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Efficiency of Labour, Low Efficiency in India, ICSE 10

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EconomicsICSE Class 10 · Labour

Efficiency of Labour and Reasons for Low Efficiency of Indian Labour (ICSE Class 10)

Updated 17 October 2026 · Fact-checked

Efficiency of labour is the ability of a worker to produce more or better output in a given time with given resources. Indian labour is on average less efficient mainly because of poor health and nutrition, illiteracy, lack of technical training, poor working and living conditions, small-scale and outdated methods, and a lack of motivation. Better education, health care, training and working conditions can raise it.

Notice that four causes feed into low efficiency, which lowers output and income, while education, health and training push efficiency back up.

Illustration drawn for QuestionBuddy.

Understand Efficiency of Labour and Low Efficiency in India

Meaning. Efficiency of labour is the productive power of a worker: how much output, and of what quality, he can produce in a given time. It is not the same as division of labour, which is about how work is divided.

Factors that decide efficiency.
1. Health and nutrition.
2. Education and technical training.
3. Working conditions: hours, safety, tools.
4. Wages and incentives, and job security.
5. Climate and living conditions.
6. Quality of machines and tools used.
7. Skill, attitude and motivation.

Reasons for low efficiency of Indian labour (as per the syllabus).

  • Poor health and nutrition, due to low income and weak health services.
  • Illiteracy and lack of technical education.
  • Poor working conditions: long hours, unsafe workplaces.
  • Low wages and little incentive, and poor housing.
  • Use of outdated tools, particularly in agriculture and small industry.
  • Low mobility of labour between regions and occupations, which keeps skills unused.
  • Lack of motivation and of a chance to get promoted.

Ways to improve. Free and compulsory education, vocational and skill training, better health and nutrition programmes, safer workplaces, fair wages and incentives, modern tools and technology.

Why it matters. Efficient labour raises output per worker, which raises national income and living standards, and it makes capital more productive.

Efficiency of Labour and Low Efficiency in India: key facts

Efficiency of labour (meaning)
Capacity to produce more or better output in a given time with given resources
Main factors
  • Health
  • Education and training
  • Working conditions
  • Wages and incentives
  • Tools used
Remedies in brief
  • Education
  • Skill training
  • Health care
  • Better wages and conditions
  • Modern tools

How to answer Efficiency of Labour and Low Efficiency in India questions

This is a reasons-and-remedies topic. Link each reason to its effect on output.

  1. 1Define efficiency in one line.
  2. 2State the reason and why it lowers output (poor health means more sick days).
  3. 3Number the reasons; keep each as one or two lines.
  4. 4Finish with a remedy for each reason if the question asks "suggest measures".
  5. 5Do not confuse efficiency with division of labour.

Efficiency of Labour and Low Efficiency in India in real life

The idea, met in an everyday situation. Answer the question in your own words, then compare with the model answer. The one-line hook is what to remember.

Two tailors

Suppose two tailors work for 8 hours. Anil is trained, uses a good machine and eats well. Sunil has no training, a worn machine and often falls sick.

In a day Anil stitches 12 shirts and Sunil 7. What explains the gap, and which measures would help Sunil?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Output difference: 12 − 7 = 5 shirts per day.
  2. Causes: training, tools and health.
  3. Remedies: skill training, a better machine, and health care or nutrition support.

Answer: The 5-shirt gap comes from training, tools and health; training, a good machine and health care will narrow it.

Memory hook: Train, equip, feed.

Tricks to remember Efficiency of Labour and Low Efficiency in India

Short memory aids. Say each one aloud once, then use it on a question the same day.

  • HEW

    Health, Education, Working conditions.

    Use it when: Core factors.

  • Reasons mirror remedies

    For every reason of low efficiency, the remedy is its opposite.

    Use it when: Writing two answers from one list.

  • E is not D

    Efficiency is about worker quality; division is about the work plan.

    Use it when: Avoiding mix-ups.

Efficiency of Labour and Low Efficiency in India: solved examples

Ordered from board level to HOTS. Try each one before you open the solution.

Example 1: Meaning · 1 mark · MCQBoard level

Efficiency of labour means:
(a) number of workers
(b) wages paid
(c) ability of a worker to produce more in a given time
(d) hours of work

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. It is productive capacity per worker.

Answer: (c)

Example 2: Reasons · 2 marks · Short answerBoard level

Give any two reasons for low efficiency of Indian labour. (2 marks)

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Poor health and nutrition.
  2. Illiteracy and lack of technical training.

Answer: Poor health and nutrition; illiteracy and lack of training.

Example 3: Health · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level

Explain how poor health lowers the efficiency of a labourer. (3 marks)

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Poor nutrition means low stamina and strength.
  2. Illness leads to absence and slow work.
  3. Both reduce output per day and the quality of work.

Answer: Low stamina and absence lower output in a given time.

Example 4: Reasons and remedies · 4 marks · Long answerHarder board level

Mention four reasons for low efficiency of Indian labour and suggest one remedy for each. (4 marks)

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Poor health: health and nutrition schemes.
  2. Illiteracy: free and compulsory education.
  3. Lack of training: vocational skill centres.
  4. Outdated tools: credit for modern equipment.

Answer: Reason and remedy pairs as above.

Example 5: Efficiency versus division · 3 marks · Short answerHOTS / competency

A student writes, "Division of labour and efficiency of labour mean the same thing." Evaluate the statement. (3 marks)

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Division of labour: splitting work into processes.
  2. Efficiency: how productive a worker is.
  3. Division of labour can raise efficiency through specialisation, but the two are different.

Answer: The statement is wrong; division is a work arrangement, efficiency is a worker's productivity.

Where students lose marks in Efficiency of Labour and Low Efficiency in India

The slips examiners see most often, and what to write instead.

  • Mistake: Listing reasons without explaining

    Only keywords written.

    Wrong working

    Illiteracy, health, wages.

    Right working

    Illiteracy: workers cannot learn skills or use machines well, so output is low.

    Do this: Add one line of effect.

    Usually costs: 1-2 marks.

  • Mistake: Writing about overpopulation only

    Off-focus.

    Wrong working

    Too many people so efficiency is low.

    Right working

    Focus on health, education, training, conditions.

    Do this: Keep to listed factors.

    Usually costs: 1 mark.

  • Mistake: Confusing with division of labour

    Similar chapters.

    Wrong working

    Efficiency means splitting work.

    Right working

    Efficiency means output per worker.

    Do this: Define it before answering.

    Usually costs: 1 mark.

Exam tips

  • Give reason plus effect for each point.
  • Use the exact term "efficiency of labour" in the first line.
  • When asked for measures, keep them as opposite of the reasons.

Practice questions on Efficiency of Labour and Low Efficiency in India

Write each answer on paper first. Open the hint only if you are stuck, and the answer only when you have finished.

  1. Q1 · 1 mark · Very short answerBoard level

    Define efficiency of labour. (1 mark)

    Hint

    Output in given time.

    Answer

    The ability of a labourer to produce more or better output in a given time with given resources.

  2. Q2 · 1 mark · MCQBoard level

    Which of the following is NOT a reason for low efficiency of Indian labour?
    (a) Poor nutrition
    (b) Lack of training
    (c) Good working conditions
    (d) Illiteracy

    Hint

    Odd one out.

    Answer

    (c)

  3. Q3 · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level

    How do education and training raise efficiency? (3 marks)

    Hint

    Knowledge, skill, tool use.

    Answer

    They give workers knowledge and skills, help them use machines properly, reduce waste and errors, and improve the quality of output.

  4. Q4 · 4 marks · Long answerHarder board level

    Explain how poor working conditions and low wages affect labour efficiency in India. (4 marks)

    Hint

    Motivation plus health.

    Answer

    Long hours, unsafe places and poor housing damage health and cause fatigue. Low wages leave no money for nutrition or training and reduce motivation. Both result in lower output and poor quality.

  5. Q5 · 4 marks · Long answerHOTS / competency

    Suppose a government wants to double the efficiency of rural workers in five years. Suggest a four-part plan, linking each part to a reason for low efficiency. (4 marks)

    Hint

    Reason to remedy.

    Answer

    Health camps and nutrition (poor health); adult education and school retention (illiteracy); skill centres and apprenticeships (lack of training); subsidised modern tools (outdated methods).

Test your recall

Answer in your head or on paper first, then open the card. Pulling an answer out of memory makes it stick far better than re-reading.

  1. 1.Efficiency of labour means?Show answer

    Capacity to produce more or better output in a given time.

  2. 2.One reason for low efficiency in India?Show answer

    Illiteracy or poor health.

  3. 3.Name one remedy.Show answer

    Skill training.

  4. 4.Is efficiency the same as division of labour?Show answer

    No.

  5. 5.Efficient labour raises what?Show answer

    Output per worker and national income.

Efficiency of Labour and Low Efficiency in India: frequently asked questions

What is efficiency of labour?

The productive capacity of a worker: how much and how good an output he can produce in a given time.

Why is Indian labour less efficient?

Mainly because of poor health, illiteracy, lack of training, poor working conditions and outdated tools.

How can efficiency be improved?

By education, training, health care, better wages, safe workplaces and modern tools.