1999 General Studies, all questions

UPSC Prelims 1999 · General Studies

Question 24: Economy and Social Development

Tourism industry in India is quite small compared to many other countries in terms of India’s potential and size. Which one of the following statements is correct in this regard?

aDistances in India are too far apart and its luxury hotels are too expensive for western tourists
bFor most of the months India is too hot for western tourists to feel comfortable
cMost of the picturesque resorts in India such as in the Northeast and Kashmir are, for all practical purposes, out of bounds
dIn India, the infrastructure required for attracting tourists is inadequate

AnswerThe answer is (d).

Tourism in India is held back mainly by weak supporting infrastructure: too few good hotels in many places, patchy roads, rail and air links, poor sanitation and, in places, safety concerns. India has attractions in every season; the problem is how easily and comfortably tourists can reach and use them. Remember: the potential is high, the facilities are the bottleneck.

Why each option is right or wrong
  • (a) Wrong. Distance and hotel prices are not the main reason; infrastructure is.
  • (b) Wrong. India has cool hill stations, winter seasons and coasts, so heat is not the main reason.
  • (c) Wrong. Resorts in the Northeast and Kashmir are not out of bounds for practical purposes.
  • (d) Right. Inadequate infrastructure is the main reason for the small tourism industry.

Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 1999, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.