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May 30, 2013

compare direct transmission and indirect transmission of disease?


What is DIRECT AND INDIRECT DISEASE TRANSMISSION?
Contact transmission is the most common form of transmitting diseases and virus. There are two
types of contact transmission: direct and indirect.
Direct contact transmission occurs when there is physical contact between an infected person
and a susceptible person.
Indirect contact transmission occurs when there is no direct human-to-human contact. Contact
occurs from a reservoir to contaminated surfaces or objects, or to vectors such as mosquitoes,
flies, mites, fleas, ticks, rodents or dogs.

How do infections spread?
Direct contact infections spread when disease-causing microorganisms pass from the infected
person to the healthy person via direct physical contact with blood or body fluids. Examples of
direct contact are touching, kissing, sexual contact, contact with oral secretions, or contact with
body lesions.
Indirect contact infections spread when an infected person sneezes or coughs, sending
infectious droplets into the air. If healthy people inhale the infectious droplets, or if the
contaminated droplets land directly in their eyes, nose or mouth, they risk becoming ill.
Droplets generally travel between three and six feet and land on surfaces or objects including
tables, doorknobs and telephones. Healthy people touch the contaminated objects with their
hands, and then touch their eyes, nose or mouth.

What illnesses spread this way?
Many illnesses spread through contact transmission. Examples are chicken pox, common cold,
conjunctivitis (Pink Eye), Hepatitis A and B, herpes simplex (cold sores), influenza, measles,
mononucleosis, Fifth disease, pertussis, adeno/rhino viruses, Neisseria meningitidis and
mycoplasma pneumoniae.

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(Useful for UPSC General Studies, APPSC Group 1 Group 2 , Mains Material, Paper 1, Paper 4 Section 1 Section 2 Section 3, ROLE AND IMPACT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF INDIA, GENERAL AWARENESS WITH THE MODERN TRENDS IN LIFE SCIENCES, DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT PROBLEMS) 

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May 28, 2013

New Notification in September - Sakshi news dated: 28/05/2013



APPSC News Group 1 and Group 2 new notifications only in September 2013

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APPSC Group 1 and Group 2 Notifications in September?????? - News Dated: 28/05/2013

APPSC 2013 Group 1 and Group 2 Notifications in September??????

Updated News

Hyderabad: the notifications for Group 1, Group 2 and Assistant Executive Engineer posts recruitment may not be issued soon.  Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission may issue the notification in the month of September or by the end of 20143.  For recruitment of other category posts, the notification may be issued in July.  APPSC now has the details of vacancies in nearly 200 categories in several departments.

APPSC sources informed that they are still receiving the vacant post details in various categories and after receiving complete details, recruitment notification will be issued in July and annual calendar will be implemented.  Recently, Kiran Kumar Reddy has given approval for filling of 12072 posts through APPSC.  Except Group 1, Group 2 and AEE posts, notifications for around 10,000 posts of other categories will be issued in July.
A court case is pending in court related to Group 1 18/2011, 15/2011 notification.  Judgment in this case is expected in June.  Delay in issuing of Group 1 notification is due to this.  Group 2 recruitment procedure is being conducted now.  APPSC is also holding interviews for recruitment of Assistant Executive Engineer posts. After the completion of this procedure, posts will be allotted to candidates and posting orders will be given to them. One month period will be given to the candidates who are issued he posting orders to join duties. Only after this, the complete information of vacant posts in various departments will be known.  There will be candidates who do not join duties and those who opt for another duties.  These posts are carrying forward to be filled through next recruitment.  Thus the notification can only be expected in September this year.

The decision on issue of Group 1 and Group 2 notification may officially be announced soon. APPSC sources informed that the details of vacant posts except in Group 1, Group 2 and AEE will be received by them by June second week.  Roaster point details of category wise vacant posts have to be prepared. This procedure may take another 15 days.  The Roaster point details will be obtained by APPSC by the end of June or in the first week of July.  Notification can be expected by the end of July.

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May 27, 2013

UPSC Prelims 2013 Paper - 2 Key conducted on 26th May 2013 Series - B


FULLY SOLVED GENERAL STUDIES QUESTION PAPER FOR IAS
(PRE-2013) KEY BOOKLET SERIES: B

Sr. No.Statement of the question
Answer
1What  is  the  central  focus  of  the
passage
1) Illegal mining in forests…
D            Disruption of habitat
2What is the purpose of maintaining
the       continuity      of      forested landscapes and corridors?
1)Preservation of biodiversity
A            Preservation of biodiversity
3In  a  rare  coin  collection,  there  is
one gold in for every three non-gold coins.10   more   gold   coins   area added to the collection and the ratio of gold coins to non-gold coins would be 1:2.Based….
1)90…
A            90
4A  gardener  has  1000  plants.  He
wants to plant them in such a way that  the  number  of  rows  and  the
number   of   columns   remain   the same. What is.…?
1)14 ………..

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UPSC Prelims 2013 General Studies Key Conducted on May 26-05-2013 - Series - A


1.    What will follow if a Money Bill is substantially amended by the Rajya Sabha?
(a)    The Lok Sabha may still proceed with the Bill, accepting or not accepting the recommen¬dations of the Rajya Sabha
(b)    The Lok Sabha cannot consider the Bill further
(c)    The Lok Sabha may send the Bill to the Rajya Sabha for reconsideration
(d)    The President may call a joint sitting for passing the Bill
Answer (A)

2.    Which      one      of     the      following statements is correct?
(a)    In India, the same person cannot be appointed as Governor for two or more States at the same time
(b)    The Judges of the High Court of the States in India are appointed by the Governor of the State just as the Judges of the Supreme Court are appointed by the President
(c)    No procedure has been laid down in the Constitution of India for the removal of a Governor from his/her post
(d)    In the case of a the Union Territory having a legislative setup, the Chief Minister is appointed by the Lt. Governor on the basis of majority support
    Answer (C)

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May 25, 2013

Details of Posts which Govt gave node to fill up in this calendar year through APPSC


Details of Posts which Govt gave node to fill up in this calendar year through APPSC
News Dated: 25/05/2013



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May 24, 2013

Government gives nod to 10 Deputy Collectors - APPSC


Government gives  nod to 10 Deputy Collectors


భారీగా ఉద్యోగ నియామకాలు చేపట్టేందుకు రాష్ట్రప్రభుత్వం గ్రీన్‌సిగ్నల్ 

ఇచ్చింది. రాష్ట్రంలో 34,450 ఉద్యోగాలను భర్తీ చేయనున్నట్టు రాష్ట్ర 


ప్రభుత్వం ప్రకటన చేసింది. రాష్ట్ర ప్రభుత్వం చేపట్టబోయే ఉద్యోగ వివరాలు 

శాఖల వారీగా ఇచ్చారు.


గిరిజనశాఖ ఉపాధ్యాయులు-1877 పోస్టులు, ఎక్సైజ్‌ ఎస్సై-314, ఎక్సైజ్ 


సూపరింటెండెంట్-24, జూనియర్ కాలేజి లెక్చరర్లు (జేఎల్) 4,523, డిగ్రీ 

కాలేజి లెక్చరర్లు (డీఎల్‌) 617, టీఎల్‌-180, డాక్టర్స్- 2వేలు, ఏపీఎస్సీ 

కానిస్టేబుల్‌-3,848, సివిల్ కానిస్టేబుల్- 4,661, కానిస్టేబుల్ కమ్యూనికేషన్‌-748, 


కానిస్టేబుల్ ట్రాన్స్‌పోర్టు-214, 


డిప్యూటీ కలెక్టర్స్-10, 



ఫారెస్ట్ రేంజ్  ఆఫీసర్లు-59


పీఆర్వో-5, అసిస్టెంట్ పీఆర్వో-21 లను భర్తీ చేయనున్నారు

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May 23, 2013

APPSC Group 2 General Studies Paper - 2005

APPSC Group 2 General Studies Paper - 2005
Download Click Here



Download Click Here

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APPSC Group 2 General Studies Paper - 2003

APPSC Group 2 General Studies Paper - 2003
Download Click here



Download Click here

General Studies Quiz
Test your General Studies Paper in Quiz

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APPSC Group 1 Mains 2008 GENERAL ENGLISH Paper



APPSC Group 1 Mains 2008
GENERAL ENGLISH
»
Time : 3 Hours                                   ,                                                                Max. Marks: 150
Note : Attempt all the questions.
1. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow :                          20
At The Boardless there was constant speculation about Selvi's early life. Varma heard at the gossip table that Selvi had been brought up by her mother in a back row of Vinayak Mudali Street, in a small house with tiles falling off, with not enough cash at home to put the tiles back on the roof and had learnt music from her, practising with her brother and sister accompanying her on, their instruments.
At this time Mohan had a photo studio on Market Road. Once Selvi's mother brought the girl to be photographed for a school magazine after she had won the first prize in a music competition. Thereafter Mohan visited them casually now and then as a sort of well-wisher of the family, sat in the single chair their home provided, drank coffee, and generally behaved as a benign god to that family by his advice and guidance. Sometimes he would request Selvi to sing, and then dramatically leave the chair and sit down on the floor cross-legged with his eyes shut, in an attitude of total absorption in her melody, to indicate that in the presence of such an inspired artist it would be blasphemous to sit high in a chair.

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What is genome mapping? What are the advantages and disadvantages of Human Genome Mapping?

Human Genome refers to the entire genetic make up of human beings and every human cell contains around 4000 genes. The Human Genome project is an international research programme deigned to construct detailed genetic and physical maps of the human genome to determine the complete nucleotide sequence of human DNA, to localize the estimated 50,000-1, 00,000 genes with the human genome and to perform similar analysis on the genomes of several other organism used extensively in research laboratories as model systems.

The scientific products of human Genome project will comprise a resource of detailed information about the structure, organization and function of Human DNA, information that constitutes the basic set of inherited "instructions" for the development and functioning of human being. The Human Genome project was conceived in the mid-1980s and was widely discussed within the scientific communicating and public press.

Advantages

a) In the field of molecular - medicine it will help to improve diagnosis of diseases, early detection of genetic diseases and gene therapy. Genetic has also the potential to reveal the differences between the individuals so that suitable treatment can be prescribed and national drug design can be undertaken. Thus treatment can be more focused and effective based on individual requirement.

b) DNA forensics can be used in identifying war victim's particularly dead soldiers whose bodies are mutilated beyond recognition. It can provide full proof results in ascertaining disputed parentage, criminal justice can be more effective with the help of DNA forensics and people who commit murder of rape can be provided with evidences against them.

c) In the field of agriculture and livestock breeding understanding of plant and animal genome will help us to create stronger and more .disease resistant plant and animals. It will also help in the development of bio pesticide and edible vaccines incorporated into food products.

Disadvantages of HGP

(i) It may lead to parents attempting to determine which character their off spring shall inherit. This will lead to the development of designer baby.

(ii) This may restrict the human gene pool and interface with natural selection and loss of diversity among the human population.

(iii) Misuse of genetic information may violate genetic privacy Also health or life insurance policies may be deemed to an individual on the basis of his genetic information

(iv) It can be misused for developing weapon of mass destruction.

(v) It could also develop racial discrimination.

(vi) The success of HGP may widen the gap between developed and developing, as only the rich countries alone would be able to enjoying the advance medical treatment.

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(Useful for UPSC General Studies, APPSC Group 1 Group 2 , Mains Material, Paper 1, Paper 4 Section 1 Section 2 Section 3, ROLE AND IMPACT OF SCIENCE  AND TECHNOLOGY IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF INDIA, GENERAL AWARENESS WITH THE MODERN TRENDS IN LIFE SCIENCES, DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT PROBLEMS) 

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2008 - APPSC Group 1 Mains - GENERAL ESSAY PAPER I


2008 - APPSC Group 1 Mains - GENERAL ESSAY PAPER I

Time : 3 Hours Max. Marks : 150

SECTION I

1. What is 'Drought' ? What are the implications of drought ? Discuss the various steps taken by the government in this regard. How do you tackle the problem if there is drought continuously for three years ?

2. Analyse reasons for the decreasing proportion of female population in India and suggest solutions to contain this trend.

3. Write an essay on the Economic Crisis, Structural Reforms and the Prospects of Growth in India.

SECTION II

4. Explain the history, governance and politics of the European Union.

5. Discuss the importance of Indo-US nuclear agreement. Analyse the causes for its opposition, and state whether Hyde Act curtails India's independence in foreign policy.

6. Write an essay on the recent achievement of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) which has launched 10 satellites by PSLV-C9.

SECTION III

7. Discuss the pros and cons of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in Andhra Pradesh.

8. Write an essay on the implementation and operation of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme in Andhra Pradesh.

9. Discuss the working of Panchayati Raj in Andhra Pradesh with a focus on devolution of powers to local bodies.


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May 20, 2013

Types of Conventional and Non Conventional sources of energy

Conventional : Energy that has been used from ancient times is known as conventional energy. Coal, natural gas, oil, and firewood are examples of conventional energy sources. (or usual) sources of energy (electricity) are coal, oil, wood, peat, uranium.

Non-conventional (or unusual) sources of energy include:
• Solar power
• Hydro-electric power (dams in rivers)
• Wind power
• Tidal power
• Ocean wave power
• Geothermal power (heat from deep under the ground)
• Ocean thermal power (the difference in heat between shallow and deep water)
• Biomass (burning of vegetation to stop it producing methane)
• Biofuel (producing ethanol (petroleum) from plants

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(Useful for UPSC General Studies, APPSC Group 1 Group 2 , Mains Material, Paper 1, Paper 4 Section 1 Section 2 Section 3, ROLE AND IMPACT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF INDIA, GENERAL AWARENESS WITH THE MODERN TRENDS IN LIFE SCIENCES, DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT PROBLEMS) 

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Biomass as alternative technologies

Biomass

Solid biomass
Plants use photosynthesis to store solar energy in the form of chemical energy.The easiest way to release this energy is by burning the dried up plants. Solid biomass such as firewood or combustible field crops including dried manure is usually burnt to heat water and to drive turbines. Field crops may be grown specifically for combustion or may be for other purposes and the processed plant waste then used for combustion.Most sort of biomass including sugarcane residue, wheat chaff, corn cobs and other plant matter can be, and is, burnt quiet successfully. Currently biomass contributes 15% of total energy supply world wide.
A drawback is that all these biomass needs to go through some of these steps: It needs to be grown, collected, dried and fermeneted and burned. All of these steps require resources and an infrastructure.

Bio-fuel
Bio-fuel is any fuel that derives from  biomass- recently living organisms or their metabolic byproducts, such as manure from cows. Typically bio-fuel is burnt to release it's stored chemical energy. Biomass, can be directly used as fuel or to produce liquid biofuel. Agriculturally produced biomass fuels, such as biodiesel, ethanol and bagasse(often byproduct of sugarcane cultivation) can be burnt in internal combustion engines or boilers.

Biogas
Biogas can easily be produced from current waste streams,such as paper production, sugarcane production, sewage, animal waste and so forth. The various waste streams have to be slurred together and allowed to naturally ferment, producing  55% to 70% inflammable methane gas. Biogas production has the capacity to provide us with about half of our energy needs, either burned for electrical productions or piped into current gas line for use. This has to be done and made a priority. The payback period of biogas is around 2-3 years, rather in case of community and institutional Biogas plant is even less. Therefore biogas electrification at community level is required to be implemented.

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(Useful for UPSC General Studies, APPSC Group 1 Group 2 , Mains Material, Paper 1, Paper 4 Section 1 Section 2 Section 3, ROLE AND IMPACT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF INDIA, GENERAL AWARENESS WITH THE MODERN TRENDS IN LIFE SCIENCES, DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT PROBLEMS) 

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Geothermal energy

Geothermal Energy

Geothermal energy is very clean source of power. It comes from radioactive decay in the core of the Earth, which heats the Earth from inside out and thus energy/power can be extracted owing to the temperarture difference  between hot rock deep in the earth and relatively cool surface air or water. This requires that the hot rock be relatively shallow, so it is site-specific and can only be applied in geologically active areas.
It can be used in two ways
• Geothermal heating
• Geothermal electricity
As stated above, geothermal energy from the core of the earth is closer to surface in some area than in others. Where hot underground steam or water can be tapped and brought to the surface it may be directly used to heat or cool buildings or indirectly used to generate electricity by running steam turbines. Even otherwise, on most of the globe, the temperature of the crust few feet below the surface is buffered at a constant 7-14 degree Celsius, so liquid can be pre-heated or pre-cooled in underground pipelines, providing free cooling in the summer and heating in the winter by using heat pumps.

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(Useful for UPSC General Studies, APPSC Group 1 Group 2 , Mains Material, Paper 1, Paper 4 Section 1 Section 2 Section 3, ROLE AND IMPACT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF INDIA, GENERAL AWARENESS WITH THE MODERN TRENDS IN LIFE SCIENCES, DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT PROBLEMS) 

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May 19, 2013

Nuclear / radioactive waste disposal techniques

Long-term storage on land seems to be the favorite of most countries.

a) Disposal of Nuclear Waste in Space

Outer space is the most appropriate long-term storage option for high-level nuclear waste. This would ensure it's safe removal from humans regardless of the activities of nature or man on earth. Anybody accidentally stumbling upon this waste would be at a lesser risk as they would be using radioactive shielding for space travel. Delivery of the waste into space has a crippling drawback -- the rocket used to deliver the waste into space would need to provide enough power to escape the earth's gravity. This is necessary for two reasons: a) to leave the waste in orbit creates space garbage that is likely to reenter the earth's environment at some time due to collision with satellites and other orbiting waste or spacecraft; and b) the large delivery rocket would be expensive and an accident during launch could have catastrophic results. Space disposal therefore, will not be a viable option until space travel is considerably safer and less expensive.

b) Storage of Radioactive Waste in the Sea Bed

A possibility for long-term storage on the earth is burial in the seabed. The rock formations in the seabed are generally more stable than those on land reducing the risk of exposure due to seismic activity. Apart from this, there is little groundwater circulation under the seabed, reducing the possibility of radioactive material contaminating ground water available for human consumption. The greatest appeal of under sea burial is also its greatest drawback. The enormous cost and difficulty of excavating the waste would likely prevent accidental or malicious disturbing of the waste. This cost is also keeping us from burying the waste at sea.

c) Long Term Storage of Radioactive Waste on Land

Long term storage in tectonically stable rock formations on land is the most likely solution for high-level radioactive waste. The radioactive material may be vitrified1 and buried in caverns, created in a large rock formation. When use of the storage area is complete, it would be sealed again with stone. While still extremely expensive, and considerably unsafe, this is the most viable storage option currently available. Using methods that reduce the amount of radioactive waste could further enhance safety levels.

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(Useful for UPSC General Studies, APPSC Group 1 Group 2 , Mains Material, Paper 1, Paper 4 Section 1 Section 2 Section 3, ROLE AND IMPACT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF INDIA, GENERAL AWARENESS WITH THE MODERN TRENDS IN LIFE SCIENCES, DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT PROBLEMS) 

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Types of radioactive wastes

Exempt waste & very low level waste

Exempt waste and very low level waste (VLLW) contains radioactive materials at a level which is not considered harmful to people or the surrounding environment. It consists mainly of demolished material (such as concrete, plaster, bricks, metal, valves, piping etc) produced during rehabilitation or dismantling operations on nuclear industrial sites. Other industries, such as food processing, chemical, steel etc also produce VLLW as a result of the concentration of natural radioactivity present in certain minerals used in their manufacturing processes (see also information page on Naturally-Occurring Radioactive Materials). The waste is therefore disposed of with domestic refuse, although countries such as France are currently developing facilities to store VLLW in specifically designed VLLW disposal facilities.

Low-level waste

Low-level waste (LLW) is generated from hospitals and industry, as well as the nuclear fuel cycle. It comprises paper, rags, tools, clothing, filters etc, which contain small amounts of mostly short-lived radioactivity. It does not require shielding during handling and transport and is suitable for shallow land burial. To reduce its volume, it is often compacted or incinerated before disposal. It comprises some 90% of the volume but only 1% of the radioactivity of all radioactive waste.

Intermediate-level waste

Intermediate-level waste (ILW) contains higher amounts of radioactivity and some requires shielding. It typically comprises resins, chemical sludges and metal fuel cladding, as well as contaminated materials from reactor decommissioning. Smaller items and any non-solids may be solidified in concrete or bitumen for disposal. It makes up some 7% of the volume and has 4% of the radioactivity of all radwaste.

High-level waste

High-level waste (HLW) arises from the 'burning' of uranium fuel in a nuclear reactor. HLW contains the fission products and transuranic elements generated in the reactor core. It is highly radioactive and hot, so requires cooling and shielding. It can be considered as the 'ash' from 'burning' uranium. HLW accounts for over 95% of the total radioactivity produced in the process of electricity generation. There are two distinct kinds of HLW:

  • Used fuel itself.
  • Separated waste from reprocessing the used fuel.

HLW has both long-lived and short-lived components, depending on the length of time it will take for the radioactivity of particular radionuclides to decrease to levels that are considered no longer hazardous for people and the surrounding environment. If generally short-lived fission products can be separated from long-lived actinides, this distinction becomes important in management and disposal of HLW.

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(Useful for UPSC General Studies, APPSC Group 1 Group 2 , Mains Material, Paper 1, Paper 4 Section 1 Section 2 Section 3, ROLE AND IMPACT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF INDIA, GENERAL AWARENESS WITH THE MODERN TRENDS IN LIFE SCIENCES, DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT PROBLEMS) 

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May 18, 2013

Difference between nuclear fission and fusion

Nuclear Fission

Nuclear Fusion

Definition:

Fission is the splitting of a large atom into two or more smaller ones.

Fusion is the fusing of two or more lighter atoms into a larger one.

Natural occurrence of the process:

Fission reaction does not normally occur in nature.

Fusion occurs in stars, such as the sun.

Byproducts of the reaction:

Fission produces many highly radioactive particles.

Few radioactive particles are produced by fusion reaction, but if a fission "trigger" is used, radioactive particles will result from that.

Conditions:

Critical mass of the substance and high-speed neutrons are required.

High density, high temperature environment is required.

Energy Requirement:

Takes little energy to split two atoms in a fission reaction.

Extremely high energy is required to bring two or more protons close enough that nuclear forces overcome their electrostatic repulsion.

Energy Released:

The energy released by fission is a million times greater than that released in chemical reactions; but lower than the energy released by nuclear fusion.

The energy released by fusion is three to four times greater than the energy released by fission.


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(Useful for UPSC General Studies, APPSC Group 1 Group 2 , Mains Material, Paper 1, Paper 4 Section 1 Section 2 Section 3, ROLE AND IMPACT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF INDIA, GENERAL AWARENESS WITH THE MODERN TRENDS IN LIFE SCIENCES, DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT PROBLEMS) 

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What is the Purpose of using Heavy Water in Nuclear Reactor?

Heavy water is used as a moderator. It is used to slow the neutrons being directed at the fissionable material, by means of the molecules of the moderator physically impacting the incoming neutrons and absorbing some of the kinetic energy they posses, thus slowing them down.The reason that the neutrons have to be slowed is that most fissionable materials are more likely to absorb thermal neutrons (2.2km/s) than fast neutrons (14,000km/s).This means that when heavy water is used as a moderator, enough neutrons get through that even with very low levels of U-235 (even the very low levels found in natural uranium), criticality can be maintained, and power is produced.

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(Useful for UPSC General Studies, APPSC Group 1 Group 2 , Mains Material, Paper 1, Paper 4 Section 1 Section 2 Section 3, ROLE AND IMPACT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF INDIA, GENERAL AWARENESS WITH THE MODERN TRENDS IN LIFE SCIENCES, DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT PROBLEMS) 

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14th Finance Commission of India Constituted

            As mandated by the Article 280 of the Constitution, the Government has constituted the Fourteenth Finance Commission consisting of Dr. Y.V.Reddy, former Governor Reserve Bank of India, as the Chairman and the following four other members, namely: -

1.

Prof Abhijit Sen

Member, Planning Commission

Member

(Part Time)

2.

Ms. Sushma Nath

Former Union Finance Secretary

Member

3.

Dr. M.Govinda Rao

Director, National Institute for Public Finance and Policy, New Delhi

Member

4.

Dr. Sudipto Mundle

Former Acting Chairman,

National Statistical Commission

Member

            Shri Ajay Narayan Jha shall be the Secretary to the Commission. The Commission shall make its report available by the 31st October, 2014, covering a period of five years commencing on the 1st April, 2015.

            The Commission shall make recommendations regarding the sharing of Union taxes, principles governing Grants-in-aid to States and transfer of resources to local bodies.

            Terms of Reference and the matters that shall be taken into consideration by the Fourteenth Finance Commission in making the recommendations are as under :

1.      (i) the distribution between the Union and the States of the net proceeds of taxes which are to be, or may be, divided between them under Chapter I, Part XII of the Constitution and the allocation between the States of the respective shares of such proceeds;

(ii) the principles which should govern the grants-in-aid of the revenues of the States out of the Consolidated Fund of India and the sums to be paid to the States which are in need of assistance by way of grants-in-aid of their revenues under article 275 of the Constitution for purposes other than those specified in the provisos to clause (1) of that article; and

(iii) the measures needed to augment the Consolidated Fund of a State to supplement the resources of the Panchayats and Municipalities in the State on the basis of the recommendations made by the Finance Commission of the State.

2.                  The Commission shall review the state of the finances, deficit and debt levels of the Union and the States, keeping in view, in particular, the fiscal consolidation roadmap recommended by the Thirteenth Finance Commission, and suggest measures for maintaining a stable and sustainable fiscal environment consistent with equitable growth including suggestions to amend the Fiscal Responsibility Budget Management Acts currently in force and while doing so, the Commission may consider the effect of the receipts and expenditure in the form of grants for creation of capital assets on the deficits; and the Commission shall also consider and recommend incentives and disincentives for States for observing the obligations laid down in the Fiscal Responsibility Budget Management Acts.

3.                  In making its recommendations, the Commission shall have regard, among other considerations, to –

(i)                 the resources of the Central Government, for five years commencing on 1st April 2015, on the basis of levels of taxation and non-tax revenues likely to be reached during 2014-15;

(ii)               the demands on the resources of the Central Government, in particular, on account of the expenditure on civil administration, defence, internal and border security, debt-servicing and other committed expenditure and liabilities;

(iii)             the resources of the State Governments and the demands on such resources under different heads, including the impact of debt levels on resource availability in debt stressed states, for the five years commencing on 1st April 2015, on the basis of levels of taxation and non-tax revenues likely to be reached during 2014-15;

(iv)             the objective of not only balancing the receipts and expenditure on revenue account of all the States and the Union, but also generating surpluses for capital investment;

(v)            the taxation efforts of the Central Government and each State Government and the potential for additional resource mobilisation to improve the tax-Gross Domestic Product ratio in the case of the Union and tax-Gross State Domestic Product ratio in the case of the States;

(vi)          the level of subsidies that are required, having regard to the need for sustainable and inclusive growth, and equitable sharing of subsidies between the Central Government and State Governments;

(vii)        the expenditure on the non-salary component of maintenance and upkeep of capital assets and the non-wage related maintenance expenditure on plan schemes to be completed by 31st March, 2015 and the norms on the basis of which specific amounts are recommended for the maintenance of the capital assets and the manner of monitoring such expenditure;

(viii)      the need for insulating the pricing of public utility services like drinking water, irrigation, power and public transport from policy fluctuations through statutory provisions;

(ix) the need for making the public sector enterprises competitive and market oriented; listing and disinvestment; and relinquishing of non-priority enterprises;

(x)   the need to balance management of ecology, environment and climate change consistent with sustainable economic development; and

(xi) the impact of the proposed Goods and Services Tax on the finances of Centre and States and the mechanism for compensation in case of any revenue loss.

4.                  In making its recommendations on various matters, the Commission shall generally take the base of population figures as of 1971 in all cases where population is a factor for determination of devolution of taxes and duties and grants-in-aid; however, the Commission may also take into account the demographic changes that have taken place subsequent to 1971.

5.                  The Commission may review the present Public Expenditure Management systems in place including the budgeting and accounting standards and practices; the existing system of classification of receipts and expenditure; linking outlays to outputs and outcomes; best practices within the country and internationally, and make appropriate recommendations thereon.

6.                  The Commission may review the present arrangements as regards financing of Disaster Management with reference to the funds constituted under the Disaster Management Act, 2005(53 of 2005), and make appropriate recommendations thereon.

7.                  The Commission shall indicate the basis on which it has arrived at its findings and make available the State-wise estimates of receipts and expenditure.

8.                  The Commission shall make its report available by the 31st October, 2014, covering a period of five years commencing on the 1st April, 2015.

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(Useful for UPSC General Studies, APPSC Group 1 Group 2 , Mains Material, Paper 1, Paper 4 Section 1 Section 2 Section 3, ROLE AND IMPACT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF INDIA, GENERAL AWARENESS WITH THE MODERN TRENDS IN LIFE SCIENCES, DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT PROBLEMS) 

 

 

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New notification for APPSC Group 1 and Group 2 in 2013 - possible/expected date of Notification

The notification may be delayed according to the article published in Sakshi on 16th may 2013


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May 14, 2013

Major differences between LEO, MEO & GEO satellite systems:

ParameterLEO MEOGEO
Satellite Height 500-1500 km5000-12000 km35,800 km
Orbital Period 10-40 minutes2-8 hours24 hours
Number of Satellites 40-808-203
Satellite LifeShortLongLong
Number of Handoffs HighLowLeast(none)
Gateway CostVery ExpensiveExpensiveCheap
Propagation LossLeastHighHighest
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(Useful for UPSC General Studies, APPSC Group 1 Group 2 , Mains Material, Paper 1, Paper 4 Section 1 Section 2 Section 3, ROLE AND IMPACT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF INDIA, GENERAL AWARENESS WITH THE MODERN TRENDS IN LIFE SCIENCES, DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT PROBLEMS) 

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May 13, 2013

what is a microsatellite and its uses?

Micro-satellites can be custom-built for specific and narrowly-focused objectives. Flexibility is their hallmark. The ease of their launch makes them specially relevant to time-urgent missions like dealing with natural disasters.
For the cost of one large satellite, many micro-satellites can be deployed. Operating in clusters, micro-satellites can be put to many new and innovative uses in space as well as perform the traditional functions.
Micro-satellite technology is also driving the development of mini launch vehicles. Satellite launches will no longer have to be tied to the earth.
Miniaturisation also helps expand the capabilities of traditional large satellites.


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(Useful for UPSC General Studies, APPSC Group 1 Group 2 , Mains Material, Paper 1, Paper 4 Section 1 Section 2 Section 3, ROLE AND IMPACT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF INDIA, GENERAL AWARENESS WITH THE MODERN TRENDS IN LIFE SCIENCES, DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT PROBLEMS) 

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May 12, 2013

Ku Band in Indian Space

The Ku-band (Kurtz-under band) is particularly used for broadcasting satellite television. This band is split into multiple segments broken down into geographical regions, as the ITU (International Telecommunication Union) determines.
The most common Ku-band digital reception format is DVB (main profile video format) versus the studio profile digital video format or the full-blown Digicipher II 4DTV format. The first commercial television network to extensively utilize the Ku-band for most of its affiliate feeds was NBC, back in 1983.
The 12.2 to 12.7 GHz segment of the Ku-band spectrum is allocated to the broadcasting satellite service (BSS). These direct broadcast satellites typically carry 16 to 32 transponders. Each provides 27 MHz in bandwidth and consumes 100 to 240 W each, accommodating receiver antennae down to 450 mm (18 in).
When frequencies higher than 10 GHz are transmitted and received in a heavy rainfall area, a noticeable degradation occurs, due to the problems caused by and proportional to the amount of rainfall. This problem can be combated, however, by deploying an appropriate link-budget strategy when designing the satellite network and allocating a higher power consumption to overcome rain fade loss. In terms of end-viewer TV reception, it takes heavy rainfalls in excess of 100 mm per hour to have a noticeable effect.
Ku-band's higher frequency spectrum is particularly susceptible to signal degradation, considerably more than C-band satellite frequency spectrum, though the Ku-band is less vulnerable to rain fade than the Ka-band frequency spectrum.
Ku-band satellites typically require considerably more power to transmit than C-band satellites. However, both Ku- and Ka-band satellite dishes are smaller.
The Ku-band downlink uses frequencies between 11.7 and 12.7 GHz. Services that can be found on the Ku-band include educational networks, business networks, sports backhauls, teleconferences, mobile news truck feeds, international programming, various SCPC (single channel per carrier) transmissions of analog audio, as well as FM audio services.
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(Useful for UPSC General Studies, APPSC Group 1 Group 2 , Mains Material, Paper 1, Paper 4 Section 1 Section 2 Section 3, ROLE AND IMPACT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF INDIA, GENERAL AWARENESS WITH THE MODERN TRENDS IN LIFE SCIENCES, DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT PROBLEMS) 

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C Band Transponder in INDIA Space

C-band satellites use 3.7-4.2 GHz band of frequencies for downlinking and 5.925-6.425 GHz for uplinking.
C-band satellites have 24 radio transponders spaced 20 MHz apart, but with the adjacent transponders on opposite polarizations. Hence, the transponders on the same polarization are always 40 MHz apart. Of this 40 MHz, each transponder utilizes about 36 MHz.
C-band is primarily used for open satellite communications, whether for full-time satellite TV networks or raw satellite feeds, although subscription programming also exists. This use contrasts with direct broadcast satellite, which is a completely closed system used to deliver subscription programming to small satellite dishes that are connected with proprietary receiving equipment.
The satellite communication portion of the C-band is highly associated with television receive-only satellite reception systems, commonly called big dish systems, since small receiving antennae are not optimal for C-band systems. Typical antenna sizes on C-band capable systems ranges from 7.5 to 12ft (2.5 to 3.5 m) on consumer satellite dishes, although larger ones can also be used.
The C-band frequencies of 5.4 GHz band (5.15 to 5.35 GHz, or 5.47 to 5.725 GHz, or 5.725 to 5.875 GHz, depending on the region of the world) are used for IEEE 802, leading to occasional interference with some weather radars that are also allocated to the C-band.
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(Useful for UPSC General Studies, APPSC Group 1 Group 2 , Mains Material, Paper 1, Paper 4 Section 1 Section 2 Section 3, ROLE AND IMPACT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF INDIA, GENERAL AWARENESS WITH THE MODERN TRENDS IN LIFE SCIENCES, DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT PROBLEMS) 

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Satellite Aided Search and Rescue (SAS&R): SATCOM APPLICATIONS

India is a member of the international COSPAS-SARSAT programme for providing distress alert and position location service through LEOSAR (Low Earth Orbit Search And Rescue) satellite system. Under this programme, India has established two Local User Terminals (LUTs), one at Lucknow and the other at Bangalore. The Indian Mission Control Centre (INMCC), is located at ISTRAC, Bangalore.
INSAT-3A located at 93.5 deg East is equipped with 406 MHz Search and Rescue payload that picks up and relays alert signals originating from the distress beacons of maritime, aviation and land users. INSAT and GOES systems have become an integral part of the COSPAS-SARSAT system and they complement the LEOSAR system

Indian LUTs provide coverage to a large part of Indian Ocean region rendering distress alert services to Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Seychelles, Sri Lanka and Tanzania. The operations of INMCC/LUT are funded by the participating agencies, namely, Coast Guard, Airports Authority of India (AAI) and Director General of Shipping and Services. INSAT GEOSAR Local User Terminal (GEO LUT) is established at ISTRAC, Bangalore and integrated with INMCC. The distress alert messages concerning the Indian service area, detected at INMCC are passed on to Indian Coast Guard and Rescue Coordination Centres at Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi and Chennai. During the year 2011, Indian Mission Control Centre provided search and rescue support to 4 distress incidents in Indian service area through Indian system and contributed in saving 15 lives (within INSAT coverage).

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