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NCERT Solution for Class 10 Social Science Chapter 1 Development - 2025-26

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Economics Class 10 Chapter 1 Questions and Answers with Explanations

Unlock the comprehensive study with Vedantu through the Class 10 Economics Chapter 1 Questions and Answers PDF. This gives access to our Development Class 10 PDF, which explains fundamental principles crucial for understanding the subject's intricacies with Class 10 Economics NCERT Solutions.

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By accessing Class 10 Economics Chapter 1 questions and answers, students gain comprehensive insights into the core concepts.  Development involves thinking about these questions and about how we can work towards achieving these goals. This is a complex task and in this chapter, we shall make a beginning at understanding development. Check out the revised Class 10 social science syllabus and start practising social science Class 10 Chapter 1 question answer.


Glance on NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Economics Chapter 1 Development

  • This is a snapshot of what students will find in the NCERT solutions for Economics Chapter 1 Class 10 on Development in your textbook.

  • The Class 10 Economics Chapter 1 Question Answer guides you through various ways to measure a country's progress, like average income or literacy rate, while highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of each method.

  • Students will practise using this knowledge with solved exercises that compare countries, analyse development indicators, and even explore the bigger picture – how development can be fair and sustainable for everyone.

  • Economics Chapter 1 Class 10 explains what development means, different ways to measure it, and some pros and cons of these methods.

  • Students will also find solutions to some practice questions to test their understanding in Class 10 Economics Chapter 1 Question Answer.

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NCERT Solution for Class 10 Social Science Chapter 1 Development - 2025-26
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Access NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Economics Chapter - 1 Development

1. Development of a country can generally be determined by

(i) its per capita income

(ii) its average literacy level

(iii) health status of its people

(iv) all the above

Ans: (iv) all the above


2. Which of the following neighbouring countries has better performance in terms of human development than India?

(i) Bangladesh

(ii) Sri Lanka

(iii) Nepal

(iv) Pakistan

Ans: (ii) Sri Lanka


3. Assume there are four families in a country. The average per capita income of these families is Rs 5000. If the income of three families is Rs 4000, Rs 7000 and Rs 3000 respectively, what is the income of the fourth family?

(i) Rs 7500

(ii) Rs 3000

(iii) Rs 2000

(iv) Rs 6000

Ans: (iv) Rs 6000

 

4. What is the main criterion used by the World Bank in classifying different countries? What are the limitations of this criterion, if any?

Ans: Per Capita Income is the main criterion used by the World Bank in classifying different countries. The limitations of this criterion are:

  • It doesn’t show the distribution of income.

  • It also ignores other factors such as infant mortality rate, literacy level, healthcare, etc.

 

5. In what respects is the criterion used by the UNDP for measuring development different from the one used by the World Bank?

Ans: The World Bank only uses per capita income for measuring development while UNDP uses many other factors like infant mortality and healthcare facility education level which help in improving the quality of life and in making the citizens more productive.


6. Why do we use averages? Are there any limitations to their use? Illustrate with your examples related to development. 

Ans: We use averages because they are useful for comparing differing quantities of the same category. For example, to compute the per capita income of a country, averages have to be used because there are differences in the incomes of diverse people. However, there are limitations to the use of averages. This does not show the distribution of things between people. For example, if a country has a very high per capita income then we can’t say that citizens living in that country are very rich because we do not know about the distribution of wealth in that country. Some people might be richer while other people are very poor in that country.


7. Kerala, with lower per capita income has a better human development ranking than Punjab. Hence, per capita income is not a useful criterion at all and should not be used to compare states. Do you agree? Discuss.

Ans: No, I do not agree with the statement that per capita income is not a useful criterion at all. Kerala, with lower per capita income, has a better human development ranking than Punjab because, human development ranking is determined using a combination of factors such as health, education, and income. So, this does not imply that per capita income is not useful. Rather, per capita income is one of the development factors and can not be neglected. The World Bank uses per capita income as the criterion for measuring development and comparing states. However, this criterion has certain limitations because the determination of the Human Development Index (HDI) is done using this criterion along with some other development factors like health, education, etc.


8. Find out the present sources of energy that are used by the people in India. What could be the other possibilities fifty years from now?

Ans: The present sources of energy that are used by the people of India are electricity, coal, crude oil, cow dung, and solar energy. Other possibilities fifty years from now, could include ethanol, bio-diesel, nuclear energy, and better utilisation of wind energy, especially with the imminent danger of oil resources running out.


9. Why is the issue of sustainability important for development?

Ans: The issue of sustainability is important for development because development must be in tandem with the future. If natural resources are not sustained, then development will stagnate after a point of time. Exploiting resources unethically will ultimately undo the development that a country may have achieved. This is because, in the future, those resources will not be available for further progress.


10. “The Earth has enough resources to meet the needs of all but not enough to satisfy the greed of even one person”. How is this statement relevant to the discussion of development? Discuss.

Ans: “The Earth has enough resources to meet the needs of all but not enough to satisfy the greed of even one person”. This statement is relevant to the discussion of development since both resources and development go hand in hand. For the sustainability of development, the maintenance of resources is also crucial. As the statement claims, the Earth has enough resources- renewable and non-renewable to satisfy everyone’s needs; however, these need to be used to keep the environment protected and clean so that a balance of production and use is maintained, and shortages are avoided.


11. List a few examples of environmental degradation that you may have observed around you.

Ans: A few examples of environmental degradation:

  • Deforestation

  • Soil erosion

  • Falling levels of groundwater

  • Depletion of the ozone layer and combustion from automobiles causing extreme

  • air pollution

  • Water Pollution

 

12. For each of the items given in Table 1.6, find out which country is at the top and which is at the bottom.

Table 1.6 Some Data Regarding India and its Neighbours for 2004


Country

Per Capita Income in US$

Life Expectancy at birth

Literacy Rate for 15+ yrs population

Gross Enrolment Ratio for three levels

HDI Rank in the world

Sri Lanka

4390

74

91

69

93

India

3139

64

61

60

126

Myanmar

1027

61

90

48

130

Pakistan

2225

63

50

35

134

Nepal

1490

62

50

61

138

Bangladesh

1870

63

41

53

137


Ans:

(i) Per Capita Income in US$: Top country – Sri Lanka; Bottom country – Myanmar

(ii) Life Expectancy at birth: Top country – Sri Lanka; Bottom country – Myanmar

(iii) Literacy Rate for 15+ years population: Top country – Sri Lanka; Bottom country –

Bangladesh

(iv) Gross Enrolment Ratio for three levels: Top country – Sri Lanka; Bottom country –

Pakistan

(v) HDI Rank in the world: Top country – Sri Lanka; Bottom country – Nepal


13. The following table shows the proportion of adults (aged 15-49 years) whose BMI is below normal (BMI <18.5 kg/m2) in India. It is based on a survey of various states for the year 2015-16. Look at the table and answer the following questions.

State

Male

Female

Kerala

Karnataka

Madhya Pradesh

8.5

17

28

10

21

28

All States

20

23


a. Compare the nutritional level of people in Kerala and Madhya Pradesh.

Ans: The nutritional status of the populace of Kerala is superior to that of Madhya Pradesh.

b. Can you guess why around one-fifth of people in the country are undernourished even though it is argued that there is enough food in the country? Describe in your own words.

Ans: Despite claims that there is enough food in the nation, one-fifth of the population suffers from undernourishment for the following reasons:

  • The difference in food grain distribution through the Public Distribution System (PDS).

  • The impoverished people in the nation cannot afford wholesome meals.

  • People with lower levels of education experience unemployment, which makes it difficult for them to pay for food, which is a basic need.

  • At the fixed-price stores, the ration is not distributed properly.


Topics Covered in Class 10 Economics Chapter 1 Development

Economics Chapter 1 Class 10 Development Topics

  1. Introduction to Development Economics

  1. Income and Other Goals

  1. National Development

  1. How to Compare Different Countries and States

  1. Income and Other Criteria

  1. Public Facilities

  1. Sustainability of Development


Benefits of NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Economics Chapter 1 Development 

  • The NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Economics Chapter 1 are prepared by top teachers at Vedantu, ensuring their reliability and quality.

  • These Class 10 Economics chapter 1 questions and answers cover all the important topics and sub-topics of the chapter, providing students with a comprehensive understanding and facilitating effective revision.

  • NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Economics Chapter 1 Developments helps students Strengthen their Understanding of Development, Master Measurement of Development, Improve analytical Skills, Build a Strong Foundation, and Encourage Critical Thinking.

  • The solutions of Development Class 10 are aligned with the updated CBSE guidelines for Class 10, enabling students to answer all questions that may appear in the exam confidently.

  • Vedantu offers the best NCERT Solutions for Class 10th Economics chapter 1 question answers, providing comprehensive support for students' self-study needs.

  • In addition to the solutions, Vedantu's subject experts provide important questions for NCERT Class 10 Economics Chapter 1, facilitating easy syllabus revision before exams.


Along with Class 10 Economics NCERT Solutions for Chapter 1, you can also refer to Class 10 Development Revision Notes. and Class 10 Development Important Questions


Conclusion 

Vedantu's NCERT Solutions for Economics Class 10 Chapter 1  provides a valuable resource for students seeking a comprehensive understanding of the subject. With the Class 10 sst Economics chapter 1, students can effectively revise the key concepts and topics covered in the chapter. The Class 10th Economics chapter 1 question answers are meticulously crafted, ensuring accuracy and clarity in explanations. Students can rely on Vedantu's NCERT Solutions to enhance their knowledge, clarify doubts, and confidently prepare for exams.


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FAQs on NCERT Solution for Class 10 Social Science Chapter 1 Development - 2025-26

1. What is the correct solution for Question 4 in NCERT Class 10 Economics Chapter 1, regarding the World Bank's criterion for classifying countries?

This question requires a two-part answer as per the NCERT guidelines.

  • Criterion Used: The primary criterion used by the World Bank is Per Capita Income (or average income). Countries are classified as rich or low-income based on this measure.
  • Limitations: The main limitation is that average income hides disparities. It does not show how income is distributed among the people. A country might have a high per capita income, but the wealth could be concentrated in the hands of a few, with a majority of the population being poor. It also ignores other crucial aspects of development like literacy, health, and life expectancy.

2. How do you solve the question comparing the development criteria of the UNDP and the World Bank from Chapter 1?

To answer this question correctly, you must contrast the approaches. The World Bank uses a narrow criterion: Per Capita Income. In contrast, the UNDP (United Nations Development Programme) uses a broader criterion called the Human Development Index (HDI), which is a composite index measuring:

  • Health Status: Measured by life expectancy at birth.
  • Educational Levels: Measured by literacy rate and gross enrolment ratio.
  • Standard of Living: Measured by Per Capita Income.
The UNDP's approach is considered more comprehensive as it measures the overall quality of life, not just economic wealth.

3. Why are averages used to measure development, and what is the main flaw in this method according to NCERT Chapter 1?

Averages, such as Per Capita Income, are used in development economics because they provide a simple way to compare different quantities across large populations, like the incomes of all citizens in a country. However, their main flaw is that they conceal disparities. For example, two countries can have the same average income, but one might have an equitable distribution of wealth, while the other has extreme wealth for a few and widespread poverty for the rest. Averages do not reflect this income distribution, which is a critical aspect of true development.

4. In the NCERT exercise comparing Kerala and Punjab, why is Kerala ranked higher on the Human Development Index despite having a lower per capita income?

This is a classic NCERT example demonstrating the limitations of using only per capita income as a development metric. Kerala has a better human development ranking because it performs better on other crucial non-income indicators:

  • It has a much lower Infant Mortality Rate (IMR).
  • It has a significantly higher literacy rate.
  • It has better public facilities for health and education.
This comparison teaches us that income alone is not an adequate indicator of development. A holistic approach that includes health and education outcomes provides a more accurate picture of people's well-being.

5. According to NCERT solutions for Chapter 1, why is the issue of sustainability crucial for development?

The issue of sustainability is vital because true development must meet the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. If a country achieves rapid economic growth by over-exploiting its natural resources (like groundwater or fossil fuels), that development is not sustainable. Once the resources are depleted, development will stagnate or reverse. Therefore, sustainable development ensures a balance between economic progress and environmental conservation for long-term well-being.

6. The NCERT textbook states, "The Earth has enough resources to meet the needs of all but not enough to satisfy the greed of even one person." How should this statement be applied when discussing development?

This statement is highly relevant to the concept of sustainable development. It implies that:

  • Resources are finite, and their use must be managed wisely and judiciously.
  • Development should focus on fulfilling the genuine needs of the population (like food, shelter, education) rather than catering to the endless greed for overconsumption.
  • Greedy, unchecked exploitation of resources leads to environmental degradation and depletes the resource base for future generations, making development unsustainable.

7. What are the primary indicators used to determine a country's development level, as explained in Chapter 1?

According to Class 10 Economics Chapter 1, development is generally determined by a combination of indicators. The key ones are:

  • Per Capita Income: The average income per person, used by the World Bank.
  • Literacy Rate: The proportion of the literate population in the 7 and above age group.
  • Health Status: Measured by indicators like Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) and Life Expectancy at birth.
  • Net Attendance Ratio: The number of children in a specific age group attending school as a percentage of the total number of children in that age group.

8. Why might different people have conflicting notions of development? Provide an example as per the chapter.

Different people have conflicting notions of development because their life situations, needs, and aspirations vary. What one person considers progress, another may see as harmful. For example:

  • An industrialist may view the construction of a large dam as development because it will provide cheap electricity for factories.
  • However, a farmer or tribal person living in that area may view the same dam as destruction, as it would submerge their lands and displace them from their homes and livelihoods.
This shows that development goals are subjective and can be conflicting.

9. How do you correctly solve the numerical problem on average income from the NCERT exercise?

To solve the problem where the average income of four families is Rs 5000 and the incomes of three are Rs 4000, Rs 7000, and Rs 3000, follow these steps:

  1. Calculate the total income: Multiply the average income by the number of families. Total Income = 5000 × 4 = Rs 20,000.
  2. Sum the known incomes: Add the incomes of the three known families: Rs 4000 + Rs 7000 + Rs 3000 = Rs 14,000.
  3. Find the fourth income: Subtract the sum of the known incomes from the total income: Rs 20,000 - Rs 14,000 = Rs 6,000.
Therefore, the income of the fourth family is Rs 6,000.

10. Besides income, what other goals are important for development, and why are they sometimes more significant than money?

Besides income, people seek other important non-material goals for a quality life because money cannot buy everything. According to NCERT Chapter 1, these include:

  • Equal Treatment: Freedom from social and economic discrimination.
  • Freedom: The ability to make one's own life choices.
  • Security: A safe and secure environment for living and working.
  • Respect from others: Having dignity and social recognition.
A high-paying job with no job security or respect may be less desirable than a job with a lower salary but a better quality of life, proving that a mix of goals is essential for development.