India - Biofuel

Breathing New Fire

Self sufficiency in energy requirement is critical to the success of any growing economy. With increasing energy consumption, dependence on fossil fuels will necessarily have to be reduced. Being the fifth largest energy consumer, India imported nearly 70% of its crude oil requirement (90 million tonnes) during 2003-04. Estimates indicate that this figure would rise to 95% by 2030.

India has rich biomass resources which can be converted into renewable energy. The Planning Commission, Govt. of India, has launched an ambitious National Mission on Biodiesel to be implemented by a number of government agencies and coordinated by the Ministry of Rural Development. The Mission focuses on the cultivation of the physic nut, Jatropha curcas, a shrubby plant of the castor family. The seed contains 30-40% oil and can be mixed with diesel after trans-esterification. Initially Jatropha cultivation will be demonstrated on 0.4 m ha of wasteland area across the country. The entire cost economics is dependant on the productivity, quality and performance of the raw material. The Government is also discussing a National Biofuel Policy.

DBT has been entrusted through a micro-mission with the task of developing technologies that convert fiber, starch and sugar from woody plants and agricultural wastes into useful biofuel products. The thrust is on developing ethanol using lignocellulosic waste as raw material, identifying recombinant microbial stains for enhanced ethanol recovery, producing high quality raw material for biodiesel production and developing the enzymatic trans-esterfication process for more efficient conversion of oil to biodiesel. For the first time, a systematic scientific survey, characterization and collection of superior accessions of J.curcas from across the country has been taken up. More than 1500 accessions have been collected and characterized. Nurseries have been established at 12 locations for providing quality planting material to the National Mission. Nearly 0.8 million quality plantlets have been planted over an area of 300ha. A special focus is being given to crop improvement and on genes involved in oil biosynthesis. Other 'petro-crops' being investigated include Karanja (Pongamia pinnata), toothbrush tree (Salvadora persica) and Mahua (Madhuca indica)

With continued policy support and vigorous technology, biofuels could very soon be breathing new fire.


National Policy on Biofuels : 


http://www.mnre.gov.in/policy/biofuel-policy.pdf



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biofuel_in_India

Draft Approach Paper for the Twelfth Five Year Plan (2012-17) and Strategy Challenges

Approach Paper 


Planning commission of India Appraoch Paper (12th - 2012)



Strategy Challenges 

• Enhancing the Capacity for Growth

• Enhancing Skills and Faster Generation of Employment

• Managing the Environment

• Markets for Efficiency and Inclusion      (Open, integrated, and well-regulated markets for land, labor, and capital and for goods and services are essential for growth, inclusion, and sustainability. We have many sectors were markets are non-existent or incomplete, especially those which are dominated by public provisioning. How do we create or improve markets in all sectors?)

• Decentralisation, Empowerment and Information     (Greater and more informed participation of all citizens in decision-making, enforcing accountability, exercising their rights and entitlements; and determining the course of their lives is central to faster growth, inclusion, and sustainability. How can we best promote the capabilities of all Indians, especially the most disadvantaged, to achieve this end?)

• Technology and Innovation

• Securing the Energy Future for India

• Accelerated Development of Transport Infrastructure

• Rural Transformation and Sustained Growth of Agriculture    (Rural India suffers from poor infrastructure and inadequate amenities. Low agricultural growth perpetuates food and nutritional insecurities, which also reduces rural incomes. How can we encourage and support our villages in improving their living and livelihood conditions in innovative ways?)

• Managing Urbanization

• Improved Access to Quality Education   (Educational and training facilities have been increasing rapidly. However, access, affordability, and quality remain serious concerns. Employability is also an issue. How can we improve the quality and the utility of our education, while ensuring equity and affordability? )

• Better Preventive and Curative Health Care   (India's health indicators are not improving as fast as other socio-economic indicators. Good healthcare is perceived to be either unavailable or unaffordable. How can we improve healthcare conditions, both curative and preventive, especially relating to women and children?)

 http://12thplan.gov.in/displayforum_list.php

Anthropological approaches to the study of religion (evolutionary, psychological and functional)

Anthropologists proposed various theories to explain the origin of religions.Broadly they can be classified into three types....
1.The Evolutionary Theories --E.B. Taylor and James Frazer are two of the earliest researchers who tried to develop theories of the nature of religion and its origin.Taylor defined religion as belief in supernatural beings and stated that this belief originated as explanations to the world. According to Taylor - animism was the earliest religious beliefs of primitive groups, next stage is polytheism, then monotheism .He explained this in theory of unilineal evolution of spirituality,he said it could be compared to material advancement of social groups.Frazer theorized that imitative magic and contagious magic precedes religion.
Also read :
Evolutionary origin of Religions

2.The Functional Theories --Emile Durkheim- believed that religion is central to the reproduction and maintenance of social order in societies.The necessity made the people to create the religion. He believes that the major function of religion is to socialise societies members .Durkheim held the view that the function of religion is group cohesion often performed by collectively attended rituals. He asserted that these group meeting provided a special kind of energy, which he called effervescence, that made group members lose their individuality and to feel united with the gods and thus with the group.Durkheim's approach gave rise to functionalist school in sociology and anthropology. Malinowski -saw religion, in particular rites of passage, as functioning to appease the stress caused by life crises such as death marriage, birth etc.-things that could cause social upheaval.Karl Marx states that an economically-deprived man is kept from revolting for equality by his beliefs in religion which passify him in hoping for a better life in the world to come. He said: "Religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world, and the soul of soulless conditions. It is the opium of the people. The abolition of religion as the illusory happiness of the people is the demand for their real happiness." The religion functions to fulfill the ambitions of the higher class of the society.

3.The Psychological Theories--theory that religion is the result of psychological mechanisms shared by all normal human minds. According to this theory there are similarities in the religious ideas of cultures that are widely separated from one another geographically or in time.These resemblances are explained by the fact that all human minds and brains function in much the same way.Another idea that has attracted a lot of attention in recent years arises from the concept of memes first introduced by Richard Dawkins ( A meme is a unit of cultural ideas, symbols or practices, which can be transmitted from one mind to another through writing, speech, gestures, rituals or other imitable phenomena.). Memes spread through the behaviors that they generate in their hosts. Sigmund Freud theorized that a deep subconscious psychological conflict within social groups was responsible for early development of religion and served to strengthen the group. He believed that religion is an attempt to grapple with various psychological complexes.

In addition to these,there are faith based theories:there are probably hundreds of different religious creation stories which describe how humans, other species of life, the Earth, and the rest of the universe came to be. Many of these stories describe the origins of their particular religion. It was typically based on revelation from one or more deities -- mainly gods and goddesses.

Strategy for Mains(General Studies)

The objective of the Civil Services (Main) Examination is for the selection of candidates for the various services and posts.

To achieve this U.P.S.C. has mentioned that the main examination is intended to assess the overall intellectual traits and depth of understanding of candidates rather than merely the range of their information and memory.

So, to evaluate candidate’s this treat, the main examination will consist of a written examination. And the written examination will consist of 9 papers, which carries total 2000 marks. In this General Studies papers carries 300 marks each, Paper IV and Paper V total 600 marks.

For the General Studies Papers, U.P.S.C. has clearly mention it’s level and range, It stated that the nature and standard of questions in the General Studies papers will be such that a well educated person will be able to answer them without any specialized study.

The questions will be such as to test a candidate’s general awareness of a variety of subjects, which will have relevance for a career in Civil Services.
The question are likely to test the candidates basic understanding of all relevant issues and ability to analyze and take a view of conflicting Socio-economic goals, objectives and demands.

Therefore the candidate must give relevant, meaningful and succinct answers.

After understanding the overall aspects of General Studies Paper, now you may ask why candidates score very low in this section? And what should be its solution?
Basically there are two reasons for this:-

Ist reason is, not completing all questions in the actual examination. There may be various reason for this but the most important one is, not having enough information, or knowledge about the question.

IInd reason is that, If you have the knowledge, then you are lacking the approach. That you may have faulty approach or wrong approach.

So, to overcome from the first problem, candidate must widen their knowledge base, you should be aware of right sources of study materials. Since there are diverse topics which you have to prepare. You should have crystal clear conception about the issues or topic which you read. In this context analytical grasp of topic is must.

Here one must also give more emphasise to these following topics:-

Indian Constitution
Current Affairs
Science & Technology Specially Environment & Ecology
Economy

Ist Problem: Regarding awareness of study materials for G.S. :

Now let me discuss about the sources or references from where you can cover your General Studies (Main) paper. For this you must through with the Syllabus as mentioned by U.P.S.C. and their references which you can refer are as follows:-

1. History of Modern India and Indian Culture: The History of Modern India will cover history of the Country from about the middle of nineteenth century and would also include questions on important personalities who shaped the freedom movement and social reforms. The part relating to Indian culture will cover all aspects of Indian culture from the ancient to modern times as well as principal features of literature, arts and architecture.

References:

Modern Indian History by Spectrum
Indian Culture by Spectrum or Wizard
Indian Culture Chapter of Indian Year Book

2. Geography of India: In this part, questions will be on the physical, economic and social geography of India.

References:

Class XI & XII Books of N.C.E.R.T. or Wizard.
For Economic and Social Geography of India. Selected chapter from Indian Year Book & Economic Survey. They are:

Land and the People
Energy
Industry
Transport
Water Resource

Economic Survey

Industry

Energy Infrastructure and Communications

3. Constitution of India and Indian Polity: This part will include questions on the Constitution of India as well as all constitutional, legal, administrative and other issues emerging from the politico-administrative system prevalent in the country.

References:

For Constitutional Part – M. Laxmikant
Class XI & XII N.C.E.R.T. Books
Editorial and Important articles of The Hindu, articles of Yojana. Important articles of Press Information Bureau

4. Current National Issues and Topics of Social Relevance : This part is intended to test the candidate’s awareness of current national issues and topics of social relevance in present-day India, such as the following:

The Indian economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment.
Issues arising from the social and economic exclusion of large sections from the benefits of development.
Other issues relating to the development and management of human resource.
Health issues including the management of Public Health, Health education and ethical concerns regarding health-care, medical research and pharmaceuticals.
Law enforcement, internal security and related issues such as the preservation of communal harmony.
Issues relating to good governance and accountability to the citizens including the maintenance of human rights, and of probity in public life.
Environmental issues, ecological preservation, conservation of natural resources and national heritage.

References:

1. Following chapters of Indian Year Book:

Agriculture
Education
Food and Civil Supplies
Health and Family Welfare
Planning
Rural and Urban Development
Welfare
Youth Affairs and Sports

Economic Survey:

Human Development Equity and Environment

2. Editorial and Important articles of The Hindu

3. Important articles of Press Information Bureau

4. Important articles of Yojana

5. Magazine like Civil Service Times or Chronicle

5. India and the World : This part will include questions to test candidate’s awareness of India’s relationship with the world in various spheres such as the following:-

Foreign Affairs with special emphasis on India’s relations with neighboring countries and in the region.
Security and defense related matters.
Nuclear policy, issues, and conflicts.
The Indian Diaspora and its contribution to India and the world.

References:

For Historical background one can refer – V. N. Kanna
For Current Affairs: The Hindu (News, Editorials & Articles)
News from Press Information Bureau
Foreign Ministry website or refer any competition magazine like Chronicle or civil Service Times.

6. India’s Economic Interaction with the World : In this part, questions will be on economic and trade issues such as foreign trade, foreign investment; economic and diplomacy issues relating to oil, gas and energy flows; the role and functions of I.M.F., World Bank, W.T.O., WIPO etc. which influence India’s economic interaction with other countries and international institutions.

Reference:

Following chapter of India Year Book & Economic Survey:

Basic Economic data
Commerce
Finance
Corporate Affairs
Industry


Economic Survey::

State of the economy and prospects
Micro-foundations of macroeconomic development
Fiscal Development and Public Finance
Price and monetary Management
Finance Intermediation and Market
Balance of Payment
International Trade
Agriculture and food management
Industry
Service Sector

VI. The Hindu to (News, Editorials & Articles)

VII. Wikipedia to understand Various Economic concepts.

VIII. Chronicle Special Issues

7. Developments in the Field of Science & Technology, IT and space: In this part, questions will test the candidate’s awareness of the developments in the field of science and technology, information technology, space and basic ideas about computers, robotics, nanotechnology, biotechnology and related issues regarding intellectual property rights.

References:

Science & Technology by Wizard
Science reporter

Following chapter of Indian Year Book:

Communication and Information Technology
Defence
Environment
Mass Communication
S&T Development

8. International Affairs and Institutions: This part will include questions on important events in world affairs and on international institutions.

References:

The Hindu (News, Editorial & Articles)
Chronicle or Civil Services Times
International Institution by Pushpesh Pant

9. Statistical analysis, graphs and diagrams: This part will test the candidate’s ability to draw conclusions from information presented in statistical, graphical or diagrammatical form and to interpret them.

Reference:

(I). Class XI Books of N.C.E.R.T. (II). or Spectrum

So, it is evident from the above fact that, if a candidate read only – The Hindi, Yojana, Science Reporter & Some Important Articles of Press Information Bureau then he will be in a position to answer 60% of the questions in G.S. paper but you must have the conceptual clarity here one can refer Internet. Whatever terms and concepts are in news, you must know about them, because now a days U.P.S.C. is not asking any direct question.
IInd Problem: Regarding Approach:

So, in this way you can solve the first problem now let me discuss about the second problem that is approach. Right approach here means, target the question and give whatever is associated with the question to understand better let me give you an example.

Suppose you are writing regarding the powers of President. Here the right approach should be:

Introduction of President

Executive Power

Legislative Power

Judicial Power

Military Power

Diplomat Power

How Power Exercise

Discretionary Power

Extra Constitutional Power

Now, hope you have clear idea regarding approach, however there are still some points which I want to make you aware, those are:

The statement of your answer should not be general statement, all statements must be fact based and information based. In G.S. no Introduction, no Conclusion, because it is repetition.Where ever possible give Flowchart, Diagram, Figure.

By following these above simple techniques you can enhance 30-40 marks in General Studies Paper.

However the most important aspect of all this is, depend on your hard work, your dedication because without that, there is no chance to crack this exam. Just remember one thing what you do now will shape where you go forward from here.

Syllabus (Anthropology) for mains

PAPER - I:

1.1 Meaning, scope and development of Anthropology.

1.2 Relationships with other disciplines: Social Sciences, Behavioural Sciences, Life Sciences, Medical Sciences, Earth Sciences and Humanities.

1.3 Main branches of Anthropology, theirscope and relevance:
(a) Social- cultural Anthropology.
(b) Biological Anthropology.
(c) Archaeological Anthropology.
(d) Linguistic Anthropology.

1.4 Human Evolution and emergence of Man:
(a) Biological and Cultural factors in human evolution.
(b) Theories of Organic Evolution (Pre- Darwinian, Darwinian and Post-Darwinian).
(c) Synthetic theory of evolution; Brief outline of terms and concepts of evolutionary biology (Doll’s rule, Cope’s rule, Gause’s rule, parallelism, convergence, adaptive radiation, and mosaic evolution).

1.5 Characteristics of Primates; Evolutionary Trend and Primate Taxonomy; Primate Adaptations; (Arboreal and Terrestrial) Primate Taxonomy; Primate Behaviour; Tertiary and Quaternary fossil primates; Living Major Primates; Comparative Anatomy of Man and Apes; Skeletal changes due to erect posture and its implications.

1.6 Phylogenetic status, characteristics and geographical distribution of the following:
(a) Plio-pleistocene hominids in South and East Africa - Australopithecines.
(b) Homo erectus: Africa (Paranthropus), Europe (Homo erectus heidelbergensis), Asia (Homo erectus javanicus, Homo erectus pekinensis).
(c) Neanderthal Man- La-Chapelle-auxsaints (Classical type), Mt. Carmel (Progressive type).
(d) Rhodesian man.
(e) Homo sapiens — Cromagnon, Grimaldi and Chancelede.

1.7 The biological basis of life: The Cell, DNA structure and replication, Protein Synthesis, Gene, Mutation, Chromosomes, and Cell Division.

1.8 (a) Principles of Prehistoric Archaeology. Chronology: Relative and Absolute Dating methods.
(b) Cultural Evolution- Broad Outlines of Prehistoric cultures:
(i) Paleolithic
(ii) Mesolithic
(iii) Neolithic
(iv) Chalcolithic
(v) Copper-Bronze Age
(vi) Iron Age

2.1 The Nature of Culture: The concept and characteristics of culture and civilization; Ethnocentrism vis-à-vis cultural Relativism.

2.2 The Nature of Society: Concept of Society; Society and Culture; Social Institutions; Social groups; and Social stratification.

2.3 Marriage: Definition and universality; Laws of marriage (endogamy, exogamy, hypergamy, hypogamy, incest taboo); Types of marriage (monogamy, polygamy, polyandry, group marriage). Functions of marriage; Marriage regulations (preferential, prescriptive and proscriptive); Marriage payments (bride wealth and dowry).

2.4 Family: Definition and universality; Family, household and domestic groups; functions of family; Types of family (from the perspectives of structure, blood relation, marriage, residence and succession); Impact of urbanization, industrialization and feminist movements on family.

2.5 Kinship: Consanguinity and Affinity; Principles and types of descent (Unilineal, Double, Bilateral, Ambilineal); Forms of descent groups (lineage, clan, phratry, moiety and kindred); Kinship terminology (descriptive and classificatory); Descent, Filiation and Complimentary Filiation; Descent and Alliance.

3. Economic organization: Meaning, scope and relevance of economic anthropology; Formalist and Substantivist debate; Principles governing production, distribution and exchange (reciprocity, redistribution and market), in communities, subsisting on hunting and gathering, fishing, swiddening, pastoralism, horticulture, and agriculture; globalization and indigenous economic systems.

4. Political organization and Social Control: Band, tribe, chiefdom, kingdom and state; concepts of power, authority and legitimacy; social control, law and justice in simple societies.

5. Religion: Anthropological approaches to the study of religion (evolutionary, psychological and functional); monotheism and polytheism; sacred and profane; myths and rituals; forms of religion in tribal and peasant societies (animism, animatism, fetishism, naturism and totemism); religion, magic and science distinguished; magicoreligious functionaries (priest, shaman, medicine man, sorcerer and witch).

6. Anthropological theories:
(a) Classical evolutionism (Tylor, Morgan and Frazer)
(b) Historical particularism (Boas); Diffusionism (British, German and American)
(c) Functionalism (Malinowski); Structural- functionlism (Radcliffe-Brown)
(d) Structuralism (L’evi - Strauss and E. Leach)
(e) Culture and personality (Benedict, Mead, Linton, Kardiner and Cora - du Bois).
(f) Neo - evolutionism (Childe, White, Steward, Sahlins and Service)
(g) Cultural materialism (Harris)
(h) Symbolic and interpretive theories (Turner, Schneider and Geertz)
(i) Cognitive theories (Tyler, Conklin)
(j) Post- modernism in anthropology

7. Culture, language and communication: Nature, origin and characteristics of language; verbal and non-verbal communication; social context of language use.

8. Research methods in anthropology:
(a) Fieldwork tradition in anthropology
(b) Distinction between technique, method and methodology
(c) Tools of data collection: observation, interview, schedules, questionnaire, Case study, genealogy, life-history, oral history, secondary sources of information, participatory methods.
(d) Analysis, interpretation and presentation of data.

9.1 Human Genetics : Methods and Application: Methods for study of genetic principles in man-family study (pedigree analysis, twin study, foster child, co-twin method, cytogenetic method, chromosomal and karyo-type analysis), biochemical methods, immunological methods, D.N.A. technology and recombinant technologies.

9.2 Mendelian genetics in man-family study, single factor, multifactor, lethal, sublethal and polygenic inheritance in man.

9.3 Concept of genetic polymorphism and selection, Mendelian population, Hardy- Weinberg law; causes and changes which bring down frequency – mutation, isolation, migration, selection, inbreeding and genetic drift. Consanguineous and nonconsanguineous mating, genetic load, ge- 40 UPSC Employment News 19 - 25 February 2011 netic effect of consanguineous and cousin marriages.

9.4 Chromosomes and chromosomal aberrations in man, methodology.
(a) Numerical and structural aberrations (disorders).
(b) Sex chromosomal aberrations – Klinefelter (XXY), Turner (XO), Super female (XXX), intersex and other syndromic disorders.
(c) Autosomal aberrations – Down syndrome, Patau, Edward and Cri-du-chat syndromes.
(d) Genetic imprints in human disease, genetic screening, genetic counseling, human DNA profiling, gene mapping and genome study.

9.5 Race and racism, biological basis of morphological variation of non-metric and metric characters. Racial criteria, racial traits in relation to heredity and environment; biological basis of racial classification, racial differentiation and race crossing in man.

9.6 Age, sex and population variation as genetic marker- ABO, Rh blood groups, HLA Hp, transferring, Gm, blood enzymes. Physiological characteristics-Hb level, body fat, pulse rate, respiratory functions and sensory perceptions in different cultural and socio-economic groups.

9.7 Concepts and methods of Ecological Anthropology. Bio-cultural Adaptations – Genetic and Non- genetic factors. Man’s physiological responses to environmental stresses: hot desert, cold, high altitude climate.

9.8 Epidemiological Anthropology: Health and disease. Infectious and non-infectious diseases. Nutritional deficiency related diseases.

10. Concept of human growth and development: stages of growth - pre-natal, natal, infant, childhood, adolescence, maturity, senescence. - Factors affecting growth and development genetic, environmental, biochemical, nutritional, cultural and socio-economic. - Ageing and senescence. Theories and observations - biological and chronological longevity. Human physique and somatotypes. Methodologies for growth studies.

11.1 Relevance of menarche, menopause and other bioevents to fertility. Fertility patterns and differentials.

11.2 Demographic theories- biological, social and cultural.

11.3 Biological and socio-ecological factors influencing fecundity, fertility, natality and mortality.

12. Applications of Anthropology: Anthropology of sports, Nutritional anthropology, Anthropology in designing of defence and other equipments, Forensic Anthropology, Methods and principles of personal identification and reconstruction, Applied human genetics – Paternity diagnosis, genetic counseling and eugenics, DNA technology in diseases and medicine, serogenetics and cytogenetics in reproductive biology.

PAPER – II:

1.1 Evolution of the Indian Culture and Civilization — Prehistoric (Palaeolithic, Mesolithic, Neolithic and Neolithic - Chalcolithic). Protohistoric (Indus Civilization): Pre- Harappan, Harappan and post- Harappan cultures. Contributions of tribal cultures to Indian civilization.

1.2 Palaeo – anthropological evidences from India with special reference to Siwaliks and Narmada basin (Ramapithecus, Sivapithecus and Narmada Man).

1.3 Ethno-archaeology in India : The concept of ethno-archaeology; Survivals and Parallels among the hunting, foraging, fishing, pastoral and peasant communities including arts and crafts producing communities.

2. Demographic profile of India — Ethnic and linguistic elements in the Indian population and their distribution. Indian population - factors influencing its structure and growth.

3.1 The structure and nature of traditional Indian social system — Varnashram, Purushartha, Karma, Rina and Rebirth.

3.2 Caste system in India- structure and characteristics, Varna and caste, Theories of origin of caste system, Dominant caste, Caste mobility, Future of caste system, Jajmani system, Tribe- caste continuum.

3.3 Sacred Complex and Nature- Man- Spirit Complex.

3.4 Impact of Buddhism, Jainism, Islam and Christianity on Indian society.

4. Emergence and growth of anthropology in India-Contributions of the 18th, 19th and early 20th Century scholar-administrators. Contributions of Indian anthropologists to tribal and caste studies.

5.1 Indian Village: Significance of village study in India; Indian village as a social system; Traditional and changing patterns of settlement and inter-caste relations; Agrarian relations in Indian villages; Impact of globalization on Indian villages.

5.2 Linguistic and religious minorities and their social, political and economic status.

5.3 Indigenous and exogenous processes of socio-cultural change in Indian society: Sanskritization, Westernization, Modernization; Inter-play of little and great traditions; Panchayati raj and social change;Media and social change.

6.1 Tribal situation in India – Bio-genetic variability, linguistic and socio-economic characteristics of tribal populations and their distribution.

6.2 Problems of the tribal Communities — land alienation, poverty, indebtedness, low literacy, poor educational facilities, unemployment, underemployment, health and nutrition.

6.3 Developmental projects and their impact on tribal displacement and problems of rehabilitation. Development of forest policy and tribals. Impact of urbanization and industrialization on tribal populations.

7.1 Problems of exploitation and deprivation of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes. Constitutional safeguards for Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes.

7.2 Social change and contemporary tribal societies: Impact of modern democratic institutions, development programmes and welfare measures on tribals and weaker sections.

7.3 The concept of ethnicity; Ethnic conflicts and political developments; Unrest among tribal communities; Regionalism and demand for autonomy; Pseudo-tribalism; Social change among the tribes during colonial and post-Independent India.

8.1 Impact of Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, Islam and other religions on tribal societies.

8.2 Tribe and nation state — a comparative study of tribal communities in India and other countries.

9.1 History of administration of tribal areas, tribal policies, plans, programmes of tribal development and their implementation. The concept of PTGs (Primitive Tribal Groups), their distribution, special programmes for their development. Role of N.G.O.s in tribal development.

9.2 Role of anthropology in tribal and rural development.

9.3 Contributions of anthropology to the understanding of regionalism, communalism, and ethnic and political movements.

Syllabus (Geography) for Mains

PAPER - I

Principles of Geography Physical Geography:

1. Geomorphology: Factors controlling landform development; endogenetic and exogenetic forces; Origin and evolution of the earth’s crust; Fundamentals of geomagnetism; Physical conditions of the earth’s interior; Geosynclines; Continental drift; Isostasy; Plate tectonics; Recent views on mountain building; Vulcanicity; Earthquakes and Tsunamis; Concepts of geomorphic cycles and Landscape development ; Denudation chronology; Channel morphology; Erosion surfaces; Slope development ; Applied Geomorphology : Geohydrology, economic geology and environment.

2. Climatology: Temperature and pressure belts of the world; Heat budget of the earth; Atmospheric circulation; atmospheric stability and instability. Planetary and local winds; Monsoons and jet streams; Air masses and fronto genesis, Temperate and tropical cyclones; Types and distribution of precipitation; Weather and Climate; Koppen’s, Thornthwaite’s and Trewartha’s classification of world climates; Hydrological cycle; Global climatic change and role and response of man in climatic changes, Applied climatology and Urban climate.

3. Oceanography: Bottom topography of the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans; Temperature and salinity of the oceans; Heat and salt budgets, Ocean deposits; Waves, currents and tides; Marine resources: biotic, mineral and energy resources; Coral reefs, coral bleaching; sealevel changes; law of the sea and marine
pollution.

4. Biogeography: Genesis of soils; Classification and distribution of soils; Soil profile; Soil erosion, Degradation and conservation; Factors influencing world distribution of plants and animals; Problems of deforestation and conservation measures; Social forestry; agro-forestry; Wild life; Major gene pool centres.

5. Environmental Geography: Principle of ecology; Human ecological adaptations; Influence of man on ecology and environment; Global and regional ecological changes and imbalances; Ecosystem their management and conservation; Environmental degradation, management and conservation; Biodiversity and sustainable development; Environmental policy; Environmental hazards and remedial measures; Environmental education and legislation.

Human Geography:

1. Perspectives in Human Geography: Areal differentiation; regional synthesis; Dichotomy and dualism; Environmentalism; Quantitative revolution and locational
analysis; radical, behavioural, human and welfare approaches; Languages, religions and secularisation; Cultural regions of the world; Human development index.

2. Economic Geography: World economic development: measurement and problems; World resources and their distribution; Energy crisis; the limits to growth; World agriculture: typology of agricultural regions; agricultural inputs and productivity; Food and nutrition problems; Food security; famine: causes, effects and remedies; World industries: locational patterns and problems; patterns of world trade.

3. Population and Settlement Geography: Growth and distribution of world population; demographic attributes; Causes and consequences of migration; concepts of over-under-and optimum population; Population theories, world population problems and policies, Social well-being and quality of life; Population as social capital. Types and patterns of rural settlements; Environmental issues in rural settlements; Hierarchy of urban settlements; Urban morphology: Concepts of primate city and rank-size rule; Functional classification of towns; Sphere of urban influence; Rural - urban fringe; Satellite towns; Problems and remedies of urbanization; Sustainable development of cities.

4. Regional Planning: Concept of a region; Types of regions and methods of regionalisation; Growth centres and growth poles; Regional imbalances; regional development strategies; environmental issues in regional planning; Planning for sustainable development.

5. Models, Theories and Laws in Human Geography: Systems analysis in Human geography; Malthusian, Marxian and demographic transition models; Central Place theories of Christaller and Losch;Perroux and Boudeville; Von Thunen’s model of agricultural location; Weber’s model of industrial location; Ostov’s model of stages of growth. Heartland and Rimland theories; Laws of international boundaries and frontiers.

PAPER – II

GEOGRAPHY OF INDIA

1. Physical Setting: Space relationship of India with neighboring countries; Structure and relief; Drainage system and watersheds; Physiographic regions; Mechanism of Indian monsoons and rainfall patterns, Tropical cyclones and western disturbances; Floods and droughts; Climatic regions; Natural vegetation; Soil types and their distributions.

2. Resources: Land, surface and ground water, energy, minerals, biotic and marine resources; Forest and wild life resources and their conservation; Energy crisis.

3. Agriculture: Infrastructure: irrigation, seeds, fertilizers, power; Institutional factors: land holdings, land tenure and land reforms; Cropping pattern, agricultural productivity, agricultural intensity, crop combination, land capability; Agro and socialforestry; Green revolution and its socioeconomic and ecological implications; Significance of dry farming; Livestock resources and white revolution; aqua - culture; sericulture, apiculture and poultry; agricultural regionalisation; agro-climatic
zones; agro- ecological regions.

4. Industry: Evolution of industries; Locational factors of cotton, jute, textile, iron and steel, aluminium, fertilizer, paper, chemical and pharmaceutical, automobile,
cottage and agro-based industries; Industrial houses and complexes including public sector undertakings; Industrial regionalisation; New industrial policies; Multinationals and liberalization; Special Economic Zones; Tourism including eco -tourism.

5. Transport, Communication and Trade: Road, railway, waterway, airway and pipeline networks and their complementary roles in regional development; Growing importance of ports on national and foreign trade; Trade balance; Trade Policy; Export processing zones; Developments in communication and information technology and their impacts on economy and society; Indian space programme.

6. Cultural Setting: Historical Perspective of Indian Society; Racial, linguistic and ethnic diversities; religious minorities; major tribes, tribal areas and their problems; cultural regions; Growth, distribution and density of population; Demographic attributes: sex-ratio, age structure, literacy rate, work-force, dependency ratio, longevity; migration (inter-regional, intra- regional and international) and associated problems; Population problems and policies; Health indicators.

7. Settlements: Types, patterns and morphology of rural settlements; Urban developments; Morphology of Indian cities; Functional classification of Indian cities;
Conurbations and metropolitan regions; urban sprawl; Slums and associated problems; town planning; Problems of urbanization and remedies.

8. Regional Development and Planning: Experience of regional planning in India; Five Year Plans; Integrated rural development programmes; Panchayati Raj and
decentralised planning; Command area development; Watershed management; Planning for backward area, desert, drought prone, hill, tribal area development;
multi-level planning; Regional planning and development of island territories.

9. Political Aspects: Geographical basis of Indian federalism; State reorganisation; Emergence of new states; Regional consciousness and inter state issues; international boundary of India and related issues; Cross border terrorism; India’s role in world affairs; Geopolitics of South Asia and Indian Ocean realm.

10. Contemporary Issues: Ecological issues: Environmental hazards: landslides, earthquakes, Tsunamis, floods and droughts, epidemics; Issues relating to
environmental pollution; Changes in patterns of land use; Principles of environmental impact assessment and environmental management; Population explosion and food security; Environmental degradation; Deforestation, desertification and soil erosion; Problems of agrarian and industrial unrest; Regional disparities in economic development; Concept of sustainable growth and development; Environmental awareness; Linkage of rivers; Globalisation and Indian economy.