SOLUTIONS
2026 BOARD EXAM
CBSE Class 12 Humanities Sociology Board Paper 2026 — Set 1 Solutions
2026
Sociology
Class 12 Humanities
CBSE EXAMINATION PAPER-2026
SOCIOLOGY
(Solved)
General Instructions :
Read the following instructions carefully and follow them :
- This question paper contains 38 questions. All questions are compulsory.
- This question paper is divided into 5 sections.
- Section A – questions number 1 to 1 are case based questions
- Section B – questions number 2 to 17 are multiple choice questions
- Section C – questions number 18 to 28 are very short answer
- Section D – questions number 29 to 36 are short answer
- Section E – questions number 37 to 38 are long answer
- There is no overall choice given in the question paper. However, an internal choice has been provided in few questions.
- Use of calculator is NOT allowed.
Section A
(1) ‘It is not a question of numbers alone, processes of modern development ensure that the economic and social significance of the agrarian-rural way of life declines relative to the significance of the industrial way of life.’ Highlight the reasons for the decline in the agrarian-rural way of life.
[4 Marks](2) ‘Rural-urban migration is preferred for ‘social reasons’. Mention any two reasons.
[2 Marks]Thus, people migrate seeking improved social services and better living standards.
Section B
Assertion (A) : Female literacy has been rising faster than male literacy.
Reason (R) : Literacy varies considerably across genders, across regions, and across social groups.
Assertion (A) : Some communities were characterised as ‘martial races’, some others as effeminate or cowardly, yet others as untrustworthy.
Reason (R) : Stereotypes are fixed and inflexible characterisations of a group of people.
_________ is a characteristic of the second/transitional stage in population growth of society.
(I) High death rate and population explosion
(II) Population explosion
(III) Low sex ratio
(IV) High maternal mortality rate
Assertion (A) : The government sells its shares in several public sector companies as part of the process of disinvestment.
Reason (R) : Many government workers are scared that they will lose their job after disinvestment.
The assertion is true because disinvestment means the government sells its shares in public sector companies to reduce its involvement and improve efficiency. The reason is also true because many government workers fear job loss after disinvestment, as seen in examples like 'Modern Foods'. However, the fear of job loss is not the reason why the government sells its shares; the government disinvests to reduce its burden and increase efficiency, not because workers are scared.
Assertion (A) : Sanskritisation operated similarly in different parts of the country.
Reason (R) : In regions where the non-Sanskritic were dominant, it was their influence that was stronger.
The assertion that Sanskritisation operated similarly in different parts of the country is false because the process varied regionally. In areas where highly Sanskritised castes were dominant, the culture underwent Sanskritisation. However, in regions where non-Sanskritic castes were dominant, their cultural influence was stronger, leading to what is called 'de-Sanskritization'. Thus, the reason statement is true and explains the regional variations, but it contradicts the assertion that Sanskritisation was uniform across the country.
Assertion (A) : India is still largely an agricultural country.
Reason (R) : Very few people in India have access to secure jobs.
The assertion that India is still largely an agricultural country is true because a significant portion of the population (around 42% as per 2018-19 data) is employed in agriculture. The reason that very few people have access to secure jobs is also true given the large informal sector and unemployment issues in India. However, the lack of secure jobs is not the correct explanation for India being largely agricultural; historical, social, and economic factors contribute to this. Therefore, both are true statements but Reason (R) does not explain Assertion (A).
Based on the following passage, answer:
Very few people who relax on their day off realise that this holiday is the outcome of a long struggle by workers. That the work-day should not exceed eight hours, that men and women should be paid equally for doing the same work, that workers are entitled to social security and pension — these and many other rights were gained through social movements.
How have social movements shaped the world we live in ?
Based on the following passage, answer:
The term ‘Adivasi’ connotes political awareness and the assertion of rights. Literally meaning ‘original inhabitants’, the term was coined in the 1930s as part of the struggle against the intrusion by the colonial government and outside settlers and moneylenders.
Which of the following is not true about Adivasis ?
The passage explains that Adivasis have faced loss of land and forests, repeated displacements, and impoverished conditions due to colonial and post-independence resource extraction. They were denied access to forests and land for cultivation and had to resort to illegal use of forests or wage labour, indicating their economic conditions were worse, not better, than non-Adivasis. The other options are true as they have been traditionally associated with forest areas and practices like shifting cultivation, and are mainly found in north-eastern India.
Based on the following passage, answer:
The term ‘Adivasi’ connotes political awareness and the assertion of rights. Literally meaning ‘original inhabitants’, the term was coined in the 1930s as part of the struggle against the intrusion by the colonial government and outside settlers and moneylenders.
Write the following statements in the correct order :
(I) The resource extraction in areas inhabited by tribes can be traced to the British Government.
(II) Since the 1990s, when economic liberalisation policies were officially adopted by the Indian Government, the process of resource extraction in Adivasi areas has become even more powerful. (III) The term ‘Adivasi’ was coined in the 1930s as part of the struggle against intrusion by the colonial government and outside settlers.
(IV) The most significant achievement of Adivasi movements includes attainment of statehood for Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh in the year 2000.
Section C
‘‘Malthus argued that human populations tend to grow at a much faster rate than the rate at which the means of human subsistence (specially food, but also clothing and other agriculture-based products) can grow. Therefore, humanity is condemned to live in poverty forever because the growth of agricultural production will always be overtaken by population growth.’’
What are the methods that Malthus suggests to check the rise in population ?
‘‘Social exclusion is not accidental but systematic – it is the result of structural features of society.’’
In the context of the above statement, highlight the meaning of social exclusion.
‘‘Untouchability is an extreme and vicious aspect of the caste system.’’
Explain any two dimensions of untouchability.
(a) Exclusion: Untouchables are socially excluded from temples, schools, and public places to prevent "pollution".
(b) Humiliation and Subordination: They face disrespect and are forced to adopt inferior roles in society, which lowers their dignity and status.
‘‘Many of our cultural practices and patterns can be traced to our agricultural background. There is a close relationship between agriculture and culture.’’
Give one reason to support the given statement and name any two agriculture-related festivals.
(b) Two agriculture-related festivals are Baisakhi and Onam. Baisakhi marks the harvest of Rabi crops in Punjab and includes cultural dances and prayers. Onam is celebrated in Kerala to thank King Mahabali and nature for a fruitful harvest, featuring boat races and traditional feasts.
‘‘Our community provides us the language (our mother tongue) and the cultural values through which we comprehend the world. It also anchors our self-identity. Community identity is what we ‘are’ rather than what we have ‘become’.’’
How can you say that community identity is ascriptive ?
Key points: Born into community - No choice involved - Universal and fixed identity
The ‘Schedules’ listing the castes and tribes recognised as deserving of special treatment because of the massive discrimination practiced against them were drawn up in 1935, by the British Indian government.
Post-independence, which was the most important initiative taken by the government to compensate for this discrimination ? Write briefly about it.
The notion of minority groups usually involves some sort of a relative disadvantage. Exemplify the statement.
Highlight the meaning of Secularism in both, the Western and Indian context.
Secularism in Indian context: It means equal respect and treatment for all religions by the state. Unlike the western sense, it also includes tolerance towards religion and ensures no discrimination on religious grounds. It opposes communalism and supports harmony among different religious communities.
‘‘In a country where half the children in the age group of 5 – 14 years are out of school, how can there be space for children with disabilities, especially if a segregated schooling is being advocated for them ?’’ State two ways by which a disabled child can achieve autonomy.
(1) Inclusive education that allows disabled children to study with other children helps them develop confidence and independence.
(2) Providing skill development and vocational training enables them to perform daily tasks and earn a living independently, thus achieving autonomy.
‘‘In India, over 90% of the work, whether it is in agriculture, industry or services is in the unorganised or informal sector.’’ What are the social implications of this small size of the organised sector ?
1. It limits opportunities for workers to get stable jobs with regular income and social security benefits like provident fund and health insurance.
2. People miss the experience of working in large firms where they can interact with employees from different regions and backgrounds, which can reduce social integration.
3. Low growth of the organised sector means many workers remain in low-paying, insecure jobs without proper rights, leading to economic insecurity.
4. It also limits skill development and career growth, preventing social mobility.
Thus, a small organised sector impacts the quality of life and social cohesion negatively.
“In our current information age, social movements around the globe are able to join together in huge regional and international networks.” Give suitable examples to support the statement.
In the information age, social movements worldwide connect through large networks including non-governmental organisations, human rights groups, environmental activists and more. For example, the World Social Forum is an international alliance that raises awareness about globalization's effects. Similarly, environmental movements like Greenpeace work globally to protect nature. Human rights campaigns such as Amnesty International unite activists worldwide to fight for justice. These examples show how technology enables strong, global cooperation in social causes.
Section D
“Globalisation of agriculture or the incorporation of agriculture into the larger global market – a process that has had direct effects on farmers and rural society.”
Discuss the role of ‘contract farming’ in this process of globalisation.
Contract farming refers to agreements between farmers and companies where farmers produce crops as per the company's requirements and the company assures to buy the produce at a predetermined price.
It plays a major role in integrating agriculture with the global market because multinational companies involve farmers to grow export-oriented crops like flowers, vegetables, and fruits. For example, companies such as PepsiCo have contracts with farmers in Punjab and Karnataka to grow tomatoes and potatoes.
This system helps farmers by providing assured markets and sometimes technical guidance. However, it also leads to changes in cropping patterns where land is used for commercial crops instead of food grains, impacting food security.
Moreover, contract farming shifts control from farmers to companies, sometimes making farmers dependent and reducing the role of traditional agricultural knowledge.
Overall, contract farming is a key link between global markets and rural farmers, deeply influencing rural society and agricultural practices.
“The post-independent Indian state inherited and reflected the contradictions of the pre-independent period.”
Comment on the given statement with respect to the role of caste in the public sphere.
‘‘In Indian nationalism, the dominant trend was marked by an inclusive and democratic vision.” Explain.
Indian nationalism embraced an inclusive and democratic vision, which meant accepting diversity and ensuring equal rights for all communities. Unlike exclusive nationalism that favors one group, Indian nationalism recognized the pluralistic nature of its society with many religions, languages, and cultures living together.
The leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore emphasized humanism and opposed any form of discrimination. This inclusive approach is reflected in the Indian Constitution that guarantees minority rights and promotes democracy.
It aimed at building a nation where everyone, regardless of their background, felt a sense of belonging and participation. This vision helped India stand against colonial rule and created a foundation for unity amid diversity.
Thus, Indian nationalism was not just about freedom from foreign rule but also about establishing a fair and democratic society for all its people.
‘‘A considerable part of ritual in India has a direct reference to the pursuit of secular ends. Rituals have secular dimensions as distinct from secular goals.’’
Justify with the help of suitable examples.
Firstly, rituals provide opportunities for socialising and strengthening community bonds, such as during weddings and festivals where people meet, interact and celebrate together.
Secondly, rituals also display social status and wealth, for example, the elaborate decoration and attire during marriage ceremonies show family prosperity.
Thirdly, some rituals serve economic or political ends, like organizing large gatherings that help local vendors or leaders gain support.
Thus, rituals have secular dimensions because they involve social, economic and cultural activities, while their secular goals are the direct non-religious outcomes, such as social cohesion or economic benefits.
For example, the Indian state declares public holidays for religious festivals of all communities promoting secular respect.
This shows that rituals connect religion with everyday secular life in multiple ways.
‘‘Jan Breman identified the change in the nature of relationship between landlords and agricultural workers.’’ Explain the meaning of the phrase ‘from patronage to exploitation’ stated by him.
Jan Breman describes a shift in the relationship between landlords and agricultural workers from ‘‘patronage to exploitation.’’ Earlier, this relationship was based on patronage, meaning landlords (often from dominant castes) provided protection and paid agricultural workers often in kind (grain), forming traditional bonds similar to family or hereditary ties.
However, over time, this changed to a relationship of exploitation, where the traditional protective ties weakened. Landlords started paying wages in cash but often less than minimum wages, treating workers as free wage laborers without any security or rights.
This change led to increased hardships for agricultural workers, especially low caste and migrant laborers, who could be easily exploited with low pay and poor working conditions. Overall, the relationship shifted from a social system of mutual obligations to a capitalist system focusing on profit from labor, highlighting Jan Breman's phrase "from patronage to exploitation".
‘‘Cities played a key role in the economic system of empires.’’ Elucidate the statement with the help of suitable examples.
‘‘The laws of a colonised country did not have to stick to the democratic norms that the British back home had to follow. ’’ In what ways did the colonial laws favour the owners and managers of the tea industry ?
“Because the tribal areas were located in mineral-rich and forest-covered parts of the country, tribals have paid a disproportionate price for the development of the rest of Indian society.”
How has national development been a challenge for the tribal population of India, post-Independence ?
Most tribal areas are rich in minerals and forests, which made them targets for projects like large dams, factories, mines, and hydroelectric power plants during the Nehruvian era. These development projects often led to the displacement of tribal communities from their ancestral lands without adequate compensation or rehabilitation.
Furthermore, the exploitation of natural resources in tribal regions primarily benefited the mainstream society, while tribals bore the cost of losing their homes, livelihoods, and cultural identity.
Another challenge has been the heavy in-migration of non-tribals into tribal areas spurred by development activities. This migration threatens tribal cultures and communities by causing demographic changes and increased exploitation.
Thus, while national development aimed at overall progress, it created social and economic inequalities, disproportionately disadvantaging the tribal population who continue to struggle for their rights and resources.
Section E
Home-based work is an important part of the economy.’ Elaborate on the functioning of any one ‘Home-based’ Industry.
Functioning of the Bidi Making Industry:
1. Raw Materials: The main raw materials used are tendu leaves and tobacco. The raw materials are supplied to home workers by local agents.
2. Work at Home: Women and children work at their homes by rolling the tobacco inside tendu leaves to make bidis. This work requires skill and is done manually.
3. Payment System: Workers are paid on a piece-rate basis, which means they are paid according to the number of bidis they roll.
4. Role of Agent: The agents act as intermediaries. They provide raw materials to workers and collect the finished bidis from their homes.
This industry contributes to the economy by producing cheap and popular smoking items while providing income to many families. However, workers face issues such as low wages, lack of social security, and health hazards from tobacco dust.
Summary: The bidi making industry is a classic example of a home-based industry where production occurs within homes, making it flexible and accessible, especially for women. It is an important part of the unorganized sector and links rural production to the market through agents.
How have the women’s movements evolved over the period of history ?
19th Century Social Reform Movements: The women’s question in modern India arose as part of the 19th century middle class social reform movements. These early movements focussed on issues like education for women, abolition of practices like Sati, and child marriage reforms. Women’s organizations started forming to address these social issues.
Early 20th Century: This period saw increased political awareness among women. The movement expanded from social reforms to include demands for political rights such as voting rights and participation in the freedom struggle. Women started forming more organized groups and associations.
Post Independence Period: After independence, the women’s movement addressed legal and social inequalities such as property rights, employment, sexual harassment and dowry. The focus shifted to both organisational strategies and ideologies, with more emphasis on women’s rights as human rights.
Recent Times: The movements now address a wider range of issues including gender violence, reproductive rights, and LGBTQ+ rights. Modern women’s movements use diverse methods like protests, legal campaigns and digital activism to bring change.
Summary: Over time, the women’s movements have evolved from social reform campaigns to comprehensive struggles for equality, justice and dignity for women in all spheres of life.