2013 CSAT, all questions

UPSC Prelims 2013 · CSAT

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.

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (a) or (c).

When a programme meets resistance, the best approach is respectful persuasion rather than force. UPSC accepts two ways: explain logically how small families improve health and living standards, or offer incentives for adopting family planning. Both speak to residents' own interests. Encouraging late marriage and spacing is a programme measure rather than a way of communicating the message, and asking users to speak to residents leans on a few personal stories and may feel like pressure.

Why each option is right or wrong
  • (a) Acceptable. Logical explanation of the benefits addresses residents' own concerns.
  • (b) Wrong. It is a measure to adopt, not a way of communicating the message.
  • (c) Acceptable. Incentives give residents a reason to adopt family planning.
  • (d) Wrong. It rests on a few personal stories and may feel like pressure.

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

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