MCSCCE • 2025 • Paper-I (Series C)
The conversion of glucose to glycogen is mediated by an enzyme called-
A)
glycogen synthase
B)
glucose phosphatase
C)
glycogen phosphorylase
D)
glycogen phosphatase
Glycogen synthase is the key regulatory enzyme responsible for converting glucose units into glycogen polymers during glycogenesis.
MCSCCE • 2025 • Paper-I (Series C)
‘Churning poor’ in the context of poverty refers to:
A)
Individuals who frequently move in and out of poverty due to vulnerable livelihoods.
B)
Individuals who are always below the poverty line and depend entirely on government assistance.
C)
Individuals that have recently escaped poverty and are unlikely to fall back.
D)
Urban homeless populations with no formal identity or income records.
In poverty classification (NCERT economics), 'churning poor' refers to transient individuals who regularly fluctuate between being above and below the poverty line (e.g., small and seasonal workers).
MCSCCE • 2025 • Paper-I (Series C)
An ecological succession which begins on a place rich in inorganic contents but poor in organic contents is called-
A)
Autotrophic succession
B)
Heterotrophic succession
C)
Allogenic succession
D)
Secondary succession
Autotrophic succession begins in an environment rich in inorganic nutrients but deficient in organic matter, where green autotrophic plants dominate early stages.
MCSCCE • 2025 • Paper-I (Series C)
Which among the following is related to poultry farming?
A)
Silver Revolution
B)
Grey Revolution
C)
Pink Revolution
D)
Golden Revolution
The correct answer is the Silver Revolution. In the context of Indian agriculture, different 'colored revolutions' represent the growth of specific sectors.
1. Silver Revolution: This refers to the increase in egg and poultry production. It was launched to boost the production of eggs and poultry to ensure food security and economic growth for farmers.
2. Grey Revolution: This is associated with the increase in the production of fertilizers.
3. Pink Revolution: This is related to the production of prawns, onions, and pharmaceuticals (specifically meat processing).
4. Golden Revolution: This refers to the increase in the production of horticulture, honey, and fruits (especially yellow-colored fruits like mangoes).
Therefore, poultry farming is specifically linked to the Silver Revolution.
MCSCCE • 2025 • Paper-I (Series C)
Which article was presented by ladies to men who returned with enemies’ heads from their head hunting?
A)
Chhawndawl
B)
Arkeziak
C)
Hranghrual
D)
Lenchhawn
In traditional Mizo culture, 'Arkeziak' (a specialized spun yarn tassel/plume) was presented by young women to honor victorious warriors returning with enemy heads.
MCSCCE • 2025 • Paper-I (Series C)
The function of the human kidney is -
I. Removing waste and excess fluid from the body
II. The functional unit is nephron
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
A)
Only I is correct
B)
Only II is correct
C)
Both I and II are correct
D)
Both I and II are not correct
The human kidney removes metabolic waste products and excess fluid from the body to maintain fluid-electrolyte balance. The microscopic structural and functional unit of the kidney is the nephron. Both statements are correct.
MCSCCE • 2025 • Paper-I (Series C)
Consider the following statements:
(i) Fathang is the due payable to a Chief by each household or family in kind or cash.
(ii) Sachhiah is the due payable to a Chief by anyone who shoots or traps a wild animal.
(iii) Ramhual are the people who advise a Chief where fish should be caught.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
A)
(i) and (ii) only
B)
(ii) and (iii) only
C)
(i) and (iii) only
D)
(i), (ii) and (iii)
Statements (i) and (ii) are correct historical descriptions of Mizo chiefdom dues (Fathang and Sachhiah). Statement (iii) is incorrect because Ramhual advised on jhum cultivation land, not fishing.
MCSCCE • 2025 • Paper-I (Series C)
Which of the following statements is true of ‘carrying capacity of an ecosystem’?
A)
The number of organisms that can be carried for one year.
B)
The number of endemic species an ecosystem can support without degradation.
C)
The number of organisms of a species that can be sustainably supported.
D)
The number of exotic species that exists in an ecosystem.
Carrying capacity refers to the maximum population size of a species that an environment can sustain indefinitely given available food, habitat, water, and other ecological resources.
MCSCCE • 2025 • Paper-I (Series C)
Which of the following is not one of the Sustainable Development Goals?
A)
Life below water
B)
Life on land
C)
Life on Air
D)
Climate action
Among the UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals, SDG 13 is Climate Action, SDG 14 is Life Below Water, and SDG 15 is Life on Land. 'Life on Air' is not one of the SDGs.
MCSCCE • 2025 • Paper-I (Series C)
Consider the following statements with reference to CIBIL Score:
(i) It is a banker’s assessment which tells the client’s financial health.
(ii) It stand for Credit Index Bureau India Limited.
(iii) It is a 3-digit numeric summary of client’s credit history.
(iv) The closer the client’s score is to 900, the higher are the chances of his/her getting loan/credit card.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
A)
(i), (ii) & (iii) only
B)
(i), (iii) & (iv) only
C)
(ii), (iii) & (iv) only
D)
(i), (ii), (iii) & (iv)
CIBIL stands for Credit Information Bureau (India) Limited, not 'Credit Index Bureau', making statement (ii) incorrect. Statements (i), (iii), and (iv) are accurate descriptions of the CIBIL 3-digit credit score ranging from 300 to 900.
MCSCCE • 2025 • Paper-I (Series C)
Consider the following potential effects on economic development when the central bank decides to lower the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) in a developing economy:
(i) It is likely to inject additional liquidity into the banking system, potentially increasing banks’ capacity for credit creation.
(ii) It could lead to a reduction in market interest rates, making borrowing cheaper for businesses and consumers.
(iii) It might stimulate aggregate demand, potentially leading to increased investment and consumption.
(iv) It invariably guarantees a rapid acceleration of real economic growth by ensuring optimal allocation of credit to productive sectors.
Which of the statements given above are conceptually sound effects of lowering CRR, but not necessarily a guaranteed outcome in all economic contexts?
A)
(i), (ii) and (iii) only
B)
(ii), (iii) and (iv) only
C)
(i), (ii) and (iv) only
D)
(i), (ii), (iii) and (iv)
Lowering CRR injects bank liquidity (i), exerts downward pressure on interest rates (ii), and stimulates aggregate demand and investment (iii). However, statement (iv) is flawed because monetary expansion cannot 'invariably guarantee' growth or optimal sector allocation due to potential credit frictions or structural bottlenecks.
MCSCCE • 2025 • Paper-I (Series C)
Amphibians of the plant kingdom are-
A)
Algae
B)
Bryophytes
C)
Pteridophytes
D)
Gymnosperms
Bryophytes (mosses, liverworts) are called amphibians of the plant kingdom because they live in soil but depend on water for sexual reproduction.
MCSCCE • 2025 • Paper-I (Series C)
Atoms of different elements having the same mass number but different atomic numbers are called-
A)
Isotopes
B)
Isotones
C)
Isobars
D)
Isotherms
Isobars are atoms of different chemical elements that have the same mass number (A) but different atomic numbers (Z).
MCSCCE • 2025 • Paper-I (Series C)
In the context of the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) monetary policy operations, a sustained period of increasing Repo Rate is generally expected to have which of the following effects on the Indian economy?
(i) Dampen demand-pull inflation by increasing the cost of borrowing and investment.
(ii) Reduce the net interest margin (NIM) of commercial banks that rely heavily on deposits for funding.
(iii) Lead to an appreciation of the Indian Rupee against major global currencies.
(iv) Encourage a shift in household savings from market-linked instruments to bank fixed deposits.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
A)
(i) and (ii) only
B)
(i) and (iv) only
C)
(i), (iii) and (iv) only
D)
(i), (ii), (iii) and (iv)
Sustained Repo rate hikes raise borrowing costs to dampen demand-pull inflation (i), enhance currency yields attracting capital and appreciating the Rupee (iii), and incentivize household deposits into higher-yielding bank FDs (iv). However, banks typically reprice floating loans quickly while deposit costs lag, so NIM does not necessarily reduce (ii is incorrect).
MCSCCE • 2025 • Paper-I (Series C)
Suicidal bag of the cell is-
I. ribosomes
II. suicidal bag contains hydrolytic enzymes
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
A)
Only I is correct
B)
Only II is correct
C)
Both I and II are correct
D)
Both I and II are not correct
Lysosomes (not ribosomes) are known as the suicidal bags of the cell because they contain hydrolytic (digestive) enzymes capable of breaking down cellular components. Statement I is false and Statement II is true.
MCSCCE • 2025 • Paper-I (Series C)
Which Mizo Chiefs defeated the British force of Sylhet Column on the bank of Tut river near Kawkpui village in March 1869?
A)
Lalsuthlaha and Ngura
B)
Suakpuilala and Vanhnuaithangi
C)
Rothangpuia and Lalchheuva
D)
Lianphunga and Kalkhama
During the Lushai Expedition of March 1869, the British Sylhet Column was repulsed on the banks of the Tut River near Kawkpui village by the forces under Mizo Chiefs Rothangpuia and Lalchheuva.
MCSCCE • 2025 • Paper-I (Series C)
Which one of the following fruits is parthenocarpic?
A)
Banana
B)
Jackfruit
C)
Apple
D)
Brinjal
Parthenocarpy is the natural or induced development of fruit without prior fertilization of ovules, producing seedless fruits. Cultivated banana is a classic example of a naturally parthenocarpic fruit.
MCSCCE • 2025 • Paper-I (Series C)
Which of the following is not helpful in maintaining ecological stability?
A)
Ecosystem diversity
B)
Homeostatic mechanism
C)
Ecosystem complexity
D)
Ecosystem uniformity
Ecological stability refers to the ability of an ecosystem to maintain its structure and function over time, even when subjected to disturbances.
1. **Ecosystem Diversity (Option a):** High diversity ensures that if one species fails or disappears, others can fill its ecological niche, thereby maintaining the overall stability of the system.
2. **Homeostatic Mechanism (Option b):** Homeostasis is the self-regulating process by which an ecosystem maintains a state of equilibrium (e.g., predator-prey cycles). This is fundamental to stability.
3. **Ecosystem Complexity (Option c):** Complexity, particularly in the form of intricate food webs, provides multiple pathways for energy flow. If one food chain is disrupted, the system can rely on alternative pathways, increasing resilience.
4. **Ecosystem Uniformity (Option d):** Uniformity (or monoculture) is the opposite of diversity. A uniform ecosystem is highly fragile; if a specific disease or pest attacks the dominant species, the entire system can collapse because there are no alternative species to sustain the ecological functions. Therefore, uniformity decreases stability.
MCSCCE • 2025 • Paper-I (Series C)
The phenomenon where a person is employed below their skill level is known as:
A)
Structural unemployment
B)
Frictional unemployment
C)
Cyclical unemployment
D)
Underemployment
Underemployment is an economic situation where a person is employed in a job that does not fully utilize their skills, educational qualifications, or working capacity.
MCSCCE • 2025 • Paper-I (Series C)
An example of ex-situ conservation is-
A)
Sacred grove
B)
National park
C)
Seed bank
D)
Wildlife sanctuary
Conservation of biodiversity is broadly divided into two categories: In-situ and Ex-situ conservation.
1. **In-situ Conservation (On-site):** This involves protecting species in their natural habitats. Examples include:
- **Sacred groves (Option a):** Community-protected forest patches.
- **National parks (Option b):** Strictly protected areas for wildlife and nature.
- **Wildlife sanctuaries (Option d):** Areas reserved for the protection of specific species.
2. **Ex-situ Conservation (Off-site):** This involves removing threatened species from their natural habitat and placing them under human care in a controlled environment to ensure their survival. Examples include:
- **Seed banks (Option c):** Storing seeds at low temperatures to preserve genetic diversity.
- Other examples include Botanical gardens, Zoos, and Gene banks.
Since a seed bank removes the genetic material from the natural environment to store it artificially, it is a classic example of ex-situ conservation.
MCSCCE • 2025 • Paper-I (Series C)
Which of the following statements best describes the term ‘Labour Force’?
A)
Only people who are currently employed.
B)
Only unemployed people looking for work.
C)
Both people who are working and those who are looking for work.
D)
People in formal jobs only.
In economics and labour market surveys (e.g., NSSO/PLFS), the 'Labour Force' comprises all economically active individuals, including both those currently employed (working) and those who are unemployed but actively looking for work.
MCSCCE • 2025 • Paper-I (Series C)
Which of the following is not a feature of ‘carbon credits’?
A)
The system was ratified in conjunction with Kyoto Protocol.
B)
They are traded at a fixed price under the UNEP.
C)
They are awarded to countries that have reduced their greenhouse gas below their emission quota.
D)
The goal is to limit the increase of carbon emission quota.
Step-by-step analysis of the options:
1. **Option (a) is a feature**: Carbon credits were formally introduced and operationalized through the Kyoto Protocol (1997), which established the 'Clean Development Mechanism' (CDM) and other flexible mechanisms to help developed countries meet their emission targets.
2. **Option (b) is NOT a feature**: Carbon credits are NOT traded at a fixed price, nor are they managed by the UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme) as a central trading house. Instead, they are traded in 'carbon markets' (Compliance markets or Voluntary markets) where the price is determined by **market demand and supply**. Prices fluctuate based on the availability of credits and the urgency of emission targets.
3. **Option (c) is a feature**: A carbon credit is essentially a permit that allows the holder to emit one tonne of carbon dioxide or an equivalent amount of different greenhouse gases. If a country or company reduces its emissions below its assigned quota, it earns 'credits' which it can then sell to those exceeding their quota.
4. **Option (d) is a feature**: The overarching goal of the cap-and-trade system (which utilizes carbon credits) is to place a limit (cap) on the total amount of greenhouse gases emitted, thereby limiting the increase of carbon emissions globally.
Therefore, option (b) is the incorrect statement regarding carbon credits.
MCSCCE • 2025 • Paper-I (Series C)
Which of the following is/are not true in connection with the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development?
(i) It was held in Stockholm, Sweden.
(ii) It was held in the year 1992.
(iii) The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change was established.
(iv) It paved the way for similar conventions such as the Kyoto Protocol.
A)
(i) only
B)
(i) and (ii) only
C)
(i) and (iii) only
D)
(i) and (iv) only
The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), also known as the Earth Summit, was held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 1992 (not Stockholm, Sweden; Stockholm hosted the 1972 UN Conference on the Human Environment). Statements (ii), (iii), and (iv) are true, so statement (i) only is not true.
MCSCCE • 2025 • Paper-I (Series C)
Which of the following statements is/are true of ‘Earth Hour’?
(i) It is an initiative of the United Nations Environment Programme.
(ii) Participants switch off the lights for one hour on a certain day every year.
(iii) The aim is to raise awareness on climate change and need for energy convention.
(iv) It is observed only in India
A)
(i) only
B)
(i) and (ii) only
C)
(ii) and (iii) only
D)
(i), (ii), (iii) and (iv)
Earth Hour is an initiative of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), not the UN Environment Programme. It involves switching off lights annually to raise awareness about climate change and energy conservation, and it is observed globally, not just in India.
MCSCCE • 2025 • Paper-I (Series C)
World Environment Day was first observed on-
A)
5th June, 1971
B)
5th June, 1972
C)
5th June, 1973
D)
5th June, 1974
World Environment Day was established at the 1972 Stockholm Conference and was first officially observed on 5th June 1973 under the theme 'Only One Earth'.
