2023 CSAT, all questions

UPSC Prelims 2023 · CSAT

Question 3: Reading Comprehension

Passage – 3 · as printed by UPSC
Passage beginning “In India, a majority of farmers are…”

Which one of the following statements best reflects the most logical and rational message conveyed by the author of the passage ?

aAdaptation to climate change and mitigation response are basically the responsibilities of the government.
bClimate change causes a change in government policies regarding land use patterns in the country.
cRisk perceptions of farmers are important for motivating them for taking adaptation decisions.
dSince mitigation is not possible, governments should come up with policies for quick response to climate change.

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (c).

The passage describes small, less-educated farmers with little capacity to adapt, so adaptation will not happen on its own. It stresses that adaptation depends on whether farmers perceive climate change at all and, beyond that, on how they judge the risks. So the main message is that farmers' perception of risk drives their adaptation decisions. Government policy is mentioned as one route, and quick mitigation is urged alongside adaptation, so options (a) and (d) overstate or contradict it.

Why each option is right or wrong
  • (a) Wrong: too strong; planned adaptation needs government, but the passage also stresses farmers' own perception.
  • (b) Wrong: the passage never says climate change changes government land-use policy.
  • (c) Right: how farmers perceive the risks is the key to their adapting.
  • (d) Wrong: contradicts the passage, which urges fast mitigation alongside adaptation.

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.