With reference to ‘Changpa’ community of India, consider the following statements : 1. They live mainly in the State of Uttarakhand. 2. They rear the Pashmina goats that yield a fine wool. 3. They are kept in the category of Scheduled Tribes. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only ✓ UPSC's answer
- (c) 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Why the answer is (b)
• The Changpa are nomadic pastoralists of the Changthang plateau in Ladakh, not Uttarakhand — statement 1 is wrong.
• They rear Changthangi (Pashmina) goats whose fine undercoat yields pashmina wool for Kashmiri shawls (statement 2), along with yaks and sheep.
• They are listed as a Scheduled Tribe (statement 3).
• Hence 2 and 3 only, option (b).
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) 1 only
- Statement 1 is wrong: Changpas live in Ladakh.
- (c) 3 only
- Statement 2 on Pashmina goats is also correct.
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
- Statement 1 is wrong.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2014, held on 24 August 2014. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.