The document summarizes the topics covered in the first session of the CCS334 BIG DATA ANALYTICS course. It introduces database concepts and characteristics of RDBMS. It then discusses the reasons for NoSQL databases including that RDBMS were not built for distributed applications and are weak in speed, availability, and partition tolerance. The session defined what NoSQL is, the characteristics of NoSQL databases like schema flexibility and ease of changes. It also highlighted the difference between SQL and NoSQL databases. The next session will cover Dynamo, Big Table and types of NoSQL databases.