CBSE Class 12 – Political Science Question Paper 2023

SECTION A

Choose the correct option to complete the sentence:
Mikhail Gorbachev was ___________.
(a) General Secretary of the Communist Party of USSR
(b) the founder of the Communist Party of Russia
(c) a leader of Western European countries
(d) a leader against reforms in the USSR

Answer: (a) General Secretary of the Communist Party of USSR

Choose the correct option to complete the sentence:
Arab Spring was a ___________.
(a) Political movement
(b) Cultural movement
(c) Social movement
(d) Environmental movement

Answer: (a) Political movement

Which one of the following organisations works to prevent international conflicts?
(a) United Nations Human Rights Commission
(b) United Nations Security Council
(c) ASEAN
(d) Amnesty International

Answer: (b) United Nations Security Council

Which one of the following is not a threat to global security?
(a) Global warming
(b) International terrorism
(c) Epidemics
(d) Rising prices

Answer: (d) Rising prices

Which of the following statements about environment are correct?
(i) Environmental concerns are part of global politics.
(ii) A conference on environment was held in Rio-de-Janeiro in 1992.
(iii) The UN has assigned the environmental programmes to the UN Human Rights Commission.
(iv) The Earth Summit was organised by the United Nations.

Choose the correct option:
(a) (i), (iii), (iv)
(b) (i), (ii), (iv)
(c) (i), (ii), (iii)
(d) (ii), (iii), (iv)

Answer: (b) (i), (ii), (iv)

Which one of the following is the main cause of Globalisation?
(a) The formation of United Nations
(b) The development of new technology
(c) The establishment of the World Bank
(d) The rise of economy in India and China

Answer: (b) The development of new technology

From the following options, choose the set of States that belong to North-East India only.
(a) Assam, Manipur, Chhattisgarh
(b) Manipur, Tripura, Nagaland
(c) Jharkhand, Nagaland, Uttarakhand
(d) Manipur, Maharashtra, Mizoram

Answer: (b) Manipur, Tripura, Nagaland

Choose the correct option to complete the sentence:
Five Year Plans were adopted by the Government of India as a policy of ___________.
(a) planned development
(b) mixed economy
(c) socialism
(d) industrialisation

Answer: (a) planned development

Who gave a call for a nationwide Railway Strike in 1974?
(a) Jayaprakash Narayan
(b) George Fernandes
(c) Ram Manohar Lohia
(d) Morarji Desai

Answer: (b) George Fernandes

Arrange the following in the chronological order:
(i) Pakistan sent tribal infiltrators to Kashmir.
(ii) Sheikh Abdullah became Prime Minister of Jammu and Kashmir.
(iii) The Punjab Accord was signed by Longowal and Rajiv Gandhi.
(iv) Jammu and Kashmir was a Princely State.

Choose the correct option:
(a) (i), (ii), (iii), (iv)
(b) (iv), (i), (ii), (iii)
(c) (iv), (ii), (i), (iii)
(d) (ii), (i), (iv), (iii)

Answer: (c) (iv), (ii), (i), (iii)

Who among the following was the first Prime Minister to start economic reforms in India?
(a) Indira Gandhi
(b) Rajiv Gandhi
(c) Manmohan Singh
(d) Inder Kumar Gujral

Answer: (b) Rajiv Gandhi

Assertion (A): In May 1977, the Janata Party government appointed a Commission of Inquiry headed by Justice J.C. Shah.
Reason (R): The Commission was appointed to inquire into the reasons for declaring Emergency, by the Indira Gandhi Government.

(a) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of the Assertion (A).
(b) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, but Reason (R) is not the correct explanation of the Assertion (A).
(c) Assertion (A) is true, but Reason (R) is false.
(d) Assertion (A) is false, but Reason (R) is true.

Answer: (a) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of the Assertion (A).

SECTION B

13. Highlight any two important features of the ‘ASEAN way’.

Answer:

Non-interference in Internal Affairs: The ASEAN Way emphasizes the principle of non-interference in the domestic matters of member countries. This creates a cooperative environment and respects the sovereignty of each nation.
Consensus-based Decision Making: ASEAN prefers to make decisions based on consensus rather than majority voting, ensuring that all member states agree before any decision is taken.

14. Show with the help of any two examples, the strength of the United Nations.

Answer:

Peacekeeping Missions: The UN has played a crucial role in peacekeeping efforts in conflict zones, such as in the Korean War (1950-1953) and the more recent conflicts in South Sudan, demonstrating its ability to maintain peace and security.
Humanitarian Aid and Development: The UN, through its agencies like UNICEF and WHO, has provided critical humanitarian aid and worked to improve global health, such as the eradication of smallpox and combating HIV/AIDS.

15. Explain the term “Security”.

Answer: Security refers to the state of being free from danger, threat, or harm. It encompasses both physical safety and the protection of interests, whether personal, national, or international, against external or internal threats.

16. Name any four regional parties which have ever formed their government in any State.

Answer:

Trinamool Congress (TMC) – West Bengal
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) – Delhi
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) – Tamil Nadu
Shiv Sena – Maharashtra

17. Highlight any two recommendations of the Mandal Commission.

Answer:

Reservation for Backward Classes: The Mandal Commission recommended a 27% reservation for OBCs (Other Backward Classes) in government jobs and educational institutions.
Development of Socially and Economically Backward Sections: It suggested steps to improve the socio-economic status of the OBCs, through educational and employment opportunities.

18. In which year was the first coalition government formed in India and why?

Answer: The first coalition government in India was formed in 1977, following the Emergency period and the defeat of Indira Gandhi in the general elections. The coalition, known as the Janata Party, came together due to a desire to oppose the authoritarian rule of the Congress Party and to restore democracy.

SECTION C

19. Write the full form of ‘UNICEF’ and state any two functions of it.

Answer:

Full form of UNICEF: United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund
Two functions of UNICEF:
1. Child Health and Nutrition: UNICEF works to improve child health by providing vaccinations, nutrition, and promoting healthy living conditions for children in developing countries.
2. Education and Protection: UNICEF focuses on providing access to quality education and protecting children from exploitation, abuse, and violence.

20. Analyse any two effects of globalization on your daily life.

Answer:

Access to Global Products: Globalization has led to the availability of a wide range of international products and brands in local markets, making it easier for people to access items from around the world.
Cultural Exchange: Exposure to different cultures through media, food, fashion, and social platforms has expanded my understanding of the world, allowing me to enjoy diverse global cultures and experiences.

21. Suggest any two measures to conserve natural resources.

Answer:

Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle: Minimizing waste by reusing products and recycling materials helps conserve natural resources by reducing the need for new raw materials.
Promote Renewable Energy: Using renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and hydropower reduces dependency on fossil fuels and helps conserve non-renewable resources while reducing environmental damage.

22. Explain any four features of India-Israel relations.

Answer:

Strategic Partnership: India and Israel share a strong strategic partnership, with cooperation in areas like defense, intelligence, and counter-terrorism.
Defense and Security Cooperation: The two countries have an extensive defense relationship, with Israel supplying India with advanced military technology and arms, and providing joint training and research.
Trade and Economic Ties: India and Israel have strong trade relations, particularly in sectors like agriculture, water management, and high-tech industries.
Cultural and Educational Exchange: The two nations also share educational and cultural exchange programs that have enhanced people-to-people contact and mutual understanding.

23. Highlight any four steps taken by Indira Gandhi to remove poverty.

Answer:

Nationalization of Banks (1969): Indira Gandhi nationalized major commercial banks to ensure better credit availability for rural and impoverished sectors, encouraging economic growth and reducing poverty.
Green Revolution: She promoted the Green Revolution to improve agricultural productivity, particularly in food grain production, thus addressing food shortages and increasing rural income.
Poverty Alleviation Programs: Initiated programs like the Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme and Integrated Rural Development Program (IRDP) to provide employment and improve the living standards of the rural poor.
Land Reforms: Indira Gandhi’s government implemented land reforms, which aimed to redistribute land from the rich to the poor and enhance agricultural productivity among small farmers.

SECTION D

24. Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:

“The war with China alerted the Indian leadership to the volatile situation in the North-East region. Apart from being isolated and extremely under-developed, this region also presented India with the challenge of national integration and political unity.”

(i) Which one of the following States is not a North-Eastern State?

(a) Arunachal Pradesh
(b) Uttarakhand
(c) Meghalaya
(d) Tripura

Answer: (b) Uttarakhand

(ii) Which one of the following States was affected the most due to Sino-Indian conflict?

(a) Assam
(b) Nagaland
(c) Arunachal Pradesh
(d) Sikkim

Answer: (c) Arunachal Pradesh

(iii) Which one of the following States was created in the North-East just after the end of the Indo-China War?

(a) Nagaland
(b) Assam
(c) Sikkim
(d) Arunachal Pradesh

Answer: (a) Nagaland

(iv) Which political party got split just after the Indo-China War due to internal differences?

(a) Swatantra Party
(b) Congress Party
(c) Communist Party of India
(d) Jana Sangh

Answer: (b) Congress Party

25. In the given political outline map of India (on page 15), four
States/Union Territories have been marked as and .
Identify these States/Union Territories on the basis of the information
given below and write their correct names in your answer-book along
with the respective serial number of the information used and the
concerned alphabets given in the map as per the following format :

Serial Number of the Information Used	Concerned Alphabet Given in the Map	Name of the State/Union Territory

(i)

(ii)

(iii)

(iv)

(i) The State to which the Chairman of the Mandal Commission, B.P. Mandal, belonged.

Answer: Bihar

(ii) The State where Bahujan Samaj Party formed its first government.

Answer: Uttar Pradesh

(iii) The Union Territory which was constituted in 2019.

Answer: Jammu and Kashmir (Following its reorganization in 2019)

(iv) The State from which the political party Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam originated.

Answer: Tamil Nadu

26. Study the cartoon given below and answer the questions that follow

(i) The tiger sitting on the right-hand side represents which
organisation ?
(a) Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam
(b) Liberal Tigers of Tamil Estate
(c) Liberation Tigers of Tamil East
(d) Liberal Tigers of Tamil Eelam

Answer: (a) Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam

(ii) The conflict in Sri Lanka from 1983 onwards was based on which
of the following ?
(a) Discrimination by the government between political parties
(b) Discrimination by the government between two
communities
(c) Discrimination by the government between two regions
(d) Discrimination by the government between two religions

Answer:(b) Discrimination by the government between communities

(iii) Which one of the following statements about Sri Lankan crisis is
true ?
(a) India did not interfere in the crisis and kept away from the
problem.
(b) India asked the United Nations to resolve the problem.
(c) India signed an Accord with Sri Lanka and got involved in
the solution to the problem.
(d) India snapped its diplomatic relations with Sri Lanka
during the crisis.

Answer:(c) India signed an Accord with Sri Lanka and got involved in the solution to the problem.

(iv) What message does the cartoon convey ?
(a) Sri Lankan government managed to balance the two rival
groups.
(b) Both the groups were against the government.
(c) The government treated both the communities equally.
(d) It was very difficult to maintain balance between the two
rival groups.

Answer:(d) It was very difficult to maintain balance between the two rival groups.

Note : The following questions are for the Visually Impaired Candidates
only, in lieu of Q. No. 26 :

(26.1) In Sri Lanka, there was a conflict between __________.

(a) two communities
(b) two regions
(c) two religions
(d) two ideologies

Answer: (a) two communities

(26.2) In 1989, India sent troops to Sri Lanka, named as:

(a) Indian Peace Groups
(b) Indian Peace Keeping Force
(c) Indian Peace Workers
(d) Indian Troops for Tamils

Answer: (b) Indian Peace Keeping Force

In 1989, India sent troops to Sri Lanka under the name of the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) to help enforce peace during the ongoing civil conflict.

(26.3) Name the group of Tamils who fought against the army of Sri Lanka.

(a) Indian Tamils
(b) LTTE
(c) Tamils for Democracy
(d) Tamil United Front

Answer: (b) LTTE

The LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) was the group of Tamils that fought against the Sri Lankan army during the civil conflict. They sought to create an independent Tamil Eelam state.

(26.4) In spite of conflict, Sri Lanka has registered __________.

(a) rise in its economy and development
(b) fall in its economy
(c) rise in the population
(d) fall in its trade

Answer: (a) rise in its economy and development

Despite the long-standing conflict, Sri Lanka has managed to register a rise in its economy and development, with growth in sectors such as tourism and infrastructure, although the conflict had long-term social and economic costs.

SECTION E

27. (a) Analyse any three reasons responsible for the disintegration of the Soviet Union.

Answer:
The disintegration of the Soviet Union in 1991 was influenced by several key factors:

Economic Problems: The Soviet economy faced severe stagnation in the 1980s, with inefficient centralized planning, lack of innovation, and a large military expenditure that drained resources. This weakened the economy and made it unable to meet the needs of its population.
Political Instability: The lack of political reforms and the concentration of power in the hands of a few created disillusionment among the people. The rise of nationalist movements in various republics also put pressure on the central authority, further destabilizing the union.
Gorbachev’s Reforms: Mikhail Gorbachev introduced policies like glasnost (openness) and perestroika (restructuring), aimed at reforming the political system. However, these reforms led to unintended consequences, including a loss of control over the satellite states, which ultimately contributed to the collapse of the Soviet Union.

(b) Analyse any two reasons for the beginning of the Arab Spring and any two outcomes of this movement.

Answer:

Reasons for the Beginning of the Arab Spring:

Widespread Unemployment and Poverty: In many Arab countries, there was high unemployment, especially among youth, and widespread poverty. People were frustrated with the lack of economic opportunities, which acted as a catalyst for protests.
Authoritarian Rule and Lack of Political Freedoms: Many Arab nations were under authoritarian regimes that restricted political freedoms and human rights. The frustration over oppressive governance sparked demands for democratic reforms, leading to mass uprisings.

Outcomes of the Arab Spring:

Regime Changes: The Arab Spring led to the overthrow of several long-standing rulers, including the leaders of Tunisia, Egypt, and Libya. It marked the start of significant political shifts in the region.
Civil Wars and Instability: While some countries experienced political reforms, others, like Syria and Libya, descended into civil wars, leading to prolonged instability and humanitarian crises.

28. (a) Highlight any three challenges faced by India after independence.

Answer:
After independence, India faced numerous challenges:

Partition and Communal Violence: The partition of India in 1947 led to massive violence and the displacement of millions of people along religious lines, creating long-lasting tensions between communities.
Integration of Princely States: India had over 500 princely states that were not directly under British control. Integrating them into the Indian Union was a significant challenge and required diplomatic efforts and military intervention in certain cases.
Economic Development: India inherited a largely agrarian economy with low industrialization and poor infrastructure. It had to focus on building a self-sufficient economy, addressing poverty, and achieving social and economic stability.

(b) Highlight the role of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel to bring the Princely States into the Indian Union. Support your answer with the help of any three examples.

Answer:
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel played a crucial role in integrating the princely states into the Indian Union after independence. His efforts include:

Persuasion and Diplomacy: Patel used diplomacy to convince the rulers of the princely states to accede to India. He emphasized the importance of unity and the benefits of joining the Indian Union. For example, he succeeded in persuading the Nizam of Hyderabad to join India after the state initially tried to remain independent.
Military Action in Hyderabad: When the Nizam of Hyderabad refused to accede to India, Patel ordered Operation Polo, a military intervention that led to the peaceful annexation of Hyderabad into the Indian Union.
Integration of Jammu and Kashmir: Despite challenges, Patel worked with the Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir to secure the state’s accession to India after it was invaded by Pakistan. His diplomatic efforts ensured that the region remained part of India.

29. (a) Evaluate the strength of the European Union as the most effective regional organisation on the basis of any three facts.

Answer: The European Union (EU) has been one of the most effective regional organizations in the world. Here are three key reasons for its strength:

Economic Integration: The EU has created one of the largest single markets in the world, with member countries working together to facilitate trade, reduce tariffs, and create a common currency (the Euro) for 19 of the member states. This economic cohesion has boosted the region’s economic growth and global competitiveness.
Political Cooperation: The EU has been able to promote peace and stability in a historically volatile region by fostering political cooperation between its member states. The organization encourages democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, contributing to the stability and prosperity of its members.
Global Influence: The EU plays a significant role on the global stage. It is an active participant in international diplomacy, peacekeeping, and global trade negotiations. Its combined economic and political power gives it substantial influence in shaping global policies, particularly on climate change, trade agreements, and international law.

(b) The people in all the South Asian countries share the aspiration and support for democracy. Justify the statement with any three suitable examples.

Answer: The statement that people in South Asian countries share the aspiration and support for democracy can be justified with the following examples:

India’s Democratic Success: India, the largest democracy in the world, has maintained a democratic system since independence in 1947. Despite challenges, elections are held regularly, and democratic institutions have been strengthened over time, showing that the people of India strongly support democratic governance.
Nepal’s Transition to Democracy: Nepal, after years of monarchy and political instability, successfully transitioned to a democratic republic in 2008. The people’s support for democracy was evident in their mass protests, which led to the abolition of the monarchy and the establishment of a federal democratic republic.
The Maldives’ Struggle for Democracy: The Maldives, which experienced an authoritarian regime for decades, saw a democratic transition with the election of Mohamed Nasheed in 2008. Despite challenges to democracy, including a coup in 2012, the people have shown a continuous desire for democratic reforms, as seen in their active participation in elections.

30. (a) Analyse any three reasons for the dominance of the Congress Party in Indian politics during the initial twenty years after independence.

Answer: The Congress Party’s dominance in Indian politics during the first two decades after independence can be attributed to several factors:

Leadership of Jawaharlal Nehru: The leadership of Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India, was central to the Congress Party’s dominance. His vision for a secular, democratic, and socialist India won the support of a large section of the population, helping the Congress maintain power in the initial years.
Legacy of the Freedom Struggle: The Congress Party had a long history as the principal party in the Indian freedom struggle. This legacy of fighting for independence gave it tremendous legitimacy and widespread support among the Indian populace, who viewed the party as the natural representative of the nation’s aspirations.
Unified Political Platform: The Congress Party was able to unify a diverse and fragmented society under one umbrella, promoting national integration and unity. The party’s policies of promoting economic development, secularism, and social welfare attracted wide support from various communities, regions, and social groups.

(b) Analyse any three reasons for the declaration of Emergency in 1975.

Answer: The declaration of Emergency in India in 1975 was a significant event in the country’s political history. Here are three key reasons for it:

Political Instability: By the mid-1970s, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi faced increasing political opposition, including protests against rising inflation, unemployment, and corruption. The opposition, particularly the Janata Party led by Jayaprakash Narayan, was gaining momentum and challenging the government’s authority.
Court Ruling on Indira Gandhi’s Election: In June 1975, the Allahabad High Court had declared Indira Gandhi’s election to the Lok Sabha as invalid due to electoral malpractice. This ruling significantly weakened her political position, and she feared that this would lead to her removal from office.
Threat to National Security: Indira Gandhi cited internal disturbances, such as protests and strikes, as a threat to national security. She argued that the emergency was necessary to restore order, control rising lawlessness, and suppress political unrest. This justification allowed her to bypass constitutional limits on her power.