Political Science: CBSE Sample Question Paper with Solutions - 1 | Sample Papers for Class 11 Humanities - Humanities/Arts PDF Download

General Instructions : 
(i) All questions are compulsory
(ii) The question paper has 34 questions in all. All questions are compulsory.  
(iii) Marks are indicated against each question.  
(iv) Questions from serial number 1 to 20 of 1 mark each. The answers to these questions should not exceed 20 words each.  
(v) Questions from serial number 21 to 23 are of 2 marks each. Answer of these questions should not exceed 50 words each.  
(vi) Questions from serial number 24 to 27 are of 4 marks each. The answers to these questions should not exceed 100 words each.
(vii) Question from serial number 28 to 31 are of 5 marks each. The answers to these questions should not exceed 120 words each.  
(viii) Question number 32 to 34 are of 6 marks each. The answers to these questions should not exceed 170 words each.

Q.1. Can you identify the current chairperson of the Rajya Sabha?

The Rajya Sabha is chaired by the Vice-President of India in an ex-officio capacity.

Q.2. Who is the author of the book “Long Walk to Freedom”?

Nelson Mandela authored the book "Long Walk to Freedom".

Q.3. Who can be considered an alien?

An alien is an individual who resides temporarily in a country other than their own and does not possess political rights equal to those of the country's citizens.

Q.4. In what ways can a lack of education hinder progress?

Lack of education perpetuates harmful customs and superstitions, such as child marriage, dowry, and bride burning, among others.

Q.5. Why is having a Constitution important for a country?

The Constitution determines how the government will be structured and function.

Q.6. How did men view women in pre-independence Indian society?

Women were denied equal rights to men in pre-independence Indian society as they were viewed as the weaker gender.

Q.7. Who is credited with introducing federalism in India?

Federalism was introduced in India by the British when they consolidated the former princely states into British provinces.

Q.8. What are the two components of freedom?

The two components of freedom are Positive Freedom and Negative Freedom.

Q.9. What is meant by natural inequalities?

Natural inequalities refer to disparities that arise among people due to their different abilities and talents.

Q.10. What is the meaning of Fundamental Rights?

Fundamental Rights are enshrined in the Indian Constitution as essential and mandatory provisions for the growth and development of the country and its citizens.

Q.11. What is one characteristic that makes the Constitution a good document for the lawful administration of a country?

The distribution of power in society is carefully designed to prevent any one group from undermining the Constitution.

Q.12. Why is the Indian Constitution referred to as a Federal Constitution?

The Indian Constitution is known as a Federal Constitution due to its written form, rigid structure, and division of powers between the central and state governments.

Q.13. What is the political concept of equality?

The political concept of equality means that all human beings are entitled to equal rights regardless of their race, gender, color, or nationality.

Q.14. Who was Saro-Wiwa and what was their significance?

Saro-Wiwa was an Ogoni author, journalist, and television producer in the 1980s.

Q.15. How would you define underdevelopment?

Underdevelopment is characterized by low levels of living standards, productivity, and income, which are often linked to political, ecological, and economic factors.

Q.16. Which provision in the Indian Constitution limits the power of the government in favor of citizens?

Fundamental Rights are rights that are essential for the growth and development of both the country and its citizens.

Q.17. What does the term 'Freedom from Fears' mean?

The compilation of essays was written by Aung San Suu Kyi.

Q.18. How does the Preamble of the Constitution define the nature of India?

The Preamble to the Constitution defines India as a sovereign, secular, socialist, democratic, and republic nation.

Q.19. Can you name two countries that have experienced disintegration due to inefficient federalism?

The USSR, Pakistan, Yugoslavia, and Czechoslovakia are examples of countries that have disintegrated due to ineffective federalism.

Q.20. What is the definition of Apartheid?

Apartheid was a system of racial discrimination between whites and blacks that was primarily practiced after the end of World War II.

Q.21. Enumerate the various kinds of legislatures.

There are two types of legislature:
(i) Unicameral Legislature which consists of only one House. Examples include China and Finland.
(ii) Bicameral Legislature which consists of two Houses. Examples include India and USA.

Q.22. Define the election system.

Elections refer to the process where people choose their representatives who govern and manage the country on their behalf. This process is usually conducted in the context of an indirect democracy.

Q.23. Do you concur that India follows a direct democracy controlled by an indirect democracy? Justify your answer.

Yes, in India, direct democracy operates at the level of Village Panchayat, while indirect democracy operates at all higher levels of decision-making.

Q.24. Does the executive leadership hold a dominant position in India?

The legislature in a parliamentary setup consists of elected representatives who have the right to present, move, and pass a no-confidence vote against the government. However, in practice, the Prime Minister wields the greatest influence and leads Parliament in the direction they see fit. The Prime Minister also has the authority to dissolve the Lok Sabha at will. Thus, it can be concluded that the executive leadership is dominant in India.

Q.25. How does a nation differ from other forms of collective identity?

A nation is primarily an "imagined community" held together by the collective beliefs, aspirations, and imaginations of its members. It is based on certain assumptions, such as shared beliefs, a common history, a shared territory, shared political ideals, and a common political identity that people construct about the collective whole to which they identify. Unlike a family, whose members are linked by face-to-face relations, a nation is not based on common descent. It is distinct from clans and other kinship groups, as it is not based on common ancestry, nor is it like a linguistic group, as it is not based on a common language or a religious group, as it does not share any common religion.

Q.26. Enumerate the characteristics of social class.

A class is a large group of people who share certain characteristics that differentiate them from other groups. These characteristics can include their role in social organizations, such as active members or dormant members (followers); their role in production activities, such as owners or workers; their role in social structures, such as masters or servants; and their role in economic structures, such as entrepreneurs or employed individuals.

Q.27. Demonstrate the persistence of various forms of discrimination in India, despite being a globally recognized secular state.

Several examples demonstrate the persistence of various forms of discrimination in India, despite being a globally recognized secular state. For instance, thousands of Kashmiri Hindu Pandits were forced to leave their homes in the Kashmir valley and have not been able to return for more than two decades. In 2002, more than 1,000 people, mostly Muslims, were massacred during the post-Godhra riots in Gujarat. More than 2,700 Sikhs were massacred in Delhi and other regions of India in 1984, and the families of the victims have yet to see justice served. Additionally, some Muslims have suffered atrocities due to unnecessary rumors.

Q. 28. Read the passage and answer the questions that follows:
The Indian Constitution upholds the principle of limited separation of powers and checks and balances, wherein each branch of the government is assigned specific responsibilities. The Parliament holds the power to enact laws and amend the Constitution, the executive branch is responsible for implementing them, and the judiciary is entrusted with settling disputes and ensuring that laws are in line with the Constitution. Despite this well-defined distribution of power, clashes between the Parliament and judiciary, as well as the executive and judiciary, have frequently arisen in Indian politics.
(i) What is the process of establishing one's fundamental political identity?
(a) By being part of a political party.
(b) By voting regularly.
(c) By joining the opposition party.
(d) By agreeing to certain basic norms and principles.

Correct Answer is Option d

(ii) The people acquire their identity as a __________ entity solely through the fundamental constitution.
(a) collective
(b) individual
(c) separate    
(d) recognised

Correct Answer is Option a

(iii) Who represents the essential character of the people?
(a) The Federation
(b) The Legislature
(c) The Executive
(d) The Constitution

Correct Answer is Option d

(iv) What do constitutional standards entail?
(a) Framework within which one pursues individual aspirations.
(b) Regulations to be followed by the Government.
(c) Regulations followed by External Affairs Minister.
(d) Framework within which the opposition party works.

Correct Answer is Option a

Q.29. Read the passage and answer the questions that follows:
The South African Constitution came into effect in December 1996 during a time when the country was still at risk of a civil war following the dismantling of the Apartheid Government. The Constitution states that its "Bill of Rights is a cornerstone of democracy in South Africa" and prohibits discrimination based on factors such as race, gender, pregnancy, marital status, ethnicity, color, age, disability, religion, conscience, belief, culture, language, and birth. It provides citizens with an extensive range of rights, and a dedicated constitutional court is responsible for enforcing these rights.
Some of the Rights included in the constitution of South Africa include:

• Right to Privacy.
• Right to healthy environment and right to protection of environment.
• Right to health care, food, water and social security.
• Right to basic and higher education.
• Right to information.
• Right to Dignity.
• Right to fair labour practices.
• Right to adequate housing.
• Children’s rights.
• Right of cultural, religious and linguistic communities.

(i) State the rights in addition to the ones mentioned in the question above that are provided by the Constitution of South Africa.
(a) Right to child labour.
(b) Right to smuggling.
(c) Right to adequate housing.
(d) Right to protest.

Correct Answer is Option c

(ii) In which year was the South African Constitution inaugurated?
(a) December 1996
(b) September 1993
(c) December 199
(d) November 1997

Correct Answer is Option a

(iii) What are the rights that are present in both the Indian Constitution and the Constitution of South Africa?
(a) Right to flee to another country.
(b) Right of cultural, religious and linguistic communities.
(c) Right to instigate the citizens.
(d) All of the above

Correct Answer is Option b

(iv) What are the rights that are explicitly provided by the Constitution of South Africa but only impliedly provided for in the Constitution of India?
(a) Right to forced labour practices
(b) Right to no labour practice
(c) Right to fair labour practices
(d) None of the above

Correct Answer is Option c

Q.30. Study the picture given below and answer the questions that follows:

(i) What are the different actions depicted in the cartoon?

The cartoon portrays middle-class women doing household chores such as cleaning utensils and cooking, while working women are shown doing office work. Meanwhile, men are depicted washing clothes, taking their children to school, and going to work.

(ii) What is the importance of the cartoon?

The cartoon highlights the consequences of the absence of immigrant workers on urban life, emphasizing the significance of their role in performing everyday tasks in a city.

Section-E

Q.31. Describe various forms of structural violence.

Provide an extensive explanation of the approaches used to ensure sustainable development.

The different forms of structural violence include:
(i) Caste-based structural violence - In India, the traditional caste system has existed, and it considers lower castes as untouchables, leading to social exclusion and deprivation. While a social order based on class may appear more flexible, it still generates a significant amount of inequality and oppression.
(ii) Class-based structural violence - Even in developed countries, there is a substantial underdeveloped class. In developing countries, most labor classes face underpaid wages and poor working conditions.
(iii) Gender-based structural violence - This type of violence is based on discrimination against women. Common examples include female infanticide, insufficient nourishment, and domestic violence.
(iv) Politics-based structural violence - Although colonialism and imperialism are not as widespread today, some areas, such as Palestine struggling against Israel, still experience this type of violence.

Different strategies have been proposed to achieve Sustainable Development. For instance:

• Water and sanitation: This involves managing water resources more efficiently and investing in sewage collection. Utilities should be made more accountable and financially stable.
• Rural environmental concerns: The goal is to prevent resource degradation and involve local communities in conservation projects.
• Population challenge: Population growth can lead to increased demand for goods and services, which in turn can harm the environment. To address this issue, family planning services should be made more accessible, child mortality must decline, and income and employment opportunities for women should increase.
• Emissions from factories, transport, and energy stations: Reducing household energy pollution through the use of cleaner technologies like biomass stoves and renewable sources of energy such as wind and solar energy can help improve the long-term prospects for Sustainable Development.

To promote Sustainable Development, various strategies have been proposed. These include:

• Improving water and sanitation management: This involves optimizing the use of water resources, investing in sewage collection, and improving utilities' accountability and financial stability.
• Addressing rural environmental concerns: Efforts to preserve natural resources like forests, wetlands, and coastal areas must involve local communities.
• Tackling population growth: To reduce environmental damage from population growth, access to family planning services should be increased, child mortality must decline, and opportunities for education and employment should be expanded, especially for women.
• Reducing emissions from factories, transport, and energy stations: Transitioning to cleaner technologies like biomass stoves, wind, and solar energy can help reduce household energy pollution and promote long-term sustainability.

There are several strategies that can be implemented to achieve Sustainable Development, including:

• Efficient water and sanitation management: This involves allocating water resources more effectively, investing in sewage collection, and improving the accountability and financial stability of utilities.
• Addressing rural environmental concerns: Preserving natural resources like forests, wetlands, and coastal areas must involve local communities.
• Controlling population growth: Access to family planning services should be increased, child mortality must decline, and opportunities for education and employment should be expanded, particularly for women.
• Reducing emissions from factories, transport, and energy stations: Transitioning to cleaner technologies such as biomass stoves, wind, and solar energy can help reduce household energy pollution and promote long-term sustainability.

Q.32. Indicate whether the following conclusions regarding the formation of the Indian Constitution are accurate or not. Provide reasoning to justify your response.
(i) The Constituent Assembly was not elected by all citizens, so it did not fully represent the Indian people.
(ii) During the process of Constitution making, significant decisions were made as there was no general consensus among leaders regarding the fundamental framework of the Constitution.
(iii) The Constitution was not lacking originality, as it was a distinctive document that drew from various sources, including other countries' constitutions, to address India's specific requirements and circumstances.

According to various reports, individuals belonging to certain castes, who were historically associated with scavenging, are being compelled to continue in this profession. The people in power are denying them opportunities for other types of employment and discouraging their children from obtaining an education. Which of their fundamental rights are being infringed upon in this scenario?

(i) This statement is inaccurate because although the members of the Constituent Assembly were not directly elected, there was adequate representation of all religions, social groups, economic groups, and sections of society. Additionally, the Constituent Assembly included 28 members from the Scheduled Caste.
(ii) This statement is correct as the main principles of the Constitution were already approved in 1946 as 'The Objective Resolution.' There are not only strict rules and procedures but also a moral obligation to fulfill social welfare.
(iii) This statement is incorrect as the entire Constitution is not borrowed. Some concepts were borrowed from foreign constitutions, but not as a slavish imitation. The borrowed provisions were debated and a consensus was reached before being included in the Constitution.

The given case involves a violation of the following Fundamental Rights:
(i) Right to Equality - The members of the caste group associated with scavenging are being denied equal opportunities and subjected to social exclusion, which is a violation of their Right to Equality. Additionally, untouchability has been abolished and made a punishable offence under this right.
(ii) Right to Freedom - The members of the caste group are being forced to continue in a particular profession, violating their Right to Freedom of business or profession.
(iii) Right to Education and Culture - The children of the caste group are being discouraged from pursuing education, which is a violation of their Right to Education. Additionally, their cultural rights may also be affected as they are being denied the opportunity to pursue education and better opportunities in life.

Q.33. Distinguish between political, economic, and cultural rights and provide examples of each category.

Outline the features of the policy enforced by Whites in South Africa until 1994.

(i) Political rights refer to the rights that guarantee equality before the law and the right to participate in the political process. The right to contest an election is an example of a political right.
(ii) Economic rights are those rights that ensure access to basic necessities like food and shelter. These rights are crucial in fulfilling political rights. The right to a minimum wage is an example of an economic right.
(iii) Cultural rights are granted to citizens to preserve their cultural heritage, identity, and dignity. Political and economic rights play a role in securing cultural rights for citizens. The right to establish institutions to preserve one's language is an example of a cultural right.

The Whites' policy had the following main characteristics:
(i) Establishing separate colonies for the Blacks and the Whites.
(ii) Prohibiting the Blacks from bringing their families into White areas.
(iii) Requiring the Blacks to obtain passes to work in White areas.
(iv) Maintaining separate schools for Blacks and Whites.
(v) Denying any rights to the Blacks.
(vi) Reserving all legal rights for the Whites only.
(vii) Granting the Whites the freedom to purchase property anywhere and travel to any part of the country