Read the given passage carefully and answer following five questions.
High technology, or simply high-tech, is the latest generation of manufacturing activities. It is best understood as the application of intensive research and development (R and D) efforts leading to the manufacture of products of an advanced scientific and engineering character. Professional (white collar) workers make up a large share of the total workforce. These highly skilled specialists greatly outnumber the actual production (blue collar) workers. Robotics on the assembly line, computer-aided design (CAD) and manufacturing, electronic controls of smelting and refining processes, and the constant development of new chemical and pharmaceutical products are notable examples of a high-tech industry.
Neatly spaced, low, modern, dispersed, office-plant-lab building rather than massive assembly structures, factories and storage areas mark the high-tech industrial landscape. Planned business parks for high-tech start-ups have become part of regional and local development schemes.
High-tech industries which are regionally concentrated, self-sustained and highly specialised are called technopolies. The Silicon Valley near San Francisco and Silicon Forest near Seattle are examples of technopolies. Are some technopolies developing in India?
Manufacturing contributes significantly to the world economy. Iron and steel, textiles, automobile, petrochemical and electronics are some of the world's most important manufacturing industries.
Research and Development (R and D) based activity is involved in_____________.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → Quaternary activities
The passage links high-tech industry with research and development (R and D). Such work needs specialised knowledge and technical skills, and it belongs to the knowledge-based quaternary sector.
Option (1) Primary activities — Incorrect. Primary activities use the earth’s resources directly, as in farming, fishing, forestry and mining.
Option (2) Secondary activities — Incorrect. Secondary activities turn raw materials into products in factories. High-tech manufacturing is secondary, but the research behind it is knowledge work.
Option (3) Tertiary activities — Incorrect. Tertiary activities are services such as trade, transport and communication.
Option (4) Quaternary activities — Correct. Quaternary activities centre around research and development and the production of information.
Note: A similar question was also asked in CUET (UG) 2025 on 22-05-2025 (Slot 1).
NCERT (2026-27): “Quaternary activities involve some of the following: the collection, production and dissemination of information or even the production of information. Quaternary activities centre around research, development and may be seen as an advanced form of services involving specialised knowledge and technical skills.” |