Sectors of the Indian Economy explains how production and employment are grouped by activity, work conditions and ownership.
These NCERT Solutions help students answer Chapter 2 questions on GDP, GVA, underemployment and worker protection.
Chapter 2 Sectors of the Indian Economy begins with work students see in daily life. Cotton farming, cloth making, banking, transport, teaching and repair work are grouped into sectors. The chapter then compares these sectors through GVA, employment and ownership. Students also learn why services grew faster, why agriculture still employs many workers, and why Kamal’s job differs from Kanta’s. These solutions cover all 24 exercise questions in textbook order for 2026-27 CBSE exams.
Key Takeaways
- Primary sector: Activities use natural resources directly, such as farming, dairy, fishing and mining.
- Tertiary sector: Services form the largest producing sector in India by GVA.
- Disguised unemployment: Extra workers appear employed but add little to total output.
- Unorganised sector: Workers often face low wages, insecure jobs and no paid benefits.
NCERT Solutions Class 10 Social Science Understanding Economic Development Chapter 2 Structure 2026-27
| Exercise No. |
Topic |
Question Count |
| 1 to 5 |
Fill-ups, MCQs, matching and classification |
5 |
| 6 to 17 |
Sectors, GVA, unemployment and work conditions |
12 |
| 18 to 24 |
Public sector, worker protection and data questions |
7 |
NCERT Solutions Class 10 Economics Chapter 2 Exercise
The NCERT exercise has 24 questions on sector classification, GVA, employment and ownership. These NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Economics Chapter 2 Sectors of the Indian Economy follow the 2026-27 textbook order.
Q1. Fill in the blanks using the correct option.
(i) Employment in the service sector _________ increased to the same extent as production.
Answer: Employment in the service sector has not increased to the same extent as production.
Production rose faster than employment in the service sector.
(ii) Workers in the _________ sector do not produce goods.
Answer: Workers in the tertiary sector do not produce goods.
They provide services that support production and daily life.
(iii) Most of the workers in the _________ sector enjoy job security.
Answer: Most workers in the organised sector enjoy job security.
They usually get regular wages, paid leave and other benefits.
(iv) A _________ proportion of labourers in India are working in the unorganised sector.
Answer: A large proportion of labourers work in the unorganised sector.
This sector has low wages and limited job security.
(v) Cotton is a _________ product and cloth is a _________ product.
Answer: Cotton is a natural product and cloth is a manufactured product.
Cotton belongs to the primary sector. Cloth belongs to the secondary sector.
(vi) The activities in primary, secondary and tertiary sectors are _________.
Answer: These activities are interdependent.
Each sector depends on the other sectors for production, transport and exchange.
Q2. Choose the most appropriate answer.
(a) The sectors are classified into public and private sector on the basis of:
Answer: The correct option is (iii) ownership of enterprises.
Public sector enterprises are owned by the government. Private sector enterprises are owned by individuals or companies.
(b) Production of a commodity, mostly through the natural process, is an activity in _________ sector.
Answer: The correct option is (i) primary.
Agriculture, fishing, dairy and mining are primary sector activities.
(c) GDP is the total value of _________ produced during a particular year.
Answer: The correct option is (ii) all final goods and services.
Intermediate goods are excluded to avoid double counting.
(d) In terms of GVA, the share of tertiary sector in 2017-18 is between _________ per cent.
Answer: The correct option is (iii) 50 to 60.
The tertiary sector was the largest producing sector in India in 2017-18.
Q3. Match the following.
| Problems faced by farming sector |
Possible measures |
| Unirrigated land |
Construction of canals by the government |
| Low prices for crops |
Procurement of food grains by government |
| Debt burden |
Banks to provide credit with low interest |
| No job in the off season |
Setting up agro-based mills |
| Compelled to sell grains to local traders |
Cooperative marketing societies |
Q4. Find the odd one out and say why.
(i) Tourist guide, dhobi, tailor, potter
Answer: The odd one is tourist guide.
A tourist guide provides a service. The others produce or process goods.
(ii) Teacher, doctor, vegetable vendor, lawyer
Answer: The odd one is vegetable vendor.
A vegetable vendor sells goods. The others provide professional services.
(iii) Postman, cobbler, soldier, police constable
Answer: The odd one is cobbler.
A cobbler usually works in the private or unorganised sector. The others provide public services.
(iv) MTNL, Indian Railways, Air India, Jet Airways, All India Radio
Answer: The odd one is Jet Airways.
Jet Airways is private. The others are public sector organisations.
Q5. Complete the table. What is the percentage of workers in the unorganised sector?
| Nature of employment |
Place of work |
Percentage |
| Organised |
Offices and factories registered with government |
15 |
| Organised |
Own shops, offices and clinics with formal licence |
15 |
| Unorganised |
Street workers, construction workers and domestic workers |
20 |
| Unorganised |
Small workshops not registered with government |
50 |
Answer: The percentage of workers in the unorganised sector is 70%.
Unorganised sector workers = 20 + 50
Unorganised sector workers = 70%
Q6. Do you think classification of economic activities into primary, secondary and tertiary is useful?
Answer: Yes, this classification is useful for studying production and employment.
The primary sector uses natural resources. The secondary sector changes natural products into manufactured goods. The tertiary sector provides services.
This classification shows which sector produces more. It also shows where people work.
In India, the tertiary sector contributes the most to GVA. The primary sector still employs many workers.
Q7. For each sector, why should one focus on employment and GVA?
Answer: Employment and GVA show different parts of an economy.
GVA shows how much value a sector adds. Employment shows how many people depend on that sector.
Both indicators are needed for comparison. A sector may produce more but employ fewer people.
Other issues should also be examined. These include wages, job security, working conditions and worker protection.
Q8. Make a long list of work adults around you do. How can you classify them?
Answer: Adults may work as farmers, teachers, doctors, drivers, shopkeepers and factory workers.
They can be classified by the nature of activity.
Primary sector: farmers, fishermen and dairy workers.
Secondary sector: factory workers, tailors and construction workers.
Tertiary sector: teachers, doctors, drivers, shopkeepers and bankers.
They can also be classified as organised and unorganised workers.
Q9. How is the tertiary sector different from other sectors?
Answer: The tertiary sector provides services instead of producing goods.
The primary sector produces natural goods. The secondary sector manufactures goods from natural products.
The tertiary sector supports both sectors through transport, banking, trade and communication.
Examples include teachers, doctors, drivers, shopkeepers, bankers and call centre employees.
Q10. What do you understand by disguised unemployment? Explain with examples.
Answer: Disguised unemployment occurs when people appear employed but work below their capacity.
In rural areas, a small farm may need three workers. If five people work there, two are underemployed.
If two people leave, farm output may not fall. This shows disguised unemployment class 10 students should understand.
In urban areas, casual workers may wait daily for small jobs. They work, but they do not get full employment.
Q11. Distinguish between open unemployment and disguised unemployment.
| Basis |
Open unemployment |
Disguised unemployment |
| Meaning |
A person has no work |
A person appears employed |
| Visibility |
Clearly visible |
Hidden |
| Output |
No contribution |
Extra workers add little output |
| Example |
Educated youth without a job |
Five people working on a small farm |
Q12. “Tertiary sector is not playing any significant role in the development of Indian economy.” Do you agree?
Answer: I do not agree with this statement.
The tertiary sector is the largest producing sector in India. It includes transport, trade, banking, education, health and communication.
It also supports primary and secondary sectors. Farmers need transport and storage. Industries need banking and communication.
New services like IT, call centres and software have grown rapidly.
So, the tertiary sector plays a major role in the Indian economy.
Q13. Service sector in India employs two different kinds of people. Who are these?
Answer: The service sector employs two broad groups of people.
The first group includes highly skilled and educated workers. Examples include doctors, teachers, bankers and software engineers.
The second group includes low-paid service workers. Examples include shopkeepers, repair workers, transport workers and street vendors.
The first group usually earns more. The second group often earns barely enough.
Q14. Workers are exploited in the unorganised sector. Do you agree?
Answer: Yes, workers are exploited in the unorganised sector.
They often get low wages and irregular work. They do not receive overtime, paid leave or medical benefits.
Their jobs are not secure. Employers may remove them without notice.
Examples include street vendors, construction workers, domestic workers and casual labourers.
Workers in the unorganised sector need protection through fair wages, safety and social security.
Q15. How are activities classified on the basis of employment conditions?
Answer: Activities are classified into organised and unorganised sectors.
The organised sector has regular work, fixed rules and job security. Enterprises are registered with the government.
The unorganised sector has irregular work and low wages. Rules exist, but they are often ignored.
Kanta works in the organised sector. Kamal works in the unorganised sector.
Q16. Compare employment conditions in organised and unorganised sectors.
| Basis |
Organised sector |
Unorganised sector |
| Job security |
Assured work |
No secure work |
| Wages |
Regular salary |
Irregular wages |
| Rules |
Government rules followed |
Rules often ignored |
| Benefits |
Provident fund, leave and pension |
Usually no benefits |
| Example |
Office employee |
Daily wage labourer |
Q17. Explain the objective of implementing the MGNREGA 2005 or Viksit Bharat-G RAM G 2025.
Answer: The objective is to provide guaranteed employment in rural areas.
MGNREGA 2005 guaranteed 100 days of work in a year. It was meant for people able and willing to work.
If work was not provided, unemployment allowance had to be given.
In the 2026-27 NCERT text, Viksit Bharat-G RAM G 2025 replaced this Act.
Such programmes support rural income and reduce underemployment.
Q18. Compare private and public sector activities using examples.
Answer: Public sector activities are owned and managed by the government.
Examples include government schools, government hospitals, Indian Railways and post offices.
Private sector activities are owned by individuals or companies.
Examples include private schools, private clinics, shops, factories and private buses.
The public sector focuses on welfare and basic services. The private sector usually works for profit.
Q19. Fill the table with examples of well-managed and badly managed organisations.
| Sector |
Well-managed organisation |
Badly managed organisation |
| Public sector |
A clean government hospital with doctors available |
A public office with delays |
| Private sector |
A shop giving bills and fair prices |
A workshop paying unfair wages |
Q20. Give examples of public sector activities. Why has the government taken them up?
Answer: Public sector activities include railways, roads, bridges, dams, schools and hospitals.
The government takes them up because they need large investment. Private companies may not provide them at reasonable cost.
Some services are needed by society as a whole. These include education, health, drinking water and transport.
The government also supports farmers and poor consumers through public services.
Q21. Explain how public sector contributes to economic development.
Answer: The public sector builds infrastructure and provides basic services.
It builds roads, railways, bridges, dams and power projects. These help agriculture, industry and services grow.
It also provides education, health, food security and drinking water.
Public sector spending supports poor regions and weaker groups.
This makes development more balanced.
Q22. Workers in the unorganised sector need protection on wages, safety and health. Explain.
Answer: Unorganised workers need protection because they face low income and poor working conditions.
For wages, they need minimum wage laws and regular payment.
For safety, construction workers need helmets, equipment and safe worksites.
For health, domestic workers and factory helpers need medical support.
Landless labourers, street vendors, rag pickers and garment workers need legal protection.
Q23. Present Ahmedabad worker data as a table. Suggest ways to generate employment.
| Category |
Number or income |
| Total workers |
15,00,000 |
| Workers in unorganised sector |
11,00,000 |
| Total income |
Rs 60,000 million |
| Income from organised sector |
Rs 32,000 million |
| Income from unorganised sector |
Rs 28,000 million |
Answer: Most workers in Ahmedabad worked in the unorganised sector.
More employment can be generated through small industries, skill training and better credit.
The government can support transport, construction, repair work and small manufacturing.
Urban services like health, education and waste management can also create jobs.
Q24. Calculate the share of three sectors in GVA.
| Year |
Primary |
Secondary |
Tertiary |
Total |
| 2001-02 |
13,23,000 |
10,40,000 |
19,31,000 |
42,94,000 |
| 2021-22 |
24,79,400 |
40,73,000 |
73,25,000 |
1,38,77,400 |
Share in 2001-02
Primary = 30.8%
Secondary = 24.2%
Tertiary = 45.0%
Share in 2021-22
Primary = 17.9%
Secondary = 29.4%
Tertiary = 52.8%
Conclusion: The tertiary sector had the highest share in both years.
The primary sector’s share declined. The secondary and tertiary sectors increased their share.
Sectors of Indian Economy Class 10 NCERT Solutions: Key Concepts
Class 10 Social Science Economics Chapter 2 explains three ways to classify economic activities. These concepts help students answer definition, comparison and data-based questions.
Primary Sector
The primary sector uses natural resources directly.
Examples include farming, fishing, forestry, dairy and mining.
Secondary Sector
The secondary sector changes natural products into manufactured goods.
Examples include cloth, sugar, bricks, furniture and machines.
Tertiary Sector
The tertiary sector provides services.
Examples include transport, banking, trade, storage, education and health.
GDP and GVA
GDP is the value of final goods and services produced in a country.
GVA measures sector contribution after adjusting for taxes and subsidies.
Organised and Unorganised Sector
The organised and unorganised sector class 10 topic compares job security, wages and worker benefits.
Organised sector workers get regular work, paid leave and legal protection. Unorganised sector workers often face low wages and insecure jobs.
Public and Private Sector
Public sector assets are owned by the government.
Private sector assets are owned by individuals or companies.
Sectors of the Indian Economy Class 10: Chapter Examples
Sectors of the Indian Economy Class 10 questions and answers use examples to explain classification. These case points help students add textbook evidence in answers.
| Example |
Concept |
Answer Use |
| Cotton cultivation |
Primary sector |
Use in sector classification |
| Cloth making |
Secondary sector |
Use in manufacturing answers |
| Transport and banking |
Tertiary sector |
Use in service sector answers |
| Laxmi’s farm |
Disguised unemployment |
Use in underemployment answers |
| Kanta and Kamal |
Organised and unorganised sector |
Use in work-condition answers |
| Railways and post office |
Public sector |
Use in ownership answers |
| TISCO and Reliance |
Private sector |
Use in ownership answers |
Cotton to Cloth
Cotton is produced in the primary sector.
It becomes cloth through manufacturing in the secondary sector.
Transport and Banking
Transport moves goods from producers to markets.
Banking supports production by providing money and credit.
Disguised Unemployment
The disguised unemployment class 10 concept is explained through Laxmi’s farm.
More family members work on the farm than needed. If some workers leave, total production does not fall.
Kanta and Kamal
Kanta has fixed work hours and benefits.
Kamal has long hours, no paid leave and no job security.
Public Sector Services
Railways, roads and government schools support people and production.
These services need large investment and public responsibility.
Useful Links for Class 10 Social Science Understanding Economic Development