Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given below:
COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS ON INDIA, CHINA AND PAKISTAN
India, China and Pakistan have travelled more than seven decades of developmental path with varied results. Till the late 1970s, all of them were maintaining the same level of low development. The last three decades have taken these countries to different levels. India, with democratic institutions, performed moderately, but majority of its people still depend on agriculture. India has taken many initiatives to develop the infrastructure and improve the standard of living. Scholars are of the opinion that political instability, over-dependence on remittances and foreign aid along with volatile performance of agriculture sector are the reasons for the slowdown of the Pakistan economy. Yet, last five years, many macroeconomic indicators began showing positive and moderate growth rates reflecting the economic recovery. In China, the lack of political freedom and its implications for human rights are major concerns; yet, in the last four decades, it used the 'market system without losing political commitment' and succeeded in raising the level of growth along with alleviation of poverty.
Till 1970s, all the three economies were maintaining similar growth rate. What led to an accelerated development in China after that?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → Economic reforms in China
China’s fast growth is traced back to the economic reforms introduced in 1978. Before that, all three countries were at the same low level of development.
Option (1) Great leap forward — Incorrect. This campaign of 1958 tried to industrialise China on a massive scale, with backyard industries and communes in rural areas. It met with many problems, and it came twenty years before the reforms.
Option (2) Great Proletarian cultural revolution — Incorrect. Under this movement of 1966–76, students and professionals were sent to work and learn in the countryside. It ended in 1976, before the reforms began.
Option (3) Economic reforms in China — Correct. The reforms came in phases. They began with agriculture, foreign trade and investment, and later reached industry.
Option (4) One child policy — Incorrect. This rule of the late 1970s limited families to one child. It is the main reason given for China’s low population growth. It concerns population and not the growth of output.
NCERT (2026-27): “… Till the 1980s, all the three countries had similar growth rates and per capita incomes.… …The Great Leap Forward (GLF) campaign initiated in 1958 aimed at industrialising the country on a massive scale… …In 1965, Mao introduced the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution (1966–76) under which students and professionals were sent to work and learn from the countryside. The present day fast industrial growth in China can be traced back to the reforms introduced in 1978. China introduced reforms in phases. In the initial phase, reforms were initiated in agriculture, foreign trade and investment sectors… 8.3 Demographic Indicators … Scholars point out the one-child norm introduced in China in the late 1970s as the major reason for low population growth.…” |