Class 10 Economics – Chapter: Development

Question-and-Answer flashcards covering all major concepts in the Class 10 Economics chapter ‘Development’: varying goals, income vs. non-income measures, national comparisons, public facilities, HDI, BMI, and sustainable development challenges.

What does the idea of ‘development’ encompass in economics?

A complex, interdisciplinary concept linked to economic, social and political progress within a democratic process.

Why do economists say ‘Different people, different goals’ when discussing development?

Because individuals and groups value diverse objectives—e.g., higher income, freedom, equality, security—so their developmental goals vary and can even conflict.

Give one example of conflicting developmental goals cited in the chapter.

Raising the height of the Sardar Sarovar Dam promises more electricity/water for some but displaces tribals living nearby.

State the two key conclusions drawn about developmental goals.

1) Different persons can have different developmental goals. 2) What is development for one may be destructive for another.

Name two non-material goals people pursue along with income.

Equal treatment and respect (other valid answers: freedom, security).

Why is income alone an inadequate measure of development?

Quality of life also depends on non-material factors such as health, education, freedom, security and respect.

What is meant by ‘national development’?

Progress of a country as a whole, though its exact meaning can differ for different groups of people.

Which single economic attribute is most commonly used to compare countries?

Income – specifically average (per capita) income.

How is average income (per capita income) calculated?

Total income of a country divided by its total population.

According to the World Development Report 2019, what per-capita income defines a ‘rich’ country?

US $49,300 per annum or above.

What per-capita income level defines ‘low-income’ countries as per the same report?

US $2,500 per annum or less.

Into which World Bank income category did India fall in 2017 and why?

Low-middle-income country; its per-capita income was about US $6,700 per annum.

State one limitation of using average income to compare countries.

It hides income disparities and does not show how income is distributed among people.

List the three indicators compared for Haryana, Kerala and Bihar in Table 1.4.

Infant Mortality Rate, Literacy Rate, and Net Attendance Ratio (secondary stage).

Define Infant Mortality Rate (IMR).

The number of children who die before reaching the age of one per 1,000 live births in a year.

Define Literacy Rate used in development studies.

The proportion of literate people aged 7 years and above.

Define Net Attendance Ratio (NAR).

Percentage of children aged 14–15 years attending school relative to the total number in that age group.

Why can money in your pocket not buy every good or service needed for a good life?

Some essential goods/services (e.g., clean environment, public health) are collective in nature and best provided as public facilities.

Give two examples of important public facilities.

Security (police) and transportation (roads, buses, trains).

Why does Kerala have a low infant mortality rate?

Because of adequate basic health and educational facilities—key public facilities provided by the state.

What does BMI stand for and what does it measure?

Body Mass Index; it indicates whether a person is undernourished, nourished or overweight based on weight-to-height ratio.

Provide the BMI thresholds for adults to be considered nourished.

BMI between 18 and 25 (kg/m²).

Why are growing children exempt from BMI evaluation?

Their body composition and growth patterns differ from adults, making adult BMI cut-offs unsuitable.

Name the UN agency that publishes the Human Development Report.

UNDP – United Nations Development Programme.

Which three components make up the Human Development Index (HDI)?

Health, education and per-capita income (standard of living).

What question does the concept of ‘sustainable development’ raise?

Whether present development can continue without depleting resources needed by future generations.

Cite one reason groundwater is overused in many Indian districts.

Intensive agriculture and lack of water-saving practices lead to extraction exceeding replenishment.

How many districts have reported groundwater decline of over 4 metres in 20 years?

About 300 districts.

Why is crude oil considered a non-renewable resource?

It forms over millions of years and current extraction far outpaces natural replenishment.

According to BP 2018 data, for approximately how many years will world crude-oil reserves last at current usage?

About 50 years.

State one potential problem India faces due to its dependence on imported crude oil.

Rising oil prices can increase import bills, causing inflation and balance‐of‐payments pressures.

Explain in one line why sustainable use of resources is essential.

To ensure that future generations can meet their own developmental needs.