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

Short Answer Questions

Q1. How does the Indian Constitution ensure equal participation in electing representatives?
Ans: The Indian Constitution ensures equal participation through Universal Adult Franchise, allowing every adult citizen to vote, regardless of background, gender, race, or religion. Established post-independence, it enables citizens to elect Lok Sabha representatives directly, reflecting their will. This system promotes inclusivity and fairness, empowering all adults to shape India’s government. It strengthens parliamentary democracy by ensuring the government represents the diverse population through free and equal voting rights.

Q2. Why did India adopt a bicameral Parliament system?
Ans: India adopted a bicameral Parliament with the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha to address its diverse challenges and ensure balanced representation. After extensive constitutional debates, leaders decided one house was insufficient for India’s complexity. The Lok Sabha represents the people, while the Rajya Sabha represents states, supporting federalism. This system ensures laws reflect both national and regional interests, promoting unity and thorough legislative discussions.

Q3. What is the role of the Speaker in the Lok Sabha?
Ans: The Speaker of the Lok Sabha, elected by its members, manages sessions and ensures smooth functioning. They maintain discipline, allow members to speak, and enforce parliamentary rules. The Speaker ensures fair and orderly debates, enabling the Lok Sabha to carry out its legislative duties effectively. Their leadership is vital for upholding the democratic process and ensuring the house reflects the people’s voice in lawmaking.

Q4. Who chairs the Rajya Sabha, and what are their responsibilities?
Ans: The Rajya Sabha is chaired by the Vice President of India, who acts as its chairperson. Their responsibilities include maintaining order and fairness during debates, ensuring discussions follow parliamentary rules. They manage sessions, allocate speaking time, and ensure disciplined proceedings. This role is crucial for the Rajya Sabha to effectively represent state interests and contribute to India’s bicameral legislative process.

Q5. How does the Parliament ensure financial accountability of the government?
Ans: The Parliament ensures financial accountability by approving the annual budget, detailing how funds are allocated to ministries. It examines government spending to ensure money is used wisely and fairly. Through discussions and reviews, it checks for transparency and proper fund distribution. The government must provide timely and accurate spending reports, enabling the Parliament to maintain public trust and responsible financial management in governance.

Q6. What are the three lists in the Indian Constitution that define legislative powers?
Ans: The Indian Constitution divides legislative powers into three lists: the Union List, State List, and Concurrent List. The Union List includes subjects like defence, foreign affairs, and currency, exclusive to the central government. The State List covers subjects like police, public health, and local government, handled by states. The Concurrent List includes shared subjects like education and marriage, where both can legislate, but Union laws prevail in conflicts.

Q7. What is the significance of the Sengol in the Indian Parliament?
Ans: The Sengol, a gold-plated sceptre from the Chola era, was presented to Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru on August 14, 1947, symbolizing the transfer of power from British rule. Topped with Nandi, it represents righteous governance. Placed near the Lok Sabha Speaker’s chair, it reminds leaders of their duty to govern justly, reflecting India’s independence and commitment to democratic values in the Parliament.

Q8. Why are translation services provided in the Indian Parliament?
Ans: Translation services in the Indian Parliament ensure discussions are accessible in multiple Indian languages, promoting inclusivity. Initially offered in 12 languages, including Hindi, English, Tamil, and Telugu, they now include 6 more, such as Bodo, Urdu, and Sanskrit. These services allow MPs from diverse linguistic backgrounds to participate effectively in debates and lawmaking. Expanding language support reflects India’s commitment to embracing its linguistic diversity in governance.

Q9. What is the Question Hour, and why is it significant in Parliament?
Ans: The Question Hour is a dedicated time in Parliament when MPs ask ministers about government policies and actions. It is significant because it ensures executive accountability, as the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers must answer to the Lok Sabha. This process allows Parliament to monitor government performance and transparency. However, disruptions during Question Hour can hinder accountability, affecting the ability to address public concerns effectively.

Q10. How does the Judiciary maintain checks and balances in India’s democracy?
Ans: The Judiciary maintains checks and balances by interpreting and applying laws, ensuring the Legislature and Executive follow the Constitution. It acts as the guardian of the Constitution, reviewing laws and executive actions for compliance with constitutional principles. By protecting Fundamental Rights and resolving disputes, it prevents any branch from becoming too powerful. This separation of powers ensures fairness and upholds democratic values in India’s governance system.

Long Answer Questions

Q11. Explain the process of lawmaking in the Indian Parliament, with an example of the RTE Act.
Ans: The lawmaking process in the Indian Parliament involves multiple stages to ensure thorough and fair legislation. A bill, a draft law, is introduced in either the Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha, followed by discussions, committee reviews, and votes. If passed by both houses, it receives Presidential assent to become an act.

• Introduction and Debate: The bill is tabled and debated to assess its necessity and impact.
• Committee Review: A parliamentary committee reviews the bill, addressing issues like funding, as seen with the RTE bill.
• Voting and Assent: Both houses vote, and the President signs the bill into law.
• Example: The Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009, was introduced in the Rajya Sabha, reviewed for funding concerns, passed by the Lok Sabha in August 2009, and became law after Presidential assent, ensuring free education for children aged 6–14.

This process ensures laws align with public and constitutional needs.

Q12. Describe the roles of the President and the Prime Minister in the Union Executive.
Ans: The Union Executive, comprising the President, Vice President, and Council of Ministers led by the Prime Minister, implements Parliament’s laws. Their roles ensure effective governance.

• President’s Role: As the Head of State, the President appoints the Prime Minister and ministers, summons Parliament, and signs bills into law. They usually follow the Council of Ministers’ advice but can decide independently in cases like a hung Parliament.
• Prime Minister’s Role: The Prime Minister, appointed from the majority party or coalition in the Lok Sabha, leads the government, coordinates ministries, advises the President, and shapes national policies.
• Collective Responsibility: The Council of Ministers, chosen from both houses, answers to the Lok Sabha, ensuring accountability.

These roles balance leadership and democratic accountability in India’s governance.

Q13. How does the Indian Parliament uphold federalism and separation of powers?
Ans: The Indian Parliament upholds federalism and separation of powers to ensure balanced governance in India’s democracy.

• Federalism: The bicameral Parliament, with the Lok Sabha representing people and the Rajya Sabha representing states, ensures regional voices are heard. The Constitution’s Union, State, and Concurrent Lists divide legislative powers, with Union laws prevailing in conflicts, balancing national and state interests.
• Separation of Powers: The Legislature (Parliament) makes laws, the Executive enforces them, and the Judiciary ensures constitutional compliance. The Parliament holds the Executive accountable through Question Hour, while the Judiciary reviews laws and actions.
• Impact: These principles protect Fundamental Rights, promote state representation, and maintain fairness, ensuring no single branch dominates.

This structure strengthens India’s democratic framework.

Q14. Discuss the challenges faced by the Indian Parliament and State Assemblies in their functioning.
Ans: The Indian Parliament and State Assemblies face several challenges that hinder their legislative and oversight roles, impacting governance.

• Disruptions and Absenteeism: Irregular attendance and frequent disruptions, especially during Question Hour, delay lawmaking and weaken government accountability.
• Poor-Quality Debates: Angry or biased debates often divert focus from public issues, slowing bill passage, sometimes for years.
• Concerns About Members: Some Lok Sabha members face criminal cases, raising questions about their representation, which affects public trust.
• Solutions: Citizens can strengthen democracy by staying informed, participating in discussions, and electing responsible leaders. The media highlights issues, often humorously through cartoons, raising awareness.

Addressing these challenges requires collective efforts to enhance legislative efficiency and public trust.

Q15. Explain the legislative journey and impact of the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009.
Ans: The Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009, ensures free and compulsory education for children aged 6–14, significantly impacting India’s education system. Its legislative journey reflects a meticulous parliamentary process.

• Constitutional Roots: Based on the Directive Principles of State Policy, the idea emerged post-independence. The 86th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2002, added Article 21A, recognizing education as a Fundamental Right.
• Legislative Process: Introduced in the Rajya Sabha, the bill was reviewed by a committee addressing funding for schools and teachers. Political consensus was reached by 2008, and the Lok Sabha passed it in August 2009, followed by Presidential assent.
• Impact: The Act enabled legal pathways for school attendance, supported new school construction, and provided free books and uniforms, enhancing educational access.

The RTE Act underscores Parliament’s role in addressing social needs through legislation.