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Political Science · 2026 All years Show answers Download PDF PDF with answers
Roll No.
Q.P. Code 59/1/1

Political Science

CBSE Class XII Board Examination 2026

Time allowed: 3 hoursMaximum Marks: 80

General Instructions:

  1. The paper has 30 questions in five sections (A–E); all questions are compulsory.
  2. Section A: Q1–12 are multiple-choice questions of 1 mark each.
  3. Section B: Q13–18 are short-answer questions of 2 marks each; answer in about 50–60 words.
  4. Section C: Q19–23 are long-answer (Type I) questions of 4 marks each; answer in about 100–120 words.
  5. Section D: Q24–26 are passage-, cartoon- and map-based questions of 4 marks each.
  6. Section E: Q27–30 are long-answer (Type II) questions of 6 marks each; answer in about 170–180 words.
  7. There is no overall choice, but some questions have an internal choice; attempt only one alternative.

SECTION A

Q1–12 carry 1 mark each (12 × 1 = 12).
1.
Read the two statements about China and pick the correct option.
Statement I: China's economic policies helped its economy come out of stagnation.
Statement II: China's economic development also brought more environmental damage and corruption.
  1. (A) Both Statement I and Statement II are true.
  2. (B) Both Statement I and Statement II are false.
  3. (C) Statement I is true, but Statement II is false.
  4. (D) Statement I is false, but Statement II is true.
1
2.
What led to the formation of the separate Andhra state in 1952?
  1. (A) The realisation that internal boundaries of Indian states had to be redrawn once colonial rule ended.
  2. (B) The Congress reorganising itself on linguistic lines after its 1920 Nagpur session.
  3. (C) The death of Congress leader Potti Sriramulu after a fast, which caused widespread unrest and made many Madras legislators resign in protest.
  4. (D) Tamil-speaking people of the old Madras province demanding a state based on language.
1
3.
Which step did China take to overcome its economic crisis?
  1. (A) Like the USSR, China too adopted 'Shock Therapy'.
  2. (B) China ended its economic isolation by building relations with most developing countries of the world.
  3. (C) China opened its economy to privatisation gradually, step by step, to develop its economy.
  4. (D) China gave more importance to exports than to imports.
1
4.
The expression 'Aaya Ram, Gaya Ram' is linked with which state?
  1. (A) Uttar Pradesh
  2. (B) Madhya Pradesh
  3. (C) Haryana
  4. (D) Rajasthan
1
5.
Assertion (A): Across the world, the old 'welfare state' is gaining more importance.
Reason (R): Because of globalisation, the state is withdrawing from many of its earlier welfare roles and the market has become the main decider of economic and social priorities.
  1. (A) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
  2. (B) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
  3. (C) A is false, but R is true.
  4. (D) A is true, but R is false.
1
6.
Which statement about the princely states is NOT correct?
  1. (A) Princely states were ruled by princes.
  2. (B) Every princely state agreed to become an integral part of India after British rule ended.
  3. (C) The princes accepted British supremacy and had some control over their internal affairs.
  4. (D) When British paramountcy ended, these states were legally free to join India or Pakistan or stay independent.
1
7.
Match List I with List II and choose the correct code.
List I: (a) Violation of human rights (b) 'Mad-cow' disease (c) Disarmament treaty (d) 9/11 terrorist attack
List II: (i) Britain (ii) Chemical Weapons Convention (iii) World Trade Centre in America (iv) Iraq's invasion of Kuwait
  1. (A) (a)-(iv), (b)-(i), (c)-(ii), (d)-(iii)
  2. (B) (a)-(iv), (b)-(iii), (c)-(ii), (d)-(i)
  3. (C) (a)-(ii), (b)-(i), (c)-(iv), (d)-(iii)
  4. (D) (a)-(i), (b)-(ii), (c)-(iii), (d)-(iv)
1
8.
Put these events in chronological order:
(i) Assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi
(ii) Formation of the first non-Congress coalition government at the Centre
(iii) Sixteenth Lok Sabha elections
(iv) Mandal Commission giving its recommendations
  1. (A) (ii), (iii), (i), (iv)
  2. (B) (i), (iv), (iii), (ii)
  3. (C) (iv), (ii), (i), (iii)
  4. (D) (iii), (i), (ii), (iv)
1
9.
Which Prime Minister abolished the 'Privy Purse' of former princes?
  1. (A) Morarji Desai
  2. (B) Lal Bahadur Shastri
  3. (C) Rajiv Gandhi
  4. (D) Indira Gandhi
1
10.
Which statement best explains the idea of globalisation?
  1. (A) Rapid integration and inter-connection of countries through flows of goods, capital, people and ideas.
  2. (B) Globalisation has increased the capabilities of states in the political field.
  3. (C) Globalisation has given consumers freedom to choose from limited alternatives.
  4. (D) Globalisation has reduced employment opportunities for people.
1
11.
Which party's number of Lok Sabha seats kept rising continuously in the general elections from 2009 to 2019?
  1. (A) Indian National Congress (INC)
  2. (B) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
  3. (C) Shiv Sena (SS)
  4. (D) Communist Party of India (CPI)
1
12.
The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) is concerned with:
  1. (A) Peaceful use of nuclear energy
  2. (B) Spread of nuclear weapons
  3. (C) Development of nuclear fusion
  4. (D) Reduction of nuclear weapons stockpiles
1

SECTION B

Q13–18 carry 2 marks each (6 × 2 = 12).
13.
State any two objectives for which the Planning Commission was set up.
2
14.
How does the natural isolation (insularity) of South Asia give the region its distinct culture? Explain.
2
15.
Explain any two human activities that are responsible for environmental degradation.
2
16.
Why is globalisation called a multi-dimensional concept? Explain with examples.
2
17.
Describe any two challenges India faced while Lal Bahadur Shastri was Prime Minister.
2
18.
'The regional demands raised in the 1980s turned out to be a step towards nation-building.' Support this with arguments.
2

SECTION C

Q19–23 carry 4 marks each (5 × 4 = 20).
19.
Highlight any two differences between the ideologies of the Socialist Party and the Communist Party of India (in the early years after independence).
4
20.
Highlight any two traditional means that countries can use to protect their national security.
4
21.
Describe any four global initiatives that were taken to spread awareness about protecting the environment.
4
22.
'India accepted the expression of regional aspirations in a way that strengthened national integrity.' Support the statement with two examples.
OR
Was the Assam Accord successful in bringing peace and stability to Assam? Give two arguments for your view.
4
23.
Analyse the 'ASEAN Way' as a special method of promoting peace among South-east Asian countries.
OR
Assess how the ASEAN Security Community contributed to ASEAN's economic progress.
4

SECTION D

Passage, cartoon and map based questions. Q24–26 carry 4 marks each (3 × 4 = 12).
24.
Read the passage (summarised here) and answer the questions. The passage says SAARC was started in 1985 by South Asian countries to cooperate through multilateral means, but political differences among members have limited its success. In 2002 its members signed SAFTA, promising a free trade zone for the whole region.
(i) Which South Asian country was NOT a founder member of SAARC? (A) Nepal (B) Bhutan (C) Afghanistan (D) Bangladesh
(ii) Which outside power influences South Asian countries the most? (A) USA (B) Russia (C) France (D) Britain
(iii) The main aim of SAARC is: (A) to become a new centre of world power (B) to set up a common currency for its development (C) to settle all regional conflicts without outside interference (D) to help members cooperate for economic growth, social progress and cultural development through multilateral means
(iv) Which of these is NOT a core aim of SAFTA? (A) a common currency for SAARC nations (B) promoting mutual trade and economic cooperation (C) reducing customs duties and non-tariff barriers (D) creating a free trade area among members
4
25.
The cartoon shows a richly dressed prince sitting on the back of a thin, poor man who is down on all fours and is labelled 'States People'. The prince holds a box labelled 'External Affairs, Defence, Communication'. A leader in a dhoti and shawl (labelled with his name) walks up to him, smiling, and says: 'No, no, don't get up, Your Highness. Just give me this, that will do.'
(i) Name the leader talking to the prince. (1)
(ii) What does the prince sitting on the poor man's back indicate? (1)
(iii) What message does the cartoon convey? (2)
4
26.
On a political outline map of India four states are marked: A – a large state in north-central India; B – a state on the west coast with the Kathiawar peninsula; C – a small state north-west of Delhi; D – a state in the east, along the Ganga plain bordering Nepal. Identify them using the clues and write serial number, letter and name:
(i) The state linked with the 1974 student movement against price rise and corruption.
(ii) The state linked with farmers' leader Chaudhary Charan Singh.
(iii) The state linked with Congress leader Jagjivan Ram.
(iv) The state where the Congress did not win a single Lok Sabha seat in the 1977 elections.
4

SECTION E

Q27–30 carry 6 marks each (4 × 6 = 24).
27.
Explain the composition and one function each of any three principal organs of the United Nations.
OR
Name any three specialised agencies of the United Nations and explain one function of each.
6
28.
Analyse any three reasons for the break-up of the Soviet Union.
OR
Examine any three consequences of 'Shock Therapy' in the former Soviet states.
6
29.
'India's foreign policy has succeeded in protecting its national interests.' Support this with three arguments.
OR
'India's foreign policy follows the principles of international peace and security set out in Article 51 of the Constitution.' Justify with three examples.
6
30.
Describe any four factors that led to the rise of coalition governments at the Centre after 1989.
OR
Describe any four issues on which most political parties have come to a broad agreement (the emerging consensus).
6
— END —
Questions restated from the CBSE Class XII Board Examination 2026 (set 59/1/1) for practice. Reading passages and map items are described, not reproduced.