GENERAL KNOWLEDGE 2012
Time Allowed Three Hours Maximum Marks 300
INSTRUCTIONS
Candidates should attempt ALL questions. The number of marks carried by each question is indicated against each. Answers must be written in ENGLISH only. The attached map is to be used for answering Question: No. 1. Then the map is to be detached from the question paper and attached firmly to your answer-book. IMPORTANT NOTE All parts/sub-parts of a question. must be answered contiguously. That is, where a question is being attempted on the answer-book, all its constituent parts/sub-parts must be attempted before moving on to the next question. Pages left blank in the answer-book(s), if any, must be clearly struck out. Answers that follow pages left blank may not be given credit .

1. On the outline map of India attached to this question
paper, mark/shade the following • 1x1O=1O
.
The major manganese producing State
Kudankulam
Cape Ramos
Wular Lake
Kirandul
Kawai Wildlife Sanctuary
Chittorgarh
Bellary
Munabao
Kaimur Range

2. Answer any two of the following in about 200 words each: 20x2=40
Examine the role of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India in our polity.
Discuss the scope of the Right to Education Act
Comment on the salient recommendations of the 13th Finance Commission.

3. Answer any six of the following, limiting your answer
to 150 words in each case 15x6=90
Highlight three environmental effects of the Earth's rotation.
Describe how the tilt of the Earth's axis is responsible for the seasons.
(b)What are sand dunes Discuss the different types of sand dunes.
(c)What are' 'badlands' and what conditions are required for these to form
'Solid wastes generation has become a scrious urban environmental hazard.' Substantiate.
Discuss the scope of water-harvesting and highlight various water-harvesting methods.
What is biodiversity ?How have human activities in recent decades affected biodiversity
What is El Nino Bring out its significance in the Indian context.

4. Write on any three of the following, limiting your answer to 150 words in each case 15*3=45
India's cultural contacts with the outside world during ancient times.
The medieval Bhakti movement and its major strands.
Highlights of Buddhist art and architecture in India.
The role of British imperial power under Churchill in complicating India's independence issue in the 1940s.

5. Write critical notes on any three of the following,limiting your answer to 100 words for each 10*3=30
National Programme for Prevention and Control of Deafness (NPPCD)
Activities of the Water Quality Assessment Authority of the Central Government's Ministry of Environment and Forests .
Composition and functions of the Central Zoo Authority.
Concept of sustainable development as brought out at the Rio Conference.

6. Write short notes (about 40 words each) on any five of the following. Your answers should be clear and focused. 5x5=25
The distinction between 'Maharatna', 'Navratna' and 'Miniratna' Central Public Sector Enterprises.
The National Green Tribunal.
'Ujjawala' Scheme of the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
Formation of the Special Tiger Protection Force.
Principal gallantry awards in India for courageous acts performed during war and during peacetime,
Intensification of Forest Management Scheme (IFMS).

7. Critically comment on any three of the following, limiting your answer to 100 words each 10x3=30
'Positive' and 'negative' G-forces and their effects on the human body.
The three planned stages of India's nuclear power programme and the present status .
Different biometric devices and their salient applications.
'Open source' Software its concept, illustrative examples, advantages and limitations.

8. Write directed and clear short notes (in about 40 words each) on any two of the following: 5x2=10
NASA's Kepler mission and its recent achievement.
Environmental effects of deep-sea trawling.
Types of radio-tracking of animals.

9. Who are the following and why have they been in the news recently (Answers should be in only a sentence or two in each case). 2x5=10
Tessy Thomas
Mitt Romney
Saadat Hasan Manto .
Salva Kiir Mayardit
Cristina Elisabet Fernandez

With which game/sport are the following associated 1X5=5
Mamata Pujari
Ramakant Achrekar
Usain Bolt
Master Chandgi Ram
Deepika Kumari

What do the following abbreviations stand for ?lx5=5
UNFCCC
GSLV
TIFAC
FIPB
ICFRE