ISC Class 12 Political Science Sample Paper 2025 with Solutions

SECTION A - 16 MARKS

Question 1

(i) Secessionist Violence can be described as a violent advocacy of complete segregation of a particular ethnic or religious from the nation. Which one of the following scenarios is the correct representation of this form of violence? [1 Mark]
(a) An extremist group protests in a public space demanding complete autonomy over its region.
(b) A women's organisation protests against the government and demands complete autonomy and non-interference by the government.
(c) An organisation demands a separate region outside of the country and protests against the government in a violent way.
(d) A trade union group demands a separate space within the company and protests against the management.

Answer: (c) An organisation demands a separate region outside of the country and protests against the government in a violent way.

Secessionist violence involves violent advocacy and efforts aimed at total separation from the nation to form an independent sovereign entity.

Teacher's Note:
a) Understand the precise definitions of various forms of political violence such as secessionist, terrorist, and linguistic violence.
b) Students often confuse demands for regional autonomy within the constitutional framework with secessionist demands for complete separation.

(ii) From the citizen's point of view, the judiciary is the MOST important organ of the government because [1 Mark]
(a) the judges give judgement in specific and complex cases.
(b) judges interpret the real meaning of law.
(c) the judiciary settles disputes.
(d) it acts as the protector from possible excesses of the other two organs of the government.

Answer: (d) it acts as the protector from possible excesses of the other two organs of the government.

For individual citizens, the supreme value of the judiciary lies in its role as the guardian of fundamental rights and liberties against legislative and executive overreach.

Teacher's Note:
a) While all options describe judicial functions, option (d) directly highlights its significance from the perspective of safeguarding citizen rights.
b) Pay close attention to the framing of the question from whose viewpoint (citizen's point of view) the answer is sought.

(iii) Given below are two statements marked Assertion and Reason. Read the two statements carefully and choose the correct option.
Assertion: The concept of ministerial responsibilities is the backbone of a Parliamentary form of Government.
Reason: The legislature exercises continuous control over the executive. [1 Mark]
(a) Both Assertion and Reason are true and Reason is the correct explanation of Assertion.
(b) Both Assertion and Reason are true but Reason is not the correct explanation of Assertion.
(c) Assertion is true and Reason is false.
(d) Both Assertion and Reason are false.

Answer: (a) Both Assertion and Reason are true and Reason is the correct explanation of Assertion.

Ministerial responsibility means ministers are accountable to the legislature, which is made possible through continuous legislative control mechanisms like question hour, motions, and no-confidence votes.

Teacher's Note:
a) Establish the direct link between executive accountability and legislative control in parliamentary systems.
b) Ensure you check whether the reason logically explains the mechanism behind the assertion before selecting option (a).

(iv) Given below are two statements marked Assertion and Reason. Read the two statements carefully and choose the correct option.
Assertion: A flexible constitution is very often a source of instability.
Reason: A flexible constitution demands an honest and mature leadership to control the exercise of sovereign powers. [1 Mark]
(a) Both Assertion and Reason are true and Reason is the correct explanation of Assertion.
(b) Both Assertion and Reason are true but Reason is not the correct explanation of Assertion.
(c) Assertion is true and Reason is false.
(d) Both Assertion and Reason are false.

Answer: (b) Both Assertion and Reason are true but Reason is not the correct explanation of Assertion.

Both statements are individually true facts regarding flexible constitutions, but the need for mature leadership does not directly explain why flexibility causes political instability.

Teacher's Note:
a) A flexible constitution can lead to instability because laws and fundamental principles can be altered easily by changing political whims.
b) Do not automatically assume every true statement pair has a cause-and-effect relationship; verify if the reason explains the assertion.

(v) The age of voting in India before 1989 was __________. [1 Mark]

Answer: 21 years

The voting age was lowered from 21 years to 18 years by the 61st Constitutional Amendment Act, 1988.

Teacher's Note:
a) Memorise key constitutional amendments such as the 61st Amendment and their specific impacts.
b) Write only the exact word or phrase required for fill-in-the-blank questions.

(vi) Observe the relation between the first two words/phrases and then fill in the fourth word / phrase.
Implementation of law: Executive :: Interpretation of law: ______________ [1 Mark]

Answer: Judiciary

The executive is charged with implementing laws, while the judiciary is responsible for interpreting laws and administering justice.

Teacher's Note:
a) Identify the core functions associated with the organs of government (Legislature enacts, Executive executes, Judiciary interprets).
b) Maintain exact terminology as used in political science textbooks.

(vii) The ______________ feature of the Indian state aims at establishing the goal of equitable distribution of resources. [1 Mark]

Answer: Socialist

The term socialist in the Preamble of the Indian Constitution signifies democratic socialism, aiming to end poverty, ignorance, disease, and inequality of opportunity through equitable resource distribution.

Teacher's Note:
a) Understand the key terms embedded in the Preamble (Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic, Republic).
b) Spelling must be accurate when writing political science keywords.

(viii) The responsibility of conducting elections for Panchayati Raj institutions resides with the ______________. [1 Mark]

Answer: State Election Commission

Under Article 243K, the superintendence, direction, and control of the preparation of electoral rolls and the conduct of all elections to the Panchayats are vested in the State Election Commission.

Teacher's Note:
a) Distinguish between the jurisdiction of the Election Commission of India (Parliament, State Legislatures, President, Vice-President) and the State Election Commission (local bodies).
b) Avoid writing only "Election Commission" as it is ambiguous.

(ix) State whether the following are True or False.
(a) The rules governing the administration of judicial services are framed by the central government of the nation. [1 Mark]

Answer: False

Rules governing the administration of judicial services in subordinate courts are framed by the State Government in consultation with the High Court.

Teacher's Note:
a) Read constitutional provisions regarding the judiciary carefully to distinguish central and state roles.
b) Write clearly either "True" or "False" as instructed.

(b) Conviction by the Senate in an impeachment is beyond the President's power to grant pardon. [1 Mark]

Answer: True

In the United States, the President's constitutional power to grant reprieves and pardons explicitly excludes cases of impeachment.

Teacher's Note:
a) Understand executive powers and limitations under comparative constitutions.
b) This is a standard factual check on US presidential powers.

(c) The Lok Sabha has the power to regulate its own debate. [1 Mark]

Answer: False

Wait, the official key shows False; the correct answer is True because every legislative body, including the Lok Sabha, possesses inherent privileges and rules to regulate its own internal proceedings and debates under parliamentary rules and Article 118.

Teacher's Note:
a) The official key shows False; however, legislative bodies universally possess the authority to frame rules for conducting their own business.
b) Students should note that parliamentary privilege includes complete autonomy over internal house procedures.

(d) The British Parliament enjoys the power to amend the constitution by a simple majority of votes of the members of its two houses. [1 Mark]

Answer: True

Since the British Constitution is unwritten and flexible, constitutional law and ordinary law are identical, and Parliament can amend it via a simple majority.

Teacher's Note:
a) Recognise the unique nature of the British Constitution where no legal distinction exists between ordinary legislation and constitutional amendments.
b) Always verify constitutional rigidity versus flexibility characteristics.

(x) Answer the following questions in one word / phrase.
(a) A type of political system in which limited and controlled pluralism is tolerated. [1 Mark]

Answer: Authoritarian form of government

Authoritarian regimes permit limited, non-responsible political pluralism under strict state control, unlike totalitarian systems which allow none.

Teacher's Note:
a) Juan Linz's classic definition of authoritarianism emphasizes limited political pluralism.
b) Keep answers concise, using the exact political science term.

(b) A device of obstruction occasionally carried to the point of veto in the U.S Senate. [1 Mark]

Answer: Filibuster

A filibuster is a parliamentary procedure where debate over a proposed piece of legislation is extended, allowing a senator or a series of senators to delay or prevent a vote on a bill.

Teacher's Note:
a) Filibuster is a unique feature of the United States Senate designed to protect minority rights in debate.
b) Ensure correct spelling of specialized political terms.

(c) This person is the Chairman of the Niti Ayog. [1 Mark]

Answer: Prime Minister

The Prime Minister of India serves as the ex-officio Chairperson of NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India).

Teacher's Note:
a) Know the organizational structure and leadership heads of key national institutions.
b) Write "Prime Minister" rather than a specific individual's name unless asked.

(d) A type of social structure which divides people based on inherited social status. [1 Mark]

Answer: Caste System

The caste system is a form of social stratification based on hereditary status, historically prevalent in traditional Indian society.

Teacher's Note:
a) Social stratification concepts form an important part of challenges to Indian democracy.
b) Keep the answer restricted to the exact sociological term.

SECTION B - 32 MARKS

Question 2. According to Gettell, "Presidential government is that government in which the chief executive is independent of the legislature as to his tenure and to an extent as to his policies and acts. In this system the head of the state is the real executive." In the light of the given statement, discuss the features of a Presidential form of government. [4 Marks]

Answer:
1. Single Unified Executive: The President is both the head of state and head of government, concentrating executive powers in a single individual.
2. Separation of powers between the Legislature and Executive: The executive and legislative branches operate independently and are separately elected.
3. Fixed and stable tenure of the President and the Congress: The executive holds office for a fixed constitutional term and cannot be removed by a vote of no-confidence from the legislature.

Teacher's Note:
a) Focus strictly on features indicated directly in the provided statement by Gettell rather than general textbook points.
b) Clearly distinguish between presidential and parliamentary systems regarding executive accountability and tenure.

Question 3. Contrast a flexible constitution from a rigid constitution on the basis of process of Amendment. Cite an example to bring out the contrast between the two. [4 Marks]

Answer:
1. Ease of Amendment: A flexible constitution can be easily amended through ordinary legislative processes, whereas a rigid constitution requires a special, cumbersome amendment procedure.
2. Legal Distinction: In a flexible constitution, there is no difference between ordinary law and constitutional law; both are passed by a simple majority. In a rigid constitution, constitutional amendment requires special majorities and ratification stages.
3. Example: Great Britain is a classic example of a flexible constitution where Parliament can amend any law by a simple majority. The USA represents a rigid constitution where amendments require a two-thirds majority in Congress and ratification by three-fourths of state legislatures.

Teacher's Note:
a) Structure the contrast clearly using common criteria as requested in the question.
b) Ensure appropriate examples are cited to validate the theoretical differences.

Question 4. Observe the picture given below and answer the question that follows it.
(Source: Quora.com)
How does the party system depicted above benefit a modern democracy? [4 Marks]

[Figure: Collage depicting multiple political party symbols in India labelled Parties In India, including symbols like the hand, lotus, elephant, cycle, hammer and sickle, clock, and kite.]

Answer:
1. Suitable for diversity: A multi-party system accommodates socio-economic, linguistic, and cultural diversities in a modern society.
2. Democratic representation: It ensures that various minority and regional groups receive adequate representation in governance.
3. Choice and cooperation: It presents multiple choices to voters and compels political parties to cooperate through coalitions, preventing authoritarian tendencies.

Teacher's Note:
a) Identify the image correctly as representing the multi-party system in India.
b) Enumerate substantial benefits of coalition and multi-party democracy clearly.

Question 5 (i) The two houses of the Union Parliament do not share equal powers. Justify the statement with the help of four reasons. [4 Marks]

Answer:
1. Money Bills: Money bills can only be introduced in the Lok Sabha. The Rajya Sabha can only delay a money bill for 14 days, and the final decision rests with the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.
2. Executive Accountability: Ministers are collectively responsible only to the Lok Sabha, and a No-Confidence Motion can be passed exclusively in the Lok Sabha.
3. Deadlock Resolution: In a joint session called to resolve a deadlock on an ordinary bill, the decision of the Lok Sabha prevails due to its larger numerical strength.
4. Control over Treasury: The national treasury and financial control lie primarily with the Lok Sabha.

Teacher's Note:
a) Provide specific institutional reasons demonstrating the supremacy of the lower house in a parliamentary system.
b) Avoid generic differences and focus on legislative power imbalances.

OR

(ii) Few powers were given to the Senate by the constitution framers with a view of making it the constitutional watchdog over President's executive powers. Justify this empowerment of the Senate. [4 Marks]

Answer:
1. Treaty Approval: The President of the USA cannot sign any international treaty without the approval of the Senate, which requires a two-thirds majority of Senators.
2. Executive Appointments: Key federal appointments made by the President, including cabinet ministers and Supreme Court judges, require confirmation by the Senate.
3. Senatorial Courtesy: The President must seek the advice of senators from the specific state where an appointment is made, reinforcing the Senate's check on executive patronage.

Teacher's Note:
a) Highlight the unique constitutional checks and balances operating between the US President and the Senate.
b) Explain each reason concisely with accurate constitutional thresholds.

Question 6. How can judicial independence be maintained in a democratic state? [4 Marks]

Answer:
1. Secure and Stable Tenure: Judges should enjoy a long and secure tenure so they can deliver verdicts without fear of arbitrary removal.
2. Sound Appointment Method: Judges should be appointed through a rigorous, consultative mechanism insulated from partisan political interference.
3. High Salaries and Service Conditions: Attractive salaries and non-modifiable service conditions prevent financial vulnerability and corruption.
4. Separation from Other Organs: Strict separation of powers ensures that the executive and legislature cannot interfere in judicial functioning.

Teacher's Note:
a) Write complete sentences explaining each safeguard rather than mere phrases.
b) Cover essential institutional guarantees of judicial independence.

Question 7 (i) Preamble is the key to the Constitution of India. With reference to this statement, discuss its importance in contemporary times. [4 Marks]

Answer:
1. Core Objectives: It lays down the fundamental objectives, such as justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity, which legislation and governance must strive to achieve.
2. Guiding Philosophy: It embodies the constitutional philosophy and ideals that serve as a guiding light for judicial interpretation in contemporary legal disputes.
3. Socio-Economic Goals: It enshrines grand socio-economic goals aimed at building an inclusive welfare state, maintaining relevance in modern democratic governance.

Teacher's Note:
a) Discuss the Preamble's significance not just as an introductory note, but as a substantive guide to constitutional interpretation.
b) Support your explanation with reasons related to contemporary democratic values.

OR

(ii) Explain the position of the Indian Prime Minister in relation to the powers shared with the Parliament and the Council of Ministers. [4 Marks]

Answer:
1. Relation with Parliament: The Prime Minister is the leader of the majority party in the Lok Sabha, acts as the chief spokesperson of government policies, and advises the President on summoning and dissolving Parliament.
2. Relation with Council of Ministers: As Chairman of the Cabinet and head of government, the Prime Minister recommends ministers for appointment, distributes and reshuffles portfolios, and binds the cabinet through collective responsibility.
3. Link between President and Cabinet: The Prime Minister serves as the sole official communication link between the Cabinet and the President regarding administrative affairs and legislative proposals.

Teacher's Note:
a) Structure the answer clearly into the Prime Minister's dual roles regarding the legislature and the executive council.
b) Avoid writing general powers not pertaining specifically to Parliament and the Council of Ministers.

Question 8. The top-tier of the Panchayati Raj System operates at the district level. Elaborate on its composition. [4 Marks]

Answer:
1. Directly Elected Members: It comprises 10 to 25 directly elected members from territorial constituencies within the district based on population.
2. Ex-Officio Members: All Chairpersons of the Panchayat Samitis falling within the district area are members.
3. Legislators: Members of Parliament (MPs) and Members of Legislative Assemblies (MLAs) representing constituencies in the district are included as members.
4. Registered Voters: MPs and MLAs whose names are registered as voters within the district area also hold membership.

Teacher's Note:
a) Clearly detail all categories of members constituting the Zila Parishad.
b) Mention accurate statutory composition details as mandated under local self-government provisions.

Question 9. The picture given below shows the workers of two rival political groups clashing during Panchayat Elections.
(Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
(i) How does the picture shown above depict a challenge to Indian democracy? [2 Marks]

[Figure: Photograph showing a violent clash with crowds and sticks between rival political groups during Panchayat elections.]

Answer:
1. The picture depicts political and electoral violence, which undermines the peaceful and fair conduct of democratic elections.
2. It reduces the democratic electoral process to physical intimidation and narrow partisan conflicts, threatening public order and citizen safety.

Teacher's Note:
a) Connect the visual evidence directly to the broader theme of electoral and political violence.
b) Keep the explanation concise within the 2-mark limit.

(ii) With the help of a relevant example, outline any other significant form of the challenge that has emerged in India in recent times. [2 Marks]

Answer:
1. Caste-based violence and discrimination continue to challenge social harmony and democratic equality in various parts of the country.
2. Example: Clashes and atrocities arising from caste hierarchies during local socio-political mobilizations undermine democratic integration and constitutional values.

Teacher's Note:
a) Provide any recognized challenge to Indian democracy (such as linguistic violence, regionalism, or terrorism) with a supporting example.
b) Ensure the example is brief and directly supports the identified challenge.

SECTION C - 32 MARKS

Question 10 (i) Compare a Totalitarian system of government to an Authoritarian form of government. [8 Marks]

Answer:
Both totalitarian and authoritarian regimes are similar in concentrating power in a central figure or group, demanding citizen submission, and taking swift decisions. However, they differ across several dimensions:
1. Leadership Structure: An authoritarian state generally has a single ruler or a small ruling clique, whereas a totalitarian government is run by a tightly organized party and leadership group.
2. Basis of Rule: Authoritarian rulers maintain power by instilling fear and coercion, while totalitarian leaders often rely on mass mobilisation and ideological charisma over the populace.
3. Civil Liberties: Authoritarian systems permit limited pluralism and private spheres of life with controlled freedoms, whereas totalitarian systems allow no civil liberties, exercising total control over all aspects of public and private life.
4. Corruption: Corruption levels tend to be higher in arbitrary authoritarian regimes, while totalitarian regimes maintain strict centralized oversight.
5. Distribution of Power: Power in totalitarian systems is institutionalized through a single party structure, whereas in authoritarian systems, power is often arbitrary and ill-defined.

Teacher's Note:
a) Comparison questions require both similarities and structured differences based on clear comparative criteria.
b) Present points systematically using tabular or bulleted comparison formats.

OR

(ii) Several jurists hold the view that the original and appellate jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of India is wider than that of the USA. Justify the given statement. [8 Marks]

Answer:
1. Original Jurisdiction in India (Article 131): Covers disputes between the Centre and states, or between states, reflecting a federal structure with a unitary spirit. In the USA, original jurisdiction is more limited and restricted to specific inter-state or ambassadorial disputes.
2. Protection of Fundamental Rights: The Supreme Court of India has wide original jurisdiction under Article 32 to issue writs for enforcing fundamental rights, acting as their universal guardian.
3. Appellate Jurisdiction in India: The Indian Supreme Court hears wide civil, criminal, and constitutional appeals certified by High Courts, making it a comprehensive court of appeal.
4. US Appellate Scope: In contrast, the US Supreme Court has discretionary appellate jurisdiction through writs of certiorari, selectively choosing which constitutional cases to review, thus restricting its volume.
5. Conclusion: Consequently, the constitutional architecture grants the Indian Supreme Court a broader mandate in both original and appellate matters compared to its US counterpart.

Teacher's Note:
a) Explain the constitutional provisions governing both courts before drawing comparative conclusions.
b) Clearly substantiate why India's jurisdiction is considered wider.

Question 11. Explain any four rights given in the Right to Equality as a Fundamental right. [8 Marks]

Answer:
1. Equality before Law and Equal Protection of Laws (Article 14): Ensures that all persons are equal before the law within the territory of India, prohibiting arbitrary state discrimination.
2. Prohibition of Discrimination (Article 15): Prohibits the state from discriminating against any citizen on grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex, place of birth, or any of them.
3. Equality of Opportunity in Public Employment (Article 16): Guarantees equality of opportunity for all citizens in matters relating to employment or appointment to any office under the state.
4. Abolition of Untouchability (Article 17): Abolishes untouchability in all forms, making its practice an offence punishable under law in accordance with civil rights legislation.
5. Abolition of Titles (Article 18): Prohibits the state from conferring any titles except military or academic distinctions to preserve egalitarian republican values.

Teacher's Note:
a) Select any four well-defined articles (Articles 14 to 18) under the Right to Equality and explain them thoroughly.
b) Mention relevant constitutional article numbers for maximum score accuracy.

Question 12. Discuss any four forms of regionalism as a challenge to the Indian democracy. [8 Marks]

Answer:
1. Language Issues: Linguistic chauvinism and the imposition of a single dominant language in multi-lingual regions often provoke violent riots and alienate minority linguistic groups.
2. Sons of the Soil Principle: The ideology prioritizing local natives for employment and resources leads to violent conflicts against migrants, threatening equal citizenship rights.
3. Inter-State River Disputes: Disputes over sharing river waters trigger intense regional animosities, with states prioritizing local interests over cooperative federalism.
4. Demands for New States: Agitations for separate statehood based on linguistic, ethnic, or regional grievances can fragment national unity and exacerbate regional disparities.
5. Secessionist Demands: Extreme forms of regionalism manifest as militant secessionist movements aiming to break away from the Indian Union through terror and violence.

Teacher's Note:
a) Discuss four distinct forms of regionalism clearly explaining how each undermines democratic stability.
b) Use appropriate examples or terminology for each point.

Question 13. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow.
"If there is one feature of our constitution, which is basic and fundamental to the maintenance of democracy and the rule of law, it is the power of judicial review and it is unquestionably, to my mind, part of the basic structure of the Constitution. Of course, when I say this, it should not be taken to suggest that however effective alternative institutional mechanisms or arrangements for judicial review cannot be made by Parliament. But what I wish to emphasise is that judicial review is a vital principle of our constitution, and it cannot be abrogated without affecting the basic structure of the constitution."
Source: Justice P.N. Bhagwati (Supreme Court)
Minerva Mills Ltd. & Others vs Union of India & Others [1981]
(i) Describe the feature which is part of the basic structure of the constitution, as referred to in the passage given above. [2 Marks]

Answer:
1. The feature referred to in the passage is Judicial Review.
2. It empowers the judiciary to examine legislative enactments and executive actions to determine their constitutional validity, invalidating any provisions found unconstitutional.

Teacher's Note:
a) Identify judicial review directly from the text excerpt provided.
b) State its basic meaning concisely.

(ii) State four principles of this feature. [4 Marks]

Answer:
1. Ground Establishment: While conducting judicial review, the judiciary must establish clear constitutional grounds for rejecting any law as unconstitutional.
2. Bench Decision: Judicial review is conducted by a judicial bench rather than a single judge, and decisions are reached by majority vote.
3. Power of Invalidation: The judiciary possesses the authority to invalidate any law or part thereof that violates the basic structure or provisions of the Constitution.
4. Judicial Restraint: The judiciary refrains from entering into purely political questions, restricting its review to legal and constitutional validity.

Teacher's Note:
a) List four clear operational principles governing judicial review.
b) Ensure bullet points are distinct and well-articulated.

(iii) What is the basis to establish it in India? How is it different from that of the USA? [2 Marks]

Answer:
1. In India, judicial review is established on the basis of 'Procedure established by law' (Article 21).
2. In contrast, the USA operates on the basis of 'Due process of law', which allows US courts to examine both procedural and substantive fairness of laws.

Teacher's Note:
a) Highlight the core distinction between Indian and American constitutional bases for judicial review.
b) Keep the answer focused strictly on the two legal maxims.