Previous Year Questions: Gender, Religion & Caste - Social Studies (SST) Class 10

Very Short Answer Questions

Q1: "Women face discrimination in various ways in our society" Explain any two ways.   [2023]

Ans: Two ways in which women face discrimination in our society are:

• Limited access to education: A smaller proportion of girls students go for higher studies compared to boys. Due to various social and cultural norms, girls often face restrictions in pursuing education beyond a certain level. This discrimination deprives them of opportunities for personal and professional growth.
• Occupational segregation: The proportion of women among highly paid and valued jobs is still very small. Women often face discrimination in the workplace, where they are confined to certain industries and job roles that are considered traditionally feminine. This limits their chances of career advancement and equal pay.

Q2: How has caste system in modern India undergone great change? Explain.  [2023]
Ans: The caste system in modern India has undergone significant changes due to various factors. Two such changes are:

• Urbanization: Large-scale urbanization has diminished the awareness of the caste system, as people from different castes live and work together in cities. In urban areas, people interact with individuals from diverse backgrounds, making caste distinctions less relevant. Urbanization has also led to the emergence of a more cosmopolitan and inclusive culture, which challenges the traditional hierarchies and prejudices associated with the caste system.
• Education: The growth of literacy and education has played a crucial role in decreasing the belief in the caste system. Education promotes rational thinking, scientific temper, and egalitarian values, which are essential for challenging and dismantling caste-based discrimination. As more people become educated, they question and reject the discriminatory practices associated with the caste system, leading to its gradual decline.

Q3: Suggest any one way to protect women from domestic oppression.   [2020]
Ans: One way to protect women from domestic oppression is by encouraging them to seek help from NGOs or organizations like Mahila Aayog. These organizations provide support, guidance, and legal assistance to women facing domestic violence or oppression. By reaching out to such organizations, women can find the necessary support system and resources to escape from abusive situations and seek justice.

Q5: Suggest any one way to pay equal wages to women in all areas of work as men.    [2020]
Ans: One way to ensure equal wages for women in all areas of work is by better implementation of the "Equal Remuneration Act, 1976." This act mandates that equal wages should be paid to men and women for equal work. However, in many cases, this act is not effectively enforced. By strengthening the implementation of this act and creating awareness about it among employers, employees, and the general public, we can strive towards achieving equal wages for women.

Q6: What percentage of reservation is given to women in local administration in India?    [2020]
Ans: 33% or one-third of reservation is given to women in local administration in India. This reservation is provided to ensure adequate representation of women in decision-making bodies at the grassroots level, such as Panchayats and Municipalities.

Q7: Suggest any one way to increase the participation of women in the legislative domain of India.   [2020 C]
Ans: One way to increase the participation of women in the legislative domain of India is by making it legally binding to have a fair proportion of women in elected as well as nominated bodies. This can be achieved by implementing quotas and reservations for women in legislative bodies, similar to the reservation provided in local administration. Such measures will help in bridging the gender gap in policy-making and ensuring that women's voices and perspectives are adequately represented.

Q8: Suggest any one way to create communal harmony among various communities of India. [2020]
Ans: One way to create communal harmony among various communities of India is by spreading awareness about unity and integrity. Through educational institutions, community programs, and media platforms, efforts should be made to promote tolerance, understanding, and respect for all religions and communities. Interfaith dialogues, cultural exchanges, and collaborative initiatives can also play a crucial role in fostering harmony and building bridges between different communities.

Q9: Suggest any one way to change 'family laws' of all religions.   [2020]
Ans: One way to change the 'family laws' of all religions is by enforcing the dowry prohibition act. Dowry is a social evil that affects women across religions and communities. By strictly implementing the dowry prohibition act, which prohibits the giving and receiving of dowry, we can bring about a remarkable change in the family laws. This will help in reducing the financial and emotional burden on women and create a more equitable and just family system.

Q10: Fill in the blank: The Indian Constitution provides to all individuals and communities freedom to profess, practise and propagate any religion because of ____ .   [2020]
Ans: The Indian Constitution provides to all individuals and communities freedom to profess, practise and propagate any religion because of secularism. Secularism is one of the fundamental principles of the Indian Constitution, which ensures that the state remains neutral in matters of religion and treats all religions equally. This allows individuals and communities to freely exercise their religious beliefs without any discrimination or interference from the state.

Q11: "Caste system is still prevalent in the Indian society.” Suggest any one measure to abolish it.   [2020]
Ans: One measure to abolish the caste system is by increasing the literacy rates in our country. Education plays a vital role in challenging and dismantling caste-based discrimination. By promoting universal access to quality education, especially for marginalized communities, we can empower individuals to question and reject the discriminatory practices associated with the caste system. Education fosters critical thinking, empathy, and equality, which are essential for building a society free from caste-based prejudices.

Q12: "Sometimes elections are all about caste in India.” How can this situation be avoided?   [2020]
Ans: To avoid the situation where elections are solely about caste in India, it is essential to have proper laws and regulations in place. One approach is to separate elections from casteism by implementing strict regulations and penalties for candidates and political parties that indulge in caste-based politics. There should be a focus on promoting issue-based politics, where candidates and parties are evaluated based on their policies, plans, and vision for development rather than their caste affiliations. Additionally, efforts should be made to raise awareness among voters about the importance of voting based on merit and the welfare of the nation rather than caste considerations.

Q13: Fill in the blank: Castes and Caste system in modern India have undergone a great change because____ .   [2020]
Ans: Castes and the caste system in modern India have undergone a great change because of occupational mobility and the implementation of laws. Occupational mobility refers to the movement of individuals across different occupations and social classes. As people from different castes engage in various occupations and professions, traditional caste-based occupations lose their significance, and individuals are no longer confined to the roles prescribed by their caste. Additionally, the implementation of laws, such as affirmative action and anti-discrimination laws, has helped in challenging and dismantling caste-based discrimination and promoting social equality.

Short Answer Questions

Q1: Describe the problems of low representation of women in Indian legislature.   [2020]
Ans: 

• Political parties are not giving tickets to women candidates to fight elections in proportion to their population.
• The lack of representation has led many feminists and women's movements to conclude that unless women control power, their issues will not receive adequate attention.
• India is lagging behind the averages for several developing countries in terms of women's representation in the legislature, placing India among the bottom group of nations in the world.

Q2: Describe the ways of discrimination faced by women in India.   [2020]
OR
"Women still lag much behind men in India despite some improvements since independence" Analyse the statement.    [Delhi 2019]
Ans: 

• The literacy rate among women is only 64.60 per cent, compared to 80.90 per cent among men (2011 data).
• A smaller proportion of girl students pursue higher studies. Despite performing as well as boys in school, girls often drop out due to parents' preference for investing resources in their sons' education.
• Women have limited representation in highly paid and valued jobs. On average, Indian women work one hour more than men every day.
• Sex-selective abortion and a preference for male children in some parts of India have led to a decline in the child sex ratio.
• Women frequently face harassment, exploitation, and violence within domestic settings.

Q3: Describe any three problems of communalism in Indian politics.   [2020]
Ans: 

• Communalism involves religious prejudices, stereotypes of religious communities, and a belief in the superiority of one's religion over others.
• It can lead to the desire of minority communities to form separate political units.
• Communalism often manifests as communal violence, riots, and massacres, which have been witnessed during the partition of India and in the post-independence period.

Q4: Mention any three features of 'secularism’ described in the Indian Constitution.   [2020]
OR
Secularism is not an ideology of some political parties, but it is one of the foundations of a country. Examine the statement.   [2018]
Ans: 

• There is no official religion for the Indian states. The Constitution does not give a special status to any religion, unlike in countries like Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and England.
• The Constitution grants individuals and communities the freedom to profess, practice, and propagate any religion or choose not to follow any religion.
• The Constitution prohibits discrimination on the grounds of religion, while allowing the state to intervene in religious matters to ensure equality within religious communities.

Q5: Describe the influence of Politics in the Caste system.   [2020 C]
Ans: Caste matters in electoral politics, but it is not the sole determining factor. Other factors such as economic condition and gender also play a role. People from the same caste can have different interests based on their economic status. This results in differences in voting patterns within the same caste. Caste groups may also form coalitions, leading to the emergence of new caste groups such as "backward" and "forward." 

Q6: Mention the problem of 'Casteism' in Indian politics.    [2020]
Ans: 

• Discrimination between upper and lower castes persists, with a significant gap and differences between different castes.
• Upper castes continue to enjoy a respectable position in society, often leading to unequal power dynamics.
• Political leaders often exploit caste identities for electoral gains, creating vote banks based on caste affiliations.

Q7: Women still lag much behind men in India despite some improvements since independence. Analyse the statement. [CBSE 2019, 32/1/1]
OR
Women in India still face discrimination in various ways. Explain with examples. [CBSE 2019, 32/2/3]
Ans: In our country, women still lag much behind men despite some improvements since Independence. Women face disadvantage, discrimination and oppression in various ways : (a) The literacy rate among women is only 54 percent as compared with 76 percent among men.
(b) Similarly, a smaller proportion of girl students go for higher studies. Girls are performing as well as boys in school. But they drop out because parents prefer to spend their resources for their boys education rather than spending equally on their sons and daughters.
(c) The proportion of women among the highly paid and valued jobs is still very small. On an average an Indian women works one hour more than an average man everyday.
(d) The Equal Wages Act provides that equal wages should be paid to equal work. However in almost all areas of work, from sports and cinema, to factories and fields, women are paid less than men, even when both do exactly the same work.
(e) In many parts of India, parents prefer to have sons and find ways to have the girl child aborted before she is born. Such sex selective abortion led to a decline in child sex ratio.
(f) Women face harassment, exploitation and violence on the domestic front.

Long Answer Questions

Q1: 'Communalism can take various forms in politics'. Explain.   [2020]
OR
What form does communalism take in politics?   [2015]
Ans: Communalism can take various forms in politics:

• The most common expression of communalism is in everyday beliefs. These involve the spread of religious prejudices, stereotypes of religious belief, and the superiority of one's religion over other religions. This is so common that we often fail to notice it, even when we do not believe in it.
• It often leads to a quest for political dominance of one's own religious community. This takes the form of majoritarian dominance. For those belonging to the minority community, it leads to the formation of a separate political unit.
• Political mobilization on religious lines is another frequent form of communalism. This involves the use of sacred symbols by religious leaders. Emotional appeals are made to bring the followers of one religion together in the political arena.
• Sometimes communalism can lead to communal violence, riots, and massacres.

Q2: Explain any five methods to raise the political representation of women in India.   [AI 2019]
Ans:

• By improving the literacy rate. Presently the literacy amongst women is only 65.46% as compared to over 82% in men. This would improve the political awareness amongst women.
• The percentage of women in highly paid jobs is still very small. At many workplaces, women are paid less than men for the same job. When equal pay comes, the voice of women will get strengthened.
• The Hindu Succession (Amendment) Act, 2005 removes discriminatory gender practices. The daughters now have an equal right of inheritance to their father's estate as sons. This definitely has increased the political power of females.
• The political representation of women has been very poor in the Indian legislatures. Even in the cabinet, the number of women ministers is very low. The political parties must give more representation to female candidates in union and state elections. The Supreme Court of India must intervene in this matter.
• One-third of seats in local government bodies have been reserved for women candidates. This has helped in increasing women’s representation in panchayats and municipalities. There is a need to enhance this to 50%.

Q3: Examine the different forms of ‘Casteism’ in Indian politics.   [2019 C]
Ans: Different forms of casteism in Indian politics:

• While choosing candidates: When parties choose candidates in elections, they keep in mind the caste composition of the electorate and nominate candidates from different castes so as to get the necessary support to win elections.
• While forming a government: When the governments are formed, political parties usually take care that representatives of different castes and tribes find a place in it.
• While campaigning: Political parties and candidates in elections make appeals to people to give them their votes on the basis of caste. Some political parties are known to favor some castes and are seen as their representatives.
• Universal adult franchise and the principle of one-person-one-vote have compelled political leaders to raise caste-based issues during elections. They do so to mobilize and secure political support. It has also brought new consciousness among the people of castes that were hitherto treated as inferior and low.

Q4: Explain the factors that have led to the weakening of the caste system in India.   [2019 C, 2014]
Ans: Factors that have led to the weakening of the caste system in India:

• Efforts of social reformers like Jyotiba Phule, Gandhiji, and Ambedkar against the caste system have helped to promote a casteless society.
• Economic development has reduced the emphasis on caste.
• Large-scale urbanization has diminished the awareness of caste, as people work together.
• Growth of literacy and education has helped to decrease the belief in caste.
• Occupational mobility is possible now, and children are not compelled to continue the profession of the family or father.

Q5: Women face disadvantage, discrimination and oppression in various ways even today. Assess the statement by giving five suitable arguments. [CBSE 2018]
Ans: (i) Education :
(a) Women are deprived of an equal access to education. Thus, the literacy rate among women is only 54 per cent as compared to 76 per cent among men.
(b) A smaller proportion of girl students go for higher education because in spite of their better performance parents prefer to spend their resources on son’s higher education.
(ii) The number of women on highly paid jobs is less than men.
(iii) In spite of the Equal Remuneration Act 1976, women are paid less than men even when both do exactly the same work.
(iv) Parents prefer sons and get girl child aborted before she is born. This has led to decline in child sex ratio to merely 919 (2011 census).
(v) Women are exploited by their employers. They are sexually assaulted do not. They feel safe during journey at night. They are subjected to various forms of domestic-violence such as beating and harassment.

Q6: What is a secular state ? Explain factors which make India a secular state. [CBSE 2016-17]
Or 
“Secularism is not an ideology of some political parties or persons, but it is one of the foundations of our country.” Examine the statement. [CBSE 2018]
Ans: (a) A secular state is a concept of secularism, whereby a state is or purports to be officially neutral in matters of religion, supporting neither religion nor irreligion. It grants equal status to all religions.
(b) (i) There is no official religion in India like Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
(ii) The Constitution grants every individual freedom to profess, preach and practice their own religion.
(iii) The Constitution prohibits discrimination on the grounds of religion.
(iv) The Constitution allows the state to intervene in the matters of religion in order to ensure equality within religious communities. For example it bans untouchability.

Thus our Constitution makers choose the model of a secular state. It is one of the foundations of our country.

Q7: ‘Gender division is' not based on biology but on social expectations and stereotypes.’ Support the statement. [CBSE 2016-17]
Or
What is Gender division ? How is it practised ? What are its consequences ?
Ans: (a) Gender division and how is it practised ? : It is a form of hierarchial social division. Generally, it is considered as natural and unchangeable. Actually it is based not on biology but on social expectations and stereotypes as mentioned below :
(i) Women do the iyork inside the house such as cooking.
(ii) Men do all the work outside the home.
(iii) Men do the work such as cooking if these are paid for.
(iv) In urban area women work in offices in addition to their domestic work. But their work do not get recognition.
(b) Consequences :
(i) The role of women has been minimal in politics.
(ii) Thus women began organising themselves, leading to the rise of feminist movements.
(iii) These movements demanded enhancing the political and legal status of women and improving their educational and career opportunities.

Q8: How can communalism take various forms in politics ? Explain. [CBSE 2016-17]
Ans: (i) Majoritarian dominance: A majority community tries to dominate other communities in politics. This may compel the minority community to form a separate political unit. The example in Sri Lanka and Yugoslavia or India and Pakistan.
(ii) Religious appeals are made to voters to attract their votes. Sometimes sacred symbols and religious leaders are used to bring the followers of one religion together in the political arena.
(iii) Sometimes communalism takes most ugly form of communal violence, riots and massacre. India and Pakistan suffered some of the worst communal riots at the time of the partition. Even after independence, riots on communal lines have taken place in India.

Q9: Explain reasons for the declining of caste system in India. [CBSE 2016-17] 
Or 
Assess the circumstances prevalent in contemporary India which are responsible for bringing about a change in the caste system.
Ans: (i) In urban areas people do not bother about castes and travel in the bus, metro along with others.
(ii) The economic condition of lower castes has improved. They live in areas where people of upper castes live in the cities.
(iii) Now people of lower class shift/change their profession according to their qualifications and experience. They do not follow the occupations of their ancestors.
(iv) The Constitution too prohibits discrimination on the basis of caste etc. Untouchability has been abolished.
(v) The political leaders and social reformers like Jyotiba Phule, Mahatma Gandhi, BR Ambedkar played an important role in this direction. Gandhiji called untouchables ‘Harijana’

Q10: Discuss various forms of caste in polictics.    [CBSE 2016-17]
Ans: (i) At the time of election, parties select their candidates on the basis of caste of the voters in a constituency to muster support to win election.
(ii) At the time of formation of government or Council of Ministers, effort is made to have representatives from all castes and communities.
(iii) During election campaign, appeals are made to voters to caste their vote in favour of the candidate of their own caste.
(iv) Universal adult franchise and the principle of one-person-one vote compelled political leaders to gear up to the task of mobilising and securing political support.
(v) Political parties are also formed on the basis of caste to attract the voters in the elections. The BSP in UP, DMK and AIDMK are examples o f such political parties.