Challenge UPSC

FAQs on GST - English

Presentation for GST Conclave/Workshop

everything you should know about GST.
source:- PIB (press information bureau)

An overview of GST . The GST to be levied by the Centre on intra-State supply of goods or services would be called the Central tax (CGST) and that to be levied by the States including Union territories with legislature/Union Territories without legislature would be called the State tax (SGST)/ Union territory tax (UTG...

http://amzn.to/2ig8Qs6

Objective General English An essential book that would brush up the language skills of any aspirants who is working towards clearing the competitive examinations for Hotel Management, B Ed, MBA, MCA courses held by many prestigious institutes and university or those conducted by UPSC for many openings for civil and armed...

http://amzn.to/2igeB98

Yadav Yadav

Congratulations to our topper Ms. Tina Dabi🎂🎂🎂

Want to be a role model for girls aspiring to clear UPSC at first attempt: Tina Dabi who topped Civil Services exam

Civil services examination -2015 results declared .
http://pib.nic.in/newsite/mbErel.aspx?relid=145168

Civil Services Examination, 2015 - Result Declared Based on the results of the written part of Civil Services Examination, 2015 held by the Union Public Service Commission in December, 2015 and the interviews for Personality Test held in March-May, 2016, following is the list, in order of merit, of candidates who have been recommended for appointmen...

Interesting article ... Worth to read

https://news.vice.com/article/heres-why-its-a-very-bad-idea-to-wipe-mosquitoes-off-the-face-of-the-earth?linkId=22144883

Here's Why It's a Very Bad Idea to Wipe Mosquitoes Off the Face of the Earth | VICE News For humans, it's likely the most lethal animal in the world, spreading malaria, Zika, dengue, and other fatal diseases, but killing off all the world's species of mosquitoes would likely have far reaching consequences.

Good source for
ART AND CULTURE :
Performing arts :-

http://ccrtindia.gov.in/performingart.php

Centre for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT) In India, various facets of performing arts are all pervading bringing colour and joy to numerous festivals and ceremonies, and reaffirming the faith of the people in their heritage. These facets have been responsible for sustaining the long continuities of ancient traditions. They are the link betw…

Landmark experiment improves coral calcification by 7%

The increase in alkalinity led to 0.6 per cent increase in aragonite saturation state
A first-of-its kind, field-controlled experiment carried out for 22 days between September 16, 2014 and October 10, 2014 in a natural coral-reef community has allowed scientists to unequivocally show the detrimental effects of ocean acidification on coral reefs across the world. According to the study published on February 25 in the journal Nature, the net coral-reef growth would have been seven per cent more in the absence of ocean acidification.

The unique design of the study allowed the researchers to pinpoint the role of ocean acidification in diminishing the coral-reef growth even without altering or removing other compounding factors such as elevated sea surface temperature due to global warming, land-based pollution and overfishing. Coral reefs, which provide marine ecosystems comparable to tropical rain forests, are most vulnerable to ocean acidification.

Ocean acidification arises when nearly 25 per cent of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere and absorbed by the oceans reacts with water to form carbonic acid. The carbonic acid thus produced leads to ocean acidification by decreasing the pH of the ocean, reducing the concentration of carbonate ion (which is essential for organisms such as corals and clams to build their shells and skeletons) and a decreased aragonite mineral saturation state (“a measure of the availability of dissolved carbonate and calcium ions”).

According to Nature, today’s oceans are already 30 per cent more acidic than they were before the Industrial Revolution.

Increasing the pH of the ocean to make it more alkaline than acidic will provide an ideal condition for coral reefs to grow. While it is nearly impossible to do so on a large scale and study its impact on coral growth, the unique conditions seen in the One Tree Reef that encloses three lagoons in the southern Great Barrier Reef provided an ideal location to test this.

All the three lagoons in the One Tree Reef get cut off from the ocean during low tide, and water tends to flow from the first lagoon to the third lagoon as a result of elevation difference of 30 cm. A reef made of live corals separates the two lagoons and water flows over the reef in one direction for one full hour a day during peak low tide.

The team artificially increased the alkalinity of the water flowing from one lagoon to the other over the reef flat by introducing sodium hydroxide solution once a day for 15 days. An active tracer in the form non-reactive dye solution was introduced into the reef flat during the entire duration of the study — 22 days. The first seven days when no sodium hydroxide was added along with the tracer served as control.

“By measuring the concentrations of dye and sodium hydroxide the scientists were able to calculate the overall increase in calcification across the reef when the seawater chemistry was altered,” notes Nature. What they found was truly dramatic — net coral-community increased by 7 per cent. In addition, they found that around 17 per cent of the added sodium hydroxide was taken up by the reef community and the increase in alkalinity led to 0.6 per cent increase in aragonite saturation state.

The experiment helped prove that restoring the ocean chemistry to pre-industrialisation conditions led to an increase in coral growth. “We provide evidence that net community calcification is depressed compared with values expected for preindustrial conditions, indicating that ocean acidification may already be impairing coral reef growth”, writes Rebecca Albright, the first author of the paper from the Carnegie Institution for Science, Stanford, California. The reduction in calcification as a result of acidification is “projected to shift coral reefs from a state of net accretion to one of net dissolution this century”.

Global warming has not only increased the acidity of the oceans but has also elevated the sea surface temperature. While a warming ocean would have initially favoured coral reefs and led to more growth, the continued increase has proved harmful. Hence, coral reefs suffer from the combined onslaught of both acidification and elevated sea surface temperature. Future studies need to look at the combined effect on coral reefs.

While the researchers have been able to temporarily reverse the ocean chemistry at a very local scale, the only way to achieve this globally is by reducing the amount of carbon dioxide emitted. Even the Paris climate agreement has able to reach a consensus to keep the global temperature “well below the 2 degree C above the pre-industrial levels would mean little for the health of coral reefs; they run the highest risk of acidification and ocean warming.

“Caldeira's team is planning a second experiment — scheduled for September — that will help them to take a peek at possible future ocean conditions. Rather than adding an antacid to seawater, the researchers will add carbon dixoxide to boost acidity to levels that would be expected in 2100 if emissions continue to rise,” notes Nature.

Indian Regional Navigation Spacecraft System (IRNSS) is the Indian navigation system which envisages establishment of regional navigation system using a combination of GEO and GSO spacecraft. IRNSS system is expected to provide position accuracy of better than 20 m over Indian region and an area extending about 1500 sq km around India. IRNSS constellation consists of three Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) spacecraft and four spacecraft in Geosynchronous orbit inclined at 29 deg. It would provide two types of services, namely, Standard Positioning Services (SPS) - provided to all users - and Restricted Services (RS), provided to authorize users.

IRNSS -1E carries two types of payloads – navigation payload and CDMA payload. The navigation payload operating in L5-band and S-band will transmit navigation service signals to the users and also has a highly accurate Rubidium atomic clock. The ranging (CDMA) payload consists of a C-band transponder which facilitates accurate determination of the range of the satellite. It also carries Corner Cube Retro Reflectors (CCRR) for laser ranging.

IRNSS-1E, the fifth navigation satellite of the seven satellites of the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), was successfully launched by Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, in its 33rd flight (PSLV-C31) on January 20, 2016 at 09:31 Hrs (IST) of Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR (SDSC SHAR), Sriharikota, the spaceport of India.

PSLV-C31 was the thirty second consecutively successful mission of PSLV and the eleventh time ‘XL’ configuration was flown. Its predecessors, IRNSS-1A, 1B, 1C and 1D which were launched by PSLV-C22, PSLV-C24, PSLV-C26 and PSLV-C27 in July 2013, April 2014, October 2014 and March 2015 respectively.

Like its predecessors, IRNSS-1E had a lift-off mass of 1425 kg. The configuration of IRNSS-1E is similar to that of IRNSS-1A, 1B, 1C and 1D. All the five satellites are functioning satisfactorily from their designated orbital positions.

What are gravitational waves?

Gravitational waves are small ripples in space-time that are believed to travel across the universe at the speed of light. They are like tiny waves on a lake — from far away, the lake’s surface looks glassy smooth; only up very close can the details of the surface be seen. They were predicted to exist by Albert Einstein in 1916 as a consequence of his General Theory of Relativity.

Scientists spot elusive space-time ripples

The highly elusive ‘gravitational waves’ have finally been detected. Understandably, and justifiably, there is great elation within the global physics community, astrophysicists and cosmologists in particular. Read more

What does Einstein say about gravity?

While Sir Isaac Newton visualised gravitational force as a pulling force between objects, Albert Einstein opined it to be a pushing force due to the curvature of four dimensional spacetime fabric. The curvature of spacetime stems from the dent heavy objects produce on spacetime fabric, which can be compared to the dent one could see on a plastic sheet when a massive ball is placed.

(“Piled Higher and Deeper” by Jorge Cham. www.phdcomics.com)

How are these waves detected?

Scientists have been trying to detect them using two large laser instruments in the United States, known together as the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO), as well as another in Italy.

The twin LIGO installations are located roughly 3,000 km apart in Livingston, Louisiana, and Hanford, Washington. Having two detectors is a way to sift out terrestrial rumblings, such as traffic and earthquakes, from the faint ripples of space itself.

The LIGO work is funded by the National Science Foundation, an independent agency of the U.S. government.

What is LIGO?

The Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory is a large-scale physics experiment aiming to directly detect gravitational waves.

LIGO operates two gravitational wave observatories in unison: the LIGO Livingston Observatory in Livingston, Louisiana, and the LIGO Hanford Observatory, on the DOE Hanford Site, located near Richland, Washington. These sites are separated by 3,002 kilometers. Since gravitational waves are expected to travel at the speed of light, this distance corresponds to a difference in gravitational wave arrival times of up to ten milliseconds. Source:Wikipedia

Why is the study important?

Discovery of gravitational waves would represent a scientific landmark, opening the door to an entirely new way to observe the cosmos and unlock secrets about the early universe and mysterious objects like black holes and neutron stars.

Did scientists ever detect gravitational waves?

Although, physics supports the existence of gravitational waves, the strength of such waves even due to astronomically heavy bodies is awfully weak to be detected.On March 17, 2014, Harvard-Smithsonian Centre for Astrophysics erroneously claimed discovery of gravitational waves. The Harvard group, working at BICEP2 (Background Imaging of Cosmic Extragalactic Polarisation) telescope, had reported that they had observed a twist in the polarisation of ancient light that goes back to the time of the big bang. But within a month, studies pointed out flaws in the study.

Gravitational waves Explained

What are gravitational waves?

Gravitational waves are small ripples in space-time that are believed to travel across the universe at the speed of light. They are like tiny waves on a lake — from far away, the lake’s surface looks glassy smooth; only up very close can the details of the surface be seen. They were predicted to exist by Albert Einstein in 1916 as a consequence of his General Theory of Relativity.
What does Einstein say about gravity?

While Sir Isaac Newton visualised gravitational force as a pulling force between objects, Albert Einstein opined it to be a pushing force due to the curvature of four dimensional spacetime fabric. The curvature of spacetime stems from the dent heavy objects produce on spacetime fabric, which can be compared to the dent one could see on a plastic sheet when a massive ball is placed.
How are these waves detected?
Scientists have been trying to detect them using two large laser instruments in the United States, known together as the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO), as well as another in Italy.

The twin LIGO installations are located roughly 3,000 km apart in Livingston, Louisiana, and Hanford, Washington. Having two detectors is a way to sift out terrestrial rumblings, such as traffic and earthquakes, from the faint ripples of space itself.

The LIGO work is funded by the National Science Foundation, an independent agency of the U.S. government.
Why is the study of gravitational waves important?

Discovery of gravitational waves would represent a scientific landmark, opening the door to an entirely new way to observe the cosmos and unlock secrets about the early universe and mysterious objects like black holes and neutron stars.
Did scientists ever detect gravitational waves?
Although, physics supports the existence of gravitational waves, the strength of such waves even due to astronomically heavy bodies is awfully weak to be detected.

On March 17, 2014, Harvard-Smithsonian Centre for Astrophysics erroneously claimed discovery of gravitational waves. The Harvard group, working at BICEP2 (Background Imaging of Cosmic Extragalactic Polarisation) telescope, had reported that they had observed a twist in the polarisation of ancient light that goes back to the time of the big bang. But within a month, studies pointed out flaws in the study

PHD Comic: Marinating Link to Piled Higher and Deeper

All the very best for those who are attending preliminary exam today.

Rest in peace sir... Your dreams will always live with us.

CONGRATULATIONS Ira singhal.... Real icon for the women empowerment....!!!!

Finally notification is out for csp 2015... Declared that paper 2 made qualifying and another key change is they reduced minimum qualifying marks of qualifying paper in mains from 30% to 25% . Stress more on GS and prepare well. ALL THE BEST.

Hey..... Everyone must know... CSAT 2nd paper made just qualifying..... Go through this article of PIB.
http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=121654

Follow opinion section in the following link it will immensely helpful to understand the current trending topics
http://cprindia.org/research

Research | Centre for Policy Research http://cprindia.org/research

Hey....here....the answer key for the last exam on logical reasoning and analytical ability (advance level). Checkout.

Acc to the schedule...today...the exam is on...logical reasoning and analytical ability (advanced level) checkout the question paper.

Click here to get question paper
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B99AllPvhXzwcGI1V0czMzI4RWM/edit?usp=docslist_api

Here we go....the answers for the last exam on history and culture. Checkout.

For science and technology it seems like good source
https://m.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVOgwA_DiGzpd3_Iz7J-81Vh4QqU-ZGA9

Science Monitor https://m.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVOgwA_DiGzpd3_Iz7J-81Vh4QqU-ZGA9

Today according to the schedule the exam is about history and culture. Here the question paper.
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B99AllPvhXzwdlJNbHUzVVllYmc/edit?usp=docslist_api

To quickly revise the political scenario around the first world war and second world war...you can just go through this notes made of NCERT 11th class contemporary world history. You must read it for PAPER 1. World history part. The pdf asks for password... Please type "challengeupsc" to get it open.

challenge upsc

Try to buy if you can afford.... The battery capacity was amazing..... I am enjoying it for reading large government reports and books in pdf format. Good one at simple price.

All-New Kindle Wifi ereader, 6" Glare-Free Touchscreen Display Kindle is our most affordable e-reader—now with a touchscreen display, exclusive Kindle features, twice the storage, and more. Designed for readers Kindle is purpose-built for reading. Indulge your love of reading without interruptions like email alerts and push notifications. The weeks-lo...

MODERN INDIA OLD NCERT...CLASS 12th. By Bipin chandra.
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B99AllPvhXzwXzFrdDJGNHFzenc/edit?usp=docslist_api

Old NCERT... PRINCIPLES OF GEOGRAPHY...CLASS 12th.

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B99AllPvhXzwajFaOGVHMVpweEk/edit?usp=docslist_api

India relations with neighbouring countries. Good source here, for IR relations in PAPER 2.
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B99AllPvhXzwN1VYcnpaek5UNFU/edit?usp=docslist_api

The most useful and bulky book in UPSC preparation.... Which is much important for knowing everything about india after independence. Presenting you for free of cost. Make use of it and prepare well.👍👍👍👍👍👍.
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B-rO-GwWV--TeVRNT0laeUxsYzg/edit?usp=docslist_api

Hey.... Today ...according to schedule... The test is ...BASIC NUMERACY- advanced level... Here we go... Click on he link to get question paper and key attached to it. ALL THE BEST.
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B99AllPvhXzweTNNeDJMaHNMSGs/edit?usp=docslist_api

Basic numeracy advanced level

The best notes for post independence consolidation. Paper 1.

challenge upsc

China from pre world war period to civil war. A short note for quick revision.

challenge upsc

Here... Modern india by bipin chandra.
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B-rO-GwWV--TOFdTMFJxeGdsTUU/edit?usp=docslist_api

Everyone prefer old NCERTs... But except in Delhi..it is too difficult to get the photocopies of the old books even... Here i am giving the old NCERT of class 11th... ANCIENT INDIA. must read for ancient indian history.
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B-rO-GwWV--TZTlYZ0RSZjREWmc/edit?usp=docslist_api

[NCERT] Ancient India XI (Makkhan Lal).pdf