CBSE Class 10 · Social Science · board exam 2027
CBSE Class 10 Social Science Question Paper 2024
The board’s 2024 question paper, set 32/4/1 — all 42 questions as printed; 20 objective answers from the board’s own key; full model answers for 1 written questions. Each question names its chapter, where that chapter’s most-asked questions are.
Full marks 80 · Time 3 h
Section A · Objective questions (20)
Arrange the following incidents in chronological order and choose the correct option. I. French Revolution II. Napoleon's invasion of Italy III. Unification of Italy IV. Vienna Peace Treaty
- (A) I, II, IV, III ✓
- (B) II, IV, I, III
- (C) II, III, I, IV
- (D) I, III, II, IV
Answer (the board’s key): (A)
Choose the correct option to fill in the blank. ________ from India and Southeast Asia travelled through ‘Silk Route’ to other parts of the world.
- (A) Gold and silver ornaments
- (B) Clothes and spices ✓
- (C) Grain and pulses
- (D) Iron and other metals
Answer (the board’s key): (B)
Choose the correct option, related to the founders of the ‘Swaraj Party’ within the Congress.
- (A) Subhas Chandra Bose and Jawaharlal Nehru
- (B) Acharya Kripalani and Jayaprakash Narayan
- (C) C.R. Das and Motilal Nehru ✓
- (D) Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Patel
Answer (the board’s key): (C)
Who among the following said – “Printing is the ultimate gift of God and the greatest one.” ?
- (A) Martin Luther ✓
- (B) Mahatma Gandhi
- (C) Johannes Gutenberg
- (D) Rashsundari Devi
Answer (the board’s key): (A)
Two statements are given below. They are Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Read both the statements and choose the correct option. Assertion (A) : The famous ‘Chipko Movement’ in the Himalayas successfully resisted deforestation in several areas. Reason (R) : Through this, community afforestation campaign with indigenous species was made enormously successful.
- (A) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
- (B) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A). ✓
- (C) (A) is true, but (R) is false.
- (D) (A) is false, but (R) is true.
Answer (the board’s key): (B)
Match Column I with Column II and choose the correct option. Column I (Dams) i. Sardar Sarovar ii. Hirakud iii. Bhakra Nangal iv. Nagarjuna Sagar Column II (Rivers) a. Sutlej b. Krishna c. Narmada d. Mahanadi
- (A) i-a, ii-b, iii-c, iv-d
- (B) i-b, ii-a, iii-d, iv-c
- (C) i-c, ii-d, iii-b, iv-a
- (D) i-c, ii-d, iii-a, iv-b ✓
Answer (the board’s key): (D)
Choose the correct option for the following States’ share (in percentage) in the production of ‘manganese’ in India from the highest to the lowest order.
- (A) Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Odisha
- (B) Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Karnataka ✓
- (C) Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Odisha
- (D) Maharashtra, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka
Answer (the board’s key): (B)
Read the arguments given in the favour of power sharing and choose the correct option. I. Reduces the likelihood of bias. II. Barricades the decision-making process. III. Accommodates diversities. IV. Increases the participation of people in power.
- (A) Only I, II and III are correct.
- (B) Only II, III and IV are correct.
- (C) Only I, III and IV are correct. ✓
- (D) Only I, II and IV are correct.
Answer (the board’s key): (C)
'Education' falls under which one of the following lists given in the Indian Constitution ?
- (A) Union List
- (B) State List
- (C) Concurrent List ✓
- (D) Residuary Subjects
Answer (the board’s key): (C)
In which one of the following institutions in India was a system of reservation for women made by amending the Constitution in 1992 ?
- (A) Lok Sabha
- (B) Rajya Sabha
- (C) Legislative Council
- (D) Panchayat ✓
Answer (the board’s key): (D)
Two statements are given below. They are Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Read both the statements and choose the correct option. Assertion (A) : Modern democracy cannot function without political parties. Reason (R) : Elected representatives will be accountable only to their constituencies, not towards the country.
- (A) (A) is true, but (R) is false.
- (B) (A) is false, but (R) is true.
- (C) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A). ✓
- (D) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
Answer (the board’s key): (C)
Which one of the following countries has a two-party system ?
- (A) China
- (B) Pakistan
- (C) United States of America ✓
- (D) France
Answer (the board’s key): (C)
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 (the board’s key): (A)
Read the following characteristics of democracy and choose the correct option. I. Free and fair elections II. Equality before law III. Dignity of a person IV. Majority rule Options :
- (A) Only I, II and III are correct. ✓
- (B) Only II, III and IV are correct.
- (C) Only I, III and IV are correct.
- (D) Only I, II and IV are correct.
Answer (the board’s key): (A)
Read the following situation regarding credit and identify the positive impact of credit. Salim obtains credit to meet the working capital needs of production. The credit helps him to meet the ongoing expenses and complete production on time. Impacts :
- (A) The burden of credit will increase on Salim.
- (B) Salim’s income will increase. ✓
- (C) The production will decrease.
- (D) Salim may get stuck in a debt trap.
Answer (the board’s key): (B)
Study the following picture. The work done in the picture comes under which one of the following sectors of the economy ? Note : The following question is for the Visually Impaired Candidates only, in lieu of Q. No. 16. Which one of the following sectors has the maximum share in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of India ?
- (A) Primary
- (B) Secondary
- (C) Tertiary ✓
- (D) Quaternary
Answer (the board’s key): (C)
Two statements are given below. They are Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Read both the statements and choose the correct option. Assertion (A) : No individual in India can legally refuse a payment made in rupees. Reason (R) : In India the rupee is authorized by the State Governments.
- (A) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
- (B) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (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 (the board’s key): (C)
Which one of the following statements best describes the meaning of 'Globalization' ?
- (A) Removal of tax barriers on trade
- (B) Providing higher standard of living
- (C) Process of rapid integration between countries ✓
- (D) Taking special steps to attract foreign companies
Answer (the board’s key): (C)
On which of the following basis does the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) publish the 'Human Development Report' ?
- (A) Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Health
- (B) Education, Health and Per Capita Income ✓
- (C) National Income, Health and Banking
- (D) Gross Domestic Product, Technology and Innovation
Answer (the board’s key): (B)
Two statements are given below. They are Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Read both the statements and choose the correct option. Assertion (A) : Banks are not ready to lend money to certain borrowers. Reason (R) : Some people do not have collateral.
- (A) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A). ✓
- (B) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (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 (the board’s key): (A)
Section B · Written questions (22)
"Until the nineteenth century, poverty and hunger were common in Europe." Analyse the statement.
How is energy a basic requirement for the economic development of a country? Explain with examples.
(a) Examine the role of the Constitution in the federal system of India in two points. OR (b) Examine the role of the Supreme Court in the federal system of India in two points.
How is technology an important factor of globalisation ? Explain with examples.
(a) How did different groups associated with different communities, regions or languages develop a sense of collective belonging in the national movement? Explain with examples. OR (b) "Workers had their own understanding of Mahatma Gandhi's ideas and the notion of 'Swaraj'." Explain this statement with examples.
Describe any three features of cultivation of millets in India.
Analyse the role of political parties in shaping public opinion.
"Federal system of government is exactly the opposite of unitary system of government." Explain this statement.
Why can different people have different notions about the development of a country? Explain with examples.
(a) "The French Revolution created a sense of collective identity amongst the French people." Explain the statement with suitable arguments. OR (b) "The Greek war of independence mobilised nationalist feelings among the educated elite across Europe." Explain the statement with suitable arguments.
(a) Describe the role of manufacturing industries in the economic development of a country. OR (b) Describe any five steps taken to save fresh water from industrial pollution.
(a) Analyse the importance of democracy in accommodation of social diversity. OR (b) Analyse the importance of democracy in reducing poverty and inequality.
(a) "There is a need for protection and support of the workers in the unorganised sector." Examine the statement with examples. OR (b) "Activities in the private sector are guided by the motive to earn profits." Examine the statement with examples.
Read the given source and answer the questions that follow : After the Revolt of 1857, the attitude to freedom of the press changed. Enraged Englishmen demanded a clamp down on the ‘native’ press. As vernacular newspapers became assertively nationalist, the colonial government began debating measures of stringent control. In 1878, the Vernacular Press Act was passed, modelled on the Irish Press Laws. It provided the government with extensive rights to censor reports and editorials in the vernacular press. From now on the government kept regular track of the vernacular newspapers published in different provinces. When a report was judged as seditious, the newspaper was warned, and if the warning was ignored, the press was liable to be seized and the printing machinery confiscated. (34.1) On which rule was the ‘Vernacular Press Act’ based ? 1 (34.2) Why did the attitude of the British change towards the freedom of press after the Revolt of 1857 ? Explain. 1 (34.3) Explain any two impacts of passing the ‘Vernacular Press Act.’ 2%1=2
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Model answer · Vernacular Press Act, censorship
- 1.(9.1) The Vernacular Press Act took its inspiration from the Irish Press Laws. The Act was passed in 1878 and was modelled on the Irish Press Laws.1 mark
- 2.(9.2) The colonial government did not favour freedom of the press because, after the revolt of 1857, vernacular newspapers became assertively nationalist. They openly supported nationalism and criticised colonial rule. Enraged Englishmen demanded a clamp down on the 'native' press, so the government began debating measures of stringent control.1 mark
- 3.(9.3) First, the Vernacular Press Act gave the government extensive rights to censor reports and editorials in the vernacular press. From then on, the government kept regular track of the vernacular newspapers published in different provinces.1 mark
- 4.Second, the government gained the power to act against seditious reports. When a report was judged as seditious, the newspaper was warned. If the warning was ignored, the press was liable to be seized and the printing machinery confiscated.1 mark
- For 9.2, write that "vernacular newspapers became assertively nationalist".
- For 9.3, write both powers: the right "to censor reports and editorials", and the power to warn, seize the press and confiscate the printing machinery.
Marks split from a structure derived from past papers (checked twice); not CBSE’s official scheme
Read the given source and answer the questions that follow : Conservation of Resources : Resources are vital for any developmental activity. But irrational consumption and over-utilisation of resources may lead to socio-economic and environmental problems. To overcome these problems, resource conservation at various levels is important. This had been the main concern of the leaders and thinkers in the past. For example, Gandhiji was very apt in voicing his concern about resource conservation in these words: ‘‘There is enough for everybody’s need and not for any body’s greed.’’ He placed the greedy and selfish individuals and exploitative nature of modern technology as the root cause for resource depletion at the global level. He was against mass production and wanted to replace it with the production by the masses. (35.1) Define the term ‘Resource Planning’. 1 (35.2) Explain the need for conservation of resources. 1 (35.3) Why did Gandhiji say – ‘‘There is enough for everybody’s need and not for any body’s greed ?’’ Analyse any two reasons. 2%1=2
36. Read the given source and answer the questions that follow : Loans from Cooperatives Besides banks, the other major source of cheap credit in rural areas are the cooperative societies (or cooperatives). Members of a cooperative pool their resources for cooperation in certain areas. There are several types of cooperatives possible such as farmers cooperatives, weavers cooperatives and industrial workers cooperatives, etc. Krishak Cooperative functions in a village not very far away from Sonpur. It has 2300 farmers as members. It accepts deposits from its members. With these deposits as collateral, the Cooperative has obtained a large loan from the bank. These funds are used to provide loans to members. Once these loans are repaid, another round of lending can take place. Krishak Cooperative provides loans for the purchase of agricultural implements, loans for cultivation and agricultural trade, fishery loans, loans for construction of houses and for a variety of other expenses. (36.1) ‘Cooperative society’ is an example of which source of ‘credit’ ? (36.2) Explain the contribution of Cooperative Societies in rural development. (36.3) Mention any two sources of capital for Self-Help Groups.
उस स्थान का नाम लिखिए जहाँ गाँधीजी ने नील की खेती करने वाले किसानों के लिए ‘सत्याग्रह’ किया था । (37.
उस स्थान का नाम लिखिए जहाँ गाँधीजी ने नमक कानून तोड़ा था । (37.
नहरकटिया तेल क्षेत्र किस राज्य में स्थित है ? (37.
उस राज्य का नाम लिखिए जहाँ तलचर प्रमुख कोयले की खानें स्थित हैं । (37.
उस राज्य का नाम लिखिए जहाँ नरोरा नाभिकीय ऊर्जा संयंत्र स्थित है । (37.
तूतीकोरिन समुद्री पत्तन किस राज्य में स्थित है ?
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