UPSC Prelims 2015 · CSAT

Question 26: Reading Comprehension

Passage beginning “Vast numbers of Indian citizens without…” — Passage – 6 · as printed by UPSC

What is the most logical, rational and crucial message that is implied in the above passage ?

aMGNREGS should be extended only to those who have a bank account.

bThe paper-based system of payments is more efficient than electronic payment in the present scenario.

cThe goal of electronic wage payments was not to eliminate mediation by village leaders.

dIt is essential to provide financial literacy to the rural poor.

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (d).

The passage describes poor rural people who lack bank accounts, are financially and functionally illiterate and are unfamiliar with technology. Even among account holders, over a third still got wages in cash from the village leader, because people assumed the leader had to mediate as before. What is missing is people's ability to use bank accounts themselves, so the message is that the rural poor need financial literacy. The aim of direct payment was precisely to cut out middlemen, so option (c) reverses it.

Why each option is right or wrong

(a) Wrong: restricting the scheme to account holders would exclude the poor; the passage does not suggest it.
(b) Wrong: no comparison of efficiency is made; the passage shows electronic payment not being used as intended.
(c) Wrong: payment direct to the poor was meant to remove middlemen, so this contradicts the passage.
(d) Right: the problem comes from the lack of financial literacy among rural people.

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

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2015, General Studies Paper II (CSAT), Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.