UPSC Prelims 1996 · General Studies
Question 95: Economy and Social Development
Consider the following items imported by India: I. Capital goods II. Petroleum III. Pearls and precious stones IV. Chemicals V. Iron and Steel The correct sequence of these items (as per 1994-95 figures) in decreasing order of value is —
AnswerThe answer is (d).
Per the 1994-95 import figures the key uses, petroleum was India's largest import, followed by capital goods, chemicals, iron and steel, and pearls and precious stones last of the five: II, I, IV, V, III. It is a figures question, so remember the top two: oil first, capital goods second. Options that put capital goods first, or pearls and precious stones above chemicals, do not match.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Puts capital goods above petroleum, but petroleum ranked first.
- (b) Puts capital goods above petroleum, and pearls and precious stones above iron and steel.
- (c) Puts pearls and precious stones third, above chemicals and iron and steel.
- (d) Right: petroleum, capital goods, chemicals, iron and steel, pearls and precious stones.
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.