2018 GS Paper I, all questions

UPSC Prelims 2018 · GS Paper I

Question 3: Economy and Social Development

As per the NSSO 70^th Round “Situation Assessment Survey of Agricultural Households”, consider the following statements :

  1. 1.Rajasthan has the highest percentage share of agricultural households among its rural households.
  2. 2.Out of the total agricultural households in the country, a little over 60 percent belong to OBCs.
  3. 3.In Kerala, a little over 60 percent of agricultural households reported to have received maximum income from sources other than agricultural activities.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

a2 and 3 only
b2 only
c1 and 3 only
d1, 2 and 3

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (c).

This is a recall question from the NSSO 70th round (2013) on agricultural households. Rajasthan had the highest share of agricultural households among its rural households. OBCs were about 46 per cent of agricultural households nationally, well short of 60 per cent, so statement 2 fails. In Kerala, a little over 60 per cent of agricultural households earned most of their income from non-agricultural sources, showing how little the State depends on farm income.

  • 1. Rajasthan had the highest share of agricultural households among its rural households.
  • 2. OBCs were around 46 per cent of agricultural households, not over 60.
  • 3. In Kerala, just over 60 per cent of such households got most income from non-agricultural sources.

How you could have got this

  1. If you were sure statement 2 is not correct, (a), (b) and (d) go: each of them includes 2.

    What you needed to know: OBCs were around 46 per cent of agricultural households, not over 60.

Only (c) is left. You didn’t need statements 1 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: statement 2 is false, and it drops statement 1.
  • (b) Wrong: statement 2 is false.
  • (c) Right: statements 1 and 3 match the survey.
  • (d) Wrong: statement 2 is false.

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

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2018, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.