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IGNOU BSW-131 Previous Year Solved Question Paper in Hindi

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Q1. “Social Welfare Administration is a profession.” Comment.

Ans. The statement, “Social Welfare Administration is a profession,” is largely accurate and can be substantiated by examining the characteristics that define a profession. For any field to be considered a profession, it must possess certain attributes, such as a systematic body of knowledge, formal training, a professional association, a code of ethics, and a service orientation. Social Welfare Administration (SWA) meets these criteria. Firstly, SWA is based on a specialized body of knowledge and skills . It involves not just general administrative principles but also specific knowledge of social work values, social legislation, policy analysis, community needs assessment, program planning, budgeting, and human resource management. This knowledge enables administrators to deliver social services effectively and in line with humanistic values. Secondly, there is a system of formal training and education in this field. Many universities and institutions offer specialization in Social Welfare Administration at the Master of Social Work (MSW) level. This training prepares individuals theoretically and practically for the challenges of the field. Thirdly, SWA is guided by the ethical code of conduct of social work. Administrators are expected to uphold values such as service, social justice, the dignity and worth of the individual, and the integrity of human relationships in their decision-making. Their primary objective is not to make a profit but to ensure the well-being of disadvantaged and vulnerable populations . Finally, while there may not be a specific association exclusively for administrators, they are often part of broader professional associations for social workers, which work to maintain standards and promote the field. Based on all these characteristics, it can be concluded that Social Welfare Administration is not merely an administrative task but a respected profession built on a distinct body of knowledge, skills, and values.

Q2. List the types of social services and the functions of social welfare administration in these social services.

Ans. Social services are organized activities aimed at enhancing the social functioning of individuals, groups, and communities, and improving their quality of life. These services can be broadly classified into four types: Types of Social Services:

• Remedial/Curative Services: These services are focused on addressing existing problems. Examples include counseling in de-addiction centers, family dispute resolution, mental health treatment, and rehabilitation services.
• Preventive Services: The aim of these services is to prevent problems from arising. Examples include immunization campaigns, awareness programs on health and hygiene, pre-marital counseling, and guidance for adolescents.
• Developmental Services: These services are focused on enhancing the capabilities of individuals and communities and providing opportunities for their growth. Examples include education programs, skill development training, formation of women’s self-help groups, and running community centers.
• Supportive Services: These services assist individuals and families in coping with difficult situations. Examples include old age homes, orphanages, childcare centers (crèches), assistance for persons with disabilities, and adoption services.

Functions of Social Welfare Administration in these Services:

Social welfare administration ensures that these services reach the target beneficiaries efficiently and effectively. Its key functions are as follows:

• Planning: Assessing community needs, setting objectives, and designing service programs.
• Organizing: Building the structure of the agency, defining the roles and responsibilities of staff, and arranging resources (funds, materials, manpower).
• Staffing: Recruiting qualified personnel, providing training, supervising them, and evaluating their performance.
• Directing: Providing leadership, motivation, and guidance to the staff to achieve organizational goals.
• Coordinating: Harmonizing the efforts of different departments within the agency and with other external organizations to avoid duplication and maximize resource utilization.
• Reporting and Recording: Maintaining records of program progress, financial expenditure, and beneficiary data to ensure accountability, evaluation, and future planning.
• Budgeting and Financial Management: Raising funds, creating a budget, allocating funds appropriately, and controlling expenditure.

Q3. Enlist the principles of social action as given by Britto.

Ans. G.A.A. Britto presented a practical framework for social action within the Indian context. The principles he formulated guide social workers to effectively fight for the rights of exploited and marginalized communities. The key principles of social action as given by Britto are listed below:

1. Principle of Credibility Building: According to this principle, the social activist or organization must first earn the trust and respect of the community they are working with. The activist needs to establish their credibility by demonstrating honesty, commitment, and competence. No social action can be successful without winning the people’s trust.
2. Principle of Legitimization: It is essential to legitimize the issues and methods of social action in the eyes of the community, society, and those in power. This means making the action appear just, ethical, legal, and socially acceptable. This is achieved by using facts, logical arguments, and constitutional values to support the cause.
3. Principle of Dramatization: This principle suggests using emotionally impactful and dramatic methods to highlight the seriousness and injustice of an issue. Through sit-ins, demonstrations, street plays, and symbolic acts, the attention of the media and the general public is captured, which builds pressure to address the issue.
4. Principle of Multiple Strategies: This principle states that instead of relying on a single strategy, a combination of different strategies should be employed. This may include negotiation, petitioning, legal action, lobbying, and direct action (like protests). The choice of strategy should depend on the situation.
5. Principle of Dual Approach: According to this, social action should simultaneously work at both the micro and macro levels. This means working on concrete, local issues while also striving for policy changes at the state or national level.
6. Principle of Manifold Programmes: This principle emphasizes that social action should not be limited to protests alone. It should be complemented by constructive and developmental programs (such as education, health, livelihood) for the overall development of the community. This increases the organization’s acceptance and makes the community more self-reliant.

Q4. Discuss social action in relation to community organization.

Ans. Community Organization (CO) and Social Action (SA) are two important and interrelated methods of social work aimed at bringing about positive change at the community level. Although they differ in their approaches and strategies, they often work as complements to each other. Community Organization is a process wherein members of a community come together to identify their common problems or needs, mobilize resources, and collectively act to solve those problems. This process is generally collaborative and emphasizes consensus-building, developing local leadership, and working within existing systems. Its goal is to enable the community to solve its own problems. In contrast, Social Action adopts a more confrontational approach. It is used when major changes are needed in unjust social structures, policies, or power distributions. The objective of social action is to alter the power balance and bring about policy changes in favor of exploited or marginalized groups. It involves pressure tactics such as protests, demonstrations, boycotts, and legal battles. Relationship and Differences:

• Complementary Role: Social action is often a part or the next step of the community organization process. When a community, after getting organized, tries to solve its problems (e.g., water scarcity) through negotiation with local authorities (community organization) and is ignored, they may resort to protests or demonstrations (social action).
• Shared Goals: The ultimate goal of both is community empowerment, social justice, and improvement in the quality of life.
• Difference in Strategy: Community organization works ‘from within’ and is based on cooperation, whereas social action applies pressure ‘from outside’ and is often based on conflict.
• As a Continuum: The two can be viewed on a continuum. At one end is complete cooperation (CO), and at the other is outright conflict (SA). A social worker chooses the appropriate strategy based on the severity of the situation and the attitude of the power structures.

In conclusion, community organization unites and enables a community, while social action uses that unified strength to challenge deep-rooted problems and injustices. A judicious combination of both methods is often required for successful community-level change.

Q5. Explain the salient features of the Preamble of the Indian Constitution.

Ans. The Preamble of the Indian Constitution is its soul, philosophy, and essence. It summarizes the goals, objectives, and fundamental principles upon which the Indian state and its governance are based. Its salient features are as follows:

1. Source of the Constitution’s Authority: The Preamble begins with the words ” We, the People of India… “. This clearly declares that the ultimate source of the Constitution’s authority is the people of India. The Constitution was not imposed by any external power but was framed, enacted, and given to themselves by the people of India.
2. Nature of the Indian State: The Preamble declares India to be a specific type of state:
   • Sovereign: India is completely independent in its internal and external affairs and is not subject to any foreign power.
   • Socialist: It aims to establish social and economic equality and reduce income disparities through democratic means. (This word was added by the 42nd Amendment in 1976).
   • Secular: The state has no official religion and respects all religions equally, granting citizens the freedom to practice any religion. (This word was also added by the 42nd Amendment).
   • Democratic: The government in India is a government of the people, for the people, and by the people, where rulers are elected based on universal adult franchise.
   • Republic: The head of the state (the President) is an elected representative, not a hereditary monarch.
3. Objectives of the Constitution: The Preamble describes the great goals that the nation seeks to achieve:
   • Justice: To secure social, economic, and political justice, ensuring no discrimination on any grounds.
   • Liberty: To provide freedom of thought, expression, belief, faith, and worship to all citizens.
   • Equality: To provide equality of status and opportunity, ensuring that everyone gets an equal chance to progress.
   • Fraternity: To promote a sense of brotherhood among all citizens, assuring the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the Nation.
4. Date of Adoption of the Constitution: The Preamble mentions the date on which the Constituent Assembly of India adopted the Constitution – 26th November, 1949 .

In short, the Preamble is the introductory document of the Indian Constitution that reflects the ideals of our national movement and the vision for our nation’s future.

Q6. Define social legislation. State the needs and objectives of social legislation.

Ans. Definition of Social Legislation: Social legislation is a body of laws, rules, and acts enacted by the state with the purpose of resolving social problems, eliminating social evils, protecting the interests of vulnerable and disadvantaged sections, and promoting social justice and welfare. It is a powerful instrument of planned social change through law. Its main purpose is to reform the structure, traditions, and behaviors of society to build a more just and egalitarian society. Needs for Social Legislation: In a diverse and developing country like India, social legislation is highly necessary. Its major needs include:

• Eradication of Social Evils: To legally abolish deep-rooted malpractices like child marriage, Sati, dowry, untouchability, and caste-based discrimination.
• Protection of Vulnerable Sections: To safeguard vulnerable groups such as women, children, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, persons with disabilities, and senior citizens from exploitation, violence, and discrimination.
• Ensuring Social Justice: To reduce the prevailing economic and social inequalities and to ensure equal opportunities for all citizens.
• Promotion of Social Change: To change outdated and regressive social norms, customs, and attitudes and establish modern, progressive, and humane values.
• Providing Social Security: To provide security to workers, the unemployed, the sick, and the elderly against contingencies like illness, accident, and old age, through laws like the Employees’ Provident Fund Act and Maternity Benefit Act.

Objectives of Social Legislation:

The objectives of social legislation are derived from its needs. Its main objectives are:

• To Implement Constitutional Values: To realize the ideals of equality, liberty, justice, and fraternity enshrined in the Constitution at the ground level.
• Protection and Prevention: To protect the weaker sections of society from all forms of exploitation and injustice.
• Relief and Rehabilitation: To provide immediate relief and arrange for the rehabilitation of victims of social injustice, crime, or disaster.
• Creation of an Egalitarian Society: To eliminate all forms of discrimination based on caste, gender, religion, or place of birth.
• Promotion of Human Welfare: To provide a legal framework for improving the health, education, and standard of living of citizens.

Q7. Describe the role of social worker in the enforcement of juvenile justice.

Ans. The primary objective of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, is to focus on the protection, development, and rehabilitation of children, rather than adopting a punitive approach. The role of a social worker is extremely crucial and multifaceted in the effective enforcement of this process. They act as a vital link between the child and the justice system. The key roles of a social worker in the enforcement of juvenile justice are as follows:

1. Identification and Outreach: Social workers help in identifying children in need of care and protection (like street children, exploited children) or those in conflict with the law. They ensure that these children are produced before the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) or the Child Welfare Committee (CWC).
2. Preparing the Social Investigation Report (SIR): This is one of the most critical roles of a social worker. When a child is brought before the JJB or CWC, the social worker conducts a detailed study of the child’s family background, socio-economic condition, education, health, and the circumstances that led to the offence, and prepares a comprehensive report. This report helps the Board or Committee to make a decision in the best interest of the child.
3. Counselling and Psycho-social Support: The social worker provides counselling to both the child and their family. They help the child to cope with their emotions, fears, and trauma, and prepare the family to understand and accept the child’s situation.
4. Developing and Implementing the Individual Care Plan (ICP): Based on the SIR, the social worker helps in creating an Individual Care Plan for the child’s rehabilitation. This plan includes provisions for education, vocational training, healthcare, and psycho-social interventions. They also monitor the implementation of this plan.
5. Rehabilitation and Reintegration: The ultimate goal of the social worker is to bring the child back into the mainstream of society. They work towards placing the child in a suitable institution (like a children’s home or special home), linking them with skill development programs, and finally, successfully reintegrating them into their family and community.
6. Advocacy and Coordination: The social worker coordinates with the police, lawyers, institutional staff, and the community. They advocate for the child’s rights within the justice system and ensure that the principles of the Act are followed.

Thus, a social worker is not just an aide but an integral part of the juvenile justice system, ensuring that every child gets justice, care, and an opportunity for a better future.

Q8. Discuss in brief the structure of Indian Judiciary and different Courts of Appeal.

Ans. The Indian judiciary is an integrated, independent, and hierarchical system, whose function is to interpret laws, protect the rights of citizens, and deliver justice. Its structure is like a pyramid, with the Supreme Court at the apex, High Courts in the middle, and subordinate courts at the lowest level. Structure of the Indian Judiciary:

1. Supreme Court:
   • It is the highest judicial body in India, located in New Delhi.
   • It is headed by the Chief Justice of India (CJI).
   • Its decisions are binding on all other courts in India.
   • It is the final court of appeal.
   • It has original, appellate, and advisory jurisdiction.
2. High Courts:
   • These are the highest courts at the state level. There is a High Court for each state, although Parliament can establish a common High Court for two or more states.
   • They have supervisory and administrative control over the subordinate courts within their jurisdiction.
   • They also have original and appellate jurisdiction and can issue writs.
3. Subordinate Courts:
   • These function at the district and lower levels under the High Courts. They are broadly divided into civil and criminal courts.
   • At the District Level:
     • Court of the District Judge: This is the highest civil court in a district.
     • Court of the Sessions Judge: This is the highest criminal court in a district. It can award any sentence, including the death penalty, but a death sentence must be confirmed by the High Court.
   • At the Lower Level: Below the District and Sessions Judges, there are Munsiff’s courts and Civil Judge’s courts for civil cases, and Courts of Judicial Magistrate for criminal cases.

Different Courts of Appeal:

Appellate jurisdiction means the power to hear appeals against the decisions of lower courts. This system ensures that if a party is not satisfied with the decision of a lower court, they can approach a higher court for justice. The process of appeal follows this hierarchy:

• An appeal against the decision of a Magistrate’s court can be made to the Sessions Court .
• Appeals against the decisions of subordinate courts (like the District Judge) are made to the respective High Court .
• An appeal against a High Court’s decision can be made to the Supreme Court . An appeal to the Supreme Court requires either a certificate from the High Court or a ‘Special Leave Petition’ (SLP) granted by the Supreme Court itself.

The Supreme Court is the

final court of appeal

in India, and its decision is considered final. This hierarchical and appellate structure ensures the fairness of justice and provides an opportunity to correct legal errors.