← Combined Technical (NG)
Past Questions — 2025
International Day for the Prevention of the Ozone Layer is observed on:
A)
3rd January
B)
16th September
C)
10th November
D)
26th March
The International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer is observed annually on September 16th. This date commemorates the anniversary of the signing of the Montreal Protocol on September 16, 1987, which is a global agreement designed to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production of numerous substances that are responsible for ozone depletion (such as CFCs).
Analysis of other options:
- 3rd January: Not associated with a major international environmental day.
- 10th November: Not associated with the ozone layer.
- 26th March: World Meteorological Day is observed on March 23rd, but March 26th is not the designated day for ozone prevention.
Tendency of pollutants to become concentrated in successive trophic levels is known as:
A)
Biomagnification
B)
Biorythm
C)
Bioremediation
D)
Biopiracy
The process described in the question is Biomagnification. This occurs when persistent, fat-soluble pollutants (such as DDT or methylmercury) are absorbed by organisms at the lowest trophic level. Because these pollutants cannot be easily metabolized or excreted, they accumulate in the tissues. As predators eat multiple prey from the level below, the concentration of the pollutant increases significantly at each successive level of the food chain, reaching its highest concentration in top predators.
Why other options are incorrect:
- b. Biorythm: Refers to the cyclical physiological changes in living organisms (e.g., circadian rhythms).
- c. Bioremediation: The use of microorganisms or plants to clean up contaminated soil or water by breaking down pollutants.
- d. Biopiracy: The unethical or illegal practice of exploiting biological resources or indigenous knowledge without fair compensation.
Valorization of waste is a:
A)
Process of reusing waste material
B)
Process of recycling and composting waste material
C)
Process of reusing and composting waste material
D)
Process of reusing, recycling and composting waste material
Option D is correct: Process of reusing, recycling and composting waste material.
The energy spent in applying 100 Newton force to a body with its linear displacement of 100 meters is:
A)
1000 Joule
B)
10000 Joule
C)
5000 Joule
D)
100 Joule
To find the energy spent (which is equivalent to the work done in this context), we use the physics formula for Work:
Work (W) = Force (F) × Displacement (d) × cos(θ)
Given:
1. Force (F) = 100 Newton
2. Displacement (d) = 100 meters
3. Assuming the force is applied in the direction of displacement, the angle (θ) is 0°, and cos(0°) = 1.
Calculation:
W = 100 N × 100 m
W = 10,000 Joules
Comparing this result to the options:
- Option (a) 1000 Joule is incorrect (calculation error).
- Option (b) 10000 Joule is correct.
- Option (c) 5000 Joule is incorrect.
- Option (d) 100 Joule is incorrect.
What is the temperature range typically used in pasteurization?
A)
100-1200°C
B)
60-750°C
C)
-18 to -230°C
D)
200-2200°C
Option B is correct: 60-750°C.
Precursor of ethylene is:
A)
Tryptophane
B)
Methionine
C)
ABA
D)
IAA
Option B is correct: Methionine.
Use of physical space in communication process is called:
A)
Chronemics
B)
Haptics
C)
Proxemics
D)
Kinesics
The question asks for the term describing the use of physical space in the communication process. This falls under the study of non-verbal communication.
1. **Proxemics (Correct):** Coined by Edward T. Hall, proxemics is the study of how humans use space (distance) to communicate. It categorizes space into four zones: intimate, personal, social, and public distance.
2. **Chronemics (Incorrect):** This is the study of the role of time in communication (e.g., punctuality, waiting time, and pace of speech).
3. **Haptics (Incorrect):** This refers to communication through touch (e.g., handshakes, hugs, or patting on the back).
4. **Kinesics (Incorrect):** This is the study of body movement, gestures, facial expressions, and posture as a means of communication.
Mark the undiscounted technique to calculate feasibility of the investment.
A)
Net Present Value
B)
Internal Rate of Return
C)
Pay Back Period
D)
Benefit Cost Ratio
Option C is correct: Pay Back Period.
Minimum Support Price (MSP) is announced on the basis of the recommendation given by the:
A)
Ministry of Agriculture
B)
Chamber of Commerce
C)
Commission of Agricultural Costs and Prices
D)
Food and Agriculture Organization
The Minimum Support Price (MSP) is the price at which the Government of India purchases crops from farmers to ensure they get a fair return on their produce and to protect them against sharp falls in prices. The process for determining MSP is as follows:
1. The Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) is an attached office of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. It is an expert body that analyzes various factors such as cost of production, demand and supply, and market trends.
2. The CACP provides recommendations on the MSP for various Kharif and Rabi crops.
3. These recommendations are then considered by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by the Prime Minister, which takes the final decision on the announcement of the MSP.
Why other options are incorrect:
- Option (a): While the CACP is attached to the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry itself does not 'recommend' the price; it is the specialized Commission (CACP) that performs the technical analysis and recommendation.
- Option (b): The Chamber of Commerce is a business organization and does not have a statutory role in government price-fixing for agriculture.
- Option (d): The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that provides global guidance and data, but it does not determine national price policies for India.
The Chipko movement is started by:
A)
Engler
B)
Sunderlal Bahuguna
C)
Medha Padkar
D)
None of these
The Chipko movement was a non-violent social and ecological movement by rural villagers, particularly women, in India in the 1970s to protect trees from being felled. Sunderlal Bahuguna was one of the most prominent leaders of this movement, gaining international recognition for his role in advocating for the preservation of forests in the Himalayas. He popularized the movement's philosophy of 'hugging' trees to prevent them from being cut.
Analysis of other options:
- Option (a) Engler: Not associated with the Chipko movement.
- Option (c) Medha Patkar: She is a renowned social activist known for the Narmada Bachao Andolan (Save Narmada Movement), not the Chipko movement.
- Option (d) None of these: Incorrect as Sunderlal Bahuguna is a correct answer.
The most commonly used for grain storage to prevent pest infestation is:
A)
open sun drying
B)
Cold storage
C)
Hermetic storage
D)
Hydroponics
Step-by-step reasoning: 1. The goal is to identify the most effective and commonly used method for grain storage specifically to prevent pest infestation. 2. Open sun drying (Option a) is a pre-storage process used to reduce moisture content to prevent mold, but it is not a storage method itself and does not prevent pests once the grain is stored. 3. Cold storage (Option b) is primarily used for perishable goods like fruits and vegetables; while it can slow pest activity, it is energy-intensive and not the standard 'common' method for bulk grain storage. 4. Hydroponics (Option d) is a method of growing plants without soil, completely unrelated to post-harvest storage. 5. Hermetic storage (Option c) refers to airtight storage (e.g., PICS bags, silos). It prevents pest infestation by creating an oxygen-depleted and carbon dioxide-rich environment as the grains and insects respire, effectively suffocating insects and preventing new pests from entering. This is a widely promoted and highly effective technology for grain preservation.
The cost incurred by the farmer for cultivation of a crop per unit of output is:
A)
Yield
B)
Cost of production
C)
Cost of cultivation
D)
Total cost
In agricultural economics, it is crucial to distinguish between the total expenditure on a field and the cost relative to the output.
1. **Cost of Production (Option b):** This is defined as the total cost incurred for the cultivation of a crop divided by the total output produced. It represents the 'per unit' cost (e.g., cost per quintal or cost per kg). The formula is: Cost of Production = Total Cost of Cultivation / Total Yield.
2. **Cost of Cultivation (Option c):** This refers to the total expenditure incurred by the farmer on all inputs (seeds, fertilizers, labor, irrigation, etc.) to grow a crop on a specific area of land, regardless of the final output volume. It is an absolute value, not a per-unit value.
3. **Total Cost (Option d):** This is the sum of all fixed and variable costs incurred during the production process. Like the cost of cultivation, it is a lump sum and not expressed per unit of output.
4. **Yield (Option a):** This refers to the amount of crop produced per unit area of land (e.g., kg per hectare), which is a measure of productivity, not cost.
Therefore, since the question specifically asks for the cost 'per unit of output', the correct term is the Cost of Production.
The ‘ceteris paribus’ clause in the law of demand does not mean that:
A)
The taste of the consumer does not change
B)
The income of the consumer does not change
C)
The price of the consumer does not change
D)
The price of the substitute does not change
Option C is correct: The price of the consumer does not change.
The most commonly used method for needs assessment in rural communities is:
A)
Random sampling
B)
PRA
C)
Case studies
D)
Focus group discussion
Option B is correct: PRA.
ISO stands for:
A)
International Standard of Organization
B)
Indian Standard of Organization
C)
International Organization for Standard
D)
Indian Organization of Standard
Option C is correct: International Organization for Standard.
The concept of ‘transactional model of communication’ was introduced by:
A)
Shannon and Weaver
B)
Wilbur Schramm
C)
Alder and Towne
D)
Barnlund
Option D is correct: Barnlund.
In tractor engine, the complete path of power from the engine to the wheel is called:
A)
Power train
B)
Power wheel
C)
Both (a) and (b)
D)
None of the above
Option A is correct: Power train.
Which leadership style is most effective in agricultural extension?
A)
Autocratic
B)
Democratic
C)
Laissez-faire
D)
Transactional
Option B is correct: Democratic.
The main advantage of Farmer Field School (FFS) approach in agriculture extension is:
A)
Low cost
B)
High participation
C)
Rapid dissemination
D)
Individual focus
Option B is correct: High participation.
Wheel hoe type weeder works on ________ of the operator.
A)
rotary action
B)
push and pull action
C)
sliding action
D)
vibratory action
A wheel hoe is a manual weeding tool consisting of one or more wheels with attached weeding blades or tines. Unlike power weeders that use rotary action (motorized spinning), a wheel hoe is operated manually. The operator moves the machine forward (push) and sometimes backward (pull) to drive the blades into the soil to cut weeds and aerate the soil.
- Option (a) 'rotary action' refers to power-driven tillers or rotary weeders, not manual wheel hoes.
- Option (c) 'sliding action' is too vague and does not describe the mechanical operation of a wheel hoe.
- Option (d) 'vibratory action' is used in specialized soil compactors or specific industrial tools, not in standard manual weeding.
An AC motor is an electric motor powered by ________ type of current.
A)
Direct current
B)
Alternating current
C)
Pulsating current
D)
Continuous current
Option B is correct: Alternating current.
Which describes the characteristics of ‘Early Majority’ the best?
A)
Traditional
B)
Skeptical
C)
Deliberate
D)
Venturesome
Option C is correct: Deliberate.
Rotavator for hill agriculture is usually:
A)
Tractor mounted
B)
Power tiller mounted
C)
Manual
D)
Animal drawn
In hill agriculture, the terrain is characterized by steep slopes, narrow terraces, and fragmented land holdings. Large tractor-mounted machinery is often impractical due to the lack of maneuverability and the risk of overturning on slopes. A rotavator (rotary tiller) mounted on a power tiller is the most suitable choice because power tillers are compact, lightweight, and highly maneuverable, making them ideal for the small plot sizes and rugged topography typical of hilly regions.
- Option (a) Tractor mounted: Too bulky and dangerous for narrow hill terraces.
- Option (c) Manual: Rotavators require high torque and rotational speed to pulverize soil, which cannot be achieved manually.
- Option (d) Animal drawn: Rotavators are active implements requiring a power take-off (PTO) or engine to rotate the blades; animal-drawn implements are passive (like plows) and cannot perform the rotary action of a rotavator.
The name of the component placed in between driver wheels and differential of a tractor is:
A)
Gearbox
B)
Final drive
C)
Clutch
D)
Transmission shaft
In a tractor's power train, the flow of power generally follows this sequence: Engine → Clutch → Gearbox/Transmission → Differential → Final Drive → Drive Wheels. The differential splits the power between the two rear wheels and allows them to rotate at different speeds during turns. However, the differential output is usually at a high speed and low torque. The 'Final Drive' is the component placed between the differential and the drive wheels; its primary purpose is to provide a final gear reduction to increase torque and reduce the rotational speed before the power reaches the wheels.
Why other options are incorrect:
- a. Gearbox: This is located before the differential to provide various speed ratios.
- c. Clutch: This is located between the engine and the gearbox to engage or disengage power.
- d. Transmission shaft: This is a general term for shafts that carry power, but it is not the specific component designed for the final reduction between the differential and the wheels.
Which of the term is used for implement/ tools efficiency?
A)
Field capacity
B)
Hp
C)
Cut off
D)
Power
Option A is correct: Field capacity.