Here are the comprehensive Development Notes, based primarily on the NCERT textbook for the CBSE Class 10 Economics syllabus, Chapter 1. These notes cover all key concepts of the chapter, including the meaning and goals of development, the diversity of developmental aspirations, national development, income and other criteria, Human Development Index (HDI), and sustainability of development. Designed to help you grasp each topic clearly, the notes include simple explanations, real-life examples, data-based comparisons, and relevant economic terms. Whether you are revising for exams or building a strong foundation, this chapter summary is your quick and reliable guide.
Introduction to Development
- Development is a complex idea. It has many aspects and people have different perspectives on what it means.
- The goal of development is to think about what a country should be like, the essential things people require, and how to work towards achieving a better life for all.
- The way we live today is influenced by the past, and a democratic political process is necessary to achieve these aspirations.
What Development Promises – Different People, Different Goals
- People have different developmental goals and aspirations based on their life situations.
- For example, a landless rural laborer wants more workdays and better wages, while a prosperous farmer from Punjab wants higher support prices for crops and to settle their children abroad.
- The developmental goals of different people can be conflicting. For instance, an industrialist wanting more electricity may desire a dam, but this could displace a tribal person who would prefer small check dams or tanks.
- Therefore, what is development for one person may not be for another, and it could even be destructive for the other.
Income and Other Goals
- Besides seeking more income, people also desire other non-material things like equal treatment, freedom, security, and respect.
- These non-material things are also important for the quality of life and can sometimes be more crucial than a higher income.
- For example, a job with less pay but regular employment may be preferred over a high-paying job with no security.
- For development, people look at a mix of goals, including both better income and other important life aspects. A safe and secure environment, for example, can allow more women to take up a variety of jobs or run a business.
National Development
- Just as individuals have different goals, their notion of national development is also likely to be different and even conflicting.
- Questions to consider for national development include:
- What would be a fair and just path for all?
- Would the idea benefit a large number of people or only a small group?
How to Compare Different Countries or States?
- When comparing countries, income is considered to be one of the most important attributes. The assumption is that more income means people can get more of the things they need.
- To compare countries with different populations, average income (also known as per capita income) is used. This is the total income of the country divided by its total population.
- The World Bank uses per capita income to classify countries in its World Development Reports.
- High-income countries (rich countries) had a per capita income of US$ 63,400 or more in 2023.
- Low-income countries had a per capita income of US$ 2400 or less.
- India is in the category of low-middle-income countries, with a per capita income of about US$ 10,030 in 2023.
- While average income is a useful comparison tool, it also hides disparities within a country. For example, two countries can have the same average income, but one may have an equitable distribution while the other has a few very rich people and many poor people.
Income and Other Criteria
- Income alone isn’t a completely adequate indicator of development because money can’t buy all the goods and services needed to live well, such as a pollution-free environment or protection from infectious diseases.
- Other important indicators, besides income, are crucial for a better quality of life. For example, comparing the Indian states of Haryana, Kerala, and Bihar:
- Haryana has the highest per capita income, followed by Kerala, and then Bihar.
- However, in terms of other indicators, Kerala performs much better.
- Infant Mortality Rate (IMR): Kerala has an IMR of 6 per 1,000 live births, while Haryana’s is 28 and Bihar’s is 27.
- Literacy Rate: Kerala has a literacy rate of 94%, significantly higher than Haryana (82%) and Bihar (62%).
- Net Attendance Ratio: Kerala has a Net Attendance Ratio of 94% for the secondary stage (ages 15-17), compared to 73% in Haryana and 69% in Bihar.
- Kerala’s low infant mortality rate is attributed to its adequate provision of basic health and educational facilities.
- Providing important goods and services collectively is often the cheapest and most effective way to ensure they are available to everyone. This includes things like security and schools.
Human Development Report (HDR)
- The Human Development Report (HDR), published by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), compares countries based on a mix of criteria.
- The key indicators used in the HDR are:
- Educational levels of the people.
- Health status of the people.
- Per capita income.
- The HDR makes it clear that what is most important in development is the well-being and health of a country’s citizens.
- India’s HDI rank in 2021-22 was 134 out of 193 countries, lower than its neighbors like Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, even though they have a lower per capita income.
Sustainability of Development
- Since the second half of the twentieth century, scientists have been warning that the present type and level of development may not be sustainable.
- Sustainability of development means that the level of development is maintained for future generations.
- Renewable resources, like groundwater, can be overused if the rate of consumption exceeds the rate of replenishment. About one-third of India is overusing its groundwater reserves.
- Non-renewable resources, like crude oil, have a fixed stock that will eventually be exhausted. Current global crude oil reserves are estimated to last for only about 47 years at the present rate of extraction.
