Explore topic-wise InterviewSolutions in Current Affairs.

Terrorism is an act of violence, which is intended to create fear among people.

Discriminations made on the basis of men and women, denying equal opportunities to the fairer sex are called gender based inequalities. It is the result of gender bias favoring male throughout the ages. The prevalence of gender based inequality in family, economic, cultural, educational and political fields are seen.

Causes: 

1. Manu Smriti: Earlier the Hindu society followed ‘Manu Smriti’ which asserted that women should always be under the guardianship of men at different stages of her life. He wanted her to be within the four walls, restricting her from the happenings of the society.

2. Male domination: The society is based on physical strength of man where he dominates the female. He does not want that female should take over his responsibility and authority at home as well as in society.

3. Denial of education: Male domination is reflected in the field of education too. Denying education for girls for many centuries has made them incapable in many fields. Men occupied major jobs and secured well and dominating positions in the entire society.

4. Dowry system: The practice of dowry system contributes for inequality of gender. Boys are treated as assets and girls as burden. The attitude also intensifies the discrimination between men and women.

5. Inadequate representation: Women constitute 50% of the total population. They are inadequately represented in the field of politics and economics.

Even though women are as capable as men, they are not allowed in these fields. Women have little or no opportunities in participating in public life.

Achievement of Saalu Marada Thimmakka: Thimmakka and Bikkalu Chikkaiah, a childless couple of Hulikal village of Magadi Taluk, Ramanagara District, started planting Banyan saplings by the roadside between Kudur and Hulikal. They reared, cared and guarded them with their meagre earning with sheer love and affection.

The Government of Karnataka has taken the responsibility of these 248 trees. This great achievement of Saalu Marada Thimmakka is recognised and honoured by awarding Rajyothsava and National Awards. A seminar paper was presented in the UN on her contribution to environment. To create awamess among people, ‘World Environment Day’ is celebrated on 5th June every year.

Causes: 

1. Interest of Labourers: Generally industrialists concentrate on their profit rather than workers and their welfare. Labourers are exploited by way of giving lesser wages, not declaring bonus, extended hours of work, denial of medical facilities, dismissal from service, etc. and to overcome such situations, the affected labourers organize and voice their grievances through agitations which lead to labour movements. During 1920, All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) was organized and got legal recognition by the British Government.

2. Negligence towards employees: The matters concerning to labourers were decided unilaterally by the Apex Body of the company. Naturally the interests of labourers were neglected. As a result, hostile relationship was the order of the day. To have a share in the decision making process of the Apex Body, to protect the interests of labourers and to enhance their status, they started uniting.

3. To get facilities: As the labourers are engaged in monotonous physical strain, they need to have a break in between. To get proper facilities for both male and female workers as per their requirements like potable water, cafeteria, toilet facilities, rest rooms, creaches, medical facilities, etc., movements have started.

4. Welfare Programmes: The fate of the companies depend upon the welfare and well being of the workers. To get the social security measures likeBonus. Allowances, Loans, Insurance, Free Quarters, Transport and Educational facilities, workmen compensation, Pension, Family Pension, etc., came together to form organizations that paved way for labour movement.

5. Plight of workers of unorganized sectors: Anganawadi workers, agricultural labourers, workers on daily wages are exploited to the core as they are still fighting for their rights. This has led to agitations and movements.

Jawaharlal Nehru and Chinese PM Zhou-en-Lai signed Panchasheel on 29^th April 1954.

Direct Election: In this system, all the eligible Voters of the nation directly elect their representatives through secret ballots without any intermediaries. For e.g. the Lok Sabha (House of People) and Vidhana Sabha (State Legislative Assembly) in India and the House of Commons in U.K and House of Representatives in the USA are directly elected.

Features of Direct election are:

1. More democratic: Eligible voters have a wider choice to elect their representatives directly. This provides a direct relationship between the voter and their representatives.

2. Responsive: Since there is a direct relationship between voters and the representatives, they are responsive to the needs and aspirations of the people.

3. Creates political awareness: In the direct election, voters come in direct contact with their representatives. Voters are curious about them and gather information through mass media and print media about political parties, their manifesto, and personalities of the candidates. In this way, the voters get educated.

4. Selection of eligible candidates: The voters test the capacities, capabilities of the candidates and finally elect them since there is a rapport between the two.

5. Public relationship: In view of the forthcoming OH elections, representatives keep regular contact with their constituencies and electorate.

6. Indirect election: It is another method of election where voters elect a group of members in the first instance to form an ‘Electoral College’ as an intermediary body to elect representatives. For e.g. the President of India and USA are elected through electoral colleges, which consists of the representatives of people. The members of Rajyasabha and members of the State Legislative Council are indirectly elected by the people.

7. Selection of best candidates: In this method, candidates are elected by the intelligent Voters. For e.g. at the first step, people elect their representatives to the Electoral College and at the second step, they in turn judiciously elect the final representatives of legislature or Head of the nation. This method involves double election.

8. Prevents unhealthy campaign: It avoids all sorts of evils like dirty propaganda tricks and instigation of people for petty issues to divide them. For e.g. in the election of President of India, the average voters are kept outside and only the elected members of both the Houses of the Parliament participate to elect them.

9. Peaceful voting: In this method, there is no scope for illegal activities or fights during the election as it happens in the direct election. In the electoral. process, only a small number of enlightened voters peacefully exercise their votes judiciously. The elections are conducted according to well-defined norms and values.

10. Little scope for emotions: Elected Representatives are not carried away by passions or sentiments nor can they be influenced like an average voter. There is no chance of misusing sensitive issues for political gains. The higher leaders are elected by people representatives and act with a sense of responsibility.

11. Suitable to developing nations: Since majority of the voters are ignorant, not educated and intelligent hence a small group of politically educated and wise voters elect responsible and public-spirited representatives.

The process of Nation-building started with the attainment of independence. The leaders of. modem India initiated the process in the right direction as they worked out the details in an orderly and systematic way. However, during implementation, they had to face numerous problems associated with national reconstruction resulting in a slow process.

The process of nation-building is an offshoot of the concept of nation-states. The idea of nation-states emerged after the signing of the treaty of West Phalia (1648) by Western Countries. The people of the common religious and traditional backgrounds living in a definite territory with like mindedness and ‘we’ feeling form the nation. Common language, culture, and history aspirations help common people to form nationality.

1. Components to community support: To realise the process of nation building, collective support and endeavor of the people are essential. The quality of the people reflects the quality of a nation. Disciplined work culture and patriotic feelings also contribute to nation-building. In a democracy, people are the kingmakers. Hence, they are expected to elect competent and honest representatives. They formulate a sound public opinion on important national issues. As J.S. Mill said ‘Eternal vigilance is the price of democracy’.

2. Good Governance: Good governance ensures accountability, transparency, efficiency, responsibility, and responsiveness. In addition, the use of technology has given rise to e-Governance. India is one of the leading countries in the world in the adoption of the system of egovernance.

3. Committed Leadership: History depicts many examples of committed leadership. Eg.: US President F. D. Roosevelt solved the crisis of Economic depression by adopting the New Deal Policy and US became a superpower at global level after the II World War. In India Nehru’s leadership largely contributed to the process of nation-building. He formulated goals for nation-building and introduced the planning system, adopted industrialization policy and socialistic pattern of society. He had vision and farsightedness for the transformation of India. Hence Nehru is called the Architect of Modem India.

4. Political culture: Political Culture constitutes a set of values, attitudes, and behavior towards a political system. It requires an ideal political behavior for national reconstruction. Leaders have to embody the principles of national interest, public service, probity, and statesmanship.

5. Power Sharing: To realize the goal, political power needs to be shared among all sections of society. The concentration of political power in the hands of a few people and some families leads to the emergence of authoritarianism and dictatorship. As H.J. Laski rightly puts it “ A decision which affects all must be decided by all” To attain this reservation is provided to the SCs and STs and women at different levels of Government. It ensures social justice which is the foundation of socio-economic democracy.

6. Universal Education: For the develop- ment of national universal education is of paramount importance. It enables the person to understand his potentiality and strengthens dignity. As Gandhi said, “Education is the light of life”. It encourages people to develop the spirit of inquiry the ability to analyze the national problems and to work for national progress. Education also equips the people to shun fanaticism, parochialism, communalism, casteism and religious fundamentalism. The Right To Education Act 2009 implemented in 2010 is a step in this direction.

7. National Character: Nationalism and patriotism are the foundations to build a national character. Each country has its distinct national character which denotes one’s nativity-as the conservatism of UK, ‘Land of Liberty’ of US, Ethnicity of Africa, Aboriginal of Australia, cultural diversity of India.

Love and respect for one’s country and national symbols such as national flag, national anthem, and national monuments are the prerequisites. One has to acquire knowledge about the history of his motherland and its contributions to human civilizations. Realizing the significance of national character, the makers of the Indian constitution have asserted the supremacy of popular sovereignty in the preamble reading with the expression.” We the people of India”.

8. Mass Media: Mass Media is regarded as the Fourth Estate in democracy as it plays a vital role in the nation building. It highlights the omissions and commissions of the government and acts as a bridge between the government and the public. It is an effective instrument of political socialization. modernization and development. In India, the ‘Freedom of Expression’ is a fundamental right under Art. 19 of the Constitution.

9. Responsible Intelligentsia: The contribution of intellectuals is recognized all over the world. Research and innovations in important areas of human life have contributed to national development.

In India the development in the field of social sciences, M.N. Srinivas, Amartya Sen, S.Shettar, Gail Omvedt, Kancha, Ilaya, Vandana Shiva, S.N. Balagangadhara, AshishNandy, Rajiv Malhotra and others. In Science and Technology Sir M. Vishveshwaraiah, Sir C.V. Raman, Dr. Raja Ramanna, Dr. M.G.K. Menon, Dr. CNR Rao. Dr. U.R. Rao, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, and others have greatly contributed for India’s present position at global level.

10. National Integration: It is the process of uniting the people emotionally, psychologically and politically, Sardar Vallabha Bai Patel, Vinoba Bhave, Lai Bahadhur Shastri, J.B. Kriplani, Acharya Narendra Dev played a key role in the national integration. November 19th is being observed as National integration day, the birthday of Smt. Indira Gandhi.

The Interim Government of India was formed on 2nd September 1946. The constituent Assembly had 389 members. It was drawn from the newly elected Constituent Assembly of India. It had the task of assisting the transition of India and Pakistan from British rule to independence.

It remained in force until 15th August 1947, when India became independent. The Constituent Assembly became a sovereign body and performed the role of legislature for the new State. It was responsible for framing the constitution and making ordinary laws as well.

Power politics, Demoralization of Bureaucracy, criminalization of politics, violations of social justice.

As a result of caste based inequality, the worst hit are the Schedule Castes, Schedule Tribes and the other Backward Classes. In order to bring them into the mainstream, the makers of the Indian Constitution included certain provisions in part III, IV & XVI of the Constitution. Art. 15,16,17 and 46 contain revolutionary provisions for the creation of socialistic pattern of society or altruism in society. The aim of reservation policy is the establishment of an egalitarian society.

The National Commission for SCs and STs is empowered to change their socio-economic status through different provisions. The provision is made for the identification of other Backward Classes both by the Central and State Governments. 

They are empowered to appoint Backward Class Commission.

1. Education: Art. 15 of the Constitution provides reservation of seats to SCs, STs and Backward Classes in educational institutions. They must also reserve certain seats to the students belonging to these groups as per the 86th Constitutional Amendment Act, 15 percent of seats for SCs and 3% percent for STs are reserved. Right to Education has also provided reservation to these communities.

2. Employment: Art. 16 of the Constitution provides equal opportunities to all in public services. Art. 335 claims reservation for SCs and STs in Public Service both in Central and State Governments. At present the reservation for jobs in Central and State Governments to SCs and STs stand at 15% and 3 % respectively.

The Mandal Commission report recommended 27% job reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBC) in 1980. It was implemented in 1990.

3. Lok Sabha and Legislative Assembly: Article 330 and 332 of the Indian Constitution provides reservation to SCs and STs both in Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assembly respectively.

4. Local bodies: As per Art. 243 D of the Indian Constitution, seats are reserved for SCs and STs in every Panchayath in proportion to their population. Under the same Article the offices of the chairpersons in the Panchayath Raj Institutions are reserved for these groups as per the law made by State Governments. For Backward classes also, seats may be reserved by the State Government in any Panchayath or for offices of chairpersons. Art 243 T provides for reservation of seats for these groups in Urban local Governments.

5. Abolition of untouchability: Art. 17 of the Constitution of India provided for abolition of untouchability. The SCs and STs (prevention of atrocities) Act was enacted by Parliament in 1989. It is also known as the ‘Dalit Act’. It came into force from 30^th January 1990. It specifies the atrocities which are liable for severe penalties. Under section 21 of the act, the state governments are required to take effective measures for its implementation.

The All India Services plays the most prominent role in civil service. The candidates to these services are recruited on all India basis and can be posted both at the centre or at the state. 

Presently India has three All India services.

1. Indian Administrative Services (IAS) 

2. Indian Police Services (IPS) 

3. Indian Forest Services (IFS)

These services are called as All India services as they belong both to the Central and State Governments. The services of these officers could be utilized by both the central and state governments and they can be transferred from central to state and vice-versa.

Article 312 (i) of the Indian Constitution states that, Rajya Sabhajnitiates a resolution supported by not less than 2/3^rd of the members present and voting. If necessary, in the national interest, Parliament may by law provide for the creation of one or more All India Services.

The correct answer is Haldi River.

• The river Haldi was formed by the joining of the Kansabati river and the combined flow of Kaliaghai outfalls into the river Hooghly.
• The lower portion of the river Haldi is affected by over bank spills and drainage problems during the monsoon.

• The river Kangsabati originating from Purulia district is joined by Kumari in Bankura district.
• The river Kaliaghai trickles out from Jhargram, P.S. in the Midnapore district. During the course of its journey, it is fed by the flow of its tributaries namely Kapaleswari, Baghai, and Chandia.
• The river Ajoy originates from the hills near Deoghar in Jharkhand.
  • The principal tributaries of the river are – Hinghlow, Kunoor, Pathro, and Jayanti.
• The river Damodar originating from Palamau hills in Jharkhand and bifurcates into two channels at Beguahana.
  • The main flow passes through the Mundeswari channel and discharges into Rupnarayan.
  • The other one Amta channel carries discharge during high floods and outfalls into the Hooghly.

1. Poverty: Large sections of our societies live in villages and their major occupation is Agriculture. They rely upon monsoon which is quite irregular. Hence the output is very low. As a result, more than 1X5 of the total population is living BPL. Poverty denies access to good health, sanitation facilities and basic infrastructure necessary for personality development.

2. Population Explosion: Census reports of 2011 prove that India is overpopulated (1.2 billion). Though a resource, it is not properly utilized to strengthen the nation. Population explosion has led to unemployment, housing shortage scarcity of food and other basic amenities.

3. Regional Imbalance: All the regions of our country are not evenly developed. This leads to separatist tendencies that curbs national development e.g. Marathawada and Vidharbha in Maharashtra, Telengana region in AP, Korapat and Kalahandi regions in Odisha, North Eastern Region and Gorkha hill areas are all under developed and people there have reason ted to agitations.

4. Social and political disturbances: In India social and political disturbances have become common in recent years causing tension Assam, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Kerala have become communally sensitive states. Likewise, caste conflicts, terrorism, the centre-state and inter-state disputes have affected nation’s march towards development.

5. Political Crisis: The coalition politics and the emergence of too many political parties, regional and sectarian feelings have created political crisis on many occasions. The vested interests have prevented the Parliament and State Legislatures to enact necessary laws for the development of the nation. Money power and muscle power have, led to the growth of leaders without principles for whom it has become a gainful employment.

The Indian Civil Service Examination was thrown open to all by the Act of 1858.

(b) To judge every international issue on its own merit

The first summit was held in St. Peters burg on July 17 2006.

The correct answer is Black Francolin.

• The black francolin is a gamebird in the pheasant family Phasianidae of the order Galliformes, gallinaceous birds.
• It was formerly known as the Black Partridge.
• It is the state bird of Haryana state, India. 
• The Scientific name of this bird is Francolinus francolins.

Some additional information about Haryana:

• The State animal of Haryana: Blackbuck
• The State tree of Haryana: Peepal Tree
• The State flower of Haryana: Lotus
• District of Haryana which is known as Sripad Janapad: Kurukshetra
• District of Haryana which is known as ‘Bowl of Rice’: Karnal
• Total Number of districts: 22
• Tehsils – 93
• Sub-tehsils- 50 
• Blocks – 140
• Cities – 154

The correct answer is Nongthombam Biren Singh.

• N. Biren Singh
  • Nongthombam Biren Singh (born 1 January 1961) is an Indian politician and former footballer and journalist.
  • He is the current Chief Minister of Manipur.
  • N. Biren Singh was awarded Champions of Change in 2018 for his exceptional work to the nation.
  • The award was conferred by the Vice-President of India Sri. Venkaiah Naidu at Vigyan Bhavan New Delhi.

• Manipur
  • Manipur is a state in northeastern India, with the city of Imphal as its capital.
  • It is bounded by the Indian states of Nagaland to the north, Mizoram to the south and Assam to the west.
  • It also borders two regions of Myanmar, the Sagaing Region to the east and Chin State to the south.
  • Language: Meitei
  • Capital: Imphal (Executive Branch)
  • Emblem: Kangla Sha
  • Governor: Najma Heptulla

2^nd SAARC summit was held at Bangalore during Nov 1986. 8^th SAARC meet was held at Delhi during May 1995.

In a multitasking operating system several applications may be simultaneously loaded and used in the memory. While the processor handles only one application at a particular time, it switches between the applications and simultaneously executes each application. For example, Windows operating system. 

The radix or base is the number of unique digits, including zero that a positional numeral system uses to represent numbers.

Optical Mark Reader:

It is an input device that can detect marks made in predetermined positions on a pre-printed paper called OMR sheet. An optical mark reader shines a light beam onto the input document and is able to detect the marks because less light is reflected back from them, than from the unmarked area. It is used in grading test papers. 

struct student

{

int regno;

char name[50];

char class[6];

};

Initialization is done at the time of declaration of a variable.

For example

student s2 = {100,"Dushyanth","IIA"};

The khilafat committee launched a non co-operation movement on 31 August 1920.

The quit India movement was in the year 1942.

Niranjan Sing Gill the first commander of I.N.A.

Fredrick Halliday the Lieutenant governor in 1858.

Rajasthan was the Panchayath Raj first introduced.

The Panchayat Raj system was first introduced in Nagore of Rajestan on 2^nd October 1959

• Village Panchayat 
• Panchayat 
• SamitiZilla Parishad

A plausible theory presented by earth scientists to explain the formation of continents and ocean basins and the various landforms is the ‘Theory of Plate Tectonics’. According to the theory, the crust of the earth has been formed out of seven major and some minor tectonic plates. 

According to the earth scientists, millions of years ago, the world comprised of a supercontinent ‘Pangaea’ surrounded by the primaeval ocean ‘Panthalasa’. The present continents and intervening oceans were formed due to splitting of the crust into plates due to convection currents and drifting of these plates.

The correct answer is The red soil colour is caused by aluminium compounds.

• Red Soil: 
  • The red colour of Red Soil is caused by iron compounds. Red soil contains a high percentage of iron content, which is responsible for its colour. 
  • Red soil is a type of soil that develops in a warm, temperate, moist climate under deciduous or mixed forest. Red soils are generally derived from crystalline rock.
• Black Soil:
  • Black soil is called Regur soil and is suitable for cotton cultivation. 
  • It is essentially found in the lava-covered areas of Maharasthra, Karnataka etc. 
• Laterite Soil:
  • Laterite soil is rich in iron oxide and is derived from a wide variety of rocks weathering under strongly oxidizing and leaching conditions.
  • It forms in tropical and subtropical regions where the climate is humid. Lateritic soils may contain clay minerals; but they tend to be silica-poor, for silica is leached out by waters passing through the soil.

• Alluvial Soil:
  • Alluvial soils are soils deposited by surface water. You'll find them along rivers, in floodplains and deltas (like the Mississippi Delta), stream terraces, and areas called alluvial fans. This last category results from larger floods, causing the soil to spread out in the shape of a triangle fan. 
  • Being one of the most important and fertile soils of India they support the growth of a wide variety of crops such as Rice, wheat, sugarcane, cotton, jute, potato and vegetables, but they are deficient in nitrogen, phosphorous and Humus.

The correct answer is Usara soils.

​

• Saline soils are also known as Usara soils.
• Various local names for saline soils are Reh, Kallar, and Chopan, Rakar, Thur, Karl, etc.
• Saline soils contain large amounts of water-soluble salts that inhibit seed germination and plant growth. The salts are white, chemically neutral, and include chlorides, sulfates, carbonates, and sometimes nitrates of calcium, magnesium, sodium, and potassium. 
• These soils have developed in areas with dry climatic conditions (in areas having a little more rainfall than the areas of desert soils) accompanied by a lack of proper drainage.
• These salts originate from the natural weathering of minerals or from fossil salt deposits left from ancient sea beds. Salts accumulate in the soil of arid climates as irrigation water or groundwater seepage evaporates, leaving minerals behind.

• Black Soil/Regur Soil/Cotton soil:
  • Black soil is called Regur soil and is suitable for cotton cultivation. 
  • It is essentially found in the lava-covered areas of Maharasthra, Karnataka, etc.
• Alluvial Soil:
  • Alluvial soils are soils deposited by surface water. You'll find them along rivers, in floodplains and deltas (like the Mississippi Delta), stream terraces, and areas called alluvial fans. This last category results from larger floods, causing the soil to spread out in the shape of a triangle fan. 
  • Bhangar soil is older alluvial soil. Large parts of the Northern Indian Plains are formed of the bhangar soil. Khadar soil is new and younger deposits of the alluvium soil on the flood plains

The correct answer is (A) - (ii), (B) - (i), (C) - (iv), (D) - (iii)

• Podzol - Cool temperate
• Chernozem - Temperate steppe cool 
• Spodosols - Humid cool temperate
• Laterite - Hot and humid

• Laterite Soil is rich in iron oxide and derived from a wide variety of rocks weathering under strongly oxidizing and leaching conditions.
  • It forms in tropical and subtropical regions where the climate is humid.
  • Laterite has been used as iron ore and, in Cuba, as a source of nickel.
• Chernozem is one of the 30 soil groups in the classification system of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
  • Chernozems are humus-rich grassland soils used extensively for growing cereals.
  • Chernozem form in climatic zones with seasonal rainfall of 450–600 mm (18–24 inches) per year.
• Spodosol soil is ashy gray, acidic soil with a strongly leached surface layer.
  • Spodosols generally develop under cooler climatic regimes.
• Podzol soils are strongly acid soils that usually have a bleached horizon immediately beneath the topsoil. 
  • Podzol soils occur in areas of high rainfall mainly in temperate and boreal regions and in the humid tropics under light forest.

• The meaning of 'Patta Rekh' in the history of Rajasthan was Expected revenue for the state.
• The king, after accounting for the succession fee, military service and invitation fee etc. from his Jagirdar, used to collect tax from him as a state demand, it was called Rekha.
• According to the data recorded in the pattas, there was a great difference between the estimated figures and the actual income of the village, due to which the dispute arose.
• In this connection, Reu has written - 'This tax was first imposed by Vijay Singh, the Maharaja of Jodhpur.' The rate of this line was neither the same in all the states, nor was it charged regularly every year.

The correct answer is 9×106 tonne/annum.

• The annual capacity of the Barmer refinery is 9×106 tonne/annum.
• Barmer Refinery is in the Pachpadra near Balotra in the Barmer district of Rajasthan, India.
• Barmar refinery is a public sector crude oil refinery.
• Barmar refinery will be the second-largest crude oil reserve for India.

• Jamnagar Refinery is a private sector crude oil refinery owned by Reliance Industries Limited in Jamnagar, Gujarat, India.
• Jamnagar Refinery is currently the largest refinery in the world.

The correct answer is Expected Revenue.

• While giving the land for lease the Jagir used to write the Expected Revenue from the given lease land.
• Patta rekh- revenue mentioned in the papers (Patta) while giving away the jagir.

• Land revenue system during British rule in Rajasthan
  • Khalsa land - the land under the direct management of the state was known as Khalsa.
  • Jagir Land - the land held by grantees, whether individuals of religious, institutions, was known as non - Khalsa or Jagir. 
• Land Tenure System in Khalsa Lands - The Darbar was the landlord and the final superior authority in the Khalsa territory. As the land eventually belonged to it, the Darbar was allowed to evict the farmers.
  • Biswadars or Bapidars - In the Khalsa regions, these were permanent tenures.
    • The holders of these were granted rights of occupancy that were inherited.
    • So long as they managed to pay the fixed rent, they enjoyed undisturbed ownership of their holdings.
    • Some other privileges were enjoyed by the peasants under these tenures. When set, the land revenue was paid on concessions, tariffs and land profits could not be raised.
  •  ljara System - In the eastern and south-eastern states, this was a prominent land tenure scheme when it was in vogue more or less throughout the province.
    • It was also known as Theka or Ankbandi (contract).
    • Under this scheme, the right to receive land revenue from a specific pargana or region was sold out by public auction to the highest bidder who was held liable for the payment to the state of the amount so fixed in a lump sum.
    • The Jagirdars were the sole authority under the terms and conditions to release the land to peasants.

The correct answer is the Agent of a bank in unbanked remote areas.

• Bank Mitra
  • A Bank Mitra acts like an agent in facilitating bank and banking-related services, especially in unbanked areas of the country.
  • They help in areas where there are no ATMs and branches of banks.
  • A Bank Mitra provides numerous services to the unbanked people of India.
  • They first take a look at potential customers and help them by verifying identity and collecting all relevant documents.
  • A Bank Mitra is an important individual in the bank and can help bridge the gap between the banked and the unbanked people in India.
  • Bank Mitras are engaged by Bank to help reach the unbanked in India.
    • They include retired employees, retired teachers, retired government employees, etc.

In a democratic election, the list of those who are eligible to vote is prepared much before the election and given to everyone, which is officially called the Electoral Roll and is commonly known as the Voters’ List. It is the responsibility of the government to get the names of all the eligible voters put on the voters’ list.

Every voter has equal opportunity to choose their representatives. The voters list is revised every year, in order to add names of those who turned 18 after 1st January and have moved into a constituency. Also, to remove the names of those who have died or moved out of their constituency.

The correct answer is Khutani.

• Khutani is not a gypsum production centre in Barmer.
• Khutani is in Pali district.

• GYPSUM in Rajasthan:
  • Rajasthan: 90% of total production in India.
  • Jaisalmer: Sri Mohan Garrh
  • Barmer: Par ki Dhani, Kurla,Shoeker Utarlai & Kavas, Chittar-Ka-Par and Thob.
  • Ganganagar: Siramsar, Mahala, Pallu,
  • Nagaur: Bhadwasi, Dhakoria, Kharat, Mandava,
  • Bikaner: Jamsar (largest deposit in State).

The correct answer is Expanding desert.

• Desert march process is concerned with expanding of the desert.

• Desert march also called Desertification.
• Desertification is a type of land degradation in drylands in which biological productivity is lost due to natural processes or induced by human activities whereby fertile areas become increasingly arid.
• It is the spread of arid areas caused by a variety of factors, such as climate change (particularly the current global warming) and overexploitation of soil as a result of human activity.

• Inequality in birthrate. 
• Inequality in ownership 
• Inequality in Infrastructure 
• Inequality in family 
• Inequality in Opportunities

Correct option: a. Social Welfare societies

Correct option: b. Trade will get settled on the same day

• Peace keeping functions Suez Canal, Iran, Indonesia, Kashmir, Palastine, Korea. 
• Economic and Financial: GATT, Establishment of World Bank, IMF 
• Social Achivements: World Health Organisations, UNESCO, UNICEF, World Refugee Council.

• Panchasheela Principles 
• Non – Aligned Movement. 
• Anti – Imperialism 
• Anti- Apartheid policy

Course of the war (Revolt):

1. Mangal Pandey: The revolt broke out in 34^th infantry at Barrackpur (Bengal) on 29^th March 1857. The Indian soldiers of Barrackpur refused to use the new cartridges and one of them, Mangal Pandey killed the British sergeant who forced them. This was the first shot of the revolt, but he was arrested and hanged. Mangal Pandey became the first martyr of the revolt.

2. Meerut Military: The Indian soldiers at Meerut refused to use the cartridges. They were tried and sentenced to long term imprisonments. Other soldiers broke out in open rebellion (10^th May 1857). They attacked the jail, released their fellow soldiers and the British officers were killed and their houses were burnt. ‘Maro Phirangiko’ was their slogan.

3. Delhi (Bahadur Shah-II): The soldiers marched from Meerut to Delhi on 11^th May 1857 and brought it under their control. The dethroned Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah-II was proclaimed as the ‘Emperor of India’. They hoisted the flag of independence on the Red Fort. The loss of Delhi dealt a severe blow to the prestige of the British Empire. Finally, in September 1857, Delhi was recaptured by the British. Bahadur Shah – II was arrested and deported to Rangoon.

4. Revolt in Lucknow: In June 1857, Begum Hazrath Mahal declared her son Wajid Ali as the Nawab of Oudh, but this proposal was rejected by the British. So, she rebelled against them at Lucknow. The British attacked Lucknow and captured it and she fled to Nepal.

5. Kanpur incident: On 5^th June 1857, Nana Saheb revolted against the British and captured Kanpur and declared himself as Peshwa. Nana Saheb was assisted by Tantia Tope. But the British (General Havelock) were successful in recapturing Kanpur (17^th June 1857). Nana Saheb fled to Nepal.

6. Revolt in Jhansi: Protesting against the policy of Doctrine of Lapse, Rani Laxmi Bai the Queen of Jhansi who was driven out of Jhansi, along with Tantia Tope revolted and captured Gwalior. When the British came to recapture Gwalior under Hugh Rose, she fought heroically and died on the battlefield on 17^th June 1858.

7. Spread of the Revolt: The news of the revolt at Delhi spread throughout northern and central India, Kanpur, Lucknow, Bihar, Allahabad, Bareilly, Jagadhishpur, Jhansi and other parts of the country. Many Rulers remained loyal to the British government, but their soldiers revolted, and people started supporting the rebels

1. Early life of Shankaracharya (788-820 C.E.): Shankaracharya was the exponent of Advaitha (Non-duality) Philosophy. He was born at Kaladi in Kerala in 788 C.E. His parents were Shivaguru and Atyambha. He was inclined towards spiritualistic life and became a sanyasi with the permission of his mother. Shankara went in search of a spiritual teacher.

He met his teacher Govinda Bhagwathpada on the banks of the river Narmada. He studied under him, and very soon his teacher found in Shankara, great qualities to attain the highest spiritual knowledge. He toured the whole of India – from Kashmir to Kanyakumari three times on foot. Wherever he went, he expounded his Advaitha Philosophy. He made a spiritual conquest of India. He earned the titles of Sarvajna and Jagadguru.

2. Works of Shankaracharya: Shankara wrote commentaries on Brahmasutra, the Upanishads and the Bhagvadh Geetha. He composed Viveka Chudamani, Shivananda Lahari, Ananda Lahari, Soundarya Lahari, Bhajagovindam, Badaramayana, Geetha Bhashya, etc.

3. Establishment of the four mathas : To spread the Advaitha Philosophy, Shankaracharya established four mathas in the four directions of the country. They are:

• Govardhana Peeth at Puri (Orissa – east), 
• Kalika Peetha at Dwaraka (Gujarath – west), 
• Jyothirmatha at Badarinath (U. P. – north), 
• Sharada Peetha at Sringeri (Karnataka – south).

4. Advaitha (or Monoism) Philosophy: Shankaracharya’s contribution to Indian culture is the Advaitha Philosophy. Advaitha means non-duality or monoism. The main features of the Advaitha propounded by Shakaracharya are:

1. The Universal Soul (God or Brahma) and the individual Soul are inseparable. They are one and the same.

2. By Jnana Marga (knowledge), individual Soul ultimately merges itself with the Universal Soul (Brahma). This may be called as salvation (Moksha). There is no duality between them.

3. The individual Soul has no independent existence. The individual Soul merges itself with the Universal Soul (Brahma) through Sadhana. It is a part of Brahma and the ultimate reality is Brahma. That is why Shankara said ‘I am Brahma’ (Aham Brahmasmi).

4. Brahma is the ultimate truth. It is Nirguna, which means it has no predefined or specific qualities. It is Nirakara which means it has no shape or form of any kind and Swaprakashaka which means self-evident.

5. ‘Brahma Sathya, Jaga Mithya’ – It means Universal Soul (Brahma) is the ultimate reality and world is an illusion or Maya. To an ordinary man, the world appears to be real, because of ignorance.

Shankaracharya advocated ‘Jnana Marga’ (path of knowledge), to attain salvation (Moksha). He combined the path of Karma and Bhakti with Jnana. He strived to unify the different cults, by giving equal importance to the worship of Shiva, Vishnu, Surya, Ganesha, Kumara, and Shakti. Therefore he is called as ‘Shanmatha Sthapanacharya’.