Gender, Religion and Caste Class 10 important questions with answers

What comes in the exam

• Gender, Religion and Caste is in Democratic Politics – II.
• Most questions here are 2-mark answers and 1-mark MCQs.
• Almost every year you get questions on secularism in the Indian Constitution, seats for women in elected bodies, and the women's movement and equality.
• Almost every year there are also 2-mark 'suggest two measures' questions on equal chances for women in education, work and public life.
• Sometimes a 3- or 5-mark question asks about secularism, equality for women or caste in elections.
• Caste and communalism get fewer questions.

Top 10 Gender, Religion and Caste questions from board papers

Real CBSE questions, printed as they appeared. Open each answer to see the marking and the steps.

1. Q1 MCQ · 1 mark CBSE · 2026

   Country with high women's role

   Which one of the following countries has a high level of women’s participation in public life ?

   • (A) Sweden
   • (B) Canada
   • (C) Brazil
   • (D) India
   Answer and marking

   Correct option: (A) Sweden

   1. Recall the countries the book names for women in public life. Sweden, Norway and Finland have very high participation of women in public life
   2. Choose the Nordic country. Answer: (A) Sweden 1 mark

   Answer: (A) Sweden

   Marks: Correct option 1

   For full marks: Remember the book's examples: Scandinavian countries like Sweden, Norway and Finland.

   Where students lose marks: Picking (B) Canada; the book names Scandinavian countries as the leading examples.

   CBSE marking scheme

   (A) Sweden

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2. Q2 MCQ · 1 mark CBSE · 2024

   Secularism provisions

   Read the following provisions regarding Secularism in the Indian Constitution and choose the correct option. I. The Indian State has not adopted any religion as its official religion. II. The Constitution gives freedom to all the citizens to practice and propagate any religion. III. The Constitution declares any kind of discrimination done on the basis of religion to be legal. IV. It gives the government the right to intervene in religious matters for ensuring equality within religious communities.

   • (A) Only I, II and III are correct.
   • (B) Only I, II and IV are correct.
   • (C) Only I, III and IV are correct.
   • (D) Only II, III and IV are correct.
   Answer and marking

   Correct option: (B) Only I, II and IV are correct.

   1. Test each provision against the Constitution's secular features. I true: no official religion ; II true: freedom to practise and propagate any religion ; IV true: state may intervene for equality
   2. Statement III says the opposite of the Constitution. III false: the Constitution prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion
   3. Choose the option with only I, II and IV. Answer: (B) 1 mark

   Answer: (B) Only I, II and IV are correct.

   Marks: Correct option 1

   For full marks: Read each statement word by word; one word like 'legal' can make it false.

   Where students lose marks: Picking (A) with III; the Constitution makes religious discrimination illegal, not legal.

   CBSE marking scheme

   (B) Only I, II and IV are correct.

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3. Q3 MCQ · 1 mark CBSE · 2024

   Women in parliaments by region

   In which of the following regions was women representation the highest in their respective National Parliaments (2018) ?

   • (A) Nordic countries
   • (B) America (North and South)
   • (C) Europe
   • (D) Asia
   Answer and marking

   Correct option: (A) Nordic countries

   1. Recall the book's table on women in national parliaments. Nordic countries have the highest share of women in parliament
   2. Choose that region. Answer: (A) Nordic countries 1 mark

   Answer: (A) Nordic countries

   Marks: Correct option 1

   For full marks: Remember the book's ranking: Nordic countries top the table of women in parliament.

   Where students lose marks: Picking (C) Europe; the Nordic countries are listed separately and rank higher.

   CBSE marking scheme

   (A) Nordic countries

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4. Q4 Very short answer · 2 marks CBSE · 2026

   Raising women's political seats

   Suggest measures to increase the political representation of women in India.

   Answer and marking

   1. Give the legal step the book suggests for elected bodies. Make it legally binding to have a fair proportion of women in elected bodies. 1 mark
   2. Add a second measure, such as reservation of seats. Reserve more seats for women, as the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023 will do for Lok Sabha and State Assemblies. 1 mark

   Answer: Legally binding fair proportion of women in elected bodies ; reservation of seats for women

   Marks: Any two points 1 each

   For full marks: Use the book's phrase 'legally binding' and 'elected bodies'. Two distinct measures earn both marks.

   Where students lose marks: Writing only 'give women equal rights' is too vague for a political-representation measure and earns little.

   CBSE marking scheme

   Any two (2x1): make it legally binding to have a fair proportion of women in elected bodies; reserve more seats for women in elected bodies; encourage women to participate actively in public life; any other relevant point.

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5. Q5 Very short answer · 2 marks CBSE · 2025

   Women in public life: measures

   Suggest any two measures to ensure participation of women in public life.

   Answer and marking

   1. Start with education, since literate women take part more in public life. Increase literacy among women and promote gender equality. 1 mark
   2. Add a legal measure that gives women a place in public life. Ensure more representation of women in political life, as under the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023. 1 mark

   Answer: Increase women's literacy ; more political representation under the 2023 Act

   Marks: Any two points 1 each

   For full marks: Each measure should lead to women's presence in public life. Two distinct measures earn both marks.

   Where students lose marks: Giving two education points in different words earns only one mark.

   CBSE marking scheme

   Any two (2x1): increase literacy among women; promote gender equality; strictly follow the Equal Remuneration Act; ensure increased representation in public/political life, e.g. Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam (2023); any other relevant point.

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6. Q6 Very short answer · 2 marks CBSE · 2024

   Women's growing role in politics

   “Role of women is gradually enhancing in the politics of the country.” Examine the statement.

   Answer and marking

   1. Start with the law that opened local bodies to women. The 73rd and 74th Amendments reserve one-third of seats in local bodies for women. 1 mark
   2. Add examples of high offices women have held. Women have been President, Cabinet Ministers and Chief Ministers. 1 mark

   Answer: One-third seats in local bodies ; women have been President, ministers, Chief Ministers

   Marks: Any two points 1 each

   For full marks: 'Examine' needs evidence: give a law and an example of women in office.

   Where students lose marks: Writing that women are well represented in Parliament; the book says their share there is still low.

   CBSE marking scheme

   Any two (2×1): women's representation ensured in democratic processes; 73rd/74th Amendments give 33% reservation in local bodies; education brings more women into policy making; women head panchayats; women have been President, Cabinet Ministers, Chief Ministers; elected to assemblies and Parliament; any other relevant point.

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7. Q7 Very short answer · 2 marks CBSE · 2023

   Ways women face discrimination

   “Women face discrimination in various ways in our society.” Explain any two ways.

   Answer and marking

   1. Start with how families treat sons and daughters. Parents prefer to spend more resources on sons than on daughters. 1 mark
   2. Add a way women are treated unequally at work. In many private-sector jobs, women are not paid wages equal to men. 1 mark

   Answer: More resources spent on sons ; unequal wages for women

   Marks: Any two ways 1 each

   For full marks: Give two different areas of discrimination, such as home and work, one sentence each.

   Where students lose marks: Writing two examples from the same area, like two wage points, which the examiner may count as one.

   CBSE marking scheme

   Any two, 1 each: parents prefer to spend more resources on sons than daughters; many women face domestic violence; few highly paid, valued jobs go to women; in many private-sector jobs women are not paid wages equal to men; any other relevant point.

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8. Q8 Short answer · 3 marks CBSE · 2026

   Equal treatment and democracy

   "Treating women equally is an essential condition for democracy." Examine the statement.

   Answer and marking

   1. Start with what democracy stands on. Democracy is based on the principle of equality. 1 mark
   2. Add the voting right for all. Universal adult franchise ensures equality between women and men. 1 mark
   3. Explain why half the people matter. Women are half the population, so democracy cannot achieve equality without treating them equally. 1 mark

   Answer: Democracy based on equality ; universal adult franchise ; women are half the population

   Marks: Any three points 1 each

   For full marks: Link each point back to democracy — the examiner pays for the reason, not a list.

   Where students lose marks: Listing problems women face without saying why equal treatment is needed for democracy.

   CBSE marking scheme

   Any three, 1 each: (i) democracy is based on the principle of equality; (ii) universal adult franchise ensures gender-based equality; (iii) once equality is recognised it is easier for women to struggle against what is legally and morally unacceptable; (iv) women are half the population — democracy cannot achieve equality without treating them equally; (v) any other relevant point.

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9. Q9 Case study · 4 marks CBSE · 2024

   Case: Census and religious data

   Read the given source and answer the questions that follow : Social and Religious Diversity The Census of India records the religion of each and every Indian after every ten years. The person who fills the Census form visits every household and records the religion of each member of that household exactly the way each person describes it. If someone says she has ‘no religion’ or that he is an ‘atheist’, this is exactly how it is recorded. Thus we have reliable information on the proportion of different religious communities in the country and how it has changed over the years. The record shows the population proportion of six major religious communities in the country. Since Independence, the total population of each community has increased substantially. (35.1) At what interval is census conducted in India ? (1) (35.2) Why are Indian census data considered reliable ? (1) (35.3) How is the census an important tool to understand the social diversity in India ? (2)

   Answer and marking

   1. (35.1) Read the first line of the source for the interval. The census is conducted every ten years. 1 mark
   2. (35.2) Find in the source how the enumerator records each person's religion. The enumerator visits every household and records each member's religion exactly as that person describes it. 1 mark
   3. (35.3) Say what the census tells us about communities over time. It gives reliable information on the proportion of different religious communities and how it has changed over the years. 1 mark
   4. Add a second use from the source for full marks. It shows the population proportion of the six major religious communities in the country. 1 mark

   Answer: (35.1) Every 10 years / (35.2) Each person's religion recorded exactly as described / (35.3) Shows proportion of communities and change over time

   Marks: (35.1) 1 · (35.2) 1 · (35.3) Any two points 1 each

   For full marks: Answer from the source itself; for 35.2 the paid idea is 'exactly as each person describes it'.

   Where students lose marks: For 35.2, writing only 'the government collects it' misses why the data is reliable and loses the mark.

   CBSE marking scheme

   (35.1) Every 10 years (1). (35.2) The enumerator visits every household and records the religion of each member exactly as described (1). (35.3) Any two (1+1): it gives reliable information on the proportion of different communities and how it has changed over the years; it shows the population proportion of six major religious communities; any other relevant point.

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10. Q10 Long answer · 5 marks CBSE · 2025

    Secularism and the Constitution

    "Secularism is the very idea of Indian Constitution." Justify the statement.

    Answer and marking

    1. Start with the state's position. There is no official religion of the Indian State. 1 mark
    2. Say how religions are treated. The Constitution treats all religions equally. 1 mark
    3. Add the ban on discrimination. It prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion. 1 mark
    4. Explain when the state may step in. It allows the State to intervene in religion to ensure equality within religious communities. 1 mark
    5. Add the freedom of every person. It gives everyone freedom to profess, practise and propagate any religion, or not to follow any. 1 mark

    Answer: No official religion ; all religions equal ; no religious discrimination ; state may intervene for equality ; freedom of religion

    Marks: Any five points 1 each

    For full marks: Justify with five constitutional provisions, not general views on harmony. End by linking them to secularism.

    Where students lose marks: Writing that the state can never interfere in religion; the book says it may intervene, for example to ban untouchability.

    CBSE marking scheme

    Any five, 1 each: no official religion of the Indian State; Constitution treats all religions equally; prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion; allows the State to intervene in religion to ensure equality within religious communities; gives all individuals and communities freedom to profess, practise and propagate any religion, or not to follow any; hence secularism is the very idea of the Constitution; any other relevant point.

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Free 10-question test: Gender, Religion and Caste

MCQ and Assertion–Reason questions from CBSE papers. About 10 minutes. Your score shows straight away.

Common mistakes in Gender, Religion and Caste

How to write for full marks

• Count the marks: two points for 2 marks, three for 3 and five for 5. Keep to about 40, 60 and 120 words.
• For 'provisions of the Constitution', name the provision, then say what it does, like 'The Right to Equality prohibits discrimination on any ground.'
• Use current facts from the book: the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023 and the child sex ratio of 919.
• For 'justify' or 'support the statement', give your points and end with a line that links back to the statement, like 'So secularism is the very idea of our Constitution.'
• Use the book's terms: gender division, feminist, secular state, communalism, vote bank.

Questions students ask