Very Short Answer Questions: The Parliamentary System: Legislature and Executive | Social Science Class 8 - New NCERT PDF Download

Q1. What is India’s national law-making body called and how many parts does it have?
Ans: The Parliament of India; it includes the President, Lok Sabha, and Rajya Sabha.

Q2. What does “bicameral” mean in the context of Parliament?
Ans: It means the legislature has two houses or chambers.

Q3. Why was a bicameral Parliament chosen for India?
Ans: To balance national needs with state interests and strengthen federalism.

Q4. Which house represents the people directly and which represents the states?
Ans: Lok Sabha represents the people directly; Rajya Sabha represents the states.

Q5. Who presides over the Lok Sabha?
Ans: The Speaker of the Lok Sabha.

Q6. Who is the Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha?
Ans: The Vice President of India.

Q7. Name the four broad functions of Parliament highlighted in the chapter.
Ans: Constitutional, lawmaking, executive accountability, and financial accountability.

Q8. What does the “constitutional function” of Parliament ensure?
Ans: Protection of democracy, federalism, separation of powers, Fundamental Rights, and Directive Principles.

Q9. What is a bill and when does it become an act?
Ans: A bill is a draft law; it becomes an act after passing both houses and receiving the President’s assent.

Q10. Give one example of a law and its constitutional basis from the chapter.
Ans: The Right to Education Act, 2009, rooted in Article 21A via the 86th Amendment.

Q11. What are “clauses” in a bill?
Ans: Specific sections detailing the provisions of the proposed law.

Q12. What is the official government publication for laws and notices called?
Ans: The Gazette.

Q13. What is special about Money Bills in Parliament?
Ans: They can only be introduced in the Lok Sabha and need the President’s prior recommendation.

Q14. What is Question Hour and why is it important?
Ans: A time when MPs question ministers, ensuring executive accountability.

Q15. How else does Parliament hold ministries accountable besides Question Hour?
Ans: Through parliamentary committees that scrutinize policies and decisions.

Q16. What is Parliament’s role in financial accountability?
Ans: Approving the Budget, overseeing allocation and use of public funds, and demanding accurate information.

Q17. Who forms the Union Executive?
Ans: The President, Vice President, and Council of Ministers led by the Prime Minister.

Q18. How is the Prime Minister appointed?
Ans: The President appoints the leader of the majority party/coalition in the Lok Sabha.

Q19. To whom is the Council of Ministers collectively responsible?
Ans: The Lok Sabha.

Q20. What is the President’s role regarding bills and sessions?
Ans: Summons/adjourns Parliament, appoints the PM/Ministers, and gives assent to bills.

Q21. In what situation may the President act using personal discretion?
Ans: When no party has a clear majority in the Lok Sabha.

Q22. Who assists ministers in executing laws and running departments?
Ans: Civil servants/administrators (the bureaucracy).

Q23. What example from 1956 illustrates ministerial accountability?
Ans: Railway Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri resigned after a train accident, taking moral responsibility.

Q24. What service helps inclusivity in parliamentary debates across languages?
Ans: Simultaneous interpretation/translation in multiple Indian languages.

Q25. How does the chapter summarize the Legislature vs Executive distinction?
Ans: The Legislature makes laws and scrutinizes government; the Executive implements laws and governs under legislative oversight.