PPSC Assistant Director Research Past Paper 2025

Bureaucratic dysfunction refers to the negative consequences and inefficiencies that can arise within a bureaucratic system, despite its intended rationality. These often include excessive red tape, rigidity, slow decision-making, and a lack of responsiveness to individual needs or changing circumstances. Therefore, "Inefficiency, rigidity, or lack of responsiveness" precisely defines this concept. Option A, "Bureaucracy functions smoothly," is the opposite of dysfunction. Option C, "Organizational creativity within bureaucracy," is often stifled by bureaucratic structures. Option D, "Rules consistently followed," while a characteristic of bureaucracy, can lead to dysfunction if rules become an end in themselves rather than a means to effective operation.

Finland is famously known as the “Land of a Thousand Lakes,” or more accurately, the “Land of Ten Thousand Lakes,” due to its incredibly high density of lakes. The country boasts approximately 188,000 lakes larger than 500 square meters, a result of glacial erosion during the last ice age which carved out numerous depressions that subsequently filled with water. This unique geography makes lakes a defining feature of the Finnish landscape and culture.

• Canada, while having numerous lakes, is not typically referred to by this specific moniker.
• Jamaica is a Caribbean island known for its beaches and mountains, not an abundance of lakes.
• Japan is an archipelago with a mountainous terrain, and while it has some beautiful lakes, it is not characterized by the sheer number seen in Finland.

Thomas Malthus was a highly influential figure in the fields of economics and demography. He is best known for his theory that population growth tends to outpace the growth of food supply, leading to poverty and famine, as articulated in his 1798 work, "An Essay on the Principle of Population." Hence, "English Economist" is the correct identification. He was not primarily an "English Physicist" (B), nor a "Political Leader" (C). While his work had philosophical implications, his core contributions were in economics and population studies, making "Philosopher" (D) less precise than his primary professional identity.

The Bara River originates in the Tirah Valley, a mountainous region in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. It is a significant tributary that flows through the region before eventually joining the River Kabul. The River Kabul itself is a major river in Afghanistan and Pakistan, which later merges with the Indus River. The Bara River plays a crucial role in the local ecosystem and provides water resources to the surrounding areas.

• The River Swat is a separate river system in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and does not receive the Bara River.
• The River Indus is the largest river in Pakistan, but the Bara River joins the Kabul River, which then flows into the Indus.
• The River Kurram is another tributary in the region, but the Bara River does not join it; it has its own distinct course.

The question asks for the antonym of Docile. Docile describes someone or something that is easily managed, taught, or controlled; submissive. Therefore, its antonym should convey the opposite meaning: resistance to control or instruction.

• Unyielding (B) accurately captures this opposite meaning, signifying someone who is inflexible, stubborn, and not easily persuaded or controlled.
• Yielding (A), Obedient (C), and Submissive (D) are all synonyms or closely related in meaning to docile, describing someone who readily complies or gives way. Thus, they are incorrect as antonyms.

According to George Herbert Mead's theory of the self, socialization profoundly affects both the "I" and the "Me." The "I" represents the spontaneous, unsocialized, and impulsive aspect of the self, while the "Me" is the socialized self, formed through internalizing societal attitudes and expectations. Socialization is the continuous process through which individuals learn to navigate social norms, developing their "Me" in response to others, which in turn influences the "I"'s reactions. Therefore, "I and Me" is the correct answer, as both components are shaped by social interaction. Options A and B are incomplete, as the self is a dynamic interplay of both. Option D is irrelevant.

The correct answer is Calcium chloride. Calcium chloride (CaCl₂) is widely used for de-icing roads because it effectively lowers the freezing point of water, preventing ice formation and melting existing ice. It also releases heat when dissolved (exothermic reaction), which aids in the melting process and allows it to work at lower temperatures than other salts like sodium chloride.

• Potassium nitrate is primarily used in fertilizers and explosives, not as a de-icer.
• Ammonium nitrate is also a fertilizer and can be explosive, making it unsuitable for road de-icing.
• Potassium chloride can be used for de-icing but is generally less effective and more expensive than calcium chloride or sodium chloride, especially at very low temperatures.

The question asks for the publication year of Bano Qudsia's renowned Urdu novel, “Raja Gidh”. This novel is a significant work in Urdu literature, exploring themes of love, morality, and existentialism through its unique narrative.

• The correct publication year for “Raja Gidh” is 1981 (C). This is a factual detail related to literary history.
• Options (A) 1975, (B) 1978, and (D) 1984 are incorrect dates. Knowing the exact publication year of major literary works is crucial for understanding their historical context and impact within the literary landscape.

When an industry operates beyond the optimum level of production, it means that resources are being overutilized, leading to diminishing returns and inefficiency. This occurs because, after a certain point, adding more inputs (like labor or capital) to a fixed amount of other inputs will result in smaller increases in output, eventually leading to higher per-unit costs.

• A: It maximizes profits is incorrect because profit maximization occurs at the optimum level, where marginal cost equals marginal revenue, not beyond it.
• B: It achieves economies of scale is false. Economies of scale are typically achieved up to the optimum level; operating beyond it can lead to diseconomies of scale.
• D: It experiences rapid growth is unlikely. Inefficiency and diminishing returns hinder sustainable growth.

The correct answer is None of these. The SI (International System of Units) unit for speed is derived from the SI units for distance and time. The SI unit for distance is the meter (m), and the SI unit for time is the second (s). Therefore, the SI unit for speed is meters per second (m/s).

• Kilometers per hour (km/h) is a common unit for speed but not the SI unit.
• Miles per hour (mph) is a common unit for speed in some regions but not the SI unit.
• Centimeters per second (cm/s) is a unit of speed, but 'centi' is a prefix, and the base SI unit for length is the meter, not centimeter.

The question asks about the author of the famous Urdu poem "تاج محل" (Taj Mahal). This poem is celebrated for its unique perspective, critiquing the monument not just as a symbol of love but also as a product of exploitation and a reminder of class disparity.

• The poem was penned by the renowned progressive Urdu poet, ساحر لدھیانوی (Sahir Ludhianvi) (B). His works often carried social commentary and a distinctive romantic yet realistic tone.
• جون ایلیا (Jaun Elia) (A) and فراق گورکھپوری (Firaq Gorakhpuri) (C) are prominent Urdu poets, but "Taj Mahal" is not attributed to them. Therefore, option (D) "ان میں سے کوئی نہیں" (None of these) is also incorrect.

The Economic Commission for Europe (ECE) is one of five regional commissions established by the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). These commissions are integral parts of the UN Secretariat, tasked with promoting economic cooperation and development within their respective regions.

• A: Department is too general; while part of the UN structure, 'Regional Commission' specifies its unique role.
• B: Program refers to specific initiatives or projects, not a standing regional body.
• D: Specialized Agency refers to autonomous international organizations (like WHO or UNESCO) that are linked to the UN through cooperative agreements, but are not direct parts of the UN Secretariat like the ECE.

The correct answer is Soil erosion. Deforestation involves the clearing of forests, which significantly impacts the environment. Tree roots play a crucial role in binding soil particles together, preventing them from being washed away by rain or blown away by wind. When trees are removed, the soil loses this protective cover and structural integrity, making it highly susceptible to erosion.

• Rainfall typically decreases in deforested areas due to reduced evapotranspiration, not increases.
• Biodiversity decreases with deforestation as habitats are destroyed, leading to species loss.
• Oxygen production decreases because trees are major producers of oxygen through photosynthesis.

The question requires identifying the author of the literary work "ایسی بلندی ایسی پستی" (Aisi Bulandi Aisi Pasti). This title refers to a significant novel in Urdu literature, known for its exploration of social and psychological themes.

• The correct author is عزیز احمد (Aziz Ahmed) (A). Aziz Ahmed was a prominent Urdu novelist, short story writer, and critic, whose works often delved into complex human relationships and societal issues.
• اشفاق احمد (Ashfaq Ahmed) (B), مرزا ہادی رسوا (Mirza Hadi Ruswa) (C), and ممتاز مفتی (Mumtaz Mufti) (D) are all celebrated figures in Urdu literature, but "Aisi Bulandi Aisi Pasti" is not among their works.

Talha Talib is the correct answer. He is a Pakistani weightlifter who gained significant recognition for his performance at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Competing in the 67kg category, Talib notably finished in 5th place, marking a historic achievement for Pakistan in weightlifting.

• A: Arshad Nadeem is a prominent Pakistani javelin thrower, also a Tokyo 2020 Olympian, but in a different sport.
• B: Khalil Akhtar is not widely recognized for representing Pakistan in weightlifting at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
• D: Najma Parveen is a Pakistani track and field athlete, not a weightlifter.

The correct answer is 10⁻¹² seconds. In the metric system, prefixes are used to denote multiples or submultiples of base units. The prefix 'pico-' (symbol p) represents a factor of 10⁻¹². Therefore, a picosecond (ps) is equal to one trillionth of a second.

• The options '10 seconds', '10 seconds', and '10 seconds' are incorrect. A picosecond specifically refers to 10⁻¹² seconds, indicating an extremely short duration. Understanding metric prefixes is fundamental in scientific measurements.

The influential book "Women of Pakistan: Two Steps Forward, One Step Back" was co-authored by Khawar Mumtaz and Farida Shaheed. This seminal work, published in 1987, provides a critical analysis of the status of women in Pakistan, examining their struggles, achievements, and the socio-political factors influencing their lives.

• B: Muhammad Jahangir and C: Saleem Nazeer Khan are not associated with this particular publication.
• D: Tehmina Durrani is a well-known Pakistani author, famous for her autobiography "My Feudal Lord," but she did not write "Women of Pakistan: Two Steps Forward, One Step Back."

The correct answer is Animal cells. The cell membrane, also known as the plasma membrane, is a vital component of all cells, regulating the passage of substances in and out. In animal cells, it serves as the outermost boundary, directly interacting with the external environment.

• Bacterial cells have a cell wall located outside their plasma membrane, providing structural support and protection.
• Plant cells also possess a rigid cell wall external to their plasma membrane, which gives them their characteristic shape and strength.
• Therefore, the plasma membrane is the outermost covering specifically for animal cells, making 'None of these' incorrect.

The term "فاتحہ پڑھنا" (Fatiha Padhna) in an Islamic context refers to the act of reciting specific verses from the Quran, particularly Surah Al-Fatiha, and other prayers, with the intention of conveying spiritual reward (thawab) to the soul of a deceased person. This practice is a way for the living to seek blessings and mercy for the departed.

• "مردے کی روح کو ثواب پہنچانا" is the correct option because it accurately describes the primary purpose of Fatiha Padhna.
• "کسی کی صحت کی دعا کرنا" is incorrect; while prayers for health are common, they are not specifically termed Fatiha Padhna.
• "دنیاوی کامیابی کی دعا کرنا" is also a general prayer for worldly success, distinct from Fatiha Padhna.
• "کسی کی مدد کے لیے دعا کرنا" refers to seeking help, which is a different form of supplication.