- a. Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) explains (A)
- b. Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) does not explain (A)
- c. (A) is correct and (R) is false
- d. (A) is false and (R) is true
Both statements are true: development raises incomes, education, health and reduces poverty, which improves quality of life; thus R explains A.
a
- a. investment on poor people
- b. expenditure on agriculture
- c. investment on assets
- d. collective abilities of people
Human resources means the collective skills, knowledge, abilities and attributes of people that contribute to economic production and development.
d
- a. growth
- b. income
- c. expenditure
- d. savings
Per capita income (average income) is one of the most commonly used attributes for comparing development between countries.
b
- a. GNP
- b. GDP
- c. NNP
- d. NDP
NNP (Net National Product) at factor cost adjusts for depreciation and measures the true national income available to the nation.
c
- a. average
- b. total
- c. people
- d. monthly
Average income (total national income divided by population) is called per capita income.
a
- a. Japan
- b. Canada
- c. Russia
- d. India
G8 (Group of Eight) historically included Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the UK and the USA. India is not a G8 member.
d
- a. India
- b. Pakistan
- c. China
- d. Bhutan
SAARC members are Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. China is not a SAARC member.
c
- a. Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) explains (A)
- b. Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) does not explain (A)
- c. (A) is correct and (R) is false
- d. (A) is false and (R) is true
NNP (Net National Product) at factor cost measures national income after accounting for depreciation; thus it is considered a true measure of national output and is known as national income.
a
- a. Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) explains (A)
- b. Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) does not explain (A)
- c. (A) is correct and (R) is false
- d. (A) is false and (R) is true
Investing in human capital (education and health) enhances productivity and growth; therefore R explains why human resources are essential for progress.
a
- a. Gender
- b. Health
- c. Education
- d. Income
HDI uses health (life expectancy), education (mean and expected years of schooling) and income (GNI per capita). Gender is not directly included in HDI (there is a separate GDI/GII for gender).
a
- a. Andhra Pradesh
- b. Uttar Pradesh
- c. Tamil Nadu
- d. None of these
In Census 2011, Tamil Nadu's literacy rate (~80.1%) was higher than the national average (~74.04%), while Andhra Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh were below the national average.
c
- a. the ratio between adult-male and adult female in a population
- b. the ratio between female and male in a population
- c. the relationship between male of female
- d. the number of females per thousand males
Sex ratio is defined as the number of females per 1000 males in a population (commonly expressed per 1000 males).
d
- a. Industrial progress
- b. Economic development
- c. Sustainable development
- d. Economic growth
Sustainable development aims to meet present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs, ensuring inter-generational equity.
c
- a. Solar energy
- b. Wind energy
- c. Paper
- d. Natural gas
Solar energy and wind energy are renewable energy sources; natural gas is a non-renewable energy source. Paper is not an energy source, so it is the odd one out.
c
- a. Tamil Nadu
- b. West Bengal
- c. Kerala
- d. Andhra Pradesh
Among the given options, Tamil Nadu has the highest installed solar capacity.
a
- a. Natural
- b. Renewable
- c. Non-Renewable
- d. New
Non-renewable resources are those that will get exhausted after use because they cannot be replenished within a human time scale (e.g., coal, petroleum).
c
- a. Oxygen
- b. Nitrogen
- c. Carbon
- d. Carbon dioxide
Thermal power plants burn fossil fuels and emit large quantities of carbon dioxide (CO2), a greenhouse gas that pollutes air and contributes to climate change.
d
Economic progress in standards of living, infrastructure, health, education and income is termed economic development.
economic development
The Ministry of Human Resource Development (now Ministry of Education) is headquartered in New Delhi, the capital of India.
New Delhi
According to Census 2011, Kerala had the highest literacy rate among Indian states (around 94%).
Kerala
The Human Development Report is prepared and released by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Groundwater is generally considered a renewable resource because it is recharged by rainfall and surface water; however, it becomes effectively non-renewable if extraction exceeds recharge.
renewable resource
The book 'An Uncertain Glory: India and its Contradictions' was written by Jean Drèze and Amartya Sen.
Jean Drèze and Amartya Sen.
Concise definition: Development implies sustained improvements in quality of life and economic opportunities — higher per capita income, better health and education, low poverty, and greater social justice.
Development is a multi-dimensional process of improving people's well-being by increasing incomes, education, health, and access to basic services while reducing poverty and inequality.
Indicators of development measure economic, social and human well-being: income and growth statistics; HDI combining health, education and income; literacy and schooling levels; life expectancy and infant/child mortality; poverty and inequality measures; employment rates; access to safe water, sanitation and healthcare.
Common indicators: per capita income, GDP growth, Human Development Index (HDI), literacy rate, life expectancy, infant mortality, poverty rate, unemployment, access to healthcare and basic services.
Key policies:
- Resource conservation: protect forests, water management, soil conservation.
- Renewable energy: incentives for solar, wind, bioenergy to reduce fossil fuel dependence.
- Pollution control: strict standards for air, water, and waste; monitoring and penalties.
- Sustainable agriculture: crop diversification, organic farming, efficient water use (drip irrigation).
- Environmental laws and institutions: EIA procedures, Environment Protection Act, National Green Tribunal.
- Economic instruments: pollution taxes, subsidies for clean tech, tradable permits.
- Urban and population policies: sustainable cities planning, public transport, waste management.
- Education and public awareness: promote behavioral changes and community participation.
- International cooperation: participation in climate agreements, technology transfer and funding.
These policies aim to balance economic growth with environmental protection and social equity so current needs are met without harming future generations.
Policies for sustainable development include conservation of resources, promotion of renewable energy, pollution control, sustainable agriculture and forestry, population and urban planning, environmental legislation, economic instruments (taxes, subsidies), environmental impact assessments, public awareness and international cooperation.
Overview of major environmental policies and measures in India:
- Legislation: Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act 1974, Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act 1981, Environment (Protection) Act 1986, Wildlife Protection Act 1972, Forest (Conservation) Act 1980—these provide the legal framework for pollution control, biodiversity and forest conservation.
- Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA): Mandatory clearance for major projects to assess environmental consequences and mitigation measures (EIA Notification 2006 and subsequent amendments).
- National Environmental Policy (2006): Sets principles for conservation, sustainable development and inclusive growth.
- National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC): Launched in 2008, includes missions such as the National Solar Mission, National Mission for a Green India, sustainable agriculture and energy efficiency missions to address climate change.
- Institutions and enforcement: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Central and State Pollution Control Boards, and the National Green Tribunal (NGT) for speedy environmental justice.
- Programmes and initiatives: Afforestation programs, conservation of wetlands and mangroves, promotion of renewable energy, waste management rules, and incentives for cleaner technologies.
- Market and economic instruments: subsidies and incentives for renewables, pollution fines, and green bonds/financial mechanisms.
These policies aim to balance development needs with environmental protection, reduce pollution, conserve biodiversity and address climate change. Challenges remain in enforcement, coordination, financing and public awareness, which policy reforms continue to address.
India's environmental policies include legislation (Water Act, Air Act, Environment Protection Act, Wildlife and Forest laws), EIA requirements, National Environmental Policy, National Action Plan on Climate Change (with missions), and institutional mechanisms like MoEFCC and National Green Tribunal, aimed at pollution control, resource conservation, biodiversity protection and climate action.
Renewable resources:
- Definition: Can be naturally replenished in short periods.
- Examples: Solar energy, wind energy, biomass, forests, groundwater (if recharge is sufficient).
- Features: Sustainable if used at or below the regeneration rate; lower long-term pollution.
Non-renewable resources:
- Definition: Exist in fixed quantities and take geological time to form; once exhausted they cannot be readily replaced.
- Examples: Coal, petroleum, natural gas, metallic minerals.
- Features: Finite; heavy dependence leads to depletion and higher pollution; extraction/consumption often causes environmental damage.
Renewable resources — Natural resources that can be replenished naturally within a human timescale (e.g., solar energy, wind, forests, groundwater when recharge ≥ use). Non-renewable resources — Resources that exist in finite amounts and cannot be replaced within a human timescale once used (e.g., coal, petroleum, natural gas, minerals).
1. Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 — Establishes schedules of protected species; creates penalties for poaching and illegal trade; sets up wildlife sanctuaries and national parks.
2. Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 — Requires central approval for diversion of forest land; aims to check rapid deforestation.
3. Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 — Establishes Central and State Pollution Control Boards to monitor and prevent water pollution; prescribes standards for effluents.
4. Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 — Enables government to take measures to maintain clean air; prescribes emission norms for industries and vehicles.
5. Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 — Provides broad powers to central government to take measures for environmental protection, regulate hazardous substances, and enforce compliance.
Five important environmental acts and their main actions:
1. The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 — Protects wild animals, plants and their habitats; regulates hunting and trade in wildlife.
2. The Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 — Restricts deforestation and regulates diversion of forest land for non-forest purposes.
3. The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 — Prevents and controls water pollution; establishes pollution control boards.
4. The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 — Controls air pollution; sets emission standards and equips boards to enforce them.
5. The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 — An umbrella legislation to protect and improve environmental quality; empowers central government to frame rules and standards.
The printed columns appear scrambled. Reconstructing the intended pairs from the chapter context: 'Development' is shown as a broad concept including 'part of daily life' (page 293); 'Human' (human resource) links to education/human resource development (pages 295–296); 'Solar energy' is an example of a renewable resource (pages 296–297); the Wildlife Protection Act is dated 1972 (page 297). Hence the correct matching is: Development → Part of daily life; Human → Education; Solar energy → Renewable resources; 1972 → Wildlife Protection Act.
| # | Correct match |
|---|---|
| 1 | Part of daily life |
| 2 | Education |
| 3 | Renewable resources |
| 4 | Wildlife Protection Act (1972). |
Key measures:
- Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (3Rs) and source segregation to minimise landfill waste.
- Composting of organic waste (household/community composting).
- Sanitary landfills with liners and gas collection; controlled disposal.
- Waste-to-energy plants and incineration with emission controls for non-recyclables.
- Industrial emission controls: scrubbers, filters, electrostatic precipitators, catalytic converters.
- Stricter vehicle and fuel emission norms; promotion of public transport and EVs.
- Policies: bans on certain plastics, producer responsibility, incentives for recycling.
- Urban planning and green infrastructure to reduce pollution and manage waste flows.
- Public education campaigns to change consumption and disposal behaviour.
Common global approaches include waste reduction, reuse and recycling; waste segregation at source; composting organic waste; sanitary landfills with leachate control; waste-to-energy incineration; strict emission standards and pollution-control technologies; adoption of renewable energy and electric vehicles; circular economy practices; extended producer responsibility; public awareness and policy measures (e.g., bans on single-use plastics, carbon pricing).
Structure your answer: 1) Identify problems specific to locality (air, water, waste, noise, loss of greenery, water scarcity). 2) Give brief causes for each (e.g., vehicles, industries, inadequate waste services). 3) State impacts on health and environment (respiratory diseases, waterborne illnesses, reduced biodiversity). 4) Provide concrete local remedies: better waste management (segregation, composting), pollution monitoring, planting trees, community awareness programs, improved municipal services and enforcement of environmental laws. Tailor details to your own locality for full marks.
Typical local environmental problems (examples): air pollution from vehicles and nearby industries; improper garbage disposal and open dumping; clogged drains and sewage contamination of water; noise pollution from traffic and construction; decrease in green cover and tree felling; water scarcity and falling groundwater levels; stray sewage and contamination of local water bodies; seasonal flooding due to poor drainage.
Suggested actions: community clean-ups, waste segregation and composting, planting trees, advocating for better waste collection services, using public transport, and working with local authorities to install waste bins, improve drainage and enforce pollution controls.
Formula: Per capita income = National (or domestic) income ÷ Total population. Example: If national income = ₹1,00,000 crore and population = 50 crore, per capita income = ₹1,00,000 crore ÷ 50 crore = ₹2,000.
Per capita income = (Total national income of a country during a period) / (Total population of the country during that period).