Class 12 The Crisis of Democratic Order Mock Test (CBSE)

Topics in The Crisis of Democratic Order

• Background to Emergency
• Economic context
• Gujarat and Bihar movements
• Conflict with judiciary
• Declaration of Emergency
• Consequences of Emergency
• Controversies regarding Emergency
• Lessons of the Emergency
• Politics after the Emergency
• Lok Sabha elections of 1977
• Janata government

The Crisis of Democratic Order practice questions with answers

1. Q1Multiple choice·1 mark
   Under which article of the Indian Constitution was the proclamation of nationwide emergency declared in June 1975 on the grounds of internal disturbances?

   1. (a)Article 370
   2. (b)Article 356
   3. (c)Article 360
   4. (d)Article 352
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   1. Correct option: (d) Article 352+1

   Answer: (d)
2. Q2Multiple choice·1 mark
   Which of the following was a direct consequence of the proclamation of the Emergency in 1975 concerning the judiciary and fundamental rights?

   1. (a)Judicial review was expanded to protect citizens from executive actions.
   2. (b)All fundamental rights were permanently removed from the Constitution.
   3. (c)The right to move the courts for the enforcement of Fundamental Rights was suspended.
   4. (d)Fundamental rights remained fully enforceable by the Supreme Court.
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   1. Correct option: (c) The right to move the courts for the enforcement of Fundamental Rights was suspended.+1

   Answer: (c)
3. Q3Short answer·3 marks
   Explain any three important lessons that the Emergency of 1975 taught about the Indian democratic system.
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   1. First lesson explained, any one of: it is extremely difficult to do away with democracy in India, as shown by its quick restoration in the 1977 elections; the ambiguities in the emergency provisions were removed, with 'internal disturbance' replaced by 'armed rebellion' and the President acting only on the Union Cabinet's written advice (44th Amendment, 1978); people became more aware of the value of civil liberties, and the courts and many new civil liberties organisations took an active role in protecting them; the police and administration must remain independent, since during the Emergency they were turned into political instruments; an independent judiciary and a free press are essential checks on executive power; or any other valid lesson.+1
   2. Second lesson explained, a different one from the same list.+1
   3. Third lesson explained, a different one from the same list.+1

   Answer: Any three of: democracy is very hard to do away with in India; emergency provisions were clarified ('armed rebellion' replaced 'internal disturbance', written Cabinet advice required); greater awareness of civil liberties and their protection by courts and civil liberties groups; police and administration must not become political instruments; independent judiciary and free press are essential checks; or any other valid lesson.
4. Q4Short answer·3 marks
   Analyze the major political developments and changes that took place in the Indian party system immediately after the revocation of the Emergency.
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   1. In the March 1977 Lok Sabha elections the Congress was defeated, winning only 154 seats and losing almost every seat in north India, and the Janata Party and its allies (330 seats) formed the first non-Congress government at the Centre under Morarji Desai.+1
   2. Opposition parties such as the Congress (O), Bharatiya Jana Sangh, Bharatiya Lok Dal and Socialist Party merged into the Janata Party, joined by Jagjivan Ram's Congress for Democracy, showing that a united opposition could defeat the Congress.+1
   3. Third development, any one of: the Janata Party lacked a common programme, its government fell in 1979, and the Congress returned to power in 1980; the rise of backward-caste politics in north India, with the Janata government appointing the Mandal Commission (announced December 1978, set up January 1979); the end of the Congress's unchallenged dominance, making the party system more competitive; or any other valid development.+1

   Answer: The Congress was defeated in 1977 (154 seats) and the Janata Party and allies (330 seats) formed the first non-Congress government at the Centre under Morarji Desai; the opposition parties had merged into the Janata Party; later the Janata government broke down (1979) and the Congress returned in 1980, while backward-caste politics rose and the party system became more competitive.

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