UPSC Prelims 2023 · GS Paper I
Question 66: Economy and Social Development
With reference to coal-based thermal power plants in India, consider the following statements :
- 1.None of them uses seawater.
- 2.None of them is set up in water-stressed district.
- 3.None of them is privately owned.
How many of the above statements are correct?
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (d).
None of the statements is correct. Some coastal coal-based plants, such as Mundra in Gujarat, use seawater for cooling. Several plants stand in water-stressed districts, a known concern in power-sector water use. And many coal-based plants are privately owned, by companies such as Adani, Tata and JSW, alongside those of NTPC and State utilities. So the 'none of them' claim fails in each case.
- 1. Some coastal plants use seawater.
- 2. Several plants are in water-stressed districts.
- 3. Many plants are privately owned.
How you could have got this
No shortcut here: in a “how many” question, ruling out options doesn’t help. Every statement has to be judged.
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) Only one would need one 'none' claim to hold; none does.
- (b) Two would need two 'none' claims to hold; none does.
- (c) Each 'none of them' claim has counter-examples.
- (d) Correct: all three statements are false.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2023, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.