The passage links a successful democracy to wide participation, with voting an essential part. It says that deliberately staying away from voting amounts to refusing one's political responsibility while still enjoying the benefits of a free society. That frames voting as a duty owed in return for those benefits, not merely a right or freedom, so the passage relates to the duty to vote.
Why each option is right or wrong
(a) Correct: not voting is described as shirking political responsibility while enjoying the benefits of freedom.
(b) The passage stresses responsibility, not the entitlement to vote.
(c) Freedom is what citizens already enjoy; the point is the responsibility attached to it.
(d) Participation is mentioned, but the focus is voting as a responsibility, not a right to take part.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
