NCERT Questions & Answers
Q1. If you are elected as the President of India which of the following decisions can you take on your own?
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(a) Select the person you like as Prime Minister ❌
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(b) Dismiss a Prime Minister who has majority in Lok Sabha ❌
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(c) Ask for reconsideration of a bill passed by both Houses ✅
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(d) Nominate leaders of your choice to the Council of Ministers ❌
Q2. Who among the following is a part of the political executive?
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(a) District Collector ❌
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(b) Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs ❌
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(c) Home Minister ✅
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(d) Director General of Police ❌
Q3. Which of the following statements about the judiciary is false?
(a) Every law passed by Parliament needs approval of Supreme Court ❌ (False)
(b) Judiciary can strike down a law against the Constitution ✅ (True)
(c) Judiciary is independent of Executive ✅ (True)
(d) Any citizen can approach courts if rights are violated ✅ (True)
Answer: (a) is false.
Q4. Which of the following institutions can make changes to an existing law of the country?
(a) Supreme Court ❌
(b) President ❌
(c) Prime Minister ❌
(d) Parliament ✅
Q5. Match the ministry with the news:
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(a) Increase jute exports → (iv) Ministry of Commerce & Industry
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(b) Telephone services in rural areas → (v) Ministry of Communications & IT
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(c) Price of rice/wheat in PDS ↓ → (ii) Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Public Distribution
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(d) Pulse polio campaign → (iii) Ministry of Health
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(e) Allowances of soldiers ↑ → (i) Ministry of Defence
Q6. Institutions and powers:
a) Allocation of money for development → Parliament
b) Committee on stock exchange law → Parliament
c) Dispute between two state governments → Supreme Court
d) Relief for earthquake victims → Political Executive (Government/Ministry)
Q7. Why is the Prime Minister not directly elected by people?
Answer:
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(a) is correct: In a parliamentary democracy, only leader of majority in Lok Sabha becomes PM.
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Direct election would be costly and may cause conflict between PM and Parliament.
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Lok Sabha can remove PM before term ends, so accountability is ensured.
Q8. Film showing CM ruling for one day:
Imran → Wrong: one-man rule is dangerous.
Rizwan → Correct: Personal rule without institutions is harmful.
Shankar → Also correct: No minister can change everything in one day.
Q9. Mock Parliament choice – Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha?
Answer: Lok Sabha, because it has greater powers in money matters, controls Council of Ministers, and can dismiss government.
Q10. Reservation order – students’ views:
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Srinivas: Wrong, judiciary is independent even if it agreed.
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Anjaiah: Correct, judiciary showed independence and directed modification.
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Vijaya: Also reasonable, judiciary acted as mediator.
Best Answer: Anjaiah’s view is most accurate.
Long Answer Questions
Q1. Explain the role of Parliament in a democracy.
Answer:
Parliament is the supreme law-making body. It makes, changes, and abolishes laws. It controls the executive through questions, debates, and no-confidence motions. It controls finances by approving budgets. It is also the highest forum for discussion and debate on national issues. Lok Sabha, being directly elected, holds more power than Rajya Sabha, especially in money matters and government accountability. Parliament thus represents the voice of the people.
Q2. What are the powers and functions of the Prime Minister of India?
Answer:
The PM is head of government and leader of majority party in Lok Sabha. He chairs Cabinet meetings, coordinates ministries, settles disputes, and supervises work of ministers. He distributes portfolios and can dismiss ministers. All ministers work under his leadership. The PM represents India internationally and influences party and parliamentary affairs. His power depends on majority strength, coalition politics, and his personality.
Q3. Distinguish between the political executive and the permanent executive. Why is political executive more powerful?
Answer:
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Political executive → Elected representatives like PM, ministers; hold office for limited period.
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Permanent executive → Civil servants/bureaucrats; work for long term irrespective of government.
Civil servants have expertise, but ministers take final decisions because they are accountable to people. Ministers reflect the will of the people in democracy, hence they are more powerful.
Q4. Describe the composition and powers of the Supreme Court of India.
Answer:
The Supreme Court is the apex judicial body. It settles disputes between citizens, between citizens and government, and between governments. It is the highest court of appeal in civil and criminal cases. It has the power of judicial review – it can strike down unconstitutional laws. It protects fundamental rights and allows PILs. Judges are appointed by President in consultation with judiciary, and can be removed only by impeachment. Its independence makes it guardian of the Constitution.
Q5. Why are political institutions necessary in a democracy?
Answer:
Institutions like Parliament, Executive, and Judiciary ensure smooth governance. They divide responsibilities: Parliament makes laws, Executive implements them, Judiciary interprets and checks them. Institutions prevent misuse of power and ensure accountability. They provide space for debate and consultation, making decisions more democratic. Though institutions cause delays, they protect democracy by preventing hasty and unfair decisions.
MCQs
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Which body makes laws in India?
(a) President (b) Parliament (c) Supreme Court (d) PM
Answer: (b) -
Who is head of state in India?
(a) Prime Minister (b) President (c) Speaker (d) CJI
Answer: (b) -
Who is head of government in India?
(a) PM (b) President (c) CJI (d) Governor
Answer: (a) -
Who chairs Cabinet meetings?
(a) President (b) PM (c) Speaker (d) Vice President
Answer: (b) -
Which House controls money matters?
(a) Lok Sabha (b) Rajya Sabha (c) Both equally (d) President
Answer: (a) -
Which House is permanent?
(a) Lok Sabha (b) Rajya Sabha (c) Both (d) None
Answer: (b) -
Who is Supreme Commander of defence forces?
(a) PM (b) President (c) Defence Minister (d) Army Chief
Answer: (b) -
Who appoints judges of Supreme Court?
(a) PM (b) President (c) Parliament (d) CJI alone
Answer: (b) -
Tenure of Lok Sabha is:
(a) 4 years (b) 5 years (c) 6 years (d) Permanent
Answer: (b) -
Tenure of Rajya Sabha members:
(a) 4 yrs (b) 5 yrs (c) 6 yrs (d) 7 yrs
Answer: (c) -
Who can dissolve Lok Sabha?
(a) Speaker (b) President (c) PM (d) CJI
Answer: (b) -
Who heads Rajya Sabha?
(a) Speaker (b) PM (c) Vice President (d) President
Answer: (c) -
Which body can strike down unconstitutional laws?
(a) Parliament (b) Supreme Court (c) President (d) Cabinet
Answer: (b) -
Judicial review is power of:
(a) President (b) Judiciary (c) Parliament (d) Cabinet
Answer: (b) -
Who makes final decisions in ministries?
(a) Civil servants (b) Ministers (c) Secretaries (d) Courts
Answer: (b) -
Which institution ensures accountability of Executive?
(a) Parliament (b) President (c) Judiciary (d) Election Commission
Answer: (a) -
PM is appointed by:
(a) Lok Sabha (b) President (c) Rajya Sabha (d) Supreme Court
Answer: (b) -
Who can remove Supreme Court judges?
(a) PM (b) President (c) Parliament via impeachment (d) Cabinet
Answer: (c) -
“Guardian of Constitution” is:
(a) Parliament (b) Supreme Court (c) PM (d) President
Answer: (b) -
Parliamentary democracy is also called:
(a) Presidential govt (b) Cabinet govt (c) Federal govt (d) Dictatorship
Answer: (b)
Fill in the Blanks
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The Parliament is the supreme law-making body in India.
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The President of India is the head of state.
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The Prime Minister is the head of government.
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Lok Sabha has greater power in money matters.
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Rajya Sabha is a permanent house.
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The President appoints the Prime Minister and judges.
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The Supreme Court has power of judicial review.
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Political executive is elected, permanent executive is appointed.
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Parliament controls finances and approves budgets.
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Judiciary protects Fundamental Rights of citizens.