UPSC Prelims 2025 CSAT Paper II · Q63 of 78 Comprehension medium

Passage

"A good statesman, like any other sensible human being, learns more from his opponents than from his fervent supporters. For his supporters will push him to disaster unless his opponents show him where the dangers are. So if he is wise he will often pray to be delivered from his friends, because they will ruin him. But, though it hurts, he ought also to pray never to be left without opponents; for they keep him on the path of reason and good sense. The national unity of free people depends upon a sufficiently even balance of political power to make it impracticable for the administration to be arbitrary and for opposition to be revolutionary and irreconcilable."

Which one of the following statements best reflects the critical message conveyed by the author of the passage ?

  1. (a) Without opposition parties, the administration in a democracy gets to become more responsible.
  2. (b) Democracy needs to have revolutionaries in opposition to keep the government alert.
  3. (c) Rulers in a democracy need the support of opposition for their political survival.
  4. (d) In a democracy, the opposition is indispensable for the balance of political power and good governance. ✓ UPSC's answer

Why the answer is (d)

• The passage argues that a statesman learns more from opponents than supporters because opponents highlight dangers that supporters ignore.

• It states that opponents keep the leader on the path of reason and good sense, preventing arbitrary rule.

• The final sentence explicitly links national unity to an even balance of political power that prevents the administration from being arbitrary and the opposition from being revolutionary.

• Therefore, the core message is that opposition is essential for maintaining this balance and ensuring good governance.

• Option (d) accurately summarizes this by stating opposition is indispensable for the balance of political power and good governance.

Why the other options are wrong

(a) Without opposition parties, the administration in a democracy gets to become more…
The passage states that without opponents, supporters push the leader to disaster, implying the administration becomes less responsible, not more.
(b) Democracy needs to have revolutionaries in opposition to keep the government alert.
The passage explicitly argues for a balance that makes opposition 'not revolutionary and irreconcilable,' rejecting the need for revolutionaries.
(c) Rulers in a democracy need the support of opposition for their political survival.
The passage suggests rulers should pray to be delivered from friends (supporters) and rely on opponents for reason, not for political survival.

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.

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