2020 CSAT, all questions

UPSC Prelims 2020 · CSAT

Question 5: Reading Comprehension

Passage—5 · as printed by UPSC
Passage beginning “Although most of the Genetically Modified…”

With reference to the above passage, the following assumptions have been made :

  1. 1.Biotechnology regulation is an evolving process.
  2. 2.Participation of people is needed in policy decisions regarding biotechnology regulation.
  3. 3.Biotechnology regulation should take into account socio-economic aspects in decision-making.
  4. 4.Wider involvement of political executive in biotechnology regulation improves its effectiveness in dealing with the country's trade policies and international obligations.

Which of the above assumptions are valid?

a1, 2 and 4 only
b1 and 3 only
c2, 3 and 4 only
d1, 2, 3 and 4

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (b).

The passage says future GM crops will carry several traits, so regulation cannot be judged by today's crops alone and needs a wider, continuing look that includes socio-economic impacts. That supports assumptions 1 and 3. It asks for no public participation in decisions (2), and it says regulation must be seen alongside trade policy and treaty obligations, not that more involvement of the political executive makes it work better (4).

  • 1. Regulation must keep pace with multi-trait crops, so it is a changing process.
  • 2. The passage never mentions people's participation in decisions.
  • 3. It explicitly wants socio-economic impacts taken into account.
  • 4. It links regulation to trade policy and treaty duties but does not say greater executive involvement improves effectiveness.

How you could have got this

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

    What you needed to know: The passage never mentions people's participation in decisions.

Only (b) is left. You didn’t need statements 1, 3 or 4.

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) Includes 2 and 4, which the passage does not support.
  • (b) Right: 1 (regulation must evolve) and 3 (socio-economic aspects) are supported.
  • (c) Includes 2 and 4, and leaves out 1, which is supported.
  • (d) Accepts all four, but 2 and 4 are not in the passage.

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

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2020, General Studies Paper II (CSAT), Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.