← Agri & Allied (CT)
Past Questions
The term ‘Laffer Curve’:
A)
explains how interest rates effect saving
B)
shows the relationship between inflation and unemployment.
C)
measures inequality
D)
illustrates the relationship between tax rates and tax revenue.
The Laffer Curve is an economic theory developed by economist Arthur Laffer. It posits that there is an optimal tax rate that maximizes total tax revenue for the government.
1. **How it works**: At a 0% tax rate, revenue is zero. At a 100% tax rate, revenue is also theoretically zero because there is no incentive for individuals to work or for businesses to produce if the government takes all the earnings.
2. **The Curve**: The relationship is represented as an inverted U-shaped curve. As tax rates increase from 0%, revenue initially rises. However, after reaching a certain peak (the optimal rate), further increases in the tax rate actually lead to a decrease in total revenue because they discourage economic activity and encourage tax evasion.
**Why other options are incorrect:**
- **Option a**: The relationship between interest rates and saving is generally discussed in the context of the Loanable Funds Theory or the Consumption Function.
- **Option b**: The relationship between inflation and unemployment is illustrated by the 'Phillips Curve'.
- **Option c**: Inequality is typically measured using the 'Gini Coefficient' or the 'Lorenz Curve'.
Which of the following countries is the largest exporter of crude oil?
A)
Russia
B)
Venezuela
C)
USA
D)
Saudi Arabia
To determine the largest exporter of crude oil, we look at the volume of net exports (total production minus domestic consumption).
1. **Saudi Arabia (Option d):** Historically and currently, Saudi Arabia is the world's leading exporter of crude oil. Due to its massive proven reserves and relatively low domestic consumption compared to its production capacity, it maintains the highest export volumes globally.
2. **Russia (Option a):** Russia is a top-tier exporter and often competes for the second or third spot, but its total export volumes generally remain below those of Saudi Arabia.
3. **USA (Option c):** While the USA is currently the world's largest *producer* of crude oil (due to the shale revolution), it also has very high domestic consumption. While it has become a major exporter in recent years, it does not surpass Saudi Arabia in total crude export volume.
4. **Venezuela (Option b):** Venezuela possesses the world's largest proven oil reserves, but due to economic instability, sanctions, and infrastructure collapse, its actual export volumes have plummeted significantly.
Therefore, Saudi Arabia is the correct answer as the largest exporter of crude oil.
What is the process by which plants convert sunlight into chemical energy?
A)
Transpiration
B)
Photosynthesis
C)
Respiration
D)
Decomposition
The process by which green plants, algae, and some bacteria convert light energy (sunlight) into chemical energy (glucose) is called photosynthesis. During this process, plants use chlorophyll to capture sunlight, which powers the conversion of carbon dioxide and water into oxygen and energy-rich carbohydrates.
Analysis of other options:
- a. Transpiration: This is the process of water movement through a plant and its evaporation from aerial parts, such as leaves.
- c. Respiration: This is the process of breaking down glucose to release energy (ATP), which is essentially the opposite of photosynthesis in terms of energy flow.
- d. Decomposition: This is the process by which organic substances are broken down into simpler organic or inorganic matter by microorganisms.
Who appoints the Chief Election Commissioner of India?
A)
President
B)
Prime Minister
C)
Supreme Court
D)
Lok Sabha
According to the Constitution of India, the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and other Election Commissioners are appointed by the President of India. While the process of selection may involve recommendations (such as from a committee comprising the Prime Minister and leaders of political parties, as per recent legislative updates like the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners Act, 2023), the formal act of appointment is performed by the President.
Why other options are incorrect:
- b. Prime Minister: The PM may be part of the selection committee, but does not hold the constitutional authority to appoint the CEC.
- c. Supreme Court: The judiciary does not appoint the CEC, although the court may be involved in interpreting the laws governing the appointment.
- d. Lok Sabha: The lower house of Parliament has no role in the direct appointment of the CEC.
Which article of the Indian Constitution allows the President to declare a National Emergency?
A)
Article 352
B)
Article 356
C)
Article 360
D)
Article 370
The Indian Constitution provides for three types of emergencies.
1. **Article 352 (National Emergency):** This allows the President to declare a National Emergency when the security of India or any part of it is threatened by war, external aggression, or armed rebellion. This is the correct answer.
2. **Article 356 (President's Rule):** This allows the President to impose emergency rule in a specific state if the constitutional machinery in that state fails (State Emergency).
3. **Article 360 (Financial Emergency):** This allows the President to declare a Financial Emergency if the financial stability or credit of India is threatened.
4. **Article 370:** This was a temporary provision regarding the special status of Jammu and Kashmir (largely abrogated in 2019) and is not related to the declaration of emergencies.
Capt. T.H.Lewin wrote a famous book called-
A)
The Hill Tracts of Chittagong and The Dwellers Therein
B)
A Grammar of Lushai Language
C)
Progressive Colloquial Exercise in Lushai Dialect of the ‘Dzo’
D)
Mizo Chanchin
Captain T.H. Lewin was a British officer who served in the Lushai Hills (now Mizoram) and the Chittagong Hill Tracts. He is widely recognized for his detailed ethnographic and geographical accounts of the region. His most famous work is 'The Hill Tracts of Chittagong and The Dwellers Therein', published in 1869, which provided early Western readers with insights into the culture and geography of the area.
Regarding the other options:
- Option (b) 'A Grammar of Lushai Language' and Option (c) 'Progressive Colloquial Exercise in Lushai Dialect' are typically associated with early missionaries (such as J.H. Lorrain and F.W. Savidge) who worked on the linguistic codification of the Mizo language.
- Option (d) 'Mizo Chanchin' refers to Mizo history/news in general and is not a specific book authored by Capt. Lewin.
Which country is popularly known as ‘Coffee pot of the world’?
A)
Chile
B)
Brazil
C)
China
D)
Argentina
Brazil is popularly known as the 'Coffee pot of the world' because it has been the world's largest producer of coffee for over 150 years. The country possesses ideal climatic conditions (tropical climate with distinct wet and dry seasons) and vast areas of fertile land suitable for the cultivation of both Arabica and Robusta coffee beans.
Analysis of other options:
- Chile: While Chile is known for its copper production and wine, it is not a major global coffee producer.
- China: China is a leader in tea production and various industrial crops, but not coffee.
- Argentina: While Argentina produces coffee and other agricultural goods, its scale of production is negligible compared to Brazil.
Which article of the Indian constitution contains Impeachment of the President of India?
A)
Article 52
B)
Article 55
C)
Article 61
D)
Article 72
Step-by-step reasoning:
1. The Constitution of India provides a specific procedure for the removal of the President from office, known as 'Impeachment'.
2. Article 61 explicitly details the procedure for impeachment, which can only be initiated on the grounds of 'violation of the Constitution'.
3. Analysis of other options:
- Article 52: States that 'There shall be a President of India'.
- Article 55: Describes the manner of election of the President.
- Article 72: Deals with the power of the President to grant pardons, reprieves, respites or remissions of punishment.
Therefore, Article 61 is the correct provision for the impeachment of the President.
Judicial Review in India is based on-
A)
Precedents and conventions
B)
Due process of law
C)
Procedure established by law
D)
Rule oflaw
Step-by-step reasoning:
1. Judicial Review is the power of the judiciary to examine the constitutionality of legislative enactments and executive orders.
2. In the Indian Constitution, Article 21 explicitly states that 'No person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty except according to procedure established by law.'
3. Historically, India adopted the British concept of 'Procedure Established by Law' rather than the American concept of 'Due Process of Law'. 'Procedure established by law' means that a law is valid if it has been enacted by a competent legislature following the correct legal procedure.
4. While the Supreme Court of India has evolved the concept of 'Due Process' through various judgments (like Maneka Gandhi vs Union of India, 1978) by interpreting 'procedure' to be 'just, fair, and reasonable', the foundational basis written into the Constitution remains 'Procedure established by law'.
Why other options are incorrect:
- Option (a): Precedents and conventions are sources of law but not the constitutional basis for the power of judicial review.
- Option (b): 'Due process of law' is a US constitutional doctrine. While Indian courts now apply a similar standard, the formal basis in the text of the Indian Constitution is 'Procedure established by law'.
- Option (d): 'Rule of Law' is a broader legal principle (popularized by A.V. Dicey) that ensures no one is above the law, but it is not the specific technical mechanism upon which judicial review is based in India.
The first Mizo Kristian song is-
A)
Tlang Thim chhak lam kei ka en ang
B)
Isua Vanahaawma
C)
Lal ber hmaah kan ding ang
D)
Lal ber sipai kan ni
In the history of Christianity in Mizoram, the first Mizo hymn (Kristian hla) was composed by the early missionaries and local converts. 'Tlang Thim chhak lam kei ka en ang' is recognized as the first Mizo Christian song. It was translated/composed during the early stages of the mission work by the Welsh Presbyterian Missionaries (such as J.H. Lorrain and F.W. Savidge) to introduce the gospel through music to the Mizo people. Options b, c, and d are later hymns or songs that became popular in the Mizo church but do not hold the distinction of being the first.
Writer of the novel ‘Nunna kawng thuampuiah’:
A)
Lalrammawia Ngente
B)
K.C. Lalvunga
C)
James Dokhuma
D)
Lalhmingliana Saiawi
The novel ‘Nunna kawng thuampuiah’ is a well-known work in Mizo literature written by Lalrammawia Ngente. He is recognized for his contributions to Mizo prose and storytelling. The other options listed (K.C. Lalvunga, James Dokhuma, and Lalhmingliana Saiawi) are also figures associated with Mizo writing or intellectual contributions, but they are not the authors of this specific novel.
Which of the following is a key principle of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?
A)
Economic growth without regard for the environment
B)
Growth in GDP at any cost
C)
Isolation of nations
D)
Poverty eradication and sustainable development
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the 2030 Agenda, were adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015. They consist of 17 goals designed to be a 'blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all'.
1. Why Option (d) is correct: The very first goal (SDG 1) is 'No Poverty', and the overarching framework is 'Sustainable Development', which balances social, economic, and environmental sustainability. The core principle is 'Leaving No One Behind'.
2. Why Option (a) is incorrect: The SDGs emphasize the integration of environmental protection with economic growth (e.g., SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, SDG 13: Climate Action). Growth 'without regard for the environment' contradicts the definition of sustainability.
3. Why Option (b) is incorrect: GDP growth is a metric, but the SDGs prioritize 'inclusive' and 'sustainable' growth over growth 'at any cost'.
4. Why Option (c) is incorrect: The SDGs are based on the principle of 'Global Partnership' (SDG 17), which encourages international cooperation and collaboration rather than isolation.
Which one of the following idioms is not a correct pair?
A)
Zaudawh—a small house
B)
Tlai sial—a young mithun
C)
Zawhte no nei ang- staying in the same place
D)
Fatlum—the youngest son
To solve this, we must analyze the Mizo idioms provided in the options:
1. **Zaudawh**: This refers to a small, humble house or a makeshift dwelling. Option (a) is a correct pair.
2. **Tlai sial**: This is a specific term used for a young mithun (Bos frontalis), which is culturally significant in Mizo society. Option (b) is a correct pair.
3. **Zawhte no nei ang**: This idiom literally translates to 'like a pig having piglets.' In Mizo usage, it refers to a state of being crowded, cluttered, or having many children/dependents in one place, rather than the act of 'staying in the same place' (which would be more accurately described by terms like 'ding reng' or 'la hmun'). Therefore, the pairing in option (c) is incorrect.
4. **Fatlum**: This refers to the youngest son, who traditionally had specific roles and expectations within the Mizo family structure. Option (d) is a correct pair.
Since the question asks for the pair that is NOT correct, option (c) is the right answer.
The Mauryan Emperor who embraced Buddhism and spread it across India was:
A)
Chandragupta Maurya
B)
Bindusara
C)
Ashoka
D)
Kanishka
Step-by-step reasoning:
1. Analysis of the Mauryan Dynasty: The Mauryan Empire was founded by Chandragupta Maurya. His son was Bindusara, and his grandson was Ashoka.
2. Evaluating Ashoka: After the bloody Kalinga War (c. 261 BCE), Emperor Ashoka experienced a profound change of heart and embraced Buddhism. He adopted the policy of 'Dhamma' (righteousness) and spent the rest of his reign promoting non-violence, tolerance, and the spread of Buddhist teachings across India and beyond (including Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia).
3. Evaluating other options:
- (a) Chandragupta Maurya: He was the founder of the empire and is traditionally associated with Jainism toward the end of his life, not Buddhism.
- (b) Bindusara: He is believed to have leaned toward the Ajivika sect and did not play a role in spreading Buddhism.
- (d) Kanishka: While Kanishka was a great patron of Buddhism and convened the Fourth Buddhist Council, he belonged to the Kushan Empire, not the Mauryan Empire.
Which article of the Indian constitution contains the money bill?
A)
Article 110
B)
Article 111
C)
Article 202
D)
Article 112
Step-by-step reasoning:
1. Definition of Money Bill: Under the Indian Constitution, a 'Money Bill' is a specific type of financial bill that deals exclusively with matters like taxation, government borrowing, and expenditure from the Consolidated Fund of India.
2. Article 110: This article specifically defines what constitutes a 'Money Bill'. It states that a bill is deemed to be a Money Bill if it contains only provisions dealing with the imposition of taxes, regulation of borrowing, or appropriation of money.
3. Analysis of other options:
- Article 111: Deals with the 'Assent to Bills' (the process by which the President signs a bill into law).
- Article 112: Deals with the 'Annual Financial Statement' (commonly known as the Budget).
- Article 202: Deals with the 'Annual Financial Statement' at the State level (State Budget).
Therefore, Article 110 is the correct provision that defines the Money Bill.
The infamous Jallianwala Bagh Massacre incident happened on April 13 in the year-
A)
1911
B)
1919
C)
1921
D)
1935
The Jallianwala Bagh Massacre took place on April 13, 1919, in Amritsar, Punjab. The incident occurred when Brigadier-General Reginald Dyer ordered troops to fire upon a crowd of unarmed civilians who had gathered to protest the Rowlatt Act and celebrate the festival of Baisakhi.
Analysis of options:
- Option (a) 1911: This year is notable for the Delhi Durbar and the shifting of the capital from Calcutta to Delhi, not the massacre.
- Option (b) 1919: Correct. This is the historical year of the massacre.
- Option (c) 1921: This period was marked by the Non-Cooperation Movement led by Mahatma Gandhi, which was a reaction to events including the massacre, but the event itself happened earlier.
- Option (d) 1935: This year is associated with the Government of India Act 1935, which provided for a federation of India.
When was the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, also known as the Earth Summit held in Rio de Janeiro?
A)
3 to 14 June 1990
B)
3 to 14 June 1991
C)
3 to 14 June 1992
D)
3 to 14 June 1993
The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), popularly known as the 'Earth Summit', was held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from June 3 to June 14, 1992. This landmark summit was organized to address urgent global environmental issues and to promote sustainable development. Key outcomes of the Rio Earth Summit included the adoption of 'Agenda 21', the 'Rio Declaration on Environment and Development', and the creation of the 'United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change' (UNFCCC) and the 'Convention on Biological Diversity' (CBD). Options a, b, and d are incorrect as they list the wrong years.
The Mizos believed that when a person dies, his/her spirit exits through the-
A)
Nose
B)
Mouth
C)
Ear
D)
Tip of the head
In traditional Mizo belief systems (pre-Christianity), it was widely believed that the spirit (thlarau) of a deceased person leaves the physical body through the crown or the tip of the head. This belief influenced various traditional customs and rituals surrounding death and the transition of the soul to the afterlife (Mithi Khua). Options a, b, and c are incorrect as they do not align with the specific anthropological and cultural beliefs of the Mizo people regarding the exit point of the spirit.
Which of the following is considered a social sector initiative?
A)
Industrial growth
B)
Education programs
C)
Businesses
D)
Export promotion
The 'social sector' refers to the area of the economy that focuses on improving the quality of life and well-being of the population through the provision of essential services.
1. **Education programs (Option b)**: Education is a core component of the social sector, along with healthcare, sanitation, and social security. These initiatives aim to develop human capital and ensure social equity.
2. **Industrial growth (Option a)**: This falls under the economic or industrial sector, focusing on manufacturing and production capacity.
3. **Businesses (Option c)**: This represents the private sector or commercial sector, driven primarily by profit motives.
4. **Export promotion (Option d)**: This is a trade policy initiative aimed at increasing foreign exchange earnings and economic growth, falling under the commercial/economic sector.
Therefore, education programs are the only option that aligns with the definition of a social sector initiative.
Which gas is the primary contributor to the greenhouse effect?
A)
Oxygen
B)
Carbon dioxide
C)
Neon
D)
Helium
The greenhouse effect is caused by gases that trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the primary contributor among the options provided because it is emitted in large quantities through natural processes (respiration, volcanic eruptions) and human activities (burning fossil fuels, deforestation), and it remains in the atmosphere for a long time.
Analysis of other options:
- Oxygen (a): This is a diatomic gas that makes up about 21% of the atmosphere but does not trap infrared radiation and thus is not a greenhouse gas.
- Neon (c): This is a noble gas. Noble gases are chemically inert and do not contribute to the greenhouse effect.
- Helium (d): Like neon, helium is a noble gas and does not possess the molecular structure required to absorb and emit infrared radiation.
What is the correct name of a ‘Shooting star’?
A)
Moon
B)
Meteor
C)
Asteroid
D)
Little star
A 'shooting star' is a common name for a meteor. A meteor is a streak of light that occurs when a meteoroid (a small piece of rock or dust from space) enters Earth's atmosphere at high speed. The friction between the meteoroid and the atmospheric gases generates intense heat, causing the object to vaporize and create a glowing trail of ionized gas, which appears as a falling star to an observer on the ground.
Why other options are incorrect:
- a. Moon: The Moon is Earth's natural satellite, a large celestial body that orbits the Earth; it does not 'shoot' across the sky.
- c. Asteroid: Asteroids are large rocky bodies that orbit the Sun, mostly found in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. While a piece of an asteroid can become a meteoroid, the 'shooting star' effect specifically refers to the atmospheric entry (the meteor).
- d. Little star: This is a descriptive term, not a scientific name. Shooting stars are not actually stars (which are massive balls of plasma), but small debris particles.
What is the largest saltwater lake in India?
A)
Dal Lake
B)
Wular Lake
C)
Chilika Lake
D)
Loktak Lake
Step-by-step analysis:
1. The question asks for the largest saltwater lake (lagoon) in India.
2. Chilika Lake, located in Odisha, is the largest brackish water lagoon in India and the second largest coastal lagoon in the world. It is a designated Ramsar site and a key wintering ground for migratory birds.
3. Evaluating other options:
- Dal Lake (Jammu & Kashmir): A freshwater lake known for its beauty and houseboats.
- Wular Lake (Jammu & Kashmir): One of the largest freshwater lakes in Asia, fed by the Jhelum River.
- Loktak Lake (Manipur): A freshwater lake famous for its floating islands called 'phumdis'.
4. Since Dal, Wular, and Loktak are all freshwater lakes, Chilika Lake is the only saltwater/brackish water option and the largest of its kind in the country.
The land settlement in the Lushai Hills was introduced by-
A)
L.O.Clarke
B)
B.W. Roy
C)
GH.Loch
D)
J.Shakespeare
The land settlement in the Lushai Hills (modern-day Mizoram) was introduced by L.O. Clarke. During the British administration of the Lushai Hills, the system of land tenure and settlement was formalized to establish administrative control and revenue structures. L.O. Clarke played a pivotal role in implementing these land settlement policies.
Regarding the other options:
- B.W. Roy and GH. Loch were involved in various administrative or military capacities during the colonial era, but they are not credited with the introduction of the land settlement.
- J. Shakespeare was a colonial officer, but the specific historical record for the introduction of land settlement in this region points to L.O. Clarke.
Grasslands which do not support any trees are called?
A)
Lanos
B)
Campos
C)
Savanna
D)
Steppes
To solve this, we must distinguish between 'Tropical Grasslands' and 'Temperate Grasslands'.
1. **Savanna (Option c):** These are tropical grasslands. They are characterized by a mix of grasses and scattered individual trees or small clumps of trees. Therefore, they *do* support trees.
2. **Campos (Option b):** These are tropical grasslands found in Brazil. Like Savannas, they often feature scattered shrubs and trees.
3. **Lanos (Option a):** This is likely a misspelling of 'Llanos' (tropical grasslands of Colombia/Venezuela), which also typically feature a mix of grass and scattered trees/shrubs.
4. **Steppes (Option d):** These are temperate grasslands (found in Eurasia). Temperate grasslands are characterized by a climate that is too dry to support forests but wet enough to support grasses. Unlike Savannas, true Steppes are virtually treeless plains because the precipitation levels and soil conditions do not support the growth of trees except along riverbanks.
Therefore, among the given options, Steppes are the grasslands that typically do not support trees.
The Directive Principles of State Policy are:
A)
Justiciable
B)
Non-justiciable
C)
Part of Fundamental Rights
D)
None of the above
The Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP), contained in Part IV (Articles 36-51) of the Constitution of India, are guidelines given to the federal and state governments.
1. Why 'Non-justiciable' is correct: According to Article 37 of the Indian Constitution, the DPSP are 'non-justiciable,' meaning they are not enforceable by any court. If the government fails to implement a directive principle, a citizen cannot approach the court to compel the state to do so.
2. Why 'Justiciable' is incorrect: Justiciability refers to the ability of a court to hear and decide a matter. Fundamental Rights (Part III) are justiciable, but DPSPs are not.
3. Why 'Part of Fundamental Rights' is incorrect: Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles are two distinct parts of the Constitution. While Fundamental Rights protect individual liberties (negative obligations on the state), DPSPs outline the goals for a welfare state (positive obligations on the state).