PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 17 India and Her Neighbours-Nepal, Sri Lanka, China, Bangladesh and Pakistan

Punjab State Board PSEB 12th Class Political Science Book Solutions Chapter 17 India and Her Neighbours-Nepal, Sri Lanka, China, Bangladesh and Pakistan Textbook Exercise Questions and Answers.

PSEB Solutions for Class 12 Political Science Chapter 17 India and Her Neighbours-Nepal, Sri Lanka, China, Bangladesh and Pakistan

Long Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
Make a survey of Indo-Pak relations.
Or
Explain the relationship between India and Pakistan.
Answer:
India attained freedom on 15th Aug., 1947 but it was partitioned at the same time and so Pakistan came into existence. Pakistan was the result of a policy of ‘Divide and Rule’ of British rulers. Pakistan is India’s neighbouring country and that is why Indo-Pak relations are significant.

Relations between India and Pakistan remained tense because of persistent clashes on the issues of Displaced Property, constitutional place of Indian States, determination of boundary line and disputes over Junagarh, Hyderabad, Kashmir. All the other disputes except Kashmir problem have been solved. Two wars took place between both the countries on Kashmir issue first in 1948, and then in 1965. In 1971, India and Pakistan fought another war on Bangladesh issue.

America supported Pakistan whereas Russia favoured India and used Veto. Mrs. Gandhi announced the origin of the Republic of Bangladesh in Parliament on 6th December. General Niazi signed the documents of surrender on 16th December, 1971 and one lakh Pak-soldiers surrendered. Mrs. Gandhi announced unilateral Ceasefire on 17th December at 8 a.m. and requested Yahya Khan to accept the appeal for ceasefire. India’s victory in war heightened its prestige and badly discouraged Pakistan.

Shimla Conference:
Mrs. Gandhi, without exploiting the defeat of Pakistan, held a summit conference at Shimla in June, 1972 to discuss the problems of both the countries. Pak President Bhutto and Indian Prime Minister Mrs. Indira Gandhi participated in this conference. The agreement was reached between Mrs. Indira Gandhi and Mr. Z.A. Bhutto on 3rd July and it is known as Shimla Agreement.

The Principles of bilateral talks were encouraged after Shimla Agreement.
After the formation of Janata Government in March, 1977, Indo-Pak relations all the more improved.

India’s External Affairs Minister visited Pakistan on 6th Feb., 1978. Shri Vajpayee, then External Affairs Minister coming back from Pakistan said, “It was foggy when we took off but there was sunshine when we landed in Islamabad.”

No War Pact:
On 15th Sept., 1981 Pakistan offered a No War Pact between the two countries. India suggested seven points for a No War Pact between the two countries. Mrs. Gandhi categorically assured Pakistan that India would never attack it, irrespective of whether the two countries signed a non-aggression pact or not.
Joint Commission. On March 10, 1983 foreign ministers of both the countries signed an agreement to set up a Joint Commission. The first meeting of the Joint Commission took place at Islamabad on June 1, 1983. The Joint Commission agreed to reduce the postal rates, provide easier travel facilities to passengers both ways and promote trade, commercial and cultural contacts.

Pact on Drug Trafficking:
On Sept. 10,1993 India and Pakistan signed a Charter of agreements to combat the ever-increasing trafficking in drugs across the border.

Pakistan’s Support to Terrorists:
For almost a decade Pakistan has been fighting a proxy war on India’s blood-shattered border states. Pakistan is giving all sorts of help to Punjab militants and Kashmir terrorists. On February 22, 1994 the Indian Parliament unanimously condemned Pakistan’s abetment of and encouragement to terrorist activities in Kashmir.

Nuclear Tests:
India conducted three underground nuclear tests on May 11, 1998 and two tests were conducted on May 13, 1998. On 28th May, 1998 Pakistan conducted five nuclear tests to equalise the five tests conducted by India.

Indo-Pak Pact on Bus Service:
On Feb. 17, 1999 India and Pakistan signed a formal agreement for launching the Delhi-Lahore bus service. On Feb. 20, 1999 heralding a new ‘Chapter’ in Indo-Pakistan relations the Prime Minister Mr. Atal Bihari Vajpayee, rode on the bus to Lahore.

Kargil Issue:
After showing limitless patience, India gave a moderate answer on 26th May, 1999 to Pakistan sponsored aggression in the Kargil-Dras sector. Indian government made it very clear that they will continue the operation till ‘our defence forces reoccupy our territory.’ The External Affairs Minister of India, Mr. Jaswant Singh, made it clear to the External Affairs Minister of Pakistan that ‘Aggression has to be undone’. On June 20, 1999, G-8 leaders condemned violation of the line of control and called for an immediate end to fighting in the region and termed as ‘irresponsible’ any military action to change the status quo of the LOC. G-8 leaders asked Pakistan to end infiltration.

Summit between Prime Minister and President, 2001:
In July 2001, the summit between Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Pakistan’s President Pervez Musharraf crashed down because the two sides failed to reconcile their differences on the critical Kashmir issue and cross-border terrorism.

Terrorist Attack on Indian Parliament:
On December 13, 2001 terrorists attacked Indian Parliament and 12 persons were killed. Terrorist outfits based in Pakistan-Lashkar-e-Toiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad were responsible for the attack on Parliament.

India Recalls High Commissioner:
On 21st December 2001, India recalled its High Commissioner from Islamabad and terminated the Delhi-Lahore bus service as well as the Samjhauta Express train running between the two countries for the last 25 years. On December 27, 2001 India banned the use of Indian airspace by the Pakistani planes and gave an ultimatum for reduction of its High Commission staff by 50 per cent.

Ban on LeT, Jaish-e-Mohammad:
On January 12, 2002 Pakistan’s President Pervez Musharraf banned the Jaish-e-Mohammad and the Lashkar-e-Toiba but ruled out handing over their leaders to India.

Indian Prime Minister’s Visit to Islamabad:
In January, 2004 the Indian Prime Minister Mr. Atal Bihari Vajpayee visited Islamabad to attend 12th SAARC summit. Mr. Vajpayee met Pakistani President and Prime Minister during his visit. The conflict between the two countries has reduced during this SAARC summit and both the countries agreed to solve their conflicts with peaceful means and mutual talks.

Indo-Pak Relations in 2004:
After the Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s visit to Islamabad in 2004 both the countries have decided to improve their relations. The bus service, train services and air services have been resumed between India and Pakistan.

Pakistani Prime Minister’s Visit to New Delhi (Nov. 24, 2004):
Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz visited New Delhi in Nov. 2004. India and Pakistan stuck to their respective state position on Kashmir. But both the countries agreed to set up banks in each other’s country on reciprocal basis.

Bus to Muzaffarabad:
On 16th February, 2005 India and Pakistan agreed to start a bus service between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad from April 7, 2005. Travel will be by entry permit system for all nationals of both countries once identities are verified. Both countries agreed to start a bus service between Amritsar and Lahore and also to religious places such as Nankana Sahib. On April 7, 2005 bus service started between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad.

General Musharraf s Visit (2005):
In April 2005 General Musharraf visited India. The two leaders decided to revive the Indo-Pak Joint Commission. India and Pakistan decided to enlarge economic and commercial ties.

Pact on Ballistic Missiles:
On August 6, 2005 India and Pakistan reached an understanding on the proposed agreement on Pre-Notification of Flight Testing of Ballistic Missiles.

Release of Fishermen and Civilian Prisoners:
On September 12, 2005 India and Pakistan released fishermen and civilian prisoners.

India, Pak exchange relief material:
In November 2005 Indian and Pakistani officials from both sides of the LOC supervised the exchange of relief material for the quake affected population.

Recent relations between India and Pakistan:
Pakistani President General Musharraf declared emergency rule on November 3, 2007.
Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf was sworn in as a Civilian President on November 27, 2007.

Terrorists Attack on Mumbai:
Terrorists attacked Mumbai on November 26, 2007. Nine terrorists were killed and one terrorist Amir Kasab was arrested. These terrorists were supported by Pakistan. Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh stated clearly involvement of Pakistan official agencies in the Mumbai attacks and asked Pakistan to take actions against the perpetrators of the attack so that such strikes do not take place in the future. Pakistan rejected India’s demand for extradition of the perpetrators of the Mumbai terrorist attack, saying there was no extradition treaty between the two countries.

Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee asked Pakistani government to take tangible action against the perpetrators of the Mumbai attack. “All that we want is action and not words from Pakistan. But so far there is no evidence of it.”
Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon said so far India has not seen any action at all’ from Pakistan.

If Pakistan allows its territory to be used for attacks on India on the unacceptable plea that those involved in the attacks are the so labelled non-state actors, it does not absolve it from the responsibility of allowing its territory to be used by the Jihadis.

In Feb, 2010, India and Pakistan resumed their Foreign Secretary Level Talks. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh met the Pakistani P.M. Gilani at Addu on Nov- 2011. Both the leaders described the relationship as moving in a positive direction. Like Pakistani P.M. Gilani, Indian P.M. also referred to “opening a new chapter in the history of the relationship between the two countries.” Both leaders had a hope that the second round of talks will be more productive.

In May 2014, Pakistani Prime Minister Sh. Nawaz Sharif visited India to attend oath ceremony of Sh. Narender Modi as Prime Minister of India. During this visit both leaders discussed bilateral issues. In Dec, 2015, Sh. Nareder Modi, Prime Minister of India, visited Pakistan. In Nov. 2018, India-Pakistan agreed to open the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor for the Sikh Community.

Terrorists, supported by Pakistan, attacked on military base areas of Uri. It resulted in the martyrdom of 21 Indian soldiers. India on 29 Sept. 2016, in reply to this attack, made surgical strike in P.O.K. and killed about 40 to 50 terrorists. Again on Feb. 14, 2019, Pak supported terrorists made a terrorist attack in Pulwama. It resulted in the deaths of 40 Central Reserve Police Force personnel. In response to this Pulwama attack, Balakot airstrike was conducted by India in the early morning hours of February 26, 2019. The Indian warplanes crossed the border and dropped bombs in the vicinity of the town of Balakot. Due to this air stike more than 250-300 Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorists were killed in Balakot.

Conclusion:
We can conclude that given the political will and a spirit of give and take, most problems can be solved through bilateral negotiations. Pakistan should stop helping terrorists immediately and should realise that Kashmir is an integral part of India.

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 17 India and Her Neighbours-Nepal, Sri Lanka, China, Bangladesh and Pakistan

Question 2.
Describe reasons of hostile and suspicious relations between India and Pakistan.
Answer:
Following are the major areas of conflict between India and Pakistan:
1. Kashmir Problem:
Kashmir is a major issue of dispute between India and Pakistan. Before Independence Jammu and Kashmir was one of the 565 princely states, ruled by Maharaja Hari Singh. On October 20, 1947 several thousand tribesmen armed with machine guns, mortars, etc., attacked the frontiers of the state. These tribesmen were aided by Pakistan. On 26 October, Maharaja Hari Singh signed the Instrument of Accession and Indian troops dashed to Kashmir. Pakistan refused to recognise this accession and the war continued for 14 months. On
January 1, 1949 India lodged a complaint with U.N. Security Council and on January 5, 1949 ceasefire was announced by both the countries.

In September 1965, Pakistani forces attacked India. Indian forces gave them a crushing defeat. A U.N. Security Council resolution adopted on Sept. 20, 1965 called for a ceasefire. Pakistan again attacked India on 3rd Dec. 1971 and after the war, the Shimla Agreement was signed between the two countries. On 5-6 August, 2019, Article 370 was abrogated in Jammu and Kashmir and nowadays India’s stand is that P.O.K. will be the centre point of India-Pakistan dialogue.

2. Terrorists activities by Pakistan in India. Another important conflict is the terrorists activities, which Pakistani government encourages. It trains and helps the militants by arms training and money to carry out terrorist strikes in India. Its spy agency ISI is alleged to be involved in India’s north-east operating secretly through Bangladesh and Nepal. Terrorists activities on India’s sea-shore, Pathankot attack, 26/11 Bombay Taj attack, attack in Uri and Pulwama attack are the few examples of it.

3. Violation of Shimla Pact and Lahore Pact:
Pakistan, often violates the terms and conditions of Shimla Pact and Lahore Samjotha and thus increases the tension between two nations.

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 17 India and Her Neighbours-Nepal, Sri Lanka, China, Bangladesh and Pakistan

Question 3.
Explain in detail the relationship between India and Bangladesh.
Or
Examine the phases of cordial and strained relations between India and Bangladesh.
Answer:
Bangladesh, which was a part of Pakistan and was known as East Pakistan, emerged as an independent state in 1971. East Bengal was not given fair treatment by the rulers of Pakistan and it was made virtually a colony. In an election held early in 1971, Sheikh Mujib’s Awami League got majority in Pakistani Parliament. But Sheikh Mujib was not called to form a government and he was arrested. East Bengal declared independence and the liberation war started. India helped Awami League in the war. War took place between India and Pakistan in Dec. 1971 and Pakistan was defeated in the war. India was the first country to grant recognition to the People’s Republic Bangladesh.

India got Sheikh Mujib Rehman, the first President of Bangladesh, released from detention in Pakistan. India signed a treaty with Bangladesh for friendship, peace and co-operation for twenty five years in 1972. A trade agreement was reached in March 1972 for the economic reconstruction of Bangladesh. There was mutual agreement on Farakka barrage and sharing of Ganga waters. But the assassination of Sheikh Mujib followed by military dictatorship in Bangladesh created tension between India and Bangladesh.

Dispute started between them over Ganga waters. This dispute was settled by an agreement in Oct. 1977. Chief Martial Law Administrator H.M. Ershad visited India on October 6, 1982. India and Bangladesh decided to terminate the 1977 Farakka agreement to undertake feasibility studies. Both agreed on an interim arrangement on the question of Sharing the Ganga water and augmenting its flow. The Summit decided to set up an Indo- Bangladesh joint Economic Commission.

The summit talks between Mrs. Gandhi and General Ershad covered a wide area of understanding and mutual accommodation which augured well for future relations between India and Bangladesh. The joint communique issued at the end of General Ershad’s visit to Delhi conveyed much more than an interim accord on Farakka and a settlement of the Tin Bigha lease issue.

Tin Bigha Corridor:
A major irritant in Indo-Bangladesh relations was removed when the Tin Bigha Corridor was opened on June 26, 1992 amidst heavy security by central paramilitary forces and the state Armed Police. According to the modalities of the agreement formalised by the governments of the two countries on March 26, 1992 the movement of Bangladesh nationals along the corridor would be regulated to avoid intermingling with Indian nationals.

Chakma Refugees:
The repatriation of Chakma refugees, which was to have begun on June 8, 1993 on the basis of an understanding reached between India and Bangladesh during Bangladesh Communication Minister’s visit to New Delhi and Tripura, remained a non-starter. The repatriation of Chakma refugees started on 15th Feb., 1994. The 12 years old Chakma problem came to an end on Feb. 27, 1998 with all remaining refugees being repatriated to their ancestral homeland in Bangladesh.

Ganga Water Pact:
On Dec. 11,1996 Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajed visited India. On Dec. 12, India and Bangladesh signed the Ganga Water sharing treaty leaving behind a long period of mutual distrust and suspicion. Prime Ministers of both the countries almost in the same words said that the treaty was tribute to the special quality of Indo-Bangladesh relations. India and Bangladesh formally started sharing Ganga waters on Jan. 1st, 1997.

The first ever trilateral business summit, which brought together the Prime Ministers of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh in Dhaka on 15th Jan., 1998, pledged their commitment to consolidate and strengthen the ongoing efforts for achieving sustainable development. India, Pakistan and Bangladesh reaffirmed their goal of achieving a free trade area in South Asia by the year 2001 and reiterated their commitment to liberalisation of commerce within the region.

Visit of Bangladeshi Prime Minister to India:
Bangladeshi Prime Minister, Mrs. Sheikh Hasina visited India on 16th June, 1998. India and Bangladesh stressed that bilateral problems should be resolved within a bilateral framework. Bangladesh reiterated its commitment that its territory would not be allowed to be used for anti- Indian activities.

Bus Service:
India and Bangladesh entered a new era of bilateral relationship with the launch of bus service linking Kolkata with Dhaka on June 19,1999. India also agreed to provide Bangladesh a credit of? 200 crore. India and Bangladesh agreed to start a new bus link between Agartala and Dhaka on April 9, 2000.

Train Service:
India and Bangladesh signed an agreement to run goods train which revived an old route through the Benapole- Petrapde border points on July 4, 2000.

Indian troops die in Border Clashes:
In April 2001, suddenly the border with Bangladesh had exploded into shooting, killing and high voltage tension. India lodged a strong protest with Bangladesh. India asked the Bangladeshi government to act against the perpetrators of crimes against the Border Security Force personnel saying that acts of criminal adventurism should not be permitted to affect ties between the two countries.

Joint Boundary Working Groups Meeting
In July 2001, a three day meeting between India and Bangladesh ended on a positive note as both sides reiterated their commitment towards expeditious resolution of all pending matters.

Visit of Indian External Affairs Minister:
In August 2002, long standing bilateral issues were discussed at the official talks between visiting Indian External Affairs Minister and Foreign Minister of Bangladesh. But they failed to make any breakthrough in settling any of the bilateral irritants.

Border Patrolling:
On August 6, 2005 India and Bangladesh decided to intensify border patrolling and work out ways to enhance trade and economic co-operation.

India’s Relations with Bangladesh:
Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee’s Visit to Bangladesh (2008):
Indian external affairs minister Pranab Mukherjee visited Bangladesh in Feb. 2008. He visited areas affected by Cyclon Sidr and India provided $ 1 million aid to Bangladesh. Mr. Mukherjee assured he would look into Bangladesh’s concern about the bilateral trade imbalance, river management and non-tariff barriers. He also announced ‘unconditional duty’ free access for two million ready-made garments from Bangladesh to India.

Maitree Express and Refurbishing India-Bangladesh Relations:
A new chapter was opened in Indo-Bangladesh relationship on April 14, 2008 when the Maitree Express rolled out of the Kolkata station on its inaugral journey to Dhaka. Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav said, “This historic day will be written in golden letters in the histories of India and Bangladesh.”

In Jan. 2010 Bangladesi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina visited India. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina favours strong ties with India and vowed not to allow Bangladesh’s territory to be used for terrorism against its neighbours. Her proposal of forming a South Asian task force to fight terrorism in the region merits to be taken up earnestly by all countries because today the scourge threatens almost every country—including those which promoted it in the past. India and Bangladesh on August 20, 2011 signed joint border maps, finalising the 4156 km. long frontier between the neighbours. The long standing border related discord between the two bodies was settled through the signing of the map.

In Sept. 2011, Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh paid a two day visit to Bangladesh. During this visit India lifted tariffs oh 46 textile items from its sensitive list.

In Oct. 2016, Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina visited India to attend ‘BIMSTEC’ Summit. During this, both countries discussed bilateral issues.
In April 2017, Bangladesh Prime Minister visited India. During this visit, both countries signed 22 agreements.
In May 2018, Bangladesi Prime Minister visited India. During this visit, both countries discussed bilateral issues including Rohingya issue.
In Oct. 2019, Bangladeshi Prime Minister visited India. During this, visit both countries signed 7 important Agreements.

No doubt both Bangladesh and India have their grievances against each other, but these can be redressed in an amicable atmosphere. Both countries will gain immensely by promoting a relationship of goodwill and trust. Given goodwill and understanding between New Delhi and Dhaka, most bilateral problems can be solved without any difficulty.

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 17 India and Her Neighbours-Nepal, Sri Lanka, China, Bangladesh and Pakistan

Question 4.
Explain in detail the Indo-China relations.
Or
Write a critical note on the changing relationship between India and China.
Answer:
India and China had cordial relations earlier, but China attacked India in 1962 and became hostile to India. China still occupies some territory of India. India is inclined to improve relations with China but Chinese attitude is still inimical.

Indo-China Relations During Nehru Era (1949 to May 1964):
Policy of friendship towards China:
India, since the beginning, adopted the policy of friendship towards Communist China. India first recognised China, and then supported its induction in U.N.O. In 1951, India opposed the resolution of declaring China, an invader in Korea, in U.N.O. India didn’t attend San Francisco conference at the time of Japanese Peace Treaty in 1950 as China was not invited.

India’s Policy of Contentment crossed limits when India gave its extra-territorial rights enjoyed in Tibet, to China by signing a trade-agreement on 29th April, 1954. Both the countries at the time of agreement expressed their faith in the Principles of Panchsheel. These Principles were elaborated in 1953 at Bandung Conference. The Chinese Prime Minister Chou-En-Lai visited India in 1954 and Pt. Nehru also went to China. China attacked India on 20th Oct., 1962 and ‘avenged’ India’s friendly attitude. It badly affected Pt. Nehru’s policies.

Chinese invasion over India:
China attacked both the Western and Eastern sectors of the Indian Border on 20th Oct., 1962. The Chinese soldiers overpowered the military posts till Indian forces balanced themselves after this sudden attack. Britain and America immediately sent military equipment on India’s request. China declared unilateral ceasefire on 21st Nov. By waging a war, China was able to capture thousands of miles of Indian area which is still in its possession.

Colombo Resolution and attitude of China:
Ceylon, Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Egypt organised Colombo conference in December, 1962 to facilitate Indo¬China talks. Mrs. Bhandarnaike brought this resolution to Delhi and Peking. This resolution was passed on 19th January 1963.

Sino-Indian relations during Shastri Period:
(May 1964 to January 1966). After the death of Pt. Nehru, Shri Lai Bahadur Shastri remained the Prime Minister of India till 10th January, 1966. Sino-Indian relations didn’t improve during this period. China adopted hostile attitude during Indo-Pak war in 1965. China fully supported Pakistan and declared India an invader.

Problems of Bangladesh and Chinese attitude towards Indo-Pak war:
The year 1971 was replete with problems for India. China disliked India’s co-operation in Bangladesh movement and it fully supported the dictators of Pakistan. China favoured Pakistan in the meetings of Security Council during Indo-Pak war and held India responsible for invasion. China again threatened India but these threats proved hollow.
Indo-China relations remained tense till April, 1976

Indo-China relations from May 1976 to 1979:
With the deaths of Chou-En- Lai, Chu Teh and of Mao in 1976, Indo-China relations slightly improved. On 15 April, 1976 Shri K.R. Narayanan was sent to Peking as an ambassador to China. China, too, sent its ambassador to India.

The external affairs minister, Mr. A.B. Vajpayee reached Peking on February 12, 1979. India raised the border question at the first ever ministerial dialogue with China since 1960. India arid China agreed to maintain the existing tranquillity along their common borders. But Mr. Vajpayee cut short his China visit by a day due to Chinese attack on Vietnam. .On September, 5, 1979 New Delhi strongly protested to Peking against the violation of Bhutan’s borders.

Indo-China Relations from January, 1980 to 1991:
The Chinese Prime Minister Mr. Hua Kuofeng told Prime Minister Indira Gandhi at Belgrade (Yugoslavia) on May 9, 1980 that his country was more than ready to improve its relations with India.

The three rounds of talks with China-First in Beijing in December, 1981, second in Delhi in May, 1982 and third in January 1983-on the border dispute failed to make any progress. Two more rounds of talks took place between India and China between 1983 and 1985.
Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi visited China in 1988 and many misunderstandings were removed. A joint working group was formed.

The Joint working groups have held six rounds of talk:
The latest round of talks at the Joint working groups was held in Beijing in early November, 1992. India and China agreed to establish high level contacts in order to maintain peace and tranquillity along the line of actual control. Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao visited China in Sept. 1993 and signed four agreements that would respect the Line of Actual Control (LAC) along the border and renounce the use of force against each other.

Visit of the Chinese President to India:
On 28th Nov., 1996 Chinese President, Mr. Jiang Zemin visited India on a four day State visit. Mr. Jiang was the first Chinese head of the State who has visited India. Chinese President, Mr. Jiang Zemin said, “My visit will further promote friendship between the two countries.” On 29th Nov. ,1996 India and China signed a historic agreement pledging themselves not to attack each other or cross the Line of Control and reduce troops and armaments along the common border. The agreement contained a series of confidence building measures in the military field to ensure a peaceful border.

Post-Pokhran Sino-Indian Relation:
India conducted underground nuclear test, at Pokhran on May 11, 1998—after 24 years of its maiden nuclear test. On 14th June, 1999 Indian External Affairs Minister Mr. Jaswant Singh visited China. India and China decided to establish a security dialogue mechanism and decided to give new impetus to the decisions of the Joint Working Group. It was also decided to celebrate the 50th anniversary of establishment of Indo-China diplomatic relations in an appropriate manner.

Visit of the Indian President to China:
Indian President K.R. Naryanan visited China on May 28,2000 (May 28 to June 3). India and China favoured a ‘fair and reasonable boundary dispute’ and decided to set up an Eminent Persons Group (EPG) to enhance over-all bilateral ties. The President invited China to work with India to eliminate the threat of international terrorism. Chinese President Jiang Jemin also condemned international terrorism.

Chinese Leader Li Peng’s Visit to India (Jan. 2001):
Chinese Leader Li Peng said, “The purpose of my visit is to enhance trust, boost friendship and strengthen co-operation.”

Visit of the Chinese Prime Minister to India:
Chinese Premier Zhu Ronglji visited India in January 2002. The two countries discussed a number of confidence building measures.

Visit of the Indian Prime Minister to China:
In June, 2003, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee visited .China. During his visit India and China signed the Cross Border Trade Agreement.

China’s stand on Sikkim:
Sikkim has been an issue of conflict between India and China. But in May, 2004 China put a step towards friendship and mutual trust. Beijing for the first time officially stopped showing Sikkim as a separate country in Asia. China’s this step has raised Indo-China relations to a qualitatively new plane.

Improvement in Indo-China Relations:
During these years of Indo-China relations the level of mutual trust between the two countries has been raised. Chinese Vice-Foreign Minister Wang Yi has said during an interview that “China-India relations are developing very well. Especially we have improved our mutual trust, which is important for bilateral relations.”

Recent Relations Between India and China:
India and China Sign 13 Agreements. Chinese:
President Mr. Hu Jintao visited India in November 2006. India and China signed 13 agreements in New Delhi on November 21, 2006.

Joint Indo-China Military Exercise:
The first Indo-Chinese Joint Military exercise began on December 21, 2007 and came to a conclusion on December 25, 2007 in Kunming (China). The focus of the exercise was on the anti-terrorism drill.

Visit of Indian Prime Minister to China:
Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh visited China on January 13, 2008. Indian Prime Minister and Chinese Premier signed a joint statement titled ‘A Shared Vision for the 21st Century’ on 14th Jan. 2008. The shared vision contains some new issues such as bilateral co-operation in civil nuclear energy. Chinese support for India’s desire to play a greater role in the United Nation Security Council, etc. Moreover, both the countries signed 11 agreements for co-operation in rail, housing, geo-sciences, land resources management and other sectors.

China’s stand on Arunachal Pradesh:
Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India. But on November 11, 2008 Qin Gang, Foreign Ministry spokesman rejected India’s assertion that Arunachal Pradesh is its an integral part and insisted that China never recognised the illegal Mac Mohan line and that the status of the border state was never officially demarcated. But Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh rejected China’s claim and stated Arunachal is ‘our land of rising sun’.

Improvement in Indo-China Relations:
During these years of Indo-China relations the level of mutual trust between the two countries has been raised.

Visit of Vice-foreign Minister:
Chinese Vice-foreign minister He Yafei visited India in January 2009, India shared evidence with China about involvement of Pakistan-based elements in the Mumbai terror attacks and urged Beijing to use its influence with its alley Islamabad to co-operate on the issue.

Visit of Chinese Prime Minister of India:
Chinese Prime Minister Mr. Wen Jiabao visited India in Dec, 2010. During his visit both countries signed 6 pact. India and China agreed to raise the bilaternal trade to 100 billion dollar by 2015.

Leaving aside their bilateral problems like boundary issue, at present both have entered into an intensive phase of trade and economic co-operation. Since India has not changed its stand on Tibet, the March 2008 uprising in Tibet is not likely to influence their bilateral relationship.

P.M. Manmohan Singh’s visit to China:
On 23rd October, 2013 India and China took a leap towards reducing tension across the border and promised to strengthen cooperation on trans-border rivers, even as New Delhi delayed pact for a liberalised visa regime. The Border Defence Cooperation Agreement was among the nine pacts that the two countries signed at Beijing.

Chinese President’s visit to India:
In September 2014, Chinese President Xi Jinping visited India. During this visit, both countries signed 12 Agreements.
In Oct, 2016, Chinese President Xi Jinping visited India to attend ‘BRICS’ Summit. During this visit, both countires discussed bilateral issues.
In September 2017 and June 2018 Indian Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi visited China. During this visit, both countries discussed bilateral issues.
In Oct., 2019 Chinese President visited India. During this visit, both countries discussed on Trade, Regional Security and Terrorism.

Conclusion:
The relations between the two countries should be based on complete equality and mutual respect in the spirit of the U.N. Charter. Both could learn from each other’s experience since the two countries were in need of rapid development.

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 17 India and Her Neighbours-Nepal, Sri Lanka, China, Bangladesh and Pakistan

Question 5.
Assess relationship between India and Nepal.
Or
Discuss the main issues of conflicts and co-operation in the relationship between India and Nepal.
Answer:
India and Nepal are not only neighbours but they have also had long cultural, political and religious links. In language and religion, gods and goddesses, food and clothing the two countries, India and Nepal, have more in common with each other than with any third country of the world. Both have been living as good and friendly neighbours.
Issues of Conflicts in Indo-Nepal Relations. The following factors can be described as the factors which negatively influenced to course of Indo-Nepal relations.

1. Nepal’s Fears:
Being a small state, Nepal feared India. Nepal feared that India could attempt an intervention in Nepal for securing its interests vis-a-vis China. Nepal lived with fear of the Indian interference in its internal affairs.

2. India’s Initial Lack of Interest in Nepal:
During the initial years of her independence, the Indian Foreign Policy did not give much importance to relations with Nepal.

3. The Thesis of ‘Special Relation with Nepal’:
Indian thesis of ‘special relation with Nepal’ gave the impression that India regarded Nepal as an area of India’s influence.

4. The China Factor in Indo-Nepal Relations:
In China, Nepal saw an opportunity of finding a counterpoise to India. India as such viewed with concern any attempt that was being made by Nepal for cultivating friendship and co-operation with China.

5. The Issue of Zone of Peace:
Since 1975, Nepal has been trying to get recognition as a zone of Peace. But India felt that Nepal did not really need such a status, Nepal, however, regarded this proposal as a vital necessity for securing its national interests and world peace.

6. Hijacking of Indian Airlines Plane:
The hijacking of Indian Airlines plane on the Kathmandu-Delhi route in December 2000 created tension and security concern.

7. ISI Activities:
Nepal has been used by the ISI in a big way for carrying out acts of sabotage in India.

8. Eight Thorny Issues:
According to Nepalese experts there are at least eight thorny issues—(i) India’s illegal construction of the Laxmanpur barrage in Bharauch district within 300 metres of the border ; (ii) the silent demographic aggression by Indians taking advantage of the open border ; (iii) Indian occupation of Kalapani ; (iv) Denial of market access to Nepalese businessmen ; (v) Four per cent special additional tax levied on Nepalese goods ; (vi) Lack of provisions in the Mahakali Project agreement to sell hydel power to other countries ; (vii) India’s unwillingness to get involved in the Bhutanese refugees problem and (viii) the murder of Nepalese citizens by ULFA militants in Assam.

9. 1950 Friendship Treaty:
Nepal believes that this treaty places it on an unequal footing with India. Nepal has desired a review of the treaty.

Areas of Co-operation between India and Nepal:
A large number of Nepalese youth received higher education in the Indian Universities. Under the Colombo Plan Agreement 1954, the Indian Govt, undertook to contribute towards the development of communications, irrigation and water supplies projects in Nepal. Indian Public Works Department has constructed several roads in Nepal. India has given a lot of economic aid to Nepal in its development.

The king of Nepal visited India many times and leaders of India went to Nepal. In 1977, the Prime Minister of India, Mr. Morarji Desai visited Nepal. The Prime Minister of Nepal, Mr. Surya Bahadur Thapa, visited Delhi in February, 1983. India and Nepal agreed to take up three major river projects of benefit to both countries by harnessing their common water resources. Both countries agreed to set up a Joint Commission at the ministerial level to promote economic co-operation. On March 2, 1983 India agreed to provide Nepal with an assistance of? 8.7 crores for the expansion of Bir Hospital.

Nepal’s first-elected government in 32 years was sworn on May 29, 1991. Mr. Girija Prasad Koirala became the Prime Minister of Nepal. In his first policy announcement Mr. Koirala said that his Nepali Congress Government would maintain very close and cordial relationship with India.

On 21st Oct. 1992 India and Nepal decided to expand bilateral co-operation. In April, 1995, India agreed to provide additional transit facilities for Nepalese goods at Kandha and Mumbai. Successful Indo-Nepal talks on water services were held.
In 1996 India and Nepal signed a treaty on exploiting the Mahakali river basin for electricity and irrigation.
On 5th June, 1997 the Prime Minister of India Mr. I.K. Gujral visited Kathmandu on three day official visit.
India accepted Nepal’s request for an additional transit route to Bangladesh via Phulbari (India).

Visit of Nepalese Prime Minister:
On 31st July, 2000 the Prime Minister of Nepal Mr. Girija Prasad Koirala came to India for a week long visit. Both the countries agreed on a wide-ranging package of confidence building measures to remove irritants and give a new dimension to bilateral ties.

On 1st February, 2005 King Gyanendra removed popular prime minister and also put all other political party leaders under house arrest and suspended fundamental freedoms. India decided not to intervene in Nepal internal affairs but advised King to restore democracy in Nepal.

Nepal a Federal Democratic Republic:
With the passage of the Constitution amendment bill by the Parliament, Nepal on December 28,2007 turned into a Federal Democratic Republic.

First President of Nepal:
The Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal gets its first President on July 21, 2008 when the Constituent Assembly elected Nepali Congress Leader Dr. Ram Baran Yadav as President of Nepal.

Nepalese President Visits India:
Nepal President Ram Baran Yadav visited New Delhi on Feb. 16,2010. India went out of the way to make Nepalese President visit to New Delhi a truly sucessful event by offering a 250 million Dollar soft loan through EXIM Bank and signing four major accords with Nepal. India also agreed to supply 50,000 tonne of wheat, 2000 tonne of rice and 10,000 tonne of yellow peas to Nepal.

Indian Prime Minister’s Visit to Nepal:
In August 2014, Indian Prime Minister Mr. Narender Modi visited Nepal. During this visit, he announced $1 billion credit to Nepal. In Oct, 2016, Nepali Prime Minister visited India to attend ‘BIMSTEC’ Summit. During this visit both countries discussed bilateral issues.

In August 2017, Nepal’s Prime Minister visited India. During this visit, both countries signed 8 agreement.
In August 2018, Indian Prime Minister visited Nepal to attend to BIMSTEC Summit. During this, both countries discuss bilateral issues.

These days relations between the two countries are very cordial. The bases of friendship between the two countries are : non-interference in each other’s international affairs, frequent consultations on matters of common interest and financial and technical aid by India for Nepal’s economic development.

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 17 India and Her Neighbours-Nepal, Sri Lanka, China, Bangladesh and Pakistan

Question 6.
Evaluate Indo-Sri Lanka relations.
Or
Give a brief account of India’s relations with Sri Lanka.
Answer:
India-Sri Lanka relations stretch over a period of more than two thousand years. At the Asian Relations Conference in Delhi 1947, both India and Sri Lanka declared to fight against colonialism, imperialism and racialism. Both are active members of the Non-Aligned Movement. India in co-operation with Ceylon, held a conference at Colombo in 1950. Both the countries participated in Sanding Conference in 1951. The Government of India assisted Ceylon, in its revolution in 1971.

The dispute over Kachcha their island was solved in June 1974 and this land was handed over to Sri Lanka, Despite cordial relations there has been occasional tension between India and Sri Lanka and the cause of tension was the problem of nearly one million people of origin in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka was not prepared to grant full citizenship rights to all the Indian immigrants in Sri Lanka. The government of Sri Lanka passed the India and Pakistan Residents (Citizenship) Act in 1949. About 8 lakhs people of Indian origin applied for citizenship but only one lakh 34 thousands were able to secure citizenship (upto Oct., 1964). The rest were asked to go back to India.

But India’s stand was that those who were living in Sri Lanka for generations or had been born there, are the citizens of Sri Lanka and not of India. Ultimately, Lai Bahadur Shastri and Smt. Bandarnaike of Sri Lanka reached an agreement on the question of citizenship of Indian people there. In Feb.,1979 Prime Minister Morarji Desai visited Sri Lanka and he advised Indian immigrants to regard Sri Lanka as their own land. The President, N. Sanjiva Reddy, visited Sri Lanka in February, 1982. Mr. Reddy’s visit symbolised friendship between two neighbouring and friendly countries.

Due to Tamil problems tension was there between Sri Lanka and India. In June, 1985, Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and the Sri Lankan President J. R. Jayewardene held discussions to find a political solution to the ethnic problem in the island nation. The most significant achievement of the summit meeting between Mr. Rajiv Gandhi and Mr. Jayewardene has been the latter’s belated admission of the fact that a political solution of Sri Lanka’s ethnic crisis is impossible without India’s co-operation.

On July 29, 1987 India and Sri Lanka entered into an unprecedented accord aimed at national reconciliation in the island-nation to end the five year old ethnic conflict and opening up a new era in their bilateral relations.

The agreement signed by Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and President J. R. Jayewardene envisaged cessation of hostilities between the Tamil Militants and the security forces within the next 24 hours, surrender of arms within 72 hours, return of the army to barracks and merger of Tamil majority northern and eastern provinces. It provides general amnesty for all political prisoners now in jails and also facilitates the rehabilitation of militants who would surrender arms and return to normal civilian life. Mr. Jayewardene on his part promised to meet India’s concern over the possible use of Trincomalee as a foreign military base.

Indian Peace Keeping Force. In accordance with the accord, the government of Sri Lanka requested the Indian government to send Indian Peace Keeping Force to oversee the surrender by the Tamil militants, and the IPKF was sent to Sri Lanka. President Jayewardene was succeeded by Mr. Premadasa. In response to the wishes of Sri Lankan new President, India agreed to withdraw the IPKF and by March, 1990 the process of withdrawal was completed.

Joint Commission. On April, 10, 1991, both the countries agreed for setting up a joint commission by the year-end and agreed to take a series of initiatives in the field of trade, culture and consultancy projects. The two countries also decided to take immediate steps to conclude a cultural exchange programme for 1991-93. The new Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe in June, 1993 had set the tour for the economic relations between two countries. The new Sri Lankan Prime Minister’s talks in New Delhi could mark the beginning of a genuine reconciliation between the two neighbours. The bitterness caused in Sri Lanka by the involvement of the Indian Peace Keeping Force in its ethnic strife began to dissolve after its complete withdrawal.

Indian External Affairs Minister’s visit to Sri Lanka. In Jan, 1997 Indian External Affairs Minister I.K. Gujral visited Sri Lanka. On 22nd Jan., 1997 India and Sri Lanka signed a landmark investment promotion and protection agreement to boost bilateral economic ties and decided to bury their political differences. An External Affairs Minister, Mr. Kadirgamar, of Sri Lanka described the agreement as a “Confidence Building Measure”. Indian External Affairs Minister reiterated that New Delhi would not interfere in the internal affairs of Sri Lanka.

Sri Lankan President’s Visit to India. The close friendship between the two nations had been further boosted by the visit of Sri Lankan President, Chandrika Kumaratunga on Dec. 27, 1998. The visit was of paramount significance as it heralded a new era in
bilateral economic relations through the signing of the first-ever landmark Free Trade Area pact between the two countries.
Tamils of Indian Origin to get Lankan Citizenship. On July 21, 2000 Sri Lankan President Mrs. Chandrika Kumaratunga agreed to give Sri Lankan citizenship to those Indian Origin Tamils who were forced to take Indian citizenship in 1964 as a result of the India-Sri Lanka pact on the stateless people of Indian origin in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lankan President’s Visit to Indiai. In 2002 Mrs. Chandrika Kumaratunga, the Sri Lankan President visited India. The Indian Prime Minister Mr. Atal Bihari Vajpayee reaffirmed India’s support for the peace process in Sri Lanka.
Sri Lankan President’s Visit to India. Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse visited New Delhi in December 2005 and urged New Delhi to take a more upfront role in the peace process : An acknowledgment that no solution to the Tamil-Sinhala ethnic conflict would be implementable without India’s support.

Action Against LTTE. Sri Lanka’s war on the terrorist outfit LTTE entered its last phase. The Sri Lankan government has described ts successes against the LTTE as its major victory on terrorism.
In 2009 Tamil Nadu Assembly passed a resolution calling upon the central government to do something to stop war in Sri Lanka as it was compromising the future and safity of the Tamil population there. But Indian government has rightly decided not to involved in the controversial scenario.

During the SAARC conference held in nepal in 2014, Indian Prime Minister Mr. Narender Modi and Sri Lankan President Mr. Mahindera Rajapakshe met in Nepal. During this meeting both leaders discussed bilateral issues.
In Oct. 2016, Sri Lankan President visited India to attend ‘BIMSTEC’ Summit. During this visit both countries discussed bilateral issues.
In May 2017, Indian Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi visited Sri Lanka. During this visit, both countries discussed bilateral issues.
In Oct. 2018, Sri Lankan Prime Minister visited India. During this visit both countries agreed to speed up infrastructure projects.
In June, 2019, Indian Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi visited Sri Lanka. During this visit, both countries discussed the progress of various programmes supported by India.

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 17 India and Her Neighbours-Nepal, Sri Lanka, China, Bangladesh and Pakistan

Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
What is Kashmir Problem?
Or
Write a note on ‘Kashmir Problem’.
Answer: Kashmir is a major issue of dispute between India and Pakistan. Before Independence Jammu and Kashmir was one of the 565 princely states, ruled by Maharaja Hari Singh. On October 20 1947 several thousand tribesmen armed with machine guns, mortars etc. attacked the frontiers of State. Tribesmen were aided by Pakistan. On 26th October Maharaja Hari Singh sent a letter to Lord Mountabatten, then Governor-General of India about his decision to join India. Indian troops were dashed to Kashmir. Pakistan refused to recognize this accession and war continued for 14 months. On January 1, 1948 India lodged a complaint with U.N.

Security Council and on January 5, 1949 Ceasefire line was accepted by both the countries. In September 1965, Pakistan forces attacked India. Indian forces gave them a crushing defeat. A U.N. Security Council resolution adopted on Sept. 20, 1965 called upon India and Pakistan for a ceasefire. Pakistan attacked India again on 3rd Dec. 1971 and after War Shimla Agreement took place between the two countries. On 5-6 August 2019, Article 370 was abrogated from Indian Constitution, and nowadays India is stand is that P.O.K. will be the centre point of India-Pakistan dialogue.

Question 2.
Write a short note on Shimla Agreement.
Answer:
On 3rd December, 1971 Pakistan attacked India. India faced it bravely and defeated Pakistan very badly. One lakh Pak-Soldiers surrendered and General Niazi signed the document of surrender. But Indian Prime Minister Mrs. Gandhi, without exploiting the defeat of Pakistan, held a summit conference at Shimla in June, 1972 to discuss the problems of both the countries. Pak President Bhutto and Indian Prime Minister Mrs. Gandhi participated in this conference. The agreement was reached between Mrs. Indira Gandhi and Mr. Bhutto on 3rd July and it is known as Shimla Agreement. Important points of this agreement are given below:

  • Both the countries are resolved to solve their conflicts and confrontations through bilateral peaceful talks.
  • Both the countries would respect each other’s national unity, territorial integrity, political independence and sovereign equality.
  • Both countries won’t use force against each other’s territorial integrity.

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 17 India and Her Neighbours-Nepal, Sri Lanka, China, Bangladesh and Pakistan

Question 3.
Write a short note on India-China border dispute.
Answer:
The relations between India and China are very ancient. Till 1962, the relations between the two countries were very cordial and friendly. China attacked both the Western and Eastern sectors of the Indian border on 20th Oct. 1962. China declared unilateral ceasefire on 2lst November 1962. By waging a war, China was able to capture thousands of miles of Indian territory which is still under China’s possession. On July 9, 1979 the External Affairs Minister Mr. Atal Bihari Vajpayee said that the possibility of a satisfactory settlement with China is not seen unless China agreed to settle the boundary question.

During the last 25 years the leaders of both the countries have emphasised many times that better relations between the two countries are Very necessary in the cause of peace in Asia and the world. The need is to solve the boundary dispute. The relations between the two countries should be based on complete equality and mutual respect in the spirit of the U.N. Charter.

Question 4.
Explain relationship between India and China.
Answer:
In 1962, China attacked India and avenged India’s friendly attitude. Again in 1965, China adopted hostile attitude during Indo-Pak War. But India again in 1966 during Indira era tried to resolve Indo-China boundary dispute. However in 1976 Indo-China relations slightly improved. In 1976, Mr. K.R. Narayanan and in 1978 and 1979, Mr. Atal Bihari Vajpayee visited China as Ambassadors of peace and friendship. In 1988, Prime Minister Mr. Rajiv Gandhi’s visit to China started a new era in Indo-China relations and the diplomatic visits made by both the countries further improved the relations of the two countries. During these years of Indo¬China relations the levels of mutual trust between the two countries have been increased.

Very Short Answer Type Questions

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 17 India and Her Neighbours-Nepal, Sri Lanka, China, Bangladesh and Pakistan

Question 1
Discuss India’s policy towards her neighbour countries.
Answer:
India’s policy towards her neighbour is based on the principles of Panchsheel. India respects the sovereignty and territoral integrity of neighbouring states. India is always ready to have friendly relations with neighbouring states. India not only improved its friendly ties with Asian countries but also with other countries of the world.

Question 2.
Shimla Samjhauta (Agreement) was signed when and between which two countries?
Answer:
Shimla Agreement was signed in 1972 between India and Pakistan.

Question 3.
List any two areas of conflict between India and Pakistan.
Answer:

  • Pakistan considers Kashmir a disupted area whereas India considers Kashmir a part of India.
  • Pakistan is helping the terrorists of Kashmir with arms and other materials. Even training is given to terrorists on Pakistan’s soil.

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 17 India and Her Neighbours-Nepal, Sri Lanka, China, Bangladesh and Pakistan

Question 4.
Write down two features responsible for tension between India and China Relations.
Answer:

  • Major disputes are regarding the border issue and the demarcation of the 4,200 km long border at the foot of the Himalayas.
  • Chinese aggression on Indian border on October 20, 1962 and the continuing violations of Indian border.

Question 5.
Mention .any one area each of Co-operation and Disagreement between India and Bangladesh.
Answer:

  • Area of Co-operation. Bus service, Train service and Commerce and Trade between the two countries.
  • Area of Disagreement. Chakma Refugees is an area of disagreement between the two countries.

Question 6.
Name two countries which attacked India.
Answer:

  1. Pakistan
  2. China.

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 17 India and Her Neighbours-Nepal, Sri Lanka, China, Bangladesh and Pakistan

One Line Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
Write the names of two countries which are neighbours of India.
Answer:
Pakistan and Nepal.

Question 2.
Write one cause of tension between India and Pakistan.
Answer:
An important cause for strained relations between India and Pakistan is the issue of cross border Terrorism by Pakistan.

Question 3.
What is the importance of the treaty between India and Nepal formalised in February, 1996?
Answer:
In February, 1996, India and Nepal signed an important treaty for the harmonious development of Mahakali Valley. It paved way for development.

Question 4.
Mention any one important point of the treaty signed between India and China in November, 1996.
Answer:
According to this Agreement, both the countries will not commit any aggression on each other. Both the countries will reduce their military power on the actual line of control. They will also stop military exercises.

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 17 India and Her Neighbours-Nepal, Sri Lanka, China, Bangladesh and Pakistan

Question 5.
In which year China attacked India?
Answer:
China attacked India in 1962.

Question 6.
When was Bangladesh established?
Answer:
Bangladesh was established in 1971.

Question 7.
Between which two countries Tashkent Pact took place?
Answer:
India and Pakistan.

Question 8.
What is the future of Indo-Pak Relations?
Answer:
The future of Indo-Pak relations is not good.

Question 9.
In which year Mac Mahan line boundry line was determined between India and China?
Answer:
In 1914 Mac Mahan line was determined.

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 17 India and Her Neighbours-Nepal, Sri Lanka, China, Bangladesh and Pakistan

Question 10.
Who proposed partition of Kashmir?
Answer:
M.C. Naughton.

Question 11.
In which year Shimla Agreement took place?
Or
When Shimla Agreement took place?
Answer:
Shimla Agreement was signed on 3rd July, 1972.

Question 12.
Who signed Shimla Agreement?
Answer:
Shimla Agreement was signed by Mrs. Indira Gandhi and Mr. Z.A. Bhutto.

Question 13.
Write one major issue of dispute between India and Pakistan.
Answer:
Kashmir is a major issue of dispute between India and Pakistan.

Question 14.
Mention one basic principle of India’s foreign policy.
Answer:
The most important basic principle of India’s foreign policy is Non-alignment.

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 17 India and Her Neighbours-Nepal, Sri Lanka, China, Bangladesh and Pakistan

Question 15.
When was ‘Panchsheel Agreement’ signed between India and China?
Answer:
In 1954.

Question 16.
Write one provision of Shimla Agreement.
Answer:
Both the countries had resolved to solve their conflicts and confrontations through bilateral peaceful talks.

Question 17.
Write one major point of dispute with China.
Answer:
Major dispute is border dispute. Main issue is demarcation of the 4200 km. long border at the foot of Himalayas.

Question 18.
When was Pakistan established?
Answer:
Pakistan was established on 14 August, 1947.

Question 19.
Which two countries signed Shimla Agreement.
Or
‘Shimla Pact’ took place between which two countries?
Answer:
India and Pakistan.

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 17 India and Her Neighbours-Nepal, Sri Lanka, China, Bangladesh and Pakistan

Fill In The Blanks

1. People’s Republic of China was established in ……………. .
Answer:
1949

2. Farakka Treaty was signed between India and ……………. .
Answer:
Bangladesh

3. India became an independent state on ……………. .
Answer:
August 15, 1947

4. Shimla Agreement was signed on ……………. .
Answer:
3rd July, 1972.

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 17 India and Her Neighbours-Nepal, Sri Lanka, China, Bangladesh and Pakistan

True Or False Statement

1. In 1924 Mac Mahan line was determined.
Answer:
False

2. Bangladesh was established in 1965.
Answer:
False

3. China attacked India in 1962.
Answer:
True

4. Shimla agreement was signed by Mrs. Indira Gandhi and Mr. Bhutto.
Answer:
True

5. India and Pakistan signed Farakka Treaty.
Answer:
False

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 17 India and Her Neighbours-Nepal, Sri Lanka, China, Bangladesh and Pakistan

Choose The Correct Answer

Question 1.
Bangladesh was established in:
(a) 1965
(b) 1971
(c) 1972
(d) 1990
Answer:
(b) 1971

Question 2.
When India and Pakistan became independent states?
(a) 26 Jan. 1950
(b) 15 August 1947
(c) 26 Jan. 1947
(d) 14 August 1947.
Answer:
(b) 15 August 1947

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 17 India and Her Neighbours-Nepal, Sri Lanka, China, Bangladesh and Pakistan

Question 3.
Which countries entered into Free Trade Agreement in Dec. 1998?
(a) India and Sri Lanka
(b) Pakistan and Bangladesh
(c) India and Pakistan
(d) India and China.
Answer:
(a) India and Sri Lanka

Question 4.
Mac Mahan Rekha (Line) demarcates the Border between which two countries?
(a) India-Pakistan
(b) India-China
(c) India-America
(d) Pakistan-China.
Answer:
(b) India-China

Question 5.
In which year India sent peace-keeping force in Sri Lanka?
(a) 1985
(b) 1989
(c) 1991
(d) 1987.
Answer:
(d) 1987.

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 17 India and Her Neighbours-Nepal, Sri Lanka, China, Bangladesh and Pakistan

Question 6.
Shimla Agreement was signed on:
(a) 3rd July 1972
(b) 3rd July 1971
(c) 3rd July 1966
(d) 3rd July 1975.
Answer:
(a) 3rd July 1972

PSEB 11th Class Sociology Solutions Source Based Questions

Punjab State Board PSEB 11th Class Sociology Book Solutions Source Based Questions and Answers.

PSEB Solutions for Class 11 Sociology Source Based Questions

Question 1.
Read the given source and answer the following questions.

Nineteenth-century was also the period in which natural sciences made much progress. The success attained by those working in the field of natural sciences inspired a good number of social thinkers to follow them. The belief was that if the methods of natural sciences could be successful in the physical world to understand the physical or natural phenomena, the same methods could be applied successfully to the social world to understand the social phenomena. Scholars like Auguste Comte, Herbert Spencer, Emile Durkheim, Max Weber, and other sociologists advocated the methods of science to study society as they were inspired by the discoveries of natural scientists and wanted to study society in a similar way.

  1. Why were social thinkers inspired to follow natural sciences?
  2. Which sociologists studied society?
  3. What were the views of sociologists about the methods of natural sciences?

Answer:

  1. In the 19th century, natural sciences made great progress, and this inspired social thinkers to follow them.
  2. Scholars like Auguste Comte, Herbert Spencer, Emile Durkheim, Max Weber, and others studied society.
  3. Sociologists started believing that if the methods of natural sciences could be successful in the physical world to understand the physical or natural phenomena, the same methods could be applied successfully to the social world to understand the social phenomena.

Question 2.
Read the given source and answer the following questions.

In Europe and America, Sociology developed as a subject after the 19th century. However, in India, it not only emerged a little late but was also given secondary importance as a subject of study. Nevertheless, after India attained independence, Sociology has risen in stature and has found a place as an independent subject in the curriculum of almost all the universities of the country. In addition, it has also been recognized as a subject for different competitive examinations. Radha Kamal Mukherji, G.S. Ghurye, D.P. Mukherji, D.N. Majumdar, K.M. Kapadia, M.N. Srinivas, P.N. Prabhu, A.R. Desai, etc. are some important scholars who have contributed to the development of Indian Sociology.

  1. As a subject, when did Sociology develop in Europe?
  2. Name a few Indian Sociologists, who contributed to the development of Indian Sociology.
  3. How did Sociology develop in India?

Answer:

  1. As a subject, Sociology rapidly developed in Europe only after the 19th century.
  2. Radha Kamal Mukherji, G.S. Ghurye, D.P. Mukherji, D.N. Majumdar, K.M. Kapadia, M.N. Srinivas, P.N. Prabhu, A.R. Desai, etc. were a few Indian Sociologists who contributed to the development of Indian Sociology.
  3. Before 1947, Sociology did not develop much in India as our country was under the occupation of the British. But after Independence, Sociology developed quite rapidly in India and almost all the universities started teaching as a subject. Except this, all the competitive exams used Sociology as a subject and that’s why it developed very quickly.

PSEB 11th Class Sociology Solutions Source Based Questions

Question 3.
Read the given source and answer the following questions.

According to Morris Ginsberg, historically Sociology has its roots in politics and philosophy of History. For that reason, Sociology depends on Political Science. Each and every social problem has a political cause. Any change in the political system or nature of power structure brings changes in society. To understand different political events Sociology takes help from Political Science. Similarly, Political Science also depends on Sociology. The State frames its rules, regulations, and laws on the basis of social customs, tradition, and values. Thus, without sociological background, the study of Political Science will be incomplete. Almost all political problems have a social origin and for the solution of these political problems, Political Science takes the help of Sociology.

  1. According to Morris Ginsberg, how is Sociology dependent upon Political Science.
  2. According to Ginsberg, why is the study of Political&gience incomplete without social background?
  3. How is Political Science taking the help of Sociology?

Answer:

  1. According to Morris Ginsberg, historically Sociology has its roots in politics and philosophy of history. That’s why Sociology depends upon Political Science.
  2. Ginsberg was of the view that whenever a state forms new laws, it always keeps in mind social values, customs, traditions, etc. That’s why the study of Political Science is incomplete without social background.
  3. According to Ginsberg, almost all the political problems originate in society which is studied by Sociology. That’s why whenever Political Science needs to study society, it always takes the help of Sociology.

Question 4.
Read the given source and answer the following questions.

Society has different meanings in different social sciences, but in Sociology, it is used to refer to various kinds of social units. The main focus of Sociology is on human society and the network of relationships in it. In a society, sociologists study the interpersonal relationships of social beings and discover how a person behaves in a particular situation, what should be expected of others and what do others expect of her/him.

  1. Why is the meaning of society different in different social sciences?
  2. What is the meaning of society in Sociology?
  3. What is the difference between ‘Society’ and ‘A Society’?

Answer:

  1. Different social sciences study a particular aspect of society such as economics study economic part of society. That’s why they take the meaning of society from a different perspective.
  2. In Sociology, society is the web of social relationships. When relations are established among individuals, society is formed. In this way, the web of social relationships is known as society.
  3. Whenever we talk about ‘society’, we talk about it in collective terms i.e. all the societies are included in it and we study it in an abstract form. But whenever we talk about ‘A Society’ we refer to a particular society such as Indian society or American society. That’s why it becomes a concrete society.

PSEB 11th Class Sociology Solutions Source Based Questions

Question 5.
Read the given source and answer the following questions.

A community is a social group of any size whose members inhabit a particular geographical area, share a government, and frequently share a cultural and historical legacy. If may also refer to a collection of people who perform or engage in similar kind of work or activities such as racial community, religious community, a national community, a caste community, or a linguistic community, etc. this sense indicates a social, religious, or occupational group having common features or concerns and perceived as or perceiving itself as different in some way from the larger society within which its exists. The community can thus, refer to people spread over a vast area but sharing similarities in one or another way. For instance, the terms ‘international community or ‘NRI community’ are used in literature to refer to some coherent group based on supposedly some characteristics.

  1. What is meant by Community?
  2. Give a few examples of Community.
  3. Differentiate between Community and Association.

Answer:

  1. A community is a social group of any size whose members live in a particular geographical area, share a government, and frequently share a cultural and historical legacy.
  2. The international community, Indian Community, Punjabi Community, etc. are a few examples of Community.
  3. ⇒ Community develops automatically but Association is deliberately formed for a particular objective.
    ⇒ Every individual automatically becomes a part of any Community but the membership of the Association is optional. It means that one can take or leave membership according to his wish.

Question 6.
Read the given source and answer the following questions.

A social group is a collection of individuals, made up of two or more persons having interaction among them.’ It consists of people who interact with one another and recognize themselves as a distinct social unit. The number of members in a group can range from two to hundreds of individuals. In addition, the social group is dynamic in nature as it expands its activities from time to time. The interaction within social groups motivates them to identify with one another. Groups are mostly stable and enduring social units, for example, family, community, village, etc. Groups carry out many organized activities which are necessary for a society.

  1. What do you mean by Social Group?
  2. Can we call a crowd a social group? If no then why?
  3. What is meant by Primary and Secondary groups?

Answer:

  1. A social group is a collection of individuals, made up of two or more persons having interaction among them. It consists of people who interact with one another and recognize themselves as a distinct social unit.
  2. No, we can not call a crowd a social group as people do not interact with each other. If there will be no interaction, they won’t be able to make relations and that’s why we cannot call it a group.
  3. ⇒ Primary group. That group with which we have direct and close relations is known as a primary group such as family, school, playgroup, etc.
    ⇒ Secondary Group. That group with which we don’t have direct and close relations is known as a secondary group such as the father’s office, political party, etc.

Question 7.
Read the given source and answer the following questions.

Secondary groups are opposed to the primary groups. Although Cooley has not mentioned the second group while, explaining the primary group, later scholars assumed the idea of the second group from the primary group. Secondary groups are the groups that are large in size and are of relatively short duration. The interaction among the members is formal, utility-oriented, specialized, and temporary because the members are interested in one another mainly in terms of the roles and the function they perform. The classic examples of secondary groups are the buyers and sellers in a shop, the people at a cricket match, and the people belonging to a trade union. A corporation, a factory, an army, a students’ union, a university, a political party, and so on can be cited as some of the examples of secondary groups.

  1. What is meant by Secondary group?
  2. Give a few examples of Secondary groups.
  3. Give two differences between Primary and Secondary groups.

Answer:

  1. That group with which we don’t have direct and close relations, whose membership is always optional, is known as the secondary group.
  2. Father’s office, Mother’s office, Father’s friend group, Political Party, Labourers in an industry are a few examples of secondary groups.
  3. ⇒ Primary groups are small in size but secondary groups are large in size.
    ⇒ Members of primary groups have informal and direct relations with each other but members of secondary groups have formal and indirect relations.

PSEB 11th Class Sociology Solutions Source Based Questions

Question 8.
Read the given source and answer the following questions.

Cultures vary from society to society and each culture has its own specific values and norms. Social norms are the rules of behavior approved by society while values refer to general standards of what is right and desired behavior and what ought not to be done. For example, in one culture hospitality has an f high social value whereas in some others it may not be so. Similarly, in some societies polygamy is a customary form of marriage whereas, in many other societies, it is not accepted as an appropriate practice,

  1. What do you mean by culture?
  2. Is it possible to have the same culture of the two countries?
  3. Give types of culture.

Answer:

  1. Right from ancient times till today, whatever man has achieved with his experience is known as culture. Our views, experiences, science, technology, goods, values, traditions, etc. are the parts of culture.
  2. No, two countries cannot have the same culture. It may be possible that people may follow the same religion but there must be some differences between their views, ideas, values, etc. That’s why their culture is also different.
  3. Culture is of two types.
    ⇒ Material Culture. That part of the culture that we can see or touch is known as material culture. For example car, table, chair, books, pen, buildings, etc.
    ⇒ Non-Material Culture. That part of the culture that we cannot touch or see is known as non-material culture. For example our values, traditions, views, ideas, etc.

Question 9.
Read the given source and answer the following questions.

During the various stages of one’s life the individual comes into contact with different groups, institutions, communities, and individuals, She/he learns quite a lot from them during her/his entire life. Various institutions and organizations play important roles in developing one’s personality and institutionalizing the various elements of culture.

Every society has agents of socialization—individuals, groups, organizations, and institutions—which provide substantial amounts of socialization during the life course. Agents are the mechanism by which the self learns the values, beliefs, and behavior patterns of the culture. Agents of socialization help new members find their place, just as they prepare older members for new responsibilities in society.

  1. What is meant by Socialisation?
  2. Name a few means of Socialisation.
  3. What do you mean by the Agents of Socialisation?

Answer:

  1. Socialization is a process of learning. Right away after his birth, till his death, an individual learns a lot, and this process of learning is known as socialization. It includes ways of living, ways of behavior, etc.
  2. Family, school, playgroup, political institutions, values, traditions, etc. act as the means of socialization.
  3. Agents of Socialisation are the mechanism by which the self learns the values, beliefs, and behavior patterns of the culture. Agents of socialization help new members find their place, just as they prepare older members for new responsibilities in society.

PSEB 11th Class Sociology Solutions Source Based Questions

Question 10.
Read the given source and answer the following questions.

Although religion is somewhat less important in people’s lives now than it was a few generations ago, it still continues to exert considerable influence on our beliefs, values, and behaviors. In a country like India, religion governs every aspect of our life and can therefore be a very powerful agent of socialization.

Several types of rituals and rites, beliefs and faith, values and norms have been transmitted from one generation to another through religion. Religious festivals are generally performed collectively which helps in the process of socialization. It has been seen that the biggest determinant of adult religiosity is parental religiosity. If a person’s parents are religious, one is likely to be religious as well.

  1. What is Religion?
  2. What is the role of religion in Socialisation?
  3. ‘Religion’s influence on individual life is decreasing’. Why?

Answer:

  1. Religion is nothing but faith in any supernatural power that is beyond our existence and imagination. It is a collection of beliefs, values, traditions, etc. in which followers of that religion keep a strong faith.
  2. Religion is of great importance in socialization because an individual never
    does any work against religious values. Right from his childhood, an individual is told about religious values and is unconsciously attached to his religion. He never does any work against religious beliefs. In this way, religion keeps control of him and socializes him as well.
  3. It is true that Religion’s influence on individual life is decreasing. Now people are getting an education and they are more inclined towards science. But there is no place of reason in religion that is most important in science. That’s why now people have started giving preference to science.

Question 11.
Read the given source and answer the following questions.

Marriage is an institution created to satisfy the physical, social, psychological, cultural, and economic needs of men and women. It permits man and woman to establish a relationship with each other in order to form a family. Regulation of sexual activities through stable relationships is the primary aim of marriage. In simple words, marriage can be defined as an institution that allows men and women entry into family life, sanctions the birth of children, and lays the foundation of the various rights and obligations of husband, wife, and children. Society gives its approval to the. the marital relationship between a man and woman generally in a civil or religious ceremony. Married couples have to fulfill many obligations towards each other and society in general. Marriage also serves an important economic function as it defines property rights of inheritance. Thus, we can see that marriage includes a multi-dimensional relationship between a man and a woman.

  1. What is meant by marriage?
  2. What do we call marriage in Hinduism?
  3. Why is the importance of marriage decreasing?

Answer:

  1. Marriage is an institution created to satisfy the physical, social, psychological, cultural, and economic needs of men and women. It permits the couple to establish a relationship with each other in order to form a family.
  2. In Hinduism, marriage is known as a religious sacrament because it is completed by performing many religious ceremonies.
  3. There is no denying the fact that marriage’s importance is decreasing. Now marriage is not considered a religious sacrament but a contract that can be broken at any time. These days many young boys and girls live with each other without doing married. That’s why the importance of marriage is decreasing.

Question 12.
Read the given source and answer the following questions.

The study of family is significant as it plays a vital role in the formation of human society by binding men and women and children in a stable relationship. Transmission of culture takes place within the family. Cultural wisdom and knowledge about social norms, customs, and values are passed on from one generation to another. The family in which one is born is called the ‘family of orientation’. Another term for such a family is a consanguine family which consists of members among whom there exists blood relationship brother and sister, father and son, etc. The family which a person sets up after marriage is called the ‘family of procreation’ or the conjugal family which consists of adult members among whom there exists sexual relationship.

  1. What do you mean by family?
  2. What are ‘Family of Orientation’ and ‘Family of Procreation’?
  3. Why is the study of family important?

Answer:

  1. A family is an institution created by males and females to establish sexual relations, to produce children, and to bring them.
  2. A family in which a child takes birth is known as the Family of Orientation. The family which a person sets up after marriage is called the ‘Family of Procreation’.
  3. The study of family is important as it plays a great role in the formation of human society by binding men, women, and children in a stable relationship. Transmission of culture takes place only in the family. Cultural wisdom and knowledge about social customs, norms, values, etc. are passed on from one generation to another.

PSEB 12th Class Sociology Solutions Source Based Questions

Punjab State Board PSEB 12th Class Sociology Book Solutions Source Based Questions and Answers.

PSEB Solutions for Class 12 Sociology Source Based Questions

Read the following source and answer the given questions:

Question 1.
The tribal population in India as per the 2011 Census constitutes 68% of the country’s total population. The state with the highest population of tribal is Mizoram; the state with the lowest population of tribes is Goa. The Union Territory (U.T.) with the highest population of tribals is Lakshadweep and the U.T. with the lowest population of tribals in Andaman and Nicobar Island. The largest tribal community in India is the Santhals, who are found mainly in West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand and Orissa.

  1. In which Indian region, tribals reside the most?
  2. Which different names are given to tribes?
  3. What is a tribe?

Answer:

  1. Although the tribal population lives more in Central India if we look into their population percentage, their percentage in population is more in the north-eastern region of India.
  2. Tribals are called by different names in different regions such as Adivasi, Vanvasi, Tribe, Pahari, Scheduled tribe etc.
  3. A tribe is a group of people that lives very much away from our civilisation such as forests, mountains or valleys whose members are blood relatives, which is endogamous and which is different from other tribes on the basis of language, religion and other features.

Question 2.
Read the following source and answer the given questions:

Deforestation is one of the major causes of environmental degradation. It implies the cutting down of trees. Besides, the expansion of cropped areas and pastures are also the major sources of deforestation. During earlier times, the tribals were able to survive because of the availability of forest and natural resources. They were totally dependent on forests for their livelihood. But due to industrialisation, urbanisation, agriculture, commercial logging, increase in population, fuel-wood collection, etc. the deforestation has increased and affected the tribal’s livelihood directly and indirectly. The loss of forest covers also influences the climate and contributes to loss of the biodiversity.

  1. What is meant by deforestation?
  2. What are the reasons for deforestation?
  3. What is the impact of deforestation on tribal life?

Answer:

  1. When naturally grown trees are cut down due to different reasons, it is known as deforestation.
  2. ⇒ Forests are cut down to increase agricultural and pastoral areas.
    ⇒ The land is needed to make dams and to make houses for an increasing population which comes by cutting forests.
    ⇒ We need wood to make furniture and food and that’s why forests are cleared.
  3. ⇒ It reduces the habitat for the tribal people.
    ⇒ Tribals get a lot many things from forests and now they can’t get all these things.
    ⇒ Tribal economy is mainly dependent upon forests. Deforestation completely destroys the tribal economy.

PSEB 12th Class Sociology Solutions Chapter 1 Tribal Society

Question 3.
Read the following source and answer the given questions:

The term ‘rural’ is the opposite of ‘urban’. The term ‘rural society’ is used almost interchangeably with the term Village’. As per census 2011, out of 121 crore Indians, 83.3 crore population lives in the rural areas. The rural community has a long history of its own. It is a group of about 5000 people depending on agriculture and allied occupations, permanently residing in a particular geographic area and participating in common socio-economic and cultural activities.

  1. Give the meaning to the word ‘Village’.
  2. Give three features of a village.
  3. Give three differences between a village and a town.

Answer:

  1. A village is a geographical area that is close to the natural environment, whose most of the population is engaged in agricultural-related occupations and which is different from urban areas due to its distinct features.
  2. ⇒Rural people have direct and primary relations.
    ⇒ Most of the rural population is engaged in agriculture or related occupations.
    ⇒ Villages are small in size and that’s why they have social uniformity.
  3. ⇒ Villages are small in size but towns are large in size.
    ⇒ Rural people have direct and primary relations with each other but urban people have indirect and secondary relations.
    ⇒ Most of the rural population is directly or indirectly engaged in agriculture or related occupations but more than 75% urban population is engaged in industrial work or non-agricultural occupations.

Question 4.
Read the following source and answer the given questions:

One of the major problems of rural society is indebtedness. The reasons for the chronic indebtedness are poverty and a deficit economy. This problem is not related to just one individual but is passed on from one generation to the next generation. Taking debt for the purpose of agricultural production is indeed necessary as it contributes to production. However, the rural people incur debts for non-productive purposes such as, to meet the family needs, to perform social functions (related to marriage; birth and death), litigation, etc. Since money borrowed does not contribute to production but rather to consumption, it drags the rural people into indebtedness. Thus, it becomes impossible to repay these loans and the rural population becomes. an easy victim of exploitation by greedy moneylenders and middlemen who take advantage of the situation and earn money at a very high rate of interest. As a result, the moneylenders snatch whatever little property these people have, such as, house or land, etc. This system is prevalent in most parts of our country.

  1. What is meant by Indebtedness?
  2. Give reasons for indebtedness.
  3. Give three effects of indebtedness.

Answer:

  1. When an individual takes some loan from another individual, money lender, or bank and is unable to pay it back on time, it is called indebtedness.
  2. People take loans due to many factors such as to fulfill family needs, to solve legal problems, to do agriculture, to do marriage or to complete death ceremony, etc.
  3. ⇒ Due to indebtedness, an individual is exploited by the moneylenders.
    ⇒ His land and house are captured by a moneylender and he becomes homeless.
    ⇒ All his means of living and livelihood are taken away by the moneylender and occasionally rural people commit suicide.

PSEB 12th Class Sociology Solutions Chapter 1 Tribal Society

Question 5.
Read the following source and answer the given questions:

Urbanism is an important element of the urban society which separates the identity or personality of the people from rural society and tribal society. It represents a way of living. It also denotes the diffusion of urban culture and the evolution of urban society. It reflects an organization of society in terms of complex division of labor, high level of technology, high mobility, the interdependence of its members in fulfilling economic functions, and impersonality in social relations. Louis Wirth has mentioned four characteristics of urbanism: Transiency, Superficiality; Ahbrtymity and Individualism.

  1. What is meant by urbanization?
  2. Give three elements of urbanization.
  3. Which four features of urbanism are given by Louis Wirth?

Answer:

  1. When rural people start to migrate to urban areas to settle there or to find occupation, it is called urbanization.
  2. Following are the elements of urbanization:
    ⇒ Population of more than 5000.
    ⇒ The density of population is up to 400 persons per square kilometer.
    ⇒ 75% population is engaged in agriculture or related occupations. Transiency Superficiality Anonymity Individualism.

Question 6.
Read the following source and answer the given questions:

The growth of population in cities is so fast that it has become impossible to provide adequate residential accommodation to all. Hence, the housing problem or what is known as ‘ho, uselessness’ has become one of the serious problems of the urban setting. The pressure on space in cities is so tremendous that large numbers of people are forced to live on roads, buts ‘stands, railway stations and in poorly equipped houses. It is said that around half of the city population in India is either ill-housed or has to pay more than twenty per cent of their income on rent. Megacities like Mumbai, Calcutta, Delhi, and Chennai are suffering from acute housing problems. ”

  1. Why is the urban population increasing?
  2. What are the demerits of the increasing urban population?
  3. Is the increasing urban population a major problem?

Answer:

  1. There is a conception among rural people about more facilities in urban areas and the availability of more occupations that’s why rural people are moving towards urban areas. That’s why the urban population is continually increasing.
  2. ⇒ There is a lack of living space in urban areas.
    ⇒ Lot many people are forced to live under the open sky or in slums.
    ⇒ 20% of people’s earning is spent on paying rent which reduces their savings.

It is true that the increasing urban population is becoming a major problem. People migrate to urban areas in search of occupations and more facilities ‘ and when they are unable to get the things, they become mentally sick. That’s why crimes are increasing in urban areas which itself is becoming a major problem.

Question 7.
Read the following source and answer the given questions:
transformed into the same group activity with the help of some organ or instrument. A political party is one such organ. Hence, Vladimir Lenin added the idea of a party in Marxism to prepare the workers for class struggle.

  1. Who was Karl Marx?
  2. What is meant by class consciousness?
  3. Explain in brief Karl Marx’s concept of class struggle.

Answer:

  1. Karl Marx was a German philosopher who gave a great contribution to the development of Sociology. His concepts became the basis of the Russian Revolution of 1917 and paved the way for the making of laborers’ government in Russia.
  2. When a group becomes conscious about its existence, features, etc., and starts to consider itself separate from other groups, it is called class consciousness. According to Marx, class consciousness leads to class identification and class solidarity.
  3. According to Marx, there are two groups in society-Capitalist and Labourer class. There exist a struggle between both groups. Capitalist always exploits the laborers with the help of their money. He wants to get more work from labourers by paying less money and labourer wants to get more money by doing less work. This leads to a struggle between the both which is known as class struggle.

PSEB 12th Class Sociology Solutions Chapter 1 Tribal Society

Question 8.
Read the following source and answer the given questions:

In rural India th£ big landlords, the absentee landlords, the upper and middle peasantry and the capitalist farmers basically belong to upper and middle castes. And low peasantry, marginal farmers and landless agriculturists belong to lower castes. The class of moneylenders in rural India is basically composed of castes related to Vaishya-Varna. At the same time it is also a reality that because of protective discrimination (e.g. reservations), new opportunity structures based on industries and education and spatial mobility, some sections of lower castes have entered into the sphere of middle and upper classes. However, class status can be altered since it is usually achieved but caste status can never be changed due to its ascriptive nature.

  1. Which classes are available in rural areas?
  2. Which reasons gave chances to different groups to do progress in society?
  3. Is it possible to change status in class?

Answer:

  1. In rural India, big landlords, upper and middle-class peasants, big capitalist farmers, and landless laborers live and they are divided into the upper class, middle class, and lower class according to their landholding.
  2. Although many facilities are available in society in the present age and one can do progress with his hard work but many groups are provided with reservations and other protective measures with which they can progress in society.
  3. Yes, status can be changed in the class system. If an individual has the ability, he can do hard work and earn more money or can get any higher post. It increases his status in society.

Question 9.
Read the following source and answer the given questions:

Gender relations as we have already discussed refer to men-women relations on the basis of ideological, cultural, political and economic issues. In gender relations, we examine gender subordination. Issues relating to women empowerment and exploitative trends about women are found differently in different societies. In gender relations, it becomes important to talk about the institution of marriage, family, pre-marital, marital, and extramarital relations, the issues of homosexuality, issues related to transgenders, the nature of intimate relations as human sexuality, etc. It is generally accepted that men and women are naturally different because of physiological distinctiveness. But such biological or physiological differences with the support structure of society and culture are converted into social differences. Anthropological and historical evidence has proved that cultural revivalism establishes and re-establishes these differences in relation to vital roles of social interaction.

  1. What is meant by Gender Relations?
  2. Differentiate between Sex and Gender.
  3. How does gender difference become social difference?

Answer:

  1. Gender relations tell us about men-women relations on the basis of cultural, ideological, economic, and political issues.
  2. Sex differences are understood as biological whereas gender differences refer to that behavior and attitudes which are constructed through social practices.
  3.  It is believed that males and females have different natures due to their natural and physical differences but biological and physical differences get converted into social differences with the help of society and culture. Physical differences establish social differences in social interactions.

Question 10.
Read the following source and answer the given questions:

In order to understand the socio-cultural changes, one needs to comprehend the meaning of Westernisation. According to M.N. Srinivas, westernization refers to “the changes brought about in Indian society and culture as a result of over 150 years of British rule and the term subsumes changes occurring at different levels – technology institutions, ideology, values”. It can therefore be said that the growth of westernization can be traced from the period of the British Raj. No doubt colonial rule lead to exploitation and suppression of the masses. But at the same time, it had also brought a few radical changes in the society and culture of India.

  1. Who gave the concept of Westernisation?
  2. What is meant by Westernisation?
  3. What were the reasons for Westernisation?

Answer:

  1. The concept of Westernisation was given by a famous Indian Sociologist M.N. Srinivas.
  2. According to Srinivas, “Westernisation refers to the changes brought about in Indian society and culture as a result of over 150 years of British rule and the term subsumes changes occurring at different levels technology, institutions, ideology, values”.
  3. The British brought many changes to Indian society. They established an army, police, and court system where people of different castes started working together. They also established railways, post and telegraph systems, roads, rivers, etc. They also brought a printing press and established factories in India. People started imitating the British living style which increased the process of westernization a great deal.

Question 11.
Read the following source and answer the given questions:

Reference group means a group to which we compare ourselves. That group becomes the benchmark according to which one starts changing its opinion, behavior, attitude, and beliefs. For example, Ram is a below-average student in a class. He got inspired by the group of intelligent students in his class and decided to improve himself. There onwards he starts observing their peculiar traits, behavior, and orients himself making them his reference group. He become punctual, disciplined, and improved in his studies. In our day-to-day life, we rely on many reference groups. It may be family, peer group, actor etc.

  1. Who gave the concept of Reference Group?
  2. What is meant by Reference Group?
  3. Does every person have a reference group? If yes then why?

Answer:

  1. The concept of Reference Group was given by Herbert Hyman in 1942.
  2. Reference group means a group to which we compare ourselves. That group becomes an ideal group according to which one starts to change his opinion, behaviour, attitude and beliefs.
  3. Yes, every individual has an ideal group or reference group. Actually, it is human nature that everyone wants to do progress and we start to follow any individual or group. We try to imitate the values, ideas of that group and then it becomes a reference group for us.

PSEB 12th Class Sociology Solutions Chapter 1 Tribal Society

Question 12.
Read the following source and answer the given questions:

Sanskritisation is a broader term and it can include in itself the narrower process of Brahminisation. For instance, Brahmins are vegetarians and teetotallers by and large. But some of them like Kashmiris, Bengali, Brahmins etc. eat non-vegetarian food, as well. If the term Brahminisation had been used, it would have become essential to specify which particular Brahmin group was being discussed Moreover, it has also been asserted by Srinivas that the reference groups of Sanskritisation are not always Brahmins.

The process of imitation need not necessarily be oriented on the model of Brahmins. He has given the example of low castes of Mysore who adopted the way of life of lingayats who are not Brahmins but who claim equality with Brahmins. The lower caste has made not only Brahmins their reference group but also tend to imitate the way of life of Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, Jats, etc. in different parts of the country. Hence, Sanskritisation means not only adaptation of new customs and habits, but also exposure to new ideas, values, and behavior patterns of the upper caste.

  1. Who gave the concept of Sanskritisation?
  2. What is meant by Sanskritisation?
  3. Which castes became ideal castes to be imitated in Sanskritisation?

Answer:

  1. M.N. Srinivas gave the concept of Sanskritisation.
  2. When lower castes start to imitate the living styles, habits, values, etc. of any upper caste or nearby caste, it is called Sanskritisation. It means not only adaptation of new customs and habits, but also exposure to new ideas, values, and behavior patterns of the upper caste.
  3. In the process of Sanskritisation, lower castes started adopting customs, habits, values of upper castes or nearby castes and in the process, Brahmins, Kshatriyas, and Vaishyas became model castes or ideal castes.

Question 13.
Read the following source and answer the given questions:

Class-based movements include both worker’s movements as well as peasant movements. The main demand of workers as well as of peasants was freedom from economic exploitation. The trade union movement in India illustrates a study of the working class, their demands, the response of their owners, and measures taken up by the government. With the growth of cotton mills, jute mills, and the tea industry in India the poor Indian masses got employment in these factories as workers. Low wages, long working hours, unhygienic conditions, exploitation at the hands of native and foreign capitalists made their conditions miserable.

A number of Factory Acts came at various points of time but they too, could not improve the plight of the working-class people. Further, peasants were also exploited economically. Well, known peasant revolts were the Bengal revolt against the indigo plantation system and the peasant movement in Punjab.

  1. What is meant by class-based movement?
  2. Why were class-based movements started in Indian industries?
  3. Give examples of class-based movements.

Answer:

  1. When a movement is started by keeping in mind the demands of a particular class, it is known as a class-based movement.
  2. The condition of laborers in the Indian industries was miserable. They were paid fewer wages, had more working hours, and were exploited by the local and foreign industrialists. That’s why workers movements were started in the Indian industries.
  3. In class-based movements, we can include the movement of Trade Union Organisation, Peasant movement, etc. but the Peasantry Movement of Punjab, the Workers Movement of Mumbai textile mills, and Indigo Plantation of Bengal are very important.

Question 14.
Read the following source and answer the given questions:

Drug addiction is a problem that has been increasing immensely in our society today. Young people are more vulnerable to drug abuse because of poor self-esteem, low achievement at school, family history, and peer pressure. On the other hand, sometimes they feel that they are too bright, too powerful and are too much in control to become addictive and hence get into the habit of taking drugs. Thus, addiction can trap anyone. It can lead to harming one’s health, causing problems in family structure, and contributing to delinquency in society. The persons who get addicted often lose interest in other activities of their life. As a result, they are not able to take care of their responsibilities and may become a liability for their families as well as their society.

  1. What is meant by drug addiction?
  2. Why do people consume drugs?
  3. What is the result of drug addiction?

Answer:

  1. When an individual becomes so addicted to using liquor, opium, or any other drug that he can’t live without it, this is known as drug addiction.
  2. Many people consume drugs for fun sake, many consume them to reduce stress, many people use them due to any pressure, etc. Gradually, they become so addicted to the drug that it becomes impossible for them to live without it and become victims of a trap.
  3. ⇒ It is having a bad impact on their health as they are unable to do anything.
    ⇒ All of his economic resources get exhausted and economically, he becomes quite weak.
    ⇒ It is having a direct impact on social progress.

PSEB 12th Class Sociology Solutions Chapter 1 Tribal Society

Question 15.
Read the following source and answer the given questions:

During the course of old age, metabolism processes slow down. People become weak both physically and mentally. They are more prone to sickness, diseases, syndromes, etc. The immunity of a person diminishes. Older people are most vulnerable to non-communicable diseases. Declining health due to increasing age is complicated by the non-availability of good quality age-sensitive health care for a large proportion of older persons. In addition to this, lack of information and knowledge in combination with high costs of disease management puts old-age care beyond the reach of older persons, especially those who are poor and disadvantaged.

  1. Who is an old-age person?
  2. Which three problems are faced by an old-age person?
  3. How can we remove the problems of an old-age person?

Answer:

  1. Anyone who is retired from his Job or is above the age of 60 years is known as an old age person.
  2. ⇒ He is suffered from many diseases such as sugar, high blood pressure, etc.
    ⇒ After retirement, his income gets exhausted and now he becomes dependent upon his children to meet his daily needs.
    ⇒ His physical ability to fight diseases becomes so low. He is unable to clearly listen or see things.
  3. ⇒ Laws must be strictly implemented so that no one could harass them.
    ⇒ Government must provide excellent and free medical facilities to the elders.
    ⇒ Government must provide them good old age pension to reduce their financial dependency on children.

Question 16.
Read the following source and answer the given questions:

There are more than one billion people in the world who live with one or the other form of disability. Many of us have people with disabilities as friends or family, who have difficulties in day-to-day life. People with disabilities are subject to multiple deprivations with limited access to basic services, including education, employment, rehabilitation facilities, etc. Additionally, widespread social stigma plays a major role in hindering their normal social and economic life.

The term disability carries with it a connotation of a lack or deficiency whether mental, physical, or sensory. It has been defined primarily in terms of medical deficit. Moreover, the word disability is itself not a homogenous category as it includes different kinds of bodily variations, physical impairments, sensory deficits, and mental or learning inadequacies which may be either congenital or acquired.

  1. What is meant by disability?
  2. Which problems are faced by disabled people?
  3. Give types of disability.

Answer:

  1. The term disability carries with it a connotation of a lack or deficiency whether mental, physical, or sensory. It is primarily defined in terms of medical deficit.
  2. ⇒ Disable people are unable to get a proper education.
    ⇒ Their chances of getting jobs become quite limited.
    ⇒ They cannot do any work fast the way which a normal person can do.
    ⇒ It becomes an obstacle to their economic growth.
  3. Disability is of many types such as:
    ⇒ Locomotor Disability
    ⇒ Visual Disability
    ⇒ Hearing Disability
    ⇒ Mental Disability
    ⇒ Speech Disability.

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 16 India and SAARC

Punjab State Board PSEB 12th Class Political Science Book Solutions Chapter 16 India and SAARC Textbook Exercise Questions and Answers.

PSEB Solutions for Class 12 Political Science Chapter 16 India and SAARC

Long Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
Write a note on establishment (formation) of SAARC and discuss its objectives.
Or
Describe background and efforts made for the establishment of South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation (SAARC).
Answer:
The quest for regional co-operation in South Asia, as initiated by the late Zia-Ur-Rahman of Bangladesh in March, 1980, was given concrete foundation with the emergence of SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation) in August, 1983. On August 1, 1983, foreign ministers of seven countries (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka) met at New Delhi and approved programme of economic co-operation. They decided on an integrated programme of action for regional co-operation. Thus, the seven South Asian countries formally established the SAARC in 1985.
In its 14th Summit which was held at New Delhi on April 3-4-2007, Afghanistan becomes the 8th member of SAARC.

Background And Efforts Made for the Establishment of SAARC:
1. Working Paper on SAARC:
Before the formal launching of SAARC, useful and productive ground work was done by several meetings of the seven South Asian states. The working paper was prepared by Bangladesh’s former President Mr. Zia-Ur-Rehman. He stressed the need of setting up an organisation to promote regional co-operation.

2. Colombo Meeting of the Foreign Ministers of South Asian States (1981):
At this meeting the foreign ministers of South Asian countries- India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri-Lanka and Maldives, acknowledged the importance of regional co-operation. The meeting agreed to explore the possibilities of co-operation in five spheres i.e. agriculture, rural development, communication, weather and health and population activities.

3. Foreign Secretaries. Meeting in Kathmandu (1981):
At this meeting the recommendations of the seven nation study group and the report of the coordination committee of the whole was accepted. It also decided to explore the possibilities of Transport, Postal Service and Scientific and Technological cooperation.

4. Islamabad Meeting of Foreign Secretaries (1982):
This meeting approved the recommendations of the study group set up in Kathmandu and decided to constitute new study groups on sports, arts and culture.

5. Dhaka Meeting (1983):
This meeting evaluated the mutual co-operation in different fields and recommended the adoption of integrated programme of action by the foreign ministers. It also decided to set up a standing committee.

6. New Delhi Meeting of Foreign Ministers (1983):
In this meeting the foreign ministers signed the declaration of South Asian regional cooperation. The declaration listed the following objectives of South Asian Regional Co-operation.

  • to promote the welfare of the people of South Asia and to raise their standard of living,
  • to accelerate economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the region;
  • to promote and strengthen collective self-reliance among these countries,
  • to contribute to mutual trust, understanding and appreciation of one another’s problems;
  • to promote active collaboration and mutual assistance in various fields;
  • to strengthen co-operation among themselves and regional forums; and
  • to co-operate with international and regional organisations with similar aims and objectives.

The declaration also stated that SAARC is based on respect for the principle of sovereign equality; territorial integrity, political independence, non¬interference in the international affairs of other states and mutual benefits. The heads of state or government meet annually. It also decided to set up different committees.

7. New Delhi Meeting (1984):
This meeting gave a call for developing friendly relations among the countries of this region, along with co-operation in socio-economic and cultural field.

8. Standing Committee Meeting in Male in Feb. 1985:
This meeting recommended the establishment of a ministry council of South Asian countries through which the common will of mutual co-operation could be given institutional form. Thus, after so much hard work, studies and meeting SAARC was formally inaugurated in Dec. 1985.

Objectives and Principles of SAARC:
The South Asian Association of Regional Co-operation was formally inaugurated in Dec. 1985. The SAARC is an organisation of Eight countries of South Asia:Bhutan, India, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. SAARC was established primarily for co-operation in agriculture, rural development, science and technology, culture, health, population control, narcotics and terrorism.

Objectives of SAARC:
The objectives of the association are : 1. to promote the welfare of the people of South : 2. to accelerate economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the region; 3. to promote and strengthen collective self-reliance among these countries. 4. to contribute to mutual trust, understanding and appreciation of one another’s problems; 5. to promote active collaboration and mutual assistance in various fields; 6. to strengthen co-operation among themselves and regional forums; and 7. to co-operate with international and regional organisations.

Principles of SAARC:

  1. SAARC is based on the principles of sovereign equality; territorial integrity, political independence, non-interference in the internal affairs of other states and mutual benefits.
  2. Decisions at all levels are taken on the basis of unanimity. But bilateral and contentious issues will be excluded from the deliberations.
  3. SAARC is not a political organisation but is formed to accelerate development through mutual co-operation.
  4. The members of SAARC would not act as obstruction in having relations with the individual countries of SAARC and with other countries.

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 16 India and SAARC

Question 2.
What important activities SAARC has taken up during its existence? What has been India’s role in them?
Answer:
SAARC is active since 1985. It has taken up many activities as a regional co-operation association. It’s activities are as follows :
First SAARC Summit:
The leaders of seven South Asian countries Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and India, concluded on Dec. 8, 1985. at Dhaka their first ever regional summit. The Summit Conference adopted a Charter of this regional body to be known as South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation. This marked a major development in co-operation among the countries of the region. It will also help in the maintenance of peace and stability in the area.

Second Summit of SAARC:
The second summit of SAARC was held at Bangalore on Nov. 16-17, 1986 under the Chairmanship of Sh. Rajiv Gandhi. It decided to evolve a joint policy to fight terrorism in South Asia, to set up technical committees on women’s participation in development, drug abuse and drug trafficking.

Third Summit of SAARC:
The third summit of SAARC was held at Kathmandu (Nepal) in Nov. 1987, where agreements were reached on terrorism and established a SAARC Reserved Food Grain Stock. The Reserved Food Grain Stock, launched at the summit, will begin with a stock of 200,000 tonnes of wheat and rice. The summit also decided to commission a comprehensive study of the region’s environment and the necessary measures for its protection and preservation.

Fourth SAARC Summit:
The fourth annual summit of SAARC ended in Islamabad on December 31, 1988. The summit pledged to stamp out terrorism and meet the basic needs of the people through a regional plan ‘SAARC 2000’ with specific targets.

Fifth SAARC Summit 1990:
Fifth SAARC summit was held in Male, the capital of Maldives, in November, 1990. The summit decided to enlarge visa-free travel facilities beyond the present categories of members of Parliament and Supreme Court Judges.

Ninth Session of SAARC Council of Ministers, 1991. On July 4, 1991 the Ninth Session of the SAARC Council of Ministers agreed on taking co-ordinated action to combat the menace of terrorism which they said threatened to destabilize the region. On the economic front, the SAARC Council-also approved to institutionalise co-operation in tourism and trade manufacture and service.

Sixth SAARC Summit 1991:
Sixth SAARC summit was held in Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka, on Dec. 21, 1991. The seven SAARC nations have agreed to liberalise trade and called for greater co-operation and interaction among the member states to combat terrorism in the region. India has done well by proposing a collective economic security system for the region.

Seventh SAARC Summit 1993:
Seventh SAARC summit was held at Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, on April, 1993. The South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation entered a new phase of economic co-operation as the seventh summit approved the 63 point Dhaka declaration and endorsing the South Asia Preferential trade agreement seeking to reduce trade barriers in the region.

Eighth SAARC Summit 1995:
Eighth SAARC summit was held in New Delhi on 2nd May, 1995. All the members of SAARC countries agreed to liberalise trade and called for greater co-operation. Delhi declaration of the eighth SAARC summit called for an international convention prohibiting the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons under any circumstances and strongly deploring acts of terrorism spreading in and outside the region. The declaration called for the production of organised tourism in a big way in the SAARC region. Another significance of this Summit was agreement on South Asian Preferential Trading Arrangement (SAPTA).

Ninth SAARC Summit 1997:
Ninth SAARC summit was held at Male, the capital of Maldives on 11th May, 1997. Leaders of seven South Asian nations accepted India’s proposal to transform the region into a free trade area by 2001. SAARC countries agreed for the removal of all trade barriers and structural impediments by advancing the deadline by four years from the earlier agreed goal of SAFTA by 2005.

Tenth SAARC Summit 1998:
Tenth SAARC summit was held at Colombo on 29th July, 1998. Despite its failings and shortcomings, SAARC has taken several bold steps including establishing a framework for SAPTA (South Asian Preferential Trade Arrangement) and SAFTA (South Asian Free Trade Area). India made a fine gesture that it would remove import restrictions on over two thousand products to facilitate intra-regional trade. With the solitary exception of Pakistan, all other member-countries of SAARC also agreed on the need to hasten the process by two years to realise SAFTA by 2001.

Eleventh SAARC Summit, 2002:
The Eleventh SAARC summit was held at Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal on 5th Jan. 2002 under tenscious shadow of Indo- Pak relations. The 11th SAARC Summit decided for the urgent conclusion of comprehensive convention on combating International terrorism and conducting international cooperation in ending this scourge in conformity with the U.N. Charter. The Summit recognised the importance of creating a free trade area. The declaration called for coordination among the SAARC member states on all World Trade Organisation issues.

Twelfth SAARC Summit (2004):
The 12th SAARC Summit was held at Islamabad; the capital of Pakistan in January 2004. During this summit firstly, SAFTA was approved and it will take effect from January, 2006. Secondly, all the SAARC nations signed its ‘Social Charter’. Thirdly, it was decided to start a ‘SAARC Award’ to respect and encourage the contribution of individual in the spheres of peace, poverty alleviation, social welfare etc. Fourthly, the SAARC nations signed a protocol on the prevention of terrorism.

Thirteenth SAARC Summit (2005):
The 13th SAARC summit was held at Dhaka on November 12, 2005. Summit decided a united fight against terrorism afflicting the region.

Fourteenth SAARC Summit:
The Fourteenth SAARC Summit was held at New Delhi on April 3-4, 2007. All the eight members were present. Afghanistan is the latest addition in the SAARC and because of this addition the total members of the SAARC are eight now. SAARC Summit adopted a 30-point declaration with commitment to ensure market access by all SAARC member countries and also collectively combat poverty, diseases, disaster and terrorism. All the eight members of the SAARC were unanimous for taking strict steps to curb terrorism in the Universe. Two agreements on establishing South Asian University and SAARC Food Bank were signed in the concluding session of the 14th SAARC Summit in New Delhi.

Fifteenth SAARC SUMMIT:
The Fifteenth SAARC Summit was held in Colombo, SRI LANKA on August, 2-3, 2008. The Summit concluded with the leaders expressing serious concern over the threat posed by terrorism to the peace, stability and security of the region and emphasizing the need for strongest possible co-operation in fighting terror and transnational organised crime. The Summit adopted the Colombo Declaration titled ‘Partnership for the growth of our people’ at the concluding session on August 3. The declaration stressed the importance of completing all legislative and other relevant measures to implement within the member states the provisions of the Regional Convention on Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic substances.

Sixteenth SAARC Summit:
The Sixteenth SAARC Summit was held in Thimpu, Bhutan on April 28-29, 2010. The Summit concluded with the leaders express serious concerns over terrorism. SAARC leaders also decided to celebrated the decade of 2011-2020 as a ‘Decade of Intraregional Connectivity in SAARC’.

17th SAARC Summit (2011):
The 17th SAARC Summit was held in Addu (Maidive) on Nov. 10-11, 2011. The Addu declaration said that the leaders agreed upon the theme of ‘Building Bridges.’ The leaders committed to work towards a huge boost in intra SAARC trade, improving air, rail, motor and water transport connectivity between member countries and putting their heads together to solve common development concerns.

18th SAARC Summit-2014:
The 18th SAARC Summit was held in 2014 in Nepal. It concluded adopting a 36-point declaration with commitment to control Terrorism and Religious Fundamentalism.

India’s Role in SAARC :
India has been playing a vital role in the activities of SAARC. To make this organisation a success India has made constructive contributions. Its contributions in the founding and functioning of the organisation are significant and these are as follow:

  1. India played a leading role in the formation of SAARC. With India’s effort SAARC was constituted in 1985 with a view to promote co-operation in the neighbouring countries.
  2. The second SAARC Summit was held in Bangalore in 1986 under the chairmanship of Late Prime Minister Sh. Rajiv Gandhi.
  3. India announced a grant of Rs. 150 lacs to SAARC for the year 1987-88.
  4. In 1988, India offered 1,53,200 tonnes of foodgrains to create a reserved foodgrains stock for SAARC nations.
  5. India announced a contribution of Rs. 2 crores for SAARC activities for the year 1989-90.
  6. Industrial Development Bank of India hosted a meeting of national development institutions of the member countries in October 1991.
  7. In Dec. 1991, during the Sixth SAARC Summit India proposed a collective economic security system for the region.
  8. India hosted the first cultural festival of SAARC countries in October, 1992.
  9. India also ratified SAARC convention on Narcotic Drugs.
  10. The Eighth SAARC Summit was held in New Delhi on 4 May, 1995.
  11. The first SAARC Trade fair was also held in New Delhi from 9th to 14th January, 1996.
  12. India has removed all Quantitative Restrictions from SAARC countries from August 1, 1998.
  13. To boost the trade within the region India has placed over 2000 products from the Restricted List to Open General List.
  14. Under SAPTA India offered duty concessions to SAARC nations on 160 items.
  15. India has offered to conclude bilateral free trade agreements with those SAARC nations who are willing to move faster.
  16. India has already free trade agreements with Nepal and Bhutan.
  17. India has given financial aid to SAARC nations on a large scale particularly to Nepal, Bhutan and Maldives.
  18. In 12th SAARC Summit India pledged a contribution of Rs. 21.5 million for conferences to give concrete shape to freeing the SAARC region from hunger and giving an added impetus to the SAARC food bank.
  19. In the 13th SAARC Summit India offered concrete proposals to strengthen, including the facility of daily air services by designated airlines on a reciprocal basis, provision of transit facilities, setting up of a South Asian University and establishment of Regional Food Bank, SAARC High Economic Council and SAARC Museum of Textiles and Handicrafts.

Thus, India has played a constructive role in SAARC. It has always helped the member-states in time of need and emergency. India’s role in SAARC activities is a mark of India’s firm belief in SAARC and its policies.

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 16 India and SAARC

Question 3.
Describe India’s role in SAARC.
Answer:
India has been playing a vital role in the activities of SAARC. To make this organisation a success India has made constructive contributions. Its contributions in the founding and functioning of the organisation are significant and these are as follow:

  1. India played a leading role in the formation of SAARC. With India’s effort SAARC was constituted in 1985 with a view to promote co-operation in the neighbouring countries.
  2. The second SAARC Summit was held in Bangalore in 1986 under the chairmanship of Late Prime Minister Sh. Rajiv Gandhi.
  3. India announced a grant of Rs. 150 lacs to SAARC for the year 1987-88.
  4. In 1988, India offered 1,53,200 tonnes of foodgrains to create a reserved foodgrains stock for SAARC nations.
  5. India announced a contribution of Rs. 2 crores for SAARC activities for the year 1989-90.
  6. Industrial Development Bank of India hosted a meeting of national development institutions of the member countries in October 1991.
  7. In Dec. 1991, during the Sixth SAARC Summit India proposed a collective economic security system for the region.
  8. India hosted the first cultural festival of SAARC countries in October, 1992.
  9. India also ratified SAARC convention on Narcotic Drugs.
  10. The Eighth SAARC Summit was held in New Delhi on 4 May, 1995.
  11. The first SAARC Trade fair was also held in New Delhi from 9th to 14th January, 1996.
  12. India has removed all Quantitative Restrictions from SAARC countries from August 1, 1998.
  13. To boost the trade within the region India has placed over 2000 products from the Restricted List to Open General List.
  14. Under SAPTA India offered duty concessions to SAARC nations on 160 items.
  15. India has offered to conclude bilateral free trade agreements with those SAARC nations who are willing to move faster.
  16. India has already free trade agreements with Nepal and Bhutan.
  17. India has given financial aid to SAARC nations on a large scale particularly to Nepal, Bhutan and Maldives.
  18. In 12th SAARC Summit India pledged a contribution of Rs. 21.5 million for conferences to give concrete shape to freeing the SAARC region from hunger and giving an added impetus to the SAARC food bank.
  19. In the 13th SAARC Summit India offered concrete proposals to strengthen, including the facility of daily air services by designated airlines on a reciprocal basis, provision of transit facilities, setting up of a South Asian University and establishment of Regional Food Bank, SAARC High Economic Council and SAARC Museum of Textiles and Handicrafts.

Thus, India has played a constructive role in SAARC. It has always helped the member-states in time of need and emergency. India’s role in SAARC activities is a mark of India’s firm belief in SAARC and its policies.

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 16 India and SAARC

Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
What do you know about SAARC? Write the names of its member countries.
Answer:
The quest for regional co-operation in South Asia, as initiated by late Zia- Ur-Rahman of Bangladesh in March 1980, was given a concrete foundation with the emergence of SAARC. The leaders of seven South Asian countries India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan and Maldives concluded on December 5, 1985 at Dhaka their first ever regional summit. The summit conference adopted a Charter of this regional body to be known as South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation.

This marked a major development in co-operation among the countries of this region. The Indian Prime Minister in his inaugural address termed it as the beginning of a new dawn. The Dhaka Declaration stated that the Heads of State or Government shall meet annually. The SAARC Secretariat was set up at Kathmandu on 16 January, 1987. In its 14th summit which was held at New Delhi on April, 3-4-2007, Afghanistan became the 8th member of SAARC. The basic aim of the organisation as declared by Dhaka Declaration is “to make the full use of all the human and natural resources and to accelerate the economic and social development of the region.”

Question 2.
Write main objectives of SAARC.
Answer:
The objectives of the association are:

  • to promote the welfare of the people of South
  • to accelerate economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the region;
  • to promote and strengthen collective self-reliance among these countries.
  • to contribute to mutual trust, understanding and appreciation of one another’s problems;
  • to promote active collaboration and mutual assistance in various fields;
  • to strengthen co-operation among themselves and regional forums; and
  • to co-operate with international and regional organisations.

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 16 India and SAARC

Question 3.
WHhat are the main principles of SAARC? Write the names of its member countries.
Or
Write down the names of the member countries of SAARC.
Answer:
Principles of SAARC:

  1. SAARC is based on the principles of sovereign equality; territorial integrity, political independence, non-interference in the internal affairs of other states and mutual benefits.
  2. Decisions at all levels are taken on the basis of unanimity. But bilateral and contentious issues will be excluded from the deliberations.
  3. SAARC is not a political organisation but is formed to accelerate development through mutual co-operation.
  4. The members of SAARC would not act as obstruction in having relations with the individual countries of SAARC and with other countries.

Names of the member countries of SAARC:

  1. India
  2. Pakistan
  3. Bangladesh
  4. Bhutan
  5. Maldives
  6. Sri Lanka
  7. Nepal,
  8. Afghanistan.

Question 4.
Write a short note on SAFTA.
Answer:
The aim of SAFTA is to establish a ‘South Asian Free Trade Area’ through mutual co-operation. A free trade area means that trading among the countries of the area is free from taxes and custom restrictions. During its establishment it was hoped that SAFTA will replace SAPTA before the start of 21st century. The Tenth SAARC Summit decided to set up a committee of experts to conclude on Treaty 2001 on SAFTA. In 12th SAARC Summit held on January, 2004 in Islamabad the SAARC nations have signed the treaty.

On December 29, 2005 the Union Cabinet of India cleared the implementation of South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) agreement though the actual movement of commodities among Seven Nations started from July 1, 2006. SAFTA allows for a differential and progressively freer regions. India, in effect, will offer relatively unhindered access to its markets for Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives and Nepal, the poorest SAARC members, while different ‘sensitive lists’ on goods and services would be prepared for Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 16 India and SAARC

Question 5.
Write down any four achievements of ‘SAARC’.
Answer:

  • All the member countries of SAARC have come closer to one another and their mutual tension has been lessened.
  • All the member countries are collectively working for their socio-economic development.
  • SAARC has created “Food Stock Pool”. It has developed a sense of self-reliance and self-respect among SAARC nations.
  • SAARC has accelerated development in the region.

Very Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
What do you know about SAARC?
Answer:
The quest for regional co-operation in South Asia, as initiated by late Zia- Ur-Rahman of Bangladesh in March 1980, was given a concrete foundation with the emergence of SAARC. The leaders of seven South Asian countries India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan and Maldives concluded on December 5, 1985 at Dhaka their first ever regional summit.

Question 2.
Write the full name of ‘SAARC’.
Answer:
The full name of SAARC is South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation.

Question 3.
Write down the names of SAARC member countries.
Or
Write the names of any four countries of SAARC.
Answer:

  1. India
  2. Pakistan
  3. Bangladesh
  4. Bhutan
  5. Maldives
  6. Sri Lanka
  7. Nepal,
  8. Afghanistan.

Question 4.
Write a short note on SAFTA
Answer:
The aim of SAFTA is to establish a ‘South Asia Free Trade Area’ through mutual co-operation. A free trade area means that trading among the countries of the area is free from taxes and custom restrictions.

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 16 India and SAARC

Question 5.
Write down any two achievements of ‘SAARC’.
Answer:

  • All the member countries of SAARC have come closer to one another and their mutual tension has been lessened.
  • All the member countries are collectively working for their socio-economic development.

Question 6.
Write any two problems of SAARC.
Answer:

  • The first problem is Political lnstability in the SAARC Region.
  • The second problem of SAARC is Terrorism.

One Line Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
What is meant by SAARC?
Or
What is the full form of SAARC?
Answer:
SAARC i.e. South Assian Association for Regional Cooperation is an organisation of eight countries of South Asia. It has been established with the objective of increasing mutual co-operation between these countries.

Question 2.
When was SAARC established?
Answer:
A Conference of the Foreign Ministers of seven countries was held on 1-2 August, 1983. They deliberated about the establishment of SAARC. It was formally founded in its first conference at Dhaka in Bangladesh in 1985.

Question 3.
What has been the impact of SAARC as a means of Regional Co-operation?
Answer:
Because of SAARC, the South Asian Countries have come closer to each other. It has been successful in settling some common problems in these countries.

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 16 India and SAARC

Question 4.
Mention full form of SAARC and SAFTA
Answer:

  • SAARC: South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation.
  • SAFTA: South Asian Free Trade Area.

Question 5.
When and where was the 18th SAARC Conference held?
Answer:
The 18th SAARC Summit conference was held at Thimpu, the capital of Nepal on Nov. 2014.

Question 6.
Write down names of member countries of SAARC.
Answer:
SAARC includes countries such as India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Bengladesh, Maldives and Afganistan.

Question 7.
When and in which conference, Afganistan was made a member country of SAARC?
Answer:
Afganistan was made a member of SAARC in the 14th Summit Conference held in India in April, 2007.

Question 8.
Where is the office of SAARC situated?
Answer:
The office of SAARC is in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal.

Question 9.
Write down any two countries in the north of India who have joined SAARC.
Answer:
In the north of India, Nepal and Bhutan are the member countries of SAARC.

Question 10.
Write down any two countries in the south of India who have joined SAARC.
Answer:
In the south of India, Sri Lanka and Maldives are the member countries of SAARC.

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 16 India and SAARC

Question 11.
When was SAARC established?
Answer:
1985.

Question 12.
Write down any one name of the member country of SAARC.
Answer:
India.

Question 13.
How many conferences of SAARC have been held so far?
Answer:
There have been 18 Summit Conferences of SAARC so far.

Question 14.
Where was the 14th Summit Conference of SAARC held?
Answer:
In India.

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 16 India and SAARC

Fill in The Blanks

1. The SAARC is an organisation of ………….. member states.
Answer:
Eight

2. ………….. is playing an important role in SAARC activities.
Answer:
India

3. First SAARC Summit was concluded on 8 Dec ………….. .
Answer:
1985

4. 17th SAARC Summit was held in ………….. .
Answer:
Maldives.

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 16 India and SAARC

True Or False Statement

1. SAARC is a national organisation.
Answer:
False

2. SAARC is an Institution of South Asian countries.
Answer:
True

3. India is not a member of SAARC.
Answer:
False

4. Afghanistan becomes 8th member of SAARC.
Answer:

5. So far fifteen summits have concluded of SAARC.
Answer:
False.

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 16 India and SAARC

Choose The Correct Answer

Question 1.
SAARC was initiated by:
(a) Mr. Zia-ul-Rehman
(b) Mr. Zia-ul-Haq
(c) Mrs. Indira Gandhi
(d) Mr. Mujib-ur-Rehman
Answer:
(a) Mr. Zia-ul-Rehman

Question 2.
SAARC is a/an:
(a) Universal Organisation
(b) Regional Organisation
(c) World Organisation
(d) International Organisation
Answer:
(b) Regional Organisation

Question 3.
The 18th Summit of SAARC
(a) India
(b) Sri Lanka
(c) Nepal
(d) Bhutan.
Answer:
(c) Nepal

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 16 India and SAARC

Question 4.
The SAARC was formed
(a) 1987
(b) 1983
(c) 1985
(d) 1982.
Answer:
(b) 1983

PSEB 12th Class Sociology Important Questions Chapter 12 Social Issues: Old Age and Disability

Punjab State Board PSEB 12th Class Sociology Important Questions Chapter 12 Social Issues: Old Age and Disability Important Questions and Answers.

PSEB 12th Class Sociology Important Questions Chapter 12 Social Issues: Old Age and Disability

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. In 2021, the number of elders in India will be
(a) 140 million
(b) 150 million
(c) 160 million
(d) 170 million
Answer:
(a) 140 million

2. In 2001, how many elders were there in India?
(a) 80 million
(b) 77 million
(c) 83 million
(d) 86 million
Answer:
(b) 77 million

PSEB 12th Class Sociology Important Questions Chapter 12 Social Issues: Old Age and Disability

3. In the Indian Census Survey, who is considered as an elder?
(a) 58 years
(b) 65 years
(c) 60 years
(d) 63 years
Answer:
(c) 60 years

4. Which of these is the sign of old age?
(a) Tooth decay
(b) Baldness
(c) Grey hair
(d) All of these
Answer:
(d) All of these

5. Which science studies the process of old age?
(a) Gerontology
(b) Dermitology
(c) Physiology
(d) Botany
Answer:
(a) Gerontology

6. Which of these problems is faced by the old age people?
(a) Economic insecurity
(b) Deteriorating health
(c) Change in Roles
(d) All of these
Answer:
(d) All of these

Fill in the Blanks:

1. ………………. is a natural stage of human life which is bound to come.
Answer:
Old age

2. In 1947, around ……………… crore people were elders.
Answer:
1.9

3. According to United Nations, the world population till 2050 will be ……………….
Answer:
910 crore

4. Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act was passed in ………………. A.D.
Answer:
2007

5. According to 6th All India Educational Survey, around …………………. crore children need special education.
Answer:
two

PSEB 12th Class Sociology Important Questions Chapter 12 Social Issues: Old Age and Disability

True/False:

1. The age of retirement in India is 70 years.
Answer:
True

2. The colour of elders changes into black.
Answer:
False

3. There is tooth decay in old age.
Answer:
True

4. There is a provision of reservation in government jobs for disable persons.
Answer:
True

5. Old age people are given a pension of? 5000 per month.
Answer:
False

One Word/One Line Questions Answers:

Question 1.
What is the population of the world?
Answer:
The world’s population is 650 crores.

Question 2.
According to United Nations, in 2050, what would be world’s population?
Answer:
It will be 910 crores in 2050.

Question 3.
In 2021, what would be the population of old age people?
Answer:
It will be around 121 million.

Question 4.
Who is considered as an elder in India?
Answer:
One who is having age of 60 years or more.

Question 5.
Give few signs of old age.
Answer:
Tooth decay, baldness, grey hair, hearing and viewing problems etc.

Question 6.
What do we call to the study of the process of ageing?
Answer:
We call it Gerontology.

Question 7.
What was the major issue in Hindi movie Piku?
Answer:
Major issue in Piku was the mutual relation between an aged father and his daughter in which father was completely dependent on his daughter.

Question 8.
What is the impact of ageing on health?
Answer:
With ageing, body becomes physically and mentally weak.

Question 9.
When was ‘The Rehabilitation Council Act’ passed?
Answer:
It was passed in 1992.

PSEB 12th Class Sociology Important Questions Chapter 12 Social Issues: Old Age and Disability

Very Short Answer Type Questions:

Question 1.
What is meant by Gerontology?
Answer:
Gerontology is a type of science which studies the process of ageing and studies the problems faced by the old age people. Gerontologist studies age, increasing age and the process of ageing.

Question 2.
Activity theory of ageing.
Answer:
Activity theory of ageing says that to remairi happy in old age, one must remain active. This theory says that is the existing roles and rules stops functioning, they must be replaced because with the decline in activity level, the level of satisfaction will also come down.

Question 3.
Problems of old age.
Answer:

  • In old age, one becomes physically and psychologically weak.
  • Economically he depends upon children and becomes economically insecure.
  • Old people are not ready to adapt the changing conditions of life.

Question 4.
Old age homes.
Answer:
Many people are unable to maintain balance with their parents and throw them out of their homes. For such elders, government has made old age homes so that they can in peace in the last stage of their life. Here, every type of care is taken about their needs.

Short Answer Type Questions:

Question 1.
Causes of Problem of Aged.
Answer:

  • The importance and respect of the elders have been decreased due to the decreasing effect of the caste system and that’s why they have to face many types of problems.
  • Due to the development of technology, the importance of the art of elders has been decreased because of which they have to face many types of problems.
  • People are leaving their houses and villages and are moving towards cities due to the spread of education and the problems of elders start from here.
  • People use the whole of their savings to give a better future to their children because of which they have to face many economic problems.

Question 2.
Status of Aged in Ancient times.
Answer:
Status of the aged in ancient India was very good. Patriarchal and joint families were there because of which control of the family was in the hands of elders. Wealth and property of the family was under their control. They had complete knowledge related to art and occupation. They were getting full respect in the family. They used to take all the decisions of the family and no one was going against their wishes. In this way the status of the elders was very good.

Question 3.
Problems which come in old age.
Answer:

  • In old age people suffer from diseases like blood pressure, sugar, heart problem etc.
  • People spend whole of their saving in giving a better future to their children because of which they have to face many economic problems in old age.
  • If elders are dependent upon their children then they have to obey their children because of which many times they are disrespected by their children.

Question 4.
Problem of aged related to health.
Answer:
Persons work for the whole life with great heart. When he becomes old his body hardly responds. He suffers from many diseases like sugar, blood pressure. He is unable to do anything. In this way health related problems are very important for elders.

Question 5.
Old age Homes.
Answer:
If the children of an aged person throw him out of the house he is left with no option except to live in old age homes. In this way old age homes are those houses where those elders are living who are unable to live with their family members. Elders are properly cared in these homes. They are given complete security and shelter ‘in these homes. In this way those aged who are unable to live with their children, they have to live in old age homes. Many old age homes are running in big cities.

Question 6.
Generation Gap.
Answer:
The difference between ideals, rules, ways of behaviour etc. of persons of two generations is known as the generation gap. Actually the old generation expects from the young generation that they must live their lives according to them. But young generation is having its own rules, ideals, ways of behaviour etc. and they never let any one to interfere in their lives. This leads to conflict between the both generations which is known as the generation gap.

PSEB 12th Class Sociology Important Questions Chapter 12 Social Issues: Old Age and Disability

Long Answer Type Questions:

Question 1.
What do you know about the Problems of the Aged?
Answer:
If we look at the Indian population before Indian independence then we will come to know that the rate of life expectancy before independence was around 31 years. It means that person who is born in India lives around 31 years of average. But after independence and after the opening up of health facilities like hospitals, dispensaries etc. the average life expectancy has been increased and has reached to the age of 62 years. It means that within 50 years the life expectancy in India has doubled. Many changes have come in the life of the people after the start of 20th century. First and the most important change which has come is that the average life of the person has been increased. Generally it has been said that the person whose age is more then 60 years or who has been retired from his job has become an aged person or old person. The number of aged persons have also increased with the increase in average age.

This increasing numbers of aged is becoming a challenge for the country. In earlier times every member of the family was coming to the end. It hardly matters that whether he was a child or an aged. If any person was becoming an aged then he was completely taken care by the family. But now people hardly take care of the aged due to the changes which came in the institution of the family, westernization and modernization. They are either not cared by their children or they are sent to old aged homes by their children. This is the biggest problem of the aged.

Generally it has been believed that the problems of a person increases with his increase in age. Rosow says that yet aged people have many problems but one can take them in health, social and financial problems. Person’s utility, in modern age, can be seen on the basis of economic basis and aged people are not considered as useful. Situation of the aged further deteriorates due to technical progress and social change. Problems of the aged has been increased to a great extent due to the increasing number of people of the’ age of 60 years in last few decades. These days aged people have to face many types of social, economic and psychological problems. Even aged people of rural and urban areas have to face the problem of spending their leisure time.

After looking at this we should treat the aged people like humans and should be kept one thing in mind that these people also have their needs and wishes That’s why we should look at their needs from their point of view so that we should be able to understand them and should fulfil their needs.

Historical Perspective:

If we look at the status of the aged people in ancient Indian Society then their position was very good. People in ancient societies were living in the groups of hunters and food gatherers. Aged people were specialized in doing every type of activity. They were considered as very important. Aged, people in ancient societies were given very much importance. Status of the aged people was very powerful in social, religious and political sphere. One scholar has analysed many ancient societies and said that the behaviour, traditions and customs were running according to aged people in ancient societies which was very particular from cultural point of view.

Aged people in ancient Hebru society were considered as the gift of the God. Importance of the aged people in pre industrial societies was considered till that time until they would be able to contribute towards society. Every type of power of society was in their hands and they were given enough security in the society. When they were unable to contribute towards society then they used to retire from their duties. Control of the family was then generally given to the elder son of the family. Because they were elders and had done a lot for the society and family, that’s why they were given enough security from the family. They were the main sources of cultural knowledge.

In Rome, aged people were seen from negative point of view. Due to their more age they were considered as wicked. But some of them were made guardians of small hildren of rich families. Their work was to take the children to school and to bring lem back safely. But elder people in Rome’s history were seen in the negative form.

Question 2.
Explain the status of aged in India.
Answer:
Status of the aged people in ancient Indian society was very good. Aged person was the head of the family and family and property were both in his complete control. He was given the great respect in society and his status was higher than all. At that time it was said that experience of person increases with the increase in age and they give this experience to their next generation. With the passage of time Arya people came to India and they divided the Indian society in four Varnas. Age of the person was considered as 100 years and it was divided in the four ashramas of 25-25 years.

These 4 ashramas were given the names of Brahmacharya, Grihastha, Vaan Prastha and Sanyasa ashrama’s. Person was getting education in first ashram and he was establishing his house after marriage in second ashrama. He had to pay the three debts of life i.e. Dena Rina, Pitri Rina and Rishi Rina. During this time, it was expected from young generation that they should take care of elder people in grihastha ashram. Aged persons were given the security through this ashrama system and all the functions of family and society were being done by aged people.

Persons in the age group of 50 years used to move towards forests in vaan prastha ashram by giving everything in the hands of their children. But many a times they used to come back to their homed to give advice on any matter to their children. That’s why they were given enough respect in the society. With the passage of time, this system was changed but the status of aged people remained as it is Actual change in the status of women came after the advent of the Britishers.

The Britishers started to win over India and with this they started to bring social change in India. They adapted a new judicial and educational system with whirl changes came in ancient relations. Young generation started to live away from their elders due to new educational institutions and industries. People started to move from rural areas to urban areas with which a danger came on the existence of ancient and joint families. When people started to move towards urban areas then they started to live in nuclear families because of which they were unable to take care of elder people. New social structure, values, social and political system and new social processes started to come forward. All these have brought some changes in socio¬economic system of society which are given below:

  • In earlier times production was being done at home but now production is being done in factories because of which now family is no more remains as a centre of economic production.
  • People started to move from rural areas to urban areas in the search of employment especially the people of young age.
  • When people started to move away from rural areas to urban areas then join! families were disintegrated and nuclear families came into being.
  • Very big organizations and new occupations came into being in cities with this the importance of art of occupation, given by elders, was reduced. Importance of knowledge of elders was reduced due to the advancement of new type of knowledge of different occupations.
  • Due to industries, work started to be done on machines. With this one danger started to occur for person and that danger was to be retire from the job. Now the role of the elders remain without any role.
  • Facilities of health were increased due to industrialization and new invention with which death rate was reduced very quickly. Average age was increased very quickly and the number of elder people in total population were increased.

At this moment new problem were started for elders like old age, problem of retirement, problem of health, problem of loneliness. When young generation had left their villages then in the start they were sending money to their villages and even going back to the villages to meet them. But slowly and slowly this was also reduced and the problems of the aged were further increased. Even elders were called as a problem. Loneliness, inability, economic dependence are these problems which are seen as the problems of elders in society.

In 1931 or before independence the average age in India was 31 years but after independence most of the evil diseases or serious diseases were kept under control. Average age in 2011 was increase up to 66 year due to health facilities. In this way number of elders were increased due to increase in age and their problems were also increased due to this. Views of the people were also changed due to industrialization, westernization and modernization because of which the rude behaviour towards elders was also increased. Attack towards elders is also included in rude behaviour.

Giving sanction to the problem of rude behaviour towards elders and to find misbehaviour is not an easy work. If any elder is not doing anything then he generally lives in the house. They depend upon their family. Here one thing is important that elders never like to talk to anyone about rude behaviour towards them. If any one comes to know about this even then they never accept this thing. They think that their own children are misbehaving them it hardly matters. Many elders are afraid of the fact that if they would be left by their children with then what would happen lo them, he will remain alone. That’s why they don’t like to talk with any one about the rude behaviour of their children. Elders never like to live in any old age home. They like to live with their children because they don’t have any other option without this.

Quantity of Misbehaviour. If we will do research on the rude behaviour over the elders then the very wrong results will come in front of us because we will not be able to get the required data. It’s reason is that the aged people will not talk with anyone regarding this. According to one research 4 out of 100 aged persons are misbehaved and out of 100, 3 have to face physical violence. Not only this females are more misbehaved as compared to males. Here one thing should be kept in mind that boys misbehave more with their parent as compared to girls even they have to face violence also. Girls are doing less violence with their parents. This problem is going on all over the place. Yet any research on national level has not taken place but some researchers have tried to do so but all of them are unable to tell us that how much serious this problem is? But on the basis of newspapers and reports we caii say that this problem is very serious.

PSEB 12th Class Sociology Solutions Chapter 12 Social Issues: Old Age and Disability

Punjab State Board PSEB 12th Class Sociology Book Solutions Chapter 12 Social Issues: Old Age and Disability Textbook Exercise Questions and Answers.

PSEB Solutions for Class 12 Sociology Chapter 12 Social Issues: Old Age and Disability

Sociology Guide for Class 12 PSEB Social Issues: Old Age and Disability Textbook Questions and Answers

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. The imposing of power by young on elderly of the family creates:
(a) Love
(b) Tension
(c) Stress
(d) Conflict
Answer:
(b) Tension

2. What does the shift in family structure makes elders feel?
(a) Neglected
(b) Poor
(c) Angry
(d) Weak
Answer:
(d) Weak

PSEB 12th Class Sociology Solutions Chapter 12 Social Issues: Old Age and Disability

3. By which act does the maintenance and welfare of parents and senior citizens take place?
(a) Senior Citizen’s Act 2009
(b) Senior Citizen’s Act 2008
(c) Senior Citizen’s Act 2007
(d) Senior Citizen’s Act 2006
Answer:
(c) Senior Citizen’s Act 2007

4. What is the other name for Continuity theory?
(a) Undeveloped theory
(b) Developing theory
(c) Development theory
(d) Non continuity theory
Answer:
(c) Development theory

5. The term ……………. carries with it the connotation of a deficiency mental, physical or sensory.
(a) Blindness
(b) Mental retardation
(c) Disability
(d) Cerebral palsy
Answer:
(c) Disability

6. Children with physical disability whose non-sensory physical limitations or health problems interfere with school attendance or leaving have:
(a) Orthopaedic disability
(b) Cerebral palsy
(c) ADHD
(d) Learning disability
Answer:
(d) Learning disability

7. Embracing which model do the disabled individuals assert a positive identity not only in being disabled but also in being impaired?
(a) Social model
(b) Affirmative model
(c) Politics of disablement model
(d) Structural model
Answer:
(a) Social model

8. The rights of people with disabilities are best promoted by:
(а) Family and friends
(b) Formulating various policies
(c) People with disabilities themselves
(d) Social and government construction
Answer:
(a) Family and friends

Fill in the Blanks:

1. The study of social and sociological aspects of aging is called ………………..
Answer:
Social gerontology

2. Arthritis, high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease etc. are age related ……………….. diseases.
Answer:
Chronic

3. One of the most challenging phenomenon worldwide in 21st century is ……………….. population.
Answer:
Aging

4. The new housing system for the elderly is known as ……………….
Answer:
Old age homes

PSEB 12th Class Sociology Solutions Chapter 12 Social Issues: Old Age and Disability

5. The ……………… department can take an active role in preparing employees to face retirement and old age issues.
Answer:
Social justice and welfare

6. ………………. is a condition where a person suffers from total blindness or visual acuity not including 6/60 or 20/200 vision.
Answer:
Visual disability

7. The first policy statement in which recognised the rights of people with various impairment is equal opportunities is ……………….
Answer:
The Rehabilitation Council Act

True/False:

1. The Parents’ Maintenance Act was passed in Himachal Pradesh.
Answer:
True

2. The inequality between the young and old in society is explained in the Modernization theory.
Answer:
False

3. Old age people do not have any role problems.
Answer:
False

4. The old age people experience financial insecurity at this age.
Answer:
True

5. Old age people are not considered much productive due to age factor.
Answer:
True

6. The people with Disabilities Act 1995 recognises the need to replace emphasis on medical rehabilitation with emphasis on social rehabilitation.
Answer:
True

Match The Columns:

Column A Column B
Withdrawl from society Activity Theory
Change in socioeconomic status Social Problems
Elders should be more active Disengagement theory
Field of study that aims to study Economic Insecurity
the process of ageing Unable to sustain themselves Gerontology

Answer:

Column A Column B
Withdrawl from society Disengagement theory
Change in socioeconomic status Economic Insecurity
Elders should be more active Activity Theory
Field of study that aims to study Gerontology
the process of ageing Unable to sustain themselves Social Problems

PSEB 12th Class Sociology Solutions Chapter 12 Social Issues: Old Age and Disability

Very Short Answer Type Questions:

Question 1.
According to United Nation, what is the cut off age for older population?
Answer:
This age is 60 + years.

Question 2.
How much would India’s elderly population go upto by 2020?
Answer:
140 million.

Question 3.
On which day is the UN International day for older persons celebrated?
Answer:
1st October.

Question 4.
Which are the five stages of a person’s life?
Answer:
Infancy, Childhood, adolesence, adulthood and old age.

Question 5.
What is the age of retirement in India?
Answer:
60 years.

Question 6.
What do you understand by the term disability?
Answer:
Disability is the consequence of impairment in terms of functional performance and activity.

Question 7.
Distinguish between handicap and impairment.
Answer:
Handicap means deficiency of any physical organ and impairment means loss of psychological, physical or anatomical structure.

Question 8.
What is inclusion?
Answer:
The meaning of inclusion is including any disable person in any work.

Question 9.
What is learning disability?
Answer:
When any person is unable to learn anything, it is called learning disability.

Question 10.
Define social model in your own works.
Answer:
The meaning of social model is that unequal relation in society in which disable persons are not given any importance.

PSEB 12th Class Sociology Solutions Chapter 12 Social Issues: Old Age and Disability

Short Answer Type Questions:

Question 1.
What are the physical signs which mark an individual as old?
Answer:
There are few physical signs which mark an individual as old. Some of these signs are tooth decay, grey hair, hunched back, hearing loss, slow pace of walk, vision impairment etc.

Question 2.
What are the causes of loneliness and depression found among the old age people in society?
Answer:
When the children of old age people go for job or to cities for work, they remain alone at home. With time, authority of family goes in the hands of young one’s. Nothing remained in the hands of old age people because of which they becomes the victim of laneliness and depression.

Question 3.
How inclusion is different from integration?
Answer:
In Inclusion, disable persons are included in any work due to any pressure but in Integration, they are made the part of any work and they become a necessary part of that work.

Long Answer Type Questions:

Question 1.
How does the Government help in the rehabilitation of the old age population?
Answer:
After independence, the Indian government started doing a lot for the welfare of old age population. In 1999, United nations decided to celebrate the same year as the International year for the aged population. After this on 13 January 1999, the Indian government made a national policy for them so that they can get benefits from this. In 2007, ‘Maintenance and welfare of parents and Senior Citizens Act’ gave legal status to the rights of aged people. Along with these, many other programmes were initiated from them such as old age security, old age pension, construction of old age homes, expansion of old age services, to make housing policy for old age etc.

Question 2.
Highlight the housing and health related problems faced by the old age people in our society.
Answer:

  • Housing problems: The aged people have to face housing problems. Out of total old age people, most of them are widows and females, and they lack proper house to live in. There is a common complaint that they feel lonely at home or family members force them to live alone.
  • Health problems: In this age, the immunity power of the body declines considerably. People become weak from physical and psychological points of view. They suffer from many diseases such as no digestion, tooth decay, high blood pressure, sugar etc.

Question 3.
What do you understand by ‘social security benefits’?
Answer:
In the changing situations of the present society, economic dependency on children is quite a difficult task. That’s why the importance of social security benefits given by government has increased. It means that the government gives some help in old age. But in our country, India, old age people are given very less social security. 90% of the total old age people work in unorganise sector and they do not get pension or any other benefits. Government gives some help to poor old age people such as

  • National old age pension which is ₹ 75 per month but is given only to those whose age is 65 years and above.
  • Many state governments have made schemes in which ₹ 60-250 per month are given. This is given only to those whose age is 65 years and above and those who live below the poverty line.
  • Widows are given ₹ 150 per month.

Question 4.
Write about the disability discourse in India in your own words.
Answer:
In almost whole of the world, more than 100 crore people are living with one or the other disability. We might have seen many people around us who are disable and face many problems in living an easy life. Disable persons face many crunches in life such as education, employment and other benefits. Along with this, a social curse is attached with it which is an obstacle in the way of their normal economic and social life. Out of 100 crore disable persons in whole of the world, three crore in India are facing any type of disability. These people are either hated or mercy is shown to them. They cannot use all the basis facilities of life and that’s why lack many things in life. Around 2% of the total Indian population is living with any type of disability.

PSEB 12th Class Sociology Solutions Chapter 12 Social Issues: Old Age and Disability

Question 5.
Disability need not to be an obstacle to success. Discuss.
Answer:
There is no denying the fact that if any individual wish to achieve any thing, no obstacle can stop him. This thing is correctly applicable even on disable persons. In any disable person wish to achieve anything, he can achieve that. We have many examples who achieved success even if they were disable. In Special Olympics, such people take part and make their country proud.

Very Long Answer Type Questions:

Question 1.
Write a detailed note on the theories of ageing.
Or
Explain Activity and Modernisation theory of Ageing.
Or
Discuss modernisation and activity theory of Ageing.
Answer:
There are many theories of ageing which are given below:

1. The Disengagement Theory: According to this theory, old age is such condition in which society and an individual start to move away or disengage from each other. Authority of family moves out of the hands of aged people and goes in the hands of young one’s with which society works efficiently. So, according to this theory, when an individual becomes old, his physical efficiency does not allow him to do more work and he starts to move away from society. That’s -why, every thing goes in the hands of young one’s.

2. The Activity Theory: Activity theory says that, to remain happy in old age, it is necessary for an old man to continue with his work. This theory says that if existing relations are no more, they must be replaced. Change in roles and relations is necessary because with the decline in human ability to do work, decline also comes in his level of satisfaction.

3. The Continuity Theory: Continuity theory also known as development theory. This theory says that the old people try to maintain and preserve internal and external structures by using methods which maintain continuity. This theory has great capability for explaining how people adopt to their own ageing.

4. Modernisation Theory: This theory says that elder persons typically fail to change to satisfy the rules of the modernisation process such as material economy, technological maturity, achievement orientation etc.

5. The Age Stratification Theory: This theory tells us which inequalities exist in any society among young one’s and old persons. This theory also says that the relative inequality of the aged at any given time and in any cultural situation depends upon two types material experiences. First one is those life experiences with which physical and psychological changes come in them and the second is their historical experiences that with which group he is related.

Question 2.
Explain the various problems faced by old age people in society.
Or
Write a detailed note on the problems of the aged.
Answer:
Elders not have to face one or two problems but have to face many problems which are given below:
1. Problems due to Technological Development. Elders were very much respected in ancient times because it was believed that elders have the knowledge of any art. People need those elders to get knowledge of that art. But it is not so in today’s age. Now elders are unable to get that respect due to technological development because any type of knowledge can be saved with the help of technology. That’s why the respect of the aged, which they were getting in earlier times, has been reduced. Now there is no importance of aged for the society. They are considered as useless and misbehaved because of which problems occurred for them.

2. Problem due to decreasing effect of caste system. Many types of laws were made after independence because of which the importance of caste system was reduced to a great extent. Occupation of person, in ancient times, was determined according to his caste, person has to adopt the occupation of that caste in which he is born. He was not allowed to change his occupation even if he had the ability. Elder people of the caste were used to give some secrets of the occupations to the younger members of the family. But after independence, the importance of caste system was reduced because of which now person can adopt anx occupation with his ability. In this way the importance of the secrets given by elders was reduced and their need remains no more. They were considered as useless and their problems were started.

3. Problems due to Spread of Education. Yet the spread of education is good for society but many a times it brings problems for the elders. People of villages send their children to cities to get better education. After getting education they get job in cities. They start to live in cities and even marries over there. In the start they regularly go back to villages and even send money to their parents. But due to increasing business they stop going back to villages and even stop sending money to their parents. Parents has no option except living quitely. From here economic problem starts for them.

4. Problem of Economic Dependency. Generally it has been seen that dependence of money also becomes a reason of problem in old age. If father has died and mother has no source of income then she becomes helpless and becomes dependent upon children. She is left with no option except depending on children to run their daily expenditure. She becomes helpless. In this way dependence upon children also becomes a reason of problem in old age.

5. Spending whole Income on Children. It is very difficult to save money in today’s age of inflation. A middle class family has to do a lot of expenditure. Lot of money is required to meet expenditure of house and expenditure of education of children etc. Every person wants to give better education to his children. Better education is very expensive these days. They spend whole of their income and saving on children to give them good education so that they could be given a good future.That’s why nothing is left with them for old age. Children get good education and good job and even make their own house after marriage. Parents enter in an old age but economic problems surround them. In this way they have to face economic problems.

6. Problems related to Health. Person works with great heart for his whole life. When he becomes old then his body stops responding to them. They surrounds by many diseases like sugar, blood pressure, heart problem etc. They have to take the help of medicines to control these diseases. Their body hardly responds to them. They are unable to do anything. In this way health related problems are very important problems.

7. Problems due to Industrialization. Problems of many aged persons were started after the advent of industries. People are going to cities from villages in search of work. They have to go to cities to save themselves from unemployment and economic problems. They hesitate to take elders to the cities. In this way elders have to live alone in the villages. If there is no economic problem then its fine unless elders hardly get and economic and social help. They struggle themselve to lives because their children do not take their elder’s responsibilities.

8. Another problem is related to the sex of the aged means whether the aged person is male or female. If the aged person is male then he will have to face less problem. But if it is female then there are more chances of misbehaviour with her. She had to do every type of work of the family. She has to take care of the house when her daughter in law goes out for job and has to take care of children. In this way she has to face many problems. After the death of her husband, her economic and social security comes to an end. Widow has to depend upon others and has to live in a pitty condition.

9. It has also been seen that boys create more problems for their elders as compared to girls. Girls give more help to their elder parents. Unmarried children are even more irresponsible. Boys hardly care about their parents because of which daughter in law also stop to do so and elders have to do every type of work themselyes.

10. Quarrel between mother in law and daughter in law also becomes a reason of problem of the aged. Elders depend upon their children. Its reason is that they are wasting their money by spending it on their elders. When situation goes out of control then elders are left with no option except finding other place to live. In some cases some boys send their elders to old age homes. Except this if parents were working in an unorganized sector they are hardly left with any saving for their old age. Their health deteriorates in the old age and have to face many types of problems in the absence of money.

11. Aged people were given a very important place in family and society in traditional Indian Society. Any important decision of the family has been taking according to the wish of the person. But due to the reducing effect of joint family system and with the advent of modern industrial society, many important changes came in social structure. Economic factor was given more importance according to new conditions and the social status of the person now depends upon the socio¬economic condition of the person. That’s why lot of changes have come in the conditions of the aged because they lack money. Their position is changed from earlier conditions. They have to face disrespect and that’s why they have to face psychological tension. Even their children hardly give respect to them.

12. Problem of Leisure Time. Person has to face another problem in the aged condition and that is the problem of spending leisure time. Aged persons have a lot of time and they don’t know what to do with their leisure time. People are working for 8-12 hours in a day in cities and in villages they are working more than that. But after retirement, it becomes very difficult to spend their leisure time. They hardly know that what to do with their leisure time. In this way it has been seen that young generation is leaving their elders in the changed circumstances and in changed values. They are running away from their responsibility of being a child. On the other side parents are spending whole of their income and saving in the upbringing of their children because of which they become useless in their old age.

PSEB 12th Class Sociology Solutions Chapter 12 Social Issues: Old Age and Disability

Question 3.
How can the problems of old age people be solved?
Answer:
In the present age, almost all the countries have started using social, legal and reformative methods to solve the problems of old age people. Some of the methods are given below:

1. Old Age Homes: Few elders are unable to maintain balance with their families and were left alone by them. They even do not keep any relations with their elders. Sometimes, such elders become the victims of tension. For such elders, many countries have started opening old age homes to give them physical, medical and economic security.

2. Welfare Programmes: Almost in all the countries, many welfare programmes for elders have been started such as old age pension, accidental facilities, free medical help etc. To provide the economic security many legal and welfare programmes were started such as provident fund, gratuity, life insurance etc.

3. Jobs: To take care of elders, many methods have been adopted but it is necessary to keep them busy even after their retirement. That’s why few easy jobs have been created for them to take advantage of their experienca

4. Stronger Family Care System: Society must take some steps to have a stronger family care system which could care about elders because one is emotionally attached with his family. There must be a system in which family itself should take care of its elders. In family, members of atleast three generations live together and their relation must be so strong that they must not leave their elders. Traditional values must be so strong that elders must not be left alone.

5. Effective Laws: Different governments have made many laws for the security of elders but there is a need to strictly implement them. There must be a provision that if any one will leave its elder alone, their property will be confiscated and will sent behind bars. Due to this fear, people will not disrespect their elders.

6. Better Medical Facilities: Our present medical facilities are not capable enough to meet the needs of old age people. That’s why we must develop our medical facilities so that the elders can live a happy life.

Question 4.
Write a note on types of disabilities.
Or
Highlight types of disabilities.
Or
Describe Hearing and Mental disability as type of disability.
Answer:
There are many types of disabilities and some of the important one are given below:

1. Locomotor Disability: According to the PWD Act, locomotor disability is the disability of bones, joints or muscles. It leads to the substantial restrictions of the movement of limbs. It also includes cerebral palsy.

2. Visual Disability: Visual disability or low vision can be divided into two parts and these are the blind and the partially sighted. The PWD Act says that the vision of an individual becomes so weak that he is unable to see anything without any external help i.e. spectacle. He is unable to do anything without its help.

3. Hearing Disability: Those individuals who can not hear anything beyond a fixed level come under this category. They need to take help of a machine to hear anything.

4. Mental Disability: This disabilities starts before the age of 18 years and creates hurdle in the normal functioning. His brain cannot work normally. He cannot think properly, brain works in a limit and cannot speak read and write properly. Such disability is known as mental disability.

5. Speech Disability: Those individuals who cannot speak, can speak few limited words or have lost their voice, come under the category of speech disabilities.

Question 5.
What are th’e problems encountered by the people with special needs?
Or
Highlight two problems encountered by differently abled people.
Answer:
1. Social oppression: People with special needs are oppressed in society. They are either hated or are shown mercy by the people. No one gives them a hand full of love. It is so because people feel that they are not normal like them and have some sort of disability. Due to this thinking of common people, such people feel neglected.

2. Inequality: While living in society, they encounter inequality as well. They are behave in an unequal way. They cannot enjoy all the facilities which a common man enjoy. They are discriminated everywhere and on most of the occasions, they are not included. That’s why, they become the victims of tension.

3. Health Related problems: People with special needs are those who are the victims of any type of disability. They cannot hear or cannot see or cannot understand or cannot move freely. In this way they need to take help of anyone to do any work. It is quite difficult for them to do any work of their own.

4. Poverty: Those who are physical disable get very few chances to earn money. Due to their physical inability, they are unable to fully use their ability and that’s why, they always have the problem of money. So, they remain poor.

5. Segregation: Disable people face the problem of segregation. More physical disability leads to more feeling of segregation. Their own behaviour increases the feeling of segregation. Sometimes situation goes out of control and their disability becomes an obstacle in the way of their participation in any work.

PSEB 12th Class Sociology Solutions Chapter 12 Social Issues: Old Age and Disability

Question 6.
In what way legislation can play an important role in empowering the people with special needs?
Or
In what way legislation has played an important role in empowering the people with special ability.
Answer:
There is no denying the fact that legislation can play a very important role in empowering the people with special needs. Actually, along with love and sympathy of society, few legal constraints are required so that the people with special needs can live a happy and prosperous life. It can happen only if the government must makes laws for this.

During last few decades, to include them in the mainstream of our country, few anti discrimination laws were made, equal chances were provided and many programmes were made. But this is possible if few people will collectively work in this field. That’s why in 1986, The Rehabilitation council of India was organised. It is an autonomous organisation which gives training to the people who work for the rehabilitation of people with special needs. It was given the legal status under ‘The Rehabilitation Council Act, 1992 with which this organisation was empowered to give training. According to this law, the work of training will be checked from time to time and it will be provided help with new inventions.

Many laws were passed for them such as:

  • Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995.
  • National Trust for the welfare of persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disability Act, 1999.
  • Rehabilitation Council of India Act, 1992.

Major objectives of these acts was to provide equality to the people who live with any type of disability. These laws help us to provide facilities to such people who are disable and have no family support. These laws help those organisations or non-government organisations who are engaged in rehabilitation of these people. Few seats in government jobs are kept reserved for them to give them a happy life.

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 15 India and United Nations

Punjab State Board PSEB 12th Class Political Science Book Solutions Chapter 15 India and United Nations Textbook Exercise Questions and Answers.

PSEB Solutions for Class 12 Political Science Chapter 15 India and United Nations

Long Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
Write a note on U.N.
Answer:
There breathes nobody in this world who is not acquainted with the name of the United Nations. After long debates and discussions which took place in various World Conferences held from time to time between 1940 and 1945, ultimately the United Nations Conference was held at San-Francisco from April 26 to 25 June 1945. The Conference adopted the U.N. Charter which was signed by delegates of 51 Nations. The U.N. actually started functioning on October 24, 1945. It is an organisation of 193 countries of the world which aims at establishing peace in the world. Peace can be established in the world if all the countries extend willing co-operation to this organization.

Aims and Principles of U.N.
The U.N. Charter contains 111 short articles, prefaced by a preamble, which speaks for the aims of the United Nations. It starts with the words. “We the people of the United Nations,” signifying thereby that the United Nations speak in the name of the people of the world. The basic aims of the U.N. are:

  • To save succeeding generations from the scourge of war;
  • To re-affirm faith in the fundamental human rights;
  • To establish justice and respect for international obligations; and
  • To promote social progress and better standards of life.

These aims can be classified as under:

  • To maintain international peace and security.
  • To develop friendly relations among nations based on respect for the principle of equal rights and self-determination of people.
  • To achieve international co-operative for solving international problems of an economic, social and humanitarian character.
  • To promote and encourage respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms for all without any distinction of race, sex, language or region.
  • To act as a centre for harmonizing the actions of world nations in the achievement of agreed common ends.

Basic Principles of The U.N.
All the members, in order to achieve the main purpose of U.N., will act in accordance with the principles given ahead:

  • The organization is based on the principles of sovereign equality of its members.
  • All member-States are supposed to fulfil the obligation imposed upon them by Charter.
  • All international disputes are to be settled through peaceful means.
  • All member-States must refrain from the use of force in any international dispute.
  • The organization as far as possible, shall avoid intervention in the domestic affairs of a State.
  • The member-States are supposed to assist the organization in any action taken by it in accordance with the U.N. Charter.
  • All member-States must give free help to U.N.O. in any action taken according to the Charter.
  • All members must act according to the principles of U.N.O. in order to create international peace and security.

Organs of U.N.
The principal organs of U.N. are given as under:
1. The General Assembly
2. The Security Council
3. The Economic and Social Council
4. The International Court of Justice
5. The Trusteeship Council
6. The Secretariat.

1. General Assembly:
The General Assembly consists of all the members of U.N. Each state can send five representatives in the General Assembly. Each member-State has, however, one vote. In the Assembly all the member- States, however big or small, meet on the terms of sovereign equality of all the member-States. It elects its President and Vice-Presidents for each session. The General Assembly meets regularly once every year, commencing usually in September.

Special sessions may be convened at the request of the Security Council or of a majority of the members of the U.N. All decisions on important questions are taken by 2/3 majority of those present. A majority of the.members of the General Assembly constitutes a quorum. The General Assembly does most of its work in Committee’s voting but decision regarding less important questions may be taken by a simple majority of votes. Functions. The General Assembly can be called World Parliament or World Panchayat.

The Assembly elected 10 non-permanent members of the Security Council for a term of two years, 54 members of the Economic and social Council and some members of the Trusteeship Council. A Secretary-General is elected on the recommendations of the Security Council. It is the deliberative body of the organization. Apart from the duties discussed above, it performs the following functions:

  • The General Assembly can deal with all matters within the scope of U.N. Charter.
  • It can make recommendations to any member or to the Security Council on any question within its jurisdiction.
  • It considers principle of co-operation for the creation of world peace and security.
  • It can initiate studies and make recommendations for the development of International Law and its codification.
  • It can call the attention of the Security Council to such situations which may endanger world peace.
  • It is empowered to make suggestions for promoting international co-operation in economic, social, cultural and health fields.
  • It receives and considers the annual reports from the Security Council and other organs about the maintenance of world peace.
  • It considers and approves the budget of U.N.
  • It fixes the amount which each member-State has to contribute for the working of U.N.
  • To assist in the realization of fundamental human rights for all without distinction of race, sex, language or religion.

‘The Uniting for Peace Resolution’ confers effective power on the General Assembly for the purpose of maintaining International peace and security.This Resolution was adopted by the General Assembly on 3rd November, 1950.

2. Security Council:
It consists of 15 members, five of which are permanent members. It is the most important and most powerful organ of the U.N. The permanent members are- England, France, U.S.A., Russia and Republic of China. Ten members are non-permanent, These non-permanent members are elected by the General Assembly for a period of two years. No State can be elected as a member for two consecutive terms.

The Security Council must meet at least twice a month, but its meeting can be held even before if the need arises. Meetings of the Security Council are held at the call of the President at any time he deems necessary, but the interval between meetings must not exceed fourteen days. Each member presides over the meeting of the council for a month turn by turn.

The concurrence of permanent members is necessary for all vital decisions of the Security Council affecting international peace and security. Decisions on all matters are to be made by a majority of nine members (including the five permanent) except on procedural matters which require the decision of any nine members.

By casting a negative vote, any one of the permanent members can veto a decision. But mere abstention from the vote, or the absence of a permanent member from the meeting, does not operate as a veto. No member can cast his vote in a matter with which he is personally connected. The Security Council can invite any State to participate in its meeting but it is not entitled to exercise its vote.

Functions:

  • The admission of new States to the organization and the expulsion therefrom can only be done on the recommendation of the Security Council.
  • It makes recommendations to the General Assembly for the appointment of the General Secretary.
  • It can take any measure necessary to maintain or restore international peace.
  • It can ask the contesting parties to solve their conflict by peaceful means, like negotiation, enquiry and mediation.
  • The Security Council may decide measures, not involving the use of armed force, to be employed to give effect to its decisions.
  • The Security Council may take such action by air, sea or land force, as may be necessary to maintain or restore international peace and security.
  • It shares with the General Assembly the function of electing judges to the International Court of Justice and right to request the court for advisory opinion or legal matters.

3. Economic and Social Council:
Before 1965 this body consisted of 18 members who were elected by the General Assembly. From 1st Jan. 1966 its membership was increased to 27 and now-a-days it has 54 members. One- third of its members retire after every one year and this way a member is elected for a period of three years. A retiring member is eligible for immediate re-election. It can have extra members also but these members cannot have the right to vote. It must meet at least twice a year and decisions are taken by ordinary majority. It elects its own President.

Functions:
Its main function is to solve the economic and social problem of the people.

  • It initiates studies and makes report about international economic, social, educational, health and cultural matters to the General Assembly and other specialized agencies.
  • It sets up commissions in economic and social fields for the promotion of human rights.
  • It calls international conferences on matters under its jurisdiction.
  • It makes recommendations for the purpose of promoting respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedom of all.
  • It helps the nations in their development plans.
  • It may take appropriate steps to obtain regular reports from the specialised agencies.

4. International Court of Justice:
It is the judicial organ of the United Nations. It decides the disputes among different member-States of the U.N. It has 15 judges, and they are elected by the General Assembly and the Security Council, voting independently. Those candidates who obtain an absolute majority of votes in the General Assembly and in the Security Council are considered as elected. The judges are elected for nine years.

After every 3 years, 1/3rd of the judges retire but they can be re-elected. Its meetings are held at the Hague and decisions are taken by a majority vote of the judges present. The Court elects its President and Vice-president for three years. Except for judicial vacations, the Court is permanently in session. A quorum of nine judges is required to constitute the Court. French and English are the official languages of the Court.

Functions:

  • It decides disputes among different States. Any State can refer its case to the court for decision.
  • It hears and decides disputes on the basis of International Law. United Nations Charter, international treaties and international customs and traditions.
  • The General Assembly can ask for legal advice on any issue from the International Court of Justice.
  • Its decisions are only in the form of advice and no member is bound to act according to the decision given by it. The Security Council gets its decisions enforced

5. Trusteeship Council:
It consists of members from States which administer Trust territories and such of the five permanent members of the Security Council as do not administer any trust territory. But it has also to include some other representations in such a way that the total becomes equally divided between the trust administering members and the non-trust administering members. All these extra members are to be elected by the General Assembly for a period of 3 years. The Trusteeship Council meets twice a year, generally in January and June. At its summer session each year it elects its President and a Vice-president to preside over its meetings. All the decisions are made by a majority of the members present and voting. Each member of the Trusteeship Council possesses one vote.

Functions:

  • The council is to see that trust territories are administered and ultimately get responsible government or independence according to the wishes of the masses.
  • It also considers reports which have been submitted by the administering authority.
  • It further examines petitions and visits the respective trust territories in order to promote world peace.
  • It makes efforts for the promotion of moral, social and economic welfare of the trust territories.
  • It formulates a questionnaire on the political, economic, social and educational advancement of the inhabitants of each trust territory.

6. Secretariat:
A Secretariat has been established for working out the administration of the various organs of the U.N. It functions under the Supervision and direction of a Secretary General. He is appointed for a period of five years. The General Assembly appoints the Secretary General on the recommendations of the Security Council. Secretary General can be re-elected. He is the Chief Administrative Officer of the United Nations. Antonio Guterres of Portugal is the present Secretary General. The international staff is required by him under the rules and regulations laid down by the General Assembly.

The Secretariat is located at the Headquarters of the U.N. in New York. It has branch offices at Geneva, Vienna and Nairobi.
Functions:

  • The Secretariat maintains the records of the proceeding of the various organs of the U.N.. It collects information and materials needed by them and conducts correspondence with States on behalf of the U.N.
  • It calls the meeting of the various organs of the U.N.
  • It enforces the decisions taken by various organs of the U.N.
  • It prepares the annual report of each organ of the U.N. and presents it to the General Assembly.
  • It brings to the notice of Security Council any matter which in its opinion may threaten the international peace and security.
  • It produces statistical publication, information bulletins and analytical work in accordance with the decisions of the General Assembly.
  • It organises conferences, expert group meetings, seminars on topics of concern to the international community.
  • It is to run the working of the U.N. smoothly and efficiently.

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 15 India and United Nations

Question 2.
Describe India’s role in the United Nations.
Or
Describe the role of India in United Nations Organisation (U.N.O.).
Answer:
India has been a member of the U.N.O from the very beginning. She is among those countries which signed the U.N. Charter first of all. As India is a peace- loving country so its policies are very much in tune with the policies of the U.N.O. After the attainment of Independence, India took a keen interest in the activities of the U.N.O. She co-operated with the U.N.O. in all its activities. She helped the U.N.O. in its aim of maintaining world peace. India also became the member of the specialised agencies of U.N.O. and helped in its co-operative efforts. Whenever the U.N.O. was faced with a problem, India extended her full support for solving it. India performed the following functions for helping the U.N.O. in the fulfilment of its objects:

1. Policy of Neutrality:
India had adopted the policy of neutrality in international affairs. India is always anxious for maintaining friendly relations with all countries of the world. Today the entire world is divided into two blocs and each bloc is opposed to the other. This division of the – world into two blocs is a hindrance in the fulfilment of the objectives of the U.N.O. It increases the chances of war and decreases the chances of co- 1 operative efforts on the part of member countries. India has kept itself aloof from these power-blocs and has always stood for the policy of neutrality. India has also made efforts to bridge the gap in these two power-blocs and has done its best in reducing the tension between them.

2. Panchsheel:
India had propagated the principles of Panchsheel for the maintenance of world peace. By following the principles of Panchsheel the chances of war are much reduced and all the countries of the world live in co-operation with one another. The principles of Panchsheel have been accepted by Asian, African and many European countries. It has helped a great deal in the maintenance of world peace. The maintenance of world peace is one of the main aims of the U.N.O.

3. Peaceful solution of her disputes with other countries:
India has always tried to find out a peaceful solution of her disputes with other countries.
Just after the attainment of Independence, India had a dispute with Pakistan over the Kashmir issue, and the dispute was referred to the U.N.O. by India.
In 1962, China attacked India and we put in our best to solve the problem peacefully. In 1965, India was attacked by Pakistan, but it accepted the cease-fire and respected the resolution on cease-fire of Security Council of the U.N.O. Whatever differences we have with other countries, we are always: desirous of solving them peacefully.

4. Co-operation in ending wars in other countries:
India has always; co-operated with U.N.O. in ending wars in other countries. It helped in bringing to an end the civil war in Korea. India had a hand in the maintenance of peace in Laos and Indo-China. India was given the responsibility of defending the ceasefire line in Korea. Indian representative headed the Commission appointed for the maintenance of peace in Indo-China. India helped U.N. to the maximum in ending the civil war in the Congo. India was substantially associated with the conversion of the United Nations Operation in the Congo from a non-military to a military force.

India was:also appointed a member of the Advisory Committee on the Congo. India; made every possible effort to bring the dispute between England and Egypt over Suez Canal to an end. Speaking in the debate on the question of Cyprus in the General Assembly on May 11, 1983, India called for the withdrawal of foreign military forces from Cyprus and appealed to both parties to resume the inter-community talks. India declared, Cyprus cannot be divided or partitioned The identity and integrity of this island republic must be preserved at all costs.” Thus whenever world peace is threatened, India takes a keen interest in solving the issues peacefully.

5. Help in the freedom of dependent countries:
India has always helped the dependent countries in the attainment of freedom. India helped Indonesia -in the attainment of freedom. Whenever any country started the movement for attaining independence, India always supported the cause.

6. Anti-Colonialism:
India stood for anti-colonialism. India is for stepping up fight against Colonialism. Speaking during a General Assembly debate on decolonisation on Nov. 23, 1982, India called for combating colonialism and its new manifestations like Namibia and Palestine with renewed vigour. On April 8, 1987, India asked the U.N. Security Council not to ‘shy away’ from its responsibility in getting Namibia freed from its illegal occupation bySouth Africa against whom it demanded comprehensive mandatory sanctions.

7. Criticism of Injustice-rand Aggression. Whenever any country committed aggression against any other country or did injustice to any other country, India always raised its voice against the aggressor. It criticised the aggressive designs of powerful nations. When Russia attacked Hungary; Britain and

France attacked Egypt and Britain attacked Cyprus, India criticised their actions without any hesitation. India condemned South Africa’s unprovoked and wanton aggression against Lesotho and acts of subversion and aggression against Angola. On Dec. 13, 1982 India called for the total isolation of South Africa to compel it to end its illegal occupation of Namibia as well as its terrorist activities against other countries in the region. India has always supported a measure on its merits and has always sided with truth. It had adopted the policy of neutrality.

8. Support of Disarmament:
India has also supported disarmament for lessening the possibility of wars. India is against the policy of performing nuclear experiments. In principle, India has stood for general and complete disarmament within the framework of the United Nations.
Addressing the General Assembly, Mr. Rajiv Gandhi, Prime Minister of India, asked nuclear powers to eliminate all nuclear weapons by the year 2010.

India proposed a Comprehensive Global Security System that would ensure “peaceful co-existence for a new, just, equitable and democratic world order.” On January 14, 1993 India signed along with other countries the Chemical Weapons Ban Treaty. After India conducted nuclear tests in May, 1998 United States and other countries urged India to sign CTBT (Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty) unconditionally. But India reiterated its stand that since the treaties are discriminatory, they are not acceptable to the nation without any change.

9. Admission of New States:
India tried her best for the admission of Communist China and Bangla Desh into the United Nations.

10. Against Racial Discrimination:
India has always spoken fearlessly against the racial discrimination to which the ‘Coloured people’ (as in South Africa) are being subjected by the ‘White’ ruling class. India was the first country to impose comprehensive voluntary sanctions against the apartheid regime of South Africa in 1946. India urged the United Nations to treat the problem of racial discrimination as a threat to international peace and security and carry out the responsibility enjoined by the Charter. Consequently, the United Nations adopted a number of resolutions calling upon the government of South Africa to end racial discrimination. In this way India has become the friend of the black people.

11. Protection of Human Rights:
India is a great supporter of human rights. India has always made great efforts that U.N. should adopt proper measures to safeguards the human rights.

12. India in Space Committee of U.N. India is a member of space committee of U.N. India has always made efforts that space should be used for world peace.

13. Restructuring the U.N. Security Council:
India has raised the question of restructuring the Security Council. Addressing the General Assembly on Sept. 26,1998 Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee proposed induction of fresh blood in the Security Council so as to make it more representative of the membership of the United Nations. The Prime Minister made a passionate plea that some developing countries should be made permanent members at par with the present members. Mr. Vajpayee also put India’s claims for a permanent seat in the Security Council.

The Secretary-General expressed appreciation of India’s role in furthering the efforts of the non-aligned movement for peace, security and development. Thus India has played a significant role in U.N.O.’s peace keeping role.

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 15 India and United Nations

Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
What do you mean by United Nations?
Or
When did India become the member of the U.N.O.?
Answer:
United Nations Organisation is an international organisation which was established after Second World War on October 24,1945. India is the founder member of this organisation. The United Nations represents the second major effort in the twentieth century to achieve the goal of a better world through a general international organisation of the states. U.N.O. is an association of states and its primary objective is maintenance of international peace and security. At present 193 States are the members of the United Nations.

Question 2.
Write the main objectives of United Nations.
Or
Write the main objects of U.N.O. (United Nations Organisation.)
Answer:
The aims and purposes of the United Nations as laid down in Article 1 of the Charter are as follow:

  1. To maintain international peace and security.
  2. To develop friendly relations among nations.
  3. To achieve international co-operation in solving international problems of an economic, social, cultural and humanitarian character and to promote respect for human rights and humanitarian freedoms.
  4. To promote and encourage respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms for all without any distinction of race, sex, language or region.

Question 3.
What role has India played in the United Nations in the maintenance of world peace?
Or
What role has India played in maintaining the world peace?
Answer:
The main aim of the United Nations is maintenance of international peace and security. India is a peace-loving country and India has played a very important role in the United Nations in maintaining world peace. India has given its full co¬operation to U.N. to settle international disputes such as:
1. Korean problems:
In 1950 North Korea attacked South Korea. India supported the resolution of the U.N. by which North Korea was declared the aggressor. To stop war U.N. sent forces of sixteen countries and India also participated. ,

2. Indo-China problems. Indian representatives headed the Commission appointed for the maintenance of peace in Indo-China.

3. Congo and Gaza crises. India helped U.N. to the maximum in ending theCivil War in Congo. India was substantially associated with the conversion of the United Nations’ operation in Congo from a non-military to a military force. Lt. General P. S. Gyani from India was the commander of the U.N. forces in Gaza.

4. Iran-Iraq War. India played a very important role in ending Iran-Iraq war.

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 15 India and United Nations

Question 4.
What do you mean by United Nations? Write its main organs.
Or
When was United Nations formed? Write the names of its organs.
Answer:
Meaning of United Nation:
United Nations Organisation is an international organisation which was established after Second World War on October 24,1945. India is the founder member of this organisation. The United Nations represents the second major effort in the twentieth century to achieve the goal of a better world through a general international organisation of the states. U.N.O. is an association of states and its primary objective is maintenance of international peace and security. At present 193 States are the members of the United Nations.

Main organs of United Nations:
There are six organs of U.N-

  1. General Assembly
  2. Security Council
  3. The Economic and Social Council
  4. International Court of Justice
  5. Trusteeship Council
  6. The Secretariat.

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 15 India and United Nations

Question 5.
What are the major organs of the United Nations?
Or
Write down names of the four organs of United Nations.
Answer:
There are six organs of the United Nations. The brief description of these organs is given below:
1. General Assembly:
General Assembly is the biggest organ of the U.N. and it consists of all the members of the U.N. At present 193 states are the members of the General Assembly. Mainly General Assembly is the deliberative body and it also approves the annual budget of the United Nations.

2. Security Council:
Security Council is mainly responsible for the maintenance of international peace and security. The Security Council is the executive body of the United Nations. At present it consists of fifteen members. Five big powers (England, U.S.A., France, Russia, China) are the permanent members of the Security Council and ten are the temporary members elected by the General Assembly for a period of two years.

3. Economic and Social Council:
Economic and Social Council consists of 54 members and they are elected by the General Assembly for a period of three years. This Council is mainly responsible for solving economic and social problems of the world.

4. Trusteeship Council:
Trusteeship Council is responsible for supervising the administration of trust territories. The Trusteeship Council consists of an equal number of administering and non-administering powers.

5. International Court of Justice:
It consists of fifteen judges who are elected by the General Assembly on the recommendation of the Security Council for nine years. International Court of Justice decides the cases between the states.

6. Secretariat:
Secretariat comprises a Secretary General and such staff as the organisation may require. Secretary General is the Chief Administrative Officer of the Secretariat.

Question 6.
Write the names of five countries having veto power in U.N.O.
Or
Write down the names of four permanent members of the Security Council of United Nations.
Answer:
The Security Council of the U.N. consists of 15 members, five of which are permanent. The permanent members are- England, France, U.S.A., Russia and People’s Republic of China. Ten members are non-permanent or temporary. These non-permanent members are elected by the General Assembly for a period of two years. The permanent members of the Security Council enjoy the power of Veto. Veto power is a special power of permanent members by which they can affect the decisions of the Security Council.

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 15 India and United Nations

Question 7.
Enumerate three main organs of the U.N which are considered to be as Legislature, Executive and Judiciary of the U.N.
Answer:
1. General Assembly:
General Assembly is the largest organ of the U.N. It can also be called world parliament, world panchayat or the legislature of the U.N. The General Assembly consists of all the members of U.N. All the deliberative functions are performed by it.

2. Security Council:
Security Council is the executive body of the U.N. consisting of 15 members, of which 5 members are permanent and 10 members are temporary. No decision can take place without the consensus of the Security Council.

3. It considers and approves the budget of U.N.O.

4. International Court of Justice:
It is the Judicial organ or the Judiciary of the U.N. It decides the disputes among different member-states of the U.N. It has 15 Judges.

Question 8.
Mention the main functions of the General Assembly.
Answer:
The General Assembly performs the following functions:

  • The General Assembly can deal with all matters within the scope of the U.N. Charter.
  • It considers and approves the budget of U.N.O.
  • The General Assembly can call the attention of the Security Council to such situations which may endanger world peace.
  • It is empowered to make suggestions for promoting international co-operation in economic, social, cultural and health fields.

Question 9.
Write the names of five countries having Veto Power in United Nations.
Answer:

  1. U.S.A.
  2. Russia,
  3. China,
  4. England
  5. France.

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 15 India and United Nations

Question 10.
Write important specialised Agencies of United Nations.
Answer:

  • UNESCO
  • World Health Organisation (W.H.O)
  • International Labour Organisation (I.LO)
  • Food and Agriculture Organisation (F.A.O).

Very Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
What do you mean by United Nations?
Answer:
United Nations Organisation is an international organisation which was established after Second World War on October 24, 1945. India is the founder member of this organisation. U.N.O. is an association of states and its primary objective is maintenance of international peace and security. At present 193 States are the members of the United Nations.

Question 2.
Write two objectives of United Nations.
Answer:
The aims and purposes of the United Nations as laid down in Article 1 of the Charter are as follow:—
1. To maintain international peace and security.
2. To develop friendly relations among nations.

Question 3.
Write down the names of the principal organs of the United Nations.
Answer:
There are six organs of U.N.

  1. General Assembly
  2. Security Council
  3. The Economic and Social Council
  4. International Court of Justice
  5. Trusteeship Council
  6. The Secretariat.

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 15 India and United Nations

Question 4.
Write the names of five countries having veto power in U.N.O.
Answer:
The Security Council of the U.N. consists of 15 members, five of which are permanent. The permanent members are-England, France, U.S.A., Russia and People’s Republic of China.

Question 5.
Mention two functions of the General Assembly.
Answer:
The General Assembly performs the following functions:

  • The General Assembly can deal with all matters within the scope of the U.N. Charter.
  • The General Assembly can call the attention of the Security Council to such situations which may endanger world peace.

Question 6.
When was United Nations Organisation formed? What is the number of its founder member countries?
Answer:
United Nations organisation was formed on 24th October, 1945. The number of its founder member countries was 51. India is the founder member of this organisation.

Question 7.
Write down the names of four specialised agencies of the U.N.O.
Answer:

  1. UNESCO
  2. World Health Organization (W.H.O.)
  3. International Labour Organization (I.L.O.)
  4. Food and Agriculture Organization (F.A.O.)

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 15 India and United Nations

Question 8.
Write two organs of U.N.O. which are called respectively legislature and executive.
Answer:

  1. Legislature – General Assembly.
  2. Executive – Security Council.

One Line Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
Why was U.N.O. established?
Answer:
The United Nations Organisation was established to stop wars in the world and to promote international peace and security.

Question 2.
Give any one basic principle of the United Nations.
Answer:
A basic principle of the United Nations is to establish the United Nations on the basis of equity of nations.

Question 3.
Write down any one objective of establishing the United Nations.
Answer:
The main objective of the United Nations Organisation is to maintain international peace and security.

Question 4.
Write one important specialised Agency of the United Nations.
Answer:
International Labour Organisation (I.L.O.).

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 15 India and United Nations

Question 5.
Write names of two organs of the United Nations.
Or
Write two main organs of the United Nations.
Answer:

  • General Assembly
  • Security Council.

Question 6.
When was the U.N. Declaration of Human Rights adopted?
Answer:
The U.N. Declaration of Human Rights was adopted on 10 December, 1948.

Question 7.
When was United Nations founded?
Or
When was United Nations established?
Answer:
United Nations was established on 24 October, 1945.

Question 8.
How are the temporary members of the Security Council elected? Answer: The temporary members of the Security Council are elected by the General Assembly.

Question 9.
Who is the present Secretary General of the United Nations Organisation?
Answer:
The present Secretary General of the United Nations is Shri Antonio Guterres.

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 15 India and United Nations

Question 10.
When did India become member of the United Nations?
Answer:
India became member of the U.N.O. in 1945.

Fill in The Blanks

1. India is a founder member of ……………………..  .
Answer:
U.N.O.

2. U.N.O. was established in ……………………..  .
Answer:
1945

3. The U.N.O. has …………………….. principal organs.
Answer:
Six

4. Security Council of …………………….. U.N.O consists of members.
Answer:
15.

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 15 India and United Nations

True Or False Statement

1. U.N.O was established after Second World War.
Answer:
True

2. All members of the U.N.O are sovereign state.
Answer:
True

3. The U.N.O has 10 principal organs.
Answer:
False.

4. Kofi Annan is a General Secretary of U.N.O.
Answer:
False.

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 15 India and United Nations

Choose The Correct Answer

Question 1.
India became the member of U.N.O. in:
(a) 1945
(b) 1947
(c) 1950
(d) 1960.
Answer:
(a) 1945

Question 2.
The number of nations which gathered at San Francisco to formulate U.N. Charter was:
(a) 51
(b) 49
(c) 50
(d) 52
Answer:
(a) 51

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 15 India and United Nations

Question 3.
Who was the first Woman President of the U.N. General Assembly?
(a) Sarojini Naidu
(b) Aruna Asaf Ali
(c) Vijay Luxmi Pandit
(d) Raj Kumari Amrit Kaur.
Answer:
(c) Vijay Luxmi Pandit

Question 4.
Which one of the following is not a permanent member of U.N. Security Council?
(a) Russia
(b) India
(c) China
(d) France.
Answer:
(b) India

Question 5.
How many organs has U.N.O.?
(a) 5
(b) 6
(c) 7
(d) 8
Answer:
(b) 6

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 14 Foreign Policy of India-Determinants and Basic Principles

Punjab State Board PSEB 12th Class Political Science Book Solutions Chapter 14 Foreign Policy of India-Determinants and Basic Principles Textbook Exercise Questions and Answers.

PSEB Solutions for Class 12 Political Science Chapter 14 Foreign Policy of India-Determinants and Basic Principles

Long Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
Explain the various determinants of India’s Foreign Policy.
Or
What do you mean by foreign Policy? Explain the main factors that determine India’s Foreign Policy.
Answer:
Meaning of Foreign Policy. Foreign policy is the set of principles and means adopted by a nation for defining, justifying and securing the objectives of national interests. According to Dr. Mohinder Kumar, “Foreign Policy is a thought out course of action for achieving objectives in foreign relations as dictated by the ideology of national interest.”
Norman Hill defines foreign policy “As the substance of Nation’s efforts to promote its interests vis-a-vis other nations.”

Factors determining India’s Foreign Policy:
A number of factors influence the foreign policy of a nation. India had to formulate its foreign policy after attaining freedom in 1947. The Directive Principles of State Policy have been described in the Constitution of free India and they are to be followed. Following are the principles related to foreign policy:
1. To contribute to international peace and security.

2. To establish just and respectable relations with various nations.

3. To create the feeling of devotion and trust in the nation for international laws and treaties.

4. To encourage the settlement of international disputes by arbitration. Indian leaders, even before attaining independence, started thinking about the principles which the Government of India would follow in its foreign policy after independence. Congress, in 1925, expounded the following four principles with regard to foreign policy:

  • To oppose imperialistic and colonialistic Governments.
  • To support people’s struggle for freedom and equality.
  • To establish world-peace and to develop hatred for wars.
  • To remain aloof from foreign groupism.

Free India has adopted that foreign policy which is based on national interest. Various factors given below have contributed in determining this policy:
1. Geographical Factors:
The geographical factors have contributed a lot in determining India’s foreign policy. India has enormous coastal dimensions- its length is about 3,500 miles. Any country dominating Indian Ocean can easily overpower Indian trade and can pose danger to India politically. The Britishers could rule over India by their sea-power only. So, strong naval forces are required for the security of India and efforts are being directed in this direction. But Indian naval forces will take a long time to be at par with the English, American and Russian naval forces. That is why India has friendly relations with Great Britain.

India shares its boundaries with Pakistan, China, Nepal, Bangla Desh and Myanmar. Some of the provinces of Kashmir State, though under Pakistan at present, have common boundaries with Afghanistan and Russia. China is situated in the north of India. The Himalayas are situated between India and China and they have performed the role of a watchman in the ancient and middle ages. Now the situation has undergone a change because of scientific inventions and production of war weapons. But Chinese aggression in 1962 disillusioned India. India had always tried to improve its relations with Communist China. Besides, India has followed the policy of non¬alignment to avoid strained relations with China.

The Communist and Western Blocs in international politics have tried to maintain friendly relations with India. India’s geographical situation is in the middle of Indian Ocean. It is equally connected with West Asia and South East Asia by sea route. It is not far from China and Russia situated in North. So under these circumstances, it is not safe for India to join either of the two Blocs. India’s policy of non-alignment, in fact is the result of these geographical factors.

2. Historical Background:
Every nation’s foreign policy is under the impact of its historical background. India’s foreign policy, too, is not devoid of this effect. India remained under the British rule for two hundred years and as a result it has more contacts with Great Britain as compared to other nations. After the Second World War and because of changed circumstances, the British themselves ended their rule. Both the countries are friendly with each other even today because of this background.

Historical background has played important role in Indo-Pak relations. Kashmir problem has not been solved so far because Pakistan claims its right over the majority of Muslims whereas Kashmir is an inseparable part of India. The welfare of both the nations lies in the policy of co-operation from geographical point of view, but their historical background embitters their relations.

India’s exploitation and slavery because of imperialism has influenced its foreign policy and how its main principle is to oppose imperialism and colonialism.

3. Economic Factors:
The economic factors of a developing country play a major role in shaping the foreign policy of a nation. Economic considerations influence the foreign policy of even advanced nations like the U.S.A., the Russia, Britain, France etc. India depends on advanced countries for scientific and technological assistance. India has trade links mainly with England and United States of America. India imports machinery and foodstuffs mainly from these countries. Enough of the capital of America and Britain has been invested in Indian factories. India’s foreign policy is favourably inclined towards western capitalistic states. India, during the last few years, has increased its trade relations with Russia also. As Pt. Jawahar Lai Nehru once remarked, “The foreign policy of a country is the outcome of her economic policy.”

(i) Population:
Population, too, affects foreign policy. The progress of a nation can be slack because of its over-population as it has to get assistance from other nations also. A big nation having over-population is weaker than a small nation with less population. We have to depend upon foreign countries for food-stuffs because of growing population. According to Morgenthau, “India’s foreign policy has weakened because of food crisis.”

The return of immigrants from South-East Africa, Sri Lanka, South East Asia and other countries added to India’s population problem which influences India’s foreign policy. The population of immigrants in India is less in proportion to its total population but their number is large in the countries accepting them. Because of this, various problems have arisen between natives and Indian immigrants.

(ii) Natural Resources:
The foreign policy of a nation is undoubtedly, affected by its natural resources. These natural resources play an important role in developing the industry and trade of that nation. America and Russia, because of their abundant natural resources, are self-dependent economically and possess huge military power. These natural resources hold an important place in India’s independent foreign policy.

The proper use of natural resources depends upon other co-factors such as capital, labour, organisation, new social set-up and values. Japan progressed sufficiently even in the absence of these factors and raw-material whereas Myanmar, with all these facilities, didn’t make a headway. The availability of natural resources for a long time properly influences the foreign policy of a nation.

(iii) Technology:
Every nation in the beginning has to depend upon foreign assistance or technology for economic development. For example America depended upon foreign monetary help or technology and Japan took assistance from other countries to strengthen itself. Similarly, Russia depended on foreign help to be an industrial nation. Russian capital made China prosperous after 1949. So India’s dependence on other countries for economic and industrial progress is not surprising but with the economic and industrial development, dependence on other countries lessened. India’s foreign policy will certainly be influenced by capitalistic and technologically prosperous countries as it becomes self-sufficient.

4. National Interest:
National interest has played a remarkable role in formulating foreign policy. On 4th Dec. 1947 while addressing Constituent Assembly, Pt. Nehru said, “Whatever policy you may lay down, the art of conducting the foreign affairs of a country lies in finding out what is most advantageous to the country. We talk about international goodwill and mean what we say but in the ultimate analysis, a Government functions for the good of the country; it governs and no Government dares to do anything which is disadvantageous to the country.
Therefore, whether a country is Imperialist or Socialist or Communist, its foreign minister thinks primarily in the interest of that country.”

Pt. Nehru based India’s foreign policy on non-alignment and establishment of world-peace and paved a way for economic and industrial development. Had India got involved in one of the two power Blocs, it wouldn’t have enjoyed economic help. Thus the policy of non-alignment was adopted, keeping in view the national interests.

India preferred to remain a member of Commonwealth of Nations for national advantage. For the safety of India’s sea boundaries and economic and trade development, it was essential to have relations with British Commonwealth. India, for national interest, indulged in certain activities which can’t be appreciated.

5. Impact of Ideology:
All ideology of a country leaves its deep impact on its foreign policy. The Congress, during national movement, presented various ideologies before the world in international spheres. Congress always favoured world peace, peaceful co-existence and strongly opposed imperialism and colonialism. Congress, on assuming office, had to formulate a foreign policy based on these ideals. Congress was under the impact of Gandhian ideals and principles and so India’s foreign policy was bound to be affected by Gandhism. India’s sympathies for Communist countries are attributed to the influence of Marxism. Pt. Nehru, the maker of India’s foreign policy, was under the impact of western democratic traditions. He liked the qualities of Western democracy and Communism and preferred to avoid their evils. So the policy of non-alignment was adopted.

6. National Struggle:
India’s national movement contributed a lot in the making of its foreign policy.

  • Indians were determined not to make national movement a pawn in the hands of great powers.
  • An awakening was created to play an important role in international politics inspite of remaining a non-aligned state.
  • People were encouraged to oppose colonialism, socialism and colour discriminations
  • People got inspired to participate in freedom struggle.

7. Personal Factors:
The foreign policy of India has been influenced by the individual trait of its great leaders. Pt. Nehru’s ideology has sufficiently affected India’s foreign policy. He was deadly against imperialism, colonialism, fascism and supported peaceful way of solving problems. He favoured friendly co-operation and peaceful co-existence but at the same time he supported the use of power against injustice.

Besides Pt. Nehru, the ideology of Dr. Radhakrishnan, Krishna Menon, Pannikar etc. left its impact on India’s foreign policy in relation with Chinese, in the beginning, was influenced by Pannikar’s personality. So India couldn’t properly judge the nature of its relations with China. As a result of the false reports given by Pannikar, India’s ambassador to China, Pt. Nehru remained in illusion and India faced defeat in Chinese aggression. But the events of 1962 gave realistic touch to India’s foreign policy. The basic as well as practical elements lying in India’s foreign policy were preserved during the regime of late Prime Ministers Shri Lai Bahadur Shastri, Mrs. Indira Gandhi, Mr. Rajiv Gandhi, P.V. Narasimha Rao, Mr. Atal Bihari Vajapyee and at present by Sh. Narinder Modi.

8. Promotion of World Peace:
One of the basic determinants of Indian Foreign policy is world peace. India has always formulated its foreign policy to promote world peace.

9. Principle of Non-alignment:
Principle of non-alignment has played a very important role in formulating foreign policy. India itself is a non-aligned country and so its foreign policy is also based on non-alignment.

Love for peace, toleration, friendly behaviour, co-operation, co- existence are the very pillars of our foreign policy even today but they are based on realism and practicality. Mere slogans for peace are futile-a strong nation with immense military force and capability are essential to give a true meaning to these slogAnswer: India is not interested in aggression and expansion, rather it needs strong military base for self-protection.

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 14 Foreign Policy of India-Determinants and Basic Principles

Question 2.
Describe main basic principles of the Foreign Policy of India.
Or
Write down any six features of India’s Foreign Policy. Explain.
Or
What do you mean by ‘Foreign Policy’? Write any four features of Indian Foreign Policy.
Or
What do you mean by ‘Foreign Policy’? Discuss the principles of ‘Non-Alignment’ and ‘Panchsheel’ under Indian Foreign Policy.
Answer:
Meaning of Foreign Policy:
Foreign policy is the set of principles and means adopted by a nation for defining, justifying and securing the objectives of national interests. According to Dr. Mohinder Kumar, “Foreign Policy is a thought out course of action for achieving objectives in foreign relations as dictated by the ideology of national interest.”
Norman Hill defines foreign policy “As the substance of Nation’s efforts to promote its interests vis-a-vis other nations.”

Factors determining India’s Foreign Policy:
A number of factors influence the foreign policy of a nation. India had to formulate its foreign policy after attaining freedom in 1947. The Directive Principles of State Policy have been described in the Constitution of free India and they are to be followed. Following are the principles related to foreign policy:
1. To contribute to international peace and security.

2. To establish just and respectable relations with various nations.

3. To create the feeling of devotion and trust in the nation for international laws and treaties.

4. To encourage the settlement of international disputes by arbitration. Indian leaders, even before attaining independence, started thinking about the principles which the Government of India would follow in its foreign policy after independence. Congress, in 1925, expounded the following four principles with regard to foreign policy:

  • To oppose imperialistic and colonialistic Governments.
  • To support people’s struggle for freedom and equality.
  • To establish world-peace and to develop hatred for wars.
  • To remain aloof from foreign groupism.

Free India has adopted that foreign policy which is based on national interest. Various factors given below have contributed in determining this policy:
1. Geographical Factors:
The geographical factors have contributed a lot in determining India’s foreign policy. India has enormous coastal dimensions- its length is about 3,500 miles. Any country dominating Indian Ocean can easily overpower Indian trade and can pose danger to India politically. The Britishers could rule over India by their sea-power only. So, strong naval forces are required for the security of India and efforts are being directed in this direction. But Indian naval forces will take a long time to be at par with the English, American and Russian naval forces. That is why India has friendly relations with Great Britain.

India shares its boundaries with Pakistan, China, Nepal, Bangla Desh and Myanmar. Some of the provinces of Kashmir State, though under Pakistan at present, have common boundaries with Afghanistan and Russia. China is situated in the north of India. The Himalayas are situated between India and China and they have performed the role of a watchman in the ancient and middle ages. Now the situation has undergone a change because of scientific inventions and production of war weapons. But Chinese aggression in 1962 disillusioned India. India had always tried to improve its relations with Communist China. Besides, India has followed the policy of non¬alignment to avoid strained relations with China.

The Communist and Western Blocs in international politics have tried to maintain friendly relations with India. India’s geographical situation is in the middle of Indian Ocean. It is equally connected with West Asia and South East Asia by sea route. It is not far from China and Russia situated in North. So under these circumstances, it is not safe for India to join either of the two Blocs. India’s policy of non-alignment, in fact is the result of these geographical factors.

2. Historical Background:
Every nation’s foreign policy is under the impact of its historical background. India’s foreign policy, too, is not devoid of this effect. India remained under the British rule for two hundred years and as a result it has more contacts with Great Britain as compared to other nations. After the Second World War and because of changed circumstances, the British themselves ended their rule. Both the countries are friendly with each other even today because of this background.

Historical background has played important role in Indo-Pak relations. Kashmir problem has not been solved so far because Pakistan claims its right over the majority of Muslims whereas Kashmir is an inseparable part of India. The welfare of both the nations lies in the policy of co-operation from geographical point of view, but their historical background embitters their relations.

India’s exploitation and slavery because of imperialism has influenced its foreign policy and how its main principle is to oppose imperialism and colonialism.

3. Economic Factors:
The economic factors of a developing country play a major role in shaping the foreign policy of a nation. Economic considerations influence the foreign policy of even advanced nations like the U.S.A., the Russia, Britain, France etc. India depends on advanced countries for scientific and technological assistance. India has trade links mainly with England and United States of America. India imports machinery and foodstuffs mainly from these countries. Enough of the capital of America and Britain has been invested in Indian factories. India’s foreign policy is favourably inclined towards western capitalistic states. India, during the last few years, has increased its trade relations with Russia also. As Pt. Jawahar Lai Nehru once remarked, “The foreign policy of a country is the outcome of her economic policy.”

(i) Population:
Population, too, affects foreign policy. The progress of a nation can be slack because of its over-population as it has to get assistance from other nations also. A big nation having over-population is weaker than a small nation with less population. We have to depend upon foreign countries for food-stuffs because of growing population. According to Morgenthau, “India’s foreign policy has weakened because of food crisis.”

The return of immigrants from South-East Africa, Sri Lanka, South East Asia and other countries added to India’s population problem which influences India’s foreign policy. The population of immigrants in India is less in proportion to its total population but their number is large in the countries accepting them. Because of this, various problems have arisen between natives and Indian immigrants.

(ii) Natural Resources:
The foreign policy of a nation is undoubtedly, affected by its natural resources. These natural resources play an important role in developing the industry and trade of that nation. America and Russia, because of their abundant natural resources, are self-dependent economically and possess huge military power. These natural resources hold an important place in India’s independent foreign policy.

The proper use of natural resources depends upon other co-factors such as capital, labour, organisation, new social set-up and values. Japan progressed sufficiently even in the absence of these factors and raw-material whereas Myanmar, with all these facilities, didn’t make a headway. The availability of natural resources for a long time properly influences the foreign policy of a nation.

(iii) Technology:
Every nation in the beginning has to depend upon foreign assistance or technology for economic development. For example America depended upon foreign monetary help or technology and Japan took assistance from other countries to strengthen itself. Similarly, Russia depended on foreign help to be an industrial nation. Russian capital made China prosperous after 1949. So India’s dependence on other countries for economic and industrial progress is not surprising but with the economic and industrial development, dependence on other countries lessened. India’s foreign policy will certainly be influenced by capitalistic and technologically prosperous countries as it becomes self-sufficient.

4. National Interest:
National interest has played a remarkable role in formulating foreign policy. On 4th Dec. 1947 while addressing Constituent Assembly, Pt. Nehru said, “Whatever policy you may lay down, the art of conducting the foreign affairs of a country lies in finding out what is most advantageous to the country. We talk about international goodwill and mean what we say but in the ultimate analysis, a Government functions for the good of the country; it governs and no Government dares to do anything which is disadvantageous to the country.
Therefore, whether a country is Imperialist or Socialist or Communist, its foreign minister thinks primarily in the interest of that country.”

Pt. Nehru based India’s foreign policy on non-alignment and establishment of world-peace and paved a way for economic and industrial development. Had India got involved in one of the two power Blocs, it wouldn’t have enjoyed economic help. Thus the policy of non-alignment was adopted, keeping in view the national interests.

India preferred to remain a member of Commonwealth of Nations for national advantage. For the safety of India’s sea boundaries and economic and trade development, it was essential to have relations with British Commonwealth. India, for national interest, indulged in certain activities which can’t be appreciated.

5. Impact of Ideology:
All ideology of a country leaves its deep impact on its foreign policy. The Congress, during national movement, presented various ideologies before the world in international spheres. Congress always favoured world peace, peaceful co-existence and strongly opposed imperialism and colonialism. Congress, on assuming office, had to formulate a foreign policy based on these ideals. Congress was under the impact of Gandhian ideals and principles and so India’s foreign policy was bound to be affected by Gandhism. India’s sympathies for Communist countries are attributed to the influence of Marxism. Pt. Nehru, the maker of India’s foreign policy, was under the impact of western democratic traditions. He liked the qualities of Western democracy and Communism and preferred to avoid their evils. So the policy of non-alignment was adopted.

6. National Struggle:
India’s national movement contributed a lot in the making of its foreign policy.

  • Indians were determined not to make national movement a pawn in the hands of great powers.
  • An awakening was created to play an important role in international politics inspite of remaining a non-aligned state.
  • People were encouraged to oppose colonialism, socialism and colour discriminations
  • People got inspired to participate in freedom struggle.

7. Personal Factors:
The foreign policy of India has been influenced by the individual trait of its great leaders. Pt. Nehru’s ideology has sufficiently affected India’s foreign policy. He was deadly against imperialism, colonialism, fascism and supported peaceful way of solving problems. He favoured friendly co-operation and peaceful co-existence but at the same time he supported the use of power against injustice.

Besides Pt. Nehru, the ideology of Dr. Radhakrishnan, Krishna Menon, Pannikar etc. left its impact on India’s foreign policy in relation with Chinese, in the beginning, was influenced by Pannikar’s personality. So India couldn’t properly judge the nature of its relations with China. As a result of the false reports given by Pannikar, India’s ambassador to China, Pt. Nehru remained in illusion and India faced defeat in Chinese aggression. But the events of 1962 gave realistic touch to India’s foreign policy. The basic as well as practical elements lying in India’s foreign policy were preserved during the regime of late Prime Ministers Shri Lai Bahadur Shastri, Mrs. Indira Gandhi, Mr. Rajiv Gandhi, P.V. Narasimha Rao, Mr. Atal Bihari Vajapyee and at present by Sh. Narinder Modi.

8. Promotion of World Peace:
One of the basic determinants of Indian Foreign policy is world peace. India has always formulated its foreign policy to promote world peace.

9. Principle of Non-alignment:
Principle of non-alignment has played a very important role in formulating foreign policy. India itself is a non-aligned country and so its foreign policy is also based on non-alignment.

Love for peace, toleration, friendly behaviour, co-operation, co- existence are the very pillars of our foreign policy even today but they are based on realism and practicality. Mere slogans for peace are futile-a strong nation with immense military force and capability are essential to give a true meaning to these slogAnswer: India is not interested in aggression and expansion, rather it needs strong military base for self-protection.

The basic elements of India’s foreign’s policy today are the same what they were previously. The only difference is that idealism was emphasised more in the age of Nehru whereas realism got the upper hand in Shastri-era. But a fine combination of idealism in India’s foreign policy was witnessed under the leadership of Mrs. Gandhi. Shri Morarji Desai, too, preferred to combine idealism and realism in India’s foreign policy. Also under the able leadership Mr. Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and at present Sh. Narender Modi, the same old principles are being emphasised.

Following are the features of India’s foreign policy:

1. The policy of non-alignment.
2. Opposition to imperialists and colonialists.
3. Opposition to the policy of caste, colour and discriminations etc.
4. Friendly relations with other States.
5. Unity of Afro-Asian countries to strengthen mutual economic and political relations.
6. Importance of the principles of United Nations,
7. India is not neutral in International Politics.
8. Panchsheel.
9. National consensus.

1. Non-Alignment:
The main characteristic of India’s foreign policy is non¬alignment. India itself is a non-aligned country and so its foreign policy is also based on non-alignment. In fact India was the first country which initiated the policy of non-alignment which was adopted by most of the countries of Asia and Africa which attained indepedence in the post World- War II period. Pt. Nehru said-as far as possible, we don’t want to associate with power groups which caused two World Wars which can take place in future also. India signed a friendship treaty with Russia in 1971 to make its relations all the more friendly. For this agreement, the critics started condemning India’s foreign policy.

Non-alignment doesn’t mean that India can’t have friendly relations with other countries. The Janata Government, after assuming office in 1977, stressed the policy of real non-alignment. Non alignment is still the best policy for India and in recognition of this fact there is no intention in official or non-official circles to deviate from it. Late Mrs. Gandhi’s foreign policy was truly based on non-alignment. Former Prime Ministers-Rajiv Gandhi, P.V. Narsimha Rao, H.D. Deve Gowda, I. K. Gujral, Atal Bihari Vajpayee followed the principles of non-alignment. At present Sh. Narender Modi is also following the policy of non-alignment.

2. Opposition to Imperialists and Colonialists:
Since India itself remained a victim of British imperialism it has always opposed imperialism and colonalism. India regards imperialism to be injurious to world peace as it leads to war. So Indian leaders by visiting other countries and delivering speeches in U.N. have tried to liberate slave countries from the clutches of imperialistic countries. India has always supported the national movements in the slave countries. Whenever imperialism tried to dominate, India strongly opposed it. When Holland, after the Second World-War, tried to overpower Indonesia, India protested against it.

When England and France attacked Egypt to capture Suez Canal in 1956, India sided with Egypt. In the same way India strived to liberate countries like Malaya, Algeria, Congo and Morocco. India strongly protested against United States of America when it tried to overpower Cuba.

3. Opposition to the policy of caste, colour, discrimination etc. Another basic principle of India’s foreign policy is that it has always raised its voice against the policy of caste and colour discriminations. India has always favoured the abolition of caste system and it has tried to remove caste- ridden policies from the world also. India has consistently raised the question of the treatment of the people of Indian origin in the Union of South Africa and severely condemned the policy of racial segregation followed by the government of South Africa. India also took up the cause of Negroes in United States and non-white population in Rhodesia.

4. Friendly relations with other States:
India is always ready to have friendly relations with other States of the world. India not only improved its friendly ties with Asian countries but with other countries of the world also.

5. Unification of Afro-Asian countries:
India tries to unify Asian and African countries to strengthen economic and political relations. India believes that these countries can unitedly oppose colonialism and create an atmosphere for the freedom of other Asian and African countries. The imperialistic and developed countries believe that Afro-Asian countries will depend upon them for economic and technical help and thus they will dominate them. But the united Afro-Asian countries can successfully face this challenge and safeguard their freedom.

6. Importance to the principles of United Nations:
Much importance has been attached to the principles of United Nations in India’s foreign policy. India has always strived to establish world peace by stopping wars. India has full faith in the capacity of the United Nations to settle the disputes. It was precisely out of this faith that India took the issue of Kashmir to the United Nations. India also extended full support to the United Nations in implementation of its decision by providing military and other personnel. During the Congolese conflict, India made available a large number of contingents to preserve peace in the region.

7. India is not neutral in international politics:
Non-alignment is the very basis of the India’s foreign policy but it doesn’t stand for India’s non¬participation in international politics. Since India has not joined any group, it adopts the policy of rational judgement. In the words of Pt. Nehru-“We can’t and won’t remain neutral when freedom is in danger, justice is challenged or invasion is in progress.”

India is partial neither to Russia nor to America. That is why India, like other non-aligned countries, blamed Soviet Union when Korean war took place and also held America responsible in Vietnam war.

8. Panchsheel:
Panchsheel is another important contribution of India to international politics. The principles became popular when an agreement on the issue of Tibet took place between India and China. Five principles were evolved to maintain friendly ties between the States. These five principles called ‘Panchsheel’ are as given below:

1. The nations should respect each other’s territorial unity and sovereignty.
2. No nation should attack another nation.
3. No nation should interfere in the internal affairs of another nation.
4. All the countries should have peaceful and harmonious co-existence. All the non-aligned countries, including India, participated in

Bandung conference in 1955 and India added five more points to the principles of Panchsheel:
1. To respect fundamental human rights.
2. To protect one’s self alone or collectively, India will retaliate against the attack of another country but won’t initiate war. India heroically faced Chinese attack in 1962 and fought bravely against Pakistan in 1965 and 1971.
3. All the agreements and treaties on the international level will be signed by India independently.
4. India will indulge in secret agreements for its own welfare.
5. India will peacefully settle disputes with different nations.

9. National Consensus:
India’s foreign policy is based on a national consensus. The consensus does not necessarily mean complete indentity of views on all matters but foreign policy issues have seldom been controversial during elections. This has been the case since the days of Jawaharlal Nehru, the prime builder to non-alignment. There have been no wide swings or radical changes in India’s foreign policy, though there has been a shift in emphasis, for instance, on close ties with the U.S.A. or Moscow.

The foreign policy of India under Rajiv Gandhi was based on the basic principles enunciated by Nehru and followed by Shasrti and Mrs. Gandhi. United Front government also followed the same basic principles. Present government is also following the same basic principles.

10. Faith in Disarmament:
India has full faith in disarmament. It means reduction or destruction of armament. India considers race for armaments as a grave threat to the world peace. For the realisation of this end, India has pleaded for disarmament within and outside the United Nations.

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 14 Foreign Policy of India-Determinants and Basic Principles

Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
What is meant by Foreign Policy?
Answer:
Foreign policy is the set of principles and means adopted by a nation for defining, justifying and securing the objectives of national interests. According to Dr. Mohinder Kumar, “Foreign Policy is a thought out course of action for achieving objectives in foreign relations as dictated by the ideology of national interest.” Norman Hill defines foreign policy as: “It is the substance of Nation’s efforts to promote its interests vis-a-vis- other nations.”

Question 2.
What is ‘Panchsheel’? Write the principles of Indian Panchsheel.
Or
What do you mean by Panchsheel?
Answer:
Panchsheel is another important contribution of India to international politics. The principles became popular when an agreement on the issue of Tibet took place between India and China. Five principles were evolved to maintain friendly ties between the two States. These five principles called ‘Panchsheel’ are as given below:

  • Mutual respect for each other’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
  • Non-aggression.
  • Non-intervention in each other’s domestic affairs.
  • Mutual benefit and equality.
  • Peaceful co-existeqce.

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 14 Foreign Policy of India-Determinants and Basic Principles

Question 3.
Describe any four determinants of India’s Foreign Policy.
Answer:
1. Geographical Factors:
The geographical factors have contributed a lot in determining India’s foreign policy. India shares its boundaries with Pakistan, China, Nepal, Bangla Desh and Myanmar. That is why India has always tried to maintain friendly relations with her neighbouring countries.

2. Economic Factors:
Economic factors have largely influenced the Indian policy. Population, national resources, technology etc. have played a remarkable role in determining foreign policy of India.

3. National Interest:
National interest has played a remarkable role in formulating foreign policy. The policy of non-alignment was adopted keeping in view the national interests. India preferred to remain a member of Commonwealth of Nations for national advantage.

4. Promotion of World Peace:
One of the basic determinants of Indian Foreign Policy is world peace. India has always formulated its foreign policy to promote World Peace.

Question 4.
What is the meaning of Non-Alignment?
Or
What do you understand by Non-Alignment?
Answer:
Pt. Nehru, the architect of India’s foreign policy, adopted non-alignment as its base. Following are the meanings derived from the policy of non-alignment.

  • India has not joined any bloc nor will it join any group.
  • The policy of non-alignment is an independent policy.
  • Non-alignment is a policy of peacefulness.
  • Non-alignment does not stand for isolationism.
  • Non-alignment does not mean neutrality in international affairs. Our policy is that there should be active efforts for world peace and it should be given a firm foundation.

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 14 Foreign Policy of India-Determinants and Basic Principles

Question 5.
What is the role of geographical factors in determining the Indian foreign policy?
Or
Explain the geographical determinant of the Indian Foreign Policy.
Answer:
The geographical factor has played a very significant role in determining India’s foreign policy. India has enormous coastal dimensions-its length is about 3,500 miles. Strong naval forces are required for the security of India and efforts are being made in this direction. India has friendly relations with Great Britain. India shares its boundaries with Pakistan, China, Nepal and Burma (Myanmar). The Himalayas, situated between India and China, have performed the role of a watchman in the ancient and middle ages. India has always tried to improve its relations with Communist China, Pakistan, Bangla Desh, Nepal etc.

Question 6.
Explain the constitutional provisions with regard to India’s Foreign Policy.
Answer:
Article 51 of Chapter IV of the Indian Constitution lays down certain principles which are the bases of Indian Foreign Policy. Following are the constitutional bases of the Indian Foreign Policy-

  • To promote international peace and security.
  • To establish just and respectable relations with various nations.
  • To foster respect for international law and treaty obligations in the dealings of organised people with one another.
  • To encourage the settlement of international disputes by arbitration.

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 14 Foreign Policy of India-Determinants and Basic Principles

Question 7.
What is meant by statement that India is opposed to Colonialism and Racialism?
Answer:
1. India has always opposed imperialism and colonialism. India regards colonialism to be injurious to world peace as it leads to war. India has always supported the national movement in the slave countries. India strived to liberate countries like Malaya, Algeria, Congo, Morocco etc.

2. India has always raised voice against the policy of caste, colour and discrimination. India has always condmned the policy of racial discrimination followed by South Africa on every platform. India has opposed the discrimination against the Negroes in America.

Question 8.
What is Indian Nuclear Policy?
Answer:
India has stood for general and complete disarmament within the framework of the United Nations. Addressing the General Assembly, Mr. Rajiv Gandhi, Prime Minister, asked nuclear powers to eliminate all nuclear weapons by the year 2010. India is the sixth country in the world enjoying atomic power by having undertaken a successful experiment in 1974. There are four atomic power centres working in India. But this power is being utilised for peaceful and creative purpose and not for making atomic bomb.

After India conducted nuclear tests in May, 1998 United States and other countries urged India to sign CTBT (Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty) unconditionally. But India reiterated its stand that since the treaty is discriminatory, they are not acceptable to the nation without any change.

Question 9.
Write any four characteristics of Indian Foreign Policy.
Or
Write any three basic principles of India’s Foreign Policy.
Answer:
1. Non-Alignment:
Non-alignment is the basic principle of India’s foreign policy. In fact, India was the first country which initiated the policy of non-alignment which was adopted by most of the countries of Asia and Africa which attained independence in the post world war-II period.

2. Opposition to the policy of Caste, Colour and Discrimination etc. Another basic principle of India’s foreign policy is that it has always raised voice against the policy of caste, colour and discrimination.

3. Opposition to Imperialism:
India has always opposed imperialism and colonialism. India regards imperialism to be injurious to world peace as it leads to war.

4. Faith in United Nations: India is a founding member of the United Nations and has full faith in the aims and principles of the United Nations.

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 14 Foreign Policy of India-Determinants and Basic Principles

Very Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
What is meant by Foreign Policy?
Answer:
Foreign policy is the set of principles and means adopted by a nation for defining, justifying and securing the objectives of national interests. According to Dr. Mohinder Kumar, “Foreign Policy is a thought out course of action for achieving objectives in foreign relations as dictated by the ideology of national interest.”

Question 2.
Write down the principles of Panchsheel.
Answer:
Following are the five principles of Panchsheel:

  • Mutual respect for each other’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
  • Non-aggression.
  • Non-intervention in another’s domestic affairs.
  • Mutual benefit and equality.
  • Peaceful co-existence.

Question 3.
Mention any two determinants of India’s Foreign Policy.
Answer:

  1. Geographical Factors: The geographical factors have contributed a lot in determining India’s foreign policy.
  2. Economic Factors: Economic factors have largely influenced the Indian policy. Population, national resources, technology etc. have played a remarkable role in determining foreign policy.

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 14 Foreign Policy of India-Determinants and Basic Principles

Question 4.
What is the meaning of Non-Alignment?
Answer:
Pt. Nehru, the architect of India’s foreign policy, adopted non-alignment as its base. Following are the meanings derived from the policy of non-alignment.

  • India has not joined any bloc nor will it join any group.
  • The policy of non-alignment is an independent policy

Question 5.
What is meant by statement that India is opposed to Colonialism and Racialism?
Answer:
1. India has always opposed imperialism and colonialism. India regards colonialism to be injurious to world peace as it leads to war. India has always supported the national movement in the slave countries. India strived to libterate countries like Malaya, Algeria, Congo, Morocco etc.

2. India has always raised voice against the policy of caste, colour and discrimination. India has always condmned the policy of racial discrimination followed by South Africa on every platform. India has opposed the discrimination against the Negroes in America.

Question 6.
Write any two characteristics of Indian Foreign Policy.
Answer:

  • Non-Alignment. Non-alignment is the basic principle of India’s foreign policy.
  • Opposition to the policy of Caste, Colour and Discrimination etc.

Another basic principle of India’s foreign policy is that it has always raised voice against the policy of caste, colour and discrimination.

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 14 Foreign Policy of India-Determinants and Basic Principles

One Line Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
What do you mean by Foreign policy?
Answer:
Foreign policy is a group of those rules and principles through which a country establishes its relations with the other country.

Question 2.
In which Articles of the Indian Constitution the principles of foreign policy have been mentioned?
Answer:
In Art. 51 of the Directive Principles, the principles of foreign policy have been mentioned.

Question 3.
What are the main basic principles of the Indian foreign policy?
Answer:

  • Non-alignment
  • Protection of National Interests
  • Opposition to the policy of Apartheid.

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 14 Foreign Policy of India-Determinants and Basic Principles

Question 4.
Who was the main architect of Indian Foreign Policy?
Answer:
Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru was the main architect of Indian foreign policy.

Question 5.
Mention the main feature of Indian Foreign Policy.
Answer:
The main feature of India’s foreign policy is Non-alignment.

Question 6.
What do you mean by Non-alignment?
Answer:
Non-alignment means not to join any group and to have free domestic and foreign policy. It means that India is free and has not joined any group.

Question 7.
Write down any two determining factors of India’s foreign policy.
Answer:

  • Geographical position of India.
  • History of Indian struggle for freedom.

Question 8.
What is the meaning of Panch-Sheel?
Answer:
Panch-Sheel is the group of those five principles which were mentioned in the Preamble of an Agreement between India and China in 1954.

Question 9.
Mention any one element of Panch-Sheel.
Answer:

  • To honour territorial integrity and sovereignty of each other.
  • Peaceful co-existence.

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 14 Foreign Policy of India-Determinants and Basic Principles

Question 10.
Write down any two objectives of the foreign policy of India.
Answer:

  • To defend the territorial integrity.
  • To maintain and encourage international peace and security.

Question 11.
Mention any two principles of India regarding establishment of relations with other countries of the world.
Answer:

  • To promote international peace and security.
  • To establish honourable and peaceful relations among nations of the world.

Fill in The Blanks

1. India became independent in …………………………  .
Answer:
1947

2. ………………………… is main important policy of Indian foreign policy.
Answer:
Non-aligned Movement

3. Baidung conference was held in …………………………  .
Answer:
1955

4. India made its first Nuclear test in …………………………
Answer:
1974

5. So far ………………………… summits have been completed of Non-aligned movement.
Answer:
17.

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 14 Foreign Policy of India-Determinants and Basic Principles

True Or False Statement

1. India is a peaceful country.
Answer:
True

2. India is an imperialist state.
Answer:
False

3. Economic factor effects the Indian foreign policy.
Answer:
True

4. Non-aligned Movement is a main feature of Indian foreign policy.
Answer:
True

5. India is a supporter of Panchsheel.
Answer:
True

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 14 Foreign Policy of India-Determinants and Basic Principles

Choose The Correct Answer

Question 1.
The principles of Panchsheel were first propounded at international level between:
(a) India and China
(b) India and Pakistan
(c) India and Sri Lanka
(d) India and Japan.
Answer:
(a) India and China

Question 2.
‘The foreign policy of a country is the outcome of her economic policy.’ This remark was made by:
(a) Indira Gandhi
(b) Jawaharlal Nehru
(c) Morarji Desai
(d) Charan Singh.
Answer:
(b) Jawaharlal Nehru

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 14 Foreign Policy of India-Determinants and Basic Principles

Question 3.
Main principles of Indian Foreign Policy are:
(a) NAM
(b) Opposition to imperialism
(c) Support to UNO
(d) All of the above.
Answer:
(d) All of the above.

Question 4.
Which out of the following is not the feature of Indian Foreign Policy?
(a) Faith in the aims of UNO
(b) Support for disarmament
(c) Support for colour discrimination
(d) Non-Alignment.
Answer:
(c) Support for colour discrimination

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 13 National Integration

Punjab State Board PSEB 12th Class Political Science Book Solutions Chapter 13 National Integration Textbook Exercise Questions and Answers.

PSEB Solutions for Class 12 Political Science Chapter 13 National Integration

Long Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
Define National Integration. Write suggestions to solve the problems of National Integration in India.
Or
Define National Integration. Explain the difficulties faced in way of National Integration.
Or
Explain three obstacles in the way of National Integration and also give any three suggestions to maintain National Integration in India.
Answer:
National Integration is our basic need. It means national unity or combining all the people of the nation into a single whole. It is a particular sentiment that binds together all people in one common bond. National integration refers to social and political integration within a nation-state. National integration is identifiable by the psychological or attitudinal criterion of an individual’s sense of belonging to his or her own nation. National integration includes nation-building and state-building.

A psychological and educational process……… involving the development of a feeling of unity, solidarity and cohesion, in the hearts of people, a sense of common citizenship (destiny) and a feeling of loyalty to the nation.

National Integration promotes political stability. It is essential to preserve our hard won independence. This problem has assumed new dimensions due to disruptive and divisive forces of communalism and linguism which are raising their ugly head in different parts of the country.

Today India is free but it is like a house divided against its own self. Instead of national integration or unity there is national disintegration. Anti-social and anti-national forces are gaining ground. Prof. R. Bhaskaran rightly observes that we feel the dire need of national integration as there is every fear that clashes can occur here in India due to casteism, communalism, linguism and provincialism. These are the expressions of narrow outlook and activities of the citizens and groups who pursue personal interests above national interests. Though the Indian government has strived to solve the problem of national integration, yet it exists even today.

Hindrances in The Way of National Integration:
There are innumerable hindrances in the way of National Integration owing to linguistic fanaticism, regionalism, separatist tendencies and communalism. Some of these obstacles are as under:
1. Language:
India is a multi-lingual nation. According to the population statistics collected in 1961, 1018 languages are spoken in India and 26 are prominent. They are Hindi, Punjabi, Assamese, Gujarati, Marathi, Bengali, Urdu, English, Tamil, Sindhi, etc. The states were reorganised in 1956 on the lingual basis to promote national integration. But it too, couldn’t solve the problem. Clashes took place in Mumbai over Gujarati and Marathi languages resulting in the division of Mumbai into two parts—Maharashtra and Gujarat in 1960.

Punjab was reconstituted in 1966 on lingual basis, resulting in the formation of Haryana. There is wide-spread grouping in India on the language issue and people are averse to consider this problem open-mindedly, so much so that even now there is no consensus about the national language and though the Constitution has made Hindi the official language, it has been opposed by the southern states in general and by Tamil Nadu in particular.

2. Communalism:
Communalism poses a strong challenge to National Integration. India was partitioned because of Hindu-Muslim communalism and these communal disputes are recurrent even in free India. Communal riots many a time took place in Ranchi, Jabalpur, Indore, Ahmedabad, Aligarh, Muradabad, Jammu & Kashmir. No part of the country is free from communal disturbances. In some parts of the country, religious places are being used for political purposes which is most unfortunate. The communal feelings totally mar the feeling of national unity and hinder the path of National Integration.

3. Casteism:
Casteism is another obstruction in the way of National Integration. Dr. Radhakrishnan, the then Vice-President of India, expressed his view in this context while addressing the first National Integration Conference. He opined that casteism is to be eliminated as a social evil, but it has emerged as a political and administrative evil. Casteism is being staked to win elections and absorb more people in jobs. Shri Jai Prakash Narayan once commented— casteism is the most prominent political party in India. Casteism has crept even into administrative fields.

4. Regionalism:
Regionalism poses another threat to National Integration. Regionalism is largely an outcome of economic and political reasons. The regions which are backward economically launch agitations for their economic development. Even political parties resort to regionalism to strengthen their stand. Akali Dal in Punjab, D.M.K. and Anna D.M.K. in Tamil Nadu, Telgu Desam in Andhra Pardesh —all depended upon regionalism to make themselves strong.

5. Poverty:
Poverty is the greatest hindrance in the way of National Integration. Indian society is replete with poverty. The poor are frustrated to see another class of society being prosperous and so the desperate politicans exploit it to satisfy their political ambitions.

6. Unacceptability of the basic values of the Constitution:
All the political parties do not accept the basic values of the Constitution. The communist and communal parties primarily are opposed to the basic values of Constitution.

7. Lack of Education:Majority of the people in India are illiterate and so the leaders with vested interests easily lead the common people to the path of agitation. Selfish political leaders play with the sentiments of innocent people in the name of religion, caste, language and provincialism to grind, their own axe.

8. Failure of Socialism:
According to Prof. Govind Ram Verma, failure of socialism has all the more complicated problem of National Integration. Had socialism succeeded, all would have enjoyed its fruit. But now unemployment, backwardness, poverty, economic inequality discourage emotional integration creating various political problems.

9. Corruption:
Indian Administration is the very embodiment of corruption which hinders National Integration. People have lost faith in Administration and an atmosphere of chaos and misrule prevails. Such disruptive tendencies severely challenge National Integration.

10. Government’s Policy:
The Government’s policy is considered to be another obstacle in the process of National Integration. The government has miserably failed in curbing disintegrating forces. The Congress leaders have raised voices against casteism, regionalism, communalism from time to time, but it has promoted regionalism and casteism in practice.

11. Sons of the Soil Theory:
Sons of the Soil theory is a serious threat to National Integration. This theory has practically nullified the concept of single Indian citizenship, thereby shaking the very foundation of India’s national unity.

12. Role of Political Parties:
The role of some of the political parties in the process of national integration has been disintegrative and negative. Regional Political Parties have spread the virus of communalism and casteism in the country and thereby they have weakened the process of national integration.

Methods to Remove Hindrances in the way of National Integration:
It is imperative to eliminate all obstacles to achieve National Integration. Here are some of the steps to get rid of these stumbling blocks.

1. Economic Development:
The country should be economically developed to bring about national integration. The possibilities of National Integration can be enhanced by overcoming unemployment, economic inequality, poverty and by properly sharing economic benefits.

2. Reforms in Political Atmosphere:
The political atmosphere in the country should be improved to effect National Integration. The people of different communities, castes and regions lack mutual faith and the same should be inculcated to improve political atmosphere in the country. It will ultimately help in achieving National Integration.

3. Proper Educational System:
Proper Educational System is as vital step to bring about National Integration. The country should have a uniform educational pattern aimed at inculcating the spirit of nationalism among the students who are the future citizens. The teachers in the educational institutions should be nationalists to the backbone.

4. Secularism should be real:
India has been declared a secular state in the Constitution, but it should be put into practice as well. People should be made to develop religious tolerance for other religions.

5. To remove corruption:
The administration should be cleansed of every type of corruption to achieve national integration.

6. Cultural Exchange:
Cultural programmes should be arranged among the people of different communities speaking diverse languages to create national integration.

7. Contribution of Political Parties:
Political parties can significantly contribute to bring about national integration. Political parties should not provoke religious, lingual and regional feelings of the masses for their vested interests, rather they should build a healthy public opinion for national integration.

8. Change in the policies of Government:
The central government must change its policies to create a suitable atmosphere for national integration. The government should give up its discriminatory policies. It should accept the genuine demands of the people without providing an opportunity to launch agitations or movements.

9. Restrictions on Communal Organisations:
Communal organisations should be put under strict control to achieve National Integration. The masses, too, should be enlightened about the propriety of the restrictions imposed upon communal organisations.

Steps taken to achieve National Integration:
The efforts which have been made so far for the achievement of National Integration can be classified under three heads:
1. Legislations passed by the Government.
2. Steps taken by Government and formal organisations.
3. Work done by informal organisations.

1. Legislations passed by the Government:
The government passed two legislations in 1961 to restrict communal propaganda. Any propaganda spreading hatred and enmity among people of different communities was declared a cognizable offence through these legislations. Moreover, there is a provision in the law that if a man is punished under this law, he forefeits his claim to contest elections and to franchise. In 1963, 16th amendment was affected to ensure the unity and sovereignty of the country.

2. Steps taken by Governmental and formal organisations:
A National Integration Conference was held at New Delhi from 28th Sept, to 1st Oct. 1961. The leaders of the political parties, prominent educationists, writers and scientists were invited to participate in it. This conference was of the view that political parties promoted communalism, casteism and regionalism and so they needed a set code of conduct. It contains following points:

(i) No political party should resort to a propaganda creating tension among the communities believing in different religions and speaking different languages.

(ii) The political parties should not launch any movement pertaining to communal, regional and lingual problems.

(iii) Political parties should not disrupt the meeting and exhibitions organised by other parties.

(iv) Political power should not be utilised to fulfil intra-party ends.

(v) The Government shouldn’t impose undesirable restrictions upon the freedom of citizens so that political parties may be able to work freely. The conference formed a National Integration Council consisting of Prime Minister, Home Minister, Chief Ministers of States, seven leaders of political parties, Chairman of University Grants Commission, two educationists, a nominee of scheduled castes and backward classes and seven persons nominated by the Prime Minister.

The Council had to chalk out a code of conduct for the masses, Press and students had to consider the complaints of the minority classes. On 20th June, 1968 the council held its meeting in Srinagar and condemned all tendencies which harm national integration. Communal riots occurred at Ahmedabad in 1969 and at Bhiwandi in May, 1970. The National Integration Council prepared a programme for mass- movement to end communalism. In 1970 the All India Committee of the ruling Congress passed a resolution suggesting that semi-militant and Communal organisations like R.S.S. and Jammait-Islam had no palce in secular society.

In June, 1975, Mrs. Gandhi after declaring internal emergency formed two committees to consider the problem of National Integration. One committee was headed by Brahma Nand Reddy and the second by Prof. Nurul Husan. A meeting was held at Delhi on 28th Nov. 1976, under the chairmanship of Mr. Reddy and seven-point programme was prepared for National Integration. In 1980 National Integration Council was revived. In June, 1987 a meeting of the Committee of National Integration Council was held and it condemned communal and anti-national forces.

Mr. V.P. Singh became Prime Minister on 2nd Dec. 1989. He called meeting of the National Integration Council which at its first meeting in April, 1990 adopted a five-point resolution affirming the resolve of the people to meet the challenges facing the country’s unity, integrity and its secular democratic polity in a united and determined manner.

Reorganisation of National Integration Council 1991. In Oct. 1991 Prime Minister Narsimha Rao reorganised National Integration Council and its members were increased. A meeting of the reconstituted National Integration Council was held on 2nd Nov., 1991 and discussion took place on the methods to maintain communal harmony. In this meeting general consensus was that Babri Masjid should not be touched and Ram Mandir should be built.

Meeting of the Standing Committee of the National Integration Council. On 22nd Oct. 1993 a meeting of the Standing committee of the National Integration Council was held and it supported the actions taken by the government to maintain communal harmony and peace. Reorganisation of National Integration Council-2010. On April, 12, 2010 Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh reorganised National Integration Council. Total members of its organisation is 147. Meeting of National Integration Council was held in Sept. 2013. In this meeting, the Council criticised the communal riots.

3. Work done by informal organisations:
Two informal organisations are prominent
1. Insani Biradri and
2. All India anti-communal committee.
‘Insani Biradri’ was established in 1970. Shri Jai Prakash Narayan was nominated its President and Sheikh Abdullah its Vice-President. But this organisation proved ineffective as it could not define communal organisations. All India Anti-communal Committee was headed by Smt. Subhadra Joshi. This organisation believes that combined forces of communalism are responsible for communal riots and Rashtriya Sawayam Sevak Sangh is prominent of them all.

The sixth conference of this committee was held at Delhi in 1974 and it suggested to put legal restrictions on communal organisations. It is of the view that the representatives of a communal organisation hke Muslim League shouldn’t be given any place in National Integration Council and every effort should be made to secularise educational system.

Conclusion
Thus the way of National Integration is blocked with innumerable hurdles which must be eliminated. It is imperative to develop emotional integration among the diverse communities having diverse languages, religions and diverse customs. So National Integration is necessary because unity is strength. Indians should transcend their petty differences and make Mother India happy, prosperous and united. Let the unity in diversity, the main feature of Indian society, be strengthened for all the times to come.

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 13 National Integration

Question 2.
Discuss the various methods of national integration. What are the four aspects of national integeration?
Answer:
Various methods of National Integration:
National Integration is our basic need. It means national unity or combining all the people of the nation into a single whole. It is a particular sentiment that binds together all people in one common bond. National integration refers to social and political integration within a nation-state. National integration is identifiable by the psychological or attitudinal criterion of an individual’s sense of belonging to his or her own nation. National integration includes nation-building and state-building.

A psychological and educational process……. involving the development of a feeling of unity, solidarity and cohesion, in the hearts of people, a sense of common citizenship (destiny) and a feeling of loyalty to the nation.

National Integration promotes political stability. It is essential to preserve our hard won independence. This problem has assumed new dimensions due to disruptive and divisive forces of communalism and linguism which are raising their ugly head in different parts of the country.

Today India is free but it is like a house divided against its own self. Instead of national integration or unity there is national disintegration. Anti-social and anti-national forces are gaining ground. Prof. R. Bhaskaran rightly observes that we feel the dire need of national integration as there is every fear that clashes can occur here in India due to casteism, communalism, linguism and provincialism. These are the expressions of narrow outlook and activities of the citizens and groups who pursue personal interests above national interests. Though the Indian government has strived to solve the problem of national integration, yet it exists even today.

Hindrances in The Way of National Integration:
There are innumerable hindrances in the way of National Integration owing to linguistic fanaticism, regionalism, separatist tendencies and communalism. Some of these obstacles are as under:
1. Language:
India is a multi-lingual nation. According to the population statistics collected in 1961, 1018 languages are spoken in India and 26 are prominent. They are Hindi, Punjabi, Assamese, Gujarati, Marathi, Bengali, Urdu, English, Tamil, Sindhi, etc. The states were reorganised in 1956 on the lingual basis to promote national integration. But it too, couldn’t solve the problem. Clashes took place in Mumbai over Gujarati and Marathi languages resulting in the division of Mumbai into two parts Maharashtra and Gujarat in 1960.

Punjab was reconstituted in 1966 on lingual basis, resulting in the formation of Haryana. There is wide-spread grouping in India on the language issue and people are averse to consider this problem open-mindedly, so much so that even now there is no consensus about the national language and though the Constitution has made Hindi the official language, it has been opposed by the southern states in general and by Tamil Nadu in particular.

2. Communalism:
Communalism poses a strong challenge to National Integration. India was partitioned because of Hindu-Muslim communalism and these communal disputes are recurrent even in free India. Communal riots many a time took place in Ranchi, Jabalpur, Indore, Ahmedabad, Aligarh, Muradabad, Jammu & Kashmir. No part of the country is free from communal disturbances. In some parts of the country, religious places are being used for political purposes which is most unfortunate. The communal feelings totally mar the feeling of national unity and hinder the path of National Integration.

3. Casteism:
Casteism is another obstruction in the way of National Integration. Dr. Radhakrishnan, the then Vice-President of India, expressed his view in this context while addressing the first National Integration Conference. He opined that casteism is to be eliminated as a social evil, but it has emerged as a political and administrative evil. Casteism is being staked to win elections and absorb more people in jobs. Shri Jai Prakash Narayan once commented— casteism is the most prominent political party in India. Casteism has crept even into administrative fields.

4. Regionalism:
Regionalism poses another threat to National Integration. Regionalism is largely an outcome of economic and political reasons. The regions which are backward economically launch agitations for their economic development. Even political parties resort to regionalism to strengthen their stand. Akali Dal in Punjab, D.M.K. and Anna D.M.K. in Tamil Nadu, Telgu Desam in Andhra Pardesh —all depended upon regionalism to make themselves strong.

5. Poverty:
Poverty is the greatest hindrance in the way of National Integration. Indian society is replete with poverty. The poor are frustrated to see another class of society being prosperous and so the desperate politicans exploit it to satisfy their political ambitions.

6. Unacceptability of the basic values of the Constitution:
All the political parties do not accept the basic values of the Constitution. The communist and communal parties primarily are opposed to the basic values of Constitution.

7. Lack of Education:Majority of the people in India are illiterate and so the leaders with vested interests easily lead the common people to the path of agitation. Selfish political leaders play with the sentiments of innocent people in the name of religion, caste, language and provincialism to grind, their own axe.

8. Failure of Socialism:
According to Prof. Govind Ram Verma, failure of socialism has all the more complicated problem of National Integration. Had socialism succeeded, all would have enjoyed its fruit. But now unemployment, backwardness, poverty, economic inequality discourage emotional integration creating various political problems.

9. Corruption:
Indian Administration is the very embodiment of corruption which hinders National Integration. People have lost faith in Administration and an atmosphere of chaos and misrule prevails. Such disruptive tendencies severely challenge National Integration.

10. Government’s Policy:
The Government’s policy is considered to be another obstacle in the process of National Integration. The government has miserably failed in curbing disintegrating forces. The Congress leaders have raised voices against casteism, regionalism, communalism from time to time, but it has promoted regionalism and casteism in practice.

11. Sons of the Soil Theory:
Sons of the Soil theory is a serious threat to National Integration. This theory has practically nullified the concept of single Indian citizenship, thereby shaking the very foundation of India’s national unity.

12. Role of Political Parties:
The role of some of the political parties in the process of national integration has been disintegrative and negative. Regional Political Parties have spread the virus of communalism and casteism in the country and thereby they have weakened the process of national integration.

Methods to Remove Hindrances in the way of National Integration:
It is imperative to eliminate all obstacles to achieve National Integration. Here are some of the steps to get rid of these stumbling blocks.

1. Economic Development:
The country should be economically developed to bring about national integration. The possibilities of National Integration can be enhanced by overcoming unemployment, economic inequality, poverty and by properly sharing economic benefits.

2. Reforms in Political Atmosphere:
The political atmosphere in the country should be improved to effect National Integration. The people of different communities, castes and regions lack mutual faith and the same should be inculcated to improve political atmosphere in the country. It will ultimately help in achieving National Integration.

3. Proper Educational System:
Proper Educational System is as vital step to bring about National Integration. The country should have a uniform educational pattern aimed at inculcating the spirit of nationalism among the students who are the future citizens. The teachers in the educational institutions should be nationalists to the backbone.

4. Secularism should be real:
India has been declared a secular state in the Constitution, but it should be put into practice as well. People should be made to develop religious tolerance for other religions.

5. To remove corruption:
The administration should be cleansed of every type of corruption to achieve national integration.

6. Cultural Exchange:
Cultural programmes should be arranged among the people of different communities speaking diverse languages to create national integration.

7. Contribution of Political Parties:
Political parties can significantly contribute to bring about national integration. Political parties should not provoke religious, lingual and regional feelings of the masses for their vested interests, rather they should build a healthy public opinion for national integration.

8. Change in the policies of Government:
The central government must change its policies to create a suitable atmosphere for national integration. The government should give up its discriminatory policies. It should accept the genuine demands of the people without providing an opportunity to launch agitations or movements.

9. Restrictions on Communal Organisations:
Communal organisations should be put under strict control to achieve National Integration. The masses, too, should be enlightened about the propriety of the restrictions imposed upon communal organisations.

Steps taken to achieve National Integration:
The efforts which have been made so far for the achievement of National Integration can be classified under three heads:
1. Legislations passed by the Government.
2. Steps taken by Government and formal organisations.
3. Work done by informal organisations.

1. Legislations passed by the Government:
The government passed two legislations in 1961 to restrict communal propaganda. Any propaganda spreading hatred and enmity among people of different communities was declared a cognizable offence through these legislations. Moreover, there is a provision in the law that if a man is punished under this law, he forefeits his claim to contest elections and to franchise. In 1963, 16th amendment was affected to ensure the unity and sovereignty of the country.

2. Steps taken by Governmental and formal organisations:
A National Integration Conference was held at New Delhi from 28th Sept, to 1st Oct. 1961. The leaders of the political parties, prominent educationists, writers and scientists were invited to participate in it. This conference was of the view that political parties promoted communalism, casteism and regionalism and so they needed a set code of conduct. It contains following points:

(i) No political party should resort to a propaganda creating tension among the communities believing in different religions and speaking different languages.

(ii) The political parties should not launch any movement pertaining to communal, regional and lingual problems.

(iii) Political parties should not disrupt the meeting and exhibitions organised by other parties.

(iv) Political power should not be utilised to fulfil intra-party ends.

(v) The Government shouldn’t impose undesirable restrictions upon the freedom of citizens so that political parties may be able to work freely. The conference formed a National Integration Council consisting of Prime Minister, Home Minister, Chief Ministers of States, seven leaders of political parties, Chairman of University Grants Commission, two educationists, a nominee of scheduled castes and backward classes and seven persons nominated by the Prime Minister.

The Council had to chalk out a code of conduct for the masses, Press and students had to consider the complaints of the minority classes. On 20th June, 1968 the council held its meeting in Srinagar and condemned all tendencies which harm national integration. Communal riots occurred at Ahmedabad in 1969 and at Bhiwandi in May, 1970. The National Integration Council prepared a programme for mass- movement to end communalism. In 1970 the All India Committee of the ruling Congress passed a resolution suggesting that semi-militant and Communal organisations like R.S.S. and Jammait-Islam had no palce in secular society.

In June, 1975, Mrs. Gandhi after declaring internal emergency formed two committees to consider the problem of National Integration. One committee was headed by Brahma Nand Reddy and the second by Prof. Nurul Husan. A meeting was held at Delhi on 28th Nov. 1976, under the chairmanship of Mr. Reddy and seven-point programme was prepared for National Integration. In 1980 National Integration Council was revived. In June, 1987 a meeting of the Committee of National Integration Council was held and it condemned communal and anti-national forces.

Mr. V.P. Singh became Prime Minister on 2nd Dec. 1989. He called meeting of the National Integration Council which at its first meeting in April, 1990 adopted a five-point resolution affirming the resolve of the people to meet the challenges facing the country’s unity, integrity and its secular democratic polity in a united and determined manner.

Reorganisation of National Integration Council 1991. In Oct. 1991 Prime Minister Narsimha Rao reorganised National Integration Council and its members were increased. A meeting of the reconstituted National Integration Council was held on 2nd Nov., 1991 and discussion took place on the methods to maintain communal harmony. In this meeting general consensus was that Babri Masjid should not be touched and Ram Mandir should be built.

Meeting of the Standing Committee of the National Integration Council. On 22nd Oct. 1993 a meeting of the Standing committee of the National Integration Council was held and it supported the actions taken by the government to maintain communal harmony and peace. Reorganisation of National Integration Council-2010. On April, 12, 2010 Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh reorganised National Integration Council. Total members of its organisation is 147. Meeting of National Integration Council was held in Sept. 2013. In this meeting, the Council criticised the communal riots.

3. Work done by informal organisations:
Two informal organisations are prominent
1. Insani Biradri and
2. All India anti-communal committee.
‘Insani Biradri’ was established in 1970. Shri Jai Prakash Narayan was nominated its President and Sheikh Abdullah its Vice-President. But this organisation proved ineffective as it could not define communal organisations. All India Anti-communal Committee was headed by Smt. Subhadra Joshi. This organisation believes that combined forces of communalism are responsible for communal riots and Rashtriya Sawayam Sevak Sangh is prominent of them all.

The sixth conference of this committee was held at Delhi in 1974 and it suggested to put legal restrictions on communal organisations. It is of the view that the representatives of a communal organisation hke Muslim League shouldn’t be given any place in National Integration Council and every effort should be made to secularise educational system.

The Four Aspects of National Integeration:
1. Psychological Aspect:
Emotional integration of the people forms a key component of National Integration in India and it is taken to mean the development of a strong brotherhood and fraternity among all its people. It essentially stands for psychological and emotional integration of the people into a nation capable of securing its objectives through integrative behaviour.

2. Economic Aspect:
Economic aspect of National Integration means development of all parts of the country and economic disparities should be minimised.

3. Social Aspect:
Social aspect means all classes and communities of India should get equal oppotunities for development. All people should be treated as equal. There should be no discrimination on the basis of caste, colour, religion, sex etc.

4. Political Aspect: Political demands of different regions of the country should be given due consideration.

Conclusion
Thus the way of National Integration is blocked with innumerable hurdles which must be eliminated. It is imperative to develop emotional integration among the diverse communities having diverse languages, religions and diverse customs. So National Integration is necessary because unity is strength. Indians should transcend their petty differences and make Mother India happy, prosperous and united. Let the unity in diversity, the main feature of Indian society, be strengthened for all the times to come.
Aspects of National Integration. Following are the various aspects of National Integration.

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 13 National Integration

Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
Write down the meaning of National Integration in India.
Or
Write down the meaning of National Integration.
Answer:
National Integration means ur.it” T or combining all the people of the nation into a single whole. It is a particular sentiment that binds together all people in one common bond. National Integration includes nation-building and state-building. In the words of Dr. R.S. Radhakrishnan, “National Integration is not a house which could be built by mortar and bricks. It is not an implementation plan which could be discussed and implemented by experts. Integration, on the contrary, is a thought which must go into the hearts of the people. It is the consciousness which must awaken the people at large.”

Question 2.
What do you know about psychological aspect of National Integration?
Or
What is psychological aspect of National Integration?
Answer:
Emotional integration of the people forms a key component of National Integration in India and it is taken to mean the development of a strong brotherhood and fraternity among all its people. It essentially stands for psychological and emotional integration of the people into a nation capable of securing its objectives through integrative behaviour.

Question 3.
What are the different aspects of National Integration in India?
Answer:

1. Economic Aspect:
Economic aspect of National Integration means development of all parts of the country and economic disparities should be minimised.

2. Social Aspect:
Social aspect means all classes and communities of India should get equal opportunities for development. All people should be treated equal. There should be no discrimination on the basis of caste, colour, religion, sex etc.

3. Political Aspect. Political demands of different regions of the country should be given due considerations.

4. Another aspect of National Integration is psychological.

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 13 National Integration

Question 4.
Explain four hindrances in the way of National Integration.
Or
Write four hindrances in the way of National Integration.
Answer:
1. Language:
India is a multi-lingual nation and in India the role of language has been more disintegrative rather than integrative. So much so that even now there is no consensus about the National Language as Hindi is opposed by some people.

2. Regionalism: Regionalism is a threat to the National Integration. Growing regional feelings have become a burning problem for India.
3. Communalism:
Communalism poses a strong challenge to national integration. Political parties are polluting the political environment by using communal propaganda.

4. Casteism: Casteism is another obstruction in the way of National Integration. The role of caste is growing day-by-day in political affairs.

Question 5.
How are the Communalism and Sons of Soil Principle (Regionalism) important obstacles in the way of National Integration in India?
Or
How does the regionalism influence National Integration in India?
Answer:
Communalism and Regionalism are proving the biggest challenges in the way of National Integration in India.
Communalism:
Communalism poses a strong challenge to National Integration. India was partitioned because of Hindu-Muslim communalism and these communal disputes are recurrent even in free India. Communal riots many a time took place in Ranchi, Jabalpur, Indore, Ahmedabad, Aligarh, Muradabad, Jammu & Kashmir. No part of the country is free from communal disturbances. In some parts of the country, religious places are being used for political purposes which is most unfortunate. The communalistic feelings totally mar the feeling of national unity and hinder the path of National Integration.

Sons of Soil or Regionalism:
Regionalism poses a big threat to National Integration. Regionalism is largely an outcome of economic and political reasons. The regions which are backward economically launch agitations for their economic development. Even political parties resort to regionalism to strengthen their stand.

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 13 National Integration

Question 6.
What is the need of the National Integration in India?
Answer:
National Integration is first and foremost need for any state. Today India is free but it is like a house divided against its own self. Instead of national integration or unity there is national disintegration. Anti-social and anti-national forces are gaining ground. Prof. R. Bhaskaran rightly observes that we feel the dire need of national integration as there is every fear that clashes can occur here in India due to casteism, communalism, linguism and provincialism. These are the expressions of narrow outlook and activities of the citizens and groups who pursue personal interests above national interests. Though the Indian government has strived to solve the problem of national integration, yet it exists even today.

Question 7.
Give any four suggestions to promote National Integration in India.
Answer:
1. Economic Development: The country should be economically developed to bring about national integration.

2. Proper Educational System:
Proper Educational System is a vital step to bring about national integration. The teachers in the educational institutions should be nationalists to the backbone.

3. Reforms in Political Atmosphere:
The political atmosphere in the country should be improved to effect National Integration. The people of different communities, castes and regions lack mutual faith and the same should be inculcated to improve political atmosphere in the country.

4. Secularism should be real: People of India should be made to develop religious tolerance for other religions.

Question 8.
Examine steps taken towards National Integration.
Answer:
After independence many steps have been taken for the achievement of national integration. Following are some of them:
1. In 1961 the government passed two legislations to restrict communal propaganda. Any propaganda spreading hatred and enmity among people of different communities was declared a cognizable offence through these legislations.

2. In 1963, 16th Amendment was effected to ensure the unity and sovereignty of the country.

3. In different meetings of National Integration Council, the issue of National Integration is discussed and suggestions are given for the promotion of National Integration.

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 13 National Integration

Question 9.
What role can Education play in the promotion of National Integration?
Answer:
Proper educational system is a vital step to bring about National Integration. The country should have a uniform educational pattern aimed at inculcating the spirit of nationalism among the students who are the future citizens. The teachers in the educational institutions should be nationalists to the backbone.

Question 10.
What do you mean by political and social aspects of National Integration?
Answer:
For the National Integration of the country, it is very much necessary that full attention should be paid towards the political demands of the people of different 1 parts of India. Political power in the centre should be in the hands of such a party as can have the loyalty and faith of the majority of the people of the country. On the basis of language Indian states were organised. At the centre as well as in all the
states, elected governments are working but still politically, many people are dissatisfied. The demands for the establishment of separate independent states are increasing and creating the atmosphere of political disintegration in the country.

Social aspect of National Integration means that there should be equal justice, treatment and opportunity to all the citizens of India. There should be no social discrimination with any particular community or the people on the basis of caste, religion, creed, sex, property etc. Though untouchability is constitutionally abolished in India, yet practically, in many parts of India, people believe in caste system.

Question 11.
What is National Integration Parishad (Council)?
Answer:
A National Integration Conference was held at New Delhi from 28th Sept, to 1st Oct. 1961. The leaders of the political parties, prominent educationists, writers and scientists were invited to participate in it. This conference was of the view that political parties promoted Communalism, Casteism and Regionalism and so they needed a set code of conduct.

The conference formed a National Integration Council consisting of Prime Minister, Home Minister, Chief Ministers of States, seven leaders of Political Parties, Chairman of University Grants Commission, Two Educationists, a Nominee of Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes and seven persons nominated by the Prime Minister. The National Integration Council in its first meeting gave a direction to the process of National Integration by defining the type of National Integration that was to be secured in India.

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 13 National Integration

Very Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
What do you understand by National Integration?
Answer:
National Integration means uniting or combining all the people of the nation into a single whole. It is a particular sentiment that binds together all people in one common bond. National Integration includes nation-building and state-building.

Question 2.
What do you mean by psychological aspect of National Integration?
Answer:
Emotional integration of the people forms a key component of National Integration in India and it is taken to mean the development of a strong brotherhood and fraternity among all its people. It essentially stands for psychological and emotional integration of the people into a nation capable of securing its objectives through integrative behaviour.

Question 3.
Write any one famous definition of National Integration.
Or
Write any one definition of National Integration.
Answer:
According to Dr. R.S. Radhakrishnan, “National Integration is not a house which could be built by mortar and bricks. It is not an implementation plan which could be discussed and implemented by experts. Integration, on the contrary, is a thought which must go into the hearts of the people. It is the consciousness which must awaken the people at large.”

Question 4.
Discuss any two hindrances in the way of National Integration.
Answer:
1. Language:
India is a multi-lingual nation and in India the role of language has been more disintegrative rather than integrative. So much so that even now there is no consensus about the National Language as Hindi is opposed by some people.

2. Regionalism: Regionalism is a threat to the National Integration. Growing regional feelings have beeome a burning problem for India.

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 13 National Integration

Question 5.
Give any two suggestions to promote National Integration in India.
Answer:

  1. Economic Development: The country should be economically developed to bring about national integration.
  2. Proper Educational System: Proper Educational System is a vital step to bring about national integration. The teachers in the educational institutions should be nationalists to the backbone.

Question 6.
Examine any two steps taken towards National Integration.
Answer:
After independence many steps have been taken for the achievement of national integration. Following are some of them:
1. In 1961 the government passed two legislations to restrict communal propaganda. Any propaganda spreading hatred and enmity among people of different communities was declared a cognizable offence through these legislations.
2. In 1963, 16th Amendment was effected to ensure the unity and sovereignty of the country.

Question 7.
What role can Education play in the promotion of National Integration?
Answer:
Proper Educational system is a vital step to bring about National Integration. The country should have a uniform educational pattern aimed at inculcating the spirit of nationalism among the students who are the future citizens. The teachers in the educational institutions should be nationalists to the backbone.

Question 8.
What do you know about National Integration Parishad (Council)?
Answer:
A National Integration Conference was held at New Delhi from 28th Sept, to 1st Oct. 1961. This conference was of the view that political parties promoted Communalism, Casteism and Regionalism and so they needed a set code of conduct. The conference formed a National Integration Council consisting of Prime Minister, Home Minister, Chief Ministers of States, seven leaders of Political Parties, Chairman of University Grants Commission, Two Educationists, a Nominee of Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes and seven persons nominated by the Prime Minister.

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 13 National Integration

One Line Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
Explain the meaning of National Integration.
Answer:
The real meaning of National Integration is to foster the feeling of association with one nation among those who live in a country having different and diverse cultures.

Question 2.
Give one definition of National Integration.
Answer:
According to Mynor Weiner, “National Integration implies observance of divisive forces that would balkanize the nation and presence of attitudes throughout the society that give preference to national and public interests as distinct from parochial interests.”

Question 3.
Mention any two aspects of National Integration.
Answer:

  1. Political Aspect
  2. Economic Aspect.

Question 4.
What is National Integration Council?
Or
When was National Integration Council formed?
Answer:
National Integration Council is such an institution which aims to promote national development. It was established in 1961.

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 13 National Integration

Question 5.
Who is the founder of the Institution ‘Insani Biradri’?
Answer:
Khan Abdul Guffar Khan.

Question 6.
Why was Insani Biradari formed?
Answer:
To face the dragon of Communalism, an organisation named Insani Biradri was established in 1970.

Fill in The Blanks

1. National integrity depends on ……………..  .
Answer:
National Integration

2. The states were reorganised in 1956 on the …………….. basis to promote National Integration.
Answer:
Lingual

3. According to Sh …………….. caste in India is the most important Political Party.
Answer:
Jai Prakash Narayan

4. There should be planned …………….. development of the whole region of the country for the promotion of national integration.
Answer:
Economic

5. ‘Insani Biradri’ was established in ……………..  .
Answer:
1970.

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 13 National Integration

True Or False Statement

1. Casteism is main hindrance in the way of National Integration.
Answer:
True

2. Poverty is not a hundrance in the way of National Integration.
Answer:
False

3. Illitrate man encourges the National Integration.
Answer:
False

4. Indian administration is the very embodiment of corruption which hinders National Integration.
Answer:
True

5. Insani Biradari was established in 1980.
Answer:
False

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 13 National Integration

Choose The Correct Answer

Question 1.
Main hindrances of National Integration are:
(a) Regionalism
(b) Communalism
(c) Casteism
(d) All of the above.
Answer:
(d) All of the above.

Question 2.
Punjab was reconstituted on lingual basis in:
(a) 1947
(b) 1956
(c) 1966
(d) 1975.
Answer:
(c) 1966

Question 3.
What is the suggestion to remove hindrances in the way of National Integration?
(a) Economic Development
(b) Reform in Political Atmosphere
(c) Proper Educational System
(d) All of the above.
Answer:
(d) All of the above.

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 13 National Integration

Question 4.
Which is one aspect of National Integration?
(a) Political Aspect
(b) Social Aspect
(c) Culture Aspect
(d) All of the above.
Answer:
(d) All of the above.

Question 5.
Which among them is to encourage National Integration?
(a) National Integration Council
(b) Insani Biradri
(c) All India Anti-Communal Committee
(d) All of the above.
Answer:
(d) All of the above.

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 12 Electoral System

Punjab State Board PSEB 12th Class Political Science Book Solutions Chapter 12 Electoral System Textbook Exercise Questions and Answers.

PSEB Solutions for Class 12 Political Science Chapter 12 Electoral System

Long Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
What is meant by people’s participation? What are the reasons of people’s low participation in India?
Or
What is meaning of people’s participation? Explain four reasons of low and poor people’s participation in India.
Answer:
Meaning of People’s Participation:
Political participation broadly refers to a wide spectrum of political activities ranging from the simple act of voting to widespread political activism in the political process. It thus implies several voluntary activities apart from voting during the elections. It may involve joining a political party, participation in a political meeting, demonstration, rally, standing for election to the local bodies, state legislature or parliament, maintaining contacts with the elected representatives, sending petitions to the government for the redressal of grievances of the people and a number of other activities concerned in any way with the political system of the country.

Reasons for Low People’s Participation in Indian Democracy:
India is the biggest demorcratic country in the world. But in India hardly 60% of the voters cast their votes. Following factors are responsible for people’s low participation in elections of India.

  1. Poverty: Majority of the people in India are poor. A poor person remains worried about earning his livelihood and has no time to cast his vote. The poor person does not even think about the elections.
  2. Illiteracy: Majority of the people in India are illiterate. An illiterate person does not understand the importance of the right to vote. Hence illiterate persons don’t go to cast their votes.
  3. Unemployment: Thousands of educated and uneducated people are unemployed in India. They remain indifferent to democracy and do not take interest in elections.
  4. Another reason of low people’s participation is indian democracy are indifferent views of the peoples.
  5. Corruption is another reason for low people’s participation in India.
  6. People do not have enough faith in political parties.
  7. Social and political backwardness is another reason for low people’s participation in media.

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 12 Electoral System

Question 2.
What is meant by Voting Behaviour? Write main determinants of Voting Behaviour in India.
Or
What is meant by Voting Behaviour? Write the factors which determine the Voting Behaviour in India.
Answer:
Samuel Eldersveld writes, The term ‘voting behaviour’ is not new. But it is used of late to describe certain areas of study and type of political phenomena which previously either had not been conceived or were considered irrelevant. Voting behaviour connotes today more than examination of voting records, compilation of voting statistics and computation of electoral shifts.

Students are deeply immersed in analysis of individual psychological process (perception, emotion, motivation) and their relation to political action as well as of industrial patterns, such as the communication process, and their impact on elections. Today we accept the relevance of a host of variables which, if perceived at all fifteen years ago, certainly did not constitute the focus of inquiry into voting behaviour. The term thus, has expanded in meaning and further is construed as but one area of study subscribed within the broader designation of political behaviour.”

Today voting behaviour is regarded as that area or field of political science which is most suitable for study by the application of scientific techniques. According to Bowman and Boyntion the traditional approaches to the study of this subject were of two kinds: those, which emphasised legal and constitutional aspects, aimed at the description and analysis of election laws, qualifications of voters, delimitation of constituencies and voting machinery. For example, description studies of Negro disenfranchisement. Historical accounts of election campaigns also formed part of this group. In other words, which were the result of traditional approach, were more normative and value laden.

‘Whereas the traditional approach to electoral politics is concerned primarily with assessing the quality of election choice and analysing electoral institutions, the empirical and the behavioural approaches have focussed upon the relationship among the determinants of electoral outcomes. Empirical research has attempted to identify the factors contributing to the voting decision, while behavioural research has attempted to construct theoretical generalisations explaining the interconnections of variable accounting for these decisions, making possible the prediction of future voting patterns.’

Analysis of Voting behaviour began in France in 1913, in the United States during the period between the two world wars and in the United Kingdom after the Second World War.

Factors which influence Voting Behaviour:
It is difficult to ascertain voting behaviour of the voters. Prof. Maya remarks that individual may cast his vote to protect his personal interest or that of a group to which he is loyal; he may merely express his preference for the candidate; he may take part in a ritual because it is the thing to do, like celebrating a national holiday; he may express his faith in democracy and his country; he may pass judgement on the government’s record or show his agreement with a party’s general policy; he may study type of the candidate and his party carefully.

Or he may simply flip a coin. All voting is an emotional experience for ditch-diggers and professors alike; and the people vote in the same election, but not all of them vote on it. Many factors influence the voting behaviour and some important factors which influence the voting behaviour are as below:

1. Social Class:
Social class is one of the most important factors which influence the voting behaviour. Social class is the most important determinant of the voting behaviour in the United Kingdom. While the middle class votes for the conservative party, the workers vote for the labour party. Social class is less significant in American elections than in Western Europe, yet people with low incomes tend to support the democratic party while the rich tend to be republicAnswer:

2. Religion:
Religion also influences the voting behaviour to some extent. The Unionist Party wins the overwhelming majority of protestant votes in Northern Ireland. Conservative parties in France dominate more strongly the areas of Bittany and Alsac. American ethnic minorities have tended to support the democratic party, and voting in Canada, Belgium and South Africa is still based on religious ethnic divisions. With Kennedy the candidate in 1960, four out of the five Catholics voted Democratic Party and analysis of 1964 returns indicates that this Catholic support of the Democratic Party continued. As V. D. Key says, probably the best guess is that Kennedy won because of the fact that he was a Catholic.

3. Age:
Age is also a great factor which influences the voting behaviour. Generally older voters tend to vote for conservative parties. Moreover, age reflects the historical period when the elector’s voting habits were being formed. The Michigan Survey Centre reported in 1960 that two-thirds of its respondents who could recall their first vote still identified with the same party, and 56 per cent claimed never to have crossed party lines in a presidential election.

4. Caste:
Caste is another factor which influences the behaviour of voters. In Indian caste plays a very important role in elections. Prof. Rudolph says, “Within the new context of political democracy, caste remains a central element of India’s society even while adapting itself to the values and methods of democratic politics. Indeed, it has become one of the chief means by which the Indian masses have been attached to the process of democratic politics.”

While emphasising the role of caste in the Kerala elections, Prof. Harrison says: “The success of the Kerala Communist Party as the first regional Communist Party in India to capture control of a state government can be explained, above all, to its ability to manipulate politically strategic caste lobbies within linguistic boundaries as in Andhra. The Kerala Communists were able to transform economic despair into a legislative majority because of their footing on regional caste ground, notable among the numerous Ezhaves who provided the necessary majority of constituencies.” .

5. Effect of Individual Personality:
According to Profs. Carr, Berustein and Murphy, one of the most fascinating aspects of political behaviour is the effect of individual personality traits on the voting decision.

6. The influence of Policy Views:
Key is of the opinion that great number of citizens do in fact vote according to their policy preference. In his examinations of Gallup studies ranging from 1936 to 1960, Key found a marked correlation between voters’ views on public policy issues and their support of one party or the other.

7. Party Propaganda: Party campaign and propaganda is also an important factor which influences the voting behaviour to some extent.

8. Money Power: Voters are also influenced by money power, which plays a major part in the election system.

9. Elite Influence. In every political system, howsoever modern, there are bound to be elitist sections who exercise their influence on the masses.

10. Respected and influential leaders:
Sometimes, the choice of voting is made for the vote by others, such as elders, respected persons and influential leaders.

11. Conscious thinking:
The voting decision of a voter may be the result of his conscious thinking effort to discriminate between the different choices open to him.

12. The voter’s choice is made in a concrete situation and his idea about that situation normally affects his choice and thus the general public opinion is likely to have important bearing on people’s voting choice.

Varma and Bhambari write:
Voting choice is, in one way or the other, the function of a process of political decision-making by each individual voter but that does not mean that the individual voter makes the decision in abstract; all the normal political, social and other forces which influence him and some of them are especially whipped up on the election even exert greater influence on him. As a citizen, a voter has own political and social preferences and prejudices which he must take into account while making his voting choice.

It has been traditional in voting research to emphasise the stability of voter’s behaviour and attribute change to a small group of voters, the ‘floating voters’, who lack a consistent image of the political parties and who fail to identify themselves with a particular party. According to Alan Ball, this view that while the vast majority of electors are stable in their voting behaviour, elections are decided by a relatively small, ill-informed and disinterested minority, has been challenged recently on two fronts.

First, American research has pointed to the possibility that the floating voter may not be as politically illiterate, as the more partisan voter, and secondly,and more importantly, British research has shown that electoral changes may not be due only to this small group of voters, but that in fact there is a far large element of instability in voting behaviour than was believed to be the case.

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 12 Electoral System

Question 3.
Explain any six functions of Election Commission of India.
Or
Explain the composition of the Election Commission and explain four functions of National Election Commission in India.
Or
Discuss the six functions of Election Commission of India.
Answer:
India is a sovereign democratic republic. For the successful working of democracy, elections must be held in a non-partisan spirit. The framers of our Constitution were aware of the need to have an independent and impartial agency to conduct free and fair elections in the country. To ensure this, the Constitution has provided an Election Commission to conduct fair elections.

Composition:
The Election Commission consists of the Chief Election Commissioner and such number of other Election Commissioners as the President may from time to time fix. Till 1989, the Election Commission has always been a one man commission in the sense that though the Chief Election Commissioner was always appointed, no other Election Commissioner was appointed. In 1989 the President appointed two Election Commissioners on the eve of the general elections of 1989.

However, the National Front Government, soon after it came to power, decided to abolish these posts and reverted to the earlier position. In October, 1993 the President appointed two Election Commissioners through an ordinance and gave them the same position and status as the Chief Election Commissioner. The Ordinance was challenged by the Chief Election Commissioner T.N. Seshan and the Supreme Court upheld the supremacy of the Chief Election Commissioner over the newly appointed Election Commissioners.

After the judgement given by the Supreme Court on July 1995, the Court has ruled that the Election Commissioners enjoy equal status with the Chief Election Commissioner. The appointment of Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners is made by the President. Before every general elections, the President also appoints, in consultation with the Election Commission, such Regional Commissioners as he considers necessary to assist the Election Commission. At present there are one Chief Election Commissioner and two other Election Commissioners.

The tenure and the service conditions of the Election Commission are determined by the President. Generally the Election Commissioner is appointed for a period of six years. The conditions of service of the Chief Election Commissioner shall not be varied to his disadvantage after his appointment. The Chief Election Commissioner may only be removed when 2/3 majority of the Parliament passes a resolution for his removal. Regional Commissioners can only be removed on the recommendation of the Chief Election Commissioner.

The President or the Governor of a State makes available to the Election Commission such staff as may be necessary for the discharge of its functions.
Functions of the Election Commission. Following are the main functions of the Election Commission:
1. Superintendence, direction and control of the electoral roll for election.

2. To conduct elections to Parliament and legislatures of states and also to the offices of the President and Vice-President.

3. The Election Commission fixes the time-table for the elections.

4. The Election Commission orders a fresh elections in a constituency or at a polling booth if it resorted to malpractices, such as intimidation of voters or burning of polling booths etc. or if it has vitiated the electoral process. On 21st May, 1991 Election Commission countermanded elections in two Parliamentary Constituencies.

5. The Election Commission appoints Returning Officers and Assistant Returning Officers to conduct the elections.

6. The Election Commission allots symbols to various political parties and the candidates.

7. The Election Commission is authorised to recognise a political party. It is the Election Commission that determines what political parties will be recognised at both National and state levels. Election Commission gave recognition to Seven National Political Parties and 59 state level parties.

8. The Election Commissioner is to ensure that only those persons cast their votes, who are entitled to it and that there is no impersonation.

9. The Election Commission decides where polling booths should be set up so that electorates are not required to travel a long distance.

10. The Election Commission is responsible for the safe custody of the ballot boxes and the counting of votes before the results are announced.

11. The Election Commission prepares a code of conduct for all political parties and independent candidates who are contesting elections.

12. The Election Commission supervises the staff deputed by the Union government and the State governments for the election purposes.

13. All election results are announced by the Election Commission. So far 17 elections to the Lok Sabha have been conducted. The Election Commission has acquired considerable prestige and reputation for conducting elections in a fair and free manner.

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 12 Electoral System

Question 4.
Describe the features of the Indian Electoral System.
Answer:
The main features of Indian Electoral system are:
1. Universal Adult Franchise:
In India the system of universal adult franchise has been adopted for the election of Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies. Every person who is a citizen of India and who is not less than eighteen years of age has the right to exercise his vote in election of members of the House of the People and State Legislative Assemblies.

2. Direct Election:
The Constitution provides for the system of direct election of the members of the Lok Sabha and Legislative Assembly of every state by the eligible voters.

3. Joint Electoral System:
The Constitution of India provides for a system of joint electorates. Under the joint electorate system every voter in constituency is entitled to participate in electing representative from the constituency.

4. Single Member Constituency:
The Constitution of India provides for a single member constituency. For this purpose the entire country is divided into 543 constituencies. Belonging voters elect their representatives. But only one representative represents his constituency.

5. Election Commission: The Constitution has provided Election Commission to conduct free and fair elections.

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 12 Electoral System

Question 5.
Explain the main steps of Election process in India.
Or
What is election process? Name all the important stages of Indian election process.
Answer:
India is a democratic country. But India has adopted indirect democracy. Administration is run by the representatives of the people, who are elected for a fixed term. In India election procedure is as given below:

1. Constituencies:
The first important task in elections is delimitation of constituencies. Under Article 327 of the Constitution the Union Parliament is empowered to enact legislation from time to time to provide for the delimitation of constituencies for elections to Parliament and to the state legislatures. Parliament passed the Delimitation Commission Act, 1952. The Act provides for the establishment of a Delimitation Commission for the purpose of delimitating constituencies in each state after every census.

2. List of Voters:
First, temporary list of voters is prepared. If anybody’s name is excluded from the list, he can ask for inclusion of his name. But such a request is to be made within a fixed time.

3. Appointment: Senior staff for election purposes is appointed for supervision.

4. Polling Stations: In each constituency polling stations are established and a fixed number of voters are directed to cast their votes there.

5. Filing of the Nomination Papers: After the announcement of the date of elections, nomination papers are filed in favour of candidates.

6. Withdrawal of Nomination: Candidates are allowed to withdraw their names from elections. But this is to be done before the last date for withdrawal.

7. Scrutiny and Objections:
On the fixed date nomination papers are scrutinised and those papers, which are not proper, are rejected and the names of eligible candidates are announced.

8. Propaganda:
With the announcement of elections, political parties and indepedent candidates start propaganda and try to influence the voters. The party propaganda is carried out through election manifesto of the party, public meetings, door canvassing, pamphlets etc. Electioneering ceases forty- eight hours before the closing hour or polling in each constituency.

9. Polling:
On the day of the polling, a holiday is declared so that each voter can cast his vote. At polling booth voters are given ballot papers and the voter stamps against the name of the candidate whom he wants to vote. After that the voter puts the ballot paper in the ballot box.

10. Counting of votes:
After the polling is over the polling officer seals the ballot boxes in the presence of two representatives of the candidates and sends the ballot boxes at a particular place. On the fixed date ballot boxes are opiened in the presence of the representatives of candidates and votes are counted. A candidate getting the highest votes is declared elected. If a candidate fails to get one-sixth of the votes then he loses his security also.

11. Election Expenses:
Each candidate has to submit the accounts of election expenditure to the Election Commission within forty-five days of the declaration of result. The amount of election expenditure is fixed and if any candidate spends more than the fixed limit then his election is nullified.

12. Election Petition:
If any candidate is not satisfied with the impartiality of election or due to some other reason, he may appeal to the court. The court decides the case and an appeal can be made to the Supreme Court against the decision of the High Court.

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 12 Electoral System

Question 6.
What is meant by Adult Franchise? Write two arguments in favour and two against Adult Franchise.
Or
Write arguments in favour of and against Adult Franchise.
Or
Give arguments for and against Adult Franchise.
Answer:
What is Adult Franchise or Adult Suffrage? With the advent of democracy, there started a heated controversy as to which category of the people in society should be given the right to elect representatives. Some people are of the opinion that the right to vote is a function and it should be given only to those people who use it properly. Some favour property and some favour education as the basis for giving the right to vote to the people. But the majority is of the opinion that all the people should be equally given the right to vote.

By adult franchise we mean that every person, both male and female, above the age of maturity, irrespective of caste, colour, creed, property, education, profession or sex, is entitled to enjoy the right to vote in the elections. The idea underlying this principle is that the final sovereignty lies with the people as a whole and not with a particular section of society. At present nearly all the civilized countries like Britain, U.S.A., Russia, France, India, etc., have adopted this principle of Adult Suffrage’ and accordingly all the adults enjoy the right to vote. The age of attaining maturity is fixed by the State. In Britain it is 18 years, in India it is 18 years, in Switzerland it is 20 years and in Russia it is 18 years.

How Universal Adult Franchise was accepted in different countries? There has been a long struggle for the acceptance of the principle of Universal adult franchise. Many battles had to be fought, all the world over, for making it a reality. Women were not considered equal, politically, socially and legally. Hence women were not given the right to vote. Till the second decade of the twentieth century, no country had adopted Universal Adult Franchise.

New Zealand was the first country to incorporate the provisions for universal adult franchise in 1893. Manhood suffrage was introduced in Great Britain in 1918 whereas Universal Adult Franchise was introduced in 1928. The United States extended franchise to women by the 19th Amendment of the Constitution in 1919. Soviet Union, the land of the October Revolution 1917, introduced universal adult franchise in 1936. Slogan of Liberty, Equality and Fraternity was popularised by the French Revolution of 1789, but it was only in 1945 that universal adult franchise was introduced. In India Universal Adult Franchise was followed in 1950.

Arguments in Favour of Adult Franchise:
The principle of Adult Franchise possesses some fundamental merits which cannot be ignored in the modern age of democracy. The merits are as follows:
1. It is in accordance with democratic principles:
The principle of adult franchise is in accordance with the democratic principles. Democracy is a government of the people by the people and for the people. If the principle of adult franchise is not introduced then the power to govern will pass on to some section of the people instead of remaining with the people and the administration may not be run in the best interests of the masses.

2. National unity:
The system of Universal Adult franchise is quite essential for the maintenance of national unity. If only a section of the people is given the right to vote, then the entire public could not consider the government as its own. The people would be divided into two groups and the people who do not enjoy the right to vote would not extend willing co-operation to the government. This way national unity cannot be achieved. But if the system of Universal Adult Franchise is introduced, then all the citizens would consider the State as their own.

3. Laws affect all alike:
Whatever laws are framed by the government, they are not meant for a particular community or a section of the people but they affect all alike. Only those people should have the power to frame laws to whom they concern. Therefore, the introduction of the principle of Adult Franchise is essential so that everybody gets the right to participate in the election of the representatives. It is only under such circumstances that laws can be framed in accordance with the wishes of the people.

4. Peace and order:
The application of the principle of Adult Franchise lies ‘ in the establishment of peace and order in the State. The laws are framed
by the representatives of the people in accordance with their wishes. That is why the laws are willingly obeyed by the people. The people fully co-operate with the government and the laws are never violated. All this helps in the maintenance of peace and order.

5. All the people pay taxes to the government:
The government collects money from the people in the form of taxes. Now a days both the direct and indirect taxes are imposed upon the people and hence all the people pay taxes. According to democratic principle that money should be spent by those people only who have given it in the form of taxes. Therefore, all the people should have the right to send representative to that body which has the power to impose taxes upon the people.

6. Political education:
An important merit of Adult Franchise is that it gives political education to the people. If a large number of people get the right to vote, it helps in making them politically educated. When all the people participate in the election they are bound to think about the problems of the country. They will try to find out solution to all the problems which are facing the country.

7. It creates spirit of self-respect:
Through the system of Adult Franchise the people develop the spirit of self-respect. People develop the feeling that they have a share in the government of the State and they have a hand in the making of the government. They think themselves a very important part of the machinery of the State. They do not think themselves in any way inferior to anybody.

8. No danger of Revolution:
Another merit of Adult Franchise is that all the people get the right to vote and there is no danger of revolution. There are many reasons for it. First, because of Adult Franchise the government represents the entire mass of public and nobody ever complains against the government. Secondly, if the government does not function in accordance with the wishes of the people, the people can change it. The government represents all the people and no section of society opposes its actions.

9. Representation to minorities:
Due to Adult Franchise minorities also get some representation. Hence the problem of giving representation to the minorities is solved by Adult Franchise.

10. Essential for civil rights:
Every citizen enjoys civil and economic rights. To protect social and economic rights, political rights are essential and right to vote is the most important political right.

Arguments Against Adult Franchise:
There is a large number of people who find fault with the system of Adult Franchise and they put forward the following arguments in support of their viewpoint:
1. Uneducated should not be given the right to vote:
The right to vote is not a natural or an inherent right which everybody can enjoy. In fact it is a sort of special privilege which is conferred only on those persons who are best fitted to utilize it for the welfare of the State. Some people are of the opinion that the right to vote should be given only to the educated people. The educated persons can make a proper use of their rights. An uneducated person cannot understand who is the best candidate out of all.

2. Government of the fools:
The masses are ignorant and illiterate. They do not even possess the capacity or understanding to elect the best candidates and to judge the worth of governmental policy. Therefore to entrust the right of voting to ignorant masses is to welcome dangerous consequences. The system of Universal Adult Franchise establishes a government of the fools because the fools and the ignorant are in a majority in society.

3. Franchise based on property:
Some people are of the view-point that franchise should be based on property. Those who are propertied persons and who pay the taxes should have the right to elect the representatives so that these representatives could frame the laws in accordance with the wishes of the tax payers. But this argument does not carry much weight. Nowadays all the people pay taxes and the laws are applicable to all the people equally.

4. No franchise to women:
Some people are of the opinion that women should not be given the right to vote. They say that women are physically weak and they are not capable enough to take an active part in politics. Their proper place is home and not political field. Their participation in politics will disturb the peace at home. In the modern age even this argument does not carry weight. The women are taking very active and intelligent part in politics.

5. All citizens are not equal:
It is also wrong that all the people are equal. Nature has not created everybody equal. Some are wise from their very birth and others are fools. All the people cannot be given similar type of work because all are not equally competent. Therefore all the people cannot be given the right to vote and the right to contest election on equal footing.

6. Franchise is not a right but a responsibility:
Many scholars consider that the right to vote is not a right but it is a responsibility. The right can be extended only to those persons who are really capable of using it properly. If it is extended to an incompetent person, it proves very useless. Therefore the right to vote should be extended only to the capable and educated persons.

7. Radical legislation:
Another defect of adult franchise is that it helps in the framing of radical legislation. A large number of people are elected who can influence the ordinary citizens by their progressive views. These people adopt progressive measures and they create a new atmosphere in society. These progressive measures create cultural lag in society and the relationship between the present and the past is completely broken.

Conclusion:
There is no doubt that the system of Adult Franchise has been criticised on various grounds and various arguments have been put forward against it but the fact is that the merits of Adult Franchise outweigh its demerits. In the modern age almost all the countries have adopted the system of Adult Franchise. In the absence of Adult Franchise democracy is incomplete and it cannot be a success.

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 12 Electoral System

Question 7.
What do you know of the Direct and Indirect Election system? Also explain their merits and demerits.
Or
Explain the merits and demerits of the system of Direct Election.
Or
Write Merits and Demerits of Direct Election System.
Answer:
In democracy the people elect their representatives and the representatives carry out the wishes of the people. Nowadays almost all the countries have adopted the system of Adult franchise. There are two ways to electing representatives- Direct Election and Indirect Election.

Direct Election:
In the system of Direct election the voters directly participate in election and elect their representatives. The process of direct election is quite simple. Every voter goes to the polling station and records his vote either in favour or against particular candidates. A candidate securing the maximum number of votes is declared elected. This system of election is the most popular and is followed in all democratic countries for electing members of People’s Chamber. All members of the State assemblies and House of People in India are elected directly. Every adult in India exercises the right to vote.

Its Merits.
1. Firstly, direct election is consistent with the principle of democracy. People have direct share in the choice of their representatives and in determining the public policy.

2. Secondly, the system makes the citizens active and alert. Each voter feels that his voice will count in the formation of government and the selection of law-makers. A direct contact between the electors and the representatives stimulates interest in public affairs and develops the sense of public spirit. The system makes people conscious of the rights and duties and is fully in keeping with the democratic principles.

3. Thirdly, the representative elected under this system feels responsible to the people and he tries to keep himself in touch with them and better their conditions.

4. Fourthly, direct election broadens the mental outlook of the citizens since it places before them the national aspects of the social and political problems. The voters are presented the different policies and programmes of the candidates.

5. Fifthly, direct election checks the use of corrupt and unfair means in election.

Its Demerits.
1. Firstly, direct election means political excitement which leads to the election of undesirable candidates. The voters are easily carried away or misled by clever orators. They are swept off their feet by popular passion.

2. Secondly, direct election increases the election expenditure which entails a heavy burden on the public purse.

3. Thirdly, direct election places the final choice of the representatives in the hands of the masses and most of them do not have enough of intelligence or independence to vote for the right type of candidates.

4. Fourthly, direct election means election campaigns and intensive political propaganda for and against different candidates. Many citizens, therefore, who would have proved the best administrators, avoid to contest elections.
This means a great national loss.

Indirect Election:
Indirect election means that the voters do not directly participate in the election of their representatives but choose only an intermediary body which elects the representatives. This intermediary body is usually called the Electoral College. It is a system of Double election. In the first instance, the general mass of voters elect from among themselves a small group of electors. These electors then elect the final representatives who become the members of the legislature.

Thus the final choice of electing the representatives is not that of the general mass of voters but of the intermediary body of electors which the general mass of voters had elected in the first instance. This Indirect Election system is often used for the constitution of second chamber. The Council of States in India, the President of India and the President of U.S.A. are elected by the method of Indirect election.

Its Merits:
1. It is useful where the people are sufficiently educated and politically organized and where the constituencies are very large and unwieldy.

2. The final choice of the representatives is in the hands of a body of select persons who possess superior knowledge and are guided by a keener sense of responsibility. It helps to check popular passion.

3. Clever politicians and orators cannot mislead the few selected people. There is no occasion for any disorder or dislocations taking place as a result of the voters being swayed by political passions. There are neither election campaigns nor party propaganda.

4. This system minimizes the evils of party politics and propaganda.

5. Under this system there are in fact two elections. This involves delay which proves very useful. The Electoral College makes the final choice after cool consideration. The delay makes the situation cool and the electors can vote freely and dispassionately.

Its Demerits.
1. The method of indirect election creates a big gap between the representative and the voters. The representatives do not feel responsible to the primary voters.
2. The voters have no direct participation in the selection of their representatives, and so they take little interest in politics and become negligent on public affairs. The system, therefore, has no educative value.
3. The system gives birth to corruption and political intrigue. The intermediate body of voters has a small membership and can be more easily bribed by a rich and powerful candidate.
4. Actually it leads to more party strifes and in countries where political parties are well organized, election by indirect method has become a mere formality.

Conclusion:
Out of the two methods of elections, the method of Direct Election prevails in most of the countries. In all the democratic countries the representatives to the legislature are elected by the method of Direct Election. The members of the Upper House can be elected through the method of Indirect Election. In India the members of the Rajya Sabha are elected by the method of Indirect Election. The President of India and the President of U.S.A. are also elected by the method of Indirect Election.

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 12 Electoral System

Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
Write down the composition of Election Commission in India.
Or
Write down the composition of the Election Commission.
Answer:
The Election Commission consists of the Chief Election Commissioner and such number of other Election Commissioners the President may appoint from time to time. In October, 1993 the President appointed two Election Commissioners through an ordinance. At present the Election Commission consists of Chief Election Commissioner and two Election Commissioners.

The appointment of Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners is made by the President. Before each general election, the President also appoints, in consultation with the Election Commission, such Regional Commissioners as he considers necessary to assist the Election Commission. The tenure and other service conditions of the Election Commission are determined by the President. Generally the Election Commissioner is appointed for a period of six years. The conditions of service of the Chief Election Commissioner shall not be varied to his disadvantage after his appointment.

Question 2.
Explain any two changing characteristics of Indian Electorate.
Answer:
Important changes have taken place in the character of Indian electorate. Two important changes are as follows:

  1. The Indian voter has become more politicised. Indian electorate are now taking more interest in the political activities of the country. Indian voters are now more conscious politically.
  2. Indian electorate are more concerned with the contemporary events and problems than with the past achievements or activities of the parties.

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 12 Electoral System

Question 3.
Suggest four remedies to improve the Indian Electoral System.
Answer:
Following remedies are suggested to improve the Indian Electoral System:
1. The present electoral system of single-member constituencies should be replaced by a system of proportional representation.

2. Strict action should be taken against those who indulge in booth-capturing and bogus voting. The high powered Committee on electoral reforms recommended a series of legislative measures to eradicate booth-capturing, rigging and intimidation. The recommended steps include ordering of repoll or countermanding not only on the report of the returning officer but also otherwise and vesting the Commission with power of appointment of investigating agencies, prosecuting agencies and asking for the constitution of Special Courts.

3. There should be provision for recall.

4. The elections including the polling should be so conducted that the people are in a position to exercise their franchise freely, without intimidation, coercion, interference, undue inducement by political parties and others.

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 12 Electoral System

Question 4.
Discuss four techniques of election campaign in India.
Answer:

  • Every main political party and sometimes independent candidates issue election manifesto.
  • Political parties and candidates arrange public meetings and processions, by which they try to persuade the voters in their favour through their speeches and personalities.
  • Wall-paintings, posters and big leaflets are other important techniques of election campaign.
  • Slogans is a very popular and influential technique of election campaign.

Question 5.
Write four functions of Election Commission.
Or
Write down any four functions of Election Commission.
Answer:
1. Election Commission supervises, directs and controls the elections. Such elections include election to Parliament, the legislature of every State and the offices of the President and the Vice-President held under the constitution of India.

2. Election Commission prepares electoral rolls and delimitation of constituencies.

3. Election Commission appoints returning officers and assistant returning officers to conduct the election.

4. The allotment of election symbols to a political party and an independent candidate is done by the Election Commission.

Question 6.
Write any four drawbacks of Indian Electoral System.
Answer:
1. Number of Seats:
There is no relationship between the votes secured by a party and its strength in the Assembly or the Parliament. The number of seats secured by a particular party is not proportionate to the voters.

2. Money Power:
Another important drawback of Indian electoral system is the growing influence of money in elections. The expenses incurred on election are so huge that parties tend to give ticket only to a millionaire. The high cost of electioneering has resulted in corrupt practices.

3. Misuse of Public Media:
It is being alleged that the Congress was using the government monopoly in radio and television for the party. This thing has gone a long way in helping the party in power by projecting.its image. These public media have thus been abused.

4. The existing system of election gives more importance to the individual candidate than the’political party.

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 12 Electoral System

Question 7.
Write down four facts which determine the Voting Behaviour in India.
Answer:

  1. Influence of Religion: Religion influences the voting behaviour to a great extent. In India, many parties seek votes on the basis of religion.
  2. Influence of Caste: Caste influences the voting behaviour to a large extent. In India caste plays a very important role in elections.
  3. Party Propaganda: Party campaign and propaganda is also an important factor which influences the voting behaviour to some extent.
  4. Money Power: Voters are also influenced by money power, which plays a major part in the election system.

Question 8.
Write any four stages of Electoral Process in India.
Answer:
In India election procedure is as follows:
1. Constituencies:
The first important task in election is delimitation of constituencies. Parliament passed the Delimitation Commission Act, 1952. The Act provides for the establishment of a Delimitation Commission for the purpose of delimitating constituencies in each state after every census.

2. List of Voters:
First, temporary list of voters is prepared. If anybody’s name is excluded from the list, he can ask for inclusion of his name. But such a request is to be made within a fixed time.

3. Filing of the Nomination Papers. After the announcement of the date of election, nomination papers are filed in favour of candidates.

4. Withdrawal of Nomination:
Candidates are allowed to withdraw their names from elections. But this is to be done before the last date for withdrawal.

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 12 Electoral System

Question 9.
What are the causes of inadequate people’s participation in India?
Or
Why is the level of people’s participation so low in India?
Answer:
India is the biggest democratic country in the world. But in India hardly 60% of the voters cast their votes. Following factors are responsible for people’s low participation in elections of India.
1. Poverty:
Majority of the people in India are poor. A poor person remains worried about earning his livelihood and has no time to cast his vote. The poor person does not even think about the elections.

2. Illiteracy:
Majority of the people in India are illiterate. An illiterate person does not understand the importance of the right to vote. Hence illiterate persons don’t go to cast their votes.

3. Unemployment:
Thousands of educated and uneducated people are unemployed in India. They remain indifferent to democracy and do not take interest in elections.

4. Another reason of low people’s participation in Indian democracy is indifferent view of the peoples.

Question 10.
What do you understand by People’s Participation in a Democracy?
Answer:
Political participation broadly refers to a wide spectrum of political activities ranging from the simple act of voting to widespread political activism in the political process. It thus implies several voluntary activities apart from voting during the elections. It may involve joining a political party, participation in a political meeting, demonstration, rally, standing for election to the local bodies, state legislature or parliament, maintaining contacts with the elected representatives, sending petitions to the government for the redressal of grievances of the people and a number of other activities concerned in any way with the political system of the country.

Question 11.
How does Casteism effect the Voting Behaviour in India?
Answer:
Caste influences the behaviour of voters. In India caste plays a very important role in elections Prof. Rudolph says, “Within the new context of political democracy, caste remains a central element of Indian society even while adapting itself to the values and methods of democratic politics. Indeed, it has become one of the chief means by which the Indian masses have been attached to the process of democratic politics.”

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 12 Electoral System

Question 12.
Explain the meaning of voting behaviour. Describe two major determinants of voting behaviour in India.
Or
Explain voting behaviour in India.
Answer:
In the words of J.C. Plano and R.E. Riggs, “Voting behaviour is a field of study concerned with the ways in which people tend to vote in public elections and reasons they vote as they do.”
In brief, the study of voting behaviour implies two things:

  • Why people exercise their right to vote and
  • Why they exercise their franchise in favour of different candidates.

Some of the important determinants of voting behaviour in India are:

  • Caste of the candidate.
  • Religion of the candidate.
  • Region to which the candidate belongs.
  • Influence of money.

Question 13.
What is the salary and term of the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners?
Or
Write down the tenure of the members of Election Commission.
Answer:
In December, 1993 the Indian Parliament passed the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Conditions of Service) Amendment Act, 1993. As per the provisions of the Act, the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners are paid a salary equal to the salary of a judge of the Supreme Court. Thus, each of them is paid? 250000 per month as salary.

The Act further provides that the Chief Election Commissioner or an Election Commissioner holds office for a term of six years from the date on which he assumes his office. But if the Chief Election Commissioner or an Election Commissioner attains the age of sixty-five years before the expiry of the term of six years, he shall vacate his office on the date on which he attains the said age.

Question 14.
How is the Chief Election Commissioner removed in India?
Or
Describe the method of appointment, tenure and procedure of the removal of Chief Election Commissioner of India.
Answer:
1. The Chief Election Commissioner is appointed by the President subject to the provisions of any law made on that behalf by the Indian Parliament.

2. The Chief Election Commissioner is appointed for a period of six years.

3. The Chief Election Commissioner is removed from his office by an order of the President after an address by each House of Parliament supported by a majority of the total membership of the House and by a majority of not less than two thirds of the members of the House present and voting had been presented to the President in the same session for such removal on the ground of proved misbehavior or incapacity.

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 12 Electoral System

Question 15.
Describe any four features of the Indian Electoral System.
Answer:
The three important features of the Indian Electoral System are the following:

  1. Universal Adult Franchise: In India the system of universal adult franchise has been adopted for the election of members of Lok Sabha and of State Legislative Assemblies.
  2. Direct Election: The Constitution provides for the system of direct election of the members of the House of the People and of Legislative Assembly of every state by the eligible voters.
  3. Joint Electorate System: The Constitution of India provides for a system of joint electorates.
  4. There is a provision of Reservation of seats for the SCs and STs.

Question 16.
What do you mean by Universal Adult Franchise?
Or
What do you understand by Universal Adult Franchise?
Answer: By universal adult franchise we mean that every citizen both male and female, above the age of maturity, irrespective of caste, colour, creed, property, education, profession or sex, is entitled to enjoy the right to vote in the election. The age of attaining maturity is fixed by the state. In England and in India it is 18 years.

Question 17.
Give four arguments in favour of Adult Franchise.
Answer:
The arguments in favour of adult franchise are given below:
1. It is in accordance with democratic principles. The principle of adult franchise is in accordance with the democratic principles.

2. National unity. The system of Universal Adult Franchise is quite essential for the maintenance of national unity. If the system of Universal Adult Franchise is introduced then all the citizens would consider the State as their own.

3. Laws affect all alike. The introduction of the principle of Adult Franchise is essential so that everybody gets the right to participate in the election of the representatives. It is only under such circumstances that laws can be framed in accordance with the wishes of the people.

4. An important merits of Adult Franchise is that it gives political education to the people.

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 12 Electoral System

Question 18.
Give three arguments against Adult Franchise.
Answer:
1. The uneducated should not be given the right to vote. The right to vote is not a natural or an inherent right which everybody can enjoy. The educated persons can make the proper use of their rights. An uneducated person cannot understand who is the best candidate out of all.

2. Government of the fools. The system of Universal Adult Franchise establishes a government of the fools because the fools and the ignorant are in a majority in the society.

3. All citizens are not equal. It is also wrong that all the people are equal. Therefore, all the people cannot be given the right to vote and to contest election on equal footing.

4. Franchise is not a right but responsibility. Therefore the right to vote should be extended only to the capable and educated persons.

Question 19.
What do you mean by Direct Method of Election?
Answer:
In the system of Direct election the votes directly participate in election and elect their representatives, the process of direct election is quite simple. Every voter goes to the polling station and records his vote either in favour or against particular candidates. A candidate securing the maximum number of votes is declared elected. This system of election is the most popular and is followed in all democratic countries for electing members of People’s Chamber. All members of the State assemblies and House of People in India are elected directly. Every adult in india exercises the right to vote.

Question 20.
What is meant by Indirect Method of Election?
Answer:
Indirect elections means that the voters do not directly participate in the election of their representatives but choose only an intermediary body which elects the representatives. This intermediary body is usually called the Electoral College. It is a system of Double election. In the first instance, the general mass of voters elect from among themselves a small group of electors. These electors then elect the final representatives who become the members of the legislature.

Thus the final choice of electing the representatives is not that of the general mass of voters but of the intermediary body of electors which the general mass of voters had elected in the first instance. This Indirect Election system is often used for the constitution of second chamber. The Council of States in India, the President of India and the President of U.S.A are elected by the method of Indirect election.

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 12 Electoral System

Question 21.
Distinguish between Direct election and Indirect election methods.
Or
Differentiate between Direct and Indirect Election System.
Answer:
In the system of direct election the voters directly participate in election and elect their representatives. But in indirect election the voters do not directly participate in the election of their representatives but choose an intermediary body which elects the representatives. This intermediary body is usually called the Electoral College. It is a system of double election. In India all members of the state assemblies and Lok Sabha are elected directly. The Rajya Sabha in India, the President of India and the President of U.S.A. are elected by the method of indirect election.

Question 22.
What is Indirect Democracy?
Answer:
In indirect democracy people participate in law-making indirectly. People elect some representatives and these representatives act according to the wishes of the people. Their main aim is to promote the welfare of the people. They frame laws of the State and run the administration for the best interests of the people. The entire country is divided into equal electoral constituencies and from each constituency one representative is elected. The representatives are elected for a fixed period and after the expiry of their term fresh elections are held. This system prevails in almost all the countries of the world today.

Question 23.
Write four merits of Indirect Election.
Answer:

  • It is useful where the people are sufficiently educated and politically organised.
  • Indirect election minimizes the evils of party politics and propaganda.
  • The method of indirect election is less expensive because the number of voters is small.
  • Clever politicians and orators cannot mislead the few selected people.

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 12 Electoral System

Question 24.
Write four demerits of Indirect Election.
Answer:

  1. The method of indirect election creates a big gap between the representatives and the voters. The representatives do not feel responsible to the primary voters.
  2. The voters have no direct participation in the selection of their representatives and so they take little interest in politics and become negligent in public affairs.
  3. Indirect election encourages corruption because the number of voters is very small and therefore it is easier to purchase their votes. Besides money other methods are also used to pressurise the voters.
  4. Actually it leads to more parties.

Question 25.
Write four merits of Direct Election.
Answer:

  1. Direct election is consistent with the principle of democracy. People have direct share in the choice of their representatives.
  2. The representative elected directly feels responsible to the people and he tries to keep himself in touch with them and works to better their conditions.
  3. Direct election system makes the citizen active and alert. A direct contact between the electors and the representatives stimulates interest in public affairs and develops the sense of public spirit.
  4. Direct election checks the use of correct and unfair means in elections.

Question 26.
Write four demerits of Direct Election.
Answer:

  1. Direct election means political excitement which leads to the election of undesirable candidates. The voters are easily carried away or misled by clever orators.
  2. Direct election increases the election expenditure which entails a heavy burden on the public purse.
  3. Thirdly, direct election places the final choice of the representatives in the hands of the masses and most of them do not have enough of intelligence or independence to vote for the right type of candidates.
  4. Many citizens, who would have proved the best administrators, avoid to contest elections. This means a great national loss.

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 12 Electoral System

Very Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
Write the composition of Indian Election Commission.
Answer:
The Election Commission consists of the Chief Election Commissioner and two other Election Commissioners. The appointment of Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners is made by the President. Generally the Election Commissioner is appointed for a period of six years. The conditions of service of the Chief Election Commissioner shall not be varied to his disadvantage after his appointment.

Question 2.
Discuss two techniques of election campaign in India.
Answer:

  • Every main political party and sometimes independent candidates issue . election manifesto.
  • Political parties and candidates arrange public meetings and processions, by which they try to persuade the voters in their favour through their speeches and personalities.

Question 3.
Write down any two functions of Election Commission.
Answer:
1. Election Commission supervises, directs and controls the elections. Such elections include election to Parliament, the legislature of every State and the offices of the President and the Vice-President held under the Constitution of India.
2. Election Commission prepares electoral rolls and delimitation of constituencies.

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 12 Electoral System

Question 4.
Which two conditions are necessary for the successful functioning of electoral system in India?
Answer:
The following three conditions are essential for the successful functioning of electoral system in India.
1. Independence of Election Commission:
For the successful functioning of electoral system in India it is essential that the Election Commission should be independent.

2. Check on Money Power:
A major drawback of Indian electoral system is the growing influence of money in election. For fair election it is essential that the role of money power in election should be controlled.

Question 5.
Mention any two drawbacks of Indian Electoral System.
Answer:
1. Number of Seats:
There is no relationship between the votes secured by a party and its strength in the Assembly or the Parliament. The number of seats secured by a particular party is not proportionate to the voters.

2. Money Power: Another important drawback of Indian electoral system is the growing influence of money in elections.

Question 6.
Write any two factors which influence Voting Behaviour.
Answer:

  1. Influence of Religion: Religion influences the voting behaviour to a great extent. In India, many parties seek votes on the basis of religion.
  2. Influence of Caste: Caste influences the voting behaviour to a large extent. In India caste plays a very important role in elections.

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 12 Electoral System

Question 7.
Describe any two preliminary stages of election procedure in India.
Answer:
In India election procedure is as follows:
1. Constituencies:
The first important task in election is delimitation of constituencies. Parliament passed the Delimitation Commission Act, 1952. The Act provides for the establishment of a Delimitation Commission for the purpose of delimitating constituencies in each state after every census.

2. List of Voters:
First, temporary list of voters is prepared. If anybody’s name is excluded from the list, he can ask for inclusion of his name. But such a request is to be made within a fixed time.

Question 8.
What is the reason for people’s low participation in Indian democracy?
Answer:
1. Poverty. Majority of the people in India are poor. A poor person remains worried about earning his livelihood and has no time to cast his vote. The poor person does not even think about the elections.

2. Illiteracy. Majority of the people in India are illiterate. An illiterate person does not understand the importance of the right to vote. Hence illiterate persons don’t go to cast their votes.

Question 9.
What do you understand by Political Participation in a Democracy?
Answer:
Political participation broadly refers to a wide spectrum of political activities ranging from the simple act of voting to widespread political activism in the political process. It thus implies several voluntary activities apart from voting during the elections.

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 12 Electoral System

Question 10.
Mention any two features of the Indian Electoral System.
Answer:
The two important features of the Indian Electoral System are the following:

  1. Universal Adult Franchise: In India the system of universal adult franchise has been adopted for the election of members to Lok Sabha and to State Legislative Assemblies.
  2. Direct Election: The Constitution provides for the system of direct election of the members to the House of the People and to Legislative Assembly of every state by the eligible voters.

Question 11.
What do you mean by Universal Adult Franchise?
Answer:
By universal adult franchise we mean that every citizen both male and female, above the age of maturity, irrespective of caste, colour, creed, property, education, profession or sex, is entitled to enjoy the right to vote in the election. The age of attaining maturity is fixed by the state. In England and in India it is 18 years.

Question 12.
Give two statements in favour of Universal Adult Franchise.
Or
Give two arguments in favour of Adult Franchise.
Answer:
The arguments in favour of adult franchise are given below:
1. It is in accordance with democratic principles. The principle of adult franchise is in accordance with the democratic principles.
2. National unity. The system of Universal Adult Franchise is quite essential for the maintenance of national unity. If the system of Universal Adult Franchise is introduced then all the citizens would consider the State as their own.

Question 13.
Give two arguments against Adult Franchise.
Answer:
1. The uneducated should not be given the right to vote. The right to vote is not a natural or an inherent right which everybody can enjoy. The educated persons can make the proper use of their rights. An uneducated person cannot understand who is the best candidate out of all.

2. Government of the fools. The system of Universal Adult Franchise establishes a government of the fools because the fools and the ignorant are in a majority in the society.

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 12 Electoral System

Question 14.
What is meant by Direct and Indirect Election?
Answer:
In the system of direct election the voters directly participate in election and elect their representatives. But in indirect election the voters do not directly participate in the election of their representatives but choose an intermediary body which elects the representatives.

Question 15.
Write any two merits of Indirect Election.
Answer:

  • It is useful where the people are sufficiently educated and politically organised.
  • Indirect election minimizes the evils of party politics and propaganda.

Question 16.
Mention any two demerits of Indirect Election.
Answer:

  1. The method of indirect election creates a big gap between the representatives and the voters. The representatives do not feel responsible to the primary voters.
  2. The voters have no direct participation in the selection of their representatives and so they take little interest in politics and become negligent in public affairs.

Question 17.
Write any two merits of Direct Election method.
Answer:

  1. Direct election is consistent with the principle of democracy. People have direct share in the choice of their representatives.
  2. The representative elected directly feels responsible to the people and he tries to keep himself in touch with them and works to better their conditions.

Question 18.
Write four demerits of Direct Election.
Answer:

  1. Direct election means political excitement which leads to the election of undesirable candidates. The voters are easily carried away or misled by clever orators.
  2. Direct election increases the election expenditure which entails a heavy burden on the public purse.

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 12 Electoral System

One Line Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
What is Electorate?
Answer:
That part of the total population which participates in election of its representatives is collectively called Electorate.

Question 2.
What is the criterion (basis) for a person to cast vote in India?
Answer:
A citizen, who is eighteen years old or above this age, has the right to cast vote.

Question 3.
What principle of Enfranchisement has been adopted in India?
Answer:
Principle of Universal Adult Frachise.

Question 4.
In which chapter and in which Articles of the Indian Constitution the electoral system has been described?
Answer:
The electoral system has been described in the 15th chapter of the Indian Constitution from Art. 324 to 329.

Question 5.
Write one feature of Indian electoral system.
Answer:
Joint electorate system has been adopted for the election.

Question 6.
Write the composition of Election Commission of India.
Answer:
In the Election Commission, there is a Chief Election Commissioner and a few other Election Commissioners.

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 12 Electoral System

Question 7.
How the members of Election Commission are appointed?
Answer:
According to the Constitution, the appointment of the members of the Election Commsission is made by the President.

Question 8.
How is the Chief Election Commissioner appointed?
Answer:
The Chief Election Commissioner is appointed by the President.

Question 9.
Mention the tenure of the members of the Election Commission.
Answer:
The tenure of the members of the Election Commission is fixed by President after framing laws for it. Usually this tenure is six years.

Question 10.
Write one function of Election Commission of India.
Answer:
The main function of the Election Commission is to conduct elections for Parliament and State Legislatures and to prepare electoral rolls.

Question 11.
In India, how many elections have been held so far for the Constitution of Lok Sabha?
Answer:
Till now, there have been 17 elections for the Constitution of Lok Sabha.

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 12 Electoral System

Question 12.
In which year, elections to the first Lok Sabha were held in India?
Answer:
The elections for the first Lok Sabha in India were held in 1952.

Question 13.
Which two elections are conducted by Indirect Electoral Process in India?
Answer:
1. President
2. Vice-President.

Question 14.
Which two elections are conducted in India through direct election process?
Answer:
1. Election of Lok Sabha 2. Election of Legislative Assembly.

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 12 Electoral System

Fill in The Blanks

1. …………….. number of elections of Lok Sabha have so far been conducted in India.
Answer:
Seventeen

2. Mass political consciousness has been encouraging electoral …………….. in India.
Answer:
Participation

3. The Chief Election Commissioner can be removed by the ……………..  .
Answer:
Parliament

4. At present, there are …………….. members in Election Commission.
Answer:
Three

5. For election to the Lok Sabha or State Legislative Assemblies, India has adopted a …………….. system of representation.
Answer:
Territorial.

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 12 Electoral System

True Or False Statement

1. The Parliament, through 61st Amendment, reduced the minimum voting age from 21 to 18.
Answer:
True

2. 1st Lok Sabha election was held in 1950, and 15th Lok Sabha election was held in 2004.
Answer:
False

3. In India, there is Universal Adult Franchise.
Answer:
True

4. Main drawback of Indian electroal system is the growing influence of money in elections.
Answer:
True

5. The bye election will be held within six months from the date the vacancy occurs.
Answer:
True

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 12 Electoral System

Choose The Correct Answer

Question 1.
Which is the biggest democratic country in the world?
(a) Japan
(b) India
(c) U.K.
(d) U.S.A.
Answer:
(b) India

Question 2.
The Chief Election Commission is appointed by:
(a) Parliament
(b) President
(c) Prime Minister
(d) Governor.
Answer:
(b) President

Question 3.
How many members are there in Election Commission?
(a) one
(b) two
(c) three
(d) four.
Answer:
(c) three

PSEB 12th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 12 Electoral System

Question 4.
Election Commissioner in India is appointed for a period of:
(a) 4 years
(b) 7 years
(c) 6 years
(d) 5 years.
Answer:
(c) 6 years

Question 5.
In India the voting is fixed at the age of:
(a) 14 years
(b) 17 years
(c) 18 years
(d) 15 years.
Answer:
(c) 18 years