SSC CGL 2025 Tier-I · 15 September 2025, Shift 3 · English Comprehension · Question 19 of 100

We transcribed this text from the pictures on a candidate's response sheet for this shift; the answer is the key SSC colour-marked on that sheet. Solution last reviewed 11 September 2026.

Read the following passage and answer the questions based on the passage :
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has evolved from being a peripheral philanthropic gesture to an integral strategic imperative in contemporary business ecosystems. Modern corporations are increasingly cognizant of their multifaceted responsibilities—not only to shareholders but also to employees, consumers, communities, and the environment. This paradigm shift reflects a recognition that long-term profitability and sustainability are inextricably linked to ethical conduct and inclusive growth. CSR transcends token charity; it encompasses deliberate initiatives aimed at environmental stewardship, equitable labour practices, transparent governance, and community development. For instance, corporations may engage in afforestation drives, fund educational scholarships, ensure fair wages, or invest in renewable energy solutions. Such undertakings are not merely altruistic—they bolster corporate reputation, foster consumer loyalty, and mitigate regulatory risks. In some jurisdictions, like India, CSR has been legislated, mandating certain profit thresholds to be reinvested into socially beneficial projects, thereby institutionalizing moral capitalism. However, genuine CSR is distinguished from superficial public relations exercises by its intent, consistency, and impact measurement. Tokenistic CSR—where companies engage in isolated acts of giving to polish their public image—can often be counterproductive, exposing ethical hollowness when scrutinized. Conversely, purpose-driven CSR, embedded into core business strategies, can catalyze innovation and expand market reach, especially in underserved regions. Furthermore, stakeholders—particularly the socially conscious millennial and Gen Z demographics—now scrutinize corporate behaviour with unprecedented vigilance. With social media amplifying accountability, any dissonance between a company’s stated values and its actions can provoke swift reputational damage. Therefore, CSR today is as much about risk mitigation as it is about value creation. Ultimately, the most impactful CSR initiatives are those that align profit motives with societal advancement. When businesses act not merely as economic entities but as responsible social agents, they contribute meaningfully to holistic progress, bridging the chasm between commerce and conscience.

Why are millennials and Gen Z considered important in the CSR discourse?

(a)They dislike capitalism
(b)They support traditional businesses
(c)They demand ethical transparency
(d)They avoid social media

Answer

Why

Correct — C. The passage: "stakeholders—particularly the socially conscious millennial and Gen Z demographics—now scrutinize corporate behaviour with unprecedented vigilance."

The next sentence says what they watch for: any dissonance between a company's stated values and its actions can provoke swift reputational damage.

Watching for a gap between words and deeds is a demand for ethical transparency → option (c).

Why the others are wrong

(a)
They dislike capitalism — The passage calls these groups socially conscious and says they scrutinize companies. It never says they reject capitalism, and near its end it praises CSR that aligns profit motives with societal advancement.
(b)
They support traditional businesses — No traditional businesses appear in the passage. It says these groups scrutinize corporate behaviour, not that they favour one kind of firm.
(d)
They avoid social media — The next sentence has social media amplifying accountability: it is the channel that spreads scrutiny. Nothing says these groups avoid it.

Concept

A why question about a group is answered by what the passage says the group does. Here the verb is scrutinize, and its object is corporate behaviour.

The sentence after it gives the stakes: a mismatch between stated values and actions draws swift reputational damage.

Ethical transparency means conduct that is open to inspection and matches what a company says. That is the demand the passage describes.

The passage does not tie social media to millennials and Gen Z by name. It says social media amplifies accountability in general.

That is still enough to rule out option (d): the passage treats social media as a force for scrutiny, not something anyone avoids.

Key facts

The passage: millennial and Gen Z demographics now scrutinize corporate behaviour with unprecedented vigilance.
Dissonance means a clash or mismatch, here between a company's stated values and its actions.
Vigilance is close, watchful attention to possible danger or wrongdoing.

Study next

Paraphrase matching: 'scrutinize with vigilance' → 'demand transparency'Vocabulary from this passage: vigilance, dissonance, demographics, altruistic

Common traps

Choosing (d) because social media sits next to the answer — the passage says it amplifies accountability, not that anyone avoids it.
Reading 'socially conscious' as hostility to business and choosing (a).

At 12 Sep 2025, 16:00, English Q.18 a passage gives digital technology a different role: algorithms 'reinforce conformity by curating information bubbles', keyed Through curated echo chambers. Each passage's own sentence decides its answer.

Related PYQs

No directly related past PYQ was found.

Read the following passage and answer the questions based on the passage :
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has evolved from being a peripheral philanthropic gesture to an integral strategic imperative in contemporary business ecosystems. Modern corporations are increasingly cognizant of their multifaceted responsibilities—not only to shareholders but also to employees, consumers, communities, and the environment. This paradigm shift reflects a recognition that long-term profitability and sustainability are inextricably linked to ethical conduct and inclusive growth. CSR transcends token charity; it encompasses deliberate initiatives aimed at environmental stewardship, equitable labour practices, transparent governance, and community development. For instance, corporations may engage in afforestation drives, fund educational scholarships, ensure fair wages, or invest in renewable energy solutions. Such undertakings are not merely altruistic—they bolster corporate reputation, foster consumer loyalty, and mitigate regulatory risks. In some jurisdictions, like India, CSR has been legislated, mandating certain profit thresholds to be reinvested into socially beneficial projects, thereby institutionalizing moral capitalism. However, genuine CSR is distinguished from superficial public relations exercises by its intent, consistency, and impact measurement. Tokenistic CSR—where companies engage in isolated acts of giving to polish their public image—can often be counterproductive, exposing ethical hollowness when scrutinized. Conversely, purpose-driven CSR, embedded into core business strategies, can catalyze innovation and expand market reach, especially in underserved regions. Furthermore, stakeholders—particularly the socially conscious millennial and Gen Z demographics—now scrutinize corporate behaviour with unprecedented vigilance. With social media amplifying accountability, any dissonance between a company’s stated values and its actions can provoke swift reputational damage. Therefore, CSR today is as much about risk mitigation as it is about value creation. Ultimately, the most impactful CSR initiatives are those that align profit motives with societal advancement. When businesses act not merely as economic entities but as responsible social agents, they contribute meaningfully to holistic progress, bridging the chasm between commerce and conscience.