NCERT Questions & Answers
Q1. Why is universal adult franchise important for a healthy democracy?
Answer:
Universal adult franchise means that every citizen aged 18 and above has the right to vote, regardless of caste, gender, religion, income, or education. It is important because:
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It ensures equality, giving everyone an equal voice in choosing representatives.
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It allows people to decide their future by electing leaders of their choice.
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It makes representatives accountable to all citizens, not just the wealthy or powerful.
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It strengthens participation and civic engagement, making democracy inclusive.
Q2. What is the meaning of ‘secret ballot’? Why is this important in a democracy?
Answer:
A secret ballot means that no one can know whom a voter has voted for. Each person votes privately inside a booth.
It is important because:
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It protects voters from pressure, fear, or bribery.
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It ensures free choice, as people can vote honestly without influence.
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It upholds the principle of fairness and strengthens trust in democracy.
Q3. Give examples of direct and indirect elections.
Answer:
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Direct elections: Voters elect representatives directly. Examples: Lok Sabha elections, State Legislative Assembly elections, local body elections.
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Indirect elections: Representatives are elected by already elected members. Examples: Rajya Sabha elections (by MLAs), President of India (by MPs and MLAs), Vice President of India (by MPs).
Q4. How is the election of members to the Lok Sabha different from that to the Rajya Sabha?
Answer:
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Lok Sabha: Members are elected directly by the people through universal adult franchise, using the first-past-the-post system.
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Rajya Sabha: Members are elected indirectly by MLAs of state assemblies through a single transferable votesystem. The President also nominates 12 members to the Rajya Sabha.
Q5. What, in your view, are the advantages of the EVM over paper ballots?
Answer:
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Faster counting and quicker results.
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Reduces invalid or spoiled votes.
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Portable and less costly than printing large numbers of ballot papers.
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Helps reduce election fraud like multiple voting.
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Environment-friendly as it saves paper.
Q6. Voter turnout has been declining in some urban areas of India. What could be the reasons for this trend, and what steps can be taken to encourage more people to vote?
Answer:
Reasons:
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Urban apathy and busy lifestyles.
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Lack of trust in candidates.
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Migration and not updating voter ID.
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Belief that one vote makes no difference.
Steps:
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Voter awareness campaigns.
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Simplifying voter registration.
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Use of technology like online registration, voter helplines.
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Ensuring easy access to polling booths.
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Encouraging youth and first-time voters.
Q7. Why do you think a proportion of seats in the Lok Sabha is reserved for scheduled castes and scheduled tribes? Write a short note.
Answer:
Reservation of seats for SCs and STs ensures fair representation of historically marginalised groups in Parliament. It prevents their exclusion from decision-making. Out of 543 Lok Sabha seats, 84 are reserved for SCs and 47 for STs. This promotes equality, social justice, and inclusiveness, strengthening democracy.
Q8. Social media is changing the way we experience elections. Is this strengthening democracy or confusing it?
Answer:
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Benefits: Increases youth participation, spreads awareness quickly, provides direct connection between leaders and citizens.
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Challenges: Fake news, misinformation, divisive propaganda, and emotional manipulation.
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Future: Social media will remain important, but strong fact-checking and digital literacy are needed to ensure it strengthens democracy instead of confusing voters.
Extra Short Answer Questions
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What is universal adult franchise?
→ Every citizen above 18 has the right to vote without discrimination. -
When was the voting age reduced from 21 to 18?
→ In 1988, by the 61st Constitutional Amendment. -
Who conducts elections in India?
→ The Election Commission of India (ECI). -
What is NOTA?
→ “None of the Above” option for rejecting all candidates. -
Who was T.N. Seshan?
→ Chief Election Commissioner (1990–96) who introduced strict reforms for free and fair elections.
Extra Long Answer Questions
Q1. Explain the role and functions of the Election Commission of India.
Answer (150 words):
The Election Commission of India (ECI), established in 1950, is an independent constitutional body. It ensures free and fair elections in India. Its main functions are:
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Conducting elections to the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, state assemblies, and the offices of the President and Vice President.
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Preparing and updating the voter list.
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Registering political parties and monitoring their activities.
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Enforcing the Model Code of Conduct to ensure fair campaigning.
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Using technology such as EVMs and VVPATs to make elections efficient.
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Introducing reforms like voter ID cards to prevent fraud.
Through its impartial functioning, the ECI is called the “guardian of democracy” in India.
Q2. Describe the process of electing the President of India.
Answer (150 words):
The President of India is not elected directly by the people. Instead, an Electoral College elects the President. This includes:
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Elected members of both houses of Parliament (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha).
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Elected members of all state and UT legislative assemblies (Delhi and Puducherry).
Nominated MPs, MLAs, and members of Legislative Councils do not participate.
The single transferable vote system is used, where voters rank candidates by preference. This ensures proportional representation and that the President has the support of both central and state legislatures.
The President is elected for 5 years. This indirect election reflects India’s federal structure and ensures that the President represents the entire nation, not just one section of people.
Q3. What are the main challenges faced by India’s electoral system? Suggest solutions.
Answer (150–170 words):
India’s electoral system, the largest in the world, faces several challenges:
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Use of money and muscle power – Candidates spend heavily on campaigns, and sometimes criminals contest elections.
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Voter apathy – Especially in urban areas, many people do not vote.
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Misinformation and fake news – Social media spreads rumours and propaganda.
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Booth capturing or vote buying – Though reduced, some malpractice still exists.
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Low awareness – Many voters lack knowledge about candidates and their rights.
Solutions:
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Strict laws to limit election expenditure and ban candidates with criminal records.
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Stronger role of the Election Commission in monitoring campaigns.
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Use of technology like online awareness drives and EVM-VVPAT systems.
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Voter education campaigns in schools, colleges, and through media.
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Making voting easier with postal ballots for migrants and digital tools.
By empowering voters and strengthening institutions, India can safeguard its democracy.
MCQs
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The minimum age to vote in India is:
(a) 16 (b) 18 (c) 21 (d) 25
Answer: (b) 18 -
When was the voting age reduced to 18?
(a) 1947 (b) 1988 (c) 2001 (d) 1950
Answer: (b) 1988 -
Which Article of the Constitution provides for universal franchise?
(a) 326 (b) 356 (c) 370 (d) 124
Answer: (a) 326 -
Who conducts Lok Sabha elections?
(a) Parliament (b) President (c) Election Commission of India (d) Prime Minister
Answer: (c) -
The Rajya Sabha is also called:
(a) House of People (b) Permanent House (c) Upper House (d) Both b and c
Answer: (d) -
How many seats are there in Lok Sabha?
(a) 250 (b) 433 (c) 543 (d) 545
Answer: (c) 543 -
How many Lok Sabha seats are reserved for SCs?
(a) 47 (b) 70 (c) 84 (d) 100
Answer: (c) 84 -
How many Lok Sabha seats are reserved for STs?
(a) 25 (b) 47 (c) 60 (d) 75
Answer: (b) 47 -
Who was India’s first Chief Election Commissioner?
(a) Sukumar Sen (b) T.N. Seshan (c) Rajendra Prasad (d) S. Radhakrishnan
Answer: (a) Sukumar Sen -
Which system is used for Rajya Sabha elections?
(a) First-past-the-post (b) Single transferable vote (c) Lottery (d) Open ballot
Answer: (b) -
Which electoral option allows voters to reject all candidates?
(a) VVPAT (b) MCC (c) NOTA (d) Proxy vote
Answer: (c) -
Which year saw India’s first general elections?
(a) 1947 (b) 1950 (c) 1951–52 (d) 1957
Answer: (c) -
Who enforces the Model Code of Conduct?
(a) Parliament (b) Political parties (c) Election Commission of India (d) High Court
Answer: (c) -
Who nominates 12 members of Rajya Sabha?
(a) Prime Minister (b) President (c) Chief Justice (d) Lok Sabha Speaker
Answer: (b) -
What is the term of Rajya Sabha members?
(a) 4 years (b) 5 years (c) 6 years (d) Permanent
Answer: (c) 6 years -
Who was known for strict election reforms in the 1990s?
(a) T.N. Seshan (b) Sukumar Sen (c) Rajendra Prasad (d) Morarji Desai
Answer: (a) -
Which body supervises panchayat elections?
(a) Election Commission of India (b) State Election Commissions (c) Parliament (d) High Courts
Answer: (b) -
Which voting technology lets voters verify their vote on paper?
(a) EVM (b) VVPAT (c) MCC (d) NOTA
Answer: (b) -
The President of India is elected by:
(a) People directly (b) Parliament only (c) MPs and MLAs in Electoral College (d) Only MPs
Answer: (c) -
The Vice President of India is elected by:
(a) People directly (b) MPs of both Houses (c) MLAs only (d) President
Answer: (b) -
The Lok Sabha elections use which voting system?
(a) Proportional representation (b) Lottery system (c) First-past-the-post (d) Preferential voting
Answer: (c)
Fill in the Blanks
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The voting age in India was reduced from 21 to 18 in 1988.
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Article 326 guarantees universal adult franchise.
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The Election Commission of India was established in 1950.
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India’s first general elections were held in 1951–52.
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The Rajya Sabha is also called the Permanent House.
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The Model Code of Conduct was first adopted in Kerala in 1960.
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T.N. Seshan was a famous Chief Election Commissioner.
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There are 543 constituencies in Lok Sabha.
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Out of these, 84 are reserved for SCs and 47 for STs.
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The voting system used in Lok Sabha elections is called first-past-the-post.
True/False
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India granted women voting rights from the beginning. ✅
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Rajya Sabha members are directly elected by people. ❌
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The Election Commission of India is an independent body. ✅
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Lok Sabha elections use the single transferable vote system. ❌
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NOTA allows voters to reject all candidates. ✅
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The President is elected by an Electoral College of MPs and MLAs. ✅
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The Vice President is directly elected by citizens. ❌
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EVMs are slower than paper ballots. ❌
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The first Chief Election Commissioner was Sukumar Sen. ✅
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T.N. Seshan introduced voter ID cards. ✅