UPSC Prelims 2011 · GS Paper I
Question 34: Polity and Governance
India is home to lakhs of persons with disabilities. What are the benefits available to them under the law ?
- 1.Free schooling till the age of 18 years in government-run schools.
- 2.Preferential allotment of land for setting up business.
- 3.Ramps in public buildings.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
AnswerThe answer is (d).
The Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995 provided free education up to the age of 18 in appropriate settings, preferential allotment of land at concessional rates for housing, business and special schools, and barrier-free access, such as ramps in public buildings. All three are benefits available under the law. That Act has since been replaced by the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, which keeps and widens these rights.
- 1. Free education up to age 18 is provided.
- 2. Preferential land allotment is provided, including for business.
- 3. Barrier-free access, including ramps in public buildings, is provided.
How you could have got this
- If you were sure statement 1 is correct, (b) goes: it leaves 1 out.
What you needed to know: Free education up to age 18 is provided.
- Then, if you were sure statement 2 is correct, (a) and (c) go: each of them leaves 2 out.
What you needed to know: Preferential land allotment is provided, including for business.
Only (d) is left. You didn’t need statement 3.
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) Free schooling is one benefit, but not the only one.
- (b) Omits free schooling till 18, which the law provides.
- (c) Omits preferential land allotment for business, which the law provides.
- (d) Right: free schooling till 18, preferential land allotment and ramps are all provided.
Worth knowing: The 1995 Act cited at the time has since been replaced by the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, though these three benefits continue.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2011, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.