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General Studies Topics for APSC Main Exam 2014

Assam, May 03, 2015

Following are some selected topics for the General Studies paper of upcoming APSC Combined Competitive (Main) Examination 2014. The General Studies syllabus covers a lot of subjects or topics. So, it is impossible to cover all the important topics in a single post like this. Still, we are trying to present some probable topics. Most of our descriptions are brief. So, users are requested to add their own points during their preparation for APSC Mains 2014.

Important Assam Related Topics:

Assam related questions in APSC Main Exam are often tricky. A candidate must show his/her knowledge of the local conditions in the answer. We are listing out some topics for the benefit of the candidates.

Paik System in Ahom Kingdom:

The Paik System was an administrative system, followed by Ahom rulers. Momai Tamuli Barbarua was responsible for introducing this unique system, which constituted the socio-economic foundation of the entire Ahom kingdom. Under this system, every adult male between the age 16 to 50 was a Paik. Four such paiks formed a Got. Paiks were further organised under Khels according to the nature of their duties.

Power sector scenario in Assam:

Power sector plays a great role in socio-economic development of a region. ASEB is responsible for generation, transmission and distribution of power in Assam. As part of Power Reforms and Restructuring process, ASEB was divided into five different companies in 2004. Now there are three companies – APGCL,  AEGCL and APDCL. The status of power generation in the state is poor. The installed capacity is just 376.7 MW.  To meet the demand, ASEB purchases power from other public and private sources. On top of that, there is serious loss of power in Transmission and Distribution. To improve the situation, Assam must install more power generation units. The ongoing projects must be completed and efficiency of ASEB must be increased. In January, 2015, Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Government of India signed a $50 million loan agreement to boost power generation in Assam.

Assam Accord:

Signed on August 15, 1985 between AASU, AAGSP and Central Govt. January 1, 1966 was chosen as the base date for detection and deletion for foreigners. Foreigner coming after 1966 and up to March 24, 1971 were to be detected according to Foreigners Act 1946. Foreigners coming to Assam after March 25, 1971 were to be detected, deleted and expelled. The Assam Accord had provisions of constitutional, legislative and administrative safeguards to protect, preserve and promote the identity and heritage of Assamese people. All around economic development of Assam was emphasized.

BGREI and Assam:

Bringing Green Revolution to Eastern India (BGREI) was initiated in 2010-11 under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana. Goal is to extending green revolution to the Eastern states of Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Eastern Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. It addresses the constraints limiting the productivity of “rice based cropping systems” in identified districts. Strategies include: Water source development, ecology specific technologies, hybrid rice promotion, diversification of upland rice growing areas, increasing cropping intensity, extensive use of Line sowing etc.

Rhino Dehorning:

Rhino horn is mainly modified hair. So, it posses no physical harm to the animal is the horn is removed. Rhino Dehorning was practiced in certain regions in Africa. So, someone proposed it for Assam too. But was is only a strategy to lower incidents of poaching. It can’t stop poaching. Because poachers can kill a rhino just for a scratch of remaining horn or even a baby rhino. Also, removing horn makes the animal vulnerable to other predators and the babies are left defenseless. In simple words, Rhino dehorning is a bad idea.

Wetlands in Assam:

Wetlands are one of the richest and productive ecosystems and they plan important role in hydrological cycle. In Assam, rivers or streams dominate the wetland environment. Various types of wetlands include lakes, ponds, ox-bow lakes, marshy area, reservoirs etc. Wetlands cover nearly 10% of total geographical area of Assam. Dibrugarh district has most wetlands. Growing pressure of increasing population threatening wetlands of Assam. Wetlands of Assam are greatest potential source of income. They can be utilized for fisheries and tourism.

SHGs in Assam:

Self-Help Group (SHG) is a small voluntary association of people, preferably from the same socio-economic background. They members of the group come together for the purpose of solving common problems and sharing similar interests through self-help and mutual help. In India, SHG model was first launched by NABARD in 1985.

Some more topics:
Opportunities for Assam in Act East Policy
Balkanization of Assam
Poor performance of industrial sector in Assam

Other Topics (Polity, Science, Environment etc):

Chandrayaan – II: Chandrayaan II is lunar exploration mission of India. An extension of Chandrayaan – I, the mission will include a lunar orbiter, a lander and a lunar rover. Orbiter will orbit the Moon at an altitude of 200 km; rover will study mineral composition of moon surface and also undertake terrain mapping. Chandrayaan-2 is expected to be launched by end of 2016 or early 2017.

Agni V: Agni V is a three stage solid fueled intercontinental ballistic missile with a range of 5000 – 8000km. Agni V will feature Multiple Independent Re-entry Vehicles (MIRVs), meaning it can carry multiple war heads, including nuclear warheads. On 31 January 2015, India conducted a third test flight of the Agni-V from Wheeler Island.

Agni VI: Agni-VI is a four-stage intercontinental ballistic missile, being developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). It will have range of 8000 – 12000km. Agni-Vi is nuclear-capable and will carry 4-6 separately targetable multiple independent re-entry vehicles (MIRVs).

GSAT-16: GSAT-16 is a Communication satellite of India. It was successfully launched on December 7, 2014 by the Ariane-5 launch vehicle of Arianespace from Kourou, French Guiana. GSAT-16 has 48 communication transponders and is positioned at 55 deg East longitude in the Geostationary orbit.

IRNSS-1D: IRNSS-1D is the fourth satellite in the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS). It was launched from Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR, Sriharikota on March 28, 2015 by PSLV-C27. IRNSS would provide Standard Positioning Services (SPS) to all users and Restricted Services (RS) to authorised users.

GSLV Mk-III: Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mk III (GSLV Mk III) is the India’s next generation launch vehicle. It’s first experimental flight was successfully conducted on December 18, 2014 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR, Sriharikota. The GSLV-III is a three stage launcher with higher payload capacity. It will be used for launching satellites into geostationary orbit and also to launch Indian crew vehicle.

IPCC: The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is a scientific intergovernmental body of the United Nations. It was set up in 1988 by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The IPCC provides an internationally accepted authority on climate change, producing reports which have the agreement of leading climate scientists an the consensus of participating governments. The 2007 Nobel Peace Prize was shared, in two equal parts, between the IPCC and Al Gore.

Agroforestry: Agroforestry is a collective name for those land-use systems and technologies where woody perennials, agricultural crops and/or animals are raised on the same unit of land in some spatial arrangement or temporal sequence. Ecological and economical interactions between the different components is one of the key features of agroforestry.

Environmental Impact Assessment: Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is an important management tool for ensuring optimal use of natural resources for sustainable development. Purpose is to identify and evaluate the potential impacts of a project on the environment. It helps in decision making and should be undertaken in early planning stage of projects. Started in 1978-79, EIA is now mandatory under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

Shifting cultivation: is a type of farming in which the cultivated land is periodically shifted. It results in destruction of forest. It is also called slash-and-burn or Jhum cultivation in India. Write about it’s harmful effects.

Demographic dividend: Demographic dividend is a rise in economic growth of a nation due to the rise of working age population. This occurs with a falling birth rate and increasing population of working age adults. If properly utilized, demographic dividend will lead to growth of domestic production, improved economy, improved standard of living. If failed to utilize the opposrtunity properly, Demographic dividend will lead to increased unemployment, increased dependent population and anti-social activities. Present Education system is a big obstacle here, as it lacks practical knowledge and skills.

Section 66A:  The Supreme Court of India struck down Section 66A of the Information Technology Act on March 24, 2015 . A part of Section 66, which deals with computer related crime, the Section 66(A) outlines “Punishment for sending offensive messages through communication service, etc.” It was added to the act through an amendment in 2008. The bench of Justice J. Chelameswar and Justice Rohinton Fali Nariman of Supreme Court of India called it unconstitutional as it against Article 19(1) a of the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of speech.

NITI Aayog: NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India) replaced Planning Commission on January 1, 2015. It will serve as ‘Think Tank’ to provide relevant strategic and technical advice to both Central and State governments. This is an important topic. Study about NITI aayog from the govt websites.

Features of India Budget 2015: GDP growth target 8 – 8.5%; Inflation target below 6%; removal of wealth tax; additional super rich surcharge of 2%; reduced corporate tax; Rs. 2,46,726 crore for Defence; Rs. 70,000 crores for Infrastructure sector; Rs. 25,000 crore for Rural Infrastructure Development Bank; 5 ultra mega power projects;  Rs. 75 crore for electric cars production; Housing for all by 2020;  new AIIMS (Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Himachal Pradesh, Bihar and Assam); Centre of film production, animation and gaming in Arunachal Pradesh etc.

Clean Ganga Fund: Clean Ganga Fund (CGF) is fund setup by Govt of India to accept voluntary contributions from residents, non-resident Indians (NRIs), Person of Indian Origin (PIO) towards cleaning of the river Ganga. Domestic donations to the fund will be eligible for tax benefits. Foreign donors may also get suitable tax exemptions in domestic law, wherever permissible.

Swachh Bharat Abhiyan: Swachh Bharat Abhiyan is a national campaign by the Government of India. The aim is to clean the streets, roads and infrastructure of the country. It was officially launched on 2 October 2014 at Rajghat, New Delhi, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Swachh Bharat Abhiyan hopes to achieve a Clean India by year 2019, the 150th year of the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

New Development Bank: The New Development Bank (NDB), formerly referred to as the BRICS Development Bank, is a multilateral development bank operated by the BRICS states (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) as an alternative to the existing US-dominated World Bank and International Monetary Fund. The bank is set up to foster greater financial and development cooperation among the five emerging markets. The Shanghai will be the headquarter of New Development bank.

Bachpan Bachao Andolan: Bachpan Bachao Andolan is an India-based society campaigning for the rights of children. Its focuses on ending bonded labour, child labour, human trafficking and child education. Started in 1980 by Kailash Satyarthi, Bachpan Bachao Andolan has freed more than 80,000 child bonded labourers in India. Kailash Satyarthi won Nobel Peace Prize in 2014.

Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank: Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) is a proposed multilateral development bank. It’s goal is to provide finance to infrastructure projects in Asia. Proposed by China, AIIB was launched at a ceremony in Beijing in October 2014. It has already found more than 50 Prospective Founding Members (PFM) including India. The AIIB is expected to be fully functional by the end of 2015. Experts have termed this new financial institution as a rival of IMF, World Bank and Asian Development Bank (ADB).

Following are some more topic titles.
Ordinance
Land Acquisition Bill:
Make in India:
Digital India:
Cybercrime
Recommendation of Bezbaruah Committee
Importance of 73rd and 74th amendments
Project Mausam:
India made destroyer
Millennium Development Goals and results
Participation of foreigners in Indian freedom movement

Apartheid: Apartheid means “the state of being apart” in Afrikaans language. It was a system of racial segregation in South Africa, which curtailed the rights of the black population. It was introduced by the white-ruled National Party governments, which remained in power from 1948 to 1994. Nelson Mandela led the struggle against apartheid and successfully eradicated it.

Montreal Protocol: The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer is an international treaty signed on September 16, 1987. It was aimed eliminating the production and consumption of ozone-depleting chemicals. It came into force on January 1, 1989.

Earth Summit: The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development was held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 1992. It is also known as the Rio Summit, Rio Conference, or the Earth Summit. The Earth Summit resulted in Rio Declaration, Agenda 21 and Forest Principles.

Sustainable development: Sustainable development means developments to meet the needs of the present generation but without compromising the future generation’s ability to meet their own needs. Economic development, social development and environmental protection constitutes the three pillars of sustainable development. Sustainable development must consider the interactions among the three pillars and consequences of our actions.

More topics will be added soon. In the meantime, interested users can provide their own input or topic suggestions. What you think about the above topics? Don’t hesitate to express your opinion or provide your input.

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