UPSC Prelims 2024 · GS Paper I

Question 92: Economy and Social Development

Consider the following statements :

Statement-IIndia does not import apples from the United States of America.
Statement-IIIn India, the law prohibits the import of Genetically Modified food without the approval of the competent authority.

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

aBoth Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I

bBoth Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain 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-I is wrong: India does import apples from the United States; an extra import duty on them, imposed in 2019 during a trade dispute, was withdrawn in 2023. Statement-II is right: genetically modified food cannot be imported without approval from the competent authority under Indian law. So only Statement-II is correct.

I. India does import apples from the United States.
II. GM food cannot be imported without approval from the competent authority.

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: India does import apples from the United States.

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) Wrong: Statement-I is incorrect, so there is nothing for Statement-II to explain.
(b) Wrong: Statement-I is incorrect.
(c) Wrong: it reverses the truth, since Statement-I is the incorrect one.
(d) Right: India does import US apples, and GM food import needs approval.

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

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2024, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.