UPSC Prelims 2013·CSAT·Decision Making·Administrative Scenarios

You are in-charge of implementing the Family Planning programme in an area where there is a strong opposition to the present policy. You want to convince the residents of the need for keeping small families. What would be the best way of communicating this message?

Dalvoy logo
Reviewed by Dalvoy
UPSC Civil Services preparation
Last updated 23 May 2026, 3:31 pm IST
  1. ABy logically explaining to the residents the need for family planning to improve the health and living standardsCorrect
  2. BBy encouraging late marriages and proper spacing of children
  3. CBy offering incentives for adopting family planning devices
  4. DBy asking people who have been sterilized or are using contraceptives to directly talk to the residents.

Explanation

The best way to convince residents with strong opposition is to address their concerns and provide a clear, logical rationale that benefits them directly. A) By logically explaining to the residents the need for family planning to improve the health and living standards. This option directly tackles the "strong opposition" by providing a logical, benefit-oriented explanation. It focuses on how family planning improves the residents' own lives (health, living standards), making it relatable and convincing rather than coercive. This approach builds understanding and trust, which is crucial when facing opposition. B) By encouraging late marriages and proper spacing of children. This describes specific family planning practices, not the primary method of convincing people who are already opposed to the idea of small families. It assumes acceptance of the need, which is not the case here. C) By offering incentives for adopting family planning devices. While incentives can increase adoption, they don't necessarily *convince* people of the fundamental *need* for small families, especially in the face of strong opposition. Incentives might be seen as coercive or a temporary measure, and the underlying opposition could persist or even strengthen. D) By asking people who have been sterilized or are using contraceptives to directly talk to the residents. Peer-to-peer communication can be effective, but in an area with "strong opposition," this could be counterproductive or even put the individuals at risk of ostracization. It might not be the best *initial* strategy to overcome widespread, deeply rooted opposition. A logical explanation (Option A) provides the foundational understanding first.
Decision Making: You are in-charge of implementing the Family Planning programme in an area where there is a strong opposition to the pre

Related questions

More UPSC Prelims practice from the same subject and topic.