2 Marks
1. (a) Define political party.
A political party is an organized group of individuals who share similar political ideologies or goals and seek to influence or control government policy by contesting elections and attaining political power
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3 + 7 = 10 Marks
2. (b) What do you mean by coalition politics? Discuss the nature of coalition politics with special reference to India.
Definition: Coalition politics refers to a situation where multiple political parties come together to form a government because no single party has secured a clear majority in the legislature
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Nature in India:
- Transition from One-Party Dominance: India moved from the "Congress System" to an era of coalitions starting significantly in 1989
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- Regionalization: National parties (like BJP or INC) became dependent on regional players (like TMC, DMK, or Shiv Sena) to reach the majority mark
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- Ideological Dilution: To stay in power, parties often compromise on their core ideologies in favor of pragmatism
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- Instability vs. Representation: While coalitions can be unstable, they often represent the diverse interests of a multi-cultural society more accurately than a single-party rule
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2 Marks
3. (a) Define caste.
Caste is a form of social stratification characterized by endogamy, hereditary transmission of a lifestyle which often includes an occupation, ritual status in a hierarchy, and customary social interaction and exclusion
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2 Marks
3. (c) Define class.
Class refers to a group of people within a society who possess similar socio-economic status, typically based on wealth, income, education, and occupation
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10 Marks
4. (a) Write a note on the relationship between religion and politics in India.
The relationship between religion and politics in India is complex and deeply intertwined with the concept of secularism. Political parties often use religious identity to mobilize voters, a process known as communalism. While the Constitution mandates a secular state, religious sentiments frequently influence policy-making, electoral strategies, and social harmony.
3 + 7 = 10 Marks
4. (b) What is secularism? Discuss the main features of Indian secularism.
Secularism: In the general sense, it is the separation of religion from the state. In the Indian context, it means "Sarva Dharma Sambhava" or equal respect for all religions.
Main Features:
- No State Religion: The Indian state does not patronize any particular religion
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- Religious Freedom: Articles 25-28 grant citizens the right to profess, practice, and propagate their religion
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- Principled Intervention: Unlike Western secularism (total separation), the Indian state can intervene in religious affairs to bring about social reform (e.g., abolishing untouchability)
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- Equality before Law: The state cannot discriminate against any citizen on the grounds of religion
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3 + 7 = 10 Marks
6. (a) What is regional aspiration? What are the reasons responsible for regional aspirations? Discuss.
Regional Aspiration: It refers to the political desires and demands of people living in a specific region for better representation, development, or self-rule based on their unique identity.
Reasons:
- Economic Imbalance: Neglect of certain regions in terms of infrastructure and industrial growth.
- Cultural Identity: Fear of losing local language or traditions to a dominant national culture.
- Political Marginalization: Feeling that the central government does not adequately represent regional interests.
2 + 8 = 10 Marks
6. (b) What is secessionism? Write a note on secessionist movements in India since Independence.
Secessionism: The withdrawal of a group from a larger entity, especially a political state, to gain independence
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Historical Note: Since 1947, India has faced various movements:
- Nagaland: One of the earliest movements seeking a "Greater Nagalim"
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- Punjab: The Khalistan movement in the 1980s sought a separate Sikh state
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- Kashmir: Ongoing demands for self-determination or merger with Pakistan
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- Mizoram: A successful resolution where a secessionist movement turned into an autonomous state within India
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2 Marks
7. (c) What is Chipko Movement?
The Chipko movement was a non-violent forest conservation effort in India in the 1970s where villagers, particularly women, hugged trees to prevent them from being felled by loggers
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2 + 4 + 4 = 10 Marks
8. (a) What is social movement? Discuss any two social movements in India.
Social Movement: A collective effort by a group of people to bring about, resist, or undo social, political, or economic change
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Two Movements:
- Women’s Movement: Focuses on issues like domestic violence, dowry, and political representation (e.g., the Self-Employed Women's Association - SEWA)
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- Dalit Movement: Aimed at ending caste-based discrimination and ensuring dignity and rights for the Scheduled Castes
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10 Marks
8. (b) Write a note on Narmada Bachao Andolan.
The Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA) is a social movement led by native tribes, farmers, environmentalists, and human rights activists against a series of large dams being built across the Narmada River. Led by figures like Medha Patkar, it highlights the issues of rehabilitation and environmental impact.
2 Marks
9. (a) What is neo-liberalism?
Neo-liberalism is a policy model that emphasizes the value of free-market competition, minimal state intervention in the economy, and the privatization of state-owned enterprises
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2 Marks
9. (b) What is planned development?
Planned development is a strategy where the government sets specific economic goals and manages resources through structured plans (like Five-Year Plans) to achieve systematic growth.
2 Marks
9. (c) Why did India adopt new economic reforms?
India adopted reforms in 1991 primarily due to a severe Balance of Payments (BoP) crisis and high inflation, which made the previous "License Raj" system unsustainable
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10 Marks
10. (a) Explain the role of planning in India's development process since Independence.
Planning played a central role in India's development through the Planning Commission (established in 1950)
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- Industrialization: Early plans (like the Mahalanobis model) focused on heavy industries
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- Green Revolution: Planning helped achieve food security in the 1960s through targeted agricultural investment
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- Social Welfare: Plans aimed at reducing poverty and improving literacy and healthcare
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- Transition to NITI Aayog: In 2015, the focus shifted from top-down planning to a "think tank" model emphasizing cooperative federalism
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10 Marks
10. (b) Examine the main features of New Economic Reforms introduced in India since 1991.
The 1991 reforms are famously known as the LPG model:
- Liberalization: Removal of government control and restrictions on the economy (end of License Raj).
- Privatization: Transfer of ownership from the public sector to the private sector.
- Globalization: Integrating the Indian economy with the world economy through trade and investment.
- Fiscal Reforms: Steps taken to reduce the fiscal deficit and stabilize the currency.