UPSC Prelims 2012 · CSAT
Question 75: Decision Making and Interpersonal Skills
You are competing with your batch-mate for a prestigious award to be decided based on an oral presentation. Ten minutes are allowed for each presentation. You have been asked by the committee to finish on time. Your friend, however, is allowed more than the stipulated time period. You would...
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (a) or (d).
UPSC's key accepts (a) and (d). You were held to the time limit while your friend was not, which is unequal treatment, so the response is to raise it with the chairperson through a formal complaint (a), or to protest openly against the unfairness (d). Withdrawing your name (c) gives up your chance without correcting anything, and refusing to hear the committee's explanation (b) is closed-minded.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Accepted. A formal complaint to the chairperson is the proper channel against unequal treatment.
- (b) Not accepted. Refusing to hear the committee's reasons is closed-minded.
- (c) Not accepted. Withdrawing gives up your claim instead of correcting the unfairness.
- (d) Accepted by the key. It registers the objection openly, though leaving the venue is the weaker part of the option.
Worth knowing: This is a judgement question; UPSC's key accepts (a) and (d), though leaving the venue in (d) is hard to defend as constructive.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2012, General Studies Paper II (CSAT), Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.