Chapter 3: Gender, Religion and Caste

Important questions — the ones the board asked most (20)

1. Q1Long answer5 marksAsked: 2025

   (a) "Secularism is the very idea of Indian Constitution." Justify the statement. OR (b) Suggest any five measures to establish the gender equality of labour.

   

   Medha Ma’am

   AskMedha’s AI teacher

   Hear it from Medha Ma’am · 85 s

   Model answer · Secular Constitution of India

   1. 1.Secularism is the very idea of the Indian Constitution because there is no official religion of the Indian State. The Constitution does not give official status to one religion. Pakistan gives Islam this status and England gives it to Christianity, but India does not.1 mark
   2. 2.The Constitution treats all religions equally. It does not give a special status to any religion, so people of every religion live together as equal citizens. State power cannot be used to let one religious group dominate others.1 mark
   3. 3.The Constitution prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion. No citizen can be treated unfairly because of the religion he or she follows.1 mark
   4. 4.The Constitution allows the state to intervene in the matters of religion in order to ensure equality within religious communities. For example, it bans untouchability.1 mark
   5. 5.The Constitution provides to all individuals and communities freedom to profess, practice and propagate any religion, or not to follow any. Secularism is therefore not just an ideology of some parties or persons. It is one of the foundations of our country.1 mark

   • Give the untouchability example when you write that the state may intervene "in order to ensure equality within religious communities".
   • Write the freedom in full: "to profess, practice and propagate any religion, or not to follow any".
   • Begin by stating that "there is no official religion of the Indian State".

   Marks split as in the board’s published marking scheme

2. Q2Short answer3 marksAsked: 2023

   Suggest three steps to enhance the literacy rate among women in India.

   

   Medha Ma’am

   AskMedha’s AI teacher

   Hear it from Medha Ma’am · 35 s

   Model answer · Women's literacy, suggestions

   1. 1.(i) The government should initiate literacy enhancing programmes for women at the urban as well as the grass root level, so that women in both cities and villages learn to read and write.1 mark
   2. 2.(ii) Counselling sessions should be held for parents and society to promote the enrolment and education of girls, so that parents spend equally on their sons and daughters.1 mark
   3. 3.(iii) Literacy campaigns should be increased to educate the girl child by enrolling girls in formal schools.1 mark

   • In step (i), write that the programmes are for the "urban as well as the grass root level".
   • In step (ii), name both groups, "parents and society", and the aim, "enrolment and education" of girls.
   • In step (iii), write "enrolling girls in formal schools" as part of the literacy campaigns.

   Marks split as in the board’s published marking scheme

3. Q3Short answer3 marksAsked: 2023

   Suggest any three ways to enhance political participation of women in India.

   

   Medha Ma’am

   AskMedha’s AI teacher

   Hear it from Medha Ma’am · 40 s

   Model answer · Women's political representation

   1. 1.(i) It should be made legally binding to have a fair proportion of women in the elected bodies, so that more women become elected representatives.1 mark
   2. 2.(ii) At least one-third of seats in Lok Sabha and State Assemblies should be reserved for women, just as one-third of seats in local government bodies – panchayats and municipalities – are reserved for women.1 mark
   3. 3.(iii) Awareness should be created about the importance of women's participation in politics, because unless women control power, their problems will not get adequate attention.1 mark

   • For the first way, write "legally binding to have a fair proportion of women in the elected bodies".
   • For the second way, write "at least one-third of seats in Lok Sabha and State Assemblies" and compare it with local government bodies.
   • For the third way, write "Awareness should be created about the importance of women's participation in politics".

   Marks split as in the board’s published marking scheme

4. Q4Short answer2 marksAsked: 2026

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

   How the model answer begins

   1. To increase the political representation of women in India, it should be made legally binding to have a fair proportion of women in the elected bodies. Panchayati Raj has done this by reserving one-third of seats in…

   The full answer from Medha Ma’am →
5. Q5Short answer2 marksAsked: 2026

   Suggest any two ways to increase the participation of women in leadership roles in sports.

   How the model answer begins

   1. Special scholarships and training programs should be introduced for women in sports. This would provide equal opportunities and encouragement for women to take up sports seriously and compete at higher levels, just as…

   The full answer from Medha Ma’am →
6. Q6Short answer2 marksAsked: 2026

   Suggest any two ways to promote women in different professional fields.

   How the model answer begins

   1. Women should be provided with equal pay and better working conditions in professional sectors. The Equal Remuneration Act, 1976 provides that equal wages should be paid for equal work, but in almost all areas of work,…

   The full answer from Medha Ma’am →
7. Q7Very short answer2 marksAsked: 2025

   23. Describe any two provisions made in the Constitution to establish the model of 'secular governance' in India.

   How the model answer begins

   1. (i) There is no official religion for the Indian state. The makers of our Constitution chose the model of a secular state, so the Indian state does not adopt or follow any one religion as its own.

   The full answer from Medha Ma’am →
8. Q8Very short answer2 marksAsked: 2025

   Suggest any two measures to increase the representation of women in the legislatures of India.

   How the model answer begins

   1. One measure is that one-third of seats in legislatures should be legally reserved for women, just as one-third of seats in local government bodies – in panchayats and municipalities – are now reserved for women, which…

   The full answer from Medha Ma’am →
9. Q9Very short answer2 marksAsked: 2026

   Suggest any two measures to empower women in the field of technology.

   How the model answer begins

   1. Two measures to empower women in the field of technology are: (i) Promotion of education among women: parents should spend equally on the education of their sons and daughters. Then girls will not drop out, and more of…

   The full answer from Medha Ma’am →
10. Q10Short answer2 marksAsked: 2026

    Explain any two constitutional provisions that make India a secular state.

    How the model answer begins

    1. The makers of our Constitution chose the model of a secular state. There is no official religion for the Indian state. Sri Lanka gives special status to Buddhism, Pakistan to Islam and England to Christianity, but our…

    The full answer from Medha Ma’am →
11. Q11Short answer2 marksAsked: 2026

    Suggest any two measures to support women in education in rural areas.

    How the model answer begins

    1. Basic facilities, such as separate toilets for girls and safe drinking water, should be provided in rural schools. Girls can then attend school safely and comfortably, and fewer of them will drop out.

    The full answer from Medha Ma’am →
12. Q12Short answer2 marksAsked: 2026

    Suggest any two ways to promote Women’s Entrepreneurship in the economy.

    How the model answer begins

    1. Easy access to credit: Women should be provided easy access to credit from banks and financial institutions at concessional interest rates. Cheap loans let them start and expand their own businesses and do more income…

    The full answer from Medha Ma’am →
13. Q13Short answer2 marksAsked: 2026

    Suggest any two measures to ensure equal opportunities for women in all occupations.

    How the model answer begins

    1. Equal wages should be paid to women and men in all occupations, from sports and cinema to factories and fields, when both do the same work. This means strictly enforcing the Equal Remuneration Act, 1976, which provides…

    The full answer from Medha Ma’am →
14. Q14Short answer2 marksAsked: 2026

    Suggest any two measures to include women in educational development.

    How the model answer begins

    1. Schools should provide basic facilities like separate toilets for girls and clean drinking water. Girls then feel safe and comfortable and keep attending school instead of dropping out. This helps raise the literacy…

    The full answer from Medha Ma’am →
15. Q15Very short answer2 marksAsked: 2025

    23. Suggest any two measures to remove gender inequality.

    How the model answer begins

    1. Girls' education should be promoted, and their enrolment and retention in schools should be ensured. Then girls will not drop out because parents prefer to spend their resources on their sons' education.

    The full answer from Medha Ma’am →
16. Q16Very short answer2 marksAsked: 2025

    “The Constitution of India provides to all citizens the freedom to profess any religion.” Support the statement by giving two arguments.

    How the model answer begins

    1. The Constitution supports this freedom because India is a secular state. First, there is no official religion for the Indian state. The state does not follow or promote any one religion, so every citizen can choose and…

    The full answer from Medha Ma’am →
17. Q17Very short answer2 marksAsked: 2025

    "The Constitution of India declares any kind of discrimination on the basis of religion as unconstitutional." Justify this statement by giving two arguments.

    How the model answer begins

    1. The makers of our Constitution chose the model of a secular state, so the Constitution prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion. First, there is no official religion for the Indian state. The state does not…

    The full answer from Medha Ma’am →
18. Q18Very short answer2 marksAsked: 2025

    Suggest any two ways to increase women's representation in leadership roles.

    How the model answer begins

    1. (i) Increasing training programmes: More training programmes for women would improve their educational and career opportunities. This prepares more women to become elected representatives in panchayats, municipalities,…

    The full answer from Medha Ma’am →
19. Q19Very short answer2 marksAsked: 2025

    How did the feminist movements help to enhance the role of women in public life? Explain.

    How the model answer begins

    1. Feminist movements made women organise and agitate for equal rights. They demanded better political and legal status for women, voting rights for women, and reservation of one-third of seats for women in local bodies…

    The full answer from Medha Ma’am →
20. Q20Very short answer2 marksAsked: 2025

    Suggest any two ways to promote women's rights in India.

9 more questions of this chapter, each with its model answer, in the AskMedha app.

Objective questions with the board’s key (10)

1. 1. CBSE 2026

   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: (A)

2. 2. CBSE 2026

   Look at the given picture carefully and choose the most appropriate option : Which of the following values is being reflected through this picture ? Note : The following question is for the Visually Impaired Candidates only in lieu of question number 21. The movement that advocates equal rights and opportunities for women and men is called : (A) Liberalism (B) Romanticism (C) Feminism (D) Socialism

   • (A) Unity and integration
   • (B) Equality and Justice
   • (C) Multitasking and Dedication ✓
   • (D) Religions and Rituals

   Answer: (C)

3. 3. CBSE 2026

   Note : The following question is for the Visually Impaired Candidates only in lieu of question number 23. The movement that advocates equal rights and opportunities for women and men is called :

   • (A) Liberalism
   • (B) Romanticism
   • (C) Feminism ✓
   • (D) Socialism

   Answer: (C)

4. 4. CBSE 2025

   In which one of the following organs of India are women taking advantage of reservation ?

   • (A) Municipality ✓
   • (B) Legislative Council
   • (C) Rajya Sabha
   • (D) Judiciary

   Answer: (A)

5. 5. CBSE 2025

   Which one of the following statements shows gender equality ?

   • (A) The value of women's vote is more than the value of men's vote.
   • (B) Confining women to household chores.
   • (C) Giving more rights to men.
   • (D) Giving equal voting rights to men and women. ✓

   Answer: (D)

6. 6. CBSE 2024

   Which of the following term refers to the belief in and advocacy for the social, political and economic equality of women ?

   • (A) Patriarchy
   • (B) Matriarchy
   • (C) Socialist
   • (D) Feminists ✓

   Answer: (D)

7. 7. CBSE 2024

   Read the given statements : • India has no official religion. • All the communities have freedom to profess and practice any religion in India. Which one of the following constitutional term is used for the above statements ?

   • (A) Republic
   • (B) Secular ✓
   • (C) Sovereign
   • (D) Socialist

   Answer: (B)

8. 8. CBSE 2024

   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: (A)

9. 9. CBSE 2024

   Read the following statements and choose the correct term mentioned in the Indian Constitution from the given options : - There is no official religion for the Indian State. - There is freedom to profess, practise and propagate any religion in India.

   • (A) Republic
   • (B) Sovereign
   • (C) Socialist
   • (D) Secular ✓

   Answer: (D)

10. 10. CBSE 2024

    Which one of the following statements, best describes women empowerment ?

    • (A) Encouraging men to take leadership roles.
    • (B) Promoting superiority of women over men.
    • (C) Ensuring equal opportunities and rights for women. ✓
    • (D) Limiting the rights of men in all spheres.

    Answer: (C)

Questions parents and students ask

How many marks does "Gender, Religion and Caste" carry in CBSE Class 10 Social Science?

In the CBSE papers of 2023–2026, this chapter carried about 2 marks and about 2 questions a year; by marks it ranks 16 in Social Science.

Which are the most important (VVI) questions of "Gender, Religion and Caste"?

The 20 questions above are from the board’s real papers, each with the years it was asked; the most-asked come first with their full model answers. All 29 written questions of this chapter, with answers, are in the AskMedha app.

Do the answers follow the board’s marking scheme?

Yes. CBSE publishes its marking schemes; every model answer here is written point by point to the marks the board’s own scheme gives, and checked by a second, independent model.