(I) Very Short Answer Type Questions Question 1. The President of India is the highest formal authority in the Answer: State Question 2. Prime Minister is the one who actually exercises all governmental powers and he is the head of the Answer: Government Question 3. Who exercises more powers in money matters? Answer: The Lok Sabha Question 4. On August 13, 1990, the Government of India issued an office memorandum for 27% reservation for socially and educationally Backward classes in Answer: Civil posts or services under Government of India Question 5. An institution where disputes between citizens and the government of India are finally settled, is Answer: The Supreme Court Question 6. In India, a national assembly of elected representatives is called Answer: Parliament Question 7. An assembly of elected representatives at the state level is called Answer: Legislative Assembly or Legislature Question 8. The President of India is a part of the Parliament, although he/she is not aAnswer: Member of cither House Question 9. Our constitution gives the Rajya Sabha some special powers over : Answer: The states Question 10. Ina democratic country like India there are two types of executives. They are Answer: Political Executive and Permanent Executive Question 11. Name 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, ‘Answer: Coalition Government Question 12. What is the full form of SEBC? Answer: Socially and Economically Backward classes. Question 13. ‘Who appoints the judges of the Supreme Court? Answer: ‘The President on the advice of the Prime Minister and in consultation with the chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Question 14, Who was the head of the Mandal Commission? Answer: B.R Mandal. Question 15. Who is the most important institution in the country? Answer: The Prime Minister is the most important institution in the country.Question 16. What is the Parliament? Answer: Parliament is the Supreme law—making body of India Question 17. Name the two houses of the Parliament. Answer: The two houses are—Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. Question 18, Who is the Supreme Cammander of the defence forces of India? Answer: ‘The President is the Supreme Commander of the defence force of India Question 19, ‘What does ‘Office Memorandum’ mean? Answer: A communication issued by an appropriate authority stating the policy or decision of the government. Question 20. What is the role of the President of India? Answer: The President is the Executive head of the state and is the highest formal authority in the country Question 21. ‘What do you know about Mandal Commission? Answer: Mandal Commission 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. Question 22. Who have the power to interpret the Constitution of the country? Answer: The Supreme Court and the High Court have power to interpret the constitution of the country. Question 23. Why does the political executive have more powers than the permanent executive? Answer:Itis because political executive consists of the direct representatives of the people. Question 24. Who were against Mandal Commission’s Recommendations? Answer: Some of the people felt that this commission's recommendations were quite unfair as it would deny equality of opportunity to those who did not belong to backward communities. They would be denied jobs even though they could be more qualified. Question 25. What do you understand by an executive? Answer: 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. alll those functionaries are collectively known as the executive. Question 26. What do you mean by judiciary? Answer: All the Courts at different levels in a country put together are called the judiciary. Question 27. What do you understand by public interest litigation? Answer: Anyone can approach the courts if publie interest is hurt by the actions of government. This is called public interest litigation Question 28. Who are Cabinet Ministers? Answer: Cabinet Ministers are usually top-level leaders of the ruling party or parties who are in-charge of the major ministries. Question 29. What do you understand by the term “Political Executive"? Answer: The one that is elected by the people for a specific period, is called political executive. Question 30. What do you mean by “Permanent Executive’?Answer: Permanent Executive members are appointed on a long-term basi category is also called civil services. This Question 31. What is judicial review? Answer: The Supreme Court and the High Courts can declare invalid any law or action of the legislature, if they find such a law or action is against the constitution. 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 judicial review Question 32. Name the three organs of the Government. Answer: « Executive * Legislative * Judiciary Question 33. Who is the head of the state and the head of the government? Answer: The President is the head of the state whereas Prime Minister is the head of the government. Question 34, What is a Parliament? Name the two houses of the Parliament. Answer: Itis the supreme law making body of India. It has two Houses * Lok Sabha * Rajya Sabha, Question 35. What are institutions? Answer: ‘The arrangements which are made in modern democracies to run the government. Question 36. Name any three institutions responsible to run the democratic governmentin India. Answer: © The Prime Minister and the Cabinet. © The Civil Servant. «The Supreme Court. Question 37. Name the institution where disputes between citizens and the government are finally settled. Answer: The Supreme Court. Question 38. Why democratic governments insist on institutions? Give two reasons. Answer: © Institutions involve rules and regulations, ¢ Institutions bind the hands of the rulers as these involve meetings, committees and routines. Question 39, Which House has more power regarding the money bill? Give reason. Answer: The Lok Sabha exercises more powers in money matters. Once the Lok Sabha passes the budget of 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 Question 40. Explain No Confidence Motion. Answer: Only a person who enjoys the support of the majority of the members of the Lok Sabha is appointed as the Prime Minister. If a no confidence motion is moved in the Lok Sabha, and passed, then,the Government has to resign. Question 41. With reference to the Rajya Sabha answer the following questions (i) What is its power relating to money bill? (ii) Can it pass a No-Confidence Motion? Answer: (i) A Money bill can originate only in the Lok Sabha, When it isthe Rajya Sabha, it cannot reject it. The Rajya Sabha can delay it for 14 days. (ii) No, Rajya Sabha cannot pass the No-confidence Motion. Question 42. Define Executive. [CBSE 2015] Answer: At different levels of any government we find functionaries who take day-to-day decisions, but do not exercise the supreme power on behalf of the people. All those functionaries are collectively known as the executive. Question 43. ‘Who appoints the Prime Minister? Answer: ‘The Prime Minister is appointed by the President Question 44. ‘What is the tenure of the Prime Minister? Answer: The Prime Minister does not have a fixed tenure. Normally a Prime Minister is elected for 5 years, but remains in power till he enjoys the majority support. Question 45. Who are Cabinet Ministers?[CBSE 2013, 14] Answer: They are usually the top level leaders of the ruling party or parties, who are in charge of the major ministries like Defence, Railway, Foreign Affairs ete, Normally, all the major decisions are taken by these ministers. Question 46. What is judiciary? [CBSE 2015] Answer: All the courts at different levels in a country are called the judiciary. Question 47. Which is the highest court of India’? Answer: ‘The Supreme Court. Question 48. “The Constitution of India has made necessary provisions for ensuringindependence of judiciary.” Justify your answer by giving two reasons. Answer: © The judges are appointed by the executive on the basis of the prescribed qualifications, and according to a well established procedure, © The Judges cannot be removed at the whims of the executive. Question 49, Who appoints the Chief Justice of India and the other judges? Answer: The President of India appoints the Chief Justice of India, The President consults other Judges of the Supreme Court and the High Courts while making appointments of other judges. Question 50, State any two powers of the Supreme Court of India. Answer: © The Supreme Court acts as the guardian of fundamental rights. * Itacts as a guardian of the Constitution. Question 51. What is the composition of Indian judiciary? Answer: * The Supreme Court. © The High Court. © The District Court.’1) Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) Question 1. If you are elected as the President of India which of the following decision can you take on your own? (a) Select the person you like as Prime Minister. (b) Dismiss a Prime Minister who has a majority in the Lok Sabha. (©) Ask for reconsideration of a bill passed by both the Houses. (a) Nominate the leaders of your choice to the Council of Ministers. Answer: (c) Ask for reconsideration of a bill passed by both the Houses. Question 2. Who among the following is a part of the political executive? (a) District Collector (b) Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs. (e) Home Minister (a) Director General of Police Answer: (©) Home Minister Question 3. Which of the following statements about the judiciary is false? (a) Every law passed by the Parliament needs approval of the Supreme Court (b) Judiciary can strike down a law if it goes against the spirit of the Con n (©) Judiciary is independent of the Executive (a) Any citizen can approach the courts if her rights are violated Answer: (a) Every law passed by the Parliament needs approval of the Supreme Court© Question 4, Which of the following institutions can make changes to an existing law of the country? (a) The Supreme Court (b) The President (©) The Prime Minister (@) The Parliament Answer: (@) The Parliament © Question ‘Match the ministry with the news that the ministry may have released: [(a) A now policy is being made to increase the jute exports from the country |) Ministry of Defence [(b) Telephone services will be made more{(ii) Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Juccessible to rural areas, [Public Distribution \(c) The price of rice and wheat sold under| the Public Distribution System will go Git) Ministry of Health Joa) A pal launched. © polio campaign will be lv) Ministry of Commerce and Industry [(e) The allowances of the soldiers posted [(v) Ministry of Communications and information Technology © Answer: (a) 0), (10), (Gi), (A) “Liii), (0) + Question 6. fall the institutions we have studied in this chapter, name the one that es the powers on each of the following matte (a) Decision on allocation of money for developing infrastructure like roads, irrigation ete, and different welfare activities for the citizens (b) Considers the recommendation of a Committee on « law to regulate the stock exchange (©) Decides on a legal dispute between two state governments (d) Implements the decision to provide relief for the victims of an earthquake Answer: (a) The prime minister and the Council of Minister (b) The Parliament (©) Supreme Court of India (d) The Civil Servants working together.© Question 7. Why is the Prime Minister in India not directly elected by the people? Choose the most appropriate answer and give reasons for your choice. (a) In a Parliamentary democracy only the leader of the majority party in the Lok Sabha can become the Prime Minister. (b) Lok Sabha can remove the Prime Minister and the Couneil of Ministers even before the expiry of their term. (c) Since the Prime Minister is appointed by the President there is no need for it (d) Direct election of the Prime Minister will involve a lot of expenditure on clections. Answer: (a) Blections are not fought for the post of the Prime Minister. Only parties fight elections and the majority party’s leader becomes the Prime Minister. In a Parliamentary democracy, only the leader of the majority party in the Lok Sabha can become the Prime Minister. Question 1. Who exercises all governmental powers? (a) President (b) Prime Minister (c) Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. (d) Chief Election Commission Answer: (b) Prime Minister Question 2. The Second Backward Classes Commission was appointed by the government of India in (a) 1979 (b) 1981 (©) 1985 (a) 1999 Answer: (a) 1979 Question 3. Which one of the following statement about the President is wrong? (a) He is the head of the state. (b) He is the highest formal authority in the country. (c) He exercises only nominal powers (d) He is elected directly by the people. Answer: (d) He is elected directly by the people.Question 4. The strength of the Couneil of Ministers ranges from (a) 60 to 80 (b) 60 to 100 {c) 70 to 85, (d) 80 to 100 Answer: (a) 60 to 80 Question 5 Once the Lok Sabha passes the budget of the government or any other money related law, the Rajya Sabha cannot rejected it. The Rajya Sabha can only delay it by (a) 14 days (b) 15 days (d) 17 days Answer: (a) 14 days Question 6. ‘When was the Second Backward Class Commission apps (a) 1989 (b) 1979 (©) 1999 (d) 2001 wer: (b) 1979 Question 7. What do the Civil Servants do? (a) They take important policy decisions (b) They implement the m (c) They settle the disputes (@) none of the above Answer: (b) They implement the ministers’ decisions Question 8. What is ‘Parliament’? (a) Assembly of elected rep (b) A body con (c) Body comp @s sentatives at the national level ing of appointed ministers judges ssembly of only appointed members Answer: (a) Assembly of elected representatives at the national levelQuestion 9. Apart from Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, who else constitutes the Parliament? (a) Prime Minister (b) Chief Minister (©) Governor (¢) President Answer: (d) President Question 10. For how long can the Rajya Sabha delay a Money Bill? (a) 15 days () 1 month (c) 3 months (6) 14 days Answer: (d) 14 days Question 1 ‘Who appoints the judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts? (a) President, according to his own wishes (b) President, on the advice of the PM. (c) President on the advice of the PM in consultation with the Chief Justice of India (6) None of the above Answer: (c) President on the advice of the PM in consultation with the Chief Justice of India Question 12. Two features of Indian judicial system are: (a) Independent Judiciary (b) Integrated Judiciary (c) Dependent Judiciary (4) Both (a) and (b) Answer: (d) Both (a) and (b) Question 13. Which of the following institutions can make changes to the existing law of the country? (a) The Supreme Court (b) The President (c) The Prime Minister (¢) The ParliamentAnswer: (d) The Parliament Question 14. Which body acts as the guardian of Fundamental Rights? (a) District Courts (b) Supreme Court (c) Election Commission Answer: (b) Supreme Court Question 15. Why does the pol executive? (a) Because hardly any expertise is required in taking policy decisions (b) Because political executive consists of the direct representatives of the people (c) Political leaders are more educated (d) None of the above al executive have more powers than the permanent Answer: (b) Because political executive consists of the direct representatives of the people Question 16. Whom does the President appoint as the Prime Minister? (a) Anyone he likes (b) Leader of the majority party (c) MP who has secured the largest number of votes (d) None of the above Answer: (b) Leader of the majority party Question 17. What is the government formed by an alliance of two or more political parties called? (a) Cooperation government (b) Coalition government (c) Consensus government (d) Cooperative government Answer: (b) Coalition government Question 18. Which of these options is/are correct regarding the powers of the Prime Minister?(a) He chairs the Cabinet meetings (b) He distributes work to the different departments (c) He can dismiss ministers (d) All the above Answer: (d) All the above Question 19. Which of the following statements is not true? (a) The Judiciary safeguards the laws (b) The Legislature implements the laws (c) The political executives are more powerful than the permanent executives (d) The permanent executives comprises the civil servants Answer: (b) The Legislature implements the laws Question 20. The president of India is elected by (a) Direct Election by citizens ... 18 years of age (b) Indirect Election by the Electoral College (c) The Prime Minister and the Couneil of Ministers (d) None of the above Answer: (b) Indirect Election by the Electoral College Question 21. The judges of Supreme Court are appointed by (a) President (b) Prime Minister (c) Chief Justice (d) Law Minister Answer: (a) President Question 22. Which institution settles where disputes between citizens and the government are settled? (A) the Supreme Court (B) the Parliament (C) the Cabinet (D) the Lok Sabha Answer: (A) the Supreme Court Question 23. If bill is passed by parliament it becomes law after the consent? (A) The Prime Minister(B) The Council of Minister (C) The President (D) The Lok sabha Answer: (C) The Pr Question 24, For how many days can the Rajya Sabha delay a money bill? (A) 10 days (B) 12 da (©) 14 days (D) II days Answer: (C) 14 days Question 25. Which is the most important political i (A) Prime Minister (B) The President (C) The council of member (D) The Parliament tution in the country? Answer: (A) Prime Minister Question 26. Why are all the decisions in a democraey taken by political executives? (A) They are more educated (B) They are elected by the people (©) They have more experience than the permanent executives, (D) They are more powerful Answer: (B) They are elected by the people Question 27. Sometime a person who is not a member of the parliament can also become a minister but such a person has to get elected to one of the Houses of the parliament within (A) one year (B) six months (©) three months (D) two month Answer: (B) six months Question 28. ‘What is the official name for the body that includes all the Ministers? (A) Council of Ministers (B) Government(©) The Parliament (D) Lok Sabha Answer: (A) Council of Ministers Question 29. Who supervises the overall functioning of all the political institutions? (A) The Prime Minister (B) The President (C) The Parliament (D) Lok Sabha Answer: (B) The President Question 30. The president of India exercises all the powers only on the advice of (A) The Prime Minister (B) The council of Ministers (C) The Parliament (D) The Lok Sabha Answer: Question 3 Who appoints the judges of the Supreme Court? (A) The Prime Minister (B) The President (C) The Council of Minister (D) The Cabinet Answer: (B) The President