← Group B (Gazetted)
Past Questions
Which institution played a key role in India’s Green Revolution through scientific research?
A)
Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)
B)
Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR)
C)
Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI)
D)
National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD)
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is the apex national body responsible for coordinating, guiding, and managing research and education in agriculture in India. It played a pivotal role in the Green Revolution during the 1960s by developing, testing, and introducing High-Yielding Variety (HYV) seeds of wheat and rice in collaboration with international agencies.
- Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) (b) focuses on industrial and general scientific research rather than agricultural research.
- Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) (c) is a premier institute that contributed significantly, but it functions under the umbrella of ICAR, which is the apex governing body.
- National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) (d) is a financial institution established in 1982 to provide credit for rural development, not a scientific research body.
With reference to ‘Liquid Nano Urea’, which organization developed the world’s first commercial version of this fertilizer in India?
A)
FCI (Food Corporation of India)
B)
IFFCO (Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited)
C)
(NFL) National Fertilizers Limited
D)
ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research)
The correct option is 'b' (IFFCO). Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO) indigenously developed the world's first Nano Urea Liquid at its Nano Biotechnology Research Centre (NBRC) in Kalol, Gujarat, and launched it commercially in 2021.
- Option 'a' (FCI) is incorrect because the Food Corporation of India is responsible for food grain procurement and distribution, not fertilizer research.
- Option 'c' (NFL) is incorrect as National Fertilizers Limited is a state-owned producer of fertilizers but was not the developer of this technology.
- Option 'd' (ICAR) is incorrect because the Indian Council of Agricultural Research is an apex body for agricultural research and education, but the commercial development of Liquid Nano Urea was specifically achieved by the cooperative IFFCO.
Whose descendant attacked the British forces garrisoned at Changsil fort and Aizawl fort during September to early October 1890?
A)
Chief Manga
B)
Chief Lianlula
C)
Chief Rolura
D)
Chief Vuttaia
In September 1890, the descendants of Chief Vuttaia (a prominent and powerful Lushai chief) launched a major armed rebellion against the British forces. They attacked the British garrisons stationed at Changsil fort and Aizawl fort, which led to intense fighting during September and early October 1890. This uprising was triggered by British high-handedness, demands for forced labor, and the imposition of taxes. Chief Manga (a), Chief Lianlula (b), and Chief Rolura (c) are incorrect because, although they were notable historical Mizo chiefs, their descendants were not the primary leaders of this specific 1890 attack on the Changsil and Aizawl garrisons.
A long railing of bamboo or saplings and creepers fixed up supporting billets of firewood exposed to dry for cooking meat for public feast was known as:
A)
Sathingzar
B)
Thinghawngthlun
C)
Thingman
D)
Bahzar
In traditional Mizo culture, 'Sathingzar' refers to a long railing made of bamboo, saplings, and creepers constructed to support billets of firewood laid out to dry, specifically intended for cooking meat during public feasts.
- **Thinghawngthlun** (Option b) refers to a pile or stack of firewood bound together in a specific manner.
- **Thingman** (Option c) literally translates to the price or value of wood/firewood.
- **Bahzar** (Option d) refers to a different type of shelf or platform structure, not specifically the firewood railing used for public feasts.
India’s first satellite Aryabhata was launched primarily to:
A)
Enable communication services
B)
Monitor weather patterns
C)
Demonstrate indigenous satellite technology
D)
Conduct military reconnaissance
Aryabhata, launched on April 19, 1975, was India's first satellite. Its primary objective was to design, fabricate, and operate an indigenous satellite system, thereby demonstrating India's capability in satellite technology. It also carried scientific instruments for experiments in X-ray astronomy, aeronomy, and solar physics. Other options are incorrect because: (a) India's first experimental communication satellite was APPLE (1981); (b) Weather monitoring capabilities were established later with the INSAT series; (d) Aryabhata was purely a scientific and technological demonstration satellite, with no military or reconnaissance payload.
Which letter is exactly midway between the seventh letter from the left and the fifteenth letter from the left?
A)
J
B)
K
C)
L
D)
I
To find the letter exactly midway between the seventh and fifteenth letters of the English alphabet, we can calculate the average of their positions:
1. The 7th letter from the left is G.
2. The 15th letter from the left is O.
3. The midway position is calculated as (7 + 15) / 2 = 22 / 2 = 11.
4. The 11th letter of the English alphabet is K, which corresponds to option 'b'.
Other options are incorrect because:
- 'J' (option a) is the 10th letter.
- 'L' (option c) is the 12th letter.
- 'I' (option d) is the 9th letter.
If ‘Rat is called Dog’, ‘Dog is called Mongoose’, ‘Mongoose is called Lion’, ‘Lion is called Snake’ and ‘Snake is called Elephant’, which animal is reared as pet?
A)
Dog
B)
Mongoose
C)
Lion
D)
Rat
To solve this coding-decoding puzzle, we first identify the real-world answer to the question: 'Which animal is reared as a pet?' In reality, a 'Dog' is reared as a pet. Next, we look at the given code translations to find what a 'Dog' is called. According to the question, 'Dog is called Mongoose'. Therefore, in this coded language, the animal reared as a pet is a 'Mongoose'. Option 'a' (Dog) is incorrect because it is the real-world name, not the coded name. Options 'c' (Lion) and 'd' (Rat) are incorrect because they represent other animals in the coding scheme.
Find the odd one out
A)
1
B)
2
C)
3
D)
4
Among the given numbers, '1' (option a) is the odd one out because it is neither a prime number nor a composite number. In contrast, the other numbers can be classified under these categories: 2 and 3 are prime numbers, while 4 is a composite number. Additionally, 1 has only one factor (itself), whereas all other options have two or more factors.
Which material is used for protection from nuclear radiation?
A)
Gold
B)
Titanium
C)
Lead
D)
Platinum
Lead (c) is the standard material used for protection against nuclear radiation. Due to its high density and high atomic number (Z=82), lead is extremely effective at absorbing and scattering harmful ionizing radiation, such as gamma rays and X-rays. While Gold (a) and Platinum (d) are also dense, they are far too expensive and rare to be used for radiation shielding. Titanium (b) is strong and lightweight but has a much lower density and atomic number, making it ineffective for radiation protection compared to lead.
In a sequence of shapes, if a square becomes a triangle, and a pentagon becomes a square, what would a circle most likely become in a logic of decreasing side counts?
A)
A straight line
B)
A dot
C)
An oval
D)
A Semi-circle
1. **Pattern Identification**: The sequence demonstrates a pattern of decreasing the number of sides of a geometric shape by 1 at each step (Pentagon with 5 sides becomes a Square with 4 sides; a Square with 4 sides becomes a Triangle with 3 sides).
2. **Applying the Pattern**: A circle is geometrically considered to have 1 continuous curved side (or boundary). Following the logic of decreasing the side count by 1, a shape with 1 side (circle) would become a shape with 0 sides, which is represented by a dot (or a point).
3. **Why other options are incorrect**:
- **A straight line** (Option a) represents a 1-dimensional figure with 1 side, which does not reduce the side count from a circle (1 side).
- **An oval** (Option c) is topologically equivalent to a circle and still has 1 boundary, representing no decrease.
- **A Semi-circle** (Option d) consists of two boundaries (one curved and one straight line), which actually increases the complexity/side count compared to a circle.
Lalvunga Zai belongs to which category?
A)
Chai hla
B)
Chawngchen zai
C)
Salu lam hla
D)
Hlado
Lalvunga Zai is a traditional Mizo folk song category that belongs to 'Chawngchen zai', which are songs sung during the Chawng festival celebrations. Other options are incorrect because: 'Chai hla' (Option a) refers to songs sung during the Chapchar Kut festival for the Chai dance; 'Salu lam hla' (Option c) refers to songs sung during the celebration of a successful hunt of a wild animal; and 'Hlado' (Option d) refers to chants or cries of victory uttered by hunters after a successful hunt.
Mizoram was declared as a ‘disturbed area’ under the Assam Disturbed Areas Act 1955 in:
A)
1966
B)
1967
C)
1968
D)
1969
Mizoram (then the Mizo Hills district of Assam) was declared a 'disturbed area' under the Assam Disturbed Areas Act, 1955, in March 1966. This declaration was made immediately following the outbreak of the armed uprising by the Mizo National Front (MNF) on March 1, 1966, to facilitate the deployment of the military and restore order. The other options (1967, 1968, and 1969) are incorrect as they represent years after the initial declaration and the deployment of armed forces had already taken place.
Which of the following is not a type of mushroom?
A)
Pauithin
B)
Changting
C)
Changvar
D)
Pangkhau
In the Mizo language, mushrooms are locally referred to as 'Pa'.
1. **Pangkhau** (often spelled 'phangkhau') is not a mushroom; it refers to a grasshopper or insect in Mizo.
2. **Pauithin** (Pa-ui-thin), **Changting** (Pa-changting), and **Changvar** (Pa-changvar) are all well-known varieties of wild edible/non-edible mushrooms found in the forests of Mizoram.
The curved surface area of a cylinder is thrice the area of its base. If r is the radius of the base and h is its height, then r : h is equal to
A)
2 : 5
B)
3 : 5
C)
3 : 2
D)
2 : 3
To find the ratio $r : h$, we use the formulas for the curved surface area (CSA) and the base area of a cylinder:
1. Curved Surface Area (CSA) = $2\pi rh$
2. Base Area = $\pi r^2$
According to the problem, the CSA is thrice the base area:
$2\pi rh = 3\pi r^2$
Dividing both sides by $\pi r$ (since $r \neq 0$):
$2h = 3r$
Rearranging the terms to find the ratio $r : h$ (or $\frac{r}{h}$):
$\frac{r}{h} = \frac{2}{3}$
Thus, $r : h = 2 : 3$.
- **Option d** is correct because it correctly represents the ratio $r : h = 2 : 3$.
- **Option c (3 : 2)** is incorrect as it represents the ratio of height to radius ($h : r$) instead of radius to height ($r : h$).
- **Options a (2 : 5) and b (3 : 5)** are incorrect because they do not satisfy the relation $2h = 3r$ derived from the given geometric conditions.
What was the Mizo name given to Thomas Herbert Lewin (1839-1916)?
A)
Thangliana
B)
Zochhumi Pa
C)
Hmuihmula
D)
Dari Pa
Thomas Herbert Lewin (1839–1916) was a prominent British administrator in the Chittagong Hill Tracts and Lushai Hills. He was highly respected and loved by the Mizo people, who affectionately named him 'Thangliana', which means 'man of great fame' or 'greatly renowned'. The other options, such as 'Zochhumi Pa', 'Hmuihmula', and 'Dari Pa', are incorrect as they do not represent the Mizo name given to Lewin, although Lewin had close associations with a Mizo chief's daughter named Dari.
A, B and C are sitting in a circle facing centre. L, M and N are also sitting in the same circle but two of them are facing in the opposite direction of the centre. A is second to the left of N. B is second to the right of L. M is third to the left of C. N is second to the right of C and L is seated next to A. Then, which of the following pairs are not facing the centre?
A)
AL
B)
AN
C)
ML
D)
MN
To solve this puzzle, let's place the 6 people (A, B, C, L, M, N) in a circle with positions numbered 1 to 6 in a clockwise (CW) direction. For those facing the centre, clockwise (CW) is left and counter-clockwise (CCW) is right. For those facing outward, CCW is left and CW is right.
1. **Positioning C, N, and M:** Let C (facing centre) be at position 1. Since N is second to the right of C, N is at position 3 (CCW). M is third to the left of C, so M is at position 4.
2. **Positioning L, A, and B:** The remaining positions are 2, 5, and 6. Since L is seated next to A, they must occupy adjacent positions, which can only be 5 and 6. This leaves position 2 for B.
3. **Determining L's position and direction:** B is second to the right of L. Since B is at position 2, L must be at position 6 (as position 5 would make B third to L). Moving from L (6) to B (2) is a CCW movement of 2 steps. Since this is to the 'right' of L, L must be facing the centre (where CCW is right).
4. **Determining the outward-facing pair:** We are given that two of L, M, and N face outward. Since L faces the centre, the two facing outward (not facing the centre) must be M and N.
This is verified by the clue 'A is second to the left of N'. A is at position 5 and N is at position 3. Moving from N (3) to A (5) is CCW (2 steps). Since CCW is 'left' for N, N must be facing outward. Thus, the pair not facing the centre is MN (Option d).
Mizo Academy of Letters Book of the Year, 2000 was awarded to:
A)
Lalsangzuali Sailo-Tlawm Ve Lo Lalnu Ropuiliani
B)
Rev. Zairema- Kan Bible Hi
C)
Dr. Laltluangliana Khiangte- Pasaltha Khuangchera
D)
R. Rozika- Chawngmawii leh Hrangchhuana
The Mizo Academy of Letters (MAL) Book of the Year for 2000 was awarded to 'Pasaltha Khuangchera' written by Dr. Laltluangliana Khiangte.
- Option 'a' (Lalsangzuali Sailo - Tlawm Ve Lo Lalnu Ropuiliani) won the award in 1999.
- Option 'b' (Rev. Zairema - Kan Bible Hi) won the award in 1998.
- Option 'd' (R. Rozika - Chawngmawii leh Hrangchhuana) won the award in 2001.
The Mizo chief who vehemently attacked the British force led by Captain John Shakespear at Chhipphir in 1892 was:
A)
Vansanga
B)
Dokhuma
C)
Lalburha
D)
Liankhama
In March 1892, during the Eastern Lushai rising, the Mizo chief Vansanga of Chhipphir vehemently attacked the British force led by Captain John Shakespear (the Superintendent of the South Lushai Hills) at Chhipphir. The other options (Dokhuma, Lalburha, and Liankhama) were also prominent Mizo chiefs who resisted British rule during different encounters in the Lushai Hills, but they were not the leaders of this specific attack at Chhipphir.
The ‘valley of death’ in India’s innovation ecosystem refers to:
A)
Brain drain of scientists
B)
Failure of startups after IPO
C)
Gap between research output and commercial deployment
D)
Decline in patent quality
The 'valley of death' in the innovation ecosystem refers to the critical gap between early-stage research/proof-of-concept and its successful commercialization and market deployment. Many promising innovations fail during this transition phase due to a lack of funding, scaling resources, and market-entry support. Option 'a' refers to human capital flight, option 'b' refers to post-listing business failures (which occur much later in a company's lifecycle), and option 'd' refers to intellectual property standards, making them incorrect.
Who introduced the practice of burying a deceased person at thlanmual?
A)
Zosaphluia
B)
Zosapthara
C)
Pu Buanga
D)
C.G.G. Helm
The practice of burying the deceased in a common village cemetery (thlanmual), rather than the traditional custom of burying them within the house courtyard or under the floor, was introduced in Mizoram by the Welsh Christian missionary Rev. D.E. Jones, popularly known to the Mizos as Zosaphluia. He arrived in Mizoram in 1897 and initiated several social and religious reforms. Among the other options: Zosapthara (Edwin Rowlands) is primarily remembered for his contributions to education and music; Pu Buanga (J.H. Lorrain) is famous for creating the Mizo script and dictionary; and C.G.G. Helm was a British administrator, not the missionary responsible for this reform.
Name the composer of the song ‘He lei hi chatuan ram a tling lo’.
A)
Patea
B)
Saihnuna
C)
Damhauhva
D)
R.L. Kamlala
The song 'He lei hi chatuan ram a tling lo' was composed by Damhauhva, who is one of the most prominent and respected composers in Mizo gospel music history. The other options are incorrect because: Patea (Option a) is famous for songs like 'Ka va ngai em'; Saihnuna (Option b) is known for classics like 'Khawvel hi thlaler a lo ni'; and R.L. Kamlala (Option d) is renowned for hymns such as 'Ka hmun nuam bik'.
Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) are generally more energy-efficient compared to incandescent bulbs due to which of the following reasons?
A)
They produce less heat and convert electricity to light more effectively.
B)
They absorb more heat.
C)
They are made of metallic materials.
D)
They use alternating current (AC).
Option 'a' is correct because LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) work on the principle of electroluminescence, converting electrical energy directly into light with minimal heat loss. In contrast, incandescent bulbs rely on heating a filament, wasting about 90% of their energy as heat. Option 'b' is incorrect because absorbing heat does not improve lighting efficiency. Option 'c' is incorrect because LEDs are made of semiconductor materials (like gallium arsenide), not metals. Option 'd' is incorrect because LEDs natively operate on Direct Current (DC), not Alternating Current (AC), requiring a driver to convert household AC to DC.
In 1986, she was crowned as the first ‘Miss Mizo’:
A)
Brigitte Zohmingi
B)
Lalbiakzuali
C)
Zohlupuii
D)
Luzy Zorinpuii
Lalbiakzuali was crowned as the first 'Miss Mizo' in the inaugural Miss Mizo beauty pageant held in 1986. The other options (Brigitte Zohmingi, Zohlupuii, and Luzy Zorinpuii) are incorrect because they did not win the title in the debut year of 1986.
Which number will come next in the given series? 2, 8, 18, 32, 50, …
A)
78
B)
68
C)
72
D)
70
The given series is 2, 8, 18, 32, 50, ...
There are two simple ways to find the pattern:
**Method 1: Using the formula $2n^2$**
- 1st term: $2 \times 1^2 = 2$
- 2nd term: $2 \times 2^2 = 8$
- 3rd term: $2 \times 3^2 = 18$
- 4th term: $2 \times 4^2 = 32$
- 5th term: $2 \times 5^2 = 50$
- 6th term (next term): $2 \times 6^2 = 2 \times 36 = 72$
**Method 2: Difference between consecutive terms**
- $8 - 2 = 6$
- $18 - 8 = 10$
- $32 - 18 = 14$
- $50 - 32 = 18$
The differences are 6, 10, 14, 18, which increase by 4 each time. The next difference must be $18 + 4 = 22$.
Therefore, the next term is $50 + 22 = 72$.
Options a (78), b (68), and d (70) are incorrect because they do not follow this mathematical progression.
The production of ginger by Biate village in year 2024 is 8000 kg which is 28% less than that in year 2025. Find the production of ginger in year 2025.
A)
10500 kg
B)
11111 kg
C)
12222 kg
D)
15050 kg
To find the production of ginger in the year 2025, let the production in 2025 be $x$ kg. Since the production in 2024 is 28% less than that in 2025, we can write the equation:
Production in 2024 = $x \times (1 - 0.28) = 0.72x$
Given that the production in 2024 is 8000 kg:
$0.72x = 8000$
$x = \frac{8000}{0.72} = \frac{800000}{72} \approx 11111.11$ kg.
Thus, the production of ginger in 2025 is approximately 11111 kg, which corresponds to option (b).
Other options are incorrect because calculating 72% of their values does not yield 8000 kg:
- For option (a): $10500 \times 0.72 = 7560$ kg
- For option (c): $12222 \times 0.72 \approx 8800$ kg
- For option (d): $15050 \times 0.72 = 10836$ kg