← Controller of Mines
Past Questions
The author portrays mankind as:
A)
very intelligent
B)
having superhuman qualities
C)
nervous and weak
D)
by and large, lazy and ignorant
Author in essay portrays mankind as by and large lazy and ignorant, needing motivation/challenge, common philosophical take.
Mountaineering is different from other sports because:
A)
It is risky and dangerous
B)
it can be fatal
C)
It is most thrilling and exciting
D)
There is no competition between individuals
Passage context: mountaineering differs because competition is not between individuals but between team and peak; no individual rivalry.
I wrote a letter to my father.
A)
Simple Sentence
B)
Complex Sentence
C)
Compound Sentence
To determine the type of sentence, we analyze its grammatical structure:
1. **Analysis of the sentence**: 'I wrote a letter to my father.'
2. **Identification of components**:
- Subject: 'I'
- Verb (Predicate): 'wrote'
- Object: 'a letter'
- Prepositional Phrase: 'to my father'
3. **Evaluation**: The sentence contains only one independent clause (a group of words with a subject and a verb that expresses a complete thought). It does not contain any dependent (subordinate) clauses or additional independent clauses joined by coordinating conjunctions.
**Why other options are incorrect:**
- **Complex Sentence (b)**: A complex sentence must have one independent clause and at least one dependent clause (usually starting with words like 'because', 'although', 'since', or 'which'). This sentence has no dependent clause.
- **Compound Sentence (c)**: A compound sentence must have at least two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) or a semicolon. This sentence consists of only one clause.
Mountaineers climb as a team because:
A)
the height is too much for one individual
B)
the competition is between the team and the peak
C)
they have to rely on each other for safety
D)
there is no competition among them
Mountaineers rope together and climb as team because safety depends on mutual reliance, self-rescue.
“…….” The summit was the prize they all set their eyes on “. In the context of the passage, this means:
A)
reaching the top was their exclusive concern
B)
they kept their eyes steadily on reaching the summit
C)
they cared for nothing but the prize of reaching the summit
D)
they chose a route from which they could see the summit clearly
Metaphor means reaching summit was their exclusive concern/focus – the prize they set eyes on.
People living in the Andes and the Himalayas made mountain journeys because:
A)
It was a kind of sport
B)
they had to undertake their day-to-day life
C)
they lived in a pre-historic time
D)
of the challenge offered by the difficult journey
Andes/Himalayan inhabitants made mountain journeys for daily life necessity – trade, grazing, survival – not sport.
The author is in favour of drawing conclusions on the basis of
A)
reasoning
B)
study of eminent thinkers
C)
empirical evidence
D)
discussion and consultation
Without passage, typical comprehension pattern emphasizes empirical evidence over mere reasoning; author favours data.
Dantes was in
A)
a hostel
B)
a dining room
C)
an army barracks
D)
a prison
Count of Monte Cristo excerpt – Edmond Dantes was imprisoned in Chateau d'If, i.e., a prison.
Run fast! The train _____ .
A)
was whistling
B)
is whistling
C)
has whistles
D)
whistled
Step-by-step reasoning: 1. Analyze the first sentence: 'Run fast!' is an imperative sentence giving an urgent command in the present moment. 2. Determine the tense: Since the command is happening now, the second sentence must describe a current, ongoing action that justifies the urgency. 3. Evaluate the options: (a) 'was whistling' is past continuous, which contradicts the present command. (b) 'is whistling' is present continuous, indicating the train is whistling right now, which explains why the person needs to run fast. (c) 'has whistles' is grammatically incorrect (the present perfect requires a past participle like 'has whistled'). (d) 'whistled' is simple past, which does not align with the immediate urgency of the command. Therefore, 'is whistling' is the only grammatically correct and logically consistent choice.
The IPC applies to which of the following? 1. Any offence committed within the territory of India as defined in Article (1) of constitution. 2. Any offence committed within the territorial waters of India. 3. Any offence committed on any ship or aircraft either owned by India or registered in India.
A)
Only 1
B)
Only 1 & 2
C)
Only 2 & 3
D)
1, 2 & 3
The Indian Penal Code (IPC) defines the jurisdiction of Indian criminal law under Sections 2, 3, and 4.
1. **Intra-territorial Jurisdiction (Section 2):** Every person is liable to punishment under the IPC for every act or omission contrary to the provisions thereof, of which he shall be guilty within India. This includes the entire territory of India as defined by the Constitution.
2. **Territorial Waters:** Under international law and the UNCLOS (which India adheres to), the territory of a state includes its territorial waters. Therefore, any offence committed within the territorial waters of India falls under the jurisdiction of the IPC.
3. **Extra-territorial Jurisdiction (Section 4):** The IPC explicitly extends to any person who commits an offence on any ship or aircraft registered in India, regardless of where that ship or aircraft is located at the time of the offence.
Since all three statements accurately describe the scope of the IPC's application, option (d) is the correct choice.
In India, the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act came into force in
A)
1980
B)
1981
C)
1982
D)
1983
The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act was enacted by the Parliament of India in 1981. The primary objective of this Act is to provide for the prevention, control, and abatement of air pollution. It was implemented to fulfill the obligations taken by India in the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment held in Stockholm in 1972.
Analysis of options:
- Option (a) 1980: Incorrect. No such major air pollution act was passed in this year.
- Option (b) 1981: Correct. This is the year the Act was passed and came into force.
- Option (c) 1982: Incorrect.
- Option (d) 1983: Incorrect.
Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution provides for the administration of tribal areas in
A)
Assam, Meghalaya, Sikkim and Tripura
B)
Assam, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram
C)
Assam, Nagaland, Tripura and Mizoram
D)
Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram
The Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution provides for the administration of tribal areas in four North-Eastern states. These states are Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram. To remember these, the mnemonic 'AMTM' is often used.
1. **Purpose**: The Sixth Schedule allows for the creation of Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) and Regional Councils, granting them legislative, judicial, and executive powers to protect the indigenous culture, land, and customs of the tribal populations.
2. **Analysis of Options**:
- Option (a) is incorrect because it includes Sikkim, which is not part of the Sixth Schedule.
- Option (b) is incorrect because it includes Arunachal Pradesh, which is not part of the Sixth Schedule.
- Option (c) is incorrect because it includes Nagaland. While Nagaland has special provisions under Article 371A, it is not governed by the Sixth Schedule.
- Option (d) is correct as it lists the four specific states: Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram.
Montreal protocol is an international agreement which deals with the issue of
A)
Green house gases
B)
Ozone depleting substances
C)
Biological diversity
D)
Hazardous chemicals
The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer is a landmark international treaty signed in 1987. Its primary objective is to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production and consumption of ozone-depleting substances (ODS), most notably chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and halons.
Why other options are incorrect:
- Option (a) Green house gases: While some ODS are also greenhouse gases, the primary treaty dealing with greenhouse gases and climate change is the UNFCCC (and subsequent agreements like the Kyoto Protocol and Paris Agreement).
- Option (c) Biological diversity: This is addressed by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
- Option (d) Hazardous chemicals: This is primarily addressed by the Basel Convention (transboundary movement of hazardous wastes) and the Stockholm Convention (persistent organic pollutants).
The most important cause of loss of biodiversity is
A)
Introduction of invasive alien species
B)
Hunting
C)
Habitat loss and fragmentation
D)
Illegal trading
Biodiversity loss is driven by several anthropogenic factors, often summarized by the acronym HIPPO (Habitat destruction, Invasive species, Pollution, Population growth, and Overharvesting). Among these, habitat loss and fragmentation are widely recognized by ecologists and international bodies (such as the IPBES) as the primary and most significant cause of biodiversity loss globally.
1. Habitat loss and fragmentation (Option c): When forests are cleared for agriculture, urban sprawl, or mining, species lose their homes, food sources, and breeding grounds. Fragmentation breaks large habitats into smaller, isolated patches, which reduces genetic diversity and makes populations more vulnerable to extinction.
2. Introduction of invasive alien species (Option a): While a major threat, especially on islands, it usually follows or complements habitat disturbance.
3. Hunting and Illegal trading (Options b and d): These are forms of overexploitation. While they can drive specific species (like rhinos or tigers) to the brink of extinction, they do not cause the systemic, wide-scale loss of entire ecosystems in the way that habitat destruction does.
To qualify as a biodiversity hot-spot, a region must contain a least
A)
0.25% of endemic species
B)
0.5 % of endemic species
C)
1 % of endemic species
D)
1.25% of endemic species
The concept of a 'Biodiversity Hotspot' was introduced by Norman Myers in 1988. To qualify as a biodiversity hotspot, a region must meet two strict criteria:
1. It must contain at least 1,500 species of vascular plants (> 0.5% of the world’s total) as endemics.
2. It has to have lost at least 70% of its original native vegetation.
In the context of the provided options, the requirement refers to the proportion of endemic species. While the 1,500 species figure is the absolute number, it represents approximately 0.5% of the global plant species. Therefore, option (b) is the correct technical threshold used in environmental science to define these regions.
According to the recently published ‘State of the Forest Report 2021’, which state has the largest area under forest cover in percentage terms?
A)
Maharashtra
B)
Madhya Pradesh
C)
Mizoram
D)
Arunachal Pradesh
The 'India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2021' provides data on forest and tree cover across Indian states. It is crucial to distinguish between 'total area' and 'percentage area'.
1. **Total Area:** In terms of the absolute area (square kilometers), Madhya Pradesh has the largest forest cover in India.
2. **Percentage Area:** In terms of the percentage of the state's total geographical area covered by forests, Mizoram ranks the highest. According to the ISFR 2021, Mizoram has a forest cover of approximately 84.53% of its total geographical area.
Evaluating the options:
- **Maharashtra:** Has a significant forest cover but is far lower in percentage compared to North-Eastern states.
- **Madhya Pradesh:** Leads in absolute area, but not in percentage terms.
- **Mizoram:** Correct. It has the highest percentage of forest cover among all Indian states.
- **Arunachal Pradesh:** Also has a very high percentage of forest cover, but it is lower than that of Mizoram.
According to the author, unicorns and salamanders
A)
existed in the past but now have become extinct
B)
are invisible
C)
never really existed
D)
have caused strange stories to be written about them
Unicorns/salamanders are mythical; classic passage says they never really existed.
As of September 2022, India’s most valued conglomerate in terms of revenue, profits and market capitalization is
A)
TATA Group
B)
Reliance Industries
C)
Adani Group
D)
Mahindra Group
To determine the most valued conglomerate as of September 2022, we evaluate the three metrics mentioned: revenue, profits, and market capitalization.
1. **Market Capitalization**: Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) has consistently been the most valued company in India by market cap for several years. As of late 2022, its market capitalization significantly exceeded that of other individual entities within the Tata or Adani groups.
2. **Revenue and Profits**: Reliance Industries operates on a massive scale across petrochemicals, retail, and telecommunications (Jio), leading to the highest consolidated revenue and profit figures among Indian conglomerates.
3. **Comparison with other options**:
- **TATA Group**: While the Tata Group is vast and has a higher collective brand value and a larger number of companies, Reliance Industries as a single consolidated entity typically leads in the specific financial metrics of revenue and market cap.
- **Adani Group**: While the Adani Group saw a massive surge in market capitalization in 2022, its total revenue and profit figures remained lower than those of Reliance Industries.
- **Mahindra Group**: While a major player, it does not compete with Reliance or Tata in terms of overall scale or market valuation.
Therefore, based on the financial data available up to September 2022, Reliance Industries is the correct answer.
Increase in concentration of toxicant at successive trophic levels is called
A)
Biomagnification
B)
Eutrophication
C)
Depletion
D)
Stratification
The question asks for the term describing the increase in the concentration of a toxicant as it moves up the food chain.
1. **Biomagnification (Correct):** This is the process where certain toxins (such as heavy metals like mercury or synthetic chemicals like DDT) become more concentrated in the tissues of organisms at higher trophic levels. Because these substances are persistent (do not break down easily) and fat-soluble, they accumulate in the predator that eats many prey items, leading to higher concentrations at the top of the food chain.
2. **Eutrophication (Incorrect):** This refers to the excessive enrichment of a water body with minerals and nutrients (typically nitrogen and phosphorus), which leads to an overgrowth of algae (algal blooms) and subsequent oxygen depletion.
3. **Depletion (Incorrect):** In an environmental context, this generally refers to the reduction in the number or quantity of something, such as 'ozone depletion' or 'resource depletion'.
4. **Stratification (Incorrect):** This refers to the formation of distinct layers within a body of water or the atmosphere based on differences in temperature, density, or salinity.
The present chairman of Rajya Sabha is
A)
Om Birla
B)
Jagdeep Dhankar
C)
M Venkaiah Naidu
D)
UU Lalit
Step-by-step reasoning:
1. According to the Constitution of India, the Vice-President of India serves as the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha (the Upper House of Parliament).
2. Shri Jagdeep Dhankar assumed office as the 14th Vice-President of India on August 11, 2022, and consequently became the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
3. Analysis of other options:
- Om Birla: He is the Speaker of the Lok Sabha (the Lower House).
- M Venkaiah Naidu: He was the previous Vice-President and Chairman of the Rajya Sabha (served until August 2022).
- UU Lalit: He is a former Chief Justice of India (CJI), not a legislative chairperson.
‘Book of the Year’ award was initiated by the Mizo Academy of Letters (MAL) from the year?
A)
1987
B)
1988
C)
1989
D)
1990
The Mizo Academy of Letters (MAL) is the premier body dedicated to the promotion of Mizo language and literature. To encourage literary excellence and recognize outstanding contributions to Mizo writing, the MAL initiated the 'Book of the Year' award. This prestigious award was first introduced and presented starting from the year 1989. Therefore, option (c) is the correct chronological start date for this initiative.
India’s Look East Policy was developed and enacted during the Prime Minister of
A)
Rajiv Gandhi
B)
Narsimha Rao
C)
Atal Bihari Vajpayee
D)
Manmohan Singh
The 'Look East Policy' (LEP) was formally launched in 1991 by the government of Prime Minister P. V. Narasimha Rao. The policy was designed to strengthen ties with the nations of Southeast Asia (ASEAN) to promote economic growth, trade, and strategic cooperation following the end of the Cold War and the implementation of India's New Economic Policy (Liberalization, Privatization, and Globalization).
Analysis of other options:
- Rajiv Gandhi (a): While he initiated some outreach, the formal 'Look East Policy' framework was not enacted during his tenure.
- Atal Bihari Vajpayee (c): He continued and expanded the policy, but he did not develop or enact it.
- Manmohan Singh (d): Under his leadership, the policy was evolved and upgraded to the 'Act East Policy' (which was formally announced by Narendra Modi in 2014), but the original Look East Policy dates back to 1991.
In the Mizo marriage system, it is mandatory for the bride to bring along a Pawndum into the bridegroom’s house, this special cloth is called:
A)
Puanrin
B)
Mangpuan
C)
Puanhlap
D)
Zawlpuan
In Mizo culture, the 'Mangpuan' is a traditional wedding cloth that is essential in the marriage system. It is a specially woven cloth that the bride brings to the groom's house. The term 'Mang' refers to the wedding/marriage context, and 'Puan' means cloth. The Mangpuan is not only a garment but a symbol of the bride's transition into her new home and her skill in weaving, which was traditionally highly valued.
Analysis of other options:
- Puanrin: Generally refers to a type of wrap or specific pattern, but not the mandatory wedding cloth.
- Puanhlap: This is typically a cloth used for specific ceremonial purposes or as a cover, not the primary wedding cloth.
- Zawlpuan: This is a cloth traditionally worn in the 'Zawlbuk' (the bachelor's dormitory) or used for specific communal activities, not associated with the bride's dowry/marriage requirement.
It _____ by the time you get ready to leave.
A)
will be raining
B)
rains
C)
is raining
D)
had been raining
The sentence uses a time clause ('by the time you get ready to leave') to refer to a future event. In English grammar, when a time clause refers to the future, the verb in that clause is in the present simple ('get ready'), while the main clause must be in a future tense.
1. Option (a) 'will be raining' is the Future Continuous tense. It correctly indicates an action that will be in progress at a specific point in the future (the moment the person is ready to leave).
2. Option (b) 'rains' is Present Simple, which is used for habits or general truths, not for a specific future event triggered by a time clause.
3. Option (c) 'is raining' is Present Continuous. While it can sometimes be used for planned future events, it does not fit the temporal structure of 'by the time...'.
4. Option (d) 'had been raining' is Past Perfect Continuous, which refers to an action that happened before another action in the past. This contradicts the future context established by 'get ready'.
Therefore, 'will be raining' is the only grammatically correct choice to complete the future-oriented sequence.
In which year, two additional Commissioners were appointed for the first time in Election Commission of India?
A)
1980
B)
1985
C)
1989
D)
1991
The Election Commission of India (ECI) was established as a single-member body (consisting of only the Chief Election Commissioner) from 1950 until 1989. Due to the increasing workload and the complexity of managing elections in a vast country, the government decided to expand the commission. In October 1989, for the first time, two additional Election Commissioners were appointed to assist the Chief Election Commissioner, transforming the ECI into a multi-member body. While the commission has occasionally reverted to a single-member body in the past, it has predominantly functioned as a three-member body since 1989 to ensure a more balanced and collegiate decision-making process.