ISC Class 12 Sample Paper History

isc
specimen paper
2025
ISC Study Material

HISTORY
Maximum Marks: 80
Time Allotted: Three Hours
Reading Time: Additional Fifteen minutes

Instructions to Candidates

➢ You are allowed an additional 15 minutes for only reading the question
paper.
➢ You must NOT start writing during reading time.
➢ This question paper has 9 printed pages.
➢ There are three sections in the paper: A, B and C. Internal choices have
been provided in two questions each in Sections B and C.
➢ Answer all questions.
➢ While answering Multiple Choice Questions in Section A, you are
required to write ONLY one option as the answer.
➢ Section A consists of one question each subpart carrying one mark.
➢ Section B consists of eight questions each carrying four marks.
➢ Section C consists of four questions each carrying eight marks.
➢ The intended marks for questions are given in brackets [ ].

Instruction to Supervising Examiner
➢ Kindly read aloud the Instructions given above to all the candidates present
in the examination hall.

ISC SPECIMEN QUESTION PAPER 2025
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SECTION A – 16 MARKS
Question 1
(i) “The mantra is ‘Do or Die’. We shall either free India or die in the attempt; we [1]
shall not live to see the perpetuation of slavery.”- Mahatma Gandhi.
Identify the Movement for which the mantra became the battle cry. (Recall)
(a) Non-Cooperation Movement
(b) Civil Disobedience Movement
(c) Quit India Movement
(d) Delhi Chalo Movement
(ii) Who among the following Prime Ministers prioritised self-reliance and is still [1]
remembered for the slogan “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan”? (Recall)
(a) Jawaharlal Nehru
(b) Indira Gandhi
(c) Morarji Desai
(d) Lal Bahadur Shastri
(iii) Which of the following events is considered to be Hitler’s greatest triumph and [1]
Chamberlain’s supreme act of appeasement? (Evaluate)
(a) The Anschluss
(b) The Munich Agreement
(c) The Rome-Berlin Axis
(d) The Anglo-German Naval Agreement
(iv) The following is a picture of the famous trio of the Janata government, waiting [1]
for the swearing-in ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhawan in 1977.
Which one of the following BEST describes the reason for the Janata
government’s short-lived tenure? (Evaluate)

(Source: www. timescontent.timesgroup.com)

ISC SPECIMEN QUESTION PAPER 2025
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(a) Struggle for power and control among the leaders of the Janata
government
(b) Disagreements within the Janata government on foreign policy.
(c) Ideological differences within the Janata government over economic
policies.
(d) Conflicting views on social welfare programmes.
(v) [1]

(Source: www. x.com)
The extract given above is on a report of the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict. Which
of the following principles of the Panchsheel Agreement has been ignored
during the Israel-Gaza conflict? (Application)
(P) Mutual respect for each other’s territorial integrity and sovereignty
(Q) Non-aggression
(R) Non-interference in each other’s internal affairs
(S) Equality and mutual benefit
(a) Only (P) and (S)
(b) Only (Q) and (R)
(c) Only (P) and (Q)
(d) Only (R) and (S)
(vi) Given below are two statements marked Assertion and Reason. Read the
statements carefully and choose the correct option. (Understanding)
Assertion: On 6th July, 1945 the Americans dropped an atom bomb on
Hiroshima.
Reason: On 7th December 1941, the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbour without
any declaration of war.
(a) Both Assertion and Reason are true and Reason is the correct explanation
for Assertion.
(b) Both Assertion and Reason are true but Reason is not the correct
explanation for Assertion.
(c) Assertion is true and Reason is false.
(d) Both Assertion and Reason are false.

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(vii) Which of the following initiatives taken by the Indian government has goals
SIMILAR to the Five-Year Plan initiated in China by Mao Zedong?
(Application)
(a) Make in India initiative to promote manufacturing of products to attract
foreign direct investment in India.
(b) Green Revolution initiative to boost agricultural productivity in India
using modern technologies.
(c) Digital India initiative to ensure digital access and inclusion to turn India
into a knowledge-based economy.
(d) Atal Innovation Mission policy to encourage innovation and
entrepreneurship among Indian students and start-ups.
(viii) Identify the key difference between the Molotov Plan and the Marshall Plan.
(Understanding)
(a) The Molotov Plan was introduced by the USA while the Marshall Plan
was introduced by the USSR.
(b) The Marshall Plan was for the benefit of the East European countries and
Molotov Plan was for the Western European countries.
(c) The Molotov Plan was introduced by the USSR and the Marshall Plan
was introduced by the USA.
(d) The Molotov Plan was a reaction to the Marshall Plan.
(ix) The first Lok Sabha election in India was held on the principle of ___________.
(Recall)
th
(x) On 4 April 1959, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru announced in Parliament [1]
that the Dalai Lama had crossed into Indian territory and had been granted
political asylum in India. (Source (edited): New York Times)
State any one impact this event had on the Indo-Sino ties in 1959. (Recall)
(xi) Expand AASU. (Recall) [1]
(xii) The image given below shows the cover page of the book Total Revolution.

(Source:www.exoticindiaart.com)
Name the author who spearheaded the Movement referred to on the cover page
of the book. (Recall)

ISC SPECIMEN QUESTION PAPER 2025
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(xiii) [1]

(Source: www.scribd.com)
Refer to the image given above and name the organisation that Kwame Nkrumah
established. (Recall)
(xiv) [1]

(Source: www.thewrap.com)
In the picture shown above, the African President Nelson Mandela can be seen
shaking hands with ______________whose courage, determination and honest
efforts had steered South Africa towards the black majority rule. (Recall)
(xv) In the Little Rock Arkansas crisis, the Governor attempted to prevent nine Black [1]
American students from entering a high school. The plight of these students
aroused nationwide indignation and led to the intervention by the federal troops
sent by President Eisenhower.
What was the significance of this event during the Civil Rights Movement in the
U.S.? (Understanding)
(xvi) Mention any one provision of the Equal Pay Act of 1963 that impacted the status [1]
of women in America. (Recall)

ISC SPECIMEN QUESTION PAPER 2025
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SECTION B – 32 MARKS

Question 2 [4]

(Source: Free Press Journal)
With reference to the news extract given above, state any four circumstances that led
to the fulfilment of the wishes of the people of Junagadh and its eventual accession
to the Indian union. (Understanding)

Question 3 [4]
The Prime Minister of India, Mrs. Indira Gandhi, declared a national emergency in
1975. When questioned about the legality of the 42nd Constitution Amendment Act,
1976, she responded that the essence of parliamentary democracy made Parliament
supreme.
In the above context, analyse the impact of the 42nd Constitution Amendment Act,
1976 on the democratic system in India. (Analysis)

Question 4 [4]
In 1979, AASU and the All Assam Gana Sangram Parishad (AAGSP) began a series
of protests across Assam. The educational institutions in the state remained shut for
a long time. Periodic strikes at times turned violent. This was the start of a six-year
agitation led by students. (Source: Economic Times. Archive)
Based on the above report, state any four reasons for the agitation. (Recall)

Question 5 [4]
(i) How did the Bandung and Belgrade Conferences lead to the formation and
development of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM)? (Understanding)
OR
(ii) State any four reasons to explain why India adopted a Non-Alignment policy
during the Cold War. (Understanding)

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Question 6 [4]
How did the course of events during the Abyssinian crisis discredit the League of
Nations and the idea of collective security? (Analysis)

Question 7 [4]
The graph given below indicates the production of grain during the Great Leap
Forward in China.
Grain Production
Variation

(Source:www.beyondplanb.eu)
With reference to the above graph, explain the main features of the Commune system
during the Great Leap Forward. Why was there such a sharp spike in the death rate
as indicated in the graph above? (Analysis)

Question 8 [4]
State any two features of Apartheid and its implementation by the South African
government. Mention any two reasons to explain why it led to widespread protests
by the black Africans in the country. (Understanding)

Question 9

(i) [4]

(Source: Time Magazine, Lech Walesa, Man of the Year, Jan. 4, 1982)
Discuss any four achievements of Lech Walesa to justify the decision of the
Time Magazine to honour him with the title, Man of the Year in 1982.
(Understanding)
OR
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(ii) [4]

(Source: www.britannica.com)
The picture given above is that of the author of the book, The Feminine
Mystique. Identify the author. Discuss how this book sparked off the Second
Wave of American Feminism in the 20th century. (Understanding)

SECTION C – 32 MARKS

Question 10
(i) On the morning of June 3, 1947, the day the partition was announced,
Mahatma Gandhi told Rajendra Prasad, “I can see only evil in the plan”.
(Source: hindu.com)
(a) Identify the Plan that Mahatma Gandhi was referring to. State any three [4]
clauses of the Plan. (Recall)
(b) Discuss any four reasons for the acceptance of the plan by major political [4]
parties of India. (Understanding)
OR
(ii) The Cripps Proposals for the first time proposed the formation of a Constituent
Assembly.
(a) In the light of the above statement, enumerate any four proposals of the [4]
Cripps Mission. (Recall)
(b) Elucidate any four reasons that led to the failure of the Cripps’ Mission [4]
and eventually, to the Quit India Resolution. (Understanding)

Question 11 [8]
Discuss any eight features of the Towards Equality Report of 1974.
(Understanding)

Question 12 [8]
Discuss the contributions of Martin Luther King Jr. to the campaign for Equal Rights
in the United States of America. (Recall)

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Question 13

(i) ‘After its liberation in 1945, Czechoslovakia soon fell behind the [8]
‘Iron Curtain’. That it would do so, was not a formality: the US could have
brought the country into the Western Bloc – had it been so inclined.’
(Source: History.com)
With reference to the above source, explain Stalin’s takeover of
Czechoslovakia and its subsequent impact on the Cold War. (Understanding)
OR
(ii) “This is a fight for the homeland – it is a fight for the Arab nation.”
(Excerpt from President Nasser’s speech in the Egyptian National Assembly,
May 30, 1967)
With reference to the Six-Day War of 1967, answer the following questions:
(a) State any four causes for the Six-Day War. (Recall) [4]
(b) Discuss any two reasons each for the spectacular success of the Israelis [4]
and the humiliating defeat of the Arab States. (Understanding)

ISC SPECIMEN QUESTION PAPER 2025
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HISTORY
ANSWER KEY
SECTION A – 16 MARKS
Question 1
In answering Multiple Choice Questions, candidates have to write either the
correct option number or the explanation against it. Please note that only
ONE correct answer should be written.
(i) (c) Quit India Movement [1]
(ii) (d) Lal Bahadur Shastri [1]
(iii) (b) The Munich Agreement [1]
(iv) (a) Struggle for power and control among the leaders of the Janata government [1]
(v) (c) Only (P) and (Q) [1]
(vi) (b) Both Assertion and Reason are true but Reason is not the correct [1]
explanation for Assertion.
(vii) (a) Make in India initiative to promote manufacturing of products to attract [1]
foreign direct investment in India.
(viii) (c) The Molotov Plan was introduced by the USSR and the Marshall Plan was [1]
introduced by the USA.
(ix) Universal Adult Franchise [1]
(x) It led to heightened tensions and suspicions between India and China, [1]
culminating in the 1962 Sino-Indian border conflict.
(xi) All Assam Students’ Union [1]
(xii) Jayaprakash Narayan [1]
(xiii) Organisation of African Unity [1]
(xiv) F.W. de Klerk [1]
(xv) • It drew international attention to the problem of racism. [1]
• It symbolised the struggle of the Blacks and their supporters for the right to
racial equality.
• It inspired further activism and protests.
• It highlighted the need for federal action to end racism. (Any one)
(xvi) • It abolished gender-based discrimination in the industrial sector. [1]
• It guaranteed equal pay for equal work by men and women who were equal
in terms of skill, effort, responsibilities and working conditions.
• It promoted economic equality and women empowerment.
• It gave equal employment opportunities to women.
• Employees could file a lawsuit and seek compensation if their employers
violated the EPA.
(Any one relevant from the given options will be accepted)

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ISC SPECIMEN ANSWER KEY 2025
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SECTION B – 32 MARKS
Question 2 [4]
• Junagadh surrounded by Indian territory had no geographic connection with
Pakistan.
• The population was majority Hindus, which was the reason for the people of
Junagadh wanting to join India.
• Nawab of Junagadh announced the accession of his state to Pakistan on
15th August 1947.
• Nehru and Patel agreed to the idea that the final voice will be that of the people
through a plebiscite.
• Pakistan accepted Junagadh’s accession.
• People of Junagadh were against the ruler’s decision. They refused to join
Pakistan and started a popular movement.
• This forced the Nawab to flee.
• A provisional government was established.
• Shah Nawaz Bhutto, Dewan of Junagadh invited the Indian government to
intervene.
• Indian troops marched in.
• A plebiscite was held in February,1948, which was in favour of joining India.

(Candidates have to refer to the news extract shown in the image and provide a
brief explanation of the process of the integration of Junagarh to the Indian Union
in a chronological order.)

Question 3 [4]
Impact of the 42nd Constitution Amendment Act, 1976.
• The 42nd Constitution Amendment Act changed the basic structure of the Indian
Constitution.
• There was a clamp down on the democratic rights.
• It led to the curtailment of the civil liberties and abuse of human rights.
• It gave sweeping powers to the Prime Minister.
• It invested the Parliament with unrestrained power to amend the Constitution.
• It restricted the rights of the Supreme Court and the High Court to the power of
judicial review.
• It transferred some powers from state government to the central government.
• It damaged the federal structure of the Indian union.
• It laid down the Fundamental Duties of the Indian citizens.

(Candidates have to provide evidence of the Constitutional Changes in the light of
the source mentioned above.)

ISC SPECIMEN ANSWER KEY 2025
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Question 4 [4]
Reasons for Assam agitation:
• The Northeast was aggrieved due to unfair treatment by the Centre, evident in
neglect of industries / lack of economic enterprises and / or even in the
allocation of funds.
• It was deprived of its revenue from crude oil, tea and plywood. / Assam’s
revenue was pumped out of the state.
• Marwaris and Bengalis were controlling Assam’s economy.
• Labour forces were also largely non-Assamese, contributing to unemployment
among Assamese youth.
• There was a demand for better connectivity between the Northeast and the rest
of India.
• Even before independence, there had been a large-scale migration from Bihar
and Bengal into Assam.
• From 1971 onwards, refugees poured in from Bangladesh (East Pakistan).
• Most returned after the creation of Bangladesh but almost a lakh stayed behind.
• Peasant influx continued in search of land, triggering fear of land loss among
Assamese peasants.
• Demographic changes generated cultural, linguistic and political insecurities.
• To face the challenge of illegal migration from Bangladesh, All Assam
Students Union (AASU) and Assam Gana Sangram Parishad (Assamese
Peoples Struggle) were organised in 1979.
(Candidates have to write any four reasons in complete sentences for the cause of
the Assam agitation in a sequence.)

Question 5 [4]
(i) Bandung Conference:
• The Bandung Conference, held in 1955 in Bandung, Indonesia, marked
a pivotal moment for newly independent nations from Africa and Asia.
• It was chaired by President Sukarno of Indonesia and supported by Prime
Minister Jawaharlal Nehru of India.
• These nations convened to discuss their shared challenges, primarily the
aftermath of colonialism and the need for socio-economic development.
• The Conference emphasised principles such as sovereignty, territorial
integrity, and non-interference in internal affairs.
• Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru presented the idea of the Non-
Alignment Movement on the principles of Panchsheel.
• It was a significant event that showcased solidarity among nations that
sought to remain independent of the two Cold War blocs led by the
United States and the Soviet Union.
Belgrade Conference:
• Building upon the sentiments and principles articulated at Bandung, the
Belgrade Conference in 1961 further solidified the aspirations of these
non-aligned nations.
• Hosted by President Tito of Yugoslavia, the conference highlighted the
commitment of these countries to NAM.
ISC SPECIMEN ANSWER KEY 2025
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• The Belgrade Conference was instrumental in institutionalising the non-
aligned movement, leading to the formal establishment of the Non-
Aligned Movement (NAM).
• Both conferences, through their resolutions and declarations, laid the
groundwork for NAM's foundational principles.
These principles revolved around promoting peace, opposing imperialism,
and fostering cooperation among developing nations.
(Candidates have to highlight the prime features of the Bandung and the
Belgrade Conferences in brief, which led to the formation and development
of NAM).
OR
(ii) Reasons for India’s adoption of Non-Alignment Policy
• Non-Alignment allowed India to assert its independence and avoid
entanglement in the ideological conflicts between the two superpowers,
USA and USSR.
• It aimed at promoting global peace and India believed that aligning with
any superpower would contribute to the arms race leading to a global
conflict.
• India, as a newly independent nation, prioritised economic development
and Non-Alignment policy allowed India to pursue its development
goals without being drawn into military conflicts and economic
dependencies.
• Non-Alignment policy helped India promote principles such as anti-
colonialism, disarmament, and peaceful coexistence.
• By not aligning with any major power bloc, India sought to play a
leadership role in the Non-Alignment Movement, to build solidarity
among developing nations.
(Candidates have to write any four relevant reasons in complete sentences
behind India’s adoption of a Non-Alignment policy during the Cold War.)

Question 6 [4]
League of Nations and collective security
• Mussolini attacked Abyssinia in 1935. The League condemned Italy and
introduced economic sanctions on rubber and metals, but it did not stop oil
sales.
• Most importantly, Britain did not close the Suez Canal to Italy, fearing that Italy
might declare war on Britain – so Mussolini sent men and supplies to Abyssinia
through the (British) Suez Canal and completed the conquest of Abyssinia
without much inconvenience.
• The main motive for Britain and France was not to antagonise Mussolini too
much, so as to keep him an ally against the real danger – Germany.
• Result - Mussolini annoyed by the sanctions began to draw closer to Hitler.
• Small states lost all faith in the League.
• Hitler was encouraged to break the Versailles Treaty by introducing
conscription, remilitarising the Rhineland.
• None of these actions of Hitler were mentioned in the League Council mainly
ISC SPECIMEN ANSWER KEY 2025
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because France and Britain were afraid that Hitler would reject any decision
that went against Germany, and they were reluctant to be forced into military
action against the Germans.
• The Abyssinian Crisis exposed the policy of appeasement, the loophole in
collective security and the self- interest of Britain and France. These flaws
further led to the Rome-Berlin Axis in 1936.
(Candidates must analyse the impact of the Abyssinian Crisis in the international
politics in a chronological manner with special emphasis on the role played by
Britain and France in their relationship with Italy.)

Question 7 [4]
• The Great Leap Forward was an economic and social campaign under the
leadership of Mao Zedong.
• It involved important experiments and developments in both agriculture and
industry, that would suit Chinese conditions and not be based on the Russian
model.
• Communes were very large self-sufficient units that were much larger than
collective farms.
• It was composed of many villages with a total strength of up to 75,000 people.
• The people were divided into Brigades and Work Teams with an elected
Council.
• These Councils managed the working of the collective farms and factories and
carried out most of the functions of a local government within the Commune.
• Each family received a share of the profits.
• Essential goods and services like food, housing, health care and education were
provided for, usually free of cost.
• Social services like child care, elder care and cultural activities were provided
for by the Commune.
• Women were encouraged to participate in agricultural work and hold leadership
positions.
• Small scale industries were set up to manufacture iron and steel, tools and basic
machinery for agriculture.
• About six lakhs ‘backyard steel furnaces’ were set up and managed by the
Communes.
• The Commune system which aimed at modernisation of agriculture, labour
intensive industrial growth and social equality, failed in its mission.

Reasons for the sharp spike in death rate
• The Great Leap Forward policies and experiments ended in disaster and led to
the economic collapse of China.
• The faulty execution of the Commune system was largely responsible for one of
the deadliest famines in human history, leading to starvation deaths of an
estimated 20-40 million people in the country.
(Candidates have to analyse the given graph. It should then be followed by a brief
explanation of the Commune system and its features.)

ISC SPECIMEN ANSWER KEY 2025
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Question 8 [4]
Features of Apartheid government and its implementation by the South African
government
• Black people faced political isolation. There was a complete separation of blacks
and whites at all levels. Blacks had to live in special reserves and had separate
townships in urban areas. They maintained a suitable distance from white
residential areas.
• There were separate buses, coaches, trains, cafes, toilets, hospitals, picnic areas
even churches. Black children even went to separate schools and were given a
much inferior education.
• Each person was given a racial classification and an identity card.
• Marriage and sexual relations between whites and blacks were forbidden to
preserve the purity of the white race.
• The Bantu-Self Government Act (1959) set up seven regions based on the
original African reserves. However, the outside world dismissed this since the
South African government continued to control the economy and foreign affairs.
Reasons for widespread protests by the black Africans
• Africans lost all political rights and their representation in Parliament was
abolished.
• Black people were facing discrimination, poverty and suffering.
• They were facing deprivation, which meant they did not have rightful benefits.
• They lived in the most inhumane, and harshest society as they faced racial
discrimination due to a system put in place by the whites.
• Black people in South Africa were attacked and tortured.
• Men of colour who wanted to fulfil the basic obligations / aspirations in their
lives were isolated and punished.
• Men of colour were separated from their families.
(Candidates have to explain any two features of Apartheid and its implementation
by the South African government. They also have to write any two reasons for the
protests by the black Africans.)

Question 9
(i) Achievements of Lech Walesa [4]
• Poland, a member of the Warsaw Pact, became the first country in the
Soviet Bloc to reject communism.
• This momentous development was followed by the collapse of
Communism in Eastern Europe and the end of the Cold War.
• The architect of this peaceful anti-communist revolution was Lech
Walesa, a Polish statesman, activist and charismatic leader of millions of
Polish workers.
• He was a passionate champion of the rights of workers and democratic
ideals.
• The Solidarity trade union (whose membership rose to over 10 million)
was co-founded by Walesa.

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• As a trade union and human rights activist, he was persecuted by the
Polish Communist government and under constant surveillance by the
Polish secret police.
• Martial law was imposed in Poland by General Jaruzelski. Solidarity was
banned and Walesa was imprisoned.
• After his release, Walesa, undaunted and fearless, continued his activism
highlighting the corruption and inefficiency of the Communist regime,
through underground Solidarity- related activities.
• He facilitated the Round Table Negotiations between the communist
government and Solidarity.
• Solidarity was legalised and recognised as a political party.
• Semi free elections to the Parliament were held.
• After the successful Parliamentary elections in 1989, a non-Communist
government was formed in Poland.
• In 1990, Walesa became the first democratically elected president of
Poland in 63 years.
• He served as the first non-communist president to be elected by popular
vote from 1990-1995.
• In 1983, Walesa was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his non-violent
efforts to resolve the nation’s problems through negotiations.
(Candidates must include the term ‘Solidarity’ in their answer while
discussing the four achievements of Lech Walesa.)
OR

(ii) The picture given is that of Betty Friedan who was the author of the book, [4]
The Feminine Mystique.
• Betty Friedan’s central thesis was based on the assumption / observation
that American women as a class, suffered from various forms of subtle
discrimination.
• The book detailed the experiences of many women who were frustrated
and deeply dissatisfied with their lives.
• They suffered from a feeling of personal worthlessness.
• They were expected to find personal happiness and fulfilment by
focusing on their traditional roles of wives, mothers and house keepers.
• Their role in society was restricted to performing of household chores
and looking after their children and husbands.
• They were dependent on their husbands for intellectual, economic and
emotional support.
• The National Organisation for Women (NOW) was founded by Betty
Friedan.
• It was a civil rights group dedicated to achieving gender equality and
equal opportunities for women.
• It was the largest and most effective organisation in the Feminist
Movement.
• Friedan helped to organise the Women’s Strike for Equality on the
50th anniversary of Woman Suffrage.
• The campaign for ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment to the US
Constitution was led by her.
• She championed several women-centric causes, for example, women’s
ISC SPECIMEN ANSWER KEY 2025
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education, equal pay for equal work, end to sexual harassment in the
workplace, legalisation of abortion, ending gender based classified
employment notices, greater representation of women in government etc.
• Her book became an instant bestseller and inspired and impacted the
lives of millions of American women.
• It resonated powerfully with millions of American women and helped to
spark widespread public activism for gender equality.
(Candidates need to identify Betty Friedan and then discuss how her book
led to Second Wave Feminist Movement in America.)

SECTION C – 32 MARKS

Question 10

(i) (a) Mountbatten Plan [4]
The main points of the plan included the following:
• Partition: The country would be divided into two dominions. India
and Pakistan.
• Relations between the two new dominions: It was for the two
dominions to decide what relations they would have with British
Commonwealth and with each other.
• A Boundary Commission: The Plan provided for the creation of a
Boundary Commission to settle the boundaries of the two
dominions in case partition was decided upon.
• The Princely States: As regards the princely states, the treaties with
them would come to an end. They would be free to associate
themselves with either of the dominions or remain independent.
• Bengal and Punjab: The partition of Bengal and Punjab was
proposed provided that the Legislative Assemblies of the two
provinces decided in favour of partition.
• Sindh: The Legislative Assembly of Sindh was to take its own
decision at a special meeting.
• North-West Frontier Province: A plebiscite was to be held in the
North-West Frontier Province to ascertain whether the people
wanted to join India or Pakistan.
• The district of Sylhet: The Muslim majority district of Sylhet was
to decide by referendum whether it would join East Bengal or
remain in Assam.
• Constituent Assembly: The existing Constituent Assembly would
continue to work, but the Constitution framed by it would not apply
to Pakistan. A separate Constituent Assembly would be constituted
for those parts of India which decided in favour of partition.
• Transfer of Power: The Plan ended with a declaration that the
transfer of power would take place not in June 1948 but much earlier
than that. The British Parliament would pass an Act for the transfer
of power before August 15, 1947.
(Candidates have to identify the Plan then write any three clauses of
the Plan in complete sentences.)

ISC SPECIMEN ANSWER KEY 2025
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(b) Reasons for the acceptance of Mountbatten Plan [4]
• Large-scale communal riots
• Experience of working with the League in the Interim Government
convinced the Congress that it could not have a joint administration.
• A smaller India with a strong centre was better than a big state with
a weak centre.
• The British were instigating the rulers of the Princely States.
• The leaders were afraid of a Civil War if the British rule continued.
• The Constitution would be rid of separate electorates and other
undemocratic procedures if British left India.
(Candidates have to write any four relevant reasons for the acceptance
of the Mountbatten Plan. Each reason must be discussed in brief and
not written in phrases or incomplete sentences.)
OR

(ii) (a) Proposals of Cripps Mission [4]
• Dominion Status to be granted to India after the end of the war with
the right to secede from the British Commonwealth.
• At the end of the war, a Constituent Assembly would be set up with
the power to frame the future constitution of India. It would consist
of members from British India as well as Native States.
• The members of the Assembly were to be elected based on
proportional representation by the Provincial Assemblies.
• The provinces not agreeing to the new constitution would have the
right to keep themselves out of the proposed Union.
• The British government would accept the new constitution subject
to two conditions: (i) the new constitution-making body and the
British government would negotiate a treaty to effect the transfer of
power and to safeguard religious and racial minorities; (ii) the actual
control of Defence and Military operations during the war period to
be retained by the British Government.
(Candidates have to state any four proposals of the Cripps Mission.)
(b) Reasons for the rejection of Cripps Proposals [4]
• The Cripps Mission proposals provided dominion status instead of
complete independence.
• Representatives of the princely states would be nominated by the
princes instead of elected representatives.
• Provinces were given the right to secede from the Indian Union
against the country’s unity.
• There were no plans regarding the immediate transfer of powers and
share in defence.
• Cripps Mission rejection by various parties and organizations led to
the Quit India Movement as it fell short of appeasing Indian
nationalists.
(Candidates have to explain any four relevant reasons behind the
rejection of the Cripps proposal from the perspectives of not only the
Congress party but also other political parties.)

ISC SPECIMEN ANSWER KEY 2025
9

Question 11 [8]
Features of the Towards Equality Report (1974):
• It laid the foundation of the Women’s Movement in independent India.
• It highlighted the non-implementation of the constitutional guarantee of gender
equality and women’s empowerment.
• It focused on the discriminatory socio-cultural practices or political and
economic processes.
• It drew attention to the deteriorating condition of women since 1911, especially
amongst the Dalits and the poor.
• It raised the issue of widening gender disparities in all aspects of life e.g.
employment, health, education, political participation.
• It prohibited discrimination against women in workplaces.
• It brought to light the issue of declining sex ratio i.e., the ‘missing women’.
• It exposed overall inferior position of women vis-à-vis men.
• It highlighted domestic violence in the form of torture, abuse, and humiliation.
• It brought to light dowry harassment, often leading to the deaths of married
women.
• It highlighted the need to examine the present law against dowry.
• It suggested that the loopholes in the law be fixed.
(Candidates should state any eight features of the Towards Equality Report of
1974. Each feature must be briefly explained and not written in phrases or
incomplete sentences.)

Question 12 [8]
Dr. Martin Luther King’s contribution to the campaign for Equal Rights
• In 1955, he was recruited to serve as a spokesperson for the Montgomery Bus
Boycott which was a campaign by the Afro American population to force
integration of the city’s bus lines. Subsequently, the US Supreme court ruled
that racial segregation in transportation was unconstitutional.
• In 1957, he was elected President of the Southern Christian Leadership
Conference to spearhead the Civil Rights Movement.
• In 1963, he led a coalition of Civil Rights groups in Birmingham, Alabama. In
the same year, he led the ‘March on Washington’.
• It was during this march that he delivered his famous speech, ‘I Have a Dream’.
• The Time magazine named him, “Man of the Year”.
• Due to his efforts, the Civil Rights Act was passed in 1964 by the US Congress
which banned legalised racial discrimination in the United States.
• The following year, 1965 saw the US Congress pass the Voting Rights Act
which allowed the Afro-Americans to vote.
• Post 1965, Dr. King led several campaigns towards economic justice and
international peace.
• In 1964, Martin Luther was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for the major part
that he played in removing racial discrimination.
• In 1966, he led a campaign against segregated housing in Chicago.
• He began the Poor People’s Campaign in 1967, which aimed at alleviating
poverty among black people and other disadvantaged groups.

ISC SPECIMEN ANSWER KEY 2025
10

(Candidates must furnish any eight relevant points on the contribution of Martin
Luther King Jr. in the Equal Rights movement in America.)

Question 13
(i) The Communist takeover of Czechoslovakia is a classic example of taking [8]
power step-by-step.
• At first, President Beneš ruled by decree. He was pressured by Gottwald
to order the arrest of a number of 'traitors and collaborators' - all of whom
were anti-Communists.
• The Communists used their position in the Ministries of Interior Affairs
and Defence to place Communist loyalists into key positions in the police
and army.
• A law was passed forbidding newspapers to be owned by private
individuals - only trade unions, political parties or the government could
publish a newspaper. In this way, most newspapers came to be controlled
by the Communists.
• In the elections of May 1946, the KSC gained 38% of the votes, more
than any other party. Beneš asked Gottwald to become Prime Minister
and to form a government. The new government, however, still included
a number of non-Communists.
• Opposition politicians were arrested on false accusations of collaboration
with the Nazis or spying for the West.
• During 1947, a secret police force was set up, under the control of the
(Communist-controlled) Ministry of Interior Affairs.
• In June 1947, Czechoslovakia was invited to the Paris Meeting to discuss
the Marshall Plan. At first, Gottwald said he would attend In June 1947,
Czechoslovakia was invited to the Paris Meeting to discuss the Marshall
Plan.
• At first, Gottwald said he would attend - but then he was called to Moscow
by Stalin and forced to change his decision. Instead, in September 1947,
Czechoslovakia joined Cominform.
• Towards the end of 1947, Gottwald was reprimanded by Stalin for taking
so long to take over. Czechoslovakia, he was told, was the last country
where the Communist victory was not yet explicit.
• On 10 March 1948, Czechoslovak Foreign Minister Jan Masaryk (the
country's only remaining non-communist minister) was found dead under
the bathroom window of the Foreign Ministry building in Prague.
After the takeover, the iron curtain was complete.
(Candidates have to explain Stalin’s takeover and its impact in a
chronological order.)
OR
(ii) (a) Causes of the Six-Day War [4]
• The Six-Day War arose from political turmoil and military clashes
after Israel's establishment.
• It was triggered by territorial disputes that emerged in the wake of
Israel's founding.
• Border disputes between Israel and Arab nations fuelled the

ISC SPECIMEN ANSWER KEY 2025
11

conflict.
• The catalyst for the war was the First Arab-Israeli War, prompted
by Israel's establishment in 1948.
• This further exacerbated the Palestinian refugee crisis resulting
from the armed conflict.
• The Suez crisis erupted in 1956 following Egyptian President
Gamal Abdel Nasser's nationalisation of the Suez Canal.
• The Six-Day War is a natural progression of the ongoing
geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
• Palestinian guerillas, with support from Syria, attacked Israeli
settlements in 1967.
• In response, the Israeli Army reacted forcefully, heading toward
the Syrian border.
• Misleading reports led the Egyptian President to intervene in
support of Syria, driving out a UN peacekeeping force in the Sinai.
• The Straits of Tiran, a vital maritime route for Israel, were blocked
to prevent Israeli shipping.
• International pleas to prevent conflict and reopen the Straits of
Tiran were made.
• These appeals didn't significantly alter Egyptian President Nasser's
course.
• Israel's leaders had no alternative but to launch a pre-emptive strike
in response to the increasing Arab buildup.
(Candidates must write any four relevant causes of the war in a
chronological order.)
(b) Reasons for Israeli victory: [4]
• Arab mobilisation of troops was slow and ponderous.
• This gave the Israelis adequate warning and enough time to prepare
a strong defence.
• Compared to the Arabs, they were militarily far superior.
• They also had superior air power and a well-trained and well-
equipped Air Force.
• They adopted the bold and decisive strategy of launching a
preemptive strike.
• The national unity and steely determination of Israelis to defend
their country eventually led to their spectacular victory in the Six
Day War.
Reasons for the humiliating defeat of the Arabs:
• The Arab states underestimated the power of Israel.
• Their slow and sluggish mobilisation of military forces gave the
Israelis the advantage of being adequately warned and fully
prepared for an attack.
• They had limited air power.
• They were severely handicapped by lack of proper military
planning, preparation, coordination and communications.
• The Soviet Union did not send any help.
• The leadership was divided. / They lacked unity.

ISC SPECIMEN ANSWER KEY 2025
12

• The sudden, preemptive strike by Israelis caught them completely
off guard and struck a deadly blow to the combined forces of the
Arabs.
(Candidates must furnish at least two reasons for the success of the
Israelis and two reasons for the defeat of the Arab States.)

ISC SPECIMEN ANSWER KEY 2025
13

CISCE STUDY MATERIAL

ICSE ISC

INFORMATION CLASS STUDY MATERIAL

1 Time Table 9 Specimen Paper
10 Specimen Paper
2 Result
11 Specimen Paper
3 Syllabus 12 Specimen Paper

OTHER RESOURCES
10 Question Paper
Maps of India, Maps of World
Writing Skill Formats 12 Question Paper
Periodic Table
9/10 Lab Manuals
BOOKS 11/12 Lab Manuals
ICSE Class 10 Prescribed Books
ISC Class 12 Prescribed Books
ISC Class 12 Project Work

ENTRANCE EXAMS

JEE Main CLAT CUET UG
JEE Advanced NEET UG Fashion & Design