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GATE 2016 EC (EC2) – Question 7

General Aptitude · Analytical Aptitude: Logical Reasoning, Deduction and Analogy · 2 marks · Multiple choice

Social science disciplines existed in an amorphous form until colonial times, when they were institutionalized, to varying degrees to further colonial interests. In globalization and the economic rise of postcolonial countries such as India, conventional ways of knowledge production have become obsolete. Which statements follow? (i) Social science disciplines are obsolete. (ii) They have precolonial origins. (iii) They always promote colonialism. (iv) Social science must maintain disciplinary boundaries.

  1. (ii) only
  2. (i) and (iii) only
  3. (ii) and (iv) only
  4. (iii) and (iv) only

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Correct answer: (A) (ii) only

Explanation

The passage explicitly places an amorphous form of the disciplines before colonial institutionalization, so (ii) follows. It calls conventional knowledge-production methods obsolete, not the disciplines themselves, so (i) does not follow. Colonial use “in varying degrees” does not establish “always,” and no requirement to maintain boundaries is stated. Thus **(ii) only, A**.

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