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

Science & Technology, Defense, Environment

Gold in the Eucalyptus Trees Discovered

Researchers from the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Perth, in the month of October 2013 revealed that they found tiny particles of gold in the eucalyptus trees. The researchers explained that the discovery of hidden gold in trees can help the future prospectors to find out more about the precious metal. The Australian researchers explained that the trees were on the top of gold deposits which were rooted deep in the ground. In order to search for the moisture, these trees suck more of gold. The Geochemist at CSIRO, Melvyn Lintern explained that seeing the gold particles in leaves was surprising. Certain trees on which the research was done, brought the gold from a depth of 30 metres, which is equal to the 10-storey building. This gold was found in resource-rich Kalgoorlie region of Western Australia, which, in late 1800s was a primary site of the major gold rush. In order to analyse the extremely small particles at the high resolution, the scientists made use of CSIRO’s Maia detector at Australian Synchrotron in Melbourne for X-ray imaging.

(Download) UPSC IAS Mains 2013 : Geology - Question Paper - 2

UPSC

(Download) UPSC Mains 2013 : Optional Question Paper

Geology Paper - II

Subject: Geology Paper - 2

File Type: PDF

(Download) UPSC IAS Mains 2013 : Geology - Question Paper - 1

UPSC

(Download) UPSC Mains 2013 : Optional Question Paper

Geology Paper - 1

Subject: Geology Paper - 1

File Type: PDF

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

India & The World

INDIA AND CHINA

The Ministry of Power of the Government of India and the National Energy Administration of the Government of China on 23 October 2013 signed the deal to further strengthen and deepen cooperation in the energy sector under the India- China Strategic Economic Dialogue. The energy cooperation and the proposal for setting up Chinese Power Equipment Service Centres (PESCs) in India was discussed at the SED Working Group Meeting on Energy that took place in Beijing on 26 September 2013. India has become a strategic market for Chinese power equipment manufacturers and that 18 GW of thermal power projects were commissioned under India’s 11th Five Year plan using Chinesemanufactured equipment and about 40GW of power projects are currently under construction using Chinesemade equipment.

Important Provisions of Cooperation Programme

1. The service centres would be adequately provided with equipment, personnel, spares and other facilities so as to enable them to provide all requisite spars and services support within India.

2. The PESCs will be set up in India on market principles. The costs and terms of servicing power equipment will be decided between the PESCs and the end user.

3. The companies will make themselves fully conversant with the relevant rules/ regulations/statutes/approvals and processes being applicable for setting up of such PESCs in India.

4. The PESCs would be directly responsible for provision of requisite services to the Indian power generating companies on mutually acceptable terms and conditions (between the PESCs and the Indian power generating companies) and in accordance with applicable Indian laws/rules/statutes and this MoU shall not in any-way confer any special or preferential status/treatment to the PESCs.

(Current Affairs) Economy & Energy | December : 2013

Economy

IPDS for Textiles Industry

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on 30 October 2013 approved the launch of the new Integrated Processing Development Scheme (IPDS) during the 12th five year plan with an investment of 500 crore rupees.

The IPDS was approved for establishment of four to six brown field projects and three to five green field projects that addresses the environmental issues that is faced by the Textile Processing Units.

The projects are eligible under the scheme that cover following things:

  • Common Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP)
  • Captive power generation on technology preferably renewable/green technology
  • Infrastructure such as storm water management, necessary roads and pipelines for water & wastewater
  • Facility for testing and R&D centers

The scheme would make possible for the textiles industry to become the globally competitive by using the processing standards and technology, which are environment friendly and by creating the new processing parks. It will also help in upgradation of the processing clusters/centers in existence, specifically in the areas of the water and waste water management. The scheme will also encourage the
research and development work in the textiles processing sector.

UPSCPORTAL Public Administration Learning Programme 2014 - "Lokpal Bill"

UPSCPORTAL Public Administration Learning Programme 2014 - Lokpal Bill

A Lokpal is a proposed ombudsman in India. The basic idea of a lokpal is borrowed from the Office of the Ombudsman, which as per the recommendations of First Administrative Reforms Commission Lokpal at the Centre, and Lokayukta(s) in the states. The word 'lokpal' was coined by Dr L.M.Singhvi in 1963. The concept of a constitutional ombudsman was first proposed in parliament by Law Minister Ashoke Kumar Sen in the early 1960s.

Lokpal's journey to transparency

1966 -Morarji Desai led First Administrative Reforms Commission recommends setting up of Lokpal at Centre and Lokayukta in states to look into complaints against public functionaries, including MPs

1967-2001- Successive governments introduce Lokpal bill eight times

2002- Justice MN Venkatachaliah led Constitution Review Commission stresses the need for Lokpal and Lokayuktas

2004 -UPA-I's national common minimum programme promises that Lokpal bill would be enacted

2005-Veerappa Moily led Second Administrative Reforms Commission reiterates that Lokpal be established without delay

2011- UPA-II's GoM headed by Pranab Mukherjee suggests a range of anti-corruption measures, including the Lokpal bill

Anna Hazare begins his first fast at Jantar Mantar demanding enactment of Jan Lokpal bill drafted by his team

Anna ends fast as the government forms a joint drafting committee consisting of ministers and civil society members

The last meeting of the drafting committee ends with the two sides coming up with separate drafts

Government introduces a Lokpal bill, widely attacked as flawed. Bill referred to standing committee

Anna launches second fast for Jan Lokpal bill

Government re-introduces Lokpal and Lokayuktas bill. Lok Sabha passes bill. Introduced in Rajya Sabha

2012-Re-introduced in Rajya Sabha. Referred to select committee

2013-Anna Hazare begins fast in his village in Maharashtra, demanding urgent introduction of a new anti-corruption law

Amended bill tabled in Rajya Sabha. After years of fight, the Lokpal Bill is all set to become law as the Parliament has reached consensus over it, with UPA and NDA both supporting the present draft.

Union Law Minister Kapil Sibal initiated the debate on Lokpal in Rajya Sabha and it was passed in Rajya Sabha after debate in an atmosphere of rare political consensus. The bill was in pending status in Rajya Sabha since last two years after Lok Sabha passed the bill after the government faced agitation over it across India.

Parliament passed the Lokpal bill with the Lok Sabha adopting the measure as amended by the Rajya Sabha after a short discussion.

The Bill creates a new independent agency empowered to investigate charges of graft among government servants.

(Current Affairs) International Events | December: 2013

International Events

Russia passed Anti-Terror Bill

The lower house of Russian Parliament, Duma on 25 October 2013 approved a new legislation which makes punishment for terrorism more severe. The new legislation also requires terrorists’ relatives to pay for the damages caused in attacks. The bill is expected to be approved in the upper house and be signed by President Vladimir Putin to become law. The bill further adds that training for terrorist activities is punishable by up to 10 years in prison. It also introduced a punishment of up to six years for those participating in a militant group on foreign soils. Putin has taken a tough stance against the North Caucausus rebellion following two wars between the Russian army and Chechen separatists.

(Current Affairs) National Events | December: 2013

National Events

VVPAT System in EVMs for 2014 Polls

The Supreme Court of India on 8 October 2013 directed the Election Commission of India to introduce Vote Verifier Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) system i n EVMs in phased manner for the next general elections in 2014. The Supreme Court also directed the Centre to provide financial assistance for introducing Vote Verifier Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) system. The Supreme Court bench also stated that VVPAT in EVMs will ensure free and fair polls and will help in sorting out disputes. The poll panel had also informed the SC bench that VVPAT can be introduced in a phased manner and cited administrative and financial reasons for it. It had stated 13 lakh VVPAT machines would be needed for general elections. The Election Commission had stated approximately 1500 crore Rupees would be required for procuring VVPAT and installing it at all polling booths across the country for 2014 Lok Sabha polls and there are only two state-owned companies Bharat Electronic Ltd (BEL) and Electronics Corporation of India Ltd (ECIL) which manufacture the machines. The Election Commission had earlier informed the court that VVPAT was successfully and satisfactorily utilised at 21 polling stations in Nagaland during the Assembly elections in February 2013. The Supreme Court’s order came on a plea of BJP leader Subramanian Swamy seeking a direction to the Election Commission to ensure EVMs have a paper trail and issue a receipt to each voter.

UPSCPORTAL Public Administration Mains Learning Programme 2014

UPSCPORTAL Public Administration Mains Learning Programme 2014

Dear Aspirants,
Welcome to the Session of IAS Mains examination 2014.

(A) PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION ONLINE COURSE

The online course in Public Administration is of 12 months duration and will conclude just before the next Mains Examination 2014. Now we can affirm you that we covered 100% syllabus with full clarity and explanation in our both PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION STUDY KIT & ONLINE PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION MAINS EXAMINATION COURSE and you do not have to waste your time in searching the materials and topics. You have only to work hard as per our instructions and guidance. The objective is to make learning an interactive exercise and helping you to make command over the theory and practice of Public Administration. Any aspirant preparing for UPSC-IAS and State Civil Services Examination and have even no background in Public Administration can join and easily get benefit from this comprehensive course.

What you will Get in Public Administration online course (?) For more details visit:

  • Online Study Material of whole syllabus

  • Chapters Slide

  • Summary of Administrative Committee reports

  • Gist of IIPA Journals of last 25 years

  • Categorized Questions of IAS Mains

  • Case Studies

  • Diagrams

  • Strategy & Suggested Reading

  • Keywords and Main Linkages (Paper-1 & Paper-2)

  • Live Chat and Forum

  • Ask Questions to Course Director and Telephonic support

  • Home Assignments

  • Important Articles on Public Administration, latest updates on Public Administration, latest Administrative Committees reports

(Scheme & Syllabus) UPSC: CISF (AC) Limited Departmental Competitive Examination

UPSC

CISF (AC) Limited Departmental Competitive Examination

:: Scheme & Syllabus ::

Scheme of Written Examination:

The written examination to be conducted by Union Public Service Commission will comprise two papers as follows :

Paper-1 General ability and Intelligence and Professional Skill, (300 marks) (150 questions) (2 ½ hours)

This paper will be of Objective Type (Multiple Choice Questions) in which the questions will be set in English as well as Hindi. The paper will comprise two parts as follows:-

Part-A : General Ability and Intelligence - 150 Marks (75 Questions)

Part-B : Professional Skill - 150 Marks  (75 Questions)

Paper II : Essay, Precis Writing and Comprehension - 100 Marks (2 hours)

In this paper candidates will be allowed the option of writing the Essay Component in English or Hindi, but the medium of Précis Writing and Comprehension Components will be English only.

Syllabi of the Written Papers:

Paper I : General Ability and Intelligence and Professional Skill

PART-A : General Ability and Intelligence: The objective type questions with multiple choices in this paper will broadly cover the following areas:

1. General Mental Ability

The questions will be designed to test the logical reasoning, quantitative aptitude including numerical ability and data interpretation.

2. General Science

The questions will be set to test general awareness, scientific temper, comprehension and appreciation of scientific phenomena of everyday observation including new areas of  importance like Information Technology, Biotechnology and Environmental Science.

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

SELECTED ARTICLES FROM VARIOUS NEWSPAPERS & JOURNALS
(December 2013)

The Ghost Returns

Sixteen years after Lalu Prasad lost his Chief Ministership to the Rs. 950 crore Bihar fodder scam, the ghost has returned to deal him a second staggering blow. Ironically, the Rashtriya Janata Dal chief’s conviction, along with 44 others, in the Chaibasa treasury case, comes at a time when his political career appeared to be on the mend. The Chaibasa case, which is related to the withdrawal from the State treasury of Rs. 37 crore, is one of six fodder-related cases against Mr. Prasad and the first in which the verdict has been pronounced. The fodder scam was of epic scale, with a plot so byzantine that it took investigators years to comprehend the full extent of the loot, how it was executed and how many people participated in it. What started as a minor case of embezzlement in the mid-1970s, grew in size over the next two decades, and finally burst into the open as a huge scandal involving ministers, bureaucrats and even sections of the Opposition. The conviction of 45 persons in just one of the cases is indicative of the size of the theft and its spread.

The tragedy is all the more for the dazzling start to Mr. Prasad’s political career and the promise his advent held to an underclass crushed by the double burden of poverty and upper caste oppression. Such was the hopelessness in which Bihar was caught that Mr. Prasad was able to make a virtue of just the fact that he had given his people swar (voice). Unfortunately for the State he ruled, that was all he did. Bihar became a basket case even as politicians and bureaucrats exploited its wealth to feather their own nests. In the event, his fall was as dramatic as his rise. By May 1997, the CBI had closed in on him, leading to his arrest and removal from office in July of the same year. What followed was the bizarre drama of Mr. Prasad installing his wife Rabri Devi as Chief Minister with her as his proxy. It was against this backdrop that Nitish Kumar finally dethroned the man whom he once mentored. Today, Mr. Kumar himself is in trouble, having exited his successful alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party. For Mr. Prasad, the breakup was just the opportunity he needed to get back into the political reckoning. He would have likely succeeded in the plan had the UPA government pushed through the ordinance aimed at preventing the disqualification of lawmakers. But the past has a way of catching up. With Rahul Gandhi’s public fulminations scuttling the proposed ordinance, Mr. Prasad has been left with no escape but to face up to the reality of the conviction and return to a life of political oblivion.

G20 Summit 2013: Achievements & Challenges: Civil Services Mentor Magazine - December 2013

G20 SUMMIT 2013: ACHIEVEMENTS & CHALLENGES

The G20 Leaders’ Summit took place in St.Petersburg on 5-6 September 2013 presided by Russia. The G20 nations discussed ways to ensure economic growth and financial stability, create jobs and combat unemployment, stimulate investment and promote multilateral trade, international development and anti-corruption. The members of the Group of Twenty (G-20) are: Australia, Argentina, Brazil, Great Britain, Germany, European Union, India, Indonesia, Italy, Canada, China, Mexico, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, USA, Turkey, France, South Africa, Republic of Korea, and Japan. The presidency of the G20 rotates annually among its members.

The G20 Leaders took notice of the final recommendations that the Business 20, Civil 20, Labour 20, Think 20 and Youth 20. To continue and expand dialogue, the G20 Leaders met with the representatives of business community and trade unions on the sidelines of the Summit.

A number of round table discussions were held in the Summit’s International Media Centre (IMC), including: Experts’ vision of the significance of the G20, G8 and BRICS for Russia; Issues of Development of the Global and Russian Economy on the G20 Agenda; G20 Initiatives to Reform the International Monetary System and Financial Regulation: Problems and Solutions; Fighting unemployment and creating jobs - a universal goal for the G20 countries; and The G20 Efforts on Fighting Protectionism and Trade Barriers. The Group of Twenty (G20) is the premier forum for international cooperation on the most important issues of the global economic and financial agenda.

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