The correct answer is: b) Social progress.
Kerala has a high Human Development Index (HDI) because of its high levels of social progress. This is evident in the state’s low levels of poverty, high levels of education and literacy, and good health indicators. Kerala has also made significant progress in gender equality, with women having high levels of participation in the workforce and education.
The other options are incorrect because they do not fully explain Kerala’s high HDI. High economic growth is not a sufficient condition for high social progress, as evidenced by the fact that many countries with high economic growth rates have low levels of social development. Environmental sustainability is also important, but it is not the only factor that determines a country’s HDI. Large population is not a factor that is correlated with high HDI.
In conclusion, Kerala’s high HDI is attributed to its high levels of social progress. This is evident in the state’s low levels of poverty, high levels of education and literacy, and good health indicators. Kerala has also made significant progress in gender equality, with women having high levels of participation in the workforce and education.