RBSE Solutions Class 11 Economics Chapter 20 Poverty

RBSE Class 11 Economics Chapter 20 Text book Questions

RBSE Class 11 Economics Chapter 20 Objective Type Questions

 

Question 1. What is the minimum calorie requirement for defining poverty in rural areas?
(a) 2100 calories
(b) 2400 calories
(c) 2250 calories
(d) 2500 calories
Answer: (b) 2400 calories
In simple words: To be considered above the poverty line in rural areas, a person needs to consume at least 2400 calories each day to meet their basic energy needs.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember the specific calorie requirements for rural areas (2400) versus urban areas (2100) as they are common distinctions in poverty definitions.

 

Question 2. What was the poverty ratio in India in the year 2011-12 according to Tendulkar estimates?
(a) [Incomplete question in source]
Answer: In 2011-12, according to Tendulkar estimates, the poverty ratio in India was 21.9%. This means about 269.3 million people were living below the poverty line.
In simple words: For 2011-12, Tendulkar's report showed that roughly 21.9% of people in India were poor.

🎯 Exam Tip: When answering questions about specific years and committees, always mention the year and the committee's name for full accuracy.

 

Question 3. In the year 2011-12, which of the following states had the highest poverty ratio according to Tendulkar estimates?
(a) Bihar
(b) Chhattisgarh
(c) Jharkhand
(d) Kerala
Answer: (b) Chhattisgarh
In simple words: According to the Tendulkar committee, Chhattisgarh had the largest number of poor people compared to its total population in 2011-12.

🎯 Exam Tip: Be mindful of which state historically has the highest poverty ratio as per different reports; this can change over time.

 

Question 4. Out of the following, which definition of poverty is on the basis of minimum consumption for necessity fulfillment?
(a) Relative measure of poverty
(b) Absolute measure of poverty
(c) Both of these
(d) None of the options
Answer: (b) Absolute measure of poverty
In simple words: Absolute poverty defines poor people by whether they can afford basic needs like food, shelter, and clothing, based on a set minimum level of consumption.

🎯 Exam Tip: Differentiate clearly between absolute poverty (based on basic needs) and relative poverty (based on comparison to others in society).

 

Question 5. According to capacity measurement of poverty, which parameter is included in defining poverty?
(a) Ratio of children less than 5 years of age
(b) Abnormal delivery ratio
(c) Female illiteracy ratio
(d) All of the options
Answer: (d) All of the options
In simple words: When measuring poverty based on capacity, indicators like the number of underweight young children, difficult birth rates, and how many women cannot read or write are all used.

🎯 Exam Tip: Recognize that poverty is a complex, multi-dimensional issue, so multiple indicators are used for its comprehensive measurement beyond just income.

 

Question 6. What is the poverty line according to the World Bank?
(a) Per capita per day 1.00 US dollar
(b) Per capita per day 1.25 US dollar
(c) Per capita per day 1.50 US dollar
(d) Per capita per day 1.75 US dollar
Answer: (b) Per capita per day 1.25 US dollar
In simple words: The World Bank defines the international poverty line as living on less than 1.25 US dollars per person per day.

🎯 Exam Tip: Note that the World Bank's international poverty line is a key global standard for comparing poverty across countries.

 

Question 7. Which of the following is not a poverty alleviation or wage employment programme for poverty eradication?
(a) National Rural Employment Programme
(b) Jawahar Rozgar Yojana
(c) TRYSEM
(d) Food for Work Scheme
Answer: (c) TRYSEM
In simple words: TRYSEM was a program for youth to learn skills for self-employment, not directly a wage employment program for poverty eradication, unlike the other options.

🎯 Exam Tip: Memorize key poverty alleviation programs and their main objectives to distinguish between them.

RBSE Class 11 Economics Chapter 20 Very Short Answer Type Questions

 

Question 1. What is the need of calorie measurement to define poverty?
Answer: In India, poverty is often defined by how many calories a person eats. People who eat fewer calories are considered poor, while those who eat more calories are considered richer. This method helps to identify who lacks basic nutrition.
In simple words: Calorie intake helps measure poverty because less food means less energy, which is a basic sign of being poor in India.

🎯 Exam Tip: When defining poverty, remember that calorie consumption is a key physical indicator, especially in developing countries.

 

Question 2. In the year 2011-12, according to Tendulkar estimates, what was the ratio of poverty in rural and urban areas?
Answer: In 2011-12, as per Tendulkar's estimates, the poverty ratio was 13.7 per cent in urban areas and 25.7 per cent in rural areas. This shows that poverty was more common in villages than in cities.
In simple words: In 2011-12, more people were poor in rural areas (25.7%) compared to urban areas (13.7%), based on Tendulkar's report.

🎯 Exam Tip: Note the difference in poverty ratios between rural and urban areas and understand the reasons behind it, such as employment opportunities and cost of living.

 

Question 3. Write the names of two programmes adopted for self-employment under poverty alleviation.
Answer: Two programs for self-employment under poverty alleviation are: 1. Training of Rural Youth for Self-Employment (TRYSEM) and 2. Swarna Jayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY). These schemes aim to help people start their own businesses.
In simple words: TRYSEM and SGSY are two programs that help young people in villages learn skills and get loans to start their own work, rather than just finding jobs.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on distinguishing between self-employment programs and wage employment programs when asked to list poverty alleviation initiatives.

 

Question 5. Write the names of main components of National Social Assistance Programme.
Answer: The main parts of the National Social Assistance Programme are: National Old Age Pension Scheme (NOAPS), National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS), and National Maternity Benefit Scheme (NMBS). These programs provide financial help to vulnerable groups.
In simple words: The National Social Assistance Programme includes pensions for old people, money for families, and benefits for mothers.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember the three main components of NSAP as they cover different life stages and needs of the poor.

 

Question 6. Define the capacity measurement of poverty.
Answer: The capacity measurement of poverty uses three indicators to define poverty: the ratio of underweight children less than five years of age, the abnormal delivery ratio, and the female illiteracy ratio. This method looks at a person's ability to achieve basic functioning rather than just income.
In simple words: Capacity poverty means looking at things like how many young children are underweight, birth complications, and women who can't read, to understand how well people can live healthy lives.

🎯 Exam Tip: When explaining 'capacity measurement', ensure you list the three specific indicators (underweight children, abnormal delivery, female illiteracy).

 

Question 7. What is the definition of poverty in the year 2011-12 according to Planning Commission?
Answer: According to the Planning Commission's plan for 2011-12, the poverty line was defined as spending Rs. 816 per person per month in rural areas and Rs. 1000 per person per month for urban areas. Anyone earning less than this was considered poor.
In simple words: In 2011-12, the Planning Commission set the poverty line at Rs. 816/month in villages and Rs. 1000/month in cities.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay close attention to the specific monetary values and the different rates for rural and urban areas when defining poverty lines by official bodies.

 

Question 8. What is Trickle Down Effect?
Answer: The trickle-down effect is an idea that suggests benefits given to the rich or powerful will eventually "trickle down" to the poorer parts of society. In economics, it means if the government helps large businesses or wealthy people, their prosperity will eventually lead to more jobs and wealth for everyone. In fashion, it describes how trends start with upper classes and spread to lower classes.
In simple words: The trickle-down effect is when wealth or benefits given to the rich are expected to slowly reach and help the poor over time.

🎯 Exam Tip: Understand that the "trickle-down effect" is a theory, and its effectiveness in poverty alleviation is often debated.

 

Question 10. Write the full form of NREP.
Answer: The full form of NREP is the National Rural Employment Programme. This program aimed to provide employment opportunities in rural areas.
In simple words: NREP stands for National Rural Employment Programme, which was a plan to give jobs to people in villages.

🎯 Exam Tip: Always remember the full forms of important government schemes as they are frequently asked in exams.

RBSE Class 11 Economics Chapter 20 Short Answer Type Questions

 

Question 1. Write a note on the various parameters of poverty measurement.
Answer: Poverty is measured using several factors in India:
1. Calorie Consumption: In India, poverty is often linked to how many calories people consume. The Planning Commission said that people in rural areas eating less than 2400 calories per day, and those in urban areas eating less than 2100 calories per day, are considered poor.
2. Income Levels (2011-12): In 2011-12, the poverty line was set at Rs. 816 per person per month for rural areas and Rs. 1000 per person per month for urban areas.
3. World Bank Criterion: According to the World Bank, anyone spending less than 1.25 US dollars per person per day is termed poor.
4. Capability Measurement: This includes three indicators: the percentage of underweight children under 5 years old, the abnormal delivery ratio, and the female illiteracy ratio.
In simple words: Poverty is measured by looking at how many calories people eat, how much money they spend each month, World Bank standards, and health/education factors like child weight and female literacy.

🎯 Exam Tip: When discussing poverty measurement, present a multi-faceted approach, covering calorie intake, income/expenditure, and capability indicators for a comprehensive answer.

 

Question 2. What are the drawbacks of calorie consumption system and poverty line system in the measurement of poverty line?
Answer: Counting calorie consumption is not a perfect way to measure poverty. Many experts argue that poverty includes more than just not eating enough; it also involves illness, not being able to read or write, unemployment, and hunger. Also, the poverty line system treats all poor people as the same, even though their real situations can be very different. It doesn't show how poor someone truly is.
In simple words: Using only calories to measure poverty is flawed because poverty is also about sickness, illiteracy, and joblessness. Also, the poverty line treats all poor people equally, which isn't true in real life.

🎯 Exam Tip: When evaluating methods like calorie consumption for poverty measurement, focus on the limitations such as not accounting for other dimensions of poverty or individual differences.

 

Question 4. Write the three reasons responsible for high poverty in India.
Answer: Three main reasons for high poverty in India are:
• High Population: India has a very large population, which means that the country's economic growth is not fast enough to provide enough income for everyone's basic needs. This leads to low income per person.
• Unemployment: As the population keeps growing, there are not enough jobs for everyone. Many people face chronic unemployment or underemployment, meaning they don't have enough work or work that pays well. This lack of jobs directly causes poverty.
• Low Agricultural Production: Many farmers still use old farming methods and only grow enough for their own families. This means they often don't produce enough to earn a good income. Also, the benefits of irrigation and the Green Revolution did not reach all parts of India equally.
In simple words: High population, not enough jobs, and old farming methods are three main reasons why many people in India remain poor.

🎯 Exam Tip: When explaining causes of poverty, consider both demographic factors (population), economic factors (employment), and structural factors (agriculture methods).

 

Question 5. How is economic development useful in poverty alleviation?
Answer: Economic development is very important for reducing poverty. When the economy grows faster, it creates more jobs for people. With more employment, people earn more money, which helps them move out of poverty. So, a strong economy directly leads to better living standards for many.
In simple words: Faster economic growth helps reduce poverty by creating more jobs, which means people earn more money and can improve their lives.

🎯 Exam Tip: Highlight the direct link between economic growth, employment generation, and poverty reduction in your explanation.

 

Question 6. "Poverty is a multi-dimensional concept”. Clarify.
Answer: Poverty means more than just not having money. Poor people often face many problems at once, such as bad health, not getting enough food, no clean water, or no electricity. It also means a lack of good schools, safety, or a voice in society. So, poverty is a complex problem with many different aspects, not just about money.
In simple words: Poverty is multi-dimensional because it includes many problems beyond just a lack of money, like poor health, no clean water, and lack of education or safety.

🎯 Exam Tip: When explaining multi-dimensional poverty, list specific examples beyond just income, such as health, education, and access to basic services.

 

Question 7. Who are included in poor sections in rural areas in India?
Answer: In rural India, poor sections mainly include small or marginal farmers, and other farmers involved in farming who do not own enough land or have sufficient income sources from agriculture. These are often landless agricultural laborers as well. Chhattisgarh has the highest poverty among states.
In simple words: Poor people in rural India are mostly small farmers, those with little land, or farm laborers who don't earn enough to live comfortably.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on the occupational groups and their common challenges (lack of land, insufficient income) when identifying the rural poor.

 

Question 8. What is National Rural Livelihood mission?
Answer: The National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) aims to organize every rural family by 2024-25. It helps poor households get self-employment and skilled wage employment opportunities. This improves their living standards by building strong local institutions, providing training, and offering skill development to rural poor families. For example, in 2013-14, Rs. 22121.2 crore in loans were given to self-help groups.
In simple words: The NRLM helps rural families, especially poor ones, by linking them to self-employment and job training, aiming to improve their livelihoods by 2024-25.

🎯 Exam Tip: When describing such missions, highlight the key objectives (e.g., self-employment, skill development) and the target beneficiaries (rural poor households).

 

Question 9. Write the main objectives of National Urban Livelihood Mission.
Answer: The National Urban Livelihood Mission (NULM) aims to provide profitable employment for urban poor and partially employed people. It helps them develop skills that are in demand in the market. The mission also focuses on providing housing with basic facilities for homeless people in urban areas. Overall, it seeks to reduce urban poverty and improve the living standards of city residents.
In simple words: The NULM helps poor city people find good jobs, learn new skills, and get proper housing, all to reduce poverty in urban areas.

🎯 Exam Tip: Compare and contrast the objectives of rural and urban livelihood missions to understand the specific needs each addresses.

RBSE Class 11 Economics Chapter 20 Long Answer Type Questions

 

Question 1. Write the problems encountered in measurement of poverty.
Answer: Poverty line is the minimum income level considered enough for basic living in a country. However, this level changes over time. Also, developed countries usually have a much higher poverty line than developing countries.
In India, poverty has often been linked to "calorie consumption." The Planning Commission previously considered people in rural areas consuming less than 2400 calories per day, and those in urban areas consuming less than 2100 calories per day, as poor. For 2011-12, the Planning Commission set the poverty line at Rs. 27.20 per person per day for rural areas and Rs. 33.33 per person per day for urban areas. This translated to Rs. 816 per capita per month in rural areas and Rs. 1000 per capita per month for urban areas.
However, relying only on calorie consumption is not a good way to measure poverty. Many experts believe that poverty also includes issues like illness, illiteracy, unemployment, and hunger, not just low calorie intake. The current poverty measurement treats all poor people below the poverty line as equal, which is not realistic as their financial situations can vary greatly. Therefore, a more accurate assessment of their financial condition is needed.
The poverty ratio is found by taking the total number of poor people and dividing it by the total population, then multiplying by 100. This calculation assumes that all poor people below the poverty line are equal. For instance, if the poverty line in 2011-12 was Rs. 816 per month for rural areas and Rs. 1000 per month for urban areas, a person spending Rs. 110 per month and another spending Rs. 815 per month would both be considered poor. To better measure poverty, two steps are needed: first, determine each person's income and set a standard for per-person income; second, assess how severe the poverty is using tools like the "Poverty Gap Ratio" and "Squared Poverty Gap Ratio," as proposed by Ozzler, Dutt, and Ravaillian.
The Human Development Report views poverty as multi-dimensional. The World Bank defines a poor person as someone who spends less than 1.25 US dollars per day. Another way to measure poverty is through "capability measurement," which considers indicators such as the ratio of underweight children under 5 years old, the abnormal delivery ratio, and the female illiteracy ratio.
Early estimates of poverty were made by economists like B.S. Minhas, V.M. Dandekar, N.K. Rath, P.K. Vardhan, and M.S. Ahluwalia. In 1967-68, B.S. Minhas estimated poverty at 37.1%, P.K. Vardhan at 54.0%, V.M. Dandekar and Rath at 40%, and M.S. Ahluwalia at 56.5%. These figures show that poverty was very high in the 1960s, especially among marginal farmers, small farmers, and landless agricultural laborers in rural areas.
The Planning Commission's estimates showed rural poverty at 56.4% and urban poverty at 49.0% in 1973-74. By 1983-84, these dropped to 45.7% (rural) and 40.8% (urban). In 1993-94, rural poverty was 37.3% and urban poverty was 32.4%. While the Planning Commission saw a sharp drop in poverty, the Tendulkar system estimated rural poverty at 50.1% in 1993-94, indicating it was still much higher.
A working group led by D.T. Lakrawala in 1989 estimated poverty at 54.9% in 1973-74, which fell to 36% in 1993-94, and then to 27% in 2004-05.
According to the Tendulkar system, rural poverty decreased from 50.1% in 1993-94 to 25.7% in 2011-12. Urban poverty dropped from 31.8% to 13.7% in the same period. Overall, combined poverty went from 45.3% in 1993-94 to 21.9% in 2011-12, showing a quick decrease in rural poverty during this time.
Regional Distribution of Poverty in India: The poverty rates vary across different Indian states. According to Tendulkar's estimates for 2011-12, the poverty rates in major states were as follows:

Source: Planning Commission, Government of India.
Chhattisgarh had the highest poverty among states. According to the Planning Commission, Mizoram's poverty ratio was 11.8% in 1993-94, which rose to 20.4% in 2011-12. Manipur's poverty ratio was 37.9% in 2004-05, increased to 47.1% in 2009-10, and then dropped to 36.89% in 2011-12. Arunachal Pradesh had 31.4% poverty in 2004-05, increasing to 34.67% in 2011-12. This shows unequal development, with poverty ratios in some northeastern states increasing between 2004-05 and 2011-12.
Odisha's poverty ratio, which decreased to 32.6% in 2011-12. In Bihar, poverty was 54.5% in 2004-05, falling to 33.7% in 2011-12. Madhya Pradesh saw a 15.3% decline in poverty between 2004-05 and 2011-12. Odisha (24.6%), Bihar (20.8%), Tamil Nadu (17.6%), Rajasthan (19.7%), and Madhya Pradesh (16.9%) all showed a greater decline in poverty compared to the overall all-India poverty reduction between 2004-05 and 2011-12.
In simple words: Measuring poverty is hard because the definition changes, calorie counts are not enough, and the poverty line treats all poor people the same. We need to look at income, consumption, and other factors like health and education to understand poverty better. Historically, various estimates show high poverty in the 1960s, gradually declining but still uneven across states.

🎯 Exam Tip: When presenting historical data and estimates, organize facts clearly (e.g., year, committee, rural/urban percentages) to show trends effectively. Also, acknowledge the limitations of different measurement methods.

 

Question 3. Describe the reasons responsible for poverty prevailing in rural areas.
Answer: Reasons for poverty in rural areas include:
• Illiteracy: People who cannot read or write struggle to find good jobs. They often end up doing low-paying, daily wage work. This lack of education traps them in poverty.
• Irregular Employment: Many rural people do not have steady jobs. This lack of proper and regular work lowers their living standards significantly, making it a major cause of poverty.
• Indebtedness: Poverty often leads to debt in rural areas. With low incomes, uncertain farming, and small landholdings, it's hard for families to meet their basic needs. They often take loans to survive, which can be hard to pay back.
• Social Backwardness and Lack of Mobility: Lack of education, awareness, and desire for change in rural areas contribute to social backwardness. This makes it difficult for people to improve their lives and move to better opportunities.
• Faulty PDS: The Public Distribution System (PDS) is meant to provide affordable essential goods to poor families. However, it often fails due to late distribution and corruption, meaning the needy don't always get their benefits.
• Weakness of Development Strategy: Development plans often focus on large industries rather than improving agriculture or social awareness. This leads to a lack of jobs. Even today, a large portion of the population depends on agriculture, which contributes only a small part to the country's economy.
• Low Agricultural Production: Farmers often lack knowledge of modern farming techniques and struggle to protect their crops from pests. Historically, during British rule, agriculture didn't improve much, and even now, farmers don't always get enough support to use modern methods. This results in low production and productivity.
In simple words: Rural poverty is caused by factors like illiteracy, unstable jobs, debt, old farming methods, social issues, and problems with government aid, all of which prevent people from improving their lives.

🎯 Exam Tip: When listing reasons for poverty, categorize them (e.g., economic, social, agricultural) for a structured and comprehensive answer. Each point should clearly explain how it contributes to poverty.

 

Question 4. Discuss the strategies adopted by the government for alleviating poverty.
Answer: The government has adopted several strategies to reduce poverty:
i. Increase in the Pace of Economic Growth: If the country's economy grows quickly, people's incomes will rise. This growth would create more jobs, reduce poverty, and increase tax revenue for the government. While development is important, its speed has not always been fast enough to create sufficient employment.
In the past, various programs were introduced, such as the farmers development agency, small farmers development agency, intensive program for rural employment, and the food for work program. More programs were launched later for poverty alleviation:
• Integrated Rural Development Programme (IRDP)
• Jawahar Rozgar Yojana (JRY)
• Employment Assurance Scheme (EAS)
• Swarna Jayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana
• Pradhan Mantri Gramodya Yojana
• Swarna Jayanti Shahri Rozgar Yojana
• Sampoorna Gramin Rozgar Yojana
• Valmiki Ambedkar Awas Yojana
• National Food for Work Programme (NFWP)
• National Rural Employment Programme (NREP)
• National Rural Livelihood Mission
• National Urban Livelihood Mission
iii. Social Assistance Programme: This program, launched on August 15, 1995, provides social security. It has four parts: old age pension, widow pension, disability pension, and a family benefit scheme. It helps poor people who cannot work due to some inability to participate in wage or self-employment programs.
iv. Area Development Program and Infrastructure Development: Poverty was severe in some backward regions, often due to natural problems. Special programs were started to develop these areas, aiming to increase income for the poor. For example, the Drought Prone Area Programme (DPAP) and Desert Development Programme (DDP) were launched in 1977-78. These programs focused on maintaining ecological balance, creating jobs, increasing income, stopping desert expansion, and improving land productivity. Programs were also created to provide rural housing, and the Public Distribution System was strengthened to ensure basic needs were met.
In simple words: Government strategies include promoting economic growth, launching many employment and social security schemes (like IRDP, JRY, NSAP), and focusing on developing specific backward areas to improve living standards.

🎯 Exam Tip: When discussing government strategies, always explain the underlying economic logic or social benefit of each program or policy.

 

Question 5. In your view, what can be done to alleviate poverty in India? Clarify.
Answer: To reduce poverty in India, several actions can be taken:
• Population Control: Managing population growth is crucial because agriculture, the main source of income for many, cannot sustain an ever-increasing population.
• Agricultural Development: Investing in agriculture is key since it employs a large portion of the population. Rapid growth in agricultural production can help reduce both rural and urban poverty.
• Social Awareness: People need to be educated and made aware of better health facilities and a healthy environment to improve their living conditions.
• Promoting Small Savings: Encouraging small savings can boost industrialization and help the economy grow.
• Self-Employment: Special efforts should be made to tackle unemployment and promote self-employment initiatives.
• Development of Industries: Modern technologies should be adopted to ensure proper industrial development.
• Various Programs for Rural and Urban Areas: Separate programs should be designed for rural and urban poverty alleviation, considering their distinct conditions.
• Proper Utilization of Resources: The country's resources must be used efficiently to maximize benefits from natural endowments.
• Establishment of Small Scale Industries: The government should support cottage industries, handicrafts, and other small-scale industries in backward regions.
• Financial Assistance: Providing financial help to poor citizens is essential to support their basic needs and improve their economic condition.
In simple words: To fight poverty, India needs to control population, boost agriculture and industries, promote saving, encourage self-employment, use resources wisely, help small businesses, and provide financial aid to the poor.

🎯 Exam Tip: When proposing solutions, offer a balanced perspective covering economic, social, and policy interventions, and explain how each contributes to poverty alleviation.

RBSE Class 11 Economics Chapter 20 Other Important Questions

RBSE Class 11 Economics Chapter 20 Objective Type Questions

 

Question 2. The early estimates of poverty were represented by
(a) B.S. Minhas
(b) P.K. Vardhan
(c) M.S. Ahluwalia
(d) All of the options
Answer: (d) All of the options
In simple words: Many famous economists like B.S. Minhas, P.K. Vardhan, and M.S. Ahluwalia were among the first to estimate poverty levels in India.

🎯 Exam Tip: Memorize the key economists associated with early poverty estimates in India, as their names often appear in objective questions.

 

Question 3. According to B.S. Minhas, how much poverty was there in India in 1967-68?
(a) 37.1 per cent
(b) 54.0 per cent
(c) 40.0 per cent
(d) 56.5 per cent
Answer: (a) 37.1 per cent
In simple words: B.S. Minhas estimated that in the years 1967-68, about 37.1% of India's population was living in poverty.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay attention to the specific year and economist mentioned, as different estimates can vary greatly for the same period.

 

Question 4. In which year, a working group was formed by the Planning Commission under the chairmanship of D.T. Lakrawala?
(a) 1983
(b) 1990
(c) 1989
(d) None of the options
Answer: (c) 1989
In simple words: The Planning Commission formed a special group to study poverty, led by D.T. Lakrawala, in the year 1989.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember the year and the chairman's name associated with important committees formed to study poverty.

 

Question 6. The World bank has fixed an International Poverty line on the basis of the national poverty line of how many poorest countries?
(a) 10
(b) 20
(c) 15
(d) None of the options
Answer: (a) 10
In simple words: The World Bank uses the average poverty lines from the 10 poorest countries to set its international poverty line.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember specific numbers related to international organizations like the World Bank for quick recall in MCQs.

 

Question 7. A task force was set up by the Government of India under for poverty evaluation the chairmanship of
(a) Arvind Panagariya
(b) Dr. C. Rangarajan
(c) D. T. Lakrawala
(d) None of these
Answer: (a) Arvind Panagariya
In simple words: The government formed a special group to study poverty, and Arvind Panagariya was chosen to lead it.

🎯 Exam Tip: Knowing the names of key committees and their chairpersons is important for questions on policy and history.

 

Question 8. What is the reason of increase in poverty?
(a) Population growth
(b) Low rate of work participation
(c) Growth without adequate employment
(d) All of the options
Answer: (d) All of the options
In simple words: Poverty increases due to many factors working together, including a growing population, fewer people working, and economic growth that doesn't create enough jobs for everyone.

🎯 Exam Tip: In economics, poverty is a complex issue, and usually, multiple factors contribute to its rise. Look for comprehensive options in MCQs.

 

RBSE Class 11 Economics Chapter 20 Very Short Answer Type Questions

 

Question 1. What is meant by poverty?
Answer: Poverty is a complex idea that covers social, economic, and political issues. Absolute poverty, or extreme poverty, means not having enough money for basic needs like food, clothes, and a place to live.
In simple words: Poverty means a situation where a person does not have enough basic necessities like food, shelter, and clothing, and also lacks proper education and healthcare.

🎯 Exam Tip: When defining poverty, remember to mention both lack of basic needs and its multifaceted nature (social, economic, political).

 

Question 2. What is the minimum calorie consumption to define poor people in rural areas?
Answer: To be considered not poor in rural areas, a person needs at least 2400 calories each day.
In simple words: For rural areas, the minimum food energy needed for a person to not be called poor is 2400 calories every day.

🎯 Exam Tip: Be precise with calorie requirements and their distinction between rural and urban areas as defined by official bodies like the Planning Commission.

 

Question 3. What is the minimum calorie consumption to define poor people in urban areas?
Answer: In cities, a person is considered not poor if they consume at least 2100 calories daily.
In simple words: For urban areas, the daily calorie intake for someone not considered poor is 2100 calories.

🎯 Exam Tip: Note the difference in calorie needs between rural and urban populations, as rural work often requires more physical energy.

 

Question 5. For the year 2011-12, the Planning Commission fixed the poverty line at the level of how many rupees per person per day for rural areas?
Answer: For 2011-12, the Planning Commission set the poverty line in rural areas at Rs. 27.20 per person per day.
In simple words: The Planning Commission decided that in 2011-12, people in rural areas spending less than Rs. 27.20 per day were considered poor.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember the specific poverty line figures for different years and regions as these are factual details often tested.

 

Question 6. In 2011-12, how much money per month for urban areas was defined as poverty line, according to the Planning Commission?
Answer: In 2011-12, the Planning Commission set the poverty line for urban areas at Rs. 1000 per person per month.
In simple words: The Planning Commission stated that in 2011-12, an urban person needing less than Rs. 1000 per month was below the poverty line.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay attention to whether the question asks for daily or monthly expenditure, and for rural or urban areas.

 

Question 7. What is Head Count Ratio?
Answer: The Head Count Ratio tells us what percentage of the total population is considered poor. It's found by comparing the number of poor people to the total number of people.
In simple words: It's a way to count how many poor people there are by seeing what fraction of the total population is poor.

🎯 Exam Tip: Understand that the Head Count Ratio is a simple measure of poverty incidence, not depth or severity.

 

Question 8. According to Amartya Sen, how many phases should be adopted for counting the poverty?
Answer: Amartya Sen suggested using two main steps to measure poverty.
In simple words: Amartya Sen said there should be two main parts to measuring how many people are poor.

🎯 Exam Tip: Be aware of the contributions of different economists to poverty measurement theories.

 

Question 9. According to Ozzler, Dutt and Ravaillian, which indicators were used determine the poverty gap?
Answer: Ozzler, Dutt, and Ravaillian used the "Poverty Gap Ratio" and "Squared Poverty Gap Ratio" to understand how wide the gap of poverty was.
In simple words: These economists used two specific ratios, Poverty Gap Ratio and Squared Poverty Gap Ratio, to measure how severe poverty was.

🎯 Exam Tip: These ratios measure the intensity of poverty, not just the number of poor people. Briefly mention their purpose if asked to explain.

 

Question 10. According to the World Bank, what is the measure of poverty?
Answer: The World Bank defines poverty as spending less than 1.25 US dollars per person per day on consumption. Anyone spending less than this is considered poor.
In simple words: The World Bank says if you spend less than 1.25 US dollars each day, you are poor.

🎯 Exam Tip: The World Bank's international poverty line provides a global standard, often expressed in US dollars, for comparison.

 

Question 12. What is relative poverty?
Answer: Relative poverty looks at how income is shared. People with an income lower than the average income of the country are considered poor. This way of measuring poverty is mainly used in rich countries.
In simple words: Relative poverty means being poor compared to others in your country, often defined by earning less than a certain percentage of the average income.

🎯 Exam Tip: Distinguish relative poverty (based on income distribution) from absolute poverty (based on minimum basic needs).

 

Question 13. What is absolute poverty?
Answer: Absolute poverty sets a minimum level of consumption. People who consume less than this are considered poor. In India, defining poverty based on calorie intake is an example of absolute poverty.
In simple words: Absolute poverty is when a person cannot afford basic necessities like food, clothes, and shelter, falling below a very basic standard.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on the fixed standard of living or consumption when explaining absolute poverty.

 

Question 14. Which type of poverty is used for the measurement of poverty in developing countries?
Answer: Relative poverty.
In simple words: Developing countries mainly use relative poverty to measure how poor their people are.

🎯 Exam Tip: Be mindful that poverty measurement approaches can vary across different types of economies (developed vs. developing).

 

Question 15. Which economists presented the earlier estimates of poverty in India?
Answer: The first estimates of poverty in India were presented by economists such as B.S. Minhas, V.M. Dandekar, N.K. Rath, P.K. Vardhaji, and M.S. Ahluwalia.
In simple words: Many famous economists like B.S. Minhas and V.M. Dandekar were among the first to estimate poverty in India.

🎯 Exam Tip: Knowing the pioneers in a field adds depth to your answers, especially for historical context questions.

 

Question 16. According to P.K. Vardhan, in 1967-68, what was the percentage of poverty in India?
Answer: According to P.K. Vardhan's estimates, India's poverty rate in 1967-68 was 54.0 percent.
In simple words: P.K. Vardhan estimated that more than half of India's population was poor in 1967-68, at 54.0 percent.

🎯 Exam Tip: Specific percentages and years are key details to memorize for historical data questions.

 

Question 17. According to Tendulkar system, what was the rural and urban poverty ratio in 1973-74?
Answer:

🎯 Exam Tip: When historical data for a specific committee and year are requested, ensure the figures align with that committee's specific methodology and time frame.

 

Question 19. According to Tendulkar estimates, what was the combined poverty ratio in 1993-94?
Answer: Based on Tendulkar estimates, the combined poverty ratio for 1993-94 was 45.3 percent.
In simple words: In 1993-94, the total poverty in India, as per Tendulkar's calculations, was 45.3 percent.

🎯 Exam Tip: Note how different committees (e.g., Planning Commission, Tendulkar) can have varying poverty estimates for the same period due to different methodologies.

 

Question 20. According to Tendulkar system, in the year 2004-05, what was the criteria of money per month per capita in rural areas to define poverty?
Answer: For 2004-05, the Tendulkar system set the poverty line for rural areas at Rs. 446.80 per person per month.
In simple words: In 2004-05, rural people earning less than Rs. 446.80 per month were considered poor by the Tendulkar system.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay attention to the year and region specified in the question, as poverty lines change over time and differ between rural and urban areas.

 

Question 21. According to the Tendulkar system estimates, in 2011-12, how many total people were poor in the country?
Answer: According to Tendulkar's estimates for 2011-12, a total of 269.3 million people in the country were living in poverty.
In simple words: In 2011-12, around 269.3 million people in India were poor, based on Tendulkar's way of counting.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember significant figures like the total number of poor people, along with the year and the estimation method used.

 

Question 22. On which basis has the World Bank fixed an International Poverty line?
Answer: The World Bank set the International Poverty Line by taking the average of the national poverty lines from the 10 poorest countries.
In simple words: The World Bank calculates its global poverty line by averaging the national poverty lines of the ten poorest countries.

🎯 Exam Tip: Understand the methodology behind international standards like the World Bank's poverty line, as it highlights global comparisons.

 

Question 23. Which programme is considered responsible for the rapid decline in poverty in rural regions between the year 2004-05 and 2011-12?
Answer: The Rural Development Programme is credited with the quick reduction in poverty in rural areas between 2004-05 and 2011-12.
In simple words: The Rural Development Programme is seen as the main reason why poverty in villages decreased fast between 2004-05 and 2011-12.

🎯 Exam Tip: Link specific government programs to their intended impact, such as poverty alleviation in particular regions or timeframes.

 

Question 25. In which year, in the background of controversy on Poverty Line, an expert group was formed under the chairmanship of Dr. C. Rangarajan?
Answer: An expert group, led by Dr. C. Rangarajan, was formed in 2012 to look into the controversies surrounding the Poverty Line.
In simple words: Because of arguments about the Poverty Line, an expert group was made in 2012, led by Dr. C. Rangarajan.

🎯 Exam Tip: Keep track of important committees and their formation years, especially those related to key economic concepts like poverty lines.

 

Question 26. According to Rangarajan Committee, what is the poverty line in the rural areas?
Answer: The Rangarajan Committee suggested that the poverty line in rural areas should be Rs. 972 per person per day.
In simple words: The Rangarajan Committee proposed that for rural areas, the poverty line should be set at Rs. 972 per person per day.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember to state the specific figures (money, per person, per day/month) and the committee responsible for the estimate.

 

Question 27. State two reasons for increase in poverty in India.
Answer: Two main reasons for the rise in poverty in India are a growing population and a lack of education.
1. Rise in population
2. Illiteracy.
In simple words: India's poverty increases because there are too many people and many do not have schooling.

🎯 Exam Tip: For questions asking for multiple reasons, provide clear, concise points, ensuring each point is distinct.

 

Question 28. State the full form of IRDP.
Answer: IRDP stands for Integrated Rural Development Programme.
In simple words: IRDP is short for Integrated Rural Development Programme.

🎯 Exam Tip: Knowing the full forms of key government schemes is essential for accuracy in answers.

 

Question 29. TRYSEM was initiated in which year?
Answer: TRYSEM was started in the year 1979.
In simple words: The TRYSEM program was launched in 1979.

🎯 Exam Tip: For specific scheme launch dates, precise recall of the year is important.

 

Question 30. What is the objective of NREP?
Answer: The main goal of NREP was to offer meaningful work to people in rural areas who were jobless or did not have enough work.
In simple words: NREP aimed to give jobs to unemployed and underemployed people in villages.

🎯 Exam Tip: When describing objectives, focus on the core purpose and target beneficiaries of the program.

 

Question 32. Which scheme was initiated to provide housing assistance to the poors in rural regions in the year 1985-86?
Answer: The Indira Awas Yojana scheme was started in 1985-86 to help provide homes to poor people in rural areas.
In simple words: The Indira Awas Yojana started in 1985-86 to give housing help to poor people in villages.

🎯 Exam Tip: Associate specific schemes with their primary objectives and the year of their initiation.

 

Question 33. When was Employment Assurance Scheme started?
Answer: The Employment Assurance Scheme began in the year 1993.
In simple words: The Employment Assurance Scheme started in 1993.

🎯 Exam Tip: Accurately recall the launch year for key employment-generation schemes.

 

Question 34. Which scheme was initiated for providing labour employment in drought, deserted, tribal and Himalayan regions?
Answer: The Employment Assurance Scheme (EAS) was launched to provide work opportunities in dry, deserted, tribal, and Himalayan areas.
In simple words: The Employment Assurance Scheme (EAS) was created to give jobs in areas like drought-hit, tribal, and mountain regions.

🎯 Exam Tip: Link schemes not just to their purpose but also to their specific geographical focus if mentioned.

 

Question 35. Which Scheme is designed to create and provide sustainable self-employment opportunities to educated unemployed youth in the country?
Answer: The Prime Minister Rojgar Yojana (PMRY) was created to help educated unemployed youth in India start their own businesses and create lasting self-employment.
In simple words: The Prime Minister Rojgar Yojana (PMRY) helps educated young people start their own jobs and businesses.

🎯 Exam Tip: Differentiate self-employment schemes from wage employment schemes and identify their target beneficiaries.

 

Question 36. Which scheme which scheme was started in 1997-98 to provide financial assistance to farmers for the drainage and maintenance of surface water and underground water?
Answer: The Ganga Kalyana Scheme (GKY) was launched in 1997-98 to give financial help to farmers for managing surface and underground water, including drainage.
In simple words: The Ganga Kalyana Scheme (GKY) started in 1997-98 to give money to farmers to manage their water sources.

🎯 Exam Tip: Specific schemes often have unique focuses, like water management for farmers. Note these details for precise answers.

 

Question 37. When was Antyodaya Yojana started for the poorest of the poor section?
Answer:

🎯 Exam Tip: For programs targeting specific vulnerable groups, know the name of the scheme and its intended beneficiaries.

 

Question 39. Write the names of two programmes run to prevent the backward regions from getting affected by natural disasters and for their development?
Answer: Two programs started to protect backward regions from natural disasters and help them develop are the Drought Prone Area Programme (DPAP) and the Desert Development Programme (DDP).
1. DPAP (Drought Prone Area Programme).
2. DDP (Desert Development Programme).
In simple words: The Drought Prone Area Programme (DPAP) and Desert Development Programme (DDP) were started to help dry and desert areas.

🎯 Exam Tip: When listing programs, ensure you provide their full names or abbreviations correctly, as specified by the question.

 

Question 40. When was CADP (Command Area Development Program) started?
Answer: The Command Area Development Program (CADP) was launched in 1975.
In simple words: The CADP program began in 1975.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember the full form and launch year of area-specific development programs.

 

Question 41. When was Jawhar Gram Samriddhi Yojana started?
Answer: The Jawahar Gram Samriddhi Yojana began in April 1999.
In simple words: The Jawahar Gram Samriddhi Yojana was started in April 1999.

🎯 Exam Tip: For dates, noting both the month and year, if available, shows precision.

 

Question 42. What was the ratio of cost division between the centre and the states under the Swarn jayaanti Employment Programme?
Answer: Under the Swarnajayanti Employment Programme, the cost was shared between the central government and the states in a ratio of 75:25.
In simple words: For the Swarnajayanti Employment Programme, the central government paid 75% of the costs, and the states paid 25%.

🎯 Exam Tip: Cost-sharing ratios are important details for understanding the funding and implementation of government schemes.

 

Question 43. When was Food for Work Programme initiated?
Answer: The Food for Work Programme was started in 2004.
In simple words: The Food for Work Programme was launched in 2004.

🎯 Exam Tip: Know the launch years for major social welfare programs, especially those related to food security and employment.

 

Question 45. Suggest two measures to alleviate poverty.
Answer: Two ways to reduce poverty are by increasing economic growth and by controlling population growth.
1. Increasing the rate of economic development.
2. Control upon population growth.
In simple words: To lessen poverty, countries should grow their economy faster and manage population increases.

🎯 Exam Tip: For policy questions, offer clear, actionable measures. Economic development and population control are fundamental approaches to poverty alleviation.

 

RBSE Class 11 Economics Chapter 20 Short Answer Type Questions

 

Question 1. How is calorie consumption defined in urban and rural areas?
Answer: In India, poverty is connected to calorie intake. The Planning Commission states that people in rural areas needing less than 2400 calories per day, and people in urban areas needing less than 2100 calories per day, are considered poor. Officially, consuming less than these amounts means a person is under-nourished. However, city dwellers generally need fewer calories than rural workers who do more physical labor.
In simple words: In India, the Planning Commission set calorie limits: 2400 for rural people and 2100 for urban people. Eating less than these amounts means a person is considered poor and under-nourished.

🎯 Exam Tip: Clearly state the different calorie requirements for rural and urban areas and briefly explain the reason for the difference.

 

Question 2. What is poverty line?
Answer: The poverty line is a specific income level set by the government. If a person or family earns below this amount, they are considered poor. It represents the lowest income needed to live decently in a country. Wealthier countries usually have a higher poverty line than developing countries.
In simple words: The poverty line is the lowest amount of money a person or family needs to earn to afford basic living costs. If they earn less, they are called poor.

🎯 Exam Tip: Define the poverty line as a minimum income or consumption threshold, emphasizing its role as a benchmark for identifying the poor.

 

Question 3. How is calorie consumption defined as the measure to rate poverty?
Answer: In India, poverty is often defined by how many calories a person eats. The Planning Commission said that people in rural areas consuming less than 2400 calories daily, and those in urban areas consuming less than 2100 calories daily, are considered poor.
In simple words: Poverty in India is measured by how many calories a person consumes. If a rural person eats less than 2400 calories or an urban person eats less than 2100 calories per day, they are classified as poor.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember the calorie thresholds as these are specific, quantifiable criteria used in India's poverty measurement.

 

Question 4. Why is "calorie consumption” not considered suitable to measure poverty?
Answer: Counting calorie consumption is not a good way to measure poverty. Many experts believe that poverty involves more than just calories; it also includes factors like illness, illiteracy, joblessness, and hunger. The current poverty line system treats all poor people the same, but in reality, their situations are very different.
In simple words: Calorie intake alone is not a good measure of poverty because poverty also involves lack of education, jobs, healthcare, and hunger, which calories don't show. Also, not all poor people face the same challenges.

🎯 Exam Tip: Critically evaluate the limitations of single-dimensional poverty measures like calorie consumption, highlighting the multi-dimensional nature of poverty.

 

Question 5. What is poverty ratio?
Answer: The poverty ratio shows the percentage of people in a population who live below the poverty line. When we calculate how many people are poor by this method, it is called the 'head count ratio'. To get the percentage, this number is multiplied by 100.
In simple words: The poverty ratio tells us what part of the population is poor by comparing the number of poor people to the total population, often shown as a percentage.

🎯 Exam Tip: Clarify the definition of poverty ratio and its relation to the 'head count ratio' as they are often used interchangeably or as closely related terms.

 

Question 6. According to the Human Development Report, which shortfalls are important for the measurement of poverty?
Answer: The Human Development Report states that three main problems are important when measuring poverty. These are a short life expectancy, lack of education, and a low standard of living. The Human Poverty Index was created based on these factors.
1. Lack of high life expectancy.
2. Lack of education.
3. Lack of high standard of living.
In simple words: The Human Development Report highlights three key problems when measuring poverty: people not living long, not getting enough education, and having a low quality of life.

🎯 Exam Tip: When discussing multi-dimensional poverty, referring to indices like the Human Poverty Index (HPI) and its components strengthens your answer.

 

Question 7. According to the Capability Measurement of Poverty, which factors/indicators are included in defining poverty?
Answer: The Capacity Measurement of Poverty uses three main indicators. These are: the number of children under 5 who are underweight, the rate of difficult deliveries, and the rate of illiteracy among women.
In simple words: To measure poverty by capacity, three things are checked: how many young children are underweight, problems during childbirth, and how many women cannot read or write.

🎯 Exam Tip: The Capability Approach (Amartya Sen) focuses on what people can *do* and *be*, hence indicators relate to health, education, and basic functions.

 

Question 8. What is absolute poverty?
Answer: Absolute poverty is a method where a minimum level of consumption is set. The number of poor people is then counted based on how many fall below this consumption level.
In simple words: Absolute poverty is a way of counting poor people by setting a very basic minimum amount of things needed to live; if you have less than that, you are poor.

🎯 Exam Tip: Ensure your definition of absolute poverty clearly articulates the concept of a fixed, universal minimum standard for survival.

 

Question 10. What was the objective of the task force constituted by the Indian Government in 2015?
Answer: In 2015, the Indian Government created a task force, led by Dr. Arvind Panagariya, who was the vice-chairman of the Planning Commission. Its main goal was to study poverty, find ways to reduce it, and create programs to achieve that.
In simple words: A government group was formed in 2015, led by Dr. Arvind Panagariya, to study poverty and plan programs to end it.

🎯 Exam Tip: Note the year and the leader of the task force, along with its specific mandate to assess and address poverty.

 

Question 11. State the reasons for poverty in the rural regions of India.
Answer: Poverty in rural India is caused by several factors. These include a lack of education and technical skills, over-reliance on farming, unstable jobs, and debt. Other reasons are social backwardness, limited movement for work, problems with the Public Distribution System, and slow growth in agricultural output.
1. Lack of education and technical know how.
2. Excessive dependence on agriculture.
3. Irregular employment.
4. Indebtdness.
5. Social backwardness and lack of mobility of labour.
6. Faulty Public Distribution System.
7. Slow rate of growth in agricultural production.
In simple words: Rural poverty in India is due to reasons like poor education, too much reliance on farming, no steady jobs, debt, social issues, and problems with food distribution.

🎯 Exam Tip: When listing reasons, ensure each point is distinct and relevant to the specific context (e.g., rural poverty).

 

Question 12. What programmes were initiated after seeing the extreme poverty condition of the country in the 1970s?
Answer: In response to the extreme poverty in the 1970s, programs like the Small or Marginal Farmers Development Programme and the Food for Work Programme were launched.
In simple words: To fight severe poverty in the 1970s, programs were started to help small farmers and provide food for work.

🎯 Exam Tip: Connect historical policy responses to the socio-economic conditions that prompted them, such as severe poverty in the 1970s.

 

Question 14. What programmes were started for the Drought Prone areas?
Answer: To help areas prone to drought, the government launched the Drought Prone Area Programme (DPAP) in 1973-74. Its main aim was to reduce the negative impacts of drought on crops, livestock, and land productivity, and to improve water and human resources to make these areas resistant to drought.
1. Drought Prone Area Programme (DPAP) is the “earliest area development programme” launched by the Central Government in 1973-74 to tackle the specific problems faced by those fragile areas which are constantly affected by severe drought conditions.
2. The basic objective of this programme is to minimise the adverse effects of drought on production of crops and livestock and productivity of land, water and human resources, ultimately leading to drought proofing of the affected areas.
In simple words: The Drought Prone Area Programme (DPAP) was started in 1973-74 to help dry regions. It aimed to reduce drought effects on farms, animals, and land, making these areas stronger against drought.

🎯 Exam Tip: For programs with specific geographical targets (like drought-prone areas), ensure you explain both the program's name and its particular goals for those regions.

 

Question 15. State any five major programmes for alleviating poverty.
Answer: Five major programs aimed at reducing poverty are: the Integrated Rural Development Programme (IRDP), Jawahar Rozgar Yojana (JRY), Pradhan Mantri Gramodya Yojana, Swarna Jayanti Shahri Rozgar Yojana, and Sampoorna Gramin Rozgar Yojana.
1. Integrated Rural Development Programme (IRDP)
2. Jawahar Rozgar Yojana (JRY).
3. Pradhan MantriGramodyaYojana.
4. Swama Jayanti Shahri Rozgar Yojana.
5. Sampuma Gramin Rozgar Yojana.
In simple words: Some big programs to help reduce poverty are IRDP, JRY, Pradhan Mantri Gramodya Yojana, Swarna Jayanti Shahri Rozgar Yojana, and Sampoorna Gramin Rozgar Yojana.

🎯 Exam Tip: When asked for a list of programs, providing their full names or widely recognized abbreviations is crucial.

 

Question 16. What is "Jawahar Gram Samriddhi Yojana"?
Answer: The Jawahar Gram Samridhi Yojana (JGSY) was launched on April 1, 1999. Its goal was to improve the lives of poor people in rural areas by giving them more work opportunities. The central government paid 75% of the costs, and the states paid 25%.
In simple words: The Jawahar Gram Samridhi Yojana (JGSY) started in 1999 to give jobs to poor people in villages and make their lives better. The government split costs 75:25 with states.

🎯 Exam Tip: Include the launch date, main objective, and funding pattern (if applicable) when explaining specific government schemes.

 

Question 17. What was the objective of Prime Minister Rural Road Programme?
Answer: The Prime Minister Rural Road Programme was a national plan to connect villages that did not have all-weather roads. Its goal was to link villages with a population of 500 or more to paved roads.
In simple words: The Prime Minister Rural Road Programme aimed to build good roads to connect villages, especially those with many people, that didn't have them before.

🎯 Exam Tip: Clearly state the primary objective and target beneficiaries of infrastructure development programs.

 

Question 18. State any 5 remedies for alleviating poverty in India.
Answer: Five ways to reduce poverty in India include controlling population growth, encouraging self-employment, improving the Public Distribution System, promoting small savings, and focusing on industrial development.
1. Influential control on population.
2. Promotion to self-employment.
3. Reforms in Public Distribution System.
4. Encouragement to small savings.
5. Emphasis upon the development of industries.
In simple words: To reduce poverty in India, we can control population, help people start their own businesses, fix the public food system, encourage saving money, and develop more industries.

🎯 Exam Tip: When asked for solutions, provide practical and policy-oriented suggestions that address the root causes of poverty.

 

RBSE Class 11 Economics Chapter 20 Short Answer Type Questions

 

Question 1. How is calorie consumption defined in urban and rural areas?
Answer: In India, poverty is connected to calorie intake. The Planning Commission states that people in rural areas needing less than 2400 calories per day, and people in urban areas needing less than 2100 calories per day, are considered poor. Officially, consuming less than these amounts means a person is under-nourished. However, city dwellers generally need fewer calories than rural workers who do more physical labor.
In simple words: In India, the Planning Commission set calorie limits: 2400 for rural people and 2100 for urban people. Eating less than these amounts means a person is considered poor and under-nourished.

🎯 Exam Tip: Clearly state the different calorie requirements for rural and urban areas and briefly explain the reason for the difference.

 

Question 2. According to Amartya Sen, how many phases should be adopted for the measurement of poverty?
Answer: Amartya Sen suggested two steps to measure poverty. First, one should find out each person's income and set a standard for what counts as poor. Second, it's important to see how severe the poverty is. Experts like Ozzler, Dutt, and Ravaillian used "Poverty Gap Ratio" and "Squared Poverty Gap Ratio" for this second step.
In simple words: Amartya Sen said there should be two main parts to measuring how many people are poor. First, check income against a standard. Second, find out how serious the poverty is using specific ratios.

🎯 Exam Tip: Understand Amartya Sen's multi-stage approach to poverty measurement, which goes beyond simple headcount to assess the depth of poverty.

 

Question 4. In all the initial assumptions of poverty made by different economists in India, what facts were presented by them?
Answer: Early poverty estimates in India were made by economists like B.S. Minhas, V.M. Dandekar, N.K. Rath, P.K. Vardhan, and M.S. Ahluwalia. They showed that poverty rates were very high in the 1960s. These estimates also highlighted that more poor people lived in rural areas, especially among small farmers and agricultural workers without land.
In simple words: Early economists in India, like B.S. Minhas and V.M. Dandekar, found that poverty was very high in the 1960s, especially among rural farmers and landless laborers.

🎯 Exam Tip: Mentioning key economists and their core findings for historical poverty estimates adds value to your answer.

 

Question 5. Show the basic poverty estimates of family income components of the National Sample Survey Organisation as per Tendulkar estimates in India.
Answer: The following table shows the estimated poverty rates in India, by year and region, according to Tendulkar's calculations based on data from the National Sample Survey Organisation.

In simple words: This table shows how many people in India were poor (in percentage) in different years, separated by rural and urban areas, and then combined. It uses numbers from the National Sample Survey based on Tendulkar's method.

🎯 Exam Tip: When presenting data in a table, always include a clear introductory sentence and ensure all column headers are precise and easy to understand.

 

Question 6. According to Tendulkar system, what is the poverty rate in major India states in the year 2011-12?
Answer: The poverty rate in major Indian states for the year 2011-12, in percentage, is shown in the table below:

In simple words: The table shows how many people were poor in different states of India in 2011-12, measured by the Tendulkar system. It lists the percentage of poor people in rural, urban, and combined areas for each state.

🎯 Exam Tip: When asked about data or statistics, presenting the information clearly in a table format, if appropriate, can help score full marks.

 

Question 7. Is there any relationship between poverty and unemployment? Explain.
Answer: Yes, there is a direct link between poverty and unemployment. Both are big problems around the world right now. When people do not have jobs, they become poor. And when people are poor, they often cannot find good jobs. Poverty means someone lacks basic things like food and shelter. Unemployment means a person cannot find work to earn money, even if they have time and skills.
In simple words: Yes, poverty and joblessness are connected. When people don't have work, they become poor, and being poor can make it harder to get a job.

🎯 Exam Tip: Always clearly state whether a relationship exists (direct, inverse, no relation) and then provide simple, logical reasons for it.

 

Question 9. Write a note on National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP).
Answer: The National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) was launched on August 15, 1995, to provide social security to poor people. This program had four main parts: old age pension, widow pension, disability pension, and a family benefit scheme. NSAP was mainly for poor people who could not get jobs or start their own businesses due to some disability or inability.
In simple words: NSAP is a government program started in 1995 to help poor people with pensions and other benefits if they cannot work.

🎯 Exam Tip: When describing government programs, always include the launch date, main objectives, and key components to provide a comprehensive answer.

 

Question 10. Explain Swarna Jayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana in brief.
Answer: The Swarna Jayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY) was a government plan started on April 1, 1999. Its goal was to help the poorest people in rural and urban areas earn a steady income. The scheme aimed to help villagers become self-employed by creating self-help groups. These groups would get support based on people's skills and talents, with funds from NGOs, banks, and financial groups. The main idea was to help poor families rise above the poverty line by working together to earn income. The cost of this program was shared 75:25 between the central and state governments. Local village councils and rural development groups were in charge of running the scheme, and banks helped check its progress.
In simple words: SGSY was a government scheme from 1999 that helped poor people in villages become self-employed, usually by joining self-help groups to earn money.

🎯 Exam Tip: For schemes, remember the launch year, main objective, target group, and funding structure (e.g., center-state ratio).

 

Question 12. Explain "Valmiki Ambedkar Awas Yojana”.
Answer: The Valmiki Ambedkar Awas Yojana (VAMBAY) scheme started in 2001. Its main aim was to help build and improve homes for people living in slums and to create a clean urban environment for them. The central government provided a 50% subsidy for this. Under this scheme, Rs. 211 crore were given out by 2003, and 1.6 lakh houses were built.
In simple words: VAMBAY was a scheme started in 2001 to build and upgrade homes for slum residents in cities, with the government covering half the cost.

🎯 Exam Tip: When explaining housing schemes, always mention the year of initiation, primary beneficiaries, and key features like subsidies or number of homes built.

 

Question 13. Explain the "National Food for Work Programme”.
Answer: The National Food for Work Programme (NFWP) was launched on November 14, 2004. It was started by the Minister of Rural Development in the central government. The program covered 150 of India's most backward districts. Its goal was to provide extra wage employment, meaning jobs that pay money, to poor people. Anyone who was poor and willing to do manual unskilled labor could join. It was a scheme fully funded by the central government. Food grains were given to the states for free. However, the states had to pay for transportation, handling, and taxes on the food grains. This program was part of efforts to help people in rural areas.
In simple words: The NFWP, started in 2004, gave jobs to poor people in rural areas, paying them with food grains provided by the central government.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on the target group (poor, rural), the type of work offered (unskilled labor), and how wages were paid (food grains) for programs like NFWP.

 

Question 14. Why is employment creation essential for the eradication of poverty from India?
Answer: Creating jobs is very important for removing poverty from India because jobs and poverty are directly linked. India is a developing country and faces a big problem of severe poverty. If more jobs are created, the rate of poverty will go down. This is why the government starts important programs to create opportunities for people to work for themselves. Through these schemes, the government also gives financial help and training so people can start their own businesses to escape poverty.
In simple words: Creating jobs is key to fighting poverty in India because when people have work, they earn money, which reduces poverty and helps them become self-reliant.

🎯 Exam Tip: When discussing the importance of employment for poverty reduction, highlight the direct relationship between income generation and an improved standard of living.

 

Question 1. What recommendations were made by the expert committee formed under the chairmanship of Prof. Suresh Tendulkar in terms of poverty line estimates, formed by the Planning Commission?
Answer: The committee, led by Prof. Suresh Tendulkar, made the following recommendations for estimating poverty:
1. The committee suggested using the data on household personal consumption expenses provided by the National Sample Survey Organization to measure poverty in India.
2. It recommended using the actual consumption pattern instead of just "calorie consumption" to estimate poverty.
3. To gather information on consumption spending, different timeframes for recall were used. The committee advised using a mixed recall period instead of a single, uniform one to collect consumption data.
4. In the "minimum consumption" level proposed by the committee, non-food items were also included, along with food items.
5. The committee worked to ensure that both rural and urban populations across all states showed consumption levels consistent with the commodity groups outlined in the all-India urban poverty line.
In simple words: The Tendulkar committee suggested using household spending data, not just calories, to define poverty. They also recommended including non-food items and using better ways to collect information on how people spend their money.

🎯 Exam Tip: When detailing committee recommendations, list them clearly and concisely. Focus on key shifts like moving from calorie-based to consumption-based poverty measures.

 

Question 2. What were the recommendations of the Rangarajan committee regarding poverty estimation, and what factors did it include for assessment?
Answer: The Rangarajan committee made the following recommendations for poverty estimation, including various factors for assessment:
1. The poverty line should be set based on laid-down standards for nutrition, clothes, house rent, transport, education, and other non-food expenses. Only private spending, not public, should be considered for this.
2. For nutrition spending, people in the lowest 25-30 percent in rural areas and 15-20 percent in urban areas were to be considered as meeting these standards.
3. The committee stated that the poverty line for rural areas was Rs. 972 per person per day, and for urban areas, it was Rs. 1407. For a family of five, a rural income of Rs. 4860 and an urban income of Rs. 7035 were considered the poverty line.
4. According to the committee's method, poverty in the country was 38.2 percent in 2009-10 and decreased to 29.5 percent in 2011-12. This showed a reduction in poverty by 8.7 percent during this period. However, based on Tendulkar's estimates, poverty was 29.8 percent in 2009-10, dropping to 21.9 percent in 2011-12.
In simple words: The Rangarajan committee set new rules for measuring poverty, considering expenses beyond food like housing, education, and transport. They also set different daily income limits for rural and urban poverty.

🎯 Exam Tip: Distinguish between different committee recommendations (e.g., Tendulkar vs. Rangarajan) by noting specific criteria, monetary values, and years they applied.

 

Question 3. What are the major reasons for presence of poverty in India?
Answer: The main reasons why poverty exists in India are:
• Social, Economic and Political Inequality: Societies cannot grow if some people are left behind just because of their social class, caste, or gender. Caste division has hurt India's social unity.
• Illiteracy: Many people, especially in rural areas and women, cannot read or write well. This makes it hard for them to get good jobs and also leads to a higher population growth. Illiteracy and poverty keep feeding each other.
• Unemployment: Because the population keeps growing, there are always many people in India who either have no job or are underemployed (working less than they want).
• High Population: India's high population means that the money each person earns (per capita income) is very low, making it hard to afford basic needs. This leads to widespread poverty.
In simple words: Poverty in India is caused by things like unfairness in society, many people not being able to read or write, a lack of jobs, and a very large population.

🎯 Exam Tip: When listing causes of poverty, try to group similar ideas or use clear bullet points to make the answer easy to read and understand.

 

Question 4. Discuss the schemes initiated by the government for the eradication of poverty.
Answer: The government has started several schemes to remove poverty. Here are some of them:
i. Prime Minister Rural Roads Programme: This nationwide plan aims to connect villages with good all-weather roads. The goal was to connect villages with 500 or more people to paved roads by the end of the tenth five-year plan. About Rs. 7866 crore were spent, and 60024 km of roads were built.
iii. Swarna Jayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY): Launched on April 1, 1999, SGSY aimed to help the poorest rural and urban people earn a steady income. It focused on self-employment through self-help groups, providing funds and training based on people's skills. The cost was shared 75:25 between the central and state governments.
iv. Employment Assurance Scheme: This scheme began on October 2, 1993, in 1772 backward blocks and later expanded to 5448 blocks. These areas included drought-prone, desert, tribal, and hilly regions. The scheme aimed to provide employment, with costs shared 75:25 between the central and state governments.
v. Valmiki Ambedkar Awas Yojana: This scheme's main goal was to build and upgrade homes for slum dwellers and create healthy urban living conditions. It started in 2001, providing a 50% subsidy from the central government. By 2003, Rs. 211 crore were spent, building 1.6 lakh houses.
vi. National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme: The National Rural Employment Guarantee Act was passed in September 2005. The National Rural Employment Programme (NREP) started in February 2006 to provide employment in rural areas, ensuring people there had access to income.
vii. National Food For Work Programme: Launched on November 14, 2004, in 150 backward districts, this program aimed to provide wage employment. It was open to all poor Indians willing to do manual, unskilled labor. The central government provided food grains free of cost, while states covered transportation and other charges.
In simple words: The government launched many programs like building roads in villages, helping people start their own businesses, ensuring employment, providing housing for slum dwellers, and offering food-for-work schemes to fight poverty across India.

🎯 Exam Tip: When listing government schemes, always provide the full name, launch year, main objective, and target beneficiaries for each to ensure a complete answer.

 

Question 5. Perform a critical evaluation of the schemes of poverty alleviation.
Answer: The schemes designed to reduce poverty have been progressing slowly. Here's a look at their achievements and challenges:
**Achievements:**
1. The number of people living below the poverty line has gone down. For example, in 1973-74, 55% of people were poor, which dropped to 21.8% in 2004-05.
2. The income of poor people has increased, and their health has also improved.
**Challenges and Reasons for limited success:**
Even with these programs, they haven't fully achieved their goals due to several reasons:
1. Using India's human and natural resources to create widespread and fair growth has been a long-standing challenge since the country's independence.
2. Poor people often lack leadership and initiative, making it hard for them to benefit from these schemes.
3. The programs involve complex activities. Managers and employees often cannot complete tasks according to the set rules, and sometimes they lack a clear direction.
4. These programs received support from the government but lacked strong public support.
5. Officials sometimes helped educated, rich, and undeserving people instead of those who truly needed the schemes.
6. Local influential people sometimes worked with program officials to take unfair advantage, meaning the poor did not get the intended benefits.
In simple words: While poverty alleviation schemes have reduced poverty and improved incomes, they haven't been fully successful. Challenges include not using resources well, lack of leadership among the poor, complex programs, lack of public support, and benefits often not reaching the truly needy due to corruption.

🎯 Exam Tip: A critical evaluation requires discussing both the positive impacts (achievements) and the negative aspects or limitations (reasons for lack of success) of the schemes.