UPSC Prelims 2020 CSAT Paper II · Q45 of 80 Comprehension medium

Passage

Passage-5 Economic liberalization in India was shaped largely by the economic problems of the government than by the economic priorities of the people or by the long-term development objectives. Thus, there were limitations in conception and design which have been subsequently validated by experience. Jobless growth, persistent poverty and rising inequality have mounted as problems since economic liberalization began. And all these years later, four quiet crises confront the economy; agriculture, infrastructure, industrialization and education as constraints on the country's future prospects. These problems must be resolved if economic growth has to be sustained and transformed into meaningful development.

Which of the following is/are the most rational and logical inference/inferences that can be made from the passage? 1. It is essential to rethink and redefine the economic role of the State in the quest for development. 2. India has not made effective implementation of its policies in social sectors nor made sufficient investments in them. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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

Why the answer is (c)

• The passage states that economic liberalization was shaped by government economic problems rather than people's priorities or long-term development objectives, implying a misalignment in the State's role.

• It highlights that 'jobless growth, persistent poverty and rising inequality' have mounted since liberalization, indicating that the current economic framework has failed to deliver meaningful development.

• The text identifies agriculture, infrastructure, industrialization, and education as 'four quiet crises' and 'constraints on the country's future prospects,' which are largely social and structural sectors.

• Since these sectors are described as unresolved crises and constraints, it logically follows that India has not made effective implementation or sufficient investments in these social sectors (Inference 2).

• Because the initial conception was flawed and focused on government problems rather than development, and because key sectors remain in crisis, it is rational to infer that the economic role of the State must be rethought and redefined to address these gaps (Inference 1).

• Therefore, both inferences are logically supported by the text's critique of the liberalization process and its outcomes.

Why the other options are wrong

(a) 1 only
This option is incorrect because Inference 2 is also valid, as the passage explicitly lists agriculture, infrastructure, and education as unresolved crises and constraints, indicating insufficient investment and implementation.
(b) 2 only
This option is incorrect because Inference 1 is also valid, as the passage argues that the initial economic design was flawed and focused on government problems rather than development, necessitating a redefinition of the State's role.
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
This option is incorrect because both inferences are supported by the passage's critique of the economic liberalization's limitations and the resulting crises in key sectors.

Asked in the CSAT Paper II of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2020, held on 4 October 2020. 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.

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