Class 9 Civics Chapter 4 Extra Question Answers - Working of Institutions

1) What is SEBC?

Answer: SEBC stands for Socially and Economically Backward Classes. It is a category used by the government to identify groups that are socially disadvantaged and economically weaker, so that they can be given special support such as reservations in education and public employment.

2) What is the role of the President in India?

Answer: The President is the head of state and the highest formal authority in the country. The President performs largely ceremonial duties, represents the nation, and ensures that constitutional procedures are followed. Many executive actions are taken in the President’s name, but real day-to-day executive power is exercised by the Council of Ministers led by the Prime Minister.

3) What are the Prime Minister's powers in India?

Answer: The Prime Minister is the head of government and leads the Council of Ministers. The Prime Minister coordinates government policy, chairs cabinet meetings, guides the work of ministers and advises the President. In practice, the Prime Minister plays the main role in decision-making and running the administration.

4) What do you know about Mandal Commission?

Answer: The Mandal Commission was established to identify socially and educationally backward classes in India and to recommend measures for their advancement. Its main recommendation was to provide reservations in government jobs and educational institutions to improve representation of these communities.

5) Who agreed to the recommendations of Mandal Commission?

Answer: Many political leaders, social groups and members of communities identified as backward supported the Mandal Commission’s recommendations. They believed that reservations were necessary to correct historical inequalities and to provide fair opportunities in government employment and education to under‑represented communities.

6) Who all were against Mandal Commission’s Recommendations?

Answer: Some people opposed the recommendations because they felt reservations would be unfair to those who did not belong to backward communities. Critics argued that merit and equal opportunity would be compromised and that deserving candidates from non‑reserved groups could lose jobs or educational seats.

7) What is the role of government in a citizen's life?

Answer: The government is responsible for protecting citizens and providing essential services. This includes ensuring security, running public administration, and delivering services such as education and healthcare. The government raises revenue through taxes and uses these funds for defence, development programmes and welfare schemes to improve citizens’ lives.

8) Why do democratic governments insist on Institutions?

Answer: Democratic governments insist on institutions because they provide rules, procedures and checks that guide decision-making. Institutions may slow down decisions, but this prevents hasty or arbitrary actions and helps protect citizens’ rights. They also ensure accountability, continuity and wider consultation in important matters.

9) What is an assembly of elected representatives called in India?

Answer: At the national level an assembly of elected representatives is called the Parliament. At the state level it is called the Legislature or the Legislative Assembly. These bodies make laws and represent the people.

10) What is the role of Parliament in law making?

Answer: Parliament is the final authority for making, amending or repealing laws. It debates proposed laws (bills), approves them, and thus decides the legal rules that govern the country. Once a bill is passed by Parliament and receives presidential assent, it becomes law.

11) Which two houses form the parliament of one country?

Answer: The two houses are the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) and the House of the People (Lok Sabha). The President is part of Parliament for certain functions, though not a member of either house.

12) What is the length of the term of a government in India?

Answer: The normal term of the Lok Sabha and therefore of the central government is five years, unless it is dissolved earlier.

13) Can the houses be dissolved or is it permanent?

Answer: The Lok Sabha can be dissolved, for example if a no‑confidence motion succeeds or elections are called earlier. The Rajya Sabha is a permanent house and cannot be dissolved; its members retire in rotation.

14) How does Lok Sabha exercise money powers?

Answer: The Lok Sabha has greater authority over money matters. Money bills, including the budget, must be introduced in the Lok Sabha. The Rajya Sabha cannot reject a money bill; it can only suggest amendments and must return it within 14 days. The Lok Sabha may accept or reject those suggestions.

15) How does Lok Sabha exercise control over the Council of Ministers?

Answer: The Lok Sabha controls the Council of Ministers through confidence. If a majority of Lok Sabha members express no confidence in the government, the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers must resign. The Rajya Sabha does not have this power.

16) What is an executive?

Answer: The executive is the branch of government made up of officials who run the day‑to‑day administration. They implement laws and policies and make routine decisions on behalf of the government.

17) Why are they called as the Executive?

Answer: They are called the executive because they are responsible for the execution or implementation of the policies and laws made by the legislature.

18) What do you understand by the term 'Political Executive'?

Answer: The political executive consists of elected leaders, such as the Prime Minister and ministers, who hold office for a limited period and take major policy and political decisions on behalf of the people.

19) Who is called 'Permanent Executive'?

Answer: The permanent executive refers to civil servants and officials appointed on a long‑term basis. They remain in office across changes of government and assist the political executive in carrying out day‑to‑day administration.

20) Why does the political executive have more power than the non-political executive?

Answer: The political executive has more power because ministers are elected and thus politically accountable to the people. They set policy and make final decisions, even though civil servants may have greater technical knowledge and advise them.

21) Why should the minister have final say on important matters?

Answer: In a democracy the will of the people is supreme. Ministers are elected representatives who are answerable to the electorate, so they must have the final say on policy matters and be held accountable for the outcomes of those decisions.

22) How is the Prime Minister appointed?

Answer: The President appoints as Prime Minister the leader of the party or coalition that commands a majority in the Lok Sabha. This person is then invited to form the government.

23) How are Ministers chosen by the Prime Minister?

Answer: The Prime Minister selects ministers, usually from among members of the ruling party or coalition in Parliament. Ministers must be members of Parliament, or become members within a short time after their appointment.

24) What is a Council of Ministers?

Answer: The Council of Ministers is the collective body of all ministers, including Cabinet ministers, Ministers of State and Deputy Ministers. It typically comprises many ministers of different ranks who together run the executive branch.

25) Who are the Cabinet Ministers?

Answer: Cabinet Ministers are senior ministers who head major ministries and form the core decision‑making team. The cabinet represents the Council of Ministers and takes important policy decisions collectively.

26) Who are Ministers of State with independent charge?

Answer: Ministers of State with independent charge lead smaller ministries that do not have a Cabinet Minister. They are responsible for their departments and attend cabinet meetings only when invited for items concerning their charge.

27) Why is parliamentary democracy in most countries often known as the cabinet form of government?

Answer: Parliamentary democracy is often called the cabinet form of government because executive authority is exercised collectively by the cabinet. Cabinet ministers work as a team, accept collective responsibility and must support decisions made jointly, even if they had different views earlier.

28) How does the President act as Executive Head?

Answer: The President is the head of state and acts as the nominal or ceremonial executive head. The President represents national unity, performs ceremonial duties and ensures that constitutional machinery works smoothly while the real executive powers are exercised by the Council of Ministers.

29) How does President give his assent to a bill?

Answer: A bill passed by Parliament becomes law only after the President gives assent. The President may ask Parliament to reconsider the bill once. If Parliament passes the bill again, the President must assent and the bill becomes law.

30) What is called as 'The Judiciary'.

Answer: The Judiciary is the system of courts at different levels that interprets and applies the law. It resolves disputes and protects rights by giving legal remedies.

31) Which courts are covered under Indian Judiciary?

Answer: The Indian Judiciary includes the Supreme Court at the national level, High Courts in the states, and district and lower courts at the local level.

32) How is the chief justice of India appointed?

Answer: The Chief Justice of India is usually the senior most judge of the Supreme Court. Once appointed, judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts enjoy security of tenure and can be removed only by a special process.

33) How can a Judge be removed?

Answer: A judge can be removed only through an impeachment process by Parliament, requiring a special majority of two‑thirds of members of both Houses. This has never occurred in Indian history.

34) What is Judicial review?

Answer: Judicial review is the power of the courts, especially the Supreme Court, to examine and declare invalid any law or executive action that contradicts the Constitution. It ensures that legislative and executive actions follow constitutional limits.

35) How does Judiciary act as guardian of the Fundamental Rights?

Answer: The Judiciary protects citizens’ Fundamental Rights by hearing petitions and providing remedies if rights are violated. Citizens can approach the courts to seek justice and the courts can order corrective action.

36) Who are the major functionaries in India?

Answer: The major functionaries are:
(i) The President, the head of state and highest formal authority.
(ii) The Prime Minister, head of government who exercises executive powers and leads the Cabinet.
(iii) The Parliament, comprising Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, which makes laws and holds the government accountable.

37) Why had the Mandal Commission become a debatable issue in India?

Answer: The Mandal Commission became a matter of intense debate because:
(i) Newspapers and magazines carried many conflicting views.
(ii) It led to widespread protests and counter‑protests, sometimes violent.
(iii) The decision affected thousands of job and education opportunities.
(iv) Supporters argued reservations were needed to correct caste inequalities.
(v) Opponents argued it violated equal opportunity and merit.
(vi) Some feared it could harm social unity.

38) What is the need for political institutions?

Answer: Political institutions are needed because:
(i) The government must ensure security and provide public services such as education and health.
(ii) The government collects taxes and spends money on administration, defence and development.
(iii) Institutions organise how these tasks are carried out and how policies are made and implemented.

39) What are the basic powers and functions of each institution in India?

Answer: (i) The Prime Minister and Cabinet make important policy decisions.
(ii) Civil servants implement the decisions of ministers and handle day‑to‑day administration.
(iii) The Supreme Court settles disputes between citizens, between citizens and the government, between states, and between the Union and states, and upholds the Constitution.

40) State how working with institutions is not an easy task.

Answer: Working with institutions can be difficult because:
(i) Institutions have rules and procedures that can constrain leaders.
(ii) Meetings, committees and routines can cause delays and complications.
(iii) Such delays can be frustrating, but they allow wider consultation and reduce the risk of poor decisions.
(iv) Institutions make it harder to take decisions very quickly, but they also prevent rash or bad decisions from being forced through.