← MCSCCE
Past Questions
The conversion of glucose to glycogen is mediated by an enzyme called-
A)
glycogen synthase
B)
glucose phosphatase
C)
glycogen phosphorylase
D)
glycogen phosphatase
The process of converting glucose into glycogen is known as glycogenesis. This process occurs primarily in the liver and skeletal muscle. The key enzyme responsible for the final step of this process—catalyzing the addition of glucose units (from UDP-glucose) to a growing glycogen chain via α-1,4-glycosidic bonds—is glycogen synthase.
Analysis of other options:
- b. Glucose phosphatase: This is not a standard enzyme for glycogen synthesis; glucose-6-phosphatase is involved in releasing glucose from the liver into the blood (glycogenolysis/gluconeogenesis).
- c. Glycogen phosphorylase: This enzyme is responsible for the breakdown of glycogen into glucose-1-phosphate (glycogenolysis), which is the opposite of the process described in the question.
- d. Glycogen phosphatase: This is an incorrect term; however, phosphatase enzymes generally remove phosphate groups. While protein phosphatase 1 activates glycogen synthase, the enzyme that directly mediates the conversion of glucose units to glycogen is glycogen synthase.
Consider the following points with reference to August Offer, 1940. (i) Dominion status to India. (ii) Establishment of linguistic provinces. (iii) Expansion of the Viceroy’s Executive Council. (iv) Institution of joint electorates with reserved seats for minorities. Which of the above features are correct?
A)
(i) and (ii) only
B)
(i) and (iii) only
C)
(i) and (iv) only
D)
(ii) and (iv) only
The August Offer of 1940 proposed Dominion status as India's objective (i) and the expansion of the Viceroy's Executive Council (iii). Linguistic provinces and joint electorates were not included. Thus, (i) and (iii) only is correct.
Human trafficking is prohibited by the Indian Constitution through:
A)
Article 21
B)
Article 23
C)
Article 24
D)
Article 32
Step-by-step reasoning:
1. Analysis of Article 23: Article 23 of the Indian Constitution explicitly prohibits 'traffic in human beings and begar and other similar forms of forced labour'. It is a Fundamental Right under the category of 'Right against Exploitation'.
2. Analysis of Option (a) Article 21: This article guarantees the 'Protection of Life and Personal Liberty'. While human trafficking violates personal liberty, the specific prohibition of trafficking is codified in Article 23.
3. Analysis of Option (c) Article 24: This article prohibits the employment of children (below 14 years of age) in factories, mines, or hazardous occupations. While this is also a 'Right against Exploitation', it focuses specifically on child labor rather than general human trafficking.
4. Analysis of Option (d) Article 32: This is the 'Right to Constitutional Remedies', which allows citizens to move the Supreme Court for the enforcement of Fundamental Rights. It is a mechanism for enforcement, not the specific prohibition of trafficking.
Conclusion: Article 23 is the specific constitutional provision that prohibits human trafficking.
Which of the following statements is correct about the ‘Golden Dome’ missile defence system announced by the US in May 2025?
A)
The project aims to counter only cruise missile threats from Iran and North Korea.
B)
It is a $175 billion project led by US Space Force and includes private companies like SpaceX and Palantir.
C)
The system is inspired by Russia’s S-400 and will be built entirely by the US military.
D)
It is a joint project between the US and Israel to protect Europe from missile threats.
The 'Golden Dome' is a massive $175 billion missile defense initiative announced by the US in May 2025. It is led by the US Space Force and leverages a public-private partnership, integrating advanced technology from private sector leaders such as SpaceX (for launch and satellite capabilities) and Palantir (for AI-driven data analytics and targeting).
Incorrect options:
- Option (a) is incorrect because the system is designed to counter a wide spectrum of threats, including hypersonic missiles and ICBMs, not just cruise missiles.
- Option (c) is incorrect because the system is an indigenous US strategic initiative based on modern AI and space-based sensors, not a derivative of the Russian S-400.
- Option (d) is incorrect because while the US maintains defense ties with Israel, the 'Golden Dome' is a US-led strategic project focused on global and domestic US security architecture rather than a joint US-Israel project specifically for Europe.
Which of the following is not a part of Article 20 of the Constitution of India?
A)
Prohibition against Torture
B)
Prohibition against Self Incrimination
C)
Ex-post Facto Law
D)
Double Jeopardy Clause
Article 20 of the Indian Constitution encompasses: (1) protection against ex-post facto laws, (2) protection against double jeopardy, and (3) protection against self-incrimination. Prohibition against torture is recognized under Article 21, not Article 20.
Amphibians of the plant kingdom are-
A)
Algae
B)
Bryophytes
C)
Pteridophytes
D)
Gymnosperms
Bryophytes (which include mosses, liverworts, and hornworts) are referred to as the 'amphibians of the plant kingdom' because of their dual dependence on land and water. While they live on land, they require a moist environment and a film of water for sexual reproduction, as their male gametes (sperm) are flagellated and must swim through water to reach the female egg.
Why other options are incorrect:
- a. Algae: These are primarily aquatic organisms, not land-dwelling plants that transition to water for reproduction.
- c. Pteridophytes: While they also require water for fertilization, they possess vascular tissues (xylem and phloem), making them more advanced than bryophytes.
- d. Gymnosperms: These are advanced seed-bearing plants that do not require water for fertilization (they use pollen tubes), thus they are fully adapted to terrestrial life.
Who among the following took measures against the practice of ‘Sati’?
A)
Lord William Bentinck
B)
Willian Marshall
C)
John Shore
D)
Henry Derozio
The practice of 'Sati' (the act of a widow immolating herself on her husband's funeral pyre) was formally abolished in India by Lord William Bentinck, who served as the Governor-General of India from 1828 to 1835. Influenced by the efforts of Indian social reformer Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Bentinck passed the Bengal Sati Regulation in 1829, which declared the practice illegal and punishable by criminal courts.
Analysis of other options:
- William Marshall: Not a prominent Governor-General or official associated with the abolition of Sati.
- John Shore: Served as Governor-General (1793–1798) but did not take legislative measures against Sati.
- Henry Derozio: A radical thinker and teacher associated with the Young Bengal movement; while he was a social reformer, he did not have the administrative power to enact laws against Sati.
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
(ii) Tidal Hypothesis by Jeans and Jeffreys and (iv) Planetesimal Hypothesis by Chamberlin and Moulton are correct. Nebular hypothesis is associated with Kant and Laplace.
What are the three tiers of the Panchayati Raj system in India?
A)
Block, District, State
B)
Grassroot, District, State
C)
Local, District, Region
D)
Village, Block, District
The Panchayati Raj System in India is a three-tier structure of local self-government introduced to ensure democratic decentralization. This structure was formally constitutionalized by the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992. The three tiers are: 1. Gram Panchayat (Village level) - the lowest tier; 2. Panchayat Samiti (Block/Intermediate level) - the middle tier; and 3. Zila Parishad (District level) - the highest tier.
Analysis of options:
- Option (a) is incorrect because 'State' is not a tier of the Panchayati Raj system; it is the governing body above the local government.
- Option (b) is incorrect because 'Grassroot' is a descriptive term for the village level, and 'State' is not part of the PR system.
- Option (c) is incorrect because 'Region' is not a defined tier in the standard three-tier PR model.
- Option (d) is correct as it accurately lists the Village, Block, and District levels.
Which among the following laid the founding step for democratic decentralization and local self-governing institutions in India?
A)
Ministry of Panchayati Raj
B)
Mayo’s Resolution
C)
Ripon’s resolution
D)
Montfort Reforms
Lord Ripon's Resolution of 1882 is considered the 'Magna Carta' of local self-government in India and laid the cornerstone for democratic decentralization and urban/rural local governing bodies.
The Conference of Chiefs of Mizo in April, 1942 held at Aizawl declared war on:
A)
Japan
B)
Germany
C)
France
D)
Assam
During World War II, the Lushai Hills (now Mizoram) were strategically important due to their proximity to the Burma border. In April 1942, a Conference of Mizo Chiefs was convened in Aizawl. Given the escalating threat of the Japanese invasion of Burma and the potential threat to the Indian frontier, the Mizo Chiefs formally declared their support for the British Empire and declared war on Japan. This move demonstrated the loyalty of the local leadership to the British administration during the crisis of the Second World War. Options b (Germany) and c (France) were not the immediate regional threats, and option d (Assam) was part of the same administrative region of British India, making it an illogical target for war.
Virat Kohli has recently announced his retirement from test cricket. Which of the following statements regarding him is not correct?
A)
He was born in Mumbai in 1982.
B)
He was named Cricketer of the Decade for 2011 to 2020 by ICC.
C)
He was awarded with the Khel Ratna Award in 2018.
D)
He is married to Anushka Sharma.
Virat Kohli was born in New Delhi on November 5, 1988 (not in Mumbai in 1982). Statements b, c, and d are accurate.
Who among the following wrote “Tarikh-i-Shershahi”?
A)
Abbas Khan Sherwani
B)
Mulla Daud
C)
Ziauddin Barni
D)
Nizamuddin Ahmed
Tarikh-i-Sher Shahi was authored by Abbas Khan Sherwani.
What are the correct statements with reference to the Swadeshi Movement? (i) The famous Boycott Resolution was passed even before the formal proclamation of the Swadeshi Movement. (ii) Students, women and a large section of the urban and rural population participated. (iii) Indian National Congress supported the Boycott movement. Select the answer using the code given below.
A)
(i) and (ii) only
B)
(i) and (iii) only
C)
(ii) and (iii) only
D)
(i), (ii) and (iii)
All three statements are correct: the boycott began as a precursor, the movement saw mass participation, and the INC eventually supported the boycott.
An example of ex-situ conservation is-
A)
Sacred grove
B)
National park
C)
Seed bank
D)
Wildlife sanctuary
Ex-situ conservation involves protecting species outside their natural habitats. Seed banks, botanical gardens, and zoos are examples.
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.
Under the Ministry of Women and Child Development's 'Mission Shakti' scheme, 'Sambal' serves as the safety and security (protection) sub-scheme, while 'Samarthya' serves as the empowerment and socio-economic self-reliance sub-scheme.
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.
Carbon credits are not traded at a fixed price by the UNEP; they operate on a market-based system where prices fluctuate based on demand and supply.
The Constitution (Eighty-Sixth Amendment) Act, 2002 resulted in the insertion of:
A)
Article 21A
B)
Article 17
C)
Article 6
D)
Article 26B
The Constitution (Eighty-Sixth Amendment) Act, 2002 inserted Article 21A, guaranteeing free and compulsory education for all children aged 6 to 14 as a Fundamental Right.
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
Both statements are factually correct: kidneys filter and excrete metabolic wastes and excess fluids from the blood, and the functional microscopic unit of the kidney is the nephron.
Who among the following Britishers was associated with the introduction of the Mahalwari system?
A)
Robert Reid
B)
R.M. Bird
C)
John Lawrence
D)
William Carey
Robert Merttins Bird (R.M. Bird), widely known as the 'Father of land settlements in Northern India', designed and executed the revised Mahalwari revenue system introduced under Regulation IX of 1833.
According to Mizo mythology, who is the creator of the earth?
A)
Khuavang
B)
Khuazingnu
C)
Vanhrika
D)
Thlanrawkpa
In traditional Mizo mythology, Khuazingnu (also revered as Khuanu) is recognized as the benevolent creator goddess who formed the earth, vegetation, and all living things.
With reference to Aurangzeb’s religious policies, consider the following statements. (i) He forbade the inscription of the kalma on coins. (ii) He revived the celebration of the festival of Nauroz. (iii) He appointed Muhtasibs to promote the Sharia laws. (iv) He reintroduced Jizyah. Which of the above are correct?
A)
(i), (ii) and (iii) only
B)
(i), (ii) and (iv) only
C)
(i), (iii) and (iv) only
D)
(ii), (iii) and (iv) only
Let's analyze each statement regarding the religious policies of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb:
(i) 'He forbade the inscription of the kalma on coins': This statement is INCORRECT. Aurangzeb was a devout Muslim and actually emphasized the Islamic character of the state. He ensured that the Kalma (the Islamic declaration of faith) was inscribed on the coins to reflect his religious commitment.
(ii) 'He revived the celebration of the festival of Nauroz': This statement is technically INCORRECT in the context of his general policy, as Aurangzeb actually BANNED the celebration of Nauroz (the Persian New Year) because he considered it an un-Islamic innovation (bid'ah). However, looking at the provided options, there is a common pattern in competitive exam questions where statements are tested for accuracy. Let's re-evaluate the options provided in the prompt.
Wait, looking closer at the standard historical facts:
- Statement (i) is definitely False.
- Statement (ii) is definitely False (he banned it, not revived it).
- Statement (iii) is Correct: He appointed 'Muhtasibs' (censors of public morals) to ensure that Sharia law was followed in daily life.
- Statement (iv) is Correct: He reintroduced Jizyah (the tax on non-Muslim subjects) in 1679, which had been abolished by Akbar.
Given the options provided in the prompt (a, b, c, d), there seems to be a discrepancy in the question's phrasing or the options provided, as only (iii) and (iv) are historically accurate. However, if we must choose from the given options, and since (i) is definitively wrong, options (a), (b), and (c) are eliminated. This leaves option (d) as the only remaining choice, despite the factual error regarding Nauroz in statement (ii). In many exam contexts, if a question is flawed but one option is 'less wrong' or the only one excluding a glaring error (like statement i), it is selected.
Correction on Statement (ii): Aurangzeb abolished Nauroz. If the question intended to ask which are correct and the options are as given, there is a typo in statement (ii) (should be 'abolished' instead of 'revived'). But based on the elimination of statement (i), option (d) is the intended answer for this specific multiple-choice set.
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 sustained by species diversity, complex food chains, and homeostatic self-regulation. Ecosystem uniformity (monoculture) reduces resilience and impairs stability.
Consider the following statements- (i) The National Human Rights Commission came into force on 12th October 1993 through a Government notification under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993. (ii) The National Human Rights Commission investigate complaints of human rights violation or negligence by public servants. (iii) The National Human Rights Commission promote human rights literacy and awareness. (iv) The National Human Rights Commission has judicial power to ensure compliance. Which of the above statements are correct?
A)
(i), (ii) and (iii)
B)
(i), (ii) and (iv)
C)
(i), (ii), (iii) and (iv)
D)
(i) and (ii)
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) was established on 12 October 1993 under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 (statement i). It inquires into human rights violations or negligence by public servants (statement ii), and spreads human rights awareness and literacy (statement iii). However, it is a recommendatory body without independent judicial powers to enforce compliance (making statement iv incorrect). Thus, (i), (ii), and (iii) are correct.
What is the core message of the United Nations Population Fund’s ‘State of World Population Report 2025’, titled “The Real Fertility Crisis: The Pursuit of Reproductive Agency in a Changing World”?
A)
Fertility rates are stabilizing globally, reducing the need for population-related policies.
B)
The world is heading toward overpopulation due to high fertility rates.
C)
The real crisis lies in individuals’ inability to achieve their reproductive goals due to lack of agency.
D)
The main challenge is population collapse due to declining birth rates.
The UNFPA State of World Population Report 2025 emphasizes that the true fertility crisis is neither underpopulation nor overpopulation, but the systemic barrier preventing individuals from freely realizing their reproductive intentions due to a lack of agency and autonomy.