← Group B (Gazetted)
Past Questions — 2025
The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has revolutionized digital payments in India. A key technical feature that enables its high volume of real-time transactions is its:
A)
Dependence on a centralized server managed by the Reserve Bank of India.
B)
Use of a distributed ledger system similar to blockchain.
C)
Operation as a single-bank, closed-loop system for security.
D)
Three-tier architecture that decouples the payment service provider from the bank’s core banking system.
Option 'd' is correct because UPI's robust three-tier architecture (comprising the PSP/UPI App, the NPCI central switch, and the Bank's Core Banking System) decouples the front-end payment service providers from the banks' legacy core banking systems. This separation allows the system to handle massive transaction volumes in real-time without overloading bank servers. Option 'a' is incorrect because UPI is operated by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), not directly by the RBI. Option 'b' is incorrect because UPI does not use blockchain or distributed ledger technology. Option 'c' is incorrect because UPI is an open-loop, highly interoperable system across multiple banks, not a closed-loop system.
The accepted official establishment of Aizawl was in?
A)
1st March, 1888
B)
1st Feb, 1890
C)
25th April, 1894
D)
25th Feb, 1890.
The official establishment of Aizawl is accepted as 25th February 1890. On this day, British troops under the command of Colonel Skinner arrived and established a military outpost (Fort Aizawl) to support the British expeditionary forces, marking the founding of the modern town. The other options (1st March 1888, 1st Feb 1890, and 25th April 1894) do not correspond to this historically recognized establishment date.
While DigiLocker provides a platform for digital documents, the underlying framework that enables seamless, paperless, and consent-based verification of these documents by service providers is known as:
A)
Aadhaar e-Sign Framework.
B)
Digital Saksharta Abhiyan (DISHA).
C)
National e-Authentication Framework.
D)
Digital Document Execution (DDE) Platform.
The correct option is C (National e-Authentication Framework).
1. **Why the correct option is correct:**
- The **National e-Authentication Framework (NeAF)** is formulated by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India. It provides a standardized, secure, and interoperable framework for e-Authentication across various government and private services. While DigiLocker acts as the repository/platform for digital documents, NeAF is the underlying framework that enables seamless, paperless, and consent-based verification of these documents by service providers (requesters).
2. **Why other options are incorrect:**
- **Option A (Aadhaar e-Sign Framework):** This is a specific mechanism that allows Aadhaar holders to digitally sign documents online. It is a component of the paperless layer but not the overall framework for document verification by service providers.
- **Option B (Digital Saksharta Abhiyan - DISHA):** This is a government scheme aimed at providing digital literacy to citizens, not a technical framework for document verification.
- **Option d (Digital Document Execution - DDE Platform):** This is a platform developed by NeSL (National E-Governance Services Limited) specifically for the digital execution of financial contracts and stamp duty payments, rather than the general verification framework for DigiLocker documents.
A kind of engagement for marriage in Mizo tradition is:
A)
Lungvar
B)
Ran ngo zawng
C)
Khawnthiang
D)
Zawlpuan phah
In Mizo tradition, 'Khawnthiang' is a formal engagement or betrothal ceremony where the groom's family visits the bride's family to officially propose marriage. 'Zawlpuan phah' refers to a marriage ritual involving the spreading of the 'Zawlpuan' (a traditional Mizo shawl symbolizing marital fidelity and status) rather than the engagement itself. 'Ran ngo zawng' and 'Lungvar' are not terms associated with the traditional Mizo engagement process.
Bt Cotton is a genetically modified Cotton plant which:
A)
is resistant to bollworm.
B)
has not been released for commercial cultivation yet.
C)
developed a resistance to the herbicides.
D)
negates effect of Barnase protein.
Bt Cotton is a genetically modified pest-resistant plant cotton variety, which produces an insecticide to combat bollworm.
1. **Why Option 'a' is correct:** Bt Cotton contains genes derived from the soil bacterium *Bacillus thuringiensis* (Bt). These genes code for toxin proteins (Cry proteins) that are highly toxic to lepidopteran insects, specifically the bollworm, thereby providing built-in resistance to this devastating pest.
2. **Why other options are incorrect:**
- **Option 'b' is incorrect** because Bt Cotton was approved for commercial cultivation in India in 2002 and is currently grown on millions of hectares.
- **Option 'c' is incorrect** because the primary modification in standard Bt Cotton is insect resistance, not herbicide tolerance (though herbicide-tolerant Bt cotton variants exist, Bt itself refers to insect resistance).
- **Option 'd' is incorrect** because the Barnase-Barstar system is a genetic tool used for creating male sterility in GM Mustard (like DMH-11), not Bt Cotton.
ISRO’s successful development of high-thrust cryogenic engine technology, crucial for its GSLV Mk-III (LVM3) launch vehicle, involved overcoming the extreme challenge of handling:
A)
Liquid hydrogen at -253°C and liquid oxygen at -183°C.
B)
Refined kerosene (RP-1) and solid aluminum propellants.
C)
Unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine (UDMH) and nitrogen tetroxide.
D)
Monomethylhydrazine (MMH) under hypergolic conditions.
Option 'a' is correct because cryogenic engines utilize propellants stored at extremely low (cryogenic) temperatures. For ISRO's high-thrust CE-20 cryogenic engine used in the LVM3 (GSLV Mk-III), the propellants are liquid hydrogen (LH2) as fuel, which must be maintained at -253°C, and liquid oxygen (LOX) as the oxidizer, maintained at -183°C. Option 'b' is incorrect because refined kerosene (RP-1) and solid aluminum are semi-cryogenic and solid propellants, respectively. Options 'c' and 'd' are incorrect because UDMH, MMH, and nitrogen tetroxide are storable hypergolic propellants that remain liquid at room temperature and do not require cryogenic cooling.
Considering the administrative divisions of Mizoram, which of the following statements accurately reflects the relationship between its districts, sadar sub-divisions, civil sub-divisions, and blocks?
A)
The number of civil sub-divisions is equal to the total number of districts and sadar sub-divisions combined.
B)
Each district in Mizoram contains at least one sadar sub-division and one civil sub-division, ensuring a balanced administrative structure across all 11 districts.
C)
The number of Blocks is exactly double the combined total of districts and civil sub-divisions.
D)
Mizoram has more civil sub-divisions than sadar sub-divisions, while the number of blocks significantly exceeds the number of districts.
In Mizoram, the administrative setup consists of 11 districts, 11 Sadar sub-divisions (one for each district headquarters), 23 Civil sub-divisions, and 26 Rural Development (RD) Blocks. Statement (d) is correct because the number of civil sub-divisions (23) is greater than the number of sadar sub-divisions (11), and the number of RD blocks (26) significantly exceeds the number of districts (11). Statement (a) is incorrect because 23 (civil sub-divisions) is not equal to 11 + 11 = 22. Statement (b) is incorrect because not all districts have a separate civil sub-division. Statement (c) is incorrect because the number of blocks (26) is not double the combined total of districts and civil sub-divisions (11 + 23 = 34; double would be 68).
Which of the following statements best distinguishes the Chief’s house (Lal In) from that of the commoner’s house in a traditional Mizo village?
A)
The commoner’s house alone had a verandah called “Bahzar” reserved for feasts.
B)
Only the Chief’s house had a passage with rooms for retainers and a private verandah.
C)
The hearth was absent in the Chief’s house due to its symbolic status.
D)
Windows were a universal feature in both houses to allow fresh air inside.
In a traditional Mizo village, the Chief's house (Lal In) was much larger than a commoner's house and had a distinct architectural layout. It featured a long passage with small rooms or cabins on one side to accommodate the Chief's retainers (Bawis) and guests, as well as a private verandah at the back.
- Option 'a' is incorrect because the 'Bahzar' (front verandah) was a common feature and not exclusive to commoners' houses.
- Option 'c' is incorrect because the hearth was an essential feature in all Mizo houses, including the Chief's, for cooking and warmth.
- Option 'd' is incorrect because traditional Mizo houses generally lacked windows, relying on doors and gaps in the bamboo walls for ventilation.
Find the Missing number in the series given below: 2,5,10,17,28,41, –, –, –
A)
58,77,100
B)
64,81,100
C)
43,47,53
D)
55, 89,113
To find the missing numbers, we analyze the differences between consecutive terms in the series:
- 5 - 2 = 3
- 10 - 5 = 5
- 17 - 10 = 7
- 28 - 17 = 11
- 41 - 28 = 13
The differences (3, 5, 7, 11, 13) are consecutive prime numbers. Following this pattern, the next three prime numbers to be added are 17, 19, and 23:
- Next term: 41 + 17 = 58
- Next term: 58 + 19 = 77
- Next term: 77 + 23 = 100
Thus, the missing numbers are 58, 77, 100. Other options are incorrect because they do not follow this prime-difference pattern.
India’s first AI teacher robot is:
A)
Iris
B)
Manav
C)
Mitra
D)
RADA
The correct option is 'a' (Iris). 'Iris' is India's first AI teacher robot, unveiled at the KTCT Higher Secondary School in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. Developed in collaboration with Makerlabs under the NITI Aayog's Atal Tinkering Lab (ATL) initiative, Iris can speak multiple languages, answer complex questions, and move interactively.
Other options are incorrect because:
- 'Manav' (b) is India's first 3D-printed humanoid robot, developed primarily for research purposes.
- 'Mitra' (c) is a customer-service humanoid robot developed by Invento Robotics, famous for greeting PM Narendra Modi and Ivanka Trump at the Global Entrepreneurship Summit.
- 'RADA' (d) is an AI-powered robot developed by Vistara Airlines to assist passengers at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport.
‘Oilzapper’, developed by TERI (The Energy and Resources Institute), is a notable Indian innovation for bioremediation. It specifically consists of a consortium of bacteria highly effective in degrading:
A)
E-waste and heavy metals.
B)
Crude oil and oily sludge (hydrocarbon waste).
C)
Plastic and polymer waste.
D)
Agricultural and municipal solid waste.
Oilzapper is an eco-friendly technology developed by TERI (The Energy and Resources Institute) for the bioremediation of oil spills and oily sludge. It consists of a consortium of five bacterial strains that feed on hydrocarbons present in crude oil and oily sludge, converting them into harmless carbon dioxide and water. Options 'a' (E-waste and heavy metals), 'c' (Plastic and polymer waste), and 'd' (Agricultural and municipal solid waste) are incorrect because Oilzapper is specifically formulated to target hydrocarbon-based oil pollutants and is not effective against heavy metals, plastics, or general municipal solid waste.
What should come in place of ‘a’ in the equation 38a4 + 98 = 3942?
A)
2
B)
4
C)
6
D)
8
To find the value of 'a', we can solve the equation step-by-step:
1. Subtract 98 from both sides of the equation:
38a4 = 3942 - 98
38a4 = 3844
2. By comparing the digits of the four-digit number 38a4 with 3844, we can see that the tens digit 'a' must be 4.
- Option 'a' (2) is incorrect because 3824 + 98 = 3922 ≠ 3942.
- Option 'c' (6) is incorrect because 3864 + 98 = 3962 ≠ 3942.
- Option 'd' (8) is incorrect because 3884 + 98 = 3982 ≠ 3942.
Find the Missing number in the series given below: 16, 22, 34, 58, 106, ? , 394
A)
178
B)
175
C)
288
D)
202
To find the missing number, we analyze the differences between consecutive terms in the series:
- 22 - 16 = 6
- 34 - 22 = 12
- 58 - 34 = 24
- 106 - 58 = 48
The differences form a geometric progression where each difference is multiplied by 2 (6, 12, 24, 48, ...). Following this pattern, the next difference must be 48 * 2 = 96.
Adding this difference to the last known term:
106 + 96 = 202.
To verify, the next difference should be 96 * 2 = 192. Adding this to 202 gives 202 + 192 = 394, which matches the final term of the series. Therefore, the correct option is d (202). Other options (a, b, and c) do not satisfy this mathematical pattern.
The ‘5G High Level Forum’ appointed by the Government of India outlined the vision for 5G in the country. A key recommendation, distinguishing its vision from a purely commercial rollout, was to primarily leverage 5G for:
A)
Enhancing urban mobile broadband speeds to compete with global standards.
B)
Societal benefits by focusing on applications in healthcare, agriculture, and smart cities.
C)
Reducing the operational cost for telecom operators.
D)
Replacing all existing 4G infrastructures with indigenous 5G equipment.
The '5G High Level Forum' set up by the Government of India submitted its report 'Making India 5G Ready' with a vision to leverage 5G for broader societal transformation. While commercial rollouts globally focus primarily on high-speed mobile broadband, India's vision specifically emphasized using 5G to deliver social benefits in key sectors like agriculture, healthcare, education, and smart cities. Option A and C represent standard commercial and operational goals rather than the distinguishing national vision. Option D is incorrect as 5G is designed to coexist with and leverage existing 4G infrastructure, not completely replace it immediately.
Pointing to Mrs. D, Mr. R said, “She is the sister of my sister’s father”. How is Mrs. D related to Mr. R?
A)
Aunt
B)
Mother -in-law
C)
Grandmother
D)
Mother
1. Break down the statement: 'My sister's father' is Mr. R's own father.
2. Therefore, 'the sister of my sister's father' translates to the sister of Mr. R's father.
3. A father's sister is one's Aunt. Thus, Mrs. D is Mr. R's Aunt, making option 'a' the correct answer.
4. Other options are incorrect: 'Mother' (option d) is the female parent, 'Grandmother' (option c) is the parent's mother, and 'Mother-in-law' (option b) is the spouse's mother.
Siaha District, though now a distinct administrative unit, has a historical connection to another district in Mizoram. In 1998, a division occurred that led to Siaha District’s current form. What was the brief interim name given to the half that eventually became Siaha District immediately after this split?
A)
Mara Autonomous District
B)
Saiha District
C)
Chhimtuipui District
D)
Lunglei District
In 1998, the erstwhile Chhimtuipui District of Mizoram was bifurcated into two districts: Lawngtlai District and Saiha District. The eastern half was initially named 'Saiha District'. Later, the spelling was officially changed to 'Siaha District' to align with the local Mara language (where 'Siaha' translates to 'elephant tooth/tusk'). Option 'a' (Mara Autonomous District) refers to the autonomous council rather than the administrative district itself. Option 'c' (Chhimtuipui District) was the parent district before the split. Option 'd' (Lunglei District) is a separate district in Mizoram.
The maximum mass a white dwarf star can have while remaining stable (beyond which it will collapse under its own gravity, potentially forming a neutron star or a black hole) is known as:
A)
Chandrasekhar limit
B)
Saha Ionisation equation
C)
Bose-Einstein condensate
D)
Wien’s Displacement
The correct option is 'a' (Chandrasekhar limit). The Chandrasekhar limit is the maximum mass a stable white dwarf star can have (approximately 1.4 solar masses). Beyond this limit, electron degeneracy pressure is insufficient to resist gravitational collapse, leading the star to collapse into a neutron star or black hole.
Why other options are incorrect:
- 'b' (Saha Ionisation equation) relates the ionization state of a gas in thermal equilibrium to its temperature and pressure.
- 'c' (Bose-Einstein condensate) is a state of matter formed when a dilute gas of bosons is cooled to temperatures very close to absolute zero.
- 'd' (Wien’s Displacement) is a law of physics stating that the wavelength of peak emission from a black body is inversely proportional to its absolute temperature.
Choose the correct word for ‘mother:child::cloud: ___________’.
A)
Weather
B)
Vapour
C)
Rain
D)
River
The analogy represents a 'producer to product' or 'source to offspring' relationship. A mother gives birth to or produces a child. Similarly, a cloud produces rain. Therefore, 'Rain' is the correct fit. Other options are incorrect because: 'Weather' is a broad atmospheric state rather than a direct product of a cloud; 'Vapour' is what condenses to form a cloud (the reverse relationship); and a 'River' is fed by rain but is not the direct immediate product of a cloud.
Which is the odd word out?
A)
Murmur
B)
Whisper
C)
Hearken
D)
Burble
"Hearken" is the odd word out because it means to listen or pay attention, which is an act of receiving sound. In contrast, "Murmur", "Whisper", and "Burble" all refer to the act of producing low, soft, or continuous sounds or speaking in a certain manner (sound production).
The first known organization formed by the Mizos, the ‘Lushai Students’ Association’ (Mizo Zirho Pawl), was established in 1924 by Mizo students in which of the following cities?
A)
Aizawl, Lunglei, and Shillong
B)
Calcutta, Gauhati, and Shillong
C)
Aizawl, Calcutta, and Gauhati
D)
Lunglei, Gauhati, and Shillong
Option B is correct: Calcutta, Gauhati, and Shillong.
What were the primary factors leading to the evolution and incorporation of the Sixth Schedule provision in the Constitution of India, which subsequently enabled the emergence of Autonomous District Councils like those in Mizoram?
A)
The British colonial administration’s desire to maintain control over tribal areas and exploit their resources.
B)
The tribal desire for political autonomy and their quest for economic development.
C)
The need to integrate tribal communities fully into the mainstream administrative structure of India.
D)
The recommendations of the Cabinet Mission to establish direct central rule over all tribal regions.
The correct option is 'b'. The Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India was formulated based on the recommendations of the Gopinath Bordoloi Committee (a subcommittee of the Constituent Assembly). The primary factor behind its evolution was to address and accommodate the tribal communities' strong desire for political autonomy, self-governance, and economic development, while protecting their distinct cultural identity, land, and traditional customs.
Why other options are incorrect:
- Option 'a' is incorrect because the Sixth Schedule is a post-independence constitutional framework designed to empower tribal populations, rather than a British colonial tool aimed at resource exploitation.
- Option 'c' is incorrect because the Sixth Schedule was designed to provide autonomy and protect tribal distinctiveness, rather than forcing complete integration or assimilation into the mainstream administrative structure of India.
- Option 'd' is incorrect because the Cabinet Mission did not recommend direct central rule over tribal areas; instead, the framework of autonomy was developed by the Constituent Assembly's advisory committees to ensure local self-governance.
In the context of India’s strategic materials development, ‘Mishra Dhatu Nigam Limited’ (MIDHANI), a DPSU, plays a critical role. It is specialized in the manufacturing of:
A)
Semiconductor wafers and integrated circuits.
B)
High-purity optical fibres for telecommunications.
C)
Superalloys, titanium, and special-purpose steels for defence, space, and atomic energy sectors.
D)
Composite materials for the light combat aircraft.
Mishra Dhatu Nigam Limited (MIDHANI), established in 1973 under the Ministry of Defence, is a specialized Defence Public Sector Undertaking (DPSU) focused on achieving self-reliance in the research, development, and manufacture of critical strategic materials. Its core expertise lies in manufacturing superalloys, titanium alloys, and special-purpose steels essential for high-tech applications in defence, space, and atomic energy. Other options are incorrect because MIDHANI does not specialize in semiconductor fabrication (Option a), optical fibres (Option b), or primary composite materials for aircraft (Option d), which are handled by other specialized public/private entities.
Regarding the division of property upon dissolution of a marriage, under what specific circumstance will a woman who leaves her husband on ‘sumchhuah’ still retain rights over the acquired property?
A)
If her husband initiates the ‘sumchhuah’ by returning the marriage price.
B)
If she was compelled to leave due to her husband’s domestic violence or cruelty.
C)
If the separation is by mutual consent.
D)
If she has been deserted by her husband for at least two years.
Under Mizo customary law, 'Sumchhuah' is a form of divorce where the wife leaves her husband, which typically results in her forfeiting her rights to the joint or acquired property. However, an exception is made if she is compelled to leave her husband's house due to his cruelty, domestic violence, or severe ill-treatment. In such cases, the departure is not considered voluntary; instead, it is treated as constructive 'Mak' (divorce initiated by the husband), allowing the wife to retain her rights over the acquired property. Option (a) is incorrect because 'Sumchhuah' is initiated by the wife, not the husband. Option (c) refers to mutual consent divorce, which follows different customary rules. Option (d) refers to desertion, which is a separate ground for divorce and does not specifically govern the exception to property forfeiture under 'Sumchhuah'.
Water passes from soil to plant roots by a physical process called?
A)
Osmosis
B)
Diffusion
C)
Absorption
D)
Transpiration
1. **Osmosis** is the correct answer because it is the specific physical process by which water molecules move from an area of higher water potential (the soil) to an area of lower water potential (inside the root hair cells) through a semi-permeable membrane.
2. **Diffusion** is incorrect because, although osmosis is a type of diffusion, diffusion refers generally to the movement of any substance (like gases or solutes) without necessarily involving a semi-permeable membrane.
3. **Absorption** is incorrect because it is a general biological term for taking in substances, rather than the specific physical mechanism of water transport.
4. **Transpiration** is incorrect because it is the process of water loss (as vapor) from the leaves of the plant, not the uptake of water by the roots.
Which of the following is an example of thermonuclear fusion reaction?
A)
Hydrogen bomb
B)
Nuclear bomb
C)
Release of nuclear energy in the sun
D)
Both (a) and (c)
Thermonuclear fusion is a process where lighter atomic nuclei fuse together to form a heavier nucleus under extremely high temperatures and pressures, releasing a massive amount of energy. Both the Hydrogen bomb (option a) and the Sun's energy production (option c) are classic examples of this process. In a Hydrogen bomb, an initial fission reaction provides the extreme heat required to trigger the fusion of hydrogen isotopes. In the Sun, immense gravitational pressure and core temperatures drive the fusion of hydrogen into helium. On the other hand, a standard 'Nuclear bomb' (option b), also known as an atomic bomb, relies primarily on nuclear fission (the splitting of heavy nuclei like Uranium or Plutonium) rather than fusion.
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