General Knowledge 2021

592 Pages·2021·7.328 MB·English

by  Manohar Pandey

Manohar Pandey
GENERAL
KNOWLEDGE
2O21
Manohar Pandey

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CONTENTS
Current Affairs 5-32
INDIAN HISTORY 1-123
Ancient India
The Early Man (1), Indus Valley Civilisation (3), The Aryan and the Vedic
Age (7), Pre-Mauryan Age (12), Magadha Empire (14), Jainism (17),
Buddhism (19), The Mauryan Empire (22), Post-Mauryan Period (25), The Age
of the Guptas (28), Gupta Administration (30), The Harsha Period (33), Sangam
Age (37)
Medieval India
The Rajputs (41), The Delhi Sultanate (43), Vijayanagara Kingdom (AD1336-1580)
(51), Religious Movements (54), The Mughal Empire (57), The Maratha Age (67)
Modern India
Advent of the Europeans (70), Phases of Economic Policy (75), Revolt of 1857
(76), Governor-Generals of Bengal (78), Growth of Modern Education in India
(83), Social and Cultural Uprisings (84), The Indian National Movement (89),
Important National Leaders (102)
Art and Culture of India
Religion(110), Literature (111), Music (112), Dance (114)
World History
Important Wars of the 20th Century (121)
GEOGRAPHY 124-229
World Geography
Universe (125), Solar System (126), The Moon (130), The Earth (131),
Earthquakes (139), Volcanism (140), Rocks (142), Landforms (143),
Atmosphere (144), Climate and Weather (154), Hydrosphere (158),
Movements of Oceanic Water (161), Continents of the World (164)
Indian Geography
Drainage System of India (181), The Climate of India(186), Forest and
Natural Vegetation (189), Agriculture in India (192), Green Revolution (193),
Mineral Resources (195), Energy (198), Transport (199), Major Tribes of
India (204), States/UTs of India (208)
Ecology and Environment
Pollution (221), Biodiversity (222), Biosphere Reserves of India (225),
Glossary (227)
INDIAN POLITY 230-288
Constitution of India (230), The Preamble (238), Union and Its Territory (239),
Citizenship (240), Fundamental Rights (241), Directive Principles of
State Policy (246), Fundamental Duties (248), Union Executive (249),
President (249), Prime Minister (255), Union Council of Ministers (256),
Members of Parliament (258), Supreme Court (263), States Executive (266),
State Legislature (268), Panchayati Raj (275), Municipalities (Articles 243P-243ZG)
(275), Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) (278), Constitutional
Amendments (282), Glossary (286)
INDIAN ECONOMY 289-347
Introduction of Economics (289), National Income of India (290),
Methods of Measuring National Income (291), Strategies of Planning (295),
Demography (300), Poverty (302), Unemployment (304), Rural Development
Programmes (306), Agriculture (314), Industry (319), Insurance Sector (332),
Indian Financial System (334), Union Budget (338), Finance Commission (340),
International Economic Organisations (341), Glossary (344)
GENERAL SCIENCE 348-477
Physics
Units (348), Newton’s Laws of Motion (351), Work, Energy and Power (354),
Gravitation (355), Satellite (356), General Properties of Matter (357),
Density and Relative Density (358), Wave Motion (361), Sound Wave (362),
Heat (363), Light (366), Electricity (370), Atomic and Nuclear Physics (374),
Radioactivity (375), Nanotechnology (376)
Chemistry
Matter and Its States (382), Atomic Structure (386), Radioactivity (389), Acids,
Bases and Salts (398), Electrochemistry (400), Battery (401), Carbon and Its
Compounds (402), Energy Resources (404), Air, Water (408), Important
Points (413)
Biology
The Cell (414), Biomolecules (417), Biological Evolution (420), Systems of
Human Body (424), Diseases (440), Genetics (449), Biotechnology (451),
Botany (454), Agriculture (458), Animal Husbandry (462)
Computer
Types of Computer (466), Components of Computer (467), Networking (470),
Internet (471), Glossary (476), Abbreviations (477)
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE 478-559
First in World (Male) (478), Superlatives World (480), Countries with Capitals
and Currencies (482), Geographical Epithets (483), Major Newspapers of the
World (486), First in India (Male) (488), UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India
(494), Famous Tourist Spots of India (495), Important Dates and Days of the
Year (503), Abbreviations (505), Books and their Authors (509), United
Nations (515), Sports (520), Other Sports (526), Principle Languages of
India (531), National Insignia of India (532), Indian Defence (533), Defence
Research in India (535), India’s Atomic Research (539), Space Programme
of India (540), Awards and Honours (545), National Awards (550),
Film Awards (555)
Current Affairs
NATIONAL
● PM-KISAN beneficiaries to be covered
under the KCC scheme.
UnionBudget2020-21 ● NABARD Re-finance Scheme to be
further expanded.
● Uinn Pioanrli aBmudegnet to 2n0 F2e0b-2r1u awrya s1 ,p 2r0e2se0n bteyd ● `69000 crore allocated for the
healthcare sector. Out of the total
the Union Minister for Finance Nirmala
amount,`6400 crore will be
Sitharaman.
sanctioned forAyushman Bharat
● Thisyear’sUnionBudgetcentresaround Yojana.
threeideas-AspirationalIndia,Economic
development,ACaringSociety. ● Governement will start startInd-Sat
Examto promote study in India and
● The Finance Minister Said that the Union a degree-level online education
Budget 2020-21 aims
programme for the deprived.
● To achieve seamless delivery of ● Government proposed`3000 crore
services throughDigital governance
forSkill Indiato provide relevant skill
● Toimprovephysicalqualityoflife training to the youth
throughNationalInfrastructure
● `27300 crore allocated for 2020-21
pipline
for development and promotion of
● Risk mitigation through disaster Industry and Commerce.
resilience
● Investment Clearance Cellproposed
● Social security throughpension and to be set up to provide ‘end to end’
insurance penetration
facilitation and support.
FocusedPoints ● National Technical Textiles Mission
● Fiscal deficit target pegged at 3.8% of to be set up with four-year
GDP for FY20. implementation period from 2020-21
● Over6 crore farmersunder Pradhan to 2023-24.
Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana have been ● New schemeNIRVIKto be launched
insured. to achieve higher export credit
● Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha disbursement.
and Utthan Mahabhiyan(PM KUSUM) ● 100 more airports to be developed
to be expanded, providing 20 lakh under UDAAN by 2025.
farmers in setting up standalone solar ● Railways will set upKisan Rail
pumps. through PPP model so that
● One-Product One-Districtfor better perishable goods can be transported
marketing and export in the quickly.
Horticulture sector. ● Four station re-development projects
● Agri-credit target for the year 2020-21 and operation of 150 passenger
has been set at`15 lakh crore. trains through PPP.
Current Affairs
6
● `22000 crore proposed for power ● The plan to provide piped water across
and renewable energy sector in Indian households by 2024 with`3.6
2020-21 trillion of funding.
● Expansion of national gas grid EconomicSurvey2019-20
from the present 16200 km to
27000 km proposed. ● India’sEconomicSurvey2019-20was
tabledintheParliamentbyTheChief
● An allocation of`6000 crore will EconomicAdvisor(CEA)KrishnamurthyV.
be provided for BharatNet
SubramanianfollowedbyFinanceMinister
scheme.
NirmalaSitharamanonJan., 31,2020.
● F`Y22816 0fo0r cwroorme ewnil-ll ibnek eadllocated in ● TheEconomicSurvey2019-20buildson
India’saspirationof5trillionEconomyby
programmes.
2024-25withathemeofWealthCreation.
● Allocationforseniorcitizensand
Divyangenhancedto`9500crore. Highlights
● Allocation of`2500 crorefor ● GDPgrowthpeggedat6-6.5%inFY2020-21
2020-21 fortourismpromotion. asagainst5.0%estimatedfor2019-20.
● AnIndian Institute of Heritage ● Survey suggests relaxing Fiscal Deficit
and Conservationunder Ministry target to revive growth in economy
of Culture proposed; with the ● To achieve GDP of $ 5 trillion by 2025,
status of a deemed University. India needs to spend about $ 1.4 trillion
● Reforms accomplished in PSBs; 10 on infrastructure
banks consolidated into 4 and ● Uptick in GDP growth expected in
`350000 crore capital infused. second half of 2019-20
● Government to amend the ● Theme of Survey is to enable markets,
companies Act to decriminalise promote pro-business policies and
civil offences. strengthening trust in the economy.
● Insurance cover for bank ● Ethical wealth creation key to India
depositors raised from`1 lakh to becoming $ 5 trillion economy by 2025
`5 lakh. ● GrossGSTmonthlycollectioncrossedthe
`1lakhcroremarkfivetimestillDec.,2019
● Government to sell govt stake in
IDBI Bank to private investors. ● India ranks third in number of new firms
created; 1.24 lakh firms created in 2018
● The government has proposed to compared to 70000 in 2014
sell a part of its holding in the LIC,
● India’slargeeconomyneedsanefficient
through an initial public offering
bankingsectortosupportgrowth;Stateof
(IPO).
thebankingsystemneedsurgentattention
● Jan Aushadhi Kendra Scheme to ● Survey suggests rationalisation of
offer 2000 medicines and 300
government intervention in boosting
surgicals in all districts by 2024
economic freedom and wealth creation
● TB Harega Desh Jeetega ● AccesstohelathservicesthroughAyushman
campaign launched-commitment
BharatandMissionIndradhanushacrossthe
to end Tuberculosis by2025.
countryhasimproved
● `3.60 lakh crore approved for Jal ● ‘Thalinomics’ :Affordability of vegetarian
Jeevan Mission Thali improved 29% and that of
● `12300 crore allocation for non-vegetarian Thali by 18% from
Swachh Bharat Mission in 2020-21 2006-07 to 2019-20
Current Affairs
7
CabinetApprovedtheMedical It is the fourth waste to energy plant in
TerminationofPregnancy the country and first plant
(Amendment)Bill,2020 commissioned by Government sector
and Indian Railways (IR).
TheUnionCabinethasapprovedthe
MedicalTerminationofPregnancy NewIndianEnglishWordsAdded
(Amendment)Bill,2020onJan.29,2020. toOxfordDictionary
The bill will amend the Medical The tenth edition of the Oxford
Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971 and Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, which
extends the upper limit for permitting was launched on January 24, 2020, has
abortions from the present 20 weeks to 384 Indian English words.
24 weeks.
In this latest edition,26 new Indian
‘Samvidhaan’NamedasOxford languages wordsnamely Aadhaar,
HindiWordof2019 Chawl, dabba, hartal, shaadi and several
incorporate words like chatbot, fake
SamvidhaanorConstitutionhas been
news, microplastic & over 1000 new
named as the Hindi Word of the Year for
words were included.
2019 byOxford University Presson
January 28, 2020. ISROUnveiled‘Vyommitra’for
The word was picked as 2019 saw the Gaganyaan
values of democracy, secularism, justice, The Indian Space Research
liberty, equality, and fraternity being Organisation (ISRO) has unveiled a
tested on the touchstone of the half-humanoid or human-robot named
samvidhaan. ‘Vyommitra’which will be sent to space
as part of the Gaganyaan mission on
SCAllowsGovt.toBringAfrican
January 22, 2020.
CheetahtoIndia
‘Vyom Mitra’ or afriend in the sky;is
The Supreme Court has allowed the
capable of conversing with astronauts,
Centre to introduce the African cheetah
recognising them, and responding to
to a suitable habitat in India (Palpur
their queries.
Kuno sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh) on
an experimental basis on January 28, It is called half-humanoid since it does
2020. not have legs, though it can bend
forward and sideways.
The decision was taken after a petition
was filed by National Tiger Conservation POLNET2.0Facility Launched
Authority (NTCA) to introduce the
Union Minister of State for Home Affairs
African Cheetah from Namibia as the
(MHA) Nityanand Rai has inaugurated
rare Indian Cheetah that has become
revamped police communication
almost extinct in India.
services POLNET 2.0 on January 20,
IndianRailwaysCommissioned 2020.
FirstWastetoEnergyPlant It is a captive satellite-based network
Indian Railways has commissioned the that provides video, audio and data
country’s first governmental waste to connectivity across the country,
energy plant in Mancheswar Carriage especially in times of disasters when
Repair workshop at Bhubaneswar under regular communication either gets
the East Coast Railway zone. jammed or crashes.
Current Affairs
8
ParikshaPeCharcha2020Held IndiaSuccessfullyTest-firedK-4
PM Narendra Modi has attended the BallisticMissile
3rd edition of ‘Pariksha Pe Charcha Indiasuccessfullytest-firedthe3,500km
2020’held at Talkatora Stadium in strikerangenuclear-capableK-4submarine-
New Delhi on January 20, 2020. launchedballisticmissileoffthecoastof
He advised students to study in their AndhraPradeshonJanuary19,2020.
comfortable time, enter the exam hall The missile system is being developed by
with faith andwithout any pressure the DRDO and is to be fitted into the
and start attempting the paper with indigenouslybuilt INS Arihant-class
easier question. nuclear-powered submarines of the Indian
He guided students that they should Navy.
not fear failuresand learn from it as it
PulsePolioProgramme2020
would lead them towards their
Launched
success.
President Ram Nath Kovind has launched
SU-30MKIAircraftSquadron thePulse Polio Programme 2020by
Inducted administering Polio drops to children
Indian Air Force has inducted thefirst below five years at Rashtrapati Bhavan on
Sukhoi-30MKI fighter aircraft squadron January 18, 2020.
at the Thanjavurairbase. The Pulse Polio Programme 2020 was
TheSU-30MKIfightersarebeing conducted as a part ofNational
equippedwiththeair-launched Immunisation Dayacross the country.
versionoftheBrahMossupersonic
APNAUREA–SonaUgleBrandof
cruisemissileswhichcanhittargetsat
HURLLaunched
around300kilometreswithprecision.
Chemicals and Fertilizers Minister DV
ThisisthefirstSU-30MKIfighteraircraft
Sadananda Gowda has launched the
squadroninSouthIndiawhichwill
APNA UREA-Sona Ugle brand of Hindustan
lookafteramaritimeroleaswell.
Urvarak and Rasayan Limited (HURL) in
‘OneNation,OneRationCard’ New Delhi on January 17, 2020.
SchemewillbeImplementedby HURL is a joint venture company
June2020 promoted by the three Maha Ratna
Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan has Companies - Coal India Limited, NTPC
announced on January 20, 2020 that Limited and Indian Oil Corporation
the ‘One Nation, One Ration Card’ Limited.
scheme will be implemented by June ISRO’sGSAT-30Launched
1, 2020 across the country.
India’s ‘high power’ telecommunica- tion
Under this scheme, a beneficiary will
satellite‘GSAT-30’ and EUTELSAT KONNECT
be able to avail benefits across the
was successfully launched from Kourou
country using the same ration card.
launch base, French Guiana by Ariane-5
The beneficiaries will be identified VA-251 on January 17, 2020.
and verified through Aadhaar
It will bereplacing the INSAT-4A satellite,
authentication at the Fair Price Shops
which launched in 2005, and it is designed
on the electronic point of sale
to be operational for at least 15 years.
(e-POS) devices.
Current Affairs
9
SecondPremiumTejasTrain Mukherjee Porton the occasion of 150th
Flagged-off celebrations of the Kolkata Port Trust
Gujarat Chief Minster Vijay Rupani has (KoPT).
flagged-offMumbai-Ahmedabad Tejas Two oldest pensioner of the port Smt.
Expresson January 17, 2020. Nagina Bhagat (105 years) and Mr.
This is the IRCTC’s second premium Naresh Chandra Chakra borty (100
train after the semi-high speed and fully years) were honoured at the event.
air-conditioned Delhi-Lucknow Tejas 2ndRoundofIntensifiedMission
Express. Indradhanush-2.0
The train is fully-air conditioned and
The Union Government has launched
comprises all the modern facilities with
thesecond round of Intensified Mission
personalised reading lights, CCTV
Indradhanush 2.0 at block level in 35
cameras, bio-toilets, LED TV, automatic
districts of Uttar Pradeshon January 7,
doors and many more.
2020.
K9Vajra-TDedicatedtotheNation TheIntensifiedMissionIndradhanush2.0
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has aimstoimmunizechildrenunder2years
dedicated the51st K9 Vajra-T ofageandpregnantwomenagainst
self-propelled artillery gun at the Larsen & eightvaccine-preventablediseases.
Toubro (L&T)armoured system complex 10MoreIndianWetlandsGot
at Hazira in Gujarat on January 16, 2020.
RamsarSiteTag
K9 Vajra-T is a 155-mm, 52-calibre
Ten more wetlands in India have been
self-propelled artillery gun with a
recognized as Ramsar wetland sites,
maximum range of 40 km, customised
taking the total number in the country
from the original K9 Thunder gun.
to 37.
RaisinaDialogue2020Held Uttar Pradeshwith one Ramsar site has
TheMinistryofExternalAffairs(MEA)and addedsixmore namely Nawabganj,
theObserverResearchFoundation(ORF) Parvati Agra, Saman, Samaspur, Sandi
hasjointlyorganisedthe5theditionof and Sarsai Nawar.
the RaisinaDialogue2020 in New Maharashtragot itsfirstRamsar site
Delhi fromJanuary14-16,2020. Nandur MadhameshwarwhilePunjab
The theme of the Raisina Dialogue this which already had three, addedthree
year (2020) is “Navigating the Alpha more sites namely Keshopur-Miani, Beas
Century”. Conservation Reserve and Nangal.
It brought together 700 international 107thIndianScienceCongressHeld
participants out of which 40% of the
The 107th Indian Science Congress (ISC)
speakers were women, emphasising
was inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi
India’s commitment to gender equality.
on January 3, 2020 at the University of
PMModi’sVisittoKolkata Agricultural Sciences in Bengaluru,
Karnataka. The focal theme of the
PM Narendra Modi paid a two-day
congress 2020 isScience and Technology
official visit to Kolkata, West Bengal from
: Rural Development.
January 11-12, 2020. During his visit, he
renamed Kolkata Port asShyama Prasad It aims to bridge the gap between
urban and rural India and improving the