Class 10 Social Science Chapter 16 Gender, Religion and Caste (Civics) PYQ

Class: X Subject: Social Science Session: 2025-26 Book: Political Science Type: PYQ (Board Exam) Board: CBSE Chapter 3 : Gender, Religion and Caste

SECTION A : Multiple Choice Questions (1 Mark Each)

Q1. Which of the following divisions is unique to India? [CBSE 2023] [1]
(a) Religious division
(b) Caste division
(c) Gender division
(d) Economic division Ans:
(b) Caste division. While religious and gender divisions exist everywhere, the caste system is unique to India, based on hereditary social hierarchy. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Q2. When we speak of gender division, we usually refer to: [CBSE 2022] [1]
(a) Biological difference
(b) Social roles assigned to men and women
(c) Legal difference
(d) Economic difference Ans:
(b) Social roles assigned to men and women. Gender division is not biological but based on social expectations and unequal treatment of men and women in society. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Q3. What is communalism? [CBSE 2024] [1]
(a) Living in a community
(b) Belief that religion is the basis of social community and politics
(c) Secularism
(d) Nationalism Ans:
(b) Belief that religion forms the principal basis of social community and political identity. Communal politics treats people of one religion as opposed to others. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Q4. The percentage of women in Indian state assemblies is barely: [CBSE 2021] [1]
(a) 5%
(b) 10%
(c) 33%
(d) 50% Ans:
(a) 5%. Despite being half the population, women have extremely low representation in state assemblies and Parliament. The situation has improved only marginally. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Q5. Which of the following is a secular state feature in India? [CBSE 2020] [1]
(a) State has its own religion
(b) State has no official religion
(c) Only one religion is followed
(d) Religious leaders run the government Ans:
(b) State has no official religion. Indian Constitution provides freedom of religion, prohibits discrimination on religious grounds, and allows state intervention to ensure equality. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Q6. The caste system in India is based on: [CBSE 2023] [1]
(a) Wealth and income
(b) Hereditary occupational division
(c) Education level
(d) Place of birth Ans:
(b) Hereditary occupational division. Traditionally, castes were linked to occupations. One was born into a caste and could not change it. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Q7. Which of the following promotes social division in politics? [CBSE 2022] [1]
(a) Expression of social divisions
(b) Accommodation of diversity
(c) When one community dominates others and suppresses them
(d) Equal representation Ans:
(c) When one community demands dominance over others and suppresses them. Healthy expression of social divisions is actually beneficial for democracy. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Q8. What is a secular state? [CBSE 2024] [1]
(a) State that promotes one religion
(b) State that has no official religion and treats all religions equally
(c) State without any religion
(d) State that bans religion Ans:
(b) A state that has no official religion and treats all religions equally. India, France, and Turkey are examples of secular states. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Q9. Family laws in India cover which of the following? [CBSE 2021] [1]
(a) Only marriage
(b) Marriage, divorce, adoption, and inheritance
(c) Only property rights
(d) Criminal matters Ans:
(b) Marriage, divorce, adoption, and inheritance. In India, different religions have different family laws (personal laws), which sometimes create gender inequality. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Q10. Assertion
(a) : Caste alone cannot determine election results in India. Reason (R): No single caste forms a majority in any constituency. [CBSE 2024] [1]
(a) Both true and (R) correctly explains
(a)
(b) Both true but (R) does not explain
(a)
(c)
(a) is true but (R) is false
(d)
(a) is false Ans:
(a) Both true and (R) correctly explains
(a) . Since no single caste is a majority, parties must win support from multiple castes, making caste alone insufficient for electoral victory. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

SECTION B : Short Answer Questions (3 Marks Each)

Q11. How is the gender division a form of hierarchical social division? Explain. [CBSE 2023] [3] • Domestic Labour: Women do most unpaid housework and childcare. This is not valued economically, making women financially dependent on men. • Low Representation: Women constitute half the population but have less than 10% representation in Parliament. Only 5% in state assemblies. • Wage Gap: Women are paid less than men for equal work. They face discrimination in education, property rights, and career opportunities in many parts of India.

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Q12. What is communalism? How does it pose a threat to Indian democracy? [CBSE 2024] [3] • Definition: Communalism is the belief that people of the same religion form one community with common interests that are opposed to other religious communities. • Extreme Form: It can lead to riots, violence, and even genocide. India has witnessed communal riots in 1984, 1992, and 2002 causing immense suffering. • Threat to Unity: Communalism divides society on religious lines, weakens national unity, and undermines the secular fabric of the Constitution.

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Q13. Explain how caste has entered Indian politics in various ways. [CBSE 2022] [3] • Vote Banks: Political parties choose candidates based on caste composition of constituencies. They appeal to caste sentiments during elections. • Caste Coalitions: No single caste forms a majority, so parties try to build coalitions of different castes. This leads to multi-caste alliances. • Reservation Politics: Demands for reservation in education and jobs based on caste have become major political issues, leading to movements and counter-movements.

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Q14. What is the relationship between religion and politics in India? [CBSE 2021] [3] • Secular Constitution: India is constitutionally secular - no state religion, freedom of religion guaranteed, and no discrimination based on religion. • Political Mobilisation: Despite secularism, political parties sometimes use religious symbols and sentiments to mobilise voters during elections. • Positive Aspects: Expression of religious needs in politics is not always negative. It can lead to protection of minority rights and resolution of genuine grievances.

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Q15. Explain any three constitutional provisions that make India a secular state. [CBSE 2020] [3] • No Official Religion: Unlike Pakistan or England, India does not have any official state religion. The government does not favour any particular religion. • Freedom of Religion: Article 25-28 guarantee every citizen the right to profess, practice, and propagate any religion of their choice. • Anti-Discrimination: The Constitution prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion. The state cannot deny anyone equality before law based on religious identity.

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SECTION C : Long Answer Questions (5 Marks Each)

Q16. "Social divisions of one kind or another exist in most countries." How do democracies handle these divisions? [CBSE 2024] [5] Ans: Democracies handle social divisions through multiple mechanisms: • Constitutional Safeguards: Fundamental rights protect individuals from discrimination. Reservation policies ensure representation of marginalised groups. • Accommodation: When social differences overlap with each other (e.g., race and poverty), they deepen divisions. Democracies try to break such overlapping through inclusive policies.

• Representation: Democratic elections allow all groups to participate. Reserved seats for SCs, STs, and women ensure their voice in governance. • Rule of Law: Equal treatment under law regardless of caste, religion, or gender. Independent judiciary protects rights of minorities. • Dialogue: Democratic politics provides space for peaceful expression of grievances through protests, media, and elections rather than violence. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Q17. "Caste can take various forms in politics and politics can influence caste system." Analyse. [CBSE 2023] [5] Ans: Caste and politics have a complex two-way relationship: • Caste in Politics: Parties select candidates based on caste. Voters sometimes vote along caste lines. Caste-based vote banks influence election outcomes. • Politics in Caste: Political mobilisation has brought disadvantaged castes into mainstream. Reservation policies have changed the social hierarchy. • Positive Changes: Caste politics has given voice to previously oppressed communities. OBC, SC, and ST leaders now hold powerful positions.

• Negative Effects: Sometimes caste politics promotes division, casteism, and prevents development from becoming the main election issue. • Evolving Nature: No single caste wins elections alone. Parties need cross-caste support. Urbanisation and education are slowly reducing caste rigidity. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Q18. How does communalism threaten the fabric of Indian democracy? Suggest measures to counter it. [CBSE 2022] [5] Ans: Communalism is a serious threat to India: • Violence: Communal riots have killed thousands. The 1984 anti-Sikh riots, 1992 Babri Masjid demolition, and 2002 Gujarat riots are tragic examples. • Division: It divides society along religious lines, creating mistrust between communities and undermining national unity. • Counter Measures: Strict enforcement of law during communal tensions. Police and administration must act impartially regardless of community.

• Education: Promoting secular values through education, interfaith dialogue, and celebrating shared cultural heritage can reduce communal prejudice. • Constitutional Spirit: Upholding the secular principles of the Constitution, ensuring equal treatment of all religions, and preventing political misuse of religion. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Q19. Describe the role and status of women in Indian political life. [CBSE 2021] [5] Ans: Women face significant challenges in Indian politics: • Low Representation: Women constitute about 14% of Lok Sabha MPs (as of 2024). In state assemblies, it is often less than 10%. • Local Level Success: At Panchayat level, 33% reservation (now 50% in some states) has brought millions of women into governance. • Barriers: Patriarchal attitudes, lack of education, economic dependence, and violence against women in politics discourage participation.

• Women's Reservation Bill: The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam (2023) reserves 33% seats in Lok Sabha and state assemblies for women, pending implementation. • Progress Needed: While laws exist, real change requires addressing social attitudes, providing education and economic independence, and supporting women candidates. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Q20. Explain why it is important for democracies to accommodate social diversities. [CBSE 2020] [5] Ans: Accommodating diversity is essential for democratic success: • Prevents Conflict: When groups feel excluded, they may resort to violence. Sri Lanka's civil war is an example of what happens when diversity is not accommodated. • Strengthens Democracy: Including diverse voices in decision-making leads to better policies that address needs of all sections of society. • Legitimacy: A government that represents all sections of society enjoys greater legitimacy and public trust than one dominated by a single group.

• National Unity: India's diversity is its strength. Accommodating linguistic, religious, and caste identities through power sharing has kept India united. • Constitutional Mandate: The Indian Constitution guarantees equality, freedom of religion, and protection of minority rights - all requiring active accommodation of diversity. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ --- End of Chapter 3 PYQ ---