Economics Class 10 Chapter 1 Questions and Answers with Explanations
NCERT Solution for Class 10 Social Science Chapter 1 Development - 2025-26
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.
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.
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.
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:
- Calculate the total income: Multiply the average income by the number of families. Total Income = 5000 × 4 = Rs 20,000.
- Sum the known incomes: Add the incomes of the three known families: Rs 4000 + Rs 7000 + Rs 3000 = Rs 14,000.
- Find the fourth income: Subtract the sum of the known incomes from the total income: Rs 20,000 - Rs 14,000 = 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.











