Practising the CBSE Sample Papers for Class 12 Political Science with Solutions Set 5 allows you to get rid of exam fear and be confident to appear for the exam.
CBSE Sample Papers for Class 12 Political Science Set 5 with Solutions
Time: 3 Hours.
Max. Marks: 80
General Instructions:
- All questions are compulsory.
- Question numbers 1-12 are multiple choice questions of one mark each.
- Question numbers 13-18 are of 2 marks each. Answers to these questions should not exceed 50 words each.
- Question numbers 19-23 are of 4 marks each. Answers to these questions should not exceed 100 words each.
- Question numbers 24-26 are passage, cartoon and map-based questions. Answer accordingly.
- Question numbers 27-30 are of 6 marks each. Answers to these questions should not exceed 170 words.
Section – A (12 Marks)
Question 1.
Sheikh Mujib was assassinated. [1]
(a) August 1975
(b) September 1975
(c) August 1977
(d) January 1975
Answer:
(a) August 1975
Question 2.
Which of these following events was not contemporaneous to the Cold War period? [1]
(a) Establishment of the League of Nations
(b) Establishment of the United Nations
(c) The emergence of Communist China
(d) Beginning of decolonisation
Answer:
(a) Establishment of the League of Nations
Question 3.
When did the Chinese Revolution take place? [1]
(a) 1945
(b) 1947
(c) 1949
(d) 1951
Answer:
(c) 1949
Question 4.
The________election was made into a referendum on the National Emergency. [1]
(a) 1977
(b) 1980
(c) 1999
(d) 1975
Answer:
(a) 1977
Directions for Q. Nos. 5 and 6
In the questions given below, there are two statements marked as Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Read these statements and choose one correct answer from the given options.
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
(b) Both A and R are true and R is not the correct explanation of A.
(c) A is true but R is false.
(d) A is false, but R is true.
Question 5.
Assertion (A): The elections of 2004 witnessed a partial revival of the Congress party. [1]
Reason (R): It could increase its seats for the first time since 1991.
Answer:
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
Question 6.
Assertion (A): The period between 1989 and 2014 was the era of coalition governments in India. [1]
Reason (R): No single party gained a majority in the period between 1989 and 2014.
Answer:
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
Question 7.
Which justice declared Indira Gandhi’s elections to be invalid in 1975? [1]
(a) Justice Jagmohan Lai Sinha
(b) Justice Ranjan Gogoi
(c) Justice N. V. Ramana
(d) Justice H. J. Kania
Answer:
(a) Justice Jagmohan Lai Sinha
Question 8.
Which of the following statements is true about a multi-party system are true? [1]
(i) Many political parties compete for power.
(ii) There will often be a coalition government.
(iii) It can become an unstable political system at times.
(iv) All parties have the capacity to gain control of government offices.
Codes
(a) Only (i)
(b) (i), (ii), (iii), (iv)
(c) (iii) and (iv)
(d) Only (iii)
Answer:
(b) (i), (ii), (iii), (iv)
Question 9.
Name the party that won the first National elections in India. [1]
(a) Indian National Congress
(b) Communist Party of India
(c) It was a coalition government
(d) Peoples Democratic Front
Answer:
(a) Indian National Congress
Question 10.
Arrange the following in chronological order: [1]
(i) Indo-China War
(ii) General Musharraf got himself elected as the President
(iii) Sri Lanka got independence
(iv) LTTE was vanquished
Codes:
(a) (iii), (ii), (i), (iv)
(b) (i), (ii), (iii), (iv)
(c) (i), (iii), (ii), (iv)
(d) (iii), (i), (ii), (iv)
Answer:
(d) (iii), (i), (ii), (iv)
Question 11.
The second five-year plan was drafted under the leadership of which of the following personalities? [1]
(a) K. N. Raj
(b) P. C. Mahalanobis
(c) M. Visvesvaraya
(d) Gadgil
Answer:
(b) P. C. Mahalanobis
Question 12.
Choose the odd one out from the following: [1]
(a) Bombay Plan- 1944
(b) Planning Commission- 1950
(c) Second Plan- 1956
(d) Third Plan- 1962
Answer:
(d) Third Plan- 1962
Section – B (12 Marks)
Question 13.
When and why did the Communist Party of India go through a major split? [2]
Answer:
The Communist Party of India (CPI) underwent a major split in 1964 following the ideological rift between the Soviet Union and China. The pro-Soviet faction remained as the CPI, while the opponents formed the CPI (M) or the Communist Party of India (Marxist).
Question 14.
How the large foreign reserves can be beneficial for a country? [2]
Answer:
A significant amount of foreign reserves can help a nation make investments the other countries economies. Through this, a nation can earn huge amounts of profit from other nations and increase its influence in the economic matters of those nations too.
Question 15.
Who was J. C. Kumarappa? [2]
Answer:
J. C. Kumarappa was an economist and chartered accountant who was a follower of Gandhian principles. He was also a participant in the planning process of the country.
Question 16.
What does defection mean in Indian politics? [2]
Answer:
Defection was a factor in 1967 elections. It played an important role in the formation and collapse of government. Defection displays the behaviour of an elected representative who leaves the party on whose symbol he/she won and joins another party.
Question 17.
How globalisation affects investments in a country? [2]
Answer:
Globalisation opens up ample opportunities for foreign investments in a country.
1. The wealthy classes of other nations find opportunities to invest their money in developing nations.
2. This can lead to the creation of jobs and opportunities for the native people of the country.
Question 18.
Highlight any one major distinction between the Soviet economy and the capitalist economy. [2]
Answer:
1. The Soviet economy was planned and controlled by the state only.
2. Whereas, the capitalist economy was enjoyed by the people or group of people as well as by the state.
Section – C (20 Marks)
Question 19.
How did the crisis in the East Pakistan affect India? [4]
Answer:
After the arrest of Sheikh Mujibur Rehman by the Pakistan army, the Awami League in East Pakistan started to revolt against the Pakistan army.
1. The Pakistan army showed brutal behaviour against the people of East Pakistan. They performed large-scale atrocities in the region.
2. The people of East Pakistan entered India. There were around 80 lakhs refugees who entered India and seeing this India started to give material and moral support to the people in East Pakistan.
Question 20.
Why can the UN not serve as a balance against the US dominance? Explain. [4]
Answer:
1. First of all, with the disappearance of the Soviet Union, the US stands as the only superpower. Its military and economic power allows it to ignore the UN or any other international organisation.
2. Secondly, within the UN, the influence of the US is considerable. As the single largest contributor to the UN, the US has unmatched financial power. The fact that the UN is physically located within the US territory, gives Washington additional sources of influence.
3. The UN is not a great balance to the US. Nevertheless, in a unipolar world in which the US is dominant, the UN can and has served to bring the US and the rest of the world into discussions over various issues.
4. US leaders, in spite of their frequent criticism of the UN, do see the organisation as serving purpose in bringing together over 190 nations in dealing with conflict and social and economic development.
Question 21.
Many people think that a two-party system is required for a successful democracy. Drawing from India’s experience of last 30 years, write an essay on what advantages the present party system in India has. [4]
Answer:
During the first 30 years after the independence, there was a dominance of only Congress party in the politics of India. They ruled from 1947 to 1977 and had no political opposition.
1. It was 1977 that for the first time non-Congress government was formed at the centre. However, the Janata government was not able to complete its full tenure.
2. It was during 1999-2004 that a first non-Congress government was successful in completing its first tenure.
3. Since then, Congress and the BJP have been the two major parties affecting the politics of the country.
4. The two-party system is effective as it provides a strong opposition to the ruling party which ensures that the ruling party did not use its power in arbitrary manner.
Question 22.
Analyse any four factors responsible for the downfall of the Janata Government in 1979. [4]
Answer:
The factors responsible for the downfall of the Janata Government are :
1. The Janata Party government that came to power after 1977 election, was far from being cohesive. Morarji Desai became the Prime Minister but did not bring the power within the party to an end.
2. The Janata Party lacked direction, leadership and a common programme.
3. The Janata Party government could not bring about a fundamental change in policies from those pursued by the Congress.
4. The Janata Party split and the government which was led by Morarji Desai lost its majority in less than 18 months.
Question 23.
Discuss the political history that led to the formation of the European Union in 1992. [4]
Answer:
Some of the major events that led to the formation of the European Union are:
1. The formation of the European Coal and Steel Community in 1951 by an agreement among six European nations.
2. The establishment of the European Economic Community in 1957.
3. The first direct elections to the European Parliament were held in the year 1979.
4. The Schengen agreement of 1985 abolishes the control over the borders among the several European nations.
5. Finally the Maastricht treaty was signed that founded the EU in 1992.
Section – D (12 Marks)
Question 24.
Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow: [4]
This phase of elected democracy lasted till 1999 when the army stepped in again and General Pervez Musharraf removed Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. In 2001, General Musharraf got himself elected as the President of Pakistan. Pakistan continued to be ruled by the army, though the army rulers have held some elections to give their rule a democratic image. Since 2008, democratically elected leaders have been ruling Pakistan.
(i) Which year did General Pervez Musharraf remove the democratically elected government?
(a) 1998
(b) 1999
(c) 1997
(d) 1996
Answer:
(b) 1999
(ii) In______General Pervez Musharraf became the President of Pakistan.
(a) 2001
(b) 1999
(c) 2000
(d) 1998
Answer:
(a) 2001
(iii) What did General Pervez Musharraf’s administration do to show the world that they are following democracy?
(a) He took part in the UN proceedings.
(b) Pakistan had bilateral talks with India.
(c) He held elections in the country.
(d) All of the above
Answer:
(c) He held elections in the country.
(iv) Since when does Pakistan continuously have democratically elected governments?
(a) 2000
(b) 2008
(c) 1999
(d) 2007
Answer:
(b) 2008
Question 25.
In the given political outline map of India, four states have been shown as (A), (B), (C) and (D). Identify them on basis of the information given below and write their correct names in your answer book with the respective serial number of the information used and the concerned alphabet as per the following format: [4]
(i) The State that resisted its merger with the Union of India.
(ii) The State which was carved out of Assam in 1972.
(iii) The State where the Communist Party of India formed its Government in 1957.
(iv) The State which was formed in 1966.
| Sr. no. of the Information used | Concerned alphabet | Name of the State |
| (i) | ||
| (ii) | ||
| (iii) | ||
| (iv) |
Answer.
| Sr. no. of the Information used | Concerned alphabet | Name of the State |
| (i) | D | Manipur |
| (ii) | B | Meghalaya |
| (iii) | A | Kerala |
| (iv) | C | Haryana |
Question 26.
Study the given Cartoon and answer the questions that follow: [4]
(i) Name the person who is shown as a boxer with the garland in the cartoon.
(a) S. Nijalingappa
(b) Zakir Hussain
(c) N. Sanjeeva Reddy
(d) V.V. Giri
Answer:
(d) V.V.Giri
(ii) Which of the following statements about the Syndicate is correct?
(a) It was a group of powerful and influential leaders from within Congress.
(b) It was led by Jawaharlal Nehru, former Prime Minister of India.
(c) It played a decisive role in the installation of Morarji Desai as the Prime Minister.
(d) It nominated K. Kamaraj as the official Congress candidate for the ensuing Presidential elections in 1969.
Answer:
(a) It was a group of powerful and influential leaders from within Congress.
(iii)_______was the President of Congress during the Presidential election of 1969.
(a) V.V.Giri
(b) K. Kamaraj
(c) S. Nijalingappa
(d) Indira Gandhi
Answer:
(c) S. Nijalingappa
(iv) Name the person who is lying on the ground in the given cartoon.
(a) S. Nijalingappa
(b) N. Sanjeeva Reddy
(c) K. Kamaraj
(d) Morarji Desai
Answer:
(b) N. Sanjeeva Reddy
Section – E (24 Marks)
Question 27.
Examine any six consequences of the disintegration of the Soviet Union.
OR
Describe the factors that make most of the former Soviet Republics prone to conflicts and threats. [6]
Answer:
A consequence of the disintegration of the Soviet Union:
1. End of Cold War confrontations: The ideological dispute over whether the socialist system would beat the capitalist system was no issue anymore.
2. End to arms race and a possible new peace: Currently the Russian invasion in Ukraine destroyed that possibility.
3. Power relations changed the world: Now one superpower would dominate and create unipolar system, or different countries or groups of countries could become important players in international politics.
4. U.S. became the sole superpower: Capitalism became the dominant philosophy.
5. Emergence of many new countries.
6. The notion of liberal democracy emerged as the best way to organise political life.
7. The international system saw many new players emerge, each with its own identity, interests and economic and political difficulties.
OR
The present-day conflicts which the post-Soviet republics are confronted with can be traced to the old days when the USSR existed. With the downfall of the USSR, Russia has experienced high levels ethnic conflicts pertaining exit claims by former satellite states that rose against the idea of federation. Exit claims antagonised the state leading to a clash between the interest of the centre and the constituent states resulting in massive human rights violations in Chechnya and in other regions.
The three factors that make most of the former Soviet republics prone to conflicts and threats are:
1. Chechnya conflict: It began 1994 and led to demand for independence. It has been the bone contention between separatists and the Government of Russia for decades. Russia has been criticised for its actions which led to the mass killing of people in Chechnya.
2. Tajikistan conflict: Tajikistan also experienced a decade-long civil war fuelled primarily by a clash between ethnic groups. It ended in 2001. The cause of the civil war lies in the period after the end of the cold war where the legitimacy crisis erupted after presidential elections in Tajikistan. It took the form of a civil war.
3. Georgia conflict: Like the other post-Soviet states, Georgia also fell prey the internal conflicts and instability which had accumulated since the days of the Soviet Union. Declaring independence, Georgia witnessed two gruesome conflicts in the country. These conflicts proved to be painful for the country as they created divided societies following divergent interests.
Question 28.
“Regional aspiration, regional imbalance and regionalism are a hindrance in the way of national unity of India”. Do you agree with the statement?
OR
“Jammu and Kashmir is one of the living examples of plural society and politics.” Justify the statement with suitable arguments. [6]
Answer:
Regional movement is an identity movement seeking special privileges, protection, and concessions from the state. It is a movement for regional self-governance. Most of the regional movements emphasise autonomy, especially in the socio-cultural realm. Regional aspirations might be dangerous for the unity of the country because it can be a hindrance to national unity.
1. This association with a nation is the primary identity of a person and every nation encourages its citizens to take pride in being its citizen.
2. But when people begin identifying more strongly with their region than with their nation, it is alleged that it can cause harm for the country’s unity.
3. While a nation tries to establish harmony between all its citizens by uniting them through a constitution, national symbols, and songs, regionalism glorifies the heritage of only one particular region and of one culture.
4. This sometimes leads to the formation of multiple communities within one nation and restricts the efforts of national integration.
5. Besides this regionalism beyond a point can lead to secessionism.
6. National integration might come under threat when regionalism advocates Vote-Bank politics, thereby weakening national integration.
According to my opinion, there are some positive impacts of regionalism that prevail in our country:
1. Regionalism promotes a sense of pride in connecting to one’s tradition and culture.
2. Regional movements have helped the art and culture of many neglected regions to flourish in the national context as well.
3. We can assume regionalism is not a hindrance or anti-national phenomenon unless it becomes aggressive and provokes separatist ideas.
4. Unity in Diversity ethos needs to be preserved, the accommodation of multiple aspirations of a diverse population is necessary. National unity would not be vulnerable if the people of a region have genuine pride in their language and culture.
OR
1. Jammu and Kashmir comprise three major social and political regions-Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh.
2. Jammu region comprises foothills and plains inhabited by an equal ratio of Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs and speakers of various languages.
3. Kashmir region is the Kashmir valley, the people who speak Kashmiri and, mostly Muslims with a small population of Kashmiri Hindus.
4. Ladakh region is mountainous with a very little population equally divided between Buddhists and Muslims.
5. Jammu and Kashmir involve the issue of Kashmiri identity-Kashmiriyat and the aspirations of the people for political autonomy.
6. Politics in Jammu and Kashmir is made up of numerous strands – One group stands for a separate Kashmiri nation independent of both India and Pakistan. Another group wants Kashmir to merge with Pakistan.
7. A third group wants greater autonomy for Jammu and Kashmir within India.
8. The Ladakh region demands intra-state autonomy within Jammu and Kashmir.
Question 29.
What are the differences in the threats that people in the Third World face and those living in the First World face?
OR
Is terrorism a traditional or non-traditional threat to security? Explain. [6]
Answer:
The security threats and challenges faced by the people of the Third World were different from the ones living in the First World.
1. The nature of security threats was different in the Cold War era as the European countries divided themselves from the military alliances of the two superpowers. They were threatened of this Cold War actually escalating into a hot war.
2. Many European countries also got worried about the violence in their colonies from colonised people, who wanted independence, and that might have affected the European countries.
3. For the newly independent countries, i.e., the Third World countries, the nature security threats were different. They were threatened being attacked by the former colonial rulers or of becoming targets of the Imperial War since most of the Cold War-related wars were fought in the Third World.
4. The Third World countries were also threatened of being attacked by their neighbouring countries.
5. They were also threatened by the rising aspirations of the people, culminating in secessionist movements and the demand for separate statehood or greater autonomy. This type of threat was more challenging as they had to prevent the Balkanisation of the country and retain its unity.
6. The ethnic tensions and conflict served as a major threat to the newly independent nations. They also feared the separatist group being instigated and supported by the neighbouring countries leading to instability and strife. Thus, they faced both internal and external challenges on their security.
OR
Terrorism is a non-traditional threat to wound the peace and order in the country.
1. Terrorism refers to political violence that targets civilians deliberately and indiscriminately.
2. International terrorism involves the citizens or territory of more than one country.
3. Terrorist groups seek to change a political context or condition that they do not like by force or threat of force.
4. Civilian targets are usually chosen to terrorise the public and to use the unhappiness of the public as a weapon against national governments or other parties in conflict.
5. The classic cases of terrorism involve hijacking planes or planting bombs in trains, cafes, markets and other crowded places.
6. Since 11 September 2001 when terrorists attacked the World Trade Centre in America, other governments and the public have paid more attention to terrorism, though terrorism itself is not new.
7. In the past, most of the terror attacks have occurred in the Middle East, Europe, Latin America and South Asia.
Question 30.
Analyse India’s stand on environmental issues.
OR
In which way resource geopolitics had led the way for ‘Neocolonialism’? [6]
Answer:
In Kyoto Protocol, it was acknowledged that per capita emissions in developing countries are still relatively low. Therefore, India, China and other developing countries were exempted from the requirements of the Kyoto Protocol.
1. The environmentalists pointed that sooner or later, both India & China along with other developing countries will among the leading contributors to greenhouse gas emissions.
2. At the G-8 meeting in June 2005, India pointed out per capita emission rates the developing countries are a tiny fraction of those in the developed world.
3. India is of the view that the major responsibility of curbing emissions rests with the developed countries, which have accumulated emissions over a long period of time.
4. India’s international negotiating position relies heavily on principles of historical responsibility, as enshrined in UNFCCC.
5. India signed and ratified the 1997 Kyoto Protocol in August 2002.
6. The Indian government is already participating in global efforts through a number of programmes.
7. Moreover, India has undertaken a review of the implementation of the agreements at the Earth Summit in 1997.
OR
Resource Geopolitics focuses political power linked to geographic space. Topics of geopolitics include relations between the interests of international political actors focused within an area, a space, or a geographical element; relations which create a geopolitical system.
1. Western geopolitical thinking about resources has been mainly influenced by the relationship of trade, war and power, at the core of which were overseas resources and maritime navigation.
2. The importance of ensuring uninterrupted supply of strategic resources, in particular oil, was well established both during the First World War and the Second World War.
3. During the Cold War the industrialised countries were engaged in the deployment of military forces near exploitation sites and along sea lanes of communication and the stockpiling of strategic resources.
4. They attempt to prop up friendly governments in producing countries as well as support to multinational companies for their benefit.
5. There was a particular concern for Western control of oil in the Gulf and strategic minerals in Southern and Central Africa.
6. The global economy depended on oil for much of the 20th century as a portable and indispensable fuel.
7. Water is another crucial resource that relevant to global politics as the increasing scarcity fresh water has increased the possibility of disagreements over shared water resources as leading source of conflicts 21st century. Therefore, to acquire the natural resources without interruption, industrialised developed countries are trying to capture the less developed resourceful countries, which can be termed as “Neocolonialism’.