UPSC CSE Prelims Paper 2 CSAT Question Paper (May 20, 2012);
UPSC CSE 2012 Prelims CSAT (Paper 2) was conducted on 20 May 2012. This paper, known as the Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT), is qualifying in nature and assesses candidates on comprehension, logical reasoning, analytical ability, and quantitative aptitude. It consists of 80 multiple-choice questions with a total weightage of 200 marks, requiring candidates to secure at least 33% (66 marks) to qualify. The exam is designed to test problem-solving skills and decision-making abilities essential for future civil servants.
Q1.
Read the following passages and answer the items that follow each passages. your answer to these items should be based on passage on the only. Education, without a doubt, has an important functional, instrumental and utilitarian dimensions. This is revealed when one asked questions such as what is the purpose of education ? The answers, too often, are to acquire qualifications for employment/upward mobility. Wider/hirer (in terms of income) opportunities and to meet the needs for trained human power in diverse field for national development. But in its deepest sense education is not instrumentalist, that is to say, it is not to be justified outside of itself because it leads to the acquisition of formal skills or of certain desired psychological - social attributes. It must be respected in itself. Education is, thus, not a commodity to be acquired or possessed and then used; but a process of inestimable importance to individual and society, although it can and does have enormous use value. Education then, is a process of expansion and conversion not in the sense of converting or turning student into doctor or engineer, but the widening and turning out of the mind the creation, sustenance and development of self-critical awareness and independence of thought. It is an inner process of moral - intellectual development.
What do you understand by the 'instrumentalist' view of education ?
Q2.
Read the following passages and answer the items that follow each passages. your answer to these items should be based on passage on the only. Education, without a doubt, has an important functional, instrumental and utilitarian dimensions. This is revealed when one asked questions such as what is the purpose of education ? The answers, too often, are to acquire qualifications for employment/upward mobility. Wider/hirer (in terms of income) opportunities and to meet the needs for trained human power in diverse field for national development. But in its deepest sense education is not instrumentalist, that is to say, it is not to be justified outside of itself because it leads to the acquisition of formal skills or of certain desired psychological - social attributes. It must be respected in itself. Education is, thus, not a commodity to be acquired or possessed and then used; but a process of inestimable importance to individual and society, although it can and does have enormous use value. Education then, is a process of expansion and conversion not in the sense of converting or turning student into doctor or engineer, but the widening and turning out of the mind the creation, sustenance and development of self-critical awareness and independence of thought. It is an inner process of moral - intellectual development.
According to the passage, education must be respected in itself because