FYUG Even Semester Exam, 2025 ECONOMICS: ECODSC-152 (Issues in Indian Economy)

Course No: ECODSC-152 | Time: 3 Hours | Full Marks: 70

UNIT-I

Question 1 (Answer any two) 2 x 2 = 4 Marks

(a) Mention two causes of low economic growth of Indian economy at the time of Independence.

(b) Define malnutrition. Mention one government measure to remove the problem.

Malnutrition refers to deficiencies, excesses, or imbalances in a person's intake of energy and/or nutrients.

One government measure is the POSHAN Abhiyaan (National Nutrition Mission), which aims to improve nutritional outcomes for children, pregnant women, and lactating mothers.

(c) Mention two healthcare programmes introduced by the Government of India.

  • Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY): A flagship scheme providing health cover of 5 lakhs per family per year for secondary and tertiary care.
  • National Health Mission (NHM): Focuses on providing accessible, affordable, and quality healthcare to the rural and urban population.

Question 2 10 Marks

Option A

Importance of Human Resource & Government Initiatives.

Human resources are the most vital asset for economic development as they transform physical resources into productive output through skills and knowledge.

Initiatives to Universalize Education:

  • Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA): Aimed at providing elementary education to all children in a time-bound manner.
  • Right to Education (RTE) Act: Makes education a fundamental right for children aged 6-14 years.

Initiatives to Universalize Healthcare:

  • Mission Indradhanush: To ensure full immunization of children and pregnant women.
  • Janani Suraksha Yojana: Promoting institutional deliveries to reduce maternal and infant mortality.

Option B

Structural Changes since 1991.

The 1991 New Economic Policy introduced Liberalization, Privatization, and Globalization (LPG). Key structural changes include:

  • Abolition of Industrial Licensing: Removed barriers to entry for private firms in most sectors.
  • Foreign Investment: Opening the economy to FDI and FII to integrate with global markets.
  • Public Sector Role: Reducing the number of industries reserved for the public sector.

UNIT-II

Question 3 (Answer any two) 2 x 2 = 4 Marks

(a) Difference between Monocropping and Multiplecropping.

Monocropping involves growing a single crop on the same land year after year, while multiplecropping is the practice of growing two or more crops in the same space during a single growing season.

(c) Green Revolution as a package programme.

It is called a "package programme" because it did not rely on a single factor; it required the simultaneous application of HYV seeds, chemical fertilizers, irrigation, and pesticides to succeed.

Question 4 10 Marks

Option A

Sources of Agricultural Credit in India.

  • Institutional Sources: Commercial Banks, Regional Rural Banks (RRBs), and Cooperative Credit Societies.
  • Non-Institutional Sources: Moneylenders, traders, and relatives, which often involve high interest rates.

UNIT-III

Question 5 (Answer any two) 2 x 2 = 4 Marks

(a) What do you mean by industrialization?

Industrialization is the process by which an economy is transformed from primarily agricultural to one based on the manufacturing of goods.

Question 6 10 Marks

Option B

Industrial Policy 1991 & Aatmanirvar Bharat.

The 1991 policy shifted India toward a market-oriented economy by dismantling the "License Raj" and encouraging private participation.

Aatmanirvar Bharat (Self-Reliant India): Launched in 2020, this initiative focuses on five pillars: Economy, Infrastructure, System, Vibrant Demography, and Demand. It emphasizes local manufacturing ("Vocal for Local") and global integration.

UNIT-IV

Question 8 10 Marks

Option A

Occupational Structure and Development.

The occupational structure refers to the distribution of the working population across Primary (Agriculture), Secondary (Industry), and Tertiary (Services) sectors.

Relation to Development: As an economy develops, there is a traditional shift from the primary sector toward the secondary and tertiary sectors. In India, while the GDP share of agriculture has declined, it still employs a disproportionately large share of the workforce, indicating "jobless growth" in other sectors.

UNIT-V

Question 9 (Answer any two) 2 x 2 = 4 Marks

(c) What do you mean by poverty line?

The poverty line is a monetary threshold or level of income/expenditure below which a person is considered to be living in poverty.

Question 10 10 Marks

Option A

Absolute vs. Relative Poverty and Govt. Measures.

  • Absolute Poverty: A condition where a household income is below a necessary level to maintain basic living standards (food, shelter).
  • Relative Poverty: When people lack the minimum amount of income needed to maintain the average standard of living in the society in which they live.

Government Measures:

  • MGNREGA: Guarantees 100 days of wage employment to rural households.
  • PDS (Public Distribution System): Providing subsidized food grains to the poor.

Exam Tips

  • For 10-mark questions, always define key terms first before diving into the explanation.
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  • Mention specific years (e.g., 1991 for New Economic Policy) and scheme names correctly[span_47](end_span).

Common Mistakes

  • Confusing Absolute Poverty with Relative Poverty.
  • Forgetting to link structural changes to the specific 1991 policy context.

Important Formulas & Data Points

  • Poverty Estimation: Head Count Ratio (HCR).
  • Current Pass Marks: 28/70.

Answer Presentation Strategy: Use tables to compare concepts (like Monocropping vs. Multiplecropping) to gain better marks. Ensure your handwriting is legible and use subheadings for long answers.