ICSE Paper 2018 History and Civics: General Instructions
ICSE Paper 2018 History and Civics: General Instructions
General Instructions :
Question 1.
(a) Name the bill that cannot originate in the Rajya Sabha. [1]
(b) What is meant by the term ‘quorum’? [1]
(c) What is the maximum gap allowed between the two Parliamentary sessions ? [1]
(d) Who administers the oath of office to the Council of Ministers ? [1]
(e) What is an Ordinance? [1]
(f) State any one reason why the President is elected indirectly. [1]
(g) State any one administrative function of the Cabinet. [1]
(h) Name any two writs issued by the Supreme Court. [1]
(i) Name the highest criminal court in a district. [1]
(j) What is meant by Lok Adalats ? [1]
Answers :
(a) Money Bill.
(b) A quorum is the minimum number of members required to be present in the Lok
Sabha/Rajya Sabha before a meeting is allowed to begin. One tenth of the total
members of the Lok Sabha/Rajya Sabha must be present at the beginning of a sitting of
the House, including the Presiding Officer.
(c) Six months.
(d) President.
(e) An Ordinance is a Presidential decree having authority of law.
(f) The President is the Chief Executive in India. He is elected indirectly because : He,
being a constitutional head, ought to be elected indirectly as directly elected member
cannot become a Constitutional head.
(g) The whole administration of the state is run by the Cabinet.
(h) The Supreme Court can issue following writs :
(a) Writ of Habeas Corpus
(b) Writ of Mandamus
(i) The highest criminal court is the court of the Session Judge.
(j) A Lok Adalat means “People’s Court”. It encourages the settlement of disputes
through compromise between two parties.
Question 2.
(a) Mention any two economic factors responsible for the growth of nationalism in
India. [2]
(b) Name the two Presidents under whom the first two sessions of the Indian National
Congress were held. [2]
(c) Name the nationalist who said, ‘Swaraj is my birthright and I shall have it’. State any
one of his contributions to the National Movement. [2]
(d) State any two objectives of the Muslim League. [2]
(e) State any two causes that led to the Civil Disobedience Movement in 1930. [2]
(f) Name the last Viceroy of India. State any one of the provisions of the Indian
Independence Act of 1947. [2]
(g) Give any two similarities between the ideologies of Nazism and Fascism. [2]
(h) Name the countries that formed the Axis Bloc, during World War II. [2]
(i) Give the full form of UNESCO. [2]
(j) State any two principles of ‘Panchsheel’ in the Non-Aligned Movement. [2]
Answers:
(a) (i) Poor condition of village economy .
(ii) Poor condition of Handicrafts.
(d) (i) To protect the political and other rights of the Muslims.
(ii) To promote among the Muslims of India feeling of loyalty to the British government.
(e) (i) The passing of‘Complete Independence’ or ‘Purna Su araj resolution at Lahore
session, of the Congress.
(ii) Rejection of Gandhi’s ‘Eleven Point’ programme.
Question 3.
With reference to the Union Parhament, answer the following questions :
(a) How many members may be nominated to the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha?
Give one reason as to why they may be nominated to the Lok Sabha. [3]
(b) Mention any three qualifications required for a member to be elected to the Lok
Sabha. [3]
(c) What is meant by the term ‘Session’? Name the three Sessions of the Union
Parhament. [4]
Answers:
(a) Lok Sabha : Not more than two members of the Anglo-Indian Community to be
nominated by the President, if, in his opinion, that community is not adequately
represented in the House.
Rajya Sabha : The President nominates 12 members to the Rajya Sabha.
(c) It is the time period during which the House meets to conduct its business.
Parliament should hold at least two sessions in a year.
Three sessions :
Question 4.
The President and the Vice-President are part of the Union Executive.
In this context, answer the following questions :
(a) State any three qualifications required for a candidate to be elected as the Vice-
President of India. [3]
(b) State the three functions of the Vice-President. [3]
(c) Explain briefly any tu o Legislative and any two Executive powers of the President. [4]
Answers :
(a) (i) He must be a citizen of India.
(ii) Must not be less than 35 years of age.
(iii) Must be qualified for election as member of the Rajya Sabha.
Executive powers :
1. The President appoints the Prime Minister and on his advice, he appoints other
Ministers in the Cabinet.
2. The President appoints high dignitaries such as the Attorney General of India, the
Comptroller and Auditor General of India, the Judges of the Supreme Court and High
Courts, the State Governors, Ambassadors and High Commissioners. He also appoints
Chairmen and members of the Union Public Service Commission, Finance Commission,
the Chief Election Commissioner and the two other members of the Election
Commission.
Question 5.
Our Judicial system has a Supreme Court at its Apex, followed by the High Court and
other Subordinate Courts. In the light of this statement, explain the following :
(a) Any three types of cases in which the Supreme Court exercises its Original
Jurisdiction. [3]
(b) Any three ways by which the Constitution ensures the Independence of the
Judiciary. [3]
(c) ‘Advisory’ and ‘Revisory Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court. [4]
Answers :
(a) Original Jurisdiction means the authority and power of the Supreme Court to hear a
case in the first instance directly. The original and exclusive jurisdiction of the Supreme
Court extends to the following cases :
(b) The independence of Judiciary (Supreme Court) has been ensured in our country in
the following ways .
1. The judges are appointed by the President in consultation with the Chief Justice
and such other judges he may deem necessary. This ensures their independence.
2. The Judges possess high qualifications in law; they have a long experience in this
field; they are eminent jurists. This ensures their independence.
3. The removal of a judge, which is done through impeachment, has been made very
difficult, Impeachment is done by the Parliament on the basis of “proved
misbehavior or incapacity”. This requires simple majority of the total strength of
both the Houses of the Parliament, and a 2/3rd majority of those present and
voting in both Houses to pass a resolution of impeachment,
(c) Advisory : The President may seek Supreme Court’s opinion or advice on a question
of law or fact, which is of public importance in the opinion of the President, whether it
has actually arisen or is likely to arise. The Supreme Court may give its opinion, after
such hearing as it may think fit. It is done by a Bench of five Judges, by a majority vote.
The opinion of the Supreme Court is pronounced in the open court. But the opinion of
the Supreme Court is not binding on the President, as it is not a judicial decision or
pronouncement. It is only a consultative view.
It must be noted that the Supreme Court is also not bound to give its advisory opinion
when a reference is made to it by the President. The Supreme Court can decline to give
its opinion. Usually, its opinion is rejected by all courts and tribunals.
Revisory : Judicial Review is the power of the Supreme Court to examine laws passed
by the independent and the executive orders of the Centre and State governments in
order to find whether these are in accordance with the Constitution or not. This is called
Judicial Review. If an order or a law’ is found to be contrary to the Constitution, the
Supreme Court declares it null and void.
SECTION – B
Attempt any three questions from this Section
Question 6.
Numerous causes gave rise to the First War of Independence and its consequences led
to several changes in the British Government in India. In this context, answer the
following :
(a) Explain any three political causes of the Revolt of 1857. [3]
(b) Briefly explain the immediate cause of the Great Revolt. [3]
(c) State any four changes in the administration of the British Government as a
consequence of the Revolt. [4]
Answers :
(a) (i) Lord Dalhousie’s policy of annexation and the Doctrine of Lapse made the Indian
rulers angry and insecure. The prominent states which fell victim to the Doctrine w’ere :
Satara, Jhansi and Nagpur.
(ii) Lord Canning declared that Bahadur Shah’s successor would not be allowed to use
the imperial title, i.e. the ‘King’.
(iii) Lord Dalhousie stopped the pension of Nana Saheb.
(b) The immediate cause was the introduction of Enfield rifles. There was a rumour that,
the cartridges to be used for the rifles were greased with the fat of cows and pigs. This
sparked off the Mutiny. On 10th May, 1857 all the three sepoy regiments at Meerut rose
in revolt.
(c) (i) End of Company’s Rule : The Revolt ended the East India Company’s rule in India
and the Indian empire came under the direct control of the British Crown. Queen Victoria
became the Empress of India.
(ii) Position of Secretary of State : The Act of 1858 abolished the Company’s Board of
Control and the Court of Directors. All their powers were transferred to a Cabinet
Minister, known as the Secretary of State. He was to be advised by a Council consisting
of 15 members.
(iv) Appointments to the Civil Service : It was decided that appointments to the Civil
Service were to be made by open competition under rules made by the Secretary of
State in Council.
Question 7.
The Quit India Resolution in 1942 was one of the final calls given by Gandhi for the
British to leave India. Moving towards Independence, Lord Mountbatten’s Plan was
significant. In this context, answer the following :
(a) State two reasons for the launching of the Quit India Movement. [3]
(b) Give any three effects of the Quit India Movement launched by Gandhi in 1942 that
was significant to the last phase of the National Movement of India. [3]
(c) Give any four clauses of the Mountbatten Plan of 1947. [4]
Answers:
(a) (i) Failure of the Cripps Mission : The failure of the Cripps Mission left no meeting
ground between the Congress and the government. It was clear from the proposals that
the government was not willing to grant independence in the near future. The Indians
were also not happy at the proposals of Cripps Mission because proposals contained
within them provisions which could divide India into hundreds of independent provinces.
(ii) War Situation : There was every possibility that India might be attacked by Japan and
the Indians were’ helpless because they had no power or means to resist the attack. So,
the Indian leaders felt that the situation called for complete independence. Gandhiji also
felt that an orderly and peaceful withdrawal of the British could save India from internal
anarchy and external aggression.
(b) (i) It demonstrated the depth of the national feelings : The movement showed the
depth of the national will and convinced the Britishers that the days of their domination
in India were numbered. People from all parts of India fought together against the
Britishers.
(ii) Set back to the Britishers : Now the British officials had realized that the British
would not be able to retain their hold on India.
(iii) Parallel Government : A significant feature of the Quit India Movement was the
emergence of parallel governments in Ballia in Uttar Pradesh, Midnapur in Bengal and
Satara in Maharashtra.
(c) (i) Division of the Country : The country would be divided into two Dominions i.e,
India and Pakistan.
(ii) The Constituent Assembly : The existing Constituent Assembly would continue to
work, but the Constitution framed by it would not be applied to Pakistan. A separate
Constituent Assembly would be constituted for those parts which decided in favour of
partition.
(iii) The Princely States : The Princely States would be free to choose their own option,
and treaties signed with them would soon come to an end.
(iv) A Boundary Commission : A Boundary Commission would be set up to decide about
the boundary disputes.
Question 8.
Study the picture given below and answer the following questions :
(a) Identify the leader given in the picture. [3]
Name the Political party and the Military Organisation that he formed.
(b) State any three objectives of the Political party that he founded. [3]
(c) Mention any four objectives of the Military Organisation that he formed. [4]
Answers :
(a) Subhas Chandra Bose.
Forward Bloc and Indian National Army (INA).
(c) (i) The basic aim of the INA was to overthrow the British Raj in colonial India.
(ii) To establish Provisional Government of Free India.
(iii) To take help from Japan Japanese Army and heist Indian flag on Indian soil by
overthrowing the British Raj.
(iv) To expand and strengthen Indian Independence league.
Question 9.
With reference to the Two Major World Wars in the 20th century, answer the following
questions :
(a) Explain briefly the causes of World War I with reference to Nationalism and
Imperialism. [3]
(b) Explain briefly the territorial rearrangements as a result of World War I. [3]
(c) State any four causes that led to the Second World War. [4]
Answers :
(a) (i) Europe divided into Power Blocs : The major European nations were divided into
Blocs. Germany, Austrian-Hungary and Italy formed Triple Alliance in 1882 AD and
Britain, Russia and France formed Triple Entente in 1907. This also caused tension
between their relations.
(ii) Militant Nationalism and Mutual Rivalries : Nationalism in the 19th century had
become competitive and aggressive. Love for one’s nation meant hatred towards other
nations. The whole atmosphere was charged with narrow militant, atmosphere and
inter-state rivalries.
(iii) Clash of Imperialist Interests and Colonial Rivalry : There were small wars between
France and Italy over occupation of Tunis ; between Britain and Russia over Persia etc.
These wars resulted in two blocs in Europe : Britain, France and Russia on one side and
Germany, Austria and Turkey on the other.
(b) 1. (i) Many small states like Poland, Finland, Latavia etc. were created.
(ii) The German territory to the West of Rhine Valley was to be occupied by the Allied
Troops for 15 years.
(iii) Germany w as to return Alsac and Lorane to France.
(iv) She was to hand over Eupen and Malmedy to Belgium.
(v) She also had to give Scheleswig to Denmark.
(vi) The German city of Danzing was made a free port in the Polish territory.
2. (i) Britain and France divided and shared the regions of Togo and the Cameroons
(South East Africa).
(ii) German colonies in East Africa and South-West Africa were shared between England,
Belgium, Portugal and South Africa.
(iii) Japan was given Shantung and Kiau-Chow in China.
(iv) New Zealand was given Samoa Island.
(c) (i) Failure of democracies in Europe and the rise of dictatorships in Germany, Italy,
Russia, Spain, Portugal, etc.
(ii) Reaction against the unjust and humiliating Treaty of Versailles.
(iii) Aggressive National and Expansionist pohcy of Italy, Germany, Soviet Russia and
Japan.
(iv) The armament race and the manufacture of deadly weapons of mass destruction.
Question 10.
With reference to the United Nations and its Specialized Agencies, answer the following:
(a) Mention any three functions of the International Court of Justice. [3]
(b) State the composition of the General Assembly. [3]
(c) State any two functions of the UNICEF and any two functions of WHO. [4]
Answers :
(a) (i) (a) It is composed of 15 judges elected for a 9-year term.
(b) The judges are elected by both Security Council and General Assembly by a majority
vote.
(c) To maintain the continuity, one-third of the court i.e. five judges, are elected every
three years.
(d) The court elects its President and Vice-President for three years. It also has power to
appoint its Registrar.
(ii) (a) To settle disputes between member states by the United Nations in accordance
with the International Law.
(b) It can also advise the General Assembly or the Security Council on any legal
question.
(c) Other organs or agencies of the UNO may also request the advisory opinion on legal
questions.
(b) The General Assembly consists of all the members of the United Nations. Every
member state can send a maximum of five representatives to the General Assembly but
at the time of voting a state is entitled to cast only one vote. It means that all member
states have equal status.
1. Provision of Food : It helps in providing protective food like milk, meat, fish and
fats to the children and pregnant women.
2. Health Services : UNICEF provides funds for the training of health and sanitation
workers. It supphes medical equipment to rural health-centres. It makes effort to
prevent diseases like T.B., malaria etc.
Functions of WHO :
1. Research Work: The WHO promotes and coordinates research in the field of
health by financing research projects in many countries. Its research activities
include nutritious food, environmental safety, mental health, control of specific
diseases like cancer, heart-attack etc.
2. Standardisation of Medicines : It sets international standards with respect to
biological and pharmaceutical products. It also provides essential drugs to
developing countries.