When talks come to how India has done for itself in 50 years of Independence, the world has nothing but praise for our success in remaining a democracy. On other fronts, the applause is less loud. In absolute terms, India has not done too badly, of course, life expectancy has increased. So has literacy. Industry, which was barely a fledging, has grown tremendously. And as far as agriculture is concerned, India has been transformed from a country perpetually on the edge of starvation into a success story held up for others to emulate. But these are competitive times when change is rapid, and to walk slowly when the rest of the world is running is almost as bad as standing still on walking backwards.
Compared with large chunks of what was then the developing world — South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, China and what was till lately a separate Hong Kong —India has fared abysmally. It began with a far better infrastructure than most of these countries had. It suffered hardly or not at all during the Second World War. It had advantages like an English-speaking elite, quality scientific manpower (including a Nobel laureate and others who could be ranked among the world’s best) and excellent business acumen. Yet, today, when countries are ranked according to their global competitiveness, it is tiny Singapore that figures at the top. Hong Kong is an export powerhouse. So is Taiwan. If a symbol were needed of how far we have fallen back, note that while Korean Cielos are sold in India, no one is South Korea is rushing to buy an Indian car. The reasons list themselves. Topmost is economic isolationism.
The government discouraged imports and encouraged self-sufficiency. Whatever the aim was, the result was the creation of a totally inefficient industry that failed to keep pace with global trends and, therefore, became absolutely uncompetitive. Only when the trade gates were opened a little did this become apparent. The years since then have been spent in merely trying to catch up. That the government actually sheltered its industrialists from foreign competition is a little strange. For in all other respects, it operated under the conviction that businessmen were little more than crooks who were to be prevented from entering the most important areas of the economy, how were to be hamstrung in as many ways as possible, how were to be tolerated in the same way as an inexcusable wart. The high expropriatory rates of taxation, the licensing laws, the reservation of whole swathes of industry for the public sector, and the granting of monopolies to the public sector firms were the principal manifestations of this attitude. The government forgot that before wealth could be distributed, it had to be created.
The government forgot that it itself could not create, but only squander wealth. Some of the manifestations of the old attitude have changed. Tax rates have fallen. Licensing has been all but abolished. And the gates of global trade have been opened wide. But most of these changes were first by circumstances partly by the foreign exchange bankruptcy of 1991 and the recognition that the government could no longer muster the funds of support the public sector, leave alone expand it. Whether the attitude of the government itself, or that of more than handful of ministers, has changed, is open to question. In many other ways, however, the government has not changed one with. Business still has to negotiate a welter of negotiations. Transparency is still a longer way off. And there is no exit policy. In defending the existing policy, politicians betray an inability to see beyond their noses. A no-exit policy for labour is equivalent to a no-entry policy for new business. If one industry is not allowed to retrench labour, other industries will think a hundred times before employing new labour. In other ways too, the government hurts industry.
Public sector monopolies like the department of telecommunications and Videsh Sanchar Nigam Ltd. make it possible for Indian business to operate only at a cost several times that of their counterparts abroad. The infrastructure is in a shambles partly because it is unable to formulate a sufficiently remunerative policy for private business, and partly because it does not have the stomach to charge market rates for services. After a burst of activity in the early nineties, the government is dragging its feet. At the rate it is going, it will be fifty years before the government realises the need to change to a pro-people policy
The writer’s attitude towards the Government is...
Show Hint
- critical
- ironical
- sarcastic
- derisive
The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
The writer is surprised at the Government’s attitude towards its industrialists because……
Show Hint
- the government did not need to protect its industrialists.
- the issue of competition was non-existent.
- the government looked upon its industrialists as crooks.
- the attitude was a conundrum.
The Correct Option is C
Solution and Explanation
The passage explicitly states:
\(\textit{"the government actually sheltered its industrialists from foreign competition… it operated under the conviction that businessmen were little more than crooks."}\)
This contradiction is the root of the writer’s surprise — the government protected industrialists while simultaneously distrusting them. Hence, option (C) accurately captures the reason for the surprise.
The Government was compelled to open the economy due to….
Show Hint
- pressure from international market.
- foreign change bankruptcy and paucity of funds with the government.
- foreign change bankruptcy and paucity of funds with the government.
- All of the above.
The Correct Option is C
Solution and Explanation
The passage clearly mentions:
\(\textit{"Most of these changes were forced by circumstances, partly by the foreign exchange bankruptcy of 1991 and the recognition that the government could no longer muster the funds to support the public sector."}\)
There is no mention of pressure from domestic or international markets in this context. Hence, the correct answer is (C), not (D).
The writer ends the passage on a note of…..
Show Hint
- cautious optimism
- pessimism
- optimism
- pragmatism
The Correct Option is B
Solution and Explanation
The final lines are gloomy:
\(\textit{"After a burst of activity in the early nineties, the government is dragging its feet... it will be fifty years before the government realises the need to change to a pro-people policy."}\)
This statement shows deep frustration and little hope for improvement — which is clearly pessimistic. There is no sign of optimism or pragmatic resolution here.
According to the writer, India should have performed better than the other Asian nations because...
Show Hint
- it had adequate infrastructure
- it had better infrastructure
- it had better politicians who could take the required decisions
- All of the above
The Correct Option is B
Solution and Explanation
\(\textit{"Most of these changes were forced by circumstances, partly by the foreign exchange bankruptcy of 1991 and the recognition that the government could no longer muster the funds to support the public sector."}\)
The passage points out that India started with significant advantages over other Asian nations. Among these were a solid infrastructure, an English-speaking elite, and scientific and business capabilities.
But notably, the line:
\(\textit{"It began with a far better infrastructure than most of these countries had..."}\)
suggests that this was a core reason the writer believed India should have done better.
Option (B) is more precise and accurate than the generic (A), making it the best choice.
India was in better condition than the other Asian nations because...
Show Hint
- it did not face the ravages of the Second World War
- it had an English-speaking populace and good business sense
- it had enough wealth through its exports
- Both (a) and (b) above
The Correct Option is D
Solution and Explanation
The author mentions that India \(\textit{"suffered hardly or not at all during the Second World War"}\) and \(\textit{"had advantages like an English-speaking elite"}\) and \(\textit{"excellent business acumen."}\)
These are listed as key factors that put India in a better position. Both (A) and (B) are directly supported, so option (D) is correct.
The major reason for India’s poor performance is...
Show Hint
- economic isolationism
- economic mismanagement
- inefficient industry
- All of these
The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
One of the factors of the government’s protectionist policy was...
Show Hint
- encouragement of imports
- discouragement of imports
- encouragement of exports
- discouragement of exports
The Correct Option is B
Solution and Explanation
The writer states:
\(\textit{"The government discouraged imports and encouraged self-sufficiency."}\)
This clearly identifies “discouragement of imports” as a key part of the protectionist strategy. Thus, option (B) is correct.
The other options either contradict the text or are not mentioned.
The example of the Korean Cielo has been presented to highlight…
Show Hint
- India’s lack of stature in the international market
- India’s poor performance in the international market
- India’s lack of creditability in the international market
- India’s disrepute in the international market
The Correct Option is B
Solution and Explanation
According to the writer…..
Show Hint
- India’s politicians are myopic in their vision of the country’s requirements.
- India’s politicians are busy lining their pockets.
- India’s politicians are not conversant with the needs of the present scenario.
- All of the above
The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
GRANDIOSE
Show Hint
- imposing
- unpretentious
- boring
- lanky
The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
SPRY
Show Hint
- doubtful
- nimble
- prognosticate
- leave
The Correct Option is B
Solution and Explanation
FUDGE
Show Hint
- to sweeten
- smear
- irritate
- falsify
The Correct Option is D
Solution and Explanation
Top Questions on Reading Comprehension
- State whether the following statements are true or false: (i) Global warming is creating a lot of problems
True or False (ii) Many species have not become extinct
True or False (iii) Air and sound pollution are the main causes of animal extinction
True or False (iv) Animals live in forests and oceans
True or False- Maharashtra Class X Board - 2026
- English
- Reading Comprehension
Write any four problems faced by the animals that thrive in forests and oceans:
- Maharashtra Class X Board - 2026
- English
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Verbal to Non-Verbal:
A stain is an unwanted mark of discolouration on a fabric caused due to contact with another substance which cannot be removed by the normal washing process. Stains can be grouped on the basis of their origin, e.g. tea, coffee and fruits come from vegetable source. Stains from shoe polish, tar, oil paints come under grease stains. Animal stains comprise of stains formed by milk, blood and eggs, whereas marks on your clothes after sitting on an iron bench are those of rust and come under mineral stains. Then there are stains that are formed due to dye, into perspiration which can be categorised under miscellaneous stains. Read the given passage and complete the table. Suggest a suitable title.
- Maharashtra Class X Board - 2026
- English
- Reading Comprehension
- Each of these questions has a text portion followed by four alternative summaries. best captures the essence of the text.
Some decisions will be fairly obvious "no brainers". Your bank account is low, but you have a two-week vacation coming up and you want to get away to someplace warm to relax with your family. Will you accept your in-laws' offer of free use of their Florida beachfront condo? Sure. You like your employer and feel ready to move forward in your career. Will you step in for your boss for three weeks while she attends a professional development course? Of course.- MAT - 2026
- English Language Comprehension
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- Shown below are letters ‘e’ taken from four popular logos, arranged in a sequence. Which of the options is the correct sequence?
- UCEED - 2026
- English Language Comprehension
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Questions Asked in CLAT exam
- In a language laboratory, students were given an interesting puzzle involving the word "ELECTROCARDIOGRAPH." The teacher explained that such exercises not only test logical skills but also sharpen attention to detail. According to the challenge, the word had to undergo a series of transformations. First, the class was asked to take the first half of the letters, reverse their order and make the arrangement of letters look quite different from the original. Next, the students were told to identify the last but one letter of the original word and place it at the very beginning, a step that changed the opening appearance of the sequence completely. Finally, as a finishing touch, they had to add the letter 'S' at the end. Following these steps carefully would lead them to the correct transformed word, and only those who adhered to each condition in the exact order could solve the puzzle successfully. (150 words)
- CLAT - 2026
- Coding Decoding
On the night of October 12th, the "Sunburst Medallion" was stolen from the highly secured display case in the city museum. The theft occurred sometime between the museum closing at 10:00 PM and the night guard, Mr. Hemant, completing his final round at 1:00 AM. Three primary suspects were identified, all of whom had recently been dismissed from their museum positions: Anjali, the former curator; Bharat, the former security expert; and Chitra, the former exhibits designer.
Here are the established facts and their alibis:
- The security system logs show that the display case was opened using a specific five-digit code, which only Anjali and the museum director (who was out of the country) knew.
- Bharat's alibi is that he was at a distant relative's birthday party from 8:00 PM to 1:30 AM. Multiple independent witnesses confirmed his presence throughout the entire period.
- Chitra's alibi is that she was working late at a downtown graphic design studio. A time-stamped security camera from the studio's entrance shows her entering at 7:00 PM and exiting at 11:45 PM. The studio is a 20-minute drive from the museum.
- Mr. Hemant, the night guard, stated he checked the medallion at 10:30 PM, and it was still there.
Further investigation revealed that a small, distinctive silver button was found near the display case. Anjali is known to frequently wear a coat with similar unique silver buttons. The security expert, Bharat, had previously boasted that he could remotely disable a certain type of magnetic lock—the same type used on the medallion's case—without needing the code, though the log suggests the code was used. (269 words)
- CLAT - 2026
- Assertion and Reason
In a small town lived a close-knit family where every relation could be expressed through simple symbols. For instance, when they said \( A \times B \), it meant \( A \) is the father of \( B \), while \( A \div B \) meant \( A \) is the mother of \( B \). The younger ones were often introduced with \( A + B \), meaning \( A \) was the daughter of \( B \), and the bond of brotherhood was shown by \( A - B \) (A is brother of B).
One day, the children in the family turned these symbols into a playful code. Instead of introducing their parents and siblings in words, they spoke only in symbols. “Look,” giggled little Meena, “\( M + N \div O \)!” Everyone laughed, because they knew it meant Meena was the daughter of \( N \), and \( N \) was the mother of \( O \), making her \( O \)’s sister. What started as a code soon became a family game, making the bonds of father, mother, daughter, and brother not just relations, but symbols of love and togetherness. (165 words)
- CLAT - 2026
- Blood Relations
Four teams – Red (R), Blue (B), Green (G), and Yellow (Y) – are competing in the final four rounds of the Inter-School Science Olympiad, labeled Round A, Round B, Round C, and Round D. Each round consists of one match between two teams, and every team plays exactly two matches. No team plays the same opponent more than once.
The final schedule must adhere to the following rules:
- Rule 1 (Consecutive Play): The Green team (G) must play their two matches in consecutive rounds.
- Rule 2 (Fixed Appearance): The Yellow team (Y) must play in Round B.
- Rule 3 (Positional Constraint): The Red team (R) must play against the Blue team (B) in a round that is immediately before a round in which neither R nor B is playing.
- Rule 4 (Timing): The Blue team's (B) first match must occur in an earlier round than the Green team's (G) first match.
- Rule 5 (Opponent Link): The team that plays against the Red team (R) in the round that is not against the Blue team (B), is the same team that plays in Round D.
(193 words)
- CLAT - 2026
- Seating Arrangement
Health insurance plays a vital role in ensuring financial protection and access to quality healthcare. In India, however, the extent and nature of health insurance coverage vary significantly between urban and rural areas. While urban populations often have better access to organized insurance schemes, employer-provided coverage, and awareness about health policies, rural populations face challenges such as limited outreach of insurance schemes, inadequate infrastructure, and lower awareness levels. This urban-rural divide in health insurance coverage highlights the broader issue of healthcare inequality, making it essential to analyze the factors contributing to this gap and explore strategies for more inclusive health protection. A state-level health survey was conducted.
The survey covered 1,80,000 adults across urban and rural areas. Urban residents formed 55% of the sample (that is, 99,000 people) while rural residents made up 45% (that is, 81,000 people). In each area, coverage was classified under four heads – Public schemes, Private insurance, Employer-provided coverage, and Uninsured. In urban areas, Public coverage accounted for 28% of the urban population, Private for 22%, Employer for 18%, and the remaining 32% were Uninsured. In rural areas, where formal coverage is generally lower, Public coverage stood at 35%, Private at 10%, Employer at 8%, while 47% were Uninsured.
For this survey, “Insured” includes everyone covered by Public + Private + Employer schemes, and “Uninsured” indicates those with no coverage at all. Officials noted that public schemes remain the backbone of rural coverage, while employer and private plans are relatively more prevalent in urban centres. (250 words)
- CLAT - 2026
- Ratio and Proportion