⭐ SECTION D — ESSAY TYPE QUESTIONS (ENGLISH, ~250 words)

18) “The need of human rights is relevant and important in the present time.” Discuss.

✔ Answer (~250 words):

Human rights are essential today because they guarantee the dignity, equality, and freedom of every individual. In the modern world, societies are becoming more complex and interconnected, and with this change, the chances of exploitation, discrimination, and injustice have also increased. Human rights act as universal moral and legal standards that protect people against abuse by individuals, groups, or even the state.

Firstly, human rights ensure protection of life and liberty. Issues such as custodial deaths, torture, attacks on minorities, and restrictions on free speech make human rights protections necessary. Secondly, global problems like migration, terrorism, human trafficking, and digital surveillance pose new challenges that only strong human rights frameworks can address.

Human rights also protect economic and social rights, including the right to education, health, and livelihood. In a world where economic inequality is rising, these rights help ensure that marginalized groups—women, children, disabled persons, and minorities—receive fair treatment and opportunities.

International instruments such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and various humanitarian conventions promote peace by setting global standards of behaviour. Many countries, including India, have incorporated human rights through constitutional provisions like the Fundamental Rights, ensuring legal protection to citizens.

In the digital age, new concerns such as data privacy, cyberbullying, online exploitation, and artificial intelligence make human rights even more relevant. Technology should empower humans, not violate their dignity.

Thus, human rights remain critical for justice, equality, peace, and sustainable development. They are not optional; they are the foundation of a civilized and democratic society.

OR (Alternative Question)

Explain the meaning of Security and discuss traditional & non-traditional concepts of security.

✔ Answer (~250 words):

Security refers to the condition in which people, communities, and nations feel protected from threats to their survival, well-being, and dignity. Traditionally, security focused mainly on military power and protection of territorial integrity from external aggression. Today, however, security has expanded beyond military threats.

Traditional Security:

Traditional security deals with military threats, defence strategies, and protection of national borders. The main assumption is that the enemy is another country. States create powerful armies, defence alliances, and deterrence strategies (like nuclear weapons) to ensure survival. During the Cold War, security was seen largely through this military lens.

Non-Traditional Security:

In the modern world, security threats are not only military. Non-traditional security includes:

• Terrorism (non-state actors)

• Environmental threats (climate change, natural disasters)

• Human security (poverty, health crises, pandemics)

• Cyber threats (hacking, data theft, misinformation)

• Economic security (financial instability, unemployment)

• Migration & refugee crises

These threats affect individuals more than states and cannot be solved by armies alone. For example, climate change leads to floods, droughts, and displacement. Cyberattacks can paralyze entire systems. Pandemics threaten health and global stability.

Thus, modern security requires international cooperation, development policies, environmental protection, technology regulation, and human-centred strategies.

In conclusion, security today is holistic. It includes protecting not only borders, but also people’s lives, rights, and future.

19) Discuss what were the major challenges faced by India after independence.

✔ Answer (~250 words):

After independence in 1947, India faced enormous challenges as a newly formed nation-state. The first major challenge was political integration. India had to unite more than 500 princely states into one nation. Leaders like Sardar Patel played a critical role in achieving this.

Another major challenge was refugee rehabilitation after Partition. Over 10 million people migrated across borders, causing violence, loss of life, and massive humanitarian crises. Providing food, shelter, and security to refugees was a heavy responsibility for the new government.

The third challenge was establishing democracy in a deeply diverse and largely illiterate society. Conducting free and fair elections, building democratic institutions, and ensuring universal adult franchise required massive administrative efforts.

Economically, India inherited a colonial economy with poverty, unemployment, low industrial output, and inadequate infrastructure. The government had to focus on planned development through Five-Year Plans to promote agriculture, industry, and employment.

Another challenge was social inequalities, including caste discrimination, gender inequality, and communal tension. The Constitution provided safeguards such as fundamental rights and affirmative action to create a more equal society.

India also faced linguistic and regional challenges, including demands for linguistic states, which were addressed by the States Reorganisation Act of 1956.

Externally, India had to maintain national security, especially after wars with Pakistan (1947–48) and China (1962). Ensuring territorial integrity became a long-term task.

Despite these challenges, India successfully built a democratic, diverse, and stable political system through careful planning and strong leadership.

OR (Alternative Question)

Discuss in detail the consequences of the partition of India.

✔ Answer (~250 words):

Partition brought several long-lasting consequences. It caused the largest mass migration in human history, with nearly 10–12 million people crossing borders between India and Pakistan. This migration led to widespread communal violence, loss of life, destruction of property, and deep emotional trauma.

A major impact was the challenge of refugee rehabilitation. India had to provide shelter, food, employment, and security to millions of displaced people. Cities like Delhi and Punjab were dramatically transformed.

Partition also created permanent tension between India and Pakistan. Disputes like Kashmir emerged immediately and continue to influence relations even today, resulting in wars and military conflicts.

Economically, the division disrupted trade routes, transport networks, and resource distribution. Some fertile agricultural regions went to Pakistan, while India retained most of the industrial centers. Both countries had to reorganize their economies to meet new realities.

Socially, Partition created deep mistrust between religious communities. Families were separated, cultural bonds were broken, and shared heritage was divided. The trauma passed to future generations and shaped political debates.

Administrative challenges included dividing the army, civil services, irrigation systems, and financial assets. Many institutions were split in a hurried manner, causing inefficiency and instability.

In summary, the Partition of India reshaped the subcontinent politically, socially, and emotionally. Its effects remain visible in India–Pakistan relations, national identity, and regional politics.