CBSE Class 9 Social Science: Economics - People As Resource NCERT Solutions
CBSE Class 9 Social Science Economics chapter 'People As Resource' NCERT Solutions explore the concept of human capital as a vital economic asset. This chapter emphasizes how education, healthcare, and skills empower individuals, transforming them into productive members of society who contribute to national income and economic growth. Through the contrasting narratives of Sakal and Vilas, students learn how investment in human capital, exemplified by Sakal's educational and vocational pursuits, leads to better employment opportunities and improved living standards. Conversely, Vilas's story illustrates the detrimental effects of poor health and lack of access to education and skills, highlighting the challenges of underemployment and poverty. These solutions aim to provide a clear understanding of how a healthy, educated, and skilled population drives economic development and enhances the overall quality of life.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 9 |
| Subject | Social Science |
| Session | 2026 |
| Language | English |
| Type | NCERT Solutions |
| Chapter | Economics - People As Resource |
Chapter summary
This chapter, 'People As Resource', explores the concept of human capital and its role in economic development. The NCERT Solutions cover how skilled and educated individuals contribute to a nation's growth. It contrasts the outcomes of investing in education and health versus facing limitations due to poverty and illness, using the stories of Sakal and Vilas as key examples. The solutions clarify the economic value of different professions and the impact of human resources on an economy's productivity and progress.
Learning outcomes
- Understand the concept of human capital and its importance.
- Analyze how different professions contribute to the economy.
- Differentiate between individuals who are assets and liabilities to the economy.
- Explain the impact of education and health on an individual's economic potential.
- Compare the life trajectories of individuals based on their access to resources and opportunities.
Topics covered
Paper topics
- People as a Resource
- Human Capital
- Economic Contribution of Professions
- Role of Education
- Importance of Health
- Sakal's Story Analysis
- Vilas's Story Analysis
- Investment in Human Capital
- Skills and Employment
- Economic Development
Important topics
- Concept of Human Capital
- Economic Value of Individuals
- Impact of Education and Health
- Case Studies: Sakal vs. Vilas
- Contribution of Different Professions
PDF preview
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Questions and Solutions
Let's Discuss - Page 17
Individuals in various professions contribute significantly to the economy by enhancing human capital and infrastructure. Their roles are crucial for societal well-being and economic growth:
- Doctor: A doctor plays a vital role in maintaining the health of the population. By curing diseases and treating patients, they ensure that people remain healthy and can actively participate in economic activities. Healthy individuals are more productive, contributing to the overall growth and development of the economy.
- Teacher: Teachers are instrumental in imparting knowledge and skills to students. Education empowers individuals, enabling them to think critically, improve their quality of life, and contribute more effectively to the economy. An educated workforce is a cornerstone of economic progress.
- Engineer: Engineers are responsible for designing and constructing essential infrastructure such as bridges, roads, buildings, and other public works. This development of robust infrastructure is fundamental for the smooth functioning and expansion of economic activities.
- Tailor: A tailor provides a service that meets a basic need for clothing. By offering this service, they contribute to the economy by enabling people to utilize their resources efficiently and participate in the market for goods and services.
In essence, these professionals are assets because they enhance the productivity, well-being, and capabilities of the population, thereby strengthening the economy.
Let's Discuss - Page 18
Story of Sakal
There were two friends named Vilas and Sakal. They both lived in the same village named Semapur. Sakal was twelve years old boy and his mother Sheela looked after domestic works. His father name was Buta Chaudhary, who worked in an agricultural field. Sakal used to help his mother in domestic works and besides helping his mother he looked after his younger siblings Jeetu and Seetu. His uncle had passed matriculation but he had no job he sat idle at home. So Sakal's mother and father wanted him to study very carefully. They forced him to join the school in the village and he joined. As per his parents' wish he started studying and completed his higher secondary examination, after this his father persuaded him to continue his studies. He applied for a loan for Sakal's study in computer. He was very hardworking and interested in studies from the very beginning. So as his higher secondary examination he completed his vocational course and got a job in a private firm. He designed new kind of softwares which helped him to increase the sale of the firm. He was appreciated by his boss all the time and got promotion.
Story of Vilas
Vilas was a boy of eleven years living in the same village as Sakal. His father was a fisherman. Suddenly, his father passed away when Vilas was only two years old. After his father's death his mother Geeta started selling fish to earn and to feed the family. She bought fish from the landowner's pond and sold it in the nearby mandi, by which she could earn only Rs. 20 to 30 a day. Vilas became a patient of arthritis and his mother could not afford to take him to a doctor because of their poverty. Because of being the patient he could not go to school and was not interested in studied as his friend Sakal was. He used to help his mother in cooking and also looked after his younger brother Mohan. One day his mother fell ill and there was no one to look after her, there was no one to support them. So in this situation Vilas was forced to sell fish in the same village as his parents did. Like his mother and father he earned very little money.
Do you notice any difference between the two friends? What are these?
Yes, there are significant differences between Sakal and Vilas, which highlight the impact of education, health, and opportunities on an individual's life and economic contribution:
- Education and Skills: Sakal received a good education, including higher secondary and a vocational computer course. This investment in his education and skills enabled him to secure a good job in a private firm, design software, increase sales, and get promoted. In contrast, Vilas could not attend school due to illness and poverty, limiting his opportunities for skill development.
- Health: Sakal appears to have maintained good health, allowing him to focus on his studies and career. Vilas, however, suffered from arthritis, which prevented him from attending school and limited his physical capabilities, forcing him into low-earning activities like selling fish. His mother's inability to afford medical care exacerbated his condition.
- Economic Contribution and Earning Potential: Sakal, with his education and skills, became a valuable asset to his firm, earning a good salary and contributing positively to the economy. Vilas, due to his circumstances, was confined to low-paying, informal work, earning very little and struggling to support himself and his family.
- Opportunities: Sakal's parents were able to invest in his future through education, securing a loan for his computer studies. This proactive approach provided him with opportunities for growth. Vilas's family faced poverty and lacked the resources to invest in his health or education, trapping him in a cycle of low income and limited prospects.
These differences illustrate how education, health, and access to opportunities transform individuals into productive economic resources (like Sakal) or leave them vulnerable and less productive (like Vilas).
Common mistakes
- Confusing 'people' with 'population' without considering their productive capacity.
- Underestimating the economic contribution of service-oriented professions.
- Failing to connect individual well-being (health, education) with national economic growth.
- Not recognizing how poverty and lack of opportunity can limit human potential.
Revision tips
- Focus on the definitions and examples of human capital provided.
- Carefully study the contrasting stories of Sakal and Vilas to understand key concepts.
- Identify the economic contributions of each profession mentioned in the 'Let's Discuss' section.
- Relate the concepts of education and health to an individual's earning capacity and economic value.
Practice MCQs
Q1. Which of the following professions is primarily involved in enhancing the health of the population?
Explanation: A doctor's main role is to diagnose and treat illnesses, thereby contributing to the health and productivity of individuals, which is a key aspect of human capital.
Q2. Sakal's story primarily illustrates the importance of:
Explanation: Sakal's successful career progression after completing his studies and vocational course highlights how education and skill development can transform an individual into a valuable economic asset.
Q3. Vilas's situation in the story suggests that lack of access to which of the following can hinder economic contribution?
Explanation: Vilas's inability to afford medical treatment and his subsequent lack of interest in studies due to his condition and poverty limited his potential to contribute economically.
Q4. An engineer contributes to the economy primarily through:
Explanation: Engineers are crucial for developing infrastructure, which is essential for economic growth and efficiency.
Q5. The concept of 'People as Resource' emphasizes that:
Explanation: The chapter focuses on how investing in people through education and healthcare turns them into productive assets, contributing significantly to economic development.
Frequently asked questions
What does the chapter 'People As Resource' in Class 9 Social Science explain?
This chapter explains how educated and healthy individuals, through their skills and labor, act as valuable resources for the economy, contributing to its growth and development.
How do professions like doctor, teacher, and engineer contribute to the economy?
Doctors improve public health, teachers enhance knowledge and skills, and engineers build essential infrastructure, all of which are vital for economic progress and productivity.
What is the main difference highlighted between Sakal and Vilas?
Sakal's story shows how investment in education and skills leads to better employment and economic prosperity, while Vilas's story illustrates how poor health and lack of opportunities can limit an individual's economic potential.
Why is investing in human capital important?
Investing in human capital through education and healthcare increases an individual's productivity and earning capacity, leading to overall economic growth and societal development.
How can these NCERT Solutions help students?
These solutions provide clear explanations and detailed answers to the chapter's questions, helping students understand complex concepts like human capital and its economic significance for exam preparation.
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