IAS Times - SET 4

EBook
IAS Times
Set 4
IAS Times
www.iastimes.com
Contents
Energy Sector .................................................................................................................................... 4

Energy Sector in India .................................................................................................................... 4
Energy Overview of India ............................................................................................................ 5
Power deficit ................................................................................................................................. 6
Capacity addition ........................................................................................................................... 6
Ultra Mega Power Projects (UMPPs) Initiative ............................................................................... 6
Causes for poor performance in power Sector ............................................................................... 8
Power sector reforms .................................................................................................................... 9
Future Directions ......................................................................................................................... 10
ISO 14001 for NTPC ..................................................................................................................... 12
Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) ........................................................................ 13
Main functions of CERC ............................................................................................................... 13
Power Exchange .......................................................................................................................... 14
Non Conventional Energy ............................................................................................................ 15
India Largest Renewable Energy Programs ................................................................................... 19
Measures taken by the Gol to promote Non-Conventional Energy Resources .............................. 21
Ministry of New & Renewable Energy sources ......................................................................... 21
National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency ..................................................................... 21
The following MoUs have been signed during the period 2007-11: .............................................. 34
Geography MCQs ............................................................................................................................ 38
A Quick Test .................................................................................................................................... 80
INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE ................................................................................................... 85
LALIT KALA AKADEMI ....................................................................................................................... 85
SANGEET NATAK AKADEMI .............................................................................................................. 86
PERFORMING ARTS ......................................................................................................................... 89
SAHITYA AKADEMI........................................................................................................................... 91
NATIONAL SCHOOL OF DRAMA ....................................................................................................... 93
INDIRA GANDHI NATIONAL CENTRE FOR THE ARTS .......................................................................... 95
www.iastimes.com
CENTRE FOR CULTURAL RESOURCES AND TRAINING........................................................................ 96

ZONAL CULTURAL CENTRES (ZCC) .................................................................................................... 99
ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA ............................................................................................. 102
What is Biodiversity? ..................................................................................................................... 106
Major characteristics of biodiversities are as follows ..................................................................... 106
Benefits of Biodiversity .................................................................................................................. 108
Threats to biodiversity ................................................................................................................... 110
Destruction of habitat................................................................................................................ 110
Exotic species ............................................................................................................................ 111
Genetic pollution ....................................................................................................................... 112
Hybridization, genetic erosion and food security ....................................................................... 112
Climate Change ......................................................................................................................... 113
2010 : International Year of Biodiversity ........................................................................................ 113
Objective of IYB ......................................................................................................................... 113
2010 Biodiversity Target ................................................................................................................ 114
Achieving 2010 biodiversity target: Indias contributions ............................................................... 115
Objective CBD are: ..................................................................................................................... 116
National Action Plan ...................................................................................................................... 117
National Biodiversity Action Plan (NBAP) ....................................................................................... 118
Threat to biodiversity .................................................................................................................... 119
Habital fragmentation, degradation and loss, and shrinking of genetic diversity ............................ 120
Great Indian Bustard facing extinction ........................................................................................... 122
Indias Biodiversity ........................................................................................................................ 124
www.iastimes.com
Energy Sector
Energy Sector in India
By and large, the Indian energy sector has been regulated and owned by
government agencies and organizations though of late the entry of private
sector has enhanced the scope for greater power generation.
1. Institutional Structure
The basic institutional structure comprise a nodal ministry at the

centre for each energy supply sector. Which is the primary agency
for policy formulation. support in decision-making and
implementation by state governments: state-level nodal agencies,
public sector undertakings and technical and research institutions.
The Union government plays a dominant role in the energy sector

and it is mainly due to the fact that the subject energy has been
placed in the concurrent list of the Seventh Schedule of the
Constitution of India.
2. Indias Energy Policy
The Energy Policy of India speaks about the goals with respect to short,
medium and long terms, which are as follows:
www.iastimes.com
Short Term : Development of domestic conventional energy

resource and demand management without affecting economic
growth.
Medium Term: Energy conservation, improved energy efficiency.
Long Term: Development of technologies to exploit resources of

thorium. Development of renewable ones on a large scale.
Energy Overview of India

The overall generation in the country has increased from 571.573 BU during
the year 2009-200 (April-December) to 597.290 Bu during the year 2010-2011
(April-December). The category wise generation performance is as follows:
Thermal Improved by 3.03%
Hydro Improved by 8.14%
Nuclear Improved by 33.12%
Bhutan Improved by 4.96%
Overall growth rate recorded 4.5%
In the thermal category, growth in generation from coal, lignite and gas based
stations was of order of 2.77&, 4.75% and 6.71% respectively. The overall plant
load factor (PLF), a measure of efficiency, of thermal power stations during
April December 2010, though less than that achieved during April-December
2009, exceeded the target of 71.35% for the first three quarters of the
duration.
www.iastimes.com
Power deficit
The deficit in power supply in terms of peak availability and total energy
availability rose steadily from 2003-04 to 2007-08, a period of high growth in
peak demand and total energy requirement. Despite modest growth in
electricity generation, the peak deficit came down significantly in 2008-09 on
account of slowdown in growth in peak demand, During April-December 2010,
the peak and the total energy deficits came down to 10.2% and 8.8%
respectively from 12.6% and 9.6% during the corresponding period in previous
year mainly due to growth of availability of power exceeding the growth in its
requirement.
Capacity addition
The 11th Plan envisaged of 78,700 MW in the power sector, of which 19.9%
was hydro, 75.8% thermal and the rest nuclear power. This was later revised to
62,374 MW comprising 8237 MW hydro, 50,757 MW thermal and 3380 MW
nuclear power. Capacity addition of 32,032 has been achieved till 31 December
2010 and project with a capacity of 30,725 MW are under construction for
commissioning during the remaining period of 11th Plan.
Ultra Mega Power Projects (UMPPs) Initiative

Ministry of power had launched an initiative for development of coal based
super critical UMPPs, each of 4000 MW capacity. Competitive bidding
guidelines have been issued under Electricity Act for procurement of power by
distribution licencees. These guidelines permit the procurement of electricity
by more than one distribution licencee (also known as procurer) through a
combined bid process, and in such a case the procurers shall have the option
www.iastimes.com
to conduct the bid process through an authorized representative. The concept

of Authorised Representative forms part of the standard bidding documents
(issued under the competitive bidding guidelines) and the authorized
representative is defined as the corporate body authorized by the procurers to
carry out the bid process for the selection of the successful bidder on their
behalf. Accordingly, PFC has set up separate Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs)
for each of the 9 UMPPs indentified so far to act as authorized representatives
of the procurers (distribution companies of the power procuring States). These
SPVs are 100% owned subsidiaries of the PFC. The names of the SPV are:-
1. Sasan Power Limited for the project Sasan, Madhya Pradesh
2. Coastal Gujarat Power Limited for the project at Mundra (Gujarat)
3. Coastal Karnataka Power Limited for the project Tadri, Karnataka
4. Coastal Andhra Pradesh Power Limited for the project at

Krishnapatnam, Andhra Pradesh
5. Coastal Tamil Nadu Power Limited for the project at Cheyyur,

Tamil Nadu
6. Coastal Maharashtra Mega Power Limited for the project at Girye,

Maharashtra
7. Orrisa Integrated Power Limited for the project in Sundergarh

district in Orrisa
8. Jharkhand Integrated Power Limited for the project near Tilaiya

dam in Jharkhand
www.iastimes.com
9. Akaltra Power Limited for the project at Akaltara in Chhattisgarh
The Boards of the SPVs are chaired by a Director of the PFC; their other
members are official of PFC, and representatives of the distribution companies
of the major power procuring States who are inducted on the Board at the
appropriate state. On completion of the entire process for selection of the
project developer, the SPVs are to be transferred to the selected bidders i.e. to
the selected project developers.
Causes for poor performance in power Sector

The reasons identified for poor performance of thermal stations included the
following:
a. Design deficiencies, manufacturing and generic defects.
b. The Operation and Maintenance (O&M) deficiencies causing

prolonged and repetitive forced outages.
c. Inadequate and non-timely availability of spare parts especially

for imported equipment.
d. Lack of resources with SEBs even for making payments to BHEL

against supplies & services and for coal supplies to coal
companies. Accordingly, they were not able to take up the
Renovation & Modernisation Programmes to the extent
required.
www.iastimes.com
e. The quality of coal being supplied had deteriorated as

compared to the deigned quality. Besides, the coal had high
ash content and contained stones, boulders, shale and sand.
f. There was excessive and inadequately trained manpower for

the O&M of the plant.
g. Contractual disputes between project authorities. Contractors

and their sub-vendors.
Power sector reforms

Electricity reforms in India started in early 1990s , prompted by the rising
losses of State Electricity Boards (SEBs) and their inability to meet demand. A
composite reform index ranks india among the top reformers worldwide-
comparable to Latin America, better than East Asia and a step behind the most
advanced countries like France, UK and some US states. Among States in India
itself, there remain significant states, i.e. Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana,
Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and West Bengal, apart from Orrisa and Delhi,
two states with private distribution (With mixed impacts).
With expected lags and some temporary reversals, outcomes are now
beginning to emerge; accelerated power generation investments and
competition; switch to tariff based awards for new power projects; more
efficient fuel sourcing (offshore natural gas, imported coal); rapid development
of a national grid (with four out of five regions synchronized and fifth-
southern-interconnected), with greater reliability; and increased wheeling of
www.iastimes.com
electricity generated with emergence of a national bulk market with open

access to States and wholesale trading.
Future Directions
Nevertheless, reform remains incomplete. And performance lags behind
accelerating demand, especially given the massive future investment
requirements and the critical role of the power sector in sustaining growth,
Reforms are now essential in three directions:
a. Strengthening regulation Electricity reform is technically

challenging and politically constrained. The States have a
crucial role in implementing further reform and the Centre in
setting out a broader framework. Political economy conflicts
are oftern complicated, with multiple actors and interests
SEBs generation, transmission and distribution companies,
wholesale and retail actors, and a variety of consumers- the
farm sector, urban households and industry. In this setting and
given substantial natural monopolies in parts of the chain, the
strong role of independent regulators is crucial.
b. Improving distribution and opening bulk supply of competition-

The next step is to introduce competition and open access at
bulk level. Most power distribution is still the monopoly of
SEBs with mounting losses and poor services. Three different
models of restructuring are possible, with States adopting
whichever model works best and setting up surrogate
competition amongst three models: (a) public private
www.iastimes.com
partnership (PPP) mode with open access. Long term

concessions granted to private distribution companies,
incorporating high investment requirements, performance
standards, tariffs subject to regulation, and permitting bulk
consumers open access to networks. (b) Distribution franchisee
mode Competitive bidding to select franchisee operators,
where ownership of assets remains with states discoms and
licencee supplies bulk electricity to franchisee at
predetermined price, franchisee retains predefined portion of
revenues and pays discoms annual rate bids, T&D losses are
monetized and borne by discoms with incentives to lower
them and tariffs remain the same as in larger licensing area. (c)
performance based State Electricity discoms. With
management independence and overhaul, and strict
commercial performance standards, some stronger state
discoms could potentially provide competitive services, with
bulk consumers again permitted open access to networks.
c. Revising tariffs to more economical levels The previous two

steps will not be enough without a strong political decision by
all States to revise electricity tariffs to economic levels and
reduce subsidies and cross most uneconomic average
electricity tariffs in the world-8 cents/kwh at retail level. The
current tariffs levels are unsustainable, can not elicit needed
investments, drain resources, and are not targeted at the poor.
Instead, lifeline metering and supply measures with explicit
www.iastimes.com
subsidies that are more carefully targeted are possible.

Consumers prefer reliable supplies over subsidized and
unreliable supplies, Better tariff setting goes hand-in hand with
better performances, as evident in better performing Indian
States.
Initiatives for improving the environmental performance of coal based stations
NTPC has achieved ISO-14001 standards for 11 plants owned by it and 2 more,
being managed by it. The Company is in the process of achieving the same in
case of its balance power plants.
Improvement of Heat-rat is a continuous exercise in NTPC, which has yielded

significant benefits. NTPC officials have been asked to submit a detailed action
plan for the next five years for heat rate improvement not only in NTPC but
also in power stations of State Electricity Boards.
ISO 14001 for NTPC

Established in November 1975 for nations Sustainable Power Development,
National Thermal Power Corporation Ltd. (NTPC) is today Indias largest power
utility with an installed capacity of 21,749 MW (19% of Indias installed
capacity) contributing to 26% of total generation in the country, with high
availability factor of its power plants. NTPC has plans to double its capacity.
NTPC has recently diversified into the hydro sector and formed for joint
venture companies for distribution, R&M, etc. Environment Management is a
high priority area in the company and several Policies have been formulated to
ensure generation of green power. Through persuasion of sound
environmental management systems and practices, NTPCs 18 stations have
www.iastimes.com
been accredited with ISO : 14001 certification. As a responsible corporate

citizen, NTPC is a member of Global Compact a UN initiative for Corporate
social responsibility.
The focus and emphasis in future in the company will be on generation of

power in line with global standards and in complete harmony with the
environment and nature.
Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC)
The Commission has been established under the Electricity Regulatory

Commissions Act, 1998 to discharge the following functions :
Main functions of CERC

To regulate the tariff of generating companies owned or
controlled by the Central Government.
To regulate the tariff of generating companies other than those

owned or controlled by the Central Government if such generating
companies enter into or otherwise have a composite scheme for
generation and sale of electricity in more than one state.
To regulate the inter-state transmission of energy including tariff

of the transmission utilities.
To promote competition, efficiency and economy in the activities

of the electricity industry.
www.iastimes.com
To aid and advise the Central Government in the formulation of

tariff policy which shall be
(I) Fair to the consumers
(II) Facilitate mobilization of adequate resources for the power

sector
To associate with the environmental regulatory agencies to

develop appropriate policies and procedures for environmental
regulation of the power sector.
To frame guidelines in matters relating to electricity tariff.
To arbitrate or adjudicate upon disputes involving generating

companies or transmission utilities in regard to matter connected
(a) to (c) above
To aid and advise the Central Government on any other matter

referred to the Central commission by that Government
To license any person for the construction, maintenance and

operation of inter-state transmission system.
Power Exchange
The CERC has issued power market regulations that focus on the creation of an
overall power market structure, the role of power exchange traders, and also
provide for market oversight and surveillance. The two power exchanges,
namely the Indian Energy Exchange Ltd.(IEX), New Delhi, and power exchange
India Ltd. (PXIL), Mumbai, already in operation from 27 June, 2008 and 22
www.iastimes.com
October, 2008 respectively have been deemed to be registered under these

regulations.
Non Conventional Energy

1. Definition : Energy self-sufficiency was identified as the major
driver for new and renewable energy in the country in the wake of
the two oil shock of the 1970s. The sudden increase in the price of
oil, uncertainties associated with its upply and the adverse impact
on the balance of payments position led to the establishment of
the commission for Additional Sources of Energy in the
Department of Science & Technology in March, 1981. The
Commission was charged with the responsibility of formulating
policies and their implementation, programmes for development
of new and renewable energy apart from coordinating and
intensifying R&D in the sector. The broad areas assigned to the
Commission include solar, wind, biomass and other new sources.
Renewable Energy is that type of energy which provides power from any
source that can be replenished. Most renewable systems rely on solar energy
directly or through the weather cycle as wave power, hydroelectric power,
wind power via wind turbines, or solar energy collected by plants (alcohol
fuels, for example). In addition, the gravitational force of the Moon can be
harnessed through tidal power stations, and the heat trapped in the centre of
the Earth is used Via geothermal energy systems. Other example are energy
from biofuel and fuel cells.
www.iastimes.com
Renewable energy resource have the advantage of being non-polluting.

However, some (such as wind energy) can be unreliable and therefore lose
their effectiveness in providing a constant supply of energy
Despite inherent problems with the technology behind renewable energy

development at an increasing pace. By the end of 2007, world wide wind-
power generation had exceeded 30 megawatts and had reached an annual
growth rate of 25%.
India has vast potential for production of power from non conventional and
renewable energy sources.
2. Advantages
NCE is a renewable source
It is inexhaustible
It leaves no pollution/minimum pollution
3. Disadvantages
But NCE is subject to vagaries of nature
The Present level of technology needs vast investment
The gestation period is very high
4. Indian Scenario for Renewable Energy

www.iastimes.com
The importance of increasing use of renewable energy

sources in the transition to a sustainable energy base was
recognized in India in the early 1970s.
During the past quarter century, a significant effort has

gone into the development, trial and induction of a variety
of renewable energy technologies for use in different
sectors of the economy and sections of society in India.
The Approach for deployment of new and renewable

energy systems/devices during the 10th Plan and before
focused on a mix of subsidy, fiscal incentives, preferential
tariffs, market mechanism and affirmative action by way of
legislation and policies.
Programmes of the Ministry for 11the Plan have been

drawn up in the light of recommendations made by CASE,
Planning Commission and those made in the Inter\grated
Energy Policy Report (IEPR). To rationalize development and
deployment strategy and in the former give a thrust
through a sector based approach in place of individual
technology approach adopted during the 10th Plan, the 5
Programmes proposed are:
(i) Grid-Interactive and Distributed Renewable Power,
(ii) Renewable Energy for Rural Application;

www.iastimes.com
(iii) Renewable Energy for Urban, Industrial & commercial

Applications;
(iv) Research, Design & Development for New & Renewable

Energy; and
(v) Supporting Programmes
IEPR has observed that R&D is critical in the energy sector

to augment energy resources, to meet long-term energy
needs apart from raising energy security and delivering
energy independence. IEPR has gone to the extent of
considering R&D as a public good and made a case for its
financing by the Government. IEPR has recommended,
among other, Technology Missions for R&D in solar, bio
energy alternate fuel and storage technologies.
R&D component is being decoupled from deployment in all

the schemes and brought under separate programme on
Renewable Energy RD&D.
Support programmes have also been rationalized as several

have been either dropped and/or clubbed together in 7
programmes, which are as follows:
(i) Information, Publicity and Extension
(ii) International Relations
(iii) HRD & Training

www.iastimes.com
(iv) Plan Secretariat
(v) IREDA, and
(vi) Support to Industry
(vii) Assistance to states for meeting liabilities incurred

during 10th plan on ongoing programmes apart from
strengthening their delivery mechanism.
(viii) The Integrated Rural Energy Programme (IREP) was

initiated in the Planning Commission during 7th plan and
was transferred to MNRE in 1994-95 Support was/has
been extended under this programme for preparation of
state/district level energy plans, limited extension of
renewable energy systems/devices, establishment of 5
regional training centers, and staff
salaries/administrative expenses at the state/ district/
block levels.
India Largest Renewable Energy Programs

India has today among the worlds largest programmes
for renewable energy. Out activities cover all major
renewable energy sources of interest to us, such as,
biogas, biomass, solar energy, wind energy, small hydro
power and the other emerging technologies.
www.iastimes.com
In each of these areas, we have porgrammes of resource

assessment, R&D, technology development and
demonstration.
Several renewable energy systems and products are now

not only commercially available, but are also
economically viable in comparison to fossil fuels,
particularly when the environmental costs of fossil fuels
are taken into account.
The Ministry is involved in the implementation of these

programmes for development, demonstration and
utilization of various renewable energy based
technologies, such as solar thermal; solar photovoltaics
wind power generation and water pumping; biomass
combustion/co-generation; small, mini & micro hydro
power, solar power, utilization of biomass-gasifiers,
briquetting, biogas, improved chulha (cook-stove);
geothermal for heat applications and power generation/
energy recovery from urban, municipal and industrial
wastes; and tidal power generation.
The Ministry also deals with other emerging areas and

New Technologies, such as, chemical sources of energy
fuel cells, alternative fuel for surface transportation and
hydrogen energy etc.
www.iastimes.com
Measures taken by the Gol to promote

Non-Conventional Energy Resources
Ministry of New & Renewable Energy sources
Department of Non-conventional Energy Sources was
established in 1982. Later it was on upgraded to MNES.
Now it has been renamed as Ministry of New & Renewable
Energy sources (MNRE).
It is responsible for R&D in Solar Energy, Photo voltaic

devices, wind energy, wave, tidal, biomass, OTEC and
Geothermal energy.
To promote the project viability aspects the ministry has

established Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency
(IREDA).
The IREDA has taken up entrepreneur development

program to provide training to new entrepreneurs in this
field.
National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency

The Energy Conservation Act, 2001 provides a legal mandate for the
implementation of the energy efficiency measures through the institution
mechanism of Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) in the Central Government
and designated agencies in each state.
www.iastimes.com
A number of schemes and programmes have been initiated and it is

anticipated that these would result in a saving of 10,000 MW by the end of 11 th
, Five Year Plan in 2012. To enhance energy efficiency, four initiatives will be
put in place.
These are :
A market based mechanism to enhance cost

effectiveness of improvements in energy efficiency in
energy-intensive large industries and facilities, through
certification of energy saving that could be traded.
Accelerating the shift to energy efficient appliance in

designated sectors through innovative measures to
make the products more affordable.
Creation of mechanisms that would help finance

demand side management programmes in all sectors by
capturing future energy savings.
Developing fiscal instruments to promote energy

efficiency.
The Renewable Energy Sector is assuming a greater role

in providing power to the Nation and total capacities
reached about 7,000 MW, during 2005, which is about
7% of the countrys grid power capacity through various
programmes which has been discussed below:
www.iastimes.com
1. Villages Energy Security through Biomass
Under a new programme to provide energy security to

villages from locally available biomass resources, first
project was commissioned at a forest fringe tribal village
named Kasai in district of Madhya Pradesh in 2005.
The project involving a cost of about Rs. 20 lakh is

funded by 90 per cent Central Financial Assistance (CFA)
and implemented through State Government/its
agencies.
The whole energy requirement of village relating to

electricity motive power and cooking fuel etc, is met
from the project using locally available biomass. The
project has the potential of transforming the entire
socio-economic life of the remote and un-electrified
remote villages, which perhaps couldnt have been
electrified through conventional sources.
The Village Energy Security Programme of the MNES

(Ministry of Non-conventional Energy Sources) is initially
being implemented as a pilot scheme, The first batch of
24 villages was sanctioned in 2005 in the states of
Madhya Pradesh (11 nos.), West Bengal (7nos.) and
Rajasthan (6 nos.)
2. Tremendous progress in setting up Wind Energy Capacity.

www.iastimes.com
Recently India surpassed Denmark to attain 4th position

in the world after Germany, Spain and US in wind power
generation capacity. Grid-connected power generation
capacity through wind energy crossed 4200 MW in the
year 2005.
In a significant recognition, World Wind Energy

Association (WWEA) conferred Wind Energy Award-
2005 on Shri Vilas Muttemwar, Minister for Non
Conventional Energy Sources in 2005 at Melbourne,
Australia for outstanding achievements in implementing
favourable policies by his Ministry for promotion of wind
energy.
3. Electricity to Remote Villages through Renewable Sources.
About 2000 remote villages have so far been electrified

through non-conventional renewable energy (RE)
sources and implementation work is going on in another
1100 villages.
There are new proposals for electrification of around

3000 villages in 18 States.
Around 25,000 remote village do not have grid

connectivity and conventional power supply may not be
feasible or cost effective in their case. Such villages are
being electrified with the help of non-conventional
www.iastimes.com
energy sources through solar energy, small hydro power,

biomass, biogas, biofuel, wind energy, etc. using more
than one source in hybrid mode.
4.Rajiv Gandhi Akshay Urja Diwas
One of the most effective and massive awareness

campaigns was organized by observing the birthday of
former prime Minister of India late Shri Rajiv Gandhi as
Akshay Urja Diwas on 20th August all over the country
Awareness Programmes on Mass scale were organized

at national, State and District levels in India. Exhibitions,
organizing mass rallies, essay and painting competitions,
Sector Administrative approval of Renewable Energy programmes
Programme
Rural Energy National Biogas and Management Programme (NBMMP)

during 11th five year Plan
Addendum Inclusion of new models of family type biogas

plants in National Biogas and Manure Management
Programme (NBMMP) during 11the year plan-Administrative
Approval-VESP. Guidelines for Test Projects.
Solar Energy Incentives to banks/micro finacing institutions to support of

solar home lighting and other small solar systems through
www.iastimes.com
loans in the country during 2010-11.
Solar Thermal Energy Demonstration Programme during 2010-

11
Promotion of Solar Thermal Systems for ail heating/steam

generating applications, solar Buildings and Askshay Urja Shops
during 2010-11
Accelerated development and deployment of solar water

heating systems in domestic, induxtrial and commercial sectors
during 2010-11
Technology Evaluation Projects on Large Area Solar Disk

Concentrator (Arun 160) for Industrial Process Heat system
during 2010-11
Programme on Off grid and Decentralized Solar Applications

for first phase of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission
(JNNSM) till 31st March, 2013 during 2010-11 Programme on
Rooftop PV & Small Solar power Generation Programme
(RPSSGP) for first phase of the Jawaharla Nehru National Solar
mission (JNNSM) till 31st March 2013, during 2010-11
Implementation of a Payment Security Scheme (PSS) for Grid

connected Solar Power Projects under Phase I of Jawaharlal
Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM) during the year 2011-12
Amendment/Addition in the Programme on Off-grid and

www.iastimes.com
Decentralized Solar Applications for implementation during

2011-12.
Power Scheme for Implementation of Generation Based Incentives

Generation (GB) for Grid interactive Wind Power Projects Small hydro
Power Programme (Up to 25 MW Capacity) for the year 2009-
10 & remaining period of 11th plan.
Demonstration Programme on Generation Based incentive for

Grid Interactive Wind Power Projects Revised Guidelines for
Wind Power Project
Guidelines for Wind Measurement by Private Sector and

subsequent development
Small Wind Energy and Hybrid Systems during 2010-11 and

2011-12
Biomass Gasifier Programme-Revised guidelines for the

implementation during 2010-11 and remaining period of the
11th plan
Program on Biomass Gasifier for industries
Biogas based Distributed/ Grid Power Generation Programme

during 2010-11 Solar Power
Demonstration Programme on Grid Interactive Solar Thermal

www.iastimes.com
Power Generation for 2008-09
Demonstration Programme on Tail-end grid connected Solar

Power Plants
Scheme for Implementation of Grid interactive Biomass Power

and Bagasse Cogeneration Projects during 2010-11 and
remaining period of the 11th Five Year Plan
Subsidy scheme for watermills and Micro Hydel Projects (upto

100 kw)
Demonstration Programme on Grid Interactive Solar PV Power

Generation during the financial year 2010-11
Continuation of the implementation of the Scheme on

Development of Solar Photovoltaic Technologies in India
during 2011-12
Programme on Biomass Co-generation (non-bagasse) in

Industry for implementation during the year 2011-12
Urban Programme on Energy Recovery from Urban Wastes for the

Industrial, & year 2011-12
commercial
Programme on Energy Recovery from Municipal Solid Waster
Application
for the year 2011-12
www.iastimes.com
(UICA Programme on Recovery of Energy from Industrial Wastes for

the Year 2011-12
Implementation of the programme on Development of Solar

Cities during 11th plan period including 2011-12
Scheme on Energy Efficiency Solar/Green Building during 11 th

Plan
Remote Remote Village Electrification Programme for the year 2011-12

Village
Electrification
(RVE)
New New Technology Programmes/Schemes for the Year 2010-1

technology
Programme for Implementation of Alternate Fuels for Surface
Group
Transportation Programme (AFSTP)
For the remaining period of 11th Plan for the Year 2010-11 and
2011-12
Planning, Non-Conventional Energy Technology Commercialization Fund

R&D (NETCOF)
Technology
Technology information Forecasting, Assessment and Databank
Information
Forecasting, Planning & Coordination
Assessment International Co-operation

and
www.iastimes.com
Databank Research & Development Co-ordination
Research & Development in Bio-Energy
HRD Programme in New and Renewable Energy for the

remaining period of 11th Five- Year Plan
HRD Programme short term technicians training programme on

installation, operation maintenance and repair of renewable
energy systems to be conducted by SNAs National Solar
Science Fellowship Programme
Information Implementation of Special Area Demonstration Project Scheme

and Public during 2010 and remaining period of 11th Plan
Awareness
Seminars and Symposia Programme in New and Renewable
Energy for the year 2011-12 Information & Public Programme
during 2011-12
National Implementation Scheme for Monitoring of Programmes being

Level implemented by MNRE through Independent National Level
monitors Monitors (NLMs) on pilot basis for six months
(NLMs)
National Bio Energy Development programme for the year 2007-08

Institute of
Renewable
Energy (NIRE)
www.iastimes.com
Forming human chains and holding debates and group discussions etc, to
create much needed awareness about the use of renewable energy.
Special are Demonstration Project Programme

The Special Area Demonstration Project Scheme of the Ministry of New and
Renewable Energy has been introduced with an objective of demonstration
application of various Renewable Energy systems in a project mode at places of
national and international importance including world heritage sites, heritage
monuments, religious locations and place of public interest to create great
awareness of renewable and to supplement the energy requirement at such
location
This Special Area Demonstration Project Scheme is being implemented into

two parts firstly the Demonstration of Renewable energy system at Prominent
place and secondly the Energy Park scheme.
5. Energy Park
The Renewable Energy Park Scheme was started in 1994 95 under the
Special Area Demonstration programme. The main objective of the
Renewable Energy Park Scheme is to creat awareness, publicity and
provide an opportunity to the students / teachers and rural and urban
masses about the use and benefits of the renewable energy by
demonstrating new and renewable energy system and device by
demonstrating working systems, cut model, LED models, below ups etc.
Two types of Renewable Energy Parks are being supported under this
scheme namely District Level Renewable Energy Parks (DLEP) and State
www.iastimes.com
Level Renewable Energy parks (SLEP). DLEPs are set up at Educational

Institutions, Krishi Vigyan Kendras, Registered Consumer Forums,
registered NGOs with facilities for Science and Environment Education
and public places where there is large inflow of public, SLEP is set up in a
State at a location where large flow of people and tourists taken place
every day.
In these Energy Parks Various NRSE systems and devices are displayed
for giving first hand information to the visitors along with working
models.
Other Measures
1. Under the Electricity Act 2003, National Electricity Police 2005 and
Tariff Police 2006 it is obligatory upon State Electricity Regulatory
Commissions to fix certain percentage for purchase of Power from
renewable energy sources in the area of a distribution licensee and to
fix preferential tariffs for the same.
The grid-interactive renewable power installed capacity in the

country has reached 11,063 MW as in 2007.
2. The Government has been providing several concessions in the form

of fiscal and financial incentives to encourage the use of renewable
energy sources These include capital/interest subsidy, accelerated
depreciation, nil/concessional excise and customs duties Further, as
applicable to all new infrastructure projects profits earned from sale
www.iastimes.com
of renewable power are exempt from Income Tax for any 10 years
out of the first 15 years of Projects operation.
3. This apart, preferential tariff for grid interactive renewable power is

being given in most potential States. Publicity and awareness on the
use of renewable energy system/devices is also created through
print, postal and electronic media and special events like the Rajiv
Gandhi Akshay Urja Diwas are being organized, District-level Advisory
Committees have been constituted in the states to facilitate effective
coordination of renewable energy schemes/programmes.
International Bilateral/Multilateral Cooperation Frameworks between India

and other countries for cooperation in New and Renewable Energy
The india Renewable Energy Programme has received increased recognition

internationally in recent years. Many countries evinced interest in cooperation
with India for Promotion of new and renewable energy. The Ministry of New
and renewable Energy has been interacting with developed and developing
countries for cooperation in New and Renewable Energy, The focus of the
interaction for cooperation has been to explore opportunities for exchange of
scientists to share experience and for taking up joint research, design,
development, demonstration and manufacture of new and renewable energy
systems/ devices by R&D institutions/ organizations of both countries and
there by establishing institutional linkages between institutions of India and
other countries. Bilateral/multilateral cooperation frame works have been
established for cooperation.
www.iastimes.com
The following MoUs have been signed during the

period 2007-11:
(i). MoU between the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Government of
India and the Department of Energy of the USA on Cooperation in the
Development of Bio-fuels.
(ii). MoU on Indo-Denmark New and Renewable Energy Cooperation between

Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Government of the India and the
Ministry of Climate and Energy, Government of the Kingdom of the Denmark.
(iii). MoU among the Government of the Republic of South Africa, Government
of the Federative Republic of Brazil and the Government of the Republic of
India on Cooperation in Wind Resources.
(iV) Protocol on Coopertation in New and Renewable Energy between the

Government of the Republic of India and the Government of the Republic of
Cuba for the Biennium 2007-2009.
(V) MoU on Indo-Iceland Renewable Energy Cooperation between the Ministry

of New and Renewable Energy. Government of India and the Ministry of
Industry of the Republic of Iceland.
(Vi) MoU on New and Renewable Energy Cooperation between ministry of

New and Renewable Energy and Department of Resources, Energy & Tourism,
Government of Australia.
(Vii) Agreement between the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy,

Government of India and the University of Saskatchewan, Canada on Indo
Canadian Renewable Energy Cooperation.
www.iastimes.com
(Viii) MoU on Indo-Italian Renewable Energy Cooperation between the

Ministry of New and Renewable Energy Government of India and the Ministry
for Environment, Land and Sea of Italy.
(iX) MoU on Cooperation in the field of New and Renewable Energy,

Government of the India and the Secretariat of Energy of the United Mexican
States.
(X) MoU between the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Government of
India and the Department of Energy, Republic of The Philippines on Enhanced
Cooperation on the Field of Renewable Energy.
(Xi) MoU between Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Government of

India and the Ministry of Energy, Government of India and the Ministry of
Energy, Government of The Kingdom to Thailand on Enhanced Cooperation in
the field of Renewable Energry
(Xii) MoU on Cooperation in the Field of New and Renewable Energy between
the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, the Government of India and the
National Energy, the Government of India and the National Energy
Commission, Republic of Chile.
(Xiii) MoU on India-Scotland Renewable Energy Cooperation between the

Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and The Government of Scotland.
(XiV) MoU between The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy of the
Republic of India and The Ministry of Industry, Tourism and Trade of the
Kingdom of Spain in the field of Renewable Energy.
www.iastimes.com
(XV) MoU on cooperation in the field of New and Renewable Energy between
the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy of the Republic of India and
Ministry of Power of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
(Xvi) MoU for the collaboration on Solar Energy Research and Development
between the Solar Energy Centre ministry of New and Renewable Energy
Republic of India and The National Renewable Energy Laboratory United States
Department of Energy.
(Xvi) MoU on India-Sweden Renewable Energy Cooperation between The

Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Government of the Republic of India
and The Ministry of Enterprise, Energy and Communications of Sweden.
(Xvii) MoU for the collaboration Wind Energy Research and Development
between the Centre for Wind Energy Laboratory, Ministry of New and
Renewable Energy Republic of India and The National Renewable Energy
Laboratory. United States Department of Energy.
(Xviii) Mou on India-Egypt Renewable Energy Cooperation between The

Ministry of New and Renewable Energy Government of India and The Ministry
of Electricity and Energy of the Arab Republic of Energy.
(XiX) Mou on India-Uruguway Renewable Energy Cooperation between The

Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Government of Republic of India and
the Government of Uruguay
(XX) Mou or Renewable Energy Cooperation between of the Peoples Republic

of Bangladesh
www.iastimes.com
(Xxi) Programme of Co-operation between Ministry of New and Renewable

Energy (MNRE), Government of India and Centre for the Development of
Industrial and Centre for the development of Industrial Technology (CDTI),
Government of Spain
In addition, interaction with USA and Japan for cooperation in New and
Renewable Energy is pursued under India-Us Energy Dialogue and India-Japan
Energy Dialogue respectively. Interaction with EU for cooperation in New and
Renewable Energy is pursued under India-EU Energy Panel. A multilateral
cooperation frame work called Asia Pacific Partnership on Clean Development
and Climate (APPCDC) enables interaction for cooperation with USA, China
South Korea, Japan, Canada and Australia.
www.iastimes.com
Geography MCQs
1. A nautical mite is equal to

(a) 5060 feet
(b) 5280 feet
(c) 6060 feet
(d) 6080 feet
Answer. (d) 6080 feet
2. Match the following

List I List II
A. Kuroshio current 1. Warm current in the Atlantic Ocean
B. Peru current 2. Cold current in the Atlantic Ocean
C. Labrador 3. Warm current in the Pacific Ocean
D. Florida current 4. Cold current in the Pacific Ocean
Codes
A B C D
(a) 3 4 2 1
(b) 3 2 4 1
(c) 1 4 2 3
(d) 1 2 4 3
Answer. (a) 3 4 2 1
www.iastimes.com
3. The current produced by upwelling of cold water off the coast of Chile
and Peru is known as
(a) canary current
(b) Humboldt current
(c) agulhas current
(d) el nino
Answer. (b) Humboldt current
4. Which of the following are cold ocean currents?

1. Humbolt current
2. Brazil current
3. Oyasiwo current
4. Canary current
Select the correct answer from the codes given below
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1, 3 and 4
(d) 2, 3 and 4
Answer. (c) 1, 3 and 4
5. Which one of the following is a warm ocean current?

(a) East Australian current
(b) West Australian current
www.iastimes.com
(c) Benguela current

(d) Peru current
Answer. (a) East Australian current
6. Assertion (A) Despite low evaporation and stable stratification of the

atmosphere, salinity is high in Polar Regions.
Reason (R) Sea water freezes laving the remaining water saline than
before.
Codes
(a) Both A and R and true and R is the correct explanation of A
(b) Both A and R and true and R is not the correct explanation of A (c) A
is true, but R is false
(d) A is false, but R is true
Answer. (d) A is false, but R is true
7. El Nino current appears along the coast of which one of the following?
(a) Brazil
(b) Peru
(c) Alaska
(d) Western Australia
Answer. (b) Peru

www.iastimes.com
8. Which one of the following pairs of oceans and currents is not correctly
matched?
(a) North Atlantic Ocean : Canary current
(b) Eastern Pacific Ocean : Kuroshio current
(c) South Atlantic Ocean : Folkland current
(d) Indian Ocean : Agulhas current
Answer. (b) Eastern Pacific Ocean : Kuroshio current
9. Which parts of the Earths surface experience least variation in

incoming solar radiation throughout the year?
(a) Poles
(b) Equatorial regions
(c) Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn
(d) Arctic and Antarctic circles
Answer. (b) Equatorial regions
10. Which one among the following is not a cause of generation of ocean
currents?
(a) Planetary winds
(b) Variation in ocean water temperature
(c) Revolution of the earth
(d) Shape and configuration of the coastlines
www.iastimes.com
Answer. (d) Shape and configuration of the coastlines
11. Flat topped hills whose summits lie more than 200 m below the sea
level is
(a) Seamount
(b) guyots
(c) oceanic ridges
(d) troughs
Answer. (b) guyots
12. Which one among the following is responsible for the expansion of
water in the ocean?
(a) Carbon dioxide
(b) Nitrogen dioxide
(c) Carbon monoxide
(d) Sulphur dioxide
Answer. (a) Carbon dioxide

List I List II
A. Aleutian 1. Indian Ocean
B. Kermadec 2. North Pacific
C. Sunda 3. South Pacific
www.iastimes.com
D. S Sandwich 4. South Atlantic Ocean

Codes
A B C D
(a) 2 4 1 3
(b) 2 3 1 4
(c) 1 3 2 4
(d) 1 4 2 3
Answer. (b) 2 3 1 4
14. Which one of the following is the tide produced as a consequence of

moon and sun pulling the earth in the same direction?
(a) Spring tide
(b) Neap tide
(c) Equatorial tide
(d) Low tide
Answer. (a) Spring tide
15. The zone separating the warm surface water and cold water below is
(a) epilimnion
(b) thermocline layer
(c) thermohaline layer
(d) hyplomnion
www.iastimes.com
Answer. (b) thermocline layer
16. Tidal range denotes the

(a) rise of sea water its movement toward the coast
(b) fall of sea water and its movement toward the sea
(c) rise and fall of sea water due to gravitation forces.
(d) difference between nigh and low tide
Answer. (d) difference between nigh and low tide
17. Tides are caused by the gravitational pull of the

(a) Earth on the Moon
(b) Earth on the Sun.
(c) Sun and Moon on the Earth
(d) Moon on the Earth
Answer. (c) Sun and Moon on the Earth
18. Which of the following marks the boundary between continental and
oceanic crust?
(a) Continental shelf
(b) Continental slope
(c) Continental rise
(d) Oceanic ridges
www.iastimes.com
Answer. (b) Continental slope
19. Assertion (A) During the day, winds blow from sea to land.
Reason (R) The land gets more heated than the surrounding sea, hence
lower pressure develops over land as compared to sea.
Codes
Answer. (a) Both A and R and true and R is the correct explanation of A
20. Which one of the following separates North an South Island of new
Zealand?
(a)Foveaux strait
(b) Bass strait
(c) Cook strait
(d) Torres strait
Answer. (c) Cook strait
21. Which of the following regions of ocean supports highest marine life?
(a) Neritic Province
(b) Oceanic province
www.iastimes.com
(c) Littoral zone

(d) Deep sea zone
Answer. (a) Neritic Province
22. Which of the following statements Regarding hurricanes is/are correct?

1. They develop over the ocean between.
2. They are almost absent in the South Atlantic Ocean.
3. They do not develop close to the equator.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below
(a) Only 1
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3
(d) All of these
Answer. (a) Only 1
23. Which one of the following is correctly Matched?

(a)Canary current : Mediterranean Sea
(b) Falkland current : Arabian Sea
(c) Gulf stream : Pacific Ocean
(d) Labrador Current : North Atlantic Ocean
Answer. (d) Labrador Current : North Atlantic Ocean

www.iastimes.com
24. Consider the following statements

1. Tides are of great help in navigation and fishing.
2. High tide enables big ships to enter or leave the harbor safely.
3. Tide prevents siltation in the harbours.
4. Kandla and Diamond Harbour are tidal ports.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 4
(b) 2,3 and 4
(c) 1, 2 and 3
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer. (b) 2,3 and 4

1. Grand bank Off the New Foundland
2. Dogger bank North Sea
Which of the statements gives above is/are true?
(a) Only 1
(b) Only 2
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) None of these
Answer. (c) Both 1 and 2
26. Consider the following statements:

www.iastimes.com
1. Ocean currents are large mass of surface water, that circulate in

regular pattern around the oceans.
2. The planetary winds are probably the dominant influence on the
flow of ocean currents.
3. The water of high salinity are denser than the water of low salinity.
4. A land mass always obstructs and diverts an ocean current.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) All of these
(b) 1, 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3
(d) Only 2
Answer. (a) All of these
27. The busiest and the most important sea route of the world is
(a) North Pacific Sea Route
(b) north Atlantic Sea Route
(c) South Atlantic Sea Route
(d) Indian Ocean Route
Answer. (b) north Atlantic Sea Route
28. Agaragar is a colourless, tasteless jelly like substance used in the

manufacture of Ice cream, is extracted from
www.iastimes.com
(a) red algae

(b) brown algae
(c) green algae
(d) blue-green algae
Answer. (a) red algae
29. Which one among the following best explains the reasons for the
Eastern and Western boundaries of the Pacific Ocean experiencing
frequent earthquake?
(a)There are deep ocean trenches along these margins
(b) High mountain strctch along the continental margins adjacent to this
ocean
(c) These margins coincide with the plate margins.
(d) The currents of the vast Pacific Ocean continue to dash against the
continental margins
Answer. (c) These margins coincide with the plate margins.
30. Consider the following statements with reference to the westerlies

1. Blow from sub-tropical high pressure belt to temperate low pressure
belt.
2. Under the coriolis effect, they become the South Easterly in the
Northern hemisphere.
3. From 400S 600S blow with a much greater force.
www.iastimes.com

(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3
(d) All of these
Answer. (c) 1 and 3

1. Island arcs are generally concave towards the open ocean.
2. Island arcs run parallel to ocean trenches and mountain chains.
Which of the statements given above is/are true?
(a) Only 1
(b) Only 2
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer. (c) Both 1 and 2
32. In which one of the following oceans Diamantine Trench situated?

(a) pacific Ocean
(b) Atlantic Ocean
(c) Indian Ocean
(d) Arctic Ocean
www.iastimes.com
Answer. (b) Atlantic Ocean
33. Which of the following currents is located near the coastline of

Philippines and China?
(a) Oyashio current
(b) Kuroshio current
(c) Canary current
(d) Benguela current
Answer.

1. The annual range of temperature is greater in the pacific Ocean than
that in the Atlantic Ocean.
2. The annual range of temperature is greater in the Northern
hemisphere than that in the Southern hemisphere.
(a) Only 1
(b) Only 2
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer. (b) Only 2
35. Continental shelf is

www.iastimes.com
(a) a part of oceanic crust made of granite

(b) a part of continental crust made of basalt
(c) a part of oceanic crust made of basalt
(d) a part of continental crust made of granite
Answer. (d) a part of continental crust made of granite
36. Estuaries possess distinct blooms of excessive growth of a pigmented

dinofagellates. These blooms are called
(a) red tides
(b) sea tides
(c) black tides
(d) sea flowers
Answer. (a) red tides
37. Which one of the following factors is responsible for the change in the
regular direction of the ocean currents in the Indian Ocean?
(a) Indian Ocean is half an ocean
(b) Indian Ocean has Monsoon drift
(c) Indian Ocean is a land-locked ocean
(d) Indian ocean has greater variation in salinity
Answer. (b) Indian Ocean has Monsoon drift

www.iastimes.com
38. Surface current in the ocean are primarily caused by

(a) temperature differences
(b) density differences
(c) wind action
(d) coriolis effect
Answer. (c) wind action
Direction (Q Nos. 39-40) In the question gives below there are two
statements labeled as Assertion (A) Reason (R). In the context of the
two which of the following is correct?
39. Assertion (A) Oceanic Island have restricted fauna and flora.
Reason (R) Oceanic island lie in sea at a great distance from the
continents.
40. Assertion (A) Seas and oceans are vast reservoir of food and mineral
resources for future.
www.iastimes.com
Reason (R) At present mankind has not been able to develop cost
effective technologies for the exploitation of marine resources.
41. Waves often change direction as they approach a shoreline a

phenomenon known as
(a) Wave refraction
(b) wave reflection
(c) wave diffraction
(d) wave diffusion
Answer. (a) Wave refraction
42. Identify the wrong pair

(a) North East Pacific : Dogger Bank
(b) North-West Atlantic : Grand Banks
(c) North-East Atlantic : Great Fisher Bank
(d) North-West Atlantic : Chesapeake Bay
Answer. (a) North East Pacific : Dogger Bank
43. Through which one of the following Straits, does a tunnel connect the
United Kingdom and France?
(a) Davis strait
www.iastimes.com
(b) Denmark Strait

(c) Strait of Dover
(d) Strait of Gibraltar
Answer. (c) Strait of Dover
44. Which of the following conditions hinders the development of corals?

(a) Temperature of water between 20-210C
(b) Existence of submarine bench or a platform
(c) Sediment free water
(d) Fresh water
Answer. (d) Fresh water
45. Consider the following statements with reference to the isotherms.

1. The line drawn on maps joining the places of equal temperature
reduce to sea level.
2. Isotherms generally run from East to West and are parallel to the
latitudes.
3. The isotherms are more regular in the Northern hemisphere.
(a) All of these
(b) 1 and 2
(c) 1 and 3
(d) Only 2
www.iastimes.com
Answer. (b) 1 and 2
46. Consider the following statements with reference to the continental

shelf.
1. It is submerged in water.
2. its average depth is 100 fathoms.
3. Its higher percentage is found in the Pacific ocean.
4. It is wider, where high mountains are close and parallel to the coast.
(a) All of these
(b) 1, 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 2
(d) Only 1
Answer. (c) 1 and 2
47. Hypsometric graph is a

(a) graph of area-altitude distribution
(b) graph of area-latitude distribution
(c) graph of salinity-temperature distribution
(d) graph of temperature-pressure distribution below the sea level
Answer. (a) graph of area-altitude distribution

www.iastimes.com
48. Which one among the following sequences of water bodies, from
lower to higher salinity concentration is correct?
(a) Gulf of California-Baltic Seas-Red Sea-Arctic Sea
(b) Baltic Sea-Arctic Sea-Gulf of California-Red Sea
(c) Red Sea-Gulf of California-Arctic Sea-Baltic Sea
(d) Arctic Sea-Gulf of California-Baltic Sea-Red Sea
Answer. (b) Baltic Sea-Arctic Sea-Gulf of California-Red Sea
49. Which of the following factors affects the origin and nature of
movement of ocean current?
(a) Gravitational force
(b) Density differences
(c) Direction and shape of coastline
(d) all of these
Answer. (d) all of these
50. The coral reefs are the marine counterpart of

(a) temperate forests
(b) tropical rain forests
(c) savannas
(d) scrubland
Answer. (b) tropical rain forests

www.iastimes.com
51. The acidification of oceans is increasing. Why is this phenomenon a

cause of concern?
1.The growth and survival of calcareous phytoplankton will be
adversely affected.
2. The growth and survival of coral reefs will be adversely affected.
3. The survival of some animals that have phytoplanktonic larvae will
be adversely affected.
4. The cloud seeding and formation of clouds will be adversely
affected.

(a) 1, 2 and 3
(b) Only 2
(c) 1 and 3
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer. (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
52. Which of the following constitutes highest coverage of Earths surface?

(a) pacific ocean
(b) Atlantic ocean
(c) Indian ocean
(d) All the continents clubbed together
www.iastimes.com
Answer. (a) pacific ocean
53. Consider the following statements about Coral Reef

1. Coral reefs are the regions of very high biological diversity.
2. Coral bleaching stands for whitening of algae and decaying of corals,
due to the lack of photosynthesis.
3. Great Barrier Reef of Australia is the longest coral barrier reef of the
world
(a) Only1
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3
(d) All of these
Answer. (d) All of these
54. Assertion (A) In the Northern hemisphere, the ocean currents flowing
from equator towards the North pole and from pole towards the
equator are deflected to their right
Reason (R) This happens due to rotation of the Earth on the axis from
West to East.
Codes
www.iastimes.com
55. Which among the following statements about the North Atlantic Drift
is/are correct?
1. it keeps the West coast of Northern Europe ice free.
2. It is responsible for the warm air mass which interacts with the cold
air mass from the Polar region and causes rainfall in Western Europe.
3. It meets the Labrador current near Vancouver Island and causes
dense fog.
(a) 1, 2 and 3
(b) 1 and 2
(c) Only 2
(d) 1 and 3
Answer. (b) 1 and 2
56. Which of the following statements relating to tsunami leave the deep
water of the open sea and travel towards shallow water
1. The speed is reduced considerably
2. They attain enormous height.
www.iastimes.com
3. They appear as a gentle rise and fall of the Sea.

(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 and 3
(c) Only 1
(d) All of these
Answer. (a) 1 and 2
57. Volcanic eruptions do not occur in the

(a) Baltic Sea
(b) Black Sea
(c) Caribbean Sea
(d) Caspian Sea
Answer. (a) Baltic Sea
58. Which one of the following is the correct sequence of the four stages of
water movement in a hydrological cycle?
(a) Evaporation Condensation-Precipitation-Infiltration
(b) Evaporation-Precipitation-condensation-infiltration
(c) Infiltration-Evaporation-condensation-Precipitation
(d) Condensation-Precipitation-Evaporation-Infiltration
Answer. (a) Evaporation Condensation-Precipitation-Infiltration

www.iastimes.com
59. The interval between two high tides is approximately

(a) 4 h 12 m
(b) 6 h 13 m
(c) 12 h 26 m
(d) 24 h 52 m
Answer. (c) 12 h 26 m
60. Which one of the following is responsible for the characteristic reddish
colour of Red Sea?
(a) Red algae
(b) Brown algae
(c) Green algae
(d) Blue-green algae
Answer. (d) Blue-green algae
61. The great Asian river Mekong does not run through
(a) China
(b) Malaysia
(c) Cambodia
(d) Laos
Answer. (b) Malaysia

www.iastimes.com
62. Consider the following conditions

1.Low Precipitation with high evaporation.
2.Anticyclone conditions with unstable air and high temperature.
3. Cyclonic conditions with unstable air,
4. High precipitation with high evaporation
High salinity of ocean waters is associated with
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 2 and 4
(d) All of these
Answer. (a) 1 and 2
63. Assertion (A) On an average, salinity decreases from equator towards

the poles in the Ocean.
Reason (R) The highest salinity in the Oceans is observed at the
equator
Codes
Answer. (c) A is true, but R is false

www.iastimes.com
64. Identify the odd one

(a) Benguelu current
(b) Peruvian current
(c) Canary current
(d) Gulf stream
Answer. (d) Gulf stream
65. The annual range of temperature in the interior of the continents is

high as compared to coastal areas. What is/are the reason/reasons?
1. Thermal difference between land and water.
2. Variation in altitude between continents and oceans.
3. Presence of strong winds in the interior.
4. Heavy rains in the interior as compared to coasts.

(a) Only 1
(b) 1 and 2
(c) 2 and 3
(d) All of these
Answer. (a) Only 1
66. Identify the correct decreasing order of salts in terms of % in sea water
www.iastimes.com
(a) Sodium Chloride, magnesium sulphate, Calcium Sulphate,

Magnesium chloride
(b) Calcium Sulphate, Sodium Chloride, Magnesium Sulphate,
magnesium Chloride
(c) Sodium Chloride, Magnesium chloride, Magnesium Sulphate Calcium
Sulphate
(d) Sodium Chloride, Magnesium Chloride, Calclum Sulphate magnesium
Sulphate
Answer. (c) Sodium Chloride, Magnesium chloride, Magnesium Sulphate

Calcium Sulphate
67. Which one of the following countries is not situated in the region
between the Caspian Sea and the Black Sea?
(a) Armenia
(b) Azerbaijan
(c) Georgia
(d) Ukraine
Answer. (d) Ukraine
68. What is the similarity between Milwaukee Deep, Java Trench and
Challenger Deep?
(a) They all are trenches in the Pacific Ocean
www.iastimes.com
(b) They are the deepest points of the Atlantic, India and Pacific Ocean
respectively
(c) They all are trenches in the Indian Ocean
(d) They all are deeps of the Atlantic Ocean
Answer. (b) They are the deepest points of the Atlantic, India and Pacific
Ocean respectively
69. Which one of the following pairs is not correctly matched?

(a) Kuroshio : Warm ocean current
(b) Labrador : Warm ocean current
(c) Benguela : Cold ocean current
(d) Oyashio : Cold ocean current
Answer. (b) Labrador : Warm ocean current
70. The increase in salinity of water

(a) increases the rate of evaporation
(b)decreases the rate of evaporation
(c) has no effect on the rate of evaporation
(d) increases the rate of evaporation initially but decreases later
Answer. (a) increases the rate of evaporation
71. In which ocean is the Kamchataka current found?

www.iastimes.com
(a) Pacific Ocean

(b) Atlantic Ocean
(c) Indian Ocean
(d) Arctic Ocean
Answer. (a) Pacific Ocean
72. What is Gulf Stream?

(a) A cold current in the Atlantic Ocean
(b) A cold current in the Pacific Ocean
(c) A warm current in the Atlantic Ocean
(d) A warm current in the Pacific Ocean
Answer. (c) A warm current in the Atlantic Ocean
73. Generally salinity decreases from

(a) equator to poles
(b) Poles to equator
(c) decreases from equator till subtropical latitudes and increases later
(d) increases from equator till subtropical latitudes and decreases later
Answer. (d) increases from equator till subtropical latitudes and

decreases later
74. Asia has large areas of inland drainage. Why is it so?

www.iastimes.com
(a) Rainfall is seasonal and scanty

(b) There is a number of inter-montane Plateaus
(c) River channels are obstructed by lava flows
(d) It is a very large continent
Answer. (b) There is a number of inter-montane Plateaus
75. Low pressures across Peruvian coast causes

(a) low rainfall in India
(b) low rainfall in Australia
(c) high rainfall in Japan
(d) Both a and b
Answer. (d) Both a and b
76. On the planet Earth, most of the fresh water exists as ice caps and
glaciers. Out of the remaining fresh water, the largest proportion
(a) is found in atmosphere as moisture and clouds
(b) is found in freshwater lakes and rivers
(c) exists as groundwater
(d) exists as soil moisture
Answer. (c) exists as groundwater

www.iastimes.com
77. Which one of the following statements is not true with reference to
soils?
(a) A laterite can form from any type of rock
(b) Hardpan is a layer of hard deposits which occurs in the lower layers
of some soils
(c) Peat soils develop best under hot and dry climatic conditions
(d) Terra Rossa soils form under semiarid conditions
Answer. (c) Peat soils develop best under hot and dry climatic conditions
78. Extensive coral formations develop between 300N and 300S especially
on the .. sides of the landmasses.
(a) Eastern
(b) Western
(c) Northern
(d) Southern
Answer. (a) Eastern
79. Identify the incorrect statement(s)

1. Other things being equal, the differential effect of wave refraction
tends to smooth the coastal outline.
2. A wave of translation can be a powerful force of destruction.
3. Waves often change direction as they approach the shore, a
phenomenon known as Wave Refraction.
www.iastimes.com
4. Wave amplitude is one half of the wavelength
Codes
(a) Only 1
(b) 1 and 3
(c) Only 2
(d) None of these
Answer. (d) None of these
80. The most important fishing grounds of the world are found in the
regions where
(a) Warm and cold atmospheric current meet
(b) rivers drain out large amounts of freshwater into the sea
(c) warm and cold oceanic currents meet
(d) continental shelf is undulating
Answer. (c) warm and cold oceanic currents meet
81. Identify the incorrect statement(s) about Marine deposits

1. Blue mud covers the largest area of ocean.
2. Green mud is found in abundance on the sea floor near the Caps of
Good Hope.
3. Grey colour of Green Mud is because of mineral Glauconite.
4. Red Clay is the most widespread pelagic deposit.
www.iastimes.com
Codes
(a) 1 and 2
(b) Only 2
(c) Only 3
(d) None of these
Answer. (d) None of these

1. Nearly 30% of the petroleum production in the world is from the
offshore areas.
2. The exclusive economic zone in the oceans extends upto 100
nautical miles from the coast.
3. Only less than 1% of marine area is declared as protected area.
4. The largest marine protected area is the Great Barrier Reef.
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 1, 3 and 4
(c) 1 and 4
(d) 2 and 3
Answer. (b) 1, 3 and 4
83. Volcanic activity occurs in which of the following tectonic setting?

1. Sea floor spreading
www.iastimes.com
2. Subduction
3. Hotspot
(a) 1 and 2
(b) Only 3
(c) 1, 2 and 3
(d) 2 and 3
Answer. (c) 1, 2 and 3
84. Tsunamis are not caused by

(a) hurricanes
(b) earthquakes
(c) undersea landslides
(d) volcanic eruptions
Answer. (a) hurricanes
85. Evaporation is greater when

(a) warm air flows over warm current
(b) warm air flows over cold current
(c) cold air flows over warm current
(d) cold air flows over cold current
Answer. (c) cold air flows over warm current

www.iastimes.com
86. Which of the following seas are enclosed?

1. Andaman Sea
2. Aral Sea
3. Sea of Azov
4. Bering Sea

(a) 1 and 2
(b) 3 and 4
(c) 2 and 3
(d) 1 and 4
Answer. (c) 2 and 3

1. Suez Canal is an important link between developed countries and
developing countries.
2. It joins the Mediterranean Sea with the Gulf of Suez.
3. It is not a sea level canal.
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 1 and 3
(c) 2 and 3
(d) Only 1
www.iastimes.com
Answer. (a) 1 and 2
88. Which one of the following is a correct sequence in the increasing

order of salinity concentration?
(a) Gulf of California-Baltic Sea-Red Sea-North Sea
(b) Baltic Sea-North Sea-Gulf of California-Red sea
(c) Red Sea-Gulf of California-North Sea-Baltic Sea
(d) North Sea-Gulf of California-Baltic Sea-Red Sea
Answer. (b) Baltic Sea-North Sea-Gulf of California-Red sea
89. Assertion (A) It is easier to swim in sea-water compared to ordinary

water
Reason (R)Density of sea-water is higher than that of ordinary water.
Codes
90. Identify the odd ones out in relation to the process of upwelling in the
ocean?
(a) Benguela current
www.iastimes.com
(b) Canaries current

(c) Peru current
(d) Oyashio current
Answer. (d) Oyashio current
91. Which of the following straits is not in Asia?

(a) Malacca strait
(b) Bass strait
(c) Formosa strait
(d) Molucca strait
Answer. (b) Bass strait

List I List II
A. Banda Sea 1. China
B. Sulu Sea 2. Indonesia
C. Tasman Sea 3. New Zealand
D. Yellow Sea 4. Philippines
A B C D
(a) 2 4 3 1
(b) 2 3 4 1
(c) 1 4 3 2
(d) 1 3 4 2
www.iastimes.com
Answer. (a) 2 4 3 1
93. Which waterway separates India from Sri Lanka?

(a) Eight Degree Channel
(b) Palk Strait
(c) Ten Degree Channel
(d) Andaman Sea
Answer. (b) Palk Strait
94. Which of the following has the maximum percentage in sea water?
(a) Magnesium Chloride
(b) Magnesium Sulphate
(c) Potassium Sulphate
(d) Sodium Chloride
Answer. (d) Sodium Chloride
95. Assertion (A) Water in an open pond remains cool ever on a hot
summer day.
Reason (R) Water on heating evaporates and heat energy gets
converted into latent heat.
Codes
www.iastimes.com

96. Which one of the following seas/gulfs are connected by the Suez
Canal?
(a) The Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea
(b) Gulf of Oman and the Red Sea
(c) The Mediterranean Sea and the Gulf of Oman
(d) Persian Gulf and the Arbian Sea
Answer. (a) The Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea
97. Assertion (A) In coastal regions, during night the land breeze blows
over to the sea.
Reason (R) In coastal regions, during night the air over sea is warmer
than the air over land
Codes
www.iastimes.com
Answer. (d) A is false, but R is true
98. Which one of the following type of tides is observed at an interval of

every 6 months?
(a) Spring tides
(b) Neap tides
(c) Tropical tides
(d) Equinoctical spring tides
Answer. (d) Equinoctical spring tides
99. Assertion (A) Ocean water in the Northern hemisphere is warmer than
that of the Southern hemisphere.
Reason (R) In comparison to the Northern hemisphere, rivers
discharging into the oceans of the Southern hemisphere are more in
number.
Codes
Answer. (c) A is true, but R is false

www.iastimes.com
100. Arrange the river in ascending order based on their length
1. Nile
2. Amazon
3. Huang Ho
4. Mississippi
(a) 1, 2, 3, 4
(b) 2, 3, 4, 1
(c) 4, 3, 2, 1
(d) 3, 4, 2, 1
Answer. (c) 4, 3, 2, 1
www.iastimes.com
A Quick Test

List I List II
(Dam) (River)
A. ukai Dam 1. Beas
B. Bhakra Dam 2. Krishna
C. Nagarjuna sagar Dam 3. Sutlej
D. Pandon Dam 4. Tapi (Tapti)
2. Assertion (A) The Eastern coast of India produces more rice than the
Western coast.
Reason (R) The Eastern coast received more rainfall than the Western
coast.
Codes
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
(b) Both A and R are true, but R is not correct explanation of A
(c) A is true, but R is false
3. With reference to the usefulness of the by products of sugar industry,

which of the following statements is/are correct?
1.Bagasse can be used as biomass fuel for the generation of energy.
www.iastimes.com
2. Molasses can be used as one of the feedstocks for the production of

synthetic chemical fertilizers.
3. Molasses can be used for the production of ethanol.
(a) Only 1
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3
(d) All of the above
4. Terrance farming is done

(a) on the slope of hills
(b) in dry regions
(c) on roof tops
(d) on mountain tops
5. Yellow Revolution is associated with the production of

(a) poultry
(b) oil seeds
(c) sunflower
(d) gold
6. Assertion (A) Insect resistant transgenic cotton has been produced by

inserting Bt gene.
Reason (R) The Bt gene is derived from a bacterium.
Codes
www.iastimes.com
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A

(b) Both A and R are true, but R is not correct explanation of A
(c) A is true, but R is false
7. The correct sequence in decreasing order of the four sugarcane

producing states in India is
(a) Maharashtra, UP, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh
(b) UP, Maharashtra, Tamil, Andhra Pradesh
(c) Maharashtra, Up, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu
(d) UP, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu
8. Jhumming is a shifting agriculture practiced in

(a) North-Eastern India
(b) South-Western India
(c) South-Eastern India
(d) Northern India
9. Consider the following agricultural practices

1. Contour bunding
2. Relay cropping
3. Zero tillage
In the context of global climate change which of the above help/helps

in carbon seques-tration/storage in the soil?
www.iastimes.com
(a) 1 and 2
(b) Only 3
(c) 1, 2 and 3
(d) None of these
10. Consider the following crops of India

1.Cowpea
2. Green Gram
3. Pigeon Pea
Which of the above is/are used as pulse, fodder and green manure?
(a) 1 and 2
(b) Only 2
(c) 1 and 3
(d) 1, 2 and 3

1.Pearl Millet (Pennisetum typhoides) can be cultivated under hot-
humid conditions only.
2. Pigeon Pea (Cajanus cajan) can be cultivated both under hot humid
and hot dry conditions.
(a) Only 1
(b) Only 2
(c) Both 1 and 2
www.iastimes.com
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

1.Maharashtra has the highest area under jawar in India
2. Gujarat is the largest producer of groundnut in India.
3. Rajasthan has the largest area of cultivable wastelands in India.
4. Andhra Pradesh has the highest per hectare yield of maize in India.
(a) 1 and 4
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3
(d) 2 and 4
www.iastimes.com
INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE
LALIT KALA AKADEMI

To promote and propagate understanding of Indian art, both within and
outside the country, the Government of India established Lalit Kala Akademi
(National Akademi of Arts) at New Delhi on 5 August 1954. The Akademi has
regional centres called Rashtriya Lalit Kala Kendras at Lucknow, Kolkata,
Chennai, Garhi in New Delhi, Shimla and Bhubaneswar with workshop facilities
in painting, sculpture print-making and ceramics.
Since its inception, the Akademi has been organising national exhibition of
contemporary Indian art with 15 national awards, each of Rs. 50,000 Every
three year, the Akademi also organises Triennial India, an International
exhibition of contemporary art in New Delhi. Since 1955, the Akademi has
organized 52 National Exhibitions of Art has presented the National Award to
545 artists.
The Akademi honours eminent artists and art historians every year by electing
them as Fellow of the Akademi. To propagate Indian art outside, the Akademi
regularly participates in International Biennials and Triennials aborad and also
organizes exhibitions of works of art from other countries. To foster contracts
with artists from outside, it sponsors exchange of artists with other countries
under the various Cultural Exchange Programmes and Agreements of the
Government.
www.iastimes.com
The Lalit Kala Akademi accords recognition to art institutions/associations and

extends financial assistance to these bodies as well as State Academies. It also
gives scholarships to deserving young artists belonging to its regional centres.
Under its publication progrmme, the Akademi brings out monographs on the
works of Indian contemporary artists in Hindi and English and books on
contemporary, traditional, folk and tribal arts authored by eminent writers and
art critics. The Akademi also brings out bi-annual art journals, Lalit Kala
Contemporary (English), Lalit Kala Ancient (English) and Samkaleen Kala
(Hindi). Apart from these, it brings out large size multi-colour reproductions of
contemporary paintings and graphics from time to time. The Akademi has
started a regular programme on research and documentation. Scholars are
given financial assistance to undertake projects in contemporary projects on
various aspects of Indian society and culture.
SANGEET NATAK AKADEMI
Sangeet Natak Adademi, Indias National Academy of Music, Dance and Drama,
may be regarded as a pioneer in the process of creation of modern India that
led politically to Indias freedom in 1947. The ephemeral quality of the arts,
and the need for their preservation led to the adapting of a democratic system
in which a common man had the opportunity to learn, practice and propagate
the art. Within the first few decades of the twentieth century, public
perception of responsibility for both preservation and development of the art
had started inclining towards the state.
www.iastimes.com
The first comprehensive public appeal to government in this direction was

made in 1945, when the Asiatic Society of Bengal submitted a proposal for the
creation of a National Cultural Trust consisting of three academies-an Academy
of Dance, Drama, and Music, an Academy of Letters and an Academy of Art
and Architecture.
The entire question was reconsidered after independence, in a Conference on

Art held in Kokata in 1949, and two Conferences, on Letters, and the other on
Dance, Drama, and Music, held in New Delhi in 1951. These Conferences
convened by the Government of India finally recommended the creation of
three national academies: an Academy of Dance, Drama and Music, an
Academy of Letters and an Academy of Art.
The National Academy of Dance, Drama, and Music, named Sangeet Natak
Akademi, was the first of these entities to be established by a resolution of the
Ministry of Education, headed by Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, signed on 31 May
1952. On 28 January 1953, Sangeet Natak Akademi was inaugurated by the
then President of India, Dr Rajendra Prasad.
The Akademis charter of functions contained in the 1952 resolution was

expanded along the original lines in 1961, when Sanget Natak Akademi was
reconstituted by the Government as a society and registered under the
Societies registration Act of 1860 (as amended in 1957). These functions are
set down in the Akademis Memorandum of Association, adopted at its
registration as a society on 11 September 1961.
Since its inception the Akademi has worked towards building up a unified
structure of support for the practice of music, dance and drama in India. This
www.iastimes.com
support encompasses traditional and modern forms, and urban as well as rural
environments. The festivals of music, dance and drama presented or promoted
by the Akademi are held all over India. The great masters of the performing
arts have been elected as Fellows of the Akademi. The Sangeet Natak Akademi
Awards conferred annually on eminent artists and scholars are considered the
most coveted honours in the field of performing arts. Thousands of institutions
across the country, including many in the remote areas, engaged in teaching or
promotion of music, dance and theatre have received financial assistance for
their work, from the Akademi, as do researchers, authors and publishers in
relevant disciplines.
The extensive recording and filming of the performing arts carried on by the
Akademi since its inception have resulted in a large archive of audio-and video-
tape, 16-mm film, photographs and transparencies, and remains the single
most important resource for researchers in the field of performing arts of
India.
The Akademis Gallery of Musical Instruments has a collection of more than

600 instruments of prominence and has been the source of a great deal of
published documentation over the years. The library of Sangeet Natak
Akademi receives about 150 Indian and Foreign Periodicals. The total collection
of the Library now stands at 24506 books. The Audio Visual library includes a
large number of discs, cassettes and audio & video CDs. The collection of
Audio visuals now stands 9827 discs, 761 pre recorded cassettes from the
archives of Akademi, 92 video cassettes of dance, drama, music.
www.iastimes.com
The Akademi also establishes and looks after institutions and projects of
national importance in the field of performing arts. Chronologically, the
Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy in Imphal, the premier institution in
Manipur dance and music established in 1954, is the first of these institutions.
In 1959 the Akademi established the National School of drama and in 1964 the
Kathak Kendra, both being based in Delhi. The Akademis other projects of
national importance are in Kutiyattam theatre of Kerala, which commence in
1991 received recognition from UNESCO as a Master piece of oral and
intangible heritage of humanity in 2001. The project on Chhau dance of Orissa,
Jharkhand and West Bengal began in 1994. The project support to Sattriya
music, dance, theatre and allied arts of Assam was started in 2002.
As the apex body specialising in the performing arts, the Akademi also renders
advice and assistance to the Government of Indian in the task of formulating
and implementing policies and projects in the field. Additionally, the Akademi
carries a part of the responsibilities of the State for fostering cultural contacts
between various regions in India, and between India and other countries. The
Akademi has held exhibitions and major festivals in foreign countries.
PERFORMING ARTS
MUSIC
Two main schools of classical music Hindustani and Carnatic continue to

survive through oral tradition being passed on by teachers to disciples. This has
led to the existence of family traditions called gharanas and sampradayas.
www.iastimes.com
DANCE
Dance in India has an unbroken tradition of over 2,000 years. Its themes are
derived from mythology, legends and classical literature, two main divisions
being classical and folk. Classical dance forms are based on ancient dance
discipline and have rigid rules of presentation. Important among them are
Baharata Natyam, Kathakali, Kathak, Manipuri, Kuchipudi and Odissi. Bharata
Natyam though it derives its roots from Tamil Nadu, has developed into an all
India form. Kathakali is a dance form of Kerala, Kathak is a classical dance form
revitalized as a result of Mughal influence on Indian culture. Manipur has
contributed to a delicate, lyrical style of dance called Manipuri, while
Kuchipudi is a dance form owing its origins to Andhra Pradesh. Odissi from
Orissa, once practiced as a temple dance, is today widely exhibited by artistes
across the country. Folk and tribal dances are of numerous patterns.
Both classical and folk dances owe their present popularity to institutions like
Sangeet Natak Akademi and other training institutes and cultural
organisations. The Akademi gives financial assistance to cultural institutions
and awards fellowships to scholars, performers and teachers to promote
advanced study and training in different forms of dance and music, especially
those which are rare.
THEATRE
Theatre in India is as old as her music and dance. Classical theatre survives only
in some places. Folk theatre can be seen in its regional variants practically in
every region. There are also professional theatres, mainly city-oriented.
Besides, India has a rich tradition of puppet theatre, prevalent forms being
www.iastimes.com
puppets, rod puppets, glove puppets and leather puppets (shadow theatre).
There are several semi professional and amateur theatre groups involved in
staging plays in Indian languages and in English.
SAHITYA AKADEMI
Sanitya Akademi is the Indian National Academy of Letters meant to promote
the cause of Indian literature through publications, translations, seminars,
workshops, cultural exchange programmes and literary meets organised all
over the country.
The Akademi was founded in March 1954 as an autonomous body fully funded
by the department of Culture. It was registered as a Society in 1956 under the
Societies Registration Act, 1860. The Akademi has recognised 24 languages. It
has an Advisory Board for each of the languages that suggests various
programmes and publications in the concerned languages. There are four
Regional Boards to promote regional interaction among the languages of the
North, West, East and South. Besides its Head Offices in New Delhi, it has four
offices : in Kolkata, Mumbai, Bangaluru and Chennai. The Akademi has two
Translation Centres at Bangalore and Kolkata, besides a project Offices as
Shillong for promotion of oral and tribal literature and an Archive of Indian
literature in Delhi. It maintains a unique multilingual library in New Delhi and at
its regional offices at Bangaluru and Kokata, having about 1.5 lakh books in
over 25 languages.
The three fellowships by Sahitya Akademi are :-
1. Sahitya Akademi Honorary Fellowship

www.iastimes.com
2. Anand Fellowship
3. Premchand Fellowship
Sahitya Akademi Honorary Fellowship is the highest honour conferred by

the Akademi on a writer, by electing him as its Fellow. This honour is
reserved for the immortals of literature and limited to twenty one only at
any given time. Anand Fellowship instituted in 1996 in the name of the
great scholar and aesthete Dr. Ananda Coomaraswamy is offered to
scholars from Asian Countries to pursue literary project of their choice.
Sahitya Akademi also instituted a Fellowship name dafter Premchand
during his 125th Brith Anniversary in 2005. This Fellowship is given to
scholars doing research on Indian literature or to creative writers from the
countries of the SAARC region other than India. Every year since its
inception in 1954, the Sahitya Akademi Awards Prizes to the Most
outstanding books of literary merit published in any of the major Indian
languages by the Akademi. The award amount, which was Rs. 5,000 at the
time of inception, had been enhanced to Rs 10,000 from 1983, Rs 25,000
from 1988, Rs 40,000 from 2001 and is now Rs 50,000 since 2003. The first
Awards were given in 1955.
The Akademi publishes books in 24 languages including translations Award-

winning works, monographs on the great pioneers of Indian literature,
histories of literature, Indian and foreign classic in translation, anthologies
of fiction, poetry and prose, biographies, Register of Translators, Whos
Who of Indian Writers, National Bibliography of Indian Literature and
Encyclopedia of Indian Literature. So far, the Akademi has published over
www.iastimes.com
6,000 books in these different categories. It has three journals, Indian

Literature (bi-monthly in English), Samkaleena Bharatiya Sahitya (bi-
monthly in Hindi) and Samskrita Pratibha (half yearly in Sanskrit). Every year
the Akademi publishes 250-300 books on an average. It has certain special
projects like the Ancient Indian Literature, Medieval Indian Literature and
Modern Indian Literature together constituting ten volumes of the best of
Indian writing over five millennia. It has also launched a new project
Encyclopedia of Indian Poetics.
Sahity Akademi holds an annual week-long Festival of Letters usually in

February with Award-giving ceremony, Samvatsar Lecture and a National
Seminar. The Akademi also introduced a new series of programmes entitled
sur Sahitya as part of the Golden Jubilee celebrations in 2004-05.
NATIONAL SCHOOL OF DRAMA
The National School of Drama (NSD) one of the foremost theatre

institutions in the world and the only one of its kind in India was set up by
Sangeet Natak Akademi in 1959. Later in 1975, it became an autonomous
organisation, totally financed by Department of Culture. The objective of
NSC is to train students in all aspects of theatre, including theatre history,
production, scene design, costume design, lighting, make up, etc. The
training course at NSD is of three years duration. Each year, 20 students are
admitted to the course. The eligible applicants for admission to the course
are screened through two stages. The Diploma of NSD is recognised by the
Association of Indian Universities and for purposes of registration for Ph.D.
www.iastimes.com
The School has a performing wing, a Repertory Company which was set up
in 1964 with the dual purpose of establishing professional theatre on one
hand and continuing with the regular experimental work on the other. The
NSD has made a significant contribution in promoting childrens theatre.
The Theatre-in Education Company (renamed as Sanskar Rang Toli) was
founded in 1989 and has been actively involved in production of plays for
children, organising summer theatre workshops in the schools of Delhi and
also promoting childrens theatre through Saturday Club. Since 1998, the
School has organised National Theatre Festival for Children christened
Bharat Rang Mahotsav was help from 18 March to 14 April 1999 to
commemorate the 50th year of Indias Independence. Encouraged by the
success of the first Bharat Rang Mahotsav, it has been made an annual
feature.
To reach a vast majority of theatre artists in various states with diverse

languages and cultural backgrounds, who cannot have access to the regular
training course provided by the School, a short-term teaching and training
programme titled Extention Programme was started in 1978. Undet this
programme, the School organises workshops in collaboration with the local
theatre groups/ artists and these programmes are invariably held in the
local languages. The workshops could be broadly divided under three
categories, Production Oriented Workshops, production Oriented Children
Workshops and Teaching and Training Programme in Theatre. The School
has also set up a Fetional Research Centre at Bangalore to cater to the
theatrical needs of the four Southern States and Puducherry.
www.iastimes.com
Another important activity of the School is the publication of textbooks on

theatre and arrange the translation of important books on theatre fro
English into Hindi.
INDIRA GANDHI NATIONAL CENTRE FOR THE ARTS
The Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) is a premier national
institution engaged in the pursuit of knowledge on arts and culture and in
the exploration of relationships of arts and culture with various disciplines
of learning and diverse aspects of life. Established in 1987 in the memory of
the Late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, it is involved in multifarious activities
such as research, publication, training, documentation, dissemination and
networking and is poised to grow into a large repository of information
pertaining to the arts in India. The IGNCA seeks to place the arts within the
natural environment by providing a forum for creative and critical dialogue
between the diverse arts, between the arts and sciences, between arts and
the traditional and current knowledge systems. The IGNCA promotes
interaction and understanding between diverse communities, regions,
social strata, and between India and other parts of the world.
The IGNCA has six functional Units Kala Nidhi, the multi-form library; Kala
Kosa, devoted mainly to the study and publication of fundamental texts in
Indian Languages; Janapada Sampada, engaged in lifestyle studies;
kaladarsana, the executive unit which transforms researches and studies
www.iastimes.com
emanating from the IGNCA into visible forms through exhibitions; Cultural
Informatics Lab, which applies technology tools for cultural preservation
and propagation; and sutaradhara, the administrative section that acts as
a spine supporting and coordinating all the activities. The Member
Secretary is the Executive head both academic and administrative divisions.
The IGNCA has a trust (Board of Trustees), which Executive Committee,
drawn from among the Trustees, functions under a Chairman. The
Committee acts as a link between the Trust and the IGNCA.
The IGNCA has three Regional Centres in India
The IGNCA has a Southern Regional Centre (SRC) headquartered in

Bangaluru. Its establishment in 2001 was aimed at intensifying the
Centres studies on the southern regions art and cultural heritage.
The Centres office in Varanasi is an extension of the Kalakosa Division.
This office gives academic input and support of Indological and Sanskrit
studies of Kalakosa.
The field centre of the IGNCA for the North East is based in Guwahati. Its
main task is to collaborate in programmes relating to the culture rich
communities in the north eastern region.
CENTRE FOR CULTURAL RESOURCES

AND TRAINING
www.iastimes.com
The Centre for cultural Resources and Training (CCRT) is one of the
premier institutions working in the field of linking education with culture.
The Centre was set up in May 1979 as an autonomous organisation by
the Government of India. Today it operates under the administrative
control of Ministry of Culture, Government of India. With headquarters in
New Delhi, it has three regional centres at Udaipur Hyderabad and
Guwahati.
The broad objectives of CCRT have been to revitalize the education
system by creating an understanding and awareness among students
about the plurality of the regional cultures of India and integrating this
knowledge with education. The main thrust is on linking education with
culture and making students aware of the importance of culture in all
development programmes. Once of the CCRTs main functions is to
conduct a variety of training programmes for in-service teachers drawn
from all parts of the country. The training provides an understanding and
appreciation of the philosophy, aesthetics and beauty inherent in Indian
art and culture and focuses on formulating methodologies for
incorporating a culture component, in curriculum teaching. This training
also stresses the role of culture in science and technology, housing,
agriculture, sports, etc. An important component of training is to create
awareness amongst students and teachers of their role in solving
environmental pollution problems and conservation and preservation of
the natural and cultural heritage. To fulfill these objectives, the Centre
organises variety of training programmes for teachers, educators,
administrators and students throughout the country.
www.iastimes.com
The CCRT organises academic programmes on Indian art and culture for
foreign teachers and students on special request. Workshops are
conducted in Various art activities like drama, music, narrative art forms,
etc., to provide practical training and knowledge in the arts and crafts. In
these workshops, teachers are encouraged to develop programmes in
which the art form can be profitably utilized to teach educational
curriculum.
Over the years, CCRT has been collecting resources in the form of scripts,
colour slides, photographs, audio and video recordings and films. Each
year the CCRTs documentation team conducts programmes in different
parts of the country with the objective of reviving and encouraging the
art and craft forms of rural India. The Centre also prepares publications,
which attempt at providing an understanding and appreciation of
different aspects of Indian art and culture.
One of the most important functions of CCRT is to implement the Cultural
Talent Search Scholarship Scheme, which was taken over from the
Department of culture in 1982. The Scheme provides scholarships to
outstanding children in the age group of 10 to 14 years, studying either in
recognised schools or belonging to families practicing traditional
performing or other art to develop their talent in various cultural fields
particularly in rare art forms. That scholarships continue till the age of 20
years or the first year of a University degree.
The Centre has instituted CCRT Teachers Award which is given every year
to selected teachers for the outstanding work done by them in the field
www.iastimes.com
of education and culture. The Award carries with it a citation, a plaque an

angavastram and a cash prize of Rs. 10,000
ZONAL CULTURAL CENTRES (ZCC)
Zonal Cultural Centres have been conceptualised with the aim of

projecting cultural kinship which transcends territorial boundaries. The
idea is to arouse awareness of the local cultures and to show how these
merge into zonal identities and eventually into the rich diversity of Indias
composite cultures. These centres have already established themselves
as a premier agency in the field of promotion, preservation and
dissemination of culture in the entire country. They are not only
promoting performing arts but also making a significant contribution in
the associated field of literary and visual arts. The seven zonal cultural
centres were established under this scheme during 1985-86 at Patiala,
Kolkata, Thanjavur, Udaipur, Allahabad, Dimapur and Nagpur. The
participation of states in more than one zonal cultural centre according to
their cultural linkage is a special feature of the composition of the zonal
centres. With the approval of the Cabinet a Corpus fund for each ZCC was
created by Government of India and the participating State Governments
to enable the ZCCs to finance their activities from the interest earned on
the investment of this Corpus Fund. The Government of India has
provided Rs one crore. In the event of a State being a member of more
than one centre, the States contribution would not exceed Rs one crore
www.iastimes.com
in all. From 193 all the Zonal Cultural Centres have been sending their
folk artistes for participation in the Republic Day Folk Dance Festival. This
restival is inaugurated by the Honble President of India every year on
24th /25th January at the Talkatora Indoor Stadium in New Delhi. The
Festival provides a unique opportunity for folk artistes to perform at the
national level. A Crafts Fair is also held in the various zones along with the
Republic Day Folk Dance Festival. Master craftsmen and artisans from
various ZCCs participate in this Crafts Fair. The Craft Fair has been
providing a valuable opportunity for craft persons forms different parts of
India to exhibit their products as well as their process of manufacturing
directly to the customers. Documentation of various Folk and Tribal Art
from especially those which are rare and on the verge of vanishing, is one
of the main thrust areas of the ZCCs. Under the National Cultural
Exchange Programme (NCEP), exchanges of artists, musicologists,
performers and scholars between different regions within the country
take place. It has been extremely useful in promoting awareness of
different tribal/folk art forms in different parts of the country and thus a
very useful expressions of the concept of unity within diversity of our
country. A scheme of Theatre Rejuvenation has been started to provide
and opportunity to students, actors, artists, directors and writers to
perform on a common platform and to interact with each other. To
promote new talents in the field of music and dance a scheme of Guru
Shishya Parampara has been introduced where masters will be identified
in the zone, pupil assigned to them and scholarship provided from the
purpose. The ZCCs also provide promotion and marketing facilities to
www.iastimes.com
craftsmen through Shilpgrams. ZCCs have also started a new scheme for
recognition and encouragement of young talents in which each ZCC will
identify the different performing/folk art forms in their area and select
one or talented artists in each of the fields.
www.iastimes.com
TANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE
ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) was established in 1861. It
functions as an attached office of the Department of Culture. The
organisation is headed by the Director General.
The major activities of the Archaeological Survey of India are :
1) Survy of archaeological remains and excavations;
2) Maintenance and conservation of centrally protected monuments,
sites and remains;
3) Chemical preservation of monuments and antiquarian remains;
4) Architectural survey of monuments;
5) Development of epigraphical research and numismatic studies;
6) Setting up and re-organisation of site museums;
7) Expedition abroad;
8) Training in Archaeology;
9) Publication of technical report and research works.
There are 24 Circles and 5 Regional Directorates through which the

archaeological Survey of India administer the work of preservation and
conservation of monuments under its protection.
Under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains

Act, 1958, the ASI has declared three thousands six hundred and seventy
five monuments/sites to be of national importance in the country which
includes twenty one properties that are inscribed on the World Heritage
www.iastimes.com
List by UNESCO. Since its establishment one hundred and forty four years
ago, the ASI has grown into a large organisation with an all India network
of offices, branches and circles.
Three sites, namely, Champaner Pavagarh Archaeological Park in

Gujarat, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (formerly Victoria Teminus) Station
in Mumbai and the Brihadisvara temple complex,
Gangakondacholapuram and the Airvatesvaira temple complex,
Darasuram as an extension to the Brihadisvara temple complex,
Thanjavur (now commonly called as the Great Living Chola Temples) have
been inscribed on the World Heritage List of UNESCO in 2004.
Nomination dossiers for the following sites have been sent to the World
Heritage Centre for inscription on the World Heritage List of UNESCO: (1)
Shri Harminder Sahib (Golden Temple) at Amritsar, Punjab. (2) Majuli
Island in Mid stream of river Brahmaputra in Assam. (3) Valley of
Flowers as an extension to the Nanda Devi National Park in Uttaranchal.
(4) Red Fort, Delhi (a deferred nomination).
The total number of individual structures being maintained by the ASI is

over five thousand. The activities of its various wings are as under;
Underwater Archaeology wing: Search study and preservation of cultural

heritage lying submerged in inland or territorial waters are among the
principal functions of the Underwater Archaeology Wing. It carries out
exploration and excavation in Arabian Sea as well as in Bay of Bengal.
www.iastimes.com
Science Branch: The Science Branch of the Survey with its headquarters
at Dehradun and field laboratories in different parts of the country
carries out chemical preservation of monuments, antiquities,
manuscripts, paintings, etc.
Laboratories of Science Branch at Dehradun have undertaken the

following scientific projects: (1) Evaluation of new materials as
preservative coatings and strengthened for stone, terracotta, bricks &
adobe structures. (2) Scientific studies related to conservation of ancient
lime plaster. (3) Evaluation of physical characteristics of plaster cement
with addition of rapid hardening plaster cement in different proportions.
Horticulture Branch: The Horticulture Branch of the ASI maintains

gardens in about two hundred and eighty seven centrally protected
monuments/ sites located in different parts of the country. The branch
provides periodic plants to be used in gardens by developing base
nurseries at Delhi, Agra, Srirangapatnam and Bhubaneswar.
Epigraphy Branch: The Epigraphy Branch at Mysore carries out research

work in Sanskrit and Dravidian languages while the one at Nagpur carries
out research work in Arabic and Persian.
Expeditions Abroad : The ASI has taken up the conservation project of Ta

Prohm, Cambodia under the ITEC programme of Ministry of External
Affairs with an outlay of Rs 19.51 crore. The conservation project has
been started as per the assurance of the Honble Prime Minister of India,
during his visits to Cambodia in April and November 2002, on the request
of the Royal Government of Cambodia for Indias assistance in
www.iastimes.com
Conservation and Restoration of Prasat Ta prohm. The conservation

project is for a period of ten years and is to be completed in five phases.
The ASI has commenced the conservation project from January 2004
onwards and it was formally launched in February 2004 in Cambodia.
www.iastimes.com
Biodiversity
What is Biodiversity?
Biodiversity is the grand diversity of life on Earth and all the

interconnections that support these myriad forms life.
Biodiversity is important to people because we depend on other species

and the ecosystems they create. Biodiversity gives us:
Ecosystem services, such as the fresh air, clean water and productive
soils that we need to survive.
Food, medicines and natural products that keep us healthy.
Economic benefits that maintain a healthy economy.
Natural beauty that we enjoy and improves our quality of life.
A community of life, with which we share planet Earth, and the

ipportunity to practice thoughtful stewardship.
Major characteristics of biodiversities are as

follows
www.iastimes.com
Biodiversity is the variation of life forms within a given ecosystem,

biome, or on the entire Earth. Biodiversity is often used as a measure of
the health of biological systems. The biodiversity found on Earth today
consists of many millions of distinct biological species. The year 2010 has
been declared as the International year of Biodiversity.
Biodiversity is not distributed evenly on Earth, but is consistently rich in

the tropics and in specific localized regions; it is less rich in polar regions
where fewer species are found.
Rapid environment modifications typically cause extinctions. Of all

species that have existed on Earth, 99.9 percent are now extinct. Since
life began on Earth, five major mass extinctions have led to large and
sudden drops in the biodiversity of species.
The Phanerozoic eon (the last 540 million years) marked a rapid growth
in biodiversity in the Cambrian explosion a period during which nearly
every phylum of multicellular organisms first appeared.
The next 400 million years was distinguished by periodic, massive losses
of biodiversity classified as mass extinction events.
The most recent the Cretaceous Tertiary extinction event , occurred 65

million years ago, and has attracted more attention than all other
because it killed the nonavian dinosaurs.
Today there is concern that the period since the emergence of humans is
part of a mass reduction in biodiversity, the Holocene extinction, caused
www.iastimes.com
primarily by the impact humans are having on the environment

particularly the destruction of plant and animal habitats.
In addition, human practices have caused a loss of genetic biodiversity.

The relevance of biodiversity to human health is becoming a major
international issue, as scientific evidence is gathered on the global
health scientific evidence is gathered on the global health implications of
biodiversity loss.
Biological diversity or biodiversity can have many interpretations

and it is most commonly used to replace the more clearly defined and
long established terms species diversity and species richness.
The 1992 United Nations Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro defined

biological diversity as the variability among living organisms from all
sources, including, inter alia terrestrial, marine, and other aquatic
ecosystems, and the ecological complexes of which they are part: this
include diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems.
This is, in fact, the closest thing to a single legally accepted definition of
biodiversity, since it is the definition adopted by the United Nations
Convention on Biological diversity.
Benefits of Biodiversity
Biodiversity boosts ecosystem productivity where each species, no

matter how small, all have an important role to play.
www.iastimes.com
For example, a larget number of plant species means a greater variety of

crops; greater species diversity ensures natural sustainability for all life
forms; and healthy ecosystems can better withstand and recover from a
variety of disasters.
And so, while we dominate this planet, we still need to preserve the
diversity in wildlife.
Bodiversity also support a number of natural ecosystem processes and

services. Some ecosystem services that benefit society are air quality,
climate (both global CO2 sequestration and local), water purification,
pollination and prevention of erosion.
Non material benefits that are obtained from ecosystems include

spiritual and aesthetic values, knowledge systems and the value of
education. The economic value of the reservoir of genetic trains present
in wild varieties is extremely important in improving crop performance.
Important crops, such as the potato and coffee, are often derived from
only a few genetic strains. Improvements in crop plants over the last 250
years have been largely due to harnessing the genetic diversity present
in wild and domestic crop plants.
Interbreeding crops strains with different beneficial triats has resulted in

more than doubling crop production in the last 50 years as a result of
the Green Revolution.
Biodiversity provides food for humans. Although about 80 percent of our

food supply comes from just 20 kinds of plants, humans use at least
www.iastimes.com
40,000 species of plants and animals day. Many people around the
world depend on these species for their food. Shelter and clothing.
There is untapped potential for increasing the range of that the high
present extinction rate can be stopped.
The relevance of biodiversity to human health is becoming a major

international political issue, as scientific evidence builds on the global
health implications of biodiversity loss.
One of the key health issues associated with biodiversity is that of drug
discovery and the availability of medicinal resources. A significant
proportion of drugs are derived, directly or indirectly, from biological
sources; the pharmaceutical compounds are derived from natural
compounds found in plants, animals, and microorganisms, while about
80% of the world population depends on medicines from nature (used in
either modern or traditional medical practice) for primary healthcare.
Threats to biodiversity
The major threats to biodiversity worldwide can be classified into the

following heads-
Destruction of habitat
www.iastimes.com
Most of the species extinctions from 1000 AD to 2000 AD are due to

human activities, in particular destruction of plant and animal habitats.
Raised rates of extinction are being driven by human consumption of
organic resources, especially related to tropical forest destruction.
Biodiversity and genetic diversity are dependent upon each other- that
diversity within a species is necessary to maintain diversity among
species, and vice versa. If any one type is removed from the system, the
cycle can break down, and the community because dominated by a single
species.
At present, the most threatened ecosystems are those found in fresh

water. The making of fresh water ecosystems as the ecosystems most
under threat was done by the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment 2005,
and was confirmed again by the project Freshwater Animal Diversity
Assessment. Organized by the biodiversity platform, and the French
Institut de recherch pour le development (MNHNP)
Exotic species
The widespread introduction of exotic species by humans is a potent

threat to biodiversity. When exotic species are introduced to ecosystems
and establish self sustaining populations, the endemic species in that
ecosystem that have not evolved to cope with the exotic species may not
survive. The exotic organisms may be either predators, parasites, or
www.iastimes.com
simply aggressive species that deprive indigenous species of nutrients,

water and light.
Genetic pollution
Purebred naturally evolved region specific wild species can be threatened

with extinction through the process of genetic pollution i.e. uncontrolled
hybridization, introgression and genetic swamping which leads to
homogenization or replacement of local genotypes as a result of either a
numerical and/or fitness advantage of introduced plant or animal.
Hybridization, genetic erosion and food security
In agriculture and animal husbandry, the green revolution popularized

the use of conventional hybridization to increase yield by creating high-
yielding varieties. Often the handful of hybridized with local varieties in
the rest of the developing world to create high yield strains resistant to
local climate and diseases. Local government and industry have been
pushing hybridization which has result in several of the indigenous
breeds becoming extinct or threatened.
Genetic erosion coupled with genetic pollution may be destroying unique

genotypes, there by creating a hidden crisis which could result in a severe
threat to our food security. Diverse genetic material could cease to exist
www.iastimes.com
which would impact our ability to further hybridize food crops and
livestock against more resistant diseases and climatic changes.
Climate Change
The recent phenomenon of global is also considered to be a major threat

to global biodiversity. For example coral reefs- which are biodiversity
hotspots will be lost in 20 to 40 years if global warming continues at
the current trend.
2010 : International Year of Biodiversity
The UN declared 2010 the International Year of Biodiversity (IYB).

Throughout the year countless initiatives will be organized to disseminate
information. Promotie the protection of biodiversity and encourage
organization, institutions, companies and individuals to take direct action
to reduce the constant loss of biological diversity worldwide. The
celebrations for the International Year of Biodiversity are led by the
Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
Objective of IYB
Raise awareness of the importance of conserving biodiversity for human
well-being and promote understanding of the economic value of
biodiversity.
www.iastimes.com
Enhance public knowledge of the threats to biodiversity and means to

conserve it.
Encourage organizations (and through them individuals) to take direct or

indirect biodiversity conservation activities.
Celebrate the achievements of Countdown 2010 partners and other

stakeholders
Reporting on the possible failures for not achieving the Target.
Prepare the ground for communicating the post-2010 target(s)
2010 Biodiversity Target
The 2010 Biodiversity Target is an overall conservation target aiming to

halt decline of biodiversity by the end of 2010.
It was first adopted by EU Heads of State at the EU Summit in

Gothenburg in 2001. They decided that biodiversity decline should be
halted with the aim of reaching this objective by 2010.
One year later, the Convention on Biological Diversitys sixth Conference

of the Parties adopted the Strategic Plan for the Convention. The
Decision says Parties commit them selves to a more effective and
convention, to achieve by 2010 a significant reduction of the current
www.iastimes.com
rate of biodiversity loss at the global, regional and national level as a

contribution to poverty alleviation and to the benefit of all life on earth.
The World Summit on Sustainable Development held in Johannesburg in

2002 confirmed the 2010 Biodiversity Target and called for the
achievement by 2010 of a significant reduction in the current rate of loss
of biological diversity
This decision poses the question of how to measure the rate of

biodiversity loss, in order to assess whether the target has been
achieved by the nations who are party to the Convention.
Achieving 2010 biodiversity target: Indias

contributions
The United National General Assembly has proclaimed 2010 as the

International year of Biodiversity (IYB) to raise awareness about the
underlying threats to and the need for biodiversity conservation. As a
mega-diverse country and as a Party to the International Convention on
Biological Diversity (CBD), India had committed itself to achieving the
2010 Biodiversity Target, adopted by the sixth Conference of the Parties
(CoP) to the CBD, to significantly reduce the rate of loss of biodiversity.
Biodiversity that we see around us today, is the outcome of over 3.5
billion years of evolutionary development, shaped by natural processes
and increasingly by human influence. Biodiversity and ecosystem service
www.iastimes.com
provided by it contribute to poverty eradication and national

development.
Certain countries, lying mostly in the tropics, called megadiverse

countries, 17 of them formed the ground of Like Minded Megadiverse
Countries (LMMCs) and India was invited in 2004 to chair this group for
two years. India has participated actively in all the major international
events related to environment protection and biodiversity conservation,
played an important role in developing the agreed text for the
Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and became a Party to it in
1994.
Objective CBD are:
Conservation of biodiversity, sustainable use of its components, and fair

and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the use of these
resources.
The Union Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) the nodal agency
for implementing provisions of CBD in India, developed a strategy for
biodiversity conservation at macro-level in 1999 and enacted the
Biological Diversity Act in 2002 followed by the Rules there under in
2004.
www.iastimes.com
National Action Plan
India, a megadiversity country with only 2.4% of the land area, accounts
for 7.8% of the recorded species of the world spread over 45,500 species
of plants and 91,000 species of animals that have been documented so
far. Biodiversity manifests itself at three levels: species diversity: genetic
diversity and ecosystem diversity.
National Action Plan is for promoting biodiversity conservation,

sustainable use of its components and equitable sharing of benefits
arising from such use. India is one of the eight primary centre of origin of
cultivated plants and is an acknowledged centre of crop diversity.
At the Central Government level, MoEF is the focal point for biodiversity
conservation, as well as the nodal Ministry for all environment and forest
related matters.
Indias strategy for conservation and sustainable utilization of biodiversity

focuses on
According special status and protection to biodiversity rich areas by

declaring them as national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, biosphere
reserves, and ecologically fragile and sensitive areas;
Diverting pressure on reserve forests by supporting alternative measures

fuel wood and fodder needs of people;
afforestation of degraded areas and Wastelands;

www.iastimes.com
creation of ex situ conservation facilities such as gene banks, within the

overall ambit of a stable institutional framework.
Conservation programmes for species such as tiger and elephant have

been stablished so as to strengthen conservation efforts. Promoting
genetic mapping, gene banking and research activities on ex situ / in situ
conservation, are other initiatives.
India has participated in the Stockholm Conference on Human

Environment and Development in 1972 including the Convention on
Biological Diversity (CBD). A National Policy and Macrolevel Action
Strategy on Biodiversity was developed in 1999.
India has also enacted the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 which primarily
alms at regulating access to biological resources and associated
traditional knowledge so as to ensure equitable sharing of benefits
arising out of their use, in accordance with the provisions of Article 15 of
the CBD.
National Biodiversity Action Plan (NBAP)
Preparation of NBAP is in pursuance of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002

carried out by the Ministry of Environment and Forests including as
externally aided project on National Biodiversity Strategy and Action
Plan (NBSAP).
www.iastimes.com
Proposals
To design actions based on the assessment of current and future needs

of conservation and sustainable utilization.
Actions are aimed towards integration of the three objectives of the CBD
into relevant sectoral or corss-sectoral plans, programmes and policies.
In the backdrop of varying socio-cultural milieu there is an urgent need

for augmenting and accelerating and accelerating the efforts for the
conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, and for fair
equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilization of genetic
resources.
Threat to biodiversity
habital fragmentation;
degradation and loss;
shrinking genetic diversity;
declining forest resource base;
climate change and desertification;
overexploitation of resources;
www.iastimes.com
impact of development projects;
impact of pollution.
Habital fragmentation, degradation and loss, and

shrinking of genetic diversity
With half the total land under agriculture, and approximately 23 per cent
under forests, the protection of diverse habitats poses a formidable
challenge. Various species of plants and animals are on the decline e.g.
habitats of Great Indian Bustard in Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and
Rajasthan, and of the Lion tailed Macaque in Western Ghats.
Loss of habitats and over exploitation have led to depletion of genetic

diversity of several wild animals and cultivated plants. It leads to more
vulnerability of diseases and pests and lesser adaptability to
environmental changes.
An estimated 41 percent of the countrys forest cover has been degraded

to some degree. As much as 78 percent of forest area is subject to heavy
grazing and about 50 percent of the forest areas is prone to forest fires.
Domestic demand for timber and fuelwood is well above the sustainable
level.
www.iastimes.com
This rich diversity of medicinal plants (over 6,500 species) in the country
needs conservation and sustainable utilization, as their habitats are
either degraded or the species are being over exploited.
Unsustainable exploitation of biodiversity resources, by developed

countries, have serious adverse impacts, both local and global. Failure on
the part of developed countries to provide incentives for conservation in
the form of financial resources, technology transfer and scientific
cooperation, further dampen the conservation efforts in the developing
countries. The increasing population of the country has led of diversion of
natural forest for agricultural use, fuelwood, timber and human
settlements.
There is dearth of both trained manpower and targeted research on

grasslands and their carrying capacities. The wetlands and coastal and
marine ecosystems are also facing threats from increased resource use,
pollution, reclamation and illegal poaching.
Two steps that are taken to improve literacy, empower women, invest in
health and child welfare and stimulate sustainable economic
development, will in the end also determine the level where human
population and the demands it places on natural resources, stabilize.
Climate change and desertification
Climate change poses another significant threat to biodiversity,

ecosystems, and the goods and services they provide. The projected
www.iastimes.com
changes in temperature and CO2 concentration may alter growth,

reproduction and host pathogen relationships in both plants and animals.
Great Indian Bustard facing extinction
The Great Indian Bustard, a bird species once found in abundance across
the grasslands of India, is facing the risk of extinction. The 2011 Red List
of birds, released by the International Union of Conservation of Nature
(IUCN) on June 12, 2011, enlisted the bird in the Critically Endangered
category, the highest level of threat. The population of the species is
estimated to be just 250.
Hunting habitat loss and fragmentation have reduced the number of this
species, which was found in large number in the grasslands of India and
Pakistan. But their population is now restricted to small and isolated
fragments of remaining habitats, says the Birdlife International, which
prepared the list.
According to the 2011 assessment, 1,253 species are considered

threatened with extinction. These include albatrosses, cranes, parrots,
pheasants, and pigeons. The larger-bodied species and those with low
reproductive rates are more likely to be threatened, the report says.
The Bustard species has been classified as critically endangered as it

undergone an extremely rapid decline owing to a multitude of threats,
including habitat loss and degradation and disturbance. It now requires
www.iastimes.com
an urgent acceleration in targeted conservation actions in order to

prevent it from becoming functionally extinct.
The population of bird was estimated to around 300 in 2008. The

population viability analysis lends some support to a predicted decline of
over 50 percent of species in next 47 years if no additional conservation
actions are taken, the report cautions.
In India, the bird is now restricted to Rajasthan Gujarat, Maharashtra,

Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. Earlier it was distributed from Punjab
east through Odisha and south to Tamil Nadu.
Beside the Bustard, the list had enumerated 15 species from India as
critically endangered and 16 as endangered ones. There are 55
vulnerable ones and 65 near-threatened bird species in the country.
Some of the critically endangered Indian varieties include the Himalayan
Quail, Pink-headed Duck, White-bellied Heron and Christmas Island
Frigatebird. The vulture species found in India namely the White-backed,
the Indian, the Slender-billed and the Red-headed are also in the critical
list.
The list has classified 189 species worldwide as critically endangered, 381
as endangered with very high risk of extinction and 683 as vulnerable
with high risk of extinction. It has also listed 843 species as near
threatened. A total of 2,096 species were treated as global conservation
priorities. The threat status of 62 species could not be properly assessed
following deficiency of data.
www.iastimes.com
Indias Biodiversity
India is also one of the 18 mega diverse countries, which together

possess 60-70 per cent of the worlds biodiversity.
These 18 countries, et al Brazil, China, India, Zaire, Indonesia, Colmbia,

Mexico, Kenya, Peru, Congo and The Madagascar rich in biological
diversity and associated traditional knowledge formed group known as
Like Minded Megadiverse Countries (LMMC).
India took over the chairmanship of LMMC in 2004.
Biological diversity means the variability among living organisms from

all sources, including terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems
and the ecological complexes of which they are part; this includes
diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems.
Biodiversity is the source of the essential goods and ecological service

that constitute the source of life for all and it has direct consumptive
value in food, agriculture, medicine and in industry.
The United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) took the

landmark step by reaffirming the sovereign rights of states over their
biological resources.
The CBD, which came into force in 2003, thus aims at conservation and
sustainable use of biological diversity and fair and equitable sharing of
www.iastimes.com
the benefits arising from utilization of biological resources. It has been

ratified so far by 188 countries including India.
For the conservation of its biodiversity, the important steps taken by

India include enactment of the Biological Diversity Act 2002, formation
of the Biological Diversity rules, 2004, and notification of main
operational sections of the Act.
The Biological Diversity Act of 2002 provides necessary statutory and

administrative mechanism at the national level to realize the above
objective. The main intent of the legislation is protect Indias rich
biodiversity and associated knowledge against their use by foreign
individuals and organization without sharing the benefits arising out of
such use, and to check bio-piracy.
The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA), established at Chennai, is the

key mechanism at the national level for implementing the provisions of
the Biodiversity Act, 2002.
Main functions of the Authority are to lay down procedures and

guidelines to govern the activities such as granting permission to foreign
companies for obtaining any biological resource and for transferring the
results of any research.
It advises the Government on specific areas such as notification of

threatened species, designation of institution as resources and
exemption of certain biological resources, normally traded as
commodities. It also encourages setting up State Biodiversity Board.
www.iastimes.com
The Biological Diversity Act 2002 provides for constitution of State

Biodiversity Boards. Their main functions are to regulate requests for
utilization of biological resources by Indian national, to assist the State
Government in notification of areas of biodiversity importance as
biodiversity heritage sites and in framing for rules for their management
and conservations.
The Act is and Indian attempt to realize the objectives enshrined in the
United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), 1992 which
recognizes the sovereign rights of states to use their own Biological
Resources. The Act aims at the conservation of biological resources and
associated knowledge as well as facilitating access to them in a
sustainable manner and through a just process. For purposes of
implementing the objects of the Act it establishes the National
Biodiversity Authority in Chennai.

IAS Times - SET 4

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

IAS Times - SET 4

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

EBook

Energy Sector .................................................................................................................................... 4

CENTRE FOR CULTURAL RESOURCES AND TRAINING........................................................................ 96

The basic institutional structure comprise a nodal ministry at the

The Union government plays a dominant role in the energy sector

2. Indias Energy Policy

Short Term : Development of domestic conventional energy

Medium Term: Energy conservation, improved energy efficiency.

Long Term: Development of technologies to exploit resources of

Energy Overview of India

Thermal Improved by 3.03%

Hydro Improved by 8.14%

Nuclear Improved by 33.12%

Bhutan Improved by 4.96%

Overall growth rate recorded 4.5%

Ultra Mega Power Projects (UMPPs) Initiative

to conduct the bid process through an authorized representative. The concept

1. Sasan Power Limited for the project Sasan, Madhya Pradesh

2. Coastal Gujarat Power Limited for the project at Mundra (Gujarat)

3. Coastal Karnataka Power Limited for the project Tadri, Karnataka

4. Coastal Andhra Pradesh Power Limited for the project at

5. Coastal Tamil Nadu Power Limited for the project at Cheyyur,

6. Coastal Maharashtra Mega Power Limited for the project at Girye,

7. Orrisa Integrated Power Limited for the project in Sundergarh

8. Jharkhand Integrated Power Limited for the project near Tilaiya

9. Akaltra Power Limited for the project at Akaltara in Chhattisgarh

Causes for poor performance in power Sector

a. Design deficiencies, manufacturing and generic defects.

b. The Operation and Maintenance (O&M) deficiencies causing

c. Inadequate and non-timely availability of spare parts especially

d. Lack of resources with SEBs even for making payments to BHEL

e. The quality of coal being supplied had deteriorated as

f. There was excessive and inadequately trained manpower for

g. Contractual disputes between project authorities. Contractors

Power sector reforms

electricity generated with emergence of a national bulk market with open

a. Strengthening regulation Electricity reform is technically

b. Improving distribution and opening bulk supply of competition-

partnership (PPP) mode with open access. Long term

c. Revising tariffs to more economical levels The previous two

subsidies that are more carefully targeted are possible.

Initiatives for improving the environmental performance of coal based stations

Improvement of Heat-rat is a continuous exercise in NTPC, which has yielded

ISO 14001 for NTPC

been accredited with ISO : 14001 certification. As a responsible corporate

The focus and emphasis in future in the company will be on generation of

Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC)

The Commission has been established under the Electricity Regulatory

Main functions of CERC

To regulate the tariff of generating companies other than those

To regulate the inter-state transmission of energy including tariff

To promote competition, efficiency and economy in the activities

To aid and advise the Central Government in the formulation of

(I) Fair to the consumers

(II) Facilitate mobilization of adequate resources for the power

To associate with the environmental regulatory agencies to

To frame guidelines in matters relating to electricity tariff.

To arbitrate or adjudicate upon disputes involving generating

To aid and advise the Central Government on any other matter

To license any person for the construction, maintenance and

October, 2008 respectively have been deemed to be registered under these

Non Conventional Energy

Renewable energy resource have the advantage of being non-polluting.

Despite inherent problems with the technology behind renewable energy