1
UPSC Civil Service Prelims Paper II 2023 (CSAT)
MCQ (Single Correct Answer)
+2.5
-0.833
Change Language
We often hear about conflicts among different States in India over river waters. Of the 20 major river systems, 14 are already water-stressed; 75% of the population lives in water-stressed regions, a third of whom live in water-scarce areas. Climate change, the demands of rising population and the need for agriculture to keep pace, and increased rate of urbanization and industrialization will exacerbate water stress. According to the Constitution of India, water is a State subject and not that of the Union, except for regulation of inter-State rivers. Key to ensuring balance between competing demands of various stakeholders is a basin-based approach to allocate water amongst constituent regions and States. Allocating fair share of water to them requires assessments based on objective criteria, such as specificities of the river basin, size of dependent population, existing water use and demand, efficiency of use, projected future use, etc. while ensuring the environmental needs of the river and aquifers.
Which one of the following statements best reflects the most rational, practical and immediate action required to ensure fair and equitable allocation of water to different stakeholders?
A
A national, pragmatic, legal and policy framework for water allocation should be made.
B
All river systems of the country should be linked and huge aquifers created.
C
Water channels between regions of water surplus and regions of water deficit should be created.
D
To mitigate water crisis, water demand of sectors such as agriculture and industry should be reduced.
2
UPSC Civil Service Prelims Paper II 2023 (CSAT)
MCQ (Single Correct Answer)
+2.5
-0.833
Change Language
More than half of Indian women and almost a quarter of Indian men of working age suffer from anaemia. According to studies, they are anywhere from 5-15% less productive than they could be, as a result thereof. India also has the largest tuberculosis burden in the world, costing 170 million workdays to the country annually. But what is just as important as lost productivity now is lost potential in the future. It is becoming increasingly clear that on many measures of cognitive ability, malnourished Indian children perform two or three times worse than their adequately nourished peers. For an economy that will be more dependent on highly skilled workers, this poses a significant challenge. And it is one that really should be addressed given India's demographic outlook.
Which one of the following statements best reflects what is implied by the passage?
A
Education system must be strengthened in rural areas.
B
Large scale and effective implementation of skill development programme is the need of the hour.
C
For economic development, health and nutrition of only skilled workers needs special attention.
D
For rapid economic growth as envisaged by us, attention should be paid to health and nutrition of the people.
3
UPSC Civil Service Prelims Paper II 2023 (CSAT)
MCQ (Single Correct Answer)
+2.5
-0.833
Change Language
In India, a majority of farmers are marginal and small, less educated and possess low adaptive capabilities to climate change, perhaps because of credit and other constraints. So, one cannot expect autonomous adaptation to climate change. Even if it was possible, it would not be sufficient to offset losses from climate change. To deal with this, adaptation to climate change is paramount, alongside a fast mitigation response. Another solution is to have a planned or policy-driven adaptation, which would require the government to come up with policy recommendations. Perception is a necessary pre-requisite for adaptation. Whether farmers are adapting agricultural practices to climate change depends on whether they perceive it or not. However, this is not always enough for adaptation. It is important how a farmer perceives the risks associated with climate change.
Which one of the following statements best reflects the most logical and rational message conveyed by the author of the passage?
A
Adaptation to climate change and mitigation response are basically the responsibilities of the government.
B
Climate change causes a change in government policies regarding land use patterns in the country.
C
Risk perceptions of farmers are important for motivating them for taking adaptation decisions.
D
Since mitigation is not possible, governments should come up with policies for quick response to climate change.
4
UPSC Civil Service Prelims Paper II 2023 (CSAT)
MCQ (Single Correct Answer)
+2.5
-0.833
Change Language

The emissions humans put into the atmosphere now will affect the climate in the middle of the century and onwards. Technological change, meanwhile, could make a future transition away from fossil fuels cheap or it might not, leaving the world with a terrible choice between sharply reducing emissions at huge cost or suffering through the effects of unabated warming. Businesses that do not hedge against the threat of uncertain outcomes fail. The world cannot afford such recklessness on climate change.

Which one of the following statements best reflects the crucial message conveyed by the author of the passage?
A
Businesses that cause emissions may need to close down or pay for pollution in future.
B
The only solution is technological development related to the issues of climate change.
C
Waiting to deal with carbon emissions until technology improves is not a wise strategy.
D
Since future technological change is uncertain, new industries should be based on renewable energy sources.
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