← MCSCCE
Past Questions
Three of the following words are similar in a certain way. Pick the odd one out:
A)
Hexagon
B)
Hendecagon
C)
Heptagon
D)
Pentagon
Hexagon has 6 sides (an even number), whereas Hendecagon (11), Heptagon (7), and Pentagon (5) all have an odd number of sides.
A farmer built a fence around his square plot. He used 27 fence on each ride of the square. How many poles did he need all together?
A)
100
B)
104
C)
108
D)
None of these
For a square plot with 27 poles on each side, the 4 corner poles are shared between adjacent sides. Therefore, total poles needed = 4 × (27 - 1) = 4 × 26 = 104 poles (or 4 × 27 - 4 = 104).
You have a limited budget for a healthcare initiative. What is the crucial factor to consider when deciding which health programs to fund?
A)
Popularity of the program
B)
Political backing
C)
Program’s potential impact on public health
D)
The novelty of the program
When allocating scarce public healthcare funds, administrative ethics and public health principles dictate prioritizing programs based on their evidence-based potential impact on health outcomes and disease burden reduction.
You have been assigned to a rural region where deep-rooted traditional beliefs and practices are negatively impacting public health outcomes—such as resistance to medical treatment, unsafe childbirth practices, or reliance on unscientific remedies. As a responsible official, how would you effectively address the community’s resistance to change, while respecting their cultural values and ensuring the implementation of health-promoting practices?
A)
Enforce strict penalties.
B)
Initiate awareness campaigns involving local leaders.
C)
Ignore the practices.
D)
Impose modern practices directly.
Partnering with respected community elders and local leaders in targeted awareness campaigns ensures cultural respect, builds mutual trust, and achieves sustainable public health compliance.
Assertion (A): Tides indicate the regular and periodic rise and fall in sea level. Reason (R): Tides are caused by the gravitational force of the Moon and the Sun. Choose the correct alternative.
A)
Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
B)
Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
C)
A is true but R is false.
D)
A is false but R is true.
Assertion (A) correctly states the nature of ocean tides as periodic rise and fall in sea level, and Reason (R) provides the scientifically accurate cause: the differential gravitational attraction exerted by the Moon and the Sun on Earth's waters.
Based on the passage provided, what is the main aim of Artificial Intelligence?
A)
To create machines that can perform all human tasks perfectly.
B)
To develop computer systems that can mimic human intelligence and perform tasks that typically require human intelligence.
C)
To replace all human workers with robots.
D)
To create machines that are smarter than humans.
As defined in the reading comprehension passage on technology, the core goal of Artificial Intelligence is to develop computational systems capable of mimicking human cognitive faculties and executing tasks requiring human intelligence.
Being able to put oneself in someone else’s situation is called:
A)
Persuasion
B)
Leadership
C)
Active Listening
D)
Empathy
Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings or situation of another person.
Cultural difference may present a unique barrier to communication because:
A)
regional colloquialisms and expressions may be misinterpreted or even considered offensive.
B)
there may be use of unnecessarily complex language.
C)
verbal cues may not be visible to the speakers.
D)
the speakers may be distracted or inattentive.
Cultural barriers in communication arise because cultural norms, idioms, and colloquial expressions vary widely and can be easily misinterpreted or cause unintended offense.
Which of the following is same as Ode, Ballad, Lyric?
A)
Prose
B)
Song
C)
Poetry
D)
Sonnet
Ode, Ballad, and Lyric are all specific forms/genres of poetry. A Sonnet is also a specific poetic form (a 14-line structured poem), belonging to the same category.
Which of the following is the first step in any systematic problem-solving approach?
A)
Implementing the solution
B)
Identifying the problem
C)
Generating alternatives
D)
Evaluating outcomes
In any systematic problem-solving model (such as the Rational Decision-Making Model or the IDEAL model), the process must begin with the recognition and definition of the issue. You cannot solve a problem if you have not first identified what the problem is.
Step-by-step breakdown of the process:
1. Identifying the problem: Recognizing that a gap exists between the current state and the desired state.
2. Analyzing the problem: Understanding the root causes.
3. Generating alternatives: Brainstorming potential solutions (Option c).
4. Evaluating and selecting the best alternative: Choosing the most viable option.
5. Implementing the solution: Putting the chosen plan into action (Option a).
6. Evaluating outcomes: Monitoring the results to see if the problem was solved (Option d).
Since identifying the problem is the foundational step upon which all subsequent steps depend, option 'b' is the correct answer.
If 5^(2x+1) / 25 = 125, find the value of x :
A)
6
B)
2
C)
10
D)
4
Expressing in powers of 5: $\frac{5^{2x+1}}{5^2} = 5^3 \implies 5^{2x-1} = 5^3 \implies 2x - 1 = 3 \implies 2x = 4 \implies x = 2$.
Which in the following is the same as wrestling, karate, boxing?
A)
Swimming
B)
Polo
C)
Pole vault
D)
Judo
Wrestling, karate, and boxing are all combat sports / martial arts. Among the given options, Judo is also a martial art and combat sport.
Which of the following banks has recently launched India’s first pocket-sized swipe machine for accepting digital payments called “MicroPay”?
A)
Axis Bank
B)
State Bank of India
C)
HDFC
D)
United Bank of India
Axis Bank launched 'MicroPay', which is India's first pocket-sized swipe machine designed specifically for small merchants and micro-entrepreneurs to accept digital payments. This device is a compact Point of Sale (PoS) terminal that allows merchants to accept card payments without needing bulky hardware, thereby promoting digitalization in the retail sector.
- Option b (State Bank of India), Option c (HDFC), and Option d (United Bank of India) are incorrect as they did not launch the specific 'MicroPay' product described in the question.
The understanding made between the Muslim League and the Indian National Congress in 1916 was the
A)
Khilafat Pact
B)
Lucknow Pact
C)
Lahore Pact
D)
Madras Pact
The Lucknow Pact was an agreement signed in December 1916 between the Indian National Congress (INC) and the All-India Muslim League. It was a landmark event in the Indian independence movement as it marked a period of temporary unity between the two major political entities. The pact was facilitated by Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Under this agreement, the Congress accepted the League's demand for separate electorates for Muslims in return for the League's support for the Congress's demand for self-government (Home Rule) from the British.
Why other options are incorrect:
- a. Khilafat Pact: The Khilafat Movement (1919-1924) was a campaign to protect the Ottoman Caliphate; while it led to cooperation between Gandhi and the Muslims, it was not a formal 'pact' signed in 1916.
- c. Lahore Pact: This usually refers to the 1940 Lahore Resolution (Pakistan Resolution), which called for the creation of independent states for Muslims, rather than an understanding with the Congress.
- d. Madras Pact: There is no historically significant 'Madras Pact' of 1916 between the Congress and the Muslim League.
Consider which among the following is not a constitutional body in India
A)
Niti Aayog
B)
State Election Commission
C)
Finance Commission
D)
National Human Rights Commission
NITI Aayog is a non-constitutional, non-statutory body created via an executive resolution of the Union Cabinet in 2015. (The State Election Commission is created under Art. 243K/243ZA and the Finance Commission under Art. 280; NHRC is a statutory body under the 1993 Act).
Harshacharita was authored by:
A)
Harshavardhana
B)
Kalidasa
C)
Bana Bhatta
D)
Harishena
The Harshacharita is the Sanskrit biography of King Harshavardhana, written by his court poet Banabhatta in the 7th century CE.
Consider the following pairs: 1. Article 371-A - Special provisions for Nagaland 2. Article 371-B - Special provisions for Goa 3. Article 371-F - Special provisions for Sikkim 4. Article 371-H - Special provisions for Arunachal Pradesh Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
A)
1, 2 & 3
B)
1 & 2 only
C)
3 & 4 only
D)
1, 3 & 4
Under Part XXI of the Indian Constitution, special provisions are provided for Nagaland (Article 371-A), Sikkim (Article 371-F), and Arunachal Pradesh (Article 371-H). Article 371-B applies to Assam (Goa is under Article 371-I), making pairs 1, 3, and 4 correctly matched.
Which Governor General abolished sati?
A)
Wellesley
B)
Curzon
C)
William Bentinck
D)
Dalhousie
Lord William Bentinck, the Governor-General of India, abolished Sati in 1829.
The isotope of carbon used in radiocarbon dating is
A)
C-12
B)
C-13
C)
C-14
D)
C-15
Radiocarbon dating is a method used to determine the age of organic materials. It relies on the properties of Carbon-14 (C-14), which is a radioactive isotope of carbon.
1. **Mechanism**: C-14 is produced in the upper atmosphere by cosmic rays. It combines with oxygen to form carbon dioxide, which is then absorbed by plants through photosynthesis and subsequently by animals through the food chain.
2. **Decay**: While an organism is alive, it maintains a constant ratio of C-14 to the stable isotope C-12. Once the organism dies, it stops absorbing carbon, and the C-14 begins to decay into Nitrogen-14 at a known, constant rate (its half-life is approximately 5,730 years).
3. **Dating**: By measuring the remaining amount of C-14 in a sample, scientists can calculate how long ago the organism died.
**Analysis of other options:**
- **C-12**: This is the most common, stable isotope of carbon. It does not decay and is used as the reference standard against which C-14 is measured.
- **C-13**: This is a stable isotope of carbon. While used in stable isotope analysis (e.g., to study diets), it is not radioactive and cannot be used for dating.
- **C-15**: This is a very short-lived radioactive isotope with a half-life of only a few seconds, making it useless for dating archaeological or geological samples.
The tree on which Mizo warriors hung the decapitated heads of their enemies
A)
Sahlam
B)
Thinglu
C)
Seluphan
D)
Thingsia
In traditional Mizo culture, headhunting was practiced by warriors to prove their bravery and bring prestige to their village. The 'Sahlam' was a specific tree (often a designated post or a particular type of tree) used as a trophy rack where the decapitated heads of enemies were hung to display the warrior's success and to serve as a warning to others.
Breakdown of options:
- Sahlam: The correct term for the tree/post used for displaying enemy heads.
- Thinglu: Generally refers to a type of wood or specific tree species but not associated with the ritual of head-display.
- Seluphan: Not the term associated with headhunting trophies.
- Thingsia: A general term related to trees/wood but not the specific ritualistic tree used by warriors.
International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women is observed on
A)
30th April
B)
25th November
C)
10th December
D)
8th March
The International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women is observed annually on November 25th. This date was chosen to commemorate the 1960 assassination of the two Mirabal sisters (Patria and Minerva) and their sister Maria Teresa in the Dominican Republic, who were activists against the regime of Rafael Trujillo.
Analysis of other options:
- 30th April: Not a globally recognized day for this specific cause.
- 10th December: This is Human Rights Day, commemorating the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the UN General Assembly in 1948.
- 8th March: This is International Women's Day, which celebrates the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women, though it also addresses gender inequality.
Grants to the Autonomous Tribal Areas are provided by the:
A)
Article 272
B)
Article 274
C)
Article 275 (1)
D)
Article 280
Article 275 of the Constitution of India provides for grants-in-aid to states, including specific provisions for the welfare of Scheduled Tribes and administration of scheduled areas.
Increase in concentration of a toxicant at successive trophic level is called
A)
Bio-magnification
B)
Succession
C)
Eutrophication
D)
Biotransformation
Step-by-step reasoning:
1. **Analysis of the Question**: The question asks for the term describing the increase in the concentration of a toxicant (such as heavy metals or pesticides) as it moves up the food chain from one trophic level to the next.
2. **Evaluating Option (a) Bio-magnification**: Bio-magnification (or biomagnification) occurs when persistent, fat-soluble toxins are ingested by organisms. Because these toxins are not easily metabolized or excreted, they accumulate in the tissues. When a predator eats many prey items, it consumes all the toxins stored in those prey, leading to a higher concentration of the toxicant at each successive trophic level. This is the correct definition.
3. **Evaluating Option (b) Succession**: Ecological succession is the process by which the structure of a biological community evolves over time (e.g., primary or secondary succession). It is unrelated to toxicant concentration.
4. **Evaluating Option (c) Eutrophication**: Eutrophication is the process where a body of water becomes overly enriched with minerals and nutrients (like nitrogen and phosphorus), leading to excessive growth of algae and depletion of oxygen. It is a water quality issue, not a trophic level concentration process.
5. **Evaluating Option (d) Biotransformation**: Biotransformation is the chemical modification made by an organism on a chemical compound (usually via enzymes in the liver) to make it easier to excrete. This is the opposite of magnification, as it often helps the body remove toxins.
Which of the following company is the newest in the aviation sector in India?
A)
Vistara
B)
Spice Jet
C)
Akasa Air
D)
Go First
Akasa Air, launched in 2022, is the newest major aviation company among the listed options.
In the Sun, helium is produced from hydrogen by
A)
Disintegration
B)
Fission
C)
Fusion
D)
Radioactive decay
Nuclear fusion in the core of the Sun converts hydrogen nuclei (protons) into helium nuclei under extreme temperature and gravitational pressure, releasing massive energy.