Class IX
Political Science
Chapter 5 - Working of Institutions
Q1. What was Mandal Commission? Why was it appointed? What did it recommend to
the government?
❖ The government of India had appointed the Second Backward commissions in 1979.
❖ It was headed by B.P. Mandal. Hence it was popularly called the Mandal
Commission.
❖ 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.
❖ The Commission gave its Report in 1980 and made many recommendations.
One of these was that 27% of government jobs be reserved for the socially and
educationally backward classes.
❖ The Report and recommendations were discussed in the Parliament. For several years,
many parliamentarians and parties kept demanding the implementations of the
Commission’s recommendations.
Q2. Critically examine the pros and cons of the reservation policy of India.
❖ Some people feel that existence of inequalities among people of different castes leads
to the desire of job reservations.
❖ This would give a fair opportunity to backward communities to secure government
employment.
❖ Others feel that this is unfair as it would deny equality of opportunity to those who
does not belong to backward communities.
❖ They would be denied jobs even though they could be more qualified.
❖ This can perpetuate caste feelings among people and hamper national unity.
Q3.Why is there a need for political institutions?
❖ In a democracy, the government is responsible for ensuring security to the citizens and
providing various facilities to all.
❖ Thus, the system requires some persons who will take decisions on how to go about
these activities.
❖ Others have to implement these decision and someone is needed to settle disputes if
arise
❖ So, to attend to all these tasks, several arrangements are made in all modern
democracies which are called institutions.
❖ A democracy works well when these institutions perform functions assigned to them
and their powers are mentioned in the Constitution.
1
Q4. Bring out the functions of the Parliament.
❖ Law Making-
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.
❖ Change and Alterations-
Parliaments all over the world can make new laws, change existing laws, or
abolish existing laws and make new ones in their place.
❖ Controls Executive-
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.
❖ Controls Finance-
Parliaments control all the money that governments have.
❖ Debate and Discussion-
Parliament is the highest forum of discussion and debate on public issues and
national policy in any country.
Q5.Compare the composition of the Lok Sabha with the Rajya Sabha.
Lok Sabha Rajya Sabha
It is directly elected by the people and It is elected indirectly and performs some
exercises the real power on behalf of the special functions.
people.
The strength is 545(543elected +2 The strength is 245(233 elected+12
nominated) nominated members)
This house can be dissolved. The term is 5 This house is permanent. The term is 6
Years. Years.
Members are elected after every 5 years. One-third members retire after every two
years.
Q6. ‘Lok Sabha is more powerful than Rajya Sabha.’ Explain.
Lok Sabha is more powerful because-
❖ More strength during Joint Sessions-
In case of 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.
❖ More Power 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.
❖ Lok Sabha controls the Council OF Ministers-
2
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.
Q7. Differentiate between political executive and permanent executive.
Political Executive Permanent Executive
Executives who are elected by the The permanent executives are salaried civil
people for a specific period are servants who are appointed on a long-term
called the political executives. basis.
Example-Political leaders like the Persons working in civil services. For
Prime Minister, Council of Ministers example - IAS, IFS, IPS etc.
and so on.
They remain in office only so long They remain in office even when the ruling
as they command the confidence of party changes. Their tenure of office is
the majority members of Parliament. fixed.
They are answerable to people for They are not answerable to the people.
all the consequences of their
decisions.
They are more powerful. They take They are less powerful. They do not take
all the final decisions. decisions. Instead they assist political
executives in carrying out day-to-day
administration.
Q8. Why should the ministers have a final say on matters?
❖ 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.
❖ She is finally answerable to the people for all the consequences of her decision. That
is why the minister takes all the final decisions.
Q9. ‘PM is the first among equals’. Explain.
❖ As head of the government, the Prime Minister has wide ranging powers.
❖ He chairs Cabinet meetings and coordinates the work of different Departments.
❖ His decisions are final in case disagreements arise between Departments.
❖ He exercises general supervision of different ministries and all ministers work under
his leadership.
❖ The Prime Minister distributes and redistributes work to the ministers. He also has the
power to dismiss ministers.
❖ When the Prime Minister quits, the entire ministry quits.
Q10. How is the President elected?
3
The President is not elected directly by the people. A candidate standing for President’s post
has to get a majority of votes from Members of Parliament (MPs) and the Members of the
Legislative Assemblies (MLAs) to win the election.
Q11. What are the Executive and Legislative powers of the President?
Legislative Powers
❖ 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.
❖ 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.
Executive Powers
❖ 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 the
High Courts of the states, the Governors of the states, the Election Commissioners,
ambassadors to other countries, etc on the advice of Council of Ministers.
❖ 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.
Q12. Why is the President a part of the Parliament even though he is not a member of
either house?
The President is an integral part of the Parliament because no bill becomes a law without his/
her assent.
Q13. Bring out three differences between parliamentary and presidential forms
of government.
Basis Parliamentary Presidential
Executive Dual Single
Accountability Executive accountable to legislature Executive not accountable to
legislature
Ministers Only from among MPs People outside the legislature can be
appointed
Dissolution of lower PM can dissolve before the expiry of President cannot dissolve
house the term
4
Q14. Bring out three differences between a money bill and an ordinary bill.
Money Bill Ordinary Bill
It can be introduced in the Lok Sabha only It can be introduced in either house of parliament.
not in the Rajya Sabha
It can be introduced in the Lok It can be introduced either by a minister or by a
Sabha only by a minister. private member
It can be introduced only on the Recommendation of president is not required.
recommendation of the president.
It can’t be amended or rejected by the It can be amended or rejected by the Rajya sabha.
Rajya Sabha. The Rajya Sabha should
return the bill with or without
recommendations, which may be
rejected or accepted by the Lok Sabha.
Q15. Why is the parliamentary democracy in most countries often known as the
cabinet form of government?
The parliamentary democracy in most countries often known as the cabinet form of
government because Prime minister and main cabinet minister exercises major control
in the government.
Q16. Describe the composition of the council of ministers.
❖ 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.
❖ Cabinet Ministers are usually top-level leaders of the ruling party It comprises about
20 ministers.
❖ Ministers of State with independent charge are usually in-charge of smaller
Ministries. They participate in the Cabinet meetings only when specially invited.
❖ Ministers of State/Deputy Ministers are attached to and required to assist Cabinet
Ministers.
Q17. What is the Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court?
India has an integrated judiciary which means the Supreme Court controls the
judicial administration in the country. Its decisions are binding on all other courts of
the country.
❖ Original Jurisdiction:
5
It can take up any dispute between citizens of the country; between citizens and
government; between two or more state governments; between governments at the union and
state level.
❖ Appellate Jurisdiction:
o It is the highest court of appeal in civil and criminal cases. It can hear appeals
against the decisions of the High Courts.
❖ Judicial Review/ Guardian of the constitution:
The Supreme Court of India has the power of Judicial Review. They
can declare invalid any law of the legislature or the actions of the
executive, if they find such a law or action against the basic structure
of the Constitution.
❖ Guardian of the Fundamental Rights:The powers and the independence of the Indian
judiciary allow it to act as the guardian of the Fundamental Rights.
❖ Public Interest Litigation: Anyone can approach the courts if public interest is hurt by
the actions of the government. This is called public interest litigation.
Q18. What is the meaning of Independence of Judiciary?
Independence of the judiciary means that it 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.
❖ 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 cannot be removed by the President.
Q19. How can a judge of the Supreme Court be removed?
A judge can be removed only by an impeachment motion passed separately by two-thirds
members of the two Houses of the Parliament.
Q20. Why is the judiciary of India one of the most powerful judiciaries of the world?
❖ 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.
❖ Thus 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.
❖ The Supreme Court of India has also ruled that the core or basic principles of the
Constitution cannot be changed by the Parliament.
❖ The powers and the independence of the Indian judiciary allow it to act as the
guardian of the Fundamental Rights.
6
Q21. Why does the judiciary enjoy a high level of confidence among the people with
reference to Public Interest Litigation PIL? Give your view point.
❖ Any one can approach the courts if public interest is hurt by the actions of
government. This is called public interest litigation.
❖ The courts intervene to prevent the misuse of the government’s power to make
decisions.
❖ They check malpractices on the part of public officials. That is why the judiciary
enjoys a high level of confidence among the people.
Q22. Define the following terms:
Coalition government: A government formed by an alliance of two or more political parties,
usually when no single party enjoys majority support of the members in a legislature.
Executive: A body of persons having authority to initiate major policies, make decisions and
implement them on the basis of the Constitution and laws of the country.
Government: A set of institutions that have the power to make, implement and interpret laws
so as to ensure an orderly life. In its broad sense, government administers and supervises over
citizens and resources of a country.
Judiciary: An institution empowered to administer justice and provide a mechanism for the
resolution of legal disputes. All the courts in the country are collectively referred to as
judiciary.
Legislature: An assembly of people’s representatives with the power to enact laws for a
country. In addition to enacting laws, legislatures have authority to raise taxes and adopt the
budget and other money bills.
Office Memorandum: A communication issued by an appropriate authority stating the
policy or decision of the government.
Political Institution: A set of procedures for regulating the conduct of government and
political life in the country.
Reservations: A policy that declares some positions in government employment and
educational institutions ‘reserved’ for people and communities who have been discriminated
against, are disadvantaged and backward.
7
State: Political association occupying a definite territory, having an organised government
and possessing power to make domestic and foreign policies. Governments may change, but
the state continues. In common speech, the terms country, nation and state are used as
synonyms.
Incumbent: The current holder of a political office. Usually the choice for the voters in
elections is between the incumbent party or candidate and those who oppose them.
