Passage Based Questions: Challenges to and Restoration of Congress System - 1 | Political Science Class 12 - Humanities/Arts PDF Download

After the death of Jawaharlal Nehru in 1964, there was uncertainty about India's political stability. Many believed that India's democracy might not survive without Nehru's leadership. However, the smooth succession of Lal Bahadur Shastri as Prime Minister proved these concerns wrong. Shastri, known for his simplicity and commitment to principles, faced major challenges, including the 1965 war with Pakistan and an economic crisis caused by droughts and food shortages. His leadership was cut short when he passed away in Tashkent in 1966, after signing a peace agreement with Pakistan.

i. Who succeeded Jawaharlal Nehru as Prime Minister of India in 1964? (1 Mark)
(a) Indira Gandhi
(b) Morarji Desai
(c) Lal Bahadur Shastri 
(d) K. Kamaraj
ii. What were the major challenges faced by Lal Bahadur Shastri as Prime Minister? (2 Marks)
iii. Why was Shastri’s tenure as Prime Minister cut short? (1 Mark)

Ans:
i. (c) Lal Bahadur Shastri 
ii. 

• India fought a war with Pakistan in 1965.
• The country faced severe food shortages and an economic crisis.

iii. He passed away in Tashkent in 1966 after signing a peace agreement with Pakistan.

Q2: Read the Passage below and answer the questions that follow:

After Shastri’s sudden death in 1966, the Congress had to choose a new leader. The contest was between Indira Gandhi and Morarji Desai. Congress leaders believed that Indira Gandhi, daughter of Nehru, would be easier to influence, so they backed her. In a secret ballot, Indira Gandhi won by securing two-thirds of the votes and became India's first woman Prime Minister. However, she quickly asserted her authority, proving to be an independent and strong leader.

i. Who did Indira Gandhi defeat in the 1966 Congress leadership contest? (1 Mark)
(a) Lal Bahadur Shastri
(b) S.K. Patil
(c) Morarji Desai 
(d) K. Kamaraj
ii. How did Indira Gandhi establish her leadership after becoming Prime Minister? (2 Marks)
iii. Why did Congress leaders initially support Indira Gandhi? (1 Mark)

Ans:
i. (c) Morarji Desai
ii.

• She demonstrated independence from senior Congress leaders who initially supported her.
• She took bold decisions to strengthen her control over the government.

iii. They believed she would be easier to control due to her inexperience.

Q3: Read the Passage below and answer the questions that follow:

The 1967 general elections were a turning point in Indian politics. For the first time since independence, the Congress suffered major losses, both at the national and state levels. The party retained power at the Centre but with a reduced majority, and lost control in several key states like Punjab, Bihar, and West Bengal. This election proved that Congress was no longer invincible, and opposition parties gained strength by forming alliances against it.

i. Which of the following was a key outcome of the 1967 elections? (1 Mark)
(a) Congress won with its largest majority
(b) Congress lost power in several states
(c) Congress formed an alliance with the Communist Party
(d) Congress was completely defeated in the Lok Sabha
ii. How did the 1967 elections change Indian politics? (2 Marks)
iii. Why was the 1967 election called a ‘political earthquake’? (1 Mark)

Ans:
i.  (b) Congress lost power in several states
ii. 

• Congress lost its dominance in many states for the first time.
• Opposition parties united to challenge Congress.

iii. It was the first election where Congress faced serious electoral setbacks.

Q4: Read the Passage below and answer the questions that follow:

By 1969, Indira Gandhi was facing internal opposition from a group of senior Congress leaders known as the Syndicate. The split became official during the Presidential elections, when Indira Gandhi supported independent candidate V.V. Giri instead of the Congress’ official candidate, N. Sanjeeva Reddy. This led to the division of the Congress into two factions – Congress (O) (Organisation), led by the Syndicate, and Congress (R) (Requisitionists), led by Indira Gandhi.

i. What was the main reason for the Congress split in 1969? (1 Mark)
(a) Indira Gandhi’s refusal to resign as Prime Minister
(b) The Syndicate’s support for N. Sanjeeva Reddy in the Presidential election 
(c) Disagreements over India’s foreign policy
(d) Congress’ defeat in the 1967 elections
ii. What were the two factions of Congress after the 1969 split? (2 Marks)
iii. Why did Indira Gandhi support V.V. Giri in the 1969 Presidential election? (1 Mark)

Ans:
i. (b) The Syndicate’s support for N. Sanjeeva Reddy in the Presidential election
ii.

• Congress (O), led by senior leaders from the Syndicate.
• Congress (R), led by Indira Gandhi and her supporters.

iii. To challenge the authority of the Syndicate within Congress. 

Q5: Read the Passage below and answer the questions that follow:

The 1971 general elections saw a major shift in Indian politics. Indira Gandhi campaigned with the slogan ‘Garibi Hatao’ (Remove Poverty), focusing on socialist policies like nationalization of banks and land reforms. The opposition formed a Grand Alliance of multiple parties against her. However, Indira Gandhi’s Congress (R) won a landslide victory, securing 352 Lok Sabha seats and re-establishing Congress’ dominance.

i. What was the main campaign slogan of Indira Gandhi in the 1971 elections? (1 Mark)
(a) Jai Jawan Jai Kisan
(b) Congress Hatao
(c) Garibi Hatao
(d) Bharat Mata Ki Jai
ii. What were the key factors behind Congress’ victory in 1971? (2 Marks)
iii. Why was the 1971 election significant for Indira Gandhi? (1 Mark)

Ans:
i. (c) Garibi Hatao
ii. 

• Indira Gandhi’s focus on socialist policies and pro-poor initiatives.
• The opposition’s lack of a clear alternative agenda.

iii. It strengthened her control over Congress and re-established her leadership.

Q6: Read the Passage below and answer the questions that follow:

In 1969, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi announced the nationalization of 14 major banks, bringing them under government control. This move aimed to ensure that banking services reached rural areas and weaker sections of society, reducing the dominance of private industrialists. The nationalization policy strengthened the government’s ability to finance development projects and promote socialist economic policies. However, critics argued that government control led to inefficiency and corruption in the banking system.

ii. What were the key objectives of bank nationalization? (2 Marks)
iii. What was one criticism of bank nationalization? (1 Mark)

Ans:
i. (b) To provide financial services to rural areas and weaker sections
ii.

• Expanding banking services to rural areas and ensuring credit for small industries and farmers.
• Strengthening the public sector’s role in economic development.

iii. It led to inefficiency and corruption due to excessive government control.

Q7: Read the Passage below and answer the questions that follow:

The Indo-Pakistan War of 1971 was triggered by Pakistan’s military crackdown in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) following demands for autonomy by the Awami League, led by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Millions of refugees fled to India, creating a humanitarian crisis. India, under Indira Gandhi, supported the Bangladeshi liberation movement and launched a military offensive against West Pakistan in December 1971. The war ended with Pakistan’s defeat, and Bangladesh became an independent nation.

i. Which country was created after the Indo-Pakistan War of 1971? (1 Mark)
(a) Nepal
(b) Bangladesh
(c) Sri Lanka
(d) Afghanistan
ii. What were the key reasons for India’s involvement in the 1971 war? (2 Marks)
iii. Why was the 1971 war significant for India? (1 Mark)

Ans:
i. (b) Bangladesh
ii. 

• The influx of millions of refugees from East Pakistan to India.
• Pakistan’s military crackdown on civilians in East Pakistan.

iii. It led to the creation of Bangladesh and strengthened India’s position as a regional power.

Q8: Read the Passage below and answer the questions that follow:

On June 25, 1975, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi declared a National Emergency, citing internal disturbances and threats to national security. This led to the suspension of fundamental rights, censorship of the press, and mass arrests of opposition leaders. The period saw authoritarian rule, with forced sterilization campaigns and political suppression. The Emergency ended in 1977, following public dissatisfaction and the defeat of Congress in the general elections.

i. When was the National Emergency declared in India? (1 Mark)
(a) 1971
(b) 1975
(c) 1984
(d) 1991
ii. What were the major consequences of the Emergency? (2 Marks)
iii. Why did the Emergency end in 1977? (1 Mark)

Ans:
i. (b) 1975
ii. 

• Suspension of fundamental rights and press censorship.
• Mass arrests of opposition leaders and forced sterilization programs.

iii. Public dissatisfaction led to the defeat of Indira Gandhi’s Congress in the elections.

Q9: Read the Passage below and answer the questions that follow:

The 1977 general elections were historic, as the Congress Party was defeated for the first time since independence. The Janata Party, a coalition of opposition parties, won the elections, and Morarji Desai became the first non-Congress Prime Minister of India. The election results reflected public anger against the Emergency, and people voted for restoring democracy. However, internal conflicts within the Janata Party weakened its rule, leading to its collapse in 1980.

i. Which political party defeated Congress in the 1977 general elections? (1 Mark)
(a) BJP
(b) Janata Party
(c) CPI
(d) DMK
ii. What were the key reasons for the Congress defeat in 1977? (2 Marks)
iii. Why did the Janata Party government collapse in 1980? (1 Mark)

Ans:
i. (b) Janata Party
ii. 

• Public anger over the Emergency and suppression of civil liberties.
• Widespread support for democracy and opposition unity against Indira Gandhi.

iii. Internal conflicts and lack of unity among coalition partners.

Q10: Read the Passage below and answer the questions that follow:

In 1984, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi ordered Operation Blue Star to remove militants from the Golden Temple in Amritsar. The operation led to severe destruction, angering many Sikhs. In retaliation, Indira Gandhi was assassinated by her Sikh bodyguards on October 31, 1984. This was followed by anti-Sikh riots across India, leading to widespread violence and loss of lives.

i. What was the main objective of Operation Blue Star? (1 Mark)
(a) To capture insurgents in Kashmir
(b) To remove militants from the Golden Temple in Amritsar
(c) To establish military rule in Punjab
(d) To stop farmers' protests
ii. What were the major consequences of Operation Blue Star? (2 Marks)
iii. Why was Operation Blue Star controversial? (1 Mark)

Ans:
i. (b) To remove militants from the Golden Temple in Amritsar
ii.

• Indira Gandhi was assassinated by her Sikh bodyguards.
• Violent anti-Sikh riots erupted across the country.

iii. The attack on the Golden Temple deeply hurt Sikh religious sentiments.