Q19 of 29 Page 1

Read the passage given below carefully and answer the following questions:

When India conducted its first nuclear test, it was termed as a peaceful explosion. India argued that it was committed to the policy of using nuclear power only for peaceful purposes. The period when the nuclear test was conducted was a difficult period in domestic politics. Following the Arab-Israel War of 1973, the entire world was affected by the Oil Shock due to the massive hike in the oil prices by the Arab nations. It led to economic turmoil in India resulting in high inflation.


a. When did India conduct its first nuclear test and why?


b. Why was the period, when the nuclear tests were conducted in India, considered to be a difficult period in domestic politics?


c. Which international event of the 1970s was responsible for high inflation in India?


a. India conducted its first nuclear tests in May 1974. Even though Nehru was against nuclear energy, rampant nuclear programme and policies were initiated in the late 1940s under the leadership of Homi J. Bhabha. When Communist China conducted its nuclear tests in October 1964, the five nuclear weapon powers, the US, USSR, UK, France, and China intervened because of the rising nuclear energy in the world. They were also Permanent Members of the UN Security Council. They tried to impose the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT) signed in 1968 on the rest of the world. India considered this as unfair and biased and refused to sign it. Under these circumstances India conducted its first nuclear test in Pokhran.


b. The period of the 1970s was marked with the occurrence of many crises. When the nuclear test was conducted in the country, it was a very difficult period in domestic politics. Because of the Arab-Israel War of 1973, the entire world was affected by the Oil Shock. This culminated in a huge increase in the oil prices by the Arab nations. Finally, it led to economic and political chaos resulting in high inflation.


c. The Arab-Israel War of 1973 was responsible for high inflation in India. Because of the effects of the war, the entire world was affected by Oil Shock. This finally led to economic and political chaos resulting in high inflation because of the huge increase in the oil prices by the Arab nations.


More from this chapter

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17

Read the passage given below carefully and answer the following questions:

Each of these countries was required to make a total shift to a capitalist economy, which meant rooting out completely any structures evolved during this period. Above all, it meant that private ownership was to be the dominant pattern of ownership of property. The privatisation of state assets and corporate ownership patterns were to be immediately brought in. Collective farms were to be replaced by private farming and capitalism in agriculture. This transition ruled out any alternate or ‘third way'.


a. Name any two countries which were required to make a total shift?


b. Why were the collective farms to be replaced by private farming?


c. Since the third way had been ruled out, what were the only two ways of controlling the economy?

 18

Read the passage given below carefully and answer the following questions:

At the most simple level, globalisation results in an erosion of state capacity, that is, the ability of government to do what they do. All over the world, the old ‘welfare state’ is now giving way to a more minimalist state that performs certain core functions such as the maintenance of law and order and the security of its citizens. However, it withdraws from many of its earlier welfare functions directed at economic and social well-being. In place of the welfare state, it is the market that becomes the prime determinant of economic and social priorities.


a. What does the words ‘erosion of state capacity' imply? Explain with the help of an example.


b. Why is the concept of welfare state giving way to a minimalistic state?


c. How has the market become the prime determinant of social priorities?

 20

Study the cartoon given below and answer the following questions:


a. Identify any four national leaders from the above cartoon and mention the serial number of each.


b. Which was the most controversial issue of the period related to leader number (2) as Prime Minister of India?


c. What was the position of the party led by leader number (1) in the Lok Sabha elections of 1989?

 20

Note: The following questions are for visually impaired candidates only in lieu of question 20.
(i) Which party has won the maximum number of seats in Lok Sabha elections of 1984 and under whose leadership?


(ii) What was the most controversial decision taken by the National Front government in 1990?


(iii) Which Prime Minister started the New Economic Reforms and what was its outcome?