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Past Questions
Which state has become the first state to implement the National e-Vidhan Application (NeVa) in the State Legislative Assembly?
A)
Mizoram
B)
Nagaland
C)
Goa
D)
Kerala
The National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA) is a digital initiative aimed at making the functioning of the State Legislatures paperless and more transparent. Goa became the first state in India to implement the NeVA project in its State Legislative Assembly. The application is designed to digitize the legislative process, including the management of questions, bills, and proceedings, thereby reducing the reliance on physical paper and improving efficiency in governance.
Which among the following fundamental rights is available to Indian Citizens but not to aliens?
A)
Freedom of expression and speech
B)
Equality before Law
C)
Protection of life & liberty
D)
None of the above
Under the Constitution of India, Fundamental Rights are divided into those available only to citizens and those available to all persons (including aliens/foreigners).
1. **Option (a) Freedom of expression and speech**: This falls under Article 19. Articles 15, 16, 19, 29, and 30 are exclusively available to citizens of India. Therefore, the right to freedom of speech and expression is not available to aliens.
2. **Option (b) Equality before Law**: This is guaranteed under Article 14. Article 14 applies to 'any person', meaning it is available to both citizens and aliens.
3. **Option (c) Protection of life & liberty**: This is guaranteed under Article 21. Like Article 14, Article 21 applies to 'any person', ensuring that the right to life and personal liberty is available to everyone on Indian soil, regardless of citizenship.
Since only the freedom of speech and expression is restricted to citizens, option (a) is the correct answer.
Dantes probably broke the jug:
A)
in the morning
B)
during the night
C)
after breakfast
D)
at exactly 3 P.M.
Dantes broke jug during night to avoid detection and prepare escape tools secretly.
Biodiversity
A)
Increases towards the equator
B)
Decreases towards the equator
C)
Is not affected by change in latitude
D)
None of the above
This question refers to the 'Latitudinal Gradient of Species Diversity,' a well-established pattern in ecology. Biodiversity generally increases as one moves from the poles toward the equator.
1. Why Option (a) is correct: Tropical regions near the equator exhibit the highest biodiversity due to several factors:
- Solar Energy: Higher solar radiation leads to higher primary productivity (plant growth), which supports a larger variety of consumers.
- Climate Stability: Tropical regions have more stable temperatures and higher humidity compared to temperate or polar regions, reducing the risk of extinction during extreme weather events.
- Evolutionary Time: Tropical rainforests are thought to have remained relatively undisturbed by glaciations compared to higher latitudes, allowing more time for species to evolve and diversify.
2. Why Option (b) is incorrect: Biodiversity decreases as you move away from the equator toward the poles, not the other way around.
3. Why Option (c) is incorrect: Latitude is one of the most significant predictors of biodiversity; therefore, it is heavily affected by changes in latitude.
After reigning for 70 long years, Queen Elizabeth II died on
A)
5th September 2022
B)
6th September 2022
C)
7th September 2022
D)
8th September 2022
Queen Elizabeth II, the longest-reigning monarch in British history, passed away on September 8, 2022, at Balmoral Castle in Scotland. She had served as Queen for 70 years, having ascended to the throne in 1952. Options a, b, and c are incorrect as they list dates prior to her actual date of death.
My brother _____ in the garden since morning.
A)
will dig
B)
has dug
C)
digs
D)
has been digging
The sentence contains the time phrase 'since morning', which indicates an action that started in the past and is still continuing into the present. In English grammar, the Present Perfect Continuous tense (has/have + been + verb-ing) is used to describe such actions.
Step-by-step analysis of options:
- (a) 'will dig' is Future Simple, which does not align with the 'since' time marker.
- (b) 'has dug' is Present Perfect Simple. While it refers to the past, it usually emphasizes the completion of the action rather than the ongoing duration indicated by 'since morning'.
- (c) 'digs' is Present Simple, used for habits or general truths, not for actions spanning a specific duration from the past to now.
- (d) 'has been digging' is Present Perfect Continuous, which perfectly matches the requirement of an action starting in the past and continuing up to the present moment.
Subrahmanyam Jaishankar is the present minister of
A)
Railway
B)
Agriculture
C)
External Affairs
D)
Education
Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar is a distinguished diplomat and currently serves as the Minister of External Affairs of India. He took office in July 2019.
Analysis of options:
- Option (a) Railway: The Ministry of Railways is headed by the Minister of Railways (currently Ashwini Vaishnaw).
- Option (b) Agriculture: The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare is headed by a different minister (currently Shivraj Singh Chouhan).
- Option (c) External Affairs: This is the correct portfolio held by Dr. S. Jaishankar.
- Option (d) Education: The Ministry of Education is headed by a different minister (currently Dharmendra Pradhan).
Which of the following is not a part of the Union executive?
A)
The President
B)
The Vice President
C)
The Attorney General of India
D)
Chief Justice of India
The Union Executive of India consists of the President, the Vice-President, the Prime Minister, the Council of Ministers, and the Attorney General for India.
1. The President (Option a) is the nominal head of the state and the formal head of the executive.
2. The Vice President (Option b) is part of the executive and serves as the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
3. The Attorney General of India (Option c) is the chief legal advisor to the government and is explicitly included in the Union Executive under the Constitution of India.
4. The Chief Justice of India (Option d) is the head of the Judiciary (the Supreme Court of India). According to the principle of 'Separation of Powers,' the Judiciary is independent of the Executive and the Legislature. Therefore, the Chief Justice of India is not a part of the Union Executive.
The first Newspaper published in Mizo language was?
A)
Mizo Chanchin
B)
Mizo Chanchin Laisuih
C)
Mizo leh Vai Chanchin
D)
Kristian Tlangau
The first newspaper published in the Mizo language was 'Kristian Tlangau'. It was started in 1913 by the missionaries of the Welsh Presbyterian Mission. The publication served as a medium for spreading the Gospel and providing news to the Mizo community during the early colonial period. While other options like 'Mizo Chanchin' sound like generic titles for Mizo news, 'Kristian Tlangau' is historically documented as the pioneer publication in the language.
The youngest men’s Tennis world number one Carloz Alcaraz is from which country?
A)
Poland
B)
Spain
C)
Switzerland
D)
Sweden
Carlos Alcaraz is a professional tennis player from Spain. He made history by becoming the youngest man to ever reach the world number one ranking in the ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) rankings on September 12, 2022, at the age of 19.
Analysis of other options:
- Poland: While Iga Świątek (women's tennis) is from Poland, Alcaraz is not.
- Switzerland: Roger Federer and Belinda Bencic are prominent Swiss players, but not Alcaraz.
- Sweden: Sweden has a rich tennis history (e.g., Björn Borg), but Alcaraz is not Swedish.
When a person took refuge in the Chief’s house owing to poverty, they are called?
A)
Chemsen Bawi
B)
Tukluh Bawi
C)
Chung Bawi
D)
Inpuichhung Bawi
In traditional Mizo society, the social structure was centered around the Chief (Lal). Due to extreme poverty, famine, or social displacement, some individuals would seek refuge and protection in the Chief's house. A woman who entered the Chief's household in this manner—essentially seeking asylum or shelter due to her desperate circumstances—was referred to as a 'Tukluh Bawi'. The term 'Tukluh' implies 'entering' or 'coming into' the household for refuge.
Other options refer to different statuses or roles:
- 'Chemsen Bawi' typically refers to a woman who has been 'bought' or redeemed from a certain status.
- 'Chung Bawi' and 'Inpuichhung Bawi' are not the standard terms used for refugees of poverty in the Chief's house in Mizo historical context.
Many were called, but few were chosen.
A)
Simple Sentence
B)
Complex Sentence
C)
Compound Sentence
To determine the sentence type, we analyze its structure: 1. 'Many were called' is an independent clause (it has a subject 'Many' and a verb 'were called' and expresses a complete thought). 2. 'few were chosen' is also an independent clause (it has a subject 'few' and a verb 'were chosen' and expresses a complete thought). These two independent clauses are joined by the coordinating conjunction 'but'. By definition, a sentence that consists of two or more independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) is a Compound Sentence. A Simple Sentence contains only one independent clause, and a Complex Sentence contains one independent clause and at least one dependent clause.
The early British policy towards the Lushai Hills was:
A)
to introduce force labour among the Mizo
B)
to collect revenue
C)
to introduce Christianity
D)
non-intervention
In the early stages of British contact with the Lushai Hills, the British government adopted a policy of 'non-intervention'. During this period, the British were primarily concerned with protecting the plains of Assam and Chittagong from Mizo raids rather than governing the hills themselves. They preferred to leave the internal administration of the Lushai Hills to the traditional Mizo Chieftains. It was only after repeated raids on British tea gardens and settlements that this policy shifted toward active military expeditions (such as the Lushai Expedition of 1871-72) and eventual annexation and administration.
Why other options are incorrect:
- (a) Forced labour was not a primary policy goal; the British generally avoided direct administrative interference in the early phase.
- (b) Revenue collection was not the initial priority, as the terrain was difficult and the economy was based on jhum cultivation, making systematic taxation impractical at the start.
- (c) While Christian missions eventually transformed Mizo society, the 'policy' of the British government (the state) was distinct from the activities of missionaries. The government did not initially enter the hills for the purpose of introducing Christianity.
The Lakher Pioneer Mission was started by:
A)
Reginald A. Lorrain
B)
J. Herbert Lorrain
C)
William Williams
D)
F.W. Savidge
The Lakher Pioneer Mission was established by Rev. William Williams. He arrived in the region in the late 19th century to minister to the Lakher (Lai) people in the southern part of present-day Mizoram. While J. Herbert Lorrain and F.W. Savidge are credited with the pioneering work among the Lushai (Mizo) people in Aizawl (starting in 1894), William Williams focused his efforts on the Lakher community, establishing the mission that paved the way for Christianity in the southern districts. Reginald A. Lorrain is not the primary figure associated with the start of this specific mission.
“A Monograph on Lushai Customs and Ceremonies” was written by:
A)
T.H. Lewin
B)
J. Shakespeare
C)
N.E. Parry
D)
B. Lalthangliana
The book 'A Monograph on Lushai Customs and Ceremonies' was written by N.E. Parry. It is a seminal work in Mizo history and anthropology, providing a detailed account of the traditional social structures, rituals, and customs of the Lushai (Mizo) people during the British colonial period.
Analysis of other options:
- T.H. Lewin: Known for his work 'The Lushai Kuki Clans' and his role as a political officer in the region.
- J. Shakespeare: Known for his contributions to the Mizo language, specifically the 'A Grammar of the Lushai Language'.
- B. Lalthangliana: A modern Mizo scholar/author, not the author of this colonial-era monograph.
‘Khaukhurh’ was one type of graves meant for:
A)
Ordinary people
B)
Chiefs and prominent persons
C)
Warriors
D)
Infant child
In traditional Mizo culture, burial practices were closely tied to social status. 'Khaukhurh' refers to a specific type of grave—essentially a burial chamber or a more elaborate grave structure—reserved for the elite of society, specifically the Chiefs (Lals) and other prominent or high-ranking persons. Ordinary people were typically buried in simpler graves. This distinction in burial rites reflected the hierarchical structure of the traditional Mizo village administration and the prestige associated with the chieftainship.
Which of the following is regarded as belonging to the Lai community?
A)
Khuallam
B)
Chawnglaizawn
C)
Solakia
D)
Tlanglam
The question asks for a cultural element belonging to the Lai community, one of the major ethnic groups in Mizoram (governed by the Lai Autonomous District Council).
1. **Solakia**: This is a traditional dance/cultural performance specifically associated with the Lai community. It is a distinct part of their ethnic identity and heritage.
2. **Khuallam**: This is a traditional 'dance of the guests' performed by the Mizo (Lushai) people, typically during the welcoming of guests or during festivals.
3. **Chawnglaizawn**: This is a traditional Mizo dance historically performed by young men to celebrate the successful completion of a 'Chawng' (a traditional feast of merit/warrior celebration).
4. **Tlanglam**: This is a traditional Mizo folk song/dance style associated with the hills/mountains, common among the general Mizo population.
Therefore, Solakia is the only option that specifically belongs to the Lai community.
Which of the following denotes the least amount of rice harvested?
A)
Favah zai
B)
Chhip zawn
C)
Tuthlawh zawn
D)
Silai zawn
In traditional Mizo agriculture and the measurement of rice harvests, specific terms are used to denote the quantity of grain harvested based on the size of the container or the method of collection.
1. **Favah zai**: This refers to a very small quantity of rice, typically just enough to fill a small bamboo container (favah). It denotes the smallest unit of harvest among the given options.
2. **Chhip zawn**: This refers to a larger quantity, often associated with the amount that can be carried in a larger basket or a specific traditional measure.
3. **Tuthlawh zawn**: This refers to a significant quantity of rice, often related to the amount used for specific traditional rituals or larger storage units.
4. **Silai zawn**: This denotes a substantial harvest, typically measured in larger traditional units (silai).
Comparing these terms, 'Favah zai' represents the least amount of rice harvested.
Green Mizoram Day is observed annually on:
A)
October 19
B)
May 16
C)
April 22
D)
June 11
Green Mizoram Day is observed annually on October 19. This day is dedicated to promoting environmental awareness, afforestation, and the preservation of the natural greenery of Mizoram.
Analysis of other options:
- May 16: Not associated with a specific state-wide environmental day in Mizoram.
- April 22: This is 'World Earth Day', observed globally, not specifically 'Green Mizoram Day'.
- June 11: Not the designated date for Green Mizoram Day (though June 5 is World Environment Day).
Which of the following was not believed to be one of the female evil spirits in Mizo history?
A)
Lasi
B)
Tau
C)
Chawm
D)
In-thum-kar
In traditional Mizo folklore and belief systems regarding spirits (ramhuai), different entities are categorized by their nature and gender.
1. **Lasi**: These are generally regarded as celestial beings, nymphs, or benevolent spirits/fairies. They are not classified as 'evil spirits' (ramhuai) but rather as ethereal, beautiful beings associated with nature and purity.
2. **Tau**: These are known as female evil spirits or ghosts that are believed to haunt certain areas and can cause harm or illness to humans.
3. **Chawm**: These are recognized as a type of female spirit/ghost in Mizo mythology, often associated with specific supernatural disturbances.
4. **In-thum-kar**: This refers to a specific type of spirit believed to dwell in the gaps or corners of a house (specifically 'three-walled' or corner areas), categorized under the broader umbrella of malevolent or haunting spirits.
Therefore, while Tau, Chawm, and In-thum-kar are associated with the category of evil or haunting female spirits, the Lasi is a benevolent or neutral celestial entity.
What was the type of “Zu” which was known as “hranden zu”?
A)
Zupui
B)
Zufang
C)
Tin zu
D)
Rak zu
In traditional Mizo culture, 'Zu' (traditional rice beer) was prepared in various ways depending on the ingredients and the method of fermentation. 'Tin zu' refers to a specific type of Zu that was fermented in a way that resulted in a clear, sparkling, or shimmering appearance, which is why it was known as 'hranden zu' (shining/glittering beer).
- Zupui: Refers to a stronger, more concentrated form of rice beer.
- Zufang: Refers to the starter cake used to initiate the fermentation process.
- Rak zu: Refers to a type of beer often associated with specific additives or lower quality, not characterized by the 'hranden' (shining) quality.
Therefore, 'Tin zu' is the correct answer as it specifically describes the clear, shimmering variety of traditional Mizo beer.
What was the term for the nomadic settlement of new land known as in Mizo history?
A)
Ram thar kai
B)
Ram zuan
C)
Ram thar luah
D)
Ram sawn
In Mizo history and traditional socio-economic practices, the term 'Ram thar kai' literally translates to 'going to a new land.' This refers to the nomadic practice where a clan or a group of families migrated to a new area to establish a fresh settlement, usually driven by the need for more fertile land for Jhum (shifting) cultivation or due to internal conflicts and the influence of the Chief.
Analysis of other options:
- 'Ram zuan' generally refers to the act of roaming or wandering through the land.
- 'Ram thar luah' is not a standard historical term for nomadic settlement.
- 'Ram sawn' refers to shifting or moving a boundary or a specific plot, but does not encompass the broader concept of nomadic settlement of new land.
Who among the following was not exempted from “hnatlang”?
A)
Widows
B)
Lal thirdeng, when he is preoccupied with his work
C)
The physically handicapped
D)
Tlangau
Hnatlang is the traditional Mizo system of community labor, where members of the village contribute their time and effort for the common good or for the benefit of the village chief. In traditional Mizo society, certain groups were exempted from this compulsory labor based on their social status, physical condition, or specific roles.
1. Widows and the physically handicapped (Options a and c) were exempted on humanitarian grounds as they were considered unable to perform strenuous physical labor.
2. The 'Lal thirdeng' (the Chief's personal attendant/servant) was generally exempted from general village hnatlang when he was preoccupied with his duties to the Chief, as his primary responsibility was the service of the Chief.
3. The 'Tlangau' (the village crier/town crier) was a functional officer of the village. While he held a position of responsibility, his role was to communicate the Chief's orders and announcements to the public. He was not exempted from hnatlang; rather, he was an active part of the village administration and was expected to participate in community duties unless specifically excused for a particular task. Therefore, among the given options, the Tlangau was not categorically exempted from hnatlang.
What term was used for the substitute when the village Sadawt was not able to perform his customary duties?
A)
Tlahpawi
B)
Vanhrik
C)
Bawlpu
D)
Khua bawl
In traditional Mizo village administration, the 'Sadawt' was a village official responsible for specific customary duties, often related to the maintenance of village order or acting as a messenger/assistant to the Chief. When the appointed Sadawt was unable to perform these duties—due to illness, absence, or death—a substitute was appointed to fill the gap. This substitute was known as the 'Tlahpawi'.
- Option (a) Tlahpawi is the correct term for the substitute of the Sadawt.
- Option (b) Vanhrik refers to a different social or familial context and is not the term for a Sadawt's substitute.
- Option (c) Bawlpu and (d) Khua bawl are not recognized terms for this specific administrative substitution in Mizo customary law.
Which of the following Ramsar Wetland sites are located in North East India? 1. Deepor Beel 2. Chandra Taal 3. Wular Lake 4. Pala Wetland Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
A)
1 and 4
B)
1, 2 and 3 only
C)
1, 2 and 4 only
D)
2, 3 and 4 only
To determine the correct answer, we must analyze the location of each listed Ramsar site:
1. **Deepor Beel**: Located in Assam. Assam is part of North East India. (Correct)
2. **Chandra Taal**: Located in Himachal Pradesh. Himachal Pradesh is in North India, not North East India. (Incorrect)
3. **Wular Lake**: Located in Jammu & Kashmir. Jammu & Kashmir is in North India, not North East India. (Incorrect)
4. **Pala Wetland**: Located in Mizoram. Mizoram is part of North East India. (Correct)
Based on this analysis, only Deepor Beel (1) and Pala Wetland (4) are located in North East India. Therefore, the correct combination is 1 and 4.