CBSE Class 10 Civics — Model Paper
Board Exam 2026 Preparation Series
CBSE Class 10 Civics — Model Paper
5 MCQs + 3 Very Short Answer Questions
Welcome to this CBSE Class 10 Civics (Political Science) Model Paper for Board Exam 2026. This practice paper includes 5 Multiple Choice Questions (1 mark each) and 3 Very Short Answer Questions (2 marks each), carefully selected from the NCERT textbook Democratic Politics – II. Attempt the full paper on your own first, then check your answers and model responses at the end to evaluate your preparation level.
| Subject: Social Science (Civics / Political Science) | Class: X (10th) |
| Total Questions: 8 (5 MCQ + 3 VSA) | Total Marks: 11 |
| MCQ Marks: 1 mark each | VSA Marks: 2 marks each |
| Book: Democratic Politics – II (NCERT) | Time: 25–30 minutes | |
SECTION A — Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Each question carries 1 mark | No negative marking | Choose the most appropriate option.
Q1. Which of the following is the BEST example of a "vertical" division of power in a democracy?
(A) Division of power between the legislature and judiciary
(B) Division of power between the central government and state governments
(C) Division of power between different political parties
(D) Division of power between the executive and the military
Q2. In India, subjects listed in the Concurrent List can be legislated upon by:
(A) Only the central government
(B) Only the state governments
(C) Both the central and state governments
(D) Only local self-government bodies
Q3. The policy of Majoritarianism adopted by the Sri Lankan government after 1948 affected which community most severely?
(A) Sinhala Buddhists
(B) Tamil Hindus (Sri Lankan Tamils)
(C) Muslims
(D) Indian Tamils
Q4. A party that wins more than 6% of votes in Lok Sabha elections or Assembly elections in four or more states, and wins at least 4 seats in the Lok Sabha is recognised as a:
(A) State party
(B) Regional party
(C) National party
(D) Ruling party
Q5. Which of the following statements about democracy is NOT correct?
(A) Democracy is based on political equality among citizens
(B) Democracy allows citizens to correct their own mistakes through elections
(C) Democracy always guarantees faster and more efficient decision-making than other forms of government
(D) Democracy respects the dignity of individuals and minority rights
SECTION B — Very Short Answer Questions (VSA)
Each question carries 2 marks | Answer in 2–3 sentences | Use correct political science terminology.
Q6. What is meant by the term "decentralisation" in the context of Indian federalism? State any one reason why decentralisation is considered important.
[2 marks | Chapter: Federalism]
Q7. Distinguish between a pressure group and a political party. Give one example of each.
[2 marks | Chapter: Popular Struggles and Movements]
Q8. What is casteism? Mention any one way in which caste influences politics in India.
[2 marks | Chapter: Gender, Religion and Caste]
✅ Answer Key — Section A (MCQs)
| Q No. | Correct Answer | Chapter / Topic |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 | (B) Division of power between central and state governments | Power Sharing – Types |
| Q2 | (C) Both the central and state governments | Federalism – Concurrent List |
| Q3 | (B) Tamil Hindus (Sri Lankan Tamils) | Democracy and Diversity – Sri Lanka |
| Q4 | (C) National party | Political Parties – Recognition |
| Q5 | (C) Democracy always guarantees faster decision-making | Outcomes of Democracy |
🔍 MCQ Explanations
Q1 — Vertical Division of Power: Vertical division of power refers to the sharing of power across different levels of government — central, state, and local. This is the key feature of federalism. Horizontal division (like between legislature, executive, judiciary) involves organs at the same level of government.
Q2 — Concurrent List: The Indian Constitution divides subjects into three lists — the Union List (only Parliament can legislate), the State List (only state legislatures can legislate), and the Concurrent List (both Parliament and state legislatures can legislate). Education, forests, trade unions, and marriage are examples of Concurrent List subjects.
Q3 — Sri Lanka and Majoritarianism: After independence in 1948, the Sinhala-dominated government passed policies that systematically excluded Tamil-speaking minorities from government jobs and universities by making Sinhala the only official language. This caused deep resentment and eventually led to a long and devastating civil war between the government and Tamil groups.
Q4 — National Party Recognition: According to the Election Commission of India, a party is recognised as a national party if it wins at least 2% of seats in the Lok Sabha from at least 3 different states, OR if it is recognised as a state party in at least 4 states, OR if it secures at least 6% of valid votes in Lok Sabha or Assembly elections in 4 states and wins at least 4 Lok Sabha seats.
Q5 — Democracy and Efficiency: One of the most commonly tested concepts in Civics is that democracy is NOT always the most efficient form of government. Because democratic decisions require consultation, debate, and consensus, they often take more time. However, this is considered acceptable because the process is transparent, accountable, and respectful of all stakeholders.
✅ Model Answers — Section B (Very Short Answer)
Q6 — Decentralisation in Indian Federalism
Meaning: Decentralisation is the process of transferring power from the central and state governments to local governments (such as Panchayati Raj institutions in rural areas and Municipal Corporations in urban areas). The basic idea is that many problems are best resolved at the local level, and local people should have decision-making power over matters that concern their daily lives.
Importance: Decentralisation ensures that power reaches the grassroots level — ordinary citizens, farmers, and local communities — who are closest to the problems and best understand the local needs. It encourages direct participation of the people in governance, making democracy more meaningful and effective at the ground level.
Marking Hint: 1 mark for a clear definition of decentralisation + 1 mark for any one valid and explained reason for its importance.
Q7 — Pressure Group vs Political Party
| Basis | Pressure Group | Political Party |
|---|---|---|
| Aim | Does NOT contest elections; tries to influence those in power | Contests elections and aims to win political power |
| Focus | Works on one or a few specific issues or interests | Presents a broad agenda covering many issues |
| Example | FEDECOR (Bolivia), BAMCEF (India), trade unions | Indian National Congress, BJP, BSP |
Marking Hint: 1 mark for a clear distinction between the two + 1 mark for one correct example of each. A tabular format is recommended and impresses examiners.
Q8 — Casteism and its Influence on Indian Politics
Definition: Casteism is the belief that one's caste identity is the primary basis for social, economic, and political decisions. It involves the idea that people should support, vote for, or favour those who belong to their own caste group, regardless of merit or broader public interest.
One Way Caste Influences Politics: In India, political parties often select their candidates for elections keeping in mind the caste composition of a constituency. They nominate candidates whose caste is the majority in that area to secure votes from that community. This leads to "vote bank" politics where candidates appeal to caste loyalty rather than development issues, which can weaken the quality of democratic representation.
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