Which of the following items of social services has registered the highest…
2012
Which of the following items of social services has registered the highest rate of increase in expenditures during 2007-08 to 2010-11 ?
Answer: B. Welfare to SC/ST & OBC — ConceptA rate of increase measures the change relative to the starting value, not merely the absolute difference. For an initial value a and a final value b,…
- A.
Education, sports & youth affairs
- B.
Welfare to SC/ST & OBC
- C.
Social welfare & nutrition
- D.
Overall social services
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Concept
A rate of increase measures the change relative to the starting value, not merely the absolute difference. For an initial value a and a final value b, the percentage rate of increase is ((b - a) / a) × 100. The same formula must be applied to every item before the rates are compared.
Application
Education, sports and youth affairs: ((4.46 - 4.02) / 4.02) × 100 = (0.44 / 4.02) × 100 ≈ 10.95%.
Welfare of SC/ST and OBC: ((0.63 - 0.36) / 0.36) × 100 = (0.27 / 0.36) × 100 = 75%.
Social welfare and nutrition: ((1.06 - 0.82) / 0.82) × 100 = (0.24 / 0.82) × 100 ≈ 29.27%.
Overall social services: ((14.02 - 11.06) / 11.06) × 100 = (2.96 / 11.06) × 100 ≈ 26.76%.
Cross-check and result
The four relative increases are approximately 10.95%, 75%, 29.27%, and 26.76%. The largest is 75%, so Welfare of SC/ST and OBC registered the highest rate of increase.