Unit Test (Solutions): Working of Institutions | Social Studies (SST) Class 9 PDF Download

Time: 1 hour
M.M. 30
Attempt all questions.
Question numbers 1 to 5 carry 1 mark each.
Question numbers 6 to 8 carry 2 marks each.
Question numbers 9 to 11 carry 3 marks each.
Question numbers 12 & 13 carry 5 marks each.

Q1. Which institution is the highest forum for discussion and debate on public issues in India? (1 Mark) 
(a) Supreme Court 
(b) Parliament 
(c) Cabinet 
(d) President 

Ans: (b) 
Parliament is the highest forum for discussion and debate on public issues and national policy in India.

Q2. Who is the head of state in India? (1 Mark) 
(a) Prime Minister 
(b) President 
(c) Chief Justice 
(d) Lok Sabha Speaker 

Ans: (b) President 
The President is the head of the State and the highest formal authority in India.

Q3. What is the term length of Lok Sabha members? (1 Mark) 
(a) 6 years 
(b) 5 years 
(c) 4 years 
(d) Permanent 

Ans: (b)
The normal term of Lok Sabha members is five years from its first sitting.

Q4. Which body can declare a law invalid if it violates the Constitution? (1 Mark) 
(a) Cabinet 
(b) Parliament 
(c) Judiciary 
(d) Council of Ministers 

Ans: (c)
The Judiciary can declare any law invalid if it violates the Constitution.

Q5. What is the official name for the body that includes all ministers in India? (1 Mark) 
(a) Cabinet 
(b) Council of Ministers 
(c) Lok Sabha 
(d) Rajya Sabha 

Ans: (b) 
The Council of Ministers includes all ministers—Cabinet Ministers, Ministers of State with independent charge, and Ministers of State—headed by the Prime Minister.

Q6. Explain the role of the Mandal Commission in the context of the Office Memorandum of 1990. (2 Marks) 

Ans: 

• The Mandal Commission (1979) recommended 27% reservation in government jobs for SEBC.

• In 1990, the Janata Dal government implemented it through an Office Memorandum, leading to nationwide debate and legal challenges.

Q7. Differentiate between the political and permanent executive in India. (2 Marks) 

Ans: 

• Political Executive: Elected representatives (e.g., Prime Minister, ministers) who make policy decisions for a fixed term.

• Permanent Executive: Civil servants appointed on a long-term basis who implement policies and remain in office irrespective of political changes.

Q8. Why is the Lok Sabha more powerful than the Rajya Sabha? (2 Marks) 

Ans: The Lok Sabha is more powerful because:

1. In joint sessions, Lok Sabha’s larger strength ensures its view usually prevails.

2. It controls money bills and can remove the Council of Ministers through a no-confidence motion.

Q9. Describe the process of how the Office Memorandum of 1990 was issued. (3 Marks) 

Ans: Process of issuing the 1990 Office Memorandum:

1. The Mandal Commission report (1980) recommended 27% reservation for SEBC.

2. Janata Dal, after winning the 1989 elections, approved it in the Union Cabinet on 6 August 1990.

3. PM V.P. Singh announced it in Parliament; the Department of Personnel issued the OM on 13 August 1990.

Q10. Discuss the powers of the Prime Minister in India’s parliamentary system. (3 Marks) 

Ans: 

• The Prime Minister chairs Cabinet meetings and coordinates the work of different ministries.

• He takes final decisions in case of disagreements between ministries and supervises their functioning.

• He allocates and reshuffles ministerial portfolios and has the authority to dismiss ministers.

Q11. Explain the significance of judicial review in India. (3 Marks) 

Ans: 

• Judicial review ensures that laws and executive actions are in accordance with the Constitution.

• It safeguards the fundamental rights of citizens.

• It acts as a check on any misuse of power by the government.

Q12. Analyze the role of the Supreme Court in resolving the dispute over the Office Memorandum of 1990. (5 Marks) 

Ans: 

• Several petitions challenged the 1990 Office Memorandum, leading to the Indra Sawhney vs. Union of India case (1992).

• A bench of 11 Supreme Court judges upheld the 27% SEBC reservation as constitutional.

• The Court directed that the ‘creamy layer’ among SEBC should be excluded from reservation benefits.

• The government implemented this directive by issuing a revised Office Memorandum in 1993.

• The judgment balanced social justice with the principle of equality and demonstrated the importance of judicial review.

Q13. Evaluate the importance of political institutions in a democracy, using examples from the chapter. (5 Marks) 

Ans: Political institutions are crucial for democracy as they ensure structured governance, accountability, and checks on power. The chapter highlights: 
1. Parliament: Discussed the Mandal Commission report, influencing the 1990 reservation policy, showing its role in shaping policy through debate. 
2. Executive: The Prime Minister and Cabinet decided to implement 27% reservations, illustrating their role in policy-making. Civil servants executed this decision, showing the permanent executive’s role in implementation. 
3. Judiciary: The Supreme Court resolved disputes over the reservation policy, ensuring constitutional validity via judicial review. 
4. President: Announced the reservation policy in Parliament, reflecting ceremonial oversight.
These institutions, through rules and procedures, prevent arbitrary rule, ensure consultation, and maintain democratic balance, as seen in the reservation policy’s multi-institutional process.