NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Social Science (Democratic Politics) Chapter 3: Gender, Religion and Caste (NCERT 2026–27)

These Class 10 Civics Chapter 3 solutions cover Gender, Religion and Caste from Democratic Politics–II, the NCERT textbook for the 2026–27 session. The chapter applies the idea that social diversity need not threaten democracy to three kinds of social differences in India — those based on gender, religion and caste — and asks how each is expressed in politics and whether that expression is healthy for democracy. Below you get step-by-step answers to every end-of-chapter Exercise question, clear notes on key terms, extra practice, MCQs, Assertion–Reason questions and FAQs.

Class: 10 Subject: Social Science (Civics) Book: Democratic Politics–II Chapter: 3 Theme: Gender, Religion and Caste Session: 2026–27
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Class 10 Civics Chapter 3 – Overview

Chapter 3, Gender, Religion and Caste, shows that the political expression of social differences is possible and often desirable in a democracy. Gender division is based not on biology but on social expectations and stereotypes; the sexual division of labour, the low literacy and political representation of women, and reforms such as one-third reservation in local bodies and the Women’s Reservation Act (Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023) are discussed as a largely positive example of a social division entering politics. Religion in politics can be acceptable when every religion is treated equally, but turns dangerous as communalism — treating religion as the basis of the nation; India answers this with a secular state. Caste, special to India, both shapes politics (vote-banks, candidate selection) and is shaped by it; while caste matters in elections, no single caste decides results, and exclusive focus on caste can harm democracy.

Key Terms

Sexual division of labour: a system in which all work inside the home is either done by the women of the family or organised by them through domestic helpers, while men do the work outside.

Gender division: a hierarchical social division between men and women, based not on biology but on social expectations and stereotypes; it is often understood (wrongly) as natural and unchangeable.

Feminist: a woman or a man who believes in equal rights and opportunities for women and men.

Patriarchy: literally ‘rule by father’; a system that values men more and gives them power over women.

Communalism: the use of religion in politics based on the idea that religion is the principal basis of social community, so that followers of one religion are pitted against another.

Secular state: a state that has no official religion, gives all individuals freedom to profess, practise and propagate any religion or none, prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion, and may intervene to ensure equality within religious communities.

Family laws: laws that deal with family-related matters such as marriage, divorce, adoption and inheritance; in India different family laws apply to followers of different religions.

Caste system: an extreme form of dividing labour and society in which hereditary occupational division is sanctioned by rituals, marriage is within the caste, and which historically excluded the ‘outcaste’ groups through untouchability.

Casteism: the belief that caste is the sole basis of social community, with people of one caste having the same interests not shared with anyone of another caste.

Occupational mobility & urbanisation: shift from one occupation to another (usually across generations), and the shift of population from rural to urban areas — both have weakened the old caste hierarchy.

Exercises — 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. Mention different aspects of life in which women are discriminated or disadvantaged in India.

ANSWER Education: the literacy rate among women is only 54 per cent compared with 76 per cent among men, and fewer girls go for higher studies because parents often prefer to spend on their sons’ education. Work and wages: although on an average an Indian woman works one hour more each day than a man, much of her work is unpaid, invisible and not valued; in almost all kinds of work women are paid less than men even for the same work, despite the Equal Remuneration Act, 1976. High-paid jobs: the proportion of women among highly paid and valued jobs is still very small. Sex-selective abortion: a preference for sons has led to sex-selective abortion, lowering the child sex ratio to 919 (and below 850 in some states). Safety: women face harassment, exploitation and violence, including domestic violence within their own homes, and urban areas have become particularly unsafe for them. Political representation: the share of women in legislatures remains very low. Thus women are disadvantaged in education, work, wages, safety and politics.

2. State different forms of communal politics with one example each.

ANSWER Communalism takes several forms in politics: (i) Everyday beliefs: the most common form involves religious prejudices, stereotypes of religious communities and belief in the superiority of one’s own religion. Example: assuming that people of another religion are all alike or inferior. (ii) Desire for political dominance: a communal mind seeks dominance of its own religious community — majoritarian dominance for the majority, and a desire for a separate political unit for a minority. Example: demands made in the name of a religious majority or minority. (iii) Political mobilisation on religious lines: the use of sacred symbols, religious leaders, emotional appeal and fear to bring followers of one religion together, including special appeals to voters of one religion at election time. Example: seeking votes in the name of a religion. (iv) Communal violence: in its ugliest form communalism leads to riots and massacre. Example: the communal riots at the time of the Partition of India and Pakistan.

3. State how caste inequalities are still continuing in India.

ANSWER Although the Constitution outlawed caste-based discrimination, caste has not disappeared and several old aspects continue: (i) Marriage: most people still marry within their own caste or tribe. (ii) Untouchability: it has not ended completely despite constitutional prohibition. (iii) Caste and economic status: caste remains closely linked to economic status. The ‘upper’ castes are best off and are heavily over-represented among the rich, while the Dalits and Adivasis are worst off, with the backward classes in between, and the proportion living in extreme poverty is much higher among the lowest castes. (iv) Access to opportunity: the effects of centuries of advantage and disadvantage are still felt — caste groups that had access to education earlier are well placed in modern education and the urban middle class, while those denied it have lagged behind. Thus caste inequalities continue in marriage, social practice and the economy.

4. State two reasons to say that caste alone cannot determine election results in India.

ANSWER (i) No parliamentary constituency in the country has a clear majority of one single caste, so every candidate and party must win the confidence of more than one caste and community to win an election. (ii) No party wins the votes of all the voters of one caste or community; people within the same caste have different interests, and the ruling party or sitting MP/MLA often loses — which could not happen if voters were frozen by caste. Many other factors, such as attachment to parties and the government’s performance, also decide elections.

5. What is the status of women’s representation in India’s legislative bodies?

ANSWER The representation of women in India’s legislatures has been very low. The percentage of elected women members in the Lok Sabha touched 14.36 per cent of its total strength for the first time in 2019, and their share in the state assemblies is less than 5 per cent. In this respect India is among the bottom group of nations in the world, behind several developing countries of Africa and Latin America. The position is better in local government: one-third of seats in panchayats and municipalities are reserved for women, and there are now more than 10 lakh elected women representatives in rural and urban local bodies. The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam (Women’s Reservation Act, 2023) provides 33 per cent reservation of seats for women in the Lok Sabha, State Legislative Assemblies and the Delhi Assembly.

6. Mention any two constitutional provisions that make India a secular state.

ANSWER (i) There is no official religion for the Indian state; unlike Buddhism in Sri Lanka, Islam in Pakistan or Christianity in England, our Constitution does not give a special status to any religion. (ii) The Constitution gives all individuals and communities the freedom to profess, practise and propagate any religion, or not to follow any, and prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion. (It also allows the state to intervene in matters of religion to ensure equality, for example by banning untouchability.)

7. When we speak of gender divisions, we usually refer to:

(a) Biological difference between men and women(b) Unequal roles assigned by the society to men and women(c) Unequal child sex ratio(d) Absence of voting rights for women in democracies

ANSWER (b) Unequal roles assigned by the society to men and women. Gender division is based not on biology but on social expectations and stereotypes about the roles of men and women.

8. In India seats are reserved for women in

(a) Lok Sabha(b) State legislative assemblies(c) Cabinets(d) Panchayati Raj bodies

ANSWER (d) Panchayati Raj bodies. One-third of seats in local government bodies — panchayats and municipalities — are reserved for women. (Reservation in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies under the 2023 Act is yet to come into effect.)

9. Consider the following statements on the meaning of communal politics. Communal politics is based on the belief that:

A. One religion is superior to that of others.B. People belonging to different religions can live together happily as equal citizens.C. Followers of a particular religion constitute one community.D. State power cannot be used to establish the domination of one religious group over others.Which of the statements are correct?(a) A, B, C, and D   (b) A, B, and D   (c) A and C   (d) B and D

ANSWER (c) A and C. Communal politics holds that one religion is superior to others (A) and that the followers of a particular religion form one community (C). Statements B and D describe the opposite of communalism.

10. Which among the following statements about India’s Constitution is wrong? It

(a) prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion.(b) gives official status to one religion.(c) provides to all individuals freedom to profess any religion.(d) ensures equality of citizens within religious communities.

ANSWER (b) gives official status to one religion. This statement is wrong — India is a secular state with no official religion. The other three statements are true.

11. Social divisions based on _________ are peculiar to India.

ANSWER Social divisions based on caste are peculiar to India. Unlike gender and religion, the caste system in its rigid, ritual-sanctioned hereditary form is special to India.

12. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the Lists:

List IList II
1. A person who believes in equal rights and opportunities for women and menA. Communalist
2. A person who says that religion is the principal basis of communityB. Feminist
3. A person who thinks that caste is the principal basis of communityC. Secularist
4. A person who does not discriminate others on the basis of religious beliefsD. Castiest
1234
(a)BCAD
(b)BADC
(c)DCAB
(d)CABD
ANSWER (b) 1–B, 2–A, 3–D, 4–C. A person who believes in equal rights for women and men is a Feminist (B); one who says religion is the principal basis of community is a Communalist (A); one who thinks caste is the principal basis of community is a Casteist (D); and one who does not discriminate on the basis of religious beliefs is a Secularist (C).

Extra Practice Questions

Short Answer Type Questions

Q1. What is meant by the ‘sexual division of labour’?

ANSWERThe sexual division of labour is a system in which all work inside the home — cooking, cleaning, washing, looking after children — is either done by the women of the family or organised by them through domestic helpers, while men do the work outside the home. It is based on social expectations, not on ability.

Q2. Why is the gender division said to be based on social expectations rather than biology?

ANSWERBoys and girls are brought up to believe that housework and child-rearing are mainly women’s responsibility, and men think such work is ‘for women’. Yet men readily do the same jobs when paid — most cooks and tailors are men. This shows the division reflects social stereotypes, not any natural inability.

Q3. What did Gandhiji mean when he said religion can never be separated from politics?

ANSWERBy ‘religion’ Gandhiji did not mean any particular religion like Hinduism or Islam, but the moral values that inform all religions. He believed that politics must be guided by ethics drawn from religion — that is, by truth and morality — rather than by any one faith.

Q4. How does caste influence the choice of candidates in elections?

ANSWERWhen parties choose candidates, they keep in mind the caste composition of the electorate and nominate candidates from different castes to gather enough support to win. When governments are formed, parties also take care that representatives of different castes and tribes find a place in them.

Q5. Why is a secular Constitution described as necessary but not sufficient to combat communalism?

ANSWERA secular Constitution provides the legal foundation against communalism, but laws alone cannot remove communal feelings. Communal prejudices and propaganda must also be countered in everyday life, and religion-based mobilisation must be opposed in the arena of politics. Hence the Constitution is necessary but not enough by itself.

Long Answer Type Questions

Q1. Explain how the gender division has found expression in politics and how this has benefited women.

ANSWERFor long, gender division was treated as natural and kept out of politics; earlier only men could vote, contest and hold office. Gradually women in different countries organised and agitated for equal rights, the extension of voting rights and equal status — these are called feminist movements; the more radical ones sought equality in personal and family life too. Such political mobilisation improved women’s role in public life: we now find women as scientists, doctors, engineers, lawyers, managers and teachers, and in Scandinavian countries their participation in public life is very high. In India, to raise women’s low representation, one-third of seats in panchayats and municipalities are reserved for women, giving over 10 lakh elected women representatives, and the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023 provides 33 per cent reservation in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies. Gender division thus shows that disadvantaged groups benefit when a social division is raised in the political domain.

Q2. What is communalism? Explain how the makers of the Indian Constitution chose to respond to this challenge.

ANSWERCommunalism is the use of religion in politics based on the belief that religion is the principal basis of social community, so that the followers of one religion are seen as one community with the same interests and are pitted against another. In its extreme form it claims that people of different religions cannot live as equal citizens, leading to majoritarian dominance, separatist demands and even communal riots and massacre, as at the time of the Partition. Recognising communalism as a major challenge to democracy, the makers of the Constitution chose the model of a secular state: there is no official religion for the Indian state; every individual and community has freedom to profess, practise and propagate any religion or none; the Constitution prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion; and it allows the state to intervene to ensure equality within religious communities, for example by banning untouchability. Secularism is therefore not the ideology of one party but a foundation of India itself, though it must also be defended in everyday life and politics.

Q3. “Caste shapes politics and politics shapes caste.” Discuss this two-way relationship.

ANSWERCaste shapes politics: parties choose candidates keeping the caste composition of a constituency in mind and ensure different castes find a place in government; parties and candidates appeal to caste sentiment to gather support, and some are seen as representatives of particular castes; universal adult franchise has brought new consciousness among castes once treated as inferior. Politics shapes caste: the relationship is not one-way, for politics also influences the caste system — it is not politics that becomes caste-ridden, but caste that gets politicised. Each caste group tries to grow by including neighbouring castes or sub-castes; caste groups enter into coalitions and dialogue with others; and new ‘backward’ and ‘forward’ caste groupings emerge in the political arena. This has helped people of Dalit and OBC castes gain better access to decision-making. At the same time, exclusive attention to caste is unhealthy — it can divert attention from poverty, development and corruption, and may even lead to tension, conflict and violence.

MCQs & Assertion–Reason

1. The gender division is best described as:

(a) a natural, biological division    (b) a division based on social expectations and stereotypes    (c) a religious division    (d) an economic division only

2. ‘Patriarchy’ refers to a system that:

(a) values women more than men    (b) gives equal power to all    (c) values men more and gives them power over women    (d) has no rulers

3. The Equal Remuneration Act was passed in:

(a) 1956    (b) 1976    (c) 1986    (d) 2005

4. The percentage of elected women members in the Lok Sabha touched 14.36 per cent for the first time in:

(a) 2009    (b) 2014    (c) 2019    (d) 2023

5. A person who believes in equal rights and opportunities for women and men is called a:

(a) communalist    (b) secularist    (c) feminist    (d) casteist

6. Communalism is based on the belief that:

(a) all religions are equal    (b) religion is the principal basis of social community    (c) the state should have no religion    (d) caste is the basis of community

7. Which of the following is a feature of a secular state?

(a) An official state religion    (b) Discrimination on grounds of religion    (c) No official religion and freedom of religion for all    (d) Ban on all religions

8. The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023 provides reservation for women of:

(a) 25 per cent    (b) 33 per cent    (c) 50 per cent    (d) 10 per cent

9. Which social division is described in the chapter as peculiar to India?

(a) Gender    (b) Religion    (c) Caste    (d) Language

10. Which of these is given as a reason that caste alone cannot decide election results?

(a) No constituency has a clear majority of one single caste    (b) All castes vote the same way    (c) Caste is banned in elections    (d) There are no caste-based parties

Answer key: 1-(b), 2-(c), 3-(b), 4-(c), 5-(c), 6-(b), 7-(c), 8-(b), 9-(c), 10-(a).

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: The gender division is not based on biology.

Reason: It is based on social expectations and stereotypes about the roles of men and women.

A-R 2. Assertion: India is a secular state.

Reason: The Indian Constitution gives official status to one religion.

A-R 3. Assertion: One-third of seats in panchayats and municipalities are reserved for women.

Reason: Women’s representation in elected bodies in India has historically been very low.

A-R 4. Assertion: Caste alone cannot determine election results in India.

Reason: No parliamentary constituency has a clear majority of one single caste.

A-R 5. Assertion: Communalism is a threat to democracy in India.

Reason: Communalism treats religion as the principal basis of the nation and pits one religious group against another.

Answer key: 1-(A), 2-(C), 3-(B), 4-(A), 5-(A).

Exam Tips & Common Mistakes

How to score full marks in this chapter

Define the four key ‘-isms’ precisely — feminism, communalism, secularism, casteism — and keep their matching persons (feminist, communalist, secularist, casteist) ready for matching questions. For gender, remember the two facts examiners love: literacy 54% (women) vs 76% (men), and Lok Sabha women 14.36% in 2019 with the 2023 Women’s Reservation Act giving 33%. For religion, list the secular-state provisions in points; for caste, separate ‘caste in politics’ (caste shaping politics) from ‘politics in caste’ (politics shaping caste). Use the chapter’s own examples and always present multi-mark answers in clear numbered points.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Saying the gender division is “natural/biological” — it is based on social expectations and stereotypes.
  • Treating all use of religion in politics as communalism — it is acceptable when every religion is treated equally; communalism is the partisan, exclusive use of religion.
  • Confusing secularism (no official religion, equal treatment) with being ‘anti-religion’.
  • Claiming caste fully decides elections — no single caste has a majority in any constituency.
  • Mixing up the matching pairs — Feminist–equal rights, Communalist–religion as basis, Casteist–caste as basis, Secularist–no religious discrimination.
  • Forgetting that reservation in the Lok Sabha/Assemblies (2023 Act) is not yet in effect, while local-body reservation already is.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Class 10 Civics Chapter 3 Gender, Religion and Caste about?

The chapter applies the idea that social diversity need not threaten democracy to three social differences in India — gender, religion and caste. It studies the nature of each division, how it is expressed in politics (the sexual division of labour and women’s representation, communalism and secularism, caste in politics) and whether such expression is healthy for democracy.

What is the difference between communalism and secularism?

Communalism is the use of religion in politics based on the belief that religion is the principal basis of community, pitting one religious group against another. Secularism, reflected in the Indian Constitution, means the state has no official religion, gives everyone freedom of religion, prohibits religious discrimination and may intervene to ensure equality within religious communities.

Why is caste called a social division peculiar to India?

All societies have inequality and division of labour, but the Indian caste system is an extreme form in which hereditary occupational division was sanctioned by rituals, marriage took place within the caste, and ‘outcaste’ groups were excluded through untouchability. This rigid, ritually sanctioned form makes caste special to India compared with gender and religion.

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