← Labour Officer
Past Questions
Which country announced a Strategic Energy Partnership with India and agreed on a CAD 2.6 billion uranium supply deal in March 2026?
A)
Canada
B)
Australia
C)
United Kingdom
D)
Germany
The key indicator in the question is the currency mentioned: 'CAD'. CAD stands for Canadian Dollars. Therefore, a deal denominated in CAD 2.6 billion strongly points to Canada as the partner country. India and Canada have a long-standing history of cooperation in the nuclear energy sector, specifically regarding the supply of uranium to fuel India's pressurized heavy water reactors (PHWRs). While Australia is also a major uranium supplier to India, their deals would typically be denominated in USD or AUD. The United Kingdom and Germany are not primary sources of uranium supply for India under these specific financial terms. Thus, based on the currency and the nature of the strategic energy partnership, Canada is the correct answer.
Commercial planes fly in which layer of the Earth’s atmosphere?
A)
Stratosphere
B)
Mesosphere
C)
Thermosphere
D)
Exosphere
Commercial jet aircraft typically fly in the lower stratosphere (approximately 30,000 to 42,000 feet). This is preferred for several reasons: 1. Weather Stability: Most weather phenomena (clouds, storms, and turbulence) occur in the troposphere; by flying in the stratosphere, planes avoid these disturbances. 2. Fuel Efficiency: The air is thinner (lower density) in the stratosphere, which reduces aerodynamic drag on the aircraft, allowing it to fly faster and use less fuel.
Why other options are incorrect:
- b. Mesosphere: This layer is far too high (50-85 km) and the air is too thin to provide the lift necessary for commercial aircraft.
- c. Thermosphere: This is the layer where the International Space Station orbits; it is essentially the edge of space.
- d. Exosphere: This is the outermost layer of the atmosphere, where molecules escape into space; it cannot support flight.
The animal which uses ‘sounds’ as its eyes is:
A)
Possum
B)
Night heron
C)
Snake
D)
Bat
The phrase 'uses sounds as its eyes' refers to the biological process of echolocation. Echolocation is a biological sonar used by certain animals to navigate and locate prey in the dark.
1. **Bat (Correct):** Bats emit high-frequency ultrasonic sound waves that bounce off objects in their environment. By listening to the echoes of these sounds, bats can determine the size, shape, distance, and movement of objects, effectively 'seeing' their surroundings through sound.
2. **Possum:** Possums rely primarily on their sense of smell and sight; they do not use echolocation.
3. **Night heron:** While night herons are adapted for nocturnal hunting, they rely on highly developed vision (sight) and hearing, not echolocation.
4. **Snake:** Snakes use a combination of chemical sensing (via the Jacobson's organ) and heat-sensing pits (in some species like pit vipers) to locate prey, but they do not use sound-based imaging.
Which company has secured a U.S. license allowing it to import crude oil from Venezuela, enhancing India’s energy security and refining flexibility?
A)
ONGC
B)
Indian Oil Corporation
C)
Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited
D)
Reliance Industries Limited
Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) has secured a specific license from the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) allowing it to import crude oil from Venezuela. Venezuela possesses some of the world's largest oil reserves, but its exports are heavily restricted by U.S. sanctions. By obtaining this license, RIL can import heavy Venezuelan crude, which is highly compatible with the complex refining configurations of its Jamnagar refinery. This move enhances India's energy security by diversifying the sources of crude oil imports and provides refining flexibility by allowing the company to process cheaper, heavy grades of oil. While state-owned companies like IOCL, BPCL, and ONGC are key players in India's energy sector, RIL is the specific entity that has navigated the regulatory framework to secure this particular import license for Venezuelan crude.
Which country is the largest buyer of Iranian crude oil?
A)
Russia
B)
India
C)
China
D)
USA
Step-by-step reasoning: 1. Analysis of Trade Patterns: Iran possesses some of the world's largest oil reserves. Due to international sanctions (primarily led by the USA), Iran's official export markets have shifted. 2. Evaluating China: China is the world's largest importer of crude oil and has maintained a strategic partnership with Iran. Despite US sanctions, China has remained the primary destination for Iranian crude oil, often utilizing non-dollar payment systems or 'dark fleet' tankers to facilitate trade. 3. Evaluating India: India was historically a top buyer, but significantly reduced or halted official imports of Iranian oil to avoid secondary sanctions from the US Treasury. 4. Evaluating Russia: Russia is a major oil producer and competitor in the global market, not a primary buyer of Iranian crude. 5. Evaluating USA: The USA has imposed strict sanctions on Iranian oil and prohibits its import, making it an impossible option. Therefore, China is the largest buyer.
Which of the following is the largest ‘carbon sink’ on earth?
A)
Forests
B)
Oceans
C)
Soils
D)
Rivers
A carbon sink is any reservoir (natural or artificial) that absorbs more carbon from the atmosphere than it releases.
1. **Oceans (Correct):** The world's oceans are the largest active carbon sink on Earth. They absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere through two primary mechanisms: the 'solubility pump' (physical dissolution of CO2 into seawater) and the 'biological pump' (phytoplankton absorbing CO2 via photosynthesis). The deep ocean stores vast amounts of dissolved inorganic carbon, far exceeding the storage capacity of terrestrial ecosystems.
2. **Forests (Incorrect):** While forests are critical carbon sinks through photosynthesis (sequestering carbon in biomass), their total capacity is significantly smaller than that of the oceans.
3. **Soils (Incorrect):** Soils store a substantial amount of organic carbon (more than the atmosphere and vegetation combined), but they still rank below the oceans in terms of total carbon sequestration capacity.
4. **Rivers (Incorrect):** Rivers act primarily as transport systems that move carbon from land to the oceans; they are not significant long-term storage sinks compared to the other options.
Who founded the Forward Block?
A)
Rasbehari Bose
B)
Jadugopal Mukhopadhyay
C)
Hemchandra Ghosh
D)
Subhas Chandra Bose
The Forward Bloc was founded by Subhas Chandra Bose in 1939. After a series of ideological conflicts with the leadership of the Indian National Congress (specifically Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru) regarding the strategy for achieving independence and the timing of the struggle against British rule, Bose resigned from the presidency of the Congress in April 1939. He subsequently formed the All India Forward Bloc within the Congress party to rally the left-wing elements and push for a more militant approach to independence.
Analysis of other options:
- Rasbehari Bose: A revolutionary who helped establish the Indian Independence League in Japan, but not the founder of the Forward Bloc.
- Jadugopal Mukhopadhyay: A freedom fighter and associate of Bose, but not the founder of the party.
- Hemchandra Ghosh: A revolutionary and associate of Bose, but not the founder of the party.
_________ dam is the highest gravity dam in India.
A)
Bhakra Nangal Dam
B)
Hirakud Dam
C)
Mettur Dam
D)
Nagarjuna Sagar Dam
Step-by-step reasoning:
1. Analysis of the Question: The question asks for the 'highest gravity dam' in India. It is important to distinguish between the 'highest dam' (which could be any type, such as an arch dam) and the 'highest gravity dam' (a specific engineering type that relies on its own weight for stability).
2. Evaluating Option (a) Bhakra Nangal Dam: Located on the Sutlej River in Himachal Pradesh and Punjab, the Bhakra Dam is a concrete gravity dam. With a height of approximately 225.5 meters, it is recognized as the highest gravity dam in India.
3. Evaluating Option (b) Hirakud Dam: Located on the Mahanadi River in Odisha, Hirakud is famous for being the longest earthen dam in the world, not the highest gravity dam.
4. Evaluating Option (c) Mettur Dam: Located on the Kaveri River in Tamil Nadu, it is a significant dam but does not hold the record for height among gravity dams.
5. Evaluating Option (d) Nagarjuna Sagar Dam: Located on the Krishna River, it is one of the largest masonry dams in the world, but it is shorter than the Bhakra Nangal Dam.
Conclusion: Based on height and structural type, Bhakra Nangal is the correct answer.
The United Nations has established Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
A)
15
B)
16
C)
17
D)
18
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the 2030 Agenda, were adopted by all United Nations Member States in September 2015. These goals are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030. There are exactly 17 integrated goals, which include targets such as 'No Poverty' (Goal 1), 'Zero Hunger' (Goal 2), 'Quality Education' (Goal 4), and 'Climate Action' (Goal 13). Options a (15), b (16), and d (18) are numerically incorrect based on the official UN framework.
India will begin next census in:
A)
April, 2026
B)
May, 2026
C)
June, 2026
D)
July, 2026
The Census of India is typically conducted every ten years. The 2021 Census was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent administrative hurdles. According to recent government indications and budgetary projections for the digital census implementation, the process is slated to commence in early 2026. Specifically, the operational timeline for the data collection phase is expected to begin in April 2026. Options b, c, and d are incorrect as they represent later dates in the year, whereas the government aims to initiate the process at the start of the financial year/spring cycle to ensure comprehensive coverage.
The largest river island in the world is:
A)
Majuli Island
B)
Malibu Island
C)
Bhavani Island
D)
Agatti Island
Step-by-step reasoning:
1. Analysis of the question: The question asks for the largest river island in the world.
2. Evaluating Option (a): Majuli Island is located in the Brahmaputra River in Assam, India. It is widely recognized by the Guinness World Records as the largest river island in the world. It is a center of Neo-Vaishnavite culture.
3. Evaluating Option (b): Malibu is a beach city in California, USA, and is not a river island.
4. Evaluating Option (c): Bhavani is a river in Tamil Nadu, but there is no globally recognized 'Bhavani Island' that competes for the title of the largest river island.
5. Evaluating Option (d): Agatti Island is a coral island in the Lakshadweep archipelago, located in the Arabian Sea, not a river island.
6. Conclusion: Based on geographical facts, Majuli is the correct answer.
The full form of LED is:
A)
Light Emitting Device
B)
Light Enhancing Device
C)
Light Enhancing Diode
D)
Light Emitting Diode
An LED is a semiconductor p-n junction diode that emits light when forward-biased. This process is known as electroluminescence.
1. 'Light Emitting' refers to the function of the device, which is to produce photons (light) as electrons recombine with holes at the p-n junction.
2. 'Diode' refers to the electronic component structure, which allows current to flow in primarily one direction.
Analysis of options:
- Option (a) 'Light Emitting Device' is too generic; while an LED is a device, its specific electronic classification is a diode.
- Option (b) 'Light Enhancing Device' is incorrect as LEDs create light rather than enhancing existing light.
- Option (c) 'Light Enhancing Diode' is incorrect for the same reason as option (b).
Which is the world’s largest Government-funded healthcare program providing coverage to over 10 crore poor families in India?
A)
Bharatiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana
B)
Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana-Gramin
C)
Ayushman Bharat (PMJAY)
D)
Jal Jeevan Mission
Step-by-step reasoning:
1. **Analyze the Question**: The question asks for the world's largest government-funded healthcare program targeting over 10 crore poor families in India.
2. **Evaluate Option (c) Ayushman Bharat (PMJAY)**: The Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY), under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, is specifically designed to provide health insurance coverage of up to Rs. 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization. It targets the bottom 40% of the Indian population (approximately 10.74 crore families), making it the world's largest government-funded healthcare program.
3. **Evaluate Option (a) Bharatiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana**: This is a program to provide quality generic medicines at affordable prices through Jan Aushadhi Kendras. While it is a healthcare initiative, it is a medicine distribution scheme, not a comprehensive healthcare coverage program for 10 crore families.
4. **Evaluate Option (b) Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana-Gramin**: This is a housing scheme aimed at providing pucca houses to the rural poor; it is not a healthcare program.
5. **Evaluate Option (d) Jal Jeevan Mission**: This is a water security mission aimed at providing functional household tap connections to all rural households; it is not a healthcare program.
Conclusion: Option (c) is the only correct answer as it matches all the criteria mentioned in the question.
Which of the following are the biodiversity hotspots present in India? A. The Himalayas, B. The Western Ghats, C. The Sunderland, D. The Indo-Burma
A)
A, B, C
B)
A, B, D
C)
A, C, D
D)
A, B, C, D
A biodiversity hotspot is a region with significant levels of biodiversity that is under threat from humans. To be qualified as a hotspot, a region must meet two strict criteria: it must contain at least 1,500 species of vascular plants as endemics, and it must have lost at least 70% of its original native vegetation. India is home to four such hotspots:
1. The Himalayas (covering the entire Indian Himalayan region).
2. The Western Ghats (and Sri Lanka).
3. The Indo-Burma region (covering North-Eastern India).
4. Sundaland (which includes the Nicobar Islands).
Analyzing the given options:
A. The Himalayas - Correct.
B. The Western Ghats - Correct.
C. The Sundaland (misspelled as 'Sunderland' in the prompt, but contextually refers to the hotspot) - Correct.
D. The Indo-Burma - Correct.
Since all four regions are recognized biodiversity hotspots present in India, the correct option is (d).
Who was the first president of Indian National Congress?
A)
G.K. Gokhale
B)
W.C. Banerjee.
C)
Dadabhai Naoroji.
D)
Badruddin Tyabji
The Indian National Congress (INC) was founded in December 1885. The first session of the INC was held from December 28 to December 31, 1885, at Gokuldas Tejpal Sanskrit College in Bombay (now Mumbai). Womesh Chandra (W.C.) Bonnerjee was elected as the first President of this inaugural session.
Analysis of other options:
- G.K. Gokhale: A prominent moderate leader and mentor to Mahatma Gandhi, but not the first president.
- Dadabhai Naoroji: Known as the 'Grand Old Man of India', he served as the president of the INC in 1886 (the second session).
- Badruddin Tyabji: He served as the president of the third session of the INC in 1887, becoming the first Muslim president of the organization.
How many seats are reserved for women in General Election to the Aizawl Municipal Corporation, 2026?
A)
4
B)
5
C)
6
D)
7
Under the Mizoram Municipalities Act and the specific delimitation and reservation rules applicable to the Aizawl Municipal Corporation (AMC), the structure of the corporation includes a specific number of reserved seats to ensure gender representation. For the General Election to the Aizawl Municipal Corporation, 6 seats are reserved for women. This reservation is part of the state's governance framework to promote the participation of women in local urban governance. Options a, b, and d are incorrect as they do not align with the statutory seat allocation for women in the AMC.
Which the following is incorrect regarding Eight Schedule of the Indian Constitution:
A)
The Eight Schedule originally contains 14 languages
B)
Languages in the Eight Schedule receive Constitutional support for development and promotion
C)
It lists the languages recognized by the Constitution for Official purposes
D)
English was added to the Eight Schedule after liberalization of economy in 1991
The question asks for the INCORRECT statement regarding the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
1. Analysis of Option (a): The Eighth Schedule originally contained 14 languages at the time of the Constitution's commencement. This is a correct statement.
2. Analysis of Option (b): Languages listed in the Eighth Schedule are given official recognition and constitutional support for their development and promotion. This is a correct statement.
3. Analysis of Option (c): The Eighth Schedule lists the languages recognized by the Constitution for official purposes (specifically for representation in Parliament and official communication). This is a correct statement.
4. Analysis of Option (d): This statement is incorrect. English is an official language of the Union (as per the Official Languages Act, 1963), but it is NOT listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. Therefore, it was not 'added' after 1991 or at any other time.
Since option (d) is the only false statement, it is the correct answer to the question.
The Partition of Bengal was announced in which year?
A)
1908
B)
1919
C)
1905
D)
1910
The Partition of Bengal was announced by the Viceroy of India, Lord Curzon, in July 1905 and came into effect on October 16, 1905. The official reason given by the British government was administrative convenience due to the large size of the Bengal Presidency, but the actual political motive was to divide the nationalist movement and create a communal rift between Hindus and Muslims. This event led to the rise of the Swadeshi and Boycott movements.
Analysis of other options:
- 1908: Not associated with the announcement of the partition; this period saw the height of the Swadeshi movement and the trial of Aurobindo Ghosh.
- 1919: This year is associated with the Rowlatt Act and the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre.
- 1910: Not the year of announcement; in fact, the partition was eventually annulled/reversed in 1911.
The Preamble of the Indian Constitution is:
A)
Enforceable in a court of law
B)
Non enforceable but a key to the minds of the framers
C)
A separate statute
D)
Only a political speech
The Preamble of the Indian Constitution serves as an introductory statement that outlines the guiding purpose, principles, and philosophy of the Constitution.
1. **Non-enforceability**: The Preamble is 'non-justiciable,' meaning its provisions are not enforceable in a court of law. A citizen cannot sue the government for failing to achieve the goals mentioned in the Preamble (such as 'Socialist' or 'Secular' ideals) solely based on the Preamble's text.
2. **Key to the minds of the framers**: While not enforceable, the Judiciary (Supreme Court of India) has consistently held (notably in the Berubari Union case and later reaffirmed in the Kesavananda Bharati case) that the Preamble acts as a guiding light. When the language of any article in the Constitution is ambiguous, the courts refer to the Preamble to interpret the intention and vision of the founding fathers.
Why other options are incorrect:
- **Option a**: Incorrect because the Preamble is non-justiciable.
- **Option c**: Incorrect because the Preamble is a part of the Constitution, not a separate statute (law passed by legislature).
- **Option d**: Incorrect because while it contains political ideals, it is a legal part of the constitutional document and possesses legal significance in interpretation, making it more than just a 'speech'.
What is the projected temperature increase limit set by the Paris Agreement to avoid the most severe impacts of climate change?
A)
1.5 degrees Celsius
B)
2 degrees Celsius
C)
3 degrees Celsius
D)
4 degrees Celsius
The Paris Agreement, adopted in 2015 at COP21, establishes a global framework to combat climate change. Its primary goal is to hold the increase in the global average temperature to 'well below 2°C' above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C. While 2°C is mentioned as a ceiling, the scientific consensus (highlighted in the IPCC Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C) emphasizes that limiting warming to 1.5°C is critical to avoid the most severe and irreversible impacts of climate change, such as the total collapse of coral reefs and catastrophic sea-level rise. Therefore, in the context of avoiding the 'most severe impacts,' 1.5°C is the targeted limit.
- Option b (2 degrees Celsius) is the upper limit, but exceeding 1.5°C significantly increases risks.
- Options c and d (3 and 4 degrees Celsius) represent catastrophic warming scenarios that the agreement specifically aims to prevent.
What is the main aim of the Montreal Protocol?
A)
Global warming
B)
Climate change
C)
Protection of the Ozone layer
D)
Bio-diversity Conservation
The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer is a landmark international treaty signed in 1987. Its primary objective is to protect the stratospheric ozone layer by phasing out the production and consumption of ozone-depleting substances (ODS), most notably chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and halons.
Why other options are incorrect:
- Option (a) Global warming and Option (b) Climate change: While the Montreal Protocol has indirectly helped mitigate global warming (because many ODS are also potent greenhouse gases), the primary treaties addressing these issues are the UNFCCC, the Kyoto Protocol, and the Paris Agreement.
- Option (d) Bio-diversity Conservation: This is the primary focus of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), not the Montreal Protocol.
For how many kilometers does Mizoram shares its international border with Myanmar?
A)
549 km
B)
654 km
C)
510 km
D)
459 km
Mizoram is a landlocked state in Northeast India that shares international borders with Myanmar to the east and south, and Bangladesh to the west. According to official geographical data and the Government of Mizoram's administrative records, the length of the international border shared between Mizoram and Myanmar is approximately 510 kilometers. This border is characterized by rugged mountainous terrain and dense forests.
Analysis of options:
- Option (a) 549 km: Incorrect.
- Option (b) 654 km: Incorrect.
- Option (c) 510 km: Correct, as it aligns with the official geographical measurements of the Mizoram-Myanmar boundary.
- Option (d) 459 km: Incorrect.
The service sector does not include :
A)
Banking
B)
Insurance
C)
Transport
D)
Car manufacturing
In economics, the economy is divided into three main sectors: Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary (Service) sectors.
1. The Tertiary Sector (Service Sector) provides intangible services to consumers and businesses rather than producing physical goods. Banking (Option a), Insurance (Option b), and Transport (Option c) are all classic examples of services because they provide financial security, risk management, and logistics without creating a tangible physical product.
2. The Secondary Sector is the industrial sector, which involves the processing of raw materials into finished goods through manufacturing. Car manufacturing (Option d) involves the physical assembly of parts to create a tangible product (a vehicle), which places it firmly in the Secondary Sector.
Therefore, car manufacturing is not part of the service sector.
Under which of the following jurisdiction can any individual whose Fundamental Rights has been violated, directly move the Supreme Court for remedy?
A)
Advisory Jurisdiction
B)
Appellate Jurisdiction
C)
Original Jurisdiction
D)
Writ Jurisdiction
Step-by-step reasoning:
1. The question asks for the specific jurisdiction under which an individual can directly approach the Supreme Court for the enforcement of Fundamental Rights.
2. Under Article 32 of the Indian Constitution, the Supreme Court is empowered to issue writs (such as Habeas Corpus, Mandamus, Prohibition, Quo Warranto, and Certiorari) for the enforcement of Fundamental Rights. This specific power is known as 'Writ Jurisdiction'.
3. Why other options are incorrect:
- (a) Advisory Jurisdiction: Under Article 143, the President of India can seek the opinion of the Supreme Court on a question of law or fact; individuals cannot use this to seek remedies for rights violations.
- (b) Appellate Jurisdiction: This refers to the power of the Supreme Court to hear appeals against judgments from lower courts (High Courts); it is not the primary mechanism for a direct first-instance petition for Fundamental Rights.
- (c) Original Jurisdiction: While Article 32 is technically a part of the Court's original jurisdiction (meaning the case starts there), 'Writ Jurisdiction' is the precise and specific legal term for the remedy sought for Fundamental Rights violations. In competitive exams, when 'Writ Jurisdiction' is provided as a separate option from 'Original Jurisdiction', it is the more accurate and specific answer for Fundamental Rights enforcement.
Select the alternative that expresses the same meaning in Direct / Indirect Speech: He replied that he had promised to reward his employees and that he had kept his word.
A)
He replied, “I promised to reward my employees and I kept word.”
B)
He replied, “I had promised to reward my employees and had kept my word.”
C)
He replied, “I promise to reward my employees. I keep my word.”
D)
He replied, “I have promised to reward my employees. I have kept my word.”
The reported speech uses past perfect forms: "had promised" and "had kept". In direct speech, this is best expressed using present perfect to show that the action was completed before the moment of speaking: "I have promised" and "I have kept my word." Option (d) matches this meaning most closely. Option (a) changes the tense to simple past, while (b) incorrectly uses past perfect in direct speech. Option (c) changes the meaning to present tense, which is not equivalent.