UPSC Prelims 2021 CSAT Paper II · Q33 of 79 Comprehension medium

Passage

Passage - 3 Inequality violates a basic democratic norm : the equal standing of citizens. Equality is a relation that obtains between persons in respect of some fundamental characteristic that they share in common. Equality is, morally speaking, a default principle. Therefore, persons should not be discriminated on grounds such as race, caste, gender, ethnicity, disability, or class. These features of human condition are morally irrelevant. The idea that one should treat persons with respect not only because some of these persons possess some special features or talent, for example skilled cricketers, gifted musicians, or literary giants, but because persons are human beings, is by now part of commonsense morality.

With reference to the above passage, the following assumptions have been made : 1. Equality is a prerequisite for people to participate in the multiple transactions of society from a position of confidence. 2. Occurrence of inequality is detrimental to the survival of democracy. 3. Equal standing of all citizens is an idea that cannot actually be realised even in a democracy. 4. Right to equality should be incorporated into our values and day-to-day political vocabulary. Which of the above assumptions are valid ?

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

Why the answer is (c)

• Assumption 1 is valid because the passage states that inequality violates the democratic norm of equal standing, implying that equality is necessary for citizens to participate in society with confidence and without discrimination.

• Assumption 4 is valid because the passage argues that treating persons with respect is part of 'commonsense morality' and that morally irrelevant features should not be grounds for discrimination, suggesting this principle should be embedded in values and political discourse.

• Assumption 2 is invalid because the passage states inequality violates a norm, not that it is detrimental to the survival of democracy itself.

• Assumption 3 is invalid because the passage presents equality as a 'default principle' and a 'basic democratic norm,' implying it is a goal to be upheld, not an unrealizable concept.

• Therefore, only assumptions 1 and 4 are valid, making option (c) the correct answer.

Why the other options are wrong

(a) 1 and 2 only
Assumption 2 is invalid as the passage does not claim inequality threatens the survival of democracy, only that it violates a norm.
(b) 2 and 3 only
Assumption 3 is invalid because the passage treats equality as a fundamental norm to be upheld, not an unrealizable idea.
(d) 3 and 4 only
Assumption 3 is invalid because the passage presents equality as a basic democratic norm and default principle, not an impossible ideal.

Asked in the CSAT Paper II of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2021, held on 10 October 2021. 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.

Practise this paper free