we r an institute for IAS imparting training IAS aspiraint.IN the course of their studies,the candidates come across with number of difficulties .we are meant to sort out their difficulties and giving regular updates on current events and well prepared study material for general studies and other subjects..
we help the candidates in the planning and management of the timing and duration of the studies,the subject selection,the setting of the priorities and bringing and keeping them to the focused studies without which success eludes the students...
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FAQ
Q1. What is the restriction on number of attempts in Civil Services Examinations?
Ans. General-4, OBC-7, SC/ST- No restriction
Q2.Isthere any relaxation in number of attemptsfor physically handicapped?
Ans. Yes, provided further that a physically handicapped will get as many attempts as are available to other non-physically handicapped candidates of his or her community, subject to the condition that a physically handicapped candidate belonging to the General Category shall be eligible for seven attempts. The relaxation will be available to the physically handicapped candidates who are
eligible to avail of reservation applicable to such candidates.
Q3-Can a candidate who has completed his education from an open school/ University apply for Commissions Examination?
Ans. Yes, provided it is a recognized University and he possess the educational qualifications prescribed for the exam and is otherwise eligible.
Q4-Whether a candidate belonging to a community included in the OBC list of states but not in the Central list of OBCs is eligible for age relaxation, reservation etc. for Commission’s Examinations?
Ans. No. Only candidates belonging to communities which are included in the Central list of OBCs are eligible for such concessions.
Q5-Can a candidate choose an optional subject, which he has not studied at graduate/PG level?
Ans. Yes.
Q6-If a candidate has applied for the CS (P) Examination but has not appeared at any paper in the CS (P) Examination will it be counted as an attempt?
Ans-No. An attempt is counted only if a candidate has appeared in at least one paper in CS (P) Examination.
Q7-Is a candidate who has done his graduation without passing class X and class XII eligible for Civil Service Examination?
Ans. Yes.
Q8-Can a candidate write different papers of Civil Service (Main) Examination in different languages?
Ans-No, Candidates have the option to write their answers either in English or in any one of the Eighth schedule languages.
Q9-Can a candidate write the Civil Service (Main) Examination in English and take the interview in Hindi or any other Indian language?
Ans. If a candidate opts an Eighth schedule language for the CS (Main) Examination he will have the option to take the interview in same language or in English.
Q10-After the written examination, on what criterion is the answer books sent for evaluation? Is it on Roll no. basis or based on centre of examination? That is, will a particular examiner/set of examiners get to evaluate answer books only of a particular center or a particular group of Roll nos.?
Ans- Mixing of the answer books received from different venues is done before sending them for evaluation. Computer-based randomized fictitious code no. is given to each answer-book before evaluation.
Q11-Are answer books segregated/sorted based on community of the candidate?
Ans- This is not done at any stage of the evaluation process.
Q12-Can I know thequestion-wise marks awarded to me for a paper?
Ans- In a competitive examination, what is relevant is not the absolute performance of a candidate, but his/her relative performance that in fact determines whether the candidate qualifies and , if so, his/her position in the merit list.
Once the evaluation process is complete, neither raw marks nor question-wise marks subsist. What subsists is the candidatestotal score in a paper awarded at the end of the evaluation process and this award is normally made available to the candidate in due course on the Commissions website through a query-based application software.
Q13-Are there any open Examinations where subject-wise/paper wise marks of each candidate are not made accessible/available to him/her?
Ans. Yes; in the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination.
This is because the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination is simply and purely a shortlisting/ elimination exercise to select candidates for the Main Examination and as such the scores obtained in this Examination are not communicated to candidates.
Q14-Can I know the marks of other candidates who took the Examination from the Commission?
Ans- It is important to remember though a Constitutional Body, the Commission’s role is advisory. TheExaminations it conducts are for recommending candidates to Government based on clear requisitions received from Government. Therefore, as regards those who have finally qualified in anExamination, the detailed results, application/biodata forms of all such are sent to the concerned Ministry/Department for all further processing. Therefore, once these results are sent to the concerned Ministry/Department, the concerned Ministry/Department becomes the natural and proper custodian of these results and it would only perhaps be proper for queries pertaining to theresults of qualified candidates to be addressed to the concerned Ministry/Department.As regards candidates who do not qualify finally, the right of information of a citizen has to be balanced against the right of privacy of an unsuccessful candidate who has not qualified for appointment to public service. The feedback received by the Commission shows that there are candidates who do not want their marks to be in the public domain. While a case can be made out for having the marks of those who qualified finally for public appointment in the public domain, no such public interest argument can be invoked for candidates who have not qualified and there is no reason why such candidates’ scores
should willy-nilly be forced into the public domain.
Q15-Is it possible that evaluation/assessment could be affected by the knowledge of a candidate’s identity?
Ans- No. Before evaluation, the Roll no. written on every answer book is detached and computer-based randomized fictitious code no. is given. At no stage of the evaluation process ( including the moderation stage) is the actual Roll no./ identity of the candidate known to any of the Examiners/officials associated in the process.
Q16-If my optionals are Public administration and history,
can Iwrite Public administration in English Language,and history in hindi language
Ans-No, all the papers have to be attempted in the same medium.
Q17-Sir,I am pursuing my B.sc[hons] opthalmic techniques from AIIMS.Am I eligible for upsc?
Ans-Educational Qualification Eligibility: A candidate must hold a degree of any of the Universities incorporate by an Act of the Central or State Legislature in India or other educational institutions established by an Act of amendment or declared to deemed as a University under Section 3 of the University Grants Commission Act, 1956 or possess an equivalent qualification.If your degree (any degree which) is recognized by UGC, then you are eligible.
Q18-I want to ask something very imp for me at the moment. I am from science background in 10+2 and got 83% in 12th but i always had interest in Arts and i want to pursue civil services so i have now opted for the B.A Programme degree in DU with discipline in Socio and Psycho.
Now my question is that will doing a BA programme course make me at a disadvantage when it comes to IAS studies in comparison to a person doing an Hons course in any one of the two subjects?
Ans-From civil services examination perspective, a BA Program (in two subjects) will be better than an Honors program (in one subject). If anything, then you will be at an advantage. Don’t worry and all the best.
Q19-I’m from Engg(2007-11 batch) background and currently doing a job. I am good in English but feel more comfortable in Hindi in getting the things or covering the topics. Since i don’t get much time so it would be better if i understand the things in less time.So I want to know if there are good materials (or correspondence courses) available in HINDI or I should go for English.Also is there any chance of getting good marks in English or the evaluation is same for all languages.I am too much confused, so please show me the right path.
Thank You.
Ans-Dear candidate
The evaluation process is the same in all mediums. If you feel more comfortable reading and understanding in Hindi (which means you’d be able to learn faster and better), can present yourself better and write content rich answers in Hindi (which means that you’ll get good marks and therefore better your chances of selection) then you must keep Hindi as your medium. We provide study material in Hindi for the following subjects: General Studies,History and Essay,
Q20-Could you please tell me if i study sincerely and diligently, should i be able to pass it in two to three years or more. Actually the question might be lame but i am not aware of the type of exam (i.e. the level of difficulty).
Ans-Ms. S.Divyadharshini (Roll NO.014421), a female candidate, has topped the Civil Services Examination, 2010. She has done B.A., B.L.(Hons.) from Tamil Nadu Dr. Ambedkar Law University, Chennai. This is her second attempt.I hope that answers your query.
Q21-Sir,i want to know regarding the medical tests conducted before interview.I am diagnosed with diabetes .Will I be eligible for the civil services?
Ans-Don’t be tensed at all .Download the IAS exam syllabus from the home page of upsc websiteand go through ‘Regulation Relating to the Physical Examinations
of Candidates’.
Q22-I am an MBA graduate and have very normal general knowledge levels like a common man and I haven’t started any sort of preparation for UPSC exams but I’m very enthusiastic, ambitious to crack the exam.Also I can work hard if I start preparation from today what sort of measures should I take and please let me know whether I can crack the exam ………..
Ans-Dear aspirant,
Civil Services Exam is an exam of perseverance. If you want to start now, make up your mind for 1-2 years of hard work and routine. If you stick to your plan and dedicatedly work towards it, then there is nothing that can come in your way. The exam checks your range of knowledge (and not specialized knowledge in a particular domain) and your ability to interpret/comprehend information and apply it.
Also, start reading newspapers (The Hindu) and magazines (Frontline, Competition Success Review) regularly and analytically from now on.
Do feel free to contact our counselors should you need to discuss more or seek any other information. All the Best.
New regular batches
for IAS Exam, 2012 will commence from ………………. Admission open .Apply now
New weekend Batches
For prelim (CSAT paper I and Paper II) and mains Exam (General Studies and Essay would commence from 27th. Feb 2012. Admissions open. Apply new
UPSC Notification published on Feb. 4,2012forCivil Services (P) Exam 2012. There is no change in the Mains Exam pattern.
Prelims Examination of the civil services will be conducted on 20th may 2012 in accordance with the rules published on 4th Feb 2012. Candidates are required to apply online by using the website http:// www.upsceonline.nic.in.
Last date for the receipt of the applications upto 5th March 2012 till 11.59 PM after which the link will be disabled.
Numbers of Vacancies to be filled on the result of the examination is expected to be approximately 1037
For Details Employment News:-www.employgmentnew.gov.in
Ans. General-4, OBC-7, SC/ST- No restriction
Q2.Isthere any relaxation in number of attemptsfor physically handicapped?
Ans. Yes, provided further that a physically handicapped will get as many attempts as are available to other non-physically handicapped candidates of his or her community, subject to the condition that a physically handicapped candidate belonging to the General Category shall be eligible for seven attempts. The relaxation will be available to the physically handicapped candidates who are
eligible to avail of reservation applicable to such candidates.
Q3-Can a candidate who has completed his education from an open school/ University apply for Commissions Examination?
Ans. Yes, provided it is a recognized University and he possess the educational qualifications prescribed for the exam and is otherwise eligible.
Q4-Whether a candidate belonging to a community included in the OBC list of states but not in the Central list of OBCs is eligible for age relaxation, reservation etc. for Commission’s Examinations?
Ans. No. Only candidates belonging to communities which are included in the Central list of OBCs are eligible for such concessions.
Q5-Can a candidate choose an optional subject, which he has not studied at graduate/PG level?
Ans. Yes.
Q6-If a candidate has applied for the CS (P) Examination but has not appeared at any paper in the CS (P) Examination will it be counted as an attempt?
Ans-No. An attempt is counted only if a candidate has appeared in at least one paper in CS (P) Examination.
Q7-Is a candidate who has done his graduation without passing class X and class XII eligible for Civil Service Examination?
Ans. Yes.
Q8-Can a candidate write different papers of Civil Service (Main) Examination in different languages?
Ans-No, Candidates have the option to write their answers either in English or in any one of the Eighth schedule languages.
Q9-Can a candidate write the Civil Service (Main) Examination in English and take the interview in Hindi or any other Indian language?
Ans. If a candidate opts an Eighth schedule language for the CS (Main) Examination he will have the option to take the interview in same language or in English.
Q10-After the written examination, on what criterion is the answer books sent for evaluation? Is it on Roll no. basis or based on centre of examination? That is, will a particular examiner/set of examiners get to evaluate answer books only of a particular center or a particular group of Roll nos.?
Ans- Mixing of the answer books received from different venues is done before sending them for evaluation. Computer-based randomized fictitious code no. is given to each answer-book before evaluation.
Q11-Are answer books segregated/sorted based on community of the candidate?
Ans- This is not done at any stage of the evaluation process.
Q12-Can I know thequestion-wise marks awarded to me for a paper?
Ans- In a competitive examination, what is relevant is not the absolute performance of a candidate, but his/her relative performance that in fact determines whether the candidate qualifies and , if so, his/her position in the merit list.
Once the evaluation process is complete, neither raw marks nor question-wise marks subsist. What subsists is the candidatestotal score in a paper awarded at the end of the evaluation process and this award is normally made available to the candidate in due course on the Commissions website through a query-based application software.
Q13-Are there any open Examinations where subject-wise/paper wise marks of each candidate are not made accessible/available to him/her?
Ans. Yes; in the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination.
This is because the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination is simply and purely a shortlisting/ elimination exercise to select candidates for the Main Examination and as such the scores obtained in this Examination are not communicated to candidates.
Q14-Can I know the marks of other candidates who took the Examination from the Commission?
Ans- It is important to remember though a Constitutional Body, the Commission’s role is advisory. TheExaminations it conducts are for recommending candidates to Government based on clear requisitions received from Government. Therefore, as regards those who have finally qualified in anExamination, the detailed results, application/biodata forms of all such are sent to the concerned Ministry/Department for all further processing. Therefore, once these results are sent to the concerned Ministry/Department, the concerned Ministry/Department becomes the natural and proper custodian of these results and it would only perhaps be proper for queries pertaining to theresults of qualified candidates to be addressed to the concerned Ministry/Department.As regards candidates who do not qualify finally, the right of information of a citizen has to be balanced against the right of privacy of an unsuccessful candidate who has not qualified for appointment to public service. The feedback received by the Commission shows that there are candidates who do not want their marks to be in the public domain. While a case can be made out for having the marks of those who qualified finally for public appointment in the public domain, no such public interest argument can be invoked for candidates who have not qualified and there is no reason why such candidates’ scores
should willy-nilly be forced into the public domain.
Q15-Is it possible that evaluation/assessment could be affected by the knowledge of a candidate’s identity?
Ans- No. Before evaluation, the Roll no. written on every answer book is detached and computer-based randomized fictitious code no. is given. At no stage of the evaluation process ( including the moderation stage) is the actual Roll no./ identity of the candidate known to any of the Examiners/officials associated in the process.
Q16-If my optionals are Public administration and history,
can Iwrite Public administration in English Language,and history in hindi language
Ans-No, all the papers have to be attempted in the same medium.
Q17-Sir,I am pursuing my B.sc[hons] opthalmic techniques from AIIMS.Am I eligible for upsc?
Ans-Educational Qualification Eligibility: A candidate must hold a degree of any of the Universities incorporate by an Act of the Central or State Legislature in India or other educational institutions established by an Act of amendment or declared to deemed as a University under Section 3 of the University Grants Commission Act, 1956 or possess an equivalent qualification.If your degree (any degree which) is recognized by UGC, then you are eligible.
Q18-I want to ask something very imp for me at the moment. I am from science background in 10+2 and got 83% in 12th but i always had interest in Arts and i want to pursue civil services so i have now opted for the B.A Programme degree in DU with discipline in Socio and Psycho.
Now my question is that will doing a BA programme course make me at a disadvantage when it comes to IAS studies in comparison to a person doing an Hons course in any one of the two subjects?
Ans-From civil services examination perspective, a BA Program (in two subjects) will be better than an Honors program (in one subject). If anything, then you will be at an advantage. Don’t worry and all the best.
Q19-I’m from Engg(2007-11 batch) background and currently doing a job. I am good in English but feel more comfortable in Hindi in getting the things or covering the topics. Since i don’t get much time so it would be better if i understand the things in less time.So I want to know if there are good materials (or correspondence courses) available in HINDI or I should go for English.Also is there any chance of getting good marks in English or the evaluation is same for all languages.I am too much confused, so please show me the right path.
Thank You.
Ans-Dear candidate
The evaluation process is the same in all mediums. If you feel more comfortable reading and understanding in Hindi (which means you’d be able to learn faster and better), can present yourself better and write content rich answers in Hindi (which means that you’ll get good marks and therefore better your chances of selection) then you must keep Hindi as your medium. We provide study material in Hindi for the following subjects: General Studies,History and Essay,
Q20-Could you please tell me if i study sincerely and diligently, should i be able to pass it in two to three years or more. Actually the question might be lame but i am not aware of the type of exam (i.e. the level of difficulty).
Ans-Ms. S.Divyadharshini (Roll NO.014421), a female candidate, has topped the Civil Services Examination, 2010. She has done B.A., B.L.(Hons.) from Tamil Nadu Dr. Ambedkar Law University, Chennai. This is her second attempt.I hope that answers your query.
Q21-Sir,i want to know regarding the medical tests conducted before interview.I am diagnosed with diabetes .Will I be eligible for the civil services?
Ans-Don’t be tensed at all .Download the IAS exam syllabus from the home page of upsc websiteand go through ‘Regulation Relating to the Physical Examinations
of Candidates’.
Q22-I am an MBA graduate and have very normal general knowledge levels like a common man and I haven’t started any sort of preparation for UPSC exams but I’m very enthusiastic, ambitious to crack the exam.Also I can work hard if I start preparation from today what sort of measures should I take and please let me know whether I can crack the exam ………..
Ans-Dear aspirant,
Civil Services Exam is an exam of perseverance. If you want to start now, make up your mind for 1-2 years of hard work and routine. If you stick to your plan and dedicatedly work towards it, then there is nothing that can come in your way. The exam checks your range of knowledge (and not specialized knowledge in a particular domain) and your ability to interpret/comprehend information and apply it.
Also, start reading newspapers (The Hindu) and magazines (Frontline, Competition Success Review) regularly and analytically from now on.
Do feel free to contact our counselors should you need to discuss more or seek any other information. All the Best.
New regular batches
for IAS Exam, 2012 will commence from ………………. Admission open .Apply now
New weekend Batches
For prelim (CSAT paper I and Paper II) and mains Exam (General Studies and Essay would commence from 27th. Feb 2012. Admissions open. Apply new
UPSC Notification published on Feb. 4,2012forCivil Services (P) Exam 2012. There is no change in the Mains Exam pattern.
Prelims Examination of the civil services will be conducted on 20th may 2012 in accordance with the rules published on 4th Feb 2012. Candidates are required to apply online by using the website http:// www.upsceonline.nic.in.
Last date for the receipt of the applications upto 5th March 2012 till 11.59 PM after which the link will be disabled.
Numbers of Vacancies to be filled on the result of the examination is expected to be approximately 1037
For Details Employment News:-www.employgmentnew.gov.in
Saxena commitee and BPL census
The Below the poverty Line (BPL) census, approved by the Union Cabinet, will be an exercise in identifying households that will fit the bill within the poverty cap of 46 per cent of the rural population of India.
It will be done through a set of automatic inclusion criteria and the remaining households will be classified through seven assigned deprivation indicators. The 46 per cent cap is lower than the 50 per cent suggested by the N.C.Saxena Committee. The poverty cap to qualify for social benefits during the 12th Five Year Plan will be decided later by the planning Commission and the Union government. With the modifications of the Saxena Committee recommendations, the preferential treatment to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes has been scaled down, while Muslims have been left out of this treatment.
It will be done through a set of automatic inclusion criteria and the remaining households will be classified through seven assigned deprivation indicators. The 46 per cent cap is lower than the 50 per cent suggested by the N.C.Saxena Committee. The poverty cap to qualify for social benefits during the 12th Five Year Plan will be decided later by the planning Commission and the Union government. With the modifications of the Saxena Committee recommendations, the preferential treatment to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes has been scaled down, while Muslims have been left out of this treatment.
Hit topic for P.T. 2012
The Bimal Jalam committee’s suggestions on the working and ownership norms of market infrastructure institutions (MIIs) including stock exchanges The committee, which was appointed by the capital market regulator SEBI, had allowed listing by stock exchanges, putting a cap on their profits and fixing their executive remunerations, as part of its suggestions. In its recommendations submitted in November, the committee suggested that SEBI should oversee the profits made by stock exchanges and recommended a diversified shareholding structure for bourses
Hit topics for P.T. and Mains 2012
Current concern about biodiversity in the North-East Region
The current concern is with regard to the large number of endangered species in the region. The pressure of deforestation, jhum cultivation, mining, forest fires, soil erosion, encroachment, urbanization, degradation of water bodies are some reasons which have led to the loss of habitat, and hence dwindling of the population of many species, bringing them under the endangered category,
Disappearance of endemic species is a matter of serious concern. Since such species of plants and animals are unique to the region, their disappearance could eventually lead to their total extinction. A region qualifies as a global hotspot if it has at least 0.5 percent endemism. In case of the Indo Burma hotspot of which the North East is a part, the endemism is 25 percent. Hence the serious concern about preserving the biodiversity of the region.
Conservation:-The immense biodiversity of the Northeasten Region has made it a priority area for investment by the leading conservation agencies of the world. World wildlife foundation has identified the entire eastern Himalaya as a priority Global 200 Ecoregion; India was categorized earlier on as one of the twelve mega diversity countries in the world. Subsequently the eastern Himalayan region covering Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Darjeeling and parts of Nepal was identified as a biodiversity hotspot. These are regions that have high biological diversity, high endemism but are under severe anthropogenic threat. In 2000, this region was brought under the larger Indo-Burma hotspot which is the world’s second largest biodiversity hotspot after the Mediterranean Basin.
Recognizing the region as a global biodiversity hotspot means concerted efforts in the region by conservation agencies. There global and five national priority setting exercised have been carried out to identify key sites and species that are unique or important socially, culturally and environmentally. Priority areas, corridors etc have been identified for conservation purposes. The Assam plains and eastern Himalayas have been identified as Endemic Bird Areas; in addition 59 Important Bird Areas have been identified for conservation of endangered species of birds. WWF has identified the following Priority Ecoregions-Brahmaputra Valley Semievergreen Forests, Eastern Himalaya broadleaved forests, Eastern Himalaya subalpine coniferous forest and India-Myanmar pine forests. A priority ecoregion is a relatively large area of land or water that contains a geographically distinct set of natural communities that share a majority of their species, ecological dynamics and environment conditions and function together as a conservation unit at global and regional scales. Since ecoregions as usually large areas, smaller critical landscapes are identified within ecoregions for focused conservation purposes. The WWF has identified the following critical landscapes-the western Arunachal landscape in Arunachal Pradesh, the Khangchendzonga landscape in Sikkim and Darjeeling the north bank landscape and the Kaziranga-Karbi Anglong landscapes in Assam.
On the national level there have been projects like Planning a Protected Area Network for designing scientifically robust and viable network of protected areas; Biodiversity Conservation Prioritization Project that attempted to identify priority sites and species on the basis of their biological and socioeconomic values and to develop strategies for their conservation at a national scale; the state biodiversity conservation strategy and action plants etc.
The Botanical Survey of India published the Indian Red Data Books on plants to highlight the rare, endangered, and threatened species. The Tropical Botanical Garden Research Institute’s publication on the endemic plants hotspots of India, Bhutan, and Nepal provides an account of endemic plants in the Sikkimand Arunachal Pradesh Himalayas the Naga and Manipur Hills, the Lushai-Mizo Hills, and the Khasi-Jaintia Hills. The Foundation for Revitalization of local Health Traditions, Bangalore used a conservation assessment and management prioritization study to develop tax on data sheets for the medicinal plants of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, and Sikkim. Fifty-one plant species were assessed, of which 47 were found to be threatened in one or more states. Of these, six were globally threatened. Assam and one, Meghalaya had two, Sikkim had two, and one was common to all the states. WWF-India, in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institute of the United States, made an assessment of the floral richness of the Pakhui Wildlife Sanctuary and Nameri National Park, Biodiversity richness was found to be comparable with many other regions of the globe.
The current concern is with regard to the large number of endangered species in the region. The pressure of deforestation, jhum cultivation, mining, forest fires, soil erosion, encroachment, urbanization, degradation of water bodies are some reasons which have led to the loss of habitat, and hence dwindling of the population of many species, bringing them under the endangered category,
Disappearance of endemic species is a matter of serious concern. Since such species of plants and animals are unique to the region, their disappearance could eventually lead to their total extinction. A region qualifies as a global hotspot if it has at least 0.5 percent endemism. In case of the Indo Burma hotspot of which the North East is a part, the endemism is 25 percent. Hence the serious concern about preserving the biodiversity of the region.
Conservation:-The immense biodiversity of the Northeasten Region has made it a priority area for investment by the leading conservation agencies of the world. World wildlife foundation has identified the entire eastern Himalaya as a priority Global 200 Ecoregion; India was categorized earlier on as one of the twelve mega diversity countries in the world. Subsequently the eastern Himalayan region covering Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Darjeeling and parts of Nepal was identified as a biodiversity hotspot. These are regions that have high biological diversity, high endemism but are under severe anthropogenic threat. In 2000, this region was brought under the larger Indo-Burma hotspot which is the world’s second largest biodiversity hotspot after the Mediterranean Basin.
Recognizing the region as a global biodiversity hotspot means concerted efforts in the region by conservation agencies. There global and five national priority setting exercised have been carried out to identify key sites and species that are unique or important socially, culturally and environmentally. Priority areas, corridors etc have been identified for conservation purposes. The Assam plains and eastern Himalayas have been identified as Endemic Bird Areas; in addition 59 Important Bird Areas have been identified for conservation of endangered species of birds. WWF has identified the following Priority Ecoregions-Brahmaputra Valley Semievergreen Forests, Eastern Himalaya broadleaved forests, Eastern Himalaya subalpine coniferous forest and India-Myanmar pine forests. A priority ecoregion is a relatively large area of land or water that contains a geographically distinct set of natural communities that share a majority of their species, ecological dynamics and environment conditions and function together as a conservation unit at global and regional scales. Since ecoregions as usually large areas, smaller critical landscapes are identified within ecoregions for focused conservation purposes. The WWF has identified the following critical landscapes-the western Arunachal landscape in Arunachal Pradesh, the Khangchendzonga landscape in Sikkim and Darjeeling the north bank landscape and the Kaziranga-Karbi Anglong landscapes in Assam.
On the national level there have been projects like Planning a Protected Area Network for designing scientifically robust and viable network of protected areas; Biodiversity Conservation Prioritization Project that attempted to identify priority sites and species on the basis of their biological and socioeconomic values and to develop strategies for their conservation at a national scale; the state biodiversity conservation strategy and action plants etc.
The Botanical Survey of India published the Indian Red Data Books on plants to highlight the rare, endangered, and threatened species. The Tropical Botanical Garden Research Institute’s publication on the endemic plants hotspots of India, Bhutan, and Nepal provides an account of endemic plants in the Sikkimand Arunachal Pradesh Himalayas the Naga and Manipur Hills, the Lushai-Mizo Hills, and the Khasi-Jaintia Hills. The Foundation for Revitalization of local Health Traditions, Bangalore used a conservation assessment and management prioritization study to develop tax on data sheets for the medicinal plants of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, and Sikkim. Fifty-one plant species were assessed, of which 47 were found to be threatened in one or more states. Of these, six were globally threatened. Assam and one, Meghalaya had two, Sikkim had two, and one was common to all the states. WWF-India, in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institute of the United States, made an assessment of the floral richness of the Pakhui Wildlife Sanctuary and Nameri National Park, Biodiversity richness was found to be comparable with many other regions of the globe.
Hit topis G.S. for P.T. and MAINS
Nuclear Plant -safety
There are four important aspects of safety in a nuclear power plant. To counter any risk from Tsunami and cyclones, the plant is elevated, to a minimum height of 6 metre (pump house) and the auxiliary diesel sets are at a height of 9.3 metre with a redundancy of four times in the diesel generators. Kudankulum plant has installed 154 Hydrogen recombiners across the plant which can absorb any leaked hydrogen and prevent any structural damage.
2. Thermal Hydraulic Safety:-The most advanced safety feature in the Kudankulum plant is the installation of the Passive Heat Removal System (PHRS) which is latest in technology to ensure rapid cooling of the reactor in the event of a reactor problem. The PHRS is a unique steam recirculation system which can continue to cool the plant in the event of the failure of AC power and even when the worst possible scenario of coolant malfunction has occurred, without leaking any radiation in the atmosphere.
Neutronic Safety:-In any nuclear plant the most important cause of failure can be the loss of ability to control the neutrons being generated which is done by a system called control rods. Besides the control rods, the Kudankulum Plant has uniquely implemented the latest technology-The Core Catcher.This is basically an underlying structure with Gadolium oxide which would “catch the neutrons” in the event of a highly unlikely meltdown.
Waste Management:-A popular myth is that nuclear waste is domped into the oceans which kills marine life and contaminates water. This is completely false. Yes, many decades ago, some of the nations used to dump nuclear waste in deep oceans away from habitat but that practice is over now. With the closed loop cycle the waste generated per year from 1000 MW plant is less than 3 percent and that after vitrification would not occupy a space of about 6 cubic metres.
Environmental and Safety issues:- The pollution caused by power generation activities, and the climate change associated with them, are directly or indirectly responsible for about 481,000 deaths every year. Comparatively, in the case of the worst civilian nuclear disaster ever at Chernobyl, the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic radiation (UNSCEAR) predicted up to 4,000 cancer cases (often curable) due to the accident, besides 57 direct causalities.
Throughout the history of nuclear power generation there have been four major incidents of plant failure-the Kyshtym accident in fuel reprocessing in 1957, the relatively smaller. Three Mile Island meltdown (United States), the much bigger Chernobyl accident (USSR, 1986) and the recent Japanese incident at Fukushima. The first accident was purely due to underdeveloped technology. Even in the case of the Fukushima disaster of 2011, there were extraordinary natural forces in action-The occurrence of four failures in six decades cannot be made out as a case for completely disbanding the technology.
Nuclear fuel of the future:- Thorium is far more abundant, by about four times, than the traditional nuclear fuel, Uranium, and occurs in a far purer form, too. It is believed that the amount of energy contained in the Thorium reserves on earth is more than the combined total energy that is left in petroleum, coal other fossil fuels and Uranium, all put together. India might have the largest reserves of Thorium in the world, with over 650,000 tonnes. In comparison, we have barely 1 percent of the world’s Uranium deposits. Thorium may be able to generate (through Uranium-233 that could be produced form it) eight times the amount of energy per unit mass compared to (natural) Uranium. It produces waste that it relatively less toxic. Being the largest owner of Thorium, the opportunity is for India to vigorously pursue its existing nuclear programmes with a special focus on research and development on the Thorium route as the long term sustainable option.
There are four important aspects of safety in a nuclear power plant. To counter any risk from Tsunami and cyclones, the plant is elevated, to a minimum height of 6 metre (pump house) and the auxiliary diesel sets are at a height of 9.3 metre with a redundancy of four times in the diesel generators. Kudankulum plant has installed 154 Hydrogen recombiners across the plant which can absorb any leaked hydrogen and prevent any structural damage.
2. Thermal Hydraulic Safety:-The most advanced safety feature in the Kudankulum plant is the installation of the Passive Heat Removal System (PHRS) which is latest in technology to ensure rapid cooling of the reactor in the event of a reactor problem. The PHRS is a unique steam recirculation system which can continue to cool the plant in the event of the failure of AC power and even when the worst possible scenario of coolant malfunction has occurred, without leaking any radiation in the atmosphere.
Neutronic Safety:-In any nuclear plant the most important cause of failure can be the loss of ability to control the neutrons being generated which is done by a system called control rods. Besides the control rods, the Kudankulum Plant has uniquely implemented the latest technology-The Core Catcher.This is basically an underlying structure with Gadolium oxide which would “catch the neutrons” in the event of a highly unlikely meltdown.
Waste Management:-A popular myth is that nuclear waste is domped into the oceans which kills marine life and contaminates water. This is completely false. Yes, many decades ago, some of the nations used to dump nuclear waste in deep oceans away from habitat but that practice is over now. With the closed loop cycle the waste generated per year from 1000 MW plant is less than 3 percent and that after vitrification would not occupy a space of about 6 cubic metres.
Environmental and Safety issues:- The pollution caused by power generation activities, and the climate change associated with them, are directly or indirectly responsible for about 481,000 deaths every year. Comparatively, in the case of the worst civilian nuclear disaster ever at Chernobyl, the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic radiation (UNSCEAR) predicted up to 4,000 cancer cases (often curable) due to the accident, besides 57 direct causalities.
Throughout the history of nuclear power generation there have been four major incidents of plant failure-the Kyshtym accident in fuel reprocessing in 1957, the relatively smaller. Three Mile Island meltdown (United States), the much bigger Chernobyl accident (USSR, 1986) and the recent Japanese incident at Fukushima. The first accident was purely due to underdeveloped technology. Even in the case of the Fukushima disaster of 2011, there were extraordinary natural forces in action-The occurrence of four failures in six decades cannot be made out as a case for completely disbanding the technology.
Nuclear fuel of the future:- Thorium is far more abundant, by about four times, than the traditional nuclear fuel, Uranium, and occurs in a far purer form, too. It is believed that the amount of energy contained in the Thorium reserves on earth is more than the combined total energy that is left in petroleum, coal other fossil fuels and Uranium, all put together. India might have the largest reserves of Thorium in the world, with over 650,000 tonnes. In comparison, we have barely 1 percent of the world’s Uranium deposits. Thorium may be able to generate (through Uranium-233 that could be produced form it) eight times the amount of energy per unit mass compared to (natural) Uranium. It produces waste that it relatively less toxic. Being the largest owner of Thorium, the opportunity is for India to vigorously pursue its existing nuclear programmes with a special focus on research and development on the Thorium route as the long term sustainable option.
UPSC Notification for 2012 civil services
UPSC Notification published on Feb. 4,2012for Civil Services (P) Exam 2012.
There is no change in the Mains Exam pattern.
Prelims Examination of the civil services will be conducted on 20th may 2012 in accordance with the rules published on 4th Feb 2012. Candidates are required to apply online by using the website http:// www.upsceonline.nic.in.
Last date for the receipt of the applications upto 5th March 2012 till 11.59 PM after which the link will be disabled.
Numbers of Vacancies to be filled on the result of the examination is expected to be approximately 1037For Details Employment News:-www.employgmentnew.gov.in
Regards O.P.Singh
There is no change in the Mains Exam pattern.
Prelims Examination of the civil services will be conducted on 20th may 2012 in accordance with the rules published on 4th Feb 2012. Candidates are required to apply online by using the website http:// www.upsceonline.nic.in.
Last date for the receipt of the applications upto 5th March 2012 till 11.59 PM after which the link will be disabled.
Numbers of Vacancies to be filled on the result of the examination is expected to be approximately 1037For Details Employment News:-www.employgmentnew.gov.in
Regards O.P.Singh
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