CHAPTER: 4-WORKING OF INSTITUTIONS

WRITE THE FOLLOWING QUESTION ANSWERS IN YOUR NOTE BOOK:

3, 6, 7, 15,
Q.N Questions: Mks.
1 Who are Socially and Economically Backward Classes (SEBC)? What is the percentage of 3
Government jobs reserved for them?
Ans:
1. SEBC a new third category other than Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe.
2. It is another name for all those people who belong to castes that are considered
backward by the government.
3. It states that 27 percent of the vacancies in civil posts and services under the
Government of India jobs are reserved for the Socially and Economically Backward
Classes (SEBC).
What is Mandal Commission? What were its suggestions? 3
Ans:
1. The Government of India had appointed the Second Backward Classes Commission in
1979. It was headed by B.P. Mandal. So it was popularly called the Mandal Commission.
2. It was asked to determine the criteria to identify the socially and educationally
backward classes in India and recommend steps to be taken for their advancement.
3. The Commission gave its Report in 1980 and made many recommendations. One of
these was that 27 per cent of government jobs be reserved for the socially and
economically backward classes.
3 Answer the Following questions in your Class Note Book: (1Mark each) 1
1. What is the number of the Government Order issued on August 13, 1990?
2. What do you understand by ‘Office Memorandum’?
3. Who signed the Order?
4. Who gave the instructions to implement the order?
5. Name the Political Party that promised the implementation of Mandal Commission in
their election manifesto in 1989 Lok Sabha election?
6. Who was the Prime Minister at the time when it was implemented?
4 Analyse the various developments that took place after the implementation of Mandal 5
Commission in 1989.
Ans:
1. The President of India in his address to the Parliament announced the intention of the
government to implement the recommendations of the Mandal Commission. On 6 August
1990, the Union Cabinet took a formal decision to implement the recommendations.
2. Next day Prime Minister V.P. Singh informed the Parliament about this decision through a
statement in both the Houses of Parliament.
3. The decision of the Cabinet was sent to the Department of Personnel and Training. The senior
officers of the Department drafted an order in line with the Cabinet decision and took the
minister’s approval. An officer signed the order on behalf of the Union Government. It became
the O.M of August 13, 1990.
4. It was also the most debated question of the country at that time. The issue related to
Reservation policy was later solved by the Supreme Court.
5 What were the arguments in favour and against the reservation for OBC? 3
Ans:
1. Some felt that existence of inequalities among people of different castes in India
necessitated job reservations. They felt, this would give a fair opportunity to those
communities who so far had not adequately been represented in government
employment
2. Others felt that this was unfair, as it would deny equality of opportunity to those who did
not belong to backward communities.
3. They would be denied jobs even though they could be more qualified. Some felt that
this would perpetuate caste feelings among people and hamper national unity.
6 Answer the Following questions in your Class Note Book: (1Mark each) 1
Name the cases related to the Reservation disputes bunched by the Supreme Court.
When did Supreme Court declare Order of August 13, 1990 valid?
7 NOTE: Refer to Page No.62 (Electoral Politics) to see the justification given for Reservations to
SC & ST communities in Legislatures. (LokSabha and State Assemblies)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Add this Board Question with the Board Answer For Chapter No.4 & also this Chapter-5
What is meant by reserved constituencies? Justify the concept of 'Reservation of seats' by
giving any three suitable arguments. 1+3=4 (CCE Question-2010)
Ans: 3 or
Reserved Constituencies: 5
 Some constituencies are reserved for people who belong to the Scheduled Castes (SC)
and Scheduled Tribes (ST). In these constituencies, only someone who belongs to these
categories can stand for election.
Arguments for justification of the Concept:
1. The Constitution makers were worried that in an open electoral competition, certain
weaker sections may not stand a good chance to get elected to Lok Sabha and the state
legislative Assemblies.
2. They may not have the required resources, education and contacts to contest and win
elections against others.
3. If the reservation not done, our Parliament and Assemblies would be deprived of the
voice of a significant Section of our population. 3x1=3
8 How did the Supreme Court resolve the dispute arose out of the Government decision to 3
provide job reservation for OBC?
Ans:
1. The Supreme Court and the High Courts in India settle disputes arising out of
governmental decisions.
2. Some persons and associations opposed to this order filed a number of cases in the
courts. They appealed to the courts to declare the order invalid and stop its
implementation.
3. By a majority, the Supreme Court judges in 1992 declared that this order of the
Government of India was valid. At the same time the Supreme Court asked the
government to modify its original order. It said that well-to do persons among the
backward classes should be excluded from getting the benefit of reservation.
9 List out the various activities of a Government. 3
Ans:
1. Governing a country involves various such activities; for example, the government is
responsible for ensuring security to the citizens and providing facilities for education
and health to all.
2. It collects taxes and spends the money thus raised on administration, defense and
developmental programmes. It formulates and implements several welfare schemes
10 What are called institutions in a modern democracy? Describe basic rules laid by Indian 5
Constitution for the functioning of our institutions. (1+4=5)
Ans:
 To attend to various tasks like welfare, developmental and governmental programmes
several arrangements are made in all modern democracies. Such arrangements are called
institutions. (1Mark)
1. The Parliament makes the laws, or amends or abolishes the laws and controls the
executive.
2. The Prime Minister and the Cabinet are institutions that take all important policy
decisions.
3. The Civil Servants, working together, are responsible for taking steps to implement the
ministers’ decisions.
4. Supreme Court is an institution where disputes between citizens and the government
are finally settled.
11 Point out the various constraints in the working of different institutions in a democracy. How are 5
these constraints useful?
Ans:
1. Working with institutions in a democracy is not easy. Institutions involve rules and
regulations. This can bind the hands of leaders.
2. Institutions involve meetings, committees and routines. This often leads to delays and
complications.
3. One might feel that it is much better to have one person take all decisions without any
rules, procedures and meetings. But that is not the spirit of democracy.
4. Some of the delays and complications introduced by institutions are very useful. They provide an
opportunity for a wider set of people to be consulted in any decision.
5. Institutions make it difficult to have a good decision taken very quickly. But they also
make it equally difficult to rush through a bad decision.
12 Examine the powers of the Parliament. 5
Ans:
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.
2. Parliaments all over the world can make new laws, change existing laws, or abolish
existing laws and make new ones in their place.
3. 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.
4. Parliaments control all the money that governments have. In most countries the public
money is spent only when the Parliament sanctions it.(Budget)
5. 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.
13 What are the two houses of Indian Parliament? How are they formed? 3
Ans:
1. The Parliament consists of two Houses. The two Houses are known as the Council of
States (Rajya Sabha) and the House of the People (Lok Sabha).
2. Lok Sabha is usually directly elected by the people for five years and exercises the real
power on behalf of the people.
3. The Rajya Sabha is elected indirectly by MLAs/ MLCs [Members of State Vidhan Sabha/
VidhanParished, if the State is having two houses -Bicameralism) and if only one house
(Vidhan Sabha- Unicameralism)] performs some special functions .It also looks after the
interests of various states and other federal units. A Rajya Sabha member is elected for
six years.
14 How is Lok Sabha more powerful than Rajya Sabha? 3 or
Ans: 5
1. Any ordinary law needs to be passed by both the Houses. 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. 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 as the Prime Minister. 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.
15 To be done in Class Work Book: (1 Mark each) 1
Making two columns, answer the following questions about Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
1. What is the total number of members?
2. Who elects these members?
3. What is the length of the term in years?
4. Can the House be dissolved or is it permanent?
5. Who are the current speakers of the (both) Houses?
16 Define what is Executive? Mention the two categories of Executive? 3
Ans:
1. At different levels of any government we find functionaries who take day-to-day
decisions but do not exercise supreme power on behalf of the people. All those
functionaries are collectively known as the executive. They are called executive
because they are in charge of the ‘execution’ of the policies of the government.
2. In a democratic country, two categories make up the executive. One that is elected by
the people for a specific period is called the political executive. Political leaders who take
the major decisions fall in this category.
3. 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./Government Servants.
17 Why does the Political executive have more power than Non-Political executive? 3
Ans:
1. In a democracy the will of the people is supreme. The minister is elected by the people
and thus empowered to exercise the will of the people on their behalf.
2. He/ She are finally answerable to the people for all the consequences of her decision.
That is why the minister takes all the final decisions.
3. The minister decides the overall framework and objectives in which decisions on policy
should be made.
4. The minister is not, and is not expected to be, an expert in the matters of his/ her
ministry. The minister takes the advice of experts on all technical matters
18 How are the Prime Minister and his Council of Ministers appointed? 3
Ans:
1. The President appoints the Prime Minister. But the President cannot appoint anyone he/
she likes. The President appoints the leader of the majority party or the coalition of
Parties that commands a majority in the Lok Sabha, as Prime Minister.
2. In case no single party or alliance gets a majority, the President appoints the person
most likely to secure a majority support. The Prime Minister does not have a fixed
tenure. He continues in power so long as he remains the leader of the majority party or
coalition.(As long as he enjoys the majority in Lok Sabha)
3. After the appointment of the Prime Minister, the President appoints other ministers on
the advice of the Prime Minister.
19 Distinguish between Cabinet Ministers and Ministers of State. 3
Ans:
1. There are two types of Ministers in Union Government. Cabinet Ministers and State
Ministers. Some of the State Ministers have independent Charges and others work as
assistant Ministers to Cabinet Ministers.
2. 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.
3. Ministers of State with independent charge are usually in-charge of smaller Ministries.
They participate in the Cabinet meetings only when specially invited.
4. Ministers of State are attached to and required to assist Cabinet Ministers.
20 Briefly describe the powers and functions of the Prime Minister. 5
Ans:
1. The Prime Minister has wide ranging powers. He chairs Cabinet meetings. He
coordinates the work of different Departments. His decisions are final in case
disagreements arise between Departments.
2. He exercises general supervision of different ministries. All ministers work under his
leadership.
3. The Prime Minister distributes and redistributes work to the ministers.
4. The powers of the Prime Ministers in all parliamentary democracies of the world have
increased so much in recent decades that parliamentary democracies are sometimes
seen as Prime Ministerial form of government.
5. As political parties have come to play a major role in politics, the Prime Minister controls
the Cabinet and Parliament through the party.
6. He/ She is the chairperson of the Planning Commission in India.
21 ‘The rise of coalition politics has imposed certain constraints on the power of the Prime Minister’ 3
Explain.
Ans:
1. The Prime Minister of a Coalition Government cannot take decisions as he likes.
2. He has to accommodate different groups and factions in his party as well as among
alliance partners.
3. He also has to heed to the views and positions of the coalition partners and other parties,
on whose support the survival of the government depends.
22 How is the President of India elected? 3
Ans:
1. The President of India is not elected directly by the people. An Electoral College
comprising the Members of Parliament (MPs) and Members of State Legislative
Assemblies (MLAs) elect the President.
2. A candidate standing for President’s post has to get a majority of votes to win the
election. He should be an Indian citizen and of the age of 35 or above.
 3. Should not hold any office of profit.

23 Briefly explain the powers and functions of Indian President. 5

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. A bill passed by the Parliament becomes a law only after the President gives assent to it.
3. All major appointments are made in the name of the President. These include the
appointment of the Prime Minister of India, the Chief Justice of India, the Judges of the
Supreme Court and the High Courts of the states, the Governors of the states, the
Election Commissioners, Ambassadors to other countries, etc.
4. All international treaties and agreements are made in the name of the President.
5. The President is the Supreme Commander of the defense forces of India.
(Note: - President exercises all these powers only on the advice of the Council of Ministers /
Prime Minister. The President can ask the Council of Ministers to reconsider its advice.)
24 What is judiciary? What are the different levels of judiciary? 3
Ans:
1. All the courts at different levels in a country put together is 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.
3. India has an integrated judiciary. It means that the Supreme Court controls the judicial
administration in the country.
25 List the powers (Original Jurisdiction) of Supreme Court. 5
Ans:
 The Supreme Court controls the judicial administration in the country. Its decisions are
binding on all other courts of the country.
It can take up any dispute:
1. Between citizens of the country;
2. Between citizens and government;
3. Between two or more state governments; and
4. Between governments at the union and state level.
5. It is the highest court of appeal in civil and criminal cases. It can hear appeals against
the decisions of the High Courts.
26 How is the independence of the judiciary ensured in India? 3
Ans:
1. Independence of the judiciary means that it is not under the control of the legislature or
the executive. Judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts are appointed by the
President.
2. The judges do not act on the direction of the government or according to the wishes of
the party in power. The powers of the judiciary are independent from executive and
derived from the Constitution.
3. The Political executive cannot easily remove the judges. It needs impeachment.
Therefore the judges can’t be pressurized by the executive.
27 How are the judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts appointed? 3
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.
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.
3. There is very little scope for interference by the political executive. The senior most judge
of the Supreme Court is usually appointed the Chief Justice.
28 Explain the procedure of the removal of a Supreme Court or High Court judge. 3
Ans:
1. 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. It is as difficult asremoving the
President of India.
2. A judge can be removed only by an impeachment motion passed separately by two-
thirds members of the two Houses of the Parliament.
29 What is ‘Judicial Review’? 3
Ans:
1. The judiciary in India is one of the most powerful in the world. The Supreme Court and
the High Courts have the power to interpret the Constitution of the country.
2. 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.
3. 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
30 “Judiciary is called the guardian of the fundamental rights’ Justify. 3
Ans:
1. The powers and the independence of the Indian judiciary allow it to act as the
guardian of the Fundamental Rights.
2. The citizens have a right to approach the courts to seek remedy in case of any
violation of their rights.
3. Anyone can approach the courts if public interest is hurt by the actions of
government. This is called public interest litigation.
4. The courts intervene to prevent the misuse of the government’s power to make
decisions. They check malpractices on the part of public officials.
31 What is Public Interest Litigation? (PIL) 3
Ans:
1. Anyone can approach the courts if public interest is hurt by the actions of government.
This is called public interest litigation.
2. The courts intervene to prevent the misuse of the government’s power to make
decisions.
3. They check malpractices on the part of public officials.