NCERT Class 11 Economics — Chapter 7: Employment: Growth, Informalisation and Other Issues

mcqeasy

In the context of the Indian economy, which sector accounts for the largest share of the female workforce?

Official previous-year question

Verified 1 Aug 2026.

Options

ATertiary Sector
BConstruction Sector
CSecondary Sector
DPrimary Sector

Did you get this right?

Solution

Correct Option

The correct option is Primary Sector.

Explanation

The sectoral distribution of the workforce in India is characterized by a heavy dependence on the primary sector, particularly for female employment. Despite the structural transformation of the economy towards services, the labor market dynamics for women remain distinct, with a high concentration in agriculture and allied activities.

Detailed Analysis

Primary Sector (Agriculture and Allied Activities): This sector accounts for the largest share of the female workforce in India. According to recent Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) data, a significant majority (often exceeding 50-60%) of working women are engaged in the agricultural sector. This is largely driven by the rural nature of the female workforce, where options outside agriculture are limited, and participation is often in the form of unpaid family labour or casual labour.
Secondary Sector: While this sector (manufacturing, construction, electricity, gas, water supply) employs a portion of the female workforce, its share is significantly lower than that of the primary sector. The construction sector, specifically mentioned in Construction Sector, is a sub-component of the secondary sector and does not individually surpass agriculture.
Tertiary Sector (Services): The service sector is the largest contributor to India's GDP but does not employ the largest share of the female workforce compared to agriculture. While female participation in services (education, health, IT, domestic work) is increasing, it still lags behind the primary sector in terms of absolute numbers.

Key Takeaway: The Primary Sector (Agriculture) remains the largest employer of women in India, reflecting a trend of "feminization of agriculture" as men migrate to other sectors or urban areas for work.

Your note

More from Chapter 7: Employment: Growth, Informalisation and Other Issues

With reference to the definition of ‘workers’ in the Indian economy, consider the following statements: 1. Self-employed individuals are considered workers in the Indian economy. 2. A person temporarily abstaining from work due to illness is excluded from the worker category. 3. Those who help main workers in economic activities without receiving direct payment are included in the category of workers. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Consider the following statements regarding the ‘Worker-Population Ratio’ in India: 1. It is defined as the total population divided by the number of workers. 2. The worker-population ratio is generally higher in rural areas compared to urban areas. 3. A higher ratio indicates that a greater proportion of the population is actively contributing to the production of goods and services. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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With reference to the concepts of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and Gross National Product (GNP), consider the following statements: 1. GNP is calculated by deducting the value of exports from the GDP. 2. GDP is the total money value of all final goods and services produced in a country in a year. 3. The net earning from foreign transactions is always positive for a developing country like India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Consider the following statements regarding the participation of women in the workforce in India: 1. Women constitute the majority of the workforce in rural India. 2. The worker-population ratio for women is significantly higher in urban areas than in rural areas. 3. Many household activities performed by women are not recognised as productive work, leading to an underestimation of women workers. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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The term "Squatters" in the context of the informal sector refers to:

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Correct Option

The correct option is Primary Sector.

Explanation

Detailed Analysis

Primary Sector (Agriculture and Allied Activities): This sector accounts for the largest share of the female workforce in India. According to recent Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) data, a significant majority (often exceeding 50-60%) of working women are engaged in the agricultural sector. This is largely driven by the rural nature of the female workforce, where options outside agriculture are limited, and participation is often in the form of unpaid family labour or casual labour.
Secondary Sector: While this sector (manufacturing, construction, electricity, gas, water supply) employs a portion of the female workforce, its share is significantly lower than that of the primary sector. The construction sector, specifically mentioned in Construction Sector, is a sub-component of the secondary sector and does not individually surpass agriculture.
Tertiary Sector (Services): The service sector is the largest contributor to India's GDP but does not employ the largest share of the female workforce compared to agriculture. While female participation in services (education, health, IT, domestic work) is increasing, it still lags behind the primary sector in terms of absolute numbers.