2008 General Studies, all questions

UPSC Prelims 2008 · General Studies

Question 98: Economy and Social Development

Which of the following are the public sector undertakings of the Government of India?

  1. 1.Balmer Lawrie and Company Ltd.
  2. 2.Dredging Corporation of India
  3. 3.Educational Consultants of India Ltd.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

a1 and 2 only
b2 and 3 only
c1 and 3 only
d1, 2 and 3

AnswerThe answer is (d).

All three are Central public sector undertakings. Balmer Lawrie and Company Ltd is a Government of India company under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. The Dredging Corporation of India is under the Ministry of Shipping. Educational Consultants India Ltd (EdCIL) is a consultancy undertaking under the Ministry of Human Resource Development.

  • 1. Balmer Lawrie is a Government of India company.
  • 2. The Dredging Corporation of India is a public sector undertaking.
  • 3. EdCIL is a public sector consultancy undertaking.

How you could have got this

  1. If you were sure statement 1 is correct, (b) goes: it leaves 1 out.

    What you needed to know: Balmer Lawrie is a Government of India company.

  2. Then, if you were sure statement 2 is correct, (c) goes: it leaves 2 out.

    What you needed to know: The Dredging Corporation of India is a public sector undertaking.

  3. Then, if you were sure statement 3 is correct, (a) goes: it leaves 3 out.

    What you needed to know: EdCIL is a public sector consultancy undertaking.

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) Leaves out EdCIL, which is also a public sector undertaking.
  • (b) Leaves out Balmer Lawrie, which is also a public sector undertaking.
  • (c) Leaves out the Dredging Corporation of India, which is also a public sector undertaking.
  • (d) All three are public sector undertakings.

Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2008, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.