Establishment of Atomic Power Stations in the Country

Twenty nuclear power reactors with a total installed generation capacity of 4780 MW are currently in operation in India. In addition, seven nuclear power reactors are at various stages of construction/commissioning. Start of work on nineteen new nuclear power reactors is planned in the XII Five Year Plan.

Implementation of the proposed nuclear power projects are in line with Five Year Plan proposals. The Resettlement & Rehabilitation (R&R) in respect of nuclear power projects, where applicable, are in accordance with laws/policies of the respective state.

The new projects during the XII Five Year Plan are planned to be set up in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu. The details are as under:

Project	Location	Type	Capacity (MW)
Indigenous Reactors
Gorakhpur 1&2	Gorakhpur, Haryana	PHWR	2 x 700
Chutka 1&2	Chutka, Madhya Pradesh		2 x 700
Mahi Banswara, 1&2	Mahi Banswara, Rajasthan		2 x 700
Kaiga 5&6	Kaiga, Karnataka		2 x 700
FBR 1&2	Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu	FBR	2 x 500
AHWR	Location to be decided	AHWR	300
Reactors with International Co-operation
Kudankulam 3&4	Kudankulam, Tamil Nadu	LWR	2 x 1000
Jaitapur 1&2	Jaitapur, Maharashtra		2 x 1650
Kovvada, 1&2	Kovvada, Andhra Pradesh		2 x 1500
Chhaya Mithi Virdi, 1&2	Chhaya Mithi Virdi, Gujarat		2 x 1100

Explanation for the different types of reactors indicated above is given below:

PHWR  :  Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors of indigenous design using Uranium based fuel.

FBR      :  Fast Breeder Reactors of indigenous design using Plutonium and Uranium based fuel.

AHWR  :   Advanced Heavy Water Reactor using enriched Uranium/Plutonium and  Thorium based fuel.

LWR     :  Light Water Reactors imported from foreign suppliers using enriched Uranium based fuel.

Water Dispute Tribunals

There are 8 no. of Inter-State River Water Disputes  tribunal set up under Inter State River Water Disputes (ISRWD) Act, 1956. Their present status are as follows:

S. No	Name of Tribunal	States concerned	Date of constitution	Present Status
1.	Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal	Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh & Orissa	April, 1969	Award given on July, 1980
2	Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal -I	Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka,	April, 1969	Award given on May, 1976
3	Narmada Water Disputes Tribunal	Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra	October, 1969	Award given on December, 1979
4	Ravi & BeasWater Tribunal	Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan	April, 1986	Report under section 5(2) given in April, 1987. A Presidential Reference in the matter is before Supreme Court and the matter is sub-judice.Further report under Section 5(3) is alsosubjudice.
5.	Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal	Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Puduchery	June, 1990	Report under section 5(2) given on 5.2.2007. Special Leave Petition (SLP) filed by party States inHon’ble Supreme Court pending and the matter is           sub-judice.Further report under Section 5(3) is alsosubjudice..
6.	Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal -II	Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra	April, 2004	Report under section 5(2)   given on 30.12. 2010.Further report under Section 5(3) issubjudice.
7.	VansadharaWater Disputes Tribunal	Andhra Pradesh & Orissa	February, 2010	Report under section 5(2) issubjudice.
8.	Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal	Goa, Karnataka and Maharashtra	November, 2010	Report and Decision under section 5(2) issubjudice.

The proposal to set up a standing tribunal in place of the existing tribunals to resolve the water disputes among the States is at a conceptual stage.

National Project on Climate Resilient Agriculture

Climate Change, caused by the increased concentration of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere, has emerged as the most prominent global environmental problem. Most of the countries including India are facing the problems of rising temperature, melting of glaciers, rising of sea-level leading to inundation of the coastal areas, changes in precipitation patterns leading to increased risk of recurrent droughts and devastating floods, threats to biodiversity, an expansion of pest and a number of potential challenges for public health.

Realizing that the climate change is likely to have major impacts on agriculture, the Government through Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has assessed the impact of climate change on Indian agriculture under different scenarios using crop simulation models. 

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has conducted climate change impact analysis on crop yields through various centres in different parts of the country using crop simulation models (INFO-CROP and HAD CM3) for 2020, 2050 and 2080.

The results indicate variability in temperature and rainfall pattern with significant impacts on crop yields. These studies projected reduction in yields of irrigated rice by about 4% in 2020, 7% in 2050 and 10% in 2080. 


The Government through Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has initiated a network project on ‘National Initiative on Climate Resilient Agriculture’ (NICRA) to enhance resilience of Indian agriculture through Strategic Research on adaptation and mitigation (covering crops, livestock, fisheries and natural resource management), Technology Demonstration, Capacity Building and Sponsored/Competitive Grant Projects. 

Objectives: 

• To enhance the resilience of Indian agriculture covering crops, livestock  and fisheries to climatic variability and climate change through development and application of improved production and risk management technologies
•  To demonstrate site specific technology packages on farmers’ fields for adapting to current climate  risks
• To enhance the capacity building of scientists and other stakeholders in climate resilient agricultural research and its application.

XII Five Year Plan objectives related to the project are: 
• Strengthening the existing network research on adaptation and mitigation (food crops, horticulture, livestock and fishery) with more infrastructure and capacity building.
• Setting up of high through put phenotyping platforms and temperature, CO2, ozone gradient facilities at identified locations/ institutions including North East region.
• Strengthening research on  climate sensitive crops like cotton, maize, sugarcane, onion, etc. which are critical for India’s farm GDP/exports but not covered in the XI Plan.
• Projected impacts on water availability at the river basin level and participatory action research at large number of sites on evolving coping strategies through water saving technologies.
• Evolving a national level pest and disease monitoring system to assess the changing pest/disease dynamics under changed climate (both in crops and livestock).
• Strengthening crop simulation and climate scenario down-scaling modeling capabilities at major Institutes and a dedicated unit at IARI, New Delhi.
• Piloting the operationalization of the district/block level agromet advisory services through KVKs/district line departments and contingency plans during droughts and floods.
• Expanding the technology demonstration and dissemination to 130 vulnerable districts of the country.

UPSC Combined Defence Services Exam. February 2013 Solved Paper

UPSC Combined Defence Services Exam, February 2013

General Knowledge Solved Paper

1. Outstanding historian Eric Hobsbawm who expired on 1st October, 2012, has authored a large number of books. The title of his famous autobiography is–
(a) Bandits
(b) Uncommon People : Resistance, Rebellion and Jazz
(c) The New Century : In Conversation with Antonio Polito
(d) Interesting Times : A Twentieth Century Life
Ans : (d)

2. Which of the following institutions was/were asked by the Government of India to provide official estimates of black (unaccounted) money held by Indians, both in India and abroad?
1. National Institute of Public Finance and Policy
2. National Council of Applied Economic Research
3. National Institute of Financial Management
Select the correct answer using the code given below–
(a) 1 only (b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans : (d)

3. The concept which tries to ascertain the actual deficit in the revenue account after adjusting for expenditure of capital nature is termed as–
(a) revenue deficit (b) effective revenue deficit
(c) fiscal deficit (d) primary deficit
Ans : (b)

4. Which one among the following programmes has now been restructured as the National Rural Livelihood Mission?
(a) Swarna Jayanti Shahri Rozgar Yojana
(b) Swarna Jayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana
(c) Janshree Bima Yojana
(d) Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana
Ans : (b)

5. Which of the following are included in the category of Direct Tax in India?
1. Corporation Tax 2. Tax on Income 3. Wealth Tax
4. Customs Duty 5. Excise Duty
Select the correct answer using the code given below–
(a) 1, 2 and 3 (b) 1, 2, 4 and 5
(c) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 3, 4 and 5
Ans : (a)

6. Which one among the following is a fixed cost to a manufacturing firm in the short run ?
(a) Insurance on buildings (b) Overtime payment to workers
(c) Cost of energy (d) Cost of raw materials
Ans : (a)

7. The government can influence private sector expenditure by–
1. taxation 2. subsidies
3. macroeconomic policies 4. grants
Select the correct answer using the code given below–
(a) 1, 2, 3 and 4 (b) 1, 2 and 4 only
(c) 1, 2 and 3 only (d) 3 and 4 only
Ans : (a)

8. Which of the following occupations are included under secondary sector as per the national income accounts?
1. Manufacturing 2. Construction
3. Gas and water supply 4. Mining and quarrying
Select the correct answer using the code given below–
(a) 1, 2, 3 and 4 (b) 1, 2 and 4 only
(c) 1, 2 and 3 only (d) 3 and 4 only
Ans : (c)

9. The sharp depreciation of rupee in the Forex market in the year 2011 was due to–
1. flight to safety by foreign investors
2. meltdown in European markets
3. inflation in emerging market economies
4. lag effect of monetary policy tightening
Select the correct answer using the code given below–
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only (b) 1, 2 and 4 only
(c) 3 and 4 only (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Ans : (a)

10. The lower growth of coal production in India during 2011-12 was primarily due to–
1. environmental restrictions
2. non-availability of forestry clearance
3. poor law and order situation in coal-producing States
4. excessive rainfall in coalmining areas
Select the correct answer using the code given below–
(a) 1, 2, 3 and 4 (b) 1, 2 and 3 only
(c) 2, 3 and 4 only (d) 1 and 4 only
Ans : (b)

11. Human Poverty Index (HPI) developed by UNDP is based on which of the following deprivations ?
1. Income deprivation 2. Literacy deprivation
3. Social services deprivation 4. Employment deprivation
Select the correct answer using the code given below–
(a) 1, 2, 3 and 4 (b) 1, 2 and 3 only
(c) 1, 3 and 4 only (d) 2 and 4 only
Ans : (b)

12. In the Gupta age, Varahamihira wrote the famous book, ‘Bribat Sambita’. It was a treatise on–
(a) Astronomy (b) Statecraft
(c) Ayurvedic system of medicine (d) Economics
Ans : (a)

13. The highly polished monolithic Ashokan Pillars were carved out of single pieces of a buff-coloured sandstone, usually mined from the quarries of–
(a) Chunar near Mirzapur (b) Lauriya in Nandangarh
(c) Sarnath near Varanasi (d) Udayagiri near Bhubaneswar
Ans : (a)

14. Which one-among the following statements with regard to the National Security Council (NSC) of India is not correct ?
(a) It is a three-tiered organisation
(b) The Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission is its member
(c) It is the apex body looking exclusively the security concerns of the country
(d) RAW and Intelligence Bureau (India) report to NSC
Ans : (d)

15.The fortification of Calcutta by the British in 1756 was regarded by the Nawab of Bengal, Sirajud-daulah, as–
(a) growth of large-scale British trade
(b) an attack upon his sovereignty
(c) insecurity of the British in India
(d) British control aver Bengal
Ans : (b)

16. Which one among the following has been included as a parameter far the first time under the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) based an Central Pollution Control Board and IIT-Kanpur research, WHO guidelines and European Union limits arid practices?
(a) Sulphur dioxide (b) Oxides of nitrogen
(c) Ozone (d) Carbon monoxide
Ans : (c)

17. Fourth BRICS Summit, held in New Delhi in March 2012, deliberated an the challenges faced by India, for sustainable growth. Which one among the fallowing is not a part of the formulated challenges?
(a) Improvements required in public sector management
(b) Inclusive growth
(c) Improvements required in physical infrastructure
(d) Development in the agricultural sector
Ans : (d)

18. ONGC Videsh (the State-owned oil and gas company of India) recently (September 2012) signed a definitive agreement with–
(a) Russia (b) Azerbaijan
(c) Iran (d) South Sudan
Ans : (b)

19. Which one among the following regarding G-20 is not correct ?
(a) A group of developed countries
(b) An integral part of the United Nations
(c) Outside the World Bank and IMF
(d) An offshoot of G-7
Ans : (b)

20. Which one among the following countries initiated the process of Fourth Wave of Democratic Transition ?
(a) Libya (b) Afghanistan
(c) Tunisia (d) Morocco
Ans : (c)
21. Some atheists, skeptics and non- believers called to celebrate 'December 25' as Newtonmas Day instead of observing Christmas Day. The reason they propose that
(a) both Isaac Newton and Jesus Christ were great
(b) Isaac Newton was born on 25th December
(c) 'Skeptic Society' was founded on 25th December
(d) Isaac Newton was a deep believer of Christianity
Ans : (b)

22. European Union's Annual Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought for 2012 has been won by–
(a) Guillermo Farinas from Cuba
(b) Nasrin Sotoudeh and Jafar Panahi from Iran
(c) Ali Farzat from Syria and Mohamed Bouazizi from Tunisia
(d) Asmaa Mahfouz and Ahmed al-Senussi from Egypt and Libya respectively
Ans : (b)

23. The Rohingya are the minorities of–
(a) South Africa (b) Canada
(c) Myanmar (d) Bhutan
Ans : (c)

24. Consider the following statements :
During the last week of November 2012, Palestinian engineers dug up the tomb of Yasser Arafat. This was done primarily to–
1. place the remains of Yasser Arafat in a mosque compound
2. confirm the prevailing suspicion that Israel had poisoned him
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans : (b)

25. Rafael Nadal won the French Open Tennis Title, 2012. He defeated–
(a) Andy Murray (b) Roger Federer
(c) Novak Djokovic (d) David Ferrer
Ans : (c)

26. Which one among the following was added in the year 2012 in the list of World Heritage Sites of the UNESCO?
(a) Western Ghats (b) Agra Fort
(c) Ajanta Caves (d) Meenakshi Temple
Ans : (a)

27. Which one among the following is not a salient feature of the Companies Bill as amended in the year 2012 ?
(a) For spending the amount earmarked for corporate social responsibility, the company shall give preferences to local areas where it operates
(b) Punishment for falsely inducing a person to enter into an agreement with bank or financial institution with a view to obtaining credit facilities
(c) There is no limit in respect of companies in which a person may be appointed as auditor
(d) ‘Independent directors’ shall be excluded for the purpose of computing 'one-third of retiring directors'
Ans : (c)

28. FDI in Multi-Brand Retail Trade (MBRT) in all products is now permitted in India subject to–
1. a ceiling of 51%
2. minimum amount to be brought in as FDI by the foreign investor' is US $ 100 million
3. at least 50% of the procurement of manufactured/processed products should be sourced from 'small industries'
4. retail sales locations set up only in cities with a population of mote than 10 lacs
Select the correct condition/ conditions using the code given below–
(a) 1, 2, 3 and 4 (b) 1 and 4 only
(c) 2 only (d) 1, 2 and 4 only
Ans : (d)

29. Why was Kaushik Basu, the ex-economic advisor to the Prime Minister of India, in news recently ? He was appointed as–
(a) the President of the IMF
(b) the President of the World Bank
(c) the Economic Advisor of the United Nations
(d) the Chief Economist of the World Bank
Ans : (d)

30. Who among the following was selected for the prestigious Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development, 2012 ?
(a) Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (b) Ela Bhatt
(c) Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (d) Sheikh Hasina
Ans : (a)

31. Between 1309 and 1311, Malik Kafur led two campaigns in South India. The significance of the expeditions lies in it that–
1. they reflected a high degree of boldness and spirit of adventure on the part of the Delhi rulers
2. the invaders returned to Delhi with untold wealth
3. they provided fresh geographical knowledge
4. Ala-ud-din promoted Malik Kafur to the rank of Malik-naib or Vie Regent of the Empire
Select the correct answer using the code given below–
(a) 1 and 3 only (b) 1, 2 and 4 only
(c) 2 and 4 only (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Ans : (c)

32. Ibn Batuta's work, Rihla, completed in 1355, is–
(a) an autobiography
(b) an account of the Delhi Sultans from Aibek to Ghiyas-ud-din Tughluq
(c) a religious text
(d) an account of trade with Morocco
Ans : (a)

33. Several socio-political organisations were formed in the 19th and 20th Centuries in India. Anguman-e-Khawatin-e-Islam, founded in the year 1914 was–
(a) All India Muslim Ladies Conference
(b) a radical wing of the All India Muslim League
(c) All India Muslim Students' Conference
(d) All India Islamic Conference
Ans : (a)

34. British colonialism in India saw the emergence of new cities. Calcutta (now Kolkata) was one of the first cities. Which of the following villages were amalgamated to form the city of Calcutta?
(a) Midnapur, Chittagong, Burdwan
(b) 24-Parganas, Kalikata, Thakurgaon
(c) Sutanuti, Kalikata, Gobindapur
(d) Midnapur, Thakurgaon, Gobindapur
Ans : (c)

35.What was ‘Ziyarat’ in the language of the Sufis ?
(a) Pilgrimage to the tombs of Sufi saints for seeking barkat (spiritual grace)
(b) Reciting divine name
(c) Offering free kitchens run on futub (unasked for charity)
(d) Setting up of auqaf (charitable trusts)
Ans : (a)

36. Which of the following was /were not related to Buddha's life ?
1. Kanthaka 2. Alara Kalama
3. Channa 4. Goshala Maskariputra
Select the correct answer using the code given below–
(a) 1 only (b) 4 only
(c) 1 and 2 (d) 3 and 4
Ans : (b)

Directions (Qs. 37-42) : The following six (6) items consist of two statements, Statement I and Statement II. You are to examine these two statements carefully and select the answers to these items using the code given below : 
Code: 
(a) Both the statements are individually true and Statement II is the correct explanation of Statement I 
(b) Both the statements are individually true but Statement II is not the correct explanation of Statement I 
(c) Statement I is true but Statement II is false 
(d) Statement I is false but Statement II is true 

37. Statement I :
There was great exodus of Jaina monks under the leadership of Bhadrabahu to the Deccan following severe famine in the Ganga Valley towards the end of Chandragupta's reign
Statement II : 
Chandragupta Maurya joined the Jaina order as a monk.
Ans : (a)

38. Statement I : 
Mahavira initially joined a group of ascetics called Nirgranthas.
Statement II : 
The sect was founded 200 years earlier by Parsva.
Ans : (a)

39. Statement I : 
Lornash Rishi and Sudama caves in the Barabar Hills, modelled on wooden architectural prototypes, are examples of the earliest cave architecture in India.
Statement II : 
Barabar Hills caves were dedicated by Chandragupta Maurya to Ajivika monks.
Ans : (a)

40. Statement I : 
Sculptures of the Gandhara School stylistically are typically linked to the Graeco-Roman and the Parthian art of Iran.
Statement II : 
The earliest stone Buddha images in the Swat Valley pre-dated the Kushana period which suggests that certain iconographic conventions were already well-established in the pre-Kushana period.
Ans : (b)