UPSC Prelims 2018 · GS Paper I
Question 67: Economy and Social Development
With reference to solar power production in India, consider the following statements :
- 1.India is the third largest in the world in the manufacture of silicon wafers used in photovoltaic units.
- 2.The solar power tariffs are determined by the Solar Energy Corporation of India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (d).
India is a large solar power producer, but its manufacture of silicon wafers is small and it imports most cells and modules, so it is not the world's third-largest wafer manufacturer. Solar tariffs are not fixed by SECI: they are discovered mostly through competitive reverse auctions run by agencies such as SECI and State utilities, with regulators approving them. Hence both statements are false.
- 1. Wafer manufacture in India is small; most inputs are imported.
- 2. Tariffs are discovered through competitive auctions and approved by regulators.
How you could have got this
- If you were sure statement 1 is not correct, (a) and (c) go: each of them includes 1.
What you needed to know: Wafer manufacture in India is small; most inputs are imported.
- Then, if you were sure statement 2 is not correct, (b) goes: it includes 2.
What you needed to know: Tariffs are discovered through competitive auctions and approved by regulators.
Only (d) 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) Wrong: India is not a top wafer manufacturer.
- (b) Wrong: tariffs come from auctions and regulators, not from SECI deciding them.
- (c) Wrong: both statements are false.
- (d) Right: neither statement holds.
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.