7th SS:Questions

👉 Malayalam

Chapter 1: Medieval India

Q1: When and by whom was the Mughal rule established in India?
A1: The Mughal rule was established in 1526 by Babur. The Mughals ruled India with Delhi as their capital until 1857.

Q2: Who were the main rulers during the Mughal period?
A2: The main Mughal rulers included Babur (1526-1530), Humayun (1530-1540, 1555-1556), Akbar (1556-1605), Jahangir (1605-1627), Shahjahan (1628-1658), and Aurangzeb (1658-1707).

Q3: What was the significance of the First Battle of Panipat?
A3: In 1526, the First Battle of Panipat was fought between Ibrahim Lodi, the last ruler of the Lodi dynasty, and Babur, the ruler of Kabul, in Haryana. Babur's victory in this battle laid the foundation of the Mughal rule in India.

Q4: What was 'Ibadat Khana' and why did Emperor Akbar build it?
A4: Ibadat Khana was a place built by Emperor Akbar in 1575 in his new capital, Fatehpur Sikri, where scholars and dignitaries of various religions used to gather for discussions. These discussions showcased Akbar's policy of religious tolerance.

Q5: What was 'Din-i-Ilahi' and its core vision?
A5: Din-i-Ilahi was Akbar's visionary religion, created by combining good aspects of all religions. Its core vision was "Peace to all" or 'sulh-i-kul,' aiming to clarify that all visions are for the welfare of human beings.

Q6: How did Akbar demonstrate religious tolerance in his administration?
A6: Akbar demonstrated religious tolerance by abolishing the religious tax called 'Jaziah' and by treating people from all sects equally in all spheres of Mughal rule. Prominent figures like Raja Todarmal, Raja Mansingh, Raja Bhagavandas, and Birbal, from various backgrounds, held high positions in his royal court.

Q7: Describe the 'Mansabdari' system implemented by Akbar.
A7: Mansabdari was the military system implemented by Akbar to expand and maintain the vast Mughal kingdom. According to this system, each officer maintained a regiment, and the title 'mansab' referred to the number of cavalry they were required to maintain. Mansabdars were allotted land, from which they collected taxes to maintain their army, serving as an alternative to direct state payments.

Q8: How was justice administered during the Mughal period?
A8: During the Mughal period, there were no separate courts like today. Instead, local religious scholars (Qazi) investigated and adjudicated disputes. Individuals dissatisfied with a decision could complain directly to the emperor, who was the supreme judge.

Q9: What were the major agricultural products during the Mughal period, and how did technology enrich the sector?
A9: Major agricultural products included rice, wheat, barley, sugarcane, cotton, and oilseeds. The use of technology and new tools, such as the Persian wheel and canals for irrigation, enriched the agricultural sector.

Q10: Name some major cities and export items during the Mughal period.
A10: Major cities included Dhaka, Murshidabad, Surat, Lahore, and Agra. Main export items were textiles, muslin, sugar, and rice.

Q11: Provide examples of cultural integration during the Mughal era.
A11: Examples of cultural integration include:

• The Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, and Red Fort, which are fusions of Indian and Persian architectural styles.
• The formation of Urdu, a new language, from the fusion of Persian and Hindi.
• The origin of Hindustani music as a result of this synthesis.
• Translation of works like the Mahabharata into Persian (e.g., Razm-Nama).

Q12: Who founded the Vijayanagara Kingdom and who was its most famous ruler?
A12: The Vijayanagara Kingdom was founded in 1336 CE by the brothers Harihara and Bukka. Krishna Deva Raya (1509-1529) was the most famous ruler.

Q13: How did Krishna Deva Raya demonstrate religious tolerance?
A13: Krishna Deva Raya was known for his religious tolerance, allowing anyone, irrespective of being Christian, Jew, Moor, or Heathen, to live according to their creed without annoyance. All religions were treated equally, and people were allowed to follow their beliefs freely.

Q14: Describe the 'Amara-Nayaka System' in the Vijayanagara administration.
A14: The Amara-Nayaka System involved military commanders known as 'Amara-Nayakas'. Kings allotted them lands called 'Amara'. Amara-Nayakas administered these lands, collected taxes, paid a fixed amount to the king, and maintained a specific number of soldiers (infantry), horses, and elephants.

Q15: What was the main occupation and sources of revenue in Vijayanagara?
A15: The main occupation of the people was agriculture. Besides land tax, the main sources of revenue included professional tax, building tax, license fees, and fines imposed by courts.

Chapter 2: Medieval India: Cultural Movements

Q16: What is 'Bhakti' and what was the 'Bhakti movement'?
A16: Bhakti is the total submission of one's life to God. The Bhakti movement refers to the ideas and activities that arise out of this devotion, which spread across India during the medieval period.

Q17: What were the main characteristics of the Bhakti movement in South India (7th-12th centuries CE)?
A17: Key characteristics included:

• Composition and singing of devotional songs in vernacular languages.
• Emphasis on love and submission to God and deep devotion to the beloved deity.
• Equal participation of women.
• Access to all irrespective of caste.
• Questioning of meaningless customary practices and social inequality.

Q18: Who were Alvars and Nayanars?
A18: Alvars were Bhakta poets who were devotees of Vishnu, while Nayanars were Bhakta poets who were devotees of Shiva in South India.

Q19: Who was Basavanna and what was 'Anubhava Mandapam'?
A19: Basavanna was a philosopher, social reformer, and poet who lived in Kannada Desa in the 12th century, known for his efforts to eliminate social and religious discrimination. Anubhava Mandapam was a spiritual forum founded by Basavanna in the 12th century CE, where everyone, irrespective of caste and gender, was allowed to participate in spiritual discussions and renew knowledge.

Q20: What were the key ideas and activities of Basavanna's Vira Shaiva movement?
A20: The Vira Shaiva movement aimed to promote freedom, equality, and social justice. Its major activities included:

• Questioning Brahminical supremacy and the authenticity of the Vedas.
• Educating people against caste discrimination and discrimination against women.
• Encouraging monotheism.
• Convincing people about the greatness of work and labor.
• Opposing child marriage and encouraging marriage after puberty and widow remarriage.

Q21: Who was Kabir and how did he propagate his ideas?
A21: Kabir was a propagator of the Bhakti movement in Northern India (15th century). He propagated his ideas through hymns known as 'Dohas,' composed in a language common people could understand, making them very popular.

Q22: What were Kabir's main messages regarding social and religious harmony?
A22: Kabir stood for Hindu-Muslim unity and brotherhood, emphasizing that both are made of the same soil. He argued that the caste system, untouchability, religious rituals, post-death rites, and idol worship were meaningless. He criticized all forms of discrimination and believed in a formless God, propagating Bhakti as a means of salvation.

Q23: Who was Guru Nanak and what were his key teachings?
A23: Guru Nanak was born in the 15th century in Talwandi, Punjab, and attempted to harmonize the ideas of different religions. His key teachings included:

• Propagating the message of One God.
• Promoting ideals of equality, brotherhood, love, goodness, and religious tolerance.
• Rejecting meaningless religious rituals, caste discrimination, idolatry, and pilgrimage.
• Emphasizing the importance of 'Langar' (community kitchen) where all classes of people could eat together. His ideas later led to the formation of Sikhism.

Q24: What is 'Adi Granth' (Guru Granth Sahib)?
A24: 'Adi Granth' (Guru Granth Sahib) is the holy book of Sikhism. It contains the writings of all Sikh Gurus, starting from Guru Nanak, and emphasizes monotheism and thoughts against caste-gender-race discrimination, incorporating ideas from Jainism, Buddhism, and Islam.

Q25: Who were Sufis, and what was their approach to spirituality?
A25: Sufis were those who accepted devotion as a means to approach God. They believed that devotional singing was one way to achieve this. They emphasized concepts of monotheism, fraternity, humanity, and devotion to God.

Q26: What were 'Khanqahs' and 'Qawwalis' in the Sufi tradition?
A26: Khanqahs were the places where Sufis resided, serving as social centers of the time. Qawwalis were devotional songs rendered in a special chanting style called Sama in the Sufi centers.

Q27: How did the Bhakti-Sufi movements influence the growth of vernacular languages?
A27: Bhakti-Sufi propagators used vernacular languages to spread their ideas, which led to the growth of regional languages. Many devotional poems were composed in languages like Tamil, Punjabi, Bengali, Marathi, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam. Urdu, a combination of Persian and Hindi, also formed during this period. Kabir's dohas enriched Hindi, and works like 'Mahabharata' and 'Ramayana' were translated into various regional languages.

Q28: What were the major impacts of the Bhakti-Sufi movements on medieval Indian society?
A28: The movements played a critical role in reducing conflicts, bringing people together, and creating an atmosphere of peace and harmony. Their influence led to:

• Religious tolerance.
• Development of an attitude against caste discrimination.
• Development of an attitude to question imposed customs.
• Inculcation of concepts like communal harmony, unity in diversity, fraternity, equality, and pluralism, which are hallmarks of modern Indian society.

Chapter 3: Constitution: Path and Guiding Light

Q29: What were Mahatma Gandhi's wishes for the future Constitution of India?
A29: Gandhiji wished for a constitution that would:

• Release India from all thralldom and patronage.
• Make the poorest feel that it is their country, with an effective voice in its making.
• Ensure all communities live in perfect harmony.
• Have no room for untouchability or intoxicating drinks and drugs.
• Ensure women enjoy the same rights as men.

Q30: What served as India's constitution and law for two and a half years after independence (August 1947 to January 1950)?
A30: India followed the Government of India Act passed by the British in 1935 until the Indian Constitution came into force on January 26, 1950.

Q31: What were the key features of the Government of India Act (1935)?
A31: Key features included:

• Bicameral Legislature in six provinces and at the centre.
• Power divided between the Centre and the Provinces.
• Comprised 321 sections and 10 schedules.
• Special constituencies for weaker sections, women, and workers.

Q32: When was the Constituent Assembly formed, and what were its key features?
A32: The Constituent Assembly was formed in 1946 to frame a code of laws for independent India. Its key features were:

• First Meeting: December 9, 1946.
• Elected Chairman: Dr. Rajendra Prasad.
• Chairman of the Drafting Committee: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.
• Framing period: 2 years, 11 months, 17 days.
• Constitution adopted and signed on: November 26, 1949.
• Came into effect on: January 26, 1950 (India became a Republic).

Q33: What approach did the Constituent Assembly take to frame the Indian Constitution?
A33: The Constituent Assembly, aiming for the best constitution in the world, studied about sixty countries' constitutions. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the chief architect, intended to adopt good aspects from foreign constitutions while considering India's diversity, historical tradition, and culture.

Q34: What are the main features of the Indian Constitution?
A34: The main features include:

• Largest written constitution in the world.
• Popular Sovereignty: All powers originate from the people.
• Fundamental Rights: Guaranteed to each individual by the state.
• Parliamentary Democracy: Legislature controls the executive.
• Independent and Impartial Judiciary: Judicial system is independent of the legislature and executive.
• Rule of Law: All citizens are subject to law; no one is above it.
• Universal Adult Franchise: Right to vote for all who attain a particular age.
• Directive Principles: Directions to the state to ensure social and economic rights.
• Fundamental Duties: Responsibilities of individuals to the nation and society.
• Federalism: Power divided between the Centre and States.
• Single Citizenship: Only one citizenship in the country, no separate state citizenship.

Q35: What is the role of the Constitution as a source of law in India?
A35: The Constitution is the fundamental law of the nation. Any law framed by Centre or State Governments must follow its provisions, and it decides the boundaries within which governments can make and enforce laws, holding the position as the supreme system and source of law.

Q36: What is POCSO 2012 and who are Child Welfare Police Officers (CWPO)?
A36: POCSO 2012 (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act 2012) is an act enacted to implement child rights guaranteed by the Constitution, incorporating child-friendly measures without gender discrimination. It defines a child as anyone under 18 years. Child Welfare Police Officers (CWPO) are officers handling POCSO cases.

Q37: What are the main functions of the Constitution?
A37: The Constitution:

• Is the fundamental document that directs the nation.
• Defines the basic values and ideals of the nation.
• Preserves unity in diversity.
• Establishes the rights and duties of citizens.
• Acts as a safeguard against tyranny and abuse of power.
• Defines and delimits the powers of the government.
• Ensures that all administrative systems function according to the constitution.

Q38: What is a Constitutional Amendment?
A38: A Constitutional Amendment is the process of making changes in the constitution as per changing social demands. The constitution itself explains how amendments can be made, and according to Article 368, Parliament has the power to amend the Constitution, but the basic structure should not be amended.

Q39: What was the Supreme Court's ruling in the Kesavananda Bharati case (1973)?
A39: In 1973, the Supreme Court ruled in the Kesavananda Bharati case that no change should be made to the basic structure of the Constitution.

Q40: Why is the 42nd Amendment of 1976 called the "Mini Constitution"?
A40: The 42nd Amendment of 1976 is called the Mini Constitution because it inserted terms like socialism, secularism, and integrity into the Preamble and brought significant other changes to the constitution.

Chapter 4: From Injustice to Justice

Q41: What is 'injustice' and 'marginalisation' in a societal context?
A41: Injustice refers to the practice of excluding individuals from the mainstream of society, denying them opportunities, and social discrimination. Marginalisation is the process of excluding some groups from places where they deserve equal consideration.

Q42: Who are some of the groups that commonly face marginalisation in society?
A42: Many groups face marginalisation, including women, transgenders, Dalits, tribals, minorities, poverty-stricken people, refugees, differently-abled persons, and ex-prisoners.

Q43: Who was Mahatma Ayyankali and what was his contribution to fighting marginalisation?
A43: Mahatma Ayyankali was a prominent figure who worked to provide equal educational opportunities to the deprived, especially Dalits, who were historically denied access to schools. He recognized education as a tool for social transformation and famously started a strike at Ooruttambalam Government UP School to ensure a Dalit girl, Panchami, could study.

Q44: Who coined the term 'Dalit' and what was his contribution to social change?
A44: The term 'Dalit' was used by Jyoti Rao Phule, who initiated social change. Phule established educational institutions for women and Dalits, working against caste and religious exploitation.

Q45: Who was Savitribai Phule?
A45: Savitribai Phule (1831-1897) was a prominent figure who established educational institutions for women and Dalits. She was the headmistress of India’s first school for girls in Pune and also established a night school for farmers and workers.

Q46: Who was Periyar E. V. Ramasamy Naicker?
A46: Periyar E. V. Ramasamy Naicker (1879-1973) was the founder of the Self-Respect Movement and a leading anti-caste activist in India. He stood against social discrimination based on Brahmin dominance and emphasized the importance of women’s education.

Q47: What is the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016?
A47: The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, was enacted to ensure non-discrimination and equal social life for differently-abled people.

Q48: What role did Dr. B. R. Ambedkar play in preventing discrimination through the Constitution?
A48: Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, the architect of the Constitution of India, worked hard for the socio-political upliftment of Dalits. He presented the problems of marginalized communities and stood for their legal protection. The Constitution he helped frame guarantees equality to all citizens (Article 14) and stipulates no discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, and place of birth (Article 15).

Q49: Why did the Indian Constitution completely prohibit discrimination?
A49: The Constitution prohibited discrimination because it:

• Hinders social progress.
• Creates economic inequality.
• Denies a safe physical environment.

Chapter 5: Our Earth

Q50: What is the approximate temperature at the center of the Earth?
A50: The temperature at the center of the Earth's interior is about 5500 degrees Celsius.

Q51: How do scientists gather information about the interior of the Earth?
A51: Information about the Earth's interior is gathered through scientific studies and inferences by:

• Examining materials that reach the Earth’s surface through volcanic eruptions.
• Information collected from mines.
• Analyzing the motion of waves generated during earthquakes.

Q52: Name the different layers of the Earth's interior and briefly describe each.
A52: The Earth's interior is divided into three main layers:

• Crust: The outermost, relatively thin layer made of solid rocks. It has continental (thicker, ~30-70 km) and oceanic (thinner, ~5 km) parts.
• Mantle: The layer below the crust, extending up to about 2900 kilometers. It includes the upper part (with the crust forming the lithosphere) and the asthenosphere (molten rock particles/magma).
• Core: The innermost layer, divided into the outer core (liquid state) and inner core (solid state). It's mainly made of Nickel (Ni) and Iron (Fe), hence also known as NIFE.

Q53: What is the atmosphere, and how did it become rich in oxygen?
A53: The atmosphere is the gaseous blanket that covers the Earth. It formed as the molten Earth cooled, releasing gases. With the origin of plants, the atmosphere became rich in oxygen as a result of photosynthesis.

Q54: What are the major gases in the atmosphere and their approximate composition?
A54: The major gases are:

• Nitrogen (78%)
• Oxygen (21%)
• Other gases (1%), including Argon, Carbon dioxide, Neon, Helium, Krypton, Xenon, and Hydrogen.

Q55: What are 'Hygroscopic nuclei' and how do dust particles enter the atmosphere?
A55: Hygroscopic nuclei are fine dust particles in the atmosphere around which water vapor condenses to form clouds. Dust particles reach the atmosphere by being lifted from the Earth by wind, coming out during volcanic eruptions, or as ash produced during the burning of meteors.

Q56: How does the atmosphere help in the survival of life on Earth?
A56: The atmosphere:

• Causes atmospheric phenomena (like clouds, rain, snow, wind).
• Protects from harmful sun rays, especially the ozone layer blocking ultraviolet rays.
• Provides oxygen for humans and carbon dioxide for plants.

Q57: What is 'acid rain' and 'smog'?
A57: Acid rain occurs when gases like Carbon dioxide, Carbon monoxide, and Sulphur dioxide, released from burning fuels, mix with rainwater in the atmosphere, making it acidic (pH value less than 5). Smog is a blend of smoke and fog, formed when smoke and dust from industries, construction, vehicles, etc., mix with fog in the atmosphere.

Q58: Name the five layers of the atmosphere from bottom to top and briefly state a key feature of each.
A58: The five layers are:

• Troposphere: Lowermost layer; where atmospheric phenomena (clouds, rain, snow, wind) occur; temperature decreases with height (Normal Lapse Rate).
• Stratosphere: Above troposphere; contains the ozone layer.
• Mesosphere: Above stratosphere; lowest temperature in the atmosphere is experienced here; most meteors burn down in this layer.
• Thermosphere: Above mesosphere; temperature increases with altitude; lower part is called the Ionosphere.
• Exosphere: Uppermost layer; air molecules gradually decrease and it becomes part of outer space.

Q59: What is the 'Ionosphere' and its importance?
A59: The Ionosphere is the lower part of the thermosphere (80-400 km altitude) where intense solar radiation converts gas molecules into ions. This region is important because ions can conduct electricity, enabling long-distance transmission of radio waves.

Q60: What is the function of the ozone layer, and what harm do ultraviolet rays cause?
A60: The ozone layer, located in the stratosphere, protects Earth by blocking harmful ultraviolet rays from the sun. Increased ultraviolet rays can cause: collapse of the food chain, crop damage, stunting of plant growth, early aging, blindness, cataracts, and skin cancer.

Chapter 6: Indian Subcontinent

Q61: What is a 'subcontinent,' and what are the geographical boundaries of the Indian subcontinent?
A61: Subcontinents are large continental areas with diverse physiographic divisions and climates, similar to continents. The Indian subcontinent is bordered by the Himalayas on the north, the Arakan ranges on the east, and the Hindukush range on the west. Its southern boundary is the Indian Ocean.

Q62: Which are the countries that belong to the Indian subcontinent?
A62: The countries that belong to the Indian subcontinent include India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives, and Sri Lanka.

Q63: What are the key features of the North Indian Plain (Great Plains)?
A63: The North Indian Plain is a vast, extensive plain formed by alluvial deposits from the rivers Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra. Its features include:

• Fertile soil.
• Abundant water supply from rivers.
• Plain landscape.
• Thickly populated.

Q64: What is the general climate of the Indian subcontinent, and how do monsoon winds influence it?
A64: The climate of the Indian subcontinent is generally known as 'monsoon climate,' derived from the Arabic word 'mausim' meaning seasons. Monsoon winds influence the climate by changing direction according to seasons. Moisture-laden southwesterly winds from the Indian Ocean cause widespread rainfall during May and June (summer solstice), while dry northwesterly winds during September and October cause less rainfall, except over the eastern coast of the peninsula where they pick up moisture from the Bay of Bengal.

Q65: What are the factors that influence the climate of an area?
A65: The factors influencing climate are:

• The Latitude.
• The Altitude.
• Physiography.
• Proximity to ocean.
• Wind.

Q66: Explain how physiography influences rainfall, giving an example of a 'rain shadow region.'
A66: Physiography influences rainfall as mountains obstruct moisture-laden winds, leading to rainfall on the windward side. Regions with low rainfall due to this effect are known as rain shadow regions. For example, Kerala, on the western slopes of the Western Ghats, receives heavy rainfall, while Tamil Nadu, on the eastern slopes, gets low rainfall as it lies in the rain shadow.

Q67: What are 'cropping seasons' in India, and name the three main ones.
A67: Cropping seasons are definite seasons for sowing and harvesting each crop. The three main cropping seasons in India are:

• Kharif
• Rabi
• Zaid

Q68: Describe the Kharif, Rabi, and Zaid cropping seasons and their typical crops.
A68:

• Kharif season: Coincides with the south-west monsoon; crops requiring high temperature and abundant water are cultivated (e.g., paddy, cotton, jute, jowar, bajra, tur).
• Rabi season: Begins with winter (October-November); crops requiring moderate temperature and water are cultivated (e.g., wheat, pulses, mustard); ends in February.
• Zaid season: Short summer cropping season after Rabi harvest; crops like watermelon, cucumber, vegetables, and fodder are grown in irrigated areas.

Q69: How are major crops in India classified, and give examples for each category.
A69: Major crops are classified into:

• Food crops: Used as food, further classified into Cereals (e.g., rice, wheat, bajra, maize, ragi) and Pulses (e.g., gram, toordal).
• Cash crops: Grown commercially on a large scale for industries (e.g., rubber, sugarcane, cotton, jute).
• Fibre crops: Provide fiber for fabrics, bags, sacks (e.g., cotton, jute).
• Oil seeds: Cultivated to produce edible oil (e.g., groundnut, rapeseed, mustard, soybean, sunflower).
• Other plantation crops like tea, coffee, rubber, spices, and tubers are also cultivated.

Chapter 7: From food production to food security

Q70: What is 'Subsistence Farming'?
A70: Subsistence farming is a method where farmers produce and use only the products required for their sustenance, with profit not being the primary objective. Surplus products may be sold to fulfill other needs, and traditional tools are mostly used.

Q71: What is 'Mixed Farming' and its benefits?
A71: Mixed farming involves the simultaneous cultivation of more than one crop in a given plot of land, combined with livestock rearing, poultry farming, fish farming, etc. Benefits include:

• Livestock feed from agriculture.
• Manure for agriculture from livestock.
• Relatively low cost of production.

Q72: What are 'Agro-based industries'? Give an example.
A72: Agro-based industries are industries that depend on agricultural products as raw materials. For example, the textile industry uses cotton as its raw material.

Q73: What are 'Minerals' and how are they classified?
A73: Minerals are metallic and non-metallic compounds found in the Earth's crust. They are classified as:

• Metallic minerals (e.g., Hematite, Magnetite, Calamine, Bauxite, Cinnabar).
• Non-metallic minerals (e.g., Mica, Diamond, Silica/Sand).
• Fuel minerals (e.g., Coal, Petroleum).

Q74: What problems did the Indian agricultural sector face before and after independence?
A74: Before independence, the British land tax system pushed farmers into indebtedness, and their neglect of food crops led to food shortages. Post-independence, limited infrastructure and outdated technologies contributed to a decline in agricultural productivity.

Q75: What were the 'Land Reforms' implemented in independent India?
A75: As part of Land Reforms, a limit was set for the possession of land a person could own. Land exceeding this limit (surplus land) was taken over by the government and distributed to landless peasants and tenants, which increased agricultural production.

Q76: What was the 'Green Revolution' and who is considered its father in India and globally?
A76: The Green Revolution was a program that significantly increased food grain production using high-yielding seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, new technologies, low-interest loans, and scientific irrigation. It was first visible in wheat production, hence also called 'Wheat Revolution'.

• Dr. M. S. Swaminathan is the Father of the Indian Green Revolution.
• Norman Ernest Borlaug is the father of the Green Revolution globally.

Q77: What were the benefits and limitations of the Green Revolution in India?
A77: Benefits:

• Increase in the production of food grains.
• Ensured self-sufficiency in food.
• The price of food grains dropped.
• Black marketing and hoarding of food grains declined.
  Limitations:
• Excessive use of water led to a drastic decrease in the groundwater level.
• Excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides reduced the natural fertility of the soil.

Q78: What is 'poverty' and how is it traditionally calculated in India?
A78: Poverty is a condition where basic human needs like food, clothing, shelter, education, and health are not accessible. In India, poverty is traditionally calculated based on income and the calories obtained from food.

Q79: What is the 'Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI)' and its dimensions/indicators?
A79: The Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) is a new method developed jointly by the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to measure global poverty. It calculates poverty by assessing twelve indicators across three dimensions:

• Health: Nutrition, child and adolescent mortality rates, maternal health.
• Education: School education, school attendance.
• Standard of Living: Cooking fuel, sanitation, drinking water, electricity, housing, assets, bank accounts.

Q80: Name some categories of poverty alleviation schemes implemented by Central and State governments.
A80: Poverty alleviation schemes are classified into:

• Self-Employed Wage Employment Schemes (e.g., Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, Pradhan Mantri Rozgar Yojana).
• Food Security Projects (e.g., Public Distribution System (PDS), PM POSHAN Mid-day meal scheme, Subhiksha Keralam Scheme).
• Social Security Schemes (e.g., National Social Assistance Scheme, Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bhima Yojana, Niramaya Health Insurance Scheme).

Q81: What is 'Kudumbashree' and its role in poverty alleviation?
A81: Kudumbashree is a project launched on May 17, 1998, in Kerala, aimed at poverty alleviation and the economic upliftment of women. It has spread its influence in many social areas and its model has been adopted by most states in India.

Q82: Define 'Food Security'.
A82: Food security means ensuring that all people have access to an adequate quantity of safe and nutritious food always, and guaranteeing the necessary circumstances to obtain it.

General Important Information (Relevant Across Chapters)

Q83: What is the significance of studying Social Science?
A83: Social Science is the branch of study dealing with social life and educational development. It guides society forward based on past experiences, helps overcome difficult circumstances, and contributes to shaping new eras and environments. It helps implement fundamental rights scientifically and find possibilities to nurture the country's economy. It fosters an inclusive mindset, preserves cultural and secular traditions, and helps students identify geographical features and conserve nature.

Q84: What are the Fundamental Duties of Citizens in India, as per Article 51 A of the Constitution?
A84: It is the duty of every citizen of India to:

• Abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals, institutions, the National Flag, and the National Anthem.
• Cherish and follow noble ideals from the national struggle for freedom.
• Uphold and protect the sovereignty, unity, and integrity of India.
• Defend the country and render national service when called upon.
• Promote harmony and common brotherhood transcending diversities; renounce practices derogatory to women's dignity.
• Value and preserve the rich heritage of our composite culture.
• Protect and improve the natural environment; have compassion for living creatures.
• Develop scientific temper, humanism, and the spirit of inquiry and reform.
• Safeguard public property and abjure violence.
• Strive for excellence in all spheres of activity for national achievement.
• A parent or guardian to provide education opportunities to their child between 6 and 14 years.

Q85: What are some important Children's Rights mentioned in the text?
A85: Children's rights include:

• Right to freedom of speech and expression.
• Right to life and liberty.
• Right to maximum survival and development.
• Right to be respected and accepted regardless of caste, creed, and color.
• Right to protection and care against physical, mental, and sexual abuse.
• Right to participation.
• Protection from child labor and hazardous work.
• Protection against child marriage.
• Right to know one’s culture and live accordingly.
• Protection against neglect.
• Right to free and compulsory education.
• Right to learn, rest, and leisure.
• Right to parental and societal care, and protection.