Chapter 2: Sectors of the Indian Economy

Important questions — the ones the board asked most (20)

1. Q1Long answer5 marksAsked: 2026

   (a) Describe the importance of tertiary sector in the economy. OR (b) Describe the features of organized sector of the economy.

   

   Medha Ma’am

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   Watch it on the board · 80 s

   Model answer · Features of organised sector

   1. 1.(b) Regular and assured work: The organised sector covers those enterprises or places of work where the terms of employment are regular and therefore, people have assured work.1 mark
   2. 2.Registered by the government: These enterprises are registered by the government. They have to follow its rules and regulations, which are given in various laws such as the Factories Act, Minimum Wages Act, Payment of Gratuity Act, Shops and Establishments Act etc.1 mark
   3. 3.Formal processes: It is called organised because it has some formal processes and procedures. For example, a worker gets an appointment letter that states all the terms and conditions of work.1 mark
   4. 4.Self-employed people also register: Some people in this sector may not be employed by anyone and may work on their own. They too have to register themselves with the government and follow the rules and regulations.1 mark
   5. 5.Security and fixed hours: Workers in the organised sector enjoy security of employment. They are expected to work only a fixed number of hours.1 mark

   • Name at least two of the laws, for example "Factories Act, Minimum Wages Act", when you write that organised enterprises are registered by the government.
   • Give the reason for the name: "it has some formal processes and procedures".
   • Write both benefits for workers: "security of employment" and "a fixed number of hours".

   Marks split as in the board’s published marking scheme

2. Q2Long answer5 marksAsked: 2026

   (a) Explain the efforts made by the Government of India towards 'Right to Work'. OR (b) Explain the difference between organized and unorganized sectors.

   

   Medha Ma’am

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   Hear it from Medha Ma’am · 125 s

   Model answer · organized vs unorganized sector

   1. 1.(a) Under MGNREGA 2005 the government guarantees 100 days of work a year to rural households that need it. OR (b) In the organised sector employment is regular and secure, as enterprises are registered with the government.1 mark
   2. 2.If work is not provided within 15 days, the government pays an unemployment allowance. OR In the unorganised sector employment is irregular and there is no job security.1 mark
   3. 3.Self-employment schemes such as the Prime Minister's Rozgar Yojana and Swarnajayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana give work to unemployed youth. OR Organised sector workers have fixed hours and are paid for overtime; unorganised sector workers have no fixed hours and get nothing extra.1 mark
   4. 4.Women are linked to employment through self-help groups, and one-third of MGNREGA jobs are for them. OR Organised sector employees get provident fund, health insurance and pension; unorganised workers do not.1 mark
   5. 5.The Minimum Wages Act aims to ensure fair wages for workers. OR Organised workers, through trade unions, can bargain together; unorganised workers cannot, so they are exploited more.1 mark

   Marks split from a structure derived from past papers (checked twice); not CBSE’s official scheme

3. Q3Long answer5 marksAsked: 2026

   (a) Explain the sector-activities on the basis of employment. OR (b) Explain the changes that have taken place between different sectors of the economy in India.

   

   Medha Ma’am

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   Hear it from Medha Ma’am · 95 s

   Model answer · organised and unorganised sectors

   1. 1.(a) On the basis of the conditions of employment, workers are classified into the organised and the unorganised sector. OR (b) Since independence, the relative contribution of the primary, secondary and tertiary sectors in India has changed.1 mark
   2. 2.In the organised sector, enterprises are registered with the government; employment is regular, with fixed wages and job security. OR At first most people worked in the primary sector (agriculture), the main source of livelihood.1 mark
   3. 3.Organised sector workers get benefits such as provident fund, health insurance, paid leave and pension. OR Over time the share of people working in agriculture has fallen, while it has risen in the secondary and tertiary sectors.1 mark
   4. 4.The unorganised sector consists of small, scattered units, largely outside government control, with no job security. OR The share of the secondary sector (industry, manufacturing) in GDP has risen with industrialisation.1 mark
   5. 5.In the unorganised sector wages are low and irregular, hours are long and there is no social security, as with brick-kiln workers. OR Today the tertiary sector contributes the most to GDP, though its share in employment is smaller.1 mark

   Marks split from a structure derived from past papers (checked twice); not CBSE’s official scheme

4. Q4Long answer5 marksAsked: 2026

   (A) Describe the efforts done by the Indian government to increase employment in rural areas. OR (B) Describe the rising importance of Tertiary Sector in India.

   How the model answer begins

   1. (A) Under MGNREGA 2005 the government guarantees 100 days of work a year to every rural household that needs it. OR (B) The tertiary sector has become the largest contributor to India's GDP.

   The full answer from Medha Ma’am →
5. Q5Long answer5 marksAsked: 2026

   (A) Describe the efforts done by Indian government to increase employment in Urban areas. OR (B) Describe the importance of Secondary Sector in the economy of the country.

   How the model answer begins

   1. (B) The secondary sector is important because it adds value to natural products. Through manufacturing, it changes these products into finished goods. For example, cotton is a primary product, and when it is made into…

   The full answer from Medha Ma’am →
6. Q6Long answer5 marksAsked: 2026

   (A) Describe the Public work programs in job creation at rural and urban areas. OR (B) Describe the role of primary sector in the rural areas.

   How the model answer begins

   1. (A) Public work programmes create jobs through the government. The most important is the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act 2005 (MGNREGA 2005). Under it, the government guaranteed 100 days of…

   The full answer from Medha Ma’am →
7. Q7Long answer5 marksAsked: 2026

   (a) How is the primary sector different from the secondary sector ? Explain with examples. OR (b) How is the organised sector different from the unorganised sector ? Explain with examples.

   How the model answer begins

   1. (a) In the primary sector goods are produced by directly using natural resources, so it is also called the agriculture and related sector. OR (b) The organised sector covers enterprises registered by the government that…

   The full answer from Medha Ma’am →
8. Q8Long answer5 marksAsked: 2026

   (a) Explain the role of secondary sector in the economy. OR (b) Explain the role of tertiary sector in the economy.

   How the model answer begins

   1. (a) The secondary sector, also called the industrial sector, changes natural products into other forms through manufacturing. It forms the backbone of our economy because factories, workshops and home-based units make…

   The full answer from Medha Ma’am →
9. Q9Long answer5 marksAsked: 2026

   (a) Explain the social security benefits available in the organized sector. OR (b) Explain how primary sector supports other sectors of the economy.

   How the model answer begins

   1. (a) Workers in the organised sector get several social security benefits. The first is security of employment. In the organised sector the terms of employment are regular, so people have assured work and cannot be asked…

   The full answer from Medha Ma’am →
10. Q10Long answer5 marksAsked: 2025

    (a) Distinguish between the public and private sectors of the economy with examples. OR (b) Suppose you are the Sarpanch of your village. What suggestions would you give to create additional employment in the village so that the problem of unemployment of the residents of the rural area can be reduced ?

11. Q11Long answer5 marksAsked: 2024

    (a) "There is a need for protection and support of the workers in the unorganised sector." Examine the statement with examples. OR (b) "Activities in the private sector are guided by the motive to earn profits." Examine the statement with examples.

    How the model answer begins

    1. (a) Workers in the unorganised sector need protection and support. This sector is characterised by small and scattered units which are largely outside the control of the government. There are rules and regulations, but…

    The full answer from Medha Ma’am →
12. Q12Long answer5 marksAsked: 2024

    (a) Explain the differences between public and private sector of economic activities. OR (b) Explain the differences between the organised and unorganised sector of economic activities.

13. Q13Long answer5 marksAsked: 2024

    (a) Examine the significance of the tertiary sector in the Indian economy. OR (b) Explain the contribution of the primary sector in the context of employment in India.

    How the model answer begins

    1. (a) The tertiary sector now has the largest share of GDP and has become the largest producing sector in India. OR (b) The primary sector is still the largest employer: about half of all workers are engaged in it.

    The full answer from Medha Ma’am →
14. Q14Case-based4 marksAsked: 2025

    Read the given source and answer the questions that follow : Organised Sector [passage] (36.1) Mention any one feature of the working conditions of organised sector. 1 (36.2) Explain any one benefit provided by the employers to the organised sector employees. 1 (36.3) Why is it necessary for all self-employed people to register with the government ? 2

    How the model answer begins

    1. 36.1 One feature of the working conditions of the organised sector is that the terms of employment are regular and therefore, people have assured work. Workers enjoy security of employment and work only a fixed number…

    The full answer from Medha Ma’am →
15. Q15Short answer3 marksAsked: 2026

    Suggest any three measures for labour safety in the unorganised sector.

    How the model answer begins

    1. The government should ensure strict implementation of minimum wage laws for workers in the unorganised sector, so that they are not exploited and are paid a fair wage.

    The full answer from Medha Ma’am →
16. Q16Short answer3 marksAsked: 2026

    Suggest the measures for the creation of extra employment generation in the agriculture sector.

    How the model answer begins

    1. The expansion of irrigation facilities through the construction of dams and canals can create extra employment in the agriculture sector. When farmers get access to water, they can take a second crop in the rabi season…

    The full answer from Medha Ma’am →
17. Q17Short answer3 marksAsked: 2026

    Explain the main characteristics of the organised sector.

    How the model answer begins

    1. Organised sector covers those enterprises or places of work where the terms of employment are regular and therefore, people have assured work.

    The full answer from Medha Ma’am →
18. Q18Short answer3 marksAsked: 2026

    Suggest any three measures to increase employment opportunities in rural areas of the country.

    How the model answer begins

    1. The government should invest in basic infrastructure in rural areas such as irrigation, transportation and storage. If a well is constructed or a dam built with canals to irrigate farms, farmers can take a second crop,…

    The full answer from Medha Ma’am →
19. Q19Short answer3 marksAsked: 2025

    29. Analyse the problem of underemployment in agriculture sector in India.

    How the model answer begins

    1. Agriculture has more people working in it than is necessary. So, even if a few people are moved out, production will not be affected. In other words, workers in the agricultural sector are underemployed.

    The full answer from Medha Ma’am →
20. Q20Short answer3 marksAsked: 2025

    Suggest any three measures to increase employment opportunities in urban areas in India.

    How the model answer begins

    1. One measure to increase employment opportunities in urban areas is promoting education and skill development so that the youth become employable. A study conducted by the erstwhile Planning Commission estimates that…

    The full answer from Medha Ma’am →

37 more questions of this chapter, each with its model answer, in the AskMedha app.

Objective questions with the board’s key (10)

1. 1. CBSE 2026

   Two statements labelled as Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are given below. Read both the statements carefully and choose the correct option : Assertion (A) : Agricultural production related activities are included in the tertiary sector. Reason (R) : Tertiary sector is called as service sector.

   • (A) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of Assertion (A).
   • (B) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, but Reason (R) is not the correct explanation of Assertion (A).
   • (C) Assertion (A) is true, but Reason (R) is false.
   • (D) Assertion (A) is false, but Reason (R) is true. ✓

   Answer: (D)

2. 2. CBSE 2026

   Which of the following is an example of the public sector?

   • (A) Birla Cement
   • (B) Tata Iron and Steel Company
   • (C) Reliance Industries Limited
   • (D) Indian Railways ✓

   Answer: (D)

3. 3. CBSE 2026

   Choose the correct characteristic of private sector of the economy.

   • (A) Controlled by the government
   • (B) Individually controlled ✓
   • (C) Work for public welfare
   • (D) Work for the poor

   Answer: (B)

4. 4. CBSE 2026

   Identify the sector of economy with the help of information given in the box : - Ownership of assets and delivery of services in the hands of private individuals - Activities are guided by the motive to earn profits

   • (A) Private Sector ✓
   • (B) Public Sector
   • (C) Joint Sector
   • (D) Cooperative Sector

   Answer: (A)

5. 5. CBSE 2026

   Match Column - I with Column - II and choose the correct option : Column - I (Sectors on the basis of ownership) | Column - II (Examples) a. Public Sector | (i) Amul Dairy b. Private Sector | (ii) Maruti Suzuki c. Joint Sector | (iii) Oil and Natural Gas Corporation d. Cooperative Sector | (iv) Airtel Limited Options : a b c d

   • (A) (ii) (iv) (iii) (i)
   • (B) (iii) (ii) (i) (iv)
   • (C) (iii) (iv) (ii) (i) ✓
   • (D) (i) (iii) (iv) (ii)

   Answer: (C)

6. 6. CBSE 2026

   Identify the sector of the economy on the basis of ownership with the help of following information : - The government owns most of the assets. - Delivery of services in the hands of government. - Fair price shops is an example of it.

   • (A) Private Sector
   • (B) Public Sector ✓
   • (C) Joint Sector
   • (D) Cooperative Sector

   Answer: (B)

7. 7. CBSE 2025

   Choose the correct option to fill in the blank : The total value of all final goods and services produced within a country in a particular year is called _________.

   • (A) Per Capita Income
   • (B) Per Capita Production
   • (C) Gross National Income
   • (D) Gross Domestic Production ✓

   Answer: (D)

8. 8. CBSE 2025

   Look at the given picture and answer the question that follows : The work being done in the picture falls under which sector of the economy ? Note : The following question is for the Visually Impaired Candidates only in lieu of Q.N. 17. Which of the following activities comes under the tertiary sector of the economy ? (A) Basket weaving (B) Animal husbandry (C) Milk vending (D) Gur making

   • (A) Primary
   • (B) Quaternary
   • (C) Tertiary
   • (D) Secondary ✓

   Answer: (D)

9. 9. CBSE 2025

   Rakhi has conducted an economic survey of her area. The survey revealed that people earn their livelihood by doing different kinds of work. For this, the table prepared by Rakhi is given below. Study the table carefully and answer the question given below it: How many people are employed in the organised sector ? | S. No. | Work | Number of people | | --- | --- | --- | | 1. | Farmers working in their own fields | 250 | | 2. | Teachers teaching in school | 10 | | 3. | Weavers working in their own homes | 70 | | 4. | Workers working in big factories | 140 | | 5. | Employees working in a hospital of the area | 60 | | Total | | 530 |

   • (A) 380
   • (B) 140
   • (C) 320
   • (D) 210 ✓

   Answer: (D)

10. 10. CBSE 2025

    Look at the given picture and answer the question that follows : [Picture] The work being done in the picture falls in which sector of the economy ? Note : Following question is for Visually Impaired Candidates only in lieu of question no. 17 : The work done in the cotton textile industry falls under which sector of the economy ?

    • (A) Primary
    • (B) Secondary
    • (C) Tertiary ✓
    • (D) Quaternary

    Answer: (C)

Questions parents and students ask

How many marks does "Sectors of the Indian Economy" carry in CBSE Class 10 Social Science?

In the CBSE papers of 2023–2026, this chapter carried about 6 marks and about 3 questions a year; by marks it ranks 2 in Social Science.

Which are the most important (VVI) questions of "Sectors of the Indian Economy"?

The 20 questions above are from the board’s real papers, each with the years it was asked; the most-asked come first with their full model answers. All 57 written questions of this chapter, with answers, are in the AskMedha app.

Do the answers follow the board’s marking scheme?

Yes. CBSE publishes its marking schemes; every model answer here is written point by point to the marks the board’s own scheme gives, and checked by a second, independent model.