Q49 · UPSC Prelims 2018 · Set A · Economy

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Consider the following statements:Human capital formation as a concept is better explained in terms of a process which enables1.individuals of a country to accumulate more capital.2.increasing the knowledge, skill levels and capacities of the people of the country.3.accumulation of tangible wealth.4.accumulation of intangible wealth.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A 1 and 2
B 2 only
C 2 and 4
D 1, 3 and 4

Correct answer: (c) 2 and 4

Explanation

  1. A

    1 and 2

    (a) 1 and 2. Knowledge and skills (2) are human capital; accumulating more physical capital (1) is not. Pairing them is not the key.

  2. B

    2 only

    (b) 2 only. Statement 2 is necessary but incomplete: human capital is also intangible wealth (4). Isolating 2 misses 4, so this is not the key.

  3. C

    2 and 4

    (c) 2 and 4. (c) Official key: Human capital formation raises knowledge, skills and capacities and thereby accumulates intangible wealth. Tangible capital and ‘more capital’ in the physical sense are not the concept. 2 and 4 is the stored key.

  4. D

    1, 3 and 4

    (d) 1, 3 and 4. Statements 1 and 3 describe physical/tangible capital, which is not human capital. This is not the key.

Summary. Official key is (c) 2 and 4. Human capital is embodied skill and knowledge—intangible productive wealth. Plant, machinery and financial capital are different stocks. Honour the stored letter (c).

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