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UPSC CSE CSAT 2019 · Question 62 · Reading comprehension

On the basis of the above passage, the following assumptions have been made: In today’s global…

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

Passage—1

India’s economic footprint, given its population, still remains small compared to the US, the European Union or China. It has much to learn from other economies, yet must implement solutions that fit its unique circumstances. India especially needs an effective long-term regulatory system based on collaboration rather than the current top-down approach. Regulations seek desirable outcomes yet are repeatedly used as political tools to push one agenda or another. Often, regulations fail to consider impacts on jobs and economic growth — or less restrictive alternatives. Regulations may be used to protect local markets at the expense of more widely shared prosperity in the future. Additionally, regulations inevitably result in numerous unintended consequences. In today’s hyper competitive global economy, regulations need to be viewed as “weapons” that seek cost-justified social and environmental benefits while improving the economic well-being of most citizens.

CSAT 2019 · Q62

Reading comprehension Medium

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

In today’s global economy,

  1. 1.regulations are not effectively used to protect local markets.
  2. 2.social and environmental concerns are generally ignored by the governments across the world while implementing the regulations.

Which of the above assumptions is/are valid?

Answer & explanation

Answer: (d) Neither 1 nor 2

The passage says regulations 'may be used to protect local markets', so it does not assume they fail at that. It wants regulations that seek social and environmental benefits, but never says governments across the world generally ignore these concerns.

  • ✗ 1. The author's worry is the opposite: regulations may protect local markets at the cost of wider prosperity. Nothing says they are ineffective at it.
  • ✗ 2. 'Generally ignored … across the world' is sweeping; the passage only says regulations often overlook impacts on jobs, growth and less restrictive alternatives.

Remember · Test each statement against the exact concern named; a reversed or globalised version of the author's worry is not an assumption.

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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