Q1 · medium · PYQ 2025
Which one of the following statements best reflects the central idea conveyed in this passage ?
- India does not have enough resources to enhance quality education in its universities.
- Higher educational institutions in the country should not be under the control of Government.
- Classroom approach should be removed for higher education.
- Reimagining the classroom and reinventing teaching is necessary.
Q2 · medium · PYQ 2025
A single number for inflation is an aggregate across different commodities and services — the price rise differs for different items of consumption. So, the single number is arrived at by assigning weights to different commodities and services. For WPI, the weights in production are used; for CPI, the consumption basket is used. But people are not homogeneous. The consumption basket is vastly different for the poor, the middle classes, and the rich. Hence, the CPI is different for each of these classes and a composite index requires averaging the baskets.
Which one of the following statements best reflects the most logical, rational and crucial message conveyed by the passage?
- We must use WPI exclusively in measuring price rise and CPI should be done away with.
- The present calculation of inflation rate does not correctly measure price rise of individual item/commodity.
- Inflation data under-presents services in the consumption basket.
- Knowledge of inflation rate is not really of any use to anybody in the country.
Q3 · medium · PYQ 2025
If social inequality is the most acutely felt social problem in India, then insecurity, even more than poverty, is the most acutely felt economic problem. Those below the official poverty line, and in addition, those who are just above the poverty line, are affected by various types of economic insecurities (due to asset and/or health risks, market fluctuations, employment-related uncertainties). The aim of many government policies in fact is to reduce these insecurities.
Which one of the following statements best reflects the critical message conveyed by this passage?
- The political executive in India should be aware that poverty and social inequality, and the resultant sense of insecurity is the main social problem.
- In India, poverty is the primary cause of social inequality and insecurity.
- Poverty and social inequality are so intricately linked that they present an unmanageable crisis for India.
- Insecurity, even more than poverty, is the main economic issue that must be addressed by government policies.
Q4 · medium · PYQ 2024
Passage: Unlike religion and science, poetry does not posit or expect any belief in absolute truths. Those forces or individuals who claim to have absolute truths in their grasp tend to turn dictatorial and tyrannical. Truth usually does not admit any contradictions or imperfections. It is unitarian. It is, therefore, not of much use for poetry. Poetry abides by the plurality of life and existence. Perhaps poetry follows reality which is plural, anachronistic, full of contradictions. Against the tyranny of truth, poetry remains a partisan of democratic reality. Against the arrogance of power, wealth and hierarchy, poetry proposes both humility and defiance. Which one of the following statements best reflects the most logical and rational message conveyed by the above passage?
- It is the poetry, not science or religion, which recognizes and accepts imperfections in humans.
- Truth is revealed through science or religion and poetry is anathema to truth.
- Poetry is romantic, imaginary and is about feeling whereas science and religion are about truth.
- In a world of violence, tyranny and bigotry, poetry is a form of dynamic resistance.
Q5 · medium · PYQ 2025
Maintaining an ecosystem just to conserve biodiversity will affect its commercial potential as well as the livelihoods dependent on the ecosystem. There is also a conflict between using an ecosystem only for livelihoods, for commercial exploitation, or strictly for conservation. Deforestation caused due to commercial exploitation will lead to indirect harm like floods, siltation problems and microclimatic instability, apart from adversely affecting livelihoods dependent on forests. These conflicts are particularly acute in developing countries where the dependence of people on the ecosystem is significant, and commercial exploitation has the potential to boost national income.
Which one of the following statements best reflects the critical message conveyed by the author of the passage?
- Conservation of biodiversity is not an issue to be worried about when some people depend on ecosystems for their livelihoods.
- Commercial exploitation of forests goes against the fundamental rights of the people dependent on forests for food and shelter.
- Sustenance of livelihood and degradation of ecosystem while being together exacerbate one another, leading to conflicts and imbalance.
- Commercial exploitation of ecosystems should be completely stopped.