Examine the main aspects of Muslim League politics from 1937 to 1947. Was the partition of the country unavoidable?

1937 saw a major shift in the methodology of Muslim League(ML) after it performed badly in the provincial elections. Till 1937, it upheld the notion that the diverse communities could be welded together into one nation in one national interest.

Muslim league intensified its demand for Pakistan in last leg of Indian National movement.From 1937 to 1947,three different trends can be observed:

1937 to 1942:This was characterized by consolidation of two nation theory. This was comparatively a calm period in terms of violence and direct clashes.By 1940,the idea of Pakistan has almost taken shape.Next few years were spent in its active pursuance,using both violence and politics.

1942 to 1946:ML and Congress engaged over Cripps mission,Cabinet mission,Wavell plan etc where ML claimed itself to be the sole representative of Muslims of India.This had a major bearing during negotiation process and almost all missions came to a halt.On field level,incipient form of communal clashes were brewing.

1946 to 1947:This was marked by violent confrontation.Congress's frustration with league's non-cooperation in interim cabinet and ML's call for "direct action" were major events.Political talks almost broke down which ultimately led to Partition.

Was it avoidable:

- The Congress had stood for a united India and for the unity of Hindus and Muslims. However, the conditions of the decade of 1940 were not conducive for the same.

- There was mass mobilization by Muslim League since 1937. The DirectAction Day put India at a brink of a civil war. 

-interim government with Muslim League failed. Congress realized it was impossible to function with the League. A bigger concern was that freedom was just round the corner. Any delay and confusion just might make it slip from their hands.

-Communal violence in 1946 had reached to the point of turning into a genocide if demand for Pakistan was not met.

- Finally, it was the convincing of Mountbatten that led Congress to accept partition. He told that it was better to partition India and consolidate the rest than to indulge in bloodshed.

- Bipin Chandra believes that Congress was weary of muslim communalism since 1937 and it owned up to its failure of not being able to draw muslim masses into national movement. It thus accepted partition as an “unavoidable necessity in the given circumstances”

1937-1947 era made partition unavoidable.Congress refusal to share power with ML in united provinces was the turning point.By mid-40's ML had become "annoyingly adamant".Communal clashes had halted general life,led to breakdown of law and machinery,people's morals were down and leaders had lost energy.British were also in a hurry.All these made partition a necessary evil.

Overall, decisions are taken based on the situations of those times. Gandhi declared that India would be partitioned over his dead body. But he too accepted partition as inevitable. The Congress thus found out apt to accept partition than to continue the bloodshed.

India is a fast transforming knowledge economy. Discuss the statement.

 Mortgage and technical experience in Big Data space. Results oriented, technical leader in Big Data strategy, building hybrid-cloud data platform for mortgage industry in AWS using S3, EC2, EMR, Athena

Responsibilities

- Designing the solution to load mainframe data to cloud (AWS) to power advanced analytics and other business initiatives.

- Implemented Kerberos Authentication for the DataHub.

- Design and Development Ingestion application to ingest Extracts from Mainframe to Hadoop/Hive

- Design and Development of Reporting Object Stores for all Microservices.

- Design of DaaS to leverages the data ecosystem and real-time data analytics to create custom dataset.

- Secured Nifi and Nifi Registry.

- Design of Reporting solutions.

- Designed and implemented a micro service using SpringBoot for adding Clients to the DataHub

- Technical Lead in designing Big data initiatives at Black Knights DataHub Initiative.

- Hadoop Administration and Solution development.

- Designed and Implemented various Sqoop ETL process and optimized the overall ETL process.

- Big Data/Hadoop Solution Architecture, Design & Development with HortonWorks HDP 2.6

- Hands-on experience in designing and implementing big data solutions using HDFS, Map Reduce,Storm, Kafka, Hive, Pig, Flume, Yarn, HBase, Oozie, Zookeeper, Kerberos,SpringBoot

- Streaming Data from Different data sources to HDFS with a proven Java based framework.

- Design and Development of various sqoop and HBase initiatives.

- Designed and Implemented the Multitenancy within the Hadoop Cluster.

- Implementing Security features such as Knox, Ranger, Ranger KMS etc.

- Authentication and Authorization design for Hive and HBase components.

- Worked on securing the data implementing TDE within Cluster and Protegrity to secure the files.

- Security Features surrounding the data stored within HDFS.

- Securing Data in Hadoop and Laying out the best practices.

- Loading mainframe VSAM files to Hadoop file system via Syncsort.

Knowledge-based economies use ICT, innovation and research, higher education and specialized skills to create, disseminate and apply knowledge for growth.

Importance of creating a knowledge-based economy

 • A shift to innovation-based growth would help countries avoid the middle-income trap and also address rising income inequalities.

 • The advantage of availability of cheap labour from which countries like India and China and others in the region derive the strength that adds so much value to their economies is likely to disappear in the near future.

Initiatives are 

MobileSeva: • To integrate the delivery of government services (across various Departments)

Vikaspedia: • To provide information on health, education, agriculture, energy, social welfare and e-governance in more than 10 languages. MyGov.in: • To ensure citizens’ engagement in decision making by the government for the ultimate goal of “good governance” for building India. 

Aadhaar: • Enabled Biometric Attendance System: In order to bring in efficiency in the Government, an Aadhaar enabled Biometric attendance system was implemented by MeitY.

e-Payment Framework: • All payments and receipts to be in electronic mode. 

Common Services Centre • Provides ICT enabled front-end service delivery outlets, across rural India covering six lakh villages. 

Jan Dhan Yojna and Digital Sakshartha Abhiyan (DISHA) are conducted through CSCs.

State Wide Area Network • It has been identified as an element of the core infrastructure for supporting the e-governance initiatives.

GI Cloud • In order to utilise and harness the benefits of Cloud Computing, Meity has embarked upon an initiative – “GI Cloud” which has been coined as “MeghRaj”. 

Information Technology Investment Region (ITIR) • Meant to attract major investment by providing transparent and an investment friendly policy; help in exports and employment. National Policy on Universal Electronic Accessibility • It recognizes the need to eliminate discrimination on the basis of disabilities and to facilitate equal access to Electronics & ICT. Promotion of Manufacturing of Electronics and IT-ITES • It is estimated that demand for electronics products and systems in India would grow to about US$ 400 billion by 2020. Other minor initiatives • Promotion of R&D and Innovation Technological Incubation and Development of Entrepreneurs (TIDE) ; Multiplier Grant Scheme (MSG); National Supercomputing Mission (NSM). National Digital Literacy Mission was approved in March, 2014. The Scheme aims to train 10 lakh persons. Digital Empowerment of citizens by providing Universal Digital Literacy is a part of ‘Digital India’ initiative. Cyber Security • National Cyber Security Policy (2013) is aimed at building a secure and resilient cyberspace for citizens, businesses and Government, by way of actions to protect information and information infrastructure in cyberspace, build capabilities to prevent and respond to cyber threats, reduce vulnerabilities and minimize damage from cyber incidents. • National Cyber Co-ordination Centre is being set-up with an aim to generate cyber security situational awareness to anticipate and prepare for cyber attacks. Organizations related to it Botnet Cleaning and Malware Analysis Centre • CERT-In is implementing this for detection of compromised systems in India and to notify,enable cleaning and securing systems of end users to prevent further malware infections. National Informatics Centre (NIC) • National Informatics Centre (NIC) is a premier IT organization of the country under the Department of Electronics and Information Technology. • It was established in 1976, • NIC, through its ICT Network, ‘NICNET’, has institutional linkages with all the governments and governments departments at all levels. • NIC services include Certifying Authority, Video-Conferencing, NIC e-MAIL (NICeMail) and SMS services across the country. National Knowledge Network (NKN) has been set up to connect institutions/ organizations carrying out research. Open Technology Centre (OTC) has been set up as a nodal agency for Open Technology related activities in e-Governance applications managed by NIC/NeGP and promotes the use and adoption of Open Source tools/software. • It has established and maintains state data centersand other infrastructure related to NeGP. Controller of Certifying Authorities (CCA) • The IT Act promotes the use of Digital Signatures for e-Governance and e-Commerce through legal recognition to electronic records and treats digital signatures at par with hand written signatures. • The CCA licenses Certifying Authorities (CA) to issue Digital Signature Certificates under the IT Act and also exercises supervision over the activities of these Certifying Authorities. • The CCA certifies Public Keys of the CAs, lays down standards to be maintained by the CAs and performs other functions. • These are being used in applications such as Real Time Cross settlement System & EFT of the RBI, e-mail, electronic funds transfer, e-Procurement, share trading; issue of import/export licenses by DGFT and filing of company returns with the Ministry of Company Affairs. Cyber Appellate Tribunal • The first and the only Cyber Court in the country has been established by the Central Government in accordance with the provisions contained under section 48(1) of the Information Technology Act, 2000. Provision has been made in the amended IT Act, 2009 for the Tribunal to comprise a Chairperson and many other members, as the Central Government may notify/appoint. C-DAC • Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) is the premier R&D organization of the Department of Electronics and Information Technology (DeitY for carrying out R&D in IT, Electronics and associated areas. • C-DAC is pursuing activities in the following thematic areas: • High Performance Computing (HPC), Grid Computing and Cloud computing • Computing Multilingual Computing (HPC), Grid Computing Professional Electronics including VLSI and Embedded Systems • Software Technologies including FOSS • Cyber Security and Cyber Forensics • Health Informatics • Education and Training Some applications developed by C-DAC are • One of the significant achievements of the past year was upgradation of the compute power of PARAM Yuva system from 54 TF/s to 529 TF/s. • In the area of Cloud Computing, C-DAC launched its cloud platform, Meghdoot 1.0 during the Technology Conclave at Hyderabad in October, 2012. • In the area of Professional Electronics, C-DAC completed the development of WiTrac (Wireless Traffic Controller) and made its first deployment this year. • Several electronic devices and associated solutions were also built for smart buildings. These include LED Luminaire, Human Occupancy Prediction System and Indoor Air Quality Monitoring System. • In the area of Software Technology, release of a new version of BOSS Linux operating system and its wider deployment were carried out during the year. • Several e-Governance applications and frameworks including e-Praman with Andhaar, • In Health Informatics area, C-DAC carried out larger deployment of C-DAC tele medicine solutions. C-DAC also initiated the development of health care services on mobile devices, m-Health and m-Swasthya are two such solutions. Wider deployment of e-Vision and e-Nose systems was carried out during the year. • C-DAC is also involved in carrying out various activities in the northeast region through various Government supported initiatives. National e-Governance Division • It was established as amalgamation of experts from the private sector and the Government for discharging the key tasks including programme management and technical support of various components of the Digital India Programme. National Internet Exchange of India • NIXI is a not for profit organization set up under Companies Act, 1956 for peering of ISPs among themselves and routing the domestic traffic. Unique Identification Authority of India(2009) • “To empower residents of India with a unique identity and a digital platform to authenticate anytime, anywhere”. National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology • Scientific Society of the MeitY, which is actively engaged in capacity building and skill development in the areas of Information Technology (IT). Software Technology Parks of India • Autonomous society under MeitY, meant for promotion of software exports by acting as ‘single-window’ in providing services to the software exporters. Media Lab Asia. To bring the benefits of ICT to the common man, such as ICT for healthcare, education, livelihood and empowerment of disabled. Department of Telecommunication • Indian Telecom Sector has grown exponentially and become 2nd largest network in the world, next to China. Number of telephones increased from 99.61 Cr to 103.6 Cr at the Dec,2015. • Department is committed to provide secure, reliable, affordable and high quality converged telecommunication services anytime, anywhere; with special focus on underserved areas in North-Eastern Region and backward areas, especially the Left Wing Extremism areas. • While wireless voice and data services continued to grow, the landline provided remarkable support to high speed data services. Share of wireless telephones increased to 97.54% of total. Public vs. Private • Share of private sector in the total number of connections increased to 89.88 % at the end of Dec, 2015, over public sector share of 10.12% during the same period. • Tele-density, which denotes the number of telephones per 100 population, which was 79.36 % in April 2015, increased to 81.85% at end of Dec, 2015. Himachal Pradesh (124.54 %) had the highest tele-density followed by Tamil Nadu (117.27 %). Bihar (52.55%) is lowest. Unified Licence • In pursuance ofNTP-2012 to create one nation-one license, Department of Telecommunication has issued guidelines on Unified Licence under which, the allocation of spectrum is delinked from licence and has to be obtained separately as per bidding process. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Policy • Government raised FDI limit for the telecom services from 74 %to 100 %. RBI has expanded the existing definition for infrastructure sector for the purpose of availing External Commercial Borrowing (ECB). Universal Service Obligation Fund • To give impetus to the rural telephony, the Government in June, 2002, established Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF). Bharatnet • To connect all 2.5 lakh gram panchayats in country, the Government approved a project called ‘National Optical Fiber Network, now known as BharatNet. Rural Wire-Line Broadband Scheme • USOF signed an agreement with BSNL for providing wire-line broadband connectivity up-to village level in rural and remote areas. Regulatory Framework • Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has always endeavoured to encourage greater competition in the telecom sector together with better quality and affordable prices in order to meet the objectives of National Telecom Policy (NTP)-2012. Research and Development • C-DOT is committed to providing a wide range of cost-effective, indigenously developed and state-of-the-art total telecom solutions. • DoT has the following PSUs a) BSNL b)MTNL c) ITI Limited; d) Telecommunications Consultants India Limited (TCIL); e) Bharat Broadband Network Limited (BBNL); f)Hemisphere Properties India Limited (HPIL). Vision of Digital India • It aims to transform the country into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy, implemented in phases till 2018, by DeitY. It would also bring in public accountability through mandated delivery of Government’s services electronically; a Unique ID and e-Pramaan . The source of funding is through budgetary Provisions. Scope of Digital India a) To prepare India for a knowledge future; b) On being transformative that is to realize IT (Indian Talent)+ IT (Information Technology) =IT (India Tomorrow); c) Making technology central to enabling change; d) On being an Umbrella Programme covering many departments. Initiatives under the Digital India Programme (i) Legal Information and Management Based System is an easy to access, web-based tool for comprehensive, regulatory and proactive monitoring of court cases. (ii) NDSAP (National Data Sharing and Accessibility Programme) is to facilitate the access to Government of India owned shareable data and information. (iii) e-Office: The main objective of e-office is to improve efficiency, consistency and effectiveness of government responses; Way ahead • India has the potential to become a leading knowledge-based economy with its youth population and growing information technology. • Policy — if at all — must simply be more in the realm of enlightened inducement that encourages and engenders good practices. It must nurture and encourage initiative and out-of-the-box thinking and should be, to an extent, ready to accommodate risk taking and have room for failure. • Institutions have to move out of traditional modes of thinking and must recognize that knowledge can exist in all realms, not just in formal systems around academia. • The need to develop and nurture educational institutions in a manner that ensures their linkages to the needs and challenges of the nation — including its economic needs. This requires inducing young minds to grapple with the challenges of the nation and society. • Steps such as supportive laws, improved infrastructure, removal of barriers to trade and investment, up-skilling of labour force, higher spending in R&D and innovative financing for small businesses must be taken urgently. • Regulatory, education, and infrastructure barriers must be overcome. • What is required is a strong, coordinated government policies coupled with investment in ICT including universal, affordable and high-speed broadband connectivity, better education notably tertiary and skills-focused training, and a culture of research and innovation with strong intellectual property rights. Flexible capital and labor markets are also crucial.

However, in the last few years, this IT-BPM model in India has taken a hit for a number of reasons. First, there is a growing backlash in the West against off-shoring, as it is perceived as a way of denying jobs to the locals.

Second, the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its various offshoots — Machine Learning, Deep Neural Networks, etc — are rapidly changing the landscape in which the skilled jobs operate. As a result, while the IT-BPM industry continues to be the dominant player in the Indian economy, its foundation is beginning to get shaky.

While AI and Information Communication Technology (ICT) rapidly transform economies and usher in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, it becomes imperative for India to carve its own niche around these technologies. This requires India to transform into a Knowledge Economy (KE). There are three pillars around KE: institutions, research and development (R&D), and human capital

NEED TO GRIND MORE ON THE FOLLOWING GROUNDS-

1. In comparison with Google till today Indian software companies earn 1/4th and moreover include more workforce than Google. This is because of tech-backwardness, lagging in out of box thinking and improper family planning.

2. India is an ‘over-populous’ country. Automation threatens labour intensive industries. Avoiding demographic trap is hence difficult. Government and policy makers have to coordinate with industry and academia to encourage out-of-box thinking and research, while accommodating risk-taking.

Can India be considered as KBE?

About 50% of India's GDP comes from service sector. While this may be considered as paving way for India's path to become KBE, we are far from being one which can be seen from

1.Lack of Innovation: A cursory view at some of the sectors like manufacturing, pharma is enough to aver that India needs to traverse a long and tedious path to be KBE. Even IT sector, the much touted domain of India's dominance is based on outsourcing rather than innovation.

2.Lack of Research & its quality: Quality and type of research in higher institutions,funds apportioned to R&D, lackadaisical approach of private sector in research all point to the fact that lot needs to be done to be KBE. The number of Nobel prizes won by India despite the mammoth population is a testament to this.

INDIA CAN BE CONSIDERED AS A KNOWLEDGE BASED ECONOMY-

1. India is the 2nd largest country in the global distribution of tertiary degree holders share at nearly 78 million after China in STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) subjects.

2. Bengaluru is the fastest changing and most dynamic city in the world according to the JLL City Momentum Index 2017. It has done in terms of the ‘speed of progress in property’, ‘economics’ and ‘digital success’.

3. TeamIndus, the only Indian team in Google LunarXPRIZE competition, has built a privately funded spacecraft capable of soft landing on the Moon. Along with this, PSLV-C37 successfully launches 104 satellites from a single rocket in its low cost space exploration programme deserves ‘celebration’.

4. India recently has overtaken ‘China’ and reached the top position in terms of remittance receiver.

5. Indian Technical education is poorly funded and lags behind. Consequently, India is at 60th position in World Innovation Index by WIPO, which is ranking based on patents and research papers filed.

6. ‘Medical diplomacy’ is also at the scale of rise, especially in terms of Gulf countries.

Conclusion :

The shift to knowledge-based growth is critical since India’s comparative advantages in labor and capital-intensive manufacturing are fading. New technologies like robotics, and increasing stress on resources like energy and water, are emerging as threats to Asia’s competitive edge. A shift to innovation-based growth would help India avoid the middle-income trap and also address rising income inequalities.

Economic Planning and Developement

 Our discussion topics 

👉🏻Indian economy before pre- independence era(before 1947)👉🏻Types of economics system

👉🏻Types of economics planning

👉🏻Indian economy after independence (1950-1990)

👉🏻The goal of five year plan..

(a) different types of economics model

(b) five year plan period and performance

(c) Achievements of five year planning

👉🏻Pre-reform period(pre-1990s)

👉🏻Economic reforms since 1991

      A. Measure 

      B. Achievements 

👉🏻Planning commission and Niti Ayog

Nationalism under Gandhi’s leadership

Nationalism Under Gandhi's Leadership

OPSC PYQs

1.Mahatma Gandhi and the congress party developed the philosophy of militant non-violence to oppose British Rule of India after World War-1 and to lessen oppression of the Indian poor by the Indian rich. By, 1929, Gandhi had succeeded in transforming the congress party from a narrow middle class party into a mass independence movement. 

2. In spite of this unimpressive feature, his lion cloth and bare body , there was royalty and kingliness in I am which compelled a willing obeisance from others.

3. I have no doubt that British Government is a powerful government, but I have no doubt also that Satyagraha is a sovereign remedy.

4. The contribution of Gandhi towards Indian National Life and Independence has remained unique. Explain.

5. How did Non-Cooperation Movement form landmark in the history of freedom struggle in view of Gandhiji's technique of mass mobilization.

6. I, therefore want freedom immediately, this very night, before dawn if it can be had.

7. Mahatma Gandhi restrained mass movements, yet he retained his popularity among the masses.  (20)

8. The Nationalistic Political Movements for liberation such as the Non-Cooperation and Civil-disobedience movements and their leadership depended heavily on the Peasantry.

9. The Quit India movement was a spontaneous revolt of the people against British Rule.  (20)

10. Quit India Movement was leaderless movement.

UPSC

Rise of Gandhi; Character of Gandhian nationalism; Gandhi’s popular appeal

1. How would you explain Gandhiji’s ‘rise to power’ or ‘capture’ of national leadership in the course of 1919-20? Was it a very skillful top-level political game? [1987, 60m]

2. Gandhi restrained mass-movements yet he retained his popularity among the masses. How do you explain this paradox? [1994, 60m]

3."Gandhi's mystique consisted of a union of original ideas with a remarkable flair for tactics and an uncanny insight in the mass mind." Elucidate. [1999, 60m]

4. “Gandhi restrained mass movements, yet he retained his popularity among the masses.” Comment. [2002, 20m]

5. “Is moral law, the laws of conscience, higher than the law of the State which is oppressive?” Comment. [2008, 20m]

6. Discuss how the Satyagrahas of Gandhi removed the spell of fear among Indians and thus knocked off an important pillar of imperialism. [2017, 20m]

Rowlatt Satyagraha; the Khilafat Movement; the Non-cooperation Movement

1. What were the circumstances that led Mahatma Gandhi to start the Non-cooperation Movement? Examine its contribution to India’s struggle for freedom. [1980, 60m]

2. Explain the circumstances leading to the alliance between the Khilafat and Non-Cooperation Movements. Was it a politically wise step on the part of the Congress? [2007, 60m]

3. “Many of us who worked for the congress programme lived in a kind of intoxication during the year 1921. We were full of excitement and optimism… we had a sense of freedom and pride in that freedom.” Critically examine. [2013, 10m]

4. “M.K Gandhi made a gross mistake in championing the Khilafat cause, an extra-territorial issue which cut at the very roots of Indian nationality.” Critically examine. [2014, 10m]

5. “This retention of Rowlatt legislation in the teeth of universal opposition is an affront to the nation. Its repeal is necessary to appease national honour.” Critically examine. [2015, 10m]

6. Do you consider the suspension of Non-Cooperation Movement a "national calamity"? [2018, 20 Marks]

National politics from the end of the Noncooperation movement to the beginning of the Civil Disobedience movement; Simon Commission; The Nehru Report; the Round Table Conferences; the two phases of the Civil Disobedience Movement;

1. Identify the main strands in the Civil Disobedience Movement with particular reference to the changing role of ‘business pressures’ in the country [1985, 60m]

2. Show how the Civil Disobedience was marked by much scattered potentially radical manifestations. Was the Karachi Congress an indication of certain basic weakness of the entire movement? [1992, 60m]

3. Analyse the factors responsible for the Civil Disobedience movement (1930-31). How far were its aims realised in the Government of India Act of 1935? [2005, 60m]

4. “At Karachi in 1931, the congress defined what Swaraj would mean for the masses.” Comment. [2007, 20m]

5. “Gandhi’s body is in jail, but his soul is with you, India’s prestige is in your hands, you must not use any violence under any circumstances. You will be beaten but you must not resist, you must not raise a hand to ward off blows.” Critically examine. [2013, 10m]

Nationalism and the Peasant Movements; Nationalism and Working class movements

1. “The nationalist political movements for liberation such as the non-cooperation and civil disobedience movements and their leadership depended heavily on the peasantry.” Comment. [1993, 20m]

The election of 1937 and the formation of ministries

1."The developments during 1937-39 greatly undermined the ability of the Indian National Congress to push through the agenda of national unity." Comment. [2010, 20m]

The Cripps Mission

1. “The Cripps Mission gave India‚ a post-dated cheque.” Comment. [1982, 20m]

2"The Cripps Mission was plagued throughout, and ultimately torpedoed." Critically

examine. [2019, 10 Marks]

Quit India Movement

1. “In the summer of 1942 Gandhi was in a strange and uniquely militant mood.” Comment. [2003, 20m]

2. Do you think that Quit India movement was a Spontaneous Revolution? [2009, 30m]

3. “To characterize the Quit India Movement as ‘Spontaneous Revolution’ would be partial interpretation, so also would be to look up at it as the culmination of Gandhian Satyagraha movements.” Elucidate. [2015, 20m]

4.Why is the Quit India Movement characterised as a 'Spontaneous Revolution'? Did it accelerate the process of Indian independence? [2019, 20 Marks]

The Wavell Plan; The Cabinet Mission

1. “The Cabinet Mission Plan‚ seemed to open an avenue for the reconciliation of a united India with Muslim autonomy’.” Comment. [1983, 20m]

2. “The Simla Conference (1945) afforded the last opportunity of the forces of nationalism to fight a reargued action to preserve the integrity of the country and when the battle was lost, the waves of communalism quickly engulfed it.” Comment. [1988, 20m]

4. “… instead of rejecting the plan (Cabinet Mission Plan), they (the Congress Leadership) resorted to a half-baked legalistic stratagem to reserve their position on its long-term arrangements and accepted its short-term provisions.” Critically examine. [2014, 20m]

Others

1. “The Royal Indian Navy Revolt was seen as an event which marked the end of the British rule almost as finally as Independence Day.” Explain. [2015, 10m]

2. Explain why the efforts at finding solution to India's constitutional impasse failed during 1942-1946. [2017, 20m]

Women and Indian youth and students in Indian politics (1885-1947)

1."The active participation of Aruna Asaf Ali in 1942 movement symbolized the role of women in India's freedom struggle.” Comment. [2010, 20m]

2. What significant role did women play in the Indian National Movement? [2016, 20m]

Important Environmental Conventions and Protocols

1. UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION TO COMBAT DESERTIFICATION (UNCCD) :

• Established in 1994, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is the sole legally binding international agreement linking environment and development to sustainable land management.

• The Convention, the only convention stemming from a direct recommendation of the Rio Conference's Agenda 21, was adopted in Paris, France on 17 June 1994 and entered into force in December 1996.

• The UNCCD collaborates closely with the other two Rio Conventions; the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), to meet these complex challenges with an integrated approach and the best possible use of natural resources.

2. 

General Science

DETAILED EXPLANATION

General Science (Fundamental Test)

Q.1: What is the wavelength of visible spectrum?

(A) 0 to 100 nanometers

(B) 90 to 300 nanometers

(C) 380 to 700 nanometers

(D) 500 to 1700 nanometers

ANSWER: C EXPLANATION:

The visible light spectrum is the segment of the electromagnetic spectrum that the human eye can view. More simply, this range of wavelengths is called visible light. Typically, the human eye can detect wavelengths from 380 to 700 nanometers. Q.2: What is the reason for twinkling of stars?

(A) Dispersion of light

(B) Total internal reflection

(C) Atmospheric reflection

(D) Atmospheric refraction

ANSWER: D EXPLANATION:

In simple terms, twinkling of stars is caused by the passing of light through different layers of a turbulent atmosphere. Most scintillation effects are caused by anomalous atmospheric refraction caused by small-scale fluctuations in air density usually related to temperature gradients. Q.3: A mirage occurs because of

(A) reflection by hot ground

(B) total internal reflection by layers of air

(C) interference of light

(D) diffraction of light ANSWER: B EXPLANATION:

Mirage is an example of total internal reflection which occurs due to atmospheric refraction.

Mirage is an optical phenomenon which creates an illusion of the presence of water and is a result of refraction of light from a non-uniform medium. Mirage is observed mainly during sunny days when driving on a roadway.

Mirage is caused due to total Internal Reflection of light by the various layers of air. It is an optical illusion which is responsible for the appearance of the water layer at short distances in a desert or on the road. Mirage is an example of total internal reflection which occurs due to atmospheric refraction.

When the light rays from the sun travel straight through the atmosphere, these light rays travel at different speeds through the hot and cold air. For mirage to occur the ground should be very hot and the surrounding air cold. The layer which is above the ground gets warmed. The light ray gets refracted when the light moves through the cold air and into the hot air layer. This is how mirage occurs. Total internal reflection is defined as: The phenomenon which occurs when the light rays travel from a more optically denser medium to a less optically denser medium.

Q.4: Heat transfer horizontally within the atmosphere is called

(A) Conduction

(B) Convection

(C) Absorption

(D) Advection

ANSWER: D EXPLANATION:

Convection transfers heat vertically into the atmosphere. In order for heat to be transferred to other regions, it must be transferred horizontally by the wind. The horizontal transfer of heat by the wind is called advection. Advection is a transport mechanism of a substance or conserved property by a fluid due to the fluid’s bulk motion. An example of advection is the transport of pollutants or silt in a river by bulk water flow downstream.

Q.5: The frequency of ultrasound wave is typically

(A) Above 20 kHz

(B) Above 20,000 kHz

(C) Below 20 kHz

(D) Below 02 kHz ANSWER: A EXPLANATION:

In physics the term “ultrasound” applies to all acoustic energy with a frequency above human hearing (20,000 hertz or 20 kilohertz). Typical diagnostic sonographic scanners operate in the frequency range of 2 to 18 megahertz, hundreds of times greater than the limit of human hearing.

Human ear perceives frequencies between 20 Hz (lowest pitch) to 20 kHz (highest pitch). All sounds below 20 Hz are qualified as infrasound, although some animals (ex. mole-rat, or elephant) are hearing them. Q.6: The fibre-optic cable is made from

(A) Copper

(B) Gold

(C) Glass

(D) Rare earth metal

ANSWER: C EXPLANATION:

The fibre-optic cables consisting of many glass fibres transport (transmit) hundreds of telephone conversations over long distances. A fibre optic cable is made from a glass or plastic core that carries light surrounded by glass cladding that (due to its lower refractive index) reflects "escaping" light back into the core, resulting in the light being guided along the fibre. 

Q.7: Consider the following statements

1. Network is the group of computers interconnected in order to share resources or exchange information.

2. In a computer network, the node is a computer.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(A) 1 only

(B) 2 only

(C) Both 1 and 2

(D) Neither 1 nor 2 ANSWER: C EXPLANATION: Basic terms used in IT

Network: Group of computers interconnected in order to share resources or exchange information.

Node: Different terminals which are attached to the network can share files and other resources. In a computer network, the node is a computer. 

Q.8: What is a server?

(A) When different terminals which are attached to the network can share files and other resources.

(B) It is a network of networks where in a large number of computers are interconnected.

(C) A system or a program that provides a specific kind of service to client’s software running on other computers.

(D) It is a set of rules to send and receive messages at the internet address level. 

ANSWER: C EXPLANATION:

Basic terms used in IT

Node: Different terminals which are attached to the network can share files and other resources. In a computer network, the node is a computer.

Server: A system or a program that provides a specific kind of service to client’s software running on other computers. This is a dedicated system which helps clients (other computers).

Internet: It is a network of networks where in a large number of computers are interconnected and this interconnection today exists at a global level.

Internet Protocol: It is a set of rules to send and receive messages at the internet address level. It is a protocol by which data is sent from one computer to other on the internet. 

Q.9: Tesla is unit of

(A) Magnetic induction

(B) Electric current

(C) Magnetic field

(D) Luminous intensity

ANSWER: A EXPLANATION:

In the field of physics, the Tesla (often denoted by the symbol ‘T’) can be defined as the unit of magnetic induction. As per the International System of Units (often abbreviated to SI), one Tesla is equal to the one weber of magnetic induction per square metre of area. The SI unit of magnetic induction is named in honour of the Serbian-American engineer and inventor Nikola Tesla, upon the suggestion of the Slovenian inventor and electrical engineer France Avcin). Alternately one tesla can be defined as the magnetic field through which a particle carrying a charge of 1 coulomb must move perpendicularly at a speed of 1 meter per second in order to experience a force having the magnitude of 1 Newton as per the Lorentz force law. The SI base units of the tesla are kilogram second-2.ampere-1 (or kg.s-2.A-1).

Q.10: Good fuse wire is made of pure tin or made of an alloy of t

(A) Tin and zinc

(B) Copper and tin

(C) Copper and zinc

(D) Brass and aluminum

ANSWER: B EXPLANATION:

Fuse wires of various capacities are available. The thicker the wire, the greater is its capacity. Good fuse wire is made of pure tin or made of an alloy of copper and tin. In a line wire, we should use the fuse wire whose capacity is slightly more than the maximum current that can flow in it. It is usual to put a fuse of capacity 5 ampere in the line meant to feed lights and fans, and a fuse of 15 ampere in the line meant to feed power of 1000 watt or more, in appliances such as electric stove, or a geyser, or an immersion heater.

Fuse is the most important safety device, used for protecting the circuits due to short circuiting or overloading of the circuits. 

Q.11: In MRI machine, which one of the following is used?

(A) Sound wave

(B) ‘X’-ray

(C) Ultra-sound wave

(D) Magnetic wave ANSWER: D EXPLANATION:

MRI makes use of the property of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) to image nuclei of atoms inside the body.

Q.12: Consider the following statements.

1. CFL bulbs are made up of argon and mercury in small quantities.

2. The LED bulb produces light by passing the electric current through a semiconducting material called diode.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(A) 1 only

(B) 2 only

(C) Both 1 and 2

(D) Neither 1 nor 2 

ANSWER: C EXPLANATION:

LED is known as "Light Emitting Diode". In devices, it is the biggest invention so far, which gives the highest energy and light. It does not have mercury like CFL bulbs, but it contains other harmful components such as lead and nickel. The most notable feature of the LED bulb is that they can be recycled.

When the electron passes through the semiconductor material, it provides light to the small particles, which are called LEDs.

An LED bulb produces light by passing the electric current through a semiconducting material—the diode—which then emits photons (light) through the principle of electroluminescence

CFL is known as "Compact Fluorescent Light" bulb. It gives more energy than other bulbs, but slightly lower than the LED. CFL bulbs are made up of argon and mercury in small quantities.

CFLs work differently than incandescent bulbs in that, instead of running an electric current through a wire filament, they drive an electric current through a tube that contains argon and mercury vapor

Q.13: The temperature of a liquid is 32° F. What is its temperature in Celsius scale?

(A) 32° C

(B) 0° C

(C) 100° C

(D) 212° C 

ANSWER: B EXPLANATION:

When the temperature of a liquid is 32° F. Then in Celsius scale temperature will be 0° C .

Q.14: fission

(A) fusion is the process nuclei combine together with unstable nucleus

(B) is the splitting of a heavy, unstable nucleus into two lighter nuclei

(C) is the splitting of a light, stable nucleus into two lighter nuclei

(D) fusion is the process where two light nuclei combine together ANSWER: B EXPLANATION:

Both fission and fusion are nuclear reactions that produce energy, but the applications are not the same. Fission is the splitting of a heavy, unstable nucleus into two lighter nuclei, and fusion is the process where two light nuclei combine together releasing vast amounts of energy. 

Q.15: Milk tastes sour when kept in the open for some time due to the formation of

(A) lactic acid

(B) citric acid

(C) acetic acid

(D) carbonic acid

ANSWER: A EXPLANATION:

When the bacteria use the lactose sugars to reproduce, they change it from “lactose sugar” into “lactic acid,” which tastes sour.

When the bacteria use the lactose sugars to reproduce, they change it from “lactose sugar” into “lactic acid,” which tastes sour. 

Q.16: Some pesticides, such as DDT enter into our food chain and can cause disorders, the process can be explained through

(A) Bioconcentration

(B) Bioaccumulation

(C) Biomagnification

(D) None of the above

 ANSWER: B EXPLANATION:

Some pesticides, such as DDT (Dichloro diphenyl trichloroethane), are very toxic. These pesticides enter into our food chain and accumulate in our body (bioaccumulation), causing kidney disorders and problems of brain and circulatory system. 

Q.17: As per Avogadro, one mole of a substance is equal to

(A) 4.567× 10²³ units

(B) 5.123 × 10²³ units

(C) 6.022 × 10²³ units

(D) 7.692 × 10²³ units 

ANSWER: C EXPLANATION:

One mole of a substance is equal to 6.022 × 10²³ units of that substance (such as atoms, molecules, or ions). The number 6.022 × 10²³ is known as Avogadro's number or Avogadro's constant. The concept of the mole can be used to convert between mass and number of particles. 

Q.18: A superconductor offers

(A) No resistance

(B) High resistance

(C) Low resistance

(D) None of the above 

ANSWER: A EXPLANATION:

SUPERCONDUCTORS:

In 1911, the Dutch physicist H.K.Onnes (1853-1926), studying the effect of temperature on resistance, tried to cool some samples of metals to a few kelvins and measured their electrical resistance. Onnes discovered, to his surprise, that mercury’s electrical resistance reduced nearly to zero at 4.2 K (about –269 °C). It was found that many other elements and compounds show similar behaviour below certain temperatures, called critical temperatures. Such materials are called superconductors. A superconductor offers no resistance, and therefore, current passes through it without loss of energy. No heat loss occurs during flow of charge. This makes it possible to make an efficient use of superconductors for transferring electricity from one place to another.

Q.19: plaster of Paris is obtained from

(A) silica

(B) sodium dioxide

(C) calcium oxide

(D) calcium sulphate 

ANSWER: D EXPLANATION:

PLASTER OF PARIS (CaSO4.1/2H2O):

About 5000 years ago, Egyptians obtained a powder by heating gypsum (calcium sulphate) in open air fires. The powder is called plaster of Paris, because it is made by using gypsum, which was mainly found in Montmartre in Paris. Initially, plaster of Paris was used in the construction industry in a massive way, but now it is found to be of great use outside the construction industry as well, e.g., for plastering fractured bones.

Gypsum Plaster of Paris:

The heating should be controlled carefully, otherwise anhydrous calcium sulphate (CaSO4) is produced, which has no such property as that of plaster of Paris. 

Q.20: If a computer is infected by malware designed for this purpose and it will typically encrypt files and demand money in order to decrypt, then it is called:

(A) Trojan horse

(B) Spoofing

(C) Ransomware

(D) Zombie 

ANSWER: C EXPLANATION:

Software: A set of instructions that tell a computer to perform a task. These instructions are compiled into a package that users can install and use. Software is broadly categorised into system software like Microsoft Windows and application software like Microsoft Office.

Malware: An umbrella term that describes all forms of malicious software designed to cause havoc on a computer. Typical forms include viruses, trojans, worms and ransomware.

Ransomware: A form of malware that deliberately prevents you from accessing files on your computer. If a computer is infected by malware designed for this purpose, it will typically encrypt files and request that a ransom be paid in order to have them decrypted.

Spoofing: A technique hackers use to hide their identity, pretend to be someone else or simply try to fool you over the internet. There a number of spoofing methods, such as making a hack look like it's coming from another source, sending emails that appear to come from a different person, and website spoofing, where hackers set up a fake website to trick users into entering sensitive information.

Trojan horse: A piece of malware that often allows a hacker to gain remote access to a computer. The system will be infected by a virus that sets up an entry point for the perpetrator to download files or watch the user's keystrokes.

Zombie: A computer system that has been infected by malware and is now part of a hacker's botnet.

Virus: A type of malware for personal computers, dating back to the days of floppy disks. Viruses typically aim to corrupt, erase or modify information on a computer before spreading to others. However, in more recent years, viruses like Stuxnet have caused physical damage. 

Q.21: The hormone that is responsible promoting cell division of a plant :

(A) Gibberellins

(B) Cytokinins

(C) Abscisic Acid

(D) Auxins 

ANSWER: B EXPLANATION:

Plant hormones include auxin, abscisic acid, ethylene, gibberellins, cytokinins, salicylic acid, strigolactones, brassinosteroids, and nitrous (nitric) oxide. Plant functioning under stress is affected by plant hormones, which can help the plant to tolerate the environmental stresses.

Hormone :Function

Ethylene : Fruit ripening and abscission

Gibberellins : Break the dormancy of seeds and buds; promote growth

Cytokinins : Promote cell division; prevent senescence

Abscisic Acid : Close the stomata; maintain dormancy

Auxins : Involved in tropisms and apical dominance

Q.22: Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2020 was awarded for development of

(A) lithium-ion batteries

(B) genome editing

(C) new pharmaceuticals through directed evolution

(D) black hole theory

ANSWER: B EXPLANATION:

The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2020 was awarded jointly to Emmanuelle Charpentier and Jennifer A. Doudna "for the development of a method for genome editing.

Q.23: In onion the edible part is

(A) Leaf

(B) Root

(C) Stem

(D) Flower 

ANSWER: A EXPLANATION:

The edible part is principally swollen leaves with a touch of the stem. The entire plant is eatable; however, it is ordinarily developed for the root. The red or green stalks are the eatable segment; the leaves are poisonous. 

Q.24: Which animal has three-chambered heart?

(A) Pigeon

(B) Lizard

(C) Fish

(D) Lion 

ANSWER: B EXPLANATION:

Lizard has three-chambered heart. Except crocodiles all the reptiles and have three-chambered heart. Crocodiles have four-chambered heart. Pigeons have four-chambered heart. Fish have two-chambered heart. Lion have four-chambered heart.

Birds and mammals have four chambered heart i.e. 2 atria and 2 ventricles. Three-chambered consists of 2 atria and 1 ventricle and two-chambered heart consists of 1 atria and 1 ventricle.

 Q.25: Consider the following statements

1. Synchronous orbits, where the satellites have the same orbital period as that of the object being orbited.

2. Sun Synchronous is an Elliptical orbit

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(A) 1 only

(B) 2 only

(C) Both 1 and 2

(D) Neither 1 nor 2

 ANSWER: C EXPLANATION:

What do you mean by Synchronous orbits?

These are orbits where the satellites have the same orbital period as that of the object being orbited. For example, Geo-synchronous orbits are orbits where the satellites orbital period is the same as the Earth’s Rotational period.

Geosynchronous orbit

• It is in Geosynchronous orbit

• Altitude is at 36,000km

• It is a circular orbit

• It is an Equatorial orbit

Sun Synchronous orbit

• It is in Sun Synchronous orbit

• Altitude is at 800km

• It is an Elliptical orbit

• It is a polar orbit 

Q.26: If you take tomato in your food regularly, then you can get

(A) Vitamin A

(B) Vitamin C

(C) Vitamin E

(D) Vitamin K

ANSWER: B EXPLANATION:

Tomatoes and tomato products are rich sources of folate, vitamin C, and potassium. Relative to phytonutrients, the most abundant in tomatoes are the carotenoids. Lycopene is the most prominent carotenoid followed by beta-carotene, gamma-carotene and phytoene as well as several minor carotenoids.

Q.27: H5N1 is a type of influenza virus can cause

(A) Swine flu

(B) Ebola

(C) Asiatic flu

(D) Bird flu

ANSWER: D EXPLANATION:

H5N1 is a type of influenza virus that causes a highly infectious, severe respiratory disease in birds called avian influenza (or "bird flu"). 

Q.28: What determines the sex of a child?

(A) Chromosomes of the father

(B) Chromosomes of the mother

(C) Rh factor of the parents

(D) Blood group of the father 

ANSWER: A EXPLANATION:

Men determine the sex of a baby depending on whether their sperm is carrying an X or Y chromosome. An X chromosome combines with the mother's X chromosome to make a baby girl (XX) and a Y chromosome will combine with the mother's to make a boy (XY).

Chromosomes come in pairs. Normally, each cell in the human body has 23 pairs of chromosomes (46 total chromosomes). Half come from the mother; the other half come from the father. Two of the chromosomes (the X and the Y chromosome) determine your sex as male or female when you are born.

A child's sex is always determined by the father, since men cast the deciding chromosome — either an X or a Y — while women produce eggs that carry an X chromosome.

 Q.29: Chardrayaan 2 was launched in

(A) 2018

(B) 2019

(C) 2020

(D) 2021

ANSWER: B EXPLANATION: Chardrayaan 2:

India's second mission to the Moon, Chandrayaan-2 was launched on 22nd July 2019 from Satish Dhawan Space Center, Sriharikota. The Orbiter which was injected into a lunar orbit on 2nd Sept 2019, carries 8 experiments to address many open questions on lunar science. 

Q.30: Genome India Project aims at

(A) Sampling of wild animal gene

(B) Detecting the abnormal chromosomes in human

(C) Focusing on gene editing

(D) Cataloguing the genetic variation in Indians 

ANSWER: D EXPLANATION: Genome India Project (GIP)

GenomeIndia: Cataloguing the Genetic Variation in Indians’ project has been sanctioned by Department of Biotechnology (DBT) on January16, 2020 for a period of 3 years to 20 institutions from varied disciplines across the country. The whole genome sequencing under GenomeIndia has just started.

The proposed target of Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) is to do it for total 10,000 individuals representing the country’s diverse population in 3 years. The information generated from whole genome sequencing can facilitate future human genetics research in the country with greater precision, and to design a genome wide association array for the Indian population to develop precision healthcare and diagnostics for major diseases at affordable costs.

It will enable new efficiencies in healthcare, medicine and life sciences. However, GIP also raises concerns pertaining to medical ethics, political misuse, etc.

The mega project hopes to form a grid after collecting 10,000 samples in the first phase from across India, to arrive at a representative Indian genome. 

Q.31: Which of the following does not come under Internet of things (IoT)?

(A) Connected home appliances

(B) Smart home security systems.

(C) Mouse of PC

(D) Wearable health monitors

ANSWER: C EXPLANATION:

Mouse of PC is connected to Personal computer, it is not connected to internet system directly. Thus, it does not come under Internet of things.

The Internet of things (IoT) describes the network of physical objects—“things”—that are embedded with sensors, software, and other technologies for the purpose of connecting and exchanging data with other devices and systems over the Internet.

Top Internet-of-Things (IoT) Examples

• Connected appliances.

• Smart home security systems.

• Autonomous farming equipment.

• Wearable health monitors.

• Smart factory equipment.

• Wireless inventory trackers.

• Ultra-high speed wireless internet.

• Biometric cybersecurity scanners.

Q.32: The saliva serves many roles in digestion like

1. Lubrication and binding

2. Solubilization of dry food

3. Initiation of starch digestion

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(A) 1 and 2 only

(B) 2 and 3 only

(C) 1 and 3 only

(D) All of the above

ANSWER: D EXPLANATION:

Saliva serves many roles, some of which are important to all species and others to only a few:

Lubrication and binding: The mucus in saliva is extremely effective in binding masticated food into a slippery bolus that (usually) slides easily through the esophagus without inflicting damage to the mucosa.

Solubilization of dry food: In order to be tasted, the molecules in food must be solubilized.

Oral hygiene: The oral cavity is almost constantly flushed with saliva, which floats away food debris and keeps the mouth relatively clean. The flow of saliva diminishes considerably during sleep, allow populations of bacteria to build up in the mouth – the result is dragon breath in the morning. Saliva also contains lysozyme, an enzyme that lyses many bacteria and prevents the overgrowth of oral microbial populations.

Initiation of starch digestion: In most species, the serous and acinar cells secrete an alpha amylase which can begin to digest dietary starch into maltose.

 Q.33: Net neutrality requires all

(A) Internet service providers is not allowed to make promotion while internet surfing

(B) Internet service providers cannot access and sell data of their customer to other institutions

(C) Internet usage of a customer is not based on the pre-paid value

(D) Internet service providers to provide the same level of data access and speed to all traffic ANSWER:D EXPLANATION:

Net neutrality requires all Internet service providers (ISPs) to provide the same level of data access and speed to all traffic, and that traffic to one service or website cannot be blocked or degraded.

Net neutrality also states that ISPs are also not to create special arrangements with services or websites, in which companies providing them are given improved network access or speed.

Net neutrality advocates suggest that by not allowing ISPs to determine the speed at which consumers can access specific websites or services, smaller companies will be more likely to enter the market and create new services.

Net neutrality critics suggest that by forcing ISPs to treat all traffic equally the government will ultimately discourage the investment in new infrastructure, and will also create a disincentive for ISPs to innovate. 

Q.34: Consider the following statements

1. Indian Space Research Organisation was formed in 1962.

2. ISRO has superseded the erstwhile INCOSPAR.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(A) 1 only

(B) 2 only

(C) Both 1 and 2

(D) Neither 1 nor 2 

ANSWER: B EXPLANATION: ISRO:

India decided to go to space when Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR) was set up by the Government of India in 1962. With the visionary Dr Vikram Sarabhai at its helm, INCOSPAR set up the Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station (TERLS) in Thiruvananthapuram for upper atmospheric research.

Indian Space Research Organisation, formed in 1969, superseded the erstwhile INCOSPAR. Vikram Sarabhai, having identified the role and importance of space technology in a Nation's development, provided ISRO the necessary direction to function as an agent of development. ISRO then embarked on its mission to provide the Nation space based services and to develop the technologies to achieve the same independently. Q.35: GSAT-30 is a

(A) Remote Sensing Satellite

(B) Navigation Satellite

(C) Telecommunication satellite

(D) Weather surveillance satellite

ANSWER: C EXPLANATION: GSAT-30:

India’s telecommunication satellite GSAT-30 was successfully launched into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) on January 17, 2020 from Kourou launch base, French Guiana by Ariane-5 VA-251.

GSAT-30 is configured on ISRO’s enhanced I-3K Bus structure to provide communication services from Geostationary orbit in C and Ku bands. The satellite derives its heritage from ISRO’s earlier INSAT/GSAT satellite series.

Weighing 3357 kg, GSAT-30 is to serve as replacement to INSAT-4A spacecraft services with enhanced coverage. The satellite provides Indian mainland and islands coverage in Ku-band and extended coverage in C-band covering Gulf countries, a large number of Asian countries and Australia.

The designed in-orbit operational life of GSAT-30 is more than 15 years.

 Q.36: Nucleus of an atom consists of.

(A) Proton

(B) Neutron

(C) Proton and Neutron

(D) Electron, Proton and Neutron 

ANSWER: C EXPLANATION:

The nucleus is a collection of particles called protons, which are positively charged, and neutrons, which are electrically neutral. Protons and neutrons are in turn made up of particles called quarks. The chemical element of an atom is determined by the number of protons, or the atomic number, Z, of the nucleus.

Q.37: The ratio of gold in 24 carat gold is :

(A) 84.3%

(B) 87.6%

(C) 91.6%

(D) 99.9%

ANSWER: D EXPLANATION:

24K signifies 99.9 % purity and 22K is approximately 91 percent pure gold, with the other 9% consisting of other metals such as copper, silver, zinc, etc. 

Q.38: The major constituent of gobar gas is

(A) Carbon dioxide

(B) Methane

(C) Butane

(D) Isobutane

 ANSWER: B EXPLANATION:

Biogas mainly comprises of three main gases. It is a mixture of methane, hydrogen, and carbon dioxide.

Q.39: Aqua regia is a 1 : 3 mixture, by volume, of

(A) conc. nitric acid and conc. hydrochloric acid

(B) conc. hydrochloric acid and conc. nitric acid

(C) conc. nitric acid and conc. sulphuric acid

(D) conc. sulphuric acid and conc. nitric acid 

ANSWER: A EXPLANATION:

Aqua regia or nitro-hydrochloric acid is a highly corrosive mixture of acids, a fuming yellow or red solution. The mixture is formed by freshly mixing concentrated nitric acid and hydrochloric acid, optimally in a volume ratio of 1:3.

Q.40: The material used in the lead pencil is

(A) Graphite

(B) Lead

(C) Carbon

(D) Mica 

ANSWER: A EXPLANATION:

The most important ingredient in a pencil is the graphite, which most people continue to call lead. Conté's method of combining graphite with clay is still used, and wax or other chemicals are sometimes added as well. Virtually all graphite used today is a manufactured mixture of natural graphite and chemicals.

Pencils contain a form of solid carbon known as graphite. According to the book The Pencil by Henry Petroski, the graphite pencil was first developed and popularized in the 1600's.

 Q.41: SpaceX was established in

(A) 2000

(B) 2002

(C) 2005

(D) 2007

ANSWER: B EXPLANATION:

Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) is an American aerospace manufacturer and space transportation services company headquartered in Hawthorne, California. It was founded in 2002 by Elon Musk with the goal of reducing space transportation costs to enable the colonization of Mars.

 Q.42: Consider the following statements about Scramjet Engine.

1. It is a ramjet engine in which the airflow through the engine remains supersonic.

2. India is the third country to demonstrate the flight testing of a Scramjet Engine.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(A) 1 only

(B) 2 only

(C) Both 1 and 2

(D) Neither 1 nor 2 

ANSWER: A EXPLANATION:

Scramjet Engine:

A scramjet (supersonic-combustion ramjet) is a ramjet engine in which the airflow through the engine remains supersonic, or greater than the speed of sound. Scramjet powered vehicles are envisioned to operate at speeds up to at least Mach 15.

India is the fourth country to demonstrate the flight testing of a Scramjet Engine. 

Q.43: Hand in Hand military exercise is joint exercise between:

EXPLANATION:

Hand in Hand: It is a joint military exercise between India and China. It is an annual military exercise held under a United Nations mandate. It will be conducted between December 7 to December 20, 2019, with a theme against terrorism.

Q.44: Which of the following is correct about BrahMos Missile?

1. BrahMos is a joint venture between the India and Russia.

2. Brahmos missile speed can be is faster than the speed of sound.

BrahMos Missile

➢ BRAHMOS is a joint venture between the Defence Research and Development Organisation of India (DRDO) and the NPOM of Russia.

➢ Brahmos is named on the rivers Brahmaputra and Moskva.

➢ It is a two-stage (solid propellant engine in the first stage and liquid ramjet in second) air to surface missile with a flight range of around 300 km.

➢ However, India's entry into the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) has extended the range of the BRAHMOS missile to reach 450 km-600km, a shade above its current MTCR capped range of 300 km.

➢ Brahmos is the heaviest weapon to be deployed on Su-30 MKI fighter aircraft, with a weight of 2.5 tonnes.

➢ Brahmos is a multiplatform i.e it can be launched from land, air, and sea and multi capability missile with pinpoint accuracy that works in both day and night irrespective of the weather conditions.

➢ It operates on the "Fire and Forgets" principle i.e it does not require further guidance after launch.

➢ Brahmos is one of the fastest cruise missile currently operationally deployed with speed of Mach 2.8, which is 3 times more than the speed of sound.

 Q.45: Consider the following statements

1. Meiosis is a process where a single cell divides twice to produce four cells containing half the original amount of genetic information.

2. In animals, meiosis only occurs in the cells that give rise to the somatic cells.

 Mitosis & Meiosis

Cell division is always highly regulated and follows a highly orchestrated series of steps. The term cytokinesis refers to the division of a cell in half, while mitosis and meiosis refer to two different forms of nuclear division.

Mitosis results in two nuclei that are identical to the original nucleus. Mitosis is how somatic—or non-reproductive cells—divide. Meiosis, on the other hand, results in four nuclei that each has half of the chromosomes of the original cell. In animals, meiosis only occurs in the cells that give rise to the sex cells (gametes), i.e., the egg and the sperm.

Q.46: Milk is

The emulsion is two immiscible fluids mixed together. The suspension is the mixture of two substances from any phase. Milk is an example of emulsion in which the milk fat is mixed with water.

Q.47: Copper is refined by

Copper is primarily extracted from copper sulfide, first by converting sulfide to oxide (roast) followed by carbothermic reduction. However, the product still contains too many impurities and needs refining, which is achieved by electrolysis using impure copper as the anode.

Q.48: Glass is a made up of

Glass is a supercooled liquid. Supercooling is a process of lowering the temperature of a liquid or a gas below its freezing point without it becoming a solid.

The sand commonly used to make glass is comprised of small grains of quartz crystals, made up of molecules of silicon dioxide, which is also known as silica. 

Q.49: Cement is formed by strongly heating a mixture of

Cement is made by heating limestone (calcium carbonate) with small quantities of other materials (such as clay) to 1450 degree C in a kiln, in a process known as calcination, whereby a molecule of carbon dioxide is liberated from the calcium carbonate to form calcium oxide, or quicklime, which is then blended with the other materials that have been included in the mix. The resulting hard substance, called ‘clinker’, is then ground with a small amount of gypsum into a powder to make ‘Ordinary Portland Cement’, the most commonly used type of cement (often referred to as OPC). Portland cement is a basic ingredient of concrete, mortar and most non-specialty grout. The most common use for Portland cement is in the production of concrete.

Q.50: Consider the following statements

1. Rare Earth Metals are a set of 17 chemical elements in the periodic table.

2. Russia is a major the rare earth metal reserve in the World.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(A) 1 only

(B) 2 only

(C) Both 1 and 2

(D) Neither 1 nor 2 

ANSWER: A EXPLANATION:

Rare Earth Elements or Rare Earth Metals are a set of 17 chemical elements in the periodic table — the 15 lanthanides, plus scandium and yttrium, which tend to occur in the same ore deposits as the lanthanides, and have similar chemical properties.

The 17 Rare Earths are cerium (Ce), dysprosium (Dy), erbium (Er), europium (Eu), gadolinium (Gd), holmium (Ho), lanthanum (La), lutetium (Lu), neodymium (Nd), praseodymium (Pr), promethium (Pm), samarium (Sm), scandium (Sc), terbium (Tb), thulium (Tm), ytterbium (Yb), and yttrium (Y).

These elements are important in technologies of consumer electronics, computers and networks, communications, clean energy, advanced transportation, healthcare, environmental mitigation, and national defence, among others.

Scandium is used in televisions and fluorescent lamps, and yttrium is used in drugs to treat rheumatoid arthritis and cancer.

Rare Earth elements are used in space shuttle components, jet engine turbines, and drones. Cerium, the most abundant Rare Earth element, is essential to NASA’s Space Shuttle Programme.

China’s Rare Earths deposits account for 80% of identified global reserves.

What are the constitutional provisions with respect to untouchability

 Article 17 notes that “Untouchability” is eliminated, and that its existence is forbidden in some manner. The violation of any condition that results from “Untouchability” shall be an offence punished by statute.

Meaning of Untouchability:

Though, Article 17 of the Constitution, meant to eliminate the tradition of untouchability, does not describe the word ‘untouchability’ nor is it specified elsewhere in the Constitution. 

The Court provided a wider definition of the term ‘untouchability’ according to Article 17 of the Constitution.

The Court noted that ‘untouchability’ should not be taken in the strict sense under Article 17 of the Constitution but should be interpreted as a tradition which has existed and evolved in India.

In Jai Singh vs. Union of India case Rajasthan High Court and Devrajiah vs B. Padmana case of Madras High Court defined the word untouchability.

The court said that the word ‘Untouchability’ is is not to be taken by its literal or grammatical interpretation. The meaning of the word is to be derived from historical development and historical practices.

Untouchability refers to the social disability imposed on certain classes of a person because of their birth in a specific backward class. Hence, it does not cover any social boycott of a few individuals or their exclusion from religious services, etc.

Therefore the word untouchability in article 17 only means ‘Caste-based untouchability’.

The Untouchability Offences Act of 1955

The Untouchability Offences Act 1955, which includes punishment for untouchability.But later the government realised that all the provisions and punishment defined under this Act were inadequate. Therefore in the year 1965, a committee was set up to revise this Act. This committee was known as ‘Committee on Untouchability – Economic and Educational Development of Scheduled Caste’. This committee came up with multiple recommendations and in the year 1976, all the recommendations were included, and the previous Act of 1955 was incorporated as ‘The Civil Rights Protection Act 1955’.

Conclusion:

Though untouchability is abolished by law, it did not get reflected in our social hierarchy where practice untouchability in some or the other form people still practice untouchability. A serious change in our traditional outlook is warranted to tackle this menace. We should realize that HUMANITY COMES BEFORE ANY RELIGION OR CASTE. The belief of untouchability has been divided our society and denied basic rights to lower caste which hampered the development of these communities and nation as whole. Government and individual has the responsibility to promote the above said provisions to establish casteless society, strive for overall development of the nation.