UPSC Prelims 2006 · General Studies
Question 72: Economy and Social Development
Consider the following statements :
- 1.According to the Census 2001, Kerala has the smallest gap in male and female literacy rates among the 28 states of India (Delhi and Pondicherry not included).
- 2.According to the Census 2001, Rajasthan has literacy rate above the national average literacy rate.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
AnswerThe answer is (d).
In the 2001 Census Kerala had a male-female literacy gap of about six percentage points, but Mizoram's gap was smaller, about four points, so statement 1 is false. Rajasthan's literacy rate (about 60 per cent) was below the national average of about 65 per cent, so statement 2 is false. Neither statement is correct.
- 1. Mizoram's gap was smaller than Kerala's.
- 2. Rajasthan's literacy (about 60 per cent) was below the national average (about 65 per cent).
How you could have got this
- If you were sure statement 1 is not correct, (a) and (c) go: each of them includes 1.
What you needed to know: Mizoram's gap was smaller than Kerala's.
- Then, if you were sure statement 2 is not correct, (b) goes: it includes 2.
What you needed to know: Rajasthan's literacy (about 60 per cent) was below the national average (about 65 per cent).
Only (d) is left. This one needs every statement.
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) Mizoram had a smaller gap than Kerala.
- (b) Rajasthan was below the national average.
- (c) Both statements are false.
- (d) Correct: neither statement holds.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2006, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.