UPSC Prelims 2019·CSAT·Reading Comprehension·Passage Comprehension

The rural poor across the world, including India, have contributed little to human-induced climate change, yet they are on the frontline in coping with its effects. Farmers can no longer rely on historical averages for rainfall and temperature, and the more frequent and extreme weather events, such as droughts and floods, can spell disaster. And there are new threats, such as sea level rise and the impact of melting glaciers on water supply. How significant are small farms? As many as two billion people worldwide depend on them for their food and livelihood. Small-holder farmers in India produce 41 percent of the country's food grains, and other food items that contribute to local and national food security. The above passage implies that 1. There is a potential problem of food insecurity in India. 2. India will have to strengthen its disaster management capabilities. Which of the above assumptions is/are valid?

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Last updated 23 May 2026, 3:31 pm IST
  1. A1 only
  2. B2 only
  3. CBoth 1 and 2Correct
  4. DNeither 1 nor 2

Explanation

The passage highlights that climate change impacts, such as unreliable weather, droughts, and floods, "can spell disaster" for farmers. Statement 1: There is a potential problem of food insecurity in India. The passage states that small-holder farmers in India produce 41 percent of the country's food grains and contribute to food security. If these farmers face "disaster" due to climate change, their production will be severely affected, directly implying a potential problem of food insecurity. This is a valid implication. Statement 2: India will have to strengthen its disaster management capabilities. The passage explicitly mentions "more frequent and extreme weather events, such as droughts and floods, can spell disaster" and "new threats, such as sea level rise and the impact of melting glaciers." To cope with these increasing and diverse disasters, it is a logical implication that India (as a country facing these issues) would need to strengthen its disaster management capabilities. This is a valid implication. Since both statements are valid implications of the passage, option C is correct. The final answer is C
Reading Comprehension: The rural poor across the world, including India, have contributed little to human-induced climate change, yet they are
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