#FreshWater Lake Chad is in the Sahel region of Africa. lake has shrunk nearly 90% over the last 60 years.
Countries surround it are Nigeria, Niger, Chad and Cameroon.
Chari River provides 90% of the lake’s water with the help of its tributary the Logone. Despite high levels of evaporation, the lake is freshwater.
Lake Chad is a World Heritage and Ramsar sites as well as wetlands of international conservation importance. The United Nations has termed the Lake Chad crisis as “one of the worst in the world” @UPSCPRELIMSZone
Countries surround it are Nigeria, Niger, Chad and Cameroon.
Chari River provides 90% of the lake’s water with the help of its tributary the Logone. Despite high levels of evaporation, the lake is freshwater.
Lake Chad is a World Heritage and Ramsar sites as well as wetlands of international conservation importance. The United Nations has termed the Lake Chad crisis as “one of the worst in the world” @UPSCPRELIMSZone
◻️ Cyanobacteria help farmers by increasing the fertility of the soil.
They are the group of photosynthetic organisms which can easily survive on bare minimum requirement of light, carbon dioxide (CO2) and water. @UPSCPRELIMSZONE
◻️ They fulfill their own nitrogen requirement by nitrogen fixation and produce bioactive compounds, which promote the crop growth/protect them from pathogens and improve the soil nutrient status, hence improving the soil fertility.
They are the group of photosynthetic organisms which can easily survive on bare minimum requirement of light, carbon dioxide (CO2) and water. @UPSCPRELIMSZONE
◻️ They fulfill their own nitrogen requirement by nitrogen fixation and produce bioactive compounds, which promote the crop growth/protect them from pathogens and improve the soil nutrient status, hence improving the soil fertility.
▪️Ad Hoc judges :
□ Article 224A of the Constitution allows the Chief Justice of a High Court to appoint a person who has been a judge earlier to sit as a judge of the court with the previous consent of the President.
□ The person acting as a judge as per the provisions of Article 224A, will have all the jurisdiction, powers and privileges of the judge of a High Court. However, he/she will not be deemed to be a judge of that High Court. @UPSCPRELIMSZONE
□ SC barred ad-hoc appointees from performing any other legal work – advisory, arbitration, or appearing in court for clients.
□ SC also stated that ad-hoc appointments cannot be a substitute for regular vacancies.
□ Article 224A of the Constitution allows the Chief Justice of a High Court to appoint a person who has been a judge earlier to sit as a judge of the court with the previous consent of the President.
□ The person acting as a judge as per the provisions of Article 224A, will have all the jurisdiction, powers and privileges of the judge of a High Court. However, he/she will not be deemed to be a judge of that High Court. @UPSCPRELIMSZONE
□ SC barred ad-hoc appointees from performing any other legal work – advisory, arbitration, or appearing in court for clients.
□ SC also stated that ad-hoc appointments cannot be a substitute for regular vacancies.
📌 AT-1 bonds (Additional tier 1 bonds) are :
🔸️ Perpetual bonds [ No fixed maturity tenure ] have fixed Interest rate (But interest rate is usually set high, because AT-1 bonds are very risky)
🔸️ Unsecured bonds : Not backed by any mortgage/physical asset or source of revenue are listed on exchange Issued to fulfil (capital adequacy Ratiol under basel 3 Norms. @UPSCPRELIMSZONE
🔸️ AT-1 bonds can be written down, if common Equity tier-1 capital of bank falls below 5.5% of Risk weighted assets
🔸️ Perpetual bonds [ No fixed maturity tenure ] have fixed Interest rate (But interest rate is usually set high, because AT-1 bonds are very risky)
🔸️ Unsecured bonds : Not backed by any mortgage/physical asset or source of revenue are listed on exchange Issued to fulfil (capital adequacy Ratiol under basel 3 Norms. @UPSCPRELIMSZONE
🔸️ AT-1 bonds can be written down, if common Equity tier-1 capital of bank falls below 5.5% of Risk weighted assets
Basai Wetland
• Located in Gurugram district in Haryana, is a flora and fauna rich water body.
• Recognised as one of India's Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas.
• Basai wetland is recognised globally as an Important Bird Area (IBA) by the BirdLife International.
• Species: White ramped vulture, red head vulture present in the wetland were listed as Critically Endangered in the IUCN red list. @UPSCPRELIMSZONE
• Located in Gurugram district in Haryana, is a flora and fauna rich water body.
• Recognised as one of India's Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas.
• Basai wetland is recognised globally as an Important Bird Area (IBA) by the BirdLife International.
• Species: White ramped vulture, red head vulture present in the wetland were listed as Critically Endangered in the IUCN red list. @UPSCPRELIMSZONE
North Sea is a sea of the Atlantic Ocean located between Great Britain (England and Scotland), Denmark, Norway, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and France @UPSCPRELIMSZONE
Strait of Dover is the strait at the narrowest part of the English Channel, marking the boundary between the Channel and North Sea, separating Great Britain from continental Europe. @UPSCPRELIMSZONE
Tripitaka: consists of three books :-
1. #Sutta Pitaka contains the Buddha’s discourses on various doctrinal issues in dialogue form.
2. #Vinaya Pitaka has rules monks and nuns of the sangha (monastic order).
3. #Abhidhamma Pitaka is later work, and contains a thorough study and systemization of the teachings of the Sutta Pitaka.
◼️Three Pitakas are divided into books known as the #Nikayas.
For instance, the Sutta Pitaka consists of five Nikayas— the Digha, Majjhima, Samyutta, Anguttara, and Khuddaka Nikayas.
1. #Sutta Pitaka contains the Buddha’s discourses on various doctrinal issues in dialogue form.
2. #Vinaya Pitaka has rules monks and nuns of the sangha (monastic order).
3. #Abhidhamma Pitaka is later work, and contains a thorough study and systemization of the teachings of the Sutta Pitaka.
◼️Three Pitakas are divided into books known as the #Nikayas.
For instance, the Sutta Pitaka consists of five Nikayas— the Digha, Majjhima, Samyutta, Anguttara, and Khuddaka Nikayas.
PURANAS means ‘old’, composed by Vyasa.
There are 18 Mahapuranas (great Puranas), and many more Upapuranas (secondary Puranas).
18 Mahapuranas includes the Vishnu, Narada, Bhagavata, Garuda, Padma, Varaha, Matsya, Kurma, Linga, Shiva, Skanda, Agni, Brahmanda, Brahmavaivarta, Markandeya, Bhavishya, Vamana, and Brahma.
The origins of the Puranas may have overlapped to some extent with the Vedas, but their composition stretched forward into the 4th– 5th centuries CE, and in some cases, even later.
Puranas are supposed to have 5 characteristics (pancha-lakshanas), i.e
1. Creation of the world (sarga);
2. Re-creation (pratisarga);
3. The periods of the various Manus ;
4.The genealogies of gods & rishis &
5. Royal dynasties, including the Suryavamshi and Chandravamshi kings, whose origin is traced to the sun and the moon.
There are 18 Mahapuranas (great Puranas), and many more Upapuranas (secondary Puranas).
18 Mahapuranas includes the Vishnu, Narada, Bhagavata, Garuda, Padma, Varaha, Matsya, Kurma, Linga, Shiva, Skanda, Agni, Brahmanda, Brahmavaivarta, Markandeya, Bhavishya, Vamana, and Brahma.
The origins of the Puranas may have overlapped to some extent with the Vedas, but their composition stretched forward into the 4th– 5th centuries CE, and in some cases, even later.
Puranas are supposed to have 5 characteristics (pancha-lakshanas), i.e
1. Creation of the world (sarga);
2. Re-creation (pratisarga);
3. The periods of the various Manus ;
4.The genealogies of gods & rishis &
5. Royal dynasties, including the Suryavamshi and Chandravamshi kings, whose origin is traced to the sun and the moon.
Private Member's Bills : A Member of Parliament (MP) who is not a Minister in the Union Cabinet is called a Private Member. Bills introduced by such members are called Private Member's Bills. Private Member Bill (PMB) is same as that of a Government Bill. These bills can deal with any issue and can also be a Constitutional Amendment Bill. It can be introduced in either the Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha
#Shell_companies are corporate entities which do not have any active business or significant assets in their possession. These companies remain legally registered (but merely on paper), without actually producing goods and services. They are mainly set up for the purposes of tax evasion and money laundering.
Bonn Convention: The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals, also known as the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) or the Bonn Convention, is an international agreement that aims to conserve migratory species within their migratory ranges. India is a signatory to this Convention.
Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layers. it will help reduce the production and consumption of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), potent greenhouse gases (GHGs), and thus to avoid global warming by up to 0.4°C this century
Washington Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora or CITES, aims at regulating the international trade of specimens of endangered animals and plants. India has ratified this Convention in 1976
42nd Amendment Act of 1976 added four new Directive Principles to the original list. Those DPSPs are:
1⃣ Article 39 - To secure opportunities for healthy development of children.
2⃣ Article 39A - To promote equal justice and to provide free legal aid to the poor.
3⃣ Article 43A - To take steps to secure the participation of workers in the management of industries
4⃣ Article 48A - To protect and improve the environment and to safeguard forests and wild life.
1⃣ Article 39 - To secure opportunities for healthy development of children.
2⃣ Article 39A - To promote equal justice and to provide free legal aid to the poor.
3⃣ Article 43A - To take steps to secure the participation of workers in the management of industries
4⃣ Article 48A - To protect and improve the environment and to safeguard forests and wild life.
#Food_Preservatives are substances added to food to prevent or slow down spoilage and maintain natural colours and flavours.
Two reasons for food spoilage
• Microbial contamination
• Fats reacting with oxygen (oxidation)
Preservative criteria
• Non-toxic
• Functional
• Flavourless
• Economical
Sorbic acid - It is a food preservative which protects many food varieties from yeast and mold spoilage. It is an organic compound, with naturally strong antimicrobial capabilities.
Sodium benzoate - It is a food preservative commonly used in fruit pies, jams, beverages, salads, foods with acidic pH.
It is used in processed foods to prevent the growth of bacteria or fungus that could spoil the food.
Citric Acid - Its acidic pH makes it useful as a food preservative and preserves the color of the food since it significantly slows the oxidation.
Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is not a food preservative.
It is a food additive, which is used as a flavour enhancer commonly added to Chinese food, canned vegetables, soups and processed meats.
Two reasons for food spoilage
• Microbial contamination
• Fats reacting with oxygen (oxidation)
Preservative criteria
• Non-toxic
• Functional
• Flavourless
• Economical
Sorbic acid - It is a food preservative which protects many food varieties from yeast and mold spoilage. It is an organic compound, with naturally strong antimicrobial capabilities.
Sodium benzoate - It is a food preservative commonly used in fruit pies, jams, beverages, salads, foods with acidic pH.
It is used in processed foods to prevent the growth of bacteria or fungus that could spoil the food.
Citric Acid - Its acidic pH makes it useful as a food preservative and preserves the color of the food since it significantly slows the oxidation.
Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is not a food preservative.
It is a food additive, which is used as a flavour enhancer commonly added to Chinese food, canned vegetables, soups and processed meats.
Highest mountains of the seven continents.
1⃣ North America - Mt. Denali
2⃣ South America - Mt. Aconcagua
3⃣ Africa - Mt. Kilimanjaro
4⃣ Europe - Mt. Elbrus
5⃣ Asia - Mt. Everest
6⃣ Australia - Mt. Kosciusko
7⃣ Antarctica - Vinson Massif
Climbing to the summit of all of these mountains is regarded as a mountaineering challenge, first achieved on 30 April 1985 by Richard Bass.
Completing the Seven Summits + reaching the north and south poles is known as the Explorers Grand Slam.
1⃣ North America - Mt. Denali
2⃣ South America - Mt. Aconcagua
3⃣ Africa - Mt. Kilimanjaro
4⃣ Europe - Mt. Elbrus
5⃣ Asia - Mt. Everest
6⃣ Australia - Mt. Kosciusko
7⃣ Antarctica - Vinson Massif
Climbing to the summit of all of these mountains is regarded as a mountaineering challenge, first achieved on 30 April 1985 by Richard Bass.
Completing the Seven Summits + reaching the north and south poles is known as the Explorers Grand Slam.
#SargassoSea is a region of the Atlantic Ocean bounded by 4 ocean currents forming an ocean gyre.
1) Gulf Stream on the west
2) North Atlantic Drift on the north
3) Canary Current on the east
4) North Atlantic Equatorial Current on the south
Unlike all other seas, it has no land boundaries. It is the only sea in the world which has no coast. It is distinguished from other parts of the Atlantic Ocean by its characteristic brown seaweed called Sargassum and often calm blue water.
Sargasso Sea is famous for its floating seaweed that covers large swathes of ocean. But it also boasts an astounding wealth of biodiversity that has earned it the nickname "The Floating Rainforest of the Sea."
The four ocean currents together forming a clockwise-circulating system of ocean currents termed the North Atlantic Gyre. Bermuda is near the western fringes of the sea.
The four ocean currents deposit the marine plants and refuse which they are carrying into this sea, yet the ocean water in the Sargasso Sea is distinctive for its deep blue color and exceptional clarity, with underwater visibility of up to 61m
https://www.tg-me.com/UPSCPrelimsZone
1) Gulf Stream on the west
2) North Atlantic Drift on the north
3) Canary Current on the east
4) North Atlantic Equatorial Current on the south
Unlike all other seas, it has no land boundaries. It is the only sea in the world which has no coast. It is distinguished from other parts of the Atlantic Ocean by its characteristic brown seaweed called Sargassum and often calm blue water.
Sargasso Sea is famous for its floating seaweed that covers large swathes of ocean. But it also boasts an astounding wealth of biodiversity that has earned it the nickname "The Floating Rainforest of the Sea."
The four ocean currents together forming a clockwise-circulating system of ocean currents termed the North Atlantic Gyre. Bermuda is near the western fringes of the sea.
The four ocean currents deposit the marine plants and refuse which they are carrying into this sea, yet the ocean water in the Sargasso Sea is distinctive for its deep blue color and exceptional clarity, with underwater visibility of up to 61m
https://www.tg-me.com/UPSCPrelimsZone