UPSC Prelims 2019 · GS Paper I
Question 24: Economy and Social Development
In a given year in India, official poverty lines are higher in some States than in others because
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (b).
An official poverty line is the money value of a basket of goods and services meeting a minimum standard of consumption. Prices of that basket differ from one state to another, and between rural and urban areas, so the rupee poverty line is calculated separately and differs across states. Poverty rates are the result of applying the line, not its cause. Gross State Product and quality of public distribution do not fix the line.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Poverty rates result from applying the line; they do not set it.
- (b) Correct: price levels differ between states, so the line differs.
- (c) State income does not determine the poverty line.
- (d) Quality of public distribution does not determine the line.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2019, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.