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CSAT 2020 paper

UPSC CSE CSAT 2020 · Question 44 · Reading comprehension

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

Passage—4

In India, authorities always look to store the maximum amount of water in reservoirs during the monsoon season, which is then used for irrigation and generation of electricity during the summer months. It is an internationally accepted practice that the water level of a reservoir should be kept below a certain level before the onset of monsoon season. This is so that when monsoon rains come, there is space to store the excess rainwater and also so that water can be released in a regulated manner. But the authorities store the maximum amount of water in reservoirs even before the close of the monsoon, only to ensure greater electricity generation and irrigation.

CSAT 2020 · Q44

Reading comprehension Hard

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

  1. 1.High risks involved in holding maximum water in reservoirs are due to our over-dependence on hydropower projects.
  2. 2.Storage capacity of dams should not be fully used before or during monsoon season.
  3. 3.Role of dams in flood control is underestimated in India.

Which of the above assumptions is/are valid?

Answer & explanation

Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3

Why not the tempting option · UPSC's key accepts all three assumptions. Statement 1 is the weakest, because the passage blames the drive for electricity and irrigation rather than 'over-dependence on hydropower'; but statements 2 and 3 both follow from the passage, and only option (d) contains both, so (d) is the best answer available. In the exam, settle the clear statements first and let the options decide a doubtful one.

The author contrasts the international practice of keeping a reservoir below a set level before the monsoon, so that excess rain can be stored and released in a regulated way, with Indian authorities who fill reservoirs early for power and irrigation. Statement 2 restates that practice, statement 3 is what the author's criticism rests on, and statement 1 names the drive for electricity that the passage blames; UPSC's key accepts all three.

  • ✓ 1. The passage says authorities fill reservoirs early 'only to ensure greater electricity generation and irrigation'; the push for power output is treated as the reason for the risky practice. This is the loosest of the three statements, but only option (d) contains both 2 and 3, so it must be taken as valid.
  • ✓ 2. The accepted practice is to keep the level 'below a certain level before the onset of monsoon season' so that there is 'space to store the excess rainwater'.
  • ✓ 3. By leaving no space for excess rain and regulated release, the authorities act as if a dam's flood-cushioning role mattered less than power and irrigation; the author's complaint assumes that role is being under-valued.

Remember · When two statements are clearly valid, let the option grid decide the third: only (d) holds both 2 and 3.

Question and answer: UPSC's official GS Paper II (2020, Series A) — paper ↗ · answer key ↗. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 1 Oct 2026 (how we verify). ·

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