When & Where

World War II began on 1 September 1939 with Germany's invasion of Poland.

It lasted until 2 September 1945.

It was fought across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Pacific.

Main Axis Powers

Germany, Italy, and Japan formed the Axis Powers.

Led by Hitler, Mussolini, and Emperor Hirohito respectively.

Main Allied Powers

Allies included the UK, USSR, USA, China, and France.

Led by leaders like Churchill, Roosevelt, and Stalin.

Key Events

Germany invaded the USSR in 1941 (Operation Barbarossa).

Japan attacked Pearl Harbor in December 1941.

D-Day landings in 1944 marked a major Allied offensive.

Holocaust

Nazi Germany killed 6 million Jews in the Holocaust.

It also targeted Romani people, disabled individuals, and others.

This genocide is one of history’s darkest chapters.

India's Role

Over 2.5 million Indian soldiers fought for the British Empire.

India also faced economic strain and political unrest.

The Quit India Movement began during the war.

End of the War

Germany surrendered in May 1945 after Hitler’s death.

Japan surrendered after atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

The war officially ended on 2 September 1945.

Aftermath

The UN was formed in October 1945 to prevent future wars.

Europe lay devastated; US and USSR emerged as superpowers.

Led to the Cold War and decolonization movements worldwide.

Kesavananda Bharati (1973)

Introduced the 'Basic Structure Doctrine'.

Parliament cannot alter the basic structure of the Constitution.

Landmark for judicial review and constitutional supremacy.

Golaknath Case (1967)

SC held that Fundamental Rights cannot be amended by Parliament.

Later overturned by the Kesavananda Bharati case.

Marked early tension between Parliament and Judiciary.

Maneka Gandhi (1978)

Expanded Article 21: Right to Life includes personal liberty and fair procedure.

Emphasized that laws must be just, fair, and reasonable.

Strengthened the idea of due process in Indian law.

Minerva Mills (1980)

Reaffirmed the basic structure doctrine.

Balanced Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles.

Limited Parliament’s power to amend the Constitution.

SR Bommai (1994)

Defined limits of President’s Rule under Article 356.

Judicial review allowed over imposition of President’s Rule.

Promoted federalism and democratic accountability.

Shayara Bano (2017)

Declared instant triple talaq unconstitutional.

Upheld gender justice and dignity of Muslim women.

Major step in personal law reforms.

Navtej Johar (2018)

Decriminalized homosexuality by reading down Section 377.

Affirmed equality, dignity, and personal choice.

Historic win for LGBTQ+ rights in India.

Puttaswamy (2017)

Right to Privacy declared a Fundamental Right under Article 21.

Laid the foundation for future digital rights and data protection.

Important for Aadhaar and surveillance debates.

Colonial Legacy

India inherited a stagnant and underdeveloped economy in 1947.

British policies left poor infrastructure, low industrial base, and high poverty.

Planned Economy

India adopted 5-Year Plans starting in 1951, guided by the Planning Commission.

Focused on state-led industrial growth, inspired by Soviet-style socialism.

Green Revolution

Started in the 1960s to boost food production through HYV seeds and irrigation.

Led to food self-sufficiency but widened regional inequalities.

Bank Nationalization

In 1969, 14 major banks were nationalized to increase financial inclusion.

Strengthened credit access for agriculture and small industries.

License Raj

System where businesses needed multiple approvals to operate or expand.

Created inefficiency, red tape, and discouraged private enterprise.

1991 Economic Reforms

Triggered by a balance of payments crisis and IMF intervention.

India liberalized, privatized, and globalized its economy (LPG reforms).

Post-Reform Growth

India saw high GDP growth, rise of services sector, and IT boom.

Reduced poverty but increased income inequality and regional gaps.

Recent Trends

Focus on digital economy, infrastructure, and Atmanirbhar Bharat.

Challenges include unemployment, agrarian distress, and inflation.

Ganga

Originates from Gangotri Glacier in Uttarakhand.

Flows through UP, Bihar, West Bengal; forms the Sundarbans delta.

Major tributaries: Yamuna (west), Ghaghara, Gandak, Kosi (north).

Yamuna

Originates from Yamunotri Glacier in Uttarakhand.

Joins Ganga at Allahabad (Prayagraj).

Key tributary: Chambal.

Brahmaputra

Originates in Tibet as Tsangpo, enters India via Arunachal Pradesh.

Flows through Assam and Bangladesh.

Prone to devastating floods; has braided channels.

Indus

Originates in Tibet, flows through Ladakh and Pakistan.

Main tributaries in India: Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, Sutlej.

Regulated under Indus Waters Treaty (1960).

Godavari

Longest river of peninsular India; also called Dakshin Ganga.

Originates in Maharashtra, flows east into Bay of Bengal.

Tributaries: Manjira, Indravati, Pranhita.

Krishna

Originates in Mahabaleshwar, Maharashtra.

Flows through Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh.

Main tributaries: Bhima, Tungabhadra.

Narmada

Flows westward into the Arabian Sea from Amarkantak, MP.

Forms the traditional boundary between North and South India.

Known for marble rocks at Bhedaghat and Narmada Valley Project.

Mahanadi

Originates in Chhattisgarh and flows through Odisha.

Known for Hirakud Dam — one of the longest in the world.

Empties into the Bay of Bengal.

Cauvery

Originates in Karnataka’s Brahmagiri Hills, flows through TN.

Important for irrigation in the Deccan Plateau.

Dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu over water sharing.