Cultural Diversity MCQ Quiz - Objective Question with Answer for Cultural Diversity - Download Free PDF

The correct answer is - 2005

Key Points

• RTI Act
  • The Right to Information (RTI) Act was enacted by the Parliament of India in 2005.
  • The Act aims to promote transparency and accountability in the working of every public authority.
  • It mandates timely response to citizen requests for government information.

Additional Information

• Provisions of the RTI Act
  • The Act covers the whole of India except the state of Jammu and Kashmir.
  • It applies to all constitutional authorities, including the executive, legislature, and judiciary.
  • It also applies to any institution or body established or constituted by an act of Parliament or a state legislature.
• Key Features
  • Every public authority must appoint Public Information Officers (PIOs).
  • Citizens can request information from these PIOs through a simple application process.
  • The PIOs are obligated to provide the requested information within 30 days.
• Exemptions
  • Certain types of information are exempted from disclosure, such as information affecting national security, personal privacy, etc.
  • There are specific provisions for third-party information, which require the PIO to seek the consent of the third party before disclosing the information.

Key Points

• Communalism
  • In the context of India, secularism refers to the principle of maintaining a separation between government institutions and religious institutions.
  • Communalism refers to a situation where a particular community (often religious) promotes its own interests at the expense of others, leading to conflicts and tensions.
  • The Indian model of secularism aims to ensure that all religious groups are treated equally and that the state does not favor or discriminate against any religion.
  • Therefore, secularism is often considered the opposite of communalism in India, as it promotes coexistence and equality among different religious communities.

Additional Information

• Secularism in India
  • The Indian Constitution explicitly mentions secularism in its Preamble, reflecting the commitment to equality and non-discrimination on religious grounds.
  • Article 25 to 28 of the Indian Constitution guarantee the right to freedom of religion to all citizens, ensuring that individuals can practice, profess, and propagate any religion of their choice.
  • The state does not have an official religion and is expected to treat all religions and religious groups impartially.
• Challenges to Secularism
  • Despite constitutional safeguards, communal tensions and riots have been a recurrent issue in India.
  • Political exploitation of religious sentiments and identity-based politics often exacerbates communal divides.
  • Continuous efforts are needed to promote communal harmony and uphold the secular fabric of the nation.
• Pluralism
  • Pluralism refers to the coexistence of diverse groups, including different religious, cultural, and social communities, within a society.
  • While secularism ensures that the state remains neutral in religious matters, pluralism emphasizes the acceptance and celebration of diversity within the society.

The correct answer is - Secularization

Key Points

• Secularization
  • Secularization refers to the process through which religion's influence on various aspects of public and social life diminishes.
  • This phenomenon involves a shift in societal values and norms towards more rational and scientific perspectives.
  • It is characterized by a decline in religious practices and the reduction of religious institutions' authority in public affairs.

Additional Information

• Communalism
  • Communalism involves the allegiance to one's own ethnic group rather than to society as a whole, often leading to conflicts based on religious or ethnic identities.
• Liberalization
  • Liberalization refers to the process of reducing state intervention in the economy, promoting a more market-oriented and free-trade environment.
• Federalization
  • Federalization is the process of transferring powers from a central government to subnational entities, promoting decentralization and regional autonomy.

The correct answer is - Growth of scientific rationality

Key Points

• Growth of scientific rationality
  • The rise of scientific rationality challenged traditional religious explanations and provided alternative, evidence-based understandings of the world.
  • Major scientific advancements, such as those made during the Enlightenment period, contributed to a cultural shift towards valuing empirical evidence and reason.
  • This shift encouraged people to rely more on science and less on religious dogma, leading to a more secular society.

Additional Information

• Enlightenment Period
  • A cultural movement in the 17th and 18th centuries emphasizing reason, individualism, and skepticism of traditional authority, including religious institutions.
  • Prominent figures like Isaac Newton and John Locke advocated for scientific inquiry and rational thought, influencing the move towards secularization.
• Impact on Education
  • The growth of scientific rationality led to the development of secular education systems, focusing on science and humanities rather than religious instruction.
  • This broadened the knowledge base of society and reduced the influence of religious institutions over education.
• Separation of Church and State
  • The adoption of policies separating religious institutions from governmental functions helped in reducing the political power of the church.
  • This separation reinforced the secular nature of modern states, allowing for more diverse and pluralistic societies.

The correct answer is - Muslims

Key Points

• Muslims
  • According to the Indian Census, Muslims constitute the largest religious minority in India.
  • The 2011 Census data indicates that Muslims make up about 14.2% of the total population.
  • In terms of absolute numbers, the Muslim population in India is over 170 million, making it the second-largest Muslim population in the world after Indonesia.
  • This demographic information is crucial for understanding the religious composition of India.

Additional Information

• Other Religious Minorities
  • Christians
    • Christians constitute about 2.3% of India's population.
    • They are primarily concentrated in states like Kerala, Goa, and the northeastern states.
  • Sikhs
    • Sikhs make up about 1.7% of the population.
    • Punjab is the state with the highest concentration of Sikhs, where they form the majority.
  • Jains
    • Jains account for about 0.4% of the population.
    • They are known for their significant contributions to trade, commerce, and philanthropy in India.
• Constitutional Provisions
  • The Indian Constitution recognizes the rights of religious minorities under various articles, ensuring their protection and ability to preserve their culture.
  • Article 29 and Article 30 specifically focus on the rights of minorities to establish and administer educational institutions.

Jawaharlal Nehru created the phrase ‘unity in diversity’.

• This word perfectly describes India, which, despite its diversity of languages, faiths, castes, and creeds, has a strong sense of unity among its citizens.
• Jawaharlal Nehru used the phrase in his book ‘Discovery of India.

 Additional Information

Jawaharlal Nehru - played a prominent role in the freedom struggle and became the first prime minister of independent India.

• He was a founder and leader of the Non-Aligned Movement.
• He was a prolific author and some of his works are ‘The Discovery of India’ and ‘Glimpses of World History’.​

The term "diversity" refers to a lack of uniformity as well as a sense of variation.

• Diversity is the term that applies to dissimilarities. It may be in language, food, culture, living, religion, etc.
• India is a unique country where one can observe it extensively. 
• In a democratic nation, every individual has equal rights. Citizens have the right to elect their representatives.
• Diversity means differences in region, culture, language, and religion in society.
• Diversity originates with the birth or character of the person.

The correct answer is S.P. Nagendra

Key Points

• Bipin Chandra:
  • According to Bipan Chandra, in his book, “India since Independence”, “Communalism is an ideology based on the belief that Indian society is divided into religious communities, whose economic, political, social and cultural interests diverge and are even hostile to each other because of their religious differences.”
  • Bipan Chandra has described Communalism with three stages in his book, “Communalism in Modern India”.
  • The first stage he calls is Communal Consciousness, the second stage is Liberal Communalism and the third stage is Extreme Communalism.
• Asghar Ali Engineer:
  • ​Asghar Ali Engineer published 52 books, many papers and articles, including those for scholarly journals. 
  • From 1980 he edited the journal 'The Islamic Perspective', and during the 1980s he published a string of books on Islam and communal violence in India, the latter based on his field investigations into the communal riots in post-independence India.
  • He also edited a journal named ‘Indian Journal of Secularism’ and a monthly paper named ‘Islam and Modern Age’.
• Mushirul Hasan:
  • ​Mushirul Hasan, the former vice-chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia (2004-09) and a renowned historian came into limelight with his book on the partition of India, and histories of Islam in south-Asia.

  • Apart from writing, Mushirul Hasan, had also edited a number of books on the subject of Islam in India and communal problems in India post-independence.​

The correct answer is (A) is true but (B) is false.

Key Points

• Socio-cultural diversity concerns aspects of culture that can influence an individual's interactions with others of different backgrounds.
  • There is considerable socio-cultural diversity in India.
  • India is a plural society both in letter and spirit.
  • It is rightly characterized by its unity and diversity.
  • A grand synthesis of cultures, religions and languages of the people belonging to different castes and communities has upheld its unity and cohesiveness despite multiple foreign invasions.
  • Thus, statement A is true.
• There is no equality in opportunity if diversity is not recognized and valued.
  • Diversity refers to recognising and respecting and valuing differences in people.
  • However, diversity will not necessarily lead to equal opportunity. 
  • For example, India is a diverse country, but here everyone doesn't have equal opportunities.
  • Thus, statement B is false.

 Thus, we can say that statement (A) is true but statement (B) is false.

The correct answer is - 22

Key Points

• 22 Official Languages
  • According to the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, there are 22 officially recognized languages.
  • The Eighth Schedule lists the languages that the Government of India has recognized as official languages.
  • This recognition plays a crucial role in language policy and the promotion of linguistic diversity in India.

Additional Information

• Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution
  • The Eighth Schedule was initially included in the Constitution to recognize 14 languages.
  • Subsequent amendments have increased the number to 22 languages.
• Language Policy in India
  • The official recognition of languages ensures that they receive government support for their development.
  • This includes support in areas such as education, publications, and broadcasting.
• Linguistic Diversity
  • India is known for its vast linguistic diversity, with hundreds of languages spoken across the country.
  • Recognizing multiple languages officially helps in preserving and promoting this cultural heritage.

The correct answer is - 2005

Key Points

• RTI Act
  • The Right to Information (RTI) Act was enacted by the Parliament of India in 2005.
  • The Act aims to promote transparency and accountability in the working of every public authority.
  • It mandates timely response to citizen requests for government information.

Additional Information

• Provisions of the RTI Act
  • The Act covers the whole of India except the state of Jammu and Kashmir.
  • It applies to all constitutional authorities, including the executive, legislature, and judiciary.
  • It also applies to any institution or body established or constituted by an act of Parliament or a state legislature.
• Key Features
  • Every public authority must appoint Public Information Officers (PIOs).
  • Citizens can request information from these PIOs through a simple application process.
  • The PIOs are obligated to provide the requested information within 30 days.
• Exemptions
  • Certain types of information are exempted from disclosure, such as information affecting national security, personal privacy, etc.
  • There are specific provisions for third-party information, which require the PIO to seek the consent of the third party before disclosing the information.

Key Points

• Communalism
  • In the context of India, secularism refers to the principle of maintaining a separation between government institutions and religious institutions.
  • Communalism refers to a situation where a particular community (often religious) promotes its own interests at the expense of others, leading to conflicts and tensions.
  • The Indian model of secularism aims to ensure that all religious groups are treated equally and that the state does not favor or discriminate against any religion.
  • Therefore, secularism is often considered the opposite of communalism in India, as it promotes coexistence and equality among different religious communities.

Additional Information

• Secularism in India
  • The Indian Constitution explicitly mentions secularism in its Preamble, reflecting the commitment to equality and non-discrimination on religious grounds.
  • Article 25 to 28 of the Indian Constitution guarantee the right to freedom of religion to all citizens, ensuring that individuals can practice, profess, and propagate any religion of their choice.
  • The state does not have an official religion and is expected to treat all religions and religious groups impartially.
• Challenges to Secularism
  • Despite constitutional safeguards, communal tensions and riots have been a recurrent issue in India.
  • Political exploitation of religious sentiments and identity-based politics often exacerbates communal divides.
  • Continuous efforts are needed to promote communal harmony and uphold the secular fabric of the nation.
• Pluralism
  • Pluralism refers to the coexistence of diverse groups, including different religious, cultural, and social communities, within a society.
  • While secularism ensures that the state remains neutral in religious matters, pluralism emphasizes the acceptance and celebration of diversity within the society.

The correct answer is - Secularization

Key Points

• Secularization
  • Secularization refers to the process through which religion's influence on various aspects of public and social life diminishes.
  • This phenomenon involves a shift in societal values and norms towards more rational and scientific perspectives.
  • It is characterized by a decline in religious practices and the reduction of religious institutions' authority in public affairs.

Additional Information

• Communalism
  • Communalism involves the allegiance to one's own ethnic group rather than to society as a whole, often leading to conflicts based on religious or ethnic identities.
• Liberalization
  • Liberalization refers to the process of reducing state intervention in the economy, promoting a more market-oriented and free-trade environment.
• Federalization
  • Federalization is the process of transferring powers from a central government to subnational entities, promoting decentralization and regional autonomy.

The correct answer is - Growth of scientific rationality

Key Points

• Growth of scientific rationality
  • The rise of scientific rationality challenged traditional religious explanations and provided alternative, evidence-based understandings of the world.
  • Major scientific advancements, such as those made during the Enlightenment period, contributed to a cultural shift towards valuing empirical evidence and reason.
  • This shift encouraged people to rely more on science and less on religious dogma, leading to a more secular society.

Additional Information

• Enlightenment Period
  • A cultural movement in the 17th and 18th centuries emphasizing reason, individualism, and skepticism of traditional authority, including religious institutions.
  • Prominent figures like Isaac Newton and John Locke advocated for scientific inquiry and rational thought, influencing the move towards secularization.
• Impact on Education
  • The growth of scientific rationality led to the development of secular education systems, focusing on science and humanities rather than religious instruction.
  • This broadened the knowledge base of society and reduced the influence of religious institutions over education.
• Separation of Church and State
  • The adoption of policies separating religious institutions from governmental functions helped in reducing the political power of the church.
  • This separation reinforced the secular nature of modern states, allowing for more diverse and pluralistic societies.

The correct answer is - Limited political freedoms

Key Points

• Limited political freedoms
  • An authoritarian state is characterized by centralized control and limited political freedoms.
  • In such states, the ruling authorities maintain strict control over political activities and suppress dissent.
  • This often involves the restriction of freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and the right to assemble.
  • Citizens have very limited ability to participate in the political process or influence government decisions.

Additional Information

• Characteristics of Authoritarian States
  • Centralized Power
    • Power is concentrated in the hands of a single leader or a small elite group.
    • Decision-making is highly centralized, with little input from the broader population.
  • Suppression of Political Opposition
    • Political opposition and dissent are often suppressed through censorship, imprisonment, or other forms of repression.
    • Opposition parties, if they exist, have minimal influence and are often controlled by the regime.
  • Control Over Media
    • The government typically exerts tight control over the media, ensuring that only the regime's perspective is presented.
    • Independent journalism is often stifled, and critical voices are silenced.
• Examples of Authoritarian States
  • Historical examples include regimes such as Nazi Germany, the Soviet Union under Stalin, and contemporary examples like North Korea.
  • These states are characterized by their lack of democratic processes and the concentration of power in the hands of a few.