TET
|
Sr. No.
|
Abbreviation
|
Stands For
|
|
1
|
AAFI
|
Amateur Athletics Federation of
|
|
2
|
AAPSO
|
Afro-Asian People's Solidarity
Organisation
|
|
3
|
AASU
|
All
|
|
4
|
ABM
|
Anti Ballistic Missile
|
|
5
|
AC
|
Alternate Current OR Air Conditioner
|
|
6
|
ACC
|
Ancillary Cadet Core
|
|
7
|
AD
|
Ano Domini (After the birth of Jesus)
|
|
8
|
ADB
|
Asian Development Bank.
|
|
9
|
AERE
|
Atomic Energy Research Establishment
|
|
10
|
AGOC
|
Asian Games Organisation Committee
|
|
11
|
AICC
|
All
|
|
12
|
AICTE
|
All
|
|
13
|
AIDS
|
Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome
|
|
14
|
AIFE
|
All
|
|
15
|
AIIMS
|
All India Institute of Medical Sciences
|
|
16
|
AIL
|
Aeronautics India Limited
|
|
17
|
AIMPLB
|
All
|
|
18
|
AIR
|
All
|
|
19
|
AITUE
|
All
|
|
20
|
AM
|
Anti
|
|
21
|
ANC
|
African National Congress
|
|
22
|
APEC
|
|
|
23
|
APSC
|
Army Postal Services Core
|
|
24
|
ASEAN
|
Association of South East Asian Nations
|
|
25
|
ASLV
|
Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle
|
|
26
|
ASI
|
Archaeological Survey of
|
|
27
|
ASSOCHAM
|
Associated Chamber of Commerce and
Industry (
|
|
28
|
ASWAC
|
Airborne Surveillance Warning and Control
|
|
29
|
ATS
|
Anti Tetanus Serum
|
|
30
|
BAMS
|
Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and
Surgery
|
|
31
|
BARC
|
Bhabha Atomic Research Centre
|
|
32
|
BBC
|
British Broadcasting Corporation
|
|
33
|
BC
|
Before Christ (Before the birth of Jesus)
|
|
34
|
BCG
|
Bacillus Calmette Guerin (Anti TB
Vaccine)
|
|
35
|
BCCI
|
Board of Control for Cricket in
|
|
36
|
BEL
|
Bharat Electronics Limited
|
|
37
|
|
|
|
38
|
BHEL
|
Bharat Heavy Electronics Limited
|
|
39
|
BIFR
|
Board of Industrial Finance and
Reconstruction (Formerly Industrial Reconstruction Finance Board)
|
|
40
|
BIMSTEC
|
|
|
41
|
BIS
|
Bureau of Indian Standards
|
|
42
|
B Pharma
|
Bachelor of Pharmacy
|
|
43
|
BSF
|
Border Security Force
|
|
44
|
CAD
|
Command Area Development
|
|
45
|
CAG
|
Comptroller and Auditor General
|
|
46
|
CARE
|
Cooperative for American Relief Everywhere
|
|
47
|
CASE
|
Commission for Alternative Sources of
Energy
|
|
48
|
CBI
|
Central Bureau of Investigation
|
|
49
|
CBSE
|
Central. Board of Secondary Education
|
|
50
|
CCEA
|
Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs
|
|
51
|
CCS
|
Cabinet Committee on Security
|
|
52
|
C-DAC
|
Centre For Development of Advance
Computing
|
|
53
|
CDMA
|
Code Division Multiple Access
|
|
54
|
CDRI
|
Central Drug Research Institute
|
|
55
|
CHOGM
|
Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting
|
|
56
|
CID
|
Criminal Investigation Department
|
|
57
|
CIS
|
Commonwealth of Independent States
|
|
58
|
CISF
|
Central Industrial Security Force
|
|
59
|
CITU
|
Centre of Indian Trade Unions
|
|
60
|
CLAT
|
Common Law Admission Test (Started May
2008)
|
|
61
|
CNG
|
Compressed Natural Gas
|
|
62
|
COD
|
Central Ordnance Depot
|
|
63
|
COFEPOSA
|
Conservation of Foreign Exchange and
Prevention of Smuggling Act
|
|
64
|
CPO
|
Central Passport Organisation
|
|
65
|
CPRI
|
Central Power Research Institute
|
|
66
|
CRPF
|
Central Reserve Police Force
|
|
67
|
CRR
|
Cash Reserve Ratio
|
|
68
|
CSIR
|
Council of Scientific and Industrial
Research
|
|
69
|
CSO
|
Central Statistical Organisation
|
|
70
|
CTS
|
Computerised Tomography Scanner
|
|
71
|
CVC
|
Central Vigilance Commission
|
|
72
|
DDT
|
Dichloro Diphenyle Tri-chloroethane
|
|
73
|
DFDR
|
'Digital Flight Data Recorder (Black
box)'
|
|
74
|
DIG
|
Deputy Inspector General
|
|
75
|
D. Lit.
|
Doctor of Literature
|
|
76
|
DM
|
District Magistrate
|
|
77
|
DMK
|
Dravida Munetra Kazhagam
|
|
78
|
DNA
|
Di-oxyribo-Nucleic Acid
|
|
79
|
DPAP
|
'Drought Prone Area Programme
|
|
80
|
DPC
|
Dabhol Power Company
|
|
82
|
DRDO
|
Defence Research and Development
Organisation
|
|
83
|
DTH
|
Direct to Home
|
|
84
|
DVD
|
Digital Versatile Disk
|
|
85
|
EAS
|
Employment Assurance Scheme
|
|
86
|
ECD
|
European Central Bank
|
|
87
|
ECG
|
Electro Cardiogram
|
|
88
|
EEC
|
|
|
89
|
EEG
|
Electro Encephalogram
|
|
90
|
ELISA
|
Enzyme Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay
|
|
91
|
EMF
|
Electromotive Force
|
|
92
|
EPABX
|
Electronic Private Automatic Branch
Exchange
|
|
93
|
EPZ
|
Export Processing Zone
|
|
94
|
ERDA
|
Energy Research and Development
Administration
|
|
95
|
ESMA
|
Essential Services Maintenance Act
|
|
96
|
EVM
|
Electronic Voting Machine
|
|
97
|
EXIM Bank
|
Export-Import Bank of
|
|
98
|
FAO
|
Food and Agriculture Organisation
|
|
99
|
FBI
|
Federal Bureau of Investigation (
|
|
100
|
FBTR
|
Fast Breeder Test Reactor
|
|
101
|
FCI
|
Food Corporation of
|
|
102
|
FDR
|
Flight Data Recorder (Black Box)
|
|
103
|
FERA
|
Foreign Exchange Regulation Act
|
|
104
|
FEMA
|
Foreign Exchange Management Act
|
|
105
|
FICCI
|
Federation of
|
|
106
|
FIPB
|
Foreign Investment Promotion Board
|
|
107
|
FIR
|
First Information Report
|
|
108
|
FRS
|
Fellow of the Royal Society
|
|
109
|
FTII
|
Films and Television Institute of
|
|
110
|
FTZ
|
Free Trade Zone
|
|
111
|
GAIL
|
Gas Authority of India Limited
|
|
112
|
GATT
|
General Agreement on Tariff and Trade
|
|
113
|
GIC
|
General Insurance Corporation
|
|
114
|
GMT
|
Greenwich Mean Time
|
|
115
|
GNLF
|
Gorkha National Liberation Front
|
|
116
|
GNP
|
Gross National Product
|
|
117
|
GPF
|
General Provident Fund
|
|
118
|
GPO
|
General Post Office
|
|
119
|
GPS
|
Global Positioning System
|
|
120
|
GSI
|
Geological Survey of
|
|
121
|
HAC
|
Hindustan Aluminium Corporation
|
|
122
|
HAL
|
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
|
|
123
|
HCF
|
Highest Common Factor
|
|
124
|
HDFC
|
Housing Development Finance Corporation
|
|
125
|
HIV
|
Human Immuno-deficiency Virus
|
|
126
|
HMT
|
|
|
127
|
HUDCO
|
Housing and Urban Development Corporation
|
|
128
|
HYVS
|
High Yield Variety Seeds
|
|
129
|
IAAI
|
|
|
130
|
lAC
|
Indian Airlines Corporation
|
|
131
|
IAEA
|
International Atomic Energy Agency
|
|
132
|
IARI
|
Indian Agricultural Research Institute
|
|
133
|
IBRD
|
International Bank for Reconstruction and
Development (World Bank)
|
|
134
|
ICAR
|
Indian Council of Agricultural Research
|
|
135
|
ICBM
|
Inter Continental Ballistic Missile
|
|
136
|
ICC
|
International Cricket Council
|
|
137
|
ICFTU
|
International Confederation of Free Trade
Unions
|
|
138
|
ICICI
|
Industrial Credit and Investment
Corporation of India Limited
|
|
139
|
ICJ
|
International Court of Justice
|
|
140
|
ICMR
|
Indian Council of Medical Research
|
|
141
|
ICSI
|
Indian Company Secretaries Institute
|
|
142
|
IDA
|
International Development Agency
|
|
143
|
IDBI
|
Industrial Development Bank of
|
|
144
|
IDO
|
International Defence Organisation
|
|
145
|
IDPL
|
Indian Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Limited
|
|
146
|
IFA
|
Indian Football Association
|
|
147
|
IFCI
|
Industrial Finance Corporation of
|
|
148
|
IFFI
|
International Film Festival of
|
|
149
|
IFFCO
|
Indian Farmers Fertilizers Cooperative
|
|
150
|
IFTU
|
International Federation of Trade Unions
|
|
151
|
IIPA
|
Indian Institute of Public Administration
|
|
152
|
IIS
|
Indian Institute of Sciences
|
|
153
|
IISCO
|
Indian Iron and Steel Company
|
|
154
|
IIT
|
Indian Institute of Technology
|
|
155
|
ILO
|
International Labour Organisation
|
|
156
|
IMA
|
|
|
157
|
IMF
|
International Monetary Fund
|
|
158
|
INGCA
|
Indira Gandhi Gallery for Culture and Art
|
|
159
|
INS
|
Indian Naval Ship
|
|
160
|
INSAT
|
Indian National Satellite
|
|
161
|
INTELSAT
|
International Telecommunication Satellite
|
|
162
|
INTERPOL
|
International Police Organisation
|
|
163
|
INTUC
|
Indian National Trade Union Congress
|
|
164
|
IOC
|
International Olympic Committee / Indian
Oil Corporation
|
|
165
|
IPC
|
Indian Penal Code
|
|
166
|
IPKF
|
Indian Peace Keeping Force
|
|
167
|
IQ
|
Intelligence Quotient
|
|
168
|
IRBM
|
|
|
169
|
IRC
|
International Red Cross
|
|
170
|
IRDA
|
Insurance Regulatory Development
Authority
|
|
171
|
IRDP
|
Integrated Rural Development Programme
|
|
172
|
ISB
|
Indian Standard Bureau
|
|
173
|
ISM
|
|
|
174
|
ISO
|
International Organisation for
Standardisation
|
|
175
|
ISP
|
Internet Services Provider
|
|
176
|
ISRO
|
Indian Space Research Organisation
|
|
177
|
IST
|
Indian Standard Time
|
|
178
|
ITBP
|
Indo-Tibet Border Police
|
|
179
|
ITDC
|
Indian Tourism Development Corporation
|
|
180
|
ITPO
|
Indian Trade Promotion Organisation
|
|
181
|
ITO
|
International Trade Organisation
|
|
182
|
IUCN
|
International
|
|
183
|
ITUC
|
Indian Trade Union Congress
|
|
184
|
JMM
|
Jharkhand Mukti Morcha
|
|
185
|
KG
|
Kinder Garten
|
|
186
|
LASER
|
Light Amplification By Stimulated
Emission of Radiation
|
|
187
|
LIC
|
Life Insurance Corporation of
|
|
188
|
LLB
|
Bachelor of Law
|
|
189
|
LLM
|
Master of Law
|
|
190
|
LMG
|
Light Machine Gum
|
|
191
|
LoC
|
Line of Control (
|
|
192
|
LoAC
|
Line of Actual Control (
|
|
193
|
LPG
|
Liquefied Petroleum Gas
|
|
194
|
LSD
|
Lysergic acid diethylamide
|
|
195
|
LTTE
|
Liberation Tigers of Tamil
|
|
196
|
MA
|
Master of Arts
|
|
197
|
MASER
|
Microwave Amplification by Stimulated
Emission of Radiation
|
|
198
|
MBA
|
Master of Business Administration
|
|
199
|
MBBS
|
Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of
Surgery
|
|
200
|
MBT
|
Main
|
|
201
|
MCA
|
Monetary Compensatory Allowance / Master
of Computer Application
|
|
202
|
MCC
|
|
|
203
|
MD
|
Doctor of Medicine
|
|
204
|
MFN
|
Most Favoured Nation
|
|
205
|
MI
|
Military Intelligence
|
|
206
|
MISA
|
Maintenance of Internal Security Act
|
|
207
|
MIT
|
Mechachusates Institute of Technology (
|
|
208
|
MLA
|
Member of Legislative Assembly
|
|
209
|
MLC
|
Member of Legislative Council
|
|
210
|
MNC
|
Multi National Corporation
|
|
211
|
MRCP
|
Member of
|
|
212
|
MRCS
|
Member of
|
|
213
|
MRTPC
|
Monopoly and Restrictive Trade Practices
Commission
|
|
214
|
MODVAT
|
Modified Value Added Tax
|
|
215
|
NABARD
|
National Bank for Agricultural and Rural
Development
|
|
216
|
NACO
|
National AIDS Control Organisation
|
|
217
|
NAEP
|
National Adult Education Programme
|
|
218
|
NAFED
|
National Agricultural and Marketing
Federation
|
|
219
|
NAFTA
|
North American Free Trade Agreement
|
|
220
|
NAPP
|
Narora Atomic Power Plant
|
|
221
|
NASA
|
National Aeronautics and Space
Administration (
|
|
222
|
NASDAQ
|
National Association of Security Dealer's
Active Quotation
|
|
223
|
NASSCOM
|
National Association of Software &
Service Companies
|
|
224
|
NATO
|
|
|
225
|
NCW
|
National Commission for Women
|
|
226
|
NCCR
|
National Council for Civil Right
|
|
227
|
NCERT
|
National Council of Educational Research
& Training
|
|
228
|
NDA
|
|
|
229
|
NDDB
|
National Dairy Development Board
|
|
230
|
NDF
|
National Defence Fund.
|
|
231
|
NEERI
|
National Environment Engineering Research
Institute
|
|
232
|
NEFA
|
North-East Frontier Agency
|
|
233
|
NEPA
|
National Environment Protection Authority
|
|
234
|
NFDC
|
National Film Development Corporation
|
|
235
|
NFL
|
National Fertilizer Limited
|
|
236
|
NHRC
|
National Human Rights Commission
|
|
237
|
NICO
|
New Information and Communication Order
|
|
238
|
NIDC
|
National Industrial Development Corporation
|
|
239
|
NIIT
|
National
|
|
240
|
NIMHANS
|
National Institute of Mental Health and
Neuro-Sciences
|
|
241
|
NITIE
|
National Institute for Training in
Industrial Engineering
|
|
242
|
NMDS
|
National Missile Defence System (US)
|
|
243
|
NMEP
|
National Malaria Eradication Programme
|
|
244
|
NOIDA
|
New Okhla Industrial Development
Authority
|
|
245
|
NPC
|
National Productivity Council
|
|
246
|
NPP
|
National Population Policy
|
|
247
|
NPT
|
Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty
|
|
248
|
NRDC
|
National Research and Development
Corporation
|
|
249
|
NREP
|
National Rural Employment Programme
|
|
250
|
NRI
|
Non Resident Indian
|
|
251
|
NSC
|
National Security Council
|
|
252
|
NSSO
|
National Sample Survey Organisation
|
|
253
|
NTC
|
National Textile Corporation
|
|
254
|
NTPC
|
National Thermal Power Corporation
|
|
255
|
OGL
|
Open General Licence
|
|
256
|
OIL
|
Oil India Limited
|
|
257
|
OK
|
All Correct
|
|
258
|
ONGC
|
Oil and Natural Gas Commission
|
|
259
|
OPEC
|
Organisation of Petroleum Exporting
Countries
|
|
260
|
PCI
|
Press Council of
|
|
261
|
PCS
|
Provincial Civil Services
|
|
262
|
Ph. D
|
Doctor of 'Philosophy
|
|
263
|
PIN
|
Postal lndex Number
|
|
264
|
PLO
|
|
|
265
|
PM
|
Post
|
|
266
|
POTA
|
Prevention of Terrorism Act
|
|
267
|
PSLV
|
Polar. Satellite Launch Vehicle
|
|
268
|
PTI
|
Press Trust of
|
|
269
|
PRO
|
Public Relations Officer
|
|
270
|
PTO
|
Please Turn Over
|
|
271
|
PVC
|
Poly Vinyl Chloride / Paramvir Chakra
|
|
272
|
PVSM
|
Param Vishisht Seva Medal
|
|
273
|
PWD
|
Public Work's Department
|
|
274
|
PWG
|
People's War Group
|
|
275
|
QED
|
Quod Erat Demonstrandum (Which was to be
proved)
|
|
276
|
QEF
|
Quod Erat Faciendum (Which was to be
done)
|
|
277
|
QEI
|
Quod Erat Inveniendum (Which was to be
found)
|
|
278
|
QMG
|
Quarter Master General
|
|
279
|
RADAR
|
Radio Angle Direction and Range
|
|
280
|
RAW
|
Research and Analysis Wing
|
|
281
|
R & D
|
Research and Development
|
|
282
|
RBI
|
Reserve Bank of
|
|
283
|
RCC
|
Reinforced Cement Concrete
|
|
284
|
RDX
|
Research Developed Explosive
|
|
285
|
RIMC
|
|
|
286
|
RMS
|
Railway Mail Service
|
|
287
|
RLEGP
|
Rural Landless Employment Guarantee
Programme
|
|
288
|
RNA
|
Ribonucleic Acid
|
|
289
|
RPM
|
Revolutions Per Minute
|
|
290
|
RSS
|
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh
|
|
291
|
RTO
|
Regional Transport Officer
|
|
292
|
SAARC
|
South Asian Association for Regional
Cooperation
|
|
293
|
SAC
|
Space Application Centre
|
|
294
|
SAFTA
|
South Asian Free Trade Agreement
|
|
295
|
SAI
|
Sports Authority of
|
|
296
|
SAIL
|
Steel Authority of India Limited
|
|
297
|
SAPTA
|
South Asian Preferential Trade
Arrangement
|
|
298
|
SARS
|
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome
|
|
299
|
SC
|
|
|
300
|
SCI
|
Shipping Corporation of
|
|
301
|
SCOPE
|
Standing Conference of Public Enterprises
|
|
302
|
SCRA
|
Special Class Railway Apprentice
|
|
303
|
SDR
|
Special Drawing Rights
|
|
304
|
SEBI
|
Security Exchange Board of
|
|
305
|
SGPC
|
Siromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee
|
|
306
|
SHAR
|
|
|
307
|
SIDBI
|
Small Industries Development Bank of
|
|
308
|
SIS
|
Secret Intelligence Service (U.K)
|
|
309
|
SITA
|
Suppression of .Immoral Traffic in Women
and Girls Act
|
|
310
|
SLV
|
Satellite Launch Vehicle
|
|
311
|
SPCA
|
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty of
Animals
|
|
312
|
SPICMC
|
Society for the Promotion of Indian
Classical music and culture
|
|
313
|
STARS
|
Satellite Tracking and Ranging Station
|
|
314
|
STD
|
Subscribers Trunk Dialing
|
|
315
|
STPI
|
Software Technology Parks of
|
|
316
|
SWAPO
|
South West African People's Organisation
|
|
317
|
TA
|
Travelling Aliowance / Territorial Anmy
|
|
318
|
TELCO
|
Tata Engineering and Locomotive Company
|
|
319
|
TELEX
|
Teleprinter Exchange
|
|
320
|
TISCO
|
Tata Iron and Steel Company Limited
|
|
321
|
TNT
|
Tri-nitro-toluene
|
|
322
|
TOEFL
|
Test of English as a Foreign Language
|
|
323
|
TRAI
|
Telecom Regulatory Authority of
|
|
324
|
TRIPS
|
Trade Related Intellectual Property
Rights
|
|
325
|
TTE
|
Travelling Ticket Examiner
|
|
326
|
TTFI
|
Table Tennis Federation of
|
|
327
|
TWA
|
Trans World Airlines (
|
|
328
|
UDC
|
Upper Division Clerk
|
|
329
|
UFO
|
Unidentified Flying Object
|
|
330
|
UGC
|
University Grants Commission
|
|
331
|
UHT
|
Ultra High Temperature
|
|
332
|
ULFA
|
United Liberation Front of
|
|
333
|
UNASUR
|
Union of South American Nations (Spanish:
Unión de Naciones Suramericanas)
|
|
334
|
UNCTAD
|
United Nations Conference on Trade and
Development
|
|
335
|
UNDP
|
United Nations Development Programme
|
|
336
|
UNEF
|
United Nations Emergency Force
|
|
337
|
UNEP
|
United Nations Environment Programme
|
|
338
|
UNESCO
|
United Nations Economic Social and
Cultural Organisation
|
|
339
|
UNFPA
|
United Nations for Population Activities
|
|
340
|
UNHCR
|
United Nations High Commission for
Refugees
|
|
341
|
UNI
|
United News of
|
|
342
|
UNICEF
|
United Nations International Children's
Emergency Fund
|
|
343
|
UNO
|
United Nations Organisation
|
|
344
|
UPS
|
Uninterrupted Power Supply
|
|
345
|
UPSC
|
Union Public Service Commission
|
|
346
|
|
Union of
|
|
347
|
UTI
|
Unit Trust of
|
|
348
|
VAT
|
Value Added Tax
|
|
349
|
VDIS
|
Voluntary Disclosure of Income Scheme
|
|
350
|
VC
|
Vice-Chancellor / Victoria Cross
|
|
351
|
VIP
|
Very Important Person
|
|
352
|
VPP
|
Value Payable Post
|
|
353
|
VRS
|
Voluntary Retirement Scheme
|
|
354
|
VSNL
|
Videsh Sanchar Nigam Limited
|
|
355
|
VSSC
|
Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre
|
|
356
|
WEF
|
World Economic Forum
|
|
357
|
WHO
|
World Health Organisation
|
|
358
|
WILL
|
Wireless in Local
|
|
359
|
WMO
|
World Meteorological Organisation
|
|
360
|
WWF
|
World Wild Life Fund
|
|
361
|
WPI
|
Wholesale Price Index
|
|
362
|
WTO
|
World Trade Organisation
|
|
363
|
WWF
|
World Wild Life Fund for Nature
|
|
364
|
WWW
|
World Wide Web
|
|
365
|
YMCA
|
Young Men's Christians Association
|
|
366
|
YWCA
|
Young Women's Christians Association
|
|
367
|
ZBB
|
Zero Based Budgeting
|
|
368
|
ZSI
|
Zoological Survey of
|
I NATIONAL SYMBOLS
11.1 National Flag
National Flag of India was adopted by the
Constituent Assembly on the July 22, 1947. It was presented to the nation, on
behalf of the women of India, at the midnight session of the Assembly on the
August 14, 1947.
The National Flag of India is a horizontal tricolour
of deep saffron ('kesari') at the top, white in the middle and GP green
at the bottom in equal proportion. Ratio of the width of the flag to its length
is two to three. In the centre of the white band is a navy blue wheel which
represents the charakha. Its design is that of the wheel
appears on the abacus of the Sarnath Lion Capital of Ashoka (dharma chakra). Its diameter approximates to the
width of the white band. It has 24
spokes.
Saffron
stands for courage, sacrifice and renunciation. White stands for truth and
purity. Truth in words and actions. ana puriry in thoughts Green is the symbol of the life, abundance and
prosperity. Chakra is the symbol of progress and of movement.
The flag of the Indian
National Congress before independence was the same, only with a slight difference.
Instead of the chakra it had the
Charkha.
On
July 22, 1947, the Constituent Assembly passed a resolution deciding what the
National Flag would be like. It was decided that the cloth used for the Flag
should be home spun and handwoven khadi, which was so dear to Gandhiji.
Secondly, the four standard lengths that were recommended were 36, 72, 144 and
252 inches and the widths corresponding to them would be 24, 48, 96 and inches.
.
Flag Code The dignity and honour of the National Flag demanded
its correct and respectful use. For this, a Flag Code, consisting of a set of
rules, was decided upon by our founding fathers. Some of the rules of the Flag
Code are:
0
No flag or emblem should be placed either above
the
National Flag or to its right.
I
All flags are to be placed to the left of the National
Flag,
if they are hung in a line.
0
When these flags are raised, the National Flag must be the highest.
0 Nonnally, the National Flag should be flown over
important government buildings only, like the high courts, the secretariats,
commissioners' offices, colIectorates, jails, embassies, and the like.
I The use of the National Flag is, however,
unrestricted on certain special occasions, such as the Independence Day,
Republic Day, Mahatma Gandhi's birthday and other days of national rejoic109.
0 It should always be taken down in the evening.
General
Knowledge H3
.
New Flag Code (2002)
On January 25,.2002, the new 'Flag Code of India 2002'
was released by the Union government. The National Tricolour can now be flown a
tpp h04ses, pffices or shops, with the amended flag bode coming into
force from the Republic Day 2002. There shall be no restriction on the display
of the National Flag by public or private organisations and individuals, and
the tricolour can be hoisted on all days. The restrictions, which were
considerably reduced, would include use of the flag for commercial gains, or as
part of drapery and dress
material or to cover a dais
or a platform. The flag should not touch ground or water and neither should it
be draped on vehicles of printed onacostome.E;arlier on January 15, 2002, the
Union cabinet decided that all citizens of India could hoist the Tricolour
throughout the year. Previously they could-do so only on special days such as
Republic Day and .indepedence Day.
Historic Judgment The Delhi High Court in a judgment
on September 22, 1995, said that any citizen can fly
the National Flag on his or her house/building, nullifying the Flag code which
confers the honour on a few top government officials. The court said that so
long as the citizen is not disrespectful to the flag, he is within his rights
to use it.
Beforethe high court judgment, the citizen had the
right to hoist the National Flag on his or her premises or vehicles only on
Independence Day and the Republic Day. The right to use the flag on other days
was the exclusive privilege of the president, Central and state ministers and
the governors.
In a Major ruling onJ anuary 23, 2004, the Supreme
Court declared that hoisting of the National Flag by the citizens is a
Fundamental Right under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution.
1.2 National Emblem
The National Emblem of India is an adaptation from the
Samath Lion Capital of Ashoka. In the original, there are four lions, standing
back to back, mounted on an abacus with a frieze carrying sculptures in high
relief of an elephant, a galloping horse, a bull and a lion separated by
intervening wheels over a bell-shaped lotus. Carved out of a single block of
polished sandstone, the capital is crowned by the 'Wheel of the Law' (Dharma
Chakra).
The original lioned capital of the pillar was designed
by Emperor Ashoka between 242-232 BC to mark the hallowed spot where Mahatma
Buddha first initiated his disciples in the eight-fold path of Salvation. This
was adopted as the National Emblem on the January 26, 1950 . by the Government
of India.
In the State Emblem adopted by the Government of
India, only three lio~ are visible, the fourth being hidden from view. The
wheeC appears in relief in the centre of the abacus with a bull on right and a
horse on left and the
H4 General
Studies Manual .
outline
of other wheels on extreme right and left. The bellshaped lotus has been
omitted.
The lion is a symbol of majesty and disciplined
strength, the bull of steadfastness and hardwork, and the horse of energy,
loyalty and speed.
The words satyameva jayate are inscribed below
the base plate of the Emblem in the Devanagari script. The words satyameva
jayate are taken from the mundaka upanishad, meaning 'truth alone
triumphs'.
The Indian National Emblem represents the authority of
the Government.
1.3 National Anthem
The song 'jana gana mana', composed by Rabindranath
Tagore is the National Anthem of India. It was adopted by the Constituent
Assembly as the National Anthem of India on January 24, 1950. It was first sung
on December 27,
1911 at the Calcutta Session of the Indian National
Congress. The complete song consists of five stanzas. The First stanza consists
full version of the National Anthem.
The playing til))e of the full version of the National
Anthem is approxihIately 52 seconds. The playing time of the short version
consisting of first and last lines of the stanza is approximately 20 seconds.
The song 'jana gana mana' was first published in
January 1912, under the title 'Bharat Vidhata' in the Tatva Bodhini Patrika edited
by Tagore himself. The song was translated into English bY,Tagore in 1919,
under the title 'Morning Song of India'.
The National Anthem like National Flag is the sacred
symbol of India as a free nation. It is a call to all our countrymen to be
united and strong.
The following rules are observed with regard to the
National
Anthem:
. When National Anthem is sung or played, one must
stand at attention and motionless. To move about or
talk
is disrespectful.
.
One should be able to sing correctly.
. One must show respect to the Anthem everywhere
and
on all occasions.
1.4 National Song
The song 'vande mataram' , composed by Bankimchandra
Chatterji, is the National Song of India. It was adopted by the Constituent
Assembly on January 24, 1950, along with the National Anthem. It has an equal
status with 'jana gana mana'. It was first sung at the 1896 session of the
Indian National Congress.
The song Vande Mataram was a source of inspiration to
the Indian people in their struggle for freedom. The National Song is taken
from Bankim Chandra Chattetji's novel Ananda Math, published in 1882.
The song 'Vande Mataram' was composed by Bankim
Chandra Chatterji in Sanskrit. Its English translation was rendered by Sri
Aurobindo.
I1.5 National Calendar
At
the time of independence, the government of In~
, followed the Gregorian Calendar based on the Chrisbl
era.
The National Government adopted the recommendatiol
of
the Calendar Reform Committee that the Saka era~
adopted
as the basis of the National Calender. The ~ab
1year
has the normal 365 days and begins with chaitra3J~ first month.
A uniform National Calendar based on the Sakam (which
began with vernal equinox of AD 78) with chailll as its first month and phalguna
as its last month, anal I normal year of 365 days was adopted from March
22, I~ji along with Gregorian Calendar.
The
National Calendar is issued for the followingoffici~
purposes:
(i)
Gazettee of India,
(ii)
News broadcast by All India Radio,
I(iii)
Calendars issued by the Government of India, ana . (iv) Government
communications addressed to the pu~ lie.
The days of the Saka calendar have a permanenl
correspondence with the dates of the Gregorian calenda!: Chaitra 1
falling on March 22 in a normal year and on March 21 in a leap year. The
National Calendar commenced on Chaitra 1 Saka, 1879 which corresponds to
March 21. 1957 AD.
Months of the
National Calendar:
. Chaitra, .
Vaishakha,
. Jaishtha .
Ashadha
. Shravan .
Bhadra
. Ashvina .
Kartika
. Margashirsha .
Pausha
. Magha .
Phalguna
The months of the National Calendar, with their days
and the dates of the Gregorian Calendar corresponding 10 the first day of
the Saka month are given below: Saka Gregorian
1
Chaitra 30/31 days 1 Vaishaka 31
1
Jaishtha 31
1
Ashadha 31
1
Shravana 31
1
Bhadra 31
1
Ashvina 30
1
Kartika 30
1
Ma~ashirsha 30 1 Pausha 30
1
Magha 30
1
Phalguna 30
March
22/21 April 21 May 22 June 22 July 23 Aug. 23 Sept. 23 Oct. 23 Nov. 22 Dec. 22
Jan. 21 Feb. 20
1,6 National Animal
The magnificent tiger, Panthera tigris (Linnaeus)
is the National Animal of India. Out of eight races of the species mown, the
Indian race, the Royal Bengal Tiger, is found ihroughout the country except the
north-western region. It is also found in Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh.
To check the dwindling population of tigers in India,
'PrOject Tiger' was launched in 1973. So far, 27 tiger reserves have been
established in the country under this JXOJect.
Lion was the national animal of India till 1972. Later
l1li, it was replaced by tiger.
1.7 National Bird
The Indian peacock, Pavo cristatus (Linnaeus),
is the ~auonal Bird ofIndia. The peacock is widely found in the Indian sub-continent.
It is fully protected under the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
1.8 National Flower
lotus is the National Flower of India. It symbolises
the IIUlh that a person can rise above the worldly evils and ltep himselfhigh
above them.
1.9 National Fruit
Mango is the National Fruit of India. Mango is a
fleshy iuit of the tree Mangifena Indica. In India, there are over 100
varieties of mangoes in different sizes, shapes and colours,
1.10 National Tree
Banyan tree is the National Tree of India. The Banyan
tree ian Indian fig tree, Ficus Bengalensis, whose branches
'-mthemselves like new trees over a large area. This
tree ,iconsidered immortal and is an integral part of the myths IIlegends of
India.
~ SEASONS OF INDIA (TRADITIONAL)
Ir Indian tradition recognises a two-monthly cycle of
ons,
According to the Indian convention, the year is
~ndO rhe
following six seasons ('ritus'):
Seasons Months
. (according
to
l Indian Calendar)
Vasanta Chaitra-Baisakha .Grishma Jyestha-Ashadha
Varsha Sravana-Bhadra
harada
Ashvina-Kartika Hemant Margashirsha-Pausha
ishira
Magha-Phalguna
Months (according to English Calendar)
March-April
May-June July-August Sept.-October Nov.-Dec.
Jan.-February
General
Knowledge H5
.
The Vasanta is the first season of the year and
roughly corresponds to the spring. The season, however, does not fully coincide
with the English months of March and April as it extends over the period
mid-February to mid-April.
The Vasanta is replaced by Grishma (summer)
occurring during laishtha and Ashadha (mid-April-Mid-June).
The Varsha ritu (rainy season) of the Indian
tradition extends over Shravana to Bhadra (July-August). The
rainy season may, however, set in by the middle of May and June, and continue
up to the middle of September with marginal variations in different parts of
the country.
The Sharada ritu occurs in Asvina-Kartika (midSeptember
to mid-November). However, there is no clear distinction between theSharada and
the following Hemanta (Margashirsa-Pausa) except that the cold weather
is rigorous during the latter. TheSharada is clearly transitional
between the Varsha and the Hemanta.
The Hemanta is followed by the Shishira and
occurs in Magha andPhalguna (January-February). DuringShishira the
cold weather gradually gives way to the spring.
It must be noted that this view of seasons holds good
in north and central parts of India. There are some variations in seasons in
the southern region of the peninsula.
III FLORA
India is one of the 12 mega biodiversity countries of
the world. The country has a large variety of plants, about 45,000 species in
number. Of these, 15,000 are flowering plants, 1,676 algae, 1,940 lichens,
12,480 fungi, 64 gymnosperms, 2,843 bryophytes and 1,012 peteriodophytes.
India can be divided into eight distinct floristic
regions, namely, the western Himalayas, the eastern Himalayas, Assam, the Indus
plain, the Ganga plain, the Deccan, Malabar and the Andamans.
The western Himalayan region extends from Kashmir to
Kumaon. Its temperate zone is rich in forests of Chir, Pine, other conifers and
broad-leaved temperate trees. Higher up, forests of deodar, blue pine, spruce
and silver fir occur. The alpine zone extends from upper limit of the temperate
zone to about 4,750 metres or even higher. The characteristic trees of this
zone are high-level silver fir, silver birch and junipers.
The eastern Himalayan region extends from Sikkim
eastwards and embraces Darjeeling, Kurseong and the adjacent tract. The
temperate zone has forests of oaks, laurels, maples, rhododendrons,
alder and birch. Many conifers, junipers and dwarf willows also occur.
The
Assam region comprises the Brahmaputra and the
Surma valleys and the
intervening hill ranges. The vegetation is luxuriant with evergreen forests,
occasional thick clumps of bamboos and tall grasses.
H6 General
Studies Manual .
The Indus plain region comprises the plains of Punjab,
western Rajasthan and northern Gujarat. It is dry and hot and supports natural
vegetation.
The Ganga plain region covers the area from the
Aravalli ranges to Bengal and Orissa. A greater part of the area is alluvial
plain and is under cultivation for wheat, sugarcane and rice. Only small areas
support forests of widely differing types.
The Deccan region comprises the entire table land of
the Indian Peninsula and supports vegetation of various kinds from scrub
jungles to mixed deciduous forests.
The Malabar region covers the excessively humid belt
9f mountain country parallel to the west coast of the Peninsula. Besides being
rich in forest vegetation, this region produces important commercial crops,
such as coconut, betelnut, pepper, coffee and tea, rubber and cashewnut.
The Andaman region abounds in evergreen, mangrove,
beach and diluvial forests. The Himalayan region extending from Kashmir to
Arunachal Pradesh through Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan, Meghalaya and Nagaland and the
Deccan Peninsula is rich in endemic flora, with a large number of plants which
are not found elsewhere.
The Botanical Survey ofIndia (BSI), established in
1980, is responsible for surveying and identifying the plant resources of the
country. It has its headquarters at Kolkata and nine circles located in
different regions of the country.
3.1 Biosphere Reserves
Biosphere reserves are multi-purpose protected areas
to preserve the genetic diversity in repr-esentative ecosystems. The major
objectives of biosphere reserves are: (a) to conserve diversity and intergrity
of plants, animals and micro-organisms; (b) to promote research on ecological
conservation and other environmental aspects and; (c) to provide facilities for
education, awareness and training. So far 13 biosphere reserves have been set
up, viz.(i) Nilgiri; (ii) Nanda Devi; (iii) Nokrek; (iv) Great Nicobar; (v)
Gulf of Mannar; (vi) Manas; (vii) Sunderbans; (viii) Similipal; (ix) Dibru
Daikhowa; (x) Pachmarhi; (xi) Dehong Deband; (xii) Kanchenjunga; and (xiii)
Agasthyamalai.
3.2 Mangroves
Mangroves are salt-tolerant forest eco-systems found
mainly in the tropical and sub-tropical inter-tidal regions of the W orId. They
are reservoirs of a large number of plant and animal species associated
together over a long evolutionary time and exhibiting remarkable capacity for
salt tolerance. They stabilise the shoreline and act as a bulwark against
encroachments by the sea. Mangroves occur all along the Indian coastline in
sheltered estuary,
tidal creeks, backwaters, salt marshes and mud flat~
Mangroves cover in the country occupies an area of 4,4~~ sq km (0.14% of
geographic area). Thirty-three mangrq'
areas have been identified for conservation and
managel11t, purposes. Some of these are: Northern Andaman ani Nicobar (Andaman
and Nicobar Islands), Sunderban (West Bengal), Bhitarkanika (Orissa), Comiga,
Godavm Delta and Krishna Estuary (Andhra Pradesh), Mahanai De.lta (Orissa),
Pitchavaram and Point Calimar (Tami! Nadu), Goa (Goa), Gulf of Kutch (Gujarat),
Coondapur; (Kamataka), AchraJRatnagiri (Maharashtra) and Vembanaa (Kerala).
3.3 Wetlands
India has a wealth of
wetland eco-systems distributed in different geographical regions. Most of the
wetlands in India are directly or indirectly linked with major river systems
such as the Ganga, Brahmaputra, Narmada, Tapti, Godavari, Krishna, Cauveri, and
so on. A programme on conservation of wetlands is being implemented by the
government since 1987 a!1d a total number of 24 wetlana~ are covered under it. .
India is a signatory to the Convention on Wetlandsof'
international importance, especially as Waterfowl Habitat (Ramsar Convention)
and six Indian wetlands, viz. Keoladeo National Park (Bharatpur) and Sambar
(Raj as than), Chilka (Orissa), Loktak (Manipur), Wullm (Jammu & Kashmir),
and Harike (Punjab) have been designated under this convention.
3.4 Coral Reefs
Coral reefs are shallow-water tropical marine
ecosystems, characterised by high biomass production and rich flom! and faunal
diversity. Four coral areas-Gulf of Mannar, Andaman and Nicobar Islands,
Lakshadweep Islands ana Gulf of Kutch have been identified for conservation and
management. State-level steering committees have been constituted for the
formulation and implementation of management action plans. Such action plans
have been sanctioned for Andaman and Nicobar and Gulf of Mannm coral reefs so
far.
3.5 Forests
The forest cover in the country is 6,75,538 sq km ana
constitutes 20.55 percent of its geopraphical area. Of this, dense forest
constitutes 12.68 percent and open forest 7.87 percent.
India has a forest policy since 1894. It was revised
in 1952 and again in 1988. The main plank of the Forest Policy 6r 1988 is
protection, conservation and development of forest. Its aims are: (i)
maintenance of environmental stability through preservation and restoration of
ecolo~cal
balance; (ii) conservation of natural heritage; (iii)
check 1111 soil erosion and denudation in catchment area of rivers, lakes and
reservoirs; (iv) check on extension of sand dunes in desert areas of Rajasthan
and along coastal tracts; (v) substantial increase in forest tree cover through
massive afforestation and social forestry programmes; (vi) steps to meet requirements
of fuel wood, fodder, minor produce and soil timber of rural and tribal
populations; (vii) increase inproductivity of forest to meet the national
needs; (viii) encouragement of efficient utilisation of forest produce and
optimum substitution of wood and; (ix) steps to create massive people's
movement with involvement of women toachieve the objectives and minimise
pressure on existing forests.
Under the provisions of the Forest (Conservation) Act,
\980, prior approval of the Central Government is required for diversion of
forest lands for non-forest purposes.
IV FAUNA
F.ltablished in 1916, the Zoological Survey of India
(ZSI) ~ responsible for carrying out surveys of the faunal resources of the
country. While the headquarters of Zoological Survey of India is at Kolkata, it
has 16 regional ., ~ations located in different parts of the country.
India has great variety of fauna numbering 81, 251
tpeCleS. which represent 6.67 per cent of world's
fauna. Of these, insects constitute about 60,000, molluscs a little over 5,000.
mammals 372, birds 1,228, reptiles 446, IIIIphibians 204. and fishes 2,546.
The mammals include the
majestic elephant, the gaur .Indian bison-the largest of existing
bovines, the great lOOian rhinoceros, the gigantic wild sheep of the Himalayas,
,1be swamp deer, the thamin spotted deer, nilgai, the four~ ~ed antelope, the
Indian antelope or black-buck-the i,lj representatives of these genera. Among
the cats, the . rand lion are the most magnificient of all; other splendid itures such as the clouded leopard, the snow
leopard,
,e marbled cat. and so on
are also found. Several birds : phmants. geese, ducks, mynahs, parakeets,
pigeons, lieS. hombills and sunbirds inhabit forests and wetlands. Rivers and
lakes harbour crocodiles and gharials, the erbemg the only representative of
crocodilian order in world. The salt
water crocodile is found along the
tern coast and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. A
Djec' for breeding crocodiles started in 1974, has been itrumental in
saving the crocodile from extinction.
"Welve schemes are in operation in different
states for :eding crocodiles. The great Himalayan range has a very interesting
funa
includes wild sheep and goats, markhor, ibex, shrew
General
Knowledge H7
.
and tapir. The .lesser pands and the snow leopard are
also found in the upper reaches of the mountains.
Though a total picture of endemism in Indian fauna is
difficult to assess but the centres of endemism could be identified which are
Western Ghats, eastern Himalayas and western Himalaya. Information on endemism
among vertebrate is better known than invertebrates. A numberical figure for
some faunal groups are as follows.
Faunal Groups
Mammals
Birds
Reptiles Amphibias
Endemic
Threatened
38
69 214 110
77 55 20 1
The National Wildlife Action Plan adopted in 1983 has
been revised and the new Wildlife Action Plan (2002-2016) has been adopted. It
provides the framework of strategy as well as programme for conservation of
wildlife. At present, the protected area network comprises 89 national parks
and 490 sanctuaries covering 4.66% per cent of the total geographical
area of the country.
The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 adopted by all
states except Jammu & Kashmir (which has its own Act), governs wildlife
conservation and protection of endangered species. The Act prohibits trade in
rare and endangered species. An Inter-State Committee has been set up to review
the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and other laws.
India is a signatory to the Convention on
International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES).
Under this, export or import of endangered species and their products is
subject to strict control. Commercial exploitation of such species is
prohibited. India is also a signatory to the Memorandum of Understanding concerning
the conservation of Siberian cranes.
A Central Zoo Authority has been set up to look after
the management of zoological parks in the country. It coordinates the
activities of over 200 existing zoos and also supervises the exchange of
animals on a scientific basis.
Project Tiger, one of the premier conservation efforts
of the country, was launched in April 1973. Under this scheme, 27 tiger
reserves have been set up all over the country. A Global Tiger Forum has been
set up at New Delhi. A Tiger Crisis Cell has been set up to obtain all the
information essential for conservation of the tiger.
Under the Project
Elephant, states having free-ranging
population of wild elephants are being given financial
as well as technical and scientific assistance to ensure longterm survival of
identified viable populations of elephants in their natural habitats.
'"
H8 General Studies Manual .
Project Elephant was launched in the year 1991-92. The
scheme presently covers eleven states, namely, Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Arunachal
Pradesh, Bihar, Karnataka, Kerala, Meghalaya, Orissa, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh
and West Bengal.
Project Tiger Reserves
Name of the Reserves
Location & State Hazaribagh
(Bihar)
Mayurbhanj (Orissa) Daltonganj (Bihar)
Mysore
(Karnataka)
Mandla
and Balaghat (MP.) Maharashtra
Sawai
Madhopur (Rajasthan) Garhwal. (U.P.)
24-Pargana
(West Bengal) Barpetal (Assam)
Idukki
(Kerala)
Alwar
(Rajasthan)
West
Benga\
Madhya
Pradesh
. Srisailam (A.P.)
Tirap
(Arunachal Pradesh) Lakhimpur Kheri (U.P.) Tirunelveli (Tamil Nadu) Chandrapur
(Maharashtra) Shadbl (Madhya Pradesh) Madhya Pradesh
Aizwal
(Mizbram)
Nagpur
(Maharashtra) Karnataka
Madhya
Pradesh
1.
Valmil<i
2.
Simlipal
3.
Palamau
4.
Bandipur
5.
Kanha
6..
Melghat
7.
Ranthambore
8.
Corbett
9.
Sunderbans
10.
Manas
11.
Periyar
12.
Sariska
"\'3. Buxar
14.
Indravathi
15.
Nagarjuna Sagar 16. Namdapha
17.
Dudwa
18.
Kalkad-Mundanthuria 19. Tadoba
20.
Bandhavagarh 21.Panna
22.
Dampha
23.
Pench
24.
Bhadra
25.
Pench
vENVIRONMENT AND POLLUTION
In the beginning of the fourth Five Year Plan,
problems and issues centred around environment received special attention of
the government. This resulted in the establishment of the National Council of
Environmental Planning and Co-ordination in 1972 at the Department of Science and
Technology.
A separate Department of Environment was set up in
1980, which was subsequently upgraded to a full-fledged Ministry of Environment
and Forests in 1985 to serve the Government of India for the planning,
promotion and coordination of environmental and forestry programmes.
The state departments of environment, Central and
State Pollution Control Boards, the Botanical and Zoological Survey ofIndia,
the Forest Survey of India, the National River Conservation Authority (formerly
Central Ganga Authority), the National Afforestation and Ecodevelopment
Board, the Indian Council for Forestry Research ani
Education, the Wildlife Institute of India, the NationJ
Museum for Natural History, and so on, are the
Ministryl
partners in carrying out environmental protection
activitie! The National Conservation Strategy and Pohq
Statement on Environment ana Deve\opment? a~opteQ' the
Government of India in June 1992, lays d6wnstrate1i~ and actions for
integration of environmental considerationl in the development activities of
various sectors 01 tni country.
5.1 Environmental legislation
Major legislations directly dealing with the
protectionnl
environment are: the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972;
\h~ Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980; the Water (preventiol and Control of
Pollution) Act, 1974; the wa
.ter (Cess) AC~
J1977;
the National Environment Appellate Authority Ac 1977; the Air (Prevention and
Control of Pollution) Ac, 1981; the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986; fi1e~
Li~bility Insurance Act, 1991; and the National Environmen
1.
Tnhunal Act, 1995. .
The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 provides
forrationa\
and modern wildlife management while the Fore~1
(Conservation) Act, 1980
has been enacted to chec~ indiscriminate deforestation/diversion of forest land
loi non-forest purposes. .
The Water and Air Acts are the major instruments 10
the control of water and air pollution and these have providea for the
establishment of the Central and State Pol1utio
Control Boards. i
The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 is a landmarj
legislation which provides for a single focus in thecount~ for the protection
of environment and aims at PIUggingthl
J.
loopholes in the existing
legislation. .
The Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991, provides 10
mandatory insurance for the purpose of providing lor
immediate relief to the persons affected by accidents occurring while handling
any hazardous substances.
The National Environment Tribunal Act, 1995, seeks to
constitute a tribunal with benches to award compensation for damage to persons,
property and environment arisin1 out of any activity involving hazardous
substances.
The National Environment Appellate Authority Act, 197;
provides for the establishment of a National Environmen Appellate Authority to
hear appeals against environmenta clearance given by the Ministry.
5.2 Environmental Impact Assessment
'Impact assessment is a
pointer to the environmenta compatibility of the projects in terms of their
location suitability of technology, efficiency in resource utilisation
recycling and so on. Impact assessment was introduced i
General
Knowledge H9
.
Name and Location
National Parks and Sanctuaries
Important Species
1. Bandipur National Park, Mysore (Karnataka)
2.
Bhimbandh Sanctuary, Monghyr (Bihar)
3.
Chandraprabha Sanctuary, Varansai (Uttar Pradesh) 4. Corbett National park
Garhwal (Uttar Pradesh)
5. Dampa Sanctuary, Aizawl (Mizoram)
6. Dudwa National Park, Lakhimpur Kheri (Uttar
Pradesh)
7. Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary, Mandsaur (Madhya Pradesh) 8. Ghana Bird
Sanctuary, Bharatpur (Rajasthan)
9. Gir National Park, Junagarh (Gujarat)
10.
Hazar;bagh Sanctuary, Hazaribagh (Bihar) 11. Kanha National Park, Mandla and
Balaghat
(Madhya Pradesh)
12.
Kaziranga National Park, Jorhat (Assam)
13. Kinnersani Sanctuary, Khammam (Andhra Pradesh) 14. Manas Sanctuary,
Barpet (Assam)
15. Namdapha Sanctuary, Tirap (Arunachal Pradesh)
: 16. Pachmarhi Sanctuary, Hoshangabad (Madhya
Pradesh) 17. Palamau Sanctuary, Daltonganz (Bihar)
18. Periyar Sanctuary, Idukki (Kerala)
I
19. Rohla National Park, Kulu (Himachal Pradesh)
IfaJ. Similipal Sanctuary, Mayurbhanj (Orissa) t
11. Tadoba National Park, Chandrapur (Maharashtra)
.22 Wild Ass Sanctuary, Little Runn of Kutch,
(Gujarat)
Chital,
elephant, panther, barking
deer,
four-horned antelope, tiger, sambar.
Leopard,
tiger, wild boar, wolf, chital, water birds, Nilgai, tiger, panther, sambar,
sloth bear, peafowl. Four horned antelope, elephant, tiger, panther, sambar,
chital, sloth bear, nilgai.
Barking
deer, Himalayan bear, tiger, elephant, sambar, gaur, king cobra, python.
Barking
deer, chital, sloth bear, tiger, panther,
nilgai,
sambar.
Barking
deer,chinkara, chital, sambar, wild birds. Black-buck, sambar, wild boar,
chital, coot, quails, teal herson, spoon bill.
Asiatic
lion, panther, chital, nilgai, four-horned antelope, wild boar, sambar,
chinkara.
Chital,
nilgai, samber, tiger, leopard, wild bear, wild cat. Chital, gaur, tiger,
panther, barking deer, mouse-deer, nilgai, sambar, barasingha, chowsingha.
Elephant,
one-horned rhinoceros, wild buffalo, wild boar, tiger, leopard.
Chital,
tiger, gaur, wolf, nilgai, sambar, panther One-horned rhinoceros, gaur,
elephant, tiger, wild buffalo, sambar, wild boar.
Elephant,
tiger panther, gaur, snow leopard, clouded leopard, wild buffalo, hog deer,
king cobra, phython. Barking deer, bison, bear., tiger, panther, spotted deer.
Barking deer, gaur, chital, elephant, panther, leopard, sambar, wild boar
Elephant,
chital, nilgai, sambar, tiger, panther,
gaur
sloth bear, wild boar, barking deer.
Brown
bear, musk deer, snow leopard, snow pigeon, snow cock.
Elephant,
gaur, chital, tiger mouse deer, flying squirrel, mugger
Chital,
chinkara, panther, tiger, sloth bear, gaur, nilgai, sambar
Wild ass, wolf, nilgai, chinkara.
H12 General Studies Manual .
VI
STATES AND UNION TERRITORIES
India is the seventh largest country in the world,
after Russia, Canada, China, USA, Brazil and Australia. It has a total area of
32,87,263 sq km and accounts for 2.42 percent of the total world area. The
country, however, accounts for 16.87 percent of the total world population and
ranks second, next only to China.
~India comprises 28 states
and seven Union Territoriell Three new states-Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand a~
Uttaranchal came into being in
November 2000.
The ranking of the states, both area-wise and
pOpulahli: wise, has changed due to the 2001 population census~ the creation of
three new states. The latest position I indicated below.
States and Union Territories Ranking-Area and
Population-wise
Ranking
(Area-wise)
I. States
1.
Rajasthan
2.
Madhya Pradesh 3. Maharashtra
4.
Andhra Pradesh 5. Uttar Pradesh
6.
Jammu & Kashmir 7. Gujarat
8.
Karnataka
9.
Orissa
10.
Chhattisgarh
11.
Tamil Nadu
12.
Bihar
13.
West Bengal
14.
Arunachal Pradesh 15. Jharkhand
16.
Assam
17.
Uttaranchal
18.
Himachal Pradesh 19. Punjab
20.
Haryana
21.
Kerala
22.
Meghalaya
23.
Manipur
24.
Mizoram
25.
Nagaland
26.
Tripura
27.
Sikkim
28.
Goa
11.
Union Territories
Ranking
(Population-wise)
I. States
1.
Uttar Pradesh
2.
Maharashtra
3.
Bihar
4.
West Bengal
5.
Andhra Pradesh
6.
Tamil Nadu
7.
Madhya Pradesh
8.
Rajasthan
9.
Karnataka
10.
Gujarat
11.
Orissa
12.
Kerala
13.
Jharkhand
14.
Assam
15.
Punjab
16.
Haryana
17.
Chhattisgarh
18.
Jammu and Kashmir 19. Uttaranchal
20.
Himachal Pradesh 21. Tripura
22.
Manipur
23.
Meghalaya
24.
Nagaland
25.
Goa
26.
Arunachal Pradesh 27. Mizoram
28.
Sikkim
11.
Union Territories
1.
Andaman & Nicobar Islands 2. Delhi
3.
Pondicherry
4.
Dadra & Nagar Haveli
5.
Chandigarh
6.
Daman & Diu
7.
Lakshadweep
.......
1.
Delhi
2.
Pondicherry
3.
Chandigarh
4.
Andaman & Nicobar Islands 5. Dadra & N. Haveli
6.
Daman & Diu
7.
Lakshadweep
General
Knowledge H13
.
VII A PROFILE OF THE STATES
Andhra Pradesh
Basic Information
Area : 2,75,068 sq km
Population
(2001 Census): 7,57,27,541 Growth rate (1991-2001) : 13.86%
Density per sq km : 275
Sex
ratio (females per
,000
males)
Jeracy
rate
Male
Female
Gapital
No,
of districts
legislature
P'Inclpal
languages
Assembly
seats
lok
Sabha seats
RalYa
Sabha seats
JiKliciary
(Name and
~ocation)
: 978
: 61.11% : 70.85% : 51 .17%
:
Hyderabad
:
23
:
Unicameral
:
Telugu and Urdu
:
294
:
42
:
18
:
High Court of Andhra Pradesh at Hyderabad
Generallnformation
The highest peak Mahendragiri rises !~X)m (4920 ft) above the sea level.
The Krishna and the Godavari are the major river
~\tems in the state. The Godavari is the largest and the ~oadest river of South
India.
~ndhra
Pradesh first entered history as a part of the
!feat
Mauryan empire. The Qutub Shahis of Golconda laid the foundations of hodem city
of Hyderabad.
~ndhra Pradesh is the first state in India that has
been locrned on a purely linguistic basis in 1953 and ehlarged in IQj6,
APconsists of three distinct regions: (i) coastal
region, made up of nine districts, generally called Andhra, (ii) the mterior
region, consisting of four district collectively hown as Rayalaseema and (Hi)
Telengana region, ronsisling of the capital Hyderabad and nine adjoining
w\lricts.
The
A,P. Legislative Council was abolished in 1985. Andhra leads all other states
in the production of
~acco
with a virtual monopoly of Virginia tobacco.
Tirupati in Chiuoor district houses one of the most
iamous temples in India. The presiding deity is known as Venkoll'sJI'ara.
The main temple is situated on a hill-top,
ITllUmala,
The main tourist attraction
is the capital of the state, Ivderabad. Places of interest are the Charminar
built in jQI.Osmania University, State Museum and Art Gallery,
lar lung Museum, Health Museum, Nehru Zoological rk.
Public Gardens, Birla Mandir and Macca Masjid.
The famous diamonds, Kohinoor and Piu, came from
diamond mines of Golconda.
Nagarjuna Srisailam Sanctuary is the largest tiger
reserve in India.
Arunachal Pradesh
Basic Information
Area
Population
(2001 Census) Growth rate (1991-2001) Density per sq km
Sex
ratio (females per 1,0!J0 males)
Literacy
rate
Male
Female
Capital
No.
of districts Legislature
Principal
languages
Assembly
seats Lok Sabha seats Rajya Sabha seat Judiciary (Name and Location)
:
83,743 sq km : 10,91,117
:
26.21 %
:
13
: 901
: 54.74% : 64.07% : 44.24%
:
Itanagar
:
13
:
Unicameral
:
Nishi, Dafla, Miji, Adi Gallong, Wancho, Tagin,
Hill
Miri, Mishmi, Monpa, Nocte, Alka, Tangsa and
Khampti
:
60
:
2
:
1
:
High Court of Guwahati at Guwahati
General Information Arunachal Pradesh (Land of the
Dawn-Lit Mountains) is a thinly populated hilly tract in the eastern most part
of India.
The population of Arunachal is predominantly tribal.
The principal tribes are: Adi, Nishi, Apatani, Tagin, Mishmi, Khampti, Nocte,
Wancho, Tangsha, Singpho, Monpa, Sherdukpen and Aka.
Originally known as the North East Frontier Agency
(NEFA), Arunachal Pradesh was placed under the administration of the Union
Government in 1948. It was declared a union territory under the name of
Arunachal Pradesh on January 20, 1972. It became a full-fledged state on
February 20, 1987.
The
traditional method of agriculture is Jhumming, a
kind
of shifting cultivation.
India's
largest Buddist monastery is at Tawang.
Assam
Basic Information
Area
Population
(2001 Census) Growth rate (1991-2001) Density per sq km
Sex
ratio (females per....... 1000 males)
:
78,438 sq km : 2,66,38,407 : 18.85%
:
340
: 932
H16 General
Studies Manual .
fertilizers.
It has the largest petro-chemical complex in the country.
The
state accounts for nearly 63 per cent of infant milk
produced in the country. .
Gujarat
is a major salt-producing state and its production
forms
as much as 60% of the country's output.
Gujarat has the first position in the national project
on biogas (28,000 plants in 1994-95). The first expressway of the nation is in
Gujarat between Ahmedabad and Vadodara.
The game sanctuary at Gir (the world's last habitat of
the Asiatic lion); the sacred temples of Dwaraka and Somanath; Palitana, the
picturesque mountain city of Jain temples on the 2000 feet high Shetrunaya
hills and Udwada, the oldest Fire Temple of Parsees in India are just a few of
the varied attractions in the .,state.
Haryana Basic Information
Area
Population
(2001 Census) Growth rate (1991-2001) Density per sq km
Sex
ratio (females per 1000 males)
Literacy
rate
Male
Female
Capital
No.
of districts Legislature
Principal
language Assembly seats
Lok
Sabha seats
Rajya
Sabha seats Judiciary (Name and Location)
:
44,212 sq km : 21,0,82,989 : 28.6%
:
477
: 861
: 68.59% : 79.25% : 56.31 %
:
Chandigarh : 19
:
Unicameral : Hindi
: 90 : 10 :5
:
High Court of Punjab and Haryana at Chandigarh
General Information Haryana can be divided into two natural areas, sub-Himalayan terrain
and the Indo-Gangetic Plain.
The
only river which flows through Haryana is the
Ghaggar.
The
state was the home of the legendary Bharata
Dynasty,
which has given the name Bharat to India.
Kurukshetra,
the scene of the epic battle between the
Kauravas
and the Pandavas, is situated in Haryana.
The modern state of Haryana came in,to being on
November 1, 1966 as a result of the reorganisation of the old Punjab State into
two separate states.
Haryana WitS the first state to introduce crop insurance
scheme
in north India.
Harayana
is proverbially known 'as the milk pail ofIndia'.
A factory of the Hindustan Machine Tools producing
tractors is located at Pinjore. Gurgaon is a fast growing Industrial hub where
Maruti Udyog is one of the bigge\\ the manufacturing units.
Haryana is the first state to have electrified all of
it! villages.
Himachal Pradesh
Basic Information
Area
Population
(2001 Census) Growth rate (1991-2001) Density per sq km
Sex
ratio (females per 1000 males)
Literacy
rate
Male
Female
Capital
No.
of districts
Legislatu
re
Principal
languages Assembly seats
Lok
Sabha seats
Rajya
Sabha seats Judiciary (Name and Location)
:
55,673 sq km : 60,77,248
:
17.53%
:
109
: 970
:77.13% : 86.02% : 68.08% : Shimla
:
12
:
Unicameral
:
Hindi & Pahari
:
68
:4
:3
:
High Court of Himachal Pradesh at Shimla
General Information The state is almost entirely mountainous with altitudes ranging from
460 to 6600 metres above sea level.
Himachal Pradesh is watered by 'a number of rivers,
the most important of which are the Chenab, Ravi, Beas, Sutlej and Yam una.
Himachal Pradesh was originally formed as a centrally.
administered territory on April 15, 1948. Himachal Prade\h was reorganized and
declared a state on January 25, 1971 with Shimla as its capital.
Shimla, Dalhousie, Dharmasala (the Dalai Lama lives
here), Kulu, Kasauli, Solan, Chail and Kufri are some of the famous hill
stations.
Kharjiar in Chamba district has earned the name 'mini
Switzerland' because of the striking similarity in landscape,
Jammu & Kashmir
Basic Information
Area
Population
(2001 Census) (1991-2001)
Density
per sq km
Sex
ratio (females per 1,000 males)"
Literacy
rate
Male
:
2,22,236 sq km
:
1,00,69,917 Growth rate : 29.04%
:
99
:
900 :54.46% : 65.75%
I
Female Capital
No. of districts legislature
Pnncipal languages
Assembly
seats
lok
Sabha seats RalYa Sabha seats Council seats Judiciary (Name and Location)
:
41.82% : Srinagar (Summer),
Jammu (Winter) : 14 : Bicameral (Assembly
and Council)
: Kashmiri, Dogri,
Gujri,
Punjabi,
Urdu,
Balti, Dadri,
Pahari
& Ladakhi
:
76
:6
:4
:
36
:
High Court of Jammu and Kashmir at Srinagar and Jammu
Generallnformation The official language is Urdu.
After Independence, when all the states decided to
a:cede to India or Pakistan, Kashmir asked for standstill agreements with both.
In the meantime, the state became ilie larget of an armed attack by Pakist~n
and the Maharaja acceded to India on October 26, 1947 by signing the Inslrument
of Accession.
Jammu and Kashmir is the only state in India which ~s
a constitution of its own, that came into force on January 26, 1957.
Kashmir is a paradise for tourists both international
and aomestic. Main centres of attraction are Srinagar, Pahalgam, Gulmarg and
Sonamarg. Among places of ,ilgrim interest are Amarnath and Vaishno Devi.
Iharkhand
Basic Information
Area
Population
(2001 census) Growth rate (1991-2001) Density per sq km
Sex
ratio (females per 1000 males)
lrteracy
rate
Male
Female
Capital
No.
of districts
legislature
Principal
language Assembly seats
/ok
Sabha seats
Rajya
Sabha seats
Judicia!>'
)name ,av» cation)
:
79,714 sq km : 2,69,09,428 : 23.19%
:
338
: 941
: 54.13% : 67.94% : 39.38% : Ranchi
:
18
:
Unicameral
:
Hindi
:
81
:
14
:6
./~~'
Jharkhand at Ranchi
nerallnformation Jharkhand is the 28th state of the
lian Union. It has been carved out of Bihar and came existence on November 15,
2000.
General
Knowledge H17
.
The state is fabulously rich in mineral resources such as iron ore, coal, mica, limestone,
graphite, asbestos, dolomite etc. It is among the minerally richest zones in
India containing 32.4 per cent of India's coal, 23.3 per cent of iron ore, 33.9
per cent of copper and 46.6 per cent of mica. Bokaro Steel Plant, TISCO's plant
at Jamshedpur and the Heavy Engineering Complex at Ranchi are some of its
prized inheritances.
Iharkhand comprises 18 districts which includes
Bokaro, Chatra, Deogarh, Dhanbad, Dumka, Garhwa, Giridih, Godda, Gumla,
Hazaribagh, Kodarama, Loherdage, Pakur, Palamau, Ranchi, Sahebganj, East
Singhbum and West Singhbum. All the 18 districts of Iharkand are sparsely
populated because of their hilly terrain.
The struggle for Iharkhand has been waged by the
adivasis of the Chhotanagpur Plateau and Santhal Parganas belt for well over
half a century. Initially led by Jaipal Singh, the tribal communities of the
region have been demanding freedom from exploitation. The Iharkhand State is a
truncated version of the original Iharkhand dream; it now comprises only
Southern Bihar.
The movement for an adivasi homeland attained new
momentum when Santhal leader Shibu Soren formed Iharkhand Mukthi Morcha (JMM)
in 1972.
In 1995, the Jharkhand Area Autonomous Council (lAAC)
was set up after a tripartite agreement between the Union government, the Bihar
government and Jharkhand leaders.
Jharkhand's folk dances include Paika, Chau, Jadur,
Karma, Nachini, Natua, Agni, Choukara, Senthal, Jamda, Ghatwari, Matha, Sohrai,
and Lurisayro.
The nascent state of Jharkhand has an enormous
potential for exploitation of coal, mica and other mineral resources,
particularly in Singhbhum, Bokaro, Hazaribagh, Ranchi, Koderma and Dhanbad.
The main rivers flowing through the state are Damodar,
Mayurakshi, Barakar, Koyal, Sankh, Son, Auranga, More, Karo, Bansloi, South
Koel, Kharkai, Subama Rekha, Ganga, Gumani and Batane.
Karnataka
Basic Information
Area
Population
(2001 Census) Growth rate (1991-2001) Density per sq km
Sex
ratjp )jP~Ji$)£tJI 1,000 males)
Literacy
rate
Males
Females
Capital
No.
of districts
:
1,91.791 sq km : 5,27,33,958
:
17.25%
:
275
: 964
: 67.04% : 76.29% : 57.45% : Bangalore
: 27
H18 General Studies Manual .
Legislature
:
Bicameral (Assem
bly & Council)
:
Kannada
:
224
: 63 : 28 : 12
:
High Court of Karnataka at Bangalore
Principal
language Assembly seats Council seats
Lok
Sabha seats Rajya Sabha seats Judiciary (Name and Location)
Generallntormation Karnataka was fonnerly known as
Mysore. On November 1, 1973 the name Mysore was changed to Kamataka.
The two important river systems of the State are the
Krishna and its tributarie s (Bhima, Ghataprabha, Malaprabha, Tungabhadra and
Vedavati) in the north, and the Cauvery and its tributaries (Hemavati, Shimsha,
Arkavati, Lakshmana Thirtha and Kabini) in the south.
The
name Kamataka is derived from Karunadu, literally
means
'lofty land'.
The gigantic monolithic statue of Gomateswara at
Sravanabelagola is considered to be a monument of the Ganga period.
The vast ruins at Hampi, near Hospet, remain today as
sombre
remainders of the glorious Vijayanagar empire.
Karnataka
accounts for 59% of the country's coffee
production
and 47% of the country's ragi.
Important public sector units located here are
Hindustan Aeronautics, Hindustan Machine Tools, Bharat Earth Movers, Bharat
Electronics, Bharat Heavy Electricals, Indian Telephone Industries and National
Aeronautical Laboratory. The state-owned Viswesvaraya Iron & Steel Ltd.,
Bhadravathi, produces special steel and alloy steel. Peenya, the biggest
industrial estate in Karnataka, is one of the largest in the country.
Karnataka accounts for 85 per cent of the raw silk
produced in the country. Karnataka's sandal soap and sandal oil are well known
in world markets.
The
Konkan Railway, the new rail link between Mumbai
and
Mangalore is now operational.
A
sanskrit university named after Rajiv Gandhi is
proposed
to be set up at Sringeri.
The
'Garden City' of Bangalore has been adjudged the
cleanest
city in India.
Mysore city is famous for the Dasara festival during
September-October. The famous Krishnaraja Sagar dam and Brindavan gardens are
nearby.
Among the natural parks is Bandipur Wildlife Sanctuary,
80 km south of Mysore. .
Sravanabelagola,
where the 18 metre statue of
Gomateswani
stands, is a Jain pilgrim centre.
Gersoppa (Jog Falls) of Kamataka is world famous is
the highest waterfall in India.
Kerala
Basic Information
Area
Population
(2001 Census) Growth rate (1991-2001) Density per sq km
Sex
ratio (females per 1000 males)
Literacy
rate
Male
Female
Capital
No.
of districts Legislature
Principal
language Assembly seats
Lok
Sabha seats
Rajya
Sabha seats Judiciary (Name and Location)
adhya lasic Infe
:
38,863 sq km : 3,18,38,619 : 9.42%
:
819
kea
IPopulati~ Growth ft
loensity
Sex rati 1000 n Literac) MalE Fen Capit~ No. of LegiSI
.' Princ~ ~sse~ Lok
RaiY Judil Lac:
: 1,058
: 90.92% : 94.20% : 87.86%
:
Thiruvananthapuram : 14
:
Unicameral
:
Malayalam
:
140
:
20
:9
:
High Court of Kerala at Ernakulam
Generallntormation Under the States ReorganisationA~
of 1956, Travancore, Cochin and Malabar states were united to fonn the State of
Kerala on November I, 1956,
The Laccadive Minicoy and Amindivi islands lying off
the coast of Malabar were detached from Kerala and
declared a union territory. I
Kerala has a unique cropping pattern. It accounts for'
92 per cent of India's rubber, 70 per cent of coconut, 60 I per cent of tapioca
and almost 100 per cent of lemon grass
oil. Kerala is the largest producer of a number of
other crops like banana and ginger, besides an abundance of tea and coffee.
Coir and Cashew are two of the largest traditional
industries in the state.
The first fully literate municipal town
(Kottayam-1989), and district (Ernakulam-1990) in India are in Kerala. On
December 11, 1995, Emakulam also became India's first Bachat (savings)
district. In 1991, Kerala became the first fully literate state in India.
Periyar Wild Life Sanctuary at Thekkady in ldukki
district is a popular tourist attraction. Sabarimala, abode of Lord Ayyappan,
is a famous pilgrim centre in Pathanamthitta district.
The beautiful Willingdon island with the adjoining pon
is
another great attraction.
Kochi (Cochin)-the major port of Kerala-is known
as
the "Queen of the Arabian Sea".
Kalady 1n Ernakulam District is the birthplace of Sri
Sankaracharya.
Madhya Pradesh Basic Information
Area
'opulation
(2001 Census) Growth rate (1 991-2001 ) Density per sq km
Sex
ratio (females per
1000
males)
lileracy
rate
Male
Female
Capital
No.
of districts
legislature
'rincipal
language
Assembly
seats
lok
Sabha seats
Rajya
Sabha seats
Judiciary
(Name and location)
:
3,08,346 sq km : 6,03,85,118
:
24.34%
:
196
: 920
:64.11% : 76.80% : 50.28% : Bhopal
:
45
:
Unicameral
:
Hindi
:
230
:
29
:
11
:
High Court of
Madhya
Pradesh at Jabalpur (with Benches at Gwalior and Indore)
General Information The main river systems in this
Itate are the Chambal, Betwa, Sindh, Narmada, Tapti, Mahanandi and Indravati.
Under the provisions of the States Reorganisation Act,
19j6, the state of Madhya Pradesh was formed on November I, 1956.
The major industries are the Bharat Heavy Electricals
at Bhopal, the Security Paper Mills at Hoshangabad, ilie Bank Note Press at
Dewas, the Newsprint Mill at Nepanagar and Alkaloid Factory at Neemuch.
The Bharat Heavy Electricals was set up by the
Government of India at Bhopal during the Second Plan ~eriod. This is India's
first heavy electrical equipment factory.
Pithampur near Indore is called the "Detroit of
India". Tne Rau.Pithampur road is India's first private sector
infrastructure project.
Khajuraho, once the capital of Chandela rulers is the
embodiment of the great artistic activity between the 9th and Ith centuries.
Ujjain, where kumbha me la is held every 12th
year and ~anchi with ancient Buddhist monuments, are among the olher tourist
attractions.
Kanha National Park near Jabalpur is one of the most ~autiful
wild life sanctuaries in India.
Maharashtra
Basic Information
Area
Population
(2001 Census) Growth rate (1991-2001) Density per sq km
:
3,07,690 sq km : 9,67,52,247
:
22.57%
:
314
General
Knowledge H19
.
Sex
ratio (females per 1000 males)
Literacy
rate
Male
Female
Capital
No.
of districts Legislature
: 922
: 77.27% : 86.27% : 67.51%
:
Mumbai
:
35
:
Bicameral (Assembly
and Council)
:
Marathi
:288
: 48 : 19 : 78
:
High Court of Bombay at Mumbai
Principal
language Assembly seats Lok Sabha seats Rajya Sabha seats Council seats
Judiciary (Name and Location)
General Information The state is watered by the great
rivers-Godavari, Bhima and Krishna, which rise in the Sahyadris and flow
eastward across the Indian peninsula, into the Bay of Bengal.
The Pe shwas who succeeded Shivaji built up a Maratha
Empire which extended from Gwalior in the north to Tanjore in the south. The
Maratha power recei ved a setback at Panipat, in 1761, when the Afghan ruler
Ahmed Shah Abdali routed the Maratha forces.
Under the Bombay Re-organisation Act, 1960 Maharashtra
and Gujarat were formed into separate states on May 1, 1960.
Mumbai h~s the largest stock exchange in the country.
Besides, it has India's largest harbour, accounting for
nearly 50% of India's international passenger traffic.
. Mumbai is also well-known for its film production.
Ganesh
Chaturthi is the main festival of the state.
Maharashtra
Government has renamed Bombay as
Mumbai.
Victoria Terminus (VT) station is renamed Chhatrapati Shivaji Railway Terminus.
A
sports university, Asia's first, was inaugurated in
Pune
in January on 1996.
The
important tourist centres are the caves at Ajanta,
Ellora,
Elephanta, Kanheriand Karala.
Manipur Basic Information
Area
Population
(2001 Census) Growth rate (1991-2001) Density per sq km
Sex
ratio (females per 1000 males)
Literacy
rate
Male
Female
Capital
No.
of districts
:
22,327 sq km : 23,88,634
:
30.02%
:
107
: 978
: 68.87% : 77.87% : 59.70% : Imphal
:9
......
H2O General
Studies Manual .
Legislature
Principal language Assembly seats Lok Sabha seats Rajya Sabha seat Judiciary
(Name and Location)
:
Unicameral
:
Manipuri
:
60
:2
:
1.
:
High Court of
Guwahati
at
Guwahati
(with a
bench
at Imphal)
Generallnformation Manipur had been a union territory from 1956 and a full-fledged state
from 1972. Manipuri was recognised as a scheduled language in 1992. Handloom is
the biggest industry in Manipur. Manipur is the first to introduce Oak Tussar
industry
(Sericulture).
The first Central Agricultural University is being set up
at
Imphal.
Called
a 'Jewel ofIndia' by JawaharlalNehru, Manipur
lies
in the shadows of hills.
Manipuri
dance is world famous.
The Loktak lake, the biggest fresh water lake in
eastern India and Keibul Lamjao, the only floating national park in the world,
are quite attractive.
Meghalaya Basic
Information
Area
Population
(2001 Census) Growth rate (1991-2001) Density per sq km
Sex
ratio (females per 1000 males)
Literacy
rate
Male
Female
Capital
No.
of districts Legislature
Principal
languages
:
22,429 sq km : 23,06,069
:
29.64%
:
103
: 975
: 63.31 % :66.14% :60.41%
:
Shillong
:7
:
Unicameral
:
Khasi, Garo &
English
:
60
:2
:
1
:
High Court of
Guwahati
at Guwahati (with a Bench at Shillong)
Generallnformation Meghalaya, literally 'the abode of the clouds' (Megha-clouds,
Alaya-abode), was inaugurated as an autonomous state on April 2, 1970. It was
declared a state of the Indian Union on January 21, 1972.
It
is the exclusive tribal state of the Khasis, the Jaintias
and
the Garos.
Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya, has been called
'Scotland of the East' because of its elevation (1496 m above the sea level).
Assembly
seats Lok Sabha seats Rajya Sabha seat Judiciary (Name and Location)
Mizoram
Basic Information
Area
Population
(2001 Census) Growth rate (1991-2001) Density per sq km
Sex
ratio (females per 1000 males)
Literacy
rate
Male
Female
Capital
No.
of districts Legislature
Principal
languages Assembly seats
Lok
Sabha seat
Rajya
Sabha seat Judiciary (Name and Location)
:
21,081 sq km : 8,91,058
:
29.18%
:
42
:
938 .
:88.49%
:
90.69%
:
86.13%
:
Aizawl
:8
:
Unicameral
:
Mizo and English
:
40
:
1
:
1
:
High Court of Guwahati at
Guwahati
(with a Bench at Aizawl)
General Information Mizoram, in the local language, means the land of Mizos-Mizo itself
means highlander.
Consequent to the passing of the 53rd Constitution
Amendment Bill, Mizoram became the 23rd state of the Indian Union on February
20, 1987.
The Mizos belong to the Mongolian race. The Mizo~ are
divided into various tribes: the Lushais, Pawis, Paithes, Raltes, Pang, Hmars,
Kukis, Maras and Lakhers, etc.
The State of the Forest report, 1991, said that Mizorarn
leads
the states in afforestation.
Known as the land of enchanting hills, Mizorarn is
famous for its vast expanses of jagged mountain range~ shrouded mystically in a
reddish-blue haze.
Nagaland Basic
Information
Area
Population
(2001 Census) Growth rate (1991-2001) Density per sq km
Sex
ratio (females per 1000 males)
Literacy
rate
Male
Female
Capital
No.
of districts Legislature
Principal
languages
Assembly seats Lok Sabha seat Rajya Sabha seat
:
16,579 sq km : 19,88,636 :64.41%
:
120
: 909
:67.11% : 71.77% : 61.92% : Kohima :8
:
Unicameral
:
Ao, Konyak, Angami,
Sema and Lotha
:
60
:
1
:
1
H22 General Studies Manual .
Guru Angad developed Gurumukhi script by combining the
scripts current in north Indian at that time. Guru Ram Das laid the foundation
ofthe city of Amritsar. Guru Arjun Dev compiled the Adi Granth. His son
Guru Har Gobind trained his followers in the military art.
On November 1, 1966, Punjab was divided into three
units-Punjab comprising the predominantly Punjabispeaking areas, Haryana made
up of the Hindi-speaking districts and the Kharar tehsil and the capital,
Chandigarh. Hilly areas were transferred to Himachal Pradesh.
The
fertilizer consumption in Punjab is the highest in
India.
Punjab's
contribution is highest in the procurement of
food
grains for the central pool.
The per capita availability of milk in the state is
also the highest in the country. Per capita availability of eggs in Punjab is
90, the highest in India (national-22).
Amritsar, the city of the Golden Temple, (now renamed
Harmandar
Sahib), is sacred to the Sikhs.
Rajasthan Basic Information
Area
Population
(2001 Census) Growth rate (1991-2001) Density per sq km
Sex
ratio (females per 1000 males)
Literacy
rate
Male
Female
Capital
No.
of districts Legislature
Ptincipal
languages Assembly seats
Lok
Sabha seats
Rajya
Sabha seats Judiciary (Name and Location)
:
3,42,239 sq km : 5,64,73,122
:
28.33%
:
165
:922
:
61.03%
:76.46%
:
44.34%
:
Jaipur
:
32
:
Unicameral
:
Hindi & Rajasthani
:
200
:
25
:
10
. : l;iigh Court of
Rajasthan
at Jodhpur
(with
a Bench at Jaipur)
General Information The major rivers are Chambal, . Bayas and Luni.
The
state of Rajasthan came into existence on
November
1, 1950.
Rajasthani handicrafts are famous all over the world.
Ajmer has become the first fully literate district in the whole of North India.
Places of interest are Mount Abu, Ajmer, Alwar
(Sariska Tiger Sanctuary), Bharatpur (Keoladeo Bird Sanctuary), Bikaner, Jaipur
(the Pink City), Jodhpur, Udaipur, Pali, Jaisalmer and Chittorgarh.
Sikkim
Basic Information
Area
Population
(2001 Census) Growth rate (1991-2001) Density per sq km
Sex
ratio (females per 1000 males)
Literacy
rate
Male
Female
Capital
No.
of districts Legislature
Principal
languages
:
7,096 sq km : 5,40,493
:
32.98%
:
76
: 875
: 69.68% : 76.73% : 61.46%
:
Gangtok
:4
:
Unicameral
:
Nepali, Lepcha &
Limbu
Assembly seat : 32
Lok Sabha seat : 1
Rajya Sabha seat : 1
Judiciary (Name and : High Court of
Location) Sikkim at Gangtok
Generallnformation Sikkim is the 22nd state of the Indian Union. Sikkim became a state of
the Indian Union under the Constitution (Thirty-eighth Amendment) Act, 1975.
Kanchenjunga (8579 m), the world's third highest peal:.
rises
from this area.
River
Tista and its tributaries drain the state.
Sikkim
boasts of several hundred varieties of orchidl
and
is frequently referred to as a botainsts' paradise.
The
population of Sikkim is mainly made up of ,ne
Lepchas, the Bhutias, their allied clans and the
Nepalese.
Sikkim
has the largest area and the highest production
of large cardamom in India.
Khangchendzonga National
Park is one of the highel! national parks in the world and includes the world's
third highest mountain (Kanchenjunga).
Tamil Nadu
Basic Information
Area
Population
(2001 Census) Growth rate (1991-2001) Density per sq km
Sex
ratio (females per 1,000 males)
Literacy
rate
Male
Female
Capital
No.
of districts Legislature
Principal
language Assemblt seats
:
1,30,058 sq km : 6,21,10,839
:
11 .19%
:
478
:
986 :73.47% : 82.33% .
:
64.55%
:
Chennai
:
30
:
Unicameral : Tamil
:
234
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