Instructions: –
1. Attempt all the questions.
2. Once you have completed all the questions of a particular section click on the submit button for scores and explanations then move to the next sections.
3. For each correct answer, you receive 1 mark. For this mock, there is no negative marking.
English Language
Each set of questions in this section is based on a single passage. Please answer each question based on what is stated or implied in the corresponding passage. In some instances, more than one option may be the answer to the question; in such a case, please choose the option that most accurately and comprehensively answers the question.
As an industry expert, I have seen firsthand the benefits and risks of technological development. On one hand, technology has revolutionized various industries, leading to increased efficiency, productivity, and innovation. On the other hand, there are concerns about the potential negative impact of technology on society, including privacy violations, job displacement, and widening inequality. One of the biggest benefits of technology is the increased efficiency it brings to various industries. With the use of automation and machine learning, businesses can streamline their operations and reduce costs. This allows for greater profitability and competitiveness in the marketplace. Additionally, technology has made it easier for people to access information, connect with each other, and engage in commerce across borders. However, technological advancement has also brought with it significant risks. One of the main concerns is privacy violations, as companies collect and use personal data without individuals’ consent. This has led to debates around data protection and regulation, as well as concerns about surveillance and government overreach. Another risk is the potential for job displacement as automation and artificial intelligence take over tasks previously performed by humans. This can exacerbate inequality and leave many workers without viable employment opportunities. Moreover, technological advancement can also exacerbate existing societal inequalities, as those who are already advantaged have greater access to resources and opportunities. This includes access to education and training programs that are necessary to take advantage of technological advancements. This digital divide can lead to further disparities in income and wealth distribution. In addition to the risks already mentioned, technological development has also raised concerns about the impact on mental health and social well-being. The rise of social media and digital communication has brought about a new form of cyber-addiction, cyberbullying, and online harassment. The constant barrage of information and stimuli can lead to increased stress and anxiety, affecting individuals’ mental health and overall well-being. Furthermore, technological advancement can have significant environmental consequences. The production and disposal of electronic devices and their components contribute to pollution and resource depletion. The rapid technological innovation has also led to a culture of planned obsolescence, where products are intentionally designed to have a short lifespan. This leads to increased waste and environmental degradation. As society becomes more reliant on technology, it is essential to address these risks and challenges. This requires a multidisciplinary approach that involves not only industry experts but also policymakers, regulators, and civil society organizations. It is crucial to prioritize ethical considerations and ensure that technological development is aligned with societal values and goals. By doing so, we can maximize the benefits of technology while minimizing its potential negative impact on society.
Quantitative Techniques
In 2022, the Finance Department of a regional government and a private company both conducted detailed budget analyses to better allocate their resources. The government allocated its budget as follows: 30% on infrastructure development, 20% on healthcare, 15% on education, 10% on public safety, 5% on environmental initiatives, and 20% on administrative expenses. The total government expenditure for 2022 was ₹ 1,50,000.
On the other hand, the private company allocated its budget in 2022 as follows: 25% on research and development (R&D), 18% on marketing, 12% on employee training, 20% on operations, 15% on infrastructure, and 10% on other expenses. The total expenditure of the private company in 2022 was ₹ 80,000.
Logical Reasoning
God is Truth’; or should it be ‘Truth is God’? Swami Vivekananda and Mahatma Gandhi had swapped the subject and predicate of the classical statement, ‘God is Truth’ and proposed ‘Truth is God’ instead. The context here is the decline of religion in the West with the advent of modernity. Modern ideas based on reason posed a severe threat to religion. Convinced by the claims of modernity, people started moving away from god.
Now Indians could either reject religion and follow the modernists or reject modernity and continue to adhere to the orthodox path, maintaining the status quo. However, these two mutually exclusive options were not available to all Indians, especially those who were part of the Indian freedom struggle. Modernity was introduced to India by the British colonists.
While the very instruments of modernity were used by the British to enslave India, it was, at the same time, impossible to reject modern science outright and ignore the tangible benefits of technology and industrialization. It was equally challenging to reject the radical political ideas of equality, freedom, liberty and democracy that are more acceptable and liberating than the alleged traditional values of rigid hierarchy and discrimination.
While truth-seekers may reject religion, no religion rejects truth. So instead of removing God, Vivekananda and Gandhi moved Truth to the front without lowering the position of God. This strategy was inclusive and facilitated more openings — both believers and non-believers are included within the spectrum, at least in principle. Only those who did not believe in truth were outside the purview of this statement. Many who were non-believers but followed the principle of non-violence — like Gora Sastry — would not find a place in the classical formula of ‘God is Truth’ but were included in its reversal, ‘Truth is God’.
Legal Reasoning
Under the Constitution of India, in Articles 19 and 21, every person throughout the territory of India is conferred with the right to freedom of movement and is guaranteed personal liberty. In furtherance of this objective set up by the Constitution, the Indian Penal Code lays down penal sanctions in case a person violates the freedom of movement or personal liberty of another. Sections 339 and 340 of Indian Penal Code define wrongful restraint and wrongful confinement, respectively. The Indian Penal Code, 1860, makes wrongful restraint and wrongful confinement punishable under Section 339 to 348.
According to Section 339 of the Indian Penal Code, “Whoever voluntarily obstructs any person so as to prevent that person from proceeding in any direction in which that person has a right to proceed, is said wrongfully to restrain that person.” Further, the section also lays down an exception, which is that if a person in good faith believes himself to have a lawful right to obstruct and so obstructs a private way over land or water, then it does not amount to wrongful restraint. To establish the offence of wrongful restraint, the complainant must prove that there was an obstruction; the obstruction prevented the complainant from proceeding in any direction; the person/complainant so proceeding must have a right to proceed in the direction concerned.
Wrongful confinement is defined under Section 340 of the Indian Penal Code. Section 340 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, defines wrongful confinement as: “Whoever wrongfully restrains any person in such a manner as to prevent that person from proceeding beyond certain circumscribing limits, is said “wrongfully to confine” that person.” Section 342 of the Indian Penal Code says that whoever wrongfully confines any person shall be punished with simple imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both. The offence under Section 340 of the Code is cognizable, bailable compoundable and triable by any Magistrate. Section 343 of the Indian Penal Code says that whoever wrongfully confines any person for three days or more, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both. The offence under this section is cognizable, bailable, compoundable with the permission of the court and triable by any Magistrate.
Current Affairs & General Knowledge
The H-1B visa program, integral to the United States workforce, allows American employers to hire highly skilled foreign workers in specialized roles typically requiring a minimum of a bachelor’s degree. The program is capped at 65,000 new visas annually, with an additional 20,000 visas for workers holding advanced degrees from U.S. institutions, while certain sectors, such as higher education institutions and nonprofits, are exempt from these caps. The program is particularly significant for Indian professionals, who accounted for over 72 percent of visa approvals in fiscal year 2023, with the majority working in technology-related fields.
During Donald Trump’s administration, the H-1B program saw notable changes aligned with his “America First” immigration policies, which aimed to increase employment opportunities for American workers. This agenda led to heightened scrutiny of H-1B applications, with the denial rate peaking at 24 percent in 2018—a significant increase from 6 percent in 2016. While many visa denials were eventually contested and overturned, this restrictive approach signaled a strong shift towards limiting skilled immigration. Post-Trump administration, this trend gradually reversed, bringing the denial rate down to 2 percent by 2022.
Trump’s economic strategies, collectively known as “Trumponomics,” emphasized protectionism through high tariffs and restrictions on foreign labor, intending to stimulate domestic job creation and reduce dependency on foreign talent. However, industry leaders voiced concerns that limitations on skilled visas could hinder U.S. innovation, particularly in technology and engineering sectors, where demand for specialized expertise frequently exceeds the domestic supply.
Trump’s potential return to office raises questions about the future of the H-1B visa program. He has proposed that foreign nationals graduating from U.S. institutions should be granted green cards automatically, a policy that could benefit international students, particularly from India, by providing a more seamless pathway to the American workforce. This approach could help address long-standing labor shortages in specialized fields, alleviating hiring challenges for U.S. companies that rely on international talent.
Beyond the labor market, Trump’s economic strategies, if reinstated, may lead to higher tariffs and a protectionist economic stance, with potential repercussions on global supply chains and inflation. For countries like India, such policies could have a dual impact: on one hand, affecting Indian professionals and students aiming for U.S. work opportunities, and on the other, influencing India-U.S. trade dynamics, as Trump’s policies could necessitate fiscal adjustments and alternative labor strategies in emerging markets. The trajectory of U.S. immigration and economic policy thus remains a critical area of focus, with the future of the H-1B program likely to have profound implications for skilled workers and U.S.-India economic relations alike.