HSSC CET flashcards
927 cards from 81 fact-checked topic notes · English
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All cards by topic
Indian Classical Dance — General Awareness · 12 cards
- Natyashastra
- The foundational text (circa 200 BCE–200 CE) by Bharata Muni codifying Indian dance, drama, and music. All classical forms trace their theoretical roots here.
- Nritta, Nritya, Natya
- Nritta is pure rhythmic movement without expression; Nritya combines rhythm with emotion (bhava) and storytelling; Natya is dramatic dance with dialogue and plot.
- Abhinaya
- The art of expression—divided into Angika (body), Vachika (speech), Aharya (costume/makeup), and Sattvika (emotional states).
- Rasa and Bhava
- Rasa refers to the nine aesthetic sentiments (Navarasa) evoked in the audience; Bhava is the emotion portrayed by the dancer.
- Gharana system
- In Kathak, knowledge passed through family lineages—Lucknow, Jaipur, and Banaras gharanas each have distinct styles.
- Devadasi tradition
- Temple dancers who preserved Bharatanatyam and Odissi for centuries before 20th-century revivals brought these forms to concert stages.
- Sangeet Natak Akademi recognition
- India's national academy that officially classifies and promotes classical dance forms.
- Bharatanatyam
- State of Origin: Tamil Nadu · Meaning / Etymology: Bhava + Raga + Tala + Natyam · Key Feature: Temple dance, Aramandi posture, Carnatic music
- Kathak
- State of Origin: Uttar Pradesh (North India) · Meaning / Etymology: Katha = story · Key Feature: Only classical form with Hindu-Muslim synthesis; emphasis on footwork (tatkar) and spins (chakkar)
- Kathakali
- State of Origin: Kerala · Meaning / Etymology: Katha + Kali = story-play · Key Feature: All-male traditionally; elaborate makeup (chutti), stories from Ramayana/Mahabharata
- Kuchipudi
- State of Origin: Andhra Pradesh · Meaning / Etymology: Village Kuchipudi in Krishna district · Key Feature: Combines dance-drama; brass plate dance (Tarangam)
- Odissi
- State of Origin: Odisha · Meaning / Etymology: From Odra-Magadhi · Key Feature: Tribhangi posture (three bends); temple sculptures of Konark inspired it
National Current Events — General Awareness · 12 cards
- Flagship Government Schemes
- Large-scale Central schemes addressing poverty, health, education, housing, and financial inclusion.
- Ministries and Nodal Agencies
- Each major scheme has a specific ministry or implementing body; knowing this linkage helps answer application-based questions.
- Target Beneficiaries
- Schemes are designed for specific groups — BPL families, women, farmers, MSMEs, senior citizens — understanding this helps eliminate wrong options.
- Launch Year and Amendments
- Original launch dates and significant modifications or extensions to schemes are important.
- Budget Allocations
- Major schemes with increased budgetary allocations or newly launched schemes in the Union Budget deserve special attention.
- Digital India Initiatives
- Apps, portals, and digital platforms launched for governance (UMANG, DigiLocker, GeM) are important.
- Constitutional Amendments and Policy Changes
- Recent amendments affecting governance, elections, or citizen rights appear as questions.
- PM Awas Yojana (PMAY)
- Year: 2015 · Ministry: Housing and Urban Affairs (PMAY-U); Rural Development (PMAY-G, 2016) · Key Feature: Housing for All — Urban and Rural components
- Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY)
- Year: 2018 · Ministry: Health · Key Feature: Rs 5 lakh health cover per family per year
- PM Kisan Samman Nidhi
- Year: 2019 · Ministry: Agriculture · Key Feature: Rs 6,000 per year to farmer families in 3 instalments
- Swachh Bharat Mission
- Year: 2014 · Ministry: Jal Shakti (Gramin); Housing and Urban Affairs (Urban) · Key Feature: Open Defecation Free (ODF) India
- Jal Jeevan Mission
- Year: 2019 · Ministry: Jal Shakti · Key Feature: Functional tap water to every rural household by 2024
Basics of Indian Economy — General Awareness · 12 cards
- Three Sectors of Economy
- The economy is divided into Primary (agriculture, mining, fishing), Secondary (manufacturing, construction), and Tertiary (services like banking, IT, transport) sectors.
- Mixed Economy
- India follows a mixed economy model where both public sector (government-owned) and private sector enterprises coexist. This was adopted after independence to balance socialist ideals with capitalist efficiency.
- GDP (Gross Domestic Product)
- Total monetary value of all goods and services produced within a country's borders in a specific period. It is the most common measure of economic size.
- GNP (Gross National Product)
- GDP plus net income earned by residents from abroad. GNP = GDP + Net Factor Income from Abroad.
- Per Capita Income
- Average income per person, calculated as National Income divided by total population. It indicates the standard of living.
- Inflation
- Sustained increase in the general price level of goods and services. Measured by WPI (Wholesale Price Index) and CPI (Consumer Price Index) in India.
- Five-Year Plans
- India followed centralised planning through Five-Year Plans from 1951 to 2017. NITI Aayog replaced the Planning Commission in 2015.
- Human Development Index (HDI)
- A composite index measuring life expectancy, education, and per capita income. Published by UNDP annually.
- GDP
- Total value of goods and services produced within domestic territory
- GNP
- GDP + Net Factor Income from Abroad (NFIA)
- NNP
- GNP − Depreciation
- National Income
- NNP at Factor Cost
Indian Geography — General Awareness · 12 cards
- Physiographic Divisions
- India has six major divisions—Northern Mountains (Himalayas), Northern Plains (Indo-Gangetic), Peninsular Plateau (Deccan), Coastal Plains (Eastern and Western), Thar Desert, and Islands (Andaman-Nicobar, Lakshadweep).
- Himalayan Ranges
- Three parallel ranges—Himadri (Greater Himalayas, highest), Himachal (Lesser Himalayas), and Shiwaliks (Outer Himalayas, youngest). All major north Indian rivers originate here.
- Monsoon Mechanism
- India's climate is dominated by the Southwest Monsoon (June–September, 75% rainfall) and Northeast Monsoon (October–December, mainly Tamil Nadu). The monsoon is driven by differential heating of land and sea.
- River Classification
- Himalayan rivers are perennial (snow-fed + rain-fed); Peninsular rivers are seasonal (rain-fed only). West-flowing rivers (Narmada, Tapi) form estuaries; east-flowing rivers (Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri) form deltas.
- Soil Types
- Alluvial (most fertile, northern plains), Black/Regur (cotton cultivation, Deccan), Red (iron-rich, South India), Laterite (leached, Western Ghats), and Arid/Desert (Rajasthan).
- Cropping Seasons
- Kharif (June–October: rice, cotton, sugarcane), Rabi (October–March: wheat, mustard, gram), and Zaid (March–June: watermelon, cucumber, vegetables).
- Mineral Belts
- Chotanagpur Plateau is India's mineral heartland (coal, iron ore, mica). Petroleum in Bombay High, Gujarat, and Assam. Thorium reserves in Kerala (monazite sands).
- Highest Peak
- K2 (8,611 m) in PoK; Kangchenjunga (8,586 m) is highest in India proper
- Longest River
- Ganga (2,525 km in India); Indus longest if entire length counted
- Largest State (Area)
- Rajasthan (342,239 km²)
- Highest Rainfall
- Mawsynram (Meghalaya)—wettest place on Earth
- Lowest Rainfall
- Leh (Ladakh)—cold desert
History — General Awareness · 12 cards
- Periodisation of Indian History
- Ancient (up to 1206 CE), Medieval (1206–1757 CE), Modern (1757 onwards). These cut-off dates mark the Delhi Sultanate's establishment and the Battle of Plassey respectively.
- Indus Valley Civilisation (c. 2600–1900 BCE)
- Urban, bronze-age culture with planned cities (Harappa, Mohenjo-Daro), advanced drainage, and no deciphered script. No iron, no horses, no temples found.
- Vedic Age (c. 1500–600 BCE)
- Aryans, Rigvedic pastoralism shifting to Later Vedic agriculture; varna system's origin; Sabha and Samiti as assemblies.
- Mauryan Empire (322–185 BCE)
- First pan-Indian empire; Chandragupta founded it, Ashoka transformed it through Dhamma after Kalinga War.
- Gupta Empire (c. 320–550 CE)
- "Golden Age" of art, literature (Kalidasa), science (Aryabhata), and temple architecture.
- Delhi Sultanate (1206–1526)
- Five dynasties—Slave, Khalji, Tughlaq, Sayyid, Lodi. Introduced iqta system, new architectural styles (true arch, dome).
- Mughal Empire (1526–1857)
- Founded by Babur; Akbar's religious tolerance (Sulh-i-Kul, Din-i-Ilahi); Aurangzeb's expansion and eventual decline.
- British Colonial Rule
- East India Company rule (1757–1857), Crown rule (1858–1947). Economic drain, deindustrialisation, land revenue systems (Permanent Settlement, Ryotwari, Mahalwari).
- Indian National Movement
- Moderate phase (1885–1905), Extremist phase (1905–1919), Gandhian phase (1919–1947). Key movements: Non-Cooperation, Civil Disobedience, Quit India.
- Indus Valley Civilisation
- Key Date: c. 2600–1900 BCE · Essential Detail: Harappa discovered 1921, Mohenjo-Daro 1922
- Battle of Ten Kings (Dasharajna)
- Key Date: Rigvedic period · Essential Detail: Fought on River Ravi; Bharata tribe victorious
- Mahavira's Nirvana
- Key Date: 527 BCE · Essential Detail: 24th Tirthankara, founded Jainism's organised form
Ancient India — General Awareness · 11 cards
- Indus Valley Civilisation (IVC)
- was a Bronze Age, urban civilisation known for town planning, drainage systems, standardised weights, and undeciphered script. Major sites: Harappa, Mohenjo-daro, Lothal, Dholavira, Rakhigarhi.
- Vedic Age
- is divided into Early/Rigvedic (c. 1500–1000 BCE) and Later Vedic (c. 1000–600 BCE). Society shifted from pastoral-tribal to settled agriculture; varna system became rigid; Vedas, Brahmanas, Upanishads composed.
- Mahajanapadas (16 great states)
- emerged c. 600 BCE; Magadha eventually dominated due to fertile land, iron ores, and strategic location.
- Mauryan Empire (322–185 BCE)
- was India's first large, centralised empire. Chandragupta founded it; Ashoka expanded it and then embraced non-violence after Kalinga War.
- Ashoka's Dhamma
- promoted tolerance, non-violence, and moral governance — spread through rock and pillar edicts written mostly in Prakrit/Brahmi.
- Gupta Empire (c. 320–550 CE)
- is called the "Golden Age" for advances in art, science, literature, and stable administration under rulers like Chandragupta I, Samudragupta, and Chandragupta II.
- Feudatory & decentralised trends
- began in later Gupta period, paving the way for regional kingdoms.
- IVC
- Rakhigarhi (Haryana) is among the largest Harappan sites.
- Vedic
- Rigveda is the oldest Veda; Saraswati river praised as "naditama" (best of rivers).
- Maurya
- Chandragupta defeated Seleucus Nicator; Megasthenes wrote Indica.
- Gupta
- Samudragupta called "Napoleon of India" (Allahabad Pillar inscription by Harisena).
Indian Constitution — General Awareness · 12 cards
- The Preamble
- is the introduction to the Constitution, declaring India as a Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic Republic. It outlines justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity as core objectives. The words "Socialist" and "Secular" were added by the 42nd Amendment (1976).
- Lengthiest Written Constitution
- Originally had 395 Articles in 22 Parts and 8 Schedules. Currently has 470+ Articles, 25 Parts, and 12 Schedules. This reflects India's diversity and the need for detailed provisions.
- Blend of Rigidity and Flexibility
- Some provisions can be amended by simple majority, some by special majority (a majority of the total membership of each House and 2/3rd of members present and voting), and some require ratification by half the states.
- Federal System with Unitary Bias
- India has a dual polity (Centre and States) but with a strong Centre. During emergencies, the system becomes virtually unitary.
- Parliamentary Form of Government
- Executive is responsible to the Legislature. The President is the nominal head; the Prime Minister is the real executive head.
- Single Citizenship
- Unlike the USA, India provides only one citizenship (Indian), regardless of the state of residence.
- Independent Judiciary
- The Supreme Court and High Courts are independent of the executive and legislature, with power of judicial review.
- Universal Adult Franchise
- Every citizen above 18 years (originally 21, reduced by 61st Amendment, 1988) has the right to vote without discrimination.
- Drafting Committee Chairman
- Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
- Constituent Assembly President
- Dr. Rajendra Prasad
- Constitutional Advisor
- B.N. Rau
- Constituent Assembly formed
- December 1946 (under Cabinet Mission Plan)
Indian Music — General Awareness · 12 cards
- Common origin
- Both Hindustani and Carnatic music evolved from the ancient musical traditions described in Sama Veda and Natyashastra (by Bharata Muni, c. 200 BCE–200 CE).
- Geographic division
- Hindustani music developed in North India and was influenced by Persian and Islamic traditions after the 12th century. Carnatic music flourished in South India and retained more of the original Sanskrit-based tradition.
- Raga
- The melodic framework — a set of notes with specific rules for ascent (aroha), descent (avaroha), and characteristic phrases. Both systems use ragas, but nomenclature and treatment differ.
- Tala
- The rhythmic cycle. Hindustani music commonly uses talas like Teentaal (16 beats) and Ektaal (12 beats); Carnatic music uses Adi tala (8 beats) and others with more complex subdivisions.
- Improvisation vs composition
- Hindustani performances emphasise improvisation (alap, jod, jhala, gat). Carnatic performances are more composition-centric (kriti, varnam) with improvisation within defined structures.
- Gharana system
- Unique to Hindustani music — schools or lineages (e.g., Gwalior, Agra, Jaipur-Atrauli) with distinct styles. Carnatic music does not have a gharana system but has "baani" traditions.
- Trinity of Carnatic Music
- Tyagaraja, Muthuswami Dikshitar, and Syama Sastri (all 18th–19th century) — composers whose kritis form the foundation of Carnatic repertoire.
- Region
- Hindustani Music: North India · Carnatic Music: South India (Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra, Kerala)
- Language of compositions
- Hindustani Music: Hindi, Braj Bhasha, Urdu · Carnatic Music: Telugu, Sanskrit, Tamil, Kannada
- Influence
- Hindustani Music: Persian, Mughal court traditions · Carnatic Music: Sanskrit, Bhakti movement
- Main vocal forms
- Hindustani Music: Dhrupad, Khayal, Thumri, Tappa, Ghazal · Carnatic Music: Kriti, Varnam, Padam, Javali, Tillana
- Key instruments (melodic)
- Hindustani Music: Sitar, Sarod, Santoor, Bansuri, Shehnai · Carnatic Music: Veena, Violin, Nadaswaram, Gottuvadyam
International Current Events — General Awareness · 12 cards
- G20 (Group of Twenty)
- Forum of 19 countries plus EU and African Union; India hosted the 2023 summit in New Delhi where African Union became a permanent member. Presidency rotates annually.
- BRICS
- Originally Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa. Expanded in 2024 to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, UAE, and Saudi Arabia (though Saudi participation pending). Focus on de-dollarization and New Development Bank.
- SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organisation)
- Ten members (2024) including India and Pakistan (both joined 2017). Focus areas: security, counter-terrorism, economic cooperation. Iran became the 9th member in 2023 and Belarus the 10th in 2024.
- QUAD (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue)
- Informal strategic forum of India, USA, Japan, Australia. Not a military alliance but focuses on Free and Open Indo-Pacific. Annual summits since 2021.
- ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations)
- Ten Southeast Asian nations; India is a Dialogue Partner since 1996 and Summit-level partner since 2002. India-ASEAN summits held annually.
- COP (Conference of Parties)
- Annual UN climate summit. COP28 held in Dubai (UAE) in 2023; COP29 in Baku (Azerbaijan) in 2024. Focus on climate finance, loss and damage fund.
- UN Security Council
- Five permanent members (P5): USA, UK, France, Russia, China with veto power. Ten non-permanent members elected for 2-year terms. India seeking permanent membership.
- NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation)
- 32 members after Finland (2023) and Sweden (2024) joined. Military alliance with Article 5 collective defence clause.
- United Nations
- Headquarters: New York · Key Points for Exam: 193 members; India founding member
- G20
- Headquarters: Rotates · Key Points for Exam: India hosted 2023; theme "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam"
- SCO
- Headquarters: Beijing · Key Points for Exam: Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) in Tashkent
- ASEAN
- Headquarters: Jakarta · Key Points for Exam: Founded 1967; "ASEAN Way" of consensus
Budget and Taxation — General Awareness · 12 cards
- Union Budget
- is the annual financial statement of the Government of India, presented under Article 112 of the Constitution. It contains estimates of revenue and expenditure for the upcoming financial year (April 1 to March 31).
- Revenue Budget
- includes revenue receipts (tax and non-tax revenue) and revenue expenditure (salaries, subsidies, interest payments)—essentially day-to-day income and spending.
- Capital Budget
- covers capital receipts (loans, disinvestment) and capital expenditure (infrastructure, asset creation)—money that affects the government's asset-liability position.
- Fiscal Deficit
- = Total Expenditure − Total Receipts (excluding borrowings). It shows how much the government must borrow to meet its spending. Higher fiscal deficit means higher borrowing.
- Revenue Deficit
- = Revenue Expenditure − Revenue Receipts. A revenue deficit means the government is using borrowed money for day-to-day expenses, which is considered unhealthy.
- Primary Deficit
- = Fiscal Deficit − Interest Payments. It shows the borrowing requirement excluding the burden of past debts.
- GST (Goods and Services Tax)
- is a destination-based, multi-stage, comprehensive indirect tax that replaced multiple central and state taxes from July 1, 2017.
- Direct vs Indirect Tax
- Direct taxes (Income Tax, Corporate Tax) are paid directly by the taxpayer and cannot be transferred. Indirect taxes (GST, Customs) are levied on goods/services and can be passed on to consumers.
- Budget presentation date
- February 1 (since 2017; earlier it was the last working day of February)
- Constitutional provision
- Article 112 — Annual Financial Statement
- First Union Budget
- November 26, 1947, by RK Shanmukham Chetty
- First woman to present Budget
- Indira Gandhi (1970-71 Budget, as PM holding Finance); Nirmala Sitharaman (2019) is the first full-time woman Finance Minister
World Geography — General Awareness · 12 cards
- Seven Continents by Size
- Asia > Africa > North America > South America > Antarctica > Europe > Australia. Remember "AANSAEA" — Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Antarctica, Europe, Australia (size order).
- Five Oceans
- Pacific (largest and deepest), Atlantic (S-shaped, busiest for trade), Indian (warmest), Southern (surrounds Antarctica), Arctic (smallest, coldest).
- Continental Drift Theory
- Alfred Wegener proposed that continents were once joined as Pangaea and drifted apart. Evidence includes matching coastlines of South America and Africa.
- Ring of Fire
- Horseshoe-shaped zone around the Pacific Ocean with 75% of world's active volcanoes and 90% of earthquakes. Includes Japan, Philippines, Indonesia, Chile.
- Major Mountain Systems
- Himalayas (youngest, highest), Andes (longest continental), Rockies (North America), Alps (Europe), Ural (Europe-Asia boundary).
- Great Rift Valley
- Continuous geographic trench running from Lebanon through East Africa to Mozambique. Contains many lakes including Tanganyika and Malawi.
- Ocean Currents
- Warm currents flow from equator to poles (Gulf Stream), cold currents flow from poles to equator (Labrador Current). They affect climate of adjacent landmasses.
- Tectonic Plates
- Earth's lithosphere divided into major plates (Pacific, North American, Eurasian, African, Antarctic, Indo-Australian, South American) whose movements cause earthquakes and volcanism.
- Asia
- Largest continent (30% of land area), highest population, contains Himalayas and Dead Sea (lowest point on land at -430 m)
- Africa
- Second largest, hottest continent, Sahara is world's largest hot desert, Nile is longest river (6,650 km)
- North America
- Third largest, contains Great Lakes (largest freshwater system), Grand Canyon, Mississippi-Missouri river system
- South America
- Contains Amazon (largest river by volume), Andes (longest mountain range at 7,000 km), Amazon rainforest (largest tropical rainforest)
Medieval India — General Awareness · 12 cards
- Delhi Sultanate (1206–1526)
- comprised five successive dynasties: Slave (Mamluk), Khilji, Tughlaq, Sayyid and Lodi—each with distinct administrative and military policies.
- Iqta System
- was the Sultanate's land-revenue mechanism where military commanders (iqtadars) collected revenue in lieu of salary, ensuring decentralised control.
- Mughal Empire (1526–1857)
- was founded by Babur after the First Battle of Panipat; it reached its zenith under Akbar and Shah Jahan before declining after Aurangzeb.
- Mansabdari System
- was the Mughal administrative hierarchy where officials held numerical ranks (zat and sawar) determining their salary and cavalry obligations.
- Din-i-Ilahi
- was Akbar's syncretic faith (1582) blending elements of Hinduism, Islam, Zoroastrianism and Christianity—it did not survive him.
- Bhakti Movement
- emphasised personal devotion to God, rejection of rituals and caste distinctions; it spread across India from the 7th century onwards, peaking in the 15th–17th centuries.
- Sufi Movement
- introduced Islamic mysticism stressing love, tolerance and the guru-disciple (pir-murid) relationship; Sufi silsilas (orders) like Chishti, Suhrawardi, Qadiri and Naqshbandi flourished in India.
- Battles of Panipat
- (1526, 1556, 1761) were fought on Haryana's soil and repeatedly altered India's political trajectory—an essential topic for HSSC CET.
- Delhi Sultanate founded
- 1206 CE by Qutbuddin Aibak (Slave dynasty)
- First Sultan to assume title "Sultan"
- Iltutmish (1211–1236)
- Only female Sultan
- Razia Sultana (1236–1240)
- Alauddin Khilji's market reforms
- Price control, rationing and espionage in Delhi markets
Indian Polity and Constitution — General Awareness · 12 cards
- Constitution as Supreme Law
- India has a written, rigid yet flexible Constitution adopted on 26 November 1949 and in force from 26 January 1950. It is the longest written constitution in the world.
- Federal Structure with Unitary Bias
- India follows a quasi-federal system — federal in normal times (division of powers between Centre and States) but unitary during emergencies (Centre becomes dominant).
- Separation of Powers
- Legislature makes laws, Executive implements them, Judiciary interprets them. No organ can encroach on another's domain.
- Parliamentary System
- India follows the Westminster model — the Executive is drawn from and accountable to the Legislature. The Prime Minister, not the President, holds real executive power.
- Fundamental Rights vs DPSPs
- Fundamental Rights (Part III) are justiciable and enforceable by courts. Directive Principles (Part IV) are non-justiciable guidelines for governance.
- Independent Judiciary
- The Supreme Court and High Courts have the power of judicial review — they can strike down laws violating the Constitution.
- Single Citizenship
- Unlike the USA, India has single citizenship. A person born in Punjab is simply an Indian citizen, not a "Punjab citizen."
- Universal Adult Franchise
- Every citizen above 18 years (61st Amendment, 1989) has the right to vote regardless of caste, religion, gender, or economic status.
- Preamble
- Declares India as Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic, Republic. "Socialist" and "Secular" added by 42nd Amendment (1976).
- Parts of Constitution
- 22 Parts, 8 Schedules, 395 Articles (original; 12 Schedules now), currently 470+ Articles.
- Sources
- Government of India Act 1935 (federal structure, emergency provisions), British Constitution (parliamentary system), US Constitution (fundamental rights, judicial review), Irish Constitution (DPSPs).
- Article 1
- India shall be a Union of States.
Festivals and Heritage Sites — General Awareness · 12 cards
- UNESCO World Heritage Site criteria
- Sites must have Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) under cultural criteria (i-vi) or natural criteria (vii-x). Cultural sites relate to human history and architecture; natural sites relate to geology, ecology, or biodiversity.
- Festival classification
- Indian festivals divide into religious (Diwali, Eid, Christmas), harvest (Pongal, Baisakhi, Onam), seasonal (Holi, Makar Sankranti), and national (Republic Day, Independence Day).
- Harvest festivals follow agricultural cycles
- Pongal (Tamil Nadu, January), Lohri (Punjab/Haryana, January), Baisakhi (Punjab, April), Onam (Kerala, August-September), Bihu (Assam, April).
- Religious festivals often have lunar calendar dates
- Diwali (Kartik Amavasya), Holi (Phalgun Purnima), Eid (Islamic lunar calendar), making their Gregorian dates variable.
- Heritage sites in Haryana
- Haryana does not have a UNESCO World Heritage Site independently, but the Saraswati Heritage sites and Kurukshetra hold national importance.
- Serial nominations
- Some sites are inscribed as groups—Hill Forts of Rajasthan (6 forts), Western Ghats (39 sites across 4 states), Victorian and Art Deco Ensemble of Mumbai.
- Intangible Cultural Heritage
- UNESCO also recognizes intangible heritage—Kumbh Mela, Yoga, Durga Puja, and Ramlila are on India's list.
- Diwali
- Region/Religion: Pan-India (Hindu) · Month/Occasion: October-November (Kartik)
- Holi
- Region/Religion: Pan-India (Hindu) · Month/Occasion: March (Phalgun Purnima)
- Eid-ul-Fitr
- Region/Religion: Muslims · Month/Occasion: End of Ramadan
- Christmas
- Region/Religion: Christians · Month/Occasion: 25 December
- Baisakhi
- Region/Religion: Punjab, Haryana · Month/Occasion: 13-14 April (Sikh New Year)
Sports — General Awareness · 12 cards
- Olympic Games
- Held every four years; Summer and Winter editions. India's best Summer Olympics performance came at Tokyo 2020 (7 medals). Paris 2024 is the most recent edition.
- Commonwealth Games
- Held every four years among Commonwealth nations. Birmingham 2022 was the last edition; India finished fourth in the medal tally.
- Asian Games
- Asia's largest multi-sport event, held every four years. Hangzhou 2022 saw India win a record 107 medals (28 gold).
- FIFA World Cup
- Football's premier tournament, held every four years. Argentina won the 2022 Qatar World Cup, defeating France in the final.
- ICC Cricket Events
- World Cup (ODI), T20 World Cup, and World Test Championship. India won the T20 World Cup 2024 under Rohit Sharma.
- Khelo India Programme
- Government initiative promoting grassroots sports. Includes Khelo India Youth Games and Khelo India University Games.
- Major Sports Awards in India
- Arjuna Award, Khel Ratna (renamed Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna), Dronacharya Award, and Dhyan Chand Award.
- Pro Leagues in India
- Pro Kabaddi League (PKL), Indian Premier League (IPL), Indian Super League (ISL), Pro Wrestling League, Hockey India League.
- Paris Olympics 2024
- India won 6 medals; Manu Bhaker (shooting) became first Indian woman to win 2 medals in single Olympics
- Tokyo Olympics 2020
- Neeraj Chopra won gold in javelin; India's best haul of 7 medals
- Hangzhou Asian Games 2022
- India won 107 medals (28 gold, 38 silver, 41 bronze)—highest ever
- Birmingham CWG 2022
- India won 61 medals; Mirabai Chanu won gold in weightlifting
Banking — General Awareness · 12 cards
- Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
- is India's central bank, established on 1 April 1935 under the RBI Act, 1934. Headquartered in Mumbai, it was nationalized in 1949.
- RBI as the Banker's Bank
- means all scheduled commercial banks must maintain accounts with RBI and follow its directives on cash reserves, lending norms, and interest rates.
- Currency Issuer
- RBI has the sole authority to issue currency notes in India (except one-rupee notes, issued by Ministry of Finance). This is called the monopoly of note issue.
- Monetary Policy
- refers to RBI's actions to regulate money supply and credit in the economy to achieve price stability, economic growth, and financial stability.
- Scheduled Commercial Banks
- are banks listed in the Second Schedule of the RBI Act, 1934, and include public sector banks, private banks, foreign banks, and regional rural banks.
- Repo Rate
- is the rate at which RBI lends short-term money to commercial banks. When repo rate increases, borrowing becomes costlier, reducing money supply.
- Reverse Repo Rate
- is the rate at which RBI borrows money from commercial banks. Higher reverse repo encourages banks to park funds with RBI rather than lend.
- CRR (Cash Reserve Ratio)
- is the percentage of deposits that banks must keep with RBI as cash. It directly controls liquidity—higher CRR means less money available for lending.
- SLR (Statutory Liquidity Ratio)
- is the percentage of deposits banks must maintain as liquid assets (cash, gold, government securities). It ensures bank solvency.
- RBI Established
- 1 April 1935
- RBI Nationalized
- 1949
- RBI Headquarters
- Mumbai
Geography — General Awareness · 12 cards
- Physiographic Divisions of India
- India has six major divisions — Northern Mountains (Himalayas), Northern Plains (Indo-Gangetic), Peninsular Plateau (Deccan), Coastal Plains (Eastern and Western), Thar Desert, and Islands (Andaman-Nicobar, Lakshadweep).
- Monsoon Mechanism
- India's climate is dominated by the Southwest Monsoon (June-September) bringing 75% of annual rainfall, caused by differential heating of land and sea and the shift of ITCZ (Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone).
- River Systems
- Indian rivers are classified as Himalayan (perennial, snow-fed like Ganga, Indus) and Peninsular (rain-fed, seasonal like Godavari, Krishna). Most Peninsular rivers flow eastward into the Bay of Bengal.
- Soil Types
- India has eight major soil types — Alluvial (most fertile, northern plains), Black/Regur (cotton-growing, Deccan), Red (iron-rich, south India), Laterite (leached, high rainfall areas), and others.
- Continental Drift and Plate Tectonics
- Earth's lithosphere is divided into major plates whose movement causes earthquakes, volcanic activity, and mountain formation. India lies on the Indo-Australian Plate.
- Climate Zones
- Based on Koppen's classification, India has tropical, dry, subtropical humid, mountain, and arid climate zones. World climate ranges from equatorial to polar.
- Biodiversity Hotspots
- India has four hotspots — Western Ghats, Eastern Himalayas, Indo-Burma, and Sundaland. A hotspot must have at least 1,500 endemic plant species and have lost 70% of original habitat.
- Longest River (India)
- Ganga (2,525 km)
- Longest River (World)
- Nile (6,650 km)
- Highest Peak (India)
- Kangchenjunga (8,586 m) — on the Sikkim–Nepal border
- Highest Peak (World)
- Mount Everest (8,849 m)
- Largest Lake (India)
- Chilika Lake (Odisha) — brackish water
Environment — General Awareness · 12 cards
- Ecosystem
- A community of living organisms interacting with their physical environment. Components include biotic (plants, animals, microbes) and abiotic (sunlight, water, soil) factors.
- Biodiversity
- The variety of life at three levels: genetic diversity (within species), species diversity (between species) and ecosystem diversity (variety of habitats).
- Biodiversity Hotspots
- Regions with exceptional endemic species facing severe habitat loss. India has 4 of the world's 36 hotspots: Western Ghats, Eastern Himalayas, Indo-Burma and Sundaland (Nicobar Islands).
- Greenhouse Effect
- Natural warming of Earth's surface due to greenhouse gases (CO₂, CH₄, N₂O, water vapour) trapping heat. Human activities have intensified this, causing global warming.
- Ozone Layer
- Stratospheric ozone (O₃) absorbs harmful UV-B radiation. CFCs and halons cause ozone depletion, leading to the "ozone hole" over Antarctica.
- Carbon Footprint
- Total greenhouse gas emissions caused by an individual, event or product, expressed in CO₂ equivalent.
- Ecological Succession
- Gradual process of ecosystem change where one community replaces another until a stable climax community is established.
- Food Chain vs Food Web
- Food chain is a single linear pathway of energy transfer. Food web is an interconnected network of multiple food chains in an ecosystem.
- Major GHGs
- CO₂ (main human-emitted GHG), CH₄ (much more potent than CO₂ short-term), N₂O, CFCs, water vapour
- Montreal Protocol (1987)
- Phased out ozone-depleting substances (CFCs, halons). Most successful environmental treaty
- Kyoto Protocol (1997)
- First binding emission targets for developed countries. India had no binding targets
- Paris Agreement (2015)
- Limit warming to 1.5–2°C above pre-industrial levels. India's NDC: 45% emission intensity reduction by 2030
Modern India — General Awareness · 12 cards
- Battle of Plassey (1757)
- Robert Clive defeated Siraj-ud-Daulah with Mir Jafar's betrayal; marked the start of British political control in Bengal.
- Doctrine of Lapse
- Policy by Lord Dalhousie (1848–56) to annex states without a natural heir; annexed Satara, Jhansi, Nagpur, and others—directly sparked 1857 grievances.
- Permanent Settlement (1793)
- Lord Cornwallis fixed land revenue in Bengal; created the Zamindar class and burdened peasants with rigid demands.
- Drain of Wealth
- Dadabhai Naoroji's theory that British rule systematically transferred Indian wealth to Britain through taxes, trade imbalances, and Home Charges.
- 1857 Revolt
- First large-scale armed uprising; immediate cause was greased cartridges; leaders included Mangal Pandey, Rani Lakshmibai, Tantia Tope, Bahadur Shah Zafar.
- Indian National Congress (1885)
- Founded by A.O. Hume in Bombay; first president W.C. Bonnerjee; initially moderate in approach—petitions, prayers, and protests.
- Partition of Bengal (1905)
- Lord Curzon divided Bengal on communal lines; triggered Swadeshi Movement and anti-partition agitation; annulled in 1911.
- Gandhian Mass Movements
- Non-Cooperation (1920–22), Civil Disobedience (1930–34), Quit India (1942)—based on non-violence (ahimsa) and civil disobedience (satyagraha).
- Battle of Buxar (1764)
- British defeated combined forces of Mir Qasim, Shuja-ud-Daulah, and Shah Alam II; established British supremacy in North India
- Regulating Act
- 1773 — First Parliamentary act to regulate East India Company; created Governor-General of Bengal (Warren Hastings first holder)
- Charter Act 1833
- Made Governor-General of Bengal the Governor-General of India; ended Company's commercial activities
- Queen's Proclamation
- 1858 — After 1857 Revolt; Crown took direct control; ended Company rule
Union Government — General Awareness · 12 cards
- Parliamentary System
- India borrowed this from Britain — the executive is responsible to the legislature, and the President acts on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers (Article 74).
- President as Nominal Head
- The President is the constitutional head of state but exercises powers only on ministerial advice, except in rare discretionary situations.
- Collective Responsibility
- The Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha (Article 75). If the government loses majority, the entire ministry resigns.
- Lok Sabha Supremacy in Money Matters
- Money Bills can only be introduced in Lok Sabha, and Rajya Sabha can only delay them for 14 days.
- Bicameral Legislature
- Parliament has two Houses — Lok Sabha (House of the People) and Rajya Sabha (Council of States) — ensuring federal representation and deliberative lawmaking.
- No-Confidence Motion
- The government must resign if it loses a no-confidence motion in Lok Sabha; Rajya Sabha cannot pass such a motion.
- Ordinance Power
- The President can promulgate ordinances when Parliament is not in session (Article 123), having the same force as an Act of Parliament.
- President
- Elected indirectly by Electoral College (elected MPs + elected MLAs); Term: 5 years; Minimum age: 35 years; Impeachment under Article 61
- Vice-President
- Elected by MPs of both Houses; Ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha; Term: 5 years; Minimum age: 35 years
- Prime Minister
- Appointed by President; Must command Lok Sabha majority; No fixed tenure; Leader of the House in Lok Sabha
- Council of Ministers
- Three ranks — Cabinet Ministers, Ministers of State, Deputy Ministers; Maximum size: 15% of Lok Sabha strength (91st Amendment)
- Lok Sabha
- Maximum 550 members (530 states + 20 UTs; the 2 nominated Anglo-Indian seats, which made it 552, ended in 2020); Term: 5 years; Quorum: 1/10th of total membership
Awards and Honours — General Awareness · 12 cards
- Bharat Ratna
- is India's highest civilian award, established in 1954. It has no monetary prize and is conferred by the President. Maximum 3 recipients per year under the official scheme, though this has been exceeded (4 in 1999, 5 in 2024).
- Padma Awards
- follow a three-tier hierarchy: Padma Vibhushan (exceptional service), Padma Bhushan (distinguished service), Padma Shri (distinguished contribution). Announced on Republic Day eve.
- Nobel Prize
- covers six fields: Physics, Chemistry, Medicine, Literature, Peace, and Economic Sciences. Awarded in Stockholm (Sweden) except Peace Prize in Oslo (Norway). Prize money comes from Alfred Nobel's estate (Economics: funded by Sweden's central bank, Sveriges Riksbank, since 1968).
- Ramon Magsaysay Award
- is often called "Asia's Nobel Prize," given for public service in Asia. Named after a Philippine president.
- National Sports Awards
- include Khel Ratna (renamed Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna), Arjuna Award, Dronacharya Award (coaches), and Dhyan Chand Award (lifetime achievement).
- Gallantry Awards
- in descending order: Param Vir Chakra, Maha Vir Chakra, Vir Chakra (wartime); Ashoka Chakra, Kirti Chakra, Shaurya Chakra (peacetime).
- Sahitya Akademi Award
- recognizes literary excellence in 24 Indian languages. Jnanpith Award is India's highest literary honour.
- International awards
- like Booker Prize (literature), Grammy (music), Oscar/Academy Award (films), and Pulitzer Prize (journalism/literature) are also worth knowing.
- Khel Ratna
- Field: Sports · Established: 1991-92 · Conferring Body: President of India · Key Fact: First: Viswanathan Anand; renamed after Major Dhyan Chand in 2021
- Arjuna Award
- Field: Sports · Established: 1961 · Conferring Body: Ministry of Sports · Key Fact: For consistent outstanding performance for 4 years
- Dronacharya Award
- Field: Coaching · Established: 1985 · Conferring Body: Ministry of Sports · Key Fact: For outstanding coaches
- Jnanpith Award
- Field: Literature · Established: 1961 · Conferring Body: Bharatiya Jnanpith · Key Fact: First: G. Sankara Kurup (1965)
Indian National Movement — General Awareness · 12 cards
- Revolt of 1857
- was the first large-scale armed uprising against the British, triggered by the greased cartridge issue but rooted in political, economic, and social grievances. It failed due to lack of coordination and modern weapons but sowed seeds of nationalism.
- Indian National Congress (INC)
- was founded in 1885 by A.O. Hume. The early phase (1885–1905) was dominated by Moderates who believed in constitutional methods—petitions, prayers, and persuasion.
- Extremist Phase (1905–1919)
- saw leaders like Tilak, Lala Lajpat Rai, and Bipin Chandra Pal (Lal-Bal-Pal) advocating Swadeshi, boycott, and national education. Tilak's slogan: "Swaraj is my birthright and I shall have it."
- Gandhian Era (1919–1947)
- transformed the movement into a mass struggle. Gandhi introduced Satyagraha (non-violent resistance) as the primary weapon, mobilizing peasants, women, and the common people.
- Revolutionary Movements
- ran parallel to Congress activities. Bhagat Singh, Chandrashekhar Azad, and others believed in armed struggle. Key events: Kakori Conspiracy (1925), Lahore Conspiracy Case (1929).
- Communal Politics and Partition
- emerged from the Muslim League's demand for separate electorates (1906) and eventually Pakistan (Lahore Resolution, 1940). Partition in 1947 came with massive communal violence and displacement.
- Role of Subhas Chandra Bose
- and the INA (Indian National Army) added a military dimension to the freedom struggle during World War II.
- 1857
- Event: Revolt of 1857 · Key Detail: Started at Meerut on 10 May; Bahadur Shah Zafar declared leader
- 1885
- Event: INC Founded · Key Detail: Bombay session; 72 delegates; W.C. Bonnerjee first president
- 1905
- Event: Partition of Bengal · Key Detail: Lord Curzon; led to Swadeshi Movement
- 1906
- Event: Muslim League Founded · Key Detail: Dhaka; Aga Khan III as first president
- 1915
- Event: Gandhi returns to India · Key Detail: From South Africa; established Sabarmati Ashram (1917)
State Government — General Awareness · 12 cards
- Governor is the constitutional head
- of the state, appointed by the President (not elected), and holds office "during the pleasure of the President" — typically a 5-year term but can be removed anytime.
- Chief Minister is the real executive
- leader of the majority party in the Legislative Assembly, appointed by the Governor, and heads the Council of Ministers which is collectively responsible to the State Legislature.
- State Legislature can be unicameral or bicameral
- only 6 states (Bihar, UP, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana) have bicameral legislatures with both Vidhan Sabha and Vidhan Parishad.
- Vidhan Sabha (Legislative Assembly)
- members are directly elected by people; strength ranges from 60 to 500 members; normal term is 5 years but can be dissolved earlier.
- Vidhan Parishad (Legislative Council)
- is a permanent body — one-third members retire every 2 years; members are indirectly elected or nominated; maximum strength is one-third of Vidhan Sabha.
- High Court is the apex court in a state
- established under Article 214; exercises original, appellate, and supervisory jurisdiction; can issue writs under Article 226.
- Governor's discretionary powers
- include recommending President's Rule (Article 356), reserving bills for President's consideration, and appointing CM when no party has clear majority.
- Collective responsibility
- means the Council of Ministers swim and sink together — if a no-confidence motion passes, the entire ministry resigns, not just the CM.
- Governor
- Key Article: Article 153 · Appointment/Election: Appointed by President · Term: 5 years (pleasure of President)
- Chief Minister
- Key Article: Article 164 · Appointment/Election: Appointed by Governor · Term: No fixed term (depends on majority)
- Council of Ministers
- Key Article: Article 163 · Appointment/Election: Appointed by Governor on CM's advice · Term: Same as CM
- Vidhan Sabha
- Key Article: Article 170 · Appointment/Election: Directly elected · Term: 5 years
Art and Culture — General Awareness · 12 cards
- Eight Classical Dances
- Recognized by Sangeet Natak Akademi — Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Kathakali, Kuchipudi, Odissi, Manipuri, Mohiniyattam, Sattriya. Each has a distinct state origin and style.
- Two Classical Music Systems
- Hindustani (North India, ragas like Bhairav, Yaman) and Carnatic (South India, kriti compositions). Both share raga-tala framework but differ in instruments and ornaments.
- Folk vs Classical
- Folk arts are region-specific, orally transmitted and community-based (Ghoomar, Bihu, Lavani). Classical arts follow codified treatises like Natyashastra.
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India
- Currently 42 sites (34 cultural, 7 natural, 1 mixed). Common exam picks: Taj Mahal, Ajanta-Ellora, Khajuraho, Hampi, Konark Sun Temple.
- Painting Schools
- Miniature traditions — Mughal, Rajput (Rajasthani), Pahari, Deccan. Modern artists — Raja Ravi Varma, Amrita Sher-Gil, M F Husain.
- Architectural Styles
- Nagara (North — curvilinear shikhara), Dravida (South — pyramidal vimana), Vesara (Deccan — hybrid). Indo-Islamic styles include Mughal, Sultanate and Deccan architecture.
- Religious and Harvest Festivals
- Diwali, Holi, Eid, Christmas are pan-Indian; Pongal (Tamil Nadu), Baisakhi (Punjab/Haryana), Onam (Kerala), Bihu (Assam) are region-specific.
- Bharatanatyam
- State: Tamil Nadu · Key Feature / Instrument: Nritta-Nritya-Natya; Aramandi posture
- Kathak
- State: Uttar Pradesh · Key Feature / Instrument: Ghungroo footwork; Lucknow & Jaipur gharanas
- Kathakali
- State: Kerala · Key Feature / Instrument: Elaborate face makeup; stories from Ramayana/Mahabharata
- Kuchipudi
- State: Andhra Pradesh · Key Feature / Instrument: Dance-drama; brass plate dance
- Odissi
- State: Odisha · Key Feature / Instrument: Tribhangi posture; temple sculptures of Konark
Books and Authors — General Awareness · 12 cards
- Autobiography vs Biography
- An autobiography is written by the person about their own life (e.g., Wings of Fire by APJ Abdul Kalam). A biography is written by someone else about another person (e.g., Gandhi: The Years That Changed the World by Ramachandra Guha).
- Man Booker Prize
- One of the most prestigious literary awards. Indian-origin winners include Arundhati Roy (The God of Small Things, 1997), Kiran Desai (The Inheritance of Loss, 2006), and Arvind Adiga (The White Tiger, 2008).
- Sahitya Akademi Award
- India's national academy of letters gives annual awards in 24 languages. Know recent Hindi and English winners.
- Jnanpith Award
- India's highest literary honour. Know recent recipients and their landmark works.
- Books by Prime Ministers
- Jawaharlal Nehru (Discovery of India), Atal Bihari Vajpayee (poetry collections), Narendra Modi (Exam Warriors).
- Freedom Struggle Literature
- Books written during or about the independence movement.
- Recent Releases
- Books launched by sitting Presidents, Prime Ministers, or about major national events are worth tracking.
- Discovery of India
- Jawaharlal Nehru
- Glimpses of World History
- Jawaharlal Nehru
- My Experiments with Truth
- Mahatma Gandhi
- Hind Swaraj
- Mahatma Gandhi
- India Wins Freedom
- Maulana Abul Kalam Azad
Current Affairs — General Awareness · 12 cards
- Government Schemes
- Focus on flagship schemes like PM Gati Shakti, Ayushman Bharat, PM-KISAN, Jal Jeevan Mission, and new launches. Know the ministry responsible, launch date, and key objectives.
- International Summits
- G20, G7, BRICS, SCO, ASEAN, COP (Climate), and bilateral summits. Note the host country, year, theme, and major outcomes or declarations.
- Appointments
- Track new governors, chief justices, CAG, Election Commissioners, RBI Governor, service chiefs, and heads of international bodies (UN, WHO, IMF, World Bank).
- Sports Events
- Olympics, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, Cricket World Cups, and Indian achievements. Know medal counts, venues, and record-breaking performances.
- Awards and Honours
- Bharat Ratna, Padma Awards, Nobel Prize, Booker Prize, Ramon Magsaysay, national sports awards (Khel Ratna, Arjuna, Dronacharya).
- Defence and Space
- ISRO missions (Chandrayaan, Aditya L1, Gaganyaan updates), DRDO developments, new defence acquisitions, and military exercises.
- Economic Developments
- GDP growth rates, Union Budget highlights, RBI policy changes, GST Council decisions, and major economic indicators.
- Haryana-Specific
- State budget, new schemes, industrial developments, sports achievements by Haryanvi players, and administrative changes.
- G20 Summit 2023
- New Delhi, September 2023; Theme: "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam"; African Union made permanent member
- Chandrayaan-3
- Soft landing near Moon's south pole, 23 August 2023; Vikram lander and Pragyan rover
- Aditya-L1
- India's first solar mission, launched September 2023; reached L1 point January 2024
- Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha
- Ayodhya, 22 January 2024
Analogy — Reasoning Ability · 12 cards
- The Core Structure
- Every analogy follows the pattern A : B :: C : D, read as "A is to B as C is to D." Your job is to find the relationship between A and B, then identify which option creates the same relationship with C.
- Direction Matters
- The relationship flows in a specific direction. "Doctor : Hospital" means "doctor works in hospital" — reversing to "Hospital : Doctor" changes the meaning entirely.
- First Pair is the Key
- Always analyze the given pair completely before looking at options. Identify the precise relationship, not a vague connection.
- Multiple Relationships Possible
- Two words can have several relationships. "Pen : Write" could be tool-action, but also "Pen : Ink" is container-content. The question stem defines which relationship applies.
- Number Analogies Follow Mathematical Rules
- Look for operations like squares, cubes, addition, multiplication, or digit manipulation applied consistently across pairs.
- Figure Analogies Test Transformation
- Elements may rotate, flip, increase/decrease, change shading, or move position. Identify what changes and what stays constant.
- Eliminate by Relationship Type
- If the given pair shows a part-whole relationship, options showing cause-effect relationships are immediately wrong.
- Synonym
- Happy : Joyful
- Antonym
- Hot : Cold
- Part : Whole
- Wheel : Car
- Worker : Workplace
- Teacher : School
- Tool : Action
- Knife : Cut
Series Completion — Reasoning Ability · 12 cards
- Arithmetic Series
- Each term differs from the previous by a constant value (common difference). Example: 3, 7, 11, 15, 19 → difference is +4.
- Geometric Series
- Each term is multiplied by a constant value (common ratio). Example: 2, 6, 18, 54 → ratio is ×3.
- Square/Cube Series
- Terms are perfect squares (1, 4, 9, 16, 25) or perfect cubes (1, 8, 27, 64, 125), sometimes with additions or subtractions.
- Difference of Differences
- When first-level differences vary, check second-level differences. If those are constant, it's a quadratic pattern.
- Letter Series by Position
- A=1, B=2, ... Z=26. Patterns involve adding/subtracting positions. Example: B, E, H, K → positions 2, 5, 8, 11 (difference +3).
- Alternating Series
- Two or more interwoven series. Example: 2, 5, 4, 7, 6, 9 → Series A: 2, 4, 6 and Series B: 5, 7, 9.
- Mixed/Alphanumeric Series
- Combines letters and numbers. Decode each component separately.
- Figure Series
- Shapes rotate, flip, increase/decrease in number, or follow positional rules. Observe changes element by element.
- Constant difference
- How to Detect: Subtract consecutive terms—same result · Example: 5, 9, 13, 17 → +4
- Constant ratio
- How to Detect: Divide consecutive terms—same result · Example: 3, 12, 48, 192 → ×4
- Squares ± k
- How to Detect: Terms near perfect squares · Example: 2, 5, 10, 17, 26 → n² + 1
- Cubes ± k
- How to Detect: Terms near perfect cubes · Example: 2, 9, 28, 65 → n³ + 1
Coding-Decoding — Reasoning Ability · 11 cards
- Coding
- means converting a word/number into a different form using a specific rule. Decoding means reversing the process to find the original.
- Letter-Letter Coding
- Each letter is replaced by another letter based on a shifting rule (e.g., each letter moves +2 positions: A→C, B→D).
- Letter-Number Coding
- Letters are converted to their positional values (A=1, B=2, ... Z=26) or vice versa, sometimes with arithmetic operations.
- Number-Number Coding
- Numbers are transformed using operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication, digit reversal, or place-value swapping.
- Mixed/Symbol Coding
- Words or letters are assigned arbitrary symbols (★, @, #) and you must map the pattern from given examples.
- Alphabet Position Table
- Memorize A=1 through Z=26. For reverse counting, A=26, B=25, ... Z=1. This is non-negotiable for speed.
- Cyclic Nature
- The English alphabet is cyclic—after Z comes A. So if you shift +3 from Y, you get B (Y→Z→A→B).
- Pattern Detection Order
- Always check—(a) direct shift (+1, +2, -1), (b) reverse alphabet substitution, (c) positional value coding, (d) arbitrary assignment.
- Forward
- A: 1 · B: 2 · C: 3 · D: 4 · E: 5 · F: 6 · G: 7 · H: 8 · I: 9 · J: 10 · K: 11 · L: 12 · M: 13
- Reverse
- A: 26 · B: 25 · C: 24 · D: 23 · E: 22 · F: 21 · G: 20 · H: 19 · I: 18 · J: 17 · K: 16 · L: 15 · M: 14
- Position
- A: N · B: O · C: P · D: Q · E: R · F: S · G: T · H: U · I: V · J: W · K: X · L: Y · M: Z
Direction Sense — Reasoning Ability · 10 cards
- Eight cardinal and ordinal directions
- North (N), South (S), East (E), West (W), and the four intermediate directions—North-East (NE), North-West (NW), South-East (SE), South-West (SW). The angle between any two adjacent directions is 45°.
- Opposite directions
- N↔S, E↔W, NE↔SW, NW↔SE. If you face North and turn 180°, you face South.
- Right and Left turns from each direction
- From North—right turn gives East, left turn gives West. From East—right turn gives South, left turn gives North. Memorise the clockwise sequence: N→E→S→W→N.
- Sunrise and Sunset orientation
- Sun rises in the East and sets in the West. If your shadow falls to your right in the morning, you are facing South.
- Shadow rule for time
- Morning shadow falls towards West (sun in East). Evening shadow falls towards East (sun in West). At noon, shadow is minimal/directly below.
- Pythagoras theorem for shortest distance
- When movements form a right-angled path, shortest distance = √(base² + height²). This applies when net horizontal and vertical displacements are perpendicular.
- Net displacement method
- Add all movements in the same direction, subtract opposite movements. Final position is determined by net North-South displacement and net East-West displacement.
- Morning (6 AM)
- Sun Position: East · Shadow Falls: West
- Noon (12 PM)
- Sun Position: Overhead · Shadow Falls: Minimal
- Evening (6 PM)
- Sun Position: West · Shadow Falls: East
Syllogism — Reasoning Ability · 11 cards
- Accept statements as absolutely true
- Never question whether "All cats are dogs" makes real-world sense. If the statement says it, believe it for that problem.
- "Some" means "at least one"
- It could mean one, many, or even all. "Some X are Y" doesn't exclude the possibility that all X are Y.
- "Some X are Y" implies "Some Y are X"
- This is called converse. Particular affirmatives are convertible.
- "No X is Y" implies "No Y is X"
- Universal negatives are also fully convertible.
- "All X are Y" does NOT mean "All Y are X"
- Universal affirmatives convert only to particular — "All X are Y" gives "Some Y are X."
- Use Venn diagrams for complex cases
- Draw circles representing each category. Shade or mark regions to visualize what must be true versus what might be true.
- "Either-or" conclusions
- If neither individual conclusion follows alone, check if together they cover all possibilities — then "either (i) or (ii)" follows.
- A (Universal Affirmative)
- Standard Form: All X are Y · Converse: Some Y are X
- E (Universal Negative)
- Standard Form: No X is Y · Converse: No Y is X
- I (Particular Affirmative)
- Standard Form: Some X are Y · Converse: Some Y are X
- O (Particular Negative)
- Standard Form: Some X are not Y · Converse: No valid converse
Puzzles — Reasoning Ability · 12 cards
- Linear seating
- People sit in a single row. Direction matters—"left of" and "right of" depend on whether you view from the front or from behind the row. Always fix one perspective and stick to it.
- Circular seating
- People sit around a table. "Immediate left" and "immediate right" are relative to the person. For circular arrangements, pick any fixed position to anchor the first definite clue.
- Inward vs outward facing
- In circular arrangements, facing centre (inward) reverses left-right compared to facing outward. Identify this clearly before placing anyone.
- Scheduling puzzles
- Assign n persons to n slots (days, time periods). Treat it like a one-to-one mapping table. Fill confirmed slots first, then use elimination.
- Grouping puzzles
- Divide n items/persons into k groups with given constraints (e.g., A and B must be together; C and D cannot be together). Often solved with table + elimination.
- Definite clues vs conditional clues
- Always start with definite clues ("X sits at the left end") before conditional ones ("If Y sits next to Z, then..."). This reduces trial-and-error.
- Negative clues
- "A does not sit adjacent to B" narrows possibilities. Mark such constraints and eliminate during final verification.
- Multiple solutions trap
- Some puzzles allow two or more valid arrangements. Questions may then ask "Which of the following is definitely true?" Answer only what holds in all valid arrangements.
- Linear row (n seats)
- Positions numbered 1 to n from one fixed end (usually left).
- Circular (n seats)
- Fix one person arbitrarily; place others relative to that anchor.
- "Immediate neighbour"
- Exactly one seat apart (no gap).
- "Second to the left"
- Two seats away in the left direction.
Alphanumeric Series — Reasoning Ability · 12 cards
- Component separation
- Always split an alphanumeric sequence into its letter part, number part, and symbol part (if present). Analyze each independently before combining.
- Letter position values
- A=1, B=2, C=3... Z=26. Many patterns involve adding, subtracting, or multiplying these position values.
- Common letter patterns
- Forward jumps (+1, +2, +3...), backward jumps, alternating directions, vowel-only or consonant-only sequences, and reverse alphabetical order.
- Common number patterns
- Arithmetic progression (constant difference), geometric progression (constant ratio), squares, cubes, primes, Fibonacci-style additions, and alternating operations.
- Symbol patterns
- Symbols typically follow simple repetition cycles or positional rules (e.g., symbol appears every 3rd term, or alternates between two symbols).
- Mixed operation patterns
- Some series apply different rules to odd-positioned and even-positioned terms. Always check if alternate terms follow separate patterns.
- Position-based linking
- Advanced questions link letter and number values—for example, the number might equal the letter's position, or the sum of letter positions.
- Letters A-Z correspond to positions 1-26
- Convert letters to numbers for pattern detection
- Vowels: A(1), E(5), I(9), O(15), U(21)
- Vowel-only series follow +4, +4, +6, +6 gaps
- After Z comes A (cyclic)
- Z + 1 = A in cyclic letter series
- Prime numbers: 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19, 23...
- Prime-based number components
- Perfect squares: 1, 4, 9, 16, 25, 36, 49, 64...
- Square-based patterns
Classification (Odd One Out) — Reasoning Ability · 7 cards
- Common Property Principle
- In every classification question, all items except one share a common property. Your job is to find that property and identify the outsider.
- Multiple Valid Properties
- A group may have several possible classification bases. Always choose the most specific or dominant property that excludes exactly one item.
- Word-Based Classifications
- Items grouped by category (fruits, metals, rivers), grammatical features (parts of speech, gender), origin (languages, countries), or functional use (tools, instruments).
- Number-Based Classifications
- Items grouped by mathematical properties—prime numbers, perfect squares, even/odd, divisibility rules, or number patterns (sum of digits, difference between digits).
- Letter-Based Classifications
- Items grouped by position in alphabet (vowels, consonants), pattern in positions (consecutive letters, gap patterns), or symmetry (letters with vertical/horizontal symmetry).
- Figure-Based Classifications
- Shapes grouped by number of sides, open vs closed figures, curved vs straight lines, rotation patterns, or shading patterns.
- Hierarchy of Properties
- When confused, prefer mathematical/structural properties over superficial ones. "All are prime except one" is stronger than "all have same number of digits except one."
Ranking and Order — Reasoning Ability · 12 cards
- Rank from Left vs Right
- Position from left counts starting from the leftmost as 1; position from right counts starting from the rightmost as 1. These are complementary measures.
- The Fundamental Formula
- If a person is at position L from left and position R from right in a row of N people, then L + R = N + 1. This single relationship solves most problems.
- Persons Between Two Positions
- If two people are at positions P₁ and P₂ (where P₂ > P₁), the number of persons between them = P₂ − P₁ − 1.
- Interchange of Positions
- When two people swap seats, their individual ranks change but the total count remains same. Track each person's new position carefully.
- Same Person, Two Ranks Given
- When both left and right ranks of the same person are given, directly apply L + R = N + 1 to find total.
- Overlapping vs Non-Overlapping
- When two different people's positions are given, check if they could be the same person. If definitely different, their positions help establish boundaries.
- Position After Shifting
- If a person moves K places to the right, new position = old position + K. If moving left, subtract K.
- Total persons in a row
- N = L + R − 1
- Position from right (given left position)
- R = N − L + 1
- Position from left (given right position)
- L = N − R + 1
- Persons between two positions P₁ and P₂
- P₂ − P₁ − 1 (where P₂ > P₁)
- Persons between from both ends (same row)
- If L from left and R from right mark boundaries: N − L − R persons between them
Statement and Arguments — Reasoning Ability · 8 cards
- Statement
- A proposal, suggestion, or course of action presented for consideration (e.g., "Should schools ban mobile phones?").
- Argument
- A reason given either in favour (FOR) or against (AGAINST) the statement. Each argument must be evaluated independently.
- Strong Argument
- An argument that is (1) directly related to the statement, (2) based on facts or universal truths, and (3) addresses the practical consequences or core issue.
- Weak Argument
- An argument that is (1) vague or ambiguous, (2) based on emotions, assumptions, or personal opinions, (3) uses extreme words like "always," "never," "all," "none," or (4) is irrelevant to the statement.
- Relevance Test
- Ask yourself—"Does this argument directly address what the statement is proposing?" If yes, proceed to check strength.
- Practicality Test
- A strong argument considers real-world implications and benefits/drawbacks that can be reasonably expected.
- Extreme Statements are Weak
- Arguments using absolutes ("Everyone knows," "No one can deny," "It will definitely") are almost always weak because they cannot be universally proven.
- Emotional Appeals are Weak
- Arguments appealing to fear, pity, tradition without logic ("Our ancestors did it," "It would hurt sentiments") are weak.
Cause and Effect — Reasoning Ability · 7 cards
- Cause
- An event or action that directly produces or leads to another event. The cause always precedes the effect in time.
- Effect
- The outcome or result that occurs because of the cause. It cannot happen before its cause.
- Independent Events
- Two events that have no logical connection — neither causes the other, and they do not share a common cause.
- Common Cause
- When two events both result from a third, underlying event. Neither is the cause of the other; both are effects of something else.
- Immediate vs Remote Cause
- An immediate cause directly produces the effect. A remote cause is part of a chain but not the direct trigger.
- Sequence ≠ Causation
- Just because Event I happens before Event II does not mean I caused II. Look for a logical mechanism, not just timing.
- Reversibility Test
- If reversing the order makes no sense logically, the original order likely reflects a cause-effect relationship.
Paper Folding and Cutting — Reasoning Ability · 7 cards
- Fold line acts as a mirror
- When paper is unfolded, any cut or punch reflects symmetrically across the fold line. This is the fundamental principle.
- Number of holes doubles with each fold
- One punch on a twice-folded paper creates 4 holes (2¹ × 2¹ = 4). On a thrice-folded paper, one punch creates 8 holes.
- Distance from fold line is preserved
- A hole punched 1 cm from the fold appears 1 cm on the other side too when unfolded.
- Track the folding sequence
- Unfold in exact reverse order of folding. The last fold opens first.
- Corner folds create diagonal symmetry
- When paper is folded diagonally, holes reflect along the diagonal axis.
- Edge cuts vs centre cuts
- Cuts on the folded edge appear in the interior when unfolded; cuts away from folds appear near edges.
- Layer counting matters
- If you punch through 4 layers, you get 4 holes. Count how many layers exist at the punch point.
Cube and Dice — Reasoning Ability · 12 cards
- Standard Dice Rule
- On a standard dice, opposite faces always sum to 7. The pairs are (1,6), (2,5), and (3,4).
- Non-Standard Dice
- Any dice where opposite faces do not follow the sum-of-7 rule. Questions may ask you to identify whether a dice is standard or non-standard.
- Cube Net (Unfolded Cube)
- A 2D pattern of six connected squares that folds into a cube. There are exactly 11 distinct cube nets. Understanding nets helps identify opposite faces.
- Opposite Face Identification
- In any cube net, faces that are separated by exactly one square (with a gap square between them in a straight line) are opposite to each other.
- Adjacent Faces
- Faces that share an edge when the cube is folded. If two faces touch in the net (share a side), they are adjacent, not opposite.
- Rotation Principle
- When a cube is rotated, opposite faces remain opposite. Only adjacent faces change their relative positions during rotation.
- Painted Cube Problems
- A larger cube is painted on all faces, then cut into smaller identical cubes. You must count cubes with 0, 1, 2, or 3 painted faces.
- Corner, Edge, Face, and Core Cubes
- In a painted cube cut into n x n x n smaller cubes — corners have 3 painted faces, edges have 2, face-centers have 1, and internal cubes have 0.
- 3 faces painted
- Position: Corner cubes · Count Formula: Always 8
- 2 faces painted
- Position: Edge cubes (excluding corners) · Count Formula: 12 x (n - 2)
- 1 face painted
- Position: Face-center cubes · Count Formula: 6 x (n - 2)²
- 0 faces painted
- Position: Internal cubes · Count Formula: (n - 2)³
Venn Diagrams — Reasoning Ability · 8 cards
- Disjoint Sets
- Two or more groups with no common members. Shown as separate, non-touching circles. Example: Dogs, Tables, Mountains — completely unrelated categories.
- Overlapping Sets
- Groups that share some but not all members. Shown as intersecting circles. Example: Students, Athletes, Musicians — a person can belong to one, two, or all three.
- Subset Relationship
- One group is entirely contained within another. Shown as a smaller circle inside a larger one. Example: Roses inside Flowers inside Plants — every rose is a flower, every flower is a plant.
- Identical Sets
- Two groups with exactly the same members. Represented by a single circle with both labels. Example: Unmarried Men and Bachelors.
- Mixed Relationships
- Real questions often combine relationship types. Example: Dogs, Animals, Cats — Dogs and Cats are both subsets of Animals, but Dogs and Cats are disjoint from each other.
- The Universal Set
- The outer rectangle in some diagrams represents "everything" — all possible items being considered.
- Intersection (∩)
- The region where circles overlap, representing members belonging to all overlapping groups.
- Union (∪)
- All regions covered by the circles combined, representing members belonging to at least one group.
Number System — Quantitative Ability · 10 cards
- Natural Numbers (N)
- Counting numbers starting from 1. Example: 1, 2, 3, 4, ...
- Whole Numbers (W)
- Natural numbers plus zero. Example: 0, 1, 2, 3, ...
- Integers (Z)
- All whole numbers and their negatives. Example: ..., −3, −2, −1, 0, 1, 2, 3, ...
- Rational Numbers
- Numbers expressible as p/q where p, q are integers and q ≠ 0. Every terminating or repeating decimal is rational.
- Place Value vs Face Value
- In 5832, the face value of 8 is simply 8, but the place value of 8 is 800 (8 × 100).
- Even and Odd Numbers
- Even numbers are divisible by 2 (end in 0, 2, 4, 6, 8); odd numbers are not.
- Prime Numbers
- Numbers greater than 1 with exactly two factors (1 and itself). First ten primes: 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19, 23, 29.
- Composite Numbers
- Numbers with more than two factors. Note: 1 is neither prime nor composite.
- 10
- Last digit is 0
- 11
- Difference of (sum of digits at odd places) and (sum of digits at even places) is 0 or divisible by 11
Simplification — Quantitative Ability · 12 cards
- BODMAS Rule
- The golden rule for order of operations—Brackets, Orders (powers/roots), Division, Multiplication, Addition, Subtraction. Always work left to right within the same priority level.
- Brackets Hierarchy
- Solve innermost brackets first. Order: Vinculum (bar) → Parentheses ( ) → Curly braces { } → Square brackets [ ].
- Fractions
- A fraction a/b represents a parts out of b equal parts. To add/subtract fractions, make denominators equal (LCM). To multiply, multiply numerators and denominators directly. To divide, multiply by the reciprocal.
- Decimals
- Decimals are base-10 fractions. Align decimal points for addition/subtraction. Count total decimal places for multiplication. Move decimal point for division.
- Mixed Numbers
- Convert mixed numbers (like 3½) to improper fractions (7/2) before calculating. Convert back only at the end.
- Square Roots
- √a × √b = √(ab). √a / √b = √(a/b). To rationalize, multiply by conjugate.
- Cube Roots
- ∛(a × b) = ∛a × ∛b. Useful cube roots to memorize: ∛8 = 2, ∛27 = 3, ∛64 = 4, ∛125 = 5, ∛216 = 6, ∛343 = 7, ∛512 = 8, ∛729 = 9, ∛1000 = 10.
- Surds Simplification
- √50 = √(25×2) = 5√2. Always extract perfect square factors.
- BODMAS order
- B → O → D → M → A → S (same level: left to right)
- Fraction addition
- a/b + c/d = (ad + bc) / bd
- Fraction multiplication
- a/b × c/d = ac / bd
- Fraction division
- a/b ÷ c/d = a/b × d/c
LCM and HCF — Quantitative Ability · 12 cards
- HCF (Highest Common Factor)
- The largest number that divides two or more numbers exactly. Also called GCD (Greatest Common Divisor). Example: HCF of 12 and 18 is 6.
- LCM (Lowest Common Multiple)
- The smallest number that is exactly divisible by two or more numbers. Example: LCM of 4 and 6 is 12.
- Relationship between LCM and HCF
- For any two numbers a and b, LCM × HCF = a × b. This formula is crucial for solving problems where one value is missing.
- Co-prime numbers
- Two numbers with HCF = 1. Example: 8 and 15 are co-prime. For co-primes, LCM = product of the numbers.
- LCM is always ≥ the largest number
- LCM of any set of numbers is at least as large as the biggest number in that set.
- HCF is always ≤ the smallest number
- HCF of any set of numbers cannot exceed the smallest number.
- HCF of fractions
- HCF of numerators ÷ LCM of denominators.
- LCM of fractions
- LCM of numerators ÷ HCF of denominators.
- LCM × HCF = Product of two numbers
- Only valid for exactly two numbers
- HCF of fractions = HCF of numerators / LCM of denominators
- Use when dealing with fractional values
- LCM of fractions = LCM of numerators / HCF of denominators
- Use when dealing with fractional values
- HCF(a, b) = HCF(b, a mod b)
- Euclidean algorithm — repeat until remainder is 0
Percentage — Quantitative Ability · 12 cards
- Basic Definition
- x% means x out of 100, written as x/100 or 0.01x in decimal form.
- Conversion Rule
- To convert a fraction to percentage, multiply by 100. To convert percentage to fraction, divide by 100.
- Percentage of a Number
- x% of N = (x × N)/100. This is the most frequently used calculation.
- Percentage Change
- When a quantity changes from old value to new value, percentage change = [(New − Old)/Old] × 100.
- Successive Percentage Change
- When two successive changes of a% and b% occur, the net effect = a + b + (ab/100)%.
- Base Value Matters
- "A is what percent of B" means (A/B) × 100, while "A is what percent more than B" means [(A−B)/B] × 100. The denominator (base) decides the answer.
- Reverse Percentage
- If after x% increase the value is V, then original = V × 100/(100+x).
- x% of N = xN/100
- Finding percentage of any number
- Fraction to % = Fraction × 100
- Converting 3/4 to 75%
- % to Decimal = %/100
- Converting 25% to 0.25
- % Increase = [(New−Old)/Old] × 100
- Price rose from ₹50 to ₹60 → 20% increase
- % Decrease = [(Old−New)/Old] × 100
- Price fell from ₹60 to ₹48 → 20% decrease
Ratio and Proportion — Quantitative Ability · 12 cards
- Ratio
- is a comparison of two quantities by division, written as a : b or a/b. Both quantities must be in the same unit. A ratio has no unit itself.
- Proportion
- means two ratios are equal: if a : b = c : d, then a, b, c, d are in proportion. Here, a and d are called extremes, while b and c are called means.
- Product rule of proportion
- In a proportion a : b :: c : d, the product of extremes equals the product of means, i.e., a × d = b × c.
- Types of proportion
- Direct proportion (both quantities increase/decrease together), Inverse proportion (one increases as the other decreases).
- Third proportional
- If a : b = b : c, then c is the third proportional to a and b. Formula: c = b²/a.
- Fourth proportional
- If a : b = c : d, then d is the fourth proportional. Formula: d = (b × c)/a.
- Mean proportional
- Between a and b is √(a × b). If a : x = x : b, then x is the mean proportional.
- Partnership
- When partners invest different amounts for different durations, profit share is proportional to (Capital × Time) for each partner.
- Ratio of a to b
- a : b = a/b (simplify to lowest terms)
- Proportion test
- a : b :: c : d ⟹ a × d = b × c
- Third proportional to a, b
- c = b²/a
- Fourth proportional to a, b, c
- d = (b × c)/a
Average — Quantitative Ability · 12 cards
- Simple Average
- = Sum of all observations ÷ Number of observations. All items carry equal importance.
- Weighted Average
- applies when different items have different weights or frequencies. Each value is multiplied by its weight before summing.
- The Sum Principle
- Average × Number of items = Total Sum. This relationship is the foundation of almost every average problem.
- Effect of adding/removing an item
- When a new value is added, the change in average depends on how far the new value is from the old average.
- Average of consecutive numbers
- For any arithmetic progression, the average equals the middle term (or average of two middle terms if count is even).
- Combining two groups
- When two groups merge, the combined average lies between the individual averages, closer to the group with more members.
- Age-based problems
- Average age of a group increases by 1 year after 1 year passes, assuming no additions or removals.
- Sum from Average
- Sum = Average × n
- Average of first n natural numbers
- (n + 1) ÷ 2
- Average of first n even numbers
- n + 1
- Average of consecutive numbers from a to b
- (a + b) ÷ 2
- New average when one item is replaced
- New Avg = Old Avg + (New value − Old value) ÷ n
Profit, Loss and Discount — Quantitative Ability · 8 cards
- Cost Price (CP)
- is the price at which a trader buys goods. This is the base for calculating profit or loss percentage.
- Selling Price (SP)
- is the price at which a trader sells goods to a customer. Comparing SP with CP determines profit or loss.
- Marked Price (MP)
- is the price labelled on the product (also called List Price or Catalogue Price). Discounts are calculated on MP, not CP.
- Profit occurs when SP > CP
- ; Loss occurs when SP < CP. The difference gives the absolute profit or loss.
- Discount
- is the reduction offered on Marked Price to arrive at the Selling Price. Discount = MP − SP.
- Successive discounts
- are applied one after another on the reduced price, not on the original MP.
- The base matters
- Profit/Loss percentage is always on CP. Discount percentage is always on MP.
- Break-even
- means SP = CP, i.e., no profit no loss.
Time and Distance — Quantitative Ability · 12 cards
- Basic Relationship
- Distance = Speed × Time. This is the foundation—rearrange it to find any unknown when two values are given.
- Unit Conversion
- To convert km/hr to m/s, multiply by 5/18. To convert m/s to km/hr, multiply by 18/5.
- Relative Speed (Same Direction)
- When two objects move in the same direction, relative speed = difference of their speeds. The faster object "gains" on the slower one.
- Relative Speed (Opposite Direction)
- When two objects move towards each other, relative speed = sum of their speeds. They close the gap faster.
- Train Crossing a Stationary Object
- When a train crosses a pole or a person, the distance covered equals the train's own length.
- Train Crossing a Platform/Bridge
- Distance covered = Length of train + Length of platform. The train must clear its entire body past the platform.
- Boats and Streams
- Downstream speed = Boat speed + Stream speed. Upstream speed = Boat speed – Stream speed. The current helps or hinders the boat.
- Average Speed
- For equal distances at different speeds, Average Speed = 2ab/(a+b), where a and b are the two speeds. This is NOT the arithmetic mean.
- Basic formula
- Distance = Speed × Time
- km/hr to m/s
- Speed in m/s = Speed in km/hr × (5/18)
- m/s to km/hr
- Speed in km/hr = Speed in m/s × (18/5)
- Train crossing pole/person
- Time = Length of train / Speed of train
Mensuration — Quantitative Ability · 12 cards
- Perimeter
- is the total length of the boundary of a 2D figure. Think of it as the length of fence needed to enclose a plot.
- Area
- measures the surface covered by a 2D figure. Think of it as the amount of paint needed to cover a floor.
- Surface Area
- of a 3D solid is the total area of all its outer faces. Curved Surface Area (CSA) excludes the flat ends (bases), while Total Surface Area (TSA) includes everything.
- Volume
- measures the space occupied by a 3D solid. Think of it as the amount of water a container can hold.
- Unit consistency
- is critical: if dimensions are in metres, area is in m² and volume is in m³. Convert all dimensions to the same unit before calculating.
- Rectangle
- Area: l × b · Perimeter: 2(l + b)
- Square
- Area: a² · Perimeter: 4a
- Triangle
- Area: ½ × base × height · Perimeter: Sum of all sides
- Right Triangle
- Area: ½ × base × perpendicular · Perimeter: a + b + hypotenuse
- Equilateral Triangle
- Area: (√3/4) × a² · Perimeter: 3a
- Circle
- Area: πr² · Perimeter: 2πr (circumference)
- Semicircle
- Area: ½πr² · Perimeter: πr + 2r
Algebra — Quantitative Ability · 12 cards
- Algebraic Expression
- A combination of constants, variables, and operations (e.g., 3x² + 5x − 7). Terms are separated by + or − signs.
- Polynomial Degree
- The highest power of the variable. In 4x³ + 2x − 1, the degree is 3.
- Like Terms
- Terms with identical variable parts (e.g., 3xy and −5xy). Only like terms can be added or subtracted directly.
- Identity vs Equation
- An identity holds true for all values of variables (e.g., (a + b)² = a² + 2ab + b²). An equation is true only for specific values.
- Linear Equation in One Variable
- Form ax + b = 0. Solution: x = −b/a.
- Linear Equations in Two Variables
- Form a₁x + b₁y = c₁ and a₂x + b₂y = c₂. Solved using substitution, elimination, or cross-multiplication.
- Factorization
- Breaking an expression into product of simpler expressions. Reverse of expansion.
- Condition for Unique Solution
- Two linear equations have a unique solution when a₁/a₂ ≠ b₁/b₂.
- (a + b)²
- a² + 2ab + b²
- (a − b)²
- a² − 2ab + b²
- (a + b)(a − b)
- a² − b²
- (a + b)³
- a³ + 3a²b + 3ab² + b³ = a³ + b³ + 3ab(a + b)
Data Interpretation — Quantitative Ability · 12 cards
- Table Reading
- Rows represent one variable (e.g., years), columns represent another (e.g., products or regions). Locate the intersection for your required value.
- Bar Graph Interpretation
- Height of each bar shows the value. Grouped bars compare multiple categories; stacked bars show composition of a total.
- Pie Chart Logic
- Each slice represents a percentage or proportion of the whole (360° = 100%). To find the actual value: (degree/360) × total or (percentage/100) × total.
- Line Graph Trends
- Points connected by lines show change over time. Slope indicates rate of change — steeper slope means faster change.
- Percentage Change Formula
- Change% = [(New Value − Old Value) / Old Value] × 100. Positive result means increase; negative means decrease.
- Ratio from Data
- To compare two quantities, express them as a fraction and simplify. Example: 250 and 200 gives ratio 5:4.
- Approximation Skill
- When options differ by 5–10%, round numbers to nearest tens or hundreds for faster calculation.
- Data Sufficiency Awareness
- Sometimes a question asks what "cannot be determined" — check if the required data actually exists in the given set.
- Percentage of total
- (Part / Total) × 100
- Percentage change
- [(New − Old) / Old] × 100
- Actual value from pie chart
- (Given% / 100) × Total value
- Degree in pie chart
- (Part / Total) × 360°
Geometry — Quantitative Ability · 8 cards
- Angle relationships
- Complementary angles sum to 90°, supplementary angles sum to 180°. Vertically opposite angles are always equal.
- Parallel lines with transversal
- When a transversal cuts two parallel lines, alternate interior angles are equal, corresponding angles are equal, and co-interior (same-side interior) angles are supplementary.
- Triangle angle sum
- Interior angles of any triangle add up to 180°. Exterior angle equals the sum of the two non-adjacent interior angles.
- Triangle inequality
- The sum of any two sides must be greater than the third side. The difference of any two sides must be less than the third side.
- Congruence and similarity
- Congruent triangles are identical in shape and size (SSS, SAS, ASA, RHS). Similar triangles have equal angles and proportional sides (AA, SSS ratio, SAS ratio).
- Pythagoras theorem
- In a right-angled triangle, hypotenuse² = base² + perpendicular². Works only for right triangles.
- Circle theorems
- Angle in a semicircle is 90°. Angle at centre is twice the angle at circumference subtending the same arc. Tangent is perpendicular to radius at point of contact.
- Quadrilateral angle sum
- Interior angles of any quadrilateral add up to 360°.
English Grammar — Hindi and English Language · 12 cards
- Parts of Speech (8 types)
- Every English word belongs to one of eight categories—Noun, Pronoun, Verb, Adjective, Adverb, Preposition, Conjunction, Interjection. The same word can function as different parts depending on context (e.g., "run" can be noun or verb).
- Tense = Time + Aspect
- Tense indicates when an action occurs (Past/Present/Future) combined with its aspect (Simple/Continuous/Perfect/Perfect Continuous), creating 12 tense forms.
- Voice shows subject-action relationship
- Active voice = subject performs action; Passive voice = subject receives action. Only transitive verbs (having objects) can be changed to passive.
- Narration preserves meaning, changes structure
- Direct speech quotes exact words; Indirect speech reports the meaning. Changes occur in pronouns, tenses, and time expressions.
- Articles signal noun specificity
- "A/An" are indefinite (general reference); "The" is definite (specific reference). Article usage depends on countability, first/subsequent mention, and uniqueness.
- Subject-Verb Agreement
- Singular subjects take singular verbs; plural subjects take plural verbs. Collective nouns and indefinite pronouns have special rules.
- Auxiliary verbs carry grammatical information
- Helping verbs (is, am, are, was, were, has, have, had, will, shall, do, does, did) combine with main verbs to form tenses, voice, and questions.
- Articles
- Use "an" before vowel sounds (an hour, an MBA), not just vowel letters
- Tense Shift
- In indirect speech: Present → Past, Past → Past Perfect, Will → Would
- Voice Rule
- Passive structure = Object + be (tense form) + V3 + by + Subject
- Narration
- "This" → "that", "here" → "there", "now" → "then", "today" → "that day"
- Parts of Speech
- Adjectives modify nouns; Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs
English Vocabulary — Hindi and English Language · 12 cards
- Synonyms
- are words with similar meanings (happy = joyful, glad). Context matters—"big" and "large" are synonyms, but "big decision" sounds natural while "large decision" does not.
- Antonyms
- are words with opposite meanings (brave ↔ cowardly). Some antonyms are formed using prefixes: happy → unhappy, possible → impossible.
- One-word substitution
- replaces a phrase or sentence with a single word. Example: "A person who loves books" = Bibliophile. These test precision in language.
- Idioms
- are phrases where the meaning differs from the literal words. "Kick the bucket" means to die, not actually kicking a bucket.
- Prefixes
- (un-, dis-, mis-, pre-, anti-) added before root words change meaning. Understanding these helps decode unfamiliar words.
- Suffixes
- (-tion, -ness, -able, -ment) change word forms. Example: act → action (noun), happy → happiness (noun).
- Context clues
- in sentences help identify correct vocabulary choices even when you are unsure of exact meanings.
- Abandon
- Forsake, desert, relinquish
- Brave
- Courageous, valiant, fearless
- Cunning
- Sly, crafty, shrewd
- Diligent
- Hardworking, industrious, assiduous
- Enormous
- Huge, immense, colossal
English Reading Comprehension — Hindi and English Language · 7 cards
- Main Idea vs. Supporting Details
- Every passage has one central theme. Supporting details explain, prove, or illustrate that theme. Questions often ask you to distinguish between them.
- Factual Questions
- These ask "what," "when," "where," or "who" and the answer is directly stated in the passage. No interpretation needed—locate and lift.
- Inference Questions
- These ask what can be "concluded," "inferred," or "implied." The answer is not directly stated but logically follows from the information given.
- Vocabulary in Context
- You may be asked the meaning of a word as used in the passage. The correct answer depends on context, not dictionary definition.
- Tone and Attitude
- Some questions ask about the author's tone (critical, appreciative, neutral, sarcastic). Look for adjectives, adverbs, and overall word choice.
- Title-Based Questions
- "The best title for this passage is..." requires identifying the central theme in a concise phrase.
- Passage Structure
- Understand how paragraphs connect—introduction, argument, example, conclusion. This helps locate answers faster.
Sentence Structure (English) — Hindi and English Language · 12 cards
- Subject-Verb Agreement
- The verb must agree with the subject in number (singular/plural) and person. Identify the true subject, ignoring intervening phrases.
- Parallel Structure
- Items in a list or series must follow the same grammatical form. If one item is a noun, all should be nouns; if one is a gerund, all should be gerunds.
- Correct Use of Tenses
- Maintain tense consistency within a sentence unless a time shift is logically required. Mixing past and present without reason is a common error.
- Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement
- A pronoun must clearly refer to a specific noun (antecedent) and agree in number and gender. Ambiguous pronoun references create confusion.
- Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers
- Modifiers should be placed close to the word they modify. A dangling modifier has no clear word to modify in the sentence.
- Correct Word Order
- English follows Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) order. Deviations (except in questions or for emphasis) often indicate errors.
- Logical Connectors for Rearrangement
- Words like however, therefore, moreover, firstly, finally signal the flow of ideas and help determine sentence order.
- Redundancy and Wordiness
- Good sentences avoid unnecessary repetition. Phrases like "return back" or "repeat again" are redundant and must be corrected.
- Either...or / Neither...nor
- Correct Usage: Verb agrees with the nearer subject · Example: Either he or his friends are coming (Correct: are)
- Collective nouns
- Correct Usage: Singular verb when acting as one unit · Example: The team is playing well
- Each, every, everyone
- Correct Usage: Always singular · Example: Each of the boys has a book
- Not only...but also
- Correct Usage: Parallel structure required · Example: Not only intelligent but also works hard ✗
Hindi Vyakaran — Hindi and English Language · 12 cards
- संज्ञा (Noun)
- is the naming word for persons, places, things, qualities, or ideas. It has five types: व्यक्तिवाचक, जातिवाचक, भाववाचक, समूहवाचक, and द्रव्यवाचक.
- सर्वनाम (Pronoun)
- replaces a noun to avoid repetition. The six types are: पुरुषवाचक (मैं, तुम, वह), निश्चयवाचक (यह, वह), अनिश्चयवाचक (कोई, कुछ), प्रश्नवाचक (कौन, क्या), संबंधवाचक (जो, सो), and निजवाचक (आप, अपना).
- विशेषण (Adjective)
- qualifies a noun or pronoun. Four main types: गुणवाचक (अच्छा, बुरा), संख्यावाचक (दो, तीन), परिमाणवाचक (थोड़ा, बहुत), and सार्वनामिक (यह, वह when used before nouns).
- क्रिया (Verb)
- denotes action or state. Classified as सकर्मक (transitive—needs an object) and अकर्मक (intransitive—complete without object). The base form is called धातु.
- काल (Tense)
- indicates time of action: भूतकाल (past), वर्तमानकाल (present), and भविष्यत्काल (future). Each is further divided into sub-types based on aspect (see the lists below).
- कारक (Case)
- shows the relationship of nouns/pronouns to the verb. Eight कारक exist, each marked by a specific विभक्ति चिह्न (postposition).
- विभक्ति चिह्न (Case Markers)
- are the postpositions (ने, को, से, के लिए, etc.) that identify which कारक is being used.
- व्यक्तिवाचक
- Meaning: Proper noun—specific name · Examples: राम, दिल्ली, गंगा
- जातिवाचक
- Meaning: Common noun—class of beings/things · Examples: लड़का, नदी, शहर
- भाववाचक
- Meaning: Abstract noun—quality/state/action · Examples: सुंदरता, बचपन, क्रोध
- समूहवाचक
- Meaning: Collective noun—group · Examples: सेना, झुंड, सभा
- द्रव्यवाचक
- Meaning: Material noun—substance · Examples: सोना, पानी, दूध
Hindi Vocabulary — Hindi and English Language · 12 cards
- Paryayvachi Shabd (पर्यायवाची शब्द)
- Words having the same or nearly the same meaning. Example: "जल" के पर्यायवाची — पानी, नीर, वारि, अंबु, तोय।
- Vilom Shabd (विलोम शब्द)
- Words with opposite meanings. These are formed by adding prefixes (उपसर्ग), changing gender, or using completely different root words.
- Anekarthi Shabd (अनेकार्थी शब्द)
- A single word carrying multiple meanings depending on context. Example: "कनक" means both सोना (gold) and धतूरा (a plant).
- One-word Substitution
- Replacing a phrase or group of words with a single precise word. Example: "जो कभी न मरे" = अमर।
- Tatsam vs Tadbhav distinction
- Many synonyms arise from Sanskrit-origin (तत्सम) and Hindi-evolved (तद्भव) pairs. Recognising this helps predict synonyms.
- Prefix-based antonyms
- Common prefixes like अ-, अन-, नि-, दुर्-, वि- often create opposites. Example: आदर → अनादर।
- Context determines meaning
- For अनेकार्थी words, the sentence context is crucial. "हार" can mean नecklace or defeat.
- आकाश
- गगन, नभ, अंबर, व्योम, आसमान
- अग्नि
- आग, पावक, अनल, वह्नि, दहन
- पृथ्वी
- धरा, भूमि, वसुधा, अवनि, धरती
- सूर्य
- रवि, भानु, दिनकर, भास्कर, आदित्य
- चंद्रमा
- चाँद, शशि, राकेश, निशाकर, इंदु
Hindi Muhavare and Lokoktiyan — Hindi and English Language · 12 cards
- Muhavara (मुहावरा)
- An idiomatic phrase that gains special meaning when used in a sentence; it cannot stand alone as a complete thought. Example: "आँखें खुलना" means "to realise the truth," not literally "eyes opening."
- Lokokti (लोकोक्ति)
- A complete, self-contained sentence expressing traditional wisdom passed through generations. Also called "कहावत" (proverb). Example: "जैसा करोगे वैसा भरोगे" — As you sow, so shall you reap.
- Literal vs Figurative Meaning
- Muhavare always have a figurative meaning different from the literal word-by-word translation. Exams test whether you know the accepted figurative meaning.
- Context Usage
- Muhavare require a subject and verb structure to complete them; lokoktiyan are quoted as standalone wisdom statements.
- Regional Variations
- Some lokoktiyan have slight variations across Hindi-speaking regions, but standard Hindi examinations use the most widely accepted versions.
- Origin Connection
- Many idioms originate from historical events, rural life, or mythological stories — understanding the origin sometimes helps remember the meaning.
- आँखों का तारा
- अत्यंत प्रिय (most beloved)
- आँखें दिखाना
- क्रोध करना / धमकाना (to threaten)
- आँखें खुलना
- सच्चाई का पता चलना (to realise truth)
- आस्तीन का साँप
- विश्वासघाती मित्र (a traitor friend)
- अंधे की लाठी
- एकमात्र सहारा (only support)
- अपना उल्लू सीधा करना
- स्वार्थ सिद्ध करना (to serve self-interest)
Sandhi and Samas — Hindi and English Language · 10 cards
- Swar Sandhi
- Sub-type: Deergh · Rule: Same swar + Same swar = Deergh swar · Example: विद्या + आलय = विद्यालय (आ + आ = आ)
- Vyanjan Sandhi
- Sub-type: — · Rule: Consonant changes based on following sound · Example: दिक् + गज = दिग्गज
- Visarg Sandhi
- Sub-type: — · Rule: Visarg (ः) changes to स्, श्, ष्, र्, or merges · Example: निः + चय = निश्चय
- Karak
- Sub-type: Vibhakti · Rule: Example · Example: Vigraha
- Karm
- Sub-type: को · Rule: ग्रामगत · Example: ग्राम को गत
- Karan
- Sub-type: से/द्वारा · Rule: रेखांकित · Example: रेखा द्वारा अंकित
- Sampradaan
- Sub-type: के लिए · Rule: देशभक्ति · Example: देश के लिए भक्ति
- Apadaan
- Sub-type: से (अलग) · Rule: ऋणमुक्त · Example: ऋण से मुक्त
- Sambandh
- Sub-type: का/के/की · Rule: राजपुत्र · Example: राजा का पुत्र
- Adhikaran
- Sub-type: में/पर · Rule: घुड़सवार · Example: घोड़े पर सवार
Hindi Reading Comprehension — Hindi and English Language · 12 cards
- गद्यांश (Gadyansh)
- = Prose passage; always unseen (अपठित) in exams — you cannot prepare the exact content, only the approach.
- शीर्षक (Sheershak)
- = Title — questions often ask for an appropriate title; choose one that captures the central theme, not a minor detail.
- मूल भाव / केंद्रीय विचार
- = Central idea or main theme — the single most important message the author wants to convey.
- संदर्भ में अर्थ
- = Contextual meaning — a word's meaning as used in the passage, which may differ from its dictionary meaning.
- निष्कर्ष / निहितार्थ
- = Conclusion or implication — what can be logically inferred even if not directly stated.
- लेखक का दृष्टिकोण
- = Author's viewpoint or tone — whether the author is critical, supportive, neutral, or persuasive.
- समानार्थी / विलोम
- = Synonym/antonym questions based on passage vocabulary — test both meaning and context.
- तथ्यात्मक प्रश्न
- = Factual questions — answers found directly in the passage; requires careful reading, not interpretation.
- Title
- Hindi Term: उचित शीर्षक · What to Look For: Central theme in 2–4 words
- Main idea
- Hindi Term: मुख्य विचार · What to Look For: First and last paragraphs usually contain it
- Factual
- Hindi Term: तथ्य आधारित · What to Look For: Exact words/phrases from passage
- Vocabulary
- Hindi Term: शब्दार्थ · What to Look For: Meaning fitting the sentence context
History of Haryana — Haryana — General Knowledge · 12 cards
- Harappan Connection
- Sites like Rakhigarhi (Hisar), Banawali (Fatehabad), and Mitathal (Bhiwani) prove Haryana was part of the Indus Valley Civilization. Rakhigarhi is among the largest Harappan sites in India.
- Vedic Heartland
- The Saraswati-Drishadvati river region (modern Haryana) was called Brahmavarta — the land where Vedic hymns were composed. Kurukshetra remains sacred as the site of the Mahabharata war.
- Strategic Gateway
- Haryana's location made it the entry point for invaders into the Gangetic plains. Whoever controlled Panipat and Tarain controlled access to Delhi and North India.
- Two Battles of Tarain
- (1191 and 1192): These battles between Muhammad Ghori and Prithviraj Chauhan established Muslim rule in North India. The second battle (1192) was the turning point.
- Three Battles of Panipat
- Fought in 1526, 1556, and 1761, each battle dramatically altered India's political landscape — establishing the Mughal Empire, restoring it, and weakening the Marathas respectively.
- 1857 Revolt Participation
- Haryana actively participated in the First War of Independence. Rao Tula Ram of Rewari and Rao Kishan Gopal of Farrukhnagar were prominent leaders.
- Non-Cooperation and Civil Disobedience
- Haryana contributed significantly to Gandhian movements. The region produced notable freedom fighters who participated in various protests and faced imprisonment.
- Rakhigarhi
- Largest Harappan site in India, located in Hisar district; excavations reveal advanced urban planning
- Banawali
- Fatehabad district; unique radial street pattern; terracotta model of a plough found (the ploughed field was found at Kalibangan, Rajasthan)
- Battle of Tarain I
- 1191 — Prithviraj Chauhan defeated Muhammad Ghori
- Battle of Tarain II
- 1192 — Muhammad Ghori defeated and killed Prithviraj Chauhan; Muslim rule begins
- First Battle of Panipat
- 21 April 1526 — Babur defeated Ibrahim Lodi; Mughal Empire established
Geography of Haryana — Haryana — General Knowledge · 12 cards
- Location and Boundaries
- Haryana lies between 27°39′ N to 30°55′ N latitude and 74°28′ E to 77°36′ E longitude. It shares borders with five states and two Union Territories (Delhi and Chandigarh).
- Administrative Divisions
- 22 districts grouped into 6 divisions—Ambala, Karnal, Rohtak, Hisar, Gurugram, and Faridabad. Total area is approximately 44,212 km².
- Physiographic Regions
- The state has three broad zones—Shivalik Hills in the north, Indo-Gangetic Plain (alluvial) in the centre, and Aravalli outliers plus sandy tracts in the south-southwest.
- Drainage Pattern
- No perennial rivers originate within Haryana. Yamuna forms the eastern boundary; Ghaggar is the most important seasonal (ephemeral) river flowing through the state's interior.
- Climate Type
- Haryana has a continental climate with hot summers (up to 48°C), cold winters (as low as 1°C), and monsoon rains (July–September). Average annual rainfall ranges from 300 mm (southwest) to 1100 mm (northeast).
- Agro-Climatic Zones
- The state is divided into multiple zones for planning purposes—each zone has distinct soil, rainfall, and crop suitability.
- Soil Types
- Alluvial soils dominate the plains; sandy soils appear in southwestern districts; and saline-alkaline patches occur in low-lying areas.
- State formation
- 1 November 1966
- Total area
- 44,212 km² (1.34% of India)
- Highest point
- Karoh Peak (Morni Hills, Panchkula) – approx. 1,467 m
- Major perennial river
- Yamuna (eastern boundary, ~320 km along Haryana)
- Major seasonal river
- Ghaggar (originates in Himachal, enters near Pinjore)
Agriculture of Haryana — Haryana — General Knowledge · 12 cards
- Wheat is Haryana's principal crop
- , occupying the largest cultivated area. Haryana is one of India's leading wheat-producing states (the top three in 2023-24 were Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Punjab), with major production in Karnal, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, and Jind districts.
- Paddy (rice) is the second major crop
- , grown primarily during the Kharif season. Karnal district is known as the "Rice Bowl of Haryana." Basmati rice from Karnal has geographical indication (GI) recognition.
- Mustard is the primary oilseed crop
- , with Haryana being a leading producer. Mahendragarh, Rewari, and Bhiwani districts are major mustard-growing areas.
- Green Revolution transformed Haryana's agriculture
- in the late 1960s through high-yielding variety (HYV) seeds, chemical fertilisers, pesticides, and assured irrigation—turning the state from food deficit to food surplus.
- Canal irrigation dominates
- , with the Western Yamuna Canal (oldest canal system: first dug under Firoz Shah Tughlaq in the 14th century and restored by the British from 1817) and Bhakra Canal System being the primary sources. Tubewells supplement canal irrigation in many areas.
- Dairy farming is a crucial allied activity
- , with Haryana ranking among top milk-producing states. The Vita brand, marketed by the Haryana Dairy Development Co-operative Federation (HDDCF), is the state's premier dairy product line.
- Murrah buffalo is Haryana's pride
- a superior dairy breed originating in Rohtak and Hisar districts, known globally for high milk yield and fat content.
- Crop diversification is a policy priority
- due to over-dependence on wheat-paddy cycle, which strains groundwater and reduces soil fertility.
- Total cropped area
- Approximately 65 lakh hectares
- Net sown area
- About 80% of total geographical area (one of highest in India)
- Cropping intensity
- Over 180% (indicates extensive double/triple cropping)
- Principal Kharif crops
- Paddy, bajra, cotton, sugarcane, jowar
Economy of Haryana — Haryana — General Knowledge · 12 cards
- Dual Economy Structure
- Haryana has a balanced mix of agriculture (contributing about 15-18% to GSDP) and industry-services (over 80% combined). The western region is more agricultural while the eastern belt is industrial.
- Gurugram-Manesar Industrial Corridor
- This is India's largest automobile manufacturing hub, producing over 50% of the country's passenger cars. Major players include Maruti Suzuki, Hero MotoCorp, and Honda.
- IT/ITeS Hub
- Gurugram is India's third-largest IT hub after Bengaluru and Hyderabad. Cyber City and DLF IT parks house headquarters of major MNCs and BPOs.
- MSME Dominance
- Over 9 lakh MSMEs operate in Haryana, employing millions. Faridabad, Panipat, and Ambala are traditional MSME clusters.
- Make in India and Ease of Doing Business
- Haryana consistently ranks among top states in ease of doing business. Single-window clearance system through "Invest Haryana" portal streamlines approvals.
- Special Economic Zones (SEZs)
- Multiple SEZs exist in Gurugram, Panchkula, and Jhajjar for IT, apparel, and manufacturing sectors.
- Panipat Textile Industry
- Panipat is called the "City of Weavers" and "Textile City" — one of Asia's largest hubs for handloom and recycled textiles, producing blankets, carpets, and furnishings.
- Refinery and Petrochemicals
- The Indian Oil Panipat Refinery is one of India's largest refineries with 15 MMTPA capacity.
- GSDP (2023-24)
- Approximately ₹11 lakh crore
- Per Capita Income
- Among highest in India (over ₹2.7 lakh annually)
- Major Industrial Districts
- Gurugram, Faridabad, Panipat, Ambala, Sonipat, Rewari
- Automobile Share
- 50% of India's passenger cars, 60% of motorcycles
Administrative Setup — Haryana — General Knowledge · 12 cards
- State Formation
- Haryana was created on 1 November 1966 under the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966. Chandigarh became the shared capital of both Punjab and Haryana.
- Current District Count
- Haryana has 22 districts as of 2024. The newest district is Charkhi Dadri, carved out of Bhiwani in 2016.
- Divisional System
- The state is divided into 6 administrative divisions, each headed by a Divisional Commissioner. These divisions group multiple districts for better coordination.
- District Administration
- Each district is headed by a Deputy Commissioner (DC), who is the chief coordinating officer for all government departments at the district level. The Superintendent of Police (SP) handles law and order.
- Sub-Divisional Structure
- Districts are divided into sub-divisions headed by Sub-Divisional Officers (SDO) or Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDM).
- Tehsil and Block
- Below sub-divisions, Tehsils handle revenue matters (headed by Tehsildar), while Blocks manage development programmes (headed by Block Development Officer).
- Village-Level
- The Patwari is the revenue official at the village level, maintaining land records. Gram Panchayats handle local self-governance.
- Constitutional and Statutory Bodies
- Haryana has its own Public Service Commission (HPSC), State Election Commission, Lokayukta, and State Human Rights Commission.
- State formation date
- 1 November 1966
- State capital
- Chandigarh (shared with Punjab)
- Largest district (area)
- Sirsa
- Smallest district (area)
- Faridabad
Culture and Heritage of Haryana — Haryana — General Knowledge · 12 cards
- Haryanvi folk culture is agrarian-centric
- Most dances and songs celebrate sowing, harvesting, monsoon, and seasonal changes. The farming calendar dictates cultural expression.
- Gender-specific performance traditions
- Many folk dances are exclusively performed by women (Ghoomar, Loor, Teej) while Saang theatre has been traditionally male-dominated.
- Ragni is the soul of Haryanvi music
- This poetic-musical form uses the doha-chaubola metre and forms the backbone of Saang performances and standalone musical gatherings.
- Saang (or Swang) is folk opera
- It combines dialogue, Ragni singing, dance, and drama—a complete theatrical experience performed overnight in open grounds.
- Seasonal festivals follow the Hindu lunar calendar
- Teej (Sawan), Gugga Navami (Bhadrapada), Holi, and Baisakhi mark agricultural and religious milestones.
- Instruments are indigenous and simple
- Dholak, harmonium, sarangi, been, chimta, and manjira accompany most folk performances.
- Hero worship and oral tradition
- Many songs and performances commemorate local heroes, saints, and historical figures like Raja Harish Chandra.
- Ghoomar
- Circular dance by women; performed at weddings and Teej; dancers wear colourful ghagra-choli and spin gracefully
- Loor
- Pre-Holi dance by unmarried girls; sung during Phagan (February-March); themes of love and spring
- Phag
- Holi dance celebrating colours and harvest; performed by men and women together
- Dhamal
- Vigorous dance by men during Holi; accompanies drum beats; common in Jhajjar and Gurugram
- Khoria
- Harvest dance performed after Diwali; thanksgiving for good crop
Cuisine and Customs — Haryana — General Knowledge · 12 cards
- Bajra-centric diet
- Bajra (pearl millet) is the staple grain of Haryana, especially in rural areas. Bajra roti with ghee is the signature meal, providing high nutrition and energy for agricultural work.
- Ghee as the soul of Haryanvi cooking
- Generous use of ghee (clarified butter) distinguishes Haryanvi cuisine. The saying "Doodh-Dahi ka khana" reflects the dairy-rich dietary tradition.
- Seasonal eating pattern
- Diet changes with seasons — bajra in winters (provides warmth), wheat and lighter foods in summers. Lassi and chaach (buttermilk) are summer staples.
- Community eating (Bhojan)
- Large community meals during weddings, festivals and religious gatherings are customary. Food is served on pattals (leaf plates) in traditional settings.
- Patriarchal household customs
- Traditional joint family system with the eldest male as head. Women traditionally eat after serving male members.
- Khap Panchayat system
- Traditional social institution of clan-based governance. Regulates marriages, disputes and social conduct within the community.
- Gotra and marriage customs
- Marriages within same gotra, village or neighbouring villages (with common ancestry) are traditionally prohibited.
- Bajra Roti
- Key Ingredients: Bajra flour, ghee · Special Notes: Winter staple; served with ghee and gur
- Kadhi
- Key Ingredients: Buttermilk, besan, pakoras · Special Notes: Sour curry; eaten with rice or roti
- Churma
- Key Ingredients: Coarsely ground wheat, ghee, gur/sugar · Special Notes: Sweet dish; made from crushed rotis
- Khichdi
- Key Ingredients: Rice, moong dal, ghee · Special Notes: Simple comfort food; given during illness
- Bathua Raita
- Key Ingredients: Bathua leaves, curd · Special Notes: Seasonal dish; rich in iron
Famous Personalities — Haryana — General Knowledge · 12 cards
- Sir Chhotu Ram (1881–1945)
- Known as "Deenbandhu" (friend of the poor) and "Rahbar-e-Azam," he championed peasant rights in undivided Punjab. His legislation protected farmers from moneylender exploitation.
- Lala Lajpat Rai (1865–1928)
- Called "Punjab Kesari" (Lion of Punjab), he was a prominent freedom fighter, Arya Samaj leader, and one of the Lal-Bal-Pal trio. He died from injuries sustained during a lathi charge while protesting the Simon Commission.
- Bansi Lal (1927–2006)
- Three-time Chief Minister of Haryana, Union Defence Minister, and architect of modern Haryana's infrastructure. Known for his strong administrative style and development of Bhiwani.
- Chaudhary Devi Lal (1914–2001)
- Called "Tau" (elder uncle) by the masses, he served as Deputy Prime Minister of India and twice as Chief Minister of Haryana. He founded the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) and championed farmers' causes.
- P V Sindhu (born 1995)
- She was born in Hyderabad and is not from Haryana; Haryana's badminton Olympic medallist is Saina Nehwal (born in Hisar; bronze, London 2012). She is a two-time Olympic medallist in badminton (Silver 2016, Bronze 2020) and World Champion (2019).
- Yogeshwar Dutt (born 1982)
- Olympic bronze medallist (2012 London) in freestyle wrestling (60 kg category). He hails from Bhainswal Kalan village, Sonipat district, and received Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna (2012).
- Sir Chhotu Ram
- Birth Year: 1881 · Birthplace: Garhisampla, Rohtak · Key Title/Epithet: Deenbandhu, Rahbar-e-Azam · Major Achievement: Punjab Relief of Indebtedness Act (1934), Punjab Debtor's Protection Act (1936)
- Lala Lajpat Rai
- Birth Year: 1865 · Birthplace: Dhudike, Moga (Punjab) · Key Title/Epithet: Punjab Kesari · Major Achievement: Led protests against Simon Commission (1928), founded Servants of the People Society
- Bansi Lal
- Birth Year: 1927 · Birthplace: Golagarh, Bhiwani · Key Title/Epithet: - · Major Achievement: Three-time CM, Union Defence Minister, built Haryana Roadways and canal network
- Chaudhary Devi Lal
- Birth Year: 1914 · Birthplace: Teja Khera, Sirsa · Key Title/Epithet: Tau · Major Achievement: Deputy PM of India (1989–91), twice CM of Haryana, INLD founder
- P V Sindhu
- Birth Year: 1995 · Birthplace: Hyderabad · Key Title/Epithet: - · Major Achievement: Olympic Silver (2016), Bronze (2020), World Champion (2019), Padma Bhushan (2020)
- Yogeshwar Dutt
- Birth Year: 1982 · Birthplace: Bhainswal Kalan, Sonipat · Key Title/Epithet: - · Major Achievement: Olympic Bronze (2012), Arjuna Award (2009), Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna (2012)
Sports of Haryana — Haryana — General Knowledge · 12 cards
- Wrestling Capital
- Haryana is often called the wrestling nursery of India, with districts like Sonipat, Rohtak, and Jhajjar producing world-class wrestlers.
- Olympic Medal Tally
- Haryana athletes have won medals in wrestling, boxing, and athletics across multiple Olympic Games, especially from 2008 Beijing onwards.
- Khel Ratna and Arjuna Awardees
- Multiple Haryanvi sportspersons have received India's highest sporting honours, including Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award.
- Cash Reward Policy
- Haryana offers India's highest cash rewards to Olympic medallists — ₹6 crore for gold, ₹4 crore for silver, ₹2.5 crore for bronze (revised periodically).
- Sports Academies
- SAI (Sports Authority of India) centres at Sonipat and Hisar, and Chaudhary Bansi Lal Sports School at Bhiwani (boxing hub) are key training grounds.
- Kabaddi Dominance
- Haryana Steelers won their first Pro Kabaddi League title in Season 11 (2024); the state provides maximum players to the Indian kabaddi team.
- Rural Sports Culture
- Dangal (wrestling competitions) and kabaddi tournaments are integral to village festivals, creating a grassroots talent pipeline.
- Women in Sports
- Haryana has produced several women Olympic medallists, challenging traditional gender norms through sports excellence.
- First Olympic medallist from Haryana
- Sushil Kumar (Bronze, 2008 Beijing, Wrestling)
- First Indian (since independence) with two individual Olympic medals
- Sushil Kumar (Bronze 2008, Silver 2012)
- First Indian woman wrestler to win Olympic medal
- Sakshi Malik (Bronze, 2016 Rio)
- Bhiwani is called
- "Mini Cuba" for boxing
Welfare Schemes of Haryana — Haryana — General Knowledge · 12 cards
- Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP)
- Centrally-sponsored scheme launched by PM Modi from Panipat (22 January 2015); aims to improve child sex ratio, ensure girl child education, and prevent gender-based discrimination.
- Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana
- Savings scheme for girl child linked with BBBP; minimum deposit ₹250/year, matures 21 years after the account is opened, offers tax benefits under Section 80C.
- Saksham Yuva Yojana
- Launched in 2016 to provide unemployment allowance to educated youth; graduates get ₹2,000/month and post-graduates ₹3,500/month (revised in August 2024; earlier ₹1,500 and ₹3,000); beneficiaries must have 10+2 or higher qualification and family income below ₹3 lakh/year.
- Mukhyamantri Vivah Shagun Yojana
- Financial assistance at the time of marriage of ₹71,000 for daughters of SC, Vimukta Jati and Tapriwas families and ₹51,000 for daughters of backward-class families (income up to ₹1.80 lakh); women sportspersons and some other groups also get ₹51,000; amount varies by category.
- Ayushman Bharat – Chirayu Haryana
- State extension of Ayushman Bharat providing health coverage up to ₹5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary hospitalization.
- Lado Lakshmi Yojana
- Announced in 2024 and launched on 25 September 2025; gives ₹2,100 a month to women aged 23 to 60 from families with annual income up to ₹1 lakh.
- Mukhyamantri Antyodaya Parivar Utthan Yojana
- Targets families with annual income below ₹1 lakh; aims to raise their income to ₹1.8 lakh through skill development and employment linkage using Parivar Pehchan Patra (PPP) data.
- Parivar Pehchan Patra (PPP)
- Unique family ID system in Haryana; links all welfare scheme benefits to a single family identity document; mandatory for availing most state schemes.
- Beti Bachao Beti Padhao
- Launch Year: 2015 (from Panipat) · Key Benefit: Awareness, CSR improvement
- Mukhyamantri Vivah Shagun
- Launch Year: 2005 (revised multiple times) · Key Benefit: ₹71,000 for SC/DNT/Tapriwas girls' marriage; ₹51,000 for BC and other eligible girls
- Ayushman Bharat – Chirayu
- Launch Year: 2022 · Key Benefit: ₹5 lakh health cover per family
- Mukhyamantri Antyodaya Parivar Utthan
- Launch Year: 2021 · Key Benefit: Uplift families earning < ₹1 lakh
Tourist Places of Haryana — Haryana — General Knowledge · 12 cards
- Kurukshetra as Dharmakshetra
- The land where the Mahabharata war was fought; it contains numerous sacred tanks (sarovars) and temples associated with Lord Krishna and the Gita sermon.
- Pinjore Gardens (Yadavindra Gardens)
- A Mughal-style terraced garden built by Nawab Fidai Khan, featuring the classic Charbagh layout with fountains, pavilions, and flowering plants.
- Sultanpur National Park
- A wetland bird sanctuary near Gurugram, home to both migratory and resident bird species; declared a National Park in 1991.
- Surajkund
- An ancient sun-worship tank built by King Surajpal of the Tomar dynasty in the 10th century; famous for the annual International Crafts Mela held every February.
- District-specific identification
- Know which tourist spot belongs to which district.
- Religious tourism vs heritage tourism
- Haryana offers both — Kurukshetra and Pehowa for religious pilgrimage; Pinjore, Surajkund, and forts for heritage enthusiasts.
- Wildlife and eco-tourism
- Sultanpur Lake, Kalesar National Park (Yamunanagar), and Bhindawas (Jhajjar) represent Haryana's ecological tourism potential.
- Kurukshetra
- District: Kurukshetra · Key Feature: Site of Mahabharata war; Brahma Sarovar; Sri Krishna Museum
- Pinjore Gardens
- District: Panchkula · Key Feature: Mughal garden; Yadavindra Gardens; Mango Festival
- Morni Hills
- District: Panchkula · Key Feature: Only hill station of Haryana; two natural lakes
- Kalesar National Park
- District: Yamunanagar · Key Feature: Sal forest; elephants and leopards; Shivalik foothills
- Bhindawas Bird Sanctuary
- District: Jhajjar · Key Feature: Largest wetland in Haryana; Ramsar site (2021)
Haryana Current Affairs — Haryana — General Knowledge · 12 cards
- State Government Structure
- Haryana has 22 districts grouped into 6 administrative divisions (Ambala, Rohtak, Gurugram, Hisar, Karnal, Faridabad). The current Chief Minister is Nayab Singh Saini (BJP), who assumed office in March 2024. The Governor is Bandaru Dattatreya.
- Flagship Welfare Schemes
- The state government runs several schemes targeting youth employment (Saksham Yuva), girl child welfare (Ladli scheme, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao), farmer support (Meri Fasal Mera Byora), and senior citizens (Old Age Samman Allowance).
- Industrial and Economic Corridors
- Haryana is part of the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) with nodes at Manesar-Bawal. The state hosts India's largest auto hub in Gurugram-Manesar, with Maruti Suzuki and Honda manufacturing plants.
- Sports Excellence
- Haryana is consistently among the top states at the National Games (third in 2022, 2023 and 2025, behind Services and Maharashtra). The state has produced Olympic medallists in wrestling, boxing, and badminton. Khelo India Youth Games and state-level Khel Mahakumbh are major sporting initiatives.
- Digital Governance
- Antyodaya Saral portal provides single-window access to 500+ government services. Parivar Pehchan Patra (PPP) is a unique family ID system linking benefits delivery.
- Infrastructure Projects
- Dwarka Expressway (connecting Delhi-Gurugram), Kundli-Manesar-Palwal (KMP) Expressway, and Delhi-Mumbai Expressway (passing through Haryana) are major highway projects.
- Chief Minister
- Nayab Singh Saini (since March 2024)
- Governor
- Bandaru Dattatreya
- Total Districts
- 22 (latest: Charkhi Dadri carved from Bhiwani in 2016)
- State Bird
- Black Francolin (Kala Teetar)
- State Animal
- Black Buck
- State Flower
- Lotus
Computer Fundamentals — Computer Knowledge · 12 cards
- Computer Definition
- An electronic device that accepts data (input), processes it according to instructions (program), and produces results (output). It follows the IPO cycle: Input → Process → Output.
- Hardware vs Software
- Hardware refers to physical, tangible components (keyboard, monitor, CPU). Software refers to programs and instructions that tell hardware what to do.
- Types of Computers by Size
- Supercomputer (fastest, used for scientific research) → Mainframe (large organisations, banking) → Minicomputer → Microcomputer (personal computers, laptops).
- Generations of Computers
- First (vacuum tubes) → Second (transistors) → Third (integrated circuits) → Fourth (microprocessors) → Fifth (artificial intelligence, current era).
- Central Processing Unit (CPU)
- The "brain" of the computer with three parts—ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit for calculations), CU (Control Unit for coordination), and Registers (temporary storage).
- Memory Hierarchy
- Registers → Cache → RAM (primary, volatile) → Hard Disk/SSD (secondary, non-volatile). Speed decreases and capacity increases as you go down.
- Operating System Role
- System software that acts as an interface between user and hardware. Manages files, memory, processes, and devices. Examples: Windows, Linux, macOS, Android.
- Booting
- The process of starting a computer and loading the operating system into RAM. Cold boot (from off state) vs Warm boot (restart).
- Bit
- Smallest unit of data (0 or 1)
- Byte
- 8 bits = 1 byte
- KB, MB, GB, TB
- 1 KB = 1024 bytes; 1 MB = 1024 KB; 1 GB = 1024 MB; 1 TB = 1024 GB
- RAM
- Random Access Memory—volatile, temporary storage, loses data when power off
Windows Operating System — Computer Knowledge · 12 cards
- Operating System (OS)
- System software that manages computer hardware, software resources, and provides common services for application programs. Windows is a GUI-based OS developed by Microsoft.
- Desktop
- The main screen after Windows starts. Contains icons (shortcuts to programs/files), wallpaper (background image), and the Taskbar at the bottom.
- Taskbar
- Horizontal bar at screen bottom containing Start button, Search bar, pinned apps, system tray (notification area), and clock. Shows all open applications.
- Start Menu
- Accessed by clicking Start button or pressing Windows key. Contains list of installed programs, power options, settings, and user account options.
- File Explorer (Windows Explorer)
- Application to browse, manage, and organize files and folders. Access via folder icon on Taskbar or Windows + E shortcut.
- Control Panel / Settings
- Central location to configure system settings—display, network, user accounts, programs, hardware, and security options.
- Recycle Bin
- Temporary storage for deleted files. Files can be restored or permanently deleted from here. Emptying Recycle Bin frees disk space.
- File Extensions
- Suffix indicating file type—.txt (text), .docx (Word), .xlsx (Excel), .pdf (PDF), .exe (executable program), .jpg/.png (images).
- Icons
- Small graphical representations of files, folders, or programs on Desktop
- Shortcut
- Link to a file/program stored elsewhere; has small arrow on icon
- Notification Area
- Right side of Taskbar; shows date, time, volume, network, and background apps
- Quick Access
- File Explorer section showing frequently used and pinned folders
MS Word — Computer Knowledge · 12 cards
- Document creation
- A new blank document opens by default when Word starts. Use File → New or Ctrl + N for additional new documents. Documents are saved with the .docx extension (or .doc for older versions).
- Ribbon interface
- The top area containing tabs (Home, Insert, Page Layout, etc.), each tab divided into Groups containing related commands. The Quick Access Toolbar sits above the Ribbon for frequently used commands.
- Font formatting
- Includes font type (Arial, Times New Roman), font size, bold (B), italic (I), underline (U), font colour, highlight colour and text effects — all found in the Home tab → Font group.
- Paragraph formatting
- Alignment (left, centre, right, justify), line spacing, indentation, bullets, numbering and borders — located in Home tab → Paragraph group.
- Page Layout settings
- Paper size (A4, Letter, Legal), orientation (Portrait/Landscape), margins, columns and page breaks — found under Page Layout tab.
- Tables
- Grid structures for organising data. Insert via Insert tab → Table. Tables can be formatted, merged, split and sorted.
- Headers and Footers
- Content appearing at the top (header) or bottom (footer) of every page — page numbers, document title, date. Accessed via Insert tab.
- Print Preview and Printing
- File → Print shows preview and printer settings. Ctrl + P is the shortcut for the Print dialog.
- New document
- File → New or Ctrl + N
- Open document
- File → Open or Ctrl + O
- Save document
- File → Save or Ctrl + S
- Save As (new name/location)
- File → Save As or F12
MS Excel — Computer Knowledge · 12 cards
- Workbook vs Worksheet
- A workbook is the entire Excel file (.xlsx), while a worksheet is a single sheet (tab) within that workbook. One workbook can contain multiple worksheets.
- Cell Address
- Each cell is identified by its column letter and row number (e.g., A1, B5, C10). This address is used in formulas to reference data.
- Active Cell
- The currently selected cell where data entry occurs, shown with a dark border.
- Cell Range
- A group of cells referenced together (e.g., A1:A10 means cells A1 through A10; A1:C5 means a rectangular block).
- Relative vs Absolute Reference
- Relative references (A1) change when copied to other cells. Absolute references ($A$1) remain fixed. Mixed references ($A1 or A$1) lock either column or row.
- Formula Bar
- The bar above the worksheet where you can view and edit the contents of the active cell, including formulas.
- AutoFill
- A feature to automatically extend a series (numbers, dates, formulas) by dragging the fill handle (small square at cell corner).
- Data Types
- Excel recognizes numbers, text, dates, and formulas. Numbers align right by default; text aligns left.
- SUM
- Syntax: =SUM(A1:A10) · Purpose: Adds all numbers in a range
- AVERAGE
- Syntax: =AVERAGE(A1:A10) · Purpose: Calculates arithmetic mean
- COUNT
- Syntax: =COUNT(A1:A10) · Purpose: Counts cells containing numbers
- COUNTA
- Syntax: =COUNTA(A1:A10) · Purpose: Counts non-empty cells (including text)
MS PowerPoint — Computer Knowledge · 12 cards
- Presentation file
- A PowerPoint file (.pptx) contains multiple slides arranged in sequence; each slide can hold text, images, charts, audio, and video.
- Ribbon interface
- PowerPoint 2007 onwards uses the Ribbon — a horizontal strip with tabs (Home, Insert, Design, Transitions, Animations, Slide Show, Review, View) containing grouped commands.
- Slide layouts
- Pre-designed arrangements of placeholders for title, content, pictures, etc. Common layouts include Title Slide, Title and Content, Two Content, Blank, and Comparison.
- Slide Master
- A template slide that controls formatting (fonts, colours, backgrounds) for all slides in the presentation. Changes to Slide Master apply globally.
- Placeholders
- Dotted-border boxes on slides where you type text or insert content. They ensure consistent positioning across slides.
- Transitions
- Visual effects when moving from one slide to the next (e.g., Fade, Push, Wipe). Applied per slide or to all slides at once.
- Animations
- Effects applied to individual objects within a slide — text, images, shapes. Four categories: Entrance, Emphasis, Exit, and Motion Paths.
- Slide Show mode
- The full-screen presentation mode activated by pressing F5 (from beginning) or Shift+F5 (from current slide).
- Default file extension
- .pptx (PowerPoint 2007 onwards); .ppt for older versions
- Template extension
- .potx (template file)
- Slide Show extension
- .ppsx (opens directly in slideshow mode)
- Default slide size
- Widescreen (16:9); Standard (4:3) in older versions
Internet and Web Browsing — Computer Knowledge · 12 cards
- Internet vs World Wide Web (WWW)
- Internet is the global network of connected computers; WWW is a service that runs on the internet using HTTP protocol to access web pages. The internet existed before the web.
- Web Browser
- Software application used to access and display web pages. It interprets HTML, CSS, and JavaScript code to render websites visually. Examples include Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, and Safari.
- URL (Uniform Resource Locator)
- The complete web address used to access a resource. Structure: protocol://domain-name/path. Example: https://www.haryana.gov.in/departments
- Search Engine
- A software system that searches a database of internet sites based on keywords. It uses crawlers (bots) to index web pages and algorithms to rank results.
- HTTP vs HTTPS
- HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) transfers data without encryption. HTTPS adds SSL/TLS encryption for secure communication—look for the padlock icon in the address bar.
- Download vs Upload
- Downloading means transferring files FROM the internet TO your computer. Uploading means transferring files FROM your computer TO the internet.
- Cache and Cookies
- Cache stores temporary copies of web pages for faster loading. Cookies store user preferences and login information on your device.
- ISP (Internet Service Provider)
- Company that provides internet connectivity to users. Examples in India: BSNL, Jio, Airtel, ACT Fibernet.
- First Web Browser
- WorldWideWeb (later Mosaic became popular)
- Most Used Browser Globally
- Google Chrome
- Most Used Search Engine
- Google (90%+ market share)
- Default Browser in Windows 10/11
- Microsoft Edge
Email — Computer Knowledge · 12 cards
- Email Address Format
- Every email address follows the pattern username@domain.com. The @ symbol separates the user's name from the mail server domain (e.g., ravi.kumar@gmail.com).
- SMTP, POP3, and IMAP
- These are email protocols. SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) sends emails. POP3 (Post Office Protocol) downloads emails to your device and usually deletes them from the server. IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol) keeps emails on the server, allowing access from multiple devices.
- Inbox
- The default folder where all incoming emails are received. It is the primary location for reading new messages.
- CC (Carbon Copy) and BCC (Blind Carbon Copy)
- CC sends a copy of the email to additional recipients, and all recipients can see who received the CC. BCC also sends copies, but recipients cannot see BCC addresses — used for privacy.
- Attachment
- A file (document, image, PDF) sent along with an email. Most email services limit attachment size to 25 MB per email.
- Signature
- A pre-set block of text (name, designation, contact details) automatically added at the end of every outgoing email.
- Spam/Junk Folder
- Automatically filters suspected unwanted or promotional emails to protect users from phishing and advertisements.
- Draft Folder
- Stores emails that are composed but not yet sent. Useful for saving incomplete messages.
- To
- Primary recipient(s) of the email
- CC
- Carbon Copy — secondary recipients visible to all
- BCC
- Blind Carbon Copy — hidden recipients
- Subject
- Brief title describing email content
Keyboard Shortcuts — Computer Knowledge · 12 cards
- Modifier keys
- are the foundation of shortcuts: Ctrl (Control), Alt (Alternate), Shift, and the Windows key. Most shortcuts combine one modifier with a letter or function key.
- Ctrl-based shortcuts
- are the most common and typically relate to editing and file operations (Copy, Paste, Save, Undo).
- Alt-based shortcuts
- usually access menus and dialog boxes. Alt+F4 closes programs; Alt+Tab switches between open windows.
- Function keys (F1–F12)
- perform standalone actions: F1 for Help, F2 for Rename, F5 for Refresh, F11 for Full Screen.
- Shift key
- often modifies another shortcut to do the opposite action: Ctrl+Z (Undo) vs Ctrl+Y or Ctrl+Shift+Z (Redo).
- Windows key shortcuts
- control the operating system: Win+D shows desktop, Win+E opens File Explorer, Win+L locks the computer.
- Shortcuts are transferable
- Ctrl+C for Copy works in Windows, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and most other applications.
- Ctrl+C
- Copy selected item
- Ctrl+X
- Cut selected item
- Ctrl+V
- Paste
- Ctrl+Z
- Undo last action
- Ctrl+Y
- Redo (reverse undo)