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CSAT 2019 paper

UPSC CSE CSAT 2019 · Question 42 · Reading comprehension

On the basis of the above passage, the following assumptions have been made:

Directions for the following 7 (seven) items: Read the following six passages and answer the items that follow each passage. Your answers to these items should be based on the passages only.

Passage—1

What stands in the way of the widespread and careful adoption of ‘Genetic Modification (GM)’ technology is an ‘Intellectual Property Rights’ regime that seeks to create private monopolies for such technologies. If GM technology is largely corporate driven, it seeks to maximize profits and that too in the short run. That is why corporations make major investments for herbicide-tolerant and pest-resistant crops. Such properties have only a short window, as soon enough, pests and weeds will evolve to overcome such resistance. This suits the corporations. The National Farmers Commission pointed out that priority must be given in genetic modification to the incorporation of genes that can help impart resistance to drought, salinity and other stresses.

CSAT 2019 · Q42

Reading comprehension Medium

On the basis of the above passage, the following assumptions have been made:

  1. 1.The issue of effects of natural calamities on agriculture is not given due consideration by GM technology companies.
  2. 2.In the long run, GM technology will not be able to solve agricultural problems arising due to global warming.

Which of the above assumptions is/are valid?

Answer & explanation

Answer: (a) 1 only

Companies invest in herbicide and pest resistance for quick profits, while resistance to drought, salinity and other stresses — the effects of natural calamities — is what the Commission says must come first. So those effects are not getting due attention. The passage never says GM cannot solve such problems; it wants GM aimed at them.

  • ✓ 1. Priority 'must be given' to drought and salinity resistance, which corporations, chasing short-run profit, are not pursuing.
  • ✗ 2. The passage says genes 'can help impart resistance to drought, salinity and other stresses'; it does not predict GM's long-run failure.

Remember · Don't confuse 'the technology is misdirected' with 'the technology cannot work'; the passage criticises priorities, not potential.

Question and answer: UPSC's official GS Paper II (2019, Series A) — paper ↗ · answer key ↗. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 30 Sept 2026 (how we verify). ·

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