UPSC Prelims 2001 · General Studies
Question 44: Economy and Social Development
Consider the following States: I. Gujarat II. Karnataka III. Maharashtra IV. Tamil Nadu The descending order of these States with reference to their level of Per Capita Net State Domestic Product is
AnswerThe answer is (b).
The key puts Maharashtra first, then Gujarat, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, in descending order of per capita net State domestic product. Maharashtra, with Mumbai's finance and industry, led these four, and heavily industrial Gujarat came next. The key places Karnataka above Tamil Nadu. Remember that the richest States on this measure are small or highly industrialised ones such as Goa, Punjab, Haryana and Maharashtra.
- I. Gujarat comes second in the key's order.
- II. Karnataka comes third in the key's order.
- III. Maharashtra comes first in the key's order.
- IV. Tamil Nadu comes last of the four in the key's order.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Puts Gujarat above Maharashtra, which was the richer of the two.
- (b) Right as per the key: Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu.
- (c) Puts Gujarat above Maharashtra.
- (d) Matches the key except that it puts Tamil Nadu above Karnataka.
Worth knowing: Per capita figures vary by year and series, and some sources of that period put Tamil Nadu ahead of Karnataka, so the order is open to question.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2001, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.