UPSC Prelims 2025·CSAT·Reading Comprehension·Passage Comprehension

In our country, handlooms are equated with a culture that ensures a continuity of tradition. This idea has become part of the public policy- framing and provides a legitimate basis for the State to support the sector. But the notion of tradition as a single, linear entity is being strongly contested today. The narratives dominant in defining culture/tradition in a particular way are seen to have emerged as the identities and histories of large sections. The discounted and, at times, forcibly stifled identities are fighting for their rightful place in history. Against this backdrop, when we promote handloom as a traditional industry, it is not surprising that large sections of our population choose to ignore it. With reference to the above passage, the following assumptions have been made: I. There is no need for the State to be involved in any manner in the handloom sector. II. Handloom products are no longer appealing and attractive in the rapidly changing modern world. Which of the above assumptions is/are valid?

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Last updated 23 May 2026, 3:31 pm IST
  1. AI only
  2. BII only
  3. CBoth I and II
  4. DNeither I nor IICorrect

Explanation

The passage critiques the *basis* for state support of handlooms (the notion of a single, linear tradition) and explains *why* certain sections ignore it (due to contested narratives of tradition), but it does not make the assumptions in statements I or II. Statement I: "There is no need for the State to be involved in any manner in the handloom sector." The passage questions the *legitimacy* of the *current basis* for state support, not the need for state involvement altogether. It implies that the current approach is flawed, leading to exclusion, but doesn't advocate for complete state withdrawal. Thus, this assumption is invalid. Statement II: "Handloom products are no longer appealing and attractive in the rapidly changing modern world." The passage states that large sections ignore handlooms because of how they are *promoted* as a traditional industry based on contested narratives, not because the products themselves lack appeal or attractiveness in the modern world. The problem is with the cultural framing and identity, not the product's inherent marketability. Thus, this assumption is invalid. Since neither assumption is valid, D is the correct answer.
Reading Comprehension: In our country, handlooms are equated with a culture that ensures a continuity of tradition. This idea has become part o
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