Which of the following conclusions are valid? 1. Sport is more than just games; it is a way of life. 2. Sport can help mitigate the problems of seclusion among the young. 3. Earning laurels in sport can help one secure a job on the basis of an assigned quota. 4. Standard corporate sector skills cannot be learnt through sport. Select the answer using the code given below.
- (a) 1 and 3 only
- (b) 2 and 4 only
- (c) 1, 2 and 4
- (d) 1, 2 and 3 ✓ UPSC's answer
Why the answer is (d)
• Conclusion 1 is valid: the passage calls for a culture in which "sport is seen as a way of life".
• Conclusion 2 is valid: children who are inactive and rarely leave the house is a problem of seclusion, and the passage says sport can help tackle it.
• Conclusion 3 is valid: "sport is not just about … getting jobs through a sports quota" accepts that sporting success can bring a quota job.
• Conclusion 4 is not valid: the passage lists time management, teamwork and coordination as skills learnt through sport, which are standard workplace skills.
• Hence 1, 2 and 3: (d).
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) 1 and 3 only
- Conclusion 2 is also valid: sport helps children who rarely leave the house.
- (b) 2 and 4 only
- Conclusion 4 is not valid, and 1 and 3 are valid.
- (c) 1, 2 and 4
- Conclusion 4 contradicts the skills listed in the passage.
Asked in the CSAT Paper II of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2026, held on 24 May 2026. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.