2012 GS Paper I, all questions

UPSC Prelims 2012 · GS Paper I

Question 26: Economy and Social Development

With reference to National Rural Health Mission, which of the following are the jobs of 'ASHA', a trained community health worker?

  1. 1.Accompanying women to the health facility for antenatal care checkup
  2. 2.Using pregnancy test kits for early detection of pregnancy
  3. 3.Providing information on nutrition and immunization
  4. 4.Conducting the delivery of baby

Select the correct answer using the codes given below :

a1, 2 and 3 only
b2 and 4 only
c1 and 3 only
d1, 2, 3 and 4

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (a).

ASHA, the community health worker of the National Rural Health Mission, links women to health services: she accompanies them for antenatal check-ups, is trained to use pregnancy test kits for early detection, and informs families on nutrition, immunisation and hygiene. She also promotes institutional delivery. She does not conduct deliveries; skilled birth attendants such as nurses, ANMs and doctors do that.

  • 1. ASHAs accompany women to the facility for antenatal check-ups.
  • 2. ASHAs are trained to use pregnancy test kits for early detection.
  • 3. ASHAs counsel on nutrition and immunisation.
  • 4. Deliveries are conducted by skilled birth attendants, not ASHAs.

How you could have got this

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

    What you needed to know: ASHAs are trained to use pregnancy test kits for early detection.

  2. Then, if you were sure statement 4 is not correct, (b) and (d) go: each of them includes 4.

    What you needed to know: Deliveries are conducted by skilled birth attendants, not ASHAs.

Only (a) is left. You didn’t need statements 1 or 3.

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) Correct: accompanying women, pregnancy test kits, and nutrition and immunisation information.
  • (b) Wrong: ASHA does not conduct deliveries, and it omits her other tasks.
  • (c) Incomplete: ASHA also uses pregnancy test kits.
  • (d) Wrong: conducting deliveries is not ASHA's job.

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 I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.