Give a quantitative appraisal of India’s demographic profile during the colonial period.
India's Demographic conditions during the British rule depict our economy as stagnant and backward. Both the birth rate and death rate were as high as 48 and 40 per thousand. Due to high birth rate and high death rate the population growth was stagnant. The Infant Mortality Rate was also very high of about 218 per thousand. The Life Expectancy Rate was as low as 32 years while presently it is 63.5 years. The literacy rate was less than 16 percent which denotes social backwardness and gender bias in the economy. We can infer from the above figures that India was featured with massive poverty, low standard and quality of living and low survival rate in the country. The lack of healthcare facilities and lack of health awareness were the main causes behind such demographic conditions of India.
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?
Name some modern industries which were in operation in our country at the time of independence?
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?
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?
Infrastructure contributes to the economic development of a country. Do you agree? Explain.
How has the consumption pattern of energy changed over the years?
Explain the role of micro-credit in meeting credit requirements of the poor.
Explain the term ‘infrastructure’.
Why are regular salaried employees more in urban areas than in rural areas?
‘Information technology plays a very significant role in achieving sustainable development and food security’ - comment.
What do you understand by devaluation of rupee?
‘There is a downward trend in inequality world-wide with a rise in the average education levels’. Comment.
Those public sector undertakings which are making profits should be privatised. Do you agree with this view? Why?
Victor is able to get work only for two hours in a day. Rest of the day, he is looking for work. Is he unemployed? Why? What kind of jobs could persons like Victor be doing?