MCSCCE • 2024 • Paper-I
During which geological period most of the northern and middle part of North America and Eurasia were covered with extensive ice-sheet?
A)
Miocene
B)
Carboniferms
C)
Pleistocene
D)
Oligocene
The Pleistocene epoch (~2.58 million to 11,700 years ago), known as the Great Ice Age, was characterized by widespread glaciation where massive continental ice sheets covered northern and temperate parts of North America and Eurasia.
MCSCCE • 2024 • Paper-I
Who was formally recognised as the king of Manipur under the Treaty of Yandaboo?
A)
Nara Singh
B)
Gambhir Singh
C)
Bodh Chandra
D)
Chandrakirti
Under Article 2 of the Treaty of Yandaboo (signed on 24 February 1826 after the First Anglo-Burmese War), Gambhir Singh was formally recognized by the King of Ava (Burma) as the Raja (king) of Manipur.
MCSCCE • 2024 • Paper-I
The Three Gorges Dam on the ________ is the largest hydro-electric power station in the world.
A)
Jinsha River
B)
Parana River
C)
Yangtze River
D)
Mekong River
The Three Gorges Dam is a hydroelectric gravity dam spanning the Yangtze River in Hubei province, China, and is the world's largest power station in terms of installed capacity (22,500 MW).
MCSCCE • 2024 • Paper-I
Which country recently launched the World’s first dedicated Drone Carrier?
A)
USA
B)
Russia
C)
China
D)
Turkey
China recently launched the world's first dedicated drone carrier, which is a specialized vessel designed specifically to launch, recover, and maintain unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) at sea. Unlike traditional aircraft carriers that are modified to carry drones, this vessel is purpose-built for drone operations to enhance maritime surveillance and strike capabilities. While the USA, Russia, and Turkey are leaders in drone technology (especially Turkey with the Bayraktar series), they utilize conventional aircraft carriers or land-based stations rather than a dedicated, purpose-built drone carrier ship.
MCSCCE • 2024 • Paper-I
At present, which age group contributes the highest in Indian population?
A)
Working age population
B)
Dependent population of children
C)
Dependent population of senior citizens
D)
None of these
India is currently benefiting from a demographic dividend where the working-age population (15–64 years) forms the highest proportion of the total population (over 65%).
MCSCCE • 2024 • Paper-I
Which committee recommended for three language formula?
A)
Raj Committee
B)
Kothari Committee
C)
Rajamannar Committee
D)
Dutt Committee
The Three-Language Formula was recommended by the Kothari Commission (1964-66), headed by Daulat Singh Kothari. The commission proposed a formula to balance the needs of regional languages, Hindi, and English in Indian schools to promote national integration and linguistic harmony. The formula generally suggests: 1. The mother tongue or regional language, 2. Hindi (in non-Hindi speaking states) or another modern Indian language (in Hindi speaking states), and 3. English.
Analysis of other options:
- Raj Committee: Not associated with the primary recommendation of the three-language formula.
- Rajamannar Committee: This was a committee appointed by the Tamil Nadu government in 1967 to examine the language issue, but it was not the body that originated the Three-Language Formula.
- Dutt Committee: Not the authority responsible for this educational language policy.
MCSCCE • 2024 • Paper-I
The powers and functions of the three tiers Panchayats are listed in which of the following schedules of the Constitution of India?
A)
Ninth Schedule
B)
Eleventh Schedule
C)
Twelfth Schedule
D)
None of these
The Eleventh Schedule (Article 243G), inserted by the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992, specifies the 29 functional items and powers of Panchayats.
MCSCCE • 2024 • Paper-I
Which biome is characterised by the presence of mosses, lichens and herbs with underlying permafrost?
A)
Taiga
B)
Desert
C)
Tundra
D)
Savanna
The Tundra biome is characterized by low-growing vegetation such as mosses, lichens, and grasses, accompanied by a permanently frozen subsoil layer (permafrost).
MCSCCE • 2024 • Paper-I
The International Day for Biological Diversity falls on :
A)
22nd April
B)
23rd April
C)
22nd May
D)
23rd May
The United Nations proclaimed May 22 as the International Day for Biological Diversity to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues.
MCSCCE • 2024 • Paper-I
In 1878 the Famine Commission of India was established under the Chairmanship of :
A)
Sir Richard Strachey
B)
James Lyall
C)
Sir John Woodhead
D)
Anthony MacDonnell
The Famine Commission of 1878 was established under the chairmanship of Sir Richard Strachey.
MCSCCE • 2024 • Paper-I
Which of the following Constitutional Amendments has been described as a “Mini Revision of the Constitution”?
A)
Forty-Second Ammendment Act, 1976
B)
Forty-Fourth Ammendment Act, 1978
C)
Fifty-Second Ammendment Act, 1985
D)
Forty-Eighth Ammendment Act, 1987
The 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976 made extensive and sweeping changes to various parts of the Indian Constitution (including the Preamble, Seventh Schedule, and adding Fundamental Duties), earning it the description 'Mini-Constitution' or 'Mini Revision of the Constitution'.
MCSCCE • 2024 • Paper-I
Which ministry has received the highest allocation in the Interim Budget 2024-25 of the central government?
A)
Railways
B)
Defence
C)
Road, transport and highways
D)
Home affairs
In the Union Interim Budget 2024-25, the Ministry of Defence received the highest allocation of ₹6.2 lakh crore.
MCSCCE • 2024 • Paper-I
Harappan exchanges were regulated by a precise system of :
A)
Sizes
B)
Lengths
C)
Weights
D)
Perimeters
The Indus Valley Civilization (Harappan Civilization) is renowned for its highly standardized system of weights and measures, which was essential for regulating trade and exchanges.
1. Why 'Weights' is correct: Archaeologists have discovered a precise system of chert weights, typically cubical in shape. These weights followed a binary system for lower denominations (1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64) and a decimal system for higher denominations. This standardization across vast distances (from Mohenjo-daro to Lothal) indicates a centralized authority regulating commerce.
2. Why other options are incorrect:
- Sizes (a) and Lengths (b): While the Harappans did have standardized brick sizes (ratio 4:2:1) and some evidence of linear measurements (ivory scales), the primary mechanism for regulating 'exchanges' (trade/commerce) was the system of weights used to measure commodities.
- Perimeters (d): Perimeter is a derived measurement of length and was not a standalone system used to regulate trade exchanges.
MCSCCE • 2024 • Paper-I
The idea of Fundamental Rights in Indian Constitution has been borrowed from the constitution of :
A)
England
B)
France
C)
Germany
D)
U.S.A
The concept of Fundamental Rights in the Indian Constitution is inspired by the 'Bill of Rights' of the United States Constitution. These rights are enshrined in Part III of the Indian Constitution (Articles 12 to 35) and are justiciable, meaning they can be enforced by courts, similar to the American model.
Analysis of other options:
- England: India borrowed the Parliamentary system of government and the concept of the Rule of Law from the UK, but not the specific structure of Fundamental Rights.
- France: India borrowed the ideals of Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity from the French Revolution/Constitution.
- Germany: India borrowed the concept of the suspension of Fundamental Rights during a National Emergency (via the Weimar Constitution).
MCSCCE • 2024 • Paper-I
Consider the following statements regarding the ongoing Israeli-Hamas conflict.
1. Hama’s surprise attack on the state of Israel was on October 7, 2023.
2. Hamas campaign was dubbed “Operation al-Aqsa Flood”.
3. Israel has declared war on Hamas and launched “Operation Swords of Iron”.
4. In response to both the developments, the government of India launched an operation to retrieve Indians from Israel known as ‘Operation Dost’.
Which of the above statements are correct?
A)
1 & 2 only
B)
1,2 & 3 only
C)
1,2 & 4 only
D)
1,2,3 & 4
Statements 1, 2, and 3 are historically correct. Statement 4 is incorrect because the Indian government's evacuation operation to repatriate Indian citizens from Israel was named 'Operation Ajay' (Operation Dost was the humanitarian earthquake relief mission to Turkey and Syria).
MCSCCE • 2024 • Paper-I
In the Mizoram budget 2024-25, the amount of money set aside for the flagship programme of the ZPM government’s ‘Hand-holding Policy/Bana kaih’ is :
A)
₹150 crores
B)
₹200 crores
C)
₹3000 crores
D)
₹500 crores
In the Mizoram State Budget for the financial year 2024-25, the ZPM (Zo People's Movement) government emphasized its flagship 'Hand-holding Policy' (known locally as 'Bana kaih'). This policy is designed to provide financial assistance and guidance to youth and entrepreneurs to foster self-employment and economic independence within the state. The government specifically allocated ₹500 crores for the implementation of this flagship programme to ensure that eligible beneficiaries receive the necessary support to start and sustain their ventures. Options a, b, and c are incorrect as they do not match the specific budgetary allocation announced for this particular scheme in the 2024-25 budget documents.
MCSCCE • 2024 • Paper-I
Consider the following statements and identify the points that are correctly related to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO).
1. On 4th April 1949, the foreign ministers from 12 countries signed the North Atlantic Treaty.
2. Finland officially joined NATO on April 2023.
3. Sweden joined NATO on March 2024.
4. The number of NATO member is now 32.
A)
1,2 & 3 only
B)
1,2 & 4 only
C)
1,3 & 4 only
D)
1,2,3 & 4
All four statements are correct: (1) NATO was founded on 4 April 1949 by 12 nations; (2) Finland joined NATO in April 2023; (3) Sweden joined in March 2024; and (4) NATO currently comprises 32 member countries.
MCSCCE • 2024 • Paper-I
The sufis used to organize communities around the hospice called :
A)
Pir
B)
Khalifa
C)
Murshid
D)
Khangah
A Khanqah (or Khangah) was a hospice/monastery designed specifically for gatherings of a Sufi order, serving as a center for communal living, spiritual retreat, and moral teachings.
MCSCCE • 2024 • Paper-I
Which Iron and Steel Industry was set up in Chhattisgarh with the technical support of former USSR?
A)
Rourkela
B)
Durgapur
C)
Bokaro
D)
Bhilai
The Bhilai Steel Plant in Chhattisgarh was established with technical and financial assistance from the former Soviet Union.
MCSCCE • 2024 • Paper-I
The replacement level of total fertility rate in India is :
A)
1.0
B)
2.1
C)
2.5
D)
2.8
The Replacement Level Fertility (RLF) is the total fertility rate (TFR) at which a population exactly replaces itself from one generation to the next, without migration.
1. **Definition**: TFR is the average number of children a woman would have over her lifetime.
2. **The Value 2.1**: The value is slightly higher than 2.0 because it accounts for the fact that some children do not survive to reproductive age and the natural sex ratio at birth (slightly more males are born than females).
3. **Global Standard**: A TFR of 2.1 is globally recognized as the replacement level for most human populations.
4. **Indian Context**: According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), India's TFR has actually fallen to 2.0, which is slightly below the replacement level of 2.1, indicating a transition toward population stabilization.
Other options (1.0, 2.5, 2.8) are incorrect because 1.0 would lead to rapid population decline, while 2.5 and 2.8 would lead to continued population growth.
MCSCCE • 2024 • Paper-I
Seventy Fourth Amendment Act, 1992 of the Constitution deals with :
A)
Municipality
B)
Panchayati Raj
C)
Non-territorial Council
D)
Village empowerment
The 74th Amendment Act, 1992, gives constitutional status to Urban Local Bodies (Municipalities).
MCSCCE • 2024 • Paper-I
Constituent Assembly of India was formulated on the recommendation of which of the following?
A)
Wavel Plan
B)
Cripps Mission
C)
August Offer
D)
Cabinet Mission
The Constituent Assembly of India was formed in November 1946 under the framework formulated and recommended by the Cabinet Mission Plan of 1946.
MCSCCE • 2024 • Paper-I
The largest fishing ground of the world is the :
A)
North West Pacific Region
B)
North West Atlantic Region
C)
North East Atlantic Region
D)
South Western Arctic Region
The North West Pacific fishing region (around Japan, the Kuril Islands, and the Sea of Okhotsk, where the warm Kuroshio and cold Oyashio currents meet) is the world's most productive and largest marine fishing ground.
MCSCCE • 2024 • Paper-I
The Alkire-Foster methodology of the multidimensional poverty index has three equally weighted dimensions as follows :
A)
Health, education, and standard of living
B)
Income, literacy, and absolute poverty
C)
Income, health, and standard of living
D)
Health, income, and education
The Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI), developed by the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) using the Alkire-Foster method, moves beyond income-based measures of poverty. It identifies multiple deprivations at the household and individual level. The MPI is based on three equally weighted dimensions:
1. Health: Measured by indicators such as nutrition and child mortality.
2. Education: Measured by indicators such as years of schooling and school attendance.
3. Standard of Living: Measured by indicators such as cooking fuel, sanitation, drinking water, electricity, floor, and assets.
Options b, c, and d are incorrect because they include 'Income'. The core purpose of the Alkire-Foster MPI is to provide a non-income-based measure of poverty, recognizing that poverty is not just a lack of money but a lack of basic capabilities and services.
MCSCCE • 2024 • Paper-I
On which occasion was Bombay handed over to the British by the Portuguese?
A)
Liberation of Portuguese from Spanish control.
B)
Charles II marriage with princess Catherine.
C)
The defeat of Spanish Armada in 1588.
D)
None of the above
In 1661, Bombay was given to the British Crown as part of the dowry of the Portuguese princess Catherine of Braganza, who married King Charles II of England.
