CUET 2026 Political Science May 15 Shift 1 Question Paper- Download Answer Key and Solution PDF

Step 1: Concept
The partition of British India in 1947 into India and Pakistan was a significant geopolitical event.

Step 2: Meaning
Impact refers to the immediate and long-term consequences of this division on the people living in these territories.

Step 3: Analysis
The partition led to the displacement of millions of people as they moved across new borders based on religious identity. This period was marked by unprecedented communal violence, riots, and loss of life. Option (A), (C), and (D) are positive developments that were not characteristic of the immediate partition era.

Step 4: Conclusion
Therefore, the most direct and devastating impact on the population was the mass displacement and the subsequent violence.


Final Answer: (B) Quick Tip: Remember the "Two Ms" of Partition: Migration and Misery.

Step 1: Concept
The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) was an initiative by developing nations to stay neutral during the Cold War.

Step 2: Meaning
The "New International Economic Order" (NIEO) was a set of proposals advocated by NAM countries to change the international economic system to favor developing nations.

Step 3: Analysis
All statements are historically accurate: (i) refers to the push for NIEO; (ii) defines the core purpose of NAM; (iii) correctly identifies the 1961 Belgrade Summit; and (iv) confirms the participation of 25 founding member countries.

Step 4: Conclusion
Since all provided statements are true regarding the history and goals of NAM, option (C) is the correct choice.


Final Answer: (C) Quick Tip: NAM = Neutrality + NIEO. The Belgrade Summit in 1961 is the birth certificate of NAM.

Step 1: Concept
Polarity refers to the distribution of power in the international system. During the Cold War, the world was "bipolar," led by the USA and the USSR.

Step 2: Meaning
The "end of polarity" in this context refers to the collapse of the bipolar structure.

Step 3: Analysis
The disintegration of the Soviet Union in 1991 officially ended the Cold War and the bipolar world order, leading to a period of US hegemony (unipolarity).

Step 4: Conclusion
Therefore, the specific system of Cold War bipolarity ended with the conclusion of the Cold War.


Final Answer: (D) Quick Tip: Bipolarity died when the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991.

Step 1: Concept
The Warsaw Pact was a collective defense treaty established by the Soviet Union and other Eastern Bloc nations in 1955.

Step 2: Meaning
It was the military response of the Eastern Bloc to the creation of NATO by Western nations.

Step 3: Analysis
The primary military objective of the Warsaw Pact was to counter the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) forces in Europe and maintain Soviet influence in Eastern Europe.

Step 4: Conclusion
Thus, its main function was to compete militarily and strategically against NATO member states.


Final Answer: (A) Quick Tip: Warsaw Pact is the Soviet "Mirror Image" of NATO.

Step 1: Concept
Economic models of development are generally divided into Capitalist and Socialist frameworks.

Step 2: Meaning
The socialist model emphasizes state ownership of means of production and a planned economy.

Step 3: Analysis
The United States (America) is the leading proponent of the capitalist model. The Soviet Union was the first state to implement the socialist model following the 1917 revolution.

Step 4: Conclusion
Therefore, the Soviet Union is the correct answer as its entire state ideology was built on socialism.


Final Answer: (A) Quick Tip: Soviet = Socialist. USA = Capitalist.

Step 1: Concept
Post-independence India had to integrate various princely states into the Union.

Step 2: Meaning
Identifying the specific monarch who ruled Manipur during the time of integration.

Step 3: Analysis
Raja Hari Singh was the ruler of Kashmir. The Nizam was the title of the ruler of Hyderabad. Maharaja Bodhchandra Singh was the ruler of Manipur who signed the Instrument of Accession.

Step 4: Conclusion
Maharaja Bodhchandra Singh is the historically correct ruler associated with Manipur.


Final Answer: (C) Quick Tip: Manipur-Bodhchandra. Remember the "M-B" link for Eastern states.

Step 1: Concept
To legally join the Indian Union, princely states had to sign a formal document.

Step 2: Meaning
This document ceded specific powers (Defense, Foreign Affairs, Communications) to the Government of India.

Step 3: Analysis
"Tryst with Destiny" was Nehru's speech. The legal document used for the merger of states was the "Instrument of Accession."

Step 4: Conclusion
The standard name for the merger agreement is the Instrument of Accession.


Final Answer: (C) Quick Tip: Accession means "joining." The document for joining is the Instrument of Accession.

Step 1: Concept
Diplomatic relations between India and China were severely strained after the 1962 war.

Step 2: Meaning
A landmark visit was required to normalize ties.

Step 3: Analysis
Rajiv Gandhi visited China in December 1988. It was the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to China in 34 years and marked the beginning of a new phase in bilateral relations.

Step 4: Conclusion
Rajiv Gandhi is the leader whose 1988 visit thawed the relations between the two countries.


Final Answer: (B) Quick Tip: 1988 = Rajiv Gandhi. It was the "Ice-breaking" visit to Beijing.

Step 1: Concept
Demographic data from the first census of independent India helps understand the social fabric post-partition.

Step 2: Meaning
Census 1951 recorded the religious distribution of the remaining population after the mass migrations of 1947.

Step 3: Analysis
According to the 1951 census figures, the Muslim population in India stood at approximately 12 percent.

Step 4: Conclusion
The statistical data confirms that 12% is the correct figure for the year 1951.


Final Answer: (B) Quick Tip: Remember 12% for the 1951 Census.

Step 1: Concept
In Indian history, certain leaders were given titles based on their region or their adherence to specific ideologies, particularly Gandhian principles.

Step 2: Meaning
"Marginal Gandhi" or "Frontier Gandhi" (Seemant Gandhi) refers to a leader from the North-West Frontier Province (NWFP) who was a staunch follower of non-violence and Mahatma Gandhi.

Step 3: Analysis
Mahatma Gandhi is the "Father of the Nation." Mohammad Ali Jinnah is known as "Qaid-e-Azam." Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, a Pashtun leader and founder of the Khudai Khidmatgar (Servants of God), led a non-violent movement against British rule in the frontier regions, earning him this title.

Step 4: Conclusion
Therefore, the title "Marginal Gandhi" specifically identifies Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan.


Final Answer: (D) Quick Tip: "Seemant" means "Frontier/Border." Think of the leader from the border province who followed Gandhi's path.