Assertion & Reason | CSAT Preparation - UPSC PDF Download

Introduction

According to the dictionary, ‘Assertion’ refers to stating or claiming something forcefully and that of Reason is fact. This test is meant to judge the candidate’s knowledge and with it the aim is to determine his ability to reason out correctly. Under, we shall deal with the combination of Assertion and Reason and relate with each other in order to find their correct coordination. Here, four alternative comments on these are given and the correct one is to be chosen. This is again an important feature of logical reasoning.

Solved Examples

Directions (Q. Nos. 1 to 3) In each of the illustrations questions, there are two statements labelled as Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Mark your answer as
(a) if both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
(b) if both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A
(c) if A is true but R is false
(d) if A is false but R is true

Example 1: Assertion (A): Most of ancient civilisations grew near the rivers.
Reason (R): The main occupation of man was agriculture.

The Assertion is correct because most of the ancient civilisations grew near the rivers as land over there was fertile and water was easily available. But the Reason is not the correct explanation of the Assertion Hence, option (b) is true.

Example 2:  Assertion (A): Seeds should be treated with fungicide solution.
Reason (R): Seeds do not germinate, unless treated with fungicide solution.

Seeds are treated with fungicide before sowing to avoid seed borne disease. But, it is not a true fact that unless seeds are treated with fungicide solution, they cannot germinate. Hence, option (c) is true.

Example 3: Assertion (A): Appendix is a vestigial organ in the human body.
Reason (R): It does not participate in digestion.

We know that, appendix is a vestigial organ in the human body and does not participate in digestion. Hence, both Assertion and Reason are correct and Reason fully explains Assertion. Hence, option as (a) is our answer.