← MES Jr. Grade
Past Questions — 2025
In which year did the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre take place?
A)
1918
B)
1919
C)
1920
D)
1921
The Jallianwala Bagh Massacre occurred on April 13, 1919, in Amritsar, Punjab. The event took place when British troops, under the command of Brigadier-General Reginald Dyer, opened fire on a large crowd of unarmed civilians who had gathered for the festival of Baisakhi and to peacefully protest the Rowlatt Act (which allowed the government to imprison people without trial).
Analysis of options:
- a. 1918: Incorrect. This was the final year of World War I.
- b. 1919: Correct. The massacre took place on April 13 of this year.
- c. 1920: Incorrect. This year marked the beginning of the Non-Cooperation Movement led by Mahatma Gandhi, partly in response to the massacre.
- d. 1921: Incorrect. This year is associated with the height of the Non-Cooperation Movement and the Moplah Rebellion.
Arrange the following capital cities from northernmost to southernmost. I. Kolkata II. Jaipur III. New Delhi IV. Chandigarh
A)
IV, II, III, I
B)
III, II, IV, I
C)
IV, III, I, II
D)
IV, III, II, I
To arrange the cities from northernmost to southernmost, we look at their approximate latitudes:
1. Chandigarh (IV): Approximately 30.73° N
2. New Delhi (III): Approximately 28.61° N
3. Jaipur (II): Approximately 26.91° N
4. Kolkata (I): Approximately 22.57° N
Comparing these latitudes, Chandigarh is the furthest north, followed by New Delhi, then Jaipur, and finally Kolkata, which is the furthest south among the four.
Therefore, the correct sequence is IV (Chandigarh) → III (New Delhi) → II (Jaipur) → I (Kolkata).
Who among the following has been appointed as the Director of the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre of ISRO?
A)
M. Mohan
B)
S. Somnath
C)
V. Narayanan
D)
K. Sivan
V. Narayanan is the Director of the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC), which is a major center of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) responsible for the design and development of liquid propulsion systems for launch vehicles.
Analysis of other options:
- M. Mohan: He is a senior scientist at ISRO, known for his work on the Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM), but is not the Director of LPSC.
- S. Somnath: He is the current Chairman of ISRO and Secretary of the Department of Space (DoS).
- K. Sivan: He is the former Chairman of ISRO (served from 2018 to 2022).
As per the Indian Stamp (Mizoram Amendment) Act, 2024, what is the stamp duty for mortgage of an immovable property by any person who is not a widow?
A)
1%
B)
2.5%
C)
3%
D)
5%
The Indian Stamp (Mizoram Amendment) Act, 2024, introduces revised rates for stamp duties within the state of Mizoram to streamline revenue and property transactions. Under the amended schedule for the mortgage of immovable property, a distinction is made based on the status of the mortgagor to provide social relief to certain groups. For a general person (any person who is not a widow), the prescribed stamp duty for the mortgage of immovable property is set at 3%. In contrast, the Act provides a concessional rate (typically lower, such as 1% or 2%) for widows to encourage financial accessibility for them. Therefore, option (c) is the correct rate for non-widows.
Which programming language is most commonly used for Artificial Intelligence?
A)
COBOL
B)
Python
C)
Assembly
D)
FORTRAN
Python is currently the most widely used language for Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and Data Science. This is due to several key factors: 1) Simple and readable syntax that allows developers to focus on solving AI problems rather than complex language boilerplate. 2) An extensive ecosystem of specialized libraries such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, Keras, Scikit-learn, and NumPy. 3) Strong community support and integration capabilities.
Analysis of other options:
- COBOL (Common Business-Oriented Language): Designed for business, finance, and administrative systems for companies; it is not used for AI.
- Assembly: A low-level language specific to computer architecture. While fast, it is far too complex and rigid for the iterative nature of AI development.
- FORTRAN (Formula Translation): Primarily used for scientific computing and numerical analysis. While it influenced early AI, it has been superseded by Python in modern AI development.
Silver corrodes in air due to its reaction with:
A)
Oxygen
B)
Carbon dioxide
C)
Nitrogen
D)
Hydrogen sulphide
Silver (Ag) is a noble metal and does not react readily with oxygen or water under normal conditions. However, it is highly sensitive to sulfur compounds. When silver is exposed to air, it reacts with trace amounts of hydrogen sulphide (H₂S) gas present in the atmosphere. This chemical reaction forms a thin layer of silver sulphide (Ag₂S) on the surface of the metal, which appears as a black or grayish-black tarnish. The chemical equation for this process is: 4Ag + 2H₂S + O₂ → 2Ag₂S + 2H₂O.
Why other options are incorrect:
- a. Oxygen: Silver does not oxidize easily in air to form an oxide layer at room temperature.
- b. Carbon dioxide: Silver does not react with CO₂ under standard atmospheric conditions.
- c. Nitrogen: Nitrogen is an inert gas and does not react with silver.
In which year was the ozone hole discovered?
A)
1980
B)
1985
C)
1990
D)
1995
The 'ozone hole' refers to the severe depletion of the ozone layer over Antarctica. It was officially discovered and brought to global attention in 1985 when scientists Joseph Farman, Brian Gardiner, and Jonathan Shanklin of the British Antarctic Survey published their findings in the journal 'Nature'. They observed a dramatic drop in ozone levels during the Antarctic spring. This discovery led to the acceleration of international efforts to phase out chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), eventually resulting in the Montreal Protocol.
Analysis of other options:
- 1980: While the theory of ozone depletion by CFCs was proposed by Molina and Rowland in 1974, the actual 'hole' (the localized severe depletion) was not empirically documented until 1985.
- 1990: By this time, the Montreal Protocol (signed in 1987) was already being implemented to address the issue.
- 1995: This is well after the discovery and the initial global policy responses.
The ‘Make in India’ logo features which animal?
A)
Tiger
B)
Lion
C)
Elephant
D)
Peacock
The 'Make in India' initiative was launched by the Government of India in September 2014 to encourage companies to manufacture their products in India. The logo of the initiative features a stylized lion made of cogs and gears. The lion symbolizes strength, courage, and power, while the gear/cog mechanism represents manufacturing, industrialization, and engineering precision.
Why other options are incorrect:
- a. Tiger: While the tiger is the national animal of India, it is not the symbol used for the 'Make in India' logo.
- c. Elephant: The elephant is a cultural symbol of India but is not associated with this specific industrial initiative.
- d. Peacock: The peacock is the national bird of India but does not represent the industrial and manufacturing theme of the 'Make in India' campaign.
DNA fingerprinting was first invented by:
A)
James Watson
B)
Alec Jeffreys
C)
Har Gobind Khorana
D)
Paul Nurse
DNA fingerprinting (also known as DNA profiling) was developed in 1984 by Sir Alec Jeffreys at the University of Leicester. He discovered that certain sequences of DNA (called minisatellites) are highly variable between individuals, allowing for a unique genetic 'fingerprint' to be created for identification purposes.
Why other options are incorrect:
- James Watson: Co-discovered the double-helix structure of DNA in 1953 along with Francis Crick.
- Har Gobind Khorana: Known for his work on the genetic code and the first artificial synthesis of a functional gene.
- Paul Nurse: A geneticist and cell biologist known for his work on the cell cycle (specifically the cdc2 gene).
What is the primary objective of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative?
A)
To increase India’s exports
B)
To make India a global manufacturing hub
C)
To promote self reliance and reduce imports
D)
To increase foreign direct investments
The 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan' (Self-Reliant India Mission) was launched by the Government of India in May 2020. The primary objective of this initiative is to make India self-reliant by strengthening domestic capabilities, promoting local manufacturing (Vocal for Local), and reducing dependence on imports, particularly in critical sectors. While increasing exports (Option a) and becoming a global manufacturing hub (Option b) are desired outcomes and strategic goals of the mission, they are secondary to the core philosophy of 'self-reliance' (Aatmanirbharta). Similarly, while Foreign Direct Investment (Option d) is encouraged to bring in technology and capital, the primary driver of the initiative is the internal strengthening of the Indian economy to withstand global supply chain disruptions.
Which gas is released when limestone is dipped in water?
A)
Hydrogen
B)
Oxygen
C)
Nitrogen
D)
Carbon dioxide
Limestone is primarily composed of calcium carbonate (CaCO3). Under normal conditions, pure limestone is virtually insoluble in pure water. However, in the context of chemistry exam questions of this type, the question typically refers to the reaction of limestone with an acidic solution (like rainwater containing dissolved CO2 or a dilute acid) or the decomposition of limestone. When calcium carbonate reacts with an acid (H+), it produces calcium salts, water, and carbon dioxide gas (CO2). The chemical equation is: CaCO3 + 2HCl → CaCl2 + H2O + CO2↑. Even in pure water, a very slow equilibrium exists where CO2 can be released if the limestone contains impurities or if the water is slightly acidic. Among the given options, Carbon dioxide is the only gas chemically associated with the decomposition or reaction of carbonates. Hydrogen, Oxygen, and Nitrogen are not produced by the reaction of limestone with water.
If in a closed room, the refrigerator door is kept open for some time, the temperature of the room will:
A)
Increase
B)
Decrease
C)
Remain the same
D)
Become zero
To understand why the temperature increases, we must apply the First and Second Laws of Thermodynamics.
1. **The Refrigerator's Function**: A refrigerator does not 'create' cold; it removes heat from its interior (the evaporator coils) and exhausts it to the exterior (the condenser coils, usually located at the back).
2. **The Closed System**: In a closed room, the refrigerator, the air inside the room, and the electrical power source form a system. When the door is open, the refrigerator attempts to cool the entire room. It absorbs heat from the room air and pumps it back into the same room via the condenser coils.
3. **Energy Input**: The refrigerator is powered by electricity. According to the Law of Conservation of Energy, the electrical energy used by the compressor is converted into heat energy due to mechanical friction and electrical resistance.
4. **Net Result**: The net heat added to the room is equal to the heat moved from the inside to the outside (which cancels out) PLUS the waste heat generated by the motor/compressor. Therefore, the total thermal energy in the room increases, leading to a rise in temperature.
- Option (b) is incorrect because it ignores the heat exhausted by the condenser and the energy input from the power source.
- Option (c) is incorrect because the system is not in equilibrium; energy is being added to the room.
- Option (d) is physically impossible as it would violate the laws of thermodynamics.
Who among the following is considered the guardian of fundamental rights?
A)
Executive
B)
Judiciary
C)
Legislative
D)
The people
The Judiciary is considered the guardian and protector of Fundamental Rights. In the Indian constitutional framework, the Judiciary (specifically the Supreme Court and High Courts) ensures that the fundamental rights guaranteed to citizens are not violated by the state. Under Article 32 (Right to Constitutional Remedies), a citizen can move the Supreme Court directly for the enforcement of their rights, and under Article 226, they can approach the High Courts. The power of 'Judicial Review' allows the courts to declare any law or executive action null and void if it infringes upon the fundamental rights.
Why other options are incorrect:
- a. Executive: The Executive is the body that implements laws; it is often the entity against which fundamental rights are enforced to prevent the abuse of power.
- c. Legislative: The Legislative body makes laws. While it can amend laws, it cannot violate the 'basic structure' of the Constitution, and its laws are subject to judicial review.
- d. The people: While the people are the ultimate sovereign in a democracy, they do not have the legal authority to adjudicate or enforce constitutional rights in a court of law.
The rocks that make up the continents and are rich in silicon and aluminium are:
A)
lighter in colour and weight
B)
lighter in colour and heavier in weight
C)
lighter in weight and darker in colour
D)
heavier in weight and darker in colour
The question refers to the composition of the continental crust. In geology, the rocks that make up the continents are primarily composed of silicon and aluminium, which is why they are referred to as 'Sial' (Si = Silicon, Al = Aluminium). Sialic rocks, such as granite, are characterized by being felsic. Felsic rocks are typically lighter in color (often white, pink, or light grey) because they contain fewer mafic minerals (like pyroxene or olivine). Additionally, they have a lower density (lighter in weight) compared to the 'Sima' (silicon and magnesium) rocks that make up the oceanic crust, which are denser and darker in color. Therefore, the continental rocks are both lighter in color and lighter in weight.
Who is called the Father of the Green Revolution in India?
A)
C. Subramaniam
B)
Norman Borlaug
C)
M.S. Swaminathan
D)
Verghese Kurien
Step-by-step reasoning:
1. The Green Revolution refers to the period of significant increase in agricultural productivity (especially wheat and rice) in India during the 1960s through the introduction of High-Yielding Variety (HYV) seeds, irrigation, and fertilizers.
2. Dr. M.S. Swaminathan is recognized as the 'Father of the Green Revolution in India' because he collaborated with Norman Borlaug to introduce and develop semi-dwarf, high-yielding wheat varieties tailored to Indian conditions.
3. Evaluating other options:
- C. Subramaniam: He was the Union Minister for Food and Agriculture who provided the political leadership and administrative support to implement the Green Revolution.
- Norman Borlaug: He is known as the 'Father of the Green Revolution' globally (World level), as he developed the semi-dwarf wheat varieties in Mexico.
- Verghese Kurien: He is known as the 'Father of the White Revolution' (Operation Flood) in India, which focused on milk production.
In project management, a Gantt chart is used to:
A)
Estimate financial cost
B)
Show work breakdown structure
C)
Schedule project activities
D)
Identify project risks
A Gantt chart is a type of bar chart that illustrates a project schedule. It lists tasks on the vertical axis and time intervals on the horizontal axis, with the length of each bar representing the duration of a specific activity. This allows project managers to visualize the start and finish dates of various elements and track progress against the timeline.
Why other options are incorrect:
- Option (a): Financial costs are estimated using budgeting tools and cost estimation techniques (like Bottom-up or Parametric estimating), not a Gantt chart.
- Option (b): The Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) is a hierarchical decomposition of the total scope of work, usually represented as a tree diagram or an outline, whereas a Gantt chart is a timeline based on that WBS.
- Option (d): Project risks are identified and managed using a Risk Register or a Risk Breakdown Structure (RBS), not a Gantt chart.
The ‘Right to Information’ (RTI) Act was enacted in India in:
A)
1991
B)
2003
C)
2005
D)
2008
The Right to Information (RTI) Act was enacted by the Parliament of India in 2005 to provide for setting out the practical regime of right to information for citizens to secure access to information under the control of public authorities. It replaced the Freedom of Information Act, 2002.
Analysis of options:
- Option (a) 1991: Incorrect. This period was marked by economic liberalization in India, not the enactment of the RTI Act.
- Option (b) 2003: Incorrect. While there were discussions and previous iterations (like the 2002 Act), the comprehensive RTI Act was not passed this year.
- Option (c) 2005: Correct. The RTI Act was passed by Parliament in June 2005 and came fully into force on October 12, 2005.
- Option (d) 2008: Incorrect. By this time, the Act had already been operational for several years.
Which of the following statements is true of inferior goods?
A)
Demand decreases with increase in income
B)
Demand increases with increase in income
C)
Demand decreases with decrease in income
D)
Demand is independent of income
In economics, goods are categorized based on how demand for them changes relative to a consumer's income.
1. **Normal Goods**: These are goods for which demand increases as consumer income rises (positive income elasticity).
2. **Inferior Goods**: These are goods for which demand decreases as consumer income rises. This happens because as consumers earn more, they can afford more expensive, higher-quality substitutes. For example, if a person's income increases, they might stop buying generic brand staples (inferior goods) and start buying premium organic brands (normal goods).
Evaluating the options:
- **Option a**: Correct. This is the definition of an inferior good (negative income elasticity).
- **Option b**: Incorrect. This describes a 'Normal Good'.
- **Option c**: Incorrect. If demand decreases when income decreases, it means demand increases when income increases, which again describes a 'Normal Good'.
- **Option d**: Incorrect. This describes a good with zero income elasticity, which is not the characteristic of an inferior good.
The product of force and velocity is known as:
A)
Work
B)
Power
C)
Energy
D)
Momentum
Step-by-step reasoning:
1. Definition of Power: In physics, power is defined as the rate at which work is done or energy is transferred. The formula for power is P = Work / time.
2. Relationship with Force: Work is defined as the product of force (F) and displacement (d) in the direction of the force (Work = F × d).
3. Derivation: Substituting the work formula into the power formula, we get P = (F × d) / t. Since displacement divided by time (d/t) is the definition of velocity (v), the formula becomes P = F × v.
4. Conclusion: Therefore, the product of force and velocity is known as Power.
Why other options are incorrect:
- a. Work: Work is the product of force and displacement (W = F × d), not velocity.
- c. Energy: Energy is the capacity to do work. While it has the same units as work (Joules), it is not the product of force and velocity.
- d. Momentum: Momentum is the product of mass and velocity (p = m × v), not force and velocity.
Which among the following is the term for the state of economy in which economic activity is low but prices continue to rise?
A)
Inflation
B)
Deflation
C)
Skewflation
D)
Stagflation
The term 'Stagflation' is a portmanteau of 'stagnation' and 'inflation'. It describes a rare and challenging economic condition characterized by three simultaneous factors: slow economic growth (stagnation), high unemployment (low economic activity), and rising prices (inflation).
Here is why the other options are incorrect:
- a. Inflation: This is a general increase in prices and a fall in the purchasing value of money. While it involves rising prices, it does not necessarily imply low economic activity; in fact, demand-pull inflation often occurs during periods of high economic growth.
- b. Deflation: This is the opposite of inflation, where the general price level of goods and services decreases. This is not the case here as the question specifies that prices continue to rise.
- c. Skewflation: This occurs when there is a price rise in one or a few selective sectors of the economy, while prices in other sectors remain stable or fall. It does not specifically describe a state of low overall economic activity combined with general price rises.
Which one of the following is not a form of stored energy?
A)
Nuclear energy
B)
Potential energy
C)
Electrical energy
D)
Chemical energy
Stored energy, also known as potential energy in a broad sense, is energy that is held by an object or system due to its position, arrangement, or state, and can be released later.
1. Nuclear energy (Option a) is stored energy within the nucleus of an atom, held by the strong nuclear force.
2. Potential energy (Option b) is the general term for stored energy based on position (e.g., gravitational potential energy).
3. Chemical energy (Option d) is stored energy in the bonds of chemical compounds (e.g., in batteries or food).
Electrical energy (Option c), however, is the energy caused by the movement of electrons (electric current). It is a form of kinetic energy (energy of motion) rather than stored energy. While electrical energy can be stored (as chemical energy in a battery or as an electric field in a capacitor), the energy of the flowing current itself is active, not stored.
What number should come next in the following numbers series 2, 8, 18, 32, 50, ___?
A)
70
B)
71
C)
72
D)
73
To find the next number in the series 2, 8, 18, 32, 50, ___, we can analyze the pattern using two different methods:
Method 1: Difference Analysis
- The difference between 8 and 2 is 6.
- The difference between 18 and 8 is 10.
- The difference between 32 and 18 is 14.
- The difference between 50 and 32 is 18.
Observing the differences (6, 10, 14, 18), we see they increase by 4 each time. Therefore, the next difference should be 18 + 4 = 22.
Adding this to the last term: 50 + 22 = 72.
Method 2: Mathematical Formula
Each term in the series follows the formula 2 * (n²), where n is the position of the term:
- 1st term: 2 * (1²) = 2 * 1 = 2
- 2nd term: 2 * (2²) = 2 * 4 = 8
- 3rd term: 2 * (3²) = 2 * 9 = 18
- 4th term: 2 * (4²) = 2 * 16 = 32
- 5th term: 2 * (5²) = 2 * 25 = 50
- 6th term: 2 * (6²) = 2 * 36 = 72.
Both methods consistently lead to the answer 72. Options a, b, and d are incorrect as they do not follow the established mathematical progression of the series.
The property of a species being unique to a defined geographic location is known as:
A)
Endemism
B)
Species evenness
C)
Ecotone
D)
Keystone
Step-by-step reasoning:
1. Analysis of the question: The question asks for the term that describes a species being unique to a specific, defined geographic location.
2. Evaluating Option (a) Endemism: In ecology, an endemic species is one that is native to a single defined geographic location, such as an island, state, nation, or other defined zone. This matches the definition provided in the question perfectly.
3. Evaluating Option (b) Species evenness: This refers to how close in numbers each species in an environment is. It is a measure of biodiversity, not geographic uniqueness.
4. Evaluating Option (c) Ecotone: An ecotone is a transition area between two biological communities, where two communities meet and integrate (e.g., the area between a forest and a grassland). It is a location, not a property of a species.
5. Evaluating Option (d) Keystone: A keystone species is one that has a disproportionately large effect on its natural environment relative to its abundance. While important, this refers to the species' functional role in an ecosystem, not its geographic restriction.
Conclusion: Option (a) is the only term that describes geographic uniqueness.
Which is the purest form of iron?
A)
Steel
B)
Cast iron
C)
Pig iron
D)
Wrought iron
To determine the purest form of iron, we must analyze the carbon content and impurities in each option:
1. **Pig Iron (Option c):** This is the immediate product of the blast furnace. It contains a very high carbon content (typically 3.5% to 4.5%), along with silicon, phosphorus, and sulfur. It is brittle and the least pure form of iron.
2. **Cast Iron (Option b):** Produced by remelting pig iron, it still contains a high carbon content (usually 2% to 4%). While more refined than pig iron, it is far from pure iron.
3. **Steel (Option a):** Steel is an alloy of iron and carbon. The carbon content is reduced to between 0.02% and 2.1%. While much purer than cast iron, it is specifically designed as an alloy.
4. **Wrought Iron (Option d):** This is produced by removing almost all the carbon from pig iron (often through the puddling process). It contains very little carbon (less than 0.08%) and consists primarily of nearly pure iron with small inclusions of slag.
Therefore, among the given options, wrought iron has the lowest carbon content and is considered the purest commercial form of iron.
Which Indian state shares the longest border with Myanmar?
A)
Mizoram
B)
Arunachal pradesh
C)
Manipur
D)
Tripura
India shares a total border of approximately 1,643 km with Myanmar. This border is shared by four Indian states: Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, and Mizoram. Among these, Arunachal Pradesh shares the longest boundary with Myanmar, followed by Mizoram, Nagaland, and Manipur. Tripura does not share a border with Myanmar; it shares its borders with Bangladesh. Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.