With reference to the above passage, which of the following is the most valid assumption ?
- (a) Building of weapons systems by us has instigated our neighbours to wage wars against us.
- (b) The greater spending on weapon-building by us would lessen the possibility of armed conflict with our neighbours. ✓ UPSC's answer
- (c) It is necessary to have state of the art weapons systems for national security.
- (d) Many people in India believe that we are wasting our resources on weapon-building.
Why the answer is (b)
• The author says people who believe that cutting defence spending on weapons will bring peace are propagating a ‘false argument’.
• For the author to call that belief false, he must assume the opposite link: that spending on weapon-building (deterrence) makes armed conflict with neighbours less likely — option (b).
• The passage says nothing about our weapons provoking neighbours (a), about state-of-the-art systems (c), or about resources being wasted (d).
• Hence option (b).
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) Building of weapons systems by us has instigated our neighbours to wage wars against us.
- The passage does not say our weapons provoked neighbours to wage war.
- (c) It is necessary to have state of the art weapons systems for national security.
- State-of-the-art weapons are not discussed; the argument is about spending and peace.
- (d) Many people in India believe that we are wasting our resources on weapon-building.
- The passage reports a belief that spending cuts bring peace, not a belief that resources are wasted.
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.