Passage Based Questions: The Constitution and Social Change | Sociology Class 12 - Humanities/Arts PDF Download

Passage - 1

Direction: Read the following Passage and Answer the Questions.
The power of the state is behind it. The essence of justice is fairness. Any system of law functions through a hierarchy of authorities. Constitution is the basis of all rules and authorities. It is the document that constitutes a nation’s tenets. The Indian Constitution is India’s basic norm. All other laws are made as per the procedures prescribed by the Constitution. These laws are made and implemented by the authorities specified by the Constitution. A hierarchy of courts (which too are authorities created by the Constitution) inerpret the laws when there is a dispute. The Supreme Court is the highest court and the ultimate interpreter of the Constitution.

Q1: What is the basis of all rules and authorities in a nation, according to the passage?
Ans:

• The basis of all rules and authorities in a nation is the Constitution.

Q2: How are laws made and implemented in India, as per the passage?
Ans:

• Laws in India are made and implemented according to procedures prescribed by the Constitution. Authorities specified by the Constitution create and enforce these laws.

Q3: Which court serves as the highest authority and ultimate interpreter of the Constitution in India?
Ans:

• The Supreme Court serves as the highest authority and ultimate interpreter of the Constitution in India.

Passage - 2

Direction: Read the following Passage and Answer the Questions.
When the constitution was being drafted, panchayats did not find a mention in it. At this juncture, a number of members expressed their sorrow, anger and disappointment over this issue. At the same time, drawing on his own rural experience, Dr. Ambedkar argued that local elites and upper castes were so well entrenched in society that local selfgovernment only meant a continuing exploitation of the downtrodden masses of Indian society.

Q1: What was the initial stance of the constitution regarding the mention of panchayats, according to the passage?
Ans:

• When the constitution was being drafted, panchayats did not find a mention in it.

Q2: How did Dr. Ambedkar perceive the inclusion of panchayats in the constitution?
Ans:

• Dr. Ambedkar argued that including panchayats would perpetuate the exploitation of the downtrodden masses by the entrenched local elites and upper castes in society, drawing from his own rural experience.

Q3: What was the reaction of some members when panchayats were not mentioned in the constitution?
Ans:

• Some members expressed their sorrow, anger, and disappointment over the absence of panchayats in the constitution.

Passage - 3

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The 73rd and 74th amendments to the Constitution ensured the reservation of one third of the total seats for women in all elected offices of local bodies in both the rural and urban areas. Out of this, 17 per cent seats are reserved for women belonging to the scheduled castes and tribes. This amendment is significant as for the first time it brought women into elected bodies which also bestowed on them decision-making powers. One third of the seats in local bodies, gram panchayats, village panchayats, municipalities, city corporations and district boards are reserved for women. 

Q1: What did the 73rd and 74th amendments to the Constitution ensure regarding women's representation in elected offices?
Ans:

• The 73rd and 74th amendments reserved one third of total seats in all local bodies for women in both rural and urban areas.
• Out of this reservation, 17% of seats are specifically designated for women from scheduled castes and tribes.
• This amendment marked the first instance where women gained decision-making powers in elected bodies.

Q2: Which elected offices are affected by the reservation for women according to the amendments?
Ans:

• The reservation for women applies to local bodies, including gram panchayats and village panchayats in rural areas.
• It also extends to municipalities, city corporations, and district boards in urban areas.
• In all these offices, one third of the seats are reserved for women, ensuring their representation.

Q3: What is the significance of the 73rd and 74th amendments in terms of women's participation in decision making?
Ans:

• These amendments brought women into elected bodies, providing them with significant decision-making powers.
• By reserving one third of the seats in various local bodies, women gained representation in crucial decision-making processes.
• Additionally, the reservation included specific provisions for women belonging to scheduled castes and tribes, ensuring a more inclusive participation in governance.

Passage - 4

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Social welfare responsibilities of the Panchayats include the maintenance of burning and burial grounds, recording statistics of births and deaths, establishment of child welfare and maternity centres, control of cattle pounds, propagation of family planning and promotion of agricultural activities. The development activities include the construction of roads, public buildings, wells, tanks and schools. They also promote small cottage industries and take care of minor irrigation works.

Q1: What are some social welfare responsibilities of Panchayats mentioned in the passage?
Ans:

• Maintenance of burning and burial grounds.
• Recording statistics of births and deaths.
• Establishment of child welfare and maternity centers.
• Control of cattle pounds.
• Propagation of family planning.
• Promotion of agricultural activities.

Q2: What development activities are undertaken by the Panchayats according to the passage?
Ans:

• Construction of roads.
• Building public buildings.
• Digging wells and tanks.
• Establishing schools.
• Promoting small cottage industries.
• Taking care of minor irrigation works.

Q3: How do Panchayats contribute to social welfare and development in their areas of jurisdiction?
Ans:

• By maintaining essential facilities like burning and burial grounds and child welfare centers, Panchayats ensure social welfare.
• They also engage in development activities such as constructing roads, public buildings, and schools, contributing to the overall development of the community.
• Additionally, Panchayats promote family planning, agricultural activities, small cottage industries, and minor irrigation works, fostering economic growth and well-being in their jurisdictions.

Passage - 5

Direction: Read the following Passage and Answer the Questions.
The main income of the Panchayats is from tax levied on property, profession, animals, vehicles, cess on land revenue and rentals. The resources are further increased by the grants received through the Zilla Panchayat. It is also considered compulsory for Panchayat offices to put up boards outside their offices, listing the break up of funds received, and utilisation of the financial aid received. This exercise was taken up to ensure that people at the grassroot level should have the ‘right to information’ – opening all functioning to the public eye. People had the right to scrutinise allocation of money. And ask reasons for decisions that were taken for the welfare and development activities of the village. 

Q1: What are the main sources of income for Panchayats according to the passage?
Ans:

• Tax levied on property, profession, animals, and vehicles.
• Cess on land revenue and rentals.
• Grants received through the Zilla Panchayat.

Q2: What is the purpose of putting up boards outside Panchayat offices, as mentioned in the passage?
Ans:

• To provide a breakdown of funds received and utilization of financial aid.
• To ensure transparency and give people the 'right to information.'
• To allow the public to scrutinize the allocation of money and question decisions made for village welfare and development activities.

Q3: Why is the practice of displaying financial information significant for Panchayats?
Ans:

• It promotes transparency, allowing citizens to understand how funds are allocated and utilized.
• It empowers people with the 'right to information,' enabling them to scrutinize financial decisions.
• It enhances accountability, ensuring that Panchayats are answerable to the public for their financial choices and actions taken for village welfare and development.

Passage - 6

Direction: Read the following Passage and Answer the Questions.
However, as sociologist Tiplut Nongbri remarks that tribal institutions in themselves need not necessarily be democratic in its structure and functioning. Commenting on the Bhuria Committee Report that went into this issue, Nongbri remarks that while the Committee’s concern for the traditional tribal institutions is appreciable, it fails to take stock of the complexity of the situation. For notwithstanding the strong egalitarian ethos that characterised tribal societies, the element of stratification is not altogether absent. Tribal political institutions are not only marked by open intolerance to women but the process of social change has also introduced sharp distortions in the system, making it difficult to identify which is traditional and which is not (Nongbri 2003: 220).

Q1: What is the definition of a political party in the context of a democratic government?
Ans:

• A political party is an organization oriented towards achieving legitimate control of government through an electoral process.
• It is established with the aim of attaining governmental power and implementing specific programs.
• Political parties are based on certain societal beliefs and visions, shaping their agenda for governance.

Q2: How do political parties function in a democratic system regarding the representation of different interest groups?
Ans:

• Political parties represent diverse interests in society and advocate for their causes.
• They act as intermediaries, voicing the concerns and issues of various groups within the larger population.
• Different interest groups work to influence political parties, ensuring that their specific needs and perspectives are taken into account.

Q3: What role do political parties play in democratic governments concerning the interests of different societal groups?
Ans:

• Political parties serve as key actors in democratic systems, working towards achieving governmental power.
• They develop specific programs and policies reflecting their understanding of societal needs and desired changes.
• Through political parties, the interests of different societal groups are represented, allowing for a diverse range of perspectives to influence the government's decisions.

Passage - 7

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It is obvious that all groups will not have the same access or the same ability to pressurise the government. Some, therefore, argue that the concept of pressure groups underestimate the power that dominant social groups such as class, caste or gender have in society. They feel that it would be more accurate to suggest that dominant class or classes control the state. This does not negate the fact that social movements and pressure groups also continue to play a very important role in a democracy.

Q1: According to the passage, what argument is made about the power of dominant social groups in society?
Ans:

• Some argue that dominant social groups, such as class, caste, or gender, have significant power in society.
• These groups may have more influence in shaping government decisions compared to other groups.
• This challenges the concept that all groups have equal access and ability to pressure the government.

Q2: How does the passage describe the influence of dominant social groups on the state?
Ans:

• The passage suggests that dominant class or classes have the ability to control the state.
• This implies that these influential social groups exert considerable influence over governmental affairs.

Q3: Despite the power of dominant social groups, what role do social movements and pressure groups continue to play in a democracy, as per the passage?
Ans:

• Social movements and pressure groups still play a crucial role in a democracy.
• They continue to exert influence and are important actors in shaping governmental policies and decisions.
• Even in the presence of dominant social groups, these movements and groups contribute significantly to the democratic process.