CBSE Class 10 Social Science & ICSE Class 10 History and Civics Short Answer Questions 2026

Preparing for CBSE Class 10 Social Science and ICSE Class 10 History and Civics Short Answer Questions 2026 demands a structured, precision-driven revision strategy. Short-answer questions (typically carrying 2 to 3 marks) test factual accuracy, conceptual clarity, and the ability to present historical events and constitutional mechanisms concisely. With the board exams evolving to include analytical and competency-based evaluations, mastering high-yield short-answer questions is the most reliable way to secure a 100% score in Section A and targeted descriptive sections.

Core Syllabus Overview & High-Yield Concepts for 2026

To score maximum marks in History and Civics, students must categorize their preparation into two distinct streams: constitutional frameworks (Civics) and chronological cause-effect dynamics (History).

1. Civics: The Indian Constitutional Framework

• The Union Legislature: Composition, qualifications, terms, and exclusive powers of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha; procedures including Question Hour, Zero Hour, No-Confidence Motion, and Adjournment Motion.
• The Union Executive: Election and emergency powers of the President, executive powers of the Prime Minister, and the principle of Collective Responsibility of the Council of Ministers.
• The Judiciary: Jurisdiction (Original, Appellate, Advisory, and Revisory) of the Supreme Court and High Courts, the concept of Judicial Review, Writs (Habeas Corpus, Mandamus, Quo-Warranto, Prohibition, Certiorari), and the role of Lok Adalats.

2. History: Indian National Movement & The Contemporary World

• The First War of Independence (1857): Political (Doctrine of Lapse), socio-religious (General Service Enlistment Act), economic, and military causes; consequences (Government of India Act 1858, Queen’s Proclamation).
• Nationalist Movements: Methods of Early Nationalists vs. Assertive Nationalists; the Partition of Bengal (1905) and the Swadeshi/Boycott movement; the formation and objectives of the Muslim League (1906).
• Mass Phase (1919–1947): Non-Cooperation Movement (causes and suspension), Civil Disobedience Movement (Dandi March, Gandhi-Irwin Pact), Quit India Movement (1942), Subhas Chandra Bose and the INA, and the Mountbatten Plan.
• The Contemporary World: Causes of World War I (Treaty of Versailles), Rise of Dictatorships (Fascism under Mussolini, Nazism under Hitler), Causes of World War II, Objectives and Organs of the United Nations (Security Council, International Court of Justice), specialized agencies (WHO, UNESCO, UNICEF), and the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) with Panchsheel.

High-Yield Short Answer Questions with Model Answers

Section A: Civics (The Union Government & Judiciary)

Question 1: State two exclusive powers of the Lok Sabha that are not shared by the Rajya Sabha.

Answer:

1. Money Bills: A Money Bill can only be introduced in the Lok Sabha. The Rajya Sabha has no power to reject or amend it; it can only make recommendations within 14 days.
2. Control over the Executive: A motion of No-Confidence can only be moved and passed in the Lok Sabha. If passed, the Prime Minister and the entire Council of Ministers must resign.

Question 2: What is meant by the term "Collective Responsibility" of the Council of Ministers?

Answer: Under Article 75(3) of the Constitution, Collective Responsibility implies that the Council of Ministers is collectively answerable to the Lok Sabha for all decisions and policies. The ministers "sink and swim together". If a vote of No-Confidence is passed against the Prime Minister or any individual minister, the entire ministry must step down.

Question 3: Distinguish between the Original Jurisdiction and Appellate Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court.

Answer:

• Original Jurisdiction: The authority of the Supreme Court to hear and decide a dispute in the first instance, such as disputes between the Government of India and one or more States, or between two or more States, and matters concerning the enforcement of Fundamental Rights.
• Appellate Jurisdiction: The power of the Supreme Court to hear appeals against verdicts delivered by the High Courts in constitutional, civil, and criminal matters where a substantial point of law is involved.

Question 4: Mention two advantages of the Lok Adalat system in India.

Answer:

1. Speedy and Inexpensive Justice: Lok Adalats function without court fees, eliminating procedural delays and lengthy litigation costs for ordinary citizens.
2. Amicable Settlement: Disputes are resolved through compromise, counseling, and mutual agreement, preventing bitterness and making the award final with no further appeals.

Section B: Indian National Movement

Question 5: Mention two major military causes of the First War of Independence (1857).

Answer:

1. Unequal Pay and Denial of Foreign Service Allowance: Indian sepoys received significantly lower salaries than their British counterparts and were denied foreign service allowance (batta) when deployed in distant territories like Sindh or Burma.
2. The General Service Enlistment Act (1856): This act made it compulsory for Indian recruits to serve overseas if required, which violated traditional caste and religious beliefs regarding sea voyages (Kala Pani).

Question 6: State two primary objectives of the Early Nationalists (Moderates) and mention two methods they employed.

Answer:

• Objectives: To educate public opinion in India, create national consciousness, and achieve administrative reforms such as Indianization of higher civil services and expansion of legislative councils.
• Methods: They followed constitutional methods popularly known as the 3Ps (Petitions, Prayers, and Protests), sending memorandums, holding public meetings, and publishing articles in newspapers.

Question 7: Why did Mahatma Gandhi abruptly suspend the Non-Cooperation Movement in February 1922?

Answer: Mahatma Gandhi suspended the Non-Cooperation Movement due to the Chauri Chaura incident in Gorakhpur district, Uttar Pradesh, on February 5, 1922. A violent clash occurred when an agitated mob set fire to a police station, killing 22 policemen. Committed to strict non-violence (Ahimsa), Gandhi believed the masses were not yet adequately trained for disciplined non-violent resistance.

Question 8: State any two main clauses of the Mountbatten Plan (June 3, 1947).

Answer:

1. Partition of India: British India was to be divided into two independent dominions: India and Pakistan.
2. Princely States' Choice: Princely States were given the freedom to accede to either India or Pakistan, or remain independent if they chose.

Section C: The Contemporary World & International Organizations

Question 9: List two immediate consequences of the Treaty of Versailles (1919) on Germany.

Answer:

1. Territorial Losses: Germany lost Alsace-Lorraine to France, Eupen-Malmedy to Belgium, and the Polish Corridor, which divided East Prussia from the rest of Germany.
2. Military Restrictions and War Guilt: The German army was capped at 100,000 troops, conscription was abolished, the Rhineland was demilitarized, and Germany was forced to accept complete responsibility for war damages under the War Guilt Clause (Article 231).

Question 10: State the composition of the UN Security Council and explain the "Veto Power".

Answer:

• Composition: The Security Council consists of 15 members: 5 permanent members (USA, UK, France, Russia, and China) and 10 non-permanent members elected by the General Assembly for a two-year term.
• Veto Power: A negative vote cast by any single permanent member on a non-procedural (substantive) matter invalidates the resolution, even if supported by all other members.

Question 11: What are the main objectives of UNESCO and UNICEF?

Answer:

1. UNESCO (UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization): Promotes global peace and security by fostering international collaboration in education, science, culture, and preservation of world heritage.
2. UNICEF (UN Children’s Fund): Dedicated to improving the health, nutrition, education, sanitation, and general welfare of vulnerable children and mothers worldwide.

Question 12: What is the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM)? Mention any two principles of Panchsheel.

Answer:

The Non-Aligned Movement is an international policy adopted by newly independent nations to remain neutral and refrain from aligning with either of the two Cold War superpower blocs (the USA and the USSR), while actively participating in world affairs to promote peace.

Two Principles of Panchsheel (1954):

• Mutual respect for each other's territorial integrity and sovereignty.
• Mutual non-aggression and non-interference in each other’s internal affairs.

How to Structure High-Scoring Short Answers in Board Exams

To maximize your score in the CBSE Social Science and ICSE Class 10 History and Civics 2026 board examinations, follow these targeted answering techniques:

1. Direct Point-Wise Presentation: Avoid long, narrative paragraphs. If a question asks for two reasons, provide two clearly numbered points with precise headers.
2. Use Standard Terminology: Use accurate constitutional and historical keywords (e.g., Doctrine of Lapse, Prerogative Writs, Casting Vote, Panchsheel, Appellate Jurisdiction). Examiners look specifically for these terms in the marking scheme.
3. State Article and Year When Relevant: Mentioning exact years (e.g., Treaty of Versailles in 1919, Chauri Chaura in 1922) and constitutional articles (e.g., Article 75, Article 32) highlights strong conceptual command.
4. Strict Adherence to Word Count: For 2-mark questions, keep answers strictly between 30 to 50 words to conserve time for analytical and structured essay questions in Section B.

Where to Practice More for Board Exam 10

Consistent mock testing and exposure to actual board-pattern question papers are key to scoring a distinction in Class 10 Board Examinations. To access chapter-wise question banks, previous years' solved board papers, and AI-generated custom test series tailored for the 2026 examination pattern, visit Theorify QPTool (qptool.theorify.in) and supercharge your exam preparation today.