Understanding CSAT – Civil Service Preliminary Exam Model Questions

What is CSAT?

The term CSAT ( Civil Service Aptitude Test) is not official from UPSC. You will not find this term in anywhere in the UPSC notifications. But ever since UPSC changed the Civil Service Preliminary Exam structure in 2011, the preliminary stage is popularly known by the term CSAT. Certain coaching centers call only the second paper in Preliminary Exam as CSAT.

But to be precise, the name of Civil Services Preliminary Exam is Civil Services Preliminary Exam itself even now! This stage consitsts of two papers and the names of the papers as printed in UPSC test booklets are – General Studies Paper 1 and General Studies Paper 2. Now have a look at few model questions, taken from previous prelims question papers.

Model Questions for General Studies Paper 1 ( Civil Service Prelims)

How does National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) help in protecting the Indian agriculture?
1. NBA checks the biopiracy and protects the indigenous and traditional genetic resources.
2. NBA directly monitors and supervises the scientific research on genetic modification of crop plants.
3. Application for intellectual Property Rights related to genetic/biological resources cannot be made without the approval of NBA.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a) 1 only b) 2 and 3 only c) 1 and 3 only d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans : D 

Consider the following statements:
1. Union Territories are not represented in the Rajya Sabha.
2. It is within the purview of the Chief Election Commissioner to adjudicate the election disputes.
3. According to the Constitution of India, the Parliament consists of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha only.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a) 1 only b) 2 and 3 onlyc) 1 and 3 only d) None
Ans : D 

Model Questions for General Studies Paper 2 ( Civil Service Prelims)

Read the following three passages and answer the items that follow each passage. Your answers to these items should be based on the passages only.

The need for Competition Law becomes more evident when foreign direct investment (FDI) is liberalised. The impact of FDI is not always pro-competitive. Very often FDI takes the form of a foreign corporation acquiring a domestic enterprise or establishing a joint venture with one. By making such an acquisition the foreign investor may substantially lessen competition and gain a dominant position in the relevant market, thus charging higher prices. Another scenario is where the affiliates of two separate multinational companies (MNCs) have been established in competition with one another in a particular developing economy, following the liberalisation of FDI. Subsequently, the parent companies overseas merge. With the affiliates no longer remaining independent, competition in the host country may be virtually eliminated and the prices of the products may be artificially inflated. Most of these adverse consequences of mergers and acquisitions by MNCs can be avoided if an effective competition law is in place. Also, an economy that has implemented aneffective competition law is in a better position to attract FDI than one that has not. This is not just because most MNCs are expected to be accustomed to the operation of such a law in their home countries and know how to deal with such concerns but also that MNCs expect competition authorities to ensure a level playing field between domestic and foreign firms.

Qn 1). With reference to the passage, consider the
following statements
1. It is desirable that the impact of Foreign Direct
Investment should be pro-competitive.
2. The entry of foreign investors invariably leads
to the inflated prices in domestic markets.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans : A

Qn 2). According to the passage, how does a foreign
investor dominate the relevant domestic market?
l. Multinational companies get accustomed to
domestic laws.
2. Foreign companies establish joint ventures with
domestic companies.
3. Affiliates in a particular market/sector lose their
independence as their parent companies
overseas merge.
4. Foreign companies lower the cost of their
products as compared to that of products of
domestic companies.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1, 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Ans B

Qn 3). What is the inference from this passage?
(a) Foreign investors and multinational companies
always dominate the domestic market.
(b) It is not in the best interests of the domestic
economy to allow mergers of companies.
(c) With competition law, it is easy to ensure a
level playing field between domestic and foreign
firms.
(d) For countries with open economy, Foreign
Direct Investment is essential for growth.
Ans C

Mr. Kumar drives to work at an average speed of 48 km per hour. The time taken to cover the first
60% of the distance is 10 minutes more than the time taken to cover the remaining distance. How far is his office?
(a) 30 km (b) 40 km
(c) 45 km (d) 48 km
Ans : B