- Democratic Governance: India adopted universal adult franchise to ensure participation of all citizens.
- Federal Structure with Strong Centre: The Constitution balances regional aspirations with national unity.
- Panchayati Raj System: The 73rd and 74th Amendments strengthened local self-government.
- Recognition of Languages: Regional languages are recognised, and states were reorganised on a linguistic basis.
- All India Services: IAS, IPS, and IFS ensure a unified administrative system.
- National Integration Council & Fundamental Duties: These promote unity and discourage divisive forces.
Topics
The World since 1991
Key Concepts and Issues since 1991: Globalisation
Key Concepts and Issues since 1991: Humanitarian Issues
Contemporary India: Challenges to Peace, Stability and National Integration
Contemporary India: Good Governance
India and the World
- Objectives of Indian Foreign Policy
- Principles of Indian Foreign Policy
- Concept of Non-Alignment Movement
- Factors Influencing Indian Foreign Policy
- India’s Relations with the World
- Major Powers in the World
- India as Emerging Power
- Neighbourhood of India
- Africa in the Indian World View
- Indian Ocean Region
- Overview of India and the World
Estimated time: 55 minutes
Maharashtra State Board: Class 12
Key Points: Contemporary India: Challenges to Peace, Stability and National Integration
- India has socio-economic, cultural, religious, caste and linguistic diversity, which sometimes leads to conflicts
- Peace and public order are essential for political, economic and social development.
- A nation is united by a feeling of oneness based on common culture, history, language or identity.
- Unity among diverse groups is necessary to maintain national integrity and avoid divisive tendencies.
- The State ensures peace, law and order, promotes unity, and works towards national development.
Maharashtra State Board: Class 12
Key Points: Role of the State
- Peace and Order
- Economic Development
- Nation Building
- Good Governance
- Welfare Role
Maharashtra State Board: Class 12
Key Points: ‘Melting Pot’ and ‘Salad Bowl’
- Melting Pot describes a society where different cultures blend into one common culture.
- Immigrants gradually assimilate into a single national identity
- The Salad Bowl concept allows different cultures to exist together without losing their identity.
- In a Salad Bowl, each culture retains its unique characteristics.
- Salad Bowl represents a multicultural or plural society, while Melting Pot represents assimilation.
Maharashtra State Board: Class 12
Key Points: Values of National Integration
- Common Citizenship
- Unity in Diversity
- Loyalty to the Nation
- Secularism and Fraternity
- Justice and Equality
Maharashtra State Board: Class 12
Key Points: Role of the State in National Integration
- Forge National Unity
- Promote Economic Development
- Encourage Dialogue
- Respect Diversity
- Maintain Law and Order
Maharashtra State Board: Class 12
Key Points: Meaning of National Unity
- National unity is based on shared values and communication.
- Does not mean homogeneity but a community of communities.
- It respects ethnic, linguistic, racial, and religious diversity.
- Unity ensures peace and societal stability.
- Contributes to nation-building and development.
Maharashtra State Board: Class 12
Key Points: India after Independence
- After 1947, India faced problems like poverty, illiteracy, and economic underdevelopment.
- The freedom movement provided core values of nationalism, secularism, and democracy for nation-building.
- Strengthening national unity was a major goal, especially in a diverse society.
- Democracy and social change were seen as essential for development and reducing inequality.
- The Constitution and promotion of Indian nationalism helped integrate people into one political community.
Maharashtra State Board: Class 12
Key Points: Features of Structural Dimension
Maharashtra State Board: Class 12
Key Points: Psychological Dimension
- India has cultural unity in diversity.
- The national freedom movement united Indians politically and emotionally.
- Common political identity and loyalty among people.
- Emotional integration strengthens the feeling of oneness and belonging.
- National symbols like the Flag, Anthem, Emblem, and National Song promote national unity.
Maharashtra State Board: Class 12
Key Points: Challenges to Peace and Stability in India
- Integration of Princely States: Post-independence integration of states like J&K, Hyderabad, and Junagadh was a major challenge.
- Jammu & Kashmir Issue: The 1947–48 conflict with Pakistan and ongoing militancy affected stability.
- North-East Insurgency: Ethnic conflicts and regional movements emerged in states like Nagaland, Manipur, and Assam.
- Naxalism: Left-wing extremism since the 1960s became a serious internal security threat.
- Emergency (1975–77): Suspension of democratic processes caused political instability.
- Khalistan Movement: Separatist agitation in Punjab led to violence and assassinations.
- Religious Conflicts: Events like the Ayodhya dispute and Mumbai riots heightened communal tensions.
- Economic and Regional Disparities: Poverty, unemployment, caste tensions, and regional inequality challenge national integration.
Maharashtra State Board: Class 12
Key Points: Cross Border Terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir
- In 1947, Pakistan-backed tribal raiders attacked J&K, after which Maharaja Hari Singh signed the Instrument of Accession to join India.
- The attack led to the first Indo-Pak war (1947–48) over Kashmir.
- Pakistan sent infiltrators to create rebellion, but the local population did not support them.
- Separatist groups like JKLF and later Hizb-ul-Mujahideen promoted militancy and demanded independence.
- In the 1990s, Islamic militancy increased, leading to violence and the migration of Kashmiri Pandits.
- India accuses Pakistan of sponsoring cross-border terrorism, causing continued instability in the region.
Maharashtra State Board: Class 12
Key Points: Information Given by Government in Lok Sabha
- Several terrorist attacks in India, especially in Jammu and Kashmir, were carried out by infiltrators from Pakistan or PoK.
- Attacks were supported by terrorist infrastructure operating from across the border.
- Pakistan-based individuals like Hafiz Saeed and Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi were identified.
- Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jamaat-ud-Dawa were listed.
- Cross-border terrorism at international and bilateral levels.
Maharashtra State Board: Class 12
Key Points: Left Wing Extremism
- Naxalite movement is also known as Maoism or Left-Wing Extremism, mainly supported by landless labourers, dalits, and tribal communities.
- Telangana Movement (1946–51) and later took shape in Naxalbari (1967), West Bengal.
- Movement was influenced by Marx-Lenin-Mao ideology, especially by Charu Majumdar.
- It declined in the 1970s but revived in the 1980s and later became more militant. In 2004, major groups merged to form the CPI (Maoist) as a unified organisation.
- Naxal activities are concentrated in rural and underdeveloped forest areas, targeting government infrastructure and security forces.
Maharashtra State Board: Class 12
Key Points: Tactics of Left Wing Extremists
- They use propaganda slogans to spread their ideology.
- Try to build a mass movement.
- They mobilise women, tribals, and minorities.
- Urban population on mass issues.
- They develop organised military wings for armed struggle.
- Armed groups have reportedly recruited and used children.
Maharashtra State Board: Class 12
Key Points: Terrorism
- Terrorism is the use of violence to create fear and panic in society
- It mainly targets civilians and public places, known as “soft targets.”
- Terrorism is called asymmetric warfare because attacks are unpredictable and irregular.
- Traditional terrorism was state-centric, fighting for specific regional or ethnic rights.
- Modern terrorism is global and ideology-based, often religious in nature.
- Examples include 9/11 attacks, Boko Haram, and the Taliban.
Maharashtra State Board: Class 12
Key Points: Examples of Terrorist Attacks in India
- 1993 Mumbai Blasts – 12 bomb explosions killed 257 people and injured over 700.
- 1998 Coimbatore Blasts – Serial blasts killed 58 people.
- 2001 Parliament Attack – Terrorists targeted the Indian Parliament in Delhi.
- 2006 Mumbai Train Blasts – Serial blasts in local trains killed over 200 people.
- 2008 Mumbai Attacks (26/11) – Coordinated attacks at hotels, railway station, and other locations.
- 2016 Uri Attack – Militants attacked an army base in Jammu and Kashmir.
- 2019 Pulwama Attack – A suicide bomber attacked a CRPF convoy in Jammu and Kashmir.
Maharashtra State Board: Class 12
Key Points: Role of the State
- Maintain Peace and Order.
- It ensures political stability, economic prosperity, and social welfare.
- Address Early Problems.
- Reduces conflict by promoting employment, investment, and development in backward areas.
- Manage Violent Conflicts.
- Grant Representation and Autonomy.
