We all have heard of the term ‘capital’ in economics. Capital is one of the four factors of production – land, labour and entrepreneurship being the other three. Just as a country can turn physical resources like land into physical capital like factories, similarly, it can also turn human resources like nurses, farmers, teachers, students into human capital like engineers and doctors.
The concept of physical capital is the base for conceptualising human capital. There are some similarities between the two forms of capital; there are some striking dissimilarities as well. Physical capital is tangible and can be easily sold in the market like any other commodity. Human capital is intangible; it is endogenously built in the body and mind of its owner.
India recognised the importance of human capital in economic growth long ago. The Seventh Five Year Plan says, “Human resources development (read human capital) has necessarily to be assigned a key role in any development strategy, particularly in a country with a large population. Trained and educated on sound lines, a large population can itself become an asset in accelerating economic growth and in ensuring social change in desired directions.”
The passage says that a large population, trained and educated on sound lines, can become an asset. There is an urgent need to promote education for women in India. Which of the following is NOT a reason for this?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → The gap between male and female literacy rates has been widening
The gap between male and female literacy is narrowing, which is a positive sign. Even so, women’s education must be promoted for three reasons.
Option (1) Improving economic independence of women — True. It raises women’s economic independence and social status.
Option (2) The gap between male and female literacy rates has been widening — False. The gap is narrowing, so it is not a reason given.
Option (3) Women’s education makes a favourable impact on fertility rate — True. It has a favourable impact on fertility rate.
Option (4) Women’s education improves health care of women and children — True. It improves health care of women and children.
NCERT (2026-27): “Gender Equity — Better than Before: The differences in literacy rates between males and females are narrowing signifying a positive development in gender equity; still the need to promote education for women in India is imminent for various reasons such as improving economic independence and social status of women and also because women education makes a favourable impact on fertility rate and health care of women and children. Therefore, we cannot be complacent about the upward movement in the literacy rates and we have miles to go in achieving cent per cent adult literacy.” |