ENDOCRINE GLANDS, HORMONES AND THEIR FUNCTIONS

ENDOCRINE GLANDS, HORMONES AND THEIR FUNCTIONS
Glands are very important for our body to work systematically. Glands are organs which produce some chemical substances for bodily functions.These secreted chemical substances are carried to a type of cell and directly released into blood. These ‘messengers’ are called hormones. The act of releasing and carrying to the particular cell keeps the body functioning and in balance. 

Pituitary GlandThis gland is often referred to as the "master gland", because it influences other organs in the body. It has a pea-sized structure located in the base of the brain. It is a part of endocrine system and divided into three sections: anterior, intermediate and posterior lobe, which produces hormones. It takes care of overall well-being of a person. 

HypothalamusIt is also a part of endocrine system and located in the middle of the base of the brain. It is responsible for controlling the immense number of emotions and behavior, including sexual behavior. It also controls the critical metabolic activity that helps us to have healthy fluid and food levels. 

ThymusThe Thymus gland is a pyramid-shaped organ and exactly located beneath the breastbone. This lymphoid gland is responsible for a healthy immune system. The hormones which are released by Thymus gland protect the body from itself by controlling cancerous cells. The gland grows rapidly until the age of puberty, and slowly shrinks. 

Pineal Gland It is also called as pineal body, epiphysis cerebri, epiphysis (third eye) located at the center of the brain. It is a reddish-gray 1/3 inch long pea-sized organ responsible for wake/sleep patterns, thirst, hunger and regulates reproductive hormones. 

According to scientists, pineal gland was once known as the “third eye”. As it is located in the geometric centre of the brain, it seems to have intimate hidden importance. In today’s world, it is associated with the sixth chakra. 

Testes It is found in men and mainly responsible for sperm and testosterone production. The testes are the female counterparts which plays a vital role in the development of male physical characteristics. Low testosterone levels decrease sexual anxiety, sperm count, loss of body hair, diminishes muscle mass, early aging. 

OvariesIt is found in women and mainly responsible for reproductive system. Ovary gland secrets sex hormones estrogen and progesterone hormones which regulate menstrual periods and control the development of sex organs. The gland has its role in endocrine system, besides reproductive system. 

ThyroidThyroid is the most common term we hear these days. This brownish-red gland is in butterfly shape and located below the Adam’s apple. This gland needs the help of pituitary gland to produce thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). If TSH is not in the right level, person will gain uncontrollable weight. 

Adrenal GlandsAdrenal glands are also called as suprarenal glands. They are two, triangular-shaped organs that measure about 1.5 inches in height and 3 inches in length located at the top of each kidney. The glands are divided into two parts: adrenal cortex and medulla which are responsible for controlling blood sugar burn protein and fat, react to stressors and regulate blood pressure in the body. 

Parathyroid gland Our body has four rice-grain sized parathyroid glands located just behind the thyroid gland. The gland has a single responsibility, to keep the blood level of calcium in control. But they are also essential for nervous and muscular systems functioning. 

When the hormone released is too much or too little, disorders like Hyperparathyroidism, Hyperparathyroidism and osteoporosis may occur. 

PancreasIt is a six inch long which is located between stomach and spine and surrounded by small intestine, liver and spleen. The hormones which are released by this gland are important for sugar and salt balances in our bodies. It is very important to keep the hormones in balance, because they are directly related to today’s most common diseases. 

The following table provides you the details of the Glands of the Human Body, hormones secreted and their functions:

Glands	Secreting Hormones	Functions
	Growth hormone	Promotes growth in childhood, maintain healthy muscle and bone mass in adults
	Prolactin	Stimulates milk production in women
	Adrenocorticotropic	Reduces stress and maintain healthy blood pressure
	Thyroid-stimulating hormone	Regulates the body's thyroid
Pituitary Gland	Luteinizing hormone	Regulates estrogen and testosterone
	Follicle-stimulating hormone	Stimulates the releasing of eggs in women and helps ensure the normal function of sperm production in men
	Oxytocin	Facilitates contractions at the appropriate time in pregnant woman
	Antidiuretic hormone	Regulates water balance in the body
Hypothalamus	Thyrotrophic - releasing hormone (TRH)	It stimulates the release of Thyroid-stimulating hormone and prolactin
	Gonadotropin- releasing hormone (GRH)	It is responsible for the releasing of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH)
	Growth hormone- releasing hormone (GHRH)	It stimulates both the synthesis and secretion of growth hormone.
	Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH)	It stimulates both the synthesis and the secretion of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
	Somatostatin	It inhibits the pituitary glands secretion of growth hormone and thyroid stimulating hormone
	Dopamine	Prolactin (PRL)
Thymus	Thymosin	The hormone stimulates the growth of T cells, which keep us healthy by attacking virus-infected or cancerous cells
Pineal Gland	melatonin	Plays important role in the regulation of sleep cycles
Testes	Testosterone	This hormone is found in men. It promotes sexual characteristics and also important in the development of male productive tissues.
Ovaries	Estrogen and Progesterone	This hormone is found in women. It promotes the development of breasts, maintains healthy menstrual periods.
Thyroid	Thyroxine T4	Both the hormones are responsible for regulation of metabolism. Iodine is necessary for the production of these hormones.
	Tri-iodothyronine T3
Adrenal Glands Outer adrenal cortex Inner medulla	Cortisol Aldosterone Androgens Adrenaline Noradrenaline	It regulates glucose, fat, and proteins and helps keep the body’s metabolism in check Regulates sodium and potassium balance, as well as blood pressure. Androgens cause some of the changes seen in puberty, such as growth of pubic and underarm hair, body odor, and acne. It helps to maintain blood pressure, increases heart rate It is responsible for the body's reaction to stressful situations.
Parathyroid	Parathyroid hormone (PTH)	Helps in bone development because it helps control both calcium and phosphorous levels in the body.
Pancreas	Insulin and Glucagon	The main function of the pancreas is to maintain healthy blood sugar levels.

VITAMINS AND MINERALS

VITAMINS AND MINERALS

Vitamin	Sources	Functions	Deficiency	Harmful
Vitamin A	Sweet potato, pumpkin, carrots, spinach, apricots, cheese, milk	Maintains healthy teeth, bones, soft tissue, mucus membranes	Fat mal absorption, or liver disorders, night blindness	liver abnormalities, central nervous system disorders, and osteoporosis
Vitamin B6 (also called Pyriodoxine)	Avocado, Banana, dried beans, Meat, Nuts, Poultry, whole grains.	Helps to form red blood cells and maintain brain function	Confusion, depression, irritability, mouth and tough sores.	Numbness, sensory changes
Vitamin B12	Beef liver, shellfish, meat, poultry, eggs, milk, dairy foods.	Important for metabolism Maintain central nervous system	Anemia, Loss of balance, numbness of tingling, weakness.	It causes no harm
Vitamin C	Citrus fruits, Kiwi fruit, Mango, Papaya, Pineapple, berries, Watermelon, broccoli, spinach, tomatoes	Heal wounds and form scar tissue, repair and maintain cartilage, bones, and teeth	Fatigue, inflammation of gums, joint pain, and poor wound healing	Anemia, bleeding gums, dry and splitting hair, dry skin, weak tooth enamel
Vitamin D	Sunlight, fatty fish, beef liver, cheese, egg yolks, mushrooms, cereals, yoghurt	Regulates the absorption of calcium and phosphorus, Helps in cell to cell communication throughout the body	Osteoporosis, rickets	Confusion, disorientation, Damages kidneys, nausea, vomiting, constipation, poor appetite
Vitamin E	Nuts, seeds, green vegetables, vegetable oils	Boosts immune system, wide blood vessels	Rare diseases like Crohn’s, cystic fibrosis, ataxia	High doses might increase the risk of bleeding and brain hemorrhage
Vitamin K	Sun-dried tomatoes, carrots, cloves, dry roasted cashews, blackberries, blueberries, figs	It treats prothrombin deficiencies, prevents excessive bleeding	Heavy menstrual bleeding, gum bleeding, nose bleeding, easy bruising,	Affects kidneys and liver
Minerals
Sodium	Table salt, soy sauce, milk, breads, vegetables, and unprocessed meats	Regulates fluid balance, nerve transmission, and muscle contraction	Over hydration, burns, diarrhea, vomiting,	High blood pressure, congestive heart failure, cirrhosis
Chloride	Table salt, soy sauce, milk, meats, breads, and vegetables	Regulates fluid balance, stomach acid	Alkalosis, muscle weakness, heavy sweating, loss of appetite, irritability, dehydration	Congestive heart failure,
Potassium	Meats, milk, fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes	Nerve transmission, and muscle contraction	Helps for better heart functioning, nerve cells, muscle cells,	Abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
Calcium	Milk products, canned fish with bones, soy milk, broccoli, mustard greens, legumes	Healthy bones and teeth, muscles relaxation and contraction, nerve functioning, blood clotting, blood pressure regulation, immune system health	Osteoporosis, hypocalcemia, memory loss muscle spasms numbness and tingling in the hands, feet, and face depression hallucinations	Constipation, high doses in adults may cause heart attacks
Phosphorus	Meat, fish, poultry, eggs, milk, processed foods	Helps in healthy bones and teeth	Anorexia, anemia, muscle weakness, bone pain, confusion, increased susceptibility to infection, difficulty walking and, in severe cases, death	Calcification of tissues, drug Interactions, decrease Bone density
Magnesium	Nuts and seeds, legumes; leafy, green vegetables, seafood, chocolate	Makes proteins, muscle contraction, nerve transmission, immune system health	Behavioral disturbances, Impaired memory, Anorexia, Nausea, vomiting, Irregular or rapid heartbeat Coronary spasms	Severe toxicity, nausea and abdominal cramps, low blood pressure and irregular heartbeat.
Sulfur	Meats, poultry, fish, eggs, milk, legumes, nuts	Gives strength to hair, skin and nails, it forms connective tissues, cell structure and artery walls.	Muscle pain, weak muscles, impairment in protein synthesis.	Skin irritations and kidney damage
Iron	Organ meats, red meats, fish, poultry, shellfish, egg yolks, legumes, dried fruits, dark, leafy greens, cereals	Serves as a carrier of oxygen to the tissues, transports electrons within the cells	Fatigue, hair loss, irritability, restlessness, breathlessness.	Excess intake causes nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and even death.
Zinc	Meats, fish, poultry, leavened whole grains, vegetables	Makes proteins, wound healing, production of sperms and maintains healthy immune system.	Diarrhea, acne, anorexia, low testosterone production in men, pneumonia.	Thyroid tumor, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, loss of appetite and headaches.
Iodine	Seafood, foods grown in iodine-rich soil, iodized salt, bread, dairy products	Regulates growth, development and metabolism	Hypothyroidism, mental retardation.	Autoimmune thyroid disease, hypothyroidism
Copper	Legumes, nuts and seeds, whole grains, organ meats, drinking water	Helps to form red blood cells, also keeps blood vessels, nerves, immune system and bones healthy	Leukopenia, neutropenia, sensory ataxia, myelodysplasia, peripheral neuropathy, anemia.	Wilson’s disease, increased copper causes hepatitis, kidney problems, brain disorders
Manganese	Widespread in foods, especially plant foods	Helps to maintain normal nerve and muscle function, keeps the heart beat steady	Osteoporosis, schizophrenia, diabetes, joint pains, arthritis.	Neurological disorders, headaches, tremors, loss of appetite, muscle rigidity, leg cramps and hallucinations.
Fluoride	Drinking water (either fluoridated or naturally containing fluoride), fish, and most teas	Involved in formation of bones and teeth; helps prevent tooth decay	Dental caries, Osteoporosis.	enamel fluorosis, skeletal fluorosis, muscle wasting, neurological problems, immobility and osteoporosis

DISCOVERIES AND INVENTIONS

DISCOVERIES AND INVENTIONS
Discoveries and inventions constitute a major part of general knowledge oriented questions in competitive exams. The following list includes some of the major discoveries and inventions that took place during the modern period. It is to be noted that - not all these discoveries can be attributed to one person. For each discovery, the attribution is given based on relevance and pioneer work in the specified area. If faced with a descriptive question; students are required to the overall background of that particular discovery.

Adding Machine	Balise Pascal
Aeroplane	Wright Brothers
Air Conditioner	Willis Carrier
Aspirin	Felix Hoffmann
Alcohol Thermometer	René Antoine Ferchault de Réaumur
Fahrenheit	Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit
Atomic Theory	John Dalton
Atomic Number	Henry Gwyn-Jefferies Moseley
Atomic Structure	Niels Bohr and Ernest Rutherford
Automobile	Gottlieb Wilhelm Daimler
Antiseptic Surgery	Lord Joseph Lister
Ball Pen	John L.Loud
Hot air Balloon	Joseph-Michel and Jacques-Étienne Montgolfier
Blood Circulation	William Harvey
Barometer	Evangelista Torricelli
Bicycle	Kirkpatrick Mac Millan
Braille System	Louis Braille
Beri – Beri disease	Christiaan Eijkman
Boson	Satyendra Nath Bose
Boyle's law	Robert Boyle
Computer	Charles Babbage
Chloroform	James Young Simpson
Cinema	Lumiere Brothers
Cinema Projector	Eadweard James Muybridge
Cresco graph	Jagadish Chandra Bose
Celluloid	Alexander Parkes
Cholera Bacillus	Filippo Pacini
Coloured Photography	Louise Lumiere
Cosmic Rays	Robert Millikan
Cyclotron	Ernest O.Lawrence
Diesel Engine	Rudolf Diesel
Dynamo	Michael Faraday
Dynamite	Alfred Nobel
Deuterium (Heavy Water	Harold .C.Urey
Electric Battery	Alessandro Volta
Electric Bulb	Thomas Alva Edison
Electricity	Michael Faraday
Electron Theory	Niels Bohr
Electrical Waves	Heinrich Hertz
Electromagnetic unit measurement	Carl Gauss
DDT	Dr. Paul Hermann Muller
Electron	J.J. Thompson
Elevator	Elisha G Otis
Fountain Pen	Petrache Poenaru
Photographic film	George Eastman
Glider	George Cayley
Generator	Thomas Alva Edison
Gramophone	Emile Berliner
Geometry	Euclid
Hydrogen	Henry Cavendish
Helicopter	Igor Sikrovsky
Helium Gas	Norman Lockyer
Homoeopathy	Samuel Hahnemann
Hovercraft	Christopher Cockrell
Hydrophobia	Louis Pasteur
Jet Engine	Sir Frank Whittle
Intelligence Tests	Alfred Binet
Insulin	Frederick Banting
Induction of Electric Current	Michael Faraday
Induction Coil	Heinrich Rohmkorff
Jet Propulsion	Frank Whittle
Law of Gravitation	Isaac Newton
Law of Heredity	Gregor Johann Mendal
Laser	Theodore Maiman
Lightning Conductor	Benjamin Franklin
Logarithm	John Napier
Laughing Gas	Joseph Priestley
Life Boat	Henry Greathead
Laws of Electrical Resistance	George Ohm
Law of Electrolysis	Michael Faraday
Gay-Lussac’s properties of gases law	Joseph Louis Gay Lussac
Laws of Motion	Isaac Newton
Laws of Natural Selections	Charles Darwin
Laws of Multiple Proportion	John Dalton
Liquid Oxygen	Joseph Priestley and Carl Wilhelm Scheele
Machine Gun	Helge Palmcrantz
Safety Lamp	Sir Humphry Davy
Safety Match	John Walker
Safety Pin	Walter Hunt
Safety Razor	King C. Gillette
Sewing Machine	Barthelling Thimonnier
Short Hand	Sir Isaac Pitman
Solar System	Copernicus
Steam Engine	James Watt
Steam Turbine	Charles Algernon Parsons
Spectroscope	Robert Bunsen
Stethoscope	Rene Laennec
Submarine	Cornelis Drebbel
Seismograph	John Milne
Sextant	John Campbell
Steam boat	Robert Fulton
Talkies	Lee-de-Forest
Tank	Ernest Dunlop Swinton
Telegraphy	William F.Cooke & Charles Wheatstone
Telegraph Code	Samuel Morse
Telephone	Alexander Graham Bell
Telescope	Galileo
Television	J.L. Baird
Thermos flask	James Dewar
Transistor	William Shockley and John Bardeen
Typewriter	Americans Christopher Latham Sholes, Carlos Glidden and Samuel W. Soule
Theory of Evolution	Charles Darwin
Theory of Relativity	Albert Einstein
Uranium fission	Otto Hahn
Uranus (Planet)	William Herschel
Vaccination	Edward Jenner
Vacuum Flask	Sir James Dewar
Vulcanisation	Charles Goodyear

ALL ABOUT THE NAVIGATIONAL SATELLITE IRNSS - 1C AND ITS LAUNCHED

ALL ABOUT THE NAVIGATIONAL SATELLITE IRNSS - 1C AND ITS LAUNCHED
ISRO's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, PSLV-C26, successfully launched IRNSS-1C, the third satellite in the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), in the early morning hours of October 16, 2014 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.This is the twenty seventh consecutively successful mission of PSLV. The 'XL' configuration of PSLV was used for this mission. Previously, the same configuration of the vehicle was successfully used six times. 

PSLV-C26 Flight PathAfter the lift-off of PSLV-C26 with the ignition of the first stage, the important flight events, namely, stage and strap-on ignitions, heat-shield separation, stage and strap-on separations and satellite injection, took place as planned. After a flight of about 20 minutes 18 seconds, IRNSS-1C Satellite, weighing 1425 kg, was injected to an elliptical orbit of 282.56 km X 20,670 km, which is very close to the intended orbit. 

After injection, the solar panels of IRNSS-1C were deployed automatically. ISRO's Master Control Facility at Hassan, Karnataka assumed the control of the satellite. 

IRNSS-1C – Provides position information in the Indian regionIRNSS-1C is the third of the seven satellites constituting the space segment of the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System. IRNSS-1A and IRNSS-1B, the first two satellites of the constellation, were successfully launched by PSLV on July 02, 2013 and April 04, 2014 respectively. Both IRNSS-1A and 1B are functioning satisfactorily from their designated geosynchronous orbital positions. 

IRNSS-1C- Payloads Payloads - IRNSS-1C carries two types of payloads – navigation payload and ranging payload. The navigation payload of IRNSS-1C will transmit navigation service signals to the users. This payload will be operating in L5 band (1176.45 MHz) and S band (2492.028 MHz). A highly accurate Rubidium atomic clock is part of the navigation payload of the satellite. The ranging payload of IRNSS-1C consists of a C-band transponder which facilitates accurate determination of the range of the satellite. IRNSS-1C also carries Corner Cube Retro Reflectors for laser ranging.

IRNSS-1C – Some Facts 

Lift-off Mass	1425.4 kg
Physical Dimensions	1.58 metre x 1.50 metre x 1.50 metre
Orbit	Geostationary, at 83 deg East longitude
Power	Two solar panels generating 1660 W, one lithium-ion battery of 90 Ampere-Hour capacity
Propulsion	440 Newton Liquid Apogee Motor, twelve 22 Newton Thrusters
Control System	Zero momentum system, orientation input from Sun & Star Sensors and Gyroscopes; Reaction Wheels, Magnetic Torquers and 22 Newton thrusters as actuators
Mission Life	10 years
Launch date	Oct 16, 2014
Launch site	SDSC SHAR Centre, Sriharikota, India
Launch vehicle	PSLV - C26

What is IRNSS?
 IRNSS is an independent regional navigation satellite system designed to provide position information in the Indian region and 1500 km around the Indian mainland. IRNSS would provide two types of services, namely, Standard Positioning Services (SPS) - provided to all users - and Restricted Services (RS), provided to authorised users. 

A number of ground stations responsible for the generation and transmission of navigation parameters, satellite control, satellite ranging and monitoring, etc., have been established in as many as 15 locations across the country. 

In the coming months, the next satellite of this constellation, namely, IRNSS-1D is scheduled to be launched by PSLV. The entire IRNSS constellation of seven satellites is planned to be completed by 2015.

Applications of IRNSS:

• Terrestrial, Aerial and Marine Navigation
• Disaster Management
• Vehicle tracking and fleet management
• Integration with mobile phones
• Precise Timing
• Mapping and Geodetic data capture
• Terrestrial navigation aid for hikers and travellers
• Visual and voice navigation for drivers

For complete Information on Indian Satellites and their Launch Vehicles Click here:www.sakshieducation.com/GK/Story.aspx?cid=20&sid=122&chid=1054&nid=83723

INDIA'S MARS MISSION: A FACT FILE

INDIA'S MARS MISSION: A FACT FILE

 India made history by successfully placing its spacecraft in orbit around Mars on 24th September, 2014. It became the first country in the world to succeed in such an inter-planetary mission in the maiden attempt itself. In the early hours ISRO's Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) spacecraft was successfully slowed down to be captured by the Red Planet's gravity. Earlier on September 22, 2014, 440 Newton Liquid Apogee Motor (LAM) was successfully test fired. Only the US, Europe and Russia have previously sent missions to Mars, but India is the first country to succeed on its first attempt.

ISRO's Mars Orbiter Mission is India's first interplanetary mission to planet Mars with an orbiter craft designed to orbit Mars in an elliptical orbit. The Mission is primarily a technological mission involves in the capability to survive and perform Earth bound manoeuvres, cruise phase of 300 days, MARS orbit insertion and capture and on-orbit around MARS, Deep space mission planning and communication management.

Exploration of Mar's surface features; morphology, mineralogy and Martian atmosphere by indigenous scientific instruments are the major objectives of the mission.

The Mars orbiter satellite consists of the following payloads: Lyman-alpha Photometer(LAP) measures deuterium and hydrogen from lyman-alpha emission in the Martian upper atmosphere. Measurement of D/H (Deuterium to Hydrogen abundance Ratio) allows us to understand especially the loss process of water from the planet.

Methane Sensor for Mars (MSM) is designed to measure Methane in the Martian atmosphere and map its sources. Data is acquired only over illuminated scene as the sensor measures reflected solar radiation. Methane concentration in the Martian atmosphere undergoes spatial and temporal variations.

Mars Exospheric Neutral Composition Analyser (MENCA) is a quadruple mass spectrometer capable of analyzing the neutral composition in the range of 1 to 300 amu with unit mass resolution. The heritage of this payload is from Chandraayan Altitudinal Composition Explorer (CHACE) payload. MENCA is a quadrupole mass spectrometer based scientific payload, capable of measuring relative abundances of neutral constituents in the mass range of 1 to 300 amu, with a unit mass resolution.

Mars Colour Camera (MCC) This Mars colour camera gives images and information about the surface features and composition of Martian surface. They are useful to monitor the dynamic events and weather of Mars. MCC will also be used for probing the two satellites of Mars-Phobos & Deimos. It also provides the context information for other science payloads.

Thermal Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (TIS) TIS measure the thermal emission and can be operated during both day and night. Temperature and emissivity are the two basic physical parameters estimated from thermal emission measurement. Many minerals and soil types have characteristic spectra in TIR region. TIS can map surface composition and mineralogy of Mars.

Important Terminologies in the Mars Mission 
Hohmann Transfer Orbit — or a Minimum Energy Transfer Orbit — to send a spacecraft from Earth to Mars with the least amount of fuel possible. In orbital mechanics, the Hohmann transfer orbit is an elliptical orbit used to transfer between two circular orbits of different radii in the same plane. The orbital manoeuvre to perform the Hohmann transfer uses two engine impulses, one to move a spacecraft onto the transfer orbit and a second to move off it. This manoeuvre was named after Walter Hohmann, the German scientist who published a description in it.

Sphere of Influence (501) is the oblate-spheroid-shaped region around a celestial body where the primary gravitational influence on an orbiting object is that body. This is usually used to describe the areas in the Solar System where planets dominate the orbits of surrounding objects (such as moons), despite the presence of the much more massive (but distant) Sun.

Parking Orbit is a temporary orbit used during the launch of a satellite or other space probe. A launch vehicle boosts into the parking orbit, and then coasts for a while, then fires again to enter the final desired trajectory. The alternative to a parking orbit is direct injection, where the rocket fires continuously (except during staging) until its fuel is exhausted, ending with the payload on the final trajectory.

Liquid Apogee Motor (LAM) refers to a liquid fuelled rocket motor that is regularly employed on artificial satellites destined for a geostationary orbit. In Mangalyan mission 440 Newton Liquid Apogee Motor was used to give thrust to the satellite to place itself into orbit of Mars from the heliocentric orbit.

Lyman-alpha Emission is the result of the series of transitions and resulting ultraviolet emission lines of the hydrogen atom as an electron goes from higher energy level to the lowest energy level(n=1) of the electron. The transitions are named sequentially by Greek letters, from n 2 to n1 is called Lyman-alpha, 3 to 1 is Lyman-beta, 4 to 1 is Lyman-gamma, etc.

Methane and Life Scientists are of the view that presence of Methane in Mars's atmosphere can be an indicator of life. Methanogenesis (production of methane) is the final step in the decay of organic matter. It occurs in the guts of humans and other animals, especially ruminants. The useful products of methanogenesis are absorbed by the alimentary canal, but methane is released from the animal mainly by belching. The average cow emits around 250 litres of methane per day.

Methane has a chemical lifetime of about 300-600 years, which is very short on geological time scales. This implies that the methane that is observed today cannot have been produced 4.5 billion years ago, when the planets formed. The one possibility as the scientists argue could be biological.

Mars Orbiter Mission Launch VehiclePSLV-C25, twenty fifth flight of PSLV launched Mars Orbiter Mission Spacecraft from the First Launch Pad at Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR, Sriharikota.

The challenging PSLV-C25 mission is optimised for the launch of Mars Orbiter Mission spacecraft into a highly elliptical Earth orbit with a perigee (nearest point to Earth) of 250 km and an apogee (farthest point to Earth) of 23,500 km with an inclination of 19.2 degree with respect to the equator.

PSLV- C25 Stages at a Glance
	STAGE-1	PSOM-XL	STAGE-2	STAGE-3	STAGE-4
Propellant	Solid (HTPB Based)	Solid (HTPB Based)	Liquid (UH25 + N2O4)	Solid (HTPB Based)	Liquid (MMH + MON-3)
Propellant Mass (Tonne)	138	12.2	42	7.6	2.5
Peak Thrust (kN)	4800	718	799	247	7.3 X 2
Burn Time (sec)	103	50	148	112	525
Diameter (m)	2.8	1	2.8	2.0	2.8
Length (m)	20	12	12.8	3.6	2.7

• HTPB : Hydroxyl Terminated Poly Butadine
• UH 25 : Unsymmetrical di-methyl hydrazine + 25% Hydrazine Hydrate
• N2O4 : Nitrogen Tetroxide
• MMH : Mono Methyl Hydrazine
• MON-3 : Mixed Oxides of Nitrogen

FLIGHT TRIAL OF NIRBHAY SUCCESSFUL

FLIGHT TRIAL OF NIRBHAY SUCCESSFUL
India's first indigenously designed and developed long range sub-sonic cruise missile 'Nirbhay' was successfully flight tested on 17th October from the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Balasore, Odisha. The entire mission, from lift-off till the final splash down was a perfect flight achieving all the mission objectives. This was the second launch of 'Nirbhay' cruise missile. The maiden launch last year in March was a partial success achieving most of the mission objectives. 

Shri P. Srikumar Director ADE, as the mission director led the launch operations. The launch preparations were planned and supervised by Shri VasanthSastri Project Director 'Nirbhay' project. The Defence Minister Shri Arun Jaitley has congratulated Dr AvinashChander and the DRDO team on the successful flight trial of 'Nirbhay'. 

Land and ship variants of Nirbhay in 3 years:The land and ship versions of Nirbhay, the long-range subsonic cruise missile, would be developed within three years to give necessary bite to the armed forces, Scientific Advisor to Defence Minister and Director General Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Dr. Avinash Chander said.

GAGAN used for first time:For the first time, India’s GAGAN (GPS-Aided Geo Augmented Navigation) was used by the state-of-art Inertial Navigation System of the long-range subsonic cruise missile Nirbhay on 17th October. Besides ring laser gyroscope-based INS, the missile also had a redundant MEMS sensors based smart INS.

INDIAN SATELLITES AND THEIR LAUNCH VEHICLES

INDIAN SATELLITES AND THEIR LAUNCH VEHICLES

ISRO notches another success with PSLV-C26  On October 15, 1994, India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-D2) for the first time successfully placed an Indian Remote-sensing Satellite into orbit. Twenty years later, on October 16, 2014, the PSLV-C26 lobbed the 1,425 kg Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS-1C) satellite into its precise orbit. The latest mission was ISRO’s twenty-seventh consecutively successful PSLV flight. ISRO Chairman K. Radhakrishnan said, “The PSLV has done it again. IRNNSS-1C is up in orbit. ” After a flight of 20 minutes and 18 seconds, the satellite was injected into an elliptical orbit. The IRNSS-1C is the third among seven navigation satellites, with a wide range of applications from helping truck drivers to submarines, missiles and battle tanks locate their positions.
Space Science Mission
1.	Mars Orbiter Mission	Launched on Nov 05, 2013 by PSLV - C25
Meteorological Satellite
1.	INSAT-3D	Launched on Jul 26, 2013 by Ariane-5 VA-214
2.	INSAT-3A	Launched on Apr 10, 2003 by Ariane5-V160
3.	KALPANA-1	Launched on Sep 12, 2002 by PSLV – C4
Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) Satellite System
1.	SARAL	Launched on Feb 25, 2013 by PSLV-C20
2.	RISAT-1	Launched on Apr 26, 2012 by PSLV-C19
3.	Megha-Tropiques	Launched on Oct 12, 2011 by PSLV-C18
4.	RESOURCESAT-2	Launched on Apr 20, 2011 by PSLV-C16
5.	CARTOSAT-2B	Launched on July 12, 2010 by PSLV-C15
6.	OCEANSAT-2	Launched on Sept 23, 2009 by PSLV-C14
7.	RISAT-2	Launched on Apr 20, 2009 by PSLV-C12
8.	CARTOSAT-2A	Launched on Apr 28, 2008 by PSLV-C9
9.	CARTOSAT - 2	Launched on Jan 10, 2007 by PSLV-C7
10.	CARTOSAT-1	Launched on May 05, 2005 by PSLV-C6
11.	RESOURCESAT-1	Launched on Oct 17, 2003 by PSLV-C5
Indian National Satellite (INSAT) System
1.	GSAT-14	Launched on Jan 05, 2014 by GSLV-D5
2.	GSAT-7	Launched on Aug 30, 2013 by Ariane-5 VA-215
3.	GSAT-10	Launched on Sep 29, 2012 by Ariane-5 VA-209
4.	GSAT-12	Launched on July 15, 2011 by by PSLV-C17
5.	GSAT-8	Launched on May 21, 2011 by Ariane-5 VA-202
6.	INSAT-4CR	Launched on Sep 02, 2007 by GSLV-F04
7.	INSAT-4B	Launched on Mar 12, 2007 by Ariane5
8.	INSAT-4A	Launched on Dec 22, 2005 by ARIANE5-V169
9.	INSAT-3E	Launched on Sep 28, 2003 by Ariane5-V162
10.	INSAT-3A	Launched on Apr 10, 2003 by Ariane5-V160
11.	KALPANA-1	Launched on Sep 12, 2002 by PSLV – C4
12.	INSAT-3C	Launched on Jan 24, 2002 by Ariane5-V147
Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS)
1.	IRNSS-1B	Launched on Apr 04, 2014 by PSLV - C22
2.	IRNSS-1A	Launched on Jul 01, 2013 by PSLV - C22

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY SNIPPETS

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY SNIPPETS

Green pigment is called	Chlorophyll
The carbohydrate produced in the photosynthesis	Glucose
Sweetest sugar is	Fructose
Respiration in Amoeba occurs by	Diffusion
Respiratory pigment is	Haemoglobin
The colour of the blood in Crabs and Snails is	Blue
In cockroach the blood is	White color
The normal blood pressure of man is	120 / 80 mmHg
Doctors measure blood pressure with the instrument called	Sphygmomanometer
The inter cellular fluid in blood is	Plasma
Nucleus is present in RBC of animals like	Camel
Hormone that controls Phototropism and Geotropism in plants is	Auxins
Early ripening of fruits is promoted by	Ethylene
The master gland of the body	Pituitary gland
Deficiency of iodine in food results in the enlargement of mixed gland	Pancreas
Deficiency of Insulin causes	Diabetes mellitus
The largest part of the brain is	Cerebrum
The 3 tests for detecting HIV are	ELISA, Western blot test, PCR tests
Deficiency of Iron causes	Anaemia
Deficiency of Iodine causes	Hypothyroidism
Excessive intake of fluorine results in	Fluorosis
The name vitamin was given by	Funk
The rainfall at a particular place is measured by	Rain gauge
Forests that grow near the sea shores are called	Mangroves
The gas responsible for global warming is	Carbon dioxide
Examples for non-renewable resources are	Coal, Petroleum
Carbon dioxide, Nitrogen Oxide, Chlorofluro carbons, and hydrocarbons are also called as	Green house gases
Ozone layer is damaged by	Chlorofluro Carbons
The big waves created in the sea because of the eruption of volcanoes are called	Tsunami
Environment friendly fuel is	CNG
Which lamps are used to minimize electricity consumption	Compact fluorescent
In human body fats are stored in	Adipose tissue
We feel thirsty when	Osmotic pressure of blood increases
Which organism is used in production of alcohol?	Yeast
Gasohol is a combination of gasoline and	Ethyl alcohol
Biochemical and histological examination of tissues is called	Biopsy
Oil spreads over the surface of water because	Oil has less surface tension than water
When an iron nail gets rusted, the weight of the iron nail is	Increased
The element common to all acids is	Hydrogen
Non-stick cooking utensils are coated with	Teflon
Monazite is an ore of	Thorium
The gas usually filled in the electric bulb is	Mixture of Nitrogen and Argon
Washing soda is the common name for	Sodium carbonate
The hardest substance available on the earth is	Diamond
The working principle of a Washing Machine is	Centrifugation
The audible sounds having a frequency of	20 to 20,000 hertz
The major component in the LPG is	Propane
Carbon dioxide is called greenhouse gas because	It absorbs infrared radiation
Balloons are filled with	Helium
Bell metal is an alloy of	Tin and Copper
Heavy water is	Deuterium oxide
The gases used in different types of welding would include	Oxygen and Acetylene
Cooking oil can be converted into vegetable ghee by the process of	Hydrogenation
Milk is an example of	Emulsion
Coloured glasses for goggles contain	Ferrous Oxide
The bacterium responsible for causing plague is	Yersinia pestis
Who is known as the father of Indian Ecology?	R. Mishra
The chemical name of Aspirin is	Acetylsalicylic acid
Which vitamin has cobalt	Vitamin B12
Dry Ice is	Solid Carbon dioxide
The protein used in paper coating is	Casein
The largest group of plant kingdom is	Thallophyta
Bacteria was discovered by	Antonie Van Lecuwenhoek
The Universal Blood Recipient is	AB
Which acid is found in apples	Malic acid
The basic structural and functional unit of life is	Cell
The universal blood group donor for all group is	Blood Groop O
Which human gland does secret growth hormone?	Pituitary gland
Astronomical Distance is measured in	Light year
One byte equal to	8 bit
Steel is mainly alloy of	Iron and Carbon
What does air bag, used for safety of car driver, contain?	Sodium azide
Complete loss of memory is called	Amnesia
The stones formed in human kidney mainly consist of	Calcium oxalate
The oxide of which element is used as coolant?	Nitrogen
Sleeping Sickness happens due to	Trypanosoma
The gas used in the manufacture of Vanaspati from Vegetable Oil is	Hydrogen
A device which converts electrical energy into mechanical energy is	Electric Motor
In which industry is mica used as a raw material?	Electrical Industry
The oxides of which gases cause acid rain?	Oxides of Nitrogen and Sulphar
The substance used for artificial rains is	Silver Iodide
Red light is used as danger signal because it	is scattered least
Chromosomes consist of	DNA and Proteins
Ozone layer in the outer atmosphere helps in	Absorbing UV radiations
Which of the following is known as graveyard of RBCs?	Spleen
The name of the white revolution is associated with	Kurien Verghese
Name the first Lunar Rover of China, which was carried by an unmanned remotely piloted spacecraft Chang'e-3 and was deployed successfully on moon on 14 December 2013?	Jade Rabbit (called Yutu in Chinese)
Which country scientists recently developed Li-Fi Tech, a new cheaper way of getting connected to internet by using signals sent through light bulbs ?	China
"Green House Effect" means -Trapping of Solar energy due to atmospheric carbon dioxide 2, 4-d is a	herbicide
The nuclear reaction involved in a nuclear reactor is	Fusion
The scientist associated with the success of Green Revolution is	Norman Borlaug
Centre for DNA fingerprinting is located at	Hyderabad
Solar energy is due to	fusion reactions
A non-conventional source of power is	Solar Power
India's permanent Research Station 'Dakshin Gongotri' is located at	Antarctica
Penicillin, an antibiotic, is obtained from	Fungus
Where was India's first computer installed?	Indian Statistical Institute, Calcutta
Where the early Tsunami warning system was installed to predict a tsunami immediately after an earthquake?	Rangachang in Andaman and Nicobar Islands
____ are used to supply Nitrogen to paddy.	Blue green algae
The fish released into ponds and wells to control the mosquitoes is	Gambusia
Stranger Gas is called as	Xenon
In the human body, the longest cell is	Liver Cell
_____ is used to make electric heater coil.	Nichrome
The formation of fruit without fertilisation is known as	Parthenicarpy
Root modules are commonly found in ____ plants.	Leguminous
Alzheimers disease is a disorder of the	Brain
Chromosomes of the ___ will determine the sex of a child.	Father
Hypermetropia or long sight can be corrected by using	Concave lenses
A plant product obtained from dried latex is	Opium
Cryogenic engines are used in	Rockets
Skin Cancer is caused due to presence of excess ____ in water.	Arsenic
The largest satellite in solar system is	Ganymede
German Silver is an alloy of	Copper, Zinc & Nickel
The tracking of people by trained dogs is based on the recognition of _____ from feet.	Carboxylic sweat
Boiling point of water depends on	atmospheric Pressure
An astronaut in outer space will observe sky in	Black colour
The polymer used in making plastic crockery is	Melamine
Food is cooked in a pressure cooker quickly because boiling point of water	Increases
Which vegetable's genome was sequenced completely in 2012?	Tomato

QUIT INDIA MOVEMENT

QUIT INDIA MOVEMENT

Introduction: The Quit India Movement, also known as ‘August Kranti’, was a freedom movement led by Mahatma Gandhi.

It began on 8th August, 1942 and turned out to be one of the most popular and powerful mass movements for independence.

Causes: The Second World War began in 1939. This War made the situation somewhat favourable for the Indian national struggle. The British were under heavy pressure in the early years of the war. Japanese attacks threatened the British. There was a possibility of British defeat. Gandhiji and other leaders feared that the Japanese might invade India. And if they did so, the country would be ruined.

It was thought the Japanese attack on India could be avoided only if the British left India. For, Japan would attack not the Indians but the British Government. So, the British should be asked to quit India and India should now be ruled by the Indians themselves.

‘Quit India’ and ‘Do or Die’ slogan: But the British showed no desire to leave India.

Gandhi jee made a clarion call in Bombay on 8th August 1942 asking Britishers to leave India with the famous Quit India slogan.

The ‘Quit India’ slogan was coined by Dr. Yusuf Meher Ali and it was accepted by all.

It was decided that the British would be asked to leave India. And if they did not leave, a protracted struggle would begin and continue until they left India.

Gandhiji gave his call of ‘Do or Die’ and the decision was taken on 8thAugust 1942 known widely as the “Quit India Resolution”.

Excerpts from the Historic Speech by Gandhi jee on August 8, 1942 at Gowalia Tank Maidan in Bombay“I am not going to be satisfied with anything short of complete freedom. May be, he (the Viceroy) will propose the abolition of salt tax, the drink evil. But I will say nothing less than freedom”.

Gandhi jee then followed up with the now famous exhortation Do or Die. “Here is a Mantra, a short one that I give you. You may imprint it on your hearts and let every breath of yours give expression to it. The mantra is Do or Die. We shall either free India or die in the attempt; we shall not live to see the perpetuation of slavery”.

"Let every Indian consider himself to be a free man."

“Ours is not a drive for power, but purely a non-violent fight for India’s independence.

“I believe that in the history of the world, there has not been a more genuinely democratic struggle for freedom than ours.”

“In the democracy which I have envisaged, a democracy established by non-violence, there will be equal freedom for all.”

“Everybody will be his own master. It is to join a struggle for such democracy that I invite you today. Once you realize this you will forget the differences between the Hindus and Muslims, and think of yourselves as Indians only, engaged in the common struggle for independence”.

Gandhi gave a call to all sections of the people, the princes, the Jagirdars, the Zamindars, the propertied and moneyed classes, who derive their wealth and property from the workers in the fields and factories and elsewhere, to whom eventually power and authority belong.

However the very next day on August 9, 1942, Gandhiji and several other leaders were arrested by the British Government. This led to spontaneous outburst of mass anger against the arrest of leaders. There was mass upsurge all over the country for six or seven weeks after the unexpected event of August 9, 1942.

It was during this time that the second generation of leadership comprising of great men like Dr. Lohia, Jaiprakash Narain played a leading and pivotal role.

Spread of Movement

• Matangini Hazra, Satish Samanta, Jayaprakash Narayan and Ram Manohar Lohia became famous for their heroic roles in the movement.
• The news of these arrested soon got known and the whole nation was angry.
• Angry crowds everywhere demanded the leaders to be freed.
• Shops were closed for days together.
• Students, peasants, workers, shopkeepers and political workers expressed their anger on streets.
• Hundreds of people lost their lives in police firing during the first few days.
• Everywhere the slogan of “Quit India’ was heard.
• National flags were forcibly hoisted on public buildings in defiance of the police.
• In Bengal, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh in particular the movement was more aggressive.

Outcome: The Quit India Movement was mainly a non-violent movement. However, it became violent at some places. Rails were uprooted, post offices were set on fire and offices were destroyed.

However the British government suppressed the movement with its brutality.

Gandhi jee who was arrested in the early hours of 9 August, began his fast on 10th February by declaring that the fast would last for 21 days.

A striking feature was Gandhi jee’s refused to condemn the violence of the masses and he held the government responsible for this violence.

All over the country people responded positively and actively towards the fast of Gandhi.

Gandhi jee was released on 6th May, 1944 on medical grounds.

The spontaneous participation of the masses in the Quit India movement made it one of the most popular mass movements.

This historic movement placed the demand for independence on the immediate agenda of the national movement.

The spirit unleashed was carried further by Indian National Army of Subhas Chandra Bose.

After ‘Quit India’ there could be no retreat. Independence was no longer a matter of bargain. It accelerated and sustained the urge for freedom and enabled India to achieve freedom in 1947.

Parallel Governments formed during the Quit India MovementThe movement had a local impact in some areas, especially at Satara in Maharashtra, Talcher in Odisha, and Midnapore.

In Tamluk and Contai subdivisions of Midnapore in West Bengal, the local populace were successful in establishing parallel governments, which continued to function, until Gandhi jee personally requested the leaders to disband in 1944. 

A minor uprising took place in Ballia, Uttar Pradesh. People overthrew the district administration, broke open the jail, released the arrested leaders and established their own independent rule.It took weeks before the British could re-establish their writ in the district.

In Saurashtra, the role of the region's 'baharvatiya' tradition (i.e. going outside the law) gained prominence which abetted the sabotage activities of the movement there. In rural west Bengal, the Quit India Movement was fuelled by peasants' resentment against the new war taxes and the forced rice exports. There was open resistance to the point of rebellion in 1942 until the great famine of 1943 suspended the movement.

Source: PIB

PROMINENT WOMEN IN THE HISTORY OF MODERN INDIA

PROMINENT WOMEN IN THE HISTORY OF MODERN INDIA
The following list showcases the achievements by women in Modern India during marking from the time of British Raj. Their works sprawl across charity, photography, law, etc.Savithribhai Phule (3 January 1831 – 10 March 1897)

• Savithribhai Phule is an Indian social reformer who worked for the upliftment of backwards classes in India along with her husband Jyothirao Phule.
• Her contributions were majorly directed to the education sector and she established in India’s first girls school at Bhide Wadai in Pune in 1848.
• She concentrated mainly on giving education to girls from untouchable communities.
• She is also considered as the first female teacher in India.
• She is one of the pioneer figures in Modern Marathi poetry. Her woks were published posthumously known Kavya Phule(1934) and Bavan Kashi Subodh Ratnakar (1982).

Chandramukhi Basu (1860–1944) and Kadambini Ganguly (18 July 1861 – 3 October 1923)

• These two women occupy a premier place in the history of women in India as they are the first female graduates hailing from India
• They were educated under the British Raj.
• Chandramukhi Basu was from Dehradun and Kadambini Ganguly was from Bhagalpur.
• Kadambini Ganguly went on to pursue medicine and became one of the first two Indian women to practice medicine.
• Chandramukhi Basu faced discrimination based on gender, when the university refused to publish her result as the first rank holder in the entrance exam.
• She completed her studies from Scottish church college and joined Bethune College, Calcutta as a lecturer.
• She later on became the principal of the institution, also the first woman to head an undergraduate academic institution in south Asia.

Annie Besant (1 October 1847 – 20 September 1933)

• Annie Besant was a prominent British philanthropist who came to India as part of her work for the Theosophical Society.
• She has published more than 25 books on various topics ranging from atheism to occult chemistry.
• She was the first woman to become president of the Indian National Congress in 1917.
• All India Home rule movement was established by her along with Lok Manya Tilak in 1916 to achieve the cause of Indian independence.

Pandita Ramabhai (23 April 1858 – 5 April 1922) 

• Pandita Ramabhai was a Brahmin woman who spoke against child marriage and suppression of women in society.
• She delivered lectures all over India on upliftment of women and won the Pandita title from the Brahmin scholars of Calcutta
• Later on she went ahead to establish the Arya Mahila Samaj.
• She was the first Indian woman to be won the honour of Kaisar-I-Hind Medal by the British Raj for her community services in 1919.
• She wrote "Status of Society of United States and a travelogue comparing the status of women in USA and India based on her travelling experiences and another book called The High-Caste Hindu Woman which explained the hardships of woman in a Hindu society.

Sarojini Naidu (13 February 1879 - 2 March 1949)

• Sarojini Naidu known as the nightingale of India was the first Indian born woman to become the President of Indian national congress in 1925.
• She played a major role during the freedom movement and was arrested during the Quit India movement in 1942.
• She has contributed immensely to the poetic heritage of India.
• She became the first woman Governor when she was appointed as Governor of the United Province in 1947.
• Her poems acquired immense publicity, some of her major works include The Golden Threshold (1905), The Bird of Time: Songs of Life, Death & the Spring (1912), The Feather of the Dawn (posthumously published, 1961)

Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit (18 August 1900 – 1 December 1990)

• Viajya Lakshmi Pandit was the younger sister of Jawaharlal Nehru.
• She was the first Indian woman to hold a cabinet post, at the provincial legislature of United Province in 1937.
• She was also the first Indian woman to become the president of United Nations General Assembly
• She has served as India’s High Commissioner to the Soviet Union (1947- 1949) the United States (1949) and Mexico (1951) Ireland (1955- 1961) and Spain (1958- 1961).
• Between 1946 and 1968, she headed the Indian delegation to the United Nations.
• Her major writings include The Evolution of India (1958) and The Scope of Happiness: A Personal Memoir (1979)

Anna Chandy (May 4, 1905- July 20, 1996)

• Anna Chandy was a Syrian Christian from Trivandrum
• She was the first female judge in the country in 1937 when she was appointed as a munsif at Travancore.
• In 1959, she became the first Indian woman to hold to post of High court justice when she was appointed at Kerala High Court
• She served in the Law commission after her retirement and published an autobiography called Athmakadha (1973)
• She ran a journal called Shreemati which championed the cause of women’s rights

Sucheta Kriplani (25 June 1908 – 1 December 1974)

• Sucheta Kriplani became politically active after her marriage to Acharya Kriplani, who was a socialist leader.
• She then worked with the Indian national Congress during 1936.
• She also served in the sub-committee which drafted the Indian constitution.
• She founded the All India Mahila Congress which in 1940.
• She was the first Indian woman to hold the position of Chief Minister in an Indian state (Uttar Pradesh).

Indira Gandhi (November 19, 1917- October 31, 1984)

• Indira Gandhi widely known as the iron lady of India was born in Allahabad to Jawaharlal Nehru and kamala Nehru.
• She married Feroze Gandhi, who worked with her at Indian National Congress
• In 1959 she became the party president of Indian National Congress.
• After extensive works at various sections of the government, she became the first woman Prime Minster of India in 1966.
• She initiated many progressive steps like nationalization of banks, social reforms like equal pay for equal work etc.
• However, she was widely criticized for the human rights violations that took place under Operation Bluestar in 1984.

Kiran Bedi (9 June 1949 to present)

• Kiran Bedi is the first female recruit to the Indian Police service in 1972
• She was also the first woman to be appointed as the United Nations civilian police adviser in 2003
• As the Inspector General of Tihar Jail, she initiated several reforms which earned her the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay award (1994)
• She founded the Navjyothi Delhi Police foundation which actively looks after treatments to the drug and alcohol addicts.

Mother Teresa (26 August 1910 - 5 September 1997)

• Mother Teresa is known for her charitable works in the streets of Calcutta
• She was the first woman under Indian citizen ship to win the Nobel Prize in 1979.
• She was beatified by the Catholic Church as the “Blessed Teresa of Calcutta”.
• The movement started by her, the Missionaries of Charity now sprawls across 133 countries all over the world.
• She received several civilian honours including Padma Shri (1962), Jawaharlal Nehru award for international understanding (1969) and Bharat Ratna (1980)

Bachendri Pal (24 May 1954 to present) 

• Bachendri Pal was born in Uttarakhand district; she was part of many small mountaineering groups in her early life.
• She became the first Indian woman to climb Mount Everest on 23 may 1984.
• She also led an all women team to Everest in 1985.
• She was awarded Padma Shri in 1984.

Fathima Beevi (30 April 1927 - to present)

• M. Fathima Beevi was the first woman to be appointed at the Supreme Court of India in 1989.
• She was also the first Muslim woman to hold a position at any higher judicial offices in India.
• After her retirement she served in both National Human Rights Commission and as the Governor of Tamil Nadu.

Homai Vyarawalla (9 December 1913 – 15 January 2012)

• Homai Vyarawalla was India’s first woman to enter into the field of press photography.
• Her works documented the periods of the end of British Raj and beginning of the independence era.
• She was awarded with the Padma Vibhushan in 2011.

Cornelia Sorabji (15 November 1866 – 6 July 1954)

• Cornelia Sorabji is the first woman advocate from India.
• She was the first Indian national to study at any British university.
• She had the privilege of being the first woman to study law at the Oxford.
• She also authored a couple of books such as Love and Life behind the Purdah (1902), Sun Babies (1904), Between the Twilights (1908), The Purdanashin (1917) and several others.