IMPs

1. What does it meant by regional aspirations and what are the lessons can we learn from
regional movements in India?

Regional aspirations refer to the desires and demands of a particular region or group of people
within a country who want more attention or control over their local issues. These can include
requests for recognition of their culture, language, religion, or specific regional needs. People in
these regions may want more resources, better development, or even more independence to
manage their own affairs.

Lessons We Can Learn from Regional Movements in India:

1. Respect for Regional Identity:

We learn that every region has its own unique culture, language, and traditions. It’s
important to respect these differences and recognize their importance in a country.

2. The Need for Fair Development:

Some regions feel left out of national progress. We learn that it’s important for governments
to focus on developing all regions equally so no one feels neglected or unfairly treated.

3. Balancing Autonomy with Unity:

While regions may want more control over their own matters, it’s important to find a balance
between allowing them some independence and keeping the country united. We learn that
dialogue and compromise are key.

4. Federalism is Important:
India’s system of having different levels of government (central and state) helps to address
regional demands. We learn that a federal system gives regions the ability to handle local
issues while still being part of the larger nation.

5. Peaceful Solutions are Key:

We learn that regional movements should be addressed through peaceful means, like talks
and negotiations. Violence or force can only create more problems. Finding peaceful
solutions helps maintain harmony and prevents conflicts within the country.

2. What does the special status give to Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 mean? (All India
2014)

Two provisions which reflect special status to Jammu and Kashmir are:

Articles 370 and 371 of Indian Constitution give greater autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir. The state
has its own Constitution.

All provisions of the Indian Constitution are not applicable to the state, law passed by the Parliament
apply to Jammu and Kashmir only if the state agrees.
3. What was the main outcome of the Punjab Accord in July 1985? (All India, 2012)

The outcomes of Punjab Accord (Rajeev Longowal Accord) were:

 Chandigarh would be transferred to Punjab.

 A separate commission will be set-up to resolve the border dispute between Punjab and
Haryana.

 A tribunal would be set up to decide the sharing of Ravi-Beas River water among Punjab,
Haryana and Rajasthan.

 Compensation and better treatment of those affected by the militancy in Punjab.

 Withdrawal of the Application of Armed Forces Special Powers Act in Punjab.

4. When was the Mandal Commission set-up? Describe any two recommendations of this
commission. (Delhi 2015)

Mandal Commission was set-up by the new National front government in 1990.
The two recommendations of the Mandal Commission are as follows:

 27 per cent of the posts in public services should be reserved for other backward classes.

 Welfare programmes specially meant for OBCs should be financed by the Government of
India.

5. Why was Babri Masjid demolished? (Delhi 2011)

Some organisations were supporting the construction of temple at the place of Babri Masjid and
the voluntary service for building the Ram temple was known as Karseva. Thousands of people
gathered at Ayodhya and finally they demolished the Babri Masjid to clear land for construction
of Lord Ram Temple.
6. What was ‘Shah Commission of Inquiry’? How did the government react to it? (Delhi 2010)

Shah Commission was a commission appointed by the Janata Party government in 1977 to
inquire into several aspects of allegations of abuse of authority, excesses and malpractices
committed in the wake of the emergency.
7. Why did the Indian government declare the emergency in 1975?

In 1975, the Indian government declared a state of emergency, which meant that the
government had more control and certain rights were suspended. This emergency was declared
for various reasons, including:
a) Political Instability:
There was growing political unrest and protests against Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s
government. Her leadership was questioned, especially after a court ruling disqualified her
from holding office due to election violations.
b) Economic Problems:
India was facing economic difficulties, such as high inflation, unemployment, and food
shortages. These problems made people unhappy with the government.
 c) Social Unrest and Protests:
Many people, including opposition parties and students, were protesting against the
government. There were demands for political reforms, and the protests sometimes turned
violent.
d) Threat to National Security:
The government felt that the protests and unrest were becoming a threat to national
security and the functioning of the country.
8. What was the main demand of the railway men during the railway strike led by George
Fernandes in 1974? (Delhi 2012)

Their demand was for bonus and service condition.

9. What is globalisation? (All India 2008)

Globalisation means the flows of ideas, capital, commodities and people across different parts of
the world. It is a multidimensional concept. It has political, economic and cultural manifestations
and these must be adequately distinguished.
10. Mention any four political consequences of globalisation. (Delhi 2014)

It has political, economic and cultural manifestations and these must be adequately distinguished.

a) Political consequences the political consequences can be understood through following

points;
 It decreases the role of state. It leads to market state rather than welfare state.
 It leads to the emergence of IMF, World Bank and WTO etc.
 Market factors influence the decision-making process of the governments.
 It has affected the traditional concept of state sovereignty.
b) Economic consequences the economic consequences can be understood through following
points:
 It focuses on the development of some elite groups of the society.
 Economic globalisation enhances the disparities among the different classes of the society.
 It also increases the role of WTO, World Bank and IMF.
 Economic globalisation leads to consumerism which enhances the market’s role in society.
c) Cultural consequences the cultural consequences can be understood through following
points:
 It leads to cultural dominance that is the dominance of Western culture.
 It also leads towards the unification of the culture that is cultural homogenisation.
 Due to cultural homogenisation, cultural globalisation leads towards cultural
heterogenization.
 It also leads to cultural colonialism.
11. How has globalisation impacted India and how is India impacting globalisation? (All India to
2008)

Globalisation affected India economically, socially and culturally. After adopting New Economic
Policy in 1991, India has removed restrictions on imports of goods. It also encouraged the
investors to invest in India. FDI to produce goods and services has increased, it also enhanced
foreign exchange reserves.
After adopting globalisation, USA and European culture spread in India. The food habit and dressing
style is changing. Families are converting from joint to the nuclear. Eating burgers and pizzas and
wearing jeans have brought dramatic change in our lives.

In India, information technology and space technology have been enhanced after globalisation. India
is also involved in trade and commerce with other nations.

12. What is the meaning of ‘Global Commons’? Explain any two reasons for the dwindling of global
commons. (All India 2013)

For meaning of Global Commons In the world, some areas are situated beyond a sovereign
jurisdiction of any one state. Hence, they need united control by the international
community. They are called global commons.
Two examples are:

 Earth’s atmosphere
 Ocean floor
Two reasons for the dwindling of Global Common are:

As the common do not belong to sovereign jurisdiction of any particular state, all the nations
exploit resources and problems like ecological degradation, hole in ozone layer have
occurred.
The North-South inequalities influence the management of these common areas which
dwindles them.

13. Name and define 5 international conventions and treaties which annexed the environment.

a) The Paris Agreement (2015)

 What it is: An agreement where countries promised to work together to limit global warming
to below 2°C, with efforts to keep it under 1.5°C.
 Purpose: To fight climate change by reducing harmful emissions that cause global warming.
b) The Kyoto Protocol (1997)
 What it is: An earlier agreement where some countries committed to reducing their
emissions of greenhouse gases.
 Purpose: To reduce pollution that contributes to climate change, especially from developed
countries.
c) The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) (1992)
 What it is: A treaty to protect the world's plants, animals, and ecosystems.
 Purpose: To conserve nature and make sure people use natural resources in a sustainable
way.
d) The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) (1992)
 What it is: A global agreement to address climate change by reducing greenhouse gases.
 Purpose: To stop climate change from getting worse by cutting down on pollution.
e) The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (1971)
 What it is: A treaty to protect wetlands, such as swamps and marshes, which are important
for wildlife and water management.
 Purpose: To conserve wetlands because they help maintain biodiversity and clean water.