TS Inter 2nd Year – Civics Previous Paper 2022

SECTION – A

Note:

  • Answer any three of the following questions in 40 lines.
  • Each question carries ten marks.

1. Explain the salient features of the Indian Constitution.

The Indian Constitution is the longest written constitution in the world, reflecting the diverse nature of Indian society and its aspirations. Here are some of its salient features:

  • Lengthy and Comprehensive: The Constitution is a voluminous document containing over 440 articles and 12 schedules. It covers a wide range of topics, from fundamental rights and duties to the structure of government and the functioning of various institutions.

  • Federal Features: India follows a federal system of government, where power is divided between the Union government and the state governments. This division of powers ensures a balance between the center and the states.

  • Parliamentary Democracy: India operates under a parliamentary system of democracy. The executive (government) is responsible to the legislature (Parliament). The Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers are collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha.

  • Social and Economic Justice: The Constitution emphasizes social and economic justice. It aims to create a more equitable society by addressing issues like poverty, inequality, and social discrimination. This is reflected in various provisions, such as the Directive Principles of State Policy.

  • Fundamental Rights and Duties: The Constitution guarantees fundamental rights to all citizens, such as the right to equality, freedom of speech and expression, and the right to life and personal liberty. It also outlines fundamental duties that citizens are expected to perform towards the nation.  

  • Directive Principles of State Policy: The Directive Principles of State Policy provide guidelines for the state to follow in achieving social and economic goals. These principles are not legally enforceable but serve as guiding principles for government policy.

  • Secularism: India is a secular state, ensuring freedom of religion for all citizens. The Constitution prohibits discrimination on the basis of religion.

  • Flexibility and Rigidity: The Constitution is both flexible and rigid. It can be amended to adapt to changing circumstances, but the amendment process is not easy, ensuring that the fundamental principles of the Constitution are not easily altered.

  • Unique Features: The Indian Constitution incorporates unique features such as the concept of Directive Principles of State Policy, the recognition of tribal rights, and provisions for the empowerment of women.

2. Explain the Fundamental Rights as incorporated in the Indian Constitution.

Fundamental Rights are a set of basic human rights guaranteed to all citizens of India by Part III of the Constitution. They are considered to be essential for a democratic and just society.

    • Right to Equality (Article 14-18): Ensures equality before the law and prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth.
  • Right to Freedom (Article 19-22): Guarantees six freedoms, including freedom of speech and expression, freedom of assembly, freedom of association, and freedom of religion.  
  • Right to Life and Personal Liberty (Article 21): Guarantees the right to life and personal liberty, which includes the right to live with dignity and the right to privacy.
  • Right against Exploitation (Article 23-24): Prohibits traffic in human beings, forced labor, and child labor.
  • Right to Freedom of Religion (Article 25-28): Ensures freedom of conscience and the right to freely profess, practice, and propagate one’s religion.
  • Right to Education (Article 21A): Guarantees the right to education for all children between the ages of 6 and 14.
  • Right to Constitutional Remedies (Article 32): Allows citizens to enforce their Fundamental Rights by approaching the Supreme Court for their protection and enforcement.

The Fundamental Rights are considered to be the cornerstone of Indian democracy. They protect individual liberties and ensure that all citizens have the opportunity to live with dignity and participate fully in the democratic process.

3. What are the differences between Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles of State Policy?

Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles of State Policy are two important pillars of the Indian Constitution, both aiming to promote the welfare of the people, but they differ significantly in their nature and enforceability.  

Fundamental Rights:

 

  • Legally Enforceable: Fundamental Rights are legally enforceable. Citizens can approach the courts to seek redress if their Fundamental Rights are violated.
  • Justiciable: They are justiciable, meaning they can be enforced through the courts.
  • Negative Rights: They primarily impose limitations on the state, restricting its actions that might infringe upon individual liberties.
  • Examples: Right to equality, freedom of speech and expression, right to life and personal liberty.

Directive Principles of State Policy:

  • Not Legally Enforceable: Directive Principles are not legally enforceable. They cannot be directly claimed in a court of law.
  • Non-Justiciable: They are not justiciable, meaning they cannot be enforced through the courts.
  • Positive Obligations: They impose positive obligations on the state to work towards achieving social and economic goals.
  • Examples: Right to work, right to education, right to a decent standard of living.

In essence:

  • Fundamental Rights are enforceable legal rights that protect individuals from state interference.
  • Directive Principles of State Policy are guidelines for the state to strive towards a just and equitable society.

4. Describe the powers of Prime Minister of India.

The Prime Minister of India is the head of government and the most powerful political figure in the country. Their powers stem from a combination of constitutional provisions, political realities, and conventions.

Key Powers:

  • Executive Powers:

    • Head of Government: The Prime Minister is the chief executive of the Union government.
    • Appoints Ministers: Selects and appoints ministers to the Council of Ministers.
    • Chairs Cabinet Meetings: Presides over Cabinet meetings and directs government policy.
    • Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces: Responsible for national security and defense.
    • Foreign Policy: Plays a key role in formulating and implementing foreign policy.

  • Legislative Powers:

    • Introduces Legislation: Introduces and guides legislation in Parliament.
    • Introduces the Union Budget: Presents the annual budget to Parliament.

  • Political Powers:

    • Leader of the Ruling Party: Leads the ruling party in Parliament and plays a crucial role in party affairs.
    • Advises the President: Advises the President on various matters of state.
    • Public Image: Their actions and decisions significantly influence public opinion and national sentiment.

5. Explain the powers and functions of Indian Parliament.

The Indian Parliament is the supreme legislative body of the country. It consists of two houses: the Lok Sabha (House of the People) and the Rajya Sabha (Council of States).  

 

Powers and Functions:

  • Legislative Powers:

    • Enacting laws: Parliament is the primary law-making body of the country. It enacts laws on subjects in the Union List and Concurrent List.
    • Amending the Constitution: Parliament has the power to amend the Constitution through a special majority.

  • Financial Powers:

    • Approving the Union Budget: Parliament approves the annual budget presented by the government.
    • Controlling Public Expenditure: Parliament has the power to control public expenditure through parliamentary committees.

  • Judicial Powers:

    • Impeachment of the President and Vice-President: Parliament has the power to impeach the President and Vice-President.
    • Removal of Judges: Parliament can initiate the process of removing judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts.

  • Control over Executive: Parliament exercises control over the executive through various mechanisms such as questions, debates, and motions.

  • Electoral College: Parliament plays a crucial role in the election of the President and Vice-President of India.

  • 6. Describe the role of JACs in the Telangana Movement.

    Joint Action Committees (JACs) played a pivotal role in the Telangana Movement, a sustained struggle for the creation of a separate state of Telangana within India.

    Key Roles of JACs:

    • Mobilization and Coordination: JACs acted as umbrella organizations, bringing together various groups and individuals involved in the movement. They coordinated protests, rallies, and other forms of agitation across the Telangana region.
    • Public Awareness: JACs played a crucial role in raising public awareness about the need for a separate state. They organized public meetings, seminars, and campaigns to educate people about the historical, cultural, and economic injustices faced by the Telangana region.
    • Political Pressure: JACs exerted significant pressure on the central and state governments through sustained protests and demonstrations. They mobilized public opinion and created a strong groundswell of support for the statehood movement.
    • Negotiations: JACs also engaged in negotiations with government representatives, presenting their demands and seeking a resolution to the issue.
    • Maintaining Unity: JACs played a crucial role in maintaining unity among the various groups and individuals involved in the movement. They addressed internal differences and ensured that the movement remained focused on its primary goal.

    The Telangana Joint Action Committee (TJAC) emerged as a prominent platform for coordinating the movement and played a pivotal role in achieving the goal of statehood for Telangana.

    7. Explain the various factors which led to the agitation for a separate Telangana State.

    The agitation for a separate Telangana state was driven by a complex interplay of historical, cultural, economic, and political factors.

    • Historical and Cultural Identity: Telangana has a distinct historical and cultural identity, with its own language, literature, and traditions. The region had a separate administrative history before its merger with Andhra Pradesh in 1956.

    • Economic Disparities: There were concerns about economic disparities between Telangana and other regions of Andhra Pradesh. Telangana felt that its resources were being exploited to benefit other parts of the state.

    • Political Neglect: There were concerns that the interests of the Telangana region were being neglected within the united Andhra Pradesh state. The region felt that its unique needs and aspirations were not being adequately addressed.

    • Social and Cultural Issues: Issues such as regional imbalances in development, social justice, and cultural identity also contributed to the growing discontent in Telangana.

    • Political Mobilization: The emergence of political parties and social movements advocating for statehood played a crucial role in mobilizing public opinion and fueling the agitation.

    These factors combined to create a strong movement for statehood, culminating in the formation of Telangana as a separate state in 2014.

SECTION – B

Note:

  • Answer any eight of the following questions in 20 lines each.
  • Each question carries five marks.

8. Point out the main provisions of the Independence of India Act, 1947.

The Independence of India Act, 1947, was a landmark piece of legislation passed by the British Parliament that partitioned British India into two independent dominions: India and Pakistan. Here are some of its key provisions:

  • Partition of India: The Act officially divided British India into two independent dominions: India, with a Hindu majority, and Pakistan, with a Muslim majority.
  • Date of Independence: The Act set August 15, 1947, as the date for the transfer of power from British rule to Indian hands.
  • Creation of Pakistan: The Act created two new dominions: the Dominion of India and the Dominion of Pakistan (which later included East and West Pakistan).
  • Provisions for Governance: The Act outlined the constitutional framework for the new dominions, including provisions for the establishment of constituent assemblies to draft their respective constitutions.
  • Powers of the Governor-General: The Act provided for the appointment of a Governor-General for each dominion, who would initially exercise executive powers.

9. Explain any four causes for the Indian National Movement.

The Indian National Movement was a long and arduous struggle for India’s independence from British colonial rule. Several factors contributed to its rise and growth. Here are four key causes:

  • Economic Exploitation: The British colonial rule exploited India’s resources and impoverished the Indian economy. High taxes, land revenue policies, and the drain of wealth to Britain fueled resentment among the Indian people.

  • Social and Political Discrimination: The British discriminated against Indians in various ways, denying them equal rights and opportunities. This discrimination fueled nationalist sentiments and a desire for self-rule.

  • Rise of Nationalism: The rise of nationalist ideas in Europe and the world inspired Indian intellectuals and leaders. They began to envision an independent India based on principles of self-determination and national sovereignty.

  • Role of Indian Leaders: The emergence of charismatic leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Subhas Chandra Bose provided inspiration and direction to the movement. Their leadership mobilized public opinion and united people from different backgrounds in the struggle for freedom.