CBSE Class 12 Sociology 2026 Question Paper

2026SET-480 Marks180 min36 Questions

Section A

1
1 markThe Demographic Structure of the Indian SocietyLiteracy and Gender Gap in India

Assertion (A): Female literacy has been rising faster than male literacy. Reason (R): Literacy varies considerably across genders, across regions, and across social groups.

(A)Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of Assertion (A).
(B)Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, but Reason (R) is not the correct explanation of Assertion (A).
(C)Assertion (A) is true, but Reason (R) is false.
(D)Assertion (A) is false, but Reason (R) is true.
2
1 markIntroducing Indian SocietyColonial Construction of Social Stereotypes

Assertion (A): Some communities were characterised as `martial races', some others as effeminate or cowardly, yet others as untrustworthy. Reason (R): Stereotypes are fixed and inflexible characterisations of a group of people.

(A)Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of Assertion (A).
(B)Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, but Reason (R) is not the correct explanation of Assertion (A).
(C)Assertion (A) is true, but Reason (R) is false.
(D)Assertion (A) is false, but Reason (R) is true.
3
1 markMCQThe Demographic Structure of the Indian SocietyStages of Demographic Transition

_________ is a characteristic of the second/transitional stage in population growth of society. (I) High death rate and population explosion (II) Population explosion (III) Low sex ratio (IV) High maternal mortality rate

(A)Only (I)
(B)Only (II)
(C)(II) and (III)
(D)Only (IV)
4
1 markChange and Development in Industrial SocietyDisinvestment of Public Sector Undertakings

Assertion (A): The government sells its shares in several public sector companies as part of the process of disinvestment. Reason (R): Many government workers are scared that they will lose their job after disinvestment.

(A)Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of Assertion (A).
(B)Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, but Reason (R) is not the correct explanation of Assertion (A).
(C)Assertion (A) is true, but Reason (R) is false.
(D)Assertion (A) is false, but Reason (R) is true.
5
1 markMCQIntroducing Indian SocietyColonialism and the Caste System

Which of the following are not the changes brought about by colonialism to the caste system?

(A)Numbering and recording of castes through census.
(B)Hundreds of petitions were addressed to the Census Commissioner by representatives of different castes claiming a higher position in the social scale.
(C)Linking castes to traditional occupations.
(D)Making `Schedules' of castes for special treatment by the State.
6
1 markMCQThe Story of Indian DemocracyUnity in Diversity — Nation-building Institutions

Which of the following institutional incentives helps to build a feeling of unity in diversity?

(A)Citizens can find the institutional and political space to identify with both their country and cultural identities.
(B)Citizens cannot build trust in common institutions.
(C)Citizens do not participate in and support democratic politics.
(D)Explicit efforts are not required to end the cultural exclusion of diverse groups.
7
1 markMCQThe Story of Indian DemocracyAuthoritarian State vs Democratic State

An authoritarian state is the opposite of a democratic state because:

(A)It is a state in which people have no voice.
(B)Those in power are accountable to everyone.
(C)The state responds well to the needs of the people.
(D)Authoritarian state does not abolish civil liberties.
8
1 markPatterns of Social Inequality and ExclusionSanskritisation and Regional Variation

Assertion (A): Sanskritisation operated similarly in different parts of the country. Reason (R): In regions where the non-Sanskritic were dominant, it was their influence that was stronger.

(A)Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of Assertion (A).
(B)Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, but Reason (R) is not the correct explanation of Assertion (A).
(C)Assertion (A) is true, but Reason (R) is false.
(D)Assertion (A) is false, but Reason (R) is true.
9
1 markMCQPatterns of Social Inequality and Exclusion (Indian Society)Public Perception of Disability

Which of the following is a public perception of disability?

(A)Disabilities are not understood as biologically given.
(B)The disabled person is not seen as a victim.
(C)Disability is not linked with an individual's self-perception.
(D)The idea of disability suggests that they are in need of help.
10
1 markThe Demographic Structure of the Indian Society (Indian Society)Occupational Structure and Job Security in India

Assertion (A): India is still largely an agricultural country. Reason (R): Very few people in India have access to secure jobs.

(A)Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of Assertion (A).
(B)Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, but Reason (R) is not the correct explanation of Assertion (A).
(C)Assertion (A) is true, but Reason (R) is false.
(D)Assertion (A) is false, but Reason (R) is true.
11
1 markMCQSocial Movements (Social Change and Development in India)Impact of Social Movements on the World

How have social movements shaped the world we live in?

(A)In the 19th century, reform movements did not influence caste and gender.
(B)Asia and Africa had nationalist movements, which ended colonialism.
(C)The Civil Rights Movement in the USA did not bring equal rights.
(D)Anti-apartheid struggle did not change society in South Africa.
12
1 markMCQSocial Movements (Social Change and Development in India)Karl Marx's View on Violent Collective Action

Which of the following is not true about Karl Marx's view on violent collective action?

(A)`Crowds' and `mobs' were not made up of anarchic hooligans out to destroy society.
(B)Poor people in urban areas had a good reason for protesting.
(C)They often resorted to public protest because they had no other way of expressing their anger against deprivation.
(D)`Crowds' and `mobs' have no shared understanding of right and wrong.
13
1 markMCQSocial Movements (Social Change and Development in India)Adivasis: Identity and Conditions

Which of the following is not true about Adivasis?

(A)Their economic conditions were better than the non-Adivasis.
(B)They are found mainly in the north-eastern parts of India.
(C)They were believed to be the people of the forest.
(D)They had practised shifting cultivation.
14
1 markMCQSocial Movements (Social Change and Development in India)Timeline of Adivasi Movements

Write the following statements in the correct order: (I) The resource extraction in areas inhabited by tribes can be traced to the British Government. (II) Since the 1990s, when economic liberalisation policies were officially adopted by the Indian Government, the process of resource extraction in Adivasi areas has become even more powerful. (III) The term `Adivasi' was coined in the 1930s as part of the struggle against intrusion by the colonial government and outside settlers. (IV) The most significant achievement of Adivasi movements includes attainment of statehood for Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh in the year 2000.

(A)(III), (I), (II), (IV)
(B)(I), (II), (III), (IV)
(C)(IV), (I), (III), (II)
(D)(III), (II), (IV), (I)
15
1 markMCQCultural Change (Social Change and Development in India)Paradoxical Impact of the English Language in India

Which statement is true regarding the many-sided and paradoxical impact of the English language in India?

(A)English is not widely used in India.
(B)We do not have an impressive body of literary writings by Indians in English.
(C)The knowledge of English has given Indians an edge in the global market.
(D)For those who were traditionally deprived of access to formal education, such as Dalits, knowledge of English did not open doors of opportunities.
16
1 markThe Story of Indian Democracy (Social Change and Development in India)Federalism and Regional Sentiments in Indian Democracy

Assertion (A): Constitutional provisions define the powers of the States and the Centre. Reason (R): Respecting regional sentiments is not just a matter of creating States but it has to be backed up with an institutional structure.

(A)Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of Assertion (A).
(B)Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, but Reason (R) is not the correct explanation of Assertion (A).
(C)Assertion (A) is true, but Reason (R) is false.
(D)Assertion (A) is false, but Reason (R) is true.

Section B

17
2 marksVery Short AnswerThe Demographic Structure of Indian SocietyMalthusian Theory of Population

``Malthus argued that human populations tend to grow at a much faster rate than the rate at which the means of human subsistence (specially food, but also clothing and other agriculture-based products) can grow. Therefore, humanity is condemned to live in poverty forever because the growth of agricultural production will always be overtaken by population growth.'' What are the methods that Malthus suggests to check the rise in population?

18
2 marksVery Short AnswerPatterns of Social Inequality and ExclusionSocial Exclusion and Untouchability

(a) ``Social exclusion is not accidental but systematic -- it is the result of structural features of society.'' In the context of the above statement, highlight the meaning of social exclusion. OR (b) ``Untouchability is an extreme and vicious aspect of the caste system.'' Explain any two dimensions of untouchability.

19
2 marksVery Short AnswerChange and Development in Rural SocietyAgriculture and Culture

``Many of our cultural practices and patterns can be traced to our agricultural background. There is a close relationship between agriculture and culture.'' Give one reason to support the given statement and name any two agriculture-related festivals.

20
2 marksVery Short AnswerThe Challenges of Cultural DiversityCommunity Identity as Ascriptive

``Our community provides us the language (our mother tongue) and the cultural values through which we comprehend the world. It also anchors our self-identity. Community identity is what we `are' rather than what we have `become'.'' How can you say that community identity is ascriptive?

21
2 marksVery Short AnswerPatterns of Social Inequality and ExclusionReservation Policy for Scheduled Castes and Tribes

The `Schedules' listing the castes and tribes recognised as deserving of special treatment because of the massive discrimination practiced against them were drawn up in 1935, by the British Indian government. Post-independence, which was the most important initiative taken by the government to compensate for this discrimination? Write briefly about it.

22
2 marksVery Short AnswerPatterns of Social Inequality and Exclusion / The Story of Indian DemocracyMinority Groups and Secularism

(a) The notion of minority groups usually involves some sort of a relative disadvantage. Exemplify the statement. OR (b) Highlight the meaning of Secularism in both, the Western and Indian context.

23
2 marksVery Short AnswerPatterns of Social Inequality and ExclusionDisability and Autonomy

``In a country where half the children in the age group of 5 -- 14 years are out of school, how can there be space for children with disabilities, especially if a segregated schooling is being advocated for them?'' State two ways by which a disabled child can achieve autonomy.

24
2 marksVery Short AnswerChange and Development in Industrial SocietyOrganised versus Unorganised (Informal) Sector

``In India, over 90% of the work, whether it is in agriculture, industry or services is in the unorganised or informal sector.'' What are the social implications of this small size of the organised sector?

25
2 marksVery Short AnswerSocial MovementsSocial movements in the information age

``In our current information age, social movements around the globe are able to join together in huge regional and international networks.'' Give suitable examples to support the statement.

Section C

26
4 marksShort AnswerChange and Development in Rural SocietyContract farming and globalisation of agriculture

``Globalisation of agriculture or the incorporation of agriculture into the larger global market -- a process that has had direct effects on farmers and rural society.'' Discuss the role of `contract farming' in this process of globalisation.

27
4 marksShort AnswerThe Story of Indian DemocracyCaste in Indian politics and the public sphere

``The post-independent Indian state inherited and reflected the contradictions of the pre-independent period.'' Comment on the given statement with respect to the role of caste in the public sphere.

28
4 marksShort AnswerStructural ChangeInclusive and democratic vision of Indian nationalism

``In Indian nationalism, the dominant trend was marked by an inclusive and democratic vision.'' Explain.

29
4 marksShort AnswerSocial Institutions: Continuity and ChangeSecular dimensions of religious ritual

``A considerable part of ritual in India has a direct reference to the pursuit of secular ends. Rituals have secular dimensions as distinct from secular goals.'' Justify with the help of suitable examples.

30
4 marksShort AnswerChange and Development in Rural SocietyJan Breman: patronage to exploitation in agrarian labour relations

``Jan Breman identified the change in the nature of relationship between landlords and agricultural workers.'' Explain the meaning of the phrase `from patronage to exploitation' stated by him.

31
4 marksShort AnswerStructural ChangeCities in empires OR colonial labour laws in the tea industry

(a) ``Cities played a key role in the economic system of empires.'' Elucidate the statement with the help of suitable examples. OR (b) ``The laws of a colonised country did not have to stick to the democratic norms that the British back home had to follow.'' In what ways did the colonial laws favour the owners and managers of the tea industry?

32
4 marksShort AnswerPatterns of Social Inequality and ExclusionTribal displacement and national development

``Because the tribal areas were located in mineral-rich and forest-covered parts of the country, tribals have paid a disproportionate price for the development of the rest of Indian society.'' How has national development been a challenge for the tribal population of India, post-Independence?

Section D

33
2 marksLong AnswerStructural ChangeRural-Urban Migration - Social Reasons

`Rural-urban migration is preferred for `social reasons'. Mention any two reasons.

34
4 marksLong AnswerStructural ChangeDecline of the Agrarian-Rural Way of Life

`It is not a question of numbers alone, processes of modern development ensure that the economic and social significance of the agrarian-rural way of life declines relative to the significance of the industrial way of life.' Highlight the reasons for the decline in the agrarian-rural way of life.

35
6 marksLong AnswerChange and Development in Industrial SocietyHome-Based Industry — Bidi Making

`Home-based work is an important part of the economy.' Elaborate on the functioning of any one `Home-based' Industry.

36
6 marksLong AnswerSocial MovementsEvolution of Women's Movements in India

How have the women's movements evolved over the period of history?

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are in the CBSE Class 12 Sociology 2026 paper?

The CBSE Class 12 Sociology 2026 question paper has 36 questions carrying a total of 80 marks.

What is the maximum marks for CBSE Class 12 Sociology 2026?

The maximum marks for the CBSE Class 12 Sociology 2026 exam is 80.

How long is the CBSE Class 12 Sociology 2026 exam?

The CBSE Class 12 Sociology 2026 exam duration is 180 minutes (3 hours).

Where can I find answers to the CBSE Class 12 Sociology 2026 question paper?

Padhantu provides complete answers to all questions in the CBSE Class 12 Sociology 2026 paper. You can read the answers directly on this page. Each question shows the official answer along with chapter and topic information.