NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Political Science Chapter 3: Contemporary South Asia (NCERT 2026–27)
These Class 12 Political Science Chapter 3 solutions cover Contemporary South Asia from the textbook Contemporary World Politics (Book I), updated for the 2026–27 session. The chapter shifts the focus from global developments to our own region, explaining the nature of conflict and cooperation among the seven South Asian countries — Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. You will study the mixed experience of democracy in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka, the major India–Pakistan conflicts over Kashmir, Siachen, river waters and nuclear arms, India’s ties with its other neighbours, and the role of SAARC and SAFTA in regional cooperation. Below are step-by-step answers to all 10 NCERT exercise questions, plus key concepts, extra practice, MCQs, Assertion–Reason and FAQs.
Class: 12Subject: Political ScienceBook: Contemporary World PoliticsChapter: 3Title: Contemporary South AsiaSession: 2026–27
Chapter 3, Contemporary South Asia, examines a region of seven countries that share a natural insularity formed by the Himalayas in the north and the Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal to the south, yet differ widely in their political systems. India and Sri Lanka have sustained democracy since independence, while Pakistan and Bangladesh have alternated between civilian and military rule, Nepal moved from monarchy to a democratic republic (2008), Bhutan became a multi-party constitutional monarchy (2008) and the Maldives became a multi-party republic. The chapter then turns to conflicts of an international nature — especially India–Pakistan disputes over Kashmir, Siachen, the Sir Creek, river waters and nuclear weapons — and India’s relations with Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan and the Maldives, where smaller neighbours fear Indian dominance while India feels exploited. Finally it studies cooperation through SAARC (1985) and the SAFTA agreement (2004, effective 2006), confidence-building measures between India and Pakistan, and the growing roles of China and the United States, concluding that the region’s future depends more on its own people and governments than on outside powers.
Key Concepts & Terms
South Asia: in this chapter, the seven countries of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, sharing a geo-political space made insular by the Himalayas and the surrounding seas. Afghanistan and Myanmar are sometimes included in wider discussions; Afghanistan joined SAARC in 2007.
Mixed record of democracy: India and Sri Lanka have stayed democratic since independence; Pakistan and Bangladesh have swung between elected and military governments; Nepal shifted from constitutional monarchy to a democratic republic (2008) and adopted a new constitution in 2015; Bhutan became a multi-party democracy under its king (2008); the Maldives introduced a multi-party system (2005).
Military and democracy in Pakistan: repeated coups (Ayub Khan, Yahya Khan, Zia-ul-Haq, Pervez Musharraf) caused by the social dominance of the military, clergy and landowning aristocracy, conflict with India, and the lack of genuine international support for democracy. Civilian rule has continued since 2008.
Liberation of Bangladesh (1971): resentment against West Pakistani domination and the imposition of Urdu, the Awami League’s 1970 election victory under Sheikh Mujib-ur Rahman, the army crackdown, mass migration to India, and the 1971 India–Pakistan war ending in the surrender of Pakistani forces and the birth of Bangladesh.
Monarchy and democracy in Nepal: the Maoist insurgency, the triangular conflict among monarchists, democrats and Maoists, the 2006 pro-democracy movement led by the Seven Party Alliance (SPA), abolition of the monarchy in 2008 and a constituent assembly to draft a new constitution.
Ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka: the demand of the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) from 1983 for a separate ‘Tamil Eelam’, India’s 1987 accord and the IPKF (Indian Peace Keeping Force, which withdrew in 1989), Norwegian and Icelandic mediation, and the defeat of the LTTE in 2009.
India–Pakistan conflicts: Kashmir (wars of 1947–48, 1965, 1971, Kargil 1999), the Siachen glacier, the arms and nuclear race (Pokhran and Chagai tests, 1998), the Sir Creek demarcation, and the Indus Waters Treaty (1960), brokered by the World Bank, which has survived all conflicts.
India and its neighbours: river-water sharing and immigration disputes with Bangladesh (alongside cooperation under the Look East / Act East policy); the special visa-free treaty relationship with Nepal; the free-trade agreement and post-tsunami help with Sri Lanka; close ties and hydro-electric projects with Bhutan; and the 1988 rescue of the Maldives from a coup attempt.
SAARC: the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, a regional initiative begun in 1985, which has had limited success because of persisting political differences, especially between India and Pakistan.
SAFTA: the South Asian Free Trade Area agreement, signed at the 12th SAARC Summit in Islamabad in 2004 and effective from 1 January 2006, which aims to lower trade tariffs and create a free-trade zone for the region.
External powers: China (strategic partner of Pakistan, but with improving Sino-Indian economic ties since 1991) and the United States (a moderator in India–Pakistan relations after the Cold War, with stakes through the South Asian diaspora and markets) remain key players in South Asian politics.
NCERT Exercise — Full Solutions
All questions below are reproduced verbatim from the NCERT textbook’s end-of-chapter Exercises. Answers are original, written in exam-ready style.
1. Identify the country:
a. The struggle among pro-monarchy, pro-democracy groups and extremists created an atmosphere of political instability:b. A landlocked country with multi-party competition:c. The first country to liberalise its economy in the South Asian region:d. In the conflict between the military and pro-democracy groups, the military has prevailed over democracy:e. Centrally located and shares borders with most of the South Asian countries:f. Earlier the island had the Sultan as the head of state. Now, it’s a republic:g. Small savings and credit cooperatives in the rural areas have helped in reducing poverty:h. A landlocked country with a monarchy:
ANSWERa. Nepal — the triangular struggle among the monarchy, the pro-democracy Seven Party Alliance and the Maoist extremists created lasting political instability.b. Nepal — a landlocked Himalayan country that became a multi-party democratic republic after the monarchy was abolished in 2008.c. Sri Lanka — it was the first country in the region to liberalise its economy.d. Pakistan — repeated military coups (Ayub, Yahya, Zia, Musharraf) saw the army prevail over elected governments.e. India — located centrally, it is the only country that shares borders with most of the South Asian states.f. Maldives — a Sultanate till 1968, it then became a republic with a presidential form of government.g. Bangladesh — the Grameen Bank’s small savings-and-credit cooperatives in rural areas helped reduce poverty.h. Bhutan — a landlocked Himalayan country that was a monarchy (and is now a constitutional, multi-party monarchy).
2. Which among the following statements about South Asia is wrong?
a) All the countries in South Asia are democratic.b) Bangladesh and India have signed an agreement on river-water sharing.c) SAFTA was signed at the 12th SAARC Summit in Islamabad.d) The US and China play an influential role in South Asian politics.
ANSWERThe wrong statement is (a) “All the countries in South Asia are democratic.”South Asia has a mixed record: while India and Sri Lanka have remained democracies, the other states have experienced military rule, monarchy or other forms of government at different times, so it is incorrect to say that all countries in the region are democratic. Statements (b), (c) and (d) are all correct — India and Bangladesh signed the Farakka Treaty on sharing the Ganga waters (1996), SAFTA was signed at the 12th SAARC Summit in Islamabad (2004), and the US and China are influential players in the region.
3. What are some of the commonalities and differences between Bangladesh and Pakistan in their democratic experiences?
ANSWERCommonalities: Both Bangladesh and Pakistan have experienced an alternation between civilian, democratic governments and military rule. Both saw military coups and the assassination or removal of elected leaders, and in both countries there has been a strong popular movement and aspiration for democracy among ordinary citizens.Differences: In Pakistan, the military, clergy and landowning aristocracy have been socially dominant, and the army has repeatedly overthrown elected governments; conflict with India strengthened pro-military groups. In Bangladesh, after early military interventions, representative democracy based on multi-party elections has been working steadily since 1991, and Bangladesh remained a democracy through the post-Cold War period. Thus, while both share a troubled democratic history, democracy has become more firmly rooted in Bangladesh than in Pakistan, where the military long retained dominance (civilian rule returned only in 2008).
4. List three challenges to democracy in Nepal.
ANSWERThree major challenges to democracy in Nepal were:1. Resistance from the monarchy: for years the king, backed by the army, retained control over the government and restricted the expansion of democracy, even dissolving parliament and dismissing the government in 2002.2. The Maoist insurgency: the Maoists believed in armed insurrection against the monarch and the ruling elite, leading to a violent, sometimes triangular conflict among monarchists, democrats and Maoists.3. Framing a new constitution and restructuring: drafting a constitution through a constituent assembly was difficult, as the SPA, the Maoists and groups favouring a nominal monarchy disagreed over radical social and economic restructuring — a new constitution was finally adopted only in 2015.
5. Name the principal players in the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka. How do you assess the prospects of the resolution of this conflict?
ANSWERPrincipal players: (i) the Sri Lankan government, dominated by forces representing the majority Sinhala community; (ii) the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), the militant Tamil organisation that from 1983 fought an armed struggle for a separate ‘Tamil Eelam’; (iii) India, which intervened with the IPKF in 1987 and later preferred disengagement; and (iv) international actors such as Norway and Iceland, who tried to mediate.Prospects of resolution: The armed conflict ended when the LTTE was vanquished in 2009, so the immediate military threat has been removed. However, the underlying ethnic question — the political grievances of the Tamil minority — needs a lasting solution through devolution of power, reconciliation and equal rights. Despite the conflict, Sri Lanka maintained a democratic system and recorded high human development, which improves the prospects for a peaceful, negotiated settlement, provided both communities accommodate each other’s interests.
6. Mention some of the recent agreements between India and Pakistan. Can we be sure that the two countries are well on their way to a friendly relationship?
ANSWERAgreements and confidence-building measures: India and Pakistan signed the Indus Waters Treaty (1960) on river-water sharing, which has survived all conflicts; the Simla Agreement (1972); the 1988 agreement not to attack each other’s nuclear installations; the Lahore Peace Declaration following Vajpayee’s 1999 bus journey; and they have undertaken confidence-building measures to reduce the risk of war — opening bus routes, increasing trade and granting visas more easily, with summit meetings between leaders.Can we be sure of friendship? No, we cannot be fully sure. Although these efforts show a genuine attempt to manage tensions and build peace, India–Pakistan relations remain a story of endemic conflict and violence. Both governments continue to be suspicious of each other — over Kashmir, cross-border militancy, the role of the ISI, and acquisition of arms — and in recent times the situation has changed for the worse. Lasting friendship will depend on sustained mutual trust and the resolution of core disputes.
7. Mention two areas each of cooperation and disagreement between India and Bangladesh.
ANSWERAreas of cooperation:1. Economic and trade ties have improved considerably, with Bangladesh being part of India’s Look East (Act East) policy to link up with Southeast Asia via Myanmar; the two also exchanged enclaves in 2015.2. Disaster management and environmental issues, where the two states have cooperated regularly.Areas of disagreement:1. Sharing of river waters (the Ganga and Brahmaputra), with Bangladesh feeling India behaves like a regional bully.2. Illegal migration and security — India is unhappy over illegal immigration and alleged support for anti-Indian groups, while Bangladesh objects to issues such as natural-gas exports and the refusal to allow Indian troop movement through its territory.
8. How are the external powers influencing bilateral relations in South Asia? Take any one example to illustrate your point.
ANSWERNo region exists in a vacuum; South Asia is influenced by outside powers, chiefly China and the United States. China’s strategic partnership with Pakistan is a major irritant for India, even though Sino-Indian economic ties have grown rapidly since 1991. The United States, having good relations with both India and Pakistan after the Cold War, increasingly works as a moderator in India–Pakistan relations; economic reforms and the large South Asian diaspora and markets have deepened American participation in the region.Example: US influence on India–Pakistan relations — because of its stakes in regional security and its concern that Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal should not fall into the hands of terrorist groups, the US has at times encouraged dialogue and acted as a mediator between the two neighbours, thereby shaping the course of their bilateral ties.
9. Write a short note on the role and the limitations of SAARC as a forum for facilitating economic cooperation among the South Asian countries.
ANSWERRole: The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), begun in 1985, is the major regional initiative by the South Asian states to evolve cooperation through multilateral means. Its members signed the SAFTA agreement (2004, effective 1 January 2006), promising a free-trade zone and lower tariffs, in the belief that a region which trades more freely will be able to cooperate better on political issues, with real economic benefits for all.Limitations: Because of persisting political differences — especially the India–Pakistan rivalry — SAARC has not had much success. Some smaller neighbours fear that SAFTA is a way for India to ‘invade’ their markets and influence their societies and politics through commercial ventures. Some in India, in turn, feel SAFTA is not worth the trouble since India already has bilateral free-trade agreements with Bhutan, Nepal and Sri Lanka. These suspicions limit SAARC’s effectiveness as a forum for economic cooperation.
10. India’s neighbours often think that the Indian government tries to dominate and interfere in the domestic affairs of the smaller countries of the region. Is this a correct impression?
ANSWERThis impression is partly true but largely exaggerated. Because of India’s large size, central location and power, the smaller neighbours are bound to be suspicious of its intentions and fear that India wants to be a regionally dominant power. Disputes over river waters with Bangladesh and Nepal, the IPKF intervention in Sri Lanka, and trade pressures have at times reinforced this feeling.However, the impression is not entirely correct. The Indian government, on its part, often feels exploited by its neighbours and does not interfere arbitrarily. India has helped its neighbours generously — rescuing the Maldives from a coup attempt in 1988, undertaking big hydroelectric projects in Bhutan and being its largest source of development aid, signing a free-trade agreement and providing post-tsunami reconstruction help to Sri Lanka, and maintaining a special visa-free relationship with Nepal. Many tensions arise from the geography of the region, in which India borders all the others. Thus, while some suspicion is understandable, branding India a ‘regional bully’ is an oversimplification.
Extra Practice Questions
Short Answer Type Questions
Q1. Which seven countries are usually included in ‘South Asia’, and what gives the region its natural insularity?
ANSWERSouth Asia usually includes Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The mighty Himalayas in the north and the Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal in the south, west and east give the region a natural insularity, which is largely responsible for its linguistic, social and cultural distinctiveness.
Q2. What was the Indus Waters Treaty and why is it significant?
ANSWERThe Indus Waters Treaty was signed by India and Pakistan in 1960 with the help of the World Bank to share the waters of the Indus basin. It is significant because, despite the bitter India–Pakistan rivalry, it has survived all the wars and military conflicts between the two countries to this day, showing that cooperation is possible even between hostile states.
Q3. Why did East Pakistan break away to form Bangladesh in 1971?
ANSWERThe people of East Pakistan resented the domination of western Pakistan and the imposition of the Urdu language. After the Awami League under Sheikh Mujib-ur Rahman won the 1970 elections but was denied power, the Pakistani army cracked down on the Bengali movement. This led to mass migration to India and a war in December 1971, ending in the surrender of Pakistani forces and the birth of Bangladesh.
Q4. What was the role of the IPKF in Sri Lanka?
ANSWERIn 1987 India signed an accord with Sri Lanka and sent the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) to stabilise relations between the Sri Lankan government and the Tamils. Eventually the IPKF got into a fight with the LTTE, and its presence was disliked by the Sri Lankans, who saw it as interference. In 1989 the IPKF pulled out without attaining its objective.
Q5. When and where was SAFTA signed, and when did it come into effect?
ANSWERThe South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) agreement was signed at the 12th SAARC Summit held in Islamabad in 2004 and came into effect on 1 January 2006. It aims at lowering trade tariffs and creating a free-trade zone for the whole of South Asia.
Long Answer Type Questions
Q1. Describe the relationship between the military and democracy in Pakistan, and the factors that have hindered the building of a stable democracy there.
ANSWERAfter Pakistan framed its first constitution, General Ayub Khan took over and got himself elected, but had to resign after popular dissatisfaction; this led to military rule under General Yahya Khan, during whose rule Bangladesh broke away in 1971. An elected government under Zulfikar Ali Bhutto (1971–77) was removed by General Zia-ul-Haq, after which democracy was restored in 1988 under Benazir Bhutto, with politics centring on her Pakistan People’s Party and the Muslim League. In 1999 General Pervez Musharraf removed Nawaz Sharif and later got himself elected President. Since 2008, democratically elected leaders have ruled Pakistan. Several factors have hindered stable democracy: the social dominance of the military, clergy and landowning aristocracy; conflict with India, which strengthens pro-military groups who argue that the army’s rule protects security; and the lack of genuine international support for democracy, as Western countries supported military rulers for their own strategic reasons. Even so, Pakistan has a courageous free press and a strong human-rights movement, showing a deep pro-democracy sentiment.
Q2. Discuss the major areas of conflict between India and Pakistan since 1947.
ANSWERThe most salient conflict in South Asia is between India and Pakistan. The two countries got embroiled over the fate of Kashmir soon after partition; the wars of 1947–48 and 1965 failed to settle it, the 1971 war divided the region along the Line of Control, and the Kargil conflict erupted in 1999. They also clash over strategic issues like the control of the Siachen glacier and the acquisition of arms; the arms race assumed a new character when both states tested nuclear weapons in 1998 (India at Pokhran, Pakistan in the Chagai Hills). India blames Pakistan for aiding Kashmiri and (earlier) Khalistani militants and for ISI activities, while Pakistan blames India for trouble in Sindh and Balochistan. The two also disagree over river waters (though the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 has survived) and the demarcation of the Sir Creek in the Rann of Kutch. Despite this, confidence-building measures have at times reduced the risk of full-scale war.
Q3. “In spite of many conflicts, the states of South Asia recognise the importance of cooperation.” Examine this statement with reference to SAARC, SAFTA and external powers.
ANSWERAlthough South Asia is a turbulent region with border, water-sharing, ethnic and insurgency conflicts, its states recognise that the region can develop and prosper only through cooperation. The chief instrument is SAARC (begun in 1985), a multilateral initiative to evolve regional cooperation; through it the members signed SAFTA (2004, effective 2006) to lower tariffs and build a free-trade zone, in the belief that freer trade leads to better political cooperation. However, persisting political differences — mainly India–Pakistan rivalry — and the smaller states’ fear that India might dominate their markets have limited SAARC’s success. India–Pakistan ties have also seen peace efforts: opening bus routes, increasing trade and visas, and confidence-building measures, with social activists working to build friendship. External powers influence this cooperation too — China’s partnership with Pakistan is an irritant, while the United States acts as a moderator. Ultimately, whether South Asia becomes a conflict-prone zone or a cooperative regional bloc will depend more on its own people and governments than on any outside power.
MCQs & Assertion–Reason
1. Which of the following is NOT among the seven countries the chapter calls South Asia?
(a) Bhutan (b) the Maldives (c) China (d) Nepal
2. The monarchy in Nepal was abolished and Nepal became a democratic republic in:
(a) 2002 (b) 2006 (c) 2008 (d) 2015
3. The Indus Waters Treaty between India and Pakistan was signed in:
(a) 1947 (b) 1960 (c) 1972 (d) 1988
4. The LTTE in Sri Lanka was finally vanquished in:
(a) 1987 (b) 2002 (c) 2009 (d) 2015
5. SAFTA was signed at the 12th SAARC Summit held in:
(a) Dhaka (b) Kathmandu (c) Islamabad (d) New Delhi
6. The Grameen Bank, whose rural cooperatives helped reduce poverty, is associated with:
(a) Nepal (b) Bangladesh (c) Bhutan (d) Sri Lanka
7. Which country was earlier a Sultanate and became a republic after 1968?
(a) Bhutan (b) the Maldives (c) Sri Lanka (d) Pakistan
8. In 1998, Pakistan conducted its nuclear tests in the:
(a) Pokhran range (b) Chagai Hills (c) Siachen glacier (d) Thar desert
9. Civilian, democratically elected leaders have been ruling Pakistan again since:
(a) 1999 (b) 2001 (c) 2004 (d) 2008
10. Which two external powers does the chapter describe as key players in South Asian politics?
(a) Russia and Japan (b) China and the United States (c) Britain and France (d) Germany and Iran
For each Assertion–Reason question, choose: (A) Both true and the Reason correctly explains the Assertion; (B) Both true but the Reason is not the correct explanation; (C) Assertion true, Reason false; (D) Assertion false, Reason true.
A-R 1. Assertion: It is wrong to say that all the countries in South Asia are democratic.
Reason: India and Sri Lanka have remained democracies, but Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal have at various times experienced military rule or monarchy.
A-R 2. Assertion: The Indus Waters Treaty has survived all military conflicts between India and Pakistan.
Reason: The treaty was signed in 1972 as part of the Simla Agreement.
A-R 3. Assertion: Democracy has been firmly established in Pakistan since its first constitution.
Reason: The social dominance of the military, clergy and landowning aristocracy has led to the frequent overthrow of elected governments.
A-R 4. Assertion: SAARC has not had much success as a forum for regional cooperation.
Reason: Persisting political differences, especially between India and Pakistan, have limited its effectiveness.
A-R 5. Assertion: India’s smaller neighbours are bound to be suspicious of its intentions.
Reason: India is large and centrally located, and is the only country that borders most of the other South Asian states.
Answer key: 1-(A), 2-(C), 3-(D), 4-(A), 5-(A).
Exam Tips & Common Mistakes
How to score full marks in this chapter
Memorise the seven South Asian countries and tie each to its political journey (India/Sri Lanka democracies; Pakistan/Bangladesh military–civilian swings; Nepal monarchy to republic; Bhutan multi-party monarchy; Maldives Sultanate to republic). For the “identify the country” question, link each clue to a single distinctive fact. Learn the key dates — Indus Waters Treaty (1960), Bangladesh war (1971), SAARC (1985), Pokhran/Chagai (1998), Kargil (1999), SAFTA signed 2004 (effective 2006), Nepal republic (2008), LTTE defeated (2009). For analytical questions on India–neighbour relations and SAARC, always give a balanced, two-sided answer with examples.
Common mistakes to avoid
Saying all South Asian countries are democracies — only India and Sri Lanka have been continuously democratic.
Confusing the years — SAFTA was signed in 2004 but came into effect on 1 January 2006.
Including China as part of South Asia — it is an important player but not part of the region.
Mixing up the nuclear test sites — India at Pokhran, Pakistan in the Chagai Hills (1998).
Forgetting that the IPKF (1987–90) withdrew in 1989 without attaining its objective.
Presenting India–neighbour relations one-sidedly — show both the neighbours’ fears and India’s help and grievances.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Chapter 3 of Class 12 Political Science (Contemporary World Politics) about?
Chapter 3, Contemporary South Asia, studies conflict and cooperation among the seven South Asian countries — their mixed experience of democracy and military rule, India–Pakistan conflicts over Kashmir, Siachen, river waters and nuclear arms, India’s ties with its other neighbours, and regional cooperation through SAARC and SAFTA, along with the roles of China and the United States.
Which countries are included in South Asia in this chapter?
In this chapter, South Asia means the seven countries of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Afghanistan and Myanmar are sometimes discussed too (Afghanistan joined SAARC in 2007), but China, though an important player, is not considered part of the region.
What are SAARC and SAFTA?
SAARC, the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, began in 1985 as a multilateral initiative for regional cooperation. SAFTA, the South Asian Free Trade Area agreement, was signed at the 12th SAARC Summit in Islamabad in 2004 and came into effect on 1 January 2006, aiming to lower trade tariffs and create a free-trade zone in South Asia.
