GENERAL LNOWLEDGE MCQs

Q.1 Which former Prime Minister of India was also called ‘Yuva Turk’ ?
(A) Rajiv Gandhi
(B) V.P.Singh
(C) H.D.Deve Gowda
(D) Chandrashekhar


Q2. Which mineral is used to make the Plaster of Paris ?
(A) Gypsum
(B) Calcite
(C) Fluorite
(D) Apatite

Q3. Which is the most spoken language in the world ?
(A) English
(B) Mandarin
(C) Spanish
(D) Hindi

Q4. Which planet in the Solar System is named after the Roman god of agriculture and harvest ?
(A) Mars
(B) Jupiter
(C) Saturn
(D) Venus

Q5. From the Constitution of which country was the concept of the Fundamental Rights in the Indian Constitution borrowed ?
(A) Australia
(B) South Africa
(C) United Kingdom
(D) United States of America


Q6. To which ocean does Panama Canal connect the Pacific Ocean ?
(A) Arctic Ocean
(B) Antarctic Ocean
(C) Atlantic Ocean
(D) Indian Ocean

Q7. By what name is Krishna Dvaipayana, author of the epic Mahabharat, better known ?
(A) Ved Vyas
(B) Valmiki
(C) Tulsidas
(D) Ramanujacharya

Q8. In which city is the Central Potato Research Institute (CPRI) located ?
(A) Nagpur
(B) Lucknow
(C) Shimla
(D) Cuttack


Q9. ‘Bhutia’, ‘Kathiawadi’, ‘Marwari’, ‘Manipuri’, ‘Spiti’ and ‘Zanskari’ are the Indian breeds of which animal ?
(A) Cow
(B) Horse
(C) Camel
(D) Goat

Q10. Who introduced the word ‘Robot’, for artificial workers, in his science fiction play R.U.R. in 1921 ?
(A) George Orwell
(B) Karel Capek
(C) Daniel Defoe
(D) Rudyard Kipling

Q11. In the most popular internet domain name ‘.com’ (dot-com), the ‘com’ is the short form for which word ?
(A) Common
(B) Commercial
(C) Computer
(D) Communication

Q12. Deficiency of which vitamin leads to ‘Rickets’ (softening of bones) ?
(A) Vitamin A
(B) Vitamin B
(C) Vitamin C
(D) Vitamin D


Q13. Which freedom fighter was popularly known as the ‘Grand Old Man of India’ ?
(A) Bal Gangadhar Tilak
(B) Chittaranjan Das
(C) Dadabhai Naoroji
(D) C.Rajagopalachari

Q14. Which Indian state has the longest coastline ?
(A) Gujarat
(B) Maharashtra
(C) Tamil Nadu
(D) Andhra Pradesh

Q15. Naxalbari village, the birth place of Naxalite Movement, is located in which state ?
(A) Bihar
(B) Jharkhand
(C) West Bengal
(D) Orissa

Q16. ‘Roopavahini’ is the National Television Network of which Asian country ?
(A) Nepal
(B) Sri Lanka
(C) Bhutan
(D) Myanmar

Q17. On 17 Dec 1931, who founded the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) in Kolkata ?
(A) C.V.Raman
(B) Homi Bhabha
(C) P.C.Mahalanobis
(D) Vikram Sarabhai

Q18. Named after Libyan leader Muammar al-Gaddafi, famous Test cricket ground Gaddafi Stadium is located in which city ?
(A) Hyderabad (India)
(B) Dhaka (Bangladesh)
(C) Colombo (Sri Lanka)
(D) Lahore (Pakistan)


Q19. Which mythological weapon is depicted on the Param Vir Chakra medal ?
(A) Vajra
(B) Khatvanga
(C) Sudarshan Chakra
(D) Kaumodaki

Q20. Hydrogen and Carbon monoxide are the major constituents of which fuel gas ?
(A) Coal Gas
(B) Water Gas
(C) Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)
(D) Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)

Q21. In May 1998, while addressing at nuclear tests site near Pokhran, who added ‘Jai Vigyan’ to the Lal Bahadur Shastri’s slogan ‘Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan’ ?
(A) Indira Gandhi
(B) Rajeev Gandhi
(C) P.V.Narsimha Rao
(D) Atal Behari Vajpayee


Q22. On the banks of which river is the Jamshedpur, the steel city of India, situated ?
(A) Tapti
(B) Narmada
(C) Subarnarekha
(D) Hooghly

Q23. Which Indian city you would be in if you were standing on world’s longest railway platform ?
(A) Jabalpur (M.P.)
(B) Kharagpur (W.Bengal)
(C) Mughalsarai (U.P.)
(D) Secunderabad (A.P.)

Q24. In 1953, which film won the first National Award for the Best Feature Film ?
(A) Shyamchi Aai (Marathi)
(B) Pather Panchali (Bengali)
(C) Kabooliwala (Bengali)
(D) Mirza Galib (Hindi)

Q25. In his first voyage to India, at which place did Vasco da Gama land on 20 May 1498 ?
(A) Goa
(B) Kochi (Cochin)
(C) Mumbai (Bombay)
(D) Kozhikode (Calicut)


Q26. Vikramshila University, an ancient university of India whose ruins are situated in present day Bihar, was founded by which Pala ruler ?
(A) Dharmapala
(B) Devapala
(C) Mahipala
(D) Govindpala

Q27. ‘Freedom in Exile’ book is the autobiography of which Nobel Peace Prize winner ?
(A) Yasser Arafat
(B) Nelson Mandela
(C) Dalai Lama XIV
(D) Aung San Suu Kyi

Q28. Which Indian woman athlete is popularly known as ‘Idukki Express’ ?
(A) P.T.Usha
(B) K.M.Beenamol
(C) Jyotirmay Sikdar
(D) Anju Bobby George

Q29. Hoover Medal, a prize given for outstanding extra-career services by engineers to humanity, has been awarded to which Indian engineer for year 2008 ?
(A) Sam Pitroda
(B) G.Madhavan Nair
(C) N.R.Narayan Murthy
(D) A.P.J.Abdul Kalam


Q30. In international cricket, Yuvraj Singh of India is the second batsman to hit 6 sixers in an over. Who was the first ?
(A) Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka)
(B) Adam Gilchrist (Australia)
(C) Herschelle Gibbs (South Africa)
(D) Shahid Afridi (Pakistan)

Q31. On the banks of which river is the Kumbh Mela at Ujjain held ?
(A) Kshipra
(B) Godavari
(C) Krishna
(D) Kaveri

Q32. Shivkasi in Tamil Nadu is famous for which industry ?
(A) Glass
(B) Leather
(C) Diamond
(D) Fireworks


Q33. To put out the fire, which gas is released by Fire Extinguishers ?
(A) Oxygen
(B) Hydrogen
(C) Carbon dioxide
(D) Carbon monoxide

Q34. ‘Dromedary’ and ‘Bactrian’ are the types of which animal ?
(A) Goat
(B) Camel
(C) Elephant
(D) Bear

Q35. In which union territory of India, would you meet the people of the Onge tribe ?
(A) Daman and Diu
(B) Lakshadweep
(C) Dadra and Nagar Haveli
(D) Andaman and Nicobar Islands


Q36. Ramon Magsaysay Award, often considered as Asia’s Nobel Prize, is given in memory of which Asian country’s former president ?
(A) Singapore
(B) Indonesia
(C) Philippines
(D) Malaysia

Q37. The East-West Corridor, being constructed under National Highways Development Project, and which starts at Porbandar (Gujarat) in west, will terminate at which place in the east ?
(A) Silchar (Assam)
(B) Kohima (Nagaland)
(C) Imphal (Manipur)
(D) Shillong (Meghalaya)

Q38. Asteroids, sometimes called minor planets or planetoids, are generally found between which planets ?
(A) Earth and Mars
(B) Mars and Jupiter
(C) Jupiter and Saturn
(D) Saturn and Uranus

Q39. By what name is the observation in economics that ‘bad money drives out good money’ popularly known ?
(A) Say’s Law
(B) Gresham’s Law
(C) Murphy’s Law
(D) Parkinson’s Law

Q40. The subatomic particle ‘Boson’ is named after which Indian scientist ?
(A) Meghnad Saha
(B) Jagdish Chandra Bose
(C) Satyendra Nath Bose
(D) Homi Bhabha

Q41. On 1st July 1997, where was India’s first Science City inaugurated ?
(A) Mumbai
(B) Bengaluru
(C) Hyderabad
(D) Kolkata


Q42. What is the name of Morarji Desai’s samadhi in Ahmedabad ?
(A) Raj Ghat
(B) Vijay Ghat
(C) Abhay Ghat
(D) Narayan Ghat

Q43. In 1829, which Governor-General prohibited the practice of ‘Sati’ ?
(A) Lord Auckland
(B) Lord Amherst
(C) Lord William Bentinck
(D) Lord Dalhousie

Q44. Who authored the book ‘Indica’ ?
(A) Fa Hian
(B) Megasthanese
(C) Al Beruni
(D) Huen Tsang

Q45. Which is the oldest stock exchange in Asia ?
(A) Tokyo Stock Exchange
(B) Hong Kong Stock Exchange
(C) Shanghai Stock Exchange
(D) Bombay Stock Exchange


Q46. Who is the chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission of India ?
(A) Mangala Rai
(B) Sam Pitroda
(C) Anil Kakodkar
(D) G.Madhavan Nair

Q47. By defeating Harshavardhana on the banks of river Narmada, which Chalukya ruler stopped him from expanding into south ?
(A) Pulkesin I
(B) Pulkesin II
(C) Vinayaditya
(D) Vijayaditya

Q48. In 1892, who became the first Indian to be elected to the House of Commons (lower house of British Parliament) ?
(A) Mahatma Gandhi
(B) Dadabhai Naoroji
(C) Tej Bahadur Sapru
(D) Gopal Krishna Gokhale

Q49. Which military training institute located at Khadakwasla near Pune in Maharashtra has adopted ‘Seva Parmo Dharma’ (Service before Self) as its motto ?
(A) National Defence Academy
(B) Indian Military Academy
(C) Defence Services Staff College
(D) Dundigul Air Force Academy

Q50. Which city houses the headquarters of Asian Development Bank (ADB) ?
(A) Manila (Philippines)
(B) Bangkok (Thailand)
(C) Kualalampur (Malaysia)
(D) Seoul (South Korea)

Q51. Which natural sugar is found in the milk ?
(A) Lactose
(B) Sucrose
(C) Maltose
(D) Fructose

Q52. ‘Nepali’, ‘Lepcha’, ‘Bhutia’ and ‘Limbu’ are the main spoken langauges of which Indian state ?
(A) Manipur
(B) Mizoram
(C) Sikkim
(D) Nagaland

Q53. On 15 May 1952, who became the first speaker of the Lok Sabha ?
(A) Sukumar Sen
(B) G.V.Mavalankar
(C) Harilal J. Kania
(D) S.Radhakrishnan

Q54. Which royal poet of Delhi Sultanate is regarded as the ‘Father of Qawwali’ ?
(A) Tansen
(B) Baiju Bawra
(C) Nayak Charju
(D) Amir Khusro


Q55. In 1976, which Bengali lady novelist became the first woman to receive the Jnanpith Award for her novel ‘Pratham Pritisruti’ (First Promise) ?
(A) Ashapurna Devi
(B) Mahasveta Devi
(C) Mahadevi Varma
(D) Amrita Pritam

Q56. Which Article of the Indian Constitution gives special status to Jammu and Kashmir ?
(A) Article 352
(B) Article 356
(C) Article 360
(D) Article 370


Q57. Immortalized in the voice of Lata Mangeshkar, Kavi Pradeep’s famous patriotic song ‘Aye mere watan ke logon’ was set to music by which musician ?
(A) Naushad
(B) S.D.Burman
(C) O.P.Nayyar
(D) C.Ramchandra


Q58. Coined by French priest Henri Didon, ‘Citius, Altius, Fortius’ (Swifter, Higher, Stronger) slogan is the motto of which tournament ?
(A) Olympic Games
(B) Commonwealth Games
(C) FIFA World Cup
(D) Asian Games

Q59. Who was popularly known as the ‘Lady with the Lamp’ ?
(A) Mother Teresa
(B) Sister Nivedita
(C) Florence Nightingale
(D) The Mother (Mirra Alfassa)

Q60. Falkland Islands, located in South Atlantic Ocean, are a self-governing Overseas Territory of which country ?
(A) France
(B) United Kingdom
(C) Argentina
(D) Spain

Q61. What is the minimum age limit to become the Governor of a state in India ?
(A) 18 years
(B) 25 years
(C) 30 years
(D) 35 years


Q62. Yakshagana, literally meaning celestial music, is a popular dance drama of which Indian state ?
(A) Gujarat
(B) Maharashtra
(C) Karnataka
(D) West Bengal

Q63. Hirakud Dam at Sambalpur in Orissa, the longest dam in India, is built across which river ?
(A) Narmada
(B) Mahanadi
(C) Godavari
(D) Kaveri

Q64. Among terrestrial (land) animals, which animal has the longest gestation period ?
(A) Tiger
(B) Elephant
(C) Rhinoceros
(D) Horse

Q65. For writing the Punjabi language, which Sikh guru developed the Gurumukhi script ?
(A) Guru Angad
(B) Guru Amar Das
(C) Guru Ram Das
(D) Guru Arjan

Q66. Which among the following disease is caused by female Aedes Aegypti mosquitoes ?
(A) Malaria
(B) Kala-Azar
(C) Dengue Fever
(D) Typhoid

Q67. ‘Mein Kampf’ (My Struggle) book is the autobiography of which dictator ?
(A) Pol Pot
(B) Idi Amin
(C) Adolf Hitler
(D) Joseph Stalin

Q68. Who was the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations on 26th January 2009 in New Delhi ?
(A) Vladimir Putin (Russian President)
(B) Nicolas Sarkozy (French President)
(C) Zigme Singye Wangchuk (Bhutan King)
(D) Nursultan Nazarbayev (Kazakhstan President)


Q69. In 1916, who founded Shreemati Nathibai Damodar Thackersey (SNDT) Women’s University at Pune, the first women’s university in India ?
(A) Annie Besant
(B) Mahatma Gandhi
(C) Madan Mohan Malaviya
(D) Dhondo Keshav Karve


Q70. In which African city are the headquarters of United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) located ?
(A) Nairobi (Kenya)
(B) Cairo (Egypt)
(C) Abuja (Nigeria)
(D) Addis Ababa (Ethiopia)

Q71. Which hormone, released when danger threatens, is known as Emergency hormone ?
(A) Insulin
(B) Adrenaline
(C) Melatonin
(D) Thyroxine

Q72. ‘Kathakali’, ‘Mohiniaattam’ and ‘Thullal’ dance forms are native of which state ?
(A) Karnataka
(B) Andhra Pradesh
(C) Tamil Nadu
(D) Kerala


Q73. Which is the only continent through which all longitude lines passes ?
(A) Asia
(B) Africa
(C) Antarctica
(D) Australia

Q74. ‘Vinaya Pitaka’, ‘Sutta Pitaka’ and ‘Abhidhamma Pitaka’ – collectively known as the ‘Tripitaka’ (three baskets) – are sacred texts of which religion ?
(A) Jainism
(B) Sikhism
(C) Buddhism
(D) Christianity

Q75. In 1997, to which Indian film star did Pakistan Government present its highest civilian award ‘Nishan-e-Intiaz’ ?
(A) Dev Anand
(B) Raj Kapoor
(C) Amitabh Bachchan
(D) Dilip Kumar


Q76. On 18 March 1965, who became the first human to walk in the space ?
(A) Yuri Gagarin
(B) Alexey Leonov
(C) Neil Armstrong
(D) Buzz Aldrin

Q77. Washington D.C., the capital of United States of America, is located on the banks of which river ?
(A) Seine
(B) Thames
(C) Potomac
(D) Moskva

Q78. Which among the following is the first indigenous civilian aircraft of India ?
(A) Saras
(B) Tejas
(C) Chetak
(D) Cheetah

Q79. Near which city is the Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History located ?
(A) Panaji (Goa)
(B) Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu)
(C) Bharatpur (Rajasthan)
(D) Sultanpur (Haryana)

Q80. Which Central American country was formerly known as ‘British Honduras’ ?
(A) Belize
(B) Malawi
(C) Botswana
(D) Benin

Q81. What name has been given to the first Boeing 747/700 jet, inducted into Indian Air Force, designed to work as the Indian President’s office-in-the-sky ?
(A) Samrat
(B) Rajdoot
(C) Maharaja
(D) Badshah

Q82. Which pigment gives plants and leaves their green colour ?
(A) Betalain
(B) Chlorophyll
(C) Carotenoid
(D) Anthocyanin

Q83. As a token of protest against Jallianwala Bagh massacre on 13 April 1919, who returned the Knighthood conferred on him by the British Government ?
(A) Rabindranath Tagore
(B) Tej Bahadur Sapru
(C) Gopal Krishna Gokhle
(D) Syed Ahmed Khan

Q84. On 6 Apr 2009, which Indian cricketer surpassed Australian Mark Waugh’s world record for the most catches in Test Cricket by a fielder (excluding wicket-keeper) ?
(A) Sunil Gavaskar
(B) V.V.S.Laxman
(C) Rahul Dravid
(D) Mohammed Azharuddin

Q85. What is the retirement age of High Court judges ?
(A) 60 years
(B) 62 years
(C) 65 years
(D) 70 years

Q86. Which apparatus is used to measure the blood pressure ?
(A) Hygrometer
(B) Chronometer
(C) Thermometer
(D) Sphygmomanometer


Q87. Which renowned dancer established classical dance school ‘Kalakshetra’ at Adyar near Chennai in 1931 ?
(A) Protima Gauri Bedi
(B) Sonal Mansingh
(C) Mrinalini Sarabhai
(D) Rukmini Devi Arundale


Q88. Kudremukh hills, name literally meaning Horse face, in Karnataka are famous for mines of which mineral ?
(A) Gold
(B) Lignite
(C) Bauxite
(D) Iron Ore


Q89. Ghatigaon Sanctuary, set up for the conservation of the Son Chiriya (great Indian bustard), is located in which state ?
(A) Haryana
(B) Rajasthan
(C) Madhya Pradesh
(D) Karnataka

Q90. The novel ‘Q & A’, on which 8 Oscar awards winning film ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ (2008) is based, was authored by which Indian civil servant ?
(A) Vikas Swarup
(B) Vikram Seth
(C) Amitav Ghosh
(D) Aravind Adiga

Q91. Which is the only bird that can fly backwards ?
(A) Sunbird
(B) Kingfisher
(C) Honeyeater
(D) Hummingbird


Q92. ‘Chanderi’ and ‘Maheshwari’ sarees are native of which state ?
(A) Tamil Nadu
(B) West Bengal
(C) Madhya Pradesh
(D) Maharashtra

Q93. Quinine, the anti-malaria drug, is made from the bark of which tree ?
(A) Cinchona
(B) Wintergreen
(C) Peppermint
(D) Eucalyptus

Q94. Titan, the only moon (natural satellite) known to have a dense atmosphere, is the largest moon of which planet ?
(A) Mars
(B) Jupiter
(C) Saturn
(D) Uranus

Q95. Which dynasty, founded by Mauryan senapati (commander-in-chief) Pushyamitra, was immediate successor of the Maurya dyanasty ?
(A) Gupta dynasty
(B) Kanva dynasty
(C) Nanda dynasty
(D) Shunga dynasty


Q96. Which coastal city is known as the ‘Queen of the Arabian Sea’ ?
(A) Kochi (Kerala)
(B) Mangalore (Karnataka)
(C) Ratnagiri (Maharashtra)
(D) Marmagao (Goa)

Q97. On 1 September 1939, attack on which country by Germany marked the start of World War II ?
(A) France
(B) Poland
(C) Britain
(D) Belgium

Q98. In 1981, which Mumbai born British writer won the Booker Prize for his novel ‘Midnight’s Children’ ?
(A) Salman Rushdie
(B) V.S.Naipaul
(C) Arundhati Roy
(D) Kiran Desai

Q99. In 1913, at which American city did Lala Har Dayal found the ‘Ghadar Party’ ?
(A) Boston
(B) California
(C) Philadelphia
(D) San Francisco


Q100. By voter strength, which Indian parliamentary constituency (Lok Sabha seat) having more than 33 lakh voters holds the world record of the largest constituency ?
(A) Chandni Chowk (Delhi)
(B) Outer Delhi (Delhi)
(C) Nandyal (Andhra Pradesh)
(D) Samastipur (Bihar)

Important United Nations (UN) Agencies

The United Nations (UN) Agencies plays a leading role in providing development and humanitarian assistance, including as a first-responder to natural disasters and complex emergencies.

Name of Agency	Estd. In	Headquarters	Purpose
International Labour Organization (ILO)	1919	Geneva	To improve conditions and living standard of workers.
World Health Organization (WHO)	1948	Geneva	Attainment of highest possible level of heath by all people.
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)	1946	Paris	To Promote collaboration among nations through education, science and culture.
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)	1957	Vienna	To promote peaceful uses of atomic energy.
United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF)	1946	New York	To promote children’s welfare all over the world.
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)	1950	Geneva	To provide protection to refugees.
United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA)	1967	New York	For formulating population policies.
International Fund for Agricultural Development	1977	Rome	For financing agricultural projects in the world to raise the economic growth.
United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)	1964	Geneva	Promotes international trade to accelerate economic growth of developing countries.
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)	1947	Montreal	Promotes safety of international aviation.
International Monetary Fund (IMF)	1945	Washington D.C.	Promotes international monetary cooperation.
International Finance Corporation (IFC)	1956	Washington D.C.	Promotes economic development by encouraging private enterprise in its member countries.
Universal Postal Union (UPU)	1947	Berne	Improve various postal services in the world.
United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP)	1972	Nairobi	Promotes international co-operation in human environment.
United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)	1967	Geneva	Sets international regulations for radio, telegraph, and telephone and space radio communication.
Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO)	1945	Rome	To improve living condition of rural population.
International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD)	1945	Washington D.C.	Development of economic of members by facilitating investment of capitals by providing loans.
World Meteorological Organization (WMO)	1950	Geneva	Promote international exchange of weather reports.
World Trade Organization (WTO)	1995	Geneva	Setting rules for world trade to reduce tariffs.
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)		New York	Help developing countries increase the wealth producing capabilities o their natural and human resources.
Inter Government maritime Consultative Organization (IMCO)	1958	London	Promotes co-operation on technical matters of maritime safety, navigation and encourages anti-pollution measures.
International Development Association (IDA)	1960	Washington D.C.	An affiliate of the World Bank, aims to help under-developed countries raise living standards.
International Tele-communication Union (ITU)	1947	Geneva	Sets international regulations for radio telegraph, telephone and space radio communications.
United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR)	1965	New York	Provides training and research to help facilitate UN objectives of world peace and security and of economic and social progress.
United Nations Relief and Work for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA)	1949	New York	Provides basic amenities and education for the victims of Arab-Israel War.
United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA)	1967	New York	Studying population dynamics, collecting population data, formulating and evolving population policies, family planning and related programs

LIST OF ISRO SATELLITES

Satellite	Launch Date	Launch Vehicle	Type of Satellite
RISAT-1	26.04.2012	PSLV-C19	Earth Observation Satellite
Jugnu	12.10.2011	PSLV-C18	Experimental / Small Satellite
SRMSat	12.10.2011	PSLV-C18	Experimental / Small Satellite
Megha-Tropiques	12.10.2011	PSLV-C18	Earth Observation Satellite
GSAT-12	15.07.2011	PSLV-C17	Geo-Stationary Satellite
GSAT-8	21.05.2011	Ariane-5 VA-202	Geo-Stationary Satellite
RESOURCESAT-2	20.04.2011	PSLV-C16	Earth Observation Satellite
YOUTHSAT	20.04.2011	PSLV-C16	Experimental / Small Satellite
GSAT-5P	25.12.2010	GSLV-F06	Geo-Stationary Satellite
STUDSAT	12.07.2010	PSLV-C15	Experimental / Small Satellite
CARTOSAT-2B	12.07.2010	PSLV-C15	Earth Observation Satellite
GSAT-4	15.04.2010	GSLV-D3	Geo-Stationary Satellite
Oceansat-2	23.09.2009	PSLV-C14	Earth Observation Satellite
ANUSAT	20.04.2009	PSLV-C12	Experimental / Small Satellite
RISAT-2	20.04.2009	PSLV-C12	Earth Observation Satellite
Chandrayaan-1	22.10.2008	PSLV-C11	Space Mission
CARTOSAT - 2A	28.04.2008	PSLV-C9	Earth Observation Satellite
IMS-1	28.04.2008	PSLV-C9	Earth Observation Satellite
INSAT-4B	12.03.2007	Ariane-5ECA	Geo-Stationary Satellite
CARTOSAT - 2	10.01.2007	PSLV-C7	Earth Observation Satellite
SRE - 1	10.01.2007	PSLV-C7	Experimental / Small Satellite
INSAT-4CR	02.09.2007	GSLV-F04	Geo-Stationary Satellite
INSAT-4C	10.07.2006	GSLV-F02	Geo-Stationary Satellite
INSAT-4A	22.12.2005	Ariane-5GS	Geo-Stationary Satellite
HAMSAT	05.05.2005	PSLV-C6	Experimental / Small Satellite
CARTOSAT-1	05.05.2005	PSLV-C6	Earth Observation Satellite
EDUSAT (GSAT-3)	20.09.2004	GSLV-F01	Geo-Stationary Satellite
Resourcesat-1(IRS-P6)	17.10.2003	PSLV-C5	Earth Observation Satellite
INSAT-3A	10.04.2003	Ariane-5G	Geo-Stationary Satellite
INSAT-3E	28.09.2003	Ariane-5G	Geo-Stationary Satellite
GSAT-2	08.05.2003	GSLV-D2	Geo-Stationary Satellite
KALPANA-1(METSAT)	12.09.2002	PSLV-C4	Geo-Stationary Satellite
INSAT-3C	24.01.2002	Ariane-42L H10-3	Geo-Stationary Satellite
Technology Experiment Satellite (TES)	22.10.2001	PSLV-C3	Earth Observation Satellite
GSAT-1	18.04.2001	GSLV-D1	Geo-Stationary Satellite
INSAT-3B	22.03.2000	Ariane-5G	Geo-Stationary Satellite
Oceansat(IRS-P4)	26.05.1999	PSLV-C2	Earth Observation Satellite
INSAT-2E	03.04.1999	Ariane-42P H10-3	Geo-Stationary Satellite
INSAT-2DT	January 1998	Ariane-44L H10	Geo-Stationary Satellite
IRS-1D	29.09.1997	PSLV-C1	Earth Observation Satellite
INSAT-2D	04.06.1997	Ariane-44L H10-3	Geo-Stationary Satellite
IRS-P3	21.03.1996	PSLV-D3	Earth Observation Satellite
IRS-1C	28.12.1995	Molniya	Earth Observation Satellite
INSAT-2C	07.12.1995	Ariane-44L H10-3	Geo-Stationary Satellite
IRS-P2	15.10.1994	PSLV-D2	Earth Observation Satellite
Stretched Rohini Satellite Series (SROSS-C2)	04.05.1994	ASLV	Space Mission
IRS-1E	20.09.1993	PSLV-D1	Earth Observation Satellite
INSAT-2B	23.07.1993	Ariane-44L H10+	Geo-Stationary Satellite
INSAT-2A	10.07.1992	Ariane-44L H10	Geo-Stationary Satellite
Stretched Rohini Satellite Series (SROSS-C)	20.05.1992	ASLV	Space Mission
IRS-1B	29.08.1991	Vostok	Earth Observation Satellite
INSAT-1D	12.06.1990	Delta 4925	Geo-Stationary Satellite
INSAT-1C	21.07.1988	Ariane-3	Geo-Stationary Satellite
Stretched Rohini Satellite Series (SROSS-2)	13.07.1988	ASLV	Earth Observation Satellite
IRS-1A	17.03.1988	Vostok	Earth Observation Satellite
Stretched Rohini Satellite Series (SROSS-1)	24.03.1987	ASLV	Space Mission
INSAT-1B	30.08.1983	Shuttle [PAM-D]	Geo-Stationary Satellite
Rohini (RS-D2)	17.04.1983	SLV-3	Earth Observation Satellite
INSAT-1A	10.04.1982	Delta 3910 PAM-D	Geo-Stationary Satellite
Bhaskara-II	20.11.1981	C-1 Intercosmos	Earth Observation Satellite
Ariane Passenger Payload Experiment (APPLE)	19.06.1981	Ariane-1(V-3)	Geo-Stationary Satellite
Rohini (RS-D1)	31.05.1981	SLV-3	Earth Observation Satellite
Rohini (RS-1)	18.07.1980	SLV-3	Experimental / Small Satellite
Rohini Technology Payload (RTP)	10.08.1979	SLV-3	Experimental / Small Satellite
Bhaskara-I	07.06.1979	C-1 Intercosmos	Earth Observation Satellite
Aryabhata	19.04.1975	C-1 Intercosmos	Experimental / Small Satellite

Indian States And Their Folk Dances

Jharkhand	Chhau, Sarahul, Jat-Jatin, Karma, Danga, Bidesia, Sohrai.
Uttarakhand	Gadhwali, Kumayuni, Kajari, Jhora, Raslila, Chappeli
Andhra Pradesh	Kuchipudi (Classical), Ghantamardala, Ottam Thedal, Mohiniattam, Kummi, Siddhi Madhuri, Chhadi.
Chhattisgarh	Goudi, Karma, Jhumar, Dagla, Pali, Tapali, Navrani, Diwari, Mundari.
Arunachal Pradesh	Mask dance, War dance etc.
Himachal Pradesh	Jhora, Jhali, Chharhi, Dhaman, Chhapeli, Mahasu, Nati, Dangi, Chamba, Thali, Jhainta, Daf, Stick dance etc.
Goa	Mandi, Jhagor, Khol, Dakni, etc.
Assam	Bihu, Bichhua, Natpuja, Maharas, Kaligopal, Bagurumba, Naga dance, Khel Gopal Tabal Chongli, Canoe, Jhumura Hobjanai etc.
West Bengal	Kathi, Gambhira, Dhali, Jatra, Baul, Marasia, Mahal, Keertan, etc.
Kerala	Kathakali (Classical), Rakhal, Nat Rash, Maha Rash, Raukhat etc.
Meghalaya	Laho, Baagla, etc.
Manipur	Manipuri (Classical), Rakhal, Nat Rash, Maha Rash, Raukhat, etc.
Nagaland	Chong, Khaiva, Lim, Nuralim, etc.
Orissa	Odissi (Classical), Rakhal, Nat Rash, Maha Rash, Raukhat etc.
Maharashtra	Lavani, Nakata, Koli, Lezim, Gafa, Dahikala Dasavtar or Bohada, Tamasha, Mauni, Powara, Gouricha etc.
Karnataka	Yakshagan, Huttari, Suggi, Kunitha, Karga, Lambi etc.
Gujarat	Garba, Dandiya Ras, Tippani Juriun, Bhavai, etc.
Punjab	Bhangra, Giddha, Daff, Dhaman etc.
Rajasthan	Ghumar, Chakri, Ganagor, Jhulan Leela, Jhuma, Suisini, Ghapal, Panihari, Ginad etc.
Mizoram	Khanatm, Pakhupila, Cherokan etc.
Jammu & Kashmir	Rauf, Hikat, Mandjas, Kud Dandi Nach, Damali.
Tamil Nadu	Bharatnatyam, Kumi, Kolattam, Kavadi
Uttar Pradesh	Nautanki, Raslila, Kajri, Jhora, Chappeli, Jaita.
Bihar	Jata-Jatin, Bakho-Bakhain, Panwariya, Sama-Chakwa, Bidesia, Jatra, etc.
Haryana	Jhumar, Phag Dance, Daph, Dhamal, Loor, Gugga, Khor, Gagor etc.

Wildlife Sanctuaries And National Parks In India

Name	Location	Important Species
Bandipur National Park	Mysore, Karnataka	Elephant, Tiger, Bear, Sambhar, Panther
Balpakram Sanctuary	Garo Hills, Meghalya	Tiger, Elephant, Bison
Chandraprabha  Sanctuary	Varanasi, UP	Asiatic Lion, Tiger, Panther, Indian Gazelle, Sloth bear
Corbett National Park	Nainital, Uttarakhand	Elephant, Tiger, Sloth bear, Nilgai, Panther, Sambhar
Dachigam Sanctuary	Jammu & Kashmir	Kashmir stag (Hangul)
Dudhwa National Park	Lakhimpur Kheri, UP	Tiger, Panther, Sambhar, Nilgai
Ghana Bird Sanctuary	Bharatpur, Rajasthan	Siberian Crane, Spoonbill, Heron teal, Stork
Gir National Park	Junagarh, Gujarat	Asiatic Lion, Panther,Sambhar, Nilgai, Crocodile, Rhinoceros
Hazaribagh National Park	Hazaribagh, Jharkhand	Tiger, Leopard, Sambher, Chital
Jaldapara Sanctuary	West Bengal	Tiger, Leopard, Sambher, Chital
Kanha National Park	Mandla and Balaghat, MP	Tiger, Panther, Antelope, Barking Deer, Nilgai
Kaziranga National Park	Jorhat, Assam	Great Indian one horned Rhinoceros, Wild Buffalo, Sambhar, Tiger
Manas	Barpeta, Assam	Tiger, Elephant, Panther, Wild Buffalo, One horned Rhinoceros
Mudumalai Sanctuary	Nilgiri Hills, TN	Elephant, Dear, Pigs
Namdapha National Park	Tirap Distt., AP	Tiger and Elephant
Palamau	Daltonganj, Jharkhand	Tiger, Elephant, Panther, Leopard
Parkal	Warangal, AP	Tiger, Panther, Chital, Nilgai
Periyar	Idukki, Kerala	Elephant, Tiger, Panther, Wild board, Gaur, Sambhar
Ranganthitoo Bird  Sanctuary	Karnataka	Birds
Shivpuri National Park	Shivpuri, MP	Tiger, Birds
Sunderbans	West Bengal	Tiger, Wild board, Crocodile, Deer Birds
Vedanathangal Bird Sanctury	Tamil Nadu	Birds
Wild Ass Sanctuary	Little Rann of Kutch, Gujarat	Wild Ass, Wolf, Nilgai, Chinkara

Oceans of the World

Oceans by Size

Pacific Ocean	(35,827 ft) (10, 924 metres)
Atlantic Ocean	(30,246 ft) (9,219 metres)
Indian Ocean	(24,460 ft) (7,455 metres)
Caribbean Sea	(22,788 ft) (6,946 metres)
Arctic Ocean	(18,456 ft) (5,625 metres)
South China Sea	(16,456 ft) (5,016 metres)
Bering Sea	(15,659 ft) (4,773 metres)
Mediterranean Sea	(15,197 ft) (4,632 metres)
Gulf of Mexico	(12,425 ft) (3,787 metres)
Japan Sea	(12,276 ft) (3,742 metres)

Oceans’ Greatest Depths

Mariana Trench, Pacific Ocean	10,911 mt (Challenger Deep)
Tonga Trench, Pacific Ocean,	10,882 mt (VITYAZ 11)
Phillippine Trench, Pacific Ocean,	10,540 mt (Galathea Depth)
Kuril-Kamchatka Trench, Pacific Ocean,	10,500 mt
Kermadec Trench, Pacific Ocean	10,047 mt
Japan Trench, Pacific Ocean	9,000 mt
Puerto Rico Trench, Atlantic Ocean	8,6057 (Milwaukee Deep)
Yap Trench, Pacific Ocean,	8,527 mt
South Sandwich Trench, Atlantic Ocean,	8,428 mt
Peru-Chile Trench, Pacific Ocean,	8,065 mt

World Amazing Facts

● World population in 2011 – 7000 million
● World population under 30 in 2011 – 3,649 million
● World population over 60 in 2011 – 785 million
● World population over 100 in 2011 – 532,000
● Number of births worldwide every day – 378,000
● Number of deaths worldwide everyday – 162,000
● World economic growth rate in 2010 – 5.0% (-0.6% in 2009)
● Number of illiterate adults – 796 million
● Number of unemployed people – 205 million
● Average world life expectancy – 70.8 years for females; 66.4 years for males
● Annual world population increase – 79.33 million people
● Number of people living outside country of birth – 214 million, or more than 3% of the world’s population
● Fertility rate – 2.5 births per woman
● Urban population – 50.5% of total population
● World trade in 2009 – US $ 25.2 billion
● Annual world defence expenditure – US $ 1,630 billion
● Number of TV sets – 1.4 billion
● Number of radio receivers – 2.2 billion
● Number of cigarettes smoked – 5,600 billion a year
● Number of internet users – 2.0 billion
● Number of mobile phone users – 4.7 billion
● Number of motor vehicles on the road – 790 million
● Number of people who cross international borders every day – 2 million
● Number of people living in extreme poverty – 1.4 billion
● Number of people living in urban slums – 828 million
● Number of undernourished people – 925 million
● Number of overweight adults – 1.6 billion
● Number of obese adults – 502 million
● Number of people dying of starvation – 24,000 every day
● Number of people lacking clean water – 1.1 billion
● Number of people lacking basic sanitation – 2.6 billion
● Number of recorded executions in 2008 – 2,390
● Number of people worldwide exposed to indoor  air pollution that exceeds WHO guidelines – 1 billion
● Annual carbon dioxide emissions – 7.7 billion tonnes of carbon equivalent

Stock Exchanges In India

S.No.	Name of the Stock Exchange	Headquarters	About the Stock Exchange / Vision	Year of Formation	No. of listings
1	Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE)	Mumbai, India	Emerges as the premier Indian stock exchange by establishing global benchmarks.	1875	5112
2	National Stock Exchange of India (NSE)	Mumbai, India	It is mutually-owned by a set of leading financial institutions, banks, insurance companies and other financial intermediaries in India but its ownership and management operate as separate entities.	1992	1640
3	Calcutta Stock Exchange (CSE)	Kolkata, India	It is the second largest bourse in India.	1908	3500
4	Madras Stock Exchange	Chennai, India	The MSE is the fourth stock exchange to be established in the country and the first in South India.	1937	1785
5	Inter-connected Stock Exchange Ltd.	Mumbai, India	It is a national-level stock exchange, providing trading, clearing, settlement, risk management and surveillance support to its trading members.	1998	4500 members and listing securities
6	United Stock Exchange of India	Mumbai, India	It is the fourth pan India exchange to be launched for trading financial instruments in India over the last 140 years.	2010	--
7	OTC Exchange Of India	Mumbai, India	It is the first exchange for small companies.	1990	115
8	MCX Stock Exchange	Mumbai, India	is an India-wide electronic platform for trading in currency futures under the regulatory control of Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) and Reserve Bank of India (RBI).	2008	--
9	Multi Commodity Exchange of India Ltd (MCX)	Mumbai, India	It is an independent commodity exchange based in India.	2003	--
10	Bangalore Stock Exchange (BgSE)	Bangalore, India	The stock exchange is managed by a Council of Management, consisting of members appointed by the Securities and Exchange Board of India.	1963	595

Stock Exchanges In India

S.No.	Name of the Stock Exchange	Headquarters	About the Stock Exchange / Vision	Year of Formation	No. of listings
1	Ahmedabad Stock Exchange	Ahmedabad, India	It is recognized by Securities Contract (Regulations) Act, 1956 as permanent stock exchange.	1894	--
2	Bhubaneshwar Stock Exchange	Bhubaneshwar, India	It is one among the 21 odd regional stock exchanges in India.	1989	--
3	Vadodara Stock Exchange	Gujarat, India	It is the third largest stock exchange in the state of Gujarat after Ahmedabad and Rajkot.	1986	459
4	Cochin Stock Exchange	Kerala, India	It is a capital stock market in Kochi, Kerala in India. I	1978	350
5	Hyderabad Stock Exchange	Hyderabad, India	It was a stock exchange established in 1941 located in Hyderabad, India. The exchange was disbanded in 2007.	1941	--
6	Delhi Stock Exchange (DSE)	New Delhi, India	It is India's fifth exchange. The exchange is one of the premier Stock Exchange in India.	1947	3000
7	Madhya Pradesh Stock Exchange (MPSE)	Madhya Pradesh, India	It was granted permanent recognition under the provisions of the Securities Contract (Regulation) Act, 1956 (“SCRA”), by the Government of India in 1988.	1928	343
8	Jaipur Stock Exchange (JSE)	Jaipur, Rajasthan	JSE is the third largest exchange in India in terms of membership.	1989	740
9	UP Stock Exchange Limited	UP, India	It plays an important role in the development of the capital market of North India.	1982

Udayagiri Khandagiri-Monuments of Ancient India

Udaygiri and Khandagiri two hills near Bhubaneshwar contain unique monuments of ancient India, the Udayagiri and Khandagiri caves. These sites are mentioned as the ‘Kumari Parvat’ in the Hathigumpha inscription. The two cave sites are located about 200 meters apart, facing each other. Not as famous as Ajanta and Ellora, but these caves are finely and ornately carved, and were built from huge residential blocks during the reign of King Kharavela, wherein they served as resting places for Jain ascetics on their journey to Nirvana. They command unique position in the field of history, architecture, art and religion. Udayagiri has 18 caves and Khandagiri has 15 caves. Some of the caves are natural but it is believed that most were carved out by Jain monks and they belong to the earliest Jain rock cut temples.

Caves called ‘lena’ in the inscriptions found in the caves have been scooped out, perhaps over endless full moons. The openings are like doorways and light can enter throughout the day and keep the stone floors warm, and moonlight can enter at night and light up the caves. The caves were home to ascetics who renounced the world to experiment with Nirvana, using the flow of energy of bodies and minds. Here they were in unison with nature, in the midst of fragrant flowers, chirping birds, the rustle of leaves, the warm sun and the cool moon. The caves were also places for monks to meditate in peace and quiet and to do austere penance; and for scholars who came here in their quest of truth, peace, eternal salvation and beauty.

The Udayagiri caves are approximately 135 feet high and the Khandagiri caves are 118 feet high, and date back to 2nd century B.C. The caves are reminiscent of Buddhist and Jain influences in Odisha. The hills which are honey-combed with caves, reveal sculptural art centered on the life and times of Jain ascetics. The caves were built by King Kharavela, the King of Kalinga- ancient Odisha (circa 209- after 170 BC) in the first century. Kharavela was subdued by the great Mauryan King Ashoka. Although inclined towards Jainism, Kharavela was liberal regarding religious questions.

Mostly excavated near the top of a ledge or boulder, the cells simply provided dry shelter for meditation and prayer. They have an opening directly into the verandah or courtyard. There are minimal amenities even for small comforts: the height is too low for a person to stand erect, and essentially they were dwelling retreats or just sleeping compartments. Several monks used to stay in one cell. One striking feature of the cell is a raised floor on the opposite side of the opening which might have served the purpose of a pillow to sleep. While the cells are cramped, low scuffed and austerely plain, their facades are encrusted with inscriptions and sculptures depicting various objects. The Archaeological Survey of India numbered the caves and all have individual names based on these objects. Objects include court scenes, birds, animals, royal processions, hunting expeditions and scenes of daily life. The inscriptions which are in Brahmi start with the fundamental mantra of Jainism- the Namokar Mantra. They then depict the life and deeds of King Kharavela, “the worshipper of all religious orders and the repairer of all shrines of Gods”. They also describe the patrons of separate caves. Many people of royal descent were patrons. As Ashoka took over the possessions of Kharavela, the previously favored Jain religion gradually gave way to Buddhism.

Udayagiri

The floor in Udaygiri is laid with leveled blocks of stone. Eighteen caves can be accessed by a flight of steps. Cave 1 is Ranigumpha cave or Queen’s cave, a double storey structure. It is famous for its exceptional acoustic characteristic and is believed to be used for chants and theatre performances. It also has an image of Surya riding a chariot. The right wing of the lower storey has a single cell with three entrances and a pillared verandah. It has been excavated on three sides of a quadrangle with fine wall friezes. It has some beautiful sculptures, including two sentries at the entrance. The pilasters to the entrance have fine wall friezes, animals, toranas (arches) with religious and royal scenes. There is also a couple standing with folded hands, a female dancer with accompanying musicians.

The central wing has four cells. Victory march of a king and his journey are depicted here. There are guard rooms decorated with a spring cascading down a hill, fruit laden trees, wild animals, monkeys, and sporting elephants in a lotus pool. The upper storey has six cells, one each in right and left wing and four in the rear. All four cells have two doorways each with two pilasters. The toranas here have auspicious Jain symbols like snakes and lotuses, King Dushyant’s first meeting with Shakuntala, and dance performances.

Cave 2 is Bajaghar Gumpha with two massive built columns in front and additional inner columns. Cave 3 is known as Chota Hathi Gumpha. There are masterfully carved six vigorous elephants flanking the entrance. Cave 4 is Alakapuri Gumpha- double storeyed, with a sculpture of a lion holding a prey in its mouth, and pairs of winged creatures, people, animals atop the pillars. A bodhi tree has been carved in the central apartment.

Caves 5, 6, 7 and 8 are known as Jaya-Vijaya Gumpha, Panasa Gumpha, Thakurani Gumpha and Patalpuri Gumpha respectively; wherein the 5th and 7th caves are double storey. These are adorned with paintings, carvings of winged animals, etc. Manchapuri and Swargapuri caves are cave 9, a double storeyed cave with several sculptures and inscriptions. There are four votaries with folded hands, dressed in long dhotis, scarves and heavy kundalas (earings). This cave has a crowned figure believed to be that of Chedi King, Vakradeva.

Cave 10, Ganesha Gumpha, has a Chaitya hall, the place of worship for monks, two dwelling cells with low ceilings and a verandah in a famous relief of Ganesha. It also contains a carving with Jain Tirthankara. Jambesvara Gumpha- cave 11 is a small one with two plain door-openings and  Vyaghra  Gumpha –cave 12  is a low cell with two door opening. Its front is carved in the shape of a tiger’s mouth with a distended upper jaw full of teeth. It forms the roof of the verandah and the gullet forming the entrance. Sarpa Gumpha- cave 13 is an unusually small cave with adornment above the entrance. Here the famous inscription regarding life history of Kharavel is written in the Magadhi language. Other caves include Hathi Gumpha, cave 14, Dhanaghara Gumpha-cave 15, Haridasa Gumpha-cave 16, Jagammath Gumpha- cave 17 and Rosai Gumpha-cave 18.

Khandagiri Caves

The first and second caves are  Tatowa Gumpha 1 and 2,  richly decorated caves with two guards at the entrance and also two bulls and two lions. Parrots are carved above the entrance arch. Cave 3, Ananta Gumpha contains exquisite sculptures of women, elephants, athletes, and geese carrying flowers. Cave 4 is Tentuli Gumpha. 

Cave 5, i. e. Khandagiri Gumpha is a double storey, roughly cut cave. Caves 12,13 and 14 have no names. Caves 6 to 11 have been named as Dhyan Gumpha, Nayamuni Gumpha, Barabhuja Gumpha, Trusula Gumpha,  Ambika Gumpha and Lalatendukesri Gumpha. There are reliefs of Jain tirthankars, Mahavira and Parsvanatha on the rear wall of cave 11. Cave 14 is a simple cell and is known as Ekadasi Gumpha.