2017 GS Paper I, all questions

UPSC Prelims 2017 · GS Paper I

Question 77: Economy and Social Development

Which of the following has/have occurred in India after its liberalization of economic policies in 1991 ?

  1. 1.Share of agriculture in GDP increased enormously.
  2. 2.Share of India’s exports in world trade increased.
  3. 3.FDI inflows increased.
  4. 4.India’s foreign exchange reserves increased enormously.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below :

a1 and 4 only
b2, 3 and 4 only
c2 and 3 only
d1, 2, 3 and 4

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (b).

Since the 1991 reforms, the share of agriculture in GDP has fallen sharply, not risen, as industry and services grew faster, so Statement 1 is wrong. India's share in world exports rose, FDI inflows increased many times over, and foreign exchange reserves grew from a few billion dollars at the time of the 1991 crisis to hundreds of billions, so Statements 2, 3 and 4 are right. Remember: after liberalisation agriculture's share declined while exports, FDI and reserves rose.

  • 1. Agriculture's share in GDP declined after 1991.
  • 2. India's share in world exports increased.
  • 3. FDI inflows rose.
  • 4. Foreign exchange reserves rose enormously.

How you could have got this

  1. If you were sure statement 1 is not correct, (a) and (d) go: each of them includes 1.

    What you needed to know: Agriculture's share in GDP declined after 1991.

  2. Then, if you were sure statement 4 is correct, (c) goes: it leaves 4 out.

    What you needed to know: Foreign exchange reserves rose enormously.

Only (b) is left. You didn’t need statements 2 or 3.

Which options go is worked out from UPSC’s key and the options, not by a model.

Why each option is right or wrong
  • (a) Wrong: agriculture's share fell, so statement 1 is false.
  • (b) Right: exports share, FDI and reserves rose after 1991.
  • (c) Incomplete: foreign exchange reserves (4) also rose.
  • (d) Wrong: statement 1 is false.

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

Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2017, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.