UPSC Prelims 2018 CSAT Paper II · Q75 of 58 Comprehension medium

Passage

Directions for the following 2 (two) items : The following table gives the GDP growth rate and Tele-density data of different States of a country in a particular year. Study the table and answer the two items that follow. States | Per capita income ($) | GDP growth rate (%) | Tele-density State 1 | 704 | 9.52 | 70.27 State 2 | 419 | 5.31 | 35.88 State 3 | 254 | 10.83 | 50.07 State 4 | 545 | 9.78 | 5.94 State 5 | 891 | 10.8 | 76.12 State 6 | 1077 | 11.69 | 77.5 State 7 | 900 | 8.88 | 104.86 State 8 | 395 | 5.92 | 6 State 9 | 720 | 7.76 | 82.25 State 10 | 893 | 9.55 | 96.7 State 11 | 363 | 4.7 | 57.7 State 12 | 966 | 7.85 | 63.8 State 13 | 495 | 9.37 | 52.3 State 14 | 864 | 5.46 | 97.9 State 15 | 497 | 7.48 | 62.3 State 16 | 777 | 7.03 | 93.8 State 17 | 335 | 5.8 | 49.9 State 18 | 599 | 7.49 | 47.84

With reference to the above table, the following assumptions have been made : 1. Nowadays, prosperity of an already high performing State cannot be sustained without making further large investments in its telecom infrastructure. 2. Nowadays, a very high Tele-density is the most essential condition for promoting the business and economic growth in a State. Which of the above assumptions is/are valid?

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

Why the answer is (d)

• Assumption 1 claims that high-performing states cannot sustain prosperity without further large telecom investments, but the table shows State 7 with the highest tele-density (104.86) has a lower GDP growth rate (8.88%) than State 6 (77.5 tele-density, 11.69% growth), disproving the necessity of the highest density for top performance.

• Assumption 2 states that very high tele-density is the most essential condition for business and economic growth, yet State 4 has the lowest tele-density (5.94) but a high GDP growth rate (9.78%), contradicting the claim that high density is essential for growth.

• State 3 has a moderate tele-density (50.07) but the second-highest GDP growth rate (10.83%), further indicating that tele-density is not the most essential condition for economic growth.

• Since both assumptions are contradicted by specific data points in the table where low or moderate tele-density coexists with high GDP growth, neither assumption is valid.

• Therefore, the correct option is (d) Neither 1 nor 2.

Why the other options are wrong

(a) 1 only
Assumption 1 is invalid because State 6 achieved the highest GDP growth rate (11.69%) with a lower tele-density (77.5) than State 7 (104.86), showing that the highest telecom investment is not required for top performance.
(b) 2 only
Assumption 2 is invalid because State 4 recorded a high GDP growth rate (9.78%) despite having the lowest tele-density (5.94) in the table, proving that very high tele-density is not an essential condition for growth.
(c) Both 1 and 2
Both assumptions are invalid as demonstrated by the counter-examples in the data, such as State 4's high growth with low tele-density and State 6's superior growth compared to State 7 despite lower tele-density.

Asked in the CSAT Paper II of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2018, held on 3 June 2018. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.

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