2023 GS Paper I, all questions

UPSC Prelims 2023 · GS Paper I

Question 87: International Relations and Current Affairs

Consider the following statements :

  1. Statement-IRecently, the United States of America (USA) and the European Union (EU) have launched the 'Trade and Technology Council'.
  2. Statement-IIThe USA and the EU claim that through this they are trying to bring technological progress and physical productivity under their control.

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 (c).

Statement I is correct: the US-EU Trade and Technology Council was launched in 2021 to coordinate approaches on trade, technology standards, supply chains and related issues. Statement II is wrong: the stated aims are cooperation on technology and trade standards and on secure supply chains, based on shared democratic values, not bringing technological progress and productivity under their control.

  • I. The US and EU launched the Trade and Technology Council.
  • II. Their stated aim is coordination, not control of progress and productivity.

How you could have got this

If you were sure Statement-I is correct, (d) goes. Then judge the second statement; if it is correct too, decide whether it explains the first.

What you needed to know: The US and EU launched the Trade and Technology Council.

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

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 I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.