With reference to the above passage, the following assumptions have been made : I. People above the poverty line also are prone to suffer from anxiety about economic insecurity. II. Eradication of poverty can result in peace and social equality in the country. Which of the above assumptions is/are valid ?
- (a) I only ✓ UPSC's answer
- (b) II only
- (c) Both I and II
- (d) Neither I nor II
Why the answer is (a)
• The passage explicitly states that 'even those just over the poverty line are subject to multiple economic insecurities,' which directly supports Assumption I that people above the poverty line suffer from anxiety about economic insecurity.
• The passage identifies 'social inequality' as the most acutely felt social problem and 'insecurity' as the most acutely felt economic problem, but it does not claim that eradicating poverty will lead to peace or social equality.
• Assumption II introduces concepts of 'peace' and 'social equality' as direct results of poverty eradication, which are not mentioned or implied in the text.
• Since the text focuses on the prevalence of insecurity among those above the poverty line and does not link poverty eradication to social equality or peace, only Assumption I is valid.
• Therefore, the correct option is (a) I only.
Why the other options are wrong
- (b) II only
- Assumption II is invalid because the passage does not state that eradicating poverty leads to peace or social equality.
- (c) Both I and II
- Assumption II is invalid as the passage does not support the claim that poverty eradication results in peace and social equality.
- (d) Neither I nor II
- Assumption I is valid because the passage explicitly mentions that those just over the poverty line face economic insecurities.
Asked in the CSAT Paper II of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2025, held on 25 May 2025. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.