Important Questions and Answers for Class 12 Geography (India: People and Economy) Chapter 6 Planning and Sustainable Development in Indian Context | 2026-27

The Class 12 India: People and Economy Chapter 6 Important Questions PDF helps students practise key concepts through multiple-choice, very short-answer, short-answer, and long-answer questions. The question sets cover planning approaches, regional development programmes, environmental challenges, and sustainable development.

When available, students can download the PDF to practise questions offline and check their answers before school assessments and board examinations.

Class 12 Geography Chapter 6 Multiple Choice Questions

Q1. Which approach to planning aims at developing different sectors such as agriculture, power and transport?

(a) Regional planning

(b) Sectoral planning

(c) Target group planning

(d) Hill area planning

Answer: (b) Sectoral planning. Sectoral planning focuses on developing individual sectors of the economy.

Q2. Regional planning primarily aims to:

(a) Increase only agricultural production

(b) Develop a single industry

(c) Reduce regional imbalances in development

(d) Replace all state-level programmes

Answer: (c) Reduce regional imbalances in development. Regional planning addresses unequal development levels across areas.

Q3. On which date was NITI Aayog formed?

(a) 1 January 2015

(b) 15 August 1947

(c) 1 January 2000

(d) 26 January 2016

Answer: (a) 1 January 2015. NITI Aayog replaced the Planning Commission on 1 January 2015.

Q4. Which programme was initiated during the Fifth Five Year Plan?

(a) Drought Prone Area Programme

(b) Hill Area Development Programme

(c) National Committee on Backwards Areas

(d) NITI Aayog

Answer: (b) Hill Area Development Programme. The Hill Area Development Programme began in the Fifth Five Year Plan.

Q5. The Drought Prone Area Programme began during the:

(a) First Five Year Plan

(b) Second Five-Year Plan

(c) Fourth Five-Year Plan

(d) Eighth Five-Year Plan

Answer: (c) Fourth Five-Year Plan. It was introduced in the Fourth Five-Year Plan.

Q6. ITDP in the Bharmaur case study stands for:

(a) Integrated Tourism Development Plan

(b) Integrated Tribal Development Project

(c) Indian Transport Development Programme

(d) Irrigation and Tribal Development Programme

Answer: (b) Integrated Tribal Development Project. Bharmaur was designated an Integrated Tribal Development Project under the tribal sub-plan.

Q7. Which community is primarily associated with the Bharmaur tribal region?

(a) Gaddis

(b) Todas

(c) Bhils

(d) Santhals

Answer: (a) Gaddis. The Gaddis are the main tribal community described in Bharmaur.

Q8. The Brundtland Report, “Our Common Future”, was published in:

(a) 1968

(b) 1972

(c) 1987

(d) 2015

Answer: (c) 1987. The World Commission on Environment and Development published its report in 1987.

Q9. Indira Gandhi Canal originates at:

(a) Bhakra Dam

(b) Harike Barrage

(c) Hirakud Dam

(d) Nagarjuna Sagar

Answer: (b) Harike Barrage. The Indira Gandhi Canal originates at the Harike Barrage in Punjab.

Q10. Which problem has emerged due to excessive irrigation in the Indira Gandhi Canal command area?

(a) Glacial erosion

(b) Waterlogging and soil salinity

(c) Loss of all agricultural land

(d) Earthquake-induced subsidence

Answer: (b) Waterlogging and soil salinity. Intensive irrigation and excessive water use have caused waterlogging and soil salinity.

Class 12 Geography Chapter 6 Very Short Answer Questions

Q11. What is planning in the context of economic development?

Answer:

Planning is the process of preparing and implementing schemes or programmes to achieve specific development goals. It provides a systematic approach to economic growth.

Q12. Differentiate between sectoral and regional planning in one point each.

Answer:

Sectoral planning focuses on specific sectors, such as agriculture and transport. Regional planning focuses on particular areas to reduce unequal levels of development.

Q13. Name any two target area development programmes.

Answer:

Two target area programmes are the Hill Area Development Programme and the Drought Prone Area Programme.

Q14. What is the main objective of NITI Aayog?

Answer:

NITI Aayog seeks to involve states in economic policy-making and provide strategic and technical advice to the Central and State governments.

Q15. Who are the Gaddis, and which region is their homeland?

Answer:

The Gaddis are a tribal community known for traditional transhumance. Their homeland is the Bharmaur region of Chamba district, Himachal Pradesh.

Q16. What is sustainable development?

Answer:

Sustainable development meets present needs without compromising future generations' ability to meet their own needs. It balances economic, social and ecological concerns.

Q17. Name the two environmental problems caused by excessive canal irrigation in the Indira Gandhi Canal command area.

Answer:

The two major problems are waterlogging and soil salinity, which threaten agricultural productivity and long-term sustainability.

Class 12 Geography Chapter 6 Short Answer Questions

Q18. Explain three reasons why target area planning is necessary.

Answer:

1. Uneven development: Some regions remain economically backward despite national economic growth.

2. Need for investment and technology: Availability of natural resources alone does not ensure development; modern technology and investment are also required.

3. Reduction of disparities: Area-specific schemes help reduce regional and social differences in development.

Q19. State three objectives or activities of the Hill Area Development Programme.

Answer:

1. Local resource development: Develop horticulture, plantation agriculture and forestry using resources suited to hill environments.

2. Employment creation: Encourage animal husbandry, poultry and village or small-scale Industries.

3. Area-specific planning: Frame programmes according to the topographical, ecological, social and economic conditions of hill areas.

Q20. Describe three important features of the Drought Prone Area Programme.

Answer:

1. Employment and assets: Provide employment opportunities and create productive assets in drought-prone regions.

2. Resource conservation: Promote irrigation, land development, afforestation and grassland improvement.

3. Rural support: Develop basic facilities such as roads, electricity, markets, credit and other services.

Q21. Mention three major social benefits of the Integrated Tribal Development Project in Bharmaur.

Answer:

1. Higher literacy: Educational facilities improved, and female literacy rose substantially.

2. Improved social indicators: The sex ratio improved,d and child marriage declined.

3. Reduced gender gap: The difference between male and female literacy levels became smaller.

Q22. Explain three ways in which canal irrigation changed agriculture in the Indira Gandhi Canal command area.

Answer:

1. Expansion of cultivation: More land was brought under cultivation as soil moisture became available.

2. Higher cropping intensity: Irrigation enabled more intensive cultivation and increased agricultural productivity.

3. Change in crops: Traditional gram, bajra and jowar were increasingly replaced by wheat, cotton, groundnut and rice.

Q23. Why did the meaning of development change after the Second World War?

Answer:

1. Initial focus: Development was mainly measured through growth of gross national product and per capita income.

2. Concern for equality: Unequal distribution of economic growth led to attention to poverty, redistribution and equity during the 1970s.

3. Broader well-being: Development came to include health, education, equal opportunities, civil rights and improvements in social and material well-being.

Q24. State three measures to reduce environmental damage in the Indira Gandhi Canal command area.

Answer:

1. Regulate irrigation: Implement appropriate water management and avoid excessive water use.

2. Prevent water losses: Line watercourses, level land and use the warabandi system for equitable water distribution.

3. Restore ecology: Reclaim waterlogged and saline land and encourage shelterbelts, afforestation and pasture development.

Q25. How did the Bharmaur ITDP improve the region’s infrastructure? Explain three Aspects.

Answer:

1. Transport and communication: Road and communication facilities were expanded to improve connectivity.

2. Basic amenities: Schools, healthcare services, potable water and electricity facilities were developed.

3. Uneven reach: Villages near the Ravi in Holi and Khani benefited more, while remote Tundah and Kugti villages still had inadequate infrastructure.

Class 12 Geography Chapter 6 Long Answer Questions

Q26. Explain sectoral and regional planning. Why is target area planning important in India?

Answer:

Planning is a systematic process of framing and implementing programmes to achieve development goals. Its main approaches are:

1. Uneven regional growth: Some areas develop faster than others, creating economic and social inequalities.

2. Special local needs: Drought-prone, hill, desert and tribal areas face different constraints and need area-specific plans.

3. Need for more than resources: Backward regions also require investment, technology and infrastructure.

4. Focused programmes: Examples include the Hill Area Development Programme, Drought Prone Area Programme and Command Area Development Programme.

5. Inclusive growth: Such programmes aim to improve livelihoods and reduce regional Disparities.

Approaches to Development Planning

PLANNING

↓

Sectoral Planning | Regional Planning

↓

Target Area / Target Group Programmes for backward regions and communities

Q27. Discuss the Drought Prone Area Programme and its role in developing dryland areas of India.

Answer:

The Drought Prone Area Programme was introduced during the Fourth Five Year Plan to create employment and productive assets in drought-affected areas.    

1. Initial strategy: It began with labour-intensive civil construction to create jobs.

2. Irrigation and land improvement: Later work included irrigation projects, land development and soil conservation.

3. Ecological restoration: Afforestation and grassland development were promoted to restore the balance between water, soil, vegetation and human and animal populations.

4. Rural infrastructure: Roads, electricity, markets, credit and services supported rural development.

5. New employment: Alternative livelihood opportunities were needed to reduce pressure on marginal land.

6. Integrated watershed management: Conservation at the micro-level became an important long-term strategy.

The programme is particularly relevant to semi-arid and arid areas of Rajasthan, Gujarat, western Madhya Pradesh, Marathwada, the Karnataka plateau and interior Tamil Nadu.

Q28. Examine the aims and achievements of the Integrated Tribal Development Project in Bharmaur.

Answer:

Bharmaur in Himachal Pradesh is the homeland of the Gaddi community. It faces rugged terrain, harsh climate, geographical isolation and a fragile environment. The tribal sub-plan introduced in 1974 designated Bharmaur as an Integrated Tribal Development Project area.

1. Main aim: Improve the quality of life of Gaddis and reduce the development gap with other areas of Himachal Pradesh.

2. Priority sectors: Develop transport, communication, agriculture, allied activities and social and community services.

3. Infrastructure: Schools, healthcare, roads, electricity, potable water and communications were improved.

4. Social progress: Female literacy increased from 1.88% in 1971 to 65% in 2011; the sex ratio improved, and child marriage declined.

5. Economic change: Cultivation of pulses and cash crops increased and dependence on pastoralism declined.

6. Remaining challenge: Remote villages in Tundah and Kugti still lacked adequate infrastructure compared with Holi and Khani.

Q29. Define sustainable development and explain the evolution of the concept of Development.

Answer:

Sustainable development means development that meets present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

1. Economic growth: After World War II, progress was mainly judged by GNP and per capita income.

2. Equity: By the 1970s, unequal distribution of income led to ideas such as redistribution with growth and growth with equity.

3. Human well-being: Development expanded to include education, health, equality of opportunity and civil and political rights.

4. Environmental concern: Industrialisation and environmental damage drew attention to the limits of purely economic growth.

5. Global recognition: The World Commission on Environment and Development, headed by Gro Harlem Brundtland, published Our Common Future in 1987.

6. Integrated approach: Sustainable development combines ecological conservation, social welfare and economic improvement for present and future generations.

Q30. Describe the positive and negative effects of the Indira Gandhi Canal and suggest measures for sustainable development of its command area.

Answer:

The Indira Gandhi Canal originates at Harike Barrage in Punjab and supplies irrigation water to arid parts of Rajasthan. Canal irrigation has transformed the region but has also created environmental challenges.

Positive effects:

1. Greening of desert land: Greater soil moisture, afforestation and pasture development reduced wind erosion and canal siltation.

2. Agricultural growth: Cultivated area, cropping intensity and agricultural and livestock productivity increased.

3. Crop diversification: Wheat, cotton, groundnut and rice gained importance alongside or in place of traditional dryland crops.

Negative effects:

Excessive irrigation causes waterlogging and soil salinity, which threaten long-term agricultural sustainability.

Measures for sustainable development:

1. Strictly implement water-management policies and avoid water-intensive cropping patterns.

2. Line canals, level land, and practise warabandi to reduce water loss and distribute canal water equitably.

3. Reclaim waterlogged and saline land, and promote afforestation, shelterbelts and pasture Development.

4. Provide financial and institutional support to economically weaker land allottees.

5. Diversify economic activities beyond agriculture and animal husbandry and strengthen market linkages.

Two NCERT Case Studies That Make Chapter 6 Easier to Understand

The two case studies in this chapter show how development planning works in different geographical settings. One focuses on improving living conditions in a tribal region, while the other examines the benefits and environmental challenges of canal irrigation in a dry region.

These examples are particularly helpful for questions that ask students to explain causes, objectives, outcomes, and sustainable development measures.

Bharmaur Tribal Development Project: Planning for People and Livelihoods

The Bharmaur region of Himachal Pradesh is associated with the Gaddi tribal community. The Integrated Tribal Development Project was introduced to improve living conditions and provide better development opportunities in the region.

Important points to understand:

• Location: Bharmaur region in Chamba district, Himachal Pradesh.

• Development objective: Improve social and economic conditions in the tribal region.

• Key development areas: Education, healthcare, transport, agriculture, and related infrastructure.

• Geographical challenges: Mountainous terrain, difficult access, and limited economic opportunities.

• Importance: Demonstrates how target area planning can address the needs of a particular community and region.

• Exam focus: Students should be able to explain the objectives of the Integrated Tribal Development Project and describe how development programmes affected the Bharmaur region.

Indira Gandhi Canal Command Area: Balancing Irrigation and the Environment

The Indira Gandhi Canal Command Area in western Rajasthan demonstrates how irrigation can transform agriculture in an arid region. Canal water has supported farming and settlement development, but increased irrigation has also created environmental concerns in some areas.

Important points to understand:

• Location: Western Rajasthan, including parts of the Thar Desert.

• Development objective: Improve water availability and support agricultural development.

• Positive effects: Expanded irrigated agriculture, shifted cropping patterns, and improved opportunities for economic activities.

• Environmental challenges: Waterlogging, soil salinity, and pressure on fragile desert ecosystems.

• Sustainable measures: Controlled irrigation, proper drainage, suitable crop selection, and careful water resource management.

• Exam focus: Students should understand both the benefits of canal irrigation and the measures required to maintain sustainable development in the region.

Bharmaur and Indira Gandhi Canal: Key Differences at a Glance

Learn and Practise Chapter 6 Important Questions with Vedantu

Planning and Sustainable Development in the Indian Context includes concepts that require careful explanation. Students need to understand differences between planning approaches, remember the objectives of development programmes, and use case-study details accurately.

Vedantu's Class 12 India: People and Economy Chapter 6 Important Questions and Answers provide focused practice questions to help students understand these topics more clearly.

Here's how students can make the most of this chapter-wise question material:

• Understand Planning Approaches: Practise explaining sectoral planning, regional planning, and target area planning with examples.

• Build Confidence with Case Studies: Prepare questions based on the Bharmaur region and Indira Gandhi Canal Command Area.

• Improve Comparison-Based Answers: Learn to distinguish between development approaches and identify their objectives.

• Practice Different Question Formats: Attempt MCQs, very short-answer, short-answer, and long-answer questions.

• Develop Geographical Reasoning: Explain how physical conditions, resources, and human needs influence development planning.

• Write Clearer Exam Answers: Use accurate geographical terms, point-wise explanations, and relevant examples.

• Identify Areas for Improvement: Compare responses with the provided answers and spend additional time on difficult concepts.

Students should study the chapter from their NCERT textbook before attempting the questions. Once they have understood the concepts, they can practise independently and use the answers to check their understanding.

The Class 12 India: People and Economy Chapter 6 Important Questions PDF also helps students organise their preparation around important definitions, development programmes, and the two case studies.

Important Study Material Links for Class 12 Geography Chapter 6 (India: People and Economy)

CBSE Class 12 Geography other books Important Questions and Study Resources

Chapter-Wise Important Questions for Class 12 Geography (India: People and Economy)

Important Study Materials for Class 12 Geography