UKPSC 2012 Paper VI

Points to Remember: Green Revolution’s impact on soil health. Specific soil degradation issues linked to Green Revolution practices. Long-term consequences of soil degradation. Sustainable soil management practices. Introduction: The Green Revolution, a period of intensified agricultural production from the mid-20th century, dramatically increased food production globally. However, its success came at a cost. Soil health … Read more

Points to Remember: Milestones of the Indian Space Programme (ISRO) Contributions to science and technology Socio-economic impact Challenges and future prospects International collaborations Introduction: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is a testament to India’s scientific prowess and its commitment to harnessing space technology for national development. Established in 1969, ISRO has journeyed from humble … Read more

Points to Remember: Different categories of salts based on chemical properties. Methods of salt preparation: neutralization, direct combination, displacement, and double decomposition. Examples of each type and preparation method. Introduction: Salts are ionic compounds formed from the reaction of an acid and a base. They are ubiquitous in nature and crucial in various industrial processes … Read more

Points to Remember: Step-up transformers increase voltage. Higher voltage means lower current for the same power. Lower current reduces transmission losses. Efficiency of power transmission is improved. Introduction: Power stations generate electricity at relatively low voltages. However, transmitting this electricity over long distances to consumers requires careful consideration of energy loss. The primary reason for … Read more

Points to Remember: Definition and creation of transgenic animals. Applications in medicine, agriculture, and research. Ethical considerations and potential risks. Introduction: Transgenic animals are animals that have had their genome altered by the introduction of foreign DNA. This foreign DNA, often called a transgene, can come from another animal, plant, or even a microorganism. The … Read more

Points to Remember: Definition of a vaccine. Classification of vaccines based on their composition and mechanism of action. Examples of vaccines for various diseases. Introduction: A vaccine is a biological preparation that provides immunity against particular diseases but is typically not a cure for the disease itself. Vaccines contain an agent that resembles a disease-causing … Read more

Points to Remember: Seven layers: Physical, Data Link, Network, Transport, Session, Presentation, Application. Each layer has specific functions. Hierarchical structure: Each layer interacts only with the adjacent layers. Standardization: Enables interoperability between different network devices and systems. Introduction: The ISO/OSI (International Organization for Standardization/Open Systems Interconnection) reference model is a conceptual framework that standardizes the … Read more

Points to Remember: Digestion is the breakdown of food into absorbable nutrients. Protein digestion involves several steps and enzymes. Different parts of the alimentary canal contribute to protein digestion. The process is crucial for obtaining amino acids for bodily functions. Introduction: Digestion is the complex process by which food is broken down into smaller molecules … Read more

Points to Remember: Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic Semiconductors Role of Dopants Types of Defects (Vacancies, Interstitials, Substitutions) Impact on Electrical Conductivity Introduction: Semiconductors are materials with electrical conductivity intermediate between conductors and insulators. Their unique properties stem from their electronic band structure, featuring a small energy gap (band gap) between the valence band (filled with electrons) … Read more

Points to Remember: Definition and importance of watershed management. Components of a sustainable watershed management plan. Challenges in implementing sustainable watershed management. Best practices and policy recommendations. Role of stakeholders and community participation. Introduction: Watershed management encompasses the integrated planning and management of land and water resources within a watershed – a geographically defined area … Read more