Working of Institutions

Social Science
IX
1.What was Mandal Commission? Why was it appointed? State its major recommendations.
Or
Why was the Mandal Commission set up? What did it recommend to the government?
(i) The Commission appointed by the Government of India in 1979 named as the Second Backward
Classes Commission and headed by B.P. Mandal was called the Mandal Commission.
(ii) It was appointed to determine the criteria to identify the socially and educationally backward classes
in India and to recommend steps to be taken for their advancement. (iii) The major recommendation
was that 27% of government jobs be reserved for the socially and educationally backward classes.
2. Who appoints the Prime Minister? How is he appointed?
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 the Prime Minister. 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 can remain in power till he enjoys the support of the majority.

3. What is 'Collective Responsibility'? Describe its significance.

(i) Collective Responsibility means the Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Parliament
for its all acts.

(ii) In case the Lok Sabha rejects any bill or

policy or decision taken by a Minister or the Council of Ministers, it is taken to be vote of no confidence
and the entire Council need to resign.
(II) Principle of collective Responsibility means the entire Council of Ministers sink or swim together.
Significance:
(1) The whole Cabinet or Council of Ministers work as team.
(ii) All the ministers remain responsible to the Parliament.
(iii) The Parliament remains supreme.
4. Explain the composition of the Council of Ministers.
Or
What is meant by council of Ministers? Explain the different categories of ministers.
Or
What is Council of Ministers? How is it appointed?
The Council of Ministers is a large body, it consists all the three ranks of ministers. The Council of
Ministers comprises of the three categories of ministers. These are:
(i) Cabinet Ministers: Constitute the inner ring of the council of ministers. These are the top-level leaders
of the ruling party / parties who are incharge of the important ministries. They usually meet to take
decisions in the name of the council of ministers.

(ii) Ministers of State with Independent Charge: They are usually incharge of smaller ministries. They
participate in the cabinet meetings only when they are invited.
(iii) Ministers of State: They are attached to and are required to assist the Cabinet ministers.
5. How can the Judge of the Supreme Court
be removed?
A Judge of the Supreme Court can be
removed from his office for violation of the Constitution by a process called impeachment.
The resolution to impeach the Judge may be moved in either House of the Parliament.
Such a resolution can be moved after a notice has been given by at least one-fourth of the total number
of members of the House.
The resolution must be passed by two-third of the total membership of that House. Then the charges
levelled against him are investigated by the other House.
The Judge has the right to appear in person only in order to answer charges made against him. He has
also the right to be defended by a counsel.
If the charges are sustained by a two-third vote in the other House as well, the impeachment succeeds.
6. Explain the major powers and functions of the Prime Minister.
(1) Link: The Prime minister is the link
between the Cabinet and the President. The decisions of the Cabinet are conveyed to the President
through the Prime Minister. It is he who keeps him informed on all matters of government.
(ii) Formation of the Cabinet: The Prime Minister prepares the list of his Council of Ministers and sends it
to the President. He can reshuffle his Council of Ministers whenever he likes. He can also ask any
minister to resign if he is not satisfied by his working.
(iii) Leader of the Lok Sabha : The Prime Minister presides over the meetings of the Cabinet. He
maintains co-ordination between different departments of the government.
(iv) Foreign Affairs: The Prime Minister plays an important role in the management of foreign affairs. He
formulates the internal and external policies of the country.
(v) Leader of the Party: The Prime Minister has the main say in framing the policy of his party.
(vi) Leader of the Nation : The Prime Minister is the most important leader of the nation. People always
eagerly hear his views. His views related to any internal or external policy are heard more carefully.
7. Explain briefly the powers and functions of.the Supreme Court.
Or
Discuss the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court.
Or
Write a short note on the Appellate
Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court.
(1) Original Jurisdiction: The original jurisdiction extends to those cases which the Supreme Court has
the authority to hear and decide in the first instance.
Between citizens of the country;
• Between citizens and government;
⚫Between two or more state governments; and
• Between governments at the union and state level.
(ii) Appellate Jurisdiction: It is the highest
court of appeal in civil and criminal cases. It can hear appeals against the decisions of the High Courts.
(iii) Advisory Jurisdiction: As the highest court
in the country, the Supreme Court gives legal advice to the President of India on any legal or
constitutional matter referred to it.) However, the advice is not binding on the Supreme Court.
(iv) Guardian of the Constitution: The Supreme Court acts as the guardian, and final interpreter of the
Constitution.) If the government passes any law or issues any order which is in violation of the
Constitution, the Supreme Court has the power to declare the law or order unconstitutional.
(v) Guardian of Fundamental Rights: The Supreme Court also acts as a guardian of the fundamental
rights of the citizens. When a fundamental rights of any citizen is violated by the government or any
individual he can seek the protection of the Supreme Court.
8. What is coalition government? Why the Prime Minister of a coalition government cannot take
decisions as he likes?
Or
Write any three constraints on the powers of the Prime Minister of a coalition government.
Or
What is a coalition government? Mention any two limitations of a coalition government.
After election results, when there is no single party 8.which enjoys the majority support of the members
in the legislature, two or more parties come together to form and run government. Such a government
is called coalition government.
Limitation :
(i) The Prime Minister has to accommodate different groups and factions in his party as well as his
alliance partners.
(ii) He also has to pay heed to the views and positions of coalition partners and other parties, on whose
support the survival of the government depends.
(iii) The agenda and the policies of the government are usually decided as a common minimum
programmes. This includes only those policies which are common to all coalition partners.
9.Explain the major powers of the President.
(1) Administrative Head: He is the head of
the State. The administration of the country
runs in his name. All orders are issued in his name.
(ii) Appoints and dismisses the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers: He appoints the Prime
Minister and on his advice, he appoints other ministers in the Council of Ministers. He administers the
oath of office to them. The Prime Minister and the Ministers submit their resignation to him, if required.
(iii) To summon and prorogue the Parliament: He summons both Houses of the Parliament to session.
He directs a joint session of both Houses to be held. He can also prorogue the Parliament.
(iv) To dissolve the Lok Sabha : The President
has the power to dissolve the Lok Sabha on the advice of the Prime Minister, before the expiry of its full
term.
(v) Nomination of the Member of Parliament or the M.Ps: The President nominates 12 M.Ps. to the
Rajya Sabha from amongst outstanding contributors to literature, science, social service or art. He may
also nominate two M.Ps. of the Anglo- Indian community to the Lok Sabha, if this community is not
adequately represented. (vi) Assent to the Legislation: The Presidents' assent on a bill is necessary to
become a law,
10.Distinguish between political executive and permanent executive.
Political Executive Permanent Executive
They are elected by the people and so they are They are appointed by the government so they
answerable to the people work under the political executive
They are makers of laws and political They are in charge of executive of the politics of
the government
They are elected by the people and can be They are permanent and remain in office even
changed in the next elections when the ruling party changes
They change with the change in government They do not change with the change in
government