All questions of Abbreviations for CDS Exam

Understanding GATT
The General Agreement on Trade and Tariffs (GATT) is a significant international treaty that aims to promote and facilitate international trade. Established in 1947, GATT was designed to create a framework for negotiating trade agreements and reducing tariffs and other trade barriers.
Key Features of GATT:
- Trade Liberalization: GATT's primary goal is to encourage free trade by reducing tariffs and other obstacles. This helps countries engage in more efficient trade practices.
- Most-Favored-Nation (MFN) Principle: One of the cornerstone principles of GATT is the MFN clause, which ensures that any trade advantage given by one country to another must be extended to all GATT members. This promotes equality in trade relationships.
- National Treatment Principle: GATT mandates that once goods have entered a market, they should be treated equally to domestically produced goods. This prevents discrimination against foreign products.
- Round Negotiations: GATT facilitated a series of negotiation rounds (the most famous being the Uruguay Round), which led to significant agreements and the eventual establishment of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 1995.
Importance of GATT:
- Foundation for WTO: GATT provided the foundational principles that were expanded upon to create the WTO, which governs international trade more comprehensively.
- Global Trade Stability: By establishing rules and frameworks, GATT contributed to a more stable and predictable international trading environment post-World War II.
In summary, GATT was pivotal in shaping modern international trade practices, making option 'A' the correct answer regarding its meaning.

ATM stands for Automated Teller Machine, which is an electronic banking outlet that allows customers to complete basic transactions without the aid of a branch representative or teller. The term is widely used in the context of banking and finance.

Understanding HIV
HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. This virus is central to understanding a significant global health issue, as it impacts the immune system and can lead to serious health complications.
What is HIV?
- Definition: HIV is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system, specifically targeting CD4 cells (T cells), which are crucial for fighting infections.
- Transmission: It is transmitted through contact with certain body fluids from a person who has HIV. Common modes of transmission include unprotected sexual activity, sharing needles, and from mother to child during childbirth or breastfeeding.
The Impact of HIV
- Immune System Effects: As the virus destroys CD4 cells, the body becomes more vulnerable to infections and diseases, resulting in a condition known as AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) when the immune system is severely compromised.
- Global Health Concern: HIV remains a major public health issue worldwide, with millions of people living with the virus. Awareness and education about HIV are crucial for prevention and treatment.
Importance of Diagnosis and Treatment
- Testing: Early diagnosis through testing is vital for managing the virus effectively.
- Treatment: Antiretroviral therapy (ART) can help manage HIV, allowing individuals to lead healthy lives and reducing the risk of transmission.
In summary, understanding HIV as the Human Immunodeficiency Virus is essential for recognizing its effects on health and the importance of prevention and treatment strategies.

Understanding AFSPA
The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, commonly known as AFSPA, is a legislative act in India that grants special powers to the armed forces in areas declared as "disturbed." Here’s a detailed explanation of its purpose:
Purpose of AFSPA
- Granting Special Powers:
- AFSPA empowers armed forces to maintain public order in regions facing insurgency or unrest.
- It allows them to arrest without a warrant and use force, including lethal force, if they believe it is necessary for maintaining law and order.
- Scope of Application:
- The Act is applicable in areas designated as disturbed under the law, primarily in regions with high levels of insurgency or militancy, such as parts of Northeast India and Jammu & Kashmir.
- Protection for Armed Forces:
- The Act provides legal immunity to armed forces personnel acting in good faith, ensuring they are not prosecuted for actions taken under the Act. This is intended to facilitate military operations without the fear of legal repercussions.
Criticism and Controversy
- Human Rights Concerns:
- AFSPA has faced significant criticism from various human rights organizations for its potential misuse and the lack of accountability for the armed forces.
- Allegations of human rights violations, including extrajudicial killings, torture, and enforced disappearances, have been reported in areas under AFSPA.
- Calls for Repeal or Amendment:
- There are ongoing discussions and demands from various civil society groups and political leaders for the repeal or amendment of AFSPA, citing its draconian implications on civil liberties.
In summary, the primary purpose of AFSPA is to grant special powers to the armed forces to deal with internal security challenges in disturbed areas, while also raising significant human rights concerns.

ECG stands for Electro Cardio Gram, a test that measures the electrical activity of the heart and is used to detect heart problems and monitor heart health.

UNDP stands for the United Nations Development Programme, which is the United Nations' global development network, working to eradicate poverty and reduce inequalities through sustainable development.

ASEAN stands for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, a regional organization comprising ten Southeast Asian countries, which promotes intergovernmental cooperation and facilitates economic, political, and security integration among its members.

ASCII stands for American Standard Code for Information Interchange. It is a character encoding standard used in computers and electronic devices to represent text and control characters, making data transmission more efficient.

NASA stands for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the United States government agency responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research.

ISRO stands for the Indian Space Research Organisation, which is the space agency of the Government of India, responsible for the country's space research and exploration programs.