"Electricity has a wide range of applications in today's world that its per capita consumption is considered as an index of development." Justify the statement with suitable arguments.
Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · 2026-06-15 07:01 · grounding rag
Model Answer
Electricity is considered an index of development because of the following reasons:
- All sectors depend on it: Agriculture, industry, transport, commercial and domestic sectors all require energy inputs. Without electricity, economic development cannot be sustained.
- Drives industrial growth: Iron ore, steel and other industries need continuous electricity supply. More developed nations consume more electricity per person.
- Fuels modern technology: Photovoltaic systems, wind farms, and nuclear plants all ultimately generate electricity, reflecting a nation's technological advancement.
- Rising demand: As India's economic development plans have expanded since Independence, energy consumption has steadily risen, making per capita electricity use a direct measure of progress.
- Quality of life: Electricity powers domestic needs — lighting, cooking, heating — so higher per capita use reflects better living standards.
Hence, a nation's per capita electricity consumption directly mirrors its economic and social development level.
Source: Energy Resources and Conservation of Energy Resources, Chapter 5
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Explanation
- The examiner expects you to link electricity/energy consumption to economic development across multiple sectors.
- Mention at least 4-5 distinct points for a 5-mark question.
- You can mention specific examples (agriculture, industry, domestic use) to show breadth.
- Avoid simply listing sectors — briefly explain why each point justifies the statement.
- Do not write an essay; keep each point to 1-2 lines.