NCERT Textbook: The State, the Government, and You

 Page 1


143
Governance and Democracy 
6 – The State, the Government, and You
The State, the 
Government, and You
The greatest punishment for being unwilling to rule is 
being ruled by someone worse than oneself.
– Socrates, Greek philosopher
 (in ‘The Republic’ by Plato c. 380 BCE)
1.	 What 	 is 	 the 	 di??er ence 	 between 	 a	
state and a government?
2.	 What 	 is 	 the 	 di??er ence 	 between	
a democracy and a republic? 
What makes India a democratic 
republic?
3. How do citizens engage with the 
government in day-to-day life? 
How can one make government 
work for the people?
The Big    
 Questions
CHAPTER
6
Fig. 6.1. The government and us
Chapter 6.indd   143 Chapter 6.indd   143 11/27/2025   12:30:41 PM 11/27/2025   12:30:41 PM
Page 2


143
Governance and Democracy 
6 – The State, the Government, and You
The State, the 
Government, and You
The greatest punishment for being unwilling to rule is 
being ruled by someone worse than oneself.
– Socrates, Greek philosopher
 (in ‘The Republic’ by Plato c. 380 BCE)
1.	 What 	 is 	 the 	 di??er ence 	 between 	 a	
state and a government?
2.	 What 	 is 	 the 	 di??er ence 	 between	
a democracy and a republic? 
What makes India a democratic 
republic?
3. How do citizens engage with the 
government in day-to-day life? 
How can one make government 
work for the people?
The Big    
 Questions
CHAPTER
6
Fig. 6.1. The government and us
Chapter 6.indd   143 Chapter 6.indd   143 11/27/2025   12:30:41 PM 11/27/2025   12:30:41 PM
144
Exploring Society: India and Beyond | Grade 7 Part 2
LET’S REMEMBER
This is an illustration from your Grade 
6 textbook. Do you recall that we 
discussed the need for a system of 
governance, commonly referred 
to as a government? There 
are three main functions that 
governments perform — making 
laws (legislature), carrying 
out laws and making policies 
(executive), and ensuring laws are 
followed (judiciary). We also looked brie??y 
at the three levels of government in India and their functions.
In the chapter ‘From the Rulers to the Ruled: Types of 
Government’ in Part 1 of this textbook, we also came across 
some of the di??erent forms of government in the world. We 
learned about democratic, monarchic, theocratic, dictatorial, 
and oligarchic forms of government, and how they function 
di??erently. Can you recount some of the di??erences? 
Judiciary
Legisla ture
Executive
Governance
Fig. 6.2. 
In this chapter, we will look closely at the di??erence between a 
‘state’ and a ‘government’, the di??erence between ‘democracy’ 
and ‘republic’, and how our government is structured.
What is a State?
A state (or a nation) is a political organisation that has the 
authority to govern a de??ned territory and its population.
A state has four important parts:
People –  
the citizens 
who live in the 
country
Land – 
a ??xed area 
or territory
Government 
– a system 
to run the 
country
Sovereignty – the full 
power to make laws and 
take decisions without 
any outside control
Fig. 6.3. The four important parts of the state.
Chapter 6.indd   144 Chapter 6.indd   144 11/27/2025   12:30:42 PM 11/27/2025   12:30:42 PM
Page 3


143
Governance and Democracy 
6 – The State, the Government, and You
The State, the 
Government, and You
The greatest punishment for being unwilling to rule is 
being ruled by someone worse than oneself.
– Socrates, Greek philosopher
 (in ‘The Republic’ by Plato c. 380 BCE)
1.	 What 	 is 	 the 	 di??er ence 	 between 	 a	
state and a government?
2.	 What 	 is 	 the 	 di??er ence 	 between	
a democracy and a republic? 
What makes India a democratic 
republic?
3. How do citizens engage with the 
government in day-to-day life? 
How can one make government 
work for the people?
The Big    
 Questions
CHAPTER
6
Fig. 6.1. The government and us
Chapter 6.indd   143 Chapter 6.indd   143 11/27/2025   12:30:41 PM 11/27/2025   12:30:41 PM
144
Exploring Society: India and Beyond | Grade 7 Part 2
LET’S REMEMBER
This is an illustration from your Grade 
6 textbook. Do you recall that we 
discussed the need for a system of 
governance, commonly referred 
to as a government? There 
are three main functions that 
governments perform — making 
laws (legislature), carrying 
out laws and making policies 
(executive), and ensuring laws are 
followed (judiciary). We also looked brie??y 
at the three levels of government in India and their functions.
In the chapter ‘From the Rulers to the Ruled: Types of 
Government’ in Part 1 of this textbook, we also came across 
some of the di??erent forms of government in the world. We 
learned about democratic, monarchic, theocratic, dictatorial, 
and oligarchic forms of government, and how they function 
di??erently. Can you recount some of the di??erences? 
Judiciary
Legisla ture
Executive
Governance
Fig. 6.2. 
In this chapter, we will look closely at the di??erence between a 
‘state’ and a ‘government’, the di??erence between ‘democracy’ 
and ‘republic’, and how our government is structured.
What is a State?
A state (or a nation) is a political organisation that has the 
authority to govern a de??ned territory and its population.
A state has four important parts:
People –  
the citizens 
who live in the 
country
Land – 
a ??xed area 
or territory
Government 
– a system 
to run the 
country
Sovereignty – the full 
power to make laws and 
take decisions without 
any outside control
Fig. 6.3. The four important parts of the state.
Chapter 6.indd   144 Chapter 6.indd   144 11/27/2025   12:30:42 PM 11/27/2025   12:30:42 PM
145
Governance and Democracy 
6 – The State, the Government, and You
Fig. 6.4.
We often hear the words ‘state’ and ‘government’ used as if 
they mean the same thing. But they are not truly the same, even 
though they are closely related.
Roshini didi, today we had a class on the difference between a state and a government. 
I am a bit confused. Since you are studying Political Science in college, can you tell me 
why it is important to have a permanent population for a place to become a state? Can a 
state not be a place where people can just go, visit, and come back?
First, without people, meaning a population, there can be no state. Second, if people just 
go visit and then move on then they are like tourists, with no identification with the place 
nor anything that is common and shared?—?they don’t live together. But when people 
identify with a place or a territory, and usually live there, then they form a permanent 
population. Such a group of people?—?the permanent population?—?then develops its own 
culture and society, which also identifies with that geographically defined territory?—?the 
place where they live.
What exactly is a 
geographically de??ned 
territory?
So, population 
and territory 
as a part 
of the state 
are clear. That 
also then explains why 
the government is a part 
of the state, but it is not 
the state. Because people 
live together, they need 
laws to be made and 
implemented for the state to 
function, which is what the 
government does.
What does 
sovereignty mean, 
and why is it essential 
for a state?
It is a place, a 
geographical area,  
that has clear 
boundaries. The 
boundaries are not 
necessarily geographical 
features but sort of lines 
that are agreed upon by 
the neighbouring states 
that separate these 
states.
Sovereignty means that the state has complete control over its own 
matters and is able to make and implement laws in accordance with 
its own needs. No other state or external body can interfere in the 
internal a??airs of that state. This is why sovereignty is an essential 
feature of a state.
Chapter 6.indd   145 Chapter 6.indd   145 29-11-2025   10:42:46 29-11-2025   10:42:46
Page 4


143
Governance and Democracy 
6 – The State, the Government, and You
The State, the 
Government, and You
The greatest punishment for being unwilling to rule is 
being ruled by someone worse than oneself.
– Socrates, Greek philosopher
 (in ‘The Republic’ by Plato c. 380 BCE)
1.	 What 	 is 	 the 	 di??er ence 	 between 	 a	
state and a government?
2.	 What 	 is 	 the 	 di??er ence 	 between	
a democracy and a republic? 
What makes India a democratic 
republic?
3. How do citizens engage with the 
government in day-to-day life? 
How can one make government 
work for the people?
The Big    
 Questions
CHAPTER
6
Fig. 6.1. The government and us
Chapter 6.indd   143 Chapter 6.indd   143 11/27/2025   12:30:41 PM 11/27/2025   12:30:41 PM
144
Exploring Society: India and Beyond | Grade 7 Part 2
LET’S REMEMBER
This is an illustration from your Grade 
6 textbook. Do you recall that we 
discussed the need for a system of 
governance, commonly referred 
to as a government? There 
are three main functions that 
governments perform — making 
laws (legislature), carrying 
out laws and making policies 
(executive), and ensuring laws are 
followed (judiciary). We also looked brie??y 
at the three levels of government in India and their functions.
In the chapter ‘From the Rulers to the Ruled: Types of 
Government’ in Part 1 of this textbook, we also came across 
some of the di??erent forms of government in the world. We 
learned about democratic, monarchic, theocratic, dictatorial, 
and oligarchic forms of government, and how they function 
di??erently. Can you recount some of the di??erences? 
Judiciary
Legisla ture
Executive
Governance
Fig. 6.2. 
In this chapter, we will look closely at the di??erence between a 
‘state’ and a ‘government’, the di??erence between ‘democracy’ 
and ‘republic’, and how our government is structured.
What is a State?
A state (or a nation) is a political organisation that has the 
authority to govern a de??ned territory and its population.
A state has four important parts:
People –  
the citizens 
who live in the 
country
Land – 
a ??xed area 
or territory
Government 
– a system 
to run the 
country
Sovereignty – the full 
power to make laws and 
take decisions without 
any outside control
Fig. 6.3. The four important parts of the state.
Chapter 6.indd   144 Chapter 6.indd   144 11/27/2025   12:30:42 PM 11/27/2025   12:30:42 PM
145
Governance and Democracy 
6 – The State, the Government, and You
Fig. 6.4.
We often hear the words ‘state’ and ‘government’ used as if 
they mean the same thing. But they are not truly the same, even 
though they are closely related.
Roshini didi, today we had a class on the difference between a state and a government. 
I am a bit confused. Since you are studying Political Science in college, can you tell me 
why it is important to have a permanent population for a place to become a state? Can a 
state not be a place where people can just go, visit, and come back?
First, without people, meaning a population, there can be no state. Second, if people just 
go visit and then move on then they are like tourists, with no identification with the place 
nor anything that is common and shared?—?they don’t live together. But when people 
identify with a place or a territory, and usually live there, then they form a permanent 
population. Such a group of people?—?the permanent population?—?then develops its own 
culture and society, which also identifies with that geographically defined territory?—?the 
place where they live.
What exactly is a 
geographically de??ned 
territory?
So, population 
and territory 
as a part 
of the state 
are clear. That 
also then explains why 
the government is a part 
of the state, but it is not 
the state. Because people 
live together, they need 
laws to be made and 
implemented for the state to 
function, which is what the 
government does.
What does 
sovereignty mean, 
and why is it essential 
for a state?
It is a place, a 
geographical area,  
that has clear 
boundaries. The 
boundaries are not 
necessarily geographical 
features but sort of lines 
that are agreed upon by 
the neighbouring states 
that separate these 
states.
Sovereignty means that the state has complete control over its own 
matters and is able to make and implement laws in accordance with 
its own needs. No other state or external body can interfere in the 
internal a??airs of that state. This is why sovereignty is an essential 
feature of a state.
Chapter 6.indd   145 Chapter 6.indd   145 29-11-2025   10:42:46 29-11-2025   10:42:46
146
Exploring Society: India and Beyond | Grade 7 Part 2
So, a state has four features — a de??ned territory, a permanent 
population, a government, and sovereignty.
DON’T MISS OUT
In India, the word ‘state’ can refer to the Indian State or to 
our subnational units like Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu or Kerala 
(e.g., the State of Kerala). Except in such cases, we have used 
‘state’ rather than ‘State’ in this chapter, following current 
usage.
What is a Government?
The government is a group of people or a system that runs the 
country. It includes leaders, ministers, and o??cials who,
 ? make laws,
 ? enforce laws,
 ? resolve disputes.
Fig. 6.5. Aerial view of the 
Parliament of India
The government is just one part of the 
state. It can change after elections, but 
the state remains the same. Think of the 
state as a school, and the government as 
the principal and teachers. Teachers may 
come and go, but the school remains.
Why are these two words used 
interchangeably?
In real life, we often say “the state did 
this” or “the government decided that” as 
if they mean the same thing. This is because 
the government acts on behalf of the state, 
and is the face of the state that we see in action every day.
So, while the words are di??erent in meaning, people often mix 
them up because —
 ? the government runs the daily work of the state;
 ? we usually interact with the government, not the whole 
state.
Chapter 6.indd   146 Chapter 6.indd   146 11/27/2025   12:30:43 PM 11/27/2025   12:30:43 PM
Page 5


143
Governance and Democracy 
6 – The State, the Government, and You
The State, the 
Government, and You
The greatest punishment for being unwilling to rule is 
being ruled by someone worse than oneself.
– Socrates, Greek philosopher
 (in ‘The Republic’ by Plato c. 380 BCE)
1.	 What 	 is 	 the 	 di??er ence 	 between 	 a	
state and a government?
2.	 What 	 is 	 the 	 di??er ence 	 between	
a democracy and a republic? 
What makes India a democratic 
republic?
3. How do citizens engage with the 
government in day-to-day life? 
How can one make government 
work for the people?
The Big    
 Questions
CHAPTER
6
Fig. 6.1. The government and us
Chapter 6.indd   143 Chapter 6.indd   143 11/27/2025   12:30:41 PM 11/27/2025   12:30:41 PM
144
Exploring Society: India and Beyond | Grade 7 Part 2
LET’S REMEMBER
This is an illustration from your Grade 
6 textbook. Do you recall that we 
discussed the need for a system of 
governance, commonly referred 
to as a government? There 
are three main functions that 
governments perform — making 
laws (legislature), carrying 
out laws and making policies 
(executive), and ensuring laws are 
followed (judiciary). We also looked brie??y 
at the three levels of government in India and their functions.
In the chapter ‘From the Rulers to the Ruled: Types of 
Government’ in Part 1 of this textbook, we also came across 
some of the di??erent forms of government in the world. We 
learned about democratic, monarchic, theocratic, dictatorial, 
and oligarchic forms of government, and how they function 
di??erently. Can you recount some of the di??erences? 
Judiciary
Legisla ture
Executive
Governance
Fig. 6.2. 
In this chapter, we will look closely at the di??erence between a 
‘state’ and a ‘government’, the di??erence between ‘democracy’ 
and ‘republic’, and how our government is structured.
What is a State?
A state (or a nation) is a political organisation that has the 
authority to govern a de??ned territory and its population.
A state has four important parts:
People –  
the citizens 
who live in the 
country
Land – 
a ??xed area 
or territory
Government 
– a system 
to run the 
country
Sovereignty – the full 
power to make laws and 
take decisions without 
any outside control
Fig. 6.3. The four important parts of the state.
Chapter 6.indd   144 Chapter 6.indd   144 11/27/2025   12:30:42 PM 11/27/2025   12:30:42 PM
145
Governance and Democracy 
6 – The State, the Government, and You
Fig. 6.4.
We often hear the words ‘state’ and ‘government’ used as if 
they mean the same thing. But they are not truly the same, even 
though they are closely related.
Roshini didi, today we had a class on the difference between a state and a government. 
I am a bit confused. Since you are studying Political Science in college, can you tell me 
why it is important to have a permanent population for a place to become a state? Can a 
state not be a place where people can just go, visit, and come back?
First, without people, meaning a population, there can be no state. Second, if people just 
go visit and then move on then they are like tourists, with no identification with the place 
nor anything that is common and shared?—?they don’t live together. But when people 
identify with a place or a territory, and usually live there, then they form a permanent 
population. Such a group of people?—?the permanent population?—?then develops its own 
culture and society, which also identifies with that geographically defined territory?—?the 
place where they live.
What exactly is a 
geographically de??ned 
territory?
So, population 
and territory 
as a part 
of the state 
are clear. That 
also then explains why 
the government is a part 
of the state, but it is not 
the state. Because people 
live together, they need 
laws to be made and 
implemented for the state to 
function, which is what the 
government does.
What does 
sovereignty mean, 
and why is it essential 
for a state?
It is a place, a 
geographical area,  
that has clear 
boundaries. The 
boundaries are not 
necessarily geographical 
features but sort of lines 
that are agreed upon by 
the neighbouring states 
that separate these 
states.
Sovereignty means that the state has complete control over its own 
matters and is able to make and implement laws in accordance with 
its own needs. No other state or external body can interfere in the 
internal a??airs of that state. This is why sovereignty is an essential 
feature of a state.
Chapter 6.indd   145 Chapter 6.indd   145 29-11-2025   10:42:46 29-11-2025   10:42:46
146
Exploring Society: India and Beyond | Grade 7 Part 2
So, a state has four features — a de??ned territory, a permanent 
population, a government, and sovereignty.
DON’T MISS OUT
In India, the word ‘state’ can refer to the Indian State or to 
our subnational units like Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu or Kerala 
(e.g., the State of Kerala). Except in such cases, we have used 
‘state’ rather than ‘State’ in this chapter, following current 
usage.
What is a Government?
The government is a group of people or a system that runs the 
country. It includes leaders, ministers, and o??cials who,
 ? make laws,
 ? enforce laws,
 ? resolve disputes.
Fig. 6.5. Aerial view of the 
Parliament of India
The government is just one part of the 
state. It can change after elections, but 
the state remains the same. Think of the 
state as a school, and the government as 
the principal and teachers. Teachers may 
come and go, but the school remains.
Why are these two words used 
interchangeably?
In real life, we often say “the state did 
this” or “the government decided that” as 
if they mean the same thing. This is because 
the government acts on behalf of the state, 
and is the face of the state that we see in action every day.
So, while the words are di??erent in meaning, people often mix 
them up because —
 ? the government runs the daily work of the state;
 ? we usually interact with the government, not the whole 
state.
Chapter 6.indd   146 Chapter 6.indd   146 11/27/2025   12:30:43 PM 11/27/2025   12:30:43 PM
147
Governance and Democracy 
6 – The State, the Government, and You
Fig. 6.6. A simpli??ed diagram illustrating the various interactions between the 
people, police and di??erent organs of government in India
Enforce the 
law, maintain 
peace, protect 
citizens; 
investigate and 
present cases 
to the judiciary
The Constitution, 
laws and courts 
protect people’s 
rights and ensure 
justice
Elect 
leaders to 
represent 
them
PEOPLE
PEOPLE
Judicary
Executive
Police
People, police, and the government
You might have seen police in your daily life and in the movies. Are 
they a part of the government? What do they do? Do citizens have 
any control over them?
The police in India are responsible for maintaining law and order 
within each state. They are part of the state government and work 
directly with local communities in towns, cities, and villages. They 
are agents of the state who can legally use force to ensure that people 
live in a safe and secure environment, free from crime and violence.
The police work closely with courts, prisons, and other parts of the 
criminal justice system. Beyond crime control, the police contribute to 
social change by promoting safety, justice, and a better quality of life. For 
example, awareness programs on road safety, drug abuse, and women’s 
safety are part of their work. However , they must respect and protect the 
rights guaranteed under the Constitution.
Legislature
Chapter 6.indd   147 Chapter 6.indd   147 11/27/2025   12:30:44 PM 11/27/2025   12:30:44 PM