Gender, Religion and Caste – MCQs with Answers and Explanations
CBSE Class 10 Social Science – Political Science (Civics)
Democratic Politics – II, Chapter 3: Gender, Religion and Caste
CBSE Board Examinations – MCQ Overview
- Multiple Choice Questions – concept-based, competency-based and fact-based.
- Covers: Gender and Politics, Religion, Communalism and Secular State, Caste and Politics.
- Strictly aligned with NCERT Chapter “Gender, Religion and Caste”.
- Ideal for CBSE Class 10 school tests, pre-boards and Board Examinations.
These 30 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) with detailed answers and explanations are designed strictly as per the
NCERT textbook for Class 10 Political Science (Democratic Politics – II), Chapter 3: Gender, Religion and Caste.
Each MCQ includes a “Show Answer & Explanation” button to help CBSE Class 10 students revise concepts clearly and
practise exam-oriented objective questions.
A. MCQs on Gender and Politics
Topics: sex and gender, gender division, public/private division, patriarchy, women’s status, women’s movement and political representation.
Gender – Concept
Q1. “Gender” refers to:
Correct Option: B
- Gender is a social concept – it refers to the roles, behaviour and expectations that society attaches to men and women.
- Sex (option A) is biological, but gender is created and maintained by society.
- NCERT clearly distinguishes between sex (biological) and gender (social), so option B is correct.
Gender Division
Q2. Gender division is a form of:
Correct Option: C
- Gender division refers to how society divides roles and work between men and women.
- It is social, not natural – it is based on customs and beliefs, not on biology.
- Hence, it is correctly described as a social division (option C).
Public / Private Division
Q3. Which of the following is associated with the “private sphere” in gender division?
Correct Option: B
- The private sphere refers to home and family life.
- Cooking, cleaning and caring for children or elders are seen as part of the private sphere.
- These tasks (option B) have been traditionally assigned to women and undervalued in society.
Double Burden
Q4. The term “double burden” for women means:
Correct Option: C
- “Double burden” describes women who manage paid jobs outside and unpaid household work at home.
- This creates extra physical and mental stress, as they work more hours than men.
- Hence, option C correctly explains the term.
Patriarchy
Q5. Patriarchy is a system in which:
Correct Option: B
- Patriarchy means rule or domination by men.
- In such a system, men have more power in family, society and politics, while women are often subordinate.
- Therefore, option B is the correct description.
Status of Women
Q6. Which of the following indicates a low status of women in India?
Correct Option: C
- NCERT mentions that the literacy rate among women is lower than men in India.
- This shows that girls get fewer educational opportunities.
- Thus, option C correctly indicates women’s low status in society.
Women’s Unpaid Work
Q7. Why is women’s household work often not recognised in economic statistics?
Correct Option: B
- Household work like cooking, cleaning and caring is unpaid and not sold in the market.
- National income statistics usually count only paid work and market activities.
- Therefore, women’s household work remains invisible in data (option B).
Women’s Movement
Q8. The women’s or feminist movement primarily aims to:
Correct Option: B
- The women’s movement works for equality, justice and dignity for women in all fields.
- It fights against discrimination, violence and unfair laws.
- So option B correctly expresses its main aim.
Local Self Government & Reservation
Q9. Which Constitutional Amendments in India provided for reservation of seats for women in Panchayats and Municipalities?
Correct Option: B
- The 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments made it compulsory to reserve at least one-third of seats for women in local bodies.
- This has led to lakhs of women entering local politics.
- Thus, option B is correct as per NCERT.
Women’s Representation
Q10. Why is there a demand for reservation of at least one-third seats for women in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies?
Correct Option: B
- Women are nearly half the population but their share in legislatures is far below this.
- Reservation would ensure their fair representation in law-making bodies.
- Thus, option B gives the correct reason.
B. MCQs on Religion, Communalism and Politics
Topics: religion in politics, communalism, forms of communalism, majority–minority, secularism and secular state.
Communalism – Idea
Q11. Which of the following best expresses the basic idea of communalism?
Correct Option: C
- Communalism is the belief that,
“followers of one religion must have the same political interests and these interests differ from those of other religions.” - This is exactly what option C states.
- Options A, B and D are not communal; they reflect secular or democratic ideas.
Communal Politics
Q12. Which of the following is an example of communal politics?
Correct Option: C
- Using religious appeals to win votes is a key feature of communal politics.
- It mixes religion with politics in an unhealthy way.
- Options A, B and D are development-related demands, not communal practices.
Communalism & Democracy
Q13. Communalism is a serious threat to democracy because it:
Correct Option: C
- Communalism encourages hostility between religious communities and can result in riots and violence.
- This destroys the democratic values of equality and fraternity.
- Therefore, option C correctly explains why it is a serious threat.
Secular State – Meaning
Q14. A secular state is one:
Correct Option: C
- In a secular state, the government does not have its own religion.
- It gives equal respect and protection to all religions.
- India is such a secular state, so option C is correct.
Indian Secularism
Q15. Which of the following is not a feature of Indian secularism?
Correct Option: C
- India does not discriminate in favour of any religion; it treats all religions equally.
- So option C is not a feature of Indian secularism and is therefore the correct answer.
- Options A, B and D are all correct features mentioned in the Constitution.
Forms of Communalism
Q16. Which of the following is not a form of communalism?
Correct Option: C
- Option C shows respect and acceptance of religious diversity, which is secular and democratic.
- Options A, B and D are communal behaviours that misuse religion for division.
Majority / Minority
Q17. A “majority community” in a country is one:
Correct Option: B
- In the chapter, a majority or minority community is described in terms of population share.
- A majority community has more followers than other communities (option B).
- However, numerical majority should not mean domination in a democracy.
State Intervention in Religion
Q18. In which of these situations can a secular state legitimately intervene in religious matters?
Correct Option: C
- The state can interfere if a religious practice harms equality, dignity or other fundamental rights.
- For example, practices like untouchability can be banned.
- Thus, option C correctly matches the idea of Indian secularism.
Core of Secularism
Q19. The core idea of Indian secularism is to:
Correct Option: C
- Our Constitution guarantees freedom of religion to every person.
- The state does not favour or oppose any religion, but treats all equally.
- Hence, option C is correct.
Religious Differences & Democracy
Q20. How should religious differences be handled in a democracy?
Correct Option: B
- Democracy respects diversity and protects the rights of all communities.
- Equality and freedom of religion are key, so option B is correct.
- Options A, C and D go against democratic values and the Constitution.
C. MCQs on Caste and Politics
Topics: caste system, caste inequalities, reservations, caste in politics and politics in caste.
Caste System – Features
Q21. Which of the following is a feature of the traditional caste system in India?
Correct Option: B
- In the traditional caste system, a person’s caste is determined by birth and is hereditary.
- It is not chosen or easily changed by an individual.
- Therefore, option B correctly states a core feature.
Untouchability & Constitution
Q22. How does the Indian Constitution treat the practice of untouchability?
Correct Option: C
- The Constitution clearly abolishes untouchability.
- Any practice of untouchability is a punishable offence under law.
- So option C is correct as per NCERT and the Constitution.
Reserved Categories
Q23. Reservations in education and government jobs are provided mainly for:
Correct Option: A
- SCs, STs and OBCs have faced long-term social and educational backwardness.
- Reservations help them get fair opportunities in education and employment.
- Therefore, option A is correct.
Caste in Politics
Q24. “Caste in politics” refers to:
Correct Option: B
- “Caste in politics” explains how caste affects political actions like voting and party strategies.
- Parties choose candidates based on caste composition and voters may support candidates of their caste.
- So option B matches the NCERT explanation.
Politics in Caste
Q25. “Politics in caste” means:
Correct Option: B
- “Politics in caste” refers to how political competition makes caste groups organise, demand rights and form alliances.
- This can make caste identities more flexible and open to change.
- Hence, option B is correct.
Positive Role of Caste
Q26. Which of the following is a positive effect of caste in politics?
Correct Option: C
- NCERT mentions that caste-based political mobilisation has helped lower castes to raise their demands.
- This can lead to more inclusive policies and representation.
- Thus, option C describes a positive effect.
Negative Role of Caste
Q27. A negative effect of caste in politics is that it:
Correct Option: C
- When parties use caste only as a vote-bank, it can deepen caste divisions.
- This may lead to tensions and even violence.
- Therefore, option C correctly states a negative effect.
Change in Caste System
Q28. Which of the following has helped to weaken the caste system in India?
Correct Option: D
- NCERT lists education, urbanisation and occupational mobility as factors that have weakened caste-based rigidities.
- All these factors mix people from different castes and create new opportunities.
- Thus, option D (all of the above) is correct.
Caste & Elections
Q29. Which statement about caste and electoral politics in India is correct?
Correct Option: C
- NCERT clearly states that caste influences elections but is not the only factor.
- Issues like development, party performance and leadership also matter.
- So option C is the balanced and correct statement.
Reservations & Social Justice
Q30. The main purpose of giving reservations to SCs, STs and OBCs is to:
Correct Option: B
- Reservations are meant to correct historical injustices and give disadvantaged groups better opportunities.
- This promotes social justice and reduces caste-based inequalities.
- Hence, option B correctly states the main purpose.