Maharashtra Board Class 12 Political Science Chapter 3 Key Concepts and Issues Since 1991 Solutions

Std 12 Political Science Chapter 3 Question Answer Key Concepts and Issues Since 1991: Maharashtra Board

Class 12 Political Science Chapter 3 Key Concepts and Issues Since 1991: Question Answer Maharashtra Board

Political Science Class 12 Chapter 3 Question Answer Maharashtra Board

1. (A) Complete the following statements by selecting the appropriate option.

Question 2. Today the Indian approach to gender issues focuses on
(a) Education
(b) Welfare
(c) Development
(d) Empowerment
Answer: (d) Empowerment
In simple words: The current Indian perspective on gender issues emphasizes empowering women to have control over their lives and participate fully in society. This goes beyond just providing education, welfare, or development, aiming for true autonomy.

🎯 Exam Tip: When answering multiple-choice questions, always identify the core concept being tested and choose the option that best represents the comprehensive modern approach. Focusing on key terms like 'empowerment' can secure full marks.

Question 3. The first UN Conference on Human Environment was held in 1972 in
(a) Johannesburg
(b) Stockholm
(c) Rio
(d) New Delhi
Answer: (b) Stockholm
In simple words: The first major global meeting on human environment, which marked a significant step in international environmental policy, took place in Stockholm in 1972.

🎯 Exam Tip: Memorizing significant historical dates and locations for international conferences, especially in environmental studies, is crucial for factual recall questions.

(B) Identify the incorrect pair in every set and correct it.

Question 1.
(a) JGSY - Infrastructure development in rural areas
(b) PMKVY - Skill training to youth
(c) MGNREGA - Housing for everyone
Answer: (c) MGNREGA - assured employment every year for every rural household
In simple words: The incorrect pair is MGNREGA because it aims to provide assured employment, not housing, to rural households. The correct function is to guarantee 100 days of wage employment in a financial year to adult members of any rural household willing to do public work-related unskilled manual work.

🎯 Exam Tip: For "identify incorrect pair" questions, carefully check the purpose and target beneficiaries of each scheme mentioned. A precise understanding of government programs is essential.

Question 2.
(a) National Commission for Women - 1992
(b) Planning Commission - 2015
(c) Rio+20 summit - 2012
Answer: (b) Planning Commission - 1950
In simple words: The Planning Commission was established in 1950, making the pair with "2015" incorrect. It was replaced by NITI Aayog in 2015.

🎯 Exam Tip: Accurately knowing the establishment dates of key national and international bodies or events is vital for such matching questions. Note down the correct dates for frequently confused entities.

(C) Find the odd word in the given set.

Question 1. National policy for empowerment of women, protection of women from domestic violence act, Muslim women (protection and right on marriage) Act, the secual harassment at workplace (prohibition prevention and readressal) Act.
In simple words: This question asks to identify the odd one out from a list of policies and acts related to women's rights and protection. To answer, one would need to analyze the specific focus or scope of each item.

🎯 Exam Tip: When asked to find the "odd word" from a list of policies or acts, categorize each item by its primary objective (e.g., general empowerment, specific protection, workplace safety) to spot the one that doesn't fit the dominant theme.

Question 2. Climate change, waste management, water scarity, deforestation.
In simple words: This question presents a list of environmental issues. The task is to identify which one stands out or has a different categorization compared to the others.

🎯 Exam Tip: For "find the odd word" with environmental terms, consider if one term represents a broader phenomenon (like climate change) while others are more specific causes or consequences, or if there's a different scale of impact.

2. State whether the following statements are true or false with reason.

Question 1. Planning Commission was created to promote agriculture in India.
Answer: This statement is False.
1. The Planning Commission was set up in 1950 to formulate a plan for the effective and balanced utilisation of the country's resources.
2. It's function was to prepare Five Year Plans to tackle poverty, employment and promote the Welfare State. The Green Revolution was introduced to promote agriculture in India.
In simple words: The Planning Commission's main role was overall resource planning and development through Five Year Plans, not specifically agriculture. Agriculture was promoted by initiatives like the Green Revolution.

🎯 Exam Tip: For true/false questions with reasons, clearly state True or False first, then provide precise historical context and functional roles of the mentioned organizations to support your claim.

Question 2. National Commission for Women was set up to protect rights for women in India.
Answer: This statement is True.
1. National Commission for Women was set up to facilitate the redressal of grievances of women.
2. It aimed to safeguard the rights and legal entitlements of women and accelerate their socio-economic development.
In simple words: The National Commission for Women was indeed established with the primary objective of protecting and promoting the rights and legal entitlements of women in India.

🎯 Exam Tip: When stating 'True', provide specific functions and objectives of the body to justify the statement. Knowing the mandate of national commissions is important.

3. Explain the correlation between the following.

Question 1. Women Empowerment and Sustainable Development.
Answer: Empowerment is a process by which any category of oppressed persons gain control over their own lives by developing self esteem and courage to fight against injustice. Sustainable development refers to development using resources in a way that allows for them to renew or to continue to exist for other e.g., recycling materials. This seems almost impossible without gender equality and women's empowerment. Women are empowered when they are able to access opportunities without restrictions such as in education, career, etc.,
Women's economic empowerment refers to the ability of women to enjoy their right to control and benefit from resources, income etc as well as the ability to improve their economic status and well-being. Political empowerment includes affirmative action policies to increase participation of women in parliamentary / government positions and policymaking. Thus, women's empowerment is a key factor for sustainable economic growth, social development and environmental sustainability.
In simple words: Women's empowerment, involving equal access to resources, education, and political participation, is crucial for sustainable development because it fosters equitable growth, improves social well-being, and ensures responsible resource management across all sectors.

🎯 Exam Tip: When explaining correlations, define both terms clearly first, then elaborate on how each aspect of one influences or enables the other, providing examples of economic, social, and political linkages.

Question 2. Poverty and Development
Answer: Poverty refers to deprivation of the basic necessities such as food, clothing, health services, education, etc., that determine quality of life. In economic terms, it is expressed as the poverty line. Development means some measurable improvement in some particular area. Alleviation or even eradication of poverty is the most important aim of developmental work.
Poverty is related to other problems of underdevelopment such as unemployment and inequalities. It hinders economic development as well as leads to issues of health, sanitation and disease, housing, crime, etc. Poverty alleviation i.e., set of economic and humanitarian measures, such as good governance, economic growth, government support in health education etc., are important for development.
In simple words: Poverty, defined as a lack of basic necessities, directly impedes development, which is about measurable improvements in quality of life. Eradicating poverty is a fundamental goal of development because it addresses interconnected issues like unemployment and poor health, paving the way for overall progress.

🎯 Exam Tip: To effectively explain the correlation, define poverty and development individually. Then, clearly show how poverty hinders development across multiple dimensions (social, economic, health) and conversely, how development efforts are crucial for poverty alleviation.

4. Answer the following questions in 80 to 100 words.

Question 1. Explain the traditional and non-traditional perception of poverty.
In simple words: This question requires differentiating between how poverty was historically understood (e.g., solely based on income) versus how it's viewed now, which includes broader deprivations like lack of access to education, healthcare, and social inclusion.

🎯 Exam Tip: When asked to explain traditional versus non-traditional perspectives, start by clearly defining each viewpoint. Provide specific characteristics or examples for both to highlight the differences effectively within the word limit.

Question 2. From 1960's to 21 century what efforts has India taken to achieve development?
In simple words: This question asks for a broad overview of India's developmental initiatives from the 1960s to the present century, covering various sectors like economic, social, and technological advancements.

🎯 Exam Tip: For historical overview questions, structure your answer chronologically or thematically. Mention key policies, programs, and milestones from different decades to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of India's development trajectory.

5. Answer the following question with reference to the given points.

Question 1. Explain condition of women in India.
(a) Economic inequality
(b) Trafficking and exploitation
(c) Literacy rate
(d) Political representation
Answer: All over the world, women have to face serious problems such as discrimination and violence, under-representation in economic and political decision-making, inequalities in education, health care, landholdings and workplaces and even in human rights.
Some of the important gender issues:
(a) Economic inequality - Participation of women in the labour market is about 28% only. There is also income inequality due to wide gender wage gaps as well as inequality of opportunities to women e.g., unequal access to education and finance. In many countries, women are either not encouraged to work or employed in the informal sector. Women continue to be underrepresented in high-level, highly paid positions and experience gender discrimination and sexual harassment in the workplace. Women experience high levels of poverty, unemployment and other economic hardships.
(b) Trafficking and exploitation - Women are often exploited and denied basic rights. They are trafficked for purpose of sexual and economic exploitation particularly prostitution, 'sold' as brides, subjected to sexual crimes, forced labour, street begging, etc. Trafficking in women means that they are deceived or forced/sold, physically confined, abused with no access to protection or health care.
(c) Literacy rate - low literacy among women is acute in India. As per 2011 census report, female literacy rate is only 65.46% while for males it is 82.14%. The reasons for the low female literacy are-
1. traditional patriarchal notions that do not consider female education as economically advantageous
2. Schools in rural areas are not easily accessible and travel may not safe or easy.
3. Benefits of schemes like R.T.E have not reached many rural females.
4. Social evils like child marriage, female foeticide, dowry, etc.
(d) Political Representation - Poor political representation of women is a significant gender concern in India. The First Lok Sabha had only 24 women of total 489 members i.e., 5% and the 17th Lok Sabha (2019) has 78 women (14%). This is the highest representation of women in Lok Sabha till date. The Women's Reservation Bill which proposes to reserve 33% of all seats in Lok Sabha and in State Assemblies for women is pending in the Lok Sabha. However, there exists 33% reservation for women in rural and urban local bodies.
In simple words: The condition of women in India is marked by significant challenges across economic, social, and political spheres, including low labor market participation, wage gaps, vulnerability to trafficking, lower literacy rates due to societal barriers, and under-representation in political decision-making bodies.

🎯 Exam Tip: When addressing a multi-part question like this, structure your answer clearly by addressing each point (a, b, c, d) separately. Use statistics or specific examples where available to support your explanations and demonstrate depth of knowledge.

Activity

Question 1. Find out information on international agreements on environmental balance. (Text Book Page No. 34)
Answer:
1. Stockholm conference (Declaration of UN Conference on Human Environment, 1972) led to a 109 point Environmental Action Plan and establishment of the UN Environmental programme (UNEP).
2. Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Faura (CITES) (1973) - grouped almost 30,000 plant and animal species into three levels of protection depending on the degree of regulation required.
3. Montreal Protocol (1987) - For protection of the ozone layer. It phases out production and use of ozone depleting chemicals.
4. Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) (1992) - The aim was to promote conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.
5. Kyoto Protocol (1997) - It supplements the 1992 UN Framework Convention on Climate change (UNFCCC) to limit six greenhouse gas emissions. It involved 37 countries and the UN.
6. Paris Agreement (2016) - It is an agreement within the UNFCCC, dealing with greenhouse gas emissions and strengthening global response to the threat of climate change.
In simple words: Several international agreements, such as the Stockholm Conference, CITES, Montreal Protocol, CBD, Kyoto Protocol, and Paris Agreement, have been established to address environmental concerns like climate change, biodiversity loss, and ozone depletion, fostering global cooperation for environmental balance.

🎯 Exam Tip: When listing international agreements, include the full name, year, and a concise summary of its primary objective. This shows comprehensive knowledge of global environmental governance.

Question 2. Find out percentage of handicapped voters in 17th Lok Sabha suggest measures to increase their percentage.
In simple words: This question requires researching the voting participation of persons with disabilities in the 17th Lok Sabha and then proposing ways to enhance their electoral engagement.

🎯 Exam Tip: For questions asking for data and suggestions, ensure your data point is accurate. Your suggestions should be practical and actionable, focusing on accessibility, awareness, and policy changes to encourage participation.

Class 12 Political Science Chapter 3 Key Concepts and Issues Since 1991: Humanitarian Issues Intext Questions and Answers

ACTIVITY (Text Book Page No.26)

Question 1. What are the different initiatives taken by the Indian Government to protect the environment?
Answer:
1. Swachh Bharat Abhiyan was launched on October 2, 2014 to achieve the mission of a clean India in both rural and urban areas. It was implemented by the Ministry of Drinking water and sanitation and the Ministry of Urban Development respectively. Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) aims to make India Open Defecation Free (ODF) For Urban Areas, it includes elimination of ODF, eradication of manual scavenging and proper solid waste management.
2. Namami Gange Programme (Clean Ganga Project) is implemented by the National Mission for Clean Ganga to conserve and rejuvenate the river Ganga. The centre allocated a total of Rs 20000 crore for the project. The key achievements include sewerage treatment capacity, river front development and surface cleaning of the river.
3. Green Skill Development Programme was launched in June 2017 by the MoEF and CC. It refers to skills that contribute to preserve and restore the environment, thus enabling youth to be employed or self-employment. Green skills include Pollution Monitoring, Waste Management, Forest and Wildlife Management, etc.
4. Constitutional Provisions - Article 48 (DPSP) says the State shall endeavour to protect and improve the environment. Article 51-A States that it shall be the duty of every citizen of India to protect and improve the natural environment.
5. Legislation -
(i) Indian Wild Life Protection Act (1972) Forest Conservation Act (1980) and Environment (Protection) Act (1986)
(ii) National Environmental Policy (2006) Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate change (MoEF and CC) along with Pollution Control Boards administer and enforce environmental laws. There is also the National Green Tribunal.
In simple words: The Indian Government has implemented a range of environmental initiatives including Swachh Bharat Abhiyan for sanitation, Namami Gange for river rejuvenation, the Green Skill Development Programme for sustainable employment, constitutional provisions for environmental protection, and various legislative acts like the Wild Life Protection Act and Environment (Protection) Act.

🎯 Exam Tip: When detailing government initiatives, list specific programs with their launch dates (if known) and primary objectives. Mentioning constitutional provisions and key legislation demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of India's environmental governance framework.

Question 2. Salient Features of National Policy for Women (2016). (Text Book Page No.33)
Answer: National Policy for Women was unveiled by Union WCD Minister, Smt Maneka Gandhi on 17th May 2016. It will replace National Policy for Empowerment of Women (2001). It shifts the focus from entitlements to rights and from mere empowerment to creating an enabling environment for women. It seeks to create conducive socio-cultural, economic and political environment to enable women to enjoy fundamental rights and realize their full potential. It's priority areas include health, food security and nutrition, education, involving women in governance and decision making, encouraging entrepreneurship, facilitating women in the workplace and dealing with violence against women.
In simple words: The 2016 National Policy for Women aims to create an enabling environment for women to realize their fundamental rights, shifting from entitlements to a rights-based approach, with priority areas including health, education, governance, entrepreneurship, and addressing workplace issues and violence.

🎯 Exam Tip: When asked about salient features of a policy, start with its core objective and significant changes from previous policies. Then, list and briefly explain the key priority areas or pillars of the policy. Use bullet points for clarity if allowed.

Question 3. Find out information on international agreements on environmental balance. (Text Book Page No. 34)
Answer:
1. Stockholm conference (Declaration of UN Conference on Human Environment, 1972) led to a 109 point Environmental Action Plan and establishment of the UN Environmental programme (UNEP).
2. Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Faura (CITES) (1973) - grouped almost 30,000 plant and animal species into three levels of protection depending on the degree of regulation required.
3. Montreal Protocol (1987) - For the protection of the ozone layer. It phases out production and use of ozone-depleting chemicals.
4. Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) (1992) - The aim was to promote conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.
5. Kyoto Protocol (1997) - It supplements the 1992 UN Framework Convention on Climate change (UNFCCC) to limit six greenhouse gas emissions. It involved 37 countries and the UN.
6. Paris Agreement (2016) - It is an agreement within the UNFCCC, dealing with greenhouse gas emissions and strengthening global response to the threat of climate change.
In simple words: Various international agreements, such as the Stockholm Conference, CITES, Montreal Protocol, CBD, Kyoto Protocol, and Paris Agreement, are crucial for global environmental balance, addressing issues from ozone depletion and biodiversity to climate change and endangered species protection.

🎯 Exam Tip: For questions about international agreements, always mention the full name of the agreement, its year of adoption, and its primary environmental objective. This demonstrates precise knowledge of global environmental governance.