ICAR AICE-JRF/SRF (PhD) — Environmental Sciences (subject 71) and Agricultural Meteorology (subject 60) · India · National Testing Agency for ICAR
Original practice questions written to the published syllabus · not past papersHow environmental samples are taken and analysed and how good the numbers are: sampling plans, gravimetric and volumetric methods, spectroscopy, chromatography, quality assurance and monitoring networks.
In the exams: UGC NET Environmental Sciences Unit 2; ICAR AIEEA-PG Physical Science Unit II (instrumental analysis); ICAR AICE Aquatic Environmental Management Unit 3
ICAR AICE-JRF/SRF (PhD) Environmental Sciences and Aquatic Environmental Management
Monitoring design, water and sediment sampling, analytical instrumentation, bioindicators and biomonitoring of aquatic ecosystems, toxicity testing and quality assurance.
How our questions for ICAR AICE-JRF/SRF spread across the units of Environmental Monitoring & Instrumental Analysis. Difficulty: 1 easy, 28 medium, 21 hard.
| Bioindicators and biomonitoring | 8 | |
| Detection limits, accuracy, precision and calibration | 7 | |
| Stable and radioactive isotopes in environmental analysis | 6 | |
| Gas and liquid chromatography; mass spectrometry | 5 | |
| Quality assurance, quality control and laboratory accreditation | 5 | |
| Continuous and low-cost sensor monitoring | 5 | |
| Monitoring objectives and network design | 4 | |
| UV-visible spectrophotometry and colorimetry | 3 | |
| Atomic absorption and ICP techniques | 3 | |
| Electrochemical methods and sensors | 3 | |
| Sampling and preservation of water, soil, air and biota | 1 |
Choose an answer, then open the working. Each explanation says why the right answer is right and why the others are not.
Which non-parametric test is widely used to detect monotonic trends in environmental time series?
B. Mann–Kendall test
Mann–Kendall detects monotonic trends without assuming normality; the others serve different purposes.
Further reading: See the manual sources: Standard Methods; Harris; Skoog et al.; CPCB monitoring guidelines; ISO/IEC 17025
What is the purpose of a chain-of-custody record?
B. Documenting every sample transfer
Chain of custody proves sample integrity from collection to analysis.
Further reading: See the manual sources: Standard Methods; Harris; Skoog et al.; CPCB monitoring guidelines; ISO/IEC 17025
Which technique gives the lowest detection limits for many trace metals and can measure isotope ratios?
B. ICP-MS
ICP-MS reaches ng/L levels and resolves isotopes; flame methods are less sensitive.
Further reading: See the manual sources: Standard Methods; Harris; Skoog et al.; CPCB monitoring guidelines; ISO/IEC 17025
Argon chloride (ArCl⁺) interferes with arsenic measurement in ICP-MS because
D. it shares nominal mass 75 with arsenic
40Ar35Cl⁺ has mass 75, like 75As⁺; collision/reaction cells remove it.
Further reading: See the manual sources: Standard Methods; Harris; Skoog et al.; CPCB monitoring guidelines; ISO/IEC 17025
Anodic stripping voltammetry measures trace metals by
C. plating them on an electrode, then stripping
Pre-concentration by electrodeposition gives very low detection limits.
Further reading: See the manual sources: Standard Methods; Harris; Skoog et al.; CPCB monitoring guidelines; ISO/IEC 17025
Biosensors based on acetylcholinesterase inhibition are used to screen for
A. organophosphate and carbamate pesticides
These pesticides inhibit acetylcholinesterase, reducing enzyme activity; results need confirmation.
Further reading: See the manual sources: Standard Methods; Harris; Skoog et al.; CPCB monitoring guidelines; ISO/IEC 17025
Why does 14C measurement distinguish fossil from modern carbon?
A. Its 14C has decayed away
Fossil fuels are millions of years old, so 14C is absent; living carbon contains atmospheric 14C.
Further reading: See the manual sources: Standard Methods; Harris; Skoog et al.; CPCB monitoring guidelines; ISO/IEC 17025
How should a result below the limit of detection be reported?
D. As not detected below the limit
Reporting '< LOD' preserves information about the method's sensitivity.
Further reading: See the manual sources: Standard Methods; Harris; Skoog et al.; CPCB monitoring guidelines; ISO/IEC 17025
Why do low-cost optical PM sensors often overestimate PM2.5 at high relative humidity?
C. Particles absorb water and swell
Hygroscopic growth increases apparent size and scattering; correction or drying is needed.
Further reading: See the manual sources: Standard Methods; Harris; Skoog et al.; CPCB monitoring guidelines; ISO/IEC 17025
An effluent has a 96-hour LC50 of 25 per cent. How many toxic units does it have (TU = 100/LC50)?
A. 4
TU = 100/25 = 4; higher TU means greater toxicity.
Further reading: See the manual sources: Standard Methods; Harris; Skoog et al.; CPCB monitoring guidelines; ISO/IEC 17025
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