← MES Departmental
Past Questions
Choose the correct one: In soil and water conservation, the agronomical /mechanical measure is a more economical, long lasting and effective technique
A)
agronomical
B)
mechanical
In soil and water conservation, agronomical measures such as contour farming, strip cropping, mulching, crop rotation, and cover cropping are generally more economical, long-lasting, and effective because they reduce erosion by improving soil cover and structure. Mechanical measures like bunds, terraces, and trenches are effective too, but they usually require higher initial cost, maintenance, and are less economical than agronomical methods. Therefore, the correct choice is agronomical.
Meteorology is a sub-division of Climatology
A)
True
B)
False
Meteorology and climatology are related but distinct branches of atmospheric science. Meteorology deals with short-term weather processes and forecasting, while climatology studies long-term patterns and averages of climate. Therefore, meteorology is not a sub-division of climatology; rather, climatology is often considered a sub-division or branch related to meteorology.
Write 'T' for correct statement and 'F' for false statement: In order not to lose the top soil, it is necessary to start construction of terraces from the top towards the bottom.
A)
True
B)
False
Terrace construction for soil conservation is generally started from the bottom and proceeds upward. This helps provide a stable base, proper alignment, and easier control of runoff. Starting from the top toward the bottom is not the correct practice, so the statement is false.
The branch of science that deals with the atmospheric phenomenon and the basic law that produce atmosphere, the agent through which many of the hydrologic characters are brought about is known as:
A)
Climatology
B)
Meteorology
C)
hydrology
D)
hydrologic cycle
Meteorology is the branch of science that studies the atmosphere, atmospheric phenomena, and the physical laws governing them. Since the question describes the science dealing with atmospheric phenomena and the agent influencing hydrologic characteristics, the correct answer is Meteorology. Climatology deals with long-term weather patterns, hydrology studies water on and under the Earth's surface, and the hydrologic cycle is the circulation of water, not a branch of science.
Choose the correct one: Isohyet/Isobar is the line joining areas of equal rainfall on a map
A)
Isohyet
B)
Isobar
An isohyet is a line joining places of equal rainfall on a map. An isobar, on the other hand, joins places of equal atmospheric pressure. Since the question asks for equal rainfall, the correct term is Isohyet.
Choose the correct one: Intensity of rainfall is directly/inversely proportional to runoff
A)
directly
B)
inversely
Runoff generally increases as rainfall intensity increases, because a larger amount of water falls in a shorter time, giving less opportunity for infiltration. Hence, rainfall intensity and runoff are directly proportional. The option 'inversely' is incorrect because higher intensity does not reduce runoff; it usually increases it.
Choose the correct one: Infiltration capacity is directly/inversely proportional to runoff
A)
directly
B)
inversely
Infiltration capacity is the maximum rate at which soil can absorb water. If infiltration capacity is higher, more rainfall enters the ground and less water remains on the surface to become runoff. Therefore, runoff decreases as infiltration capacity increases, so the relation is inversely proportional. Option (a) is incorrect because direct proportionality would imply both increase together, which is opposite to the actual hydrologic behavior.
Mean velocity of a river, if measured at one point, is usually measured at 0.4 D (depth)
A)
True
B)
False
In open-channel flow, the mean velocity at a vertical is commonly estimated by measuring velocity at 0.6D below the water surface, or by averaging velocities at 0.2D and 0.8D. Measuring at 0.4D is not the usual standard for mean velocity. Hence the statement is false.
Choose the correct one: Stream bank/coastal erosion is the wearing a way of land and the removal of beach or dune sediments by wave action.
A)
Stream bank
B)
coastal
The statement describes erosion caused by wave action and the removal of beach or dune sediments, which is coastal erosion. Stream bank erosion refers to the wearing away of land along river or stream banks, not by wave action.
Atmospheric pressure varies with Earth rotation
A)
True
B)
False
Atmospheric pressure mainly varies with altitude, temperature, humidity, and weather systems. Earth’s rotation affects wind and circulation through the Coriolis force, but it does not directly cause atmospheric pressure to vary. So the statement is false.
The rational formula Qp = 1/36 CIA is used for determining:
A)
peak discharge
B)
flow through pipes
C)
flow through Parshall flume
D)
base flow
The rational formula is used in hydrology to estimate the peak runoff discharge from a catchment. In the given form, Qp = (1/36) CIA, where C is the runoff coefficient, I is the rainfall intensity, and A is the catchment area. Since it is intended to compute the maximum runoff rate during a storm, the correct answer is peak discharge. The other options are incorrect because pipes, Parshall flumes, and base flow are not what the rational method is designed to determine.
Write 'T' for correct statement and 'F' for false statement: Loose rock dams are temporary gully control structures.
A)
True
B)
False
Loose rock dams are small, temporary gully control structures made of locally available loose stones. They are used to slow runoff, trap sediment, and stabilize small gullies until more permanent measures or vegetation can take over. Therefore, the statement is correct.
For discharge measurement, one of the methods generally use is:
A)
Area- Slope method
B)
Arithmetic-average method
C)
Double Mass Curve method
D)
Isohyetal method
The Area-Slope method is a recognized method used for discharge measurement in stream gauging and open-channel flow estimation. It relates discharge to the cross-sectional area and water surface slope. The other options are not discharge measurement methods: Arithmetic-average method is not a standard hydrology discharge method, Double Mass Curve is used for consistency analysis of hydrologic data, and Isohyetal method is used to estimate average rainfall over an area.
Write 'T' for correct statement and 'F' for false statement: Batter slope is mainly for the stability of the fill or the embankment.
A)
True
B)
False
A batter slope is the side slope provided on an earth fill or embankment to ensure stability and prevent slipping or failure. Since it supports the stability of the fill/embankment, the statement is correct. Therefore, option (a) True is correct.
Choose the correct one: Thiessen Polygon method is used for estimation of missing rainfall record in a basin/ average rainfall over a basin
A)
estimation of missing rainfall record in a basin
B)
average rainfall over a basin
The Thiessen Polygon method is used to compute areal average rainfall over a basin by assigning weights to rain gauges based on their area of influence. It is not the standard method for estimating a missing rainfall record; missing rainfall is usually estimated using normal ratio method, arithmetic mean, or other interpolation methods.
Discharge hydrograph is a graphical representation of discharge versus:
A)
distance
B)
time
C)
area
D)
watershed
A discharge hydrograph shows how stream discharge changes with time at a given point on a river or channel. Hence, it is a plot of discharge versus time. The other options are not correct because discharge hydrographs are not typically drawn against distance, area, or watershed.
Write 'T' for correct statement and 'F' for false statement: Construction of bund is one of the most effect engineering measures of soil conservation.
A)
True
B)
False
Construction of bunds is an effective engineering measure for soil conservation because bunds slow down runoff, reduce soil erosion, and help retain moisture and sediment on खेत/field slopes. Therefore, the statement is correct. Option (b) is incorrect because the statement is not false.
A term that is used to describe the potential for soil to be washed off from disturbed, de-vegetated areas and move with into surface waters during storms is:
A)
erositivity of rainfall
B)
erodibility of soil
The term refers to the ability of rain to cause soil erosion and transport detached soil from disturbed, de-vegetated areas into surface waters during storms. This is called rainfall erosivity.
- (a) Erositivity of rainfall: Correct, because it describes the erosive power/potential of rainfall.
- (b) Erodibility of soil: Incorrect, because erodibility refers to the susceptibility of soil itself to being eroded, not the erosive force of rainfall.
The formula I = O + ΔS, Where I = inflow, O = Outflow and S = Storage, is used for expressing:
A)
hydrologic equation
B)
water balance equation
C)
evapo-transpiration
D)
infiltration in a given area
The relation I = O + ΔS represents continuity of mass in a hydrologic system: inflow equals outflow plus change in storage. This is the standard water balance equation. Option (a) is too general, while (c) evapo-transpiration and (d) infiltration are only components of the hydrologic cycle, not the equation itself.
Choose one of the advantages of crawler mounted over wheel mounted Bulldozers from the following
I)
Less operator fatigue
II)
Greater floatation
III)
Higher travel speed
IV)
Greater output
Crawler-mounted bulldozers have tracks, so their weight is distributed over a larger area. This gives them greater floatation and better traction on soft or uneven ground than wheel-mounted bulldozers.
Why others are incorrect: (i) less operator fatigue is not a standard main advantage of crawler over wheel type, (iii) higher travel speed is actually an advantage of wheel-mounted bulldozers, and (iv) greater output is not generally the key advantage here.
The effect of altitude on capacity of air compressor is
I)
reduced compression ratio resulting reduced capacity
II)
increased compression ratio resulting increased capacity
III)
reduced compression ratio resulting increased capacity
IV)
increased compression ratio resulting reduced capacity
At higher altitude, atmospheric pressure decreases. Since an air compressor takes in air at a lower suction pressure, the pressure difference it must create changes, and the compressor’s effective delivery/capacity is reduced. Therefore, the correct effect is reduced compression ratio resulting reduced capacity. The other options are incorrect because altitude does not increase atmospheric pressure or compressor capacity.
In a rigid pavement, arrangements given for tying two slabs together but without transferring the pavement load are
I)
Wire meshes
II)
Tie bars
III)
Dowel bars
IV)
Bar mat
In rigid pavements, **tie bars** are used to hold adjacent slabs together so they do not separate, but they are **not designed to transfer wheel load** across the joint. Their function is only to provide lateral tie between slabs.
- **Wire meshes** and **bar mats** are used as reinforcement in concrete, not for tying slabs at joints.
- **Dowel bars** are used to transfer load across joints while allowing some movement.
Therefore, the correct answer is **(ii) Tie bars**.
The traffic forecast period considered in India in highway design is
I)
10 years
II)
12 years
III)
15 years
IV)
20 years
In Indian highway design, the traffic forecast period commonly considered for deciding pavement design is 15 years. This is the standard design life adopted in Indian Roads Congress (IRC) practice for many highway pavement designs. Therefore, among the given options, 15 years is correct. The other periods are not the standard forecast period used in Indian highway design.
Maximum stress due to application of load in a rigid pavement occurs at
I)
the edges
II)
the interior
III)
the bottom surface
IV)
the top surface
In a rigid pavement (cement concrete slab), wheel load can cause maximum tensile stress at the slab edges because the slab is less supported there than at the interior. The edge region is also more vulnerable to bending due to load application near the free boundary. The interior generally experiences lower load stress, while top and bottom surfaces are locations of stress due to bending, not the usual maximum location asked here.
The required camber of a pavement depends on
I)
Class of road
II)
Type of pavement surface
III)
Geological condition of soil
IV)
All of the above
Camber is the cross slope provided on a pavement to drain rainwater quickly. The required camber depends on: (i) class of road, because higher-class roads generally need better riding quality and drainage standards; (ii) type of pavement surface, since impervious bituminous or concrete surfaces require less camber than earth or gravel roads; and (iii) geological condition of soil, because soil type and drainage behavior affect water infiltration and the camber needed for safe runoff. Hence, all the given factors influence camber.