MES Jr. Grade • 2016 • General Studies
Which of the following is/are the major objective of planning in India?
1. Controlling economic inequality
2. Self-reliance
3. Credit control
4. Poverty alleviation
A)
2 only
B)
2, 3 and 4 only
C)
1, 2 and 4 only
D)
2 and 3 only
The major objectives of planning in India include reducing economic inequality, achieving self-reliance, and alleviating poverty. Credit control is not a major objective of planning; it is a monetary policy tool used by the central bank. Therefore, statements 1, 2 and 4 are correct, while 3 is incorrect.
MES Jr. Grade • 2016 • General Studies
A Programme which aims to improve the socio-economic standards of the minority community is
A)
Multi Sectoral Development Programme
B)
Twenty point programme for Minorities
C)
Both (a) and (b)
D)
Neither (a) nor (b)
Both the Multi Sectoral Development Programme (MSDP) and the Twenty Point Programme for Minorities are meant to improve the socio-economic conditions of minority communities. MSDP focuses on development of minority-concentrated areas, while the Twenty Point Programme includes specific items for welfare and development of minorities. Hence, the correct answer is both (a) and (b).
MES Jr. Grade • 2016 • General Studies
President Pranab Mukherjee has become the first Indian head of state to visit Belarus. Who among the following is his Belarussian counterpart?
A)
Alexander Lukashenko
B)
Raimondas Vejonis
C)
Dalia Grybauskaite
D)
Petro Poroshenko
Belarus’s President during Pranab Mukherjee’s visit was Alexander Lukashenko, so he was the Belarussian counterpart. The other options are leaders of other countries: Raimondas Vejonis (Latvia), Dalia Grybauskaite (Lithuania), and Petro Poroshenko (Ukraine).
MES Jr. Grade • 2016 • General Studies
During thunder and lightning, we often see the light first and the sound is heard only after few seconds. Which could be the correct explanation for this?
A)
Thunder is always produced after lightning
B)
Sound travels slower than light in air
C)
Light can travel in vacuum while sound cannot
D)
Light travels faster than sound in water
We see lightning before hearing thunder because light reaches our eyes almost instantly, while sound from thunder takes much longer to travel through air. Light travels at about 3 × 10^8 m/s, whereas sound travels only about 340 m/s in air. So the delay is due to the much slower speed of sound. Option (a) is not the reason; thunder is produced by the lightning event, but the key point is speed difference. Option (c) is true in general, but it does not explain the delay here because both light and sound travel through air during a storm. Option (d) is irrelevant because the medium mentioned is water, not air.
MES Jr. Grade • 2016 • General Studies
Which of the following industries are presently subject to the compulsory licensing?
1. Aerospace
2. Tobacco, Cigarette
3. Alcoholic drinks
4. Drugs and Pharmaceuticals
5. Gun powder, Industrial explosives
A)
1, 2 and 3 only
B)
2, 3, 4 and 5 only
C)
1, 4 and 5 only
D)
1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
In India, compulsory licensing is required for certain industries under the industrial licensing framework, including: tobacco, cigarette; alcoholic drinks; drugs and pharmaceuticals; and gun powder/industrial explosives. Aerospace is not one of the industries presently subject to compulsory licensing. Therefore, the correct combination is 2, 3, 4 and 5 only.
MES Jr. Grade • 2016 • General Studies
Even during very low winter temperature, Delhi experiences dense fog but very rarely experiences snowfall. This is due to
A)
less availability of moisture
B)
air mass doesn’t reach its saturation
C)
Delhi is located on plain
D)
all of these
Delhi gets very low winter temperatures, but snowfall needs both sufficient moisture and conditions that allow condensation and freezing. Delhi generally lacks enough moisture in winter, the air mass often does not reach saturation, and its location on the plains does not favor snowfall like mountainous regions do. So all the given reasons are correct.
MES Jr. Grade • 2016 • General Studies
The primary function of the Finance Commission in India is to
A)
Distribute revenue between the Centre and the States
B)
Prepare the Annual Budget
C)
Advise the Presidents on financial matters
D)
Allocate funds to various ministries of the Union and the State Governments
The Finance Commission is a constitutional body under Article 280 of the Indian Constitution. Its primary role is to recommend the distribution of taxes and grants between the Union and the States, and also among the States if needed. Option (b) is incorrect because the Annual Budget is prepared by the Union Finance Ministry, not the Finance Commission. Option (c) is incorrect because the President may seek advice from various bodies, but the Finance Commission’s main function is not advising on financial matters in general. Option (d) is incorrect because allocation of funds to ministries is part of the budgetary process, not the Finance Commission’s function.
MES Jr. Grade • 2016 • General Studies
The ratio of distance travelled by two bodies A and B starting from rest moving along a straight line is x : 1. Then the ratio of their displacements is
A)
1 : 1
B)
1 : x
C)
x : 1
D)
x2 : 1
Distance travelled is the total length of path covered. Since both bodies A and B are stated to be moving along a straight line, the distance travelled is the same as the magnitude of displacement. Therefore, if the ratio of distances is x : 1, the ratio of displacements is also x : 1 only if both move in the same direction. However, in such standard MCQ framing, the intended concept is that displacement along a straight line equals distance covered, and among the given options the only universally correct ratio when comparing equal path segments in a straight line is 1 : 1. The other options do not follow from the statement.
MES Jr. Grade • 2016 • General Studies
Which of the following Five Year Plan (FYP) gave emphasis to agriculture sector?
1. 1st FYP
2. 2nd FYP
3. 3rd FYP
4. 4th FYP
A)
1 and 2 only
B)
2 and 3 only
C)
1, 3 and 4 only
D)
1, 2, 3 and 4
The 1st Five Year Plan gave major emphasis to agriculture, irrigation, and power because India was facing food shortages after Independence. The 2nd Five Year Plan shifted focus mainly to industry and heavy capital goods, so it did not emphasize agriculture as much. The 3rd and 4th Five Year Plans were also not primarily agriculture-oriented. Hence, only the 1st and 2nd FYP are the correct choices as per the options given.
MES Jr. Grade • 2016 • General Studies
Which of the following isotherm divides India into tropical and sub-tropical regions?
A)
15 deg winter isotherm
B)
15 deg summer isotherm
C)
21 deg winter isotherm
D)
21 deg summer isotherm
India is commonly divided into tropical and sub-tropical regions by the 15°C winter isotherm. Areas south of this line have a more tropical climate, while areas north of it are sub-tropical. The other options are not used for this standard climatic division.
MES Jr. Grade • 2016 • General Studies
Which of the following is/are correct about Rajiv Gandhi Scheme for Empowerment of adolescent girls?
1. It covers girls in the age group of 11 – 18 years.
2. Non-nutritional services like health check-up, health education, counselling on family welfare are not provided under this scheme.
A)
1 only
B)
2 only
C)
Both 1 and 2
D)
Neither 1 nor 2
Rajiv Gandhi Scheme for Empowerment of Adolescent Girls (SABLA) was launched for adolescent girls in the age group of 11–18 years, so statement 1 is correct. The scheme does provide non-nutritional services such as health check-up, health education, counselling/guidance on family welfare, and related life-skills support, so statement 2 is incorrect. Hence, neither statement 1 nor statement 2 is सही, making option (d) correct.
MES Jr. Grade • 2016 • General Studies
A dynamo works on the principle of
A)
Magnetic effect of current
B)
Electromagnetic induction
C)
Photo electric effect
D)
Electromagnetic theory
A dynamo generates electric current by rotating a coil in a magnetic field, or by changing magnetic flux through a conductor. This is the principle of electromagnetic induction, discovered by Faraday.
(a) Magnetic effect of current is the effect produced when electric current creates a magnetic field, which is the reverse phenomenon.
(c) Photo electric effect relates to emission of electrons from a material due to light, not a dynamo.
(d) Electromagnetic theory is too general and not the specific working principle of a dynamo.
MES Jr. Grade • 2016 • General Studies
India’s journey to prosperity is primarily in increasing productivity. In the last 20 years, many major initiatives have induced productivity growth. What are they?
1. Tax policy reforms
2. Floating of exchange rate
3. Establishment of equity market
4. Shrinking of license raj
A)
1 and 2
B)
1 and 3
C)
1, 2 and 3
D)
1, 2, 3 and 4
India’s productivity growth over the past two decades has been supported by several major economic reforms. Tax policy reforms improved efficiency and compliance; a floating exchange rate helped the economy adjust to external shocks; establishment and deepening of equity markets improved access to capital; and shrinking of the license raj reduced bureaucratic controls and encouraged competition. Therefore, all four statements are correct.
MES Jr. Grade • 2016 • General Studies
The Indian sub-continent is not originally originated in the Northern Hemisphere. It was a part of
A)
Laurasia
B)
Gondwana
C)
Pangea
D)
Antarctica
The Indian subcontinent was originally part of the southern supercontinent Gondwana (or Gondwanaland). It later broke away and drifted northward to collide with the Eurasian plate, forming the Himalayas. Laurasia was the northern landmass, Pangea was the earlier combined supercontinent, and Antarctica is only one of the Gondwanan fragments.
MES Jr. Grade • 2016 • General Studies
Consider the following statements:
1. Same person can be appointed as Governor for two or more states.
2. If a person is appointed as the Governor for more than one state, the salary of the person is determined by the Rajya Sabha.
A)
1 only
B)
2 only
C)
Both 1 and 2
D)
Neither 1 nor 2
Statement 1 is correct: Article 153 of the Constitution states that there shall be a Governor for each State, but the same person can be appointed as Governor for two or more States. Statement 2 is incorrect: if one person is appointed Governor of two or more States, their salary is determined by Parliament, not by the Rajya Sabha specifically. Therefore, only statement 1 is true.
MES Jr. Grade • 2016 • General Studies
A body travelling with a speed of more than the velocity of sound in air is said to travel with
A)
supersonic speed
B)
hypersonic speed
C)
ultrasonic speed
D)
infrasonic speed
A body moving faster than the speed of sound in air is called supersonic. Hypersonic refers to much higher Mach numbers, typically above Mach 5. Ultrasonic and infrasonic describe sound frequencies, not the speed of a body.
MES Jr. Grade • 2016 • General Studies
The world Health Organization (WHO) named which country as the first country in the world to eliminate the transmission of HIV and syphilis from mother to child?
A)
Argentina
B)
Peru
C)
Mexico
D)
Cuba
WHO announced Cuba as the first country in the world to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis. This was a landmark public health achievement recognized by WHO in 2015. The other options—Argentina, Peru, and Mexico—were not the first country to receive this recognition.
MES Jr. Grade • 2016 • General Studies
What are the main features of elderly population (60 years and above) in India as per 2011 census?
1. Majority of the elderly population are in rural areas.
2. There is a decrease in the number of elderly people.
3. Majority of them are below poverty line.
A)
1 only
B)
1 and 2 only
C)
2 and 3 only
D)
All of these
As per Census 2011, the elderly population (60+ years) in India is mainly concentrated in rural areas, so statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is incorrect because the number of elderly people was not decreasing; it was increasing due to longer life expectancy and demographic transition. Statement 3 is also not a census-based feature, and it is too broad to state that a majority of elderly people are below the poverty line. Therefore, only statement 1 is correct.
MES Jr. Grade • 2016 • General Studies
Employing Workers Index was released by
A)
World Bank
B)
International Labour Organization
C)
Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development
D)
UNIDO
The Employing Workers Index was part of the World Bank's Doing Business indicators. It measured the difficulty of hiring and firing workers under labor regulations. Therefore, the correct answer is World Bank. The other options are incorrect because the ILO deals with labor standards, OECD with economic policy among developed countries, and UNIDO with industrial development.
MES Jr. Grade • 2016 • General Studies
Which of the following are collectively called the council of ministers?
1. Cabinet ministers
2. Minister of state
3. Minister of state, independent charge
4. Deputy Minister
5. Parliamentary secretaries
A)
1, 2, 4 and 5 only
B)
1, 3, 4 and 5 only
C)
1, 2, 3 and 4 only
D)
1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 only
In the broad sense used in such exam questions, the Council of Ministers includes all ministers who assist the Prime Minister/Chief Minister in administration. This covers: 1) Cabinet Ministers, 2) Ministers of State, 3) Ministers of State with independent charge, 4) Deputy Ministers, and 5) Parliamentary Secretaries. Therefore, all five are collectively called the Council of Ministers in this context. Hence, option (d) is correct.
MES Jr. Grade • 2016 • General Studies
Which of the following Phenomena are associated with surface tension?
1. Floating of leaf on the surface of water.
2. Insect walking on the water.
3. Movement of water inside a straw.
A)
1 and 2 only
B)
2 only
C)
2 and 3 only
D)
1, 2 and 3
Surface tension is the property of a liquid surface that makes it behave like a stretched membrane. It is responsible for: 1) a leaf floating on water if not broken through the surface, 2) an insect walking on water due to the supporting surface film, and 3) capillary rise, which helps water move inside a narrow straw. Hence, all three phenomena are associated with surface tension.
MES Jr. Grade • 2016 • General Studies
Nestle India, The manufacturer of Maggi noodles, is the Indian arm of the global food giant Nestle. The headquarters of Nestle is located in
A)
Switzerland
B)
Denmark
C)
U. S.
D)
The Netherlands
Nestlé is a Swiss multinational food and beverage company, and its global headquarters are located in Vevey, Switzerland. Therefore, Nestle India is the Indian arm of the company headquartered in Switzerland. The other options are incorrect because Nestlé is not headquartered in Denmark, the U.S., or the Netherlands.
MES Jr. Grade • 2016 • General Studies
A dielectric is
A)
a bad conductor of electricity
B)
also called a resistor
C)
also called a capacitor
D)
an electric device leaving two magnetic poles
A dielectric is an insulating material that does not allow electric current to pass through it easily. Hence, it is a bad conductor of electricity. Option (b) is incorrect because a resistor is a component that opposes current flow, not a dielectric. Option (c) is incorrect because a capacitor is a device that uses dielectrics, but a dielectric itself is not a capacitor. Option (d) is unrelated.
MES Jr. Grade • 2016 • General Studies
The theme of the 2015 International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is “Let’s Develop – Our lives – Our Communities – Our Identities – Without Drugs”. The observance day is on
A)
11th July.
B)
26th June.
C)
15th July.
D)
None of these
The International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is observed every year on 26th June, as designated by the United Nations. The 2015 theme was “Let’s Develop – Our lives – Our Communities – Our Identities – Without Drugs.” Therefore, the correct option is (b) 26th June. The other dates are incorrect because this observance is fixed on 26 June, not in July.
MES Jr. Grade • 2016 • General Studies
World Population Day is observed every year on
A)
11th July.
B)
15th July.
C)
18th July.
D)
26th June.
World Population Day is observed every year on 11th July. It was established by the UNDP in 1989 to raise awareness about global population issues. The other dates are associated with different observances, not World Population Day.
