India's Atomic Research

India's Atomic Research First Nuclear Explosion Carried out on May 18, 1974 at Pokharan in Rajasthan (Thar) desert. The main objective was the use of atomic energy for peaceful purpose, that is digging canals, reservoirs, oil exploration, as well as to study rock dynamics. This successful explosion made India the sixth nuclear nation in the world. (for Pokhran II, please refer to the Current Affairs Section). Atomic Energy Commission Established in 1948, with Dr. H. J. Bhabha as its first Chairman, to look after India?s atomic energy programmes. Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) Set up in August 1954 for implementation of Atomic energy programmes and headed by the Prime Minister of India. It has five research Centers: Bhabha Atomic research Centre (BARC): Established in 1957, it is located in Trombay (Maharashtra) and is India?s largest atomic research centre. Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research: established in 1971, it is located at Kalpakkam (Tamil Nadu). Centre for Advanced Technology (CAT): Established in 1984, it is located at Indore. Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre (CECC), Kolkata. Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration Research (AMD), Hyderabad. It has: Three Industrial Organizations: Heavy Water Board (HWB), Mumbai. Nuclear Fuel Complex (NFC), Hyderabad. Board of Radiation and Isotope Technology (BRIT), Mumbai. Four Public Sector Undertakings: Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL), Mumbai. Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL), Jaduguda (Jharkhand). Indian Rare Earth Limited (IRE), Mumbai. Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL), Hyderabad. Four Service Organizations: Directorate of Purchase and Stores (DPS), Mumbai. Construction, Services and Estate Management Group, Mumbai. General Services Organization (GSO). Kalpakkam (Tamil Nadu). Atomic Energy Education Society (AEES), Mumbai DAE also financially supports seven autonomous national institutes: Tata institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Mumbai. Tata Memorial Centre (TMC), Mumbai. Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics (SINP), Kolkata. Institute of Physics (IOP), Bhubaneswar. Harish-Chandra Research Institute (HRI), Allahabad. Institute of Mathematical Studies (IMS), Chennai. Institute of Plasma Research (IPR), Ahmadabad. The Board of Research in Nuclear Sciences (BRNS) and the National Board for Higher Mathematics (NBHM) Promote research in nuclear and allied fields and mathematics respectively. Nuclear Power Projects The Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL), set up in1987, is responsible for the design, construction and operation of nuclear power plants in the country. It is envisaged that by the year 2000, India's atomic power generation would be in the vicinity of 10,000 MW.

India General Knowledge Questions

India General Knowledge Questions Question: Ministerial meeting of WTO held in Dec 99 was unsuccessful because of what reasons? Answer: Environment-related issues. Question: Name the only Indian President who was the speaker of Lok Sabha also? Answer: Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy Question: What was the venue of world cup of Football in 1994? Answer: U.S.A. Question: Manisha Koirala is associated with the advertisement of which brand of fan? Answer: Ortem fan Question: Name the company whose C.E.O was chosen as the manager of the century by Fortune magazine? Answer: General Electric (GE) Question: Which International company owns Lotus Development Company? Answer: IBM Question: Which film has won 11 Oscar awards other than "Titanic"? Answer: Ben Hur Question: Which states has maximum number of seats reserved for Schedule Tribes in Lok Sabha? Answer: Madhya Pradesh Question: French Revolution resulted in the abolition of what? Answer: Slavery Question: The Standing committee of state finance ministers recommended in January 2000 uniform rates across the states in respect of what? Answer: Sales Tax Question: Which city is known as the "Manchester of South India"? Answer: Coimbatore Question: How many states are there in India? Answer: 28 Question: Economic liberalization in India started with what? Answer: It started in the year 1991 with the delicensing of Industries in India Question: Which body is not a creation of the constitution? Answer: Election Commission Question: Which was the first Indian company to dematerialize its shares? Answer: Reliance Industries Question: Who is the first person from Africa to become the Secretary General of UN? Answer: Dr. Boutros Boutros Ghali Question: National Income in India is estimated by? Answer: Central Statistical Organization (C. S. O) Question: Which is the oldest company listed in Wall Street? Answer: Bank of New York Question: Who led Indian delegation to G-15 summit held at Cairo in June 2000? Answer: Vice-President, Krishna Kant Question: "Talk to me" is a promotional campaign associated with which company? Answer: Toothpaste Question: What is the expected food subsidy bill for 2000-01? Answer: 8100 crores Question: Who is the founder of positive health clinic? Answer: Dr. Mukesh Batra Question: First public sector unit registered in New York Stock Exchange on 15th August 2000? Answer: ICICI LTD. Question: Which bank is associated with the Sapnay credit card? Answer: Standard Chartered Bank Question: Lexus is a sports car owned by which Asian car manufacturer? Answer: Toyota Question: Indian population constitutes what percentage of the world population? Answer: 16% Question: Sanjukta Panigrahi was the popular exponent of which form of dance? Answer: Odissi Question: Who is the MD of ICICI Bank? Answer: K.V Kamath Question: What is the full form of TRAI? Answer: Telecom Regulatory Authority of India. Question: What is the meaning of Direct Tax? Answer: Tax imposed and collected directly on and by the consumer Question: Vishvas / Vikas / Vaibahav is the motto of which private bank? Answer: IndusInd Bank Question: Which form of intellectual property can provide the longest protections? Answer: Trade mark Question: Khalid Ansari is associated with which publications? Answer: Mid Day Question: Which Indian News paper has highest of circulation? Answer: Dainik Bhaskar Question: Who is the Ex-officio chairman of the Planning Commission of India? Answer: Prime Minister Question: Which Indian TV channel owned the rights for the telecast of 50th Miss World Contest held in Millennium Dome in London? Answer: Zee TV Question: Bajaj Auto Ltd. is setting its two-wheeler plant in which south Asian country? Answer: China Question: Who was chosen as the Businessman of the Century by Fortune Magazine? Answer: Henry Ford Question: Marjorie Sardino is the CEO of which company? Answer: Pearson Plc. Question: The speaker can ask a member of the house to stop speaking and let another member speak. This phenomenon is known as? Answer: Yielding the floor. Question: Which place associated with the 1917 freedom movement? Answer: Champaran Movement Question: Which among the following is the hardest metal among Gold, Iron, Platinum, Tungsten? Answer: Tungsten Question: Glass is manufactured by heating which of the following up to 400ºC? (a) Lime stone (b) Soda Ash (c) Silica (Give right combination) Answer: Glass is manufactured by heating Lime stone + Soda Ash + Silica, (all of them) Question: What was the purpose of initiation of Dandi March? Answer: To break the salt law Question: Convulsions in infants is caused due to the deficiency of which vitamin? Answer: Pyridoxine - A type of vitamin B Question: Name the only Indian musician to have sung in United Nations (UN)? Answer: M.S. Subbulakshmi Question: Who won the Tansen Samman for 2001? Answer: Ustad Amjad Ali Khan Question: Who is the Secretary-General of Commonwealth? Answer: Don-Mckinnon Question: Who is the Secretary General of Lok Sabha? Answer: G.C. Malhotra Question: Name the party that won parliamentary elections in Bangladesh in 2001? Answer: Bangladeshi Nationalist Party (BNP) Question: What is the real GDP annual growth rate according to RBI for 2001 - 2002? Answer: For 2001-2002 it is 6 to 6.5% (estimated) Question: Who is the chairman of the probing committee of UTI fiasco? Answer: S.S. Tarapore Question: Name the country that banned Human Cloning in 2001? Answer: United Kingdom, around April 2001 Question: Name the scheme that was not announced by the Prime Minister on 15th August 2001? Answer: Schemes that were announced on 15th August 2001 are: (1) Sampoorna Gramin Yojana (2) National Nutrition Mission (3) Ambedkar Awas Yojana (4) Housing for families of Army Jawans (therefore, the scheme except the above stated ones was not announced by the Prime Minister) Question: What is the meaning of Hysterisis of an instrument? Answer: A retardation of the effect when the forces acting upon a body are changed especially a lagging in the values of resulting magnetization in a magnetic material (as iron) due to changing magnetic force. Question: Which physical quantity's unit is 'Tesla'? Answer: Magnetic Flux Question: Who is the chairman of Railway Board? Answer: V.K. Aggarwal Question: Who is the Vice-Chancellor of IGNOU? Answer: Professor H.P Dixit Question: Name the movie directed by Mira Nair that won the Golden lion award in 2001? Answer: Monsoon Wedding Question: K. Venkataswami Commission is associated with which scandal? Answer: Tehelka Episode (Armsgate Scandal) Question: Who won the Century of the star award in a function held at Egypt in 2001? Answer: Amitabh Bachchan Question: Who authored "India from midnight to millennium"? Answer: Shashi Tharoor Question: Who is the Managing Director of HDFC Bank? Answer: Aditya Puri Question: What is the reason of not falling of Leaning Tower of Peasa? Answer: Soil below the structure precisely subterranean water makes the ground beneath the tower, unstable Question: Why enamel is coated on a transformer between its coils? Answer: To reduce heating effect Question: How many states went for Assembly elections in the year 2000? Answer: five Question: Which personality is known as "Fiat Palio brand champion"? Answer: Sachin Tendulkar Question: Name the plant that gives only seeds and not fruit? Answer: Cycus Question: Which is a polymer (few options like, vinyl chloride, urea etc. were given)? Answer: Nylon Question: Who initiated the construction of Fatehpur Sikri? Answer: Akbar Question: According to the World FDI investment report, from the year 2000 to 2001, FDI has increased by 18%. This increase amounts to what amount in dollars? Answer: 1.3 trillion dollars. Question: Which state has launched "Apna Van Apna Dhan" scheme? Answer: Himachal Pradesh Question: Borndila pass is situated in which state of India? Answer: Arunachal Pradesh Question: When was National Tourism Policy drafted? Answer: The answer was none of the given options, as Dec. 2001 was slated to be the month of drafting the policy, finally. Question: As per the Global Competitiveness Report, 2001 which country has emerged as the most the competitive nation? Answer: Singapore Question: An egg sinks in tap water but floats in a concentrated solution of salt because of what? Answer: The density of salt solution exceeds the density of eggs. Question: The science dealing with the study of phenomenon at very low temperature is known as what? Answer: CRYOGENICS Question: Jhum is a type of what? Answer: Cultivation Question: Gasoline is the name given to the same substance as: Answer: natural gas Question: Which of the following is an organic rock? Answer: coal Question: The writ of certiorari is issued by a superior court Answer: to an inferior court to transfer the records of proceedings in a case for its review. Question: Tata, Birlas, AT&T infused Rs. 300 crores (100 crores each) into which company as it was jointly called: Answer: Batata Question: Inflation, in theory, occurs: Answer: when money supply grows at a higher rate than GDP in real terms. Question: Aggregate Measure of Support (AMS) in the context of WTO refers to: Answer: The quantum of subsidy given to the agriculture sector. Question: Name the official sponsor of the Indian hockey Team for the year 2001? Answer: Indian Airlines. Question: Daniel Radcliffe made headlines for getting the role of portraying on screen which famous muggle-born in the literary world? Answer: Harry Potter Question: Name the scheme run by Unit Trust of India, which was dubbed "Pandora's Box of Horror"? Answer: US 64. Question: In which year did the first modern Olympic Games take place? Answer: 1896. Question: The Pizza Hut is the world's largest food chain. Name the world's largest restaurant company? Answer: McDonalds. Question: Which is the last letter in the Greek alphabet? Answer: Omega. Question: Sound travels fastest through: Answer: Steel. Question: Excise duty is tax levied on: Answer: production of goods. Question: Which of the following is considered a good source of Vitamin A? Answer: Carrot. Question: What is common to these people? Manmohan Singh, C. Rangarajan, Bimal Jalan, L.K. Jha Answer: They have served as Governors of RBI. Question: What is common to these cities? Seattle, Doha, Singapore Answer: Venue of WTO ministerial conference. Question: Which among the following products forms India's largest item of export in terms of value? Answer: Gems and Jewellery Question: Who received the Indira Gandhi Prize of Peace, Disarmament and Development of the year 2000? Answer: Mary Robinson Question: Jeff Bezos is the founder of which popular website? Answer: Amazon.com Question: Who was involved in Hawala scandal? Answer: Jain brothers Question: Where are the headquarters WTO? Answer: Geneva Question: What is India's share in total world exports? Answer: 0.6% Question: Where is Almati Dam Situated? Answer: Karnataka Question: "Wealth of Nations", is authored by? Answer: Adam Smith Question: Hydraulic brake is application of? Answer: Pascal's law of pressure Question: What are the main components of fertilizers? Answer: Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium (N, P, K) Question: Optical fiber is mode up of? Answer: Glass threads Question: Where are the Headquarters of European Union? Answer: Brussels Question: Who is the chairman of UTI? Answer: M.M Damodaran Question: Dalal Street is situated in which city of India? Answer: Mumbai Question: Who is the Governor of Reserve Bank of India? Answer: Dr. Bimal Jalan Question: Ashok Chakra is associated with? Answer: Bravery Question: Name the tallest living tree. Answer: Redwood tree Question: Who was the founding leader of Muslim league? Answer: Aga Khan III Question: Where are Caves of Ajanta situated? Answer: Maharashtra Question: How many countries have adopted 'Euro' as their currency? Answer: 12 (as on Jan 1, 2002) Question: Which batsman has the best bowling record in One Day Internationals? Answer: Wasim Akram (only cricketer to have 300 wickets and 3000 runs in ODI's) Question: Which state won highest number of medals in National Games which were held in Nov - Dec 2001? Answer: Punjab Question: Who is "Ranil Wickramasinghay"? Answer: Leader of the opposition in Sri-Lanka. Question: Which of the following is the second largest commercial Bank in India? Answer: According to the latest information ICICI Ltd. has said that it would merge with ICICI Bank to create the second largest commercial Bank in India, in the last week of October, 2001. Question: Which Indian Film was nominated for Oscar 2002 award? Answer: Lagaan by Amir Khan. Question: Which Indian state produces largest amount of mica? Answer: Bihar Question: ISO 14000 certificates are associated with which field? Answer: Environment Management Standards Question: Which movie won the "Golden Lion" award in 2001? Answer: Monsoon wedding directed by Mira Nair. Question: Which serial won the best serial award? Answer: Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. Question: Who is the present Principal scientific Advisor to the Government of India? Answer: Dr. R. Chidambaram Question: Which industrialist purchased the L&T shares from Ambanis in late 2001? Answer: A.V. Birla (owner of Grasim Industries) Question: What is the former name of the company "Aventis"? Answer: Pasteur Merieux Connaught. Question: What was the venue for 2004 Olympic Games? Answer: Athens in Greece Question: How many Indians have won all England Badminton Championship so far? Answer: 2 - Prakash Padukone & P. Gopichand Question: What is the revised Indian export growth target for 2001 - 2002? Answer: For the year 2001 to 2002 (April to March) it is reduced from 12% to 9%. Question: '.com' in all the web sites stands for? Answer: Commercial Question: "You give me blood, I will give you freedom", was the words of which famous Indian leader? Answer: Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.

Questions about Human Body

Human Body - Quiz Questions with Answers What is the body temperature of a normal man? 81.1oC 36.9oC 98.6oC 21.7oC Which of the following helps in clotting of blood? Vitamin B1 Vitamin B2 Vitamin D Vitamin K Total volume of blood in a normal adult human being is 5-6 liters 3-4 liters 8-10 liters 10-12 liters Red blood corpuscles are formed in the Liver Bone marrow Kidneys Heart How many bones are there in an adult human being? 210 260 206 300 The pancreas secretes Insulin Bile juice Peptic juice None of these Tibia is a bone found in the Skull Arm Leg Face The largest part of the human brain is the Medulla oblongata Cerebellum Cerebrum None of these What is the main component of bones and teeth? Calcium carbonate Calcium phosphate Calcium sulphate Calcium nitrate The main constituent of hemoglobin is Chlorine Iron Calcium None of these The main function of the kidney is To control blood pressure To control body temperature To remove waste product from the body To help in digestion of food The function of hemoglobin is Transportation of oxygen Destruction of bacteria Prevention of anemia Utilization of energy Which of the following glands secrete tears? Lachrymal Pituitary Thyroid Pancreas Which is the largest gland in the human body? Thyroid Liver Pancreas None of these Which is the largest organ in the human body? Liver Heart Skin Kidney A person of which of the following blood groups is called a universal donor? O AB A B Which gland in the human body is called the master gland? Pancreas Thyroid Pituitary Spleen How many bones are there in a newly born infant? 206 230 280 300 Which of the following have maximum calorific value? Carbohydrates Fats Proteins Vitamins Which of the following vitamins promote healthy functioning of eyes in human beings? Vitamin B Vitamin C Vitamin A Vitamin D The average heartbeat per minute in a normal man is 50 70 80 100 A person with which of the following blood groups can receive blood of any group? A AB B O Malaria is a disease which effects the Heart Lungs Spleen Kidneys Which of the following diseases is caused by virus? Small pox Tuberculosis Malaria Cholera Medulla oblongata is a part of human Heart Brain Liver Sex organ Myopia is a disease connected with Ears Eyes Lungs Brain Leukemia is a disease of the Lungs Blood Skin Nerves Short-sightedness can be corrected by using Convex lens Concave lens Convex-concave lens Concave-convex lens Trachoma is a disease of the Liver Eyes Lungs Kidneys Match the following Column I Column II Beriberi 1. Vitamin A Scurvy 2. Vitamin B Rickets 3. Vitamin C Night Blindness 4. Vitamin D A B C D (a) 3 2 1 4 (b) 2 1 3 4 (c) 2 3 4 1 (d) 2 3 1 4 Typhoid and cholera are typical examples of Infectious diseases Air-borne disease Water-borne disease None of these Pyorrhea is a disease of the Nose Gums Heart Lungs Lack of what causes diabetes. Sugar Insulin Calcium Vitamins Appendix is appendix is a part of Small intestine Large intestine Stomach Liver Match the following columns Column I Column II Cataract 1. Bones Jaundice 2. Eyes Diabetes 3. Liver Arthritis 4. Pancreas A B C D (a) 2 3 4 1 (b) 2 3 1 4 (c) 1 3 4 2 (d) 3 2 4 1 Bronchitis is a disease of which of the following organs? Blood Bladder Liver Respiratory tract ECG is used for the diagnosis of aliments of Brain Heart Kidneys Lungs Biopsy is done on Tissues taken from a dead body Tissues taken form a living body Blood from veins Blood from arteries Barium is used for Checking blood group X-ray of alimentary canal X-ray of brain None of these Dialysis is used for the treatment of Kidney failure Heart weakness Brain diseases None of these Insulin is injected into the intestines by Pancreas Liver Stomach Gall bladder Lock Jaw, i.e., difficulty in opening the mouth is a symptom of Cholera Plague Tetanus Diphtheria Which of the following pairs is incorrect? Plague-rats Rabies-dog Tapeworm-pig Poliomyelitis-monkey Match the following columns Column I Column II Air-borne 1. Tetanus Water-borne 2. Tuberculosis Contact 3. Cholera Wound 4. Syphilis A B C D (a) 2 3 1 4 (b) 2 3 4 1 (c) 3 2 4 1 (d) 4 3 2 1 Ricketts is a disease of the Bones Tissue Muscles Blood Which of the following statements is correct Pulmonary artery carries pure blood Pulmonary artery carries impure blood Pulmonary vein carries impure blood None of these Lungs are situated in the Abdominal cavity Pericardial cavity Buccal cavity Thoracic cavity The human cell contains 44 chromosomes 48 chromosomes 46 chromosomes 23 chromosomes Enzymes help in Respiration Digestion of food Immune system Reproduction Food is normally digested in the Liver Stomach Small intestines Large intestines Answers 1. b 2. d 3. a 4. b 5. c 6. a 7. c 8. c 9. b 10. b 11. c 12. a 13. a 14. b 15. c 16. a 17. c 18. d 19. a 20. c 21. b 22. b 23. c 24. a 25. b 26. b 27. b 28. b 29. b 30. c 31. c 32. b 33. b 34. b 35. a 36. d 37. b 38. b 39. b 40. a 41. d 42. c 43. d 44. b 45. a 46. b 47. d 48. c 49. b 50. c

PRESIDENTS OF INDIA

Time Period	President's Name
1950-1962	Rajendra Prasad
1962-1967	S.Radhakrishnan
1967-1974	V.V. Giri
1974-1977	Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed
1977-1982	N.Sanjiva Reddy
1982-1987	Gyani Zail Singh
1987-1992	R. Venkataraman
1992-1997	Dr. Shanker Dayal Sharma
1997-2002	K.R. Narayanan
2002-2007	Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
2007 July 25	Mrs. Pratibha Patil

Vice Presidents of India - List of Vice-Presidents of India

Vice Presidents of India - List of Vice-Presidents of India
Time Period	Vice-President's Name
1952-1962	S. Radhakrishnan
1962-1967	Zakir Hussain
1967-1969	V. V. Giri
1969-1974	G. S. Pathak
1974-1979	B.D. Jatti
1979-1984	Md. Hidayatullah
1984-1987	R. Venkataraman
1987-1992	Dr. S.D. Sharma
1992-1997	K.R. Narayanan
1997-2002	Krishan Kanth
2002-207	Bhairon Singh Shekawath
2007 August 9 - Till Date	Mohammad Hamid Anzari

Post-Partition (1947 - Present)

1947: - Freedom from British Raj. 1947-48: - Hundreds of thousands die in widespread communal bloodshed after partition. 1948: - Mahatma Gandhi assassinated by Hindu extremist. 1948: - War with Pakistan over disputed territory of Kashmir. 1951-52: - Congress Party wins first general elections under leadership of Jawaharlal Nehru. [edit] Regional tensions 1962: - India loses brief border war with China. 1964: - Death of Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. 1965: - Second war with Pakistan over Kashmir. 1966: - Nehru's daughter Indira Gandhi becomes prime minister. 1971: - Third war with Pakistan over creation of Bangladesh, formerly East Pakistan. 1971: - Twenty-year treaty of friendship signed with Soviet Union. 1974: - India explodes first nuclear device in underground test. [edit] Democratic strains 1975: - Indira Gandhi declares state of emergency after being found guilty of electoral malpractice. 1975-1977: - Nearly 1,000 political opponents imprisoned and programme of compulsory birth control introduced. 1977: - Indira Gandhi's Congress Party loses general elections. 1980: - Indira Gandhi returns to power heading Congress party splinter group, Congress (Indira). 1984: - Troops storm Golden Temple - Sikhs' most holy shrine - to flush out Sikh militants pressing for self-rule. 1984: - Indira Gandhi assassinated by Sikh bodyguards, following which her son, Rajiv, takes over. 1984: December - Gas leak at Union Carbide pesticides plant in Bhopal. Thousands are killed immediately, many more subsequently die or are left disabled. 1987: - India deploys troops for peacekeeping operation in Sri Lanka's ethnic conflict. 1989: - Falling public support leads to Congress defeat in general election. 1990: - Indian troops withdrawn from Sri Lanka. 1990: - Muslim separatist groups begin campaign of violence in Kashmir. 1991: - Rajiv Gandhi assassinated by suicide bomber sympathetic to Sri Lanka's Tamil Tigers. 1991: - Economic reform programme begun by Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao. 1992: - Hindu extremists demolish mosque in Ayodhya, triggering widespread Hindu-Muslim violence. 1996: - Congress suffers worst ever electoral defeat as Hindu nationalist BJP emerges as largest single party. 1998: - BJP forms coalition government under Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee. 1998: - India carries out nuclear tests, leading to widespread international condemnation. 1999: February - Vajpayee makes historic bus trip to Pakistan to meet Premier Nawaz Sharif and to sign bilateral Lahore peace declaration. 1999: May - Tension in Kashmir leads to brief war with Pakistan-backed forces in the icy heights around Kargil in Indian-held Kashmir. 1999: October - Cyclone devastates eastern state of Orissa, leaving at least 10,000 dead. [edit] Population: 1 billion 2000: May - India marks the birth of its billionth citizen. 2000: - US President Bill Clinton makes a groundbreaking visit to improve ties. 2001: January - Massive earthquakes hit the western state of Gujarat, leaving at least 30,000 dead. 2001: A high-powered rocket is launched, propelling India into the club of countries able to fire big satellites deep into space. 2001: July - Vajpayee meets Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf in the first summit between the two neighbours in more than two years. The meeting ends without a breakthrough or even a joint statement because of differences over Kashmir. 2001: July - Vajpayee's BJP party declines his offer to resign over a number of political scandals and the apparent failure of his talks with Pakistani President Musharraf. 2001: September - US lifts sanctions which it imposed against India and Pakistan after they staged nuclear tests in 1998. The move is seen as a reward for their support for the US-led anti-terror campaign. [edit] Kashmir tensions rise 2001: October - India fires on Pakistani military posts in the heaviest firing along the dividing line of control in Kashmir for almost a year. 2001: December - Suicide squad attacks parliament in New Delhi, killing several police. The five gunmen die in the assault. 2001: December - India imposes sanctions against Pakistan, to force it to take action against two Kashmir militant groups blamed for the suicide attack on parliament. Pakistan retaliates with similar sanctions, and bans the groups in January. 2001: December - India, Pakistan mass troops on common border amid mounting fears of a looming war. 2002: January - India successfully test-fires a nuclear-capable ballistic missile - the Agni - off its eastern coast. 2002: February - Inter-religious bloodshed breaks out after 59 Hindu pilgrims returning from Ayodhya are killed in a train fire in Godhra, Gujarat. More than 1,000 people, mainly Muslims, die in subsequent riots. (Police and officials blamed the fire on a Muslim mob; a 2005 government investigation said it was an accident.) 2002: May - Pakistan test-fires three medium-range surface-to-surface Ghauri missiles, which are capable of carrying nuclear warheads. War of words between Indian and Pakistani leaders intensifies. Actual war seems imminent. 2002: June - UK, US urge their citizens to leave India and Pakistan, while maintaining diplomatic offensive to avert war. 2002: July - Retired scientist and architect of India's missile programme APJ Abdul Kalam is elected president. 2003: August - At least 50 people are killed in two simultaneous bomb blasts in Bombay. 2003: November - India matches Pakistan's declaration of a Kashmir ceasefire. 2003: December - India, Pakistan agree to resume direct air links and to allow overflights. 2004: January - Groundbreaking meeting held between government and moderate Kashmir separatists. 2004: May - Surprise victory for Congress Party in general elections. Manmohan Singh is sworn in as prime minister. 2004: September - India, along with Brazil, Germany and Japan, launches an application for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council. 2004: November - India begins to withdraw some of its troops from Kashmir. 2004: December - Thousands are killed when tidal waves, caused by a powerful undersea earthquake off the Indonesian coast, devastate coastal communities in the south and in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. 2005: July - More than 1,000 people are killed in floods and landslides caused by monsoon rains in Mumbai (Bombay) and Maharashtra region. 2005: 8 October - An earthquake, with its epicentre in Pakistani-administered Kashmir, kills more than 1,000 people in Indian-administered Kashmir. 2006: February - India's largest-ever rural jobs scheme is launched, aimed at lifting around 60 million families out of poverty. 2006 March - US and India sign a nuclear agreement during a visit by US President George W Bush. The US gives India access to civilian nuclear technology while India agrees to greater scrutiny for its nurnment announces its strongest economic growth figures for 20 years - 9.4% in the year to March. 2007: July - India says the number of its people with HIV or AIDS is about half of earlier official tallies. Health ministry figures put the total at between 2 million and 3.1 million cases, compared with previous estimates of more than 5 million. 2007: July - Pratibha Patil becomes first woman to be elected president of India. 2008: July - Congre 2006: November - Hu Jintao makes the first visit to India by a Chinese president in a decade. 2006: December - US President George W Bush approves a controversial law allowing India to buy US nuclear reactors and fuel for the first time in 30 years. 2007: 18 February - 68 passengers, most of them Pakistanis, are killed by bomb blasts and a blaze on a train travelling from New Delhi to the Pakistani city of Lahore. 2007: February - India and Pakistan sign an agreement aimed at reducing the risk of accidental nuclear war. 2007: March - Maoist rebels in Chhattisgarh state kill more than 50 policemen in a dawn attack. 2007: April - India's first commercial space rocket is launched, carrying an Italian satellite. 2007: May - At least nine people are killed in a bomb explosion at the main mosque in Hyderabad. Several others are killed in subsequent rioting. 2007: May - Government announces its strongest economic growth figures for 20 years - 9.4% in the year to March. 2007: July - India says the number of its people with HIV or AIDS is about half of earlier official tallies. Health ministry figures put the total at between 2 million and 3.1 million cases, compared with previous estimates of more than 5 million. 2007: July - Pratibha Patil becomes first woman to be elected president of India. 2008: July - Congress-led governing coalition survives vote of confidence brought after left-wing parties withdraw their support over controversial nuclear cooperation deal with US. After the vote, several left-wing and regional parties form new alliance to oppose government, saying it has been tainted by corruption. 2008: July - Series of explosions kills 49 in Ahmedabad, in Gujarat state. The little-known group Indian Mujahideen claims responsibility. 2008: October - Following approval by the US Congress, President George W Bush signs into law a nuclear deal with India, which ends a three-decade ban on US nuclear trade with Delhi. India successfully launches its first mission to the moon, the unmanned lunar probe Chandrayaan-1. 2008: November - Nearly 200 people are killed and hundreds injured in a series of co-ordinated attacks by gunmen on the main tourist and business area of India's financial capital Mumbai. India blames militants from Pakistan for the attacks and demands that Islamabad take strong action against those responsible. 2008: December - India announces "pause" in peace process with Pakistan. Indian cricket team cancels planned tour of Pakistan. 2009: February - India and Russia sign deals worth $700m, according to which Moscow will supply uranium to Delhi. 2009: April - Trial of sole surviving suspect in Mumbai attacks begins. 2009: May - Resounding general election victory gives governing Congress-led alliance of PM Manmohan Singh an enhanced position in parliament, only 11 seats short of an absolute majority.

Timeline of Indian history

History of South Asia History of India
Stone Age	before 3300 BCE
- Mehrgarh Culture	7000–3300 BCE
Indus Valley Civilization	3300–1700 BCE
- Late Harappan Culture	1700–1300 BCE
Iron Age 1200–180 BCE Vedic Civilization 1500–500 BCE Maha Janapadas • 700–300 BCE Magadha Empire • 684–424 BCE Nanda Empire • 424-321 BCE Chera Empire • 300 BCE–1200 CE Chola Empire • 300 BCE–1279 CE Pandyan Empire • 300 BCE–1345 CE Maurya Empire • 321–184 BCE Pallava Empire • 250 BCE–800 CE Sunga Empire • 185-73 BCE Kanva Empire • 75-26 BCE Kharavela Empire • 209–170 BCE Kuninda Kingdom • 200s BCE–300s CE Indo-Scythian Kingdom • 200 BC–400 CE Satavahana Empire • 230 BCE–220 CE Indo-Greek Kingdom • 180 BCE–10 CE
Middle Kingdoms 1CE–1279 CE Indo-Parthian Kingdom • 21–130s CE Western Satrap Empire • 35–405 CE Kushan Empire • 60–240 CE Indo-Sassanid Kingdom • 230–360 CE Vakataka Empire • 250–500 CE Kalabhras Kingdom • 250–600 CE Gupta Empire • 280–550 CE Kadamba Empire • 345–525 CE Western Ganga Kingdom • 350–1000 CE Kamarupa Kingdom • 350–1100 CE Vishnukundina Empire • 420-624 CE Huna Kingdom • 475-576 CE Rai Kingdom • 489–632 CE Chalukya Empire • 543–753 CE Harsha Empire • 590-647 CE Shahi Kingdom • 565-670 CE Eastern Chalukya Kingdom • 624-1075 CE Pratihara Empire • 650–1036 CE Pala Empire • 750–1174 CE Rashtrakuta Empire • 753–982 CE Paramara Kingdom • 800–1327 CE Yadava Empire • 850–1334 CE Solanki Kingdom • 942–1244 CE Western Chalukya Empire • 973–1189 CE Hoysala Empire • 1040–1346 CE Sena Empire • 1070–1230 CE Eastern Ganga Empire • 1078–1434 CE Kakatiya Kingdom • 1083–1323 CE Kalachuri Empire • 1130–1184 CE
Islamic Rulers	1206–1707 CE
- Delhi Sultanate	1206–1526 CE
- Deccan Sultanates	1490–1596 CE
Vijayanagara Empire	1336–1646 CE
Mughal Empire	1526–1707 CE
Maratha Empire	1674–1818 CE
Durrani Empire	1747–1823 CE
Sikh Empire	1799–1849 CE
Regional Kingdoms 1100–1800 CE Cochin Kingdom 1102–1949 CE Travancore Kingdom 1102–1949 CE Ahom Kingdom 1228–1826 CE Chitradurga Kingdom 1300–1779 CE Garhwal Kingdom 1358–1803 CE Mysore Kingdom 1399–1947 CE Keladi Kingdom 1499–1763 CE Thondaiman Kingdom 1650–1948 CE Madurai Kingdom 1559–1736 CE Thanjavur Kingdom 1572–1918 CE Marava Kingdom 1600–1750 CE
Company rule in India	1757–1858 CE
British India	1858–1947 CE
Partition of India	1947 CE