UPSC CSAT RC PASSAGE 2017-2018

Our municipal corporations are  understaffed. The issue of skills and competencies of the staff poses an even greater challenge. Urban services delivery and infrastructure are complex to plan and execute. They require a high degree of specialization and professionalism. The current framework within which municipal employees, including senior management, are recruited does not adequately factor . in the technical and managerial competencies required. Cadre and recruitment rules only specify the bare minimum in academic qualifications. There is no mention of managerial or technical competencies, or of relevant work experience. This is the case with most municipal corporations. They also suffer from weak organisation design and structure.

Which among the following is the most logical and rational assumption that can be made from the above passage? . 

(a) The task of providing urban services is a complex issue which requires the organisational expansion of municipal bodies all over the country. 

(b) Our cities can provide better quality of life if our local government bodies have adequate staff with required skills and competencies. 

(c) Lack of skilled staff is due to the absence of institutions which offer the requisite skills in city management. 

(d) Our country is not taking advantage of the demographic dividend to manage the problems associated with rapid urbanization. 

ANSWERS:

UPSC CSAT PASSAGE PRACTICE 2017-2018

Flamingos in large flocks in the wild  are social and extremely loyal. They perform group mating dances. Parents are very fond of their chicks, gathering them into creches for protection while both males and females fly off to search for food. 

Which among the following is the most logical corollary to the above passage? 

(a) Mass nesting in all species of birds is essential to ensure complete survival of their offspring. 

(b)  Only birds have the capacity to develop social behaviour and thus can do mass nesting to raise their chicks in safety. 

(c) Social behaviour in some species of birds increases the odds of survival in an unsafe world. 

(d) All species of birds set up crèches for their chicks to teach them social behaviour and loyalty.

Answers:

UPSC CSAT PASSAGE 2017-2018

Vast numbers of Indian citizens  without bank accounts live in rural areas, are financially and functionally illiterate, and have little experience with technology. A research study was conducted in a particular area in which electronic wage payments in Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) are meant to go directly to the poor. It was observed that recipients often assume that the village leader needs to mediate the process, as was the case under the previous paper-based system. Among households under this research study area who claimed to have at least one bank account, over a third reported still receiving MGNREGS wages in cash directly from a village leader.

What is the most logical, rational and crucial message that is implied in the above passage? 

(a) MGNREGS should be extended only to those who have a bank account. 

(b) The paper-based system of payments is more efficient than  electronic payment in the present scenario. 

(c) The goal of electronic wage payments was not to eliminate mediation by village leaders. 

(d) It is essential to provide financial literacy to the rural poor.

answers :