
AP SSC 2025 Social Studies – 21E and 22 E Question Paper with Solution PDF is available here for download. AP SSC 2025 Social Studies Question Paper consists of 33 questions with a total weightage of 100 marks.
| AP SSC 2025 Social Studies – 21E and 22 E Question Paper | Download PDF | Check Solutions |

Where was the first International Earth Summit held?
Concept: The first International Earth Summit, officially known as the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), focused on sustainable development and environmental protection.
Calculation:
The summit was held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1992.
Explanation: Rio de Janeiro hosted the landmark event that led to agreements like the Rio Declaration, Agenda 21, and the Framework Convention on Climate Change.
Quick Tip: Remember "Rio 1992" for the first Earth Summit.
Who was the author of the book "Small is Beautiful"?
Concept: "Small is Beautiful: A Study of Economics As If People Mattered" is a seminal work on economics, ecology, and human-scale technology.
Calculation:
The author is E.F. Schumacher, an economist and philosopher.
Explanation: Published in 1973, the book critiques modern economics and advocates for sustainable, small-scale alternatives.
Quick Tip: E.F. Schumacher's work emphasizes "appropriate technology" and human-centered economics.
Which one of the following industries uses bauxite as a raw material?
Concept: Bauxite is the primary ore for aluminum production.
Calculation:
Aluminium Smelting uses bauxite to extract aluminum via the Bayer process and electrolysis.
Explanation: Bauxite is rich in alumina (\(\ce{Al2O3}\)), essential for aluminum; other industries use limestone (cement), wood (paper), and iron ore (steel).
Quick Tip: Bauxite = Aluminum ore.
Who was the founder of 'Young Italy'?
Concept: 'Young Italy' was a revolutionary political movement aimed at unifying Italy.
Calculation:
Founded in 1831 by Giuseppe Mazzini, an Italian patriot and revolutionary.
Explanation: Mazzini established 'Young Italy' to promote republicanism and national unification through secret societies and uprisings.
Quick Tip: Mazzini = Father of Italian Unification and founder of Young Italy.
In which year did the Great Economic Depression begin?
Concept: The Great Economic Depression was a severe worldwide economic downturn.
Calculation:
It began with the Wall Street Crash on October 29, 1929 (Black Tuesday).
Explanation: The crash marked the start of a decade-long depression affecting industrialized nations, leading to mass unemployment and poverty.
Quick Tip: 1929 Wall Street Crash = Start of Great Depression.
Expand IMF.
Concept: IMF is a global financial organization.
Calculation:
I = International, M = Monetary, F = Fund.
Explanation: Established in 1944 at Bretton Woods, it promotes global monetary cooperation, financial stability, and sustainable growth.
Quick Tip: IMF + World Bank = Bretton Woods Twins.
Match the following:
1) Defence \quad \quad \quad \quad \quad \quad \quad A) Concurrent list
2) Education \quad \quad \quad \quad \quad \quad B) State list
3) Agriculture \quad \quad \quad \quad \quad C) Union list
Concept: Indian Constitution divides legislative powers into Union, State, and Concurrent lists.
Calculation:
- Defence → Central government responsibility → Union list (C)
- Education → Both Centre and States legislate → Concurrent list (A)
- Agriculture → Primarily state subject → State list (B)
Explanation: As per Seventh Schedule of the Constitution.
Quick Tip: Defence, Foreign Affairs = Union; Police, Agriculture = State; Education, Forests = Concurrent.
How many languages are recognised as scheduled languages by the Indian Constitution?
Concept: The Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution lists official languages.
Calculation:
Originally 14, now 22 after amendments (latest: 92nd Amendment, 2003 added 4).
Explanation: Includes Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Odia, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu, Bodo, Santhali, Maithili, Dogri.
Quick Tip: Eighth Schedule = 22 languages (as of 2025).
Find out the odd one from the following:
i) Indian National Congress Party
ii) Bharatiya Janata Party
iii) Telugu Desam Party
iv) Bahujan Samaj Party
Concept: Classification of political parties.
Calculation:
- INC, BJP, BSP → National parties (recognized by Election Commission across India)
- TDP → Regional party (primarily active in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana)
Explanation: Odd one is TDP due to its regional character.
Quick Tip: National vs Regional: Check Election Commission recognition and spread.
Which among the following is considered to calculate HDI?
Concept: Human Development Index (HDI) measures overall development.
Calculation:
HDI = Average of three indices:
1. Life Expectancy (Health)
2. Education (Literacy + Mean years of schooling)
3. Per Capita Income (GNI per capita, PPP)
Explanation: All three components are essential for HDI calculation by UNDP.
Quick Tip: HDI = Health + Education + Income.
Plot the below information on a Bar Graph.
Toys sold in India (%)
Chinese toys — 70%
Other toys — 30%
Below is the bar graph representing the data for toys sold in India. The X-axis represents the type of toys, and the Y-axis represents the percentage share.
Quick Tip: When drawing bar graphs, label both axes clearly and keep the scale uniform for accurate representation.
Arrange the following countries from West to East.
China, USA, England, Japan.
Concept: Geographical arrangement based on longitude from West to East.
Calculation:
- USA (North America) → Western Hemisphere (~75°W to 120°W)
- England (UK) → Western Europe (~0° to 5°W)
- China → East Asia (~70°E to 135°E)
- Japan → Far East (~130°E to 145°E)
Explanation: Moving eastward: North America → Europe → Asia (China) → Japan.
Quick Tip: West to East: America → Europe → Asia → Japan.
What are basic industries? Give an example.
Basic industries are the backbone of economic growth since other industries depend on them for raw materials.
Quick Tip: Basic industries are also called “core industries” — they form the base for industrial and economic development.
Read the map carefully and answer the question given below.
In which State is the Kandla Port located ?
Step 1: Locating the Port on the Map
Observe the map provided. The port named "Kandla" is marked on the western coast of India. It is situated at the head of the Gulf of Kutch.
Step 2: Identifying the State
The geographical region corresponding to this location is the state of Gujarat. Kandla is a major tidal port in this state. Quick Tip: Remember the location of major ports: Kandla is in Gujarat (West), whereas Kolkata/Haldia is in West Bengal (East).
Write a note on the effect of the Great Depression on Indian economy.
Due to the global economic crisis, Indian exports collapsed and rural distress increased, causing immense suffering among farmers.
Quick Tip: When global demand falls, agricultural economies like India’s face the harshest impact.
"The fight for Swaraj is a fight for liberty" – Comment.
Swaraj means self-rule and true freedom, both from foreign rule and internal injustice.
Quick Tip: Swaraj = Self-rule + Moral and social freedom for every citizen.
Based on the information given below, answer the following question :
Percentage of population living below the poverty line, 1999 – 2000
(Refer to the provided table comparing Rural and Urban poverty across caste groups)
Que : In which area is the poverty high ? Mention one reason.
Step 1: Analyzing the Data
Refer to the last row of the table labeled "All Groups".
Rural poverty percentage: 27.0
Urban poverty percentage: 23.4
Comparing the values (\(27.0 > 23.4\)), poverty is higher in the Rural area.
Step 2: Reasoning
One major reason for higher poverty in rural areas is the heavy **dependence on agriculture**. Agriculture in India is often seasonal and dependent on monsoons, leading to irregular incomes. Additionally, there is a lack of alternative non-farm employment opportunities in rural sectors compared to urban centers. Quick Tip: When analyzing data tables, always check the "Total" or "All Groups" row for the overall trend, unless the question asks for a specific community.
How can you say that India is a federal country?
India’s Constitution divides powers between two levels of government — Central and State — making it a federal system.
Quick Tip: Three Lists = Union, State, and Concurrent → key to Indian federalism.
What do you understand by globalisation? Explain in your own words.
Globalisation links different countries by trade, investment, and technology, forming a global economy.
Quick Tip: Globalisation = “One World Market” where ideas, goods, and services move freely.
Suggest any two measures to consumers to protect themselves from exploitation.
Be informed, check quality marks, and keep proof of purchase to prevent fraud.
Quick Tip: An aware consumer is a safe consumer — check ISI, Agmark, or Hallmark before buying.
How have human activities affected the depletion of flora and fauna? Explain.
Deforestation and pollution by humans cause habitat loss, species decline, and ecological imbalance.
Quick Tip: Protect forests and wildlife — they sustain the planet’s ecological balance.
Distinguish between conventional and non-conventional sources of energy.
Conventional = fossil fuels; Non-conventional = renewable, eco-friendly energies like solar and wind.
Quick Tip: Switch to renewable energy — clean, safe, and sustainable for the future.
Explain what is meant by proto-industrialisation.
Before factories, goods were made in homes for merchants — this was proto-industrialisation.
Quick Tip: Proto = “before”; Proto-industrialisation = “pre-factory” stage of industry.
State how caste inequalities are still continuing in India.
Though laws promote equality, caste-based discrimination still exists in practice.
Quick Tip: True equality means removing social barriers, not just legal ones.
Why is the issue of sustainability important for development?
Sustainability is vital to prevent overuse of natural resources and maintain ecological balance for future generations.
Quick Tip: Always link “sustainability” with future generations and responsible resource use.
Write any four slogans on consumer rights.
These slogans highlight the rights of consumers to be informed, protected, and to seek redressal.
Quick Tip: Always write short, catchy, and awareness-focused slogans related to consumer rights.
A) Explain the advantages of multi-purpose projects.
OR
B) Explain the initiatives taken by the Government to increase agricultural production.
Both multi-purpose projects and government schemes aim to enhance irrigation, energy supply, and food security for balanced development.
Quick Tip: Link multi-purpose projects with “integrated river valley development” and government initiatives with “modernisation of agriculture.”
A) Read the paragraph and comment.
Mahatma Gandhi found in salt a powerful symbol that could unite the nation. On 31 January 1930, he sent a letter to Viceroy Irwin stating eleven demands. Some of these were of general interest; others were specific demands of different classes, from industrialists to peasants. The idea was to make the demands wide-ranging, so that all classes within Indian society could identify with them and everyone could be brought together in a united campaign. The most stirring of all was the demand to abolish the salt tax. Salt was something consumed by the rich and poor alike and it was one of the most essential items of food. The tax on salt and the Government monopoly over its production, Mahatma Gandhi declared, revealed the most oppressive face of British rule.
OR
B) Read the paragraph and comment.
Gutenberg was the son of a merchant and grew up on a large agricultural estate. From his childhood he had seen wine and olive presses. Subsequently, he learnt the art of polishing stones, became a master goldsmith and also acquired the expertise to create lead moulds used for making trinkets. Drawing on this knowledge, Gutenberg adapted existing technology to design his innovation. The olive press provided the model for the printing press and moulds were used for casting the metal types for the letters of the alphabet. By 1448, Gutenberg perfected the system. The first book he printed was the Bible. About 180 copies were printed and it took three years to produce them. By the standards of the time this was fast production.
Both events—Gandhi’s Salt March and Gutenberg’s invention—represent revolutionary changes: one in social unity and the other in knowledge dissemination.
Quick Tip: Always focus on how a small idea or invention can create large-scale social change.
A) What are the different forms of power sharing in modern democracies? Give an example for each of them.
OR
B) State the various functions political parties perform in a democracy.
Both power sharing and political parties maintain balance and stability in democratic systems.
Quick Tip: Remember: Power sharing prevents concentration of power, while political parties ensure public participation.
A) Locate the following in the given outline map of India:
1) River Narmada
2) Bengaluru
3) Lakshadweep Islands
4) Bay of Bengal
OR
B) Locate the following in the given outline map of World:
1) Germany
2) China
3) USA
4) Egypt
Locate the given places accurately using political and physical maps of India and the world.
Quick Tip: Always practise map work with proper labeling and clear identification of physical and political features.
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, please refer the official website of the exam.