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(Current Affairs) Science & Technology, Defence, Environment | October: 2013

Science & Technology, Defense, Environment

Mars is Composed Mostly of Carbon Dioxide

The measurements by Curiosity rover of NASA, the most advanced spacecraft to land on Mars, the Red Planet, re-instated the fact, in the month of July 2013, that the planet was composed of mostly carbon dioxide and a few other gases. These measurements match very closely with the findings of the Viking which had revealed about this in late 1970s. Apart from this, the scientists had also revealed the same earlier with clues from the Martian meteorites that fell on Earth. It was revealed lately that the atmosphere of Mars was mostly dominated by carbon dioxide. However, it was surprising that earlier Viking had found that nitrogen was the second most abundant gas to be  found in Marss atmosphere. But, measurements from Curiosity found that nitrogen as well as argon was nearly equal in abundance on the Martian air. The differences in the findings could be because of the use of different tools to collect the samples from the atmosphere. NASAs Goddard Space Flight Centers Paul Mahaffy, the in-charge of Curiositys air sampling experiments explained that despite the difference in findings of Viking and Curiosity, the notion that Mars had lost almost all the original atmosphere to space, is very much clear. This has what led to the change of this planet into the cold desert.

The Curiosity Rover of NASA is the nuclear-powered, six-wheel rover which landed in ancient crater near the equator of Mars in 2012. The study however did not explain anything about the presence of Methane on Mars. In 2012, the team of Curiosity reported that there was no definitive aroma of Methane near its landing site. Since that time, a lot of air samples have been collected by the rover. In context with this NASA has already decided to launch a Mars-orbiting spacecraft in order to solve the mystery of Methane on Mars.

This new rover will be called Maven and it will target the Martian atmosphere. Scientists will explore whether Methane actually exists on Mars or not and will also find out about its abundance. Apart from this, Maven will also find out whether it varies year after year. The mission chief scientist of this is Bruce Jakosky of the University of Colorado.

(Current Affairs) India and The World | October: 2013

India & The World

India and China

India and China focussed on additional confidence building measures in the two-day talks between the representatives of the two countries that ended in New Delhi on 24 July 2013. The two nations reviewed the recent developments in the border areas to enhance peace and tranquility along the Line of Actual Control. India and China discussed additional confidence building measures between them. They consulted on measures to improve the functioning of the working mechanism and to make it more efficient. Finally the two delegations further discussed the possibility of introducing an additional route for the Kailash Mansarovar yatra. The meeting on working mechanism for consultation and coordination on India-China border affairs was led by Joint Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs Gautam Bambawale and senior officials of the Defence and Home Ministries from the Indian side. The Chinese side was represented by a composite delegation of its officials. The next meeting will be held in China at a mutually convenient date and time.

According to the data released by Chinese Customs, the India-China trade deficit increased by 34 percent to reach 12 billion US dollars in the first five months of the year, presenting a bleak picture for Indian exports as bilateral trade continued to decline, denting hopes of achieving a trade volume of 100 billion US dollars by 2015. The India-China bilateral trade touched 26.5 billion US dollars till May 2013. The trade deficit for India has widened year-on-year to 12 billion US dollars, up by 34 percent. The trade volume was lowered by over two billion US dollars compared to 2012. The trade deficit touched about 30 billion US dollars in 2012, causing concerns in India. While the Chinese exports registered marginal increase the bilateral trade numbers are falling. Exports have declined substantially while imports have risen marginally. Much to the disquiet of India, its main items of exports like cotton, iron ore and copper have continued their downward slide. Iron ore declined sharply by 76 percent to 595.42 million US dollars. Cotton and copper declined year-on-year by 40 percent to 1.39 billion US dollars and 24 percent to 688.53 million US dollars respectively. Indias overall share in Chinese exports has dropped to under 1 percent from 1.33 percent, the data showed. Cotton yarn and diamonds are the other two exports that rounded off the top five. Cotton yarn is the sole bright spot showing a jump of 115 percent to reach a value of 740 million US dollars. Diamonds increased at a modest 14 percent to record 562.1 million US dollars. The Chinese exports to India maintained an even keel, rising by 2.7 percent year-onyear.

(Current Affairs) Economy & Energy | October : 2013

Economy

National Textile Corporation Inaugurated

The Union Minister of Textiles, K Sambasiva Rao on 22 July 2013 inaugurated the New Bhopal Textile Mills of National Textile Corporation (NTC) in Bhopal. The mill was taken for the purpose of revival as well as modernisation along with the BurhanpurTapti Mills in Burhanpur.

It is important to note that textiles sector is the second biggest employment generator in India after agriculture. According to the approved scheme of Board for Industrial and Financial Reconstruction (BIFR), in the first
phase, National Textile Corporation Limited replaced 16848 spindles and commissioned 25200 new spindles in the year 2008 at the cost of 26.42 Crores Rupees. This led to an increase in the monthly production from 1800 kilograms per day to 5000 kilograms per day. This meant that despite providing Modified Voluntary Retirement Scheme (MVRS) to surplus workers, around 380 workers started getting wages every day. The National Textile Corporation Limited (New Delhi) also approved the second phase of modernisation for the New Bhopal Textile Mill. In its second phase, the Head Office approved sanction of 81 crore Rupees, which will help in modernisation of the machines. This would eventually help in increasing the production from 5000 kilograms per day to 14000 kilograms per day. This implies that from present sustenance of 380 workers, the mill will be able to sustain the 650 workers every day. The mill has also obtained ISO Certification.

(Download) UPSC: IES Exam Paper 2013 : Objective Papers - "Mechanical Engineering Paper I"

UPSC

Union Public Service Commission

Engineering Services Exam 2013

Objective Papers

Mechanical Engineering Paper I

File Size: 1.9 MB

File Type: Zipped PDF

(Notification) IBPS : Common Recruitment Process For Recruitment of Specialist Officers in Participating Organisations - 2014

Institute of Banking Personnel Selection

IBPS 2014 CWE for Specialist Officers

Common Recruitment Process For Recruitment of Specialist Officers in Participating Organisations - (CWE SPL-III)

I.T. Officer (Scale-I)

Age Limit:  Min- 20 Years Max-30 Years

(Result) UPSC : Indian Forest Service Examination 2013

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Union Public Service Commission

(Result) Indian Forest Service Examination, 2013

On the basis of the written results of the Indian Forest Service (Main) Examination, 2013 held by the Union Public Service Commission in October, 2013, the candidates with the under mentioned Roll Numbers have qualified for Personality Test.

(Notification) SSC: Multitasking (Non-Technical) Staff Examination - 2014

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Staff Selection Commission

Recruitment to the Post of Multi Tasking (Non-Technical) Staff in Different States and Union Territories 2014

Regional Offices of the Commission have advertised recruitment to Group ‗C‘ posts of Multi Tasking Staff (MTS) (NT) in different States / UTs for which Matriculation or equivalent is the minimum qualification,

The post of MTS(NT) was earlier known as Group-D posts such a Peon, Daftary, Jamadar, Junior Gestetner Operator, Farash, Chowkidar, Mali etc. Annexure-II to O.M. No. AB-14017/6/2009-Estt.(RR) of DOPT dated 30.04.2010, available on the website of the DOPT may be referred for description of duties of the post.

(Current Affairs) International Events | October: 2013

International Events

Cambodian Peoples Party claimed Victory

The Cambodian Peoples Party (CPP), which is led by Prime Minister Hun Sen won at least 68 seats in the Lower house comparing with the 55 seats for the main opposition. The National Election Committee (NEC) gave a list of results from each polling station but no tally for parliamentary seats. The election in Cambodia was held on 28 July 2013 and the results were also declared on the same day. It is important here to note that the
Prime Minister Hun Sen has been in power in Cambodia for nearly three decades (28 years). The major opponent of CPP in the election was Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), which is led by Sam Rainsy, who recently came back to the country from self-imposed exile. More than nine million people were found eligible to vote.

Cambodia is a one party dominant state with the Cambodian Peoples Party in power. Opposition parties do exist, but are widely considered to have no real chance of gaining power.

(News) JNUSU is running a campaign against changes in UPSC syllabus

JNU students' union protests against changes in UPSC syllabus

Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union held a protest here today against the changes in syllabus for civil services examination conducted by the Union Public Service and demand a review of the exam pattern.

The protesters objected to the exclusion of foreign languages mainly Persian and Arabic from the list of optional subject for the mains examination.

(Current Affairs) National Events | October: 2013

National Events

Ordinance on Food Security

President Pranab Mukherjee signed the ordinance on food security on 5 July 2013 which seeks to give legal rights to 67 per cent of the population over subsidised grains every month. Now, with the presidential consent, the bill will be presented before the Parliament when it convenes for the Monsoon Session. The Government had issued the ordinance to give nations two-third population the right to get 5 kgs of foodgrains every month at
highly subsidised rates of 1-3 Rupees per kg amid political opposition. The food security arrangements will be the largest in the world after implementation, with the government spending estimated at one lakh 25 thousand crore rupees annually on supply of about 62 million tonnes of rice, wheat and coarse cereals to 67 per cent of the population. The Food Security Bill was tabled during the budget session of Parliament, but was not taken up for discussion because of opposition-led disturbances of proceedings arising out of scamrelated allegations.

(Notification) ICAR ARS Exam 2013

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Agricultural Scientists Recruitment Board

(Indian Council of Agricultural Research)

Notification : Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Examination - 2013

Agricultural Scientists Recruitment Board (ASRB) will hold a Competitive ARS Examination – 2013

Tips for UPSC MAINS Exam by Rajanvir Singh Kapur (IAS)

Tips for UPSC MAINS Exam by Rajanvir Singh Kapur (IAS)

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-XpmX7osnK1Y/UoDMClfj0dI/AAAAAAAACG4/viW6A06ZGl8/s200/Rajanvir-Singh-Kapur.jpgTo Dearest friends writing the MAINS in Dec, 2013;

This is the most crucial phase if your preparation. All that you have done so far becomes immaterial now. What matters most now is the way you revise, & live the next few weeks. Some reminders from your brother:

1) Do not panic at all. You are very close to your destination.

2) Do not start any new book/ material now. This is time to consolidate what is already read.

3) Revise & revise. Anything not revised is as good as not studied only. Just revise!

4) Please do not let any extreme emotions enter your system. Be happy & calm.

5) If it helps you, pray for 10 minutes each day. You will feel stronger.

6) Please do not, do not talk to any toxic people at this stage. Any negativity can bog you down.

7) Although 4 weeks left, it is good if you buy your stationery now only. Do not buy pens one day before your exams.

(Result) UPSC: Recruitment Result - 09/2013

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Union Public Service Commission

Recruitment Result - 09/2013

The following Recruitment Results have been finalized by  the Union Public Service Commission during the month of SEPTEMBER, 2013.The recommended candidates have been informed individually by post. Applications of other candidates were duly considered but regretted that it has not been possible to call them for interview/recommend them for the post.

Selected Articles from Various News Paper: Civil Services Mentor Magazine October 2013

SELECTED ARTICLES FROM VARIOUS NEWSPAPERS & JOURNALS
(October 2013)

An Indian Mission to Another Frontier in Space

Today, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will launch the first of seven satellites that will provide the country with an independent navigation satellite capability.

A navigation satellite system uses a cluster of spacecraft that regularly transmit signals.

Suitably equipped receivers can then use that data to work out their exact position. Satellite-based navigation has, over the years, become indispensable, with a multitude of both civilian and military uses. Vehicles, big and small, as well as aircraft and ships increasingly find their way using such navigation devices. People these days turn to map and location-based services on their mobile devices.

India, Mauritius and Other Nations of IOR-ARC: Civil Services Mentor Magazine - October 2013

INDIA, MAURITIUS AND OTHER NATIONS OF IOR-ARC

India, Mauritius and other countries of the Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation (IOR-ARC) on 5 July 2013 agreed to encourage open regionalism to promote trade and minimise the barriers. The Communique issued after conclusion of the 2-day IORARC Economic and Business Conference in Port Louis urged member states to harmonise trade practices in line with international norms and take steps to minimise barriers. The communique, issued by Member States and Dialogue Partners of the IOR-ARC, was released at a joint press conference by Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma and Mauritian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade Arvin Boolell. IOR-ARC members include Australia, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Mauritius, Singapore, South Africa, Thailand and UAE.

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