UPSC Prelims 2020— Question 82

This question is retained exactly from the uploaded 2020 GS Paper-I source, but the final Set-B key records Question 82 as dropped. The uploaded source marks option D, while the final key used for verification marks the item as X (dropped). A dropped question should not be treated as having a valid scoring answer. The underlying concept is still useful for study, but the database records the official scoring status rather than forcing an answer choice. Option A — 1 and 2 only: This option is not assigned as a scoring answer because the question was dropped in the final key. It is retained here only as part of the original question and should not be used to infer a marked correct response. Option B — 2 and 4 only: This option is not assigned as a scoring answer because the question was dropped in the final key. It is retained here only as part of the original question and should not be used to infer a marked correct response. Option C — 3 only: This option is not assigned as a scoring answer because the question was dropped in the final key. It is retained here only as part of the original question and should not be used to infer a marked correct response. Option D — 1, 3 and 4 only: This option is not assigned as a scoring answer because the question was dropped in the final key. It is retained here only as part of the original question and should not be used to infer a marked correct response. For UPSC-style elimination, first identify the exact proposition being tested, then evaluate each statement independently before comparing the answer codes. Avoid treating a broad or absolute statement as correct merely because its general theme is familiar. The precise qualifiers in the question—such as 'all', 'only', 'cannot', 'largest', 'always' or a specific institutional role—often determine the answer. Because this item was dropped, the correct database treatment is to preserve the question while recording no scoring option.