CBSE Class 10 Social Science Exam 2025 – Most Important Questions with Answers

Here are the most probable exam questions with answers to help you prepare effectively. These
questions are based on previous years' trends, syllabus weightage, and key concepts.

HISTORY: Nationalism in India & The Making of a Global World

Q1: Explain the role of Mahatma Gandhi in the Non-Cooperation Movement. How did it contribute
to India’s independence?

Answer:

 Launched in 1920 by Mahatma Gandhi against British rule.

 Main aims:

1. Boycott of British goods, schools, and services

2. Use of Swadeshi products

3. Promotion of self-reliance and Khadi

 Impact:

o Unified Hindus and Muslims

o Weakened British economic and administrative control

o Inspired future movements like the Civil Disobedience Movement

Q2: What were the effects of the First World War on the Indian economy?

Answer:

 Increased Taxes: To fund the war, the British raised taxes on Indians.

 High Prices & Shortages: Inflation made basic goods costly.

 Forced Recruitment: Many Indian soldiers were forcibly enlisted.

 Rise of Indian Industry: Demand for war supplies boosted local industries.

 Growth of Nationalism: Economic hardships increased discontent, fueling nationalist

Q3: How did the sense of collective belonging grow during the Indian freedom struggle?

Answer:

 Cultural Symbols: Bharat Mata, National Flag, and Vande Mataram unified Indians.

 Swadeshi Movement: Boycott of foreign goods created a shared economic struggle.

 Printing Press & Newspapers: Spread nationalist ideas across the country.
  Leaders like Gandhi, Nehru, and Subhas Bose: Inspired a sense of unity.

GEOGRAPHY: Agriculture & Resources

Q4: Compare the features of subsistence farming and commercial farming.

Feature Subsistence Farming Commercial Farming

Purpose For family/local consumption For sale in markets

Land Area Small plots Large farms

Techniques Traditional tools Modern machinery

Crops Grown Rice, wheat, pulses Cotton, sugarcane, tea, coffee

Q5: What are the causes of soil erosion? Suggest two preventive measures.

Answer:
Causes of Soil Erosion:

1. Deforestation – Removal of trees exposes soil to wind and rain.

2. Overgrazing – Animals eat grass, loosening the soil.

3. Over-cultivation – Excessive farming depletes soil nutrients.

4. Floods & Winds – Wash away fertile topsoil.

Preventive Measures:
✅ Afforestation – Planting more trees.
✅ Contour Ploughing – Ploughing along slopes to prevent water runoff.

POLITICAL SCIENCE: Democracy & Federalism

Q6: What is power-sharing? Why is it important in a democracy?

Answer:

 Power-sharing means dividing power among different groups to avoid conflict.

 Why important?
✅ Prevents dictatorship by ensuring no single group dominates.
✅ Promotes stability by giving representation to all.
✅ Encourages participation of different communities.
✅ Examples: Belgium and Sri Lanka—Belgium succeeded by accommodating communities;
Sri Lanka faced conflict due to lack of power-sharing.

Q7: What are the key features of federalism? How is it practiced in India?
Answer:
Features of Federalism:

1. Two or more levels of government (Central & State).

2. Powers divided between different levels (Union List, State List, Concurrent List).

3. Constitutional guarantee ensures state autonomy.

4. Independent judiciary resolves disputes.

Federalism in India:

 Union List: Defense, Foreign Affairs (Central Govt.).

 State List: Police, Health (State Govt.).

 Concurrent List: Education, Forests (Both).

ECONOMICS: Development & Globalization

Q8: What are the differences between the public sector and private sector? Give examples.

Feature Public Sector Private Sector

Ownership Government-controlled Private individuals

Examples Railways, Banks, Oil companies Tata, Infosys, Reliance

Objective Welfare of people Profit-making

Q9: How has globalization affected Indian farmers and small industries?

Answer:
🔸 Positive Impact:
✅ Access to international markets.
✅ Improved technology and seeds.

🔸 Negative Impact:
❌ Competition from foreign goods (cheap imports hurt Indian farmers).
❌ Small industries struggle against multinational companies.

MAP WORK: History & Geography

Q10: Map-based Questions (Frequently Asked in CBSE Exams)

📌 Mark the following on a political map of India:

Q11: What are the major challenges faced by the Indian agriculture sector?

 Small land holdings, low productivity, monsoon dependency, lack of modern technology.

Q12: How does democracy in India accommodate social diversity?

 Reservations for SCs, STs, OBCs, secularism, special status to states like J&K.

Q13: Explain the major policies of the Indian government to promote industrial development.

 Make in India, Special Economic Zones (SEZs), FDI policies, MSME support.

Q14: What is the significance of the Indian road network?

 Largest in the world, connects rural and urban areas, boosts trade & tourism.

Class 10 CBSE Social Science – Higher Order Thinking (HOTs) & Case-Based Questions

Here are 10 HOTs & Case-Based Questions based on CBSE exam trends that will help you develop
critical thinking and score high in your Social Science exam on February 25, 2025.

1. History: Nationalism in India (Case-Based Question)

📜 Case Study:
"In many parts of India, peasants and tribals participated in the Non-Cooperation Movement. While
some refused to pay taxes and boycotted British institutions, others took to violent methods. The
British responded with severe repression."

📝 Questions:

1. Why did peasants and tribals join the Non-Cooperation Movement?

2. How did their goals differ from the urban middle-class participants?

3. Explain how British policies led to the involvement of different social groups in the
movement.

Answer Outline:

 Peasants joined due to high taxes, revenue collection issues.

 Tribals opposed Forest Acts restricting their rights.

 Middle-class focused on Swaraj and political rights.

2. History: The Making of a Global World (HOTS Question)

📝 Question:
The 19th century was marked by large-scale migration from India to other countries. What were the
major reasons behind this migration? What were its consequences on India and the host countries?
Answer Outline:

 Causes: Indentured labor system, poverty, landlessness.

 Consequences: Cultural exchange, remittances to India, discrimination abroad.

3. Geography: Agriculture (Case-Based Question)

📜 Case Study:
"Despite being an agricultural country, India still imports food grains in some years. The government
implements Minimum Support Price (MSP) to aid farmers, yet challenges persist."

📝 Questions:

1. Why does India sometimes import food grains despite having a large agricultural base?

2. How does MSP help farmers?

3. Suggest two steps the government can take to improve agricultural productivity.

Answer Outline:

 Imports due to: Unpredictable monsoons, low productivity, lack of modern technology.

 MSP helps: Ensures farmers get fair price, prevents exploitation.

 Steps: Promote organic farming, better irrigation, hybrid seeds.

4. Geography: Water Resources (HOTS Question)

📝 Question:
“Large dams solve water problems but also create social and environmental issues.” Analyze this
statement with examples.

Answer Outline:

 Benefits: Provide irrigation, hydroelectricity, flood control (e.g., Bhakra Nangal).

 Issues: Displacement of people, ecological imbalance, siltation, expensive projects.

5. Political Science: Power Sharing (Case-Based Question)

📜 Case Study:
"Sri Lanka adopted majoritarian policies after independence, giving special status to Sinhala
speakers. Tamil-speaking people felt discriminated against, leading to demands for an independent
Tamil state."

📝 Questions:

1. Why did Sri Lanka’s majoritarian policies lead to ethnic conflict?

2. How can power-sharing help prevent such conflicts in a democracy?

Answer Outline:

 Sri Lanka: Ignored Tamil rights → led to civil war.

 Power-sharing: Ensures representation for all → prevents conflicts.

 Belgium: Gave equal power to Dutch & French speakers → No conflict.

6. Political Science: Democracy and Diversity (HOTS Question)

📝 Question:
"In a diverse country like India, democracy plays a crucial role in maintaining unity." Justify this
statement with examples.

Answer Outline:

 Democracy gives equal rights (e.g., Fundamental Rights).

 Political representation for minorities (e.g., SC/ST reservations).

 Federal structure balances power between states & center.

7. Economics: Globalization (Case-Based Question)

📜 Case Study:
"Globalization has led to an increase in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in India. Large multinational
companies (MNCs) now dominate various sectors, but this has affected small-scale industries."

📝 Questions:

1. How has globalization increased FDI in India?

2. What are the benefits and challenges of MNCs in India?

3. Suggest two ways the Indian government can protect small industries.

Answer Outline:

 FDI increased due to economic reforms, open markets.

 Benefits: Jobs, technology, investment. Challenges: Monopoly, small businesses struggle.

 Government solutions: Subsidies, tax benefits, skill training.

8. Economics: Sectors of the Economy (HOTS Question)

📝 Question:
"Despite rapid growth in the tertiary sector, many people in India are still engaged in the primary
sector." Explain why this is the case.

Answer Outline:
  Low education & skill levels → Limited job opportunities in services.

 Agriculture is easy to enter → No formal skills required.

 Government schemes (MGNREGA) provide rural employment.

9. Geography: Transport & Communication (Case-Based Question)

📜 Case Study:
"India has one of the largest road networks in the world. However, road connectivity in rural areas
remains a challenge despite the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY)."

📝 Questions:

1. What are the challenges in improving rural road connectivity in India?

2. How does PMGSY aim to solve these challenges?

3. Why is an efficient transport system important for economic development?

Answer Outline:

 Challenges: Lack of funds, terrain issues, poor maintenance.

 PMGSY: All-weather roads for villages → boosts rural economy.

 Economic importance: Improves trade, job access, business growth.

10. History: Print Culture and the Modern World (HOTS Question)

📝 Question:
How did the development of the printing press contribute to the spread of nationalism in India?

Answer Outline:

 Newspapers spread ideas (e.g., Kesari, Young India).

 Increased literacy → More people aware of British exploitation.

 Published speeches & books of nationalist leaders (e.g., Gandhi, Tilak).