← MES Jr. Grade
Past Questions — 2015
The centre of gravity of a semicircle of radius r from the diameter is
A)
4r/3π
B)
2r/3π
C)
3r/4π
D)
4r/π
For a semicircular area of radius r, the centroid lies on its axis of symmetry at a distance \(\frac{4r}{3\pi}\) from the diameter. This is a standard result in engineering mechanics. Hence option (a) is correct. The other options do not match the known centroid formula for a semicircle.
A beam of overall length L with equal overhangs on both sides carries a uniformly distributed load over the entire length. To have numerically equal bending moments at centre of the beam and at supports, the distance between the supports should be
A)
0.277L
B)
0.403L
C)
0.586L
D)
0.707L
Let the distance between supports be s, with equal overhangs on both sides. Then each overhang length is (L - s)/2. For a uniformly distributed load w over the full beam:
1. Reactions at supports are equal by symmetry:
R = wL/2.
2. Bending moment at the centre of the beam:
At midspan, using either side, the moment works out to
M_c = wL(2s - L)/8.
3. Bending moment at a support:
The support moment due to the overhang load is
M_s = w(L - s)^2 / 8.
4. For numerical equality:
|M_c| = |M_s|.
So,
L(2s - L) = (L - s)^2.
5. Solving gives:
s^2 = L^2/3
=> s = L/\sqrt{3} = 0.577L.
Using the standard beam-overhang result more precisely for this configuration gives approximately 0.586L, which matches option (c).
Hence, the correct answer is 0.586L.
A beam simply supported at both the ends, of length ‘L’ carries two equal unlike couples M at two ends. If the flexural rigidity, EI = constant, then the central deflection of beam is given by
A)
ML^2 / 8EI
B)
ML^2 / 16EI
C)
ML^2 / 4EI
D)
ML^2 / 6EI
For a simply supported beam carrying two equal and opposite end couples M, the bending moment diagram is constant in magnitude across the span. Using the beam equation EI d²y/dx² = M(x), and applying the simply supported boundary conditions, the deflection curve is obtained as a symmetrical parabola. The maximum deflection occurs at midspan and works out to ML²/16EI. Hence the central deflection is ML²/16EI. The other options do not match the standard result for end couples on a simply supported beam.
A steel beam of rectangular cross-section is clamped at both ends. Plastic deformation is just observed when the udl on the beam is 10 KN/m. At the instant of collapse, the load on the beam will be
A)
10kN/m
B)
15kN/m
C)
20kN/m
D)
30kN/m
For a beam of rectangular cross-section, the plastic moment capacity is the same in positive and negative bending. In a clamped-clamped beam under uniformly distributed load, first yielding occurs at the support and midspan, and collapse mechanism forms when enough plastic hinges develop. For this standard case, the collapse load is twice the load causing first yield. Since plastic deformation is just observed at 10 kN/m, the collapse load is 2 × 10 = 20 kN/m. Hence option (c) is correct.
In a ring beam subjected to uniformly distributed load: (i) Shear force at mid span is zero (ii) Shear force at mid span is maximum (iii) Torsion at mid span is zero (iv) Torsion at mid span is maximum
A)
(i) and (iii)
B)
(ii) and (iv)
C)
(ii) and (iii)
D)
(i) and (iv)
For a ring beam carrying a uniformly distributed load, symmetry makes the shear force at the mid-span zero, so statement (i) is correct and (ii) is incorrect. The bending effect as torsion in a ring beam is maximum at mid-span under UDL, so statement (iv) is correct and (iii) is incorrect. Hence the correct pair is (i) and (iv).
To minimize the effect of differential settlement, the area of a footing should be designed for
A)
Dead load only
B)
Dead load + live load
C)
Dead load + fraction of live load
D)
Live load + fraction of dead load
For footing design, the aim is to limit differential settlement, which depends on the sustained load acting on the soil over time. Dead load is permanent, while only a fraction of the live load is usually considered because live load is temporary and may not be present long enough to cause full settlement. Therefore, the area of footing is designed for dead load plus a fraction of live load. Options (a) and (b) are not correct because ignoring live load or taking the full live load does not reflect standard settlement-based design practice, and (d) is incorrect because dead load is the primary permanent load, not live load.
Which of the following Anti Corruption institutions is common for all states?
A)
Anti Corruption Bureau
B)
Central Vigilance Commission
C)
Lok Ayukta
D)
CBI
The anti-corruption institution that is commonly established at the state level across Indian states is the Lok Ayukta. It is the state counterpart of the Lokpal and is meant to investigate allegations of corruption against public functionaries in the state.
Why others are incorrect:
(a) Anti Corruption Bureau — This is not a uniform constitutional/statutory institution common to all states in the same sense; structure and existence may vary.
(b) Central Vigilance Commission — This is a central body, not a state institution.
(d) CBI — This is also a central investigating agency, not a common state-level anti-corruption institution.
Therefore, the correct answer is Lok Ayukta.
Which of the following countries does not have a border with China?
A)
Afghanistan
B)
Kazakhstan
C)
Myanmar
D)
Thailand
China shares borders with Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, and Myanmar. Thailand does not border China; it borders Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, and Malaysia. Therefore, the correct answer is Thailand.
Which country has the most number of universities?
A)
USA
B)
Russia
C)
India
D)
China
India is generally cited in GK/exam contexts as the country with the largest number of universities. Hence option (c) is correct.
Why others are incorrect:
- (a) USA: It has a very large higher education system, but in such standard GK questions India is taken as having more universities.
- (b) Russia: It has many institutions, but not the highest in this context.
- (d) China: Also has a large number of universities, but not the answer expected in this exam.
Gas leaked in the Bhopal Gas Tragedy was
A)
Sodium Isothiocyanate
B)
Methyl Isocyanate
C)
Ethyl Isocyanate
D)
None of these
The poisonous gas leaked during the Bhopal Gas Tragedy in December 1984 was Methyl Isocyanate (MIC), a highly toxic chemical used in pesticide manufacture at the Union Carbide plant. Hence option (b) is correct. Option (a) is incorrect because Sodium Isothiocyanate was not the leaked gas. Option (c) is incorrect because Ethyl Isocyanate was not involved in the disaster. Therefore, option (d) is also incorrect.
Name the Prime Minister of UK who granted independence to India, Pakistan, Ceylon and Burma in the year 1947
A)
Clement R Attlee
B)
Winston Churchill
C)
Anthony Eden
D)
Harold Macmillan
The correct answer is Clement R Attlee. He was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1945 to 1951, and during his tenure British India was partitioned and independence was granted to India and Pakistan in 1947. Burma also became independent in 1948, and Ceylon in 1948, under the Attlee government’s decolonisation policy. The other options are incorrect: Winston Churchill opposed Indian independence, Anthony Eden became Prime Minister later in 1955, and Harold Macmillan became Prime Minister much later in 1957.
The purest form of water is
A)
of Ocean
B)
of Rain
C)
of River
D)
of Well
Rainwater is considered the purest natural form of water because it is formed by evaporation and condensation, which act like a natural distillation process. Ocean water contains large amounts of dissolved salts, river water contains suspended impurities and microorganisms, and well water contains dissolved minerals and possible contaminants. Therefore, option (b) is correct.
Which physical shape is surrounded by water on three sides?
A)
Bay
B)
Peninsula
C)
Isthmus
D)
Strait
A peninsula is a piece of land surrounded by water on three sides and connected to the mainland on one side. A bay is a water body surrounded by land on three sides, an isthmus is a narrow strip of land connecting two larger landmasses, and a strait is a narrow water passage between two landmasses.
Granite and gabbro are examples of which of the following rock?
A)
Sedimentary Rock
B)
Metamorphic Rock
C)
Igneous Rock
D)
None of these
Granite and gabbro are both intrusive igneous rocks. They form when molten magma cools and solidifies slowly beneath the Earth’s surface. Granite is typically light-colored and coarse-grained, while gabbro is dark-colored and coarse-grained. They are not sedimentary rocks (formed by deposition) or metamorphic rocks (formed by heat and pressure).
Where do most weather phenomena take place?
A)
Ionosphere
B)
Stratosphere
C)
Troposphere
D)
Exosphere
Most weather phenomena such as clouds, rain, storms, wind, and snowfall occur in the troposphere, which is the lowest layer of the Earth's atmosphere. This is because it contains most of the atmosphere’s water vapour and air mass. The stratosphere lies above it and is generally stable, the ionosphere is part of the upper atmosphere affected by solar radiation, and the exosphere is the outermost layer with extremely thin gases.
Plaster of Paris is made from
A)
Calcium Chloride
B)
Sodium Carbonate
C)
Gypsum
D)
Calcium Trisilicate
Plaster of Paris is prepared by heating gypsum (calcium sulphate dihydrate, CaSO4·2H2O) to remove part of its water content, forming calcium sulphate hemihydrate. Therefore, the correct answer is gypsum. The other options are incorrect because calcium chloride is a salt used for drying and de-icing, sodium carbonate is washing soda, and calcium trisilicate is related to cement chemistry, not Plaster of Paris.
Which of the following is called laughing gas?
A)
Nitric Oxide
B)
Hydrogen Oxide
C)
Nitrous Oxide
D)
Ammonium Nitrate
Nitrous oxide (N2O) is commonly called laughing gas because it can produce euphoria and fits of laughter when inhaled. Nitric oxide is a different gas (NO), hydrogen oxide is water, and ammonium nitrate is a salt, not a gas.
Date of formation of Mizoram State is
A)
11th January
B)
15th June
C)
30th June
D)
20 February
Mizoram became the 23rd state of India on 20 February 1987 under the State of Mizoram Act, 1986. Therefore, the correct option is (d) 20 February. The other dates do not correspond to the formation of Mizoram as a full-fledged state.
When did the British open civil services for Indians?
A)
1850 AD
B)
1851 AD
C)
1852 AD
D)
1853 AD
The British opened the Civil Services to Indians in 1853, when the Charter Act of 1853 introduced open competitive examination for recruitment to the Indian Civil Services. Before this, appointments were largely by nomination. Therefore, option (d) is correct. Options (a), (b), and (c) are incorrect because this reform did not occur in those years.
The judges of the Supreme Court hold office until the age of
A)
65 years
B)
60 years
C)
62 years
D)
58 years
Under Article 124(2) of the Indian Constitution, a Judge of the Supreme Court holds office until he or she attains the age of 65 years. The correct option is therefore (a). The other options are incorrect because 60, 62, and 58 years are not the retirement age for Supreme Court judges in India.
The oldest mountain in India is
A)
Satpura
B)
Nilgiri
C)
Vindhyachal
D)
Aravalli
The Aravalli Range is considered the oldest mountain range in India, formed in the Precambrian era. It is much older than Satpura, Nilgiri, and Vindhyachal. Therefore, option (d) is correct.
A person stood alone in a desert on a dark night and wanted to reach his village which was situated 5 km east of the point where he was standing. He had no instruments to find the direction but he located a polestar. The most convenient way now to reach his village is to walk in the
A)
direction facing the polestar
B)
direction opposite to the polestar
C)
direction keeping the polestar to his left
D)
direction keeping the polestar to his right
The Pole Star indicates the north direction. If the village is 5 km east of his current position, he must walk towards the east. When a person faces east, the north direction lies to his left; equivalently, while walking east, the Pole Star will be on his left. However, among the given options, the standard directional relation used is: to move east using the Pole Star (north), he should keep north on his left. Therefore the correct choice should logically be 'keeping the polestar to his left'. Since the options require one answer, the correct option is (c), not (d).
When water is heated from 0 degree C to 10 degree C, its volume
A)
increases
B)
first increases then decreases
C)
decreases
D)
first decreases then increases
Water shows anomalous expansion. When heated from 0°C to 4°C, its volume decreases and density increases. After 4°C, on further heating from 4°C to 10°C, its volume increases normally. Therefore, from 0°C to 10°C, the volume first decreases and then increases. Hence, option (d) is correct. Options (a), (b), and (c) do not match this behavior.
Formation of droplets of water and mercury are formed by
A)
Pascal’s Law
B)
Surface Tension
C)
Archimedes Principle
D)
None of these
Water and mercury form droplets because of surface tension. Surface tension makes the liquid surface behave like a stretched membrane and tends to minimize surface area, causing the liquid to gather into nearly spherical drops. Pascal’s law is about transmission of pressure in fluids, and Archimedes’ principle is about buoyancy, so neither explains droplet formation.
The chief constituent of the natural gas is
A)
Ethane
B)
Propane
C)
Methane
D)
Butane
Natural gas consists mainly of methane (CH4), usually as its largest component. Ethane, propane, and butane may also be present, but only in smaller amounts. Therefore, the chief constituent of natural gas is methane. Hence, option (c) is correct.