CBSE EXAMINATION PAPER-2023

WHY NEWSPAPERS ?

‘Krishnaji Trimbuck Ranade inhabitant of Poona intends to publish a Newspaper in the Marathi Language with a view of affording useful information on every topic of local interest. It will be open for free discussion on subjects of general utility, scientific investigation and the speculations connected with the antiquities, statistics, curiosities, history and geography of the country and of the Deccan especially... the patronage and support of all interested in the diffusion of knowledge and Welfare of the People is earnestly solicited.’

Bombay Telegraph and Courier, 6 January, 1849

‘The task of the native newspapers and political associations is identical to the role of the Opposition in the House of Commons in Parliament in England. That is of critically examining government policy to suggest improvements, by removing those parts that will not be to the benefit of the people, and also by ensuring speedy implementation. These associations ought to carefully study the particular issues, gather diverse relevant information on the nation as well as on what are the possible and desirable improvements, and this will surely earn it considerable influence.’

Native Opinion, 3 April, 1870

RAINWATER HARVESTING

Many thought that given the disadvantages and rising resistance against the multi purpose projects, water harvesting system was a viable alternative, both socio-economically and environmentally. In ancient India, along with the sophisticated hydraulic structures, there existed an extraordinary tradition of water harvesting system. People had in-depth knowledge of rainfall regimes and soil types and developed wide ranging techniques to harvest rainwater, groundwater, river water and flood water in keeping with the local ecological conditions and their water needs. In hill and mountainous regions, people built diversion channels like the ‘guls’ or ‘kuls’ of the Western Himalayas for agriculture. ‘Rooftop rainwater harvesting’ was commonly practised to store drinking water, particularly in Rajasthan. In the flood plains of Bengal, people developed inundation channels to irrigate their fields. In arid and semi-arid regions, agricultural fields were converted into rain fed storage structures that allowed the water to stand and moisten the soil like the ‘khadins’ in Jaisalmer and ‘Johads’ in other parts of Rajasthan.

Language Diversity of India

How many languages do we have in India? The answer depends on how one counts it. The latest information that we have is from the Census of India held in 2011. This census recorded more than 1300 distinct languages which people mentioned as their mother tongues. These languages were grouped together under some major languages. For example languages like Bhojpuri, Magadhi, Bundelkhandi, Chhattisgarhi, Rajasthani and many others were grouped together under ‘Hindi’. Even after this grouping, the Census found 121 major languages. Of these 22 languages are now included in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution and are therefore called ‘Scheduled Languages’. Others are called ‘Non-Scheduled Languages’. In terms of languages, India is perhaps the most diverse country in the world.

There were three important developments that greatly shrank the pre-modern world. Identify the incorrect one from the following options:

Match the column - 1 with column - 2 and choose the correct option: Column - 1 (Resources): (I) Biological, (II) Renewable, (III) Non-renewable; Column - 2 (Example): 1. Coal, 2. Wildlife, 3. Solar Energy

Read the following statements about Human Development and choose the correct option:

(I) It is the composite Index prepared by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

(II) Parameters to measure it are Longevity, Literacy and Per Capita Income.

(III) Countries are ranked according to Developed and Low Developing countries.

(IV) World Bank also prepares report of Human Development on the basis of Quality of Life.

Read the following data and answer the question that follow:

How much is the Net Absence Ratio of Haryana? Choose the appropriate option from the following:

Consider the following statements on Power Sharing and choose the correct option:

(I) Majoritarianism is the real spirit of democracy.

(II) It creates balance and harmony in different groups.

(III) It reduces the possibility of conflict among social groups.

(IV) Power sharing is the essence of democracy.

Two statements are given below as Assertion (A) and Reason (R).

Assertion (A): Sri Lanka adopted ‘Tamil’ as the official language of the State.

Reason (R): The Govt. of Sri Lanka adopted a series of majoritarian measures.

Match column − A with column − B and choose the correct option:

Identify the administrative level of Indian Government with the help of the information given: