1. The correct answer is (b) Corporate dominance over political institutions. The cartoon depicts a powerful, greedy pig labeled “One-Party Country,” holding a dollar sign flag. It symbolizes how corporations and big businesses have taken control over democratic institutions such as the Senate, Court,Read more

    The correct answer is (b) Corporate dominance over political institutions.
    The cartoon depicts a powerful, greedy pig labeled “One-Party Country,” holding a dollar sign flag. It symbolizes how corporations and big businesses have taken control over democratic institutions such as the Senate, Court, House and Presidency. The cartoonist critiques the excessive influence of money in politics, implying that corporate power undermines democracy and public representation.

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  2. The correct answer is (b) Nagaland. Under Article 371(A) of the Indian Constitution, Nagaland has been granted special constitutional protection. It ensures that Parliament cannot impose laws on the state related to religious practices, customary laws, civil and criminal justice or ownership of landRead more

    The correct answer is (b) Nagaland. Under Article 371(A) of the Indian Constitution, Nagaland has been granted special constitutional protection. It ensures that Parliament cannot impose laws on the state related to religious practices, customary laws, civil and criminal justice or ownership of land and resources without the consent of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly, thus preserving the state’s unique tribal identity and traditions.

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  3. Option (b) is correct. ‘Checks and balances’ in a democratic country maintain the separation of powers among the legislature, executive and judiciary. Each organ has defined powers and can restrain the others from exceeding their authority. This system prevents dictatorship, encourages accountabilitRead more

    Option (b) is correct. ‘Checks and balances’ in a democratic country maintain the separation of powers among the legislature, executive and judiciary. Each organ has defined powers and can restrain the others from exceeding their authority. This system prevents dictatorship, encourages accountability and protects citizens’ rights, ensuring that no branch of government becomes too powerful or dominates the functioning of democracy.

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  4. (i) Paddy cultivation in Punjab is unsustainable because it consumes excessive groundwater through tube-well irrigation. Continuous extraction has caused the water table to decline by more than a metre annually, depleting natural reserves. Such overuse threatens future water availability and weakensRead more

    (i) Paddy cultivation in Punjab is unsustainable because it consumes excessive groundwater through tube-well irrigation. Continuous extraction has caused the water table to decline by more than a metre annually, depleting natural reserves. Such overuse threatens future water availability and weakens the long-term sustainability of agriculture.

    (ii) Overuse of groundwater in Punjab has severe economic and environmental consequences. As water levels drop, farmers must dig deeper wells and spend more on electricity and diesel to pump water, raising agricultural costs and reducing profit margins. Environmentally, excessive extraction leads to soil degradation, declining fertility and intrusion of saline water into aquifers, contaminating freshwater sources. These factors threaten agricultural productivity, rural livelihoods and food security. Overexploitation of groundwater also weakens Punjab’s ecological balance, leading to long-term environmental stress and reduced sustainability of its agrarian economy.

    (iii) Punjab can conserve water by shifting from water-intensive paddy to less water-demanding crops like maize, pulses or oilseeds. Maize uses much less water and provides stable returns. Promoting crop diversification, drip irrigation and government incentives for non-paddy crops can reduce groundwater depletion, improve soil health and ensure long-term agricultural sustainability, helping the state overcome its growing water crisis effectively.

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  5. Freedom of Religion (Article 25): Every citizen has the right to profess, practice and propagate any religion freely. Non-Discrimination (Article 15): The State cannot discriminate against any citizen on religious grounds. No State Religion: The government cannot promote or favor any religion. EqualRead more

    1. Freedom of Religion (Article 25): Every citizen has the right to profess, practice and propagate any religion freely.
    2. Non-Discrimination (Article 15): The State cannot discriminate against any citizen on religious grounds.
    3. No State Religion: The government cannot promote or favor any religion.
    4. Equal Respect: All religions are given equal importance in law and governance.
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