Which was the principal source and sector of occupation of the Indian economy on the eve of Independence?

Correct option is C

The correct answer is (c) Agriculture.
· On the eve of Independence, agriculture was the principal source of livelihood for the majority of the Indian population, employing about 70-75% of the workforce.
· Despite being the primary occupation, the sector was highly underdeveloped, characterized by low productivity, outdated technology, and exploitative systems like the Zamindari system.
· Industrial development was minimal, and the Indian economy was largely agrarian, contributing the largest share to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Information about other options:
· Education: While education played a crucial role in shaping post-independence India, it was not a significant sector of the economy during the colonial period.
· Industry: The industrial sector was small, with little indigenous development due to British policies that promoted British goods over Indian-made products.
· Services: The service sector, though present, was mainly limited to administration and trade, dominated by the British. It did not employ a large portion of the population compared to agriculture.
Information Booster:

• According to official data for 2024, the contribution of different sectors to India's GDP is approximately: Agriculture at 17.7%, Industry at 27.6%, and Services at 54.7%.