Gender, Religion and Caste | Important Assertion & Reason Questions 

Q.1 Assertion (A): Gender division is based on social expectations and stereotypes, not biology.
Reason (R): The gender division of labour is natural and unchangeable.

a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
c) A is true, but R is false.
d) A is false, but R is true.

Answer: c) A is true, but R is false.

Explanation: The gender division of labour varies by culture and time and changes with education, laws, and economic needs. So it isn’t “natural” or fixed.

Q.2 Assertion (A): In most families, there is a sexual division of labour where women do housework and men work outside.
Reason (R): Men believe that household work is not their responsibility.

a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
c) A is true, but R is false.
d) A is false, but R is true.

Answer: a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
Explanation: The belief/stereotype that housework isn’t men’s responsibility sustains the household–public split where women do unpaid domestic work and men work outside.

Q.3 Assertion (A): In 2023, Nari shakti Vandan Adhiniyam (Womens’ Reservation Act, 2023) has been passed
Reason (R): Women’s organizations and activists had been demanding a similar reservation of at least onethird of seats in Lok Sabha and State Assemblies for women
a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
c) A is true, but R is false.
d) A is false, but R is true.
Answer: a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
Explanation: For many years, women’s groups asked the government to reserve at least one-third of seats for women in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies. In 2023, Parliament responded to these demands by passing the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam (Women’s Reservation Act, 2023), which provides that reservation.

Q.4 Assertion (A): Women’s domestic work is often not valued or recognised.
Reason (R): Domestic work does not contribute to the economy.
a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
c) A is true, but R is false.
d) A is false, but R is true.
Answer: c) A is true, but R is false.
Explanation: Women’s domestic work is unpaid and not counted in GDP, so it’s often undervalued/ignored. But it does contribute to the economy by enabling households and the wider workforce. It’s just not monetised or recorded.

Q.5 Assertion (A): Many women’s issues don’t get adequate attention.
Reason (R): Women have limited control over political power.
a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
c) A is true, but R is false.
d) A is false, but R is true.

Answer: a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
Explanation: When women hold less political power, their priorities get less space in laws and budgets, so many women’s issues aren’t addressed.

Q.6 Assertion (A): Feminist movements aim to bring equality in personal, family, political and professional life.
Reason (R): These movements believe that women face social discrimination due to gender-based division.
a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
c) A is true, but R is false.
d) A is false, but R is true.
Answer: a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
Explanation: Because feminists see gender-based discrimination as the root problem, they work to secure equal rights and opportunities in personal, family, political, and professional life.

Q.7 Assertion (A): The Equal Remuneration Act ensures that men and women get the same salary for similar work.
Reason (R): In reality, women are still often paid less than men for the same job.
a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
c) A is true, but R is false.
d) A is false, but R is true.
Answer: b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
Explanation: A is true because the Equal Remuneration Act legally requires employers to pay men and women the same wage for the same or similar work and bans pay discrimination. R is also true because, in practice, women still earn less due to weak enforcement, bias, job segregation, informal work, and poor pay transparency. But R doesn’t explain A. It describes why the law isn’t fully followed, not why the law ensures equal pay in principle.

Q.8 Assertion (A): One-third of the seats in local government bodies in India are reserved for women.
Reason (R): Women’s representation in politics is necessary for addressing their issues effectively.
a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
c) A is true, but R is false.
d) A is false, but R is true.
Answer: a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
Explanation: Reservations help increase women’s political participation and address their concerns.

Q.9 Assertion (A): The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam provides reservation for women in Lok Sabha and State Assemblies.
Reason (R): The bill ensures 33% seats are reserved for women at all levels of elected government.
a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
c) A is true, but R is false.
d) A is false, but R is true.
Answer: c) A is true, but R is false.
Explanation: The Act reserves 33% seats in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies (also Delhi Assembly). It does not cover the Rajya Sabha or State Legislative Councils, and local-body reservations come from the 73rd/74th Amendments. So, not “at all levels”.

Q.10 Assertion (A): Religion can play a positive role in politics.
Reason (R): Moral values drawn from religion can guide ethical political actions.
a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
c) A is true, but R is false.
d) A is false, but R is true.
Answer: a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
Explanation: In a democracy, religiously inspired values like honesty, compassion, and justice can guide ethical political choices; this is exactly how religion can play a positive role. Also, Gandhiji believed religion-based ethics can guide politics positively.

Q.11 Assertion (A): Communalism believes that followers of different religions cannot live together in one nation.
Reason (R): Communalism promotes the idea that religious interests always match national interest.
a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
c) A is true, but R is false.
d) A is false, but R is true.
Answer: c) A is true, but R is false.
Explanation: Communalism treats religious communities as fundamentally different and often unable to coexist within one nation—so A is true. But R is false: communalism doesn’t say religious interests always match national interest; it typically puts community interests above national unity, which can conflict with the national interest.

Q.12 Assertion (A): Secularism is necessary in a country with religious diversity like India.
Reason (R): A secular state treats all religions equally and does not favour any religion.
a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
c) A is true, but R is false.
d) A is false, but R is true.
Answer: a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
Explanation: In a religiously diverse country, the state must be neutral. It helps in protecting all faiths equally and preventing bias and conflict by favouring none. That neutrality is exactly what secularism means.

Q.13 Assertion (A): Political mobilization on religious lines can lead to communal violence.
Reason (R): Political parties often appeal to religious sentiments for votes.
a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
c) A is true, but R is false.
d) A is false, but R is true.
Answer: a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
Explanation: Appealing to religious sentiments for votes is political mobilization on religious lines. This creates polarization and mistrust between communities, which can escalate into communal violence.

Q.14 Assertion (A): Caste system in India was based on exclusion and discrimination.
Reason (R): The caste system promoted hereditary occupational divisions sanctioned by rituals.

a. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
b. Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
c. A is true, but R is false.
d. A is false, but R is true.

Answer: a. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
Explanation: The caste system excluded lower castes and treated them as inferior. This was justified through ritual-based hereditary roles, making R the correct explanation.

Q.15 Assertion (A): Caste has completely disappeared from modern India.
Reason (R): Economic development and urbanisation have reduced caste-based practices.

a. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
b. Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
c. A is false, but R is true.
d. Both A and R are false.

Answer: c. A is false, but R is true.
Explanation: Caste still influences marriage, social networks, and politics in many places. While R is true (urbanisation has reduced caste rigidity), it hasn’t ended it completely, so A is false.

Q.16 Assertion (A): Caste can be a decisive factor in electoral politics.
Reason (R): Political parties often select candidates considering the caste composition of constituencies.

a. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
b. Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
c. A is true, but R is false.
d. A is false, but R is true.

Answer: a. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
Explanation: Parties often field candidates from dominant castes in a region to secure votes, proving caste matters in elections.

Q.17 Assertion (A): Elections in India are only about caste.
Reason (R): All political parties are based on caste and favour one particular caste.

a. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
b. Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
c. A is false, but R is true.
d. Both A and R are false.

Answer: d. Both A and R are false.
Explanation: Indian elections are influenced by many factors like development, leadership, party performance, welfare schemes, and local issues, not caste alone. All parties are not single-caste outfits; while they may consider caste in strategy, they claim broader social and ideological platforms.

Q.18 Assertion (A): Caste continues to be linked to economic status in India.
Reason (R): Historically, upper castes had access to education and resources.

a. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
b. Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
c. A is true, but R is false.
d. A is false, but R is true.

Answer: a. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
Explanation: The historical privilege of upper castes in education led to better opportunities, linking caste with economic status even today.

Q.19 Assertion (A): Caste gets politicised in the process of political competition.
Reason (R): Caste groups engage in dialogue and negotiation with other castes to gain power.

a. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
b. Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
c. A is true, but R is false.
d. A is false, but R is true.

Answer: a. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
Explanation: Caste groups try to form coalitions and alliances for political gain, which leads to politicisation of caste. So, R explains A correctly.

Q.20 Assertion (A): Caste politics has only negative effects on Indian democracy.
Reason (R): It always leads to violence and conflict among communities.

a. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
b. Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
c. A is true, but R is false.
d. Both A and R are false.

Answer: d. Both A and R are false.
Explanation: Caste politics can also have positive effects like giving marginalised groups a voice and improving representation. It does not always cause violence; outcomes vary by place, time, and context.