UPSC Prelims 2026 CSAT Paper II · Q54 of 70 Comprehension medium

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.

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

Why the answer is (c)

• Statement 1 is incorrect because the passage explicitly contrasts the Rai Sahib with 'selfish Zamindars' who would prioritize profit over tenants, implying not all landlords possess inherent goodness.

• Statement 2 is incorrect because the text states cattle from 'nearby villages' came to graze, indicating the common ground serves a broader area rather than being intended solely for the cattle of the specific village where the land is located.

• Statement 3 is correct as the passage attributes the Rai Sahib's refusal to lease the land to his adherence to 'old values' and the belief that a landlord must look after his tenants, linking traditional beliefs with tenant welfare.

• Statement 4 is incorrect because the passage describes the 'loo' wind as 'scorching' and causing 'dying of heat' later in the day, whereas the morning air is described as having a 'cool freshness', meaning winds later in the day are hotter, not cooler.

• Therefore, only statement 3 is a valid conclusion based on the passage, making option (c) the correct answer.

Why the other options are wrong

(a) 1 and 3
Statement 1 is invalid because the passage identifies 'selfish Zamindars' who lack concern for tenants, disproving the claim that all landlords have goodness.
(b) 2 and 4
Statement 4 is factually opposite to the text, which states the later 'loo' wind is scorching and hot, not cooler than the morning.
(d) 2 only
Statement 2 is incorrect because the passage specifies that cattle from 'nearby villages' used the ground, not just the cattle of the local village.

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.

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