ISC Class 12 Sociology Sample Paper 2026 with Solutions

SECTION A - 14 MARKS

Question 1

(i) In some African communities, parents and grandparents are often addressed using the name of the child / grandchild. For example, among the Yoruba of West Africa a woman could be referred to as “Iya Femi” (mother of Femi) and a man as “Baba Femi” (father of Femi). [1 Mark]
The kinship usage described above is:
(a) Couvade
(b) Teknonymy
(c) Avunculate
(d) Amitate

Answer: (b) Teknonymy

Teknonymy is a kinship term where parents are referred to by the names of their children.

Teacher's Note:
a) Remember that 'tekno' refers to child and 'onymy' refers to name.
b) Do not confuse teknonymy with avunculate, which relates to the maternal uncle.

(ii) The Rabaris are an indigenous tribe of nomadic cattle and camel herders and shepherds that live throughout northwest India. Moving mainly through the regions of Rajasthan and Gujarat, they go back to their village once a year and make their living by selling milk.
(Source(edited): https://www.atlasofhumanity.com/rabari)
Which type of economic activity does the Rabari tribe engage in for a living? [1 Mark]
(a) Shifting axe cultivation
(b) Food gathering
(c) Pastoralism
(d) Handicrafts

Answer: (c) Pastoralism

Pastoralism involves raising livestock such as cattle, camels, and sheep as a primary mode of subsistence.

Teacher's Note:
a) Nomadic herders who move with their animals are classified under pastoralists.
b) Pay close attention to keywords like 'cattle and camel herders' in the source text.

(iii) Given below are two statements marked as Assertion and Reason. Read the statements carefully and choose the correct option. [1 Mark]
Assertion: Avoidance has been prevalent in all forms of societies especially primitive communities.
Reason: As a social mechanism, avoidance prevents conflict especially in communities that are not governed by any written laws, by imposing strict behavioural norms on kin members.
(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.

Avoidance customs serve to maintain social distance and prevent friction among specific kin.

Teacher's Note:
a) Avoidance is a universal kinship usage aimed at regulating social interaction.
b) Link the absence of written laws in primitive societies to the need for informal regulatory mechanisms like avoidance.

(iv) Given below are two statements marked as Assertion and Reason. Read the statements carefully and choose the correct option. [1 Mark]
Assertion: At times, tribal communities in India desire to carve a separate political identity within the nation state.
Reason: These communities often face discrimination and exclusion from the mainstream society.
(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.

Feelings of marginalization prompt tribal groups to seek distinct political autonomy.

Teacher's Note:
a) Marginalization and social exclusion are primary drivers of tribal ethnic movements in India.
b) Ensure students evaluate both the factual accuracy of the statements and their causal relationship.

(v) Mahi lives in a communal residence with other young members of her tribe. Her village also has similar communal residences for widows and widowers. All the members residing there learn about their tribal practices and are inducted into the tribal way of life. This communal residence imparts a knowledge of tribal values and culture to the youth. [1 Mark]
Choose the correct statements that describe the residence that Mahi inhabits.
(P) Mahi lives in a joint family.
(Q) She lives in a dormitory.
(R) She inhabits Avunculocal residence.
(S) It acts as a centre for socialisation and education of the youth.
(a) Only (P) and (Q)
(b) Only (Q) and (R)
(c) Only (R) and (S)
(d) Only (Q) and (S)

Answer: (d) Only (Q) and (S)

Tribal dormitories serve as youth houses that function as major agencies of education and socialization.

Teacher's Note:
a) Dormitories are distinct institutions found in tribal societies separate from ordinary family units.
b) Recognize statements (Q) and (S) as accurate descriptions of youth dormitories.

(vi) Read the following scenarios and select the process that reflects Westernisation. [1 Mark]
(a) Members of a low caste group imitated the lifestyle of the upper caste as they wanted to rise in the social hierarchy.
(b) A group of Indians discarded the use of Indian clothes in favour of formal English attire as they considered it a mark of social mobility.
(c) In remote areas of Karnataka, the lifestyle of Brahmins was imitated by members of other castes to gain upward social mobility.
(d) A large part of the urban population prefers eating meals at Mc Donald’s to traditional food items at Indian restaurants.

Answer: (b) A group of Indians discarded the use of Indian clothes in favour of formal English attire as they considered it a mark of social mobility.

Westernisation involves the adoption of Western lifestyle, dress, values, and habits.

Teacher's Note:
a) Options (a) and (c) describe Sanskritisation, whereas (b) reflects direct Western influence.
b) Distinguish clearly between indigenous emulation (Sanskritisation) and Western impact (Westernisation).

(vii) In a debate competition at her school, Neha argues that the bond between siblings is inherently stronger than the bond between spouses.
Which one of the following BEST explains Neha’s argument? [1 Mark]
(a) Conjugal families are characterised by permanence.
(b) Consanguineal families are characterised by long lasting relationships.
(c) Blood relatives form the core of Conjugal families.
(d) Consanguineal families are large in size.

Answer: (b) Consanguineal families are characterised by long lasting relationships.

Consanguineal ties based on blood relations are permanent and enduring compared to marital ties.

Teacher's Note:
a) Consanguineal kinship refers to blood relationships like those between siblings.
b) Conjugal ties depend on marriage, which can sometimes be more vulnerable than blood bonds.

(viii) Analyse the relationship between the first pair and complete the analogy. [1 Mark]
(a) Free goods: Gifts of Nature :: __________: Command a price
(b) Consanguineous kinship: Blood ties :: Affinal kinship: __________

Answer:
(a) Economic goods
(b) Marital ties

Economic goods command a price, and affinal kinship is based on marriage or marital ties.

Teacher's Note:
a) Ensure students understand economic versus free goods in sociological contexts.
b) Affinal kinship specifically denotes ties created through marriage.

(ix) 'In a recent wedding in rural Maharashtra, the families consulted local elders and genealogical records before finalising the match. The bride and groom's lineage were traced back seven generations on the father's side and five on the mother's side to ensure that no common ancestor was shared within those limits.'
Source: https://www.tribuneindia.com/
With reference to the above case, identify the rule of marriage being followed. [1 Mark]

Answer: Sapinda Exogamy

The practice of avoiding marriage within specific generational limits of common ancestry is known as sapinda exogamy.

Teacher's Note:
a) Sapinda rules prohibit marriage between individuals sharing common ancestors within prescribed generations.
b) Students must link generational tracing directly to exogamous marriage rules.

(x) Some cultures observe strict dietary restrictions and prohibit the killing and eating of certain animals.
Which concept of religion propels people to follow this behaviour? [1 Mark]

Answer: Taboo

Religious prohibitions regarding specific foods or actions are categorized as taboos.

Teacher's Note:
a) A taboo is a strong social or religious prohibition against certain behaviors or objects.
b) Food restrictions often have deep-seated religious and ritualistic significance.

(xi) Slavery in the 17th century in USA was a system of hierarchy based on race and ethnicity that did not allow social mobility and social relationships in society.
Which hierarchical arrangement of individuals and groups with distinct social layers prevented social mobility and social relationships? [1 Mark]

Answer: Social Stratification

Social stratification refers to a system by which a society ranks categories of people in a hierarchy.

Teacher's Note:
a) Closed stratification systems like slavery strictly prohibit social mobility.
b) Race and ethnicity can form the basis of rigid societal stratification layers.

(xii) State one feature of Classificatory kinship terms. [1 Mark]

Answer:
Classificatory kinship terms classify many kin members under the same single term (e.g., using the same term for father and father's brother).

Teacher's Note:
a) Classificatory systems group different relatives under a single descriptive category.
b) They are commonly found in primitive and traditional societies.

(xiii) Briefly explain the term sharecropper with reference to the agrarian economic structure. [1 Mark]

Answer:
A sharecropper is a tenant farmer who cultivates land owned by someone else and pays rent by giving a specific share of the harvested crop to the landowner.

Teacher's Note:
a) Sharecropping represents a traditional agrarian labor and tenancy arrangement.
b) Emphasize the crop-sharing mechanism inherent in this economic relationship.

(xiv) State any one feature of Polygyny. [1 Mark]

Answer:
Polygyny is a form of marriage in which one man is married to multiple women at the same time.

Teacher's Note:
a) Polygyny is a sub-category of polygamy involving one husband and multiple wives.
b) Ensure students do not confuse polygyny with polyandry.

SECTION B - 28 MARKS

Question 2. Pooja cut all ties from members of her extended family for two decades due to a feud. When her maternal grandmother passed away, her maternal aunts Rati and Ratna along with their sons Surya and Vikram reconnected with her. At first, Pooja was reluctant to renew ties with them. But she decided to revive her relationship with her family members after being encouraged by her husband, Vinod.
Briefly discuss the term degree of kinship. What are the different degrees of kinship evident in the above case? [4 Marks]

Answer:
1. Degree of kinship explains the closeness or distance of ego to kin members through blood and marital ties.
2. Primary kin: Husband Vinod (direct marital tie).
3. Secondary kin: Maternal grandmother and maternal aunts Rati and Ratna (secondary blood relatives).
4. Tertiary kin: Cousins Surya and Vikram (tertiary blood relatives).

Teacher's Note:
a) Kinship degrees categorize relatives based on how closely they are linked to the ego.
b) Students must accurately identify specific examples directly from the provided source text.

Question 3. The graph given below depicts the results of the study done to assess the implementation of Right to Education (2009) in Government, Aided and Private Unaided schools in four states in India. Study the graph and answer the question that follows:
(Source: itforchange.net)
Analyse the effectiveness of Right to Education in addressing the disparity in education. [4 Marks]

[Figure: Bar graph titled Proportion of Children Receiving free Education in Government, Aided and Private Unaided Schools across State 1, State 2, State 3, and State 4 for Primary and Upper Primary sections. For State 1 Primary: Government 96.7, Aided 9.8, Private Unaided 2.9. State 1 Upper Primary: Government 93.1, Aided 16.3, Private Unaided 1.5. State 2 Primary: Government 92.3, Aided 7.2, Private Unaided 1.7. State 2 Upper Primary: Government 87.5, Aided 11.8, Private Unaided 0.7.]

Answer:
1. Government schools have successfully admitted a large number of children, showing uniform implementation of the RTE Act across the depicted states.
2. Significant disparity exists in aided and private schools, where enrollment figures for free education remain exceptionally low.
3. Socio-economic and cultural divides between rich and poor prevent underprivileged children from seeking or gaining admission into private schools.
4. Lack of widespread awareness among parents regarding RTE provisions restricts them primarily to enrolling children in government schools.

Teacher's Note:
a) Data analysis questions require direct reference to statistical trends shown in graphs.
b) Highlight the structural gap between public and private institutional compliance under RTE.

Question 4. How do social control measures reinforce morality in society? [4 Marks]

Answer:
1. Formal institutions like law and government keep deviant behavior in check through codified rules and punishments.
2. Informal measures such as religion, cultural values, and customs reiterate moral norms and ensure social conformity.
3. Socialisation internalizes fundamental moral values such as compassion, honesty, and justice within individuals.
4. Fear of social alienation and peer pressure compels individuals to adhere to established community standards of acceptable behavior.

Teacher's Note:
a) Social control operates through both formal mechanisms (law) and informal mechanisms (customs).
b) Emphasize how moral values are sustained and transmitted through continuous social interaction.

Question 5. The Jajmani system should be revived to bring back stability in rural livelihoods.
Do you agree with the statement? Justify your answer by giving four reasons. [4 Marks]

Answer:
1. The Jajmani system ensured hereditary occupations for every caste, reducing rural unemployment and providing economic security.
2. It fostered cooperation, interdependence, and social bonding between landowning (Jajman) and service-providing (Prajan) castes.
3. It helped preserve traditional indigenous skills such as pottery, weaving, and blacksmithing across generations.
4. Critics argue against revival because it institutionalized social disparities, reinforced caste hierarchies, and acted as an instrument of exploitation.

Teacher's Note:
a) Students can choose to agree or disagree as long as their arguments are logically justified.
b) A balanced answer addresses both economic security benefits and oppressive caste implications.

Question 6. Discuss any four features of Tribes. [4 Marks]

Answer:
1. Definite territory: Tribes occupy a specific geographical region that does not blend with other communities.
2. Tribal endogamy: Members strictly follow the rule of marrying within their own tribe.
3. Common language: All members of a tribe typically speak a shared dialect or language.
4. Common religion and culture: Tribes possess distinct religious beliefs, myths, and moral codes separate from mainstream populations.

Teacher's Note:
a) Tribes are self-contained social groups with distinct cultural and territorial boundaries.
b) Ensure clear listing and brief explanation of any four valid tribal characteristics.

Question 7

(i) Explore any four positive impacts of religion on human society. [4 Marks]

Answer:
1. Conservation of values: Religion gives meaning to human life and conserves core moral and cultural values.
2. Explanation of suffering: It provides rationales for individual suffering and helps alleviate existential anxiety.
3. Source of social control: Religion acts as an agent of social control, disciplining human instincts and establishing order.
4. Promotion of welfare: It teaches compassion, kindness, and charity, fostering community welfare and cohesion.

Teacher's Note:
a) Focus on functionalist perspectives of religion regarding social integration and emotional support.
b) Students should mention four distinct positive functions clearly.

OR

(ii) With reference to Durkheim’s theory of religion, discuss how religion establishes harmony and stability in society. [4 Marks]

Answer:
1. Durkheim bifurcated the world into 'sacred' (religious and revered) and 'profane' (ordinary everyday) elements.
2. Religious rituals and collective worship raise collective conscience, strengthening communal ties and social solidarity.
3. Shared beliefs and sacred symbols foster a sense of belonging and unity among members of society.
4. Modern societies utilize these religious concepts and communal gatherings to reinforce social order and integration.

Teacher's Note:
a) Émile Durkheim's sociological approach emphasizes religion's role in maintaining social order.
b) Mentioning the distinction between sacred and profane is crucial for this answer.

Question 8

(i) Comment on the relevance of MacIver’s idea of family as a social unit by referring to any four features of his theory. [4 Marks]

Answer:
1. Universality: Family is a universal social institution found in all cultures across human history.
2. Emotional basis: Affection and blood ties integrate family members and facilitate cultural transmission.
3. Educative role: Family serves as the primary educational unit where children learn initial social norms and behavior.
4. Social regulation: Family exercises social control, regulating individual behavior and maintaining social discipline.

Teacher's Note:
a) R.M. MacIver emphasized sociological characteristics of domestic institutions.
b) Examine both the theoretical feature and its contemporary relevance.

OR

(ii) With the help of four arguments, comment on the relevance of Marriage as a social institution in present times. [4 Marks]

Answer:
1. Social sanction: Marriage provides social legitimacy and sanction to sexual unions and family formation.
2. Reinforces taboo: It clearly establishes rules regarding incest and acceptable marital partners.
3. Continuity of human race: Marriage institutionalizes procreation, ensuring the survival and continuity of society.
4. Economic organization: It traditionally structures the division of labor between partners, though modern roles have evolved toward shared economic participation.

Teacher's Note:
a) Marriage continues to evolve in response to changing societal values and legal norms.
b) Ensure arguments evaluate both traditional functions and modern transformations.

SECTION C - 28 MARKS

Question 9

(i) Discuss any seven features of Monogamy. [7 Marks]

Answer:
1. Definition: It is a form of marriage restricted to one man and one woman at a given time.
2. Universality: It is recognized as the most common and widespread form of marriage across the world.
3. Stability: Involves only two individuals, fostering greater emotional stability, peace, and mutual loyalty.
4. Economic suitability: It is economically viable and manageable for families across different social strata.
5. Better understanding: Promotes closer companionship and better interpersonal understanding between partners.
6. Socialization: Facilitates effective socialization and care of children within a nuclear setting.
7. Status of women: Generally ascribes a higher and more equitable social status to women compared to polygamous forms.

Teacher's Note:
a) Monogamy is valued for promoting gender equality and stable domestic environments.
b) Students must clearly list and explain seven distinct features.

OR

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

Answer:
1. Definition: Exogamy is the cultural rule requiring a person to marry outside their own clan, village, or descent group.
2. Hindu classifications: Includes specific institutional rules like gotra, pravara, sapinda, and village exogamy.
3. Genetic diversity: Promotes biological health and genetic diversity by preventing inbreeding.
4. Incest prohibition: Enforces strict social norms against incestuous unions within immediate kinship groups.
5. Social alliances: Facilitates political and economic alliances between different social groups or communities.
6. Cultural expansion: Broadens social networks and encourages cooperative cultural contact between disparate groups.
7. Historical factors: In early hunting-gathering societies, female scarcity or fear of tribal degeneration encouraged bride-seeking from outside groups.

Teacher's Note:
a) Exogamy contrasts directly with endogamy, which mandates marrying within the group.
b) Mention biological, social, and cultural rationales for exogamous practices.

Question 10. Explain the correlation between Urbanisation and the transformation in the family structure in India. [7 Marks]

Answer:
1. Rise of nuclear families: Urbanisation has broken down large joint families, giving rise to smaller nuclear family units.
2. Housing constraints: Dearth of space and expensive housing in urban centers makes maintaining large joint households impractical.
3. Equal authority: Nuclear households often dismantle rigid patriarchal structures, promoting shared decision-making between partners.
4. Women's workforce participation: Urban employment opportunities have empowered women economically, altering traditional household divisions of labor.
5. Individualism: Urban environments prioritize personal freedom, privacy, and individual space over collective family control.
6. Changing marriage values: Urban youth increasingly base marriages on personal compatibility and romantic love rather than solely on family alliance.
7. Family planning: Increased awareness and urban living costs have contributed to lower birth rates and smaller family sizes.

Teacher's Note:
a) Urbanisation acts as a primary catalyst for structural changes in Indian domestic life.
b) Connect demographic and economic shifts directly to the evolution of family patterns.

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 traditional varna hierarchy must be written in strict descending order of ritual purity.
b) Random listing will not fetch credit.

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

Answer:
1. Scriptural origin: Outlined in the Purushasukta of the Rig Veda, stating that varnas originated from the body parts of Brahma.
2. Functional hierarchy: Brahmins from the mouth (knowledge), Kshatriyas from arms (strength), Vaishyas from thighs (production), and Shudras from feet (service).
3. Textual support: Supported by ancient texts including the Manusmriti and the Bhagavad Gita.
4. Demerits and criticism: The theory is unscientific, rigid, restricts social mobility, and oversimplifies complex social stratification.
5. Jati reality: Critics note that actual social practice is based on jatis rather than the fourfold varna classification.

Teacher's Note:
a) Discuss both the scriptural premise and critical sociological evaluations of the theory.
b) Mention specific bodily associations from the Purushasukta.

Question 12. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow.
Samay, from Ramthali village in Chittorgarh, had to engage in daily labour at a construction site with his father. He dropped out of school as he was required to support his family financially. A local NGO approached Samay and his family and attempted to re-enrol him in school. However, it proved to be a futile attempt as Samay did not join the school and continued working with his father.
The NGO then contacted the members of the local children’s council for intervention. The child leaders of this council met Samay and his parents. They visited them daily and shared inspiring real-life stories of their school experiences with Samay. They also convinced his parents about the illegality of child labour which prompted them to re-enrol Samay in a government school.

(i) Identify and briefly explain the children’s council referred to above. [2 Marks]

Answer:
1. The children's council refers to a Bal Panchayat.
2. It is an organization that provides political empowerment and leadership training for rural youth, involving them in decision-making processes on issues affecting children aged 10 to 18 years.

Teacher's Note:
a) Bal Panchayats empower children to act as active agents of social change.
b) Students must correctly identify the institution from the case study context.

(ii) Assess the role of political organisations like the children’s council in bringing about social change. [5 Marks]

Answer:
1. Active agency: Treats children as active agents of change rather than passive victims needing protection.
2. Democratic participation: Provides platforms for youth to voice concerns and influence community decision-making.
3. Peer persuasion: As demonstrated in the case, peer engagement effectively changes parental attitudes toward child labor and education.
4. Leadership development: Cultivates leadership skills and confidence among rural youth to tackle social challenges.
5. Community mobilization: Mobilizes masses around critical issues like child rights, environmental sustainability, and sanitation.

Teacher's Note:
a) Link the assessment directly to grassroots mobilization and child empowerment.
b) Reference case evidence to support broader sociological arguments on social change.