CSAT UPL 13

Passage 1
Q. A recent Supreme Court judgment highlights the legal and ethical complexities surrounding euthanasia in India. Euthanasia, as defined by the Court in its 2025 ruling, refers to allowing natural death by withholding or withdrawing life-support in patients with terminal illnesses. However, the case of Harish Rana, a man in a vegetative state for over 11 years, raises questions about the application of this ruling. His parents sought permission to remove his Ryles tube, used for feeding, but were denied on the grounds that it is not a life-support system. The Court maintained that passive euthanasia permits the withdrawal of life-prolonging measures like ventilators and dialysis, but a Ryles tube does not fall under that category. Clinically assisted nutrition and hydration, such as feeding through a Ryles tube, is a life-support measure that can be ethically withdrawn in terminally ill patients. Medical ethics emphasizes four key principles: beneficence (acting for the patient’s benefit), non-maleficence (avoiding harm), justice (ensuring patients’ rights), and autonomy (respecting patients' choices). Harish’s case challenges these principles, as prolonging his life adds to his suffering and burdens his aging parents financially and emotionally. The issue also reflects the deep-seated cultural discomfort around death in India. In many cultures, feeding is associated with caregiving and love, making the withdrawal of nutrition emotionally difficult. However, the prolonged use of the Ryles tube is painful and may cause more harm than good, raising concerns about the dignity of both life and death. The judgment raises important questions: Why are courts making medical decisions without consulting palliative care experts? Why must families endure lengthy legal battles in such cases? There is a pressing need to clarify the legal distinction between euthanasia and the withdrawal of futile life-sustaining measures. Public education on Advance Care Planning and Medical Directives can empower individuals to make informed decisions about their end-of-life care.

Question - Which of the following statements best reflect the most logical and rational inference that can be made from the passage?
1. The Supreme Court's interpretation of passive euthanasia does not fully address the ethical and medical complexities of end-of-life decisions.
2. Cultural beliefs and emotional associations with feeding make the withdrawal of nutrition more contentious than withdrawing other life-support measures.
3. There is a need for greater public awareness and legal clarity regarding Advance Care Planning and Medical Directives to empower individuals in making end-of-life decisions.
4. Prolonged medical interventions without clear legal guidelines can lead to unnecessary suffering for patients and financial burdens for their families.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

• 1 and 2 only

• 1, 3, and 4 only

• 2 and 3 only

• All of the above

A recent Supreme Court judgment highlights the legal and ethical complexities surrounding euthanasia in India. Euthanasia, as defined by the Court in its 2025 ruling, refers to allowing natural death by withholding or withdrawing life-support in patients with terminal illnesses. However, the case of Harish Rana, a man in a vegetative state for over 11 years, raises questions about the application of this ruling. His parents sought permission to remove his Ryles tube, used for feeding, but were denied on the grounds that it is not a life-support system. The Court maintained that passive euthanasia permits the withdrawal of life-prolonging measures like ventilators and dialysis, but a Ryles tube does not fall under that category. Clinically assisted nutrition and hydration, such as feeding through a Ryles tube, is a life-support measure that can be ethically withdrawn in terminally ill patients. Medical ethics emphasizes four key principles: beneficence (acting for the patient’s benefit), non-maleficence (avoiding harm), justice (ensuring patients’ rights), and autonomy (respecting patients' choices). Harish’s case challenges these principles, as prolonging his life adds to his suffering and burdens his aging parents financially and emotionally. The issue also reflects the deep-seated cultural discomfort around death in India. In many cultures, feeding is associated with caregiving and love, making the withdrawal of nutrition emotionally difficult. However, the prolonged use of the Ryles tube is painful and may cause more harm than good, raising concerns about the dignity of both life and death. The judgment raises important questions: Why are courts making medical decisions without consulting palliative care experts? Why must families endure lengthy legal battles in such cases? There is a pressing need to clarify the legal distinction between euthanasia and the withdrawal of futile life-sustaining measures. Public education on Advance Care Planning and Medical Directives can empower individuals to make informed decisions about their end-of-life care.

Based on the passage, the following assumptions have been made: 1. Courts making medical decisions without consulting palliative care experts can lead to ethically complex rulings.
2. The burden of prolonged life-support measures can have significant financial and emotional consequences on families.
Which of the above assumptions is/are valid?

• 1 only

• 2 only

• Both 1 and 2

• Neither 1 nor 2

Throughout history, misinformation has played a crucial role in shaping events, from the Roman Empire’s coin-based propaganda to the Nazi regime’s manipulation of mass media. In the modern digital era, misinformation has reached new heights due to the influence of social media platforms. While these platforms help people connect across the globe, they also tend to form echo chambers, which reinforce biases and limit exposure to diverse viewpoints. Despite technological advances, traditional methods such as education and correction have been ineffective in countering the rise of misinformation. To combat this pervasive issue, a multi-faceted strategy is needed, focusing on critical thinking, media literacy, and the creation of strong fact-checking mechanisms.
Q. Which of the following statements most logically reflects the main idea of the passage?

• Social media platforms have made it easier for people to connect globally, thus reducing the spread of misinformation.

• Traditional methods of combating misinformation, such as education, have become more effective in the digital age.

• The spread of misinformation is primarily due to inadequate technological advancements.

• Misinformation has always been a challenge, but its impact is now more dangerous due to the global reach of digital platforms.

Throughout history, misinformation has played a crucial role in shaping events, from the Roman Empire’s coin-based propaganda to the Nazi regime’s manipulation of mass media. In the modern digital era, misinformation has reached new heights due to the influence of social media platforms. While these platforms help people connect across the globe, they also tend to form echo chambers, which reinforce biases and limit exposure to diverse viewpoints. Despite technological advances, traditional methods such as education and correction have been ineffective in countering the rise of misinformation. To combat this pervasive issue, a multi-faceted strategy is needed, focusing on critical thinking, media literacy, and the creation of strong fact-checking mechanisms.
Based on the above passage, the following assumptions have been made:
1. The historical prevalence of misinformation suggests that it is an unavoidable aspect of human society, making modern efforts to combat it ultimately ineffective.
2. While social media platforms have attempted to mitigate misinformation, their efforts have largely focused on technological solutions that fail to address underlying cognitive biases.
Which of the above assumptions is/are correct?

• 1 only

• 2 only

• Both 1 and 2

• Neither 1 nor 2

Power is defined as the ability to achieve desired outcomes in situations where there is conflict. Almost every decision involves some level of contest, so power becomes crucial for getting things
done in such situations. Power is essentially a tool that can be used for both good and evil purposes. People who are at a disadvantage—such as women, people of color, and those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds—are the ones who need power the most. These individuals must overcome significant obstacles to achieve success. How effectively you use your power determines your future success, as it will create a self-fulfilling prophecy, attracting more resources, talent, and eventually, more power.
Based on the above passage, the following assumptions have been made:
1. Power is the only entity that satisfies the criteria of a self-fulfilling prophecy.
2. Power may be used for evil purposes, but it is not inherently evil.
Which of the above assumptions is/are correct?

• 1 only

• 2 only

• Both 1 and 2

• Neither 1 nor 2

Power is defined as the ability to achieve desired outcomes in situations where there is conflict. Almost every decision involves some level of contest, so power becomes crucial for getting things done in such situations. Power is essentially a tool that can be used for both good and evil purposes. People who are at a disadvantage—such as women, people of color, and those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds—are the ones who need power the most. These individuals must overcome significant obstacles to achieve success. How effectively you use your power determines your future success, as it will create a self-fulfilling prophecy, attracting more resources, talent, and eventually, more power.
With reference to the passage, which of the following inferences can be logically drawn?

• Where there is power, discrimination is bound to exist.

• Not all exercise of power leads to the acquisition of more power.

• Power is only a function of group identity, and an individual can do little to acquire power.

• The best use of power is to leverage it for career success

Scientists have been making progress in understanding why, despite the vast number of planets in the universe, we haven't encountered any intelligent civilizations or received any signals from them. A new theory published in Scientific Reports suggests that evolving intelligent, communicating life on a planet is an incredibly challenging process. According to this idea, for intelligent life to evolve, a planet would need both oceans and continents, and its surface must undergo geological movement (referred to as plate tectonics) for at least 500 million years.
Based on the above passage, the following assumptions have been made:
1. The vast distances between stars make communication difficult, which is why scientists are unable to find evidence of intelligent alien life.
2. The conditions necessary for the evolution of intelligent alien life are uncommon. Which of the above assumptions is/are correct?

• 1 only

• 2 only

• Both 1 and 2

• Neither 1 nor 2

Modern global supply chains are intricate systems composed of multiple interconnected components, each susceptible to evolving risks. Organizations today face an ever-changing array of weak links that can threaten their stability and operations. Relying solely on a reactive risk management strategy increases complexity and creates additional vulnerabilities. To navigate this dynamic environment, businesses must adopt a structured and proactive approach, treating their enterprise as an interconnected ecosystem consisting of data, networks, infrastructure, and user interactions. Companies operating on a global scale must balance a broad cybersecurity strategy while also addressing region-specific risks. However, maintaining uniform security standards across diverse regions presents significant challenges due to local regulatory and operational differences.
With reference to the above passage, which of the following logical and rational inferences can be drawn?
1. Managing global supply chains requires a proactive risk management approach to handle their complexity and vulnerabilities.
2. Organizations must carefully balance global and regional factors to implement effective governance and security measures. Choose the correct answer using the codes given below:

• 1 only

• 2 only

• Both 1 and 2

• Neither 1 nor 2

Many people struggle with saying no because they associate it with rejection or aggression. Turning someone down can feel uncomfortable, as it may seem like a personal rejection rather than a simple refusal of a request. This discomfort stems from fears of being perceived as unkind, unhelpful, or even damaging relationships. Due to these concerns, individuals often opt for compliance over confrontation, prioritizing harmony over their own preferences. However, declining requests is an essential skill, and finding the right way to say no— without feeling guilt or causing unnecessary conflict—can help maintain both personal boundaries and healthy relationships.
Based on the passage, the following assumptions have been made:
1. Standing firm and setting boundaries is important, but one should also consider the other person's discomfort.
2. Saying no may cause temporary discomfort, but it can be beneficial in the long run for both parties.
3. The manner in which one declines a request is as important as the refusal itself.
Which of the above assumptions is/are valid?

• 1 and 3 only

• 1 and 2 only

• 3 only

• 2 and 3 only

Scientific progress is not solely dependent on discoveries and innovations; it is also shaped by social mechanisms that influence how research is conducted and validated. These mechanisms help establish and uphold experimental techniques, research methodologies, and social norms within the scientific community. While some of these methods remain unchanged, others evolve over time or vary across disciplines. Since these practices reflect widely accepted scientific standards, they play a crucial role in maintaining integrity and accountability in scientific research.
What is the most logical and rational inference that can be drawn about the role of social mechanisms in scientific research?

• The primary role of social mechanisms in science is to certify and validate scientific knowledge.

• Scientific methods are static and remain unchanged over time, ensuring consistency across disciplines.

• Social mechanisms in science serve both to validate knowledge and to shape the development and sustainability of research methodologies

• Scientific standards and methods are universally uniform, maintaining consistency across different fields of study.