UPSC Prelims 2012 · CSAT

Question 34: Reading Comprehension

Passage beginning “Most champions of democracy have been…” — Passage – 2 · as printed by UPSC

According to the passage, what should be the ultimate assessment/aim/view of development ?

aRise in the per capita income and industrial growth rates.

bImprovement in the Human Development Index and GNP.

cRise in the savings and consumption trends.

dExtent of real freedom that citizens enjoy.

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (d).

The passage says development has to be assessed by how people actually live and how free they truly are. A rise in GNP, personal incomes or industrialisation matters only as a means, and its worth depends on what it does for people's lives and liberty. So the ultimate yardstick is the extent of real freedom that citizens enjoy. Remember the distinction between means and ends: income, growth, savings and consumption are means.

Why each option is right or wrong

(a) Wrong. Per capita income and industrial growth are means, not the ultimate end.
(b) Wrong. GNP is only a means, and the passage does not name the Human Development Index.
(c) Wrong. Savings and consumption are not given as the aim of development.
(d) Right. Real freedom enjoyed by citizens is the central test of development.

Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2012, General Studies Paper II (CSAT), Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.