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 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)
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)
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)
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)
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.
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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 A)
Which of the following best describes Operation Black Forest carried out in 2025?
A)
A high-intensity counterinsurgency mission targeting Maoist strongholds in forested hilly terrains of Chhattisgarh and Telangana.
B)
A long distance bombing of nuclear sites in Iran by the US using stealth bombers.
C)
A clandestine bombing mission by Ukraine using M-52 dones, targeting various Russian military airports and aircrafts.
D)
A night-time operation carried out by the Principal Chief Controller of Forests, Assam where poachers of one horned rhinoceros in the Garbhanga Forest Reserve were traced, tracked and arrested using infra-red cameras.
Operation Black Forest was a joint counter-insurgency operation launched in April–May 2025 by Indian security forces (CRPF, CoBRA, and state police) targeting Maoist strongholds in the dense Karreguttalu forested hills along the Chhattisgarh–Telangana border.
MCSCCE • 2025 • Paper-I (Series A)
Where did Muhammad Bin Tughluq die?
A)
Doad
B)
Kaithal
C)
Jaunpur
D)
Thatta
Sultan Muhammad bin Tughluq died in 1351 at Thatta (in modern Sindh, Pakistan) while leading an expedition to suppress the rebellion of Taghi.
MCSCCE • 2025 • Paper-I (Series A)
Which metal was not known to the people of Indus Valley Civilization?
A)
Copper
B)
Bronze
C)
Iron
D)
Gold
The Indus Valley Civilization belonged to the Bronze Age. Iron was not known to the Harappans and was introduced in India during the later Vedic period (Iron Age).
MCSCCE • 2025 • Paper-I (Series A)
The Western Ghats are also known as:
A)
Shiwaliks
B)
Sahyadri
C)
Vindhyas
D)
Karakoram
The Western Ghats mountain chain stretching along the western edge of the Deccan Plateau is traditionally called the Sahyadri range.
MCSCCE • 2025 • Paper-I (Series A)
Who among the following wrote “Tarikh-i-Shershahi”?
A)
Abbas Khan Sherwani
B)
Mulla Daud
C)
Ziauddin Barni
D)
Nizamuddin Ahmed
Tarikh-i-Shershahi (also known as Tuhfat-i-Akbar Shahi) was written by Abbas Khan Sarwani (Sherwani) by order of Mughal Emperor Akbar to chronicle the life and administration of Sher Shah Suri.
MCSCCE • 2025 • Paper-I (Series A)
Consider the following descriptions:
(i) Annual rainfall is more than 100 cm.
(ii) Average temperate is about 22° C.
(iii) They are generally found in Western Ghats and Northeast India.
(iv) Mahagony, Bamboo, canes, ironwood, rubber are the major species.
What is this type of forest in India?
A)
Tropical Moist Deciduous Forest
B)
Tropical Dry Deciduous Forest
C)
Tropical Evergreen Forest
D)
Mountainous Forest
Tropical Evergreen forests in India are found in warm and humid areas (Western Ghats, Northeast India) with high rainfall, mean annual temperatures around 22°C, and characteristic species including mahogany, bamboo, canes, ironwood, ebony, and rubber.
MCSCCE • 2025 • Paper-I (Series A)
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.
Statement (a) is incorrect because Virat Kohli was born in Delhi on November 5, 1988 (not Mumbai in 1982). Statements (b), (c), and (d) are all factually correct.
MCSCCE • 2025 • Paper-I (Series A)
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)
The Boycott Resolution was Indeed passed before the formal proclamation. The movement saw broad participation, and the INC officially supported it.
MCSCCE • 2025 • Paper-I (Series A)
Consider the following statements regarding the new railway line in Mizoram:
(i) It connects Bairabi with Sairang.
(ii) The total length of the new railway line is 101 kms.
(iii) The project is divided into four sections – Bairabi-Hortoki, Hortoki-Kawnpui, Kawnpui-Mualkhang, and Mualkhang-Sairang.
(iv) The Commission of Railway Safety (CRS) has recently approved the opening of the railway line from Hortoki to Sairang in Mizoram.
Which of the above statements are correct?
A)
(i), (ii) and (iii) only
B)
(ii), (iii) and (iv) only
C)
(i), (iii) and (iv) only
D)
(i), (ii), (iii) and (iv)
Statements (i), (iii), and (iv) are correct. Statement (ii) is incorrect because the total length of the broad-gauge Bairabi–Sairang railway line is 51.38 km (not 101 km).
MCSCCE • 2025 • Paper-I (Series A)
Which is the only landlocked country in Southeast Asia?
A)
Thailand
B)
Laos
C)
Malaysia
D)
Vietnam
Laos is completely enclosed by neighboring land borders without direct access to the sea, making it the only landlocked country in Southeast Asia.
MCSCCE • 2025 • Paper-I (Series A)
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 announced by Viceroy Linlithgow proposed: (i) Dominion status as the ultimate goal for India, and (iii) immediate expansion of the Governor-General's Executive Council with more Indian representatives. It did not propose linguistic provinces or joint electorates.
