UPSC Prelims 2015 · CSAT

Question 47: Reading Comprehension

Passage beginning “Governments may have to take steps…” — Passage – 6 · as printed by UPSC

Which among the following is the most logical assumption that can be made from the above passage ?

aGovernment should always be given wide discretionary power in all matters of administration.

bThe supremacy of rules and safeguards should prevail as opposed to the influence of exclusive discretion of authority.

cParliamentary democracy is possible only if the Government has wider discretionary power.

dNone of the above statements is a logical assumption that can be made from this passage.

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (b).

The passage accepts that governments may need to act in the public interest but insists that this be authorised by the people's representatives, that where discretion has to be used it be bound by rules and safeguards against misuse, and that decisions follow recognised rules and be predictable. The assumption behind this is that rules and safeguards should prevail over unchecked discretion. Giving government wide discretion everywhere is the opposite, and nothing links parliamentary democracy to wide discretionary powers.

Why each option is right or wrong

(a) Wrong: the passage wants discretion restricted, so wide power everywhere contradicts it.
(b) Right: where discretion is used, rules and safeguards must prevent its misuse.
(c) Wrong: the passage never links parliamentary democracy to wide discretionary power.
(d) Wrong: option (b) is a valid assumption.

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.