Passage

Directions for the next 2 (two) items : Read the following passage and answer the items that follow. Your answers should be based solely on the passage. Passage Cattle from the nearby villages came to the common ground to graze, and there was still a cool freshness in the air. Hori took several deep breaths and thought of sitting down for a while, since he'd be dying of heat in the scorching 'loo' wind the rest of the day. A number of farmers were eager to lease this bit of land and had offered a good price, but Rai Sahib—God bless him—had plainly told them it was reserved for grazing and would not be relinquished for any price. If he'd been one of those selfish Zamindars, he'd have said the cattle could go to hell, that there was no reason for him to miss the chance to make a little money. But the Rai Sahib still held to the old values, feeling that any landlord who didn't look after his tenants was less than human.

Which of the following conclusions is/are correct? 1. All landlords essentially have some goodness trapped within them. 2. The common grazing grounds of a village are intended for use by the cattle of that village. 3. Landlords who believe in tradition tend to be more concerned about their tenants. 4. Winds later in the day tend to be cooler post the hot winds of the morning. Select the answer using the code given below.

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

Why the answer is (c)

• Conclusion 1 is not correct: the passage contrasts Rai Sahib with "selfish Zamindars", so not all landlords are good.

• Conclusion 2 is not correct: cattle "from the nearby villages" graze on the common ground, so it is not reserved for one village's cattle.

• Conclusion 3 is correct: Rai Sahib "still held to the old values" and looked after his tenants.

• Conclusion 4 is not correct: the morning air is cool and the scorching loo blows later in the day, the opposite of the statement. Hence 3 only: (c).

Why the other options are wrong

(a) 1 and 3: Conclusion 1 is wrong: the passage mentions selfish zamindars.
(b) 2 and 4: Conclusion 4 reverses the passage (cool morning, hot loo later), and 2 is not supported.
(d) 2 only: Cattle from several nearby villages use the common ground.

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.