CBSE Sample Papers for Class 12 Political Science Set 5 with Solutions

Students can access the CBSE Sample Papers for Class 12 Political Science with Solutions and marking scheme Set 5 will help students in understanding the difficulty level of the exam.

CBSE Sample Papers for Class 12 Political Science Set 5 with Solutions

Time Allowed: 3 hours
Maximum Marks: 80

General Instructions:

• The question paper consists of five sections (A, B, C, D, and E) with 30 questions in total.
• All questions are compulsory.
• Question numbers 1-12 are multiple choice questions of one mark each.
• Question numbers 13-18 are of 2 marks each. Answers to these questions should not exceed 50-60 words each.
• Question numbers 19-23 are of 4 marks each. Answers to these questions should not exceed 100-120 words each. There is an internal choice in two of the 4 marks questions
• Question numbers 24-26 are passage, cartoon and map-based questions. Answer accordingly.
• Question numbers 27-30 are of 6 marks each. Answers to these questions should not exceed 170-180 words.
• There is an internal choice in 6 marks questions.

Section-A (12 Marks)

Question 1.
In which of the following year the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan? [1]
(a) 1975
(b) 1977
(c) 1979
(d) 1981
Answer:
(c) 1979

Explanation:
The Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan in 1979, marking the beginning of a long and contentious conflict that lasted until 1989.

Question 2.
In ………………., the people hugged trees to prevent them from being cut and fell. [1]
(a) Chipko Movement
(b) Anti-Arrack Movement
(c) Anti-untouchability
(d) Resistance Movement
Answer:
(a) Chipko Movement

Explanation:
The beginning of Chipko movement started from villages in Uttarakhand where the people hugged trees to protect them.

Question 3.
EURATOM is known as: [1]
(a) Europe Atom Energy Community.
(b) Europe Atomic Energy Center.
(c) European Atomic Energy Community.
(d) European Atom Energetic Center.
Answer:
(c) European Atomic Energy Community.

Explanation :
EURATOM, also known as the European Atomic Energy Community, is an international organisation established by the Treaty of Rome in 1957. It is one of the European Union’s founding treaties and focuses on the peaceful uses of atomic energy. The original members were Belgium, France, West Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands.

Question 4.
Who among the following adopted the ‘Open door’ policy in 1980s? [1]
(a) China
(b) E.U.
(c) Japan
(d) U.S.A.
Answer:
(a) China

Explanation :
Under the vision of Deng Xiaoping, China opened its economy for privatisation, which led to the infusion of capital in the country.

Question 5.
In the political field Pakistan lacks which of the following: [1]
(a) A courageous and relatively free press.
(b) A strong human rights movement.
(c) Educated leaders.
(d) Genuine international support for democracy.
Answer:
(d) Genuine international support for democracy.

Question 6.
The South Asian leaders signed the SAARC Charter on: [1]
(a) 7th December, 1985.
(b) 8th December, 1985.
(c) 9th January, 1987.
(d) 5th December, 1988.
Answer:
(b) 8th December, 1985.

Explanation:
The South Asian leaders signed the SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) Charter on December 8, 1985.

Question 7.
Which of the following is not a contributory factor for development? [1]
(a) Abundance of national resources
(b) Character of people
(c) Frequent and free elections
(d) Level of technology
Answer:
(b) Character of people

Question 8.
The key to growing India-Israel ties are: [1]
(a) defence
(b) religion
(c) trade
(d) politics
Answer:
(a) defence

Explanation:
The growing proximity between India and Israel is due to the defence cooperation between the two nations.

Question 9.
The political party with C. Rajagopalachari as one of the prominent leaders and the one which was formed after the Nagpur Resolution of Congress was: [1]
(a) Communist Party
(b) Swatantra Party
(c) Congress Socialist Party
(d) Jana Sangh
Answer:
(b) Swatantra Party

Explanation:
C. Rajagopalachari established the Swatantra Party to give strong opposition to the unilateral rule of Congress.

Question 10.
In the question given below, there are two statements marked as Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Read these statements and choose one correct answer from the given options
Assertion (A): The Soviet Union and Communism collapsed in 1991.
Reason (R): The internal weaknesses of the Soviet political and economic institutions failed to meet the aspirations of the Soviet people [1]
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
(b) Both A and R are true and R is not the correct explanation of A
(c) A is true but R is false
(d) A is false, but R is true
Answer:
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A

Explanation:
The disintegration of the USSR took place in the year 1991 due to the political and economic crisis which weakened the Soviet system and eventually led to its collapse.

Question 11.
In the question given below, there are two statements marked as Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Read these statements and choose one correct answer from the given options
Assertion (A): The European Union combined armed forces is the second largest in the world.
Reason(R): EU believes in military power more than the diplomatic channels [1]
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
(b) Both A and R are true and R is not the correct explanation of A
(c) A is true but R is false
(d) A is false, but R is true
Answer:
(c) A is true but R is false

Explanation:
EU has one of the most powerful militaries, however it is in favour of resolving the conflicts through the medium of negotiation.

Question 12.
When Gujarat was carved out of Bombay? [1]
(a) 1950
(b) 1960
(c) 1970
(d) 1980
Answer:
(b) 1960

Explanation:
Gujarat was carved out of the larger state of Bombay in 1960. Prior to that, the region of Gujarat was part of the Bombay Presidency during British rule in India.

Section-B (12 Marks)

Question 13.
Why is Japan considered a rich country? [2]
Answer:

1. Japan was considered rich because it imported luxury goods like silk from China and textiles from India. In 2017, it became the third-largest economy in the world.
2. Japanese have a reputation for making high-technology products.
3. Japan is doing extremely well in Robotics and Automobile sectors and has a reputation for making high-technology products, e.g., ASIMO, world’s most advanced humanoid robot is developed in Japan. Other examples of Japanese brands are Maruti Suzuki, Sony, etc.

Question 14.
Suggest any two steps to be taken by the government to check pollution and save the environment. [2]
Answer:
Some of the steps taken by the government to check pollution and save the environment are:

1. India’s National Auto Fuel Policy mandates cleaner fuels for vehicles. The Energy Conservation: Act passed in 2001, outlines initiatives to improve energy efficiency.
2. The Electricity Act, 2003, encourages the use of renewable energy which does not cause pollution to the environment.

Question 15.
What is UNESCO? What are some of its functions? [2]
Answer:
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) was established on 4 November 1946.

1. With its head quarter in Paris, France, UNESCO is a special body of the United Nations whose main objective is to promote education, natural science, society and anthropology, culture and communication.
2. During the past several years, the special work done by UNESCO has been to promote literacy, technical and educational training and independent media, etc. all across its member nations.

Question 16.
The conduct of foreign affairs is an outcome of a two-way interaction between domestic compulsions and prevailing international climate. Take one example from India’s external relations in the 1960s to substantiate your answer. [2]
Answer:
The statement stands justified in the light of Sino Indian War in 1962.
China claimed Aksai Chin (part of Ladakh region) and NEFA (region of Arunachal Pradesh) to be a part of Chinese territory. China captured the Aksai Chin region and built a road network over there. The matter could not be resolved in a peaceful manner despite discussions and deliberations among the leaders of the two countries and finally led to a war in 1962. India had to seek military assistance from USA and UK. USSR remained neutral. With the war of 1962, India got alerted about a similar situation that may arise in the North-East.
Defection is the term used when an elected representative leaves the party on whose symbol he/she is elected and joins another political party. It has led to a negative impact on the Indian political system in some of the below-mentioned ways:

Question 17.
Assess the role played by ‘defections’ in the context of Indian politics. [2]
Answer:

1. This lead to political instability and fall of the government.
2. Larger Ministries to appease leaders for support.
3. Lack of support to party ideology for personal benefits.
4. Aaya Ram Gaya Ram’ may be given as an example, due to the constantly shifting realignments and political loyalties.

Question 18.
What does the term ‘syndicate’ mean in the context of the Congress party of the sixties? What role did the Syndicate play in the Congress party? [2]
Answer:
The term ‘Syndicate’ referred to a group of popular and influential leaders within the Congress. The Syndicate consisted of experienced major leaders who played a major role in the installation of Indira Gandhi as the Prime Minister by ensuring her election as the leader of the Parliamentary Party. They expected her to depend on them for guidance and advice. Soon, Indira Gandhi started to assert her position in the party as well as in the government. She introduced a number of reforms. The Syndicate, though agreed to give consent to these reforms, had serious reservations about the same.

Section-C (20 Marks)

Question 19.
Explain the process of establishing democracy in Nepal. [4]
Answer:
Nepal was a Hindu Kingdom and then a constitutional monarchy.

1. In 1990 King accepted the demand for a new democratic Constitution, but democratic government could not survive longer and was in trouble.
2. There was a violent conflict between the maoist and the armed forces of the king.
3. In 2002, the king abolished the Parliament, dismissed the government and limited the democracy in Nepal.
4. In 2006, there was a massive pro-democracy protest led by SPA.
5. King was forced to restore the house of representatives dissolved in 2002
6. Transition to democracy is still under progress.

Question 20.
Write a short note on India-Israel relationship. [4]
Answer:

1. India is known in Israel as an ancient nation with strong cultural traditions and in popular Israeli perception, India is an attractive, alternative tourist destination. The key to the growing India-Israel ties, however, is in the realm of security and defence.
2. Increased high-level exchanges and ministerial visits on both sides have expanded cooperation in different functional areas such as trade, agriculture, culture, education and security.

Question 21.
Describe two aspects about the Indian policy that are worth supporting and two aspects that worth changing. [4]
OR
Analyse any three demerits of Globalisation.
Answer:
Two aspects of Indian policy worth supporting are:

1. India has always been a peace loving country which helped in the restoration of peace in countries like Korea, China, etc.
2. India has never aligned with any of the military blocs of the world and has played a vital role in the establishment of NAM.

Two aspects of Indian policy worth changing are:

1. The wars waged on India by neighbours in spite of having a peaceful image put a question mark on India’s ability to keep neighbours in control.
2. The purpose, of establishment of SAARC got underwater with the regular conflicts with China and a SAARC country like Pakistan.

OR

DEMERITS OF GLOBALISATION

1. Political Consequences: It has affected the traditional conceptions of state sovereignty. The old “Welfare State” is now giving way to a minimalist state. The increased role of MNCs leads to a reduction in the capacity of governments to take their decisions on their own.
2. Economic Consequences:
   • It benefits only a small section of the society.
   • It has led to forced Globalisation leading to economic ruin for the weaker countries.
   • Many call it re-colonisation of the world.
3. Cultural Consequences:
   • Leads to the rise of a uniform culture called homogenisation.
   • Imposition of Western culture on the rest of the world.
   • It leads to shrinking of the rich cultural heritage of the entire globe.

Question 22.
‘Pakistan has failed to establish a stable democratic government for many years’. Identify the factors responsible for this condition in the country. [4]
Answer:
Reasons for Pakistan’s failure to establish democratic government is due to the following factors:

1. Dominance of clergy, military and landowning classes in the society.
2. Due to its conflict with India, the military wants to keep its control over the country.
3. The military leaders of Pakistan believe that democracy is flawed and political parties and its leaders are selfish minded.
4. Even the Western countries like US also favor Pakistan to have military rule due to the threat of Global Islamic terrorism.

Question 23.
The 1977 elections for the first time saw the Opposition coming into power at the Centre. What would you consider as the reasons for this development? [4]
OR
Mention the reasons that led to the imposition of Emergency in 1975 in India.
Answer:
The following factors were responsible for the defeat of the Congress and the emergence of the opposition to power:

1. Imposition of the National Emergency: For the first time in the history of free India, National Emergency was Imposed.
2. Imposition of Black Acts: During the Emergency, the various Black Acts were passed by the Indira Gandhi led Congress government.
3. Constitutional Amendments: Through the 42nd Constitutional Amendment, Indira government lowered the position of the judiciary.
4. Compulsory Sterilisation: At the stance of Sanjay Gandhi, the various states particularly Haryana resorted to compulsory sterilisation to a great extent.
5. Rising Prices: The condition of Indian people became pitiable due to the continuous rise in prices

OR

The various reasons that led to the imposition of emergency in 1975 were:

1. The various public agitations and students’ unrest (Gujarat and Bihar).
2. The railway strike.
3. The conflict with the Judiciary.
4. Jai Prakash Narayaris call to disobey the illegal and unconstitutional orders of the government at the Ramlila Ground Rally.
5. The decision of the Allahabad High Court.
6. Imprudent advice by some people to Indira Gandhi not to resign.
7. Economic problems in the country and general unrest.

Section-D (12 Marks)

Question 24.
Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions:
Thus, it was decided that what was till then known as ‘India’ would be divided into two countries, ‘India’ and ‘Pakistan’. Such a division was not only very painful but also very difficult to decide and to implement. It was decided to follow the principle of religious majorities. This basically means that areas where the Muslims were in a majority would make up the territory of Pakistan. The rest were to stay with India. The idea might appear simple, but it presented all kinds of difficulties. First of all, there was no single belt of Muslim majority areas in British India. There were two areas of concentration, one in the west and one in the east. There was no way these two parts could be joined. So, it was decided that the new country, Pakistan, will comprise: two territories, West and East Pakistan separated by a long expanse of Indian territory. Secondly, not all Muslim majority areas wanted to be in Pakistan. Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan, the undisputed leader of the North Western Frontier Province and known as ‘Frontier Gandhi’, was staunchly opposed to the two-nation theory. Eventually, his voice was simply ignored and the NWFP was made to merge with Pakistan. The third problem was that two of the Muslim majority provinces of British India, Punjab and Bengal, had very large areas where the non-Muslims were in the majority. Eventually, it was decided that these two provinces would be bifurcated according to the religious majority at the district or even lower level. This decision could not be made by the midnight of 14-15 August. It meant that a large number of people did not know on the day of Independence whether they were in India or in Pakistan. The Partition of these two provinces caused the deepest trauma of Partition.

Questions:

(i) Which principle was followed for the division of India and Pakistan? [1]
(a) Principle of cultural majorities
(b) Principle of ethnicity of the people
(c) Principle of religious majorities
(d) None of the above
Answer:
(c) Principle of religious majorities

(ii) “There was no way these two parts could be joined.” Which of the following options justifies this statement in the context of Indian history? [1]
(a) There were two areas of concentration, one in the west and one in the east.
(b) There were two belts one in the north and another in west.
(c) There were two areas within the borders of modern India.
(d) There were two areas within the borders of modern Pakistan.
Answer:
(a) There were two areas of concentration, one in the west and one in the east.

(iii) Who was known as “Frontier Gandhi”? [1]
(a) Mohammad Ali Jinnah
(b) Abdul Gaffar Khan
(c) Mahatma Gandhi
(d) None of the above
Answer:
(b) Abdul Gaffar Khan

(iv) Which two provinces of British India had very large areas where non-Muslims were in majority? [1]
(a) Punjab and UP
(b) Bengal and Gujarat
(c) Punjab and Haryana
(d) Punjab and Bengal
Answer:
(d) Punjab and Bengal

Question 25.
In the given outline political map of India, four states have been marked as (A), (B), (C) and (D). Identify these states on the basis of the information given below and write their correct names in your answer book along with the respective serial numbers of the information used and the concerned alphabets as per the format that follows: [1+1+1+1]
(i) The state where a coalition led by the CPI formed the government in the year 1957.
(ii) The state related to leader Shyama Prasad Mukherjee.
(iii) The state related to Karpoori Thakur, who implemented reservation for backward class.
(iv) The state related to K. Kamraj, who started the Mid Day Meal program for school students.

Sr. Number for the information used	Alphabet Concerned	Name of the state
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)

Answer:

Sr. Number for the information used	Alphabet Concerned	Name of the state
(i)	C	Kerala
(ii)	B	West Bengal
(iii)	D	Bihar
(iv)	A	Tamil Nadu

Question 26.
Study the picture given below and answer the questions that follow: [1+1+2]

1. What does the cartoon represent?
2. What does the term ‘Tug of war’ refer to?
3. Who has been shown on the branches of the tree?

Answer:

1. Cartoon represents the dominance of Congress which is being tugged by opposition parties to throw Congress out of power.
2. ‘Tug of war’ refers to pulling out the Congress by criticism and mentioning its weaknesses in an honest and justified manner.
3. Pt. Jawahar Lai Nehru along with his colleagues in the cabinet

Section-E (24 Marks)

Question 27.
“Reforming the UN means restructuring of the Security Council”. Do you agree with this statement? Give arguments for or against this position. [6]
OR
How has the United Nations worked towards advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and addressing global challenges such as poverty, inequality, and climate change since 2005?
Answer:

1. The UN Security Council is the primary organ entrusted with the responsibility of maintaining international peace and security. Its composition is highly democratic. It contains fifteen members (five permanent and ten non-permanent members). These five permanent members enjoy veto power.
2. Since the inception of UN, the membership has increased from 51 to 193. The number of Third World countries has expanded rapidly but do not have representation in UNSC as permanent members. Therefore, various suggestions have been made to reform UNSC.
   (a) There is a need to increase number of new permanent and non-permanent members to UNSC.
   (b) The new permanent members and non-permanent members should represent Asian, African and South American continents. It should equally cater to the needs and aspirations of Third World countries along with the First World countries.
   (c) The new permanent members should also be provided with veto power. Otherwise, the new permanent members will be powerless.
   (d) If the existing permanent members are not ready to provide veto power to the new permanent members, then, the veto power itself shall be abolished.

OR

Since 2005, the United Nations has undertaken various actions to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and address global challenges such as poverty, inequality, and climate change. Some notable steps include:

1. Adoption of the 2030 Agenda: In 2015, the UN member states adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which encompasses 17 SDGs and 169 targets. This framework serves as a blueprint for global action, aiming to eradicate poverty, promote prosperity, protect the planet, and ensure peace and partnership.
2. Mobilizing Financing for Development: The UN has worked to mobilise financial resources for sustainable development. Initiatives like the Addis Ababa Action Agenda (2015) focus on improving domestic resource mobilisation, attracting investment, and promoting international cooperation in areas such as infrastructure, technology, and capacity building.
3. Climate Change Action: The United Nations has played a crucial role in addressing climate change through initiatives like the Paris Agreement (2015). The agreement aims to limit global temperature rise and enhance adaptive capacity, supporting developing countries in their climate change efforts through financing, technology transfer, and capacity-building.
4. Promoting Inclusive Development: The UN has emphasized the importance of leaving no one behind in development efforts. It seeks to address inequalities by promoting social inclusion, equitable access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities, and empowering marginalised groups such as women, children, persons with disabilities, and indigenous communities.
5. Partnership and Collaboration: The United Nations promotes multi-stakeholder partnerships involving governments, civil society, private sector entities, and academia to drive sustainable development. It encourages collaboration through platforms like the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, which facilitates monitoring, review, and sharing of best practices.
6. Monitoring and Reporting: The UN monitors progress on the SDGs through its annual Global Sustainable Development Report and the Sustainable Development Goals Report. These reports assess global trends, highlight challenges, and provide recommendations to accelerate progress towards the goals.

Question 28.
“Exploitation and Pollution of the global commons occur due to a combination of factors”. Explain the statement using examples of how different global commons are exploited and polluted? [6]
OR
“Shared water resources will be a leading source of conflicts in the world in the 21st century, which is known as water wars”. Explain the statement.
Answer:
Exploitation and pollution of the global commons occur due to a combination of factors, including unsustainable human activities, inadequate regulation, and the absence of effective governance mechanisms. Here are some examples of how different global commons are exploited and polluted:

1. Atmosphere: The emission of greenhouse gases, primarily carbon dioxide from burning fossil fuels, has led to climate change and global warming. This has negative consequences for the planet, such as rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and the disruption of ecosystems.
2. Oceans: Overfishing, destructive fishing practices, and pollution from various sources, including industrial waste, agricultural runoff, and plastic debris, have severely impacted marine ecosystems. This has led to the depletion of fish stocks, destruction of coral reefs, and the formation of “dead zones” where oxygen levels are critically low.
3. Outer space: The increasing number of satellites and space debris in Earth’s orbit poses a threat to space infrastructure and raises concerns about collisions. Additionally, the utilisation of space resources, such as mining asteroids or extracting minerals from celestial bodies, may raise questions about equitable access and sustainable practices.
4. Internet: The digital realm, often considered a global commons, faces challenges related to data privacy, cybersecurity, and the spread of misinformation. Issues such as data breaches, surveillance, and online censorship highlight the need for responsible governance and protection of individual rights.

OR

Water is a crucial resource relevant to global politics. Regional variations and increasing scarcity of fresh water in some parts of the world point to the possibility of disagreements over shared water resources as a leading source of conflicts in 21st century, which is known as water wars:

1. Water wars may create violent conflict due to disagreement of countries over sharing rivers i.e. a typical disagreement is a downstream state’s objection to pollution, excessive irrigation, or construction of dams which degrade the quality of water available to downstream states.
2. States have used force to seize fresh water resources for example, in 1950, struggle between Israel, Syria and Jordan and during the 1960s over attempts by each side to divert water from the Jordan and Yarmuk rivers.
3. The recent water conflicts between Turkey, Syria and Iraq over the construction of Dams on Euphrates river.

Question 29.
What forced the Union Government of India to appoint the State Reorganisation Commission in 1953? Mention its two main recommendations. Name any four new states formed after 1956. [6]
OR
Can you explain the role of the State Reorganisation Commission (SRC) in recommending the formation of new states based on linguistic lines?
Answer:
The Union Government of India appointed the State Reorganisation Commission in 1953 due to the growing demands for the reorganisation of states based on linguistic and cultural identities. This was driven by the need to address regional disparities, administrative efficiency, and cultural aspirations of various linguistic groups.
Two main recommendations of the State Reorganisation Commission were:

1. The creation of states based on linguistic lines: The commission proposed that states should be formed on the basis of the language spoken by the majority of the people in a particular region. This led to the recognition of linguistic diversity as a significant factor in state formation.
2. The establishment of autonomous regions: The commission recommended the formation of autonomous regions within states where there were linguistic or cultural minorities. This was to ensure the protection and promotion of their distinct identity and interests.

Four new states formed after 1956 as a result of the state reorganisation process are:

1. Andhra Pradesh: Formed in 1956 by the merger of the Telugu-speaking areas of the Madras Presidency with the Telangana region of the erstwhile Hyderabad State.
2. Gujarat: Created in 1960 from the western Gujarati-speaking areas of the former Bombay State.
3. Maharashtra: Also formed in 1960, it comprised the Marathi-speaking regions of the former Bombay State.
4. Punjab: Established in 1966, it was carved out of the existing state of Punjab to create a separate Punjabi-speaking state.

OR

The State Reorganisation Commission (SRC), also known as the Dhar Commission, was appointed by the Union Government of India in 1953 to address the demand for the reorganisation of states based on linguistic lines. The primary objective of the commission was to examine and recommend the reorganisation of states to ensure administrative efficiency, linguistic and cultural homogeneity, and to address the aspirations of various linguistic groups.

The SRC played a crucial role in studying the linguistic diversity of India and making recommendations for the formation of states based on language. The commission conducted extensive consultations, collected data, and analysed the linguistic, cultural, and administrative aspects of different regions.

The SRC recognized that language is an essential aspect of identity and that the formation of states based on linguistic lines would better serve the interests of the people. It considered linguistic homogeneity as a significant factor in state reorganisation to promote effective governance and ensure that people could be governed and administered in their own language.

The commission submitted its report in 1955, which formed the basis for the reorganisation of states in India. It recommended the creation of states based on the majority language spoken by the people in a particular region. This recommendation led to the recognition of linguistic diversity as a significant factor in the formation of states in India.

The report of the SRC was instrumental in shaping the subsequent process of state reorganisation in India. It provided the framework and principles for the formation of states based on linguistic lines, resulting in the creation of new states and the reorganisation of existing ones. The recommendations of the SRC have had a lasting impact on the linguistic and cultural landscape of India.

Question 30.
Analyse the circumstances that favoured Indira Gandhi to become Prime Minister after the death of Lai Bahadur Shastri. Mention any four achievements of Indira Gandhi that made her popular as a Prime Minister. [6]
OR
What main objective did Indira Gandhi want to achieve by launching a series of initiatives under the Ten Point Programme in 1967?
Answer:
The circumstances that favoured Indira Gandhi to become Prime Minister after the death of Lai Bahadur Shastri are as follows:

1. Indira Gandhi was the daughter of popular ex-Prime Minister Mr J.L. Nehru.
2. She had been become Congress President in 1958.
3. She had been Union Minister for Information in Shastri’s Cabinet from 1964-66.

Her four achievements that made her popular are as follows:

1. She had imposed a ceiling on the rural land holdings and urban property to remove disparities in income and opportunity.
2. She had abolished to princely privileges to prevail the principles of equality and social and economic justice.
3. Decisive victory in the 1971 India-Pakistan war has soared Indira Gandhi’s popularity
4. First nuclear explosion in 1974 also increased her popularity. India termed it as a peaceful explosion

OR

Some of the objectives behind the ‘Ten Point Programme’ launched by PM Indira Gandhi in 1967 were:

1. She wanted to give the government policy a left orientation.
2. She wanted to prove herself as pro-poor.
3. She slowly wanted to sideline the syndicate and create her own support base with a trusted group of advisors from outside the party.
4. To regain the ground that Congress had lost in the 1967 elections.
5. She wanted to implement the Ten Point Programme which included social control of banks, nationalization of General Insurance, ceiling on urban property and income, public distribution of food grains, land reforms and provision of home sites to the rural poor.