CBSE Class 10 Social Science: Sectors of the Indian Economy NCERT Solutions

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 10 PDF

This chapter delves into the various sectors of the Indian economy, explaining their significance and interdependencies. The NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Social Science, Chapter 2, 'Sectors of the Indian Economy,' provide clear explanations and answers to key questions. Students will learn to differentiate between primary, secondary, and tertiary sectors, understand the concepts of GDP, and analyze the employment and production patterns within these sectors. The solutions also cover the differences between the organized and unorganized sectors, and the public and private sectors. This resource is designed to help students grasp the fundamental economic concepts, clarify doubts, and prepare effectively for their board examinations by offering detailed, step-by-step answers and explanations.

Quick info

BoardCBSE
ClassClass 10
SubjectSocial Science
Session2026
LanguageEnglish
TypeNCERT Solutions
ChapterECO (Understanding Economic Development) - Sectors of the Indian Economy

Chapter summary

This chapter focuses on classifying economic activities into primary, secondary, and tertiary sectors. It explains the concept of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and its calculation, highlighting the growing importance of the tertiary sector in India. The solutions also address the distinction between the organized and unorganized sectors, and the public and private sectors, providing a foundational understanding of India's economic structure.

Learning outcomes

  • Understand the classification of economic activities into primary, secondary, and tertiary sectors.
  • Define and explain the concept of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
  • Differentiate between the organized and unorganized sectors of employment.
  • Distinguish between the public and private sectors based on ownership.
  • Analyze the interdependency of different economic sectors.
  • Identify measures to improve the farming sector.

Topics covered

Paper topics

  • Primary Sector
  • Secondary Sector
  • Tertiary Sector
  • Organized Sector
  • Unorganized Sector
  • Public Sector
  • Private Sector
  • Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
  • Employment in Sectors
  • Interdependence of Sectors
  • Farming Sector Issues
  • Measures for Farming Sector

Important topics

  • Classification of Economic Activities
  • Understanding GDP
  • Organized vs. Unorganized Sector
  • Role of the Tertiary Sector
  • Interdependence of Sectors

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Questions and Solutions

Question 1

Fill in the blanks using the correct option given in the bracket:

i. Employment in the service sector ______ increased to the same extent as production.

(has / has not)

ii. Workers in the ______ sector do not produce goods.

(tertiary / agricultural)

iii. Most of the workers in the ______ sector enjoy job security.

(organised / unorganised)

iv. A ______ proportion of labourers in India are working in the unorganised sector.

(large / small)

v. Cotton is a ______ product and cloth is a ______ product.

[natural / manufactured]

vi. The activities in primary, secondary and tertiary sectors are ______.

[independent / interdependent]

Solution:

Here are the completed sentences with the correct options:

  1. Employment in the service sector has not increased to the same extent as production. This indicates that while the service sector has grown in terms of output, its capacity to absorb labor has not grown proportionally.
  2. Workers in the tertiary sector do not produce goods. The tertiary sector provides services rather than tangible goods.
  3. Most of the workers in the organised sector enjoy job security. The organized sector is characterized by regular employment, fixed working hours, and legal protections for workers.
  4. A large proportion of labourers in India are working in the unorganised sector. This highlights a significant part of the Indian workforce operating outside formal regulations and protections.
  5. Cotton is a natural product and cloth is a manufactured product. Cotton is obtained directly from nature (primary sector), while cloth is made from cotton through industrial processes (secondary sector).
  6. The activities in primary, secondary and tertiary sectors are interdependent. Each sector relies on the others for raw materials, processing, and services to function effectively.

Question 2

Choose the most appropriate answer.

(a) The sectors are classified into public and private sector on the basis of:

(i) employment conditions

(ii) the nature of economic activity

(iii) ownership of enterprises

(iv) number of workers employed in the enterprise

Solution:

The correct answer is (iii) ownership of enterprises.

Explanation: The classification of economic activities into public and private sectors is determined by who owns the enterprises and provides the main service. In the public sector, the government owns most of the assets and provides services, while in the private sector, ownership lies with individuals or private companies.

Question 2 (cont.)

(b) Production of a commodity, mostly through the natural process, is an activity in ______ sector.

(i) primary

(ii) secondary

(iii) tertiary

(iv) information technology

Solution:

The correct answer is (i) primary.

Explanation: The primary sector is concerned with the extraction and production of natural resources. Activities like agriculture, fishing, and mining, which involve using natural processes, fall under this sector.

Question 2 (cont.)

(c) GDP is the total value of ______ produced during a particular year.

(i) all goods and services

(ii) all final goods and services

(iii) all intermediate goods and services

(iv) all intermediate and final goods and services

Solution:

The correct answer is (ii) all final goods and services.

Explanation: GDP (Gross Domestic Product) represents the market value of all final goods and services produced within a country during a specific period, usually a year. It does not include intermediate goods to avoid double-counting.

Question 2 (cont.)

(d) In terms of GDP the share of tertiary sector in 2010-11 is ______

(i) between 20 to 30 per cent

(ii) between 30 to 40 per cent

(iii) between 50 to 60 per cent

(iv) 70 per cent

Solution:

The correct answer is (iii) between 50 to 60 per cent.

Explanation: In India, the tertiary sector has emerged as the largest producing sector in terms of its contribution to GDP, surpassing the primary and secondary sectors. Data for 2010-11 indicates its share was in the range of 50-60 percent.

Question 3

Match the following:

Problems faced by farming sector

Some possible measures

1. Unirrigated land

(a) Setting up agro-based mills

2. Low prices for crops

(b) Cooperative marketing societies

(c) Procurement of food grains by government

3. Debt burden

(d) Construction of canals by the government

4. No job in the offseason

(e) Banks to provide credit with low interest

5. Compelled to sell their grains to the local traders soon after harvest

Solution:

Here is the correct matching of the problems faced by the farming sector with possible measures:

  • 1. Unirrigated land matches with (d) Construction of canals by the government. Irrigation facilities like canals are essential for areas lacking natural rainfall.
  • 2. Low prices for crops matches with (c) Procurement of food grains by government. Government procurement at minimum support prices helps ensure farmers receive fair prices for their produce.
  • 3. Debt burden matches with (e) Banks to provide credit with low interest. Access to affordable credit from banks can help farmers manage their debts and reduce reliance on moneylenders.
  • 4. No job in the offseason matches with (a) Setting up agro-based mills. Agro-based industries can provide alternative employment opportunities during periods when farming activities are not possible.
  • 5. Compelled to sell their grains to the local traders soon after harvest matches with (b) Cooperative marketing societies. Farmers can collectively market their produce through cooperatives to get better prices and avoid exploitation by local traders.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing final and intermediate goods when calculating GDP.
  • Misidentifying the sector based on the nature of the activity.
  • Not understanding the key differences between organized and unorganized sectors.
  • Confusing ownership criteria for classifying public and private sectors.

Revision tips

  • Focus on understanding the definitions and examples of each sector (primary, secondary, tertiary).
  • Pay close attention to the calculation and meaning of GDP.
  • Clearly distinguish between the characteristics of organized and unorganized sectors.
  • Review the matching exercise to reinforce the relationship between farming problems and solutions.

Practice MCQs

Q1. Which sector is characterized by the production of goods through natural processes?

Q2. The classification of enterprises into public and private sectors is based on:

Q3. What does GDP represent?

Q4. Which sector has the largest share in India's GDP in recent years?

Q5. Job security is generally higher in which sector?

Frequently asked questions

What are the three main sectors of the economy?

The three main sectors are the Primary Sector (agriculture, mining), the Secondary Sector (manufacturing, construction), and the Tertiary Sector (services like IT, banking, transport).

How is GDP calculated?

GDP is the total value of all final goods and services produced within a country in a particular year. It is calculated by summing up the production across the primary, secondary, and tertiary sectors.

What is the difference between the organized and unorganized sectors?

The organized sector has formal rules and regulations, offering job security and fixed working hours. The unorganized sector lacks these protections, often involving casual labor and job insecurity.

Why is the tertiary sector important in India?

The tertiary sector has become the largest producing sector in India, contributing significantly to GDP and employment, and plays a crucial role in the country's economic development.

How do the different sectors depend on each other?

The sectors are interdependent. For example, the primary sector provides raw materials for the secondary sector, and the tertiary sector supports both through services like transport and finance.

What are some problems faced by the farming sector in India?

Problems include lack of irrigation, low prices for crops, debt burden, no offseason employment, and being compelled to sell grains to traders at low prices.

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