Teachers recommend solving Kerala Syllabus Plus Two Political Science Previous Year Question Papers and Answers Pdf March 2023 to improve time management during exams.
Kerala Plus Two Political Science Previous Year Question Paper March 2023
From Questions 1 to 11 answer for 16 scores.
Question 1.
Find out the leader who played a major role in the integration of princely states.
(a) Nehru
(b) Potti Sriramulu
(c) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
(d) Mahatma Gandhi
Answer:
(c) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
Question 2.
Who was the first Chief Election Commissioner of India?
(a) Sukumar Sen
(b) D.P. Mishra
(c) T.N.Seshan
(d) P.D. Tandon
Answer:
(a) Sukumar Sen
Question 3.
Identify the leader of Bharatiya Jan Sangh.
(a) A.K. Gopalan
(b) c. Rajagopalachari
(c) Syama Prasad Mukherjee
(d) Jayaprakash Narayan
Answer:
(c) Syama Prasad Mukherjee
Question 4.
Expand the foHowing :
• CTBT
• NPT
Answer:
CTBT : Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty
NPT : Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty
Question 5.
Match the following:
(a) Non-Cong ressism
(b) Jai Jawan Jai Kisan
(c) Garibi Hatao
(d) Syndicate
Answer:
(a) Non-Congressism : Ram Manohar Lohia
(b) Jai Jawan Jai Kisan : Lai Bahadur Shastri
(c) Garibi Hatao : Indira Gandhi
(d) Syndicate : K. Kamaraj
Question 6.
The Commission appointed in 1977 by Janata Government to inquire into the excesses committed during emergency
(a) Shah Commission
(b) Sarkaria Commission
(c) Mandal Commission
Answer:
Shah Commission
Question 7.
The Punjab accord was signed by and
(a) Rajiv Gandhi and Harchand Singh Longowal
(b) Indira Gandhi and Angami Zaper Phizo
(c) Rajiv Gandhi and Laldenga
Answer:
Rajiv Gandhi and Harchand Singh Longowal
Question 8.
Properly arrange the listed facts on Bharatiya Kisan Union and Anti-Arrack Movement in the table given below:
(a) Focused on sexual violence against women
(b) Most of the members belonged to a single community
(c) Western UP and Haryana
Answer:
- Anti-Arrack Movement
- Focused on sexual violence against women
- Adult literacy drive
- Against domestic violence
- Bharatiya Kisan Union
- Most of the members belonged to a single community.
- Western UP and Haryana
- Guaranteed supply of electricity at reasonable rate.
Question 9.
Name the First Secretary General of UNO.
Answer:
Trygve Lie
Question 10.
Which country adopted “Open Door Policy” ?
Answer:
China
Question 11.
Categorize the following countries to members of European Union and ASEAN :
France, Cambodia, Spain, Germany, Vietnam, Malaysia
European Union
ASEAN
Answer:
European Union
- France
- Spain
- Germany ASEAN
- Cambodia
- Vietnam
- Malaysia
Answer any four questions from 12 to 16. Each carries 3 scores.
Question 12.
Write any 3 objectives of Jawaharlal Nehru’s Foreign Policy.
Answer:
- Preserve the hard earned sovereignty.
- Protect territorial integrity.
- Promote rapid economic development.
Question 13.
What were the main factors responsible for the dominance of Congress Party in the first 3 general elections?
Answer:
- Inherited the legacy of the national movement.
- Organisational structure all over the country.
- Charismatic leadership of Nehru.
Question 14.
Briefly explain the consequences of Shock Therapy.
Answer:
State controlled industries were collapsed.
- Inflation was high.
- Value of Ruble declined.
- Withdrawal of Government subsidies.
Question 15.
Prepare a short note on the concept of “Common but Differentiated Responsibility”.
Answer:
Developed countries are responsible for the damage apd degradation to the environment
- The developing countries are in the process of industrialization. They cannot be forced to impose restrictions like others.
- Environmental! laws should be taken into account the needs of developing countries, before imposing control.
Question 16.
What are the 3 components of India’s Security Strategy?
Answer:
- Strengthening the Military Capabilities
- Strengthening International Norms and Institutions
- Security challenges within the country.
Answer any four questions from 17 to 21. Each carries 4 scores.
Question 17.
Towards the end of 1980’s, five major developments occurred which brought long lasting impact on Indian Politics. Explain those developments.
Answer:
Defeat of the congress system
- Mandal commission report
- New economic policy
- Assassination of Rajiv Gandhi
Question 18.
Bring out the major differences in the objectives of First and Second Five Year Plans.
Answer:
- First five year plan
- Period between 1951-56
- K.N. Raj prepared the draft plan
- Slow development
- Emphasis on agriculture
- Second five year plan
- Period between 1956 -61
- PC Mahalanobis prepared the plan.
- Rapid growth
- Emphasis on industry
Question 19.
Write a short note on Chipko Movement.
Answer:
Chipko Movement is considered as one of the first environmental movement in the country. This was a Movement that became famous the world over. It was started in 1973 in two or three villages of Uttarakhand. The Forest Department prevented the villagers from cutting down a certain kind of trees with which they made their working implements.
But the same Forest Department gave permission to a Sports Equipment Manufacturing Company to cut down such trees for commercial purposes. This pro-voked the villagers. When the workers came to cut the trees, the villagers stood near the trees embrac-ing them. (Chipko means embrace). This protest spread to many parts of Uttarakhand. The people raised their voice against the exploitation of nature.
They asked the government not to let outsiders come and exploit their resources. They wanted the power to manage them to’be given to the local people. They also asked for permission to start small scale industries, protecting Nature and the Environment. They also demanded minimum wages for the forest workers who had no land of their own.
As a result of this Movement, the government issued an order prohibiting the cutting down of trees in the Himalayan side for 15 years. The role of women wag great in this Movement. They also fought against social evils like drinking alcohol. With Chipko Movement, people realized that solutions to popular problems could be found through non-politipal movements.
Question 20.
India is emerging as a great power in the interna-tional politics. Explain India’s claims for permanent membership in UN Security Council.
Answer:
- Largest democratic country in the world
- Major economic power
- Contribution to the U. N. Budget
- Big nation in terms of population.
Question 21.
Examine the role and limitations of SAARC as a forum for facilitating co-operation among the South
Asian Countries.
Answer:
- South Asian Association of Regional co-operation (SAARC) is a regional initiative among South Asian states to evolve cooperation since 1985.
- SAARC has initiated SAFTA (South Asian Free Trade Agreement) to free trade zones for whole South Asia.
- SAARC projected on economic development of its member states to reduce their dependen-cies on non-regional powers. Limitations
- Some of the Indian neighbours think that the association is dominated by India.
- SAARC nations are either developing or least de-veloped nations and thus creates insufficiency of funds.
Answer any four questions from 22 to 26. Each carries 5 scores. (4 × 5 = 20)
Question 22.
What is Green Revolution ? Explain its consequences.
Answer:
Green Revolution: Green Revolution is the name given to the policies of the government which aimed at maximum production in the minimum period in the agricultural sector. In the 1960s, the agricultural sector was in a very bad shape. Between 1965 and 67 there were huge droughts in many parts of India. This reduced food production and in many areas there was famine-like condition.
To overcome this crisis, India was forced to seek assistance from countries like America. Following the American policies, we too started some new economic policies. The government wanted self-sufficiency in food and therefore a new agricultural policy was implemented. This policy included farming all lands where irrigation was available, using high yield varieties of seeds and fertilizing the land. Subsidies were given for irrigation and insecticides. It was also decided thatithe government would purchase the produce at a minimum price. All these changes together paved the way for what is known as the Green Revolution.
The Green Revolution brought some positive changes in agricultural growth. Food stuff was easily available. Of course, it was the rich merchants and large farm- owners that were the prime beneficiaries. There was a polarization of the rich and poor. This helped the Left Parties to bring together the poor farmers and the masses. As a result, there arose a powerful Left¬leaning lobby of middle class farmers.
Question 23.
Kashmir issue is not just a dispute between India and Pakistan. It has also internal and external dimensions. Discuss the statement.
Answer:
The following are the major areas of conflict:
a. Following the division, the first dispute was regarding Kashmir. Pakistan claimed Kashmir to be theirs. Even with the 1947-48 and. 1965 wars, this problem could not be solved.
b. Another problem is about the control of the Siachin sector and about the armament race. Since 1990, both the countries have stockpiled nuclear weapons and missiles.
c. India accuses Pakistan of aiding Kashmiri extremists by giving them weapons. They also give money, training, and security to these terrorists. The Inter Services intelligence (ISI) makes anti-Indian propaganda in the North Eastern regions of India. They also make anti- Indian propaganda secretly through Bangladesh and Nepal. Pakistan accuses India of giving help to the insurgents in Sindh and Baluchistan.
d. Until 1960, there were also disputes between India and Pakistan regarding the sharing of river waters. In 1960 with the help of the World Bank both countries signed the Indus Waters’Treaty. It is in force even now.
e. There is one more thing about which the two countries have not reached an agreement – Sir Creak in the Rann of Kutch.
Question 24.
The American Hegemony has military, economic and cultural dimensions. Describe three different aspects of US Hegernony.
Answer:
World nations try to gain and maintain dominance over others by using military, economic and cultural power. During the Cold War the fight was between the Soviet Union and America. With the disintegration of the Soviet, Union America remains the only Superpower. Dominance or hegemony is attained through three things:
a) Hard Power
b) Structural Power
c) Soft Power
Hard Power:
This includes military power and the relations between nations. Today America is in the forefront of military power. There is nobody to challenge its military might. It has the capacity to reach any corner of the world any moment. They spend a major part of their budget to maintain this position, they spend huge sums of money for research and technological developments. It is technology that keeps America in the forefront. With their military might they are even ready to police the world, and punish the culprits.
Structural Power:
This dominance is based on the economic structure. The global economic system relies on America. If America helps the global economic system, it is mainly for their benefits and profits. But America does a lot of good things for the world. For example, communication channels through the oceans. Merchant ships travel through sea routes and America has much authority on the water transport system. It is the American navy that keeps the sea-routes safe„for ships.
The next is the Internet. In fact it was an American military project. It was started in 1950. Today the global network functions using satellites. Most of them belong to America. 28% of the world econemy is controlled by America. 15% of the international trade is also done by them. In any economic sector, at least one of out of three biggest companies will be American. The world economic structure follows the Breton Woods style of America. The World Bank, I.M.F. and World Trade Organization etc. are examples of American supremacy in world business and finance.
Now comes another example – the MBA degree. It was America that made this course and the degree so popular. It was Americans who discovered that business is a profession that could be taught. The first Business School was established in Pennsylvania in 1881. ts name was Wharton School. Today in all countries MBA has become a prestigious degree.
Soft Power : This is the ideological and cultural dominance. America has become the model for all other nations and they try to copy America. In weak countries, America is able to make the people like its culture. We all speak highly of the American life style and personal success. America is number one in the world. By using ‘soft power, and not force, America is able to achieve this dominance over the world.
Question 25.
Globalisation is a multidimensional concept. Define globalisation and explain its political and cultural consequences.
Answer:
The concept of globalization is the exchange of ideas, materials and human resources. Now this exchange is possible among nations without much control. Looked at this way, it assumes different levels of political, economic and cuftural meanings. In his sense it has merits and demerits. Some societies may be affected only very little, but some may be affected much more. Let us see how it works: Political results: Politically speaking, the authority of the government gets weaker.
It will have to reduce its welfare schemes. Instead of social welfare, the stress is on the market. With the coming MNCs (Multi National Corporations), it becomes difficult for the governments to take independent decisions. According to the advocates of globalization, no political power of the government is lost. The essential things will remain under the authority of the government. Since technology has advanced so much, governments can do a lot. Technology helps governments to know the details of their citizens and make the administration efficient.
Economic Results: Globalization has influenced the economic sphere greatly. World Bank, IMF, WTO etc. play big roles. AU these are controlled mainly by America and its allies. The world economy itself has come under their influence. In this, a re-thinking is necessary. It is high time that we found out who the beneficiaries of globalization are.
As a result of globalization, import controls are reduced or removed. The developed nations can now invest their capital in the developing nations. Investing in the developing nations is more profitable. Technologies develop without any limits of borders. But regarding the movement of people, the developed nations have made certain rules. Their countries are kept safe from foreign workers through the policy of Visa. Because of the visa rules, the jobs of their citizens are not taken away by emigrants.
There are arguments in favour and against economic globalization. Although the policy is the same, different places get different results. Those who think of social justice can look at the limitations on governmentonlyasademeritofglobalization. Those who are economically backward need some special security not to suffer from the demerits of globalization. Some people believe that globalization makes the poor people poorer and so it must be stopped. But globalization brings about huge economic growth and the social welfare of many. Large scale commerce makes the economy better. It is not easy to prevent globalization in the forward march of history.
Question 26.
The Chinese economy has undergone several trans-formations. Identify the developmental strategy adopted by China.
Answer:
The new economic policy has helped China a lot to bring it out of the moribund economic state. Privatization in the agricultural sector made crop production increase considerably and the rural economic sector improved. Thus there was considerable increase in the rural industrial sector. Chinese economy became better as a result of the increase in industry and rural growth. In 2001, China entered the WTO and thus it was able to trade with outside countries. Its decision to work jointly with the world economic system will definitely affect its economic model. Although some of these things are against Communist ideologies, the Chinese development model has become the cornerstone of its development.
Answer any two questions from 27 to 29. Each carries 8 scores. (2 × 8 = 16)
Question 27.
“The process of partition was very difficult to imple-ment and its consequence was painful.” Based on this statement, explain the process of partition and its consequences.
Answer:
There were three reasons for that. First of all in British India, there was not a single area which had only Muslims. There were two areas in which the majority was Muslims, one in the West and the other in the East. Therefore Pakistan was formed consisting of two areas – West Pakistan and East Pakistan. Between them there were large areas of Indian Territory.
Secondly, not all areas with majority Muslirfi population wanted to become part of Pakistan. Khan Abdul Gaffer Khan, who was the leader of the North Western Province had objected to the Two-Nation Theory. But ignoring his objection, the North West Province was included in Pakistan.
The third problem was that British India’s Punjab and Bengal were areas with Muslim majority. But in these huge provinces there were very many non- Muslims. Therefore the Provinces were divided into Districts and Panchayats depending on the religious majority of the population there.
The result was that on the day of Independence many people did not know to which country they belonged – Indig or Pakistan. It deeply wounded the people. The problem of the minorities in each country was the worst of all. The Hindus and Sikhs in the Pakistani areas and the Muslims in Punjab and Bengal were unfortunate preys to this division of the country. When the division was decided upon, there was large scale violence against the minorities in both the countries.
The division of British India in 1947 into India and Pakistan was a very tragic incident in history. In the border areas many people on both sides were killed because of their religion and caste. Huge cities like Lahore, Amritsar and Calcutta became religious areas. Muslims avoided going to areas of Hindus and Sikhs. Similarly Hindus and Sikhs did not want to go near the Muslim areas. People were forced to flee their homes, suffering a lot of difficulties on their way.
Many of the people in the minorities in the border areas had to live in refugee camps. The governments and the police were not there to help them. People had to walk or ride in some vehicles from their homes to their new places. During the journey, many were attacked and killed; women were raped. Many were forced to accept the majority religion and marry people against their will. In many homes women were killed by their own relatives in the name of honour.
Children were separated from their parents and guardians. People who came to the new land had no houses and they had to live in refugee camps. Not only the land, but even moveable properties like tables and chairs were divided. The government and railway workers were divided. People who were liv¬ing like brethren were divided. It is believed that between 5 to 10 lakh people lost their lives in this tragic division of the country.
Question 28.
Discuss the background and causes which led to the declaration of Emergency in India.
• Economic Context
• Gujarat and Bihar Movements
• Conflict with Judiciary
• Judgement of Allahabad High Court
Answer:
After the 1971 election, Indira became a popular leader with a lot of support from the people. This time there were serious problems in the Party. There were three main reasons:
a) Economic Reasons
b) Gujarat & Bihar Movement
c) Dispute with the Judiciary
The main slogan in the 1971 election was ‘garibi hatao’. But when the government came to power it could not improve the economic condition of the country. There were a number of reasons for that. First of all there was the refuge problem. Then there was the Bangladesh Crisis, followed by the Indo- Pakistan War. All these things created financial problems. Secondly, after the War, America stopped its aids to India. Thirdly, there was a sharp increase in oil prices. The 4th reason was inflation which made the life of ordinary people very difficult.
The 5th problem was negative growth in industrial output. Unemployment increased, especially in the rural sector. Sixthly, the salaries of government employees had to be reduced and oven stopped. Seventhly, lack of rain caused serious shortfall in foodstuff. All the above things created an economic crisis in the country. There was general discontentment in the country. This gave the Opposition Parties an opportunity to organise protests.
Guiarat and Bihar Movement:
The second biggest problem was the students’ protest in Gujarat and Bihar which were Congress-ruled States. The main reason was the increase in the prices of essential commodities. Shortage of food, unemployment and corruption made the students angry. In both these States the Opposition Parties supported the students. In Gujarat, Presidential Rule was imposed. At this time the main opponent of Indira Gandhi and the leader of Congress (O), Morarji Desai, decided to go on an indefinite hunger strike. He did that for demanding elections in Gujarat. In June 1975, because of heavy pressure from various sources, election was conducted. Congress lost the election.
In Bihar the students invited Jay Prakash Narayan to lead their protest. He accepted the invitation insisting that the protest must be non-violent. He asked for the dismissal of the Bihar government. He argued that there was a need for a revolution in social, economic and political spheres. But the Bihar government refused to resign. The entire country discussed the issue. Jay Prakash Narayan wanted to spread the protest to all parts of the country. In the meantime the railway workers went on a strike.
It would make the entire country come to a standstill. In 1975, Jay Prakash Narayan organized a march to the Parliament. It was the biggest rally the capital had ever seen. The Opposition saw in him an alternative to Indira Gandhi. Both the protests were anti-Congress. Voices also rose against the leadership of Mrs. Gandhi. She believed that all this was done to take revenge on her.
Dispute with the Judiciary:
Another reason for the declaration of Emergency was Indira Gandhi’s dispute with the Judiciary. The Supreme Coursaid that some of the things the government did were against the Constitution. Congress argued that the Supreme Court judgement was against democracy and the authority of the Parliament. The Party said that the Court was standing against some welfare measures taken to help the poor people.
The dispute was mainly in three things. Firstly, Can the Parliament change the Fundamental Rights? The Court said no. Secondly, Can the Parliament change ownership of land? Again the Court said no. Thirdly, the Parliament said that it had the right to reduce fundamental rights. It amended the Constitution. But the Supreme Court objected. All these were the reasons for the dispute between the Government and the Supreme Court.
There were two more reasons. In the Kesavananda Bharati case, the Supreme Court judged that the Parliament can’t change the basic structure of the Constitution. Soon the post of the Chief Justice became vacant. Normally the senior most judge is appointed as the Chief Justice. But keeping aside 3 eligible Judges, the government appointed A.N. Roy as the Chief Justice. This appointment became controversial. Besides, the Uttar Pradesh High Court declared the election of Indira Gandhi as null and void. All these were the reasons for Mrs Gandhi to declare Emergency in-June 1975.
Question 29.
Soviet Union, the second most powerful country in the world disintegrated in 1991. Analyse the various factors that led to the disinte-gration of the USSR.
Answer:
1. The control exercised by the Soviet government on its citizens made their life difficult.
2. There was no freedom of expression or democracy.
3. Many institutions needed reforms. But the Communist Party strictly controlled them and reforms were not possible.
4. The Party refusedto give people their rights. The Soviet Union was a Union of 15 Republics. They had their own cultures and problems.
5. Although on paper there were 15 Republics, only Russia was allowed to exercise control. Russia dominated the other republics and the people of the other republics were either ignored or suppressed.
6. Although the Soviet Union was able to maintain its equality with the US in arms race, it was very costly for them. Western technology was better than the Russian technology. The political and economic needs of the Soviet people were not taken care of by the Soviet government.
7. Soviet Union used most of its resources to develop atomic weapons, to make arms, to increase military facilities and to develop its satellite East European countries.
8. The go-slow policy, refusal to correct mistakes and the closed door policy quickened the country’s downfall.