Development is best described by which of the following?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → A positive change in quality
Growth is a change in quantity. It can go up or down. Development is a change in quality, and it is always positive.
Option (1) An increase in gross domestic product — Incorrect. A rise in GDP is growth in quantity. Positive growth does not always lead to development.
Option (2) A positive change in quality — Correct. Development is a qualitative change which is always value positive.
Option (3) A quantitative and value neutral change — Incorrect. This describes growth, not development.
Option (4) A change which may be either positive or negative — Incorrect. Growth may be positive or negative. Development is never negative.
NCERT (2026-27): “Both growth and development refer to changes over a period of time. The difference is that growth is quantitative and value neutral. It may have a positive or a negative sign. This means that the change may be either positive (showing an increase) or negative (indicating a decrease).” “Development means a qualitative change which is always value positive. This means that development cannot take place unless there is an increment or addition to the existing conditions. Development occurs when positive growth takes place. Yet, positive growth does not always lead to development. Development occurs when there is a positive change in quality.” |