NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Economics Chapter 1 Development

The solutions for Chapter 1 Development are provided below, and students can refer to NCERT Solutions for Class 10 for other subjects as well.

Exercise Page No 16

1. Development of a country can generally be determined by

(i) its per capita income

(ii) its average literacy level

(iii) health status of its people

(iv) all the above

Answer:

(iv) All of the above

2. Which of the following neighbouring countries has better performance in terms of human development than India?

(i) Bangladesh

(ii) Sri Lanka

(iii) Nepal

(iv) Pakistan

Answer:

(ii) Sri Lanka

3. Assume there are four families in a country. The average per capita income of these families is Rs 5000. If the income of three families is Rs 4000, Rs 7000 and Rs 3000 respectively, what is the income of the fourth family?

(i) Rs 7500

(ii) Rs 3000

(iii) Rs 2000

(iv) Rs 6000

Answer:

(iv) Rs 6000

4. What is the main criterion used by the World Bank in classifying different countries? What are the limitations of this criterion, if any?

Answer:

The World Bank uses per capita income, or the average income of a person in a country, as the main criterion for classifying countries. The World Bank uses this criterion in its World Development Reports. For example, countries with a per capita income of US\$1035 or less are considered low-income countries.

Some limitations of using per capita income include:

• It doesn’t show the distribution of income
• It ignores other factors such as infant mortality rate, literacy level, healthcare, etc.
• Two countries with the same per capita income might be very different with regard to income distribution.

5. In what respects is the criterion used by the UNDP for measuring development different from the one used by the World Bank?

Answer:

The criterion used by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for measuring development differs from that of the World Bank in several respects.

• The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) uses the Human Development Index (HDI) to measure development, which includes three indicators: life expectancy, education, and per capita income. The World Bank, however, uses per capita income as the sole criterion for measuring development.
• The UNDP’s Human Development Report compares countries based on per capita income, health status, and educational levels. The World Bank’s World Development Reports classify countries based solely on per capita income.

6. Why do we use averages? Are there any limitations to their use? Illustrate with your own examples related to development.

Answer:

We use averages to summarize data and draw general conclusions about a population or phenomenon. Averages provide a simple and easily understandable way to represent large sets of data, allowing for comparisons and analysis. However, there are limitations to their use.

One limitation is that averages can obscure variation within the data, leading to oversimplification and potentially misleading conclusions. For example, using the average income of a country may mask disparities in income distribution, failing to capture the extent of poverty or inequality.

Similarly, depending on average literacy rates may overlook disparities in educational access and quality among different regions or demographic groups, hindering targeted interventions for development. Therefore, while averages provide useful insights, it is essential to complement them with additional measures and consider the full range of data to ensure a comprehensive understanding of development issues.

7. Kerala, with lower per capita income has a better human development ranking than Haryana. Hence, per capita income is not a useful criterion at all and should not be used to compare states. Do you agree? Discuss.

Answer:

Yes, per capita income is not a useful criterion for comparing states because it doesn’t accurately reflect the well-being of the people in that state. Kerala has a lower per capita income than Haryana but a better human development ranking because of factors such as literacy rate, infant mortality rate, and healthcare facilities.

The United Nations Development Programme defines human development as “the process of enlarging people’s choices”. The United Nations uses the inequality adjusted Human Development Index (HDI) to measure progress in human development, which focuses more on social justice than economic growth. The HDI is based on Gross National Income (GNI) per capita by Purchasing Power Parity (PPP), which considers inflation adjustments and exchange rates when determining individual wealth.

8. Find out the present sources of energy that are used by the people in India. What could be the other possibilities fifty years from now?

Answer:

Presently, in India, the primary sources of energy include fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas, which power industries, transportation, and households. Additionally, renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, hydro, and biomass are increasingly being utilized to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and mitigate environmental impacts. Looking ahead fifty years, several possibilities for India’s energy mix could emerge:

• Increased reliance on renewable energy.
• Advancements in energy storage technologies.
• Potential expansion of nuclear energy.
• Development of a hydrogen economy.
• Adoption of smart grid technologies.
• Growth of decentralized energy systems.
• Implementation of carbon capture and storage (CCS).
• Emphasis on energy efficiency measures.

9. Why is the issue of sustainability important for development?

Answer:

The issue of sustainability is important for development because:

1. Long-Term Viability: Sustainable development ensures that current needs are met without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, promoting intergenerational equity.
2. Environmental Protection: Sustainable practices minimize negative impacts on ecosystems, biodiversity, and natural resources, preserving essential services like clean air, water, and fertile soil for present and future generations.
3. Social Equity: Sustainability promotes equitable distribution of resources and opportunities, reducing disparities within and among societies and promoting social cohesion and inclusivity.
4. Economic Resilience: Sustainable development work towards economic resilience by promoting efficient resource use, innovation, and diversification, reducing vulnerability to environmental shocks and market fluctuations.
5. Global Responsibility: Addressing sustainability challenges transcends national boundaries, requiring international cooperation and collective action to tackle issues like climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.
6. Quality of Life: Sustainable development enhances overall well-being by promoting healthier lifestyles, safer environments, and stronger communities, leading to improved quality of life for all individuals.
7. Cultural Preservation: Sustainable development respects and preserves cultural diversity and heritage, recognizing the intrinsic value of traditional knowledge and practices in promoting resilience and adaptation.
8. Ethical Imperative: Sustainable development aligns with ethical principles of stewardship, justice, and responsibility towards future generations and the planet, reflecting a moral obligation to care for the Earth and its inhabitants.

NCERT Solutions For Class 10 Economics Chapter 1 Development– This article includes free NCERT Solutions For Class 10 Economics Chapter 1 Development to help students of Class 10 learn the solutions and ace their exams.

It has been developed by the subject matter experts at GFG, according to the latest CBSE Syllabus 2023-24, and guidelines to help the students of Class 10 create a solid conceptual base for Class 10 Economics Chapter 1 Development.

The solutions to all the exercises in Class 10 Economics Chapter 1 Development of your NCERT textbook have been collectively covered in NCERT Solutions Class 10 Social Science.