UPSC Prelims 2015 CSAT Paper II · Q28 of 74 Comprehension medium

Passage

Passage – 7 Individuals, groups and leaders who promote human development operate under strong institutional, structural and political constraints that affect policy options. But experience suggests broad principles for shaping an appropriate agenda for human development. One important finding from several decades of human development experience is that focusing exclusively on economic growth is problematic. While we have good knowledge about how to advance health and education, the causes of growth are much less certain and growth is often elusive. Further, an unbalanced emphasis on growth is often associated with negative environmental consequences and adverse distributional effects. The experience of China, with its impressive growth record, reflects these broader concerns and underlines the importance of balanced approaches that emphasize investments in the non-income aspects of human development.

With reference to the above passage, the following assumptions have been made : 1. Higher economic growth is essential to ensure reduction in economic disparity. 2. Environmental degradation is sometimes a consequence of economic growth. Which of the above is/are valid assumption/assumptions ?

  1. (a) 1 only
  2. (b) 2 only ✓ UPSC's answer
  3. (c) Both 1 and 2
  4. (d) Neither 1 nor 2

Why the answer is (b)

• The passage explicitly states that an unbalanced emphasis on growth is often associated with negative environmental consequences, which directly supports Assumption 2.

• The passage argues that focusing exclusively on economic growth is problematic and that growth is often elusive, rather than stating it is essential for reducing disparity.

• It highlights that unbalanced growth leads to adverse distributional effects, implying that growth alone does not ensure a reduction in economic disparity.

• Therefore, Assumption 1 is not valid as the passage suggests growth is not the sole or essential driver for reducing disparity, while Assumption 2 is valid based on the text's mention of environmental consequences.

• Consequently, only Assumption 2 is valid, making option (b) the correct answer.

Why the other options are wrong

(a) 1 only
Assumption 1 is invalid because the passage states that unbalanced growth leads to adverse distributional effects, not that it is essential for reducing disparity.
(c) Both 1 and 2
Assumption 1 is invalid as the passage does not claim economic growth is essential for reducing economic disparity, only that unbalanced growth has adverse distributional effects.
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Assumption 2 is valid because the passage explicitly links unbalanced emphasis on growth with negative environmental consequences.

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.

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