Social Science (087) — AI-generated practice question

Stage 1 – Individual Level: 'More Income'
At the individual level, people initially equate development with more income or higher wages. However, this is insufficient because people also desire security, respect, freedom, and equal treatment — things money alone cannot measure.

Stage 2 – National Level: Per Capita Income
At the national level, per capita income (used by the World Bank) became the standard measure. But it proved insufficient: Haryana has a higher per capita income than Kerala, yet Kerala has a far lower Infant Mortality Rate (6 vs. 28) and higher literacy (94% vs. 82%). Income averages also hide inequality in distribution.

Stage 3 – Human Development Index (HDI)
The UNDP's HDI combines per capita income with life expectancy and mean years of schooling. This gives a fuller picture — Sri Lanka ranks 78th globally despite lower income than expected, showing that health and education outcomes matter as much as income.

Thus, development expanded from income → quality of life indicators → composite human development.

Source: Chapter 1 — Development; Income and Other Criteria; Human Development Report section

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• Examiners expect a clear progression with three identifiable stages.
• Each stage must explain why the previous measure fell short — use the Kerala-Haryana example for stage 2, and Sri Lanka/HDI data for stage 3.
• Avoid writing a general essay; label or signal each stage clearly so the examiner can award stepwise marks.
• The Kerala-Haryana contrast is the key textbook example — always use it.