UPSC Prelims 2026 · CSAT
Question 54: Reading Comprehension
Which of the following conclusions is/are correct?
- 1.All landlords essentially have some goodness trapped within them.
- 2.The common grazing grounds of a village are intended for use by the cattle of that village.
- 3.Landlords who believe in tradition tend to be more concerned about their tenants.
- 4.Winds later in the day tend to be cooler post the hot winds of the morning.
Select the answer using the code given below.
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (c).
Only 3 can be inferred: Rai Sahib, who kept to traditional values, looked after his tenants and turned down a profitable lease, in contrast with selfish landlords. Statement 1 overgeneralises from one good landlord to all. Statement 2 is wrong because cattle from nearby villages used the common ground, so it was not for one village alone. Statement 4 reverses the passage: the morning is cool and the hot wind blows through the rest of the day, so later winds are hotter.
- 1. The passage contrasts one good landlord with selfish ones; it does not say all have goodness.
- 2. Cattle from nearby villages graze on the common ground.
- 3. A landlord loyal to traditional values looked after his tenants.
- 4. The morning is cool; the hot wind blows for the rest of the day.
How you could have got this
- If you were sure statement 1 is not correct, (a) goes: it includes 1.
What you needed to know: The passage contrasts one good landlord with selfish ones; it does not say all have goodness.
- Then, if you were sure statement 2 is not correct, (b) and (d) go: each of them includes 2.
What you needed to know: Cattle from nearby villages graze on the common ground.
Only (c) is left. You didn’t need statements 3 or 4.
This follows UPSC’s provisional key; the final key could change it.
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: 1 generalises from one landlord to all.
- (b) Wrong: 2 and 4 both contradict the passage.
- (c) Right: only 3 can be inferred from Rai Sahib's conduct.
- (d) Wrong: 2 is contradicted; cattle from nearby villages graze there.
Only the provisional key (27 May 2026) was found; the final key replaces it when found.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2026, General Studies Paper II (CSAT), Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.