CUET Sociology Question Paper 2025 (Available) – Download Answer Key and Solution PDF

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:

The question asks for a structural change in the Indian economy as a result of British rule. A structural change refers to a fundamental and long-lasting shift in the basic framework of an economy, such as the relationship between different sectors (agriculture, industry) and its connection to the global economy.


Step 2: Detailed Explanation:


Option (A) Modernisation of thought and (D) Westernisation of mass media are socio-cultural changes, not primarily economic structural changes.

Option (B) Sanskritisation of lower castes is a process of social mobility within the Indian social structure, not an economic change directly caused by British rule.

Option (C) Dependency on British industrialisation represents a fundamental shift. British policies systematically de-industrialised India by destroying its traditional handicraft and textile industries. India was transformed from an exporter of finished goods to a supplier of raw materials for British industries and a market for their finished products. This created a lasting dependency and altered the entire structure of the Indian economy.



Step 3: Final Answer:

The most accurate answer is the creation of a dependency on British industrialisation, which was a core structural transformation of the Indian economy during the colonial period. Quick Tip: In history and economics questions, carefully distinguish between economic, social, political, and cultural changes. "Structural economic change" points to deep-rooted shifts in production, trade patterns, and economic relationships, not just surface-level or cultural influences.

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:

Demographic data refers to statistical information about the characteristics of a population, such as age, gender, literacy rate, income, and geographic distribution. The question asks for the primary reason why this data is considered important.


Step 2: Detailed Explanation:

While all the given options are valid reasons for the importance of demographic data, the most crucial function, especially from a governance perspective, is its role in policy-making.


(A) It helps in the planning and implementation of State policies: This is the most direct and practical application. Governments use demographic data to make informed decisions about resource allocation, infrastructure development (schools, hospitals), social welfare programs, taxation, and economic planning. Without this data, governance would be based on guesswork.

(B), (C), and (D) are also true. Collecting such data is indeed a feature of modern states (B), provides a general overview (C), and is essential for academic analysis of population trends (D). However, these are secondary to the primary function of enabling effective governance and planning.



Step 3: Final Answer:

The fundamental importance of detailed demographic data lies in its utility for the effective planning and execution of state policies for the welfare of the population. Quick Tip: When a question asks for the importance or purpose of a concept, look for the option that describes its most practical and fundamental application. While academic and symbolic reasons are valid, the functional reason for governance is often considered the most important.

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:

The question asks for the meaning of the Sanskrit term 'dwija'. This is a specific term used in the context of the traditional Hindu varna system.


Step 2: Detailed Explanation:


The word 'dwija' literally translates to 'twice-born' (\(dvi\) = two, \(ja\) = born).

The first birth is the physical birth.

The second 'birth' is considered a spiritual one, which occurs when a person undergoes the 'upanayana' or sacred thread ceremony. This ceremony marks the initiation into the study of the Vedas and the beginning of a formal education.

In the traditional varna system, only the members of the top three varnas—Brahmins, Kshatriyas, and Vaishyas—were entitled to this ceremony and were thus referred to as 'dwija'.



Step 3: Final Answer:

The word 'dwija' directly implies the concept of being 'twice-born'. Quick Tip: For questions involving specific cultural or religious terms, focus on the literal translation and its original context. 'Dwija' is a foundational concept in understanding the traditional Hindu social structure.

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:

This question refers to the Demographic Transition Model, which describes the historical shift in population dynamics from high birth and death rates to low birth and death rates as a country develops. 'Population explosion' refers to a period of very rapid population growth.


Step 2: Detailed Explanation:

The stages of the demographic transition are:

Stage 1 (Pre-industrial): Both birth rates and death rates are high. As a result, population growth is slow and stable.

Stage 2 (Early industrial): Death rates fall rapidly due to improvements in public health, sanitation, and food supply. However, birth rates remain high. The large gap between high births and low deaths leads to a rapid increase in population, known as the 'population explosion'.

Stage 3 (Late industrial): Birth rates begin to decline due to factors like increased education, urbanization, and access to contraception. Population growth slows down.

Stage 4 (Post-industrial/Developed): Both birth and death rates are low, leading to a stable or even declining population.



Step 3: Final Answer:

The population explosion occurs in the second stage of the demographic transition, where death rates have fallen but birth rates have not yet adjusted downwards. Quick Tip: Remember the core dynamic of the Demographic Transition Model: death rates fall first due to societal improvements, and birth rates fall later due to changes in social norms and individual choices. The lag between these two declines causes the population explosion.

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:

The question asks about a specific method used by landowners to circumvent the Land Ceiling Act. This act was part of land reforms in post-independence India, aimed at limiting the maximum amount of land an individual or family could own to promote more equitable distribution.


Step 2: Detailed Explanation:


The Land Ceiling Act imposed a statutory limit on the amount of agricultural land that could be owned.

To bypass this law, large landowners adopted several strategies. The most common one was the Benami transfer.

A 'Benami' transfer (literally "no name" or "in the name of another") is a transaction where property is transferred to one person, but the payment is made by another person. In this context, landowners would register their excess land in the names of relatives, friends, servants, or even fictitious persons to avoid having it declared as surplus and confiscated by the state. However, they retained effective control and enjoyment of the land.

The other options are incorrect. Contract farming is a different agricultural arrangement. The abolition of the zamindari system was a reform measure itself, not a way to avoid ceilings. Paying tax is a legal obligation, not a strategy to evade land ownership limits.



Step 3: Final Answer:

Benami transfers were a widely used illegal strategy by landowners to evade the provisions of the Land Ceiling Act. Quick Tip: Understanding the purpose and loopholes of major legislations is crucial. The term 'Benami' is key in the context of evading property and tax laws in India, and it's directly linked to the failure of land ceiling policies to be fully effective.

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:

The question asks for the primary purpose of the Pre-natal Diagnostic Techniques (PNDT) Act, 1994. The full title of the act itself provides a strong clue: "Regulation and Prevention of Misuse".


Step 2: Detailed Explanation:


The PNDT Act was enacted in response to the growing problem of female foeticide in India, which was leading to a declining child sex ratio.

Medical technologies like ultrasound, which are meant for detecting genetic abnormalities in a fetus, were being widely misused for the sole purpose of determining the sex of the fetus.

If the fetus was found to be female, this knowledge often led to a selective abortion.

Therefore, the direct purpose of the Act is to regulate the use of these diagnostic techniques and make it illegal to use them for sex determination, thereby preventing the misuse of technology for selective abortions.

While the ultimate goal is to combat female infanticide (C) and improve the status of the girl child, the immediate, legal purpose and mechanism of the Act is to stop the misuse of medical technology (D). Option (D) is the most precise description of the Act's function.



Step 3: Final Answer:

The specific purpose of the PNDT Act is to prevent the misuse of medical technology for sex determination leading to sex-selective abortions. Quick Tip: For questions about specific laws or acts, pay close attention to the wording. The PNDT Act's focus is on regulating the *technique* to prevent its *misuse*. The broader social goals (like preventing infanticide) are the outcome, but the Act's direct target is the technology and its application.

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:

The question asks to identify an "acquired" trait among the given options used for classifying tribes. An acquired trait is one that is learned or developed during one's lifetime, as opposed to an innate or inherited trait.


Step 2: Detailed Explanation:

Let's analyze the options:

(A) language: Language is learned from the community and family. It is not biologically inherited. Therefore, it is a classic example of an acquired cultural trait.
(B) livelihood: While the methods of livelihood (e.g., hunting, agriculture) are learned, they are often heavily determined by the environment (habitat). It is an acquired trait, but language is a more fundamental cultural marker.
(C) racial features: These refer to physical characteristics like skin color, hair type, and facial structure. These are genetically determined and inherited, making them innate, not acquired.
(D) habitat: This refers to the geographical area where a tribe lives. It is an external condition or environment, not a trait of the people themselves, acquired or otherwise.

In the classification of Indian tribes, both permanent (racial) and acquired (language, livelihood) traits are used. However, among the choices provided, racial features are innate, and habitat is an external factor. Language is the clearest example of a significant cultural trait that is acquired and used for classification (e.g., classifying tribes into linguistic families like Austro-Asiatic, Tibeto-Burman, Dravidian).

Step 3: Final Answer:

Language is an acquired trait used to classify tribal populations. Quick Tip: Differentiate between biological/innate traits (like race) and cultural/acquired traits (like language, religion, skills). This distinction is fundamental in sociology and anthropology.

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:

The question asks for the definition of the Raiyatwari system, which was one of the major land revenue systems introduced by the British in India.


Step 2: Detailed Explanation:

Let's break down the term and the system:

The word 'Raiyat' means cultivator or peasant.
Under the Raiyatwari system, individual cultivators (Raiyats) were recognized as the proprietors of the land they cultivated.
This system established a direct relationship between the cultivator and the state. The Raiyats were responsible for paying the land revenue (tax) directly to the British government, without the intervention of any intermediary like a zamindar (landlord).
This contrasts with the Zamindari system, where landlords collected revenue from tenants and paid a portion to the state, often leading to a situation of absentee landlords (Option B).
Options A and D describe other unrelated issues.


Step 3: Final Answer:

The Raiyatwari system was a land revenue arrangement where cultivators paid agricultural tax directly to the British government. Quick Tip: To remember the British land revenue systems:
\(\textbf{Zamindari:}\) Zamindar (landlord) is the middleman.
\(\textbf{Raiyatwari:}\) Raiyat (cultivator) pays directly to the state.
\(\textbf{Mahalwari:}\) Mahal (village) as a whole is responsible for payment.

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:

The question describes a social movement and asks for its classification. Social movements can be categorized based on the scope and nature of the change they seek to bring about.


Step 2: Detailed Explanation:

Let's define the types of movements:

Redemptive Movement: Aims for radical change in specific individuals (e.g., religious conversion movements).
Reformist Movement: Aims for limited change within the existing social and political system. It seeks to improve the system, not replace it (e.g., a movement for women's suffrage).
Revolutionary Movement: Aims for a fundamental, radical transformation of the entire social, political, and economic structure. It seeks to overthrow the existing system.

The description states that the movement "strived to change the existing social and political arrangement." This implies a challenge to the fundamental power structure between landlords and peasants, aiming to replace it entirely, not just reform it. Such a goal is characteristic of a revolutionary movement.

Step 3: Final Answer:

A movement that aims to change the entire existing social and political arrangement is classified as a revolutionary movement. Quick Tip: To classify a social movement, ask two questions: 1) Who is being changed (individuals or the whole society)? 2) How much change is sought (limited reform or total transformation)? A revolutionary movement targets the whole society for total transformation.

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:

This is a direct knowledge-based question from Indian sociology, asking to identify the scholar associated with a specific framework for analyzing change in colonial India.


Step 2: Detailed Explanation:


The sociologist Satish Saberwal proposed a framework for understanding the social changes that occurred in colonial India.
He argued that the modern framework emerged from the interplay of three key aspects introduced during this period:

% Option
(A) New forms of communication and technology: Such as the printing press, railways, and telegraph, which enabled faster and wider dissemination of information and connection of people.
% Option
(B) New forms of organisation: Including the modern nation-state, bureaucracy, army, and market-based economy, which operated on principles different from traditional structures.
% Option
(C) New ideas and ideologies: Concepts like liberty, equality, individualism, and humanism that entered Indian discourse and challenged existing norms.

The other individuals listed were also significant figures, but this specific three-part framework is attributed to Satish Saberwal.


Step 3: Final Answer:

Satish Saberwal is the sociologist who provided the three-aspect framework (technology, organization, ideas) for analyzing change in colonial India. Quick Tip: Associating key thinkers with their core concepts is a crucial part of studying social sciences. For modern Indian sociology, scholars like M.N. Srinivas (Sanskritisation), G.S. Ghurye, and Satish Saberwal are foundational figures whose main contributions should be remembered.

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:

The question asks for the central criticism of Thomas Malthus's population theory from Liberal and Marxist perspectives. Malthus argued that population grows geometrically while food supply grows arithmetically, leading to poverty and famine as natural outcomes of population outstripping resources.


Step 2: Detailed Explanation:


(A) That he disregarded poverty as a social problem: This is the core of the critique. Both Liberals and Marxists argue that poverty is not a 'natural' problem caused by population growth, but a social problem resulting from the unequal distribution of resources. Marx, in particular, argued that under capitalism, the system itself produces poverty and inequality, regardless of population numbers. Malthus was criticized for blaming the poor for their condition instead of blaming the economic structure.

(B) That he only talked about positive and preventive checks: This is a description of his theory, not a critique of it. Malthus did indeed discuss these checks.

(C) That he did not give a detailed theory of demographic transition: The theory of demographic transition was developed much later, so it's anachronistic to criticize Malthus for not detailing it.

(D) That he failed to give a theory of population explosion: On the contrary, his theory is one of the earliest theories of population explosion, describing the rapid growth of population when unchecked.



Step 3: Final Answer:

The fundamental critique from both Liberal and Marxist viewpoints is that Malthus incorrectly treated poverty as a natural consequence of population growth, thereby ignoring its social and economic roots in the unequal distribution of wealth. Quick Tip: Remember the key difference: Malthus saw poverty as a natural law (population vs. food), while his critics (especially Marxists) see it as a man-made, social law (a result of the economic system).

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:

The question asks for the primary or specific purpose of the Panchayati Raj system in India. This system was constitutionally mandated by the 73rd Amendment Act of 1992.


Step 2: Detailed Explanation:


(A) To ensure direct grassroot democracy: This is the fundamental purpose. The Panchayati Raj system is a framework for local self-governance in rural India. It aims to decentralize political power and decision-making to the village level, thereby strengthening democracy from the bottom up.

(B), (C), and (D) are all important functions or goals that Panchayats are expected to work towards. They are involved in planning for economic development and social justice, which includes poverty alleviation. However, these are outcomes or functions of the system. The specific purpose of the governance structure itself is to establish democracy at the grassroots level. Effective state policy and poverty alleviation are what this grassroots democracy is supposed to achieve.



Step 3: Final Answer:

The core, specific purpose of introducing the Panchayati Raj system is to establish a three-tier structure of local self-government that ensures democratic participation at the village, block, and district levels. Quick Tip: Distinguish between the structure's purpose and its functions. The purpose of Panchayati Raj is democratic decentralization; its functions include implementing schemes for poverty alleviation, sanitation, etc.

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:

The question asks to identify a factually correct statement about the field of demography, which is the statistical study of human populations.


Step 2: Detailed Explanation:


(A) Demographic change is purely biological: This is incorrect. While birth and death are biological events, the rates at which they occur (fertility and mortality rates) are heavily influenced by social, economic, and cultural factors like education, healthcare, religion, and economic development.

(B) Demographic data is a static data for a population: This is incorrect. Demographic data is inherently dynamic; populations are constantly changing due to births, deaths, and migration.

(C) Population explosion does not happen in every country: This statement is true. The 'population explosion' is characteristic of Stage 2 of the demographic transition. Some countries, like France, transitioned through the stages more slowly without experiencing the dramatic population boom seen in others. However, option (D) is a more fundamental and encompassing statement.

(D) Demographic change is based on economic, social and cultural variables: This is the most accurate and fundamental statement. It is the central premise of modern demography and the demographic transition theory. Factors like women's education, urbanization, access to healthcare, and economic conditions are the primary drivers of changes in birth and death rates. This statement explains *why* demographic patterns, including phenomena like population explosions, occur.



Step 3: Final Answer:

The most comprehensive and correct statement is that demographic change is driven by a complex interplay of economic, social, and cultural variables. Quick Tip: In questions with multiple correct-sounding options, choose the one that represents the most fundamental principle or the broadest truth. The influence of social variables on population dynamics is a foundational concept in demography.

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:

The question requires matching different sociological terms related to family structures with their correct definitions. The key is to understand the distinctions between rules of residence, authority, inheritance, and family composition.


Step 2: Detailed Explanation:


(A) Matrilocal Family: The term 'local' refers to residence. In a matrilocal system, the married couple resides with or near the wife's family. Thus, it is based on the rule of residence. (A) matches with (II).

(B) Patriarchal Family: The term 'archal' refers to authority or rule. In a patriarchal family, authority and dominance are held by the males, typically the eldest male. Thus, it defines men exercise authority and dominance. (B) matches with (III).

(C) Patrilineal Family: The term 'lineal' refers to descent or inheritance. In a patrilineal system, descent, inheritance, and kinship are traced through the male line. Thus, it pertains to the rule of inheritance. (C) matches with (IV).

(D) Nuclear Family: This term refers to the composition of the family unit. A nuclear family is the smallest family unit, typically comprising a set of parents and their unmarried children. Thus, it consists of one set of parents and their children. (D) matches with (I).



Step 3: Final Answer:

The correct matching is: (A)-(II), (B)-(III), (C)-(IV), (D)-(I). Quick Tip: Break down the sociological terms to understand their meaning: \(\textbf{Local}\) = Residence \(\textbf{Archal}\) = Authority/Rule \(\textbf{Lineal}\) = Lineage/Inheritance \(\textbf{Matri-}\) = Mother's/Female side \(\textbf{Patri-}\) = Father's/Male side

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:

The question asks to identify the core features of capitalism, particularly from a critical or sociological perspective (as indicated by terms like 'commodification' and 'surplus value').


Step 2: Detailed Explanation:


(A) Commodification of labour power: This is a central feature of capitalism. Labour is treated as a commodity that can be bought and sold on the market. Workers sell their ability to work (labour power) to capitalists in exchange for a wage.

(B) Caste based networks of trading: This is a feature of a traditional, pre-capitalist social order. Capitalism, in its ideal form, is based on impersonal market relations, not on ascriptive criteria like caste. While caste may persist and interact with capitalism in places like India, it is not a defining feature of capitalism as a system itself.

(C) Surplus value: This is a key concept in Karl Marx's analysis of capitalism. It refers to the value produced by a worker that is over and above their wage, which is appropriated by the capitalist as profit. The extraction of surplus value is the engine of capitalist accumulation.

(D) Rising inequalities: While debated, many sociological and economic analyses of capitalism argue that the system has an inherent tendency to produce and exacerbate economic inequality between the owners of capital and the working class.


Therefore, (A), (C), and (D) are considered key features of capitalism as a social system.

Step 3: Final Answer:

The correct combination of features is (A) Commodification of labour power, (C) Surplus value, and (D) Rising inequalities. Quick Tip: To analyze capitalism sociologically, think about its core components: private ownership of the means of production, wage labour (commodification), and the profit motive (driven by surplus value). Social consequences like inequality are also a key part of the analysis.

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:

This is a direct question asking for a specific term coined by the sociologist Jan Breman in his studies of labour in India.


Step 2: Detailed Explanation:


The Dutch sociologist Jan Breman has conducted extensive research on the informal sector, rural labour, and migration in India, particularly in Gujarat.

He used the term "footloose labour" to describe a segment of the workforce, often migrant workers, who are not tied to a single employer or location. They are characterized by a lack of job security, social protection, and formal rights. They are "footloose" because they must constantly move in search of work, having no fixed roots in the industrial or agricultural economy.

"Circulation of labour" is a related concept describing the movement of these workers, but "footloose labour" is the specific term Breman uses for the workers themselves.



Step 3: Final Answer:

The term given by Jan Breman to describe these insecure, mobile migrant workers is "foot loose labour". Quick Tip: Associating key sociologists with their concepts is important. Jan Breman is strongly linked to the study of the informal sector and the concept of "footloose labour" in the Indian context.

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:

The question is about the organizational basis of the indigenous banking and trade system of the Nakarattars (also known as Nattukottai Chettiars), a prominent mercantile community from Tamil Nadu.


Step 2: Detailed Explanation:


The Nakarattars were renowned traders and financiers who operated across South and Southeast Asia during the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Their entire business model was built upon their extensive and tightly-knit social structure. Trust, credit, and information flow were managed through caste and kinship networks.

Business partnerships were formed within the caste, apprentices were recruited from within the community, and financial instruments (like hundis) were honored based on the collective reputation of the caste. This social solidarity was the foundation of their success, making it a classic example of a caste-based banking system.



Step 3: Final Answer:

The Nakarattars' banking and trade system was fundamentally based on their caste networks. Quick Tip: In Indian economic history, many traditional business communities (like the Nakarattars, Marwaris, etc.) leveraged their specific caste and community networks as social capital to build extensive commercial empires.

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:

Social stratification refers to the hierarchical arrangement of individuals and groups in a society. The question asks to identify the fundamental principles or characteristics of this phenomenon as understood in sociology.


Step 2: Detailed Explanation:

There are four key principles of social stratification:

% Option
(A) It is a trait of society, not simply a reflection of individual differences. Stratification is a system that ranks categories of people, not just individuals based on their personal merits. So, (B) is incorrect.
% Option
(B) It carries over from generation to generation. A person's social position is often ascribed, meaning it is passed down from their parents. Social mobility can happen, but the system's structure ensures that stratification persists. So, (C) is correct.
% Option
(C) It is universal but variable. Stratification exists in all societies, but what is considered valuable and how inequality is structured varies from one society to another.
% Option
(D) It involves not just inequality but beliefs as well. Every system of inequality is supported by an ideology that justifies its existence and defines it as fair. So, (D) is correct.

Statement (A) is incorrect because while societies may use natural traits (like gender or race) as a basis for stratification, the system of inequality itself is a social construction, not a natural one.

Step 3: Final Answer:

The correct characteristics from the given options are that stratification persists over generations (C) and is supported by an ideology or belief system (D). Quick Tip: Remember the four principles of social stratification: it's a societal trait, it persists across generations, it's universal but variable, and it's backed by ideology. This framework helps distinguish it from simple individual inequality.

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:

This question requires matching key economic and business terms with their correct definitions.


Step 2: Detailed Explanation:


(A) Privatisation: This is the process of transferring ownership, property, or business from the government (public sector) to the private sector. A key aspect of this is allowing private companies to invest in sectors earlier reserved for the government. (A) matches with (III).

(B) Disinvestment: This is a specific action where a government reduces its stake in a public sector enterprise. It means the government sells its share in public sector companies. (B) matches with (IV).

(C) Tertiary sector: The economy is often divided into three sectors: primary (raw materials), secondary (manufacturing), and tertiary (services). The tertiary sector is the service sector, which includes activities like trade, transport, financial services etc. (C) matches with (I).

(D) Diversification: In business and finance, this is a strategy to manage risk. It involves expanding into different areas, i.e., the spread of investment into different types of economic activities in order to reduce risks. (D) matches with (II).



Step 3: Final Answer:

The correct matching is: (A)-(III), (B)-(IV), (C)-(I), (D)-(II). Quick Tip: Privatisation is a broad policy of increasing private sector participation, while disinvestment is a specific action of the government selling its shares in public companies. It's a key distinction in economic policy discussions.

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:

The question asks to identify a correct characteristic of the unorganised (or informal) sector of the Indian economy. This sector is defined by what it lacks compared to the organised (or formal) sector.


Step 2: Detailed Explanation:


(A) Less number of people work in this sector: This is incorrect. The vast majority of India's workforce (estimated to be over 90%) is employed in the unorganised sector.

(B) It is independent of personal relationships: This is incorrect. Work in the unorganised sector often relies heavily on personal contacts, kinship, caste, and community networks for finding jobs and managing work relations.

(C) Lack of proper wages and other working conditions: This is the defining feature of the unorganised sector. It is characterized by low and irregular wages, no job security, lack of social benefits (like provident fund, paid leave, health insurance), and poor or unsafe working conditions.

(D) It is only for women and unskilled labourers: This is incorrect. While women and unskilled workers are disproportionately represented, the unorganised sector also employs a large number of men and skilled workers (e.g., self-employed artisans, mechanics).



Step 3: Final Answer:

The most accurate and defining characteristic of the unorganised sector is the lack of proper wages, job security, and decent working conditions. Quick Tip: The unorganised sector is defined by the absence of formal contracts and social security. Think of it as work that is not regulated or protected by labour laws.

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:

The question asks to identify the core features of the traditional caste system in India, as described in sociology by thinkers like G.S. Ghurye.


Step 2: Detailed Explanation:


(A) Caste is an ascribed status: This is correct. A person's caste is determined by birth and is not something they can change.

(B) Caste groups are 'endogamous': This is correct. Endogamy is a strict rule where marriage is permitted only within one's own caste group.

(C) Caste is an achieved status: This is incorrect. An achieved status is one that is earned or chosen (like a profession). Caste is the opposite; it is ascribed.

(D) Castes involve segmental organization: This is correct. The caste system divides society into a number of distinct, hereditary segments or groups (the castes), each with its own customs, rules, and position in the hierarchy.

(E) Caste groups are based on choice of individuals: This is incorrect. Membership in a caste group is determined by birth, not by individual choice.


Therefore, the correct characteristics are (A), (B), and (D).

Step 3: Final Answer:

The correct combination of features of the caste system is (A) Ascribed status, (B) Endogamy, and (D) Segmental organization. Quick Tip: Remember the key features of caste: determined by birth (ascribed), marriage within the group (endogamy), hierarchical ranking, and restrictions on social interaction (like food sharing).

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:

The question asks to identify a central or "key" actor in the process of governance within a democratic state. Governance refers to the structures and processes for collective decision-making and implementation.


Step 2: Detailed Explanation:


(A) Women's groups: These are a form of civil society organization. While they play a crucial role in advocating for rights and influencing policy, they are not a formal part of the state's governance machinery itself.

(B) Status groups: This is a sociological concept (from Max Weber) describing groups based on social prestige. It is an analytical category, not a concrete political actor.

(C) Political parties: These are the fundamental actors in a representative democracy. They aggregate public opinion, contest elections, form governments, hold the government accountable (as opposition), and are the primary link between the citizens and the state. They are central to the entire process of democratic governance.

(D) International organisations: These are external actors (like the UN or World Bank). They can influence a state's policies but are not internal actors in its domestic governance process.



Step 3: Final Answer:

Political parties are the key actors that operationalize the system of governance in a democratic state. Quick Tip: In questions about democratic governance, focus on the formal institutions and processes. Political parties are the vehicles through which representative democracy functions.

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:

The question asks for the core argument of Emile Durkheim's famous sociological study, "Suicide" (1897).


Step 2: Detailed Explanation:


Durkheim's central thesis was to demonstrate that sociology was a legitimate science. To do this, he took a phenomenon that seemed intensely personal and individual—suicide—and showed that its rates could be explained by societal factors.

(A) It is based on individual mindset: This is a psychological explanation. Durkheim explicitly argued against this, stating that while individual psychology is involved in a specific case, it cannot explain the stable suicide rates across different societies and groups.

(B) It is based on biological anomaly: This is a biological explanation, which Durkheim also refuted using statistical data.

(C) It is influenced by social causes: This is the cornerstone of his theory. Durkheim identified two key social forces: social integration (the degree to which individuals are part of a group) and social regulation (the degree of external constraint on people). He argued that abnormally high or low levels of these social forces lead to different types of suicide (egoistic, altruistic, anomic, fatalistic). Thus, suicide is a social fact, explained by other social facts.

(D) It is more prevalent in western countries: This may have been an empirical observation Durkheim used as evidence, but it is not the cause. The cause, according to him, was the specific social conditions (like higher individualism or 'anomie' in modern Western societies), not the geographical location itself.



Step 3: Final Answer:

According to Emile Durkheim, the cause of suicide lies not in the individual, but in social causes, specifically the levels of social integration and regulation. Quick Tip: Durkheim's "Suicide" is a classic example of the sociological perspective: explaining individual behavior through the lens of larger social forces. His key argument is always "social facts must be explained by other social facts."

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:

The question asks to identify a 'reformist' social movement. A reformist movement is one that seeks to bring about change within the existing social and political structure, typically by advocating for new laws or policies, without seeking to overthrow the entire system.


Step 2: Detailed Explanation:


(A) Right To Information (RTI): The movement for the RTI in India aimed to get the government to pass a law that would give citizens access to government information. It sought to make the existing democratic system more transparent and accountable. It worked within the constitutional framework to achieve its goals. This is a perfect example of a reformist movement.

(B) Bolshevik Revolution: This was a revolutionary movement. Its goal was the complete overthrow of the Tsarist autocracy and the capitalist system in Russia and its replacement with a communist state.

(C) Naxalite Movement: This is a revolutionary movement in India that seeks to overthrow the parliamentary democratic state through armed struggle and establish a different political system.

(D) Anti-abortion Movement: This movement seeks to change laws regarding abortion. While it operates within the system like a reformist movement, it is often also classified as a 'reactionary' movement because it seeks to reverse a social change (the legalization of abortion) and restore a previous social norm. Compared to the RTI movement, which is a clear-cut case of progressive reform, its classification can be more complex. However, RTI is the most unambiguous example of a reformist movement among the options.



Step 3: Final Answer:

The Right To Information movement is a clear example of a reformist social movement as it aimed to improve the existing system of governance, not replace it. Quick Tip: Differentiate between movement types based on their goals:
\(\textbf{Reformist:}\) Change *part* of the system (e.g., a new law).
\(\textbf{Revolutionary:}\) Change the *entire* system (e.g., overthrow the government).

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:

The question asks about Max Weber's multidimensional theory of social stratification, specifically how he distinguished between 'class' and 'status group' ('Stände').


Step 2: Detailed Explanation:

Weber argued that social stratification is not just about economics. He identified three distinct dimensions:

% Option
(A) Class: This is determined by a person's economic position and life chances in the market economy. It is purely an economic category. (Related to Option D)
% Option
(B) Status (Status Group): This is based on social honour and prestige. Status groups are communities of people who share a common lifestyle and are accorded a certain level of social esteem. For example, intellectuals and military officers might have high status but not necessarily high class position. (Related to Option B)
% Option
(C) Party: This refers to groups organized to acquire social power and influence decision-making.

The question asks on what basis classes and status groups are differentiated. The primary basis of differentiation for a status group is its unique lifestyle and the social honour it receives, which is distinct from the purely economic basis of a class. While "market economy" is the basis for class, "lifestyles" is the most direct answer for the basis of status groups, which is the key point of differentiation from class. Therefore, lifestyles are the basis on which status groups are formed and differentiated from economic classes.

Step 3: Final Answer:

According to Max Weber, status groups are differentiated primarily based on their distinct lifestyles and the social honour associated with them, which contrasts with the economic market position that defines classes. Quick Tip: Remember Weber's three 'P's of stratification: Power (Party), Property (Class), and Prestige (Status). Class is economic, determined by the market. Status is social, determined by lifestyle and honour.

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:

The Raiyatwari system was a land revenue system introduced by the British in parts of India, primarily in the Madras and Bombay presidencies. It was one of the three major land tenure systems, alongside the Zamindari and Mahalwari systems. The core idea was to establish a direct relationship between the colonial state and the cultivator (ryot).


Step 2: Detailed Explanation:

Let's analyze each statement:

(A) Raiyat means cultivator: This is correct. The term 'Raiyat' (or 'Ryot') is derived from an Arabic word meaning peasant or cultivator. The system was named after them as it dealt directly with the cultivators.

(B) The actual cultivators were responsible for paying the tax: This is correct. Under the Raiyatwari system, the individual ryot who worked the land was recognized as the proprietor and was made directly responsible for paying the land revenue to the government.

(C) Zamindars play a dominant role: This is incorrect. The Raiyatwari system was specifically designed to eliminate intermediaries like Zamindars. The government collected tax directly from the ryots, unlike the Zamindari system where the Zamindar was the intermediary responsible for tax collection.

(D) Colonial government dealt directly with the farmer: This is correct. As mentioned above, the defining feature of this system was the direct settlement between the government and the ryot (farmer/cultivator).


Step 3: Final Answer:

Statements (A), (B), and (D) are correct descriptions of the Raiyatwari system, while statement (C) is incorrect. Therefore, the correct option includes (A), (B), and (D) only.
Quick Tip: When studying land revenue systems (Zamindari, Raiyatwari, Mahalwari), focus on three key aspects: who owned the land, who paid the tax to the government, and the role of intermediaries. This will help you easily differentiate between them.

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:

This question requires knowledge of the timelines of significant peasant and nationalist movements in modern Indian history. Arranging them chronologically means listing them from the earliest to the latest.


Step 2: Key Formula or Approach:

The approach is to identify the year in which each of these historical events occurred.


Step 3: Detailed Explanation:

Let's determine the dates for each event:

(A) Bengal Revolt: The term "Bengal Revolt" can be ambiguous, but in the context of major peasant uprisings, it most commonly refers to the Indigo Revolt (Neel Bidroha), which took place in 1859. This was a revolt by farmers against British planters who had forced them to grow indigo.

(C) Deccan Riots: The Deccan Riots was a peasant uprising in the Deccan region, specifically in the districts of Poona and Ahmednagar in Maharashtra. This movement occurred in 1875 against the excesses of moneylenders.

(B) Champaran Satyagraha: This was Mahatma Gandhi's first Satyagraha movement in India, which took place in the Champaran district of Bihar in 1917. It was a movement for the rights of indigo farmers.

(D) Bardoli Satyagraha: This was a major peasant movement in Gujarat, led by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, in 1928. It was a protest against an arbitrary hike in land taxes.


Step 4: Final Answer:

Based on the years, the chronological order is:

1. Bengal Revolt (A) - 1859

2. Deccan Riots (C) - 1875

3. Champaran Satyagraha (B) - 1917

4. Bardoli Satyagraha (D) - 1928

The correct sequence is (A), (C), (B), (D).
Quick Tip: For chronological questions, creating a mental or physical timeline of key events in Indian history (especially from 1857 to 1947) is extremely helpful. Group events by decades to make them easier to remember.

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:

This question asks for the specific term used to describe the transformation of non-commercial items, services, or ideas into marketable goods or commodities.


Step 2: Detailed Explanation:

Let's examine the given options:

1. Commoditisation (or Commodification): This is the correct term. It refers to the process of transforming things valued for their intrinsic or use-value into commodities valued for what they can be sold for in the market (exchange-value). Examples include the bottling of water, the selling of personal data, or turning cultural festivals into tourist events.

2. Capitalism: This is a broad economic system characterized by private ownership of the means of production and their operation for profit. While commoditisation is a key feature of capitalism, capitalism is the system itself, not the specific process.

3. Labour power: In Marxist theory, labour power is the capacity of a worker to perform work, which itself is sold as a commodity in a capitalist system. It is an example of something that is commoditised, but not the process itself.

4. Mode of production: This is a Marxist concept that refers to the specific combination of productive forces (like human labour and tools) and social and technical relations of production (the property and power relations that govern society's productive assets). It's a much broader concept describing the way a society produces its means of existence.


Step 3: Final Answer:

The precise term for making something into a commodity is "Commoditisation."
Quick Tip: In sociology and economics, understanding key definitions is crucial. Distinguish between a broad system (like Capitalism), a process within that system (Commoditisation), and components of the system (Labour power).

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:

This question tests general knowledge about prominent media entities and productions in India. The task is to correctly match the name in List-I with its corresponding category or example in List-II.


Step 2: Detailed Explanation:

Let's match each item from List-I to its correct description in List-II.

(A) Eenadu: Eenadu is one of the largest circulated Telugu-language daily newspapers in India. Therefore, (A) matches with (III).

(B) Zee TV: Zee TV, launched in 1992, was one of the first privately owned Hindi-language satellite television channels in India. Therefore, (B) matches with (IV).

(C) AIR: AIR stands for All India Radio, which is India's national public radio broadcaster. Therefore, (C) matches with (I).

(D) Buniyad: Buniyad was a highly popular and critically acclaimed Indian television serial (soap opera) that aired on Doordarshan in 1986-87, dealing with the Partition of India. Therefore, (D) matches with (II).


Step 3: Final Answer:

The correct pairings are:

- A \(\rightarrow\) III

- B \(\rightarrow\) IV

- C \(\rightarrow\) I

- D \(\rightarrow\) II

This combination corresponds to option 4.
Quick Tip: For "match the following" questions, start by matching the pairs you are most certain about. This can help you eliminate incorrect options and find the right answer more quickly, even if you are unsure about one of the pairs.

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:

This question tests knowledge of famous literary works and philosophical texts and their respective authors.


Step 2: Detailed Explanation:

Let's establish the correct author for each work listed.

(A) The Three Sermons of Human Nature: This is a well-known work of moral philosophy written by the 18th-century English bishop, theologian, and philosopher, Bishop Joseph Butler. So, (A) matches with (III).

(C) Sultana's Dream: This is a pioneering work of feminist science fiction, written in 1905 by Begum Rokeya Sakhawat Hussain, a Bengali Muslim feminist writer and social reformer. So, (C) matches with (I).

(D) Invisible Man: This is a celebrated novel about an African American man whose color renders him invisible, written by American novelist Ralph Ellison and published in 1952. So, (D) matches with (II).


By elimination, we are left with the pair (B) The City and (IV) Daya Pawar. While the most famous sociological work titled "The City" is by Robert Park and Ernest Burgess, and not Dalit writer Daya Pawar (famous for his autobiography "Baluta"), let's check the options based on our confirmed matches.


Our confirmed matches are (A)-(III), (C)-(I), and (D)-(II). Looking at the options, only option (2) contains all three of these correct pairings. This strongly suggests that option (2) is the intended answer, which pairs (B) with (IV).


Step 3: Final Answer:

The correct pairings based on the available options are:

- A \(\rightarrow\) III

- B \(\rightarrow\) IV

- C \(\rightarrow\) I

- D \(\rightarrow\) II

This set of matches corresponds exactly to option 2.
Quick Tip: In questions matching authors and books, even if one pair seems incorrect or unfamiliar, focus on the well-known pairs first. Use the process of elimination on the given options. Often, the intended answer becomes clear even with one ambiguous item.

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:

The question asks for the foundation or basis of prejudice. Prejudice refers to a preconceived opinion or feeling, typically of a negative nature, that is not based on reason or actual experience.


Step 2: Detailed Explanation:

Let's analyze the options in the context of prejudice:

1. Direct evidence: Prejudice is, by definition, not based on direct, comprehensive, or objective evidence. It often persists despite evidence to the contrary.

2. Logical conclusions: Prejudice is an irrational attitude. It does not arise from logical reasoning or sound conclusions; rather, it often involves faulty logic and emotional reasoning.

3. Stereotypes: Stereotypes are oversimplified and widely held beliefs about the characteristics of a particular group of people. These generalizations are often inaccurate and serve as the cognitive foundation for prejudice. For example, a prejudice against a certain group (the feeling) is often justified by a stereotype about that group (the belief).

4. Critical thinking: Critical thinking is the objective analysis and evaluation of an issue in order to form a judgment. It is the antidote to prejudice, not its cause. Engaging in critical thinking helps to dismantle stereotypes and prejudices.


Step 3: Final Answer:

Prejudices are most directly and commonly grounded in stereotypes, which provide the oversimplified "justification" for the prejudiced attitude.
Quick Tip: Remember the three components of intergroup attitudes: Stereotypes (Cognitive/Beliefs), Prejudice (Affective/Feelings), and Discrimination (Behavioral/Actions). Stereotypes often lead to prejudice, which can result in discrimination.

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:

The "New Farmer's Movements" refers to a wave of farmers' agitations that emerged in India in the late 1970s and 1980s. These movements were distinct from earlier peasant struggles and were primarily led by market-oriented, middle and rich farmers.


Step 2: Detailed Explanation:

Let's evaluate each statement:

(A) It began in Punjab and Tamil Nadu: This is correct. The movement gained significant momentum with organizations like the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) in Punjab and Western UP, and the Tamilaga Vivasayigal Sangam in Tamil Nadu, as well as the Shetkari Sanghatana in Maharashtra. These were some of the pioneering regions for this new wave of agitations.

(B) It was party oriented: This is incorrect. A defining feature of the New Farmer's Movements was their proclaimed autonomy from political parties. They were consciously non-partisan and often kept politicians away from their platforms, believing that political parties did not adequately represent their interests.

(C) Ideology was anti-state and anti-urban: This is correct. These movements often articulated an ideology that pitted the interests of the agrarian, rural sector ("Bharat") against the industrial, urban sector ("India"). They argued that state policies were biased in favor of the urban-industrial complex at the expense of agriculture.

(D) The focus of demand was price and its related issues: This is correct. The central demands of these movements were economic. They focused on "terms of trade" issues, demanding remunerative prices for agricultural produce, subsidies for inputs (like fertilizer, electricity), waiver of loans, and pensions for farmers.


Step 3: Final Answer:

Statements (A), (C), and (D) are correct characteristics of the New Farmer's Movements, while statement (B) is incorrect. Therefore, the correct option is (3).
Quick Tip: When analyzing social movements, pay attention to their origin, leadership, ideology, key demands, and relationship with mainstream politics. This helps differentiate between various movements, like the 'old' peasant movements (focused on land reform and abolition of feudalism) and the 'new' farmers' movements (focused on prices and terms of trade).

Step 1: Understanding the Concepts

This question requires understanding four key sociological concepts related to social change in India.


Sanskritisation: A process where lower castes or tribes adopt the customs, rituals, and lifestyle of higher castes to improve their social status.

Westernisation: The adoption of Western cultural traits, values, and practices (like dress, food habits, language, etc.).

Modernisation: A process of societal transformation involving industrialization, urbanization, rational thinking, and the development of institutions based on meritocracy and efficiency.

Secularisation: The process where religious institutions, beliefs, and practices lose their social significance and influence. It implies a separation of state from religious institutions.



Step 2: Matching Concepts with Examples

Let's analyze each example and match it to the correct concept:


(A) Sanskritisation: The practice of dowry was traditionally more prevalent among upper castes. When Dalit groups adopt this practice, they are emulating a custom of a higher social group. This is a clear example of Sanskritisation.

Therefore, (A) matches with (II).


(B) Westernisation: The use of forks and spoons is a dining etiquette that originated in the West. When Dalit groups adopt this practice, it is an instance of adopting a Western cultural trait.

Therefore, (B) matches with (I).


(C) Modernisation: Advertising jobs based solely on qualifications signifies a shift towards a merit-based, rational system, which is a core tenet of modernisation. It moves away from traditional criteria like caste or family connections.

Therefore, (C) matches with (III).


(D) Secularisation: A state that declares public holidays for festivals of all major religions demonstrates neutrality and equal respect for all faiths. This is a characteristic of a secular state.

Therefore, (D) matches with (IV).



Step 3: Final Answer

Based on the matching above, the correct combination is (A) - (II), (B) - (I), (C) - (III), (D) - (IV). This corresponds to option (2).
Quick Tip: In sociology-based matching questions, first define each term in your mind. Then, carefully analyze each example to see which definition it fits best. Differentiate clearly between Westernisation (adopting Western culture) and Modernisation (adopting rational, scientific, and meritocratic principles).

Step 1: Understanding the Concept

The question asks to categorize the Adi Dharma Movement. To do this, we need to understand the origins, objectives, and participants of this movement.


Step 2: Detailed Explanation

The Adi Dharma movement, particularly prominent in Punjab, was a significant social movement initiated by the so-called "untouchable" castes (Dalits) in the early 20th century.

Its primary goals were:


Challenging Caste Oppression: The movement was a direct response to the socio-religious disabilities and discrimination imposed by the Hindu caste system.

Asserting a Distinct Identity: It aimed to create a separate religious and social identity for the Dalits, distinct from both Hinduism and Sikhism, which they felt had failed to grant them equality.

Social Mobilization: Leaders like Mangu Ram Mugowalia organized the community to fight for their rights, self-respect, and social upliftment.


Since the movement's core focus was on the emancipation and identity formation of a specific set of castes (Dalits) against the backdrop of the caste hierarchy, it is correctly classified as a Caste Based Movement.


Step 3: Final Answer

The Adi Dharma Movement was fundamentally about challenging the caste system and uplifting the lower castes. Therefore, it is a Caste Based Movement.
Quick Tip: When categorizing social movements, identify the primary group of people involved and their main grievance or goal. The name of the group (e.g., peasants, workers, a specific caste) or the core issue (e.g., ecology, women's rights) will usually point to the correct category.

Step 1: Understanding the Concept

This question requires knowledge of the years in which key legislative acts were passed and important government commissions were formed in India. The task is to arrange them chronologically, from the earliest to the latest.


Step 2: Identifying the Years of Occurrence

Let's find the year for each event:


(A) Caste Disabilities Removal Act: This act was passed during the British colonial period, in 1850. It was enacted to protect the civil rights of religious converts.

(B) First Backward Commission: Also known as the Kaka Kalelkar Commission, it was appointed by the Government of India on January 29, 1953.

(D) State Reorganization Commission (SRC): This was constituted on December 22, 1953, to recommend the reorganization of state boundaries.

(C) The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act: This is a more recent piece of legislation, enacted in 1989.



Step 3: Arranging in Chronological Order

Now, let's arrange the events based on their years:

1. (A) Caste Disabilities Removal Act - 1850

2. (B) First Backward Commission - Jan 1953

3. (D) State Reorganization Commission - Dec 1953

4. (C) The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act - 1989


The correct sequence is (A), (B), (D), (C).


Step 4: Final Answer

The chronological order is (A), (B), (D), (C). This corresponds to option (2).
Quick Tip: For chronological questions in exams, it's helpful to create a timeline of major acts, commissions, and historical events. Even if you don't know the exact date, knowing the era (e.g., pre-independence, early post-independence, late 20th century) can help eliminate incorrect options.

Step 1: Understanding the Concept

The question asks for the meaning of the term 'dikus' in a historical context. This term is associated with tribal uprisings in India during the colonial period.


Step 2: Detailed Explanation

The word 'diku' was widely used by the tribal communities of the Chotanagpur plateau (like the Mundas and Santhals) to refer to outsiders. These outsiders were perceived as exploiters who disrupted the traditional tribal way of life.

The term specifically referred to:


Moneylenders and traders: who came into tribal areas, trapped the tribals in debt, and took over their lands.

Zamindars (landlords) and contractors: who were granted land by the British and exploited tribal labor.


Essentially, 'dikus' were the non-tribal people who entered tribal territories with economic motives and were seen as the agents of their misery. Therefore, 'Migrant traders and Money lenders' is the most accurate description.


Step 3: Final Answer

The term 'dikus' was used by tribals to refer to outsiders, particularly exploitative migrant traders and moneylenders. Thus, option (3) is the correct answer.
Quick Tip: When studying tribal movements in India (like the Santhal Rebellion or Munda Ulgulan), pay close attention to local terms like 'diku'. These terms often encapsulate the core grievances of the people and are frequently asked in exams.

Step 1: Understanding the Concept

The question asks for the specific term that describes the system of racial discrimination and segregation implemented in South Africa.


Step 2: Defining the Options


Apartheid: An Afrikaans word meaning "separateness". It was a political and social system of institutionalized racial segregation that existed in South Africa from 1948 until the early 1990s. This system was based on white supremacy and the segregation of the majority non-white inhabitants of the country.

Assimilation: The process by which a person or a group's language and/or culture come to resemble those of another group. This is a process of cultural integration, not discrimination.

Reservation: A form of affirmative action in which a percentage of seats are reserved for the socially and educationally backward classes in public sector units, union and state civil services, union and state government departments and in all public and private educational institutions. It is meant to counter discrimination, not to be a form of it.

Prejudice: A preconceived opinion or feeling, either favorable or unfavorable. While racial discrimination is a form of prejudice, 'Apartheid' is the specific name of the system in South Africa.



Step 3: Final Answer

The term that specifically denotes the system of racial discrimination followed in South Africa is Apartheid. Therefore, option (1) is correct.
Quick Tip: For world history questions, it's crucial to know the specific terminology associated with major events and systems. 'Apartheid' in South Africa, 'Holocaust' in Nazi Germany, and 'Jim Crow laws' in the United States are examples of specific terms you should be familiar with.

Step 1: Understanding the Concept

This question requires knowledge of the founding years of important political and social organizations in India, as well as a key event in state formation. The task is to arrange them in chronological order.


Step 2: Identifying the Years of Occurrence

Let's establish the timeline for each event:


(B) All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC): It was founded in 1920 as India's first national trade union federation.

(C) Bihar Provincial Kisan Sabha (BPKS): This was formed by Swami Sahajanand Saraswati in 1929 to mobilize peasant grievances against zamindari attacks on their occupancy rights.

(D) All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS): This national-level peasant organization was formed at the Lucknow session of the Indian National Congress in April 1936.

(A) Statehood for Jharkhand: Jharkhand was carved out of the southern part of Bihar and became the 28th state of India on November 15, 2000.



Step 3: Arranging in Chronological Order

Now, let's arrange the events based on their years:

1. (B) All India Trade Union Congress - 1920

2. (C) Bihar Provincial Kisan Sabha - 1929

3. (D) All India Kisan Sabha - 1936

4. (A) Statehood for Jharkhand - 2000


The correct sequence is (B), (C), (D), (A).


Step 4: Final Answer

The correct chronological order is (B), (C), (D), (A). This corresponds to option (1).
Quick Tip: When studying the Indian freedom struggle and post-independence history, pay special attention to the formation of major organizations like trade unions, peasant sabhas, and political parties. Creating a timeline is an excellent revision strategy.

Step 1: Understanding the Concept

The question presents a scenario from the contemporary workplace, particularly in the IT sector, and asks to identify the sociological or managerial phenomenon at play. The key is to analyze the gap between the stated policy ('freedom of working hours') and its actual implementation and consequences.


Step 2: Detailed Explanation

Let's break down the scenario:


Stated Policy: Ritu has "freedom of working hours" or 'flexi-time'. This is presented as a benefit.

Actual Practice: She works late on Saturdays and has meetings during weekend dinners to meet deadlines set by her boss. The "flexibility" to come in late on Monday is a consequence of working through the weekend, not a true benefit.

The Core Issue: The concept of 'flexi-time' is being used by the management not to provide work-life balance, but to make employees available for work outside of traditional 9-to-5 hours. The deadlines and meeting schedules force an expansion of working hours into personal time (weekends). The "freedom" is illusory, as the work demands dictate the schedule.



Step 3: Analyzing the Options


(1) knowledge economy...: This describes the sector Ritu works in, but not the specific problem she is facing. It's the context, not the issue itself.

(2) 'flexi-time' but in reality expansion of working hours...: This perfectly captures the paradox. The official policy of flexibility is a tool for the unofficial practice of extending the workday and workweek.

(3) globalisation...: The scenario does not mention anything about clients in Japan or elsewhere. While such work cultures are a feature of globalisation, the core mechanism described is the manipulation of 'flexi-time'.

(4) gender discrimination: There is no information to suggest that Ritu faces this situation because she is a woman. The problem described is common for employees of all genders in such work environments.



Step 4: Final Answer

The most accurate description of Ritu's situation is that she is experiencing a system of 'flexi-time' that, in practice, leads to an expansion of her working hours by the management.
Quick Tip: In scenario-based sociology questions, look for the underlying power dynamics and the difference between official policies and their real-world impact. Concepts like 'flexi-time' can often have a double meaning in the modern workplace.

Step 1: Understanding the Concept

The question requires placing four distinct historical events—three global pandemics and one Indian national policy—in the correct chronological order from earliest to latest.


Step 2: Identifying the Years of Occurrence

Let's determine the approximate year for each event:


(B) Spanish Flu: This was a deadly influenza pandemic that occurred from 1918 to 1920.

(D) First Population Policy in India: India was the first country in the world to launch a national programme for family planning. This policy was initiated in 1952.

(C) Asian Influenza: This was a global pandemic of influenza A virus subtype H2N2 that originated in Asia in 1957.

(A) Hong Kong Influenza: This was another global influenza pandemic caused by the H3N2 strain of the influenza A virus, which started in Hong Kong in 1968.



Step 3: Arranging in Chronological Order

Based on the years identified, the correct sequence is:

1. Spanish Flu (1918)

2. First Population Policy in India (1952)

3. Asian Influenza (1957)

4. Hong Kong Influenza (1968)

The sequence of the letters is (B), (D), (C), (A).


Step 4: Final Answer

The correct chronological order corresponds to option (1).
Quick Tip: For questions involving chronological order, focus on key dates from modern world history and Indian history. Major pandemics of the 20th century (Spanish Flu, Asian Flu, Hong Kong Flu) and significant post-independence Indian policies are common topics.

Step 1: Understanding the Question

The question asks for the specific date when the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005, officially came into force.


Step 2: Locating the Information in the Passage

The passage provides two key dates. Let's analyze the relevant sentence: "This law was passed by Parliament on 15 June 2005 and came into force on 13 October 2005."

The question asks when the act "came into force," not when it was "passed."


Step 3: Final Answer

According to the passage, the RTI Act came into force on 13 October, 2005. This matches option (2).
Quick Tip: In comprehension questions, pay close attention to the exact wording. "Passed by Parliament" and "came into force" are two distinct events with different dates. The "enactment date" or "date of coming into force" is when the law becomes legally binding.

Step 1: Understanding the Question

The question asks which entity is held accountable for providing information under the RTI Act.


Step 2: Locating the Information in the Passage

The passage states: "Under the terms of the Act, any person may request information from a "public authority" (a body of Government or instrumentality of State) which is expected to reply expeditiously or within thirty days."

This sentence clearly places the responsibility, or accountability, for replying to information requests on the "public authority."


Step 3: Final Answer

The passage makes it clear that a Public Authority is accountable for responding to RTI requests. Therefore, option (1) is the correct answer.
Quick Tip: Identify the subject and object in key sentences within a passage. Here, the "citizen" is the one requesting, and the "public authority" is the one responsible for providing. This clarifies the lines of accountability.

Step 1: Understanding the Question

The question asks to identify a specific law that was overridden by the new Right to Information Act.


Step 2: Locating the Information in the Passage

The passage explicitly addresses this. The relevant sentence is: "Information disclosure in India was hitherto restricted by the Official Secrets Act 1923 and various other special laws, which the new RTI Act now overrides."


Step 3: Final Answer

The passage directly names the Official Secrets Act as a law that is overridden by the RTI Act. Thus, option (2) is correct.
Quick Tip: Look for keywords in the question like "overrides," "repeals," or "replaces," and then scan the passage for the same or similar terms. The answer is often located in the sentence containing that keyword.

Step 1: Understanding the Question

The question asks to identify the correct statement describing the purpose of the RTI Act based on the given passage.


Step 2: Evaluating Each Option Against the Passage


(1) Gives citizens access to government records: The very first sentence of the passage states, "The Right to Information Act 2005... is a law enacted by the Parliament of India giving Indians access to government records." This statement is correct.

(2) Prohibit public authorities to provide data voluntarily...: The passage states the opposite: "The Act also requires every public authority... to proactively publish certain categories of information..." This statement is incorrect.

(3) RTI brings transparency in private organisations too: The passage specifies that the Act applies to a "public authority," which it defines as "a body of Government or instrumentality of State." It does not mention private organisations. This statement is incorrect.

(4) Put accountability on public for good governance: The Act puts accountability on the "public authority" to provide information, not on the public. This statement is incorrect.



Step 3: Final Answer

Based on the analysis, the only correct statement is that the Act gives citizens access to government records.
Quick Tip: For "which statement is correct" questions, methodically check each option against the text. Eliminate the incorrect ones by finding contradictory evidence in the passage. The correct answer will be directly supported by the text.

Step 1: Understanding the Question

The question asks for the maximum time limit within which a public authority must reply to an RTI request, as mentioned in the passage.


Step 2: Locating the Information in the Passage

The second sentence of the passage provides the answer: "...any person may request information from a 'public authority'... which is expected to reply expeditiously or within thirty days."


Step 3: Final Answer

The passage explicitly states a time limit of "thirty days." Therefore, option (3) is the correct answer.
Quick Tip: When a question asks for a number, date, or time period, scan the text specifically for numerical data. The answer is usually stated directly and requires careful reading rather than deep interpretation.

Step 1: Understanding the Concept

The question asks for the definition of a "patriarchal society". Patriarchy is a social system in which men hold primary power and predominate in roles of political leadership, moral authority, social privilege, and control of property.


Step 2: Analyzing the Passage

The passage provides a direct clue. It states, "For instance, men in patriarchal societies feel they must be strong and successful." This expectation of being "strong and successful" is characteristic of a dominant role. The passage contrasts this with a "gender-just society" where both men and women can be "free," implying that the current patriarchal system is restrictive and dominated by certain norms favouring men.


Step 3: Evaluating the Options


(1) Dominant role of men: This aligns perfectly with the definition of patriarchy and the clues in the passage.

(2) Dominant role of women: This describes a matriarchal society, the opposite of a patriarchal one.

(3) Rule of residence: This refers to concepts like patrilocality or matrilocality, which are aspects of social structure but not the core definition of patriarchy itself.

(4) Rule of lineage: This refers to systems like patrilineal or matrilineal descent, which are often found in patriarchal societies but do not define the entire system of power.



Step 4: Final Answer

The most accurate and direct definition of a patriarchal society among the given options is the dominant role of men.
Quick Tip: When a question asks for the definition of a sociological term, rely on the core concept. Patriarchy (from Greek *patriarkhes*, 'father of a race' or 'chief of a race') fundamentally means 'rule by the father' or, more broadly, male dominance.

Step 1: Understanding the Question

The question asks to identify the basis for a "gender-just society" as described in the passage.


Step 2: Locating the Information in the Passage

The passage explicitly states the answer. The sentence reads: "The idea of a gender-just society is based upon two important factors - educated women with multiple roles and improved sex ratio."


Step 3: Comparing with Options

Comparing this direct quote from the passage with the given options, we can see that option (4) is a perfect match. The other options are either not mentioned or contradict the passage's main idea.


Step 4: Final Answer

According to the text, the basis for a gender-just society is the presence of educated women with multiple roles and an improved sex ratio.
Quick Tip: For reading comprehension questions that ask "What is the basis for...?" or "What are the reasons for...?", scan the passage for keywords like "based upon," "due to," "because of," or "factors." The answer is often stated explicitly in such sentences.

Step 1: Understanding the Question

The question asks about the feeling or pressure experienced by men in a patriarchal society, according to the passage.


Step 2: Locating the Information in the Passage

The passage directly addresses this: "For instance, men in patriarchal societies feel they must be strong and successful." It also mentions that it is considered "not manly, to express oneself emotionally," reinforcing the pressure to maintain a facade of strength.


Step 3: Final Answer

The passage clearly states that men feel they must be "strong and successful." The option "Strong and successful" is not exactly what they feel, but rather what they *feel they must be*. It represents the societal pressure they experience. Among the given choices, this is the most accurate description of the expectation placed upon them.
Quick Tip: Pay close attention to specific examples given in a passage. The phrase "For instance" often introduces a key piece of evidence or a direct answer to a potential question about a concept.

Step 1: Understanding the Question

The question asks to identify what the "Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao Yojana" represents in the context of the passage.


Step 2: Locating the Information in the Passage

The last sentence of the passage provides the answer directly: "The programme of the Government of India, Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao Yojana is an important effort in the actualization of a gender-just society."


Step 3: Evaluating the Options


(1) Gender biasness towards girl child: The scheme aims to *fight* this bias, it is not an example *of* it.

(2) Changes in patriarchal society: This is a broad outcome the scheme hopes to achieve, but the passage gives a more specific purpose.

(3) Improved social status of girl child: This is also a goal, but the passage frames it within the larger concept of creating a gender-just society.

(4) Actualisation of a gender-just society: This is the exact phrase used in the passage to describe the purpose of the scheme.



Step 4: Final Answer

Based on the direct statement in the passage, the scheme is an example of an effort towards the actualisation of a gender-just society.
Quick Tip: When a passage mentions a specific example (like a government scheme), the sentence it's in, or the one immediately following it, usually explains its relevance to the main topic.

Step 1: Understanding the Question

This question requires inferring the condition of women in a patriarchal society based on the problems the passage identifies and the solutions it proposes.


Step 2: Inferring from the Passage

The passage does not directly state the situation of women, but we can infer it from several points:


The passage mentions the need for "injustices of all kinds have to end" for freedom to grow, implying women face injustices.

It identifies "educated women" and an "improved sex ratio" as foundations for a better, gender-just society. This implies that in the current society, women are often uneducated and the sex ratio is poor (often due to female foeticide and infanticide, which are extreme forms of discrimination).

The mention of the "Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao" (Save the Daughter, Educate the Daughter) scheme itself points to the systemic problems of discrimination against girls.


These points collectively suggest that women in a patriarchal society face significant discrimination.


Step 3: Evaluating the Options


(1) Have dominant role...: This is incorrect; men have the dominant role.

(2) Can do all kinds of work: This may or may not be true, and is not the defining feature of their situation. Patriarchal societies often restrict the kind of work women can do.

(3) Have equal access to resources: This is the goal of a gender-just society, not the reality of a patriarchal one.

(4) Face discrimination in various spheres: This is the logical conclusion based on the clues in the passage.



Step 4: Final Answer

The most accurate description of the situation of women in a patriarchal society, as implied by the passage, is that they face discrimination in various spheres.
Quick Tip: In reading comprehension, some questions require you to "read between the lines." To make a correct inference, look at the problems the author is trying to solve. The nature of the solution often reveals the nature of the problem.