Name some modern industries which were in operation in our country at the time of independence?
The second half of the nineteenth century witnessed the emergence of modern industries. At the initial stage, development was confined to setting up cotton and jute textile mills. The western parts of the country Maharashtra and Gujarat was the hub for cotton textile mills which were mainly dominated by the Indians whereas the jute industries were mainly concentrated in Bengal and were dominated by the British. In the beginning of the 20th Century, Iron and steel industries also started emerging gradually. It was incorporated in 1907. Some other industries that were operating at a smaller scale during the British era were the sugar industry, cement industry and paper industry.
Indicate the volume and direction of trade at the time of independence.
Critically appraise some of the shortfalls of the industrial policy pursued by the British colonial administration.
What do you understand by the drain of Indian wealth during the colonial period?
When was India’s first official census operation undertaken?
Name some notable economists who estimated India’s per capita income during the colonial period?
Highlight the salient features of India’s pre-independence occupational structure.
What were the main causes of India’s agricultural stagnation during the colonial period?
The traditional handicrafts industries were ruined under the British rule. Do you agree with this view? Give reasons in support of your answer.
What was the focus of the economic policies pursued by the colonial government in India? What were the impacts of these policies?
Give a quantitative appraisal of India’s demographic profile during the colonial period.
What are the two major sources of human capital in a country?
What do you mean by rural development? Bring out the key issues in rural development.
Define a plan?
Who is a worker?
Explain the term ‘infrastructure’.
What is meant by environment?
Why are regional and economic groupings formed?
Why were reforms introduced in India?
Why calorie-based norm is not adequate to identify the poor?
What are the indicators of educational achievement in a country?
What is organic farming and how does it promote sustainable development?
Discuss the importance of credit in rural development.
What programmes has the government adopted to help the elderly people and poor and destitute women?
The three dimensional attack on poverty adopted by the govern-ment has not succeded in poverty alleviation in India. Comment.
How can creation of income earning assets address the problem of poverty?
Agriculture sector appears to be adversely affected by the reform process. Why?
Do you think the navaratna policy of the government helps in improving the performance of public sector undertakings in India? How?
Those public sector undertakings which are making profits should be privatised. Do you agree with this view? Why?
What is the meaning of quantitative restrictions?
Why did RBI have to change its role from controller to facilitator of financial sector in India?