What is meaning of Occupational Structure?
It means distribution of Occupations in a society on basis of Sector, skill level etc
Example
Suppose an economy has 50 lacs people, how many are working in agriculture,industry,service sector etc
What was Occupational Structure of India during British Rule?
During British Rule,Vast Majority of People were working in Agriculture Sector
Very less people in Manufacturing and Service Sector
| Sector Name | % of Workforce |
| Agriculture | 70%-75% |
| Manufacturing | 10% |
| Service | 15%-20% |
Regional Variation
In Some areas of India, there was decline in dependence for Agriculture and Increase in Manufacturing and Other Sectors
Example
Madras Presidency (Tamil Nadu, Kerela, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh)
Bombay
Bengal
However, in other areas dependence on Agriculture increased
Example
Orissa
Rajasthan
Punjab
NCERT Questions
Question 12
Highlight the salient features of India’s pre-independence occupational structure.
View answer
Occupational Structure means distribution of Occupations in a society on basis of Sector, skill level etc.
During British Rule:
1 Majority of People were employed in the Agriculture Sector
In Some areas of India, there was decline in dependence for Agriculture and Increase in Manufacturing and Other Sectors
Example
Madras Presidency (Tamil Nadu, Kerela, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh), Bombay, Bengal
However, in other areas dependence on Agriculture increased
Example
Orissa, Rajasthan and Punjab
2 Very less people were employed in Manufacturing and Service Sector
| Sector Name | % of Workforce |
| Agriculture | 70%-75% |
| Manufacturing | 10% |
| Service | 15%-20% |
MCQ Other Books
Question 1
In the following questions, select the correct answers:
___ was the main source of livelihood for most of the people during the colonial rule.
- Industries
- Agriculture
- Both A and B
- Neither A nor B
View answer
B. Agriculture
Explanation
| Sector Name | % of Workforce |
| Agriculture | 70%-75% |
| Manufacturing | 10% |
| Service | 15%-20% |
Here, we can see that Agriculture is the main source of livelihood for the people during colonial rule.
Question 2
Occupational Structure refers to
- Distribution of working force among the different occupations
- Nature of different occupations
- Size of working force in a country
- Number of people living in a country
View answer
A. Distribution of working force among the different occupations
Explanation
Occupational Structure means distribution of Occupations in a society on basis of Sector, skill level etc
Example
Suppose an economy has 50 lacs people, how many are working in agriculture,industry,service sector etc
Question 3
Match the items in column A to that of Column B and choose the correct option:
| Column A | Column B | |
| 1. Agricultural Sector’s share in workforce | (a) 10% | |
| 2. Workforce in manufacturing sector | (b) 16% | |
| 3. Population living in rural areas | (c) 75% | |
| 4. Literacy rate | (d) 72% | |
- 1 – (a)
- 2 – (b)
- 3 – (c)
- 4 – (d)
View answer
B. 2 – (b)
Explanation
India's occupational sector looked like this:
| Sector Name | % of Workforce |
| Agriculture | 70%-75% |
| Manufacturing | 10% |
| Service | 15%-20% |
We can see workforce in manufacturing sector is close to 16%