Wednesday 25 July 2012

Result Keys of PM Grade I Examination 2012 held on 3rd june

Result Keys of PM Grade I Examination

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Result Keys of PS Group B Examination 2012 held on 3rd june

Result Keys of PS Group B Examination

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Acceptance Speech by Shri Pranab Mukherjee on his Assumption of office as President of India

Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil,
Shri Hamid Ansari,
Smt. Meira Kumar,
Shri Justice S.H. Kapadia,
Members of Parliament,
Your Excellencies, Friends and fellow citizens,
I am deeply moved by the high honour you have accorded to me. Such honour exalts the occupant of this office, even as it demands that he rises above personal or partisan interests in the service of the national good.
The principal responsibility of this office is to function as the guardian of our Constitution. I will strive, as I said on oath, to preserve, protect and defend our Constitution not just in word but also in spirit. We are all, across the divide of party and region, partners at the altar of our motherland. Our federal Constitution embodies the idea of modern India: it defines not only India but also modernity. A modern nation is built on some basic fundamentals: democracy, or equal rights for every citizen; secularism, or equal freedom to every faith; equality of every region and language; gender equality and, perhaps most important of all, economic equity. For our development to be real the poorest of our land must feel that they are part of the narrative of rising India.
I have seen vast, perhaps unbelievable, changes during the journey that has brought me from the flicker of a lamp in a small Bengal village to the chandeliers of Delhi. I was a boy when Bengal was savaged by a famine that killed millions; the misery and sorrow is still not lost on me. We have achieved much in the field of agriculture, industry and social infrastructure; but that is nothing compared to what India, led by the coming generations, will create in the decades ahead.
Our national mission must continue to be what it was when the generation of Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Patel, Rajendra Prasad, Ambedkar and Maulana Azad offered us a tryst with destiny: to eliminate the curse of poverty, and create such opportunities for the young that they can take our India forward by quantum leaps. There is no humiliation more abusive than hunger. Trickle-down theories do not address the legitimate aspirations of the poor. We must lift those at the bottom so that poverty is erased from the dictionary of modern India.
What has brought us thus far, will take us further ahead. India`s true story is the partnership of the people. Our wealth has been created by farmers and workers, industrialists and service-providers, soldiers and civilians. Our social harmony is the sublime co-existence of temple, mosque, church, gurudwara and synagogue; they are symbols of our unity in diversity.
Peace is the first ingredient of prosperity. History has often been written in the red of blood; but development and progress are the luminous rewards of a peace dividend, not a war trophy. The two halves of the 20th Century tell their own story. Europe, and indeed the world, reinvented itself after the end of the Second World War and the collapse of colonization, leading to the rise of great institutions like the United Nations. Leaders who ordered great armies into the field, and then understood that war was more barbarism than glory, transformed the world by changing its mindset. Gandhiji taught by example, and gave us the supreme strength of non-violence. India`s philosophy is not an abstract in textbooks. It flourishes in the day-to-day life of our people, who value the humane above all else. Violence is external to our nature; when, as human beings, we do err, we exorcise our sins with penitence and accountability.
But the visible rewards of peace have also obscured the fact that the age of war is not over. We are in the midst of a fourth world war; the third was the Cold War, but it was very warm in Asia, Africa and Latin America till it ended in the early 1990s. The war against terrorism is the fourth; and it is a world war because it can raise its evil head anywhere in the world. India has been on the frontlines of this war long before many other recognized its vicious depth or poisonous consequences. I am proud of the valour and conviction and steely determination of our Armed Forces as they have fought this menace on our borders; of our brave police forces as they have met the enemy within; and of our people, who have defeated the terrorist trap by remaining calm in the face of extraordinary provocation. The people of India have been a beacon of maturity through the trauma of whiplash wounds. Those who instigate violence and perpetuate hatred need to understand one truth. Few minutes of peace will achieve far more than many years of war. India is content with itself, and driven by the will to sit on the high table of prosperity. It will not be deflected in its mission by noxious practitioners of terror.
As Indians, we must of course learn from the past; but we must remain focused on the future. In my view, education is the alchemy that can bring India its next golden age. Our oldest scriptures laid the framework of society around the pillars of knowledge; our challenge is to convert knowledge into a democratic force by taking it into every corner of our country. Our motto is unambiguous: All for knowledge, and knowledge for all.
The weight of office sometimes becomes a burden on dreams. The news is not always cheerful. Corruption is an evil that can depress the nation`s mood and sap its progress. We cannot allow our progress to be hijacked by the greed of a few.
I envisage an India where unity of purpose propels the common good; where Centre and State are driven by the single vision of good governance; where every revolution is green; where democracy is not merely the right to vote once in five years but to speak always in the citizen`s interest; where knowledge becomes wisdom; where the young pour their phenomenal energy and talent into the collective cause. As tyranny dwindles across the world; as democracy gets fresh life in regions once considered inhospitable; India becomes the model of modernity.
As Swami Vivekananda in his soaring metaphor said, India will be raised, not with the power of flesh but with the power of the spirit, not with the flag of destruction, but with the flag of peace and love. Bring all the forces of good together. Do not care what be your colour-green, blue or red, but mix all the colours up and produce that intense glow of white, the colour of love. Ours is to work, the results will take care of themselves.
There is no greater reward for a public servant than to be elected the first citizen of our Republic. Jai Hindi.”
Source : PIB, July 25, 2012

For the First Time A Commemorative Postage Stamp and Coffee Table Book on Customs to be Released Tomorrow to Mark 50 Years of Achievements under the Customs Act 1962

The Union Minister of Communication & Information Technology Shri Kapil Sibal will release tomorrow a commemorative Postage Stamp on Indian Customs to commemorate 50 years of achievements under the Customs Act, 1962. Shri S.S. Palanimanickam, Minister of State for Finance (Revenue and Disinvestment) will be the Guest of Honour and release a Coffee Table Book on Indian Customs on this occasion. This is for the first time in the history of Indian Customs that a Postage Stamp and a Coffee Table book on Indian Customs are going to be released. The function will be held at Vigyan Bhawan on 26th July, 2012. The Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) is celebrating 2012 as the Golden Jubilee year to commemorate 50 years of the Customs Act, 1962. The Postage Stamp and the Coffee Table book have to be released as a part of these celebrations and to recognize the all round contribution of the Customs Department to nation building.

The origins of the present day Customs Act, 1962 can be traced back to the Sea Customs Act, 1878, the Inland Bonded Warehouses Act, 1896, the Land Customs Act, 1924 and the Aircraft Act, 1934. Post independence, the need was felt to consolidate the provisions of the Sea Customs Act and the Land Customs Act in a common customs statute. This consolidation took place in 1962 in the form of the present day Customs Act, 1962 which was notified on 23rd January, 1963. It came into force on 1st February, 1963, 50 years ago. Indian Customs is the guardian of the nation`s economic frontiers. It has the challenging task of guarding over 22000 kms of country’s land borders and coast line. 
Source : PIB, July 25, 2012

Commemorative Postage Stamps Released on Eve of London Olympics

In keeping with its tradition of issuing postage stamps on Olympics since 1968, India Post released a set of four commemorative postage stamps and a souvenir sheet in New Delhi today. The stamps are a stylized portrayal of sportsmen engaged in Volleyball, Rowing, Sailing and Badminton (Picture of the stamps are given below). The stamps will be available in Philatelic Bureaus across the country.
London 2012 Olympic Games begin on 27th July 2012 with the theme slogan ‘Inspire a Generation’. The Olympic Games celebrate the eternal quest for excellence, and the capability of sports persons from different nations, cultures and background to come together and compete fairly and honestly to promote peace and harmony.
India Post has been commemorating national and international events by releasing commemorative and special postage stamps.  
         Click here to See Postage Stamps.

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Revised Pension for Pre-2006 Pensioners and Family Pensioners

Background:

When Sixth Pay Commission was implemented by Government with effect from 1st January 2006 in respect of Central Government Employees and pensioners who got retired after 01.01.2006, Pension payable to Central Government Pensioners and Family Pensioners entitled to pension as on 31.12.2005 (popularly called as Pre-2006 Pensioners) was also revised. The Pension / family Pension of Pre-2006 Pensioners as on 31.12.2005 was revised by adding together:-

1. The Pension or Family Pension as on 31.12.2005.
2. Dearness Pension received by pensioners or family pensioners as on 31.12.2005
3. Dearness relief of 24% of Basic Pension/family pension + Dearness Pension/dearness family pension
4. Fitment weightage of at the rate of 40% of pension or family pension as on 31.12.2005.
If the revised pension as calculated above is less than Rs.3500, the same should be stepped up to Pension / family pension of Rs.3500 with effect from 1.1.2006.
The above mentioned procedures for fixation of revised pension was laid out in the Office Memorandum F.No: 38/37/08-P&PW(A) dated 01.09.2008. (Click here to download this Office Memorandum dated 01.09.2008)
Minimum Pension/Family Pension guaranteed based on pre-revised scale of pay:
Apart from the minimum pension of Rs.3500/-, O.M F.No: 38/37/08-P&PW(A).pt.1 dated 03.10.2008 (Click here to download), also provides for minimum pension calculated at 50% of minimum of pay in the pay band plus grade pay at the minimum of the pay in the pay band (irrespective of the pre-revised scale of pay) plus the grade pay corresponding to the pre-revised pay scale.
The revised pension out of 6CPC revision shall not be less than this Minimum pension. As far as Family pensioners are concerned, the same OM dated 03.10.2008, stipulates that the revised family pension in no case shall be lower than thirty percent (30%) of the sum of the minimum of the pay in the pay band and the grade pay thereon corresponding to the pre-revised pay scale in which the deceased government employee last worked.
In these lines, the Office Memorandum F.No: 38/37/08-P&PW(A).pt.1 dated 14.10.2008 (Click here to read), provides a table (Annexure 1 to OM dated 14.10.2008) in which pre-revised scales of pay applicable with effect from 1.1.1986 and with effect from 01.01.1996, and corresponding 6th CPC pay band/scales and grade pay have been given.
Using this table for the minimum basic pension and family pension applicable to Pensioner / Family pensioner covered under each pre-revised pay scales with effect from 1.1.85 and 1.1.96 could be determined. To illustrate, if the deceased spouse’s last pay drawing scale was Rs.2000-60-2120 with effect from 1986, the minimum pension of a family pensioner will be Rs. Rs.4050 (Sl.No: 12 of the table).
So, to fix the minimum pension/family pension in this case, the pre-revised pay scale in which retired/deceased employee received his/her last pay, should be known. However, Banks which were given powers to revise the pension based on 6CPC revision, did not know pre-revised pay scale of retired/deceased employee in many cases as Pension Payment Order originally issued by Central Pension authorities did not contain the details of the same. Consequently, banks revised the pension only based on the OM dated 01.09.2008 (existing pension+DP+24%DA+40% fitment weightage)
This resulted in payment of reduced pension than the entitled one for pensioners/family pensioners whose minimum pension/family pension based on last pre-revised pay scale is more than the pension calculated as as per 6CPC revision.
To sanction minimum pension based on last pay scale Banks required the revision of Pension Payment Order (PPO) by Central Government.
However, the process of issuing revised PPO, has taken momentum only from the year 2011. CPAO, New Delhi who authorizes Central Civil Pension, Department of Pension and pensioner’s welfare etc are taking steps now for issuing revised PPO. Series of meetings have been held in this connection.Click here to read the Minutes of Meeting held by Department of Pension and pensioner’s welfare on 3rd November 2011 at New Delhi with representatives from various Ministries. As per the minutes of meeting dated 3rd November 2011, in respect of cases in which records relating to deceased/retired employees are not available, advertisements have been given for submission of details by pensioners themselves (Read this office memorandum dated 16.12.2011).
We hope this exercise of revising PPO of all Pre-2006 Pensioners and Family Pensioners would be completed soon. Once revised PPO issued for the pensioner concerned, the bank will be in position to pay the revised pension and arrears amount for the past period.

Source : Gconnect.in

NPS delivers average returns of 9.33%, beats PFs

NEW DELHI: The three NPS managers handling the pension funds of Central and state government employees have delivered average returns of 9.33% in the past one year, outperforming the state-run government provident fund (GPF), employees provident fund (EPF) and the public provident fund (PPF). The three-year annualised returns are also quite decent at 8.47%, though not as spectacular as in the past one year.
More than 16 lakh central and state government employees have almost Rs 8,500 crore invested in the NPS. This money is managed by three pension fund managers - SBI Pension Funds, LIC Pension Fund and UTI Retirement Solutions. Each of the three funds manages roughly one-third of the NPS corpus.
Though three years is a very short time to judge long-term instruments such as pension funds, the impressive performance is likely to silence the criticism that NPS is not allocating enough to growth assets. Central and state government NPS funds can invest a maximum of 15% in equities. Even in NPS for the general public, where investors can choose their own asset allocation, a maximum of 50% can be put in equities.
  The Pension Funds Regulatory and Development Authority has defended this conservative allocation saying that pension funds should not have a large exposure to risky assets.
The past few years have proved it right. Equity markets have floundered in the past one year, with the Nifty falling 6.5%. In the past three years, it has delivered an annual average growth of 4.95%. But government securities and other debt instruments have rallied in recent months following rate cuts by the RBI. After a lacklustre two years between 2009 and 2011, gilts shot up in 2012 as benchmark yields tumbled. The gilt funds managed by the six fund managers of the NPS for the general public have risen by almost 9.95% in the past one year. This has helped shore up the overall returns from the NPS funds. 
Source :  http://economictimes.indiatimes.com

Government Favours Training of Officials to Ensure Better Efficiency: V Narayansamy

Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions and Prime Minister’s Office, Shri, V. Narayansamy inaugurated the newly renovated library and new administration block complex of Institute of Secretariat Training & Management (ISTM) in New Delhi today. (Photograph of inauguration available on PIB website). Speaking on the occasion, Shri Narayansamy said that the Government is planning to expand its training facilities as training is instrumental in keeping officers/officials updated and increasing efficiency. Training equips them for better service delivery. The Minister said that training curriculum should be designed as to make it more interesting and participative. He assured all support to Institute of Secretariat Training & Management in broad-basing its training base and facilities to meet current as well as future challenges.

Director, ISTM, K.G. Verma, in his remarks, said that the Institute had conducted 297 courses and trained 7841 personnel of various levels in 2011-12. He further said that ISTM is working towards capacity building for National Training Policy 2012 and operationalisation of Master e-Governance Training Plan. Setting up of Centre for Transparency for more effective implementation of RTI Act and making training available online were other priority areas, he said.

Secretary, Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT), Shri P.K. Mishra and senior officers of DoPT were present on the occasion.

The Institute of Secretarial Training & Management is a government Centre of excellence in the area of Secretariat Training Management in India. It is an attached office of Department of Personnel & Training, Government of India.

Established in the year 1948, it stands for ideals of “Efficiency and the Public Good”. The Institute imparts training various grades of officers in the Central Secretariat and Allied Services. During the last 64 years, the activities of the institute have expanded manifold and it is the leading Training Institute in the country imparting training to officials the Central and State government, Public Sector Undertakings and Autonomous Bodies, in a number of specialized areas. The Institute is expected to play a key role in the Central Secretariat Service and the Central Secretariat Stenographers Service in implementation of competency based training approach. The Institute is planning to setup a Learning Resource Centre as envisaged in the National Training Policy
Source: PIB, July 24, 2012

Model question for IPO Examination - Paper III


     1      The members of the Rajya Sabha are elected by
           Elected members of the legislative assembly
2     The power to decide an election petition is vested in the
High Courts
3     The preamble says that the state in India will assure the dignity of the individual. The constitution seeks to achieve this object by guaranteeing
Equal fundamental rights to each citizen
4     The minimum age of the voter in India is
     18    Years
5 The president addresses both the Houses of Parliament assembled together
First session after each general election and the first session of each year
 6 . The president can dissolve the Lok Sabha on

Advice of the prime minister
7 . The oath of office is administered to the Governor by the
Chief justice of high court
8. The parliament can legislate on the subject in the state list
If the Rajya Sabha passes a resolution by two-third of its to legislate on a state matter in the national interest
9 The president can expend out of the Contingency Fund of India
Without the approval of the Parliament
10 The members of the Rajya Sabha are elected for a term
 Six years
11 The Objectives Resolution was unanimously adopted by the Constituent Assembly on
22nd January 1947
12 The name of a candidate for the office of president of India may be proposed by
Any ten members of the Electoral College
13 The minimum number of members that must be present to hold the meeting of the Lok Sabha is
One-tenth of the total membership of the Houses
14 The preamble to our constitution provided that India is
a sovereign, socialist, secular and democratic republic
15 The minimum age required to become the prime minister of India is
25 years
16  The president can be removed from his office before the expiry of his normal term only on the recommendation of
The two Houses of Parliament
17 The oath of office is conducted to the president by
The chief justice of India
18  The phrase 'procedure established by the law' means
The judges in India cannot question the fairness or validity of a law, provided it is within the limits of the constitution
      19   The Parliament of India can make use of the residuary powers
At  all  times
     20  The power to prorogue the Lok Sabha rests with
The president