CBSE Class 12 Question Paper 2026 Solution Sociology

FOR CBSE CLASS 12 EXAM PREPARATION

CBSE Class 12 2026
Question Paper
Solution · Sociology
EXAM YEAR TYPE SUBJECT

CBSE Class 12 2026 Question Paper Solution Sociology

Notes · Sample Papers · Previous Year Papers · Mock Tests

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Strictly Confidential a
Marking Scheme

(For Internal and Restricted use only)
Senior Secondary School Examination, 2026 (XIIth)
SUBJECT NAME : Sociology (Q.P. CODE 039/62 )

General Instructions: -
1 The CBSE has decided to introduce On Screen Marking (OSM) for the evaluation of
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Class XII answer Book with the 2026 Examination.
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2 You are aware that evaluation is the most important process in the actual and correct

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assessment of the candidates. A small mistake in evaluation may lead to serious

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problems which may affect the future of the candidates, education system and
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teaching profession. To avoid mistakes, it is requested that before starting evaluation,
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a“Evaluation policy is a confidential policy as it is related to the confidentiality
you must read and understand the spot evaluation guidelines carefully.
3
of the examinations conducted, evaluation done and several other aspects. Its
leakage to public in any manner could lead to derailment of the examination
system and affect the life and future of millions of candidates. Sharing this
policy/document to anyone, publishing in any magazine and printing in
Newspaper/Website, etc. may invite action under various rules of the Board
and IPC.”
4 Evaluation is to be done as per instructions provided in the Marking Scheme. It should

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not be done according to one’s own interpretation or any other consideration. Marking

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Scheme should be strictly adhered to and religiously followed. However, while

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evaluating, answers which are based on latest information or knowledge and/or

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are innovative, they may be assessed for their correctness otherwise and due

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marks be awarded to them. In Class-XII, while evaluating two competency-
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based questions, please try to understand given answer and even if reply is not
from marking scheme but correct competency is enumerated by the candidate,
due marks should be awarded.
5 The Marking scheme carries only suggested value points for the answers.
These are in the nature of Guidelines only and do not constitute the complete answer.
The students can have their own expression and if the expression is correct, the due
marks should be awarded accordingly.
6 The Head-Examiner must go through the first five answer books evaluated by each
evaluator on the first day, to ensure that evaluation has been carried out as per the
instructions given in the Marking Scheme. If there is any variation, the same should
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be zero after deliberation and discussion. The remaining answer books meant for

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evaluation shall be given only after ensuring that there is no significant variation in

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the marking of individual evaluators.
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Evaluators will mark ( √ ) wherever answer is correct. For wrong answer CROSS ‘X’
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be marked. Evaluators will not put right (✓) while evaluating which gives an

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impression that answer is correct and no marks are awarded. This is most common
mistake which evaluators are committing.
8 If a question has parts, please award marks on the right-hand side for each part in
the OSM Portal. Marks awarded for different parts of the question will be totaled up
by the OSM System.
9 If a question does not have any parts, marks must be awarded in the left-hand margin
in the OSM Portal. This may also be followed strictly.

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10 No marks to be deducted for the cumulative effect of an error. It should be penalized
only once.
11 A full scale of marks 80(example 0 to 80/70/60/50/40/30 marks as given in Question
Paper) has to be used. Please do not hesitate to award full marks if the answer
deserves it.
12 Every examiner has to necessarily do evaluation work for full working hours i.e., 8
hours every day and evaluate 20 answer books per day in main subjects and 25
answer books per day in other subjects (Details are given in Spot Guidelines).This is
in view of the reduced syllabus and number of questions in question paper.
13 Ensure that you do not make the following common types of errors committed by the
Examiner in the past:-
● Answers marked as correct, but marks not awarded. (Ensure that the right tick
mark is correctly and clearly indicated. It should merely be a line. Same is with
the X for incorrect answer.)
● Half or a part of answer marked correct and the rest as wrong, but no marks
awarded.
14 While evaluating the answer books if the answer is found to be totally incorrect, it
should be marked as cross (X) and awarded zero (0) Marks.
15 The Examiners should acquaint themselves with the guidelines given in the
“Guidelines for Spot Evaluation” before starting the actual evaluation.
16 The candidates are entitled to obtain photocopy of the Answer Book on request on
payment of the prescribed processing fee. All Examiners/Additional Head
Examiners/Head Examiners are once again reminded that they must ensure that
evaluation is carried out strictly as per value points for each answer as given in the
Marking Scheme.
17 If a candidate attempts both alternatives/options in a question where only one
option/ alternative is required to be attempted, the Evaluator shall award marks
in both the options. The system will take the higher of two scores and
disregard the other response.
18 In a question having two options/alternatives, if a candidate has attempted only
one, then the evaluator shall mark “NA” (Not attempted) against the option that
has not been attempted by the candidate.

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MARKING SCHEME
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Sociology (Subject Code-039)
(PAPER CODE : 62) (P62039)
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Q. No. EXPECTED OUTCOMES/VALUE POINTS Marks
MCQs

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7. (A) 1

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12. (D)
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13. (A) 1

14. (A) 1

15. (C) 1

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17. "Malthus argued that human populations tend to grow at a much faster rate 1+1=2
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?
• Preventive checks such as postponing marriage or practicing sexual 1
Ans
abstinence or celibacy.
• Positive checks in the form of famines and diseases 1

18. (a) "Social exclusion is not accidental but systematic - it is the result of structural 2
features of society."
In the context of the above statement, highlight the meaning of social
exclusion.

Ans. • Social exclusion refers to ways in which individuals may become cut
off from full involvement in the wider society. 2
OR
• The combined outcome of deprivation and discrimination which
prevent individuals or groups from participating fully in the economic,
social, and political life of the society in which they live. Social
exclusion is structural i.e., the result of social processes and institutions
rather than individual action.
(Any other relevant point.)
OR
18. (b) "Untouchability is an extreme and vicious aspect of the caste system." Explain 2
any two dimensions of untouchability.

Ans • Exclusion: Dalits are prohibited from sharing drinking water sources or
participating in collective religious worship, social ceremonies and 1
festivals.
• Exploitation: Economic exploitation of various kinds such as 1
confiscation of property.
• Humiliation-subordination, through the imposition of forced, unpaid 1
(or under-paid) labour, although its specific forms and intensity vary
considerably across regions and socio-historical contexts. (Any 2)
(Any two dimensions)
19. "Many of our cultural practices and patterns can be traced to our agricultural 2
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.

• Land is not just a ‘means of production’ nor just a form of property,
Ans. nor is agriculture just a form of livelihood. It is also a way of life. Many 1
of our cultural practices and patterns can be traced to our agrarian
backgrounds.

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• Pongal in Tamil Nadu or Bihu in Assam or Baisakhi in Punjab or
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Ugadi in Karnataka. (Any two examples) 0.5
(Any other relevant festival.)
20. "Our community provides us the language (our mother tongue) and the 2
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?
Ans. • Community identity is based on birth. 1
• People feel a deep sense of security and satisfaction in belonging to
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communities in which their membership is entirely accidental.

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21.
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The 'Schedules' listing the castes and tribes recognised as deserving of special
treatment because of the massive discrimination practiced against them were
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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.

Ans. • Reservations of ‘seats’ in the State and Central legislatures, jobs in
government service across all departments and public sector
companies; and in educational institutions.
Or
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• The 93rd Amendment for introducing reservation for the Other

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Backward Classes in institutions of higher education.
Or
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Article 17- abolition of untouchability
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1989 Prevention of Atrocities Act.
(Any one relevant Government initiative) 2
22. (a) The notion of minority groups usually involves some sort of a relative 2
disadvantage. Exemplify the statement.
Ans. • Minorities are subjected to prejudice and discrimination. Hence, they 1
have a strong sense of group solidarity, a feeling of togetherness and
belonging.
• For e.g., Religious minorities like the Parsis or Sikhs may be relatively m
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well-off economically. But they may still be disadvantaged in a
cultural sense because of their small numbers relative to the
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Highlight the meaning of Secularism in both, the Western and Indian context.
22.
(b)
• Western context- separation of Church and State; progressive retreat 1
Ans: of religion from public life.

• Indian context: As per the Indian context secular and secularism 1

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include the western sense but also involve others. Secular person or
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state does not favour any particular religion over others.
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23. “In a country where half the children in the age group of 5 - 14 years are out 2
of school, how can there be space for children with disabilities, especially if a
segregated schooling is being advocated for them?" State two ways by which
a disabled child can achieve autonomy.
• inclusive education-recognition of disability in the wider educational 1
Ans.
discourse;
• vocational/skill-based education. 1
(Any other relevant point)

24. "In India, over 90% of the work, whether it is in agriculture, industry or services 2
is in the unorganised or informal sector."
What are the social implications of this small size of the organised sector?

Ans.
• Very few people have the experience of employment in large firms
where they get to meet people from other regions and backgrounds;

• Very few people have access to secure jobs with benefits hence, they
have to depend on their children in their old age;

• The unorganised or informal sector workers do not have the experience
of collectively fighting for proper wages and safe working conditions;

• Personal relationships define many aspects of work. If the employer
likes you, you may get a salary raise, and if you have a fight with him
or her, you may lose your job;

• No well-defined rules or transparency in recruitment in the
unorganised sector;

• No mechanisms for complaints and redressal in case of any
disagreement.
(any two relevant points) (1+1)

25 “In our current information age, social movements around the globe are able 2
to join together in huge regional and international networks." Give suitable
examples to support the statement.
Ans
• Non-governmental organisations/religious and humanitarian groups/
1
human rights association/consumer protection
advocates/environmental activists and others who campaign in the
public interest.

• The enormous protests against the World Trade Organisation that took 1
place in Seattle, for example, were organised in part through internet-
based networks.
(Any two relevant examples)

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26.
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“Globalisation of agriculture or the incorporation of agriculture into 4
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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.
Ans.
• In some regions such as Punjab and Karnataka, farmers enter into
contracts with multinational companies (such as PepsiCo) to grow
certain crops (such as tomatoes and potatoes), which the companies
then buy from them for processing or export.

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• In ‘contract farming’ systems, the company identifies the crop to be
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grown, provides the seeds and other inputs, as well as the know-how
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and often also the working capital. In return, the farmer is assured of
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a market.
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a • Contract farming caters primarily to the production of elite items,
which is often not ecologically sustainable. Farming of export-oriented
products such as flowers and gherkins also implies that agricultural
land is diverted away from food grain production.

• While contract farming appears to provide financial security to
farmers, it can also lead to greater insecurity as farmers become
dependent on these companies for their livelihoods.
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Contract farming has sociological significance in that it disengages
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many people from the production process and makes their own

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indigenous knowledge of agriculture irrelevant.
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27. "The post-independent Indian state inherited and reflected the contradictions 4
of the pre-independent period.”
Comment on the given statement with respect to the role of caste in the public
sphere.
• The state was committed to the abolition of caste and made a provision
Ans. 1
for it in the constitution but, it was unable and unwilling to push
through radical reforms which would have undermined the economic
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basis of caste inequality.

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The state assumed that if it operated in a caste blind manner, this would
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automatically lead to the undermining of caste-based privileges and the

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• Democratic politics has been deeply conditioned by caste. Caste
1
remains central to electoral politics.

• The development activity of the state and the growth of private
industry also affected caste indirectly through the speeding up and 1
intensification of economic change. Modern industry created all kinds
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of new jobs for which there were no caste rules.

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28. "In Indian nationalism, the dominant trend was marked by an inclusive 4
and democratic vision." Explain.
Ans. 1
• Inclusive vision because it recognised diversity and plurality.

• Democratic vision because it sought to do away with discrimination 1
and exclusion and bring forth a just and equitable society.

• Inclusive and democratic vision and ideas of humanism influenced 1
Indian nationalists while framing strategies for minority rights and
nation building.

• For a strong and democratic nation, special constitutional provisions
are required to ensure the rights of all groups and those of minority 1
groups in particular.

(Any other relevant point)

29. “A considerable part of ritual in India has a direct reference to the pursuit of 4
secular ends. Rituals have secular dimensions as distinct from secular goals."
Justify with the help of suitable examples.

Ans. • Rituals provide men and women with occasions for socialising with 1
their peers and superiors;

• showing off the family’s wealth, clothing and jewellery; 1

• during the last few decades in particular, the economic, political and 1
status dimensions of ritual have become increasingly conspicuous;

• the number of cars lined up outside a wedding house and the VIPs who
attended the wedding, provide the index to the household’s standing in 1
the local community.
(Any other relevant example)

30. "Jan Breman identified the change in the nature of relationship between 4
landlords and agricultural workers." Explain the meaning of the phrase from
patronage to exploitation' stated by him.

Ans.
• There was a transition to capitalist agriculture which made cultivation
more intensive. This led to an increase in the use of agriculture labour.

• Cultivation became more commercialised and the rural areas were
becoming integrated with the wider economy.

• This led to a shift from payment in kind (grain) to payment in cash.

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A loosening of traditional bonds or hereditary relationships between
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farmers or landowners and agricultural workers (known as bonded
labour)

• The rise of a class of ‘free’ wage; indicative of separation of the workers
from the means of production.
(1+1+1+1)
(any other relevant point)

31. (a) “Cities had a key role in the economic system of empires”. Elucidate the 4
statement with the help of suitable examples.
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Ans.
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Primary commodities could be easily exported and manufactured goods

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•a Colonial cities were the prime link between the economic centre or core
in Britain and periphery or margins in colonised India. Cities in this sense 1
were the concrete expression of global capitalism.

• In British India for example Bombay was planned and re-developed so 1
that by 1900 over three-quarters of India’s raw cotton was shipped
through the city.
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dyes and cotton to Britain.

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

Ans. • The colonial government often used unfair means to hire and forcibly 1
keep labourers. They acted on behalf of the British planters.
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The colonial administrators were clear that harsh and undemocratic
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measures were taken against the labourers to make sure they benefited
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• Thousands of people every year were brought from their far-off homes
into strange lands, possessing an unhealthy climate and infected with 1
strange fevers, requiring the provision of financial and other
incentives, which the tea-planters of Assam were unwilling to offer.

• Instead, they took recourse to fraud and coercion, and persuaded the
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government to aid and abet them in this unholy task by passing penal
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laws.
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32. "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 4
of the rest of Indian society."
How has national development been a challenge for the tribal population of
India, post-Independence?
Ans. • National development involved the building of large dams, factories 1
and mines. This kind of development has benefitted the mainstream at
the expense of the tribes.
1
• The process of dispossessing tribals of their land has occurred as a
necessary byproduct of the exploitation of minerals and the utilisation
of favourable sites for setting up hydroelectric power plants, many of
which were in tribal areas. 1

• The coming of private property in land has also adversely affected
tribals, whose community-based forms of collective ownership were 1
placed at a disadvantage.

• Many tribal concentration regions and states have also been
experiencing the problem of heavy in-migration of non-tribals in
response to the pressure of development and this threatens to disrupt
and overwhelm tribal communities and cultures, besides accelerating
the process of exploitation of tribals.
(Any other relevant point)

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‘Rural-urban migration is preferred for 'social reasons'. Mention any two
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reasons.
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Ans. • Rural-urban migration may offer some partial protection from the daily
humiliation for the socially oppressed groups in the village where
everyone knows their caste identity.

• The anonymity of the city also allows the poorer sections of the socially
dominant rural groups to engage in low status work that they would not
be able to do in the village.
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• Decline of common property resources such as ponds, forests, etc. (1+1)
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• Opportunities
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(Any two relevant points)
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33. 2 “Itaisgnot a question of numbers alone, processes of modern development ensure
that the economic and social significance of the agrarian-rural way of life 4
declines relative to the significance of the industrial way of life”?
Highlight the reasons for the decline in the agrarian-rural way of life.
Ans.
• Today, agriculture only contributes about one-sixth of the gross
domestic product. The relative economic value of what they produce
has fallen drastically.
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like transport services, business enterprises and craft manufacturing.

• Mass media and communication
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urban life styles and patterns
channels are now bringing images of
into the rural areas.

• Mass transit and mass communication are bridging the gap between
rural and urban areas.

• Continuous decline of common property resources like ponds, forests
and grazing lands.

• These common resources enabled poor people to survive in the villages
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although they owned little or no land. Now, these resources have been

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turned into private property, or they are exhausted.
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• Opportunities for earning cash income are limited in the villages.
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34. 'Home-based work is an important part of the economy.' Elaborate on the 6
functioning of any one 'Home-based' Industry.
Ans. • Home based work includes the manufacture of lace, zari or brocade,
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carpets, bidis, agarbattis and many such products.

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• This work is mainly done by women and children.

• An agent provides raw materials and also picks up the finished product.

• Home workers are paid on a piece-rate basis, depending on the number
of pieces they make.

• The process of making bidis starts in forested villages where villagers
pluck tendu leaves and sell it to the forest department or a private
contractor who in turn sells it to the forest department.

• On average a person can collect 100 bundles (of 50 leaves each) a day.

• The government then auctions the leaves to bidi factory owners who
give it to the contractors. The contractor in turn supplies tobacco and
leaves to home-based workers.

• These workers, mostly women, roll the bidis – first dampening the
leaves, then cutting them, filling in tobacco evenly and then tying them
with thread.

• The contractor picks up these bidis and sells them to the manufacturer
who roasts them, and puts on his own brand label.

• The manufacturer then sells them to a distributor who distributes the
packed bidis to wholesalers who in turn sell to your neighbourhood
pan shops.
(Any other relevant example)
(1+1+1+1+1+1)
35. How have the women's movements evolved over the period of history? 6

• The early 20th century saw the growth of women’s organisations at the
Ans.
national and the local level. The Women’s India Association (WIA)
(1917), All India Women’s Conference (AIWC) (1926) and National
Council for Women in India (NCWI) (1925) are names of
organisations that we can mention. While many of them began with a
limited focus, their scope extended over time.

• Women participated along with men in struggles and revolts
originating in tribal and rural areas in the colonial period.

• It can be argued that this period of activity did not constitute a social
movement. It did have organisations, ideology, leadership, a shared
understanding and the aim of bringing about changes on a public issue.

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• In the mid-1970s, there was a renewal of the women’s movement in
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India. Some call it the second phase of the Indian women’s movement.
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While many of the concerns remained the same, there were changes
both in terms of organisational strategy, as well as, ideologies.

• Apart from organisational changes, there were new issues that were
focussed upon. For instance, violence against women. Over the years,
there have been numerous campaigns that have been taken up.
Application for school forms, now, have both father’s and mother’s
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names.
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Important legal changes have taken place due to the campaign by the
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women’s movement. Issues of land rights, employment have been
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fought alongside rights against sexual harassment and dowry.
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• Anti-sati campaign led by Raja Rammohun Roy in Bengal; the widow
remarriage movement in the Bombay Presidency where Ranade was
one of the leading reformers; Jyotiba Phule’s simultaneous attack on
gender oppression; Sir Syed Ahmed Khan’s movement for women’s
education; initiatives taken by women social reformers such as Tarabai
Shinde and Begum Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain. (1+1+1+1+1+1)

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(any other relevant point/example)

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