PM SHRI KENDRIYA VIDYALAYA KOLIWADA, MUMBAI

WINTER BREAK REMEDIAL CLASSES TEACHING MATERIAL FOR LOW ACHIEVERS

CLASS:10TH SUBJECT: SOCIAL SCIENCE DATE: 29/12/23 TO 01/01/2024 TIME: 08:00-12:00

1. The Rise of Na onalism in Europe

Q.1Explain the measures and prac ces introduced by the French revolu onaries to create a sense
of collec ve iden ty amongst the French people.

Ans.

1.The ideas of La Patrie (the fatherland) and Le Citoyen (the ci zen) emphasized the no on of a
united community enjoying equal rights under a cons tu on.

2.A new French flag, the tricolour, was chosen to replace the former Royal Standard.

3.The Estates General was elected by the body of ac ve ci zens and renamed the Na onal Assembly.

4.New hymns were composed, oaths taken and martyrs commemorated all in the name of the
na on.

5.A centralized administra ve system was introduced and it formulated uniform laws for all ci zens.

6.Internal customs du es and dues were abolished and a uniform system of weights and measures
was adopted.

7.Regional dialects were discouraged and French became the common language of the na on.

Q.2 How would you evaluate Napoleon as an administrator who created a more ra onal and
efficient system? Elucidate with suitable examples.

Ans. The impact of Napoleonic reforms on the rest of Europe was:

1.Through a return to monarchy, Napoleon destroyed democracy in France.

2.The administra ve field was made ra onal and efficient.

3.The Civil Code of 1804 (Napoleonic Code) did away with all the privileges based on birth,
established equality before the law, and secured the right to property.

4.In the Dutch Republic, Switzerland, Italy, and Germany, Napoleon simplified the administra ve
divisions, abolished the feudal system, and freed the peasants from serfdom and manorial dues.

5.In the towns, guild restric ons were removed.

6.Transport and communica on systems were improved.

Q.3What was the main aim of the Treaty of Vienna 1815? What were the main provisions of the
Treaty of Vienna held in 1815?

Ans.

1.The Bourbon dynasty which was destroyed during the French Revolu on was restored to power.

2.France lost the territories it had annexed under Napoleon.

3.A series of states were set up on the boundaries of France to prevent French expansion in the
future.

4.Prussia was given new territories on its western fron ers, and Austria was given control of
northern Italy.

5.The German confedera on of 39 states set up by Napoleon was le untouched.

6.Russia was given part of Poland and Prussia was given part of Saxony.

7.The monarchy was restored and a new conserva ve order was created in Europe.

Q.4 “Like Germany, Italy too had a long history of poli cal fragmenta on.” Explain.

Ans.

1.Italians were sca ered over several dynas c states.

2.Sardinia-Piedmont was ruled by an Italian princely house.

3.Italy was unified in 1861 and Victor Emmanuel II was proclaimed King of United Italy.

4.Giuseppe Mazzini had sought to put together a program for a unitary Italian Republic.

5.The unifica on of Italy was a result of many wars. Through a tac ul diploma c alliance with France
by Chief Minister Cavour.

6.Garibaldi joined the fray.

Q.5 ‘In Britain, the forma on of the na on-state was not the result of a sudden upheaval on
Revolu on.’ Elaborate on this statement.

Ans.

1.In Britain, the forma on of a na on-state was a result of a long-drawn-out process.

2.There was no Bri sh na on prior to the 18th century.

3.The primary iden es of the people who inhabited the Bri sh Isles were ethnic ones such as
English, Welsh, Scot, or Irish.

4.Later the English Parliament, which had seized power from the monarchy in 1688 at the end of a
protracted conflict, was the instrument through which a na on-state with England at its centre came
to be forged.

5.The Act of Union (1707) between England and Scotland that resulted in the forma on of the
‘United Kingdom of Great Britain’ meant, in effect, that England was able to impose its influence on
Scotland.

Q.6 Briefly trace the geographical and ethnic varia ons of the Balkans region. Why did this region
become poli cally very explosive?

Ans.

1.2The Balkan was a region of geographical and ethnic varia ons comprising modern-day Romania,
Bulgaria, Albania, Greece, Macedonia, Croa a, Bosnia-Herzegovina Slovenia, Serbia, and
Montenegro. The inhabitants were called Slavs.
2.A large part of the Balkans was under the control of the O oman Empire while some other parts
were under the control of Russia and Austria causing a complex problem.

3.The spread of ideas of Roman c na onalism in the Balkans together with the disintegra on of the
O oman Empire made the region very explosive.

4.Different Slavic na onalists struggled to define their iden es.

5.The Balkan region became a region of intense conflict over the expansion of territory.

6.At the same me, the great European Powers – Russia, Germany, England, and Austro-Hungary
were keen on taking the control of the Balkan region, since it was important from the trade point of
view.

7.This led to a series of wars in the region and finally became the cause of the First World War.

Q.7 Highlight the role of O o Von Bismarck in the making of Germany.

Ans. The Role of O o Von Bismarck in the Making of Germany:

1.Prussia took on the leadership of the movement for na onal unifica on.

2.Its chief minister, O o Von Bismarck, was the architect of this process carried out with the help of
the Prussian army and bureaucracy.

3.4Three wars over seven years – with Austria, Denmark, and France – ended in Prussian victory and
completed the process of unifica on.

4.In January 1871, the Prussian king, William I, was proclaimed German Emperor in a ceremony held
at Versailles.

5.On January 1871, an assembly comprising the princes of the German states, representa ves of the
army, and important Prussian ministers including the chief minister O o von Bismarck gathered in
the Hall of Mirrors in the Palace of Versailles to proclaim the new German Empire headed by Kaiser
William I of Prussia.

2. Na onalism in India

Q.1 How did the First World War help in the growth of the na onalist movement in India?

Ans.

1.The war created a new economic and poli cal situa on.

2.3It led to an increase in defence expenditure which was financed by war loans and increasing taxes
(customs du es were raised and income tax introduced).

3.The war led to a price rise and hardship for common people.

4.War led to the forced recruitment of people.

5.Acute shortage of food led to famine and misery.

6.This was accompanied by an influenza epidemic. Millions of people perished as a result of famines
and epidemics.

7.Indians began to realize that they were drawn into the war unnecessarily. This feeling united
Indians against the Bri sh.
Q.2 Why did Gandhiji start Non-Coopera on Movement? Explain.

Ans. Non-Coopera on Movement was started in India because of the following reasons:

1.Atroci es on Indians a er the First World War.

2.Refusal of demand of Swaraj.

3.The passing of the Rowla Act.

4.5Jallianwala Bagh Massacre

5.Khilafat Andolan

6.Congress passed a resolu on on Non-Coopera on Movement with a thumping majority.

Q.3 Describe the famous incidence of Jallianwalla Bagh.

Ans. Jallianwalla Bagh incident:

1.On 13 April, the Jallianwalla Bagh incident took place.

2.On that day a crowd of villagers who had come to Amritsar to a end a fair gathered in the
enclosed ground of Jallianwalla Bagh.

3.Being from outside the city, they were unaware of the mar al law that had been imposed.

4.Dyer entered the area, blocked the exit points, and opened fire on the crowd, killing hundreds.

5.His object, as he declared later, was to ‘produce a moral effect’, to create in the minds of
satyagrahis a feeling of terror and awe.

Q.4 The middle classes played an important role in the Non-Coopera on Movement in the ci es.
Explain.

Ans.

1.The movement started with middle-class par cipa on in the ci es.

2.Thousands of students le government-controlled schools and colleges

3.Headmasters and teachers resigned.

4.Lawyers gave up their legal prac ces.

5.The council elec ons were boyco ed in most provinces except Madras.

6.Foreign goods were boyco ed, liquor shops picketed, and foreign cloth burnt in huge bonfires.

7.Merchants and traders refused to trade in foreign goods.

8.Produc on of Indian tex le mills and handlooms went up.

Q.5 Explain the meaning and no on of swaraj as perceived by the planta on workers. How did
they respond to the call of the Non-Coopera on movement?

Ans. 1.Meaning of Swaraj for Planta on workers: For planta on workers in Assam, Swaraj meant the
right to move freely in and out of the confined space in which they were enclosed, and it meant
retaining a link with the village from which they had come.
2.Under the Inland Emigra on Act of 1859, planta on workers were not permi ed to leave the tea
gardens without permission, and in fact, they were rarely given such permission.

3.When they heard of the Non-Coopera on movement, thousands of workers defied the authori es,
le the planta ons, and headed home.

4.They believed that Gandhi Raj was coming, and everyone would be given land in their own villages.

5.They, however, never reached their des na on. Stranded on the way by a railway and steamer
strike, they were caught by the police and brutally beaten up.

Q.6 The Civil Disobedience Movement saw the par cipa on of different social classes and groups.
Give reasons for the par cipa on of the following:

Rich peasants

Poor peasants

Business classes

Industrial working classes

Women

Ans. The reasons for the par cipa on of various social classes and groups in the Civil Disobedience
Movement are as follows:

Rich peasants:

1.Rich peasant communi es like the Pa dars of Gujarat & the Jats of U ar Pradesh joined the
movement

2.because being producers of commercial crops they were hard hit by the trade depression and
falling prices.

3.The refusal of the government to reduce the revenue demand made them fight against high
revenues.

Poor peasants:

1.Joined the movement because they found it difficult to pay rent.

2. They wanted the unpaid rent to the landlord to be remi ed.

Business class:

1.They reacted against colonial policies that restricted ac vi es

2.They were keen on expanding their business and for this,

3.They wanted protec on against imports of foreign goods.

4.They thought that Swaraj would cancel colonial restric ons and that trade would flourish without
restric ons.

5.They also wanted protec on against the rupee-sterling foreign exchange ra o.

6.They formed the Indian Industrial and Commercial Congress in 1920

7The Federa on of the Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FICCI) in 1927.

Industrial working class:

1.They did not par cipate in large numbers except in the Nagpur region.

2.Some workers did par cipate, selec vely adop ng some of the Gandhian programs, like boyco s
of foreign goods, as a part of their own movements against low wages and poor working condi ons.

Women:

1.There was large-scale par cipa on of women in the movement.

2.They par cipated in protest marches.

3. manufactured salt, and picketed foreign cloth and liquor shops.

4. Many went to jail.

Q.7 “The sense of collec ve belonging came partly through the experience of united struggles, the
role of folklore, songs, icons, & images.” Analyze the statement.

Or,

How did people belonging to different communi es, regions, or language groups develop a sense
of collec ve belonging in 19th-century India? Explain.

Ans.

1.The iden ty of the na on is most o en symbolized by the image of Bharat Mata.

2.Bankim Chandra Cha opadhyay wrote ‘Vande Mataram’ as a hymn to the motherland.

3.Moved by the Swadeshi movement, Abanindranath Tagore painted Bharat Mata and portrayed it as
an asce c figure. She is shown as calm, composed, divine, and spiritual.

4.Ideas of na onalism also developed through a movement to revive Indian folklore.

5.Icons and symbols in unifying people and inspire in them a feeling of na onalism.

6.During the Swadeshi movement in Bengal, a tricolor flag (red, green, and yellow) was designed.

7.Reinterpreta on of history to ins ll a sense of pride in the na on.

3. The Making of Global World

Q.1 “The silk routes are a good example of pre-modern trade and cultural links between distant
parts of the world.” Explain with examples.

Ans. The silk routes are a good example of vibrant pre-modern trade and cultural links between
distant parts of the world:

1.Historians have iden fied several silk routes over land and by sea connec ng vast regions of Asia
with Europe and northern Africa.

2.The name ‘silk routes’ points out the importance of West-bound Chinese silk cargoes along this
route.
3.Chinese po ery also travelled the same route, as did tex les and spices from India and Southeast
Asia.

4.In return, precious metals (gold and silver) flowed from Europe to Asia.

5.Early Chris an missionaries and Muslim preachers travelled this route to Asia. Much before all this,
Buddhism from Eastern India spread in several direc ons through intersec ng points on the silk
routes.

Q.2 Illustrate with examples that food offers many opportuni es for long-distance cultural
exchange.

1.It is believed that Arab traders took pasta to fi h-century Sicily, an island now in Italy.

2.It is believed that noodles travelled west from China to become spaghe .

3. potatoes, soya, groundnuts, maize, tomatoes, chilies, sweet potatoes introduced in Europe and
Asia a er Christopher Columbus accidentally discovered the vast con nent that would later become
known as the Americas.

Q.3 “The most powerful weapon of the Spanish conqueror was not a conven onal military
weapon at all”. Jus fy the above statement by giving two reasons.

Ans. The Spanish conqueror’s most powerful weapon was not a conven onal military weapon
because

1.they used germs like smallpox which spread deep into the con nent before any European could
reach there.

2.America's original inhabitants had no immunity against these diseases that came from Europe. This
disease erased the whole community, leading to conquest. This biological warfare in the mid-
sixteenth century made it easy for the Spanish to overpower the Americans.

Q.4 Why did Europeans flee to America in the 19th century? Explain.

Or,

Why did merchants move to the countryside of Europe during the seventeenth and eighteenth
centuries? Explain.

Ans. European flee to America in the 19th century:

1.Poverty and hunger were common in Europe.

2.Ci es were crowded and deadly diseases were widespread.

3.Religious conflicts were common and religious dissenters were persecuted.

4.Therefore, thousands fled Europe for America where planta ons were worked by slaves captured in
Africa for growing co on and sugar for European markets.

4 Print Culture and The Modern World

Q.1 “The produc on of handwri en manuscripts could not sa sfy the ever-increasing demand for
books.” Give reasons to support this statement.
Or,

Explain any three factors responsible for the inven on of new prin ng techniques.

Ans. Factors responsible for the inven on of new prin ng techniques:

1.Copying was an expensive

2. laborious, and me-consuming business.

3.The manuscripts were highly expensive

4.fragile, and needed careful handling.

5.The handwri en manuscripts produc on was not sufficient to meet the demand.

6.They could not be read easily as the script was wri en in different styles.

7.So manuscripts were not used widely in daily life.

Q.2 “The print culture created the condi ons within which the French Revolu on occurred.”
Support the statement by giving necessary arguments.

Ans. The print culture created the condi ons within which the French Revolu on occurred:

1.Print popularized the ideas of enlightened thinkers like Voltaire and Rousseau.

2.They a acked the sacred authority of the Church and the despo c power of the state.

3.They wanted the rule of reason, ques oning, and ra onality.

4.Print created a new culture of dialogue and debate.

5.This resulted in the re-evalua on of the values, norms, and ins tu ons. Within this public culture,
new ideas of social revolu on came into being.

6.By the 1780s there was an outpouring of literature that mocked the royalty and cri cized their
morality.

7.Cartoons and caricatures typically suggested that the monarchy remained only in sensual pleasures
while the common people suffered immense hardships.

Q.3 Provide evidence to support the claim that print culture had a significant impact on the social
lives of women in India.

Ans. Print culture and its impact on women:

1.The rise of print culture in India during the 19th century played a crucial role in awakening the
social life of women. The prin ng press allowed women to access informa on, knowledge, and ideas
that were previously inaccessible to them.

2.Rashundari Devi, a young married girl in a very orthodox household, learned to read in the secrecy
of her kitchen. Later she wrote her autobiography Amar Jiban which was published in 1876. It was
the first full-length autobiography in Bengali.

3.Many other women writers, like Kailashbhashini Debi, highlighted experiences of women like their
imprisonment at home, ignorance, and unjust treatment in their wri ngs.
4.Tarabai Shinde and Pandita Ramabai narrated the plight of upper-caste Hindu women, especially
widows.

5.Tamil writers expressed the poor status of women.

6.By the early 20th century, journals wri en by women became popular, which highlighted issues like
women's educa on, widowhood, and widow remarriage. Some of them highlighted fashion lessons
to women and entertainment through short stories and serialized novels.

Q.4 Explain the effects of print culture in the religious sphere in early modern Europe.

1.Mar n Luther was a religious reformer. He wrote Ninety-Five Theses in 1517 cri cizing the
prac ces and rituals of the Roman Catholic Church.

2.Menocchio, a miller in Italy, interpreted the message of the Bible and formulated a view of God
and Crea on that enraged the Roman Catholic Church.

3.The Roman Catholic Church started iden fying such ideas, beliefs, and persons who wrote against
the Church and thus Menocchio was hauled up twice and finally executed.

4.Several restric ons were put over the publishers and the booksellers by the church and also the
church began to maintain an Index of Prohibited Books from 1558.

1. DEVELOPMENT (ECONOMICS)

Q.1 Why do different people have different no ons of development? Explain.

Ans.

1. It is because the life situa ons of people are different.

2. People see things that are most important for them or that can fulfill their aspira ons or
desires.
3. For example, the development goal of a boy from a rich urban family would be to get
admission to a reputed college whereas the development goal of a girl from a rich urban
family would be to get as much freedom as her brother.

Q.2 “Conflic ng goals can be development goals.” Elaborate with examples.

Ans.

1. At mes two people or groups of people may seek things that are conflic ng.
2. A girl expects as much freedom and opportunity as her brother and he also shares in the
household work.
3. Her brother may not like this.
4. Similarly, to get more electricity, industrialists may want more dams but this may submerge
the land and disturb the lives of people who are displaced, such as tribals.

Q.3 Explain how the development goals and aspira ons of landless rural labourers, prosperous
farmers, and poor farmers who depend only on rain are different.

Ans.
Landless rural labourers:

1.They would like to have more days of work and be er wages.

2.local schools to provide quality educa on to their children.

3.there should not be any social discrimina on so that they too can become leaders in the village.

Prosperous farmers:

1.They should have an assurance of high family income .

2higher support prices for their crops through hardworking .

3.cheap labour.

Farmers who depend only on rain:

1.This kind of farmer’s main goal is to have irriga onal facili es.

2. crop insurance at less premium.

3. and water facili es of life for them as well as their children.

Q.4 Give examples to prove that there are other important development goals than income.

Ans. Besides income, the development goals of various categories of people are different from
person to person. Some examples of developmental goals other than income are:

For rich farmers:

High support price for crops, cheap labour, and subsidized inputs.

For landless rural labourers:

More days of work, schools for their children, and no social discrimina on.

For Adivasi:

No social discrimina on, year-round employment, school educa on for children, and PDS shop in his
village.

For urban youth:

Opportunity for higher educa on, availability of an office job, and a self-owned house.

For an urban girl from a rich family:

Freedom to decide her profession and be able to pursue her higher studies abroad.

Q.5 How is the issue of sustainability important for development? Explain with three examples.

Ans: Development, at present, without harming the environment and also keeping it safe for future
genera ons is termed sustainable development.

1.Groundwater, which is a renewable resource, is ge ng depleted because of its overuse. People are
facing the problem of a water crisis due to its indiscriminate use.
2.The development that emerged from the fast industrializa on leads to the cu ng of forests and its
result is a polluted- environment for the present as well as for future genera ons.

3.Crude oil which is a non-renewable resource with limited stock is deple ng gradually. So we need
to use it wisely.

2 SECTOR OF INDIAN ECONOMY

Q.1 “Ter ary sector is playing a significant role in the development of the Indian Economy’. Jus fy
the statement.

Ans.

1.Basic services: Services such as hospitals, educa onal ins tu ons, post and telegraph services,
transport, banks, and insurance companies are in this group.

2.Development of primary and secondary sectors: The development of agriculture and industry
leads to the development of services such as transport, trade, and storage.

3.Rise in income levels: As income levels rise, certain sec ons of people start demanding many more
services like ea ng out, tourism, shopping, private hospitals, private schools, and professional
training centres.

4.Rise in informa on technology: Over the past decade or so, certain new services, such as those
based on informa on and communica on technology have become important and essen al.

5.Globaliza on: Due to globaliza on, people have become aware of new services and ac vi es,
because of which the ter ary sector has gained importance.

Q.2 How can more job opportuni es be created in rural areas?

Ans. Employment can be generated in rural areas by:

1.People can be employed in projects like the construc on of dams/canals/roads in the village.

2.Provide irriga on facili es so that farmers harvest two or three crops in a year. Thus, more people
can be employed.

3.Government can open centres to give them training and financial assistance to help them become
self-employed.

4.Government can invest and employ people in providing transporta on and storage services.

5.Honey collec on centres and vegetable and fruit processing units should be set up.

5.More co age industries and services should be promoted in rural areas with so loans and
marke ng support.

Q.3 In what ways can employment be increased in urban areas?

Ans. There are a number of ways to increase urban employment in India, including:

1.Encouraging foreign investment: A rac ng foreign investment can create jobs in a variety of
industries, including manufacturing, technology, and services.

2.Developing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs): SMEs are a major source of employment
in urban areas, and policies that support their growth and development can help to create jobs.
3.Providing voca onal training: Voca onal training can help to match workers with the skills that are
in demand in the urban labour market.

4.Promo ng the growth of the service sector: The service sector, including tourism, retail, and
healthcare, is a major source of urban employment in India. Policies that encourage the growth of
this sector can help to create jobs.

5.Focusing on Infrastructure development: Infrastructure development can create jobs in the short
term, as well as make it easier for businesses to operate and for people to move around in the long
term.

6.Encouraging entrepreneurship: Encouraging entrepreneurship can help to create new businesses

and jobs, par cularly in the informal sector.

7.Improving access to credit: Improving access to credit can help entrepreneurs and small
businesses grow, which can create jobs.

Q.4 Explain MGNREGA 2005.

Ans.

1.The central government in India made a law implemen ng the Right to Work in about 625 districts
of India. It is called Mahatma Gandhi Na onal Rural Employment Guarantee Act 2005 (MGNREGA
2005).

2.Under MGNREGA 2005, all those who are able to, and are in need of work in rural areas are
guaranteed 100 days of employment in a year by the government.

3.If the government fails in its duty to provide employment, it will give unemployment allowances to
the people.

4.The types of work that would in the future help to increase the produc on from land will be given
preference under the Act.

Q.5 Compare the employment condi ons prevailing in the organized and unorganized sectors.

Organized Sector

i. These units are registered with the government.

ii. These are big units.

iii. They follow the labour laws given by the government.

iv. There are some formal processes and procedures in this sector.

v. There is a security of employment.

vi. There are fixed working hours and workers are paid for over me.

vii. There are some other benefits like paid holidays, medical facili es, a safe working environment, a
provident fund, etc.

Unorganized Sector

i. These units are not registered with the government.

ii. These are small and sca ered units.
 iii. They do not follow the labour
iv. There are no formal processes and procedures in this sector.
v. There is no security of employment.
vi. There are no fixed working hours and workers are not paid for over me.
vii. There are no benefits like paid holidays, medical facili es, a safe working environment,
provident fund, etc.

Q.6 Dis nguish between the Public and Private Sectors.

Public Sector

i. The sector of a na on's economy which is under the control of the government is known as the
public sector.

ii. Government owns most of the assets and provides all the services.

iii. The main mo ve is to provide benefits to the people.

iv. Government can raise money through taxes.

v. For example - police, army, health, Indian railways, etc.

Private Sector

i. The sector of a na on's economy which is owned and controlled by private individuals or
companies is known as the private sector.

ii. Ownership of assets and delivery of services is in the hands of private individuals or companies.

iii. The main mo ve is to earn profit.

iv. To get services we have to pay money to individuals or companies.

v. For example - Reliance company limited, TISCO, etc.

3.MONEY AND CREDIT

Q.1 What is money? How does money eliminate the need for a double coincidence of wants?

Why is money called a medium of exchange?

Ans. 1. Money is a medium of exchange that is widely accepted in transac ons for goods and
services.

2.It can take many forms, such as currency, coins, bank deposits, and digital currency.

3.Money acts as an intermediate in the exchange process and thus eliminates the need for a double
coincidence of wants.

4. Money acts as an intermediate in the exchange process.

Q.2 Explain the significance of The Reserve Bank of India in the Indian economy.

Ans. Significance of RBI in the Indian economy:

1.In India, the Reserve Bank of India issues currency notes on behalf of the Central Government.

2.It supervises the func oning of formal sources of loans.

3.The banks maintain a minimum cash balance out of the deposits they receive.

4.The RBI monitors that the banks actually maintain the cash balance.

5.The RBI sees that the banks give loans not just to profit-making businesses and traders but also to
small cul vators, small-scale industries, small borrowers, etc.

6.Periodically, banks have to submit informa on to the RBI on how much they are lending, to whom,
at what interest rate, etc.

Q.3 Compare and Contrast the condi ons for taking loans from formal and informal sources.
Suggest an alterna ve source that you think is best for the rural poor.

Ans.

Formal Sources of Credit

i. Credit is provided by banks and coopera ves.

ii. Rate of interest is low.

iii. No unfair means adopted to take back the money if no re-payment is done.

iv. Supervised by RBI.

v. Have to adhere to terms of credit i.e., collateral, rate of interest, mode of payment, and documents

Informal Sources of Credit

i. Credit is provided by moneylenders, friends, rela ves, etc.

ii. Rate of interest is high.
iii. Unfair measures are adopted.
iv. Not supervised
v. Other condi ons like cul va ng land during harvest me, etc.

Self-help groups are an alterna ve source.

Q.4 Why do most rural households s ll remain dependent on informal sources of credit?

Or

Describe circumstances that drive individuals to seek loans from informal sources of credit.

Ans. Most rural households are s ll dependent on informal sources of credit because:

1.Limited availability of Banks in rural areas.

2.People in rural areas face problems with regard to documenta on.

3.The absence of collateral is one of the major reasons which prevents the poor from ge ng bank
loans.

4.Rural people get easy loans from richer households through informal ways.

5.Poor people can approach the moneylenders even without repaying their earlier loans.

Q.5 Why do we need to expand formal sources of credit in India? Explain.

Or,
Why are formal sources of credit preferred over informal sources of credit? Give three reasons.

Or,

Why is it necessary that banks and co-opera ves increase their lending in rural areas? Explain.

Ans. Formal sources of credit need to be expanded in India because:

1.To save people from the exploita on of the informal sector

2.To save and reduce the dependence on informal sources of credit

3.Formal sources charge a low rate of interest on loans.

4.Higher Income through cheap borrowing

5.To save from debt trap and exploita on.

6.It provides cheap and affordable credit. Cheap and affordable credit is crucial for the country’s
development

7.RBI also supervises the formal sector credit through various rules and regula ons which ensures
that banks give loans to small cul vators, small borrowers, etc., and not just to profit-making
businesses and traders.

8.It is important that formal credit is distributed more equally so that the poor can benefit from
cheaper loans.

Q.6 Explain the role of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in rural society.

Ans. The role of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in rural society are:

1.Members of SHGs can take small loans from the group itself to meet their needs.

2.The group charges less rate of interest on these loans.

3.A er a year or two, it becomes eligible for availing loan from the bank.

4.The group is responsible for the repayment of the loan.

5.Any case of non-repayment of a loan by any one member is followed up seriously by other
members of the group.

6.The SHGs help borrowers overcome the problem of lack of collateral.

7.They can get mely loans for a variety of purposes and at a reasonable interest rate.

8.SHGs help women to become financially self-reliant.

9.The regular mee ngs of the group provide a pla orm to discuss and act on a variety of social issues
such as health, nutri on, domes c violence, etc.

4 GLOBALISATION AND INDIAN ECONOMY

Q.1 What is globaliza on? Describe the role of Mul na onal Corpora ons (MNCs) in promo ng
the globaliza on process.

Ans. Globaliza on is the process of rapid integra on or interconnec on between countries.Role of

MNCs in promo ng globaliza on:
1.Goods and services are bought and sold at a global level.

2.Investments, technology, and people are moving between countries.

3.MNCs by foreign trade integrated the markets in the world.

Q.2 Describe the role of technology in promo ng the globaliza on process.

Or,

Examine the role of informa on technology in s mula ng the process of globaliza on.

Or,

‘Rapid improvement in technology has s mulated the globaliza on process.’ Jus fy through
examples.

Ans. Rapid improvement in technology has s mulated the globaliza on process.

1.Improvements in transporta on technology have made much faster delivery of goods across long
distances possible at lower costs.

2.Even more remarkable have been the developments in informa on and communica on
technology.

Role of Informa on Technology in s mula ng the process of globaliza on

1.Telecommunica on facili es (telegraph, telephone including mobile phones, fax) are used to
contact and access informa on.

2.Helps to communicate from remote areas.

3.This has been facilitated by satellite communica on devices.

4.Computers have now entered almost every field of ac vity.

5.One can obtain and share informa on through the internet.

6.Electronic mail (e-mail) and talk (voice-mail) across the world at negligible costs.

7.Has played a major role in spreading out the produc on of services across countries.

Q.3 What is a trade barrier? Why did the Indian government put up trade barriers a er
independence? Explain.

Ans. Restric ons set by the government to increase or decrease (regulate) foreign trade is called
trade barriers. For example tax on imports, quotas (the government places a limit on the number of
goods that can be imported), etc.

1.Reasons for pu ng trade barriers a er independence:

2.Governments use trade barriers to regulate foreign trade.

3.Trade barriers were used to protect domes c industries from foreign compe on.

4.The compe on from foreign compe tors could have crippled the newborn industries in India.
Q.4 Define the term ‘liberaliza on’. Explain the reasons for the Indian Government beginning the
policy of liberaliza on in 1991.

Ans. Removing barriers or restric ons set by the government is known as liberaliza on.

1.The Indian government wanted domes c producers to face global compe on.

2.Comple on would improve the quality of the goods.

3.Interna onal organiza ons supported this.

4.Chance to becoming MNCs for Indian companies.

1.RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT (GEOGRAPHY)

Q.1 Write any three human ac vi es which are responsible for land degrada on in India.

Ans. Three human ac vi es responsible for land degrada on in India are:

1.Mining: Expansion of mining and quarrying have contributed significantly to land degrada on. In
Jharkhand, Chha sgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Orissa deforesta on due to mining have caused
severe land degrada on.

2.Over-grazing: In states like Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra overgrazing is
one of the main reasons for land degrada on

3.Over-irriga on: In the states of Punjab, Haryana, and western U ar Pradesh, over-irriga on is
responsible for land degrada on due to water logging leading to an increase in salinity and alkalinity
in the soil.

4.Mineral processing like the grinding of limestone for the cement industry and calcite and
soapstone for the ceramic industry generates huge quan es of dust in the atmosphere. It retards
the process of infiltra on of water into the soil a er it se les down on the land.

Q.2 Suggest and explain ways to protect the land from degrada on in various states of India.

Or,

Describe any three measures of controlling land degrada on.

Ans. Measures to control land degrada on:

1.Afforesta on and proper management of grazing should be done.

2.Plan ng of shelter belts of plants and control over grazing should be done.

3.Stabiliza on of sand dunes by growing thorny bushes.

4.Control of mining ac vi es and proper management of waste lands should be done.

5.Proper discharge and disposal of industrial effluents and wastes a er treatment.

Q.3 Dis nguish between Khadar and Bangar soil.

Ans. According to age, alluvial soils can be classified as old alluvial (Bangar) and new alluvial (Khadar).

Khadar

i. It is a new alluvial soil.

ii. Lower concentra on of kankar nodules.

iii. It has more fine par cles.

iv. It is more fer le.

Bangar

i. It is an old alluvial soil.

ii. Higher concentra on of kankar nodules.
iii. It has less fine par cles.
iv. It is less fer le.

Q.4 Define soil erosion. Explain the two types of soil erosion mostly observed in India. What are
the causes of soil erosion in India?

Ans. Soil erosion is the displacement of the upper layer of soil, caused by various agents such as
water, wind, and human ac vi es. This can lead to loss of fer le land, reduced crop yields, and
increased risk of landslides and flooding.

Types of soil erosion:

1.Gullies: The running water cuts through the clayey soil and makes deep channels/gullies. The unfit
land caused by gullies is called bad land or ravines.

2.Sheet erosion: Water flows as a sheet over large areas down a slope. The topsoil is washed away.
This process is known as sheet erosion.

Causes of soil erosion:

1.Human ac vi es like deforesta on, over-grazing, construc on, mining, etc. are responsible for soil
erosion.

2.Natural forces like wind, glaciers, and water also lead to soil erosion. Running water cuts through
the clayey soil and makes deep channels known as gullies, which makes the land unfit for cul va on.
The wind blows loose soil off flat or sloping land known as wind erosion.

3.Soil erosion is also caused due to defec ve methods of farming. Ploughing in the wrong way i.e., up
and down the slope forms channels for the quick flow of water leading to soil erosion.

Q.5 What are the factors that have contributed to the development of various types of soils in
India? Suggest any three methods through which soil erosion can be prevented.

Or,

Suggest any three methods of soil conserva on suitable to Indian condi ons.

Or,

What steps can be taken to control soil erosion in hilly areas?

Ans. India has varied relief features, landforms, clima c reals, and vegeta on types which have
contributed to the development of various types of soils.

Measures to prevent soil erosion:

1.Contour ploughing: Ploughing along the contour lines can decrease the speed of water flow down
the slopes and soil erosion can be prevented.

2.Terrace cul va on: Step or terrace cul va on on slopes restricts erosion. Western and Central
Himalayas have well-developed terrace farming.

3.Strip cropping: Large fields can be divided into strips and strips of grass are le to grow between
the crops. This breaks up the force of the wind and prevents soil erosion.

4.Shelter belts: Rows of trees called shelter belts have led to the stabiliza on of sand dunes in the
desert in western India.

2 FOREST AND WILDLIFE RESOURCES

Q.1 Classify the types of forests found in India and explain them.

Ans. Types of forests found in India:

1.Reserved forests: More than half of the total forest land has been declared reserved forests.
Reserved forests are regarded as the most valuable as far as the conserva on of forest and wildlife
resources is concerned.

2.Protected forests: Almost 1/3rd of the total forest area is protected forest, as declared by the
Forest Department. This forest land is protected from any further deple on.

3.Unclassed forests: These are other forests and wastelands belonging to both government and
private individuals and communi es.

* Reserved and protected forests are also referred to as permanent forests.

Q.2 Describe the role of the community in forest and wildlife conserva on.

Ans. Role of the community in forest and wildlife conserva on:

1.In some areas of India, local communi es are struggling to conserve forests (their habitat) along
with government officials.

2.In Sariska Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan, villagers have fought against mining by ci ng the Wildlife
Protec on Act.

3.The inhabitants of five villages in the Alwar district of Rajasthan have declared 1,200 hectares of
forest as the Bhairodev Dakav ‘Sonchuri’, declaring their own set of rules and regula ons which do
not allow hun ng and protec ng the wildlife against any outside encroachments.

4.The famous Chipko movement in the Himalayas successfully resisted deforesta on and showed
that community afforesta on with indigenous species can be enormously successful.

5.Farmers and ci zen groups like the Beej Bachao Andolan in Tehri and Navdanya have shown that
diversified crop produc on without the use of synthe c chemicals is possible and economically
viable.

6.Joint Forest Management is a program that involves local communi es in the management and
restora on of degraded forests.

3 WATER RESOURCES
Q.1 Mul purpose projects and large dams have come under great scru ny and opposi on. Explain
with reason.

Ans. Mul purpose projects and large dams have come under great scru ny and opposi on because:

1.Regula ng and damming rivers affect their natural flow causing poor sediment flow and excessive
sedimenta on at the bo om of the reservoir, resul ng in rockier stream beds and poorer habitats for
the rivers’ aqua c life.

2.Dams also fragment rivers making it difficult for aqua c fauna to migrate, especially for spawning.

3.The dams have triggered floods due to sedimenta on in the reservoir and the release of excess
water during heavy rains.

4.Mul purpose projects induced earthquakes, caused water-borne diseases, and pests, and lead to
pollu on resul ng from excessive use of water.

Q.2 Intensive industrializa on and urbaniza on exerted pressure on exis ng freshwater resources.
Jus fy the statement with suitable examples.

Ans. Intensive industrializa on and urbaniza on have exerted pressure on exis ng freshwater
resources:

1.Post-independent India witnessed intensive industrializa on and urbaniza on.

2.The ever-increasing number of industries has made ma ers worse by exer ng pressure on exis ng
freshwater resources.

3.Industries, apart from being heavy users of water, also require power to run them.

4.Much of this energy comes from hydroelectric power.

5.Today, in India hydroelectric power contributes approximately 22% of the total electricity produced.

6.Mul plying urban centers with large and dense popula ons and urban lifestyles has not only added
to water and energy requirements but has further aggravated the problem.

7.Most of the housing socie es or colonies in the ci es have their own groundwater pumping
devices, which result in the over-exploita on of fragile water resources.

Q.3 Who proclaimed dams as the temples of modern India? Why?

Ans. Jawaharlal Nehru proclaimed the dams as the ‘Temples of modern India’ because

1.They integrate the development of agriculture and the village economy with rapid industrializa on
and growth of the urban economy.

2.They provide water for irriga on.

3.They provide water for electricity genera on

4.Provide water supply for domes c and industrial uses.

5.Helps in flood control.

6.Provide recrea on

7.Helps in inland naviga on. 8.Useful for fish breeding.

Q.4 Describe any three tradi onal methods of rainwater harves ng adopted in different parts of
India.

Ans. Tradi onal methods of rainwater harves ng:

1.In hill and mountainous regions, people built diversion channels like the ‘guls’ or ‘kuls’ of the
Western Himalayas for agriculture.

2.‘Roo op rainwater harves ng’ was commonly prac ced to store drinking water, par cularly in
Rajasthan.

3.In the flood plains of Bengal, people developed inunda on channels to irrigate their fields.

4.In semi-arid and arid regions, agricultural fields were converted into rain-fed storage structures
that allowed the water to stand and moisten the soil like the ‘khadins’ in Jaisalmer and ‘Johads’ in
other parts of Rajasthan.

Q.5 Compare the advantages and disadvantages of mul -purpose river valley projects.

Ans. Advantages:

1.They provide water for irriga on.

2.They provide water for electricity genera on

3.Provide water supply for domes c and industrial uses.

4.Helps in flood control.

5.Provide recrea on

6.Helps in inland naviga on.

7.Useful for fish breeding.

Disadvantages:

1.Regula ng and damming of rivers affect their natural flow causing poor sediment flow and
excessive sedimenta on at the bo om of the reservoir, resul ng in rockier stream beds and poorer
habitats for the rivers’ aqua c life.

2.Dams also fragment rivers making it difficult for aqua c fauna to migrate, especially for spawning.

3.The dams have triggered floods due to sedimenta on in the reservoir and the release of excess
water during heavy rains.

4.Mul purpose projects induced earthquakes, caused water-borne diseases, and pests, and lead to
pollu on resul ng from excessive use of water.

5.Irriga on has changed the cropping pa ern of many regions with farmers shi ing to water-
intensive and commercial crops. This has great ecological consequences like saliniza on of the soil.

6.The dams increase the social gap between the richer landowners and the landless poor.

7.The dams create inter-state water disputes with regard to sharing the costs and benefits of the
mul -purpose project.

4 AGRICULTURE
Q.1 State the characteris cs of primi ve subsistence farming.

Ans. The characteris cs of primi ve subsistence farming are:

1.In this type of farming, farmers grow crops for self-consump on.

2.It is prac ced on small patches of land.

3.Farmers use primi ve tools like hoe, dao, digging s cks, etc.

4.Completely depends upon monsoon, natural fer lity of the soil, and suitability of other
environmental condi ons for the crops grown.

5.Only family labour is used for farming.

6.Land produc vity is low.

7.It is also known as slash-and-burn agriculture.

Q.2 What is planta on farming? Describe its characteris cs.

Ans. Planta on farming: The planta on is a type of commercial farming. In this type of farming, a
single crop is grown on a large area using capital-intensive inputs, with the help of migrant labourers.

Examples: Tea, coffee, rubber, sugarcane, etc.

Characteris cs of planta on farming:

1.Planta ons have very large areas.

2.Capital-intensive inputs are used.

3.Migrant labour is used.

4.It is done mainly for the market. The sole aim is to earn profit.

5.It has an interface between agriculture and industry.

6.All the produce is used as raw material in respec ve industries.

Q.3 Explain the technical and ins tu onal reforms brought by the government to improve the
condi on of Indian agriculture in the 1980s and 1990s.

Or,

Describe any five steps taken by the government of India to increase the produc vity of agriculture
in India.

Ans. Ins tu onal reforms

1.Collec viza on

2.consolida on of holdings, coopera on .

3.Aboli on of zamindari, etc. were given priority to bring about ins tu onal reforms a er
Independence.

4.Laws of land reforms were enacted.

5.Provision of crop insurance against drought, flood, cyclone, fire, and disease.
6.Establishment of Grameen banks, coopera ve socie es, and banks for providing loan facili es to
the farmers at lower rates of interest.

7.Introduc on of Kissan Credit Card (KCC) and Personal Accident Insurance Scheme (PAIS).

Technological reforms

1.Green revolu on and white revolu on (opera on flood)

2.HYV seeds, chemical fer lizers, and pes cides were provided.

3.Methods of irriga on modernized.

4.Latest agricultural equipment introduced.

5.Special weather bulle ns and agricultural programs for farmers were introduced on Radio and
Television.

6.Announcement of minimum support price (MSP), remunera ve and procurement prices for
important crops.

Q.4 Establish the difference between Commercial farming and Subsistence farming with the help
of a suitable example.

Ans.

Subsistence farming Commercial farming

i. Prac ced on small patches of land. i. Prac ced on big land holdings.

ii. Primi ve techniques and tools are used. ii. Modern techniques and tools are used.

iii. Produc on for the local markets. iii. Produc on for the export.

iv. Dependent on monsoons. iv. Dependent on irriga on facili es.

v. Family members provide labour. v. Labourers are hired.

vi. No costly fer lizers are used. vi. Chemical fer lizers are used.

5 MINERALS AND ENERGY RESOURCES

Q.1 How has mining become a problem for workers and the environment?

Or,

Analyze the impact of mining ac vi es on the local environment and the health of the surrounding
communi es.

Ans. Problems for miners:

1.The miners have to work under tough condi ons where no natural light is available.

2.There is always a risk of collapse of the mine roof, inunda on with water, and fire.

3.Miners are at great risk of ge ng afflicted with pulmonary disorders.

Environmental Damage:

1.The water sources in the region get contaminated due to mining.

2.Dumping of waste and slurry leads to the degrada on of land, and soil, and an increase in stream
and river pollu on.

Q.2 Why should we conserve minerals? Suggest three ways to conserve minerals.

Ans. We need to conserve minerals because:

1.The strong dependence of industry and agriculture upon mineral deposits and the substances
manufactured from them.

2.The geological processes of mineral forma on are very slow.

3.Mineral resources are finite and non-renewable.

4.Con nued extrac on of ores leads to increasing costs as mineral extrac on comes from greater
depths along with a decrease in quality.

Ways to conserve minerals:

1.A concerted effort has to be made in order to use mineral resources in a planned and sustainable
manner.

2.Improved technologies need to be constantly evolved to allow the use of low-grade ores at low
costs.

3.Recycling of metals, using scrap metals and other subs tutes.

Q.3 Explain the difference between conven onal and non-conven onal sources of energy. Name
the two most common conven onal resources used in rural India. Why the use of these
conven onal sources are discouraged?

Ans.

Conven onal source of energy conven onal source of energy

1.These are the tradi onal sources of energy produced

from coal, petroleum, and natural gas. 1. These are the sources of energy developed recently
from the sun, wind, de, etc.

2. They are non-renewable. 2. They are renewable.

3. Their genera on is expensive. 3. Their genera on is cheaper.

4. They pollute the atmosphere on a large scale. 4. They are pollu on-free/less pollu on sources.

5. Example: coal, petroleum, natural gas, etc. 5. Example: Solar energy, wind energy, dal power,

etc.

Q.4 Explain the need to adopt a cau ous approach for the judicious use of our limited energy
resources.

Ans. The need to adopt a cau ous approach for the judicious use of our limited energy resources:

1.Energy is a basic requirement for economic development. Every sector of the na onal economy like
agriculture, industry, transport, commercial, and domes c needs inputs of energy.
2.India is presently one of the least energy-efficient countries in the world. There is an urgent need
to develop a sustainable path of energy development.

3.Various development plans require increasing amounts of energy to remain opera onal. The
success of economic development plans depends on energy resources.

Q.4 Suggest ways to conserve energy resources in India.

Ans. Ways to conserve energy resources are:

1.We have to adopt a cau ous approach to the judicious use of our limited energy resources.

2.Using public transport systems instead of individual vehicles.

3.Switching off electricity when not in use.

4.Using power-saving devices

5Using non-conven onal sources of energy.

1 POWER SHARING (CIVICS)

Q.1 “Sharing of powers makes a country more powerful and united.” Do you agree with this
statement and why?

Or,

“Power sharing is the very spirit of democracy.” Jus fy this statement with three suitable points.

Or,

How far do you agree with the statement that power sharing is keeping with the “Spirit” of
democracy?

ANS: Power sharing keeps up with the ‘Spirit’ of Democracy as:

1.Power sharing ensures that all people have a stake in government.

2.Power sharing ensures maximum par cipa on. It upholds the concept of people’s rule. It always
brings be er outcomes in democracy. It ensures that people are consulted on how they are to be
governed.

3.Power sharing accommodates diverse groups. It helps to reduce the possibility of conflict between
social groups.

Q.2 Differen ate between the horizontal and ver cal division of powers.

Or,

Describe horizontal and ver cal power sharing in modern democracies.

Ans.

Horizontal Division of Power

1. Horizontal Division of Power is a power-sharing arrangement in which power is shared among

different organs of government such as the execu ve, legisla ve, and judiciary.

2. In the horizontal division of power, different organs of government exercise different powers.
3. Horizontal distribu on specifies the concept of checks and balances in order to check the exercise
of unlimited powers of the organs.

Ver cal Division of Power

1. In the ver cal division of power, power is shared among governments at different levels like union,
state, and local levels of government i.e., it involves higher and lower levels of government.

2. In the ver cal division of power, the cons tu on clearly lays down the power of different levels of
government.

3. There is no concept of checks and balances because powers are clearly given by the cons tu on
from the higher level to the lower level.

Q.3 What is power sharing? Give reasons why power sharing is desirable.

Or,

What is power sharing? Why power sharing is desirable? Explain by giving pruden al and moral
reasons.

Ans. When the power does not rest with any one organ of the state rather it is shared among
different levels/organs of the government it is called power sharing.

Power sharing is desirable in democracy because:

i. Pruden al reasons:

1.It helps to reduce the possibility of conflict between social groups.

2.Reducing conflict between social groups ensures the stability of poli cal order.

3.It promotes the unity of the na on.

ii. Moral reasons:

1.Power sharing is the very spirit of democracy. A democra c rule involves sharing power with those
affected by its exercise and who have to live with its effect.

2.People have a right to be consulted on how they are to be governed.

3.Power sharing helps in producing a legi mate government where ci zens through par cipa on
acquire a stake in the system.

Q.4 Describe any three majoritarian measures adopted by the Sri Lankan Government to establish
Sinhala supremacy. Or,

Describe any three provisions of the Act which was passed in Sri Lanka in 1956 to establish Sinhala
supremacy. Or,

Why did Sri Lankan Tamils feel alienated?

Ans. Sri Lankan Tamils felt alienated because:

1.The government adopted majoritarian measures to establish Sinhala supremacy. In 1956, an Act
was passed to recognize Sinhala as the only official language thus disregarding Tamil.
2.The government followed preferen al poli cs that favoured Sinhala applicants for university
posi ons and government jobs.

3.A new Cons tu on s pulated that the state shall protect and foster Buddhism.

2 FEDERALISM

Q.1 State the main features of Federalism.

Ans. The main features of Federalism are:

1.There are two or more levels of government.

2.Different ers of government govern the same ci zens, but each er has its own jurisdic on in
specific ma ers of legisla on, taxa on, and administra on.

3.The powers and func ons of each er of government are specified and guaranteed by Cons tu on.

4.The fundamental provisions of the Cons tu on cannot be unilaterally changed by one level of
government. Such changes require the consent of both levels of government.

5.Sources of revenue between different levels are specified by the Cons tu on.

6.Courts have the power to interpret the Cons tu on and the powers of different levels of
government. The highest court acts as an umpire if disputes arise between different levels of
government in the exercise of their respec ve powers.

Q.2 Differen ate between the ‘Coming Together Federa on’ and ‘Holding Together Federa on’
with examples.

Ans.

Coming Together Federa on

i. 'Coming Together Federa ons' are formed when independent states come together to form a
bigger state.

ii. The state governments are strong in comparison to the central government.

iii. All state governments have equal power.

IV Example: the USA, Switzerland, and Australia.

Holding Together Federa on

i. 'Holding Together Federa ons' are formed when a large country decides to divide itself
into sub-units.
ii. The central government is strong in comparison to the state government.
iii. Very o en the state governments have unequal powers.
iv. Example: India, Spain, and Belgium.

Q.3 Which provisions of Indian Cons tu on make India a full-fledged federa on?

Or,

Men on any five main features which make India a federal country.

Ans. The following are the five provisions that make India a federal country:
1.Two or more levels of government: India has three levels of government (Centre, State, and Local
levels).

2.Three lists: The powers are divided between the Centre and the States by three lists – Union list,
State list, and Concurrent list.

3.Rigid Cons tu on: The fundamental provisions of the Cons tu on cannot be unilaterally changed
by one level of government. Such changes require the consent of both levels of government.

4.Financial Autonomy: The revenue sources of both the Centre and States have been clearly defined,
which ensures financial autonomy to both the Centre and the State.

5.Independent Judiciary: The Supreme Court has been given the power to se le disputes between
different levels of government.

Q.4 Explain the provisions that have been made towards decentraliza on in India a er the
Cons tu onal Amendment in 1992.

Or,

How has the third er of government in our country been made more effec ve and powerful by
the Cons tu onal Amendment of 1992?

Ans. Major steps were taken by Indian Government toward decentraliza on in 1992:

1.Cons tu on mandate to hold regular elec ons for local government bodies.

2.Reserva on of seats in the elected bodies and the execu ve heads of these ins tu ons for the
Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and other Backward Classes.

3.4Reserva on of at least one-third of all posi ons for women.

.Crea on of an independent ins tu on called the State Elec on Commission in each state to conduct
panchayat and municipal elec ons.

5.The state governments are required to share some powers and revenue with local government
bodies.

3 GENDER CASTE RELIGION

Q.1 Men on the cons tu onal provisions that make India a secular state.

Ans. The cons tu onal provisions that make India a ‘secular state’ are as follows:

1.There is no official religion in the Indian state.

2.Our cons tu on does not give a special status to any religion.

3.It provides all individuals and communi es the freedom to profess, prac ce, and propagate any
religion, or not to follow any.

4.The Cons tu on prohibits discrimina on on the grounds of religion.

5.It allows the state to intervene in ma ers of religion in order to ensure equality within religion to
ensure equality within religious communi es.

Q.2 What are the various forms that caste takes in poli cs?
Ans.

1.When par es choose candidates in elec ons, they keep in mind the caste composi on of the
electorate.

2.Poli cal par es and candidates in elec ons make appeals to caste sen ments to muster support.

3.Universal adult franchise and the principle of one-person-one-vote compelled poli cal leaders to
gear up for the task of mobilizing and securing poli cal support.

Q.3 How have caste and the caste system undergone changes in modern India?

Or,

Explain the socio-economic changes responsible for breaking down the old no on of caste
hierarchy in India.

Ans.

1.Social reformers like Jo ba Phule, Mahatma Gandhi, and Periyar Ramaswamy Naicker have carried
out movements to end caste inequali es.

2.Economic development and urbaniza on have broken caste hierarchies in India.

3.Growth of literacy and educa on, as well as occupa onal mobility, have also changed the mindset
of people towards caste.

4.5The Cons tu on of India prohibits caste-based discrimina on.

.Prac cing untouchability is a punishable offense in India.

4 POLITICAL PARTIES

Q.1 What is a poli cal party? What are the main components of poli cal par es?

Ans. Poli cal party: A poli cal party is a group of people who come together to contest elec ons and
hold power in the government. They agree on some policies and programs for society with a view to
promo ng the collec ve good. They try to persuade people as to why their policies are be er than
others and seek to implement these policies by winning popular support through elec ons.

The main components of poli cal par es are:

The leaders

The ac ve members, and

The followers.

Q.2 Examine the role of Poli cal Par es in a democra c country.

Or,

“Modern democracies cannot exist without poli cal par es.” Evaluate the statement with the help
of relevant arguments.

Or,
Poli cal par es fill poli cal offices and exercise poli cal power. But they do this by performing a
series of important func ons. Explain any five of them.

Ans. Func ons of a poli cal party:

1.Par es contest elec ons.

2.Par es put forward different policies and programs and the voters choose from them.

3.Par es play a decisive role in making laws for a country.

4.Par es form and run governments.

5.Those par es that lose in the elec ons play the role of opposi on to the par es in power, by
voicing different views and cri cizing the government for its failures or wrong policies.

6.Par es shape public opinion. They raise and highlight issues.

7.Par es provide people access to government machinery and welfare schemes implemented by
governments.

Q.3 Explain the func ons of the opposi on par es.

Ans. Func ons of the opposi on par es:

1.They oppose the government by voicing different views.

2.They cri cize the government for its failure and wrong policies.

3.They mobilize opposi on to the government.

4.Opposi on par es safeguard the liberty and rights of people by monitoring the ac vi es of the
ruling party.

5.It keeps a check on the dictatorial behavior of the ruling party.

Q.4 What is a mul party system? Give reasons why the mul -party system has evolved in India.

Ans. Mul -party system: If several par es compete for power, and more than two par es have a
reasonable chance of coming to power either on their own strength or in alliance with others, we call
it a mul party system.

The mul -party system evolved in India because:

1.India is blessed with tremendous social and geographical diversity. This diversity cannot be easily
accommodated by two or three poli cal par es.

2.Because of the mul party system, a variety of interests and opinions enjoy poli cal representa on.

Q.5 Poli cal par es need to face and overcome a number of challenges in order to remain effec ve
instruments of democracy. Write about such challenges.

Or,

“All over the world, people express their dissa sfac on with the failure of poli cal par es to
perform their func ons well.” Analyze the statement with arguments.

Ans. Challenges to poli cal par es:

1.Lack of internal democracy within par es.

2.The challenge of dynas c succession.

3.The growing role of money and muscle power in par es, especially during elec ons.

4.Par es do not seem to offer a meaningful choice to the voters.

Q.6 Elucidate some of the recent efforts taken in our country to reform poli cal par es and their
leaders.

Ans. Some of the recent efforts in India to reform poli cal par es and their leaders are:

1.The cons tu on was amended to prevent elected MLAs and MPs from changing par es. This was
done because many elected representa ves were indulging in defec on in order to become ministers
or for cash rewards. Now the law says that if any MLA or MP changes par es, he/she will lose the
seat in the legislature.

2.The Supreme Court passed an order to reduce the influence of money and criminals. Now, it is
mandatory for every candidate who contests elec ons to file an affidavit giving details of his property
and criminal cases pending against them.

3.The Elec on Commission passed an order making it necessary for poli cal par es to hold their
organiza onal elec ons and file their income tax returns.

Q.7 Suggest and explain any five ways to reform poli cal par es in India.

Ans. Sugges ons to reform poli cal par es in India:

1.Regula on of party’s internal affairs: A law should be made to regulate the internal affairs of
poli cal par es. It should be made compulsory for poli cal par es to maintain a register of their
members, to follow their own cons tu on, to have an independent authority, etc.

2.Ensure women's par cipa on: It should be made mandatory for poli cal par es to give a minimum
number of ckets, about one-third, to women candidates.

3.State funding: There should be state funding of elec ons. The government should give money to
par es to support their elec on expenses to avoid corrup on.

4.The pressure of public opinion: Poli cal par es can be reformed if people put pressure on them.
This can be done through pe ons, propaganda, and agita ons. Pressure groups and media play an
important role in this.

5.Public par cipa on: Poli cal par es can improve if those who want this join poli cal par es. The
quality of democracy depends on the degree of public par cipa on.

5 OUTCOMES OF DEMOCRACY

Q.1 Explain the common features of democracies.

Ans. The following are the common features of democracies:

1.Regular elec ons: In a democra c government, general elec ons are held to elect a new
government.

2.Right to vote: All the ci zens of the country, of and above a certain age, have the right to vote.
3.Poli cal par es: poli cal par es are an essen al part of democracy. They put up candidates who
contest the elec on.

4.Rule of law: Another common feature of all democracies is that it ensures rule of law. Law is
supreme and all ci zens are equal in the eyes of law. No one is above the law.

Q.2 What are the different ways in which a democracy ensures accountable, responsive, and
legi mate government?

Ans.

1.A democra c government develops mechanisms for ci zens to take part in the decision-making
process. For these free and fair elec ons, open debate on major policies, legisla on, and the right to
informa on is there in good democracies. Therefore, democracies are called accountable
governments.

2.Democracy is a responsive government. It is responsive to the needs and expecta ons of the
ci zens. It makes policies for the welfare of the ci zens.

3.A democra c government is a legi mate government. It is elected by the people and people wish
to be ruled by the representa ves elected by them.

Q.3 How is Democracy a be er form of government when compared with dictatorship or any other
alterna ve government?

Ans. Democracy is a be er form of government when compared with dictatorship or any other
alterna ve form of government because it:

1.Promotes equality among ci zens.

2.Enhances the dignity of the individual.

3.Improves the quality of decision-making.

4.Provides a method to resolve conflicts.

5.Allows room to correct mistakes.

Q.4 “Democracy accommodates social diversi es.” Support the statement with examples.

Ans.

1.Democracies develop a procedure to conduct their compe on. This reduces the possibility of
these tensions becoming explosive or violent.

2.No society can fully and permanently resolve conflicts among different groups. But we can certainly
learn to respect these differences and can evolve a mechanism to nego ate these .differences.

3.The ability to handle social differences, divisions, and conflicts is a definite plus point of democra c
regimes.

4.Example: Belgium has successfully nego ated differences among its ethnic popula on. This
reduces the possibility of tensions.

…………………………………………………….END…………………………………………………………………..

PREPARED BY: MR. SANDEEP KUMAR TGT SST 9812880987