← MES Jr. Grade
Past Questions — 2022
Which of the following is the longest canal in the world?
A)
Panama canal
B)
Kiel canal
C)
Suez Canal
D)
Grand canal
The Grand Canal of China is the longest canal in the world. It is far longer than the Panama Canal, Kiel Canal, and Suez Canal. Therefore, option (d) is correct.
Why others are incorrect:
- Panama Canal: important interoceanic canal, but much shorter.
- Kiel Canal: a major canal in Germany, also much shorter.
- Suez Canal: a famous sea-level canal in Egypt, but not the longest.
Which one of the following is the largest linguistic group of India?
A)
Indo-Aryan
B)
Sino-Tibetan
C)
Dravidian
D)
Mongolian
India is a linguistically diverse country with several language families. The distribution is as follows: 1. Indo-Aryan: This is the largest group, spoken by approximately 74% of the Indian population. It includes languages such as Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Gujarati, and Punjabi. 2. Dravidian: This is the second-largest group, spoken primarily in Southern India (e.g., Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam), accounting for about 24% of the population. 3. Austroasiatic and Sino-Tibetan: These groups are spoken by a much smaller percentage of the population, primarily in tribal areas and the Northeastern states. Therefore, the Indo-Aryan group is the largest linguistic group in India.
Balikatan 2022 is a big military drill of the US army with the army of :
A)
South Korea
B)
Japan
C)
Australia
D)
Philippines
Balikatan is the long-running annual joint military exercise conducted by the United States and the Philippines. Therefore, Balikatan 2022 refers to the major US-Philippines military drill. The other options are incorrect because the US conducts different named exercises with South Korea, Japan, and Australia.
Inventor of ATM machines-
A)
Roger Bacon
B)
Giovani Batista
C)
AH Taylor
D)
Shepherd- Barron
The Automated Teller Machine (ATM) is widely credited to John Shepherd-Barron, who developed the idea of a cash-dispensing machine for banks in the 1960s. Therefore, option (d) is correct.
Why others are incorrect:
- (a) Roger Bacon was a medieval philosopher and scientist, not related to ATM invention.
- (b) Giovani Batista is not associated with the invention of ATM machines.
- (c) A.H. Taylor was known for work in radar/electronics, not ATM invention.
Which one of the following institution was replaced by NITI-Aayog?
A)
National Development Council
B)
Planning Commission
C)
Finance Commission
D)
National Commission for Central Budgetting
The NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India) was established by the Government of India on January 1, 2015, to replace the Planning Commission. While the Planning Commission followed a 'top-down' approach to planning (where the center decided the plans for states), NITI Aayog is designed as a 'think tank' that promotes 'cooperative federalism' through a 'bottom-up' approach, involving state governments more actively in the policy-making process.
Why other options are incorrect:
- a. National Development Council (NDC): While the NDC was closely linked to the Planning Commission, it was not replaced by NITI Aayog in the same structural capacity; it was a body for coordinating plans.
- c. Finance Commission: This is a constitutional body (established under Article 280 of the Indian Constitution) that recommends the distribution of financial resources between the Union and the States. It continues to exist independently.
- d. National Commission for Central Budgetting: This is not a standard primary institution replaced by NITI Aayog; budgeting is primarily handled by the Ministry of Finance.
‘Diet’ is the name of the Parliament of which country?
A)
Russia
B)
Argentina
C)
Japan
D)
Turkey
The national parliament of Japan is called the National Diet. Therefore, the correct answer is Japan.
Why others are incorrect:
- Russia: Its parliament is called the Federal Assembly.
- Argentina: Its parliament is called the National Congress.
- Turkey: Its legislature is the Grand National Assembly of Turkey.
Russian invasion of Ukraine marks the first use of which of the following type of weapons in combat warfare?
A)
Inter-continental Ballistic Missile
B)
Hypersonic missile
C)
Submarine-launched Ballistic Missile
D)
Cruise Missile
During the Russia-Ukraine war, Russia claimed to have used the Kinzhal hypersonic missile in combat in March 2022. This was widely reported as the first combat use of a hypersonic missile.
Why others are incorrect:
(a) Inter-continental Ballistic Missile: ICBMs are strategic nuclear delivery systems and were not used in this conflict.
(c) Submarine-launched Ballistic Missile: SLBMs have existed and been deployed for decades, but were not first used here.
(d) Cruise Missile: Cruise missiles have been used in warfare long before the Ukraine conflict.
Hence, the correct answer is Hypersonic missile.
In the human body,red blood cells are produced in :
A)
Liver
B)
Bone marrow
C)
Brain
D)
Pancreas
Red blood cells (RBCs) in humans are produced by a process called erythropoiesis, which occurs mainly in the red bone marrow of bones such as the sternum, ribs, vertebrae, and pelvis. Hence, bone marrow is the correct answer. Liver produces RBCs mainly during fetal life, not normally in adults. Brain and pancreas do not produce red blood cells.
What is the full form of SDRs?
A)
Software Define Radio
B)
Simple Divide Rules
C)
Sub-Divisional Registrars
D)
Special Drawing Rights
SDRs in economics stands for Special Drawing Rights. It is an international reserve asset created by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to supplement the official reserves of member countries. The other options are unrelated to economics: (a) Software Define Radio is a technology term, (b) Simple Divide Rules is not a standard economic term, and (c) Sub-Divisional Registrars is an administrative designation.
When did Russia invaded Ukraine?
A)
21st February 2022
B)
22nd February 2022
C)
23rd February 2022
D)
24th February 2022
Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022. Therefore option (d) is correct. The other dates are incorrect because they were immediately before the invasion; although Russia recognized the separatist regions on 21 February 2022 and tensions escalated afterward, the actual invasion began on 24 February 2022.
Writer of the famous book, “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings”.
A)
Maya Angelou
B)
JK Rowlings
C)
Joyce Meyers
D)
Arundhati Roy
“I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” is the famous autobiographical work of Maya Angelou, first published in 1969. The other options are incorrect: J.K. Rowling wrote the Harry Potter series, Joyce Meyer is known for Christian self-help books, and Arundhati Roy wrote works such as “The God of Small Things.”
According to the United Nations criteria, a mega city is a city whose population is at least :
A)
One million
B)
Ten million
C)
Twelve million
D)
Fifty million
According to the United Nations (UN) Department of Economic and Social Affairs, a 'megacity' is defined as a metropolitan area with a total population of 10 million people or more.
Analysis of options:
- Option (a) One million: This is generally the threshold used to define a 'large city' or a 'million-plus city', but it is far below the megacity threshold.
- Option (b) Ten million: This is the official UN standard for classifying a city as a megacity.
- Option (c) Twelve million: This is not a standard international benchmark for city classification.
- Option (d) Fifty million: This exceeds the threshold for a megacity; cities of this scale are extremely rare and would fall into the category of 'megalopolises' or massive urban agglomerations, but the entry threshold remains 10 million.
Charles Babbage is popularly known as the father of :
A)
Mathematics
B)
Engineering
C)
Computing
D)
English Literature
Charles Babbage is popularly known as the 'Father of Computing' because he designed early mechanical calculating machines such as the Difference Engine and the Analytical Engine, which laid the foundation for modern computers. Hence, option (c) is correct. The other options are incorrect because Babbage is not chiefly known as the father of Mathematics, Engineering, or English Literature.
In 2021, Kaja Kallas has become the first female prime minister of
A)
Ethiopia
B)
Estonia
C)
Nigeria
D)
Malaysia
Kaja Kallas became the first female Prime Minister of Estonia in January 2021. Therefore, the correct option is (b) Estonia. The other options are incorrect because Kaja Kallas is an Estonian politician and has no such role in Ethiopia, Nigeria, or Malaysia.
Winner of ‘Asian Bank of the Year’ at IFR Asia Awards 2021 :
A)
ICICI Bank
B)
Yes Bank
C)
Axis Bank
D)
HDFC Bank
At the IFR Asia Awards 2021, HDFC Bank was named the ‘Asian Bank of the Year’. Therefore, option (d) is correct. The other options—ICICI Bank, Yes Bank, and Axis Bank—did not receive this specific award.
The Nobel Peace Prize is awarded in which city?
A)
Geneva
B)
Oslo
C)
Brussels
D)
Stockholm
The Nobel Peace Prize is awarded in Oslo, Norway. Alfred Nobel specified that while most Nobel Prizes are awarded in Stockholm, Sweden, the Peace Prize should be awarded by a committee appointed by the Norwegian Parliament in Oslo. Therefore, option (b) is correct. Geneva and Brussels are not Nobel Prize award cities, and Stockholm is used for the other Nobel Prizes, not the Peace Prize.
An instrument used for measuring depth of an ocean is called
A)
Hydrometer
B)
Hygrometer
C)
Galvanometer
D)
Fathometer
A fathometer is an instrument used to measure the depth of water bodies such as oceans and seas, usually by echo sounding. Hence option (d) is correct. A hydrometer measures specific gravity of liquids, a hygrometer measures humidity, and a galvanometer detects/measures small electric currents.
Pulitzer prize is awarded for outstanding work in the field of :
A)
Science and Technology
B)
International Understanding
C)
Literature and Journalism
D)
Environmental Studies
The Pulitzer Prize is a prestigious American award primarily given for excellence in journalism, literature, and musical composition. Therefore, the correct answer is Literature and Journalism. The other options are incorrect because the Pulitzer is not mainly awarded for science and technology, international understanding, or environmental studies.
In India, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) which is a specialized investigation agency works under which union ministry?
A)
Ministry of Defence
B)
Ministry of External Affairs
C)
Ministry of Finance
D)
Ministry of Public Personnel
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is a specialized financial investigation agency under the Department of Revenue, which functions under the Union Ministry of Finance. It investigates offences related to money laundering and foreign exchange violations. इसलिए the correct answer is (c) Ministry of Finance. The other options are incorrect because ED does not function under the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of External Affairs, or Ministry of Public Personnel.
What is the Most important Kharif crops in India?
A)
Wheat
B)
Rice
C)
Maize
D)
Barley
Kharif crops are sown with the onset of the monsoon and harvested after the rainy season. Rice is the most important Kharif crop in India because it requires high temperature, abundant rainfall, and standing water conditions that match the monsoon season. Wheat and barley are mainly Rabi crops grown in winter, so options (a) and (d) are incorrect. Maize is also a Kharif crop in many areas, but it is not the most important one compared to rice.
In the recently concluded 64th Annual Grammy Awards, Jon Batiste won 5 Grammys including Album of the year called :
A)
Sour
B)
We are
C)
Planet Her
D)
Back of My Mind
At the 64th Annual Grammy Awards (2022), Jon Batiste won Album of the Year for "We Are" and received a total of 5 Grammy awards. Hence, option (b) is correct.
Why others are incorrect:
(a) "Sour" is Olivia Rodrigo's album.
(c) "Planet Her" is Doja Cat's album.
(d) "Back of My Mind" is H.E.R.'s album.
The number of religious communities classified as Minorities by the Government of India as of March, 2022 is :
A)
Five
B)
Six
C)
Seven
D)
Eight
As of March 2022, the Government of India had notified 6 religious communities as minorities under the National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992. These are: Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Parsis (Zoroastrians), and Jains. Therefore, the correct answer is Six. The other options are incorrect because the officially notified number was neither 5, 7, nor 8.
The first Indian state to implement the National e-Vidhan Application program to become paperless is:
A)
Kerala
B)
Tripura
C)
Meghalaya
D)
Nagaland
Nagaland was the first state in India to successfully implement the National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA) and make its Legislative Assembly function paperless. NeVA is a digital initiative under the Digital India programme to modernize and digitize legislative functioning. Therefore, option (d) Nagaland is correct. The other states listed were not the first to implement NeVA.
A light-year is a measurement of :
A)
Speed
B)
Time
C)
Distance
D)
Age
A light-year is defined as the distance that light travels in a vacuum in one Julian year (365.25 days). Since the speed of light is a constant (approximately 299,792,458 meters per second), multiplying this speed by the number of seconds in a year gives a measure of length/distance, which is approximately 9.46 trillion kilometers.
Why other options are incorrect:
- a. Speed: Speed is measured in units like meters per second (m/s) or kilometers per hour (km/h). Light-year is a result of speed multiplied by time, not speed itself.
- b. Time: Despite having the word 'year' in its name, a light-year does not measure duration. Time is measured in seconds, hours, or years.
- d. Age: Age is a measurement of time elapsed since an event, typically measured in years, not in distance.
What is the agency responsible for publishing National income in India?
A)
National Sample Survey
B)
SEBI
C)
Central Statistics Organisation
D)
TRAI
The agency traditionally responsible for compiling and publishing National Income estimates in India is the Central Statistics Organisation (CSO), under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. Therefore, option (c) is correct.
Why others are incorrect:
- (a) National Sample Survey: conducts large-scale surveys, but does not publish national income estimates as the main authority.
- (b) SEBI: regulates the securities market.
- (d) TRAI: regulates telecommunications in India.