Development NCERT Notes
Development NCERT Notes
NCERT Problems
This image presents a powerful visual commentary on urban life, inequality, and invisible
labour.
Key Elements & Interpretation:
1. The Cyclist (Central Figure)
The man riding the cycle appears to be a working-class labourer—possibly a delivery
person or daily wage worker. He is physically exerting himself, suggesting hard work and
struggle. His placement at the centre highlights his importance.
2. The building (Right Side)
The multi-storey building shows different scenes:
People relaxing comfortably (top floor)
A domestic worker serving a family (middle floor)
A shopkeeper/business activity (bottom floor)
This represents different economic classes living in the same structure—especially the
privileged class enjoying comfort.
3. Cars (Left Side)
The cars symbolize wealth, modern lifestyle, and privilege. They contrast sharply with the
cyclist’s effort, suggesting inequality in access to resources.
4. Ground Details (Bottom)
The presence of stray animals and scattered items indicates neglect, poverty, or the harsh
reality of life at the bottom level.
5. Hidden Message (Caption)
The line at the bottom—“Without me they cannot develop”—is the core message. It
emphasizes that:
The entire system—comfortable homes, services, businesses—depends on the labour of
people like the cyclist, who often remain unnoticed and underappreciated.
Overall Meaning:: The image highlights economic inequality and social dependence.
While the upper classes enjoy comfort and development, it is the hard work of the lower-
income group that sustains this lifestyle. Yet, their contribution often goes unrecognized.
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Table (Page number 4) The missing developmental goals / aspirations can be completed as
follows:
She wants equal rights and respect in the family, opportunities for
A rural woman from a land-
education and employment, and freedom to take decisions about her
owning family
life.
These answers reflect the idea that developmental goals are different for different people
depending on their needs, occupation, and social background.
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1. Why do different persons have different notions of development? Which explanation
is more important and why?
People have different notions of development because their needs, priorities, and
circumstances vary.
(a) Because people are different – This is true, as individuals have different
preferences and aspirations.
(b) Because life situations of persons are different – This is more important because a
person’s occupation, income, gender, location, etc., directly influence what they
consider as development.
Conclusion: Option (b) is more important because life situations shape people’s needs and
goals more strongly than just personal differences.
2. Do the following two statements mean the same? Justify your answer.
(a) People have different developmental goals.
(b) People have conflicting developmental goals.
Answer: No, they do not mean the same.
Different developmental goals mean people want different things (e.g., a farmer
wants irrigation, a student wants education).
Conflicting developmental goals means one person’s goal may harm another (e.g.,
building a factory may create jobs but pollute the environment affecting nearby
residents).
3. Examples where factors other than income are important:
A job with job security is preferred over a high-paying but unstable job.
Safe and clean environment is important for good health.
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Equal treatment and respect in society (no discrimination).
Freedom and dignity in work and life.
Access to education and healthcare.
4. Important ideas of the section (in your own words):
Development is not only about income; it includes quality of life.
Different people have different goals, and sometimes these goals may conflict.
Apart from money, factors like security, equality, freedom, and environment are
equally important.
Development should be inclusive and sustainable, benefiting everyone.
CASE 1:
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2. The local company that was hired to dispose of the waste earned money from the
contract.
People who did not benefit:
1. Residents of the city of Abidjan suffered serious health problems such as nausea,
skin rashes, fainting and diarrhoea.
2. Many people were hospitalized and some even died due to poisoning.
3. The environment (air, land and sea) was polluted.
Thus, profits were earned by companies while local people suffered the consequences.
Conclusion: Development should not only focus on economic growth but also ensure equity,
environmental protection, health, and improved quality of life for all people.
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While ‘averages’ are useful for comparison, they also hide disparities
This statement highlights an important limitation of averages.
Explanation: Averages simplify data by giving a single representative value (like mean
income, marks, etc.), which makes comparison easy.
However, they do not show how the data is distributed. Because of this, disparities
(inequalities) within the data can be hidden.
Example: Suppose average income in a country is ₹ 1,00,000. This could mean:
o Everyone earns around ₹ 1,00,000 (equal distribution), or
o A few people earn ₹ 10,00,000 while many earn ₹ 10,000 (high inequality).
Both situations give the same average, but the level of economic welfare is very different.
Conclusion: Averages are useful for comparison, but they can mask inequalities, so they
should be used along with other measures (like distribution, median, etc.) for a complete
understanding.
CASE 2:
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Core Idea: Development is not just about total income, but also about how equally income
and resources are distributed.
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3. At Current Prices = Calculated using prices of the current year, so it includes
inflation
Per Capita NSDP at current prices is the average income per person in a state, measured
using current year prices.
Example If: NSDP = ₹ 10,00,000 crore, Population = 10 crore
Per capita NSDP = ₹ 1,00,000 per person
SIGNIFICANCE OF NSDP: It Reflects standard of living (approx.), Used to compare
states, Includes price changes (inflation), Higher value generally higher economic well-
being
CASE 3:
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Data: Haryana: 73, Kerala: 94, Bihar: 69
Interpretation:
Kerala again leads Almost all children attend secondary school
Bihar is lowest Higher dropout rates
Shows continuity in education, not just literacy
Overall Comparison & Analysis
Kerala (Best Performer): Lowest IMR, Highest literacy, Highest school attendance
Indicates: Strong public health system, Better education infrastructure , Higher human
development
Haryana (Moderate Performer): Medium literacy and attendance, Higher IMR than Kerala
Indicates:
Developing but still needs improvement in health sector
Bihar (Least Performer): Low literacy, Low attendance, High IMR
Indicates: Poor education and health facilities, Lower standard of living
PUBLIC FACILITIES
Main Idea
Even if a person has a high income, they may still lack important necessities like clean
environment, healthcare, education, and safety. These are called public facilities, and they
are usually provided collectively by the government or society.
Income alone is not enough for a good life
Money has limitations: Having income does not mean you can buy everything needed for a
good life.
Cannot buy all essential services: Some important things like clean environment, public
health, and safety cannot be bought individually.
Example: Environment: Money cannot ensure a pollution-free environment unless the
whole community maintains it.
Example: Healthcare You cannot guarantee pure medicines or disease protection unless
proper systems exist in society.
Example: Protection from diseases Individual effort is not enough; community-level
preventive steps are required.
Money can buy many things, but not everything needed for a healthy and dignified
life.
Examples:
o You cannot always buy a pollution-free environment.
o You cannot ensure pure medicines just with money.
o You cannot fully protect yourself from infectious diseases unless the whole
community is safe.
Therefore, income is not a complete indicator of well-being.
Importance of Collective (Public) Facilities
Some services are better provided collectively Example: security, education, healthcare.
Cost-effective It is cheaper to provide services like security or schools for everyone
together rather than individually.
Education depends on society You can study only if: Schools exist, Other children also
attend Society/government provides facilities
Government role is essential Government must provide: Schools, Hospitals, Public services
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Healthcare (hospitals, vaccination), Education (schools, colleges), Clean drinking water
Sanitation, Security, Roads and transport
Why Public Facilities are Important
1. Collective Benefit
Many services work better when provided to everyone together.
Example: It is cheaper and more effective to have community security than each
house hiring guards.
2. Essential for Equal Opportunities
Education depends on availability of schools.
If no one else in your locality studies, you may not get schooling unless you can
afford expensive private options.
3. Improves Quality of Life
Public health measures (clean water, sanitation) protect entire communities, not just
individuals.
4. Reduces Inequality
Without public facilities, only rich people can access basic services.
Public provision ensures everyone gets a fair chance.
Example: Haryana vs Kerala
People in Haryana may have higher income, but Kerala performs better in:
o Education, Health, Public services
o This shows that public facilities matter more than just income.
Role of Government
The government should: Build schools and hospitals, Provide clean water and
sanitation, Ensure equal access for all
Especially important for: Poor people, Rural areas, Girls’ education (as mentioned in
the passage)
Key Conclusion
“Money in your pocket cannot buy everything you need to live well.”
A good life depends on both income and availability of public facilities.
Real-Life Implication
Even if a state (like Haryana) has higher average income, it may still:
o Lack good healthcare
o Lack education facilities
o Have poor living conditions
A state (like Kerala) may have better public services, leading to: Better quality of life
despite lower income
Is Haryana ahead of Kerala in literacy rate etc.?
No, Haryana is not ahead of Kerala in literacy and health indicators.
Although Haryana has higher per capita income,
Kerala performs better in:
o Literacy rate (much higher)
o Infant Mortality Rate (lower)
o Life expectancy (higher)
Conclusion:
o Kerala has better human development despite lower income.
o Income alone does not decide quality of life.
Examples where collective provision is cheaper: Public transport (buses, trains),
Government schools, Hospitals/primary health centres, Public Distribution System (PDS)
(ration shops), Police/security services, Street lighting and sanitation
These are cheaper because:
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Cost is shared among many people
Government provides at subsidised rates
Does good health & education depend only on government spending?
No, not only on money spent.
Other important factors:
Efficient implementation of policies
Availability of trained teachers and doctors
Public awareness and participation
Proper infrastructure (schools, hospitals, roads)
Equal access (rural vs urban, gender equality)
Good governance and transparency
Even with high spending, poor management = poor outcomes.
4. Tamil Nadu vs West Bengal (ration shop use)
Tamil Nadu people are better off. Why?
90% people use ration shops strong PDS system
Ensures: Food security, Affordable essential goods, Better nutrition
In West Bengal:
o Only 35% use ration shops weak PDS
o Less access to cheap food
Conclusion: Better functioning public services = better standard of living.
CASE 4:
This table compares India and its neighbouring countries on key indicators of development
for the year 2022. It is useful for understanding the concept of Human Development Index
(HDI).
Columns Explained
1. Gross National Income (GNI) per capita (PPP $)
o Shows the average income per person (adjusted for cost of living across
countries).
o Higher value = better standard of living.
2. Life Expectancy at Birth
o Average number of years a person is expected to live.
o Reflects healthcare, nutrition, and living conditions.
3. Mean Years of Schooling (25+ age)
o Average years of education received by adults.
o Indicates educational development.
4. HDI Rank (2021–22)
o Overall ranking based on income, health, and education.
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o Lower rank number = better development.
Country-wise Analysis
Sri Lanka
o Highest GNI (11,899), highest life expectancy (76.6), and highest schooling
(11.2 years).
o Best HDI rank (78) among these countries most developed in this group.
India
o Moderate income (6,951) and life expectancy (67.7).
o Schooling is relatively low (6.5 years).
o HDI rank: 134 developing, but behind Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
Myanmar
o Lower income (4,038) and similar schooling (6.5).
o HDI rank: 144 lower development than India.
Pakistan
o Income slightly lower than India (5,374).
o Very low schooling (4.4 years).
o HDI rank: 164 one of the lowest in the group.
Nepal
o Lowest income (4,026), but decent life expectancy (70.5).
o HDI rank: 146 low development, but improving health indicators.
Bangladesh
o Income (6,511) close to India.
o Better life expectancy (73.7) and schooling (7.4).
o HDI rank: 129 better overall performance than India.
Key Insights
Income alone does not determine development
Example: Bangladesh has slightly lower income than India but better HDI rank.
Sri Lanka performs best overall: Strong in health, education, and income.
India is mid-level among neighbours: Needs improvement especially in education
and health.
Pakistan and Nepal lag behind: Mainly due to low education and income.
Conclusion: The table clearly shows that human development depends on multiple
factors—not just income, but also education and health. Countries like Sri Lanka and
Bangladesh demonstrate that better social indicators can significantly improve overall
development.
CASE 5:
(a) The literacy rate for all age groups, including young and old, is 76%
for rural males and 54% for rural females. However, it is not just that
these many adults could not attend school but that there are many
children who are currently not in school.
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(b) From the table:
Girls attending school = 82% Not attending = 18%
Boys attending school = 85% Not attending = 15%
So, It is clear from the table that 18% of rural girls and 15% of rural boys are not attending
school. Therefore, literacy among children in the age group 10–14 is as high as 87% for rural
females and 90% for rural males.
(c) This high level of illiteracy among children (10–14 years) age group,
even after more than 75 years of our independence, is most disturbing.
Final Summary
Males are more literate than females overall
Gap reduces in younger age group (10–14 years)
Still, many children are not attending school, which is a concern
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Development depends on multiple factors, not just income
Better public facilities = Better quality of life
CASE 6:
Body Mass Index (BMI) is a measure used to check whether a person has a healthy body
weight relative to their height.
Formula:
Key Learning
BMI helps identify health and nutrition levels
It reflects quality of life and food availability
Undernutrition = major issue in developing countries
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Human development means improving people’s: Health, Education, Standard of living
It is not just about income but overall well-being.
Important Concept: HDI (Human Development Index) Prepared by the United Nations
Development Programme
It measures development using:
1. Income (GNI per capita)
2. Life Expectancy (Health)
3. Education (Years of schooling)
Key Idea from the Passage
Higher income does not always mean better development
Other factors like: Health, Education are equally important
Bangladesh
Lower income than India but: Higher life expectancy (73.7), Better schooling
HDI Rank: 129 Better than India
Overall Conclusion
Development is a combination of: Income, Health, Education
Tools like: BMI measure individual health, HDI measure overall development
Together show that: A country’s progress is about people’s well-being, not just money
“Human development focuses on improving quality of life through better health, education
and income, rather than income alone.”
CASE 7:
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Explanation of the Passage
1. Comparison of Countries (HDI Insight)
It is surprising that Sri Lanka performs better than India in all aspects of
development.
Even countries like: Bangladesh and Nepal have lower income than India, yet:
They have higher life expectancy
Key Idea: Income alone does not determine development and Health and education are
equally important
2. Meaning of Human Development
Development should focus on: People’s health, Education, Well-being
This is why the Human Development Index (HDI) is used.
3. Sustainability of Development
Development should: Continue in the future and not harm future generations
Scientists warn that current development is not sustainable
4. Example: Groundwater in India
Groundwater levels are falling rapidly
Key facts:
o 300 districts show decline of more than 4 metres
o 1/3 of India is overusing groundwater
o In 25 years 60%may face the same issue
Affected Areas: Punjab, Western Uttar Pradesh, Central & South India, Urban areas Shows
serious environmental concern
Answers to Questions
(a) Why is groundwater overused? Groundwater is overused due to:
Heavy use in agriculture (irrigation)
Easy extraction through pumps and borewells
Increasing population and demand
Urbanisation and industrial use
Lack of proper regulation
Insufficient recharge due to less rainfall
Result: Usage > Replenishment depletion
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(b) Can there be development without overuse? Yes, through sustainable
development
How?
Use resources carefully
Promote renewable resources
Adopt efficient farming methods
Government regulation
Public awareness
Development should meet present needs without harming future generations
Additional Question
Are there other aspects to measure human development?
Yes, apart from income, health, and education, we should also consider:
Environmental quality (clean air, water)
Gender equality
Employment opportunities
Safety and security
Freedom and rights
Quality of life
Final Conclusion: Development is not just about money, It must focus on people +
environment, Sustainable use of resources is essential
CASE 8:
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(b) Can there be development without overuse?
Yes, development is possible without overuse, if it is sustainable development.
How?
1. Efficient Use of Resources: Avoid wastage of water, energy, and raw materials
2. Use of Renewable Resources: Shift to solar, wind, and other renewable sources
3. Sustainable Agriculture: Use drip irrigation, rainwater harvesting
4. Government Policies
Regulate use of natural resources
Promote conservation
5. Public Awareness: People should use resources responsibly
Key Idea: Development should meet present needs without harming future generations.
Final Conclusion
Overuse leads to resource depletion and environmental damage
Sustainable development ensures long-term growth and balance
Answers to Questions
(a) Is crude oil essential for development? Discuss.
Yes, crude oil is very important for development because:
It is a major source of energy
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Used in: Transport (petrol, diesel), Industries, Electricity generation
Supports economic growth and industrialisation
However: It is non-renewable, Causes pollution, Overdependence is risky
Therefore, countries should: Use it judiciously, Shift towards renewable energy sources
(solar, wind)
(b) India has to import crude oil. What problems can arise? India may face several
problems:
1. Rising Prices
Increase in global oil prices higher cost of petrol/diesel
Leads to inflation
2. Economic Burden: Large import bill affects:
o Government finances
o Trade balance
3. Dependence on Other Countries
India becomes dependent on oil-exporting countries
Risk of supply disruption due to: Wars, Political issues
4. Energy Security Issues: Uncertainty in availability of oil
Exercises – Answers
1. (iv) all the above
2. (ii) Sri Lanka
3. Average = 5000 for 4 families Total income = 5000 × 4 = 20,000
Sum of 3 families = 4000 + 7000 + 3000 = 14,000
Fourth family = 20,000 – 14,000 = 6000 (iv) Rs 6000
4. World Bank Criterion: Uses per capita income
Limitations: Ignores: Health, Education, Inequality Not a complete measure of development
5. UNDP vs World Bank:
UNDP uses: Income, Education, Health (HDI)
World Bank uses: Only income
UNDP gives a better and broader measure
6. Why averages are used: To compare different countries or states easily
Limitations: Hide inequalities
Example: Average income may be high, but many people may still be poor
7. Do you agree? No, not fully agree
Per capita income is useful but not sufficient
Kerala performs better due to: Better health, Better education
Conclusion: Use income + other indicators
8. Present sources in India: Coal, Petroleum, Natural gas, Hydropower
Future possibilities: Solar energy, Wind energy, Nuclear energy, Bio-energy
9. Why sustainability is important: Resources are limited, Overuse harms future
generations, Environmental protection is necessary, Ensures long-term development
Final Conclusion
Development should be: Balanced, Sustainable. Focused on both: Economic growth &
Environmental protection
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