Class 11 · Book 1 of 2
NCERT Indian Economic Development: Class 11 Chapters Explained
Quick answerIndian Economic Development is the Class 11 NCERT book on how India’s economy grew from independence to today. Its ten chapters cover colonial inheritance, planning until 1990, the 1991 reforms, poverty, human capital, rural development, employment, infrastructure, the environment, and a comparison with China and Pakistan.
Reviewed and approved by Dr. Anamika ShrivastavaPublished Last updated
Chapters in Indian Economic Development
All ten chapters, in textbook order, in four units. Each page has a quick answer, worked examples, ten important questions and ten PSC/UPSC points.
- 1Read now
Indian Economy on the Eve of Independence
Agriculture, industry, trade, population and infrastructure under colonial rule.
- 2Read now
Indian Economy 1950-1990
Goals of the five year plans, land reforms, the green revolution, industrial policy and import substitution.
- 3Read now
Liberalisation, Privatisation and Globalisation: An Appraisal
Why India reformed in 1991, what changed, and how the reforms are assessed.
- 4Read now
Poverty
Who the poor are, how poverty is measured, its causes, and anti-poverty programmes.
- 5Read now
Human Capital Formation in India
Sources of human capital, its link with growth, and India's education sector.
- 6Read now
Rural Development
Rural credit and marketing, diversification, and sustainable and organic farming.
- 7Read now
Employment: Growth, Informalisation and Other Issues
Workforce participation, self-employed and hired workers, informal work and unemployment.
- 8Read now
Infrastructure
Why infrastructure matters, and the state of energy and health infrastructure in India.
- 9Read now
Environment and Sustainable Development
Functions of the environment, India's environmental challenges, and strategies for sustainability.
- 10Read now
Comparative Development Experiences of India and Its Neighbours
India, China and Pakistan compared on population, growth, sectors and human development.
How the chapters connect
The book tells one story in four parts. Chapters 1 and 2 explain the starting point and the planned, state-led strategy to 1990. Chapter 3 explains the crisis of 1991 and the reforms that followed. Chapters 4 to 9 then examine what the economy has to deal with: poverty, human capital, rural development, employment, infrastructure and the environment. Chapter 10 compares India with China and Pakistan.
If you are short of time, read the 1991 reforms chapter first: it explains why later chapters talk about before and after the reforms.
The book’s tables use data from its own period, so each page marks those figures and points to current sources.