UPSC CSE 2023 PRELIMS

Directions for the following 3 (three) items :

Read the following three passages and answer the items that follow the passages. Your answers to these items should be based on the passages only.

Passage - 1

We often hear about conflicts among different States in India over river waters. Of the 20 major systems, 14 are already water-stressed; 75% of the population lives in water-stressed regions, a third of whom live in water-scarce areas. Climate change, the demands of rising population and the need for agriculture to keep pace, and increased rate of urbanization and industrialization will exacerbate water stress. According to the Constitution of India, water is a State subject and not that of the Union, except for regulation of inter-State rivers. Key to ensuring balance between competing demands of various stakeholders is a basin-based approach to allocate water amongst constituent regions and States. Allocating fair share of water requires assessments based on objective criteria, such as specificities of the river basin, size of dependent population, existing water use and demand, efficiency of use, projected future use, etc. while ensuring the environmental needs of the river and aquifers.

 

1. Which one of the following statements best reflects the most rational, practical and immediate action required to ensure fair and equitable allocation of water to different stakeholders ?

(a) A national, pragmatic, legal and policy framework for water allocation should be made.

(b) All river systems of the country should be linked and huge aquifers created.

(c) Water channels between regions of water surplus and régions of water deficit should be created,

(d) To mitigate water crisis, water demand of sectors such as agriculture and industry should be reduced.

 

Answer (d)

(d) To mitigate the water crisis, the water demand of sectors such as agriculture and industry should be reduced.

Of the given options, reducing the water demand of sectors like agriculture and industry is the most rational, practical, and immediate action required to ensure fair and equitable allocation of water to different stakeholders. This approach focuses on managing and optimizing water usage within existing resources rather than relying solely on large-scale infrastructure projects or interlinking of rivers, which can be costly, time-consuming, and potentially disruptive to ecosystems.

By implementing water conservation measures, promoting efficient irrigation practices, and encouraging industries to adopt sustainable water management strategies, the overall water demand can be reduced. This approach allows for a more balanced allocation of water among different sectors and stakeholders, taking into account the specificities of each river basin and the needs of the dependent population. It also helps in maintaining the environmental needs of the rivers and aquifers, ensuring long-term sustainability of water resources.

Passage - 2

More than half of Indian women and almost a quarter of Indian men of working age suffer from anemia. According to studies, they are anywhere from 5 — 15% less productive than they could be, as a result thereof. India also has the largest tuberculosis burden in the world, costing 170 million workdays to the country annually. But what is just as important as lost productivity now is lost potential in the future. It is becoming increasingly clear that on many measures of cognitive ability, malnourished Indian children perform two or three times worse than their adequately nourished peers. For an economy that will be more dependent on highly skilled workers, this poses a significant challenge. And it is one that really should be addressed given India’s demographic outlook.

 

2.Which one of the following statements best reflects what is implied by the passage ?

(a) Education system must be strengthened in rural areas.

(b) Large scale and effective implementation of skill development programme is the need of the hour.

(c) For economic development, health and nutrition of only skilled workers needs special attention.

(d) For rapid economic growth as envisaged by us, attention should be paid to health and nutrition of the people.

Answer (d)

The passage implies that for rapid economic growth, attention should be paid to the health and nutrition of the people. This is because a healthy and well-nourished population is more productive and has a higher potential for economic growth. The passage also mentions that India has a large number of people who are suffering from anemia and tuberculosis. These diseases can lead to lost productivity and lost potential in the future. Therefore, it is important to address these health issues in order to improve the productivity and potential of the Indian workforce.

The statement that best reflects this implication is (d) For rapid economic growth as envisaged by us, attention should be paid to health and nutrition of the people. This statement acknowledges the importance of health and nutrition for economic growth and suggests that the government should take steps to improve the health and nutrition of the people.

The other statements are not as accurate. Statement (a) suggests that the only way to improve economic growth is to strengthen the education system in rural areas. This is not necessarily true, as there are other factors that can also contribute to economic growth, such as health and nutrition. Statement (b) suggests that the only way to improve economic growth is to implement a large-scale skill development program. This is also not necessarily true, as there are other factors that can also contribute to economic growth, such as health and nutrition. Statement (c) suggests that only skilled workers need to be healthy and well-nourished in order to contribute to economic growth. This is not true, as all workers, regardless of their skill level, need to be healthy and well-nourished in order to be productive.

Therefore, the statement that best reflects what is implied by the passage is (d) For rapid economic growth as envisaged by us, attention should be paid to health and nutrition of the people.

 

Passage - 3

In India, a majority of farmers are marginal and small, less educated and possess low adaptive capabilities to climate change, perhaps because of credit and other constraints.  So, one cannot expect autonomous adaptation to climate change. Even if it was possible, it would not be sufficient to offset losses from climate change. To deal with this, adaptation to climate change is paramount, alongside a fast mitigation response. Another solution is to have a planned or policy-driven adaptation, which would require the government to come up with policy recommendations . Perception is a necessary prerequisite  for adaptation.  Whether farmers are adapting agricultural practices to climate change depends on whether they perceive it or not. However, this is not always enough for adaptation. It is important how a farmer perceives the risks associated with climate change.

 

3.Which one of the following statements best reflects the most logical and rational message conveyed by the author of the passage ?

(a) Adaptation to climate change and mitigation response are basically the responsibilities of the government.

(b) Climate change causes a change in  government policies regarding land use patterns in the country.

(c)Risk perceptions of farmers are important for motivating them for taking adaptation decisions.

(d) Since mitigation is not possible,governments should come up with policies for quick response to climate change.

 

Answer (c)

 Risk perceptions of farmers are important for motivating them to take adaptation decisions.

The passage discusses the importance of adaptation to climate change and the role of farmers in this process. It emphasizes that farmers, particularly marginalized and small-scale farmers, may have limited education and adaptive capabilities to climate change due to various constraints. It also highlights that autonomous adaptation alone may not be sufficient to offset losses from climate change.

In this context, the passage suggests that perception is a necessary prerequisite for adaptation. It states that whether farmers are adapting agricultural practices to climate change depends on whether they perceive it or not. However, it also implies that perception alone is not enough for adaptation; how farmers perceive the risks associated with climate change is also important.

Option (a) is not the most logical and rational message conveyed by the author, as it oversimplifies the responsibilities of adaptation and mitigation to solely the government. Option (b) is not supported by the passage, as it does not discuss changes in government policies regarding land use patterns. Option (d) is not the best reflection of the passage, as it implies that mitigation is not possible, which is not explicitly stated in the passage.

Therefore, option (c) is the most logical and rational message conveyed by the author, as it emphasizes the importance of risk perceptions of farmers in motivating them to make adaptation decisions in response to climate change.

Directions for the following 8 (three) items :

Read the following three passages and answer the items that follow the passages. Your answers to these items should be based on the passages only.

 

Passage- I

The emissions humans put into the atmosphere now will affect the climate in the middle of the century and onwards. Technological change, meanwhile, could make a future transition away from fossil fuels cheap or it might not, leaving the world with a terrible choice between sharply reducing emissions at huge cost or suffering through the effects of unabated warming. Businesses that do not hedge against the threat of uncertain outcomes fail. The world cannot afford such recklessness on climate change.

 

11.Which one of the following statements best reflects the crucial message conveyed by the author of the passage ?

 

(a)Businesses that cause emissions may need to close down or pay for pollution in future.

(b)The only solution is technological development related to the issues of climate change.

(c)Waiting to deal with carbon emissions until technology improves is not a wise strategy.

(d)Since  future  technological  change  is uncertain, new industries should be based on renewable energy sources.

 

Answer (c)

The correct answer is (c).

The passage states that "Businesses that do not hedge against the threat of uncertain outcomes fail." This means that businesses that do not take steps to reduce their emissions now, in anticipation of future technological change, may be forced to close down or pay for pollution in the future.

The passage also states that "The world cannot afford such recklessness on climate change." This means that the world cannot afford to wait until technology improves to deal with climate change. We need to take action now to reduce emissions, even if it is costly.

Therefore, the crucial message conveyed by the author of the passage is that waiting to deal with carbon emissions until technology improves is not a wise strategy.

The other options are not supported by the passage. Option (a) is not supported because the passage does not say that all businesses that cause emissions will need to close down or pay for pollution in the future. Option (b) is not supported because the passage does not say that technological development is the only solution to climate change. Option (d) is not supported because the passage does not say that new industries should be based on renewable energy sources.

 

Passage-2

 

 

Environmental problems cause health problems. Substantial changes in lifestyle can reduce environmental or health problems, but this idea appears almost impossible to adopt. With environmental problems, individual efforts can be perceived as having a negligible effect and therefore lead to inertia. With health, on the other hand, individual choices can make the difference between life and death, literally. And yet, barring a few, there seems to be the same collective lethargy towards making their choices.

 

12.Which one of the following statements best implies the most rational assumption that can be made from the passage ?

(a) We are likely to spend more money on cure than prevention.

(b) It is the job of the government to solve our environmental and public health problems.

(c) Health can be protected even if environmental problems go on unattended.

(d) Loss  of  traditional  lifestyle  and  the  influence of western values led to some unhealthy ways of living.

 

Answer (a)

The most rational assumption that can be made from the passage is that we are likely to spend more money on cure than prevention. This is because the passage states that substantial changes in lifestyle can reduce environmental or health problems, but this idea appears almost impossible to adopt. This suggests that people are more likely to wait until they are sick to make changes to their lifestyle, which will cost more money in the long run.

The other options are not supported by the passage. Option (b) suggests that the government is responsible for solving environmental and public health problems, but the passage does not say anything about this. Option (c) suggests that health can be protected even if environmental problems go on unattended, but the passage states that environmental problems can cause health problems. Option (d) suggests that loss of traditional lifestyle and the influence of western values led to some unhealthy ways of living, but the passage does not mention this.

Therefore, the answer is (a).

 

 

 

Passage-3

 

Many people are not eating the right food. For some, it is simply a decision to stick with food they enjoy but which is not too healthy. This is leading to an increase in non-communicable diseases. This in turn leads to a major burden on our health-care systems that have the potential to derail the economic progress which is essential for the poor to improve their lives. For others, it is about limited access to nutritious food or a lack of affordability, leading to monotonous diets that do not provide the daily nutrients for them to develop fully. Part of the reason nutrition is under threat worldwide is that our food systems are not properly responding to nutritional needs. Somewhere along that long road from farm to

fork, there are serious detours taking place.

 

 

13. Which one of the following statements best reflects the crux of the passage ?

(a) The scheme of Universal Basic Income should be implemented worldwide as a way of poverty alleviation.

(b) We must place food-based nutrition at the centre of our policy debate.

(c) Nutritional status of food should be improved by creating appropriate genetically modified crops.

(d) Using modern food processing technologies, we must fortify food items with required nutrient elements.

Answer (b)

The crux of the passage is that many people are not eating the right food, and this is leading to a number of problems. The passage discusses the reasons for this, including people's choices and limited access to nutritious food. It also discusses the consequences of this, including an increase in non-communicable diseases and a burden on healthcare systems.

Of the options given, only option (b) reflects the crux of the passage. This is because the passage argues that we need to place food-based nutrition at the center of our policy debate. This means that we need to make sure that people have access to nutritious food, and that they are aware of the importance of eating a healthy diet.

The other options are not supported by the passage. Option (a) suggests that we should implement a universal basic income as a way of poverty alleviation. This is not mentioned in the passage. Option (c) suggests that we should improve the nutritional status of food by creating appropriate genetically modified crops. This is one possible solution, but it is not the only one, and it is not mentioned in the passage. Option (d) suggests that we should fortify food items with required nutrient elements using modern food processing technologies. This is another possible solution, but it is also not mentioned in the passage.

Therefore, the answer is (b).

 

Directions for the following 3 (three) items:

 

Read the following three passages and answer the items that follow the passages. Your answers to these items should be based on the passages only.

 

Passage-1

 

To tackle the problem of pollution in cities, policy makers think that drastic actions like temporary use of odd-even number scheme for vehicles, closing schools, factories, construction activities, and banning the use of certain type of vehicles are a way forward. Even then the air is not clean. Vehicles more than 15 years old comprise one percent of the total; and taking them off the road will not make any difference. Banning certain fuels and car types arbitrarily is not proper. Diesel engines produce more PM 2·5 and less CO2 than petrol or CNG engines. On the other hand, both diesel and CNG engines produce more NOx than petrol engines. No one has measured the amount of NOx that CNG engines are emitting. Arbitrary bans on vehicles

that have passed mandated fitness tests and periodic pollution tests are unfair. What is needed is the scientific and reliable information about the source of pollutants on a continuing basis and the technologies that will work to reduce pollution from them.

 

21.Which one of the following statements best reflects the most logical and rational implication conveyed by the passage ?

(a) Arbitrary curbs on vehicles to reduce pollution are difficult to implement.

(b) Knee-jerk reactions cannot solve the problem of pollution but  an evidence-based approach will be more effective.

(c) A heavy penalty should be enforced on those driving without periodic pollution tests.

(d) In the absence of laws to deal with the problems of pollution, the administration tends to make arbitrary decisions.

Answer (b)

The most logical and rational implication conveyed by the passage is that knee-jerk reactions cannot solve the problem of pollution but an evidence-based approach will be more effective. The passage states that policy makers think that drastic actions like temporary use of odd-even number scheme for vehicles, closing schools, factories, construction activities, and banning the use of certain type of vehicles are a way forward. However, the passage also states that even these drastic actions have not been effective in reducing pollution. The passage then goes on to explain that banning certain fuels and car types arbitrarily is not proper, and that arbitrary bans on vehicles that have passed mandated fitness tests and periodic pollution tests are unfair. The passage concludes by stating that what is needed is scientific and reliable information about the source of pollutants on a continuing basis and the technologies that will work to reduce pollution from them. This suggests that the author believes that an evidence-based approach to reducing pollution, rather than knee-jerk reactions, is more likely to be effective.

Therefore, the correct answer is (b)

 

Passage-2

 

Good corporate governance structures encourage companies to provide accountability and control. A fundamental reason why corporate governance has moved onto the economic and political agenda worldwide has been the rapid growth in international capital markets. Effective corporate governance enhances access to external financing by firms, leading to greater investment, higher growth and employment. Investors look to place their funds where the standards of disclosure, of timely and accurate financial reporting, and of equal treatment to all stakeholders are met.

 

 

22.Which of the following statements best reflects the logical inference from the passage given above?

(a) It is an important agenda of the countries around the world to ensure access to good external financing.

(b) Good corporate governance improves the credibility of the firms.

(c) International capital markets ensure that the firms maintain good corporate governance.

(d) Good corporate governance paves the way for robust supply chains.

Answer (b)

The logical inference from the passage given above is best reflected in option (b) - Good corporate governance improves the credibility of the firms.

The passage states that good corporate governance structures encourage companies to provide accountability and control. It also mentions that effective corporate governance enhances access to external financing by firms, leading to greater investment, higher growth, and employment. Furthermore, the passage highlights that investors look for standards of disclosure, timely and accurate financial reporting, and equal treatment to all stakeholders.

Based on these statements, it can be inferred that good corporate governance plays a crucial role in improving the credibility of firms. By adhering to principles of accountability, control, transparency, and meeting the standards expected by investors, companies gain credibility and trust. This, in turn, enhances their ability to attract external financing and contributes to their growth and development.

Therefore, option (b) best reflects the logical inference that good corporate governance improves the credibility of the firms.

 

 

Passage-3

 

Elephants are landscape architects, creating clearings in the forest, preventing overgrowth of certain plant species and allowing space for the regeneration of others, which in turn provide sustenance to other herbivorous animals. Elephants eat plants, fruits and seeds, propagating the seeds when they defecate in other places as they travel. Elephant dung provides nourishment to plants and animals and acts as a breeding ground for insects. In times of drought, they access water by digging holes which benefits other wildlife.

 

23.Which one of the following statements best reflects the most logical and rational inference that can be drawn from the passage ?

(a) The home range of elephants needs to be a vast area of rich biodiversity.

(b) Elephants are the keystone species and they benefit the biodiversity.

(c) Rich biodiversity cannot be maintained in the forests without the presence of elephants.

(d) Elephants are capable of regenerating forests with species as per their requirement.

Answer (b)

The most logical and rational inference that can be drawn from the passage is that elephants are keystone species and they benefit the biodiversity. The passage states that elephants create clearings in the forest, prevent overgrowth of certain plant species, and allow space for the regeneration of others. This helps to maintain a diverse range of plant species, which in turn provides sustenance to a variety of other animals. Elephants also help to spread seeds, which helps to regenerate forests. In times of drought, they dig holes to access water, which benefits other wildlife. All of these activities help to maintain a healthy and diverse ecosystem.

Therefore, the correct answer is (b)

 

Directions for the following 5 (five) items :

Read the following three passages and answer the items that follow the passages. Your answers to these items should be based on the passages only.

 

Passage- I

 

In India, the segregation of municipal waste at source is rare. Recycling is mostly with the informal sector. More than three-fourths of the municipal budget goes into collection and transportation, which leaves very little for processing/resource recovery and disposal. Where does waste-to-energy fit into all this ? Ideally it fits in the chain after segregation (between wet waste and the rest), collection, recycling, and before getting to the landfill. Which technology is most appropriate in converting waste to energy depends on what is in the waste (that is biodegradable versus non-biodegradable component) and its calorific value. The biodegradable component of India's municipal solid waste is a little over 50 per cent, and biomethanation offers a major solution for processing this.

 

31.Based on the above passage, the following assumptions have been made :

1.Collection, processing and segregation of municipal waste should be with government agencies.

2.Resource recovery and recycling require technological inputs that can be best handled by private sector enterprises.

Which of the assumptions given above is/are  correct ?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

 

The passage does not make any assumptions about who should be responsible for collection, processing, and segregation of municipal waste. It simply states that more than three-fourths of the municipal budget goes into collection and transportation, which leaves very little for processing/resource recovery and disposal. This suggests that the government may not be able to afford to handle all aspects of waste management on its own.

 

The passage also does not make any assumptions about who should be responsible for resource recovery and recycling. It simply states that these activities require technological inputs that can be best handled by private sector enterprises. This suggests that the government may need to partner with private companies in order to effectively manage waste.

 

In conclusion, the passage does not make any assumptions about who should be responsible for waste management. It simply states that the current system is not working and that changes need to be made.

 

32.Which one of the following statements best reflects the crux of the passage ?

(a) Generation of energy from municipal solid waste is inexpensive.

(b) Biomethanation is the most ideal way of generating energy from municipal solid waste.

(c) Segregation of municipal solid waste is the first step in ensuring the success of waste-to-energy plants.

(d) The biodegradable component of India's municipal solid waste is not adequate to provide energy from waste efficiently/effectively.

Answer-c

 

The correct answer is (c).

 

The passage states that "the segregation of municipal solid waste is the first step in ensuring the success of waste-to-energy plants." This is because waste-to-energy plants can only process certain types of waste, and if the waste is not properly segregated, it can contaminate the entire batch of waste and make it unusable for energy production.

 

The passage also states that "the biodegradable component of India's municipal solid waste is not adequate to provide energy from waste efficiently/effectively." This is because biodegradable waste is not as energy-dense as other types of waste, such as plastic or paper. As a result, it takes more biodegradable waste to produce the same amount of energy, which makes it less efficient and effective.

 

Therefore, the statement that best reflects the crux of the passage is that segregation of municipal solid waste is the first step in ensuring the success of waste-to-energy plants.

 

Passage-2

 

There is a claim that organic farming is inherently safer and healthier. The reality is that because the organic farming industry is still young and not well-regulated in India, farmers and consumers, alike, are not only confused about what products are best for them, but sometimes use products in ways that could harm them as well. For example, since organic fertilizers are difficult to obtain on a large scale in India, farmers often use farmyard manure, which may contain toxic chemicals and heavy metals. Certain plant sprays, such as Datura flower and leaf spray, have an element called atropine. If it is not applied in the right dose, it can act on the nervous system of the consumer. Unfortunately, how much and when to use it are not well-researched or regulated issues.

 

 

33.Based on the above passage, the following assumptions have been made :

1.Organic farming is inherently unsafe for both farmers and consumers.

2.Farmers and consumers need to be educated about eco-friendly food.

Which of the assumptions given above is/are correct?

(a)1 only

(b)2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

 

Answer (b)    

Based on the given passage, the correct assumption is:

(b) 2 only - Farmers and consumers need to be educated about eco-friendly food.

The passage mentions that the organic farming industry in India is still young and not well-regulated, leading to confusion among farmers and consumers. It also highlights the use of certain products, such as farmyard manure and plant sprays, which may contain toxic chemicals and pose risks if not used properly. This implies a need for education and awareness about eco-friendly food practices.

However, the passage does not state that organic farming is inherently unsafe for both farmers and consumers. It acknowledges the potential risks and confusion due to inadequate regulation and knowledge but does not make a definitive statement about the inherent safety of organic farming.

Therefore, the correct answer is (b) 2 only.

 

 

34. Which one of the following statements best reflects the most logical, rational and practical message conveyed by the author of the passage?

(a) In India, organic farming should not be promoted as a substitute for conventional farming.

(b) There are no safe organic alternatives to chemical fertilizers.

(c) In India, farmers need to be guided and helped to make their organic farming sustainable.

(d)  The aim of organic farming should not be to generate huge profits as there is still no global market for its products.

Answer (c)

Based on the given passage, the most logical, rational, and practical message conveyed by the author is:

(c) In India, farmers need to be guided and helped to make their organic farming sustainable.

The passage highlights the challenges and shortcomings of the organic farming industry in India, such as the lack of regulation, confusion among farmers and consumers, and the use of potentially harmful products. However, it does not suggest that organic farming should not be promoted as a substitute for conventional farming or that there are no safe organic alternatives to chemical fertilizers. Additionally, it does not directly address the aim of generating profits or the global market for organic products.

Instead, the passage emphasizes the need to guide and assist farmers in making their organic farming practices sustainable. This implies that with proper support, education, and regulation, organic farming in India can be improved and made safer and healthier for both farmers and consumers.

Therefore, the best reflection of the message conveyed by the author is (c) In India, farmers need to be guided and helped to make their organic farming sustainable.

 

Passage-3

Food consumption patterns have changed substantially in India over the past few decades. This has resulted in the disappearance of many nutritious foods such as millets. While food grain production has increased over five times since independence, it has not sufficiently addressed the issue of malnutrition. For         long,the agriculture sector focussed on increasing food production particularly staples, which led to lower production and consumption of indigenous traditional crops/grains, fruits and other vegetables, impacting food and nutrition security in the process. Further, intensive, monoculture agriculture practices can perpetuate the food and nutrition security problem by degrading the quality of land, water and food derived through them.

 

35. Based on the above passage, the following assumptions have been made :

(1) To implement the Sustainable Development Goals and to achieve zero-hunger goal, monoculture agriculture practices are inevitable even if they do not address malnutrition.

(2) Dependance on a few crops has negative consequences for human health and the ecosystem.

(3) Government policies regarding food planning need to incorporate nutritional security.

(4) For the present monoculture agriculture practices, farmers receive subsidies in various ways and the government offers remunerative prices for grains and therefore they do not tend to consider crop diversity.

Which of the above assumptions are valid?

(a) 1,2 and 4 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 3 and 4 only

(d) 1,2,3 and 4

 

Answer (b)

The valid assumptions are (b) 2 and 3 only.

Assumption 1 is not valid because it is based on the premise that monoculture agriculture practices are inevitable in order to implement the Sustainable Development Goals and achieve zero-hunger. However, the passage does not provide any evidence to support this claim. In fact, the passage suggests that monoculture agriculture practices can have negative consequences for human health and the ecosystem.

Assumption 2 is valid because it is supported by evidence in the passage. The passage states that "Dependance on a few crops has negative consequences for human health and the ecosystem." This suggests that monoculture agriculture practices can be harmful to both human health and the environment.

Assumption 3 is valid because it is supported by evidence in the passage. The passage states that "Government policies regarding food planning need to incorporate nutritional security." This suggests that government policies should focus on ensuring that people have access to a variety of nutritious foods, rather than just a few staple crops.

Assumption 4 is not valid because it is based on the premise that farmers receive subsidies in various ways and the government offers remunerative prices for grains, and therefore they do not tend to consider crop diversity. However, the passage does not provide any evidence to support this claim. In fact, the passage suggests that farmers may be more likely to consider crop diversity if they were given more support from the government.

Therefore, the only valid assumptions are 2 and 3.

 

Directions for the following 3 (three) items:

 

Read the following three passages and answer the items that follow the passages. Your answers to these items should be based on the passages only.

Passage- I

 

Scientists studied the vernal window - transition period from winter to the growing season. They found that warmer winters with less snow resulted in a longer lag time between spring events and a more protracted vernal window. This change in the spring timetable has ecological, social and economic consequences - for agriculture, fisheries and tourism. As the ice melts earlier, the birds don't return, causing a delay, or lengthening in springtime ecological events.

 

41.With reference to the above passage, the following assumptions have been made :

1.Global warming is causing spring to come early and for longer durations.

2.Early spring and longer period of spring is not good for bird populations.

Which of the above assumptions is/are  correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

 

Passage-2

 

A global analysis of nitrogen use efficiency - a measure of the amount of nitrogen a plant takes in to grow versus what is left behind as pollution - says that using too much fertilizers will lead to increased pollution of waterways and the air. Currently, the global average for nitrogen use efficiency is approximately 0·4, meaning 40 per cent of the total nitrogen added to cropland goes into the harvested crop while 60 per cent is lost to the environment, says a study. More than half of the world's population is nourished by food grown with fertilizers containing synthetic        nitrogen, which is needed to produce high crop yields. Plants take the nitrogen they need to grow, and the excess is left in the ground, water and air. This results in significant emissions of nitrous oxide, a potent greenhouse and ozone depleting gas, and other forms of nitrogenpollution, including eutrophication of      lakes and rivers and contamination of river water.

42.Which one of the following statements best reflects the most logical, rational and crucial message implied by the passage ?

(a) An enhanced efficiency of use of nitrogen is imperative for both food production and environment.

(b) Production of synthetic nitrogen fertilizers cannot be stopped as it will adversely affect global food security.

(c) Alternatives to crops that require excess of nitrogen should be identified and cultivated.

(d) Conventional agriculture using synthetic fertilizers should be replaced with agroforestry, agroecosystems and organic farming.

 

Answer: a

The most logical, rational, and crucial message implied by the passage is: (a) An enhanced efficiency of use of nitrogen is imperative for both food production and the environment.

The passage emphasizes that the current nitrogen use efficiency is low, with a significant portion of nitrogen being lost to the environment, leading to pollution of waterways and the air. Since a majority of the world's population relies on food grown with nitrogen fertilizers, it is crucial to improve nitrogen use efficiency to minimize environmental pollution while ensuring sufficient food production. This statement highlights the need to address the issue by finding ways to optimize nitrogen use without compromising food security.

Passage - 3

Along with sustainable lifestyles, climate justice is regarded as a significant principle in environmental parlance. Both the principles have bearings on political and economic choices of the nation. So far, in our climate change summits or compacts, both the principles have eluded consensus among nations. Justice, in the judicial sense, is well defined. However, in the context of climate change, it has scientific as well as socio-political connotations. The crucial question in the next few years will be how resources, technologies and regulations are used to support the victims of climate change. Justice in climate is not confined to actions relating to mitigation, but includes the wider notion of support for adaptation to climate change and compensation for loss and damage.

43.Which one of the following statements best reflects the most logical, rational and crucial message conveyed by the passage ?

(a) Climate justice should be ingrained in detail in the rules of all the new climate compacts/agreements.

(b) Environmental resources are unevenly distributed and exploited across the globe.

(c) There is an impending issue of dealing with a huge number of climate change victims/climate refugees.

(d) Climate change in all its connotations is mostly due to developed countries and therefore their share of burden should be more.

Answer: a

The passage states that climate justice is a significant principle in environmental parlance, and that it has scientific as well as socio-political connotations. It also states that the crucial question in the next few years will be how resources, technologies and regulations are used to support the victims of climate change.

The most logical, rational, and crucial message conveyed by the passage is that climate justice should be ingrained in detail in the rules of all the new climate compacts/agreements. This is because climate justice is a complex issue with many different dimensions, and it is important to ensure that all of these dimensions are considered when developing new climate policies.

The other options are not as logical or rational as the first option. Option (b) is true, but it is not the most important message conveyed by the passage. Option (c) is also true, but it is not a new message. Option (d) is not supported by the passage.

Therefore, the answer is (a).

Directions for the following 3 (three) items :

Read the following three passages and answer the items that follow the passages. Your answers to these items should be based on the passages only.

Passage- I

Sourcing food from non-agricultural lands (uncultivated systems such as forests, wetlands, pastures, etc) in addition to agricultural lands enables a systemic approach to food consumption. It allows rural and tribal communities to sustain themselves for the whole year and steer clear of natural disasters and season-induced shortfalls of agricultural food. Since the productivity of trees is often more resilient to adverse weather conditions than annual crops, forest foods often provide a safety net during periods of food shortages caused by crop failure; forest foods also make important contributions during seasonal crop production gaps.

51.Which one of the following statements best reflects the most logical and rational message conveyed by the author of the passage ?

(a) Food yielding trees should replace other trees in rural and tribal areas and community owned lands.

(b) Food security cannot be ensured in India with the present practice of conventional agriculture.

(c) Wastelands and degraded areas in India should be converted into agroforestry systems to help the poor.

(d) Agroecosystems should be developed in addition to or along with conventional agriculture.

Answer: d

The author of the passage is arguing that sourcing food from non-agricultural lands in addition to agricultural lands is a more sustainable and resilient way to ensure food security. The author cites the fact that the productivity of trees is often more resilient to adverse weather conditions than annual crops, and that forest foods often provide a safety net during periods of food shortages caused by crop failure.

Based on this information, the most logical and rational message conveyed by the author of the passage is that agro ecosystems should be developed in addition to or along with conventional agriculture. This would allow rural and tribal communities to sustain themselves for the whole year and steer clear of natural disasters and season-induced shortfalls of agricultural food.

Passage-2

While awareness on use/misuse and abuse of antibiotics is common knowledge, as is the impact of dosing poultry with antibiotics, the environmental impact of antibiotics-manufacturing companies not treating their waste has scarcely been discussed at any length or seriousness thus far. Pollution from antibiotics factories is fuelling the rise of drug-resistant infections. The occurrence of drug-resistant bacteria surrounding the pharma manufacturing plants is well known.

52.Which one of the following statements best reflects the most logical and practical message conveyed by the passage ?

(a) It is necessary to put proper effluent treatment protocols in place.

(b) It is necessary to promote  environmental awareness among people.

(c) Spread of drug-resistant bacteria cannot be done away with, as it is inherent in modern medical care.

(d) Pharma-manufacturing companies should be set up in remote rural areas, away from crowded towns and cities.

Answer: a

The passage states that the environmental impact of antibiotics-manufacturing companies not treating their waste is a serious problem that is not being discussed enough. The passage also states that pollution from antibiotics factories is fuelling the rise of drug-resistant infections.

Based on this information, the most logical and practical message conveyed by the passage is that it is necessary to put proper effluent treatment protocols in place. This would help to reduce the amount of pollution from antibiotics factories and would help to prevent the spread of drug-resistant infections.

Passage-3

 

Benefits of good quality school education accrue only when students complete and leave school after having acquired the gateway skills. Like one learns to walk before running, similarly one picks up advanced skills only after picking the basic foundational skills. The advent of the knowledge economy poses new challenges, and one of the severe consequences of having an uneducated workforce will be our inability to keep pace with the global economy. Without a strong learning foundation at the primary level, there can be no improvement in higher education or skill development.

53.Which one of the following statements best reflects the crux of the passage ?

(a) To become a global power, India needs to invest in universal quality education.

(b) India is unable to become a global power because it is not focussing or promoting

knowledge economy.

(c) Our education system should focus more on imparting skills during higher education.

(d) Parents of many school children are illiterate and are unaware of the benefits of quality education.

Answer: a

The passage states that good quality school education is essential for India to become a global power. The passage also states that without a strong learning foundation at the primary level, there can be no improvement in higher education or skill development.

Based on this information, the statement that best reflects the crux of the passage is to become a global power, India needs to invest in universal quality education.

Passage-2

Household finance in India is unique. We have a tendency to invest heavily in physical assets such as gold and property. Steps to encourage the financialization of savings are critical. A populace accustomed to traditional processes will not simply jump into financialization. Hurdles to change include onerous bureaucracy, a scepticism of organized financial institutions, a lack of basic information about which of the myriad services and providers is best for each family, and how (and even if) one can make the transition between them if necessary.

62.Regarding the financialization of household savings, which of the following statements best reflect the solutions that are implied by the passage ?

1.A flexible environment is needed to develop solutions.

2.Households need customized solutions.

5.Innovations in financial technology are required.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: d

The correct answer is D.

The passage mentions that there are a number of hurdles to change in household finance in India. These hurdles include onerous bureaucracy, scepticism of organized financial institutions, and a lack of basic information about which of the myriad services and providers is best for each family.

The solutions that are implied by the passage are:

1. A flexible environment is needed to develop solutions. This means that the government and financial institutions need to be willing to experiment with new approaches and be open to feedback from households.
2. Households need customized solutions. This means that financial institutions need to offer a variety of products and services that meet the needs of different households.
3. Innovations in financial technology are required. This means that financial institutions need to use technology to make it easier for households to access and manage their finances.

All of these solutions are important, and they all need to be implemented in order to encourage the financialization of household savings in India.

Passage-3

Pharmaceutical patents grant protection to the patentee for the duration of the patent term. The patentees enjoy the liberty to determine the prices of medicines, which is time-limited to the period of monopoly, but could be unaffordable to the public. Such patent protection offered to the patentees is believed to benefit the public over the longer term through innovations and research and development (R&D), although it comes at a cost, in the nature of higher prices for the patented medicine. The patent regime and price protection - through a legally validated high price for the medicine during the currency of the patent - provide the patentee with a legitimate mechanism to get returns on the costs incurred in innovation and research.

 

63 Based on the above passage, the following assumptions have been made :

1.Patent protection given to patentees puts a huge burden on the public's purchasing power in accessing patented medicines.

2.Dependence on other countries for pharmaceutical products is a huge burden for developing and poor countries.

3.Providing medicines to the public at affordable prices is a key goal during the public health policy design in many countries.

4.Governments need to find an appropriate balance between the rights of patentees and the requirements of the patients.

Which of the above assumptions are valid ?

(a) 1 and 2

(b) 1 and 4

(c) 3 and 4

(d) 2 and 3

Answer: b

Based on the passage, the following assumptions can be considered valid:

Patent protection given to patentees puts a huge burden on the public's purchasing power in accessing patented medicines. This is supported by the statement that the prices of patented medicines determined by the patentees could be unaffordable to the public.

Providing medicines to the public at affordable prices is a key goal during the public health policy design in many countries. This is implied by the mention of the higher prices for patented medicines and the need for balance between the rights of patentees and the requirements of patients.

Therefore, the valid assumptions are: (b) 1 and 4

The correct answer is (b) 1 and 4.

Passage -4

India should ensure the growth of the digital economy while keeping personal data of citizens secure and protected. No one will innovate in a surveillance-oriented environment or in a place where an individual's personal information is compromised. The ultimate control of data must reside with the individuals who generate it; they should be enabled to use, restrict or monetise it as they wish. Therefore, data protection laws should enable the right kind of innovation - one that is user-centric and privacy protecting.

64.Based on the above passage, the following assumptions have been made :

1.Protection of privacy is not just a right, but it has value to the economy.

2.There is a fundamental link between privacy and innovation.

Which of the above assumptions is/are valid ?

(a)1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: c

The passage states that India should ensure the growth of the digital economy while keeping personal data of citizens secure and protected. It also states that no one will innovate in a surveillance-oriented environment or in a place where an individual's personal information is compromised. This means that protection of privacy is not just a right, but it has value to the economy.

The passage also states that the ultimate control of data must reside with the individuals who generate it. This means that there is a fundamental link between privacy and innovation. If individuals do not have control over their data, they will be less likely to share it, which will stifle innovation.

Therefore, both assumptions are valid.

Directions for the following 3 (three) items: Read the following three passages and answer the items that follow the passages. Your answers to these

items should be based on the passages only.

Passage -1

In India, while the unemployment rate is a frequently used measure of poor performance of the economy, under conditions of rising school and college enrolment, it paints an inaccurate picture. The reported unemployment rate is dominated by the experience of younger Indians who face higher employment challenges and exhibit greater willingness to wait for the right job than their older peers. The unemployment challenge is greater for people with secondary or higher education, and rising education levels inflate unemployment challenges.

 

71.Which one of the following statements most likely reflects as to what the author of the passage intends to say ?

(a) Enrolment in schools and colleges is high but there is no quality education.

(b) Unemployment must be seen as a function of rising education and aspirations of young Indians.

(c) There are no labour-intensive industries to accommodate the huge number of unemployed people.

(d) The education system should be properly designed so as to enable the educated people to be self-employed.

Answer: b

The passage suggests that the reported unemployment rate in India does not accurately reflect the performance of the economy due to factors such as rising school and college enrolment and the employment challenges faced by younger Indians with higher education.

Based on this information, the most likely intention of the author can be inferred as follows: (b) Unemployment must be seen as a function of rising education and aspirations of young Indians.

This option captures the idea that the increasing levels of education and aspirations among young Indians contribute to the unemployment challenges they face. It aligns with the author's emphasis on the impact of rising education levels and the experiences of younger individuals on the accuracy of the unemployment rate. Regenerate response.

Passage-2

"Science by itself is not enough, there must be a force and discipline outside the sciences to coordinate them and point to a goal. It is not possible to run a course staright when the goal itself has not been rightly placed. What science needs is philosophy - the analysis of scientific method and the coordination       of scientific purposes and results; without this, any science must be superficial. Government suffers, precisely like science, for lack of philosophy. Philosophy bears to science the same relationship which statesmanship bears to politics : movement guided by total knowledge and perspective, as against aimless and individual seeking. Just as the pursuit of knowledge becomes scholasticism when divorced from the actual needs of men and life, so the pursuit of politics becomes a destructive bedlam when divorced from science and philosophy."

Which one of the following statements best reflects the most rational, logical and practical message conveyed by the passage ?

(a) Modern statesmen need to be well trained in scientific methods and philosophical thinking to enable them to have a better perspective of their roles, responsibilities and goals.

(b) It is not desirable to have Governments managed by empirical statesmen unless well mixed with others who are grounded in learning and reflect wisdom.

(c) As the statesmen/bureaucrats are the products of a society, it is desirable to have a system of education in a society that focuses on training its citizens in scientific method and philosophical thinking from a very early age.

(d) It is desirable that all scientists need to be philosophers as well to make their work goal-oriented and thus purposeful and useful to society.

Answer: a

The most rational, logical, and practical message conveyed by the passage can be reflected in the following statement:

(a) Modern statesmen need to be well trained in scientific methods and philosophical thinking to enable them to have a better perspective of their roles, responsibilities, and goals.

The passage emphasizes the need for a force and discipline outside of science to coordinate and guide scientific endeavors towards a goal. It also highlights the importance of philosophy in analyzing scientific methods and coordinating scientific purposes and results. By drawing a parallel between government and science, the passage suggests that both can benefit from the guidance and perspective provided by philosophy. Therefore, the statement that modern statesmen should be well trained in scientific methods and philosophical thinking aligns with the passage's message of the need for coordination, perspective, and goal-oriented approaches.

Passage-3

"The last end of the state is not to dominate men, nor to restrain them by fear; rather it is so to free each man from fear that he may live and act with full security and without injury to himself or his neighbour. The end of the state, I repeat, is not to make rational beings into brute beasts and machines. It is to enable their bodies and their minds to function safely. It is to lead men to live by, and to exercise, a free reason; that they may not waste their strength in hatred, anger and guile, nor act unfairly toward one another."

73.Based on the above passage, which one of the following terms best expresses the ultimate goal of the state ?

(a) Personal safety

(b) Health of body and mind

(c) Communal harmony

(d) Liberty

Answer: d

Based on the passage, the term that best expresses the ultimate goal of the state is:

(d) Liberty The passage emphasizes that the end of the state is not to dominate or restrain individuals but to free them from fear and enable them to live and act with full security. It aims to allow individuals to exercise their free reason and live without wasting their strength in negative emotions or acting unfairly towards one another. This emphasis on freedom, security, and the ability to live and act without harm aligns with the concept of liberty.

 

 

UPSC CSE 2022 PRELIMS

 

Directions for the following 3 (three) items : Read the following two passages and answer the items that follow the passages. Your answers to these items should be based on the passages only.

Passage—1

The main threat to maintaining progress in human development comes from the unsustainability of production and consumption patterns. Current production models rely heavily on fossil fuels. We now know that this is unsustainable because the resources are finite. The close link between economic growth and greenhouse gas increasingly evident emissions needs to be severed for human development to become truly sustainable. Some developed countries have begun to alleviate the worst effects by expanding recycling and investing in public transport and infra- structure. But most developing countries are hampered by the high costs and low availability of clean energy sources. Developed countries need to support developing countries’ transition to sustainable human development.

 

1. Heavy dependence on fossil fuels
2. Limited availability of resources
3. Expansion of recycling

 

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1,2 and 3

Answer-A

Developed countries can support developing countries’ transition to sustainable human development by

1. making clean energy sources available at low cost
2. providing loans for improving their public transport at nominal interest rates
3. encouraging them to change their production and consumption patterns

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 1 and 2 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1,2 and 3

Answer-A

Passage—2

Unless the forces and tendencies which are responsible for destroying the country’s environment are checked in the near future and afforestation of denuded areas is taken up on a massive scale, the harshness of the climatic conditions and soil erosion by wind and water will increase to such an extent that agriculture, which is the mainstay of our people, will gradually become impossible, The desert countries of the world and our own desert areas in Rajasthan are a grim reminder of the consequences of large-scale deforestation. Pockets of desert-like landscape are now appearing in other parts of the country including the Sutlej-Ganga Plains and the Deccan Plateau. Where only a few decades back there used to be lush green forests with perennial streams and springs, there is only brown earth, bare of vegetation, without any water in the streams and springs except in the rainy season.

1. Depletion of soil resource
2. Shortage of land for the common man
3. Lack of water for cultivation

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer-C

Directions for the following 4 (four) items :

Read the following two passages and answer the items that follow the passages. Your answers to these items should be based on the passages only.

Passage—1

“In simple matters like shoe-making, we think only a specially trained person will serve our purpose, but in politics, we presume that everyone who knows how to get votes knows how to administer a State. When we are ill, we call for a trained physician, whose degree is a guarantee of specific preparation and technical competence—we do not ask for the handsomest physician, or the most eloquent one : well then, when the whole State is ill should we not look for the service and guidance of the wisest and the best?”

(a) We assume that in a democracy, any politician is qualified to administer a State.

(b) Politicians should be selected from those trained in administration.

(c) We need to devise a method of barring incompetence from public office.

(d) As voters select their administrators, the eligibility of politicians to administer a State cannot be questioned.

Answer-B

Passage—2

 

The poverty line is quite unsatisfactory when it comes to grasping the extent of poverty in India. It is not only because of its extremely narrow definition of ‘who is poor’ and the debatable methodology used to count the poor, but also because of a more fundamental assumption underlying it. It exclusively relies on the notion of poverty as insufficient income or insufficient purchasing power. One can better categorize it by calling it income poverty. If poverty is ultimately about deprivations affecting human well-being, then income poverty is only one aspect of it. Poverty of a life, in our view, lies not merely in the impoverished state in which the person actually lives, but also in the lack of real opportunity given by social constraints as well as personal circumstances—to choose other types of living. Even the relevance of low incomes, meagre possessions, and other aspects of what are standardly seen as economic poverty relate ultimately to their role in curtailing capabilities, i.e., their role in severely restricting the choices people have to lead variable and valued lives.

(a) There is some confusion regarding what should constitute the ‘poverty line’.

(b) There are wide diversities in the condition of the rural and urban poor.

(c) There is no uniform global standard for measuring income poverty.

(d) 1t is based on the proposition of poverty as meagre income or buying capacity.

Answer-D

(a) It talks of only one kind of deprivation ignoring all others.

(b) Other deprivations in a human life have nothing to do with lack of purchasing power.

(c) Income poverty is not a permanent condition, it changes from time to time,

(d) Income poverty restricts human choices only at a point of time.

Answer-A

(a) All deprivations in a human life which stem not only from lack of income but lack of real opportunities

(b) Impoverished state of poor people in rural and urban areas

(c) Missed opportunities in diverse personal circumstances

(d) Material as well as non-material deprivations in a human life which restrict human choices permanently

Answer-A

Directions for the following 3 (three) items :

Read the following passage and answer the items ‘that follow the passage. Your answers to these items should be based on the passage only.

In some places in the world, the productivity of staples such as rice and wheat has reached a plateau. Neither new strains nor fancy agrochemicals are raising the yields. Nor is there much unfarmed land left that is suitable to be brought under the plough. If global temperature continues to rise, some places will become unsuitable for farming. Application of technology can help overcome these problems. Agricultural technology is changing fast. Much of this change is brought about by affluent farmers in the West/Americas. Techniques developed in the West are being adapted in some places to make tropical crops more productive. Technology is of little use if it is not adapted. In the developing world, that applies as much to existing farming techniques as it does to the latest advances in genetic modification. Extending to the smallholders and subsistence farmers of Africa and Asia the best of today’s agricultural practices, in such simple matters as how much fertilizers to apply and when, would lead to a greatly increased availability of food for humanity. So would things like better roads and storage facilities, to allow for the carriage of surpluses to markets and reduce wastage.

Which of the above assumptions is/are valid?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer-C

1. Poor countries need to bring about change in their existing farming techniques.
2. Developed countries have better infrastructure and they waste less food.

Which of the above assumptions is/are valid?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer-A

23.Based on the above passage, the following assumptions have been made : (2022)

Which of the above assumptions is/are valid?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer-A

Directions for the following 4 (four) items :

Read the following two passages and answer the items that follow the passages. Your answers to these items should be based on the passages only.

Passage—1

Natural selection cannot anticipate future environments on the earth. Therefore, the set of existing organisms can never be fully prepared for environmental catastrophes that await life. An outcome of this is the extinction of those species which cannot overcome environmental adversity. This failure to survive, in modern terms, can be attributed to the genomes which are unable to withstand geological vagaries or biological mishaps (infections, diseases and so on). In biological evolution on the earth, extinction of species has been a major feature. The earth may presently have up to ten million species, yet more than 90% of species that have ever lived on the earth are now extinct. Once again, the creationist doctrines fail to satisfactorily address why a divine creator will firstly bother to create millions of species and then allow them to perish. The Darwinian explanation for extinct life is once again simple, elegant and at once convincing—organisms go extinct as a function of environmental or biological assaults for which their inheritance deems them ill-equipped. Therefore, the so-called Darwinian theory of evolution is not a theory at all. Evolution happens—this is a fact. The mechanism of evolution (Darwin proposed natural selection) is amply supported by scientific data. Indeed, to date no single zoological, botanical, geological, paleontological, genetic or physical evidence has refuted either of the central two main Darwinian ideas. If religion is not taken into consideration,

Darwinian laws are acceptable just like the laws proposed by Copernicus, Galileo, Newton and Einstein—sets of natural laws that explain natural phenomena in the universe.

 Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1,2 and 3

(b) 2,3 and 4

(cj 1,3 and 4

(d) 1, 2 and 4

Answer-C

32. The passage suggests that Darwinian theory of evolution is not a theory at all because (2022)

(a) it does not satisfy the creationist doctrine

(b) extinction is a function of environment and biological assaults

(c) there are no evidences to refute it

(d) existence of organisms is attributed to a creator

Answer-B

1. Only species that have the ability to overcome environmental catastrophes will survive and perpetuate.
2. More than 90% of the species on the earth are in the danger of getting extinct due to drastic changes in the environment.
3. Darwin’s theory explains all the natural phenomena.

Which of the above assumptions is/are valid?

(a) 1 only

(b) 1 and 2 only

(c) 3 only

(d) 1,2 and 3

Answer-A

Passage—2

 

With steady economic growth, higher literacy and increasing skill levels, the number of Indian middle-class families has gone up exponentially. Direct results of the affluence have been changes in dietary patterns and energy consumption levels. People have moved to a higher protein-based diet like milk products, fish and meat, all of which need significantly more water to produce than cereal- based diets. Increasing use of electronic and electric machines/gadgets and motor vehicles needs more and more energy and generation of energy needs water.

(a) People should be persuaded to continue with the mainly Indian traditional cereal-based diets.

(b) India needs to focus on developing agricultural productivity and capacity for more energy generation in the coming years.

(c) Modern technological developments result in the change of cultural and social behavior of the people.

(d) Water management practices in India need to change dramatically in the coming years.

Answer-D

Directions for the following 4 (four) items :

Read the following two passages and answer the items that follow the passages. Your answers to these items should be based on the passages only.

Passage—1

For two or three generations past, ever- increasing numbers of individuals have been living as workers merely, not as human beings. An excessive amount of labour is rule today in every circle of society, with the result that man’s spiritual element cannot thrive. He finds it very difficult to spend his little leisure in serious activities. He does not want to think; or he cannot even if he wants to. He seeks not self-improvement, but entertainment which would enable him to be mentally idle and to forget his usual activities. Therefore, the so-called culture of our age is dependant more on cinema than on theatre, more on newspapers, magazines and crime stories than on serious literature.

(a) man should not work hard

(b) the great evil of our age is overstrain

(c) man cannot think well

(d) man cannot care for his spiritual welfare

Answer-B

(a) is not intellectually capable

(b) has no time to do so

(c) is distracted by materialism

(d) loves amusement and is mentally idle

Answer-B

Passage—2

The demographic dividend, which has begun in India and is expected to last another few decades, is a great window of opportunity. The demographic dividend is basically a swelling in the working age population, which conversely means that the relative ratio of very young and very old will, for a while, be on the decline. From the experience of Ireland and China, we know that this can be a source of energy and an engine of economic growth. The demographic dividend tends to raise a nation’s savings rate since in any nation, it is the working age population that is the main saver. And since the savings rate is an important driver of growth, this should help elevate our growth rate. However, the benefits of demographic dividend depend on the quality of the working age population. And this implies bringing back the importance of education, acquisition of skills and human capital.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1,2 and 3

Answer-B

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer-D

Directions for the following 3 (three) items :

Read the following two passages and answer the items that follow the passages. Your answers to these items should be based on the passages only.

Passage—1

In an economic organization, allowing mankind to benefit by the productivity of machines should lead to a very good life of leisure, and much leisure is apt to be tedious except to those who have intelligent activities and interests. If a leisured population is to be happy, it must be an educated population, and must be educated with a view to enjoyment as well as to the direct usefulness of technical knowledge.

(a) Only an educated population can best make use of the benefits of economic progress.

(b) All economic development should be aimed at the creation of leisure.

(c) An increase in the educated population of a country leads to an increase in the happiness of its people.

(d) Use of machines should be encouraged in order to create a large leisured population.

Answer-A

Passage—2

If presents bring less thrill now that we are grown up, perhaps it is because we have too much already; or perhaps it is because we have lost the fullness of the joy of giving, and with it the fullness of the joy of receiving. Children’s fears are poignant, their miseries are acute, but they do not look too forward nor too far backward. Their joys are clear and complete, because they have not yet learnt always to add ‘but’ to every proposition. Perhaps we are too cautious, too anxious, too skeptical. Perhaps some of our cares would shrink if we thought less about them and entered with more single- minded enjoyment into the happiness that come our way.

(a) It is not possible for adults to feel thrilled by presents.

(b)There can be more than one reason why adults feel less thrilled by presents.

(c) The author does not know why adults feel less thrilled by presents.

(d) Adults have less capacity to feel the joy of loving or being loved.

Answer-B

(a) worrying too much about the past  and future

(b) being in the habit of thinking about presents

(c) not being thrilled by new things

(d) giving and receiving joy only partially

Answer-A

Directions for the following 3 (three) items :

Read the following two passages and answer the items that follow the passages. Your answers to these items should be based on the passages only.

Passage—1

The majority of people who fail to accumulate money sufficient for their needs, are generally, easily influenced by the opinions of others. They permit the newspapers and the gossiping neighbours to do their thinking for them. Opinions are the cheapest commodities on the earth. Everyone has a flock of opinions ready to be wished upon by anyone who will accept them. If you are influenced by opinions when you reach decisions, you will not succeed in any undertaking.

(a) Most of the people do not accumulate money for their needs.

(b) Most of the people never fail to accumulate money for their needs.

(c) There are people who fail to accumulate money for their needs.

(d) There is no need to accumulate money.

Answer-C

(a) People should not be influenced by the opinions of others.

(b) People should accumulate as much money as they can.

(c) People should neither give nor accept the opinions.

(d) People will succeed in any undertaking if they do not accept any opinion at all.

Answer-A

Passage—2

“The social order is a sacred right which is the basis of all other rights. Nevertheless, this right does not come from nature, and must therefore be founded on conventions.”

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer-A

Directions for the following 3 (three) items :

Read the following two passages and answer Your answers to these items should be based on the items that follow the passages. the passages only.

Passage—1

To encourage research is one of the functions of a university. Contemporary universities have encouraged research, not only in those cases where research is necessary, but on all sorts of entirely unprofitable subjects as well. Scientific research is probably never completely valueless. However silly and insignificant it may seem, however mechanical and unintelligent the labours of the researchers, there is always a chance that the results may be of value to the investigator of talent, who can use the facts collected for him by uninspired but industrious researchers as the basis of some fruitful generalization. But where research is not original, but the rearrangement of existing materials, where its consists in mere object, is not scientific but literary or historical, then there is a risk of the whole business becoming merely futile.

(a)it is never very valuable

(b)it is sometimes very valuable

(c)it is never without some value

(d)it is always very valuable

Answer-C

(a) not many research results can be of value to an intelligent investigator

(b) a research result is always valuable to an intelligent investigator

(c) any research result can be of value to an intelligent investigator

(d) a research result must always be of some value to an intelligent investigator

Answer-C

Passage—2

How best can the problems of floods and droughts be addressed so that the losses are minimal and the system becomes resilient? In this context, one important point that needs to be noted is that India gets ‘too much’ water (about 75% of annual precipitation) during 120 days (June to September) and ‘too little’ for the remaining 245 days. This skewed water availability has to be managed and regulated for its consumption throughout the year.

(a) Constructing huge concrete storage tanks and canals across the country

(b) Changing the cropping patterns and farming practices

(c) Interlinking of rivers across the country

(d) Buffer stocking of water through dams and recharging aquifers

Answer-D

UPSC CSE 2021 PRELIMS