NCERT Solutions
Class 12 Political Science
14 chapters · 28 important questions
The Cold War Era
Covers the origins and development of the Cold War, the two blocs (NATO and Warsaw Pact), key crises, the arms race, and India's policy of Non-Alignment.
Key Topics
Important Questions
What was the Cold War? How did it shape world politics in the second half of the 20th century?
What is Non-Alignment? Why did India choose the path of Non-Alignment?
The End of Bipolarity
Covers the disintegration of the USSR, shock therapy in former Soviet states, the emergence of 15 new states, and the implications for world order and India-Russia relations.
Key Topics
Important Questions
Why did the Soviet Union disintegrate? What were the consequences for the world and for India?
What was shock therapy? Why did it fail in most former Soviet republics?
US Hegemony in World Politics
Covers the emergence of US hegemony after the Cold War, major interventions (Gulf War, Afghanistan, Iraq), and strategies to resist or manage US dominance.
Key Topics
Important Questions
What is hegemony? How has the US exercised hegemony in the post-Cold War world?
What were the causes and consequences of the Iraq War 2003?
Alternative Centres of Power
Covers the rise of the EU, ASEAN, and China as alternative centres of global power. Their challenges to US dominance and their significance for India are discussed.
Key Topics
Important Questions
Describe the emergence of the European Union as a significant economic and political force.
How did China emerge as an alternative centre of power in the world?
Contemporary South Asia
Surveys the political landscape of South Asia, including conflicts (India-Pakistan, Sri Lanka Tamil conflict), democratic movements, and regional cooperation through SAARC.
Key Topics
Important Questions
What are the major sources of conflict between India and Pakistan? How have they tried to resolve these?
What is SAARC? What are its objectives and limitations?
International Organisations
Covers the United Nations system, its principal organs, specialised agencies, and the debate on UN reforms. The role of international organisations in world peace is evaluated.
Key Topics
Important Questions
Describe the structure of the United Nations. What are the arguments for and against reforming the Security Council?
What is the role of the IMF and World Bank? Why are they criticised?
Challenges of Nation Building
Examines the three main challenges at India's independence: the Partition, integration of princely states, and linguistic reorganisation of states. Sardar Patel's role and the formation of linguistic states are highlighted.
Key Topics
Important Questions
What were the major challenges India faced at the time of partition? How were they resolved?
Describe the process of integration of princely states into India. What role did Sardar Patel play?
Era of One-Party Dominance
Covers the period 1952–1967 when Congress dominated Indian politics. The nature of Congress's dominance, the role of Nehru, opposition parties, and the 1967 elections that ended this era are discussed.
Key Topics
Important Questions
Why did Congress dominate Indian politics in the first two decades? How was this dominance possible?
What was the significance of the 1967 elections in Indian political history?
Politics of Planned Development
Covers the debate over India's development strategy in the 1950s. The Planning Commission, Five Year Plans, the food crisis of 1965–67, and Green Revolution are discussed.
Key Topics
Important Questions
What was the Mahalanobis model? Why was it important for India's industrialisation?
How did the food crisis of 1965-67 change India's agricultural policy?
India's External Relations
Covers India's foreign policy from the 1950s to 1970s: Non-Alignment, Panchsheel, wars with China and Pakistan, and nuclear policy. India's emergence as a regional power is traced.
Key Topics
Important Questions
Describe the main elements of Nehru's foreign policy. How did India follow Non-Alignment?
What were the causes and consequences of the 1971 India-Pakistan War?
Crisis of Democratic Order — The Emergency
Analyses the Emergency (1975–77): its background (JP Movement, Allahabad High Court verdict), the measures taken, the 1977 elections and Janata government, and lessons for Indian democracy.
Key Topics
Important Questions
What were the circumstances that led to the declaration of Emergency in 1975? What measures were taken?
What were the lessons of the Emergency for Indian democracy?
Rise of Popular Movements
Covers major popular movements from the 1970s onwards: Chipko Movement, anti-arrack movement, Narmada Bachao Andolan, and the Dalit movement. Their impact on Indian politics and policy is analysed.
Key Topics
Important Questions
What was the Chipko Movement? How did it broaden the agenda of Indian politics?
How did the rise of popular movements change the character of Indian democracy?
Regional Aspirations
Covers regional movements and demands in India: Punjab crisis, northeast autonomy movements, and the Jammu & Kashmir situation. The tension between national unity and regional identity is explored.
Key Topics
Important Questions
Describe the Punjab crisis of the 1980s. How did it end?
What was Article 370 and what was its significance for Jammu & Kashmir?
Recent Developments in Indian Politics
Covers Indian politics from the 1990s: the collapse of Congress dominance, rise of BJP, coalition politics, Mandal controversy, and economic liberalisation. The nature of contemporary Indian democracy is analysed.
Key Topics
Important Questions
How did the 1990s transform Indian politics? Discuss the rise of coalition politics and the decline of Congress dominance.
What was the Mandal controversy? What were its political consequences?