UPSC Prelims Past Year Paper 2020 with Solutions: CSAT Paper 2 | CSAT Preparation PDF Download

 Page 1


 
1                                                                                                                                                           
 
  
 
 
 
UPSC CSAT TEST –– 2020 
Time Allowed: Two Hours                                                                           Maximum Marks: 200 
 
INSTRUCTIONS 
1. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE EXAMINATION, YOU SHOULD CHECK THAT THIS BOOKLET 
DOES NOT HAVE ANY UNPRINTED OR TORN OR MISSING PAGES OR ITEMS ETC. IF SO, GET IT REPLACED BY A 
COMPLETE TEST BOOKLET. 
 
2. ENCODE CLEARLY THE TEST BOOKLET SERIES A, B, C OR D AS THE CASE MAY BE IN THE APPROPRIATE PLACE IN THE 
ANSWER SHEET. 
 
3. You have to enter your Roll Number on the Test Booklet in the Box 
provided alongside. DO NOT write anything else on the Test Booklet. 
 
4. This Test Booklet contains 80 items (Questions). Each item is printed in English. Each item comprises four 
responses (answers). You will select the response which you want to mark on the Answer Sheet. In case you feel 
that there is more than one correct response, mark the response which you consider most appropriate. In any 
case, choose ONLY ONE response for each item. 
 
5. You have to mark all your responses ONLY on the separate Answer Sheet provided. See direction in the answers 
sheet. 
 
6. All items carry equal marks. Attempt all items. Your total marks will depend only on the number of correct 
responses marked by you in the answer sheet. For every incorrect response one-third of the allotted Marks will 
be deducted. 
  
7. Before you proceed to mark in the Answer sheet the response to various items in the Test booklet, you have to fill 
in some particulars in the answer sheets as per the instruction sent to you with your Admission Certificate. 
 
8. After you have completed filling in all responses on the answer sheet and the examination has concluded, you 
should hand over to Invigilator only the answer sheet. You are permitted to take away with you the Test Booklet. 
 
9. Sheets for rough work are appended in the Test Booklet at the end.           
 
 
 
 
Page 2


 
1                                                                                                                                                           
 
  
 
 
 
UPSC CSAT TEST –– 2020 
Time Allowed: Two Hours                                                                           Maximum Marks: 200 
 
INSTRUCTIONS 
1. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE EXAMINATION, YOU SHOULD CHECK THAT THIS BOOKLET 
DOES NOT HAVE ANY UNPRINTED OR TORN OR MISSING PAGES OR ITEMS ETC. IF SO, GET IT REPLACED BY A 
COMPLETE TEST BOOKLET. 
 
2. ENCODE CLEARLY THE TEST BOOKLET SERIES A, B, C OR D AS THE CASE MAY BE IN THE APPROPRIATE PLACE IN THE 
ANSWER SHEET. 
 
3. You have to enter your Roll Number on the Test Booklet in the Box 
provided alongside. DO NOT write anything else on the Test Booklet. 
 
4. This Test Booklet contains 80 items (Questions). Each item is printed in English. Each item comprises four 
responses (answers). You will select the response which you want to mark on the Answer Sheet. In case you feel 
that there is more than one correct response, mark the response which you consider most appropriate. In any 
case, choose ONLY ONE response for each item. 
 
5. You have to mark all your responses ONLY on the separate Answer Sheet provided. See direction in the answers 
sheet. 
 
6. All items carry equal marks. Attempt all items. Your total marks will depend only on the number of correct 
responses marked by you in the answer sheet. For every incorrect response one-third of the allotted Marks will 
be deducted. 
  
7. Before you proceed to mark in the Answer sheet the response to various items in the Test booklet, you have to fill 
in some particulars in the answer sheets as per the instruction sent to you with your Admission Certificate. 
 
8. After you have completed filling in all responses on the answer sheet and the examination has concluded, you 
should hand over to Invigilator only the answer sheet. You are permitted to take away with you the Test Booklet. 
 
9. Sheets for rough work are appended in the Test Booklet at the end.           
 
 
 
 
 
2                                                                                                                                                           
Directions for the following 7 (seven) items: 
Read the following five passages and answer the items that follow. Your answers to these items should be based in 
the passage only. 
Passage – 1 
Private investment in general is volatile. Foreign private investment is more volatile because the available investment 
avenues are significantly greater (i.e., the entire world). Therefore, the responsibility of providing employment cannot 
be left to Foreign District Investment (FDI). The current FDI inflows are volatile over time and across sectors and 
regions, which is a necessary consequence of their search for the highest returns. The adverse consequences are 
unstable employment and an accentuation of income and regional inequalities. A probable positive consequence of 
foreign investment is the inflow of new technology and its subsequent diffusion. However, the technology diffusion is 
not at all certain because the existing state of physical and human capital in India may prove inadequate for the 
diffusion. 
1. With reference to the above passage, the following assumptions have been made: 
1. Relying on foreign investment in the long run is not an economically sound policy. 
2. Policies must be undertaken to reduce volatility in foreign private investment. 
3. Policies must be undertaken to strengthen domestic private investment. 
4. Public investment should be given priority over private investment. 
5. Substantial public investment in education and health should be undertaken. 
Which of the above assumptions is/are valid? 
(a) 1, 2 and 4 
(b) 1, 3 and 5 
(c) 2, 4 and 5 
(d) 3 only 
Ans: (b) 
Statement 1 is a correct assumption since the passage clearly highlights the negative consequences of foreign 
investment. 
Statement 2 is wrong since it implies that the State has the ability to interfere and reduce volatility in foreign 
private investment. This is contrary to economic logic and the passage also makes no such reference to 
capability of the State to reduce such volatility. 
Statement 4 seems to be correct given the passage begins by highlighting that private investment is volatile. 
Similarly, Statement 5 sounds correct for it gives primacy to the importance of public investment in some 
sectors. 
Since, statement 2 is wrong, it is therefore prudent to eliminate Options (a) & (c). Option (d) does not include 
Statements 1, 4 or 5. Therefore, the most valid option seems to be Option (b). 
 
Passage – 2 
Many opportunities to harness the highly skewed, seasonal and spatial distribution of monsoon floes, which occur in 
a four-month period from June to September annually, have been lost. Since these few months account for most of 
the rainfall and consequent freshwater availability, the need for holding rainwater in reservoirs, for subsequently 
releasing it for use over the year, is a necessity nobody can afford to overlook. Climate change will continue to affect 
weather conditions and create water shortages and excesses. While millions suffer from droughts and floods, waters 
in the country’s many rivers flow unutilized, and are discharged into the sea every year. 
 
Page 3


 
1                                                                                                                                                           
 
  
 
 
 
UPSC CSAT TEST –– 2020 
Time Allowed: Two Hours                                                                           Maximum Marks: 200 
 
INSTRUCTIONS 
1. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE EXAMINATION, YOU SHOULD CHECK THAT THIS BOOKLET 
DOES NOT HAVE ANY UNPRINTED OR TORN OR MISSING PAGES OR ITEMS ETC. IF SO, GET IT REPLACED BY A 
COMPLETE TEST BOOKLET. 
 
2. ENCODE CLEARLY THE TEST BOOKLET SERIES A, B, C OR D AS THE CASE MAY BE IN THE APPROPRIATE PLACE IN THE 
ANSWER SHEET. 
 
3. You have to enter your Roll Number on the Test Booklet in the Box 
provided alongside. DO NOT write anything else on the Test Booklet. 
 
4. This Test Booklet contains 80 items (Questions). Each item is printed in English. Each item comprises four 
responses (answers). You will select the response which you want to mark on the Answer Sheet. In case you feel 
that there is more than one correct response, mark the response which you consider most appropriate. In any 
case, choose ONLY ONE response for each item. 
 
5. You have to mark all your responses ONLY on the separate Answer Sheet provided. See direction in the answers 
sheet. 
 
6. All items carry equal marks. Attempt all items. Your total marks will depend only on the number of correct 
responses marked by you in the answer sheet. For every incorrect response one-third of the allotted Marks will 
be deducted. 
  
7. Before you proceed to mark in the Answer sheet the response to various items in the Test booklet, you have to fill 
in some particulars in the answer sheets as per the instruction sent to you with your Admission Certificate. 
 
8. After you have completed filling in all responses on the answer sheet and the examination has concluded, you 
should hand over to Invigilator only the answer sheet. You are permitted to take away with you the Test Booklet. 
 
9. Sheets for rough work are appended in the Test Booklet at the end.           
 
 
 
 
 
2                                                                                                                                                           
Directions for the following 7 (seven) items: 
Read the following five passages and answer the items that follow. Your answers to these items should be based in 
the passage only. 
Passage – 1 
Private investment in general is volatile. Foreign private investment is more volatile because the available investment 
avenues are significantly greater (i.e., the entire world). Therefore, the responsibility of providing employment cannot 
be left to Foreign District Investment (FDI). The current FDI inflows are volatile over time and across sectors and 
regions, which is a necessary consequence of their search for the highest returns. The adverse consequences are 
unstable employment and an accentuation of income and regional inequalities. A probable positive consequence of 
foreign investment is the inflow of new technology and its subsequent diffusion. However, the technology diffusion is 
not at all certain because the existing state of physical and human capital in India may prove inadequate for the 
diffusion. 
1. With reference to the above passage, the following assumptions have been made: 
1. Relying on foreign investment in the long run is not an economically sound policy. 
2. Policies must be undertaken to reduce volatility in foreign private investment. 
3. Policies must be undertaken to strengthen domestic private investment. 
4. Public investment should be given priority over private investment. 
5. Substantial public investment in education and health should be undertaken. 
Which of the above assumptions is/are valid? 
(a) 1, 2 and 4 
(b) 1, 3 and 5 
(c) 2, 4 and 5 
(d) 3 only 
Ans: (b) 
Statement 1 is a correct assumption since the passage clearly highlights the negative consequences of foreign 
investment. 
Statement 2 is wrong since it implies that the State has the ability to interfere and reduce volatility in foreign 
private investment. This is contrary to economic logic and the passage also makes no such reference to 
capability of the State to reduce such volatility. 
Statement 4 seems to be correct given the passage begins by highlighting that private investment is volatile. 
Similarly, Statement 5 sounds correct for it gives primacy to the importance of public investment in some 
sectors. 
Since, statement 2 is wrong, it is therefore prudent to eliminate Options (a) & (c). Option (d) does not include 
Statements 1, 4 or 5. Therefore, the most valid option seems to be Option (b). 
 
Passage – 2 
Many opportunities to harness the highly skewed, seasonal and spatial distribution of monsoon floes, which occur in 
a four-month period from June to September annually, have been lost. Since these few months account for most of 
the rainfall and consequent freshwater availability, the need for holding rainwater in reservoirs, for subsequently 
releasing it for use over the year, is a necessity nobody can afford to overlook. Climate change will continue to affect 
weather conditions and create water shortages and excesses. While millions suffer from droughts and floods, waters 
in the country’s many rivers flow unutilized, and are discharged into the sea every year. 
 
 
3                                                                                                                                                           
2. With reference to the above passage, which of the following could be the most rational and practical 
implications for India? 
1. Inter-linking of rivers should be undertaken. 
2. A network of dams and canals should be built across the country for proper distribution of water. 
3. Farmers should be provided easy loans for digging borewells. 
4. Usage of water for agriculture should be regulated by law. 
5. Distribution of river water among regions should be regulated by the Union Government. 
Select the correct answer using the code given below. 
(a) 1 and 2 
(b) 2, 4 and 5 
(c) 1, 3 and 4 
(d) 2, 3 and 5 
Ans: (a) 
Statement 1 is correct since this is an attempt to optimise and efficiently utilise the skewed distribution of 
water in the country's rivers. 
Statement 2 is correct because it implies the need to ensure proper distribution of water, the need for which 
is brought out in the last sentence of the passage,  that says millions suffer from droughts and floods. 
Statement 3 is contrary to logic since digging borewells would have an adverse impact on the distribution of 
water. Furthermore, the passage does not mention the inability of farmers to secure credit to dig borewells. 
Hence, it cannot be the correct implication from the same. 
Statement 4 is incorrect because the passage does not make any reference to the lack of regulations around 
usage of water for agriculture. 
Statement 5 is incorrect since the passage does not bring out inability of states or federal relations as reasons 
for the skewed distribution of water. 
By elimination, Option (a) is the correct answer. 
 
Page 4


 
1                                                                                                                                                           
 
  
 
 
 
UPSC CSAT TEST –– 2020 
Time Allowed: Two Hours                                                                           Maximum Marks: 200 
 
INSTRUCTIONS 
1. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE EXAMINATION, YOU SHOULD CHECK THAT THIS BOOKLET 
DOES NOT HAVE ANY UNPRINTED OR TORN OR MISSING PAGES OR ITEMS ETC. IF SO, GET IT REPLACED BY A 
COMPLETE TEST BOOKLET. 
 
2. ENCODE CLEARLY THE TEST BOOKLET SERIES A, B, C OR D AS THE CASE MAY BE IN THE APPROPRIATE PLACE IN THE 
ANSWER SHEET. 
 
3. You have to enter your Roll Number on the Test Booklet in the Box 
provided alongside. DO NOT write anything else on the Test Booklet. 
 
4. This Test Booklet contains 80 items (Questions). Each item is printed in English. Each item comprises four 
responses (answers). You will select the response which you want to mark on the Answer Sheet. In case you feel 
that there is more than one correct response, mark the response which you consider most appropriate. In any 
case, choose ONLY ONE response for each item. 
 
5. You have to mark all your responses ONLY on the separate Answer Sheet provided. See direction in the answers 
sheet. 
 
6. All items carry equal marks. Attempt all items. Your total marks will depend only on the number of correct 
responses marked by you in the answer sheet. For every incorrect response one-third of the allotted Marks will 
be deducted. 
  
7. Before you proceed to mark in the Answer sheet the response to various items in the Test booklet, you have to fill 
in some particulars in the answer sheets as per the instruction sent to you with your Admission Certificate. 
 
8. After you have completed filling in all responses on the answer sheet and the examination has concluded, you 
should hand over to Invigilator only the answer sheet. You are permitted to take away with you the Test Booklet. 
 
9. Sheets for rough work are appended in the Test Booklet at the end.           
 
 
 
 
 
2                                                                                                                                                           
Directions for the following 7 (seven) items: 
Read the following five passages and answer the items that follow. Your answers to these items should be based in 
the passage only. 
Passage – 1 
Private investment in general is volatile. Foreign private investment is more volatile because the available investment 
avenues are significantly greater (i.e., the entire world). Therefore, the responsibility of providing employment cannot 
be left to Foreign District Investment (FDI). The current FDI inflows are volatile over time and across sectors and 
regions, which is a necessary consequence of their search for the highest returns. The adverse consequences are 
unstable employment and an accentuation of income and regional inequalities. A probable positive consequence of 
foreign investment is the inflow of new technology and its subsequent diffusion. However, the technology diffusion is 
not at all certain because the existing state of physical and human capital in India may prove inadequate for the 
diffusion. 
1. With reference to the above passage, the following assumptions have been made: 
1. Relying on foreign investment in the long run is not an economically sound policy. 
2. Policies must be undertaken to reduce volatility in foreign private investment. 
3. Policies must be undertaken to strengthen domestic private investment. 
4. Public investment should be given priority over private investment. 
5. Substantial public investment in education and health should be undertaken. 
Which of the above assumptions is/are valid? 
(a) 1, 2 and 4 
(b) 1, 3 and 5 
(c) 2, 4 and 5 
(d) 3 only 
Ans: (b) 
Statement 1 is a correct assumption since the passage clearly highlights the negative consequences of foreign 
investment. 
Statement 2 is wrong since it implies that the State has the ability to interfere and reduce volatility in foreign 
private investment. This is contrary to economic logic and the passage also makes no such reference to 
capability of the State to reduce such volatility. 
Statement 4 seems to be correct given the passage begins by highlighting that private investment is volatile. 
Similarly, Statement 5 sounds correct for it gives primacy to the importance of public investment in some 
sectors. 
Since, statement 2 is wrong, it is therefore prudent to eliminate Options (a) & (c). Option (d) does not include 
Statements 1, 4 or 5. Therefore, the most valid option seems to be Option (b). 
 
Passage – 2 
Many opportunities to harness the highly skewed, seasonal and spatial distribution of monsoon floes, which occur in 
a four-month period from June to September annually, have been lost. Since these few months account for most of 
the rainfall and consequent freshwater availability, the need for holding rainwater in reservoirs, for subsequently 
releasing it for use over the year, is a necessity nobody can afford to overlook. Climate change will continue to affect 
weather conditions and create water shortages and excesses. While millions suffer from droughts and floods, waters 
in the country’s many rivers flow unutilized, and are discharged into the sea every year. 
 
 
3                                                                                                                                                           
2. With reference to the above passage, which of the following could be the most rational and practical 
implications for India? 
1. Inter-linking of rivers should be undertaken. 
2. A network of dams and canals should be built across the country for proper distribution of water. 
3. Farmers should be provided easy loans for digging borewells. 
4. Usage of water for agriculture should be regulated by law. 
5. Distribution of river water among regions should be regulated by the Union Government. 
Select the correct answer using the code given below. 
(a) 1 and 2 
(b) 2, 4 and 5 
(c) 1, 3 and 4 
(d) 2, 3 and 5 
Ans: (a) 
Statement 1 is correct since this is an attempt to optimise and efficiently utilise the skewed distribution of 
water in the country's rivers. 
Statement 2 is correct because it implies the need to ensure proper distribution of water, the need for which 
is brought out in the last sentence of the passage,  that says millions suffer from droughts and floods. 
Statement 3 is contrary to logic since digging borewells would have an adverse impact on the distribution of 
water. Furthermore, the passage does not mention the inability of farmers to secure credit to dig borewells. 
Hence, it cannot be the correct implication from the same. 
Statement 4 is incorrect because the passage does not make any reference to the lack of regulations around 
usage of water for agriculture. 
Statement 5 is incorrect since the passage does not bring out inability of states or federal relations as reasons 
for the skewed distribution of water. 
By elimination, Option (a) is the correct answer. 
 
 
4                                                                                                                                                           
Passage – 3 
People will invest in education whenever they are granted the economic freedom to fully enjoy its benefits. Again, this 
is for the obvious reason that the return on education increases as the level of economic freedom rises. When people, 
thanks to lower tax rates, are allowed to retain most of the higher income that they gain from each incremental level 
of education, it makes eminent sense to invest in education. On the other hand, when the government decides to tax 
the higher income of educated individuals at even higher rates, it makes very little sense to invest in educating oneself 
further. The same incentives apply to parents who decide on whether to invest in their children’s education. 
3. Which references to the above passage, the following assumptions have been made: 
1. Lower tax rates in a country invariably translate into greater investments in higher education. 
2. Investment in the education of children ensures their economic freedom. 
3. Economic freedom has a positive impact on building up human capital. 
Which of the above assumptions is/are valid? 
(a) 1 only 
(b) 2 only 
(c) 3 only 
(d) 1, 2 and 3 
Ans: (c) 
Statement 1 is incorrect since it implies that lower tax rates will always lead to greater investment in higher 
education. Although, the passage discusses the direct correlation between the two, the use of the word 
invariably makes it an extreme statement. 
Statement 2 is incorrect because it is economic freedom, resulting from lower tax rates, that ensures 
investment in higher education and not vice versa. 
Statement 3 is correct since greater economic freedom makes way for investment in education which is a key 
component for building human capital.  
Although Statement 1 may look correct, there is no option for marking Statements 1 & 2 as correct 
assumptions. Hence, the most appropriate answer is Option (c). 
 
Passage – 4 
Our urban bodies cannot possibly ensure sustainable delivery of water in our cities unless financing mechanisms are 
put in place. Water delivery requires heavy investment in collecting it from a natural source, treating it to make it 
potable, and laying a distribution network of pipes for delivery to the users. It also requires investments in sewerage 
infrastructure and sewage treatment plants so that the sewers can carry the wastewater to these plants to ensure 
that no untreated sewage is discharged back into natural water bodies. If our cities were rich enough to meet the 
entire cost, water could be delivered free. They are not. 
4. What is the most logical and crucial message conveyed by the passage? 
(a) Urban local bodies must recover costs through user charges. 
(b) Urban local bodies are not efficient enough to meet the water requirements of our cities. 
(c) Water shortage in our cities is a perennial problem that cannot be solved. 
(d) In view of the water crisis in our cities, there is an urgent need to limit the population of cities by adopting 
an upper limit of population size. 
Ans: (a) 
Option (a) is correct since the passage clearly implies that financing mechanisms have to be put in place for 
ULB’s to sustain. Levying user charges can be one such mechanism. 
Page 5


 
1                                                                                                                                                           
 
  
 
 
 
UPSC CSAT TEST –– 2020 
Time Allowed: Two Hours                                                                           Maximum Marks: 200 
 
INSTRUCTIONS 
1. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE EXAMINATION, YOU SHOULD CHECK THAT THIS BOOKLET 
DOES NOT HAVE ANY UNPRINTED OR TORN OR MISSING PAGES OR ITEMS ETC. IF SO, GET IT REPLACED BY A 
COMPLETE TEST BOOKLET. 
 
2. ENCODE CLEARLY THE TEST BOOKLET SERIES A, B, C OR D AS THE CASE MAY BE IN THE APPROPRIATE PLACE IN THE 
ANSWER SHEET. 
 
3. You have to enter your Roll Number on the Test Booklet in the Box 
provided alongside. DO NOT write anything else on the Test Booklet. 
 
4. This Test Booklet contains 80 items (Questions). Each item is printed in English. Each item comprises four 
responses (answers). You will select the response which you want to mark on the Answer Sheet. In case you feel 
that there is more than one correct response, mark the response which you consider most appropriate. In any 
case, choose ONLY ONE response for each item. 
 
5. You have to mark all your responses ONLY on the separate Answer Sheet provided. See direction in the answers 
sheet. 
 
6. All items carry equal marks. Attempt all items. Your total marks will depend only on the number of correct 
responses marked by you in the answer sheet. For every incorrect response one-third of the allotted Marks will 
be deducted. 
  
7. Before you proceed to mark in the Answer sheet the response to various items in the Test booklet, you have to fill 
in some particulars in the answer sheets as per the instruction sent to you with your Admission Certificate. 
 
8. After you have completed filling in all responses on the answer sheet and the examination has concluded, you 
should hand over to Invigilator only the answer sheet. You are permitted to take away with you the Test Booklet. 
 
9. Sheets for rough work are appended in the Test Booklet at the end.           
 
 
 
 
 
2                                                                                                                                                           
Directions for the following 7 (seven) items: 
Read the following five passages and answer the items that follow. Your answers to these items should be based in 
the passage only. 
Passage – 1 
Private investment in general is volatile. Foreign private investment is more volatile because the available investment 
avenues are significantly greater (i.e., the entire world). Therefore, the responsibility of providing employment cannot 
be left to Foreign District Investment (FDI). The current FDI inflows are volatile over time and across sectors and 
regions, which is a necessary consequence of their search for the highest returns. The adverse consequences are 
unstable employment and an accentuation of income and regional inequalities. A probable positive consequence of 
foreign investment is the inflow of new technology and its subsequent diffusion. However, the technology diffusion is 
not at all certain because the existing state of physical and human capital in India may prove inadequate for the 
diffusion. 
1. With reference to the above passage, the following assumptions have been made: 
1. Relying on foreign investment in the long run is not an economically sound policy. 
2. Policies must be undertaken to reduce volatility in foreign private investment. 
3. Policies must be undertaken to strengthen domestic private investment. 
4. Public investment should be given priority over private investment. 
5. Substantial public investment in education and health should be undertaken. 
Which of the above assumptions is/are valid? 
(a) 1, 2 and 4 
(b) 1, 3 and 5 
(c) 2, 4 and 5 
(d) 3 only 
Ans: (b) 
Statement 1 is a correct assumption since the passage clearly highlights the negative consequences of foreign 
investment. 
Statement 2 is wrong since it implies that the State has the ability to interfere and reduce volatility in foreign 
private investment. This is contrary to economic logic and the passage also makes no such reference to 
capability of the State to reduce such volatility. 
Statement 4 seems to be correct given the passage begins by highlighting that private investment is volatile. 
Similarly, Statement 5 sounds correct for it gives primacy to the importance of public investment in some 
sectors. 
Since, statement 2 is wrong, it is therefore prudent to eliminate Options (a) & (c). Option (d) does not include 
Statements 1, 4 or 5. Therefore, the most valid option seems to be Option (b). 
 
Passage – 2 
Many opportunities to harness the highly skewed, seasonal and spatial distribution of monsoon floes, which occur in 
a four-month period from June to September annually, have been lost. Since these few months account for most of 
the rainfall and consequent freshwater availability, the need for holding rainwater in reservoirs, for subsequently 
releasing it for use over the year, is a necessity nobody can afford to overlook. Climate change will continue to affect 
weather conditions and create water shortages and excesses. While millions suffer from droughts and floods, waters 
in the country’s many rivers flow unutilized, and are discharged into the sea every year. 
 
 
3                                                                                                                                                           
2. With reference to the above passage, which of the following could be the most rational and practical 
implications for India? 
1. Inter-linking of rivers should be undertaken. 
2. A network of dams and canals should be built across the country for proper distribution of water. 
3. Farmers should be provided easy loans for digging borewells. 
4. Usage of water for agriculture should be regulated by law. 
5. Distribution of river water among regions should be regulated by the Union Government. 
Select the correct answer using the code given below. 
(a) 1 and 2 
(b) 2, 4 and 5 
(c) 1, 3 and 4 
(d) 2, 3 and 5 
Ans: (a) 
Statement 1 is correct since this is an attempt to optimise and efficiently utilise the skewed distribution of 
water in the country's rivers. 
Statement 2 is correct because it implies the need to ensure proper distribution of water, the need for which 
is brought out in the last sentence of the passage,  that says millions suffer from droughts and floods. 
Statement 3 is contrary to logic since digging borewells would have an adverse impact on the distribution of 
water. Furthermore, the passage does not mention the inability of farmers to secure credit to dig borewells. 
Hence, it cannot be the correct implication from the same. 
Statement 4 is incorrect because the passage does not make any reference to the lack of regulations around 
usage of water for agriculture. 
Statement 5 is incorrect since the passage does not bring out inability of states or federal relations as reasons 
for the skewed distribution of water. 
By elimination, Option (a) is the correct answer. 
 
 
4                                                                                                                                                           
Passage – 3 
People will invest in education whenever they are granted the economic freedom to fully enjoy its benefits. Again, this 
is for the obvious reason that the return on education increases as the level of economic freedom rises. When people, 
thanks to lower tax rates, are allowed to retain most of the higher income that they gain from each incremental level 
of education, it makes eminent sense to invest in education. On the other hand, when the government decides to tax 
the higher income of educated individuals at even higher rates, it makes very little sense to invest in educating oneself 
further. The same incentives apply to parents who decide on whether to invest in their children’s education. 
3. Which references to the above passage, the following assumptions have been made: 
1. Lower tax rates in a country invariably translate into greater investments in higher education. 
2. Investment in the education of children ensures their economic freedom. 
3. Economic freedom has a positive impact on building up human capital. 
Which of the above assumptions is/are valid? 
(a) 1 only 
(b) 2 only 
(c) 3 only 
(d) 1, 2 and 3 
Ans: (c) 
Statement 1 is incorrect since it implies that lower tax rates will always lead to greater investment in higher 
education. Although, the passage discusses the direct correlation between the two, the use of the word 
invariably makes it an extreme statement. 
Statement 2 is incorrect because it is economic freedom, resulting from lower tax rates, that ensures 
investment in higher education and not vice versa. 
Statement 3 is correct since greater economic freedom makes way for investment in education which is a key 
component for building human capital.  
Although Statement 1 may look correct, there is no option for marking Statements 1 & 2 as correct 
assumptions. Hence, the most appropriate answer is Option (c). 
 
Passage – 4 
Our urban bodies cannot possibly ensure sustainable delivery of water in our cities unless financing mechanisms are 
put in place. Water delivery requires heavy investment in collecting it from a natural source, treating it to make it 
potable, and laying a distribution network of pipes for delivery to the users. It also requires investments in sewerage 
infrastructure and sewage treatment plants so that the sewers can carry the wastewater to these plants to ensure 
that no untreated sewage is discharged back into natural water bodies. If our cities were rich enough to meet the 
entire cost, water could be delivered free. They are not. 
4. What is the most logical and crucial message conveyed by the passage? 
(a) Urban local bodies must recover costs through user charges. 
(b) Urban local bodies are not efficient enough to meet the water requirements of our cities. 
(c) Water shortage in our cities is a perennial problem that cannot be solved. 
(d) In view of the water crisis in our cities, there is an urgent need to limit the population of cities by adopting 
an upper limit of population size. 
Ans: (a) 
Option (a) is correct since the passage clearly implies that financing mechanisms have to be put in place for 
ULB’s to sustain. Levying user charges can be one such mechanism. 
 
5                                                                                                                                                           
Option (b) is incorrect since the passage only talks about lack of proper financing mechanisms that would fund 
the infrastructure to ensure water delivery. Inefficiency implies that there are funds but are not utilised well.  
Option (c) is incorrect because the first sentence of the passage itself implies that sustainable delivery of water 
is possible if proper financing mechanisms are in place. Hence, water shortage in our cities is a problem that 
can be solved. 
Option (d) is incorrect since the passage makes no mention of overpopulation as a reason for water shortage. 
 
5. Which reference to the above passage, the following assumptions have been made: 
1. Rich cities only can ensure sustainable delivery of water. 
2. Sustainable delivery of water in cities means much more than supplying water to households. 
Which of the above assumptions is/are valid? 
(a) 1 only 
(b) 2 only 
(c) Both 1 and 2 
(d) Neither 1 nor 2  
Ans: (b) 
Statement 1 is incorrect since the passage talks about having proper financing mechanisms to ensure 
sustainable delivery of water. About rich cities it only says that they can afford free supply of water which 
implies that cities that are not rich need to raise finances to ensure the same. It does not hold it impossible 
for cities that are not rich to ensure sustainable delivery of water. 
Statement 2 is correct since sustainable delivery of water not only involves collection, treatment and 
distribution of water, but also investments in sewerage infrastructure and seweage treatment plants.  
Hence by elimination, Option (b) is the correct answer. 
 
Passage – 5 
In India, agriculture still engages about half of its workforce, and about 85 per cent of its farms are small and marginal. 
Compared to China and Vietnam, which have experienced fast structural and rural transformation, India’s story is of 
slow transformation. As a result, poverty reduction in India was at much slower pace during 1988-2014, compared to 
China and Vietnam. India’s poverty reduction was slow during 1988-2005, but during 2005-2012, it accelerated 
dramatically–almost three times faster than during the earlier period. What did India do during this period? Research 
reveals that the relative price scenario changed significantly (by more than 50%) in favour of agriculture in the wake 
of rising global prices. This boosted private investments in agriculture by more than 50%. As a result, agri-GDP growth 
touched 4.1% during 2007-2012 as against 2.4% during 2002-2007. The net surplus of agri-trade touched $25 billion 
in 2013-2014; real farm wages rose by 7% per annum. All this led to unprecedented fall in poverty. 
6. With reference to the above passage, the following assumptions have been made: 
1. Structural and rural transformation is impossible when farms are mainly small and marginal. 
2. A good price incentive can trigger investments in agriculture. 
3. India needs to build value chains for high-value agri-products like livestock and horticulture. 
4. Higher global prices of agricultural commodities are essential for India’s poverty reduction. 
Which of the above assumptions are valid? 
(a) 1 and 3 
(b) 2 and 4 
(c) 2 and 3 
(d) 3 and 4