POLITICAL SCIENCE (April’ 2013)
(317)
NIOS SENIOR SECONDARY Solved Papers
Time: 3 Hours
Maximum Marks: 100
1. Write the meaning of Political Science. 2
Ans.:-
Political Science is that part of social science which deals with the foundations
of the state and the principles of the government. According to J W Garner,
“Politics begins and ends with the state,”.
2. Mention any two points
of distinction between State and other associations. 2
Ans.:-
State as an association is different from other associations:-
1. All the associations, including even the state, consist of people. But while the membership of the state is compulsory, that of the other associations is voluntary.
2. A person is member of one state at one time, he/she cannot be a member of two or three states at the same
3. Mention any two elements
of Nationality. 2
Ans.:- Two
elements of nationality are
a. Common
Geography
b. Common
Race
4. Explain the Preamble’s goal of liberty and equality. 2
Ans.:-
Liberty:- Liberty of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship
Equality:- Equality of status
and opportunity.
5. Who are the members of the Electoral College that elect the
President of India? 2
Ans.:- The elected member of Parliament one members of the Electoral College for Presidential election. As such, they participate in the election of the President of India. They elect the Vice-President. The Lok Sabha elects its Speaker and Deputy Speaker and the Rajya Sabha eects it Deputy Chairman.
6. Describe any two functions
of the Parliament. 2
Ans.:- Two
functions of the parliament are as follows:-
1 .Legislative Function:- The
Parliament makes laws on all subjects listed in the Union List. It can also
makes laws on subjects listed under the Concurrent List. In case there is any
conflict or overlapping in the provisions existing in the Union and State
enactment, the Union law prevails. In cases when an emergency has been
declared, the Union Parliament can also make laws on subjects that fall within
the State List.
2. Financial Control:- Union Parliament has exclusive powers to
provide ways and means through which revenue has to be raised for public
services. To that end it imposes taxes and also ensures that the money
sanctioned for expenditure to various departments of the government has been
spent for the authorized purposes.
7. What is meant by simple majority system of election? 2
Ans.:-
Simple majority may refer to :
Majority,
a voting requirement of more than half of all ballots cast.
Plurality
(voting), a voting requirement of more ballots cast for a proposition than for
any other option.
First-past-the-post
voting, shifts the winner of the election from an absolute majority outcome to
a simple majority outcome.
8. What is good governance? 2
Ans.:- In
international development, good governance is a subjective term that describes
how public institutions conduct public affairs and manage public resources in
the preferred way. Governance is “the process of decision-making and the
process by which decisions are implemented (or not implemented.”
9. Write a short note on India and UN’s peace-keeping operations.
2
Ans.:-
Peace Keeping stands for prevention, containment and termination of hostilities
between or within states through the non offensive activities of multinational
forces of soldiers, police and civilian people sent unto the authority of the
United Nations with the consent of the countries concerned. Peacekeeping
nations changed in its scope and nature according to needs of a conflict
situation.
10. What are the effects of imposition of President’s Rule in a
State? 5
Ans.:- The
declaration of emergency due to the breakdown of Constitutional machinery in a
Sate has the following effects:
.1.
The President can assume to himself all or any of the functions of the State Government
or he may vest all or any of those functions with the Governor or any other
executive authority.
.2.
The President may dissolve the State Legislative Assembly or put it under
suspension. He may authorise the
Parliament to make laws on behalf of the State Legislature.
.3.
The President can make any other incidental or consequential provision
necessary to give effect to the object of proclamation.
11. Describe the legislative powers of State Governors. 5
Ans.:- The
Governor is an inseparable part of the State Legislature and as such he/she
possesses certin legislative powers as well.
The
Governor has the right to summon and prorogue the State Legislature. He/she
can, on the recommendation of the Council of Ministers headed by the Chief
Ministers dissolve the State Legislative Assembly.
He/she
can address the session of the State Legislative Assembly or Joint Session of
the two Houses of the Legislature. He can send messages to either or both
Houses.
He/she
can nominate one member of the Anglo Indian Community to the State Legislative
Assembly, if he/she is satisfied that after General Elections, the said
community is not adequately represented in the Assembly.
He/she
nominates one-sixth members of the total strength of the Legislative Council if
the same is existing in a State. Such nominated members are those who possess
special knowledge in the field of literature, science, cooperative movement and
social service.
12. Explain the meaning and significance of universal adult
franchise. 5
Ans.:- The
right of the people to vote and elect their representatives is called
franchise. The world franchise is derived from the French word ‘franc’ which
means ‘free’. It means free exercise of the right to choose one’s
representatives. Adult franchise means that the right to vote should be given
to all adult citizens without the discrimination of caste, class, colour,
religion or sex.
It is
based on equality which is a basic principle of democracy. It demands that the
right to vote should be equally available among all. To deny any class of
persons from exercising this right is to violate their right to equality. In
fact, the spirit of democracy can be maintained only if the people are given
the right to vote without any discrimination. The exercise of right to vote adds
to the individual’s self-respect, dignity, sense of responsibility, and
political and civic education. As provided for , in the Constitution of the
land, the citizens cast their votes at regular intervals to elect their
representatives to the Parliament, to the Legislative Assemblies, and such
other institutions as are essential organs of political power in a democracy.
These institutions are called representative institutions precisely because
they represent the will of the peoples.
13. Describe the role and importance of regional political
parties. 5
Ans.:-
Though the regional parties operate within very limited area and pursue only
limited objective, they have played significant role both in the State as well
as national politics. The regional political parties formed governments in
several states and tried to give concrete shape to their policies and
programmes. Some of the important regional parties which formed governments in
various states include DMK and AIADMK in Tamil Nadu, National Conference in
Jammu and Kashmir, Telugu Desam in Andhra Pradesh, Asom Gana Parishad in Assam
etc. the representatives of the regional parties focus the attention of the
Parliament on issues in their region and try to influence the policies of the
Government to promote their own interests.
But
probably the greatest service rendered by the regional political parties is
that they have focused the attention of the people in remote areas on various
political and economic issues and contributed to their political awakening. Above
all, the regional parties have been able to impress on the national political
parties that they cannot put up with their attitude of indifference towards
regional problems and have compelled them to take keen interest in the
resolution of their problems.
14. Explain any five features
of Human Rights. 5
Ans.:- The
following are the features of Human Rights:-
1. People have rights simply because
they are human:- All people have the right to lead a dignified
and human life, and work towards achieving this for all people. These rights
cannot be denied on the basis of caste, colur, religion and gender.
2. Human rights are universal:- They
take no account of nation, race, sex or colour. People of all nations, colour,
race, religion have same rights everywhere. The developed and developing
countries in all continents of the world must guarantee same rights to all
their citizens.
3. Human rights treat all people as
equal:- This follows the idea that “all human being
are born free and equal in rights and dignity” and therefore deserve the same
opportunities and treatment, whilst simultaneously respecting their different
cultures and traditions, political persuasion, sexuality, social origin, status
etc.
4. These rights belong primarily to
individuals:- This means that they are concerned with the
relationship between an individual and the state. Consequently, it is for the
government to create a society where each individual can enjoy and freely
exercise his or her rights to the full.
5. Human rights encompass the
fundamental principles of humanity:- These
rights are considered to be basic for the development of human personality and
for the sake of human dignity. Examples of such rights are the right to life,
freedom from slavery and freedom from torture.
15. What have been the major concerns of India’s foreign policy in
the post-Cold War period? 5
Ans.:- The
end of cold war in 1989 has brought about significant changes in the
international scene and hence new policy problems for the various states in the
developing world including India. The new situation is made by greater
uncertainty and complexity.
a. For India, disintegration of the Soviet Union has meant uncertainty on several aspects viz., supply of weapons system, supply of spare parts, diplomatic support on Kashmir and other politico-strategic issues in and outside the United Nations and as a counter weight to US in South Asia.
b. Militancy in Kashmir has emerged as the for most challenge to our foreign policy. Pakistan and the Western countries blamed India for violating human rights and denial or rights to self determination. Gradually, India brought the situation under control.
c. Because of the Kashmir dispute, India’s relations with Pakistan sharply deteriorated. India accused Pakistan of fanning trouble through cross border terrorism in Kashmir and other parts of our country. India conducted nuclear weapon tests in 1998, followed by Pakistan’s tests. Pakistan resorted to further mischief by secretly sending its soldiers into Kargil in order to cut off the Kashmir valley from the rest of India.
d. Spread of terrorism to corners beyond Kashmir is a challenge as well as opportunity for our foreign policy now a days. India is interested in forging anti-terrorism coalition with as many countries as possible.
16. Describe the nature of boundary dispute between India and
China. 5
Ans.:- The
1950s were marked by the boundary dispute between India and China, the flash
point of which unfortunately caused a war between the two countries in 1962.
China first started to claim large parts of Indian territory in North East
Frontier Agency (NEFA, now Arunachal Pradesh) and Ladakh by publishing maps in
which these were shown as included in China. China continued extending its
borders and also constructed a 110 mile long road across Aksai China area
(Ladakh) of India in1956-57. In 1959, China put claim to some 51,000 sq. miles
of Indian territory and also denied the validity of McMahon Line. By this time
Tibet had been fully integrated into China, it was in a strong position at the
India-China border with Chinese troops posted all along. While the two
countries were in dispute over the McMahon line issue, China launched a massive
attack on India in October 1962, in the NEFA as well as the Ladakh sector.
After overrunning large areas of Indian territory, China announced a unilateral
ceasefire after occupying huge territory of India 200 sq. miles in the North
Eastern sector and 15,000 sq. miles in Ladakh.
17. Explain liberalism and point out its any two features. 8
Ans.:- Liberalism
is a theory of reforms, for it has stood for reforms in economic, social and
political fields. It is a theory of liberty, individual liberty, individual
autonomy, for it has argued in favour of the development of human personality.
It is a theory of democracy, for it has favoured constitutional government,
government based on the consent of the people rule of law, decentralization,
free and fair elections. To conclude, we may highlight three aspects of
liberalism which clearly help us in understanding its meanings : in social
sphere, liberalism stands for secularism and a society that opposes, all kinds
of social discrimination, in economic sphere, it favours a capitalistic
economy, individual ownership of the means of production and maximum profit-earning
motive, in political sphere it stands for a democratic polity, individual
rights and liberties, responsive and responsible government, free and impartial
judiciary and the like. Features of
Liberalism:
1. Individual Liberty:- Liberalism
is essentially an ideology of liberty. Its love for individual liberty is
unquestionable. It has become libertarianism. For the liberals, liberty is the
very essence of human personality. It is a means to one’s development.
2. Individual-centred theory:- Liberalism
advocates free-market economy, i.e. the capitalistic mode of economy. It
believes in private property system, regarding property rights as sacrosanct,
maximum profit as the only motive, capitalistic mode of production and
distribution as the only essence, the market forces as the controlling means of
economy.
OR
Explain the distinction between State and Society.
Ans.:- The
distinction between the state and the society can be explained as under:-
1.
Strictly speaking, the state is a political organization; it is society
politically organized. Society, on the other hand, is a social organization and
has within it, all types of associations (social, economic, religious,
political, cultural and the like).
2.
In terms of origin, society is prior to the state. Society may be said to have
been born the day the human life must have begun. But the state did not begin
with the society,
3.
Being prior to the state, society is clearly a natural and therefore, an
instinctive institution. The state, on the other hand, is artificial, a created
institution, it was made when it was needed.
4.
The state exists for the society in the same way as a means exists for its end.
The state is, therefore, a means and the society is an end.
5.
The state is sovereign: no sovereignty means no state, the society is not
sovereign, it exists without being sovereign.
6.
The state has to have a definite territory. It is, therefore, a territorial
organization in so far as it stays on the definite portion of territory: its
territorial boundaries are fixed, definite and permanent. Society does have a
territory but its territory is not permanent: its place of operation may extend
or may get limited.
7.
The state has general rules of conduct called the laws: the society, too, has
general rules of conduct but they are called rituals, norms, habits and the
like.
8.
The state’s laws have a binding sanction. The violation of the laws of the
state is followed by punishment physical or otherwise or both. The rules of the
society, if violated, lead to social boycott, i.e. social exclusion.
18. Examine the nature of Indian federal system. 8
Ans.:- The
framers of the Constitution have modified the true nature of Indian federation
by incorporating certain non-features in it. These are:
Article I
of the Constitution describes India as a ‘Union of States’, which implies two
things: firstly, it is not the result of an agreement among the States and
secondly, the States have no freedom to secede or separate from the Union.
Besides, the Constitution of the Union and the States is a single framework
from which neither can get out and within which they must function. The
federation is a union because it is indestructible and helps to maintain the
unity of the country.
The Centre
appoints the Governors of the States and may take over the administration of
the State on the recommendations of the Governor or otherwise. In other words,
Governor is the agent of the Centre in the States. The working of Indian
federal system clearly reveals that the Governor has acted more as centre’s
representative than as the head of the State. This enables the Union government
to exercise control over the State administration. The control of the Union
over states after the imposition of National Emergency.
The
equality of units in a federation is best guaranteed by their equal
representation in the Uppers House of the federal legislature (Parliament).
However, this is not applicable in case of Indian States. They have unequal
representation in the Rajya Sabha.
OR
Explain the Right to Equality and highlight its importance.
Ans.:-
Right to equality means that all citizens enjoy equal privileges and
opportunities. It protects the citizens against any discrimination by the State
on the basis of religion, caste, race, sex, or place of birth.
Importance
of Right to Equality:-
Equality before law: Article 14 of the constitution
guarantees that all citizens shall be equally protected bythe laws of the
country. It means that the Sate cannot discriminate any of the Indian citizens
on the basis of their caste, creed, colour, gender, religion or place of birth.
Social equality and equal access to public areas:
Article 15 of the constitution states that no person shall be discriminated on
the basis of caste, colour, language etc. Every person shall have equal access
to public places like public parks, museums, wells, and temples etc.
Equality in matters of public employment:
Article 16 of the constitution lays down that the state cannot discriminate
against anyone in the matters of employment. All citizens can apply for
government jobs.
Abolition of untouchability: Article
17 of the constitution abolishes the practice of untouchability. Practice of
untouchability is an offence and anyone doing so is punishable by law.
Article 18
of the constitution prohibits the State from conferring any titles. Citizens of
India cannot accept titles from a
foreign State.
19. Analyse the role and functions of the Union Council of
Ministers. Highlight the position of the Prime Minister.8
Ans.:- It
has enormous powers and manifold responsibilities. All the executive powers of
the President are exercised by the Cabinet headed by the Prime Minister.
The
Cabinet determines and formulates the internal and external policies of the
country. It takes all major decisions regarding defence and security of the
country. It has also to formulate policies so as to provide better living
conditions for the people. Cabinet has control over national finance. The
Cabinet is responsible for whole of the expenditure of the government as well
for raising necessary revenues. It is the Cabinet that prepares the text of
President’s address to the Parliament. The Cabinet is also responsible for the
issuance of Ordinances by the President when the Parliament is not in session.
The sessions of the Parliament are convened by the President on the advice of
the Cabinet conveyed through the Prime Minister. The Cabinet prepares the
agenda of the sessions of The Parliament.
Article 74
(1) of the Constitution states that there shall be a council of ministers with
Prime Minister as its head to aid and advice the President who shall exercise
his function in accordance with advice tendered. Thus the real power is vested
in council of ministers with Prime Minister as its head.
OR
Explain the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of India.
Ans.:- The
scope of powers of supreme Court to hear and decide cases is called its
jurisdiction.
The
Supreme Court has three types of jurisdictions namely original, appellate and
advisory.
Original Jurisdiction:- There are
certain cases which fall within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Supreme
Court. It means that all such cases begin or originate in the Supreme Court,
only.
1.
(a) Disputes between the Government of India on the one side and one or more
states on the other side.
(b)
Disputes between the Government of India and one or more states on one side and
one or more States on the other side.
2. The Supreme Court has been invested with
special powers in the enforcement of Fundamental Rights. In this connection, it
has the power to issue directions or writs.
1.
CASES UNDER Public Interests
Litigation (PIL) can also be heard directly. (This is an extra Constitutional
practice, there is no mention of PIL in the Constitution).
Appellate Jurisdiction:-
The power of a superior/higher court to hear and decide appeals against the
judgment of a lower court is called appellate jurisdiction. The Supreme Court
has vast appellate jurisdiction. It hears appeals against the judgment of the
High Courts. Thus, it is the highest and the final Court of Appeal. If one of
the parties to a dispute is not satisfied with the decision of the High Court,
Criminal and Constitutional cases.
Advisory Jurisdiction:- This
power implies Court’s right to give advice, if sought. Under advisory jurisdiction,
the President of India may refer any question of law or public importance to
Supreme Court for its advice. But the Supreme Court is not bound to give
advice. In case, the advice or the opinion of the Court is sent to the
President, he may or may not accept it. The advice of the Court is not binding
on the President. So far, whenever the Court has given its advice, the
President has always accepted it. The Court refused to give its advice on the
question whether a temple existed at the spot, where Babri Masjid was built at
Ayodhya.
20. What is Communalism? What is its impact on Indian social and
political systems? 8
Ans.:- Meaning of Communalism:- India is land
of multiple faiths and religions leading often to violence and hatred among the
people. Those who fan this religious violence do not consider religion as a
moral order but use it as a means and weapon to pursue their political
ambitions. Communalism essentially leads to violence as it is based on mutual
religious hatred.
Impact on Indian social and political systems:- Some
general factors are: First the class divisions of our society and the
backwardness of our economy has resulted in uneven development of the economy.
It is the upper classes of the less-developed communities that have also
enjoyed the fruits of limited growth and hence it is they who have also enjoyed
political power. Over a period of time some sections among this elite
development a sense of rivalry vis-a-vis their counterparts in other
communities. In order to draw support from the masses of their own community,
these leaders have often encouraged communal feelings to strengthen their
political support. Thus, the traditional beliefs of the society are perpetuated
to the advantage of the elites. When they, many among communal people, feel
insecure because of some adverse circumstances, they often tend to rely on
religion, which make them vulnerable to political manipulation to inflame
communal passions, sometimes leading to violence.
Communal
violence also increases because communal parties carry on religious propaganda
in an offensive manner, thereby creating ill-will among the members of the
various communities. The political parties in India which adopt a communal
attitude should be blamed for encouraging communal feelings which often cause
communal violence.
OR
What is environmental degradation? Describe any one problem of environmental
degradation.
Ans.:- We use environmental resources in our day to day life. These resources are renewable and non-renewable resources like coal and petroleum, which are prone to depletion. All human activities have an impact on environment. But in the last two centuries or so, the human influence on environment has increased manifold due to the rapid population growth and the fast development in science and technology. These two are the major factors in reducing the quality of environment and causing its degradation.
Population Growth:- Population
growth means more people to eat and breathe, and putting an excessive pressure
on land and forest, and ultimately disturbing the ecological balance. Our
growing population is putting pressure on land, leading to poor quality of
productivity, deforestation (the loss of forest land so necessary for
ecological balance and extinction of wild life leading to imbalance in the
ecological order, loss of wild life heritage and ultimately dwindling of
several species. The growing population is not only a problem for the natural
environment, it is a problem for any other aspect of environment, say, for
example social, economic, political etc.
SECTION–B
OP TION–I
(World Order and the United Nations)
21. What is the role of the Secretariat of the United Nations? 2
Ans.:- The
Secretariat is the United Nations’ executive arm. The Secretariat has an
important role in setting the agenda for the UN’s deliberative and decision
making bodies of the UN (the General Assembly, Economic and Social Council, and
Security Council), and the implementation of the decision of these bodies.
22. Explain the composition and powers of the UN Security Council.
5
Ans.:- The
Security Council is the most powerful decision-making body of the United
Nations. It has the main responsibility to maintain international peace and
security. The Council is a contrast from the General Assembly in respect of
both its composition and the decision-making procedure. Unlike the Assembly,
the membership of the Council is limited to 15 counties only, out of which five
are permanent members. These five countries are China, France, Russia, the UK
and the USA.
The power
and functions of the Security Council are limited to the task of maintenance of
international peace and security. In case, a dispute arises between two or more
countries the Council can make appropriate recommendations in the interest of
peaceful settlement of the dispute. Nevertheless, these recommendations are not
binding on the unwilling states. For example, on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute,
the Security Council resolutions are not legally binding on either India or
Pakistan unless both countries willingly accept them.
23. Analyse the nature of the world order during the Cold War. 8
Ans.:- Exchange
of diplomats, rules regarding wars, postal communication, air and sea traffic,
treatment of foreigners, exchange of currencies are part of international
order. These and other aspects of international affairs are regulated through
customs and traditions, and also by rules laid down in carious international
agreements and treaties. It is also common that states having differences seek
the help of another country or an international agency for reaching a
compromise. The talks currently in progress between India and Pakistan mirror
these features of the existing world order. That a world war has not taken
place after 4945 speaks about the positive side of the world order.
Let us
recognise that world order cannot be idealistic ignoring the realities
completely. Political and other conditions continuously influence the nature of
the world order at any time. The World order in turn evolves gradually in
response to these developments by making necessary adjustments. The order does
not completely break up to give place to a new order, it only makes changes as
per the actual trends in the world. These changes may be good or bad, minor or
major. In other world, major developments like the end of the Cold War
necessitate change in the existing order, not change of the existing order.
OR
Explain the purposes and principles of the United Nations.
Ans.:- Purposes
and Principles of the United Nations:-
.1. to
maintain international peace and security through collective measures for
suppression of aggression and through peaceful settlement of disputes;
.2. to
develop friendly relations among countries based on full respect for the
principle of equality and self-determination;
.3. to
achieve international cooperation in the economic, social, cultural or
humanitarian fields, and
.4. to
encourage respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.
In pursuit
of the above objectives, both the United Nations and its member states are
required to adhere to a set of important guiding principles. The foremost among
them is the principle of equality among countries whether big or small, strong
or weak. The United Nations will not interfere in the domestic matters of the
member countries.
OPTION–II
(Administrative System in India)
21. Mention any two functions
of the Cabinet Secretariat. 2
Main
Functions of Cabinet Secretariat are:-
a. Cases
involving Legislation including the issuing of ordinances. Addresses and
messages of the President to the Parliament.
b. Cases
involving negotiation with foreign countries on treaties and agreements etc.
22. What are the functions of the Union Public Service Commission?
5
Ans.:- The
functions of the UPSC as described in the Constitution are:-
1. To
advise the government on all matters relating to the methods of recruitment and
norms to be followed in making appointments to civil services either directly
or by promotion.
2. To
advise on the suitability of candidates for appointment, promotion and
transfer.
3. To
conduct examinations for appointment to All India services.
4. To
advise on disciplinary matters affecting government servants.
5. To
advise on claims of legal proceedings instituted against a government servant
and on the claims in respect of injuries sustained by a government servant
while on duty.
23. Assess the functions and the role of the Central Vigilance
Commission (CVC). 8
Ans.:- The
CVC receives complaints directly from the aggrieved party. It also gathers
information about corruption and malpractices or misconduct from other sources
such as press reports, audit objections, information through parliamentary
debates and other forms etc. The complaints about Central Government employees
received by the State Vigilance Commissions are forwarded by them to the CVC.
On receiving complaints, the Commission may ask:
(i) the
concerned ministry/department to inquire into them;
(ii) the
Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to make an inquiry, and
(iii) the
CBI direction to register a case and conduct an investigation. Prosecution,
however, depends on the approval by the appropriate sanctioning authority.
The CVC
has laid clown procedures to be followed by the administrative
ministries/departments in case of complaints received by them. These complaints
are to be dealt with by the ministries/departments concerned. The CVC may
advise the ministries/departments in respect of all matters relating to
integrity in administration. It may also call for repots, returns or statements
from all ministries/departments so as to enable it, to exercise a general check
and supervision over vigilance and anti-corruption work in the ,
ministries/departments. It can also take over under its direct control any
complaint or case for further action.
OR
What is bureaucracy? Explain its role in the development
administration.
Ans.:- The
term ‘Bureaucracy’ lacks a definition that is universally accepted. Bureaucracy
is sometimes used in a disparaging manner to mean unimaginative, rigid and
inefficient government administrators. It is associated with red-tapism, delay
and wastefulness.
Role of
bureaucracy in the development administration:- Bureaucracy has become a
universal phenomenon. It is a pre requisite of modernization of every society.
Most developing countries are engaged in the process of nation building and
bringing about rapid socio-economic development, i.e. providing social services
such as health, education, infrastructure like roads, electricity, productive
activities in agriculture, industry etc. the complex of such formidable
activities connected with the development enterprise is essentially
government’s responsibility.
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