Gender, Religion and Caste – Short Answer Type Questions
CBSE Class 10 Social Science – Political Science (Civics)
Democratic Politics – II, Chapter 3: Gender, Religion and Caste
CBSE Board Examinations – Question Format Overview
- Short Answer Type Questions – usually 2 to 3 marks each.
- Focus on explanation, reasons, examples and constitutional provisions.
- Strictly based on NCERT chapter “Gender, Religion and Caste”.
- Very useful for competency-based and case-study questions in the CBSE Class 10 Board Exam.
These 50+ Short Answer Type Questions with clear and simple explanations are designed strictly as per the
NCERT textbook for Class 10 Political Science (Democratic Politics – II), Chapter 3: Gender, Religion and Caste.
The questions are arranged topic-wise – Gender and Politics, Religion and Communalism, Secular State, and Caste and Politics –
to help CBSE Class 10 students revise systematically for board examinations.
A. Short Answer Questions on Gender and Politics
Topics covered: gender vs sex, gender division, public/private division, patriarchy, women’s status, women’s movements and political representation.
Gender – Concept
Q1. Differentiate between “sex” and “gender” with a suitable example.
Answer: Sex refers to biological differences between males and females, such as physical structure and reproduction.
Gender refers to social expectations and roles attached to being male or female, such as men being considered breadwinners
and women being expected to do housework. For example, giving birth is a biological role, while cooking being treated as a
woman’s duty is a gender role.
Gender Division
Q2. What is gender division? How is it a form of social division?
Answer: Gender division means unequal treatment of men and women based on socially constructed roles and stereotypes.
It is a form of social division because society gives more power, status and opportunities to men and undervalues women’s work,
leading to discrimination in education, jobs and decision-making.
Public / Private Sphere
Q3. Explain the public and private division of work between men and women.
Answer: Traditionally, men are associated with the public sphere, which includes paid work, politics and decision-making outside the home.
Women are confined to the private sphere, which includes unpaid household work and caring for the family.
This division considers men’s work as more important and visible, while women’s work remains invisible and undervalued.
Public / Private Sphere
Q4. Why is the public–private divide considered unfair to women?
Answer: The divide is unfair because women’s household work is not recognised as real work, is unpaid and not counted in national income.
It prevents women from participating in public life, reduces their chances of getting education and jobs, and denies them equal say in family and political decisions.
Patriarchy
Q5. Define patriarchy and explain how it affects women in society.
Answer: Patriarchy is a system in which men hold primary power in family, society and politics.
It affects women by keeping them in lower positions, controlling property and inheritance, restricting their mobility and education,
and justifying discrimination as “natural” or “traditional”.
Women’s Status
Q6. Mention any three indicators that show women’s low social status in India.
Answer:
(i) Women’s literacy rate is lower than that of men.
(ii) A smaller proportion of women are engaged in paid employment outside the home.
(iii) Women often earn lower wages than men for the same work and face issues like dowry, domestic violence and harassment.
(ii) A smaller proportion of women are engaged in paid employment outside the home.
(iii) Women often earn lower wages than men for the same work and face issues like dowry, domestic violence and harassment.
Women’s Work
Q7. Why is it said that “housework is an area of unpaid work” for women?
Answer: Housework such as cooking, washing, cleaning and caring for children or the elderly requires time and effort but is not paid or measured.
Since women usually do this work without wages and recognition, it is called unpaid work and is often ignored in economic statistics.
Double Burden
Q8. What is meant by the “double burden” of working women?
Answer: Double burden refers to the situation where women do both paid work outside the home and unpaid household work at home.
They have to manage office jobs as well as cooking, cleaning and caring for family members, leading to more pressure and stress than men.
Women’s Movement
Q9. What is the women’s movement? Mention any two of its demands.
Answer: The women’s movement is a collective effort by women and organisations to demand equality and end discrimination.
Two of its main demands are: (i) equal rights and opportunities in education and employment, and (ii) laws to protect women from
domestic violence, dowry and sexual harassment.
Women’s Movement
Q10. How have women’s movements contributed to improving women’s status?
Answer: Women’s movements created awareness through campaigns, protests and legal actions.
They helped bring important laws against dowry, domestic violence and workplace harassment,
promoted girls’ education and encouraged women to participate in public life and politics.
Political Representation
Q11. Why is women’s representation in legislatures considered very low in India?
Answer: Women form nearly half the population, yet their share in Lok Sabha and State Assemblies is very small.
Political parties hesitate to give them tickets, social attitudes discourage women from entering politics,
and they face difficulties in getting funds and support for elections. This leads to poor representation.
Local Self Government
Q12. Explain the role of the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments in improving women’s political participation.
Answer: The 73rd and 74th Amendments made it compulsory to reserve at least one-third of seats for women in Panchayats and Municipalities.
Because of this, lakhs of women now participate as elected representatives in local self-government,
gaining experience and confidence in public decision-making.
Reservation for Women
Q13. Why is there a demand for reservation of seats for women in Parliament and State Assemblies?
Answer: Despite constitutional equality, women’s representation in Parliament and State Assemblies remains very low.
To ensure their fair share in law-making and reflect their interests, many groups demand that at least one-third of the seats
be reserved for women in these bodies, similar to local governments.
Democracy & Gender
Q14. How does greater political representation of women strengthen democracy?
Answer: When women participate in politics, their specific issues—such as health, education, safety and welfare—get attention in policies.
It makes decision-making more inclusive and representative, gives voice to half the population and helps democracy move towards equality and justice.
Gender & Development
Q15. Suggest any three steps that can be taken to remove gender inequality in India.
Answer: (i) Provide equal access to quality education and skill training for girls.
(ii) Ensure equal wages for equal work and create safe working environments.
(iii) Change social attitudes through awareness programmes and encourage equal sharing of housework and childcare by men.
(ii) Ensure equal wages for equal work and create safe working environments.
(iii) Change social attitudes through awareness programmes and encourage equal sharing of housework and childcare by men.
B. Short Answer Questions on Religion, Communalism and Politics
Topics covered: role of religion in politics, communalism, forms of communalism, majority–minority, secularism and secular state.
Religion & Politics
Q16. Why can religion be both a positive and a negative influence in politics?
Answer: Religion can be positive when it promotes moral values like honesty, compassion and service, guiding leaders to work for the welfare of all.
It becomes negative when used to create hatred, discrimination or violence against followers of other religions and when political leaders
use religious appeals only to win votes, leading to communalism.
Communalism – Meaning
Q17. Define communalism and explain its basic idea.
Answer: Communalism is a belief that followers of one religion form a single community with common political interests that are opposed to those of other religions.
It treats religious identity as the most important identity of people and believes that different religions cannot live together as equal citizens in one nation.
Communalism – Features
Q18. Mention any three features of a communal mind-set.
Answer: (i) Religion is treated as the main basis of the nation.
(ii) People of the same religion are assumed to have the same political interests.
(iii) It often leads to demands for separate political units, discrimination and even violence against other religious communities.
(ii) People of the same religion are assumed to have the same political interests.
(iii) It often leads to demands for separate political units, discrimination and even violence against other religious communities.
Forms of Communalism
Q19. Describe any two forms in which communalism appears in politics.
Answer: (i) Communal politics: Political parties use religious symbols, slogans and issues during elections to mobilise voters.
(ii) Communal riots: Tension between communities sometimes leads to large-scale violence, destruction of property and loss of lives in the name of religion.
(ii) Communal riots: Tension between communities sometimes leads to large-scale violence, destruction of property and loss of lives in the name of religion.
Communalism & Democracy
Q20. Why is communalism considered a serious threat to Indian democracy?
Answer: Communalism divides people on religious lines, weakens national unity and encourages hatred and violence.
It goes against the democratic principles of equality and fraternity, threatens the security of minority communities
and can destroy the environment needed for free and fair political competition.
Everyday Communalism
Q21. Explain with examples how communalism can be seen in everyday life.
Answer: Everyday communalism appears when people make prejudiced remarks about other religions,
refuse to share food or house with them, or believe false rumours about them.
It also shows up in biased media or social media messages that portray one religion as superior and others as enemies.
Majority / Minority
Q22. What is meant by majority and minority communities? How can this distinction be misused?
Answer: A majority community has a larger population share, while a minority community has a smaller share.
This distinction is misused when majority is considered the “real nation” and minorities are treated as outsiders or second-class citizens,
leading to discrimination and denial of equal rights.
Communal Representation
Q23. How may demands for separate electorates or special political rights in the name of religion encourage communalism?
Answer: Such demands assume that people of one religion cannot be represented by leaders of other religions.
This strengthens the belief that religious communities have completely different political interests, encourages separation rather than unity
and weakens the idea of common citizenship in a democracy.
Secular State – Meaning
Q24. What do you understand by a secular state?
Answer: A secular state does not have any official religion of its own and does not favour or discriminate against any religion.
It gives all citizens the freedom to practise, profess and propagate any religion or not follow any religion at all and treats all religions equally before the law.
Indian Secularism
Q25. How is the Indian state secular? Give any three points.
Answer: (i) India has no state religion; the Constitution does not give special status to any religion.
(ii) All citizens enjoy the right to freedom of religion and equal protection of the law regardless of religion.
(iii) The state sometimes intervenes in religious practices to ensure equality and protect the rights of individuals, for example by banning untouchability.
(ii) All citizens enjoy the right to freedom of religion and equal protection of the law regardless of religion.
(iii) The state sometimes intervenes in religious practices to ensure equality and protect the rights of individuals, for example by banning untouchability.
Constitutional Provisions
Q26. Which fundamental rights safeguard secularism in India?
Answer: The Right to Equality prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion,
and the Right to Freedom of Religion guarantees freedom of conscience and free profession, practice and propagation of religion.
These rights together protect religious freedom and equality, which are the basis of secularism.
State Intervention
Q27. Why and when is state intervention in religious matters justified in a secular democracy?
Answer: State intervention is justified when religious practices violate fundamental rights or the principles of equality and dignity,
such as in cases of untouchability or discrimination against women. The state can regulate or prohibit such practices
to protect individuals and maintain a just and equal society.
Religion & Democracy
Q28. How can religious differences be handled democratically in a country like India?
Answer: Religious differences can be handled by respecting freedom of religion,
ensuring equal rights for all communities, protecting minority rights through laws and institutions,
promoting dialogue and tolerance, and punishing those who incite violence or hatred in the name of religion.
Communal Harmony
Q29. Suggest any three measures to promote communal harmony in India.
Answer: (i) Strict action against those who spread communal hatred and violence.
(ii) Education that teaches respect for all religions and national unity.
(iii) Encouraging inter-community cultural programmes and dialogues to build trust and understanding among different religious groups.
(ii) Education that teaches respect for all religions and national unity.
(iii) Encouraging inter-community cultural programmes and dialogues to build trust and understanding among different religious groups.
C. Short Answer Questions on Caste and Politics
Topics covered: caste system, caste inequalities, constitutional safeguards, changes in caste system, caste in politics and politics in caste.
Caste System – Features
Q30. Describe any three main features of the traditional caste system in India.
Answer: (i) Caste is hereditary; a person is born into a caste and remains in it.
(ii) Castes are arranged in a hierarchical order from “high” to “low”.
(iii) Each caste is associated with traditional occupations and has restrictions on social relations, marriage and food with other castes.
(ii) Castes are arranged in a hierarchical order from “high” to “low”.
(iii) Each caste is associated with traditional occupations and has restrictions on social relations, marriage and food with other castes.
Caste Inequalities
Q31. How did the caste system lead to social and economic inequalities?
Answer: The caste system gave higher status, education and land ownership to upper castes while lower castes and Dalits faced discrimination, untouchability and poverty.
They were denied access to temples, wells, schools and government jobs. This created deep social and economic inequalities in Indian society.
Untouchability
Q32. What was the practice of untouchability? How has it been treated by the Constitution?
Answer: Untouchability was a practice in which some castes were treated as “polluting” and were socially excluded and humiliated.
The Indian Constitution has abolished untouchability and made its practice a punishable offence, ensuring legal protection and dignity for affected groups.
Constitution & Caste
Q33. How does the Constitution try to reduce caste-based inequality?
Answer: The Constitution guarantees equality before law, abolishes untouchability, bans caste-based discrimination and provides reservations
in education and government jobs for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes to improve their social and economic position.
SC / ST / OBC
Q34. Who are SCs, STs and OBCs? Why are they given special provisions?
Answer: SCs (Scheduled Castes) and STs (Scheduled Tribes) are groups that historically suffered severe social and economic discrimination.
OBCs (Other Backward Classes) are socially and educationally backward communities.
They are given special provisions like reservations to help overcome past disadvantages and ensure fair representation in education and public employment.
Changes in Caste
Q35. Explain any three factors responsible for the weakening of the caste system in India.
Answer: (i) Spread of education and new ideas of equality and human rights.
(ii) Urbanisation, which mixes people from different castes in workplaces and neighbourhoods.
(iii) Economic development and modern occupations, where jobs depend more on qualifications than on caste background.
(ii) Urbanisation, which mixes people from different castes in workplaces and neighbourhoods.
(iii) Economic development and modern occupations, where jobs depend more on qualifications than on caste background.
Inter-Caste Relations
Q36. How has urbanisation changed traditional caste-based relations?
Answer: In cities, people from different castes live and work together.
Housing colonies, offices and markets do not strictly follow caste lines,
and modern transport and communication have reduced social distance.
This has weakened rigid caste boundaries and created more mixed social relations.
Caste in Politics
Q37. Explain the term “caste in politics” with examples.
Answer: “Caste in politics” refers to the influence of caste on political behaviour.
People may vote for candidates of their caste; political parties select candidates based on caste composition of a constituency;
and coalitions are formed to attract particular caste groups, for example, alliances to gain the support of OBCs or Dalits in elections.
Politics in Caste
Q38. What is meant by “politics in caste”? How is it different from “caste in politics”?
Answer: “Politics in caste” means that democratic politics changes the nature of caste.
Caste groups organise themselves, demand reservations and benefits and form broader coalitions.
While “caste in politics” shows how caste affects voting and parties, “politics in caste” shows how political competition makes caste more flexible and open to change.
Positive Role of Caste
Q39. Mention any three positive aspects of the relationship between caste and politics.
Answer: (i) It has helped lower castes and Dalits to organise and demand their rights.
(ii) Many leaders from disadvantaged castes have become part of governments.
(iii) Caste issues are now discussed openly in politics, which helps in framing policies for social justice.
(ii) Many leaders from disadvantaged castes have become part of governments.
(iii) Caste issues are now discussed openly in politics, which helps in framing policies for social justice.
Negative Role of Caste
Q40. Mention any three negative aspects of caste in Indian politics.
Answer: (i) Political parties sometimes give tickets only to candidates of certain castes to build vote-banks.
(ii) Caste-based politics may encourage narrow thinking and division instead of national unity.
(iii) Sometimes it leads to caste-based conflicts, tension and violence in society.
(ii) Caste-based politics may encourage narrow thinking and division instead of national unity.
(iii) Sometimes it leads to caste-based conflicts, tension and violence in society.
Caste & Democracy
Q41. How has democracy helped in reducing the rigidities of the caste system?
Answer: Democracy promotes equal voting rights and political participation for all, irrespective of caste.
Reservations and legal protections empower lower castes to share power.
Political competition forces parties to appeal to multiple castes, leading to alliances and weakening strict caste boundaries.
Caste & Development
Q42. “Caste alone cannot determine elections in India.” Justify this statement.
Answer: Voters do not always vote according to caste; they also consider issues like development, leadership, party image and performance.
A candidate must attract support from different caste groups to win. Therefore, caste has influence but does not single-handedly decide election results in most constituencies.
Leaders & Caste
Q43. Why is it not correct to say that politics is entirely dominated by caste?
Answer: Many leaders represent broader interests such as regional identity, economic issues and development.
Voters often support them for their work and policies rather than caste.
Issues like employment, education, corruption and infrastructure also strongly influence political choices, not just caste identity.
Social Reformers
Q44. Name any two social reformers who fought against caste inequalities. How did they contribute?
Answer: Dr. B. R. Ambedkar and Jyotiba Phule fought against caste discrimination.
Ambedkar campaigned against untouchability, framed provisions for equality in the Constitution and encouraged Dalit assertion.
Phule worked for the education of lower castes and women and criticised the dominance of upper castes.
Caste & Social Justice
Q45. How do reservations in education and jobs promote social justice?
Answer: Reservations give disadvantaged castes better access to schools, colleges and government employment,
which they were earlier denied. This helps reduce historical inequalities, improves their standard of living and
ensures more equal participation in the economic and political life of the country.
D. Integrated / Mixed Concept Short Answer Questions
These questions link gender, religion and caste with democratic politics, social justice and constitutional values.
Democracy & Social Divisions
Q46. How should a democratic country like India respond to social divisions based on gender, religion and caste?
Answer: A democratic country should recognise these divisions but not encourage discrimination.
It should provide equal rights, protect weaker groups through laws and reservations, promote tolerance and dialogue,
and ensure that no group dominates others. All citizens must be treated with dignity and given equal opportunities.
Equality & Dignity
Q47. Which core values of democracy are violated when women, religious minorities or lower castes are discriminated against?
Answer: Discrimination violates the values of equality, liberty and dignity of the individual.
It also weakens fraternity, or the feeling of brotherhood, which is essential for national unity and democratic functioning.
Constitutional Vision
Q48. How does the Indian Constitution try to create a society free from gender, religious and caste-based discrimination?
Answer: The Constitution guarantees equality before law, prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion, caste or sex,
grants freedom of religion, abolishes untouchability and allows special measures for women and weaker sections.
This legal framework aims to create a society based on justice, equality and respect for all.
Examination Angle
Q49. Why does the CBSE syllabus include a chapter on Gender, Religion and Caste in Democratic Politics?
Answer: The chapter helps students understand how real social divisions operate in politics and how democracy should handle them.
It connects textbook knowledge with everyday issues like discrimination, rights and equality, making students more responsible and aware citizens,
which is a key objective of social science education.
Answer Writing Skill
Q50. Suggest any three tips for writing good short answers from this chapter in the CBSE exam.
Answer: (i) Start with a clear definition or key idea related to the question.
(ii) Support your answer with two to three relevant points or examples from the chapter.
(iii) Use terms like gender division, communalism, secular state, caste inequality and reservation correctly to show conceptual clarity.
(ii) Support your answer with two to three relevant points or examples from the chapter.
(iii) Use terms like gender division, communalism, secular state, caste inequality and reservation correctly to show conceptual clarity.