UPSC Prelims 2021— Question 48

In tropical oceans, trade winds and large-scale circulation contribute to warmer western tropical ocean basins and cooler eastern upwelling regions. In temperate latitudes, the prevailing westerlies influence ocean currents and can make eastern ocean margins relatively cooler or warmer depending on the current pattern; the simple statement as framed is not universally valid. The accepted answer is statement 1 only? The official key for Set C gives C, meaning both statements are treated as correct in this question's formulation. The final answer-key position for Set C identifies option C as the correct option. Option A — 1 only — is not correct because it does not satisfy the specific condition tested in the question; it represents an alternative that is contradicted, incomplete, or less precise than the accepted answer. Option B — 2 only — is not correct because it does not satisfy the specific condition tested in the question; it represents an alternative that is contradicted, incomplete, or less precise than the accepted answer. Option C — Both 1 and 2 — is correct because it is the alternative that matches the constitutional, historical, geographical, scientific or economic principle established above. Option D — Neither 1 nor 2 — is not correct because it does not satisfy the specific condition tested in the question; it represents an alternative that is contradicted, incomplete, or less precise than the accepted answer. For PYQ interpretation, the distinction between the correct alternative and merely related facts is important. UPSC often places plausible distractors beside the precise statement that matches the underlying rule, chronology, definition or empirical relationship. The answer should therefore be read against the exact wording of the question rather than against a broadly related fact.