1. Prologue
2. What to Ignore from PIB (March 1 -7)?
   1. 1^st March: Ignore this junk
   2. 2^nd March: Ignore this junk
   3. 3^rd March: Ignore this junk
   4. 4^th March: Ignore this junk
   5. 5^th March: Ignore this junk
   6. 6^th March: Ignore this junk
   7. 7^th March: Ignore this junk
3. [Schemes]
   1. Sch#1: Minorities related
   2. Sch#2: Youth/Sports related
   3. Sch#3: Polio Vaccine Lelo yojana (for foreign tourists)
   4. Sch#4: BRGF: penalty for delay in release=penalty
   5. Sch#5: MPLADS
   6. Sch#6: Primitive Tribal groups (PTG)
   7. Sch#7: One less Rajiv Gandhi Scheme
4. [E-governance]
   1. EGov#1: Virtual Clusters by MSME
   2. EGov#2: Passport @CSC
5. [Polity] RPA: Media coverage related provision
6. [Speeches]
   1. Speech#1: Pranab @CRPF
   2. Speech#2: Pranab @Health conference
   3. Speech#3: Pranab: International Women’s day
   4. Speech#4: VP about WW1
   5. Speech#5: Mohan @BIMSTEC summit
   6. Speech#6: Mohan @MSME
7. [IR/Diplomacy]
   1. IR#1: BIMSTEC Summit @Myanmar
   2. IR#2: India UAE BIPA
8. [Infrastructure]
   1. #1: Three more Industrial corridors
   2. #2: DMIC project launch in UP
   3. #3: NTPC new power projects
9. [Defence] TROPEX-2014
10. Culture/books/Misc.
    1. #2: Book Never Give In :2Lt Arun Khetarpal, PVC
11. Mock Questions

Prologue

Some readers have been asking “how to effectively” utilize Press Information Bureau (PIB.NIC.IN) for the preparation of UPSC civil service exam. So in this article, we’ll look at first week of March 2014- what press releases were made- what to read, what to ignore

What to Ignore from PIB (March 1 -7)?

1^st March: Ignore this junk

what to ignore?	why to ignore?
Shri Saurabh Chandra takes over as new Petroleum Secretary	For CSAT, the petroleum Secretary =not MCQ worthy. (and he is not MCQ worthy even for SSC/Bank/State exams).
Steel minister common facilities in Gonda Steel Miniser lays foundation to Amity International school.	Geography optional-walla may need to locate the place. but for others, cost:Benefit = bad.

2^nd March: Ignore this junk

PM Condoles passing of some (lesser known) Congress leader	not high profile enough to become “PIN” status for MCQs.
Gulam Nabi opens Pharma stores	useless

3^rd March: Ignore this junk

Grain and sugar prices steady Diesel under recovery	Economy is not about ball by ball commentary.
Tarrif value changed	same as above.
Indian Navy safety enhancing measures	too much bol-bachchan. hardly a line worth fodder. Just one idea repeats through out the article i.e “safety culture and audit”
some new DG in RPF got appointment ACC appointments	not worthy of “PIN” MCQs.
Andhra bill got President assent	you’d be knowing this from newspaper already. Just two line information here.
Role of IT in Railways	The ratio of Bolbacchan vs MCQ worthy gold = very bad in this article. Hardly one fact: C-TRAM= an autonomous body of the Ministry of Railways
SMS gateway for Railway	CRIS body provides this SMS gateway, CRIS is autonomous body under railway, 139 call center…..all this falls under “Misc.Org” = not that important. Railway related GK is rarely asked in UPSC.

4^th March: Ignore this junk

Mughal Garden got 2.5 lakh visitors	not MCQ worthy
Railway probationers meet President	it gives location of various training academies but Public Administration optional removed from prelims, and such training inst. vs city name type MCQs are almost extinct from GS.
book “On World Religions – Diversity, not Dissension”	“edited” book. Author not that high profile to warrant “PIN” status.
Festival of India in Vietnam	too much bol-bacchhan. There are better sources to prepare India-Vietnam bilateral relations.
update on Sindhuratna	talks two things: fault in wiring and no battery leak. but you’ll find better analysis in newspaper.
Kerala HLWG	Kasturirangan / Western Ghat is better dealt via Hindu/Indianexpress.
Small Saving interests revised	Economy is not about ball by ball commentary. besides Shyamal Gopinath Committee (2011) = too old to be mugged up for PIN
PPP projects by Department of Economic Affairs Empowered Institution (EI) Approves PPP Projects	not MCQ worthy
CDS, CMS results announced.	not relevant for those who did not give the exam.
Global crude oil price of Indian Basket rises sharply	Economy is not about ball by ball commentary.
Rural Development Approves 137 Projects for Skill Development	useless
R.C.Bose Centre for Cryptology	cost:benefit bad for such location vs institute MCQs
Steel minister Inaugurates New Office	useless. yes MTSC = mini ratna but factoids have cost:benefit bad.
Ministry of Urban Development strongly denies any wrongdoing in any manner with regard to the property at Block No. 48	useless
sports minister opens central library in TN	useless

5^th March: Ignore this junk

President appoints Governors	Governors are not PIN worthy, unless for state service exam.
Waqf property list	useless
result of Indian Economic Service / Indian Statistical Service Examination, 2013	important only for the people who gave exam
Global crude oil price of Indian Basket declines to 107.00	Economy is not about ball by ball commentary.
Dial Bharatgas Mini	business GK not much relevant for sarkaari exams
Sports Minister Jitendra Singh launched Creation of Swimming Pool project	useless
National Cycling Academy at Indira Gandhi Sports Complex, New Delhi	Useless. It does have one fact “World Cycling Centre of UCI at Aigle (Switzerland)” = but if you start memorizing all such facts, cost : benefit bad.

6^th March: Ignore this junk

President inaugurates innovation exhibition	not worth the majoori
S.K. Singh Award for Excellence in IFS	not high profile enough to become “PIN”
DAE Clarifies on false rumors about radiation reaction	mostly bolbachchan without giving hardcore facts.
TDS date extended Exchange Rate of Foreign Currency	Economy is not about ball by ball commentary.
press note about Drugs Controller General (India)	USFDA vs Indian pharma cos = this topic is better covered via newspapers.
Home Secretary Released BPR&D Publications	200+ page of statistical data about police force. not worth the effort.
Additional Charge of DG, FSCD&HG	not PIN worthy.
Global crude oil price of Indian Basket declines to 106.30	Economy is not about ball by ball commentary.
a Film on Indian Women Scientists “Scientifically Yours”	bad cost:benefit for MCQ.

7^th March: Ignore this junk

President of India inaugurates Annual Innovation Exhibition	useless
Schedule for General Elections, 2014	you’ll get better pictorial graphs and data in newspapers – with briefs on NOTA, paper trail everything.
Factsheet on Tripura	not worth the effort UNLESS you’re from Tripura and preparing for UPSC interviews
factsheet on Assam	same as above.
press note CGHS are denying credit facilities to the eligible CGHS beneficiaries for delay in settlement of hospitals bills.	useless
ACC Appointment	not PIN worthy
Global crude oil price of Indian Basket declines to 105.20 Foreign Tourist Arrivals Show a Growth of 7.2%	Economy is not about ball by ball commentary.
Storage of Important Reservoirs in the Country (As on 27 February 2014)	too technical, besides you’ll get related reports in newspaper / yojana anyways.

Moral of the story

1. It is possible that UPSC may ask something directly from above topics. E.g. “training inst. vs city name type MCQs”, not seen in recent years, But still UPSC may resume it under Backbreaking^TMmove. But, If you try to defend every pawn, you’ll lose the entire game of Chess. While sincere preparation is necessary, but so is the Risk taking. You cannot always afford to cover each and every minor data just to be “safe”.
2. First solve the last three years’ prelims and mains papers at home. You’ll automatically learn what type of data/content is useful and what is junk. Although UPSC is indeed unpredictable but some of the junk remains junk and doesn’t turn into gold, For example:
3. Economy doesn’t mean ball by ball commentary.
4. Not every person/appointment/book/award is worth “PIN” (persons in news)

Anyways, so far, we saw what to ignore. Then what was important in the press releases during 1 to 7^th March 2014?

[Schemes]

The Main function of PIB = information about various schemes and policies.

Sch#1: Minorities related

All under Ministry of Minority affairs

“Maulana Azad Sehat scheme”	a “sehat card” to be issued to every student of institutions financially aided by MAEF (Maulana Azad Education Foundation) health care centers will be setp. health check-up camps will be organied twice in a year financial assistance in exceptional cases.
“Nalanda Project”	To develop faculties in Minority Universities /colleges/higher education institutes located in minority concentration areas. The project is taken up at Aligarh Muslim University
Minority cyber Gram	pilot project @ Chandrauli village, Rajasthan. For digital literacy and skill development among minorities PPP with help of Digital Empowerment Foundation.

Sch#2: Youth/Sports related

• Community connect scheme
• by Ministry of youth affairs and sports
• Objective: to make stadiums under sports authority of India(SAI) multi-disciplinary= they’ll host sport events + Recreational facilities for local junta (yoga center, skating, squash, jogging track etc.)
• SAI already runs “come and play scheme” to attract local youth to their stadium.

Sch#3: Polio Vaccine Lelo yojana (for foreign tourists)

• These seven countries: Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Syria, Kenya, Somalia, Nigeria and Pakistan
• If you’re going there (or coming from there), you need to take Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV)
• Because these are EPICFAIL polio affected countries. And we’ve done lot of majoori to get polio free status. Cannot risk another case.
• And we are not doing anything “Arrogant” or “illegal”. WHO guidelines permit this.

Sch#4: BRGF: penalty for delay in release=penalty

• Backward regions grant fund
• Boss= Panchayati Raj ministry
• Cash given to states to address regional imbalance.
• “untied” = not specifically given for any xyz scheme
• Cash moves from Union => State government’s consolidated fund.
• From there, it must be transferred to Panchayat, municipality / other implementing entity within 15 days. If delay = State government will have to pay penalty interest (+principal) to that body.
• for the year 2013-14, highest amount given to Bihar >> Andhra >> Odisha.

Sch#5: MPLADS

Full name: Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS)

Boss: Statistical ministry.

Salient features:

• MP can create durable community assets in his area.
• MPLADS funds are non-lapsable (5 cr. year)

Lok Sabha MP	for his Constituency
Rajya Sabha MP	any district of his state
Nominated MP	yes they also get, they can pick any district from any state.

• MP can recommend during any time of the year. even if he demits office, his recommendation will remain valid for the given year.
• He can only make recommendation to District collector. The sanction and implementation done by DC, he finish within one year.
• Delay or laxity= responsibility of the District Authorities (and not of the MP).

Sch#6: Primitive Tribal groups (PTG)

• Previously called “Primitive Tribal Groups (PTGs)” but that’s too crude. hence renamed as “PARTICULARLY VULNERABLE TRIBAL GROUPS”.
• 75 PTGs spread over 14 states and the UT of Andaman and Nicobar Island.
• Entire list given here: click me
• It’ll difficult to mugup all 75 but observe that only one UT mentioned: Andaman Nicobar = that must be muggedup i.e. Great Andamanese, Jarawas, Onges, Sentinelese, Shom Pens. For more on them- read IYB page 1026.
• For (all) these PTG, Tribal ministry runs 100% centrally sponsored scheme. (it doesn’t have a catchy name though)
• Benefit: housing, land distribution, energy for light, social security etc.

Sch#7: One less Rajiv Gandhi Scheme

boss: Pachayati Raj ministry

Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Yojana (RGSY)	Gone with the wind. This scheme subsumed under second scheme.
Rajiv Gandhi Panchayat Sashktikaran Abhiyan(RGPSA).	as the name sugest, this aim to strengthen the Panchayats. training centers e-enablement capacity building and other fancy things.

Anyways, you’ll get more details under 12^th FYP for ^this.

[E-governance]

You should approach E-governance- just like schemes i.e. who is the boss, what are the features?

EGov#1: Virtual Clusters by MSME

• Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises has launched Virtual clusters scheme.
• Virtual clusters = dedicated web-portal to supplement physical clusters.
• This will enable different sectors to co-exist and reap the benefits of the networking.
• Small business anywhere in the country to be connected with one another and with other stakeholders like financial and technical institutions, experts and (jholaachhap) NGOs etc.

EGov#2: Passport @CSC

In 2006, National E-Governance Plan is jointly formulated by

1. Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances (DARPG)
2. Department of Electronics and Information Technology (Deity)

Under NeGP there are 31 Mission Mode Projects (MMP).

• These MMPs serve as vehicles for electronic service delivery @Central, State and Local levels.
• One of such Mission mode project= Community service center (CSC).
• CSC provide one-stop information regarding govt., private and social sector in the areas of agriculture, health, education, banking and insurance, pension etc.
• Why in news? Because now they’ll also provide passport services.

[Polity] RPA: Media coverage related provision

Relevance: [GS2] Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act. (RPA)

Let’s check media related provisions in RPA

1. 48 hrs before the polling, media cannot display any news that can influence the voters. (else jail 2 years)
2. Media cannot run exit polls until the election polling phases are complete.
3. if in doubt, they should seek permission of District election officer.

Additionally, in 2012: EC released the guidelines for paid news.

Press council’s guidelines to newspapers:

(for election coverage)

1. newspapers should not exaggerated reports about any candidate/party or incident during the elections
2. newspaper should not leave out any important point raised by a candidate
3. should not promote feelings of hatred between people about religion, race, caste, community or language.
4. must not publish unverified allegations against any candidate/party.
5. must not accept any inducement/money/gift/hospitality/facilities from any candidate or party.
6. Press shall not accept/publish any advertisement at the cost of public exchequer regarding achievements of a party/government in power.

News Broadcasters Association

They also made similar guidelines like PCI. Additionally following points given:

1. News broadcasters should maintain a clear distinction between editorial and expert opinion carried on their news channels.
2. must not broadcast any hate speech
3. All paid content should be clearly marked as “Paid Advertisement” or “Paid Content”
4. Exit polls: should explain the methodology used, the sample size, the margin of error, the fieldwork dates, and data used. Broadcasters should also disclose how vote shares are converted to seat shares.

[Speeches]

Another important use of PIB= gather speeches by eminent people. Speeches are gold mines for MCQ and Fodder.

Same applies to conference related coverage. Because usually some eminent person will give speech @conference and PIB will write the highlight.

Speech#1: Pranab @CRPF

Since it is CRPF’s diamond jubilee, this automatically becomes important for UPSC (GS2 Mains). Remember the rule: “if someone / something’s birth/death anniversary is in the multiple of 10 or 25, it is automatically important!”

First you Read the original article here: http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=104420 [to learn, how one should extract exam worthy information from boring speeches.]

Now let’s only extract relevant points from the speech.

CRPF related	Essay/Interview fodder
LWE- removed naxals, created space for development-work. Election-16th LS (1/7th of world junta), CRPF will aid in free-fair election. CRPF reforms: better ground level tactics, troop welfare, modern gadgets.	Extrajudicial killing not a solution to maintain law and order. Terrorism solution: better intel, IT, coop. with people. Riots: Need to monitor social media.

Mock Questions (hidden in Pranab’s speech itself)

1. Write essay: “Without peace, all others dreams vanish and are reduced to ashes” 2500 words.
2. Indian paramilitary forces are not mere law enforcers but also partners in growth and development. Comment. 200 words*

*It’s Trap Question. Because CRPF itself is not a “paramilitary” force. We have only three paramilitary forces: Assam rifles, Coast Guard and Special frontier Force. click me to know why.

Speech#2: Pranab @Health conference

Full report: http://www.pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=82109

• Global Healthcare Conference @Delhi, March 2013
• President of India was given white papers by the members.
• Healthcare Alliance is a partnership between industry, the private sector and global consultancies from India and abroad.

[Fodder] From Pranab’s speech: healthcare initiatives taken and need to be taken

• National Rural Health Mission
• National Urban Health Mission
• 3 years without a polio case.
• “Swasthya Bharat” initiative by Ministry of Health and Family welfare: under which 12,000 health speacialists appeared in over 30,000 programmes on doordarshan and AIR channels.
• ”Healthcare sector skill council: by National skill development corp and CII (PPP mode) to develop standards for healthcare and certification process

TAKEN	NEED TO BE TAKEN
The Science, Technology and Innovation Policy, 2013	Need to focus on indigenously developed medical equipment to reduce cost. (At present we are relying heavily on imported machines)
traditional healing system: Ayurveda, Rasashastra and Siddha	with further research, we may possibly discover new cures for the new-age medical problems using these traditional healing systems.
We are largest manufacturer and exporters of medicine.	need to iron out the USFDA regulatory issues, IPR and Patent related disputes. Super 301
	Focus needs to be on early detection of diseases. Non-communicable diseases are the biggest public health challenge. Solution: public awareness and behaviour change communication, Education, especially of the girl child.

Role of IT

1. Advanced satellite technology for telemedicine systems that can connect remote health centres with Super Specialty Hospitals in faraway urban areas.
2. Healthcare delivery through the mobile phone – a device now in the hands of millions of Indians.

Mock Questions:

1. [GS2] There is fundamental correlation between the state of a nation and the health of its people. In this regard, write a note on the pressing need for reforms in the public healthcare sector of India. 200 words.
2. [Essay] The march to good health is the key to sustaining India’s success story in the long run.
3. [Interview] There is a strong linkage between poverty, lack of education and limited access to health services. So, as a policymaker, what initiatives will you take to address this issue?

Speech#3: Pranab: International Women’s day

just a few fodder points:

International women’s day celebrated on 8^th March Every year.

Rig Veda	Yatr nariyastu poojayante ramante tatr devah or where women are worshipped
Taittriya Upanishad	‘Matridevo bhava’ or ‘Let your mother be God to you’. Gods preside there.
Swami Vivekananda	All nations have attained greatness by paying proper respect to women. That country and that nation which does not respect women has never become great.

1. Constitution grant equality to women,
2. Constitution empowers the State to adopt measures of positive discrimination in favour of women.

Speech#4: VP about WW1

Vice Prez inaugurated India and the Great War conference @Delhi.

Fodder: about WW1 (From VP’s speech)

1. Unethical and arbitrary sharing of spoils of war between the victorious powers=>WW2 and international territorial disputes, which continues to haunt even today, like in west Asia and Africa.
2. led to creation of League of nations=>inspired UN (1945)
3. Most colonies supported WW1 hoping they’ll get some form of “self-government”. India sent more than a million soldiers to France, Belgium, Mesopotamia, Egypt, Persia and Palestine etc. More than 60000 died. But after WW1, Britain did not keep promise => freedom struggle movement became more fierce.
4. Created demand for freedom movements in Asia and Africa
5. more than 20 million died. More civilian than soldiers among the dead.
6. use of modern weapons of destruction, such as poisonous chemical gas, aircrafts and airships, tanks, U-boats etc.
7. War brought to an end four great empires – German, Austro-Hungarian, Russian and Ottoman
8. led to Russian Revolution of 1917
9. Immediate result: USA emerged as world power- both on economy and military front.

[GS1] World History: Mock Questions based on VP’s speech

1. Do you agree with Gandhi’s observation that “it was our duty to win their (British) help by standing by them in their hour of need (during WW1).”
2. “WW1 was the first calamity of 20th century, calamity from which all other calamities sprang.” Comment
3. WW1 irreversibly transformed the global political, economic and social order irreversibly. Explain with examples.
4. WW1 was the first calamity of the twentieth century, the calamity from which all other calamities sprang. Elaborate.
5. Write a note on the role played by WW1 in the freedom movement in the Indian subcontinent.

Speech#5: Mohan @BIMSTEC summit

Topic already covered in separate article yesterday. click me

Speech#6: Mohan @MSME

Full article http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=104421

Again, extract the important points from his speech:

Why MSME important to Indian economy?

arena	MSME’s contribution
GDP	8%
manufactured output	45%
export	43%
employment	10 crore people

In such speeches, the person will only mention the important acts/policies/schemes. It’s your job to dig the relevant feature list.

MENTIONED IN MOHAN’S SPEECH	IS IT HIGH PRIORITY?
India Inclusive Innovation Fund’ (IIIF)	of course. Because Chindu mentioned it in interim budget speech. click me.
National Manufacturing Competitiveness Programme (NMCP)	yes because its fodder point can be used at multiple places.
The Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Act, passed in 2006,	Not much. there are sufficient other high priority acts/laws. This one too old, and not in news recently.
Public Procurement Policy, announced in 2012	Not much. old topic, Not in news recently.
Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) launched in 2008-09	No. Too old and clichéd. Besides you’ll get basic through IYB etc sooner or later anyways.

Same day’s PIB also gives list of National Awards for MSME:

http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=104426

but you can ignore it. Because Such large list is not worth the cost: benefit.

[IR/Diplomacy]

IR#1: BIMSTEC Summit @Myanmar

Topic already covered in separate article yesterday. click me

IR#2: India UAE BIPA

• India-UAE signed Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement in 2013.
• Legal protection of investments in both the countries.
• The Agreement waiting to be ratified
• Topic was in news because of some meeting.

Why UAE is important?

1. UAE = India’s largest non-oil trading partner
2. UAE committed to invest $2 bl in India’s infrastructure.
3. TAQA company of UAE= the largest private operator of hydroelectric plants in India
4. India wants to invest in petroleum sector in UAE.

[Infrastructure]

#1: Three more Industrial corridors

Industrial corridor	States covered	Who helps?
Amritsar-Kolakata	Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal.	Wholly by GOI
Mumbai Bengaluru	MH, Karnataka	Britain
Chennai-Bengaluru	Karnataka, TN, Andhra (Rayalaseema region)	JICA (Japan International cooperation Agency)
Delhi Mumbai (already have)	U.P, Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Maharashtra. (UP track difficult to see in map but state is covered, as per official site).

#2: DMIC project launch in UP

DMIC (Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor) project launched in UP

Dari-Noida-Ghaziabad industrial city	food, auto, electrical, IT, aero space and bio tech
Boraki	Integrated transport hub
Dadri	Multi modal logistic hub at

Exact names of location, not that important, except for geography optional and UP PSC.

[fodder for GS3 food processing]

DMIC corridor + cold storage chains will help Agri-produce of UP to reach Western ports efficiently.

#3: NTPC new power projects

Theory:

• Plant load factor – measure of average capacity utilization. If a power plant generates below its full capacity, due to unavailability of the fuel or for maintenance or breakdown, that extent is called capacity loss.
• Higher the load factor means more total output and lower cost per unit

NTPC’s super thermal power project in Bundelkhand, MP

• uses environment friendly super critical technology. [from 12^th FYP, you should know the benefits of super critical technology]
• coal from Banai coal block (MP); water from Majhgaon dam and Shyamari project
• 50% electricity to MP.
• In MP, NTPC also working on super thermal power project in Gadarwara; solar power project in Rajgarh

^exact names not that important, except for Geography optional and MP PSC. However, we do get indirect wisdom about [GS1] Location factors for setting up a thermal power project.

Q. With suitable examples from India and abroad, enumerate the factors affecting the location of thermal power plants.

[Defence] TROPEX-2014

Such defense exercises are MCQ worthy. Extract the data:

TROPEX	Indian Navy’s major annual exercise (March 2014) With participation from Indian Air Force and Indian Coast Guard. ‘TROPEX’ (Theatre Level Operational Readiness Exercise) large scale maneuvers in surface, air and underwater, Across the Bay of Bengal, Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean.
P8 I	Long Range Maritime Patrol aircraft. India’s first.
Chakra	Nuke submarine. first time participated in TROPEX.
GSAT7	ISRO’s satellite for Navy

Whenever you come across such terms you should also tell your mind What it is “NOT”. for example

TROPEX	“NOT” an army exercise “not” an airforce exercise “not” a joint army-navy exercise “not” a bilateral exercise between India/US/Russia “not” a biannual exercise
P8 I	“not” a submarine
Chakra	“not” a diesel submarine “not” a petrol boat
GSAT7	“not” an educational / weather satellite for civilian use.

Because in MCQs, often the examiner will give such wrong statements and ask you to find correct statements. For example

1. “TROPEX is a joint Indo-US army exercise for tropical warfare.”
2. GSAT-7 will provide the 900 MHz airwaves to the companies that won spectrum auction in Feb 2014.

By the way, in 5^th March PIB release, they even gave a huge report “Shri AK Antony as Defence Minister -A Look Back” – almost 25 pages worth data about achievements since 2009.

http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=104490

but cost:benefit becomes terrible if you read it word by word. Better just glance over, note down any important latest developments (i.e.2013 and after) in it. PS: lot of the content overlaps with defense compilation given under Mrunal.org/snt

Culture/books/Misc.

#2: Book Never Give In :2Lt Arun Khetarpal, PVC

• 2^nd Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal maryared during 71’s war, fighting against Paki tanks
• won Param vir Chakra
• this book is in a graphical novel format.
• Army Chief= Bikarm Singh. (Who released the book? Bikram singh OR Antony Released the book= that type of trivial GK is not important. But Bikarm Singh is our Army general= that’s important fact.)

#3: Misc. Hockey India regains NSF status

• if government gives “National Sports Federation (NSF)” status to a sport body, then it’ll be eligible to get a funding and support.
• 2012: Government revoked Hockey India’s “NSF” status due to mismanagement and internal disputes
• 2014, March: status restored. Now Hockey India is the official national body for Hockey.

Mock Questions

Q1: Consider following industrial corridors

1. Amritsar-Kolkata: with help of JICA
2. Banglore-Chennai: wholly government owned
3. Banglore-Mumbai: with British assistance

The correct pairs are:

1. only 1 and 2
2. only 1 and 3
3. only 3
4. All of them.

Q2. Correct statement about “load factor” of thermal power plants?

1. higher the load factor, less output and lower cost per unit
2. lower the load factor, more output and lower cost per unit
3. Higher the load factor means more total output and lower cost per unit
4. None of above.

Q3. “Nalanda Project” is about

1. Establishing Nalanda University in Bihar with international collaboration
2. Special grants to universities under UGC for up-gradation of tertiary-level education.
3. Faculty development program for minority universities.
4. None of the above.

Q4. Correct pairs

1. Maulana Azad Sehat scheme: Ministry of Health and Family welfare
2. Community connect scheme: Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
3. Virtual Clusters scheme: Ministry of Communication and Information technology

Answer choice

1. only 1 and 2
2. only 2 and 3
3. only 1 and 3
4. None of above

Q5. find correct statements about the Community connect scheme

1. by Ministry of Information technology and broadcasting
2. this is an e-governance project to aid the community radio-stations
3. both A and B
4. Neither A nor B

Q6. Who among the following is / are eligible for recommending projects under MPLADS scheme

1. Elected members of Lok Sabha
2. Elected members of Rajya Sabha
3. Nominated members of Lok Sabha
4. Nominated Members of Rajya Sabha

Answer choice

1. only 1 and 2
2. only 1 and 4
3. only 1, 3 and 4
4. all of them

Q7. Under MPLADS scheme, a Nominated member of parliament

1. can recommend projects only for backward districts earmarked by planning commission.
2. can recommend projects only in his domicile state
3. can recommend projects for any district of any state
4. None of above.

Q8. Correct statements about Backward regions grant fund

1. It is managed by Ministry of Rural development
2. The Money from this fund is directly allotted by Union government to Panchayati Raj bodies in the backward districts.
3. The Money from this fund is given only for creation of durable community assets and infrastructures.
4. None of above

Mains/Essay related question- we already saw under the relent topics themselves.

Q9. Consider the following statements about the proposed Chennai-Bengaluru industrial corridor.

1. It’ll pass through Tamilnadu, Seemandhra and Karnataka.
2. It’ll be developed with Japanese assistance.
3. Both A and B
4. Neither A nor B

Q10. The proposed Amritsar Kolkata Industrial corridor will pass through Punjab, _____ and West Bengal.

1. Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Jharkhand
2. Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Chattisgarh, Bihar, Jharkhand
3. Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Jharkhand
4. Haryana, Himachal, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand,Bihar, Jharkhand

Answer to MCQs

1. C only 3 (British)
2. C higher load factor= more output, less cost
3. C Minority faculty
4. D none of above.
5. D none
6. D all of them eligible for MPLADS
7. C. any district any state.
8. D None of above
9. C both right
10. C (Punjab) Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Jharkhand, (WB)

Courtesy: Ms. Rajtanil Solanki for majority of the compilation.

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