2023 CSAT, all questions

UPSC Prelims 2023 · CSAT

Question 71: Reading Comprehension

Passage – 1 · as printed by UPSC
Passage beginning “In India, while the unemployment rate is…”

Which one of the following statements most likely reflects as to what the author of the passage intends to say ?

aEnrolment in schools and colleges is high but there is no quality education.
bUnemployment must be seen as a function of rising education and aspirations of young Indians.
cThere are no labour-intensive industries to accommodate the huge number of unemployed people.
dThe education system should be properly designed so as to enable the educated people to be self-employed.

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (b).

The passage says the unemployment rate misleads when school and college enrolment is rising: the rate is driven by young people, who can afford to wait for a suitable job, and the problem is bigger among those with secondary or higher education. Hence more education and higher aspirations push the unemployment figure up. The quality of education, a lack of labour-intensive industries and self-employment training are not discussed.

Why each option is right or wrong
  • (a) Wrong: the quality of schooling is not discussed.
  • (b) Right: unemployment rises with education levels and young people's aspirations.
  • (c) Wrong: labour-intensive industries are not mentioned.
  • (d) Wrong: self-employment is not mentioned.

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.