Given below are two statements, one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R).

Assertion (A): Development is being defined as improving living standards and welfare.

Reason (R): Growth in per capita income is not a sufficient measure of development.

Select the correct answer from the codes given below:

Question

Question

This question was previously asked in

UPPSC PCS Prelims 2024 Official GS Paper-I

Answer 1

The Correct answer is Option 3.

Key Points

Assertion (A): Development is defined as improving living standards and welfare.
- True.
- Development is a broad concept that includes economic growth, improvement in quality of life, better healthcare, education, and social well-being.
- It is measured using Human Development Index (HDI), literacy rates, life expectancy, and access to basic needs rather than just economic output.
Reason (R): Growth in per capita income is not a sufficient measure of development.
- True.
- Economic growth alone does not ensure equitable distribution of wealth or social progress.
- A country can have a high per capita income but still face issues like income inequality, poverty, poor healthcare, and lack of social security.
- The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) emphasizes that sustainable development must also focus on social and environmental aspects, not just income levels.

Since R correctly explains A, Option 3 is the correct answer.