UPSC Prelims 2015— Question 90

Correct answer: Option B. Replacing wooden ploughs with steel ploughs changes the capital equipment used in production and can increase the productivity of capital relative to labour. It is therefore an example of capital-augmenting technological progress. Labour-augmenting progress would increase the effectiveness of labour rather than primarily improving the productivity of capital equipment. Option-wise analysis: Option A: “labour-augmenting technological progress” is incorrect. It does not match the specific fact, definition, institutional role, geographical association, or constitutional/economic principle required here. The key distinction is the one identified in the core explanation, so this option can be eliminated. Option B: “capital-augmenting technological progress” is correct. It directly matches the factual or conceptual requirement tested by the question and is supported by the principle explained above. Option C: “capital-reducing technological progress” is incorrect. It does not match the specific fact, definition, institutional role, geographical association, or constitutional/economic principle required here. The key distinction is the one identified in the core explanation, so this option can be eliminated. Option D: “None of the above” is incorrect. It does not match the specific fact, definition, institutional role, geographical association, or constitutional/economic principle required here. The key distinction is the one identified in the core explanation, so this option can be eliminated. Prelims takeaway: Focus on the precise institutional role, constitutional provision, geographical association, or technical definition being tested. UPSC questions often place a broadly familiar fact beside a narrowly incorrect qualifier; identifying that qualifier is essential for elimination.