Text Book Solutions All Class

2. People as Resource – Short Questions answer

October 15, 2025 by khushikhanera

Q1: What does IMR stand for? Write its functions.

Ans: Infant mortality rate (IMR) is the number of children who die under one year of age in a year. IMR has come down from 147 in 1951 to 28 in 2020.
The function of IMR is that it indicates the increase in life expectancy and improvement in child care which is useful in assessing the future progress of the country. Reduction in infant mortality involves the protection of children from infection, ensuring nutrition along with mother and child care.

Q2: Why are domestic services performed by women not treated as economic activities?

Ans: In India, most women generally look after domestic affairs like cooking food, washing clothes, cleaning utensils, looking after children, etc. They are not treated as economic/productive activities. This is mainly because of two reasons :

Such activities are performed out of love and affection and hence their valuation is not possible.
They do not add to the flow of goods and services in the economy.

Q3: Are the following activities economic or non-economic activities? Give reasons.
(a) Vilas sells fish in the village market.
(b) Vilas cooks food for his family.
(c) Sakal works in a private firm.
(d) Sakal looks after his younger brother and sister.

(a) It is an economic activity, as it involves remuneration.

(b) It is a non-economic activity, as it is a domestic service.

(d) It is a non-economic activity, as it is done out of love and affection.

Q4: Differentiate between Market Activities and Non-Market Activities.

Ans: Difference between Market Activities and Non-Market Activities. Economic activities can be classified into market activities and non-market activities.
Market Activities

Market activities involve remuneration to anyone who performs the activity. These include the production of goods and services for sale in the market. On the other hand, non-market activities are the production activities performed for self-consumption. These include consumption and processing of primary products and own account production of fixed assets.

Q5: Differentiate between voluntary and involuntary unemployment. Give an example.

Ans: A person is said to be unemployed when he is able and willing to work at the prevailing wage rate but does not find work. This is involuntary unemployment. If some persons are voluntarily unemployed (i.e., they prefer to remain out of work at prevailing wage rates) they will not be treated as unemployed. This is voluntary unemployment.

Q6: What is the nature of unemployment as found in India?

Ans: Nature of unemployment in India.

In India, unemployment is widespread. Unemployment is found both in its rural and urban areas. There is seasonal and disguised unemployment in its rural areas. People here are dependent on agriculture. Certain months do not provide much work to the people depending upon agriculture.
In urban areas, educated unemployment has become a serious problem. Many educated youths are not able to find jobs. Unemployment among graduates and post-graduates has increased faster than among the matriculates.

Q7. ‘Unemployment is an economic as well as a social evil.’ Explain the statement.

Ans: Unemployment — A Serious Problem

Today, unemployment is considered one of the most threatening problems before the country.
Society is deprived of the goods and services that the unemployed people could have produced.
Unemployment among educated persons is more serious. This is due to investments made in them.
Unemployment is not only an economic evil, it is a social problem too.
Unemployment spreads social unrest and tension as unemployed people are a frustrated class of society.

Q8: Discuss the factors responsible for the distribution of population in India.

Ans: Physical factors like shape and height of land, resources, climate etc. that affect the distribution of population in India like;

Resources: Areas rich in resources (e.g., coal, oil, wood etc.) tend to be densely populated like western Europe.

Shape and height of land: Low land which is flat, e.g., Ganges valley in India.
Ganges Valley

Climate: Areas with moderate temperature climates tend to be densely populated as there is enough rain and heat to grow crops like the U.K.

Human factors: Political, social and economic factors also affect the distribution of population in India like good job opportunities encourage high population densities, particularly in large cities like Mumbai, Bangalore, Ahmedabad having dense populations. Countries with stable governments tend to have high population density.

Q9: Why is human resource the most important resource? What steps can be taken to improve the quality of human resource? How does an improved quality of human resource help in establishing a virtuous cycle?

Ans: Existing ‘human resource’ is further developed by becoming more educated and healthy, which adds to the productive power of the country just like ‘physical capital formation’. So human resource is the most important resource.

Steps to be taken to improve the quality of human resource:
The quality of human resource can be improved through better education, food and health facilities. The quality of population depends upon the literacy rate, health of a person indicated by life expectancy and skill formation acquired by the people of the country.

Role of improved quality of human resource in establishing a virtuous cycle:

Better contribution to the productive power of the country: Existing human resource with good educational background can acquire specific skills in a better way and can contribute to national productivity more efficiently.
Higher earnings and greater contributions to society: Improved quality of human resources can give higher rates of return in future in the form of higher earnings and greater contributions to society.

Q10: How does unemployment have a detrimental impact on the overall growth of an economy?

Wastage of manpower resource: In case of unemployment, manpower who is an asset for an economy turns into a liability because utilisation of manpower becomes nil.
Economic overload: Unemployment tends to increase economic overload because of the dependence of the unemployed on the working population increases. So the quality of life is adversely affected.
Unemployment leads to social waste: The inability of educated people who are willing to work to find gainful employment implies a great social waste. An increase in employment is an indicator of a depressed economy.

Q11: What is the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan? What are its objectives? [2010 (T-1)]
OR
Write a short note on Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan.

Ans: Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan’ is a significant step towards providing elementary education to all the children of the age group 6-14 years by the year 2010.
Sarva Shiksha AbhiyanIt is a time bound initiative of central government, in partnership with the states, the local government and the community for achieving the goal of universalisation of elementary education. They also took an initiative to increase the enrollment of students in elementary education by introducing the schemes like mid-day meal.

Q12: Define human resource. When does a human resource become human capital?

Ans: The population of a country available for production activities is called human resource. Human resource becomes human capital when there is investment made in the form of education, training and medical care. When the existing ‘human resource’ is further developed by becoming more educated and healthy, we call it ‘human capital formation’. Human capital adds to the productive power of the country. It is the stock of skills and productive knowledge embodied in them.

Q13: What is unemployment? How many types it is? Explain.

Ans: Unemployment is said to exist when people who are willing to work at the prevailing wages rates cannot find jobs. When we talk of unemployed people, we refer to those in the age group of 15-59 years. Children below 15 years of age and the old people above 60 are not considered while counting the number of unemployed.

In India, unemployment is found both in rural and urban areas. In rural areas, there is seasonal and disguised unemployment. In urban areas, there is educated unemployment.

Unemployment in rural areas:

Disguised unemployment: When more persons are working in a job than actually required, the situation is termed as disguised unemployment. For example, if in an agricultural activity eight people are engaged but this work activity actually requires the services of five people, then three persons are extra. It these three people out of eight are withdrawn, total production will remain unaffected.
Seasonal Unemployment: Seasonal unemployment occurs when people are able to find jobs only during some months of the year. This kind of unemployment is generally found in the agricultural sector.

Unemployment in the urban sector:

Educated unemployment: Many people who are unable to get employment even after having academic and professional qualifications are called educated unemployed.

Q14: What is Infant Mortality Rate? Why infant mortality rate is decreasing?

Ans: Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) is the total number of children dying under one year of age in a particular period of time.
Infant Mortality Rate is decreasing due to the following reasons:

Increase in life expectancy due to improved medical facilities.
Better protection of children from infection, ensuring nutrition along with mother and child care.

Q15: Give three measures taken by the government to improve literacy conditions in India.

Ans: Opening of Navodaya Vidyalayas: Government has started to establish Navodaya Vidyalayas in each district vocational streams have been developed to equip a large number of high school students with occupations related to knowledge and skills.

Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan: It is a significant step towards providing elementary education to all the children of age group 6-14 years. It is an initiative of the central government in partnership with states, local government and the community for achieving the goal of universalisation of elementary education.
Mid-day Meal Scheme: It is a programme aimed to encourage attendance and retention of children in schools and improve their nutritional status.

1. The Story of Palampur – Short Questions answer

October 15, 2025 by khushikhanera

Q1. What was the major impact of electricity on the farmers of Palampur? Explain.

Ans: The arrival of electricity in Palampur significantly improved the farming practices in the area. Its major impacts include:

Enhanced Irrigation: Electric-run tubewells replaced traditional methods, allowing farmers to irrigate much larger areas of land.
Increased Efficiency: The use of electric harvesters has made crop harvesting faster and more efficient.
Widespread Adoption: Initially installed by the government, farmers soon began to set up their own tubewells, leading to extensive irrigation across the cultivated land.

Q2. What is the basic aim of production? What are the essential four requirements for production?

Ans: The basic aim of production is to create the goods and services that we desire. The four essential requirements for production are:

Land and other natural resources like water, forests, and minerals. Labor, i.e. people who would do the work.
Each worker provides the labour necessary for production.
The third requirement is physical capital, i.e. variety of inputs required at every stage during production.
The fourth requirement is knowledge and enterprise to be able to put together land, labour and physical capital and produce an output.

Q3. What do you mean by working capital? How does it affect the day-to-day activities in farming?

Ans: Working capital refers to the funds available for day-to-day operations in farming. It includes:

Raw materials: Items like seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides.
Cash on hand: Money needed for immediate expenses such as wages and maintenance.

Working capital is essential for: Purchasing necessary inputs for farming. Paying labourers and ensuring smooth operations.
Higher working capital allows farmers to: Buy more seeds and fertilizers. Employ more workers, leading to increased production.

Q4. What do you mean by Rabi crops and Kharif crops? When are they sown and harvested? Give examples also.

Ans: (a) Rabi crops: Rabi crops are grown in the winter season (between October to December) and harvested in the spring season (between mid-late April to mid-late June).
Examples: Potato, wheat, barley, mustard are Rabi crops.

(b) Kharif Crop: Kharif crops are sown in the rainy season (from July to September) and harvested in the autumn season.
Examples: Jowar and Bajra, Sugarcane, Cotton, Red Chillies, etc.

Q5. What is the difference between multiple cropping and modern farming method?

Ans: (a) Multiple Cropping- To grow more than one crop on a piece of land during the year is known as multiple cropping. For example, sugarcane is sown along with wheat in the winter season as sugarcane is harvested once every year.

(b) Modern farming methods- are the use of improved methods and techniques to be used in agriculture to increase yield per hectare. The use of HYV seeds, insecticides, pesticides, electric tubewell etc. is a modern farming method.

Q6. Modern farming methods require the farmers to invest more cash than before. Why? Explain.

Ans: Yes, modern farming methods like the use of HYV seeds, chemical fertilizers, electric tubewell for irrigation require higher investment in farming because they carry a higher cost than traditional ones.

HYV seeds need more water and also chemical fertilizers and pesticides to produce the best results. Higher use of chemicals causes environmental degradation also.

Q7. What was the major disadvantage associated with HYV seeds? Explain.

Ans: Major disadvantage associated with HYV seeds are as follows:

The biggest disadvantage associated with HYV seeds is the bigger requirement of water and also chemical fertilizers and pesticides to produce the best results.
Higher yields are possible only from the combination of HYV seeds, irrigation, chemical fertilizers, pesticides, etc.
HYV Seeds
Chemical fertilizers and pesticides degrade our environment killing necessary bacterias in soil.
Poor farmers could not afford HYV seeds due to the increased requirement of fertilizers and machinery.
New machinery replaced manual labour leading to unemployment and rural-urban migration.

Q8. What are the various farming and non-farming activities in village Palampur?

Ans. (i) Farming Activities

Farming is the main production activity in Palampur. About 75% of the people depend upon farming for their livelihood.
They use methods of multiple farming and modern farming techniques to increase their productivity.
Well-developed irrigational facilities and the use of HYV seeds have improved in production levels of agriculture in Palampur.

(ii) Non-Farming Activities

Non-farming activities in Palampur include dairy farming small-scale manufacturing units, shop-keeping, and transportation activities. Milk is transported to nearby and far of towns.
Family members, without hired labours, run small manufacturing units with simple techniques shop keepers buy various goods from wholesale markets in cities and sell them in villages.
Road transport facilities include rickshaws, tongs, jeeps, tractors, trucks, and bullock carts.

Q9. What do the scientific reports indicate about modern farming methods? Mention any three points.

Ans: Scientific reports indicate that modern farming methods have overused the natural resource base:

The green revolution, due to the increased use of chemical fertilizers, has led to the loss of soil fertility.
The use of groundwater with due help of tubewells for irrigation has reduced the level of groundwater.
The use of chemical fertilizers resulted in the loss of soil fertility. Therefore, farmers are forced to use more and more chemical fertilizers to achieve production levels which in turn raises the cost of production.

Q10. What are the sources of irrigation in Palampur?

Ans: Palampur holds a well-developed system of irrigation. Due to the introduction of electricity irrigation system transformed from Persian wheels to electric-run tubewells. Initially, the first few tubewells were installed by the government, and then by mid-1970s, the entire cultivated area of 200 hectares was irrigated by privately installed tubewells.

Q11. What is Green Revolution? Which crop has benefitted the most due to Green Revolution?

Ans: Green Revolution is a revolution of using modern farming methods for higher yield and achieving self-sufficiency in the production of wheat and rice. It includes the use of High Yielding Variety (HYV) seeds, irrigation, chemical fertilizers, pesticides, etc. for producing the best results. Wheat has benefitted most due to Green Revolution.

Q12. What problems do farm labourers face in terms of employment? Explain any three problems.

Ans: Problems faced by farm labourers are:

Inadequate wages: The government has fixed the minimum wages as Rs 60 per day but they do not usually get this amount of money.
Availability of labour: Too much availability of labour forces the labourers to work on lower wages.
Duration of employment: Laborers are sometimes employed on the daily wages and sometimes for the whole year. They do not have a surety of a job.

Q13. Explain any three modern farming methods.

Ans: Use of HYV seeds: The use of High Yielding Variety seeds promises a larger quantity of production of food grains.

Use of farm machinery: Use of machinery for irrigation, harvesting, threshing, etc improves the quality of work as well as reduces time consumption.

Use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides: The use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides ensure the farmers about the better upbringing of crops in quality and quantity.

Fertilizer

Q14. Many factors are responsible for the poor economic condition of farm labourers like Dala and Ramkali. Can you explain a few of these factors?

Ans: The factors responsible for the poor economic conditions of farm labourers like Dala and Ramkali are:

(i) Use of modern farming techniques

The use of modern farming techniques makes it difficult for farm labourers to get work. Tractors are used for ploughing, harvesters for harvesting, threshers for threshing, and weedicide for removing weeds.
This leaves very less or no work for farm labourers.

(ii) Poorly Paid

Due to heavy competition for work among the farm labourers, people agree to work for lower wages.
The minimum wages for a farm labourer set by the government is Rs 60 per day but they are generally paid only half of it. This forces them to take a loan from local money lenders which put them in the vicious circle of poverty.

4. Food Security in India – Key Concepts

October 15, 2025 by khushikhanera

What is Food Security?

Food security means that food is available, accessible, and affordable for everyone at all times.

Why Food Security?

The poorest section of society might often face food insecurity. Even those above the poverty line can experience food shortages during national disasters like earthquakes, droughts, floods, tsunamis, or widespread crop failures leading to famine.

Who are Food-insecure?

In rural areas, the most affected individuals are:

Landless and small farmers
Destitute individuals

In urban areas, those facing food insecurity include:

People in low-paid jobs
Casual labourers

The National Health and Family Survey (NHFS) 1998-99 estimates that about 11 crore women and children are affected.

Food is as vital for life as air is for breathing. The stability of food security relies on the Public Distribution System (PDS) and the government’s attentiveness and action when this security is threatened. Food security encompasses the following aspects:

Availability: Food production within the country, imports, and stored stock from previous years.
Accessibility: Food must be reachable for every person.
Affordability: Individuals must have enough money to buy safe, nutritious food to meet their dietary needs.

In the 1970s, food security was defined as the ‘constant availability of adequate supplies of essential food items’ (UN, 1975). Amartya Sen introduced a new aspect to food security, highlighting the importance of ‘access’ to food through what he termed ‘entitlements’ — a mix of what can be produced or exchanged in the market and what is provided by the state or society.

Therefore, food security in a country is achieved only if:

There is enough food for everyone.
All individuals can buy food of acceptable quality.
There are no barriers to accessing food.

Hunger

Food Grain Self-sufficiency

According to the National Health and Family Survey (NHFS) 1998-99, about 11 crore women and children are affected.
Food insecurity is particularly severe in certain areas:
- Economically disadvantaged states
- Tribal and remote regions
- Areas prone to natural disasters
States with the highest number of food insecure individuals include:
- Uttar Pradesh (eastern and south-eastern parts)
- Bihar
- Jharkhand
- Orissa
- West Bengal
- Chhattisgarh
- Parts of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra
Hunger is a key indicator of food insecurity, not just a sign of poverty; it can actually worsen poverty.
Achieving food security requires:
- Ending current hunger
- Reducing future hunger risks
There are two types of hunger:
- Chronic hunger results from diets that are consistently inadequate in quantity or quality, often due to low income.
- Seasonal hunger is linked to the farming season, affecting rural areas during planting and harvest times and urban casual workers during rainy seasons.

Try yourself:Hunger is of which type?

A.Seasonal
B.Chronic
C.Both
D.None

View Solution
Need for Self-sufficiency in Food Grains

Green Revolution Agriculture

Since gaining Independence, our government has recognised the need to become self-sufficient in food grains, particularly after the serious food shortages following partition in 1947. The need for self-sufficiency stems from the following reasons:

To provide food for the increasing population, which includes many people facing hunger.
To address issues like droughts, floods, and cyclones.
To lessen the reliance on imported food grains.

After Independence, Indian policymakers took various steps to ensure self-sufficiency in food grains. This included a new agricultural strategy leading to the ‘Green Revolution’, particularly in wheat and rice production. Indira Gandhi, who was Prime Minister at the time, highlighted the significant achievements of the Green Revolution by issuing a special stamp named ‘Wheat Revolution’ in July 1968.

The rates of seasonal and chronic hunger in India have decreased, showing progress in food security.

Hunger is often linked to poverty. Thus, achieving food security means not only addressing current hunger but also reducing the risk of future hunger.

Food Security in India

Food Grains Stockpile

Since the beginning of the Green Revolution in the early 1970s, India has successfully avoided famine, even under difficult weather conditions. Over the past 30 years, India has achieved self-sufficiency in food grains by cultivating a variety of crops across the nation. The Indian government has established a food security system, which consists of two key components: (a) buffer stock and (b) public distribution system. This system includes:

Buffer stock
Public distribution system

The Public Distribution System (PDS) is the most significant initiative by the Government of India (GoI) to ensure food security. Alongside the PDS, several poverty alleviation programmes have been launched that include food security aspects. Some of these programmes are:

Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS)
Food-for-Work (FFW)
Mid-Day Meals
Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY)

The National Food Security Act, 2013 ensures food and nutritional security at affordable prices, allowing individuals to live with dignity. Under this act, 75% of the rural population and 50% of the urban population are identified as eligible households for food security.

Additionally, various cooperatives and NGOs are actively contributing to this effort. People living below the poverty line may face constant food insecurity, while those who are better off might also experience food insecurity due to disasters or emergencies.

What is Buffer Stock?

Buffer stock refers to the reserve of food grains, specifically wheat and rice, that the government acquires through the Food Corporation of India (FCI).
The FCI purchases these grains from farmers in regions with excess production.
Farmers receive a predetermined price for their crops, known as the Minimum Support Price (MSP).
The MSP is announced annually before planting season to encourage farmers to increase crop yields.
Once purchased, the grains are stored in granaries.
The government creates this buffer stock to:
- Distribute food grains in areas with shortages.
- Provide assistance to low-income families at prices lower than the market rate, referred to as the Issue Price.
- Mitigate food shortages during bad weather or disasters.

What is Public Distribution System (PDS)?

Food Grain Stock

The food obtained by the FCI is distributed via government-controlled ration shops to support low-income families, known as the Public Distribution System (PDS).
Ration shops, or Fair Price Shops, stock food grains, sugar, and kerosene.
These items are sold at prices below market rates.
Families with a ration card can purchase a specific quantity of these goods each month, such as:
- 35 kg of grains,
- 5 litres of kerosene,
- 5 kgs of sugar.
There are three types of ration cards:
- Antyodaya cards for the poorest individuals;
- Below Poverty Line (BPL) cards;
- Above Poverty Line (APL) cards.

Kinds of Ration Cards

Ration Card Types

There are three kinds of ration cards:

Antyodaya cards for the poorest of the poor,
BPL cards for those below the poverty line and,
APL cards for those above the poverty line.

Three Important Food Intervention Programmes

The system of rationing in India started in the 1940s due to the Bengal famine. It was brought back in the 1960s during a severe food shortage, just before the Green Revolution. Because of high poverty levels reported by the NSSO in the mid-1970s, three key food intervention programmes were established:

Public Distribution System (PDS) for food grains (which was improved after being in place earlier);
Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) (started in 1975 as a trial);
Food-for-Work (FFW) (launched in 1977-78).

In 2000, two special programmes were introduced: Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) and Annapurna Scheme (APS), aimed at the poorest and needy elderly, respectively. These schemes were connected to the existing PDS network.

Try yourself:Antyodaya cards are given to the

A.poor
B.poorest of the poor
C.those below poverty line
D.all of the above

View Solution
Excessive Food Stocks

Overflowing Food Granaries

In July 2002, the stock of wheat and rice with FCI was 63 million tonnes, confirmed by the source.
In 2022, the stock of wheat and rice with the Central pool is 159 LMT of wheat and 104 LMT of rice, which was much more than the minimum buffer norms.
These stock levels consistently remained above the buffer norms.
There is a general consensus that high levels of buffer stocks of foodgrains are very undesirable and can be wasteful.
The storage of massive food stocks has been responsible for high carrying costs, in addition to wastage and deterioration in grain quality.

Paradox of Excess Stocks and Starvation

Full Granaries, Empty Plates

India is in a confusing situation where government stores are filled with extra food, yet many people are still hungry.
The situation has improved due to the distribution of foodgrains under various government schemes.
Food insecurity is particularly high in certain areas, like economically disadvantaged states, tribal regions, and areas prone to natural disasters.
Many agree that having a large amount of buffer stocks of foodgrains is not ideal and can lead to waste.
Storing such large food stocks results in high carrying costs, along with waste and a drop in grain quality.
The Minimum Support Price (MSP) significantly affects the food security system.

3. Poverty as a Challenge – Key Concepts

October 15, 2025 by khushikhanera

Overview of Poverty

Poverty is a multidimensional issue characterized by hunger, lack of shelter, inadequate access to clean water, sanitation, healthcare, education, and regular employment, leading to a sense of helplessness.

Significance: Poverty is one of the biggest challenges for independent India. Mahatma Gandhi emphasized that true independence is achieved when the poorest are free from human suffering.
Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI): NITI Aayog uses the MPI to measure poverty based on health, education, and living standards. The MPI ratio in India fell from 55% (2005-06) to 25% (2015-16) and 15% (2019-21), with an expectation to reach single digits soon.

Two Typical Cases of Poverty

Urban Case (Ram Saran):

Profile: A 33-year-old daily-wage laborer in a flour mill near Ranchi, Jharkhand, earning ~Rs. 3,500/month when employed.
Family: Supports a family of six (wife, four children), plus elderly parents and a brother.
Challenges: Irregular employment, insufficient income, lives in a temporary shack, limited food (dal-rice twice daily), no new clothes, no shoes, and children (except one daughter) cannot attend school.
Additional Income: Wife earns Rs. 1,500 as a part-time maid; elder son earns Rs. 700 as a tea shop helper.

Rural Case (Lakha Singh):

Profile: A landless laborer in a village near Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, earning ~Rs. 200/day or in-kind payments (e.g., wheat, dal).
Family: Supports a family of six; father died of tuberculosis, and mother is ill.
Challenges: Irregular work, insufficient food, lives in a kuchha hut, no access to soap/oil, new clothes are rare, and health issues due to lack of medical care.
Education: Children attend school, unlike Lakha, who never did.

Rural Poverty is higher than Urban

Issues for Discussion:

Landlessness: Both families lack land, limiting income stability.
Unemployment: Irregular work leads to financial insecurity.
Large Families: Large family sizes strain limited resources.
Literacy: Low literacy levels, though children are starting to attend school.
Health/Nutrition: Malnutrition and lack of healthcare access.
Helplessness: Social exclusion and lack of opportunities create a sense of despair.

Poverty as seen by social scientists

Social scientists look at poverty through a variety of indicators. Usually, the indicators are used to relate to the levels of income and consumption.
But now poverty is looked at through other social Indicators like illiteracy level, lack of general resistance due to malnutrition, lack to access to healthcare etc.

Social exclusion

For the analysis of poverty, social exclusion is very useful.
As per this concept, poverty must be seen in terms of the poor living only in a poor surrounding with other poor people.

Vulnerability

Vulnerability describes the greater probability of being more adversely affected than other people, which is done due to an earthquake or simply a fall in the availability of jobs.
Measurement of vulnerability to poverty describes the greater probability of certain communities i.e., members of a backward caste or individuals i.e. a widow or a physically handicapped person.

Poverty Line

A threshold to identify the poor based on income or consumption levels needed to meet basic needs (food, clothing, shelter, education, health).

Methodology in India:

Based on calorie requirements: 2,400 calories/day (rural), 2,100 calories/day (urban).
Includes minimum needs like food, clothing, footwear, fuel, electricity, education, and medical care, converted to monetary terms.
Adjusted periodically for price changes.

Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI): Complements income-based measures by assessing deprivations in 12 indicators (see below).

Variations: Poverty lines differ by country and time due to varying development levels and social norms (e.g., owning a car is a necessity in the USA but a luxury in India).

Poverty line ExplanationPoverty Estimates

Consumption-Based:

1993-94: 45% (404 million poor).
2004-05: 37% (407 million poor; number stable due to population growth).
2009-10: 30% (355 million).
2011-12: 22% (270 million).

Multidimensional (MPI):

2015-16: 25% (rural: 32.6%, urban: 8.7%).
2019-21: 15% (rural: 19.3%, urban: 5.3%; 13.5 crore escaped poverty).

Key Observation: Rural poverty decline is sharper than urban due to targeted interventions.

Inter-State Disparities

Variations:

Low Poverty (<10% in 2019-21): Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Maharashtra.
High Poverty: Bihar (highest), Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan (but showing improvement).
Lowest: Jammu & Kashmir (~3.5%).

Poverty ratios vary across states

State Strategies:

Kerala: Human resource development (education, health).
West Bengal: Land reforms.
Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu: Public distribution of food grains.

Vulnerable Groups

Social Groups: Scheduled Castes (29% poor), Scheduled Tribes (43% poor).
Economic Groups: Rural agricultural laborers (34% poor), urban casual laborers (34% poor).
Intra-Family Inequality: Women, the elderly, and female infants often face greater deprivation.
Trend: Except for Scheduled Tribes, poverty in other vulnerable groups declined in the 1990s.

Try yourself:Which two states of India continue to be the poorest states?

A.Orissa, Bihar
B.Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand
C.Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra
D.None of the above

View Solution

Global Poverty Scenario

World Bank Standard: Poverty is defined as living on less than $2.15/day (2017 PPP).

Trends:

Global: Declined from 16.27% (2010) to 9.05% (2019).
China: Dropped to 0.1% (2020) due to economic growth and human resource investment.
South Asia: Declined from 13% (2017) to 11% (2021); number of poor reduced from 233 million to 207 million.
Sub-Saharan Africa: Slight decline from 36.6% (2017) to 35% (2019); the highest concentration of poor (9 in 10 extreme poor by 2030).
Latin America: Increased from 4.4% (2017) to 4.6% (2021).
Former Socialist Countries: Poverty resurfaced (e.g., Russia at 3% in 2000).

Causes of Poverty

The rapid growth of the population, particularly among the poor, is considered a major cause of Indian poverty.
Our agricultural sector has failed to generate many employment opportunities for farm labourers. Similarly, our industries could not provide many jobs for job seekers.
One of the major causes of poverty is the unequal distribution of land and other resources. Various land reform measures introduced after Independence could not improve the lives of millions of rural poor because of their poor implementation.
Social factors: People in India, including the very poor, spend a lot of money on social occasions like marriages, festivals, etc. Poor people hardly have any savings; they are thus forced to borrow. Unable to pay because of poverty, they became victims of indebtedness.
The joint family system has prevented people from doing hard work.

Anti Poverty Measures

Two-Pronged Strategy:

1. Economic Growth: Higher growth rates (3.5% in the 1970s to 6% in the 1980s-1990s) reduce poverty by creating opportunities and resources for human development.

2. Targeted Programs:

Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), 2005: Provides 100 days of wage employment per rural household, with one-third reserved for women; addresses drought, deforestation, and soil erosion.
Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Abhiyan (PM Poshan): Improves nutrition and school enrollment for children in Classes I-VIII.
Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (2016): Ensures quality antenatal care to reduce maternal and infant mortality.
Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY), 2016: Provides free LPG connections to BPL households, promoting women’s health and environmental sustainability.
Other Programs:
– Prime Minister Rojgar Yojana (PMRY, 1993): Self-employment for educated unemployed youth.
– Rural Employment Generation Programme (REGP, 1995): Self-employment in rural areas.
– Swarna Jayanti Gram Swarojgar Yojana (SGSY, 1999): Assists poor families to rise above the poverty line.
– Pradhan Mantri Gramodaya Yojana (PMGY, 2000): Rural development.
– Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY): Food security for the poorest.
– National Food for Work Programme (NFWP, 2004): Employment and food security.

Try yourself:Prime Minister’s Rozgar Yojana was started in:

A.1990
B.1991
C.1992
D.1993

View Solution

The Challenges Ahead

Persistent Issues: Wide rural-urban and inter-state disparities; vulnerable groups remain at risk.
Human Poverty: Beyond income, poverty includes lack of education, healthcare, job security, and freedom from discrimination.
Future Goals: Achieve universal education, gender equality, and job security; align with UN SDGs to end all forms of poverty by 2030.

Human Poverty

Definition: A broader concept encompassing lack of education, healthcare, shelter, job security, self-confidence, and freedom from caste/gender discrimination, beyond mere subsistence.
Significance: Development changes the definition of poverty; a “reasonable” level of living is needed, not just a “minimum” subsistence level.

Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) Indicators

Nutrition: Undernourishment in children (0-59 months), women (15-49 years), or men (15-54 years).
Child-Adolescent Mortality: Death of a child/adolescent under 18 in the past 5 years.
Maternal Health: Lack of skilled medical assistance during childbirth.
Years of Schooling: No household member (10+ years) has completed 6 years of schooling.
School Attendance: School-aged child not attending school up to Class 8.
Cooking Fuel: Use of dung, wood, charcoal, or coal.
Sanitation: Unimproved or shared sanitation facilities.
Drinking Water: No access to improved water or water source is a 30-minute walk (round trip).
Housing: Inadequate housing (natural floor, rudimentary roof/walls).
Electricity: No electricity access.
Assets: Lack of ownership of multiple assets (radio, TV, phone, etc.) and no car/truck.
Bank Account: No household member has a bank/post office account

1. The Story of Palampur – Key Concepts

October 15, 2025 by khushikhanera

Village Palampur

Palampur is a small village having about 450 families. It is 3 km away from Raiganj — a big village. Shahpur is the nearest town to the village.

Main Production Activities

Farming is the main production activity in the village Palampur.
Most of the people are dependent on farming for their livelihood.
Non-farming activities such as dairy, small-scale manufacturing (e.g. activities of weavers and potters, etc.), transport, etc., are carried out on a limited scale.

Factors of Production

Land, labour, and capital are the basic requirements for the production of goods and services which are popularly known as factors of production.
Land includes all free gifts of nature, e.g., soil, water, forests, minerals, etc.
Labour means human effort which of course includes physical as well as mental labour.
Physical capital is the third requirement for production.
Physical capital includes fixed capital (e.g. tools, machines, building, etc.) and raw materials such as seeds for the farmer, yarn for the weaver.

Try yourself:Which of the following is not a factor of production?

A.Land
B.Labour
C.Capital
D.Technology

View Solution

Important Changes in Farm Activities

Land

Land area under cultivation is virtually fixed.
However, some wastelands in India has been converted into cultivable land after 1960.
Over the years, there have been important changes in the way of farming, which have allowed the farmers to produce more crops from the same amount of land.
These changes include:
(a) Multiple cropping farming
(b) Use of modern farming methods.
Due to these changes (in the late 1960s) productivity of land has increased substantially which is known as Green Revolution. Farmers of Punjab, Haryana and Western Uttar Pradesh were the first to try out the modern farming methods in India.

Labor

After land, labour is the next basic factor of production.
Small farmers provide their own labour, whereas medium and large farmers make use of hired labour to work in their fields.

Capital

After land and labour, capital is another basic factor of production. All categories of farmers (e.g. small, medium, and large) require capital.
Small farmers borrow from large farmers or the village money lenders for the traders who supply them various inputs for cultivation.
Modern farming requires a great deal of capital.

Sale of Surplus Farm Products

Farmers produce crops on their lands by using the three factors of production, viz. land, labour, and capital.
They retain a part of produce for self-consumption and sell the surplus in the nearby market.
That part of farm produce that is sold in the market is called a marketable surplus. Small farmers have little surplus output.
It is the medium and large farmers only who have substantial surplus produce for selling in the market.

Non-farm activities

Out of every 100 workers in the rural areas in India, only 24 are engaged in non-farm activities.
There is a variety of non-farm activities in the village.
Dairy, small-scale manufacturing, transport, etc., fall under this category.

Watch the video below for detailed explanation:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=cUoTuu1regE%3Fwmode%3Dopaque

4. Food Security in India – Worksheet Solutions

October 15, 2025 by khushikhanera

Multiple Choice Questions

Q1: When was the Antyodaya Anna Yojana scheme launched?
(a) In Jan 1999
(b) In October 2005
(c) In May 2000
(d) In Dec 2000
Ans:(d)

Q2: Buffer stock is the stock of food grains procured by the government through
(a) IFCI
(b) FICCI
(c) IDBI
(d) FCI
Ans: (d)

Q3: NREGA provides:
(a) No assured work
(b) 100-days of assured work
(c) 200-days of assured work
(d) None of the options
Ans: (b)

Q4: Which institution was set up by Maharashtra Academy of Development Science to facilitate a network of NGOs?
(a) Co-operative banks
(b) Commercial banks
(c) Gramin banks
(d) Grain banks
Ans: (d)

Q5: In which year was the Integrated Child Development Service (ICDS) introduced?
(a) 1995
(b) 1985
(c) 1965
(d) 1975
Ans: (d)

Q6: In which decades was the Rationing System introduced in India?
(a) 1960s
(b) 1950s
(c) 1970s
(d) 1940s
Ans: (d)

Q7: In which of the following years was the food grain stock with the FCI the maximum?
(a) 2000
(b) 2001
(c) 2009
(d) 2002
Ans: (d)

Q8: Which among the following schemes was initiated for the poor in all areas?
(a) AAY
(b) RPDS
(c) TPDS
(d) All of the options
Ans: (d)

Q9: In the year 2000 which of the following programmes was launched?
(a) PMGY
(b) NREGA
(c) APS
(d) PDS
Ans: (c)

Q10: Which of the following places of Jharkhand witnessed starvation death recently?
(a) Ranchi
(b) Puri
(c) Dhanbad
(d) Palamau
Ans: (d)Very Short Answer Questions

Q1: Mention any two programmes initiated by the government having food component in them.
Ans: Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) and Mid-Day Meals

Q2: Name the revolution brought about by Amul.
Ans: White Revolution

Q3: What is the full form of NHFS?
Ans: NHFS stands for National Health and Family Survey.

Q4: What does FCI stand for?
Ans: Food Corporation of India (FCI)

Q5: Where is the Academy of Development Science located?
Ans: Maharashtra

Q6: Which programme is acknowledged as the successful and innovative food security intervention?
Ans: The ADS Grain Bank programme is acknowledged as a successful and innovative food security intervention.

Q7: Which is the most important step taken by the government of India to ensure food security?
Ans: Public Distribution System (PDS) is the most important step taken by the Government of India (GoI) towards ensuring food security.

Q8: When was rationing system revived after Bengal famine?
Ans: The rationing system was revived in the wake of an acute food shortage during the 1960s, prior to the Green Revolution.

Q9: What is food security?
Ans: Food security means availability, accessibility and affordability of food to all people at all times.

Q10: When was rationing system introduced in India?
Ans: The introduction of Rationing in India dates back to the 1940s against the backdrop of the Bengal famine.

Q11: How has minimum support price supported the farmers?
Ans: The minimum support price and procurement has contributed to an increase in food grain production and provided income security to farmers in certain regions.

Q12: What are fair price shops?
Ans: The food procured by the FCI is distributed through government regulated ration shops among the poorer section of the society. These ration shops are also known as Fair Price Shops.

Q13: When and where was the most devastating famine in India occurred?
Ans: The most devastating famine that occurred in India was the famine of Bengal in 1943. This famine killed thirty lakh people in the province of Bengal.

Q14: Name the new strategy adopted in agriculture in India after independence to achieve self-sufficiency in food grains.
Ans: India adopted a new strategy in agriculture, which resulted in the ‘Green Revolution’ especially in the production of wheat and rice.

Q15: What is Revamped Public Distribution System (RPDS)?
Ans: In 1992, Revamped Public Distribution System (RPDS) was introduced in 1,700 blocks in the country. The target was to provide the benefits of PDS to remote and backward areas.

3. Poverty as a Challenge – Worksheet Solutions

October 15, 2025 by khushikhanera

Multiple Choice Questions

Q1: How many people in India live below the poverty line?
(a) 30 crores
(b) 26 crores
(c) 28 crores
(d) 24 crores
Ans: (b)

Q2:Poverty line in rural areas is (As per 1999 – 2000 prices)
(a) Rs 328
(b) Rs. 370
(c) Rs 454
(d) Rs. 460
Ans: (a)

Q3:In which state have the land reform measures helped to reduce poverty?
(a) Tamil Nadu
(b) Punjab
(c) West Bengal
(d) Kerala
Ans: (c)

Q4:Which of the following is responsible for high poverty rates?
(a) Huge income inequalities
(b) Unequal distribution of land
(c) Lack of effective implementation of land reforms
(d) All the above
Ans: (d)

Q5:Poverty ratio in India as compared to Pakistan is
(a) same
(b) half
(c) two times
(d) two and a half times
Ans: (c)

Q6:Which state has the largest percentage of poors in India?
(a) Bihar
(b) Orissa
(c) Kerala
(d) Punjab
Ans: (b)

Q7:Who do not come under the category of urban poor?
(a) The casual workers
(b) The unemployed
(c) The shopkeepe
(d) Rickshawpullers
Ans: (c)

Q8:Which one of the social groups is vulnerable to poverty?
(a) Scheduled caste
(b) Urban casual labour
(c) Rural agricultural households
(d) All the above
Ans: (d)

Q9: The calorie requirement is higher in the rural areas because:
(a) they do not enjoy as much as people in the urban areas.
(b) food items are expensive.
(c) they are engaged in mental work.
(d) people are engaged in physical labour.
Ans: (d)

Q10: Which one from the following states is above the national average of poverty ratio?
(a) West Bengal
(b) Tamil Nadu
(c) Andhra Pradesh
(d) Karnataka
Ans: (a)Very Short Answer Questions

Q1: When is a person considered poor?
Ans: A person is considered poor if his or her income or consumption level falls below a given “minimum level” necessary to fulfill basic needs.

Q2: Poverty which was officially non-existent earlier has resurfaced in which country?
Ans: Poverty has resurfaced in Russia, where officially it was non-existent earlier.

Q3: Give one factor responsible for reduction of poverty in West Bengal.
Ans: In West Bengal, land reform measures have helped in reducing poverty.

Q4: Mention any one historical reason for poverty in India.
Ans: One historical reason is the low level of economic development under the British colonial administration.

Q5: What is India’s most compelling challenge?
Ans: Poverty reduction is the India’s most compelling challenge.

Q6: Which two states of India continue to be the poorest?
Ans: Orissa and Bihar continue to be the two poorest states with poverty ratios of 47 and 43 per cent respectively.

Q7: What are the factors of human poverty?
Ans: Factors of human poverty are food and shelter, health care, education and job security, and gender equality and dignity for the poor.

Q8: What are the factors responsible for the reduction of poverty in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu?
Ans: In Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu public distribution of food grains could have been responsible for the improvement.

Q9: How does a country measure its poverty?
Ans: Each country uses an imaginary line that is considered appropriate for its existing level of development and its accepted minimum social norms.

Q10: Which states of India have seen a significant decline in poverty?
Ans: There has been a significant decline in poverty in Kerala, Jammu and Kashmir, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and West Bengal.

Q11: State the two consequences of poverty.
Ans: Two consequences of poverty are:
(i) Growth of slum areas
(ii) High level of indebtedness

Q12: What are the factors responsible for the reduction of poverty in Punjab and Haryana?
Ans: States like Punjab and Haryana have traditionally succeeded in reducing poverty with the help of high agricultural growth rates.

Q13: How is regular growth of population a major cause of poverty?
Ans: Due to high population growth, the pressure on resources will increase. People will have to manage with a smaller share of resources. This situation will cause more poverty.

Q14: Why is the calorie requirement higher in rural areas than in urban areas?
Ans: Since people living in rural areas engage themselves in more physical work, calorie requirements in rural areas are considered to be higher than urban areas.

Q15: Who advocated that India would be truly independent only when the poorest of its people become free of human suffering?
Ans: Mahatama Gandhi always insisted that India would be truly independent only when the poorest of its people become free of human suffering.

2. People as Resource – Worksheet Solutions

October 15, 2025 by khushikhanera

Multiple Choice Questions

Q1. Which programme provides schooling to rural talented children?

(a) Kendriya Vidyalaya
(b) Navodaya Vidyalaya
(c) Mid-Day Meal
(d) Samagra Shiksha

Ans: (b) Navodaya Vidyalaya

Navodaya Vidyalayas are set up in each district to provide quality education to talented children in rural areas, offering residential schooling in every district.

Q2. Disguised unemployment is mostly found in:

(a) Industries
(b) Software jobs
(c) Agriculture
(d) Hospitals

Ans: (c) Agriculture

In disguised unemployment, more people are working than actually needed, especially in agriculture. For example, if only 5 people are required but 8 are working on the same land without increasing output, 3 are considered disguisedly unemployed.

Q3. Which of the following is a significant step towards providing elementary education to all the children in the age group of 6-14 years?

(a) Sarva Siksha Abhiyan
(b) Adult Education Programme
(c) Mid-day meal
(d) Mid-day meal

Ans: (a) Sarva Siksha Abhiyan

Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) aims to provide universal access to education, particularly to disadvantaged groups, by building schools, improving quality, and encouraging retention.

Q4. Investment in human capital is expenditure on

(a) education
(b) training
(c) medical care
(d) All the above

Ans: (d) All the above

Investment in human capital includes education, training, and medical care, which improve the skills, productivity, and health of individuals—making them valuable resources.

Q5. Which of these is not a market activity?
(a) Teacher in a school
(b) Mother cooking at home
(c) Farmer selling crops
(d) Doctor in hospital

Ans: (b) Mother cooking at home

Market activities involve work done for pay or profit. Cooking at home is a non-market activity as it is done for self-consumption and does not involve remuneration.

Assertion-Reason Type Questions

Q1. Assertion (A): Sakal was able to get a job in a private firm.
Reason (R): He received vocational training and higher education.