Development – Very Short Answer Type Questions
CBSE Class 10 — Economics
Chapter 1: Understanding Economic Development — Very Short 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: 50–60 very short questions with crisp answers arranged topic-wise for quick revision as per NCERT syllabus.
What Development Promises
1. What is development?
Development is the process of improving people’s well‑being and expanding their choices.
2. How is development different from growth?
Growth refers to increase in output; development includes social and human improvements too.
3. Name one promise of development related to income.
Higher average income (per capita income) is a promise of development.
4. Name one non-income promise of development.
Better health or improved education.
5. Why does development promise security?
Because it aims to reduce poverty and vulnerability through jobs and safety nets.
6. What does improving living standards mean?
It means better housing, nutrition, access to services and amenities.
7. Give an example of development improving opportunities.
Providing universal education increases career and life‑choices for people.
8. How does development affect dignity?
By ensuring rights, social inclusion and economic independence for people.
9. What role do public services play in development?
They provide health, education and infrastructure that enable better living standards.
10. Does development always mean faster economic growth?
Not necessarily—development focuses on outcomes (health, education) not only speed of growth.
Income and Other Goals
11. What is per capita income?
Per capita income is total national income divided by the population.
12. Why is per capita income used?
To get an average measure of material well‑being in a country.
13. Why is per capita income imperfect?
It hides income distribution and non‑income factors like health and education.
14. Give one non‑income criterion for development.
Literacy rate (education) is a key non‑income criterion.
15. How does health relate to development?
Better health increases life expectancy and people’s ability to work and learn.
16. Why is distribution important?
Fair distribution ensures benefits of growth reach more people and reduces poverty.
17. Give one example of an employment-related goal.
Creation of stable and decent jobs for people is an employment goal.
18. What does 'capabilities' mean in development?
Capabilities are people’s ability to do and be what they value (education, health, rights).
19. How does education help economic development?
Education improves skills, productivity and access to better jobs.
20. Why include non‑income goals in measuring development?
Because they directly affect quality of life beyond mere monetary measures.
National Development
21. What is national development?
Overall improvement in the living standards of the people of a country.
22. Name one indicator of national development other than income.
Infant mortality rate (health indicator).
23. What does literacy rate indicate?
It indicates the level of education in a population.
24. How is life expectancy used?
As a measure of overall health and living conditions in a country.
25. Why measure poverty rates?
To know how many people lack basic necessities and to plan interventions.
26. Mention one environmental indicator linked to development.
Access to clean drinking water or air quality can be environmental indicators.
27. What is human development?
Human development focuses on expanding people’s choices like education and health.
28. Why are multiple indicators used for national development?
They give a fuller picture than income alone by capturing social and health aspects.
How to Compare Different Countries or States
29. Why is per capita income comparison sometimes misleading?
Because it’s an average and does not reflect inequalities or quality of services.
30. What additional criteria should be used to compare regions?
Health, education, employment and public services should be considered.
31. Give one example where two places with same income differ.
One may have better schools and hospitals while the other lacks these facilities.
32. What does distributional data show?
How income or resources are shared among people in a region.
33. Why check access to public services when comparing?
Because services like water and education affect everyday living far more than averages.
34. What role does unemployment play in comparisons?
High unemployment can mean poor development outcomes despite decent average income.
35. How can infant mortality rates help comparison?
Lower infant mortality indicates better health care and overall development.
36. What is a simple way to show inequality?
Divide population into quintiles and compare income/shares among them.
37. Why are multi‑dimensional indices useful?
They combine several indicators into one measure to reflect true development levels.
38. Name one such multi‑dimensional measure.
The Human Development Index (HDI) is an example of a multi‑dimensional measure.
Income and Other Criteria — Practical Notes
39. What does employment structure tell us?
It shows the distribution of workers across agriculture, industry, and services.
40. Why is sectoral distribution important?
Because a shift to services/industry often indicates structural development.
41. How can public spending affect development?
Spending on health and education improves human capabilities and future growth.
42. What is the Gini coefficient?
A measure of income inequality within a population (higher means more unequal).
43. Name one limitation of GDP as an indicator.
GDP ignores unpaid work and environmental degradation.
44. How do public facilities influence income distribution?
They provide access to services that help poor people improve productivity and incomes.
45. What is social infrastructure?
Facilities like schools, hospitals and community centers that support social welfare.
46. Why is rural infrastructure important?
It connects farmers to markets and improves rural incomes and opportunities.
Public Facilities
47. Give two examples of public facilities.
Schools and primary health centres are examples of public facilities.
48. How do schools contribute to development?
They raise literacy and skills, enabling better jobs and productivity.
49. How do primary health centres help communities?
By providing basic medical care and reducing disease and mortality.
50. What is the role of roads in development?
Roads improve connectivity, reduce transport costs and expand markets and services.
51. Why is access to clean water vital?
Clean water prevents diseases and supports health and productivity.
52. How does electricity support development?
Electricity powers businesses, schools and health facilities improving overall welfare.
53. What makes a public facility effective?
Accessibility, quality, regular funding and good management make public facilities effective.
54. Why are targeted public services important for the poor?
They ensure that vulnerable groups receive the support needed to improve their lives.
Sustainability of Development
55. What is sustainability in development?
Sustainability means meeting present needs without harming future generations’ ability to meet theirs.
56. Name one environmental threat to sustainability.
Deforestation is a threat that reduces natural resources for future use.
57. How does overuse of groundwater affect sustainability?
It depletes water resources and harms agriculture and future water availability.
58. Give one economic policy that promotes sustainability.
Investing in renewable energy promotes long‑term ecological sustainability.
59. Why is social equity part of sustainability?
Because unequal access to resources undermines long‑term social stability and development.
60. How can education support sustainability?
Education raises awareness about conservation and responsible use of resources.
These very short Q&A pairs follow NCERT themes and are ideal for quick revision before CBSE Class 10 exams. Use them alongside the textbook for best results.