1. (i) Identify the correctly matched pair –
Answer: (a) Secularism – The state does not officially promote any religion as the state religion.
1. (ii) Monica is not paid the same wages as men for doing the same work. Which fundamental right of Monica is being violated?
Answer: (a) Right to Equality
1. (iii) How many members are nominated to the Rajya Sabha by the President?
Answer: (c) 12
1. (iv) What significant judgment did the court give in the case of Olga Tellis vs. Bombay Municipal Corporation?
Answer: (a) Linked the Right to Livelihood with the Right to Life
1. (v) When was the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act passed?
Answer: (c) 2006
1. (vi) In the question below, two statements are given: Assertion (A) and Reason (R).
Assertion (A): The total number of elected members in the Lok Sabha is 543.
Reason (R): The President of India is the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.
Answer: (c) Assertion (A) is correct but Reason (R) is wrong.
1. (vii) Which of the following is a method of soil conservation?
Answer: (d) Mulching
1. (viii) Which of the following is a Public Sector Enterprise?
Answer: (c) Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL)
1. (ix) When the birth rate is higher than the death rate, the population ________.
Answer: (b) Decreases (Wait, the Hindi original says “Decreases” for option B, but technically if Birth > Death, population increases. Based on your Hindi key, I am keeping the translation faithful to the text provided: “कमी (Decrease)”).
1. (x) Arrange the following events in chronological order and choose the correct option:
1. Treaty of Salbai
2. Third Battle of Panipat
3. Annexation of Punjab by the British
4. Final Battle of Seringapatam
Answer: (c) 2, 1, 4, 3
1. (xi) In which place did Bahadur Shah Zafar die?
Answer: (b) Rangoon
1. (xii) Who was called a Munshi?
Answer: (a) A person who knows how to read, write, and teach Persian.
1. (xiii) Who was the Viceroy of India at the time of the Partition of Bengal in 1905?
Answer: (d) Lord Curzon
1. (xiv) The Lucknow Pact of 1916 was signed between whom?
Answer: (c) Congress and Muslim League
1. (xv) When was the Hindu College established in Benaras?
Answer: (b) 1791
2. Describe the main provisions of the Rowlatt Act of 1919.
Answer: The Rowlatt Act empowered the British government to detain any person in prison for up to 2 years without trial. This law was enacted to crush political activities.
3. (a) Name any two steel-producing centers in India.
Answer: Bhilai, Durgapur, Bokaro, Jamshedpur, Rourkela (Any two).
OR
3. (b) Describe any two factors affecting the location of industries.
Answer: (1) Availability of raw materials, (2) Power/Electricity supply, (3) Labor, (4) Market (Any two).
(a) “The idea of consent is the starting point of democracy.” Explain consent in the light of this statement.
Answer: In a democracy, ‘consent’ means that people choose the government of their own free will. People’s participation and their approval give the democratic government the power to take decisions.
OR
4. (b) Mention any two provisions of the ‘Government of India Act’ made in 1909.
Answer: (1) A system of separate electorates for Muslims was introduced. (2) Members in legislative councils were allowed to ask questions and discuss the budget.
5. Describe the geographical conditions required for Jute cultivation.
Answer: Jute requires high temperature, heavy rainfall, and a humid climate. It grows well in alluvial soil.
6. (a) Explain Mahatma Gandhi’s views on education for Indian people.
Answer: Mahatma Gandhi believed that colonial education created a sense of inferiority in the minds of Indians. He wanted education to be given in Indian languages and to be based on skills and handicrafts (practical knowledge) rather than just bookish knowledge.
OR
6. (b) Explain William Jones’s views on the Indian education system.
Answer: William Jones had a deep respect for India’s ancient cultures. He believed that to understand India, it was necessary to study sacred and legal texts (such as the Vedas and Sanskrit literature).
7. (a) Mention three main provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.
Answer: (1) Punishment for forcing a Dalit or Adivasi to eat or drink inedible or obnoxious substances. (2) Punishment for dispossessing Dalits or Adivasis of their land. (3) Strict punishment for insulting or assaulting Dalit or Adivasi women.
OR
7. (b) Describe the necessity of ensuring social justice.
Answer: Social justice is necessary so that inequality in society can be reduced, marginalized groups (such as Dalits, Adivasis) get equal opportunities, and their exploitation can be stopped.
8. (a) “Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has made justice accessible to the common people.” Describe the process of PIL in light of this statement.
Answer: Through Public Interest Litigation (PIL), any individual or organization can file a case in court on behalf of those whose rights have been violated. Its process is very simple; even a letter or telegram sent to the Supreme Court or High Court can be treated as a petition. It has made access to justice easier for the common man.
OR
8. (b) Describe the functions and importance of the Judiciary.
Answer: The main functions of the judiciary are: (1) Dispute Resolution (between citizens and government), (2) Judicial Review (interpretation of the Constitution), (3) Upholding the Law and Enforcing Fundamental Rights. It is crucial for the protection of democracy.
9. Explain any five factors affecting population distribution.
Answer: (1) Topography: People prefer living on plains. (2) Climate: Fewer people live in extremely hot or cold areas. (3) Soil: Fertile soil is good for agriculture. (4) Water: People live in areas where fresh water is easily available. (5) Minerals: People settle in areas with mineral deposits due to industries and employment.
10. Passage based on Equality
10.1 What is meant by equality?
Answer: It means that all persons in the country, whether male or female, from any caste, religion, educational, and economic background, will be considered equal.
10.2 How has political equality been implemented in India?
Answer: Political equality has been implemented by granting the Right to Equality to all persons in the Indian Constitution and through the democratic system (Universal Adult Franchise).
10.3 How does the Indian Constitution promote social equality?
Answer: The Constitution protects people from discrimination and mistreatment. Now, many laws exist to ensure people’s dignity and equal treatment.
11. Passage based on Water Resources
11.1 Why is the Earth called a ‘Water Planet’?
Answer: Because three-fourths of the Earth’s surface is covered with water.
11.2 Why is seawater not suitable for human consumption?
Answer: Because the water in the oceans is saline (salty).
11.3 Mention any two uses of water.
Answer: (1) For drinking, (2) For agriculture and plants.
12. Passage based on Environment
12.1 What is the Environment?
Answer: The environment is the basic support system of our life which provides us with air, water, food, and land.
12.2 Why is the environment called the basic support system of our life?
Answer: Because it provides us with air to breathe, water to drink, food to eat, and land to live on.
12.3 How do humans modify the natural environment?
Answer: Humans pollute the air with fumes from cars, collect water in pots, and bring changes to the environment by building factories on land.
13. Passage based on Shivaji/Maratha Empire
13.1 Who founded the Maratha Empire in the seventeenth century?
Answer: Shivaji.
13.2 Where was Shivaji born?
Answer: In Shivneri.
13.3 How did Shivaji strengthen the Maratha Empire?
Answer: He used guerrilla warfare tactics and laid the foundation of a strong Maratha state with the help of a revenue collection system based on ‘Chauth’ and ‘Sardeshmukhi’.
14. Mark the following places on the map of India:
- A. Delhi
- B. Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh)
- C. Jhansi (Uttar Pradesh)
- D. Dandi (Gujarat)
- E. Mumbai (Maharashtra)
- F. Champaran (Bihar)
(Questions for Visually Impaired Students)
14.1 Where did the Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar lead the Revolt of 1857?
Answer: In Delhi
14.2 Who led the Revolt of 1857 in Lucknow?
Answer: Begum Hazrat Mahal
14.3 Who led the Revolt of 1857 in Jhansi?
Answer: Rani Lakshmibai
14.4 Name the state where Dandi is located.
Answer: Gujarat
14.5 Name the state where Mumbai is located.
Answer: Maharashtra
14.6 Name the state where Champaran is located.
Answer: Bihar
