Prelims - Smart Questions Solving Technique - ELIMINATION OF EXTREMES

The Elimination Method is one of the most reliable techniques in tackling UPSC CSE Prelims questions, especially when you don't know the correct answer outright. By systematically eliminating incorrect or highly improbable options, you increase the probability of arriving at the right answer. Even if you are unsure of the correct answer, eliminating wrong choices narrows down your options, making it easier to make an informed guess.

How the Elimination Method Works:

1.        Step 1: Read the Question Carefully.

o    Focus on the keywords in the question that can give clues to the correct answer.

o    Understand the context of the question: sometimes questions are phrased in tricky ways, and understanding the intent of the question can help you eliminate irrelevant options.

2.        Step 2: Evaluate Each Option.

o    Even if you're unsure of the correct answer, begin by eliminating the options that you know are definitely incorrect.

o    Use basic logic, general knowledge, or even common sense to evaluate the viability of each option.

3.        Step 3: Narrow Down Your Choices.

o    By eliminating wrong options, reduce the number of choices to two or even one. The remaining options increase the probability of selecting the correct answer.

o    If you're left with two choices, you can make a more educated guess.

4.        Step 4: Guess Confidently if Necessary.

o    After elimination, if you have one or two options left, make an informed guess based on what feels most likely given your knowledge and reasoning.

Question: With reference to India's biodiversity, consider the following statements:

• India has more than 8% of the world's total biodiversity.
• India is one of the 17 megadiverse countries in the world.

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

Step-by-Step Application of Elimination Method:

Step 1: Read the Question Carefully.

• The keywords here are “India’s biodiversity,” and two claims are being made: one about biodiversity percentage and another about India being a megadiverse country.

Step 2: Evaluate Each Option.

• Statement 1: India has more than 8% of the world's total biodiversity.
• This seems reasonable, considering India’s vast variety of ecosystems (rainforests, deserts, wetlands, etc.). You might not know the exact number, but 8% seems plausible.
• Statement 2: India is one of the 17 megadiverse countries in the world.
• India is widely known to be among the megadiverse countries, given its rich variety of ecosystems and species. This is likely true.

Step 3: Eliminate Options.

• Since both statements seem plausible, you can immediately eliminate D (Neither 1 nor 2).
• You’re left with options A (1 only), B (2 only), and C (Both 1 and 2).

Step 4: Narrow Down and Final Answer.

1.        Since both statements seem reasonable, the best answer is likely C (Both 1 and 2).

Final Answer: C (Both 1 and 2).

Common Mistake:

• A common mistake would be to doubt the exact figure of 8% in Statement 1 and eliminate that option, leading you to select B (2 only). However, if both statements seem plausible, it’s better to lean towards choosing C in such cases.

Question: With reference to the Indian Parliament, consider the following statements:

• A private member's bill is a bill introduced by a Member of Parliament who is not a Minister.
• Recently, a private member’s bill has been passed in the Parliament of India for the first time in its history.

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

Step-by-Step Application of Elimination Method:

Step 1: Read the Question Carefully.

1.        The question asks about private members’ bills. The first statement defines a private member's bill, while the second statement claims a recent event related to it.

Step 2: Evaluate Each Option.

• Statement 1: A private member’s bill is a bill introduced by a Member of Parliament who is not a Minister. This is basic knowledge and is correct. Therefore, Statement 1 is true.
• Statement 2: This statement says that a private member’s bill has been passed for the first time in India’s history. This sounds exaggerated because private members' bills have been passed before in Indian parliamentary history (e.g., The Muslim Wakfs Bill in 1952).

Step 3: Eliminate Options.

1.        Since Statement 2 is exaggerated and likely false, eliminate all options containing it:

1.        Eliminate B (2 only).

2.        Eliminate C (Both 1 and 2).

2.        Now, you are left with A (1 only) and D (Neither 1 nor 2). Since Statement 1 is true, eliminate D.

Step 4: Narrow Down and Final Answer.

• The only option left is A (1 only).

Final Answer: A (1 only).

Common Mistake:

• Some students might not be sure about the passage of a private member's bill and could fall for the exaggeration in Statement 2, selecting C (Both 1 and 2). However, knowing the historical context helps here.

Question: Consider the following pairs:

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

A) 1 only

B) 2 and 3 only

C) 2 only

D) None of the above

Step-by-Step Application of Elimination Method:

Step 1: Read the Question Carefully.

1.        The question asks you to match regions with their well-known agricultural products.

Step 2: Evaluate Each Option.

• Pair 1 (Kinnaur - Areca Nut): Kinnaur is a district in Himachal Pradesh, known for its apples, not areca nuts (which are grown in places like Karnataka and Kerala). So, Pair 1 is wrong.
• Pair 2 (Mewat - Guava): Mewat (now Nuh) in Haryana is known for guavas, making this pair correct.
• Pair 3 (Coromandel - Soya Bean): The Coromandel coast is known for crops like rice and groundnuts, not soya beans. So, this pair is incorrect.

Step 3: Eliminate Options.

1.        Since Pair 1 is wrong, eliminate A (1 only).

2.        Since Pair 3 is also incorrect, eliminate B (2 and 3 only).

3.        This leaves you with C (2 only) and D (None of the above).

Step 4: Narrow Down and Final Answer.

• Since Pair 2 is correct, the correct answer is C (2 only).

Final Answer: C (2 only).

Common Mistake:

1.        Some students may not know the correct associations for all regions, leading them to select D (None of the above). However, carefully evaluating known facts about the regions helps eliminate wrong pairs.

Question: With reference to the economy, consider the following statements:

• The Reserve Bank of India’s repo rate is the rate at which it lends to commercial banks.
• A decrease in the repo rate will lead to a decrease in the cost of borrowing for the public.

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

Step-by-Step Application of Elimination Method:

Step 1: Read the Question Carefully.

• The question involves the repo rate, which is a key policy tool of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

Step 2: Evaluate Each Option.

1.        Statement 1: This is true. The repo rate is the rate at which the RBI lends to commercial banks.

2.        Statement 2: A decrease in the repo rate will lower the cost of borrowing for banks, which in turn usually leads to a reduction in borrowing costs for the public. Hence, this statement is also correct.

Step 3: Eliminate Options.

• Since both statements seem true, eliminate A (1 only), B (2 only), and D (Neither 1 nor 2), leaving you with C (Both 1 and 2).

Final Answer: C (Both 1 and 2).

Common Mistake:

• Some students may get confused about how the repo rate affects public borrowing, leading them to incorrectly eliminate Statement 2. However, understanding the basic monetary policy tools of the RBI helps clarify this.

Question: Consider the following statements:

1.        The Parliament of India can place a particular law in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution of India.

2.        The validity of a law placed in the Ninth Schedule cannot be challenged in a court of law.

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

Step-by-Step Application of Elimination Method:

Step 1: Read the Question Carefully.

1.        The question is asking about the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution and its legal implications.

Step 2: Evaluate Each Option.

• Statement 1: It is true that the Parliament can place laws in the Ninth Schedule to shield them from judicial review. So, Statement 1 is correct.
• Statement 2: This was true until the I.R. Coelho case (2007), where the Supreme Court ruled that even laws placed in the Ninth Schedule after 1973 can be challenged if they violate the basic structure of the Constitution. Statement 2 is incorrect.

Step 3: Eliminate Options.

1.        Since Statement 2 is incorrect, eliminate B (2 only) and C (Both 1 and 2).

2.        Now you’re left with A (1 only) and D (Neither 1 nor 2).

Step 4: Narrow Down and Final Answer.

• Since Statement 1 is true, the correct answer is A (1 only).

Final Answer: A (1 only).

Common Mistake:

• Some students may think that laws in the Ninth Schedule are still completely immune to judicial review, leading them to select C (Both 1 and 2), which would be incorrect.

Question: With reference to Indian history, consider the following pairs:

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

A) 1 only

B) 1 and 2 only

C) 2 only

D) 2 and 3 only

Step-by-Step Application of Elimination Method:

Step 1: Read the Question Carefully.

1.        The question asks to match historical movements with their leaders.

Step 2: Evaluate Each Option.

• Pair 1 (Swadeshi Movement - Bal Gangadhar Tilak): While Tilak was a strong proponent of the Swadeshi Movement, the movement is primarily associated with leaders like Lala Lajpat Rai and Bipin Chandra Pal. Tilak was more associated with the Home Rule Movement. Therefore, this pair is incorrect.
• Pair 2 (Home Rule Movement - Annie Besant): This is correct. Annie Besant and Bal Gangadhar Tilak led the Home Rule Movement in 1916.
• Pair 3 (Bardoli Satyagraha - Mahatma Gandhi): This is incorrect. The Bardoli Satyagraha was led by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, not Mahatma Gandhi.

Step 3: Eliminate Options.

• Since Pair 1 and Pair 3 are incorrect, eliminate:

1.        A (1 only),

2.        B (1 and 2 only),

3.        D (2 and 3 only).

• You're left with C (2 only).

Final Answer: C (2 only).

Common Mistake:

• Some students may think Pair 1 is correct due to Tilak’s significant role in the freedom struggle, leading them to choose B or A. However, careful attention to specific movements helps in elimination.

Question: With reference to the economy of India, consider the following statements:

1.        The Nominal Effective Exchange Rate (NEER) is the weighted average of a country's currency relative to a basket of other major currencies.

2.        An increase in NEER indicates a depreciation of the currency.

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

Step-by-Step Application of Elimination Method:

Step 1: Read the Question Carefully.

1.        The question is about the Nominal Effective Exchange Rate (NEER) and its effects on the currency.

Step 2: Evaluate Each Option.

1.        Statement 1: NEER is indeed the weighted average of a country’s currency relative to a basket of other currencies. This is a basic economic fact, so Statement 1 is correct.

2.        Statement 2: This is incorrect because an increase in NEER signifies an appreciation of the currency, not depreciation. When NEER increases, it means the currency is gaining strength relative to others.

Step 3: Eliminate Options.

1.        Since Statement 2 is wrong, eliminate B (2 only) and C (Both 1 and 2).

2.        You're left with A (1 only) and D (Neither 1 nor 2).

3.        Since Statement 1 is correct, the answer is A (1 only).

Final Answer: A (1 only).

Common Mistake:

1.        Some students may get confused about the direction of currency appreciation or depreciation and wrongly select B or C.

Question: Consider the following statements:

1.        The President of India can summon a session of Parliament at such a time and place as he thinks fit.

2.        The Constitution of India provides that there should not be a gap of more than six months between two sessions of Parliament.

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

Step-by-Step Application of Elimination Method:

Step 1: Read the Question Carefully.

1.        The question is about Parliamentary sessions and the powers of the President.

Step 2: Evaluate Each Option.

1.        Statement 1: This is true. The President has the power to summon a session of Parliament, based on Article 85 of the Constitution. The exact place and time are determined by the President on the advice of the Council of Ministers. Statement 1 is correct.

2.        Statement 2: This is also true. According to the Constitution, there must not be a gap of more than six months between two sessions of Parliament. Statement 2 is correct.

Step 3: Eliminate Options.

1.        Since both statements are correct, eliminate A (1 only), B (2 only), and D (Neither 1 nor 2).

2.        The only option left is C (Both 1 and 2).

Final Answer: C (Both 1 and 2).

Common Mistake:

1.        Some students may get confused about the exact time limits and mistakenly believe that the President cannot summon a session freely, leading them to eliminate Statement 1.

Question: Consider the following statements about earthquakes:

1.        Earthquakes primarily occur in volcanic regions.

2.        The intensity of an earthquake is measured on the Richter scale.

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

Step-by-Step Application of Elimination Method:

Step 1: Read the Question Carefully.

1.        The question is about earthquakes and their causes and measurement.

Step 2: Evaluate Each Option.

1.        Statement 1: This is incorrect. While some earthquakes occur in volcanic regions, earthquakes occur due to tectonic plate movements, and most are not related to volcanic activity. Therefore, Statement 1 is wrong.

2.        Statement 2: This is correct. The intensity of an earthquake is indeed measured on the Richter scale, though other scales like the Moment Magnitude Scale (MMS) are also used. Statement 2 is correct.

Step 3: Eliminate Options.

·          Since Statement 1 is incorrect, eliminate options A (1 only) and C (Both 1 and 2).

·          You're left with B (2 only) and D (Neither 1 nor 2).

·          Since Statement 2 is correct, the answer is B (2 only).

Final Answer: B (2 only).

Common Mistake:

1.        Some students might mistakenly associate all earthquakes with volcanic regions, leading them to wrongly select C (Both 1 and 2).

Question: With reference to Indian culture, consider the following statements:

• The Bhakti Movement emphasized personal devotion to a deity and disregarded the need for priests or rituals.
• The Bhakti Movement was prevalent only in South India.

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

Step-by-Step Application of Elimination Method:

Step 1: Read the Question Carefully.

• The question is about the Bhakti Movement, a key religious and cultural movement in Indian history.

Step 2: Evaluate Each Option.

• Statement 1: This is correct. The Bhakti Movement did emphasize personal devotion to a deity (bhakti) and often rejected the importance of priests or rigid rituals. Statement 1 is correct.
• Statement 2: This is incorrect. While the Bhakti Movement initially began in South India, it spread to many other parts of the country, including North India. It was not limited to the South. Statement 2 is wrong.

Step 3: Eliminate Options.

• Since Statement 2 is incorrect, eliminate B (2 only) and C (Both 1 and 2).
• You're left with A (1 only) and D (Neither 1 nor 2).
• Since Statement 1 is correct, the answer is A (1 only).

Final Answer: A (1 only).

Common Mistake:

• Some students may incorrectly think that the Bhakti Movement was confined to South India, leading them to choose C (Both 1 and 2). However, this is incorrect.

The Elimination Method is a powerful strategy when you're uncertain about the correct answer. By systematically analysing each option, identifying incorrect ones, and narrowing down choices, you improve your chances of guessing the right answer. This method works best when you:

• Focus on keywords in the question.
• Think logically about each option.
• Narrow down your choices by eliminating those that are clearly wrong.

With practice, this method can significantly boost your accuracy in solving UPSC Prelims questions.