Monday, 5 December 2011

www.UPSCPORTAL.com : "Today's Important News: 03 December 2011" plus 6 more

www.UPSCPORTAL.com : "Today's Important News: 03 December 2011" plus 6 more

Link to UPSCPORTAL.COM - Online Community for UPSC, IAS, CSAT, PSC, Civil Services Aspirants.

Today's Important News: 03 December 2011

Posted: 05 Dec 2011 02:51 AM PST

Today's Important News: 05 December 2011

Posted: 05 Dec 2011 02:35 AM PST

(IGP) IAS Pre: GS - Geography - World Geography General: North America

Posted: 05 Dec 2011 02:33 AM PST


World Geography General
North America

Introduction:

Latitude : 70 120 N to 830 380 N Longitude : 120 080 W to 1720 300 W

Area : 2,42,38,000 sq. km (including Greenland and the Caribbean Islands).

Population : 13.6 million

Situation : North America is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean in the east, Gulf of Mexico in the south, the Pacific Ocean in the west and the Arctic Ocean in the north. To the north it is separated from the easternmost tip of Siberia by the Bering Strait. Size : third largest continent after Asia and Africa.


read more

© 2011 www.upscportal.com


INTEGRATED Guidance Programme for IAS 2012(CSAT)



:: CSAT Sample Papers ::

Current Affairs | CSAT Syllabus | UPSC MAINS PAPERS





Get Your Dream Job. SUBMIT YOUR RESUME Online.

(Magazine) Yojana Magazine: Issue December 2011

Posted: 05 Dec 2011 02:21 AM PST


The eight north eastern states of India are characterized by their unique cultures, diversity of ethnic groups, rich natural resources and flora and fauna. Flanked by hills and the mighty Brahmaputra river slashing a central path from north to south, the north east is constituted by the States of Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, Assam and Sikkim. The NE region covers an area of 2.62 lakh sq.km and accounts for 7.9 of the total geographical area of the country. This region is land-locked with long international borders and only a chicken neck corridor connecting it with mainland India.

Due to its peculiar physical, economic and socio-cultural characteristics, the economy of the North East has a distinctive identity. Despite its rich natural endowments, this region represents one of the least developed - economically and industrially -regions of the country.


read more

© 2011 www.upscportal.com


INTEGRATED Guidance Programme for IAS 2012(CSAT)



:: CSAT Sample Papers ::

Current Affairs | CSAT Syllabus | UPSC MAINS PAPERS





Get Your Dream Job. SUBMIT YOUR RESUME Online.

(IGP) IAS Pre: GS - Indian Polity - The Constitution of India: Preamble

Posted: 05 Dec 2011 02:11 AM PST


Indian Polity
The Constitution of India

Preamble

WE, THE PEOPLE OF INDIA, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a SOVEREIGN SOCIALIST SECULAR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC and to se cure to all its citizens:

JUSTICE, social, economic and political;

LIBERTY of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship;

EQUALITY of status and of opportunity;

and to promote among them all

FRATERNITY assuring the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the Nation;

IN OUR CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY this twenty-sixth day of November, 1949, do HEREBY ADOPT, ENACT AND GIVE TO OURSELVES THIS CONSTITUTION.


read more

© 2011 www.upscportal.com


INTEGRATED Guidance Programme for IAS 2012(CSAT)



:: CSAT Sample Papers ::

Current Affairs | CSAT Syllabus | UPSC MAINS PAPERS





Get Your Dream Job. SUBMIT YOUR RESUME Online.

(IGP) IAS Pre: GS - Indian History - Ancient India : Sources of Indian History

Posted: 05 Dec 2011 01:59 AM PST


Sources of Indian History

Literary
Archaeological
Foreign Account
Literary Sources

Proto Historic Period : Harappan Script was ideographic, but has not deciphered.
On the fortification wall of the recently excavated city Dholavira depiction of Harappan pictographs have been found which is the oldest sinage of the world.

Vedic Literature:

  • Veda means knowledge
  • Vedic literature includes all the four Vedas, Brahmnas, Aryankas and Upanishadas.
  • Rigveda is the earliest Veda
  • Rig means hymns.
  • Rigveda is divided into 10 mandalas.
  • Mandalas are further divided in to Astakas and Suktas.
  • Rigvedas comprises 1028 hymns.
  • Total hymns is all vedas are 20,000.
  • The last 11 hymns are known Balakhilya (second to seventh mandala are known as Family Text) which are considered as the oldest part of Rigveda.
  • Third mandala of Rigveda comprises Gaytri Mantra, composed by Viswamitra.
  • Gaytri Mantra is dedicated to savitur who was deity of Sun family.
  • Fourth Mandala consists of references of agricultural work.
  • Sixth mandala depicts the word Haryupia which has been related with Harappa.
  • Ninth mandala is dedicated to soma.
  • First type Krishna's description has been found in Chandogya Upnishad.
  • Tenth mandala (Purusha Sukta) describes

About the four varnas known as Brahman, Kshatriya, Vaishya and sudra.

  • Samanean 'to Sing'.
  • Except 78 hymns all the other hymns of this Veda have been taken from Rigveda.
  • Yajurveda is an elaborate elucidation of rituals.
  • Krishan-yajurveda comprises description in prose.
  • Atharvveda is related with some non-Aryan traditions like magical charm and spell.
  • Brahman literature is descriptive detail about Sacrament, sacrifices and different rites and rituals.
  • Aitreya and Kausitaki Brahman are related with Rigveda.
  • Satpath Brahmn related with Yajurveda describes about Aryans extention in the Ganget c valley.
  • Rituals related with agriculture have- been also described in it.
  • Aryankas are philosophical in content.
  • Philosophy about the unity of Atma and Parniatma has been described in Upanishadas.
  • Upanishadas are called Vedanta.
  • Total number of Upanishadas is 108. But According to Sankaracharya number of Upanishadas is 16.
  • Katha upnishad describes the story yama and Nachiketa.
  • Upanisbadas mainly revolves around South and Brahma.
  • Mandukopanished of Atharva Veda depicts satyamev Jayte.
  • Rigveda, Samveda and Yayurveda are collectively called Trayee.

Vedang Literature:

  1. Sikha (Phonetics) - Yaska is the first known writer on Sikha.
  2. Kalpa - (Rituals) - There are three Sutras Dharma, Sraut and Grihya.
  • Sulva Sutra describes about geometry
  • Nirukta (Elymology)
  • Chhanda (Metre) - Pingal was the greatest author on Chhanda Shastra.
  • Vyakaran (Grammer) - Panini wrote Astadhyayi, Katyayan Vartika and Patanjali- Mahabhasya.
  • Jyotisha (Astrology) - No particular book on Vedanga Jyotitha is available

Great Epics:

1. Ramayan : Elucidation of social ideals of ancient Indian Society.

  • 24000, Salokas
  • Poet - Valmiki (He is called Adikavi)
  • Valmiki for first time used the world Sanskrit as nomenclature of the literary language which was earlier known as Bhasa.

2. Mababharta: Political thought of ancient India can be understood on the basis of this epic.

  • 10,0000 slokas (It is called Satsahasri Sainhita and also Pancharu Veda.
  • Geeta is a part of Bhisma Parva.
  • Harivanshapuran of Mahabharat comprises genealogy of the rulers.

Smirti Literature:

1. Manu Smriti is the earliest smriti.

  • It was compiled during the period of Kanava ruler.
  • It calls foreign rulers Adham kula Kshatriya.
  • It criticises violation of varnasharma order.
  • According to it Niyog is Kalivaijya means strictly restricted in kali era.

2. Yajnalkya smriti - first described about the origin of Kaysthas.

3. Narad smriti - describes about rituals related with manumission of seth.

4. Parasar smriti - describes about a number or classes of Brahmanas especially rich class of  land owning Brahmanas who were against accepting alms.

Puranas:

Puranas have five important features.

  1. Sarg
  2. Pratisarg
  3. Vansa
  4. Manvantar
  5. Varsanucharit
  • Vansanucharit means geneology
  • Vayu puran mentions about geography of Indian culture and about prominent Indian dynasties like Nanda, Maurya, Sunga, Satvahana and Gupta.
  • Srimad bhagvat purana is the. greatest puran in respect to Bhakti cult.
  • Vayu and Vishnu Puran mention India's geography.
  • Vishnu dharmottara puran depicts about wall paintings and iconometry. 

Technical and Scientific Literature

Avurveda:

  • Ashwini Kumars. were physicians of the celestial world who got the knowledge of Ayurveda from Brahma.
  • Dhanvantri is considered as father of Ayurveda system.
  • Athraveda gives first hand information about Ayurveda.
  • Charaka who belonged to kushana period wrote charak samihta.
  • Shshurut wrote Shrshrut Samhita which also mentions about surgical operation.
  • Vagbhata wrote Astang thidya which mentions about eight major organs of human body.

Veterinary Science:

  • Salihanna wrote on Asva Chikitsa.
  • Palkappya wrote on Gaja chikitsa

Botany:

Vriksha parasar describes about numerous medicinal herbs and plants.

Astrology/Astronomy:

  • Vedang Jyotisha is considered as the earliest text on astrology as on well as astronomy but it is not available.
  • Aryabhatta wrote Surya Sidhantika.
  • Varahamihir wrote Pancha Sidhantika, Vrihatjatak, L.aghu Jatak and Vrihat Samhita on astrology.
  • Brahm Gupta wrote Brahmsphuta Sidhanta.

Mathematics:

  • Sulva Sutra describes about vedic alters.
  • This is the earliest text which comprises information on geometry.
  • Aryabhatta wrote Arybhattiyam which describes about decimal system and about zero.
  • Bhaskaracharya wrote Lilavati

Architecture:

  • Manual of Architecture is known as Silpa Sastra.
  • Earliest information about painting and iconometry is given in Visnudharmottara Purana.
  • Mayamatta, Ishan Visva gurudeo Padhati and Aparajitpnksha are some of the best known texts on Indian Architecture.

Biographical Literature:

  • Banabhatta - Elarsha Chant (Pushyabhuti ruler of Kanauj).
  • Vilhan - Vikramanakdevcharitam (Chalukyan ruler of Kalyani)
  • Anand bhatta - Ballal charita
  • Sandhyakarnandi - Rampalcharit
  • Jayanak - Prithavi Raj Chant
  • Hem chandra - Kumar Pal Chant
  • Panmal Gupta - Navshashsanka Chant
  • Jayagondar - Kalingatupani
  • Otakuttan - Kulatingam

Classical Sanskrit:

Bhasa wrote 14 plays (Swapanvasha-duttam and Pratirna Yangandhanaiyan are his most famous plays)

Asvaghosh

  1. Buddha Charitam — (Buddha's biography)
  2. Saudarananda (Story of Suqdani and Anand)
  3. Sutralankar (Philosophical text)

Sudraka Mrichcha Katikam (First realistic play in Sanskrit)

Visakhadutta

  1. Mudsarakshasa- (It is related with Kautilyals diplomatic strife with Mahamatya of Dhanananda)
  2. Devi Chandraguptam (It is related with Chandra Gupta Vikramaditya)
  3. Kalidas Epic - Raguvansham

Lyrics:

  • Meghadutam
  • Kumar Sambhvam

Plays:

  1. Vikramo varsiya
  2. Malvikagni mitram
  3. Abhijayana Shakuntalam
  • Bharvi - Kirataijuniyam
  • Magh — Sisupal Vadharn.

Statecraft:

Kautilya - Arthasastra

  • Book was written on polity.
  • This book was discovered by Sham Ji Sastri
  • It has 15 Adhikaranas
  • It describes about Saptang theory of state and enlightened despotism of Maurya period with descriptive detail about administration.

Kamandaka - Nitisar


read more

© 2011 www.upscportal.com


INTEGRATED Guidance Programme for IAS 2012(CSAT)



:: CSAT Sample Papers ::

Current Affairs | CSAT Syllabus | UPSC MAINS PAPERS





Get Your Dream Job. SUBMIT YOUR RESUME Online.

(IGP) IAS Pre: GS - Indian Economy - Economy Concepts: Human Development Report

Posted: 05 Dec 2011 01:57 AM PST


Human Development Report

Originated By - Mahboob-ul-Haq of Pakistan (Mahbub-ul-Haq) Amartya Sen of India.

Ist Human Development - 1990 (Published in)

Definition : Human Development is the process of enlarging peoples choices and capabilities to unable him to enjoy longvity, literacy and descent standard of living. In otherwords' it is a process by which a society or a nation can use its national income to translate it for a better life for its people.

There may be two notions—

(a) With Higher Capita income (Higher)
(b) With low capital income.

and yet people with low capita income may have higher value of its Human Development than people with Higher capita income, which would mean that it has been able to use its resources to provide a better life to its people. In India e.g. : Kerala tops in Human Development and yet it does not have higher income / capita.

There may be three types of Human Development.

Human Development Indices : HDI

With HDI come rises of Longevity, Knowledge and Desent Standad of living.

  • Longevity : Measured by Life expectancy at the time of Birth.
  • Knowledge : Measured by

(a) Adult literacy (2/3 weight)

(i) 0.800 to above — Higher Human Development
(ii) 0.500 to 0.799 — Medium Human Development
(iii) Below 0.500 — Low Human Development.

(Latest Report of Human Development is presented in 2006. under "Beyond Scarcity, Power Poverty and Global Water crises") (Value of Human Development of India — 0.611 / 126th position out of 177 countries.. GDI - 0.592

  • (Norway is Ist
  • Niger is at last position.)
  • Norway's HDI value in 2004 was — 0.965, GDI - 0.909.

HDR Indices:

Human Development Report index is a comprehensive measure that could capture the various dimensions of Human development led to definition and formulation of Human Development Index (HDI) by the united nations Development Programme (UNDP) in its Human Development Report published in 1990).

(b) Gross - Primary, Secondary and Territory enrollment Ratio.
(iii) Descent Standard of living measured by - GDP/ capita adjusted for PPPus & Purchasing Power parity).
(PPP is introduced in 1962 by International comparison programme for best comparision of currency of two countries and accepted by IMF and World Bank).
(Human Development Report adopted Internatinal Goal Post for measuring longevity, literacy and Descent Standard of living).


read more

© 2011 www.upscportal.com


INTEGRATED Guidance Programme for IAS 2012(CSAT)



:: CSAT Sample Papers ::

Current Affairs | CSAT Syllabus | UPSC MAINS PAPERS





Get Your Dream Job. SUBMIT YOUR RESUME Online.
Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)