Class 12 Geography Chapter 3 Human Development

NCERT Solutions Class 12 Geography Chapter 3 Human Development

1. Choose the right answers from the given options:

Question 1.(i)

Which one of the following is India’s rank in terms of Human Development Index among the countries of the world in 2011? Answer: (b) 134

Question 1.(ii)

Which one of the following states of India has the highest rank in the Human Development Index? Answer: (c) Kerala

Question 1.(iii)

Which one of the following states of India has the lowest female literacy? Answer: (d) Bihar

Question 1.(iv)

Which one of the following states of India has the lowest female child sex ratio (0-6 years)? Answer: (b) Haryana

Question 1.(v)

Which one of the following Union Territories of India has the highest literacy rate? Answer: (a) Lakshadweep

2. Answer the following questions in about 30 words:

Question 2.(i)

Define Human Development. Answer: Human development refers to the process of expanding people’s choices by enhancing opportunities for education, healthcare, income, empowerment, and providing economic, social, and political freedom, along with a healthy environment.

Question 2.(ii)

Give two reasons for low levels of Human Development in most of the Northern States of India. Answer: 1. Lack of educational opportunities, leading to low literacy rates. 2. Limited economic development, due to insufficient infrastructure, job opportunities, and industrialization.

Question 2.(iii)

Give two reasons for declining child sex ratio in India. Answer: 1. Preference for male children and practices such as female infanticide and sex-selective abortions. 2. Neglect of female children’s health and higher infant mortality rates among girls.

3. Answer the following questions in about 150 words:

Question 3.(i)

Discuss the spatial patterns of female literacy in India in 2001 and bring out the reasons responsible for it. Answer: In 2001, female literacy in India was 54.16%, significantly lower than male literacy (75.26%). States in South India, such as Kerala, recorded high female literacy rates, while Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh showed low rates. For example, Kerala had 90.92% female literacy, while Bihar had only 47.53%. The reasons for these disparities include: 1. Educational Infrastructure: States like Kerala have invested in education, achieving near universal literacy. 2. Cultural Norms: In some states, gender discrimination limits female access to education. 3. Economic Factors: States with higher economic development (e.g., Tamil Nadu, Kerala) offer better opportunities for girls to attend school. 4. Social Barriers: In regions like Bihar, girls face social barriers such as early marriage, hindering their educational access. The gender gap in literacy is more significant in economically backward regions and states with conservative norms that restrict women’s access to education.

Question 3.(ii)

Which factors have caused spatial variations in the levels of Human Development among the 15 major states in India? Answer: India exhibits significant spatial variations in Human Development Index (HDI) across its 15 major states. States like Kerala, Punjab, and Tamil Nadu have high HDI due to several factors: 1. Education: States like Kerala have high literacy rates (90.92%) and offer quality education, contributing to higher HDI. 2. Economic Development: Economically advanced states like Maharashtra, Punjab, and Haryana show higher HDI due to industrialization and urbanization. 3. Healthcare: Better healthcare infrastructure and higher life expectancy in states like Kerala and Tamil Nadu contribute to their high HDI. 4. Social Factors: States like Kerala and Punjab have less social inequality, which enhances access to services for marginalized groups. In contrast, states like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Odisha rank lower on HDI due to: 1. Low literacy and poor educational infrastructure. 2. Underdevelopment in terms of industries, healthcare, and overall economic opportunities. 3. Social Inequality: Issues like gender discrimination, caste-based inequalities, and communal tensions exacerbate the underdevelopment. These factors, along with regional disparities in resources and access to public services, explain the variations in HDI across India.

Class 12 Geography Chapter 3 NCERT Extra Questions

Class 12 Geography Chapter 3 Very Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1. Name the states with lowest & highest percentage of people below poverty line.

Answer: According to the 2001 data from the Planning Commission of India, Jammu and Kashmir had the lowest percentage of people living below the poverty line, while Odisha had the highest percentage of people below the poverty line.

Question 2. Which factors differentiate states with high HDI value from low HDI value?

Answer: States with high Human Development Index (HDI) differ from those with low HDI due to a combination of socio-political stability, economic progress, historical background, and effective governance, which influence education, health, and income levels.

Question 3. What do you mean by development?

Answer: Development refers to the expansion of freedoms and opportunities and is often linked with modernization, comfort, and improved living standards. It includes industrialization, education, advanced healthcare, efficient communication, and safety.

Question 4. ‘Development is biased’. Justify the statement.

Answer: Development often benefits certain regions or groups quickly, leading to poverty and malnutrition for others and causing environmental damage. This uneven growth makes development seem biased. However, true development improves quality of life for all.

Question 5. What components are considered as symbols of development?

Answer: Key symbols of development include computerization, industrial growth, efficient transport and communication networks, a strong education system, modern medical facilities, and personal safety and security.

Question 6. Explain the meaning of development in context of India.

Answer: In India, development is usually measured by how much individuals and communities can access resources such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure. However, this view may be partial and not fully capture overall development.

Question 7. Who are the most marginalized group in Indian context?

Answer: The most marginalized groups in India include Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, landless agricultural laborers, poor farmers, and slum dwellers who face social and economic disadvantages.

Question 8. What is special in Human Development Report, 1993?

Answer: The 1993 Human Development Report emphasized that democratization and empowerment of people are essential for sustainable progress. It stated that development should be centered on people, not the other way around.

Question 9. On what basis has Planning Commission of India prepared Human Development Report?

Answer: The Planning Commission prepared the Human Development Report using indicators selected by the UNDP, analyzing states and Union Territories. Later, states also began preparing district-level reports.

Question 10. What is considered the key to human development?

Answer: The key to human development is expanding people’s choices, including living a long, healthy life, receiving education, accessing resources for a decent standard of living, enjoying political freedom, human rights, and self-respect.

Question 11. “Poverty is a state of deprivation”. Explain.

Answer: Poverty means deprivation where a person cannot meet basic needs essential for a healthy and productive life. It indicates a lack of access to the minimum necessities of survival.

Question 12. Life free from illness and ailment and living a reasonably long lifespan are indicative of a healthy life. Explain.

Answer: A healthy life requires access to prenatal and postnatal healthcare to reduce infant and maternal mortality, good nutrition, healthcare for the elderly, and personal safety, all contributing to longer, illness-free living.

Question 13. ‘Development is freedom’. What does this statement signify?

Answer: This means true development is freedom from hunger, poverty, ignorance, illiteracy, and oppression. Genuine freedom comes from empowering people to make choices and participate fully in society.

Question 14. In which states is the literacy rate high?

Answer: Literacy rates are higher than the national average in most South Indian states. Kerala and Mizoram lead with literacy rates of 90.92% and 88.49%, respectively.

Question 15. Name five countries with the highest HDI ranking.

Answer: The top five countries by HDI are Norway (0.963), Australia (0.955), Sweden (0.949), Switzerland (0.947), and the USA (0.944).

Question 16. Which five states of India have the lowest rank in HDI?

Answer: Bihar ranks lowest in India with an HDI of 0.367, followed by Assam (0.386), Uttar Pradesh (0.388), Madhya Pradesh (0.394), and Odisha (0.404).

Question 17. Which country has proclaimed ‘Gross National Happiness’ as the measure of a country’s progress?

Answer: Bhutan uses ‘Gross National Happiness’ as a unique measure of its national progress, focusing on overall well-being instead of just economic growth.

Class 12 Geography Chapter 3 Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1. List the factors which might have caused India’s poor showing/ranking in HDI ranking.

India, with a population of about 1.2 billion, ranked 134th out of 172 countries in the 2011 UNDP HDI report with a value of 0.547. Several historical factors contributed to this low ranking, including colonial rule, social and cultural issues like violations of human rights, discrimination based on caste, religion, gender, and race, as well as social problems such as crime and terrorism. Additionally, low empowerment levels among marginalized groups also significantly affect India’s HDI ranking.

Question 2. List three interesting features of India’s literacy as per 2001 census report.

The 2001 census revealed three key features of literacy in India: Overall literacy rate was about 65.4%, while female literacy was 54.16%. Literacy rates, including female literacy, were higher than the national average in most South Indian states. There were significant regional differences; for example, Bihar had a low literacy rate of 47.53%, whereas Kerala and Mizoram had high literacy rates of 90.92% and 88.49% respectively.

Question 3. Which factors are responsible for the variation in Human Development among the states of India?

Variations in Human Development among Indian states arise due to socio-political, economic, and historical reasons. Kerala tops the HDI largely because of its near-universal literacy, while states like Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Assam, and Uttar Pradesh have low literacy rates. Economic development levels also impact HDI, with industrialized states like Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, and Haryana having higher HDI values compared to less developed states like Chhattisgarh and Bihar. Social disparities and regional imbalances further affect development outcomes.

Question 4. What are the direct bearings of development on deteriorating human conditions?

Development activities often cause environmental pollution, including air, water, soil, and noise pollution, which threaten community well-being. The poor suffer from declining social ties, environmental damage, and health problems, leading to reduced social, environmental, and personal capabilities. This results in worsened quality of life, social injustice, ecological crises, and social unrest.

Question 5. Mention the important measures of a healthy and long life.

Important indicators of a healthy and long life include:

• Being free from illness and ailments.
• Access to prenatal and postnatal healthcare to reduce infant and maternal mortality.
• Healthcare facilities for the elderly.
• Adequate nutrition.
• Personal safety and security.

Question 6. Mention the major issues which UNDP considered important in achieving Human development.

The UNDP emphasized:

• People’s participation and security.
• Democratization and empowerment.
• Peace and reduction of military expenditure.
• Demobilization of armed forces and shifting resources towards basic goods and services.
• Overall peace and well-being as essential global goals.

Question 7. Explain the level of literacy in India.

India’s overall literacy rate was about 65.4%, with female literacy at 54.16%. Literacy rates in South India are generally higher than the national average. There are large regional disparities, with Bihar at 47.53% literacy and Kerala and Mizoram above 88%. Rural areas and marginalized communities like women, Scheduled Castes, and Scheduled Tribes have lower literacy rates.

Question 8. Explain thoughts of Mahatma Gandhi in context of development.

Mahatma Gandhi emphasized harmony and balance between population, resources, and development. He was concerned that industrialization led to loss of morality, spirituality, self-reliance, non-violence, and cooperation. He advocated for austerity, social wealth stewardship (trusteeship), and non-violence as keys to individual and national progress.

Class 12 Geography Chapter 3 Long Answer Type Questions

Question 1. Write a report on Human Development in India from the point of economic, health, and social empowerment.

Development is often described as freedom and is linked with modernization, comfort, and progress. Today, symbols of development include computerization, industrial growth, efficient transportation and communication systems, widespread education, advanced healthcare facilities, and personal safety.

Economic Indicators:

A strong resource base accessible to all, especially the poor and marginalized, is essential for human development. India’s Gross National Product (GNP) and per capita income measure this resource base. However, poverty, illiteracy, social injustice, and regional disparities overshadow economic achievements. States like Maharashtra, Punjab, Haryana, and Gujarat enjoy higher per capita incomes, while Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, and Assam lag behind. In Odisha and Bihar, over 40% of the population lives below the poverty line.

Health Indicators:

A healthy life is indicated by freedom from disease and a long lifespan. Important factors include prenatal and postnatal care, elderly healthcare, proper nutrition, and individual safety. Between 1951 and 1999, India’s death rate fell from 25.1 to 8.1 per thousand, and the birth rate declined from 40.8 to 26.1 per thousand. Life expectancy rose from about 37 to over 62 years for males and from 36 to over 65 years for females. The sex ratio has declined overall, except in Kerala.

Social Empowerment:

True freedom comes from empowerment and participation in society. Access to knowledge about society and the environment is fundamental. Literacy is the starting point of this access. In 2001, India’s overall literacy was 65.4%, with female literacy at 54.1%. Literacy rates vary widely — from 47% in Bihar to 91% in Kerala — and are generally higher in southern states. Literacy remains lower in rural areas and among marginalized groups. Although literacy has improved among these groups, the gap between them and richer sections has widened.

Question 2. With examples, show how population, development, and environment are interrelated.

There is a common belief that development solves social, cultural, and environmental problems. However, development often increases regional disparities, social inequality, displacement, discrimination, deprivation, and environmental degradation.

The UNDP’s 1993 Human Development Report highlights the importance of democratization and empowering people. It emphasizes civil society’s role in promoting peace, reducing military spending, and shifting resources from defense to basic goods and services.

Neo-Malthusian environmentalists stress balancing population and resources to ensure a peaceful society. Development raises demand for limited resources, which are unevenly distributed. Wealthier countries have greater access to resources, while poorer nations face scarcity, leading to conflicts and contradictions between population, resources, and development.

Indian culture values balance and harmony with nature. Gandhi promoted austerity, social trusteeship, and non-violence as essential for personal and national progress.

Question 3. “Development is a mix bag of opportunities as well as neglect and deprivation.” Explain.

Some metropolitan and developed areas have modern facilities benefiting a small section of the population. In contrast, many rural areas and urban slums lack basic amenities like clean water, education, and healthcare.

Marginalized groups such as Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, landless laborers, poor farmers, and slum dwellers suffer most. Women are particularly affected. Despite overall development, the conditions for many marginalized people have worsened, forcing them to live in poverty and subhuman conditions.

Another related concern is environmental pollution caused by development, which worsens human living conditions and leads to ecological crises.

Question 4. Describe the level of economic achievements in India.

India’s economic achievements include a Gross National Product (GNP) of around ₹3200 thousand crores and a per capita income of about ₹20,813.

Despite these figures, poverty, malnutrition, illiteracy, prejudice, social injustice, and regional disparities persist. Developed states like Maharashtra, Punjab, Haryana, Gujarat, and Delhi have per capita incomes exceeding ₹4000 per year. However, many poorer states such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Assam, and Jammu & Kashmir have incomes below ₹2000.

Higher per capita income and consumption in developed states contrast sharply with poorer regions, highlighting issues of poverty, unemployment, and underemployment. In Bihar and Odisha, more than 40% of people live below the poverty line. Furthermore, only about 25% of educated individuals find employment, with jobless growth and widespread unemployment contributing to high poverty levels.

Class 12 Geography Chapter 3 Differentiates

Question 1. Distinguish between human development and economic development.

Human Development	Economic Development
(i) Refers to the overall well-being of people, encompassing social, economic, and cultural progress.	(i) Focuses mainly on the increase in income levels.
(ii) Cannot be attained without economic growth.	(ii) Relies on advancements in technology and education.
(iii) Centers around the needs and welfare of people.	(iii) Measured primarily by Gross National Product (GNP) and per capita income.
(iv) Aims to improve the quality of life and well-being.	(iv) Achieved through skills development and effective use of resources.
(v) Provides opportunities for people to enhance health, education, and skills.	(v) Essential for raising living standards and economic welfare.

Class 12 Geography Chapter 3 Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS)

Question 1. Do you agree that “development must be woven around people, not the people around development”? Illustrate.

Yes, I agree that development should focus on people, not force people to conform to development. To achieve this:

• Emphasize sustainable development.
• Empower individuals and communities.
• Promote democratization and participatory governance.
• Address regional inequalities through balanced growth.
• Increase spending on welfare programs.
• Enhance human capabilities in health, education, and access to resources.

Question 2. The prime task before any development activity is to maintain parity between population and resources. Elaborate it in the light of Neo-Malthusian theory.

According to Neo-Malthusian theory, maintaining a balance between population and available resources is crucial. The key points are:

• Ensuring resources match population needs to avoid scarcity.
• Population growth increases demand on limited resources.
• Overuse of resources by powerful groups causes social conflicts.
• Sustainable management of resources is essential to avoid environmental and social problems.

Question 3. What are the reasons behind male-female literacy gaps?

Reason	Explanation
Sexual division of labour	Traditional beliefs assign economic and social roles to males, while females are expected to focus on home and childcare, undervaluing female education.
Security concerns	In some areas, schools are far away, making it unsafe for girls to travel alone, limiting their access to education.
Marriage system	Since girls traditionally leave their parents’ home after marriage, parents hesitate to invest heavily in girls’ education compared to boys, expecting fewer returns.

Class 12 Geography Chapter 3 Map Based Questions

Question 1. Locate and label the following on the given political map of India with appropriate symbols:

1. State having low level Human Development Index (H.D.I):

Chhattisgarh and Odisha

2. State having high level Human Development Index (H.D.I):

Kerala

Question 2. Locate and label the following on the given political map of India with appropriate symbols:

1. State having low gender ratio:

Haryana

2. State having high gender ratio:

Kerala

Class 12 Geography Chapter 3 Important Questions
Very Short Answer Type Questions:

Question 1. Which state of India has the lowest literacy rate? Mention its literacy rate also. (Delhi 2009)

Bihar has the lowest literacy rate in India at 47.53%.

Question 2. Name the two states of India which have less than five per cent of the population below poverty line. (A.I. 2009)

Goa and Jammu & Kashmir have less than 5% of their population living below the poverty line.

Question 3. Mention any two key areas of measuring “human development”. (CBSE 2013)

Two key areas used to measure human development are:

• Health
• Education

(Access to resources is also an important area.)

Question 4. Which state of India has the lowest female literacy rate? (CBSE 2013)

Rajasthan has the lowest female literacy rate at 52.66% as per 2011 data.

Question 5. Which state of India has the highest rank in Human Development Index (HDI) value? (CBSE 2012, A.1.2014)
OR
Which state of India has the top rank in the ‘Human Development Index’? (Foreign 2010)

Kerala holds the highest HDI rank in India with a value of 0.790 (2007-08).

Long Answer Type Questions:

Question 1. “Development is general and human development in particular is a complex concept used in social science.” Justify this statement with suitable arguments. (CBSE 2015)

Human development is indeed a complex concept because, for a long time, development was viewed as a straightforward, substantive idea—once achieved, it was expected to resolve all social, cultural, and environmental problems. While development has improved the overall quality of life, it has also, in many ways, increased regional inequalities, social discrimination, deprivation, and displacement of vulnerable populations.

Recognizing these challenges, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in its 1993 Human Development Report sought to address inherent biases and prejudices in traditional development thinking. The report highlighted the importance of people’s participation and security as key factors. It emphasized progressive democratization and empowering individuals as essential conditions for true human development.

Moreover, civil society plays a crucial role in advocating for the reduction of military expenditures. In today’s nuclearized world, global peace and well-being remain urgent priorities that directly impact sustainable human development.