MCSCCE • 2025 • Paper-I (Series C)
Consider the following statements:
(i) Light can travel through vacuum while sound cannot do so.
(ii) The speed of light in vacuum is a constant.
(iii) Light year is a unit for measuring distance.
Which of the following statements is/are true?
A)
(i) and (ii) only
B)
(i) and (iii) only
C)
(ii) and (iii) only
D)
(i), (ii) and (iii)
Light can travel through a vacuum, sound cannot (i is true). The speed of light in vacuum is constant (ii is true). A light year is a unit of distance (iii is true).
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)
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)
The umbrella scheme ‘Mission Shakti’ represents an integrated approach to women’s empowerment. Which of the following best analyzes the logic behind its two sub-schemes , ‘Sambal’ and ‘Samarthya’?
A)
‘Sambal’ focuses on providing economic empowerment to women through skill development and financial inclusion, while ‘Samarthya’ focuses on ensuring their safety and legal rights.
B)
‘Sambal’ is a protection-oriented component aimed at the safety and security of women, while ‘Samarthya’ is an empowerment-oriented component focused on enabling women’s self-reliance.
C)
‘Sambal’ deals with the health and nutrition of women and children, while ‘Samarthya’ provides them with educational opportunities.
D)
Both ‘Sambal’ and ‘Samarthya’ are primarily focused on providing shelter and rehabilitation to women in distress, but ‘Sambal’ is for rural areas and ‘Samarthya’ is for urban areas.
Mission Shakti consists of two sub-schemes: 'Sambal' dedicated to the safety and security/protection of women (e.g., One Stop Centres, Women Helpline, BBBP) and 'Samarthya' for the empowerment and socio-economic self-reliance of women (e.g., Working Women Hostels, PMMVY, National Creche Scheme).
MCSCCE • 2025 • Paper-I (Series C)
The Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) is designed to measure poverty based on:
A)
Multiple deprivations in health, education, and living standards.
B)
Income, consumption expenditure and employment status.
C)
Income and consumption expenditure only.
D)
Food and shelter availability.
The Global Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI), developed by UNDP and OPHI, measures non-monetary poverty across three equally weighted dimensions: Health, Education, and Standard of Living.
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)
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)
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)
In which of the medium do sound waves travel the fastest?
A)
Gaseous medium
B)
Liquid
C)
Solid
D)
Vacuum
Sound waves are mechanical waves, meaning they require a medium to propagate. The speed of sound depends primarily on the elasticity and density of the medium.
1. **Solids (Option c):** In solids, atoms and molecules are packed very closely together and have strong intermolecular bonds (high elasticity). This allows the vibration (compression and rarefaction) to be transferred from one particle to the next much more rapidly than in other states of matter. Therefore, sound travels fastest in solids.
2. **Liquids (Option b):** Molecules in liquids are further apart than in solids, resulting in lower elasticity and slower transmission of sound compared to solids, though still faster than in gases.
3. **Gaseous medium (Option a):** In gases, molecules are far apart and collisions are less frequent, making the transmission of sound waves the slowest among the three physical states.
4. **Vacuum (Option d):** Since sound is a mechanical wave, it cannot travel through a vacuum because there are no particles to transmit the vibration. The speed of sound in a vacuum is zero.
MCSCCE • 2025 • Paper-I (Series C)
Consider the following organisms-
(i) Bat
(ii) Bee
(iii) Bird
Which of the above is/are pollinating agent/agents?
A)
(i) and (ii) only
B)
(ii) only
C)
(i) and (iii) only
D)
(i), (ii) and (iii)
Bats, bees, and birds are all well-known natural agents that assist in the process of pollination.
MCSCCE • 2025 • Paper-I (Series C)
The term ‘Demographic Gap’ signifies:
A)
The difference between the birth rate and death rate of a population.
B)
The difference between the birth rate and infant mortality rate of a population.
C)
The gap in population growth between urban and rural areas.
D)
The age gap between the youngest and oldest members of a population.
In demography, the 'Demographic Gap' (also known as the Natural Increase) refers to the difference between the Crude Birth Rate (CBR) and the Crude Death Rate (CDR) of a given population.
1. **Why Option (a) is correct**: The demographic gap represents the rate at which a population grows naturally, excluding migration. If the birth rate is higher than the death rate, the gap is positive, leading to population growth. If the death rate exceeds the birth rate, the gap is negative, leading to population decline.
2. **Why Option (b) is incorrect**: The difference between birth rate and infant mortality rate is not a standard demographic metric used to define a 'gap' in population growth; infant mortality is a subset of the overall death rate.
3. **Why Option (c) is incorrect**: The difference in growth between urban and rural areas is referred to as 'Urban-Rural Distribution' or 'Differential Growth,' not the demographic gap.
4. **Why Option (d) is incorrect**: The age difference between the youngest and oldest members is simply the 'age range' or 'lifespan' of the population, which has no relation to the term demographic gap.
MCSCCE • 2025 • Paper-I (Series C)
According to the Central Pollution Control Board, what is the noise limit for residential areas during the day?
A)
50dB
B)
55dB
C)
65dB
D)
70dB
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) noise standards under the Noise Pollution Rules 2000, the permissible daytime limit for residential areas is 55 dB(A) Leq.
MCSCCE • 2025 • Paper-I (Series C)
The word Lushai was altered to Mizo with effect from 1.9.1954 by an Act of Parliament No ______ of 1954.
A)
15
B)
16
C)
17
D)
18
The Lushai Hills District (Change of Name) Act, 1954 is Act No. 18 of 1954, which officially altered the name from 'Lushai Hills District' to 'Mizo District' with effect from September 1, 1954.
MCSCCE • 2025 • Paper-I (Series C)
Which of the following is a secondary air pollutant?
A)
Ozone
B)
Carbon monoxide
C)
Sulphur oxides
D)
Nitrogen oxides
Ground-level ozone (O3) is a secondary air pollutant because it is formed via atmospheric chemical reactions between primary pollutants (nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds) in the presence of sunlight.
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)
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)
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'.
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)
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)
‘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)
Which one of the following describes not only the physical space occupied by an organism, but also its functional role in the community of organisms?
A)
Ecotone
B)
Home Range
C)
Habitat
D)
Ecological niche
An ecological niche encompasses both the physical habitat occupied by a species and its functional role, trophic interactions, and resource utilization within the ecosystem.
MCSCCE • 2025 • Paper-I (Series C)
Red light is used in traffic signals because-
A)
it is beautiful
B)
it has the shortest wavelength
C)
it has the longest wavelength
D)
it is visible to people even with bad eyesight
Red light has the longest wavelength in the visible spectrum. According to Rayleigh's law, it scatters the least in atmospheric dust and fog, remaining visible over the greatest distance.
MCSCCE • 2025 • Paper-I (Series C)
Which period in India’s demographic history is marked by a sharp decline in mortality and persistently high fertility rates?
A)
Phase I (1901–1921)
B)
Phase II (1921–1951)
C)
Phase III (1951–1981)
D)
Phase IV (1981–2001)
Phase III (1951–1981) was the period of India's population explosion, characterized by a rapid drop in mortality due to public health improvements while birth rates remained consistently high.
MCSCCE • 2025 • Paper-I (Series C)
Chief Zakapa Fanai defeated the British force led by CS Murray at Khawhri in-
A)
1889
B)
1890
C)
1891
D)
1892
Chief Zakapa Fanai of Khawhri resisted and defeated the British forces led by C.S. Murray (Superintendent of South Lushai Hills) at Khawhri in February 1891.
MCSCCE • 2025 • Paper-I (Series C)
What is the process of Sublimation?
A)
Solid changes into vapours state
B)
Solid changes into Liquid state
C)
Liquid changes into vapours state
D)
Liquid changes into solid state
Sublimation is the thermodynamic phase transition where a substance changes directly from the solid state to the vapor/gaseous state without passing through an intermediate liquid phase.
