allows the user of the computer to keep a check on the things that are being
typed. Another very important use of this monitor is that after the processing has been completed
by the computer the result is obtained and is flashed on the monitor, allowing the user to see the
information. Monitors can be Monochrome (having a dark background) or Coloured (can display
text and pictures in all colours)
Printers: The data that has been processed in the computer can be printed on the paper by means
of a printer. They are classified on the basis of how they work. If the printer creates an impression
of the typed letter on the paper, it is called an impact printer, otherwise it is known as non-impact
printer.
Displaying output on the screen gives the user the result in a convenient readable form; this output is
referred to as soft copy. Printing the results on paper is a way of permanently saving the information which
can even be used at a later time. This output is called hard copy.
The Secondary storage devices allow programs, data and processing results to be saved on a storage media
(such as magnetic tape, floppy diskettes). If it is required to process these items, they can be transferred
back into the primary storage unit of the computer. Although it takes more time to access items in secondary
storage devices than in main memory, but the main advantage of secondary storage devices over primary
ones is that they are less expensive and can store enormous quantities of data.
SOFTWARE
The computer needs written instructions to solve a problem, these instructions must be written in a
programming language. These programs and series of programs are referred to as software. These programs
are of two types- system programs and application programs. The system programs direct the computer in
its own internal operations while the application programs are written to solve users problems.
OPERATING SYSTEMS
Operating System is a set of software modules (Program) within a computer system that governs the
control of equipment resources such as processors, main memory, secondary memory, I/O devices and
files.
Some examples of operating system are DOS, WINDOWS, WINDOWS-XP, etc.
GENERAL AWARENESS 163
TYPES OF COMPUTERS
DIGITAL, ANALOG & HYBRID COMPUTERS
The automatic, digital computer was invented in 1833 by Charles Babbage (known as the Father of
Computers) A digital computer is so called because it uses a series of digits to represent all types of
information. The digits used are called binary digit (0 and 1) also balled bits. In contrast to digital computers,
analogue computers use the values of continuously varying physical quantities to represent information. The
desirable features of analog and digital machines can be combined to create a Hybrid computing system,
which is partly digital and partly analog.
PROGRAMS
Refers to the set of instructions that have to be written for the computer so that it is able to process the data
to give the desired information. These programs are written by only those Computer Professionals called
programmers. These programmers have the required knowledge of how to communicate with the computer.
The tool that is used for writing the set of instructions is called a computer language. Working a program is
called executing or running the program.
TYPES OF PROGRAMS
The operating system contains several types of programs. These are:
1. Supervisor Program: (also called the monitor or executive) is the major component of the operating
system. It coordinates the activities of all other parts of the operating system. This program schedules
the order of input and output operations. It also sends messages to the computer operator if an error
occurs or if the computer requires additional direction.
2. Job Control Program: A job is a unit of work to be processed by the CPU. Job control commands are
used to identify the beginning of a job, the specific program to be executed, the work to be done, and
the input/output devices required. The job control program translates the job control commands written
by a programmmer into machine language.
3. Input/Output Management System: When a user-written program requests information to be
transferred into or out of main memory, the input/output (I/O) management system oversees and
coordinates the process. Input and output devices are assigned to specific programs and information is
moved between the devices and memory locations.
4. Language Translation Programs: A computer can only execute instructions that are in machine
language, which consists of 0s and 1s. In order for the computer to use English-like programs such as
those written in Pascal, it must use a language translation program. This program translates the
English-like program into machine language. There are two types of language translation programs:
interpreters and compilers. Compiler, on the other hand, is a program that translates high-level language
into absolute code, or sometimes into assembly language. The input to the compiler is a description of
an algorithm or program in a problem-oriented language; its output (the object code) is an equivalent
description of the algorithm in a machine-oriented language (the source code).
GENERAL AWARENESS 164
the virus from memory, but not from the file, files or disk it has affected. So, next time we use our
computer, the virus program is activated again and attaches itself to more programs.
TYPES OF VIRUS
Mainly, there are two main types of virus - Program Virus & Boot Virus
Program Virus must be written for a specific operating system. Boot Virus exploit the inherent features of
the computer (rather than operating system) to spread and activate.
Definitions
Virus: A virus is a type of program that can replicate itself by making (possibly modified) copies of itself.
The main criterion for classifying a piece of executable code as a virus is that it spreads itself by means of
hosts. A virus can only spread from one computer to another when its host is taken to the uninfected
computer, for instance by a user sending it over a network or carrying it on a removable medium. Additionally,
viruses can spread to other computers by infecting files on a network file system or a file system that is
accessed by another computer. Viruses are sometimes confused with worms.
Worm: A worm, however, can spread itself to other computers without needing to be transferred as part of
a host. Many personal computers are now connected to the Internet and to local-area networks, facilitating
their spread. Todays viruses may also take advantage of network services such as the World Wide Web, e-
mail, and file sharing systems to spread, blurring the line between viruses and worms.
Viruses can infect different types of hosts. The most common targets are executable files that contain
application software or parts of the operating system. Viruses have also infected the executable boot sectors
of floppy disks, script files of application programs, and documents that can contain macro scripts. Additionally,
viruses can infect files in other ways than simply inserting a copy of their code into the code of the host
program. For example, a virus can overwrite its host with the virus code, or it can use a trick to ensure that
the virus program is executed when the user wants to execute the (unmodified) host program. Viruses have
existed for many different operating systems, including MSDOS, Amiga OS, Linux and even Mac OS;
however, the vast majority of viruses affect Microsoft Windows.
Spyware: In the field of computing, the term spyware refers to a broad category of malicious software
designed to intercept or take partial control of a computers operation without the informed consent of that
machines owner or legitimate user. While the term taken literally suggests software that surreptitiously
monitors the user, it has come to refer more broadly to software that subverts the computers operation for
the benefit of a third party.
Spyware differs from viruses and worms in that it does not usually self-replicate. Like many recent viruses,
however, spyware by design exploits infected computers for commercial gain. Typical tactics furthering
this goal include delivery of unsolicited pop-up advertisements; theft of personal information (including
financial information such as credit card numbers); monitoring of Web-browsing activity for marketing
purposes; or routing of HTTP requests to advertising sites.
Adware: Adware or advertising-supported software is any software package which automatically plays,
displays, or downloads advertising material to a computer after the software is installed on it or while the
application is being used.
GENERAL AWARENESS 166
COMPUTER NETWORKING
Computer networking is the scientific and engineering discipline concerned with communication between
computer systems. Such networks involve at least two computers seperated by a few inches (e.g. via
Bluetooth) or thousands of miles (e.g. via the Internet). Computer networking is sometimes considered a
sub-discipline of telecommunications.
History
Carrying instructions between calculation machines and early computers was done by human users. In
September, 1940 George Stibitz used a teletype machine to send instructions for a problem set from his
Model K at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire to his Complex Number Calculator in New York and
received results back by the same means. Linking output systems like teletypes to computers was an
interest at the Advanced Research Projects Agency ARPA when, in 1962, J.C.R. Licklider was hired and
developed a working group he called the Intergalactic Network, a precursor to the ARPANet. In 1964,
researchers at Dartmouth developed a time sharing system for distributed users of large computer systems.
The same year, at MIT, a research group supported by General Electric and Bell Labs used a computer
(DECs PDP-8) to route and manage telephone connections. In 1968 Paul Baran proposed a network system
consisting of datagrams or packets that could be used in a packet switching network between computer
systems. In 1969 the University of California at Los Angeles, SRI (in Stanford), University of California at
Santa Barbara, and the University of Utah were connected as the beginning of the ARPANet network using
50 kbit/s circuits.
Categorizing
Local area network
A local area network (LAN) is a computer network covering a small local area, like a home, office, or
small group of buildings such as a home, office, or college. Current LANs are most likely to be based on
switched Ethernet or Wi-Fi technology running at from 10 to 10000 Mbit/s. The defining characteristics of
LANs in contrast to WANs are: a) much higher data rates, b) smaller geographic range - at most a few
kilometers, and c) they do not involve leased telecommunication lines. LAN usually does not refer to data
running over local analog telephone lines, as on a private branch exchange (PBX).
Wide area network
A wide area network or WAN is a computer network covering a wide geographical area, involving a vast
array of computers. This is different from personal area networks (PANs), metropolitan area networks
(MANs) or local area networks (LANs) that are usually limited to a room, building or campus. The most
well-known example of a WAN is the Internet.
WANs are used to connect local area networks (LANs) together, so that users and computers in one location
can communicate with users and computers in other locations. Many WANs are built for one particular
organization and are private. Others, built by Internet Service Providers, provide connections from an
GENERAL AWARENESS 167
organizations LAN to the Internet. WANs are most often built using leased lines. At each end of the leased
line, a router connects to the LAN on one side and a hub within the WAN on the other.
Network protocols including TCP/IP deliver transport and addressing functions. Protocols including Packet
over SONET/SDH, MPLS, ATM and Frame relay are often used by service providers to deliver the links that
are used in WANs. X.25 was an important early WAN protocol, and is often considered to be the grandfather
of Frame Relay as many of the underlying protocols and functions of X.25 are still in use today (with
upgrades) by Frame Relay.
BENEFITS OF NETWORKS
Exchanging Data
Sharing system resources
Creation of workgroups
Centralized Management
Security
Access to more than one operating system
Enhancement of the corporate structure
COMPONENTS OF NETWORKS
Server- A server runs the network operating system and offers network services to users at their
individual workstations. It offers services such as file, storage, security, resource management,
user management.
The types of server are
1. File server
2. E-mail server or E-mail gateway
3. Database server
4. Fax server
5. Print server
6. Backup and archive server
Workstations- When a computer is connected to a network, it becomes a node on the network
and is called a workstation or client. A workstations job has been to execute program files retrieved
from the network, and the servers job is to deliver those files to the workstation.
NICs- Network Interface Cards provides interface between the server and workstations. Each
computer attached to a network requires a network interface card (NIC) that supports a specific
networking scheme. The type of NICs used usually decides the maximum data transfer rate
Cabling- The network cabling system is the media used to connect the server and the workstations
together.
Shared resources and peripherals- Shared resources and peripherals include storage devices
attached to the server, optical disk drives, printers, plotters, modem and other equipment that can
be used by everyone on the network.
GENERAL AWARENESS 168
THE INTERNET
The Internet, or simply the Net, is the publicly accessible worldwide system of interconnected computer
networks that transmit data by packet switching using a standardized Internet Protocol (IP). It is made up
of thousands of smaller commercial, academic, domestic, and government networks. It carries various
information and services, such as electronic mail, online chat, and the interlinked Web pages and other
documents of the World Wide Web.
Contrary to some common usage, the Internet and the World Wide Web are not synonymous: the Internet is
a collection of interconnected computer networks, linked by copper wires, fiber-optic cables, wireless
connections etc.; the Web is a collection of interconnected documents, linked by hyperlinks and URLs, and
is accessible using the Internet.
Creation of the Internet
The USSRs launch of Sputnik spurred the U.S. to create the Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency
(DARPA) in February 1958 to regain a technological lead. DARPA created the Information Processing
Technology Office to further the research of the Semi Automatic Ground Environment program, which had
networked country-wide radar systems together for the first time. J. C. R. Licklider was selected to head
the IPTO, and saw universal networking as a potential unifying human revolution. Licklider recruited Lawrence
Roberts to head a project to implement a network, and Roberts based the technology on the work of Paul
Baran who had written an exhaustive study for the U.S. Air Force that recommended packet switching to
make a network highly robust and survivable. After much work, the first node went live at UCLA on
October 29, 1969 on what would be called the ARPANET, the eve network of todays Internet. In December
of 1970, Charles A. Petrik contacted the U.S. Navy and suggested that a special communications network,
that the Department of Defence had built for use in the possibility of a nuclear attack, could also be used
during peace time. Petrik convinced the military to connect the computers of the U.S. National Laboratories
for scientific research purposes, and to allow these labs to get data to other labs faster, and safer. The vast
majority of todays Internet uses version four of the IP protocol (i.e. IPv4), and although IPv6 is standardised,
it exists only as islands of connectivity, and there are many ISPs who dont have any IPv6 connectivity at
all. The first TCP/IP wide area network was operational by 1 January 1983 , when the United States
National Science Foundation (NSF) constructed a university network backbone that would later become the
NSFNet. (This date is held by some to be technically that of the birth of the Internet.) It was then followed
by the opening of the network to commercial interests in 1995. Important separate networks that offered
gateways into, then later merged into the Internet include Usenet, Bitnet and the various commercial and
educational X.25 networks such as Compuserve and JANET. The ability of TCP/IP to work over these pre-
existing communication networks allowed for a great ease of growth. Use of Internet as a phrase to describe
a single global TCP/IP network originated around this time.
The network gained a public face in the 1990s. In August 1991 CERN in Switzerland publicized the new
World Wide Web project, two years after Tim Berners-Lee had begun creating HTML, HTTP and the first
few web pages at CERN in Switzerland. In 1993 the National Center for Supercomputing Applications at the
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign released the Mosaic web browser version 1.0, and by late 1994
there was growing public interest in the previously academic/technical Internet. By 1996 the word Internet
was common public currency, but it referred almost entirely to the World Wide Web.
Meanwhile, over the course of the decade, the Internet successfully accommodated the majority of previously
existing public computer networks (although some networks such as FidoNet have remained separate).
This growth is often attributed to the lack of central administration, which allows organic growth of the
GENERAL AWARENESS 169
network, as well as the non-proprietary open nature of the Internet protocols, which encourages vendor
interoperability and prevents any one company from exerting too much control over the network.
Todays Internet
Apart from the complex physical connections that make up its infrastructure, the Internet is held together by
bi- or multi-lateral commercial contracts (for example peering agreements) and by technical specifications
or protocols that describe how to exchange data over the network. Indeed, the Internet is essentially defined
by its interconnections and routing policies.
Internet protocols
In this context, there are three layers of protocols:
at the lowest level is IP - the datagram which carries a block of data from one node to another
next comes TCP & UDP - the protocols by which one host exchanges data with another the
former making a virtual circuit giving some level of guarantee of reliability, the latter being a best-
effort connection-less transport
on top comes the application protocol - the specific messages or data stream used by the
application running on the hosts to talk to each other.
Unlike older communications systems, the Internet protocol suite was deliberately designed to be independent
of the underlying physical medium. Any communications network, wired or wireless, that can carry two-
way digital data can carry Internet traffic. Thus, Internet packets flow through wired networks like copper
wire, coaxial cable, and fibre optic; and through wireless networks like Wi-Fi.
Together, all these networks, sharing the same high-level protocols, form the Internet.
The Internet protocols originate from discussions within the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) and its
working groups, which are open to public participation and review. These committees produce documents
that are known as Request for Comments documents (RFCs). Some RFCs are raised to the status of
Internet Standard by the IETF process.
Some of the popular services on the Internet that make use of these protocols are e-mail, Usenet newsgroups,
file sharing, Instant Messenger, the World Wide Web, Gopher, session access, WAIS, finger, IRC, MUDs,
and MUSHs. Of these, e-mail and the World Wide Web are clearly the most used, and many other services
are built upon them, such as mailing lists and blogs. The Internet makes it possible to provide real-time
services such as Internet radio and webcasts that can be accessed from anywhere in the world.
World Wide Web
The World Wide Web (WWW or simply the Web) is a global information space which people can
read-from and write-to via a large number of different Internet-connected devices. For example, computers,
Personal Digital Assistants, cellular phones, telephone kiosks, etc. The World Wide Web is also available
(sometimes only partially) through digital television services, exposing content onto television screens.
END OF THE CHAPTER