NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Political Science Chapter 7: Regional Aspirations
These Class 12 Political Science Chapter 7 solutions cover Regional Aspirations from the NCERT textbook Politics in India Since Independence, updated for the 2026–27 session. The chapter examines how, especially in the 1980s, people from different regions — Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Assam, Mizoram, Nagaland and the rest of the North-East, along with Sikkim and Goa — expressed aspirations for autonomy and even separation, how the Indian state responded through repression and negotiated accords, and what these cases teach about balancing democratic rights with national unity. Below you get step-by-step answers to all NCERT exercise questions, key terms, extra practice, 10 MCQs, Assertion–Reason questions and FAQs.
Class: 12Subject: Political ScienceBook: Politics in India Since IndependenceChapter: 7Chapter Name: Regional AspirationsSession: 2026–27
Chapter 7, Regional Aspirations, shows that nation-building is an ongoing process. The 1980s were a period of rising demands for autonomy, often pressed outside the framework of the Indian Union and frequently involving armed assertion, government repression and the collapse of normal political processes — usually ending in negotiated accords. The Indian approach to diversity is democratic: it does not treat regional aspirations as anti-national but accommodates them within a flexible federal framework. The chapter studies Jammu and Kashmir (Article 370, Kashmiriyat, insurgency from 1989, and the 2019 reorganisation into two Union Territories), Punjab (the Anandpur Sahib Resolution, Operation Blue Star, the 1984 anti-Sikh violence and the Rajiv Gandhi–Longowal Accord), the North-East (demands for autonomy, secessionist movements in Mizoram and Nagaland, and the anti-outsider Assam Movement and 1985 Assam Accord), and the peaceful integration of Sikkim and Goa. It concludes with lessons about democratic negotiation, power sharing and unity with diversity.
Key Concepts & Terms
Regional aspiration: the demand of people in a region for greater autonomy, statehood, economic development, recognition of their language/identity, or in extreme cases a separate nation.
Accord: a negotiated settlement signed between the central government and a regional movement to resolve contentious issues within the constitutional framework (e.g. Punjab Accord, Mizo Accord, Assam Accord).
Article 370: the constitutional provision that gave Jammu and Kashmir a special, autonomous status; it was abrogated on 5 August 2019 and the state was reorganised into two Union Territories — Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.
Kashmiriyat: the distinctive Kashmiri regional identity — the sense of the people of the valley that they were Kashmiris above all, neither simply Indian nor Pakistani.
Anandpur Sahib Resolution (1973): an Akali Dal resolution asserting regional autonomy for Punjab, seeking to redefine centre–state relations and strengthen federalism, and speaking of the aspirations of the Sikh qaum.
Operation Blue Star (June 1984): the code name for the army action ordered by the Government of India to flush out militants from the Golden Temple in Amritsar; it succeeded militarily but damaged the shrine and hurt Sikh sentiments.
Rajiv Gandhi–Longowal Accord / Punjab Accord (1985): the agreement between PM Rajiv Gandhi and Akali leader Harchand Singh Longowal that aimed to bring normalcy to Punjab.
Assam Movement (1979–1985): the anti-foreigner agitation led by the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) against illegal migration, ending in the 1985 Assam Accord; the AASU then formed the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP).
Secession & the “seven sisters”: secession is the demand to break away and form a separate country (as the Mizo National Front and Naga National Council demanded). The North-Eastern states are called the “seven sisters”, with Sikkim added as a ‘brother’.
Sixth Schedule: the part of the Constitution that grants tribal communities autonomy through District/Autonomous Councils to preserve their customs and customary laws.
NCERT Exercises — Full Solutions
All questions below are reproduced verbatim from the NCERT textbook’s end-of-chapter Exercises. Answers are original and written in exam-ready style. Map and figure questions are answered in words.
1. Match the following.
A — Nature of regional aspirations | B — States(a) Socio-religious identity leading to statehood(b) Linguistic identity and tensions with Centre(c) Regional imbalance leading to demand for Statehood(d) Secessionist demands on account of tribal identityi. Nagaland/Mizoram ii. Jharkhand/Chattisgarh iii. Punjab iv. Tamil Nadu
ANSWER
A — Nature of regional aspirations
B — States
(a) Socio-religious identity leading to statehood
iii. Punjab
(b) Linguistic identity and tensions with Centre
iv. Tamil Nadu
(c) Regional imbalance leading to demand for Statehood
ii. Jharkhand/Chattisgarh
(d) Secessionist demands on account of tribal identity
i. Nagaland/Mizoram
Reasoning: Punjab’s movement grew around Sikh socio-religious identity and the demand for a Punjabi suba (statehood); Tamil Nadu’s Dravidian movement asserted linguistic/cultural identity and anti-Hindi feeling, often in tension with the Centre; Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh were carved out because of regional economic imbalance and backwardness; Nagaland and Mizoram saw secessionist movements rooted in tribal identity.
2. Regional aspirations of the people of North-East get expressed in different ways. These include movements against outsiders, movement for greater autonomy and movement for separate national existence. On the map of the North-East, using different shades for these three, show the States where these expressions are prominently found.
ANSWERThis is a map activity, so it must be done on a physical map of the North-East using three different shades. The States to be marked are as follows:
Form of regional aspiration
States to shade
Movement against ‘outsiders’ (migrants)
Assam (the Assam Movement), and also Tripura and to some extent Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh (Chakma refugees)
Movement for greater autonomy (within India)
Assam (Bodos, Karbis, Dimasas seeking separate states/councils), Meghalaya, Tripura and Manipur
Movement for separate national existence (secession)
Nagaland and Mizoram
Use a different colour/shade for each of the three categories and add a key (legend) on the map.
3. What were the main provisions of the Punjab accord? In what way can they be the basis for further tensions between the Punjab and its neighbouring States?
ANSWERThe Punjab Accord (Rajiv Gandhi–Longowal Accord, July 1985) was signed between Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and Akali leader Harchand Singh Longowal to restore normalcy in Punjab. Its main provisions were:(i) Chandigarh would be transferred to Punjab.(ii) A separate commission would be appointed to resolve the border dispute between Punjab and Haryana.(iii) A tribunal would be set up to decide the sharing of Ravi–Beas river water among Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan.(iv) Compensation to and better treatment of those affected by the militancy in Punjab.(v) Withdrawal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act from Punjab.Why they could be a basis for further tension: Chandigarh is the shared capital of both Punjab and Haryana, so transferring it to Punjab alone could anger Haryana. The Punjab–Haryana boundary dispute remained unsettled. Above all, the sharing of Ravi–Beas waters is a zero-sum issue — water given to one state is denied to another — so Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan can each feel short-changed. These unresolved inter-state issues keep alive the potential for friction between Punjab and its neighbours.
4. Why did the Anandpur Sahib Resolution become controversial?
ANSWERThe Anandpur Sahib Resolution was passed by a section of the Akali Dal at their 1973 conference at Anandpur Sahib. It asserted regional autonomy for Punjab, wanted to redefine the centre–state relationship, spoke of the aspirations of the Sikh qaum (community or nation), and declared its goal as attaining the bolbala (dominance or hegemony) of the Sikhs.It became controversial for these reasons:(i) Its language about the Sikh qaum and the bolbala of the Sikhs was open to more than one interpretation. While the moderate Akalis read it as a plea for strengthening federalism, others read it as a demand approaching separatism / a separate Sikh nation.(ii) It was seen as a challenge to national unity because it sought a major redefinition of centre–state relations in favour of the region.(iii) It had only limited appeal among the Sikh masses at first, but later, after the Akali government was dismissed in 1980, extremist elements used it to push their agenda, and the leadership of the movement passed from moderate Akalis to militants demanding an autonomous Sikh identity — deepening the controversy.
5. Explain the internal divisions of the State of Jammu and Kashmir and describe how these lead to multiple regional aspirations in that State.
ANSWERJammu and Kashmir comprised three distinct social and political regions:(i) Jammu — a mix of foothills and plains, predominantly inhabited by Hindus, with Muslims, Sikhs and others also living there.(ii) Kashmir (the valley) — inhabited mostly by Kashmiri Muslims, with a minority of Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists and others.(iii) Ladakh — mainly mountainous and thinly populated, with the population almost equally divided between Buddhists and Muslims.How this leads to multiple aspirations: Because the regions differ in religion, language, ethnicity and development, they have different demands. Many in the Kashmir valley demanded greater autonomy (or even a plebiscite and a separate Kashmiri identity, Kashmiriyat) and felt Article 370’s autonomy was eroded. People in Jammu often wanted fuller integration with India and felt neglected relative to the valley. In Ladakh, people wanted Union Territory status and protection of their distinct Buddhist and tribal culture, feeling marginalised by Srinagar. Thus the internal diversity produced divergent political and developmental aspirations — autonomy, integration, and separate statehood/UT status — which the 2019 reorganisation into two UTs sought to address.
6. What are the various positions on the issue of regional autonomy for Kashmir? Which of these do you think are justifiable? Give reasons for your answer.
ANSWERThere are broadly the following positions on the issue of regional autonomy for Kashmir:(i) One section, mostly outside J&K, believed that the special status under Article 370 prevented full integration of the State with India and that Article 370 should be revoked so that J&K is treated like any other state. (This position prevailed in 2019.)(ii) Another section, mostly Kashmiris, felt that the autonomy under Article 370 was not enough. They had three major grievances: the promise of a plebiscite on accession was not fulfilled; the federal autonomy guaranteed by Article 370 had been eroded in practice (a demand for ‘Greater State Autonomy’); and democracy had not been institutionalised in the State as in the rest of India.(iii) A separatist/militant section demanded a separate Kashmiri nation, getting support from across the border.My view (justifiable positions): The demands that are justifiable are those pressed through democratic and constitutional means — for genuine autonomy, free and fair elections, an end to rigging, and respect for Kashmiri identity within India. A democracy must accommodate such regional aspirations. The position of secession backed by violence and cross-border terrorism is not justifiable, because it rejects the democratic and constitutional framework and harms ordinary people. Regional aspirations are legitimate; armed separatism is not. (Students may justify either revocation or autonomy with reasons; the key is that the means be democratic.)
7. The Assam movement was a combination of cultural pride and economic backwardness. Explain.
ANSWERThe Assam Movement (1979–1985), led by the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU), combined two strands:Cultural pride: The Assamese suspected that large numbers of illegal Bengali Muslim migrants from Bangladesh had settled in Assam. They feared that, unless these foreign nationals were detected and deported, the indigenous Assamese would be reduced to a minority in their own land — threatening their language, culture and identity. So the movement was as much about protecting Assamese cultural identity as anything else.Economic backwardness: There was widespread poverty and unemployment in Assam despite the presence of natural resources like oil, tea and coal. The Assamese felt that these resources were being drained out of the State without any commensurate benefit to the local people. Migrants were also seen as competitors for scarce land, jobs and political power.Thus the movement drew its emotional force from cultural pride and its grievances from economic backwardness — the two combined to mobilise all sections of Assamese society, leading finally to the Assam Accord of 1985.
8. All regional movements need not lead to separatist demands. Explain by giving examples from this chapter.
ANSWERMost regional movements seek autonomy, statehood or recognition within the Indian Union rather than separation. The chapter gives several examples:(i) Tamil Nadu (Dravidian movement): though a few once spoke of a Dravida nation, the movement used democratic means — public debate and elections — and became a good example of the compatibility of regionalism and nationalism.(ii) Punjab: the demand for a Punjabi-speaking state was met within India; after the violent phase, politics returned to secular, developmental questions.(iii) Assam: the Assam Movement ended in the Assam Accord (1985), and the AASU formed a regional party (AGP) that came to power through elections — working within the system.(iv) Bodos, Karbis and Dimasas in Assam were accommodated through District Councils and an Autonomous Council rather than separation.(v) Sikkim and Goa were integrated peacefully and democratically, and Mizoram, after secessionist insurgency, accepted statehood through the 1986 accord.These show that India’s flexible, federal and democratic framework allows most regional aspirations to be satisfied without breaking away — so all regional movements need not lead to separatist demands.
9. Regional demands from different parts of India exemplify the principle of unity with diversity. Do you agree? Give reasons.
ANSWERYes, I agree. Regional demands from different parts of India largely exemplify the principle of unity with diversity, for these reasons:(i) The Indian approach does not treat regional identity as a threat. Democracy allows the political expression of regional aspirations and does not see them as anti-national — so diversity is recognised while unity is retained.(ii) The challenge of diversity was met by redrawing internal boundaries (creating linguistic states, and later Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand and Jharkhand), accommodating regions without dividing the nation.(iii) Most movements were resolved through negotiated accords (Punjab, Mizoram, Assam) rather than suppression, reconciling regional needs with national unity.(iv) The flexible federal framework — special provisions for some states and the Sixth Schedule for tribal autonomy — lets diverse cultures preserve their distinctiveness while remaining part of one nation.However, where regions turned to armed separatism (Kashmir, early Nagaland/Mizoram), unity was strained. On balance, India’s record — accepting regionalism as part and parcel of democratic politics — shows that regional demands have mostly strengthened, not weakened, unity with diversity.
10. Read the passage and answer the questions below:
One of Hazarika’s songs… dwells on the unity theme; the seven states of north-eastern India become seven sisters born of the same mother. … ‘Meghalaya went own way…, Arunachal too separated and Mizoram appeared in Assam’s gateway as a groom to marry another daughter.’ … The song ends with a determination to keep the unity of the Assamese with other smaller nationalities that are left in the present-day Assam — ‘the Karbis and the Missing brothers and sisters are our dear ones.’ — Sanjib Baruah(a) Which unity is the poet talking about?(b) Why were some States of North-East created separately out of the erstwhile State of Assam?(c) Do you think that the same theme of unity could apply to all the regions of India? Why?
ANSWER(a) The poet is talking about the unity of the people of the North-East — the bond among the seven sister states born of the same mother — and, in particular, the unity of the Assamese with the other smaller nationalities still living in present-day Assam, such as the Karbis and the Mising (Missing). It is a unity in diversity that recognises separateness yet affirms a shared kinship.(b) Several states were carved out of the erstwhile State of Assam because the non-Assamese tribal communities felt that the Assam government was imposing the Assamese language and identity on them. To accommodate these demands for autonomy, Nagaland (1963), Meghalaya, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh (and the upgrading of Tripura and Manipur) were created at different times, so that distinct tribal cultures could govern themselves while remaining within India.(c) Yes, broadly the same theme of unity can apply to all of India. Like the North-East, the whole country is made up of many languages, religions and cultures that are like sisters and brothers of one nation. India’s democratic and federal framework recognises this diversity — through linguistic states, special provisions and tribal autonomy — and yet binds the regions into a single nation. So unity with diversity, the theme of Hazarika’s song, is in fact the guiding principle for all the regions of India. (Students may also reason that the theme applies only if every region’s identity is respected.)
Extra Practice Questions
Short Answer Type Questions
Q1. What is meant by ‘Kashmiriyat’?
ANSWERKashmiriyat is the distinctive regional identity of the people of the Kashmir valley. Before 1947 the people did not see themselves as belonging to either India or Pakistan but thought of themselves as Kashmiris above all. This sense of a shared Kashmiri culture and identity is called Kashmiriyat.
Q2. What was Operation Blue Star?
ANSWEROperation Blue Star was the code name for the army action carried out by the Government of India in June 1984 to flush out armed militants who had fortified themselves inside the Golden Temple in Amritsar. The operation removed the militants but damaged the historic shrine and deeply hurt the sentiments of the Sikhs, giving further impetus to extremism.
Q3. How was Sikkim integrated into India?
ANSWERAt Independence Sikkim was a ‘protectorate’ of India, with its defence and foreign affairs handled by India and internal administration by the Chogyal. After the 1974 elections, the Sikkim Congress (which favoured integration) won, the assembly passed a resolution in April 1975 seeking full integration, and a referendum approved it. The Indian Parliament accepted the request and Sikkim became the 22nd State of the Indian Union.
Q4. Why did the Mizo movement for secession gain popular support?
ANSWERSome Mizos believed they were never part of British India and so did not belong to the Indian Union. The movement for secession gained popular support after the Assam government failed to respond adequately to the great famine of 1959 in the Mizo hills. This anger led to the formation of the Mizo National Front under Laldenga, which began an armed campaign for independence in 1966.
Q5. What happened to Jammu and Kashmir on 5 August 2019?
ANSWEROn 5 August 2019, Article 370, which contained the special provisions for Jammu and Kashmir, was abrogated. By the Jammu & Kashmir Reorganisation Act 2019, the state was reorganised into two Union Territories — Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh — to address the divergent political and developmental aspirations of its regions.
Long Answer Type Questions
Q1. Trace the cycle of violence in Punjab from the Anandpur Sahib Resolution to the return of peace in the 1990s.
ANSWERIn 1973 a section of the Akali Dal passed the Anandpur Sahib Resolution demanding regional autonomy. After the Akali government was dismissed in 1980, the movement on the question of river-water sharing passed from moderate Akalis to extremists demanding an autonomous Sikh identity, taking the form of armed insurgency. Militants made the Golden Temple their headquarters, and in June 1984 the government launched Operation Blue Star, which removed them but damaged the shrine and hurt Sikh sentiments. On 31 October 1984 Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated by her Sikh bodyguards, triggering anti-Sikh violence in Delhi and elsewhere in which more than two thousand Sikhs were killed. Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi then opened a dialogue with moderate Akalis and signed the Rajiv Gandhi–Longowal (Punjab) Accord in July 1985. Even so, the cycle of violence continued for nearly a decade, with excesses by militants and security forces; voter turnout in 1992 was only 24 per cent. Militancy was eventually eradicated and peace returned by the mid-1990s, with the Akali Dal (Badal)–BJP alliance winning in 1997 and politics moving back along secular, developmental lines.
Q2. Compare the cases of Mizoram and Nagaland as examples of secessionist movements and their outcomes.
ANSWERBoth Mizoram and Nagaland saw movements for separate national existence rooted in tribal identity, but with very different outcomes. In Nagaland, led by Angami Zapu Phizo, a section of the Nagas declared independence as early as 1951; Phizo rejected offers of negotiated settlement, and the Naga National Council launched an armed struggle for sovereignty. Though a section of Nagas later signed an agreement, it was not acceptable to other rebels, and the Naga problem still awaits a final resolution. In Mizoram, the Mizo National Front under Laldenga began an armed campaign in 1966 after the famine of 1959, leading to two decades of insurgency and harsh army repression (even the use of the Air Force) that alienated the people. Here, however, the maturity of leadership on both sides made a difference: Laldenga returned from exile and negotiated with the Indian government, and in 1986 a peace accord was signed between Rajiv Gandhi and Laldenga. Mizoram was granted full statehood with special powers, the MNF gave up secession, and Mizoram became one of the most peaceful, literate and developed states in the region. The comparison shows that a political, negotiated settlement (Mizoram) can resolve separatism, whereas rigid refusal to negotiate (Nagaland) prolongs the conflict.
Q3. What lessons does the chapter draw for handling regional aspirations in a democracy?
ANSWERThe chapter draws five main lessons. First, regional aspirations are a normal part of democratic politics, not an aberration — even countries like the UK, Spain and Sri Lanka face them — and a large, diverse democracy like India must deal with them on a regular basis as part of ongoing nation-building. Second, the best way to respond is through democratic negotiation rather than suppression; instead of treating Punjab, the North-East, Assam and Kashmir merely as law-and-order problems, the government reached negotiated settlements that reduced tensions, as the example of Mizoram shows. Third, power sharing matters: it is not enough to have a formal democratic structure — regional parties and groups must be given a share in power at the State level, and regions must have a share in deciding the destiny of the nation, or alienation spreads. Fourth, regional imbalance in economic development breeds a feeling of discrimination, so backward regions’ needs must be addressed on priority. Finally, the cases make us appreciate the farsightedness of the Constitution’s makers, whose flexible federal system — with special provisions and the Sixth Schedule’s tribal autonomy — helps accommodate diversity, so that politics in India has succeeded in accepting regionalism as part and parcel of democratic politics.
MCQs & Assertion–Reason
1. Jammu and Kashmir enjoyed special status under which Article of the Constitution?
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: In a democracy, regional aspirations are not treated as anti-national.
Reason: Democratic politics allows parties and groups to address people on the basis of their regional identity and problems.
A-R 2. Assertion: The Mizoram problem was resolved through a negotiated accord in 1986.
Reason: Phizo rejected every offer of a negotiated settlement.
A-R 3. Assertion: The Assam Movement combined cultural pride with economic grievances.
Reason: The Assamese feared becoming a minority in their own land and felt the State’s oil, tea and coal were drained away without benefit to them.
A-R 4. Assertion: Jammu and Kashmir was a fully sovereign country before 1947.
Reason: J&K was a Princely State whose ruler, Maharaja Hari Singh, signed the Instrument of Accession with India.
A-R 5. Assertion: The best way to respond to regional aspirations is democratic negotiation rather than suppression.
Reason: Negotiated settlements in Punjab, the North-East and Kashmir reduced tensions in many regions.
Answer key: 1-(A), 2-(C), 3-(A), 4-(D), 5-(A).
Exam Tips & Common Mistakes
How to score full marks in this chapter
Learn the four main cases — Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, the North-East (Assam, Mizoram, Nagaland) and Sikkim/Goa — with their key dates, leaders and accords. Memorise the five provisions of the Punjab Accord, the three regions of J&K, and the difference between the Mizoram and Nagaland outcomes. For ‘explain/do you agree’ questions, take a clear position and back it with chapter examples. Always end value-based answers with the chapter’s big idea: regional aspirations are part of democratic politics and are best handled through negotiation, power sharing and a flexible federal framework (unity with diversity).
Common mistakes to avoid
Confusing leaders — Sheikh Abdullah (J&K), Longowal/Master Tara Singh (Punjab), Laldenga (Mizoram) and Phizo (Nagaland).
Mixing up the Anandpur Sahib Resolution (1973) with the Punjab Accord (1985).
Forgetting that Article 370 was abrogated in August 2019 and J&K split into two Union Territories.
Treating all regional movements as separatist — most seek autonomy/statehood within India.
In the matching question, wrongly pairing Tamil Nadu with tribal secession (it is linguistic identity).
Leaving the map/activity questions (Q2, Q10) unattempted — answer them in words and label states correctly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Chapter 7 of Class 12 Political Science (Politics in India Since Independence) about?
Chapter 7, Regional Aspirations, studies how people in regions such as Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Assam, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Goa demanded autonomy, statehood or separation — especially in the 1980s — and how the Indian state responded through repression and negotiated accords, ending with lessons about democracy, power sharing and unity with diversity.
What were the main provisions of the Punjab Accord?
The Rajiv Gandhi–Longowal (Punjab) Accord of 1985 provided that Chandigarh would be transferred to Punjab, a commission would settle the Punjab–Haryana border dispute, a tribunal would decide the sharing of Ravi–Beas waters among Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan, victims of militancy would be compensated, and the Armed Forces Special Powers Act would be withdrawn from Punjab.
How many NCERT exercise questions are there in this chapter and are they all answered?
The end-of-chapter Exercises in Politics in India Since Independence Chapter 7 contain 10 numbered questions (including a matching question, a map activity and a passage-based question). All 10, with their sub-parts, are reproduced verbatim and answered step by step on this page.
