Practicing Success

Target Exam

CUET

Subject

Economics

Chapter

Indian Economic Development: Indian Economy on the Eve of Independence

Question:

Name the state of India that witnessed a decline in the dependence of the workforce on the agricultural sector during the colonial period.

Options:

Andhra Pradesh

Punjab

Orissa

Rajasthan

Correct Answer:

Andhra Pradesh

Explanation:

During the colonial period, the occupational structure of India, i.e., distribution of working persons across different industries and sectors, showed little sign of change. The agricultural sector accounted for the largest share of workforce, which usually remained at a high of 70-75 per cent while the manufacturing and the services sectors accounted for only 10 and 15-20 per cent respectively. Another striking aspect was the growing regional variation. Parts of the then Madras Presidency (comprising areas of the present-day states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Karnataka), Bombay and Bengal witnessed a decline in the dependence of the workforce on the agricultural sector with a commensurate increase in the manufacturing and the services sectors. However, there had been an increase in the share of workforce in agriculture during the same time in states such as Orissa, Rajasthan and Punjab.