Useful Resources
Reap the Reach of IT and Save Time. Exploit the following links
UPSC Mains Books
Study Aids & Exams Preparation
Wikipedia Books Relevant to Preparation: New Feature: Check different Posts.
History of Constitution of India - Charter Acts during Company rule 1774-1858 in Hindi is free to download till August 5, 2018. The link is https://amzn.to/2vv2gVR
UPSC Mains Books
History of Constitution of India - Charter Acts during Company rule 1774-1858 in Hindi is free to download till August 5, 2018. The link is https://amzn.to/2vv2gVR
Monday, August 31, 2009
Yukio Hatoyama : New PM of Japan
Yukio Hatoyama will be the new Prime Minster of Japan. He heads the Democratic Part of Japan (DPJ).
The outgoing Prime Minister is Taro Aso of Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).
The Link used:
Yukio Hatoyama wastes no time in building new Japan government - Times Online
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology, Valiamale, Dist Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
IIST has started in 2007. It has received its new campus. The PM had inaugurated the campus over tele-link from New Delhi. Make a note that IIST is in Valiamala in Kerala. The PM inaugurated the campus through tele-link from New Delhi.
For further details for a note on IIST seek the following link:
PM inaugurates new campus for IIST @ The Hindu
Bhishma T90 joins Indian Army
The indigenously built T90 Tanks, based on Russian Technology, manufactured at Avadi, near Chennai, has been inducted in the Indian Army.
Use the following Reports.
The Links marked:
Indian Army inducts first indigenous T-90 tanks- Hindustan Times
Bhishma Joins Army
Monday, August 24, 2009
Suggestive Topic: Hurdles in Army Preparedness
It is a suggestion.
The preparedness of the army is major concern of the country. There have been reports by the chiefs of all the three forces about the armament preparedness of their force. The armaments and their capability, their upgradation, their readiness in fields of action, are some also a major point in the National Security issue. The following report is basically a journalist report. As it is a feature of journalism, that apart from the news factor of any report, it contains the background and a perspective. In the following the report, the same is quite evident. One can include the topic in the list for Mains and develop the points for which the following report can be quite useful. Apart from that, the other points can be army intelligence, army recruitment, army command structure and similar one.
Link for consideration.
Rs 20k cr deals may end Army's artillery drought - India - NEWS - The Times of India
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Mission Liberate India: NLMA
The Human Resource Ministry has given a policy layout of Women literacy Mission in the 11 Plan under National Literary Mission. The new thrust is towards the Women literacy as there is disparity between male female literacy at national level which is now 65%.
The following report can be easily used to write a short answer on the heading Liberate India Mission.
Guess for Main 2009: Any bid on it!!!
Link to be used:
Liberty Mission of National Literary Mission.
Points on ARC
Administrative Reform Commission with its recent recommendation is definitely a topic of great importance. It is having 'interview' category but there can be a question in mains.
The following report contains some of the major points on ARC.
Report:
ARC debate
Friday, August 21, 2009
Rs. 950/980 MSP for Paddy
The MSP for Paddy has been announced. Such prices has remained probable question for the prelims of UPSC as well State's Public Service Commission Exams.
Use the hitched Report:
MSP for paddy, pulses hiked- Commodities-Markets-The Economic Times
Harmit and Sanjay Honoured as Researchers by Obama
The news is about the Indian Origin Scientists being honoured on offshore for achievements. With the new Education initiatives in India, such news may creep into the question paper of GS. Make a note from the hitched report.
Hitched Link:
Harmit Malik, Sanjay Kumar win President's medals: Rediff.com news
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Jnanpith award to Satya Vrat Shastri
Gyanpith Award is conferred upon Sanskrit Poet for the first time. It has been given to Satya Vrat Shastri.
The Report Used:
Sanskrit poet gets Jnanpith award - India - NEWS - The Times of India
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Revised Target for Power Generation in 11th Plan
The Power Ministry has revised the target to 78000 (MW) power under 11th Five Year Plan bring it down from the original target of 78700 (MW). It has been pointed out that work on 80 power projects are still lagging behind for completion.
Use the link:
PowerMin cuts target for 11th Plan period
Nepal: A neighbour in Trouble
The new syllabus of GS has specifically pointed out the relations with the neighbouring countries as a major topic. Nepal is presently standing at a critical juncture of its history. It is drafting its new constitution and there are pressures from different sides which have strong ideological stands. There are trade and economic issues which matters to both the countries Nepal and India. Hence, Nepal may be an important question in GS October 2009 which has to be discretely tackled in writing as well as in the interview. Therefore, there is need to develop a good essay on it. Keep watching the editorials and opinions in TOI and Hindu which may come up in this fortnight. It is better to read the latest than to depend on the written essays as given in different books. Magazines may be concerned as they just follow the rule which I keep on stressing on this blog.
Keep a record of this link:
India looks for a fresh start as Nepal PM comes calling - India - NEWS - The Times of India
Environment Protection Agency: A High Priority Government Decision
The Environment Protection Agency (EPA) is high on priority agenda of Major Policies of the Centre. It is going to be major issue of debate and policy decisions in coming years as it dominating the concern of governments of the world. Hence, this topic requires a good note which should have contextual content and the essay type write ups in books. The major points will start emerging after December 2009. Hence, it is an issue important for October 2009 and definitely for 2010.
Make a note of the following link:
'States must have climate plan in sync with Centre' - India - NEWS - The Times of India
CCE in High Schools
The Ministry of Human Resources is proposing Comprehensive Continuation Evaluation upto High School level. The ministry is under a duty to make right to Education, now a fundamental right under article 16, an operational reality. The following report has a glimpse of CCE. This topic along with Right to Education is highly important topic for October 09 as well as Prelims 2010.
Build your notes using following link:
All-round evaluation of students soon - Chandigarh - City - NEWS - The Times of India
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Falling Ground Water Problem
The falling ground water level in North states is a major concern for the Agriculture Scientists, economists and environmentalists. It may also lead to social problems in form of conflicts due to distribution of resources.
The following report has some point on this issue. The issue as such also demands attention as it qualifies to be a topic for Mains Oct 2009 as well as the Prelims 2010.
The Link to be studied
The Hindu : Front Page : Groundwater vanishing in North India, says NASA
Thursday, August 13, 2009
India and Asean sign trade deal (FTA)
The following report needs a reading. India has signed a Free Trade Agreement with Asean Countries which is a bloc of 11 countries.
Use the Reports:
BBC NEWS | Business | India and Asean sign trade deal
The Hindu Report
Added on August 16, 2009:
For Additional Points on FTA with ASEAN use the report of The Hindu.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Nirmal Award: NAREGA
Nirmal Award is awarded under NAREGA.
Consult the appended report:
PhDs, MBAs slog it under NREGA - India - NEWS - The Times of India
Monday, August 10, 2009
Thiruvalluvar
The History option candidate give attention to the Sangam Literature as there are sometimes three to four msqs in Prelims.
The Tamil Poet and Saint, Thiruvalluvar, was in news recently in case of Karnataka. However, skip whole of the controversy but must make a note. A wikipedia link is appended for study.
Source to be used:
Tiruvalluvar - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Economics and Enviorenment Concern of Hilsa
I doubt if this can be a topic of Prelims 2010. However, Make a note of the contents of the hitched report.
This season, hilsa goes off plate - India - NEWS - The Times of India
Declassification of Information and RTI
The following report there is a brief stand of the government on the declassification of the records.
There is a similar Act in USA which is called Freedom of Information Act. It is being aggressively used by research scholars as well as journalist fraternity there. However, in India, with the advent of Right to Information Act, many loopholes and a peculiar outcry by the executive, are giving different direction to the spirit of the act.
The Freedom of Information Act in America had given rise to many conspiracy theories in the administrative activities of executive in America. In the recent times, it had lead to revealing of the Deep Throat under Watergate Scandal during Nixon Tenure.
In India also, the death of Subash Chandra Bose and that of Lal Bhadur Shastri, and similarly, the reorganisation of states, the 1945 Shimla Conference, 1946 Cabinet Mission plan, the Constitutional Assembly working from 1946 to 1950 and many more are such cases which are being the topics of questions of RTI seekers. Similarly defence deals, the Shimla Summit of 1972 are other issues which are being rejected on the issue of Security of India factor.
On the whole, Declassification of Information on regular basis, well defined policy of declassification and delivery of the information and the RTI Act are important debate issue.
The issue as such can appear in Main 2009 but it is definitely a point to be prepared for Interview in March/April 2010.
Source to be used:
No clear declassification policy, records lie buried - India - NEWS - The Times of India
Saturday, August 08, 2009
Justice A. K. Mathur, Chairperson, Armed Forces Tribunal
The Armed Forces Tribunal will become functional from Monday, August 10, 2009.
The following report has a full structure of the Tribunal and background on the need of the Tribunal.
Source to be Used:
The Hindu News Update Service
The Times of India Report
Friday, August 07, 2009
Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between India and South Korea
India and South Korea have signed free trade agreement.
India is looking towards east for some years by now. As per BRIC theory, India belongs to four emerging economies of the world. South Korea is the third largest economies of Asia. South Korea has export based economy. South Korea in India can be identified with Hundai, Samsung, LG, POSCO and now South Koreans will be seen in the field of advertising, computer software (Samsung is a major hardware manufacturer), banking, garments, textiles, and many fields listed in the agreement.
Use the following link:
India, South Korea ink free trade pact - India - NEWS - The Times of India: "Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement"
Added on August 16, 2009.
For additional point on FTA with Asean use the report of The Hindu.
Thursday, August 06, 2009
Major Points on Swine Flu/Influenza H1N1
The hitched report has good FAQs on Swine Flu. Keep in record.
Link suggested:
Facts to know about swine flu
What is Phagocyte?
The is a very good article on Phagocyte on Wikipedia which qualified for the Main page display on the Wikipedia.
The H1NI virus/Swine Flu is widespread over the continents. It has already created panic in India as it is reaching the level of an epidemic. Phagocyte is White Blood Cell which ingesting harmful particles, bacteria and dying cells. They are essential for fighting infection and for immunity.
The Blood constitutes have remained important topic in Biology section mainly for Prelims. I believe, it will help to direct attention to a probable question.
Kindly check the following article:
Phagocyte - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Hindi Chini Bhai Bhai
There is small report by Saibal Dasgupta on changed tone of China towards India. The relation with China requires good understanding for all the aspirants, one it being a neighbouring country and relations with neighbouring countries has been specifically emphasized in the Syllabus of General studies and second, China is a power to reckon with at international level.
Consult the following Report to develop perspective on Indo-China relations:
Beijing does a U-turn, praises India-China bond - China - World - NEWS - The Times of India
Add to it The Hindu Report. Important to note that on border issue, the talks are stalked on the basis of legal and historic claims.
Anil Kakodka Biography, Energy Perspective
In the hitched report, a brief biography Anil Kakodkar is given. He delivered a Lalit Doshi lecture at Mumbai. The hitched report is a summary of his presentation. It in itself forms a good essay on future perspective on Energy and Nuclear Technology.
The Hitched Report:
Anil Kakodkar: Why nuclear energy is critical: Rediff.com news
Nehru Trophy Boat Race at Alappuzha
The 57th Nehru Trophy Boat Race will be held on August 8, 2009 at Alappuzha, Kerala.
Source:
Kerala Boatrace: Rediff.com news
Magsaysay for Joshi
A belated addition to the list but a probable name for Indian personalities/2 marks question.
The hitched report has a brief biography enough for such a question.
Hitched Report:
Magsaysay winner Joshi has long list of laurels - India - NEWS - The Times of India
Gangotri, Maitri and Now Bharti at Antartica
Kindly read this post with Larsemann Hills.The hitched reports has basically an itinerary report however, there are many points which are useful for notes. Anyhow, it is definitely one of the important question for GS Main paper II.
Use the following link along with one suggested above:
3rd base at Antarctica: India to join elite club - India - NEWS - The Times of India
Wednesday, August 05, 2009
Right To Education Law
Right to Education is going to be a fundamental Right soon as both the houses have passed the Bill. It will bring into force the 86th constitutional amendment.
Some of the features are listed in the hitched report.
A highly important topic both for the October 2009 and Prelims 2010.
In the hitched report, a new term 'Differently Abled' in place of disabled person is mentioned. It should be given attention while making the note about the ambit of the RTE.
Similarly, the age group covered is 6 to 14 years. Up to Class 8, the students will be promoted and would be declared fail.
Further, there is need to makes note on the following points.
The 1909 Act and Free education.
The free education as a part of Directive Principles.
The Constitutional Amendment 86.
The Disability Act.
The definition of the children covered under 'Differently Abled' phrase.
Report to be used:
Education is now a right - India - NEWS - The Times of India
Critical Environment Hotspots in India
Ministry of Environment and Forests has identified 24 Critical Environment Hotspots in India. It was part of the Parliament queries.
Make a note of the following Report.
Govt zeroes in on 24 most polluted areas - India - NEWS - The Times of India
The Hindu Report
Menace of FICNs
FICNs stands for Fake Indian Currency Notes.
FICNs has become a major problem. It has numerous implications on Economy also. The term as well as the topic are required to be included in important list under Economy section for October 2009 as well as Prelims 2010.
Report to be used:
India to seek global help to check fake note menace - India - NEWS - The Times of India
Nagaraja Report on Brain Mapping
The hitched report is about a Lok Sabha Question.
Nagaraja Report on Brain Mapping has raised doubts over the efficacy of the Brain Mapping as investigation tool.
This report has value for the candidates who have opted for Law as one of the option and also a good topic to develop for the interview.
However, as the Nagaraja Committee has been dissolved and the report as such has not been placed before the members, it may not be included for the prelims 2010 as there seems to be controversy about the findings of the committee. It has been dissolved on the grounds that it had taken a too long time and secondly, the some centres had not been covered under field survey.
However A Term of Note important for October 09 and May 2010:
BEOS: brain electrical oscillation signature
Source to be used:
Brain mapping test of no real use? - India - NEWS - The Times of India
The Hindu Report
Tuesday, August 04, 2009
Result of Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination, 2009 is out
The Result of Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination, 2009 held on May 17, 2009 is out on August 4, 2009.
For Enquiries directly from UPSC on working day between 10.00 AM to 5.00 PM, the website of UPSC at www.upsc.gov.in provides the javascript:void(0)phone nos. as follows: 011-2338 5271, 011-23098543 or 011-23381125.
The Enquiries can be made personally on the facilitation centre at the Dholpur House of UPSC at New Delhi
The result can be checked at the site of UPSC at www.upsc.gov.in.
The result is available in Roll no. series as well as in Query Format.
Reserved Seats in Lok Sabha extended upto 2020.
In the following report, there are topics which had appeared in Prelims as well as Mains earlier also. However, they qualify for probable question in future examinations also.
Main topics:
Article no 334
Constitution Amendment: 109
Constitutional provision under Article 334 of the constitutional for the reservation and its later developments(history).
Source to be used:
Elders okay extension of SC/ST quota - India - NEWS - The Times of India
20,000MW solar power by 2020
The Renewal Energy source is one of important topic at national level. The harnessing of solar energy has been one of the option. India has a National Action Plan on Climate Change on it.
In the hitched report, a major policy decision has been report. It has been decided to opt for solar thermal means in place of mere photovoltic means of generating power. Similar some other major proposals have been approved.
The issue acquires more attention in light of global emission recommendation and India's approach towards cooperation on this issue. The forthcoming Copenhagen summit is an important international meet.
In the light of the above guidelines, the following report can be used to develop notes on India's concern over Renewal Energy sources and Global Warming.
Source to be used:
20,000MW solar mission gets nod - India - NEWS - The Times of India
It is Rs. 91684 crore plan
Saturday, August 01, 2009
Nandita Das is CFSI chief
Nadita Das (Actress and a Director; Fire and Earth fame) replaces Nafisa Ali as the Chairperson of Children's Film Society of India.
Source:
Nandita Das is CFSI chief - India - NEWS - The Times of India
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