national

10 &11.12.17 Uttarakhand (UKPCS) Current Affairs

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UTTARAKHAND   Seaplane service in state soon   The Union Government is considering seaplane flights from lakes and rivers in the Himalayan State of Uttarakhand. These planes can land on the  lakes with only one feet water and are being termed as the thing of future in transport sector for their cost effectiveness, said the … Read more 10 &11.12.17 Uttarakhand (UKPCS) Current Affairs

09-12-2017 Uttarakhand (UKPCS) Current Affairs

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UTTARAKHAND   Govt has no plans to tamper with orginal structure of kedarnath : tourism min   The State Government has no plans to tamper with the original structure of Kedarnath temple and the objective of the proposed Kedarnath charitable trust is rehabilitation and infrastructural development in the disaster affected areas of the State.   … Read more 09-12-2017 Uttarakhand (UKPCS) Current Affairs

Indian planning since 1951: Objective and Achievements.

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First Plan (1951 – 56) Target Growth : 2.1 % Actual Growth 3.6 % It was based on Harrod-Domar Model. Influx of refugees, severe food shortage & mounting inflation confronted the country at the onset of the first five year Plan. The Plan Focussed on agriculture, price stability, power and transport It was a successful … Read more Indian planning since 1951: Objective and Achievements.

08-09.04.18 Uttarakhand (UKPCS) Current Affairs

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UTTARAKHAND   State to focus on yatra, yoga centres Uttarakhand will participate in the investment promotion seminar to be held on April 17- 18 in Bangkok under the Invest India programme. This seminar will be jointly organized by the Government of Thailand and the Government of India.   During the seminar, Uttarakhand will put before … Read more 08-09.04.18 Uttarakhand (UKPCS) Current Affairs

Federal Structure: Union-State relations.

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The Indian constitution provides for a federal framework with powers (legislative ,executive and financial) divided between the center and the states. However, there is no division of judicial power as the constitution has established an integrated judicial system to enforce both the central laws as well as state law. The Indian federation is not the … Read more Federal Structure: Union-State relations.

Structure, relief and physiographic divisions Three Geological divisions: 1. The peninsular block 2. The Himalayas and other Peninsular Mountains 3. Indo-Ganga-Brahmaputra Plain • Peninsualar block is made of gneisses (metamorphic) and granites (igneous). Six physiographic divisions: 1. The Northern and North-eastern Mountains 2. The Northern Plain 3. The Peninsular Plateau 4. The Indian Desert 5. The Coastal Plains 6. The Islands Northern and North-Eastern Mountains Approximate length of the Great Himalayan range: 2500 KM. Width: 160-400 KM Impact of Himalayas on the climate of India? It can be divided into five sub-divisions: 1. Kashmir (or Northwestern) Himalayas 2. Himachal and Uttaranchal Himalayas 3. Darjeeling and Sikkim Himalayas 4. Arunachal Himalayas 5. Eastern Hills and Mountains Kashmir Himalayas • Ranges: Karakoram, Ladhakh, Zaskar, Pir Pinjal • Glaciers: Baltoro, Siachen • Passes: Zoji La (Great Himalayas), Banihal (Pir Pinjal), Photu La (Zaskar) and Khardung La (Ladakh) • Lakes: (freshwater) Dal and Wular; (saltwater) Pangong Tso and Tso Moriri • Pilgrimage: Vaishno Devi, Amarnath Cave, Charar-e-Sharif • They are also famous for Karewa formations which are useful for the cultivation of Zafran (a local variety of Saffron). Karewas are the thick deposits of glacial clay and other materials embedded with moraines. • Kashmir is located on the banks of Jhelum river. • Meanders is a typical feature associated with the rivers in this region. • In South, there are longitudinal valleys called duns; Jammu dun and Pathankot dun Himachal and Uttarakhand Himalayas • Lies between rivers Ravi and Kali • Drained by two major river systems: Indus and Ganga • Northernmost part is an extension of the Ladakh desert, lies in Spiti. • Ranges: Great Himalayan Range, Lesser Himalayas (Dhaoladhar in HP and Nagtibha in Uttarakhand), Shivalik range • Pilgrimage: Gangotri, Yamunotri, Kedarnath, Badrinath, Hemkund Sahib and the five famous prayags (Refer to Panch Prayag) • Famous for hill stations: Dharamshala, Mussoorie, Shimla, Kaosani; Cantt.: Kasauli, Almora, Lansdowne, Ranikhet • The important distinguishing features of this area are the ‘Shivalik’ and ‘Dun formations’. • Important duns: Chandigarh-Kalka, Nalagarh, Dehra, Harike, Kota • Dehradun is the largest of all duns: Length – 35-45 KM, Width: 22-25 KM • Inhabited with the Bhotia They migrate to higher reaches (Bugyals) in summer and return to the valleys during winters. Darjeeling and Sikkim Himalayas • Between Nepal Himalayas and Bhutan Himalayas. • Fast flowing rivers such as Tista • Peaks: Kanchenjunga • Tribe: Lepcha • Has a mixed population of Nepalis, Bengalis and tribals from Central India. • Importance: Due to the moderate slope, it is best suited for tea plantations. • Duar formations are peculiar to this region. Arunachal Himalayas • From Bhutan Himalayas to Diphu pass in the east. • Direction: Southwest to Northeast • Peaks: Kangtu and Namya Barwa • Rivers: Brahmaputra, Kameng, Subansiri, Dihang, Dibang and Lohit. • These rivers are perennial and have the highest hydro-electric power potential in the country. • Tribes: Monpa, Daffla, Abor, Mishmi, Nishi and Nagas • These communities practice shifting cultivation known as Jhumming. Eastern Hills and Mountains • Direction: North to South • Ranges: Patkai Bum, Naga hills, Manipur hills, Mizo or Lushai hills • These are low hills • Tribes practice Jhum cultivation • Rivers: Barak. Most of the Nagaland rivers form a tributary of Brahmaputra. Rivers in eastern Manipur are the tributaries of Chindwin, which in turn is a tributary of the Irrawady of Myanmar. • Lake: Loktak • Loktak Lake: is an important lake in Manipur which is surrounded by mountains on all sides. It is the largest freshwater lake in northeastern India. Also called the only Floating Lake in the world due to floating masses of organic matter on it. It serves as a source for hydropower generation, irrigation and drinking water supply. • Keibul Kamjao National Park located in the Bishnupur district of Manipur is the only floating park in the world and is an integral part of the Loktak Lake. Home to the endangered Manipur Eld’s Deer or Brow-antlered Deer or Sangai or Dancing Deer. • Mizoram is also known as the ‘Molassis basin’ which is made up of soft unconsolidated deposits. The Northern Plains • Formed by the alluvial deposits of rivers – Indus, Ganga and Brahmaputra. • Length: 3200 KM; Width: 150-300 KM Three main zones: 1. Bhabar 2. Tarai 3. Alluvial Plains (Khadar and Bangar) Bhabar • Narrow belt. 8-10 KM wide. • Paralllel to Shivalik at the break-up of the slope. Hence, streams and rivers deposit heavy rocks (and at times disappear) in this zone. Tarai • South of Bhabar. 10-20 KM wide. • Rivers re-emerge and create marshy and swampy conditions known as Tarai. Alluvial Belt • South of Tarai. • Features of mature stage of fluvial erosional and depositional landforms such as sand bars, meanders, ox-bow lakes and braided channels. Riverine islands in Brahmaputra. • Brahmaputra takes a turn an almost 90 degree turn at Dhubri (Assam) before entering Bangladesh. Peninsular Plateau • Bounded by the Delhi ridge, Rajmahal Hills, Gir range and Cardamom hills. • Made up of a series of patland plateaus: Hazaribagh, Palamu, Ranchi, Malwa, Coimbatore, Karnataka etc. • One of the oldest and most stable landmass of India. • Physiographic Features: Tors, block mountains, rift valleys, spurs, bare rocky structures, hummocky hills and quartzite dykes offering natural sites for water storage. • Black soil in western and northwestern parts. • Bhima fault in this region has frequent seismic activity (Lathur earthquake) • NW part also has ravines and gorges: Chambal, Bhind and Morena. Three broad regions: 1. Deccan Plateau 2. Central Highlands 3. Northwestern Plateau Deccan Plateau • Bordered by Eastern Ghats, Satpura, Maikal range and Mahadeo hills • Important ranges: WG: Sahyadri, Nilgiri, Anaimalai and Caradamom hills; EG: Javadi hills, Palconda range, Nallamala Hills, Mahendragiri hills • EG and WG meet at Nilgiri hills. • Highest peak: Anaimudi (2695 m) on Anaimalai hills; Dodabetta (2637 m) on Nilgiri hills. • Rivers: Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri etc. Central Highlands • Bounded by the Aravali and Satpura range. • Relic mountains, highly denuded and form discontinuous ranges. • Near Jaisalmer it is covered by the longitudinal sand ridges and crescent-shaped sand dunes called barchans. • Elevation: 700-1000 m • Banas, a tributary of Chambal, originates in the Aravalli. Other tributaries of Yamuna originate from the Vindhyan and Kaimur ranges. • Minerals in Chotanagpur plateau. Northeastern Plateau • Extension of the main Peninsular plateau. • Meghalaya and Karbi Anglong plateau. • Megahalaya plateau: Garo hills, Khasi hills and Jaintia hills (named after the tribals inhabiting the region) • Rich in minerals like coal, iron, sillimanite, limestone and uranium. • Receives maximum rainfall from SW monsoon. Hence, Meghalaya plateau has a highly eroded surface. Cherrapuni and Myswarnam. Indian Desert • Aka Marusthali • Northwest of the Aravali hills • Dotted with longitudinal dunes and barchans. • Low rainfall: >150 mm per year Low vegetation cover • Evidence that this area was under the sea during the Mesozoic era. • Features: mushroom rocks, shifting dunes and oasis. • Rivers are ephemeral: Luni. Brackish lakes. Inland drainage. Coastal Plains Two divisions: 1. Western coastal plains 2. Eastern Coastal Plains Western Coastal Plains • Submerged coastal plain. Hence, a narrow belt. Narrow in middle and broader towards north and south. • Ports: Provides natural conditions for the development of ports and harbours due to submergence. Kandla, Mazagaon (Mumbai), JLN port Navha Sheva, Maramagao, Mangalore, Cochin etc. • Mumbai has the world’s largest natural harbour. • May be divided into: Kachchh and Kathiawar coast in Gujarat, Konkan coast, Goan coast and Malabar coast. • Rivers don’t form delta. • Kayals (Backwaters): Found in the Malabar coast. Used for fishing and inland navigation. Every year Nehru Trophy Vallamkali (boat race) is held in Punnamada Kayal in Kerala. Eastern Coastal Plains • Broader • Emergent coast. Hence, less number of ports and harbours. Chennai, Vizag, Paradwip, Haldia. • Delta formation The Islands Two major Divisions: 1. Andaman and Nicobar 2. Lakshwadeep & Minicoy Andaman and Nicobar • Two major island groups: Ritchie’s archipelago and the Labrynth island. • The group is divided into: Andaman in the North and Nicobar in the South. • Andaman and Nicobar separated by the Ten Degree channel. • Barren Island • Peaks: Saddle Peak (N.Andaman – 738 m), Mt. Diavolo (Middle Andaman – 515 m), Mt. Koyob (S Andaman – 460 m) and Mt. Thuiller (Great Nicobar – 642 m) • Coral deposits found • Convectional rainfalls and equatorial type of vegetation. Lakshadweep and Minicoy • Entire group built of coral deposits. • Total of 36 islands of which 11 are inhabited. • Smallest UT • Minicoy is the largest island • Separated by the 9 Degree Channel, north of which is the Amini Island and to the south Canannore island. • These islands have storm beaches consisting of unconsolidated pebbles, shingles, cobbles and boulders.

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  Three Geological divisions: The peninsular block The Himalayas and other Peninsular Mountains Indo-Ganga-Brahmaputra Plain   Peninsualar block is made of gneisses (metamorphic) and granites (igneous). Six physiographic divisions: The Northern and North-eastern Mountains The Northern Plain The Peninsular Plateau The Indian Desert The Coastal Plains The Islands Northern and North-Eastern Mountains Approximate length of … Read more Structure, relief and physiographic divisions Three Geological divisions: 1. The peninsular block 2. The Himalayas and other Peninsular Mountains 3. Indo-Ganga-Brahmaputra Plain • Peninsualar block is made of gneisses (metamorphic) and granites (igneous). Six physiographic divisions: 1. The Northern and North-eastern Mountains 2. The Northern Plain 3. The Peninsular Plateau 4. The Indian Desert 5. The Coastal Plains 6. The Islands Northern and North-Eastern Mountains Approximate length of the Great Himalayan range: 2500 KM. Width: 160-400 KM Impact of Himalayas on the climate of India? It can be divided into five sub-divisions: 1. Kashmir (or Northwestern) Himalayas 2. Himachal and Uttaranchal Himalayas 3. Darjeeling and Sikkim Himalayas 4. Arunachal Himalayas 5. Eastern Hills and Mountains Kashmir Himalayas • Ranges: Karakoram, Ladhakh, Zaskar, Pir Pinjal • Glaciers: Baltoro, Siachen • Passes: Zoji La (Great Himalayas), Banihal (Pir Pinjal), Photu La (Zaskar) and Khardung La (Ladakh) • Lakes: (freshwater) Dal and Wular; (saltwater) Pangong Tso and Tso Moriri • Pilgrimage: Vaishno Devi, Amarnath Cave, Charar-e-Sharif • They are also famous for Karewa formations which are useful for the cultivation of Zafran (a local variety of Saffron). Karewas are the thick deposits of glacial clay and other materials embedded with moraines. • Kashmir is located on the banks of Jhelum river. • Meanders is a typical feature associated with the rivers in this region. • In South, there are longitudinal valleys called duns; Jammu dun and Pathankot dun Himachal and Uttarakhand Himalayas • Lies between rivers Ravi and Kali • Drained by two major river systems: Indus and Ganga • Northernmost part is an extension of the Ladakh desert, lies in Spiti. • Ranges: Great Himalayan Range, Lesser Himalayas (Dhaoladhar in HP and Nagtibha in Uttarakhand), Shivalik range • Pilgrimage: Gangotri, Yamunotri, Kedarnath, Badrinath, Hemkund Sahib and the five famous prayags (Refer to Panch Prayag) • Famous for hill stations: Dharamshala, Mussoorie, Shimla, Kaosani; Cantt.: Kasauli, Almora, Lansdowne, Ranikhet • The important distinguishing features of this area are the ‘Shivalik’ and ‘Dun formations’. • Important duns: Chandigarh-Kalka, Nalagarh, Dehra, Harike, Kota • Dehradun is the largest of all duns: Length – 35-45 KM, Width: 22-25 KM • Inhabited with the Bhotia They migrate to higher reaches (Bugyals) in summer and return to the valleys during winters. Darjeeling and Sikkim Himalayas • Between Nepal Himalayas and Bhutan Himalayas. • Fast flowing rivers such as Tista • Peaks: Kanchenjunga • Tribe: Lepcha • Has a mixed population of Nepalis, Bengalis and tribals from Central India. • Importance: Due to the moderate slope, it is best suited for tea plantations. • Duar formations are peculiar to this region. Arunachal Himalayas • From Bhutan Himalayas to Diphu pass in the east. • Direction: Southwest to Northeast • Peaks: Kangtu and Namya Barwa • Rivers: Brahmaputra, Kameng, Subansiri, Dihang, Dibang and Lohit. • These rivers are perennial and have the highest hydro-electric power potential in the country. • Tribes: Monpa, Daffla, Abor, Mishmi, Nishi and Nagas • These communities practice shifting cultivation known as Jhumming. Eastern Hills and Mountains • Direction: North to South • Ranges: Patkai Bum, Naga hills, Manipur hills, Mizo or Lushai hills • These are low hills • Tribes practice Jhum cultivation • Rivers: Barak. Most of the Nagaland rivers form a tributary of Brahmaputra. Rivers in eastern Manipur are the tributaries of Chindwin, which in turn is a tributary of the Irrawady of Myanmar. • Lake: Loktak • Loktak Lake: is an important lake in Manipur which is surrounded by mountains on all sides. It is the largest freshwater lake in northeastern India. Also called the only Floating Lake in the world due to floating masses of organic matter on it. It serves as a source for hydropower generation, irrigation and drinking water supply. • Keibul Kamjao National Park located in the Bishnupur district of Manipur is the only floating park in the world and is an integral part of the Loktak Lake. Home to the endangered Manipur Eld’s Deer or Brow-antlered Deer or Sangai or Dancing Deer. • Mizoram is also known as the ‘Molassis basin’ which is made up of soft unconsolidated deposits. The Northern Plains • Formed by the alluvial deposits of rivers – Indus, Ganga and Brahmaputra. • Length: 3200 KM; Width: 150-300 KM Three main zones: 1. Bhabar 2. Tarai 3. Alluvial Plains (Khadar and Bangar) Bhabar • Narrow belt. 8-10 KM wide. • Paralllel to Shivalik at the break-up of the slope. Hence, streams and rivers deposit heavy rocks (and at times disappear) in this zone. Tarai • South of Bhabar. 10-20 KM wide. • Rivers re-emerge and create marshy and swampy conditions known as Tarai. Alluvial Belt • South of Tarai. • Features of mature stage of fluvial erosional and depositional landforms such as sand bars, meanders, ox-bow lakes and braided channels. Riverine islands in Brahmaputra. • Brahmaputra takes a turn an almost 90 degree turn at Dhubri (Assam) before entering Bangladesh. Peninsular Plateau • Bounded by the Delhi ridge, Rajmahal Hills, Gir range and Cardamom hills. • Made up of a series of patland plateaus: Hazaribagh, Palamu, Ranchi, Malwa, Coimbatore, Karnataka etc. • One of the oldest and most stable landmass of India. • Physiographic Features: Tors, block mountains, rift valleys, spurs, bare rocky structures, hummocky hills and quartzite dykes offering natural sites for water storage. • Black soil in western and northwestern parts. • Bhima fault in this region has frequent seismic activity (Lathur earthquake) • NW part also has ravines and gorges: Chambal, Bhind and Morena. Three broad regions: 1. Deccan Plateau 2. Central Highlands 3. Northwestern Plateau Deccan Plateau • Bordered by Eastern Ghats, Satpura, Maikal range and Mahadeo hills • Important ranges: WG: Sahyadri, Nilgiri, Anaimalai and Caradamom hills; EG: Javadi hills, Palconda range, Nallamala Hills, Mahendragiri hills • EG and WG meet at Nilgiri hills. • Highest peak: Anaimudi (2695 m) on Anaimalai hills; Dodabetta (2637 m) on Nilgiri hills. • Rivers: Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri etc. Central Highlands • Bounded by the Aravali and Satpura range. • Relic mountains, highly denuded and form discontinuous ranges. • Near Jaisalmer it is covered by the longitudinal sand ridges and crescent-shaped sand dunes called barchans. • Elevation: 700-1000 m • Banas, a tributary of Chambal, originates in the Aravalli. Other tributaries of Yamuna originate from the Vindhyan and Kaimur ranges. • Minerals in Chotanagpur plateau. Northeastern Plateau • Extension of the main Peninsular plateau. • Meghalaya and Karbi Anglong plateau. • Megahalaya plateau: Garo hills, Khasi hills and Jaintia hills (named after the tribals inhabiting the region) • Rich in minerals like coal, iron, sillimanite, limestone and uranium. • Receives maximum rainfall from SW monsoon. Hence, Meghalaya plateau has a highly eroded surface. Cherrapuni and Myswarnam. Indian Desert • Aka Marusthali • Northwest of the Aravali hills • Dotted with longitudinal dunes and barchans. • Low rainfall: >150 mm per year Low vegetation cover • Evidence that this area was under the sea during the Mesozoic era. • Features: mushroom rocks, shifting dunes and oasis. • Rivers are ephemeral: Luni. Brackish lakes. Inland drainage. Coastal Plains Two divisions: 1. Western coastal plains 2. Eastern Coastal Plains Western Coastal Plains • Submerged coastal plain. Hence, a narrow belt. Narrow in middle and broader towards north and south. • Ports: Provides natural conditions for the development of ports and harbours due to submergence. Kandla, Mazagaon (Mumbai), JLN port Navha Sheva, Maramagao, Mangalore, Cochin etc. • Mumbai has the world’s largest natural harbour. • May be divided into: Kachchh and Kathiawar coast in Gujarat, Konkan coast, Goan coast and Malabar coast. • Rivers don’t form delta. • Kayals (Backwaters): Found in the Malabar coast. Used for fishing and inland navigation. Every year Nehru Trophy Vallamkali (boat race) is held in Punnamada Kayal in Kerala. Eastern Coastal Plains • Broader • Emergent coast. Hence, less number of ports and harbours. Chennai, Vizag, Paradwip, Haldia. • Delta formation The Islands Two major Divisions: 1. Andaman and Nicobar 2. Lakshwadeep & Minicoy Andaman and Nicobar • Two major island groups: Ritchie’s archipelago and the Labrynth island. • The group is divided into: Andaman in the North and Nicobar in the South. • Andaman and Nicobar separated by the Ten Degree channel. • Barren Island • Peaks: Saddle Peak (N.Andaman – 738 m), Mt. Diavolo (Middle Andaman – 515 m), Mt. Koyob (S Andaman – 460 m) and Mt. Thuiller (Great Nicobar – 642 m) • Coral deposits found • Convectional rainfalls and equatorial type of vegetation. Lakshadweep and Minicoy • Entire group built of coral deposits. • Total of 36 islands of which 11 are inhabited. • Smallest UT • Minicoy is the largest island • Separated by the 9 Degree Channel, north of which is the Amini Island and to the south Canannore island. • These islands have storm beaches consisting of unconsolidated pebbles, shingles, cobbles and boulders.

Economic Terms

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Depository Receipt

A depositary receipt (DR) is a type of negotiable (transferable) financial security that is traded on a local stock exchange but represents a security, usually in the form of equity, that is issued by a foreign publicly listed company. The DR, which is a physical certificate, allows investors to hold shares in equity of other countries. One of the most common types of DRs is the American depositary receipt (ADR), which has been offering companies, investors and traders global investment opportunities since the 1920s.

Read moreEconomic Terms

04.08.2017 Uttarakhand (UKPCS) Current Affairs

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Uttarakhand   SC exempts hilly areas of Uttarakhand from highway liquor ban. In a big relief to the state government which had been grappling with protests on liquor vends shifting to residential areas following the Supreme Court’s 500-metre directive for alcohol shops located on highways, the apex court on Friday allowed nine hill districts and … Read more 04.08.2017 Uttarakhand (UKPCS) Current Affairs

01.11.17 Uttarakhand (UKPCS) Current Affairs

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UTTARAKHAND   Vigilance Dept Trapped 194 Govt Officials Since Formation Of State   Vigilance Department has trapped 194 Government officers of various departments, including 54 gazetted officers,  while receiving bribes since Uttarahand was carved out of Uttar Pradesh in November 2000.  Besides, the government officers, caught red-handed while receiving bribe, were booked under appropriate sections … Read more 01.11.17 Uttarakhand (UKPCS) Current Affairs

Public Service Act and its implications.

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Delivering public services in a time bound, decentralised and citizen friendly manner has been one of the major challenges facing the administration wing of the government.Right to Service legislation in India comprises statutory laws which guarantee time-bound delivery of various public services rendered to citizens and provides mechanism for punishing the errant public servant if … Read more Public Service Act and its implications.