MPSC MCS Prelims Mock Test - 9 - MPSC MCS (Mizoram) MCQ

Mahajanapadas refers to ancient Indian Kingdoms that existed between the 3rd and 6th centuries BCE.

• These kingdoms and republics had evolved and flourished in a belt stretching from Gandhara in the North-West to Anga in the Eastern part of the Indian subcontinent.

Important Points

Mahajanapadas were of two types:

• Monarchial states- Anga, Avanti, Chedi, Kashi, Kosala, Gandhara, Magadha, Matsya, Surasena, Vatsa
• Non-Monarchial/Republican states- Kamboj, Kuru, Koliyas, Malla, Moriya, Shakya, Vajji, Panchal, Licchavi, Bhaggas, Kalamas, Videhas, Jnatrikas.

From the above, it is clear that Avanti, Kosal, and Magadha are not the Republic states.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued Revised Directions on Fraud Risk Management, which aims to provide a structured approach for financial institutions to manage and mitigate fraud risks effectively. This initiative is crucial in maintaining the integrity of the financial system, especially in the face of rising cyber threats.

The 'Nivahika' Data Management Portal was launched by the National Institute of Technology, Calicut. This portal is expected to streamline data management processes and enhance research capabilities at the institution, demonstrating the importance of data in advancing technology and education.

Comet A117uUD was ejected from the Solar System following its encounter with Saturn. Such events are fascinating as they illustrate the dynamic nature of our solar system, where gravitational interactions can significantly alter the trajectories of celestial bodies.

The Green National Highway Project, in collaboration with the World Bank, primarily focuses on promoting sustainable highway infrastructure. This initiative aims to reduce environmental impacts while improving the efficiency of road transport, aligning with global sustainability goals.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has launched several applications, including e-Sakshya, e-Summon, Nyaya Setu, and Nyaya Shruti, aimed at implementing various judicial and administrative reforms. These digital tools enhance accessibility and efficiency in legal processes.

Michael Phelps holds the record for the most gold medals won at a single Olympic Games, achieving this remarkable feat at the 2008 Beijing Olympics where he secured eight gold medals. His dominance in swimming has made him one of the most celebrated athletes in Olympic history.

India ranked 39th among 119 countries in the Travel and Tourism Development Index (TTDI) as published by the World Economic Forum. This ranking reflects improvements in areas such as safety, security, and health, crucial for enhancing the tourism sector's growth.

The e-Auction conducted by the Food Corporation of India (FCI) aimed to dispose of surplus stocks of wheat and rice in the open market. This strategy helps regulate prices and manage food security, especially before the kharif season's procurement.

Aerosmith announced their early retirement from touring, concluding their "Peace Out: The Farewell" tour prematurely due to frontman Steven Tyler's vocal injury. This marks the end of an era for one of rock music’s most iconic bands, known for their energetic performances and classic hits.

The installation of an X-band Doppler weather radar in Lahaul-Spiti is significant for enhancing weather forecasting and disaster management in the region. This technology provides accurate data on weather patterns, helping authorities respond effectively to natural disasters.

A record 7.28 crore income tax returns were filed for the year 2024-25 by July 31, marking a 7.5% increase from the previous year. This surge indicates growing compliance among taxpayers and improved efficiency in the filing process.

Mary Kom is renowned for winning the World Amateur Boxing Championship six times and is the only female boxer to have medaled in each of the first seven world championships. Her achievements have made her a significant figure in both sports and women's empowerment.

Dr. Grinson George has been appointed as the new Director of the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI). His experience in marine biodiversity and environment management positions him well to lead research initiatives in India’s marine fisheries sector.

Lt Col Kabilan Sai Ashok became India's youngest Olympic boxing referee at the Paris Olympics 2024. This achievement highlights the increasing recognition of Indian officials in international sports, promoting fairness and ethics in competitive environments.

The primary goal discussed at the conference is to achieve a hunger-free world by 2030. Experts highlighted the significant challenges posed by rising malnutrition and hunger levels, emphasizing the need for sustainable agricultural practices to meet this objective.

Pumped Storage Hydropower (PSH) is a type of hydroelectric energy storage involving two reservoirs at different elevations. Excess electricity is used to pump water to the upper reservoir, which can then be released to generate power when needed. This method is essential for energy management and balancing supply and demand.

Radioactivity is the property exhibited by certain types of matter of emitting energy and subatomic particles spontaneously. It is, in essence, an attribute of individual atomic nuclei. An unstable nucleus will decompose spontaneously, or decay, into a more stable configuration but will do so only in a few specific ways by emitting certain particles or certain forms of electromagnetic energy.

Radioactive decay is a property of several naturally occurring elements as well as of artificially produced isotopes of the elements. The rate at which a radioactive element decays is expressed in terms of its half-life; i.e., the time required for one-half of any given quantity of the isotope to decay.

The emissions of the most common forms of spontaneous radioactive decay are the alpha (α) particle, the beta (β) particle, the gamma (γ) ray, and the neutrino. The alpha particle is actually the nucleus of a helium-4 atom, with two positive charges He (mass number 4, atomic number 2). Such charged atoms are called ions. The neutral helium atom has two electrons outside its nucleus balancing these two charges.

Beta particles may be negatively charged (beta minus, symbol e−), or positively charged (beta plus, symbol e+). The beta minus [β−] particle is actually an electron created in the nucleus during beta decay without any relationship to the orbital electron cloud of the atom. The beta plus particle, also called the positron, is the antiparticle of the electron; when brought together, two such particles will mutually annihilate each other.
Gamma rays are electromagnetic radiations such as radio waves, light, and X-rays.

Beta radioactivity also produces the neutrino and antineutrino, particles that have no charge and very little mass, symbolized by ν and ν, respectively. Thus only gamma rays and neutrino are electrically neutral and not alpha or beta particles. Hence statement 1 is not correct.

Beta radiation is more penetrating than alpha radiation. It can pass through the skin, but it is absorbed by a few centimetres of body tissue or a few millimetres of aluminium. Gamma radiation is the most penetrating of the three radiations.

Alpha particles can easily be shielded by a single sheet of paper and cannot penetrate the outer dead layer of skin, so they pose no danger when their source is outside the human body. Beta particles are essentially electrons emitted from the nucleus of a radioactive atom.

Gamma rays are energy that has no mass or charge. They have tremendous penetration power and require several inches of dense material (like lead) to shield them. Hence statement 2 is correct.

The most famous chaitya, a temple, from the Satavahana era is located at Karle in the western Deccan.

Harsha organized the Prayag Mahasabha, a religious assembly held at Prayag (modern-day Allahabad). It attracted scholars, philosophers, and religious leaders from different parts of India.

The Nanda dynasty is sometimes called "the first empire builder of India" because they established the first imperial and centralized structure in the Magadhan Empire.

The measurement system of land revenue administration was introduced by Alauddin Khalji and was later followed by Sher Shah. This system involved dividing land into three categories - good, bad, and middling.

The art of stone carving went to Sri Lanka from India, and it greatly influenced Sri Lankan art. The famous paintings of Sigiriya were modeled on the Ajantha paintings.

The Simon Commission was appointed in 1927 to review and recommend constitutional reforms for India, particularly in the context of Indian political representation.

Lord Dalhousie, also known as James Andrew Broun-Ramsay, introduced the Doctrine of Lapse during his tenure as Governor-General of India from 1848 to 1856. The Doctrine of Lapse was a policy that allowed the British East India Company, under certain circumstances, to annex Indian princely states if they lacked a male heir or adopted successor. This policy was used by Lord Dalhousie to expand British control in India and was highly controversial at the time.

The formal partition of India was marked by the Lahore Session of the Indian National Congress (INC) in 1940. During this session, the Muslim League demanded a separate nation for Muslims, which eventually led to the creation of Pakistan in 1947.