Indian Society and Social Structure - Question Bank

1. Which of the following is a major challenge in implementing the Uniform Civil Code in India?
A) Lack of legal expertise
B) Opposition from religious communities due to diverse personal laws
C) Insufficient government funding
D) Low public interest
2. The term 'patrilocal residence' in Indian kinship refers to a system where a newly married couple lives:
A) With the wife's parents
B) With the husband's parents
C) Independently
D) With either set of parents
3. The 'Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan' (SSA) is a flagship program aimed at:
A) Promoting higher education
B) Providing vocational training
C) Achieving Universal Elementary Education
D) Supporting adult literacy
4. Who was a prominent leader of the Indian independence movement and a strong advocate for Hindu-Muslim unity?
A) Subhas Chandra Bose
B) Mahatma Gandhi
C) Maulana Abul Kalam Azad
D) Bhagat Singh
5. The concept of 'social mobility' refers to the movement of individuals or groups between different:
A) Geographical locations
B) Economic classes or social strata
C) Political parties
D) Religious denominations
6. The 'Green Belt Movement' in India, inspired by Wangari Maathai, primarily focuses on:
A) Economic liberalization
B) Environmental conservation and afforestation
C) Religious reform
D) Industrial development
7. Which social reform movement in Kerala aimed at eradicating caste discrimination and promoting equality, led by Sree Narayana Guru?
A) Brahmo Samaj
B) Prarthana Samaj
C) Sri Narayana Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) Movement
D) Satya Shodhak Samaj
8. The term 'tribal society' in India refers to communities that are:
A) Highly urbanized and industrialized
B) Distinct ethnic groups with unique cultures, often living in relative isolation
C) Primarily engaged in service sector jobs
D) Integrated into the mainstream caste hierarchy
9. The 'Panchayati Raj System' was constitutionally recognized by which amendment?
A) 42nd Amendment
B) 44th Amendment
C) 73rd Amendment
D) 86th Amendment
10. Who founded the 'Ramakrishna Mission' to propagate the teachings of Swami Vivekananda and engage in humanitarian work?
A) Swami Vivekananda
B) Ramakrishna Paramahamsa
C) Paramahansa Yogananda
D) Maharishi Mahesh Yogi
11. The concept of 'secularization' in sociology refers to the decline of:
A) Religious institutions and practices
B) Caste system
C) Joint family system
D) Nationalism
12. The 'Swadeshi Movement' during the Indian independence struggle also had a significant impact on:
A) Religious conversion
B) Promotion of indigenous industries and education
C) Foreign policy
D) Agricultural reforms
13. Which of the following is considered a significant challenge to social cohesion in India?
A) Uniform civil code
B) Caste-based discrimination
C) Secular governance
D) Economic liberalization
14. The 'Hindu Marriage Act, 1955' legislated on:
A) Dowry prohibition
B) Child marriage
C) Monogamy and divorce
D) Sati
15. The term 'urbanization' in India refers to the process of:
A) Increasing rural population
B) Migration of people from rural to urban areas
C) Decreasing industrial activity
D) Growth of traditional crafts
16. Which social reformer championed the cause of women's education and co-founded the Aligarh Muslim University?
A) Sir Syed Ahmed Khan
B) Allama Muhammad Iqbal
C) Maulana Abul Kalam Azad
D) Mahatma Gandhi
17. The concept of 'reservation' in India aims to provide affirmative action for:
A) Economically advanced sections
B) Socially and educationally backward classes
C) Religious minorities only
D) All citizens equally
18. The 'Panchsheel Agreement' was a foundational treaty primarily between India and which other country?
A) Pakistan
B) Nepal
C) China
D) Sri Lanka
19. Which religious reform movement, led by Swami Dayanand Saraswati, emphasized 'Back to the Vedas'?
A) Brahmo Samaj
B) Prarthana Samaj
C) Arya Samaj
D) Ramakrishna Mission
20. The term 'dowry prohibition' refers to the legal measures taken against:
A) Child marriage
B) Demanding and giving gifts at the time of marriage
C) Sati
D) Polygamy
21. Who was a prominent leader of the anti-untouchability movement and the principal architect of the Indian Constitution?
A) Mahatma Gandhi
B) Jawaharlal Nehru
C) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
D) B.R. Ambedkar
22. The concept of 'joint family' in India emphasizes:
A) Individual autonomy
B) Collective living and shared resources
C) High rates of divorce
D) Frequent relocation
23. Which social issue is addressed by the 'Right to Education Act, 2009'?
A) Economic inequality
B) Universal access to free and compulsory education
C) Religious freedom
D) Environmental protection
24. The 'Green Revolution' in India had a significant impact on:
A) Urban industrial development
B) Agricultural productivity
C) The caste system
D) Religious practices
25. Who founded the 'Servants of India Society' to promote social service and national consciousness?
A) Gopal Krishna Gokhale
B) Mahatma Gandhi
C) Jawaharlal Nehru
D) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
26. The term 'inter-caste marriage' refers to a union between individuals from:
A) Different Varnas
B) Different Jatis
C) Different religious groups
D) Different countries
27. Which of the following is a primary function of the Panchayat system in rural India?
A) Foreign policy formulation
B) Local self-governance and development
C) National defense
D) Monetary policy regulation
28. The concept of 'secularism' in the Indian context means:
A) The state has no religion
B) The state promotes a specific religion
C) The state prohibits all religious practices
D) The state is controlled by religious leaders
29. Which social reformer is credited with advocating for widow remarriage and establishing the Bethune School for girls' education?
A) Raja Ram Mohan Roy
B) Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar
C) Swami Vivekananda
D) Mahatma Jyotirao Phule
30. The Mandal Commission was established to address issues related to:
A) Women's reservation in Parliament
B) Reservations for Other Backward Classes (OBCs)
C) Education reforms for rural areas
D) Minority rights in education
31. The 'Devadasi system' historically involved:
A) Women dedicated to temple service, often leading to exploitation
B) Arranged marriages for young girls
C) The practice of Sati
D) Child marriage customs
32. Which of the following is a characteristic feature of the Indian family structure?
A) Nuclear family dominance
B) Patriarchal authority
C) Individualistic orientation
D) Easy divorce rates
33. The 'Arya Samaj', founded by Swami Dayanand Saraswati, advocated for:
A) Idol worship and polytheism
B) Return to Vedic principles and rejection of later Puranic traditions
C) Christian missionary activities
D) The supremacy of the Brahminical order
34. The concept of 'Untouchability' was officially abolished by which article of the Indian Constitution?
A) Article 14
B) Article 15
C) Article 16
D) Article 17
35. Who is considered a pivotal figure in the Dravidian movement advocating for social justice and self-respect in South India?
A) Sree Narayana Guru
B) Ramakrishna Paramahamsa
C) E.V. Ramasamy (Periyar)
D) Annie Besant
36. The term 'endogamy' in the context of Indian society refers to marriage:
A) Outside one's own social group
B) Within one's own social group
C) Between different religious communities
D) Between individuals of different ages
37. Which of the following is NOT a traditional Varna in the Hindu social system?
A) Brahmin
B) Kshatriya
C) Vaishya
D) Shudra
38. The Indian Constitution reserves seats in educational institutions and government jobs for:
A) Religious minorities
B) Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes
C) Women
D) All of the above
39. The practice of 'Purdanashin' refers to:
A) A form of folk dance
B) The seclusion of women
C) A type of agricultural tool
D) A religious ritual
40. Which social reformer is known for establishing the 'Satya Shodhak Samaj' to advocate for the rights of the lower castes?
A) E.V. Ramasamy (Periyar)
B) B.R. Ambedkar
C) Jyotirao Phule
D) Narayan Guru
41. The 'Bhakti Movement' was a significant socio-religious reform movement characterized by:
A) Strict adherence to caste rules
B) Devotion to a personal God and rejection of elaborate rituals
C) Emphasis on Vedic sacrifices
D) Asceticism and renunciation of worldly life
42. Which social group was historically associated with the occupation of leatherwork and manual scavenging in India?
A) Brahmins
B) Kshatriyas
C) Vaishyas
D) Dalits (formerly 'Untouchables')
43. The concept of 'Macaulayism' in Indian education led to:
A) Promotion of indigenous languages
B) Emphasis on Western education and English
C) Revival of traditional Sanskrit learning
D) Development of vocational training
44. Who is often referred to as the 'Father of Modern India' for his role in social and religious reform?
A) Swami Vivekananda
B) Raja Ram Mohan Roy
C) Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar
D) Jyotirao Phule
45. The 'Gotra' system in traditional Indian society is primarily related to:
A) Lineage and exogamy
B) Occupational specialization
C) Religious affiliation
D) Geographical origin
46. Which social reform movement in the 19th century aimed at abolishing Sati and promoting widow remarriage?
A) Brahmo Samaj
B) Arya Samaj
C) Prarthana Samaj
D) Servants of India Society
47. The term 'Jajmani System' primarily describes the:
A) Exchange of services between different castes
B) Marriage within the same caste
C) Religious rituals performed by Brahmins
D) Land ownership patterns
48. Which article of the Indian Constitution prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth?
A) Article 14
B) Article 15
C) Article 16
D) Article 17
49. The concept of 'Sanskritization' as a process of social change in India was introduced by whom?
A) M.N. Srinivas
B) Ambedkar
C) Gandhi
D) Raja Ram Mohan Roy
50. Which of the following terms refers to the traditional hierarchical system of social stratification in India?
A) Jajmani System
B) Varna System
C) Gotra
D) Panchayat