About INS India

INS India was established as HMIS India in 1941 as small unit with a complement of just a

 handful of officers and sailors. It was rechristened as INS India on 26 Jan 1950.

 The base depot ship has the privilege of being the Flagship of the Chief of the Naval Staff.

 It is now a major establishment in New Delhi with a plethora of duties and responsibilities.

 It provides administrative and logistics cover to all officers and sailors borne in Naval

 Headquarters and other units at Delhi. During 75 years of transition of INS India, the establishment has seen as many as 32 Commanding Officers.

About Zika virus

Zika virus is a mosquito-borne virus transmitted by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes which also also transmit 3 other vector-borne diseases Chikungunya, dengue and yellow fever.

 The virus belongs to family Flaviviridae and Genus Flavivirus. It was first identified in 1947 in Uganda and its name has been derived from Zika Forest.

 There is no specific treatment or vaccine currently available to treat Zika disease. The best form of prevention is protection against mosquito bites and clearing stagnant water where mosquitoes breed

 Union Cabinet approves the Revised Cost Estimate of Punatsangchhu-II Hydroelectric

Preliminary exam model QP

1.Who operates the National Disaster Response Fund which was constituted under the Disaster Management Act, 2005?

Prime Minister 

Union Minister for Home Affairs 

Union Minister for Parliament Affairs

Union Minister for Environment and Forests

2.Poverty in less developed countries is largely due to

lack of cultural activities 

voluntary idleness 

income inequality 

lack of the intelligence of the people

3.Which of the following have coral reefs? 

1. Andaman and Nicobar Islands 2. Gulf of Kachch 

3. Gulf of Mannar 4. Sunderbans 

Select the correct answer using the codes given below :

1, 2 and 3 only 

2 and 4 only 

1, 3 and 4 only 

1, 2, 3 and 4

4.Which of the following winds relieves the people of Gulf of Guinea from oppressive hot and humid weather and is termed as ‘doctor’ by them?

Hermattan Sirocco Khamsin Brickfielder

5.Choose the wrong statement

Ajeya Warrior – India and UK 

Surya Kiran – India and Nepal 

VARUNA – India and France

Dosti – India and Bangladesh

China has no historic rights over South China Sea: Hague Tribunal

July 13, 2016 The Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in Hague, the Netherlands has rejected China’s claims to economic rights across large swathes of South China Sea. Ruling in this regard was given by a five-member tribunal appointed by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in Hague in a case brought by the Philippines.

Disputes in South China Sea Disputes in South China Sea are fight mainly between China, Philippines, Vietnam over the territorial sovereignty in South China Sea along with other atolls, reefs and rocky outcrops.

 China’s claim: It is saying that major portion of these islands belong to them as part of the historical events and area defined by Nine Dash Line. Under its claim, China already has started and even completed building artificial islands and even strategic runways for mobilising its airforce from these islands.

China’s claim overlap the South Chia Sea areas of different claimants countries, that involve Brunei, Vietnam, Philippines, Taiwan and Malaysia. 

Importance of South China Sea: It is strategically located and major international shipping route as world’s half merchant ships passes through it.

The sea rich in energy (reserves of natural resources around them including petroleum), mineral and fishing resources. 

India’s position: Supports freedom of navigation and flight and unimpeded commerce based on the principals of international law in South China Sea. Believes that states should resolve deputes through peaceful means and exercise self – restraint.

TNPSC Group 1 Prelims Model QP

1.The shocking incident of a mob breaking into a jail, pulling out a rape accused and then lynching him on streets took place in which city of Nagaland on 5 March 2015?

Peren Dimapur Phek Kohima

2.Consider the following statements 

 I. Satyendranath Singh – temporary president of Constituent Assembly 

II. Rajendra Prasad & G.V. Mavlankar – First president of Constituent Assembly and the Speaker of the Legislative body respectively

I only correct II only correct Both are correct Both are wrong

3.“Indian Constitution is founded on bedrock of balance between Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles.” Supreme Court held the above statement in which case

Kesavanantha Bharti Case 1973 Minerva Mills Case 1980 Golaknath Case 1967 S.R. Bommai Case 1994

4.Arrange the following Ancient Indian astronomers mathematicians in the chronological order:

 1. Varahamihira 2. Bhaskara 3. Aryabhatta 4. Brahmagupta

1, 3, 4, 2 3,1,4,2 2,4,1,3 4,2,3,1

5.Tiruvalangadu copper plate inscription and the Tirumalai rock inscription reflect upon the conquests of

Rajaraja I Rajendra I Rajendra II Kulottunga

Preliminary exam model QP - Group 1

1.The least five digit perfect square number which is divisible by 3, 4, 5 and 8 is

10800 10201 14400 32400

2.The HCF and LCM of two numbers are respectively 12 and 2448. If the difference of the numbers is 60, their sum is

348 284 248 204

3.The product of two numbers is 4107. If the HCF of the numbers is 37, the greater number is

185 111 107 101

4.In a group of students, 70% can speak English and 65% can speak Hindi. If 27% of the students can speak none of the two languages, then what per cent of group can speak both the languages?

38% 62% 28% 23%

5.A sum 817 is divided among, A, B and C such that A receives 25% more than B and B received 25% less than C. What is the A share in the amount?

228 247 285 304

Union Government notifies AADHAR Act giving UIDAI legal basis

The Union Government has notified the UIDAI (Terms and Conditions of Service of Chairperson and Members) Rules, 2016 to give legal status to Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). These rules have been framed as per provisions of Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016.

Key Facts These rules have detail provisions for appointment of its chairperson and members. The chairperson of UIDAI will be selected on the recommendation of a search-cum-selection committee headed by the Cabinet Secretary.

Besides, Secretaries of Department of Personnel and Training, Finance and Department of Electronics and Information Technology (DEITY) and two experts will be its members. The two experts will be nominated by the Union Communications and IT Minister. The Chairperson will draw a salary of the level of a Secretary. Presently over 102 crore persons in the country have unique identity numbers and Aadhaar card.

The Aadhaar has been linked to more than 12 crore LPG consumers, 27 crore bank accounts, 13 crore ration cards holders and 7 crore MGNREGA workers. Background Union Government is going to notify the Aadhaar Act in two phases for complete operationalisation of the Act. After the chairperson and members are appointed they will pass the regulations for notifying rest of the Act. Presently, only Sections 11to 20, 22 to 23 and sections 48 to 59 of the Act have been notified for operationalisation.

Group 1 Model QP

1.What is the name of the first direct container vessel from India to Qatar which arrived at Doha on 31 March 2015 as part of a non-stop service launched to facilitate swift trade between the two countries?

INS Bandhu M.S. Convent INS Rakashak M.S. Millennium

2.A documentary film made by British Director Leslee Udwin about the fatal gang rape of the 23 year old paramedic woman in New Delhi in 2012 was banned in India in March 2015. What is the name of this documentary?

Daughter of the East India’s Daughter Shame Daughter in Pearl

3.A meteor is

A rapidly moving star A piece of matter which has entered the earth’s atmosphere from outer space Part of a constellation A comet without tail

4.Which of the following currents is also known as the Humboldt Current?

California Current Labrador Current Peru Current Kuroshio Current

5.Which of the following, in March 2015, became the first court in India to set up dedicated commercial courts within it to ensure speedy disposal of cases?

Calcutta High Court Delhi High Court Allahabad High Court Bombay High Court

Pokhara-New Delhi direct bus service launched

July 12, 2016 The first direct bus service between Pokhara (Nepal) and New Delhi (India) was launched to connect South Asia’s two important cities. The bus service was flagged off by Nepal Home Minister Shakti Bahadur Basnet and India’s ambassador to Nepal Ranjit Rae from Pokhara (Nepal’s famous tourist spot).

Bangladesh, India sign agreement for joint coal fired power plant July

13, 2016 Bangladesh and India have signed an agreement for the construction of a 1,320 megawatt (MW) coal fired power plant near Sundarbans. The agreement was signed between Bangladesh-India Friendship Power Company (Pvt) Limited (BIFPCL), the joint venture enterprise and Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL).

BHEL was selected under an open international tender for constructing the super thermal plant at Bangladesh’s southwestern Rampal near the Sundarbans.

Key Facts This coal fired power plant is the biggest project under bilateral cooperation between both countries that would mark the transition from electricity export to generation level. India’s Exim Bank will provide US 1.49 billion dollars for the project and it is scheduled to start generating power in 2019.

Earlier Bangladesh had earmarked Maitree Super Thermal Power Project (MSTPP) as one of its fasttrack projects. It was started under a bilateral agreement between India and Bangladesh signed during Prime Minister Hasina’s India visit in 2010.

TNPSC group 1 - Model QP

1.Cabinet of Interim Government . Which among the following is not correct?

Rajaji – Education & Arts R.K. Shanmugam Chetty – Finance Sardar V. Patel – Home Joginder Nath Mandal – Law

2.Radioactivity is due to

Stable electronic configuration Unstable nucleus Stable nucleus Unstable electronic configuration

3.A stone cut water Reservoir has been discovered from

Surkotada Kalibangan Dholavira Harappa

4.Who was the founder of Mahayana sect of Buddhism?

Vasumitra Nagarjuna Rahul Bhadra Asang

5.Choose the wrong pair

Divine Life – Aurobindo Ghosh India Divided – Rajendra Prasad India Wins Freedom – M.A. Azad India of My Dreams – M.K. Gandhi

GENERAL SCEINCE QUESTIONS

1.The sexual phase of the life cycle of plasmodium is completed

Blood of man Liver of man Stomach of female anopheles Salivary glands of female anopheles

2.An example of a fumigant is

DDT Malathion Methoxychlor p dichlorobenzsene

3.Chlorophyll is found in

sponge euglena tapeworm amoeba

4.Sea–God is related to which one of the following?

Amoeba Proteus Paramoecium caudatum Euglena vulgaris Plasmodium vivax

5.The biogenesis of ribosomes takes place in

Nucleolus Endoplasmic reticulum Golgi complex Nucleus

Namami Gange Programme (NGP)

About Namami Gange Programme (NGP) Namami Gange Programme is an ambitious integrated Ganga Conservation

Mission that was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in May 2015.

The programme integrates the efforts to clean and protect the Ganga River in a comprehensive manner. 

Focus of Programme: Pollution abatement interventions by interception, diversion and treatment of wastewater through bioremediation.

Appropriate in-situ treatment or use of innovative technologies such as effluent treatment plant (ETPs) and sewage treatment plants (STPs) for cleaning Ganga. Besides, it also seeks to benefit vast population dependent on the river Ganga in terms of job creation, improved livelihoods and health benefits.

India, South Africa sign MoUs in four areas of co-operation

July 8, 2016 India and South Africa have signed Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) and agreements in four areas of bilateral co-operation. These MoUs were signed in presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and South African President Jacob Juma in Pretoria, South Africa.

PM Narendra Modi Modi had arrived in South Africa from Mozambique on the second leg of his four-nation tour of Africa. Signed agreements MoU on Tourism. MoU on Grass root innovation (Science and Technology) MoU on Information and Communication technology (ICT). Both countries also signed Programme of Cooperation in Arts and Culture. Besides, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had one to one talk with the South African President Jacob Juma on various issues.

General Science Quiz

1.Which of the following types of light are strongly absorbed by plants?
Violet and orange Blue and red Indigo and yellow Yellow and violet

2.Ribosomes are composed of
RNA and DNA DNA alone RNA and Protein DNA and Protein

3.The Best food in 21st Century is
Sea weeds Lobster Jelly fish Prawn

4.In human beings, polygenic Inheritance is exbited by his
hair color Skin color Size of the body Intelligence

5.Down’s syndrome is characterized by
45 + XX 44 + XY 44 + XXY 22 + XY

India ranks 91st in 2016 Networked Readiness Index

July 7, 2016 India was placed at 91st position in the recently released 2016 Networked Readiness Index (NRI) by the Geneva-based World Economic Forum (WEF). The index was released as the part of the WEF’s Global Information Technology Report. It measures countries’ success in creating the necessary conditions for a transition to a digitised economy and society.

Key Facts Top-ten countries in 2016 NRI: Singapore (1st) while Finland (2nd), Sweden (3rd), Norway (4th), United States (5th), Netherlands (6th), Switzerland (7th), UK (8th), Luxembourg (9th) and Japan (10th). Among BRICS: Russia (41st), China (59th), South Africa (65th) and Brazil (72nd). Thus, India was ranked the lowest.

India related Facts: India’s position on the list has come down for the fourth consecutive year in a row, from 89th in 2015, 83rd in 2014 and 68th in 2013. In different parameters of Index, India has scored better in terms of political and regulatory environment (78th position). It ranked very high (8th) place in terms of affordability. India’s performance in terms online services (57th) and allowing e-participation (40th). It scored worse in terms of business and innovation environment (110th). In terms of infrastructure it even scored worse (114th) place. India also fares poorly on sub-indices for levels of skills (101st) and individual usage (120th).

Microbiology Q & A

1.The phospholipids present in cytoplasm membrane of the archaeo-bacteria is

phosphoglycerides polyisoprenoid polyisoprenoid branched chain lipids none of the above

2.The phospholipids present in cytoplasm membrane of eubacteria is mainly

phosphoglycerides polyisoprenoid phospholipoprotein none of these

3.The unifying feature of the archaea that distinguishes them from the bacteria is

habitats which are extreme environments with regard to acidity absence of a nuclear membrane temperature presence of a cell wall containing a characteristic outer membrane cytoplasmic ribosomes that are 70S

4.Mycoplasmas are different from the other prokaryotes by

presence of chitin in cell walls presence of murrain in cell walls presence of proteins in cell walls absence of cell wall itself

5.Which of the following is not true for eukaryotic cells?

Nucleus is bounded by nuclear membrane Chromosomes contain histones Chloroplasts and mitochondria contains 70S ribosomes Gas vacuoles are present

Biology Quiz

1.Which one of the following insects spreads Kala-azar?
Fruit Fly Tsetse Fly Mosquito Sand fly

2.Nitrogen fixation is done by
Red Algae Green Algae Brown Algae Blue – Green Algae

3.Phycology is the study of
fungus Virus Algae bacteria

4.Which of the following is the Amphibious Hydrophytes
Potamogeton Sagittaria Utricularia Vallisneria

5.Carolus Linneus proposed the following system of classification
Phylogenetic Two Kingdoms Five Kingdoms Natural Kingdoms

1st meeting of BRICS Working Group on Energy Saving and Energy Efficiency begins in Visakhapatnam

July 4, 2016 The first meeting of the BRICS Working Group on Energy Saving and Energy Efficiency began in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. The two day conference will be attended by all 5 member BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) countries. India being BRICS chair for 2016 has organized this event in order to shape and steer the BRICS agenda.

Brexit: IMF warns of repercussions for global economy

July 4, 2016 The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned that United Kingdom’s decision to leave the European Union (EU) has created significant uncertainty. The uncertainty is likely to dampen growth in the near term, particularly in the UK, but with repercussions for Europe and the global economy.

•  Key facts IMF predicts that macroeconomic and financial market impacts in the UK and EU due to Brexit will radiate outward across the globe. The impacts of Brexit will lead to a rising level of uncertainty, both financial and possibly political in EU and UK.
• Second BRICS Youth Summit concludes in Guwahati July 4, 2016 The second BRICS Youth Summit was held in Guwahati, Assam from 1st July 2016 to 3rd July 2016. The theme of the summit was “Youth as bridge for intra-BRICS exchanges“.

India to host meet of BRICS anti-narcotics heads

July 5, 2016 India is going to host meet of the heads of anti-narcotics agencies of BRICS nations to discuss issues related to narco-terrorism and money laundering. This meet will be held ahead of the eighth annual Summit of BRICS (Brazil-Russia-India-ChinaSouth Africa nations scheduled in October 2016.

TNPSC - General Science Q&A

1. Avicennia is a

dry land plant Marshy land Plant Hill vegetation Grass

2.Which of the following is an insectivorous plant?

Nepenthes Utricularia Drosera all of these

3.T.M.V. has the following Symmentry

Cubical helical atypical square

4.The fungal cell wall is made up of

Chitin Cellulose Pectin Peptidoglycan

5.which one of the following is not a mammal?

Bat Shark Whale Duck-billed platypus

RIMPAC 2016: World’s largest international maritime exercise kicks off

July 2, 2016 World’s largest international maritime exercise named RIMPAC (Rim of the Pacific) 2016 began in Pacific Ocean at Hawaii, United States. RIMPAC 2016 will see participation of navies from 26 countries. This year it is the 25th edition of biennial exercise in the series that began in 1971 RIMPAC 2016 Theme: “Capable, Adaptive, Partners”.

• Key Facts In this edition of exercise (from 30 June to 4 August 2016), 45 ships, 5 submarines, about 200 aircrafts and 25000 personnel are participating. 26 Participating Countries are: Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Denmark, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, China, Peru, Korea, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Tonga, the United Kingdom and the United States.
• Participating countries will exercise wide range of capabilities including complex warfighting, maritime security, disaster relief operations and sea control.

India’s first Commercial Court and Commercial Disputes Resolution Centre inaugurated in Chattisgarh

July 4, 2016 India’s first Commercial Court and Commercial Disputes Resolution Centre was inaugurated at Raipur,  capital of Chhattisgarh. It was inaugurated by State Chief Minister Dr. Raman Singh along with Supreme Court  judge Madan B. Lokur. Key facts The first Commercial Court and Commercial Disputes Resolution Centre complex  has ultra- 29 modern facilities like e-Court, e-Library, e-Filing, Video-conferencing and e-Summons. It will help in   improving the judicial system and the investors and business world. It will also facilitate the investors in their  commercial dealings. The court also consists of arbitration centre and a mediation 

solved General Science Q&A

1.Number of chromosomes in Down's syndrome is

46 47 48 49

2.Vivipary is a characteristic feauture of

Mesophytes Halophytes Xerophytes Hydrophytes

3.Moist vapour theory was given by

Aristotle Pythagoras Delepatius Darwin

4.Which of the following is called amphibians of Plant kingdom

Bryophytes Gymnosperm Angiosperm Bryophyta

5.which one of the following is not an ape

Gibbon Gorilla Orangutan Langur

High-speed OPV INS Tarasa launched by Indian Navy

July 2, 2016 Indian Navy has launched INS Tarasa, the fourth and last ship in the series of the Water Jet Fast Attack Craft (WJFAC). It is being built by Kolkata (West Bengal) based Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd (GRSE), for the Indian Navy. The WJFACs are ideally suited and used for interception of fastmoving surface craft.

About INS Tarasa INS Tarasa like the previously launched ships of WJFACs series has been named after the picturesque island in the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago in Bay of Bengal. It is an improved variant of the Car Nicobar-class high-speed offshore patrol vessels (OPVs). It is powered by the latest 4,000-series MTU engines and has displacement capacity of 315 tonnes. It is fitted with advanced machinery control system.

It has been designed to attain maximum speed of 35 knots and for an endurance of nearly 2,000 nautical miles at 12- 14 knots. The ship will be fitted with CRN-91 indigenous 30mm gun with optronic pedestal. It will also have the latest communication equipment and radars to enable effective surveillance. INS Tarasa will perform anti-smuggling, fishery protection and search and rescue operations.

General Science Quiz

1.Which of the following was the first amino acid to be produced commercially?

L – Glutamic acid L – Lysine L – Cystine L – Methionine

2.Which of the following is not a member of the division Ascomycota?

Rhizopus Claviceps Aspergillus Pencillium

3.Production of gametes in Bryophytes involve

Meiosis Mitosis Fertilization reduction division

4.Which of the following is a Floating but rooted hydrophytes

Marsilea Pistia Eichornia Hydrilla

5.The development of fruit without fertilization is called

Partenocarpy Tomography Vitreography Selenography

Kerala Government bans e-cigarettes

July 2, 2016 Kerala Government has banned ‘electronic cigarette’ alias ‘e-cigarette’ as its use can cause various health

issues, including cancer and heart ailments. In this regard, an order was issued that banned the production, sale and advertisement of e-cigarettes in the state. With this, Kerala becomes fourth state in India to ban e-cigarette. Punjab was the first state to ban e cigarettes in November 2014 under the provisions of Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003. It was followed by Maharashtra and Karnataka.

What are e-cigarettes? 

e-cigarettes are handy battery-powered devices that emit doses of vaporised nicotine. It produces the feel of tobacco smoking. Unlike regular cigarette, e-cigarettes do not produce smoke but produces an aerosol (mist), which is inaccurately referred to as vapor. e-cigarettes have a heating element that atomizes a liquid solution known as e-liquid which usually is a mixture of propylene glycol, glycerin, nicotine, and flavorings. 

Ill effects: A series of studies conducted in Japan and United States (US) had proved that the usage of e-cigarette can cause

cancer and heart ailments.

TNPSC - General Science Quiz

1.Unicellular plants found floating in oceans and freshwaters are called

Algae Zoo Planktons Phyto Planktons Epiphytes

2.The hypothesis of one gene, one protein was prosposed by

Barrel & Farrel, 1976 Beadle & Tatum 1940 Beerman, 1967 Thomas, 1969

3.Plants receive their nutrients mainly from

Haploids Diploids Polyploid Tetraploids

4.Under certain conditions algae produce _______ that is dense masses of material

Chlorella Spirullina Blooms None of these

5.Pollination by Bat is called

Anemophily zoophily entomphily Zeropteriphily