Class XII – Political Science Sample Paper – 1

Ans. c. (iv), (i), (iii), (ii)

Ans. a. Turkmenistan

Ans. c. It regulates the acquisition or development of weapons.

Ans. b. Confidence Building

Ans. a. A-(iii), B- (i), C-(ii), D-(iv)

Ans. b. Both the Assertion and the Reason are correct, but the Reason is not the correct explanation of the Assertion.

Ans. b. Acharya Narendra Dev  

Ans. d. October 1951 to February 1952

Ans. c. Premier Zhou Enlai

Ans. a. Both the Assertion and the Reason are correct, and the Reason is the correct explanation of the Assertion.

Ans. d. Indonesia

Ans. b. Assam

Ans. India does not have any major conflict with the Bhutanese government.

1. The efforts made by Bhutanese monarch to weed out the guerrillas and militants from north-eastern India that operate in the country have been helpful to India.

2. India is involved in big hydroelectric projects in Bhutan and remains the Himalayan Kingdom’s biggest source of development aid.

(OR any other relevant point)

Ans. India’s security strategy has four broad components:

1. The first component was strengthening its military capabilities.

India’s decision to conduct nuclear tests in 1998 was justified by the Indian government in terms of safeguarding national security.

2. The second component of India ‘security strategy has been to strengthen international norms and international institutions to protect its security interests.

3. The third component of Indian security strategy is geared towards meeting security challenges within the country. Several militant groups from areas such as Nagaland, Mizoram, the Punjab and Kashmir among others have from time to time sought to break away from India. India has tried to preserve national unity by adopting a democratic political system.

4. There has been an attempt in India to develop its economy in a way that the vast mass of citizens is lifted out of poverty.

(Any two points)

Ans. Difference between the First Five Year Plan and the Second Five-year Plan:

1. First Five-year plan started with a thrust on agricultural development whereas the Second Five Year Plan stressed on heavy industries.

2. The First Five Year Plan had emphasized on patience and Second Five Year Plan wanted to bring about quick structural transformation.

(OR other relevant points)

Ans. 1. Holding election required delimitation or drawing the boundaries of the electoral constituencies and this task took a long time.

2. When the first draft of the electoral roll was published, names of nearly 40 lakh women were not recorded in the list.

3. There were 17 crore eligible voters, who had to elect about 3,200 MLAs and 489 members of Lok Sabha.

4. Only 15 percent of these eligible voters were literate. The EC had to think about some special methods of voting.

(OR other relevant points)

Ans. 1. The newly independent countries faced threats not only from outside their borders but also from within.

2. Some of these states faced threats from separatist movement within the country.

3. Terrorism is a problem faced from outside the borders

4. Newly independent countries are thickly populated, and they are facing the problem of poverty.

(OR other relevant points)

Ans. The emergency brought out both the strengths and weaknesses of India’s democracy.

1. One lesson of Emergency is that it is extremely difficult to do away with democracy in India.

2. Secondly, it brought out some ambiguities regarding the Emergency provision in the Constitution that have been rectified. It amended that internal emergency could be proclaimed only on the grounds of armed rebellion. The advice to the president to proclaim emergency must be given in writing by council of ministers.

3. Thirdly, emergency made everyone more aware of civil liberties; courts also took an active role in protecting civil liberties of individuals.

(Any two OR other relevant points)

Ans. The main features of India’s Nuclear Policy are:

1. Nehru had always put his faith in science and technology for rapidly building a modern India. A significant component of his industrialization plan was the nuclear program initiated in the late 1940s under the guidance of Homi J. Bhabha. India wanted to generate atomic energy for peaceful purposes.

2. India advocates no first use and reiterates India’s commitment to global verifiable on non-discriminatory nuclear disarmament loading to a nuclear weapon free world.

3. India was against nuclear weapons, hence pleaded for nuclear disarmament with superpowers.

4. India always considered NPT as discriminatory and refused to sign on it.

5. Even India’s first Nuclear Test in May 1974 was termed as a peaceful explosion and India argued to use nuclear power for peaceful purposes only. (OR other relevant points)

Ans. 1. Gorbachev initiated the policies of economic and political reforms (perestroika and glasnost) and democratization within the country. Leaders within the Communist Party opposed the reforms.

2. A coup took place in 1991 which was encouraged by Communist Party hardliners. The people had tasted freedom by then and did not want the old-style rule of the Communist Party. Power began to shift from the Soviet centre to the republics, especially in the more Europeanized part of the Soviet Union, which saw them as Sovereign states.

3. The administration and political system of the Soviet Union became stagnant. The Communist Party that ruled the Soviet Union for over 70 years was not accountable to the people. Rampant corruption, unwillingness to allow more openness in government led to the collapse of the system.

4. Gorbachev’s ignorance and his liberal outlook, in turn, strengthened the anti-communal forces in Eastern Europe. Consequently, Czechoslovakia, Romania, Hungary, Poland, Bulgaria and East Germany witnessed the downfall of the communist regimes. These sudden developments paved the way for the disintegration of the USSR.

(OR other relevant points)

Ans. The ethnic conflict has been going on since 1983 but Sri Lanka made considerable economic growth as is clear from the following facts:

(i) Sri Lanka was one of the first developing countries to successfully control the rate of growth of population.

(ii) It was the first country to liberalize the economy.

(iii) It had the highest per capita gross domestic product(GDP) for many years right through the civil war.

(iv) Despite the ravages of internal conflict, Sri Lanka maintained a democratic political system.

Ans. The following factors are responsible for Pakistan’s failure in building a stable democracy:

1. The lack of genuine international support for a democratic rule in Pakistan has encouraged the military to continue its dominance. The US and other countries have also supported military rule due to fulfilling their own interests.

2. Pakistan’s conflict with India has made paramilitary groups more powerful which have often said that political parties and democracy in Pakistan are flawed that Pakistan’s security would be harmed by selfish minded parties and chaotic democracy hence, army stays in power is justified.

3. The social dominance of military clergy and land owning aristocracy has led to a frequent overthrow of elected governments and the establishment of military governments.

4. Global Islamic Terrorism and their apprehension that Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal might fall into the hands of these terrorist groups, the military regime in Pakistan were seen as the protector of western interests in West Asia and South Asia

(OR other relevant points)

Ans. (i) External influences simply enlarge our choices and sometimes they modify our culture without overwhelming the traditional.

(ii) For example, the burger is no substitute for masala dosa and, therefore, does not pose any real challenge. In the same way blue jeans can go well with a homespun Khadi Kurta.

(iii) Globalization broadens our cultural outlook and generates cultural homogenization, making cultures more different and distinctive.

(iv)This is dangerous not only for the poor countries but for the whole of humanity, for it leads to the shrinking of the rich cultural heritage of the entire globe.

Ans. (i) Globalisation has increased trade in commodities across the globe. The restrictions imposed by different countries on the imports of other countries have been reduced.

(ii) The restrictions on the movement of capital across countries have also been reduced. Thus, investors in rich counties can invest their money in other countries particularly developing countries, where they get better returns.

(iii) Globalisation has led to spread of ideas such as internet and computer related services.

(iv) Globalisation has led to increase in the movement of people. For example, about 300, 000 Indians are working in Silicon Valley in USA. Yes, it had a positive impact on the developing nations.

(OR other relevant points)

Ans. Yes, I agree for the following reasons.

1. Regional aspirations are part of democratic politics Regional demands have to be addressed in a democratic way.

2. When we try to suppress, regional aspirations will lead to resistance and secession. It is not in India but in other smaller countries like the UK there are regional aspirations in Scotland. The best way to respond to regional aspirations is through democratic negotiations

3. Power sharing – Regional parties should be allowed to share power at regional level at state as well as centre in order to be more representative.

4. Farsightedness of the makers of our constitution – Allows federal characteristic to provide flexibility and special provision to accommodate diversity like Sixth schedule of the constitution Regional imbalances can be accommodated without being discriminated in any way. Therefore, regional aspirations are not encouraged to espouse separatism. Thus, in India regionalism is accepted as part of democratic politics.

(OR other relevant points)

Ans. a. Ocean floor

Ans. b. Rio- de- Janeiro

Ans. c. UNEP

Ans. b. Lack of consensus on common environmental agendas

Ans.

Ans. Morarji Desai, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Jagjivan Ram, Charan Singh, Raj Narain

(Any 2)

Ans. Maintenance of Internal Security Act

Ans. Imposition of Emergency, 42nd Amendment, Censorship of press, Misuse of Preventive detention laws

Ans. The ASEAN is the only regional association in Asia that provided a political forum where Asian countries and the major powers can discuss political and security concerns.

The primary objectives of ASEAN were to accelerate economic growth followed by ‘social progress and cultural development’. Another important objective was to promote regional peace and stability based on rule of law and the principles of the United Nations’ charter.

In the present global world with the fastest growing economies ASEAN broadened its objectives beyond the economic and social spheres by establishing an “ASEAN Community.”

The components of the ASEAN Vision – 2020are:

i. Outward looking role

ii. Encouragement to Negotiate

Ans. Security Council plays a crucial role in functioning of the UN. In today’s scenario power equations have been changed with the disintegration of USSR and many new countries are entering into the UN:

1. The UN charter has given a privileged position to permanent members to bring stability all over the world. This position remains the same and no one is allowed to enter.

2. Except permanent members enjoy veto power to be placed in a valuable position.

3. Permanent member’s category is from industrialized developed country which should be balanced by enhancing representation from developing countries to become either permanent or non-permanent members.

4. Hence, Security Council should reform and improve its working to make the UN more effective i.e., inclusion of member states should be judged on the basis of contribution to peace keeping initiatives.

Ans. 1. Interdependence and globalisation is not possible without the international organisations such as the UN.

2. To enforce cooperation on the issues of poverty, unemployment, environmental degradation etc.

3. To provide financial assistance to developing countries to stabilize economy all over the world

4. The UN works as a forum to solve any international dispute among nations and sort out the best possible way.

5. To promote international peace and understanding. Steps to be taken to make the UN more relevant in the changing context:

a. Creation of Peace Building Commission.

b. Acceptance of responsibility of international community in case of failures of national governments to protect their own citizens from atrocities.

c. Condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

d. An agreement to achieve the Millennium Development Goals

Ans. 1. Challenge to Shape a Nation: India was divided among various states at the time of independence. Hence a great challenge arose to unify and integrate country into one bond. Sardar Vallabhai Patel took upon himself to integrate these states either wishfully or diplomatically to be completed into different stages.

2. To Establish Democracy: India constituted representative democracy based on parliamentary form of government and it was a great challenge to develop these democratic practices in the nation.

3. To Ensure economic development and Well Being of the Society and to achieve welfare goals with the help of effective economic policies and eradication of poverty and unemployment.

Ans. 1. The first consequence of partition was the largest unplanned and tragic transfer of population that human history has known. On both sides of the border, there were large-scale killings and atrocities. In the name of religion, people of one community killed the people of another community.

2. Minorities were forced to abandon their homes and move across borders. Even during their journey, they were often attacked, killed, and looted. On both sides, thousands of women were raped, abducted, and killed. The partition forced about 80 lakh people to migrate across the new border. More than five lakh people were killed due to partition.

3. Another consequence of the partition was the ‘Refugees Problem’. The people who crossed the border found that they had no home. For lakhs of people independence meant life in ‘refugee camps’. The Indian leadership and the Government of India had to face, this immediate and unexpected problem.

4. Division of Properties and Financial Assets. Partition also meant the division of properties, liabilities, and financial assets.

5. The employees of the government and railways were also divided.

6. Problems of Minorities. Even after large- scale migration of Muslims to Pakistan, about 12 percent of the total population of India were Muslims. The biggest problem before the Indian Government was how to deal with Muslim minorities and other religious minorities.

7. Due to the partition, Bengal was divided into East Bengal (now Bangladesh) and West Bengal. Similarly, Punjab was divided into the Punjab province of West Pakistan and the Indian state of Punjab.

Ans. In the decade of eighties, the country witnessed five main developments which had a long-lasting impact on politics:

1. End of Congress system.

2. Mandal issues

3. New Economic Reforms

4. Babri Masjid Issues

5. Assassination of Rajiv Gandhi 1989 elections led to defeat of Congress and emerged the era of ‘Multi-Party System’ when no single party secured majority in Lok Sabha elections since 1989. It led the era of coalition government also when regional parties played a crucial role in forming a ruling alliance.

Since 1989, there have been nine governments at the Centre either coalition government or minority government supported by other parties. In this phase, government could be formed only with the participation of many regional parties.

The nineties also saw the emergence of powerful parties to represent Dalit’s and backward classes and regional assertions as well.

(Any 3 to be explained)

Ans. 1. Most political parties were in support of new economic policies to lead the country to prosperity and a status of economic power in the world.

2. All political parties supported reservation of seats for backward classes in education and employment and even to ensure the OBCS to get adequate share of power.

3. Role of state level parties was accepted in the governance of country.

4. Coalition politics has shifted the focus of political parties from ideological differences to power sharing arrangements. Hence most of the NDA did not agree with the Hindutva ideology of BJP, still they come together to form a government and remained in power for full term.

(Any 3 to be explained)