General Instructions

Solution:

Step 1: Calculate total demand

Total Demand = 3000 + 600 + 2500 + 1200 + 3300 = 10,600

Average Demand = 10,600 ÷ 5 = 2,120

Step 2: Calculate total available seats

Total Intake = 1500 + 1800 + 1000 + 2700 + 2200 = 9,200

Average Intake = 9,200 ÷ 5 = 1,840

Step 3: Calculate percentage by which average demand is more than average intake

Percentage more = [(Average Demand − Average Intake) ÷ Average Intake] × 100

= [(2120 − 1840) ÷ 1840] × 100

= (280 ÷ 1840) × 100

= 15.22%

Correct Answer: (3) 15.22%

Solution:

Compare Demand and Intake for each college:

• College A: Demand 3000 > Intake 1500 → More demand
• College B: Demand 600 < Intake 1800 → More available seats
• College C: Demand 2500 > Intake 1000 → More demand
• College D: Demand 1200 < Intake 2700 → More available seats
• College E: Demand 3300 > Intake 2200 → More demand

Colleges having more demand than available seats = 3 (A, C, E)

Colleges having more available seats than demand = 2 (B, D)

Therefore, the required ratio is:

3 : 2

Correct Answer: (4) 3 : 2

Solution:

Demand for College B = 600

Demand for College C = 2500

Percentage of demand for B compared to C:

= (600 ÷ 2500) × 100

= 24%

Correct Answer: (1) 24%

Solution:

Step 1: Identify the two highest demanded colleges

College E = 3300 applications

College A = 3000 applications

Total demand of two highest demanded colleges:

= 3300 + 3000 = 6300

Step 2: Identify the two lowest demanded colleges

College B = 600 applications

College D = 1200 applications

Total demand of two lowest demanded colleges:

= 600 + 1200 = 1800

Step 3: Calculate the percentage higher

Percentage higher = [(6300 − 1800) ÷ 1800] × 100

= (4500 ÷ 1800) × 100

= 250%

Correct Answer: (2) 250%

Solution:

Step 1: Find the difference for College E

Demand of E = 3300

Available seats of E = 2200

Difference = 3300 − 2200 = 1100

Step 2: Find the difference for College A

Demand of A = 3000

Available seats of A = 1500

Difference = 3000 − 1500 = 1500

Step 3: Calculate the percentage lower

Percentage lower = [(1500 − 1100) ÷ 1500] × 100

= (400 ÷ 1500) × 100

= 26.67%

Correct Answer: (3) 26.67%

Solution:

The teacher first assigns scores to the students and then gives them ranks based on those scores.

Scores are measured on an interval scale, while ranks are measured on an ordinal scale because they indicate the relative order of students.

Therefore, the scales of measurement used are Interval and Ordinal.

Correct Answer: (1) Interval and ordinal

Solution:

The correct sequence for construction and standardisation of a research tool is:

1. Construction of items (A): Prepare the initial items for the tool.
2. Selection of items for primary draft (E): Select suitable items to form the primary draft.
3. Item analysis (C): Analyse the items to determine their quality and suitability.
4. Selection of items for final draft (B): Select the best items based on item analysis.
5. Establishment of norms (D): Establish norms for interpreting the scores.

Thus, the correct order is A → E → C → B → D.

Correct Answer: (1) A, E, C, B, D

Solution:

Action Research is a practical form of research conducted to solve an immediate or local problem and improve practice. Its major characteristics are:

• A. It does not aim to develop theory: Correct. Its primary purpose is to solve practical problems and improve existing practices rather than develop general theories.
• B. It is not conducted to generalise the findings: Correct. Action Research generally focuses on a specific local situation, group, or institution, so broad generalisation is not its main objective.
• C. Sample is selected randomly: Incorrect. Random sampling is not a necessary characteristic of Action Research.
• D. It is conducted to find the solution of local level problem: Correct. It focuses on solving immediate and context-specific problems.
• E. Control on variable is required in it: Incorrect. Strict experimental control over variables is not an essential requirement of Action Research.

Therefore, the correct characteristics are A, B and D.

Correct Answer: (4) A, B and D Only

Solution:

Non-parametric tests do not require the data to follow a specific population distribution and commonly use ranks.

• A. Kendall’s W Test: Non-parametric test.
• B. Rank correlation test: Non-parametric test.
• C. Wilcoxon Test: Non-parametric test.
• D. t Test: Parametric test.
• E. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA): Parametric test.

Therefore, the non-parametric tests are A, B and C.

Correct Answer: (4) A, B and C Only

Solution:

Match each research type with its appropriate description:

Thus, the correct matching is:

A-III, B-IV, C-II, D-I

Correct Answer: (2) A-III, B-IV, C-II, D-I

Solution:

The National Policy on Education (NPE) 1986, along with the Programme of Action (POA) 1992, emphasized the development of autonomous colleges to improve academic flexibility and quality in higher education.

• Option (1): Incorrect. Special assistance was envisaged for colleges in tribal and other disadvantaged areas.
• Option (2): Incorrect. The recommendation was not for full Central Government funding for 10 years.
• Option (3): Incorrect. NAAC is primarily concerned with assessment and accreditation; funding is not made available through NAAC in this manner.
• Option (4): Correct. The policy envisaged developing 500 colleges as autonomous colleges during the Seventh Five Year Plan.

Correct Answer: (4) 500 colleges to be developed as autonomous colleges in the seventh five year plan

Solution:

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including Goal 4 (SDG 4) on quality education, were adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015 as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

India, as a UN Member State, adopted the 2030 Agenda and its 17 SDGs in 2015.

Correct Answer: (4) 2015

Solution:

The digital initiatives can be arranged according to their year of launch as follows:

Therefore, the correct chronological order is:

C → A → D → E → B

Correct Answer: (1) C, A, D, E, B

Solution:

• A. Single-stream HEIs will be phased out over time: Correct. NEP 2020 states that single-stream HEIs will gradually be phased out and transformed into multidisciplinary institutions or clusters.
• B. By 2035, there shall be at least one multidisciplinary HEI in or near every district: Incorrect. NEP 2020 specifies by 2030, not 2035, for at least one large multidisciplinary HEI in or near every district.
• C. Institutions will have the option to run ODL and online programmes, provided they are accredited: Correct. NEP 2020 explicitly provides this option subject to appropriate accreditation.
• D. Justice J. S. Verma Commission (2012) reports that over 20,000 stand-alone TEIs are selling degrees for a price: Incorrect in the context of the statement as framed in NEP 2020.
• E. Private HEIs will be encouraged to offer a large number of freeships and scholarships: Correct. NEP 2020 encourages private HEIs to provide freeships and scholarships to promote equitable access to higher education.

Therefore, the correct statements are A, C and E.

Correct Answer: (3) A, C and E Only

Solution:

The committees can be matched with their major focus areas as follows:

Thus, the correct matching is:

A-III, B-IV, C-I, D-II

Correct Answer: (1) A-III, B-IV, C-I, D-II

Solution:

The 4 Cs of successful writing are generally:

• Clear – The message should be easy to understand.
• Concise – The message should be brief and to the point.
• Correct – The information and language should be accurate.
• Complete – The message should contain all necessary information.

Connect is not one of the 4 Cs of successful writing.

Correct Answer: (2) Connect

Solution:

Skills required to face job interviews and improve employability include communication, interpersonal skills, confidence, teamwork, adaptability, and professional behaviour. These are collectively considered soft skills.

Therefore, skills for facing job interviews and getting employed are part of soft skills.

Correct Answer: (2) Soft skills

Solution:

The social media platforms can be arranged according to their launch years:

Therefore, the correct chronological order from past to present is:

C → E → B → D → A

Answer: (4) C, E, B, D, A

Solution:

Non-verbal communication conveys messages without using spoken words. It includes physical movements, gestures, body language, and facial expressions.

• A. Body language: Correct. It is a form of non-verbal communication.
• B. Shouting: Incorrect. Shouting uses spoken words and is therefore verbal communication.
• C. Gestures: Correct. Gestures communicate through physical movements.
• D. Facial expressions: Correct. Facial expressions convey emotions and messages without words.
• E. Conversation on telephonic call: Incorrect. A telephone conversation involves spoken language and is verbal communication.

Therefore, the correct set is A, C and D Only.

Correct Answer: (4) A, C and D Only

Solution:

Match the programmes with their respective categories:

Thus, the correct matching is:

A-IV, B-III, C-II, D-I

Correct Answer: (1) A-IV, B-III, C-II, D-I

Solution:

Observe the pattern in the alpha-numeric series:

A2B, B3D, C5F, (?), E11J

• The first letters increase alphabetically: A, B, C, D, E.
• The numbers are prime numbers in order: 2, 3, 5, 7, 11.
• The last letters increase by 2 positions: B, D, F, H, J.

Therefore, the missing term is:

D7H

Correct Answer: (1) D7H

Solution:

Observe the series:

0, 9, 26, 65, 124, 217, ?

Each term follows the pattern:

n³ + (−1)ⁿ × n

Checking the terms:

• 1³ − 1 = 0
• 2³ + 1 = 9
• 3³ − 1 = 26
• 4³ + 1 = 65
• 5³ − 1 = 124
• 6³ + 1 = 217

Therefore, the next term for n = 7 is:

7³ − 1 = 343 − 1 = 342

Correct Answer: (4) 342

Solution:

Calculate the area of each shape:

• A. Circle: Diameter = 10 cm, so radius = 5 cm.
  Area = πr² = π × 5² = 25π ≈ 78.54 cm²
• B. Rectangle:
  Area = length × breadth = 6 × 4 = 24 cm²
• C. Square:
  Area = side² = 5² = 25 cm²
• D. Equilateral Triangle:
  Area = (√3/4) × 5² = 25√3/4 ≈ 10.83 cm²

Therefore, the increasing order of areas is:

D (10.83) < B (24) < C (25) < A (78.54)

Correct Answer: (4) D, B, C, A

Solution:

• A. Speed conversion:
  50 km/hour = 50 × (1000/3600) = 13.89 m/s, not 15 m/s.
  Therefore, A is incorrect.
• B. Area of a rhombus:
  Area = 1/2 × d₁ × d₂ = 1/2 × 4 × 6 = 12 cm².
  Therefore, B is correct.
• C. Root expression:
  According to the official answer key, statement C is considered incorrect.
• D. Profit percentage:
  Let the cost price of 1 banana be ₹1.
  CP of 10 bananas = ₹10 = SP of 8 bananas.
  Therefore, SP of 1 banana = ₹10/8 = ₹1.25.
  Profit = ₹1.25 − ₹1 = ₹0.25.
  Profit % = (0.25/1) × 100 = 25%.
  Therefore, D is correct.

Thus, the correct statements are B and D only.

Correct Answer: (3) B and D Only

Solution:

Thus, the correct matching is:

A–III, B–IV, C–I, D–II

Correct Answer: (3) A-III, B-IV, C-I, D-II

Solution:

Mimamsa is one of the six orthodox (Astika) schools of Indian philosophy. It accepts the authority of the Vedas and primarily deals with Vedic rituals, dharma, and the interpretation of Vedic texts.

• Option (1): Incorrect — describes Samadhi.
• Option (2): Correct — Mimamsa is one of the classical orthodox schools of Indian philosophy (Astika).
• Option (3): Incorrect — Nastika schools reject the authority of the Vedas.
• Option (4): Incorrect — the doctrine that all things are momentary is associated with Buddhist momentariness (Kshanikavada).

Correct Answer: (2) One of the classical schools of Indian Philosophy (Astika)

Correct Answer: (3) If it is raining, then the ground is wet. It is raining. Therefore, the ground is wet.

Solution:

Deductive reasoning moves from a general rule or premise to a specific conclusion. If the premises are true and the argument is logically valid, the conclusion necessarily follows.

In option (3):

• Major Premise: If it is raining, then the ground is wet.
• Minor Premise: It is raining.
• Conclusion: Therefore, the ground is wet.

This is a classic example of Modus Ponens:

If P → Q
P is true
Therefore, Q is true.

Hence, the argument in option (3) is deductive reasoning.

Why the other options are not deductive:

• (1) Generalizes from an observed effect to a recommendation. It does not present a formally necessary conclusion from given premises.
• (2) Similarly moves from the claimed relationship between smoking and lung cancer to a practical recommendation; the conclusion is not a logically necessary consequence in the strict deductive sense.
• (4) This is inductive reasoning: observations of white ducks are used to make a generalization about all ducks.

Therefore, the correct answer is (3).

Correct Answer: (4) E, D, C, A, B

Solution:

The process of evaluating analogical reasoning proceeds logically from identifying what is being compared to assessing the quality of the analogy:

E. Identify the source and target domains – First, determine the two domains or situations being compared.
D. Detect common features – Identify the similarities or common features between the source and target.
C. Assess relevance of similarities – Determine whether those similarities are relevant to the conclusion being drawn.
A. Draw Conclusion – Based on the relevant similarities, formulate the conclusion.
B. Evaluate strength of analogy – Finally, assess how strong or convincing the analogy is.

Sequence: E → D → C → A → B

Correct Answer: (4) E, D, C, A, B

Correct Answer: (2) A-II, B-I, C-IV, D-III

Solution:

In traditional categorical logic, the four standard forms are:

Therefore:

A-II, B-I, C-IV, D-III

Correct Answer: (2)

Quick memory trick:

• A (Universal Affirmative) → All S is P
• E (Universal Negative) → No S is P
• I (Particular Affirmative) → Some S is P
• O (Particular Negative) → Some S is not P

This is the standard A–E–I–O classification of categorical propositions.

Correct Answer: (4) Pestalozzi

Solution:
The Evening Hours of a Hermit was written by
Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi, the famous Swiss
educational reformer and pedagogue.

The work was published in 1780 and contains
aphorisms and reflections on education, human nature, morality,
and social development.

Pestalozzi’s educational philosophy emphasized the development of
the whole person and the importance of moral, intellectual, and
practical education.

Therefore, the correct answer is (4) Pestalozzi.

Correct Answer: (1) Adiseshaiah Committee

Solution:

“Learning to Do – Towards a Learning and Working Society” is the title associated with the report of the Adiseshaiah Committee.

The committee emphasized linking education with productive work, vocational skills, and employment, with the broader objective of developing a learning and working society.

Therefore:

Correct Answer: (1) Adiseshaiah Committee

Correct Answer: (3) A-II, B-IV, C-I, D-III

Solution

The correct matching is based on the nature and origin of different types of disasters:

Correct Matching

A – II, B – IV, C – I, D – III

Therefore, the correct option is:

(3) A-II, B-IV, C-I, D-III

Quick Revision

• Biological → Epidemic, insect infestation
• Geophysical → Earthquake, volcano, landslide
• Hydrometeorological → Flood, drought, storm
• Anthropogenic → Transport disaster, riots

Correct Answer: (1) highlighted the areas of special attention

Solution

The answer is directly stated in the passage:

“The stock-taking done at the first national convention on Consumer Protection served to highlight the areas that called for special attention to sustain the momentum of the movement…”

Therefore, the first national convention primarily highlighted the areas requiring special attention.

Option-wise Analysis

• (1) Highlighted the areas of special attention – Correct. This is explicitly stated in the opening sentence of the passage.
• (2) Spread awareness about consumer rights – Incorrect. Spreading awareness is identified as the first priority, not as the main outcome of the convention.
• (3) Provided guidelines to do away with substandard products – Incorrect. The passage does not mention such guidelines.
• (4) Criticised the Government’s apathy – Incorrect. The passage says government efforts were limited, but it does not state that the convention criticised government apathy.

Final Answer: (1) Highlighted the areas of special attention.

Correct Answer: (2) Radio and television

Solution

According to the passage, spreading awareness about consumer rights in rural areas requires a multi-media approach. The author specifically states that:

“…radio and television have a crucial role to play.”

Therefore, radio and television are considered more crucial for bringing awareness among consumers, particularly in the vast rural areas.

Option-wise Analysis

• (1) Religious scriptures – Incorrect: They are not mentioned in the passage.
• (2) Radio and television – Correct: The passage explicitly describes their role as “crucial” in spreading consumer awareness.
• (3) Newspapers and textbooks – Incorrect: These are not identified as the crucial medium in the passage.
• (4) Heads of the villages or sarpanch – Incorrect: Village bodies are mentioned as a means of conveying the message, but the author specifically gives a crucial role to radio and television.

Final Answer: (2) Radio and television

Correct Answer: (3) setting up requisite infrastructure

Solution

The passage clearly states:

“Government efforts remain confined at best to setting up the infrastructure after the formal launch of the movement with the enactment of the Consumer Protection Act.”

Thus, according to the author, the government’s contribution to the consumer protection movement was primarily setting up the requisite infrastructure.

Option-wise Analysis

• (1) Toning up district-level machinery – Incorrect: The passage says there is a need to strengthen the district-level redressal machinery because of the mounting backlog; it does not say the government had already done so.
• (2) Cleaning the backlog of cases in consumer courts – Incorrect: The backlog is actually presented as a problem requiring attention.
• (3) Setting up requisite infrastructure – Correct: This is explicitly stated as the government’s contribution.
• (4) Enactment of the Consumer Protection Act – Incorrect: The Act formally launched the movement, but the passage specifically describes the government’s efforts as being confined to setting up infrastructure after its enactment.

Key Point

Government’s role → Setting up infrastructure

Final Answer: (3) Setting up requisite infrastructure

Correct Answer: (1) Remedies against the violation of fair trade practices

Solution

According to the passage, the involvement of consumer organizations in publicising fair trade practices and the remedies available against their violation will prove rewarding, provided the message is conveyed through village bodies.

“The involvement of the 500-odd consumer organizations in the country in publicising the concept of fair trade practices and the remedies available against their violation will prove rewarding…”

Option-wise Analysis

• (1) Remedies against the violation of fair trade practices – Correct: This is directly supported by the passage.
• (2) Setting up more and more Lok Adalats – Incorrect: Lok Adalats are not mentioned in the passage.
• (3) Weekly campaign for bringing awareness – Incorrect: No weekly campaign is suggested.
• (4) Rigorous punishment to the erring officials – Incorrect: The passage does not recommend such punishment.

Final Answer: (1) Remedies against the violation of fair trade practices

Correct Answer: (2) Use of different media

Solution

The passage explicitly states that taking the consumer protection movement to the vast rural hinterland requires a multi-media approach, with radio and television playing a crucial role.

“…taking it to the vast rural hinterland calls for a multi-media approach in which radio and television have a crucial role to play.”

Therefore, ensuring consumer protection in rural areas requires the use of different media to spread awareness about consumer rights and available remedies.

Option-wise Analysis

• (1) Establishing rural courts – Incorrect: Rural courts are not suggested in the passage.
• (2) Use of different media – Correct: The passage specifically recommends a multi-media approach for rural areas.
• (3) Increasing Lok Adalats – Incorrect: Lok Adalats are not mentioned.
• (4) Empowering the Panchayats – Incorrect: Village bodies are mentioned for conveying the message, but the key requirement identified by the author is a multi-media approach.

Key Point

Rural consumer protection → Multi-media approach → Radio + Television

Final Answer: (2) Use of different media