SST – Grade 9

DEMOCRATIC POLITICS - I
CHAPTER 5- Working of Institutions
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1. Define Institution. Why do we need institutions?

OR
Why do democratic governments insist on institutions?

Arrangements made in all democracies to attend to different activities

carried out by the government are called institutions.

i) Institutions involve rules and regulations.

ii) They conduct meetings and committees.
iii) They provide an opportunity for a wider set of people to be consulted
in decision making.

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Additional Question

1. “If the Cabinet is the most powerful institution in India, within the
Cabinet, the Prime Minister is the most powerful.” Make a list of the
powers enjoyed by the Prime Minister. ( Pg.88 ) (H.W)
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2. Examine the major decision makers in India.

i) The President- Head of the State and the highest formal authority in the
country.
ii) The Prime Minister- The head of the government and exercises all
governmental powers.
iii) The parliament- Final authority for making laws.
iv) Civil servants who help the political executive to take decisions.

3. Enumerate the functions/powers of the Indian Parliament.

The Parliament is the National Assembly of elected representatives.

i) Final authority for making laws.

ii) Exercises full and direct control over those who run the government.
iii) Control all the money matters.
iv) Highest forum of discussion and debate on public issues and national
policy.
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Additional Question

. Discuss the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court. ( Pg. 91) (H.W)

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4. In our Constitution Lok Sabha exercises more power than Rajya

Sabha.Explain giving three reasons.

i) Any law needs to be passed by both the Houses. But since the Lok Sabha
has large number of members the view of Lok Sabha prevails.

ii) Lok Sabha exercises more powers in money matters. Once the
Lok Sabha passes the budget of the government , the Rajya Sabha cannot
reject it. The Rajya Sabha can only delay it by 14 days or suggest changes to it.
But Lok Sabha may or may not accept it.

iii) Lok Sabha controls the Council of ministers. If the majority of Lok Sabha
members have no confidence in ministers and PM, the government has to
resign.

5. Define Executive. Differentiate Political Executive and Permanent

Executive.

Functionaries of government who take day to day decisions but do not

exercise supreme power on behalf of the people are collectively known as
the executive.

Political executive Permanent Executive

1. Elected by the people for a 1. Appointed on a long term basis.

specific period. 2. Remain in office even when the
2. They have to quit when the ruling ruling party changes
party changes. 3. Always work under Political
3. Very powerful Executive
4. People elect them and hence they 4. Assist them in the decision
are empowered to exercise the making process.
will of the people. 5. Called Civil Servants
5. Answerable to people
6. Explain the major powers of the President.

i) All laws and major policy decisions of the government are issued
in his name.
ii) Appoints Chief Justice of India, Judges of Supreme Court and High Court,
Governors of States, Election Commissioners, Ambassadors to other
countries.
iii) All international treaties and agreements are made in the name of
the President.
iv) Supreme Commander of the defence forces of India.
v) Appoints the Prime Minister - When no party or coalition gets a
majority in the Lok Sabha the President appoints a leader who can win
the majority support in the Lok Sabha.
7. Evaluate the features/ powers of the supreme Court of India.
OR
How is the Judicial system organised in India? Mention its major
functions.
OR
“Judiciary acts as the guardian of Fundamental Rights.” Justify.

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.

i) Controls the judicial administration.

ii) Highest court of appeal in civil and criminal cases.
iii) Independent of legislature and executive.
iv) The judges of the Supreme Court and High Court are appointed by the
President on the advice of the PM and in consultation with the Chief
Justice of the Supreme Court.
v) The Supreme Court and the High Court have the power to determine
the constitutional validity of any legislation or action of the executive.

Additional Questions-

3. Examine the different types of ministers in the Council of

ministers.(Pg.87)
( Classwork / H.W)