NMMS Unit 1: Equality (7th Standard Civics Term -1)
Based on the detailed text provided in the Unit 1: Equality PDF, here are the comprehensive notes and 30 MCQs tailored for NMMS and TNPSC exam preparation.
Comprehensive Notes: Equality (7th Standard Civics)
1. Introduction to Equality
Natural Inequalities: Nature has made humans unequal in color, height, talent, and physical strength. These cannot be rectified.
Man-made Inequalities: Created based on caste, religion, language, and economy. These can be rectified.
Core Concept: While capabilities vary, all individuals must have equal opportunities to develop their skills and talents.
2. Definition of Equality
General Definition: Ensuring individuals or groups are not treated differently or less favorably based on protected characteristics like race, gender, disability, religion, etc.
Professor Laski's Definition: Equality does not mean identity of treatment or sameness of reward. It means:
Absence of social privilege.
Adequate opportunities are laid open to all.
3. Importance of Equality
It is a powerful moral and political ideal guiding human society for centuries.
It asserts that all humans have equal worth regardless of caste, color, gender, or nationality.
Democratic ideals (liberty, equality) are only meaningful when implemented with justice.
4. Kinds of Equality
A. Social Equality
All citizens are entitled to equal status in society.
No discrimination based on caste, creed, color, or race.
Equal opportunity for personality development.
B. Civil Equality
Enjoyment of civil rights by all citizens.
No discrimination between superior/inferior or rich/poor.
Rule of Law: In the eyes of the law, all are equal. This concept is in force in England and India.
A.V. Dicey: The British legal luminary who advocated the Rule of Law.
C. Political Equality
Guaranteed in democratic countries like India. It includes:
Right to vote.
Right to hold public office.
Right to criticize the government.
Universal Adult Franchise:
In India, voting rights are given to all citizens aged 18 years and above without discrimination.
Fact: India was the first country to give voting rights to women from the very first general election (1952).
Comparison: Switzerland granted women the right to vote in 1971.
Contesting Elections: Any person aged 25 years can contest elections in India.
Value of Vote: The value of the Prime Minister's vote and a common man's vote is the same.
D. Gender Equality
Men and women should be free to develop personal abilities and make choices without limitations.
Rights, responsibilities, and opportunities should not depend on gender.
UNICEF Definition: Women, men, girls, and boys enjoy the same rights, resources, opportunities, and protections. It doesn't mean they must be exactly alike.
Sustainable Development Goal (SDG): Gender equality is the 5th of the 17 SDGs of the United Nations (as of 2017).
Reservation: 50% reservation has been given for women in local bodies in India.
Social Activists: Pioneers who worked for women's status include Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, Dayanand Saraswati, Mahadev Govind Ranade, Tarabai Shinde, Begum Rokeya Sakhawat Hussain, and Savitribai Phule.
5. Human Dignity
Definition: Dignity means self-respect. It is the quality of being honorable, noble, and excellent.
It is the most important human right from which fundamental rights derive.
6. Equality in Indian Constitution
The Constitution guarantees equality through Articles 14 to 18.
Article 14: Guarantees equality before law and equal protection of law.
Article 15: Prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth.
Article 16: Provides equality of opportunity in matters of public employment.
Article 17: Abolishes the practice of Untouchability.
Article 18: Abolishes titles conferred to citizens (except military and academic).
Article 21: Further strengthens equality before law and equal protection of law.
30 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Which Article of the Indian Constitution abolishes the practice of Untouchability?
A) Article 14
B) Article 16
C) Article 17
D) Article 18
In which year were women given the right to vote in Switzerland?
A) 1952
B) 1971
C) 1947
D) 1981
Who advocated the concept of 'Rule of Law'?
A) Prof. Laski
B) A.V. Dicey
C) Raja Ram Mohan Roy
D) Karl Marx
What is the minimum age required to vote in India?
A) 21
B) 25
C) 18
D) 35
Which Article guarantees equality before law?
A) Article 14
B) Article 15
C) Article 19
D) Article 21
Gender Equality is which number among the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?
A) 1st
B) 5th
C) 10th
D) 17th
Who said "Equality does not mean identity of treatment, the sameness of reward"?
A) A.V. Dicey
B) Prof. Laski
C) Gandhi
D) Nehru
What is the minimum age required to contest in an election in India?
A) 18
B) 21
C) 25
D) 30
Article 18 of the Constitution deals with:
A) Abolition of Untouchability
B) Abolition of Titles
C) Right to Vote
D) Prohibition of Discrimination
India gave voting rights to women in which year?
A) 1947
B) 1950
C) 1952
D) 1971
Which kind of equality ensures that all citizens enjoy equal status in society?
A) Political Equality
B) Social Equality
C) Civil Equality
D) Economic Equality
The reservation given for women in local bodies in India is:
A) 33%
B) 25%
C) 50%
D) 10%
Inequality based on caste, religion, and language is called:
A) Natural Inequality
B) Man-made Inequality
C) Economic Inequality
D) Biological Inequality
Article 16 provides equality of opportunity in matters of:
A) Education
B) Public Employment
C) Marriage
D) Religion
Which of the following is NOT a political right?
A) Right to vote
B) Right to hold public office
C) Right to criticize the government
D) Right to practice untouchability
Which of the following social activists worked for the upliftment of women?
A) Raja Ram Mohan Roy
B) Begum Rokeya Sakhawat Hussain
C) Savitribai Phule
D) All of the above
Dignity means:
A) Wealth
B) Self-respect
C) Power
D) Fame
The Constitution of India guarantees the Right to Equality through Articles:
A) 12-35
B) 14-18
C) 19-22
D) 25-28
Civil equality implies:
A) Right to vote
B) Equality before law
C) Equal wealth
D) Equal education
Which Article prohibits discrimination based on religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth?
A) Article 14
B) Article 15
C) Article 16
D) Article 17
Rule of Law is followed in:
A) India and England
B) USA and China
C) Russia and France
D) England only
According to UNICEF, Gender Equality means:
A) Men and women must be exactly the same
B) Men and women enjoy the same rights and opportunities
C) Women are superior to men
D) Men are superior to women
Which natural inequality cannot be rectified?
A) Economic status
B) Caste hierarchy
C) Height and color
D) Religious differences
Democracy is based on the pillars of:
A) Wealth and Power
B) Equality and Justice
C) Caste and Religion
D) King and Subjects
The right to criticize the government is a part of:
A) Social Equality
B) Civil Equality
C) Political Equality
D) Economic Equality
Which country was the first to give the right to vote to women from the very first general election?
A) USA
B) UK
C) India
D) Switzerland
What is essential for the meaningful functioning of democratic ideals like liberty and equality?
A) Money
B) Justice
C) Force
D) Authority
Article 21 strengthens which concept?
A) Right to property
B) Right to titles
C) Equality before law and equal protection of law
D) Right to vote
Which is the largest democratic country in the world?
A) USA
B) China
C) India
D) Russia
Absence of social privilege is a key component of:
A) Monarchy
B) Equality
C) Aristocracy
D) Dictatorship
Answer Key
C (Article 17)
B (1971)
B (A.V. Dicey)
C (18)
A (Article 14)
B (5th)
B (Prof. Laski)
C (25)
B (Abolition of Titles)
C (1952)
B (Social Equality)
C (50%)
B (Man-made Inequality)
B (Public Employment)
D (Right to practice untouchability)
D (All of the above)
B (Self-respect)
B (14-18)
B (Equality before law)
B (Article 15)
A (India and England)
B (Men and women enjoy the same rights)
C (Height and color)
B (Equality and Justice)
C (Political Equality)
C (India)
B (Justice)
C (Equality before law...)
C (India)
B (Equality)