General Knowledge and Current Affairs are an important component of many competitive exams, such as the UPSC Civil Services Examination, SSC CGL Exam, Bank PO & other PSU entrance tests, etc. Therefore, understanding the concepts/terms/events that are significant in our daily lives is critical for aspirants. To make your preparation easier and to help you score better in your exams, we at PaGaLGuY bring you brief articles on important phenomena, concepts and events. Spend just 15 minutes every day on pagalguy.com and score at least 10 more marks in your General Studies paper!
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In this article, we are discussing world heritage sites in India.
17. The Keoladeo National Park, Rajasthan
a)
As India's famous avifauna sanctuary, the Keoladeo
National Park attracts thousands of migratory birds, especially during winter. Established
in 1982, it was previously known as Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary.
b)
The man-made wetland, which is
a home to 380 bird species (both resident and migratory). As per a 2008
Planning Commission report, the park is home to 379 floral species, 50 species
of fish & a variety of reptiles. It is one of the world's richest bird parks and ornithologists
flock to the park due to its abundant biodiversity.
c)
Its location in the middle of the
Central Asian migratory flyway is strategic benefit. Large gathering of ducks,
geese, coots, pelicans & waders from as far as Afghanistan, Turkmenistan,
China & Siberia, can be found during winter.
d)
Some noted species found in the
Keoladeo National Park are, common demoiselle, rare Siberian cranes, pelicans,
flycatchers, larks, pipits, golden jackal, sambar, nilgai & blackbuck.
e)
It was declared a World Heritage
Site by UNESCO in 1985.
18. Nanda Devi & Valley of Flowers
National Park, Uttaranchal
a)
Nanda Devi National Park is
located at Uttaranchal, around the peak of Nanda Devi (7800 m) the second
highest mountain in India. The adjoining Valley of Flowers National Park is located
high in west Himalaya, well-known for its variety of flora.
b)
The Valley of Flowers National
Park is also home to several rare & endangered animal species like the Asiatic
black bear, snow leopard, musk deer, brown bear, red fox, & blue sheep. Avifauna
variety found in the park include Himalayan monal pheasant, Himalayan vulture,
yellow-billed & red-billed coughs, yellow-nape woodpeckers, etc.
c)
The Nanda Devi National Park
was inscribed in UNESCO's
World Heritage Sites list in 1988 under natural sites category. Later in 2005,
it was extended to include Valley of Flowers National Park.
19. Sundarbans National Park, West Bengal
a)
Sundarbans National Park is a tiger
and biosphere reserve located in West Bangal.
b)
Covering around 10,000 km2
area of land & water, Sundarbans are part of the world's largest delta formed by sediments
deposited by rivers including Ganga, Brahmaputra & Meghna.
c)
It comprises world's largest mangrove forest, the Sundarban mudflats
are found at the estuary with low velocity & tidal currents. Interiors of
these mudflats are perfect for the growth of mangroves.
d)
Sundarbans are the largest
reserve for royal Bengal tigers, having around more than 400 of these tigers.
Other variety of animals found are fishing cats, leopard cats, macaques, wild
boar, Indian grey mongoose, flying fox, pangolin, chital, etc.
e)
Wide number of avian &
aquatic species are found in the Sundarbans. Endangered species like river
terrapin, olive ridley turtle, Ganges River dolphin, are also found here. Rare
birds like masked finfoot, mangrove pitta & the mangrove whistler, are also
found in the region.
f)
It was declared as a national
park in 1984 and as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.
20. Great Himalayan National Park
Conservation Area, Himachal Pradesh
a)
Great Himalayan National Park
is located in the western Himalayan region in Himachal Pradesh, characterised
by high alpine peaks, alpine meadows, & riverine forests.
b)
Great Himalayan National Park
is at the junction of world's
two major faunal regions: Oriental or Indomalayan to the south & Palearctic
to the north.
c)
It is home to 375 species of fauna
that are protected under the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972.
d)
It is a part of the Himalayan
biodiversity hotspot. It includes twenty five different forest types. Some
important species in the region are, blue sheep, snow leopard, Himalayan brown
bear, Himalayan Tahr & musk deer.
e)
The park was enlisted in the
UNESCO's World Heritage Sites
list in 2014.
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GUGUys which one is better buk for geography along ....I m really weak in in this...mtlb literally kuch ni ata..nd plz also tell which class ncertncert geography is requiredrequired
Current affairs is an important component of several competitive exams such as the UPSC
Civil Services Examination, SSC CGL, Bank PO and PSU entrance tests, etc. Therefore, understanding the terms/concepts/events that make news is critical for aspirants. We at
PaGaLGuY bring you series of articles explaining some of these important concepts/events.
In this article we are discussing the mass movements.
What are mass movements?
Also known as mass wasting, it is the movement of rocks/weathered materials down a slope due to the influence of gravity.
No geomorphic agents like water, glaciers, winds, waves and current contribute to it, instead such movements carry water, ice and soil with them.
Materials on the slope have their own resistance and they are affected by an external force only when it exceeds their own resistance.
Scarcity of vegetation, torrential rains, vertical cliffs and thinly bedded rocks favour mass movements.
Mass movements are of two types: rapid and slow.
Rapid movements: They occurs suddenly and are often seen in relatively steeper slopes. While rapid mass movements tend to be brief in duration, they are often more damaging.
Landslides: Also known as slumping or sliding, it is a very common example of rapid mass movements. It is the sudden movement of rock, debris or soil down the slope.
Unnoticeable movements and sudden collapses are typical of landslides.
Landslides are considered to be the most dangerous hazards due to their unpredictable occurrence and speed.
Types of landslides include slide (movement of earth is parallel to the slope), creep (gradual movement of slope materials), slump (movement of material is along a concave-upward or planar surface), topple (end over end motion down a slope) and fall (free falling under gravitational force).
Landslides occur as a result of both natural causes and human activities.
Natural causes include earthquake vibrations, volcanic eruptions, increased pore water pressure due to heavy rainfall and river erosion.
Human activities include modification of slope structure by construction of roads and railway lines, excavation and mining activities, excessive removal of natural vegetation, deforestation and overloading of slopes.
General Knowledge and Current Affairs are an important component of many competitive exams, such as the UPSC Civil Services Examination, SSC CGL Exam, Bank PO & other PSU entrance tests, etc. Therefore, understanding the concepts/terms/events that are significant in our daily lives is critical for aspirants. To make your preparation easier and to help you score better in your exams, we at PaGaLGuY bring you brief articles on important phenomena, concepts and events. Spend just 15 minutes every day on pagalguy.com and score at least 10 more marks in your General Studies paper!
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In this article, we would discuss the mass movements.
What are mass movements?
1. Also known as mass wasting, it is the movement of rocks/weathered materials down a slope due to the influence of gravity.
2. No geomorphic agents like water, glaciers, winds, waves and current contribute to it, instead such movements carry water, ice and soil with them.
3. Materials on the slope have their own resistance and they are affected by an external force only when it exceeds their own resistance.
4. Scarcity of vegetation, torrential rains, vertical cliffs and thinly bedded rocks favour mass movements.
5. Mass movements are of two types: rapid and slow.
6. Rapid movements: They occurs suddenly and are often seen in relatively steeper slopes. While rapid mass movements tend to be brief in duration, they are often more damaging.
7. Landslides: Also known as slumping or sliding, it is a very common example of rapid mass movements. It is the sudden movement of rock, debris or soil down the slope.
8. Unnoticeable movements and sudden collapses are typical of landslides.
9. Landslides are considered to be the most dangerous hazards due to their unpredictable occurrence and speed.
10. Types of landslides include slide (movement of earth is parallel to the slope), creep (gradual movement of slope materials), slump (movement of material is along a concave-upward or planar surface), topple (end over end motion down a slope) and fall (free falling under gravitational force).
11. Landslides occur as a result of both natural causes and human activities.
12. Natural causes include earthquake vibrations, volcanic eruptions, increased pore water pressure due to heavy rainfall and river erosion.
13. Human activities include modification of slope structure by construction of roads and railway lines, excavation and mining activities, excessive removal of natural vegetation, deforestation and overloading of slopes.
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Which among the following organizations were founded by Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya? 1. Banaras Hindu University 2. Pragya Hindu Samaj 3. Hindu Mahasabha 4. Bharat Dharma Mahamandal
Chose the correct answer from the codes given below:
General Knowledge and Current Affairs are an important component of many competitive exams, such as the UPSC Civil Services Examination, SSC CGL Exam, Bank PO & other PSU entrance tests, etc. Therefore, understanding the concepts/terms/events that are significant in our daily lives is critical for aspirants. To make your preparation easier and to help you score better in your exams, we at PaGaLGuY bring you brief articles on important phenomena, concepts and events. Spend just 15 minutes every day on pagalguy.com and score at least 10 more marks in your General Studies paper!
In this article, we would discuss the slow mass movements.
What are slow mass movements?
1. It involves slower movements and are seen in moderately steeper slopes. The movement of materials is slow and less damaging compared to the rapid mass movements.
2. There are two types of slow mass movements: soil creep and soil flow.
3. Soil creep:
i) It is slow, gradual yet continuous movement of the soil downwards.
ii) The rate of soil creep depends on factors like - type of sediment and material, steepness of the slope, water content and the type of vegetation on it.
iii) They are more common in damp soils and the movement is not very noticeable unless it is observed for extended periods of time.
iv) Gradual tilting of trees, fences and posts rooted in the soil are examples of soil creep mass movement.
v) Creep can also occur due to expansion of material-like clay. Though water helps sand particles bind with each other by cohesion, excess of it fills the pores between sand particles and causes them to slip away creating a creep.
4. Soil flow:
i) Also known as solifluction, it is the complete saturation of soil with water, which almost makes the soil particles suspend in it.
ii) Such soil acts like a fluid and moves easily over the underlying rock.
iii) It results in the slow downslope movement of water-saturated sediment, which carries with it rock debris and other underlying substances.
iv) Occurrence of soil flow depends on the composition of the slope. Higher the impermeability of materials, higher the chances of solifluction. However, soils with larger grain size are less prone since they get less saturated and permit greater filtration.
v) In temperate regions, soil flow of the surface of frozen ground occurs due to freeze-thaw effect (liquefying of a substance due to warming up).
vi) In areas of peat soil (soil that contains partially decomposed plants or organic matter), the moisture absorbed by it is very high. However, at its saturation point, the soil starts to flow downslope. In Ireland, this phenomenon is also known as 'bog-bursts'.
With less then ten days left for the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2015, most of you would be looking to develop an effective strategy to fine-tune your prep. Even after months of rigorous preparation, if you feel the jitters, then fret not as we at PaGaLGuY are here to help you ace the test with ease.
In light of the recent changes, the General Studies - Paper II (informally known as CSAT) has been made a qualifying paper this year and hence candidates will have to score a minimum of 66 marks out of the total 200. The English Language comprehension skill section of GS -Paper II will no longer be there. Further, the syllabus and pattern for the GS - Paper I remains unchanged.
Before we discuss the preparation strategy, let us look at the break-up of GS - Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services - Preliminary Exam 2014.
General Studies - I No. of Questions
1. Current Affairs and General Knowledge 13
2. Indian Polity 11
3. Geography 14
4. Economic and Social Development 13
5. History (Ancient, Medieval, Modern, Indian National Movement and Constitution of India) 10
6. General Science 17
7. Environmental Studies 22
Strategies for GS - Paper I
1. Focus on environmental studies - As is evident from the trend set by previous years papers, especially Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2014, questions on environment, climate change, biodiversity and ecology, etc have a lot of importance. In the next few days, revise basic topics related to these subjects and match concepts with current events/happenings. It is advisable that candidates visit the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change website to keep a track of developments.
2. Science and technology in daily lives - In general science and technology, concepts that have practical significance in our daily lives are critical and therefore revision of the same is a must. For instance - diseases, viruses, new scientific technologies/medicine, nutrition, day-to-day physics and chemistry-related topics are important.
3. Current affairs at fingertips - As discussed before, cut-off for this year's preliminary exam will depend solely on candidates' performance in GS - Paper I. Thus, candidates have to be thorough with all the current national and international developments. For those of you who have made notes of daily current affairs over the past few months, revision is key. For those who have not, reading through summaries of government reports, flagship government schemes/programmes, its features and details, key findings of committees and commissions, important laws passed (or amendments made), would be helpful.
4. Refer to condensed information presented in tables, lists- Instead of buying new books in the last few days, it would be prudent to revise from notes already prepared. Textbooks on History or Indian Polity will have information in tables, pie-chart and other infographic formats. Refer to them for a quick revision of the topics.
5. Topics to focus on in History - In ancient history, focus on art and architecture, religion and culture aspects. In medieval history, significant change of powers, revenue and administrative systems warrants attention. As for modern history, focus on the Indian independence struggle, contributions of women freedom fighters, important events and signing of pacts/agreements that culminated in freedom and lastly, creation of the Indian Constitution.
6. Topics to focus on in Indian Polity - Focus on principles laid down in the Constitution's preamble, Fundamental Rights and Duties, Directive Principles of State Policy, 73rd and 74th constitutional amendments, Legislature and Executive (both Union and state), the structure, appointment and removal of offices, Judiciary, important commissions, international organisations, regional blocs, etc. Knowing the latest developments on each topic is vital.
Let us now take a look at the break-up of GS - Paper II
General Studies - II No. of Questions
1. Reading Comprehension 25
2. Logical Reasoning 18
3. Numerical Ability (Mathematics) 14
4. Mental Ability 6
5. Data Interpretation 6
6. Analytical or Critical Ability 5
7. English Language skills and
comprehension 06 (Not to be attempted)
8. Decision Making and Interpersonal skills 0
Strategies for GS - Paper II
1. Take mock tests - Solving mock tests of previous years' prelim papers help in assessing the level of preparedness and so candidates can identify areas in which they need to improve. Those who score above 120 marks in CSAT mock tests should continue taking them to maintain speed and accuracy. Those who get below 80 need to strategize effectively to score highly in sections that are their strengths.
2. Aim for accuracy - As the exam has been made qualifying, focus on attempting questions that you are sure of in order to enhance accuracy and reduce negative marking as much as possible. Do not rush to attempt all the questions; focus on solving questions right and pocket the required 66 marks. For instance, you may solve 45 -50 questions in the areas which are your strengths to easily score qualifying marks.
3. Score in Reading Comprehension - Earlier, Reading Comprehension and English Language sections skills together approximately made up 45% of the GS Paper II. However, with the English Language section (which had around 08 - 10 questions) excluded, it is likely that the number of questions in Reading Comprehension and/or other sections may increase in the CSAT paper. So, it is wise to not take comprehension lightly and solve practice passages to get better at it. Make sure to answer strictly from the given information in the passage unless asked otherwise. For certain questions direct answers may not be available. For instance, questions like 'what is the theme of the passage?' or 'what is the author trying to say?' will require you to grasp the meaning and message of the whole passage.
4. Revise formulas and basic math - To tackle the numerical ability section, candidates should maintain a table of formulas and commit them to memory. Further, solve questions on basic topics like time, speed and distance, percentages, ratio and proportions, averages, as they will help both in the numerical ability and data interpretation.
5. Interpret graphs the right way - Data Interpretation has a fixed set of 5-6 questions and thus a basic understanding of percentage, ratio and averages should help you sail through this section. Nonetheless, as graphs can be extremely tricky candidates are advised to solve DI questions from past 5-6 years' papers to understand the wide range of questions asked in the exam.
It is important to bear in mind that given the nature of the UPSC examination, the breadth of its syllabus and the competition, it is natural to feel unprepared for the test. There are a lot of other aspirants who feel the same, however - DO NOT PANIC. Build your confidence by taking mock tests and strategise better to avoid unwanted blunders in the prelims.
Last but not the least, be focused, confident and have faith in your ability.
US-China-Russia Opposes Any New Permanent Member to UN Security Council =================================================== In a setback to India's bid for a permanent seat in an expanded UN Security Council, the US, along with Russia and China, has opposed negotiations to reform the powerful UN body, refusing to contribute to a text that will form the basis for the long-drawn reform process. UN General Assembly President Sam Kutesa achieved a breakthrough of sorts by circulating a text to UN members that will form the basis for the negotiations on the reform of the Security Council. American Ambassador to the UN Samantha Power said in her letter to Kutesa that the US is open in principle to a modest expansion of both permanent and non-permanent members but the condition that any consideration of an expansion of permanent members must take into account the ability and willingness of countries to contribute to the maintenance of international peace and security and to the other purposes of the United Nations. We believe that consideration of new permanent members must be country-specific in nature. She also reiterated that the US remains opposed to any alteration or expansion of the veto. People with knowledge of the matter said that the US opposition to aspects of the reform process can be perceived as duplicity since President Barack Obama has reaffirmed his support for a reformed UN Security Council with India as a permanent member. Russia, which has also supported India's candidacy as permanent member, said in its letter to Kutesa that the prerogatives of the current Permanent Members of the Security Council, including the use of the veto, should remain intact under any variant of the Council reform. The inter-governmental negotiations on the UN Security Council reform should proceed in a calm, transparent and inclusive atmosphere free from artificial deadlines. India's Ambassador to the UN Asoke Kumar Mukerji has said in the past that India has maintained that the process to expand the powerful UN body cannot be seen to be an exercise ad infinitum and a results-based time frame is crucial to achieve a concrete outcome. Those who ask for not imposing artificial timelines may be advised to desist from inflicting artificial delays on this process. India feels that the 70th anniversary of the UN, being commemorated this year, is an appropriate milestone to propel the reform process, which should be completed within the next one year. Russia said that while it supports broader representation of the developing countries from Africa, Asia and Latin America on a reformed Security Council, it is important to maintain compact composition of the Council in order for it to provide an adequate and prompt reaction to new challenges. The number of members in an enlarged UNSC should not exceed a reasonable level of low twenties. On improvement of the working methods of the Security Council, Russia said the leading role in this process should belong to the Security Council itself as the only legitimate master of its own procedures and working methods. China said UNSC reform is multifaceted, covering not only issues such as enlarging the Council's membership and strengthening representation, but also increasing efficiency and improving working methods. It added that Member States are still seriously divided on the Security Council reform and no general agreement has been reached on any solution so far. UNSC reform should not be carried out at the expense of the unity of Member States. All member States should remain committed to the inter-governmental negotiations process, adopt a flexible and pragmatic attitude, gradually build mutual trust and meet each other halfway. No solution on which Member States are seriously divided or approach that may cause division among Member States will have China's Support. Member states still need to engage in patient consultations to find a solution that accommodates each other's interests and concerns, a position different from that of India which has stressed that the 2015 is a year for decisive action and for it, another round of the IGN with business like the earlier rounds would not be acceptable.
i have a doubt if i score 120 in paper 2 and 100 in paper 1 what are the chances and does the marks of prelims will be added to mains or not ......... plz dnt mind m a new asspirant ........ thanx in advance
Few countries have recently banned ‗Dirty Coal'. Consider the following statements about ‗Dirty Coal'. 1. It has higher ash content than normal coking coal. 2. It has lower sulphur content than normal coking coal. 3. Dirty coal is one of the reasons behind formation of smog in urban areas. Choose the correct answer using the codes below:
General Knowledge and Current Affairs are an important component of many competitive exams, such as the UPSC Civil Services Examination, SSC CGL Exam, Bank PO & other PSU entrance tests, etc. Therefore, understanding the concepts/terms/events that are significant in our daily lives is critical for aspirants. To make your preparation easier and to help you score better in your exams, we at PaGaLGuY bring you brief articles on important phenomena, concepts and events. Spend just 15 minutes every day on pagalguy.com and score at least 10 more marks in your General Studies paper!
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In this article we are discussing the various types of Physical & Biological weathering processes.
Physical Weathering Process:
a) Physical or mechanical weathering processes depend on applied forces, which include:
i) Gravitational forces such as overburden pressure, load & shearing stress.
ii) Expansion forces due to temperature changes, crystal growth or animal activity.
iii) Water pressures controlled by wetting & drying cycles.
b) These forces are applied at the surface and within the different Earth materials leading to rock fracture.
c) The physical weathering processes caused by thermal expansion & pressure are small & slow. They cause great damage due to continuous fatigue. In this process rocks suffer due to constant contraction & expansion.
d) These are few types of physical weathering.
Unloading and Expansion:
a) There is a vertical pressure release by removal of overlaying rock by erosion. This process lets the upper layers of rocks to expand, thereby causing rock masses to disintegrate.
b) Fractures that develop are roughly parallel to the ground. In case of a curved ground surface, arched fractures are produced. This type of fractures produce massive sheets or exfoliated slabs of rock.
c) These rock slabs are hundreds or thousands of metres in length. This process may create large & smooth-rounded domes called exfoliation domes.
Temperature changes & expansion:
a) Due to rise or fall in temperature, every mineral expands or contracts, respectively.
b) Constant temperature change during daytime result in regular internal movement in the mineral grains in rock's layers. This process is drastic in dry climates.
c) Due to these movements, rocks become weak due to continuous fatigue. This eventually causes stress resulting rock fractures parallel to the surface.
d) Due to all the processes mentioned above, the rocks surfaces appear smooth. In rocks, like granite, smooth-surfaced & rounded rocks are formed due to this exfoliation are called as tors.
Freezing, Thawing & Frost Wedging:
a) Due to growth of ice within the pores & cracks of rocks, frost weathering occurs. Ice in the rocks goes through repeated cycles of freezing & thawing.
b) In Glacial areas, the process of frost wedging is common. In this process, the rapid freezing of water causes sudden expansion and high pressure.
c) These expansion makes the fractures & the cracks in the rocks wider till the rock breaks apart.
Salt weathering:
a) Salts present in rocks like calcium, sodium, potassium etc. expand due to thermal action, hydration & crystallisation.
b) This expansion is dependent on the atmospheric temperature & thermal property of the minerals.
c) The process of salt expansion usually occurs in desert & arid areas. Salt crystals in rock pores cause individual grains to split. This leads to the granular disintegration or granular foliation in rocks.
d) In areas with alternative wetting & drying conditions, salt crystals expand and push the neighbouring rock grains aside.
e) This will eventually cause the splitting & breaking in rocks.
Biological agents of weathering
a) It is the process wherein the living organisms directly or indirectly contribute to the process of decomposition of rocks. Plants and trees that grow between the rocks penetrate the crevices of rocks and exert pressure which brings about mechanical disruption of the rocks.
b) Burrowing animals also dig the ground and also weaken the soil and break the soft rocks.
c) Decaying plants and animals accelerate the process of weathering by the production of carbonic acid and humic acid. Certain groups of bacteria, algae and mosses breakdown the rock-forming silicates and use it as a nutrient for their growth thus weakening the rocks.
Hello friends..m new here.Actually i have my training in banglore after 3-4 months till then i want to join any coaching institue for CSAT pre mainly for general studies..Plz help me where should i go??
Current affairs form an important component of several competitive exams such as the UPSC Civil Services Examination, SSC CGL, Bank PO & PSU entrance tests, etc. Therefore, understanding terms/concepts that are in the news is critical for aspirants.
Questions on new initiatives and socio-economic policies or flagship programmes announced by the Union government are often asked in competitive examinations. Therefore, to help you deepen your understanding of the same, we at PaGaLGuY bring you information on such initiatives.
In this article, we will take a look at the highlights of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech on the 69th Independence Day wherein he elaborated on the various government schemes implemented in the last 15 months and also proposed new ones.
Highlights of the speech:
1. Steps against corruption: PM Modi emphasised on initiatives taken to curb corruption by reducing the role of middlemen in various aspects of governance. He highlighted the auctions held for coal, spectrum and FM radio licenses. He mentioned the Pratyaksha Hastaantarit Laabh or the Pahal scheme that has been implemented for direct transfer of LPG subsidy and pointed out that it has resulted in savings to the tune of Rs.15,000 crore.
In addition, the introduction of neem-coated urea has resulted in reducing the diversion of subsidised urea to non-agricultural purposes. He also outlined efforts taken against black money and the outflow of unaccounted income to foreign countries. He pointed out that CBI registered 1800 cases against corruption last year as opposed to 800 cases the year before.
2. Start-up India, Stand up India: PM Modi announced the new campaign 'Start-up India, Stand up India' with the aim of encouraging entrepreneurship among India's youth. He stated that each of the 1.25 lakh bank branches across the nation should help atleast one Dalit, Adivasi or woman entrepreneur realise his/her entrepreneurial dreams.
3. One Rank, One Pension (OROP): In response to demands of ex-servicemen who have staged several protests for the implementation of OROP, PM Modi asserted that the government had in-principle accepted the scheme and is in talks with the stakeholders to work out its provisions.
4. Financial inclusion through PMJDY: He said that efforts to bring about financial inclusion have been quite successful as 17 crore bank accounts have been opened under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana. He stated that the Rs. 20,000 crore deposited in the Jan Dhan accounts reflects the "richness of India's poor" (गरीबों की अमीरी).
5. Social security and welfare schemes: He spoke about several schemes including the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana, Atal Pension Yojana and Prime Minister's Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana, among others that have been launched to benefit the poor.
Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana gives social security cover to the poorest. As per the scheme, an individual has to pay one rupee per month (Rs. 12 per annum) and be entitled to avail Rs.2 lakh in case of any accident/calamity in the future.
6. New name for the Ministry of Agriculture: To promote farmers' welfare, PM announced an outlay of Rs. 50,000 crores for the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana. He further said that the Ministry of Agriculture would be renamed as Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer's Welfare (Kisaan Kalyaan Mantralay).
7. Sanitation in schools: Referring to Swachh Bharat, PM Modi called attention to the fact that 4.25 lakh toilets were constructed in 2.62 lakh schools across India.
8. India to be a developed nation by 2022: He spoke with resolve of the government's aim to make India a developed nation by 2022, with every Indian household having access to basic amenities like electricity, water supply, sanitation, etc. Moreover, he said that in the next 1000 days the government is determined to supply electricity to all 18,500 villages that still stumble in the dark.
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General Science Bullet - Systems of the Human Body - Capsule 7
General Knowledge and Current Affairs are an important component of many competitive exams, such as the UPSC Civil Services Examination, SSC CGL Exam, Bank PO & other PSU entrance tests, etc. Therefore, understanding the concepts/terms/events that are significant in our daily lives is critical for aspirants. To make your preparation easier and to help you score better in your exams, we at PaGaLGuY bring you brief articles on important phenomena, concepts and events. Spend just 15 minutes every day on pagalguy.com and score at least 10 more marks in your General Studies paper!
In this article, we would discuss the human digestive system.
The Digestive System
The human digestive system is complex comprising various organs and glands that breakdown food into smaller molecules that can be absorbed and assimilated into the body.
It comprises the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine and rectum collectively known as alimentary canal. Along with these are accessory digestive organs that include pancreas, liver and gall bladder.
Mouth/ Oral cavity: It is the starting point of the digestive system. The salivary glands behind the mandible (jawbone) secrete saliva (that contains amylase enzyme that helps to breakdown food) as soon as the food enters the mouth.
Pharynx: Also known as throat, food comes down to the pharynx from the mouth. It further branches into esophagus and trachea. It serves both the digestive and respiratory systems.
Esophagus: Esophagus is a muscular tube lined with mucous membrane that can contract and expand to allow passage of food into stomach. This passage is possible due to peristalsis, which is a series of wave - like muscle contractions that help in movement of the food.
Stomach: Muscular and hollow, it is a sac-shaped organ that resembles letter 'J'. The food is churned into a semi-liquid mixture called chyme with the peristaltic movement. The stomach secretes hydrochloric acid (produced by parietal cells) and pepsin (main gastric enzyme) that result in breakdown of food.
Small Intestine: It is made up of three segments namely duodenum. jejunum and ileum and is 7 meters long. The small intestine also helps to breakdown food using enzymes released by pancreas (e.g. pancreatic amylase) and liver (e.g. bile). The food mixes with enzymes due to peristaltic movement. Small intestine is the 'workhorse' of digestion since the absorption of nutrients takes place here and the nutrients are directed to the bloodstream. The remnants move to the large intestine.
Large Intestine: Also known as colon, the large intestine is around 1.5 meters in length. It is largely responsible for processing the waste, which can be eliminated from the system. As the waste passes through the colon, any remaining water is absorbed from the system. The waste is mostly food debris and bacteria. When the colon is full of waste/faeces, it empties its contents into the rectum.
Rectum: It is the concluding part of the large intestine that ends into anus. 6-8 inches in length, it temporarily stores faeces. When the rectum is full, its walls expand and the sensors within the wall produce the urge to defecate. The base of the rectum is controlled by a sphincter muscle. In the process of defecation, the walls of rectum contract and the sphincter muscle expands thus releasing wastes outside the body through anus.