Social Science (087) — CBSE Class 10 board question

The Public Sector plays a vital role in national development in the following ways:

1. Providing large infrastructure: Government constructs roads, bridges, railways, dams, and generates electricity — activities requiring heavy spending beyond private sector capacity.

1. Supporting industries and farmers: Government supplies electricity at affordable rates to small industries and buys wheat/rice from farmers at fair prices, selling to consumers through ration shops.

1. Essential services: Providing health, education, safe drinking water, housing, and nutrition is the primary responsibility of government, especially for the poor and backward regions.

1. Social welfare: Government focuses on human development, attending to malnourishment, infant mortality, and the needs of the most ignored sections of society.

Source: Chapter 2, Sectors in Terms of Ownership: Public and Private Sectors

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• Examiners expect 3–4 distinct points for a 3-mark answer; avoid writing long paragraphs.
• Each point should name the role AND give an example from the text (e.g., roads/dams, ration shops, schools).
• The key idea is: private sector won't serve all needs profitably, so the public sector fills the gap.
• Do not define public sector at length — get straight to its roles.