Automatic and Government Approval Route of FDI

Automatic Route of FDI

FDI under the automatic route does not require prior approval either by the Government of India or the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). Investors are only required to notify the concerned Regional Office of RBI within 30 days of receipt of inward remittances and file required documents with that office within 30 days of issue of shares to foreign investors.

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Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement - India


Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) also referred as Tax Treaty is a bilateral economic agreement between two nations that aims to avoid or eliminate double taxation of the same income in two countries.

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Why PNG is better than LPG

PNG is an effective alternative for LPG and will be beneficial in the long term. The only requirement is to have a network in place. The carbon emission from PNG is minimum compared to all other fuels. Since the fuel is supplied through pipelines, the headache of storage never arises hence the safety quotient is also good.

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Mid Day Meal Scheme

The Mid Day Meal Scheme is a programme of the Government of India which seeks to address issues of food security, lack of nutrition and access to education on a pan nation scale. It involves provision for free lunch on working days for children in Primary and Upper Primary Classes.

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National Knowledge Commission

The National Knowledge Commission is a high-level advisory body to the Prime Minister of India, with the objective of transforming India into a knowledge society. In its endeavour to transform the knowledge landscape of the country, the National Knowledge Commission has submitted around 300 recommendations on 27 focus areas during its three and a half year term. While the term of the NKC has come to an end, the implementation of NKC's recommendations is currently underway at the Central and State levels.

National Mission on Libraries

The National Mission on Libraries India, an initiative of the Ministry of Culture, works to modernise and digitally link nearly 9,000 libraries across India to provide readers access to books and information. The scheme was approved by Government in November 2013 and the President of India, Pranab Mukherjee launched the mission.

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PIB News Analysis - 09 January 2013

National Electric Mobility Mission Plan
The principal end objectives of the National Mission for Electric Mobility (NMEM) are National energy security, mitigation of the adverse impact of vehicles on the environment and growth of domestic manufacturing capabilities. It sets the vision, lays the targets and provides the joint Government – industry vision for realizing the huge potential that exists for full range of efficient and environmentally friendly electric vehicle (including hybrids) technologies by 2020.

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PIB News Analysis - 01 January 2013


Current Account Deficit widening due to large gold import
CAD was financed without drawing on reserves. This was mainly due to adequate inflow of FDI (US$ 12.8 billion) and FII (US$ 6.2 billion). In addition, external commercial borrowing amounted to US$ 1.7 billion. The net result is that we have not drawn on the foreign exchange reserves and, in fact, there is a marginal accretion of US$ 0.4 billion to the foreign exchange reserves. While the CAD is indeed worrying, it is within our capacity to finance the CAD, thanks to FDI, FII and ECB.

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PIB News Analysis - Ecologically Sensitive Areas of Western Ghats

The great mountain chain of Western Ghats is the source of all the major rivers of India’s southern peninsula. Its ecological health depend on  the livelihoods of millions of people, not only in the six Western Ghats states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Tamilnadu and Kerala, but of Andhra Pradesh as well. Besides, it is one of the world’s treasure troves of plant and animal life, with a great wealth of unique plant and animal species. The mountains also harbour a number of wild relatives of cultivated plants, including pepper, cardamom, mango, jackfruit and plantain.

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CSAT 2014 Syllabus | Syllabus of CSAT 2014 | UPSC CSAT Syllabus 2014

The Syllabus for UPSC CSAT (Civil Services Aptitude Test ):

Paper I - (200 marks) Duration: Two hours - 2 Marks each with negative mark of .33%
  • Current events of national and international importance
  • History of India and Indian National Movement
  • Indian and World Geography - Physical, Social, Economic geography of India and the World.
  • Indian Polity and Governance – Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc.
  • Economic and Social Development – Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives, etc.
  • General issues on Environmental ecology, Bio-diversity and Climate Change - that do not require subject specialization
  • General Science.

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CSAT Study Note 4 - Capital Account of a Country

The Capital Account (also known as financial account) is one of two primary components of the balance of payments, the other being the current account. Whereas the current account reflects a nation's net income, the capital account reflects net change in ownership of national assets.

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CSAT Study Note 3 - Current Account of a Country

The difference between savings and its investment of a country. The current account is defined as the sum of the balance of trade (goods and services exports less imports), net income from abroad and net current transfers. A positive current account balance indicates that the nation is a net lender to the rest of the world, while a negative current account balance indicates that it is a net borrower from the rest of the world.

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CSAT 2014 Study Note 2 - Balance of Payment

Balance of payments (BoP) accounts are an accounting record of all monetary transactions between a country and the rest of the world. These transactions consist of payments for the country's exports and imports of goods, services, financial capital, and financial transfers. The BOP accounts sum up international transactions for a specific period, usually a year. Sources of funds for a nation, such as exports or the receipts of loans and investments, are recorded as positive or surplus items. Uses of funds, such as for imports or to invest in foreign countries, are recorded as negative or deficit items.

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CSAT 2014 Study Note -1

High Level Working Group (HLWG)  report on Western Ghats

The Working Group was constituted to advise the Government on the recommendations of an earlier report – that of the eminent ecologist Madhav Gadgil-led Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP). The WGEEP had recommended that the entire Western Ghats should be declared as an ecologically sensitive area; had suggested three levels of categorization where regulatory measures for protection would be imposed and had recommended the establishment of the Western Ghats Ecology Authority for management.

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Nokrek Biosphere Reserve Flora and Fauna

Important points about Nokrek Biosphere Reserve Flora and Fauna

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How to Prepare History for Civil Service Preliminary Paper 1

Hope you all are well versed with the syllabus of Civil Service Preliminary Paper 1 Exam for 2014. The entire syllabus is divided into seven core areas. In that, "History of India and Indian National Movement" has a weightage of around 10%. The weightage changes over the years but we can expect around 10 history based question out of the 100 questions in paper 1. The strategy for the preparation of Indian histroy for Civil Service Preliminary Paper 1 Exam for 2014 should be differrent for aspirants having background of history as a subject from others. If you have a good history subject knowledge, dig right from ancient history and master it. If you are from any other background, then I would prefer you start from our first war of independence in 1857.

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2.India Current Affairs Quiz May 2013

Through current affairs online test series, currentaffairsindia.info presents the most relevant model questions on Indian Current Affairs. These questions are applicable to Civil Service Prelims(CSAT 2014), Other UPSC and PSC Exams, Railway Recruitment Exams, Bank PO and clerical exams and various other competitive exams. The questions are framed from Government releases, various major news papers etc. Any comments/doubts are welcomed!!
1. Which among the following are true about Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram?
1. The launch of Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram was on June 1, 2011.
2. The initiative entitles all pregnant women delivering in public health institutions to absolutely free and no-expense delivery
3. JSSK is estimated to benefit more than one crore pregnant women and newborns every yea
4. Under this initiative, a pregnant woman is entitled to free transport from home to the government health facility
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

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2. General Knowledge for UPSC, Banking and PSC Examinations

First Indian amputee scales Mount Everest


Arunima Sinha, a former national level volleyball player, who had lost her right leg after thrown off a moving train by some hoodlums, created history today by becoming the first Indian amputee to conquer Mount Everest. 25-year-old Sinha reached the summit of the highest peak in the world at 10.55 am today, as a member of the Eco Everest Expedition from the Tata Group. Arunima Sinha from Uttar Pradesh, was pushed out of the general compartment of Padmawati Express for resisting a chain-snatching attempt by some criminals, while travelling from Lucknow to Delhi on April 12, 2011. She was hit by a passing train and was seriously injured. She was hospitalised with serious leg and pelvic injuries and in a bid to save her life, doctors had to amputate her left leg below the knee. 

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1.General Knowledge for UPSC, Banking and PSC Examinations

Protection of Mangrove Forests


Zoological Survey of India has been undertaking studies on the serious threat to coral colonies only of Palk Bay continuously for more than 10 years. Studies confirm that there is reduction in the live coral cover and increase in rubbles, macro-algae and calcareous algae which indicate continuing degradation of these reefs. The Government seeks to protect, sustain and augment mangroves and coral reef in the country by both regulatory and promotional measures. Under the regulatory measures, the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification (2011) and the Island Protection Zone (IPZ) Notification 2011 regulates the development activities along the Sea coast and tidal influenced water bodies. 

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5. GK Quiz - General Knowledge Quiz May 2013

Through current affairs online GK test series, currentaffairsindia.info presents the most relevant model questions on General Knowledge. These questions are applicable to PSC Exams, Railway Recruitment Exams, Bank PO and clerical exams and various other competitive exams. Any comments/doubts are welcomed!!
1. In which one of the following sessions of the Indian National Congress Subhash Chandra Bose defeated Pattabhi Sitaram in the election of Congress President?
(a) Haripura session 1938
(b) Tripuri session 1939
(c) Lahore seaaion 1929
(d) Madras session 1927

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