NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Social Science Chapter 6 The Parliamentary System: Legislature and Executive

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The Big Questions

1. What is India’s parliamentary system, and how is it structured?
See AnswerIndia’s parliamentary system is a democratic form of government where people elect their representatives to make laws and run the country. The Parliament has two houses – Lok Sabha (Lower House) and Rajya Sabha (Upper House), along with the President. This bicameral structure ensures representation of both population and states. The system is based on the principle that government functions with people’s consent through their elected representatives.

2. What are the key functions of the Parliament?
See AnswerParliament has four main functions. First, constitutional functions like electing the President and amending the Constitution. Second, lawmaking where bills are introduced, debated and passed into acts. Third, executive accountability where ministers answer questions and justify their actions to Parliament. Fourth, financial accountability where Parliament approves and monitors government spending through the annual budget. These functions ensure proper governance and use of public money.

3. What are the roles of the legislature and the executive in India’s Parliamentary democracy?
See AnswerThe legislature makes laws and oversees the executive’s work by asking questions and seeking explanations. It represents people’s voice and keeps check on government activities. The executive implements and enforces the laws made by legislature. It includes the President, Vice President and Council of Ministers headed by Prime Minister. The executive is responsible to the Lok Sabha and must justify all decisions and actions to maintain accountability in democratic governance.

4. How are the legislature and the executive organised at the union and state levels?
See AnswerAt union level, Parliament has Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha with President as constitutional head and Prime Minister as executive head. At state level, there are Legislative Assemblies (Vidhan Sabha) and some states have Legislative Councils (Vidhan Parishad). Governor is constitutional head while Chief Minister is executive head. Both levels follow similar structure with ministers responsible to lower houses. This parallel organization ensures federalism and local representation throughout India.

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Questions and activities

1. Find out how many representatives from your state are in each House of the Parliament.
See Answer1. Lok Sabha (Lower House): States have seats allocated based on their population. For instance, a state with a large population like Uttar Pradesh has a high number of Members of Parliament (MPs), such as 80. Smaller states, like Sikkim, might have fewer MPs, for example, 1.
2. Rajya Sabha (Upper House): Seats in the Rajya Sabha are also based on state population, but there might be a cap or a different allocation method compared to the Lok Sabha. For example, Uttar Pradesh has 31 members in the Rajya Sabha, while smaller states like Goa might have 1 member.
3. My state, Delhi (National Capital Territory of Delhi) has the following representation:
1. Lok Sabha (Lower House) – 7 seats
– Voters in Delhi elect 7 Members of Parliament (MPs) to the Lok Sabha.
2. Rajya Sabha (Upper House) – 3 seats
– Delhi sends 3 representatives to the Rajya Sabha, who are elected by the state’s elected MLAs (Members of Legislative Assembly).
This makes a total of 10 MPs (7 Lok Sabha + 3 Rajya Sabha) representing Delhi in the Indian Parliament.

2. What makes the Indian Parliament the “voice of the people”? How does it ensure that different opinions are heard?
See AnswerThe Indian Parliament is considered the “voice of the people” because its members, especially those in the Lok Sabha, are directly elected by the citizens of India. It represents the wishes and interests of the entire population. The Parliament ensures different opinions are heard through several mechanisms:
Debates and Discussions: The Parliament is designed as a space for thoughtful debates and discussions on proposed laws, important governance matters, and national policies.
Question Hour: During the Question Hour, Members of Parliament (MPs) can ask ministers questions about government policies and activities, making the Executive accountable for their decisions.
Representation: With two houses (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha), the bicameral system allows for broader representation and review of laws, ensuring different viewpoints are considered.
Committees: Special committees, often including MPs from different political parties, hold meetings where ministries explain and answer questions about their policies.

3. Why do you think the Constitution made the Executive responsible to the Legislature?
See AnswerThe Constitution made the Executive responsible to the Legislature to ensure that the government functions with the people’s consent and remains accountable for its actions. This system of executive accountability means that the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers, who are part of the Union Executive, must justify their decisions and actions to the Lok Sabha. This arrangement prevents the Executive from becoming too powerful and ensures that it implements laws and policies in line with the will of the elected representatives, thereby upholding democratic principles.

4. Why do you think we have chosen the system of bicameral legislature at the Union level?
See AnswerIndia chose a bicameral legislature (two houses: Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha) at the Union level because the Constitution makers felt that a single directly elected house would not be enough to handle the challenges independent India would face. The Rajya Sabha, also known as the Council of States, was considered necessary in the spirit of ‘federalism’ to balance national unity with local interests by representing the states. This two-house system allows for more detailed review and discussion of laws, ensuring better decision-making.

5. Try to track the journey of a recent bill passed by the Parliament. Identify in which House it was introduced. Were there any major debates or disagreements? How long did it take for the bill to become a law? Use newspaper archives, government websites, and Lok Sabha debates, or ask your teacher for help.
See AnswerWhat was the Bill about: The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, 2024 was aimed at stopping cheating and unfair practices in exams (like college entrance tests or government job exams). The main goal was to give honest and hardworking students a fair chance.
Where was it introduced: It was introduced in the Lok Sabha (House of the People) on February 5, 2024. Most important bills usually start in the Lok Sabha.
Were there debates: Yes, there were!
Some MPs strongly supported the bill, saying it would protect genuine students.
Others worried the punishments might be too harsh and that innocent people could be wrongly accused.
Newspapers also covered these debates, pointing out the need for the law but also the importance of fair implementation.
How quickly did it become a law?
The government moved it very fast:
Feb 5, 2024 – Introduced in Lok Sabha
Feb 6, 2024 – Passed in Lok Sabha
Feb 9, 2024 – Passed in Rajya Sabha
Shortly after – Got President’s approval
So, it became law in just 4 days! That shows how important the government thought it was to deal with exam malpractice quickly.

6. Choose a recent law passed by the Parliament. Divide into teams to role-play different parts of the process — MPs debating in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, ministers answering questions, and the President giving assent. Present a short skit showing how a bill becomes a law; enact a ‘model Parliament’.
See AnswerScene 1: Lok Sabha – Introduction and Debate
(MPs seated. Speaker at front.)
Speaker (Lok Sabha): “Order! Hon’ble Minister for Education, introduce the ‘Fair Exam Bill, 2024’.”
Minister for Education: (Stands with Bill) “Hon’ble Speaker, I introduce The Fair Exam Bill, to stop cheating in exams. This is vital for our youth’s future!”
MP 1 (Ruling Party): “I fully support this Bill! Strong measures are needed to protect exam integrity.”
MP 2 (Opposition Party): “While the intention is good, I worry if it’s too strict. How will innocent students be protected?”
Minister: “We’ve included safeguards. Our goal is fairness for all.”
Speaker (Lok Sabha): “Thank you. The Bill will now go for detailed examination.”
Scene 2: Lok Sabha – Voting
(MPs back.)
Speaker (Lok Sabha): “Order. We move to vote on The Fair Exam Bill. All in favor, say ‘Aye’!”
(MPs say “Aye!”)
Speaker: “All against, say ‘No’!”
(Few MPs say “No”.)
Speaker: “The ‘Ayes’ have it! The Bill is passed by Lok Sabha!”
(Secretary General takes Bill.)
Secretary General: “Bill passed by Lok Sabha, now to Rajya Sabha.”
Scene 3: Rajya Sabha – Debate and Passing
(MPs seated. Chairman at front.)
Chairman (Rajya Sabha): “Order. Hon’ble Minister, present the Bill.”
Minister: “Hon’ble Chairman, this crucial Bill needs your House’s wisdom to become law.”
MP 4 (Ruling Party): “This Bill is a progressive step for students’ hard work.”
MP 5 (Opposition): “We support the spirit, but clarity is needed on enforcement.”
Minister: “All procedures will be transparent and publicly accessible.”
Chairman (Rajya Sabha): “Thank you. All in favor of The Fair Exam Bill, say ‘Aye’!”
(MPs say “Aye!”)
Chairman: “The ‘Ayes’ have it! The Bill is passed by Rajya Sabha!”
(Secretary General takes Bill.)
Secretary General: “Bill passed by both Houses. Now to the President for assent.”
Scene 4: The President’s Assent
(President at desk. Secretary General approaches.)
Secretary General: “Hon’ble President, The Public Examinations Bill, passed by Parliament, awaits your assent.”
President: (Reads, stamps Bill) “I give my assent. This Bill is now an Act of Parliament!”
Secretary General: “Thank you, Hon’ble President. It is now law!”
(Curtain closes.)

7. The Women’s Reservation Bill, 2023, was passed with wide support. Why might it have taken over 25 years for this bill to be passed, despite being discussed for so long?
See AnswerWhile the chapter specifically discusses the journey of the Right to Education (RTE) Act, it provides general insights into the challenges in lawmaking that can cause delays. Bills often go through a long and involved process, including detailed study by committees and debates where concerns like funding and infrastructure are discussed. Sometimes, sessions are disrupted, and bills can take years to be discussed and passed. These factors, combined with potential political disagreements or the need to build wide support, could contribute to a bill taking a long time to become law, even if it eventually passes with broad backing.

8. Sometimes the Parliament is disrupted and does not function for the number of days it is supposed to. What impact do you think this has on the quality of laws and the trust people place in their representatives?
See AnswerWhen Parliament is disrupted and does not function as it should, it has negative impacts:
1. Quality of Laws: Disruptions lead to sessions being cut short and bills taking years to be discussed and passed. This can reduce the time available for thoughtful debates and detailed scrutiny, potentially affecting the quality and effectiveness of the laws made.
2. Trust in Representatives: Regular absenteeism of members, uncooperative conduct, and disruptions during important debates like the Question Hour can erode public trust in their representatives. Citizens may feel that their representatives are not seriously addressing important issues or are not effectively fulfilling their duties, which can decrease their faith in the democratic process.

9. Can you create ‘interest’ groups among students and list questions related to any policy that you may want to ask your MP and / or your MLA? How would these questions be different if it is to the MP instead of the MLA, and vice versa?
See AnswerFirst, let’s understand MP vs. MLA:
MP (Member of Parliament): An MP represents your area in the Parliament in Delhi. They make laws for the whole country (national level). Think of big issues affecting all of India.
MLA (Member of Legislative Assembly): An MLA represents your area in your State Legislative Assembly (e.g., Delhi Assembly). They make laws for your state or union territory (state level). Think of issues specific to your city or state.
Now, let’s create some ‘Interest Groups’ and list questions:
Interest Group 1: The “Better Schools & Learning” Group
Policy Focus: School facilities, teaching quality, technology access.
Questions for your MLA (State Level Focus):
“Our school playground needs improvement. Can you help get state funds to upgrade our sports facilities?”
“Can the state government introduce more practical vocational courses (like coding or cooking) in our schools?”
“We have power cuts affecting our computer lab. Can you push for better electricity supply for schools in our area?”
Why for MLA: These relate to specific schools and education within your state, which is a state responsibility.
Questions for your MP (National Level Focus):
“How will you ensure the National Education Policy (NEP) is implemented well across the country, especially for digital learning?”
“What national-level reforms can reduce exam pressure and promote overall learning for students across India?”
“How is the central government ensuring quality internet for online learning in remote areas nationwide?”
Why for MP: These concern broad national policies and country-wide initiatives.
Interest Group 2: The “Clean & Green Environment” Group
Policy Focus: Pollution, waste management, environmental awareness.
Questions for your MLA (State Level Focus):
“Our local park needs more trees and better waste bins. Can you help improve waste collection in our area?”
“What is the state government doing to fix local drainage systems and prevent waterlogging after rain?”
“Can the state promote more electric vehicles in our city to reduce air pollution?”
Why for MLA: These are about local civic issues and state-level environmental regulations.
Questions for your MP (National Level Focus):
“What national laws are being planned to strictly control industrial pollution affecting air quality across many states?”
“How is the central government promoting renewable energy (solar, wind) on a national scale to fight climate change?”
“What national campaigns are being launched to educate young people about sustainable living?”
Why for MP: These deal with large-scale environmental issues and national policies.

10. What is the role that the Judiciary plays in Indian democracy? What could happen if we didn’t have an independent judiciary?
See Answer1. Role of the Judiciary: The Judiciary interprets and applies laws, resolves disputes, and safeguards fundamental rights. It acts as the guardian of the Constitution, making sure that all branches of the government (Legislature and Executive) follow the principles and rules laid down in the Constitution. It also checks that laws passed by Parliament do not violate the Constitution and can intervene if laws are implemented incorrectly by the Executive.
2. If we didn’t have an independent Judiciary: If there were no independent judiciary, one branch of the government (Legislature or Executive) could become too powerful, as there would be no system to check their actions. This could lead to laws that do not respect the Constitution or fundamental rights, and there would be no impartial body to resolve disputes or protect citizens from unfair actions by the government. The system of checks and balances, which is crucial for a healthy democracy, would be absent, potentially harming people’s rights and undermining democratic values.

Very Short Answer Type Questions with Answers of Class 8 Social Science Chapter 6 The Parliamentary System: Legislature and Executive.

1. What is India’s parliamentary system composed of?
See AnswerThe President Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.

2. What is the main role of the Parliament?
See AnswerMaking laws and overseeing the Executive.

3. How are Lok Sabha members elected?
See AnswerThrough direct elections by voters.

4. How are Rajya Sabha members elected?
See AnswerIndirectly by MLAs through an electoral college.

5. What is the term of Lok Sabha members?
See Answer5 years.

6. What is the term of Rajya Sabha members?
See Answer6 years with one-third retiring every 2 years.

7. Who presides over the Lok Sabha?
See AnswerThe Speaker.

8. Who presides over the Rajya Sabha?
See AnswerThe Vice President of India.

9. What is the role of the President in the Executive?
See AnswerNominal head who appoints the Prime Minister.

10. What is the role of the Prime Minister?
See AnswerLeads the Council of Ministers and shapes national policies.

11. What is a Money Bill?
See AnswerA financial bill introduced only in the Lok Sabha.

12. What is the Judiciary’s role in democracy?
See AnswerInterprets laws and safeguards the Constitution.

13. Name one state with a bicameral legislature.
See AnswerUttar Pradesh.

14. What is the Vidhan Sabha?
See AnswerThe lower house of a state legislature.

15. What is the purpose of Question Hour?
See AnswerTo hold the Executive accountable through MPs’ questions.

Short or Medium length Answer Type Questions with Answers of Class 8 Social Science Chapter 6 The Parliamentary System: Legislature and Executive.

1. What is the structure of India’s parliamentary system?
See AnswerIndia has a bicameral Parliament with Lok Sabha directly elected by people Rajya Sabha indirectly elected and President as constitutional head forming the legislature and executive.

2. How does the lawmaking process work in Parliament?
See AnswerBills are introduced in either house go through readings committee review debates voting in both houses then Presidential assent to become laws ensuring thorough scrutiny.

3. What are the key functions of Parliament?
See AnswerParliament makes laws ensures executive accountability controls finances amends Constitution represents people’s will and acts as platform for national debate on important issues.

4. What is the difference between Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha?
See AnswerLok Sabha represents people directly has 543 members for 5 years while Rajya Sabha represents states has 245 members with staggered 6-year terms.

5. How does Parliament hold government accountable?
See AnswerThrough Question Hour debates committee scrutiny no-confidence motions budget discussions and requiring ministers to explain policies ensuring transparency in governance.

6. What is the role of the President in Parliament?
See AnswerThe President summons prorogues Parliament gives assent to bills addresses joint sessions appoints PM and ministers while acting as constitutional head of state.

7. How do state legislatures compare to Parliament?
See AnswerStates have Vidhan Sabha like Lok Sabha some have Vidhan Parishad like Rajya Sabha making laws on state subjects with Governor as constitutional head.

8. What are the challenges facing Indian legislatures?
See AnswerDeclining productivity due to disruptions criminalization of politics delayed legislation poor attendance and reduced quality of debates affecting governance.

9. What is the significance of the Sengol in Parliament?
See AnswerThe historic Sengol symbolizing transfer of power in 1947 now placed near Speaker’s chair represents righteous governance and India’s cultural heritage.

10. How does Judiciary balance Parliament’s power?
See AnswerJudiciary reviews laws for constitutional validity checks executive actions protects fundamental rights ensuring no branch exceeds its constitutional limits.

Descriptive and long Answer Type Questions with Answers of Class 8 Social Science Chapter 6 The Parliamentary System: Legislature and Executive.

1. Explain the composition and functions of the Indian Parliament
See Answer– Comprises President Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha forming bicameral legislature
– Lok Sabha has 543 directly elected members representing constituencies
– Rajya Sabha has 245 members elected by state legislatures
– Primary function is lawmaking through elaborate legislative process
– Controls executive through questions debates and committee scrutiny
– Approves budgets and examines government expenditure.

2. Describe the lawmaking process in the Indian Parliament
See Answer– Bill can originate in either house except money bills
– Goes through first reading second reading with committee review
– Clause by clause consideration and amendments
– Voting and passage in originating house
– Repeat process in other house
– Presidential assent makes it an act
– Gazette notification brings it into force.

3. Compare and contrast the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha
See Answer– Lok Sabha represents people directly Rajya Sabha represents states
– Lok Sabha members elected for 5 years Rajya Sabha for 6
– Money bills originate only in Lok Sabha
– Rajya Sabha provides continuity as permanent house
– Lok Sabha has more power in financial matters
– Both participate equally in ordinary legislation.

4. Explain the system of checks and balances between legislature executive and judiciary
See Answer– Legislature makes laws but judiciary can review constitutionality
– Executive implements laws but accountable to legislature
– Judiciary interprets laws but legislature can amend constitution
– President can return bills but legislature can override
– Each organ prevents concentration of power in others
– Ensures democratic functioning and protects rights.

5. Discuss the challenges faced by Indian legislatures today
See Answer– Declining productivity due to frequent disruptions
– Criminalization of politics affecting quality
– Delayed legislation on important issues
– Poor attendance in sessions and committees
– Reduced time for meaningful debates
– Need for greater transparency and accountability
– Balancing diverse interests in federal structure.