UPSC Prelims 2013

General Studies Paper II (CSAT)

80 questions, 2 hours. Open a question for its answer and why.

1. Question 1 · Reading Comprehension

   

   Which of the following is closest to the view of democracy as mentioned in the above passage ?

   aThe subject of democracy is a muddle due to a desire to portray it as a Western concept, ‘alien’ to non-Western countries.

   bThe language of imposition of democracy is inappropriate. There is, however, a need to consider this concept in the backdrop of culture of ‘own ways’ of non-Western society.

   cWhile democracy is not essentially a Western idea belonging exclusively to the West, the institutional structure of current democratic practices has been their contribution.

   dNone of the statements (a), (b) and (c) given above is correct.
2. Question 2 · Reading Comprehension

   

   With reference to the passage, the following assumptions have been made :

   1. 1.Many of the non-Western countries are unable to have democracy because they take democracy to be a specialized cultural product of the West.
   2. 2.Western countries are always trying to impose democracy on non-Western countries.

   Which of the above is/are valid assumption/assumptions ?

   a1 only

   b2 only

   cBoth 1 and 2

   dNeither 1 nor 2
3. Question 3 · Reading Comprehension

   

   According to the passage, which of the following should be the practice/practices in good corporate governance ?

   1. 1.Companies should always comply with labour and tax laws of the land.
   2. 2.Every company in the country should have a government representative as one of the independent directors on the board to ensure transparency.
   3. 3.The manager of a company should never invest his personal funds in the company.

   Select the correct answer using the codes given below :

   a1 only

   b2 and 3 only

   c1 and 3 only

   d1, 2 and 3
4. Question 4 · Reading Comprehension

   

   According to the passage, which of the following is/are the major benefit/benefits of good corporate governance ?

   1. 1.Good corporate governance leads to increase in share price of the company.
   2. 2.A company with good corporate governance always increases its business turnover rapidly.
   3. 3.Good corporate governance is the main criterion for foreign institutional investors when they decide to buy a company.

   Select the correct answer using the codes given below :

   a1 only

   b2 and 3 only

   c1 and 3 only

   d1, 2 and 3
5. Question 5 · Reading Comprehension

   

   According to the passage, malnutrition in children can be reduced

   aif the children have regular intake of food.

   bafter they cross the age of five.

   cif the food needs of younger children are known.

   dif the responsibility of feeding younger children is given to adults.
6. Question 6 · Reading Comprehension

   

   According to the author, poverty is not the main cause of malnutrition, but the fact that

   1. 1.taking care of younger ones is not a priority for working mothers.
   2. 2.awareness of nutritional needs is not propagated by the Public Health authorities.

   Select the correct answer using the code given below :

   a1 only

   b2 only

   cBoth 1 and 2

   dNeither 1 nor 2
7. Question 7 · Reading Comprehension

   

   The need for policy intervention to mitigate risks in agriculture is because

   afarmers are extremely risk-averse.

   bfarmers do not know how to mitigate risks.

   cthe methods adopted by farmers and existing risk sharing institutions are not adequate.

   dmajority of farmers depend on rain-fed agriculture.
8. Question 8 · Reading Comprehension

   

   Which of the following observations emerges from the above passage ?

   aOne can identify a single policy that can reduce risk without any side-effect.

   bNo single risk-specific policy is sufficient to reduce agricultural risk.

   cPolicies which affect risk indirectly can eliminate it.

   dGovernment’s policy intervention can mitigate agricultural risk completely.
9. Question 9 · Logical Reasoning and Mental Ability

   Consider the following statements :

   1. iA primary group is relatively smaller in size.
   2. iiIntimacy is an essential characteristic of a primary group.
   3. iiiA family may be an example of a primary group.

   In the light of the above statements, which one of the following is true ?

   aAll families are primary groups.

   bAll primary groups are families.

   cA group of smaller size is always a primary group.

   dMembers of a primary group know each other intimately.
10. Question 10 · Logical Reasoning and Mental Ability

    Four friends, A, B, C and D distribute some money among themselves in such a manner that A gets one less than B, C gets 5 more than D, D gets 3 more than B. Who gets the smallest amount ?

    aA

    bB

    cC

    dD
11. Question 11 · Logical Reasoning and Mental Ability

    

    Which mode of transport would help one to reach R starting from Q, but without changing the mode of transport ?

    aBoat

    bRail

    cBus

    dAir
12. Question 12 · Logical Reasoning and Mental Ability

    

    If a person visits each of the places starting from P and gets back to P, which of the following places must he visit twice ?

    aQ

    bR

    cS

    dT
13. Question 13 · Logical Reasoning and Mental Ability

    

    Which one of the following pairs of cities is connected by any of the routes directly without going to any other city ?

    aP and T

    bT and S

    cQ and R

    dNone of these
14. Question 14 · Logical Reasoning and Mental Ability

    

    Between which two cities among the pairs of cities given below are there maximum travel options available ?

    aQ and S

    bP and R

    cP and T

    dQ and R
15. Question 15 · Logical Reasoning and Mental Ability

    

    If Y is selected and B is rejected, the team will consist of which one of the following groups ?

    aA, C, W and Y

    bA, C, X and Y

    cA, C, Y and Z

    dA, W, Y and Z
16. Question 16 · Logical Reasoning and Mental Ability

    

    If B is selected and Y is rejected, the team will consist of which one of the following groups ?

    aA, B, C and W

    bA, B, C and Z

    cA, B, C and X

    dA, W, Y and Z
17. Question 17 · Logical Reasoning and Mental Ability

    

    If all the three males are selected, then how many combinations of four member teams are possible ?

    a1

    b2

    c3

    d4
18. Question 18 · Logical Reasoning and Mental Ability

    The music director of a film wants to select four persons to work on different aspects of the composition of a piece of music. Seven persons are available for this work; they are Rohit, Tanya, Shobha, Kaushal, Kunal, Mukesh and Jaswant. Rohit and Tanya will not work together. Kunal and Shobha will not work together. Mukesh and Kunal want to work together. Which of the following is the most acceptable group of people that can be selected by the music director ?

    aRohit, Shobha, Kunal and Kaushal

    bTanya, Kaushal, Shobha and Rohit

    cTanya, Mukesh, Kunal and Jaswant

    dShobha, Tanya, Rohit and Mukesh
19. Question 19 · Logical Reasoning and Mental Ability

    Five people A, B, C, D and E are seated about a round table. Every chair is spaced equidistant from adjacent chairs. (i) C is seated next to A. (ii) A is seated two seats from D. (iii) B is not seated next to A. Which of the following must be true ?

    1. ID is seated next to B.
    2. IIE is seated next to A.

    Select the correct answer from the codes given below :

    aI only

    bII only

    cBoth I and II

    dNeither I nor II
20. Question 20 · Logical Reasoning and Mental Ability

    

    Who does not play hockey ?

    aD

    bC

    cB

    dA
21. Question 21 · Logical Reasoning and Mental Ability

    

    Who plays football, basketball and hockey ?

    aD

    bC

    cB

    dA
22. Question 22 · Logical Reasoning and Mental Ability

    

    Which game do B, C and D play ?

    aBasketball

    bHockey

    cCricket

    dFootball
23. Question 23 · Logical Reasoning and Mental Ability

    Geeta is older than her cousin Meena. Meena’s brother Bipin is older than Geeta. When Meena and Bipin visit Geeta, they like to play chess. Meena wins the game more often than Geeta. Based on the above information, four conclusions, as given below, have been made. Which one of these logically follows from the information given above ?

    aWhile playing chess with Geeta and Meena, Bipin often loses.

    bGeeta is the oldest among the three.

    cGeeta hates to lose the game.

    dMeena is the youngest of the three.
24. Question 24 · Reading Comprehension

    

    According to the passage, the financial markets in the emerging market economies including India had the adverse impact in recent years due to

    1. 1.weak global economic prospects.
    2. 2.uncertainties in the international financial markets.
    3. 3.sovereign risk concerns in the Euro area.
    4. 4.bad monsoons and the resultant crop loss.

    Select the correct answer using the code given below :

    a1 and 2 only

    b1, 2 and 3

    c2 and 3 only

    d2, 3 and 4
25. Question 25 · Reading Comprehension

    

    The Indian financial markets are affected by global changes mainly due to the

    aincreased inflow of remittances from abroad.

    benormous increase in the foreign exchange reserves.

    cgrowing global linkages and integration of the Indian financial markets.

    dcontagion of Greece’s sovereign debt problem.
26. Question 26 · Reading Comprehension

    

    According to the passage, in the Indian financial system, banks’ ability to withstand stress is critical to ensure overall financial stability because Indian financial system is

    acontrolled by the Government of India.

    bless integrated with banks.

    ccontrolled by Reserve Bank of India.

    ddominated by banks.
27. Question 27 · Reading Comprehension

    

    Risk and liquidity management assumes more importance in the Indian banking system in future due to

    1. 1.further globalization.
    2. 2.more consolidation and deregulation of the financial system.
    3. 3.further diversification of the financial system.
    4. 4.more financial inclusion in the economy.

    Select the correct answer using the code given below :

    a1, 2 and 3

    b2, 3 and 4

    c1 and 2 only

    d3 and 4 only
28. Question 28 · Basic Numeracy

    There are five hobby clubs in a college viz., photography, yachting, chess, electronics and gardening. The gardening group meets every second day, the electronics group meets every third day, the chess group meets every fourth day, the yachting group meets every fifth day and the photography group meets every sixth day. How many times do all the five groups meet on the same day within 180 days ?

    a3

    b5

    c10

    d18
29. Question 29 · Logical Reasoning and Mental Ability

    A, B, C, D and E belong to five different cities P, Q, R, S and T (not necessarily in that order). Each one of them comes from a different city. Further it is given that :

    1. 1.B and C do not belong to Q.
    2. 2.B and E do not belong to P and R.
    3. 3.A and C do not belong to R, S and T.
    4. 4.D and E do not belong to Q and T.

    Which one of the following statements is not correct ?

    aC belongs to P

    bD belongs to R

    cA belongs to Q

    dB belongs to S
30. Question 30 · Logical Reasoning and Mental Ability

    Seven men, A, B, C, D, E, F and G are standing in a queue in that order. Each one is wearing a cap of a different colour like violet, indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange and red. D is able to see in front of him green and blue, but not violet. E can see violet and yellow, but not red. G can see caps of all colours other than orange. If E is wearing an indigo coloured cap, then the colour of the cap worn by F is

    aBlue

    bViolet

    cRed

    dOrange
31. Question 31 · Basic Numeracy

    There are some balls of red, green and yellow colour lying on a table. There are as many red balls as there are yellow balls. There are twice as many yellow balls as there are green ones. The number of red balls

    ais equal to the sum of yellow and green balls.

    bis double the number of green balls.

    cis equal to yellow balls minus green balls.

    dcannot be ascertained.
32. Question 32 · Reading Comprehension

    

    Mineral oil deposits under the sea do not get completely decomposed because they

    aare constantly washed by the ocean currents.

    bbecome rock and prevent oxygen from entering them.

    ccontain a mixture of hydrogen and carbon.

    dare carcasses of organisms lying in saline conditions.
33. Question 33 · Reading Comprehension

    

    Sedimentary rock leads to the formation of oil deposits because

    athere are no saline conditions below it.

    bit allows some dissolved oxygen to enter the dead organic matter below it.

    cweight of overlying sediment layers causes the production of heat.

    dit contains the substances that catalyze the chemical reactions required to change dead organisms into oil.
34. Question 34 · Logical Reasoning and Mental Ability

    In a class of 45 students, a boy is ranked 20th. When two boys joined, his rank was dropped by one. What is his new rank from the end ?

    a25th

    b26th

    c27th

    d28th
35. Question 35 · Basic Numeracy

    A thief running at 8 km/hr is chased by a policeman whose speed is 10 km/hr. If the thief is 100 m ahead of the policeman, then the time required for the policeman to catch the thief will be

    a2 min

    b3 min

    c4 min

    d6 min
36. Question 36 · Basic Numeracy

    A train travels at a certain average speed for a distance of 63 km and then travels a distance of 72 km at an average speed of 6 km/hr more than its original speed. If it takes 3 hours to complete the total journey, what is the original speed of the train in km/hr ?

    a24

    b33

    c42

    d66
37. Question 37 · Reading Comprehension

    

    According to the passage, why should the discharge of agricultural slurry into watercourses be restricted ?

    1. 1.Losing nutrients in this way is not a good practice economically.
    2. 2.Watercourses do not contain the microorganisms that can decompose organic components of agricultural slurry.
    3. 3.The discharge may lead to the eutrophication of water bodies.

    Select the correct answer using the codes given below :

    a1 only

    b2 and 3 only

    c1 and 3 only

    d1, 2 and 3
38. Question 38 · Reading Comprehension

    

    The passage refers to the conversion of “pollutant to fertilizer”. What is pollutant and what is fertilizer in this context ?

    aDecomposed organic component of slurry is pollutant and microorganisms in soil constitute fertilizer.

    bDischarged agricultural slurry is pollutant and decomposed slurry in soil is fertilizer.

    cSprayed slurry is pollutant and watercourse is fertilizer.

    dNone of the above expressions is correct in this context.
39. Question 39 · Reading Comprehension

    

    According to the passage, what are the effects of indiscriminate use of fertilizers ?

    1. 1.Addition of pollutants to the soil and water.
    2. 2.Destruction of decomposer microorganisms in soil.
    3. 3.Nutrient enrichment of water bodies.
    4. 4.Creation of algal blooms.

    Select the correct answer from the codes given below :

    a1, 2 and 3 only

    b1, 3 and 4 only

    c2 and 4 only

    d1, 2, 3 and 4
40. Question 40 · Reading Comprehension

    

    What is/are the characteristics of a water body with cultural eutrophication ?

    1. 1.Loss of ecosystem services
    2. 2.Loss of flora and fauna
    3. 3.Loss of mineral nutrients

    Select the correct answer using the code given below :

    a1 only

    b1 and 2 only

    c2 and 3 only

    d1, 2 and 3
41. Question 41 · Reading Comprehension

    

    What is the central theme of this passage ?

    aAppropriate legislation is essential to protect the environment.

    bModern agriculture is responsible for the destruction of environment.

    cImproper waste disposal from agriculture can destroy the aquatic ecosystems.

    dUse of chemical fertilizers is undesirable in agriculture.
42. Question 42 · Reading Comprehension

    

    According to the passage, which of the following statements is most likely to be true as the reason for man’s miseries ?

    aThe poor economic and social conditions prevailing in society.

    bThe refusal on the part of man to change his character.

    cThe absence of physical and material help from his society.

    dEver increasing physical needs due to changing social structure.
43. Question 43 · Reading Comprehension

    

    With reference to the passage, the following assumptions have been made :

    1. 1.The author gives primary importance to physical and material help in eradicating human misery.
    2. 2.Charitable homes, hospitals, etc. can remove human misery to a great extent.

    Which of the assumptions is/are valid ?

    a1 only

    b2 only

    cBoth 1 and 2

    dNeither 1 nor 2
44. Question 44 · Logical Reasoning and Mental Ability

    Consider the following figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 :

    In the figures from 1 to 4 above, two symbols are shown to change their position in a regular direction. Following the same sequence, which one of the following will appear at the fifth stage ?

    

    apicture (a)

    bpicture (b)

    cpicture (c)

    dpicture (d)
45. Question 45 · Logical Reasoning and Mental Ability

    In each item, there are two sets of figures; first four figures named Problem figures and next four figures named Answer figures indicated as (a), (b), (c) and (d). The problem figures follow a particular sequence. In accordance with the same, which one of the four answer figures should appear as the fifth figure ?

    

    apicture (a)

    bpicture (b)

    cpicture (c)

    dpicture (d)
46. Question 46 · Logical Reasoning and Mental Ability

    In each item, there are two sets of figures; first four figures named Problem figures and next four figures named Answer figures indicated as (a), (b), (c) and (d). The problem figures follow a particular sequence. In accordance with the same, which one of the four answer figures should appear as the fifth figure ?

    

    apicture (a)

    bpicture (b)

    cpicture (c)

    dpicture (d)
47. Question 47 · Basic Numeracy

    Consider the following diagrams : x men, working at constant speed, do a certain job in y days. Which one of these diagrams shows the relation between x and y ?

    

    adiagram I

    bdiagram II

    cdiagram III

    ddiagram IV
48. Question 48 · Logical Reasoning and Mental Ability

    Consider the following matrix :

    3	370	7
    2	224	6
    1	730	X

    What is the number at ‘X’ in the above matrix ?

    a5

    b8

    c9

    d11
49. Question 49 · Data Interpretation

    Four cars are hired at the rate of ₹ 6 per km plus the cost of diesel at ₹ 40 a litre. In this context, consider the details given in the following table :

    Car	Mileage (km/l)	Hours	Total Payment (₹)
    A	8	20	2120
    B	10	25	1950
    C	9	24	2064
    D	11	22	1812

    Which car maintained the maximum average speed ?

    aCar A

    bCar B

    cCar C

    dCar D
50. Question 50 · Logical Reasoning and Mental Ability

    Examine the following three figures in which the numbers follow a specific pattern :

    The missing number (?) in the third figure above is

    

    a7

    b16

    c21

    d28
51. Question 51 · Logical Reasoning and Mental Ability

    A cube has six numbers marked 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 on its faces. Three views of the cube are shown below :

    What possible numbers can exist on the two faces marked Ⓐ and Ⓑ, respectively on the cube ?

    

    a2 and 3

    b6 and 1

    c1 and 4

    d3 and 1
52. Question 52 · Data Interpretation

    How many Physics professors belong to the age group 35 – 44 ?

    

    a18

    b16

    c14

    d12
53. Question 53 · Data Interpretation

    Which one of the following disciplines has the highest ratio of males to females ?

    

    aPhysics

    bMathematics

    cChemistry

    dEconomics
54. Question 54 · Data Interpretation

    What percentage of all Psychology professors are females ?

    

    a40%

    b50%

    c60%

    d70%
55. Question 55 · Data Interpretation

    If the number of female Physics professors in the age group 25 – 34 equals 25% of all the Physics professors in that age group, then what is the number of male Physics professors in the age group 25 – 34 ?

    

    a9

    b6

    c3

    d2
56. Question 56 · Data Interpretation

    If the Psychology professors in the University constitute 2% of all the professors in the University, then what is the number of professors in the University ?

    

    a400

    b500

    c600

    d700
57. Question 57 · Logical Reasoning and Mental Ability

    Consider the following figures :

    Which one of the following figures would logically come in the 7th position indicated above by a question mark ?

    

    apicture (a)

    bpicture (b)

    cpicture (c)

    dpicture (d)
58. Question 58 · Reading Comprehension

    

    What is the central focus of this passage ?

    aIllegal mining in forests

    bExtinction of wildlife

    cConservation of nature

    dDisruption of habitat
59. Question 59 · Reading Comprehension

    

    What is the purpose of maintaining the continuity of forested landscapes and corridors ?

    1. 1.Preservation of biodiversity.
    2. 2.Management of mineral resources.
    3. 3.Grant of forest lands for human activities.

    Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

    a1 only

    b1 and 2

    c2 and 3

    d1, 2 and 3
60. Question 60 · Basic Numeracy

    In a rare coin collection, there is one gold coin for every three non-gold coins. 10 more gold coins are added to the collection and the ratio of gold coins to non-gold coins would be 1 : 2. Based on the information, the total number of coins in the collection now becomes

    a90

    b80

    c60

    d50
61. Question 61 · Basic Numeracy

    A gardener has 1000 plants. He wants to plant them in such a way that the number of rows and the number of columns remains the same. What is the minimum number of plants that he needs more for this purpose ?

    a14

    b24

    c32

    d34
62. Question 62 · Basic Numeracy

    A sum of ₹ 700 has to be used to give seven cash prizes to the students of a school for their overall academic performance. If each prize is ₹ 20 less than its preceding prize, what is the least value of the prize ?

    a₹ 30

    b₹ 40

    c₹ 60

    d₹ 80
63. Question 63 · Basic Numeracy

    Out of 120 applications for a post, 70 are male and 80 have a driver’s license. What is the ratio between the minimum to maximum number of males having driver’s license ?

    a1 to 2

    b2 to 3

    c3 to 7

    d5 to 7
64. Question 64 · Basic Numeracy

    In a garrison, there was food for 1000 soldiers for one month. After 10 days, 1000 more soldiers joined the garrison. How long would the soldiers be able to carry on with the remaining food ?

    a25 days

    b20 days

    c15 days

    d10 days
65. Question 65 · Basic Numeracy

    The tank-full petrol in Arun’s motor-cycle lasts for 10 days. If he starts using 25% more everyday, how many days will the tank-full petrol last ?

    a5

    b6

    c7

    d8
66. Question 66 · Basic Numeracy

    A person can walk a certain distance and drive back in six hours. He can also walk both ways in 10 hours. How much time will he take to drive both ways ?

    aTwo hours

    bTwo and a half hours

    cFive and a half hours

    dFour hours
67. Question 67 · Reading Comprehension

    

    When Jim came home without his bicycle, his parents

    awere angry with him.

    bwere worried.

    cdid not feel concerned.

    dwere eager to meet the old man and the little boy.
68. Question 68 · Reading Comprehension

    

    Jim returned the watch to the old man and the little boy because

    athey gave him chocolates.

    bhis father was proud of him.

    che was satisfied with the condition of his bicycle.

    dthey were late only by 30 minutes.
69. Question 69 · Reading Comprehension

    

    The author asked John to drive more slowly because

    athe road led to the hills.

    bJohn was an inexperienced driver.

    cthe road was not clearly visible.

    dthey were in wilderness.
70. Question 70 · Reading Comprehension

    

    The travellers set out for the town although it was getting dark because

    athey were in a hurry.

    bthe next town was a short distance away and was a hill-resort.

    cthey were in wilderness.

    dthe next town was a short distance away and promised a good rest for the night.
71. Question 71 · Reading Comprehension

    

    The travellers were worried after twenty kilometres because

    ait was a lonely countryside.

    bthey probably feared of having lost their way.

    cthe rain began to fall.

    dit was getting colder as they drove.
72. Question 72 · Reading Comprehension

    

    It was pointed out to the lady that she should walk on the pavement because she was

    aa pedestrian.

    bcarrying a basket.

    cstout.

    dan old lady.
73. Question 73 · Reading Comprehension

    

    The lady refused to move from the middle of the street because

    ashe was not afraid of being killed.

    bshe felt that she is entitled to do whatever she liked.

    cshe did not like walking on the pavement.

    dshe was confused.
74. Question 74 · Reading Comprehension

    

    The old lady failed to realise that

    ashe was not really free.

    bher liberty was not unlimited.

    cshe was an old person.

    droads are made for motor vehicles only.
75. Question 75 · Decision Making and Interpersonal Skills

    You are the head of your office. There are certain houses reserved for the allotment to the office staff and you have been given the discretion to do so. A set of rules for the allotment of the houses has been laid down by you and has been made public. Your personal secretary, who is very close to you, comes to you and pleads that as his father is seriously ill, he should be given priority in allotment of a house. The office secretariat that examined the request as per the rules turns down the request and recommends the procedure to be followed according to the rules. You do not want to annoy your personal secretary. In such circumstances, what would you do ?

    aCall him over to your room and personally explain why the allotment cannot be done.

    bAllot the house to him to win his loyalty.

    cAgree with the office note to show that you are not biased and that you do not indulge in favouritism.

    dKeep the file with you and not pass any orders.
76. Question 76 · Decision Making and Interpersonal Skills

    While travelling in a Delhi-registered commercial taxi from Delhi to an adjacent city (another State), your taxi driver informs you that as he has no permit for running the taxi in that city, he will stop at its Transport Office and pay the prescribed fee of ₹ forty for a day. While paying the fee at the counter you find that the transport clerk is taking an extra fifty rupees for which no receipt is being given. You are in a hurry for your meeting. In such circumstances, what would you do ?

    aGo up to the counter and ask the clerk to give back the money which he has illegally taken.

    bDo not interfere at all as this is a matter between the taxi driver and the tax authorities.

    cTake note of the incident and subsequently report the matter to the concerned authorities.

    dTreat it as a normal affair and simply forget about it.
77. Question 77 · Decision Making and Interpersonal Skills

    A person lives in a far off village which is almost two hours by bus. The villager’s neighbour is a very powerful landlord who is trying to occupy the poor villager’s land by force. You are the District Magistrate and busy in a meeting called by a local Minister. The villager has come all the way, by bus and on foot, to see you and give an application seeking protection from the powerful landlord. The villager keeps on waiting outside the meeting hall for an hour. You come out of the meeting and are rushing to another meeting. The villager follows you to submit his application. What would you do ?

    aTell him to wait for another two hours till you come back from your next meeting.

    bTell him that the matter is actually to be dealt by a junior officer and that he should give the application to him.

    cCall one of your senior subordinate officers and ask him to solve the villager’s problem.

    dQuickly take the application from him, ask him a few relevant questions regarding his problem and then proceed to the meeting.
78. Question 78 · Decision Making and Interpersonal Skills

    There is a shortage of sugar in your District where you are the District Magistrate. The Government has ordered that only a maximum amount of 30 kg sugar is to be released for wedding celebrations. A son of your close friend is getting married and your friend requests you to release at least 50 kg sugar for his son’s wedding. He expresses annoyance when you tell him about the Government’s restrictions on this matter. He feels that since you are the District Magistrate you can release any amount. You do not want to spoil your friendship with him. In such circumstances, how would you deal with the situation ?

    aRelease the extra amount of sugar which your friend has requested for.

    bRefuse your friend the extra amount and strictly follow the rules.

    cShow your friend the copy of the Government instructions and then persuade him to accept the lower amount as prescribed in the rules.

    dAdvise him to directly apply to the allotting authority and inform him that you do not interfere in this matter.
79. Question 79 · Decision Making and Interpersonal Skills

    You are in-charge of implementing the Family Planning programme in an area where there is a strong opposition to the present policy. You want to convince the residents of the need for keeping small families. What would be the best way of communicating this message ?

    aBy logically explaining to the residents the need for family planning to improve the health and living standards.

    bBy encouraging late marriages and proper spacing of children.

    cBy offering incentives for adopting family planning devices.

    dBy asking people who have been sterilized or are using contraceptives to directly talk to the residents.
80. Question 80 · Decision Making and Interpersonal Skills

    You are a teacher in a University and are setting a question paper on a particular subject. One of your colleagues, whose son is preparing for the examination on that subject, comes to you and informs you that it is his son’s last chance to pass that examination and whether you could help him by indicating what questions are going to be in the examination. In the past, your colleague had helped you in another matter. Your colleague informs you that his son will suffer from depression if he fails in this examination. In such circumstances, what would you do ?

    aIn view of the help he had given you, extend your help to him.

    bRegret that you cannot be of any help to him.

    cExplain to your colleague that this would be violating the trust of the University authorities and you are not in a position to help him.

    dReport the conduct of your colleague to the higher authorities.

Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2013, General Studies Paper II (CSAT), Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.