← MES Jr. Grade
Past Questions — 2022
The Union parliament has recently passed a bill to merge three municipal corporations of which city into a single entity?
A)
Chandigarh
B)
Mumbai
C)
Chennai
D)
Delhi
The bill referred to is the Delhi Municipal Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2022, passed by Parliament to reunify the three municipal corporations of Delhi—North Delhi, South Delhi, and East Delhi—into a single Municipal Corporation of Delhi. Hence, the correct answer is Delhi. The other options are incorrect because no such recent merger of three municipal corporations was carried out for Chandigarh, Mumbai, or Chennai.
Who was popularly known as the Lady with the Lamp?
A)
Mother Teresa
B)
Queen Elizabeth
C)
Mona Lisa
D)
Florence Nightingale
Florence Nightingale (1820–1910) was a British nurse and social reformer who is widely considered the founder of modern nursing. She earned the nickname 'The Lady with the Lamp' because of her habit of making rounds at night to check on wounded soldiers during the Crimean War (1853–1856), carrying a lamp to light her way through the dark corridors of the military hospitals.
Analysis of other options:
- Mother Teresa: Known for her humanitarian work in Kolkata, India, and her service to the 'poorest of the poor,' but not known by this specific title.
- Queen Elizabeth: A monarch of the United Kingdom; not associated with nursing or this nickname.
- Mona Lisa: The subject of a famous portrait painted by Leonardo da Vinci, not a historical person known for nursing.
Which of the following is known as the defense mechanism of human body against foreign organism?
A)
Lymph
B)
Platelets
C)
Leukocytes
D)
Erythrocytes
The defense mechanism of the human body against foreign organisms (such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi) is primarily managed by the immune system, specifically the white blood cells.
1. **Leukocytes (White Blood Cells):** These are the primary cells of the immune system. They identify, attack, and destroy pathogens through various mechanisms such as phagocytosis (engulfing the pathogen) and the production of antibodies. Therefore, they are the correct answer.
2. **Lymph:** While lymph is a fluid that transports leukocytes and filters pathogens through lymph nodes, it is the medium/system rather than the specific cellular 'mechanism' or agent that performs the defense.
3. **Platelets (Thrombocytes):** These are cell fragments responsible for blood clotting (hemostasis) to prevent blood loss after an injury; they do not fight foreign organisms.
4. **Erythrocytes (Red Blood Cells):** These cells contain hemoglobin and are specialized for the transport of oxygen from the lungs to the body tissues; they have no role in the immune defense mechanism.
For the second term, Pushkar Singh Dhami took oath as the chief minister of :
A)
Manipur
B)
Uttarakhand
C)
Goa
D)
Madhya Pradesh
Pushkar Singh Dhami is a prominent politician from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He first took oath as the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand on March 18, 2021, following the resignation of Tirath Singh Rawat. After the BJP won the 2022 Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly elections, he was appointed as the leader of the party and took the oath for his second term as the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand on May 20, 2022.
Analysis of other options:
- Manipur: The Chief Minister is N. Biren Singh.
- Goa: The Chief Minister is Pramod Sawant.
- Madhya Pradesh: The Chief Minister is Mohan Yadav (previously Shivraj Singh Chouhan during the 2022 period).
Which of the following famous fiction novel was authored by Kristin Hannah in the year 2021?
A)
Malibu Rising
B)
People we meet on vacation
C)
The Lincoln Highway
D)
The Four Winds
Kristin Hannah is the author of the 2021 historical fiction novel The Four Winds. The other options were written by different authors: Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid, People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry, and The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles. Therefore, option (d) is correct.
The fore-runner of Non-Aligned Movement was?
A)
Cairo Conference
B)
Wanchoo Conference
C)
Atlanta Conference
D)
Bandung Conference
The Bandung Conference (Asian-African Conference) held in 1955 in Indonesia is regarded as the forerunner of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). It brought together newly independent Asian and African countries and promoted anti-colonialism, peaceful coexistence, and cooperation outside the major Cold War blocs. NAM was formally established later in 1961 at Belgrade.
Why others are incorrect: (a) Cairo Conference was important in Afro-Asian and Arab politics but not the recognized forerunner of NAM; (b) Wanchoo Conference is not related to the origin of NAM; (c) Atlanta Conference is unrelated to the Non-Aligned Movement.
Winner of men’s Ballon d’Or award 2021.
A)
Christiano Ronaldo
B)
Robert Lewandowski
C)
Lionel Messi
D)
Neymar Jr.
The men’s Ballon d’Or 2021 was won by Lionel Messi. He received the award for a record seventh time in 2021. Therefore, option (c) is correct. The other options are incorrect because Cristiano Ronaldo, Robert Lewandowski, and Neymar Jr. did not win the 2021 men’s Ballon d’Or.
Ministry of Labour & Employment, Government of India has recently changed the base year for Wage Rate Index (WRI) from 1963-65 to :
A)
2011
B)
2014
C)
2016
D)
2020
The Ministry of Labour & Employment revised the base year of the Wage Rate Index (WRI) from 1963–65 to 2016. This was done to make the index more representative of current wage patterns and labour market conditions. Therefore, option (c) is correct.
Why others are incorrect:
- (a) 2011: This is not the revised base year for WRI.
- (b) 2014: Not the officially adopted base year.
- (d) 2020: Too recent and not the notified revision year.
The first country to approve the commercial production of genetically modified golden rice.
A)
Cambodia
B)
Bangladesh
C)
Philippines
D)
Vietnam
The Philippines became the first country to approve the commercial production of genetically modified Golden Rice in 2021. Golden Rice is genetically engineered to produce beta-carotene, a precursor of vitamin A, to help address vitamin A deficiency.
Why others are incorrect:
- Cambodia: No such first approval for Golden Rice commercial production.
- Bangladesh: It approved cultivation of Bt brinjal, but not the first commercial production of Golden Rice.
- Vietnam: Not the first country to approve Golden Rice commercial production.
India is regarded as a country with “Demographic Dividend”. This is due to :
A)
its high population in the age group below 15 years
B)
its high population in the age group of 15-64 years
C)
its high population in the age group above 65 years
D)
its high total population
Demographic dividend means the economic growth potential that arises when a country has a larger proportion of working-age population compared to dependents. In India, this dividend is mainly due to the large share of people in the 15-64 years age group, who form the productive labour force. Option (a) refers to dependent children, not the working population. Option (c) refers to the elderly dependent population. Option (d) is incorrect because demographic dividend depends on age structure, not just total population size.
Ways and means advances is a mechanism used by Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to provide funds/ loans to :
A)
Central government
B)
Foreign governments
C)
State governments
D)
Banks
Ways and Means Advances (WMA) is a facility provided by the Reserve Bank of India to help governments manage temporary mismatches in receipts and payments. In standard Indian GK and banking MCQs, this mechanism is identified with loans/advances given to State Governments. Hence option (c) is correct.
Why others are incorrect:
(a) Central government also has cash management arrangements with RBI, but in such one-answer MCQs, WMA is commonly referred to in relation to State Governments.
(b) Foreign governments are not covered under RBI’s WMA mechanism.
(d) Banks receive liquidity through other RBI instruments such as repo, reverse repo, MSF, etc., not WMA.
A nuclear reactor harnesses nuclear energy by?
A)
Nuclear Fusion
B)
Controlled chain reaction
C)
Spontaneous Fission
D)
Uncontrolled chain reaction
A nuclear reactor produces usable energy through a controlled chain reaction of nuclear fission. In this process, neutrons split heavy nuclei like uranium-235, releasing heat and more neutrons. The reaction is carefully regulated using control rods so that it does not become too fast.
Why others are incorrect: (a) Nuclear fusion is the process that powers the Sun, not ordinary nuclear reactors. (c) Spontaneous fission occurs naturally in some nuclei but is not the main controlled process used in reactors. (d) Uncontrolled chain reaction leads to an explosion, not safe power generation.
Which vitamin is popularly called as ‘Sunshine vitamin’?
A)
Vitamin A
B)
Vitamin B12
C)
Vitamin B
D)
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is popularly known as the 'Sunshine Vitamin' because the human body can synthesize it internally when the skin is exposed to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation from sunlight. Specifically, 7-dehydrocholesterol in the skin is converted to cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3) upon exposure to UV rays.
Analysis of other options:
- Vitamin A: A fat-soluble vitamin essential for vision and immune function, primarily obtained from diet (e.g., carrots, liver).
- Vitamin B12: A water-soluble vitamin essential for nerve tissue health and brain function, primarily found in animal products.
- Vitamin B: This is a complex of several vitamins (B1, B2, B3, etc.) involved in cell metabolism; none are synthesized via sunlight.
Which of the following blood group is called Universal Donor?
A)
A+
B)
B+
C)
AB
D)
O
The classification of blood groups is based on the presence or absence of specific antigens (proteins) on the surface of red blood cells.
1. **Blood Group O**: Red blood cells of group O lack both A and B antigens. Because there are no antigens for the recipient's immune system to attack, blood group O (specifically O negative) can be donated to individuals of any other blood group without causing an adverse immune reaction. Therefore, it is called the 'Universal Donor'.
2. **Blood Group AB**: Red blood cells of group AB have both A and B antigens, but the plasma lacks anti-A and anti-B antibodies. This allows individuals with group AB to receive blood from any other group, making them the 'Universal Recipient'.
3. **Blood Groups A and B**: These groups have either A antigens or B antigens, meaning they can only donate to those who are compatible with those specific antigens.
In the context of the given options, 'O' is the correct answer.
The 9th edition of the Joint Military Exercise ‘LAMITIYE-2022’ was held on March between the Indian Army and the :
A)
Maldives
B)
Mauritius
C)
Philippines
D)
Seychelles
Exercise LAMITIYE is a joint military exercise between the Indian Army and the Seychelles Defence Forces. The 9th edition, LAMITIYE-2022, was held in March 2022. Hence, option (d) is correct.
Why others are incorrect:
- Maldives: India conducts other bilateral exercises with Maldives, but not LAMITIYE.
- Mauritius: India has separate defence cooperation and exercises with Mauritius.
- Philippines: LAMITIYE is not conducted with the Philippines.
- Seychelles: This is the correct partner country for Exercise LAMITIYE.
In terms of value, what is the largest item of imports by India during the past five years?
A)
Engineering goods
B)
Gems & Jewellery
C)
Defence equipments
D)
POL
The largest item of India’s imports by value over the past several years has been POL (Petroleum, Oil and Lubricants), mainly because India depends heavily on crude oil imports to meet domestic energy demand.
Why others are incorrect:
- (a) Engineering goods: This is mainly a major export category, not the largest import item.
- (b) Gems & Jewellery: India imports precious stones and gold, but this is not consistently the largest import category compared to POL.
- (c) Defence equipments: Important strategically, but far smaller in total value than petroleum imports.
- (d) POL: Correct, as petroleum products/crude oil have traditionally formed the biggest share of India’s import bill.
For the first time in Indian trade history, the annual goods exports have touched $400 billion. The top item of export is :
A)
Processed petroleum products
B)
Gems and Jewellery
C)
Engineering goods
D)
Organic and inorganic chemicals
India’s merchandise exports crossed $400 billion for the first time in FY 2021–22. In that year, engineering goods were the largest export category, contributing the highest share among all merchandise exports. Processed petroleum products were also major exports, but they were not the top category. Gems and jewellery and chemicals were important export items too, but their values were lower than engineering goods.
On July 28, 1914, World War I was started by :
A)
Germany invasion of Poland
B)
Austria-Hungary invasion of Serbia
C)
Germany invasion of England
D)
Japanese invasion of China
World War I began on 28 July 1914 when Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand on 28 June 1914. Therefore, option (b) is correct. Option (a) refers to Germany’s invasion of Poland in 1939, which started World War II. Option (c) is incorrect because Germany did not start World War I by invading England. Option (d) refers to Japanese aggression in China, which is associated with events leading to World War II, not World War I.
Which of the following courses will be discontinued as per National Education Policy (NEP) 2020?
A)
M. Ed
B)
M. Phil
C)
Diploma Courses
D)
M. Com
As per the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the M.Phil programme is to be discontinued. The policy states that the M.Phil degree, which was earlier an intermediate qualification between Master’s and Ph.D., will no longer be required.
Why others are incorrect:
- (a) M. Ed: Not discontinued under NEP 2020.
- (c) Diploma Courses: NEP 2020 does not abolish diploma courses; rather, it promotes flexible and vocational education pathways.
- (d) M. Com: Not discontinued under NEP 2020.
The basis of determining dearness allowance (DA) to employees in India is :
A)
Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
B)
Wholesale Price Index (WPI)
C)
Consumer Price Index (CPI)
D)
National Income (NI)
Dearness Allowance (DA) in India is calculated to offset the impact of inflation on employees and pensioners. The standard basis for revising DA is the Consumer Price Index (CPI), especially the All India Consumer Price Index. GDP and National Income measure overall economic output/income, not price rise affecting consumers. WPI measures wholesale-level prices, but DA is linked to consumer-level inflation, so CPI is correct.
Constitution of India was adopted by constituent assembly on :
A)
15th August 1950
B)
26th November 1949
C)
26th January 1950
D)
26th January 1949
The Constitution of India was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on 26th November 1949. After adoption, it came into force on 26th January 1950, which is celebrated as Republic Day. Therefore, option (b) is correct. Option (c) is the date of commencement, not adoption. Options (a) and (d) are incorrect dates.
Which one of the following entrepreneurs has recently become the single largest shareholder of Twitter by buying 9.2% of Twitter’s stake?
A)
Bill Gates
B)
Jack Dorsey
C)
Elon Musk
D)
Jack Ma
Elon Musk became Twitter’s single largest shareholder after acquiring a 9.2% stake in the company in 2022. Therefore, option (c) is correct. The other options are incorrect because Bill Gates, Jack Dorsey, and Jack Ma did not make this 9.2% purchase.
According to the State of the Forest Report 2021, which state has the largest area under forest cover?
A)
Maharashtra
B)
Madhya Pradesh
C)
Gujarat
D)
Arunachal Pradesh
According to the India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2021, Madhya Pradesh has the largest forest cover area in India. Therefore, option (b) is correct.
Why others are incorrect:
- Maharashtra has significant forest area, but it is not the highest.
- Gujarat has much lower forest cover compared to Madhya Pradesh.
- Arunachal Pradesh has a very high percentage of forest cover, but in terms of total area, Madhya Pradesh is the largest.
What can be the maximum representation from the Union Territories to the Lok Sabha?
A)
Two
B)
Twelve
C)
Twenty
D)
Fifty
According to Article 81 of the Constitution of India, the composition of the Lok Sabha (House of the People) is structured such that there shall be not more than 530 members chosen by direct election from territorial constituencies in the States and not more than 20 members nominated/chosen from the Union Territories. While the nomination of Anglo-Indians (2 members) was discontinued by the 104th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2019, the constitutional ceiling for representation from Union Territories remains twenty. Therefore, the maximum representation allowed from the Union Territories to the Lok Sabha is twenty.
The state popularly known as the ‘Apple Kingdom’ of India.
A)
Haryana
B)
Himachal Pradesh
C)
Gujarat
D)
Maharashtra
Himachal Pradesh is popularly known as the ‘Apple Kingdom’ of India because it is one of the leading apple-producing states in the country, especially in areas like Shimla, Kullu, and Kinnaur. Haryana, Gujarat, and Maharashtra are not known by this title. Therefore, option (b) is correct.