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Contemporary South Asia

NCERT Class 12 · Political Science Based on NCERT Class 12 Political Science textbook · Free CBSE study kit

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Chapter Notes

Overview
This chapter shifts focus from global post-Cold War developments to the South Asian region, examining the nature of conflict and cooperation among its countries. It explores the domestic politics of major South Asian nations, their democratic experiences, and the key bilateral and multilateral issues that shape regional dynamics. The one big idea a student must walk away with is that South Asia is a region of immense diversity and shared geopolitical space, where democracy is an increasingly accepted norm, but where persistent conflicts—especially involving India and Pakistan—and the influence of external powers like the US and China continue to challenge regional peace and cooperation.
Key Concepts (12)
South Asia
The expression 'South Asia' usually includes the following countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. It stands for diversity in every sense and yet constitutes one geo-political space.
e.g. The seven countries of South Asia share natural insularity provided by the Himalayas and the Indian Ocean, but have different political systems and levels of development.
SAARC
The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation is a major regional initiative by the South Asian states to evolve cooperation through multilateral means, begun in 1985.
e.g. SAARC members signed the South Asian Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA) in 2004 to lower trade tariffs and create a free trade zone for the whole of South Asia.
SAFTA
The South Asian Free Trade Agreement, signed in 2004 and coming into effect on 1 January 2006, aims at lowering trade tariffs among South Asian countries.
e.g. Some neighbours fear SAFTA is a way for India to 'invade' their markets, while India believes free trade will lead to better political cooperation.
Line of Control
The division of the province of Kashmir into Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and the Indian province of Jammu and Kashmir, resulting from the 1947-48 war between India and Pakistan.
e.g. The Line of Control remains a flashpoint, with both countries claiming the entire region of Kashmir.
Indus Waters Treaty
A treaty signed in 1960 between India and Pakistan with the help of the World Bank, governing the sharing of the rivers of the Indus basin, which has survived despite various military conflicts.
e.g. The treaty is still in effect, though there are minor differences about its interpretation and the use of river waters.
LTTE
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, a militant organisation that fought an armed struggle with the army of Sri Lanka from 1983 onwards in pursuit of a separate country for the Tamilians of Sri Lanka.
e.g. The LTTE controlled the northeastern part of Sri Lanka at one point, but was vanquished in 2009.
IPKF
The Indian Peace Keeping Force, sent by India to Sri Lanka in 1987 to stabilise relations between the Sri Lankan government and the Tamils, but pulled out in 1989 without attaining its objective.
e.g. The IPKF got into a fight with the LTTE and was not liked by Sri Lankans, who saw it as interference in internal affairs.
Seven Party Alliance (SPA)
A coalition of seven political parties in Nepal that led the largely non-violent pro-democracy movement in April 2006, along with the Maoists and social activists.
e.g. The SPA's struggle achieved victory when the king was forced to restore the House of Representatives dissolved in April 2002.
Maoists
A group in Nepal that believed in armed insurrection against the monarch and the ruling elite, successfully spreading their influence in many parts of Nepal during the 1990s.
e.g. The Maoists agreed to suspend armed struggle and wanted the new constitution to include radical programmes of social and economic restructuring.
Look East Policy (Act East since 2014)
India's policy to link up with Southeast Asia via Myanmar, of which Bangladesh is a part.
e.g. India's economic relations with Bangladesh have improved considerably in the last 20 years as part of this policy.
Inter Services Intelligence (ISI)
Pakistan's spy agency, alleged by the Indian government to be involved in various anti-India campaigns in India's northeast, operating secretly through Bangladesh and Nepal.
e.g. India believes the ISI aided pro-Khalistani militants with arms and ammunition during 1985-1995.
Sir Creek
A demarcation line in the Rann of Kutch over which India and Pakistan are not in agreement; the dispute has implications for control of sea resources in the adjoining area.
e.g. The dispute seems minor, but how it is settled may impact the control of sea resources.
How It Works
Evolution of Democracy in Pakistan
  1. Pakistan framed its first constitution, but General Ayub Khan took over and got himself elected.
  2. General Yahya Khan's military rule led to the Bangladesh crisis and the 1971 war, resulting in the creation of Bangladesh.
  3. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto's elected government (1971-1977) was removed by General Zia-ul-Haq in 1977.
  4. Pro-democracy movement from 1982 led to elected democratic government under Benazir Bhutto in 1988.
  5. Democracy lasted until 1999 when General Pervez Musharraf removed Nawaz Sharif and ruled as President.
  6. Since 2008, democratically elected leaders have been ruling Pakistan.
💡 Students often forget that Pakistan had a phase of elective democracy from 1988 to 1999 before the 1999 military coup, and that democracy has been in place since 2008.
Formation of Bangladesh
  1. East Pakistan resented domination by West Pakistan and imposition of Urdu language.
  2. Sheikh Mujib-ur Rahman led the Awami League to win all seats in East Pakistan in the 1970 elections, securing a majority in the proposed constituent assembly.
  3. West Pakistani leadership refused to convene the assembly and arrested Sheikh Mujib.
  4. Under General Yahya Khan, the Pakistani army tried to suppress the mass movement, killing thousands and causing large-scale migration into India.
  5. India supported the demand for independence financially and militarily.
  6. War between India and Pakistan in December 1971 ended with surrender of Pakistani forces and formation of Bangladesh.
💡 Students often miss that the 1970 election victory of the Awami League was the immediate political trigger, not just cultural oppression.
Nepal's Transition to Democracy
  1. Nepal was a constitutional monarchy with the king retaining full control over the government.
  2. In 1990, the king accepted a new democratic constitution after a strong pro-democracy movement.
  3. Democratic governments had a short and troubled career; Maoists spread influence and engaged in armed insurrection.
  4. In 2002, the king abolished parliament and dismissed the government, ending limited democracy.
  5. In April 2006, massive pro-democracy protests led by the Seven Party Alliance, Maoists, and social activists forced the king to restore the House of Representatives.
  6. In 2008, monarchy was abolished and Nepal became a democratic republic; a new constitution was adopted in 2015.
💡 Students often confuse the 1990 and 2006 movements; the 1990 movement led to a constitution, while the 2006 movement led to the abolition of monarchy.
India-Pakistan Conflict over Kashmir
  1. Soon after partition, India and Pakistan got embroiled in a conflict over the fate of Kashmir.
  2. Wars in 1947-48 and 1965 failed to settle the matter; the 1947-48 war resulted in division of the province by the Line of Control.
  3. In 1971, India won a decisive war but the Kashmir issue remained unsettled.
  4. Conflict also exists over strategic issues like control of the Siachen glacier and acquisition of arms.
  5. Both states acquired nuclear weapons and missiles in the 1990s; India conducted nuclear tests in Pokhran in 1998, and Pakistan responded with tests in Chagai Hills.
  6. Since then, the possibility of a direct full-scale war has declined, but both governments remain suspicious.
💡 Students often forget that the 1971 war was decisive for India but did not resolve the Kashmir issue, and that nuclear tests in 1998 changed the nature of the conflict.
India-Bangladesh Cooperation and Disagreement
  1. Differences exist over sharing of Ganga and Brahmaputra river waters, illegal immigration, support for anti-Indian groups, and refusal to allow Indian troop movement.
  2. Bangladesh feels India behaves like a regional bully over river waters and trade.
  3. Despite differences, economic relations have improved; Bangladesh is part of India's Look East (Act East) policy.
  4. Cooperation on disaster management and environmental issues is regular.
  5. In 2015, they exchanged certain enclaves to resolve a long-standing boundary dispute.
💡 Students often focus only on conflicts and miss the significant areas of cooperation, such as disaster management and the 2015 enclave exchange.
Exam Traps — Don't Make These Mistakes
⚠ Confusing SAARC and SAFTA
✗ Students often write that SAARC is a trade agreement or that SAFTA is the regional association.
→ SAARC is the regional association for cooperation (founded 1985), while SAFTA is a specific trade agreement signed under SAARC in 2004 to lower tariffs.
✓ SAARC is the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, a multilateral initiative. SAFTA is the South Asian Free Trade Agreement, signed at the 12th SAARC Summit in Islamabad in 2004, aiming to create a free trade zone.
⚠ Mixing up the 1990 and 2006 movements in Nepal
✗ Students often say the king abolished monarchy in 1990 or that the 2006 movement led to a new constitution in 1990.
→ The 1990 movement led to a new democratic constitution but the king retained power. The 2006 movement forced the king to restore parliament, leading to the abolition of monarchy in 2008 and a new constitution in 2015.
✓ In 1990, the king accepted a new democratic constitution after a pro-democracy movement. In 2006, a second pro-democracy movement led by the SPA and Maoists forced the king to restore the House of Representatives, eventually leading to the abolition of monarchy in 2008.
⚠ Attributing the 1971 war solely to the language issue
✗ Students often write that the 1971 war was only about the imposition of Urdu.
→ While language imposition was a key factor, the war resulted from a combination of political, economic, and cultural domination, the refusal to convene the constituent assembly after the 1970 election, and the military crackdown by the Pakistani army.
✓ The 1971 war was triggered by West Pakistan's refusal to honour the 1970 election results, the arrest of Sheikh Mujib, and the brutal military suppression of the Bengali people, leading to a massive refugee crisis and India's military intervention.
⚠ Thinking the IPKF was successful
✗ Students sometimes write that the IPKF successfully resolved the Sri Lankan ethnic conflict.
→ The IPKF pulled out in 1989 without attaining its objective; it got into a fight with the LTTE and was not liked by Sri Lankans.
✓ The Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) was sent in 1987 to stabilise relations but failed to achieve its objective and was withdrawn in 1989. The conflict ended only in 2009 when the LTTE was vanquished by the Sri Lankan army.
⚠ Assuming all South Asian countries are fully democratic
✗ Students often write that all South Asian countries have stable democracies.
→ The chapter clearly states that Pakistan and Bangladesh have experienced both civilian and military rulers, and Nepal was a monarchy until 2008. Only India and Sri Lanka have successfully operated a democratic system since independence.
✓ India and Sri Lanka have remained democracies since independence. Pakistan and Bangladesh have alternated between civilian and military rule, though democracy is becoming an accepted norm in the region. Nepal abolished its monarchy in 2008 to become a democratic republic.
Compare & Contrast
Stability of democratic institutions since independence
India's Democracy
Pakistan's Democracy
India has remained a democracy throughout its existence as an independent country, while Pakistan has experienced frequent military coups (1958, 1977, 1999) and periods of military rule, with democracy only recently stabilising since 2008.
Nature of the primary challenge to democracy
Ethnic Conflict in Sri Lanka
Conflict in Nepal
Sri Lanka's challenge came from ethnic conflict between the Sinhala majority and Tamil minority, leading to a demand for secession and a civil war with the LTTE. Nepal's challenge came from a struggle between pro-monarchy forces, pro-democracy groups, and Maoist extremists, leading to a violent conflict and eventual abolition of the monarchy.
Exam Focus
Marks pattern: 2 MCQs (1 mark each), 1 SA (3 marks), 1 LA (5 marks)
Most asked: India-Pakistan conflicts (Kashmir, nuclear tests, Indus Waters Treaty) · SAARC and SAFTA · Ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka and the role of the LTTE and IPKF · Democratic experiences of Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nepal · India's relations with its neighbours (Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka)
Don't skip: Long answer question on India-Pakistan conflicts and peace efforts (5 marks); Short answer question on the democratic experience of any one South Asian country (3 marks); MCQ on SAARC/SAFTA or the LTTE (1 mark)
One-Line Revision (read aloud before the exam)
  1. South Asia includes Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
  2. SAARC was founded in 1985 to promote regional cooperation through multilateral means.
  3. SAFTA was signed in 2004 and came into effect on 1 January 2006 to lower trade tariffs.
  4. India and Sri Lanka have remained democracies since independence.
  5. Pakistan has experienced military coups in 1958, 1977, and 1999, but has had civilian rule since 2008.
  6. Bangladesh was formed in 1971 after a war between India and Pakistan.
  7. Nepal abolished its monarchy in 2008 and adopted a new constitution in 2015.
  8. The LTTE fought for a separate Tamil Eelam in Sri Lanka and was vanquished in 2009.
  9. The IPKF was sent to Sri Lanka in 1987 but withdrew in 1989 without success.
  10. The Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 between India and Pakistan has survived despite wars.
  11. India and Pakistan conducted nuclear tests in 1998, changing the nature of their conflict.
  12. The Line of Control divides Kashmir into Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and Indian Jammu and Kashmir.
  13. The Seven Party Alliance (SPA) led the 2006 pro-democracy movement in Nepal.
  14. India's Look East policy (Act East since 2014) aims to link with Southeast Asia via Myanmar.
  15. The Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) is Pakistan's spy agency alleged to be involved in anti-India campaigns.

MCQs — 10 Questions with Answers

Q1. Which of the following countries has maintained continuous democracy since independence without any military interruption?

  • A. India and Sri Lanka ✓
  • B. Pakistan and Bangladesh
  • C. Nepal and Bhutan
  • D. Maldives and Sri Lanka

Answer: A — India and Sri Lanka are the only two South Asian countries that have successfully operated a democratic system throughout their existence as independent nations without military coups.

Q2. General Ayub Khan's military coup in Pakistan was followed by popular dissatisfaction, which led to:

  • A. Return of democratic government immediately
  • B. Another military takeover under General Yahya Khan ✓
  • C. Formation of Bangladesh within Pakistan
  • D. Direct elections without a constitution

Answer: B — After Ayub Khan's unpopular rule, General Yahya Khan took over administration, continuing military rule and eventually presiding over the 1971 Bangladesh crisis.

Q3. The 1971 India-Pakistan War resulted in which major geopolitical change in South Asia?

  • A. Pakistan gained new territories
  • B. East Pakistan became independent as Bangladesh ✓
  • C. India lost control of Kashmir
  • D. Sri Lanka merged with India

Answer: B — During General Yahya Khan's military rule, the war with India over the Bangladesh crisis led to East Pakistan's separation and emergence as the independent nation of Bangladesh in 1971.

Q4. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto's government in Pakistan (1971-1977) was removed by:

  • A. Military coup under General Zia-ul-Haq ✓
  • B. Public referendum
  • C. Parliamentary dissolution
  • D. Death of Bhutto himself

Answer: A — General Zia-ul-Haq staged a military coup in 1977 that removed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto's elected civilian government from power.

Q5. Which South Asian country established a multi-party democratic system in 2008 after being a constitutional monarchy?

  • A. Bhutan
  • B. Nepal
  • C. Maldives
  • D. Both A and B ✓

Answer: D — Both Bhutan and Nepal underwent democratic transitions in 2008—Nepal abolished its monarchy and became a republic, while Bhutan became a constitutional monarchy with multi-party democracy under the king's leadership.

Q6. The survey of 19,000+ citizens across five South Asian countries revealed that:

  • A. Only wealthy citizens support democracy
  • B. Democracy has no public support in the region
  • C. Ordinary citizens of all income levels and religions view democracy positively ✓
  • D. People prefer authoritarian government over democracy

Answer: C — The SDSA survey demonstrated widespread support for democracy across all socioeconomic groups and religions, with people viewing representative democracy as suitable for their country.

Q7. What natural geographic feature primarily provides insularity to the South Asian region from the north?

  • A. The Indian Ocean
  • B. The Himalayas ✓
  • C. The Arabian Sea
  • D. The Bay of Bengal

Answer: B — The mighty Himalayas in the north provide natural insularity to the South Asian region, helping create the linguistic, social, and cultural distinctiveness of the sub-continent.

Q8. Benazir Bhutto's democratic government came to power in Pakistan in 1988 after:

  • A. General Zia-ul-Haq's death and a pro-democracy movement ✓
  • B. A successful military coup
  • C. Direct intervention by India
  • D. Unanimous parliamentary vote

Answer: A — After General Zia-ul-Haq faced a pro-democracy movement from 1982 onwards, an elected democratic government under Benazir Bhutto was established in 1988.

Q9. Which of the following statements about the Maldives is CORRECT? Assertion (A): The Maldives transformed from a sultanate to a republic in 1968. Reason (R): It introduced a multi-party democratic system in June 2005.

  • A. Both A and R are true; R explains A
  • B. Both A and R are true; R does not explain A ✓
  • C. A is true; R is false
  • D. A is false; R is true

Answer: B — Both statements are factually correct—Maldives became a republic in 1968 and later introduced multi-party democracy in 2005—but the second statement is a separate later development, not an explanation of the first.

Q10. Which aspect of South Asia distinguishes it from Southeast Asia or West Asia according to the chapter?

  • A. Geographical isolation and high literacy rates
  • B. Democratic traditions and linguistic/cultural distinctiveness despite diversity ✓
  • C. Absence of internal conflicts and water disputes
  • D. Complete political homogeneity across all nations

Answer: B — The chapter emphasizes that South Asia, despite its linguistic, social, and cultural diversity, constitutes one geopolitical space with shared democratic aspirations and experiences distinct from other Asian regions.

Flashcards

What are the seven countries that make up South Asia?

Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

Which two South Asian countries have maintained continuous democracy since independence?

India and Sri Lanka have both successfully operated a democratic system since their independence from British rule.

When did Pakistan experience its first military coup after independence?

General Ayub Khan took over the administration of Pakistan after it framed its first constitution and eventually got himself elected.

What event caused East Pakistan to break away and form Bangladesh?

During General Yahya Khan's military rule, Pakistan faced the Bangladesh crisis, and after a war with India in 1971, East Pakistan became independent Bangladesh.

Who was the first civilian leader to come to power in Pakistan after military rule?

Zulfikar Ali Bhutto led an elected government in Pakistan from 1971 to 1977 after the Bangladesh War.

When did General Zia-ul-Haq remove Zulfikar Ali Bhutto's government in Pakistan?

General Zia-ul-Haq took over in 1977, removing the Bhutto government.

In what year did Benazir Bhutto establish a democratic government in Pakistan after military rule?

Benazir Bhutto led an elected democratic government in 1988 after General Zia faced a pro-democracy movement from 1982 onwards.

What geographic features provide natural insularity to the South Asian region?

The mighty Himalayas in the north and the Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea, and Bay of Bengal in the south, west, and east provide natural insularity.

When did Nepal transform from a constitutional monarchy into a democratic republic?

In 2008, Nepal abolished the monarchy and emerged as a democratic republic.

What major change occurred in the Maldives' political system in June 2005?

The Maldives parliament voted unanimously to introduce a multi-party system, transitioning from a sultanate/republic with presidential rule.

Important Board Questions

Define 'South Asia' as a geopolitical region and name the seven countries that comprise it. [2 marks]

State the geographic boundaries (Himalayas, Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal) and list all seven nations. Mention the natural insularity creating linguistic and cultural distinctiveness.

Explain how Pakistan's experience with alternating civilian and military rule differs from India's democratic trajectory since independence. Provide specific examples of military coups. [4 marks]

Contrast India's continuous democracy with Pakistan's cycles: Ayub Khan coup → Yahya Khan → 1971 Bangladesh War → Zulfikar Ali Bhutto (1971-77) → Zia-ul-Haq coup (1977) → Benazir Bhutto (1988). Explain impact on institutional stability and democratic development.

Analyse the findings of the 19,000+ citizen survey on democracy support across South Asia. What do these findings suggest about the region's political future and the global understanding of democracy? [6 marks]

Discuss that all income groups and religions support democracy despite mixed records and economic challenges. Explain how this expands global imagination about democracy flourishing in non-wealthy nations. Link to emerging regional norm of democratisation (Nepal 2008, Bhutan 2008, Maldives 2005). Address implications for regional cooperation and conflict resolution.

Assertion-Reason Questions for Contemporary South Asia

Q1. Assertion (A):

South Asia is defined to include seven countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

Reason (R):

The Himalayas and oceanic boundaries provide natural insularity that creates linguistic, social, and cultural distinctiveness of the subcontinent.

Answer: A — Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A — Both statements are true. The assertion correctly lists the seven South Asian countries used in the chapter's definition. The reason correctly identifies the geographical features (Himalayas, Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal) and explains why they matter for regional distinctiveness. The reason provides the logical foundation for why these specific countries form a coherent region.

Q2. Assertion (A):

India and Sri Lanka are the only two South Asian countries that have continuously maintained democratic systems since independence.

Reason (R):

Both countries have perfect democratic records with no interruptions or limitations to democratic processes.

Answer: C — A is true but R is false — The assertion is true according to the chapter, which states both 'have successfully operated a democratic system since their independence.' However, the reason is false because the chapter explicitly acknowledges 'it is possible to point out many limitations of India's democracy.' The chapter does not claim perfection, only continuous democratic operation despite limitations.

Q3. Assertion (A):

Nepal transformed from a constitutional monarchy with risk of executive takeover into a democratic republic in 2008.

Reason (R):

The abolition of monarchy and establishment of democratic institutions came after citizens voted in a referendum to support this change.

Answer: B — Both A and R are true, but R is NOT the correct explanation of A — The assertion is true (chapter states this directly). However, the reason is not supported by the chapter text, which does not mention a referendum. Both statements are true independent facts, but the reason does not explain why the assertion occurred — it provides an unsupported additional claim. The chapter focuses on the fact of transformation, not the specific mechanism.

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Case-Based Questions (CBQ) for Contemporary South Asia

Case Study:

A research team surveyed 19,000 ordinary citizens across five major South Asian countries: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. The survey measured public attitudes toward democracy as a preferred system of government. Respondents were stratified by income level (rich and poor), religious affiliation (Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist, Christian, etc.), and urban-rural residence. The findings revealed that across all five countries, majorities of both wealthy and poor citizens, as well as people from various religious backgrounds, expressed strong support for democracy. They viewed democracy as the most suitable form of government for their respective countries. This contrasted sharply with earlier Western scholarly assumptions that democracy could only flourish in economically prosperous nations.

Q1. What was the primary hypothesis that this survey contradicted?

  • A. That religious diversity would prevent democratic support
  • B. That democracy could only succeed in wealthy, developed countries ✓
  • C. That urban citizens would support democracy more than rural citizens
  • D. That poor citizens would prefer authoritarian rule over democracy

Answer: B

Q2. The survey's stratification by 'income level, religious affiliation, and urban-rural residence' was designed to ensure that:

  • A. Only wealthy, Hindu, urban respondents were interviewed
  • B. The sample represented diverse demographic groups and could not dismiss support as coming only from privileged minorities ✓
  • C. Poor, Muslim, rural areas were excluded from the study
  • D. Regional differences between countries would be maximized

Answer: B

Q3. If this survey had found that only wealthy citizens in India and Sri Lanka supported democracy, while poor citizens and those in Pakistan and Nepal opposed it, what conclusion would scholars draw about South Asian democratization?

  • A. Democracy is a universal value in all South Asian countries
  • B. Religious faith prevents democratic support in Muslim-majority nations
  • C. Prosperity and development are prerequisites for democratic support, contradicting the earlier assumption ✓
  • D. Military rule is the preferred governance model in developing economies

Answer: C

Q4. What do the actual survey results suggest about the relationship between economic development and democratic aspiration in South Asia?

  • A. Economic development is not the only factor determining democratic support; cultural and political factors also matter ✓
  • B. Poor countries cannot sustain democracy under any circumstances
  • C. Democracy is impossible in religiously diverse societies
  • D. Urban areas will always demand democracy while rural areas prefer monarchy

Answer: A

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Previous Year Questions (PYQ) for Contemporary South Asia

Real CBSE board exam questions from past papers — free to attempt.

CBSE 2026 · Set 59/1/1 · 2 marks

How does the natural insularity of South Asian region determine its cultural distinctiveness? Explain.

CBSE 2026 · Set 59/1/1 · 1 mark

The South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation (SAARC) is a major regional initiative by the South Asian states to evolve co-operation through multilateral means. It began in 1985. Unfortunately due to persisting political differences, SAARC has not had much success. SAARC members signed the South Asian Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA) in 2002 which promised the formation of a free trade zone for the whole of South Asia.

Which one of the following South Asian countries is not a founder member of South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation (SAARC)?

  • Nepal
  • Bhutan
  • Afghanistan
  • Bangladesh

CBSE 2026 · Set 59/1/2 · 2 marks

How does the natural insularity of South Asian region determine its cultural distinctiveness ? Explain.

CBSE 2026 · Set 59/1/2 · 1 mark

The South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation (SAARC) is a major regional initiative by the South Asian states to evolve co-operation through multilateral means. It began in 1985. Unfortunately due to persisting political differences, SAARC has not had much success. SAARC members signed the South Asian Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA) in 2002 which promised the formation of a free trade zone for the whole of South Asia.

Which one of the following South Asian countries is not a founder member of South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation (SAARC) ?

  • Nepal
  • Bhutan
  • Afghanistan
  • Bangladesh

CBSE 2026 · Set 59/2/1 · 2 marks

Assess the impact of outside powers on the South Asian Countries.

CBSE 2026 · Set 59/2/1 · 4 marks

Describe any two areas of co-operation and any two reasons for conflicts between India and Pakistan.

CBSE 2026 · Set 59/3/1 · 6 marks

Describe the sequence of events responsible for the establishment of democracy in Nepal.

CBSE 2026 · Set 59/3/3 · 6 marks

Why is South Asia known as a conflict-prone zone? Explain the reasons.

CBSE 2026 · Set 59/4/1 · 1 mark

Which one of the following countries is not a member of SAARC ?

  • Nepal
  • China
  • Maldives
  • Sri Lanka

CBSE 2026 · Set 59/4/1 · 1 mark

In which year was a multi-party system introduced in the Maldives ?

  • 2008
  • 2007
  • 2006
  • 2005

CBSE 2026 · Set 59/4/1 · 4 marks

Explain the reasons for ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka and its impact on India.

CBSE 2026 · Set 59/4/2 · 1 mark

In which year was a multi-party system introduced in the Maldives?

  • 2008
  • 2007
  • 2006
  • 2005

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Class 12 Political Science Previous Year Questions, Chapter-wise

All 761 CBSE board questions from 2022–2026, sorted by chapter and question type. Free PDF download.

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