ISC Class 12 Question Paper 2020 for Political Science

POLITICAL SCIENCE
(Maximum Marks: 80)
(Time allowed: Three hours)
(Candidates are allowed additional 15 minutes for only reading the paper.
They must NOT start writing during this time.)
Answer Question 1 (compulsory) from Part I, and five questions from Part II,
choosing three questions from Section A and two questions from Section B.
The intended marks for questions or parts of questions are given in brackets [ ].

PART I (20 Marks)
Answer all questions.

Question 1
Answer briefly each of the questions (i) to (x). [10  2]
(i) Identify two key points of difference between a parliamentary and a
presidential system.
(ii) Distinguish between a written constitution and an unwritten constitution.
(iii) State two reasons for the widespread acceptance of Universal Adult
Franchise.
(iv) State one electoral function of the Parliament of India.
(v) Distinguish between the political executive and the permanent executive.
(vi) State one area where the Supreme Court of the United States exercises
original jurisdiction.
(vii) State why the Indian constitution is characterised as partly rigid and partly
flexible.
(viii) State two Gandhian Directive Principles that find a place in Part IV of the
Constitution of India.
(ix) Which authority is charged with the conduct of local self-government
elections under the 73rd Amendment to the Constitution of India?
(x) Briefly explain the meaning of regionalism in the Indian context.

This paper consists of 3 printed pages and 1 blank page.
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PART II (60 Marks)
SECTION A
Answer any three questions.

Question 2

(a) Distinguish between totalitarian states and liberal democratic states. [6]
(b) India is described as a federal state with subsidiary unitary features. Explain. [6]

Question 3
(a) Explain three functions of political parties. [6]
(b) Discuss three merits of a multi-party system. [6]

Question 4
(a) Explain three powers of the House of Representatives. [6]

(b) Discuss three ways in which the Lok Sabha exercises control over the executive. [6]

Question 5

(a) Critically examine the role of the President in the Constitution of India. [6]
(b) Briefly explain three functions of the permanent executive (civil service). [6]

Question 6
(a) Critically examine judicial review with reference to India. [6]
(b) With reference to the Supreme Court of the United States, explain three [6]
principles (maxims) of Judicial Review.

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SECTION B
Answer any two questions.

Question 7
(a) Explain any three Salient Features of the Constitution of India. [6]
(b) What rights are conferred under the Right to Freedom of Religion in Articles 25 [6]
to 28 of the Constitution of India?

Question 8

(a) Explain the composition of the Zila Parishads. [6]
(b) Discuss three challenges faced by urban local self-government institutions in [6]
India.

Question 9
[

(a) Explain three ways in which communalism affects the functioning of Indian [6]
democracy.
(b) Critically discuss the role of caste in Indian politics. [6]

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