2019 GS Paper I, all questions
UPSC Prelims 2019 · GS Paper I
Question 80: Economy and Social Development
In the context of any country, which one of the following would be considered as part of its social capital?
aThe proportion of literates in the population
bThe stock of its buildings, other infrastructure and machines
cThe size of population in the working age group
dThe level of mutual trust and harmony in the society
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (d).
Social capital means the networks, norms and mutual trust that let people cooperate for shared benefit. The level of mutual trust and harmony in a society is therefore its social capital. Literacy is human capital, buildings, infrastructure and machines are physical capital, and the size of the working-age population is a demographic factor.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Literacy is a measure of human capital.
- (b) Buildings, infrastructure and machines are physical capital.
- (c) Working-age population is a demographic factor, not social capital.
- (d) Correct: mutual trust and harmony is social capital.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2019, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.