Prelims Solution

Q8. Which one of the following countries has been suffering from decades of civil strife and food shortages and was in news in the recent past for its very severe famine?

Prelims 2023 GS Solution /

Q8. Which one of the following countries has been suffering from decades of civil strife and food shortages and was in news in the recent past for its very severe famine?

a. Angola
b. Costa Rica
c. Ecuador
d. Somalia

Question from UPSC Prelims 2023 GS Paper

Explanation : 

Correct Answer – d

Somalia

Somalia has been suffering from decades of civil strife and food shortages. The country has faced ongoing conflict since the early 1990s, when the central government collapsed, and various factions began fighting for control. This has led to widespread instability, making it difficult for aid organizations to provide assistance and for the country to develop a stable food supply. In recent years, Somalia has experienced severe famine due to a combination of factors, including drought, conflict, and the effects of climate change. The situation has led to a humanitarian crisis, with millions of people facing food insecurity and malnutrition.

Q8. Which one of the following countries has been suffering from decades of civil strife and food shortages and was in news in the recent past for its very severe famine? Read More »

Q6. Consider the following statements: Statement-I: According to the United Nations’ ‘World Water Development Report, 2022’, India extracts more than quarter of the world’s groundwater withdrawal each year.

Prelims 2023 GS Solution /

Q6. Consider the following statements:

Statement-I: According to the United Nations’ ‘World Water Development Report, 2022’, India extracts more than quarter of the world’s groundwater withdrawal each year.
Statement-II: India needs to extract more than a quarter of the World’s groundwater each year to satisfy the drinking water and sanitation needs of almost 18% of world’s population living in its territory.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

a. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
b. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
c. Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
d. Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct

Question from UPSC Prelims 2023 GS Paper

Explanation : 

Correct Answer – C

India’s Groundwater Extraction Overview

According to the United Nations’ World Water Development Report, 2022, India is responsible for extracting more than a quarter of the world’s groundwater each year. This significant figure highlights India’s major role in global groundwater usage.

Factors Contributing to High Groundwater Extraction in India

Contrary to the belief that high groundwater extraction in India is primarily for drinking water and sanitation needs, there are other significant factors at play. A major driver of this extraction is agricultural irrigation, which accounts for a substantial portion of the country’s water usage. Additionally, inefficient water management and distribution systems also contribute to the high rate of groundwater extraction. These factors combine to create a complex challenge in managing India’s water resources effectively.

Q6. Consider the following statements: Statement-I: According to the United Nations’ ‘World Water Development Report, 2022’, India extracts more than quarter of the world’s groundwater withdrawal each year. Read More »

Q4. Consider the following statements: 1. The Self-Help Group (SHG) programme was originally initiated by the State Bank of India by providing microcredit to the financially deprived.

Prelims 2023 GS Solution /

Q4. Consider the following statements:

1. The Self-Help Group (SHG) programme was originally initiated by the State Bank of India by providing microcredit to the financially deprived.
2. In an SHG, all members of a group take responsibility for a loan that an individual member takes.
3. The Regional Rural Banks and Scheduled Commercial Banks support SHGs.

How many of the above statements are correct
a. Only one
b. Only two
c. All three
d. None

Question from UPSC Prelims 2023 GS Paper

Explanation :
Correct Answer – b) Only two

History of Self-Help Groups in India

The origin of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in India dates back to the establishment of the Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) in 1972. This marked the beginning of a significant movement towards collective financial responsibility and empowerment in India.

Functioning of Self-Help Groups

In a typical SHG, all members share responsibility for loans taken by individual members. This collective accountability model ensures that if one member fails to repay, others step in to cover the loan. This approach not only fosters mutual support among members but also guarantees productive use of the borrowed funds.

Role of Regional Rural Banks and Scheduled Commercial Banks

Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) and Scheduled Commercial Banks (SCBs) play a crucial role in supporting SHGs. They provide essential credit services and collaborate with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and other entities to help establish and maintain SHGs. This support from RRBs and SCBs is vital for SHGs to access formal financial services, which significantly enhances their financial stability and growth.

Q4. Consider the following statements: 1. The Self-Help Group (SHG) programme was originally initiated by the State Bank of India by providing microcredit to the financially deprived. Read More »

Q3. In the context of finance, the term ‘beta’ refers to

Prelims 2023 GS Solution /

Q3. In the context of finance, the term ‘beta’ refers to

a. the process of simultaneous buying and selling of an asset from different platforms
b. an investment strategy of a portfolio manager to balance risk versus reward
c. a type of systemic risk that arises where perfect hedging is not possible
d. a numeric value that measures the fluctuations of a stock to changes in the overall stock market

Question from UPSC Prelims 2023 GS Paper

Explanation : 

d. a numeric value that measures the fluctuations of a stock to changes in the overall stock market

Beta in Stock Market Analysis

Beta is a measure of a stock’s volatility in relation to the overall market. It plays a crucial role in the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM), a model used to calculate the expected return of an asset, considering its risk compared to the market.

Understanding Beta Values

A beta value of 1 suggests that the stock’s movement is in line with the market. A beta greater than 1 indicates higher volatility than the market, while a beta less than 1 shows lower volatility.
Investors utilize beta to gauge the risk of a stock and to construct diversified portfolios that balance risk and reward. Stocks with high beta are associated with higher returns and risk, whereas low-beta stocks are linked to lower returns and reduced risk.Practical Example

For instance, a stock with a beta of 1.5 implies that it is expected to change by 1.5% for every 1% change in the market. This is critical for investors in making informed investment choices and portfolio construction.

Q3. In the context of finance, the term ‘beta’ refers to Read More »

Q. The last end of the state is not to dominate men, nor to restrain them by fear; rather it is so to free each man from fear that he may live and act with full security and without injury to himself or his neighbour. The end of the state, I repeat, is not to make rational beings into brute beasts and machines. It is to enable their bodies and their minds to function safely. It is to lead men to live by, and to exercise, a free reason; that they may not waste their strength in hatred, anger and guile, nor act unfairly toward one another.

CSAT 2023 /

Q. The last end of the state is not to dominate men, nor to restrain them by fear; rather it is so to free each man from fear that he may live and act with full security and without injury to himself or his neighbour. The end of the state, I repeat, is not to make rational beings into brute beasts and machines. It is to enable their bodies and their minds to function safely. It is to lead men to live by, and to exercise, a free reason; that they may not waste their strength in hatred, anger and guile, nor act unfairly toward one another.

Q. Based on the above passage, which one of the following terms best expresses the ultimate goal of the state?
(a) Personal safety
(b) Health of body and mind
(c) Communal harmony
(d) Liberty

Question from UPSC Prelims 2023 CSAT

Model Answer:

Q1: Correct Answer – (d) Liberty

Explanation – 
The passage emphasizes that the ultimate goal of the state is to free each man from fear so that he may live and act with full security and without injury to himself or his neighbour. It also mentions that the state aims to lead men to live by and exercise a free reason. Both these points suggest that the state’s ultimate goal is to provide liberty to its citizens. While personal safety, health of body and mind, and communal harmony are part of this goal, they are not the ultimate goal as per the passage.

Q. The last end of the state is not to dominate men, nor to restrain them by fear; rather it is so to free each man from fear that he may live and act with full security and without injury to himself or his neighbour. The end of the state, I repeat, is not to make rational beings into brute beasts and machines. It is to enable their bodies and their minds to function safely. It is to lead men to live by, and to exercise, a free reason; that they may not waste their strength in hatred, anger and guile, nor act unfairly toward one another. Read More »

Q. Science by itself is not enough, there must be a force and discipline outside the sciences to coordinate them and point to a goal.

CSAT 2023 /

Q. Science by itself is not enough, there must be a force and discipline outside the sciences to coordinate them and point to a goal.

It is not possible to run a course aright when the goal itself has not been rightly placed. What science needs is philosophy the analysis of scientific method and the coordination of scientific purposes and results; without this, any science must be superficial. Government suffers, precisely like science, for lack of philosophy. Philosophy bears to science the same relationship which statesmanship bears to politics : movement guided by total knowledge and perspective, as against aimless and individual seeking. Just as the pursuit of knowledge becomes scholasticism when divorced from the actual needs of men and life, so the pursuit of politics becomes a destructive bedlam when divorced from science and philosophy.

Q. Which one of the following statements best reflects the most rational, logical and practical message conveyed by the passage? 
(a) Modern statesmen need to be well trained in scientific methods and philosophical thinking to enable them to have a better perspective of their roles, responsibilities and goals.
(b) It is not desirable to have Governments managed by empirical statesmen unless well mixed with others who are grounded in learning and reflect wisdom.
(c) As the statesmen/bureaucrats are the products of a society, it is desirable to have a system of education in a society that focuses on training its citizens in scientific method and philosophical thinking from a very early age.
(d) It is desirable that all scientists need to be philosophers as well to make their work goal-oriented and thus purposeful and useful to the society.

Question from UPSC Prelims 2023 CSAT

Model Answer:

Science by itself is not enough

Q1: Correct Answer – (b) It is not desirable to have Governments managed by empirical statesmen unless well mixed with others who are grounded in learning and reflect wisdom.

Explanation –
The passage emphasizes the importance of philosophy in guiding and coordinating scientific pursuits, and draws a parallel to statesmanship in politics. It suggests that just as science needs philosophy to avoid superficiality, government suffers without philosophy, becoming a destructive bedlam when divorced from science and philosophy. Therefore, the statement that best reflects the message of the passage is that it is not desirable to have governments managed by empirical statesmen unless well mixed with others who are grounded in learning and reflect wisdom. This option encapsulates the idea that both science and government need philosophy (learning and wisdom) to guide them and make them purposeful and useful.

Q. Science by itself is not enough, there must be a force and discipline outside the sciences to coordinate them and point to a goal. Read More »

Q. In India, while the unemployment rate is a frequently used measure of poor performance of the economy, under conditions of rising school and college enrolment, it paints an inaccurate picture.

CSAT 2023 /

Q. In India, while the unemployment rate is a frequently used measure of poor performance of the economy, under conditions of rising school and college enrolment, it paints an inaccurate picture.

The reported unemployment rate is dominated by the experience of younger Indians who face higher employment challenges and exhibit greater willingness to wait for the right job than their older peers. The unemployment challenge is greater for people with secondary or higher education, and rising education levels inflate unemployment challenges.

Q. Which one of the following statements most likely reflects as to what the author of the passage intends to say? 
(a) Enrolment in schools and colleges is high but there is no quality education.
(b) Unemployment must be seen as a function of rising education and aspirations of young Indians.
(c) There are no labour-intensive industries to accommodate the huge number of unemployed people.
(d) The education system should be properly designed so as to enable the educated people to be self-employed.

Question from UPSC Prelims 2023 CSAT

Model Answer:

Q1: Correct Answer – (b) Unemployment must be seen as a function of rising education and aspirations of young Indians.

Explanation – 
The passage discusses how the unemployment rate in India is influenced by the rising levels of education and the challenges faced by younger Indians in finding suitable employment. It doesn’t talk about the quality of education, lack of labour-intensive industries, or the need for self-employment. Therefore, option (b) is the most accurate reflection of the author’s intent.

Q. In India, while the unemployment rate is a frequently used measure of poor performance of the economy, under conditions of rising school and college enrolment, it paints an inaccurate picture. Read More »

Q. India should ensure the growth of the digital economy while keeping personal data of citizens secure and protected.

CSAT 2023 /

Q. India should ensure the growth of the digital economy while keeping personal data of citizens secure and protected.

No one will innovate in a surveillance-oriented environment or in a place where an individual’s personal information is compromised. The ultimate control of data must reside with the individuals who generate it; they should be enabled to use, restrict or monetise it as they wish. Therefore, data protection laws should enable the right kind of innovation one that is user-centric and privacy protecting.

Q. Based on the above passage, the following assumptions have been made : 
1. Protection of privacy is not just a right, but it has value to the economy.
2. There is a fundamental link between privacy and innovation.

Which of the above assumptions is/are valid ?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Question from UPSC Prelims 2023 CSAT

Model Answer:

Q1: Correct Answer – (c) Both 1 and 2

Explanation – 
The passage clearly states that the growth of the digital economy should not compromise the personal data of citizens, implying that privacy has economic value. It also mentions that innovation will not occur in an environment where personal information is compromised, suggesting a link between privacy and innovation. Therefore, both assumptions are valid.

Q. India should ensure the growth of the digital economy while keeping personal data of citizens secure and protected. Read More »

Q. Pharmaceutical patents grant protection to the patentee for the duration of the patent term.

CSAT 2023 /

Q. Pharmaceutical patents grant protection to the patentee for the duration of the patent term.

The patentees enjoy the liberty to determine the prices of medicines, which is time-limited to the period of monopoly, but could be unaffordable to the public. Such patent protection offered to the patentees is believed to benefit the public over the longer term through innovations and research and development (R&D), although it comes at a cost, in the nature of higher prices for the patented medicine. The patent regime and price protection through a legally validated high price for the medicine during the currency of the patent provide the patentee with a legitimate mechanism to get returns on the costs incurred in innovation and research.

Q. Based on the above passage, the following assumptions have been made: 
1. Patent protection given to patentees puts a huge burden on public’s purchasing power in accessing patented medicines.
2. Dependence on other countries for pharmaceutical products is a huge burden for developing and poor countries.
3. Providing medicines to the public at affordable prices is a key goal during the public health policy design in many countries.
4. Governments need to find an appropriate balance between the rights of patentees and the requirements of the patients.
Which of the above assumptions are valid?
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 1 and 4
(c) 3 and 4
(d) 2 and 3

Question from UPSC Prelims 2023 CSAT

Model Answer:

Q1: Correct Answer – (b) 1 and 4

Explanation – 
The passage clearly states that the patent protection allows patentees to set high prices for their medicines, which could be unaffordable for the public, validating assumption 1. The passage also implies that there is a need for balance between the rights of patentees (to recoup their R&D costs) and the needs of the public (to access affordable medicines), validating assumption 4.

Assumption 2 is not discussed in the passage, and while assumption 3 could be inferred, it is not directly addressed in the passage. Therefore, the correct answer is (b) 1 and 4.

Q. Pharmaceutical patents grant protection to the patentee for the duration of the patent term. Read More »

Q. The paradox of choice is illustrated by the story of Buridan’s ass. Jean Buridan, the 14th century philosopher, wrote about free will and the inability to choose due to numerous choices and uncertainties.

CSAT 2023 /

Q. The paradox of choice is illustrated by the story of Buridan’s ass. Jean Buridan, the 14th century philosopher, wrote about free will and the inability to choose due to numerous choices and uncertainties.

In the story, a donkey stands between two equally appealing stacks of hay. Unable to decide which to eat, it starves to death. Changes in technology and innovations such as smart phones and tablets only exacerbate our glut of choices. Constant connectivity and overconsumption of real-time data and social media can leave little room for self-reflection and rest, making decisions more difficult. Life is about choices. Many people are overwhelmed with attractive life choices, yet find themselves unhappy and anxious.

Q. Which one of the following statements best reflects the most logical message implied by the above passage 
(a) Modern technology enfeebles societal structure and makes life difficult.
(b) Modern life is full of uncertainties and endless difficult choices.
(c) We are influenced by the opinion of others and have no courage to follow our own convictions.
(d) In our lives, having too few choices may not be a good thing, but having too many can be equally as difficult.

Question from UPSC Prelims 2023 CSAT

Model Answer:

Q1: Correct Answer – (d) In our lives, having too few choices may not be a good thing, but having too many can be equally as difficult.

Explanation – 
The passage discusses the paradox of choice, using the story of Buridan’s ass to illustrate how having too many options can lead to indecision and difficulty. It also mentions how modern technology and constant connectivity can exacerbate this problem, making it harder to make decisions. Therefore, the statement that best reflects the message of the passage is that having too many choices can be as difficult as having too few.

Q. The paradox of choice is illustrated by the story of Buridan’s ass. Jean Buridan, the 14th century philosopher, wrote about free will and the inability to choose due to numerous choices and uncertainties. Read More »