NCERT Class 10 Social Science Contemporary India: Chapter 1 — Resources and Development
This chapter, 'Resources and Development,' from NCERT Class 10 Social Science, explores the concept of resources as anything in our environment that satisfies human needs, provided it's technologically accessible, economically feasible, and culturally acceptable. It emphasizes that resources are not free gifts of nature but a result of human activities interacting with nature through technology and institutions. The chapter categorizes resources based on origin (biotic/abiotic), exhaustibility (renewable/non-renewable), ownership (individual, community, national, international), and development status (potential, developed, stock, reserves). It highlights the critical issue of resource depletion due to indiscriminate use, leading to societal division and ecological crises like global warming. The importance of sustainable development and resource planning for equitable distribution and future generations' needs is stressed, referencing the Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit and Agenda 21. This foundational understanding is crucial for students to grasp environmental challenges and sustainable practices.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 10 |
| Subject | Social Science |
| Book | Contemporary India |
| Chapter | Chapter 1 — Resources and Development |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 4 minutes |
| Word count | 680 |
Learning outcomes
- Define and identify resources.
- Classify resources based on various criteria.
- Understand the concept and importance of sustainable development.
- Recognize the problems arising from indiscriminate resource exploitation.
- Explain the significance of resource planning for India.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Resources | Everything available in our environment which can be used to satisfy our needs, provided it is technologically accessible, economically feasible and culturally acceptable. |
| Biotic | Resources obtained from living things. |
| Abiotic | Resources obtained from non-living things. |
| Renewable | Resources which can be renewed or regenerated by physical, chemical or mechanical processes. |
| Non-renewable | Resources which have a limited stock and take millions of years in their formation. |
| Sustainable development | Development that takes place without damaging the environment and without compromising the needs of future generations. |
| Agenda 21 | A declaration signed by world leaders in 1992 at the Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit to achieve global sustainable development. |
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Practice questions
- What are resources? Answer: Resources are anything available in our environment that can be used to satisfy our needs, provided it is technologically accessible, economically feasible, and culturally acceptable.
- Give two examples of biotic and abiotic resources. Answer: Biotic: Plants, Animals. Abiotic: Rocks, Metals.
- What is sustainable development? Answer: Sustainable development is development that takes place without damaging the environment and without compromising the needs of future generations.
- Why is resource planning essential? Answer: Resource planning is essential for the judicious use of resources and for sustainable existence, especially in a country with diverse resource availability like India.
Frequently asked questions
What is the definition of a resource according to the NCERT textbook?
A resource is defined as everything available in our environment which can be used to satisfy our needs, provided it is technologically accessible, economically feasible, and culturally acceptable.
Are resources free gifts of nature?
No, resources are not free gifts of nature. They are a function of human activities, where human beings transform materials available in the environment into resources.
What are the main problems caused by the indiscriminate use of resources?
Indiscriminate use leads to depletion of resources for the greed of a few, accumulation of resources in few hands, dividing society, and global ecological crises like global warming and ozone layer depletion.
What was the significance of the Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit in 1992?
The summit addressed urgent environmental protection and socio-economic development issues, leading to the signing of the Declaration on Global Climatic Change and Biological Diversity, and endorsing Agenda 21 for sustainable development.
What is Agenda 21?
Agenda 21 is a declaration adopted at the Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit aimed at achieving global sustainable development by combating environmental damage, poverty, and disease through international cooperation.
Why is resource planning important in India?
Resource planning is essential for the judicious use of resources in India due to its vast diversity in resource availability, ensuring sustainable existence for all forms of life.
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Topics covered
NCERT Class 10 Social Science — Contemporary India — Chapter 1 — Resources and Development. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.