← Group B (Gazetted)
Past Questions
Google, an American web services company is owned by______
A)
Verizon
B)
Alibaba
C)
Wordpress
D)
Alphabet
Alphabet Inc. is the correct answer. In 2015, Google underwent a corporate restructuring, making Alphabet Inc. its parent company.
- Verizon (Option a) is an American telecommunications conglomerate that previously acquired Yahoo and AOL.
- Alibaba (Option b) is a Chinese multinational technology company specializing in e-commerce and retail.
- WordPress (Option c) is a popular open-source content management system (CMS) and is not associated with Google's ownership.
“Celebrate Biodiversity‘“ is the theme of 2020’s world-
A)
Environment day
B)
Ozone day
C)
AIDS day
D)
Measles day
The theme of World Environment Day 2020 was 'Celebrate Biodiversity', hosted by Colombia in partnership with Germany. World Environment Day is celebrated annually on June 5th to raise awareness and encourage action for the protection of our environment.
- Option b (Ozone Day): Celebrated on September 16th, its theme for 2020 was 'Ozone for life: 35 years of ozone layer protection'.
- Option c (AIDS Day): Celebrated on December 1st, its theme for 2020 was 'Global solidarity, shared responsibility'.
- Option d (Measles Day): Does not correspond to this theme; global health days related to immunization focus on vaccine coverage and eradication.
The resolution of Poorna Swaraj was adopted in
A)
Lahore Session 1929
B)
Calcutta Session 1933
C)
Lucknow Session 1936
D)
Tripuri session 1939
The resolution of 'Poorna Swaraj' (Complete Independence) was adopted during the historic Lahore Session of the Indian National Congress in December 1929, presided over by Jawaharlal Nehru. Following this, January 26, 1930, was celebrated as the first Independence Day. Other options are incorrect because:
- Calcutta Session 1933 (Option b) was presided over by Nellie Sengupta and did not introduce this resolution.
- Lucknow Session 1936 (Option c) focused on adopting socialism as the Congress goal.
- Tripuri Session 1939 (Option d) is famous for the presidency crisis involving Subhas Chandra Bose.
‘Back to the Vedas’ was a slogan given by
A)
Ramkrishna Paramhansa
B)
Dayanand Saraswati
C)
Raja Ram Mohan Roy
D)
Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar
The slogan 'Back to the Vedas' (or 'Go back to the Vedas') was given by Swami Dayanand Saraswati, the founder of the Arya Samaj in 1875. He believed that the Vedas were the source of all true knowledge and infallible, advocating for a return to pure Vedic traditions while rejecting later distortions like idol worship, ritualism, and the rigid caste system.
- Option 'a' (Ramkrishna Paramhansa) was a famous 19th-century mystic and the spiritual guru of Swami Vivekananda, emphasizing the unity of all religions.
- Option 'c' (Raja Ram Mohan Roy) founded the Brahmo Samaj and is known as the 'Father of Modern India' for his efforts to abolish Sati and promote monotheism.
- Option 'd' (Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar) was a prominent social reformer who played a key role in passing the Hindu Widows' Remarriage Act of 1856 and promoting women's education.
Who was the Viceroy of India during the formation of the Indian National Congress?
A)
Lord Dalhousie
B)
Lord Dufferin
C)
Lord Hardinge
D)
Lord Cornwalis
Lord Dufferin was the Viceroy of India from 1884 to 1888, during which the Indian National Congress (INC) was formed in December 1885 by A.O. Hume, Dinshaw Wacha, and Dadabhai Naoroji.
- Option a (Lord Dalhousie) served as the Governor-General of India from 1848 to 1856, well before the formation of the INC.
- Option c (Lord Hardinge) refers to either Lord Hardinge I (1844–1848) or Lord Hardinge II (Viceroy from 1910–1916, during the Delhi Durbar of 1911).
- Option d (Lord Cornwallis) served as the Governor-General of Bengal from 1786 to 1793, famous for introducing the Permanent Settlement.
Name the largest nuclear power plant in India
A)
Kaiga
B)
Kakrapar
C)
Narora
D)
Kudankulam
The Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant, located in Tamil Nadu, is the largest nuclear power station in India. It currently has an installed capacity of 2,000 MW (comprising two operational units of 1,000 MW each), with further expansion underway.
- **Kaiga (Option a):** Located in Karnataka, it has a total capacity of 880 MW.
- **Kakrapar (Option b):** Located in Gujarat, it has a capacity of 1,140 MW.
- **Narora (Option c):** Located in Uttar Pradesh, it has a capacity of 440 MW.
A strong hot and dry winds that blow over the western Indo-Gangetic plain of north India and Pakistan, usually in the month of May and June is known as
A)
Summer storm
B)
Loo
C)
Kalbaisakhi
D)
Mango showers
The correct option is 'b' (Loo).
1. **Why 'Loo' is correct**: The 'Loo' is a strong, dusty, gusty, hot, and dry summer wind that blows from the west over the western Indo-Gangetic Plain of North India and Pakistan during the months of May and June. Exposure to these winds can lead to fatal heatstrokes.
2. **Why other options are incorrect**:
- **Summer storm (a)**: This is a generic term and does not specifically refer to this local wind phenomenon.
- **Kalbaisakhi (c)**: These are localized, violent thunderstorms accompanied by heavy rain and evening winds in West Bengal and Assam during the month of April-May.
- **Mango showers (d)**: These are pre-monsoon showers that occur towards the end of summer in Kerala and Karnataka, helping in the early ripening of mangoes.
Look at this series: 21, 9, 21, 11, 21, 13, 21, ... What number should come next?
A)
14
B)
15
C)
21
D)
23
The given series is an alternating series. The numbers in the odd positions (1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th) remain constant at 21. The numbers in the even positions (2nd, 4th, 6th) increase by 2 each time: 9, 11, 13. Following this pattern, the next number in the series (the 8th term, which is an even position) should be 13 + 2 = 15. Therefore, option 'b' is correct. Option 'a' (14) is incorrect because it only adds 1 instead of 2. Option 'c' (21) is incorrect because 21 only appears at odd-numbered positions. Option 'd' (23) is incorrect as it does not follow the established arithmetic progression of the even-positioned terms.
The importance of Rih dil in Mizo culture is mainly because of
A)
the belief that the spirit of the dead passes through this lake on its way from this life to the next one
B)
a group of hunters set up their camp by the side of the lake
C)
one hunter heard the voice of his wife on the side of the lake
D)
Hunters often visited for hunting
In Mizo mythology and folklore, Rih Dil (Rih Lake) holds immense spiritual significance as it is traditionally believed to be the corridor or transit point through which the souls of the dead ('Mitthi') must pass on their journey to their final resting place, known as 'Mitthi Khua' (the village of the dead). Options 'b', 'c', and 'd' are incorrect because they refer to hunting activities and camps, which do not represent the core cultural and spiritual belief that defines the lake's importance in Mizo heritage.
Khawzim pathian was associated with
A)
Chapchar kut
B)
Mim kut
C)
Pawl kut
D)
Chhawnghnawt
Mim Kut is a traditional festival of the Mizo people, celebrated in August or September after the maize harvest. It is dedicated to the memory of departed souls and is traditionally associated with the deity 'Khawzim pathian'. During this festival, offerings of maize, bread, and other crops are made to the departed souls.
- Chapchar Kut (Option a) is the spring festival celebrated after the completion of Jhum clearing.
- Pawl Kut (Option c) is a post-harvest festival celebrated in December after the main rice harvest.
- Chhawnghnawt (Option d) is a ritualistic feast/custom rather than the festival associated with Khawzim pathian.
Who was the first to write a letter among the Mizo?
A)
Thangphunga
B)
Suaka
C)
Khamliana
D)
Lalkailuaia
Khamliana is historically recognized as the first Mizo to write a letter using the Mizo script (the Roman-based alphabet developed by Christian missionaries J.H. Lorrain and F.W. Savidge in 1894). The other options—Suaka, Lalkailuaia, and Thangphunga—were also prominent Mizo chiefs and historical figures, but they are not credited with writing the first letter in the Mizo language.
A special grave was prepared as a show of favour and respect to him or her by making the grave deeper
A)
accidental death
B)
natural death
C)
bachelor or spinster
D)
Stillbirth
In West African Traditional Religion and many traditional African societies, a 'natural death' (especially at a ripe old age) is considered a 'good death.' Individuals who die naturally are highly respected and are believed to be transitioning into ancestors. As a show of favour, honour, and respect, they are given a proper, elaborate burial, which includes preparing a deeper and more secure grave. In contrast, other options represent 'bad' or incomplete deaths: accidental deaths (option a) are viewed as tragic or cursed; bachelors/spinsters (option c) are seen as not fulfilling societal expectations of marriage and procreation; and stillbirths (option d) are not yet considered full human beings. These are typically buried quickly in shallow graves without ceremonial respect.
One of the objectives of the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana is
A)
To promote awareness on global warming and related issues
B)
To promote scientific research on different electronic waste management
C)
To improve on-farm water use efficiency to reduce wastage of water
D)
None of the above
Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) was launched by the Government of India with the vision of extending the coverage of irrigation ('Har Khet ko pani') and improving water use efficiency ('More crop per drop') in a focused manner. One of its primary objectives is to improve on-farm water use efficiency to reduce wastage of water through technologies like drip and sprinkler irrigation. Options 'a' and 'b' are incorrect because global warming awareness and electronic waste management do not fall under the purview of this agricultural irrigation scheme.
Who is regarded as the Father of Chemistry in India, and the founder of India’s first pharmaceutical company, Bengal Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals
A)
Srinivasa Ramanujan
B)
S.S. Abhyankar
C)
Satyendra Nath Bose
D)
Prafulla Chandra Ray
Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray (Option d) is widely regarded as the 'Father of Indian Chemistry'. He was a pioneering chemist, educationist, and industrialist who established Bengal Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals in 1901, which was India's first pharmaceutical company.
- Satyendra Nath Bose (Option c) was an eminent physicist famous for his work on quantum mechanics (Bose-Einstein statistics).
- Srinivasa Ramanujan (Option a) was a legendary mathematician known for his extraordinary contributions to mathematical analysis and number theory.
- S.S. Abhyankar (Option b) was an outstanding mathematician known for his contributions to algebraic geometry.
Which of the following is true in regards to the abolition of kuli in Mizoram?
A)
22 January 1952
B)
20 February 1952
C)
13 January 1953
D)
21 June 1952
The 'Kuli' system (a form of forced labor or compulsory porterage imposed on the Mizo people by the British administration and local chiefs) was officially abolished on 22 January 1952. This abolition was a landmark achievement in the social and political history of Mizoram, largely driven by the sustained struggle of the Mizo Union against the oppressive practices of the chiefs. The other options (20 February 1952, 21 June 1952, and 13 January 1953) are incorrect as they do not represent the historical date on which this system was formally abolished.
India’s first supercomputer was
A)
ENIAC
B)
SUPER 2000
C)
PARAM 8000
D)
PARAM 8800
PARAM 8000 is widely recognized as India's first supercomputer. It was developed in 1991 by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) under the leadership of Dr. Vijay Bhatkar. Option 'a' (ENIAC) is incorrect because it was the world's first general-purpose electronic digital computer, developed in the United States. Options 'b' (SUPER 2000) and 'd' (PARAM 8800) are incorrect as they do not represent India's first supercomputer.
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) headquarter is located in _________?
A)
Chennai
B)
Delhi
C)
Bangalore
D)
Hyderabad
The headquarters of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is located in Bengaluru (formerly Bangalore), Karnataka. It was established on August 15, 1969, to harness space technology for national development. Other options are incorrect because: Chennai (option a) is near the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota but does not host the headquarters; Delhi (option b) is the national capital and hosts various government ministries but not ISRO's main office; Hyderabad (option d) is home to the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), which is an important wing of ISRO, but it is not the headquarters.
The most severe and worse penalty inflicted upon the losing party for hearing the case was
A)
Salam
B)
Tlai sial
C)
ram
D)
vawkpa sut nghak
In Mizo customary law, 'Salam' was the fee or fine (traditionally a pig or its monetary equivalent of Rs. 5) paid by the losing party to the chief (Lal) and the elders (Upas) specifically for hearing and deciding the case. While other options represent fines for specific offenses, 'Salam' is the unique penalty/fee associated directly with the hearing of the case itself.
- **Salam (Option a):** Correct. It is the specific judicial fee/penalty imposed on the losing party for the trial/hearing of the case.
- **Tlai sial (Option b):** Incorrect. This is a fine of a mithun (sial) imposed for specific customary offenses, not a court hearing fee.
- **ram (Option c):** Incorrect. 'Ram' refers to land/territory or banishment, which is a punishment for severe crimes.
- **vawkpa sut nghak (Option d):** Incorrect. This refers to a large boar (reaching the height of the main house post) used as a fine for specific offenses, not for the hearing of the case.
Mizoram had reported its first coronavirus case on
A)
January 24 2020
B)
February 24 2020
C)
March 24 2020
D)
April 24 2020
Mizoram reported its first COVID-19 case on March 24, 2020. The patient was a 50-year-old pastor who had returned to the state from the Netherlands. This case made Mizoram the second state in Northeast India, after Manipur, to record a coronavirus infection. The other dates (January 24, February 24, and April 24, 2020) are incorrect as they do not align with the official announcement of the first confirmed case in the state.
What is “Airlens Minus Corona”?
A)
Air purifier
B)
Disinfectant robot
C)
An Omicron subvariant
D)
Special mask
“Airlens Minus Corona” is an innovative water-based disinfectant robot/device developed by PerSapiens, a start-up co-founded by IIT alumni. It utilizes charged water droplets (active charged water species) to sterilize and disinfect surfaces, effectively killing coronaviruses without the use of harmful chemicals like alcohol or sodium hypochlorite.
- Option a is incorrect: Although the creators previously developed "Airlens" as an air purification technology, "Airlens Minus Corona" is specifically a surface disinfection system.
- Option c is incorrect: It is a technological device, not a biological variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
- Option d is incorrect: It is a sanitization device designed for public spaces, not a wearable mask.
Mizoram was made as one of the Union Territory of Assam State in
A)
1965
B)
1972
C)
1975
D)
1976
Mizoram was carved out of Assam and made a Union Territory on January 21, 1972, under the North-Eastern Areas (Reorganisation) Act, 1971. It later achieved full statehood on February 20, 1987. Option 'a' (1965) is incorrect because Mizoram was still a district within Assam at that time. Options 'c' (1975) and 'd' (1976) are incorrect as Mizoram had already attained Union Territory status in 1972.
What was the first dedicated meteorological satellite launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation?
A)
Vikrant-1
B)
Bhaskara-1
C)
Arya Bhatta-1
D)
Kalpana-1
Kalpana-1 (originally named METSAT) was the first dedicated meteorological satellite launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on September 12, 2002, using the PSLV-C4 rocket. It was later renamed Kalpana-1 in February 2003 to honor the memory of Indian-born NASA astronaut Kalpana Chawla, who perished in the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster.
- Bhaskara-1 (Option b) was India's first experimental remote sensing satellite launched in 1979.
- Arya Bhatta-1 (Option c) was India's very first satellite, launched in 1975, which was a scientific satellite.
- Vikrant-1 (Option a) is not an ISRO satellite; INS Vikrant is an aircraft carrier of the Indian Navy.
Mizo leh Vai chanchin lehkhabu was started in the year
A)
1902
B)
1903
C)
1904
D)
1905
The monthly journal 'Mizo leh Vai Chanchin' (later known as 'Mizo leh Vai Chanchin Lehkhabu') was first published in November 1902 under the editorship of Major John Shakespear, the then Superintendent of Lushai Hills. It is considered the first newspaper/journal in Mizoram. Therefore, the other options (1903, 1904, and 1905) are incorrect as the publication had already commenced in 1902.
Which one is the hottest planet in our solar system?
A)
Mercury
B)
Venus
C)
Mars
D)
Saturn
Venus (option b) is the hottest planet in our solar system, with surface temperatures reaching about 465°C (900°F). This extreme heat is caused by its thick, dense atmosphere composed mainly of carbon dioxide, which traps heat through a runaway greenhouse effect. Mercury (option a), despite being closest to the Sun, lacks a substantial atmosphere to retain heat, making it cooler than Venus. Mars (option c) and Saturn (option d) are much further from the Sun and have cold environments, with Saturn being a freezing gas giant.
Which of the following is the first missile that has been developed in India?
A)
Akash
B)
Agni
C)
Prithvi
D)
MICA
Prithvi is the first missile developed by India under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP), which was led by Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and started in 1983. Prithvi is a surface-to-surface short-range ballistic missile and was first test-fired in 1988.
- Agni (Option b) is an intermediate-range ballistic missile that was first tested in 1989, after Prithvi.
- Akash (Option a) is a surface-to-air missile system that was first test-fired in 1990.
- MICA (Option d) is a multi-mission air-to-air missile system developed by France, not India.