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February 23, 2011

Straits of the World - APPSC G2 G1

A strait is a narrow channel of water that connects two larger bodies of water, and thus lies between two land masses. The terms strait, channel, passage, sound, and firth can be synonymous and interchangeable, although each is sometimes differentiated with varying senses. Many straits are economically important. Straits can lie on important shipping routes, and wars have been fought for control of these straits.

Numerous artificial channels, called canals, have been constructed to connect two bodies of water over land. Although rivers and canals often form a bridge between two large lakes or a lake and a sea, and these seem to suit the formal definition of straits, they are not usually referred to as straits. Straits are typically much larger, wider structures that do not have water running in a single direction, and normally connect two seas.

Straits are the duals of isthmi. That is, while straits lie between two land masses and connect two larger bodies of water, isthmi lie between two bodies of water and connect two larger land masses.
  • Agate Pass - Puget Sound
  • Agattu Strait - Aleutians
  • Akashi Strait - Japan
  • Amchitka Pass - Aleutians
  • Anegada Passage - Virgin Islands and Anguilla
  • Arthur Kill - Staten Island and New Jersey
  • Bab-el-Mandeb - connects Red Sea to Gulf of Aden / Arabian Sea
  • Balabac Strait - between Palawan, Philippines and Borneo
  • Strait of Baltiysk - between Vistula Bay and Gdansk Bay
  • Bangka Strait - between Sumatra and Bangka Island
  • Bass Strait - between mainland Australia and Tasmania
  • Strait of Belle Isle - between Newfoundland and mainland Canada
  • Bering Strait - between Asia and North America
  • Bransfield Strait - between South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula
  • Bohol Strait - also called Cebu Strait, between Bohol and Cebu in the Philippines
  • Strait of Bonifacio - between Corsica and Sardinia
  • Bosporus - between Europe and Asia
  • Bungo Channel - Japan
  • Cabot Strait - between Newfoundland and Cape Breton Island
  • Strait of Canso - between Cape Breton Island and mainland Nova Scotia
  • Carquinez Strait - connects San Pablo Bay and Suisun Bay, California
  • Chatham Strait - between Chichagof Island and Admiralty Island, Alaska
  • Clarence Strait - between Prince of Wales Island and mainland Alaska
  • Colvos Passage - Puget Sound
  • Cook Strait - between the North Island and South Island of New Zealand
  • Dalco Passage - Puget Sound
  • Dampier Strait (Papua New Guinea) - between New Britain and Umboi Island
  • Dampier Strait (Indonesia) - between Bird's Head Peninsula and Raja Ampat Islands
  • Danish straits - between Scandinavia and Jutland
  • Dardanelles - between Europe and Asia
  • Davis Strait - between Baffin Island and Greenland
  • Deception Pass - Puget Sound
  • Denmark Strait - between Greenland and Iceland
  • Detroit River - between Lake St. Clair and Lake Erie
  • Dolphin and Union Strait - between Northwest Territories and Victoria Island
  • Strait of Dover or Pas de Calais - (English Channel)
  • Dragon's Mouth (Boca del Dragón) - between Trinidad and Venezuela
  • Drake Passage - between South America and Antarctica
  • East River - between Manhattan, the Bronx and Long Island
  • English Channel - between Great Britain and France
  • Falkland Sound, - between West Falkland and East Falkland
  • Straits of Florida - between Florida and Cuba
  • Foveaux Strait - between the South Island and Stewart Island of New Zealand
  • Fury and Hecla Strait - between Baffin Island and Melville Peninsula,
  • formosa strait in asia
  • Strait of Georgia - between Vancouver Island and British Columbia
  • Strait of Gibraltar - between Europe and Africa
  • Golden Gate - between the Marin headlands and San Francisco, California
  • Great Belt - Denmark
  • Guadeloupe Passage - north of Guadeloupe, ((West Indies))
  • Harlem River - between Manhatten and The Bronx
  • Hecate Strait - between Queen Charlotte Island and British Columbia
  • Honguedo Strait - between Anticosti Island and Gaspé Peninsula in Quebec
  • Strait of Hormuz - between Arabia and Iran
  • Hoyo Strait - Japan
  • Hudson Strait - between Baffin Island and Quebec
  • Johor Strait - between Singapore and the state of Johor of Malaysia
  • Strait of Juan de Fuca - between Vancouver Island, Canada and Olympic Peninsula, United States
  • Kalmar Strait - between Öland and Småland
  • Kanmon Strait - between Honshu and Kyushu
  • Kara Strait
  • Karimata Strait - between Sumatra and Borneo
  • Kerch Strait - between Crimea and Russia
  • Kill Van Kull - between Staten Island and Bayonne, New Jersey
  • Kitan Strait - Japan
  • Korea Strait - between Korea and Japan
  • Kwangtung Strait
  • La Perouse Strait (also Soya Strait) - between Sakhalin and Japan
  • Lancaster Strait
  • Little Belt - Denmark
  • Lombok Strait
  • Luzon Strait - between Taiwan and Luzon, Philippines
  • Straits of Mackinac - between Michigan's Upper and Lower Peninsulas
  • Strait of Magellan - between South America and Tierra del Fuego
  • Makassar Strait - between Borneo and Sulawesi
  • Straits of Malacca - between Malaysia and Sumatra
  • Mare Island Strait
  • Martinique Passage - between Dominica and Martinique
  • McClure Strait - Melville Island and Banks Island
  • Menai Strait - between Anglesey and mainland Wales
  • Strait of Messina - between Sicily and mainland Italy
  • Mindoro Strait - between Mindoro and Palawan in the Philippines
  • Mona Passage - between Hispaniola and Puerto Rico
  • Myeongnyang Strait - between Jindo Island and mainland South Korea
  • Nares Strait - between Ellesmere Island and Northern Greenland and connects Baffin Bay with Lincoln Sea / the Arctic Sea.
  • The Narrows - between Staten Island and Brooklyn in New York City
  • Naruto Strait - Japan
  • North Channel - between Northern Ireland and Scotland
  • Northumberland Strait - between Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick/Nova Scotia
  • Oresund - between Denmark and Sweden
  • Strait of Otranto - between Italy and Albania
  • Palk Strait - between India and Sri Lanka
  • Pertuis d'Antioche - on the Atlantic coast of Western France
  • Pickering Passage - Puget Sound
  • Port Washington Narrows - Puget Sound
  • Porte des Morts - between the Bay of Green Bay and Lake Michigan
  • Panama - Between North America and South America (Panama Canal)
  • Qiongzhou Strait - Hainan and Guangdong
  • Rich Passage - Puget Sound
  • San Bernardino Strait - between Luzon and Samar in the Philippines
  • San Juanico Strait - between Samar and Leyte islands in the Philippines
  • Serpent's Mouth (Boca del Serpiente) - between Trinidad and Venezuela
  • Skagerrak between Denmark, Norway and Sweden
  • Shelikof Strait - between mainland Alaska and Kodiak Island
  • Shimonoseki Strait
  • Strait of Dover - part of the English Channel between Great Britain and France
  • Strait of Sicily - between Sicily and Africa
  • Singapore Strait - between Singapore and Indonesia (Sumatra)
  • Smith Strait
  • Sumba Strait - between Flores and Sumba, Indonesia
  • Sunda Strait - between Sumatra and Java
  • Surigao Strait - between Leyte and Mindanao islands in the Philippines
  • Tablas Strait - between Mindoro and Panay islands in the Philippines
  • Tacoma Narrows - Puget Sound
  • Taiwan Strait - between Taiwan and Mainland China
  • Tanon Strait - between Negros and Cebu islands in the Philippines
  • Strait of Tartary (also Mamiya Strait and Strait of Nevelskoi) - Sakhalin
  • Strait of Tiran - between the Sinai peninsula and Saudi Arabia
  • Torres Strait - between New Guinea and Australia
  • Tsugaru Strait - between Hokkaido and Honshu
  • Tsushima Strait - between Iki Island and Korean Peninsula
  • Soya Strait -
  • Vitiaz Strait - between New Guinea and Long Island
  • Windward Passage - between Cuba and Hispaniola
  • Yucatan Channel - between Mexico and Cuba

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Well-known straits in the world - APPSC G1 G2 - Geography

  • the palk strait, between India and Sri Lanka, the location of Ram Sethu and rich in natural resources
  • the Strait of Dover, between England and France, which connects the North Sea with the English Channel
  • the Strait of Gibraltar, the only natural passage between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea
  • the Bosporus and the Dardanelles, which connect the Mediterranean and the Black Sea
  • the Strait of Magellan, connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans north of Tierra del Fuego
  • the Bering Strait between Alaska and Siberia, which connects the Pacific and Arctic Oceans
  • the Strait of Hormuz connecting the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, through which Persian Gulf petroleum is shipped to the world
  • the Strait of Malacca, which lies between Peninsular Malaysia and Sumatra, and connects the Indian Ocean with
  • the South China Sea. (It is one of the highest-volume shipping lanes in the world.)
  • and the Bass Strait, which lies between mainland Australia and Tasmania, and connects the Indian Ocean with the Pacific Ocean.

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February 21, 2011

Important Amendments Act of Indian Constitution - APPSC G1 G2

1st Amendment Act (1950) : To remove certain practical difficulties encountered in the working of the fundamental rights specially the rights to equality before law.

2nd Amendment Act (1952) : To raise the limit of the population rent list and thus extend the powers of the Union Parliament.

3rd Amendment Act (1954) : This amendment transferred certain items from the state list to the concurrent list.

4th Amendment Act (1955) : Give provisions concerning right to property, trade and commerce as well as the Ninth Schedule.

5th Amendment Act (1955) : It provided a new procedure for consulting the state legislature with regard to changing the name or boundary of states.

6th Amendment Act (1956) : It made changes in provisions concerning inter-state sales tax and 7th schedule of the constitution.

7th Amendment Act (1956) : This amendment was designed to implement the State reorganisation Act. The second & seventh Schedule were substantially amended for the purpose of reorganisation of states.

8th Amendment Act (1960) : This amendment extended the reservation of seats for the scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and special representation of the Anglo-Indians in the state legislatures and Lok Sabha upto 1970.

9th Amendment Act (1960) : It made changes in the first schedule and effected transfer of certain territories like Berubari, Khulana etc. to Pakistan as per agreement between the two governments.

10th Amendment Act (1961) : It included the territories of Dadra and Nagar Haveli in the Indian Union.

11th Amendment Act (1961) : It made changes in the procedure of election of the President of India.

12th Amendment Act (1962) : legalized the accession of the territories of Goa, Daman and Diu to the Inidan Union.

13th Amendment Act (1962) : gave special provisions for Nagaland and amended Part XXI and Article 371 of constitution.

14th Amendment Act (1962) : included the territory of Pondicherry in the first schedule and created local legislatures or council of ministers or both for union territories of Himachal Pradesh, Manipur, Tripura, Goa, Daman Diu and Pondicherry.

15th Amendment Act (1963) : raised the age of retirement of the judges of the High Courts from 60 to 62 and provided for the appointment of retired judges to the High Courts.

16th Amendment Act (1963) : sought to protect the sovereignty and integrity of India against fissiparous activities of certain persons and groups.

17th Amendment Act (1964) : made further changes in the right to property. Forty-four land reform acts were added to the ninth schedule.

18th Amendment Act (1964) : Article 3 was amended by this Act to specify that the expression "State" will include a union territory also and to make it clear that the power to form a new state under this article includes a power to form a new state or union territory.

19th Amendment Act (1966) : made certain changes in the powers of the election commission and authorized the high courts to hear election petition. The petitioners were also authorised to make appeal to the Supreme Court against the decision of the High Court.

20th Amendment Act (1966) : added certain new provisions in the constitution with a view to validate the appointment of and judgements etc. delivered by certain district judges.

21st Amendment Act (1967) : added Sindhi as the twelfth language to the list of official languages as given in Eighth Schedule.

22nd Amendment Act (1969) : created an autonomous sub-state of Meghalaya within Assam.

23rd Amendment Act (1969) : extended the reservation of seats for the scheduled castes and scheduled tribes, as well as members of Anglo-Indian community in the Lok Sabha and Legislative assemblies for further period of 10 years viz. up to January 1980.

24th Amendment Act (1971) : was passed to overcome the restrictions on the powers of the parliament and amend the Fundamental Rights imposed by the Supreme Court of India in the Golak Nath case.

25th Amendment Act (1971) : This amend further article 31 in the wake of the Bank Nationalisation case.

26th Amendment Act (1971) : derecognised the princes, chiefs or other persons and abolished all rights, liabilities and obligations in respect of them.

27th Amendment Act (1971) : endowed the new Union Territory of Mizoram with a legislature and council of ministers.

28th Amendment Act (1972) : did away with the privileges and concessions enjoyed by the I.C.S. Officers.

29th Amendment Act (1972) : included two Kerala Land Reform laws in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution.

30th Amendment Act (1972) : did away the valuation test of Rs. 20,000 for appeal in the civil cases.

31st Amendment Act (1973) : increased the strength of Lok Sabha to 545.

32nd Amendment Act (1974) : This act provided the necessary constitutional authority for giving effect to the provision of equal opportunities to different areas of the state of Andhra Pradesh and administrative tribunals.

33rd Amendment Act (1974) : empowered the presiding officer of the union and state legislatures not to accept the resignation of a member if they were convinced that it was being submitted under duress.

34th Amendment Act (1975) : included 20 land reforms and land ceiling acts in Ninth Schedule to ward against litigation.

35th Amendment Act (1974) : accorded the status of associate state of Sikkim and terminated the long protectorate status of this kingdom.

36th Amendment Act (1975) : integrated Sikkim with India and it became the twenty second state.

37th Amendment Act (1975) : provided legislative assemblies and councils of ministers in Arunachal and other centrally administered areas with a view to provide greater share to the people in the administration of these territories.

38th Amendment Act (1975) : authorized the president to declare emergency while the parliament or state legislature was not in session.

39th Amendment Act (1976) : provided that the election of the President, the Vice-President, Prime Minister and Speaker cannot be challenged.

40th Amendment Act (1976) : exempted the Prime Minister, like the President of India, from all criminal proceedings.

41st Amendment Act (1976) :
raised the age of retirement of chairman and members of the State Public Service Commission from 60 to 62 years.

42nd Amendment Act (1976) : The 42nd Amendment Act can be called a mini constitution in itself. It brought colossal change in the constitution. The act give preponderance to the Directive Principle of State Policy over the fundamental rights established the supremacy of Parliament and curtailed the Power of Judiciary.
Preamble–The characterisation of India 'Sovereign Democratic Republic' was change to 'Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic'. The phrase 'Unity of a Nation' was change to unity and intrigrity of the nation.

43rd Amendment Act (1977) : restored to the high courts and supreme court their jurisdiction to consider the constitutional validity of any central or state law.

44th Amendment Act (1978) : The 44th Amendment Act passed in 1978 undeed most of the changes introduced into the constitution by the 42nd Amendment Act of the Constitution.

45th Amendment Act (1980) : extended the reservation of seats and posts for the scheduled caste and scheduled tribe for a further period of 10 year viz. upto 1990.

46th Amendment Act (1982) : tax levied on the consignment of goods in the course of interstate trade or commerce is assigned to the states.

47th Amendment Act (1984) : intended to provide for the inclusion of certain land reform acts in the ninth schedule to the constitution.

48th Amendment Act (1984) : This was an amendment to Clause 5 (1) article 356 of the constitution for President's rule in Punjab for another year.

49th Amendment Act (1984) : The amendment gives constitutional security to the autonomous district council functioning in the state of Tripura.

50th Amendment Act (1984) : the members of the forces charged with the protection of property of the longing to, or in the charge or possession of the state.

51st Amendment Act (1984) : Article 33 replaces the sections dealing with scheduled castes and scheduled tribes except in tribal areas of Assam, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram.

52nd Amendment Act (1986) : Schedule X added in the constitution. The amendment effected by a bill popularly called anti-defection bill, was to curb defection by disqualification.

53rd Amendment Act (1986) : inserted a new article (371G) conferring full statehood on Mizoram.

54th Amendment Act (1986) : amended Part D of the II Schedule giving effect to the increase of salaries of the chief justice and judges of supreme court and high court.

55th Amendment Act (1986) : conferred full statehood on Arunachal Pradesh.

56th Amendment Act (1987) : sought to make a special provision for the setting up of the new state of Goa.

57th Amendment Act (1987) : amended Article 332 of the constitution providing for special arrangements with regard to reservation for scheduled tribes in the north-eastern states.

58th Amendment Act (1987) : authorizes the president to public an authoritative translation of the constitution.

59th Amendment Act (1988) : empowered the government to impose emergency in Punjab on the grounds that India's integrity was threatened by internal disturbances.

60th Amendment Act (1988) : empowered the state government to increase the ceiling on professional tax from Rs. 250 to Rs. 2500 per person per annum.

61st Amendment Act (1989) : reduce the voting age from 21 years to 18 years.

62nd Amendment Act (1989) : provided for the extension by another 10 years of reservation of seats in parliament and state assemblies for scheduled castes and tribes and reservation for Anglo Indian community by nomination.

63rd Amendment Act (1989) : repealed amendment 359 a empowering government to impose emergency in Punjab.

64th Amendment Act (1990) : sought extension of President's rule in Punjab for another six months.

65th Amendment Act (1990) : Gave Constitutional Status to the National Commission for scheduled castes and tribes.

66th Amendment Act (1990) : To bring land reforms within the purview of Ninth schedule of the constitution.

67th Amendment Act (1990) : extension of the president's rule in Punjab. (extended upto 4 years)

68th Amendment Act (1991) : Extends President's rule in Punjab (it was extended upto five years).

69th Amendment Act (1991) : Delhi made National Capital Territory, provides for assembly & council of ministers.

70th Amendment Act (1992) : MLAs of Delhi and Pondicherry given the right to vote in Presidential Election.

71st Amendment Act (1992) : Eighth schedule of the constitution amended to include Konkani, Manipur and Nepali.

72nd Amendment Act (1992) : Article 332 amended to determine the number of reserved seats for ST's in the state Assembly of Tripura, until readjustment of seats made on the basis of census 2000.

73rd Amendment Act (1992) : The Act provides for Gram Sabha a three-tier model of Panchayati Raj, Reservations of seats for SC and ST in proportion to their population and one third reservation of seats for women.

74th Amendment Act (1993) : The Act provides constitutional status to Urban local bodies.

75th Amendment Act (1994) : articles 332 (Part XIV A) amended to give timely relief to the rent litigants by setting up state level Rent tribunals to reduce the tiers of appeals and to exclude jurisdiction of all courts except Supreme Court under Art. 136.

76th Amendment Act (1994) : This act aims at the reservation of seats in educational institutions.

77th Amendment Act (1995) : Article 16(4A) provides reservation in promotion for the SC and the ST.

78th Amendment Act (1995) : The amendment acts placed in the 9th schedule are immunized from legal challenge, through a number of amending acts along with a few principal acts so that its implementation becomes smooth.

79th Amendment Act (1999) : To continue the reservation for Schedule Castes, Scheduled Tribes.

80th Amendment Act (2000) : Suggests scheme of sharing of proceeds of Union taxes of duties between Union and states. 26% of gross proceeds of Union taxes is to be assigned to states.

81st Amendment Act (2000) : The vacancies reserved for SC, ST which couldn't be filled due to non-availability of candidates were backlog vacancies and shall be treated as excluded from the ceiling of 50% reservation.

82nd Amendment Act (2000) : SC, ST shall continue to enjoy facility of relaxation of qualifying marks and standard of evaluation in matters of reservation in promotion.

83rd Amendment Act (2000) : Since no Schedule Castes exist in state of Arunachal Pradesh. The act exempts Arunachal Pradesh from reservation of seats in Panchayat for Schedule Castes.

84th Amendment Act (2001) : Refix no. of seats reserved for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in House of People and legislative Assemblies of state on basis of population ascertained at census for year of 1991.

85th Amendment Act (2001) : Amendment of Article 16-clause 4(A) for the words matters of promotion to any class".

86th Amendment Act (2002) : The act inserted article 21-A and made the right to education of children of the age of 6 to 14 years a fundamental right.

87th Amendment Act (2003) : Seats are reserved for certain categories until readjustment of seats on basis of first census after year 2000.

88th Amendment Act (2003) : Insertion of new article 268 (A) Service Tax levied by Union and proceeds collected and appropriated by Union & States.

89th Amendment Act (2003) : Provides for constitution of a National Commission for ST.

90th Amendment Act : Provide that the representation of ST and non scheduled tribes in constituency included in Boroland Territorial area District.

91st Amendment Act (2003) : The Bill related to the delimitation of constituencies.

92nd Amendment Act (2004) : Amendment of 8th Schedule – entries were to be renumbered and Bodo, Dogiri, Maithili, Santhali were entered.

93rd Amendment Act (2005) : In article 15 clause (5) was inserted that nothing would prevent the state from making special provisions by law under Art. 15, 19 and 30 for advancement of SC, ST in relation to admission to educational institutions, private institutions aided or unaided by state, other than minority institutions referred in Clause (1) of article 30.

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February 20, 2011

Medieval India - Question Bank - APPSC G1 G2

1. Which of the following Rajput dynasties did not surrender to Akbar
(a) Parmar (b) Pratihara (c) Rathor (d) Sisodiya
Ans:B

2. Which amidst the following was not a fort of the Maratha ruler Shivaji?
(a) Sindhudurg (b) Raigad (c) Amber (d) Padmadurg
Ans:C

3. Which Sikh Guru was executed by Aurangzeb?
(a) Guru Arjun Dev (b) Guru Ram Das (c) Guru Teg Bahadur (d) Guru Gobind Singh
Ans:C

4. Which Muslim ruler was keen to have friendly relations with the Rajputs
(a) Akbar (b) Humayun (c) Babar (d) Aurangzeb
Ans:A

5. Which of the following rulers had the title Kaviraja
(a) Kumaragupta (b) Chanragupta (c) Skandagupta (d) Samudragupta
Ans:D

6. Who among the following Indian rulers established embassies in foreign countries on modern lines
(a) Tipu sultan (b) Mir Quasim (c) Haider Ali (d) Shah Alam II
Ans:D

7. ‘Nav Ratnas’ (nine gems) were the famous personalities associated with the court of:
(a) Chandra Gupta II (b) Harshavardhana (c) Narasimsha Varman (d) Samudra Gupta
Ans:A

8. Who pursued the policy "Blood and Iron"
(a) Balban (b) Firuz Tughlaq (c) Malik Kafur (d) Alauddin Khilji
Ans:A

9. The main centre or meeting point of Indo-Roman trade in ancient times was
(a) Rome (b) Calicut (c)Alexandria (d) Karaikkal
Ans:B

10. Who built a tomb for Sher Shah at Sasaram
(a) Ibrahim Shah (b) Islam Shah (c) Sher Shah (d) Sikandar Shah
Ans:D

11. The first major inscription in classical Sanskrit is that of
(a) Rudradaman (b) Chandragupta Vikramaditya (c) Kanishka (d) Samudragupta
Ans:A

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February 19, 2011

Budget Procedure in India - APPSC G1 & G2

BUDGET IN PARLIAMENT


With the emergence of Welfare State, Governments have come to look after virtually every sphere of human life. They have to perform manifold functions from maintaining law and order, protecting their territories to implementation of plans for economic and social betterment. Besides, they provide a variety of social services like education, health, employment and housing to the people. Needless to say, Government require adequate resources to discharge these functions effectively. Where is this money to come from and who is to sanction the funds? The necessary funds are mobilised from the country's resources by way of taxes both direct and indirect, loans both long-term and short-term, to meet the Governmental expenditure. In India, the principal sources of revenue are customs and excise duties and Income-tax on individuals and companies.

Need for Budget

It is not as if the Government can tax, borrow and spend money the way it likes. Since there is a limit to the resources, the need for proper budgeting arises to allocate scarce resources to various Governmental activities. Every item of expenditure has to be well thought out and total outlay worked out for a specific period. Prudent spending is essential for the stability of a Government and proper earnings are a pre-requisite to wise spending. Hence, planned expenditure and accurate foresight of earnings are sine-qua-non of sound Governmental finance.

Parliamentary Control over Finance

Ours is a Parliamentary system of Government based on Westminster model. The Constitution has, therefore, vested the power over the purse in the hands of chosen representatives of the people thus sanctifying the principle 'no taxation without representation'. Preparation of Budget for the approval of the Legislature is a Constitutional obligation of the Government both at the Centre and the State levels. Legislative prerogative over taxation, legislative control over expenditure and executive initiative in financial matters are some of the fundamental principles of the system of Parliamentary financial control.

There are specific provisions in the Constitution of India incorporating these tenets. For example, article 265 provides that 'no tax shall be levied or collected except by authority of law'; no expenditure can be incurred except with the authorisation of the Legislature (article 266); and President shall, in respect of every financial year, cause to be laid before Parliament, Annual Financial Statement (article 112). These provisions of our Constitution make the Government accountable to Parliament.

The Budget

The 'Annual Financial Statement', laid before both the Houses of Parliament constitutes the Budget of the Union Government. This statement takes into account a period of one financial year. The financial year commences in India on 1st April each year. The statement embodies the estimated receipts and expenditure of the Government of India for the financial year.

Demands for Grants

The estimates of expenditure included in the Budget and required to be voted by Lok Sabha are in the form of Demands for Grants. These Demands are arranged Ministry-wise and a separate Demand for each of the major services is presented. Each Demand contains first a statement of the total grant and then a statement of the detailed estimate divided into items.

Railway Budget

The Budget of the Indian Railways is presented separately to Parliament and dealt with separately, although the receipts and expenditure of the Railways form part of the Consolidated Fund of India and the figures relating to them are included in the 'Annual Financial Statement'.

Presentation

In India, the Budget is presented to Parliament on such date as is fixed by the President. The Budget speech of the Finance Minister is usually in two parts. Part A deals with general economic survey of the country while Part B relates to taxation proposals. General Budget was earlier being presented at 5 P.M. on the last working day of February, but since 1999 the General Budget is being presented at 11 A.M. on the last  working day of February, i.e. about a month before the commencement of the Financial year except in the year when General Elections to Lok Sabha are held. In an election year, Budget may be presented twice—first to secure Vote on Account for a few months and later in full.

The General Budget is presented in Lok Sabha by the Minister of Finance. He makes a speech introducing the Budget and it is only in the  concluding part of his speech that the proposals for fresh taxation or for variations in the existing taxes are disclosed by him. The 'Annual Financial Statement' is laid on the Table of Rajya Sabha at the conclusion of the speech of the Finance Minister in Lok Sabha.

Budget Documents

Alongwith the 'Annual Financial Statement' Government presents the following documents: an Explanatory Memorandum briefly explaining the nature of receipts and expenditure during the current year and the next year and the reasons for variations in the estimates for the two years, the Books of Demands showing the provisions Ministry-wise and a separate Demand for each Department and service of the Ministry. The Finance Bill which deals with the taxation measures proposed by Government is introduced immediately after the presentation of Budget. It is accompanied by a memorandum explaining the provisions of the Bill and their effect on the finances of the country.

Vote on Account

The discussion on the Budget begins a few days after its presentation. In a democratic set-up, Government is anxious to give Parliament full opportunity to discuss the budgetary provisions and the various proposals for taxation. Since Parliament is not able to vote the entire budget before the commencement of the new financial year, the necessity to keep enough finance at the disposal of Government in order to allow it to run the administration of the country remains. A special provision is, therefore, made for "Vote on Account" by which Government obtains the  Vote of Parliament for a sum sufficient to incur expenditure on various items for a part of the year.

Normally, the Vote on Account is taken for two months only. But during election year or when it is anticipated that the main Demands and Appropriation Bill will take longer time than two months, the Vote on Account may be for a period exceeding two months.

Discussion

The Budget is discussed in two stages in Lok Sabha. First, there is the General Discussion on the Budget as a whole. This lasts for about 4 to  5 days. Only the broad outlines of the Budget and the principles and policies underlying it are discussed at this stage.

Consideration of the Demands by Standing Committees of Parliament

After the first stage of General Discussion on both Railway as well as General Budget is over, the House is adjourned for a fixed period. During this period, the Demands for Grants of various Ministries/Departments including Railways are considered by concerned Standing Committees (Rule 331G). These Committees are required to make their reports to the House within specified period without asking for more time. The system of consideration of Demands for Grants by the Standing Committees was introduced from the Budget for the year 1993-94. The Standing Committee consists of 45 Members, 30 from Lok Sabha and 15 from Rajya Sabha. The reports of the Standing Committees are of persuasive nature (Rule 331N). The report shall not suggest anything of the nature of cut motions.

After the reports of the Standing Committees are presented to the House, the House proceeds to the discussion and Voting on Demands for Grants, Ministry-wise. The time for discussion and Voting of Demands for Grants is allocated by the Speaker in consultation with the Leader of the House. On the last day of the allotted days, the Speaker puts all the outstanding Demands to the Vote of the House. This device is popularly known as 'guillotine'. Lok Sabha has the power to assent to or refuse to give assent to any Demand or even to reduce the amount of Grant sought by Government. In Rajya Sabha there is only a General Discussion on the Budget. It does not vote on the Demands for Grants. Only so much of the amount is subject to the vote of Lok Sabha as is not a "charged" expenditure on the Consolidated Fund of India. The "charged" expenditure includes the emoluments of the President and the salaries and allowances of the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha and the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha, Judges of Supreme Court, Comptroller and Auditor General of India and certain other items specified in the Constitution of India. Discussion in Lok Sabha on 'charged' expenditure is permissible but such expenditure is not voted by the House. Members have full opportunity to criticise the budgetary provisions during the course of discussion as also to make suggestions for improving the financial position of the country.

Cut Motions

Motions for reduction to various Demands for Grants are made in the form of Cut Motions seeking to reduce the sums sought by Government on grounds of economy or difference of opinion on matters of policy or just in order to voice a grievance. 

Appropriation Bill

After the General Discussion on the Budget proposals and Voting on Demands for Grants have been completed, Government introduces the Appropriation Bill. The Appropriation Bill is intended to give authority to Government to incur expenditure from and  out of the Consolidated Fund of India. The procedure for passing this Bill is the same as in the case of other money Bills.

Finance Bill

The Finance Bill seeking to give effect to the Government's taxation proposals which is introduced in Lok Sabha immediately after the presentation of the General Budget, is taken up for consideration and passing after the Appropriation Bill is passed. However, certain provisions in the Bill relating to levy and collection of fresh duties or variations in the existing duties come into effect immediately on the expiry of the day on which the Bill is introduced by virtue of a declaration under the Provisional Collection of Taxes Act. Parliament has to pass the Finance Bill within 75 days of its introduction.

Supplementary/Excess Grants

No expenditure in excess of the sums authorised by Parliament can be incurred without the sanction of Parliament. Whenever a need arises to incur extra expenditure, a Supplementary estimate is laid before Parliament. If any money has been spent on any service during a financial year in excess of the amounts granted for that service and for that year, the Minister of Finance/ Railways presents a Demand for Excess Grant. The procedure followed in Parliament in regard to Supplementary/Excess Grants is more or less the same as is adopted in the case of estimates included in the General Budget.

Budget of a State/Union Territory under President's Rule

Budget of a State under President's rule is presented to Lok Sabha. The procedure followed in regard to the Budget of the Union Government is followed in the case of State Budget also with such variations or modifications, as the Speaker may make.

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Citizenship in India - APPSC G1 & G2

By Five Modes

Citizenship by birth

Any person born in India, on or after 26 January 1950 but prior to the commencement of the 1986 Act on 1 July 1987 is a citizen of India by birth. A person born in India on or after 1 July 1987 is a citizen of India if either parent was a citizen of India at the time of the birth. Those born in India on or after 3 December 2004 are considered citizens of India only if both of their parents are citizens of India or if one parent is a citizen of India and the other is not an illegal migrant at the time of their birth the citizen can be an Indian or a foreigner

Citizenship by descent

Persons born outside India on or after 26 January 1950 but before 10 December 1992 are citizens of India by descent if their father was a citizen of India at the time of their birth.

Person born outside India on or after 10 December 1992 are considered as citizens of India if either of their parents is a citizen of India at the time of their birth.

From 3 December 2004 onwards, persons born outside of India shall not be considered citizens of India unless their birth is registered at an Indian consulate within one year of the date of birth. In certain circumstances it is possible to register after 1 year with the permission of the Central Government. The application for registration of the birth of a minor child must be made to an Indian consulate and must be accompanied by an undertaking in writing from the parents of such minor child that he or she does not hold the passport of another country.

Citizenship by registration

The Central Government may, on an application, register as a citizen of India under section 5 of the Citizenship Act 1955 any person (not being an illegal migrant) if he belongs to any of the following categories:-------

  • a person of Indian origin who is ordinarily resident in India for five years before making an application for registration;
  • a person of Indian origin who is ordinarily resident in any country or place outside undivided India;
  • a person who is married to a citizen of India and is ordinarily resident in India for seven years before making an application for registration;
  • minor children of persons who are citizens of India;
  • a person of full age and capacity whose parents are registered as citizens of India by ordinary residence in India for seven years;
  • a person of full age and capacity who, or either of his parents, was earlier citizen of independent India, and has been residing in India for one year immediately before making an application for registration;
  • a person of full age and capacity who has been registered as an overseas citizen of India for five years, and who has been residing in India for one year before making an application for registration.

Citizenship by naturalization

Citizenship of India by naturalization can be acquired by a foreigner who has resided in India for twelve years. The applicant must have lived a total of 11 years in India in a period of 14 years, and must have spent in India the past 12 months preceding the application.

Citizenship at the commencement of the constitution of India

Persons domiciled in the territory of India as on 26 November 1949 automatically became Indian citizens by virtue of operation of the relevant provisions of the Indian Constitution coming into force (the majority of the constitutional provisions came into force on 26 January 1950). The Constitution of India also made provisions regarding citizenship for migrants from territories of Pakistan, which were earlier parts of India before the partition.

 

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February 16, 2011

APPSC DAO vacancy details of all categories - notification - 24/2007 - Divisional Accounts Officer

This post was posted by Anil, one of the aspirants of G1, Thanks alot for sharing the information.
Best of luck Anil.

ANNEXURE-I

NOTIFICATION NO.24/2007













BREAK UP OF PROVISIONAL VACANCIES OF

DIVISIONAL ACCOUTS OFFICER (WORKS)

GRADE-II IN A.P.WORKS ACCOUNTS SERVICE

(GENERAL RECRUITMENT)







OC

BC-A

BC-B

BC-C

BC-D

BC-E

G

W

G

W

G

W

G

W

G

W

G

W

29

15

5

2

5

3

1

-

5

2

2

1

























SC

ST

VH

HH

OH

TOTAL

G

W

G

W

G

W

G

W

G

W

G

W

9

5

4

2

-

1

1

-

1

-

62

31


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APPSC DAO vacancy details - notification - 24/2007

This post was posted by Anil, one of the aspirants of G1, Thanks alot for sharing the information.
Best of luck Anil.

- Hide quoted text -

ANNEXURE-I

NOTIFICATION NO.24/2007













BREAK UP OF PROVISIONAL VACANCIES OF

DIVISIONAL ACCOUTS OFFICER (WORKS)

GRADE-II IN A.P.WORKS ACCOUNTS SERVICE

(GENERAL RECRUITMENT)







OC

BC-A

BC-B

BC-C

BC-D

BC-E

G

W

G

W

G

W

G

W

G

W

G

W

29

15

5

2

5

3

1

-

5

2

2

1

























SC

ST

VH

HH

OH

TOTAL

G

W

G

W

G

W

G

W

G

W

G

W

9

5

4

2

-

1

1

-

1

-

62

31

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