UPSC Prelims 2019 CSAT Paper II · Q44 of 79 Comprehension medium

Passage

Diarrhoeal deaths among Indian children are mostly due to food and water contamination. Use of contaminated groundwater and unsafe chemicals in agriculture, poor hygiene in storage and handling of food items to food cooked and distributed in unhygienic surroundings; there are myriad factors that need regulation and monitoring. People need to have awareness of adulteration and ways of complaining to the relevant authorities. Surveillance of food-borne diseases involves a number of government agencies and entails a good training of inspection staff. Considering the proportion of the urban population that depends on street food for its daily meals, investing in training and education of street vendors is of great significance.

On the basis of the above passage, the following assumptions have been made : 1. Food safety is a complex issue that calls for a multipronged solution. 2. Great investments need to be made in developing the manpower for surveillance and training. 3. India needs to make sufficient legislation for governing food processing industry. Which of the above assumptions is/are valid ?

  1. (a) 1 and 2 only ✓ UPSC's answer
  2. (b) 3 only
  3. (c) 1 and 3 only
  4. (d) 1, 2 and 3

Why the answer is (a)

• Assumption 1 is valid because the passage lists multiple distinct causes of diarrhoeal deaths, including groundwater contamination, unsafe agricultural chemicals, poor hygiene in storage, and unhygienic cooking environments, indicating a complex issue requiring a multipronged solution.

• Assumption 2 is valid as the text explicitly states that surveillance entails 'a good training of inspection staff' and that 'investing in training and education of street vendors is of great significance,' supporting the need for investment in manpower development.

• Assumption 3 is invalid because the passage focuses on regulation, monitoring, awareness, and training, but does not mention the need for new legislation specifically governing the food processing industry.

• Therefore, only assumptions 1 and 2 are supported by the text, making option (a) the correct answer.

Why the other options are wrong

(b) 3 only
Option (b) is incorrect because assumption 3 regarding legislation for the food processing industry is not mentioned in the passage, while assumptions 1 and 2 are valid.
(c) 1 and 3 only
Option (c) is incorrect because assumption 3 is not supported by the passage, whereas assumption 2 regarding investment in manpower training is explicitly supported.
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Option (d) is incorrect because assumption 3 is not valid as the passage does not discuss legislation for the food processing industry.

Asked in the CSAT Paper II of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2019, held on 2 June 2019. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.

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