UPSC Prelims 2003 · General Studies
Question 82: Economy and Social Development
Consider the following statements:
- 1.In the last five years, Indian software exports have increased at a compound annual growth rate of about 60%.
- 2.The software and service industry in India registered an overall growth of about 28% in rupee terms during the year 2001-2002.
Which of these statements is/are correct?
AnswerThe answer is (c).
The key accepts both statements: Indian software exports grew at a very high compound rate through the late 1990s from a small base, and the software and services industry still grew by about 28 per cent in rupee terms in 2001-02 even as global IT spending slowed. Such growth figures come from the NASSCOM and Economic Survey data of the time, so learn the headline numbers together with the year.
- 1. The key accepts roughly 60 per cent compound annual growth of software exports over five years, from a small base.
- 2. The key accepts about 28 per cent growth in rupee terms in 2001-02.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Statement 2 is also accepted, so 'only 1' is incomplete.
- (b) Statement 1 is also accepted, so 'only 2' is incomplete.
- (c) Correct: both are accepted.
- (d) Both are accepted, so 'neither' fails.
Worth knowing: I cannot independently verify the 60 per cent and 28 per cent figures, so this follows the compilation's answer.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2003, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.