BPSC Non-Cadre Exam key terms

A system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and constituent units such as states, each exercising its own defined powers. In India, the Constitution distributes powers between the Union and the states through three lists.

The part of the Indian Constitution that lists subjects under the Union List, State List and Concurrent List, defining what the Parliament and state legislatures can legislate on. Residuary powers rest with the Union.

A list of subjects on which both Parliament and state legislatures can make laws. If a central and a state law conflict, the central law generally prevails, though states may legislate with presidential assent in certain cases.

A constitutional provision allowing the President to impose President's Rule in a state when constitutional machinery fails. The state government is suspended and Parliament assumes legislative power for that state.

A commission set up in 1983 to review centre-state relations and recommend reforms. It suggested greater consultation with states on governors' appointment and restraint in using Article 356.

A judicial principle holding that Parliament cannot amend the Constitution in a way that destroys its essential features such as democracy, federalism and judicial review. It was established in the Kesavananda Bharati case.

The power of courts to examine laws and executive actions and declare them invalid if they violate the Constitution. It protects fundamental rights and maintains the supremacy of the Constitution.

A formal application to a court seeking a special order to protect a legal or constitutional right. High Courts and the Supreme Court can issue writs such as habeas corpus and mandamus.

Basic rights guaranteed to citizens by Part III of the Indian Constitution, covering equality, freedom, protection against exploitation, religion, culture and education, and constitutional remedies. They are enforceable in courts.

Guidelines in Part IV of the Constitution that the state should follow while making laws and policies, aiming at social and economic welfare. They are not directly enforceable in courts.

A land revenue system introduced by the British in Bengal in 1793 under which zamindars became permanent owners of land and paid a fixed revenue to the Company. It affected Bihar's agrarian structure deeply.

A landholding system in which zamindars collected revenue from peasants and held rights over land on behalf of the state. It was abolished in Bihar through land reform laws after independence.

A voluntary land-gift movement launched by Vinoba Bhave in 1951, beginning in Telangana and spreading to Bihar, urging landlords to donate land to the landless poor.

A 1917 non-violent protest led by Mahatma Gandhi in Bihar against oppressive indigo cultivation under the tinkathia system, forcing planters to pay compensation to peasants. It was Gandhi's first major Indian campaign.

The forced growing of indigo plants by European planters in Bihar under unfair contracts, which left peasants with low prices and depleted soil. It was the immediate cause of the Champaran Satyagraha.

A mass movement launched in August 1942 demanding an end to British rule. Bihar witnessed intense participation, with leaders like Jayaprakash Narayan playing a prominent role in underground resistance.

A freedom fighter and socialist leader from Bihar who led the 1974 student movement and later the movement against the Emergency, calling for total revolution in Indian politics.

A state observance held on 22 March each year, marking the separation of Bihar from Bengal in 1912. It celebrates the state's culture, history and achievements with official programmes.

The capital city of Bihar, situated on the southern bank of the Ganga. Historically known as Pataliputra, it was the capital of the Mauryan and Gupta empires and is a major administrative and cultural centre.

A vast fertile alluvial region of northern India formed by the Ganga and its tributaries. It covers most of Bihar, supports intensive agriculture, and is prone to seasonal flooding.

A major tributary of the Ganga flowing through north Bihar, notorious for changing course and causing severe floods. It is often called the sorrow of Bihar.

Fertile soil deposited by rivers over floodplains. The Gangetic plain of Bihar is largely made of alluvium, making it highly suitable for crops such as rice, wheat and sugarcane.

A seasonal reversal of wind patterns that brings heavy rainfall to India between June and September. Bihar's agriculture and water resources depend heavily on the southwest monsoon.

An overflow of water onto normally dry land, common in north Bihar because of heavy monsoon rains, embankments and rivers changing course. It damages crops, homes and infrastructure every year.

Gross Domestic Product, the total market value of all final goods and services produced within a country in a given period. It is a standard measure of economic size and growth.

A sustained rise in the general price level of goods and services, which reduces the purchasing power of money. Central banks often raise interest rates to control it.

The interest rate at which the central bank lends short-term funds to commercial banks against securities. Raising it usually reduces liquidity and helps control inflation.

The gap between a government's total expenditure and its total receipts excluding borrowings. It shows how much the government needs to borrow to meet its spending.

The process by which green plants use sunlight, water and carbon dioxide to make food and release oxygen. Chlorophyll in leaves captures light energy for this reaction.

The green pigment in plant cells that absorbs light energy needed for photosynthesis. It is mainly found in chloroplasts within leaf cells.

The movement of water molecules through a semi-permeable membrane from a region of lower solute concentration to one of higher concentration. It helps plants absorb water through roots.

A comparison of two quantities of the same kind, showing how many times one contains the other. It is written with a colon and is used in problems on proportion and partnership.

An equation stating that two ratios are equal. If a:b equals c:d, the product of the extremes equals the product of the means, which helps solve many aptitude problems.

A number expressed as a fraction of one hundred, used to compare quantities and measure change. Profit, loss, interest and data interpretation problems frequently rely on percentages.

The sum of a set of values divided by the number of values. It gives a central value and is widely used in problems involving speed, ages and marks.

A form of logical reasoning in which a conclusion is drawn from two or more given statements assumed to be true. Questions ask which conclusions logically follow from the premises.

A reasoning question that asks you to identify the relationship between one pair of items and apply the same relationship to another pair. It tests pattern recognition and comparison.

A sequence of numbers, letters or figures arranged in a pattern. Candidates must find the rule governing the sequence and identify the missing or next term.

A reasoning puzzle that describes family relationships through statements, asking you to determine how two people are related. Drawing a family tree helps solve such questions.

A word that has the same or nearly the same meaning as another word in a given context. Synonym questions test vocabulary range and understanding of shades of meaning.

A word that expresses the opposite meaning of another word. Antonym questions test whether a candidate can identify contrasting words correctly in context.

A fixed expression whose meaning cannot be understood from the literal meaning of its individual words. Idiom questions ask for the correct meaning or usage of such phrases.

The joining of two adjacent sounds or words in Hindi, often changing their form, such as combining vowels at word boundaries. Questions ask candidates to split or combine words correctly.

A Hindi compound word formed by combining two or more words, where the combined form carries a single meaning. Candidates are asked to identify the type of compound and its components.

A Hindi word borrowed from Sanskrit without change in form or meaning, such as vidya or surya. It is contrasted with tadbhav words, which are derived but altered forms.