MCSCCE • 2025 • Paper-I
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 a WWF-led initiative (not UNEP) and is a global event (not just in India). Participants switch off lights to raise awareness on climate change.
MCSCCE • 2025 • Paper-I
Mizoram was recently (May 20, 2025) officially declared as India’s first fully literate state under the ULLAS initiative with literacy rate of
A)
99.2 %
B)
98.2 %
C)
100%
D)
97.2 %
The question refers to a specific milestone under the ULLAS (Understanding Lifelong Learning for All in Society) initiative. For a state to be officially declared as 'fully literate,' it must achieve a literacy rate of 100%. While Mizoram has historically maintained one of the highest literacy rates in India (consistently above 91% according to Census data), the specific declaration of being 'India's first fully literate state' implies the attainment of the absolute threshold of 100% literacy. Options a, b, and d represent high literacy rates, but they do not satisfy the definition of 'fully literate' in the context of such an official declaration.
MCSCCE • 2025 • Paper-I
Consider the following statements regarding the expenditure priorities and allocations in the Mizoram Budget 2025-26:
(i) The largest portion of the total estimated expenditure is allocated to the Economic Services Sector, which includes flagship schemes like “Mizoram Bana Kaih”.
(ii) The government has increased the budget for the Health Care Scheme by allocating additional funds from the state’s resources, over and above the revenue typically generated from the State Lottery.
(iii) The allocation for Power Purchase has been increased, while the allocation for Power Subsidy has been reduced for the fiscal year 2025-26 compared to the current year.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A)
(i) and (ii) only
B)
(ii) and (iii) only
C)
(i) and (iii) only
D)
(i), (ii) and (iii)
In the Mizoram Budget 2025-26, General Services receives the largest sectoral expenditure allocation (₹6,510.39 crore), making statement (i) incorrect. Statement (ii) is correct as healthcare scheme funds were supplemented from state resources beyond lottery revenue, and statement (iii) is correct as power purchase was increased while power subsidy was reduced.
MCSCCE • 2025 • Paper-I
Which metal was not known to the people of Indus Valley Civilization?
A)
Copper
B)
Bronze
C)
Iron
D)
Gold
The Indus Valley Civilization (IVC), which flourished approximately between 3300 BCE and 1300 BCE, is categorized as a 'Bronze Age' civilization.
1. Copper and Bronze: The people of the IVC were proficient in metallurgy. They used copper and created bronze by alloying copper with tin. This is why the era is termed the Bronze Age.
2. Gold: Archaeological excavations at sites like Mohenjo-daro and Harappa have uncovered gold ornaments, beads, and vessels, proving that gold was known and used.
3. Iron: Iron metallurgy developed much later in human history. In the Indian subcontinent, the transition to the Iron Age occurred during the Vedic period (approximately 1200 BCE to 600 BCE). There is no archaeological evidence of iron tools or weapons in any of the Indus Valley sites. Therefore, iron was unknown to the people of the Indus Valley Civilization.
MCSCCE • 2025 • Paper-I
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 demographic studies and the demographic transition model, the 'Demographic Gap' is the difference between the crude birth rate and the crude death rate, representing the rate of natural population increase.
MCSCCE • 2025 • Paper-I
Consider the following pairs:
(i) JH Lorrain : Pu Buanga
(ii) E. Rowlands : Zosaphluia
(iii) DE Jones : Sap upa
(iv) TH Lewin : Thangliana
(v) FW Savidge : Zosapthara
Which of the following statements is/are correct?
A)
only (i), (ii) & (iv) are correct
B)
(i), (ii), (iii) & (iv) are correct
C)
only (i) & (iv) are correct
D)
(i), (iii), (iv) & (v) are correct
This question tests knowledge of the early missionaries and British officers in Mizoram and the Mizo names/titles associated with them.
1. **JH Lorrain**: Known as 'Pu Buanga'. (Correct)
2. **E. Rowlands**: Known as 'Zosaphluia'. (Correct)
3. **DE Jones**: He was a missionary, but 'Sap upa' is not his primary historical designation in this context. (Incorrect)
4. **TH Lewin**: Known as 'Thangliana'. (Correct)
5. **FW Savidge**: He was a British officer, but 'Zosapthara' is not the standard historical designation associated with him in this specific pairing list. (Incorrect)
Therefore, pairs (i), (ii), and (iv) are historically accurate. This corresponds to option (a).
MCSCCE • 2025 • Paper-I
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 traditional Mizo customary tributes to chiefs (Fathang = paddy tribute, Sachhiah = animal hunt tribute). Statement (iii) is incorrect because Ramhual were agricultural experts advising on Jhum land selection, not fishing.
MCSCCE • 2025 • Paper-I
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)
Let's analyze each statement individually:
(i) CORRECT: A CIBIL score is essentially a creditworthiness assessment used by banks and financial institutions to determine the financial health and repayment capacity of a borrower.
(ii) INCORRECT: CIBIL stands for 'Credit Information Bureau (India) Limited', not 'Credit Index Bureau India Limited'.
(iii) CORRECT: The CIBIL score is a 3-digit numeric summary (ranging from 300 to 900) that represents a consumer's credit history based on their credit and payment behavior.
(iv) CORRECT: In the CIBIL scoring system, a higher score indicates lower risk. A score closer to 900 is considered excellent, significantly increasing the likelihood of loan or credit card approval and potentially securing better interest rates.
Since statements (i), (iii), and (iv) are correct and statement (ii) is incorrect, the correct option is (b).
MCSCCE • 2025 • Paper-I
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 is supported by biodiversity, complex food webs, and homeostatic regulation. Ecological uniformity (monoculture) reduces resilience and increases vulnerability to perturbations.
MCSCCE • 2025 • Paper-I
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 occurs in an environment rich in inorganic nutrients but lacking organic matter, where green plants (autotrophs) dominate from early stages.
MCSCCE • 2025 • Paper-I
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 different atomic numbers (different number of protons) but have the same mass number (same total number of nucleons).
MCSCCE • 2025 • Paper-I
Who among the following wrote “Tarikh-i-Shershahi”?
A)
Abbas Khan Sherwani
B)
Mulla Daud
C)
Ziauddin Barni
D)
Nizamuddin Ahmed
The 'Tarikh-i-Sher Shahi' is a significant historical chronicle that provides a detailed account of the reign of Sher Shah Suri, the founder of the Sur Empire in India. It was written by Mulla Daud, who was a contemporary of Sher Shah Suri. The work is highly valued by historians for its descriptions of Sher Shah's administrative reforms, land revenue systems, and military campaigns.
Analysis of other options:
- Abbas Khan Sherwani: He was a modern historian and scholar known for editing and translating historical texts, not the original author of the Tarikh-i-Shershahi.
- Ziauddin Barni: He was a historian of the Delhi Sultanate who wrote 'Tarikh-i-Firoz Shahi', focusing on the Tughlaq dynasty.
- Nizamuddin Ahmed: He was a historian who wrote 'Tabaqat-i-Akbari', which provides a history of India up to the reign of Emperor Akbar.
MCSCCE • 2025 • Paper-I
Consider the following government schemes in India:
(i) UNNATI
(ii) PM-DevINE
(iii) NESIDS
(iv) PMEGP
Which of the above schemes specifically target the North-East?
A)
(i) and (ii) only
B)
(ii) and (iii) only
C)
(i), (ii) and (iii) only
D)
(i), (ii), (iii) and (iv)
To determine which schemes specifically target the North-East region of India, we analyze each scheme individually:
1. **UNNATI (Uttar Poorva Transformative Industrialization Scheme):** This is a dedicated scheme launched by the Government of India specifically to create an industrial ecosystem in the North Eastern Region (NER) by providing incentives for investments.
2. **PM-DevINE (Prime Minister's Development Initiative for North Eastern Region):** As the name suggests, this is a flagship scheme specifically designed to fund infrastructure and social development projects exclusively in the North Eastern states.
3. **NESIDS (North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme):** This scheme is specifically aimed at filling critical infrastructure gaps in the North Eastern Region to improve connectivity and economic growth.
4. **PMEGP (Prime Minister's Employment Generation Programme):** This is a credit-linked subsidy program for setting up new micro-enterprises. While it is implemented in the North East, it is a **pan-India** scheme available to all citizens across all states and union territories, not specifically targeted only at the North-East.
Therefore, schemes (i), (ii), and (iii) are region-specific to the North-East, while (iv) is a general national scheme. This makes option (c) the correct choice.
MCSCCE • 2025 • Paper-I
Consider the following pairs:
(i) Nebular Hypothesis : Hoyle and Laplace
(ii) Tidal Hypothesis : Jeans and Jeffreys
(iii) Gaseous Hypothesis : Davis
(iv) Planetesimal Hypothesis : Chamberlin and Moulton
Which of the above pairs is/ are correctly matched?
A)
Only (i), (ii) and (iii) are correct
B)
Only (ii) and (iii) are correct
C)
Only (ii) and (iv) are correct
D)
Only (i) and (iv) are correct
Tidal Hypothesis (Jeans and Jeffreys) and Planetesimal Hypothesis (Chamberlin and Moulton) are correctly matched pairs. Nebular Hypothesis is associated with Kant and Laplace, not Hoyle.
MCSCCE • 2025 • Paper-I
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
Under the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000 prescribed by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the permissible ambient noise limit for residential areas during daytime (6:00 AM to 10:00 PM) is 55 dB(A).
MCSCCE • 2025 • Paper-I
Which among the following is related to poultry farming?
A)
Silver Revolution
B)
Grey Revolution
C)
Pink Revolution
D)
Golden Revolution
The Silver Revolution in India pertains to the immense growth in egg and poultry production (led by Indira Gandhi's initiatives).
MCSCCE • 2025 • Paper-I
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 established and ratified as part of the Kyoto Protocol (1997), which introduced market-based mechanisms to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
2. **Option (b) is NOT a feature:** This is the correct answer because carbon credits are NOT traded at a fixed price. They are traded in a market (either compliance markets or voluntary markets) where the price fluctuates based on supply and demand. Furthermore, while the UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme) supports environmental goals, the trading mechanisms are governed by specific treaties (like the Kyoto Protocol or the Paris Agreement) and various national/international exchanges, not a fixed-price list managed by UNEP.
3. **Option (c) is a feature:** Carbon credits are essentially permits. If a country or company reduces its emissions below its assigned quota, it earns 'credits' for the surplus reduction, which can then be sold to those exceeding their limits.
4. **Option (d) is a feature:** The overarching goal of the carbon credit system is to create a financial incentive for reducing emissions, thereby limiting the total increase of carbon emissions globally.
MCSCCE • 2025 • Paper-I
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)
Let's analyze each statement in the context of a sustained increase in the Repo Rate (contractionary monetary policy):
(i) **Correct**: The Repo Rate is the rate at which the RBI lends to commercial banks. An increase in this rate raises the cost of funds for banks, which they pass on to consumers and businesses through higher lending rates. This increases the cost of borrowing and investment, reducing aggregate demand and thereby dampening demand-pull inflation.
(ii) **Incorrect**: Net Interest Margin (NIM) is the difference between the interest income earned by banks and the interest paid out to depositors. When the RBI raises the Repo Rate, banks typically increase their lending rates immediately, while deposit rates are often adjusted more slowly. This lag often leads to an *increase* or stability in NIMs, rather than a reduction, especially for banks with a high proportion of low-cost CASA (Current Account Savings Account) deposits.
(iii) **Correct**: Higher interest rates in India attract foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) seeking higher returns on debt instruments (like government bonds). This increase in capital inflows leads to a higher demand for the Indian Rupee (INR), which generally causes the currency to appreciate against major global currencies.
(iv) **Correct**: As the Repo Rate rises, commercial banks eventually increase the interest rates offered on Fixed Deposits (FDs) to attract liquidity. This makes bank FDs more attractive relative to market-linked instruments (like equity or mutual funds) which may face volatility or price drops when interest rates rise (as bond prices fall). Thus, households tend to shift savings toward safer, higher-yielding bank deposits.
Since statements (i), (iii), and (iv) are correct, the correct option is (c).
MCSCCE • 2025 • Paper-I
The name Ngaihban Tlang was associated with one of Mizo Zai called-
A)
Laltheri Zai
B)
Awithangpa Zai
C)
Abor Run Zai
D)
German Run Zai
The poetic hill name 'Ngaihban Tlang' is referenced in the traditional Mizo folk song genre 'German Run Zai' (or German Râl Run Zai), composed by the Mizo Labour Corps soldiers deployed to France during World War I.
MCSCCE • 2025 • Paper-I
Human trafficking is prohibited by the Indian Constitution through:
A)
Article 21
B)
Article 23
C)
Article 24
D)
Article 32
Article 23 of the Indian Constitution prohibits human trafficking and forced labor.
MCSCCE • 2025 • Paper-I
Consider the following pairs:
(i) Mundas : Arunachal Pradesh
(ii) Bhils : Rajasthan
(iii) Khas : Uttarakhand
(iv) Irula : Bihar
Which of the above is/ are correctly matched?
A)
(ii) and (iii) only
B)
(i) and (iv) only
C)
(ii), (iii) and (iv) only
D)
All of the above
Bhils are majorly in Rajasthan (ii), Khas people are found in Uttarakhand (iii). Mundas are in Jharkhand, Irula are in South India (TN/Kerala/Karnataka).
MCSCCE • 2025 • Paper-I
Which district in Mizoram ranked highest in NITI Aayog second edition of the North Eastern Region District SDG Index 2023-24?
A)
Champhai
B)
Serchhip
C)
Hnahthial
D)
Aizawl
According to the NITI Aayog's second edition of the North Eastern Region (NER) District SDG Index 2023-24, Serchhip district emerged as the highest-ranking district in Mizoram. The SDG Index is designed to monitor the progress of Sustainable Development Goals at the district level to foster competitive federalism and evidence-based policy making. While Aizawl is the capital and a major hub, Serchhip has consistently performed exceptionally well in social indicators (such as education and health) and governance metrics, leading to its top position in this specific index for the state of Mizoram.
MCSCCE • 2025 • Paper-I
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 was renamed the Mizo District with effect from September 1, 1954, under the Lushai Hills District (Change of Name) Act, 1954 (Act No. 18 of 1954) passed by the Indian Parliament.
MCSCCE • 2025 • Paper-I
Consider the following statements regarding the Mizoram Universal HealthCare Scheme (MUHCS):
(i) For Contributory Beneficiaries under the Standard Plan, a Premium of Rs. 5000 per family per year allows family to get benefit of 8,00,000/- per family per year in Semi-Private (shared) Ward.
(ii) No contribution from AB PM-JAY beneficiaries is required.
(iii) Provisional Employees under the Government of Mizoram will have to pay monthly contribution of Rs. 100 for General Ward.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
A)
Only (ii)
B)
Only (iii)
C)
Only (i) and (ii)
D)
(i), (ii) and (iii)
Under the Mizoram Universal HealthCare Scheme (MUHCS), the annual benefit limit under contributory plans is Rs. 5,00,000 (making statement (i) incorrect for stating 8,00,000). AB PM-JAY beneficiaries require no separate contribution (statement (ii) is correct). Thus, Only (ii) is correct.
MCSCCE • 2025 • Paper-I
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 (chiropterophily), bees (entomophily), and birds (ornithophily) are all active, recognized biotic pollinating agents in plant ecosystems.
