← MES Jr. Grade
Past Questions
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.
India’s highest military award for valor, equivalent to the Victoria Cross is :
A)
Ashok Chakra award
B)
Param Vir Chakra
C)
Shaurya Chakra award
D)
Maha Vir Chakra
The highest military award for gallantry in India is the Param Vir Chakra. It is awarded for the most conspicuous bravery or some daring or pre-eminent act of valour or self-sacrifice in the presence of the enemy. It is considered equivalent to the Victoria Cross of the United Kingdom.
Why others are incorrect: Ashok Chakra is the highest peacetime gallantry award, not the highest wartime military award. Shaurya Chakra is also a peacetime gallantry award. Maha Vir Chakra is the second-highest wartime gallantry award after the Param Vir Chakra.
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.
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.
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.
Judicial Review in India is based on :
A)
Due process of law
B)
Procedure established by law
C)
Rule of law
D)
Precedents and conventions
Judicial review in India is primarily based on the constitutional principle of **procedure established by law**, borrowed from the Japanese Constitution and reflected in Article 21. The Indian Constitution allows courts to examine whether laws and executive actions conform to the Constitution.
Why others are incorrect:
- **(a) Due process of law**: This is mainly associated with the U.S. Constitution, not the original Indian constitutional formulation.
- **(c) Rule of law**: It is a broader constitutional doctrine, but not the specific basis asked here.
- **(d) Precedents and conventions**: These guide legal interpretation but are not the constitutional basis of judicial review in India.
Hence, the correct answer is **(b) Procedure established by law**.
The Central Government’s contribution in National Pension Scheme (NPS) was increased from 10% to how much percentage?
A)
11 %
B)
12 %
C)
13 %
D)
14 %
The Central Government increased its contribution to the National Pension System (NPS) for Central Government employees from 10% to 14% of basic pay plus dearness allowance. This was announced to make NPS more beneficial for government employees. Hence, option (d) is correct. The other options 11%, 12%, and 13% are incorrect because the notified increase was specifically to 14%.
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.
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.
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.
What is the currency of China?
A)
Won
B)
Yen
C)
Wuan
D)
Yuan
The currency of China is the Yuan (also called Renminbi, RMB). Therefore, option (d) is correct.
Why others are incorrect:
- (a) Won is the currency of Korea.
- (b) Yen is the currency of Japan.
- (c) Wuan is not the correct name of China’s currency.
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.
‘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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The blue revolution is related to :
A)
Meat production
B)
Milk production
C)
Fish production
D)
Fruit production
The Blue Revolution refers to the rapid development and increase in fish production and aquaculture. Therefore, option (c) is correct.
Why others are incorrect:
(a) Meat production is not called Blue Revolution.
(b) Milk production is associated with the White Revolution.
(d) Fruit production is generally linked with horticultural development, not Blue Revolution.
Which one of the following is not formed in out body?
A)
Vitamin A
B)
Protein
C)
Enzyme
D)
Hormone
Vitamin A is not normally formed in the human body in sufficient amount; it is mainly obtained from food, though beta-carotene from diet can be converted into vitamin A. In contrast, proteins are synthesized in the body from amino acids, enzymes are produced by cells, and hormones are secreted by endocrine glands. इसलिए the correct answer is Vitamin A.
Which state of India is known as Molasses Basin?
A)
Kerala
B)
Uttar Pradesh
C)
Mizoram
D)
West Bengal
In geological terms, a 'molasse basin' refers to a basin filled with a thick sequence of conglomerates, sandstones, and shales deposited in a foreland basin during the folding of a mountain range. Mizoram is geologically characterized as a Molasse Basin because its terrain consists of thick deposits of soft, unconsolidated sediments (mostly sandstone and shale) that were deposited in the foreland of the Himalayas (specifically the Indo-Burman ranges) during the Tertiary period.
Analysis of other options:
- Kerala: Primarily known for its coastal plains and the Western Ghats, not a molasse basin.
- Uttar Pradesh: While it contains the Indo-Gangetic plain (which is a foreland basin), the specific designation of 'Molasse Basin' as a defining characteristic of the state's geography is most strongly associated with the specific sedimentary structures of Mizoram in regional Indian geography.
- West Bengal: Contains the deltaic plains of the Ganges and Brahmaputra, which are alluvial deposits rather than a classic molasse basin structure.
Full form of NEEPCO.
A)
National Electric Power Corporation
B)
North Eastern Electric Power Corporation
C)
North Eastern Electric Power Company
D)
National Electric& Electronic Power Corporation
NEEPCO stands for North Eastern Electric Power Corporation. It is a central public sector undertaking involved in power generation in the North Eastern region of India. Hence option (b) is correct. Option (a) is incorrect because it expands NEEPCO as National, not North Eastern. Option (c) is incorrect because the last word is Corporation, not Company. Option (d) is incorrect because it wrongly includes Electronic.
The word ‘Swift’ which is in news recently in light of Russian invasion of Ukraine is related to :
A)
Scientific transfer of future military technology among nations
B)
Special response force of NATO
C)
Systematic targeting of Russian assets across the world
D)
Global financial platform that facilitates international trade
SWIFT stands for Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication. It is a global messaging network used by banks and financial institutions to securely transmit payment instructions for international transactions, which helps facilitate global trade. It was in the news because sanctions on Russia included restricting some Russian banks from SWIFT after the Ukraine invasion.
Why others are incorrect: (a) has nothing to do with military technology, (b) SWIFT is not a NATO force, and (c) it is not a system for targeting assets; it is a banking communication platform.
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.