Class Notes

Class: IX Topic: working of Institutions

Subject: DP

Q. 1. Mention some of the political institutions in India. What is their main role?

Ans. 1. The Prime Minister and the Cabinet are institutions that take all important policy
decisions.
2. The Civil Servants, working together, are responsible for taking steps to implement
the ministers’ decisions.
3. Supreme Court is an institution where disputes between citizens and the government
are finally settled.

Q. 2. What is a Parliament? Why do we need Parliament?

Ans. In all democracies , an assembly of elected representatives exercises supreme
political authority on behalf of the people . In India such a national assembly of
elected representatives is called Parliament.
1. Parliament is the final authority for making laws in any country. This task of law
making or legislation is so crucial that these assemblies are called legislatures.
Parliaments all over the world can make new laws, change existing laws, or abolish
existing laws and make new ones in their place.
2. Parliaments all over the world exercise some control over those who run the
government. In some countries like India this control is direct and full. Those who run
the government can take decisions only so long as they enjoy support of the Parliament.
3. Parliaments control all the money that governments have. In most countries the public
money can be spent only when the Parliament sanctions it.
4. Parliament is the highest forum of discussion and debate on public issues and national
policy in any country. Parliament can seek information about any matter.

Q. 3. Give examples to prove that, Lok Sabha exercises supreme power.

Ans. 1. Any ordinary law needs to be passed by both the Houses of Parliament. But if

there is a difference between the two Houses, the final decision is taken in a joint
session in which members of both the Houses sit together. Because of the larger
number of members, the view of the Lok Sabha is likely to prevail in such a meeting.
2. Lok Sabha exercises more powers in money matters. Once the Lok Sabha passes
the budget of the government or any other money related law, the Rajya Sabha
cannot reject it. The Rajya Sabha can only delay it by 14 days or suggest changes
in it. The Lok Sabha may or may not accept these changes.
3. Most importantly, the Lok Sabha controls the Council of Ministers. Only a person
who enjoys the support of the majority of the members in the Lok Sabha is appointed the
Prime Minister.
4. If the majority of the Lok Sabha members say they have ‘no confidence’ in the
Council of Ministers, all ministers including the Prime Minister, have to quit, the Rajya Sabha
does not have this power.

Q. 4. Differentiate between political and permanent executive in a democracy OR

What are the two categories of executives in a democracy?
Ans. 1. The first category is the elected representatives, elected for a specific period. They

are called the political executive. Political leaders, who take the big decisions fall
in this category.
2. In the second category, people are appointed on a long-term basis. This is called
the permanent executive or civil services. Persons working in civil services are
called civil servants. They remain in office even when the ruling party changes.
These officers work under political executive and assist them in carrying out the
day-to-day administration.

Q.5. Describe the composition of council of ministers.

Ans. Council of Ministers is the official name for the body that includes all the Ministers.

It usually has 60 to 80 Ministers of different ranks.

1. Cabinet Ministers are usually top-level leaders of the ruling party or parties who
are in charge of the major ministries. Usually the Cabinet Ministers meet to take
decisions in the name of the Council of Ministers. Cabinet is thus the inner ring of
the Council of Ministers. It comprises about 20 ministers.
2. Ministers of State with independent charge are usually in-charge of smaller
Ministries. They participate in the Cabinet meetings only when specially invited.
3. Ministers of State are attached to and required to assist Cabinet Ministers
Q. 6. Why is parliamentary democracy also known as cabinet government in
most countries?
Ans. Since it is not practical for all ministers to meet regularly and discuss everything, the

decisions are taken in Cabinet meetings. That is why parliamentary democracy in

most countries is often known as the Cabinet form of government. The Cabinet works
as a team. The ministers may have different views and opinions, but everyone has to
own up to every decision of the Cabinet.

Q.7. What are the functions and powers of the Prime Minister?
Ans. Ans. Prime Minister has wide ranging powers.

1. He chairs Cabinet meetings. He coordinates the work of different Departments.

2. His decisions are final in case of any dispute arises between Departments.
3. He exercises general supervision of different ministries. All ministers work under
his leadership.
4. The Prime Minister distributes and redistributes work to the ministers. He also has
power to dismiss ministers.
5. When the Prime Minister quits, the entire ministry quits.

Q.8) How is the president of India elected?

Ans. 1. The President is not elected directly by the people. All the Members of Parliament

(MPs) and Members state Legislative Assemblies (MLAs) elect her.

2. A candidate standing for President’s post has to get a majority of votes to win the
election. This ensures that the President can be seen to represent the entire nation.
3. The President can never claim the kind of direct popular mandate that the Prime
Minister can. This ensures that she remains only a nominal executive.

Q.9) State the powers and functions of the president of India

Ans. 1. All governmental activities take place in the name of the President. All laws and

major policy decisions of the government are issued in her name.

2. Executive power: All major appointments are made in the name of the President.
These include the appointment of the Chief Justice of India, the Judges of the
Supreme Court and him High Courts of he states, the Governors of the states, the
Election commissioners, ambassadors to other countries, etc. All international
treaties and agreements are made in the name of the President. The President is
the supreme commander of the defence forces of India.
3. Legislative power: A bill passed by the Parliament becomes a law only after the
President gives assent to it. If the President wants, she can delay this for some
time and send the bill back to the Parliament for reconsideration. But if the
Parliament passes the bill again, she has to sign it.
4. Discretionary power: When a party or coalition of parties secures a clear majority
in the elections, the President, has to appoint the leader of the majority party or
the coalition that enjoys majority support in the Lok Sabha.
When no party or coalition gets a majority in the Lok Sabha, the President exercises her
discretion. The President appoints a Prime Minister who in her opinion can muster majority
support in the Lok Sabha. In such a case, the President can ask the newly appointed
Prime Minister to prove majority support in the Lok Sabha within a specified time.

Q. 10. Why do we consider an independent and powerful judiciary necessary for

democracies?
Ans. We consider an independent and powerful judiciary necessary for democracies because

of the following reasons:-

1. Settling disputes at national level.
2. To judge the actions of the government.
3. To give fair judgment that everyone will trust
4. To accept appeal of people.

Q.11) What is judiciary? What does it consist of?

Ans. 1. All the courts at different levels in a country put together are called the judiciary.

2. The Indian judiciary consists of a Supreme Court for the entire nation, High
Courts in the states, District Courts and the courts at local level.

Q.12) What are the functions of the Supreme Court?

Ans. 1. It can take up any dispute between citizens of the country

2. It can take up any dispute between citizens and government;

3. It can take up any dispute between two or more state governments; and
4. It can take up any dispute between governments at the union and state level
5. It can determine the Constitutional validity of any legislation or action of the
executive in the country, when it is challenged before them. This is known as the
judicial review.
6. The Supreme Court and the High Courts have the power to interpret the
Constitution of the country. They can declare invalid any law of the legislature or
the actions of the executive, whether at the Union level or at the state level, if they
find such a law or action is against the Constitution.

Q. 13. What do you understand by independence of judiciary?

Ans. Independence of the judiciary means that judiciary is not under the control of the
legislature or the executive. The judges do not act on the direction of the
government or according to the wishes of the party in power. That is why all
modern democracies have courts that are independent of the legislature and the
executive. India has achieved this.

Q. 14. What are the various provisions to make Indian judiciary independent and
impartial?
Ans. 1. The judges of the Supreme Court and the High Courts are appointed by the

President on the advice of the Prime Minister and in consultation with the Chief
Justice of the Supreme Court. But once appointed they are free to pass judgment
2. In practice it now means that the senior judges of the Supreme Court select the
new judges of the Supreme Court and the High Courts. There is very little scope
for interference by the political executive.
3. The senior most judge of the Supreme Court is usually appointed the Chief
Justice. Once a person is appointed as judge of the Supreme Court or the High
Court it is nearly impossible to remove him or her from that position.
4. A judge can be removed only by an impeachment motion passed separately by
two-thirds members of the two Houses of the Parliament. It has never happened in
the history of Indian democracy.

Q.15) What is judicial review?

Ans. 1. The Supreme Court and the High Courts have the power to interpret the
Constitution of the country. They can declare invalid any law of the legislature or
the actions of the executive, whether at the Union level or at the state level, if they
find such a law or action is against the Constitution.
2. They can determine the Constitutional validity of any legislation or action of the
executive in the country, when it is challenged before them. This is known as the judicial
Review.