TLDR;
This YouTube video by Railway Testbook is a comprehensive session aimed at students preparing for NTPC exams (both 12th level and graduate level) and other competitive exams like Group D and SSC. The session includes a mix of GK, GS, static GK, and current affairs questions, followed by a focused discussion on important articles of the Indian Constitution. The video also promotes the "Brahmastra Series," a PDF course offering 7000 questions for exam preparation at a nominal cost.
- Covers a wide range of topics relevant to NTPC and other exams.
- Includes GK, GS, static GK, current affairs, and important articles.
- Promotes the "Brahmastra Series" PDF course for comprehensive exam preparation.
Introduction [0:01]
The instructor welcomes students preparing for NTPC exams, regardless of whether they are 12th-level or graduate-level candidates. The session aims to cover GK, GS, static GK, and current affairs to help students pass the NTPC exam. The class will consist of 50 questions, including 35 mixed GK and GS questions covering history, geography, and polity, followed by a discussion on important articles. The instructor emphasizes that this class is beneficial for various exams, including 12th-level NTPC, graduate-level NTPC, and Group D exams.
Congress Sessions and Key Figures [2:29]
The session begins with a question about the president of the 1939 Congress Tripuri Session. The answer is Subhas Chandra Bose, who also presided over the 1938 Haripura Session. Bose resigned in 1939 due to disagreements with Gandhi and subsequently founded the Forward Bloc. Dr. Rajendra Prasad was appointed as the new president after Bose's resignation.
Brahmin Texts and Historical Events [4:33]
The discussion covers which Brahmin text is associated with the Rigveda, identifying Aitareya Brahmana as the correct answer. Other texts like Taittiriya Brahmana (Yajurveda), Shatapatha Brahmana (Yajurveda), and Gopath Brahmana (Atharvaveda) are also mentioned. The session further discusses the partition of Bengal in 1905, noting that on the suggestion of Rabindranath Tagore, the date of partition was observed as Raksha Bandhan Day to promote unity.
Principles of Jainism and Demographic Divide [6:25]
The three principles of right faith, right action, and right knowledge are associated with Jainism. The year 1921 is identified as the "Year of Great Demographic Divide" because the population declined from 1911 to 1921 but increased thereafter, with the highest population growth occurring between 1951 and 1981.
Ancient Tales and Reforms [8:35]
The legend of Udayana and Vasavadatta is associated with the ancient city of Kaushambi, where King Udayana ruled. The Montagu-Chelmsford Report is linked to the Government of India Act 1919, with Montagu being the Secretary of State for India and Chelmsford the Viceroy of India. The Indian Council Act is referred to as the Morley-Minto Reforms, which introduced separate electorates for Muslims, leading to Minto being known as the "Father of Separate Electorate."
Interim Government and Battles [11:20]
Jawaharlal Nehru led the interim cabinet as Vice President when the Constituent Assembly was established in 1946, while the President was Mountbatten. Key ministers included Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (Home Affairs and Information & Broadcasting), Rajendra Prasad (Agriculture and Food), and Liaquat Ali Khan (Finance). The Battle of Aliwal was fought between the British and the Sikhs, as part of the First Anglo-Sikh War, with the British forces led by Harry Smith defeating the Sikh army led by Runjodh Singh.
Buddhist Caves and Nataraja [15:13]
More than 100 Buddhist caves are found in Kanheri, located within the Sanjay Gandhi National Park in Mumbai. The Nataraja statue, representing Lord Shiva in a dancing pose, belongs to the Chola Empire and depicts Shiva with four hands.
Finance Ministers and the 1857 Revolt [17:26]
James Wilson is considered the first finance minister in British India and is associated with The Economist magazine and the establishment of Standard Chartered Bank. During the 1857 revolt, the Governor-General of India was Canning, who later became the first Viceroy of India after the Government of India Act 1858.
Missiles and Delhi Sultanate [19:53]
The R37M missile is made by Russia, and it was offered to India. Qutbuddin Aibak's capital was Lahore when he founded the Delhi Sultanate in 1206. Iltutmish, Raziya's father, shifted the capital from Lahore to Delhi and is considered the real founder of the Delhi Sultanate.
Indian National Congress and Land Reforms [22:37]
The National Conference, also known as the Indian National Association, was merged with the Indian National Congress during the second session in 1886 in Calcutta, presided over by Dadabhai Naoroji. To provide constitutional protection, state land reform laws were included in the Ninth Schedule of the Indian Constitution through the first amendment in 1951.
Vande Mataram and Presidential Government [25:02]
Vande Mataram was written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee and taken from his book Anandamath. It was first sung in the 1896 Calcutta session of the Indian National Congress and added to the Indian Constitution on January 24, 1950. In a presidential government, all executive powers are vested in the president, as seen in the USA. India follows a parliamentary system with a nominal head (President) and a real head (Prime Minister).
New States and Fundamental Rights [28:25]
The creation of a new state requires changes in the first and fourth schedules of the Constitution, as per Articles 2 and 3. The right to freedom in the Indian Constitution is covered under Articles 19 to 22.
Vasco da Gama and Supreme Court Judges [31:05]
Vasco da Gama, on his second visit to India in 1501, established his first factory in Kannur. The power to change the number of judges in the Supreme Court lies with the Parliament. Currently, there are 34 judges, including the Chief Justice of India.
Presidential Impeachment and High Court Jurisdiction [33:36]
The power to remove the President of India from office lies with the Parliament through a process called impeachment, as per Article 61. Lakshadweep falls under the jurisdiction of the Kerala High Court. The Seventh Amendment of the Indian Constitution in 1956 allows two or more states to have a single high court or a common governor.
Andaman Nicobar and Cabinet Mission [37:13]
The capital of Andaman and Nicobar is Port Blair, also known as Shri Vijayapuram. During the Cabinet Mission Plan in 1946, which aimed to transfer powers to Indians, Giani Kartar Singh advocated for a separate state for Sikhs, but his request was not accepted.
Interstate Council and No-Confidence Motion [39:40]
The Interstate Council was created based on the recommendations of the Sarkaria Commission. The first no-confidence motion in the Lok Sabha was in 1963. The Rajya Sabha was first constituted in 1952.
Climate Center and Legislative Councils [43:11]
The Himalayan High Altitude Atmospheric and Climate Center was launched in Udhampur, Jammu and Kashmir. The power to create or abolish legislative councils in states lies with the Parliament, based on the recommendation of the state's legislative assembly.
Electronic Components and Rings of Fire [44:51]
To promote the manufacturing of electronic components, a scheme was launched under the Ministry of Information Technology. The Rings of Fire are associated with earthquakes, volcanoes, and the Pacific Ocean.
Alps Mountains and Important Articles [46:30]
The Alps mountains are not found in England but are present in France, Switzerland, Monaco, Italy, Austria, Slovenia, and Germany. The session concludes with a discussion on important articles of the Indian Constitution, including:
- Article 326: Right to vote
- Article 60: Oath of the President
- Article 17: Abolition of untouchability
- Articles 23 and 24: Right against exploitation
- Article 26: Management of religious affairs
- Article 371G: Special provisions for Mizoram
- Article 32: Part of Fundamental Rights
- Article 52: There shall be a President of India
- Article 164: Appointment of Chief Minister by the Governor
- Article 315: Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
- Article 316: Appointment and qualifications of UPSC members
- Article 279A: GST Council
- Articles 12-35: Fundamental Rights
- Article 213: Governor's power to promulgate ordinances
- Article 21: Right to Life and Personal Liberty
Brahmastra Series PDF Course [52:01]
The instructor promotes the Brahmastra Series PDF course, which includes 7000 questions (1500 math, 500 reasoning, 1000 GK/GS, 500 current affairs from 2025), 30 live mock tests, 10 mock test PDFs, and a 1000-question mixed PDF, all in bilingual format. The course is available for ₹1, and students are encouraged to enroll to enhance their exam preparation. The instructor provides a step-by-step guide on how to access the course through the Railway Testbook app or website, using the coupon code AVS to avail of the offer.
