4.

Gender, Religion And Caste

(2025)
1. Suggest any two measures to remove gender inequality. (2 Mark) (2025)

Answers

1. (i) By increasing the literacy rate among women

(ii) By increasing the political representation of women
(iii) By investing in education of girls.
(iv) Legal protection to women in the employment sector
(v) Any other relevant point. Any two points to be suggested.
2024

1. Read the given statements : (2024)

Which one of the following constitutional term is used for the above
statements?
(a) Republic
(b) Secular
(c) Sovereign
(d) Socialist
Answer. (b) Secular
Gender and Politics
MCQ
1. Two statements are given below as Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Read the
statements and choose the appropriate option.
Assertion (A): Women in different parts of the world organised themselves
and agitated for equal rights.
Reason (R): Women's movement aimed at equality in personal and family life
as well.
(a) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(b) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(c) (A) is true but (R) is false.
(d) (A) is false, but (R) is true. (2023)
2. Which one of the following laws was enacted by the Government of India in
October 2005? (AI 2014)
(a) The Right to Property Act
(b) The Right to Education Act
(c) The Consumer Protection Act
(d) The Right to Information Act
VSA (1/2 mark)
3. "Women face discrimination in various ways in our society." Explain any two
ways. (2023)
4. Suggest any one way to protect women from domestic oppression. (2020)
5. Suggest any one way to pay equal wages to women in all areas of work as
men. (2020)
6. What percentage of reservation is given to women in local administration in
India? (2020)
7. Suggest any one way to increase the participation of women in the
legislative domain of India. (2020 C)
8. What do you mean by a patriarchal society? (2015)
9. By what term is now the person known who believes in equal right and
opportunities for women? (2015)
10. At which level of government in India, 1/3rd of seats are reserved for
women? (2015)
11. In which constitutional institution have seats been reserved for women?
SAI (3 marks) (2014)
12. Describe the problems of low representation of women in Indian
legislature. (2020)
13. Describe the ways of discrimination faced by women in India. (2020)
OR
"Women still lag much behind men in India despite some improvements since
independence." Analyse the statement. (Delhi 2019) An
14. "Gender division is not based on biology but on social expectations and
stereotypes." Support the statement. (2019 C, 2015)
15. Suggest any three measures to enhance the participation of woman in
politics. (2015)
LA (5 marks)
16. Explain any five methods to raise the political representation of women in
India. (AI 2019)
17. How is gender division understood in the society? To what extent does
political mobilisations on gender help to improve women's role in public life?
(2016)
18. Examine the standard of women's representation in India's legislative
bodies. (2014)
Religion, Communalism and Politics
MCQ
19. Which one of the following matters do not deal with the 'Family Laws?"
(a) Marriage
(b) Adoption
(c) Inheritance
(d) Finance (2023)
VSA (1 mark)
20. Suggest any one way to create communal harmony among various
communities of India. (2020)
21. Suggest any one way to change 'family laws' of all religions. (2020)
22. Fill in the blank:
The Indian Constitution provides to all individuals and communities freedom
to profess, practise and propagate any religion because of (2020)
SAI (3 marks)
23. Describe any three problems of communalism in Indian politics. (2020)
24. Mention any three features of 'secularism' described in the Indian
Constitution. (2020)
OR
Secularism is not an ideology of some political parties, but it is one of the
foundations of a country. Examine the statement. (2018)
25. What is communalism? How does it affect the political life of the people?
(2016)
26. Suppose a politician seeks your vote on the religious ground. Why is his act
considered against the norms of democracy? Explain. (2015)
27. Suggest any two measures to check communalism in India. (2014)
28. "The Government of India gives holidays for the festivals of most of the
religions." Why is it so? Give your view point. (2014)
LA (5 marks)
29. 'Communalism can take various forms in politics! Explain. (2020)
OR
What form does communalism take in politics? (2015)
30. Explain the constitutional provisions that make India a secular state.
(2017,2014)
31. Why did the framers of the constitution choose the ideals of secularism for
India? How is this choice reflected in the constitutional provisions? Explain.
(2017)
32. Define communalism. Explain any three forms of communalism in the
Indian Politics. (2016)
Caste and Politics
VSA (1/2 mark)
33. How has caste system in modern India undergone great change? Explain.
(2023)
34. "Caste system is still prevalant in the Indian society." Suggest any one
measure to abolish it. (2020)
35. "Sometimes elections are all about caste in India." How can this situation
be avoided? (2020)
36. Fill in the blank:
Castes and Caste system in modern India have undergone a great change
because (2020)
SAI (3 marks)
37. Describe the influence of Politics in the Caste system. (2020 C)
38. Mention the problem of 'Casteism' in Indian politics. (2020)
39. "Politics and social divisions should not be allowed to mix." Justify the
statement. (Al 2019)
40. Describe the three factors which determine the outcome of the politics of
social divisions. (2016)
41. Describe three advantages of the political expression of caste differences.
(2015)
42. Literacy and urbanisation combined with economic growth have changed
the value system of Indian society. Explain with reference to India's social
problems. (2015)
LA (5 marks)
43. Examine the different forms of 'Casteism' in Indian politics. (2019 C)
44. Explain the factors that have led to the weakening of the caste system in
India. (2019 C, 2014)
45. Caste has not still disappeared from contemporary India. Justify the
statement. (2016, 2014)
46. The focus on caste in politics can sometimes give an impression that
elections are all about caste and nothing else. Do you agree? Explain. (2015)
CBSE Sample Questions

Gender and Politics

MCQ
1. Which of the following statement is true regarding Feminist Movements?
(a) A group which favours giving more power to working women at rural and
urban level.
(b) A movement that believes in giving exclusive rights to female in urban
areas.
(c) Radical women's movements aimed at equality in personal and family life
as well.
(d) It is the practice of placing a feminine and masculine point of view in
decision making. (2022-23)
VSA (2 marks)
2. Mention the provisions that constitute India into a secular country.
(2022-23)

ANSWERS
Previous Years' CBSE Board Questions
1. (a): Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).2.
(d): The Right to Information Act
3. (i) A smaller proportion of girls students go for higher studies.
(ii) The proportion of women among the highly paid and valued jobs is still
very small.
4. Women can take help from NGO or Mahila Aayog.
5. 5. Better implemention of 'Equal Remuneration Act, 1976 which provide
equal wages to be paid to equal work.
6. 33% or one-third
7. One way to solve this problem is to make it legally binding to have a fair
proportion of women in the elected as well as nominated bodies.
8. A male dominated society
9. A feminist
10. Third tier government
11. Local self-government bodies.
12. Problems of low representation of women in legislature
(i) Political parties are not giving tickets to women candidates to fight election
in proportion to their population.
(ii) No or low representation led many feminists and women's movement to
the conclusion that unless women control power. This problems will not get
adequate attention.
(iii) India is behind the averages for several developing countries that make
India, among the bottom group of nations in the world.
13. In our country, women still lag much behind men despite some
improvements since Independence. Women face disadvantage, discrimination
and oppression in various ways:
(i) The literacy rate among women is only 64.60 per cent as compared with
80.90 per cent among men (2011 data).
(ii) Similarly, a smaller proportion of girl students go for higher studies. Girls
are performing as well as boys in school. But they drop out because parents
prefer to spend their resources for their boy's education rather than
spending equally on their sons and daughters.
(iii) The proportion of women among the highly paid and valued jobs is still
very small. On an average an Indian woman works one hour more than an
average man every day.
(iv) In some parts of India, parents prefer to have sons and find ways to have
the girl child aborted before she is born. Such sex selective abortion has led to
a decline in child sex ratio.
(v) Women often face harassment, exploitation and violence on the domestic
front.
14. (i) Gender division is a form of hierarchical social division based on social
expectation and stereotypes.
(ii) Boys and girls are brought up to believe that the main responsibilities of
women is house work and bringing up children.
(iii) There is a sexual division of labour in most families where women do all
the household chores and men work outside the home.
(iv) Majority of women may do some paid work in addition of domestic labour
both in rural and Urban areas but their work is not valued and does not get
recognition.
15. (i) Women should be given proper education, so that they are aware of
their rights and duties and participate actively in politics.
(ii) Every woman should be self reliant, so that she enjoys a respectable
position in the society and is confident about her meaningful contribution in
politics as well.
(iii) It should be legally binding to have a fair proportion of woman in the
elected bodies. That is why 1/3rd of seats in local government bodies in
panchayats and in municipalities are now reserved for women.
16. The political representation of women in India can be improved by
adopting a holistic approach. This would include:
(i) By improving the literacy rate. Presently the literacy amongst women is
only 65.46% as compared to over 82% in men. This would improve the
political awareness amongst women.
(ii) The percentage of women in highly paid jobs is still very small. At many
workplaces, women are paid less than men for the same job. When equal pay
comes the voice of women will get strengthened.
(iii) The Hindu Succession (Amendment) Act, 2005 removes discriminatory
gender practices. The daughters now have equal right of inheritance to their
father's estate as sons. This definitely has increased the political power of
females.
(iv) The political representation of women had been very poor in the Indian
legislatures. Even in the cabinet, the number of women ministers is very low.
The political parties must give more representation to female candidates in
union and state elections. The Supreme court of India must intervene in this
matter.
(v) One-third of seats in local government bodies have been reserved for
women candidates. This has helped in increasing women's representation in
panchayats and municipalities. There is a need to enhance this to 50%. A bill
for providing one-third reservation in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies has
been pending in the Parliament for more than a decade. Political parties are
yet to arrive at consensus on this issue.
17. (i) In Indian society, gender division tends to be understood as natural and
unchangeable. It is based on social expectations and stereotypes.
(ii) This attitude leads to sexual division of labour i.e., boys andgirls are
brought up to believe that, the main responsibility of women is house work
and bringing up children whereas all the outside works are to be done by men.
(iii) The result of this division of labour is that though the women constitute
almost half the population, their role in public life is minimal.
(iv) Political mobilisation on this issue has helped to improve women's role in
public life. We now find women working as scientists, doctors engineers,
teachers, etc.
(v) Now 33% seats are reserved for women in local government bodies and a
similar demand has been made for assemblies and the Parliament.
18. The status of women's representation in India's legislative bodies is as
follows:
(i) Central Legislature: Less than 10% of its total strength are women.
(ii) State Legislature: Less than 5% of its total strength are women.
(iii) Panchayati Raj : One-third of the seats are reserved for women.
(iv) India is among the bottom group of nations in the world, in this aspect.
(v) Women's organisations and activists have been demanding a reservation
of at least one third of seats in Lok Sabha and State Assemblies. But the bill to
this effect has not been passed.
19. (d): Finance
20. Spread awareness about unity and integrity.
21. Enforcement of dowry prohibition act can bring a remarkable change in
the family law of all religions.
22. Secularism
23. Problems of communalism in Indian politics.
(i) Communalism routinely involves religious prejudices, stereotypes of
religions communities and belief in the superiority of one's religion over other
religions.
(ii) For those belonging to the minority community, it can take the form of a
desire to form a separate political unit.
(iii) Communalism takes its most ugly form of communal violence, riots and
massacre. India and Pakistan suffered some of the worst communal riots at
the time of partition. The post-independence period has also seen large scale
communal violence.
24. The makers of our Constitution were aware of religion related challenge.
That is why they chose the model of a secular state. The important provisions
that makes India a secular state are:
(i) There is no official religion for the Indian states. Unlike the status of
Buddhism in Sri Lanka, that of Islam in Pakistan and that of Christianity in
England, our Constitution does not give a special status to any religion.
(ii) The Constitution provides to all individuals and communities freedom to
profess, practice and propagate any religion, or not to follow any.
(iii) The Constitution prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion.
(iv) At the same time the Constitution allows the state to intervene in the
matters of religion in order to ensure equality within religious communities.
For example, it bans untouchability.
25. Communalism: When beliefs of one religion are presented as superior to
those of other religions, when the demands of one religious group are formed
in opposition to another and when state power is used to establish
domination of one religious group over the rest, Then, it is called as
communalism.
Communalism is a hindrance in the functioning of our democracy because:
(i) Communalism leads to the belief that people belonging to different
religions cannot live as equal citizens within one nation. Either, one of them
has to dominate the rest or they have to form different nation.
(ii) Any attempt to bring all followers of one religion together is bound to
suppress the voices of others.
26. His act is against the spirit of democracy as the said politician is not
working as per the Constitution.
(i) It also exploits the social difference.
(ii) It may create social discord and may lead to social division.
(iii) It is also biased attitude and neglects the principle of equality.
27. (i) Communal prejudices and proganda need to be countered in everyday
life.
(ii) Religion based mobilisation to meet political needs must be countered.
28. It is so because:
(i) India is a secular state, there is no official religion in our country.
(ii) The Constitution provides us freedom to profess, practice and propagate
any religion or not to follow any.
(iii) The Constitution prohibits discrimination on the ground of religion.
29. Communalism can take various forms in politics:
(i) The most common expression of communalism is in everyday beliefs.
These involve spread of religious prejudices, stereotype of religious belief, in
the superiority of one's religion over other religions. This is so common that
we often fail to notice it, even when we do not believe in it.
(ii) It often leads to a quest for political dominance of one's own religious
community, this takes the form of majoritarian dominance. For those
belonging to the minority community, it leads to formation of a separate
political unit.
(iii) Political mobilisation on religious lines is another frequent form of
communalism. This involves the use of sacred symbols by religious leaders.
Emotional appeals are made to bring the followers of one religion together in
the political arena.
(iv) Sometimes communalism can lead to communal violence, riots and
massacre.
30. Secularism means no special status is given to any religion.
(i) There is no official religion for India unlike the status of Budsdhism in Sri
Lanka, or that of Islam in Pakistan.
(ii) The constitution provides freedom to practice and propagate any religion,
or not to follow any.
(iii) The Constitution prohibits discrimination on the grounds of religion.
(iv) The Constitution allows the state to intervene in
the matters of religion to ensure equality within religious communities. For
example, it bans untouchability.
31. Secularism in India means equal treatment for all religions by the state.
The term 'Secular' was added along with the term "Socialist' through the 42nd
Amendment in the Preamble of the Constitution of India in 1976. The
Preamble of Constitution of India asserts that India is a secular country. The
Indian Constitution does not profess any state religion. The state recognises
and accepts all religions. It enforces parliamentary laws and not religious laws,
and respects pluralism. The framers of constitution chose the model of secular
state because of the following reasons:
(i) India emerged as an independent country amidst heavy turmoil and faced
many problems like partition based on religion. The constitution makers did
not want to give importance to any religion as it could again divide the
country.
(ii) After getting independence, the important leaders of India made it clear
that India has to be a secular state as they could not afford any disturbance in
the country based on religion.
(iii) The framers of constitution knew that if any particular religion was
promoted then there would be a chance of conflict among people of various
religions and that would harm the progress of the country. This would also
brings a feeling of insecurity among the people who follow other religions.
There is no discrimination among people based on the religious grounds in
India. No religion is given superiority over any other religion.
32. (i) Communalism is a situation when beliefs of one religion are presented
as superior to those of other religions. When the demands of one religious
group are formed in opposition to another and when state power is used to
establish domination of one religious group over the rest.
(ii) Various forms of communalism in politics:
(a) The most common expression of communalism is in everyday beliefs and
practices.
(b) Practice of political dominance of one's own religious community over
others.
(c) Political mobilisation on religious lines is another frequent form of
communalism. This involves the use of sacred symbols by religious leaders,
emotional appeals to spread fear.
33. Caste system has undergone a major change in modern India. Following
points explain this statement:
(i) Large scale urbanisation has diminished the awareness of caste system, as
people work together. It does not matter much who is walking along next to
us.
(ii) Growth of literacy and education has helped to decrease the belief in caste.
34. One measure to abolish caste system is increasing the literacy rates in our
country.
35. Proper laws should be passed to separate elections from casteism.
36. Occupational mobility/implementation of laws.
37. We can say that, while caste matters in electoral politics, so do many other
factors. People within the same caste have different interests depending on
their economic condition; that is why rich and poor or men and women from
the same caste often vote very differently. Acaste groupoftentries to become
bigger by incorporating within it neighboring castes or sub-castes thus
changing the definition of the group. Sometimes various caste groups enter
into a coalition and thus enter into a dialogue and negotiation. This leads to
new kinds of caste groups such as 'backward' and 'forward'.
38. Problems of casteism in India:
(i) There is discrimination between upper and lower castes. Still there is wide
gap and difference between different castes.
(ii) Upper castes still enjoy respectable position in the society.
(iii) Political leaders contest election on the name of castes, for the vote bank.
39. It is absolutely correct to say that politics and social divisions should not
be allowed to mix. This is because:
(i) It can make social divisions into political division and lead to conflict,
violence or even disintegration of a country.
(ii) In Northern Ireland, there has been a violent and bitter ethno-political
conflict for many years.
(iii) It caused disintegration of Yugoslavia into six independent [Link]
Sri Lanka, when the ethno-social difference between Sinhalas and Tamils were
politicised, the result was the Civil War in the country.
40. Factors that decide the outcome of the politics of social divisions are
(i) When the people's perception of their identities is strict, the
accommodation of other identities becomes difficult in the group.
(ii) Representation of a community by political leaders: While representing a
community, if politicians raise demands that are constitutional, then, it is
easier to accommodate those demands.
(iii) The government's reaction: If the reasonable demands of a community
are suppressed by the government, then it leads to social divisions, which in
turns threatens the integrity of the country.
41. Advantages of the political expression of caste differences are:
(i) It gives disadvantaged groups the opportunity to demand a share in power
and decision-making.
(ii) Many political parties have taken up the issue of ending caste
discrimination.
(iii) Measures for uplifting the status of the backward castes has also been
undertaken.
42. (i) The caste system is very old in India and also very rigid at one point of
time but due to rise in literacy and economic development the caste barriers
are breaking down. People in urban areas who are literate mostly do not
believe in inequality based on caste. It is accepted that all are equal. Rising
economic status of backward castes has helped in eroding the caste barriers.
(ii) The problem of communalism has decreased and there is less violence in
the name of religion. People who are literate mostly do not get swayed by
appeal to religious emotions. Economic progress and urbanisation has greatly
helped in spread of in spread of secularism.
(iii) The position of women too has improved with the spread of literacy
among women. Now they can earn and be economically independent. This
helps to increase self- esteem and decreases dependence on male members of
society.
(iv) The system of dowry at the time of marriage is getting diluted due to
literacy and economic development of women.
(v) The practice of child marriage is decreasing due to spread of literacy.
(vi) There is occupational mobility due to spread of urbanisation and literacy
and people are free to follow the profession of their choice rather than follow
hereditary professions.
43. Different forms of casteism in Indian politics:
(i) While choosing candidates: When parties choose candidates in elections,
they keep in mind the caste composition of the electorate, and nominate
candidates from different castes so as to get the necessary support to win
elections.
(ii) While forming a government: When the governments are formed, political
parties usually take care that representatives of different castes and tribes find
a place in it.
(iii) While campaigning: Political parties and candidates in elections make
appeals to people to give them their votes on the basis of caste. Some political
parties are known to favour some castes, and are seen as their representatives.
(iv) Universal adult franchise and the principle of one- person-one-vote, has
compelled the political leaders to raise the caste-based issues during elections.
They do so to mobilise and secure political support. It also brought new
consciousness among the people of castes that were hitherto treated as
inferior and low.
44. Factors that led to the weakening of caste systems in India:
(i) Efforts of social reformers like Jyotiba Phule, Gandhiji, Ambedkar against
caste system have helped to promote a casteless society.
(ii) Economic development has reduced the emphasis on caste.
(iii) Large scale urbanisation has diminished the awareness of caste, as people
work together.
(iv) Growth of literacy and education has helped to decrease the belief in
caste.
(v) Occupational mobility is possible now and children are not compelled to
continue the profession of the family or father.
45. It is true the caste factor has still not disappeared from our society:
(i) Most people marry within their own caste or tribe.
(ii) Untouchability has not ended despite provisions in the constitution.
(iii) Effects of centuries of advantages to upper cast and disadvantages to
lower castes continue to be felt today.
(iv) Large number of low caste people still do not have access to education.
(v) Caste is still linked to economic and social status.
46. No, I do not agree. The focus on caste in politics can sometimes give an
impression that elections are all about caste and nothing else is not correct
because-
(i) No parliamentary constituency in the country has a clear majority of one
single caste. So, every candidate and party needs to win the confidence of
more than one caste and community to win elections.
(ii) No party wins the votes of all voters of a caste or community. When people
say that a cast is a 'vote bank' of one party, it usually means that a large
proportion of the voters from the caste vote for the party, not all.
(iii) Many political parties may put up candidates from the same caste (if that
caste is believed to dominate the electorate in a particular constituency).
Some voters may have more than one candidate from their caste while many
voters may have no candidate from their caste.
(iv) The ruling party or the sitting M.P. or M.L.A. frequently lose elections in
our country. That could not have happened if all castes or communities were
frozen in their political preferences.
CBSE Sample Question
1. (c) : Radial women's movements aimed at equality in personal and family
life as well. (1)
2. Secularism means no special status is given to any religion.
(i) There is no official religion for India unlike the status of Buddhism in Sri
Lanka, or that of Islam in Pakistan.
(ii) The constitution provides freedom to practice and propagate any religion,
or not to follow any.
(iii) The Constitution prohibits discrimination on the grounds of religion.
(iv) The Constitution allows the state to intervene in the matters of religion to
ensure equality within religious communities. For example, it banned
untouchability.
(Any two points to be explained) (2)