What does Kautilya's Arthashastra quote 'The root of prosperity is economic activity' suggest?

Economic activity is the foundation of wealth and national development

Prosperity comes from natural resources alone

Only agriculture brings prosperity

Over time, how has the number of economic activities changed?

It has only increased in cities

Why are economic activities classified into sectors?

Classification helps us understand how different activities function, their links with each other, and how each sector contributes to the overall economy

Sectors are only used by government statisticians

Classification is only for tax purposes

How does the primary sector support other sectors of the economy?

Primary sector has no links to other sectors

Primary sector provides raw materials (food, cotton, minerals) that the secondary sector processes and the tertiary sector distributes—making it the foundation of economic activity

Secondary sector is more foundational than primary

Primary sector only employs farmers

Why has the tertiary sector grown rapidly in modern India?

Tertiary sector was never important

As incomes rise and technology advances, demand for services like education, healthcare, banking, IT, and tourism grows, expanding the tertiary sector

The tertiary sector is declining

How does technology change the nature of economic activities?

Technology has no effect on economic activities

Technology creates new types of jobs (like software development and drone manufacturing), improves efficiency in existing activities, and can replace some types of labour with automation

Technology only benefits secondary sector

Technology only creates problems for workers

What is the importance of agriculture in India's economy?

Agriculture is India's primary sector foundation—providing food, raw materials for industry, and employment for a large part of the rural population

Only industry matters for India's economy

Agriculture only employs 10% of Indians

How are primary, secondary, and tertiary sectors interdependent?

The three sectors are completely independent

Each sector depends on the others—primary provides raw materials, secondary processes them, tertiary distributes and provides services; disruption in one affects the others

Only secondary and tertiary sectors are related

Primary sector is independent of the others

What does 'manufacturing' mean in the context of economic activities?

Manufacturing is the process of converting raw materials into finished goods using tools, machines, and labour

Manufacturing only refers to handmade items

Manufacturing is part of the tertiary sector

How does the expansion of economic activities since early times reflect human progress?

Economic activities have not expanded

Early humans engaged mainly in agriculture and basic crafts; as societies developed, they created manufacturing, complex trade, services, and digital industries—reflecting growing knowledge and organisation

Economic activities have always been the same

Only ancient economic activities were efficient

What is the role of trade in an economy?

Trade is unnecessary in an economy

Trade allows exchange of goods and services between producers and consumers, connecting different sectors and regions, creating markets, and driving economic growth

How does the service sector contribute to a country's GDP?

The service sector does not contribute to GDP

Service sector activities like banking, education, healthcare, IT, and tourism create economic value that is counted in GDP, and in India the service sector is the largest contributor

Only manufacturing contributes to GDP

GDP only counts agricultural output

Analyse how the shift from primary to secondary to tertiary sector employment reflects economic development.

Developed economies have more primary workers

As economies develop, productivity in agriculture increases (needing fewer workers), allowing workers to move to manufacturing and then services—a pattern seen in most developed nations and increasingly in India

Economic development has no relation to sector shifts

Developing countries always stay in primary sector

How does the interdependence of economic sectors make an economy resilient or vulnerable?

Interdependence always makes economies strong

Interdependence creates efficiency and growth, but also vulnerability—a disruption in one sector (like a drought in primary sector) ripples through secondary and tertiary sectors, affecting the whole economy

Interdependence has no effect on resilience

Vulnerability only comes from foreign trade

What impact does mechanisation of agriculture have on other sectors of the economy?

Mechanisation has no impact on other sectors

Mechanisation reduces agricultural employment, pushing workers to seek jobs in secondary and tertiary sectors; it also creates demand for agricultural machinery (secondary sector) and technical services (tertiary sector)

Mechanisation increases agricultural employment

Mechanisation only affects farmers

How has the growth of the digital economy created new categories of economic activity?

The digital economy is not a real economic sector

The digital economy has created activities like software development, online retail, app design, and digital payments that blur traditional sector boundaries and require new types of skills and governance

Digital economy only extends existing sectors

Digital economy only helps secondary sector

Why is balanced growth across all three sectors important for India's development?

Only tertiary sector growth matters

Balanced growth ensures food security (primary), industrial strength (secondary), and efficient services (tertiary), creating diverse employment opportunities and a resilient economy not dependent on a single sector

Only agricultural growth matters for India

India should focus exclusively on service sector growth

How does the classification of economic activities help a government plan its economy?

Classification does not help planning

By understanding each sector's size, employment, and output, the government can identify gaps, target investments, design sector-specific policies, and track economic progress over time

Planning requires no economic data

Only the private sector plans economic activities

'India needs to strengthen all three economic sectors to achieve inclusive growth.' Evaluate this statement.

India only needs to focus on IT services

Yes—inclusive growth requires a productive primary sector for food and rural employment, a strong secondary sector for manufacturing and urban jobs, and an expanding tertiary sector for services; neglecting any sector creates inequality and imbalance

Only secondary sector creates jobs

India has already achieved balanced sector growth

How can a Class 6 student begin to understand the economic activities in their own neighbourhood?

Economic activities are too complex for students

Students can observe local shops, farms, schools, hospitals, and artisans in their neighbourhood; classify these into primary, secondary, or tertiary activities; and understand how they are interconnected in local daily life

Economics is only studied in college

Only textbook examples are relevant

What are the environmental challenges associated with rapid expansion of secondary (industrial) sector activities?

Industry has no environmental impact

Industrial expansion often leads to pollution (air, water, soil), deforestation, resource depletion, and greenhouse gas emissions—requiring strong environmental regulations and sustainable industrial practices

Environmental challenges only affect primary sector

Industry is always environmentally friendly

NCERT Solutions Class 6 Social Science Chapter 14 – Economic Activities Around Us

Name: Economic Activities Around Us – Class 6 Social Science
Uploaded: 2026-10-27T15:32:07+00:00
Description: Economic activities are grouped into primary, secondary, and tertiary sectors, each playing a key role in producing goods and services. These sectors are interdependent, working together to support livelihoods and drive economic growth — as seen in inspiring stories like AMUL

Class 6 Social Science

Last Updated: 27 October 2026

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Chapter Introduction

Economic activities are grouped into primary, secondary, and tertiary sectors, each playing a key role in producing goods and services. These sectors are interdependent, working together to support livelihoods and drive economic growth — as seen in inspiring stories like AMUL

हिंदी में (Hindi)

आर्थिक गतिविधियों को प्राथमिक, द्वितीयक और तृतीयक क्षेत्रों में वर्गीकृत किया जाता है, जो वस्तुओं और सेवाओं के उत्पादन में महत्वपूर्ण भूमिका निभाते हैं। ये क्षेत्र आपस में परस्पर निर्भर होते हैं और मिलकर आजीविका का समर्थन करते हैं तथा आर्थिक विकास को बढ़ावा देते हैं — जैसा कि प्रेरणादायक कहानियों में AMUL से देखा जा सकता है।

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Important Points

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Practice MCQ Questions (29 questions)

Q1. What are economic activities?

Q2. What are the three sectors of economic activity?

Q3. Which sector involves activities directly related to natural resources like farming and fishing?

Q4. Which sector involves manufacturing and processing of raw materials into finished goods?

Q5. Which sector provides services rather than producing goods?

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Tough Words (Glossary)

Prosperity

Meaning: The state of being successful and wealthy

अर्थ: समृद्धि

"Hard work leads to prosperity."

Distress

Meaning: A state of extreme sorrow or suffering

अर्थ: कष्ट / संकट

"The farmers were in distress after the drought."

Fruitful

Meaning: Producing good results

अर्थ: फलदायी

"The meeting was fruitful and helpful."

Endanger

Meaning: To put at risk or in danger

अर्थ: खतरे में डालना

"Cutting trees endangers the environment."

Monetary

Meaning: Related to money

अर्थ: मौद्रिक

"He received monetary help from his friends."

Tremendously

Meaning: Extremely or greatly

अर्थ: अत्यधिक

"Technology has grown tremendously in recent years."

Livelihood

Meaning: Means of earning money for living

अर्थ: जीविका

"Farming is the main livelihood of villagers."

Diverse

Meaning: Showing variety or differences

अर्थ: विविध

"India has a diverse culture."

Manufacturing

Meaning: The process of making products in factories

अर्थ: निर्माण

"The factory is manufacturing mobile phones."

Transportation

Meaning: The act of moving goods or people

अर्थ: परिवहन

"Trains are used for transportation of goods."

Classification

Meaning: The act of grouping things into categories

अर्थ: वर्गीकरण

"The classification of animals helps in studying them."

Sector

Meaning: A distinct part or division of an economy or society

अर्थ: क्षेत्र

"The IT sector is growing rapidly."

Cultivation

Meaning: The act of growing crops

अर्थ: खेती / कृषि

"Wheat cultivation is common in Punjab."

Extraction

Meaning: The process of removing something

अर्थ: निकासी / उत्खनन

"The extraction of coal happens in mines."

Forestry

Meaning: The science of managing forests

अर्थ: वन प्रबंधन

"Forestry is important for the environment."

Transform

Meaning: To change form completely

अर्थ: रूपांतरित करना

"Cotton is transformed into clothes."

Utilities

Meaning: Basic services like water, electricity, gas

अर्थ: सुविधाएँ

"The government provides basic utilities."

Processing

Meaning: Series of actions to change raw material

अर्थ: प्रसंस्करण

"Milk undergoes processing to make cheese."

Convert

Meaning: To change from one form to another

अर्थ: परिवर्तित करना

"Wood is converted into furniture."

Automobile

Meaning: A vehicle like car or truck

अर्थ: वाहन / मोटरगाड़ी

"The automobile industry is huge."

Tertiary

Meaning: Relating to services in the economy

अर्थ: तृतीयक

"Banking is a tertiary sector activity."

Technician

Meaning: A skilled worker in technology

अर्थ: तकनीशियन

"The technician repaired the TV."

Mechanic

Meaning: A person who repairs machines

अर्थ: मिस्त्री / मैकेनिक

"The mechanic fixed the car engine."

Electrician

Meaning: A person who fixes electrical problems

अर्थ: बिजली मिस्त्री

"The electrician repaired the wiring."

Communication

Meaning: The act of sharing information

अर्थ: संचार

"Mobile phones are used for communication."

Interdependence

Meaning: Depending on each other

अर्थ: परस्पर निर्भरता

"There is interdependence among all sectors."

Excursion

Meaning: A short journey for learning or pleasure

अर्थ: भ्रमण / सैर

"We went on a school excursion to a farm."

Cooperative

Meaning: A group working together for common benefit

अर्थ: सहकारी संस्था

"Amul is a famous dairy cooperative."

Meagre

Meaning: Very small in amount

अर्थ: अल्प / बहुत कम

"They survived on meagre earnings."

Cheated

Meaning: Deceived or tricked

अर्थ: धोखा दिया

"The farmers felt cheated by the middlemen."

Harassed

Meaning: Troubled repeatedly

अर्थ: परेशान किया गया

"The villagers were harassed by the middlemen."

Independent

Meaning: Free from control of others

अर्थ: स्वतंत्र

"The cooperative made farmers independent."

Pasteurisation

Meaning: The process of heating milk to kill germs

अर्थ: पाश्चुरीकरण

"Milk undergoes pasteurisation before sale."

Gradually

Meaning: Slowly over time

अर्थ: धीरे-धीरे

"He gradually improved his skills."

Retail

Meaning: Selling goods directly to customers

अर्थ: खुदरा

"The shop sells clothes in retail."

Export

Meaning: To sell goods to another country

अर्थ: निर्यात

"India exports tea to many countries."

Pulp

Meaning: Soft material from wood used to make paper

अर्थ: गूदा

"Paper is made from wood pulp."

Recycle

Meaning: To use waste material again

अर्थ: पुनर्चक्रण करना

"We should recycle paper to save trees."

Tonnes

Meaning: Unit of weight equal to 1000 kilograms

अर्थ: टन

"The factory recycles two tonnes of paper daily."

Landfill

Meaning: A place where waste is buried

अर्थ: कचरा भराव स्थल

"Plastic waste fills the landfill."

Scorching

Meaning: Extremely hot

अर्थ: झुलसा देने वाला

"They worked in the scorching sun."

Curdle

Meaning: To turn sour or form lumps

अर्थ: फटना (दूध का)

"Milk curdles in hot weather."

Bulk

Meaning: Large quantity

अर्थ: थोक / भारी मात्रा

"They buy rice in bulk from the market."

Prominent

Meaning: Very important or well known

अर्थ: प्रमुख

"Sardar Patel was a prominent leader."

Initiative

Meaning: Action taken to solve a problem

अर्थ: पहल

"The government started a new health initiative."

Processing plant

Meaning: A factory where raw material is processed

अर्थ: प्रसंस्करण संयंत्र

"Milk is sent to the processing plant."

Awareness

Meaning: Knowledge or understanding of a subject

अर्थ: जागरूकता

"The campaign spread awareness about saving water."

Conservation

Meaning: Protection of natural resources

अर्थ: संरक्षण

"Forest conservation is very important."

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Ch 13: The Value of Work