ISC Class 12 Political Science Board Exam Question Paper 2018 with Solutions

ISC Class 12 Political Science Board Exam Question Paper 2018 with Solutions

Part - I (20 Marks)
Answer all questions

Question 1.
Answer briefly each of the questions (i) to (x): [20 Marks]

(i) India is described as a federal state with subsidiary unitary features. Identify two of these unitary features. [2 Marks]

Answer:
1. Strong center.
2. Absence of separate constitution for states.

Teacher's Note:
a) A federal state normally divides powers equally, but India gives overriding powers to the Union government.
b) Students must clearly mention specific structural features like single citizenship or a strong center rather than vague statements.

(ii) What are conventions ? [2 Marks]

Answer:
Conventions form the wrap and woof of the British Constitution. These are rules observed by various constituted parts though they are not written in any document having legal authority. They regulate the working of all the offices and institutions of the constitution and are backed by public opinion and their utility.

Teacher's Note:
a) Conventions are unwritten political customs and traditions that carry moral rather than legal binding force.
b) Make sure to emphasize that they lack legal sanction yet are strictly followed in parliamentary systems like Britain.

(iii) Distinguish between direct and indirect elections. [2 Marks]

Answer:
In direct elections, people directly choose their representatives by casting their votes, for example, the election for Lok Sabha. In indirect elections, the elected members cast their votes to select the candidates, for example, members of the Rajya Sabha are elected by the elected members of the State Legislative Assemblies.

Teacher's Note:
a) Direct elections involve the electorate directly choosing legislators, while indirect elections involve an electoral college.
b) Providing correct institutional examples like Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha is crucial for full marks.

(iv) Explain the composition of the U. S. Senate. [2 Marks]

Answer:
The US Senate consists of 2 senators from each state who serve a term of six years each, regardless of the population of the state. As there are fifty US states, there are 100 senators in all.

Teacher's Note:
a) The US Senate represents the federal principle of equality of states in the upper house.
b) Mention both the exact number of senators per state and the total number to ensure completeness.

(v) State two legislative powers of the President of India. [2 Marks]

Answer:
1. The President has the power to summon and prorogue the two Houses of Parliament and can also dissolve the Lok Sabha.
2. The President can address each House separately or jointly.

Teacher's Note:
a) Legislative powers pertain to law-making, summoning sessions, and addressing the legislature.
b) Do not mix executive or judicial powers under this head.

(vi) What is meant by Judicial Review ? [2 Marks]

Answer:
Judicial Review allows the Supreme Court to review all laws and regulations made by the legislature, thus entitling it with the role of interpreter and guardian of the constitution. If the judiciary finds any such law interfering with or violating the fundamental rights, it can declare it unconstitutional, null, and void.

Teacher's Note:
a) Judicial review is the power of the courts to examine the constitutionality of legislative and executive actions.
b) Keywords such as guardian of the constitution and unconstitutional must be included.

(vii) What is the purpose of Directive Principles in the Indian Constitution ? [2 Marks]

Answer:
The purpose of Directive Principles of State Policy in the Indian Constitution is to establish social and economic democracy in the country.

Teacher's Note:
a) While Fundamental Rights establish political democracy, DPSPs aim to build a welfare state through social and economic justice.
b) Keep the answer concise and focused on the socio-economic welfare objective.

(viii) Mention any two words that were added to the Preamble by the 42nd Amendment to the Constitution of India. [2 Marks]

Answer:
1. Socialist
2. Secular

Teacher's Note:
a) The 42nd Amendment Act (1976) introduced three words: Socialist, Secular, and Integrity.
b) Listing any two accurately fulfills the requirement of the question.

(ix) What is meant by regionalism in the context of Indian Democracy ? [2 Marks]

Answer:
Regionalism in the context of Indian democracy means an ideology and political movement that seeks the advancement of particular geographical regions which possess a distinct culture, language, identity, and tradition, sometimes at the expense of national integration.

Teacher's Note:
a) Regionalism reflects regional pride and aspirations for development, but can manifest negatively as excessive parochialism.
b) Frame the answer to show both identity aspects and political aspirations.

(x) With respect to the 73rd Amendment to the Constitution of India, what is the significance of the Eleventh Schedule ? [2 Marks]

Answer:
With respect to the 73rd Amendment to the Constitution of India, the significance of the Eleventh Schedule is that it lists the 29 functional subjects which fall under the jurisdiction and purview of Panchayats.

Teacher's Note:
a) The Eleventh Schedule operationalized decentralized local governance by devolving specific powers to Panchayats.
b) Mentioning the exact number of subjects (29) is essential for securing full marks.

Part - II (60 Marks)

SECTION A

Question 2.
(a) Explain three differences between parliamentary and presidential forms of government. [6 Marks]
(b) Explain four features of an Authoritarian State. [6 Marks]

Answer:
(a) Following are the differences between Parliamentary and Presidential forms of governments:
1. Relationship between Organs: In the Parliamentary system, there is a close, harmonious relationship between the legislative and executive bodies, whereas the judiciary functions independently. In a Presidential form of government, the three organs of government, namely the executive, legislature, and judiciary, work independently of each other based on strict separation of powers.
2. Executive Leadership: In a Parliamentary form of government, executive power is divided into two parts, viz., the Head of the State (President/Monarch) who is nominal and the Head of the Government (Prime Minister) who is real. In a Presidential form of government, the President is both the head of state and the chief executive.
3. Accountability: In a Parliamentary form of government, the executive body (Council of Ministers) is collectively accountable to the Parliament. In a Presidential form of government, there is no such direct accountability of the executive to the legislature for its acts.

Teacher's Note:
a) Structure answers using distinct parameters like executive structure, relationship between organs, and accountability.
b) Ensure clear comparative language is used throughout.

Answer:
(b) Four features of an Authoritarian State are as follows:
1. Concentration of Power: Power is vested in one hand or a small group of rulers, such as dictators, military leaders, or absolute monarchs, who hold real power without democratic checks.
2. No Say of Citizens in Decision Making: Citizens do not have any effective voice or participation in law-making or governance. Rulers decide how to govern, and citizens are expected to obey.
3. Arbitrary Rule: The title or method by which the ruler assumes power does not indicate the nature of the government; regimes often suppress political opposition ruthlessly.
4. Lack of Fundamental Freedoms: Citizens do not enjoy basic civil liberties and rights like freedom of speech, press, or religion, and must submit entirely to the authority of the ruler.

Teacher's Note:
a) Authoritarianism stands in sharp contrast to democracy by concentrating all decision-making authority in the executive.
b) Clearly list and explain four distinct points as requested in the question.

Question 3.
(a) Explain the following kinds of constitutions : [6 Marks]
(i) Written
(ii) Unwritten
(iii) Enacted
(iv) Evolved
(b) Is the distinction between a written constitution and an unwritten constitution a real one? Discuss. [6 Marks]

Answer:
(a)
(i) Written Constitution: A written constitution is one in which fundamental rules regarding the main organs and institutions of government are systematically compiled in a formal document or a collection of documents. It is deliberately formulated and consciously planned by a constituent assembly, as seen in India.
(ii) Unwritten Constitution: An unwritten constitution evolves out of historical documents, traditions, and judicial precedents rather than being enacted by a constituent assembly at a specific point in time. Britain is the prime example, where rules are scattered across various sources.
(iii) Enacted Constitution: An enacted constitution emerges from deliberate human effort and is formulated consciously by a constituent assembly, king, or a sovereign parliament, being embodied in an official document or series of documents.
(iv) Evolved Constitution: An evolved constitution is one which has emerged organically over time through traditions, customs, usage, and judicial decisions in response to societal needs, rather than being framed at a single point in time.

Teacher's Note:
a) Define each of the four categories clearly with appropriate constitutional references.
b) Distinguish carefully between enacted and evolved, as well as written and unwritten types.

Answer:
(b) The distinction between a written and an unwritten constitution is not absolute or concrete. There is no constitution that is wholly written nor one that is completely unwritten. Every written constitution incorporates unwritten elements through conventions, traditions, and judicial interpretations, while every unwritten constitution contains several written statutes.
For example, the United States has a written constitution, yet it is heavily overlaid with conventions and judicial practices; the election of the President transformed from indirect to practically direct, and conventions dictate cabinet formations. Similarly, Britain possesses an unwritten constitution, but it includes vital written documents like Magna Carta (1215), the Petition of Right (1628), and the Bill of Rights (1689). Therefore, the difference is merely one of degree, based on the extent of codification.

Teacher's Note:
a) A critical discussion requires evaluating both sides to show that pure written or unwritten constitutions do not exist in practice.
b) Use examples like the US and British constitutions to substantiate the argument effectively.

Question 4.
(a) What is a political party ? Explain four functions of political parties. [6 Marks]
(b) Explain two merits and two demerits of multi-party system. [6 Marks]

Answer:
(a) A political party refers to an organized group of people who share common political principles and objectives, joining together to contest elections and capture or hold power in government. A political party typically comprises three components: the leaders, active members, and followers. Following are the functions of a political party:
1. Contesting Elections and Forming Government: Political parties contest elections by putting up candidates. The party that secures a majority forms the government, while defeated parties form the opposition and act as watchdogs.
2. Policy Formulation: Parties formulate alternative policies and programs based on their election manifestos, presenting them to the electorate for consideration.
3. Public Opinion Formation: Parties shape public opinion by organizing rallies, debates, and public meetings to discuss critical political, economic, and social issues.
4. Link between Government and Citizens: Parties provide citizens access to governmental machinery and welfare schemes, acting as a bridge between the populace and policymakers.

Teacher's Note:
a) Begin with a clear definition of a political party including its core components.
b) Enumerate and explain four distinct functions clearly with subheadings.

Answer:
(b) Merits of the multi-party system:
1. Representation of Diverse Interests: It ensures representation of various opinions, ideologies, and interest groups, aligning well with true democratic principles by offering voters a wide range of choices.
2. Prevention of Dictatorship: It prevents cabinet dictatorship or autocracy since power is shared or contested among multiple parties.
Demerits of the multi-party system:
1. Political Instability: It often leads to coalition governments which can be unstable and vulnerable to collapse due to ideological differences.
2. Weak Decision Making: The presence of multiple parties can lead to compromises, political bargaining, and delayed policy implementation, weakening governance.

Teacher's Note:
a) Balance the answer by clearly addressing both merits and demerits as requested.
b) Keep explanations concise and focused on democratic functioning.

Question 5.
(a) Explain three functions of the Lok Sabha. [6 Marks]
(b) Discuss the changing role of the Prime Minister of India in the coalition era. [6 Marks]

Answer:
(a) The three functions of the Lok Sabha are as follows:
1. Legislative Functions: All ordinary bills originate in the Lok Sabha. If a disagreement arises between the two Houses, a joint sitting is convened where the Lok Sabha usually prevails due to its larger numerical strength.
2. Financial Powers: Money Bills can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha. The Rajya Sabha has limited powers regarding Money Bills and can only make recommendations for up to 14 days, which the Lok Sabha may accept or reject.
3. Control over the Executive: The Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha. The Lok Sabha exercises control through questions, motion of no-confidence, adjournment motions, and budget discussions.

Teacher's Note:
a) Categorize functions under major heads like legislative, financial, and executive control.
b) Highlight the supremacy of the Lok Sabha in financial matters and executive accountability.

Answer:
(b) A coalition government is formed by an alliance of two or more parties when no single party secures a clear majority. The changing role of the Prime Minister in the coalition era includes:
1. Loss of Absolute Autonomy: The Prime Minister is restrained from taking independent decisions due to political compulsions and the need to accommodate coalition partners.
2. Accommodation of Diverse Views: The Prime Minister must constantly consult coalition partners and address their varied political viewpoints before formulating major policies.
3. Constraints in Portfolio Allocation: Distributing ministerial portfolios requires extensive bargaining to satisfy the aspirations of various allied parties rather than absolute discretion.
4. Focus on Consensus Building: The Prime Minister faces the continuous challenge of building consensus on contentious policy issues to prevent alliance partners from feeling alienated or neglected.

Teacher's Note:
a) Contrast the dominant role of a Prime Minister in a single-party majority government with the constrained role in coalition politics.
b) Focus on points such as consensus building, portfolio distribution, and policy limitations.

Question 6.
(a) Distinguish between judicial activism and judicial restraint. [6 Marks]
(b) Critically examine any three powers of the Supreme Court of the United States. [6 Marks]

Answer:
(a) Judicial activism and judicial restraint represent contrasting judicial philosophies:
1. Definition and Scope: Judicial activism refers to the proactive interpretation of the Constitution by judges to uphold current social values and protect individual rights, often stepping in when other organs fail to act. Conversely, judicial restraint limits the power of judges to strike down laws, urging courts to defer to the elected legislature and executive.
2. Deference to Precedent and Legislature: Under judicial restraint, courts support legislative actions unless they clearly violate the constitution, respecting established precedents. Under judicial activism, judges feel empowered to overrule previous rulings and formulate remedies to address public injustices.
3. Objectives: Judicial restraint aims to maintain institutional balance among the three organs of government. Judicial activism aims to deliver social justice and correct perceived legislative or executive apathy.

Teacher's Note:
a) Use clear comparative headings to distinguish the two concepts.
b) Emphasize that judicial activism is proactive while judicial restraint is conservative and deferential.

Answer:
(b) The Supreme Court of the United States is one of the most powerful apex courts in the world. Three major powers are:
1. Power of Judicial Review: The Supreme Court acts as the guardian of the Constitution by reviewing laws passed by Congress and executive actions. If found unconstitutional, it can declare them null and void.
2. Federal Arbiter: It plays a crucial role in maintaining the federal balance of power between the federal government and state governments, ensuring state laws do not breach federal constitutional provisions.
3. Protection of Civil Liberties: It ensures the preservation of individual rights and acts as a referee, ensuring that other branches of government stay within their constitutional boundaries.
However, its power is limited: judges are nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate, and Congress can alter the jurisdiction of lower courts or initiate constitutional amendments to override court rulings.

Teacher's Note:
a) A critical examination requires presenting both the extent of powers and their limitations.
b) Mention judicial review, federal arbitration, and institutional checks and balances.

SECTION B

Question 7.
(a) Discuss any three salient features of the Constitution of India. [6 Marks]
(b) Explain any three rights conferred under the Right to Freedom of Religion in the Constitution of India. (Articles 25-28). [6 Marks]

Answer:
(a) The three salient features of the Indian Constitution are:
1. Federal System with Unitary Bias: Federalism implies division of powers between the center and states. While states manage local administration, the central government handles matters of national importance like defense and foreign affairs, possessing overriding powers.
2. Parliamentary Form of Government: India follows a parliamentary democracy where representatives are elected by universal adult suffrage. The executive is responsible to the legislature, and the Prime Minister is the head of government.
3. Separation of Powers: There is a functional division of powers among the three organs of government - legislature (law-making), executive (law implementation), and judiciary (adjudication), ensuring a system of checks and balances.

Teacher's Note:
a) Select prominent structural features of the Indian Constitution for discussion.
b) Provide clear explanations for each selected feature.

Answer:
(b) Three rights conferred under the Right to Freedom of Religion (Articles 25-28) are:
1. Article 25: Freedom of conscience and free profession, practice, and propagation of religion for all citizens.
2. Article 26: Freedom to manage religious affairs, including the establishment and maintenance of institutions for religious and charitable purposes.
3. Article 27: Freedom from payment of taxes for the promotion or maintenance of any particular religion.
4. Article 28: Freedom to attend religious instruction or religious worship in certain educational institutions maintained wholly out of state funds.

Teacher's Note:
a) Cite the specific article numbers correctly alongside the rights.
b) Explaining any three accurately meets the question requirements.

Question 8.
(a) Explain the Three-Tier system of Panchayati Raj under the 73rd Amendment to the Constitution of India. [6 Marks]
(b) Discuss three challenges faced by rural local self-government after the passage of the 73rd Amendment to the Constitution of India. [6 Marks]

Answer:
(a) Under the 73rd Amendment, the Panchayati Raj system establishes a uniform three-tier structure:
1. Gram Panchayat at the Village Level: It is the executive body of the Gram Sabha, consisting of members elected directly by villagers. It handles local development tasks such as sanitation, water supply, and rural health.
2. Panchayat Samiti at the Block Level: It functions as an intermediary body between the Gram Panchayat and Zilla Parishad. Members are directly elected, with ex-officio members including local MLAs, MPs, and block officials. It coordinates village-level activities and agricultural programs.
3. Zilla Parishad at the District Level: The apex tier operates at the district level, comprising elected chairpersons of Panchayat Samitis and local legislators. It coordinates the functioning of Panchayat Samitis and approves their annual budgets.

Teacher's Note:
a) Clearly outline the three tiers: village, block, and district levels.
b) Describe the composition and functions of each tier accurately.

Answer:
(b) Three challenges faced by rural local self-government after the 73rd Amendment are:
1. Limited Fiscal Decentralization: State governments have often failed to devolve adequate financial powers and revenue-generation mechanisms to local bodies, rendering them dependent on government grants.
2. Bureaucratic Control and Interference: Administrative control often remains in the hands of government officials, restricting the functional autonomy of elected local representatives.
3. Ineffective Functioning of Gram Sabhas: Gram Sabhas often suffer from poor public participation, lack of awareness, and inadequate administrative support, undermining transparency and grassroots accountability.

Teacher's Note:
a) Focus on structural, financial, and administrative roadblocks hindering local self-government.
b) Highlight financial dependency and bureaucratic dominance as key challenges.

Question 9.
(a) Explain the meaning of communalism and discuss its effects on the functioning of Indian democracy. [6 Marks]
(b) Discuss the role of caste in Indian politics. [6 Marks]

Answer:
(a) 'Communalism' refers to aggressive chauvinism and political ideology based on religious identity, where one religious group considers its interests superior and views other groups as hostile or inferior. In a multi-religious country like India, communalism is often exploited by vested interests for political mobilization.
Effects on Indian democracy:
1. Threat to Secularism: It undermines the secular fabric of the nation by generating inter-religious friction and mistrust.
2. Social Violence and Instability: Communal tensions frequently erupt into riots, causing loss of life, displacement, and severe social unrest.
3. Polarization of Electorate: Elections are sometimes fought on religious lines rather than developmental issues, weakening democratic debate.

Teacher's Note:
a) Define communalism clearly as an ideology of religious chauvinism.
b) Evaluate its negative impact on national integration, secularism, and democratic stability.

Answer:
(b) The caste system plays a significant role in Indian politics in the following ways:
1. Political Socialization and Mobilization: Political parties shape their manifestos, choose candidates, and mobilize voters keeping caste demographics in mind.
2. Electoral Behavior: Caste serves as a crucial factor during elections, as voters frequently support candidates belonging to their own caste or community.
3. Pressure Groups and Bargaining: Caste associations act as pressure groups to bargain for political representation, reservations, and developmental benefits.
4. Administration and Patronage: Caste considerations occasionally influence bureaucratic appointments, postings, and administrative decision-making.

Teacher's Note:
a) Analyze caste as a sociological factor deeply intertwined with political mobilization and electoral dynamics in India.
b) Maintain an objective, academic tone while discussing its influence on parties, elections, and administration.