CBSE Class 12 Sociology Important Questions 2027 (Repeated in Board Exams)

"Malthus argued that human populations tend to grow at a much faster rate than the rate at which the means of human subsistence (specially food, but also clothing and other agriculture-based products) can grow. Therefore, humanity is condemned to live in poverty forever because the growth of agricultural production will always be overtaken by population growth." What are the methods that Malthus suggests to check the rise in population?

The dependency ratio is equal to the population below 15 or above 64, divided by population in the 15-64 age group. This is usually expressed as a percentage. In 2020, the average Indian was only 29 years old, compared with an average age of 37 in China and the United States, 45 in Western Europe, and 48 in Japan. What inference can you draw from this statement?

Answer the questions given below based on the reading of the data given in the table. Table 3: The Declining Sex Ratio in India, 1901–2011 (Year | Sex ratio all age groups | Variation over previous decade | Child Sex ratio 0–6 years | Variation over previous decade): 1901 | 972 | – | – | – ; 1911 | 964 | −8 | – | – ; 1921 | 955 | −9 | – | – ; 1931 | 950 | −5 | – | – ; 1941 | 945 | −5 | – | – ; 1951 | 946 | +1 | – | – ; 1961 | 941 | −5 | 976 | – ; 1971 | 930 | −11 | 964 | −12 ; 1981 | 934 | +4 | 962 | −2 ; 1991 | 927 | −7 | 945 | −17 ; 2001 | 933 | +6 | 927 | −18 ; 2011 | 943 | +10 | 919 | −8 (Note: The sex ratio is defined as the number of females per 1000 males; data on age-specific sex ratios is not available before 1961. Source: Census of India 2011). a) What will be the consequences of gender imbalance? b) Give reasons for the declining sex-ratio in India before 2001.

Assertion (A): Female literacy has been rising faster than male literacy. Reason (R): Literacy varies considerably across genders, across regions, and across social groups. (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.

Kerala's TFR is below the replacement level. This can mean- I. Low population growth rate. II. Increase in population in the age group of 0-15. III. Decreased dependency ratio. IV. Ageing of population. Choose the correct option: a) I. and II. b) II. and III. c) III. and IV. d) I. and IV.

________ is a characteristic of the second/transitional stage in population growth of society. (I) High death rate and population explosion (II) Population explosion (III) Low sex ratio (IV) High maternal mortality rate. Options: (A) Only (I) (B) Only (II) (C) (II) and (III) (D) Only (IV)

"The post-independent Indian state inherited and reflected the contradictions of the pre-independent period." Comment on the given statement with respect to the role of caste in the public sphere.

Assertion (A): Some scholars have also argued that there is no coherent basis for treating tribes as "pristine". Reason (R): They propose instead that tribes should really be seen as "secondary" phenomena arising out of the non-exploitative and colonialist contact between pre-existing states and non-state groups like the tribals. a) 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 and R is true.

Assertion (A): Industrialisation leads to greater equality, at least in some spheres, such as, caste distinctions do not matter any more in trains, buses, etc. Reason (R): Social inequalities are reducing in the world. (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.

Which of the following are not the changes brought about by colonialism to the caste system? (A) Numbering and recording of castes through census. (B) Hundreds of petitions were addressed to the Census Commissioner by representatives of different castes claiming a higher position in the social scale. (C) Linking castes to traditional occupations. (D) Making 'Schedules' of castes for special treatment by the State.

Which of the following is incorrect for Varna? a) Varna is a regional classification. b) There are four Varnas. c) Varna literally means colour. d) Panchamas is not a part of the Varna.

Assertion (A): Today, barring the North-Eastern states, there are no areas of the country that are inhabited exclusively by tribal people. Reason (R): Since the middle of the nineteenth century, non-tribals have moved into the tribal districts of central India, while tribal people from the same districts have migrated to plantations, mines, factories and other places of employment. a) 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 and R is true.

"Theoretically, the caste can be understood as the combination of two sets of principles." Name them and define any one.

"Social stratification is supported by patterns of belief, or ideology." State in your own words the meaning of this statement.

"Because the tribal areas were located in mineral-rich and forest-covered parts of the country, tribals have paid a disproportionate price for the development of the rest of Indian society." How has national development been a challenge for the tribal population of India, post-Independence?

"Social exclusion is not accidental but systematic – it is the result of structural features of society." In the context of the above statement, highlight the meaning of social exclusion.

Assertion (A): Some communities were characterised as 'martial races', some others as effeminate or cowardly, yet others as untrustworthy. Reason (R): Stereotypes are fixed and inflexible characterisations of a group of people. (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.

Based on the following passage, answer Q.No. 6 and 7. "Social inequality and exclusion are facts of life. Social inequality and exclusion are social because they are not about individuals but about groups. In every society, some people have a greater share of valued resources — money, property, education, health and power — than others. People often face discrimination and exclusion because of their gender, religion, ethnicity, language, caste and disability." — Social inequality and exclusion are facts of life because: (I) This everydayness of social inequality and exclusion often makes them appear inevitable, almost natural. (II) We often think of them as being 'deserved' or 'justified' in some sense. (III) These are natural which can be changed. (IV) The poor and marginalised are not blamed for their own plight. Which of the above statements are correct? Options: (A) (I) and (II) (B) (I) and (III) (C) (I) and (IV) (D) (II) and (III)

"Untouchability is an extreme and vicious aspect of the caste system." Explain any two dimensions of untouchability.

Which of the following is a public perception of disability? (A) Disabilities are not understood as biologically given. (B) The disabled person is not seen as a victim. (C) Disability is not linked with an individual's self-perception. (D) The idea of disability suggests that they are in need of help.

The 'Schedules' listing the castes and tribes recognised as deserving of special treatment because of the massive discrimination practiced against them were drawn up in 1935, by the British Indian government. Post-independence, which was the most important initiative taken by the government to compensate for this discrimination? Write briefly about it.

The notion of minority groups usually involves some sort of a relative disadvantage. Exemplify the statement.

"Our community provides us the language (our mother tongue) and the cultural values through which we comprehend the world. It also anchors our self-identity. Community identity is what we 'are' rather than what we have 'become'." How can you say that community identity is ascriptive?

Assertion (A): Constitutional provisions define the powers of the States and the Centre. Reason (R): Respecting regional sentiments is not just a matter of creating States but it has to be backed up with an institutional structure. (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.

"In Indian nationalism, the dominant trend was marked by an inclusive and democratic vision." Explain.

Cultural diversity can present tough challenges because- a) cultural identities are not powerful. b) there are different ways to celebrate festivals. c) cultural differences are not able to mobilise large number of people. d) steps taken to help one group may anger other communities.

Which of the following institutional incentives helps to build a feeling of unity in diversity? (A) Citizens can find the institutional and political space to identify with both their country and cultural identities. (B) Citizens cannot build trust in common institutions. (C) Citizens do not participate in and support democratic politics. (D) Explicit efforts are not required to end the cultural exclusion of diverse groups.

Community conflicts are hard to deal with because: (I) Each side in the conflict thinks of the other side as a hated enemy. (II) There is a tendency to exaggerate the virtues of one's own side. (III) There is a tendency not to exaggerate the vices of the other side. (IV) In such conflicts, they are constructing matching but reversed mirror images of each other. Which of the above statements are correct? Options: (A) (I), (III) and (IV) (B) (I), (II) and (III) (C) (I), (II) and (IV) (D) (II), (III) and (IV)

"There is no necessary relationship between any specific form of community and the modern form of the state. Any of the many bases of community identity (like language, religion, ethnicity and so on) may or may not lead to nation formation – there are no guarantees." Based on the given passage, answer Q6 and 7. — Cultural diversity can often be perceived as a source of threat to states because- I. states see all forms of community identity as dangerous rivals. II. control is difficult in case of heterogenous identities. III. Suppressing cultural diversity can be very costly in terms of the subdued community. IV. community identities cannot act as the basis of nation-formation. a) I. and IV. only b) III. and IV. only c) I., II., III. only d) I., II., III., IV.

Highlight the meaning of Secularism in both, the Western and Indian context.

A nation is a peculiar sort of community that is easy to describe but hard to define. Why?

"Just as manufacturing boomed in Britain, traditional exports of cotton and silk manufactures from India declined." Derive the reason for the given statement.

"Cities played a key role in the economic system of empires." Elucidate the statement with the help of suitable examples.

"Indian independence in 1947 marked a big, but ultimately only partial break with the colonial past." Justify the statement.

"Western colonialism was inextricably connected to the growth of western capitalism. This had a lasting impact on the way capitalism developed in a colonised country like India." Justify the statement.

The Rural and Urban population in India (1901–2011) is given below (Year | Population Rural (Millions) | Population Urban (Millions) | Rural % of Total | Urban % of Total): 1901 | 213 | 26 | 89.2 | 10.8 ; 1911 | 226 | 26 | 89.7 | 10.3 ; 1921 | 223 | 28 | 88.8 | 11.2 ; 1931 | 246 | 33 | 88.0 | 12.0 ; 1941 | 275 | 44 | 86.1 | 13.9 ; 1951 | 299 | 62 | 82.7 | 17.3 ; 1961 | 360 | 79 | 82.0 | 18.0 ; 1971 | 439 | 109 | 80.1 | 19.9 ; 1981 | 524 | 159 | 76.7 | 23.3 ; 1991 | 629 | 218 | 74.3 | 25.7 ; 2001 | 743 | 286 | 72.2 | 27.8 ; 2011 | 833 | 377 | 68.8 | 31.2. Based on the above data, answer the following questions. (33.1) 'Rural-urban migration is preferred for social reasons'. Mention any two reasons. (33.2) 'It is not a question of numbers alone, processes of modern development ensure that the economic and social significance of the agrarian-rural way of life declines relative to the significance of the industrial way of life.' Highlight the reasons for the decline in the agrarian-rural way of life.

"Many of our cultural practices and patterns can be traced to our agricultural background. There is a close relationship between agriculture and culture." Give one reason to support the given statement and name any two agriculture-related festivals.

Westernisation involves the imitation of external forms of culture. Is this the only kind of westernisation? Give reasons for your answer.

Assertion (A): Sanskritisation operated similarly in different parts of the country. Reason (R): In regions where the non-Sanskritic were dominant, it was their influence that was stronger. (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.

"It is often assumed that social reform for women's rights was entirely fought for by male reformers and that ideas of women's equality are alien imports." Is this assumption true? Give reasons for your answer.

"The term modernisation has a long history. From the 19th and more so the 20th century, the term began to be associated with positive and desirable values. People and societies wanted to be modern. In the early years, modernisation referred to improvement in technology and production processes. Increasingly, however, the term had a wider usage." What, according to sociologists, constitutes the modernisation process?

Which statement is true regarding the many-sided and paradoxical impact of the English language in India? (A) English is not widely used in India. (B) We do not have an impressive body of literary writings by Indians in English. (C) The knowledge of English has given Indians an edge in the global market. (D) For those who were traditionally deprived of access to formal education, such as Dalits, knowledge of English did not open doors of opportunities.

The varied Social Reform Movements did have common themes. Yet there were also significant differences. Discuss.

Sanskritisation seems to justify a model that rests on inequality and exclusion. Explain this model.

Illustrate the crucial importance of civil society in ensuring that the state is accountable to the nation and its people.

"The large-scale circulation of labour has had several significant effects on rural society, in both the receiving and the supplying regions." State two effects each for the receiving and supplying region.

"Globalisation of agriculture or the incorporation of agriculture into the larger global market – a process that has had direct effects on farmers and rural society." Discuss the role of 'contract farming' in this process of globalisation.

"Some traditional occupations in the rural society have declined. But increasing interconnection of the rural and urban economies have led to diverse occupations." Is this statement valid? Give reasons for your answer.

Many districts of colonial India were administered through the Zamindari system. What problems were faced by the peasants due to the Zamindari system?

The rural social structure was altered by agricultural development since the 1960s and also contributed to the expansion of the urban middle classes. Illustrate how the rural social structure altered as a result of agricultural development. Demonstrate how it led to the expansion of the urban middle class.

Contract farming has sociological significance. Give two points to support this statement.

Assertion (A): India is still largely an agricultural country. Reason (R): Very few people in India have access to secure jobs. (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.

One of the negative outcomes of the Green Revolution strategy was the worsening of regional inequalities. Give two reasons for your answer.

Assertion (A): The government sells its shares in several public sector companies as part of the process of disinvestment. Reason (R): Many government workers are scared that they will lose their job after disinvestment. (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.

Put the following statements in the correct order. I. The worker works without wages until the loan is repaid. II. He will loan them some money. III. The contractor goes to villages and asks if people want work. IV. They can break the contract and find another employer. a) III., II., I., IV. b) I., II., III., IV. c) IV., III., II., I. d) I., II., IV., III.

"The more mechanised an industry gets, the fewer people are employed, but they too have to work at the pace of the machine." What would happen if workers began to work at the pace of the machine?

"The laws of a colonised country did not have to stick to the democratic norms that the British back home had to follow." In what ways did the colonial laws favour the owners and managers of the tea industry?

Workers in underground mines face very dangerous conditions. Give examples.

"In response to harsh working conditions, sometimes workers went on strike." Justify taking the example of the famous Bombay Textile Strike of 1982.

"In India, over 90% of the work, whether it is in agriculture, industry or services is in the unorganised or informal sector." What are the social implications of this small size of the organised sector?

'Home-based work is an important part of the economy.' Elaborate on the functioning of any one 'Home-based' Industry.

Assertion (A): Since the 1990s, the government has followed a policy of liberalisation. Reason (R): Licenses are no longer required to open industries. a) 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 and R is true.

Which of the following is not true for the type of social movements? a) There are three types of social movements. b) Most social movements have a mix of all the three types. c) The Bolshevik Revolution is a redemptive social movement. d) The Ezhava movement is an example of a Redemptive Social Movement.

From the very beginning, the discipline of sociology has been interested in social movements. The French Revolution was the violent culmination of several movements aimed at overthrowing the monarchy and establishing 'liberty, equality and fraternity'. In Britain, the industrial revolution was marked by great social upheaval. Based on the given passage answer Q11 and 12. — Why are Social Movements an important subject matter for Sociology? a) Social movements were initially not considered significant areas of study, and public protests were often excluded from their scope. b) Social movements did not bring lasting changes in society. c) Social movements are never directed against the State. d) Social movements were seen as forces that led to disorder which was an important subject matter for Sociology.

Assertion (A): The old social movements functioned within the frame of political parties. Reason (R): Old social movements were national. (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.

List and explain the features of Social Movements.

Based on the following passage, answer Q. No. 11 and 12. "Very few people who relax on their day off realise that this holiday is the outcome of a long struggle by workers. That the work-day should not exceed eight hours, that men and women should be paid equally for doing the same work, that workers are entitled to social security and pension — these and many other rights were gained through social movements." — How have social movements shaped the world we live in? (A) In the 19th century, reform movements did not influence caste and gender. (B) Asia and Africa had nationalist movements, which ended colonialism. (C) The Civil Rights Movement in the USA did not bring equal rights. (D) Anti-apartheid struggle did not change society in South Africa.

How have the women's movements evolved over the period of history?

How did peasant movements evolve from pre-colonial days to post-colonial times?