CBSE Sample Papers for Class 11 Political Science Set 8 with solutions

Students must start practicing the questions from CBSE Sample Papers for Class 11 Political Science with Solutions Set 8 are designed as per the revised syllabus.

CBSE Sample Papers for Class 11 Political Science Set 8 with solutions

Time Allowed: 3 Hours
Maximum Marks: 80

General Instructions:

All questions are compulsory. The question paper has 34 questions.

Questions from serial number 1 to 20 are of 1 mark each. The answers to these questions should not exceed 20 words each.
Questions from serial number 21 to 23 are of 2 marks each. The answers to these questions should not exceed 50 words each.
Questions from serial number 24 to 27 are of 4 marks each. The answers to these questions should not exceed 100 words each.
Questions from serial number 28 to 31 are of 5 marks each. The answers to these questions should not exceed 120 words each.
Questions from serial number 32 to 34 are of 6 marks each. The answers to these questions should not exceed 170 words each.

Section-A (20 Marks)

Question 1.
Can the tenure of the President of India be less than five years? [1]
Answer:
Yes, if the President resigns before the completion of the tenure or if the President is impeached in accordance with the procedure laid down in the Constitution of India.

Question 2.
What is the principal role of the Judiciary? [1]
Answer:
The principal role of the judiciary is to protect rule of law and ensure the supremacy of the law.

Question 3.
Which famous freedom fighter was a strong supporter of the Panchayati Raj System? [1]
Answer:
Mahatma Gandhi.

Question 4.
How does the Indian Constitution establish equality? [1]
Answer:
The Constitution of India prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth and abolishes the practice of untouchability.

Question 5.
State any two powers of the Vice President. [1]
Answer:
(i) He acts as President of India when a vacancy in the office arises and continues to hold the post till the new President is elected.
(ii) He is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.

Question 6.
When did the 73rd and 74th Amendments come into force? [1]
Answer:
The 73rd and 74th Amendments came into force in 1993.

Question 7.
What is meant by the Council of Ministers? [1]
Answer:
The Council of Ministers is the core members of the Cabinet chosen to aid and advise the President of India.

Question 8.
State any two negative aspects of PIL. [1]
Answer:
The negative aspect of increasing Public Interest Litigation:
(a) It has overburdened the courts.
(b) Has blurred the line of distinction between the executive and legislature on the one hand and the judiciary on the other.

Question 9.
Explain the views of the critics of positive discrimination. [1]
Answer:
Critics of positive discrimination contend that any provision of reservations or quotas for the deprived in admissions for higher education or jobs is unfair as it arbitrarily denies other sections of society their right to equal treatment.

Question 10.
What do citizens inherit? [1]
Answer:
Citizens are the inheritors and the trustees of the culture and natural resources of the country.

Question 11.
State the main function of Nyaya Panchayat. [1]
Answer:
It resolves the petty disputes of the villagers.

Question 12.
Define Original Jurisdiction. [1]
Answer:
The power of the Courts to hear cases of the first instance or first filing.

Question 13.
What was the attitude of Whites towards Blacks in twentieth-century society? [1]
Answer:
There was racial discrimination between the Blacks and the Whites. The Blacks were oppressed by the Whites and Apartheid was a common practice. This was because the Blacks were considered to be ‘less intelligent and more laborious’.

Question 14.
What is the condition laid down by the Indian Constitution in relation to the right to protest? [1]
Answer:
The condition is that the protest does not harm the life or property of other people or the State.

Question 15.
State any one feature of Western Secularism. [1]
Answer:
Strict non-interference of religion and state in each other’s affairs.

Question 16.
What is the motto of terrorists behind spreading terrorism? [1]
Answer:
Terrorists spread terrorism to make democracy ineffective and force the government to fulfill its illicit demands.

Question 17.
How does India define itself? [1]
Answer:
India defines itself as a secular, democratic, nation-state.

Question 18.
Mention any one component of secularism. [1]
Answer:
Religious tolerance.

Question 19.
How are religious minorities protected by the Indian Constitution? [1]
Answer:
The Indian Constitution grants all religious minorities the right to establish and maintain their own educational institutions which may receive assistance from the state.

Question 20.
What is meant by armed race? [1]
Answer:
Competition emerged among the nations after World War II to develop a stock of weapons including nuclear weapons to become more and more powerful.

Section-B (6 Marks)

Question 21.
What are the inclusions of the Right to Equality? [2]
Answer:
The Right to Equality includes:
(1) All the citizens of India are equal before the law of the country.
(2) There shall be no discrimination on the grounds of caste, religion, gender, class, etc.

Question 22.
What are the benefits of positive freedom? [2]
Answer:
Positive freedom ensures :
(1) End of oppression and injustice to minorities.
(2) Equal opportunities across all sections of society.

Question 23.
Explain Panchsheel. [2]
Answer:
Panchsheel refers to the five principles that formed the basis of India’s foreign policy. If these principles are practiced, the third world war can be avoided. These principles were propounded by Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru in 1954.

Section-C (16 Marks)

Question 24.
Why Indian Constitution is said to be a living document? [4]
Answer:
The Indian Constitution is said to be ‘A Living Document’ because:
(1) It can be amended.
(2) The procedure for amendment is also explained in it.
(3) It caters to solving social as well as economic issues.
(4) It is open to include present-day needs and requirements.

Question 25.
What is meant by Directive Principles of State Policy? What does it include? [4]
Answer:
Directive Principles of State Policy are the guidelines provided by the Constitution for the government. These are non-justiciable. These include:

The goals-and objectives that the society should adopt.
The rights that an individual can enjoy over and above the Fundamental Rights.
The policies that government should adopt for the welfare of the state.

Question 26.
What is social justice? State some features of social justice. [4]
Answer:
Social justice refers to all people living in a society being equal.
(1) All people should enjoy equal opportunities to develop their own potential and personality.
(2) In order to attain social justice, caste and color discrimination should be abolished. Hence, the Constitution of India has banned Untouchability and misbehavior legally.
(3) There should be no discrimination on the use of public places, that is, free access to the use of parks, cinemas, schools, etc.

Question 27.
Do you agree that the process of development also has an impact on the lifestyle of people? Give reasons for your answer. [4]
Answer:
The development should not be considered in reference to only materialistic approach only but in terms of happiness, harmony, and satisfaction of essential requirements. Efforts should be made to conserve natural resources, and to use renewable sources of energy up to the maximum possible extent. Large projects can only be a symbol of development. However, such projects should be executed with
minimum displacement and maximum benefit to the local population. Rainwater harvesting, solar plants, biogas plants, etc. affect the lifestyle of people.

Section-D (20 Marks)

Question 28.
Read the passage and answer the questions that follow: [5]
No system of election can ever be perfect. And in the actual election process, there are bound to be many flaws and limitations. Any democratic society has to keep searching for mechanisms to make elections free and fair to the maximum. With the acceptance of adult suffrage, the freedom to contest elections, and the establishment of an independent Election Commission, India has tried to make its election process free and fair. However, the experience of the last fifty-five years has given rise to many suggestions for reforming our election system. The Election Commission, political parties, various independent groups, and many scholars have come up with proposals for electoral reform. Some of these suggestions are about changing the constitutional provisions.
(i) What does the passage refer to?
(ii) What steps have been taken in India to ensure the conduct of free and fair elections?
(iii) What has been the major area on which the electoral reforms are aimed at in India?
Answer:
(i) The passage is referring to the electoral reforms that are needed in a democratic country.
(ii) The steps taken to ensure free and fair elections in India comprise:

Acceptance of adult suffrage or Universal Adult Franchise.
Freedom to contest elections.
Establishment of an independent Election Commission.

(iii) The major area on which the electoral reforms are aimed at was changing from the First Past the Post System to Proportional Representation System through an amendment in the Constitution.

Question 29.
Read the passage and answer the questions that follow: [5]
Rights are primarily those claims that I along with others regard to be necessary for leading a life of respect and dignity. In fact, one of the grounds on which rights have been claimed is that they represent conditions that we collectively see as a source of self-respect and dignity. For example, the right to livelihood may be considered necessary for leading a life of dignity. Being gainfully employed gives a person economic independence and thus is central for his/her dignity. Having our basic needs met gives us the freedom to pursue our talents and interests. Or, take the right to express ourselves freely. This right gives us the opportunity to be creative and original, whether it be in writing, or dance, or music, or any other creative activity. But freedom of expression is also important for the democratic government since it allows for the free expression of beliefs and opinions. Rights such as the right to a livelihood, or freedom of expression, would be important for all human beings who live in society and they are described as universal in nature.
(i) are primarily those claims that I along with others regard to be necessary for leading a life of respect and dignity.
(a) Rights
(b) Freedom
(c) Equality
(d) Democracy
Answer:
(a) Rights

(ii) Why is the freedom of expression important?
(a) As it allows for free expression of beliefs and opinion.
(b) As it allows the freedom to protest and revolt.
(c) As it allows the freedom to speak against the country.
(d) None of the above
Answer:
(a) As it allows for free expression of beliefs and opinion.

(iii) We can express ourselves by writing, speaking, dance, music or by any other activity.
(a) Yes
(b) No
(c) Not allowed
(d) Might be
Answer:
(a) Yes

(iv) The freedom of expression is important for democratic government
(a) Yes
(b) No
(c) Can’t say
(d) Might be
Answer:
(a) Yes

Question 30.
Read the passage and answer the questions that follow: [4]
People who see themselves as a nation also embody a sense of continuing historical identity. That is, nations perceive themselves as stretching back into the past as well as reaching into the future. They articulate for themselves a sense of their own history by drawing on collective memories, legends, and historical records, to outline the continuing identity of the nation. Thus nationalists in India invoked its ancient civilization and cultural heritage and other achievements to claim that India has had a long and continuing history as a civilization and that this civilizational continuity and unity is the basis of the Indian nation. Jawaharlal Nehru, for instance, wrote in his book Discovery of India, “Though outwardly there was diversity and infinite variety among the people, everywhere there was that tremendous impress of oneness, which held all of us together in ages past, whatever political fate or misfortune had befallen us”.
(i) How do people communicate their own history?
(ii) What is the basis of unity in India?
(iii) Who wrote “The Discovery of India”?
Answer:
(i) The people communicate their own history by drawing collective memories, historical records, and legends, and outlining the collective identity of the nation.
(ii) The nationalists in India involved its ancient civilization and cultural heritage to have a long and continuing history as a civilization along with continuity and unity.
(iii) Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru.

Question 31.
Study the picture given below and answer the questions that follow: [5]

(i) How does the opposition show its protest when the Parliament is in session?
(ii) Has this method of protest been judiciously used in the recent past?
Answer:
(i) The most common method adopted by the opposition to show protest when the Parliament is in session is by way of the walkout. In this method, the members of the opposition and other parties who are not in agreement with a particular matter walk out of the Parliament. In this way, in absence of a quorum, the parliament cannot proceed with the routine discussions and deliberations.
(ii) This is a strong method to show protest. However, in the recent past, this method has not been judiciously used. The opposition walkouts on even small matters when it does not want a bill to be passed or ask for a response from the government. Instead of walkouts, a healthy way of smooth democracy is to debate and deliberate upon the matter in the Parliament itself. The live telecast of the proceedings of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha will automatically register the disagreement between the government and the opposition with the public.

Section-E (18 Marks)

Question 32.
Why is it necessary for a constitution to place limitations on the rulers?
OR
Which amendment inserted the Fundamental Duties in the Indian Constitution? List the Fundamental Duties. [6]
Answer:
It is necessary for a constitution to place limitations on rulers as:
(1) Fundamental rights are basic rights and should not be suppressed except in case of temporary suspension during a national emergency.
(2) The sovereignty of the country will be at stake in case there are no limitations placed on the rulers.
(3) The democratic setup might turn up into autocratic or dictatorship in absence of such impositions.

The 42nd amendment to the Constitution inserted a list of Fundamental Duties of Citizens which are:

To abide by the Constitution and respect the National Flag and National Anthem.
To cherish and follow noble ideals which inspired our national struggle for freedom.
To uphold and protect the sovereignty, unity, and integrity of India.
To defend the country and render national service when called upon.
To promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood.
To value and preserve the rich heritage of our common culture.
To protect and improve the natural environment.
To develop scientific temper and humanism.
To safeguard public property.
To strive towards excellence in all spheres of individual and collective activity.
To provide opportunities for education between the age of 6-14 years by parents and guardians (Added by the 86th Amendment).

Question 33.
What were the main differences between the local governments before the 73rd amendment and after that amendment?
OR
Which form of government is advocated by our Constitution – Unitary or Federal? State any four features of the Indian Constitution that have provided the base for a strong central government. [6]
Answer:
(i) After the implementation of the 73rd amendment, the local government has been uniformly divided into a three-tier Panchayati Raj structure.
(ii) Earlier the state administration was responsible for conducting elections to the Panchayati Raj institutions but now the state government has to appoint a state election commission for this purpose.
(iii) After the dissolution of the Panchayati Raj before its term of five years a fresh election has to be conducted within six months. This was not the case before the 73rd amendment was passed.
(iv) Distribution of revenue between the state government and local government and between rural and urban government is done
by the state election commission. This was not the case before the 73rd amendment was implemented.
(v) Reservation for women, scheduled caste and scheduled tribes, and other backward classes (if the state government thinks it is necessary for OBCs) is implemented for various positions in the local government according to the proportion of their population.
(vi) Twenty-nine subjects that were earlier in the State list of subjects in the Eleventh Schedule of the Constitution have been transferred to the Panchayati Raj Institutions.

The Constitution of India is the supreme law in India. Constitutions are either unitary or federal. The nature of the Indian Constitution can be understood as it is:
(1) Federal with unitary features
(2) Unitary with federal features
(3) Quasi-federal.
The Indian Constitution is both federal & unitary in nature as it is a combination of federal & unitary features. The unitary features of the Indian Constitution can be understood in the following points:
India is the Union of States, which implies two things, i.e., it is not the result of an agreement among the States & the second is that the States have no power to separate themselves from the Union. The Central Government has the power to separate or alter the boundaries of the States. Most of the Indian Constitution can be amended by the unilateral action of the Parliament. The Indian Constitution has established an integrated judicial system. There is single citizenship for both the Union & the States.

Question 34.
How do vigilant citizens contribute to the success of democracy? State any four ways through which the common citizens can involve in the functioning of the government.
OR
What is meant by the term Freedom? What is the difference between the negative and positive conceptions of liberty? [6]
Answer:
Vigilant people are a must for the successful working of democracy as vigilance creates awareness about the rights of citizens and the government policies that affect daily life. Awareness leads to discussion and debate on the issues that arise out of the implementation of policies. Citizens can, thus, force the government to implement new policies or modify the existing policies and programs of the country by building up and mobilizing their opinion. As democracy is about the government of the citizens, by the citizens, and for the citizens, the vigilance of the citizens accelerates the successful working of a democracy. The policies and programs framed by the government have a deep impact on the daily life of common citizens. So, the common citizens can involve in the functioning of the government by:

Organizing campaigns.
Supporting public opinion.
Forming associations.
Targeting government activities.
Organizing peaceful demonstrations and protests.

A situation that limits the constraints on individuals and allows them to expand their ability and reach their potential.

Negative Liberty	Positive Liberty
It defines and defends the area of an individual’s life where no external authority can interfere.	It defines the area of society where an individual can be free with some constraints made by the society and the government.
It is not concerned with the conditions of the society.	It is concerned with the enabling conditions of the society.
It is concerned with explaining the idea of ’freedom from’.	It is concerned with explaining the idea of ‘freedom to’.
This area comes into personal domain of the individual.	This area comes into social domain of the individual.
More negative liberty leads to more freedom	More positive liberty checks excess of freedom to an individual, which could be an obstruction for social stability.