CBSE Class 10 Social Science Political Science Revision Notes Chapter 3 explain how gender, religion and caste shape democratic politics in India. For CBSE 2026, Gender, Religion and Caste connects social divisions with representation, secularism, equality and political mobilisation.
How can social differences become political issues without damaging democracy? The NCERT Class 10 Political Science chapter Gender, Religion and Caste answers this through three social divisions that appear in Indian public life. Gender shows how household roles affect public participation, religion shows the danger of communal politics, and caste shows how inequality enters elections and representation.
This chapter does not treat all social divisions in the same way. Women’s political representation can strengthen democracy, communalism threatens equality, and caste politics has both positive and harmful effects. The chapter asks students to judge when the political expression of social differences supports democratic rights and when it creates exclusion.
Key Takeaways
- Lok Sabha representation: Women reached 14.36 percent of elected Lok Sabha members for the first time in 2019.
- Local reservation: Panchayats and municipalities reserve one-third of seats for women.
- Secular provision: India has no official religion under the Constitution.
- Caste data: Scheduled Castes formed 16.6 percent and Scheduled Tribes formed 8.6 percent of India’s population in Census 2011.
CBSE Class 10 Social Science Political Science Revision Notes Chapter 3 Structure 2026
| Concept |
Definition |
Key Term |
| Gender Division |
Unequal social roles assigned to men and women |
Patriarchy |
| Communalism |
Politics based on religious identity and superiority |
Secular state |
| Caste Politics |
Political use of caste identities and inequalities |
Caste hierarchy |
Social Divisions in a Democracy
Social diversity becomes political when people express group-based needs, demands and inequalities in public life. In Gender, Religion and Caste class 10 notes, democracy is studied through the political expression of gender, religious and caste differences.
The chapter begins with a key idea: social differences do not automatically threaten democracy. Their effect depends on whether politics uses them for equality and representation or for domination and exclusion.
Why gender, religion and caste matter in politics
Gender, religion and caste matter because they shape access to power, dignity and representation. These identities affect how people participate in public life and how political parties respond to their demands.
In India, women’s movements demanded equal rights, religious minorities demanded protection, and caste-based groups demanded dignity and access to resources. These examples make the chapter central to class 10 social science political science chapter 3 notes.
Healthy and unhealthy political expression
A social difference becomes healthy in democracy when it helps disadvantaged groups demand equality. Women’s reservation in local bodies is one example of social division entering politics for representation.
A social difference becomes harmful when it creates superiority, prejudice or exclusion. Communal politics is harmful because it treats one religious group as separate from or superior to others.
Gender Division and Public Life
Gender division is a hierarchical social division based on social expectations, stereotypes and unequal roles. The NCERT Class 10 Political Science Chapter 3 explains that gender inequality is social, not biological.
The chapter uses household work, public participation and women’s representation to show how gender becomes political. This section is important for class 10 political science chapter 3 gender religion and caste notes.
Sexual division of labour
Sexual division of labour is a system in which women perform or organise most work inside the home. Cooking, cleaning, washing clothes and caring for children are usually treated as women’s responsibilities.
Men often do work outside the home, especially paid work. The chapter points out that men take up cooking or tailoring when the same work is paid in hotels or shops.
Women’s unpaid work
Women do a large amount of unpaid household work that remains invisible. The NCERT time-use survey shows that an average woman works a little over seven and a half hours daily, while an average man works six and a half hours daily.
Men’s work appears more visible because much of it generates income. Women’s household work supports families but is rarely counted as economic work.
Patriarchy
Patriarchy is a system that values men more and gives them power over women. It affects family life, education, paid work and political participation.
In India, women still face disadvantage despite improvement after Independence. Patriarchy appears through unequal education, lower wages, domestic violence and low representation in legislatures.
Women’s Disadvantage and Representation
Women face disadvantage in education, employment, safety and political representation. The chapter uses literacy, wages, child sex ratio and legislatures to explain this inequality.
Political representation becomes important because issues affecting women receive more attention when women share power. This is why women’s movements demanded reservation in elected bodies.
Education and paid work
The NCERT chapter states that the literacy rate among women was 54 percent, compared with 76 percent among men. Girls often perform well in school, but many drop out because families spend more resources on boys’ education.
Women also receive lower wages than men in many areas of work. The Equal Remuneration Act, 1976 says equal wages should be paid for equal work, but the gap continues in fields, factories, sports and cinema.
Child sex ratio and safety
Sex-selective abortion led to a decline in the child sex ratio to 919 girls per 1000 boys, according to the chapter’s 2011 Census reference. In some states, the ratio fell below 850 or even 800.
Women also face harassment, exploitation and violence. The chapter mentions that urban areas have become particularly unsafe for women, and domestic violence remains a serious issue.
Women’s political representation in India
Women’s representation in India’s legislatures has been low. The chapter states that elected women members in Lok Sabha reached 14.36 percent of its total strength for the first time in 2019.
One-third of seats in panchayats and municipalities are reserved for women. The 2023 Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam provides 33 percent reservation for women in Lok Sabha, State Legislative Assemblies and Delhi Assembly.
Religion and Politics
Religion can enter politics through moral values, community demands and reform of discriminatory practices. The chapter explains that every use of religion in politics is not communal.
Gandhiji believed that politics should be guided by moral values drawn from religion. Human rights groups and women’s movements have also raised religious issues when they involve equality and justice.
When religion in politics is democratic
Religion in politics can be democratic when it supports ethics, equality and reform. For example, family laws may be discussed politically if they discriminate against women.
Religious communities can express their needs in politics. The condition is that the state and political groups must treat all religions equally.
Family laws
Family laws deal with matters such as marriage, divorce, adoption and inheritance. In India, different family laws apply to followers of different religions.
The women’s movement has argued that family laws of all religions can discriminate against women. This demand asks the government to make laws more equitable.
Communalism and Its Forms
Communalism is the belief that religion is the principal basis of social community. In communalism class 10, students learn how religion can become dangerous when used for domination.
Communal politics begins when one religion is presented as superior to others. It becomes stronger when political demands of one religious group are formed against another group.
Meaning of communal politics
Communal politics treats followers of one religion as one community with identical interests. It also assumes that people from different religions have conflicting interests.
This belief is flawed because people have many identities beyond religion. Members of one religious community can differ by gender, class, caste, region and occupation.
Forms of communalism
Communalism can appear in everyday beliefs, political dominance, electoral mobilisation and violence. The chapter shows that communalism is not limited to riots.
Common forms include:
- Religious prejudices and stereotypes
- Belief in superiority of one religion
- Majoritarian dominance
- Political mobilisation using religious symbols
- Appeals to voters of one religion
- Communal violence, riots and massacre
Why communalism threatens democracy
Communalism threatens democracy because it weakens equality among citizens. It encourages people to see religious identity as more important than shared citizenship.
In its extreme form, communalism claims that people of different religions cannot live as equal citizens in one nation. This idea directly harms the democratic idea of India.
Secular State in India
A secular state treats all religions equally and gives no official status to any one religion. Secularism class 10 focuses on constitutional equality and freedom of religion.
The makers of the Constitution chose a secular state because communalism was a major challenge. The Constitution protects religious freedom while allowing the state to act against discrimination.
Features of a secular state
India has no official religion. The Constitution does not give special status to any religion.
The Constitution gives all individuals and communities freedom to profess, practise and propagate any religion. It also gives people the freedom not to follow any religion.
Constitutional provisions for secularism
The Constitution prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion. It also allows the state to intervene in religious matters to ensure equality within communities.
For example, untouchability is banned. This shows that religious or social practices cannot override constitutional equality.
Why secularism needs everyday action
A secular Constitution is necessary to fight communalism. It is not enough by itself.
Communal prejudices and propaganda must be countered in everyday life. Religion-based mobilisation must also be challenged in political life.
Caste Inequalities in India
Caste division is special to India and is linked to hereditary occupation, social status and exclusion. Caste and politics class 10 begins by explaining how caste became a system of hierarchy.
The caste system placed groups in a ladder-like order from “highest” to “lowest”. It also restricted marriage, eating relations and occupations.
Caste hierarchy
Caste hierarchy is a ladder-like formation in which caste groups are placed from highest to lowest. In the old system, birth decided social position and occupation.
Members of the same caste group were expected to marry within the caste and follow similar occupations. This made caste a rigid form of social division.
Untouchability and exclusion
Caste system was based on exclusion and discrimination against outcaste groups. These groups were subjected to untouchability, which denied dignity and equality.
Social reformers such as Jotiba Phule, Gandhiji, B.R. Ambedkar and Periyar worked against caste inequalities. Their efforts helped build a more equal political and social vision.
Changes in caste system
Caste has changed due to economic development, urbanisation, education and occupational mobility. Many old ideas of caste hierarchy have weakened.
The Constitution prohibits caste-based discrimination. Still, caste has not disappeared from contemporary India.
Caste Inequality Today
Caste continues to affect social and economic status. The effects of older advantages and disadvantages are still visible in education, income and occupation.
The chapter explains that caste remains closely linked with economic inequality. Upper caste groups are over-represented among the rich, while Dalits and Adivasis are over-represented among the poor.
Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and OBCs
The 2011 Census recorded Scheduled Castes as 16.6 percent and Scheduled Tribes as 8.6 percent of India’s population. Scheduled Castes include communities earlier treated as outcastes in the Hindu social order.
Scheduled Tribes include communities that historically lived in hills and forests with limited interaction with the rest of society. The National Sample Survey 2004–05 estimated Other Backward Classes at around 41 percent of the population.
Caste and poverty
The chapter’s poverty table shows that caste groups had different poverty levels in 1999–2000. Scheduled Tribes had 45.8 percent rural poverty, while Scheduled Castes had 35.9 percent rural poverty.
Hindu upper castes had 11.7 percent rural poverty in the same table. This shows that caste continues to influence access to resources and economic status.
Caste in Electoral Politics
Caste enters politics when parties select candidates, appeal to caste sentiment and form governments with caste representation in mind. Caste in politics is one major part of Gender, Religion and Caste class 10 revision notes.
Political parties often consider the caste composition of a constituency. Candidates from different castes may be nominated to build support.
Candidate selection and caste composition
Political parties keep caste composition in mind while choosing candidates. They may select candidates from castes that have a large presence in a constituency.
Governments also try to include representatives from different castes and tribes. This is done to widen support and representation.
Caste appeal in elections
Political parties and candidates may appeal to caste sentiments during elections. Some parties are seen as representatives of particular caste groups.
This does not mean elections are decided only by caste. Voters also consider political parties, leaders, government performance, class interests and local issues.
Why caste alone cannot decide elections
No parliamentary constituency has a clear majority of one caste. A candidate needs support from more than one caste and community to win.
No party wins all votes of one caste. The ruling party and sitting representatives also lose elections, which shows that caste preferences are not fixed.
How Politics Changes Caste
Politics also influences caste identities by bringing them into the public arena. The chapter explains that caste does not only affect politics; politics also changes caste.
This process is called the politicisation of caste. It can create new alliances, new caste categories and new claims for power.
Caste groups become larger
Caste groups may try to become bigger by including neighbouring castes or sub-castes. This helps them increase their political influence.
Such groups may create broader identities during elections and movements. These identities are often shaped by negotiation.
Caste groups form coalitions
Different caste groups often enter into coalitions with other castes and communities. This creates dialogue and bargaining in politics.
Coalitions can help disadvantaged groups demand a share in power. They also make elections more complex than simple caste loyalty.
Positive and negative effects of caste politics
Caste politics has helped Dalits and OBC groups gain access to decision-making. It has also helped raise demands for dignity, land, resources and opportunities.
Exclusive attention to caste can create problems. It can divert attention from poverty, development and corruption, and may lead to conflict.
Important Terms in Gender, Religion and Caste
The chapter uses fixed political terms to explain social divisions and democracy. These terms are useful for one-mark questions and short answers.
Feminist
A feminist is a woman or man who believes in equal rights and opportunities for women and men.
Patriarchy
Patriarchy is a system that values men more and gives them power over women.
Sexual division of labour
Sexual division of labour is a system in which women perform or organise most household work.
Communalism
Communalism is the belief that religion is the principal basis of social community and political identity.
Secular state
A secular state gives no official status to any religion and treats all religions equally.
Urbanisation
Urbanisation is the shift of population from rural areas to urban areas.
Occupational mobility
Occupational mobility is the shift from one occupation to another, usually across generations.
Caste hierarchy
Caste hierarchy is a ladder-like arrangement of caste groups from highest to lowest.
NCERT-Style Questions from Gender, Religion and Caste
Exercise questions from Chapter 3 usually ask students to explain gender discrimination, communal politics, secularism and caste in elections. Strong answers use definitions, examples and constitutional points.
Q1. Mention different aspects of life in which women are discriminated against in India.
Women face discrimination in education, wages, safety and political representation.
Explanation:
The literacy rate among women is lower than men in the chapter’s data. Women are often paid less than men for equal work and face harassment or domestic violence.
Fact:
Women’s representation in Lok Sabha reached 14.36 percent for the first time in 2019.
Q2. State different forms of communal politics.
Communal politics appears through prejudice, political dominance, religious mobilisation and communal violence.
Explanation:
A communal mind treats one religion as superior and uses religious identity for political support. In elections, it may use sacred symbols, emotional appeals or fear.
Fact:
Communalism becomes dangerous when state power is used to dominate one religious group over others.
Q3. Mention two constitutional provisions that make India a secular state.
India has no official religion, and the Constitution prohibits discrimination on religious grounds.
Explanation:
The Constitution gives all individuals freedom to profess, practise and propagate any religion. It also allows the state to intervene in religious matters to ensure equality.
Fact:
The ban on untouchability shows that equality can override discriminatory social practices.
Q4. State two reasons why caste alone cannot determine election results.
No constituency has a clear majority of one caste, and no party receives all votes of one caste.
Explanation:
Voters also consider party loyalty, government performance, leader popularity and economic interests. People from the same caste may vote differently.
Fact:
The ruling party and sitting MP or MLA frequently lose elections in India.
Q5. How does politics influence caste?
Politics influences caste by bringing caste identities into public negotiation.
Explanation:
Caste groups may form larger groups, enter coalitions and create categories like backward and forward castes. This changes how caste groups organise for power.
Fact:
Caste politics has helped Dalits and OBC groups demand dignity, resources and representation.
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