UPSC Prelims 2023 · CSAT

Question 2: Reading Comprehension

Passage beginning “More than half of Indian women…” — Passage – 2 · as printed by UPSC

Which one of the following statements best reflects what is implied by the passage ?

aEducation system must be strengthened in rural areas.

bLarge scale and effective implementation of skill development programme is the need of the hour.

cFor economic development, health and nutrition of only skilled workers needs special attention.

dFor rapid economic growth as envisaged by us, attention should be paid to health and nutrition of the people.

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (d).

The passage links widespread anaemia, a heavy tuberculosis burden and child malnutrition to lost productivity today and weaker thinking ability tomorrow, and says this is a serious problem for an economy that will rely on skilled workers. The implied message is that health and nutrition of the people must be addressed if India is to reach the growth it envisages. Education and skilling are not discussed, and the concern covers the whole population, including children, not only skilled workers.

Why each option is right or wrong

(a) Wrong: schooling is not discussed; the issue raised is health and nutrition.
(b) Wrong: skill development is not proposed; the concern is the health of workers and children.
(c) Wrong: 'only skilled workers' is too narrow; the passage covers the whole population, including children.
(d) Right: attention to people's health and nutrition is the condition for the growth envisaged.

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

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2023, General Studies Paper II (CSAT), Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.