Direction: Read the following passage and answer the item that follows. Your answer to this item should be based on the passage only. Recently, the Central Bureau of Investigation raided Amnesty International’s offices in Bengaluru and Delhi based on allegations that the NGO had violated provisions of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010, and of the Indian Penal Code. Amnesty has been vocal about human rights abuses, notably in Jammu and Kashmir and Assam. Freedom is based on the idea that individuals can form voluntary groups and pursue various interests. The Supreme Court has held that this right includes the right to continued sustenance of the association, without unreasonable restraint. India is a democratic republic. The new FCRA rules ensure that the human interface with foreign-funded NGOs is minimized. Which of the following is/are the most logical and rational inference that can be made from the above passage? In a democracy, criticism should be welcomed, not repressed. Democracy upholds the ideals of civil society. International funding is crucial for NGOs to function. There are instances of human rights abuses in Jammu and Kashmir and Assam.

The correct answer is Both 1 and 2 . Key Points Note: Inference - A conclusion reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning Let’s examine each of the statements carefully : Statement 1: In a democracy, criticism should be welcomed, not repressed. This statement is correct . Democracy means ' government by the people '. It is a form of government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised directly by the people or by their elected agents under a free electoral system. It has been mentioned in the passage that, the freedom to be vocal about human rights abuses "is based on the idea that individuals can form voluntary groups and pursue various interests ". Hence, in a democracy, criticism should be welcomed, not repressed. Statement 2: Democracy upholds the ideals of civil society. This statement is correct . Civil society is a society considered as a community of citizens linked by common interests and collective activity. It has been mentioned in the passage that, the freedom to be vocal about human rights abuses 'is based on the idea that individuals can form voluntary groups and pursue various interests' . Hence, Democracy upholds the ideals of civil society. Statement 3: International funding is crucial for NGOs to function. It has been mentioned in the passage that, "the human interface with foreign-funded NGOs is minimized". But, there is no slightest hint of how crucial international funding is, for NGOs to function. Thus, this statement is out of context. Hence, it cannot be an inference of the given passage. Statement 4: There are instances of human rights abuses in Jammu and Kashmir and Assam. This statement is one of the general sentences from the passage. Hence, it cannot be an inference of the given passage. ​​ Therefore, the correct answer is Both 1 and 2 .