UPSC Prelims 2000 · General Studies
Question 2: Economy and Social Development
“...instil into the vast millions of workers, men and women, who actually do the job, a sense of partnership and of cooperative performance....” The above passage relates to
AnswerThe answer is (b).
The passage describes the aim of the Community Development Programme, launched on 2 October 1952: to make the millions of village workers partners in their own development through cooperation and self-help. The programme worked through development blocks and village-level workers. Its weak people's participation led to the Balwant Rai Mehta Committee of 1957, which recommended the three-tier Panchayati Raj.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Planned Development is the overall strategy of the Five Year Plans; the passage speaks of village-level partnership, not planning in general.
- (b) Right: Community Development aimed to draw villagers into cooperative effort for their own progress.
- (c) Panchayati Raj is a system of elected local bodies recommended in 1957; the passage describes the spirit of a programme.
- (d) Integrated development schemes such as the IRDP came in the late 1970s and 1980s, long after this idea of partnership.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2000, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.