Social Science (087) — AI-generated practice question

Haryana has a higher per capita income than Kerala, yet Kerala has a much lower IMR (6 per 1000) compared to Haryana (28 per 1000) and a higher literacy rate (94% vs 82%). This is because money alone cannot buy all essential goods and services needed for a good life.

Kerala performs better due to adequate provision of basic health and educational facilities — which are best and most cheaply provided collectively by the government and society. Money in your pocket cannot protect you from infectious diseases or ensure quality education unless the whole community benefits from public facilities.

The broader lesson is that per capita income is not a completely adequate indicator of development. Quality of life depends equally on public services like healthcare, education, and nutrition — not just individual income.

Source: Chapter 1 — Income and Other Criteria; Public Facilities

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• Examiners expect you to use data from the tables (IMR and literacy figures) to contrast the two states — this shows you've read the chapter carefully.
• The key concept here is that collective/public provision of health and education is what drives Kerala's success, not wealth.
• Always link back to the broader lesson: income is necessary but not sufficient — this is what the chapter argues against using per capita income as the sole measure of development.
• Do not write vaguely; name the indicators (IMR, literacy rate) with figures for full marks.