DevelopmentClass 10 Economics NCERT Solutions

The correct answer is (iv) all the above.

As discussed in the chapter, development is a comprehensive concept that cannot be measured by a single indicator. While per capita income is an important measure of economic development, it is inadequate on its own. A true measure of development must also include social indicators such as the average literacy level and the health status of the population (e.g., Infant Mortality Rate and Life Expectancy). Therefore, a combination of all these factors provides a more complete picture of a country's development.

The correct answer is (ii) Sri Lanka.

According to Table 1.6 in the chapter, which presents data from the Human Development Report 2023-24, Sri Lanka performs better than India in every respect. It has a higher Gross National Income (GNI) per capita, a greater Life Expectancy at birth, more Mean Years of Schooling, and a significantly better HDI Rank in the world (78 for Sri Lanka compared to 134 for India).

The correct answer is (iv) Rs 6000.

The main criterion used by the World Bank in its World Development Reports for classifying different countries is Per Capita Income, also known as average income.

The criterion used by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is significantly different from the one used by the World Bank because it takes a much broader and more holistic view of development.

In essence, while the World Bank's criterion is purely economic, the UNDP's criterion is multidimensional, combining income with crucial social indicators like health and education. This makes the UNDP's approach a more comprehensive measure of human development.

Why we use averages: Averages are used to simplify complex data and make comparisons easier. For development, we use averages like per capita income to compare the economic status of different countries or states. Since countries have different populations, comparing their total income would not be meaningful. An average gives a single, representative value that can be easily compared.

Limitations of using averages: The main limitation is that averages hide disparities and do not reflect the distribution of a quantity among people. They can mask extreme highs and lows, giving a misleading picture of the real situation.

Illustration related to development: The chapter provides a clear example with two hypothetical countries, Country A and Country B. Both countries have an identical average monthly income of Rs 10,000.

Even though the average income is the same, Country A is socially and economically more developed and stable. The average income figure completely hides the extreme poverty and inequality in Country B. This shows that while averages are useful for comparison, they must be used with caution and supplemented with other information about distribution and equity.

I do not fully agree with the statement that per capita income is not a useful criterion at all and should not be used. While the case of Kerala and Haryana demonstrates the limitations of per capita income as the sole measure of development, it does not render it completely useless.

Points of Agreement: The statement is correct in pointing out that per capita income alone is an inadequate measure. As shown in Tables 1.3 and 1.4, Haryana has a much higher per capita income than Kerala. However, Kerala performs significantly better on crucial human development indicators:

Points of Disagreement: However, to conclude that per capita income is 'not useful at all' is an overstatement. Income is still a very important component of development because it provides individuals with the means to purchase goods and services that they need to live well. A higher national income allows a government to spend more on public facilities like schools, hospitals, and infrastructure.

Conclusion: Per capita income is a useful but insufficient criterion for comparing states. It should not be discarded, but rather used in conjunction with other important social indicators related to health, education, and equality. The comparison between Kerala and Haryana perfectly illustrates why development should be viewed as a mix of goals, including both income and other aspects of human well-being.

Present sources of energy in India: The primary sources of energy currently used in India are predominantly non-renewable fossil fuels. These include:

Other possibilities fifty years from now: Given the depletion of fossil fuels and the growing concern for environmental sustainability, India will need to shift towards renewable and cleaner energy sources. Fifty years from now, the energy landscape could be dominated by:

This shift is crucial for ensuring the sustainability of development for future generations.

The issue of sustainability is important for development because it ensures that the process of development does not compromise the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It links development in the present with the well-being of the future.

Here are the key reasons for its importance:

In summary, sustainability ensures that development is long-lasting and balanced, meeting present needs without destroying the natural environment and resource base upon which all future development depends.

This statement, often attributed to Mahatma Gandhi, is highly relevant to the discussion of development, particularly the concept of sustainability and equity.

Here are a few examples of environmental degradation that can be commonly observed:

Based on the data in Table 1.6 for the year 2022, here is the country at the top and bottom for each indicator: