UPSC Prelims 2016 · CSAT

Question 3: Reading Comprehension

Passage beginning “Accountability, or the lack of it,…” — Passage-1 · as printed by UPSC

Which one of the following is the essential message implied by this passage ?

aCivil services are not accountable to the society they are serving

bEducated and enlightened persons are not taking up political leadership

cThe framers of the Constitution did not envisage the problems being encountered by the civil services

dThere is a need and scope for reforms to improve the accountability of civil services

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (d).

The passage first states the problem, a tilt in the balance between answering to political leaders and answering to society, with poor results. It then lists remedies: reviewing the service-protection articles, laws for external accountability, a civil services bill, defined roles, statutory boards and devolution. The main message is that reform is needed and possible. Pick the option that covers both problem and remedies, not a side detail.

Why each option is right or wrong

(a) States only the problem and ignores the remedies the passage proposes.
(b) Nothing in the passage is about educated persons entering political leadership.
(c) The passage says the framers built in a balance; it does not say they failed to foresee problems.
(d) Right: the problem is stated and the remedies show reform is needed and feasible.

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

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2016, General Studies Paper II (CSAT), Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.