Social Science

• What is an election?


  A contest between different political parties
• Why are elections important in a democracy?

  They enable the establishment of a democratic government
• What happens without elections in a democracy?

  No democratic government can be established
• How do elections help citizens in a democracy?

  They allow citizens to replace unpopular governments
• What role do elections play in controlling the executive?

  They maintain effective control over the executive
• Who can run the administration in a modern democracy?

  Only elected representatives
• What is the principle of "one vote one value"?

  Every citizen should have one equal vote
• Why should there be multiple choices in elections?

  To provide real options to voters
• How often should elections be held?

  At regular intervals, every few years
• What does it mean for all candidates to have an equal chance of winning?

  The preferred candidate should be elected
• What are free and fair elections?

  Elections conducted without interference
• What is the role of the Election Commission in India?

  To conduct elections independently
• Who appoints the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) in India?

  The President of India
• Is the CEC answerable to the President or government?

  No, the CEC is not answerable
• What happens if the ruling party dislikes the CEC's actions?

  It is virtually impossible to remove the CEC
• How does popular participation in India differ from western democracies?

  More poor and underprivileged people vote
• What does the acceptance of election outcomes indicate in India?

  Ruling parties often lose elections
• What is one provision that makes the Election Commission independent?

  CEC is not answerable to the government
• What can the Election Commission order during elections?

  Government to follow guidelines
• Who do government officers work under during election duty?

  Under the control of the Election Commission
• What is one function of the Election Commission regarding election symbols?

  Allotment of permanent election symbols
• What do electoral rolls contain?

  Name, father's name, age, and gender
• What is the purpose of delimitation of constituencies?

  To organize elections in clear-cut areas
• Why does the Election Commission fix election dates?

  To allow voters to cast their votes easily
• What does the Election Commission do with nomination papers?

  Scrutinizes and accepts or rejects them
• What is one duty of the Election Commission regarding the party in power?

  To check undue interference by the party
• How is the poverty line estimated in India?

  By calculating minimum levels for basic needs
• What is the poverty line based on?

  Prices of food, clothing, and other essentials
• How does the poverty line differ between rural and urban areas?

  It varies due to different lifestyles and expenses
• Why is the current methodology of poverty estimation considered inappropriate?

  It only considers economic status
• What does the current poverty estimation fail to consider?

  Education, shelter, health, and dignity
• What is necessary to completely remove poverty?

  Changing the methodology of poverty estimation
• How does poverty vary across states in India?

  Success rates of reducing poverty differ
• Which states are the poorest in India?

  Orissa, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh
• Which states are better-off regarding poverty?

  Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, and Himachal Pradesh
• What is one measure taken in Punjab to reduce poverty?

  Increasing agricultural growth rates
• What focus has Kerala taken to reduce poverty?

  Human resource development
• What measure has Andhra Pradesh implemented to reduce poverty?

  Public distribution of food grains
• What is one major reason for poverty in India?

  Low economic development under British rule
• How did the Green Revolution affect job opportunities?

  Created jobs but not enough for seekers