Sample Question Paper 15

(Detailed Answers)

Political Science
CBSE Class 12th
1. (c) Sheikh Mujibur Rahman 16. The major challenges faced by Europe after Second
2. (d) All of the above World War are
It shattered many assumptions and structures on
n

3. (d) political which European states maintained their relations.

4. (a) 3 1 4 2 The European states confronted the ruin of
n

5. (a) Both statement I and statement II are true. economies and the destructions on which Europe
had been founded.
6. (a) It generates unemployment in the society.
17. Characteristics of mixed economy model are as
7. (c) USSR follows
8. (a) Ayub Khan (i) Both public and private sector work for
9. (b) Rajakars-Ruler of Kashmir economic development. However, public sector
has greater responsibility for bringing balanced
10. (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct and equal development.
explanation of A.
(ii) The means of production owned by private
11. (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct sector are regulated by state to ensure fairness in
explanation of A. market and protection of consumers interest.
12. (d) (i), (iv), (iii), (ii) 18. The 1990s saw nearly all refugee flows coinciding
13. Two political developments of 1940s that led to the with internal armed conflicts worldwide. Wars and
creation of Pakistan were as follows armed conflicts in various regions during this decade
displaced millions of people, forcing them to seek
(i) Pakistan resolution passed by Muslim League in
refuge across national borders due to generalised fear
March 1940, demanding separate homeland for
of violence and destruction of livelihoods.
Muslims.
(ii) Massive Hindu-Muslim riots on 16th August, 19. The key political developments at the end of the 1980s
1946, which was observed as Direct Action Day which led to long-lasting impact on Indian politics are
by Muslim League. as follows
n
The Congress party was defeated in the elections
14. Social safety nets refer to welfare measures
held in 1989. The elections marked the end of
implemented by states to provide social security to
what political scientists have called the ‘Congress
poor and weaker sections of society who are at the system.’
receiving end of economic development. n
The rise of the ‘Mandal issue’ in national politics
15. Two measures to have good relations with Pakistan following the decision by the new National Front
are government in 1990, to implement the
(i) Pakistan must stop helping the terrorists. recommendation of the Mandal Commission. This
led to violent ‘anti-Mandal’ protests in different
(ii) Cultural delegates from both the countries must
parts of the country.
visit each other frequently.

Sample Paper 15A

Tuesday, September 10, 2024 [Link] AM
 n
Initiation of the structural adjustment (ii) There was a problem of minorities on both sides of
programme or the new economic reforms by border (Bengal and Punjab). The domination of
the government to improve Indian economy. Urdu language over East Pakistan where Bengali
n
The assassination of Rajiv Gandhi in May Muslims in East Pakistan referred to as the
1991 led to a change in leadership of the cultural domination. This has brought
Congress party. discontentment in the eastern region. On the other
20. In the 1950s and 1960s, opposition parties in hand, it was difficult to manage and administer
India played a crucial role in keeping the two separate territories.
country’s democracy healthy. Even though they Or
only had a small number of seats in the
(b) The Soviet System became weak and Soviet economy
Parliament and state assemblies, they provided
stagnated because of the following reasons
important checks and balances against the ruling
Congress party.
n
The internal weakness of the Soviet political and
economic institutions, which failed to meet the
These parties criticised government policies and aspirations of the people were responsible for the
actions, ensuring that the Congress party did not collapse of the system.
become too powerful or complacent. They also n
Economic stagnation for many years led to severe
helped keep democratic alternatives alive, shortage and downfall of consumers and made the
preventing public frustration from turning Soviet System questionable.
against democracy itself. n
The use of large amount of its resources in
Additionally, opposition parties nurtured future maintaining nuclear and military arsenal and the
leaders who would later shape India’s political development of its satellites in Eastern Europe and
landscape, fostering a culture of diverse political within the Soviet System led to the weakness of the
opinions and respectful debate. system and stagnating the economy.
n
At the same time, the ordinary citizens had the
21. Indira Gandhi differentiated her campaign by knowledge of rapid advancement of West and their
presenting a positive agenda encapsulated in the disparities with the system of the West came as a
slogan “Garibi Hatao” (Remove Poverty). She political and psychological shock.
focused on social and economic reforms such as 23. (a) Sheikh Abdullah’s political differences with the
expanding the public sector, implementing land Central Government primarily centered on Kashmir’s
ceilings, reducing income disparities, and constitutional status and autonomy. After taking
abolishing princely privileges. In contrast, the office, he initiated major land reforms and policies
Grand Alliance’s campaign was centered around benefiting ordinary people, which conflicted with the
a single negative slogan, “Indira Hatao” Central Government’s desires for tighter control over
(Remove Indira), which lacked a coherent the region.
political program. This tension escalated in 1953 when he was dismissed
The central theme of Indira Gandhi’s “Garibi and detained for years, marking a period of strained
Hatao” campaign was to address poverty and relations. Subsequent leadership in Kashmir, often
promote socio-economic equity. The primary supported by the central Congress party, faced
beneficiaries of this campaign were the allegations of electoral malpractice.
disadvantaged groups, including landless Despite attempts to reconcile, including an agreement
labourers, dalits, adivasis, minorities, women, with Indira Gandhi in 1974, recurring interventions
and unemployed youth. The campaign aimed to from the center continued to provoke resentment in
generate support among these groups by Kashmir, eventually culminating in significant
addressing their needs and promoting inclusive political crises and the insurgency of 1989.
development. Or
22. (a) The two major difference between Eastern (b) Sheikh Abdullah, upon becoming Prime Minister of
(Bengal) and Western (Punjab) regions were Jammu and Kashmir, implemented significant
as follows reforms aimed at socio-economic transformation. His
(i) The Eastern (Bengal) and Western initiatives included major land reforms to redistribute
(Punjab) both regions were Muslim land to landless peasants, aiming to alleviate rural
majority provinces but were difficult to poverty and enhance agricultural productivity.
be joined together because of Indian Abdullah also focused on educational reforms,
territory between them. Despite this expanding access to schools and promoting modern
problem, Pakistan was made of these education across the state. His government prioritised
two parts. infrastructure development, improving roads and

Sample Paper 15A

Tuesday, September 10, 2024 [Link] AM
 communication networks to connect remote Or
areas. These reforms were part of Abdullah’s (b) The UN Security Council has two types of
broader vision to empower ordinary Kashmiris members: permanent and non-permanent. There
and foster socio-economic progress, though they are five permanent members: the United States,
also contributed to increasing tensions with the Russia, China, France, and the United Kingdom.
Central Government, particularly regarding These countries were the main victors of World
Kashmir’s autonomy and governance. War Second and were given a special status.
24. (i) (d) Both (a) and (b) There are also ten non-permanent members,
(ii) (d) Both (a) and (c) elected for two-year terms, representing different
regions of the world.
(iii) The objectives of ASEAN Economic Community
are to create a common market and production Non-permanent members are elected for two-year
base within ASEAN states and to aid social and terms by the General Assembly. Their role is to
economic development in the region. contribute to the decision-making process and
bring diverse perspectives to the council’s
25. discussions.
Sr. No. of the Permanent members have a unique power called
Alphabet
Information Name of the State the ‘Veto.’ This means that if any one of them
Concerned
Used
votes against a decision, it cannot be approved,
(i) A Andhra Pradesh even if all other members agree. This veto power
(ii) C Gujarat is very significant because it allows these five
(iii) B Arunachal Pradesh countries to block any action they disagree with.
(iv) D West Bengal The veto power is meant to ensure that the most
powerful countries remain engaged in the UN’s
26. (i) (a) The Berlin Wall efforts to maintain global peace. However, it also
(ii) (d) 26th December, 1991 means that important decisions can be stalled if
(iii) (c) Mikhail Gorbachev even one permanent member objects. This has led
(iv) (a) This wall symbolised the division between to criticism that the Security Council often reflects
capitalist and communist world. the interests of these few powerful nations rather
than the wider international community, making
27. (a) US power cannot be easily checked in the United reform a much-debated issue.
Nations as
28. (a) From 1989 to 1999, India witnessed significant
n
With the disappearance of the Soviet Union,
the US stands as the only superpower. Its shifts in political alliances and oppositions among
military and economic power allows it to the Congress, BJP, and regional parties, shaping
ignore the UN or any other international the landscape of coalition politics. Initially, in
organisation. 1989, the National Front government emerged
n
Within the UN, the influence of the US is with support from both the Left and BJP, united
considerable. As the single largest contributor in their aim to keep Congress out of power.
to the UN, the US has unmatched financial However, this alliance was short-lived as
power. ideological differences surfaced, leading to the
n
UN is physically located within the US collapse of the government by 1991.
territory which gives Washington additional In 1996, the United Front government came to
sources of influence. The US also has many power, comprising Janata Dal and several
nationals in the UN bureaucracy. regional parties, supported by Congress, which
n
With its veto power, the US can stop any sought to prevent BJP from gaining power. This
moves that it finds annoying or damaging to period highlighted the fragmentation of political
its interests or the interests of its friends and power across regional lines, with parties asserting
allies. their influence at the national level. Despite
n
The power of the US and its veto within the Congress’ support initially, the government faced
organisation also ensures that Washington has instability due to diverse agendas among
a considerable degree of say in the choice of coalition partners.
the Secretary General of the UN.
Meanwhile, BJP, under Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s
n
The US can and does use this power to “split”
leadership, gradually consolidated its position
the rest of the world and to reduce opposition
to its policies. through electoral successes in 1991 and 1996.
This culminated in BJP leading a coalition

Sample Paper 15A

Tuesday, September 10, 2024 [Link] AM
 government from 1998 to 1999, supported by environment and of the technological and
various regional parties within the National financial resources they command.
Democratic Alliance (NDA). These alliances We could implement the idea with the help of
marked a shift towards multi-party coalitions conventions and declarations
where regional parties played pivotal roles, n
The Rio-Summit held in June 1992 produced
reflecting the decentralisation of power and the conventions dealing with climate change,
complexities of coalition governance in India’s biodiversity, forestry and recommended a
evolving political landscape. list of developed practices called Agenda 21.
Or n
The 1992 United Nations Framework
(b) Coalition politics in India has significantly Convention on Climatic Change
(UNFCCC) also emphasised that the
reshaped ideological positions and political
parties should act to protect the climate
alliances by prioritising pragmatic considerations
system on the basis of common but
over ideological purity. In traditional politics, differentiated responsibilities.
parties often adhered strictly to their ideologies, n
An international agreement known as Kyoto
but the necessity to form alliances to gain power
Protocol set targets for industrialised
has led to a shift. For instance, parties with countries to cut their greenhouse gas
differing ideologies, like those in the National emissions which support for global warming.
Democratic Alliance (NDA), have united to form
Or
governments despite not fully agreeing on issues
such as Hindutva. This pragmatic approach allows (b) The following are the main highlights of this
parties to compromise on ideological stances to summit which shows the priority environment
achieve broader governance goals. concern of the states
Coalitions have blurred the lines between state and
n
That the rich and developed countries of the
national-level parties, enabling regional parties to first world, generally referred to as the
‘global North’ were pursuing a different
wield influence at the national level. This trend
environmental agenda than the poor and
acknowledges the importance of accommodating
developing countries of the Third World,
diverse regional aspirations within the national called the ‘global South’.
political framework. Moreover, coalition n
The Northern states were concerned with
governments have necessitated consensus-building
ozone depletion and global warming.
on crucial economic and social policies, fostering a Southern states addressed the relationship
broad agreement among parties on issues like between economic development and
economic liberalisation and reservations for environmental management.
backward castes. n
The Rio summit produced conventions
Overall, coalition politics in India underscores a dealing with climate change, biodiversity,
pragmatic shift where power-sharing arrangements forestry and recommended a list of
and governance priorities outweigh ideological development practices called ‘Agenda 21’.
differences, reflecting a more nuanced and n
The 1992, United Nation Framework
adaptive approach to political dynamics in the Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
country. also provides that the parties should act to
protect the climate on the basis of equity and
29. (a) By common but differentiated responsibilities we in accordance with their common but
mean that the state shall cooperate in the spirit of differentiated responsibilities and respective
global partnership to conserve, protect and capabilities.
restore the health and integrity of the earth’s n
Kyoto Protocol was agreed to in 1997, based
ecosystem. Over various contributions of global on principles set out in UNFCCC set targets
environmental degradation the states have for industrialised countries to cut their
common but differentiated responsibilities. greenhouse gas emission.
The developed countries acknowledge that the
30. (a) Three measures which are very effective to
responsibility they bear in the international pursuit
strengthen the national integrity and unity of
of sustainable development in view of the
India are as follows
pressures their societies place on the global

Sample Paper 15A

Tuesday, September 10, 2024 [Link] AM
 (i) Value to Regional Aspirations Expression of Or
regional issues is not an abnormal phenomenon. (b) The North-East region has witnessed a lot of
A large and diverse democracy like India must changes since 1947. Tripura, Manipur and
deal with regional aspirations on a regular Khasi Hills of Meghalaya were erstwhile
basis. Princely States which merged with India after
(ii) Democratic Negotiation The best way to Independence. The North-East region is
respond to regional aspirations is through geographically isolated with a narrow corridor
democratic negotiations rather than through of about 22 kilometers connecting it to the rest
suppression. In 1980, situation in Punjab, of India. It shares international boundaries
Kashmir and Assam was severely tensed. with China, Myanmar, and Bangladesh,
Instead of treating these as law and order serving as India’s gateway to South-East Asia.
problems, Government of India resolved these This isolation has contributed to its complex
through negotiation and discussion. political and developmental challenges. The
(iii) Power Sharing among Centre and State Formal Partition of India in 1947 significantly affected
democratic structure is not sufficient. The groups the North-East by reducing it to a landlocked
and parties from the regions must be given region, which led to economic difficulties and
share in power at the state level. Regions must developmental neglect. The region became
have share in deciding the destiny of the nation. more isolated from the rest of India, impacting
If they are not given share in the national level its integration and growth.
decision making, the feeling of injustice and The major political reorganisations in the
alienation can spread. Regional imbalance in North-East included the creation of Nagaland
economic development contributes to the as a state in 1963, followed by Manipur,
feeling of regional discrimination. Regional Tripura, and Meghalaya in 1972. Mizoram and
imbalance is a fact of India’s development Arunachal Pradesh were granted statehood in
experience. 1987. These reorganisations were part of the
region’s efforts to address local aspirations
and administrative challenges.

Sample Paper 15A

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