ISC Class 12 Sociology Sample Paper 2025 with Solutions

SECTION A - 14 MARKS

Question 1

(i) In accordance with the traditional norms, Ramu’s mother always refers to her husband indirectly using the name of their son. Which Kinship usage is used by Ramu’s mother? [1 Mark]
(a) Couvade
(b) Teknonymy
(c) Avunculate
(d) Amitate

Answer: (b) Teknonymy

Teknonymy is the practice of referring to parents by the names of their children.

Teacher's Note:
a) Teknonymy is an avoidance or respect usage found in various kinship systems where parents are addressed or referred to through their child.
b) Students must not confuse teknonymy with couvade, which relates to ritual restrictions observed by the father during childbirth.

(ii) The life of the Toda tribe is largely centred on the sacred buffaloes, which forms an integral part of their sustenance and cultural heritage. Walker (1986) reported that it was not only the economic and social life of the Todas which was traditionally centred on the buffalo but their religious observance too.
(Source (edited): https://nbagr.icar.gov.in/wpcontent/uploads/2020/02/Toda.pdf Indian Council of Agricultural Research)
Identify the economic activity of Toda tribe. [1 Mark]
(a) Shifting axe cultivation
(b) Food gathering
(c) Pastoralism
(d) Handicrafts

Answer: (c) Pastoralism

The Toda tribe is well known for pastoralism, specifically centered around raising and herding buffaloes.

Teacher's Note:
a) Pastoralism involves livestock rearing as the primary economic foundation of the community.
b) Ensure students read source information carefully to link cultural symbols like the sacred buffalo to subsistence patterns.

(iii) Given below are two statements marked as Assertion and Reason. Read the statements carefully and choose the correct option. [1 Mark]
Assertion: In some communities, a son-in-law can be very friendly with his father-in-law and can ask for anything in his in-laws’ house.
Reason: A Joking Relation exists among some kin members to ease the strain that may arise in their relationship.
(a) Both Assertion and Reason are true and Reason is the correct explanation for Assertion.
(b) Both Assertion and Reason are true but Reason is not the correct explanation for 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 for Assertion.

Joking relationships permit unusual familiarity and ease tension between specific kin categories like a son-in-law and father-in-law.

Teacher's Note:
a) Joking relationships function structurally to diffuse potential social friction or conflict in prescribed kinship roles.
b) Distinguish clearly between avoidance relationships and joking relationships when preparing questions on kinship behavior.

(iv) Given below are two statements marked as Assertion and Reason. Read the statements carefully and choose the correct option. [1 Mark]
Assertion: Bal Panchayats are an important political platform for children in rural India.
Reason: They provide children with a platform to voice issues that concern them directly or indirectly.
(a) Both Assertion and Reason are true and Reason is the correct explanation for Assertion.
(b) Both Assertion and Reason are true but Reason is not the correct explanation for 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 for Assertion.

Bal Panchayats empower children by enabling participation in local governance and articulating child-centric concerns.

Teacher's Note:
a) Grassroots participatory structures like Bal Panchayats introduce children to democratic processes early.
b) Verify that the reason directly justifies why Bal Panchayats hold political significance.

(v) Sukhi lives in a communal residence with other young members of his tribe. They have been living there since an early age and the residence is also the centre for education for the youth in their community.
Which one of the following is true for the residence that Sukhi inhabits? [1 Mark]
(a) Sukhi lives in a joint family.
(b) He lives in a dormitory.
(c) He lives in a matriarchal family.
(d) He lives in a patriarchal family.

Answer: (b) He lives in a dormitory.

Youth dormitories serve as communal living and socializing institutions for unmarried tribal youth.

Teacher's Note:
a) Tribal dormitories play a vital role in transmitting traditional knowledge, customs, and community values.
b) Do not confuse communal youth residences with family structures.

(vi) Free goods are those goods that are gifts of nature and are available in abundance to all.
Which one of the following examples indicates the use of free goods? [1 Mark]
(a) Ravi bought a packet of pens at a discount from a shop in his locality.
(b) Sakshi was gifted a pair of gold earrings by her friends on her birthday.
(c) Hari collected water from a river for his family’s consumption.
(d) Sam got an oxygen cylinder for his ailing grandfather.

Answer: (c) Hari collected water from a river for his family’s consumption.

River water in its natural state is a free good provided abundantly by nature.

Teacher's Note:
a) Free goods contrast with economic goods, requiring no payment or specialized human effort for extraction in this context.
b) Check that students understand the sociological or economic definition of free goods as opposed to commodified resources.

(vii) Certain individuals are forbidden from entering some places of worship. The concept of religion that forbids them is: [1 Mark]
(a) Superstition
(b) Ritual
(c) Belief
(d) Taboo

Answer: (d) Taboo

A religious taboo places prohibitions or interdictions on certain people, places, or objects.

Teacher's Note:
a) Taboos maintain sacred boundaries by prohibiting profane or impure contact with holy sites or practices.
b) Emphasize the regulatory and restrictive nature of religious taboos in society.

(viii) The movie Do Bhigha Zameen (1953) commences with Thakur Harnam Singh, who owned acres of land, attempting to confiscate the modest two third of land owned by the impoverished farmer, Shambhu. Thakur Harnam Singh’s intention is to build a factory in the village. However, Shambhu doesn't surrender easily; instead, he fights for his land.
Use specific terminology to identify the two classes of the Indian agrarian structure to which Thakur Harnam Singh and Shambhu belong. [1 Mark]

Answer:
Thakur Harnam Singh - Owner
Shambhu - Tenant

Teacher's Note:
a) Agrarian stratification often places landowners/zamindars against tenants, sharecroppers, or landless laborers.
b) Exact terminology representing ownership versus tenancy must be used to score full marks.

(ix) Name the rule of marriage that forbids marriage between individuals of a common lineage. [1 Mark]

Answer: Sapinda Exogamy

Teacher's Note:
a) Exogamy rules prohibit marriage within the same specified kinship group, lineage, or clan.
b) Ensure students specify 'Sapinda Exogamy' or general exogamy as applicable to blood relatives.

(x) Identify the type of Kinship shown in the image given below. [1 Mark]
[Figure: Wedding ritual depicting a bride and groom holding ritual garlands or tying sacred bonds.]
(Source: https://in.pinterest.com/)

Answer: Affinal kinship

Teacher's Note:
a) Affinal kinship is established through marriage ties rather than biological descent.
b) Contrast this clearly with consanguineous kinship based on blood.

(xi) The Iban tribals observe the mannerisms of a particular animal and believe that this animal is their protector spirit.
Which theory of religion is represented here? [1 Mark]

Answer: Totemism

Teacher's Note:
a) Totemism involves a sacred mystical relationship between a human group and a natural object, animal, or plant.
b) Mentioning Durkheim's connection to totemism adds depth in subjective evaluations.

(xii) Soumen migrated from his village to a city in search of a job. Though he was a Vaishya by birth, he soon realised that the status an individual earned in the city was on the basis of skills, abilities and efforts.
With reference to the above case, identify the system of social stratification that Soumen experienced in the city. [1 Mark]

Answer: Class System

Teacher's Note:
a) A class system is an open system of stratification based on achieved status, merit, skills, and economic standing.
b) Contrast this with caste, which is an ascribed system of stratification.

(xiii) What is regionalism? [1 Mark]

Answer: When a group agitates for a separate political identity within the nation state on the basis of their socio-economic and political demands, it is known as regionalism.

Teacher's Note:
a) Regionalism emphasizes loyalty to a particular region over national integration due to perceived developmental imbalances or cultural identities.
b) Any other correct meaning reflecting sub-national political or cultural assertions will be accepted.

(xiv) State any one difference between Consanguineous and Conjugal families. [1 Mark]

Answer: Consanguineous family is based on blood relations, whereas a Conjugal family is based on marital relations.

Teacher's Note:
a) Consanguineous ties link blood relatives such as parents and children or siblings.
b) Conjugal ties are established primarily through the marital bond between husband and wife.

SECTION B - 28 MARKS

Question 2. Identify the examples of the three degrees of kinship from the image shown below. Discuss each of the three degrees briefly. [4 Marks]
[Figure: A family photograph showing labeled relationships where Mother and Brother are labeled as Primary kin, Mother's sister and Grandma as Secondary kin, and Cousin as Tertiary kin relative to Ego.]
(Source (edited): https://en.wikipedia.org/)

Answer:
1. Identification from image: Mother and brother are primary kin; mother's sister and grandma are secondary kin; cousin is tertiary kin.
2. Primary kin: Members directly related to ego, such as parents, siblings, or spouses (e.g., father is a primary consanguine kin, wife is a primary affinal kin).
3. Secondary kin: Primary kin of ego's primary kin, such as father's brother or wife's sister.
4. Tertiary kin: Secondary kin's primary kin, or primary kin's secondary kin, such as a cousin.

Teacher's Note:
a) Students must correctly link the visual labels to the theoretical definitions of kinship degrees.
b) Clear differentiation using genealogical distance is crucial for full marks.

Question 3. Patriarchal ideology undervalues attributes seen as “feminine” or pertaining to women and privileges traits that are “masculine” or relating to men. Reflect on the above statement and with the help of any four arguments, outline the impact of such an ideology on different genders. [4 Marks]

Answer:
1. Impact on women: It leads to social evils like female foeticide, child marriage, Sati, and dowry, while legitimizing subordination and domestic violence.
2. Economic and social inequality for women: It creates unequal opportunities and pay norms at workplaces, leading women to internalize an inferior status.
3. Impact on men: Men often develop a superiority complex and face constant pressure to conform to rigid normative roles of being tough providers.
4. Behavioral impact on men: Patriarchal notions foster insensitivity toward women's challenges and can manifest as violent behavior due to viewing women as secondary beings.

Teacher's Note:
a) Answers must address both genders to provide a balanced sociological critique of patriarchy.
b) Ensure arguments are backed by structural consequences rather than mere personal opinions.

Question 4. Explore any four characteristics of the Jajmani system. [4 Marks]

Answer:
1. Traditional caste-based exchange: It operated as a system of reciprocal occupational obligations among different castes in a village.
2. Hereditary rights: Jajmani rights (Jajmani haq) were permanent and hereditary like property rights, restricting upward social mobility for the Kamin.
3. Payment in kind: Services rendered by the lower castes (Kamins) to patrons (Jajmans) were traditionally compensated through payments in grain or goods.
4. Multiplicity and exclusivity: Relationships were often hereditary, exclusive, and multiple, fostering close village solidarity while enforcing social order and subordination.

Teacher's Note:
a) Explain both the functional solidarity and the exploitative hierarchical aspects of the Jajmani system.
b) Any four clear characteristics from the standard agrarian sociology framework are acceptable.

Question 5. Discuss any four effects of the Act implemented in 2009 by the Government of India to improve the level of literacy. [4 Marks]

Answer:
1. Increased enrollment: By mandating free and compulsory education for children aged 6 to 14, it led to a significant surge in school enrollments.
2. Inclusion of marginalized sections: It ensured legal access to education for children from socially disadvantaged and weaker sections, reducing class gaps.
3. Prohibition of harassment: The Right to Education (RTE) Act strictly prohibited physical punishment and mental harassment in schools.
4. Standards and accountability: It specified government duties, regulated private and public school policies, and emphasized the appointment of trained teachers.

Teacher's Note:
a) The Act referred to is the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009.
b) Points must be written in complete sentences, avoiding vague phrases or bullet fragments.

Question 6. India has been inhabited by tribal communities since ancient times. These communities lived in relative seclusion until recent times. They maintained their separate identity as they had a distinct way of life that set them apart.
In this context, elucidate the separate identity and distinct culture of tribes that set them apart from the rest of the population. [4 Marks]

Answer:
1. Definite territory: Tribes occupy distinct geographic regions or territories that separate them from mainstream populations.
2. Strong kinship and endogamy: Kinship bonds form the basis of tribal social organization, and tribal endogamy is typically practiced.
3. Common dialect and joint ownership: Members share a common language or dialect, and economic resources like land are often jointly owned.
4. Distinct religion and institutions: Tribes possess unique belief systems, moral codes, and traditional training institutions like youth dormitories instead of formal schools.

Teacher's Note:
a) Students should mention any four distinct markers of tribal identity.
b) Focus on structural features such as isolation, common culture, and traditional governance.

Question 7

(i) “The major religions of the world have achieved their success largely because they offer a satisfying theodicy or explanation for eternal human problems, such as suffering, death, and the meaning of life.” - Ian Robertson
With respect to the given statement, justify any four similar impacts that religion can have on human beings. [4 Marks]

Answer:
1. Conserving value of life: Religion gives meaning to human existence, helping individuals cope with crises and existential dread.
2. Explaining suffering: It provides a rationale for individual suffering and misfortune, thereby alleviating anxiety and offering psychological comfort.
3. Source of strength: Religion acts as an emotional anchor, inspiring human beings to navigate difficult situations with resilience.
4. Social control and welfare: It acts as an agent of social order, disciplining human instincts while promoting altruism, kindness, and compassion toward others.

Teacher's Note:
a) Answers must evaluate positive impacts of religion substantiating the given sociological quote.
b) Any relevant psychological or social function of religion is acceptable.

OR

(ii) The Sacred are those things that are revered and viewed as extraordinary while the Profane are identified with the ordinary aspects of life.
With respect to the two concepts highlighted in the above statement, evaluate the relevance of the theory of religion by Durkheim. [4 Marks]

Answer:
1. Sacred and Profane dichotomy: Durkheim divided all things into sacred (objects of awe, veneration, and religious attribution) and profane (mundane everyday utilities and routines).
2. Collective conscience: Religious rituals centered around the sacred reinforce social solidarity, collective consciousness, and communal bonds.
3. Functionalist perspective: Religion serves to integrate society by maintaining moral rules and social order.
4. Modern relevance: Durkheim's framework remains relevant for understanding how modern societies utilize symbolic boundaries, rituals, and collective gatherings to reinforce social unity.

Teacher's Note:
a) Ensure the answer explains both core concepts (sacred/profane) and concludes with an evaluation of Durkheim's functionalist relevance.
b) Mentioning examples like totems or community rituals strengthens the response.

Question 8

(i) Explain any four features of family as given by Mac Iver. [4 Marks]

Answer:
1. Universality: The family is a universal social institution found in all known human societies without exception.
2. Emotional basis: It is founded on emotional bonds, affection, mutual cooperation, and blood ties that keep members together.
3. Educative role: The family serves as the primary agency of socialization, instilling early lessons of love, respect, and social norms.
4. Nuclear position and responsibility: It forms the nucleus of an individual's social life, allocating distinct duties and roles to each member.

Teacher's Note:
a) Mac Iver highlights features like universality, emotional basis, limited size, and social regulation.
b) Explanations must clearly reflect Mac Iver's sociological definitions.

OR

(ii) Explain any four functions of marriage. [4 Marks]

Answer:
1. Regulation of sexual relations: Marriage socially sanctions and regularizes sexual relations between partners, preventing social chaos.
2. Incest taboos: It establishes clear boundaries and rules regarding incest and acceptable marital partners.
3. Continuity of human race: Marriage ensures biological reproduction, child rearing, and the survival of human society.
4. Economic cooperation and property inheritance: It facilitates division of labor between spouses, legitimizes parenthood, and regulates property inheritance.

Teacher's Note:
a) Discuss any four fundamental sociological functions of marriage clearly.
b) Ensure emphasis is placed on social stability and institutional regulation.

SECTION C - 28 MARKS

Question 9

(i) Discuss the relevance of Monogamy as a marriage form in contemporary society. [7 Marks]

Answer:
1. Definition and prevalence: Monogamy is a form of marriage involving one man and one woman, making it the most common and legally recognized marriage form globally.
2. Stability and emotional bond: It ensures stability, peace, loyalty, and deep emotional companionship as only two individuals are involved.
3. Economic viability: Monogamous families are economically better suited to manage resources in modern urban and industrial living conditions.
4. Child socialization: It provides an ideal, focused environment for raising children and caring for dependent family members.
5. Status of women: Monogamy elevates the social status of women by eliminating the subordination often found in polygynous arrangements.
6. Legal and societal backing: Modern legal systems universally endorse monogamy as the standard moral and legal norm.
7. Reduced conflict: By avoiding the rivalries inherent in plural marriages, it promotes better understanding and marital harmony.

Teacher's Note:
a) Students must discuss the given statement supporting the relevance of monogamy without contradicting the premise.
b) Provide at least seven distinct arguments for a 7-mark question.

OR

(ii) Discuss any seven features of Exogamy. [7 Marks]

Answer:
1. Definition: Exogamy is the rule or practice of marrying outside one's own clan, lineage, village, or Gotra.
2. Types among Hindus: Prominent forms of exogamy include Gotra exogamy, Pravara exogamy, Sapinda exogamy, and village exogamy.
3. Prevention of racial degeneration: Historically, exogamy was believed to prevent physical and mental deterioration through outbreeding.
4. Genetic diversity: It promotes biological vigor and genetic diversity by avoiding close inbreeding.
5. Incest taboo compliance: Exogamy is deeply linked with reinforcing incest taboos by legally and socially barring sexual unions among close blood relatives.
6. Cultural diffusion: Inter-group marriages widen cooperative cultural contacts and forge peaceful alliances between different social groups.
7. Historical tribal adaptation: In primitive hunting communities, shortage of women or avoidance of internal feuds may have encouraged bride-seeking from outside groups.

Teacher's Note:
a) Ensure all seven features of exogamy are well-elaborated with sociological reasoning.
b) Mentioning specific traditional Hindu exogamous rules adds value.

Question 10. The two images shown above represent two family forms. Which one is characteristic of urban societies? Justify your answer with the help of six reasons. [7 Marks]
[Figure: Image 1 showing a large joint family spanning three generations under one roof, and Image 2 showing a small nuclear family consisting of parents and two children.]
(Source: Image 1 - https://www.medium.com/, Image 2 - https://www.freepik.com/)

Answer:
1. Identification: Image 2 represents a nuclear family, which is characteristic of urban societies.
2. Housing and space constraints: A dearth of space and high housing costs in urban areas make small nuclear families the most practical choice.
3. Egalitarian authority: Nuclear families do away with rigid patriarchal authority structures, dividing decision-making power more equally between partners.
4. Individualism and privacy: Urban lifestyles prioritize personal space, autonomy, and individual career choices over collective family control.
5. Reduced focus on traditional rituals: Urban nuclear households generally experience less pressure regarding traditional religious rituals and joint family obligations.
6. Women in the workforce: Women's active participation in the modern urban workforce alters traditional gender roles, making nuclear living arrangements more convenient.
7. Family planning: Urbanization correlates with lower birth rates and active family planning, naturally favoring smaller nuclear households.

Teacher's Note:
a) Students must first identify Image 2 as the nuclear family and provide six supporting justifications.
b) Emphasize socioeconomic factors like urbanization, space crunch, and changing women's roles.

Question 11

(i) List four castes in India according to the order of hierarchy. [2 Marks]

Answer:
1. Brahmin
2. Kshatriya
3. Vaishya
4. Shudra

Teacher's Note:
a) The fourfold Varna order must be listed in strict descending hierarchical order.
b) Random listing will not fetch marks.

(ii) Discuss the Divine Origin Theory of Caste. [5 Marks]

Answer:
1. Scriptural source: Outlined in the Purushasukta of the Rig Veda, this theory states that castes originated from the body parts of Brahma, the Supreme Creator.
2. Hierarchical body parts: Brahmins originated from the mouth (knowledge); Kshatriyas from the arms (strength/warfare); Vaishyas from the thighs (trade/agriculture); and Shudras from the feet (service).
3. Scriptural backing: The theory found support in ancient texts like the Manusmriti and the Bhagavad Gita to legitimize social order.
4. Demerits and unscientific nature: The theory is unscientific and conflates Varna with Jati.
5. Social rigidity: It restricts social mobility by locking individuals into hereditary, caste-based occupations while oversimplifying social complexity by excluding groups like Dalits.

Teacher's Note:
a) Responses must cover both the foundational description from the Rig Veda and the sociological demerits/criticisms of the theory.
b) Ensure proper linkage between the part of the body and the ascribed societal function.

Question 12. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow.
I was born and raised in a large family in Ahmedabad where many members lived under the same roof. However, few months after I got married, my husband and I moved to Chennai. In the beginning, I enjoyed the privacy with my husband. But on certain occasions I also felt the absence of other family members around us along with their interactions and regular 'interference'. As time passed by, I started feeling lonely and missed the crowd of relatives around me. I particularly remembered the fun-filled moments that I spent with my large family during festivals.
My husband and I made good friends with few neighbours, but the loneliness remained. After the birth of both my children, I needed my mother and mother-in-law around to assist me for a while, but I had to manage on my own. Things became really difficult when I took up a job. I had to leave both my children in a day care centre. It was then that I most cherished the memories of my childhood spent with my family.

(i) What types of family have been referred to by the narrator? [2 Marks]

Answer:
1. Joint family (experienced during her childhood in Ahmedabad)
2. Nuclear family (experienced post-marriage in Chennai)

Teacher's Note:
a) Students must correctly extract both family types from the contextual cues in the passage.
b) Brief identification is sufficient for 2 marks.

(ii) Compare the two types of families identified in subpart (i). [5 Marks]

Answer:
1. Size and structure: Joint families are large, spanning multiple generations under one roof with a common kitchen, whereas nuclear families comprise only two generations (parents and children).
2. Authority and decision making: Joint families feature centralized authority vested in the head member with collective decision-making, while nuclear families have shared authority and individual autonomy.
3. Socialization and support: Joint families provide built-in childcare, emotional support, and strong collective socialization during festivals; nuclear families rely on external agencies like day care centers and neighbors.
4. Individualism: Joint families offer little scope for personal privacy or individualism, whereas nuclear families promote autonomy and independent decision-making.
5. Status of women and work: In joint families, women often adhere to traditional homemaker roles under elders' supervision, whereas nuclear settings allow greater equality and participation in the workforce alongside husbands.

Teacher's Note:
a) The comparison must contrast joint and nuclear families across common criteria such as size, authority, socialization, and women's status.
b) Use direct sociological terminology to score maximum marks.