UPSC Prelims 1996 · General Studies
Question 89: Economy and Social Development
Consider the following statements: Most international agencies which fund development programmes in India on inter-governmental bilateral agreements mainly provide I. Technical assistance. II. Soft loans which are required to be paid back with interest. III. Grants, not required to be paid back. IV. Food assistance to alleviate poverty. Of these statements —
AnswerThe answer is (b).
Bilateral official development assistance to India has mostly come as technical assistance, concessional (soft) loans repayable with interest, and outright grants. Food aid as poverty relief is not the main form of such assistance. So statements I, II and III are correct. Remember: technical help, soft loans and grants.
- I. Technical assistance is a main form of bilateral aid.
- II. Soft loans repayable with interest are a main form.
- III. Grants that need not be repaid are a main form.
- IV. Food assistance is not the main form of such aid.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Leaves out soft loans and grants, and includes food assistance.
- (b) Right: technical assistance, soft loans and grants.
- (c) Includes food assistance, not a main form, and leaves out grants.
- (d) Leaves out technical assistance and soft loans, and includes food assistance.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 1996, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.