Q1. [3] medium exam-ready
Explain with examples how the three sectors of the economy — primary, secondary and tertiary — are interdependent on each other.
Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · 2026-06-26 13:22 · grounding rag
Model Answer
The three sectors are interdependent — each relies on the others to function.
- Primary → Secondary: The secondary sector depends on primary for raw materials. For example, a sugar mill cannot function without sugarcane supplied by farmers.
- Secondary → Primary: Primary sector depends on secondary for inputs like tractors, fertilisers, and pumpsets. A rise in their prices increases farmers' cost of cultivation.
- Tertiary supports both: Transport, banking, and communication help primary and secondary sectors. If transporters go on strike, vegetables and milk cannot reach cities, harming both farmers and urban consumers.
Thus, all three sectors are highly interdependent.
Source: Sectors of the Indian Economy, Chapter 2
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Explanation
- Examiners expect one example for each direction of dependence — primary→secondary, secondary→primary, and tertiary supporting both.
- The examples from Table 2.1 in the textbook are ideal to use; don't invent unrelated examples.
- For 3 marks, three clear points (one per sector relationship) is the ideal structure — no need for lengthy elaboration.
- Use the word interdependent as it directly mirrors the textbook language.