Minimalist IAS
CSAT 2018 paper

UPSC CSE CSAT 2018 · Question 49 · Reading comprehension

With reference to the above passage, the following assumptions have been made:

Directions for the following 8 (eight) items: Read the following eight passages and answer the items that follow. Your answers to these items should be based on the passages only.

Passage—1

All actions to address climate change ultimately involve costs. Funding is vital in order for countries like India to design and implement adaptation and mitigation plans and projects. The problem is more severe for developing countries like India, which would be one of the hardest hit by climate change, given its need to finance development. Most countries do indeed treat climate change as real threat and are striving to address it in a more comprehensive and integrated manner with the limited resources at their disposal.

CSAT 2018 · Q49

Reading comprehension Medium

With reference to the above passage, the following assumptions have been made:

  1. 1.Climate change is not a challenge for developed countries.
  2. 2.Climate change is a complex policy issue and also a development issue for many countries.
  3. 3.Ways and means of finance must be found to enable developing countries to enhance their adaptive capacity.

Which of the above assumptions is/are valid?

Answer & explanation

Answer: (c) 2 and 3 only

Climate action is costly, and developing countries like India must fund it alongside their development needs. The passage therefore assumes climate change is bound up with development (2) and that finance must be found for adaptation (3); nothing suggests developed countries face no challenge.

  • ✗ 1. The problem is 'more severe' for developing countries — a comparison implying it exists for others too — and 'Most countries' treat it as a real threat.
  • ✓ 2. India's difficulty is tied to 'its need to finance development', and countries tackle it 'in a more comprehensive and integrated manner' — a policy and development issue.
  • ✓ 3. 'Funding is vital' for adaptation and mitigation plans, and resources are 'limited'; the argument assumes finance must be found for developing countries.

Remember · 'More severe for X' implies the problem exists for others as well; an assumption denying it for others is invalid.

Question and answer: UPSC's official GS Paper II (2018, Series A) — paper ↗ · answer key ↗. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 30 Sept 2026 (how we verify). ·

More on Reading comprehension

All Reading comprehension questions →