UPSC Prelims 2019 · CSAT
Question 46: Reading Comprehension
The above passage seems to imply that
- 1.most of modern economic growth is based on technological progress.
- 2.much of modern Indian economy does not nurture sufficient symbiotic relationship with labour-intensive, natural resource-based livelihoods.
- 3.service sector in India is not very labour-intensive.
- 4.literate rural population is not willing to enter organised sector.
Which of the statements given above are correct ?
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (c).
The passage shows organised-sector jobs growing more slowly as the economy grows faster, so growth is not creating jobs for a mostly poor population. Statements 1 to 3 are accepted as inferences from this jobless growth: growth that spares jobs rests on technology (1), does not link with labour-intensive, resource-based livelihoods (2), and fast-growing services do not absorb much labour (3). Statement 4 is wrong: the passage blames missing jobs, not rural people's unwillingness to enter the organised sector.
- 1. Growth with falling job growth suggests technology-led rather than labour-led expansion.
- 2. Growth that bypasses the poor majority suggests weak links to labour-intensive livelihoods.
- 3. Jobless growth implies the fast-growing service sector is not very labour-intensive.
- 4. The passage points to too few jobs, not to unwillingness among the rural literate.
How you could have got this
- If you were sure statement 3 is correct, (a) goes: it leaves 3 out.
What you needed to know: Jobless growth implies the fast-growing service sector is not very labour-intensive.
- Then, if you were sure statement 4 is not correct, (b) and (d) go: each of them includes 4.
What you needed to know: The passage points to too few jobs, not to unwillingness among the rural literate.
Only (c) is left. You didn’t need statements 1 or 2.
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: leaves out 3, which also follows.
- (b) Wrong: 4 is unsupported.
- (c) Right: 1, 2 and 3 are inferred from jobless growth.
- (d) Wrong: 4 is unsupported.
Worth knowing: Statements 1 to 3 are not stated in the passage and rest on inference from jobless growth, so the answer is open to argument.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2019, General Studies Paper II (CSAT), Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.