RBSE SS Home Science key terms

The stage of life between childhood and adulthood, roughly ages 10 to 19, marked by rapid physical growth, hormonal change, emotional shifts and the search for identity.

The biological process in which reproductive organs mature and secondary sexual characteristics appear, triggered by hormones such as oestrogen and testosterone.

A short period of unusually fast increase in height and weight, typically occurring in early adolescence and starting earlier in girls than in boys.

Physical features that develop at puberty but are not directly involved in reproduction, such as voice change, body hair, breast development and widening of hips or shoulders.

The first menstrual period in a girl's life, usually occurring between ages 11 and 14 and signalling the start of reproductive capacity.

The adolescent process of exploring values, beliefs, roles and goals in order to develop a stable and coherent sense of self.

Influence exerted by friends and age-mates that pushes a young person to adopt their attitudes, dress or behaviour in order to be accepted.

A socially recognised and legally sanctioned union between partners that establishes rights, duties and kinship ties, and is usually expected to provide companionship and a setting for raising children.

A group of people related by blood, marriage or adoption who live together or maintain close ties and share resources, care and responsibilities.

A household made up of a married couple and their dependent children, without grandparents or other relatives living in the same home.

A household in which parents, their married children and grandchildren live together, sharing property, income and household duties under common authority.

The network of relationships created by blood, marriage or adoption that defines who is considered a relative and what obligations they owe one another.

Money, goods or property given by the bride's family to the groom or his family at marriage; giving or taking it is prohibited by law in India.

A marriage in which at least one party is below the legal minimum age, which is 18 years for girls and 21 years for boys in India.

A diet that supplies all nutrients in the amounts needed for health, including energy, protein, fat, vitamins, minerals, fibre and water, in suitable proportions.

A nutrient needed by the body in large amounts to supply energy or building material, namely carbohydrate, protein and fat.

A vitamin or mineral required by the body in very small quantities for functions such as growth, immunity and metabolism.

An illness caused by a shortage of one or more nutrients in the diet, such as anaemia from iron lack or night blindness from vitamin A lack.

Categories of foods grouped by the nutrients they mainly supply, such as cereals, pulses, milk products, fruits and vegetables, used to plan balanced meals.

The process of choosing and combining foods for daily meals so that nutritional needs are met within the family's budget, time and food availability.

The deliberate addition of inferior, harmful or unnecessary substances to food, or removal of valuable components, in order to increase profit or bulk.

Methods such as drying, refrigeration, canning, salting and pickling used to slow spoilage and keep food safe and nutritious for longer periods.

Deterioration of food in colour, smell, texture or taste caused by microorganisms, enzymes, oxygen or moisture, making it unfit to eat.

Practices that keep food clean and safe at every stage of handling, including hand washing, clean utensils, safe water and protection from insects and pests.

A prescribed limit or specification for the composition, purity, labelling or safety of a food product, enforced by a regulatory authority.

The planned use of available human and material resources such as time, money, energy and skills to achieve family goals effectively.

Planning and organising how much time is given to each activity so that important tasks are completed without waste or undue stress.

A written plan that estimates expected income and allocates it to planned expenditure over a set period, helping to control spending and save.

The legal protections available to buyers of goods and services, including the right to safety, information, choice, redress and consumer education.

Laws, agencies and redress mechanisms that safeguard buyers against unfair trade practices, defective goods and misleading advertisements.

A natural or manufactured thread-like substance from which yarn and fabric are made; common natural fibres include cotton, silk, wool and jute.

A continuous strand of twisted fibres or filaments used for knitting, weaving or sewing to produce fabric.

The process of interlacing two sets of yarn, the lengthwise warp and the crosswise weft, on a loom to form woven fabric.

A treatment applied to fabric after weaving or knitting to improve its appearance, handle or performance, for example mercerising, calendering or water repellency.

The growth of the baby in the womb from conception to birth, divided into the germinal, embryonic and foetal stages.

The first two years of life, a period of very rapid physical growth and of forming basic trust and attachment with caregivers.

The period from about two to six years, when children develop language, motor control, self-help skills and social play with others.

The exchange of information, ideas and feelings between people through spoken words, writing, gestures, pictures or other channels.

A form of non-formal education that takes useful knowledge and skills from institutions to rural and community members so they can improve their living conditions.

Any teaching material that appeals to the ear or eye, such as posters, flash cards, models, charts or radio programmes, used to make a message clear and memorable.

Daily habits such as bathing, oral care, clean clothing and hand washing that keep the body clean and help prevent infection.

Measures for the safe disposal of human waste, refuse and wastewater, and for safe drinking water, that protect the community from disease.

Immediate, simple and temporary care given to an injured or suddenly ill person before professional medical help arrives.

The practices of keeping the body and sanitary materials clean during menstruation, and of disposing of used absorbents safely and privately.

Assessed hands-on tasks such as food preparation, stitching or nursing procedures in which learners demonstrate skills, accuracy and safety.

A planned assignment in which a learner investigates a real problem, records observations and presents findings and solutions in a written report.