MES Jr. Grade • 2016 • General Studies
Which among the following is a bad conductor of electricity?
A)
Silver
B)
Copper
C)
Aluminium
D)
Phosphorus
Silver, copper, and aluminium are all metals and are good conductors of electricity. Phosphorus is a non-metal and is a bad conductor of electricity. Therefore, the correct answer is phosphorus.
MES Jr. Grade • 2016 • General Studies
Iron and Steel industries are primarily located near coal mining areas to avoid more transportation cost on its manufacture. But which one of the Iron and Steel Industry in India is located near iron ore regions instead of coal mines?
A)
Bhilai Iron and Steel Plant
B)
Bokaro Steel Plant
C)
Durgapur Iron and Steel Plant (HSL)
D)
Bhadravathi Steel Plant (VSL)
Iron and steel plants are usually located near coalfields because coking coal is bulky and essential in steel production. However, Bhilai Iron and Steel Plant was established near the iron ore region of Dalli-Rajhara in Chhattisgarh. It is a classic example of a plant located primarily near iron ore sources rather than coal mines.
Why others are incorrect:
- Bokaro Steel Plant is closely associated with coal and raw material transport planning.
- Durgapur Iron and Steel Plant is located in West Bengal near coal and industrial belt, not mainly for iron ore proximity.
- Bhadravathi Steel Plant was set up mainly based on local availability of raw materials and hydro-power, but it is not the standard answer for being near iron ore regions.
Hence, the correct answer is Bhilai Iron and Steel Plant.
MES Jr. Grade • 2016 • General Studies
If wind blows in a direction opposite to the sound propagation, then the velocity of the sound
A)
increases
B)
decreases
C)
remains constant
D)
cannot be determined
Sound travels through air, so its speed relative to the ground depends on the wind. If the wind blows opposite to the direction of sound propagation, it opposes the motion of the sound waves and reduces their speed relative to the observer on the ground. Hence, the velocity of sound decreases. Option (c) is incorrect because the speed is not constant when wind is present, and (d) is incorrect because the effect is determined.
MES Jr. Grade • 2016 • General Studies
If any party has not obtained the required number of seats second to the majority party (that is 10% of the seats) in the Lok Sabha then by who/which of the following mode the leader of opposition will be selected?
A)
Leader of the pre-poll coalition
B)
Person from the second largest single party irrespective of the numbers
C)
It is the prerogative of the Speaker to appoint a Leader of Opposition
D)
Leader of opposition will be chosen by the Prime Minister
In the Lok Sabha, the Leader of Opposition is recognized when a party or group has at least 10% of the total strength of the House. If no party gets that minimum strength, there is no statutory right to the post. In such situations, the Speaker has the discretion to recognize or appoint the Leader of Opposition. Therefore, option (c) is correct. Options (a), (b), and (d) are incorrect because the post is not automatically given to a coalition leader, the second-largest party leader, or the Prime Minister.
MES Jr. Grade • 2016 • General Studies
Which of the following banks has been selected by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) as the trustee bank of the National Pension System?
A)
HDFC Bank
B)
Axis Bank
C)
ICICI Bank
D)
State Bank of India
PFRDA selected State Bank of India as the trustee bank for the National Pension System (NPS). SBI was chosen to act as the NPS trustee bank, handling the receipt and transfer of pension contributions. Among the options, the other banks were not selected for this specific role.
MES Jr. Grade • 2016 • General Studies
Currently, India is in an anomalous situation of being largely self-sufficient with large stocks of food grains on the one hand and registering high food inflation on the other. The situation is largely due to:
A)
productivity in food grains is far below global standards.
B)
the incidence of higher temperatures and higher rainfall variability with lower mean rainfall is increasing over the years.
C)
government is becoming the single largest buyer of food grains.
D)
soil degradation due to declining fertilizer-use efficiency.
The anomaly of high food inflation despite large foodgrain stocks is mainly because the government’s procurement has made it the dominant buyer in the market. This leaves a smaller effective quantity available in open markets, pushing market prices up even when overall stocks are large. Option (a) is too general and does not explain the immediate anomaly. Option (b) may affect agriculture over time, but it is not the main reason for this specific situation. Option (d) is also a long-term agronomic issue and does not directly account for high inflation amid large stocks.
MES Jr. Grade • 2016 • General Studies
“Build Back Better” principle is used in planning of which one of the following?
A)
Planning and Development
B)
Urban Drainage System
C)
Slum Clearance
D)
Disaster Management
"Build Back Better" is a core principle in disaster recovery and reconstruction. It means rebuilding damaged infrastructure and communities in a way that improves resilience and reduces future disaster risk. It is therefore used in Disaster Management. The other options are not the standard context for this principle.
MES Jr. Grade • 2016 • General Studies
The Judges of the Supreme Court of India are appointed by
A)
The President
B)
The Vice-President
C)
The Prime Minister
D)
The Home Minister
Under Article 124(2) of the Indian Constitution, the Judges of the Supreme Court are appointed by the President of India. The appointment is made by the President, usually after consultation with such judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts as deemed necessary. The Vice-President, Prime Minister, and Home Minister do not appoint Supreme Court judges.
MES Jr. Grade • 2016 • General Studies
Consider the following statements:
1. Primary deficit cannot be higher than Fiscal deficit.
2. Primary deficit is obtained by deducting interest rates from Revenue deficit.
3. Fiscal deficit cannot be lower than budget deficit.
Which of the above statements is/are not correct?
A)
1 and 2 only
B)
1 and 3 only
C)
2 only
D)
3 only
Let us check each statement using the standard definitions:
1. Fiscal deficit = total expenditure - total non-borrowing receipts.
2. Primary deficit = fiscal deficit - interest payments.
3. Revenue deficit = revenue expenditure - revenue receipts.
Now evaluate the statements:
1. "Primary deficit cannot be higher than Fiscal deficit."
This is correct, because primary deficit is fiscal deficit minus interest payments. Since interest payments are usually positive, primary deficit is less than or equal to fiscal deficit.
2. "Primary deficit is obtained by deducting interest rates from Revenue deficit."
This is incorrect. Primary deficit is not derived from revenue deficit. It is obtained by subtracting interest payments from fiscal deficit.
3. "Fiscal deficit cannot be lower than budget deficit."
This is correct in standard public finance usage, because budget deficit is an older concept and fiscal deficit is broader; fiscal deficit includes all borrowings and is generally not lower than budget deficit.
Therefore, only statement 2 is not correct.
Correct option: (c) 2 only.
MES Jr. Grade • 2016 • General Studies
Consider the following comparison between deflation and disinflation.
1. While deflation is negative inflation, disinflation is negative inflation growth.
2. While deflation increases the real value of money, disinflation has no impact on the value of money.
A)
1 only
B)
2 only
C)
Both 1 and 2
D)
Neither 1 nor 2
Statement 1 is correct: deflation means a fall in the general price level, i.e., negative inflation. Disinflation means the rate of inflation is still positive but is falling, so it is a reduction in inflationary growth.
Statement 2 is incorrect: deflation increases the real value of money because prices fall. Disinflation does affect the value of money indirectly, since prices are still rising but at a slower rate, so money loses value more slowly; it does not have 'no impact'.
Therefore, only statement 1 is correct.
MES Jr. Grade • 2016 • General Studies
When a light is moving from air to water which of the following phenomenon can occur?
1. Reflection
2. Refraction
3. Total internal reflection
A)
1 and 2 only
B)
2 and 3 only
C)
2 only
D)
All of these
When light travels from air to water, it can undergo: (1) reflection at the boundary and (2) refraction as it enters the denser medium. Total internal reflection cannot occur in this case because it happens only when light travels from a denser medium to a rarer medium and the angle of incidence exceeds the critical angle.
MES Jr. Grade • 2016 • General Studies
When equal quantities of oil, water and mercury are poured into a beaker, the order in which the liquids arrange themselves from bottom to top is
A)
mercury, water, oil
B)
water, mercury, oil
C)
water, oil, mercury
D)
mercury, oil, water
Liquids arrange themselves in a beaker according to density, with the densest at the bottom and the least dense at the top. Mercury is the densest, water is less dense than mercury, and oil is the least dense of the three. So the order from bottom to top is mercury, water, oil. The other options place the liquids in an incorrect density order.
MES Jr. Grade • 2016 • General Studies
How many languages have been recognised by the Constitution of India?
A)
Twenty-two
B)
Seventeen
C)
Sixteen
D)
Fifteen
The Constitution of India recognises 22 languages in the Eighth Schedule. Therefore, the correct answer is Twenty-two. The other options are incorrect because 15, 16, and 17 were earlier counts at different points in history, but not the current constitutional recognition.
MES Jr. Grade • 2016 • General Studies
With the increase in altitude the atmospheric pressure
A)
increases
B)
decreases
C)
first increases then decreases
D)
remains the same
Atmospheric pressure is caused by the weight of the air above a point. As altitude increases, there is less air above, so the weight of the overlying air decreases and atmospheric pressure falls. Therefore, option (b) is correct. Options (a), (c), and (d) are incorrect because pressure does not increase, stay constant, or vary in that pattern with height.
MES Jr. Grade • 2016 • General Studies
Which of the following companies teamed up with NASA to develop software called Onsight, a new technology that will enable scientists to work virtually on Mars?
A)
Apple
B)
Google
C)
Microsoft
D)
IBM
NASA teamed up with Microsoft to develop 'OnSight', a software tool that lets scientists explore and analyze Mars data in a virtual environment. OnSight was built using Microsoft’s HoloLens platform for immersive, mixed-reality collaboration. Hence, the correct answer is Microsoft. The other options do not match this NASA partnership for OnSight.
MES Jr. Grade • 2016 • General Studies
Consider the following statements:
1. Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes are weaker sections according to the Constitution.
2. The Constitution has not defined who the weaker sections of the society are.
3. The Constitution mandates the government to promote the educational and economic interest of the weaker sections of the society.
A)
1 only
B)
1 and 3 only
C)
1 and 2 only
D)
1, 2 and 3
Statement 1 is correct: Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes are generally treated as weaker sections under the Constitution. Statement 2 is also correct: the Constitution does not give a precise definition of 'weaker sections'. Statement 3 is incorrect because Article 46 directs the State to promote the educational and economic interests of the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and other weaker sections, not to define weaker sections in general. Hence, the correct answer is 1 and 2 only.
MES Jr. Grade • 2016 • General Studies
Consider the following statements about 12th Five Year Plan’s goals:
1. Clean all the critically polluted rivers by 2020.
2. Setup an autonomous body named National Environment Assessment and Monitoring Authority for E14, Costal Zone regulations and Marine Fisheries regulations.
A)
1 only
B)
2 only
C)
Both 1 and 2
D)
Neither 1 nor 2
The 12th Five Year Plan did emphasize environmental sustainability, but both statements are incorrect as written.
1) "Clean all the critically polluted rivers by 2020" — This was not stated as a 12th Plan goal in this form. The Plan focused on cleaning polluted rivers and improving water quality, but the specific wording and target given here are inaccurate.
2) "Setup an autonomous body named National Environment Assessment and Monitoring Authority for E14, Costal Zone regulations and Marine Fisheries regulations" — This is also incorrect. The 12th Plan discussed strengthening environmental regulation and assessment, but the body mentioned is not correctly named or described, and the references to "E14" and the listed regulations do not match the official context.
Therefore, neither statement is correct.
MES Jr. Grade • 2016 • General Studies
Which of the following has minimum energy consumption?
A)
Cathode ray tube
B)
Plasma TV
C)
LED TV
D)
LCD TV
Among the given display technologies, LED TVs consume the least energy. Cathode ray tube (CRT) TVs are the most power-hungry, plasma TVs also consume a lot of power, and LCD TVs use less than CRT/plasma but generally more than LED TVs. LED TVs are more energy efficient because they use light-emitting diodes for backlighting, which requires less power.
MES Jr. Grade • 2016 • General Studies
Which among the following gases does not contribute to green house effect?
A)
Methane
B)
Carbon dioxide
C)
Water vapour
D)
Nitrogen dioxide
Greenhouse gases trap outgoing infrared radiation and contribute to the greenhouse effect. Methane, carbon dioxide, and water vapour are all major greenhouse gases. Nitrogen dioxide is not considered a greenhouse gas in this context, so it does not contribute to the greenhouse effect as asked in the question.
MES Jr. Grade • 2016 • General Studies
Who among the following was not a member of the Congress Socialist Party, although he encouraged and blessed its formation?
A)
Achyuta Patwardhan
B)
Jayaprakash Narayanan
C)
Acharya Narendra Dev
D)
Jawaharlal Nehru
The Congress Socialist Party (CSP) was formed in 1934 within the Congress by socialist leaders such as Acharya Narendra Dev, Jayaprakash Narayan, and Achyuta Patwardhan. Jawaharlal Nehru supported socialist ideas and encouraged the formation of the CSP, but he was not a member of it. Hence, the correct answer is Jawaharlal Nehru.
MES Jr. Grade • 2016 • General Studies
Which of the following becomes a part of the Consolidated Fund of India?
1. Capitation Tax
2. Taxes on railway fares and freight charges
3. Taxes on sale and purchase of newspapers and advertisements therein
A)
1 and 2 only
B)
2 and 3 only
C)
3 only
D)
None of these
Under the Constitution, taxes become part of the Consolidated Fund of India only if they are taxes levied by the Union and not specifically assigned otherwise. However: (1) Capitation tax is a State subject (not a Union tax for the Consolidated Fund of India in this context). (2) Taxes on railway fares and freight charges are Union taxes, but the specific tax historically under this wording is not treated as a separate head becoming part of the Consolidated Fund in the way implied here. (3) Taxes on sale and purchase of newspapers and advertisements therein are also not correctly stated as a Union tax for this purpose. Since none of the listed statements correctly identifies the taxes that become part of the Consolidated Fund of India, the correct option is "None of these".
MES Jr. Grade • 2016 • General Studies
To elect the President of India which one of the following election procedures is used?
A)
System of proportional representation by means of a single transferable vote
B)
Proportional representation through list system
C)
Collective voting system
D)
Secondary voting system
The President of India is elected indirectly by an electoral college, and the election follows the system of proportional representation by means of a single transferable vote (STV) with secret ballot. This is provided under Article 55 of the Constitution of India. Option (b) is the list system, used in some proportional representation elections but not for the President. Option (c) is not the constitutional method for this election. Option (d) secondary voting system is also not used for electing the President of India.
MES Jr. Grade • 2016 • General Studies
Which of the following is correct about the Chief Election Commissioner? He holds the office till he attains the age of
A)
62 years
B)
65 years
C)
62 years of age or completes 3 years of service, whichever is earlier
D)
65 years of age or completes 5 years of service, whichever is earlier
The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of India holds office for a term of 6 years or until he attains the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier. Among the given options, this matches option (b). Options (c) and (d) are incorrect because they mention different ages and service limits not applicable to the CEC.
MES Jr. Grade • 2016 • General Studies
Two glass prisms are placed side by side, one placed upright and the other one inverted. A white light is allowed to pass through both prisms. The light coming out of the second prism will be
A)
White light
B)
VIBGYOR with violet light at the top
C)
VIBGYOR with red light at the top
D)
Two sets of VIBGYOR with one over the other
A prism disperses white light into its constituent colours, but the second prism is inverted relative to the first. So the second prism produces an equal and opposite deviation, recombining the colours back into white light. Therefore, the light emerging from the second prism is white light. The other options are incorrect because they describe dispersion, whereas two opposite prisms in sequence cancel the dispersion effect.
MES Jr. Grade • 2016 • General Studies
The Chairman or members of a Public Service Commission is removed by
A)
the President on the resolution of the Parliament
B)
the President on the Report of the Supreme Court
C)
the Governor on the recommendation of the State Legislature
D)
the President on the recommendation of the Council of Ministers
Under Article 317 of the Indian Constitution, the Chairman or a member of a Public Service Commission can be removed by the President only on the grounds and in the manner prescribed. For misbehavior, the removal is based on an address by Parliament supported by a special majority. Therefore, the correct option is (a). Options (b), (c), and (d) do not match the constitutional procedure.
