Today, if we consider cities such as New York, London and Paris as some of the most iconic cities in the world, it is because plans carrying a heavy systems approach were imposed on mathematical their precincts. The backbone of the systems theory is the process of translating social, spatial and cultural desirables into mathematical models using computing, statistics, optimization and an algorithmic way of formulating and solving problems. The early universities of the West which began to train professionals in planning, spawned some of the most ingenious planners, who were experts in these domains. This was because these very subjects were absorbed into the planning curriculum that had its roots in the social sciences, geography and architecture. Planning in India, and its education differ from the West.

Based on the above passage, the following assumptions have been made :
1. India needs a new generation of urban professionals with knowledge relevant to modern urban practice.
2. Indian universities at present have no capacity or potential to impart training in systems approach.
Which of the assumptions given above is/are correct?

The correct option is Neither 1 nor 2.

Let us analyze the passage step-by-step to understand why both assumptions 1 and 2 cannot be logically inferred from it:

Analysis of Assumption 1: "India needs a new generation of urban professionals with knowledge relevant to modern urban practice."
The passage describes how Western cities like New York, London, and Paris were planned using a systems approach, which integrates computing, statistics, optimization, and algorithmic problem-solving. It then states that Western universities trained planning professionals in these domains and notes that "Planning in India, and its education differ from the West."
While the passage highlights a difference between planning/education in India and the West, it does not make any prescription, value judgment, or statement about what India "needs" for its future urban practice. Therefore, we cannot assume that India needs a new generation of professionals based strictly on the provided text.

Analysis of Assumption 2: "Indian universities at present have no capacity or potential to impart training in systems approach."
The passage only states that planning and its education in India "differ from the West." It does not provide any details about the specific capabilities, capacities, or potential of Indian universities. Claiming that Indian universities have "no capacity or potential" is an overgeneralization and an extreme assumption that is not supported by the text.

Consequently, neither of the assumptions can be correctly derived from the passage.