CBSE Class 10 Board Exam Social Science Syllabus

What are the three categories of species classified by the IUCN as discussed in Forest and Wildlife Resources?

Normal species, endangered species, vulnerable species, rare species, endemic species, and extinct species (IUCN classification). Key memorised set: endangered, vulnerable, rare, endemic, extinct, normal.

What is the Project Tiger, and in which year was it launched in India?

A wildlife conservation programme launched in 1973 to protect the tiger population from extinction by maintaining viable tiger populations in their natural habitats.

What is 'biodiversity' and why is it important?

Biodiversity is the immense variety of flora and fauna and the web of life; it is important because all species are interdependent and humans depend on it for clean air, water, food, and ecological balance.

Why are dams referred to as 'multipurpose projects'?

Because a single project serves many purposes simultaneously: irrigation, electricity (hydropower) generation, flood control, water supply, fish breeding, inland navigation, and recreation.

What is rainwater harvesting?

A technique of increasing the recharge of groundwater by capturing and storing rainwater (in tanks, tankas, rooftop structures) to overcome water scarcity.

Name the leader who called large dams the 'temples of modern India', and name one dam on the Sutlej-Beas project.

Jawaharlal Nehru called them temples of modern India; the Bhakra Nangal dam is on the Sutlej-Beas project.

What is 'intensive subsistence farming'?

A type of farming practised in areas of high population pressure on land; it is labour-intensive, uses high doses of biochemical inputs and irrigation, on small landholdings.

What is the difference between Kharif and Rabi crops? Give one example of each.

Kharif crops are sown with the onset of monsoon (June-July) and harvested in Sept-Oct (e.g., rice, maize); Rabi crops are sown in winter (Oct-Dec) and harvested in summer (April-June) (e.g., wheat, gram).

What is the 'Green Revolution' in Indian agriculture?

The introduction of high-yielding variety (HYV) seeds, chemical fertilisers, irrigation, and modern technology from the late 1960s that greatly increased food grain (especially wheat and rice) production.

On what basis are minerals classified into metallic and non-metallic? Give an example of a ferrous metallic mineral.

By their chemical and physical properties. Metallic minerals contain metals; ferrous metallic minerals contain iron (e.g., iron ore, manganese). Non-metallic minerals (e.g., limestone, mica) do not contain metals.

What is the difference between conventional and non-conventional sources of energy?

Conventional sources are traditional, often exhaustible and polluting (e.g., coal, petroleum, natural gas, firewood); non-conventional sources are renewable and eco-friendly (e.g., solar, wind, tidal, geothermal, biogas).

Name the four main types of coal in increasing order of carbon content/quality.

Peat (lowest), lignite (brown coal), bituminous, and anthracite (highest quality, hard, with the highest carbon content).

On what basis are industries classified as public, private, joint, and cooperative sector industries?

On the basis of ownership: public sector (government-owned, e.g., BHEL), private sector (owned by individuals/firms, e.g., TISCO), joint sector (state and private together), and cooperative sector (owned by producers/suppliers/workers).

Why is the iron and steel industry called a 'basic' and 'heavy' industry?

Basic because all other industries depend on it for machinery; heavy because both its raw materials and finished products are bulky and heavy, involving heavy transportation costs.

What is the difference between agro-based and mineral-based industries? Give one example of each.

Agro-based industries use agricultural raw materials (e.g., cotton textiles, sugar); mineral-based industries use minerals as raw materials (e.g., iron and steel, cement).

Why are roadways more advantageous than railways in India for short distances?

Roads are cheaper to construct, can negotiate higher gradients and hilly/dissected terrain, provide door-to-door service, and serve as feeders to railways, airports, and seaports.

What is meant by the 'Golden Quadrilateral' super highway project?

A network of six-lane super highways connecting India's four major metros: Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata, to reduce time and distance between mega cities.

Define 'power sharing' and state one prudential reason for it.

Power sharing is the distribution of power among different organs of government and social groups. Prudential reason: it helps reduce the possibility of conflict between social groups and ensures the stability of the political order.

Describe the horizontal and vertical forms of power sharing.

Horizontal power sharing is among organs of government at the same level (legislature, executive, judiciary) with checks and balances. Vertical power sharing is among governments at different levels (central, state, local).

What is federalism? Name its two key features.

Federalism is a system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and various constituent units. Features: two or more levels of government, and each level has its own jurisdiction guaranteed by the constitution.

What are the three lists in the Indian Constitution that divide powers between the Union and States?

Union List (subjects of national importance, e.g., defence, currency), State List (subjects of state/local importance, e.g., police, agriculture), and Concurrent List (shared subjects, e.g., education, marriage).

What is meant by 'decentralisation', and what major step was taken in India in 1992 to promote it?

Decentralisation is when power is taken away from the central and state governments and given to local government. In 1992, the Constitution was amended (73rd and 74th Amendments) to make the third tier of democracy (local self-government) more powerful.

Distinguish between a communal and a secular state in the context of religion and politics.

A communal mindset uses religion to gain political power and treats one religion as superior. A secular state has no official religion, gives all citizens freedom to follow any religion, and does not discriminate on religious grounds (as in India).

What is the difference between 'sexual division of labour' and patriarchy?

Sexual division of labour is a system where men are paid to work outside while women do domestic work. Patriarchy is a system that values men more and gives them power over women.

What are the functions of political parties? Name any three.

Functions: contest elections; put forward policies/programmes; make laws; form and run governments; play the role of opposition; shape public opinion; provide access to government welfare schemes.

Distinguish between a one-party, two-party, and multi-party system. Which system does India have?

One-party: only one party is allowed to control (e.g., China). Two-party: power usually alternates between two main parties (e.g., USA, UK). Multi-party: several parties compete and govern, alone or in alliance (e.g., India).

State any two outcomes that prove democracy produces an accountable, responsive and legitimate government.

Democracy produces a government that follows procedures and is accountable to the people; citizens can participate in decision-making, and the government is legitimate because it is the people's own government, elected through fair elections.

Why is the average income or 'per capita income' used to compare the development of countries by the World Bank?

Because total income does not allow comparison of countries with different populations; per capita income (total income divided by total population) gives the average income per person, enabling fair comparison.

What three indicators does the UNDP use in the Human Development Index (HDI)?

Health (life expectancy at birth), education (literacy/years of schooling), and income (per capita income / GNI per capita at PPP).

How are the three sectors of the economy classified, and what does the tertiary sector do?

Primary sector (extraction from nature, e.g., agriculture, mining), secondary sector (manufacturing/industry), and tertiary sector (services that support primary and secondary, e.g., transport, banking, trade).

What is 'double coincidence of wants', and how does money solve this problem?

In barter, double coincidence of wants requires that both parties agree to sell and buy each other's goods simultaneously. Money solves it by acting as a medium of exchange, since one can sell goods for money and buy any other goods with it.