Team 1
Team 2
Team 3
100

A city is facing severe water shortages, and the local Municipal Corporation is responsible for managing water supply and sanitation.

  • What steps can the Municipal Corporation take to ensure a sustainable water supply for the city's residents?
  • How can citizen participation help in addressing water conservation issues?
  • Sustainable Water Supply Measures:

    • The Municipal Corporation can implement water conservation measures such as repairing leaks in water pipes, promoting rainwater harvesting, and encouraging the use of water-efficient appliances.
    • It can also explore alternative water sources like wastewater treatment and reuse, and implement efficient water distribution systems to minimize wastage.
  • Citizen Participation in Water Conservation:

    • Citizen participation can raise awareness about water scarcity and promote responsible water usage through community campaigns and educational programs.
    • It can also lead to the reporting of leaks and illegal water connections, and encourage the adoption of water-saving practices at the household level, fostering a sense of collective responsibility.
100

A newly developed urban area is experiencing rapid population growth, leading to problems such as traffic congestion and waste management issues.

  • What measures should the local government implement to improve transportation and waste disposal systems?
  • How can urban planning and infrastructure development help in managing a growing population effectively?
  • Improving Transportation and Waste Disposal:

    • The local government should invest in expanding public transportation systems, constructing wider roads, and implementing traffic management strategies to alleviate congestion. They should also establish efficient waste collection and recycling programs, and invest in modern waste disposal facilities.
    • They can also enforce rules about the correct disposal of waste, and introduce fines for people who litter.
  • Urban Planning and Infrastructure Development:

    • Integrated urban planning should prioritize the development of sustainable infrastructure, including housing, transportation, and public services, to accommodate the growing population. This includes zoning regulations to manage land use and prevent overcrowding.
    • Proactive infrastructure development, such as building adequate sewage systems, water supply networks, and public spaces, ensures that the city can handle the increased demand and maintain a high quality of life for its residents.
100

An outbreak of dengue and malaria has been reported in different parts of a city. The Municipal Council is being criticized for poor sanitation and waste management.

  • What immediate and long-term actions should the local government take to control and prevent such outbreaks?
  • How can public awareness campaigns help in improving sanitation and hygiene in urban areas?
  • Immediate and Long-Term Actions:

    • Immediately, the Municipal Council should initiate intensive fogging and spraying operations to control mosquito populations, clean up stagnant water sources, and provide prompt medical assistance to affected individuals. Long-term, they must implement robust waste management systems, improve drainage infrastructure to prevent waterlogging, and enforce sanitation regulations rigorously.
    • Also they should increase the availability of medical professionals, and medicine in the areas that have been affected.
  • Public Awareness Campaigns:

    • Public awareness campaigns can educate citizens about the importance of maintaining clean surroundings, disposing of waste properly, and eliminating mosquito breeding grounds, fostering a sense of community responsibility.
    • These campaigns can also disseminate information about preventive measures, such as using mosquito repellents and nets, and recognizing the symptoms of dengue and malaria, empowering citizens to take proactive steps to protect themselves.
200
  • A Gram Sabha meeting is being held to decide how to allocate government funds for village development. Some villagers want to improve irrigation facilities, while others prefer building a new school.

    • Why is it important for the Gram Sabha to discuss and reach a consensus on how to spend the funds?
    • How does citizen participation in Gram Sabha meetings strengthen local governance?
  • Importance of Consensus:

    • It ensures that limited funds are allocated to projects that best reflect the collective needs and priorities of the entire village, preventing disputes and maximizing the impact of development efforts.
    • It promotes transparency and accountability, as decisions are made through open discussion and agreement, fostering trust between villagers and their local government.
  • Strengthening Local Governance:

    • Citizen participation empowers villagers to actively shape their community's future, making local governance more responsive to their needs and fostering a sense of ownership.
    • It enhances the legitimacy of Gram Panchayat decisions, as they are based on the collective will of the people, leading to greater cooperation and effective implementation of development projects.
200

A new policy has been introduced by the state government to encourage rural employment. The Gram Sabha is tasked with selecting the most suitable project for the village, and a debate arises between focusing on improving local agriculture or building a community center.

  • What role does the Gram Sabha play in ensuring inclusive decision-making?
  • How should the Gram Sabha ensure that the needs of marginalized groups are considered in the project selection?
  • Role in Inclusive Decision-Making:

    • The Gram Sabha provides a platform for all villagers, regardless of social standing, to voice their opinions and concerns, ensuring that diverse perspectives are considered in the project selection process.
    • It facilitates open dialogue and deliberation, allowing for the exchange of ideas and the identification of solutions that benefit the entire community, promoting transparency and fairness.
  • Ensuring Needs of Marginalized Groups:

    • The Gram Sabha should actively solicit input from marginalized groups, such as Dalits, women, and landless laborers, through targeted consultations and special meetings, ensuring their voices are heard.
    • It should prioritize projects that address the specific needs and challenges faced by marginalized groups, such as providing access to resources, creating employment opportunities, and promoting social inclusion, ensuring equitable distribution of benefits.
200

During the monsoon season, a rural village faces severe waterlogging and damaged roads, making transportation difficult. The villagers approach the Gram Panchayat for help.

  • What role does the Gram Panchayat play in maintaining rural infrastructure like roads and drainage?
  • How can the Panchayat collaborate with higher government authorities to address such issues effectively?
  • Role in Rural Infrastructure:

    • The Gram Panchayat is responsible for the maintenance and repair of local infrastructure, including village roads and drainage systems, ensuring basic accessibility and sanitation for the community.
    • It identifies and prioritizes infrastructure needs based on local conditions and community feedback, initiating projects and overseeing their implementation within its available resources.
  • Collaboration with Higher Authorities:

    • The Panchayat can submit proposals and requests for funding or technical assistance to higher government authorities (Block Samiti, Zila Parishad, or state government departments) for major infrastructure projects or disaster relief.
    • It can coordinate with these authorities to access resources, expertise, and support for planning, implementing, and monitoring infrastructure development, ensuring efficient and effective solutions.
300

The world or the universe as an ordered and harmonious system ... What am I? 

COSMOS

300

Someone who uses traditional practices to relieve or heal diseases. Name me.

HEALER

300

The quality or state of being aware, for instance of something within oneself.  I am? 

Consciousness

400

A historian finds an old manuscript, a broken clay pot, and an inscription on a temple wall.

  • How can each of these sources help in understanding history?
  • Old Manuscript:

    • Written Records: Manuscripts provide direct written accounts of past events, thoughts, beliefs, and social structures. They can contain information about political events, economic activities, religious practices, and daily life.
    • Language and Culture: The language used in the manuscript can reveal information about the linguistic development and cultural practices of the time.
    • Author's Perspective: They can offer insights into the author's viewpoint, biases, and the context in which they lived.
  • Broken Clay Pot:

    • Material Culture: Clay pots and other artifacts reveal information about the material culture of a society, including their technology, craftsmanship, and daily life.
    • Chronology: The style and type of pottery can help historians date archaeological sites and establish a timeline of events.
    • Trade and Interaction: 
    • Social Stratification: The quality and type of pottery found in different locations can sometimes indicate social stratification.
  • Inscription on a Temple Wall:

    • Official Records: Inscriptions often contain official records, such as royal decrees, religious texts, or records of donations.
    • Political History:
    • Religious Practices: 
    • Language and Script:
    • Social Information: 
400

Archaeologists discover ancient coins with inscriptions in a script that is not yet fully deciphered.

  • What challenges might historians face while interpreting such inscriptions?
  • How can historians use these coins to learn about the economy and rulers of that period?
  1. The primary obstacle is the inability to read the script, hindering direct access to the information the inscriptions contain.
  2.  Undeciphered symbols may have multiple meanings, leading to potential misinterpretations and making it difficult to understand the intended message.

Using Coins to Learn About Economy and Rulers:

  1. Metal and Weight Analysis: The type and weight of metals used reveal economic conditions (e.g., gold for prosperity, debased coins for hardship) and the standardization of coinage can indicate the strength of the ruling authority.
  2. Visual Symbols and Images: Images of rulers, symbols of power, and stylistic changes in coin design, even without deciphering the text, can provide insights into the identity of rulers, their political ideology, and the chronology of their reigns.
400

Imagine you are an archaeologist excavating a site from the Mauryan period. You find pottery, old tools, and a stone pillar with inscriptions.


  • How do material remains help reconstruct history when written records are not available?
  • Revealing Daily Life and Technology: Material remains like pottery and tools provide tangible evidence of how people lived, their skills, and the technologies they used. These artifacts show what people ate, how they worked, and their level of craftsmanship, offering insights into social and economic aspects of the Mauryan period.

  •  Even with inscriptions on the pillar, the surrounding material remains offer context. The location of the pillar, the types of pottery, and the tools found nearby help archaeologists understand the purpose of the pillar, the nature of the settlement, and corroborate or challenge interpretations derived from the inscriptions alone.

500

The Indian Independence Movement saw various key events like the Revolt of 1857, the Partition of Bengal (1905), the Non-Cooperation Movement (1920), the Civil Disobedience Movement (1930), and the Quit India Movement (1942).

  • Arrange these events chronologically on a timeline
  • Revolt of 1857 
  • Partition of Bengal (1905) 
  • Non-Cooperation Movement (1920) –
  • Civil Disobedience Movement (1930) – 
  • Quit India Movement (1942) – 
500

Historians use BCE (Before Common Era) and CE (Common Era) to represent historical events on a timeline. The Indus Valley Civilization flourished around 2500 BCE, while the Maurya Empire was established in 321 BCE. Later, the Gupta Empire emerged in 319 CE, and the Mughal Empire was founded in 1526 CE.


  1. Arrange these historical events in chronological order. Which event is the oldest, and which is the most recent?


  1. Indus Valley Civilization – 2500 BCE (Oldest)
  2. Maurya Empire established – 321 BCE
  3. Gupta Empire emerged – 319 CE
  4. Mughal Empire founded – 1526 CE (Most recent)
500

A student finds two ancient manuscripts. One is dated 200 BCE, while the other is marked 50 CE. The student is confused about which document is older.


  1. Which document is older, and why?
  2. How do BCE and CE dates relate to each other in terms of historical timelines?

Which is older? 

  • The manuscript dated 200 BCE is older than the one marked 50 CE.
  • BCE (Before Common Era) dates count backward from year 1, meaning 200 BCE is earlier in history than 50 CE, which comes after year 1 and moves forward in time.
  • How do BCE and CE dates relate to each other in terms of historical timelines?

    • BCE (Before Common Era) refers to years before year 1, moving in descending order (e.g., 500 BCE → 400 BCE → 300 BCE → 200 BCE).
    • CE (Common Era) refers to years after year 1, moving in ascending order (e.g., 1 CE → 50 CE → 100 CE → 200 CE).
    • There is no year 0 in the Gregorian calendar, so the timeline transitions directly from 1 BCE to 1 CE.