Which one of the following views corroborates the above statement?
aA strong Centre and strong States make the federation strong.
bA strong Centre is a binding force for national integrity.
cA strong Centre is a hindrance to State autonomy.
dState autonomy is a prerequisite for a federation.
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (b).
The image compares the States to pearls and the Centre to the string that holds them as a necklace; if the string breaks, the pearls scatter. So the Centre holds the States together, and a strong Centre is the binding force for national integrity. Nothing is said about the strength or autonomy of the States, so options bringing those in carry ideas the image does not.
Why each option is right or wrong
(a) The image says nothing about strong States.
(b) Correct: the string holds the pearls together, as the Centre holds the nation together.
(c) The image praises the Centre's binding role; it does not call it a hindrance.
(d) State autonomy is not the image's concern.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
