1
UPSC Civil Service Prelims Paper II 2023 (CSAT)
MCQ (Single Correct Answer)
+2.5
-0.833
Change Language
To tackle the problem of pollution in cities, policy makers think that drastic actions like temporary use of odd-even number scheme for vehicles, closing schools, factories, construction activities, and banning the use of certain type of vehicles are a way forward. Even then the air is not clean. Vehicles more than 15 years old comprise one percent of the total; and taking them off the road will not make any difference. Banning certain fuels and car types arbitrarily is not proper. Diesel engines produce more PM 2.5 and less CO2 than petrol or CNG engines. On the other hand, both diesel and CNG engines produce more NOx than petrol engines. No one has measured the amount of NOx that CNG engines are emitting. Arbitrary bans on vehicles that have passed mandated fitness tests and periodic pollution tests are unfair. What is needed is the scientific and reliable information about the source of pollutants on a continuing basis and the technologies that will work to reduce pollution from them.
Which one of the following statements best reflects the most logical and rational implication conveyed by the passage?
A
Arbitrary curbs on vehicles to reduce pollution are difficult to implement.
B
Knee-jerk reactions cannot solve the problem of pollution but an evidence-based approach will be more effective.
C
A heavy penalty should be enforced on those driving without periodic pollution tests.
D
In the absence of laws to deal with the problems of pollution, the administration tends to make arbitrary decisions.
2
UPSC Civil Service Prelims Paper II 2023 (CSAT)
MCQ (Single Correct Answer)
+2.5
-0.833
Change Language
Good corporate governance structures encourage companies to provide accountability and control. A fundamental reason why corporate governance has moved onto the economic and political agenda worldwide has been the rapid growth in international capital markets. Effective corporate governance enhances access to external financing by firms, leading to greater investment, higher growth and employment. Investors look to place their funds where the standards of disclosure, of timely and accurate financial reporting, and of equal treatment to all stakeholders are met.
Which of the following statements best reflects the logical inference from the passage given above?
A
It is an important agenda of the countries around the world to ensure access to good external financing.
B
Good corporate governance improves the credibility of the firms.
C
International capital markets ensure that the firms maintain good corporate governance.
D
Good corporate governance paves the way for robust supply chains.
3
UPSC Civil Service Prelims Paper II 2023 (CSAT)
MCQ (Single Correct Answer)
+2.5
-0.833
Change Language
Elephants are landscape architects, creating clearings in the forest, preventing overgrowth of certain plant species and allowing space for the regeneration of others, which in turn provide sustenance to other herbivorous animals. Elephants eat plants, fruits and seeds, propagating the seeds when they defecate in other places as they travel. Elephant dung provides nourishment to plants and animals and acts as a breeding ground for insects. In times of drought, they access water by digging holes which benefits other wildlife.
Which one of the following statements best reflects the most logical and rational inference that can be drawn from the passage?
A
The home range of elephants needs to be a vast area of rich biodiversity.
B
Elephants are the keystone species and they benefit the biodiversity.
C
Rich biodiversity cannot be maintained in the forests without the presence of elephants.
D
Elephants are capable of regenerating forests with species as per their requirement.
4
UPSC Civil Service Prelims Paper II 2023 (CSAT)
MCQ (Single Correct Answer)
+2.5
-0.833
Change Language
In India, the segregation of municipal waste at source is rare. Recycling is mostly with the informal sector. More than three-fourths of the municipal budget goes into collection and transportation, which leaves very little for processing/resource recovery and disposal. Where does waste-to-energy fit into all this ? Ideally it fits in the chain after segregation (between wet waste and the rest), collection, recycling, and before getting to the landfill. Which technology is most appropriate in converting waste to energy depends on what is in the waste (that is biodegradable versus non-biodegradable component) and its calorific value. The biodegradable component of India's municipal solid waste is a little over 50 per cent, and biomethanation offers a major solution for processing this.

Based on the above passage, the following assumptions have been made:

1. Collection, processing and segregation of municipal waste should be with government agencies.

2. Resource recovery and recycling require technological inputs that can be best handled by private sector enterprises.

Which of the assumptions given above is/are correct?

A
1 only
B
2 only
C
Both 1 and 2
D
Neither 1 nor 2
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