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UPSC CSE CSAT 2020 · Question 25 · Reading comprehension

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

Passage—4

Our urban bodies cannot possibly ensure sustainable delivery of water in our cities unless financing mechanisms are put in place. Water delivery requires heavy investment in collecting it from a natural source, treating it to make it potable, and laying a distribution network of pipes for delivery to the users. It also requires investments in sewerage infrastructure and sewage treatment plants so that the sewers can carry the wastewater to these plants to ensure that no untreated sewage is discharged back into natural water bodies. If our cities were rich enough to meet the entire cost, water could be delivered free. They are not.

CSAT 2020 · Q25

Reading comprehension Easy

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

  1. 1.Rich cities only can ensure sustainable delivery of water.
  2. 2.Sustainable delivery of water in cities means much more than supplying water to households.

Which of the above assumptions is/are valid?

Answer & explanation

Answer: (b) 2 only

Sustainable delivery, as described, involves collecting, treating and piping water and also building sewers and treatment plants — far more than supplying households. The passage does not say only rich cities can manage it; any city can, once financing mechanisms are in place.

  • ✗ 1. Riches would allow water to be delivered 'free'; sustainable delivery needs 'financing mechanisms', which cities that are not rich can also put in place.
  • ✓ 2. It includes collecting and treating water, a distribution network, sewerage and sewage treatment so that 'no untreated sewage is discharged' into water bodies.

Remember · Test 'only' claims against the passage: if it names another way to reach the goal, the 'only' assumption fails.

Question and answer: UPSC's official GS Paper II (2020, Series A) — paper ↗ · answer key ↗. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 30 Sept 2026 (how we verify). ·

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