Development – Short Answer Type Questions
CBSE Class 10 — Economics
Chapter 1: Understanding Economic Development — Short Answer Q&A
Topics: What Development Promises | Income & Other Goals | National Development | Comparing Countries/States | Public Facilities | Sustainability
Class
10
Subject
Economics
Board
CBSE (NCERT)
Content Bank: A topic-wise set of 52 short answer type questions with clear, NCERT-aligned answers to help CBSE Class 10 students revise effectively.
What Development Promises
1. Define 'development' in simple terms.
Development is the expansion of people’s choices and an improvement in their living standards, such as better health, education and income.
2. How does development differ from economic growth?
Growth refers to increase in GDP or output. Development is broader; it includes social, political and environmental improvements besides income growth.
3. Mention two promises of development for citizens.
Higher incomes and better access to public services like education and health are two key promises.
4. What is meant by 'better living standards'?
Better living standards mean improved housing, nutrition, health care, sanitation and access to services that enhance quality of life.
5. Why is dignified living included in development goals?
Dignified living ensures people have rights, social inclusion, and opportunities to earn respect and economic independence, which development aims to secure.
6. Give one example of development creating opportunities.
Expanding secondary education creates opportunities for higher-skilled jobs and better earnings for students.
7. How do safety nets relate to development?
Safety nets protect vulnerable people from shocks (job loss, illness), thereby preserving their well‑being and enabling long‑term development.
8. Explain how public services are central to development.
Public services provide essential inputs—health, education, water—that improve human capabilities and allow people to participate in economic life.
Income and Other Goals
9. What is 'per capita income'?
Per capita income is the average income per person computed by dividing national income by the population.
10. Why is per capita income used as an indicator?
It gives a rough idea of average material well-being and allows simple comparisons across countries or over time.
11. Why is per capita income an imperfect measure of development?
It hides inequalities and ignores non-income aspects like health, education and environmental quality.
12. Name three non-income goals of development.
Health, education and social/political freedoms are key non-income goals.
13. How does education contribute to development?
Education builds skills and knowledge, increases productivity and improves people’s ability to make informed choices.
14. How does health affect economic development?
Good health raises productivity, reduces mortality and lowers healthcare costs, enabling sustained economic activity.
15. What role does income distribution play in development?
Fair distribution ensures that growth benefits reach a larger portion of society and reduces poverty and social tensions.
16. Define 'capabilities' as used in development discussion.
Capabilities are the real freedoms and opportunities people have to live the kind of life they value, like being healthy and educated.
17. Why include social and political freedom in development?
Freedom allows people to participate in decisions that affect their lives, improving accountability and human welfare.
18. Give two indicators that reflect non-income development goals.
Literacy rates and infant mortality rates are examples of such indicators.
National Development
19. What is meant by 'national development'?
National development refers to the overall improvement in the living conditions and welfare of a country's people.
20. List three indicators used to measure national development.
Per capita income, literacy rate, and life expectancy are commonly used indicators.
21. How does infant mortality rate reflect development?
Lower infant mortality indicates better healthcare and nutrition, reflecting higher development levels.
22. What is the significance of life expectancy?
Higher life expectancy suggests better healthcare, living conditions and nutrition in a country.
23. How can poverty rate inform development policy?
Poverty rates show the proportion of people lacking basic needs and guide targeted interventions and resource allocation.
24. Why is multidimensional measurement preferred?
Because it captures diverse aspects of well‑being (income, health, education) that a single measure can’t reflect.
25. What is 'human development'?
Human development focuses on expanding people’s choices, capabilities and freedoms—not just income growth.
26. Mention one environmental indicator relevant to national development.
Access to clean drinking water is an environmental indicator linked to health and development.
How to Compare Different Countries or States
27. Why is comparing per capita income alone misleading?
Because it averages incomes and does not show inequality, quality of public services or non‑income outcomes.
28. Name four criteria to compare development across regions.
Per capita income, literacy, health indicators and access to public facilities are useful criteria.
29. How can two regions with same per capita income differ?
One may have better schools and hospitals while the other may have high inequality and poor services.
30. What is the importance of employment data in comparison?
Employment structure shows economic opportunities; high unemployment signals poor development despite income levels.
31. How does the quality of public facilities affect comparisons?
Quality services (good schools, health centres) improve people’s lives and reflect deeper development than income alone.
32. Give an example of how inequality can distort averages.
If a few people are very rich while most are poor, average income may look high though most live poorly.
33. What role does regional data (district/state) play in comparisons?
Regional data reveal local disparities and help design policies suited to specific needs and priorities.
34. Why is it useful to compare both income and non-income indicators?
Because combined indicators show material well‑being and human development for a fuller comparison.
Income and Other Criteria — Practical Aspects
35. What does sectoral composition of employment indicate?
It indicates whether the economy is dominated by agriculture, industry or services and the nature of livelihoods.
36. How does a shift from agriculture to services indicate development?
It often shows structural transformation, higher productivity and more diverse employment opportunities.
37. Why is public spending on education important?
It builds human capital, increases literacy and supports long‑term economic growth and social mobility.
38. What is the Gini coefficient used for?
The Gini coefficient measures income inequality; higher values indicate greater inequality.
39. Name one limitation of GDP as a welfare indicator.
GDP ignores unpaid household work and environmental degradation, which can affect welfare.
40. How can distributional statistics guide policy?
They reveal who benefits from growth, allowing targeted policies to reduce inequality and help the poor.
41. What are 'basic amenities' in development context?
Basic amenities include clean water, sanitation, electricity and shelter that support daily life and health.
42. Why is data on school enrolment useful?
Enrolment data show access to education and help assess future human capital potential.
Public Facilities
43. Define 'public facilities'.
Public facilities are services and infrastructure provided by the state, such as schools, hospitals, roads and water supply.
44. How do schools act as development agents?
Schools increase literacy and skills, enabling better job prospects and improved socio‑economic outcomes.
45. Why are primary health centres important?
They provide basic medical care, prevent disease and lower mortality, improving community health.
46. How do roads contribute to development?
Roads connect markets, reduce transport costs and improve access to services and employment opportunities.
47. What impact does electricity have on households?
Electricity powers lighting, appliances, education and small businesses, raising living standards and incomes.
48. How does water and sanitation influence health?
Clean water and good sanitation reduce disease incidence and improve overall public health.
49. What makes a public facility equitable?
Equitable facilities are accessible, affordable and of reasonable quality for all sections of society.
50. Why monitor the quality of public services?
Quality monitoring ensures services actually meet needs and deliver expected development outcomes.
Sustainability of Development
51. What is sustainable development?
Sustainable development meets present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs, balancing economic, social and environmental goals.
52. Give one example of an unsustainable practice.
Excessive groundwater extraction for irrigation that depletes aquifers is an example of an unsustainable practice.
53. How does pollution affect long‑term development?
Pollution damages health, reduces productivity and increases healthcare costs, undermining sustainable growth.
54. Why is renewable energy important for sustainability?
Renewable energy reduces dependence on fossil fuels and lowers environmental damage, supporting long‑term ecological balance.
55. How does social equity support sustainability?
Equitable access to resources and opportunities reduces social conflict and fosters inclusive, lasting development.
56. What role does education play in promoting sustainable practices?
Education raises awareness about conservation and equips people with skills to adopt sustainable livelihoods.
57. How can government policies ensure sustainable use of resources?
Policies like regulation, incentives for conservation and investments in renewable technologies help ensure sustainable resource use.
58. State one reason why sustainability matters for future generations.
Without sustainability, future generations may face depleted natural resources, poor health and limited economic opportunities.
These short-answer questions and answers align with NCERT concepts for Class 10 Economics. Use them to practice clear, concise responses for CBSE board exams.