Reading Comprehension Quiz for IBPS AFO 2026

Political philosophy is a branch of philosophy that explores questions about government, political structures, justice, rights, liberty, and the enforcement of a legal code by authority. It is deeply concerned with the ideals of political life, questioning what forms of government are best, how power should be distributed, what rights individuals should possess, and the responsibilities of citizens. This field intersects with ethics, metaphysics, and philosophy of law, providing a framework for analyzing political systems and their impact on human behaviour and society.

At the core of political philosophy is the debate between individual freedom and the collective good. Philosophers argue over the extent to which states should have the power to restrict individual liberties for the sake of social order and welfare. For instance, liberalism emphasizes individual rights and freedoms, advocating for minimal state interference, while socialism argues for the redistribution of resources to ensure equality and justice for all members of society.

Another crucial area of discussion within political philosophy is the concept of justice. What is fair? How should resources be distributed? Philosophers like John Rawls have offered theories of justice that attempt to balance freedom and equality, suggesting principles for structuring society in a way that is both fair and beneficial to all.

Political philosophy also examines the legitimacy of political authority, asking by what right do governments rule, and what obligations do citizens owe to their government? Through exploring these and other questions, political philosophy seeks to understand the principles underlying political institutions and practices, aiming to guide the creation of a just and equitable society.

In summary, political philosophy provides a critical framework for understanding and shaping the political world. It addresses fundamental questions about the nature of justice, the rights of individuals versus the needs of the community, and the role of government in citizens' lives. By engaging with these enduring debates, political philosophy not only helps clarify our values and principles but also assists in crafting legislative and social structures that can adapt to changing circumstances.

As we continue to confront new ethical challenges and navigate complex global interactions, the insights from political philosophy are invaluable in guiding our pursuit of a fair and __(A)__ society.

The widespread shift toward remote and hybrid work arrangements, accelerated dramatically during the global pandemic, has fundamentally altered the way organisations think about productivity, collaboration, and employee well-being.

What began as an emergency measure to ensure business continuity has, for many companies, evolved into a permanent feature of the modern workplace.

Proponents of remote work point to a range of tangible benefits.

Employees often report higher job satisfaction due to the elimination of long commutes, greater flexibility in managing personal and professional responsibilities, and the ability to work from locations that suit their lifestyle.

Organisations, too, have found that remote arrangements can reduce overhead costs associated with maintaining large office spaces, while simultaneously widening the talent pool beyond geographic constraints.

However, this transition has not been without its complications.

Critics argue that prolonged physical separation among team members can erode the informal interactions that often spark innovation and strengthen workplace culture.

Onboarding new employees remotely presents its own set of challenges, as junior staff may struggle to absorb organisational norms and build mentorship relationships without in-person guidance.

Moreover, the blurring of boundaries between work and personal life has, in some cases, led to longer working hours and heightened risk of burnout, as employees find it difficult to mentally disengage from work when their home doubles as their office.

In response to these competing pressures, many organisations have gravitated toward hybrid models that combine remote flexibility with scheduled in-person collaboration.

These arrangements attempt to capture the best of both worlds, allowing employees autonomy over where they work on most days while preserving opportunities for face-to-face interaction that some tasks, particularly those involving complex problem-solving or relationship-building, still seem to require.

Despite the apparent appeal of hybrid models, designing them effectively remains a nuanced exercise.

Organisations must grapple with questions of fairness, ensuring that employees who come into the office are not unfairly advantaged over those who do not, and must invest in technology and processes that genuinely support distributed teams rather than merely replicating in-person practices in a digital format.

As the debate continues, it is increasingly clear that there is no universal formula; the optimal arrangement varies considerably depending on the nature of the work, the culture of the organisation, and the preferences of its workforce.

The World Bank pared its 2022 growth projections for South Asian economies to 6.6%, from an estimate of 7.6%, emphasising that post-pandemic growth was already uneven and fragile before the Russia-Ukraine conflict triggered fresh challenges. The ripple effect of high oil and food prices that prevailed even before the war and were exacerbated are key factors worrying the Bank as people’s real incomes take a hit.

India’s GDP, the Bank reckons, may now grow by 8% in 2022-23, not 8.7% as it had earlier forecast, before dropping further to 7.1% in 2023-24. The Bank’s chief economist has said that their overall assessment is that GDP growth could actually be 1.3 percentage points lower, or 7.4%, but they refrained from making an adjustment of that magnitude in their headline projection due to some positive surprises in recent data such as strong digital services exports.

The tepid post-COVID recovery in India’s household consumption will be further hemmed in by high inflation and the incomplete labour market revival. More importantly, a nowcast of high frequency indicators by the Bank’s mandarins suggests India’s growth was already experiencing a relative slowdown in the January to March 2022 quarter, compared to previous quarters.

India’s recovery varies widely across sectors and manufacturing remains troubled due to weak demand and increasing input costs. This is borne out by the latest industrial output data. The World Bank’s prognostications about India’s growth prospects seem more sanguine than some others. The Asian Development Bank expects India’s GDP for the year to rise 7.5% with retail inflation of around 5.8%.

Monetary and fiscal policy mandarins need to address inflation more aggressively, lest it derails the recovery which the Bank has warned could renew pressure on improving bank and corporate balance sheets.

The farm sector, that has so far been __(F)__ through the pandemic’s worst phases and could now gain due to high global food prices, needs careful handling too.

While the normal monsoon forecast bodes well for the kharif crop and hopefully, rural demand, the cost of inputs — be it fertilizers or chicken feed — is rising sharply for farmers too.

Water scarcity has increasingly emerged as one of the most pressing challenges confronting agriculture across several regions of the world. Traditional irrigation practices, though widely prevalent, often result in excessive water wastage and inefficient crop management. To address this concern, agricultural scientists and policymakers have increasingly advocated the adoption of smart irrigation systems.

These systems employ technologies such as moisture sensors, weather forecasting tools and automated water distribution mechanisms to optimize water usage.

(A) The growing dependence on such technologies has generated cautious optimism among farmers and agricultural experts alike.

Smart irrigation not only conserves water but also improves crop yield by ensuring that plants receive the required amount of moisture at the appropriate time. Experts believe that over-irrigation may weaken crop roots and reduce productivity, while under-irrigation may expose crops to drought-related stress.

Despite the evident benefits, many small-scale farmers remain reluctant to adopt these systems due to high installation costs, inadequate technical awareness and fear of technological failure. Governments and agricultural agencies have therefore begun introducing financial assistance and training programmes to encourage wider adoption.

Experts suggest that unless sustainable irrigation practices are embraced, agricultural productivity may continue to suffer from water-related uncertainties.