UPSC Prelims 2018 · GS Paper I
Question 10: Economy and Social Development
Consider the following statements :
- 1.The quantity of imported edible oils is more than the domestic production of edible oils in the last five years.
- 2.The Government does not impose any customs duty on all the imported edible oils as a special case.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (a).
India imports more edible oil than it produces: palm, soybean and sunflower oils make up a large and growing import bill, and import volumes have exceeded domestic output in recent years, so statement 1 holds. The government does levy customs duty on edible oils, and has repeatedly changed the rates to protect farmers or to curb prices, so statement 2 is wrong. Remember: duty on edible oils is a policy lever and is not zero.
- 1. Imports of edible oils have exceeded domestic production in recent years.
- 2. Customs duty is levied, and its rates are changed to manage prices and protect farmers.
How you could have got this
- If you were sure statement 2 is not correct, (b) and (c) go: each of them includes 2.
What you needed to know: Customs duty is levied, and its rates are changed to manage prices and protect farmers.
The red flag in statement 2 is “all”. In UPSC’s papers, statements with “all” were true 41% of the time (76 statements). A hint, not a rule.
- Then, if you were sure statement 1 is correct, (d) goes: it leaves 1 out.
What you needed to know: Imports of edible oils have exceeded domestic production in recent years.
Only (a) is left. This one needs every statement.
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) Right: imports exceed domestic production, and customs duty is levied.
- (b) Wrong: customs duty is imposed on edible oils.
- (c) Wrong: statement 2 is false.
- (d) Wrong: statement 1 is true.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2018, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.