2023 GS Paper I, all questions

UPSC Prelims 2023 · GS Paper I

Question 28: Economy and Social Development

Consider the investments in the following assets :

  1. 1.Brand recognition
  2. 2.Inventory
  3. 3.Intellectual property
  4. 4.Mailing list of clients

How many of the above are considered intangible investments?

aOnly one
bOnly two
cOnly three
dAll four

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (c).

Intangible investments are in assets with no physical form. Brand recognition, intellectual property (patents, copyrights, trademarks) and a mailing list of clients (a data asset) are intangible. Inventory, the stock of raw materials, goods in process and finished goods, is a tangible current asset. So three of the four are intangible: items 1, 3 and 4.

  • 1. Brand recognition has no physical form.
  • 2. Inventory is physical stock, a tangible asset.
  • 3. Intellectual property is intangible.
  • 4. A client mailing list is a data asset, intangible.

How you could have got this

No shortcut here: in a “how many” question, ruling out options doesn’t help. Every statement has to be judged.

Which options go is worked out from UPSC’s key and the options, not by a model.

Why each option is right or wrong
  • (a) Only one undercounts the intangible assets.
  • (b) Only two undercounts; brand, IP and client lists are all intangible.
  • (c) Correct: brand, intellectual property and client list are intangible.
  • (d) Inventory is physical stock, so not all four.

Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2023, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.