Indian Economy 1950-1990 quiz

The Planning Commission of India was set up in:

The Second Five Year Plan was based on the ideas of:

The Green Revolution was mainly associated with:

The Industrial Policy Resolution of 1956 divided industries into:

The Karve Committee was related to:

Which of these was a goal of planning?

Land reforms aimed at:

The first phase of the Green Revolution benefited mainly:

Import substitution means:

Industrial licensing meant that:

Why did India adopt a mixed economy? (2 marks)

Why was self-reliance an important goal of planning? (2 marks)

What were the main features of the land reforms after independence? (2 marks)

Why did the Green Revolution fail to benefit all regions equally? (2 marks)

What are the arguments for and against farm subsidies? (2 marks)

Why was the public sector given a leading role in 1956? (2 marks)

What was the purpose of industrial licensing? (2 marks)

Why were some products reserved for small-scale industries? (2 marks)

What are tariffs and quotas? (2 marks)

What were the main achievements of the industrial sector between 1950 and 1990? (2 marks)

India's foodgrain production rose from 51 million tonnes in 1950-51 to 176 million tonnes in 1990-91. Calculate the increase and the percentage increase. (3 marks)

In 1990, about 65% of India's population of 85 crore depended on agriculture. Calculate the number of people. (3 marks)

Under a tariff of 100%, an imported machine priced at Rs 50,000 costs how much in India? If a domestic machine costs Rs 80,000, which will a buyer prefer? (3 marks)

A farmer's cost of fertilisers is Rs 10,000, of which the government subsidises 40%. Calculate the subsidy and the amount the farmer pays. (3 marks)

The Indian economy grew at 3.5% a year (the 'Hindu rate of growth') while population grew at 2.2%. Calculate the approximate growth of per capita income. (3 marks)

Read the passage and answer the questions. The Green Revolution began in the mid-1960s with HYV seeds of wheat. In the first phase, it was limited to more affluent states such as Punjab, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. In the second phase, from the mid-1970s to the mid-1980s, HYV technology spread to more states and crops. (i) What inputs were needed for HYV seeds? (ii) Why was the first phase limited? (iii) How did the Green Revolution help the government? (5 marks)

Read the passage and answer the questions. At independence, landlords and zamindars controlled much of the land, while the tillers had no incentive to improve it. The government abolished intermediaries and fixed ceilings on land holdings. In Kerala and West Bengal, reforms were successful because governments were committed to the policy of land to the tiller. (i) What is meant by 'land to the tiller'? (ii) Why did land ceiling fail in many states? (iii) How did abolition of intermediaries help the tillers? (5 marks)

Read the passage and answer the questions. The Industrial Policy Resolution 1956 formed the basis of the Second Five Year Plan. Industries were classified into three categories. The first category comprised industries exclusively owned by the state. The second category comprised industries in which the private sector could supplement the efforts of the state sector. The third category consisted of the remaining industries. (i) Why did the state reserve some industries for itself? (ii) How was the private sector controlled? (iii) Give one criticism of the licensing system. (5 marks)

Read the passage and answer the questions. In the first seven plans, trade was characterised by an inward-looking trade strategy. Technically, this strategy is called import substitution. It aims at replacing or substituting imports with domestic production. Imports were protected by tariffs and quotas. (i) Why did India follow this policy? (ii) How do quotas differ from tariffs? (iii) What were the effects on Indian consumers? (5 marks)

Read the passage and answer the questions. By 1990, the share of industry in GDP had risen and the industrial sector had diversified. However, many public sector enterprises incurred losses and continued to function because it was difficult to close them. Many economists felt that the state controlled too much. (i) Name two achievements of industrial policy. (ii) Why did public sector firms make losses? (iii) What reforms were demanded? (5 marks)

Explain the goals of the Five Year Plans in India. Why are they important? (6 marks)

Explain the main features of Indian agriculture between 1950 and 1990, with reference to land reforms and the Green Revolution. (6 marks)

Explain the industrial policy between 1950 and 1990. Discuss the role of the public sector and the Industrial Policy Resolution of 1956. (6 marks)

Explain the role of small-scale industries in India. Why were they given protection? (6 marks)

Explain the trade policy of import substitution. Critically evaluate the achievements and failures of the economy during 1950-1990. (6 marks)