Most Important Questions

What steps did the French revolutionaries take to create a sense of collective
identity among French people?

● They introduced the ideas of la patrie (the fatherland) and le citoyen (the citizen), emphasising
the concept of a united community enjoying equal rights under a Constitution.
● They chose a new French flag, the tricolour, to replace the royal standard.
● The Estates General was elected by the body of active citizens and renamed the National
Assembly.
● In the name of the nation, new hymns were composed, oaths taken and martyrs
commemorated.
● They adopted a uniform system of weights and measures.
● They promoted the French language, as spoken and written in Paris and discouraged regional
dialects.
 Most Important Questions
What changes did Napoleon introduce to make the administrative
system more efficient in the territories ruled by him?

● He established the Civil Code of 1804, also-known as the Napoleonic Code.

● This did away with all privileges based on birth. It established equality before law and
secured the right to property.
● He abolished the feudal system and freed - peasants from serfdom and manorial dues
● In towns, guild systems were removed. Transport and communication systems were
improved.
● A common currency and standardised weights and measures were introduced.
 Most Important Questions

What were the main provisions of the Treaty of Vienna held in 1815?

The main intention was to restore the monarchies that had been overthrown by
Napoleon, and create a new conservative order in Europe.
● The Bourbon dynasty was restored to power.
● France lost the territories it had annexed under Napoleon.
● A series of states were set up on the boundaries of France to prevent
French expansion in future.
● Prussia was given new territories including Saxony on the western border,
Austria to control northern Italy, Russia to get Poland.
 Most Important Questions
How did culture play an important role in creating the idea of the
'nation' in Europe? Explain with examples.

● Romanticism, a cultural movement in Europe developed a particular form of nationalist

sentiment. Romantic artists and poets criticised the glorification of science and reason.

● German philosopher Johann Gottfried Herder claimed that true German culture was to
be discovered among the common people (das volk) in their folk song, folk poetry and
folk dances

● In Poland Karol Kurpinski celebrated the national struggle through opera and music.

● Vernacular languages and folklores strengthen the national spirit.

 Most Important Questions

Who was Otto Von Bismarck? Describe His role in making of Germany?

● Otto Von Bismarck was the chief minister (chancellor) who was the chief architect in
the unification of Germany.
● Under the leadership of Otto von Bismarck, Prussia assumed command of the
movement to unify Germany.
● With the assistance of the Prussian army and bureaucracy. Prussians fought three wars
with Austria, Denmark, and France over the course of seven years, all of which
culminated in victory for Prussia and the unification of Germany.
● On January 18, 1871, Prussian King William I was proclaimed German Emperor.
● The unified state of Germany had modern currency, banking, legal and judicial system.
 Most Important Questions
Describe the implications of First World War on the economic and political
situations of India.

● Increase in defence expenditure which was financed by war loans.

● Custom duties were raised and income tax was introduced.
● Increased prices of essential commodities led to extreme hardship for the
common people.

● Forced recruitment of villagers into armies caused widespread anger

among them.
● Crop failure and influenza epidemic.
 Most Important Questions
The Civil Disobedience Movement was different from the Non-Cooperation
Movement. Support the statement with example.

Non Cooperation Movement Civil Disobedience Movement

● Movement associated with withdrawing
cooperation from British raj.
● Launched in 1921 after the Nagpur session.
● Due to Khalifat issues, Muslim community
participated in Non cooperation
movement on large scale.
● In this movement women did not
participate in large scale.
● The Non cooperation movement was
withdrawn by Gandhiji due to violent
incident at Chauri Chaura.
● Cooperation was withdrawn and along with this
authorities were disobeyed also.
● Launched in 1930 after salt March.
● The growing proximity of the Congress party and
Hindu mahasabha prevented the muslims to
participate in Civil Disobedience Movement.
● Large scale participation of women is one of the
most significant features of the Civil Disobedience
Movement.
● The Civil Disobedience Movement was withdrawn
in 1931, when Gandhiji signed Gandhi Irwin Pact.
 Most Important Questions
Why did the Non Cooperation Movement gradually slow down in towns and
cities?

● Khadi clothes were very costly and beyond the of the poor.
● Boycott of daily use products was also not possible because of lack of
swadeshi industries.
● Boycott of foreign institutions too could not continue for long. There were
no alternative institutions to fill the gap.
 Most Important Questions

Describe the spread of Non-Cooperation Movement in the countryside.

● In Awadh, Baba Ramchandra organised peasants’ movement against the

oppression of the landlords and talukdars. They even formed the Oudh Kisan
Sabha.
● Nai - dhobi bandhs were organised.
● Houses of talukdars and merchants were attacked.( sanctioned under the name
of Gandhi)
● Alluri Sitaram Raju led the tribal movement. Tribals demanded their traditional
rights over forests.
● The tribals used violence in their struggle against the colonial laws.
 Most Important Questions

Why did Gandhi ji choose ‘Salt’ as the symbol of his Civil Disobedience Movement?

Gandhiji choose salt as a powerful symbol form the civil disobedience movement because:
● Salt is consumed by both the poor and the rich, and is one of the most essential items of
food everywhere in the world.
● The British government had the monopoly on the production of salt in India.
● By imposing a ‘salt tax’ the government hit both the rich and the poor, specially the poor.
 Most Important Questions
How had a variety of culture processes developed a sense of collective
belongingness in India during the 19th century? Explain the examples.

● Personification of Bharat Mata

● National Song ‘Vande matram’
● Folklore : Rabindranath Tagore and Natesha Sastri
● Use of icons and symbols
● Rediscovery of India’s past
 Most Important Questions

Explain the causes of the Great Depression in the US between 1929-30.

I. Oversupply and overproduction problems.

II. Low demand, high unemployment.
III. Reduction in purchases due to diminished savings.
IV. The failure of banks, which was the impact of the stock market crash as more people
withdrew their savings from the banks leading to closure.
 Most Important Questions

What problems were faced by the Indian cotton weavers in the 19th century? Describe.

The Indian cotton weavers faced many problems in the 19th century:
● Their export collapsed.
● The local market shrank being flooded by the Manchester imports. This increased
competition for domestic producers.
● By 1860, Indian weavers could not get sufficient supply of raw cotton of good quality.
This happened because a Civil War had broken out in America and the cotton supplies
from the US to Britain were cut off and Britain turned to India.
● As raw cotton export from India increased, the price of raw cotton shot up.
 Most Important Questions
Describe the significance of silk routes in the pre-modern period in the field of trade
cultural exchange and religion.

● Silk routes were existed since before the Christian era and flourished till the 15th century.
● The significance of silk routes were as follows
● Along the silk routes, the silk cargoes from China, Indian spices and textiles, gold and silver
from Europe were carried to different parts of the world.
● The Buddhist preachers, Christian missionaries and later on, Muslim preachers travelled
along these routes.
● These routes proved to be a great source of trade and cultural links between distant world.
parts of the Thus, it can be concluded that silk routes are a good example of trade and
cultural link between distant parts of the world.
 Most Important Questions

What role did Print play in occurrence of French Revolution of 1789?

● Print popularised the ideas of the Enlightenment thinkers. The writings of Voltaire and
Rousseau were read widely; and those who read these books saw the world through new eyes,
eyes that were questioning, critical and rational.
● Print created a new culture of dialogue and debate. All values, norms and institutions were
re-evaluated.
● By the 1780s there was an outpouring of literature that mocked the royalty and criticised their
morality. This literature circulated underground and led to the growth of hostile sentiments
against the monarchy.
● Print did not directly shape their minds, but it did open up the possibility of thinking
differently.
 Most Important Questions

What was Vernacular Press Act? Why was it passed in colonial India?

● After the revolt of 1857, the attitude of colonial government to freedom of the press
changed. As vernacular newspapers became assertively nationalist, the colonial
government began debating measures of stringent control.
● In 1878, the Vernacular Press Act was passed, modelled on the Irish Press Laws
● It provided the government with extensive rights to censor reports and editorials in the
vernacular press.
● The government kept regular track of the vernacular newspapers published in different
provinces. When a report was judged as seditious, the newspaper was warned,
sometimes the printing machinery confiscated.
 Most Important Questions

Evaluate the impact of print technology on poor people and women in India.

Effect of Print on poor people in colonial India :

● Public libraries were set up from the early twentieth century, expanding the access to books to even poor people.
● Kashibaba, a Kanpur millworker, wrote and published Chhote Aur Bade Ka Sawal in 1938 to show the links between
caste and class exploitation
● By the 1930s, Bangalore cotton mill workers set up libraries to educate themselves
Effect of Print on women in colonial India:
● Liberal husbands and fathers began educating their womenfolk at home, and some even sent them to schools. But not
all families were liberal.
● Rashsundari Debi, a young married girl in a very orthodox household, learnt to read in the secrecy of her kitchen. Later,
she wrote her autobiography Amar Jiban which was published in 1876.
● A few Bengali women like Kailashbashini Debi wrote books highlighting the experiences of women – about how
women were imprisoned at home, kept in ignorance, and forced to do hard domestic labour.
● Ram Chaddha published the fast-selling conservative book Istri Dharm Vichar to teach women how to be obedient
wives.
 Most Important Questions
Mention three problems that are associated with the indiscriminate use
of resources.

The following three problems are the result of indiscriminate use of resources:
● Depletion of resources for satisfying the greed of few individuals.
● Accumulation of resources in few hands, which in turn has divided the society into two
segments-rich and poor.
● Indiscriminate exploitation of resources has led to global ecological crises such as
global warming, ozone layer depletion, environmental pollution and land degradation.
 Most Important Questions
“Resource planning is a complex process” Justify the statement with
arguments.

● Identification and inventory of resources across the regions of the country, which
involve surveying, mapping and measuring the quality as well as quantity of the
resources.
● Evolving a proper planning structure for the development of the resources by using
appropriate skill, technology and institutional set up.
● Matching of resource development plans with overall national development plans.
 Most Important Questions

Suggest any six measures to solve the problem of land degradation.

The following measures can help to solve the problem of land degradation

● Afforestation over deforested areas.

● Proper management of grazing on permanent pastures.
● In areas where desertification has taken place, growing thorny bushes.
● Proper discharge and disposal of industrial effluents after treatment.
● Planting of shelter belts.
● Control on mining activities.
 Most Important Questions
“Consequences of environmental degradation do not respect national or state
boundaries.” Justify the statement.

● It is true that the consequences of environmental degradation is now a global issue and discussed all
over the world. They are not restricted to the nation or state boundary. The consequences are felt in
the surrounding states, nations and also globally.
For example:
● Air pollution through massive thermal power plant and other sources, in India causes pollution in
Nepal, Bangladesh, etc.
● Our neighbours also experience increase in asthma and other lung diseases. Acid rain, climate change,
etc are some issues which are transcontinental in consequences.
● Land Degradation and dam burst like conditions in China affect India and Bangladesh as it brings
massive siltation and flood consequences.
● Therefore, environmental degradation is a major issue and its consequences are felt worldwide.
 Most Important Questions
Describe how communities have conserved and protected forests and
wildlife in India?

● Efforts of local community in conservation e.g. Sariska Tiger reserves against mining,
Alwar district of Rajasthan for wildlife conservation.

● Chipko movement in Himalayas against deforestation.

● Beej Bachao Andolan in Tehri and Navdanya for diversified crop production.

● Joint forest management (JFM) started in 1988 in odisha where both government and
public worked together for the restoration of forests.
 Most Important Questions
Explain any three methods of forest conservation adopted by the
Government of India after independence.

Methods of forest conservation adopted by the Government of India are

● The Government of India has implemented the Indian Wildlife (protection) Act in 1972
for conservation of wildlife and forests.

● The government has classified forests into three categories such as reserved forests,
protected forests and unclassed forests.

● The Central and many State Governments established national parks, wildlife
sanctuaries and biosphere reserves to protect forest and wildlife of India.
 Most Important Questions

How many cropping seasons are found in India? Explain them.

Kharif Rabi Zaid

Sowing period Onset of monsoon In winter March - April

[June - July] [October - November]

Harvesting period In September - October Summer [March - April] May - June

Crops Paddy, maize, jowar, bajra, Wheat, barley, peas gram and Watermelon, muskmelon,
tur, moong, urad, cotton, mustards. cucumber, vegetable and
jute, groundnut and soybean. fodder crops.

Irrigation Rainfall Western temperate cyclone and Private source of irrigation

canals Ex. Tubewell, lakes & well
 What are ‘Institutional Reforms’? Enlist various institutional reforms taken by the Indian
Government to bring about improvements in agriculture.

Steps taken by the government to bring about improvements in agriculture are termed as
‘Institutional Reforms’.
● Collectivisation and consolidation of land holdings to make them economically viable.
● Cooperation with farmers and Abolition of Zamindari system.
● Establishment of ‘Grameen Banks’, Cooperative Societies and Banks for providing loan
facilities to the farmers at lower rates of interest.
● Special weather bulletins and agricultural programmes for farmers were introduced on
the Radio and TV.
● Announcement of minimum support price, remunerative and procurement prices for
crops to check the exploitation of farmers by speculators and middlemen and removing
the elements of uncertainty
 Most Important Questions
What is the meaning of manufacturing industry? Why is it considered the
backbone of economic development?

Production of good in the factories in large quantities after processing from raw
materials to move valuable products is called manufacturing industry.
● It helps in modernizing agriculture and reduces heavy dependence of people
on agriculture.
● Industries eradicate the problem of unemployment and poverty reducing
regional disparities.
● Brings the much needed foreign exchange.
● Diversifying industries helps in adding prosperity.
 Most Important Questions

Agriculture and industries are complementary to each other? Explain

1. Agro industries in India have given a major boost to agriculture by raising its productivity.

2. Industries depend on agriculture for their raw material.

3. Industries sell that products such as irrigation pumps, fertilisers, etc. to the farmers.

4. Industries have made the production processes of agriculture very efficient.

5. Agriculture provides a huge market and consumer base for the industrial products.
 Most Important Questions
Explain five factors affecting the localisation of industries with suitable
examples.

I. Availability of raw materials

II. Water source

III. Climate

IV. Labour

V. Capital
 Most Important Questions

“Roadways have an edge over Railways”. Support the statement with example.

● Construction cost of roads is much lower.

● Constructed easily in hilly terrains and undulating topography.

● Roadways act as a feeder to other modes of transport.

● Economical in transportation of few person and relatively smaller amount

of goods.

● Road transport provides door to door services.

 Most Important Questions
How has the distribution pattern of the railway network in the country been
largely influenced by physiographic and economic factors? Explain with examples.

● Introduction
● Level lands of northern plains of India with high density of population, rich agricultural
resources and greater industrial activity have favoured the development of railways.
● The rugged terrain of the Himalayan mountain region in the north and north-eastern states
with sparse population and lack of economic opportunities is unfavourable for the
construction of railway lines.
● Sparsely populated sandy deserts of Rajasthan, hilly contiguous tracts of the Sahyadri swamps
of Gujarat, forested tracks of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Jharkhand, the
floodplains of Bihar and Assam have posed great difficulty in laying of railway lines.
● The Konkan railway were developed along the west coast in spite of problem of sinking of
tracks and landslides because of the economic significance.
 Most Important Questions
The pace of change has been rapid in modern times and has impacted the
ways of communication as well. In light of the given statement explain the
variety of means of communication that are used in India in the current times.

1. All India Radio (Akashwani) broadcast a variety of programmes in national,

regional and local languages.
2. India’s television network - Doordarshan has multiple channels broadcasting a
variety of programmes from news, entertainment, educational information, etc.
3. Indian News papers are published in about 100 languages and dialects.
4. India is the largest producer of feature films in the world.
5. India has one of the largest telecom sector and market in the world.
 Most Important Questions

Discuss the importance of tourism in India.

● Tourism has a great importance in the economy and cultural development of India.
● It promotes national integration.
● Tourism encourages cultural pursuits and provides support to local handicrafts.
● Foreign tourists visit India for heritage tourism, cultural tourism, eco-tourism,
adventure tourism, medical tourism and business tourism.
● Tourism has contributed to a huge amount of foreign exchange.
● Tourism plays a major role in employment generation.
 Most Important Questions
Describe the ethnic composition of Sri Lanka.

● The major social groups in Sri Lanka are the Sinhala speakers (74%) and the
Tamil speakers (18%).
● Among Tamils, there are two subgroups. Sri Lankan Tamils, or the Tamil
natives of Sri Lanka (13%). Indian Tamils (5%) whose forefather came from
India as plantation workers during colonial period.
● Most of the Sinhala speakers are Buddhists.
● Most of the Tamils are either Hindus or Muslims.
● Christians are about 7%, who are both Tamil and Sinhala.
 Most Important Questions
Give reasons why power sharing is desirable?

Prudential reasons:
● It helps to reduce the possibility of conflict between social groups.
● It is a good way to ensure the stability of political order.
● Imposing the will of the majority community, over others may look like an attractive
option in the short run, but in the long run it undermines the unity of the nation.
Moral reasons:
● Power sharing is the very spirit of democracy.
● People have the right to be consulted on how they are to be governed.
● A legitimate government is one where citizens through participation, acquires a
stake in the system.
 Most Important Questions
Describe the elements of the Belgian model for accommodating diversities.

● Introduction
● The number of Dutch and French-speaking ministers shall be equal in the central
government.
● State are not made subordinates to the central government.
● Brussels has a separate government in which both the communities have equal
representation.
● A third kind of government, community government has the power regarding
cultural, educational and language related issues.
● Conclusion.
 Most Important Questions
What are the different forms of power sharing in modern democracies? Give an
example of each of these.

● Power Sharing among the Different Organs of Government (i.e. Horizontal

distribution of power) the system of checks and balances.
● Power Sharing among Governments at Different Levels (i.e. Vertical
distribution of power sharing) In this form of power sharing, power is shared
at the different levels of government.
● Power Sharing among Political Parties, Pressure Groups and Movements.
They form a Coalition Government and thus share power.
● Power Sharing Among Different Social Groups In a democracy, especially, in
multi-ethnic society, power is also shared among s social such as religious and
linguistic groups Community government.
 Most Important Questions

Describe any three features of federal government.

● There are two or more levels (or tiers) of government.

● Different tiers of government govern the same citizens, but each tier has its own jurisdiction in
specific matters of legislation, taxation and administration.
● The jurisdictions of the respective levels or tiers of government are specified in the constitution.
● The fundamental provisions of the constitution cannot be unilaterally I changed by one level of
government. Such changes require the consent of both the levels of government.
● Courts have the power to interpret the constitution and the powers of different levels of
government.
 Most Important Questions

What makes India a federal country?

● Three tier of Government.

● Different areas of Jurisdiction ( Union list, State list and Concurrent list ).
● Some states gave special power, whereas some states are union territories.
● Any Amendment required the majority of two third members of the both the houses, then it has
to be ratified by the legislature of at least half of the total states. Fundamental provisions cannot
be changed unilaterally.
● The judiciary plays an important role in overseeing the implementation of constitutional
provisions and procedures. In case of any dispute about the division of powers, the High Courts
and the Supreme Court make a decision.
 Most Important Questions
Why has Federalism succeeded in India? Which were the policies
adopted by India that ensured this success? Explain.

● Linguistic States: After Independence, the boundaries of several old states

were changed in order to create new states. The creation of Linguistic States
is the first and a major test for democratic politics in our country.
● Language Policy: The second test for the Indian Federation is the language
policy. The Indian Constitution did not give the status of National Language to
any one of the language.
● Centre-State Relations: Restructuring the Centre State relations is one more
way in which Federalism has been strengthened in practice.
 Most Important Questions
Describe any three steps taken to strengthen local self-governments, by
the Constitutional Amendment, 1992.

● Holding regular elections under the local government bodies has been made
compulsory.
● Reservation of seats for scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and other
backward classes was introduced in the elected bodies.
● One third i.e., 33% of the seats are reserved for women in all elected bodies.
● An independent institution, called the State Election Commission, was
established in each state to conduct panchayat and municipal election.
● State government is required to share some powers and revenue with local
government bodies.
 Most Important Questions
"In India, women still lag behind men despite some improvement since
Independence." Support the statement with examples.

● As India is still dominated by Patriarchal society, gender discrimination is prevalent at present.

Parents prefer to spend money for boy's education.
● Girls perform as well as boys in school, but the literacy rate among women in only 54 percent
compared with 76 percent among men.
● The proportion of women among the highly paid and valued jobs is still very little.
● In almost all areas of work, women are paid less than the men, even when both works exactly
the same.
● Women still face harassment, exploitation and violence in our society.
 Most Important Questions

Explain the idea behind the communal politics.

● Communal politics is based on the idea that religion is the only basis of
forming a community. It believes that followers of one religion belong to the
same community. Their interests, ideas, and opinions are the same.

● Communal politics follows that people belonging to different religions can not
be a part of the same community. Their ideas and demands are bound to be
different.

● In an extreme case of communalism, communal politics follows that people

from different religions are not equal citizens and cannot live together within
one nation, which leads to partition of that country.
 Most Important Questions
Mention any three features of 'secularism' described in the Indian
Constitution.

● There is no official religion for the Indian state. Unlike the status of Buddhism
in Sri Lanka, that of Islam in Pakistan and that of Christianity in England, our
Constitution does not give a special status to any religion.

● The Constitution provides to all individuals and communities freedom to

prefers, practice and propagate any religion or not to follow any.

● The Constitution allows the state to intervene in the matters of religion in

order to ensure equality within religious communities.
 Most Important Questions
Describe any three factors that are responsible for breaking down the
Caste system in India?

● Political leaders and social reformers like Jyotiba Phule, Gandhiji, B. R.

Ambedkar and Periyar Ramaswamy Naicker advocated and worked to
establish a society without caste inequalities.

● With economic development, large scale urbanisation, growth of literacy and

education, occupational mobility and the weakening of the position of
landlords and Zamindars in the villages, the old rigid notions of Caste
hierarchy are dying.

● The Constitution of India prohibited any caste-based discrimination and laid

the foundations of policies to reverse the injustices of the caste system.
 Most Important Questions

How caste can take several form in politics? Explain.

● While choosing candidates for election, political parties consider the caste
composition of the voters to win support.

● Political parties make an appeal to the caste sentiments to win votes.

● Some political parties are known to favour some particular caste.

● Universal Adult Franchise and the principle of one-person-one-vote have

compelled the political leaders to bring caste sentiments into politics to
muster support.
 Most Important Questions
What is the meaning of a political party? Describe the role of political parties
in the Indian democracy.

➔ A political party is an organized group of people or bodies who seek to capture

political power through an election in order to run the affairs of a country. It
often puts forward candidates for public office.
● Contest elections.
● Put forward policies and programmes.
● Play decisive role in the lawmaking process in parliament.
● Form and run government.
● Plays the role of opposition.
● Shape public opinion.
 Most Important Questions
Differentiate between two party system and multi party system.

Two Party System Multi Party System

● A system where the power usually
changes between two main parties.
● Several other parties may exist, but
mainly two parties dominate in
political arena.
● USA and UK
● When more than two parties have a
reasonable change of coming to power, we
call it a multi party system.
● Diversity can be accommodated.
● India
 Most Important Questions
Differentiate between National and State Parties.

National Parties State Parties

● Influence is all over the country. ● Influence is limited to a state.

● Recognised Party.
● Six percent of total votes of Lok
Sabha or assembly elections and win
at least four seats in Lok Sabha.
● BJP, Congress, BSP, etc.
● Regional Party.
● Secure at least six percent of total
votes in legislature election and win
at least two seats.
● Rashtriya Janata Dal, Shiv Sena
 Most Important Questions
Write a short note on (any of the political party).

● Founder and Year

● Symbol

● Ideology (Key points)

 Most Important Questions
What are the major challenges which the political parties face in the
present era? Explain.

● Intro

● Lack of internal democracy

● Dynastic succession

● Money and muscle power

● Decline of meaningful choices

 Most Important Questions
Describe the efforts to reform political parties in india ?

● Anti-defection law
● Affidavit
● Mandatory organisational election and Filing of ITR
● Law should be the there to regulate internal affairs of political parties.
● Parties should give ⅓ seats to women
● State funding of elections.
 Most Important Questions
“Democratic system is better than any other form of government.” support the
statement with examples.

● Democracy promotes equality among citizens.

● Democracy enhance the dignity of the individual.

● Democracy improves the quality of decision making.

● Democracy provides a method to resolve conflicts.

● Democracy allows to correct mistakes.

 Most Important Questions
How does democracy produce an accountable, responsive and legitimate
government?

● Democracy produces an accountable government because it is answerable to the

people. If they do not work according to the wishes of the people, then the
people have the right to change their representatives at the time of next general
elections.
● Democracy produces a government, which is responsive to the needs and
expectations of the people. It can be said that before taking any decision the
government has to keep in mind the views expressed by the people.
● A democratic government is a legitimate government because it is elected by the
people and is formed under the norms provided by the constitution of the
country. It may be slow of less efficient but it is people’s own government.
 Most Important Questions
“In actual life, democracies do not appear to be very successful in reducing
economic inequalities.” Explain the statement giving an example.

● Democracy does not guarantee economic development. Even when

countries achieve economic growth, will wealth be distributed among all is a
question to be asked.

● In most of the democracies, a small number of ultra rich enjoy a highly

disproportionate share of wealth and income.

● In countries like South Africa and Brazil, the top 20% people take away more
than 60% of the national income.
 Most Important Questions
“Democracies lead to peaceful and harmonious life among citizens.” Support
the statement with examples.

● Democracy accommodates various social divisions.

● Democracy reduces the possibility of tensions becoming explosive and violent.
● Ability to handle social differences and conflicts among different groups is a
plus point of democracy.
● Democracy develops procedure to conduct healthy competitions among
different groups in a society.
● Democracy always accommodates minority view.
 Most Important Questions
“Democracy stands much superior to any other form of government in
promoting dignity and freedom of the individual.” Justify the statement.

● Discrimination and conflicts among differntent social groups is very common in both democratic
and non-democratic countries, however in democratic countries such conflicts are recognised and
resolved at least in principle.
● The case of the Dignity of women : After long struggles by women, democracy throughout the
world has recognised equal treatment and respect to women.
● Thus in democracy it becomes easier for women to wage a struggle against what is now
unacceptable legally and morally.
● Democracy in India strengthened the claims of the disadvantaged and discriminated castes for
equal status and opportunity, which is not possible in any non-democratic country.
● Perhaps it is the recognition in the democracy that makes ordinary citizens value their democratic
rights.
 Most Important Questions
Different persons can have different as well conflicting developmental
goals. Explain with an example.

● Intro – Individuals seeks development in their own way, everyone has their
own notion for development depending on the needs of that person.
● What may be development for one may not be development for the other, it
may be even destruction for the other.
● Example ; Dam construction (explain)
 Most Important Questions
What do you mean by Per Capita Income of a country? How can it be used to
compare two countries? Is there any limitation to its use?

● The Per Capita Income of a country is the total Income of the country divided by its total
population.
● It is used to compare the development of countries by the World Bank.
● The country with a higher Per Capita Income implies that its people are earning more on an
average and this is considered the indicator of higher development.
● However, this hides the fact that there may be wide differences in the earnings of people, which
implies inadequate social development.
 Most Important Questions

What is human development? Explain its indicators.

● Human development can be seen as a 'human centred approach towards development.

● It is concerned with the people and their well-being and fulfilment of their needs, choice and
aspirations.
● Per Capita Income
● (Education) Literacy rate, Net attendance ratio
● (Health) Infant mortality rate, life expectancy
 Most Important Questions
What are the different sectors of economy on the basis of production?
How are they interdependent?

● Primary Sector
● Secondary Sector
● Tertiary Sector
● Example: Cotton Shirt
Transportation
 Most Important Questions

Why is the tertiary sector becoming more important in India? Explain.

● Several services such as hospitals, educational institutions, post and telegraph services, police
stations, courts, village administrative offices, municipal corporations, defence, transport, banks,
insurance companies, etc. which are considered as basic services are ensured by the government.
● The more the development of the primary and secondary sectors, the more would be the
demand for such services.
● Rise in income has led to a rise in the living standards of people, which automatically makes
them demand services such as restaurants, hotels, gyms, shopping centres, private schools,
colleges and hospitals.
● New services based on information and communication technology have become important and
essential in a global world with technological advancement.
 Most Important Questions

Describe the key features of MGNREGA 2005?

● It was implemented by the central government in India as the Right to work

in 200 districts of India.
● Under this Act, all those who are able to and are in need of work are
guaranteed 100 days of employment in a year by the government.
● If government fails in its duty to provide employment, it will give
unemployment allowances to the people.
 Most Important Questions
Distinguish the service conditions of organized sector with that of unorganized
sector.

Organised Unorganised

a. They are registered with the government. a. The are not registered with gout.
b. Rules and regulation given in various acts b. Rules and regulations are there but not
like Minimum wages act, Factories act are followed.
followed. c. Long working hours. No payment for
c. Fixed working hours. Payment for overtime (Low wages)
overtime (High Salary) d. No Job security. Workers exploited.
d. Job security is there. They receive a call e. No such provisions. No work means no
letter specifying working condition. pay.
e. Provision of paid holiday gratuity,
Provident fund.
 Most Important Questions
Explain the loan activity of banks?

● Depositors depositing their saving with bank. [Interest Paid]

● Borrowers borrowing from bank. [Interest Changed]

● The difference is the earning of the bank.

 Most Important Questions
Compare and contrast the role of formal and informal source of credit.

Formal Source Informal Source

● Source ● Source
● Interest rate low ● High interest rate
● Documentation and collateral ● No documentation and collateral required
 Most Important Questions

Why do we need to expand formal sources of credit in India? Explain

Expand formal sources:

● To save people from the exploitation of Informal sector
● Formal charge a low interest on loans.
● To save from debt trap.
● It provides cheap and affordable credit.
● RBI also supervises the formal sector credit through various rules and regulations which
ensures that banks give loans to small cultivators, small borrowers, etc. and not just to
profit making business and traders.
 Most Important Questions
What are the modern forms of money? Why rupee is widely accepted as a
medium of exchange?

● Currency (2)

● Deposits with banks (2)

● Authorised by government authority

 Most Important Questions
What do you understand by terms of credit? Explain.

➔ Interest rate, collateral and documentation requirement, and the mode of

repayment together comprise what is called the terms of credit.

Documentation Mode of
Interest Rate Collateral
requirement Payment

Borrower must pay to Collateral is an asset that the Paperwork Installment/

the lender along with borrower owns (such as land, Lump Sum Cash/
the repayment of the building, vehicle, livestocks, Gold/ Property
principal. deposits with banks) and uses
this as a guarantee to a lender
until the loan is repaid.
 Most Important Questions
What do you understand by SHGs? Explain their functioning and
contribution in eradication of poverty.

➔ Self help groups are small groups of 15 - 20 members who come together
to pool their savings and can use this fund for themselves.
● Availability of loans at low interest rates.
● No collateral required
● Empowerment of the member ( women)
● Building block of rural poor
 Most Important Questions
What are the various ways in which MNCs set up or control production in
other countries?

● By foreign direct investment.

● By buying local companies - Cargill foods (MNC) merged with Parakh food (Local).

● By joint ventures - Ford motors set up automobiles plant in collaboration with

Mahindra and Mahindra.

● By placing orders with small products.

 Most Important Questions
Barriers on foreign trade and foregin investment were removed to a large
extent in India since 1991. Justify the statement.

● Government of India liberalised its policy and felt that Indian producers
must compete with producers around the world.

● Trade competition would improve the performance of the local producers

within the country since they will be forced to improve their quality.

● Economic crises in India in 1990-91 and support f WTO and IMF led the
government to improve trade barriers.
 Most Important Questions
Among the small producers and the workers the impact of globalisation has
not been uniform. Explain

● Small producers will not able to compete in the competition and the will
perish.
● Globalisation creates competition and which creates uncertainties for the
workers.
● Example of Ravi and Sushila
 Most Important Questions
What is globalisation? Explain two positive and two negative impact of
globalisation.

Globalisation is the process of integration and interconnectedness between countries.

Positive:
I. Availability of variety of products.
II. Creation of new jobs and higher standard of living.
Negative:
I. Uneducated and unskilled labourers have become jobless due to closure of
domestic units.
II. Small industries like toys, tyres, plastics, dairy products are affected due to foreign
competition.
 Most Important Questions
How can the government of India play a major role to make globalisation more
fair? Explain with examples.

● By framing policies that protect the interests of not only the rich and powerful but also
the weaker sections of the society.

● By supporting small producers so that they can compete with large manufacturers.

● By ensuring that labour laws are properly implemented and workers get their rights.

● By using trade and investment barriers

● Negotiation for fairer rules at the WTO.