CBSE Class 10 Social Science Manufacturing Industries Important Questions Set 04

Question 1. How is the manufacturing sector considered the backbone of economic development of the country? Explain any three points in this regard.
Answer:
Manufacturing industries not only help in modernising agriculture, the backbone of our economy, they also reduce people's heavy dependence on agricultural income by providing jobs in the secondary and tertiary sectors.
Industrial development eradicates unemployment and poverty from our country; this was the main philosophy behind public-sector industries and joint-sector ventures in India, also aimed at reducing regional disparities by establishing industries in tribal and backward areas.
Export of manufactured goods expands trade and commerce and brings in much-needed foreign exchange.
Countries that transform their raw materials into a wide variety of finished goods of high value are prosperous; India's prosperity lies in increasing and diversifying its manufacturing industries as quickly as possible.

Teacher's Note:
a) Manufacturing reduces dependence on agriculture by creating jobs in other sectors.
b) It also fights unemployment, reduces regional disparity and earns foreign exchange through exports.

Question 2. “Agriculture gives a boost to the Industrial Sector.” Support the statement with arguments.
Answer:
Agriculture and industry are not exclusive of each other; they move hand in hand.
The agro-industry in India has given a major boost to agriculture by raising its productivity.
Industries depend on agriculture for raw material and sell their products such as irrigation pumps, fertilisers, insecticides, pesticides, plastics, PVC pipes, machines and tools to farmers.
Thus, the development and competitiveness of manufacturing industry has not only assisted agriculturists in increasing production but also made the production process very efficient.

Teacher's Note:
a) Agriculture supplies raw material to agro-based industries, while industry supplies inputs (fertilisers, machinery) back to farmers.
b) This two-way relationship raises productivity on both sides.

Question 3. “The economic strength of a country is measured by the development of manufacturing industries.” Give three arguments to support this statement.
Answer:
In the present-day world of globalisation, an industry needs to be more efficient and competitive; self-sufficiency alone is not enough.
Manufactured goods must be at par in quality with those in the international market; only then can a country compete internationally and earn foreign exchange.
Countries that transform their raw materials into a wide variety of finished goods of higher value are prosperous, like Japan and the US; India's prosperity similarly lies in increasing and diversifying its manufacturing industries as quickly as possible.

Teacher's Note:
a) Global competitiveness, not just self-sufficiency, defines industrial strength today.
b) Prosperous nations convert raw materials into high-value finished goods — a model India must follow.

Question 4. “The textile industry occupies a unique position in the Indian economy.” Justify.
Answer:
It contributes significantly to industrial production (14 per cent).
It employs about 35 million people directly and earns foreign exchange of about 24.6 per cent — the second largest after agriculture.
The industry has close links with agriculture and provides a living to farmers, cotton-ball pluckers, and workers engaged in ginning, spinning, weaving, dyeing, designing, packaging, tailoring and sewing.
Handspun khadi provides large-scale employment to weavers as a cottage industry in their homes.
India exports yarn to Japan and cotton goods to the USA, UK, Russia, France, East European countries, Nepal, Singapore, Sri Lanka and African countries, helping earn about 24.6% in foreign exchange.
India has a large share in the world trade of cotton yarn, accounting for one-tenth of the total trade.
Our spinning mills are globally competitive and capable of using all the fibres we produce.
The industry contributes 4 per cent to our GDP and is self-reliant and complete in the value chain, from raw material to the highest value-added products.

Teacher's Note:
a) Textiles employ about 35 million people and are the second-largest earner of foreign exchange after agriculture.
b) The industry's complete value chain, from cotton farming to finished garments, makes it uniquely self-reliant.

Question 5. Why have the demands for jute products increased internally as well as globally?
Answer:
Jute is a biodegradable product, and due to the invasion of plastics, jute is in demand for being environment-friendly.
Many countries want to get rid of plastic bags and replace them with environment-friendly jute bags.
The jute industry also supports a large number of marginal farmers engaged in cultivating jute and mesta in countries like India and Bangladesh.
Internal demand has increased in India due to the government's policy of Jute Packaging.

Teacher's Note:
a) Jute's biodegradability makes it an eco-friendly alternative to plastic.
b) Government packaging policy has boosted domestic demand alongside rising global demand.

Question 6. “Production and consumption of steel is often regarded as the index of a country's development.” Examine the statement.
Answer:
The iron and steel industry is a basic industry, since all other industries — heavy, medium and light — depend on it for their machinery.
Steel is needed to manufacture a variety of engineering goods.
It is also needed as construction material, and in defence, medical, telephonic and scientific equipment, and a variety of consumer goods.
Therefore, production and consumption of steel is often regarded as the index of a country's development.

Teacher's Note:
a) Nearly every other industry depends on steel for its machinery and equipment.
b) This dependence is why steel output is treated as a measure of overall industrial development.

Question 7. Why is the aluminium smelting industry located close to the power sector? Describe other important factors for its location, and why is this industry gaining importance?
Answer:
Aluminium smelting is close to the power sector as a regular supply of electricity is a prerequisite for the industry; about 18,600 kWh of electricity is needed per tonne of bauxite ore to manufacture aluminium.
Aluminium smelting plants in the country are located in Odisha, West Bengal, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu.
Aluminium is light, resistant to corrosion, a good conductor of heat, malleable, and becomes strong when mixed with other metals.
It is used for manufacturing aircraft, utensils and wires, and has gained popularity as a substitute for steel, copper, zinc and lead in a number of industries.
Bauxite, the raw material used in smelters, is a very bulky, dark reddish-coloured rock — which also influences plant location, close to the mineral source.

Teacher's Note:
a) Aluminium smelting needs huge amounts of electricity, so plants locate near power sources.
b) Aluminium's light weight, strength and corrosion resistance are driving its growing industrial use.

Question 8. Examine the impact of liberalisation on the automobile industry in India.
Answer:
Automobiles provide vehicles for the quick transport of goods, services and passengers.
This industry experienced a quantum jump in less than 15 years.
Foreign direct investment brought in new technology and aligned the industry with global developments.
Now, any latest automobile launched anywhere in the world is simultaneously launched in India.
After liberalisation, new and contemporary models stimulated demand in the market, leading to healthy growth of the industry, including passenger cars, two-wheelers and three-wheelers.

Teacher's Note:
a) Liberalisation brought foreign investment and new technology into India's auto industry.
b) This led to rapid growth and simultaneous global launches of new models in India.

Question 9. NTPC has set an example of a pollution-free industry. How is this possible? Explain.
Answer:
Optimum utilisation of equipment by adopting the latest techniques and upgrading existing equipment.
Minimising waste generation by maximising ash utilisation.
Providing green belts for nurturing ecological balance.
Addressing afforestation through special-purpose vehicles.
Reducing environmental pollution through ash pond management, ash water recycling systems and liquid waste management.
Ecological monitoring, reviews and online database management for all its power stations.

Teacher's Note:
a) NTPC reduces pollution through waste recycling, green belts and afforestation.
b) Continuous ecological monitoring across its power stations helps keep it accountable.

Question 10. Explain, with examples, how industries give a boost to the agriculture sector.
Answer:
(1) Agro-based industries such as cotton, woollen, jute and edible oil get their raw materials from agriculture.
(2) In return, these industries sell products such as irrigation pumps, fertilisers, insecticides and PVC pipes, among other things, to farmers.
(3) Agro-industries have given a boost to agriculture by raising its productivity and making production processes more efficient.

Teacher's Note:
a) This is a two-way relationship: agriculture supplies raw material, industry supplies farming inputs.
b) Cotton and jute textile industries are the standard examples to cite.

Question 11. ‘The sugar industry in India is facing challenges.’ Analyse the statement with suitable arguments.
Answer:
The sugar industry in India faces several challenges:
(1) The industry is seasonal, as it depends on sugarcane, an annual crop; workers are employed only for a short period.
(2) The machines and methods used for producing sugar from sugarcane are old and inefficient.
(3) Sugarcane, the raw material, is bulky, which increases transportation cost and difficulty.
(4) The sucrose content in sugarcane decreases with time, so delays in transport to factories result in losses.
(5) There is also the challenge of properly using sugarcane by-products, such as bagasse.

Teacher's Note:
a) Seasonality and bulky raw material are the two root causes behind most of the other problems listed.
b) Bagasse (the leftover fibre) is a specific by-product worth naming.

Question 12. Suggest some measures to prevent pollution caused by industries.
Answer:
(1) Modern equipment that can control aerosols should be installed.
(2) Fuels that cause minimum pollution should be preferred as a power source — for example, mineral oil instead of coal.
(3) Waste products and chemicals should be treated before being discharged into water.
(4) The working of machines should be checked regularly.

Teacher's Note:
a) These four measures target the two biggest industrial pollutants: air emissions and water discharge.
b) Pair this with the 'how do industries pollute' question below for a fuller picture.

Question 13. Explain the problems of the jute industry in India.
Answer:
The jute industry faces several problems:
(1) There is a shortage of good quality raw jute.
(2) There is strong competition from other countries (mainly Bangladesh) in international markets.
(3) The use of substitutes like paper, cloth and synthetic material is increasing, leading to a decline in demand for jute goods.
(4) Machinery is old and obsolete, so the cost of production is high.
(5) Sales promotion of jute products like carpets and packing material has not been done properly.

Teacher's Note:
a) Bangladesh is the named international competitor to remember.
b) This overlaps with the 'challenges faced by jute industry' question further down — revise together.

Question 14. Why is India not able to perform to its full potential in iron and steel production? Explain any three reasons.
Answer:
(1) Lower per-capita consumption of steel in India compared to developed countries, which limits domestic demand.
(2) High cost of production, due to irregular power supply, high transport costs and the high price of coking coal.
(3) Lack of adequate technological upgradation in many plants, compared to more efficient global competitors.

Teacher's Note:
a) This answer was corrected — the source's original answer was unclear and did not give proper reasons.
b) Cost, demand, and technology are the three practical angles to cover in this kind of question.

Question 15. ‘Agriculture and industry move hand in hand.’ Analyse the statement with three examples.
Answer:
Agriculture and industry in India are interdependent. For example:
(1) Agro-based industries in India have boosted agriculture by raising its productivity.
(2) Industries depend on agriculture for raw material — for example, the cotton textile industry depends on cotton-growing agriculture.
(3) Industries provide farmers with agricultural inputs like irrigation pumps, fertilisers, insecticides, PVC pipes, machinery and tools.
(4) Manufacturing industries have assisted agriculturists in increasing production and have made production processes more efficient.

Teacher's Note:
a) Same core idea as the 'industries boost agriculture' question above, framed as a two-way relationship here.
b) Cotton textiles is the standard named example linking agriculture and industry.

Question 16. How do industries pollute the environment? Explain with four examples.
Answer:
Industries create several types of pollution:
(1) Water pollution: industrial effluents, both organic and inorganic, are discharged into rivers. Coal, dyes, soaps, pesticides and fertilisers are common pollutants of water.
(2) Air pollution: smoke emitted by chemical and paper factories, brick kilns, refineries and smelting plants, along with the burning of fossil fuels in factories, is a major cause of air pollution.
(3) Noise pollution: industrial and construction activities, machinery, factory equipment and generators create noise that has harmful effects on human beings.
(4) Thermal pollution: caused by thermal plants; wastes from nuclear and thermal power plants can cause health problems, and dumping of thermal wastes makes soil useless.

Teacher's Note:
a) Four types of pollution: water, air, noise, thermal — one industry can cause several at once.
b) Pair this with the pollution-prevention measures question earlier in this set.

Question 17. Why is the iron and steel industry concentrated around the Chhota Nagpur plateau region?
Answer:
(1) This plateau is rich in iron ore reserves; Odisha, West Bengal and Jharkhand provide raw material for the industry.
(2) Coal, used as fuel, is another important input available in plenty in this region.
(3) A large population in this region means cheap labour is also available.
(4) The Damodar Valley Corporation provides power to these plants.
(5) Export and import facilities are provided by Kolkata port.
(6) Transportation facilities are also well developed in the region.
(7) The government has played a major role — steel plants such as Durgapur, Bokaro and Rourkela were set up in the region, some with foreign collaboration, in the early 1960s.

Teacher's Note:
a) Seven location factors — group them as raw material (iron, coal), labour, power, transport, and government policy.
b) Durgapur, Bokaro and Rourkela are the three named steel plants worth remembering.

Question 18. Why are jute mills concentrated along the Hugli river? Explain with reasons.
Answer:
(1) Proximity to jute-growing areas.
(2) The river provides the cheapest inland water transport.
(3) A good network of transport is available.
(4) Cheap labour is available.
(5) Plenty of water is available for processing jute.
(6) Kolkata, being a metropolitan city, provides a huge market along with banking and insurance facilities.
(7) Kolkata, being a major port, helps in the import of raw jute and export of jute goods.

Teacher's Note:
a) Kolkata's role as both a port and a metropolitan market is the standout reason to emphasise.
b) Water (for transport and processing) is the common thread linking several of these points.

Teacher's Note:
a) Joint sector = government + private partnership; co-operative = owned collectively by the people who supply raw material or labour.
b) Oil India Ltd. and Maharashtra's sugar co-operatives are the two named examples to remember.

Question 20. ‘Many of our spinners export cotton yarn while apparel manufacturers have to import fabric.’ Explain this statement with appropriate reasons.
Answer:
(1) In India, only the spinning sector has received a lot of attention and investment.
(2) The weaving, knitting and processing units have not been able to make full use of the high-quality yarn produced in the country.
(3) Modern factories need to be upgraded to use this high-quality yarn effectively.
(4) India needs to improve its weaving sector to be able to manufacture high-quality fabrics domestically.

Teacher's Note:
a) The core idea: India is strong in spinning (yarn) but weak in weaving (fabric) — an imbalance within the same industry.
b) This explains why India exports raw yarn but still imports finished fabric.

Question 21. Describe any five problems faced by the cotton textile industry in India.
Answer:
(1) A major problem is the industry's high fragmentation, dominated by small-scale companies.
(2) Productivity at many factories is estimated at half to as low as one-third of levels that could be achieved.
(3) Machinery is obsolete and needs to be upgraded, particularly in the weaving and processing sectors.
(4) There is stiff competition from the synthetic fibre industry, which is comparatively cheaper.
(5) Power supply is erratic.

Teacher's Note:
a) Fragmentation (many small firms) and outdated machinery are the two structural problems behind most others.
b) Synthetic fibre competition is a useful point to link to changing consumer preferences.

Question 22. Describe any three problems faced by the jute industry in India. (Or: highlight any three challenges faced by the jute industry.)
Answer:
(1) Stiff competition from Bangladesh, Brazil, the Philippines, Egypt and Thailand in the international market.
(2) Competition from synthetic fibre, which is cheaper.
(3) The need to diversify jute products in order to stimulate demand.
(4) Concerns about increasing productivity and improving the quality of jute products.

Teacher's Note:
a) Five named international competitors here — Bangladesh is the one most frequently cited.
b) This set shares several points with the 'problems of jute industry' question earlier — combine for a longer answer.

Question 23. Explain any four reasons for the rapid growth of the chemical industry in India.
Answer:
(1) Heavy inorganic chemicals, including sulphuric acid, are used for manufacturing fertilisers, synthetic fibres, plastics, paints and dyestuffs — giving the industry wide downstream demand.
(2) Nitric acid, alkalies and soda ash are used in manufacturing glass, paper, soap and detergents, further widening its base.
(3) Production of pesticides has contributed significantly to agriculture by controlling harmful insects and weeds, driving demand from the agricultural sector.
(4) Organic chemical industries are located near oil refineries and petrochemical plants, benefiting from easy access to raw materials.

Teacher's Note:
a) The chemical industry grows because it feeds many other industries — fertilisers, textiles, plastics, paper and more.
b) Locating near oil refineries is a classic example of industries clustering near their raw material source.

Question 24. Which location factors are responsible for concentrating iron and steel industries in the Chhota Nagpur plateau region?
Answer:
(1) Availability of high-grade iron ore from the Noamundi mines of West Singhbhum district, Jharkhand.
(2) Availability of power from the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC), with coal mines in close proximity at Jharia and Raniganj.
(3) Manganese is obtained from the Keonjhar district in Odisha.
(4) Easy availability of limestone and dolomite from Sundargarh, Odisha.
(5) A well-developed network of transportation.
(6) Plenty of water for cooling purposes, available from the Damodar river and its tributaries.

Teacher's Note:
a) Specific named sources: Noamundi (iron ore), Jharia/Raniganj (coal), Keonjhar (manganese), Sundargarh (limestone).
b) This is the detailed version of the broader 'why concentrated in Chhota Nagpur' question earlier — use this one when the question asks for specific place names.

Question 25. ‘Agriculture and industry are complementary to each other.’ Explain with examples. (Or: agriculture and industry are not exclusive of each other — support your answer.)
Answer:
Agriculture and industry are not exclusive of each other; they move hand in hand.
(1) Agro-based industries have given a major boost to agriculture by raising its productivity.
(2) Agro-based industries depend on agriculture for raw materials; in turn, manufacturing industries sell products such as fertilisers, insecticides, irrigation pumps, PVC pipes, machines and tools to farmers.
(3) The development and competitiveness of manufacturing industry has not only assisted agriculturists in increasing production, but has also made the production process more efficient.

Teacher's Note:
a) This is essentially the same two-way relationship covered in the first two questions of this set — use whichever phrasing matches the exact question asked.

Question 26. Explain the importance of the manufacturing sector in the economic development of a country.
Answer:
Manufacturing industries help modernise agriculture, improving efficiencies in agricultural practices.
They reduce people's heavy dependence on agricultural income, through new jobs created in the secondary and tertiary sectors.
Industrial development helps eradicate unemployment and poverty; industries in underdeveloped areas also reduce regional disparity.
Export of high-quality manufactured goods expands trade and commerce faster and brings in much-needed foreign exchange — far better than exporting raw materials, as happened during the British era.
A country with a high level of manufacturing activity becomes prosperous.

Teacher's Note:
a) Manufacturing modernises agriculture and creates jobs beyond it.
b) Exporting finished goods (not raw materials) brings far more foreign exchange and prosperity.

Question 27. Why is the economic strength of a country measured by the development of manufacturing industries?
Answer:
Utilisation of natural resources: industrial development enables the use of a huge volume of natural resources in the country.
Balanced sectoral development: industrialisation reduces the economy's overdependence on agriculture, achieving balanced sectoral growth.
Enhanced capital formation: growing investment in industries raises the rate of capital formation in the country.
Increase in national income and foreign exchange: industries contribute a significant share of total national income.
Increase in job opportunities: manufacturing creates jobs for a large section of the population.
Development of industries also brings down regional economic and social disparities, as incomes rise and people from different social strata work together.

Teacher's Note:
a) Manufacturing drives resource use, capital formation, national income and jobs together.
b) This combined impact is why it's treated as a measure of a country's economic strength.

Question 28. Analyse the role of the chemical industry in the Indian economy.
Answer:
It contributes approximately 3% of India's GDP.
It is the third largest in Asia and occupies the sixth place in the world.
It consists of both large- and small-scale manufacturing units.
Rapid growth has been recorded in both the inorganic and organic sectors: organic chemicals include petrochemicals, used for making synthetic fibres, rubber, plastics and dyestuffs; inorganic chemicals include sulphuric acid, fertilisers, synthetic fibres, plastics, adhesives and paints.
The chemical industry is its own largest consumer, through value addition.

Teacher's Note:
a) India's chemical industry ranks 3rd in Asia and 6th in the world.
b) It spans both organic (petrochemical-based) and inorganic chemical production.

Question 29. Explain the contribution of the textile industry to the Indian economy.
Answer:
The cotton textile industry forms the largest single industry in India.
Every year, the cotton textile industry produces 30-35% of the total industrial products in the country.
In a developing country like India, the cotton textile industry is very important, as it must meet domestic demand for clothes as well as supply exports.

Teacher's Note:
a) Cotton textiles are India's largest single industry, by output share.
b) It serves both the large domestic clothing market and exports.

Question 30. “Agriculture and Industry are complementary to each other.” Explain with five examples.
Answer:
Agro-industries in India have given a major boost to agriculture by raising its productivity.
Industries depend on agriculture for their raw materials.
Industries sell products such as irrigation pumps and fertilisers to farmers.
Industries have made agricultural production processes much more efficient.
Income generated by the industrial sector makes its workers richer, so they can afford more food; similarly, money in the hands of agricultural labourers lets them afford more manufactured goods.

Teacher's Note:
a) Agriculture supplies industry's raw material; industry supplies farmers with inputs and buys their labour's income back as demand.
b) This two-way dependency is why the two sectors are called complementary.

Question 31. Why is the 'least cost' known as the decision-making factor for the ideal location of an industry?
Answer:
The ideal location of an industry depends on many factors that combine to form the 'least cost' factor.
It includes important factors like distance from the raw material source, nearness to the market, and transport and communication facilities.

Teacher's Note:
a) 'Least cost' combines raw material distance, market proximity and transport access.
b) Industries locate where these combined costs are lowest.

Question 32. Which of the following cities has emerged as the 'electronic capital' of India: (a) Delhi (b) Mumbai (c) Bengaluru (d) Chennai?
Answer:
(c) Bengaluru — which has emerged as the 'electronic capital' of India.

Teacher's Note:
a) Bengaluru is known as India's electronic capital.
b) It hosts a concentration of electronics and IT-related manufacturing and services.