UPSC Prelims 2005 · General Studies
Question 149: Economy and Social Development
Consider the following statements:
- 1.The number of post offices in India is in excess of 1.5 lakhs.
- 2.Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) was formed in the year 1997.
- 3.The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) was established in the year 2000.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
AnswerThe answer is (c).
Statement 1 is right: India has more than 1.5 lakh post offices. Statement 2 is wrong: BSNL was formed in 2000 (it began operating on 1 October 2000), not 1997. Statement 3 is wrong: TRAI was established in 1997, not 2000; in 2000 the law was amended to create the telecom tribunal (TDSAT).
- 1. India has well over 1.5 lakh post offices.
- 2. BSNL was formed in 2000.
- 3. TRAI was established in 1997.
How you could have got this
- If you were sure statement 2 is not correct, (b) goes: it includes 2.
What you needed to know: BSNL was formed in 2000.
- Then, if you were sure statement 3 is not correct, (a) and (d) go: each of them includes 3.
What you needed to know: TRAI was established in 1997.
Only (c) is left. You didn’t need statement 1.
This follows an unofficial answer: UPSC has not published its key for this year, and if that answer is wrong, so is this path.
Which options go is worked out from UPSC’s key and the options, not by a model.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Statement 3 is false: TRAI dates from 1997.
- (b) Statement 2 is false: BSNL was formed in 2000.
- (c) Correct: only statement 1 holds.
- (d) Statement 3 is false.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2005, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.