Chapter Summary
This is a concise recap of Chapter 1 — Development. Use it for last-minute revision before the Board examination.
1. Different people, different goals. Development means different things to different people; the goals of different persons may be different and even conflicting. People seek both income and non-material goals such as freedom, security, equal treatment and respect.
2. National development asks what is a fair and just path for all, and whether a decision benefits the many or only a few.
3. Comparing countries. Income is a key attribute. We use average (per capita) income = total income ÷ population. The World Bank classifies countries by per capita income (2024: rich ≥ USD 66,500; low-income ≤ USD 2,300; India ≈ USD 11,000, low-middle income).
4. Limitation of averages. Average income hides disparities — the Country A vs B example shows that equal averages can hide very different distributions.
5. Income and other criteria. Comparing Haryana, Kerala and Bihar shows that Kerala, despite lower income, does better on Infant Mortality Rate, literacy and attendance. Income alone is not enough.
6. Public facilities. Money cannot buy everything; many essentials (clean environment, health, education, PDS) are best provided collectively. Good public facilities explain Kerala's success.
7. Human Development Index (HDI). The UNDP's Human Development Report ranks countries using health (life expectancy), education (years of schooling) and income. Sri Lanka ranks above India; Nepal and Bangladesh have higher life expectancy despite lower income. The word 'Human' stresses people's well-being.
8. Sustainability. Development must be maintained for future generations. Renewable resources (groundwater) can be overused; non-renewable resources (crude oil) get exhausted. Sustainability is essential for lasting development.
Key Terms to Remember
- Per Capita Income = total income ÷ total population (average income).
- Infant Mortality Rate (IMR): deaths of children under one year per 1,000 live births.
- Literacy Rate: proportion of literate people aged 7 and above.
- Net Attendance Ratio: children aged 15–17 attending school as a percentage of that age group.
- Life Expectancy: average expected length of life at birth.
- HDI: Human Development Index — combines health, education and income.
- Sustainable Development: meeting present needs without harming future generations.
Quick Revision — Facts and Figures
| Item | Key fact |
|---|---|
| World Bank rich country (2024) | Per capita income ≥ USD 66,500 |
| World Bank low-income (2024) | Per capita income ≤ USD 2,300 |
| India's per capita income (2024) | ≈ USD 11,000 (low-middle income) |
| Highest per capita income state (of 3) | Haryana (Rs 3,25,759) |
| Lowest Infant Mortality Rate (of 3) | Kerala (6 per 1,000) |
| HDI published by | UNDP (Human Development Report) |
| HDI dimensions | Health, education, income |
| World crude oil reserves last | ≈ 50 more years |
Quick Revision — One-Line Answers
- Average income = total income ÷ population.
- Why per capita over total income? Countries have different populations.
- Biggest limit of average income? It hides income distribution.
- Which state has the lowest IMR among the three? Kerala.
- Which organisation uses only per capita income? The World Bank.
- Which uses HDI? The UNDP.
- Renewable but overused resource? Groundwater.
- Non-renewable resource example? Crude oil.