Which of the following is NOT true regarding human development?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → Empowerment means continuity in the availability of opportunities.
Option (1) Empowerment means continuity in the availability of opportunities. — Not true (Correct). Continuity in the availability of opportunities is the meaning of sustainability. Empowerment means having the power to make choices, a power that comes from increasing freedom and capability.
Option (2) Equity refers to making equal access to opportunities available to everybody. — True (Incorrect). Opportunities must be equal for all, whatever their gender, race, income and, in India, caste.
Option (3) Building capabilities is necessary to make humans more productive. — True (Incorrect). Productivity here means the productivity of human labour, and it must be constantly enriched by building capabilities in people.
Option (4) Sustainability means each generation must have the same opportunities. — True (Incorrect). Sustainability means continuity in opportunities, so that each generation has the same opportunities as the one before it.
NCERT (2025-26): “The Four Pillars of Human Development … Just as any building is supported by pillars, the idea of human development is supported by the concepts of equity, sustainability, productivity and empowerment. Equity refers to making equal access to opportunities available to everybody. The opportunities available to people must be equal irrespective of their gender, race, income and in the Indian case, caste.… …Sustainability means continuity in the availability of opportunities. To have sustainable human development, each generation must have the same opportunities.… …Productivity here means human labour productivity or productivity in terms of human work. Such productivity must be constantly enriched by building capabilities in people.… …Empowerment means to have the power to make choices. Such power comes from increasing freedom and capability.…” |