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Vocabulary Builder — Essay & Answer Writing

Efficacy

noun / EF-i-kuh-see / Easy
Meaning

The ability of a policy, drug, or intervention to produce the desired or intended result under ideal or controlled conditions

Origin / Etymology

Latin efficacia, from efficax meaning 'effective'; rooted in efficere, 'to accomplish'

Synonyms
Effectiveness Potency Capability Productivity
Antonyms
Inefficacy Futility Impotence
Example Sentence
"The Ayushman Bharat scheme demonstrated strong efficacy in reducing out-of-pocket health expenditure among Below Poverty Line households in its pilot districts."
🎯 UPSC Usage

Central to GS-2 (governance, social sector schemes) and GS-3 (health, agriculture policy). Use when evaluating the performance of government programmes, distinguish 'efficacy' (ideal conditions) from 'effectiveness' (real-world conditions) to show analytical depth. Appears in questions on NITI Aayog assessments, vaccine rollouts, and policy impact studies.

Relevant Subjects
Polity
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