HomeLearn Fast select Course
Change UnitChange SubjectLast Menu
ICSE-X-HistCivics

Previous Year Paper year:2015

with Solutions - page 2
 
  • #2-d [2]
    Who is regarded as the political guru of Mahatma Gandhi ? Give a reason for him being considered as the Mahatma's Guru.
    Ans : Gopal Krishna Gokhale is regarded as the political guru of Mahatma Gandhi, after returning from South Africa and he received personal guidance from Gokhale, including a knowledge and understanding of India and the issues confronting common Indians.
  • #2-e [2]
    Mention any two causes for the rise of Assertive Nationalism.
    Ans : The famine and plague, worsening of the Economic Conditions, Partition of Bengal, ill treatment of Indians in South Africa. (any two)
  • #2-f [2]
    Why was the Simon Commission rejected by the Congress ?
    Ans : All the parties in India protested against the all British composition of the commission and there was no Indian member. It was rejected by the congress because its report was partial and inadequate.
  • #2-g [2]
    Who founded the Forward Bloc ? Mention any one of its objectives.
    Ans : Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose founded the Forward Bloc. Establishment of class less society and socialism was its main objective.
  • #2-h [2]
    What is the meaning of 'Fascism' ?
    Ans : Fascism is derived from the word fasces which mean “a bundle of rods" which signifies Unity, Authority and strength. It was an intensely nationalistic, anti communistic and anti democratic movement.
  • #2-i [2]
    Name the two rival blocs formed in Europe before World War I.
    Ans : Two rival blocks formed in Europe were Triple alliance (Germany Austria Hungary and Italy) and Triple Entente (Britain, France and Russia).
    (j) The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) is a group of states which are not formally aligned with or against any major power bloc. Non aligned nations judge an issue on its merit.
    PART II (50 Marks)
  • #2-i-j [2]
    What is meant by the term 'Non-Aligned Movement' ?
  • Qstn #3
    :
    The Rajya Sabha is the second chamber of the Indian Parliament and represents the interest of the States. In this context explain the following:
  • #3-a [3]
    Its composition.
    Ans : Composition: The Rajya Sabha consists of not more than 250 members. The members fall into two categories—nominated and elected. The nominated are 12 in number. They are nominated by the President from among persons having special knowledge or practical experience in matters such as theses, literature, science, art and social service. The remainders are the representatives of the States and Union Territories. The seats have been allocated to the States and Union Territories on the population basis.
  • #3-b [3]
    Qualifications for membership.
    Ans : Article 84 of the Constitution lays down the qualifications for membership of Parliament. Members of the Rajya Sabha must :

    1. Be the citizens of India.

    2. Make and subscribe before some person authorized in that behalf by the Election Commission an oath or affirmation according to the form set out for the purpose in the Third Schedule to the Constitution.

    3. Be not less than 30 years of age.

    4. Possess such other qualifications as may be prescribed in that behalf by or under any law made by Parliament.

    5. Be elected by the Legislative Assembly of States and Union Territories by means of single transferable vote through proportional representation.

  • #3-c [4]
    Terms of the House and any two of its legislative powers.
    Ans : The Rajya Sabha cannot be dissolved by the President of India. It is a permanent body like the American Senate. One third of its members retire at the end of every second year. It means that member of the Rajya Sabha have a six year term.
    Legislative Power: All bills, other than Money bills, can originate in the Rajya Sabha. No bill can become a law unless agreed to by both the house. In case of disagreement, the President may summon both the houses in a joint meeting. At the joint meeting questions are decided by a majority of the members of both Houses present and voting.
  • Qstn #4
    :
    The makers of our constitution adopted the Parliamentary and the Cabinet form of Government. With reference to this, answer the following questions :
  • #4-a [3]
    (a) Who is the Constitutional Head of the Union Government ? (a) What is meant by the Collective and Individual Responsibility of the members of the Cabinet ? (b) Explain briefly the position and powers of the Prime Minister in relation to the Cabinet. (c) Distinguish between the Cabinet and the Council of Ministers.
    Ans :
    (i) The President is the constitutional head of the Union Government.
    (ii) Collective Responsibility: Under Article 75(3) of the Constitution the Council of Ministers shall be collectively responsible to the House of the People. Members of Cabinet swim and sink together when a decision has been taken by the Cabinet; every Minister has to stand by it without hesitation.
    Individual Responsibility: Though the ministers are collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha, they shall be individually responsible to the head of the State. He hold the office during the pleasure of the President. He shall be liable to be dismissed by the President for their undesirable activities. However the President acts on the advice of Prime Minister in these matters. (a) null (a) null (b)
    (i) The Prime Minister is the key stone of the cabinet arch. He is the recognized leader of the cabinet. The portfolios are given to the cabinet ministers by the President on his advice. He has a power to remove any cabinet minister.
    (ii) He is the link between the President and the cabinet ministers. The constitution imposes a duty on the Prime Minister to keep the President informed regarding the affairs of the union.
    (iii) He directs and co-ordinates policy. The Prime Minister co-ordinates the working of the various departments. Even at cabinet meeting when ministers put forth their views. He would listen to them and then give his own conclusion, which is normally considered as the decision of the cabinet. (c) The Council of Ministers consists of all categories of Ministers—cabinet ministers, ministers of State and Deputy Ministers. The cabinet on the other hand is a smaller group consisting of some 25 senior members (cabinet ministers). All cabinet members are ministers, but all ministers are not cabinet members. The cabinet ministers together meet as frequently as possible and determine the policy and program of the Government though Council of Ministers as whole rarely meet. The Constitution says that there shall be Council of Ministers to aid and advice the President in exercise of his functions. In fact he is to act on the advice of the cabinet in all matters. While cabinet ministers attend the meeting of the cabinet in their own right, ministers of the state can only attend it on invitation.
  • #4-a-i
    Who is the Constitutional Head of the Union Government ?
  • #4-a-ii
    What is meant by the Collective and Individual Responsibility of the members of the Cabinet ?
next page