UPSC Prelims 2015 CSAT Paper II · Q21 of 74 Comprehension medium

Passage

Directions for the following 8 (eight) items : Read the following seven passages and answer the items that follow. Your answers to these items should be based on the passages only. Passage – 1 The richer States have a responsibility to cut down carbon emissions and promote clean energy investments. These are the States that got electricity, grew faster and now have high per capita income, making them capable of sharing India's burden of becoming eco-friendly. Delhi, for example, can help by generating its own clean electricity using solar rooftop panels or even help poor States finance their clean energy projects. It is no secret that State Electricity Boards, which control 95% of the distribution network, are neck-deep in losses. These losses further discourage State utilities from adopting renewable energy as it is more expensive than fossil fuels.

Which among the following is the most logical and rational assumption that can be made from the above passage ?

  1. (a) The richer States must lead in the production and adoption of renewable energy. ✓ UPSC's answer
  2. (b) The poor States always have to depend on rich States for electricity.
  3. (c) The State Electricity Boards can improve their finances by undertaking clean energy projects.
  4. (d) The high economic disparity between the rich and poor States is the major cause of high carbon emissions in India.

Why the answer is (a)

• The passage explicitly states that richer states have a responsibility to cut carbon emissions and promote clean energy investments due to their higher per capita income and faster growth.

• It highlights that these states are capable of sharing India's burden of becoming eco-friendly, implying a leading role in the transition.

• The text suggests specific actions for richer states, such as generating clean electricity via solar panels or financing clean energy projects in poorer states.

• Therefore, the most logical assumption is that richer states must take the lead in producing and adopting renewable energy to fulfill this responsibility.

Why the other options are wrong

(b) The poor States always have to depend on rich States for electricity.
The passage suggests richer states can help finance projects, but it does not state that poor states 'always' have to depend on them for electricity.
(c) The State Electricity Boards can improve their finances by undertaking clean energy…
The passage states that State Electricity Board losses discourage the adoption of renewable energy because it is more expensive, not that clean energy projects would improve their finances.
(d) The high economic disparity between the rich and poor States is the major cause of high…
The passage links richer states' capability to their income and growth, but it does not identify economic disparity as the 'major cause' of high carbon emissions.

Asked in the CSAT Paper II of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2015, held on 23 August 2015. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.

Reading the answer is not the same as getting it right under a clock. Practise this question with UPSC's negative marking, and anything you miss goes into an error notebook until you get it right twice.

Practise this paper free