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UPSC CSE CSAT 2017 · Question 45 · Reading comprehension

Which among the following is the most logical and rational assumption that can be made from the…

Passage—5

An innovative India will be inclusive as well as technologically advanced, improving the lives of all Indians. Innovation and R&D can mitigate increases in social inequality and relieve the pressures created by rapid urbanization. The growing divergence in productivity between agriculture and knowledge-intensive manufacturing and services threatens to increase income inequality. By encouraging India’s R&D labs and universities to focus on the needs of poor people and by improving the ability of informal firms to absorb knowledge, an innovation and research agenda can counter this effect. Inclusive innovation can lower the costs of goods and services and create income-earning opportunities for the poor people.

CSAT 2017 · Q45

Reading comprehension Medium

Which among the following is the most logical and rational assumption that can be made from the above passage?

Answer & explanation

Answer: (c) Inclusive innovation and R&D can help create an egalitarian society.

The passage presents inclusive innovation and R&D as tools to check rising inequality — by focusing on the needs of the poor, lowering costs and creating earning opportunities. The assumption beneath it is that they can help build a more equal society.

  • ✗ (a) The passage mentions pressures of rapid urbanization but never migration, and 'only way' is extreme.
  • ✗ (b) 'Every rapidly growing country' generalises beyond the passage, which is about India.
  • ✓ (c) Innovation 'can mitigate increases in social inequality' and create income for the poor — an egalitarian aim.
  • ✗ (d) The link between urbanization and the speed of economic growth is not discussed.

Remember · Assumption questions: pick the unstated belief the argument relies on; reject 'only', 'every' and topics the passage never touches.

Question and answer: UPSC's official GS Paper II (2017, Series A) — paper ↗ · answer key ↗. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 30 Sept 2026 (how we verify). ·

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