Most Important Short Questions - Development
1. Why do different people have different development goals? Give an example.
Ans: People have different needs and priorities based on their situations. For example, a rural
farmer wants better irrigation, while an urban worker may seek better transport.
2. How can conflicting developmental goals arise? Explain with one example.
Ans: When a dam is built, it benefits industries with electricity, but displaces tribal people-leading to
conflicting goals.
3. What is the meaning of national development? Why can it be different for different people?
Ans: National development means improvement in living standards of citizens. People judge it
differently-some prefer economic growth, others value equality and welfare.
4. What is per capita income? How is it used to compare countries?
Ans: It is total national income divided by population. It helps classify countries as high-income or
low-income based on World Bank norms.
5. Why is per capita income not a perfect measure of development?
Ans: It ignores income distribution and non-monetary aspects like health and education, so it gives a
partial picture.
6. Explain the term Human Development Index. Name its three indicators.
Ans: HDI ranks countries based on life expectancy, education level, and per capita income, giving a
broad view of development.
7. What does sustainable development mean? Why is it essential?
Ans: It means meeting present needs without harming future generations. It ensures long-term
resource use and environmental balance.
8. Give two examples of public facilities. Why are they important?
Ans: Examples: Education and healthcare. They promote equality, better living conditions, and
support overall development.
9. What does the infant mortality rate indicate about a country's development?
Ans: It reflects healthcare quality. A low IMR means better health services and overall progress.
10. Why is Kerala considered more developed than Bihar, despite having lower per capita income?
Ans: Kerala has higher literacy, better healthcare, and lower infant mortality-reflecting better human
development.
11. How is World Bank's classification of countries different from UNDP's?
Ans: World Bank uses only income (per capita), whereas UNDP considers health and education too.
12. Why do environmental concerns matter in development discussions? Give one example.
Ans: Ignoring them leads to long-term harm. For example, excessive mining destroys land and water
sources.
13. Why is employment an important aspect of development?
Ans: It ensures income, security, and better living standards. Unemployment causes poverty and
social issues.
14. Explain with example how money cannot buy all the goods and services one needs to live well.
Ans: Money can't ensure unpolluted air or good law and order. For example, even rich people suffer
from city pollution.
15. What do we learn from the example of Himachal Pradesh in terms of development?
Ans: Even with modest income, good education and health services can lead to high human
development.
16. What role does education play in development?
Ans: It empowers people, creates awareness, improves job prospects, and supports social progress.
17. What do you understand by inequality in development? How can it be reduced?
Ans: It means unequal access to income or facilities. It can be reduced by policies ensuring
education, health, and equal opportunities.
18. How can renewable and non-renewable resources affect sustainability?
Ans: Overusing non-renewables (like coal) leads to exhaustion, while renewables (like solar) help
maintain ecological balance.
19. Why should we conserve natural resources? Give two reasons.
Ans: (i) They are limited. (ii) Future generations also depend on them.
20. How does literacy rate affect the quality of life in a country?
Ans: Higher literacy leads to better awareness, health, and job opportunities, improving overall
development.
21. What do you mean by average income? How is it calculated?
Ans: It is total income divided by the number of people. It gives an idea of the income level of a
country or region.
22. What are the limitations of using averages in development comparisons?
Ans: Averages hide disparities. A high average may still mean many poor people if income is
unequally distributed.
23. What steps can be taken for sustainable development in India?
Ans: Promoting renewable energy, afforestation, rainwater harvesting, and reducing pollution.
24. Why are public facilities better indicators of development than income?
Ans: They directly impact quality of life-like healthcare and education-which income alone cannot
guarantee.
25. Explain how development can be both a goal and a process.
Ans: It's a goal because it represents the desired improvement. It's a process because it takes time
and efforts to achieve through planning and action.
26. What is HDI? Name its three components.
Ans: HDI (Human Development Index) is a composite index that measures a country's average
achievements in health (life expectancy), education (mean and expected years of schooling), and
per capita income.
27. Mention any two goals of national development.
Ans: Two goals can be: (i) Increase in average income. (ii) Better availability of public facilities like
health and education.
28. Besides income, mention any two other factors that are important for development.
Ans: Health and education are two other important factors essential for overall human development.
29. Which organization classifies countries based on per capita income and how?
Ans: The World Bank classifies countries as high-income, middle-income, or low-income based on
their Gross National Income (GNI) per capita.
30. How do public facilities help in the development of a country? Give two examples.
Ans: They provide equal access to basic services. For example, good schools and hospitals improve
the quality of life for everyone.
