Question:

Study the table given above and answer:
Which of the three states is likely to have a better human development standard than the others? Justify explaining any two reasons for your answer. Why is it important to pay attention to indicators like Infant Mortality Rate (IMR), Literacy Rate, and Net Attendance Ratio to bring about an overall development of any state.
StateInfant Mortality Rate (per 1,000 live births) (2020)Literacy Rate (%) (2017-18)Net Attendance Ratio (Secondary Stage) (%) 2017-18
H288273
K69494
B276269

Table: Comparison of Development Indicators. Adapted from-Sources: Economic Survey 2023-24, National Sample Survey Organisation (Report No. 585), National Statistical Office, Government of India; National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) 2019-21 IIPS, Mumbai.

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Find the state that is best on all three indicators, then say what each indicator tells about health and education.
Updated On: Nov 3, 2026
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Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Read the data:
The table gives IMR, literacy rate and secondary net attendance ratio for H, K and B (read as Haryana, Kerala and Bihar in the marking scheme).
IMR: H 28, K 6, B 27. Literacy: H 82, K 94, B 62. NAR: H 73, K 94, B 69.
Human development depends on health, education and standard of living. Here we have indicators for health (IMR) and education (literacy, NAR).

Step 2: Choose the state:
State K (Kerala) is likely to have the best human development, because it is ahead of H and B on all three indicators.

Step 3: Reason 1: low infant mortality (health):
Kerala's IMR is 6, so very few children die before the age of one. For H and B it is 28 and 27, which is more than four times higher.
A low IMR shows good health care, safe motherhood, proper nutrition and a longer life expectancy.

Step 4: Reason 2: high literacy and attendance (education):
Kerala has a literacy rate of 94 percent and a secondary net attendance ratio of 94 percent. Most people can read and write, and most children attend secondary school.
The same figures for H (82, 73) and B (62, 69) are lower. This reflects good education and social development in Kerala.

Step 5: Why these indicators matter for development (2 marks):
IMR: when fewer infants die, children grow up healthier and the state gets a stronger and more productive population. It also shows how good the health services are.
Literacy rate and net attendance ratio: education empowers people. It raises awareness about health, helps them find better employment and makes them aware of civic responsibilities. This leads to overall development of the state.

Final Answer:
State K (Kerala) is likely to have the best human development, because of its very low IMR and its very high literacy and attendance. These indicators matter because they measure the health and education of the people, which are the base of overall development. \[ \boxed{\text{State K (Kerala)}} \]
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