Rural and Urban Society in India and Its Emerging Issues Indian Social Problems – Population Explosion, Poverty, Illiteracy, Unemployment

 

1. Rural and Urban Society in India and Its Emerging Issues
   Indian Social Problems – Population Explosion, Poverty, Illiteracy, Unemployment
   Here’s a structured study material 

📘 Notes

1. Rural and Urban Society in India

(a) Rural Society

• Characteristics:

  • Agriculture-based economy.

  • Close social relations, caste influence, joint family system.

  • Traditional values and customs.

• Emerging Issues:

  • Rural poverty, unemployment, indebtedness.

  • Agricultural crisis, farmers’ suicides.

  • Migration to cities, breakdown of joint family.

  • Lack of infrastructure (education, healthcare, sanitation).

(b) Urban Society

• Characteristics:

  • Industrialization, trade, services dominate economy.

  • Impersonal relationships, nuclear families.

  • Higher literacy and modern lifestyle.

• Emerging Issues:

  • Overcrowding, housing shortage, slums.

  • Urban unemployment, poverty.

  • Pollution, crime, stress, alienation.

  • Growing inequality between rich and poor.

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2. Indian Social Problems

(a) Population Explosion

• India’s population: Over 1.4 billion (second largest in the world).

• Causes: High birth rate, early marriage, preference for male child, poverty, lack of awareness.

• Effects: Pressure on land, housing, food, education, healthcare, and jobs.

• Remedies: Family planning, awareness campaigns, women empowerment, compulsory education.

(b) Poverty

• India has large section of population living below poverty line (BPL).

• Causes: Unemployment, low wages, unequal distribution of wealth, illiteracy, caste discrimination.

• Effects: Malnutrition, child labour, low productivity, poor health.

• Remedies: Poverty alleviation programmes (MGNREGA, PDS, Skill India, etc.), education, land reforms, inclusive growth.

(c) Illiteracy

• Millions still lack basic education, especially in rural and marginalized communities.

• Causes: Poverty, child labour, gender inequality, lack of schools/teachers.

• Effects: Unemployment, social backwardness, lack of awareness of rights, perpetuation of poverty.

• Remedies: Right to Education Act, Mid-day Meal Scheme, Digital education, adult literacy programs, focus on girl child education.

(d) Unemployment

• Types: Disguised unemployment (rural/agriculture), educated unemployment, seasonal unemployment, structural unemployment.

• Causes: Population growth, slow industrial growth, lack of skills, mismatch between education and jobs.

• Effects: Poverty, crime, social unrest, migration to cities, frustration among youth.

• Remedies: Skill development, entrepreneurship, rural industrialization, promotion of startups, strengthening employment guarantee schemes.

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❓ Questions and Answers

Q1. What are the major characteristics of rural society in India?

Ans: Agriculture-based economy, caste dominance, joint family system, traditional lifestyle, and close social ties.

Q2. Mention two emerging problems of urban society in India.

Ans: Slum growth and environmental pollution.

Q3. Define Population Explosion.

Ans: Population explosion refers to the rapid and excessive growth of population beyond the carrying capacity of the country, leading to socio-economic problems.

Q4. What are the main causes of poverty in India?

Ans: Overpopulation, unemployment, illiteracy, unequal distribution of wealth, low productivity.

Q5. Differentiate between Rural and Urban society.

Ans:

• Rural: Agriculture-based, traditional, caste-dominated, close ties.

• Urban: Industry/service-based, modern, impersonal, diverse population.

Q6. Name two government schemes to remove poverty in India.

Ans: MGNREGA, Public Distribution System (PDS).

Q7. What is disguised unemployment?

Ans: A situation where more people are employed in a work than actually required, leading to zero or marginal productivity (common in agriculture).

Q8. Suggest measures to reduce illiteracy in India.

Ans: Compulsory primary education, adult literacy programmes, girl child education, digital learning, and awareness campaigns.