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 statements are not correct? 1. The landholdings of Rai Sahib were currently not being used for farming. 2. Temperamentally, Rai Sahib was as greedy as other landlords. 3. It cannot be ascertained that Rai Sahib could have made some money by leasing out the grazing land. 4. It may be asserted that Rai Sahib valued his tenants and wanted to protect their livelihood. Select the answer using the code given below.

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

Why the answer is (d)

• The question asks which statements are NOT correct.

• Statement 1 is not correct: the passage is only about one plot kept for grazing; it says nothing about Rai Sahib's other landholdings.

• Statement 2 is not correct: Rai Sahib refused good offers and is contrasted with selfish zamindars, so he was not as greedy.

• Statement 3 is not correct: farmers had offered a good price, so it is clear he could have made money by leasing the land.

• Statement 4 is correct: he held that a landlord who did not look after his tenants was less than human. Hence 1, 2 and 3: (d).

Why the other options are wrong

(a) 1 and 2 only: Statement 3 is also not correct: the good price offered shows he could have earned money.
(b) 1 and 3 only: Statement 2 is also not correct: Rai Sahib was not greedy.
(c) 3 and 4: Statement 4 is correct, so it does not belong in the list of incorrect statements.

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.