SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS

Questions of 3-4 Marks Each.

Q.1. What is infrastructure ? State its components.
Ans. Infrastructure means a network of physical facilities and public services which supports a.
an
economic system to work efficiently and effectively.
Following are two components of infrastructure:
(i) Economic infrastructure. (i) Social infrastructure.
Economie infrastructure includes the facilities and services which have a direct impact on the
working of the system of production. Following are the examples of economic infrastructure
(a) Energy/power
(b) Transportation
(c) Communication.
Social infrastructure refers to the social
system and conditions which support an economy. Social
infrastructure gives indirect support to the working of an economy.
Following are the examples of
social infrastructure
(a) Health
(b) Housing
(c) Education
Q.2. State the characteristics or qualities of infrastructure.
Ans. Following are the characteristics of infrastructure
() High Investment -

Infrastructure requires a very high investment to be spent on the provision

of transportation, communication, power station, hospitals etc.
(ii) Permanent Nature -

Infrastructure is of permanent nature. Infrastructure installations are

used over a long period of time.
(iii) Basic Inputs -

Infrastructure is basic to all

production activities. Output of infrastructure such
as power, water etc. are used inputs for production.
as
Development of infrastructure is an
essential pre-condition for agricultural and industrial
production.
Q.3. Explain the two categories into which infrastructure is divided. How are both interdependent?
[NCERT|
Ans. Following are the two categories into
which infrastructure is divided:
(i) Economic infrastructure.
 (i) Social infrastructure.
the
Economic infrastructure includes the facilities and services which have direct impact a
working otthe system of production. The examples of economic infrastructure are energy/power,
on

transportation and communication.

Social infrastructure refers to the social system and conditions which support an
economy.
infrastructure gives indirect support to the working of an economy. The examples of social
infrastructure are health, housing and education.
Both economic infrastructure and social infrastructure are interdependent. Economic infrastructure
is directly concerned with the needs of agriculture, industry and trade etc. The development of
economic intrastructure depends on the development of social infrastructure which includes
education, health, sanitation, drinking water etc. Social infrastructure provides basis for the
developnment of economic infrastructure. Thus, economic infrastructure and social infrastructure
support each other. Both contribute to the economic development of the country.
Q.4. What is meant by economic infrastructure? Explain its importance in economic development.
Ans. Economic infrastructure refers to economic facilities and services which support an economic
system to work efficiently. Following items are included in the economic infrastructure:
() Transport i) Communication
(ii) Energy (io) Irrigation.
The importance of economic infrastructure in economic development is great. Economic infrastructure
facilitates functioning of economy. For example, transport moves men, machines and materials
from place to place for production, as also for consumption andinvestment. Larger the infrastructural
facilities, the bigger the opportunities for producers to produce more and invest more
Economic infrastructure promotes development. Infrastructure is itself a component of the capital
stock of a society. Infrastructure helps production by linking the production-points with input
supplies including labour. Trade also gets expanded thereby raising the national output.

Q.5. Distinguish between economic and social infrastructure.

Ans. Difference between economic and social infrastructure:

Points ofDistinction Economic Infrastructure Social Iufrastructure

() Elements It includes elements of economic It includes elements of social

change like power, transport, change like education, housing
communication. health etc.

It has impact on the

direct It has an indirect impact on the
(ii) Impact a
production of goods and services.
production of goods and services.
It raises the standard of living It increases the quality of life of
(iii) Object
of the people and fosters economic the people and fosters human
growth.
growth i.e., welfare.

Q.6. How do infrastructure facilities boost production

? [NCERTI1
Ans. Infrastructure facilities include roads, railways, ports, airports, dams, communication, education
etc. Some of these facilities have a direct impact on production of goods and services while others
provide an indirect support. Infrastructure raises the productivity of the factors of production.

Infrastructure enhances size of the market.

Q.7. "Infrastructure contributes to the economic development ot a country." Do you agree ? Explain.

INCERT]
Or
Bring out importance of infrastructure in development.
Or

Explain how infrastructure supports the economic development of a nation.

Ans. Infrastructure is the life-blood of an economy. Larger the infrastructural facilities, higher will be
economic development. Infrastructure supports the economic development in following ways
) Agricultural Development The expansion in irrigation, rural electrification, roads and
transport promotes agricultural growth by making the easy availability ot raw materials,
markets.
ESers and inputs at cheap rate and selling their products organised
in
(i) Industrial Development - Like agriculture, industry requires power, transport, skilled man
POwer etc. Infrastructure facilitates international trade. Infrastructure enhances the size of the

market.
(Gii) Development of Tourism Expansion of rapid means of transport and communication
tourism,
develops tourism as a big industry. Infrastructure is the backbone of
Q.6. Why do we need contribution of all sectors - private, public and foreign in development of
infrastructure ?
Ans. One of the distinguishing features of infrastructure is that the deficiency of infrastructure cannot be
made up through imports. Being the location based activity, relevant infrastructure facility has to
be met through development of its capacity in the domestic economy. However, building of
intrastructure requires a very large investment and it contributes to output after a long period ie.
their gestation period is quite long. Therefore we need contribution of all sectors -private, public

and foreign in development of infrastructure.

Q.9. Why do we need independent regulatory authorities in infrastructure sector between the service

provider and the government ?

Ans. The building of infrastructure requires large and lumpy investment and they contribute to output
after a long period. As a result of this, competitive market system will not be able to provide
infrastructural services in most of the cases. It implies that development of infrastructure has the
monopolistic character. Therefore, infrastructural facilities are either built or run by the government
or public sector enterprise. If private sector is permitted to make investnment in infrastructure, it
needs to be regulated by the government so that it should not exploit the consumers. Hence, we
need an independent regulatory authority in infrastructure sector between the service provider and
the government to ensure that service provider should not have any vested interest in providing the
service and service provider should not exploit its character by pricing the service at very high
price.
Q.10. What is the state of rural infrastructure in India? [NCERT
Ans. The state of rural infrastructure is not satisfactory which may be explained as under
() In rural areas, about 90% of the households are using bio-fuels such as crop residues, animal
dung and fuelwood to meet their energy needs. About 56% of rural households have electricity
connection.
(i) People in rural areas have to travel long distances to fetch fuel, water and other basic needs.
(Gii) Tap water availability is limited to only 24% rural households and remaining households make
use of water from open sources like wells, tanks, ponds etc.
(iv) Access to improved sanitation in rural areas is only 20%.
() All weather roads have yet to connect more than half of the villages of the country.
Q.11. Analyse the given data showing state of infrastructure in India and some other countries.

Access to
Investment in mproved Acess to Mobile Power
Country Infrastructure water improved subscribers Generation
as a % GDP sources (%) sanitation (%) /100 People (billion kWh)
(2014) (2015) (2015)
46
(2015) (2016)
China 96 77 93 6015
Hongkong 24 92 100 229 39
India 34 94 40 79 1423
 South Korea 29 98 100 119 549
Pakistan 15 70 105**
91 64
49**

Singapore 29 100 100 146

Indonesia 35 132 249
87 61
Source: World DevelopmentIndicators 2017, World Bank website : www.worldbank.org/) rerers

to Gross Capital Formation: https://yearbook.enerdata.net(data.pertaining to 2014)

Ans. The above table shows that India invests only 34% of its GDP on infrastructure which is far below
that of China and Indonesia. Infrastructure is the foundation of development. Therefore, the needot
the hour is that government of India should spend more on infrastructure India's position is the
lowest in the area of sanitation and mobile subscribers. As far as power generation is concernea,
India is far behind from China.
0.12. State the names of six Indian Systems of Medicine (ISM) under the AYUSH scheme of the
Government of India. ICBSE 2020
Or
Mention the six systems of Indian medicine. [NCERTI
Ans. () Ayurveda (i) Yoga
(ii) Unani (iv) Siddha
() Naturopathy (i) Homeopathy
Q.13. Describe any three of poor health in India.
causes

Ans. Following are three causes of poor health in India

() High birth rate and rapid growth of population -
It has created a number of health risks.
Population growth has made it difficult to provide safe or sufficient water supply, garbage
disposal and sanitation for the community.
(Gi) Malnutrition Wide spread malnutrition has contributed to the number of health problems
including infectious diseases among children.
(in) Unsanitary conditions and housing - A large number of people live in poor households
located in crowded and unsanitary surroundings. People face the problem of contaminated
food, water and soil, insufficient personal hygiene and sewage disposal. A sizeable population
lives in sub-standard dwellings lacking in space, ventilation and sunlight.
Q.14. What are the main characteristics of health of the people of our country? [NCERT]
Ans. Following are the main characteristics of health of the people of our country:
Improvement in Health Indicators-Since independence, there has been a significant expansion
of health services. As a result of this, there are improvements in health indicators such as
decline in death rate and infant mortality rate and rise in expectancy of life.
(Git) Increases in the Role of Private Sector - Government expenditure is extremely low as

compared to other countries. As a result of this, there is growing trend towards privatisation of
health facilities. The private sector accounts for about 80% of total expenditure on health care.
(in) Wide Gap There is a wide gap between rural-urban areas and between poor and rich in

utilising health care services.

(iv) Women's Health -Women's health has become a matter of great concern. There are increasing
cases of female foeticide. Frequent bearing of child has created a number of problenms for
women.

Q.15. How has women's health become a matter of great concern ? NCERT
Ans. () Female Foeticide There are increasing cases of female foeticide. The child sex ratio has
declined. It proves that there is a growing incidence of female foeticide.
(i) Child Marriage - About 3 lakh girls under the age of 15 become mothers every year. Frequent
of child has caused about 20% maternal deaths.
bearing
(ii) Mortality - The incidence of mortality is still high in case of women in India. Abortions are a

major cause of mortality in India.

Q.16. Why do medical tourists come to India ?
Ans. Medical tourists come to India due to following reasons
cheaper in India as compared
to costs
of simila
Cheap Medical Services Health services are

healthcare services in other countries.

combine latest
medical technologies wit
Quality of HealthCare Health services in India
-

accredited hospitals
than 35 internationally
medical professionals. India has more
quantied the treatment through
telemedicine.
Many hospitals also give the option of continuing visa restrictions o n tourist visas. A yisa.
of India has removed
a-
) Ease of Travel -
The government reasons.
nationals for medical
scheme for tourists allows foreign
on-arrival
medical
most of the people including professionals. A
o) Language English is widely spoken by
-

more comfortable.
translators to make patients
number of hospitals have hired language
its GDP o n health for achieving
Economists believe that India should end atleast 8% of
Q.17.
reasons.
desired results." Justify the statement with valid
Or
public expenditure to cure itself." Justify the
"Indian Health System needs a stronger dose of
CBSE 20201
given statement with valid arguments.
total expenditure of
to World Health Organisation
Ans. The given statement is appropriate. According
to other countries.
This is very low as compared
India on health sector is only 4.7% of the GDP. the global burden of
it bears a frightening 20% of
India has about 17% of the world's population but
that public health system and facilities are not
diseases. All the indicators of health in India suggest
Indian health system needs a stronger dose of
sufficient for the bulk of the population. Hence,
public expenditure.
Discuss the major public health measures undertaken by
Q.18. Describe the meaning of public health.
the state in recent years to control diseases. [NCERT]
Ans. Public health means approach to health of the community asa whole to control diseases, to prolong

life and promote human health.

undertaken by the state in recent years:
Following are the major public health measures

() A focus on Prevention The state has initiated many programmes for the prevention of
-

communicable diseases. The state has taken up mass immunisation programmes for children.

(i) Improved Nutrition About 70% of India's population n o w has access to subsidised food. The
-

state has introduced fortified food via the National Food Security Act to reduce anemia and

childhood stunting.
(in) Healthcare institutions in rural areas The state has taken up the programme to build a vast
health infrastructure and man power at village level known as Primary Health Centres.
(io) Medical Education The state has initiated to build a number of medical colleges to increase
the number of medical professionals.
Q.19. Argue in favour of the need for different forms of government intervention in health sector.
Ans. The need for different forms of government intervention in health sector arises due to following
reasons
(i) Investment - Expenditure on health makes substantial long term impact. Such expenditure

cannot be reversed.
(ii) Awareness Most of the individual consumers of health services are illiterate and are not
aware of quality of services and their costs. It is the duty of the government to publicise
relevant information for the public.
(i) Regulation of Private Sector-The government has to ensure that private institutions operating
in health sector adhere to the standards stipulated by the government. The government shoud
regulate the free structure in health care institutions.
(iv) Supply of Health Services In India, a large section of population cannot afford healtn
services by paying for it. Health services should be provided to them by the government either
free of cost or at nominal price.
 LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS
Questions of 6 Marks Each.

Q.1. Infrastructure facilitates functioning of economy, promotes development and reduces pover
Explain the statement highlighting the importance of infrastructure in economic developne
of India.

Or
What is meant by Infrastructure ? Discuss the importance in economic development or inald

Ans. Infrastructure means the supporting services that help the growth of agriculture and industry
which are direct productive activities. Infrastructure includes energy, power, transportation
communication etc. Infrastructure is of great importance for Indian economy in the following

ways
(i) Functioning of Economy - Infrastructure facilitates functioning of economy. For example,
for
transport machines and materials from place to place for production, as also
moves men,
consumption and investment. Larger the infrastructural facilities, the bigger the opportunities
for producers to produce more and invest more.
of
(ii) Development Infrastructure promotes development. Infrastructure is itself a component
-

the capital stock of a society. Infrastructure helps production by linking the production-points
national
with input supplies including labour. Trade also gets expanded, thereby, raising the
output.
Reduction of Infrastructure reduces poverty. For example, the infrastructure which
(ii) Poverty -

is appropriate for rural economy (roads, irrigation, etc.) can doa lot in raisingfarm productivity.
which contribute to their
The poor in urban areas too benefit from infrastructural facilities
the working conditions and their
earning capacity. Infrastructure helps the poor by improving
physical stamina.

Q.2. Explain the challenges faced by Indian health

sector.

Or
Discuss the main drawbacks of our health care system. [NCERT]
Ans. Following are the main drawbacks of our health care system:

Distribution There is unequal services, institutions and

distribution of health care
() Unequal
-

urban sectors. About 65% of India's population live in rural areas

manpower across rural and
rural areas. People from rural areas have to rush to
but only 20% of total hospitals are located in
urban areas to avail health services.

Communicable Diseases There are a number of communicable diseases like AIDS, HIV,
(ii)
threat to the society. A large number of people
SARS, Dengue, Bird flue etc., which are posing
die every year due to these diseases.
health services. There is
(ii) Privatisation The government has failed to provide adequate
-

and availability of health services provided by the

substantial mismatch between the need
75% of health services are in private sector which is not regulated. Private
government. About
services which are beyond the reach of the millions.
provides expensive health
sector
health care centres suffer from poor upkeep
(iv) Poor Upkeep and Maintenance- The government
As a result, people prefer private health care centres
and maintenance of health care facilities.
and government health care centres.
because there is quality difference between private
() Lack of Manpower There is huge shortage of manpower. Health personnel are grossly

particularly in the rural areas. Rural folk have to rush to the cities for their
inadequate
treatment. As a result of this, rural people became the victims of local quacks (unauthorised

doctors).
 (vi) Lack of Awareness-There is a lack of awareness among the masses regarding sanitation level
which is very poor. People do not understand the need of clean surroundings in which thev
ive and work. As a result of this, people, particularly people living in slums are highly prone to

various diseases.
Q.3, In spite of the increase in public health expenditure Indian Health System is an ailing system in
n
itself. Defend the statement citing any three major problems of Health sector in India.
ICBSE Sample Paper 2020
Ans. The health system in India has undoubledly inmproved over the years but the pace of improvement
has been unreasonably slow and truly we carry an unhealthy health system.
Following may be the most importantconcerns ailing Indian health system
L o w Public Expenditure - In India the health expenditure as a percentage of GDP is abysmally
low as compared to some of the major developing countries. It stood at around 4.7% of the total
GDP in the year 2014-15.
(i) Urban Rural Divide - People living in rural India do not have sufficient medical infrastructure
Nearly 70% of the population lives in rural areas which have only 20% of the total hospitals of
the country.
(iit) Women and child health issues - More than 50 per cent of married women in the age group of
15-49 years have iron deficiency, which has contributed to maternal deaths. Infant Mortality
Rate per 1,000 live births in India is 34. Malnutrition and inadequate supply of vaccines lead to
the death of millions of children every year.
Q.4. How can we increase the effectiveness of health care programmes ?
Ans. We can increase the effectiveness of health care programmes by following measures
) Role of Private Sector Private sector should be assigned an important role but it should be
effectively regulated by the government. There may be public private partnership to ensure
quality and affordability.
(ii) Rural Areas - More and more medical facilities should be made available in rural areas so that

people need not run to urban areas for specialised services.

(ti) Proper Upkeep and Maintenance There should be proper upkeep and maintenance of the
building, furniture and medical instruments of the government health care centres so that
medical facilities are properly utilised.
(io) Awareness The government should undertake the work of publicity and education to create
awareness on various issues on health, hygiene and various diseases. The government should
motivate NGOs to educate people on health issues.
( ) Manpower - The effectiveness of healthcare programme rests on availability of manpower.

The shortage of manpower should be reduced by opening more medical colleges, Medical
professionals should be motivated to practice in rural areas.
(oi) Nutrition Programme - According to an estimate about 75% people in India do not get

nourishing food. Nutrition Expansion Blocks should be setup to provide nutritive food to
students, women and industrial workers.
Q.5. Analyse and comment on the data relating to indicators of health in India in comparison with
other countries.

Indicators India China USA Sri Lanka

Infant Mortality Rate/1,000 live births 38 9 6 8
Under-5 mortality/1,000 live-births 48 11 10
Birth by skilled attendants (% of total) 74 100 99 99
Infants immunised (DTP) (%) 87 99 99
95
Health expenditure as % of GDP 4.7 5.6 17 3.5
 Government health spending to total
government spending (%) 5 10.4 21.3 11.2
Out of pocket expenditure as a % of
expenditure on health private
89 72 21.4 95
Source: World Health Statistics 2017 and
www.worldbank.org.
Ans. Following tacts emerge on the analysis of
given data:
(i) India's expenditure on health sector is only 4.7% of GDP. It is extremely low as compared to
other countries.
(ii) Indian government's expenditure on health to total
government expenditure is also very low.
(ii) The health status of a majority of the
people in India is far from satisfactory as compared to
other countries. India's infant mortality rate and under-5
mortality rate are very high.
(iv) There is an urgent need that India should take serious
steps to improve the health status which
is necessary for the growth of an economy.