← MES Jr. Grade
Past Questions
The oldest oil refinery in India is at –
A)
Digboi, Assam
B)
Haldia, near Kolkata
C)
Koyali, near Baroda
D)
Noonmati, Assam
Digboi, Assam is the oldest oil refinery in India; it is historically known as the site of India’s first oil well and refinery operations. The other options are incorrect because Haldia (West Bengal), Koyali (near Vadodara, Gujarat), and Noonmati/Numaligarh area in Assam are much newer refineries established later in independent India.
Which politician in India was recently honoured by Bill-Melinda Gates Foundation with the ‘Global Goalkeeper Award’?
A)
Sonia Gandhi
B)
Amit Shah
C)
Narendra Modi
D)
Mamata Bannerjee
Narendra Modi is the correct answer. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s Global Goalkeeper Award was conferred on India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi in recognition of his leadership in advancing sanitation and the Swachh Bharat Mission. Mamata Banerjee, Amit Shah, and Sonia Gandhi were not recipients of this award, so options d, b, and a are incorrect.
The most Olympic gold medals won by a male athlete is 23, and is achieved by –
A)
Michael Phelps
B)
Ian Thorpe
C)
Usain Bolt
D)
Asafa Powell
Michael Phelps is the male athlete with the most Olympic gold medals, having won 23 golds. Ian Thorpe won far fewer Olympic gold medals, and Usain Bolt and Asafa Powell are track athletes who did not reach 23 Olympic golds; Bolt won 8 Olympic gold medals, while Powell did not win Olympic gold medals at that level. Therefore, the correct answer is Michael Phelps.
The concept of welfare state finds elaboration in the:
A)
Directive Principles of State Policy
B)
Preamble
C)
Fundamental Rights
D)
Fundamental Duties
The concept of a welfare state is elaborated in the Directive Principles of State Policy (Part IV of the Indian Constitution). These principles direct the State to promote social and economic justice, reduce inequalities, and secure the welfare of the people, which is the essence of a welfare state. The Preamble only states the broad ideals of justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity; it does not elaborate the welfare-state concept in operational terms. Fundamental Rights mainly guarantee individual liberties and legal protections, while Fundamental Duties impose obligations on citizens, not the State. Hence, the correct option is Directive Principles of State Policy.
Two bulbs marked 100 watt and 200 watt are joined in series to 230V power supply. Which one of the bulb would be brighter?
A)
100 watt
B)
200 watt
C)
Both would be equally bright
D)
It can not be determined
For bulbs rated at the same voltage, resistance R = V^2/P. So the 100 W bulb has higher resistance than the 200 W bulb. In series, the same current flows through both bulbs, and power dissipated is P = I^2R. Therefore the bulb with higher resistance dissipates more power and glows brighter. Hence the 100 W bulb will be brighter.
Why others are wrong: (b) 200 W bulb has lower resistance, so it dissipates less power in series. (c) They will not be equally bright because their resistances are different. (d) It can be determined using the resistance-power relation.
In India Martyr’s Day is observed on:
A)
January 15
B)
January 30
C)
February 7
D)
February 14
Martyr’s Day in India is observed on January 30, the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, who was assassinated on this day in 1948. Hence option b is correct. The other dates are incorrect: February 14 is observed as Pulwama Martyrs’ Day in India, January 15 is not Martyr’s Day, and February 7 is also not the nationally observed Martyr’s Day.
Which of the following best describes ‘Subsidy’?
A)
Payment by government for purchase of goods and services
B)
Payment made by business enterprises to factors of production
C)
Payment made by companies to shareholders
D)
Payment made by the government to business enterprises, without buying any goods and services
A subsidy is financial assistance given by the government to producers or business enterprises to encourage production, reduce costs, or support a sector, and it is not a payment made in exchange for goods or services. Hence, option (d) is correct.
Option (a) is incorrect because payment by government for purchase of goods and services is government expenditure, not a subsidy. Option (b) is incorrect because payments by business enterprises to factors of production are factor payments such as wages, rent, interest, and profit. Option (c) is incorrect because payments made by companies to shareholders are dividends, not subsidies.
From where did Subhash Chandra Bose inaugurate the Government of Free India?
A)
Singapore
B)
Tokyo
C)
Berlin
D)
Rangoon
Subhash Chandra Bose inaugurated the Provisional Government of Free India (Azad Hind Government) in Singapore on 21 October 1943. Singapore was the center from which he formally announced and launched this government. Berlin is associated with Bose’s earlier Free India Centre activities in Europe, Tokyo was a wartime ally city but not the inauguration site, and Rangoon was important to the INA’s operations in Burma, not the place where the government was inaugurated.
Southernmost tip of the territory of India is:
A)
Kanniyakumari
B)
Rameshwaram
C)
Indira Point
D)
Kavaratti
Indira Point is the southernmost tip of the territory of India, located in the Nicobar Islands (Great Nicobar). It is the southernmost point of Indian territory, though not of the Indian mainland. Kanniyakumari is the southernmost tip of the Indian mainland, not the entire territory. Rameshwaram is an island town in Tamil Nadu, and Kavaratti is the capital of Lakshadweep; neither is the southernmost point.
The atmospheric layer that reflects radio waves to earth is called:
A)
The Ionosphere
B)
The Stratosphere
C)
The Mesosphere
D)
The Thermosphere
The correct answer is **a: The Ionosphere**. The ionosphere contains a high concentration of ions and free electrons, which can reflect or refract radio waves back toward Earth, enabling long-distance radio communication.
Why the others are incorrect:
- **b: The Stratosphere** — this layer is mainly known for containing the ozone layer; it does not reflect radio waves.
- **c: The Mesosphere** — this layer is too low in ionization to reflect radio waves effectively.
- **d: The Thermosphere** — although it overlaps with the ionosphere in altitude, the radio-wave reflection property is specifically attributed to the **ionized region**, i.e., the ionosphere.
A and B are two heavy steel blocks. If B is placed on the top of A, the weight increases by 60%. How much would be the reduction of weight with respect to the total weight of A and B, if B is removed from the top of A?
A)
60%
B)
45.5%
C)
40%
D)
37.5%
Let the weight of block A be W. If placing B on top of A increases the weight by 60%, then the weight of B is 60% of A, i.e. B = 0.6W. So the total weight of A and B together is W + 0.6W = 1.6W. If B is removed, the reduction in weight is just B = 0.6W. Therefore, the reduction as a percentage of the total weight (A+B) is (0.6W / 1.6W) × 100 = 37.5%. Hence, option d is correct.
Why others are incorrect: 60% is the increase relative to A, not the reduction relative to the combined weight. 40% and 45.5% do not match the correct ratio 0.6/1.6 = 3/8 = 37.5%.
The first state in India which has passed a resolution demanding rollback of CAA is?
A)
Assam
B)
Meghalaya
C)
Delhi
D)
Kerala
Kerala was the first state in India to pass a resolution demanding the rollback of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). The Kerala Legislative Assembly adopted this resolution in December 2019, making option d correct. Assam, Delhi, and Meghalaya are incorrect because they did not pass the first such resolution demanding rollback of the CAA.
Which among the following countries do not have a Constitution in the formal sense?
A)
United States
B)
Ireland
C)
United Kingdom
D)
Russia
The correct answer is **United Kingdom**. The UK does not have a single written, codified Constitution in the formal sense; instead, its constitutional framework is based on statutes, conventions, judicial decisions, and historical documents, so it is often called an uncodified or unwritten constitution.
Why the others are incorrect:
- **United States**: Has a formal, written Constitution adopted in 1787.
- **Ireland**: Has a formal written Constitution (Bunreacht na hÉireann, 1937).
- **Russia**: Has a formal written Constitution (current Constitution adopted in 1993).
Therefore, the country that does not have a Constitution in the formal sense is **United Kingdom**.
Gasoline is obtained from crude petroleum by:
A)
Fractional distillation
B)
Fractional crystallization
C)
Sublimation
D)
Evaporation
Gasoline is separated from crude petroleum by fractional distillation, which works because the different hydrocarbons in crude oil have different boiling points. The crude oil is heated and its vapors are separated in a fractionating column; gasoline condenses in the appropriate temperature range. Evaporation is not a separation method used to obtain gasoline from crude oil, fractional crystallization is used for separating solids based on crystallization behavior, and sublimation applies to substances that change directly from solid to vapor, which is not relevant here.
Abide by the Constitution and respect its ideal and institutions, the National Flag and the National Anthem is the:
A)
Fundamental Duty
B)
Fundamental Right
C)
Directive Principles of State Policy
D)
Ordinary Right
The statement "Abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals and institutions, the National Flag and the National Anthem" is listed in Article 51A of the Indian Constitution, which contains the Fundamental Duties of citizens. Therefore, the correct option is (a) Fundamental Duty.
Why the others are incorrect: (b) Fundamental Right refers to rights guaranteed to citizens, not duties. (c) Directive Principles of State Policy are guidelines for the State, not citizen obligations. (d) Ordinary Right is not a constitutional category for this provision.
Recently, Oleksiy Honcharuk gave his resignation. He was the Prime Minister of which of the following countries?
A)
Syria
B)
Egypt
C)
Ukraine
D)
Poland
Oleksiy Honcharuk was the Prime Minister of Ukraine; he resigned in 2020. Therefore, the correct option is c) Ukraine. The other options are incorrect because Honcharuk was not the prime minister of Egypt, Syria, or Poland.
In which battle was the English finally defeat the French in India?
A)
Wandiwash
B)
St. Thome
C)
Jinji
D)
Arcot
The correct answer is **Wandiwash**. The decisive **Battle of Wandiwash (1760)** in the Third Carnatic War marked the final defeat of the French by the English in India, ending French hopes of establishing political supremacy in the subcontinent.
Why the others are incorrect: **St. Thome** was an earlier conflict near Madras and did not decide the Anglo-French struggle in India; **Jinji** was a fort/campaign location, not the battle that finally defeated the French; **Arcot** is associated with the famous defense by Robert Clive, but it was not the final निर्णायक battle against the French.
The central banking functions in India are performed by the i) Central Bank of India ii) Reserve Bank of India iii) State Bank of India iv) Punjab National Bank
A)
i) only
B)
ii) only
C)
i) and ii)
D)
ii) and iii)
The central banking functions in India are performed by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), which is the country's central bank. It issues currency, regulates the banking system, manages monetary policy, and acts as banker to the government and banks. Therefore, option ii) only is correct.
Why the others are incorrect:
- i) Central Bank of India is a commercial bank, not the central bank of the country.
- iii) State Bank of India is a public sector commercial bank, not the central bank.
- iv) Punjab National Bank is also a commercial bank, not a central bank.
Hence, the correct answer is b) ii) only.
Find the missing letters in the following series: SCD, TEF, UGH, _____, WKL
A)
CMN
B)
UJI
C)
VIJ
D)
IJT
The pattern is based on shifting each letter forward by one position in the alphabet across each term:
- SCD → TEF
- S→T (+1), C→E (+2), D→F (+2)
- TEF → UGH
- T→U (+1), E→G (+2), F→H (+2)
So the next term should continue the same pattern:
- UGH → VIJ
- U→V (+1), G→I (+2), H→J (+2)
Then VIJ → WKL also fits:
- V→W (+1), I→K (+2), J→L (+2)
Therefore, the missing letters are VIJ, which is option b.
Why the others are incorrect:
- a (CMN): does not follow the forward alphabetical progression.
- c (UJI): the letters are not in the required shifted order.
- d (IJT): also does not match the consistent +1, +2, +2 pattern.
The first Mizo recipient of Padma Bhushan, the third highest Civilian Award in India is
A)
RL Thanmawia
B)
A Sawihlira
C)
Capt. LZ Sailo
D)
Lalzuia Colney
Capt. LZ Sailo is the first Mizo recipient of the Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian award. He is widely recognized for this distinction in Mizoram’s public and historical records. The other options are incorrect because A Sawihlira, RL Thanmawia, and Lalzuia Colney are not known as the first Mizo awardee of the Padma Bhushan.
Mizo Academy of Letters ‘Book of the Year for 2022’ is
A)
Hnam ropuite u tho ru le
B)
Enge i zawn
C)
Hringnun hrual hrui
D)
Daidanna bang phena thuruk
The Mizo Academy of Letters’ ‘Book of the Year for 2022’ is **Hringnun hrual hrui**, so option **(c)** is correct. The other options are not the 2022 award-winning title: **(a) Hnam ropuite u tho ru le**, **(b) Enge i zawn**, and **(d) Daidanna bang phena thuruk** are different Mizo book titles and were not selected as the Academy’s Book of the Year for 2022.
Which article of the Indian constitution contains Right to Education (RTE)?
A)
Article 20 A
B)
Article 21 A
C)
Article 14
D)
Article 17
Article 21A of the Indian Constitution guarantees the Right to Education (RTE) for children aged 6 to 14 years. It was inserted by the 86th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2002. Option (a) is incorrect because Article 20A does not exist in the Constitution. Option (c), Article 14, guarantees equality before the law, not education. Option (d), Article 17, abolishes untouchability, so it is unrelated to the Right to Education.
A moderator is used in nuclear reactors in order to
A)
decrease the number of neutrons
B)
increase the number of neutrons
C)
speed up the neutrons
D)
slow down the speed of neutrons
A moderator in a nuclear reactor is used to slow down fast neutrons to thermal energies. Slow (thermal) neutrons are much more likely to cause fission in fuels like U-235, so moderation helps sustain the chain reaction efficiently. Option c is incorrect because a moderator does not speed up neutrons; it reduces their speed. Option a is incorrect because the moderator does not primarily decrease the number of neutrons, it reduces their kinetic energy. Option b is incorrect because it does not increase neutron number; that is the role of neutron-producing fission, not the moderator.
Which one of the following is disease is caused by bacteria?
A)
Hepatitis- B
B)
Poliomyelitis
C)
Scabies
D)
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, so option d is correct. Poliomyelitis is caused by a virus (poliovirus), hepatitis B is caused by the hepatitis B virus, and scabies is caused by an infestation of the mite Sarcoptes scabiei, not bacteria.
How many women councilors are elected in the Lunglei Municipal Election (LMC) held on 29th March 2023?
A)
Three
B)
Four
C)
Five
D)
Six
The correct answer is Four. In the Lunglei Municipal Election (LMC) held on 29 March 2023, four women councilors were elected. Therefore, option b is correct. The other options are incorrect because the number reported for elected women councilors was not three, five, or six.