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.
In the early 20th century, the rise of industrialization in the Western world led to sweeping changes in social and economic structures. The advent of mechanized production, the expansion of urban centers, and the burgeoning middle class transformed the way people lived and worked. However, these developments did not come without their challenges. Workers, often living in crowded, unsanitary conditions, faced long hours in factories with little regard for safety or health. This set the stage for social unrest, which would eventually give rise to labor movements across Europe and North America.
During this period, thinkers such as Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels began to critique the inequities of industrial capitalism. Marx’s theory of class struggle argued that the working class, or proletariat, would inevitably rise against the bourgeoisie, the owners of capital. This idea, which had profound implications for politics and economics, became a cornerstone for socialist and communist ideologies that would shape the political landscape in the decades to come.
As the century progressed, new political and economic systems emerged in response to the industrial revolution’s inequalities. The most notable example was the Russian Revolution of 1917, which led to the establishment of the first communist state. Under the leadership of Vladimir Lenin, the Russian Bolsheviks overthrew the Tsarist regime, inspired by Marxist theory. The success of the Russian Revolution had a global impact, leading to the spread of socialist and communist movements across the world.
Despite the appeal of these revolutionary movements, the reality of implementing Marxist ideas proved more difficult than anticipated. In many cases, socialist and communist governments struggled to achieve the ideals of equality and fairness that they espoused. In practice, many such regimes fell prey to authoritarianism and totalitarianism, as leaders consolidated power, stifled opposition, and used violence to maintain control.
By the mid-20th century, the global balance of power had shifted significantly. The United States and the Soviet Union emerged as the two superpowers, locked in a Cold War that lasted for several decades. The ideological clash between capitalism and communism defined much of the geopolitics of the 20th century, influencing conflicts, diplomacy, and the global economy.
Quantitative Techniques
A manufacturing company produces three types of products: A, B, and C. The production cost, selling price, and units sold for each product in a month are as follows:
Product A: Production cost = ₹150/unit, Selling price = ₹200/unit, Units sold = 1,200
Product B: Production cost = ₹250/unit, Selling price = ₹350/unit, Units sold = 800
Product C: Production cost = ₹300/unit, Selling price = ₹450/unit, Units sold = 600
The company also incurs fixed monthly operational expenses of ₹2,50,000. Additionally, for every product sold, the company spends 5% of the selling price on distribution costs.
Logical Reasoning
A new company, “Penta Solutions,” has created a groundbreaking algorithm to solve complex problems involving multiple variables. The company’s algorithm is based on the principle of interlocking puzzles, where different pieces of information must fit together to form a cohesive solution. This approach involves evaluating various components and their connections to one another, ensuring that the final solution respects all the inherent logical constraints.
The algorithm’s first test case involved five departments: A, B, C, D, and E, each with a set of tasks that need to be completed in a specific sequence. The challenge was to determine the most efficient order in which these tasks should be executed, considering that some tasks must be performed before others to ensure smooth execution. The puzzle becomes complicated because the tasks are interdependent, and each department’s operations rely on the completion of the other departments’ tasks. The task dependencies create a hierarchy of actions, and the algorithm must find the optimal flow of work that minimizes time and maximizes productivity.
Department A must complete its task before Department B can begin. Similarly, Department B’s task must be finished before Department C starts. Meanwhile, Department D and Department E’s tasks are not directly linked to A, B, or C, but both must be completed before the company-wide final review begins. The final review is critical as it assesses the completion of all departments’ tasks, and no department can proceed without it. The algorithm is designed to identify which tasks should be performed first, last, and in what sequence to minimize the total time spent.
Moreover, the company introduced an additional rule: if a department finishes its task early, it must start assisting another department that is lagging behind, provided that the assisting department’s task is linked to the department that finishes first. The interlocking puzzle grows even more complicated, as departments must communicate and cooperate, making their individual success crucial to the overall success of the company. The company’s challenge was to evaluate whether this strategy would lead to the most efficient solution or if too much overlap would cause delays.
After a series of iterations, the company found that careful consideration of task interdependencies allowed the team to find the most optimal order of operations. The algorithm demonstrated the power of synergy and highlighted the importance of coordination between different teams. It turned out that minimizing task overlap and synchronizing departmental activities was key to achieving the most efficient solution.
Legal Reasoning
Family law in India is primarily governed by various personal laws, such as the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, the Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application Act, 1937, the Special Marriage Act, 1954, and the Indian Divorce Act, 1869, each applying to different communities. These laws provide provisions for marriage, divorce, inheritance, maintenance, and guardianship. The multiplicity of laws makes family law a complex field, where each case must be carefully considered based on the personal law applicable to the parties involved.
One of the most debated aspects of family law is divorce and its grounds. Under the Hindu Marriage Act, for example, a divorce can be sought on grounds such as cruelty, adultery, desertion, and mutual consent. However, in cases where the parties are unable to reach a mutual consent, the courts often rely on the individual circumstances to decide if any of the statutory grounds for divorce have been proven. The law permits a decree of divorce based on the grounds established by the parties or their representatives, provided the conditions of the Act are met.
Maintenance is another crucial component under family law. The Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act, 1956, provides for the maintenance of wives, children, and aged parents. Similarly, under Section 125 of the Criminal Procedure Code, a wife, children, or parents can claim maintenance if they are unable to maintain themselves. Courts consider various factors, including the income of the husband, the needs of the wife and children, and the standard of living that the parties are accustomed to.
Guardianship of children is another issue under family law, especially in cases where divorce or separation has occurred. The Guardian and Wards Act, 1890, regulates the appointment of guardians for minor children. The courts always prioritize the welfare of the child above all else, often granting custody to the mother, especially when the child is young. However, in cases where the mother is found to be unfit or unable to care for the child, the father may be awarded custody. The welfare of the child, which includes factors such as physical, emotional, and psychological well-being, remains a guiding principle in all guardianship decisions.
Inheritance laws, which include the right to ancestral property, differ greatly between personal laws. For example, under the Hindu Succession Act, 1956, women were initially excluded from inheriting agricultural land, though this was amended later to provide them with equal rights. Muslim personal law grants inheritance rights to both male and female heirs, but the share of the male heir is often double that of the female. These disparities are a source of constant legal debate in family law.
Current Affairs & General Knowledge
Such is Armenia’s recent joining the International Solar Alliance, with the country being admitted as the 104th full member. This serves not only as a milestone for the country but for global transitions towards renewable energy solutions. The document for membership has been exchanged officially between Armenia’s Ambassador to India, Vahagn Afyan, and Abhishek Singh of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs on November 15, 2024. This significant achievement took place roughly nearly a year after Armenia signed the ISA framework agreement in Yerevan on November 16, 2023, ratified immediately afterward by Armenian President Vahagn Khachaturyan.
Founded by India and France in 2015, the ISA’s core mission is to combat climate change by making solar energy more widespread among both developed and developing nations. Through ISA membership, Armenia gains access to a robust network of technological and scientific expertise on solar energy, allowing the country to boost its energy security and align with global renewable energy targets. This membership, therefore, illustrates Armenia’s continued commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and advancing its renewable energy capacity.
Armenia’s accession to the ISA is particularly timely in the face of global challenges in tackling urgency in combating climate change and the need to increase the share of renewable energy in national energy mixes. The region in South Caucasus has some very specific energy challenges related to non-renewable sources and high costs for imported energy. Armenia aims to decrease its reliance on fossil fuels, improve energy independence, and diversify energy reserves by integrating solar energy into its energy strategy.
Membership in ISA: Armenia has the following opportunities: acquiring knowledge through experience, technology transfer, taking part in joint international projects dedicated to the development of solar energy infrastructure. The memorandum of intent established agreement between the two countries to collaborate on ventures that will add considerably to strengthening Armenia’s capabilities in solar power inside the country. This will not only serve to fulfill local demands but also support regional energy stability. Solar energy has a paramount role as the promoter for economic growth and sustainable development in Armenia, especially in rural and off-grid sections where access to energy is still very limited.
This development also fits into a broader trend in which countries—in this case, particularly those in the emerging markets—are shifting towards cleaner and renewable energy sources as part of their climate action plans. With an increasing number of member states, ISA is seen as a venue for international cooperation that can further invest in solar energy infrastructure. The first is an advocacy push on a policy reform towards solar financing mechanisms. This has created an ecosystem in which member states can accelerate their transition to solar energy.
The entry of Armenia into the ISA also sends a very strong signal about the changing nature of its geopolitical and economic landscape surrounding energy production and consumption. With the step toward solar power, Armenia is turning into a strategic player in regional energy policy. Central Asia and the South Caucasus have emerged as focal points for energy cooperation between countries and multilateral organizations. During the next years, Armenia’s participation within the ISA is critical in the future of solar energy in the region, especially in promoting technological innovation, investment in green infrastructure, and energy resilience in the South Caucasus and further ahead.