NCERT Textbook: The Parliamentary System: Legislature and Executive | Social Studies (SST) Class 8 PDF Download

 Page 1


139
Governance and Democracy
6 – The Parliamentary System: Legislature and Executive
CHAPTER
The Parliamentary System: 
Legislature and Executive
6
The Constitution is not a mere lawyer’s document; it is a 
vehicle of life, and its spirit is always the spirit of the age.
– Alladi Krishnaswami Ayyar 
November 1949, Constituent Assembly Debates
Fig. 6.1. Features of the new Parliament building
1. What is India’s 
parliamentary system, and 
how is it structured?
2. What are the key functions 
of the Parliament?
3. What are the roles of the 
legislature and the executive 
in India’s Parliamentary 
democracy?
4. How are the legislature and 
the executive organised at 
the union and state levels?
The Big
Questions
Chapter 6.indd   139 05-07-2025   17:26:52
Page 2


139
Governance and Democracy
6 – The Parliamentary System: Legislature and Executive
CHAPTER
The Parliamentary System: 
Legislature and Executive
6
The Constitution is not a mere lawyer’s document; it is a 
vehicle of life, and its spirit is always the spirit of the age.
– Alladi Krishnaswami Ayyar 
November 1949, Constituent Assembly Debates
Fig. 6.1. Features of the new Parliament building
1. What is India’s 
parliamentary system, and 
how is it structured?
2. What are the key functions 
of the Parliament?
3. What are the roles of the 
legislature and the executive 
in India’s Parliamentary 
democracy?
4. How are the legislature and 
the executive organised at 
the union and state levels?
The Big
Questions
Chapter 6.indd   139 05-07-2025   17:26:52
140
Exploring Society: India and Beyond | Grade 8 Part 1
It’s not 
square or 
round — it’s 
like a soft 
triangle!
It also uses green 
construction, cutting 
electricity use by 30 per cent.
The three-sided 
design reflects balance, 
inclusivity, and purpose.
The Grade 8 students from Nalanda Vidyalaya were on a school 
trip to Delhi. Usha, Sukhwinder, Anjali, John, and Farida were 
especially excited to visit the new Parliament building.
Inside, they saw 
walls decorated 
with carvings 
— peacocks, 
lotuses, tribal art, 
temple patterns, 
and freedom 
fighters.
Exactly, democracy must 
look ahead — but never 
forget its roots.
It feels like a museum of India.
The Ashokan emblem!
This 
new 
building 
houses 
so many 
ancient 
symbols!
Chapter 6.indd   140 05-07-2025   17:26:55
Page 3


139
Governance and Democracy
6 – The Parliamentary System: Legislature and Executive
CHAPTER
The Parliamentary System: 
Legislature and Executive
6
The Constitution is not a mere lawyer’s document; it is a 
vehicle of life, and its spirit is always the spirit of the age.
– Alladi Krishnaswami Ayyar 
November 1949, Constituent Assembly Debates
Fig. 6.1. Features of the new Parliament building
1. What is India’s 
parliamentary system, and 
how is it structured?
2. What are the key functions 
of the Parliament?
3. What are the roles of the 
legislature and the executive 
in India’s Parliamentary 
democracy?
4. How are the legislature and 
the executive organised at 
the union and state levels?
The Big
Questions
Chapter 6.indd   139 05-07-2025   17:26:52
140
Exploring Society: India and Beyond | Grade 8 Part 1
It’s not 
square or 
round — it’s 
like a soft 
triangle!
It also uses green 
construction, cutting 
electricity use by 30 per cent.
The three-sided 
design reflects balance, 
inclusivity, and purpose.
The Grade 8 students from Nalanda Vidyalaya were on a school 
trip to Delhi. Usha, Sukhwinder, Anjali, John, and Farida were 
especially excited to visit the new Parliament building.
Inside, they saw 
walls decorated 
with carvings 
— peacocks, 
lotuses, tribal art, 
temple patterns, 
and freedom 
fighters.
Exactly, democracy must 
look ahead — but never 
forget its roots.
It feels like a museum of India.
The Ashokan emblem!
This 
new 
building 
houses 
so many 
ancient 
symbols!
Chapter 6.indd   140 05-07-2025   17:26:55
141
Governance and Democracy
6 – The Parliamentary System: Legislature and Executive
Introduction
India’s independence was achieved 
through great sacrifices by many 
people of the country after years of 
struggle against colonial rule. The 
citizens of a free country could now 
make decisions about their own 
governance. The first important 
step in this new epoch in the life of 
our nation was the drafting of the 
Constitution of independent India. 
This comprehensive document laid 
foundational principles for the 
nation, including that of Universal 
Adult Franchise which guarantees 
all adult citizens of the country the 
right to vote irrespective of their 
social or economic background, 
gender, race, or religion.
The people of India directly elect 
their representatives who become 
members of the Lok Sabha. A 
majority group from among these 
elected representatives forms the 
government. The Parliament is the 
supreme legislative body of the 
government (it makes laws for the 
country). It comprises all elected 
representatives of the people and 
controls and guides the work of the 
government. The government can 
therefore be seen as functioning 
with the people’s consent. There 
have been 17 Lok Sabhas since the 
first one in 1952. The 18
th
 Lok Sabha 
was constituted in June 2024.
Fig. 6.3. The Parliament Building (Sansad 
Bhavan) in New Delhi was constructed 
to accommodate the growing needs 
including capacity, technology, 
sustainability and safety.  
Fig. 6.2. Our old Parliament (now called 
Samvidhan Sadan) building was constructed in 
the 1920s. The Constituent Assembly met there 
for its deliberations, and it served as Parliament 
House for over seven decades.
Chapter 6.indd   141 05-07-2025   17:26:56
Page 4


139
Governance and Democracy
6 – The Parliamentary System: Legislature and Executive
CHAPTER
The Parliamentary System: 
Legislature and Executive
6
The Constitution is not a mere lawyer’s document; it is a 
vehicle of life, and its spirit is always the spirit of the age.
– Alladi Krishnaswami Ayyar 
November 1949, Constituent Assembly Debates
Fig. 6.1. Features of the new Parliament building
1. What is India’s 
parliamentary system, and 
how is it structured?
2. What are the key functions 
of the Parliament?
3. What are the roles of the 
legislature and the executive 
in India’s Parliamentary 
democracy?
4. How are the legislature and 
the executive organised at 
the union and state levels?
The Big
Questions
Chapter 6.indd   139 05-07-2025   17:26:52
140
Exploring Society: India and Beyond | Grade 8 Part 1
It’s not 
square or 
round — it’s 
like a soft 
triangle!
It also uses green 
construction, cutting 
electricity use by 30 per cent.
The three-sided 
design reflects balance, 
inclusivity, and purpose.
The Grade 8 students from Nalanda Vidyalaya were on a school 
trip to Delhi. Usha, Sukhwinder, Anjali, John, and Farida were 
especially excited to visit the new Parliament building.
Inside, they saw 
walls decorated 
with carvings 
— peacocks, 
lotuses, tribal art, 
temple patterns, 
and freedom 
fighters.
Exactly, democracy must 
look ahead — but never 
forget its roots.
It feels like a museum of India.
The Ashokan emblem!
This 
new 
building 
houses 
so many 
ancient 
symbols!
Chapter 6.indd   140 05-07-2025   17:26:55
141
Governance and Democracy
6 – The Parliamentary System: Legislature and Executive
Introduction
India’s independence was achieved 
through great sacrifices by many 
people of the country after years of 
struggle against colonial rule. The 
citizens of a free country could now 
make decisions about their own 
governance. The first important 
step in this new epoch in the life of 
our nation was the drafting of the 
Constitution of independent India. 
This comprehensive document laid 
foundational principles for the 
nation, including that of Universal 
Adult Franchise which guarantees 
all adult citizens of the country the 
right to vote irrespective of their 
social or economic background, 
gender, race, or religion.
The people of India directly elect 
their representatives who become 
members of the Lok Sabha. A 
majority group from among these 
elected representatives forms the 
government. The Parliament is the 
supreme legislative body of the 
government (it makes laws for the 
country). It comprises all elected 
representatives of the people and 
controls and guides the work of the 
government. The government can 
therefore be seen as functioning 
with the people’s consent. There 
have been 17 Lok Sabhas since the 
first one in 1952. The 18
th
 Lok Sabha 
was constituted in June 2024.
Fig. 6.3. The Parliament Building (Sansad 
Bhavan) in New Delhi was constructed 
to accommodate the growing needs 
including capacity, technology, 
sustainability and safety.  
Fig. 6.2. Our old Parliament (now called 
Samvidhan Sadan) building was constructed in 
the 1920s. The Constituent Assembly met there 
for its deliberations, and it served as Parliament 
House for over seven decades.
Chapter 6.indd   141 05-07-2025   17:26:56
142
Exploring Society: India and Beyond | Grade 8 Part 1
Composition of the Parliament 
of India
The Indian Parliament is composed of the President and two 
houses: the Lok Sabha (House of the People / Lower House) and 
the Rajya Sabha (Council of States / Upper House). This structure 
with two houses is called a ‘bicameral’ system (‘bi’ means two, 
‘cameral’ means chamber / house). 
Fig. 6.4. Lok Sabha Chambers in 
the new Parliament building 
Fig. 6.5. A view of the Chamber of the 
Rajya Sabha taken from the Press Gallery 
LET’S REMEMBER
The people of India choose their representatives for the 
Lok Sabha through a direct election (based on universal 
adult suffrage). The maximum number of members of this 
House envisaged by the Constitution is 550. The Members of 
Parliament (MPs) in the Rajya Sabha are elected indirectly 
by the electoral college that you read about in the previous 
chapter. Both, the number of Rajya Sabha seats allocated and 
the number of MPs represented in the Lok Sabha, are based 
on the population of each state. 
Chapter 6.indd   142 05-07-2025   17:26:56
Page 5


139
Governance and Democracy
6 – The Parliamentary System: Legislature and Executive
CHAPTER
The Parliamentary System: 
Legislature and Executive
6
The Constitution is not a mere lawyer’s document; it is a 
vehicle of life, and its spirit is always the spirit of the age.
– Alladi Krishnaswami Ayyar 
November 1949, Constituent Assembly Debates
Fig. 6.1. Features of the new Parliament building
1. What is India’s 
parliamentary system, and 
how is it structured?
2. What are the key functions 
of the Parliament?
3. What are the roles of the 
legislature and the executive 
in India’s Parliamentary 
democracy?
4. How are the legislature and 
the executive organised at 
the union and state levels?
The Big
Questions
Chapter 6.indd   139 05-07-2025   17:26:52
140
Exploring Society: India and Beyond | Grade 8 Part 1
It’s not 
square or 
round — it’s 
like a soft 
triangle!
It also uses green 
construction, cutting 
electricity use by 30 per cent.
The three-sided 
design reflects balance, 
inclusivity, and purpose.
The Grade 8 students from Nalanda Vidyalaya were on a school 
trip to Delhi. Usha, Sukhwinder, Anjali, John, and Farida were 
especially excited to visit the new Parliament building.
Inside, they saw 
walls decorated 
with carvings 
— peacocks, 
lotuses, tribal art, 
temple patterns, 
and freedom 
fighters.
Exactly, democracy must 
look ahead — but never 
forget its roots.
It feels like a museum of India.
The Ashokan emblem!
This 
new 
building 
houses 
so many 
ancient 
symbols!
Chapter 6.indd   140 05-07-2025   17:26:55
141
Governance and Democracy
6 – The Parliamentary System: Legislature and Executive
Introduction
India’s independence was achieved 
through great sacrifices by many 
people of the country after years of 
struggle against colonial rule. The 
citizens of a free country could now 
make decisions about their own 
governance. The first important 
step in this new epoch in the life of 
our nation was the drafting of the 
Constitution of independent India. 
This comprehensive document laid 
foundational principles for the 
nation, including that of Universal 
Adult Franchise which guarantees 
all adult citizens of the country the 
right to vote irrespective of their 
social or economic background, 
gender, race, or religion.
The people of India directly elect 
their representatives who become 
members of the Lok Sabha. A 
majority group from among these 
elected representatives forms the 
government. The Parliament is the 
supreme legislative body of the 
government (it makes laws for the 
country). It comprises all elected 
representatives of the people and 
controls and guides the work of the 
government. The government can 
therefore be seen as functioning 
with the people’s consent. There 
have been 17 Lok Sabhas since the 
first one in 1952. The 18
th
 Lok Sabha 
was constituted in June 2024.
Fig. 6.3. The Parliament Building (Sansad 
Bhavan) in New Delhi was constructed 
to accommodate the growing needs 
including capacity, technology, 
sustainability and safety.  
Fig. 6.2. Our old Parliament (now called 
Samvidhan Sadan) building was constructed in 
the 1920s. The Constituent Assembly met there 
for its deliberations, and it served as Parliament 
House for over seven decades.
Chapter 6.indd   141 05-07-2025   17:26:56
142
Exploring Society: India and Beyond | Grade 8 Part 1
Composition of the Parliament 
of India
The Indian Parliament is composed of the President and two 
houses: the Lok Sabha (House of the People / Lower House) and 
the Rajya Sabha (Council of States / Upper House). This structure 
with two houses is called a ‘bicameral’ system (‘bi’ means two, 
‘cameral’ means chamber / house). 
Fig. 6.4. Lok Sabha Chambers in 
the new Parliament building 
Fig. 6.5. A view of the Chamber of the 
Rajya Sabha taken from the Press Gallery 
LET’S REMEMBER
The people of India choose their representatives for the 
Lok Sabha through a direct election (based on universal 
adult suffrage). The maximum number of members of this 
House envisaged by the Constitution is 550. The Members of 
Parliament (MPs) in the Rajya Sabha are elected indirectly 
by the electoral college that you read about in the previous 
chapter. Both, the number of Rajya Sabha seats allocated and 
the number of MPs represented in the Lok Sabha, are based 
on the population of each state. 
Chapter 6.indd   142 05-07-2025   17:26:56
143
Governance and Democracy
6 – The Parliamentary System: Legislature and Executive
DON’T MISS OUT
We are aware that several aspects 
of the Indian Constitution were 
drawn from the constitutions of 
other countries. Britain’s system 
inspired our system of Parliamentary 
democracy. However, there were 
also experiences that our freedom 
fighters and Constitution makers 
had ? the practical experience gained 
through participation in British 
colonial governance structures, even 
if in a very limited way, that provided 
familiarity with Parliamentary procedures; the memory of 
the ancient republics (maha¯janapadas); the village panchayats 
where elders made collective decisions, as we learnt in a 
previous chapter.
Extensive discussions took place during the making of the 
Constitution regarding whether India should have a bicameral 
system. It was felt that a single directly elected House would be 
inadequate to meet the challenges independent India would face. 
In the spirit of ‘federalism’, it was felt that a Council of States, 
the Rajya Sabha, was needed. The composition and process of 
election to the Rajya Sabha were also designed to be different. 
India practices federalism, which is a form of government where 
power is distributed between the centre, states, as well as local 
governments. This system helps to keep the balance between 
national unity and local interests.
Function
Each House of the Parliament has a presiding officer to ensure 
that debates and discussions are conducted in an orderly manner . 
In the Lok Sabha, the members elect a speaker, who conducts 
the sessions, allows members to speak, maintains discipline, 
and ensures that rules are followed. The Rajya Sabha is presided 
over by the Vice President of India, who acts as its chairperson.
DO
Fig. 6.6. Constitution 
of India
Chapter 6.indd   143 05-07-2025   17:26:57