Skip to content

Read the given source… (Social Science 2026 32/5/1 Q28)

questionbuddy.in/q/cbse-10-social-science-2026-32-5-1-q28-source-carefully-forms-power-sharing

Social ScienceCBSE Class 10 · Board exam 2026, set 32/5/1 · 4 marks · Case-based

CBSE Class 10 Social Science 2026: question 28

Set in the CBSE Class 10 board exam of 2026, paper 32/5/1, section C, question 28, for 4 marks. Try it first; the hints and our step-by-step solution are below.

Q28 · 4 marks · Case-basedCompetency-basedPower-sharing

Read the given source carefully and answer the questions that follow :

Forms of Power-sharing

The idea of power-sharing has emerged in opposition to the notions of undivided political power. For a long time, it was believed that all power of a government must reside in one person or group of persons located at one place. It was felt that if the power to decide is dispersed, it would not be possible to take quick decisions and to enforce them. But these notions have changed with the emergence of democracy. One basic principle of democracy is that people are the source of all political power. In a democracy, people rule themselves through institutions of self-government. In a good democratic government, due respect is given to diverse groups and views that exist in a society. Everyone has a voice in the shaping of public policies. Therefore, it follows that in a democracy, political power should be distributed among as many citizens as possible.

  1. (28.1)

    How does power sharing promote stability of political order ?

    1 mark
  2. (28.2)

    How are pressure groups part of the power sharing mechanism ?

    1 mark
  3. (28.3)

    How does power sharing contribute to the spirit of democracy ?

    2 marks

Source: official question paper from cbse.gov.in (PDF). See it in the full 2026 board paper, set 32/5/1.

Hints

Open one hint at a time and try again before the next.

Hint 1

Think about what happens to social conflict when every group gets a say.

Hint 2

Pressure groups influence government without contesting elections.

Hint 3

Link legitimacy and participation to the meaning of democracy.

Step-by-step solution

Each step shows the marks it earns, as an examiner would award them. Checked by an independent re-solve from the question paper.

  1. (i) Power sharing lets people take part directly in the political system. This gives the government legitimacy. It also gives due respect to the different groups and views in society, which reduces the chances of conflict and violence and so keeps the political order stable.

    1 mark

  2. (ii) Pressure groups such as traders, industrialists, farmers and industrial workers share power. They take part directly in government committees, or they put pressure on the government to adopt policies that benefit their members.

    1 mark

  3. (iii) Power sharing is the very spirit of democracy, because democracy means that power is shared among the people who live under it.

    1 mark

  4. It gives legitimacy to the government, since every group joins in governance through its own participation. It also ensures that everyone's voice is heard on public issues, which prevents the tyranny of the majority and social conflict.

    1 mark

Answer: (i) Reduces conflict and gives legitimacy, so the political order stays stable; (ii) Pressure groups take part in government committees or influence policy; (iii) Power sharing is the spirit of democracy because it gives legitimacy, gives every group a voice and prevents tyranny of the majority.

Where the marks are

  • Explains how power sharing promotes political stability (1 mark)
  • Shows how pressure groups share power (1 mark)
  • Power sharing is the spirit of democracy and gives legitimacy (1 mark)
  • Gives everyone a voice and prevents tyranny of the majority (1 mark)

Revise the chapter

Practise this chapterBoard-style questions from Power-sharing, one at a time, marked against the answer key and marking points.Back to the full paper2026 board paper, set 32/5/1: every question, by section.

The question is transcribed from the official paper; figures are described in words. The solution, hints and chapter tag are ours. Spotted an error? Write tosupport@questionbuddy.in.