UPSC Prelims 2023 · GS Paper I

Question 84: Polity and Governance

Consider the following statements in respect of the National Flag of India according to the Flag Code of India, 2002 :

Statement-IOne of the standard sizes of the National Flag of India is 600 mm × 400 mm.
Statement-IIThe ratio of the length to the height (width) of the Flag shall be 3:2.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

aBoth Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I

bBoth Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I

cStatement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect

dStatement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (d).

Statement II is correct: the Flag Code of India, 2002 fixes the ratio of length to height at 3:2. Statement I is wrong: the Code lists nine standard sizes, from 6300 x 4200 mm down to 150 x 100 mm, and 600 x 400 mm is not among them (900 x 600 mm and 450 x 300 mm are). All standard sizes follow 3:2, but that does not make every 3:2 size standard.

I. 600 x 400 mm is not among the nine standard sizes.
II. The length to height ratio is 3:2.

How you could have got this

If you were sure Statement-I is not correct, only (d) is left: every other option says it is correct.

What you needed to know: 600 x 400 mm is not among the nine standard sizes.

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) Statement I is false, so both cannot be correct.
(b) Statement I is false, so 'both correct' fails.
(c) Statement I is false and Statement II is true, so this reverses it.
(d) Correct: Statement I is false, Statement II is true.

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

Practise this paper timedPrevious question Next question

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