UPSC Prelims 2020 · GS Paper I
Question 58: Economy and Social Development
With reference to the Indian economy after the 1991 economic liberalization, consider the following statements :
- 1.Worker productivity (₹ per worker at 2004 – 05 prices) increased in urban areas while it decreased in rural areas.
- 2.The percentage share of rural areas in the workforce steadily increased.
- 3.In rural areas, the growth in non-farm economy increased.
- 4.The growth rate in rural employment decreased.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (b).
After 1991 the rural non-farm economy expanded, so statement 3 is right, while the growth rate of rural employment slowed, so statement 4 is right. Output per worker rose in rural as well as urban areas, so statement 1 fails, and the rural share of the workforce fell rather than steadily rising, so statement 2 fails.
- 1. Productivity per worker rose in rural areas too.
- 2. The rural share of the workforce fell.
- 3. The rural non-farm economy grew.
- 4. The growth rate of rural employment decreased.
How you could have got this
- If you were sure statement 1 is not correct, (a) and (d) go: each of them includes 1.
What you needed to know: Productivity per worker rose in rural areas too.
- Then, if you were sure statement 4 is correct, (c) goes: it leaves 4 out.
What you needed to know: The growth rate of rural employment decreased.
Only (b) is left. You didn’t need statements 2 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: statements 1 and 2 are false.
- (b) Right: statements 3 and 4.
- (c) Wrong: statement 4 is also correct.
- (d) Wrong: includes statements 1 and 2, which are false.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2020, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.